A MIX of education, business nous and a driving passion for the rural sector is what fuels success for Paul Cocking.
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Mr Cocking farms, “Kaloona”, at Mangoplah in Southern NSW and established Riverina Wool Testers in Wagga when he was in his early 20s. In addition to taking care of a mixed farming enterprise he is a director of Australian Wool Innovation.
This is a role which has given him connections around the world and his representation even included a visit to Clarence House to visit the Prince of Wales, who is an ambassador for the wool industry.
Mr Cocking says the recipe for success in agriculture is to combine education with hands-on experience.
He concedes that it is tough to get a start in the industry – especially when it comes to buying land – but it is possible.
ADVANTAGES OF RURAL LIFE: “This is an industry that tests you both mentally and physically,” Mr Cocking said.
He said the rural sector offered great diversity and there were certainly rewards for hard work. With good prices for both meat and wool he said it was fair to call the Merino industry “safe” at the moment. He sad a combination of buoyant wool prices and the world’s hunger for protein spurred the industry along.
“I couldn’t see a better investment than buying young Merino ewes,” he said.
CHALLENGES: Mr Cocking said the rural industry had to constantly put downward pressure on its already competitive costs of production.
He said it was a constant challenge for landholders to be both profitable and sustainable. And in this aspect he encouraged producers to take the front foot on the issues of environmental sustainability and also animal welfare issues.
“The Merino ewe has the best life and we have to tell that story,” he said. Mr Cocking those in the wool industry looked after their sheep well. “We only play a small part – when you consider the whole world population – and we have to be good at telling people what we do and how we do it,” he said.
To gain and hold new markets he said long-term investment in research and development was essential.
THE FUTURE: “I would encourage young people to enter the agricultural sector,” he said. Mr Cocking doesn’t have any children to consider for succession planning but was keen to talk up the merits of agriculture for the next generation. He didn’t inherit a property and explains how it can be possible to purchase farming land.
In his experience it was integral to have a successful off-farm business to make this possible. He encouraged young people to consider their education first. Then to back this by gaining some industry experience. He said in might be the case that young people consider other careers or business opportunities to support their ambition to acquire farming land.