Celebrating the 2026 National Hay Quality Award winners
Australia’s leading hay producers were recognised at the 2026 Feed Central National Hay Quality Awards.
Eight national titles were awarded to producers from New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, recognising outstanding results across cereal, lucerne and vetch hay.
2026 National Winners
National Cereal Hay Visual Award: Adam Gardiner, Gardiner Bros Farms, Calwell, NSW
National Cereal Hay Feed Test Award: Anthony Wilken, R.A. & H.M. Wilken, Tarranyurk, Victoria
National Lucerne Hay Visual Award: Mark and Susie Green, M & R Green, Forbes, NSW
National Lucerne Hay Feed Test Award: The Alexander family, Haylin, Riverleigh, Queensland
National Vetch Hay Visual Award: Stuart Shifferle, Schifferle Freight Services, Berrigan, NSW
National Vetch Hay Feed Test Award: Wayne Huf, Claralda Pty Ltd, Hopetoun, Victoria
Heaviest Cereal Bale Award: Tom Bell and Nathan Ovington, Bell Group, Narramine, NSW — 785 kg
Heaviest Straw Bale Award: Brad Johnston, Johnston Agriculture Pty Ltd, Quandialla, NSW — 590 kg
Recognising excellence in hay production
The awards celebrate the planning, expertise and hard work required to consistently produce quality hay.
“Making hay is not easy, and making good hay is exceptionally difficult. These awards acknowledge the excellent management and hard work that goes into it,” Managing Director Tim Ford said.
“It is a pleasure to recognise the best of the best. Some of this year’s results have been exceptional, which is exactly what we need as an industry.
“We want repeat buyers, and the quality feed recognised through these awards demonstrates what our industry is capable of.”
Entries were assessed as large square bales, with awards presented across cereal, lucerne and vetch hay based on visual assessment and feed-test results. Awards were also presented for the heaviest cereal and straw bales.
State award winners
Queensland
Cereal Hay Visual Award: Harry Siddens, Lower Plains Pastoral Pty Ltd; contractor Rob Southern, RnS Baling, St George
Cereal Hay Feed Test Award: The Webb family, Dunmore Pastoral; contractors Dave and Tony Robb, Tarawera
Lucerne Hay Visual Award: The Alexander family, Haylin, Riverleigh
Lucerne Hay Feed Test Award: The Alexander family, Haylin, Riverleigh
New South Wales
Cereal Hay Visual Award: Adam Gardiner, Gardiner Bros Farms Pty Ltd, Calwell
Cereal Hay Feed Test Award: Justin Riddell, Kilter Agriculture Fund, Tocumwal
Lucerne Hay Visual Award: Mark and Susie Green, M & R Green, Forbes
Lucerne Hay Feed Test Award: Mark Carter, Strathmore Properties Pty Ltd, Benolong
Vetch Hay Visual Award: Stuart Shifferle, Schifferle Freight Services, Berrigan
Vetch Hay Feed Test Award: Kurt and Bernadette Bauer; contractor Adam Fox, Foxy Hay Contracting, Berrigan
Victoria
Cereal Hay Visual Award: Gus Whyte, Harmer/Whyte Hay; contractor Southern Pastoral, Meringur
Cereal Hay Feed Test Award: Anthony Wilken, R.A. & H.M. Wilken, Tarranyurk
Lucerne Hay Visual Award: Bryan Monigatti, Pine Gap Farms, Strathallan
Lucerne Hay Feed Test Award: Sam and Jake Thompson, Wyuna East
Vetch Hay Visual Award: Carl Chamberlain, Meran Grove Farms, Meering West
Vetch Hay Feed Test Award: Wayne Huf, Claralda Pty Ltd, Hopetoun
South Australia
Cereal Hay Visual Award: Robyn Faulkner, Renkluaf Trading Pty Ltd; contractors Peter and Justin Michael, Michael Contracting, Stanley
Cereal Hay Feed Test Award: Adam Morgan, Morgan Partners, Geranium
Lucerne Hay Visual Award: James Mowbray, Millicent
Lucerne Hay Feed Test Award: Joe Cook, Scottswell Partners, Carew
Congratulations to every state and national winner—and to all entrants helping raise standards across Australia’s hay industry.