He uses his Moree farm to grow barley which is used to make beer.

The Moree grower was recently recognised among some of Australia and New Zealand’s best growers and farm advisors, after being named one of 26 regional finalists in the 2018 Syngenta Growth Awards.

Although he didn’t come home with a major gong from the 2018 Growth Awards, held in Sydney on Wednesday, December 5, Mr Crowe was named a 2018 regional winner in the Grower Productivity Award.

Mr Crowe operates his Moree farm as a monoculture, and carefully runs down soil fertility so he can then manipulate artificial fertilisers to deliver barley with consistent protein levels.

At the same time, he is conducting farming practices that make the most of soil moisture. This is achieved through practising minimal/zero tillage with a goal to improve, develop and retain natural stored moisture while maintaining a clean healthy farm.

One of the greatest challenges he has operating the monoculture is ryegrass, and as well as looking at alternative crops like cotton, chickpeas and canola, Mr Crowe has an Integrated Weed Management Strategy to tackle the weed issue.

Mr Crowe makes sure he has a regular replacement strategy for his equipment and that all staff are trained to the highest level when handling chemicals.

He also makes a commitment to taking younger farmers under his wing to mentor them.

“Ultimately, it’s about understanding the local environment intimately and making the best decisions based on that knowledge,” Mr Crowe said.

“You then need to implement the right techniques to suit that unique and particular environment.”

Moree agronomist Tony Lockrey was also recognised at the 2018 Growth Awards, winning the the Community and People – Advisor Award.