This was part of an information night for corn growers hosted by Ingredion.

Rodney said it was a great privilege and honour to receive the award.

“I think most of the blokes in my area try to make high quality stuff, because you can’t survive if you don’t,” he said.

“It’s like playing cricket, you got to go out there and hit a six.”

He said the award came as a total surprise to him.

“It just popped up out of the blue and was a very big shock,” he said.

“I was talking to someone when they announced that we’d won and I didn’t hear it, so the guy had to say ‘Rodney, you won the award.’

“I didn’t even think about the award, just went there for a feed and a few beers.”

He joked that although it was a great honour to receive the award, it didn’t quite top the list of his achievements.

“This is the first award I’ve ever won I think, apart from a few footy finals,” he said.

“Those footy ones still take the cake.”

He said there was no real secret to turning out a good crop, just some sweat and hard work.

“The buyers don’t want anything but top quality, so that’s what we strive for,” he said.

“Some people don't realise how much work it actually takes.

“They put their own needs in front of the crop’s, and you can’t do that.

“When it needs water you give it water, when it needs fertilizer that’s what you give it.”

Steve Burgess from Akazien Hof Grain & Fertiliser said the award was based purely on facts and findings, of which Coleambally growers have excelled in.

“The decision was based purely on the test results for the grain they grew last year and they've (Fosters) gone above above and beyond in that regard,” he said.

“Over recent years Ingredion have shifted a very significant proportion of their growing requirements to the Coleambally area where it’s been recognised that the growers are capable of producing some of the best yields and quality in the country.”