Show Notes

In this episode of the Hay Matters Podcast, part of our Next Generation series, we sit down with Ella Lanyon, a broadacre grower from Victoria’s Wimmera region, to talk about farming, industry connections and the inspiration behind the Griffin Lanyon Legacy Tour.

Ella shares the story behind the tour, created in memory of her younger brother Griffin, and how it brought together young people from across Australia to explore different farming systems, businesses and opportunities within agriculture.

Alongside the tour, Ella also talks about her own farming operation near Birchip, where she manages a broadacre cropping business with her father while completing a Masters in Agriculture. From crop rotations and hay production to machinery investment and planting strategies, the discussion offers a practical look at decision-making on farm.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The idea behind the Griffin Lanyon Legacy Tour and how it honours Griffin’s passion for agriculture and community
• Why getting young farmers off farm to see other systems and operations is so valuable • The importance of networking and learning from others across the industry
• Visiting farms, feedlots, machinery operations and processing facilities across Victoria and South Australia
• Ella’s broadacre cropping operation near Birchip
• A three-way rotation of legumes, barley and oaten hay
• Increasing lentil production and how it compares to vetch
• Balancing grain and hay production depending on seasonal conditions
• Opportunistically cutting cereals for hay when moisture becomes limiting
• Planning for the season ahead, including planting windows and weed control
• Investing in machinery to improve efficiency and expand capacity

Ella’s story highlights both the opportunities and pressures facing the next generation of farmers, from managing family businesses to making strategic decisions about crops, inputs and investment.

One key takeaway?

Young farmers benefit enormously from stepping outside their own operations. Seeing different systems, sharing experiences and building industry connections can bring new ideas, perspective and confidence back to the farm.