11 IREC Farmers' Newsletter No. 198 — Spring 2017 VERSATILE IRRIGATION BUSINESS RECOGNISED AND AWARDED AGAIN Daisy and Matt Toscan of Cavaso Farming, Darlington Point. Cavaso Farming is the Monsanto Grower of the Year for 2017. PHOTO: Virginia Tapscott Cavaso Farming has achieved impressive results and improved the profitability of its farm operation since introducing cotton to the annual crop rotation seven years ago. Lucy Kealey, Kieran O’Keeffe & Iva Quarisa IREC RECOGNISING its achievements growing cotton, Cavaso Farming, which is the business of Tony, Joyce, Matt, Daisy, James and Mel Toscan, was awarded the Monsanto Grower of the Year at the Australian Cotton Industry Awards 2017. This is the first time the title has been awarded to a farming business in the Murrumbidgee Valley. Cavaso Farming is a 4200-hectare enterprise at Darlington Point and Coleambally that grows 1100 hectares of cotton, along with other crops including durum wheat, popcorn, maize and prunes. The Toscans have a cotton–wheat rotation employing minimum till and controlled traffic, using siphon and bankless irrigation, supplied by an automated system and they are now achieving average yields of 12 bales per hectare. Integrated pest management (IPM) helps encourage beneficial insects and protect bees on the farms. Having Murrumbidgee river frontage means that the Toscans are focused on environmental improvements, including fencing off riparian zones and installing water troughs. Farming in a new cotton growing area means biosecurity has been given the highest priority, keeping contractors and traffic entering the farm to a minimum and installing well signposted wash down facilities. The business has attained MyBMP certification and has meticulous record-keeping practices. The Toscan family is a long-standing supporter of IREC and its activities. In fact, the family won the IREC Irrigated Farm Competition in 1997. At that time, the competition judges acknowledged and commended their implementation of best management practices, as outlined in the local Land and Water Management Plan, to achieve economic and environmental sustainability. IREC congratulates Cavaso Farming on its latest achievement in agricultural excellence, and applauds the continual development of the business, through adopting new crops and practices in the pursuit of profitability and sustainability. They are very deserving ambassadors for the irrigation industry.