Harry Kelly on balance in farming and keeping an open mind

Nuffield scholar Harry Kelly has diversified his fourth-generation farm to great success — and the ‘how’ is remarkably straightforward.

Harry Kelly sees farming as more business-oriented than ever. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Keeping an open mind, asking questions and simply speaking to other producers about what motivates them is central to the farming practice of Harry Kelly.

The Caramut-based farmer and Nuffield Scholar is the fourth generation of his family at Mooramook, having taken over the mixed operation from his parents in the past five years.

The property – while it has changed footprint in its time – was initially purchased in the early 1900s by Kelly’s great-grandfather.

Harry’s parents are both still actively involved on-farm. His two brothers also farm in the region in stand-alone businesses. 

An employee also works on farm, and a high emphasis is put on using contractors.

Harry’s main focus is simple, and centred on being open-minded.

“One of the things I appreciate is what has worked for us in the past, and moving forward working with that,” he said.

“I think most farms of this style have a job to improve all facets of workplace safety, all those procedural things. I think there’s room to pick up on that, and we’ve just got to keep getting better.”

Harry with his dog Clark. Picture: Nicole Cleary

DIVERSIFYING STOCK AND CROP

Mooramook is a mix of owned land, leased land and cattle on agistment, totalling just shy of 1214ha.

The property is situated in a high rainfall grazing zone in Victoria’s Western District, although Harry said in the past decade there’d been an increased cropping presence in the district.

“Rainfall is a tricky topic, an average year sees about 650mm but what’s an average year? The timing is more important than the amount. We would be on track to be somewhere near average this year but it was a dry start and a wet winter,” Harry said. 

“Our best years aren’t necessarily our wettest years. Our problem is keeping crops dry through the winter and limiting the damage to pastures by livestock in the wetter times.”

Harry runs a diversified Angus beef, prime lamb business, and cropping enterprise.

“About 20 per cent of the land is cropping. Then it’s split about 40 per cent sheep, 60 per cent cattle,” Harry said.

Cattle are pure Angus, “and have always been pure Angus”.

“That’s probably going to be the way it’ll be for a long time,” Harry said.

“I’ve got a pretty open mind when it comes to what crossbreeding can do. The science behind us tells us there’s about an 8 per cent productivity gain when it comes to crossbreeding, which is pretty significant.

“We’re farming with an open mind. At this moment I’d give the Angus society a plug and say they’ve done a great job at marketing the breed. We’re going to capitalise on that while we can.”

The sheep are 100 per cent first-cross ewes, with terminal rams over them.

Current stock numbers total about 5000 ewes and 800 cows.

“It is interesting, we are 100 per cent self-replacing with the cattle, but not with the sheep. It’s two different approaches to the two enterprises,” Harry said.

All calving occurs during spring, after the family made a gradual transition from autumn calving in the past 20 years.

“We did it slow and steady, and we’re happy not to have all our eggs in one basket at that time,” Harry said.

“It’s a lot to do with matching the feed curve, the supply and demand of feed.”

The cropping side of the operation is about 50 per cent canola, 30 per cent wheat and 20 per cent beans.

“That’s standard for us. Like everyone, we’re chasing yields. However our biggest constraint is drainage,” Harry said.

“I don’t think our yields will be this year as good as previous years: it was too wet in the winter, and that’s had an impact on the canola.

“But when it looks like we’ll get paid double for canola this year, we’ve got nothing to complain about.”

Soil across the property is a heavy clay loam, which in turn dictates what types of pastures Harry is able to produce.

“We’re aiming for a balance of either phalaris or rye-grass pasture with clover, which is dictated by soil type,” Harry said.

Sheep also graze on crop stubbles.

When it comes to preferring livestock over crops, Harry doesn’t play favourites.

Instead, he views all elements of his farming enterprise as key components of a larger machine.

“My favourite part is making the three - sheep, cattle, and cropping - work together, and looking at the whole lot as an opportunity, thinking about how I can improve the business,” Harry said.

“Looking back, farmers were often considered just involved in animal husbandry. Now, it’s a business more than ever.”

Harry Kelly has taken ownership of his family farm and is planning for the future. Picture: Nicole Cleary

A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Studying with his Nuffield Scholarship has presented Harry with opportunities to muse about the future of farming in Australia, particularly in regards to who is investing in farming and agriculture.

“My topic essentially is designed to look at what are people’s motives in being a part of the agricultural sector, how these drivers vary, and how particularly from an investment perspective we can make these objectives successful,” he said.

“Summed up by how can we get the right capital into the sector and retain it – this is inclusive of financial capital, human capital and resource capital.”

Harry will use his Nuffield Scholarship (the latest awardees have been announced) to research ways to secure a stronger, more sustainable future for Australian agriculture. 

The future of farming is bright, according to Harry, and he remains optimistic about what opportunities could be ripe for the plucking in years to come.

“Agriculture is a pretty volatile place, with lots of risks. But with risk, comes opportunity. That’s something I’m personally excited by the opportunities that come from those risks.”