State's top farming excellence award finalists announced
A pork and saltbush lamb producing couple from Temora, a mixed livestock and grazing property manager from Holbrook and a wrinkle free merino breeder from Yeoval have been named the finalists in this year’s NSW Farmer of the Year award.
Those selected for their outstanding farm management skills include:
- Kim and Stephen Roberts, who run a small piggery ‘Bundawarrah Free Range Pork’ and produce saltbush lamb;
- Chris Mirams, who manages ‘Woomargama Station’ near Holbrook with a sheep, cattle and grass production; and
- Nigel Kerin, who runs a cell grazing operation at Yeoval with sheep, wool, and cattle trading enterprises.
Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said the judges faced the difficult task of selecting finalists from an extremely competitive field.
"The fact that all of this year’s finalists, as well as most of the overall applicants, are battling the drought and other financial pressures but are still tackling environment challenges is indicative of the determination and talent across our State’s farming sector," Minister Macdonald said.
NSW Farmers’ Association President Jock Laurie said the finalists represented a diverse range of farming enterprises, but shared a strong commitment to achieving profitability and sustainability in spite of current drought conditions.
"These three farming families have impressive stories to tell about innovative ways to approach challenges like climate change, consumer demands and product marketing," he said.
The finalists were also selected for their ability to demonstrate innovation, marketing and risk management skills, as well as involvement in industry groups and their local communities.
The successful ‘Farmer of the Year’ will be awarded $10,000, with the ‘Young Farmer of the Year’ taking home $5,000, and will be announced on 30 July at the NSW Farmers’ Association Annual Conference Dinner.
The annual awards are coordinated by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and NSW Farmers’ Association, and supported by Rural Press and the Royal Agricultural Society.
Media contact: Trudy Glasgow (for Minister Macdonald) 0427 217 354 or Amanda Barwick (for NSW Farmers’ Association) 0428 400 736