QUIRINDI graziers Derek and Kirrily Blomfield have been named the 2014 NSW Farmers of the Year.
The couple manage “Colorado”, a 980-hectare beef cattle grazing farm on the Liverpool Plains in northern NSW. They run up to 500 head of cattle and practice rotational grazing to ensure their perennial pastures are ‘recovered’ before re-grazing them.
They market their grassfed beef direct to the consumer under their brand ‘The Conscious Farmer’. The Blomfields also engage with their consumers through a subscription-only blog which discusses regenerative agricultural practices and their practical application for both broadacre and small scale farming and grazing.
Mr Blomfield said he was humbled to have been honoured with the award.
“This award is a reflection of all the people over the last 12 years who have really mentored us and our whole family. So this is for the people who have guided us and believed in what we are doing,” Mr Blomfield said.
“But even though we’ve won this, it’s not about us and we do on our farm, it’s really more about regenerative agriculture and getting it out into the spotlight.”
NSW Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson said the Blomfield’s were deserving winners.
“Derek and Kirrily are showing great innovation, tapping into the latest science, seeking expertise from outside their enterprise and making consumer linkages,” Ms Hodgkison said.
“They impressed the judges with their commitment to improving and regenerating soils, pastures and biodiversity while optimising beef production and sustainability.”
Judge and president of the NSW Farmers Associate Fiona Simson said the award celebrates the wonderful diversity and high calibre of farmers in NSW.
She said the judges looked for evidence of sustainability, safety, advocacy and community work in the awardees.
The Blomfield’s won a cash prize of more than $10,000 and the two runners up, Dorrigo potato and beef producer Scott Beaumont, and Goulburn turkey grower James Mifsud, received $2000 each.
The Award is an initiative of NSW Farmers and NSW Department of Primary Industries, with support from The Land, the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW and WorkCover NSW.
