A modern co-operative, where farmers harvest and store data, could lift technological gains in Australian agriculture, says a Victorian grains leader. Chris Sounness, CEO of the Victorian farmer-owned Birchip Cropping Group, believes in the power of a data co-operative. He says that big data drawn from farm operations is a commodity worth collecting, and a […]
Ten years ago, Nuffield scholar John Gladigau wondered if he would still be owning his 2000ha farm in 2016. Exactly a decade later, he collaboratively farms 11,000ha in a two-family enterprise employing four extra staff. And the most important driver of this expanded venture is something he discovered back in 2006 – that good relationships
Grain collaborator shares ‘number-one reason for success’ Read More »
Clever co-operatives pooling investment funds are high-priority for a visiting international expert. Jack Wilkinson, Director of Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada shared his vision for clever co-op models at Australia’s first forum on agricultural collectives this week. The forum, at Kingscliff, NSW on August 29-30 also saw the launch of the $14.9m Farm Co-operatives and Collaboration
Accountancy researcher Kay Plummer surveyed members from national, regional and local co-operatives and found the model useful for capacity building among the communities they serve. She was addressing the topic at Australia’s first forum on agricultural collectives this week. The forum, at Kingscliff, NSW on August 29-30 also saw the launch of the $14.9m Farm
A modern co-operative, where farmers harvest and store data, could lift technological gains in Australian agriculture, says a Victorian grains leader. Chris Sounness, CEO of the Birchip Cropping Group, brought his vision of a data cooperative to Australia’s first forum on agricultural collectives. The forum, at Kingscliff, NSW on August 29-30 also saw the launch
Findings from a recent Senate inquiry could see more rebel shoppers among Australian consumers, according to a national business leader. Melina Morrison, chief executive of the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals, said consumers do not have to wait for the Senate inquiry recommendations to be enacted. ‘Purse-strings protest’ for co-op forum
Beef producers need to look beyond current high returns and develop co-operatives to outlast future price downturns, according to a Queensland farmer and Churchill Foundation scholar. Emma Robinson, who is also the 2016 Queensland Rural Women of the Year, has used the experience of her 2015 overseas study tour and funding providing through the RIRDC
Farmers will be empowered to establish cooperatives and adopt innovative business models to boost their bargaining position in the marketplace under the Coalition Government’s $13.8 million Farm Co-operatives and Collaboration Pilot Program. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, Minister for Regional Development, Fiona Nash, and Member for Page, Kevin
