FARMER OF THE YEAR

Australian Farmer of the Year: Matt Dunbabin

After devastating bushfires ripped through Dunalley in 2013 Tasmanian farmer Matt Dunbabin rose from the ashes with a successful agri-tourism venture that diversifies his property's resources.

Kristy Moroney
Australian Farmer of the Year: Matt Dunbabin

Since taking over the management of the diverse Bangor property in south east Tasmania in 1999, Matt Dunbabin has implemented a number of changes on the farm. The first step towards diversification came in 2007 when Matt developed a business plan to build a 1500ML dam to support a range of initiatives on the farm, including horticulture and cropping. Superfine wool production is one of the main enterprises on the farm, but it also runs a small 100 head prime beef cattle herd, and 1300 head prime lamb flock. Through development over the last decade, the farm now includes an irrigated cropping program, a 4ha vineyard for producing cool-climate wine, and the Bangor Wine and Oyster Shed, which is a food and wine retail business. Bangor’s diverse landscape called for a diverse approach, one that Matt delivered in spades.

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

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

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Research Report: Sheds

Sheds play a vital role in farming, offering shelter and protection for people, machinery, livestock and valuable inputs like chemicals and fertiliser.

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Research Report: Harvest Weed Seed Mills

The Report includes a round up of commercially-available batching plants as well as farmer-made approaches.

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Research Report: Agritechnica 2023

Kondinin Group’s Mark Saunders, Ben White and Josh Giumelli went to Agritechnica, Germany. This report covers the key award winners from the event and some of the latest autonomous platforms displayed.

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Research Report: Fronting Up

This Research Report looks at harvester fronts including research and expertise from Kondinin Group’s Ben White, with input from harvesting specialists Brett Asphar, Kassie Van Der Westhuizen, Murray Skayman and Martin Reichelt.