The University of Real Life

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By Dwain Duxson - An Ag Enthusiast

The University of Real Life - I heard on this excellent Profitable Farmer podcast edition yesterday, it featured Tim McGavin from Agricultural Investment Company Laguna Bay. Tim is a highly respected Agriculturalist, and I highly recommend you listen to this podcast; there are so many takeaways. You can listen here.

One of the things Tim talked about is the University system (he’s been through it) and how it’s lost its lustre somewhat and is the wrong model for young people looking to advance themselves. I can’t image Universities falling by the wayside, but I know a lot of them are struggling to make money, and there is a school of thought that you are better off joining the workforce post-school. We joke that all students come out as qualified baristas, a massive HECS debt, and perhaps a list of lost opportunities.

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This got me thinking: Has/will the popularity of life on a Cattle station in the north replace the University course? Is it a case of young people looking for real-life experiences that will teach them about so many of life challenges rather than, say, a lineup of classes delivered by career lecturers who are rigid in their thinking?

How do we capture the influx of these people looking to the north and redistribute them to other Farms around Australia and make the whole ecosystem a desirable place to start their working life? There is a two-sided opportunity here, not only for the young ones but for Agriculture as well. How do we roll out the head-north-to-a-Cattle-Station model to other Farming outfits? Reply to dwaind@farmtender.com.au

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