David Long

Associate Diploma in Applied Science (Farm Management), Class of 1989–90

David was twenty one and an experienced stonemason labourer, shearer and farmer when he decided to pursue his passion for Ag. The natural choice was enrolling at Roseworthy to further his skills and knowledge. Now he owns and manages his own business, Long Seed and Grain Pty Ltd, and is Regional Manager for Nidera Australia. David has been there done that. He has worked in safries, field offices, agronomist firms, fertiliser management, hay buying enterprises as well as grower services and other agricultural fields.

David’s business, Long Seed & Grain Pty Ltd, trades and brokers in small seeds and other commodities.They are also consultants to Agri Business Consulting Group Pty Ltd.

‘Longy’ as David is also fondly known as, has always been involved in the farming industry and owned a small parcel of acreage up until last year.

“My Dad who is a 5th generation farmer in the mid north region completed a six week course at Roseworthy when he was younger. He demanded that his children pursued a tertiary education, which has since paid off! My older brother, Bill, went to Roseworthy and I visited many times. It was a family tradition and expectation. I was first accepted into the Degree course but Gavin Riggs convinced me that I would be better doing his course. He was right as usual!”

What was David’s fondest memory while studying at Roseworthy?
“The mates and friendships are some of the best aspects of studying at Roseworthy. If I had to pick one it would have to be when I was dragged in to play the Annual Roseworthy International Rugby Union game for the Aussies against the International Students. The Aussies were always short for players and very rarely won as it always depended on which side Steve Ball played.

I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I saw a scrum I just went and did a swan dive on it. Apparently you are not meant to do that, so I was told. Everyone just cracked up laughing.

I had guys like Michael (Moose) Evans, Greg (Rory) White, Chris Kelly, Big Al, PJ Charteris and Big Rob Venturin (just to name a few) dragging me around the field telling me what to do for the next 2-3 years for the Roseworthy Rams (we loved our pink stripe). It was a great game with great blokes. The whole Roseworthy experience was a blast. One other special memory that comes to mind was at Graduation when Robin (Bones) Schaefer received Dux for our year. We organised a standing ovation for him because he worked hard and deserved it. It was something that had not been done before at a ceremony. Someone from another course said “typical bloody farmers, always doing something different!” But it went down well.”