HELPING growers adopt new practices, particularly with new hybrids in the summer crop market, has led to Gunnedah's Rob MCCarron receiving the 2018 Brownhill Cup.
Mr McCarron has been the face of Pacific Seeds for almost four decades, serving as the local territory manager on the Liverpool Plains for more than 10 years and more recently as territory manager looking after the New England, coastal NSW, the Northern Territory and the Kimberley region of WA.
He was present during the 1980s and 1990s, a time when agriculture underwent major changes and advances in farming practices occurred including the adoption of no tillage and the introduction of Roundup, which vastly improved yields in summer crops, particularly grain sorghum and at the same time made it a more reliable crop to grow.
Mr McCarron has been recognised for his commitment to growers, advisors and industry on the Liverpool Plains through advocating the adoption of new varieties and practices, particularly in the fields of grain sorghum, maize and sunflower.
Some of the major releases which occurred during his watch included included Hysun 33 in 1984 which lifted the yield bar for oilseed sunflowers, MR 2200, the world’s first mid-season midge resistant hybrid grain sorghum, Hyola 30, the first hybrid canola in the world released in 1988 and the enduring hybrid MR Buster which was released in 1992 and is still going strong.
Mr McCarron is originally from Narrabri, and graduated from Orange Agricultural College in 1976. After a brief stint back on the farm moved into commercial agriculture, first with a produce and merchandise store in Tamworth, he joined Pacific Seeds in Dubbo in 1982.
“I can only describe my career of almost 36 years in the hybrid seed industry as very rewarding and fulfilling,” he said.
“I have been lucky to have been in an era when major advances were made in agriculture and Pacific Seeds plant breeders were at the forefront with better genetics being available to the farmers.
“None of my achievements would have been possible without working with a gifted and talented group of people both within Pacific Seeds and the industry in general.
“Some of my work colleagues both present and past are my closest friends, which says a lot about the comradery within Pacific Seeds and the industry as a whole.”
The Brownhill Cup is one of Australia’s most prestigious agricultural awards and is presented annually in recognition of innovative farming practices that improve sustainability, productivity and profitability in agriculture.
“Rob has become well known for his energy and passion when it comes to trials, enjoying the opportunity to bring new material for farmers to see first-hand and working to ensure they derived the maximum benefit from these advancements,” Gordon Brownhill said.
“However, Rob has delivered more than just new varieties, he listened to the voices of growers, industry and plant breeders and delivered a package where new technology could be best adopted by local farms for major yield and economic gains for growers.”
