Taylor's wheat triumph: a hat-trick win in NSW championship

Wheat competition celebrates 25 years

Grenfell wheat growers, Rob and Mandy Taylor, have achieved an outstanding feat by clinching the prestigious AgShows NSW Suncorp Bank Championship Dryland Field Wheat Competition state title for the third consecutive year. 

Organised by AgShows NSW, the peak body representing 192 shows, this annual competition recognises excellence in wheat farming across four regions before culminating in a state final.

The Taylors secured their spot at the state finals by outperforming competitors in the central region. With an impressive point score of 226 for their 7.6t/ha yield, they surpassed Quirindi's Cory Behsman at Romani Pastoral Co and Cowra's Tom Johnstone at Illinois Farm in the same region. 

Judge Frank McRae of DLF Seeds Australia said the entries selected for the regional finals were of a high standard with excellent agronomic management.

“The regional finalist’s crops were a credit to growers, their advisors and agronomists. Most crops were on good rotations with an increasing trend towards double-break crops,” Mr McRae said.

“Many entries showed outstanding yield potential given the low in-crop rainfall recorded during the growing period, and yield potential varied across the state depending on seasonal conditions.”

“The northern region was affected by the extremely dry conditions experienced throughout the year, with many crops failing and others not being sown. Late rains before harvest affected the final yield and grain quality of some central and southern crops.”

Suncorp, the sponsor for over a decade, expressed the company's pride in being associated with an event that fosters industry connectivity and knowledge-sharing. The Land, Lowes, Flexi Coil and Dual Chelate Fertilizer also support the competition in its 25th year. 

In the Southern Region, the Mickan Bros from Walbundrie claimed the top spot with a score of 222 points for their 7.4t/ha yield, securing the TJ Dwyer Farming Excellence award. This region covered a vast area, including Albury, Wagga Wagga, and Young.

Paraway Pastoral Co in Narromine led the northern region with a score of 204 points for their 6.6t/ha yield, surpassing high scoring competitors from Warialda and Gilgandra.

Sheldon and Rebecca Dalton from Hillston emerged victorious in western NSW with a 6.5t/ha yield and 200 points, showcasing the resilience and innovation of growers in this region.

Gunnedah's Lambrook Pastoral Co emerged as the state champion in the durum wheat category with a 6.5t/ha yield, scoring 189 points. 

The gala dinner in Dubbo was attended by finalists, industry participants, leader of NSW Nationals and Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders, and Hunter White representing the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales.

AgShows NSW chair of the wheat competition committee, David Herbert, said the competition holds great significance in the industry. 

“The Suncorp Bank Championship Dryland Field Wheat Competition underscores the commitment of Australian farmers to excellence and innovation in wheat cultivation. The event not only celebrates achievements but also provides a platform for industry networking and knowledge exchange,” Mr Herbert said. https://mosbet.group/bd-en/

This year’s competition is sponsored by Suncorp Bank, The Land, Lowes Petroleum, Dual Chelate, Flexi Coil and AgShows NSW.