Gardyne takes gold at the Glammies

Robert, Rosemary, Cheralyn, Grant and Teri Gardyne from the Ida Valley. Robert Gardyne was named Glammies Producer of the Decade. PHOTOS: BEEF + LAMB NEW ZEALAND

Mr Gardyne was a finalist in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 before winning the grand champion title last year. It was the first time the competition had been won with a Perendale.

This year, he was runner-up in the best of breed (traditional) class, with a Perendale lamb and highly commended in best of breed (open) with a Perendale/Suffolk/Texel. Both lambs were processed at Alliance Group's Lorneville plant.

Mr Gardyne, who has farmed for 52 years, attributed his success to experience and practice.

``Consumers are now much more interested in the food they eat and where it comes from. Reflecting on the past decade, a lot of effort has been put into the management and genetic makeup of the animal to fine-tune the lamb we produce. Gaining an award like this is a huge thrill and gives me confidence in what is to come,'' he said.

Following an independent assessment for yield, tenderness, succulence and colour, the top 20 finalists this year were judged by Beef + Lamb New Zealand ambassador chefs at the Wanaka A&P Show.

Forbes and Angus Cameron, from Ashhurst, topped the 166 entries with a Growbulk lamb processed at Alliance Group's Dannevirke plant. The Camerons also won the beef equivalent competition, Steak of Origin, in 2015.

Beef + Lamb chief executive Sam McIvor said the competition recognised the quality aspects that were so important to the customer.

``The excellent results are a reflection of the work that farmers, processors and scientists have put into driving these aspects of lamb production,'' he said.

Judging the Glammies are head judge Graham Hawkes (left) and Beef + Lamb New Zealand ambassador chefs Alistair Forster (Mahana Estates, Nelson), Andi Bozhiqi (Millhouse Restaurant at Millbrook Resort, Arrowtown), Steve Beere (Mint Restaurant, Napier), Shaun Clouston (Logan Brown, Wellington), and Scott Kennedy (Nero Restaurant, Palmerston North).

Results:

Best of breed (traditional) - gold, Hamish Mackay, Gore (Romney); silver, Robert Gardyne, Oturehua (Perendale); bronze, Paul, Rachel, Mark and Louise Heslip, Dipton (Perendale/Romney); highly commended, Don Morrison, Gore (Romney).

Best of breed (crossbreed) - Roger, Alison and Jeremy Thomas, Tuatapere (Perendale/Texel); silver, Charles Crutchley, Ranfurly (Texel/Perendale/Romney); bronze, Hayden Peter, Wyndham (Greeline); highly commended, Jane Leogreen, Dannevirke (Texel/Perendale/Romney).

Best of breed (terminal cross) - gold, Don Morrison (Growbulk/Charollais); silver, Matt and Lynley Wyeth, Masterton (Highlander/Primera); bronze, Gary Fordyce, Gore (composite/Texel cross); highly commended, Allan Paterson, Otautau (CoopTexel/Texel).

Best of breed (open) - gold, Peter Sim and Maree Whiteley, Garston (Textra); silver, Forbes and Angus Cameron, Ashhurst (Growbulk); bronze, Doug Brown, Oamaru (Poll Dorset/Texel); highly commended, Robert Gardyne (Perendale/Suffolk/Texel).

Retail - gold, Countdown Supermarkets (South Suffolk/Romney from Ruakiwi, Kaikohe); silver, Pure South, Alliance Meats (Romney/Texel from JW, JC and JR Clark, Milton); bronze, Countdown Supermarkets (Southdown/Texel/Romney from DI Cathcart, Huntly); highly commended, Lifestyle Meats (Texel Perendale from Ohakune).

People's choice: Matt and Lynley Wyeth.

2017 grand champion: Forbes and Angus Cameron.