Tag: agriculture

Agriculture talks about the burden of regulation. Fewer talk about the licence it already holds: public trust.

FI have a rule about agricultural stories on LinkedIn. I keep scrolling, unless Karin Stark wrote them.

Last week I broke it.

The post asked why any young person would choose agriculture when farming often feels like a fight with government.

That caught my eye, because the young farmers I know are still choosing it. Succession. Land prices. The money it takes to get started. Those are the barriers in my part of the world. Agriculture here is also attracting young women from urban areas, women who have chosen farming with their eyes open.

Then came the line that sent me in a different direction.

No other industry or profession has to put up with this.

Plenty of industries do. We all live with forms of social control every day. We have licences to drive. Permits to renovate. Working with Children Checks to volunteer at the school canteen. Certificates to serve alcohol. Council approvals for sheds. Dogs are registered and microchipped. A council ranger can fine you for walking one in the wrong place or leaving its mess behind.

Most of us renew permissions all the time.

Farming is different.

A person can buy land tomorrow and call themselves a farmer. Farmers work inside rules, inspections and regulations, but the occupation itself has very little formal licensing. No registration board. No annual renewal. No professional body that can take the title away.

As a dairy farmer, I was licensed under food safety laws. That licence covers what I produce rather than me. Farmers who use restricted chemicals need accreditation. Water has rules. Chemicals have rules. Food safety has rules.

Farmers did the training. We learned the rules. Then we went further. We brought in accredited specialists, precision technology and contractors who could put the right product in the right place. This morning, a contractor’s drone was working in the paddocks outside my front window. This is modern farming too. Training. Skill. Technology. Rules taken seriously.

When a clear standard is set, farmers usually meet it. Often they go past it.

The licence still sits mostly on the product, the chemical, the water or the process. The person doing the farming carries something else. Public trust.

The public trusts us to manage land, draw water, run animals and produce food. That trust has no renewal date. It has no form to fill in. It has no annual fee.

It can feel like freedom, until public trust shifts. Anyone who watched the live export debate knows how quickly that can happen.

Before I came back to farming, I was a community pharmacist. Pharmacists renew their registration every year. They have to show they are fit to practise and prove their professional development hours. The annual renewal can be annoying, and it also keeps the profession’s standing current.

Pharmacists also pay a serious annual levy to the Pharmacy Guild. In all my years behind the counter, I rarely heard pharmacists complain about it. They could see what it bought.

The Guild has delivered five-year Community Pharmacy Agreements under governments of both colours. It has kept location rules in place in a way few small business sectors have managed. Its method is simple. A pharmacist in every electorate. A relationship with the local MP. Clear requests. Pressure used carefully.

The noise stays in reserve. That is why the threat of it counts.

A strong lobby lets its members get on with their business while skilled people handle the influencing.

I want that for farmers.

Twenty-five years ago I came back to farming, and land clearing was the argument of the day. Peak bodies answered aerial mapping with press releases. Too often, they still reach for the same tools. Press release. Rebuttal. Rally. Submission.

Those tools have their place. They are not a strategy on their own.

Influence is a skill. It can be learned. And the research is consistent: people trust people. They are wary of institutions. A farmer telling their own story will always be more convincing than a spokesperson reading a statement.

Through Action4Agriculture we spent years training young people in agriculture as their own spokespeople. We brought in experts from around the world to teach it. The skills are available. Agriculture has invested in many things before investing in its people.

Members can see activity more easily than they can see influence. A rally looks like action. Quiet influence is harder to put in a newsletter. The risk is that organisations start proving they are busy, rather than showing what has changed.

The lobbies that win in this country often make less noise. The Pharmacy Guild. The clubs. The mining industry. The property lobby. People may have strong views about whether those groups serve the public interest. They know how influence works. They know who to talk to and when to move. They know when a public campaign helps and when it harms.

Agriculture starts with something many of those industries will never have. People still have genuine affection for farmers.

Farmers are trusted in rural electorates. They have the stories. They understand the land. They can explain what is at stake better than anyone sitting in an office far from the paddock.

The decision-makers are knowable. MPs, advisers, departments, councils, agencies, journalists and community leaders can be reached when the industry is disciplined about who speaks, what is being asked for, and why it matters.

Too often, peak bodies stand between farmers and decision-makers, speaking over both.

Influence is a skill. It can be learned. I spent years running a national program that taught young people in agriculture how influence is built. We brought in experts from around the world to teach it. The skills are available. Agriculture has invested in many things before investing properly in that.

Every farmer I raise this with points to the same problem. Fragmentation. Cotton, dairy, grain, livestock, irrigators, dryland farmers, each with its own body, board, chair and table.

Farmers have seen this before. Dairy deregulation. Processor mergers. Banks leaving town. Bigger and fewer has often meant further away and less accountable. That concern comes from experience.

Perhaps the starting point is making better use of the structures agriculture already has.

The National Farmers’ Federation exists. State farming bodies exist. Commodity bodies exist. The challenge is getting them to speak with one clear voice when it counts.

Three state farming bodies recently found that voice on water. That points to what is possible.

Joining forces one issue at a time can win a round. The harder task is turning that discipline into a habit, so agriculture is heard before the fight begins, rather than once everyone has retreated to their own corner.

I do not have the full answer.

Agriculture has trusted people in every electorate, stories people care about, and a public that still wants to believe farmers are part of the solution. The question is whether our representative bodies are prepared to use all that with more discipline.

Other industries deal with scrutiny, rules, licences, audits and governments that test their patience. So does every individual. We renew proof all the time.

Agriculture has been given something rarer. A licence built on public trust.

That is the one we renew in how we farm, how we speak, and how well we use the trust we still have.

Assessment of Agricultural Industry’s Engagement with Schools

 

The State of Agricultural Engagement with Schools

Initial Report Summary

Enhancing Agriculture’s Approach to Workforce Development and Industry Engagement

Executive Summary:

This report synthesises insights gathered from extensive research, including best practices from the mining industry and other sectors, as well as the challenges facing the agricultural industry in Australia. After spending a weekend reviewing research papers and combining these insights with over 20 years of experience in the agricultural sector, this report identifies the core issues, proposes strategic solutions, and emphasises the need for a professional, external facilitator to lead the collaboration efforts necessary for real, transformative change.

1. Introduction

1.1. Purpose of the Report

The purpose of this report is to provide a clear strategy for the Australian agricultural industry to emulate the best practices identified in other sectors, particularly mining, in its approach to workforce development and industry engagement.

1.2. Background

Agriculture has long recognised the mining industry as a benchmark for best practice in workforce engagement. Despite this recognition, the will to emulate these practices within agriculture has been slow to materialise. This report explores the barriers within the agricultural sector that have impeded progress and offers a roadmap for overcoming these challenges.

2. Industry Comparisons: Agriculture vs. Mining

Aspect Agriculture Mining
Industry Engagement with Schools Ad hoc, lacks coordination, varies by region and organisation. Limited resources and fragmented initiatives. Coordinated, well-funded, centralised efforts. National programmes, partnerships with schools, and career days.
Centralised Resources Lacking a unified, accessible platform for educational and career resources. Dedicated portals and extensive online resources for students and educators.
Public Perception and Marketing Limited, often negative perceptions. Sporadic marketing efforts that do not reach urban audiences effectively. Proactive, positive public relations campaigns. Engages urban students and educators with clear career paths.
Collaboration Across Sectors Collaboration is recognised as important but is often hampered by self-interest and siloed thinking. Strong collaboration between industry, government, and educational institutions. Focused on common goals.
Investment in Education Insufficient, with few scholarships and limited engagement with educational institutions. Significant investment in scholarships, training programmes, and continuous education initiatives.

3. Problem Statement

The agricultural industry has recognised the importance of adopting best practices from other sectors, particularly mining, yet significant barriers remain. These include a lack of coordinated efforts, insufficient resources, and a tendency to view collaboration through a narrow lens. The industry must adopt a new approach to effectively engage the next generation of workers.

4. Strategic Goals and Objectives

Goal: To establish a unified and strategic approach to workforce development in agriculture by leveraging best practices from other industries and fostering genuine collaboration.

Objectives:

  1. Develop a Centralised Resource Hub: Create an accessible platform for educational materials, career resources, and industry information. See how the MCA do it here 
  2. Enhance Collaboration: Define what effective collaboration looks like, establish a community of practice, and bring together key stakeholders, including industry leaders, educators, and government representatives.
  3. Professional Facilitation: Engage a skilled, external facilitator to guide the collaborative process, ensuring that all voices are heard and that the strategy is cohesive and actionable.
  4. Invest in Education: Increase investment in scholarships, vocational training, and partnerships with educational institutions to build a stronger talent pipeline.

5. Solutions and Action Plan

5.1. Centralised Resource Hub

Action: Develop a comprehensive online platform, similar to what the mining industry offers, to provide a centralised location for all educational and career-related resources.

5.2. Collaborative Framework

Action: Define clear collaborative goals, establish a community of practice, and bring together key stakeholders, including industry leaders, educators, and government representatives.

5.3. Professional Facilitation

Action: Hire a professional facilitator to manage the collaborative process, ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned and that the strategy is implemented effectively.

5.4. Investment in Education

Action: Allocate more funds towards scholarships, training programmes, and partnerships with schools to attract and retain talent in the agricultural sector.

6. Key Recommendations

  • Prioritise Collaboration: Move beyond recognising the need for collaboration and take concrete steps to establish a structured, strategic partnership model.
  • Emulate Best Practices: Actively adopt and adapt the successful strategies used by the mining industry to engage students and build a strong workforce pipeline.
  • Invest in the Future: Commit to long-term investments in education and training to ensure the sustainability of the agricultural workforce.

7. Conclusion

The challenges facing the agricultural sector in workforce development are significant, but they are not insurmountable. By learning from other industries, particularly mining, and by committing to genuine collaboration, the agricultural industry can develop a robust strategy that not only meets the needs of today but also secures the future of agriculture in Australia.

References – See page 4

 

A Marketing Moo-vement in the Wrong Direction?

Cows are clever but kangaroos and wallabies are doing it in high heels and backwards

“Beef cattle produce 12 times more methane than kangaroos per kilo of meat, so they have a much bigger impact on the environment,” Professor Wilson said. Source 

 

While this graphic admirably attempts to shine a light on the often-overlooked virtues of livestock—turning food we can’t eat into protein—it somewhat misses the mark as a compelling piece of marketing. It’s a bit like trying to sell a car by saying, “It’s not a bicycle!” Yes, it’s technically true, but it’s not exactly the kind of rousing endorsement that wins over hearts and minds.

This blog post is part of a series on livestock industry marketing faux pas

The focus on how livestock make use of inedible materials, though an interesting fact, comes across as a bit defensive, as if the industry is constantly on trial, needing to justify its very existence. It’s as if livestock farming is nervously raising its hand in class to say, “But I’m useful, too!” Meanwhile, we could be highlighting the genuine, undeniable positives of animal agriculture—things like maintaining beautiful grasslands, sustaining rural communities, and producing some of the most nutritious food available.

This is a prime example of livestock marketing going udderly awry. The  reality is, comparing livestock to, say, herbivorous marsupials with their impressively low methane emissions might just backfire. Instead of putting livestock on the back foot, why not put them in the spotlight for the right reasons? Rather than harping on about what they do with inedible crops, we could be championing the innovation and sustainability practices within the industry that are shaping a better future.

So, instead of trotting out charts that feel like they’re pleading the case, perhaps it’s time for a more confident narrative—one that celebrates the irreplaceable role of livestock in a sustainable food system. After all, the best defence is often a good offence, especially when you’ve got a story worth telling.

#AgriMarketing #FarmFails #Sustainability #Livestock #FoodSystems #Moo-vement #EcoFriendly #Agriculture

The Power of Positivity in Agriculture

In a world often fraught with challenges and negativity, the power of positivity stands as a beacon of hope and transformation. This image spotted on Facebook highlights a profound truth: our emotions and attitudes can significantly impact our lives. When read left to right, the statements depict how negative emotions and traits can destroy vital aspects of our existence. However, when read right to left, a new perspective emerges, showcasing the empowering force of positive attributes.

In agriculture, it is especially important to focus on the positives without prefacing them with negatives. Too often, conversations about agriculture start with a negative statement followed by a “but,” which inadvertently reinforces the negative. For example:

  • Negative Reinforced: “People think agriculture is all mud and flies, but it’s also full of innovation.”
  • Positive Reframed: “Agriculture is full of innovation, advanced technology, and sustainable practices.”

Additionally, agriculture too often plays the sympathy card, emphasising its challenges in a way that overlooks the fact that other sectors also face similar difficulties. It’s important for our language to be inclusive and recognise the shared struggles and triumphs across different industries. By doing so, we can foster a sense of solidarity and mutual respect.

Examples of Inclusive Language:

  1. Negative Sympathy: “Agriculture faces unique challenges that others don’t understand.” Inclusive Positive: “Like many sectors, agriculture faces challenges, but it also leads the way in innovative solutions and sustainable practices.”
  2. Negative Sympathy: “Farmers have it harder than anyone else.” Inclusive Positive: “Farmers, like professionals in many other fields, work tirelessly to overcome obstacles and ensure a thriving future.”
  3. Negative Sympathy: “Only in agriculture do we see such hard conditions.” Inclusive Positive: “Agriculture, alongside other industries, continuously adapts to tough conditions, showcasing resilience and innovation.”

People remember the negative, so it’s crucial not to reinforce it.

Instead, let’s emphasise the positives and showcase the industry’s true value and potential. Highlight the sustainable practices being implemented, the technological advancements improving efficiency, the passion of our farmers, and the essential role agriculture plays in feeding the world. By focusing on these positives without reverting to the negatives, we can change the narrative around agriculture and help others see it for what it truly is: a cornerstone of society that deserves recognition and respect.

The power of positivity lies in its ability to transform our mindset and, consequently, our lives. By focusing on positive traits and emotions, we can overcome the negative forces that hold us back and pave the way for a brighter, more fulfilling future. Embracing positivity empowers us to be the best versions of ourselves, fostering growth, peace, and success in all aspects of our lives, including the vital and often underappreciated world of agriculture.

It is essential to break the cycle of negative reinforcement and instead, build a narrative that celebrates the contributions and advancements of agriculture while recognising the shared experiences across all sectors.

Using inclusive language offers an opportunity to build alliances with other sectors that share similar issues, enabling us to work together to drive change and create a more resilient and sustainable future.

For more great advice on language to use in the agriculture sector visit here  and here.

#Positivity #Agriculture #Innovation #Sustainability #Farmers #Community #Resilience #Growth #Technology #Collaboration

 

🐄🌱🥛 New Chapter in Cowra. The Chittick Family’s Dairy Farming Legacy Continues at Silvermere Holsteins 🚜🐮

Photo source Slivermere Holsteins website 

In the rolling hills of Cowra, New South Wales, a new chapter unfolds in the storied legacy of the Chittick family’s dairy farming tradition. Known for their deep roots in dairy farming and cattle breeding, the Chittick family has acquired one of the most impressive dairy farms in Australia, Colin and Erina Thompson’s Silvermere Holsteins. This acquisition not only marks a significant expansion in their agricultural endeavors but also symbolises a commitment to excellence and innovation in the dairy industry.

Silvermere Holsteins, renowned for its state-of-the-art facilities and dairy cows, represents the pinnacle of modern dairy farming. Check out their commitment to the 360 degrees business model

Photo source Silvermere Holsteins website Gallery

With the Thompson family’s focus on sustainable practices and the highest standards of animal welfare, the Silvermere farm is a testament to dedication to quality and  deep respect for the land and livestock.

At Silvermere, the Chittick family aims to continue their tradition of family farming,  excellence in dairy production, building on their legacy of success and community involvement.

As the Chittick family embarks on this new venture, they carry with them a rich history of agricultural achievement and a vision for the future that promises to elevate the standards of dairy farming in Australia and beyond.

#ChittickFamily #SilvermereHolsteins #DairyFarmingExcellence #CowraAgriculture #AustralianDairy #SustainableFarming #CattleBreedingLegacy #AgriculturalInnovation #RuralAustralia #DairyFarmingFuture

Footnote I am excited by this new era. I am a Chittick on my mother’s side of the family. My father moved our family from  his family dairy farm on the South coast of NSW to Cowra in 1958 and the last thing he wanted to do was dairy farm. This move by the Chittick family to dairy farm at Cowra almost 40 years later will please many ancestors

After growing up in Cowra and moving back to the South Coast I know Cowra has its charms but I am confident the Chittick family are going to miss this view

Photo by Ken Duncan of Chittick family Alne Bank farm at Gerringong in 2005

The source of my blogs is  “The Chittick Family History”, as chronicled by Mr. J.H. (Jack)  Chittick and Ms. Betty Chittick. It can be found in the National Library of Australia, and it is an enduring testament to a family’s journey through hardship to prosperity. I have done my best to blog it in a similar language to how it was documented in this book.

#ChittickFamilyLegacy #CourageousJourney #IrishHeritage #AustralianSettlers #HistoricVoyage #FamilyResilience #AncestralPride #FaithAndPerseverance #PioneerSpirit #CommunityBuilders #HeritageAndLegacy #GenerationsStrong

Vale Colin Thompson – an Australian Dairy Industry Legend

The founder of Silvermere Holsteins, Colin Thompson passed away at the age of 63 on June 21st 2024. Read about this dairy industry trailblazer here and here

Her husband married a farmer

 

 

This image resonated with people across the world on International Rural Women’s Day. On my socials alone it had over 1000 interactions

If you have LinkedIn account the comments in this feed are fascinating

Keri Jacobs post stopped me in my tracks. She could have been writing about my family.

Below is a cut and paste of what Keri wrote

Pioneer’s ad hits a nerve.  A deep one.  A bittersweet one.  I hope my experience about who can be a farmer will help someone else. I am a farm kid.  A farmer’s daughter.  One of three.  My grandpa and grandma were farmers, my great-grandparents were farmers.  It’s a history and upbringing I am proud of.  For most of my childhood, I imagined I would one day be a farmer’s wife. I would follow my mom’s, grandmas’, aunts’ footsteps and be the behind-the-scenes support: the meal-maker, the bookkeeper, the late-night-field-runs taker, the do-everything-else-that-must-get-done-when-he-is-farming person.

Hey, wait.  Maybe I could farm?  It took a lot of years for me to figure out that I wanted at least some of my time on this earth to be spent intricately tied to the land–our family’s land–and farming like my dad and grandpa were.  It’s in my blood. 

But the decisions had been made, even before I was born.  There was nothing that anyone could do about it, not really even by the one who COULD have changed it.  I will never forget the time I challenged this.  There was one person with the ability to make or break my desire to be one of our family’s farmers.  I asked if I could one day own some of the family’s land, when it was time to pass it along.  I did not expect equal ownership with my male cousins, just a small piece of the land that I grew up on, played on, rode with Dad in the tractor on, walked bean fields on, and where we buried our family pets.  The same land that raised my Dad and grandpa.  Something to own and farm and carry on.  But it was not possible.

Why?  Because somewhere along the way, maybe even before my grandparent’s had a say, farming became about a family name.  A legacy rooted in our surname, and therefore in gender.  It broke my heart when I was told that if I wanted to farm and own land, I should marry a farmer.  I was handed a plat book so I could see who owned land in the area. I was told I would have to marry into land.

As a woman who might take another man’s name in marriage, I was a threat to the family’s legacy. I was a threat to what my grandparents and their parents built.  Because of my gender.

I hope this is changing.  I think it is. I see examples of how it is.  And I love this ad for pointing out a really big problem…and a really amazing change and opportunity.  Our collective notion and nostalgia about a way of life historically tied more to gender than to things that really matter, like desire, ability, and values is changing. 

We cannot take land with us when we die.  Who can say for sure, but we also probably cannot enjoy it after we die.  If you are a farmer wondering who will continue YOUR legacy of caring for the land, caring for animals, caring for the environment, producing the foods we eat, I hope you will evaluate your successor on the things that made YOU a great farmer.  My grandpa was a great farmer.  That fact had nothing to do with his gender or last name.

Thank you Keri beautifully expressed and this from Peyton Merriam

We move the peg as a society when we embrace diversity and inclusion as an industry, not just individually. Let’s keep challenging the status quo! 

#diversity #inclusion #WomenInAg #farmHer

If you were an Australian farmer what would you grow?

Australia is the hottest, driest inhabited continent. So dry 35% of our landscape is classified as desert

If Twitter is a benchmark, there is no shortage of people with opinions on what we should not grow

I am the program designer of an initiative that is building a smarter agriculture sector through the next generation.

We see people as agriculture’s greatest resource and our programs are supporting agriculture’s succession plan by:

  1. Identifying and training agriculture’s emerging leaders who we call Young Farming Champions. We provide our Young Farming Champions with a smorgasbord of opportunities to apply what they learn and multiply their impact.
  2. Attracting the best and the brightest to the agriculture sector through our in-school programs. The Archibull Prize and Kreative Koalas

Our work with schools has shown us that young Australians are highly capable of solving tomorrows problems today. In 2020 the foundation principle  of The Archibull Prize model is inviting students to identify agricultural issues important to them and their region, spend three to six months doing a deep dive into their identified issue and putting their solution forward to our judges in the form of a Sustainability Action Project report and as an artwork.

Part of our organisation’s commitment to the students and teachers is to collate the latest research on their area of investigation and connect them with experts in the field

Agriculture can be incredibly grateful for the gaps in documented research the student’s area of investigations have highlighted in 2020. The big one being peri-urban agriculture.  Australia is the most urbanised country in the world. 89% of Australians live in our cities.   Most of those urban areas are located on our most productive soils and it appears no-one has done a significant body of research on how we can support dairy farming on our urban fringes.

The other interesting topic that is proving challenging for me is Regenerative Agriculture. It is a term that means everything and nothing. It is a farming concept all farmers aspire to. Everyone wants to build organic matter and water holding capacity in their soils. It is not new. Once Australian farmers realised that European farming principles did not suit our fragile soils our farmers have been looking for better ways to farm. There is no one size fits all. To learn from the experts and each other ( 9 out of 10 farmers learn from each other) our leading farmers come together in producer groups across the country

To show the students the diversity of farming systems and landscapes and how farmers are learning from each other and experts I invited farmers to share with me the Best in the Business Grass Roots organisations (with websites) they belong to.  Here is my work in progress list

Sustainable Farming Systems for High Rainfall Areas http://www.sfs.org.au/
Vic No Till Farming Group https://www.vicnotill.com.au/
Birchup Cropping Group https://www.bcg.org.au/
South Australian no till farmers https://www.santfa.com.au/
Hart Group http://www.hartfieldsite.org.au/
Central West Farming Systems http://cwfs.org.au/
Mallee Sustainable Farming https://msfp.org.au/about/our-organisation/
Grower Group Alliance http://gga.org.au/about-the-grower-group-alliance2/
Best Wool Best Lamb https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/networks/bestwoolbestlamb
Leading Sheep http://www.leadingsheep.com.au/
MerinoLink http://www.merinolink.com.au/
FarmLink http://www.farmlink.com.au/
AgZero2030* https://agzero2030.org.au/
PrecisionAgAus https://spaa.com.au/
Irrigated Cropping Council https://irrigatedcroppingcouncil.com.au/
Riverine Plains Inc https://riverineplains.org.au/
Partners in Grain Q http://www.partnersingrain.org.au/
Stirlings to Coast Farmers https://www.scfarmers.org.au/

Check them out.

You will be proud of what Australia farmers are aspiring to achieve

* AgZero2030 classify themselves as an agriculture sector-led movement progressing climate solutions

Are egos and personalities getting in the way of profitable and resilient farms in Australia?

_2017 Landcare Conference Lynne Strong 16_9 _Page_11

If you want to bring joy to some-one you sit with them on the front verandah at my house

Ten years have gone by since I had a phone call from the office of the federal Minister for Agriculture asking if the Minister could come to our farm and meet with me and would I organise for him to have a breakfast meeting with a group of dairy farmers from the region

The questions that the minister asked me as we sat on my front verandah that stayed front of mind are:

How do we create an effective model for agriculture’s research and development corporations.

How do we get the people running them to have collaborative, cooperative mindsets?

How do we get them focused on the big picture.?

How do we get them to focus on connecting farmers with consumers and their role in helping farmers get safe affordable, nutritious food to Australians and families around the world?

These are questions I haven’t stopped thinking about and its clear all the ministers who followed him haven’t stopped thinking about them either as their first gig seems to be the never ending review of the RDC model

I have watched the RDC model with great interest in the past ten years looking for change. I have seen glimmers of hope that quickly fade. I so want the model to work

When I see press releases like this, I wonder if its all about egos. I have seen this press release twice. Each time it quotes a different head of an RDC

You can’t help but wonder why the opinions of the two most important voices in the food and fibre supply chain werent sourced for the press release. How much more effective would the story be if we heard from a farmer about how their farming business was focused on meeting or exceeding consumer expectations.

I don’t think its about egos.  I think it’s the outdated RDC paternalistic model aka top down approach the RDCs favour.

If I am close to the mark what are the opportunities and barriers for farmers and consumers to be active and involved voices together in how our food is produced and distributed to everyone who needs it?

Kudos to Corteva – for asking those questions.

This is a survey that gave me hope

#zerohunger #zerowaste #StrongerTogether

 

The Sheep Live Export Trade is an ethical challenge – one farmer’s thoughts

Clover Hill Cows.jpg

Supplying 50,000 Australians with the milk for their breakfast everyday is a noble role – Cows at Clover Hill meander home to the dairy 

There has been a lot of robust conversations about the Sheep Live Export Trade recently and for good reason. As a farmer I have made decisions to send dairy heifers to Vietnam to dairies that I knew were run to very high standards. I have chosen not to send heifers to other countries not because I was concerned about animal cruelty but because our heifers were raised to produce a lot of milk from high quality feed and those countries didn’t have the capacity to provide the feed that would allow our heifers to thrive in their environment. We chose exporters with an excellent reputation and where able to get feedback on their new life in Vietnam.  The dairy export trade is an opportunity trade for dairy farmers. As far as I am aware no-one in Australia is growing dairy heifers specifically for the export market. It is a very important market when dairy farms in Australia are in drought and can mean the difference between dairy cattle being sold for meat in this country or living out their lives in developing countries providing nutritious milk for their families.

I am a farmer and like the majority of Australians I know very little about the live sheep export trade beyond what I read in the press. What I do know is our sheep are providing a very important protein source for people in developing countries. Rob Egerton-Warbuton a sheep farmer from Western Australia has written a very seminal piece that truly moved me. You can read it here.

Jen Warbutton.jpg

Jen Egerton-Warbutton Source

I first came across Rob and his wife Jen when we were both finalists in the National Landcare Awards in 2010. When I heard their story I was fascinated. I loved the way they farmed and the way they talked about it. So I was very keen to read what Rob had to say. Its a story from the heart and gives great insights into how the majority of livestock farmers feel about their animals and their commitment to give them the best whole of life expereince they can.

“To farm livestock is very hard. Every animal we bring to life through our husbandry will die, and that weights heavily on every farmer. My wife gets very emotional when they leave on the truck” Rob Egerton Warbutton Source 

Livestock farmers in Australia play a very important role. We cannot feed all Australian families on the land we have by growing plants only. (See footnote) Nor can we feed all  Australian families on the land we have if every farmer followed organic farming principles.

So my thoughts on the Sheep Live Export trade. Human beings can do dreadful things to human beings. Rick Thorburn certainly reminds us of that but nobody is suggesting we shut down the Foster Care system.  We are outraged when we read about child abuse but nobody is suggesting we shut down Catholic Churches . We are outraged when we read about Harvey Weinstein et al but nobody is suggesting we shut down the Movie business . We are outraged when we read about students being shot in schools in America but nobody is suggesting we shut down schools. This is very sobering reading

The Sheep Live Export Trade system is broken, it must be fixed. Whose role is it to make sure that happens?  This is an extract of what Rob has to say…….

Animal welfare and the policy environment around it is 100% the responsibility of farmers. The problem is in my view we haven’t done a very good job of it. We tend to be too protectionists of our practices, too guarded about our feelings, and too resistant to change. ………..

Its clear why farmers need to be involved in animal welfare and the policy that surrounds it. Its for the protection of animals, not from farmers but from those who imagine they protect them without understanding how they live. Source

Its a very emotional issue and

Being ethical is a part of what defines us as human beings. We are rational, thinking, choosing creatures. We all have the capacity to make conscious choices – although we often act out of habit or in line with the views of the crowd. Source

 In the digital world  it would appear we are all instant experts with strong opinions and too often simplistic solutions.  This excellent article from the team at Agrieducate asks the question  SHOULD AUSTRALIANS TAKE ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LIVE EXPORT, AND ARE WE READY TO?

 Below is an extract under the heading Burden of Responsibility 

We are either responsible for the welfare of sheep (in good times and in bad) or we move this responsibility offshore and accept the standards of third party countries to continue a trade dominated by Australia.

If we do accept this responsibility everyone needs to be in the game. Political responses to simply appease generalised conservative and rural voters by the Nationals and Liberals, or urban and greens voters by Labor and the Greens won’t fix this problem. So if we do take on this responsibility, there needs to be political maturity in deciding on a bipartisan approach, with concessions of both sides of the debate. This political maturity is arguably not there, and needs to develop quickly.

It can’t continue to be “greenies” vs. “hard working farmers” or “animal rights activists” vs “cruel farmers”, both sides need engaging about accepting responsibility for the welfare of the sheep and improving the regulation of the entire supply chain. Continuing as adversaries propagates political immaturity for cheap votes, and fails the welfare of sheep, the livelihoods of farmers and ourselves as Australians.

So, irrespective of your political views and the level of political readiness take the first step and ask yourself this “am I comfortable shifting our welfare responsibility offshore, or am I comfortable taking on the responsibility of welfare here in Australia”?

There’s no right answer, and no intended underhand comment designed to influence your thought, but it is a tricky question and it must sit with our individual values before this issue will be resolved.

Pressing problems which require urgent action today are too often the direct result of a lack of action in the past.  We rarely get the perfect outcome but as human beings its important to be consistent in our judgements. I don’t have the answers but I would like to see Australia step up and take on the ‘Burden of Responsibility” and set the bar for animal stewardship across the world

Footnote

  1. 93% of the food consumed in this country is produced by Australian farmers
  2. less that 6% of Australia is suitable for growing crops
  3. Australia farmers feed  everyone here and more than 40 million people around the world