DISTRICT wheat-growers Graeme and Rhonda McPherson from Gurley, and Glenn and Rachel Fernance from Bellata, are regional finalists  in the Suncorp Bank AgShows NSW Championship Dryland Field Wheat Competition, with winners announced in Dubbo on Friday, January 10.

The McPhersons are finalists in the durum competition and the Fernances are finalists in the wheat competition.

Charlie Scott and Dave Smith from Warialda and Dave Quast from Crooble are also finalists.

Crops are judged on farming practices, including zero-till and crop rotations in-field.

Fertiliser history, as well as herbicide and pesticide history, is also considered.

Moree Show Society secretary Karen Munn said Mr Fernance’s crop of Lancer was estimated to yield 11.4tonnes per hectare.

“And the McPherson’s crop of Westcourt was estimated to yield 10.7tonnes per hectare,” Mrs Munn said.

“I’d love our local growers to show the rest of New South Wales what we’re made of,” she smiled.

“We couldn’t compete in 2023 because of the lack of rain, but the 2024 crop will be different, I’m sure.”

(from left) judge Frank McRae, Bellata wheat farmer Glenn Fernance, and Ben Graystone and Harkie Holcombe from Suncorp Bank (Image Supplied).

Glenn Fernance is no stranger to Ag Show wheat competitions.

He won the northern region wheat competition in 2018, as well as the New South Wales Farming Excellence Award in 2019.

He was also the State Durum winner in 2021.

Mrs Munn said in-crop judging involves grain counts in heads to estimate yield, trueness to type for the wheat variety, as well as freedom from disease and weeds in crops.

“Most of the points are won with the yield estimate, however,” she said.

The competition is decided in four regions across New South Wales – northern, western, central and southern.

The northern region covers a large area, including Baradine, Barraba, Bellata, Bingara, Boggabri, Bourke, Burren Junction, Coonamble, Crooble, Croppa Creek, Delungra, Garah, Gilgandra, Gulargambone, Gurley, Inverell, Manilla, Moree, Mungindi, Narrabri, Narromine, North Star, Nyngan, Tottenham, Walgett, Warialda, Warren and Wee Waa.

The top five crops in each region are judged to determine regional winners.

Dave Herbert, competition co-ordinator for central New South Wales and AgShows NSW presidents’ award recipient in 2023, said the competition holds great significance in the industry.

“The Suncorp Bank Championship Dryland Field Wheat Competition underscores the commitment of Australian farmers to excellence and innovation in wheat cultivation,” Mr Herbert said.

“The event not only celebrates achievements but also provides a platform for industry networking and knowledge exchange.”