A candid moment captured in a South Australian shearing shed has taken out the top prize in the 2025 National Agriculture Day photography and video competition, capping off a record year of entries for the annual celebration of rural life.
The winning image, Sleeping on Cloud 9, shows red kelpie “Hazel” fast asleep on a mound of freshly shorn wool - a well-earned rest after helping move lambs through a Victor Harbor shed.
Captured by photographer and traveller Kiana Waters, the photo stood out among more than 630 submissions.
Ms Waters said she picked up the camera to document an experience that was new to her as she and her partner worked their way around Australia.
“I decided to take my camera with me to capture some images as this is something I've never experienced before,” she said.
“After watching Hazel move the lambs with her owner into the next pens ready for the shearers, I noticed she would make herself cosy on the wool until she was needed again. This was a moment that needed to be captured.”
The competition is run by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and sponsored by Syngenta as part of National Agriculture Day, held on the third Friday of November each year. Six winning entrants will share in $5000 worth of prizes.
NFF President Hamish McIntyre said the record-breaking response highlighted strong national pride in agriculture.
“We had more than 630 entries in this year’s competition, making it the biggest year since we started the comp in 2021,” Mr McIntyre said.
“It was hard to pick a winner, but I think the winning image speaks for itself.
“A huge thank you to everyone who supported this competition and National Agriculture Day.
“It was fantastic to see so many people Stand with the Land on Ag Day this year.
“We’re looking forward to an even bigger and better day next year.”
Syngenta ANZ Managing Director David Van Ryswyk said the competition continues to play an important role in celebrating Australian agriculture.
“This competition is such a fantastic way to celebrate Ag Day, and it has been great to be involved for yet another year,” he said.
Connor Smith, First Load at First Light — Winton, QLD.
“The first truck in the lineup was a truck I sold to a mate who asked me to come up and take some photos. It was just on dawn and I got this shot of the trucks lining up for loading.”
Kellie Craft, Threads of Gold — Pittsworth, QLD.
“Where the land teaches its lessons, the next generation grows, learning the value of hard work, quiet moments, and wide-open spaces. How blessed are we to have this as our sunset view.”
Jack Mckibbin, Harvest 25 — Gilgandra, NSW.
“I took this photo with the drone during harvest ’25 on one of the more open paddocks. I figured it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get a bird’s-eye look at the header chipping away at the crop — a view you don’t usually get to see.”
Arlie Becker, We Grow Together — Dulacca, QLD.
“We have a Brahman stud and this is a young bull Crown JA Texaco that we bred and later sold. He and our 2-year-old daughter had a very special bond. Whenever we would go up the paddock he would come looking for her for a pat and cuddle. We love our Brahmans for their beautiful nature.”
Nicole Chiesa, Life is Sweet (video) — Ingham, QLD.
“The footage mostly showing our own farm and harvesting contract, with a bit of our neighbour’s farm burning cane trash. Just the seasonal operations that happen here every year. And the cheeky little girl at the end is Georgie, one of my daughters - and yes, she’s every bit as cheeky as she looks in that picture.”