Oster Farming is a 4th generation continuous cropping operation based on the Central Yorke Peninsula.
Along with my wife Hannah, brother Charlie and our parents Elden and Julie, we grow wheat, barley, lentils, chickpeas and oaten/wheaten hay. We also run a grazing property in the Adelaide Hills, and operate an ag contracting business specialising in fodder production and windrowing.
Our 1500ha of cropping country consists of mainly grey loam/loam over limestone with a clay rubble base, and an average rainfall of 350mm.
After a nice wet January, then a very quiet four months in the rainfall department, we got our break towards the end of May. Currently midway through the season, we applied our first pass of urea to all the cereals in the first week of June with not a lot of rainfall opportunity since for second application. Having quite a dry June/July period has meant that we have kept the spraying programme up to date. All of our application decisions are made in close consultation with our independent agronomist Craig Davis.
Like the majority of South Australia, there is still plenty of potential for some exciting yields, but we will need a good drink in the next couple of weeks to harness that potential.
With so much going on in the world, being aware of what's going on in the business, political and financial world has been a big focus for us as a family farming team.
We have sourced and secured inputs 12 months prior to us needing them, to ensure supply in an uncertain time. Some of these decisions can be stressful and a bit of a gamble putting a dent in cash flow, but has guaranteed us supply.
We have also turned over machinery during an inflation period and been able to source replacements, which we feel has led to some serious savings in machinery costs.
Navigating the next 12 months through a rise in interest rates, uncertain grain prices and continual fluctuations with input costs will be an interesting ride.
What a time to be involved in the best industry in the world!
We see one of our biggest threats being FMD on our doorstep, what an outbreak would mean to not only the livestock sector, but the flow on impacts to grain, fodder and supporting ag sectors, is unthinkable. We constantly need to focus on how we will navigate through uncertain times to keep us in a positive position for the future.
Communication within our family is something we realise is also important as our business evolves. We now have quarterly meetings chaired by an outside party, which helps to eliminate misunderstandings and also ensure everyone is happy or able to vent frustrations. Weekly “toolbox meetings” are also helping to ensure we are on the same path.
We believe constant communication with advisors, and also between family members, as critical to keeping our family farming team running smoothly as we navigate the challenges in these uncertain times.