Latest research shows that Australian consumers overwhelmingly trust primary producers. But producers are not feeling the love in return. Why is this?

In this episode we speak with the lead researcher of a four-year long project called 'Community Trust in Rural Industries: Year 4 national survey 2023'.  Author Dr Kieren Moffat explores the robust data that sets out the ways in which rural industries can meet industry challenges and create a deeper relationship with the Australian community based on trust.

Featuring:

• Georgie Toose, Senior Manager, Collaboration, Rural Futures, AgriFutures Australia 
• Dr Kieren Moffat, CEO and Co-founder, VoconiQ 

The agricultural industry is crying out for more skilled workers. And for those who live in regional Australia, a career in agriculture takes little convincing. But for our urban cousins, what can we be doing at a school level to attract more students to consider an agricultural career? 

To visit the new suite of agricultural career educational resources mentioned in this podcast, please check out the Cultivating futures: Engaging secondary school students in the world of agricultural careers report. 

Featuring:

• Dr Jamie Manning, Senior Lecturer, Agriculture, CQ University  
• Mitch Arvidson, Careers Advisor, Sydney Secondary College Balmain Campus

If you find yourself searching for the most luxurious crocodile skin fashion products in the world, the chances are, it has originated from Australia's northern regions.

While Australia is a small global supplier of crocodile skins, most of what we do supply is considered premium.

The Australian crocodile industry has great potential to expand our crocodile market in a highly sustainable and ethical way.

In this podcast episode we speak with Associate Professor Sally Isberg , Manager of the Center of Crocodile Research and Author of the recently published AgriFutures Australia Australian Crocodile Industry RD&E Plan 2024-2029.

Sally outlines the focusses of the crocodile industry over the next five years and how specific and strategic research will help crocodile producers in Australia reach their goals.

Featuring:

• Associate Professor Sally Isberg, Manager of the Center of Crocodile Research and Author of the recently published AgriFutures Australia Australian Crocodile Industry RD&E Plan 2024-2029. 
  
  

This is a very special podcast episode from the producers behind the 'Boots Off Log On' podcast.

The episode features our very own John Harvey, Managing Director AgriFutures Australia and first aired in January 2024.

Join show host David Egerton-Warburton as John Harvey navigates the intricate landscape of Australian agriculture, from fostering innovation to addressing the pressing challenges faced by farmers.

Learn about the transformative initiatives spearheaded by AgriFutures Australia and the vision for a sustainable and innovative agrifood future.

For more Boots Off Log On podcast episodes, please visit: Boots Off Log On! Podcast | Agrimaster. 

Since being named the 2023 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award National Winner, Nikki Davey has grown both personally and professionally.

The self-confessed introvert has thrown herself into all the opportunities the Award has brought her since September 2023. With the generous Westpac grant, Nikki has expanded her sustainable flower business 'Grown Not Flown' to include other produce. She is also offering masterclasses and expanding her international customer and grower base. 

In this episode, discover what Nikki has been working on behind the scenes and what her plans for the next 12 months entail.

Featuring:

• Nikki Davey, 2023 AgriFutures Rural Women's Award National Winner and Co-Founder, Grown Not Flown. 

Jay is a role model for mature-aged students looking to branch into agriculture as a new career opportunity. She is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Science, Animal Science/Animal Health at Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia.

With initial interest in becoming a vet, Jay realised there were so many other options in agriculture that she hadn't explored. While her passion still lies in livestock, she has broadened her experience during her studies by participating in a six-week scholarship in Indonesia.

This is Jay's story.

Featuring:

• Jay Elliot, 2023 Agricultural Student of the Year and Animal Science/Animal Health Student at Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia

It's estimated that Australian agriculture produces 9.8 million tonnes of pre-farm gate waste annually. AgriFutures Australia have been working with industry to help address this.

In this episode we introduce the newly published report called 'Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry National Waste and Resource Recovery Roadmap'. We have the author of the report join us to explain just how waste is generated on farm, and how we need to deal with it.

Featuring: 

• Dr Anne-Maree Boland, Principal, RMCG 

In this episode, we'll hear how two AgriFutures Horizon Scholars literally expanded their horizons. Mitchell Salan and Stephanie Hennings have just been on a tour in Ireland in partnership with their Scholarship sponsor Dairy Australia. We hear about their learnings and experience of the European dairy industry and the new technologies the country has embraced. 

Applications for the AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship close on 12 January 2024. For more information, visit the AgriFutures Australia agricultural scholarship opportunities webpage. 

Featuring:

• Mitchell Salan, 2022 AgriFutures Horizon Scholar
• Stephanie Hennings, 2021 AgriFutures Horizon Scholar

Wading through pre-sale radiographs (or x-rays) of yearlings has long been considered murky territory. But now, thanks to groundbreaking research undertaken by a team at The University of Queensland and supported by the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program, the industry can now be more confident in understanding the impact of a range of lesions on a yearling’s potential racing performance.

In this episode, Dr Argue unpacks the most important takeaways from his research. He explains how it will better inform buyers making purchasing decisions and the agents and sellers involved in a yearling sale. The research will also help vets review pre-sale x-rays and provide advice that could lead to early intervention and improved management for a range of skeletal conditions now understood to impact a thoroughbred’s racing performance and career.

Featuring:

• Dr Brodie Argue, Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Resident, University of Queensland Equine Specialist Hospital

Find out more:

• Project snapshot: Investigation of what radiographic lesions in thoroughbred yearlings are significant in limiting future racing performance | AgriFutures Australia

Indiana Rhind didn't come from a farming background and so she was surprised to be awarded an AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship. She has since described the Australian agricultural scholarship Program as an 'encouraging, exciting and empowering experience'.

In this episode, Indiana talks about the value in connecting with the AgriFutures Horizon Scholar cohort and how, through the Scholarship, she landed her first job in the agricultural industry. Since working with Farmwall, she has realised that agriculture is intricately linked to our urban society.

Applications for the 2024 AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship are open now and close on Friday, 12 January 2024.

Featuring:

• Indiana Rhind, Chief Technology Officer, Farmwall

Find out more:

• AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship
• Series of fortunate events leads Horizon Scholar to Farmwall