6 years ago
Strong farming partnership top of the crop
The Hon. David Littleproud MP
- Matthew and Rachel Hinkley have taken out Weekly Times Coles Farmer of the Year 2017
- The Hinkelys have grown their business at Derrinallum, South Western Victoria by 400
- per cent in 13 years.
- Local Derrinallum duo Matthew and Rachel Hinkley have proven they are a force to be reckoned with, taking out the top award of 2017 Weekly Times Coles Farmer of the Year.
- Presenting the award at last night’s ceremony, Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud said the duo were a shining example of outstanding farming practices in Australia.
- “In just 13 short years the Hinkleys have grown their operation by a whopping 400 per cent to 1460ha of predominantly grain and hay,” Minister Littleproud said.
- “The couple’s farming business uses scientific ingenuity such as raised bed cropping to avoid crop losses in wet years.”
- “The Hinkleys embody the true ingenuity and resilience of the Australian farmer. The Hinkleys are determined to keep growing their business.”
- “We are driven by economics, we believe there is as much done in the farm office as there is out there in the paddock,” Matthew and Rachel Hinkley said.
- Minister Littleproud said it was businesses like theirs that were driving agriculture as an economic powerhouse, worth around $63 billion to the national economy.
- “Every day thousands of motivated Australians are working hard fixing fences, seeding, spraying and praying for rain to produce the world-class food and fibre the rest of us enjoy.
- “I congratulate all successful finalists.”
- Cropping Farmer of the Year – Matthew and Rachel Hinkley, Derrinallum VIC
- Beef Farmer of the Year – Rosedale Charolais, Blayney NSW
- Sheep Farmer of the Year – Yalgoo Genetics, Walcha NSW
- Dairy Farmer of the Year – Dehne and Sarah Vinnicombe, Calivil VIC
- Horticulture Farmer of the Year – Taste ‘N See Strawberries, Bellmere QLD
- Farm Magazine Innovative Farmer of the Year – Tasmanian Saffron, Glaziers Bay TAS