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MICHAEL FELS

HALCYON DOWNS, 

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

PRODUCTIVITY

Mic Fels sets a benchmark in his region for productivity and profitability. He is passionate about the future of Australian agriculture and is heavily involved in community organisations.

His out-of-the-box approach to farming has led him to discover innovations such as the Unstacker, a machine which collects grain more efficiently during harvest; the iPaddockYield iPhone/iPad app which predicts yield according to the season; and his first app, iPaddockSpray.

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DAVID CAMERON

FARMANCO,

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

PRODUCTIVITY

David is passionate about the biology and chemistry behind agronomy and is driven by seeing his clients reach their objectives.

He is able to combine the extensive Farmanco economic acumen with the latest research data to develop tailored management plans that aim to achieve the highest profitability for all of his clients.

David works with his clients on their whole business to achieve productivity and profitability.

He set goals to maximise his clients’ resources and works with clients to reach their commercial objectives.

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RANDALL WILKSCH

WILKSCH

AGRICULTURE, 

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

SUSTAINABILITY

Randall sees his farm as an ecosystem, with every element perfectly in sync to support one another. He uses technology to gather as much data as possible to achieve a balance of sustainability and profitability.

Randall runs weather stations and numerous moisture probes to collect environmental data and receives that information directly to his phone.

He utilises biological technology as part of his long-term integrated resistance management strategy, and is undertaking trials to assess the validity of biosolids, together with strategic deep ripping to enhance sub-soils. 

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TAYAH RYAN

FRUITFED SUPPLIES,

NEW ZEALAND

SUSTAINABILITY

Tayah’s research of Pseudomonas syringae actinidiae (PSA) helped contain damage to NZ kiwifruit crops, and bring the disease back under control after its initial discovery.

She has since become the go-to for growers and researchers across the country when it comes to crop control and market and export considerations.

Having seen very early in her career how a new disease can come close to devastating an industry, Tayah sees her research as important to sustainability in the long term.

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DUC NGUYEN 

NGUYEN & HUYNH,

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

COMMUNITY

AND PEOPLE

Duc has a deep understanding of Australian farming regulation and is recognised for his advocacy work across WA, as well as being at the forefront of R&D in his community.

Despite this, Duc is humble in his success, and focuses on giving back to his local Vietnamese farming community.

He serves on grower committees and represents his community on a national level through leading Carnarvon’s Vietnamese Association.

His community support has become a model for leadership in the area.

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TOMMY LE

EE MUIR & SONS,

QUEENSLAND

COMMUNITY

AND PEOPLE

Tommy Le serves as a pillar for the Vietnamese farming community and is driven by the desire to help other families who have immigrated to Australia.

Tommy considers himself lucky to have come to Australia at a young age, where he had the opportunity to attend school and learn English. He is committed to helping Vietnamese families in his area establish and build a profitable agricultural business.

Tommy works to provide the materials and equipment his customers need to start their own greenhouse operation, and delivers sound agronomic advice to help them achieve sustainable returns.

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ALLAN FONG 

PERFECT PRODUCE,

NEW ZEALAND

CASE IH AWARD

Going from growing main-commodity crops such as cabbage and iceberg lettuce and supplying fast food chains, Allan has since finessed his operations to provide high-end niche products to a “foodie” market.

He implements careful management strategies on-farm.

He is always looking at innovative ways to improve his product and often looks to other industries, such as viticulture, for inspiration.

Allan is researching how factors like soil, water and environment affect his vegetables and, as such, is hoping to improve the taste and texture of them.