2023 Farmer of the Year Awards delivers wins for Aussie ag

Ten of Australia’s best and brightest farmers have been recognised at the Kondinin Group and ABC Rural 2023 Australian Farmer of the Year Awards at Parliament House in Canberra today.

The awards, now in their 13th year, celebrate excellence and innovation in agriculture across rural and regional Australia.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt congratulated the 2023 Australian Farmer of the Year Award winners, Tess and Andrew Herbert from Eugowra, New South Wales.

The couple are directors of Gundamain Pastoral Co., a sixth-generation farming enterprise. Together with their three children, they manage a 6000 head cattle feedlot, 6500–7000 ewes for lamb and wool production, 5500 hectares of cropping, hay silage and pasture, with some 400ha of remnant vegetation.

Minister Watt said the Herbert’s approach to integrating technology into their day-to-day business has enabled them to farm productively and efficiently, whilst also recovering from the devastating Central West floods in 2022.

“Tess and Andrew lost livestock, pasture and canola crop in the November floods, along with damaged fencing, roads and stockyards,” Minister Watt said.

“It’s clear the recovery is still ongoing for Gundamain, but I’m inspired by their resilience and determination to rebuild.

“Gundamain is a big local employer and it’s clear that adaptability and flexibility is core to their business model.

“I congratulate Tess and Andrew on their win, and thank all the winners and nominees for their enthusiasm and commitment to innovative farming.

“All of those recognised today are leading their industry and their communities with their vision for farming, while promoting a sustainable agricultural sector."

Minister Watt said the Awards were a great platform for the industry.

“The Farmer of the Year Awards help develop leaders in the sector, which is why we are proud to partner with them through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.”

“The Albanese Government is backing industry’s goal to be a $100 billion sector by 2030, and it’s innovation like we’ve seen today that will help get us there.”

The Kondinin Group and ABC Rural 2023 Australian Farmer of the Year Awards winners are:

Australian Farmer of the Year
Tess and Andrew Herbert, Eugowra, New South Wales

Young Farmer of the Year, sponsored by McDonalds Australia
Mitchell McNab, Ardmona, Victoria

Rural Community Leader of the Year
Jackie Elliott, Byaduk, Victoria

Rural Consultant of the Year
Ingrid Roth, Narrabri, New South Wales

Agricultural Student of the Year, sponsored by AgriFutures Australia
Jay Elliot, Perth, Western Australia

Award for Excellence in Innovation
Tony Single, Narratigah, New South Wales

Award for Excellence in Technology, sponsored by New Holland
Ray Taylor, Amiens, Queensland

Award for Excellence in Diversification and Sustainability, sponsored by Corteva Agriscience
Mark Foletta, Benalla, Victoria

Award for Excellence in Agricultural Research, sponsored by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
Dr Robert Magarey, Tully, Queensland

To read more about the Awards, visit: Australian Farmer of the Year Awards 2023 | ACIAR