Agriminders

Remote agriculture is not for the faint-hearted. The farmers who take on the challenge must deal with unpredictable climates, heat tolerant animals and managing properties larger than small countries. So how successful have Australian graziers been at overcoming these challenges? And what is the potential contribution of remote agriculture to the supply of meat locally and overseas? Host Chris Russell speaks with Annabelle Coppin, the owner and operator of Yarrie Station in far north-west Western Australia, about how they're overcoming the challenges of remote agriculture to meet the demands of their local and international consumers.

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With virtually unlimited water and a warm predictable climate, the Ord River Scheme in far north-west Western Australia has the potential to be one of the most exciting opportunities for food and fibre production in Australia today. Many crops have tried to make use of the abundant water but just as many have failed due to the remoteness from highly competitive markets or insect pests. But will investment from Shanghai-based company Kimberly Agricultural Investment be the key to realising the full potential of the area? Host Chris Russell speaks with General Manager of Kimberly Agricultural Investment, Jim Engelke, about the crops that have been tested (and failed) in the Ord before and what KAI are doing differently.

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What is the plan for ensuring reliable connectivity in regional and remote Australia? Connectivity in regional and remote Australia has always lagged behind the cities, yet the growth in digital and robotic agriculture demands the same access and speeds as urban business and industry. Host Chris Russell speaks to Federal Minister for Communications, Minister Paul Fletcher, about his government's plans to meet the connectivity needs of the bush.

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How can Australia make better use of its vast underground water storage? The practice of water banking injects excess surface water into underground aquifers during wet times, to be used during dry times. Host Chris Russell speaks to postdoctoral research fellow in groundwater management at the US-based Environmental Defence Fund Andrew Ross about the feasibility of water banking in Australia and what would need to happen to make it a reality.

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Australia is the second most urbanised country in the world after Singapore and the distances to bring food from the regions to the cities are huge. How can we bridge the increasing geographical and psychological gap between Australian producers and the urban consumers who buy their produce? One solution is peri-urban agriculture and the practice of growing food on the fringes of capital cities. Host Chris Russell speaks to CEO of Urban Ecological Systems Andrew Bodlovich about the feasibility of large scale food production close to the supermarkets that distribute it.

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Are plant-based "milks" better for you than dairy milk? A 2020 study from the Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council found that the nutrients in plant-based milks aren’t an adequate substitute for dairy milk, in spite of popular perceptions. Host Chris Russell speaks to Nutritionist and General Manager of the Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council Sarah Grafenauer about the perceived health benefits of plant-based milks compared to the reality.

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Is Australia a major player in global food production? Or has it, or should it, take advantage of its unique provenance story and become a specialist supplier of niche products to a growing global and affluent middle class? Host Chris Russell speaks to former President of the Australian Lotfeeders Association Kevin Roberts about the growing popularity of Australian grain fed-beef overseas.

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How can farmers make informed production decisions based on food trends? For farmers looking to expand their production to include value-added products, it can be hard to distinguish between legitimate trends and marketing spin. Host Chris Russell speaks to Founder and CEO of New Nutrition Business Julian Mellentin about how they predict food trends and how Australian farmers can take advantage.

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How do farmers in remote communities socialise when their closest neighbour might be hundreds of kilometres away? In the eyes of most Aussies - living in the bush and mateship seem to go together – but is it the reality in modern farming? Active Farmers is a non-profit organisation using group fitness classes to build stronger, fitter and more resilient rural communities. Host Chris Russell speaks to Acting CEO of Active Farmers Marliese Heffernan about the mental and social benefits of staying active and why farmers need group fitness classes when their work is already physically demanding.

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The response to a natural disaster, as planned by state and federal governments, have been implemented, tried and tested during the 2020 bushfires...but how did they go? Our agriminder is the appointed Scientist responsible for the Dairy industry Response in NSW is Dr Neil Moss and he speaks to host Chris Russell about how farmers have been aided by these plans in the immediate aftermath of the devastating 2020 bushfires, as well as the lessons learned  along the way to help improve the government's response in the future. 

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