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14
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February/March
- 2017
| 15
HOW DID YOU FIRST BECOME INVOLVED IN THE
POTATO INDUSTRY?
I grew a five hectare crop of Russet Burbank potatoes in
2008. It was a monster crop. Previously, I knew nothing
about potatoes, only that I liked them mashed.
WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE IN THE BUSINESS INVOLVE,
AND WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES?
I run the business. Thankfully I have help with the physical
day-to-day running from employees and my younger brother,
which allows me time to organise everything from crop
rotations, timing of jobs, contract work, crunching numbers to
ensure crops which are being grown remain viable or whether
better alternatives are available, organise irrigation, fertiliser
etc. It’s a lot of organising and forward-planning basically.
| YOUNG GROWER PROFILE |
NAME:
Bradey Davis
AGE:
29
LOCATION:
Deloraine, Tasmania
WORKS:
Little Bowerbank (220 hectare cropping
and prime lamb production)
GROWS:
Potatoes, carrots, poppies, cereals, onions
GROWING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING IN
THE POTATO INDUSTRY, AND HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN
YOUR ENTHUSIASM?
The people I deal with in the industry are great and I enjoy
growing the crop. I have a natural enthusiasm and I enjoy
what I do. Whenever I get to a point where I’m not
enjoying something, I will identify the reason and fix it or
change something in the business, therefore enthusiasm
is easy to maintain.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU FACE
WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY?
Horrendous weather is always a challenge. It’s mainly heavy
rainfall that makes planting and/or harvesting difficult.
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT AREAS OF RESEARCH
ARE IMPORTANT TO THE POTATO INDUSTRY AND
YOUR BUSINESS?
For my business specifically, it is variety research on more
profitable, robust varieties. For the potato industry as a
whole, maybe research on what consumers want in order
to remain relevant.
WHERE DO YOU RECEIVE YOUR ON-FARM PRACTICE
ADVICE AND INFORMATION FROM?
An agronomist with extensive experience relative to
our business.
WHERE DO YOU SEE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH
IN THE AUSTRALIAN POTATO INDUSTRY?
I think we should advertise chips and gravy more. It’s
simple, but it’s a winner – instant growth for sure. I don’t
have much knowledge of the broader industry, but to me
growth means increased volume or increased profitability
so maybe new value-added products to generate sales and
interest in potatoes.
AS A POTATO GROWER, WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST
ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR?
Receiving the Rabobank Simplot Young Potato Grower of
the Year award in 2012.
AS A RESULT OF RECEIVING THE AWARD, YOU ATTENDED
RABOBANK’S FARM MANAGERS PROGRAM (FMP). HOW
DID ATTENDING THE PROGRAM BENEFIT YOU AS A
GROWER RUNNING YOUR OWN FARMING OPERATION?
I felt the program was perfect for me and where I was in
relation to business understanding. Along with gaining
knowledge of how to operate a small business, I also took
a lot away from a management perspective in terms of
managing my time, co-workers and industry personnel,
and also managing myself. The FMP gave me tools to have
a clearer outlook on my business and I have been enjoying
it ever since.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS?
Still doing what I am doing with no major adjustments
business-wise. However, I hope to have implemented
more changes to make day-to-day running easier, simpler
and quicker.
WHAT IS YOUR VISION OF THE AUSTRALIAN POTATO
INDUSTRY IN THE FUTURE?
I think it will remain strong. A growing population needs food.
HOW DO YOU THINK MORE YOUNG PEOPLE COULD
BE ENCOURAGED TO STUDY AND TAKE UP JOBS IN
THE POTATO INDUSTRY?
I think there is a solid number of young people in the industry
at the moment so whatever has been happening is working.
I also think that with more technology entering the industry,
young people will follow in different capacities.
Photography by Heath Holden Photography.