Harry Kelly

Nuffield Australia 2020 Scholarship winner

Harry Kelly from Caramut, Victoria, receives a Nuffield Scholarship with support from Rabobank Australia. He will research ways for the Australian agriculture industry to multiply profitable business models, retain the right people and embrace change to become a more attractive investment.

Harry runs a diversified Angus beef, prime lamb and Merino and cross-bred wool business across his 1,200-hectare farm in Victoria’s south west. Since his full-time involvement in 2014, on-farm expansion projects have seen the business grow to turn off Angus weaners into both the feeder and Asian live export markets, prime lambs, and broadacre wheat, canola and beans.

Passionate about how primary producers can embrace change over the coming generation, Harry intends to use his Nuffield Scholarship to research ways to secure a stronger, more sustainable future for Australian agriculture.

“I see key challenges and opportunities for the sector over the next generation, as attracting good financial and human capital becomes more competitive,” he said.

“If we are unable to keep pace with other industries and compete for investment, then the industry is at risk of stagnation. I want to unearth pathways to growth for farming businesses by positively embracing change and capitalising on the opportunities it can bring through diversification of the primary production portfolio.”

Exploring and comparing different investment and funding models for agricultural enterprises, from the state-owned to free market enterprise, Harry will travel throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia.