A BOGGABRI farming family has been awarded one of Australia’s most prestigious agricultural awards – the Brownhill Cup.
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The award, which recognises innovative farming practices that improve sustainability, productivity and profitability in agriculture, was presented to Andrew and Heike Watson of “Kilmarnock” at a special ceremony at AgQuip yesterday.
The Watsons have been acknowledged for their commitment to ecological and economic sustainability, which includes initiatives ranging from on-farm research and development, to involvement in the Climate Champions program.
The Watson family operates a 3000 hectare mixed farm of dryland and irrigated cotton, as well as wheat, canola and chickpeas.
They have successfully reduced their water use for their cotton crops, which has been a challenging issue.
“We’ve been able to reduce our average water use – and that will vary a little from year to year – by about two megalitres per hectare and over the same period we’ve been able to increase our yields by about three bales to the hectare,” Mr Watson said.
At the same time, the Watsons have been focusing on pest management methods – creating an environment that is welcoming to beneficial insects like lady beetles and ants.
Trees have been planted and vegetation belts developed to promote predatory insects and insect counts are conducted every week.
Another big focus has been reducing their insecticide sprays to zero.
Over the past eight years, the Watsons have completed the equivalent of only one full spray of their cotton crop.
“We’ll tolerate little damage in return for not having to spray so much and we trust predatory insects to help us control pests.”
Mr Watson has run a wide range of trials over the years, including seed treatment, marginal nitrogen, liquid nitrogen, potassium form, organic/manure fertiliser and slow release nitrogen trials.
The trial work and a focus on water efficiency have allowed the Watsons to increase average cotton yields and reduce water use.
Mr Watson has also been widely recognised for his contribution to the cotton industry, receiving the UNCGA Cotton Grower of the Year title four times.
He said receiving the Brownhill Cup award was a huge honour.
“It’s an award we think is amazing because it’s focused on our outcomes on the farm so we’re really quite excited to receive this.
“I am accepting this on behalf of our whole team, my family and our staff.”
The Brownhill Cup was presented by Tim Harvey, NSW general manager regional and agribusiness banking, Commonwealth Bank, who congratulated the Watsons on the award.
“The Watsons have been really embracing sustainability,” Mr Harvey said.
“We know environmental conditions continue to change and markets continue to evolve, so farmers that are absolutely at the forefront of sustainability and productivity, it really helps to improve their business.”
Brownhill Cup founder David Brownhill commended the Watsons on their achievements.
“Andrew and his team have made a considerable contribution to agriculture, and especially to the cotton sector. Their field trials and on-farm research have contributed to the industry’s understanding of best practice, and they have set the bar high for innovative and sustainable farming practices,” Mr Brownhill said.