Rice is well and truly in the Chalmers’ blood, their family has been growing it near Moulamein for over 50 years. In the eight years they’ve been farming on their own, Michael and Felicia have continually raised the bar, achieving impressive results season after season.

They’ve taken a smart, long-term approach to their business, always looking for ways to improve water efficiency, keep soils healthy, and trial new ideas. A key shift has been moving from aerial-sown to drill-sown rice, which allows them to use their own equipment for sowing, spraying, and spreading - cutting costs while increasing flexibility.

The Chalmers are also early adopters of soil gridding and mapping, using data to apply gypsum and nitrogen with precision. This focus on detail ensures that inputs are directed where they deliver the greatest return. By involving the whole team in decision-making, they’ve built a farm that’s not only highly productive but also sustainable.

Their efforts are paying off with bigger returns per megalitre due to yield improvement, lower costs and a smooth crop rotation that works year-round (with a bit of sheep grazing thrown in).

Their passion for the land also extends to restoration projects, including bringing back to life an old creek and billabong system with environmental water in partnership with Murray Irrigation.

As Mark Groat, Manager of Grower Services and Agronomic Extension at SunRice, said:

“The SunRice Grower of the Year Award highlights the achievements of those in the rice industry and demonstrates why Australian rice growers are some of the most efficient in the world. Michael and Felicia’s farm is outstanding in production, profitability and sustainability.”

Congratulations Michael and Felicia, a true example of innovation, commitment and passion for the rice industry.

To get to know our SunRice Grower of the Year Better,  watch the video on the Rice Extension website here, featuring on-farm interviews, insights from the judges, and a complete list of this year’s award winners.