Innovative farmers Pirrone Brothers win Syngenta Grower of the Year at Hort Connections 2023 gala dinner
Through a culture of continuous innovation, passion and dedication to sustainability, Pirrone Brothers have successfully transitioned from sugarcane to advanced vegetable production while being highly regarded by their peers.
Together, Ross-Shane, Josh and Chris Pirrone were presented the Syngenta Grower of the Year Award at Hort Connections 2023, as part of the Hort Innovations National Awards for Excellence on 7 June.
“As we proudly sponsor the Grower of the Year award, we celebrate the relentless pursuit of excellence demonstrated by horticultural growers, especially our finalists of this coveted award and the overall winner, Pirrone Brothers,” said Paul Luxton, Syngenta Country Head of Australia and New Zealand.
“I commend all the finalists for this prestigious award and urge them to take pride in their accomplishments as their unwavering commitment to shaping the fruit and vegetable story for the better, is an inspiration to us all.”
The success of Pirrone Brothers has been attributed to their tireless commitment to planning, learning, experimentation, and networking, with the unwavering support of parents Ross-Wayne and Giovanna.
Through passion for their work and a culture of continuous innovation, they have transformed their operation and achieved remarkable growth in just a decade, while overcoming numerous challenges unique to North Queensland. Their focus is on the year-round supply of high-quality fresh produce, with a rotation including cucumber, zucchini, pumpkin and eggplant crops. This has been underpinned by research, training, and study, adopting sustainable, profitable production methods. As a result, Pirrone Brothers serve as an exemplary model for both current and future generations of agricultural producers, setting a high standard in the industry. Furthermore, they have generously shared their knowledge and experiences with fellow farmers, contributing to the broader agricultural community.
Across Australia and around the world, Mr Luxton said the significance of safe, nutritious, and easily accessible fruits and vegetables has never been more important.
“The critical role they play in our lives cannot be overstated,” he said.
“As we reflect on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, it is clear that the global demand for these essential foods continues to grow.
“At Syngenta, we embrace the responsibility to support growers in meeting this demand sustainably.
“Our commitment to collaboration and partnership is the cornerstone of our Good Growth Plan - a comprehensive framework that outlines our sustainability commitments and our proactive approach to addressing the challenges faced by farmers in an ever-changing climate.
“As we celebrate the accomplishments of the past year and anticipate the possibilities that lie ahead, let us embrace the power of knowledge, collaboration, and innovation. Together, we can cultivate a horticultural landscape that thrives and evolves, ensuring a bountiful harvest for generations to come.”
Syngenta Grower of the Year nominees
While we celebrate the Pirrone Brothers achievement, we also recognise nominees in the Syngenta Grower of the Year award. To make this list is outstanding and reflects each other their commitment to hard work, striving for better solutions and excellence.
Adam & Chris Schreurs – Schreurs & Sons
Schreurs & Sons is a wholly owned Australian family business - farming is in their DNA - and they are passionate about breeding and growing high quality, fresh Australian produce. Third-generation family members, Christopher and Adam Schreurs took over operations in 2013 and extended the business focus to innovation and technology, introducing a new high- care packing facility and value-add prepack lines. What started as a humble celery operation in Clyde, Victoria, has now grown into a business spanning seven properties and multiple product lines, including Crunchy Cuts Celery, prepack Leeks and mixed leaf salads. Their markets include all the central markets, major retailers and processors and a strong focus on Export.
April Sun Farms
Creators of high-tech food security systems, and producer of the highest nutritional insecticide-free greens available. With customised horticultural systems allowing their operations to yield the highest volumes and weights of produce per square metre than any farm with published data in the world. Having a greater than 50% efficacy advantage on the hort-light market-leader and using <3.5KWh/Kg of produce. Operations are executed at the highest level with less than a 0.1% product loss rate, and holding the highest applicable certifications including Freshcare & HARPS.
Brendon Hoyle – Ashbern Farms Pty Ltd
Brendon Hoyle arrived in Australia in 2004 after completing a Zimbabwean general diploma in agriculture course, winning top academic student. Brendon is Vice Chairman of the Queensland Strawberry Growers Association (QSGA) and a board member of the Australian Strawberry Propagators Accreditation Authority (ASPAA). Brendon received the QSGA Young Gun of the Year award in 2015 and the QSGA Generous Giver award in 2019. Brendon won Australian Certified Organic farmer of the year in 2022.
Con Laftsis – Laftsis Fresh Produce Pty Ltd
As a second-generation grower and well respected industry identity, Con strives to produce high quality capsicum and eggplants for the market. Con uses innovative ways to create the best produce with the lowest environmental impact, and as an integrated pest management grower, always sources the safest chemicals to help reduce residue. Utilising an extensive planting program, Con successfully supplies produce throughout the year. Never one to rest on his laurels, he continues to trials new varieties to achieve the best product and collaborates with others across the supply chain in trialling seed varieties and experimenting different ways of growing, including grafting.
Daryl & Sally Boardman – Sunnyspot
Daryl and Sally Boardman are owners of Sunnyspot farms and packhouse, Queensland, and co-founders of The Avolution. Daryl has been the South Queensland director since 2006 for Avocadoes Australia. He is the Avocados Australia representative on the Hort Innovation Industry Trade Advisory Panel (ITAP), the Marketing Strategic Investment Advisory Panel (SIAP), and Export Committees. Also highly dedicated to the industry, Sally established a Women in Technology group in Queensland.
Murray Collins – Collins Bros
With a track record of high-quality fruit growing, Murray Collins has proven to be an outstanding grower across all aspects of production as well as a keen contributor to the apple industry. An early adopter of new growing techniques, Murray has dedicated his time to researching new varieties and innovative ways to expand the business in the constantly evolving agricultural landscape. Collins Bros Orchards is leading the industry with its production practices to consistently deliver high quality produce to the consumer.
Pirrone Brothers
Over ten years Pirrone Brothers has shifted from sugarcane to advanced vegetable production, driven by brothers Ross-Shane, Josh, Chris and with exceptional support from their parents Giovanna and Ross-Wayne. They are recognised for excellent quality in cucumber, zucchini, pumpkin, and eggplant. Participation in research, training and study has enabled them to evaluate and implement profitable and sustainable, year-round supply of high-quality vegetables, and share learnings with peers. They have transformed their operation through a commitment to planning, learning, experimentation, networking and met all challenges that North Queensland could toss at them. Pirrone Brothers is an outstanding example of what can be achieved through passion and continuous innovation. Their continuous growth has set a standard for current and the next-generation producers.
Shane Eldridge – Eldridge Fresh Organics
Shane Eldridge is Managing Director and the driving force behind Eldridge Fresh Organics, one of Australia’s leading organic horticulture producers. From humble beginnings with only six greenhouses at Murray Bridge the business has experienced astounding growth over the past few years to become one of the largest organic producers in Australia with 500 acres of production across multiple farms in SA. At the national level he is heavily engaged with the organics sector and regularly provides input into the development and application of relevant standards and their development. This nomination recognises Shane’s significant role within the SA industry, his achievements within his business and his forward-thinking leadership and contribution to the broader industry.
Taylor Family Produce
Granite Belt farming enterprise, Taylor Family Produce has been growing vegetables in Queensland for over a century. Today the business grows iceberg and cos lettuce, celery, silverbeet, wombok cabbage and cauliflower across 344 hectares of land spanning two locations. Taylor Family Produce is heavily focused on sustainability, soil health and best practice. They farm using the most up-to-date methods and technologies.
Templeton Farming Enterprises
By leading the way, TFE’s play a significant role in maintaining the production and integrity of the Australian Ginger Industry by sharing their knowledge and experiences.
Company success is underpinned by the implementation of best practice management principles across all farming operations. Investment in business improvement practices have resulted in industry advances. Highly regarded as growers of Australia’s best quality ginger over many decades the business continues to live by its core values of People, Quality, Safety and Respect.
Vee Jays Kalfresh Pty Ltd
Jamie and Melita Jurgens are the driving force behind Vee-Jays Kalfresh, a fresh produce joint venture in Bowen North Queensland. Since forming in 2016, Vee Jays-Kalfresh has experienced rapid growth and has established itself as a leader in the commercial Certified Organic produce sector in Australia. The Jurgens are tenacious, passionate and focused on finding natural solutions on farm. They have adopted numerous initiatives to farm smarter, improve environmental sustainability and produce better outcomes for customers.
Syngenta has a proud association with AUSVEG, being a strategic partner of Hort Connections and sponsor of the National Awards for Excellence, spanning nearly two decades.
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About Syngenta Australia
Syngenta is a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Through world class science and innovative crop solutions, our 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown. We are committed to drive positive change in agriculture and embed sustainability across all aspects of our business.
