The Weekly Times, Australia’s longest-running rural and regional news brand, has partnered with Coles to honour the nation’s agricultural industry at the 13th annual Farmer of the Year Awards.
Penny Fowler, Herald and Weekly Times chairman and News Corp Australia’s community ambassador, highlighted the event as a recognition of the passion, innovation, and dedication of those in the agribusiness sector.
“In an effort to feed, clothe and sustain a growing world population, our farmers are constantly looking outside the box to both grow their businesses and the wider industry, which is truly world-leading,” Fowler said.
Coles Group chairman, James Graham, added: “This year’s finalists and winners showcase the new generation of farmers who are leading the charge towards innovation and a more sustainable future.”
Farmer of the Year award winner Jake Altmann, who operate a zero-grazing dairy farm in Murray Bridge, SA.
The awards
The winner of this year’s Farmer of the Year award has been presented to David, Karen, and Jake Altmann, who operate a zero-grazing dairy farm in Murray Bridge, South Australia. Their high-intensity operation milks 500 cows three times a day.
By implementing an innovative feeding approach that incorporates a diverse range of nutrients, the Altmanns’ have increased average daily milk production from 33 litres per cow to 38-40 litres.
Jake said: “The cows are healthier, happier, the condition on the cows is better than when we were on a pasture based system, we are not wasting feed, they are not in the elements, have fans and sprinklers to cool them down in summer, and in winter they can curl up in the barn and be warm and don’t have to walk through mud.”
According to The Weekly Times editor James Wagstaff, awareness around farming has grown in recent years, particularly following the supply chain shocks of the pandemic.
“I think there’s greater recognition of what farmers do now as a result of COVID,” he says. “People went to their local supermarket, and when the meat wasn’t there, it reinforced just how vital this industry is. These guys are amazing in what they do.”
The Weekly Times editor James Wagstaff.
A rigorous selection process
The award isn’t just about celebrating traditional farming success – it recognises innovation, sustainability, and leadership. Every year, 250 entries are carefully reviewed, with finalists selected from stories featured in The Weekly Times over the past 12 months.
Wagstaff explains: “At the end of the year, we sit back with our journalists and go through story by story, interview by interview – who’s doing things that are really out of the box?”
From there, a panel of independent judges rigorously debates the finalists. “Sometimes the discussion takes two hours, sometimes we walk away and come back the next day,” Wagstaff says. “The quality of entries is really, really amazing.”
While winning the award provides industry recognition, it’s also about amplifying the voices of those shaping the future of farming. “We look for people who are just doing amazing things on their own farm, but also leaders in their field,” Wagstaff says. “People who want to see the industry thrive.”
News Corp Australia’s commitment to rural communities
Beyond the prestige, the Farmer of the Year award is backed by News Corp Australia (NCA), with the company playing a crucial role in ensuring these stories reach audiences across the country.
“The commitment from NCA is incredible – they have been so loyal,” Wagstaff says. “We’ll have winners’ stories in the major metro papers this week. It’s something the company really gets behind.”
This exposure is invaluable, not just for the winners, but for the industry as a whole. Wagstaff notes that city readers are increasingly engaged with agricultural stories. “People love picking up The Daily Telegraph in the western suburbs and reading about where their food comes from or learning about real Australians.”
With a growing focus on sustainability and innovation, farming is evolving rapidly, and initiatives like The Weekly Times Coles Farmer of the Year help ensure that Australia’s agricultural pioneers get the recognition – and the platform – they deserve.
Horticulture Farmers of the Year, the Musolino family from SA.
Winners of The Weekly Times Coles 2024 Farmer of the Year Awards
Overall winner and Dairy Farmer of the Year: Altmann Family, Dakara Farms, Murray Bridge, SA
Beef Farmer of the Year: Hammond Family, Robbins Island Wagyu, Montagu TAS
Cropping Farmer of the Year: Duncan Young, Beverley WA
Horticulture Farmer of the Year : Musolino Family, T Muso & Co, Virginia SA
Sheep Farmer of the Year: Kerin Family, Kerin Agriculture, Yeoval NSW
Innovative Farmer of the Year: Said Family, Fresh Select, Werribee South VIC
Pictured: Farmer of the Year, Jake Altmann