SA farmers win top prizes at the ABC Rural and Kondinin Group Australian Farmer of the Year awards

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Image credit: flickr user: Kondinin Group

South Australia was the only state to win three categories at the ABC Rural and Kondinin Group 2014 award ceremony in Melbourne, with Adelaide Hills apple grower Robert Green named Australian Farmer of the Year and Australian Horticultural Grower of the Year, and livestock farmer Jack England from Kingston in the South East named Young Farmer of the Year.

SA farmers win top prizes at the ABC Rural and Kondinin Group Australian Farmer of the Year awards
Image credit: flickr user: Kondinin Group

Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Minister Leon Bignell congratulated both South Australians for their significant achievement in what’s becoming one of the most prestigious awards in Australian agriculture.

“It’s little wonder that South Australia has a growing international reputation for premium food and wine when we have innovative farmers such as Robert and Jack leading the agricultural industry in our state,” he said in a press release.

“This kind of recognition for our farmers is testimony to their commitment to sustainable farming, and the importance of agriculture to South Australia’s economy.”

The ABC Rural and Kondinin Group Australian Farmer of the Year awards are in their fifth year, and are aimed at the professional, innovative and sustainable approach of farming families, while also raising the profile of the role they play in Australian agriculture.

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Minister Bignell said Robert was a fourth-generation grower who farms 40,000 apple trees on more than 15 hectares at Lenswood.

“He has been recognised with the Australian Farmer of the Year and Horticulture Grower of the Year awards for his innovative growing practices which make the most of his limited access to water. Robert has also been a driving force behind the introduction of a new apple variety – Rockit –persuading a group of Adelaide Hills growers to try the variety,” he said.

“Jack – the vice-president of Livestock South Australia – is a fifth generation farmer who has taken a scientific approach to managing his livestock, which has significantly reduced calf mortality rates. I congratulate both Robert and Jack for their great achievement and their on-going commitment to agriculture and horticulture in South Australia.”