CAREERSINAGRICULTURE

COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERSEMINARS MARQUEE

EducationalProgram:Careers In Agriculture Listen to range of professionals speak about their personal experiences working within the agricultural industry. Wednesday & Thursday12.00pm-1.00pm

Captain Clean-Up In the late 1970s the Keep Australia Beautiful Council of Western Australia created an Australian environmental superhero, Captain Clean-up, to help educate young Western Australians about keeping Australia beautiful. The Captain encouraged everyone in schools and at festivals to clean up their own mess, bin their rubbish and take care of the environment. See Captain Clean-Up in the Seminar’s Mar-quee! Wednesday 9.30am & 3.00pm

Careers In Agriculture SpeakersWednesday 24th AugustDavid Bedbrook: Bedbrook Johnston Williams – Agricultural ConsultantMeghan Cornelius: DAFWA- Sheep Development (Genetics) OfficerBryan French: Rural Focus- Producer/HostMatt Willis: Elders- Senior AgronomistCara Allan: CSBP- Agricultural Officer

Thursday 25th AugustMeghan Cornelius: DAFWA- Sheep Development (Genetics) OfficerDavid Williams: Bedbrook Johnston Williams – Agricultural ConsultantTrevor Hinck: Kerrigan Valley Grain Fed Beef– Owner and OperatorBryan French: Rural Focus- Producer/HostGary Harvey: Bendigo Bank- Agribusiness Manager

David Bedbrook:Bedbrook Johnston Williams – Agricultural ConsultantDavid has been consulting to West Australian farmers and business people since 1973 and has been involved with almost every sector of agricultural production in Western Australia.

David has worked across the state, from the Ord River Scheme in Kununurra in the early 70’s to working with the R&I Bank at Manjimup in the mid 70’s and then in the Wheatbelt and Great Southern region since then, living at Wongan Hills before moving to Perth in the late 1980’s.

Business achievements during his career have been: Farming interest at a property in Hopetoun on

the south coast for forty years and directing a company and syndicate arrangement until 2007.

In 1990, David was appointing General Manager of the Estate of EF Smart Pty Ltd for 13 years, a 40,000 hectare farming business of several properties.

Consultant to a stable group of long term clients.

Specialist in managing properties for absentee owners with rural interests.

Establishment of Bedbrook Financial Services – Financial Planning.

Board positions have included: Director/Chairman of the charity Paraplegic

Benefit Fund of Australia (Founding Director and Chairman)

Appointed a Fellow of Australian Association of Agricultural Consultants (WA), past President and other committee positions

Independent Board Member of Westpork Pty Ltd (10,000 sow Piggery)

Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD)

Board Member of the Rural Business Development Corporation (Past)

Independent Board Member of Wheat Export Authority (Past)

Board Member of Agricultural Research Western Australia (Past)

Meghan Cornelius: DAFWA - Sheep Development (Genetics) Officer

Meghan grew up on a farm in Arthur River for her first five years and despite the sale of the farm and moving to Perth for the following ten years she never lost touch with the country and her farming background. Meghan’s fondest memories were spending school holidays back in Arthur River at the neighbour’s farm or in Albany at her grandparent’s farm.

It was this background and love of farming that led Meghan to enrol at Cunderdin Agricultural College for her final high school years (2002-2003), where she developed a strong interest in the WA sheep industry. Not knowing what she wanted to do after leaving school, Meghan took the year off and worked as a farm hand on a commercial sheep, cattle and cropping property in Dandaragan. At the end of that year she knew she wanted to further her education in the agricultural industry.

After completing a Bachelor of Agribusiness (Agricultural Technology) from Curtin University’s Muresk Institute in 2008, she worked for the private research company Agrisearch Services. She conducted sheep health trials focusing on testing new fly, lice and worm products for different companies.

Her time at Agrisearch sparked a great interest in research, which led to Meghan receiving a Sheep CRC scholarship in 2010 to complete a PhD in Veterinary Science with Murdoch University. Her PhD looked at alternative worm control strategies in sheep, specifically the concept of targeting drenches to the sheep that would benefit from treatment rather than the whole flock at one time. The purpose is to delay the development of drench resistance. This concept, known as Targeted Selective Treatment, is not new, however two key issues have delayed its adoption by industry; 1) the lack of an effective and practical method for identifying which sheep need drenching, and 2) the risk that some sheep will

be left with worm burdens large enough to compromise production and welfare.

The findings from this research can provide recommendations for the sheep industry regarding sustainable worm management strategies and can aid in the adoption of Targeted Selective Treatment.

Meghan is currently a Development Officer for DAFWA in the livestock industry, working to increase the adoption of genetic technologies by Western Australian sheep breeders and producers. She is focused on increasing the use of Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) by ram breeders in their flocks and by ram buyers for their ram selections.

Bryan French: Rural Focus- Producer/Host

Although Bryan has lived in the Avon Valley all of his life, he is reasonably new to the Agricultural Industry.

Growing up in Northam, Bryan lived just out of town and had the opportunity to help friends and their families on their farms when going for weekend visits, but he said he never had the urge to become a farmer or work “in Ag”. He was always interested in machinery and how it worked and driving it now and then but not to work on the land.

Bryan began his working career in the Retail Industry, working for a major supermarket chain for eight years. From there he worked in the health industry before getting a break into the industry he has always loved….Broadcasting!!

Bryan started off in radio by driving

a little two door Toyota Echo around giving away loaves of bread, choc milks and free newspapers. From there he was trained to “panel” local football broadcasts and Outside Broadcasts. When the opportunity came up, he accepted the “account manager/breakfast announcer” role at 6MD in Merredin. This was his very first glimpse of how farming companies operated, local communities relied on the Agriculture Industry to survive and how the lack of rain and good crops not only effected business and jobs, but people’s lives. After working in Merredin for four years, gaining a much better understanding of the Agriculture Industry and making some wonderful business and personal friendships he transferred back to his home town Northam. Bryan continued to work as a Breakfast Radio Host for

several years until the opportunity came along for him to apply for the role in which he holds now, Rural Focus Host & Producer. Bryan took the opportunity to learn more about an industry that he has always lived around but never truly understood. In the past few months he has learnt a lot about the Agricultural Industry, from spraying to shearing, harvesting, seeding, new innovations, Agricultural education and the list goes on. Every day he chats on Rural Focus to someone new about something different which excites and interests him. He said travelling around the state at the moment shows that this season is proving to be a very successful one. He is looking forward to sharing and being a part of the Agricultural industry which shows so much strength and adaption to new innovations.

Matt Willis: Elders - Senior Agronomist

Matt was born and raised in the city and had a less conventional pathway into the agricultural sector when compared to most in the industry. At the heart of it though was what Matt said should be a key decision when choosing your trade: you should be doing something that you are passionate about. When growing up, Matt’s parents would regularly take the entire family out to visit his uncle’s farm down near Bremer Bay during the school holidays. Matt lived for these trips: the open air, the freedom, the machinery, the livestock, the postie bike that he would spend hours upon hours riding after being asked by his uncle to fetch a mob of ewes from the back paddock.

When Matt got to Year 12 at high school he had to make a decision on what career to study towards. For most of high school Matt had been thinking of getting into engineering or chemistry, but during a trip to his uncle’s farm at the beginning of year I2 - by chance - was there when his uncle’s agronomist came to visit. He said sitting in the back seat of the agronomists Pajero whilst he drove around and performed a crop

inspection, Matt became aware of a profession that seemed ideal; here was something with the mix of agriculture and science that resonated well...without the need to inherit a family farm!

In 2002 Matt ended up enrolling in a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree at the University of WA. The focus on science, mathematics, research and analytics would serve him well in future years. During a work experience unit Matt spent time with the agronomists in the Synergy Consultancy group, which led to him being employed by Farmworks in Moora as a graduate agronomist in 2007. Over the next seven years Matt worked in a variety of roles, including as a researcher at UWA’s Shenton Park campus and as an agronomist/GIS officer at AACL Grain.

Matt joined Elders in 2013 as an agronomist based in Wyalkatchem. His role involves visiting Elders clients and giving them agronomic and technical support to help them get the most out of their business. Matt said his role is to act as a conduit between the researchers, the suppliers - and

the farmer. As with most roles in agriculture, everything is seasonal; Matt performs soil sampling and analysis over the summer, generates farm plans at the start of the year, performs crop inspections and makes chemical and nutrition recommendations throughout the growing season, as well as writing up monthly newsletters to growers, and running extension activities such as workshops and tours when required. All whilst being supported by the Elders agronomy team which is made up of a whole range of people - from graduates to seasoned veterans. Matt says there is no danger of monotony in his profession: each season is different, and with perpetual technological advancement, he is continually learning of new ways to improve the way his clients farm.

Matt said he finds there are few things in life as good as going out to a client’s farm, standing in a paddock with them, and being able to solve a problem. Being able to make a client’s business more profitable is what Matt is passionate about, and why he enjoys working as an agronomist.

Cara Allan: CSBP- Agricultural Officer

Cara said if you had of asked her at age 16 where she would be in 16 years’ time, she would never have guessed that she would be lucky enough to be in the position she holds now.

Cara grew up in a very small non-farming country town in Far-East Gippsland, Victoria. After her family moved west to Kalgoorlie in Cara’s early teens, she struggled with the change which meant she did not invest in her education. Instead, she chose to leave and enter the workforce. After spending 3 years working and travelling, Cara then went back to school and completed year 12. It wasn’t until a few years later, Cara wanted to study at university. This plan took additional study to boost her chances of getting an offer and another couple of years to come to fruition. In 2008 at age 24 after applying 3 times previously, Cara finally received an offer from Murdoch University to

study a 4 year Bachelor of Animal Science.

Cara said going to University was one of the best decisions she has ever made, she found studying quite hard at first but things definitely got easier with time. Cara ended up adding on a Minor in Statistics in addition to her Animal Science Major and completed a final year honours project by research. It was this research project which cemented Cara’s passion for the Agriculture Industry.

After graduating, Cara was lucky enough to work at The University of Western Australia’s Institute of Agriculture on a GRDC funded long term conservation agriculture project. This was Cara’s first real experience with broadacre cropping systems in Western Australia. It was this opportunity which gave her the knowledge and built the skills necessary to successfully obtain her current position of Agricultural

Officer in the CSBP Field Research team.

Cara has been working with CSBP for over a year now and says it is a fantastic company to work for. Within this role Cara has had the opportunity to travel Western Australia and see just how farming systems differ all over the state. She said she is fortunate that she has had the opportunity to work with a team of very knowledgeable people, who are keen to pass this knowledge on. This has meant her agronomic knowledge as a whole has grown, in particular crop nutrition, assessment and strategies. Working for a large well-established, respected and progressive company has meant there are many opportunities to progress.

For the next few years Cara will be busy working, while completing a Masters of Business Administration through Murdoch part time.

David WilliamsBedbrook Johnston Williams – Agricultural Consultant

David has been working in the Western Australian Wheatbelt since graduating from university with a core focus on farm business management services to growers.

David provides advice to clients on production and farm business management and also provides farm management services to absentee landowners in Western Australia.

David has prepared expert evidence reports relating to agricultural matters for insurance claims and other civil disputes.

He is an active member of the Australian Association of Agricultural Consultants (WA) Inc. and has held the position of President of the Association between 2008 and 2011. David is also a Professional Member of the Australian Institute of Management.

David has served on the Dry Seasons Advisory Committee, which was established by the Minister for Agriculture in Western Australia to provide input to government response to adverse seasonal conditions.

David is a current Director of the Rural Business Development Corporation (RBDC), which is responsible for administration of schemes of assistance provided by government for the farm sector in Western Australia.

Gary HarveyBendigo Bank- Agribusiness Manager

Garry was born and raised in Western Australia. His family farmed in both Lake Grace and Ajana north of Geraldton. His Banking career commenced in 1980 spending 32 years with one of the 4 major banks, of which 24 of those years was located in various regional locations. Some of Garry’s Management roles included Branch Retail, Commercial and Agribusiness Banking. His most recent role prior to Rural Bank was Corporate Agribusiness Banking. In addition to broad acre farming Garry also specialises in intensive farming industries.

Garry’s decision to join the Rural Bank Banking team was in line with his desire to be involved with both large and small family operated agricultural businesses, and the opportunity to work with a progressive Agribusiness Bank with innovative finance solutions to meet the needs of changing agricultural trends and markets.

Trevor Hinck: Kerrigan Valley Grain Fed Beef – Owner and Operator

Trevor Hinck owns and operates the Hinck Family Farm & Feedlot, Kerrigan Valley in Hyden, Western Australia. The property is 360kms from Perth in the Hyden district “Home of Wave Rock”.

Trevor received his education at Keaney College and then went on to Narrogin Agriculture College before returning to the family farm in 1977 to work with his parents John and Lorna Hinck. At the time the Hinck family farm consisted of approximately 5,000 acres and was a grain and sheep enterprise. Today the Hinck family farm consists of 19,000 acres and is a cattle and grain enterprise. The Hinck Family also have developed their own beef brand, Kerrigan Valley Beef which they are very proud of. www.kerriganvalleybeef.com.au

Trevor along with his wife and business partner Sharon and their three boys are involved in running the family business; with son Craig and his wife Lauren managing their Cropping enterprise. The Hinck family began running their feedlot in 2000 selling solely to Woolworths and started their beef brand Kerrigan Valley Beef in 2010. The farm also runs their own breeding herd which they are aiming to increase annually.

Kerrigan Valley Beef has grown from a small family business to today employing three full time staff and casual staff. Trevor also takes on students so they can gain experience in the cattle industry from universities and agricultural colleges. Last month Kerrigan Valley Beef won the Excellence in Innovation and Home Based Business awards at the Eastern Wheatbelt business awards.

Trevor is extremely passionate about the cattle industry and as well as running his own beef enterprise is currently the

President of the Western Australian Lot Feeders Association (WALFA) after serving as Vice President of WALFA for a number of years and is on the board of the Australian Lot Feeders Association.

Trevor is a past grain delegate to China and an active member in his community being a Business Development Member of Hyden, part of the local agronomy group and a volunteer for SES, Road and Rescue and Fire.