Darrell Jordison, along with his wife Kylie, own "Barnagrotty". Together, they farm 4,000 acres and run 400 cows at Gulargambone.

Unusually, Darrell and Kylie didn't grow up rural. In this episode, Darrell shares Kylie and his journey from growing up in suburban Sydney to running their own farm and getting the chance to travel the world along the way.

You'll also hear how a rare illness has given Darrell a new outlook on life. And how his story goes to show that working hard, learning from others and being willing to try new things can lead to success.

Central West Local Land Services Mixed Farm Advisor Callen Thompson sat down with Darrell at home on "Barnagrotty" as he shared his story.

 

Resources and links:

• Young Farmer Business Program

 

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.

Norton Crane runs 200 cows and 500 sheep over 1,400 hectares, just south of Coonabarabran, in partnership with his wife Judi. Norton is well known as a capable cattleman, previously managing Hartley Grazing Company, a beef cattle business covering over 10,000 hectares with farms at New Mollyan and Hartley.

In this episode, Norton discusses how creep feeding calves has enabled him to meet his target markets irrespective of the season while taking pressure off his breeders.

Norton spoke to Mixed Farm Advisor Callen Thompson over a cup of tea and some delicious pumpkin soup at the kitchen table at "Bannockburn".

 

Resources and links:

• Creep feeding beef calves

 

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.

David and Suellen Taylor join us for an emotional episode about rebuilding after losing their home in a devastating fire.

The Taylors run merino sheep and grow dual-purpose oats across 1,600 ha on their property Myola, just out of Trundle, NSW.

In this episode, David and Suellen share how important their community was after they lost their home. They share the story of their long journey to recovery and how building their new family home has helped them to reflect on the importance of their local community. David and Suellen also discuss their new appreciation for the value of matching both your natural and personal environments in one harmonious system.

Local Land Service Mixed Farm Advisor, Callen Thompson, sat down for this emotional chat in one of the sunniest spots within the Taylor's incredible new home.

 

Resources and links:

• The Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP)

 

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.

David and Suellen Taylor run merino sheep and grow dual-purpose oats across 1,600 ha on their property Myola, just out of Trundle, NSW.

David describes the environment they live and work in as highly variable. And in this episode, you’ll hear him explain how this variability has shaped the natural environment, creating a unique native grassland system and influencing the production decisions he makes at Myola.

You’ll also hear about David's personal journey to better understand the ecosystem in which he farms. He explains how long term observations, undertaking his Masters and PhD studies and ongoing local research have helped to form a new appreciation and respect for the diversity and resilience of the grasslands on the Central West Plains.

 

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 is part two of our series featuring Jim Larkin, owner and manager of "Clarefield". "Clarefield" is a self-replacing cattle property with some hay and grain production, east of Binnaway, NSW.

In this episode, Jim discusses how the simple process of applying for funding through the Biodiversity on Farms project enabled him to reach his goals for improved management and habitat protection on "Clarefield".

You'll also hear how Jim is heavily involved in fostering the next generation of farmers through the Binnaway Junior Judges program, a program that encourages school students to pursue a career in agriculture.

Jim spoke to Callen Thompson over a cup of tea at the Kitchen table of "Yeulba", Jim’s house block.

 

Special thanks:

This episode is supported by Central West Local Land Services, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

 

Resources and links:

• Blue heliotrope (Heliotropium amplexicaule)
• Blue Heliotrope: A weed to watch out for
• Young Judges Day Binnaway Show Society
• LLS incentive programs proving a win-win for farmers
• John Atkin remembered for his farming feats
• Australia Day Awards 2021

 

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.

Jim Larkin owns and manages "Clarefield", a 1,000-hectare property east of Binnaway, where he runs a self-replacing cattle herd with some hay and grain production. John Atkin, the previous owner, was passionate about developing "Clarefield" with the use of lime, fertiliser and tropical grasses.

In this episode, we hear how Jim shares John’s passion and has continued to improve the land he manages by managing pests and weeds, improving pastures and managing his natural assets to maintain biodiversity.

Jim spoke to Callen Thompson over a cup of tea at the kitchen table of "Yeulba", Jim’s house block.

 

Special thanks:

This episode is supported by Central West Local Land Services, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

 

Resources and links:

• Blue heliotrope (Heliotropium amplexicaule)
• Blue Heliotrope: A weed to watch out for
• Young Judges Day Binnaway Show Society
• LLS incentive programs proving a win-win for farmers
• John Atkin remembered for his farming feats
• Australia Day Awards 2021

 

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.

Andrea Fletcher (or Andy as she's known to the locals) is a Senior Biosecurity Weeds Officer with Castlereagh Macquarie County Council, based out of Coonabarabran. Andy is passionate about weed control, and no matter how big the weed problem is, she will have a go at getting on top of it.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Andy has had great success with weeds that everyone thought couldn’t be beaten. You’ll also hear how Andy’s developed her own beetle nursery to help bolster the bio-control opportunities within her region, and how her hard work and ongoing tenacity has seen her recognised with a State award for her contribution to the management and control of Hudson Pear in NSW.

 

Resources and links:

• NSW Weed Control Handbook
• NSW WeedWise
• Castlereagh Macquarie County Council | Noxious Weeds Control
• Boosting baby beetle numbers for blue heliotrope biocontrol

 

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.

Tim Bowman, along with his family, run a mixed farming operation on their property “Gundy” near Tooraweenah.

In this episode, Tim talks about his Shorthorn cattle enterprise and how he approaches the important decision of selecting bulls, as well as how he’s incorporating artificial insemination into their breeding program to speed up the genetic process and have heifers calve over a nice tight window.

Local Lands Services District Vet Jill Kelly caught up with Tim in the back yards after a bull sale. And as you'll hear, Jill learnt that there's a bit more to it than turning up on sale day with your bidder card in hand!

 

Resources and links:

• Checking your bull is ready for joining
• Bull health
• Buy the right bulls
• Tooraweenah brothers use AI to lift their Shorthorn herd

 

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 is the second part of our conversation with Andrew (Fadge) McFadyen. In part one, Fadge shared his personal journey as a young agronomist, the importance of mentoring and the role he can play as an industry leader.

In this episode, Fadge shares his vision for the future of the agricultural industry, and how he believes harnessing the combined power of grower-driven research is key to tackling agriculture's emerging challenges, including herbicide resistance and climate change.

Local Land Service Mixed Farm Advisor, Callen Thompson brings you this extended chat with Fadge from the veranda of “Wilga Park”.

 

Resources and links:

• Grain Orana Alliance
• Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)
• North West Local Land Services - Tropical pastures webinar recording
• What I wish I knew: Agros to share experiences with ‘next gen’

 

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.

Andrew McFadyen (or “Fadge”), is a farmer and agricultural consultant based at Lake Cargelligo who has recently come back to the family sheep and cropping farm.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Fadge's passion for the future of agriculture has lead him into leadership roles within his community and throughout the cropping industry, and how he’s using the lessons learnt from both agronomy and corporate agriculture to make sure his farming business fits the goals and aspirations of his family.

Fadge sat down for a long yarn with Local Land Service Mixed Farm Advisor, Callen Thompson, on the veranda of “Wilga Park”.

 

Resources and links:

• Grain Orana Alliance
• Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)
• North West Local Land Services - Tropical pastures webinar recording
• What I wish I knew: Agros to share experiences with ‘next gen’

 

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.