November 27, 2025
The Farmers Fast Five – where we ask a farmer five quick questions about farming and what agriculture means to them.
Today we chat to Culverden dairy farmer and Ballance award winner Stuart Neill.
What did your journey into farming look like?
I grew up in a family of six children on a 90-cow town supply farm in Coldstream, Mid Canterbury. I went to Lowcliffe School and Ashburton College. I did one year at Lincoln University before deciding to go dairying as the dairying boom took off.
Tell us a little bit about your farming operation.
Tracey and I are in an equity partnership in a 640 cow, 223-hectare farm in Culverden, North Canterbury. We are running a low input system with 10 in 7 milkings.
What challenges have you faced in your farming business, and how have you tackled those challenges?
Environmental sustainability is our biggest challenge. We are experimenting with systems to be environmentally friendly, sustainable, and profitable.
What has been a major highlight for you in your farming journey?
Highlights have been being part of a successful equity partnership for 30 years and in March this year winning the Canterbury Supreme Award at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
What advice would you have for the next generation of farmers?
Environmental and financial sustainability and treating people with respect have been the keys to our success.
The Farmers Fast Five – where we ask a farmer five quick questions about farming and what agriculture means to them.
Today we chat to Culverden dairy farmer and Ballance award winner Stuart Neill.
What did your journey into farming look like?
I grew up in a family of six children on a 90-cow town supply farm in Coldstream, Mid Canterbury. I went to Lowcliffe School and Ashburton College. I did one year at Lincoln University before deciding to go dairying as the dairying boom took off.
Tell us a little bit about your farming operation.
Tracey and I are in an equity partnership in a 640 cow, 223-hectare farm in Culverden, North Canterbury. We are running a low input system with 10 in 7 milkings.
What challenges have you faced in your farming business, and how have you tackled those challenges?
Environmental sustainability is our biggest challenge. We are experimenting with systems to be environmentally friendly, sustainable, and profitable.
What has been a major highlight for you in your farming journey?
Highlights have been being part of a successful equity partnership for 30 years and in March this year winning the Canterbury Supreme Award at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
What advice would you have for the next generation of farmers?
Environmental and financial sustainability and treating people with respect have been the keys to our success.
