Leading in to the next generation

Cheyne Twist, Communications Officer

Victorian beef producer Brodie Collins was selected for the GenAngus Future Leaders Program in 2020. While the 2020 program was postponed due to COVID-19, recently Brodie and his counterparts joined the 2021 cohort for a three-day intensive online workshop.

Brodie Collins is a third-generation beef producer based in North Central Victoria. He works as part of his family’s operation, Merridale Angus, a seedstock operation with approximately 200 Angus breeders. Each year they host an annual on property sale. The Collins family have a long history with the Angus breed, dating back to the Merrigrange Angus stud founded by Phill and Gwen Collins in in 1959, at Tennyson, VIC. The Collins and Merrigrange cattle had a lustrous exhibiting career, claiming numerous championship awards for over twenty years. The Merrigrange herd produced the Vicky family, one of the prominent Angus lines in Australia. Mr Collins was an early adapter to artificial insemination, going against opinions of other Angus breeders at the time through getting his technicians certified to utilise genetic science to further establish his herd. With his father Peter, son of Gwen and Phill, Brodie assists in the running of the Merridale Angus stud, making the families stamp in the Angus breed multigenerational. An electrician by trade, Brodie couldn’t wait to get back on the farm and has now been working on property for a couple of years. When asked about his long-term contribution to the business in the future, Brodie looks to continue to build on the existing Merridale identity and product. “Having been back for a couple of years full time with the agriculture sector the way it is, the plan is to grow the business while being mindful of trying to improve the quality of our cattle at the same time,” said Brodie. “In the long run I’d like to take over the family business and have a positive influence on the way the Angus breed is in 30 years’ time.” When asked about the short-term plan for their business, Brodie highlighted a want to not only continue and build on the current objectives of the family business, but also his personal development and skill set. He credits his father and grandfather as pivotal pillars of knowledge for his development. “In the short term, I just need to learn as much as I can from my father and grandfather. I’m very fortunate that even at 93 years old Phill is still checking the farm, telling me what mistakes I’m making and where I can improve.” “The aim for me is to continually breed cattle that we think will take the industry forward and keeping our identity as producers that will continue to help our clients and the Angus breed wherever we can.” When reflecting on his time as part of the GenAngus Future Leaders Program and the insights it provided, Brodie had some specific take homes. “Although it was tough to look at a computer for three days, I took a lot out of the Future Leaders Program,” said Brodie.

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“Being on the farm with ample time to think, mindset is a big thing. Hearing what Peter Clark had to say was valuable for us young people trying to make our way into the sector.” Pete Clark of 21 Whispers gave a presentation on the power of the mind and the ability people have to control it if trained to do so. The attendees were given the chance to think laterally and learn about how their mindset influences what we see as well as other key messages such as trying to envisage seeing both sides of difficult situations and keeping focused on the gains, not the gaps in their challenges, a sentiment that resonated with Brodie. Furthermore, the different emerging methods for marketing cattle, particularly in the form of technology, were a highlight for Brodie, such as the presentation from Tim Gentle of Think Digital. During his presentation, Tim was able to showcase the latest virtual reality and augmented reality tools available to industry and where they might fit in showcasing businesses through to individual animals. “Hopefully introducing some of the methods from Tim Gentle from ‘Think Digital’ can assist to promote our type of cattle.” “I also found the advertising and social media sessions very interesting as the industry is adapting to a change into technology on farms. I feel the social media presence is nearly a full-time job. It gave me a nudge and some ideas for the future.” Going forth, Brodie looks to implement what he learnt at GenAngus into growing his confidence and leadership as a producer as he looks to step forward and lead his family business into the next generation.

The Merridale Angus Aspiring Breeder Award:

The Collins family have a long affiliation with the Angus Youth Program, partially through their involvement as award partner at the annual Angus Youth National Roundup. The Merridale Angus Aspiring Breeder Award was introduced at the Angus Youth National Roundup in 2015 and is in recognition of an Angus Youth member who does not already have an Angus stud or the financial backing to start their own immediately, but has a strong desire to breed their own Angus cattle. The Collins family believe it is important to support the youth in the industry and give them as many opportunities as possible to start their own cattle breeding operation. The recipient of this award receives a registered Angus heifer. When speaking of the award and its value to the industry, Brodie Collins expressed the importance his family sees in assisting young people in the industry who may not have the background or privilege to have an existing start in the breed. “The Aspiring Breeders Award is something we will continue to support as it provides opportunity for the youth who are interested in Angus to have an impact, great or small, on the industry,” he said. “Some people aren’t as fortunate or have the same opportunities as those who grow up on farms or are surrounded by mentors in the field. This doesn’t mean they lack the passion or aren’t as driven, they just need to be given the chance. Youth is the driving force of the future.” The Merridale Angus Aspiring Breeder Award will once again be awarded at the 2022 NH Foods Australia Angus Youth National Roundup, which takes place January 13-16 in Wodonga, Victoria.

“My wife and I have recently purchased the original Merrigrange farm, and gradually we will build on our little herd. “Probably the one of main things I got from GenAngus was not just to help build my leadership in the agriculture sector but in life. Angus Street spoke about a quote from the AllBlacks Rugby Union Team, “Nobody is too good to clean the sheds” by Richie McCaw.” “Just the way he spoke about leading his company through tough times was intriguing and relatable.”

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