Australian Farmers: Telling Our Story Angie Asimus

In a world driven by artificial intelligence and autonomous machines – the agriculture industry is changing dramatically. But with more technology, does life become more complicated? One farming couple is striving to create better and simpler practices with farm-bots. They used their own farm in Central Queensland as the testing ground and now – these mechanical helpers are being deployed to farms across the country. To learn more Jocie and Andrew Bate join me now to discuss:
Jocie and Andrew have different places on their farm that they enjoy spending time.
Since the late 1970s, Andrew’s family has been working on the farm and he shares how the use of machinery has changed over the years.
Bigger is not always better and Andrew explains the machinery trends – they are getting bigger and so much more complicated.
In 2012, Andrew started to wonder if there was a better way and introduced robotics to the farm.
Partnering with two universities, they opened their property up to being the testing ground and before they knew it, they had a prototype.
The current design of the SwarmBots, what they do and, how they help farmers.
How these robotics can use targeted weed recognition, meaning farmers are able to use 1% of their previously needed pesticides.
Commercially, they have farmed over 3 million acres with these robotics, and counting.
The difference between ‘farming automation’ and  ‘farming with autonomous robots’.
In 2020, the Bates brought on investors so they were able to raise funds to take this industry to the next level.
What Jocie and Andrew love most about life on the land.
The most common misconception around SwarmFarm Robotics
An unexpected event to happen since starting to work the land with Robotics.
Jocie and Andrew ‘s ultimate dream for the future


We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.

Links:
Angie Asimus
Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram
Partnered with Australian Farmers 
Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram 
 
SwarmFarm Robotics

You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who doesn’t love a spud! Baked, mashed, jacket, wedge, or hash brown – they’re all good. In fact, 85% percent of us have potatoes in the home pantry. But perhaps more unexpectedly, the huge industry behind this vegetable warrants a World Potato Congress. And this year’s is happening in our own backyard in Adelaide on the 23rd-26th of June. The colourful ambassador for the event is Robbie Davis – and she’s never spent a single day as a potato farmer. The event is hosted by Potatoes Australia with significant support from the SA Government, Primary Industries and Regions SA and Business Events Adelaide. To learn more about this intriguing event, Robbie joins me to discuss:
Robbie is not a potato grower but, she is a farmer and shares her favourite thing about being the ambassador for the World Potato Congress. So, what is the World Potato Congress, and why is it important? This year it’s Adelaide’s turn to host the World Potato Congress and the theme for this year. Robbie shares the hidden super powers of the potato. We hear how this journey of potatoes began for Robbie as she shares some experiences since joining the world of potatoes in 2012. What Robbie loves about taking on leadership roles in the industry. The passion Robbie has for the industry is evident and she shares some of her highlights from her time in agriculture. Are there any exciting new developments happening in the potato world? What Robbie loves most about working in ag. The most unexpected thing to happen in Robbie’s career since becoming the voice for potatoes. A common misconception about the humble potato. The ultimate dream for the future. We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.
 
Links:
Angie Asimus
Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram
Partnered with Australian Farmers 
Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram 
 
World Potato Congress
 
 
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A father-daughter duo is embarking on a bold venture to offer curious visitors, a front row seat to a day in the life of a traditional farmer. From lamb-marking to planting winter crops, and even fencing – whatever is on the agenda is an open book. Gilgooma located near Coonamble in north-west NSW is an 11,500-acre working property and now a farm-stay. Hire a cabin or book a camping experience and sit back to take in some bush magic. To learn more about Gilgooma’s diversification project Steve Goldsmith and his daughter Pip join me to discuss:
Steve and Pip share their favourite place on their land. They explain their operation, what a day looks life and, how the seasons impact their work. They are working on a new farm stay and Pip shares her dream for this project. Gilgooma is not a hobby farm and the real and raw experience visitors can expect. Steve and Pip take us behind the scenes as we look at the daily jobs. Rural life often sounds very romantic on the outside but can have a lot of trials. Pip shares how important it is for people to see this side of life on the land. . The wildlife and scenery is beautiful and Pip shares what activities there are at Gilgooma. Pip’s plans to expand to events. Steve’s favourite thing about life on the land, a place he will never leave. The biggest misconception for Pip about this life. The most unexpected thing to happen. The ultimate dream for the future for both Pip and Steve.  
We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.
 
 
Links:
Angie Asimus
Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram
 
Partnered with Australian Farmers 
Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram 
 

Being a farmer often means being your own boss. It can involve long days spent alone. Given that, it’s very easy to stay in your own lane. Jamie Pepper’s ‘lane’ is sheep and cattle farming in Victoria. But he’s stepped outside his comfort zone in many ways. He’s a leader in the industry, with a place on the National Farmers Federation Young Farmers’ Council – a role that’s taken him to the other side of the world. He’s also openly gay and shares his story in the hope it may help others. To learn more, Jamie Pepper joins me now to discuss:
Jamie’s favourite place on his sheep and cattle farm. Generally his day starts with checking animals, which is has a crucial role in his daily routine. The farming life is in Jamie’s DNA and he always had a long-term goal to be a farmer. Jamie’s role on the NFF’s Young Farmers’ Council which, ultimately lead to him going to COP 28 in Dubai last year. Jamie shares his experience and what he learnt meeting young farmers from around the world. Jamie’s perception of Australian farmers on a global scale. His experience representing the sector in Berlin this year and the opportunities that arose from this. Leadership is important to Jamie and he says, “It was engrained in me as a kid, that it’s important to give back and to do what you can.” Jamie is openly gay and has spoken about this very generously so others can be themselves. Becoming an advocate in the agricultural space and his desire to encourage anyone. who What Jamie loves most about life on the land. A common misconception about farming. Jamie’s most unexpected experience over the last few years. His ultimate dream for the future.  
We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.
 
Links:
Angie Asimus
Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram
 
Partnered with Australian Farmers 
Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram 
 
Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn
Connect with Jamie on Instagram
 
 
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Mum, wife and bull catcher are roles you don’t often see on the same resume. But my guest today does all three in the Northern Territory. Liz Cook is an outback ringer, which means she wrangles feral cattle for a living. Bull catching can be a lucrative business with hundreds of thousands of wild bulls and buffalo wandering remote properties across the country unclaimed. It is tough, it’s dangerous and it’s isolated. To learn more about this high stakes world, Liz Cook joins me now to discuss:
Liz is based on Bauhinia (bo-hin-ya) Downs Station and, her favourite place on the land. The distance is vast, for some perspective, the closest shop Darwin is more than 10 hours away. Originally from New Zealand, Liz shares how she became a ringer in outback Australia. Liz and her husband, lease land for the right to catch feral bulls and ultimately are able to make a living that way. We’re given a picture of how the feral buffalo, cattle and wild horses got there and, why there is a need to catch them. The environmental impact of these feral cattle herds is huge, particularly in our National Parks where they roam free. These animals have never seen humans before and therefore can be quite dangerous and, the best-case scenarios for capturing them. These animals need to be in good condition if Liz is going to then raise and then sell them. She shares how they define these characteristics. The community is in need of this service, and Liz explains who they contract to. What Liz loves most about this lifestyle. The most unexpected thing to happen in her time as an Outback Ringer. A common misconception about her work. The ultimate dream for the future for Liz and her family. We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.
 
Links:
Angie Asimus
Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram
Partnered with Australian Farmers 
Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram 
 
WATCH ‘Outback Ringer’ in iView
Follow @lizcooknt on Instagram
 
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If you’re a dog lover, you’d be no stranger to the impressive intelligence, agility and loyalty of working dogs. But these special animals gained a whole new fan club with the hit TV series Muster Dogs. Today I speak with the owner of star pup Gossip. There is a lot to breeding these amazing canines that are so highly sought after on farms that some are worth a small fortune. Happily, for those of us who don’t own one, Teesh Grey from Pilbara Working Dogs photographs life on her outback station for us all to enjoy. We discuss:
Teesh’s favorite place on the land. Working dogs weren’t always her thing and she shares how she started. The most famous of Teesh’s dogs is Gossip who had a starring role in Muster Dogs. Teesh gives us an update on how she is going now. Working dogs are so valuable to farmers often doing the work of several people. The Australian record for a working dog is $50 000 and Teesh explains why this is actually a good investment. The most common working dogs are border collies and kelpies and, Teesh’s preferred breed. In her spare time Teesh is a photographer taking gorgeous photos of the kelpies. What she loves most about life on the land. The most unexpected thing to happen in the running of the station. A common misconception about working with dogs on the land. Teesh’s ultimate dream for the future We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus
 
Links:
Angie Asimus
Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram
Partnered with Australian Farmers 
Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram 
 
Pilbara Working Dogs
 
 
 
Produced by Pretty Podcasts