Five women breaking the bias in ag

According to a report released by ANZ in late 2020, women make up about 34 per cent of the agricultural workforce and are estimated to provide about one third of all on-farm income.

While women have come a long way in breaking the bias in the agricultural sector and succeeding in establishing themselves in a male-dominated industry, more must be done to increase gender diversity in farming. The National Farmers Federation, for one, is championing the inclusion of women in agriculture by initiating its Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program five years ago.

The organisation aims to double the number of women in agriculture’s leadership ranks by 2030.

By breaking deliberate and unconscious bias within the industry, only can we successfully have gender equity in not just the agriculture sector, but across all industries and aspects of society.

Bronwyn Rogers works in sales at AEH Group’s West Wyalong Machinery Centre, which offers prominent ag brands such as New Holland and Morris. She cut her teeth as a Jillaroo in North Queensland before working as a Wool Representative and Livestock Agent in West Wyalong.

According to Rogers, working in agriculture is not about gender but putting the relationship with the customer first to deliver outstanding service.

Facing a profession dominated by males, her biggest challenge was managing her own self-doubt.

“Being in a male-dominated industry, I thought I had to know more, do more and be more. As my career has progressed, my attitude has shifted. If I don’t know something, I find out,” she said.

“Since I’ve moved into the agricultural machinery sector, I’m pleased to see the growth of females in other male-dominated roles such as parts interpreters, machinery branch managers, and mechanics.”

Steph Gersekowski is John Deere’s Australia and New Zealand Production System Manager for Small Ag and Turf. A career in agriculture is a natural progression for her having grown up on a beef and grain property on Queensland’s Darling Downs. However, seeing both her parents jointly own and manage the farm was what pushed her to succeed in the sector despite the gender stereotype.

“I think a large part of my mindset has come from watching my parents run and manage their farming operation as equal partners. Mum was, and still is, my original role model, she raised me to ask ‘why not?’ and really challenge those traditional gender imbalances,” she said.

She added New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, has also changed her perceptions around having a career and being a mum to a young child.

Gersekowski worked her way through the ranks from a graduate to several marketing and account management roles before ultimately landing the position she is in today.

Commenting on the challenges she faced being a woman in a male-dominated industry,  Gersekowski said: “I definitely experienced more than a few raised eyebrows, but I didn’t let this deter me and worked hard to change this bias.”

“I think International Women’s Day is an opportunity to put a focus collectively on the conversation around equality, across all aspects of work and life. I think it’s also an opportunity to pause and reflect on how far we’ve come and how much better the world is today for girls and women compared to 100, 50 or even 20 years ago.

“The saying ‘the behaviour we walk-past is the behaviour we accept’ really resonates, and I want to make sure young women considering a career in ag feel that it’s an industry that they can thrive and grow in.”

Unlike Steph and Bronwyn, Melissa Nuske of Gum View Farm in Ngallo, Victoria, had no farming experience growing up, and would probably never be exposed to a life in agriculture if she didn’t meet her husband on a family holiday.

When they got married, she moved to her husband’s farm where she had to learn the ropes on everything farming including operating machinery and tending to livestock.

Nuske’s determination to learn more about sheep nutrition often meant she was the only female attending information sessions.

“I stood next to my husband and listened, feeling uncomfortable to ask a question or to have some input. As I've gained industry experience, I am more confident to contribute during these sessions and am pleased to gradually see more females in agriculture,” she said.

“When I moved to the farm, few farmer’s wives drove headers during harvest. Now I enjoy comparing notes and having a laugh with my female friends about driving the header.

“It’s rewarding to know that I can now work on the farm and achieve goals by myself, having the confidence to drive the loader, and feed sheep independently.”

Part of the Ronco Motors Pinnaroo Parts team in South Australia since 2018, Parts Supervisor Georgia Heinicke, has seen a sustainable increase of females working within agriculture, something she hopes to see continue.

“The growth of females in the industry is great to see, and is supported by organisations like Ronco Motors, which has offered me extensive insight into the parts and machinery side of the industry,” she said.

“Growing up on my family’s cereal and sheep farm, I have always loved helping with odd jobs such as sheep work and driving machinery during harvest, but knew I wanted to take on a new challenge in the agriculture industry.

When Heinicke began in the parts industry, her biggest challenge was not having extensive knowledge and not knowing the right questions to ask, which she said led to people undermining her in the role.

“Since joining Ronco Motors, the team are always offering new opportunities and training to increase my knowledge with this industry,” she said.

“I love being able to use my knowledge to assist customers in getting their farm equipment moving, as well as suggesting new ways or opportunities in which they can improve.”

Growing up around trucks, cars, and motorbikes, McIntosh & Son Albany Service Apprentice, Chloe Ludlow’s love for mechanics began at an early age.

Supported by her stepfather and uncle, she has become the first female apprentice for the McIntosh & Son’s Southern branch group.

“I started off as a Parts Interpreter Trainee before moving into a Service Apprentice position,” she said.

“I used to compare my own physical strength with that of my male colleagues, but, over time, I’ve learnt I’m equally capable and have worked hard to achieve my goals.”

Ludlow added she enjoys being able to travel throughout the Great Southern region and helping customers.

“Seeing the joy and excitement of customers when we’re able to get their machinery up and running is very rewarding.

“My advice to any female looking to start their career in agricultural machinery is if you’re passionate about this career, go for it and kick those career goals! You deserve a chance just like everyone else. It is a rewarding career and I couldn’t recommend it enough.”