Welcome to another episode of EP Ag Chats. In early July, Dr. Kate Burke spoke at the AIR EP member morning events, addressing farmers on the crucial topic of decision making amidst uncertainty. These events were a part of the GRDC-funded RiskWi$e project, which aims to enhance growers' decision-making by balancing the probability of upsides against associated downside risks. The events were also supported by the SA Drought Hub.

Key Discussion Points:

1. Understanding Good Decision Making:

• Dr. Kate Burke, an independent consultant and author, emphasizes that good decision-makers in farming have an innate ability to gauge when to act or seek additional help. This often subconscious skill involves understanding the impact and investment of decisions and their broader business implications.

1. Self-Confidence and Intuition:

• Successful farmers possess the confidence to make decisions without undue concern for others' opinions. They act on opportunities promptly, such as applying fertilizer before a rain event, rather than waiting to see what others will do.

1. Impact on Profitability:

• Data shows that top-performing farmers often achieve double the profits of average farmers. The "farm effect" highlights that the unique combination of factors on each farm significantly influences profitability more than external elements like weather or soil type.

1. Changing Mindsets:

• Changing decision-making processes requires a desire to improve, trust in new methods, and practical tools to test decisions. Dr. Burke introduces concepts like impact vs. investment and control vs. uncontrollable factors to streamline decision-making.

1. Case Study:

• Dr. Burke shares her experience with share farmers in a variable rainfall area. By identifying climate patterns and providing data, she encouraged them to optimize nitrogen use, resulting in significantly higher yields and profits.

1. Community and Knowledge Sharing:

• The podcast highlights the importance of community support and diverse expertise in making informed decisions tailored to each farm's unique circumstances.

This episode showcases the importance of informed decision-making and managing risks in farming, providing practical insights and examples for farmers to enhance their operations.

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On today's episode Amanda Scott, from the Regenerative Ag Alliance and Farming Together program at Southern Cross University, talks to Amy Wright, the regional agriculture landcare facilitator at AirEp and part host of this podcast, about how this podcast came about and what they learned along the way.

This project is supported by FRRR, through funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.

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Today we speak to Tristan Baldock, a fourth-generation farmer from Buckleboo on upper Eyre Peninsula. Tristan speaks about his journey from university graduate to agronomist and now farmer owner of Karinya Ag. 

Working as an agronomist ‘out of his patch’ exposed Tristan to a broad variety of agricultural practices on the Eyre Peninsula, which he sees as an invaluable time in his career, especially when it came time to return home. 

At first returning to the farm with his wife as employees, then later becoming a part of the business, has allowed Tristan to grow into the role of decision maker, working with his parents as well as working closely with their private consultant and agronomist.

Tristan gives us insights into hosting trials on his property with researchers, how he became involved with the industry group Grain Growers, as well as his advice to emerging young people in agriculture. 

This project is supported by FRRR, through funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.

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Today on EPAgChats Dan Bergmann, a young farmer from a property near Ceduna on the Far West Coast of South Australia, chats to Peter Kuhlmann, a third-generation farmer and well-known advocate and early adopter for broadacre agriculture in South Australia. Peter has held positions on a number of industry boards, is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, and a former winner of the Australian ‘Farmer of the Year’ award. 

Peter’s family has been on the property at Mudamuckla in the state’s far west since 1911. Peter speaks about his time on the soil board and EPARF (Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation) on which served 13 years, some of that as chairperson. As well as other numerous positions he has held.

Dan delves into Peter’s journey and how it has shaped his farming practices and business to how it is run today. Peter’s unique situation of farming from his home office in Adelaide has brought with it opportunities to be able to be involved on industry boards and the ability to take a step back from the farm and view things from a different perspective. 

To learn more about AIR EP visit our website and sign up to the newsletter, follow us on Facebook or Twitter

This project is supported by FRRR, through funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.

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Andrew Baldock is a farmer from Kimba on the Eastern Eyre Peninsula. His path to farming is dissimilar to many, gaining a trade in the big smoke before returning to Kimba. He speaks about their farm business Tola Ag, what it is like being one component of a dynamic family farming business, and how he and his family navigate working together. 

We also explore Andrew’s time as a Nuffield scholar and the opportunities that have arisen from his experiences. 

This project is supported by FRRR, through funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.

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Today we hear from Lochie Siegert and David Giddings. Lochie, a young farmer from Wangary on the lower Eyre Peninsula (EP) interviews David Giddings, an experienced farmer from Wanilla on the lower EP. 

David delves into how his farming career began and the role in which his father helped shape the scale of their farming business. Doubling their farming area since returning to the farm after tertiary study in 1994 has been a long but rewarding process with plenty of challenges thrown in. David refers to his time studying agriculture and other training opportunities that he has taken advantage of, and how important it is to be continually learning while still working and managing a farming business. 

Lochie asks about how David has combatted the complexities of farming non-wetting sandy duplex soils and how they have used amelioration to increase their productivity on these soils, while still running a livestock component to his business.

To learn more about AIR EP visit our website and sign up to the newsletter, follow us on Facebook or Twitter

This project is supported by FRRR, through funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Todays we hear from Amy Wright who is the regional Agricultural Landcare facilitator for the Eyre

Peninsula. She interviews Bryan Smith the current chairperson of the AIR EP board. Bryan has been

an active member of industry boards for the majority of his farming career starting out very early on

at the grass roots level of his local Ag Bureau.

Bryan speaks about his involvement on the South Australian Grain Industry Trust board (SAGIT), Eyre

Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation Board (EPARF) and now AIR EP. They also delve into how

Bryan became one of South Australia’s most western farmers. Bryan gives some great advice for any

young person in Agriculture wanting to become involved with attracting research and development

to their district.

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