From Tradition to Innovation: Transforming Farming with Modern Practices

South Australian-based agribusiness A.G. Schilling & Co. was established in 1964 but its origins date back to 1925 when the grandparents of current CEO Mark Schilling first established their farm. Fast forward 60 years later, having grown from an 800 hectare farm to 3000 hectares combining owned, leased, and share farming. The business is still a family owned and run operation. “There’s nothing better than being part of a family farm operation – it’s both your home and also your job, with a lifestyle most would envy,” Mark says.

In 1992, Mark took on a management role within the business that was being run by his parents. Since then, he, and his wife Merridee, have taken on multiple initiatives, all of them in keeping with their commitment to innovation. Their sons, Aidan and Rohan and five full time staff ensure the diversification becomes reality.

When rising rodent bait costs became a financial strain for SA farmers about a decade ago, Mark partnered with business acquaintance Wilhelm Rural from Adelaide, owner of the registered label “Last Supper”. This partnership enabled A.G. Schilling & Co., now trading under the company Their Last Supper Pty Ltd, to supply mouse bait for broader acre use directly to farmers and retail chains as an alternative bait to what was currently in store.

Mark describes himself as a disruptor. “If I have identified a problem then it’s likely others have the same problem,” Mark says, admitting it is something of a theme in his approach to business. When he needed a particular opener for his air seeder, he “googled” and found one that took his interest, which was manufactured in Canada. Purchasing a set for their own use subsequently began a business partnership importing Atom Jet openers. Thus began the import arm of A.G. Schilling & Co., now known as AG Culture Pty Ltd. The company employs three full time staff working solely on importing products that include the AWS Airbar, Needham Ag Technology and RedE Ag disc seeder parts.

But A.G. Schilling & Co. are also exporters and have control of their entire supply chain. Mark is an authorised Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service officer, which allows them to pack their own product into shipping containers and export to many countries. “We’ve become self-reliant by covering the full supply chain,” he says.

AG Schilling & Co are shareholders of privately owned seed breeding company GIA. “In partnership with Grains Innovation Australia, we have bred eleven different varieties of grain and pulses, which we grow, pack, and export.” New seed varieties bred by GIA include Metro, Thunder and Lightning Lentils, Kingbale and Archer Oats, Anvil and Soaker Wheat, and Kastar Peas.

Yorke Peninsula is renowned for its innovation in dry-land farming machinery and techniques, but one of the key challenges facing farmers on Yorke Peninsula is the need to conserve water and maintain soil quality. Decades ago A.G. Schilling & Co. adopted sustainable farming practices such as Zero Till and other permaculture methods to increase water retention and improve soil health. This ensures that the land remains fertile and productive over the long-term.

Sustainability is crucial to the operation of A.G. Schilling & Co., which means the business must have the ability to track and trace across the value chain. “If we’re going to be sustainable, we need to understand what chemicals are used on what products, and when and where it was grown.” To that end, A.G. Schilling & Co. has partnered with local computer software company Trust Provenance of Adelaide to develop a digital platform that will enable producers to manage their supply chain using a mobile phone.  

Mark has demonstrated his strong commitment to sustainable farming by becoming an active member of agricultural groups and committees such as Grain Producers Australia and Grain Producers South Australia and a board member of Adelaide University's Agribusiness Advisory Board. He is also an advocate for improvement of facilities for farmers at a local level.

This fierce commitment is a reflection of Mark’s leadership and his understanding that successful farming depends not only on technology and equipment but also on a strong and supportive local community. “Agriculture is in many ways the backbone of the South Australian economy and social fabric; it is the healthy cooperation of the people in the agricultural industry that is key to success,” he says.

“Remaining “cash positive” is one motivator for diversifying A.G. Schilling & Co.’s business, especially with the ever-present threat of drought and other challenges that go with farming on Yorke Peninsula . “The most resilient generational farms are the ones that have chosen to diversify,” Mark says.

“I’m always looking for new opportunities,” Mark says. “Yes, there have been some failures, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give something a go. That’s the only way you learn. That’s the Aussie spirit.”