Australian farmers honored for agricultural innovation

Australian agricultural leaders have been recognized at recent industry awards for innovation and diversification.

In the rice sector, Chris and Kate Morshead of Amberley Pastoral Co were named the CY26 SunRice Grower of the Year. Operating a 1200-hectare enterprise in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, the Morsheads were honored for transitioning their entire rice program to aerobic production systems. This move aimed to improve water efficiency and productivity amid challenging conditions and reduced water availability in the Riverina region. The business recorded an average yield of 10.85 tonnes per hectare.

In the cotton industry, the Brimblecombe family of Moira Farming was crowned grower of the year at the Australian Cotton Conference. Based in Queensland’s Lockyer Valley, the family integrates cotton into a rotation with vegetable crops to manage marketing risks and labor requirements. The conference also recognized Rhys Herbert and Trish Carroll of Pastoral Properties (Cropping) with the high achiever of the year award for increasing cotton yields over the last five years.