Di and Ian Haggerty

The Haggerty’s story is a testament to their unwavering passion for farming and their dedication to sustainable and regenerative practices.

Ian and Dianne Haggerty are pioneers in sustainable farming and the co-founders of Natural Intelligence Farming ™. Originally hailing from Western Australia, their dedication to agriculture stems from deep familial roots and a shared ambition to revolutionize farming practices.

Now the grateful stewards of over 27,000 hectares of farmland in Western Australia, their passion for farming dates back to their childhood, growing up on family farms. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the opportunity to take over their respective family farms and despite this setback, their love for horses brought them together in the Swan Valley, and they soon married. In 1991, with their three-month-old son, they purchased a BP franchise in Derby and made the move up north. During their time in the Kimberly, Ian and Di formed strong connections with the local Indigenous elders, who taught them about the importance of connecting with the land. When a neighbouring 660-hectare property to Di’s parents became available for sale in 1993, Ian and Di saw it as a chance to return to the wheatbelt and try their hand at farming.

In the early years, they faced challenges as they started with limited resources. They borrowed machinery from Di’s father and bought 300 merino sheep. However, their first meeting with a farm advisor was discouraging, as they were told that their farm was too small to succeed. Despite this setback, they pressed on.

They have overcome obstacles and embraced new knowledge to create a successful farming operation that not only produces high-quality crops but also nurtures the land for future generations.

The foundation of the Haggerty’s Natural Intelligence Farming methods lies in their deep commitment to regenerating the fertility of the marginal soils in their area. They achieve this through the use of biological fertilisers, zero tillage, and cultivating healthy cereal plants that yield high tonnages of premium grain per hectare. The healthy ground cover of their crops and pastures plays a vital role in maintaining soil moisture and controlling weeds.

In addition to their crop farming, Ian and Dianne have also developed their own Merino stud and a working sheep flock. They have carefully bred their flock using local and South Australian bloodlines, ensuring that their sheep are perfectly acclimatised to the land they farm.

Di and Ian were recently recognised as 2025 WA Australian of the Year Agricultural Pioneers.