Organisation: The University of Sydney
Job Title: General Manager, Farm Assets and Operations
Word Limit: 350-500 words per point
Location: Sydney, Camden
A degree/professional qualifications in farm management or equivalent experience and a range of relevant management skills
In addition to my completion of a Master in Agricultural and Environmental Technologies at the University of Sydney in 2014, I have a broad range of both experience and knowledge across a diversity of farm enterprises. In addition, I have completed a Bachelor of Engineering (Horticulture and Agriculture) in Syria before relocating to Australia.
Both of these qualifications, combined with my working experience since that time have given me a good overall understanding of fruit and vegetable farming, dryland cropping, livestock production and dairy operations. In addition, I have management skills in the agricultural sector, as the manager at AHA Fresh Veggies and as Farm Manager at T&W Greenhouse Supplies and Services. These skills and knowledge are further demonstrated in the criteria below.
Demonstrated ability to manage a large commercial farm with diversified cropping and livestock enterprises, based on managerial experience or experience as a “hands on” consultant to large enterprises
During my career I have gained experience in the management of whole farm enterprises and have provided a significant amount of consultancy advice and assistance to farmers.
As an Agronomist for the Lebanese Farmer Corporation, my role was to provide advice to farmers in relation to their grain, legume and vegetable cropping enterprises, including advice around water rates, use of herbicides and pesticides and a range of other areas. As a hands-on consultant, I would visit farms to collect samples, run information seminars and give one-on-one support and assistance based on individual needs. In addition to pest and disease control, I also gave advice using my expertise in crop packaging and marketing, soil testing and the negotiation of supplier pricing. My agronomy work included giving advice to dairy farmers around pasture production and soil treatment as well as irrigation techniques to save water.
Within my partnership and farm management of AHA Fresh Veggies, I have demonstrated both my managerial skills and my ability to successfully manage a farm to a profitable margin. Before taking over this property, the greenhouses and other land were weed infested and not gaining anything close to the production amounts and quality it should have been. Within a reasonably short timeframe and through good farming techniques, I brought this farm to a productive and profitable enterprise. Within this role, I managed around 5 workers every day to provide farm labour work, and this grew to around 8-9 workers during peak season. These extra staff were often itinerant workers who needed a hands-on demonstrative approach to ensure efficiency and maintenance of product quality was achieved. A testament to my managerial abilities is that most of the itinerant workers returned each and every year and I maintained a very low attrition rate in the permanent staff as well. Due to my advanced knowledge of water saving and targeted chemical application activities, I was able to use less water and chemicals and still produce first grade vegetables for market.
My hands-on experience in livestock husbandry was gained during my time studying my Master at the University of Sydney at Camden. During this time, I furthered my knowledge, skills and market knowledge around livestock, including sheep and cattle production. I bring a wide range of knowledge and skills to livestock production, cropping and fruits and vegetable farming which will be an asset to the University.
Ability to enhance the profile of the University in the broader farming community by adopting best farming techniques and trialling innovative practices
Throughout my studies and associated trials and by working directly with farmers as an Agronomist I have gained relevant experience in the dissemination of information to the community. As Agronomist for the Lebanese Farmer Corporation, part of my role was in the running of trials and dissemination of results to local farmers in the community. To achieve this successfully, I was intrinsically involved in the organisation of community meetings and conferences to ensure the information was accessible to local farmers and relevant to their needs. Some of the trials we ran included trials to reduce the amount of water wastage occurring, trials to determine the best application rates, techniques and timing for chemical spraying of crops and a range of other trials.
The meetings and conferences held would attract hundreds of local landowners and farmers and allowed us to pass on the results of our research into pest and disease control, as well as production maximisation and ways to save money spent on inputs, whilst still producing quality produce. This face-to-face medium was appropriate for this audience and therefore used prolifically within this role. In other roles, it might be more productive to disseminate information via social media, web resources or through chemical sellers and agents. In addition, reports can be produced relating to the trials and then could be made available for purchase or download as appropriate.
A broad range of recommendations were given to farmers using this method, including spray rates, timing of spraying relating to weather and climate, watering rates and methods to reduce water wastage, producing better fruits and vegetables for market and packaging of that produce to ensure it survives transportation.
The information provided through the Lebanese Farmer Corporation was appreciated and actioned by local farmers and I often went on site visits to give more information for farmers’ individual circumstances, which clearly demonstrates my ability in this area and showcases how it will enhance the profile of the university in the process.
Best farming techniques are something I have implemented through my farm management both at AHA Fresh Veggies and T&W Greenhouse Supplies and Services as their Farm Manager. During the latter role, I was the manager of a highly technical greenhouse vegetable farm, using a range of hydroponic technologies to produce vegetables of the highest quality. Having operated these computer controlled systems successfully, are a good example of my ability to use best practice and leading edge technology within the farming sector.
Superior communication and negotiation skills. Experience in the use of personal computers and highly self-motivated entrepreneurial and proactive
I possess excellent communication skills which allow me to communicate at all levels, including staff, colleagues and management as well as suppliers and stock and station agents. I am able to use my communication and negotiation skills to ensure smooth running of businesses with minimal conflict. My communication skills are best demonstrated through giving information to the community via seminars and information sessions related to their farming practices. I have performed this role on numerous occasions both whilst studying my Master Degree and whilst working as an Agronomist. During my partnership and farm management role at AHA Fresh Veggies, I fostered and developed productive working relationships with distributors, chemical suppliers and staff to ensure the smooth running of the enterprise. I entered this farm in partnership with another person and was successful in leveraging partnerships to support the delivery of agriculture and ensuring bio-security was maintained.
On one occasion, it became clear that one of our greenhouses was infected with a disease. The disease was exclusively affecting the tomatoes in this one greenhouse and I made a call to the Department of Agriculture as I could not identify the disease as one I knew. The Department of Agriculture visited the site to gain samples and upon testing, the disease was identified as the Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid (PTSVd) disease, a rare disease in tomatoes in this county. The greenhouse was immediately quarantined, and all equipment and people working in that greenhouse, from that point on, were sterilised as cross-contamination might occur. The most important issue was to limit the spread to other farms. This was a seed-borne disease which came into our farm through seeds purchased and was only the second recorded incident within Australia. In addition to on farm changes, I spoke with farmers in the surrounding areas to alert them of the disease and to advise them of restrictions if they came onto our property. These quarantining and information strategies were successful in preventing the spread of the disease and ensured this disaster was managed within the confines of that one greenhouse.
My negotiation skills were specifically demonstrated through a situation where farmers did not fully accept my recommendations based on trials we were running and subsequent advice we were giving within my Agronomist role. I listened to the farmers’ points of view and reviewed my research to reassure them that, in fact, the information was correct, and influenced them to give our advice a try on a small section of their crops to see for themselves. I also offered to come and run a trial on their properties. Some farmers took up this idea and found that their production could be maintained using less water if they were more accurate in watering times and amounts.
My highly self-motivated character was demonstrated through becoming a partner in my own enterprise, AHA Fresh Veggies and developing and upgrading the property to become a saleable business. This enterprise required a large amount of work and commitment, however in a relatively short amount of time I was able to turn the fortunes of this property around to a positive outcome.
I have strong skills in the use of personal computers and programs including the Microsoft Office suite of products. My computer-based skills also extend to the operation of computerised systems, such as within greenhouses and irrigation set-ups. I am able to pick up new systems and computer programs quickly and easily and apply them within my work successfully. During my studies at university, I was required to use the whole range of Microsoft Office products to produce reports, spreadsheets, presentations and other documentation.
Demonstrated understanding of rural earnings and livestock market cycles to optimise returns
Through my own farm management experience, my formal education and hands-on learning, I have gained a strong understanding of farm financial management and an understanding of markets and returns in a range of farming areas.
I have an understanding of the Australian ‘cattle cycle’ and how it impacts prices at market, as well as the ability to use this as a predictor of prices into the following year. Using recurring trends in the US cattle market, experts have been able to make predictions related to whether growers are in a general expand or reduce cycle of herd expansion, and usually expansion follows reduction, based on historical data. It has been shown that production cycles are linked to price cycles in the US, and that the Australian market follows this US trend as well. Although within Australia, cattle herd size has been increasing consistently, our market still appears to follow the US market based on their production cycles. Supply is the most important price driver for cattle markets and the Australian market is quite small on a global scale, meaning, once again, our markets tend to follow the US. This means we can do a lot to anticipate pricing at market and by doing so this assists producers.
Although Australia is the largest market for its own lamb, there has been a decline in production in recent years, which has coincided with growth in overseas markets. With retail prices of lamb currently at record levels, the utilisation of Australian lamb was limited in the years leading up to 2011, although in 2012, this was reversed due to an increase in production. This trend is expected to continue for another couple of years before a slowing in local demand. Having said this, overseas markets are still expected to buy most of the produce, which is additional to local needs, keeping the price relatively intact.
I have an excellent understanding of the vegetable market in Australia due to my hands-on management of two vegetable farms in recent years. I understand the impact on the industry in terms of Australia-wide weather, pest and disease control and how these influence the price at market. As mentioned earlier, I have direct experience in bringing a farm up to become a profitable enterprise through good management and an understanding of the market, and this clearly demonstrates my ability to run a farming business to a profit.
Extensive experience with livestock breeding enterprises, sheep, pastures management and large scale cropping and dairy exposure
Whilst my farm manager roles have been primarily in vegetable growing, through my studies in livestock breeding, dryland cropping and dairy, I have gained considerable knowledge and hands‑on know-how in these areas. In addition, as an Agronomist, my knowledge has been developed and includes an intrinsic understanding of the growing of crops and livestock husbandry.
Within my Master of Agriculture, one of my projects was based on the wheat emasculation and cross-breeding processes and I have developed an excellent knowledge of the growing of high quality disease-resistant wheat as a result. In addition, during my management of AHA Fresh Veggies, I used my skills in cross-breeding of tomato plants to ensure excellent production results and first-grade quality tomatoes being produced whilst using less water. I have studied plant and animal genetics and sciences and subsequently have an excellent knowledge of how these factors can predispose animals and plants to certain conditions and diseases.
In Syria, my degree was in Agricultural Engineering (horticulture and agriculture) and through this I gained extensive experience in a broad range of livestock, pasture and cropping management. In addition, I lived in a rural town where these were the most prolific types of farming, giving me a thorough knowledge of farming practices and machinery used on a farm. With a good understanding of animal and plant nutrition, along with a broad range of studies and on farm experience, I will make a positive contribution as your General Manager, Farm Assets and Operations.
Experience with dairy operations as well as contract and livestock management and experience in the production of crops and improve pastures using conservation farming techniques
Much of my experience as an Agronomist was centred on conservation farming techniques and assisting farmers to make the most of the water and chemicals they used. As mentioned earlier, I was involved in a large range of trials and research, which then led to the dissemination of information to farmers in this area. Some of this research was based around production levels and some around the best targeted use of both water and chemicals.
One specific study I ran included a main aim of finding out the possibility of crossing a wild species of bush tomato and the cultivated tomato, to exploit the good genes of the bush tomato to improve the cultivated species. The bush tomato species survive under harsh conditions, including high temperature and low rainfall and it is also tolerant to biotic and abiotic stress, so having the possibility of the cultivated tomato gaining some of these properties was the basis behind the research and trials.
The project aims were as follows:
- Investigation of floral structure and morphology
- Relationship between pollen size and style length
- Optimising the in-vitro pollen germination medium
- Developing reliable and quick stainability test for pollen viability
- Testing pollen storability under low temperature
- Floral sequence and timing of pollen fertility and stigma receptivity
- Testing self and cross-compatibilities by studying pollen tube behaviour and fruit setting
- Recommendations about its breeding system
This project was executed successfully and contributed immensely to my knowledge around conservation farming within the vegetable sector.
Knowledge of the production of a broad range of cereal, pulse and oilseed crops under dryland and irrigated conditions
As mentioned on several occasions, I have experience in the production of cereals and other crops including mainly, wheat, barley, beans, legumes and a range of fruits and vegetables. These crops range from dryland environments right through to irrigated and hydroponic systems, giving me an excellent overall knowledge in a range of areas.
During my studies at Camden Campus of the University of Sydney, I was involved in a large range of trials and research around wheat production and cross breeding of species to improve harvest and quality. These research trials were measuring a range of characteristics of wheat including protein and nutritional value, tonnes per hectare reaped and cleanliness of the grain once harvested. These trials gave me a strong knowledge of wheat farming and potential issues encountered. As a dryland crop, water was not tested, however pesticide and herbicide applications were trialled at a range of times during the growth of the crop and results measured.
Understanding or experience in the operation of commercial dairies
I have gained a strong understanding of the operation of commercial dairies through both my formal learning in this area, and as an Agronomist, giving advice to dairy farmers in relation to pasture production and irrigation techniques. Through visiting farms, consulting with farmers about their issues and goals and implementing a range of plans to improve their production, I have gained knowledge and skills in this area.
I am particularly interested in the whole-of-industry Sustainability Framework which looks at a range of factors, including animal wellbeing and environmental impact of the dairy industry. According to Dairy Australia, since the framework was implemented, the dairy industry has been very successful in reducing greenhouse gas emissions generated by manufacturers as well as guiding the industry toward better profits and minimising environmental footprint and improving the wellbeing of people and animals. I would be very keen to tap into this framework and surrounding knowledge in the operation of the University and subsequently be at the forefront of industry. There is certainly a role for the University of Sydney and the Dairy Research Foundation in supporting the industry framework and contributing to its outcomes. I am eager to be a part of the Dairy Research Foundation’s Annual Symposium at Camden and part of the dissemination of information out to industry.
