Who's going to be 2018 NSW farmer of the year? Is it you?

NSW Minister for Primary Industries Niall Blair and outgoing NSW Farmers President Derek Schoen have announced applications for the prestigious NSW Farmer of the Year award have opened for 2018. 

Speaking at the NSW Farmers Annual Conference, Mr  Blair said the award is both a celebration and recognition of farming excellence through the diverse range of enterprises across NSW. 

“Our farmers represent some of the most innovative, industrious primary producers in the country and produce some of the highest quality food and fibre to be found anywhere in the world,” Mr Blair said.

“The state’s $15 billion primary industries sector is going from strength to strength under the stewardship of our farmers, who demonstrate drive and determination to run efficient, profitable and sustainable businesses.”

Mr Schoen has served as a judge of the award throughout his presidency and said the 2017 finalists represented the breadth of NSW’s farming sector. “From biodynamic, organic egg farming to a commercial cropping enterprise gaining efficiencies through environmental practices, from young guns through to farmers who have had a life-long commitment to farming excellence, the calibre of applications to the NSW Farmer of the Year award continues to be hugely impressive,” he said.  

“The award helps identify outstanding farmers who are pushing the boundaries within their industry and in farming generally, and recognises people with outstanding management skills who demonstrate a combination of innovation, profitability, sustainability and community involvement. I strongly encourage all farmers in the primary industries sector to enter to become the 2018 NSW Farmer of the Year.”

The successful 2018 Farmer of the Year will be awarded $10,000, and finalists will receive $2,000.

Mike and Velia O’Hare from “Greendale”, Beckom, won last year’s NSW Farmer of the Year award.

A rare legume was part of their success. The O’Hares run a 2200-hectare mixed farm in south-west NSW producing canola, wheat and lamb with a rotational cropping and grazing system underpinned by nitrogen-fixing, hard-seeded pasture legumes headed by biserrula. 

The award is an initiative of the NSW Department of Primary Industries and NSW Farmers, with support from SafeWork NSW and Fairfax Agricultural Media, including The Land. Application forms are available at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au or at www.nswfarmers.org.au  Entries close September 26.