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Al welcomes listeners back to Digging Deeper Ag Chats for 2026, thanking supporters and outlining plans for more practical guests, more local producers, and monthly segments from Chelsea (Herd Solutions) on animal health and Morgs (Elders) on livestock markets. Brett then reviews Gippsland seasonal conditions and provides current fertiliser pricing and availability, noting high costs and supply constraints driven by Middle East production and freight issues, and discusses impacts of diesel prices and global affordability. He explains soil fertility (physical, biological, chemical), compares conventional fertilisers with manures/composts, and presents chook manure plus targeted foliar nutrients as a cost-competitive alternative based on soil tests. The episode then shifts to Simon Faulkner and Trevor Cathers discussing an MLA-funded Red Gum Plains subsoil amelioration project focused on placing amendments at depth to draw roots down, unlock subsoil moisture, and improve productivity, with results often emerging after 2–3 years and potential biomass gains up to 50% in grazing systems.

00:00 Welcome to 2026

01:46 Season outlook Gippsland

03:54 Fertiliser prices update

05:07 Supply shocks and forecasts

10:40 Soil fertility basics

12:36 Manures and composts

16:09 Foliar and liquid options

17:23 Bang for buck plan

21:21 Soil project introduction

22:37 Subsoil amelioration explained

26:33 Results and grazing management

32:47 Future research and wrap

35:38 Final thanks and credits

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Host Al opens 2026 by thanking listeners and outlining plans for more practical guests, more local producers, and monthly segments from Chelsea (Herd Solutions) on animal health and Morgs (Elders) on livestock markets. In this episode, Al and Mor discuss recent warm, windy weather in Gippsland, the possibility it’s a seasonal blip, and drought preparedness, including hay on hand, improved water systems, feeding infrastructure, earlier culling, and selling stock before conditions worsen. Morgs notes increased investment in feeders and grain bins and says dry times can also create buying opportunities. They review market trends: lighter steers have softened (some under $5/kg), cows have dropped sharply due to heavy northern NSW turnoff, and processors are near capacity with booking delays; they also discuss the China safeguard tariff threshold. Sheep and lamb markets are strong, including a Bairnsdale heavy lamb record around $350, with forward contracts filling quickly. The episode closes with Morg’s Mike Tyson quote about plans changing when adversity hits, mentions an upcoming “finance and feeding for farmers” event, and includes gift banter.

00:00 Welcome to 2026

01:03 Meet Morgs

01:15 Season Outlook Talk

02:33 Dry Winter Signals

03:59 Drought Prep Tips

05:51 Feed Infrastructure Trends

06:23 Opportunities in Dry

07:05 Cattle Market Update

08:48 Processing Capacity Pressures

09:56 China Tariff Explained

11:22 Sheep Market Records

12:26 Forward Contracts and Bookings

14:09 Dry Season Outlook

15:30 Market Prices Update

16:20 Sheep Talk and Banter

16:58 Monthly Quote Segment

18:24 Birthday Gifts Unboxing

20:23 Listener Wrap and Event Plug

21:59 Final Sign Off

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Al opens 2026 by thanking listeners for the podcast’s first full calendar year and outlining plans for more practical guests, more local producer stories, and monthly segments from Chelsea (Herd Solutions) with veterinary updates and Mor (Elders) with livestock market reports. In the first remote-recorded episode, Chelsea shares a personal update about recovering from a broken toe and managing horse handling and footwear, then explains equine Cushing’s disease as a lifelong hormone-driven condition linked to a functional brain tumor, risks around insulin dysregulation and laminitis, diagnosis via ACTH blood testing, and management with daily medication and low-sugar feeding. The discussion shifts to livestock liver fluke: its snail-dependent lifecycle, risk environments (slow-flowing water, marshy areas, irrigation), signs such as ill thrift and bottle jaw, links to black disease, and recommended strategic drenching timings, plus cautions about interpreting abattoir health codes and using resources like Wormboss and NSW DPI fact sheets.

00:00 Welcome to 2026

01:03 Remote Podcast Setup

01:42 Conference Trip Chat

02:44 Toe Injury Recovery

06:10 Horse Training Goals

08:51 Cushings Explained

12:50 Fluke Season Overview

13:47 Fluke Lifecycle and Snails

17:05 Testing and Biosecurity

20:49 Signs and Complications

24:39 Drench Strategy and Resistance

31:04 Abattoir Reports Decoded

33:46 Resources and Wrap Up

35:08 Quote and Final Thanks

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Host Al opens 2026’s Digging Deeper by thanking listeners, announcing more local producers, and adding monthly segments from Chelsea (Herd Solutions) on animal health and Morgs (Elders) on livestock markets. Guest Grant Sims, a sixth-generation farmer from Echuca and qualified electrician, describes returning to the family cropping/livestock farm in 2006 and applying a “trace the cause” mindset to reduce symptom-treating inputs. He outlines transitioning from high synthetic fertiliser and treated seed toward bare seed with seed priming, liquid carbon and microbial products, foliar nutrition guided by soil/tissue/sap and Brix testing, and reduced fungicide/insecticide use while retaining selective herbicides. Sims discusses intercropping/companion planting (e.g., wheat with clover, canola with legumes) to lower pest pressure and nitrogen needs, using weeds as soil indicators, and timing foliar applications to correct deficiencies and improve resilience, animal performance, and food nutrient density. He encourages starting small, testing, and gradual change; he also notes his business Down Under Ag supplies seed mixes and alternative fertilisers.

00:00 Welcome Back 2026

01:04 Meet Grant Sims

01:51 Electrician Mindset

03:54 Questioning Sprays

05:59 Minerals Over Time

07:11 Observation Habit

09:08 Next Generation

09:46 Autumn Planting Plan

10:49 Weaning Off Synthetics

12:57 Seed Priming Basics

16:08 Priming Recipes

19:06 Multi Species Cropping

20:43 Intercropping Yield Wins

21:09 Diversity Versus Machinery

21:57 Chemicals With Restraint

23:07 Weeds As Soil Signals

25:32 Foliar Sprays 101

28:19 Timing Weather And Risk

29:39 Test Driven Nutrition

31:12 Brix Microbes And Grazing

34:57 Nitrogen Dilution Effect

36:43 Food Quality Mission

38:49 Transition Advice And Wrap

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In a discussion about farm business performance, the speaker explains ballpark cost-of-production calculations using accountant figures and cautions that benchmarking can mislead because farms differ by growth stage and maintenance investment. He says their operation is increasingly a “land business” as lifestyle-driven prices distort productive value, making expansion difficult and prompting thoughts about relocating capital north despite drought risk. He emphasizes labor efficiency—top producers running far higher DSE per labor unit—supported by infrastructure, scale, and cash flow, and argues the key success ingredient is knowledge and paid expertise when needed. For an upcoming pasture talk, he describes shifting from a “cow hat” to a “grass hat,” focusing on perennial pastures (notably Polaris) to double winter growth and carrying capacity via rotational grazing, nitrogen and foliar inputs, and careful management of clover and fertility, while mitigating grass tetany with bore water and supplements. The conversation also covers his daily working-dog training, yard weaning to improve cattle quietness and labor efficiency, and advice to his younger self: pursue the dream, keep learning, and handle people better.

00:00 Cost of Production Basics

01:53 Benchmarking Reality Check

02:48 Land Prices and Lifestyle Money

04:01 Growth Plans and Expansion Dilemma

05:35 Labor Efficiency and Scale

07:45 Cash Flow and Critical Mass

10:40 Grass Hat Profit Drivers

12:21 Polaris and Winter Feed Boost

14:09 Storing Feed on Cows

15:51 Rotational Grazing Rules

20:42 Fertiliser and Foliar Strategy

21:14 Managing Grass Tetany Risk

22:40 Grass Tetany Explained

23:22 Salt and Magnesium Routine

23:48 Drought Water Realities

24:35 Perennial Pasture Mix

26:02 Establishing Polaris Successfully

27:51 Grazing and Seeding Strategy

28:47 Working Dogs and Trials

30:35 Yard Weaning with Dogs

32:49 Training Young Dogs

37:02 Advice to Younger Self

38:35 Final Thanks and Wrap

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Host Al opens 2026 by thanking listeners and outlining more practical guests, more local producers, and monthly segments from Chelsea (Herd Solutions) with veterinary updates and Morgan Davies (Elders) with livestock market updates. Morgan reviews the move of the mountain calf sales to the Bensdale facility, noting strong results, accurate weighing and presentation, good seasonal rain, few cattle health issues, no cattle getting out, and appreciation for locals and staff. They discuss strong lamb and sheep prices (including heavy lambs and cull sheep), solid cattle pricing, and the impact of higher diesel on freight costs. Morgan says Middle East disruption has slowed air freight for sheep and lamb, but believes global protein demand remains. They promote a May 6 red-meat marketing/selling event and cost-of-production sessions, debate bull replacement economics, preview Easter events and Morgan’s 30th birthday trip to the Swifts Creek races, warn spring could tighten and dry, and predict local fuel may reach $3.35–$3.40 and possibly $4.00.

00:00 Welcome Back 2026

01:07 Meet Morgan Davies

01:14 Easter Road Banter

02:10 NSA Move To Bairnsdale

03:40 Sale Highlights And Rain

04:34 Smooth Sale Thanks Crew

05:27 Sheep And Cattle Prices

06:16 Diesel Hits Freight Costs

07:31 Middle East Conflict Impact

09:39 Upcoming Marketing Events

10:51 Facebook Warriors Callout

11:50 Bull Resale Value Math

12:37 Birthday Race Day Plans

13:15 Easter Events Rundown

13:53 Season Weather Outlook

15:14 Market Prices Update

16:28 Fuel Price Predictions

17:50 Final Advice and Signoff

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Host Al opens 2026 by thanking listeners and outlining plans for more practical guests, more local producers, and monthly segments from Chelsea (Herd Solutions) on animal health and Morg's (Elders) on livestock markets. He then interviews Mansfield-based Rod Manning, a retired vet turned large-scale beef producer and consultant, who recounts starting a veterinary practice in 1973, surviving the 1975 beef collapse with government testing work, and learning to sell cattle when ready. Manning describes growing an 8,000-acre operation running about 2,400 autumn-calving cows plus 200–300 spring cows, focusing on better red-gum country. He discusses subclinical selenium deficiency and supplementation to reduce immune-related issues, improved low-stress weaning, and “More Beef from Pastures” findings on heifer development, six-week joining, critical joining weights, and using HACCP-style critical control points based on megajoules/day. He argues profitability hinges on throughput, feed allocation away from maintenance, achieving critical herd scale, and minimizing cost of production to manage price risk.

00:00 Welcome Back 2026

02:30 Meet Rod Manning

02:56 Vet Career Beginnings

04:39 Beef Crash Lesson

06:26 From Vet to Consultant

08:44 Scaling the Family Operation

10:01 Buying Better Country

10:21 Trees as Land Clues

11:53 Listener Question Selenium

14:09 Low Stress Weaning System

16:27 More Beef From Pastures

17:01 Heifer Development Focus

17:27 Heifer Weight Failures

18:06 Old Cows Low Retention

19:17 Shorten Joining Window

20:45 Grass Versus Supplement

21:07 HACCP For Cattle

23:17 Energy Targets Explained

24:44 Critical Mating Weight

26:59 Farmwide Control Points

28:21 New Country Crash Fert

29:51 Feed Allocation For Profit

32:36 Scaling Systems Up

33:36 Critical Herd Size

34:18 Cost Of Production Wins

35:42 Risk Proofing Profit

36:23 Final Takeaway

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Al opens 2026 by thanking listeners after the first full podcast year and outlining plans for more practical guests and more local producers, with monthly veterinary updates from Chelsea (Herd Solutions) and monthly livestock market updates from Morgs (Elders). Chelsea returns, briefly updates her healed foot injury, then discusses an increase in plant-toxicity risk with warm, humid autumn conditions and rain, including rising facial eczema spore counts and how to collect pasture samples cut to the base for testing. They cover paspalum staggers indicators, then review local toxicity cases: bracken fern linked to later bladder cancer when cattle were exposed during a wart outbreak (leading to euthanasia), bracken’s potential to cause hemolysis and red urine, St John’s wort causing photosensitization (primary and secondary) from roadside grazing, prussic acid (cyanide) toxicity causing sudden deaths after cattle ate dredged drain plants, and nitrate toxicity risks in overcast conditions and fertilized forages, including persistence in silage and testing options.

00:00 Welcome Back for 2026

01:04 Chelsea Returns and Toe Update

03:29 Back on the Horse

06:10 Horse Fitness and Rest Days

08:16 Why Plant Toxicity Spikes

09:08 Facial Eczema Spore Testing

11:54 Pasture Staggers and Temperature Thresholds

13:07 Local Toxic Plants to Watch

15:36 Bracken Fern Case Study

20:00 How Bracken Causes Bladder Cancer

21:50 Herd Risk and Hard Decisions

23:07 Why Thorough Exams Matter

23:53 Bracken Fern Blood Risks

25:17 Red Urine False Alarm

26:09 St Johns Wort Signs

29:48 How Photosensitization Works

32:42 Prussic Acid Sudden Death

38:02 Garden Waste Toxicity Chat

39:10 Nitrate Toxicity and Testing

41:54 Wrap Up and Thanks

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Host Al opens 2026 by thanking listeners, outlining more practical guests and local producers, and announcing monthly veterinary updates with Chelsea (Herd Solutions) and livestock market updates with Morgs (Elders). He interviews PJ Budler, a South African-born, Fort Worth–based cattle consultant with Trans Ova Genetics (embryos) and Global Livestock Solutions, speaking at an event at the Sykes property at Mawarra after traveling to 123 countries. PJ describes his farming background, climates and breeds, and lessons from consulting in the Seychelles about understanding local profit drivers. He urges learning from multiple mentors, respecting disagreement, and avoiding dogmatism. PJ explains an “eight spokes” cattle business model (genetics, herd management, nutrition, animal health, marketing, record keeping, forage management, human capital), advocates supporting cow-calf producers, warns about subsidies, promotes sexual dimorphism and fertility over growth, critiques extreme EBV use, and argues profitability comes from balanced, average, functional cattle and openness to changing one’s mind.

00:00 Welcome to 2026

01:01 Meet PJ

02:35 Cattle Roots

04:07 Farms and Breeds

05:47 Seychelles Lesson

08:24 Heroes and Mentors

12:13 Eight Spoke Wheel

15:49 Primary Producers

17:54 Subsidies Debate

19:37 Dimorphism and Fertility

23:05 EBVs and Balance

26:41 Changing Your Mind

30:11 Thanks and Wrap Up

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Al opens 2026 by thanking listeners and outlining plans for more practical guests and local producers, plus monthly veterinary updates from Chelsea (Herd Solutions) and livestock market reports from Morgan (Elders). In the episode, Morgan discusses heavy rain arriving after a dry, fire-affected period, boosting confidence and tightening cattle supply; he notes feeder steers rising from about $4.20–$4.40/kg to around $5.20/kg. The Mountain Calf Sales’ move to undercover facilities at Bairnsdale is described as a major success, with strong local Gippsland buying, about 1,700–1,800 cattle, and prices commonly over $5/kg (lighter types dearer), plus heifers around $2,200 as breeders. They also cover strong but pressured sheep and lamb markets (about $8/kg for sheep, lambs up to ~$10.70–$11), upcoming store and weaner sales, bull sales, and advice to trade old bulls while cull values are high, followed by brief on-site interviews reflecting positive results despite wet conditions.

00:00 Welcome to 2026

01:21 Rain Changes Everything

02:20 Mountain Calf Sales Wrap

04:41 Where the Buyers Came From

06:14 Bairnsdale Sale Success

07:14 Sheep Market Gets Dear

09:20 Weather Forecast Banter

10:17 Next Week and Bull Sales

11:08 Sale Highlights and Sign Off

12:52 Auction Ring Action

13:37 Post Sale Price Breakdown

15:10 Producer Chat Pinkeye Update

16:08 Sale Prices Snapshot

16:50 Why Bairnsdale Works

17:21 Season Break and Water

18:37 Undercover Verdict

20:10 Local Bull Sale Plug

20:52 Cost of Production Reality

22:46 Future Feature Sales

23:11 Producers Praise the Draft

23:47 Agents and Yard Crew

25:08 Elders Wrap and Hereford Plans

27:36 Up the Mountain Mud

29:14 Buyer Hunting Steers

29:59 Thanks and Sign Off