FARMER OF THE YEAR

Young Farmer of the Year Winner: Troy Blackman

Troy Blackman has been named the 2016 Case IH Young Farmer of the Year

Alex Paull

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Almost four years ago Blackman created the Waterfall Australia sustainable farming enterprise on the NSW Mid North Coast.

Spread over three properties in the Orara Valley, Waterfall first started as a Charolais stud before growing to include pasture raised beef and egg components, as well as local contracting, farm retail shop, weekly market stall, and farm tourism elements.

In the first year of full time farming, Blackman relished months of hard physical work on the properties to implement sufficient infrastructure and organically increasing pasture health. Knowing it would take time to grow the stud, he worked on ideas gained from studying international farmers, and visiting small but successful independent farmers within NSW.

The “chicken caravan” would soon become a critical piece of infrastructure for Blackman. It houses chickens 24/7 in the field for pasture, and after purchasing its first chicken caravan, the results were outstanding.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

editions

Research Report: Auto Drafters (June 2026)

This month's Research Report includes an in-depth look at five popular sheep auto drafters complemented by several Case Studies of producers using the drafters to improve their livestock management.

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Research Report: High Horsepower Tracked Tractors (May 2026)

Kondinin Group researchers Mark Saunders, Ben White and Josh Giumelli have inspected some of the latest high-horsepower, articulated, fixed-frame and twin-tracked tractors for this month's Research Report. It's all about getting power to the ground.

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Research Report: Mother Bins (April 2026)

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Research Report: Diesels Duke It Out (March 2026)

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