Twenty-five of the most outstanding growers and advisers from across Australia and New Zealand have been named Regional Winners in the 2016 Syngenta Growth Awards.
The awards aim to recognise leading agricultural professionals, across three award categories: Productivity, Sustainability and Community and People. Regional Winners from WA include:
- David Cameron: Partner and Agronomy Consultant, Farmanco, Moora
Productivity: David is a firm believer that small gains can be achieved from subtle changes in management practices, and can result in long-term productivity benefits for growers. David has sat on herbicide resistance panels and grower group R&D committees and is a contact for GIWA, the GRDC and DAFWA.
- Duc Nguyen: Owner, Nguyen & Huynh, Carnarvon
Community and People: Duc arrived in Australia in 1981 after spending time in refugee camps in Singapore. He is now recognised throughout the area as a leader in technology and farm best-practice. He champions the local Vietnamese farming community, by serving as an interpreter and representative in a number of industry groups.
- Geoff Fosbery: Principal Consultant, ConsultAg, Northam
Productivity: Geoff is arguably the most well-known and well-respected agronomist in WA, with a deep knowledge and understanding of what drives a farm business. He is passionate about providing technical, financial and business planning advice to farmers in a practical and comprehensive way to maximise returns.
- Michael Fels: Owner/Manager, Halcyon Downs, Esperance
Productivity: Mic has created a number of apps over the past decade to improve farm management, spraying, predicting yield and machinery use – all tried and tested in the real world by real farmers. He is recognised for his ability to develop technology that improves the productivity, sustainability and profitability of farms.
- Michael Nixon: Owner, Riverlodge Assets, North Plantations
Community and People: Growing basil, onions and bananas, Michael is one of the largest horticultural growers in Carnarvon. He is the founder of the “Better Practice” arm of the Food Council and a committee member of CFOC, where he helped develop the “Best Practice Manual” for Carnarvon.
Next stage of the Awards
The Regional Winners will advance to the next stage where seven Australasian winners will be selected by an independent judging panel and announced at the Growth Awards gala dinner this December. The winners will be able to participate in a study tour to the UK and Europe in 2017.