Six Decades Carting Hay: A Chat with Graham Thomson (Thommo)

In this episode, Jon Paul Driver talks with Thommo, a hay industry veteran who began carting hay for over 62 years ago. Thommo discusses his early days of manual hay baling, his role as a founding member of the Australian Fodder Industry Association, and the technological changes he's witnessed and embraced in his long career. He also shares insights from his international travels and the strong network of relationships he's built across the industry. From his first hand-operated baler to a 50 foot mower to Australia's first Heston baler, join us for a fascinating episode as Thommo recounts the developments he's seen shape modern hay production over six decades.Thommo started his hay carting career at 14, using a tractor and trailer borrowed from his dad to move hay 30 bales at a time to a location a mile away, and earning himself a shilling a bale. By the time he was 18, Thommo had saved enough money from carting hay to buy a Ford Falcon Ute.His big break came when he secured a major contract to supply 15,000 tons of small square bales yearly to a large feedlot. Despite the challenges, with three trucks and continuous hard work, he managed to make it work, hauling hay from as far as 200 miles away.In the 1980s, the introduction of round rolls and big square bales eased the labour and logistics of moving hay and Thommo's area was among the first in Australia to use the large Heston square balers, leading to a dramatic increase in efficiency and output.Thommo is a founding member of the Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA) and prides himself on never missing a conference in 25 years.He believes firmly in embracing new technologies; failing to adapt means getting left behind and staying current is essential for success in modern agriculture.Thommo values the connections he’s made throughout his career, highlighting that the relationships built across Australia, and his six years of work on agricultural boards in Canberra, have been crucial in navigating agricultural challenges.He embarked on a study tour to America about 20 years ago, which altered his initial perceptions of American farmers. The trip included visits to farms and a John Deere factory where he gained significant insights from interactions with both farmers and industry leaders.After the U.S. tour, he extended his travels to England, where his experiences included seeing a 50-foot mower that could mow 1000 acres in a day.Despite the technological advances he saw, there are practical limitations of relying solely on digital solutions in farming, making it a necessity to maintain a balance with both traditional methods and new innovations.