140 years ago, who could have imagined John Daniel Custance would have his legacy being honoured under the bright lights of a modern Adelaide Oval, in front of 440 of his modern-day industry peers, at the 2026 South Australian Grain Industry Awards.
And we certainly don’t think he could have imagined sharing the program with the Grain Producer of the Year from a mob called Fat Farmers — but that’s the beauty of agriculture: the characters evolve, but the heart of the industry never really changes.
Custance was brought to South Australia in 1881 to help lift the state’s grain production through field trials, soil science and crop experimentation. He also selected the land that would become Roseworthy Agricultural College — the first agricultural college in the country and the starting point for generations of researchers and growers.
His induction into the SA Grain Industry Hall of Fame last week was a fitting tribute to someone whose work helped lay the foundations of agriculture in South Australia, and a reminder that the spirit driving Australia’s grain industry today was planted long before us.
That sense of history blended effortlessly with the energy in the room as more than 440 growers, researchers and industry leaders gathered for the sold‑out awards night on 3 February.
The Awards recognised excellence, innovation and leadership across South Australia’s grain sector and it was great to see so many individuals who are members, alumni or who have worked alongside the GrainGrowers team. Special mention to Tristan Baldock (National Policy Group Alumni) who was a finalist for Grain Producer of the Year, and Ruth Sommerville (OnBoard Aumni & Grain Sustainability Framework Steering Group member) who was a finalist for the Women in Grain Award.
In his remarks, the Premier of South Australia spoke of the dry conditions growers continue to battle and went on to announce the SA Drought Loan Scheme, while GPSA Chair John Gladigau spoke plainly about how vital cashflow support is in seasons like these, noting that the scheme will help many steady their operations while planning for recovery.
As I reflect on the night, it felt like more than just an event, it was a gathering of people who understand the weight of the work, the importance of community, and who are proud to be helping deliver more than 8 million tonnes of grain in 2025 — a remarkable achievement in a year that asked so much from growers
From Custance’s early experiments to today’s growers navigating drought with grit and quiet determination, the thread between past and present remains unbroken — a testament to the people who continue to carry this industry forward.
Words by Natasha Girdler