In the last few weeks, I've been really busy on a number of RaynerAg tasks. I have had a chance to visit a number of producers on farm to discuss feeding programs to best manage the drought; delivered at several drought workshops; pregnancy tested over 1,040 cows and even delivered some social media training as part of seniors week!
With all thats has been happening, its exciting to also realise that RaynerAg has now been operating for 12 months. I reckon I am incredibly fortunate. I have been so supported by producers who have been prepared to pay me to provide them with ideas, advice and opinions which can have a significant impact on their businesses. I've also been supported by many organisations ranging from Government Departments through to Agri-buisnesses who have asked me to develop and deliver staff training and development.
When I left the NSW DPI after a 17 year career as a District Livestock Officer (Beef Products) there was no way I could have guessed what the year ahead would bring me. I knew I wanted to build a business which would allow me to do what I am passionate about, which is to help other people operate their agricultural businesses more effectively and more profitably.
Establishing a new business providing advice and training has been a challenge. Paying for advice to aid livestock production is a new concept in the NSW beef industry. However I have found many producers are willing to pay for advice and ideas which can be tailored and focussed to their specific needs.
I have been fortunate in developing strong relationships with clients from across NSW, Queensland and South Australia. The people I am working with are enthusiastic about their businesses and determined to achieve the goals they are setting for themselves and for their businesses.
Looking back I didn't expect I would have included overseas work in my first year. Last year I was able to travel to Malaysia to work with MLA with the developing goat market and to assist in training farmers in livestock handling under the ESCAS program.
The chance to work in another country was incredibly valuable in helping me appreciate our traceability systems as well as the seeing our markets from the international clients view. I reckon I am better placed to discuss the impact on markets or why traceability systems are so vital having seen whats happening in the market place.
The past year has also been a great year for learning new skills. I've enjoyed writing a weekly blog for the web site. I wasn't too sure about writing a blog when I first started, but I do enjoy sharing my observations and I appreciate the regular feedback many people send me on things I've written.
Learning to become a pregnancy tester was a new skill. Undertaking the course and learning the skill to be an accurate tester was something I wanted to do, so I could offer a better level of advice and service for producers. Now with over 1,000 cows tested and more booked in, I'm better positioned to help the producers I work with, manage issues such as fertility and stocking rate during this drought.
I reckon the second year for RaynerAg is going to be just as exciting and rewarding. I am talking with producers in Tasmania and South Australia about delivering workshops on better bull buying and live animal assessment. I'm also developing a one day course for people wishing to improve their skills to undertake the role of stewards at their local agricultural show.
I'm looking forward to working with a number of bull breeders in NSW and Queensland to assess the structure of their bulls and to use that information to provide their clients with enhanced information on each bull.
While these are exciting plans, I'm just as excited about the continuing work I am doing with individual producers. I really do enjoy being on a farm discussing the best way to achieve outcomes and to see the results as plans come together.
I do reckon I'm incredibly fortunate. I love my job and I enjoy working with so many people passionate about their industry and about agriculture. I am looking forward to continuing to provide a professional, independent and technically based advisory service to agriculture. Thank you for your support over the past 12 months, and I hope I can offer you the service you and your business are looking for into the future.