Sustainable necessities drive farming future

SMALLER farms meant British agriculture was more efficient and environmentally sustainable with a greater preparedness to experiment.

That’s how Serpentine’s Macey Holland views a country that imports 60 per cent of its agricultural products after studying in Britain as a 2022 Horizon Scholar.

Macey returned to Australia just before Christmas and is now preparing to start the third year of her agricultural science degree at Melbourne University.

“In Britain, farmers don’t have the space to rest paddocks and must give more attention to detail and efficient practices to get through,” she said.

Macey said one study project during her time at University of Reading on the scholarship funded by Australian research and development corporations was gathering data on irrigation of a maize crop.

“The modelling was to get the best yield growing maize in Spain ... how much water would be too much,” she said.

“More water means money being wasted unnecessarily.”

Macey said the study project showed what could be achieved with efficient use of water.

“We struggle with water use although In the Australian context, we are not a poor country but in terms of infrastucture and use of water we are. We don’t have the money to pipe into the middle of Australia.”

University of Reading plans to be net zero carbon by 2030, a sustainability theme Macey takes up championing future farming practices for Australian cropping.

She said it was “fantastic to have quality and elite grain” but it still needed to be at an affordable price.

““We could get to the point that no one can afford to buy the grain and what’s the point of that? Barriers need to change. We can sit on a pedestal and say we grow the best food but if no one buys ....?”

Macey said agriculture was fundamental to Australia’s economy and supply chain “but not enough people realise that”.

“Agriculture is often swept under the rug because you can buy food at the supermarket,” she said. “In Australia we need to educate kids that food doesn’t come from the supermarket.”

Macey said the Horizon scholarship had played an important role in shaping and refining her ideas for professional pathways in agriculture.

“Farming is a self-led profession and I want to be doing my bit. Agriculture is not a full stop profession.”

Macey is majoring in economics and sees a plethora of future pathways including trade, marketing, wool and grain.

She admits to wanting to know how every step of the production chain happens.

“I’m probably more business minded and see some attraction towards agricultural marketing or leading into supply chain management.

“There are so many opportunities. The scholarship is providing me the opportunity to connect with industry professionals and gaining valuable hands-on experience in the agricultural science industry.

“When I finish my degree, I am interested in pursuing a career involving trade and sustainable resource management.