Rice Industry Awards

A man and woman farmers stand together outdoors in a green Riverina rice crop field with a clear sky in the background.

The Rice Industry Awards are an annual awards program designed to recognise high achievers whilst encouraging the sharing of award-winning strategies with other growers.

Three main categories exist:

  • SunRice Grower of the Year: awarded to the grower/s who demonstrate success, sustainability and innovation on their farm. Selected by a judging panel the award includes a monetary support package and nomination for the Australian Farmer of the Year Award.

  • Port of Melbourne Highest Yield: these are awarded in each of the four areas; Western Murray Valley, Eastern Murray Valley, Coleambally Irrigation Area and Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area to the grower with the highest average yield.

  • Yenda Producers Specialist Grain Yield: awarded to the grower achieving the highest average yield for each of the specialist varieties; Topaz, Langi, Opus, Koshikari and Sherpa.

"SunRice Grower of the Year" winners Josh and Emily Small at the Rice Industry Awards standing with Chairman Laurie Arthur

Josh & Emily Small

CY24 SunRice Grower of the Year

The Deniliquin property Rivena is a standout for excellence in production, management, profitability and sustainability, consistently yielding in the top 20% for the Eastern Murray Valley.

Josh and Emily proactive adopt precision agricultural technologies and crop rotation methods to improve nitrogen levels. With fully recycled water use, they’re able to achieve significant water savings.

Four men in formal attire standing in front of a backdrop with SunRice and Corteva logos, holding awards at a corporate event.

Port of Melbourne Highest Yield

14.89 T/ha on 181 ha

Matthew and Jess Russ

Western Murray Valley

Russ Family Farming Pty Ltd

13.20 T/ha on 67.51 ha

Fred and Kathy Hibbert

Coleambally Irrigation Area

FW G & FW Hibbert

14.54 T/ha on 75.28 ha

Doug Hatty

Eastern Murray Valley

Mardenoora Farming Pty Ltd

16.36 T/ha on 23.75 ha

Allawah Family Trust

Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area

Overall Highest Yield Award

Four men standing in front of a backdrop with logos of SunRice, Yenda Producers Co-Operative, Port of Melbourne, and Corteva Agriscience. Rice Industry Awards Event

Yenda Producers Specialist Grain Yield

12.09 T/ha on 135.49 ha

Patrick Sergi

Topaz

Widgelli Sergrow Pty Ltd

12.10 T/ha on 166.4 ha

Charles McDonald

Opus

Widderin Past Co

15.07 T/ha on 38.27 ha

Graeme and Libby Barker

Sherpa

GE & EH Barker

12.24 T/ha on 84.24 ha

Tony Mallamace

Langi

Mallamace Family Trust

10.02 T/ha on 63.68 ha

Antony Vagg

Koshikari

Amaloo Pastoral Co

Special mentions were also given to Brian and Tina Dunn for Excellence in Extension, Research and Advisory and Bill Holden for outstanding contributions to the rice industry.

We also acknowledge the invaluable contributions of the RiceGrowers Association Honorary Councillors – Eleanor Fondacaro, Melissa Lyons and Lisa O’Callaghan – who are an integral part of the SunRice Grower Services team.