In the latest Hay Matters Podcast brought to you by LocalAg and Feed Central, host Jon Paul Driver catches up with Stefan Hollmann, a German-born machinery operator and high-density baling expert based in South Australia. After arriving for one harvest, Stefan stayed on and has since produced over 100,000 bales across eight years with the Schusters. He reflected on his recent 7,500-kilometre trip across the east coast, sharing insights on seasonal variability, farming practices, and why understanding feed quality matters more than ever.

• Seasonal contrasts were striking, with some regions flooded, others in deep drought - highlighting the need for localised decision-making and adaptable farming strategies.
• Visiting operations from cotton to corn to rice in a single day highlighted the diversity and complexity of Australian agriculture.
• Farmers are experimenting with seeding tech, chemical timing, and soil improvement methods like delving and spading; Stefan noted there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, even among similar farms.
• A visit to Feed Central’s Toowoomba lab shifted Stefan's perspective on hay analysis, seeing first-hand the precision behind NIR testing and the variety of fodder types tested nationally.
• Coming from Germany’s dairy sector, Stefan values knowing the nutritional content of feed, and believes Australian producers could benefit more from NIR testing, not just visual inspection.
• The trip reinforced how much producers can learn by stepping outside their own patch. Conversations with other farmers sparked ideas he’s keen to explore back home.