Twenty-five growers and advisers from across Australia and New Zealand have been named Regional Winners in the 2016 Syngenta Growth Awards.
The Growth Awards are presented by Syngenta in partnership with Case IH and Fairfax Agricultural Media. They aim to recognise leading agricultural professionals, across three award categories: Productivity, Sustainability and Community and People.
NSW Regional Winners:
- Colin Arnold: Owner and operator, Graeme Arnold & Sons Farming Trust, Berrigan
Sustainability: Colin and his three brothers run an 8,000 ha mixed enterprise of livestock and both dryland and irrigated crops. His operational focus is on maintaining a sustainable return on investment for all family members involved with the business. His passion is to ensure the farming business is healthy and sustainable enough to pass on to his children.
- Dean Salvestro: Owner, Warrawidgee Station, Benerembah
Productivity: Dean is a progressive farmer who believes the adoption of new technology is critical for productivity. Dean was one of the first growers in his area to use a plant growth regulator on irrigated cereals and he is currently reviewing methods to increase return per megalitre of water. Dean has become one the most successful and largest cotton growers in Southern NSW.
- Graeme Callaghan: Senior Consulting Agronomist, Delta Agribusiness, Coonamble
Productivity: Graeme is recognised for his innovative approach and dedication to R&D. He has over 25 years’ experience and is passionate about sharing information and networking across the industry. Graeme has played an integral part in the establishment of research providers such as GOA and is excited to see the next generation of advisers flourish.
- Jim Cronin: Senior Agronomist, Landmark, Forbes
Productivity: Jim specialises in broadacre winter crops such as canola, cereals and pulses. He is currently running a 2,400 ha cropping farm at Forbes with additional investors. Jim has previously been named the Landmark NSW Agronomist of the Year and currently sits on the GRDC steering committee for the Southern NSW region. Jim dedicates his personal time to supporting and training junior agronomists.
Next stage of the Awards
The regional winners are developing innovative ways to overcome challenges of modern day farming. They are using data to make sound business and operational decisions, while championing the farming community.
The Regional Winners will advance to the next stage of the Awards where seven Australasian winners will be announced at the Growth Awards gala dinner in December.
