The million acre station owner using tourism in Australia's Red Centre with Ashley Severin (Nuffield Scholar 1986)

Humans of Agriculture

Ashley Severin and his wife Lyndee call Curtin Springs in Australia's Northern Territory home. The family has embraced generational opportunity in diversifying the 1 million acre cattle station to other means. They've successfully established and run a tourism business, support local tours, an on-farm restaurant and have explored value add opportunities for their beef cattle.

This episode is one of our episodes profiling various Nuffield Farming Scholars.

In this chat we cover:

• Living and working in a remote location requires resilience and adaptability.
• Diversification is key to surviving in the beef industry during challenging times.
• The development of tourism can provide additional income and opportunities for remote communities.
• Aerial mustering can be an efficient and cost-effective method for managing cattle.
• Participating in programs like the Nuffield scholarship can provide valuable knowledge and insights.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the tourism industry, leading to changes in attitudes and behaviors.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and background

06:42 Early Years at Curtin Springs

13:06 Ashley's Nuffield Scholarship and Travels

23:38 The Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism

Nuffield episode sponsor:
A message from this episode sponsor, ANZ Agribusiness:

Farming in Australia is never without opportunity, nor challenge. From season to season, and from day to day, producers manage a myriad of risks and rewards as they produce the vast range of commodities global markets now demand. At ANZ Agribusiness, we’ve been supporting farmers to take opportunities and manage through challenges for over 150 years. We’re a proud and long term partner of Nuffield Australia, supporting its goal of capacity building for producers, their businesses, industry and rural community. Our network of regionally based Agribusiness bankers are ready to support both our existing customers, and any farming business seeking a review of their banking arrangements at any time. Find your local ANZ Agribusiness manager at