The pair, from Woorak Ag, have only one other challenger to contend with.
The other finalist for the award is Campbell Dalton from Wumbulgal Agriculture in Yenda.
The recipient of the industry’s top prize will be announced at the Rice Industry Awards, held as part of the Australian Rice Growers’ Conference in Yarrawonga on August 11.
The Hollins family operate a 4115 hectare property at Burraboi, in the western part of the Murray Valley.
Primarily a family affair, the Hollins’ employ 2.5 full-time staff to assist with their farming operation which includes 2150 Merino breeding ewes in addition to their irrigated and dryland cropping rotations.
The Hollins family were nominated by their agronomist, Shaun Krahnert from Elders.
Mr Dalton operates a 5000 hectare property near Yenda in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area.
With 900ha of rice planted and harvested in 2022, Wumbulgal Ag employees 12 full-time staff to manage their irrigated and dryland cropping systems, 400 breeder crows and 1800 ewes.
Mr Dalton was nominated by his agronomist James Mann from Yenda Producers.
The judging panel for the C22 SunRice Grower of the Year visited both properties on their tour of the Murray and Murrumbidgee Valleys in June.
Rice Extension, which coordinated the awards, said the judges were “suitably impressed by the calibre of both finalists”.
The SunRice Grower of the Year Winner receives an impressive package of support to help them to develop their business even further, including $2500 to be spent on personal or business development.
They are also nominated for the Australian Farmer of the Year Award (Kondinin Group).
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