For only seven short years the family has thrown its efforts into growing cotton over their sprawling operation, after facing limitations on what they could do with maize and seed crops.

But while Matt Toscan says it hasn’t all been smooth sailing, they must be doing something right – with cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay saying all finalists were selected due to outstanding contributions made to the cotton industry.

But as it typically is with farming, the journey is never as simple as it sounds and Mr Toscan said the family partnership Cavaso farming was still on a steep learning curve despite the recognition earned.

“We have had some challenging seasons and then you make a few mistakes doing something for the first time, but it is really rewarding when you get it right,” he said on Tuesday.

“We find there are more ups and downs than there were with the other crops we used to grow, but there are more rewards with cotton as well.”

“It is actually a bit daunting to make it to that stage as finalists - but it has been exciting.”

No stranger to the realities of making it work on the land, farming in the area since 1969, it was the Toscan’s innovative approach and impressive results with cotton scoring them a place on the list of six finalists – though they remain humble about their achievements.

“It was probably the program we run that did it, we have been able to find a lot of efficiencies,” Mr Toscan said, explaining the family’s preference for wheat and cotton rotations, making ground preparation easier.

“The average yield has been close to 12 bales to the hectare and that is a pretty healthy cross margin, but still we have had ups and downs with that margin.

The Australian Cotton Industry Awards evening will be held in Griffith on July 26.