Farmer of the Year 2016: Future of farming is in good hands

WELCOME to our showcase of the best farmers in Australia.

Modern farmers: The Weekly Times celebrates the “best in the business”, including Innovative Farmer of the Year winners the Cain family.

WELCOME to our showcase of the best farmers in Australia.

From the vast West Australian wheatbelt to Queensland’s renowned cattle country, The Weekly Times Coles 2016 Farmer of the Year Awards proudly acknowledges the best in the business.

There would be few places across the nation — or our export markets for that matter — that haven’t been touched by food originating from at least one of The Weekly Times Coles 2016 Farmer of the Year finalists.

The chances run pretty high when you consider one of our finalists produces two million capsicums a year, another’s bulls sire thousands of beef cattle, and our cropping farmers produce grain across a combined 36,000 hectares.

The farmers in these pages represent the modern farmer — innovative, smart and tech-savvy.

They have created vibrant and unique products, entered new markets, invented production techniques, and discovered myriad ways to connect directly to their customers.

But most of all they are passionate, driven and proud to declare their love of farming.

As you read the profiles of our finalists and winners, rest assured that with Australia gearing itself up for the Asian food boom, we are in good hands.