NSW’s top wheat growers were recognised on Wednesday night during the 2014 Suncorp Bank/Agricultural Societies Council Dryland Field Wheat competition awards dinner at Forbes.
Durum winners were the Rankin family of “Glen Logan”, Quirindi with Jandaroi variety while the overall state winner was the Hardie family,” Stirling”, Wallendbeen with a crop of Suntop estimated to yield six tonnes per hectare.
Principals, Steve and Louanda Hardie conduct a 2640 hectare aggregation on the rolling hills west of Wallendbeen with their three sons, Grahame, Alex and Berkeley running 4700 first cross and 1800 Merino ewes alongside 190 Angus cows, complemented with a 1700ha cropping program.
Their award came from them winning the Southern Region finals.
Some 400 crops were entered in the competition this year through 41 show societies and the finals judging team travelled more than 6000 kilometres in determining results.
Special recognition was award to John Dickens, Berrigan, for dedication and commitment
Northern winner was a crop of Gregory grown by David Quast, “Domang”, Crooble, while Western Region winners were Tony and Tanya Wright, “Bundy Downs”, Peak Hill with a Suntop crop.
Central region winner was the Johnstone brothers, Ben and Tom, of “Woodlands”, Woodstock, also with Gregory variety.
The Excellence in Farming award went to Stephen and Sally Smith, “Burramunda”, Young, for their “great attention to detail, according to state finals judge, Paul Parker, Young.
Mark Griggs
Journalist for The Land at Dubbo.
Journalist for The Land at Dubbo.
