Humans of Agriculture

• Angling for better mental wellbeing: the Bayer Big Fish Challenge

  When you're in the grip of drought, with livestock to feed and budgets to recalibrate, it can feel impossible to escape the business for a mental break.But the Bayer Big Fish Challenge is giving farmers the perfect excuse. It's an all-year-round nationwide fishing competition, which anyone can be part of, and every big fish caught raises money for mental health charity The Fly Project. A win-win! Hear farmer Brad Stillard and program facilitator Matt Tripet share their personal stories, and how Bayer's initiative is fostering connections and strengthening the mental fitness of rural people across the country, one bite at a time. TakeawaysFishing is an effective outlet for famers needing a mental break from their business and the stress of difficult seasons The camaraderie built through an outdoor competition and shared experiences helps build trust and connection with othersThe Bayer Big Fish Challenge is proving to be a useful vehicle to reach out to mates doing it tough Bayer's support has significantly impacted The Fly Program's reachChapters00:00 Introduction to the therapeutic benefits fishing to mental health05:44 The Bayer Big Fish Challenge and how it works 11:44 Camaraderie and connection in fishing25:08 Overcoming mental barriers in farming33:54 The impact of Bayer's supportLinksRegister a team for the Bayer Big Fish Challenge Learn more about the Bayer Retreats and The Fly ProgramLearn more about Bayer Australia and New Zealand, follow them on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedInIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and let us know your thoughts at [email protected]. Don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review!

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• When the worlds of ag science, comms and policy collide, with Aly Bunton of Bayer

  It's a good thing Aly Bunton loves talking to people, as her Public Affairs role with Bayer Crop Science Australia depends on good relationships.  And it's not just with the suits in Canberra; Aly is well-connected with scientists and farmers all over to ensure Bayer stays on the front foot of industry issues globally, and that Governments are aware of how different policies impact Aussie farmers.With no previous ties to farming, a career in agriculture was a little unexpected for Aly.  She explains what led her to a job in ag science communications with a multinational company and the evolution of biologicals vs synthetic solutions in agriculture. Takeaways Aly is proud of Bayer’s manufacturing presence in Australia with a big onshore investment hereAussie farmers are punching above their weight, respected globally as being highly professional, innovative and adaptable The future of inputs use in agriculture needs to be a toolbox systemAli is an avid reader, zooming through up to 100 books a year Her involvement with the CWA has opened her eyes to the incredible advocacy work at play in the regionsChapters01:58 Understanding the role of public affairs in agriculture06:04 Building relationships in Government and industry11:59 The importance of networking for students22:51 The future of agriculture: biologicals vs. synthetics27:09 Australian manufacturing and local solutions30:09 Involvement with the New South Wales CWALinks:Learn more about Bayer Australia and New Zealand, follow them on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedInMore episodes at Humans of AgricultureIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and let us know your thoughts at [email protected]. Don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review!

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• Agricultural advocacy: how can it shift from fragmented to future-fit?

  In an increasingly noisy world, how can ag speak with a unified, consistent voice?The changing dynamics of agricultural advocacy in Australia has caught our attention, and we're keen to explore whether industry representation is still 'fit for purpose' in a rapidly shifting political and social landscape. With around 270 farm advocacy bodies in Australia with a combined annual spend of $400-600 million, there's no shortage of voices sticking up for ag.  But how effective are they in delivering genuine policy solutions to Government?To open up this conversation, Oli is joined by Katie McRobert, Executive Director at the Australian Farm Institute, and Tyson Cattle, a rural journalist-turned-Nuffield Scholar, currently exploring how ag advocacy is done around the world and what Australia could be doing better.TakeawaysAdvocacy in agriculture is fragmented and there's a disconnect between what's being said and what's being heardEffective advocacy requires a clear purpose, two-way conversations and cultivating long-term relationships to drive policy changeFinding common ground with decision-makers is essential for achieving policy outcomesRespect and credibility is often overlooked in advocacy structuresFarmers are good as telling stories, but ag needs to get better at sharing storiesCurrent advocacy structures in Australia are often conservative and 'locked in' to a traditional structure, but new approaches such as social media influencers are having an impact Leadership in advocacy often requires taking unpopular stancesLinksLearn more about Tyson's Nuffield topic, and LinkedInKatie McRobert LinkedInYou can hear more episodes of Humans of Agriculture here.If you enjoyed this episode, share with a friend and let us know your thoughts at [email protected].  Don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review!

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• Tom & Mick chat new opportunities with Stuart Austin

  Cattleman Stuart Austin doesn't shy away from a challenge and his next venture is no exception.   Stuart is well-known for his work in the natural capital space in his former role as General Manager of Wilmot Cattle Company, a regenerative grass fed beef operation in NSW. In this chat with Tom & Mick, Stuart explains the various arms of his new venture Audacious Agriculture and the land-use challenges he's noticing overseas, which he thinks we could learn from.    Despite the career pivot, his passion for regenerative farming practices and mentoring younger people in Aussie ag hasn't wavered.  TakeawaysStuart emphasises the importance of natural capital in agricultural practicesHis new venture, Audacious Agriculture, aims to help others in the agricultural sectorNatural capital is becoming a buzzword among investors, but understanding its practical application is lackingThe US is facing urban encroachment challenges and land use issues around balancing energy and agricultural productionStuart is bullish on the cattle market, anticipating price increases due to supply and demand dynamicsChapters00:00 Introduction and guest background06:35 Stuart's new venture Audacious Agriculture09:31 Insights from the Agri Investors Forum18:20 Natural Capital in Agriculture23:01 Predicts bullish trends in the cattle marketLinksStuart's new venture Audacious Agriculture  More episodes at Humans of AgricultureIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and let us know your thoughts at [email protected]. Follow Humans of Agriculture on Instagram. Don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review!

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• Mini: How AgRi-Silience is helping SA farmers, with Jeanette Long

  It's not often you get the chance to hit the pause button, zoom out and look at the bigger picture of your farming business.Farmers are often great at being operational - getting the crop in, or managing livestock cycles - but perhaps not as well practiced at thinking through a strategic plan: where you want your business to go and how you want to go about it. Many of us tend to simply let things unfold and that's why Jeanette Long's pearls of wisdom are so helpful - she's a director, trainer and coach for Ag Consulting Co, which delivers the LivestockSA AgRi-Silience program.  She takes a strategic planning approach to help farmers reflect on their business decision processes and build not just business resilience, but personal resilience too.  We hope this chat with Jeanette helps you make some of those big (and small!) decisions in your farming and family lives, no matter what seasonal conditions are thrown at you.Key takeaways:aim to have a plan in place with prior thought-out 'trigger points', so decisions are made when you're in a good headspace, rather than during stressthere's always value in networking and keeping connected with others in the industryunderstanding your core purpose and values, noticing triggers of stress, and building tools to manage it is crucial for long-term successexternal support can aid in decision-making during crises and times of overwhelmChapters00:00 Introduction to the AgRi-Silience program02:11 Building resilience in agriculture, both in business and personal worlds09:07 Decision-making in challenging times11:51 The value of networking and learning from othersLearn more about the work Jeanette does with Ag Consulting Co here.About AgRi-silience:Today's episode is part of our partnership with Livestock SA's AgRi-Silience program, designed to improve strategic planning and long-term resilience for forward-looking South Australian livestock and broadacre enterprises.Participants of the program get one-on-one coaching, tailored advice from a consultant and get the chance to meet a network of other farmers enabling long term strategic planning to sustain your business into the future.Funded by the Australian Government and the Government of South Australia as part of the Future Drought Fund’s Farm Business Resilience Program, AgRi-Silience has already helped over 1000 South Australian farmers build financial literacy, confidence in decision-making, and essential resilience skills.You can secure your place and take the next step towards a more resilient future by visiting the AgRi-Silience page on the Livestock SA website www.livestocksa.com.au.Cut out dinnerIt's a challenging time for many. The AgRi-Silience Cut Out dinner is a great opportunity to pause, reset and come together to gain collective strength from shared stories and ideas. Book your seat at the AgRi-silience Cut Out Dinner at Sunnybrae Estate in Adelaide on June 20th.  Tickets are just $65 for alumni and $80 for industry participants.

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