Jim Collis is a grain grower from Beckom in the central part of the Riverina, NSW!
Jim loves the flexibility that is part and parcel with farming and living in the great outdoors. Being his own boss and knowing that every day brings with it something different.
Jim knows he can always rely on his mates in grain for honesty and a reliable sounding board to bounce ideas off. Swapping ideas and communication is what helps the modern farming community to reach its goals and get ahead.
Jim grew up on the farm that his mother was born on in 1929 and took inspiration from watching her run things singlehandedly after his father tragically passed away when Jim was only 3. The family farm, Glen Hope, is spread over 14,000 acres and is used for the broad acre cropping of wheat, barley, canola and lupin as well as the rearing of first cross ewes.
What is the one thing that you are continually striving towards as a grain grower?
Jim says that for him, “It is growing the best crop you can according to how much grain you get. It’s a never-ending battle, keeping your machinery and your infrastructure up to speed so we’re continually looking at ways we can keep up with the pace.” The challenge of staying competitive keeps Jim passionate for what he does, as he says that, “You can get left behind very quickly in this game so you’ve got to work hard to stay on the treadmill, so to speak.”
What is one thing you love about your job or lifestyle in grain?
Jim acknowledges the diversity afforded him by what he does, as he says that, “Every day is different, you know, you’re living out in the great outdoors, that’s got to be good hasn’t it.” Raised in the farming way, Jim is passing on the farming tradition to his three children. Does he think they’ll take over the mantel? “To be brutally honest, if you’re going to go and do something else it’s got to be pretty good to match it.”
What do you value most about having mates in the grain industry?
“The main thing you do with neighbours and mates is just compare notes. Just be open and honest with what you’re trying to achieve, that’s how you get ahead. You’ve got to do that for your own sanity, you’ve got to talk to each other.”
