Talking Aussie Farming

In this episode of Talking Aussie Farming, host Jonathan Weinstock from Farm Cap sits down with Michael Whittaker, CEO of New Zealand-based agricultural technology company Tabula.

In this episode of Talking Aussie Farming, we head to the Yarra Junction Football Netball Club in Victoria's Yarra Valley to chat with Troy Armstrong, founder of Larapinta Private, club president, and lifelong country footballer. We even catch up with a few of Troy's teammates to hear what they really think of him as both a player and club president.

Troy shares his journey from growing up in the Yarra Valley to spending nearly two decades advising high-net-worth families before founding Larapinta Private to provide specialised wealth management for Australia's farming, pastoral, and regional families.

We discuss the unique financial challenges facing farming families, including succession planning, seasonal cash flow, illiquid assets, and building wealth beyond the farm. Troy explains why understanding agriculture is essential to providing meaningful financial advice and why "boring is beautiful" when it comes to long-term investing.

We also explore the biggest intergenerational wealth transfer Australian agriculture has ever seen, the growing interest in farmland from institutional investors, and the tough decisions families face when the next generation chooses a different path.

Along the way, we talk country footy, community, volunteering, local pubs, and why Troy chose to raise his family in the region he proudly calls home.

Whether you're a farmer, investor, adviser, or simply passionate about regional Australia, this episode offers an insightful conversation about farming, family, finance, and the communities that keep country Australia thriving.

00:00 Introduction

01:45 Troy Armstrong's Football Journey

05:10 120 Years of the Yarra Junction Eagles

10:38 Why Country Footy Builds Strong Communities

15:42 The Secret to a Great Club Canteen

19:08 Playing at Box Hill & Premiership Memories

22:35 Why Troy Started Larapinta Private

28:14 Helping Farming Families Build Wealth

34:21 The Biggest Financial Challenges Facing Farmers

41:12 Why "Boring" Investing Wins

46:48 The Biggest Wealth Transfer in Australian Agriculture

54:15 Farming Families, Succession & Institutional Capital

59:46 Adventures Across Australia's Farming Regions

1:05:20 The Northern Territory, Fishing & Crocodiles

1:10:12 Hidden Gems of the Yarra Valley

1:15:03 Country Pubs, Wineries & Local Life

1:20:08 Why Local Sporting Clubs Matter

1:24:36 Final Thoughts

In this episode of Talking Aussie Farming, we dive deep with Jane Adams—a pioneer of Australia’s farmers market movement and a leading voice behind the Australian Farmers’ Markets Association.

Jane shares how a research trip to the United States in 1998 inspired her to bring the farmers market model home. From running her first community workshop in Orange in 1999, Jane has helped the sector grow to approximately 200 farmers markets across Australia.

We explore what defines an authentic farmers market, why buying directly from producers matters and how these markets support farmers, regional economies and local communities. Jane also explains how farmers markets strengthened local food supply chains during COVID and helped Australians reconnect with fresh, seasonal produce.

We tackle the misconception that farmers markets are always more expensive, discuss their role in introducing shoppers to unusual varieties and discover why the experience offers something online shopping and supermarkets simply cannot replicate.

Jane also shares her outlook for the sector, the need for greater local government support and a timely reminder for every shopper: thank the farmer and the farming family behind your food.

Whether you’re a farmer, foodie or simply interested in where your food comes from, this episode will inspire you to visit your local farmers market, shop seasonally and better appreciate the people feeding our communities.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Talking Aussie Farming, we sit down with Nigel Pannett, Managing Director of Compass Agri Australia. Nigel is an experienced finance and agribusiness professional who learned the ropes of farming in New Zealand before bringing those lessons across the Tasman.

We explore how Nigel and his team have spent the past decade developing a $120 million dairy asset into a profitable agricultural portfolio acrss 7 farms. Based in southern Tasmania, the operation now runs a herd of 5,500 milking cows and is underpinned by strategically important water assets.

Nigel shares what he loves about the dairy industry, the challenges of operating at scale and how technology is helping farmers improve productivity, efficiency and animal management.

Whether you’re a farmer, investor or simply interested in the business of agriculture, this episode offers a fascinating look inside one of Australia’s significant dairy portfolios.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Talking Aussie Farming, we dive deep into the fascinating world of Australian water markets with Lachlan Campbell, Executive Manager of Rivco. Rivco manages approximately $300 million of water assets across the Murray-Darling Basin and is one of Australia's leading providers of water entitlement leasing solutions for farmers and irrigators.

Lachlan shares his expertise as a Chartered Accountant and agribusiness professional, taking us through the history and evolution of water entitlements in Australian agriculture, why water markets exist, and the critical role they play in supporting productive farming businesses.

We explore the economics behind water markets, the key drivers of water market pricing, and how investors and farmers think about portfolio strategy. We discuss which agricultural sectors are most dependent on secure water access, the debate between owning versus leasing water entitlements, and how changing regulations are shaping the future of the industry.

The conversation also examines government water buybacks, the long-term outlook for water markets, and how developments in global agricultural regions—including California's almond industry—could influence Australian water demand and investment trends.

And, in true Talking Aussie Farming fashion, we even discover whether Lachlan prefers tap water or sparkling water!

Whether you're a farmer, agribusiness professional, investor, or simply curious about one of Australia's most unique and important asset classes, this episode provides valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges facing water markets today.

 Tune in now to gain a deeper understanding of the asset that underpins Australian agriculture: water. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Talking Aussie Farming, we dive deep with Oli Le Lievre, founder of Humans of Agriculture — one of Australia’s leading storytellers in agriculture, driven by curiosity, connection and a passion for people.

Having hosted more than 500 powerful conversations and stories from across the country, Oli shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Sydney to becoming a powerful voice connecting the entire sector through storytelling.

We explore the passion behind Humans of Agriculture, the importance of human connection in farming, and Oli’s vision to help shape a better planet by unlocking health, happiness, and prosperity through food and fibre production.

Oli also reflects on some of his most memorable interviews, the impact those conversations have had, and why storytelling plays such a critical role in the future of Australian agriculture.

Along the way, we chat about:

• Oli’s path into agriculture and the curiosity that sparked it

• The future of Australian farming and agribusiness

• Oli’s favourite country pub

• How Humans of Agriculture is evolving into a talent and storytelling platform helping agribusinesses showcase their people, stories, and opportunities — creating something others genuinely want to be part of

A great conversation filled with insight, optimism, and a genuine passion for Aussie agriculture 🌾🎙️

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does the latest Federal Budget really mean for Australian farmers, regional communities and the future of agriculture?

In this special Talking Aussie Farming panel episode, we cut through the political spin and unpack the key budget measures impacting Australian agriculture, family farms and rural businesses.

Joining us are Bec Lindert, a third-generation farmer, strategic advisor and policy advocate with AgForce Queensland, and Anton Phillips-Chantelois, CFO of DelayPay, Australia’s leading Buy Now, Pay Later provider for farmers.

Together, we break down the budget’s winners and losers, explore what changes could mean for farm profitability and succession planning, and discuss why food security and supporting the next generation of farmers should remain national priorities.

We also dive into the rationale behind many of agriculture’s unique tax and financial concessions designed to help farmers manage volatile incomes, seasonal risk and significant capital investment requirements.

In this episode we discuss:

The major Federal Budget announcements affecting agriculture

What was included — and what was left out

Fuel, fertiliser and rising input costs

Infrastructure investment and regional development

Capital gains tax, discretionary trusts and negative gearing

The implications of changes to major infrastructure projects, including Inland Rail

Why policy advocacy matters for rural Australia

The future of food security and attracting the next generation into farming

Whether you’re a farmer, agribusiness professional, investor or simply interested in the future of Australian agriculture, this episode provides a practical, jargon-free guide to understanding the policies shaping our industry.

Tune in for a conversation that takes the Federal Budget from Parliament to the paddock. 🌾🎙️

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In this episode of Talking Aussie Farming, we sit down with Stephanie Trethewey — founder of Motherland and 2024 Australian of the Year — to unpack an inspiring journey of resilience, reinvention and impact in rural Australia.

Steph shares her remarkable path from professional women’s tennis to television journalism, before falling in love with a farmer and embracing life in agriculture and rural Australia. What began as her own experience navigating the challenges and isolation of rural motherhood has since grown into Motherland — Australia’s leading platform and charitable organisation dedicated to supporting, connecting and celebrating rural mums across the country.

With more than a million podcast downloads and a powerful online community, Motherland has become a lifeline for women living in regional and remote Australia. We explore Steph’s entrepreneurial journey, the realities of matrescence and mental health in the bush, and why rural mothers are the backbone — and often the overlooked lynchpin — of our farming communities.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Talking Aussie Farming, we sit down with Harrison Stewart — a senior investment specialist at Prime Value Asset Management.

Did you know around 70% of Australia’s milk production is consumed domestically? Harrison brings that stat to life as we unpack the real economics behind Australia’s dairy industry.

From growing up with family farms to now overseeing one of the country’s leading commercial dairy portfolios, Harrison shares the journey behind Prime Dairy — which has expanded rapidly from just 2 farms in 2019 to 12 today, managing over 10,000 milking cows predominantly across Tasmania.

We dive deep into why Tasmania has emerged as a standout dairy region, how it compares to mainland operations, and what’s driving its success. Along the way, we explore the broader outlook for Australian dairy — from domestic demand to global opportunities — and what it all means for farmers, investors, and the future of the sector.

And yes… we even uncover why Tassie devils might not be telling the full story.

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In this episode, we sit down with Dave McKeon from the Adelaide Hills — a farmer at heart and one of the most influential voices in Australian agribusiness. As President and Chair of Agribusiness Australia and Head of Thomas Elder Sustainable Agriculture, Dave brings a rare blend of grassroots perspective and national leadership.

We dive into the real-world impact of his work advocating for farmers and regional communities at the government level, unpacking what actually gets done — and what still needs to.

Dave also shares his take on the challenges and opportunities shaping Aussie agriculture today, from resilience on the ground to policy at the top.

With a career spanning CEO of GrainGrowers, senior roles at the National Farmers’ Federation, and the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Dave offers a candid, inside look at the forces driving the future of farming in Australia.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.