Navigating Tough Seasons and Nutrition Solutions with Austasia’s Tony Grob
Navigating Tough Seasons and Nutrition Solutions with Austasia’s Tony Grob
Beneath The Brim: Tony Grob
Tony Grob is no stranger to the seasonal and unpredictable challenges of farming. He has spent his career building resilience and supporting both producers and communities through tough times in the agricultural industry.
“Starting 2002 in the animal feed industry during a drought was a learning curve, however the severity of 2017-2019’s heavy drought is unforgettable,” says Tony. “By mid 2018 all of NSW and a large portion of QLD was declared in drought and it was incredibly tough for producers and suppliers.
“All our Sales Reps really dug deep and pulled together. We had a great industry network which meant we could connect producers with other services such as drought relief programs and financial management consultants to support them through it.”
In agriculture, there are often weather extremes from crippling droughts to devastating floods. In 2011, massive floods hit parts of South East Queensland and devastation hit Grantham, near Toowoomba. Nearby one of Tony’s clients was a piggery with over 1000 sows. They had two units that relied on their feed mix being delivered every second day.
“We worked with emergency services to get feed to them,” says Tony. “We rallied together and trucked feed in on the back of our utes & trailers.
“It was one of the most sobering and memorable moments of my career.”
Tony grew up on a mixed farming operation in Glen Innes and was essentially born into rural life. His grandfather had a Hereford stud and also grew corn, carrots and peas. His parents ran fat lambs, beef cattle, some poultry and a few pigs. Most of his family were shearers or fencers but due to an unfortunate back injury, Tony took a different path gaining some retail managerial experience. In 2002, he started working at Riverina Stockfeeds in Warwick as a new Sales Rep.
“What excited me the most was the opportunity to work back with farmers and industry suppliers every day,” says Tony. “Working with friends, family and meeting so many new people around the area made the role very enjoyable and rewarding.
“I was helping them achieve their operational goals through quality nutrition solutions and learning a lot along the way.”
Tony’s motto has always been “believe in yourself”. During his early days at Riverina Stockfeeds, Tony was tasked with the solo 19 hour drive to Kimalo Feedyard, Parkerhouse Pastoral near Mareeba for their Grand Opening. This experience was both exhilarating and challenging for Tony, proving the value of self belief.
“I drove up in a very uncomfortable two wheel Holden Commodore sedan with no UHF,” says Tony. “There was more dust inside than outside.
“Somewhere west of Mount Isa (in the middle of nowhere), I got lost coming back and really had to dig deep to get to the next farm visit and eventually home.”
After 22 years at Riverina Stockfeeds, Tony has built a reputation in the industry for not only his knowledge but the way he finds helpful and positive solutions to any situation. Tony became the Central Business Manager at Austasia in June 2024. This role largely focuses on supplying and servicing feed solutions for beef, sheep and poultry producers in the Southern QLD and Northern NSW regions.
“I’m very grateful for my experience at Riverina and excited about this new chapter at Austasia,” says Tony. “Poultry is also an area that Austasia are really stepping back into which is exciting.
“I have years of experience working with poultry from my time at Riverina but I also recently completed a Master Class in Poultry Production from UNE.”
Tony enjoys the ability to integrate with different livestock industries on an impactful level. His passion for collaboration complements Austasia’s focus on delivering research-driven, accurate nutritional advice to producers.
“Austasia’s products underpin animal health, growth, biosecurity and welfare,” says Tony. “We focus on how our products will contribute to the business’ overall operational and productivity goals.
“Austasia always struck me as a dynamic team that had the research behind them. And now, after working with them for 18 months, I’ve found the research to be very impressive, practical and beneficial.”
Tony has attended some very insightful industry events and operations. His highlights include an Intensive Poultry & Pork Conference in Taiwan, the ALFA Smart Beef Event at Killara Feedlot near Tamworth and feedlot beef production tours in both Vietnam and the United States. The most memorable moments were visits to intensive water buffalo and bison feedlots - truly a unique experience.
“The PIX Expo 2024 was one recent eye opener,” says Tony. “It continues to highlight the importance of networking and backing yourself in such a progressive industry."
Outside of work, Tony enjoys camping, four-wheel driving and travelling to the United States and South Africa when he has the chance. His favourite places in America include Sterling, Montana and the Yellowstone National Park. He’s also an avid music fan who loves going to live concerts and chilling out playing his guitar.
“Metallica and Brooks & Dunn are the best concerts I’ve ever been to,” Tony says. “They’re completely different styles, but both incredible!”
