AFTER building careers off-farm, fourth-generation farmers Hugh, Jock, Oscar and Archie Brownhill have returned to the family farm, bringing fresh energy and a strong sense of teamwork which saw them named 2025 Growers of the Year.

Hugh was a rural real estate agent, Jock worked in agribusiness banking, Oscar remained working on farms at Bellata and Croppa Creek and Archie has recently completed university and is preparing to take up a role in the supply chain for a beef company.

Together, they officially took over operations on their Spring Ridge holdings on July 1, 2024, forming Merrilong Agricultural Company – an offshoot of Merrilong Pastoral Company, established by their grandparents David and Julia Brownhill and expanded by David and Julia’s sons Gordon and David and their wives, Anne and Liz.

Although the Merrilong Agricultural Company entity is only two years old, the transition to the fourth generation has been years in the making as Gordon and David had the foresight 20 years ago to put plans in place to ensure their children had the opportunity to step up and lead the business if they had a desire to work on the land.

“We’ve all been actively interested in agriculture and have all been here over our school and uni holidays and now we’ve moved on to that next stage with three quarters of us currently working in the business which is exciting,” Jock said.

“We’ve been very lucky to be given an opportunity quite early to have a go, thanks to our parents having the vision to let the next generation have a bit of a crack.”

Although no longer running the day-to-day operations, their parents remain on-farm and are still actively involved helping ensure a smooth transition.

“The structure and steps taken by our parents throughout this process, as well as constant communication, has made the transition quite easy for us,” Archie said.

“It is also good to have them around for advice and help whenever we need it.”

A long-standing advisory board, inherited from the former Merrilong Pastoral Company, continues to guide the business.

Oscar, Hugh, Jock and Archie Brownhill are looking forward to welcoming people to Merrilong later this month.

The board includes two independent members, the four Brownhill cousins as directors, and a scribe and accountant who attend as guests each meeting. While not involved in daily operations, the board supports big picture strategy, business efficiency, policy development, and long-term planning.

“The advisory board allows us to sink our teeth into what’s happening here; it’s an absolute game-changer to our business,” Jock said.

“Sometimes we can get stuck in what we know,” Archie added.

“It’s good to have an external opinion – exposure to the outside world.”

As the next generation steps up, the Brownhills emphasise the importance of teamwork, shared responsibility and clear roles, especially when it comes to navigating the additional emotions that come with working with family.

“Our team is our heartbeat,” Jock said.

“Making sure everyone is valued in this business is a huge part of it.”

This collaborative approach is one of the key messages the Brownhills hope visitors can take away from their upcoming Australian Cotton Grower of the Year Field Day.

Collaboration also extends beyond the business, with the family relying on agronomy, research and business advice from a range of agricultural partners.

“Research is such an important part of agriculture and the partnerships we have with Cotton Seed Distributors, AMPS Agribusiness, Bayer, all those businesses have been huge in helping us to maximise potential on our farm,” Jock said.

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” Hugh added.

“You’re not supposed to know everything, so asking for help is the best way to go about finding a solution.”

As the Field Day approaches, the Brownhills look forward to sharing their story, learning from others and showcasing the farm to people from both within and outside the region.

“We’re looking forward to giving people the opportunity to have a look around here, especially people that aren’t from the Liverpool Plains,” Oscar said.

The Australian Cotton Grower of the Year Field Day will be held at “Gowrie”, 1226 Wilmott’s Road, Spring Ridge on Wednesday, March 18.

The day will include a farm tour, guest speakers and a panel session featuring the Brownhill family, members of their advisory board, and key consultants to the business.

Attendee numbers are capped, register HERE to secure free tickets.