We went LIVE @ Sheepvention with Elders
For this weeks podcast, Oli and the team hit the road! We recorded live at the Hamilton Sheepvention, discussing 'The Importance of Evolving within Agriculture' with Mark Gubbins, 'Coolana' Managing Director and Brendan Rinaldi, Elders Vic/Riverina General Manager.
Mark farms nearby and he chats about how his family and the property has changed over the years. Change includes navigating different eras like the dispersal of their Corriedale stud, seasonal conditions and market fluctuations. Mark is currently handing over the reigns to his children so we talk about what's keeping him occupied these days and it sounds like a lot of fishing might be on the cards!
Brendan took a different path, opting not to be on the farm but instead pursuing a career in finance and agribusiness. We are putting that down to his first memories on the farm cutting burrs from wool... Just kidding! He describes himself as a bit of an academic and an 'accidental farmer'. Brendan now co-owns the farm with his brother, looking after the books and economic side while overseeing Elders Victoria & Riverina regions.
As we spoke to Mark and Brendan about 'evolving within agriculture', certain words like legacy kept popping up.
For Mark, the dispersal of their Corriedale stud was a path-altering decision, especially considering the previous generations dedication and direction,
"My grandfather was the great Corriedale man... And before he died one of the last things he said to me is 'this is your legacy, don't stuff it up.'... You know, that’s pretty big words… And if you think about it, I didn’t stuff it [the Corriedale stud dispersal] up, evolution of agriculture, stuffed it up"
Brendan speaks of legacy for the future generations,
“We’re fifth generation farmers and seeing the sixth generation come up, it is a legacy. And you do want to continue to build on something that's there for the next generation. And I think that's the beauty of it.”
A huge thanks to Elders for sponsoring this episode and inviting Humans of Agriculture to be at the 2023 Sheepvention. The Elders marquee was full to the brim - shout out to the 100 or so people in the crowd!