2022 Awards Finalists Announced
Three innovative farm irrigators have been selected from a strong pool of diverse entries as finalists in the 2022 Zimmatic Trailblazer Sustainable Irrigation Awards.
The Awards celebrate excellence and recognise farmers who are at the forefront when it comes to responsible irrigation, innovative water management and environmental sustainability.
Applicants, who came from across Australia were assessed by a panel of irrigation and industry professionals who reviewed the entries against the four categories to create the shortlist. The three outstanding irrigation farmers named as finalists for 2022 are:
Jaco Pauer of the Pye Group, Parilla, South Australia whose horticulture property produces potatoes, carrots and onions as well as livestock, export hay and dryland cropping.
Simon Burgess of Vaucluse Agricultural Company, Conara, Tasmania who operates a mixed cropping and livestock property farming cereals, faba beans, poppies, potatoes, seed crops and fodder for livestock.
Darrell Fiddler of DeBortoli Wines, Bilbul, New South Wales farming seasonal rice and cotton in summer and wheat/barley in winter.
The judges will now travel to each property for the on-farm judging portion of the Awards in preparation for the category and supreme winner’s announcement later this year.
Mr. James Craft of Zimmatic ANZ said judges had been impressed with the diversity and quality of nominations in this year’s program.
“We would like to congratulate all this year’s entrants, the stewardship demonstrated on farm, within their communities and within the industry is truly commendable
“We were pleased to see nominations come in from all around Australia and extending across a diverse range of farm types and irrigation systems. The excellence being practiced by these farmers focused on the continuous improvement of their irrigation and water management systems is inspiring.”
“The entrants showed a clear awareness as to how precious water is as a resource and just how important it is that as an industry, we continue to use it as efficiently as possible,” said Mr Craft.
The judging panel is led by Dr Pat Hulme, owner of Sustainable Soils Management and includes Bonnie Dawson, vegetable industry Extension Officer with Food and Fibre Gippsland, Iva Quarisa OAM, Executive Officer Irrigation Research and Extension Committee, supported by Sarah Elliot, who is the Awards Co-Ordinator.
Dr. Hulme reflected on this year’s entries commenting on the continued progress of farmers in the industry. “All of the entries – particularly the finalists - showed a commitment to balancing the difficult elements of managing an irrigating farming enterprise, protecting water as a resource, supporting local communities and maintaining an efficient and profitable business.”
“By being named finalists all three have already been acknowledged as leaders and I’m looking forward to the on-farm judging to see the operations in progress and talk more with the finalists.”