FARMERS HELPING FARMERS Episode 24 – Will Bignell

March 3, 2025

The Tassie farmer who’s packed four lifetimes into one

Agricultural investment manager and VicNoTill board member Angus Ingram steps in as guest host for this fast-paced, action-packed interview with Tasmanian farmer and ag scientist Will Bignell. Angus pulled Will aside after hearing him speak at the Grounded Festival in southern Tasmania in December 2024.

Will is a 7th generation farmer and father of three boys from Bothwell in Tasmania and it’s remarkable what he’s managed to cram into his life so far. The Bignell family farm is well known for pioneering and innovating a number of new and emerging Australian industries. Will has a fascinating back story and runs a highly diverse operation in an extremely challenging environment.

An agricultural scientist by trade, Will has a PhD in improving omega 3 fats in sheep, runs a drone business, Drone Ag, and is focused on promoting soil health using precision technology in agriculture. Will is a strong believer that farming has to increase yields while maintaining or improving land, all while making a decent living. He is a strong believer in the value of community and family in ag, and helps run events that bring hope and support to farmers in his district.

Will runs a 2300Ha farm with his parents and produce wool, poppies, lamb, venison and a number of boutique specialty root vegetables. He is highly regarded for his skills at breaking down complex problems and bringing together people and resources to create simple, effective and economical solutions. We really appreciated Will’s openness and his transparency about all the various challenges, successes and failures that he’s had so far in life, and we hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it.


Photo Credit: The Examiner via Grounded Tasmania.

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