Quentin and Renee Mooney are the husband and wife duo behind Mt Mooney Simmentals in Culburra, South Australia. Mt Mooney Simmentals is a family-owned and operated cattle stud focused on producing tough, healthy cattle.

In this episode, Quentin and Renee explain why they breed Simmentals and where they think the breed is headed. They also share their journey of buying their farm, how they supported themselves through the early years of the stud, and why prospective farmers should follow their dreams even if they aren't from a farming family.

 

Resources and links:

• Mt Mooney Simmentals website

• Mt Mooney Simmentals on Facebook

 

Send us your story:

• Do you know someone (or are you someone) who’d make a great potential guest on a future episode of Beyond the Farm Gate? Drop us a line at [email protected].

 

Connect:

• Rural Bank website

• Rural Bank on Facebook

• Rural Bank on Twitter

• Rural Bank on LinkedIn

• Rural Bank on YouTube

 

In this podcast any opinions, estimates and projections are for informational purposes only and any advice provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal needs, objectives and financial circumstances. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your situation.

 

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

This episode is part two of our two-part chat with Mark Wootton. In the last episode, Mark shared his journey with carbon-neutral farming and why he became an early adopter in Australia.

In this episode, Mark explains the role of vegetation in carbon sequestration and the challenges involved in trying to achieve net-zero targets. He emphasises ongoing efforts towards methane and carbon reduction, acknowledges the progress towards 2030 targets, and shares practical tips for long-term tree planting, managing carbon footprints, and why staying carbon neutral is an ongoing process and not a one-time change.

 

Resources and links:

• Jigsaw Farms website

 

Connect:

• Rural Bank website

• Rural Bank on Facebook

• Rural Bank on Twitter

• Rural Bank on LinkedIn

• Rural Bank on YouTube

 

In this podcast any opinions, estimates and projections are for informational purposes only and any advice provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal needs, objectives and financial circumstances. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your situation.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Mark Wootton is the Owner-Operator of Jigsaw Farms with his wife, Eve. Jigsaw Farms is a carbon-neutral sheep, cattle, and agroforestry farm near Hamilton.

In this episode, Mark explains how integrating sustainable practices such as agroforestry and biodiversity in 2010 has transformed Jigsaw Farms. He also discusses the challenges of maintaining carbon neutrality, understanding the carbon market, and the future of sustainable agriculture.

This episode is part one of our two-part chat with Mark. Join us for the next episode, where Mark shares more lessons he learnt on the carbon-neutral journey.

 

Resources and links:

• Jigsaw Farms website

 

Connect:

• Rural Bank website

• Rural Bank on Facebook

• Rural Bank on Twitter

• Rural Bank on LinkedIn

• Rural Bank on YouTube

 

In this podcast any opinions, estimates and projections are for informational purposes only and any advice provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal needs, objectives and financial circumstances. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your situation.

 

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

John Blore is a Grazier on Belmont Station at Silverton near Broken Hill. Belmont Station is a fully operational sheep and goat farm that regularly hosts some of the biggest celebrities in Aussie music including Missy Higgins, Birds of Tokyo, The Angels, Kasey Chambers, and more.

In this episode, John shares how he balances his farming operation with hosting the massive Mundi Mundi Music Festival, which drew 14,000 attendees this year alone. He also explains how diversifying his farm brought Hollywood knocking as a filming location for the latest Mad Max film.

 

Resources and links:

• Mundi Mundi Music Festival website

 

Connect:

• Rural Bank website

• Rural Bank on Facebook

• Rural Bank on Twitter

• Rural Bank on LinkedIn

• Rural Bank on YouTube

 

In this podcast any opinions, estimates and projections are for informational purposes only and any advice provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal needs, objectives and financial circumstances. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your situation.

 

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

This episode is part two of our two-part chat with Brent Finlay. In the last episode, Brent shared how one conversation sparked a decade-long leadership journey. He opened up about the importance of advocating for farmers domestically and internationally and what he learned from the experience.

In this episode, Brent shares how he got involved with RELA, an organisation committed to generating renewable energy. He explains how he helps farmers negotiate the best deal if renewable energy firms and mining companies come knocking to establish projects on the farm.

 

Resources and links:

• RELA website

• Brent Finlay on LinkedIn

 

Connect:

• Rural Bank website

• Rural Bank on Facebook

• Rural Bank on Twitter

• Rural Bank on LinkedIn

• Rural Bank on YouTube

 

In this podcast any opinions, estimates and projections are for informational purposes only and any advice provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal needs, objectives and financial circumstances. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your situation.

 

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Brent Finlay is an Agricultural Advocate and Farmer from Southeast Queensland. Throughout his career, Brent has served as President of AgForce in Queensland, President of the National Farmers’ Federation, and on the board of the World Farm Organisation in Rome.

In this episode, Brent discusses his journey from his farm to becoming a leader in the agricultural space. He shares a few of his achievements and what he learned as the head of AgForce and the National Farmers’ Federation.

This episode is part one of our two-part chat with Brent. Join us for the next episode, where Brent shares how he became involved with RELA and the work he does to help farmers negotiate when approached by the energy sector.

 

Resources and links:

• Brent Finlay on LinkedIn

 

Connect:

• Rural Bank website

• Rural Bank on Facebook

• Rural Bank on Twitter

• Rural Bank on LinkedIn

• Rural Bank on YouTube

 

In this podcast any opinions, estimates and projections are for informational purposes only and any advice provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal needs, objectives and financial circumstances. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your situation.

 

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Amanda Moohen is the COO of Condabri Beef and the Founder of Women of Lot Feeding (WOLF). Condabri Beef is a family-owned and operated integrated beef enterprise between Miles and Condamine. Women Of Lot Feeding is a group of passionate women in feedlotting who aim to provide support and networking opportunities for those in the field.

In this episode, Amanda shares where her passion for beef started and the discoveries she made by navigating a largely male-dominated industry. She opens up about founding WOLF and the importance of mentorship, support, and working together in agriculture and feedlotting.

 

Resources and links:

• Condabri Beef on Facebook

• Women Of Feed Lotting (WOLF) on Facebook

• Amanda Moohen on LinkedIn

 

Connect:

• Rural Bank website

• Rural Bank on Facebook

• Rural Bank on Twitter

• Rural Bank on LinkedIn

• Rural Bank on YouTube

 

In this podcast any opinions, estimates and projections are for informational purposes only and any advice provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal needs, objectives and financial circumstances. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your situation.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Tim McClelland is a Farmer from Birchip in North West Victoria. Together with his wife Julie, they operate their farm using a unique blend of family council and management board.

In this episode, Tim opens up about their approach to succession and how it led to their current management structure. He also shares how his experience as a researcher influenced his approach to farming and the benefits they've seen on the farm from adopting new farming methods and technologies.

 

Resources and links:

• Tim McClelland on LinkedIn

 

Connect:

• Rural Bank website

• Rural Bank on Facebook

• Rural Bank on Twitter

• Rural Bank on LinkedIn

• Rural Bank on YouTube

 

In this podcast any opinions, estimates and projections are for informational purposes only and any advice provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal needs, objectives and financial circumstances. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your situation.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Mat Goddard is the Founder and CEO of Aquacultr. Aquacultr aims to shake up the seafood production industry by bringing its operation inland to create land-based aquaculture systems.

In this episode, Mat talks about how identifying a disconnect in food systems was the genesis for Aquacultr and how their land-based aquaculture systems can bring about real environmental change while benefiting producers. He also discusses how Aquacultr plans to develop more sustainable large-scale aquaculture in the global community.

 

Resources and links:

• Aquacultr website
• Mat Goddard on LinkedIn

 

Connect:

• Rural Bank website
• Rural Bank on Facebook
• Rural Bank on Twitter
• Rural Bank on LinkedIn
• Rural Bank on YouTube

 

In this podcast any opinions, estimates and projections are for informational purposes only and any advice provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal needs, objectives and financial circumstances. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your situation.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Sally Bethune is the co-owner of Bethune Lane Dairy with her husband Paul at Lake Boga in Northwest Victoria. Bethune Lane Dairy is a large-scale dairy farm with on-farm milk and cheese processing. 

In this episode, Sally discusses how Bethune Lane Dairy has changed, from the lessons learnt during the Millennium Drought to expanding into on-farm milk and cheese production in 2020. She shares how they navigated the challenges of changing their operation and why new projects are important to them.

 

Resources and links:

• Bethune Lane Dairy website
• Bethune Lane Dairy on Facebook
• Bethune Lane Dairy on Instagram

 

Connect:

• Rural Bank website
• Rural Bank on Facebook
• Rural Bank on Twitter
• Rural Bank on LinkedIn
• Rural Bank on YouTube

 

In this podcast any opinions, estimates and projections are for informational purposes only and any advice provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal needs, objectives and financial circumstances. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your situation.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.