Local farm family awarded the Brownhill Cup 2019

21 Aug 2019

Today at AgQuip, the 2019 Brownhill Cup was awarded well-known, Liverpool Plains farming family, the Simsons, Plantation Trading.

With a multi-generational farming history of more than 90 years, the Simson family of Plantation Trading epitomise the Brownhill Cup values of innovation and  farming practices which improve the sustainability, productivity and profitability of agricultural enterprises.

NSW DPI Deputy Director General, Kate Lorimer-Ward congratulated Ed, Fiona, Tom and Jemima Simson on their award.

The 2019 Brownhill Cup committee was very pleased to be able to recognise a farming family which has shown immeasurable passion, commitment and dedication to the pursuit of agriculture on the Liverpool Plains.

As a family business they operate some 5000 hectares of country near Premer, cropping around 2000 hectares, with the remainder supporting their Poll Hereford breeders.

Led by Ed and Fiona Simson, in conjunction with children Tom and Jemima, and a team of committed staff, they are strong advocates of no-tillage, stubble retention cropping systems growing cotton and wheat, with a large area sown to sorghum each summer.

Plantation Trading has actively encouraged and participated in research trials with service providers and has supported the local agricultural community for many years.

One of their greatest achievements may have flown under the radar, yet is apparent in the operation’s success from one generation to the next.

They have quietly worked to tirelessly ensure the succession of farming within the family, as Richard Simson had in the past for his son Ed.

The future of agriculture depends on families passing their knowledge and skills down to the next generation, and supporting the transition.

Supported by landowners and the agricultural industry, the Brownhill Cup was donated by the Brownhill Family of Merrilong, Spring Ridge, as a perpetual trophy to encourage landholders to adopt conservation farming and efficient management practices.

The competition, which attracts broad community interest, began in 1983 as the Livestock and Grain Producers’ Association Soil Conservation Farmer of the Year held between Quirindi, Currabubula/Werris Creek, Pottinger, Gunnedah and Boggabri district councils.

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