Humans of Agriculture

Darren Thomas is the CEO of Thomas Foods International and in this episode we chat about his journey, the family business, and how they've not just made the most of opportunities they've overcome huge adversity. 

From growing into new international markets, supporting local communities, the business is proud of its heritage and excited for the future.

Takeaways

• Being present and connected with employees and customers is crucial for success in the agricultural industry.
• South Australia offers unique advantages for businesses, such as access to owners and CEOs and affordability.
• Strategic acquisitions and expansion into processing have been key factors in the growth of Thomas Foods International.
• Teamwork, continuous learning, and a clear vision are essential for achieving success in the industry. The major fire at the TFI meat processing plant in Murray Bridge was a significant challenge, but there were no injuries or loss of life.
• The rebuilding process was a huge undertaking, but TFI was able to mitigate losses and quickly get back to production.
• TFI has diversified its business into seafood, cooked meats, and pet food, allowing for the extraction of maximum value from the carcass.
• Sustainability and innovation are important focus areas for TFI, including investments in environmental awareness, cyber security, and financial reporting.
• A sustainable price for farmers is crucial for the long-term viability of the agricultural industry.

LivestockSA Partnership:
Today's episode is part of our partnership with Livestock SA's AgRi-Silience program, designed to improve strategic planning and long-term resilience for forward-looking South Australian livestock and broadacre enterprises.

Participants of the program get one-on-one coaching, tailored advice from a consultant and get the chance to meet a network of other farmers enabling long term strategic planning to sustain your business into the future. 

Funded by the Australian Government and the Government of South Australia as part of the Future Drought Fund’s Farm Business Resilience Program, AgRi-Silience has already helped over 1000 South Australian farmers build financial literacy, confidence in decision-making, and essential resilience skills.

Sarah Crosthwaite is a a rural mental health clinician from Northeast Victoria, and she has worked as a rural outreach counsellor to farmers across our region. The rest of the time she works with her husband and their team on our 550-cow dairy farm in the Kiewa Valley.

Sarah Crosthwaite discusses her journey in addressing mental health issues within farming communities. She shares insights from her experiences as a rural outreach counselor, the challenges faced by farmers, and the importance of mental health support. The discussion covers her educational background, the impact of natural disasters on mental health, and the establishment of her counselling service, Open Road Counselling. Sarah emphasises the need for better access to mental health services and the importance of normalising conversations around mental health in agriculture.

She's recently off the stage after presenting her Nuffield Scholarship in Tasmania, where she led with the question, ‘What can be learnt from international farming communities to improve and strengthen positive mental health outcomes for Australian primary producers?

Daniel Kahl, a cotton farmer from Narrabri, Australia, discusses his involvement in the cotton industry and his recent appointment to the board of Cotton Australia. He talks about the resurgence of young people in the town and the collaborative nature of the industry.

Daniel also addresses misconceptions and myths surrounding cotton farming, highlighting the industry's progress in reducing pesticide use and water consumption.

What we chat about:

• The cotton industry in Narrabri has seen a resurgence of young people returning to the town due to the ag opportunities and the close proximity to agricultural universities.
• The cotton industry is known for its collaborative nature, with growers working together to drive the industry forward and overcome challenges.
• The industry has made significant progress in reducing pesticide use and water consumption, with cotton now requiring 97% less pesticides and 40-50% less water to grow a bale.
• The family business is structured with different divisions, each managed by one of the three brothers. They have implemented school-based apprenticeships and gap years to provide development opportunities for their staff.
• His Nuffield scholarship topic focused on the people side of agriculture, reflecting his passion for the industry and the importance of building strong relationships and supporting the next generation. Having diverse perspectives in agriculture, such as a non-agricultural background, can lead to a more robust understanding of the industry.
• Building personal skills and finding ways to connect with people who have different perspectives is crucial for personal development.
• Creating pathways for the next generation in agriculture requires a balance between tertiary and vocational education.
• Implementing learnings from other countries can help improve the structure and development of farm managers in Australia.
• Programs like Ag Career Start play a vital role in providing opportunities and support for young people entering the agriculture industry.