UK travel aids Sam’s passion for agronomy

Sam, who moved to Mount Gambier to start working as an agronomist for Elders earlier this year, was the recipient of a BBM Youth Support Award that allowed him to travel to the United Kingdom in 2015 and learn more on-ground from local agronomists.

Sam grew up on a beef cattle operation in north east Vic, which has just been sold, and studied a Bachelor of Agriculture Science through Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, as well as a Diploma in Agriculture through Tafe NSW.

While still studying, the opportunity came up to apply for the BBM award, in the field of agriculture.

“I thought it was just another thing that you apply for and never get so didn’t think too much about it,” he said.

But his head teacher Graham Anderson encouraged him to give it a chance and he found out he was successful in time for Christmas in 2014.

Coming from an animal management background, but with an interest in agronomy, he wanted more insight into soils and plants.

He contacted agronomy company Agrovista and was put in contact with a number of agronomists throughout England and Scotland to visit for his month-long trip, midway through 2015.

“I ended up doing a full study tour across the UK,” he said.

While working alongside Shropshire agronomist Andrew Wade, on the border of England and Wales, Sam said he was surprised by the similarities between Australia and the UK, in managing weed and pest problems.

“I informed him we were having problems with glyphosate resistance in ryegrass and in wild radish, and he told me about the problems the UK were facing with black grass and glyphosate resistance,” he said.

On his trips to Edinburgh, Northumberland, Norwich and Cornwall, he got to see horticulture, a variety of crops, including wheat and barley in the UK summer, pastures and learn more about dairy and beef barns. 

“Everywhere I went was different again, which was surprising considering how small the UK is,” he said.

Sam said one of the biggest things he gained from the trip was it confirmed his love of agronomy.

He has since graduated and just started work in Mount Gambier, where he is focusing on pastoral agronomy for dairy and beef operations, but says his time in the UK also spiked an interest in horticultural agronomy, such as carrots or potatoes.

He said he has also made useful contacts.

“A lot of the pastures stuff I’m doing is relatable and if I’ve got a question, even though they’re half a world away, they can help,” he said.

Students looking to learn skills in an international context are encouraged to apply for BBM Youth Support awards.

BBM Youth Support offers awards in a range of categories, including agriculture and horticulture, allowing people aged 16 to 23 years old to explore their chosen topic in ways not possible in Australia. On their return awardees are encouraged to share these skills.

An award is valued at $8000, comprising airfares and a cash component to cover all other expenses including accommodation and living costs.  

It is designed to be a self-directed learning experience to give young people a chance to not only improve their professional development, but to grow in confidence and build their own aspiration for the future. 

Agricultural awardees must be studying or have completed a Certificate IV in Agriculture.

The awards open on May 31 and close on July 31.