Humans of Agriculture – Details, episodes & analysis

We're sitting down with Jo Palmer, co-founder of The Connection Table. After returning to her rural roots in The Rock, New South Wales, following a stint in Singapore, Jo reflects on her journey and her latest endeavour with co-founder Julia Spicer. The Connection Table is a professional network aiming to elevate rural Australians into decision-making roles across government, industry, and community.

Jo shares her insights on the barriers rural Australians face in securing leadership positions and the innovative solutions The Connection Table is offering. From professional development opportunities to fostering networks and advocating for greater rural representation, this initiative is set to transform how rural voices are heard at leadership tables.

Episode Highlights:

• The Connection Table's Purpose: A digital platform designed to centralise and connect rural talent with leadership and decision-making opportunities.
• The Rural Leadership Gap: Despite significant investment in rural leadership development, the transition to actual leadership roles remains limited. The Connection Table aims to bridge this gap.
• Jo’s Reflection on Starting Again: Lessons learned from her first startup, Pointer Remote, and how launching The Connection Table has been a more deliberate and collaborative process.
• Breaking Down Silos: The need for a broader representation of rural Australia beyond agriculture, including mining, environment, and migrant communities.
• Support for Emerging Leaders: Offering training, governance skills, and network-building resources to empower individuals at all stages of their leadership journey.
• Unique Features of The Connection Table: Monthly Lunch with Friends networking sessions, board and panel opportunity feeds, and a focus on underrepresented voices in regional Australia.

Mid this year we were at the Aussie Cotton Conference and it sparked a curiousity into who the big players are, where are they going and what impact is that having for Australian cotton growers.

I grabbed Paul Joules from Rabobank to discuss the current state of the cotton market and farm inputs. Paul shares insights from his experience in global agricultural commodities, particularly focusing on cotton production, demand dynamics, and the impact of global events on prices. The conversation also delves into the volatility of farm inputs, especially fertilisers, and the importance of staying informed as a farmer in a rapidly changing landscape.

Darren Thomas is the CEO of Thomas Foods International and in this episode we chat about his journey, the family business, and how they've not just made the most of opportunities they've overcome huge adversity. 

From growing into new international markets, supporting local communities, the business is proud of its heritage and excited for the future.

Takeaways

• Being present and connected with employees and customers is crucial for success in the agricultural industry.
• South Australia offers unique advantages for businesses, such as access to owners and CEOs and affordability.
• Strategic acquisitions and expansion into processing have been key factors in the growth of Thomas Foods International.
• Teamwork, continuous learning, and a clear vision are essential for achieving success in the industry. The major fire at the TFI meat processing plant in Murray Bridge was a significant challenge, but there were no injuries or loss of life.
• The rebuilding process was a huge undertaking, but TFI was able to mitigate losses and quickly get back to production.
• TFI has diversified its business into seafood, cooked meats, and pet food, allowing for the extraction of maximum value from the carcass.
• Sustainability and innovation are important focus areas for TFI, including investments in environmental awareness, cyber security, and financial reporting.
• A sustainable price for farmers is crucial for the long-term viability of the agricultural industry.

LivestockSA Partnership:
Today's episode is part of our partnership with Livestock SA's AgRi-Silience program, designed to improve strategic planning and long-term resilience for forward-looking South Australian livestock and broadacre enterprises.

Participants of the program get one-on-one coaching, tailored advice from a consultant and get the chance to meet a network of other farmers enabling long term strategic planning to sustain your business into the future. 

Funded by the Australian Government and the Government of South Australia as part of the Future Drought Fund’s Farm Business Resilience Program, AgRi-Silience has already helped over 1000 South Australian farmers build financial literacy, confidence in decision-making, and essential resilience skills.

You can secure your place and take the next step towards a more resilient future by visiting the AgRi-Silience page on the Livestock SA website.

Join host Oli Le Lievre as he chats with Samantha (Sam) Wan, an Australian wool broker based in Melbourne. There's something about wool that gets people so energised and Sam is no exception. This episode was recorded from the Hamilton Sheepvention, so we hope you're forgiving of some faint background noise! While recording, Oli was huddled around a heater while Sam was nice and warm in her Elders water-proof woollen jacket!!

Episode Highlights:

• Sam's journey from a non-agricultural background and what sparked her passion for wool
• An insight into international wool markets and the global appreciation for Aussie wool
• Elder's new wool handling facility and the integration of automation in the wool supply chain
• Mentoring the next generation and the opportunities in agriculture 

Massive thanks to Elders for sponsoring this episode!

This week your host, Oli Le Lievre travelled out to the Hamilton Sheepvention to discuss 'The Importance of Evolving within Agriculture' with Mark Gubbins, 'Coolana' Managing Director and Brendan Rinaldi, Elders Vic/Riverina GM. 

The Elders marquee was full to the brim, so a huge shout out to the 100 or so people in the crowd! We finish this episode with questions from those that attended. 

When we talk about 'evolving within agriculture', certain words like succession come to mind. Mark farms nearby and he chats about how his family and the property has changed over the years. Change includes navigating different eras like the dispersal of their Corriedale stud, seasonal conditions and market fluctuations. Mark is currently handing over the reigns to his children so we talk about what's keeping him occupied these days and it sounds like a lot of fishing might be on the cards!
 
Brendan took a different path, opting not to be on the farm but instead pursuing a career in finance and agribusiness. We are putting that down to his first memories on the farm cutting burrs from wool... Just kidding! He describes himself as a bit of an academic and an 'accidental farmer'. Brendan now co-owns the farm with his brother, looking after the books and economic side while overseeing Elders Victoria & Riverina regions.   

A huge thanks to Elders for sponsoring this episode and inviting Humans of Agriculture to be at the 2023 Sheepvention. The audio is a bit crackly in spots, not our usual quality but hoping you can bear with us considering we recorded live!

Oral lice treatment?! No matter what wool length?! We’re listening… Traditionally, sheep are treated for lice through a backline at the time of shearing. With a new oral treatment product on the market, your host Oli Le Lievre got curious and asked some questions of Dr Jane Morrison:

• What does it take to get a new product to market?
• How do farmers benefit from using the new oral lice treatment?
• How does the oral product work and how long is it effective for?
• How long are the withholding periods for meat and wool? 

And of course, we were curious about our guest Jane as well! She’s from the land and her earliest memories are on the farm with her dad. Now a Veterinarian, she has spent the last 18 years with MSD Animal Health Australia.

Disclaimer: The information shared is general in nature. We're asking questions of Dr. Jane Morrison. And she's providing her insights from her expertise. Humans of Agriculture doesn't endorse any of her views or the product. This episode is really designed to just be a conversation starter. And if you want to get more information, please reach out to specialists and experts in the space.

In this episode of the Humans of Agriculture podcast, host Oli Le Lievre is joined by co-host Milly Nolan for the first time! Milly is mates with our guest and knew he would make a ripper episode, so we teed it up while we were all in Armidale together. Introducing Jack Laurie, 5th generation cattle farmer and founder of Breeder Genetics. 

With a profound love and passion for cattle, breeding, data and genetics, Jack's whole life has been dedicated to the sector. At the ripe age of 20, Jack established Breeder Genetics after spending time in America and Canada where he saw an opportunity he wanted to address... The outcome was a breeder-to-breeder genetic platform. 

He talks about the business as 'our', but in reality it is just him day-to-day with some assistance from his sister, Georgie. He speaks fondly of his family, mentors and other people in his network who help him along the way. Success to Jack is the amount they can give back to their clients and the industry, which is pretty special. 

He is exhilarated by what the future might hold for the industry and his involvement in it. Jack is humble, his knowledge of the industry is crazy and his energy is infectious. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Call to Action

13:14 Experiences in Canada and the US

30:24 The Importance of a Team for Business Growth

38:37 Measuring Success Beyond Revenue

Tom (T-Truck) and Mick (Corkscrew) are back on with their fourth? fifth? episode of the Monthly Markets. They’re joined by special guest Ciaran O'Gorman from StockCo.

While having a laugh and some fun, they explore current market conditions, the impact of seasonal and climatic factors on livestock prices, and the opportunities available to producers and traders. The discussion also delves into finance rates, the outlook on interest rates, and the potential for future growth in other markets. 

Before you listen to this ep, go back and listen to "The Agri Lawyer taking on Mount Everest with Trent Thorne" if you haven't already!

Trent Thorne has returned from his attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Host, Oli Le Lievre sits down with him to reflect on his incredible journey and the raw decision to turn-back, only ~8hr from the top.

Below is an exert from Trent after he decided to listen to his body:

"But it still immediately stung for the obvious reasons…  Because I knew that my one shot was gone.  We talked about it being one and done. And that's still my intention. I have no plans to ever go back.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Recap

06:22 The Challenges of the Final Days

13:05 The Descent and Health Issues

27:15 Delicious Surprises: The Quality of Food on the Expedition

42:26 Overwhelming Support: The Impact of the Everest Expedition

Welcome back to the In The Know On the Go Podcast.
This week, host Oli Le Lievre sits down with Col Medway, Senior Director at LAWD, to get across the latest trends and happening in the Aussie Rural Real Estate market.

We cover:

• Current trends is rural real estate
• Changing dynamics of Aussie ag and what that means for farmers and investors alike
• The role of livestock farming and mixed farming in carbon sequestration efforts 
• Market outlook for the remaining 6 months of 2023