GREG AND JASON Brien have been crowned winners of the 2026 Wellington
District Wheat Competition, judged by Wellington AGnVET agronomists Matt McRae and Nick Redfern.
This year attracted extremely strong competition, with growers entering from across the district.
Areas south of Wellington benefited from some additional growing-season rainfall, which helped the Brien Partnership’s crop of ‘Condo’ wheat achieve an impressive estimated yield of seven tonne per hectare (7t/ha).
Walking through the paddock, there was a significant number of heads, with most filling four to five grains wide. The paddock was also sown on some excellent river flats, with the late break in May helping to fill the soil profile and set the crop up for the remainder of the season.
Crop management was also a notable contributor to the overall score.
Minimal black oats and ryegrass survivors were observed, while the in-crop application of urea paid dividends in a year when high urea prices held many growers back.
Brien Partnership finished with an impressive 208 points overall, with their 7t/ha crop.
Second place went to Matt Mason from Westwood Grazing, with 189 points.
Third place went to the O’Brien boys from O’Brien Ag at Suntop, who received 188 points overall.
Congratulations to all the prize winners and, indeed, to every entrant who took part.
A massive thank you also goes to the competition’s sponsors, who make this event possible.
The grain competitions don’t stop here, with entries now open for the Local Grain section at the 151st Annual Wellington Show.
All grain types are welcome for judging.
Entrants are required to deliver a large ice-cream container’s worth of grain to AGnVET Wellington by 12pm on Friday, April 30, 2027.
More details are available in-store at AGnVET Wellington.