AUSTRALIA'S top companies and individuals in the agriculture, food, fibre and beverage sectors were recognised as winners of the 2010 National Australia Bank (NAB) Agribusiness Awards for Excellence at a gala dinner in Melbourne last week.
The awards, run by Monash University and NAB Agribusiness, are now in their 15th year. NAB’s Agribusiness general manager, Khan Horne, said once again the awards highlighted some highly innovative technology and agricultural techniques.
“Agribusiness is proving to be a resilient sector in the Australian economy and our winners exemplify why this is the case,” Mr Horne said.
“These individuals and companies demonstrate the innovation, excellence and leadership which allow Australian agribusiness to overcome challenges while increasing productivity, profitability and sustainability.
“For example, Taylors Wines, the winner of the environment and energy management category, last year launched the world’s first carbon neutral wine range.”
As a family winery, Taylors was placing great importance on protecting the environment for future generations, and taking a long term view of its business opportunities, too.
Mr Horne said the Innovation in New and Emerging Industries Award winner, the relatively young Chia Company, was now the largest and highest quality chia producer in the world.
And Alan Winney, the head of the Emerald Group – another new generation player in agribusiness – was the winner of the Agribusiness Leader of the Year Award.
Mr Winney exemplified the sort of leadership the farm sector needed to fully realise agriculture’s future potential, Mr Horne said.
“Alan has contributed much to agriculture as a role model for others in agribusiness and has raised up many talented individuals who have taken on the challenges of making their businesses a success,” he said.
“NAB is proud to support the awards for the fifth consecutive year, acknowledging innovation and best practice of agricultural businesses.”
Monash University’s food and agribusiness programs director, Lawrie Dooley, said the awards covered the diversity of the industry.
“We have winners producing everything from organic foods right through to animal health products; family-owned operations to multinationals; and companies starting to become established right through to household names,” Dr Dooley said.
