This National Farm Safety Week (14-20 July), Farmsafe Australia’s ‘In Safe Hands’ campaign recognises the importance of our farmers, farming families and the entire agricultural industry. ‍‍‍

Jamie and Susie Grant of Kielli, a cotton farm near Jimbour Queensland, acknowledge that they’ve noticed a few changes as they’ve aged.

“What I’ve noticed in the last few years, I guess, is that what I used to laugh at my old man for, because he used to, you know, stumble up things and do this and do that, and I called him silly old bugger. But now it’s happening to me. It’s a reality. But what I’ve found you gotta do is you gotta keep doing it. You’ve gotta stay fit and alert. And if you end up in the situation where you’re not fit and alert, you’re gonna be a walking hazard,” says Jamie.

He sees a role for all ages on farm, as long as there is understanding of the different stages that farmers go through as they age.

“You know, you start off as a young fellow, you gotta double check yourself and everything, because you don’t really know what you’re doing. Between 30 and 60, you pretty much know what you’re doing because you are doing it more. And then after 60, you start to have to recheck yourself again. You need to ask for help.”

“I think it’s a nice balance when you have got a younger team coming through that you’re teaching and training, but you’ve got older people that are there to help impart their wisdom on them and also teach the young people.”

About five years ago, Jamie decided to implement the use of robotics on his farm to reduce some of the more manual tasks. Not only does this take some of the strain off of his body, it helps to mitigate the risk of complacency that comes with doing some of the mundane and boring tasks on farm, even for the younger workers. Redesigning work processes can have a significant impact on safety outcomes and the use of modern technology can be a game changer on farm.

Jamie likes to have a strong focus on training, both formal and informal. With a team that varies widely in ages, he can see the benefits of the older farmers advising the younger staff while the younger staff can provide physical support to the older staff when needed.

Felicity Richards, Chair of Farmsafe Australia, says ensuring the safety of ageing farmers is not just about protecting individuals; it’s about preserving the legacy and sustainability of farming communities.

“Ageing farmers are the backbone of our agricultural heritage. It is our responsibility to ensure they have the tools and support needed to work safely and continue their invaluable contribution,” says Felicity. 

“By making simple adjustments to work routines and providing targeted information and training, we can significantly reduce the risk of injury and promote a healthier working environment.” 

Felicity, herself a cattle farmer in Tasmania, emphasises the importance of proactive measures. 

“Jamie’s implementation of robotics shows us firsthand how adapting tasks and incorporating new technologies can make a big difference. We owe it to our older farmers to make sure they feel safe and valued on the job by finding new ways for them to continue to contribute to the business.” 

Five strategies to consider implementing to mitigate the risks of ageing on farm 

Recognising ageing on the farm as a safety risk is crucial for maintaining a safe and productive agricultural environment. As farmers age, physical and cognitive changes can increase the risk of injuries. Reduced strength, slower reaction times, and declining vision and hearing can all impact the ability to perform tasks safely. 

1. Changing work design: Modify tasks to be less physically demanding. This might include investing in new technologies, using ergonomic tools, automating heavy lifting with machinery, and redesigning workflows to reduce physical strain. 
2. Training and education: Regular education and training, both formal and informal, is a great way to reduce risks. Training can be tailored to the needs of older workers to ensure they are aware of increased health and wellbeing risks and new technologies that can make tasks safer. 
3. Succession planning: Preparing the next generation to take over more physically demanding tasks can reduce the burden on older farmers. This involves mentoring and gradually transferring responsibilities to younger family members or employees. 
4. Health and wellness programs: Promoting regular health check-ups and providing access to wellness programs can help older farmers stay physically fit and mentally sharp, reducing the risk of injury. 
5. Flexible work schedules: Allowing older farmers to work flexible hours or part-time can help manage fatigue and reduce stress. 

Disclaimer: These suggestions are intended as a guide only and are designed to provide information – it is not legal advice and does not take the place of proper individualised on farm workplace inductions, work, health and safety training, or any other tailored steps which may be necessary to protect the health and safety at specific worksites.

About Farmsafe Australia

Farmsafe Australia is an industry not-for-profit, farmer-led organisation and the leading Australian voice for farm safety, dedicated to promoting practical measures that prioritise the safety, health and wellbeing of individuals on the farm. Farmsafe is committed to fostering a culture where the wellbeing of individuals is at the heart of every agricultural operation.

To find out more, visit www.farmsafe.org.au.

The post Safety for ageing farmers appeared first on AustralianFarmers.

This National Farm Safety Week (14-20 July), Farmsafe Australia’s ‘In Safe Hands’ campaign recognises the importance of our farmers, farming families and the entire agricultural industry. ‍‍‍

Farming can be mentally and emotionally demanding, and the isolation of rural life can contribute to risks that are not as easily seen and assessed, the way physical risks might be.

The ‘In Safe Hands’ campaign aims to raise awareness about mental health challenges, reduce the stigma associated with talking about these issues, and provide tangible support to help farmers and their families navigate stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. 

The campaign follows Victorian dryland broadacre farmer and well-known industry advocate, David (DJ) Jochinke, President of the National Farmers’ Federation, as he discusses the importance of prioritising more than just the physical health of his workers and his community.  

For DJ, safety isn’t just a conversation, it’s taking action to create a culture where workers go home in the same condition, if not better, than they arrived.

“Tragically we’ve had three deaths that have happened on farm just within our neighbouring district here and I guess it’s made us more acutely aware of not only how precious and how quickly things can happen but also what we should be doing to put into place about having those conversations and making sure that we are doing it as safely as possible,” says DJ.

“Being in safe hands means not only is it somewhere where you can feel like you can communicate anything that you need, but it also means that you know around you people are looking out for you all the time.”

He acknowledges that creating a safer environment to operate in includes creating a space that is respectful and allows for individuals to feel safe being themselves.

“A lot of the times when you’re reaching out and talking to someone, you’re not there to be the expert. You’re there just to crack it open and just get them to start talking. And when and if there’s extra support needed, there’s plenty of resources out there.

“It’s just about starting that conversation and asking them, ‘Are you OK?’. And not taking “she’ll be right” answers.

“Having a culture where everybody feels safe and supported means that if there’s an issue that you’ve got, you can have a conversation. It means that you can feel safe, that you can express yourself. And that’s really important because at the end of the day, we’re not just numbers, we’re people. And if we look after each other, we’ll get the best out of each other.”

This topic in the campaign also explores mental wellbeing and the impact that each of us can make just by checking in on each other and creating space for deeper conversations about how we are coping with the challenges that farmlife can bring. Farmers often put the needs of their land and livestock above their own needs, but their own wellbeing is equally vital. 

5 strategies to support farmers and farm workers to increase safe decision-making capacity

1. Open communication: Encourage open dialogue. Create a supportive atmosphere where workers feel comfortable discussing their challenges and seeking help without fear of judgment. Regular check-ins can help identify issues early and provide an opportunity for support.
2. Provide access to resources: You don’t need to be the expert. Offer access to mental health and wellbeing resources, such as counseling services, helplines, and wellness programs. Providing information and resources can empower workers to take proactive steps and it can be as simple as including them in your induction packs.
3. Promote a healthy work-life balance: Ensure reasonable work hours and encourage regular breaks. Rotating tasks and allowing time off during less busy periods can help prevent burnout and reduce stress.
4. Create a supportive community: Foster a sense of community and mutual support among workers. Social events like after-work BBQs, can strengthen relationships and provide a network of support during difficult times.
5. Offer training and education: Educating workers about the signs of situational distress and the importance of taking care of their mental wellbeing can empower them to recognise and address problems early. Check out ifarmwell: Growingfarmers’ wellbeing for a free online toolkit.

Disclaimer: These suggestions are intended as a guide only and are designed to provide information – it is not legal advice and does not take the place of proper individualised on farm workplace inductions, work, health and safety training, or any other tailored steps which may be necessary to protect the health and safety at specific worksites.

About Farmsafe Australia

Farmsafe Australia is an industry not-for-profit, farmer-led organisation and the leading Australian voice for farm safety, dedicated to promoting practical measures that prioritise the safety, health and wellbeing of individuals on the farm. Farmsafe is committed to fostering a culture where the wellbeing of individuals is at the heart of every agricultural operation.

To find out more, visit www.farmsafe.org.au.

The post The importance of mental health and safety on the farm appeared first on AustralianFarmers.

Australian Merino wool is renowned for its exceptional qualities – it’s incredibly soft, breathable and temperature-regulating, making it the perfect choice for winter clothing.  

One of the standout features of Merino wool is its sustainability. Merino sheep are shorn annually, providing a renewable source of wool. Additionally, Merino wool is biodegradable, meaning it breaks down naturally in the environment, reducing its impact on the planet. 

By choosing Merino wool garments, you are supporting ethical farming practices and sustainable fashion. This is especially important for rural communities, where the connection to the land and its resources is deeply felt.  

Did you know, wool garments are among the oldest kept in wardrobes? Investing in high-quality Merino wool pieces means you are choosing garments that will last for years, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimising waste.  

A global wardrobe study shows 9% of wool clothes were purchased more than 10 years ago, compared with just 4% for polyester clothes. 

Embrace the winter season with these brands which showcase the enduring appeal of Australian Merino wool. 

Iris & Wool

Iris & Wool is an Australian fashion brand that has built a reputation on producing luxury designs of the highest quality from 100% Australian Merino wool. Driven by an unwavering pursuit to promote Australian Merino wool worldwide, Iris & Wool seeks to support and nurture the local community and industry of wool producers with clothing traced directly back to our farms.

George The Farmer x Iris & Wool

Known for their dedication to promoting Australian agriculture and quality materials, South Australian brands George The Farmer and Iris & Wool have collaborated together to create an exquisite children’s knit. Crafted from premium Woolmark certified Australian Merino wool, the children’s knit embodies the spirit and look of George the Farmer.

M.J. Bale

M.J. Bale is an Australian-owned menswear brand founded in 2009. In 2021, they created the world’s first methane-reduced wool at their Kingston partner farm in Tasmania, feeding Merino sheep a seaweed supplement daily for 300 consecutive days to reduce their methane emissions to undetectable levels. M.J. Bale’s Ashby single-source knits are created entirely from Merino wool grown on the fifth-generation family-run Ashby farm in Tasmania.

Woollykins

Woollykins was founded by mum to three Brenna who established Woollykins in 2011 after moving back to Australia from the UK. Read more about the inspiration and background of Woollykins, a micro business operating on Djaara Country, Castlemaine in regional Victoria that aims to help parents find the most ethical, healthy, low impact clothing for their little ones. 

Merino Country 

Merino Country has been producing 100% Australian Merino underwear and clothing grown and sewn locally for 30 years. Merino Country support local jobs and communities making sustainable, ethical, healthy and really, really comfy leisurewear, activewear, thermals and underwear for work, travel and play in hot and cold climates.

Woolerina

Woolerina was established in 2005 as a result of our founder Warwick Rolfe’s long-held desire to take raw Australian Merino wool directly off-farm and follow it through to a completed garment. From humble beginnings, Woolerina has grown into a well-known and much-loved Merino clothing label, crafting clothing for women, men, kids and babies.

INTACT

Inspired by a mission to make Australian Merino wool an everyday wardrobe essential, INTACT is a thoughtful combination of founder and creative director Gabby Neal’s formal training and industry experience within the fashion and design space which supports Australian woolgrowers and a better fashion future. 

Woolly Brand

Inspired by her upbringing on a wool-growing property and her career in neonatal intensive care, Anna Brand launched Woolly Brand, a range of Woolmark-certified kids’ knitwear made from 100% Australian Merino wool. The range is designed to be smart, sustainable and durable enough to be handed down through the generations.

The post Embrace winter with Australian Merino wool fashion  appeared first on AustralianFarmers.

1. You’ll be skeptical about the concept of indoor pets

Never let it be said that you don’t like animals, they’re great. But they exist in the following (descending) hierarchy: humans; working animals; edible animals; others.

An animal’s place in that hierarchy dictates its proximity to the house, but only humans should make it past the verandah.

To disrupt this order would be a sin against nature – upending the separation between man and beast… well, that’s how you feel anyway.

2. You understand that different rules apply to ‘paddock language’

Sometimes the language of polite society can’t adequately convey the frustration of a bogged airseeder or a recalcitrant mob of sheep.

That’s where ‘paddock language’ comes in. Farm kids quickly learn that words hurled at working dogs in the sheepyards can’t always be used in front of Grandma.

3. You consider John Deere and Case IH desireable toy brands

A decent part of your childhood play area was probably a scaled down commercial farming enterprise, complete with a tractor and perhaps even a set of offsets or a chaser bin.

You had it made if your fake farming gear was branded with the name of a real machinery company. And if you stayed on the land as an adult, this was probably the start of a costly addiction to red or green paint.

4. You know to observe a moment’s silence at 12.50pm each day

Radios in farm houses, tractors and Toyotas across the country are tuned to the ABC at midday for The Country Hour.

The marketing geniuses at the ABC save the best till last, with the market report bringing up the close of the show. Farm kids know well that the market report is a time for silence – a silence that lasts between 5 minutes and 5 hours, depending on the latest price for weaners at Dubbo saleyards.

5. The greatest party you’ve ever been to was probably in a woolshed

If you call Double Bay home, you might not think sheep manure and shearing paraphernalia make for a good party. You’d be wrong.

The classic woolshed party is a right of passage for farm kids, allowing parents to rest easy knowing that nothing of real value can be broken.

The post 5 things only farm kids will understand appeared first on AustralianFarmers.

An initiative of Cultivate Farms, Cultivator matches the next generation of aspiring farmers with farm investors to own and operate a farm together.

Sam Marwood, Cultivate Farms Managing Director says Cultivator has a farm investor ready to back the best aspiring farmer to co-own a farm with them.

“The Cultivate Farms team have met with hundreds of aspiring farmers whose dreams of owning and running their own farm have been squashed, because they don’t have access to the millions of dollars needed to buy a farm,” Sam said.

Australian Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie said encouraging new finance into the agricultural sector was important for growth and to promote new and different ways of thinking.

“This sort of financial innovation can give the next generation of farmers an opportunity to co- own a farm with an investor. It is ideas like this that will help the Australian agriculture industry reach $100 billion in 2030.”

Claire Coates, along with her husband Marc, are the farmers who were matched to a farm investor, for the first iteration of Cultivator in 2017. She says that the barriers to young people owning farms are complex.

“We knew that we wanted to own our own farm,” Claire said.

“Through approaching our dream to own a farm like an entrepreneur, Cultivator made it possible to value of farm opportunity and pitch this directly to a farm investor. Cultivator is an amazing opportunity for any aspiring farmer who wants to realise their farm ownership dreams.”

For more information about Cultivator visit www.cultivatefarms.com/cultivator.

Applications from aspiring farmers are open now and close 30 October 2019.

The post World’s first farmer incubator launched appeared first on AustralianFarmers.

The competition encourages students in Years 5-12 to envisage their own career in STEM based agriculture.

Aimee Snowden from Little Brick Pastoralhas created ten STEM agricultural photographs showcasing LEGO® minifigures to represent science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers. The careers are an agribusiness banker, an agriculture teacher, an agronomist, a biosecurity officer, an engineer, a geneticist, a GIS specialist, a mechanic, a scientist and a stock and station agent.

Students may choose one of Aimee’s characters on which to base their entry or alternatively may build and photograph their own LEGO® character. They are then asked to identify their interests and the subjects they excel at, research pathways they might take to achieve their agricultural career dream and to write a day-in-the-life story on their chosen career.

Entries will take the form of an infographic and a $2000 prize pool is on offer.

FIND OUT EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW HERE

For Teachers

The Where Might a Career in Agriculture Take Youunit of inquiry has been created for students and teachers participating in The Archibull Prize.   It can easily be adapted by all teachers to meet the brief of the National AGDay Careers Competition. If your school would like to hear from a Young Farming Championplease contact us here

The post Imagine your dream career in agriculture appeared first on AustralianFarmers.

If you’re living in the sunny Northern Territory or chilly Tasmania, AustralianFarmers have scouted the best fruit and veg for you to plant on the first weekend of Spring.

Here’s what farmers around Australia are planting this season, and you can do the same in your own backyard!

Warm climate

If you’re living in a low-frost or frost-free area like north of Coffs Harbour in NSW and across to Geraldton in Western Australiathen these plants are for your garden.

If you’re looking to plant trees avocado, passionfruit and banana trees are the go.

Otherwise try planting silverbeet, spring onions, zucchini, capsicum, cucumber, watermelon and eggplant in your garden beds.

Cooler climates

Tasmanian, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory and the southern highlands of NSW are perfect places to grow delicious strawberries, tomatoes, peas, sweet corn, and leeks.

For a complete dish you’ll need herbs. Planting basil, chives, coriander, dill, mint and parsley wouldn’t be a bad idea either.

Temperate climates

If one week you get frosts and the next you could have beautiful sunny days then blueberries, citrus, olives, celery lettuce and radishes are perfect for your backyard garden.

If you’re living in South Australia, Western Australian and parts of Victoria thyme, oregano, rosemary, catnip and sage are the herbs for you.

Tips for growing spring fruit and veggies

• If you’re limited for space use containers or raised garden beds (best for fast growing varieties like strawberries).
• Prepare your soil by removing weeds and stones and dig it over to improve soil structure.
• Dig in compost or leaf mould to further improve the soil.
• To extend your harvest season, stagger your sowing by sowing seeds every two weeks rather than all at once.
• Keep the plants well-watered, especially during dry spells and covered if in frost-prone areas.

The post Join farmers in planting your own spring vegetables appeared first on AustralianFarmers.

Yet if you Google ‘Australian farmer’ in 2019, 90 per cent of all images show white middle-aged men.

Until 1994 Australian women could not legally claim to be ‘farmers’, the law defined them as domestics, helpmates and farmers’ wives.

A new series of short-films, produced by the Visible Farmers initiative, from today, aims to smash stereotypes and change the face of modern agriculture.

The first season of the series will consist of 15 short-films, discovering the untold stories of the hardworking women across the country that are behind all our food and fibre, and reveal the vital, innovative role they play in Australia’s agriculture sector.

“The days of the solo man running the station on his own and gazing off into the sunset, they’re over,” Challa Station pastoralists and one of the women profiled in the series, Debbie Dowden said.

At its heart Visible Farmer is about gender equality and food security, with strong, positive stories from Australia’s farming communities.

“We want people to join the movement, share the films, spread the word, encourage other women and support women farmers,” Visible Farmer Director Gisela Kaufmann said.

Visible farmer is determined to not let the under-representation of women in agriculture go unrecognised.

• Agricultural commodity councils are 91% men and 9% women
• Rural representative bodies are 87% men and 13% women
• Publicly listed agricultural companies are made up of 93% men and 7% women
• Only 2.3 % of CEOs in Australian agribusinesses are female, compared with an average of 17% across other industries.

Farmers and the first female President of the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), Fiona Simson said the Visible Farmer initiative was setting the record straight on the role of women in agriculture. 

“Women have been the backbone of agriculture since farming began in this country. Yet for many reasons, their contribution continues to go under-recognise. 

“Visible Farmer, a fantastic and crucially important initiative, is finally bringing the stories of our farming women to the fore. The NFF is a proud supporter of Visible Farmer,” she said.

The NFF are also doing their part to change the statistics around women in leadership roles. 

Women comprise 41% of the agricultural workforce but only 18% of management roles and 2.3% of CEO positions

The Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program is in its second year and establishes a mentoring program for aspiring female leaders in agriculture.

The post Yes, we’re female and we’re farmers appeared first on AustralianFarmers.

Winter crops are annual crops sown in autumn and are ready to harvest in spring or summer.

Here is what winter looks like around farms in Australia…

Grains

Wheat barley and oats are Australian farmer’s favourite winter grains!

However this year winter crop production is expected to be down. The Rabobank Australian 2019 Winter Crop Outlook said it would be ‘against all odds’ for Australia to return to average grain production in the 2019-20 season. This is due to the dry start to the winter cropping season meaning ‘sub-optimal planting window’ for important cropping regions.

Oils

The Australian oilseed industry produces about three million tonnes of oilseeds annually – 600,000 of those tones are consumed locally.

Australia’s major oilseed crops – canola and cottonseed – account for 90 per cent of local production.

Australia supplies more than one million tonnes of canola seed (15-20 per cent of the world’s canola trade) to Japan, Europe, China, Pakistan and other international markets annually.

Pulses

Pulses such as lupins, chickpeas, lentils and fava beans are now make up 10 per cent of the three major cropping regions of Australia.

Pulses are relatively new to Australian soil with the first crop, navy beans, planted in Queensland in the 1940’s to feed the US troops during World War II.

Australia produces an average of 2.2 million tonnes of pulses from more than 1.8 million hectares.

Vegetables

The Australian vegetable industry represents more than six per cent of the total value of Australian agriculture at $3.45 billion with more than 2,300 vegetable farm businesses.

More than 90 per cent of all fresh vegetables sold in Australian supermarkets are grown right here in Australia with potatoes coming in at the number one winter vegetable commodity with more than 1.3 million tonnes grown for human consumption a year!

Tomatoes (426,000 tonnes), carrots (318,000 tonnes), onions (277,000 tonnes) and head lettuce (128,000 tonnes) trail potatoes as the most common vegetable commodities grown and sold in Australia.

Thanks to Australia’s varying climates and geographical benefits of the array of vegetable growing regions around Australia, the vegetable industry can maintain year-round supply, meaning there are very few fresh veggies imports into Australia.

Fruit

The Australian fruit industry is produces around 2.66 million tonnes a year valued at more than $5 billion.

The most popular fruit grown in Australia is by far citrus, particularly oranges with Australian farmers producing around 746,297 tonnes a year.

Citrus fruits thrive in cool climates and are the biggest winter fruit commodity export in Australian agriculture.

Bananas, apples and melons trail not far behind as the most productive fruit crops grown in Australia ($798 million).

The post Australia’s 5 favourite winter crops appeared first on AustralianFarmers.

These are some of the questions raised from everyday Australians who want to make sense of what they’re hearing about farming in the Murray Darling Basin.

We want to ensure the truth is laid out, so you can cut through the noise and take an informed stance on these issues. Keep reading to learn more, and if you have questions – please leave us a comment at the bottom of the page.

What is the Murray Darling Basin?

The Murray–Darling Basin is the largest and most complex river system in Australia. It runs from Queensland, through New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia, spanning 77,000 kilometres of rivers, many of which are connected. Towns and rural communities across the Basin rely on a healthy river system—our economy, food security and wellbeing depend on it, now and into the future.

Farming runs through all regions with 9,200 irrigated agriculture businesses across the Basin. The Basin is the food bowl of the nation—the agriculture industry is worth $24 billion annually.

What is the Murray Darling Basin Plan?

At its heart, the Basin Plan sets the amount of water that can be taken from the Basin each year for industries such as agriculture, while leaving enough for the environment.

Managing water is complex. It is a partnership between:

• the Australian Government
• New South Wales
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Victoria
• the Australia Capital Territory.

How do water allocations work?

• Farmers buy or lease water licences/entitlements.
• Annually, state governments allocate water to irrigators based on the amount of water available in the system, after water for the environment and critical human needs has been prioritised.
• The licences allow growers to access a set amount of the total water allocated by authorities for farming.
• Farmers with a water licence can use the water they extract to grow whatever they like.

Why are crops like cotton grown in Australia?

• Cotton is a desert plant that is water efficient and suits Australia’s climate.
• Cotton is the crop of choice as it gives growers the best return per megalitre of water. Other summer crops, like corn and soybeans, use similar amounts of water per hectare.
• Cotton is an annual crop that is only grown when sufficient water is available.
• Banning cotton would not see any extra water returned to the environment, as the water has been allocated to the irrigator’s licence.
• If cotton was to be banned in Australia, farmers would use their water to grow the next most profitable crop.

How is irrigated agriculture impacted by drought?

• During a drought, the amount of water for farmers significantly drops, as allocations are reduced.
• The water that is available is prioritised for critical human needs and the environment first.
• If there’s no water available, there are no irrigated crops grown (unless a farmer irrigates using water they stored when there was a high water allocation).

What is the NFF/irrigation industry’s stance on water theft?

• The industry has zero tolerance of law breaking and believes offenders should face the full force of the law.
• If someone is known to be doing the wrong thing, they should be reported to relevant state authorities, and those concerns should be thoroughly investigated.
• Australia’s irrigated agriculture sector has high standards for growers which demand best practice.

The post Agriculture in the Murray Darling: The facts about irrigation appeared first on AustralianFarmers.