I recently attended a GRDC grower update. This was the first time I had been to one of these sessions. It turns out I have been missing out all these years.

There was an array of excellent speakers on a myriad of different topics. As is quite often the case, some cause for reflection came from the impromptu conversations you tend to have with people.

A farmer I was sitting next to mentioned the influence one of the speakers had on early adopters of direct drilling.

This got me thinking about the importance of people that provide the technical advice and, just as important, the encouragement to farmers that are first movers in agriculture.

These researchers are just as passionate about their particular area of innovation as the farmer is. In combination they can be quite a dynamic team.

Everyone that is pushing the boundaries of what was considered not possible has times where they have some self-doubt about what they are doing.

Having someone backing them all the way with moral and practical support makes an enormous difference.

Those farmers who are pushing the envelope will inevitably have doubters in their sphere of influence.

Quite often it will be people quite close to them, including family members.

An unshakable belief in what they are trying to achieve will be what sees them through to success.

Of course, sometimes the new technology or innovation won’t be successful, but quite often it will be a catalyst for further development and research and the new idea will gain traction.

Timing in all areas of life can be crucial.

The other obvious benefit of these early innovators is they lead the way for others to follow in due course.

Some people may well be vocal in their skepticism of new farming systems but, rest assured, there would be a large silent majority that are watching intently.

I think most people would agree the level of technological uptake and innovation is amazing within agriculture.

This is driven by those who are constantly trying to improve their businesses.

Most farmers see themselves as custodians of the land while they are in the driver’s seat.

Most people have a desire to leave things in better shape when they exit the day-to-day running of the business than where it was when they started their journey.

Quite a few farmers knew from an early age agriculture was the place for them. I suspect the same could be said for those providing services to the ag sector.

Something I have noticed in recent years is the uptake of ag courses by young people.

There are scores of training courses and qualifications that people of any age can do to increase their knowledge and skills.

The community generally, and young people in particular, are recognising the opportunities that abound in the farming sector.

This has been widely known by most of us for a long time. It would seem agriculture is in good hands.