To start the new year on the Feed Central Hay Matters podcast, Jon Paul Driver sat down with Tim Ford, Director of Feed Central, to pull back the curtain on Local Ag - a bold new marketplace that’s been 22 years in the making. Born from decades of experience, countless conversations with farmers, and a relentless drive to innovate, Local Ag is set to revolutionise how Australian agriculture connects and trades.

• Local Ag launches 29th January 2025, offering a fresh and modern way for Australian farmers and agribusinesses to trade hay, grain, seed, fertiliser, livestock, machinery, and more.
• Built to simplify transactions while keeping them secure, Local Ag combines decades of Feed Central expertise with cutting-edge tech tailored for agriculture.
• Tim describes the platform as the handshake deal reinvented; buyers and sellers connect directly, chat through the platform, and close deals seamlessly with payment, contracts, and logistics all managed along the way.
• At the heart of it all is Kev, an AI chatbot who’s part junior trader, part contract genius, and always learning to keep transactions running smoothly. He’s friendly, practical, and distinctly local - just like the team that built him.
• Kev isn’t just a bot; he’s a tribute to Tim Ford’s late father, a man who brought wisdom, warmth, and a deep love for rural life. That legacy is built into the platform itself.
• Farmers can build their own profiles, showcase their products, and connect with buyers in a way that feels modern but rooted in trust.
• Unlike generic marketplaces, Local Ag is designed specifically for rural Australia; it's built to balance the no-nonsense practicality of farming with the convenience of online tools.
• Every detail has been shaped by 20+ years of Feed Central’s experience, from the AI chat to the quality assurance options and the human support team that’s always a phone call away.
• Built locally in Toowoomba, Local Ag stands apart from off-the-shelf solutions with tech designed and coded right here in Australia.
• Local Ag reflects how today’s farmers do business: building their brands, taking control of supply chains, and stepping into the digital world on their own terms.
• The platform is as much about relationships as it is about transactions. Farmers will be able to connect with buyers, get direct feedback, and build trust in ways that go far beyond selling a product.
• Whether it’s a small batch of seed, a truckload of hay, or a piece of second-hand machinery, Local Ag will make the process simpler, safer, and more personal.
• Feed Central isn’t going anywhere. The team you know and trust remains the backbone of this new venture, ensuring continuity for hay services while opening doors to new opportunities.
• Launching just after Australia Day, Local Ag celebrates the heart of rural Australia: family, community, and innovation wrapped up in one trusted platform.

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