The popular proverb: “Necessity is the mother of invention” succinctly sums up the inception of Offsider Agricultural Equipment in 2017.
When Andrea Brosnan inherited a property in Killarney she had two “helpers”, her 70-year-old mother and young nephew.
Her husband David Hicks, a civil engineer, was away often for work, usually just as critical tasks arose on the mixed farm.
“And, yes, we would argue, you know. And I was like, ‘I need an offsider’!
“So, David actually built the basis of these machines – all the stuff we make and own now – for me so I could do the job myself.
“When they say ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ it is actually true.”
Offsider Agricultural Equipment last month won the prestigious Machine of the Year for its Small Ruminant Bulk Handler at the Australian National Field Days.
David and Andrea had developed and manufactured the handler from Australian inputs in response to the national adoption of mandatory electronic identification (eID) for small ruminants.
“When the Commonwealth Government decided that all sheep, cattle, goats and alpacas needed an eID tag, we saw that as something that would be really challenging, especially if you were operating by yourself, absolutely,” Andrea said.
“The Small Ruminant Bulk Handler turns a three person job into a one person job.
“It holds multiple sheep (meat or fibre) and/or goats securely so the operator can drench, tag and perform husbandry tasks.
“It doesn’t need electricity or an air compressor to run.”
Andrea said the design’s simplicity and robustness impressed the judges, along with the ability of all ages and genders to use it effectively.
She said “many more” women were now running farms and the agricultural workforce continued to age.
“The products we make really do make sure that everybody is safe. The farm owner, employees, as well as the animals. There’s less brute force and ignorance, yes.
“So, while it’s such a big honour to win an award like this and we are incredibly thrilled, anytime a customer gives us feedback and says, ‘This machine has changed my life, thank you so much, we’re so much safer.’ It’s the same feeling of satisfaction.”
Offsider delivers its machines throughout Australia to clients who have just 10 sheep and to others who have 10,000 sheep, as well as cattle mobs of all sizes.
“We like to say that we’re based in Killarney, yes, because it’s halfway between Victoria and the Cape,” Andrea said. “We can look after everybody!”
Offsider currently employs 17 local full-time staff. “It’s our social responsibility, I think,“ she said.
