A grassroots family farm has stood its ground against larger enterprises, including a government research and scientific research initiatives, at the Australian Government Innovation in Agriculture Land Management Award.
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A fourth-generation farmer, Garry Kadwell was nominated as one of six finalists, against a representative from each State and Territory, for his contribution to innovation in land management.
He applauded the diversity of the projects and the difficult decisions the judges faced deciding a winner for the Thursday October 11 event.
“It was a very difficult thing when you were looking at the diversity from the different states,” he said.
Nominated by Landcare coordinator Mary Bonet, he took out the State award that gave him a position as a finalist on the national stage.
“I've always stuck to my own plan,” he said.
Mr Kadwell has dedicated 32 per cent of his property to conservation areas and ecological zones, producing 2000 tons of seed potato and 1800 prime lambs annually.
“The biggest thing we've done is try to work closer with nature with the ecological zones and soil biology.
“The other big change is the way we monitor the nutrient of the potatoes, which is pretty simple stuff.
“Gaining a deeper understanding of plant nutrients has contributed to plants with a higher natural immunity.
“When the soil biology is working well the accessibility to nutrients is working greater and all the organisms and bugs in the soil are working well, and you get more nutrients.”
The winner of the Australian Government Innovation in Agriculture Land Management Winner was Precision Pastoral, Northern Territory.
