AgShows NSW president Jill Chapman, Suncorp Bank’s Brigette Glynn, Bellata growers Rachel and Fernance, Lowes Petroleum Moree and Narrabri depot manager Brendan Munn, and Suncorp’s Andrew Hannaford.

BELLATA farmers Glenn and Rachel Fernance have taken out top honours in the AgShows NSW Dryland Field Wheat Competition from a record field of 375 entries.

Their win was announced at a gala dinner in Dubbo on Friday, which revealed place-getters across NSW’s four wheat-growing regions, including the Fernance’s who secured first place in the northern region.

“Winning this award is something we have been striving towards for a long time,” Mr Fernance said.

“To receive this accolade is a real honour, particularly considering the high standards of farming practices that enter crops into the competition.”

Their winning crop yielded an astounding 9.2t/ha, and Mr Fernance acknowledged his family team and their “exceptional agronomist Mitch Cuell from Outlook Ag” in making the win possible.

The season also played a major part.

“The Sundancer was planted right at the front end of its window in favourable conditions with quick crop emergence.

“The season was fantastic with rain falling regularly, enabling top-dressing of fertiliser to maximise yield potential and a nice soft spring.

The dinner also saw Rowena grower John Stump of Windella Agricultural Company awarded the prestigious TJ Dwyer Farming Excellence, established in recognition of Tom Dwyer, who died in 2023.

John is the fifth-generation to call Windella home, and over the decades, the property has switched from grazing to dryland cropping and irrigated cotton, embracing innovation and leading agronomic and technological practices.

Since taking the reins from father Ken, John, supported by his wife Heidi, has built a resilient, progressive operation focussed on innovation, workforce wellbeing, community involvement, and long-term sustainability.

“It’s a real honour to receive this award and to be recognised alongside so many respected growers,” Mr Stump said.

“Windella has been in our family for generations, so this reflects a lot of hard work over many years, and I’m grateful to the judges, our advisors, and the team who contribute every day to making the business what it is.”

Southern region and NSW sample winners Susan and Derek Ingold from John Ingold & Co, Cootamundra, with AgShows NSW Jill Chapman.

Also at the Dubbo dinner, John Ingold & Co, Cootamundra received the inaugural State Grain Sample award, as well as being named the southern region winner, while the Brownhill family’s Merrilong Pastoral at Spring Ridge was named the State Durum Winner.

Regional Dryland Field Wheat Competition judge Frank McRae said the competition had a long history of showcasing the best wheat practices in the world.

“Crop management was exceptional in a growing season that provided significant challenges for growers,” Mr McRae said.

“Delayed sowing due to dry conditions in the south, and a lack of rainfall during the critical stages of grain filling across most of the state, were reflected in yields and the quality of the grain harvested.”

At centre, Ken Stump with daughter-in-law Heidi and son John, with Walgett agronomist and Outlook Ag director Greg Rummery (far left), who has been working with Windella Ag since the late 1980s, and AgShows NSW’s Dave Herbert (far right).

The AgShows NSW Dryland Field Wheat Competition showcases the industry’s gold standard, and offers growers a unique chance to connect and learn from one another.

Since 1996, entrants from across the NSW wheatbelt have used the competition to
benchmark their crops, receive expert feedback, and share insights with fellow producers.

To make the state finals, the top five crops in four regions are identified through competitions organised by local show societies, and then compared to determine the state winner.

Points are awarded primarily for yield, and also for other metrics such as trueness to type, evenness, and freedom from disease.

Since 1929, the Agricultural Societies Council of NSW, operating as AgShows NSW, has served as the peak body supporting more than 190 agricultural show societies statewide.

Each year, these societies host shows that spotlight agricultural achievement, celebrate rural communities, and collectively draw more than 900,000 visitors.

Results for the 2025 Dryland Field Wheat Competition:

TJ Dwyer Farming Excellence: Windella Ag Co – John Stump

State Grain Sample Winner: John Ingold & Co, Cootamundra.

Northern

1. Glenn and Rachel Fernance, Courallie Park, Bellata: 258 points for 9.2t/ha Sundancer crop;

2. Windella Ag Co, John Stump, Rowena: 205p for 6.55t/ha crop;

3. Browning family, Narromine Station, Narromine: 204p for 6.5t/ha crop;

Western

1. Josh Male, Glenaren, Peak Hill: 181p for 5.6t/ha Lancer crop;

2. Karl and Tania Dalton, Queens Park Ag, Hillston: 177p for 5.1t/ha crop;

3. Brent Kerrisk, Ganmain: 173p for 5.25t/ha;

Central 

1. Patrick Hennessy, Yarrandoo, Gunnedah: 223p for 7.7t/ha Lancer crop;

2. Stuart Tait, Sunny Downs, Mandurama: 214p for 7.15t/ha crop;

3. Tom Simson, Plantation Trading, Premer: 213p for 7.1t/ha crop;

Southern

1. John Ingold & Co, Cootamundra: 219p for 7.3t/ha Scepter crop;

2. Sam and Alana Gordon, Manton Pastoral: 213p for 7.2t/ha crop;

3. Barry Kohlhagen, The Rock: 212p for 7.1t/ha crop;

NSW Durum

1. Merrilong Pastoral, Spring Ridge: 210p for 7t/ha crop;

2. Ross Durham, Mullaley: 197p for 6.4t/ha crop;

3. James Corbett, Corbett Farms, Goolhi: 194 for 6.2t/ha crop.

Source: AgShows NSW, Suncorp Bank