The state’s leading wheat growers have been unveiled at the 2025 Dryland Field Wheat Competition gala dinner held in Dubbo.
This year’s competition attracted a record 375 entrants, with Gunnedah farmer Patrick Hennessy of “Rothsay” the winner in the Central Region with a crop of Lancer and he said the recognition came as a big surprise, but he felt deeply honoured by the win.
“It’s a huge honour for us,” he said.
“I was actually having a cup of coffee with mum and dad at the time we found out. The Hennessy family has been farming for at least 50 years, so we were all stoked – it was great to be with them when I got the phone call. They were very excited; mum did some fist pumps.
“I couldn’t make it to the presentation; mum and dad went on my behalf, and I was really pleased they were able to go and be part of it.
“It’s never happened for us before … normally there are a handful of really good farmers that win the prize every year, so for us to win in an area that isn’t normally represented – it is very rewarding.”
Mr Hennessy agreed farming is ‘a hard slog’. A lot of blood, sweat and tears go into growing a good crop.
“You’re up against the weather and the financial side of things, mental health issues – so to get a nice reward, it does mean a lot.
“It’s a combination of good management and trying to do everything right. We have a saying in farming, ‘control the controllables’ and that’s all you can do – feed your soil, control the weeds, do everything your agronomist tells you … and then hope for rain,” he added.
“We’ve been lucky to have some rain, you have good years and bad years.
“But we’re chuffed just to be recognised, it makes you feel like you have the energy to go again. I was not even expecting to be nominated but the experience has been an education and an honour. This is one for the pool room.”
Regional Dryland Field Wheat judge Frank McRae said the competition had a long history of showcasing the best wheat practices in the world.
“This year attracted 375 entries across the state. Crop management was exceptional, in a growing season that provided significant challenges for growers.
“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.”
Bellata farmers Glenn and Rachel Fernance, of “Courallie Park” were named the overall State Dryland Field Wheat winners.
Merrilong Pastoral at Spring Ridge took out the State Durum title.
John Ingold & Co won the inaugural State Grain Sample Competition with a Scepter variety.
John Stump, of Windella Agricultural Company at Rowena, was awarded the prestigious TJ Dwyer Farming Excellence.
State Dryland Field Wheat winners Glenn and Rachel Fernance also topped the northern region, with a point score of 258 at 9.20 t/ha for their Sundancer variety, while Josh Male, “Glenaren”, Peak Hill won the western region (181 at 5.60 t/ha for Lancer variety); Patrick Hennessy, “Rothsay”, Gunnedah won the central region (223 at 7.70 t/ha for Lancer variety); and John Ingold & Co, Cootamundra, won the southern region (219 at 7.3 t/ha for Scepter variety).
Supported by partnering sponsor Suncorp, the AgShows NSW Dryland Field Wheat Competition showcases the industry’s gold standard, while offering growers a unique chance to connect, exchange knowledge, 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 and then compared to determine the state winner.
“Winning this award is something we have been striving towards for a long time,” said State Dryland Field Wheat winner Glenn Fernance.
“To receive this accolade is a real honour, particularly considering the high standards of farming practices that enter crops into the competition. I’d like to thank and acknowledge the hard work and dedication of organisers, judges and fellow entrants. I would also like to thank the sponsors for their support and generosity.
“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.
“I would also like to thank my family team and our exceptional agronomist, Mitch Cuell from Outlook Ag.”
John Stump, of ‘Windella’, said it was an honour to be 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. Over the decades, the property evolved from livestock grazing to large-scale dryland cropping and irrigated cotton, embracing innovation and leading agronomic and technological practices.
Since taking the reins, 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,” John 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 advisers, and the team who contribute every day to making the business what it is.”
Suncorp Bank Jenny Taylor, district manager agri and regional NSW said Suncorp Bank is proud to have been the partnering sponsor of the AgShows NSW Dryland Field Wheat Competition for more than 15 years.
“This is more than a competition – it’s about visiting regional communities, connecting with producers, and travelling farm to farm with judges to recognise excellence, all while strengthening connections across the industry and within rural communities.”
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 distinctive shows locally that spotlight agricultural achievement, celebrate rural communities, and collectively draw more than 900,000 visitors.
The organisers thanked the sponsors for making the competition possible.
List of winners:
TJ Dwyer Farming Excellence: Windella Ag Co. – John Stump
1st Northern & State Dryland Field Wheat winner: Glenn & Rachel Fernance, “Courallie Park”, Bellata, ( 258 for their 9.20 t/ha)
2nd northern: Windella Ag Co. – John Stump, Rowena (205 at 6.55 t/ha)
3rd northern: Browning Family, “Narromine Station”, Narromine (204 at 6.50 t/ha)
1st western: Josh Male, “Glenaren”, Peak Hill (181 at 5.60 t/ha)
2nd western: Karl & Tania Dalton, Queens Park Ag, Hillston (177 at 5.10 t/ha)
3rd western: Brent Kerrisk, Ganmain (173 at 5.25 t/ha)
1st central: Patrick Hennessy, “Rothsay”, Gunnedah (223 at 7.70 t/ha)
2nd central: Stuart Tait, “Sunny Downs”, Mandurama (214 at 7.15 t/ha)
3rd central: Tom Simson, Plantation Trading, Premer (213 at 7.10 t/ha)
1st southern: John Ingold & Co, Cootamundra (219 ay 7.3 t/ha)
2nd southern: Sam & Alana Gordon, Manton Pastorak (213 at 7.20 t/ha)
3rd southern: Barry Kohlhagen, The Rock (212 at 7.1 t/ha)
State Durum winner: Merrilong Pastoral, Spring Ridge (210 at 7.00 t/ha)
Durum 2nd: Ross Durham, Mullaley (197 at 6.40 t/ha)
Durum 3rd: James Corbettt, Corbett Farms, Goolhi (194 at 6.20 t/ha)
State Grain Sample winner: John Ingold & Co.
– ALI SMITH
