Methven farmers John and Mel McCaw have been named Arable Farmers of the Year at the 2026 Arable Awards in Christchurch.

Nearly 500 people attended the fourth annual awards ceremony at the Air Force Museum on Thursday evening, celebrating leading growers and contributors to New Zealand’s grain and seed industry.

The McCaws secured the top honour after also being named Seed Growers of the Year.

They were considered alongside Maize Grower of the Year Mark Shera of Ashburton, Cereal Growers of the Year Andrew and Amy Darling of Timaru, and Positive Environmental Impact winners Lovett Family Farms.

Judges praised the McCaws for bringing simplicity to their arable rotation, understanding crop performance, and strategically integrating several crops with livestock.

Their farming operation combines profitability with sustainable practices, including the use of trees, cover crops and tillage methods which support soil conservation.

John McCaw has also contributed to the wider industry through representative, community, governance and advisory roles.

He has chaired the Federated Farmers Herbage Seed Subsection for the past six years and was named the organisation’s Arable Advocate of the Year earlier this year.

Then Federated Farmers arable chair David Birkett described McCaw’s contribution as “exceptional and hugely valuable”.

“The intellect and the balanced approach he brings to advocacy is outstanding,” Birkett said.

Four new entries were also added to the Arable Hall of Fame during the ceremony.

South Pacific Seeds managing director John McKay was recognised for helping grow the company into New Zealand’s largest vegetable seed production business.

McKay developed production systems and grower networks which allowed farmers to successfully produce specialist crops including carrot, radish and Chinese cabbage seed, while expanding international markets.

Arable farmer John McKenzie was inducted for his decades of work across the pasture seed and forage sector, including commercial plant breeding, research, exports and the development of New Zealand forage genetics for global markets.

Wakanui farmers Eric and Maxine Watson were recognised for their contribution to the industry during more than 30 years of arable farming near Ashburton.

The couple twice achieved Guinness World Records for wheat yields, while their farm has hosted dozens of grain and seed trials.

The late PGG Wrightson Seeds senior research agronomist Murray Kelly was inducted for his work developing techniques to improve crop performance and seed yields.

Kelly, who died earlier this year, was widely respected as a mentor and communicator, with growers and agronomy colleagues describing him as “a walking encyclopedia on all aspects of seed production”.

Canterbury farmers Marty and Georgina Skurr received the Innovation Award for developing a thriving stone ground flour business on the land Marty’s great grandfather began farming in the 1920s.

The couple manage the entire operation, from growing and harvesting grain to milling, marketing and selling the finished flour.

The SCID Rebuild Team received the Working Together Award, while Sean Mulligan was named Agronomist of the Year.

Andrew and Amy Darling of Adar Farming Limited won the United Wheat Growers Feed Wheat Award.

Dan and Tash White of Willowbank Ag received the Milling Wheat Award, while Robin and Lisa Kingsbury of Tahuri Farm won the Premium Milling Wheat Award.