What’s the David Horsnell story
“I was born in Western Victoria into a farming family focussed on Pig and Sheep production. As a young person in a country town the things I looked forward to were playing football for the local team, the Balmoral Bombers, riding my motorbike and Water skiing during summer. As most young blokes involved in a family farm in the region, I shore for ten years in addition to working within the family business. In the early 90s, an opportunity presented to relocate interstate and join a successful rural retail business in the Murraylands of South Australia. I was with that business for eight years which was the stimulus for my interest in ruminant nutrition and management, which has been my passion for the last 16 years. We have been farming again in South Australia, at one point running 2000 breeding ewes. We have developed a feedlot with a capacity of 2000 head, which is used to trade lambs but is also used regularly as part of the sheep program. I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to join the ProAgni team and become part of the new face in ruminant nutrition and management. The new technology ProAgni have developed along with their earthy approach and drive to deliver value to the production community, is a pleasure to be part of.
You played a bit of footy in your youth what sports do you enjoy now?
“I was a strong follower of AFL, however some recent events in the team I supported has left a bit of a cloud over football for me. My daughter plays A grade netball for the ‘Mypolonga Tigers’, and my wife is the team manager, being part of the local club is important to us. Water skiing has always been a passion of mine, we ski regularly on the Murray River at Mypolonga and Caloote. I am a bit of a skiing tragic and earlier this year skied day one with a Victorian team (Wattsgoinon who raised $3500) over 170 km of the 450km to raise money for ‘Ski for Life’. An event that raises funds to tackle mental health and suicide prevention.” Hoping to ski the whole 450kms over the 3-day event next year.
What’s the biggest challenge to rural businesses in the next 10 years?
“Oh definitely climate change and variation in rainfall especially across the SA and Vic Mallee and western NSW. If CSIRO predictions are correct, we need to produce 70% more food over the next 30 years to meet the demands of global population growth. It’s an interesting time for new feed technology, management techniques and education.”
You spend a lot of time in the car visiting ProAgni resellers and producers, what do you listen to?
“ I listen to the ABC, especially The Rural Report and conversations with Richard Fiedler, 70s light rock features strongly ”
What three things couldn’t you live without?
“Family, beer – Coopers Pale Ale of course (gotta support the SA locals) and my water ski boat”
What do you like about working for ProAgni?
“The ProAgni team are authentic, the founders all come from the production community with a true passion for the industry and, want to deliver highly effective formulations that deliver value to the production community. They have developed leading edge technology that’ll change the grain feeding industry globally.”