Name: Hamish Dickson 
Age: 27
Location: Clare, SA
Job title: Livestock Consultant
How did you get into agriculture? I grew up on a mixed farm in the central tablelands of NSW. This exposed me to farming and agriculture in general from an early age. While I was growing up I considered a variety of careers from paramedics to National Park management however eventually I came back to agriculture.
Education: Bachelor of Science (Agriculture), University of Sydney
If you studied/trained in agriculture, why did you choose that degree/certificate? I chose an ag science degree because I felt I had a good practical understanding of agriculture but wanted to learn the science behind why and how decisions are made on farm.
What are/were your plans after school/tafe/university? After I left university I wanted to move into advising farmers on the best ways to operate their farms (I soon learnt I had lots to learn too!)
Describe your job on the average day: My job is pretty mixed, I may have some work to do managing on farm trials that we run or maybe working with a farmer to answer queries about their livestock operation or sometimes even presenting a workshop to a group of farmers about animal health or nutrition.
I am also involved on a committee developing a great conference designed to invigorate people in agriculture, create fantastic networks and get us all thinking about what the future of ag might hold, check it out… www.invigoratingag.com.au
What is your favourite part of your job? The completely varied work that I do, it never gets monotonous!
What are your interests? Travel – particularly to remote areas
What’s your favourite thing about the industry? The huge diversity of opportunities for work and business
Best experience in agriculture? Working outdoors in a job that can have huge effects on peoples businesses and also working with other people passionate about agriculture.
Worst experience in agriculture? The occasional 4am start to fly to a client’s property for a visit – however this is usually forgotten after a coffee and slice once there!
What do you think will be the biggest challenges of the agricultural industry in the future? I think there are real threats to agriculture from a shortage of people in the industry and lack of foresight by government. I think there is a real challenge to overcome these and to also expand the current narrow view of what agriculture is.
Why do you think less people are becoming involved in agriculture? I think less people are becoming involved in agriculture because there is a big disconnect between what the public’s view of agriculture is and what the opportunities really are.
What advice do you have for people thinking about getting into agriculture? Go for it! There are endless jobs and opportunities in all facets of the industry – if you can think of a job I bet it will be in agriculture somewhere – and if it isn’t maybe you’ve found a new business opportunity…
How important do you think an agricultural background is to become involved in the industry? We need people with varied backgrounds to provide different perspectives to the industry. Agriculture can be a business like any other, from that perspective anyone and everyone can be involved in agriculture.
