On behalf of the rice industry, Rice Extension is excited to announce the 2024 Rice Industry Awards winners, celebrated at a Gala Dinner, folllowing Rice Connect in Moama.
CY24 SunRice Grower of the Year:
The CY24 SunRice Grower of the Year Award goes to Josh and Emily Small of Rivena Nominees Deniliquin. Their farm stands out for excellence in production, management, profitability, and sustainability.
Rivena Nominees consistently rank in the top 20% for yields in the Eastern Murray Valley, leveraging technology and innovative practices to enhance water use efficiency. Josh and Emily’s success is attributed to adopting new technologies like precision agriculture and crop rotation, including legumes, to improve nitrogen levels. Their water use is fully recycled across three pump sites, resulting in significant water savings. Judges praised their commitment to sustainability and staff development.
The award includes a $10,000 support package and a nomination for the Australian Farmer of the Year Award.
Highest yield awards were also presented:
- Western Murray Valley Highest Grain Yield: Matthew and Jess Russ, Russ Family Farming Pty Ltd, yielding 14.89 T/ha on 181 ha.
- Eastern Murray Valley Highest Grain Yield: Doug Hatty, Mardenoora Farming Pty Ltd, yielding 14.54 T/ha on 75.28 ha.
- Coleambally Irrigation Area Highest Grain Yield: Fred and Kathy Hibbert, FW G & FW Hibbert, yielding 13.20 T/ha on 67.51 ha.
- Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area Highest Grain Yield: Allawah Family Trust, yielding 16.36 T/ha on 23.75 ha. This was also the Overall Highest Yield Award.
Yenda Producers Specialist Grain Yield Awards:
- Topaz: Patrick Sergi, Widgelli Sergrow Pty Ltd, yielding 12.09 T/ha on 135.49 ha.
- Langi: Tony Mallamace, Mallamace Family Trust, yielding 12.24 T/ha on 84.24 ha.
- Opus: Charles McDonald, Widderin Past Co, yielding 12.10 T/ha on 166.4 ha.
- Koshikari: Antony Vagg, Amaloo Pastoral Co, yielding 10.02 T/ha on 63.68 ha.
- Sherpa: Graeme and Libby Barker, GE & EH Barker, yielding 15.07 T/ha on 38.27 ha.
Special mentions went to Brian and Tina Dunn for Excellence in Extension, Research, and Advisory and Bill Holden for outstanding contributions to the rice industry.
We also acknowledge the invaluable contributions of the RiceGrowers Association Honorary Councillors—Eleanor Fondacaro, Melissa Lyons, and Lisa O'Callaghan—who are an integral part of the SunRice Grower Services team.
Thank you to our sponsors—SunRice Group, Port of Melbourne, Yenda Producers Co-operative, and Corteva Agriscience—for their support.