More than 120 spray operators nationwide entered the awards – initiated by leading crop protection company Syngenta and Rural Press (publishers of Stock & Land) to recognise leading edge and sustainable spray practices.

Mr Schreurs (pictured) has adopted integrated pest management practices across the family’s 160-hectare vegetable operation, Peter Schreurs and Sons south east of Melbourne and used hedge rows to minimise drift.

The title carries with it a study tour to the United Kingdom and a spray prize pack valued at $15,000.

Victorian breeding was also evident in the competition’s second place getter Evan Lord, who is assistant manager of Warakirri Agricultural Trusts’ Mukoora cropping operation at Ardlethan in southern NSW.

The 23-year-old, whose family hails from the Mallee and who only left Dookie two years ago – is responsible for all spray activity across Mukoora’s 8000ha of cropping.