So I've recently returned from 8 weeks away from home on Nuffield travels. First to Brazil for the Contemporary Scholars Conference and then on to the Global Focus Program which took myself and 7 others to Brazil, Mexico, the US, Ireland, France and New Zealand. It was a fantastic trip and there's so much to talk about from it that I am still not sure where to start! So I'll keep working on that and hopefully come up with a blog (or blogs) soon.
In the meantime, upon arriving home I was asked to speak at a dinner of the Narrabri branch of the National Party. Political standpoints aside, what it provided me was the opportunity to speak to an audience which included the Deputy Premier of NSW, John Barilaro, our Federal member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, our State member for Barwan, Kevin Humphries, and two member of the NSW Legislative Council, Sarah Mitchell and Bronnie Taylor. The theme or topic for the night was "Regional Australia in the Spotlight" which provided a really great scope for me to discuss a wide range of what I think is important for Regional Australia, a lot of which ties in which my Nuffield topic of how we can attract the next generation onto the farm. Below is the speech that I presented, which hopefully will have been some fuel for thought for the sitting politicians and possibly for any of you reading it. Cheers, DK.
“Spotlight on Regional Australia”
Good Evening and thank you to Jocellin for your introduction and the Narrabri branch of the National Party for inviting me to speak this evening. I’d like to begin by acknowledging tonight’s guests in Deputy Premier John Barilaro, our Federal member for Parkes Mark Coulton, our State member for Barwan Kevin Humphries as well as Sarah Mitchell MLC and Bronnie Taylor MLC. Thank you for being in Narrabri tonight and for your support of our region.
By way of introducing myself further I wanted to give you a bit more background. I’m 27 and when I am asked how long I’ve had the occupation of farmer I often answer that it's been 27 years. But officially, I’ve been back at home as the Business Manager of Merced Farming for a bit over 3 years. I’ve grown up with my two younger brothers on our family properties and have been pretty fortunate to be introduced to agriculture by people like our father James and our late grandfather Paul. I think most importantly, what both Dad and Grandpa have given us is an understanding of a bigger picture of what being a part of agriculture means and that it extends far beyond our farm gate. As I said I have two brothers, Sam, who is our Crop Production Manager at home and Matt, who is soon to be a qualified Diesel Mechanic and has IT skills in that space as well. So we’re fortunate that we have a wide range of strengths between us, which hopefully cover for each other’s weaknesses (Matt’s talents certainly make up for my mechanical ignorance!) and will ensure we don’t conform to the adage that it’s the first generation that builds it, the second that grows it and the third that runs it into ruin!
In all of that lies some of the reason why I have chosen a career in Agriculture and in Regional Australia. Growing up with an agricultural background, it can sometimes seem like the path of least resistance to just return home to the farm. And whilst growing up on the farm certainly planted the seed for me, it was a much more considered choice. After 3 years studying Commerce at university in Newcastle and looking for any opportunities that might have taken me elsewhere it became more clear to me that if I was looking for an industry that was forward thinking, that embraced new technologies, that had a wide range of roles or jobs I could choose from and would provide opportunities to develop personally and professionally; it was the cotton industry and more broadly, Agriculture.
Late last year I was fortunate enough to be given one of those opportunities and had the honour of being awarded a Nuffield Scholarship, sponsored by Cotton Australia and the Cotton Research & Development Corporation. Briefly, Nuffield Farming Scholarships are awarded to farmers to allow them to travel the world, developing a global perspective of agriculture as well as allowing them to study a topic of their choosing that will benefit not just their own enterprise but their broader industry. There are 7 member countries, each of which run their scholarships slightly differently, but for the Australians, becoming a Nuffield Scholar means they will spend 16 weeks travelling internationally before presenting their findings to the National Conference the following year and publishing an academic report. In choosing to pursue the Scholarship, I could see that it would provide a chance for self-development, both personally and professionally, that I wouldn’t find elsewhere. I also hoped that it would help me find an answer to the question posed by my topic, “where will the next generation of farm managers come from and how can we attract them to a career on farm” which has been an issue for our business for a number of years and effects the broader ag industry as well.
Before I left for the first leg of my Nuffield travels, which was 8 weeks during March and April, I was asked if I would do a Q&A style interview by Narrabri journalist Virginia Tapscott. Amongst the questions was one that I found quite thought provoking; “If you had a meeting with the Prime Minister this afternoon, what would you talk to him about?”. My initial reaction was, ‘where would I start!’. I settled on saying that I would remind him of one thing and ask him to pay attention to three. But tonight I’m going to add one and make that four.
The point that I thought needed emphasised was that this year agriculture in Australia will be the country’s second largest export industry, with $60 billion worth of exports leaving our shores. Admittedly that is on the back of a number of events aligning; a good cropping season resulting in a record grain and pulse crop and high cattle and sheep prices being amongst the biggest contributors. Barnaby Joyce was quoted in the The Australian in January as saying “the good times are finally here!”. And he may be right, but I’m going to exercise the farmer’s right to be just a bit cynical. If its not drought, its flood. Agriculture has had a long wait for a good year but we need to be proactive if we are to make the most of these “good times” in Regional Australia. Mr Joyce effectively said as much himself.
The challenge of feeding a global population of 9 billion by 2050 is one that often comes up when we talk about global agriculture. Australia has two major advantages in facing that challenge; our proximity to a large portion of that growing population, Asia, and the quality of our produce. But these advantages alone will not allow us to capitalise on the growing consumer base on our doorstep. A theory we apply at home is that we need five things to farm; land, water, capital, equipment and people. Regional Australia has the land, but the other four are the four I previously mentioned I’d ask the Prime Minister to pay attention to and are what agriculture and regional Australia need put in the spotlight.
Number One - Water; and more importantly water security. It really is time for the bargaining and games around water to be put aside before any more damage is done. And I mean damage to all sides of the equation; social, economic and environmental. It is absolutely vital that agricultural needs are not put before the needs of the environment, town water supply or anything else. But it is equally vital that those needs aren’t put before those of agriculture. Ensuring the health and longevity of the Murray Darling Basin is paramount. But so is ensuring the same for our regional communities. And I’m not sure there’d be many people in places like Collarenebri, Warren, Wee Waa or Dirranbandi who feel that that is what has been done to date.
Economically, removing water from productive use that doesn’t then in turn deliver an environmental outcome is hamstringing our agricultural producers without any real purpose, which in turn hamstrings Regional Australia. It is critical that we see an end to the “just add water” approach and instead see investment into meaningful and productive measures that will deliver the improved outcomes we all desire. Reducing cold water pollution, removing carp, improving inefficient delivery networks by sealing channels or piping water and rehabilitating riparian zones are all measures that would contribute to a healthier, working river system and offset the need for water to be removed from productive use.
Number Two – Capital; But more specifically wasted capital. The time and money spent by farmers dealing with red tape and bureaucratic process that could otherwise be invested in their businesses and communities is enormous. It almost justifies a full time employee. And I know because at home, I am that employee! While the Murray Darling Basin Plan is the obvious threat currently to Water security, it is just one among endless rounds of ‘water reform’ and prohibitive regulatory process that are a drain on businesses. Energy is wasted that could otherwise be directed towards finding more efficient and sustainable ways to grow crops and livestock, developing new infrastructure on farms or improving our environmental footprint.
Instead time is spent and money paid to consultants and occasionally lawyers to ensure existing flood protection works are correctly zoned, that man made structures aren’t now listed as “environmental assets” that can no longer be used for what they were designed for, that licenses allowing the right to access water aren’t swept up and redefined in the move to new legislation, taking allocations that are rightfully held away from license holders without proper consultation or compensation. Our farmers and the regional communities that support them are some of the best in the world. Imagine what they could accomplish if we made things simpler for them and let them do what they do best, producing some of the world’s best food and fibre. Not filling out forms.
Number three – Equipment; on farm that means tractors, harvesters, vehicles. For Regional Australia that means the roads, infrastructure and services necessary to get things done and attract people to rural areas, not lose them. Whilst we do produce some of the world’s best food and fibre, when it comes to cost of production our competitors regularly leave us in their wake. Subsidies in Europe, crop insurance in America, low cost of labour in places like Brazil all mean many of our competitors have an advantage over us when it comes to the cost of production. As we have come out of a lengthy drought period and things have started to look up, plenty of farms are investing in new equipment that will allow them to increase their efficiency on farm. At a State and National level, if agriculture is to become a $100 billion export industry, we need to do the same.
The $8.4 billion allocated to completing the Inland Rail from Brisbane to Melbourne in Tuesday’s Federal Budget is a huge boost to Regional Australia and is the type of investment needed. Enabling more efficient movement of bulk commodities to port and to consumer markets will contribute to lowering those costs of production and may open opportunities into new markets, both of which will improve the profitability of our primary producers, provide opportunities for new business and new jobs to support the increased movement of freight and will boost our regional economies. By working together with public and private investment, the Inland Rail also has the potential to deliver even further efficiencies through links with improved air freight at sites like the Wellcamp Airport at Toowoomba. Getting this long talked about infrastructure project within sight of reality is an important win for Regional Australia and those that have fought to ensure it is finally delivered, (particularly the National Party) deserve congratulating. But delivering large ‘nation building’ projects shouldn’t stop there. Continued investment in construction of more dams or infrastructure that can divert and deliver flood flows in coastal rivers to inland systems should all be considered. Proposals like the Bradfield Scheme are often thrown in the ‘Blue Sky’ or ‘too hard’ basket. But why not consider the feasibility of these ideas.
Unfortunately, a vital piece of infrastructure that wasn’t amongst the winners of this weeks budget however was telecommunications. Go to any agricultural conference and the buzz word you’re bound to hear is “big data”. The potential for the collection, analysis and practical use of all the data we’re able to collect is enormous. And frankly useless without the connectivity to bring it all together. Regional Australia needs improved connectivity for it to keep pace with Urban Australia and the rest of the world. Delivery of the NBN, introducing regulation for national roaming on our mobile networks and further investment in infrastructure through the Mobile Blackspot Programme can all be part of that. The ability to access a fast, reliable source of communication will help drive innovation, productivity and economic growth and must become an urgent focus for Regional Australia to continue moving forward.
Finally, number 4 – People; As I mentioned my topic for my Nuffield Scholarship is where the next generation of farm managers will come from and how to attract them into a career in farming. Regional Australia isn’t a one trick pony but it is built around agriculture. And while nationally this year our agricultural exports may have been worth $60 billion, regionally the value of the young talent we’ve exported is immeasurable. That talent is often on display and it’s important we find ways to offer a career path that retains that talent in our regional communities. For the last two years, Wee Waa and Narrabri High Schools have competed in the First Robotics Competition amongst other schools from Australia and the South Pacific. This year, in a field of 42 schools the Wee Waa Bush Bots made it to the semi finals and it took Barker College to bring their run to an end.
Regional Australia produces some of the brightest young talent in the country that is capable of competing with the best but in pursuit of further education, training and careers they are too often leaving and not coming back. If we are going to identify, attract, develop and retain our best talent there needs to be a partnership between private enterprise, industry and government in long term projects that will provide the skills and career path for our next generation. Education funding that goes towards a few subsidised Chemcert courses isn’t what is needed. What is needed are programs that offer our youth the opportunity to upskill themselves, to be exposed to agriculture and trades and to the huge range of careers available in Regional Australia. Programs that assist businesses in providing ongoing training to their staff.
In our region currently there is program called AGCAP that partners High schools with local business and provides students the opportunity to complete an agricultural traineeship while staying in school and completing their HSC. By delivering the training through Tocal College, these students complete school, receive a Certificate II in Agriculture, have two years of work experience and on the job training and have a head start on their career in agriculture and Regional Australia. Most importantly it is a way for students that may not be so academically inclined but are nonetheless intelligent, practical and highly capable people to find value in their own education. The program and Tocal are also working in partnership with the University of New England to provide a pathway to further tertiary education. Why shouldn’t AGCAP be in place in every High School in the country?
In Narrabri there is a concerted push, the business plan for which has been supported by the Energise Enterprise program, to establish a Rural Training Centre, potentially to be based at the community owned Federation Farm. Our entire region would see huge benefit from the establishment of such a centre. It would lower the cost for trade businesses that no longer need to send their apprentices further afield to centres like Tamworth for their training, incentivising them to take on more young people. It would provide meaningful agricultural training and the ability to create a pathway into an agricultural career.
I’ve got a lot of work left to do on my Nuffield research but I’ve come up with a bit of an analogy that I think describes what I see as the answer. And for my fellow rugby fans this might hurt you a bit too. But we need to be more like New Zealand rugby and less like Australian rugby. We need collaboration between the grassroots (the regional communities and businesses), the professional clubs (industry) and the governing body (government). If we don’t look after the grassroots and invest in development pathways from the bottom up, rather than apply bandaid solutions with no meaningful investment or support, then all our best talent will be picked up by rugby league or AFL and we’ll have to cut a Super Rugby team because we don’t have the depth to be competitive. While the rugby is hard to watch on my TV screen every weekend, with 53 being the average age of farmers in Australia, not investing in our youth and developing our depth of talent in Regional Australia would be far more costly than another dismal season from the Waratahs.
Many of the regional issues I’ve mentioned tonight are ones already being addressed by members of the National Party and for us here in Narrabri, by Mark and Kevin in particular. But they are all topics that need our ongoing attention. I’d like to paraphrase a speech made last year by former US Secretary of Ag, Tom Vilsack, but with stats to suit Australia. Every one of us who is not a farmer, is not a farmer because we have farmers. We delegate that responsibility to around 1.5% of our population while the other 98.5% can be doctors, lawyers, economists, anything. Because do we actually have to grow the food for our families? No, we can go to the grocery store and get it. Secretary Vilsack encouraged that rather then criticise and take farmers for granted, they ought to be celebrated.
Of course Regional Australia is made up of more than just farmers and agriculture. But the same attitude should be applied. Regional Australia might make up just a third of our population but we should not let it be taken for granted. During a session on the Murray Darling Basin Plan at the last Cotton Conference one speaker suggested “the Western Sydney test”. If something wouldn’t be good enough for a suburb in Western Sydney, how can it be considered good enough in our rural communities? It shouldn’t be. That is why it is crucial that we continue to fight to ensure that Regional Australia isn’t left to fend for itself but is celebrated, built up and has access to those four things needed for it to thrive. By doing that, we can ensure that Regional Australia is kept firmly in the spotlight.