THE dwindling supply of job-ready graduates for the growing agricultural labour market has been described by one group aiming to fix the crisis as a "time bomb awaiting ignition".
While the jobs crisis hits all agricultural sectors, the Australian Beef Industry Foundation (ABIF) in concert with other industry leaders is actively working to inspire beef industry careers.
ABIF deputy chair John Gunthorpe said the current jobs shortage could be sheeted home to the lack of knowledge about agriculture in the nation's classrooms.
"Research shows that 40 per cent of careers are determined in primary school. When asked about people who work in agriculture, most primary school students could only respond with 'farmers'," he said.
"The Primary Industries Education Foundation (PIEF) is addressing this concern and is developing programmes to inform and broaden primary and secondary schools' appreciation of our nation's rural industries. Their executive manager, Ben Stockwin, recently joined the ABIF board and he will increase our understanding in this important area of work."
Mr Gunthorpe said the jobs crisis was at its deepest in the area of trained agronomists.
"The beef industry relies on growing good pasture, and therefore depends on agronomic advice to determine best practices," he said.
"The reported shortage of agronomists has significant impact. Soil health and mineral management are important aspects of managing a beef property today. The ability for producers to acquire high quality agronomic advice is an immediate and urgent problem."
Mr Gunthorpe said ABIF dovetails with the work PIEF does in primary and secondary schools by providing opportunities in the tertiary sector, including work experience.
"In the process of nurturing students through their move from formal education to successful career, mentoring is a clear need and ABIF is developing a team of contacts across the beef industry where students can seek support and guidance," he said.
"Meat and Livestock Australia run a three-year graduate programme to lift their aspirations and provide out of work projects where members can broaden their experience with activities they would not otherwise encounter.
"Cattle Council of Australia (CCA) runs the 'Rising Champions Award' to find those interested in agriculture who will become the leaders of tomorrow and to recognise the great work of the young in building the country's beef supply chain.
"Alison McIntosh, another recently appointed director of ABIF, is a past national winner of this CCA award.
The organisation is raising funds and providing tertiary education and industry experience to equip people in the 18-30 year age group with knowledge for careers across the entire beef supply chain.
Mr Gunthorpe said ABIF, with funds from industry and suppliers to the beef chain, offered two scholarships annually for successful candidates to study at Michigan and Illinois Universities in the US.
He said discussions were also happening to establish another two overseas study opportunities, one at Lincoln University in New Zealand and another at the Royal Agricultural College in the UK.
"Many past recipients of our overseas scholarships comment that winning this scholarship was a life-changing experience and deepened their commitment to work within the industry," he said.
"They also said they built up networks of contacts with the knowledge and experience to assist their later needs as they progress through realising their passion."
Mr Gunthorpe said that while ABIF's work was never ending, it was restricted by the foundation's ability to raise money its charitable work.
The Australian Beef Industry Foundation Education Fund is accredited by the ATO to be a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) fund and its board of trustees consists of highly experienced industry leaders including Professor Bob Officer and Rabobank chairman Bill Gurry AO. Donations received into this fund are tax deductible.
"We would encourage as many as possible to donate to our fund so this critically important work can continue," Mr Gunthorpe said.
Rural Press is a major sponsor of ABIF.
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