With eight weeks of independent travel required for my Nuffield scholarship between July and November, I opted to spend most of three weeks in Ireland.
What an absolute delight! A born and bred Warwick girl with the obligatory Aussie-Irish grandmother, this trip has long been on my bucket list, and I shall be forever indebted to Nuffield Australia and my sponsor Westpac Agribusiness for making it happen.
Looking for ideas targeting my study topic of ‘better business management and succession planning as it relates to our northern beef industry’, I wasn’t disappointed.
Interesting and informed farmers, extension staff, agribusiness consultants, finance specialist and academics all refreshingly positive and calm but concerned about the implications of Brexit.
The Nuffield ‘machine’ has an incredible way of helping a scholar find the next appointment, dinner, bed, or industry expert to cross-examine, and the faultlessly generous, cheerful and hospitable Irish made this process seamless.
I was spoilt to see lots of Limousin herds and it probably helped visiting in the driest summer in 40 years to make travelling conditions very comfortable.
With a fantastic motorway system at my disposal, I visited all corners of the Emerald Isle and was genuinely impressed with what the Irish achieve through smarts and effort.
I found a spirit of action, of youth and enthusiasm, of advancement through scientifically reasoned production, where environmental requirements are met with some carrot to induce compliance, but mainly where good marketing is kicking goals.
When you scratch at the underbelly of Irish agriculture you find a situation enhanced with free education, well-targeted government supports (particularly R,D&E) and appropriate industry structures.
There is a discussion group culture which helps foster sharing of information and ideas, peer support and friendly competition particularly amongst young producers.
Teagasc – the Agriculture and Food Development Authority – has a very visible presence and integrates research, advisory and training services well.
The Irish aren’t afraid to try different structures to achieve change, as evidenced by their Land Mobility Service.
The program’s intention is to foster collaborative arrangements, mostly long-term leases, between landholders and people wanting to grow their business.
With 400 agreements in motion, it will be interesting to watch this service progress.
Having travelled to 13 countries this year, I’ve encountered a theme of encouraging intergenerational transfer as a means of addressing the rapid pace of change and staying competitive.
Are we Aussies on board?
– Alison Larard, Evelyn Limousins, Westpac 2018 Nuffield Scholar
