THE Moree region continues to flex its strength as an agricultural powerhouse, with an influx of fresh young agricultural science graduates choosing to forge their careers in the district.
James Garnsey and Dior Rohr are two next-gen agronomists calling Moree home, and exemplify the future of agricultural consultants, buoyed by technology and innovation, and excited for the untapped opportunity data affords.
James is a recent University of Sydney graduate, while Dior last month graduated from the University of Armidale, and both now work for local private agronomy firm, Poole Ag Consulting.
From drone mapping to analysing yield and soil data, 23-year-old James comes armed with a passion for data, and a keen thirst for knowledge.
“My ag science degree had a strong precision ag component, and I really love data,” James smiled.
However, he admits putting it into practice hasn’t been quite as straightforward outside the classroom.
“Data isn’t always as pretty in the real world, but I’m really keen to see how we can use the information we have at hand to help underpin genuinely informed management decisions for optimal production, and essentially profitability,” he said.
Having grown up in Bourke, and then Wagga Wagga, James knew his future lay in rural Australia, and with family in the area, he’s very happy to now call Moree home.
“My first impression was just how driven every producer is to be more productive, to increase their efficiency and trial new innovations – the region is an agricultural powerhouse, and local growers are certainly industry leaders,” he said.
It was university holidays spent working on corporate farms that piqued his interest in an agronomy career – describing it as “the junction of science and nature, creating a synergy to maximise soil and plant health, and production”.
A career in agronomy wasn’t always on 21-year-old Dior Rohr’s horizon – while bug-checking in 40 degree summer heat is not for the faint-hearted, the experience marked an unexpected turning point in her career aspirations.
“I hadn’t really considered a career in agronomy until I came out here bug-checking in 2022, and again for the 2023 season,” Dior said.
“I came with a friend after seeing the opportunity at the UNE Careers Fair, and had so much fun.
“The work is hard, but it’s so rewarding, and certainly not boring – your mind is always on and you have to use your head, rather than just physical labour or sitting on a machine.”
Dior, who grew up in the Hunter Valley on a cattle property, admits she’d never even seen a cotton crop before bug-checking, and loved her season.
Ever curious, with a drive to find practical solutions and problem solve, Dior is excited by the rewards and challenges of agronomy.
And she believes there’s no better place to launch her career than in the north-west.
“This region is such an agricultural powerhouse, and it’s such a privilege to be working with some of Australia’s most progressive growers,” Dior said.
“I’m looking forward to building relationships with growers, managers and other industry stakeholders – there’s such a strong network here in Moree – and, of course, gaining skills and knowledge to build my expertise.
“I’m also particularly excited by cotton production. It’s such a complex crop and it’s a challenge I’m looking forward to embracing.”
Cotton is also a new commodity for James, and he too has enjoyed upskilling in cotton agronomy during his first season on the job.
He’s also enjoying being part of the Poole Ag team, and is thrilled to work for a progressive business with its eye to the future.
“It’s exciting to work with a team, and clients, not afraid to trial some of the latest technology and innovation,” James said.
“Ag is on the precipice of an exciting new digital age, and as a young ‘agro’ I’m optimistic I’m in a position to help be part of that transition – seeing what works and what doesn’t, and how we can adopt and leverage new technology to benefit growers is a very exciting proposition,” he smiled.
Words and Image: Georgina Poole
