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Foot-and-mouth disease
South Australian farming enterprise Allen’s Warrawee Park has been named Farm Biosecurity Producer of the Year at the 2026 Australian Biosecurity Awards.
The award recognises the Allen family’s commitment to embedding biosecurity across their farming operations through practical risk management, preparedness and continual improvement.
Biosecurity as part of everyday farming
Allen’s Warrawee Park is a fifth-generation farming enterprise spanning 2,700 hectares south of Keith in South Australia. The family combines irrigation and cropping with a flock of 3,600 Poll Merino ewes.
Following the detection of footrot in their flock, the Allen family reviewed and strengthened their on-farm biosecurity practices. Through prompt action and careful management, they successfully eradicated the disease and regained disease-free status in their ewe flock within the same season.
Biosecurity is now part of everyday operations, including livestock movements, visitor management and record keeping. The family maintains a closed flock and has introduced visitor hygiene procedures, biosecurity signage and well-maintained boundary fencing to reduce pest, disease and weed risks.
Recognising on-farm leadership
Beyond their own property, the Allen family actively shares their experiences and lessons learned with the wider farming community, helping other producers understand the value of practical biosecurity measures.
The Farm Biosecurity Producer of the Year award recognises Australian producers who demonstrate a strong commitment to on-farm biosecurity and encourage good practices across the agricultural community.
About the Australian Biosecurity Awards
The Australian Biosecurity Awards are presented by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and recognise individuals, groups and organisations making an outstanding contribution to Australia’s biosecurity system.
The Farm Biosecurity Producer of the Year award is supported by Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia.
For more information, visit the Australian Biosecurity Awards.
Farm Biosecurity Producer of the Year award winners, the Allen family of Allen’s Warrawee Park (Mike, Janet, Maddie and Simon Allen, with their son Reggie), alongside Dr Samantha Allan, CEO of Animal Health Australia, and Dr Lucy Tran-Nguyen, Acting CEO of Plant Health Australia, at the 2026 Australian Biosecurity Awards.
