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 fuel good farming.
“Without a doubt, it is the number one reason why co-operative businesses succeed or fail,” he said. He shared insights into the success of his cropping collaboration at Australia’s first forum on agricultural collectives this week.