In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli Le Lievre shares a very different kind of conversation, part late-night reflection, part Instagram live announcement, as he opens up about a major shift happening at Humans of Agriculture.

Parlty recorded at 2am and continued via an Instagram Live, this episode captures a raw and honest moment behind the scenes at Humans of Agriculture. Oli takes listeners through the evolution of the business over the past seven years, the challenges of building a sustainable model through storytelling alone, and the decision to step fully into recruitment.

It’s a conversation about growth, discomfort, and backing a new direction, not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary.

This episode is about taking action, building something sustainable, and redefining how agriculture attracts its next generation of talent.

Key insights from the conversation:

• Evolution of Humans of Agriculture into a recruitment platform
• The importance of storytelling and community in agriculture
• Strategies for attracting and showcasing talent in ag
• The role of video content and social media in recruitment
• Future vision for Humans of Agriculture and industry impact

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction: Oli's Wake-Up Call

00:29 The Business Evolution at Humans of Agriculture

01:26 Building a Stronger Foundation with New Team Members

02:19 Humans of Agriculture as a Recruitment Business

03:42 Sharing the Exciting New Chapter

04:12 The Sector's Opportunities and Challenges

05:08 The Next Evolution in Agriculture Storytelling

06:07 Why Recruitment Is the Future for Humans of Ag

07:35 The Power of Content and Community in Recruitment

09:01 Why Now Is the Right Time for Recruitment Focus

09:57 Using Video Content to Promote Jobs and Culture

11:25 The Impact of Authentic Content on Talent Attraction

13:21 Backing the Recruitment Strategy

14:16 Vision for the Next 10 Years in Agriculture

15:15 The Importance of Sharing Opportunities and Stories

16:13 Conclusion: Staying Committed to the Journey

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli Le Lievre sits down with Blair Davies, Assistant Commercial Manager at Zentera (formerly New Zealand Merino Company), for a conversation that spans five decades in the wool industry.

Blair’s story is one of deep industry knowledge, long-term commitment, and an enduring passion for natural fibre. From working in wool stores as a student to spending 23 years with the same company, he’s witnessed firsthand the evolution of wool, from manual classing to data-driven testing, and from local markets to global brand partnerships.

Recorded in the Christchurch wool stores, this episode explores how the industry has changed, what still matters when assessing a fleece, and why, despite disruption and competition from synthetics, wool continues to hold a powerful place in the future of textiles.

This conversation is about experience, perspective, and a lifelong belief in the value of wool.

Key insights from the conversation:

• Blair Davies’ 50-year journey in the wool industry
• What’s changed (and what hasn’t) in wool classing and fibre assessment
• The evolution from visual appraisal to data-driven testing
• Why natural fibres like wool are regaining consumer attention
• The role of growers and ownership in shaping the industry
• How Zentera is evolving into a global brand beyond New Zealand
• Why relationships with growers remain at the heart of the business
• Skills and pathways for young people entering the wool industry

Chapters:

00:00 Intro & Blair’s Journey

02:10 Early Days & Industry Evolution

05:54 Working with Growers

06:54 How to Assess a Fleece

08:29 Skills for the Next Generation

09:23 The Shift to Zentera & Future Vision

(Image: Supplied)

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli sits down with Sarah McDonald, Head of Sustainable Impact at Zentera (formerly New Zealand Merino) to unpack the reality behind sustainable wool.

Sarah sits at the intersection of growers and global brands, her role is to translate what’s happening on farm into credible, measurable data that brands can trust and consumers can believe. From regenerative frameworks and biodiversity metrics to digital traceability and global legislation, this conversation explores how wool is being repositioned in a rapidly evolving sustainability landscape.

Sarah unpacks the tensions between profitability and expectations, the challenge of comparing natural and synthetic fibres, and why clear communication across the value chain is more important than ever.

This is a deep look into the systems, science and strategy shaping the future of wool.

Key insights from the conversation

• Why wool sits at the centre of a complex global system connecting growers brands and sustainability expectations across continents
• What ZQ and ZQ+ actually measure on farm from biodiversity and soil health to credible market ready data
• The balancing act between farmers and brands navigating productivity and rising sustainability demands
• Why sustainability is really about risk driven by banks insurers and legislation more than consumers
• The challenge of measuring impact in agriculture with seasonality and long timelines versus short term expectations
• How technology is transforming traceability by tracking wool from farm to garment using digital systems
• Natural versus synthetic fibres and why emissions accounting can disadvantage wool

Chapters:

00:00 Intro & episode overview
02:15 Sarah’s role & measuring on-farm sustainability
03:13 What Zentera (NZ Merino) does
04:18 Bridging farmers and global brands
05:07 Farm reality vs global expectations
07:21 Sustainability timelines: short vs long term
08:15 How sustainability is measured on farm
09:35 Global pressure, risk & regulation
12:16 Differences across NZ, AUS & South Africa
13:53 The challenge of data collection
15:17 Food vs fashion sustainability gap
17:42 Tech, traceability & supply chains
20:48 Natural vs synthetic fibres debate
23:25 Careers in sustainability & Sarah’s journey
29:51 Animal welfare, mulesing & industry pressure
36:43 Outro & closing remarks

The Tom & Mick show continues with a practical conversation on livestock trading, grazing systems, business resilience and long-term decision making.

Tom and Mick are joined by Nigel Kerin, CEO of Kerin Ag, to unpack how his business approaches livestock trading, forward contracts, pasture management, Wagyu, and the systems that drive profitability through both dry and strong seasons.

From the role of grass budgets and forward pricing to lessons from drought, inflation and on-farm technology, Nigel shares a grounded look at what it takes to build a resilient livestock business.

In this episode:

Nigel’s background and Kerin Ag

• Central west NSW grazing business based south of Dubbo
• Kerin Ag founded through succession in 2007
• Built around Merinos, a newer Wagyu seedstock arm, and a growing trading enterprise

How the trading business works

• Trading introduced as a pressure valve for seasonal variability and cashflow
• Decisions driven by grass budgets, not headline market prices
• Focus on securing the sell price first, then finding the buy
• Forward contracts used to remove emotion and manage downside risk

Why relationships matter

• The value of strong relationships with agents, commission buyers, financiers, processors and transporters
• Creating win-win outcomes across the supply chain
• Why trust and consistency matter when operating at speed in trading markets

The 2020 lamb trade

• Locking in a $9/kg dressed weight JBS contract as drought broke
• Contracting 15,800 lambs before owning any of them
• How forward pricing protected the business when the spot market later fell sharply
• A defining trade that helped get the business back in the black

Should every livestock producer trade?

• Nigel’s view: absolutely not
• Why trading needs systems, rules, finance and discipline
• The danger of trading without forward pricing or without enough grass

Technology and grazing systems

• Regular pasture analysis every 10–14 days in growing periods
• Using OptiWeigh, soil moisture probes and grazing data to drive decisions
• The emergence of a new grazing app Nigel describes as potentially “the auto-steer for grazing”

Why Kerin Ag moved into Wagyu

• Return on grass as a major driver
• Lower adult cow weight and efficiency compared with larger framed alternatives
• Taking a long-game view on Wagyu economics rather than reacting to short-term cycles

Inflation and on-farm economics

• Nigel’s estimate that on-farm inflation has run at 7.8% annually post-COVID
• Why understanding business cost inflation is critical to decision making
• The importance of introducing structural change in good times, not when under pressure

Key business lessons

• Systems matter more than goals on their own
• Feed efficiency and speed of turnover are central to profit
• In agriculture, long-term averages matter more than short-term noise
• “Don’t run out of grass” remains one of the core rules of a successful trading business

This episode is full of practical insight for livestock producers, graziers, advisors, seedstock operators and ag businesses thinking about risk, trading, pasture utilisation and long-term business performance. It’s a valuable conversation on how to build guardrails, use data well, and make better decisions through changing seasons and volatile conditions.

Charlie Blomfield isn’t just building a farm business, he’s building a voice that agriculture can’t afford to ignore.

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli sits down with Charlie Blomfield at Boridgeree, just outside Canowindra in Central West NSW. Farmer, business owner, marketer and one of the most talked-about voices in Australian agriculture right now, Charlie shares what’s driving him, how he’s built GreatHAY, and why he’s chosen to step so publicly into conversations around ag, media and advocacy.

From growing up in a tough era for agriculture, to working across Northern Australia and the Middle East, to building a modern mixed farming and hay business from the ground up, Charlie’s story is shaped by curiosity, conviction and a willingness to back himself.

But this conversation goes beyond the farm gate.

It explores the role agriculture must play in telling its story better, why traditional industry communication is falling behind, and how humour, clarity and honesty are helping Charlie connect with audiences far beyond agriculture.

This episode is about leadership, relevance, building teams, making hard decisions under pressure, and why the future of agriculture depends on more people being willing to speak in ways the rest of the country can actually understand.

Key insights from the conversation

• How Charlie went from asset management and private equity to building Boridgeree
• Why water security and flexibility shaped their move to Canowindra
• The evolution of Boridgeree from mixed farming into a branded hay business
• Why GreatHAY was built around simplicity, clarity and cut-through
• How social media became more than marketing and turned into a platform for advocacy
• What agriculture gets wrong when it tries to communicate with the broader public
• Why humour, character and storytelling are powerful tools for building trust
• How Charlie thinks about leadership, team culture and accountability on farm
• The value of coaching, perspective and creating time for what matters most
• Why agriculture needs more voices that are credible, human and willing to say what they really think

Chapters:
00:02 Introduction and why this conversation matters
02:03 Who Charlie is and what drives him
05:13 Growing up in ag and forging his own path
06:21 Global experiences and gaining perspective
10:30 Starting in business and backing himself early
12:00 Moving into farming and building Boridgeree
14:16 Water strategy and evolving the farm business
17:35 Building GreatHAY and the power of simplicity
20:27 Social media, storytelling and cutting through
22:57 Building teams, culture and leadership
27:47 Coaching, performance and managing priorities
34:31 Stepping into media and why ag comms is broken
40:10 Using influence to drive change in agriculture
46:28 Momentum, opportunity and staying relevant
53:18 Decision-making, perspective and what matters most
01:00:05 Advice for the next generation and future of ag

This is a special Humans of Agriculture “radio-style” episode recorded at CommBank’s Cultivate event in the Hunter Valley — bringing together voices from across the agricultural supply chain.

Across four mini-conversations, we unpack the key forces shaping modern agriculture:

•  Innovation and ag tech adoption 
•  Succession and family business transition 
•  Financial strategy and risk 
•  Market dynamics and global demand 

This episode captures the energy of the room — where farmers, advisors, innovators, and financiers are all working toward a stronger, more resilient industry.

👥 Featured Guests

• Roddy Brown (CommBank) — Why Cultivate exists and the importance of next-generation farmers 
• Bill Mitchell (Optiweigh) — Turning a farm frustration into a global ag tech business 
• Glenn Calder (Viridian Financial Group) — Practical realities of succession, structure, and long-term planning 
• Tash Greenwood (CommBank) — Supply chain insights and why there’s still strong optimism in agriculture 

🔑 Key Themes

•  Why bringing the right people together matters more than ever 
•  The shift from intuition to data-driven decision-making 
•  The reality of ag tech adoption — and why effort still matters 
•  Succession as the most important (and often avoided) conversation in farming 
•  Structuring farm businesses for long-term success and risk management 
•  The role of global markets and why demand for Australian agriculture remains strong 
•  The growing importance of communication, leadership, and people

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and context from CommBank Cultivate
02:10 Roddy Brown on why Cultivate exists and next generation focus
07:20 Innovation in agriculture and the role of technology
08:10 Bill Mitchell on building Optiweigh from a farm problem
12:30 Lessons in ag tech adoption and customer-driven insights
16:30 Why succession remains agriculture’s biggest challenge
17:40 Glenn Calder on structuring farm businesses and managing risk
20:40 Practical steps to start succession and investment conversations
23:00 Empowering teams and building scalable businesses
25:50 Tash Greenwood on supply chains and market confidence
28:00 Global demand, volatility, and optimism in agriculture
30:40 Reflections on community, collaboration, and the future of ag
32:30 Final takeaways from CommBank Cultivate

What if agriculture’s biggest opportunity isn’t on farm, but in the classroom?

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli sits down with Scott Graham, Head of Agriculture at Barker College in Sydney. From a a student base that’s almost entirely from the city, Scott has built the largest Year 12 agriculture cohort in Australia, completely reshaping how young people see the industry.

Scott isn't focused on just one school, he is also completing a PhD focused on engaging metropolitan students in agriculture, and what he’s learned challenges how the entire industry thinks about talent, careers and perception.

This conversation dives into what’s holding agriculture back from attracting the next generation and what needs to change if we’re serious about building the workforce of the future.

Key insights from the conversation

• Why agriculture needs to move beyond farming stereotypes to attract urban talent
• How Barker turned agriculture into one of the most in-demand courses in the school
• The missed opportunity: 70% of ag careers exist off-farm, yet most students never see them
• Why “plate to paddock” is a more powerful way to teach agriculture than traditional approaches
• What Scott’s PhD through Charles Sturt Uni reveals about the biggest barrier to students choosing ag
• How parent perceptions can make or break subject selection
• The rise of agribusiness, agtech and city-based careers among students
• Why even small increases in student numbers can have a huge impact on the future workforce

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and why this conversation matters
02:17 Scott’s journey and influence as an educator
04:15 Reimagining agriculture for urban students
08:39 Purpose, passion and careers in agriculture
10:54 Transforming Barker’s agriculture program
13:54 Changing perceptions and building credibility
17:56 The role of industry in showcasing careers
21:28 Off-farm opportunities and the future workforce
24:44 What today’s students are interested in
27:44 The rise of agribusiness and agtech pathways
32:29 Scott’s PhD and understanding student engagement
36:31 Barriers to scaling agriculture in urban schools
39:30 Rethinking how agriculture is introduced to students
42:17 “Plate to paddock” and making ag relatable
46:55 Key findings from Scott’s research
50:29 Why narrative matters for the future of ag
52:34 What keeps Scott motivated

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, we sit down with Jack Ternouth, Head of Commercial Operations at Zentera (formerly New Zealand Merino Company), for a conversation that captures what’s possible when curiosity, grit, and opportunity collide in agriculture.

Jack didn’t grow up on a farm, but through sheer determination and a willingness to learn, he’s built a career from the ground up in one of the most complex and globally connected parts of the ag industry. From classing wool and working alongside growers to now leading commercial conversations with global brands, his journey is a powerful example of what’s possible in ag today.

On this episode, we explore what it takes to build a career in agriculture without a traditional background, the critical role of mentorship, and why value creation - not scale - is the future for countries like Australia and New Zealand. Jack also shares how Zentera is helping create more certainty for growers in a volatile market through traceability, long-term contracts, and global brand partnerships.

This episode is about ambition, learning on the go, and the next generation shaping agriculture’s future.

Key insights from the conversation:

• Jack Ternouth’s journey from outsider to commercial leader in the wool industry
• Why curiosity, hunger, and alignment matter more than background
• The power of mentorship in accelerating a career in agriculture
• How Zentera is creating stability for growers in volatile markets
• Why storytelling still matters in a data-driven world
• The shift from commodity to value-added agriculture
• The importance of traceability, certification, and global consumer trust
• Opportunities for young people to build careers in ag without farming roots

Chapters:
00:00 Intro & Why This Conversation Matters
01:48 Jack’s Background: From Zimbabwe to New Zealand
04:10 Starting at NZ Merino & Learning the Wool Industry
06:30 Moving Into Commercial & Global Brand Relationships
08:05 Advice for Young People Entering Agriculture
09:40 Learning the Industry Without a Farming Background
11:30 Storytelling vs Data in Modern Agriculture
12:45 Zentera’s Growth & Global Strategy
14:40 Certifications, Traceability & Market Access
16:20 Supporting Growers & Moving Away from Mulesing
18:10 Volatility, Contracts & Creating Certainty
20:15 The Future of Wool & Global Demand
22:10 Long-Term Vision for the Industry
24:10 Opportunities for the Next Generation in Ag
25:45 Wrap Up

(Image: Supplied)

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli and Mick Corcoran sit down with Angus Street, CEO of Zentera (formerly New Zealand Merino), for a full-circle conversation on leadership, legacy, and the future of wool.

From growing up on a farm in northern NSW to navigating job loss during the GFC, launching startups in China, and leading major ag businesses, Angus shares an honest reflection on a career shaped by curiosity, risk, and relationships.

Now at the helm of Zentera, Angus unpacks the company’s evolution from a grower-led wool collective into a global, purpose-driven brand focused on traceability, sustainability, and premium markets. He explains why the wool industry must fight for relevance in a synthetic-dominated world, and how consumer trends in Europe, China, and the US are creating new opportunities.

The conversation dives deep into leadership, what it takes to step into an existing culture as CEO, why “discovery before diagnosis” matters, and the importance of putting people at the centre of transformation.

This episode is equal parts strategy, storytelling, and self-reflection - grounded in agriculture but globally relevant.

Key insights from the conversation

• Angus Street’s journey from journalism to global ag leadership
• Lessons from failure and starting businesses in China
• The evolution of New Zealand Merino into Zentera
• What “whakapapa” means in a business context
• How wool is competing in a synthetic-dominated market
• Leadership lessons: curiosity, culture, and managing change
• Why the future of wool depends on collaboration and storytelling

Chapters:
00:00 Intro & Why This Conversation Matters
02:10 Meet Angus Street
03:50 Early Career, China & AuctionsPlus Journey
08:00 From NZ Merino to Zenterra: The Rebrand
11:30 What Zenterra Does & Global Brand Partnerships
14:40 Moving to NZ & Leading an Existing Team
18:05 First 90 Days as CEO: Curiosity Over Action
21:00 Culture, Change & Leadership Lessons
26:40 Global Wool Demand & Market Trends
30:45 Premiums, Growers & Industry Challenges
33:40 The Future of Wool: Niche or Opportunity?
35:20 Dream Job, Family & Life on the Land
38:40 Wrap Up

What happens when you put nature first in a cattle business?

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli sits down with Carly Baker-Burnham from Bonnie Doone Beef in Queensland’s North Burnett. Together with her husband Grant, Carly has helped reshape their grazing operation by focusing on landscape health, intensive rotational grazing and long-term stewardship.

That shift eventually led them to take part in one of Australia’s early soil carbon projects, resulting in one of the country’s largest issuances of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs). But beyond the headlines, Carly shares what actually matters: improving soil, increasing biodiversity and building a business that works with nature.

This conversation explores the realities behind soil carbon, the importance of measurement and scientific rigor, and why observation of the land remains one of a farmer’s most powerful tools.

Key insights from the conversation

• Why shifting to a nature-first approach transformed productivity and nearly tripled production on the same land base
• The practical changes behind their grazing system: more paddocks, rest for pastures and better data
• Inside one of Australia’s early soil carbon projects, including the measurement, audits and long timelines involved
• Why Carly welcomes scepticism around carbon claims and the importance of science-backed results
• The role farmers can play in removing carbon from the atmosphere through healthy soils
• Why observation and connection to the land remain critical for better decision making

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and life at Bonnie Doone
 03:58 Family history and finding their path in agriculture
 08:19 Succession, family business and hard decisions
 13:22 Moving from reactive farming to strategic business thinking
 16:13 Practical grazing changes and adopting a nature-first approach
 21:26 Inside Bonnie Doone’s soil carbon project
 29:02 Carbon claims, scepticism, and scientific rigour
 33:08 Involving the next generation in environmental stewardship
 35:05 Where farmers can start with soil carbon thinking
 37:57 What Carly is most proud of today

As fuel pressure builds across parts of regional Australia, we wanted to step into the conversation in a way that is clear, factual and useful. Not to add to panic, but to help our audience understand what is actually happening, what it means for agriculture, and what bigger questions this moment is exposing around resilience, preparedness and national priorities.

And when it comes to conversations like this, Andrew Henderson is one of our go-to voices.

Andrew is the founder and principal of AgSecure and has built his career working across biosecurity, national resilience and the vulnerabilities that sit inside the systems agriculture depends on. He brings a rare combination of strategic insight, practical understanding and calm analysis, which is exactly what a topic like this needs.

In this episode, Andrew helps unpack the current fuel challenge facing Australian agriculture and Australia more broadly. He explains how the fuel system works, why regional areas are feeling the pressure first, what the Liquid Fuel Emergency Act means, and why this is about much more than a temporary supply scare.

This is a conversation about fuel, but it is also a conversation about resilience, leadership and the reality of operating in a world that is becoming less stable, less predictable and more exposed to disruption.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why the fuel challenge matters to Australian agriculture right now
• Why Andrew Henderson was the right person to help unpack it
• How Australia’s fuel system actually works
• Why regional Australia feels these pressures first
• What the Liquid Fuel Emergency Act means in practice
• Why this moment is exposing bigger resilience gaps in the system
• What farmers and agricultural businesses should be thinking about next