Andrew Myburgh, a certified custom applicator with Wheat Growers in Aberdeen, S.D., was named the 2017 Operator of the Year at the Agriculture Retailers Association’s  recent  annual meeting.

Sponsored by Agco, the award recognizes a custom applicator’s  skills, dedication and customer service. Farmers often ask for Myburgh, who treats about 40,000 acres per year, by name.

Originally from South Africa, Myburgh is a permanent resident of the U.S. and lives on a small farm where his two sons help care for a variety of animals, including sheep and calves. He also coaches the local soccer team, and often mentors and trains other custom applicators.

Myburgh was delighted to win a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, the grand prize in the program. “Quite a few people I work with have motorcycles and they get together on the weekends, so I’ll join them for rides,” he says.

More than 40 applicators were nominated for this year’s award and each received a certificate of recognition. A panel of judges at Agco evaluated the applicants and selected the winner.

Agco began the Operator of the Year program to recognize custom applicators in North America who spend hundreds of hours in the field using application equipment to safely and effectively apply fertilizer and crop protection products to millions of acres each year.

To learn more about the Operator of the Year program and to see a list of previous winners, visit: applylikeapro.com.

Source: Agco