Australia was chosen to host the 2024 International Leadership Seminar for state officers of the National Future Farmers of America Organisation comprising of an 11-day tour.
This dynamic youth organisation fosters future chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers and premier professionals in many career fields. It provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education, drawing members from grades 5-12 and college.
Each year, 75 officers are invited to apply for this event and range in age from 17 to 23 years old. This is their first visit to Australia.
Delegates toured Sydney and Canberra, hearing from speakers from the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and the Office of Agricultural Affairs, US Embassy, and the Future Farmers Network of Australia, before making their way to the Riverina.
There was a visit to renown racehorse breeders, Sandy and Kathy Tait’s historic Gunnong-Jugrawah, property, Coolac, followed by an overview of the Matrix farming technique by Gundagai agronomist Mark Lucas, Pasture Agronomy Service.
Mr Lucas outlined the role perennial pastures play in improving carrying capacity, soil carbon and overall sustainability.
Delegates then moved on to the Lucas family’s Reiland Angus at Killimicat, Tumut, a stud established for 52 years, selling 250 bulls annually and running 1800 breeders across several properties.
Mark, Sam and Huw Lucas and Jess Reynolds gave an overview of the production system, their genetic philosophy and a display of bulls, breeding cows, replacement heifers and Dohne Merino sheep.
Delegates then moved on to the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area to inspect irrigation farms growing barley, wheat, Merino and crossbred sheep at Gogeldrie.
Dr Chris Proud, Rice Breeding Australia, outlined rice production in the MIA. A visit to Southern Cotton Gin, the Whitton Malt House, Hutcheon & Pearce and a Griffith citrus packing shed rounded out the day.
The group also received presentations from Murray Dairy, visited Pepperton Poll Dorset and White Suffolk stud at Elmore, Cobram Estate Olive Oil processing plant, and Marcus Oldham College.
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