There's nothing like a good egg.
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Sunny side up, poached, boiled - whatever your fancy there are more than a few good eggs in Merriwa thanks to free range chicken farmers Mark and Di Killen of Papanui Open Range Eggs.
This is the fifth nomination for Papanui in the national Delicious Produce Awards, having won a gold in the Vogue Entertainment and Travel Awards in 2009.
“It is particularly exciting this year as we are the only egg producer in Australia to have made it through to the finals.
“This is Australia’s premier food awards, so as far as foodies go this is like winning a Logie,” Mr Killen said.
The Killen’s were one of the first primary producers in the region to successfully integrate free range hens into their cell grazing and cattle production program on their 2200 acre property in Merriwa.
“Back in the late nineties I started research into free range hens for a neighbour who was interested in going organic on their olive grove but ended up piloting the system myself on my own farm.
“We now use a cell grazing program, grazing the hens after the cattle have moved on, using converted school buses for the hens to roost in and Maremma dogs to protect them from predators.
“The hens are on fresh grass all the time, they experience all the seasons, they don’t have beaks or feet trimmed but live out in the paddock as nature intended, which is why the eggs are so good,” Mr Killen said.
And that is certainly what the judges think including Maggie Beer, Christine Mansfield and Shannon Bennett to name a few.
Another Upper Hunter producer on the short list this year is Patrice Newell of Gundy and her Purple Glamour Garlic.
This is the second nomination for Ms Newell who started growing purple hard-necked garlic in 2007.
“Quality is all about how well you grow it.
“It’s great our garlic has been nominated again.
“I think it’s good to have your produce assessed by such a high calibre judging panel,” Ms Newell said.
Both producers now need to wait until July to find out if their garlic and eggs are golden with winners announced in next month’s Delicious food magazine.
