A total of 22 wheat and canola crops were entered in the competition, which were of very high standard, so the judges had a big job in front of them to find the winning crop and farmer.

There are no secrets, Scott and Annie said, to their winning canola and wheat, “it’s just a good season”.

Apart from gaining such recognition from the Canowindra RAS for their crops, the couple believed the competition to be “a really great transfer of information”.

“I t’s not often you have three Agronomists on your property,” Scott explained.

He said that the feedback and comments are an important source of information for farmers wanting to improve their yields.

The Hickman’s winning paddock of wheat is the common variety of “Sunstate” and canola, the “Ripper” variety.

The judges have put estimates on the wheat of up to 7 tonnes per hectare and canola around 2 - 2.47 tonnes per hectare, but they will need more rain to achieve this.

Results of places:

Wheat - 1st, Scott Hickman 83 points, 2nd Sam Stranger 81 points, 3rd Phillip Wythes 80 points.

Canola - 1st Scott Hickman 83 points, 2nd Mick Townsend 81 points, 3rd Michael and John Payten 80 points.

On behalf of the Canowindra RAS, Oliver Stone thanked the sponsors:- Canowindra Produce, Weston Milling, Canowindra NSW Farmers, NAB and Johnny Lawrence and, last of all, thank you to the farmers who entered their crops.

Mr Stone also extended thanks to the judges, Brett Butler, Chris Cole and Tim Wright.