Western Division sheep farmer and Boggabri cotton grower take out top farmer prizes
Note: This content is stored on an archive website and may not be current or accurate. Contact us to clarify.
A sheep farmer from the Western Division and a cotton grower from Boggabri in the State's north west have taken out the top prizes in the 2004 inaugural NSW Farmer and Young Farmer of the Year competition.
Garry Hannigan of 'Churinga Station' near Broken Hill was named NSW Farmer of the Year, while Andrew Watson of 'Brigadoon' at Boggabri was named NSW Young Farmer of the Year at the NSW Farmers' Association annual awards dinner in Sydney.
Garry's efforts in sustainability initiatives and introduction of alternative livestock breeds earned him the top award.
NSW Farmers' Association President and judge, Mal Peters, said the award also recognised Garry's strong rural community leadership skills.
"Garry is an outstanding example of a farmer who is committed to the principles of sustainability, and has remained profitable during this tough drought," Mr Peters said.
Garry runs a certified organic farm on 50,000 hectares in the Western Division, with Merino ewes for wool and Damara/Wiltshire cross sheep for organic lamb production.
The property is also used for opportunistic harvesting of goats and yearling cattle.
He is involved in a pilot conservation project which involves fencing off, destocking, monitoring and managing 5,000 hectares of the farm for a five-year period.
Andrew Watson's award recognised his commitment to sustainable use of water and other resources.
Andrew has applied the latest research and development initiatives to improve the management of his farm's natural resources, and ensure its cotton production is sustainable both economically and in terms of the environment.
He currently plays a leadership role in a number of cotton industry groups and is keen to share his farming expertise with others in the wider agriculture sector.
The runner-up in the NSW Farmer of the Year was Malcolm Holm and Jenny Wheeler, who run a modern dairy in the Southern Riverina.
The runners-up in the NSW Farmer of the Year are Boer goat and Dorper sheep breeder, Andrew Mosely of Cobar, and raspberry production manager with Blueberry Farms of Australia, David Bardon of Corindi (near Coffs Harbour).
Initiated by the NSW Farmers' Association and NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), the awards are designed to acknowledge agricultural excellence, with a particular emphasis on farmers who combine sustainability with profitability.
Media contact: Trudy Glasgow on (02) 6391 3312 or 0427 217 354.