The newest statistic for the ‘average age of the Australian farmer’ is doing the rounds once again, being 56.
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Advantages and disadvantages are being discussed and headlines question the future of the industry with a ‘lack’ of young people to fill agriculture-related roles.
I’m sure 56 being considered ‘old’ could be an arguable point for some. But why is the average age of our industry 16 years older than any other in Australia?
And is it really such a bad thing to have a diversity of ages within the industry, when the industry itself varies from property to property and state to state?
My favourite thing about this industry is that you can give every farmer or grazier the same amount of land in the same region and he will do something different to his neighbour.
They swear they’re doing it better than the neighbour but whether it’s a variation of breeds, animal or business decisions, they will aim to optimise the land they have, hopefully taking the sustainability of it into account.
Over the past two and a half years I’ve driven roughly 45,000 km around Australia and worked in a variety of states in numerous roles.
Currently in the Pilbara, I’m on a property using bolus tags to monitor growth rates of individual beasts, track fertility, and use walk-over-weighing systems so we know what the cattle are doing without even seeing them.
This is led by two young people aged 30 and 35, who are committed to utilising the technology at hand.
Obviously, this kind of technology comes with issues.
Whether the computer isn’t working, lack of rain, or market uncertainty, we continue to be faced with them Australia-wide.
Over the past 15 years in both western Queensland and WA’s central Wheatbelt, the average yearly rainfall has decreased.
Technology is advancing, but we are struggling to keep up and even when we do try there are always issues.
The broad-acre world has yield maps, moisture maps, and apps to tell us what to spray where and when.
Station country can now use walk-over-weigh systems to monitor weight production in the paddock and programs to oversee water supply in bores hours from the homestead.
Trying to establish this technology on a property requires perseverance but as we continue to fine tune it, the long- term benefits will become more worthwhile.
Another issue Australia-wide and one that I do believe affects young people trying to step up, is a mentality of an old-school industry.
Over the past two and a half years there’s been times where I’ve questioned my place within agriculture.
But it’s the young people within it – the stockman, shearers, future agents and ag scientists – that assure me of the bright future ahead.
I don’t think a variation of age is an issue, because there is certainly not a lack of young people out there.
Speaking on behalf of all ‘young’ people working within agriculture, the industry’s future is in safe hands.
