vegetables

19
What do you enjoy
most about working in
the vegetable industry?
I enjoy the challenge of growing
a variety of crops during the
full growing season. Most of
our vegetable crops are shortterm
so they need a higher
level of management, which
is rewarding when you get the
results. Growing vegetables also
works very well in our rotation
with other aspects of our
business.
What are the biggest
challenges you face
working in the industry?
Managing the cost of production
is a challenge, while maintaining
and/or increasing production
is a constant goal of ours. The
other challenge for the industry
is providing new varieties and
technologies to help increase
yield and therefore increase
profitability. In doing this, we
will help combat the age-long
problem of attracting new and
young people to the industry.
precision agriculture from
planting to harvest is essential
and this has to come from the
whole industry, not just at the
production end.
How do you think
more young people
could be encouraged
to take up jobs in the
vegetable industry?
Make it attractive and sell
the industry as a whole value
chain – explain the career
opportunities available.
Introduce or promote programs
where young people are given
the opportunity to work in all
aspects of our industry so they
can explore the depth of it
and the exciting career path it
can be. Vegetable growing is
not just in the paddock; it is a
huge industry from production,
processing, science, sales and
marketing.
If you weren’t working
in the vegetable
industry, what would
you be doing?
Photography by Belle Young.
Vegetables Australia May/June 2016
Where do you see
opportunities for growth
in the Australian
vegetable industry?
The key to the success of
the vegetable industry is
the expansion of Australian
products into markets both
domestic and overseas. The
more products we move at
shelf level, the greater the
opportunities to grow more
area and expand the industry.
This will also give our larger
companies confidence that
there is a strong future. As
mentioned before, technology
will be a big part of the next
step forward. The use of
I would be working in the
agriculture industry in some
capacity. I believe this industry
is exciting, challenging and
a great way to chisel out a
dynamic career.
Where do you see
yourself in five years?
Doing what we are doing now
– working in a progressive
industry with a bright future.