Finalists announced in irrigation excellence award

(Australia) – July 20 - Finalists in the Zimmatic Trailblazer Sustainable Irrigation Awards have been announced, with four outstanding irrigation farmers being selected by the judging panel from the Australia region.  

The Zimmatic Trailblazer Sustainable Irrigation Awards, launched this year, celebrates excellence and recognises farmers leading the way in responsible irrigation, innovative water management and environmental stewardship. The Awards are open to irrigating farmers in Australia and New Zealand.

The Australian finalists for 2020 are:

·        Evan Ryan of “Clontarf”, Yarrawonga, Victoria who runs a1000ha property (586ha irrigated) producing broadacre winter and summer grain, hay and fibre production.

·        Stephen Eyles of Hillcrest Family Trust, Selbourne, Tasmania whose 400ha property (250ha irrigated) includes mixed cropping, sheep and fat lambs.

·        Rob and Eliza Tole of “Greenvale”, Cressy, Tasmania who run a mixed cropping and livestock operation on a 560ha property with 350ha irrigated.

·        Brendan Watson of Kilter Rural, Lake Boga, Victoria who runs a large irrigated cropping enterprise with 3,000-ewe sheep flock on 9070ha with 3730ha irrigated.

Mr. James Craft of Zimmatic ANZ, says that the Awards acknowledge innovative farming operators and reward them for the vital role they play in the primary sector.

“We have been extremely impressed by the calibre of applications for the Award and the excellence being practiced by these farmers who are focused on improving their irrigation and water management,” he said.

“The Awards are an opportunity to help showcase the innovative farming operators who will influence future generations and play a role in strengthening Australia’s success story as global leaders in sustainable and profitable farming.

“They have been supported by Precision Agriculture Pty Ltd, Ag Logic Pty Ltd and the Society of Precision Agriculture Australia (SPAA) as Zimmatic’s Australian partners in delivering this prestigious awards program.”

Applicants were shortlisted and assessed by a judging panel of irrigation and industry professionals who undertook an in-depth review of the four categories judged including delivering efficient, innovative irrigation while protecting waterways and leading environmental stewardship of the irrigation community.

Independent judge Dr. Pat Hulme noted that the finalists had included farmers with an incredible diversity of enterprises, yet they had a common focus on resource management. “Each of the finalists had, in their own way, adopted practises and technology to better match irrigation water supply with crop demand. They all had an eye to the long-term health of their land and water assets, and played an active role in the irrigation community,” he said.

“What the judges were looking for was innovation in water management, steps taken to ensure sustainable water use on farm, and an obvious passion for protecting one of our most precious natural resources.”

The finalists are now, alongside the New Zealand finalists, in the running to be named the overall winner of the Award, which will be announced later this year once on-farm judging has occurred.

“We look forward to announcing the overall winner in due course.  And beyond that, Zimmatic ANZ hopes that the Awards become an on-going, well-recognised event in the agricultural calendar,” said Mr Craft.

- End –

For media enquiries, please contact Dee Wilkes-Bowes: dee@saucecommunications.com.au; Mob: 0427 006 404

For information about the Awards: www.irrigationtrailblazer.com

About Lindsay Corporation

Lindsay Corporation (NYSE: LNN) is a leading global manufacturer and distributor of irrigation and infrastructure equipment and technology. Established in 1955, the company has been at the forefront of research and development of innovative solutions to meet the food, fuel, fibre and transportation needs of the world's rapidly growing population. The Lindsay family of irrigation brands includes Zimmatic^® centre pivot and lateral move agricultural irrigation systems and FieldNET^® remote irrigation management and scheduling technology, as well as irrigation consulting and design and industrial IoT solutions. Also a global leader in the transportation industry, Lindsay Transportation Solutions manufactures equipment to improve road safety and keep traffic moving on the world's roads, bridges and tunnels, through the Barrier Systems^®, Road Zipper^® and Snoline™ brands. For more information about Lindsay Corporation, visit www.lindsay.com.

FieldNET, Zimmatic, Barrier Systems and Road Zipper are trademarks or registered trademarks of Lindsay or its subsidiaries.