A farmer in the Dubbo and Narromine area has received an award for excellence in diversification, at the 2019 ABC Rural Farmer of the Year Awards.
Andrew Martin of Dulla Dulla Pastoral Company was congratulated by Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton at the official ceremony in Parliament House today.
“It gives me great pleasure to commend Andrew on his wonderful success,” Mr Coulton said.
“Andrew, Kerrie and their family are hardworking people and this award is a tribute to their initiative and foresight.
“Their farm, Dulla Dulla, is located halfway between Dubbo and Narromine on the Macquarie River, and has been in the family since 1885.
“Innovation and diversification are both key to the farm’s success and I commend the family on their endeavours, particularly at a time when the longstanding drought continues to bite across my electorate.”
Mr Martin said getting the diversification balance right was sometimes a challenge.
“What you can and can’t do is largely driven by the seasons,” Mr Martin said.
“Over time we’ve realised we’ve had to take on other things to survive, so we now grow chickpeas, fava beans, canola and wheat – and we run beef cattle – as well as cotton in summer.
“Farming is changing now, and we’re going towards using centre pivots to save water.”
The Australian Farmer of the Year Awards are designed to celebrate and applaud the outstanding achievements of the individuals and families making a significant contribution to Australian agriculture.
Photo Caption: Member for Parkes and Minister for Regional Services, Decentralisation and Local Government, Mark Coulton, with local farmer Andrew Martin and his wife Kerrie, winner of the award for excellence in diversification at the 2019 ABC Rural Farmer of the Year Awards, held in Parliament House today.
