The Tom & Mick Show is back!! With a timely livestock market update as rain finally arrives across much of eastern Australia and confidence begins returning to the paddock.

Tom and Mick are joined once again by Riverina livestock agent James Tierney from Riverina Livestock Agents to unpack what's happening in the cattle and sheep markets, how producers are approaching restocking, and whether the lessons from recent seasons will influence decision-making this time around.

From record lamb contracts and surging cattle prices to breeder shortages, restocker demand and the outlook for the next 12–24 months, James provides a practical perspective from the front line of the livestock industry.

In this episode:

James Tierney and Riverina Livestock Agents

• Overview of RLA and its role across southern NSW and Victoria
• Operating from Wagga Wagga with a livestock footprint extending across eastern Australia
• Current seasonal conditions across the Riverina and southern Australia
• Why many producers are experiencing one of the strongest starts to winter in recent memory

Livestock markets gaining momentum

• Lamb contracts reaching up to $12.80/kg
• Strong processor demand continuing across both sheep and cattle
• Why cattle markets received a major boost following recent rainfall
• The significant lift seen in southern saleyards over recent weeks

Restocking and rebuilding numbers

• How traders and breeders are approaching the current market
• Why breeder numbers remain well below historical levels
• The impact of drought-driven livestock liquidation over recent years
• Where producers are still finding opportunities in the market

The cattle outlook

• Why many cattle haven't disappeared...  they've simply found a new postcode
• Large movements of livestock from northern regions into southern Australia
• The risks of chasing expensive restocker cattle
• Lessons learned from the cattle market correction of 2023
• Could we see $2,000 weaner steers again?

Sheep markets and supply challenges

• Why sheep producers may be among the biggest beneficiaries of current conditions
• The impact of reduced breeding ewe numbers across Australia
• Strong mutton prices and ongoing supply constraints
• Why retaining breeding stock is becoming increasingly attractive
• James' outlook for lamb and mutton markets over the next two years

Managing risk in a rising market

• The danger of letting green grass drive decision-making
• Why discipline remains critical during periods of optimism
• Balancing opportunity with caution as prices strengthen
• The importance of understanding seasonal risk in livestock enterprises

Feeding systems and future opportunities

• The growing role of containment feeding and on-farm finishing systems
• Why more producers are retaining stock longer rather than selling into weak markets
• The economics of feeding cattle through market downturns
• Building flexibility into livestock businesses

Key takeaways

• Rain has rapidly improved confidence and livestock demand across much of eastern Australia
• Breeder numbers remain historically tight, supporting medium-term market fundamentals
• Sheep supply is likely to remain constrained for several years
• Cattle markets remain highly dependent on seasonal conditions and producer confidence
• Strong markets create opportunities, but discipline and risk management remain essential

This episode is packed with practical market insight for livestock producers, agents, traders and rural businesses navigating changing seasonal conditions. It's a valuable conversation on rebuilding confidence, managing risk and understanding where the next opportunities may emerge across Australia's sheep and cattle sectors.

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli sits down in the paddock with Brodie Game, who shares how she and her husband Kevin went from milking two cows on a travelling stock reserve to building a high-performing dairy business in the Bega Valley.

Along the way, they’ve navigated drought, fire, financial constraints - and the reality of being first-generation farmers without a clear roadmap.

This episode explores the decisions, risks, and relationships that shaped their journey - and how access to the right finance help such as the RIC at the right time helped accelerate their growth.

RIC is the Australian Government’s farm business lender providing low-interest loans for farmers and farm-related small businesses to prepare for, manage through and recover from tough financial times.

Key insights from the conversation:

• First-generation farming and non-traditional pathways
• Building a business without owning land initially
• The role of relationships and reputation in agriculture
• Risk, resilience, and long-term thinking
• Using finance as a strategic tool - not just survival

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Brodie and Kevin's Journey

01:53 The Landscape of Bega Valley

03:18 Early Interests in Agriculture

04:51 The Path to Dairy Farming

06:51 The Love Story and Partnership

07:40 Understanding Share Farming

09:10 Transitioning to Leasing

11:15 The Importance of Networking

12:10 Acquiring Their Own Farm

14:10 The Role of Community Support

15:37 Daily Life on the Farm

17:26 Ownership vs. Leasing in Farming

19:32 The Value of Dairy Farming

20:51 Exploring Ag Tech Innovations

22:19 Investment Decisions in Farming

24:37 Utilising Finance for Growth

27:31 Future Aspirations and Growth

29:09 Vulnerability and Accountability in Farming

31:32 Pride in Their Achievements

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli Le Lievre sits down with Nathan Potter, CEO of Pavilion Farms, to unpack the future of precision agriculture and why Pavilion Farms is now searching for an AgTech Lead to help shape the next chapter of the business.

From growing up on chicken farms in Victoria to building a career in management consulting with PwC across Australia and London, Nathan shares the journey that brought him back to the family business and how Pavilion Farms has grown into a large-scale operation focused on innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement.

Nathan explains why he sees poultry farming as “the Formula 1 of agriculture” and how emerging technologies, AI, and real-time monitoring are creating new opportunities to improve animal welfare, farm performance, and operational consistency at scale.

The conversation also dives into Pavilion Farms’ newly created AgTech Lead role, the mindset they are looking for in candidates, and why curiosity, systems thinking, and a willingness to solve problems matter more than coming from a traditional farming background.

This episode is designed to give candidates and listeners a genuine insight into the business, the people, the opportunity, and Nathan’s vision for the future of agriculture.

If you’d like to learn more about Pavilion Farms or the AgTech Lead opportunity, head to https://humansofagriculture.com/careers/job-board/agtech-lead-precision--cgk9

The role is live now, and we’d love to hear from anyone interested in the future of agriculture and technology.

Key insights from the conversation:

• How Pavilion Farms grew from a family farm into a large-scale poultry business
• Why Nathan left consulting in London to return to agriculture
• The role AI and technology could play in poultry farming
• Why poultry is one of the most data-driven sectors in agriculture
• What the AgTech Lead role will focus on day to day
• The importance of curiosity, innovation, and continuous improvement
• How technology can improve consistency, welfare, and efficiency at scale
• Why Nathan believes agriculture offers endless opportunities to solve problems

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Pavilion Farms and AgTech Lead Role

04:57 Evolution of Pavilion Farms and Industry Changes

10:10 Dynamic Between Nathan and His Father in Business

12:58 Balancing Family and Business Responsibilities

17:14 Precision Agriculture: The Formula 1 of Farming

21:07 Team Structure and Operations at Pavilion Farms

21:45 Future Opportunities and Technological Evolution in Poultry Farming

23:24 Harnessing Technology for Poultry Management

25:01 The Role of Ag Tech Lead

26:28 Fast Tracking Innovation in Poultry

28:15 Understanding the Current Technology Landscape

30:46 Incremental Improvements in Poultry Farming

32:14 Consistency and Efficiency in Production

34:30 The Ideal Candidate for Ag Tech

36:06 Passion for Agriculture and Family Legacy

37:53 Building Relationships and Change Management

38:59 Early Wins and Data-Driven Decisions

41:00 Balancing On-Farm and Desk Work

43:01 The Importance of Location in Poultry Farming

44:08 Recruitment Process and Future Opportunities

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli Le Lievre sits down with Julie Schofield, Executive Business Unit Leader of Private Business Services at Boyce, to unpack one of the biggest changes coming for employers in more than 30 years: Payday Super.

From 1 July 2026, businesses will be required to pay superannuation at the same time employees are paid, rather than monthly or quarterly. While it may sound like a simple administrative change, Julie explains why this shift will have major implications for cash flow, payroll systems, onboarding, and business operations across regional Australia.

Julie shares her own journey from growing up in Boorowa to building a career with Boyce, one of Australia’s largest rural accounting firms, and reflects on the importance of mentorship, leadership, and supporting regional businesses through change.

This conversation is practical, timely, and designed to help business owners, managers, and employers understand what Payday Super means and how to prepare before the legislation comes into effect.

Key insights from the conversation:

• Payday super legislation coming in July 2026
• Impact on business cash flow and compliance
• Practical tips for businesses to prepare for new super payment rules

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Episode and Main Topic

01:07 Guest Introduction: Julie Schofield from Boyce

02:16 Julie’s Background and Career Path

04:00 Overview of Boyce and Its Regional Presence

06:12 Leadership Approach and Mentorship

08:17 Client Portfolio and Travel Routine

10:11 What is Payday Super and Why Now

11:48 Impacts of Payday Super on Employees and Employers

12:52 Practical Tips for Businesses to Prepare

13:55 Changes in Behaviour and Cash Flow Management

15:39 Data Verification and Compliance Measures

16:30 Penalties for Non-Compliance and Enforcement

17:02 Handling Super Payments for Different Pay Periods

18:03 Questions from the Audience and Surprising Insights

19:18 Tools and Software for Compliance

20:16 Closing Remarks and Future Outlook

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