(13 Aug 2008) SHOTLIST
Near Alectown, Central Western New South Wales - 28th July, 2008
1. Sheep in paddock
2. Robert Watt walks through gate
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Watt, farmer:
"A lot of my mates have gone off farm to get the quick buck (dollar) in the mine and its not usually by choice. They're forced to cause we need to make a living."
4. Robert Watt walks with lamb and dog
5. Sheep eating grain
6. Pan from sheep eating to truck
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Watt, farmer:
"The only reason I would leave is the finance. The pressure of not being able to get a wage at the end of the weekend and do what you like with it."
Sydney, 30th, July, 2008
8. Wide shot of young men in meeting
9. Robert Watt sitting next to Sam Gunn
10. Wide shot of meeting room
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Sam Gunn, Chairman of the Young Farmers Committee:
"We just think encouraging young people back into farming if they could get the first farm buyers grant I really think it could be a step in the right direction to getting people back on the land."
Near Alectown, Central Western New South Wales - 28th July, 2008
12. Aerial of paddocks
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert Watt, Farmer:
"Definitely potential in agriculture. The price of commodities are quite good, just depends if the weather comes our way and we can crack a crop and some decent seasons for our livestock as well. We can make a bit of money, its obviously out of our control."
14. Various Robert Watt inspecting grass
15. Cattle eating feed
16. Close up cattle eating feed
LEAD IN:
In these days of drought and rising costs, selling off the family farm has become a familiar story in rural areas of Australia.
But now the next generation of farmers is fighting back.
STORYLINE:
It's not just livestock hit hard by the drought, but Australia's next generation of farmers.
At 24 Robert Watt, a farmer from Alectown, a region of Australia, has had seven seasons on the farm, but not one year of profit.
He says the drought plus a sharp spike in farming costs has left a generational hole on farms.
Robert Watt also says that lots of his friends have given up their job at the farm and have reluctantly gone to work in the mine to make a decent living.
He says most young people have considered selling up and explains that the prospect of not earning any money could eventually push him to leave as well.
Robert Watt has joined fifty other young farmers at a meeting in Sydney recently to work out ways to get more people back on the land.
And some say farm finance is the key.
Sam Gunn, the chairman of the young farmers committee says that encouraging young people to get the first farm buyers grant is important to help them get back into farming.
The farmers who stay on the land face new challenges. They have to manage with less rain and decide which crops suit the changing conditions.
Robert Watt also says there is potential in agriculture to make some money, but external conditions such as the weather are elements that cannot be anticipated and controlled.
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