Agricultural
24 October, 2025
Oakey Show Society 2025 Dryland Winter Crop Competition Winners announced
The President of the Oakey Show Society, Mrs Judy Byers reports that the judging of the 2025 Dryland Field Winter Crop Competition entries has been completed.
Mrs Byers advised that the Show Committee was very pleased to hear that there were several entries received across the wheat and barley sections.
There were no entries in the chickpea category.
Growers experienced similar conditions to recent seasons, and the gentle, soaking summer and autumn rain leading into early winter had enhanced the plant available water reserves in the soil profile.
Ideal planting conditions allowed growers to commence planting from mid-autumn into early winter, thereby providing the opportunity for the sown cereal crops to establish very well.
Though the winter and spring rainfall consisted of smaller falls only, plant establishment was excellent with crop growth and density above average.
The colder, frosty weather in July and early August also provided a good platform for potential yields.
At the time of crop inspection and judging from mid-September to early October, the maturity status of the crops was very advanced due to the drier end of season spring weather pattern.
The potential and assessed yield for all entries was very pleasing with many estimated to be similar to the recent good years of 2020 to 2024.
There was little evidence of leaf and stem rust disease, though crown rot has become more visible and present due to the sequence of improved winter crop seasons.
Harvesting had commenced in a few areas late last month, with others to have commenced by the end of this month.
Overall, the main harvest will be earlier than traditionally seen across the Eastern and Central Downs.
Participating growers have again acknowledged the capacity of the new varieties to grow and perform in a range of conditions.
Newer varieties are being released each year.
Additionally, the disease pressures can be managed primarily due to close monitoring by growers and agronomists together with the availability of fungicide to minimise such impacts.
In the barley section, first place was taken out by the Anderson family (Arcadia Rural), Oakey with the Fandaga variety.
Second place was jointly shared by the Rosenberger family of Silverleigh with La Perouse, and Kummerow family (Girraween Farming) Bowenville, with Big Foot.
Several other entries in the barley section impressed the organisers with the crop condition and estimated yields.
For the prime hard wheat category, first place was won by the Polzin family (Polzin Farming) Jondaryan with Sundancer, and second place to Girraween Farming, Bowenville with Leverage.
In the durum wheat category, there was one entry only by the Kummerow family of Bowenville with Westcourt variety.
On behalf of the Show Society, Mrs Byers congratulated the winners on their success and all entrants for their efforts and participation.
The continuing adoption of new technology, good varietal selection, in conjunction with good nutrient management and crop husbandry has been a critical factor with the consistent higher yields.
The winners of the prime hard wheat and barley categories will now represent the Oakey district at the 2025 RASQ Darling Downs Field Wheat and Barley competitions, at which local growers have enjoyed success in recent years.
Growers of these winning crops will be presented with their prizes at the Oakey Show in March 2026.
Show Society President Mrs Byers thanked all participants and the co-ordinator/judge Graham Cooke for the ongoing support to the Oakey Show Society Dryland Winter Crop competition, and looks forward to the next competition in 2026.
