Elders supports its customers in agricultural inputs, livestock, wool, real estate, agri-finance and insurance.
It increased its service offering and presence in the horticulture industry last year by acquiring NSW business Ace Ohlsson.
Established in 1938, Ace Ohlsson provides horticultural crop protection, seeds, fertilisers, pest control, plant nutrition advisory services and strategic cropping programs. The central retail operation is strategically based at the Sydney markets, with branches in Campbelltown, Woolgoolga, Bringelly and Bangalow.
Elders continues to expland through improvement, recruitment and acquisition.
What sets your company apart from others?
Elders supports our clients to drive better efficiencies, productivity and profitability for their businesses through innovative products, digital services and a strong national network. We tailor agronomy and animal production solutions, and we offer quality assurance packages in cropping, which includes mapping, production history and reporting that clients can then provide to end market purchasers.
Recently, Elders created the Thomas Elder Institute, a research and development arm of the business that will see us partner with universities across Australia to leverage research, technologies and agronomic tools to result in data-driven decisions and therefore the best possible outcomes for our clients and their businesses.
How do you see agriculture in the next 10 to 20 years?
We believe the outlook for agriculture is extremely positive. Australian agriculture is well placed to provide produce to international markets, including Asia, given our proximity to the area.
Australian produce has a reputation for excellence, and producers can continue to leverage this to their and the industry’s advantage. The Australian agriculture sector is constantly developing and if the industry continues to invest in technology and innovation we will grow our national productivity.
What major issues do farmers face today?
Water remains the major environmental issue in terms of the industry requirements and availability.
The expansion of free trade agreements will provide opportunities to the industry in years to come. Markets will become increasingly accessible, allowing producers to market products.
Technology has seen major improvements and we expect that development to continue. Tools such as satellite data mapping and production information, combined with on-the-ground data on which to base decisions, has and will continue to increase productivity.
Improved seed genetics have meant greater productivity in the past 20 years.
Can your business help solve these issues?
Elders continues to make data-driven decisions to benefit clients and the productivity of their businesses. The agriculture industry has increasing demands for digital solutions, and the rate of change is expected to increase. Elders also invests heavily in our livestock and agronomy trainee programs with two national intakes per year.
