Beyond the Farm Gate

Kim Kiss is the Owner of Grassland Poultry in Central NSW. Together with her husband Bryan, they operate a free-range poultry farm using regenerative farming practices.

In this episode, Kim discusses why they chose a path of sustainable, regenerative farming practices and how that has impacted their operation. She also emphasises the importance of animal welfare and how focusing on creating a healthy environment. She explains how everything, from the soil to the treatment of the animals, leads to tastier chickens.

Resources and links:

• Grassland Poultry website

Connect:

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

Any opinions, estimates, and projections in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not take into account your personal circumstances.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sheena Carter is a Development Officer at NSW DPI focusing on Dairy Farm Business Management. Claire Waterman is a Program Manager in the Farm Business Economics branch of Agriculture Victoria.

Sheena and Claire have a wealth of ag industry experience and have worked within the dairy industry for over a decade. They recently released a collaborative study about the economics of Total Mixed Ration (TMR) feeding systems for dairy farmers.

In this episode, Sheena and Claire explain the key findings from their study and what they mean for dairy farmers who want to introduce TMR feeding systems into their operations. They also discuss their predictions for the Australian dairy industry.

Resources and links:

• Dairy Australia report ‘Turning Motivational Drivers Into Profit - Total Mixed Ration’
• Dairy Australia website
• NSW DPI website
• Agriculture Victoria website

Connect:

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

Any opinions, estimates, and projections in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not take into account your personal circumstances.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Clohesy is a fourth-generation farmer with a broadacre cropping and livestock operation near Sea Lake in Victoria. He is also the Chair of the Royal Hotel Co-op.

In this episode, John explains how his farming operation has changed over the years and how evolving technology has influenced his business. He also opens up about the circumstances that led the Sea Lake community to become joint owners in several business ventures in town, including a hardware store and the local pub. He highlights how they've kept the businesses running, the tourists coming, and the young people in town.

Resources and links:

• Royal Hotel website

Connect:

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

Any opinions, estimates, and projections in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not take into account your personal circumstances.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guy Webb is the Global Agronomic Lead at Loam Bio. Loam Bio is undertaking significant agricultural, microbial, and climate science research and development to improve farms by removing excess carbon from the atmosphere and returning it to agricultural soil, resulting in healthier, more productive farms while fighting climate change.

In this episode, Guy reveals the evolution of Loam Bio and how their products can improve farming systems. He also opens up about the future of Loam Bio and his predictions for the carbon industry in Australian agriculture.

Resources and links:

• Loam Bio website
• Guy Webb on LinkedIn

Connect:

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

Any opinions, estimates, and projections in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not take into account your personal circumstances.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nathan Free is the President of the Victorian Farmers Federation Horticulture Council and co-manages a leading organic produce and stone fruit farm with his family in Lake Boga, in Northwest Victoria. His journey from a humble roadside stall to a Nuffield Scholar and a key figure in the VFF is nothing short of remarkable.

In this episode, Nathan delves into his agricultural journey, his dedication to sustainable organic farming practices, and his advocacy for the industry he holds dear. He also shares the pivotal lessons that have shaped his path. Join us as we uncover the insights and experiences that have driven Nathan’s success in agriculture.

Resources and links:

• Victorian Farmers Federation website
• Nathan Free on LinkedIn 

Connect:

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

Any opinions, estimates, and projections in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not take into account your personal circumstances.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is part two of our two-part chat with Hugh Dawson. In the last episode, we heard how Hugh ended up as the Head Stockman for one of the Northern Territory’s largest cattle stations and the industry groups and not-for-profit organisations he got involved with while he was there.

In this episode, Hugh tells the story of how he decided to leave the NT to study at Marcus Oldham College, his experiences with Brokenwood Wines after graduation, and his vision for the future of agriculture. He also shares the conversations he wishes he’d heard about ag growing up.

Resources and links:

• Zanda McDonald Award website
• Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association website
• Young Livestock Exporters Network website
• Brokenwood Wines website
• Hugh Dawson on LinkedIn

Connect:

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

Any opinions, estimates, and projections in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not take into account your personal circumstances.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hugh Dawson is a young agriculturalist whose love of the industry has taken him all over Australia. Hugh grew up on his family’s farm in South Australia, but after high school, he found himself as the Head Stockman on a 2.6 million acre station in the Northern Territory.

In this episode, Hugh shares his journey to the Northern Territory, the lessons he learnt as a leader, and why he’s so passionate about groups like the Young Livestock Exporters Network. He also opens up about his involvement with Sober in the Country and why he believes we should reframe our attitude around alcohol in rural Australia.

This episode is part one of our two-part chat with Hugh. Join us for the next episode, where Hugh shares his vision for the future of agriculture.

Resources and links:

• Young Livestock Exporters Network website
• Sober in the Country website
• Hugh Dawson on LinkedIn

Connect:

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

Any opinions, estimates, and projections in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not take into account your personal circumstances.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pip Grant is the CEO of Riverine Plains Inc. Riverine Plains Inc. specialises in farmer-driven research and extension to benefit broadacre farmers in Victoria and New South Wales. Throughout her career, Pip has been on the cutting edge of agritech innovation and has committed her life to programs and technology to improve outcomes for farmers and rural communities.

In this episode, Pip digs into Australian agritech, where the industry is currently and where it can go in the future, and how the research done by Riverine Plains Inc. is helping farmers. She’ll also reflect on how her thoughts on Australian agriculture have changed throughout her career and the available opportunities.

Resources and links:

• Riverine Plains Inc. website
• Pip Grant on LinkedIn

Connect:

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

Any opinions, estimates, and projections in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not take into account your personal circumstances.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Hon David Littleproud MP is the Leader of The National Party, Member for Maranoa, and Federal Shadow Minister for Agriculture. David has represented Queensland’s Maranoa region since 2016 and held many positions in the Federal Parliament. However, his connection to ag started much earlier than that: growing up on the family farm near Chinchilla.

In this episode, David opens up about his approach to leadership and standing his ground during negotiations. He also takes us back to his childhood growing up on a farm and shares how his first job as a cotton chipper influenced his enduring passion for agriculture and rural communities.

Resources and links:

• The Honourable David Littleproud MP on the Parliament of Australia website

Connect:

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

Any opinions, estimates, and projections in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not take into account your personal circumstances.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fiona Best is the CEO of Birchip Cropping Group. Birchip Cropping Group, or BCG, is a Victorian not-for-profit agricultural research group run by and for farmers and is dedicated to increasing prosperity for all farmers through scientific research and innovative strategies.

In this episode, Fiona shares how her growing up on a farm influenced her career choices, how her journey to the boardroom included a long detour into the classroom educating the next generation of farmers, and the many lessons she’s learnt from a lifetime in ag. She’ll also reveal her hopes for the future of Australian agriculture and how the grain industry is benefitting from research right now.

Resources and links:

• Birchip Cropping Group
• Fiona Best on LinkedIn

Connect:

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

Any opinions, estimates, and projections in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not take into account your personal circumstances.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.