From broadacre cropping to running a lamb enterprise, and then a sharp turn into owning an apple orchard. Experiences that sharpened skills in leadership, technology and business management for my guest today. Problem solving is one common thread in agriculture no matter what food or fibre you produce. So, to learn more about the fruit business, Iain McLennan who has joined his family in an apple orchard called 'St Albans' in Orange as farm manager joins me now.
- Iain shares his favourite place on the property, overlooking one of the dams where it feels like you're in the middle of nowhere. Change is on the way as Iain leads a major redevelopment of the orchard, focused on both improvement and expansion. After working as an agronomist and running a lamb enterprise, Iain shares what it has been like making the significant shift into orchard management. He explains what prompted his decision to return to the family orchard. Problem solving was one of the things Iain loved most about agronomy, and he shares how those skills continue to serve him in the orchard. Through his Nuffield Scholarship, Iain explored sustainability best practices and shares some of his observations from Australia and overseas. He discusses Australian Carbon Credit Units and how current restrictions can exclude established orchards despite their potential for significant carbon capture. Iain shares some of the trials underway at St Albans, including cover crops, different mowing techniques, compost and mulching. He shares what he loves most about life on the land. Iain addresses some of the common misconceptions about the apple and orchard industry. One of the most unexpected outcomes of his Nuffield Scholarship was the incredible network of people he gained along the way. Iain's ultimate goal for the future is to spend more time working on the business rather than being caught up in the day-to-day operations.
We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.
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