Cotton growers from the Darling Downs and wider farming community are invited to attend the third annual Darling Downs grower of the year field day.
The initiative began when the Darling Downs Cotton Grower Inc. realised the importance of showcasing individual achievements and business management strategies to growers and industry personnel.
The field day attracted 150 guests last year and progression within the industry throughout the 2016 season points towards a similar turnout this year.
This year’s event will be held at Brett and Liza Crothers’ property, Benalla, Dalby, following their success in taking out the 2015 Vanderfield grower of the year award.
Matt Waye, Mort & Co, Dalby won the Chesterfield Dalby high achiever of the year award and will also present on the day.
Criteria for both awards is based on a candidate’s commitment to crop and pest management, land and water management, infrastructure and staff development, business management and marketing, and industry and community participation.
Darling Downs and national grower awards coordinator, Geoff McIntyre, said the field days were about sharing experiences and enabling growers to learn from each others’ successes.
“Farmers enjoy nothing more than visiting someone else’s property and seeing what they do,” he said.
“The award recipients in one year become judges the next year and it’s terrific to sit on the panel with these young farmers and listen to the depth of their conversation.
“The last thing we’re trying to do is put anyone on a pedestal and say they’re a better farmer than anyone- it’s about sharing and learning.”
Mr McIntyre said the Crothers’ well designed integrated water storage and irrigation systems based on Condamine river flood flow, overland flow, Oaky Creek weir and bores, would be of interest to any cotton grower.
The field day will start with registration at 8am on March 3 and include a bus trip around Benalla showcasing the Crothers’ systems and resources.
2014 Nuffield Scholar Nigel Corish will discuss nitrogen use, with other presentations on planter technology increasing productivity, working with soil variability and a Bollgard III information session to follow.
RSVP by March 1 to Annabel Twine on 0447 176 007 or Mary O'Brien on 0408 982 291.