Warakirri Cropping: A Career-Making Opportunity with Tony Murfit

What this episode covers

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli Le Lievre sits down with Tony Murfit, Regional Manager for Western Australia at Warakirri Cropping, to explore the Farm Operations Manager opportunity at Mawarra and what makes it such an important role within the business.Having managed Mawarra himself before Warakirri purchased the property in 2011, Tony shares how the farm has evolved into one of Western Australia's leading broadacre cropping operations. He reflects on the transformation of the business, the innovation happening across the WA grains industry, and why he believes Mawarra continues to offer enormous potential.The conversation also provides an inside look at the Farm Operations Manager role. Tony explains what success looks like, the importance of planning, logistics and leading a team across more than 24,000 hectares, and why trust, communication and the ability to adapt are just as important as technical farming knowledge.Whether you're already working in broadacre cropping or looking to take the next step in your career, Tony shares why this role is an opportunity to learn, grow and build a long-term future with Warakirri Cropping. With the support of an experienced team and clear pathways for progression, he explains why the right mindset matters more than having all the answers on day one.This episode is designed to give candidates and listeners a genuine insight into the business, the people, the opportunity and Tony's vision for building high-performing farming teams.Key insights from the conversation:How Mawarra became Warakirri Cropping’s first property in Western AustraliaHow soil improvement and changing farming practices have transformed the farmWhat it takes to operate across more than 24,000 hectaresWhy planning, logistics and timeliness are critical at MawarraWhat the Farm Operations Manager will focus on day to dayWhy trust and communication are central to building a strong teamWhy candidates do not need to know everything before stepping into the roleThe importance of leading from the front and working alongside the teamWhat success could look like after the first 12 monthsThe lifestyle and community available around MerredinHow the role could create a pathway towards becoming a Farm Manager within WarakirriInterested in learning more? We have a full job description and additional information available on our Careers page: https://humansofagriculture.com/careers/job-board/farm-operations-manager-x191Or connect with Zoe Burgess for a confidential conversation about the role available with Warakirri Cropping.Chapters:00:00 Introduction and recent farm visit to WA00:29 Interview with Tony Murfit on WA grain industry01:31 The evolution of soil management and crop yields in WA03:29 The importance of Mawarra farm to Warakirri Cropping04:52 Farm expansion and cropping intensity growth05:35 Major advancements in farm management since 201107:07 Role and team structure of the farm operations manager08:25 Approach to stepping into the farm operations role09:06 Current challenges and capacity planning10:36 Managing farm operations across large distances11:53 The importance of timeliness and adaptability12:18 Success indicators after 12 months in the role14:25 Team culture and peer learning at WA farms16:03 Leadership style and team trust19:16 Opportunities for women and diverse leadership in agriculture22:36 Encouraging relocation and career growth in WA farming25:37 Final thoughts and closing remarks

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