The Algorithm Age

Finn Sugars is just one of many year 12 students trying to figure out his next chapter in life before his upcoming graduation. "I think I want to go to university, but I want to go into data analytics and finance in agriculture," he said. "I also see a future in helping farmers with what they should purchase and crop." Finn is enrolled in the recently developed Agribusiness ATAR course at Guildford Grammar, to equip year 11 and 12 students with practical knowledge and technical skills needed for modern careers as the farming workforce ages. "So far we've learnt about free-trade agreements with different countries, how Australia sits in international markets, things like that," Finn said. He added that being surrounded by boarders sparked his curiosity around agriculture, considering he didn't grow up on a farm. "I've been able to visit places like Corrigin, to understand more about sheep, th...

It's a bitterly cold winter's day on a dairy farm in Victoria's north east, and the ground has turned to mush as the rain falls from the grey sky. Jesse Wallace is guiding 500 dairy cows up the muddy path to the dairy shed for their afternoon milking. The 18-year-old does it with ease, noting which cows are usual suspects for lingering at the back. However, six months ago this was a daunting task. "It was in the middle of summer, and they all get in the river and you have to get knee deep to get them out," he said. "And you're worried about all the gates being shut." Mr Wallace finished high school last year in Brisbane, and is now working on a dairy farm for his gap year. He is a participant in the AgCAREERSTART program, run by the National Farmers' Federation. "There's not a lot of dairy opportunities in Queensland, because the weather is so hot, and I thought this would be a good a...