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Background to Innovative Farming Australia

Innovative Farming Australia is an initiative of Nuffield Australia Farming Scholars. The inaugural conference was held in Canberra in October 2004. Details of this and subsequent conferences are listed on this web site

The conference was initiated to highlight innovation in agriculture, and to offer a forum for Nuffield scholars (past, current, future), non-Nuffield farmers from around Australia, and others involved in agriculture, to hear about innovation in all areas of agriculture - both locally and internationally.

Spring Tour – Tasmania – 7 to 12 October 2008

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2008 Nuffield Australia Autumn Tour – 28 Feb to 2 March 2008

A group of 60 farmers participated in the Nuffield Australia Autumn Tour of the Goulburn Valley and North East Victoria in late February and early March.

Once again, the tour focused on the important role of innovation for next generation farmers, and the theme of water and efficient water management was ever-present.

The first port of call was StrathAyr Turf owned by Bill Casimaty, a pioneer of the turf industry. Feeling the full impact of Melbourne’s water restrictions on its major market, the Casimaty family business has diversified into total project management and has secured a string of exciting projects, such as the Launceston racetrack. Tour participants had the chance to inspect a cricket wicket machine, which moves entire pitches in and out of sport stadiums. As one might expect from a cricket-loving nation, the machine is the only one of its type in the world.

Darley horse stud at Northwood Park on the Goulburn River was the next stop, and demonstrated how a farm can be extensively transformed in a short timeframe. The stud boasts new facilities, kilometres of post and rail fencing, and manicured lawns. With one horse alone valued at $10 million, the investment is expected to deliver significant returns when fully operational.

The conversation was steered back to water when the group lunched at Tahbilk Winery and heard presentations from Kevin Preece of Goulburn Murray Water and Ross McPherson of the McPherson Media Group. Ross is a member of the Food Bowl Modernisation Group, which advocates piping water to Melbourne to raise money for upgrading irrigation infrastructure.

The first day of the tour ended at an irrigated dairy farm at Merrigum owned by Jamie and Anne Snell. A major supplier to Tatura Milk, the Snells shared their insights into operating in drought conditions.

On Friday, global farming messages were brought back home with formal presentations from Nuffield Australia Chairman David Brownhill; Mike Keogh, CEO of the Australian Farm Institute; and the returning 2006 Nuffield Scholars. PDF versions of the presentations can be viewed via the following links:

Heinrich, Andrew. How more efficient genetics can achieve improved carcass quality in sheep (6.1 MB)

Kelly, Robert. Production or Marketing? (1.9 MB)

Keogh, Mick. Future challenges for Australian agriculture (2.1 MB)

Keogh, Mick. Opportunities for Australian agriculture (3.4 MB)

Philip Camilla. Growth of Category Management and Supply Chain Efficiencies (1.87 MB)

Snell, Jamie. What future the family farm? (6.1 MB)

Walker, James. Agriculture Wool and Sheep Production in the Global Market (2.95 MB)

Welsh Shaun. Increasing sow production and other technologies to improve efficiency in the Australian Pork Industry (556 K)

Saturday’s excursions kicked off with a visit to Campaspe Irrigation, the irrigation business of 2001 Nuffield Scholar Dennis Moon, and a tour of his tomato harvesting operation.

The tour also visited one of Goulburn Valley’s premier orchards, Integrity Fruit (McNabb Orchard), where a cooperative of five local farmers has pooled resources to build an impressive operation with state-of-the-art packing facilities.

A highlight for the tour’s wine enthusiasts included a tour and tasting at the iconic Australian winery, Brown Brothers.

The final day comprised a visit to the Minto Pastoral Company owned by Chris and Kim Stoney. The group was as impressed by Chris’s colourful stories as the expanding operation comprising a home base in Mansfield and large-scale land leases with massive stock numbers.

A definite tour highlight was the final excursion to Lawson’s Angus owned by Alastair and Ruth Lawson. Lawson’s Angus is at the leading-edge of beef genetics and sells approximately 800 bulls a year. It has recently bought properties in Queensland and Western Australia, showing the company’s ability to adapt to a range of environments.

The tour was deemed a success with representation across a range of farming commodities. Sincere thanks to the Nuffield alumni who hosted the group throughout the four-day tour as well as other specialist speakers and the 2006 Nuffield Scholars.