Episode 22 - Ken Williamson the Aussie who invented the Silage Wrapping process
It's amazing how many clever people we have in Ag here in Australia. And when it comes to contributions to world Agriculture as far as Australians are concerned, Ken Williamson is probably at the top of the tree. You see Ken invented the Silage wrapping process from here in Australia, which has become a massive worldwide industry. There are two parts that Ken had to invent. It's the Silage wrap and the Silage wrapping Machine. Although he didn't invent the wrap itself, he got the idea from wrapping pallets, but he was the first to use the exact same process for wrapping Silage. Ken knew that it was going to be a big job to stretch it by hand, so he invented the Silage wrapping Machine, which was an equally important cog in the wheel. Initially rejected by the Government and some of the biggest Machinery Manufacturers in the world, Ken found an able suitor in Kverneland, which, on the back of the Bale Wrapper, has become a worldwide force in a wide range of Machinery and Equipment items. At one point, they sold over 10,000 Wrappers in one year, and Ken and his company held the licence and received a royalty for each Machine sold.This is a classic case of us not celebrating our Ag Entrepreneurs enough, but in this case, who were we to know? Only a certain few would know about what Ken did, and that's an injustice. Who would have ever thought a humble but clever Australian invented the Silage Wrapping process, some 40 years ago? Today, if you lined up each bale wrapped in 2024 side by side, it would make a line that would travel 22 times around the world. It's a massive industry, especially in Europe, and as we said near the end of the interview, Ken is more famous in Europe for what he did than he is in Australia. Here is his story. I hope you enjoy. End of message.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------For this podcast edition, we have a one-off sponsor, Agri Novatex."At Agri Novatex, we are focused on Farming. Leveraging over 40 years of Agricultural manufacturing experience around the globe. Agri Novatex originated in Italy in 1977. They have been more than just a supplier of high-quality products to protect your precious Fodder and Grain Crops. As rural servants ourselves, we understand you and the problems you face.Give the Agri Novatex team a call for all your Silage Wrap, Netwrap, Twine, Grain Bags and Silage Cover requirements..---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Our sponsors are The Farmers Club, which is a free and subscription-based email newsletter chock for Farming and Ag news, info and stories. It comes out 6 mornings a week at 5 am Eastern. Go to www.thefarmersclub.com.au and sign up for free.Our co-sponsor is our sister business Farm Tender, which is an online buying and selling marketplace for Farmers and associated Ag businesses. Go to www.farmtender.com.au for more.
Australia