The winner of the Lawrence Winter Crop Competition will be crowned tonight, with thousands of dollars in donations expected to be raised for local charities.
The competition features categories for swedes, beets, legumes and kale. Photo: 123RF
A charity auction in disguise, the competition raises up to $40,000 a year for local charities and hospital services.
The convener of the competition, David Robertson, said what started off as a small fodder competition has grown into an annual event, with categories for swedes, beets, legumes and kale.
Robertson said the crops are measured by being converted into stockfeed dry matter - last year's winning swede tipped the scales at 18-tonne a hectare.
He said good management practises make a world of difference to the crops - but a bit of luck's involved too.
"It depends on conditions, timing, and luck," he said.
"But if you don't do the important things, like put enough fertilizer with the seeds, spray your weeds, and keep the sheep out, you can have a disaster."
Growers with some of the candidate produce. Photo: Lawrence Lions Club
Robertson said the event brings the community together and the friendly rivalry has its upsides.
"Competition is a great thing, but the thing is, in farming, we're not competing against each other. We're not our enemies.
"Like in business, if you've got two co-ops, they can dislike each other with a passion.
"But in farming, we need to share what we do. And if I do something good, I'll tell people, you know if I use a particular mix of chemicals that kills the weeds really well, we share that information.
"And then with these fellas that are winning with crops consistently, we've got to ask them, 'What are you doing differently than me?'
"Ask yourself, 'Is it him? Or is it me? What's the problem?'
"The sooner you realise it's probably something you're doing or not doing, you can improve what you're doing."
Robertson said the weight of the crops was increasing every year, as growers were trying to outdo themselves.
"Because when it comes down to it, the worst crop you can grow is a poor one, because there's been a lot of money on it.
"So you might as well actually actually spent a wee bit more and do things on time and get it right and get a good crop."
