He said the competition had opened many doors for himself and “Yulgilbar”.
“While I was the one recognised in this award, I remain indebted to the family that is ‘Yulgilbar’ – the people who keep the operation going on a daily basis,” he said.
Mr Sinnamon made the comments when introducing “Yulgilbar’s” division managers, stockmen, maintenance workers and handymen at a field day at the property last week.
The third-oldest operating Santa Gertrudis stud in the country, “Yulgilbar” is owned by Sarah and Baillieu Myer, of the Melbourne-based Myer department store fame.
It was the relationships between property owners, their manager, and staff, that made Mr Sinnamon’s entry stand out in a competitive field last year, according to NSW Farmers Association president, Jock Laurie, who also spoke at the field day.
The $10,000 competition is promoted by four organisations that aim to move agriculture ahead in NSW: the NSW Department of Primary Industries, the NSW Farmers Association, the Royal Agricultural Society and The Land.
Mr Laurie said the competition highlighted “terrific industry stories out there in NSW”, allowing people in the city to appreciate where their world class food and fibre products came from.
He said successful farmers were not uncommon, but while it was “easy to be confident in your own kitchen” it was those able to succeed in a new environment and “get out there and sell their ideas” who were the greatest benefit to the industry, he said.
More than 200 people turned up for the “Yulgilbar” field day, which featured trade and stock displays and speakers on everything from equine influenza to making silage.
Entries for the 2008 Farmer and Young Farmer of the Year close on June 9. Application forms are available from www.dpi.nsw.gov.au or www.nswfarmers.org.au.