A TASMANIAN farmer has been named as the 2014 Rabobank Simplot Young Potato Grower of the Year.
Jeremy Fielding, who farms in Gawler in north-west Tas, said it was a “great surprise” to win the award.
“I certainly wasn’t expecting this, but I am excited to participate in the Rabobank Farm Managers Program as I think it will be beneficial for our business,” he said.
“I came home to the farm upon leaving school, so it’s really good to get some more formal training on business management, people skills and other important aspects of leadership.”
In 2007, Mr Fielding was introduced to the agricultural contracting business and took to driving a digger quickly. He then bought into a contracting business and is now completely running the company.
During the three-year period, Mr Fielding has increased his initial contract from 500 tonnes to 2100t, growing storage Rangers and Burbanks, as well as JR-2 potatoes supplied to Simplot.
He is looking to increase growth over the next few years.
Rabobank and Simplot have jointly sponsored the award since 2006 as way of acknowledging and supporting young leaders in the field.
Rabobank’s Devonport manager Damon Twibell said Mr Fielding had been selected because of his vision and innovative approach to business.
“Given the growth and expansion of Jeremy’s business in recent years, we think he displays promising characteristics and is a deserving winner of the Simplot prize,” he said.