The Ryan family began manufacturing in 1960 when Austin Ryan OAM, a farmer from Beulah, began developing farm equipment in his workshop. After licencing his first cultivator (the Scaravator) to Bolwell & Johns (Horsham), Austin realised a need for more productivity on farms. Uniquely, this would enable farmers to increase efficiency and cover acres quicker during planting. His innovative Scaravator design overtook the industry and propelled the company. Ultimately, becoming one of the largest privately-held agricultural equipment manufacturers in Australia.

In 1972, Austin began manufacturing the Ryan Scaravator, a superior cultivator compared to the original Scaravator. Consequently, it became the most recognised spring release cultivator. In the beginning, the first 50 units were constructed on the family farm. Eventually, due to exponential sales manufacturing relocated to Warracknabeal in Victoria’s northwest.

In 1976, for winter planting, Austin built an airseeder for use on his farm. Therefore, pioneering a new level for planting seed versus the conventional drill system. In particular, a seed hopper that would straddle over the cultivator. This new era of Ryan innovations cemented the Ryans’ leadership in planting equipment. In addition, catching the attention of large manufacturers.

Every company strives for a product ahead of its time. For Austin that would be his single-disc planter in 1983 and his deep banding system in 1986. Obviously, farmer acceptance was challenging at times. Nowadays, both concepts are common practice on farms.

Long history of manufacturing farm machinery

Broadacre farmers all over the world have much to thank the late Austin Ryan for. Austin Ryan was the founder of the well known Ryan brand and products that farmers use today. His machinery inventions and plant nurture systems, designed over 50 years, have increased their efficiency and significantly boosted their cropping returns.

When the Australian government awarded Austin an Order of Australia Medal in 2001 for a lifetime of innovation in agriculture, he joined, only two, similarly honoured agricultural machinery pioneers. They were, posthumously, the developer of the mechanical grain harvester, Hugh Victor McKay, of HV McKay Sunshine, and seeding and cultivation equipment pioneer Tom Connor, of Connor Shea Ltd.

Austin was raised on the family farm at Galaquil, near Beulah in the heart of the Mallee. In his school years, he built billy carts and the like and was renowned for his Meccano set creations, winning a Beulah Show award at the age of 11 with a model semi-trailer. He returned from boarding school at 14 to work the farm, and one of the first things he made was a wind-powered light using a T Model Ford gearbox and generator.

The beginning of the RYAN brand

Austin’s first significant machine was a cross between a scarifier and a cultivator – the Ryan Scaravator. It was 5.2m wide, hinged in the middle to cope with uneven ground, and was the world’s first wideline spring release cultivator. Hundreds of these cultivators were made at factories in Horsham, Parkes in NSW, Mallala in South Australia, and Perth in WA, with exports to South Africa, the UK and the US.

Austin patented an airseeder in 1978, and his other inventions have included a chisel plough, twist-on shear points, a coulter drill and a trash float system.

His revolutionary deep banding tine and sowing boot system for fertiliser and seed won him significant awards in the US in 1991. Farmers across the world, who adopted this system, reported yields of more than 300 per cent. Austin regarded his last major invention, the Auspoint press wheels, as his best.

Overcoming Obstacles

The extreme Australian seasons over the years have been trying for Ryan manufacturing. Whilst the severe droughts presented a multitude of challenges, they seemed to bring out the best in Austin. In turn, these pressures lead to increased opportunities to develop products to aid farmers.

Next Generation

Today, Austin’s son, Paul Ryan is driving RYAN NT (formely RFM NT). At 18, Paul’s journey began at the plant whilst also working on the farm. Due to this, Paul was involved in the development of products from an early age. Including, but not limited to, concept ideas to trials in the paddock. To sum up, Paul’s passion for the industry meant that he always believed he would take over the family business.

All things considered, Paul is an innovator in his own rights, with his first major development being a clothesline product. As a result, he went and lived in the city of Melbourne for several years. For the most part, it was here that he learned the value of marketing. Notably, in 1992 Paul won the Australian Inventors Award.

These independent ventures helped Paul to understand the special nature of his Father’s company.

In 1993 after 6 years in Melbourne, he returned to Warracknabeal. Furthermore, with a deeper appreciation of the innovators in the industry – ranging from employees, manufacturers, and dealers

Challenges and Opportunities

Paul has witnessed a multitude of struggles through downturns in the farm economy. Overall, this has driven his strong feelings about adversity and the lessons it teaches. Paul states “Whenever I’ve faced challenges, I’ve learnt how to fight the battle and never give up. You need to figure out how to grow again and move forward. Those are the times that make you think, re-approach and re-innovate.

Paul has travelled the world in a quest to share the best farming practices and techniques. “It doesn’t matter if I talk to farmers in Kazakhstan or the USA, the business of farming comes down to a similar core. How they practice may vary, but how they approach the idea of getting seed in is practically the same” These farmers say that Ryan products are innovative and easy to use, which makes their planting practices more productive.

Driven By Our 5 Core Values

The Ryan culture will continue to adhere to its five principles: integrity, excellence, innovation, customer focus and mutual respect. Paul’s father instilled these values into him.

Paul explains “Whilst building a great product that’s helping feed the world, we’re also, making the farmer more productive. It is exciting to see the growth and changes from expanding around the globe. It’s always rewarding to see the results from hard work and taking risks.”