FORMER winners of the Millicent Business Community Association award’s are united in one view – the town is a strong contender for Ag Town of the Year.
With the verdict to be announced in October at the Regional Showcase Awards, 2018 agriculture award winner Ricky Wilson of XBred Shearing said Millicent’s strength was in the town’s diversity.
“It’s a great area, no doubt about it,” he said.
“It is diverse, it’s drought-resistant and as for industries it has sheep, cattle, you name it.”
Mr Wilson said Millicent was a place where farmers do things properly in order to get a good return every year.
“In areas that are more drought-prone some people might cut corners to save a few dollars, but that’s not how it’s done here.”
Mr Wilson’s business is at the forefront of innovation, with rams being shorn on a trailer rather than in a shed.
“Rams are becoming too big to shear in a shed – they need to be sedated and there are concerns about health risks,” he said.
“When they are in a trailer they do not need to be sedated and it is also about the safety of the shearers.
“There are enough injuries in the shearing industry as is.
“If we have got the tech, why not use it?”
Mr Wilson said he works consistently with local farmers and stock agents were always willing to put workers on the right track and put in a good word.
Blade Runner Turf proprietor Darren Galwey, who won the same category in 2017, said the area around Millicent was “100pc drought-proof”, which gives it the edge.
“It all comes back to water – you always have a guarantee of a high return,” he said.
“It is reflected in the diversity of industries here – Scott DeBruin and his Wagyu beef, Holla-Fresh – and the high land prices.
“A large percentage of the state’s agricultural industries are based here.”
