Smart Farming Virtual Classroom

Martin is a 4th generation sheep and cattle farmer from Mia Mia, in Victoria. Martin’s family also owns a transport company, including refrigerated transport for livestock by-products where he is also heavily involved. Working with a number of other farmers including share farms Martin enjoys learning new skills and educating community and consumers about the daily in’s and outs of life on a farm and driving trucks. Oh and don’t forget to ask Martin about the insect hotels he so passionately builds!

Hugh is the Head Stockman at Beetaloo Station in the NT. Hugh is an outspoken advocate for the northern Australian agricultural industry and is an alumnus of the Future Northern Cattleman’s Association Future Leaders Program. Hugh is passionate in educating about livestock industry truths as well as promoting the opportunities and benefits of a career in Agriculture in Australia. Hugh was a 2021 finalist in the Zanda McDonald Award, and overall winner of the NT Young Achiever of The Year Award.

Robert runs a family owned beef operation on the Central Coast of NSW called ‘Mackas Australian Black Angus Beef’ with his father and two sons, a large focus of the Mackas business is breeding high quality Black Angus cattle through a refined genetics program. Mackas are keen innovators with a sustainability focus showcasing to the world just how amazing Australian Beef can be. Mackas held the record in 2021 for purchasing the most expensive bull in Australia ‘ICEMAN’!

Michael and Jane own and manage their sheep and cattle property in Harrow, Western Victoria. The Craig’s are heavily involved in their community and the wider sheep industry as committee and taskforce members. Tuloona successfully manage their farm through sustainable practices and using the latest technology, their sheep dogs are their best workers! Much more efficient than the monkeys the previous owners used to help them on the farm!

Emily works with her family on their farm in Kojonup, WA. A passion for sheep and nature has led Emily to become involved in a number of industry groups and committees including the Sheep Sustainability Framework Steering Group. She enjoys educating consumers and regularly bridges the knowledge gap between producers and consumers via social media platforms, aided by her certification in photography! Emily is keen to shape the future of the Ag industry into something sustainable, using leading practices, and ensuring transparency from farm to plate.

Brad owns a mixed farming enterprise comprising of sheep, cattle and crops. Brad is a keen innovator and has designed key animal handling products with Arrow farm quip and Clipex for both cattle and sheep industries. Also the Managing Director for Probreed, Brad is able to use his passion for innovation and driven by data for success with breeding involved to the next level. Finally Brad is keenly involved with local schools, assisting in resource planning for their students to really understand how bright their future can be in the Ag industry.

Fiona is a 5th generation lamb producer and the founder of their family paddock to plate business, "Outback Lamb" and the creator of their premium, farm-fresh, gourmet lamb sausage rolls. Collaborating with renowned pastry chef Christopher Thé of This Is Us, Outback Lamb has a focus on moving up the agricultural value chain by developing lamb based products sourced directly from the farm.

Mark is a geographer by training and a farmer by practice. Mark manages and is the principal of Jigsaw Farms. Jigsaw Farms is a high input, carbon neutral, grazing enterprise located north of Hamilton in South West Victoria. Jigsaw farms run a fine wool sheep flock and self-replacing cattle herd breeding their own livestock from start to finish. The farms also have biodiversity and agroforestry plantations that act as a carbon sink storing just as much carbon as the farms produce!