In this episode of the Hay Matters Podcast, part of our Next Generation series, we sit down with Ella Lanyon, a broadacre grower from Victoria’s Wimmera region, to talk about farming, industry connections and the inspiration behind the Griffin Lanyon Legacy Tour.
Ella shares the story behind the tour, created in memory of her younger brother Griffin, and how it brought together young people from across Australia to explore different farming systems, businesses and opportunities within agriculture.
Alongside the tour, Ella also talks about her own farming operation near Birchip, where she manages a broadacre cropping business with her father while completing a Masters in Agriculture. From crop rotations and hay production to machinery investment and planting strategies, the discussion offers a practical look at decision-making on farm.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
The idea behind the Griffin Lanyon Legacy Tour and how it honours Griffin’s passion for agriculture and community
Why getting young farmers off farm to see other systems and operations is so valuable
The importance of networking and learning from others across the industry
Visiting farms, feedlots, machinery operations and processing facilities across Victoria and South Australia
Ella’s broadacre cropping operation near Birchip
A three-way rotation of legumes, barley and oaten hay
Increasing lentil production and how it compares to vetch
Balancing grain and hay production depending on seasonal conditions
Opportunistically cutting cereals for hay when moisture becomes limiting
Planning for the season ahead, including planting windows and weed control
Investing in machinery to improve efficiency and expand capacity
Ella’s story highlights both the opportunities and pressures facing the next generation of farmers, from managing family businesses to making strategic decisions about crops, inputs and investment.
One key takeaway?
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Read Transcript
Tim Ford – 0:05
Hi, I’m Tim Ford, and welcome to the Hay Matters Podcast. With four children of my own, I’m deeply passionate about the future of our industry. So welcome to our Next Generation Series on Hay Matters, where we meet the young people driving Australia’s fodder industry forward from the paddock to the bale. These are the fresh faces bringing energy, skill and big ambitions to hay. This is the future of fodder, and it’s already in motion.
Steve Page – 0:32
Hi, it’s Steve Page here again from Feed Central with another Hay Matters Podcast. This morning I’m here with Ella Lanyon, and Ella’s just completed the first of the Griffin Lanyon Legacy Tour.
Welcome Ella.
Ella Lanyon – 0:56
Hi Steve.
Steve Page – 0:57
Can you tell us a little bit about why you started the tour, what happened there, and what your expectations were from the tour?
Ella Lanyon – 0:58
So my younger brother Griff passed away in 2024 and he was just one of those incredibly passionate young people. He loved agriculture, his community, and I guess everyone within that. So last year we were approached by a couple of people who suggested perhaps we could honour his legacy in quite a meaningful way. After a few discussions we came up with the idea of organising the Griffin Lanyon Legacy Tour, and that’s where it all started.
We eventually decided that we’d take 15 young people on a trip around Victoria and South Australia. We commenced applications in November and headed off last week, so in the middle of February.
Steve Page – 1:43
And you got a number of sponsors to help with the tour and help pay for it so these young people could be supported to come along.
Ella Lanyon – 1:54
We were really fortunate to receive some significant sponsorship funding from Feed Central and Batt Co to kick us off, and then we had lots of other people jump on board as it progressed. We wanted to put together something that would honour Griff’s legacy but also inspire the next generation of people in agriculture. That’s how the tour itself came about.
I think it’s really important that young people get off their farms. We often take on a lot of responsibility from a really young age, and there’s a fair bit of pressure on us, especially given the seasons we’ve had. We have to be profitable and we spend a lot of time within our own businesses. It’s so important that we get off the farm and see new things. Ultimately we do it because we love it, and it’s important to stay inspired and continue to enjoy what we’re doing.
Steve Page – 2:48
Yeah, I totally agree. I’m very fortunate in my job that I get to travel around a lot and go onto different farms and see people applying different practices in different regions that you can then transfer to other areas. So to get out and do what you’ve done on that tour with those young people and show them what’s possible is fantastic.
Ella Lanyon – 3:14
It was really special just listening to conversations on the bus and hearing people networking with one another. It was impressive hearing the things they were discussing. I felt like everyone got something out of it. It wasn’t just about the places we visited, but also the conversations they were having with each other.
Steve Page – 3:32
Just having a chat with each other about what they’re doing at home and what their family situations are. As you say, there’s a lot of pressure on young people inheriting the family farm and the responsibility of carrying it forward to the next generation. To step outside your own business and see what others are doing is phenomenal.
Ella Lanyon – 3:56
As farms get bigger it can become quite an isolating occupation. It’s really important that you get out and meet new people.
Steve Page – 4:06
And having other things outside the business too, like sport or community activities. You have a lovely community around here. I know quite a few farmers in this region and the support is fantastic. We’re around the Birchip area in Victoria, and I remember coming to Griffin’s funeral. The local support was absolutely huge. It was a great way to celebrate him.
Can you tell us who you visited on the tour?
Ella Lanyon – 4:44
We left from Melbourne and headed to Warrnambool, then to Naracoorte, Horsham and back to Melbourne by the end of the week. It was a big week.
Steve Page – 4:55
And you went to an abattoir?
Ella Lanyon – 4:59
Yes, we visited Midfield Meats on the Tuesday morning. That was really impressive.
Steve Page – 5:04
And you went to some machinery facilities as well?
Ella Lanyon – 5:08
Yes, we visited the John Deere and Krone warehouses in Melbourne.
Steve Page – 5:13
Not easy places to get into, but they showed you around quite a bit.
Ella Lanyon – 5:20
They were really good.
Steve Page – 5:22
And you visited a couple of farms as well.
Ella Lanyon – 5:26
Yes, we visited the Eckert family in Meningie and Scott Campbell in Keith.
Steve Page – 5:30
So you saw some very different operations to what you have here.
Ella Lanyon – 5:41
Yes, different operations, climates, soil types and attitudes toward farming into the future.
Steve Page – 5:49
You also visited a feedlot?
Ella Lanyon – 5:55
Just a sheep feedlot.
Steve Page – 5:58
Can you tell us about some of the other people on the tour?
Ella Lanyon – 6:03
We had a wide range of people aged 18 to 30, with a couple of exceptions including my dad. Participants came from across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Most were growers, but we also had an agronomist and Hugh Ford from Feed Central. Everyone had different operations and perspectives, which made it really interesting.
Steve Page – 6:33
After the success of this tour, do you think you’ll run it again?
Ella Lanyon – 6:45
I think it went really well and it would be great to do it again in some capacity.
Steve Page – 6:50
It’s fantastic that you’ve done it. Bringing young people forward in the industry and showing them different regions and systems is incredibly valuable.
Steve Page – 7:51
Can you tell us a bit more about yourself and what you’re doing on the farm?
Ella Lanyon – 8:01
We run a broadacre cropping operation about 20 kilometres north of Birchip. I manage it alongside my dad, Josh, and I’m also studying my Masters in Agriculture at the moment.
Steve Page – 8:13
Is that mainly to bring new skills back into the business?
Ella Lanyon – 8:22
Yes, it’s about gaining outside perspectives and skills that I can bring back to our business.
Steve Page – 8:30
Have you brought home any changes yet?
Ella Lanyon – 8:34
Nothing drastic, but definitely new ways of thinking about machinery purchases, input costs and decision making. Hearing what other people are doing gives you a different perspective.
Steve Page – 8:58
Last season was a tough finish in many areas. How did it go for you?
Ella Lanyon – 9:08
We did have a dry finish, but overall it was one of the best seasons we’ve had in hay and grain. We had strong yields and seemed to get rain at the right times.
Steve Page – 9:27
What is your usual split between hay and grain?
Ella Lanyon – 9:38
Probably slightly more grain. We have about a three-way split across legumes, barley and oaten hay.
Tim Ford – 15:14.
It’s Tim Ford here again. I just wanted to say that I was really loving this young people’s series that we’re doing on the Hay Matters Podcast. Great podcast – Thank you, Steve, thank you Ella.
At a very personal level, I’m deeply touched by the story of Griff and deeply appreciative of the support, friendship and loyalty of the Lanyon family for over 20 years.
I first met Griff when I was visiting the Lanyons doing my hay inspection run over 20 years ago, and Josh asked me to drop young Griff off to kindy one morning, as I think Josh was getting my tyre fixed at the local tyre shop. He talked tractors, farm and hay the whole trip, and every time I bumped into him over the years, it was the same farm tractors, hay, repeat, farm tractors, hay, repeat – what a lad. To say. Griff was passionate about Ag is an understatement. What I saw was that he loved his family, he loved his farm, he loved life and loved sharing the story of Ag.
A special thank you to Ella Lanyon, Cole Radcliffe and Josh Lanyon for leading such an amazing trip. It was also truly very special for us to partner with Balco to sponsor the trip. And I’m deeply sorry I could not attend the trip, as I had originally intended. Honouring Griff by bringing young people together is truly special, and I applaud you for it. It’s really special what we’ve done here, and I’d be only too happy to work with you guys and the family in the future in honouring Griff’s legacy. Thank you guys.
Well thanks Steve. That wraps up this episode of our Next Generation Series on Hay Matters. If you’re enjoying these conversations, make sure you follow the podcast and stay connected with Feed Central for more stories from across Australia’s fodder industry.
The future of hay is in great hands and we’re proud to help tell these stories.
This podcast is hosted by Steve Page, presented by Feed Central and sponsored by LocalAg Marketplace.
Producer: Cara Stewart
Audio Editor: Ellen Ronalds Keen
Music: Pianio You
