Rice Extension, on behalf of the rice industry, was excited to announce the winners of the 2020 Rice Industry Awards at a small celebratory dinner at the Historic Hydro Inn, Leeton at the end of September.
The annual Awards, now in the second year, are designed to showcase the best in the rice growing business and highlight innovation in production and irrigation methods, as well as in water efficiency.
The 2020 SunRice Grower of the Year was awarded to Peter and Erin Draper of Leeton. Beginning share farming with his parents and delivering his first rice crop in 1975, the year after completing his HSC, Peter has grown rice almost every year since.
Erin and Peter formed a farming partnership in 1980 and have been actively involved with the rice industry from that point. Erin is currently Secretary of the Yanco Branch, a member of the RGA Central Executive and was recently elected to its Board.
The Drapers grow rice as part of their enterprise which includes seed and milling oats, wheat, barley, cotton and trading sheep on an opportunistic basis. Their innovative approach to farming and a commitment to ongoing learning, for themselves and their employees, caught the judges’ attention.
Peter expressed the pride and gratitude that he and Erin felt at being awarded the title. “We have learned a lot through the Awards process, including from the other growers involved, and we are humbled to have been named SunRice Grower of the Year.
“Accessing good advice and making the most of the technology and information available has been key to our success. As has taking a holistic approach to our business, profit is important but so is the environment and our communities. We are also lucky to have been supported by a wonderful rice growing industry, with SunRice, RGA and Rice Extension, providing a great support system.
Rice Extension Coordinator, Troy Mauger, noted that Peter and Erin have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in all aspects of rice growing.
“The Awards provide an opportunity to recognise growers who are adopting farming best practices, achieving sustainability outcomes and improving business management, despite unpredictable climate and water conditions”.
A SunRice Grower of the Year Field Day will be held on Thursday 10th December to showcase the Draper’s farming practices. This includes recent redevelopments which have seen a drastic reduction in the number of rice bays and rollover bank, less layouts, allowing for run lengths of over 1km creating machinery efficiencies.
The three other finalists in this category, Darrell Fiddler (Operations Manager for De Bortoli Wines), Bilbul; Lachlan Bull, Conargo and Scott Williams, Murrami, impressed the judges and are to be congratulated.
The 2020 SunRice Grower of The Year Award, was judged by a panel of three including two industry representative and one independent judge. The Panel assessed applications based on eight key areas including: Production and agronomy, water use efficiency, innovation and technology, business management, sustainability, work health & safety, and industry and community involvement.
The SunRice Grower of the Year winner receives an impressive package to further support to their business, including $2500 to be spent on personal or business development and nomination for the Australian Farmer of the Year Award (Kondinin Group).
The winner of the Port of Melbourne Highest Yield for C20 Award, which acknowledge the best in terms of yield, was Brett and Louise Turner, who grew 25ha Reiziq in the MIA which yielded 15.56t/ha. This was a massive134 percent above the five-year industry average. It is also notable that this is the second win in a row for the Turners. Special mention in this category was also made of:
• Stuart Gannon and Nathan Hehir, with 58ha of short grain variety Opus in the Eastern Murray Valley, which yielded 11.61t/ha - 128% above the five-year average.
• Clint and Scott Shields, of Denora Enterprises, with 21.5ha of long grain Topaz in the Coleambally Irrigation Area, which yielded 11.13t/ha - 137% above the five-year industry average.
Mr Mauger acknowledged those organisations who have partnered with Rice Extension to deliver the Awards including: SunRice; Corteva Agriscience; Padman Stops; Port of Melbourne; NSW Department of Primary Industries; Rice Marketing Board for the state of New South Wales; Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia; AgriFutures Australia, Deakin University and Yenda Producers Co-operative.
“We greatly appreciate the involvement our sponsorship partners, without these organisations demonstrating their support and commitment to the rice industry, we would not be able to run these important Awards.
“All the finalists in the Awards receive feedback from the process and serve as an inspiration to others aspiring to be part of this wonderful industry, so we really encourage growers to consider nominating for the 2021 Awards,” said Mr Mauger.
The winner of the 2020 SunRice Grower of the Year was Peter and Erin Draper, and you can learn more about what set them apart in the short video HERE.