Robert Ruwoldt is 2011 Farmer of the Year

The prestigious 2011 Farmer of the Year award was presented to Robert Ruwoldt of Horsham, Victoria at a gala dinner at Sydney’s Westin Hotel on Wednesday 7^th September. 

Robert is a fourth-generation farmer on their 2800ha family farm in the heart of the Victoria’s Wimmera. 

As the winner of the Farmer of the Year award, Robert has secured a placement in the final round of interviews in the esteemed Australian Rural Leadership Program. 

In congratulating Robert on his award, Dr Lesley Fitzpatrick, CEO of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation said, “Robert is a fine example of what can be achieved by those on the land  who adapt to the challenges of change and innovation.” 

“Robert and his family are passionate about the land and have shown by pushing the boundaries they are creating a sustainable rural Australia. This is certainly a well deserved award,” she adds.

In partnership with wife Wendy and son Justin, Robert grows wheat, barley, lentils, canola, beans and chickpeas in a continuous cropping rotation with an average 400mm rainfall. Robert believes this spread gives him the option of diversity in his production system. 

Robert believes change is a very hard thing for farmers to do and says “change will not happen until the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change”. 

“There is always a better way to do things and the challenge is for farmers to work through the issues,” adds Robert. 

The Farmer of the Year Award is sponsored by the Kondinin Group and ABC Rural in partnership with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.