Manawatu dairy farmers Keith and Kim Riley are celebrating their win at the Horizons Balance Farm Environment Awards.

The Rileys milk 800 cows on 340 hectares at Woodville, on the eastern edge of the Manawatu Gorge,prone to flooding and plenty of farming challenges .

The farm is bounded by the Manawatu River and has two tributaries running through it.

Judges were impressed with the way the Rileys managed their operation around their three waterways, targeting long-term sustainability.

“The competition “gave us the opportunity to be involved with like-minded people who share similar values,” said Keith Riley.

He says his aim is to develop a future-proof business that is environmentally sustainable, profitable and easy to manage.

Keith believes the Farm Environment Awards are good for the dairy industry because they showcase best farming practices and show the wider public that dairy farmers are serious about environmental sustainability.