Longreach cattle producer, James Walker, finalist in 2020 Bob Hawke Landcare award

Rural cattle producer has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious awards for implementing practices to improve the environmental, financial and production performance of the property.

Longreach cattle producer forging sustainable agriculture practices, James Walker, will represent Queensland for the 2020 Bob Hawke Landcare Award.

A Central Queensland cattle producer forging sustainable agriculture practices has been named the Queensland finalist for the 2020 Bob Hawke Landcare Award.

James Walker and his family operate Camden Park Station, a 20,000 acre organic, global animal partnership (GAP) accredited cattle station, while focusing on tackling land degradation, carbon emissions and climate change through unique industry approaches.

In a bid to improve the environmental, financial and production performance of his property, Mr Walker has:

• created the Agrihive Farmecco digital platform to help other farmers understand and implement sustainable Landcare goals,
• developed an innovative ‘Floating Lease’ to reflect seasonal conditions that is being prototyped commercially and
• addressed emissions through an off-grid solution for the power supply on his property.

Camden Park has also completed extensive water developments and used ag technologies for water monitoring to save fuel and pumping costs while doing a comprehensive Queensland Farmers’ Federation energy audit whereby they have a trial solar/battery array fuelling the farms energy requirements.

James Walker has been announced a finalist for the national awards.

Mr Walker has also initiated and executed a large-scale 17.5 megawatts solar farm to assist the viability during drought – creating a counter cyclical farm investment as well as developing an agritourism venture where they can have up to 3000 people at Camden Park station.

For his extensive works, Mr Walker has been recognised as one of three finalists across Australia for the 2020 Bob Hawke Landcare Award.

The award recognises an individual involved in championing landcare and inspiring others to take action on their own property or through a landcare group.

It also acknowledges a person’s leadership and commitment to landcare, natural resource management and sustainable agriculture.

Minister Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud, said it was a vital time to recognise sustainable farming techniques.

“Australian farmers are among the most productive and efficient in the world,” he said.

“We also farm more sustainably than just about any country on earth, and our clean green image is already paying off and helps us send our food all over the planet.

“This award is now more significant than ever, with our internationally-recognised clean green reputation helping to underpin our recovery from COVID-19.”

The other two finalists selected by the Advisory Panel are Andrew Stewart from Victoria and Justin Kirkby from New South Wales.

Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish said an overwhelming number of people were nominated for the award.

“We received very strong nominations from across the country demonstrating there is a strong interest to be recognised for this distinguished national accolade,” he said.

“The award will be presented to an individual who actively pursues, introduces and shapes innovative farming systems to improve productivity, profitability, sustainability, and the quality of our natural resources.”

The winner of the 2020 Bob Hawke Landcare Award will be announced at the virtual 2021 National Landcare Awards gala dinner on Thursday, August 5.

The award recipient will receive a prize package of $50,000 for further development of their knowledge and skills in sustainable land management to enable an even stronger contribution to landcare.