Studying at The University of Queensland (UQ) Gatton Campus has led one young agronomist to develop Australia’s first online grain-trading site. The site, www.brownliesgrain.com.au, will give grain producers access to more markets and also help them receive top dollar for their product.
Adam Brownlie began his career studying agronomy at UQ Gatton and working on a grain farm during his studies and holidays. During his degree, he also had an opportunity to travel to Wisconsin to gain further knowledge about US grain products and the world grain market.
Having experienced the local market firsthand and with some international experience under his belt, Mr Brownlie said he still felt that there were more efficiencies to be achieved in the Australia distribution system. While still studying overseas, Adam built the prototype for the Brownlie Grains web-trading site.
“I was looking for a way to help producers find previously unknown markets, giving them access to more information to improve decision-making and confidence in what to plant, how much to invest and where and when to market their produce,” Mr Brownlie said.
Upon his return to Australia and further development of the site and before even officially graduating from his first degree, Mr Brownlie said he discovered he needed a better understanding of business management. With a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agronomy) firmly in his grasp, he enrolled in a Master of Agribusiness.
“I found myself working on a project that was so much bigger than what we understand as traditional grain-trading. The system I have developed has the potential to benefit both producers and end-users through the promotion of a more competitive marketing system,” he said.
“Using this system, we can also level the Australian market to an extent, encouraging the flow of grain from geographic areas of surplus to areas of relative deficiency. Being able to do this has the added benefit of stabilising prices.”
Mr Brownlie will celebrate the achievement of yet another milestone this week, receiving his Graduate Diploma in Agribusiness on Friday, December 8, at the UQ Gatton graduation ceremony being held at the gymnasium at 10am. He is also well on track to graduating with his Masters in mid-2007.
“Studying at UQ Gatton opened my eyes to a whole world of possibilities,” Mr Brownlie said. “I originally enrolled in what I thought was a simple agronomy course, but the agricultural industry is so fast-moving that young people can get a start and make a difference extremely rapidly. The success of www.brownliegrains.com.au is living proof of this!”
Media inquiries: Susanne Schick, UQ Gatton (5460 1229, 0409 265 587). Further information/comment: Adam Brownlie (0439 715 176).
