Young winner opens farm for a day

The Department of Primary Industries and the NSW Farmers’ Association are encouraging farmers to come to an exciting field day showcasing the 2007 Young Farmer of the Year winners Stuart and Alex Blake.

Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said the event will be held on the Blake’s property "Winterbourne", near Walcha in northern NSW.

"To have a young family embracing some of the cutting edge technologies at the same time as embracing sustainable and environmentally friendly programs and is a great example of modern farming," Minister Macdonald said.

NSW Farmers’ Association President Jock Laurie says the Blake’s mixed livestock and cropping enterprise should be of interest to many.

"Stuart and Alex specialise in the running of an artificial breeding service, Ewetec for sheep and Millbank Genetic Services for cattle, and they also demonstrate some wonderfully innovative sustainability programs," Mr Laurie said.

"During the day, they will show how they use embryo transfer technology, as well as give a tour and explanation of their pasture management and grazing systems and bush regeneration programs," he said.

"In this way, they will really show how they are embracing technology, innovation and conservation at the same time," he said.

Minister Macdonald says the Blake’s enterprise is a wonderful example of what the Young Farmer of the Year award aims to reward.

"Jointly coordinated by industry and government through the efforts of the NSW Farmers Association and Department of Primary Industries, the awards are designed to recognise the outstanding efforts of our farmers across the state," he said.

"This field day will carry on that recognition by acknowledging what we can learn from our 2007 winners. The day will be a fantastic one for all," Minister Macdonald concluded.

The field day will be held on Friday 16 May 2008 at the Blake’s property "Winterbourne" near Walcha.

To RSVP contact the NSW Farmers’ Association on 1300 794 000.

Applications for the Farmer of the Year Awards will be available on the day, or you can find them at www.nswfarmers.org.au