The winner of the $7,700 primary grant was David Gibson, a fodder crop farmer from the Dorrigo Plateau. David’s application impressed judges with his understanding of farming issues, ethics and his vision for the future of his business. With a business employing five people, David has a history of sharing his knowledge through an involvement with the NSW Farmers Association, the Young Dairy Network and the Dorrigo Show Society.

David plans to use the funds to undertake research into irrigation and farming techniques in the Ord River Irrigation Area and hopes to bring back cutting edge technologies and techniques for application to his own farming practice and for dissemination to other farmers.

The Warne family, of the Jembrae Droughtmaster Stud outside Casino, have been selected as the runners up in this year’s BCU Bill Ussher Agricultural Grant.

Brett and Leanne Warne applied for the grant to assist in providing specific cattle management education programs to their daughter, Emma, during her on-farm traineeship.

BCU judges were confident that the $3,300 investment in Emma’s education would combine with her passion and dedication to the industry, to produce a future leader in the beef cattle sector.

BCU Chief Executive, Lyndon Kingston, said agriculture was at the heart of the credit union’s history and it was an honour for BCU to support two local agricultural businesses in reaching their goals.

“It means a great deal to BCU to be able to assist both David and the Warne family in gaining the knowledge they need to turn the vision for their business into reality.

“This is a really meaningful sponsorship for BCU. Bill Ussher was a local banana grower and founding director of BCU. He dedicated more than 30 years of his life to our credit union and many more years to the local farming industry.”

Mr Kingston said BCU was constantly contributing to the success of local business, through sponsorship and by providing a banking alternative with accessible commercial loans and convenient products.