The 2024 Bayer Cotton Grower of the Year winner Scott Balsillie (right) with his wife Shonel. Photo: Cotton Australia
- Cotton winners announced
- GTA names life members
- Rice awards presented
- Durham wins Brownhill Cup
- ACIAR names executive team
- McFarlane joins Pacific Seeds
- Cropify team expands
- Moore wins Farrer Memorial Medal
- Lewis joins T-Ports
- Bird steps on to GPSA Board
- Egerton wins AgriFutures award
- Gongs for AIR EP, Long
Cotton winners announced
Scott Balsillie, farm manager for Eastern Australia Agriculture in Dirranbandi, has been named the 2024 Bayer Cotton Grower of the year, while the AgriRisk High Achiever award recipients are Steve and Bridget McVeigh from Dalby on the Darling Downs.
AgriRisk High Achiever award recipients Steve and Bridget McVeigh. Photo: Cotton Australia
The cotton industry’s top awards for the year were announced as part of the biennial Australian Cotton Conference on the Gold Coast held earlier this month.
Mr Balsillie started working full-time in cotton 25 years ago, and today runs farms Clyde and Kia Ora, which combined grow up to 6500ha of cotton.
He has focused on improving water efficiency through the bankless conversion from siphons, achieving huge benefits in labour and water savings, machine efficiencies and yield benefits.
“It’s all the 1 percenters that you get right that give you the amazing crop at the end,” Mr Balsillie said.
The McVeighs’ run Loch Eaton near Dalby, where they grow more than 1000ha of irrigated and dryland cotton.
“I’m a big believer in development, diversification and technology,” Mr McVeigh said.
“We are always looking at water and labour-saving technologies and looking to adopt the latest tech.”
The recipient of the CRDC Chris Lehmann Young Cotton Achiever of the Year Award is Sharna Holman who is currently undertaking PhD research focusing on the pest status of cluster caterpillar in northern Australia, addressing sustainable cotton production challenges.
The recipient of the Cotton Seed Distributors Researcher of the Year Award is Lisa Bird who plays a pivotal role in management of the industry’s insecticide resistance program with her team at the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ Australian Cotton Research Institute.
The prestigious Incitec Pivot Fertilisers Service to the Cotton Industry Award went to Ross Munro from BMC Partnerships in Moree.
Mr Munro started his relationship with cotton in the 1970s working alongside his father, before later using his experience to team up with Danny and John Burke to form the BMC partnership.
“The award recipients have been recognised for their intelligent and forward-focused approach to growing cotton, and that’s something all the nominees, and the industry as a whole, share,” Cotton Australia chief executive officer Adam Kay said.
“Importantly, alongside the growers recognised as part of the awards program, we have other industry representatives including researchers and the up-and-coming participants who will make a difference for years to come.”
GTA names life members
Grain Trade Australia awarded Geoff Farnsworth and Lyndon Asser life memberships at the Australia Grains Industry Conference gala dinner last month.
Mr Farnsworth has been an integral part of GTA for more than 20 years, providing valuable legal counsel and advice to GTA boards, chairs and CEOs.
He has served on the GTA Board and many of its committees and has been an integral part GTA’s self-regulatory framework that includes standard-form contracts, trade rules, and the dispute-resolution system.
Mr Asser has recently retired after a long and distinguished career with Viterra and its predecessors in Australia going back to the Australian Barley Board.
“His conduct over a long career in this great industry embodies how we all should conduct ourselves in market with customers, amongst the trade and with our colleagues,” GTA said in presenting the award.
Mr Farnsworth and Mr Asser join existing life members: Chris Kelly; Merv May; Terry Deacon, and Geoff Honey.
Rice awards presented
Josh and Emily Small of Rivena Nominees, from Deniliquin, took out the illustrious C24 SunRice Grower of the Year Award at the 6th annual Rice Industry Awards Gala Dinner held at Moama earlier this month.
Josh and Emily Small; SunRice Group Chairman, Laurie Arthur. Photo: SunRice
The Smalls were celebrated for their impressive adoption of technology and practices to increase water-use efficiency using innovation and technology to improve the way their farm operates.
The Port of Melbourne Highest Yield Awards for the highest yield across various regions went to: Russ Family Farming, Western Murray Valley; Mardenoora Farming, Eastern Murray Valley; FW G & FW Hibbert, Coleambally Irrigation Area; and Allawah Family Trust, Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area.
The Grower Industry Contribution Award went to Bill Holden of Deniliquin, while the Excellence in Extension, Research and Advisory Award winners were Brian and Tina Dunn.
The Yenda Producers Specialist Grain Yield Awards for highest yields by rice variety went to: Patrick Sergi of Widgelli Sergrow Pty Ltd (Topaz), Murrami based Tony Mallamace of Mallamace Family Trust (Langi), Charles McDonald, Barham representing Widderin Past Co (Opus), Antony Vagg of Amaloo Pastoral Co (Koshikari) and Deniliquin based Graeme and Libby Barker of GE & EH Barker (Sherpa).
SunRice Group Grower Services team members Eleanor Fondacaro, Melissa Lyons, and Lisa O’Callaghan were recipients of the Honorary Councillor Award.
All three have worked for SunRice Group for a collective 102 years.
Durham wins Brownhill Cup
Nombi grower Ross Durham has won the Brownhill Cup.
Presented at the AgQuip Grower Forum in Gunnedah last week, the award recognises conservation farming and efficient management practices.
Gordon Brownhill, Brownhill Cup 2024 winner Ross Durham, mental health ambassador Brad Hogg, and independent agronomist Jim Hunt.
Grower Gordon Brownhill presented the award, and said Mr Durham’s conservation farming system and experience in diverse cropping rotations have allowed him to protect his soil resource and be responsive to price opportunities and seasonal conditions.
“Over the years, Mr Durham has modified and designed equipment to counter some of the early challenges of using a zero-tillage farming system to increase water-use efficiency and improve soil fertility, and he has generously shared his knowledge and time with his peers, researchers and the younger generation,” Mr Brownhill said.
The Brownhill Cup was donated by the Brownhill family of Merrilong, Spring Ridge, as a perpetual trophy to encourage landholders to adopt conservation-farming and efficient management practices.
The competition began in 1983 as the Livestock and Grain Producers’ Association Soil Conservation Farmer of the Year held between Quirindi, Currabubula/Werris Creek, Pottinger, Gunnedah and Boggabri district councils.
ACIAR names executive team
The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research has officially announced its executive team, with James Quilty as general manager research; Laura Timmins as general manager partnerships, and Paul Morgan as general manager corporate.
ACIAR’s executive team: Dr James Quilty, Laura Timmins Prof Wendy Umberger, and Paul Morgan. Photo: ACIAR
They join ACIAR chief executive officer Wendy Umberger, who took over from Andrew Campbell in July last year.
“I am excited for our new executive team to unite ACIAR with a clear strategic direction to strengthen partnerships, work more closely with partner countries and have a strong emphasis on climate action in new research investments,” Professor Umberger said.
Dr Quilty joined ACIAR in in 2019 as the research program manager for soil and land management and before this role worked for seven years at the International Rice Research Institute, based in The Philippines.
Before joining ACIAR, Ms Timmins was assistant secretary of the Agriculture Trade and Market Access Branch in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
From 2014 to 2016, she served as an agricultural counsellor to Indonesia, and has worked as a vet in private and government practice in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Mr Morgan brings 30 years’ experience leading corporate and enabling programs across the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ACIAR and has represented the Australian Government on postings to Damascus, Beirut, Abu Dhabi, Accra, Geneva, and Baghdad.
McFarlane joins Pacific Seeds
Pacific Seeds welcomes Asha McFarlane as territory manager northern Western Australia.
Asha McFarlane
As a third-generation wheat and sheep farmer from Doodlakine, WA, Ms McFarlane brings local farming knowledge and enthusiasm to role which will be an advantage for WA farmers and rural supply stores.
Pacific Seeds national sales manager Bradley Jamieson said the appointment was crucial to supporting customers in WA.
“Pacific Seeds and local growers will see a real benefit to having in-field knowledge backed by world-class R&D and the best seed varieties on the market,” Mr Jamieson said.
Ms McFarlane will work with growers and agents throughout the northern Wheatbelt.
Cropify team expands
Adelaide-based company Cropify has appointed Jade Saunders as its grain quality manager.
Jade Saunders.
Mr Saunders started with Cropify early last month, and has come to the company from the National Association of Testing Laboratories.
His experience includes many years working in quality control at Viterra, as well as positions in the malting and food sectors.
“We are thrilled to have Jade join us in this critical role,” Cropify CEO and co-founder Anna Falkiner said.
“Jade’s wealth of experience in grain quality and national technical committees is invaluable to the commercialisation of our objective grain-grading solution.”
Next month, the Cropify team will be expanding further with the appointment of Rebecca Spence as grain quality officer.
Ms Spence comes to Cropify after having worked at Intertek, AmSpec, Viterra, and Dublin Clean Grain.
Moore wins Farrer Memorial Medal
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development plant pathologist Kevin Moore last week was awarded the prestigious 2023 Farrer Memorial Medal in recognition of his distinguished career and invaluable contributions to chickpea research.
Dr Kevin Moore with the 2023 Farrer Memorial Medal. Photo: Farrer Memorial Trust
Dr Moore joined the then NSW Department of Agriculture in 1966 and has since undertaken significant work in developing sustainable and effective disease-management strategies, particularly for chickpeas.
His research has helped tackle Ascochyta blight, a significant threat to chickpea yields, by advancing resistant varieties and integrated disease-management practices.
Beyond the laboratory, Dr Moore’s commitment to education and extension services has empowered countless growers with the knowledge and tools to combat plant diseases.
His efforts have not only enhanced crop resilience but have also contributed to the economic stability and growth of Australia’s agricultural sector.
The Farrer Memorial Trust was established in the memory of plant breeder William James Farrer and has, since 1936, provided encouragement and inspiration to those engaged in cropping agricultural science via the presentation of the annual Farrer Memorial Medal and student scholarships.
T-Ports CEO Nathan Kent and grower relations officer Hayley Lewis at the recent Cleve Field Days. Photo: T-Ports
Lewis joins T-Ports
T-Ports has appointed Hayley Lewis as its grower relations officer.
Prior to joining T-Ports, Ms Lewis worked in operational roles on Eyre Peninsula, and has also managed the University of Adelaide’s grain laboratory at the Waite Institute.
“Through her technical knowledge, innovation and creativity, Hayley has influenced her workplaces positively by tailoring services to suit the specific needs of her customer base,” T-Ports CEO Nathan Kent said.
“Hayley has also harnessed valued one-on-one relationships by leveraging her strong interpersonal skills and her ability to conduct herself respectfully and with integrity at all times, qualities held in high regard at T-Ports.”
Bird steps on to GPSA Board
The Grain Producers South Australia Board has been bolstered by the appointment of Julie Bird as a new independent director.
Julie Bird.
Ms Bird’s early career path included teaching and working on a family horticulture property, before taking on roles with Quality Fruit Marketing and the Almond Board of Australia.
She has served eight years on the board of Plant Health Australia and is currently chair of Horticulture Innovation Australia and Australian Seafood Industries, and is a director of the Cotton Research and Development Corporation.
GPSA chair John Gladigau said he was looking forward to the contribution Ms Bird can make to the SA grain industry.
“Her background in agriculture, especially in representing diverse sectors, will be invaluable in addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the grain industry,” Mr Gladigau said.
Ms Bird is excited about the opportunity to draw on her past experiences in agriculture and contribute to the SA grain industry’s future.
“While this has been in other sectors of agriculture, there is a lot of similarity in underlying issues and needs,” Ms Bird said.
Egerton wins AgriFutures award
Northern Territorian visionary and First Nations affairs advocate Tanya Egerton has been named the 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award National winner with Victorian rural health campaigner, Grace Larson, announced as national runner-up.
As founder and CEO of Circulanation and the Remote OpShop Project, Ms Egerton was celebrated for her work in empowering the entrepreneurial aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across remote Australia.
Tanya Egerton.
Both women, along with their fellow national finalists, were honoured for their exceptional contributions to rural communities and industries during at a ceremony held at Canberra’s Parliament House this month.
The 2024 cohort also included:
- Rebecca Keeley, Canberra, ACT;
- Kate Lamason, Cairns, Qld;
- Belle Binder, Devonport, Tas;
- Mandy Walker, Wongan Hills, WA; and,
- Nikki Atkinson, Flinders Rangers, SA.
The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award is Australia’s premier award recognising and supporting the vital role women play in rural and regional businesses, industries and communities.
“This is a significant honour, and I am deeply appreciative of AgriFutures and Westpac for their belief in my mission to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Ms Egerton said.
AgriFutures Australia managing director John Harvey praised Ms Egerton for her outstanding contributions to Indigenous communities in remote Australia.
“Her innovative approach and dedication to transforming remote areas resonates deeply with the core values of the Award,” Mr Harvey said.
Gongs for AIR EP, Long
Ag Innovation Research Eyre Peninsula and industry facilitator Jeanette Long have taken home awards at the AgExForum24 gala awards dinner held in Adelaide on August 5.
Mark Stanley, Jeanette Long and Leet Wilksch.
AIR EP took out the Primary Industries and Resources South Australia Grower Group Award while Jeanette Long won the Ag Excellence Perpetual Award for Outstanding Service to Agriculture.
In only four years of operation, AIR EP’s team has been successful in securing funding for 60 projects with a cumulative value of about $8 million.
“The demonstrated dedication and success in acquiring funding to deliver a comprehensive portfolio of projects underscores its effectiveness in advocating for the needs of the local agricultural community,” South Australian Research Development Institute acting executive chair Hannah Brown said.
Ms Long is a significant contributor to a myriad of agricultural organisations including the Australasian Pacific Extension Network, Ag Excellence and most recently Women together Learning (WoTL).
She has worked throughout Australia and New Zealand with extension personnel and farmers and also provides mentoring support to many young extension professionals.
“Ag Ex has been the recipient of Jeanette’s tireless efforts as chair and committee member for many years and as shown again at today’s forum, she continues to give her time for the benefit of this room and the broader agricultural industry,” Ag Ex chair Leet Wilksch said.
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