Who would you recognise?
Download the template form below and keep an eye out for the opening of the 2026 nomination period (to be announced mid year).
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Further information
Tanya Dobrijevic
Project Officer
The Livestock SA Biosecurity Farmer of the Year Award was established in 2023 to recognise and celebrate individuals, families, or farming enterprises in South Australia who demonstrate outstanding on-farm biosecurity practices and act as positive advocates for biosecurity within their local networks and industry. The award focuses on individual performance at the farm or business level, acknowledging leadership, vigilance and an organized consistent approach to practical biosecurity outcomes within the red meat or wool industry.
This award is open to individuals, family-owned farms, and corporate farming operations. Nominees are recognised for well-established, embedded biosecurity practices that form part of normal farm operations, alongside a willingness to promote and encourage good biosecurity awareness and behaviours beyond their own property. Self-nominations are welcomed.
Award recipients exemplify excellence in the following areas:
- Planning - Demonstrates a strong commitment to biosecurity planning, including the development, implementation, and regular review of a current farm biosecurity plan tailored to their property or business.
- Prevention - Consistently applies effective on-farm biosecurity practices to minimise the introduction and spread of pests, weeds, and diseases, with clear attention to detail in everyday operations.
- Record Keeping - Maintains accurate and relevant records that provide evidence of biosecurity activities, such as staff training, standard operating procedures, livestock movements, visitor logs, and monitoring activities.
- Management - Shows a high level of understanding and practical application of animal health and welfare principles, integrating biosecurity into overall farm management and decision-making.
- Collaboration and Advocacy - Engages constructively with other producers, industry bodies, service providers, and/or government agencies, and actively supports the promotion of good biosecurity practices by sharing knowledge, leading by example, and encouraging biosecurity awareness within their community.
- Innovation (additional consideration) - Demonstrates innovation or continuous improvement in biosecurity practices, including the adoption of new technologies, systems, or approaches that enhance biosecurity effectiveness and on-farm resilience.
Check out previous award winners here:
2025 Winner – Warrawee Park
Keith, South East
'Biosecurity isn’t just animal health, it’s about weeds, vehicles, feral animals, everything that crosses a boundary. It’s everyone’s responsibility.'
Check out how Warrawee Park is setting up their farm for future generations.
Warrawee Park is a family is a mixed farming enterprise that spans across 2700 acres south west of Keith, South Australia. Previously run by Michael Allen, and now managed by his son Simon and partner Maddie Willoughby, the farm continuously maintains a high standard of biosecurity across the property.
This leading mixed enterprise implement a range of on-farm biosecurity measures, which include:
– Strong emphasis on animal health
– Well-maintained fencing across the property
– Biosecurity requirements for visitors
– Dedicated laneways for efficient stock movement
– Vehicle and equipment hygiene station
– Biosecurity and risk management planning
– Active collaboration with neighbours and industry
– Weed and roadside vegetation management
For the family, biosecurity is not a task it’s a philosophy.
'Winning the award is vindication that doing the right thing pays off'
This award was generously sponsored by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions. Home - PIRSA
2024 Winner – Ella Matta Pastoral
Duncan, Kangaroo Island
'It hasn't changed anything that we do on farm, but it's cool to actually be recognised for all the effort we do on our farm in our biosecurity program.’
See how Ella Matta Pastoral is setting the standard for biosecurity on farm.
Jamie Heinrich and his family were recognised as the 2024 Livestock SA Biosecurity Farmer of the Year for their outstanding commitment to biosecurity on their Kangaroo Island property, Ella Matta Pastoral.
This leading sheep operation demonstrates what it means to embed biosecurity into every part of the business. Some of the biosecurity measures they have implemented include:
– Strict biosecurity protocols for visitors
– Source clean feed from trusted sources
– Vehicle and equipment hygiene requirements
– Boot cleaning stations and providing boots for regular visitors
– Well-maintained boundary fencing
– Biosecurity and risk management planning
'Winning the Livestock SA Biosecurity Farmer of the Year Award is a cool recognition for what we already do.'
Ella Matta Pastoral were nominated for the 2025 Australian Biosecurity Awards and went on to receive the Farm Biosecurity Producer of the Year award.
2023 Winner – Inverbrackie Border Leicester Stud
Finniss, Fleurieu Peninsula
‘It was quite useful to just have a time to stop and reflect about what is already in place and any other risks or anything and best way to mitigate those risks.’
Find out more about the team's dedication to biosecurity.
Biosecurity is a cornerstone of Inverbrackie Border Leicester Stud and their efforts were recognised in 2023 as the first winner of the Livestock SA Biosecurity Farmer of the Year Award.
In this video, manager Ellen Arney explains the importance of biosecurity to their business, and highlights some of the simple yet practical things they do to mitigate their biosecurity risks which include:
– Utilising boot disinfectant mats for on farm visitors
– Secure double fencing across the property
– Quarantining stock entering their closed flock
– Transport stock off farm to ensure biosecurity standards are maintained
Inverbrackie Border Leicester Stud was nominated and commended for their exceptional dedication to on-farm biosecurity and advocating biosecurity among their networks in the 2024 Australian Biosecurity Awards.