Australias best farmers recognised at Farmer of the Year awards night in Melbourne
AUSTRALIA’S largest paddock-to-plate beef operation has been crowned The Weekly Times Coles 2013 Farmer of the Year.
AUSTRALIAÂ’S largest paddock-to-plate beef operation has been crowned The Weekly Times Coles 2013 Farmer of the Year.
Lachie and Andrina Graham, of Argyle Prestige Meats at Harden, southern NSW, received the award at a special ceremony tonight.
The Grahams earlier won The Weekly Times Coles Beef Farmer of the Year award.
The Grahams supply 1500 cattle and 10,000 lambs from their own boning operation to 100 supermarkets in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra and Brisbane, as well as restaurants and direct to homes.
They also export retail-ready packaged meat to Hong Kong.
Since establishing the brand five years ago, they now employ more than 30 staff and have recorded a 600 per cent annual increase in business.
The judges awarded the top honour to the Grahams for their enthusiasm and energy, perfectionism and pride in their product.
The couple proved that a drive to succeed there is a strong future in farming.
The couple was presented with the award by Victoria’s Deputy Premier Peter Ryan, Coles chief operating officer John Durkan and The Weekly Times editor Ed Gannon.
Earlier in the ceremony, compered by former Olympian and media identity Giaan Rooney, six category winners were announced from a field of 18 finalists.
The winners on the night were:
Cropping Farmer of the Year – Tony and Cindy Fox, Swan Hill
Beef Farmer of the Year – Lachie and Andrina Graham, Argyle Prestige Meats, Harden, NSW
Horticulture Farmer of the Year – Michael, Paul and Mary Mifsud, Paulmar Hydroponics, Wallington
Sheep Farmer of the Year – Peter and Marianne Wallis, Glenlea Park Merinos, Pinnaroo, SA
Dairy Farmer of the Year – Mark and Narelle McDonald, Tallandoon
Farm Magazine Outstanding Farmer of the Year – Burke and Bronwyn Brandon, Prom Country Cheese, Moyarra
The winners of each category received a trophy and $3000 cash, while the overall Farmer of the Year received a further $10,000 cash.
The finalists and winners were selected from the hundreds of farmers profiled in The Weekly Times, weeklytimesnow.com.au and The Weekly Times Farm magazine in 2013.
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