A shared passion

From Argentina to Australia: A career in agriculture knows no bounds

From his early days on the family farm in Argentina to his current role as a Commercial Commodity Analyst at GrainCorp, Mateo Stemples has built a career shaped by adaptability and a strong love of the agricultural sector.

Growing up on a farm in Concordia, Entre Rios (about 400km north of Buenos Aires), Mateo developed an early appreciation for the land and its potential – his grandfather was a wheat and rice grower, while his father was involved in the beef industry.

“I’ve always enjoyed and been involved in farming, even after moving to a nearby town, I would regularly travel back to the farm,” says Mateo.

This interest in agriculture led Mateo to study agricultural engineering in Buenos Aires, a program like agricultural science in Australia.

During his studies, he worked as a junior business analyst for a farming company, gaining hands-on experience while supporting agronomists.

Initially planning a short stint in Australia to gain farming experience, Mateo quickly found himself drawn to the opportunities Down Under.

“My first job was on a dairy farm in Victoria, where I worked as a team leader and after six months, I moved to a cattle station near Julia Creek in Queensland, where I took on mustering responsibilities on a large property,” explains Mateo.

“The experience I gained during my first year sparked my desire to explore the Australian agricultural landscape further – I wanted to advance my professional career while enjoying my spare time in nature,” says Mateo.

Mateo during his time at Julia Creek in QLD

The next three years would see Mateo work for an ag start-up in Sydney called Sprout Stack and also complete an MBA and Master’s degree in Global Project Management.

Upon completing his degree, Mateo sought a fresh challenge – leading him to join GrainCorp as a Commercial Analyst in June 2022.

Since then, Mateo has moved up the ranks as a Risk Analyst and now as a Commercial Commodity Analyst.  

“Each role helped me build new skills – I gained market knowledge, improved my reporting and presentation abilities, and developed a broader understanding of the industry.”

Mateo graduating from Torrens University with an MBA and Master’s in Global Project Management

In his current role, Mateo supports traders by providing data and insights to inform strategic decisions.

“I enjoy the dynamic environment, every day is different, and you’re constantly staying on top of the news to adapt to market changes,” Mateo explains.

When asked about his future, Mateo is clear: “I see myself moving into trading eventually.”

“I thrive on analysing market trends, identifying opportunities, and contributing to the company’s growth.”

“My role offers the dynamic environment I enjoy, where I can combine my agricultural passion and knowledge with strategic thinking to create value and drive results.”

“I believe if you want to add value to your team, you have to keep learning – I’m always open to new ideas and sharing knowledge with others.”

Mateo shares his advice for anyone considering a career at GrainCorp.

“Just go for it! The working environment is collaborative and there’s a strong focus on learning and development.”

“The grain industry is complex, but you’ll find the support you need to grow.”

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Jess Simons

Head of Corporate Affairs & Government Relations

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