Richard and Bernie Sharpe are the husband and wife team behind “Winton Park”, a SheepMaster stud they run on their farm, “Coraki”, along the banks of the Bogan River northwest of Parkes. In addition to the stud, they also have a commercial shedding sheep flock with a bit of cropping to complement their sheep enterprise.

In this episode, Richard and Bernie discuss how SheepMasters are different from other breeds of sheep and their benefits for different farming setups. As newcomers to the Parkes region, they also share their experience buying rural property in various areas and their advice for anyone looking to buy.

Local Land Services Mixed Farming Advisor, Rohan Leach, chatted with Richard and Bernie at the Forbes office.

 

Resources and links:

• Winton Park Sheepmasters website

• Winton Park Sheepmasters on SBA website

 

Nominate a Mate:

• If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'

 

Connect:

• Central West LLS website

• Central West LLS on Facebook

• Central West LLS on Twitter

• Central West LLS on YouTube

 

The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation.

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

Sam Mason is a Farmer at “Spicers Run”, a 4,500-hectare mixed-farming operation near Wellington. Sam, his brother Joe, and their families use a 10-year cropping rotation schedule to help them make the most of their land.

In this episode, Sam shares how his cropping rotation works and the benefits of dual-purpose cropping for providing high-quality winter feed for livestock while leaving plenty to harvest at the end of the season. He also shares how his intense production strategy helps to offset rising input costs.

Local Land Services Cropping Ag Advisor, Tim Bartimote, sat down with Sam out the back of the LLS ag shed among the dual-purpose hay samples.

 

Nominate a Mate:

• If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'

 

Connect:

• Central West LLS website

• Central West LLS on Facebook

• Central West LLS on Twitter

• Central West LLS on YouTube

 

The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation.

 

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

Paul Jameson runs a livestock operation on his farm, “Pine Knoll Park”, near Geurie and is also the NSW Livestock Stud Manager for Elders. Using his experience with Elders, Paul has turned his property from a blank canvas into a thriving farm.

In this episode, Paul discusses how he improved the infrastructure of his farm and why he established permanent pastures. He explains why he joined the LLS Farming Forecaster network and how real-time data helps his business. He also shares his advice as a livestock specialist for producers bringing home new animals in the post-sale season. 

Local Land Services Cropping Ag Advisor, Tim Bartimote, sat down with Paul early one morning to chat in the Dubbo LLS office.

 

Resources and links:

• Farming Forecaster tool on LLS website

 

Nominate a Mate:

• If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'

 

Connect:

• Central West LLS website

• Central West LLS on Facebook

• Central West LLS on Twitter

• Central West LLS on YouTube

 

The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation.

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

Joe Fleming is a fifth-generation Farmer with his family on their 10,000-hectare mixed farming operation, “Ulah”, near Walgett. Wheat and chickpeas are the primary crops at "Ulah" with some opportunistic irrigated cotton, cattle trading, and agistment when seasonal conditions allow it.

Joe is also the Founder and Director of Evolve Engineering, which designs and manufactures innovative farming technology such as “crimpers” to allow farmers to manage weeds without disturbing the soil.

In this episode, Joe tells the tale of creating the Bladerunner, a chevron blade barrel attachment designed for weed management and explains the benefits for pastures and cropping country. He also opens up about his family’s succession journey and reflects on how fortunate he is to be in a position where inheriting a farm is possible.

Local Land Services Mixed Farming Advisor, Rohan Leach sat down with Joe to ask what he thinks about the future of agriculture.

 

Resources and links:

• Evolve Engineering website

 

Nominate a Mate:

• If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'

 

Connect:

• Central West LLS website

• Central West LLS on Facebook

• Central West LLS on Twitter

• Central West LLS on YouTube

 

The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation.

 

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

Emily Sinderberry is a Farmer and a Rural Bookkeeper at EJS Business Services in Condobolin. Emily is a trained accountant who specialises in helping farmers and small business owners take control of their finances, streamline their bookwork, and reach their financial goals.

In this episode, Emily shares helpful tips for anyone looking to get on top of their books but emphasises the importance of a personalised approach to financial management. She explains why business owners need a holistic approach to their finances and how good bookwork can get you out of the office and back on the farm.

 

Resources and links:

• EJS Business Services website

• Emily Sinderberry on LinkedIn

 

Nominate a Mate:

• If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'

 

Connect:

• Central West LLS website

• Central West LLS on Facebook

• Central West LLS on Twitter

• Central West LLS on YouTube

 

The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual 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 Anthony Shepherd. In the last episode, Anthony shared the lessons he’s learnt from his years as a farmer and sheep consultant and how changing his farming processes brought his weaning rates above 130%. 

In this episode, Anthony explains how he uses technology to improve his farming operation. He discusses how Smart Shepherd helps him spot multiple-bearing ewes that aren’t raising both twins and how he identifies underperforming ewes in the pursuit of a more productive flock.

Local Land Services Mixed Farming Advisor, Rohan Leach spoke with Anthony in his shearing shed to determine the difference between loving and admiring merinos.

Resources and links:

• Sheepmatters website

• SmartShepherd website

• Sheep and Goat Individual Electronic Identification information from NSW DPI

 

Nominate a Mate:

• If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'

 

Connect:

• Central West LLS website

• Central West LLS on Facebook

• Central West LLS on Twitter

• Central West LLS on YouTube

 

The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation.

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

Anthony Shepherd is a Sheep Producer on his commercial merino enterprise, “Jaffa”, near Cootamundra. In addition to running his farm, he’s also worked as a consultant in the sheep industry for many years.

In this episode, Anthony shares the knowledge he’s gained as a farmer and consultant and how that knowledge has allowed him to change his processes to bring his weaning rates above 130%. He also explains the usefulness of indexes and shares his tips for shearing every six months and the longer-term benefits for business.

Local Land Services Mixed Farming Advisor, Rohan Leach spoke with Anthony in his shearing shed on a cold Cootamundra day.

This episode is part one of our two-part chat with Anthony.

 

Resources and links:

• Sheepmatters website

• SmartShepherd website

• Sheep and Goat Individual Electronic Identification information from NSW DPI

 

Nominate a Mate:

• If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'

 

Connect:

• Central West LLS website

• Central West LLS on Facebook

• Central West LLS on Twitter

• Central West LLS on YouTube

 

The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation.

 

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

Jill and Neil O’Grady are the husband and wife team behind “RedGround” near Oberon. “RedGround” is a fully functioning 60-acre commercial truffle orchard and tourist destination offering visitors the chance to participate in truffle hunts.

In this episode, Jill and Neil walk through the basics of truffle farming and reveal that out of 250 varieties of truffles, there are only 4 worth eating. They also open up about the hard lessons they learnt when diversifying into hospitality and agri-tourism.

Local Land Services Mixed Farming Advisor, Rohan Leach dropped in on Jill and Neil in Bathurst for this chat.

 

Resources and links:

• RedGround Australia website

 

Nominate a Mate:

• If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'

 

Connect:

• Central West LLS website

• Central West LLS on Facebook

• Central West LLS on Twitter

• Central West LLS on YouTube

 

The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation.

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

Rhett Robinson is a Farmer at “Orana” between Gulgong and Dunedoo. Together, Rhett and his father produce SAM sheep and cattle using a native pasture base on their 500-acre property. Rhett has also been a longtime part of the Local Land Services team as a Senior Biosecurity Officer specialising in pest animal management.

In this episode, Rhett shares the pest animal management tips and tricks he has learnt throughout his 22-year career with LLS and on the farm with his family. He highlights the importance of sustainable agricultural practices and discusses effective strategies for controlling pests like rabbits, pigs, dogs, and foxes.

 

Resources and links:

• Vertebrate pest animals information from NSW DPI

 

Nominate a Mate:

• If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'

 

Connect:

• Central West LLS website
• Central West LLS on Facebook
• Central West LLS on Twitter
• Central West LLS on YouTube

 

The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual 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 Hamish Wald. In the last episode, Hamish discussed how fortunate he feels to be part of the sheep farming community and how his family decided to move away from exclusive wool farming and diversify with dual-purpose Dohnes Merinos, cattle, and cropping.

In this episode, Hamish dives into the effects of innovations such as genomics and fertility tracking for sheep farmers and discusses the importance of community, biosecurity, and flexibility in farming. He also shares how both of his children are preparing for a life in ag and how their plans were interrupted by COVID-19.

Local Land Services Senior Natural Resource Officer, Jasmine Wells sat down with Hamish for this far-reaching chat.

 

Resources and links:

• Tullinga Dorper Studs website

 

Nominate a Mate:

• If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'

 

Connect:

• Central West LLS website
• Central West LLS on Facebook
• Central West LLS on Twitter
• Central West LLS on YouTube

 

The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation.

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