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New Zealand’s Resilient Farmer tours Scotland
New Zealand farmer and motivational speaker, Doug Avery, who published his award-winning book, The Resilient
Farmer, last year, will be giving a series of talks across Scotland in September and October 2018. The tour, Drought,
Adversity and Breaking New Ground, is organised by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS)
and farming charity RSABI, with the support of Ross-shire farmer John Scott, star of This Farming Life, and the talks will
be free to attend.
he South Island farmer, who
has overcome severe drought
and earthquakes which
debilitated his business and
triggered mental health
challenges, will be visiting key
rural events and areas in his first-ever formal
tour of Scotland. Highlights include a talk prior
to the Border Union Ram Sales in Kelso, as well
as at the Thainstone, Lanark and Orkney Marts.
Mr Avery will also visit the Scottish Parliament
and attend the Helping It Happen Awards,
organised by Scottish Land and Estates, in
Edinburgh.
Alan Laidlaw, CEO of RHASS, said:
“In a time of unprecedented change and
challenge, this is a great opportunity to hear
from someone who has made changes and
come through the other side, and for us all to
think differently about our own businesses and
our sector. We are delighted to secure such a
comprehensive tour from a great speaker.”
Mr Avery, who has been awarded the New
Zealand Order of Merit for his services to
agriculture and mental health, and his wife,
Wendy, were driven to the edge of despair in
the wake of several years of drought and two
severe earthquakes. Forced to look at
T
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alternatives for their 2400-hectare farming
business in South Malborough, he attended a
seminar in Christchurch by a senior plant
science professor of Lincoln University, Dr
Derrick Moot, which inspired them to adapt
their farm-management systems to take
advantage of the now very dry conditions. They
started growing lucerne, or alfafa, for grazing
their livestock, and despite the initial cynicism
from their neighbours, they have
transformedtheir business. The farm has
increased its income tenfold in the last 10
years, and it is now one of the top performing
beef and sheep enterprises in New Zealand.
Chief Executive of RSABI, Nina Clancy,
said: “Doug has been through it all and shown
how a change of approach and mindset can
turn a negative into an extraordinary positive,
showing there is always a way forward. As we
face the uncertainty of what comes post-Brexit
and the challenges of poor weather, the timing
of Doug’s visit couldn’t be better. His insights
will give inspiration to anyone looking or
needing to change their approach to business
and/or life. His story is inspiring, and he is an
entertaining speaker, combining humour with
deeper messages, well worth a listen.”
The Averys set up Resilient Farmer as a
result of their own experience, an enterprise
which works collaboratively with innovative
businesses to promote and assist other farmers
to make a similar journey to a more resilient
future. This includes the recently launched
“Woolshed Workshops” which focus on
personal life and business skills for farmers. Mr
Avery’s book, The Resilient Farmer, followed in
2017 and was New Zealand’s largest
publishers’ second best-selling book that year.
Since launching his book he has spoken to
over 11,000 people in New Zealand and
Australia, not only in farming circles but also in
urban organisations, schools and rugby circles.
Doug Avery will be giving his talk, Drought,
Adversity and Breaking New Ground, in Kelso,
Perth, Forfar, Thainstone, Cairngorms, Thurso,
Orkney, Lanark, Dumfries, Ayr, Oban, Mull,
Stirling and Edinburgh. For a full list of dates
see www.dougaveryscotland.co.uk.
The talks are free and open to anyone
interested in his story and changing mindset to
address challenges. Most events are ticketed
due to venue restrictions, so must be pre-
booked. Tickets can be booked on the website.
September 2018 | Farming Monthly | 07