Gut instinct is only part of the story for Brad Egan.
The 27-year-old grower is a big believer in precision agriculture and has spent countless hours gathering and crunching data on his family's 3,400-hectare farm at Scaddan, north of Esperance, WA.
"It's led to us converting 'gut feel' into data-driven decisions," he said.
"Which has led to some really rewarding successes."
That success has just been recognised on the national stage, with Mr Egan named Australia's Young Farmer of the Year for 2022.
The ABC co-founded the Farmer of the Year Award with the Kondinin Group in 2010 in order to recognise best practice and excellence in agriculture.
"When I got told I'd won it, I was speechless, to be honest," he said.
"And I'm extremely grateful."
Precision the key to success
A decision to study agribusiness at Curtin University proved pivotal in Mr Egan's development.
Armed with new skills in data analysis, he returned to the farm – alongside his parents Gavin and Elaine – eager to make a difference.
The early results were promising.
"We had a spreader on the farm at the time that wasn't quite spreading to the full 36 metres it was supposed to," he said.
"I was able to measure the low nutrition strip, figure out the yield difference … and from that, present the data showing how much we were losing per year of potential income.
"That was my first real look in how valuable the data can be in decision making."
He said precision agriculture – the use of technology and data for more efficient inputs – now underpinned much of the farm's productivity.
"As we've continued to use this technology, we've continued to improve our method of application," he said.
"To be as efficient as we can with our inputs is not only helping us in a business economic sense, but also [with] environmental sustainability."
Managing the soil with precision, and an eye to future generations, forms the backbone of his philosophy on farming.
"If we're not doing the right thing by the environment now, then 10, 20, 30, 100 years down the track … it's not for the benefit of anyone," he said.
"If we can really crack down and never be over- or under-applying nutrition or chemicals … then we know that we're being more sustainable."
Reward well worth the effort
Mr Egan can enjoy the fruits of his labour – one sip at a time.
His farm also provides Esperance's Lucky Bay Brewery with the barley needed for its beer.
"It's a really rewarding experience to watch the crop grow throughout the year and then give it support local," he said.
"When you see the reward for the effort you put in, it's what keeps everyone going."
