A Place to Call Home | Stories from Australian Agriculture

Send us Fan Mail G’day and welcome to the A Place to Call Home Podcast, a podcast sharing the stories of people building a life in agriculture across rural Australia. In this episode, I sit down with Brandon Sigvart, founder of B Rural Co. A growing rural business built around practical fencing tools, workwear and a strong connection to the bush. Brandon shares his journey from growing up in rural Australia and working in the mines, to saving hard, buying his first property and eventually turning a side hustle into a full-time business. What started with a simple idea for a better fencing product has grown through customer feedback, product development and the power of social media into a recognisable rural brand. This is a conversation about having a go, working hard, backing an idea and using the opportunities in front of you to build the life and business you want. In this episode, we chat about: 🌾 Brandon’s rural upbringing and passion for the bush 🔨 How B Rural Co. started and where the first product ideas came from ⛏️ Working in the mines, saving hard and buying property 🚀 Turning a side hustle into a full-time business 💡 Developing products through customer feedback and practical problems 📱 Using social media to grow the B Rural Co. brand 💪 Work ethic, persistence and backing yourself Find out more about B Rural Co. 📘 Facebook: B Rural Co | Facebook 📸 Instagram: BRurlaCo 🌏 Website: B Rural Co. Resources Mentioned The Re Ride Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-reride-podcast/id1719168854 https://open.spotify.com/show/60be7xgaRs9gu7sOEj59ds?si=msK5xNX_SbqIkdsbkrpzmA&utm_source=copy-link If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au This season of A Place to Call Home is proudly brought to you by Rabobank Australia . A big thank you to Rabobank Australia for supporting the podcast and helping us continue sharing the stories of people building their future in Australian agriculture. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail AG INNOVATION SERIES | Innovation Beyond Technology with Josie Copley In the final episode of the Ag Innovation Series, Sam Fryer sits down with Josie Copley from Copley Pastoral to explore what innovation really means in modern agriculture. As part of a fifth-generation family beef business and Brahman seedstock operation, Josie brings a unique perspective to the innovation conversation. Working across livestock production, marketing and communications, she sees firsthand how businesses can evolve through genetics, data, better decision making and a commitment to continuous improvement. Throughout the conversation, Josie challenges the idea that innovation is always about new technology. Instead, she shares why some of the most powerful innovations come from doing the small things consistently well over time. In this episode we discuss: • Innovation beyond technology • Genetics and data-driven breeding decisions • The role of BreedPlan and objective measurement • Building a profitable and sustainable family business • Why adoption is often harder than innovation • The importance of curiosity and continuous learning • Field days and knowledge sharing across the industry • Collaboration between producers, researchers and industry • The role of the next generation in shaping Australian agriculture We also dive into Copley Pastoral's Curious Minds, Profitable Herds Field Day and discuss how events like these help bridge the gap between research, innovation and practical on-farm adoption. One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that innovation doesn't always need to be revolutionary. Sometimes the greatest gains come from making small improvements, staying curious and consistently moving forward. This episode wraps up the Ag Innovation Series, a collaboration between A Place to Call Home and the Pandaemonium Paper exploring the people, ideas and technologies shaping the future of Australian agriculture. Pandaemonium Website: https://www.pandaemonium.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p.andaemonium/ If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Ag Innovation Series | Ceres Tag, Livestock Technology & The Future of Beef Production with Jean Liebenberg with Jean Liebenberg In this episode of the Ag Innovation Series, Sam Fryer sits down with cattle producer and Ceres Tag Business Development Manager Jean Liebenberg to explore what innovation actually looks like in the Australian beef industry. Drawing on his experience as both a producer and ag tech professional, Jean shares his perspective on technology adoption, livestock monitoring and the growing role of data in helping producers make better decisions on farm. Throughout the conversation, we discuss how innovation doesn't always need to be flashy. Sometimes it's about solving real problems, improving efficiency and finding practical ways to make farming operations more productive and resilient. In this episode we discuss: • Innovation through a producer's lens • Technology adoption in the beef industry • Data-driven decision making • Livestock monitoring and animal performance • The role of Ceres Tag in modern beef production • Why innovation needs to solve real problems • Return on investment versus return on effort • Collaboration, mentoring and industry networks • The future of livestock technology • What the next generation of agriculture could look like One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that innovation isn't necessarily about having the latest technology, it's about using the right tools to make better decisions and improve outcomes on farm. This episode is proudly supported by Ceres Tag. Designed specifically for extensive livestock systems, Ceres Tag is helping producers gain greater visibility into their cattle through real-time monitoring and animal performance insights. From tracking grazing behaviour and feed intake through to health monitoring and management decisions, the technology is providing producers with new ways to understand what's happening in the paddock when they can't always be there themselves. For producers operating across large and remote beef enterprises, access to better information can lead to better decisions, improved productivity and stronger business outcomes. To learn more about Ceres Tag, visit: https://cerestag.com/ Pandaemonium Website: https://www.pandaemonium.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p.andaemonium/ If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Ag Innovation Series | Innovation, Agronomy & The Future of Farming with Sam Simons In this episode of the Ag Innovation Series, Sam Fryer sits down with agronomist Sam Simons from Poole Ag to explore innovation through the lens of modern farming systems. Working with producers across broadacre agriculture, Sam is on the front line of some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the industry today. From weed resistance and labour shortages through to automation, precision agriculture and emerging technology, he sees firsthand what is driving innovation on farm and what is delivering real results. Throughout this conversation, we discuss the difference between innovation and technology, why necessity often drives change, and how producers can navigate the constant stream of new products, systems and ideas entering agriculture. In this episode we discuss: • What innovation actually means in agriculture • Why necessity is often the driver of change • Weed resistance and the role of innovation in solving complex challenges • Precision agriculture and data-driven decision making • Automation, robotics and emerging technologies • Water efficiency and getting more from every input • Why some innovations succeed while others fail • Innovation adoption and producer confidence • The role producers play in driving innovation themselves • What the future of Australian agriculture could look like Whether you're a producer, agronomist, advisor or simply interested in the future of agriculture, this episode provides practical insights into how innovation is shaping farming systems across Australia. This Ag Innovation Series is proudly a collaboration between A Place to Call Home and the Pandaemonium Paper, exploring the people, ideas and technologies helping move Australian agriculture forward. Pandaemonium Website: https://www.pandaemonium.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p.andaemonium/ If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au Support the show

Send us Fan Mail AG INNOVATION SERIES | Practical Innovation, Mobble & The Next Generation of Agriculture with Will Bucknell In this episode of the Ag Innovation Series, Sam Fryer sits down with young producer Will Bucknell from Quambone in north-west New South Wales to explore what innovation actually looks like on the ground for the next generation of Australian agriculture. After growing up on his family’s steer trading operation, Will went on to work on large scale cattle stations across Queensland before studying farm management at Marcus Oldham College, where he was exposed to a range of emerging technologies and management systems being adopted across the industry. Since returning home, Will and his family have been gradually implementing new technologies into their own operation, including Mobble, smart tagging, spray drones and improved data management systems — all with a strong focus on practicality, efficiency and return on investment. This episode is part of the Ag Innovation Series, a collaboration between Pandaemonium and A Place to Call Home exploring the people, ideas and technologies helping move Australian agriculture forward. This episode is proudly supported by Mobble — a livestock and farm management platform helping producers streamline record keeping, improve communication across teams and simplify day-to-day farm management. To learn more about Mobble, head to: https://www.mobble.io/ Pandaemonium Website: https://www.pandaemonium.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p.andaemonium/ If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Ag Innovation Series | Adapting, Innovating & Evolving in Viticulture with Liz Riley In this episode of the Ag Innovation Series, Sam Fryer sits down with Liz Riley — an independent viticultural consultant and trainer based in the Hunter Valley, as well as sitting on the Plant Health Australia board and a Nuffield Scholar with more than 25 years of experience working across viticulture, sustainability, biosecurity and agricultural leadership. Liz completed her Nuffield Scholarship in 1996 focusing on integrated pest management in vineyards, an experience that helped shape her approach to innovation, adaptability and continuous improvement across agriculture. Throughout this conversation we explore what innovation actually looks like on the ground, how industries evolve under pressure and why practical solutions often matter more than flashy technology. This episode is proudly part of the Ag Innovation Series, a collaboration between Pandaemonium and A Place to Call Home exploring the people, ideas and technologies helping move Australian agriculture forward. Pandaemonium Website: https://www.pandaemonium.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p.andaemonium/ If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review, it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au Support the show

Send us Fan Mail AG INNOVATION SERIES | INTRODUCTION with Sam Fryer & Alice Armitage Welcome to the first episode of the Ag Innovation Series — a new collaboration between Pandaemonium and A Place to Call Home. In this introductory conversation, Sam Fryer and Alice Armitage unpack what innovation in agriculture actually means beyond the buzzwords. From drones and AI to genetics, data collection, storytelling and succession, this episode explores the real-world challenges and opportunities shaping the future of Australian agriculture. Across the series, we’ll sit down with producers, founders, researchers and innovators who are pushing the industry forward not for the sake of flashy technology, but to create more productive, sustainable and resilient farming businesses and rural communities. This series is about highlighting the people and ideas shaping the future of agriculture and showcasing how regional Australia continues to innovate, adapt and evolve. Thanks for listening and we’re excited to bring you the conversations ahead. Pandaemonium The independent media outlet sharing stories of positivity and prosperity from country Australia. Website: https://www.pandaemonium.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p.andaemonium/ If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au Support the show

Send us Fan Mail G’day and welcome to the A Place to Call Home Podcast, a podcast sharing the stories of people building a life in agriculture across rural Australia. In this episode, I sit down with Tamara Finger, owner and manager of TF2 Grazing Company, a beef breeding operation recently relocated to Theodore in Central Queensland. Tamara shares a powerful and practical story of succession done differently — starting with being gifted cattle as a child, building her own herd from a young age, and stepping into property ownership in her early 20s. From growing up in Dysart to working across local government, retail, and federal politics, Tamara’s journey highlights the importance of gaining experience off-farm, understanding business fundamentals, and staying open to opportunity. This is a conversation about taking ownership early, building assets over time, and backing yourself when the right opportunity comes along. In this episode, we chat about: 🏡 Growing up in Dysart and balancing agriculture and mining communities 🐄 Being gifted cattle as a child and building a herd from a young age 📊 Learning business fundamentals early — books, tax, and decision-making 🚜 Gaining experience off-farm through council, retail, and politics 🤝 A unique family succession model focused on early ownership 🏦 Stepping into property at 22 with her sister 📈 Building a breeding operation and growing herd numbers 🔄 Buying out her sister and navigating business and family decisions 📍 Selling and relocating to Theodore to align with long-term goals 🧠 The importance of setting goals and staying adaptable to opportunities 🏛️ Advocacy, AgForce involvement, and shaping the future of agriculture 🌱 Opportunities through innovation, technology, and genetics Resources mentioned 📊 Beef Central Podcast (The Weekly Grill) 🌎 Cattle Chats (US-based podcast) If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au 🎙️ This episode is brought to you by Rural Succession Solutions. If you’ve ever found succession conversations difficult — or avoided them altogether — you’re not alone. Rural Succession Solutions work with rural families to guide those conversations, helping bring clarity, alignment, and a clear plan for the future of the farm. Their structured process focuses on communication first — because without it, even the best plans can fall apart. If you’re looking to protect your family, your business, and your legacy, it’s well worth reaching out. 👉 Learn more: https://ruralsuccessionsolutions.com.au/ Support the show

Send us Fan Mail G’day and welcome to the A Place to Call Home Podcast, a podcast sharing the stories of people building a life in agriculture across rural Australia. In this episode, I sit down with Amanda Buchmann from JAB Agri Solutions, based in Southeast Queensland. Amanda is a passionate advocate for the red meat and broader agricultural industry, focused on bridging the gap between industry knowledge and new entrants coming into agriculture. From growing up around livestock with her grandparents to building a career outside the industry in pharmacy and law, Amanda has taken a unique path back into ag — now combining her life experience with a mission to educate and support producers. This conversation dives deep into the realities of entering agriculture today, the importance of education and compliance, and the role every producer plays in strengthening the future of the industry. In this episode, we chat about: 🏡 Growing up in Warwick and early exposure to livestock through family 🚛 Lessons learned from time spent in livestock transport with her dad 📚 Building skills outside agriculture in pharmacy, law, and conveyancing 🐄 Returning to ag and starting a small cattle operation with her family ⚠️ The challenges new entrants face when buying land and livestock 📉 Common mistakes producers make when starting out 📊 Why record keeping, traceability, and compliance are critical 🛑 The risks of poor biosecurity and lack of education in the industry 🧠 Breaking down barriers between industry knowledge and new producers 🤝 Building JAB Agri Solutions to educate and support small-scale producers 🌱 Understanding ESG, natural capital, and telling your story as a producer 📈 How good management and record keeping can improve profitability 🌏 The importance of advocacy and strengthening the agricultural supply chain Resources mentioned 📊 Integrity Systems (NLIS & LPA) 🌱 Australian Rural Leadership Program 📖 Stolen Focus by Johann Hari If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au 🎙️ This episode is brought to you by SkyKelpie . You can learn more at: SkyKelpie - Drone Mustering & Aerial Stockmanship Support the show

Send us Fan Mail G’day and welcome to the A Place to Call Home Podcast , a podcast sharing the stories of people building a life in agriculture across rural Australia. In this episode, I sit down with Lindsay Barlow from Triple B Brangus, based in Dingo, Central Queensland. Lindsay and his family have built a highly regarded Brangus stud from the ground up, producing bulls for both southern and northern markets, while navigating one of the most important and often challenging parts of agriculture — succession. Lindsay’s story starts far from where he is today, growing up on a pineapple farm on the Capricorn Coast before eventually finding his way back to cattle after a period of uncertainty post-school. What followed was decades of building, learning, and working through a long and complex succession journey within a family business. This conversation dives deep into what it really takes to build a seedstock operation, the realities of succession, and the mindset required to create a sustainable future in agriculture. In this episode, we chat about: 🏡 Growing up on a pineapple farm and early exposure to agriculture 🐄 How a Brahman bull over Angus cows sparked a lifelong Brangus journey 📈 Building the Triple B Brangus stud from a foundation herd 🤝 The realities of succession in a family business over decades 🧠 Why communication, trust, and patience are critical in succession 📉 The risks of wills being contested and planning ahead 🌱 Gradually taking on responsibility vs being thrown in the deep end 🐂 Expanding into northern Australia with a Charters Towers bull sale 📊 Using data, Breedplan, and DNA to create a point of difference 🚜 The workload and pressure behind running a seedstock operation 👨‍👩‍👦 The importance of having the right partner and support system 🌏 Why knowledge, education, and networks are key for the next generation Resources mentioned 📊 Breedplan (performance recording and genetic evaluation) BREEDPLAN 🌱 Young Beef Producers Forum (Roma) Young Beef Producer's Forum - Australia If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au 🎙️ Podcast Partner — JobSafe Pro This episode is proudly brought to you by JobSafe Pro. Built by farmers, for farmers — JobSafe Pro helps you simplify safety and compliance by keeping everything in one place, from inductions and chemical registers to machinery logs, incident reporting, timesheets and payroll. Job Safe Pro Pty Ltd - An app to simplify workplace safety and compliance Support the show

Send us Fan Mail G’day and welcome to the A Place to Call Home Podcast , a podcast sharing the stories of people building a life in agriculture across rural Australia. In this episode, I sit down with Seamus O’Connor from O’Connor Agriculture , based across the Calliope and Boyne Valley regions west of Gladstone in Queensland. Seamus and his wife Hannah are building a diversified farming business running breeders, backgrounding cattle, producing hay, and more recently selling beef direct to their local community. But their journey into farming hasn’t been straightforward. Seamus grew up in agriculture southwest of Goondiwindi before heading away to boarding school, studying engineering at the University of Queensland, and building a career in the resource sector during the LNG boom. Like many people who grow up in the bush though, agriculture has a way of pulling you back. What started with buying a small block of land and agisting cattle eventually turned into building a farming business from the ground up — navigating drought, market crashes, financial challenges and plenty of lessons along the way. This is a conversation about first-generation farming, enterprise stacking, resilience, and the mindset required to build a life on the land from scratch. In this episode, we chat about: 🏡 Using property investing as a stepping stone into farming 🐄 Buying their first block of land and starting with agistment cattle 📉 The lessons from drought, market downturns and early mistakes 🌾 Shifting towards regenerative grazing principles 📊 Enterprise stacking and building multiple income streams 🚜 Starting a hay production enterprise 🥩 Selling beef direct to consumers through boxed beef 📱 The power of social media in connecting farmers and customers 👨‍👩‍👦 Building a farm business while raising a young family 🌱 Why mindset and curiosity are key to building a future in agriculture Resources mentioned 📘 Dirt to Soil — Gabe Brown 📘 A Bold Return to Giving a Damn — Will Harris 📘 Nourishment — Fred Provenza Courses mentioned: 🌱 Grazing for Profit Follow Seamus 📸 Instagram: O’Connor Agriculture 📘Facebook: O’Connor Agriculture If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au 🎙️ Podcast Partner — Halter This episode is proudly partnered with Halter . Halter® | Virtual Fencing and Pasture Management Halter is the app and smart collar helping producers run more productive cattle properties . It provides virtual fencing and remote shifting , allowing you to move and manage mobs straight from your phone. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail G’day and welcome to the A Place to Call Home Podcast, a podcast sharing the stories of people building a life in agriculture across rural Australia. In this episode, I sit down with Mark Vass, a fifth-generation cane farmer from the Burdekin in North Queensland. Mark’s journey into agriculture hasn’t been a straight line. Starting out as a boilermaker, Mark spent time working across the country before jumping into running a music festival with his brother in his early 20s — an experience that taught him plenty about risk, business, and resilience. Like many people who grow up in the bush though, agriculture has a way of pulling you back. What started with a simple conversation with his dad eventually turned into leasing country, stepping into the family operation, and building his own farming business — all while continuing to grow and expand through diversification and business outside of agriculture. This is a conversation about taking risks, learning through failure, building from the ground up, and the importance of integrity, community, and backing yourself. In this episode, we chat about: 🏡 Growing up in the Burdekin and life on a cane farm 🔧 Starting out as a boilermaker and working away 🎶 Running a music festival in his early 20s — and what it taught him 📉 Losing money in business and the lessons that come with it 🌱 The decision to return to agriculture and lease family country 🚜 Building a farming business from the ground up 🌾 Diversifying beyond sugarcane and exploring alternative crops 📊 Why relying on one commodity can limit growth 🏗️ Building a business outside of agriculture alongside farming 💰 The realities of getting started in farming today 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Succession, family, and thinking long-term 🔥 Dealing with naysayers and focusing on your own path 🌱 Why integrity and community matter in business and life Resources mentioned: 🤝 How to Win Friends and Influence People | Dale Carnegie Follow Mark and Next Gen Building co 🌏 Website: Next Gen Building Co If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au 🎙️ Podcast Partner — The Cathedral School This episode is proudly partnered with The Cathedral School of St Anne and St James in Townsville . If you’re a family in regional or remote Australia thinking about schooling options, Cathedral offers a strong boarding experience designed to support students both in and out of the classroom. They’re hosting a Boarding Experience Weekend on the 9th and 10th of May , giving families the opportunity to explore the school, meet staff and students, and experience boarding life firsthand. It’s completely free to attend, but places are limited. Boarding Experience - Cathedral Support the show

Send us Fan Mail G’day and welcome to the A Place to Call Home Podcast, a podcast sharing the stories of people building a life in agriculture across rural Australia. In this episode, I sit down with Nick Holliday from Belvedere Farm. Nick and his wife Brydie are building a diversified farming business producing grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork and eggs, selling their products direct to consumers. But Nick’s pathway back into agriculture hasn’t been the typical one. Coming from generations of agricultural families where each generation has had to start again, Nick spent time building a career in law, union organising and advocacy before eventually finding his way back to the land. What started with buying a small parcel of land has gradually grown into a farming business built around direct-to-consumer sales, regenerative thinking, and creating a farm that could support the next generation. This is a conversation about starting small, learning new enterprises from scratch, and building a resilient farm business over time. In this episode, we chat about: 🌱 Growing up in agricultural families and the challenge of starting again ⚖️ Nick’s career in law, union organising and advocacy 🏡 Buying their first 20 acres and beginning their farming journey 🐄 Producing grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork and eggs 📦 Building a direct-to-consumer farm business 🌾 Soil health and regenerative agriculture principles 📱 Using social media and storytelling to connect farmers and consumers 👨‍👩‍👦 Creating a farm business that could support the next generation 🧠 The importance of personal development and leadership in agriculture Courses mentioned: 🌱 Holistic Management Training 🤝 Red Earth Community Foundation Leadership Program Follow Nick and Belvedere Farm 📘 Facebook: Belvedere Farm 📸 Instagram: Belvedere Farm 🌏 Website: Shop | Eat from a Thriving Ecosystem — Belvedere Farm If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au 🎙️ Podcast Partner Speed Tagger, Tough Tags This episode is proudly partnered with Speed Tagger and their Tough Tags range. Tough Tags are Australian owned and operated in regional Queensland and designed for real grazing environments. They feature permanent laser printing that won’t rub off, fast turnaround ordering direct from the tag company, free shipping Australia-wide, and a four-year warranty. Plus, 10 cents from every tag sold goes towards supporting rural charities, giving back to the communities that keep the agriculture industry running. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail G’day and welcome to the A Place to Call Home Podcast , a podcast sharing the stories of people building a life in agriculture across rural Australia. In this episode, I sit down with Teek Carmichael , based around Condamine in Queensland , who somehow manages to wear a few different hats across agriculture, business, fitness, and community. Teek works in finance with Business and Rural Solutions , helps run the family cattle and feedlot operation with her husband Ben , and is also a personal trainer building community through fitness in the bush. From growing up outside Injune as a bush kid… To heading to Brisbane for university and elite-level netball … To finding her way back into the Australian beef industry and helping build a family feedlot enterprise from the ground up … This is a conversation about life in rural Australia, agriculture, feedlots, community, resilience, and building your own path in the ag industry . It’s about navigating life between two family farming businesses . It’s about learning new enterprises from scratch. And it’s about remembering that looking after yourself matters just as much as looking after the business. In this episode, we chat about: 🌱 Growing up outside Injune and life as a bush kid 🏐 Moving to Brisbane for university and playing elite-level netball 🐄 Returning to agriculture and marrying into a farming family ⚖️ Balancing time between two family farming businesses 📈 Building and learning a feedlot enterprise from scratch 👥 The importance of building the right team around an agricultural business 💪 Why fitness and mental health matter in agriculture 🤝 Community connection in rural towns like Condamine 📱 Using social media to help tell agriculture’s story 🌾 Creating your own path in agriculture without giving up your passions Resources mentioned 📘 Business and Rural Solutions 📘 Beef Central – Week in Beef Podcast Follow Teek 📸 Instagram: @teekcarmichael If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au 🎙️ Podcast Partner — Halter This episode is proudly partnered with Halter . Halter® | Virtual Fencing and Pasture Management Halter is the app and smart collar helping producers run more productive cattle properties . It provides virtual fencing and remote shifting , allowing you to move and manage mobs straight from your phone — no shifting breaks, no extra fencing, and no chasing labour. With 24/7 location tracking and pasture insights , you can see exactly where your cattle are at any time and make better decisions around grazing management. Halter has been built alongside beef producers to help reduce infrastructure costs, improve pasture use, and increase productivity on farm . To learn more, visit halterhq.com Support the show

Send us Fan Mail G’day and welcome to the A Place to Call Home Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Brecken Curtis — rural finance specialist, business owner, investor, and long-time Longreach local. Brecken originally moved west for what was meant to be a two-year stint in banking… and more than 20 years later, he’s still there — having built a career in agricultural finance and stepped out to create his own brokerage, Season Finance. This is a conversation about rural lending, risk, vision, and what it actually takes to build assets in agriculture. From understanding how banks assess deals… To why rural finance is completely different to city lending… To the small financial decisions that quietly impact your long-term borrowing power… It’s honest, practical insight from someone who’s seen it from both sides of the desk. It’s about backing yourself. It’s about having a clear plan. And it’s about starting somewhere — even if it’s small. In this episode, we chat about: Growing up in the South Burnett and building a career in ag banking Why rural finance is assessed differently to commercial or residential lending The three C’s of credit — collateral, capacity and character Common mistakes producers make when applying for finance The impact of equipment loans, credit cards and cashflow on borrowing power Why young people need to start building appreciating assets early Partnerships in agriculture — opportunities and risks Stepping away from corporate banking to launch Season Finance The realities of starting a business with young kids and financial pressure Why having a clear vision is critical to long-term success in agriculture His investment journey across property, livestock and hospitality Resources mentioned: 🎙️ Brecken’s podcast: Dollars In The Dirt - YouTube 📘 The Compound Effect Resources 📘 The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life : Manson, Mark: Amazon.com.au: Books Follow Brecken and Seasoned Finance 📘 Facebook: Seasoned Finance 📘 Linkedin: Seasoned Finance: Overview | LinkedIn 🌏 Website: Home - Your Trusted Regional Finance Brokerage Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au This episode is proudly supported by Walkabout Brangus & Ultrablacks Walkabout Brangus & Ultrablacks is a northern-focused bull breeding enterprise established in 2023, shaped by real experience in Northern Australian agriculture. Their cow herd has been built from the north, for the north — with every breeding decision grounded in tough seasons, heat, and country that demands cattle earn their keep. Their program focuses on fertility, structure, temperament and adaptability — because in the north, performance isn’t optional. Cattle have to last, rebreed and perform year after year. Practical breeding. Performance-recorde Support the show

Send us Fan Mail G’day and welcome to the A Place to Call Home Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Ross Newman — pasture agronomist, problem solver, decision-making coach, and lifelong learner based in Rockhampton. Ross works with beef producers across Queensland helping them solve the problems consuming their pasture systems — and more importantly, coaching them to make smarter decisions in their business. From growing up on a potato farm that’s been in the family since 1897… To stepping away to build skills and experience… To travelling internationally and working across pasture systems around the world… And ultimately finding his way back home. This is a conversation about grass, mindset, resilience, and clarity. It’s about understanding that you can’t produce beef without leaf. It’s about challenging “this is how we’ve always done it.” And it’s about building prosperity — not just financially, but in soil, systems, and self. In this episode, we chat about: Growing up on a mixed potato farm and the lessons from working alongside family Realising the farm wasn’t big enough for multiple families — and stepping away to grow Choosing experience over income in the early years of his career Why pastures are the foundation of profitable beef production The most common mistakes producers make in their grazing systems Why clarity of mind leads to better on-farm decisions The importance of continuous learning and investing in yourself Mental health, vulnerability, and having the right conversations in agriculture Using his family farm as an R&D block to challenge conventional thinking What “Pasture to Prosperity” really means Resources mentioned: 📘 Grazing for Profit (RCS) 📘 The Advancing Beef Leaders program 📚 Zero Limits – Joe Vitale 📚 Not a Life Coach - James Smith Follow Ross and Pasture to Prosperity 📘 Facebook: Pastures To Prosperity 📸 Instagram: @ PasturesToProsperity 🌏 Website: Pastures To Prosperity | Beef Production Agronomy If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friends and leave a review — it really helps us keep these conversations going. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au 🎙️ This episode is proudly brought to you by JobSafe Pro . Built by farmers, for farmers — JobSafe Pro helps you simplify safety and compliance by keeping everything in one place, from inductions and chemical registers to machinery logs, incident reporting, timesheets and payroll. Job Safe Pro Pty Ltd - An app to simplify workplace safety and compliance Support the show

Send us Fan Mail G’day and welcome to the A Place to Call Home Podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Mia Ryan — founder of Howdy , a community-focused app designed to help young people connect in regional Australia. While studying at university, Mia stepped into the world of tech and entrepreneurship, building an app in an industry she’d never worked in before. From training horses to pitching investors. From rural roots to startup founder. From idea to execution — all while still at uni. This is a conversation about courage, backing yourself, and building something from scratch without a roadmap. It’s about taking the values you grew up with and applying them in a completely different arena. In this episode, we chat about: Growing up on a property and how that shaped her mindset Training horses before university and the lessons that carried into business Why she created Howdy What it actually takes to build an app from scratch Learning on the go in an industry she’d never worked in The realities of startup life as a young founder Building community in regional Australia Follow Mia and Howdy 📘 Facebook: Howdy Global 📸 Instagram: @howdy.dating 🌏 Website: Rural Dating Service | Howdy Global | AUS If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friends and leave a review — it really helps us keep these conversations going. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au 🎙️ This episode is brought to you by SkyKelpie . You can learn more at: SkyKelpie - Drone Mustering & Aerial Stockmanship Support the show

Send us Fan Mail G’day and welcome to the A Place to Call Home Podcast . In this episode, I’m joined by Charlie Thurgate, a 24-year-old cattle producer based in Tamworth, New South Wales — and someone who genuinely wears a lot of hats. Charlie’s story is one of resilience, responsibility, and having a crack. From stepping into management at a young age, to building his own trucking business, surviving a serious accident, and rebuilding from the ground up — Charlie has packed a lot into his early twenties. Today, he’s building Kamilaroi Cattle Company, a paddock-to-plate beef business grounded in regenerative principles, while also growing Element Agri, a mineral business supplying livestock and soil health products across Australia — all while continuing to learn, trial, and refine his systems. What stood out most in this conversation is Charlie’s level of perspective and wisdom for someone his age. He’s thoughtful, open about mistakes, and deeply committed to building systems that work with the land, not against it. This is a practical, honest conversation about regenerative agriculture, genetics, business, and what it really takes to build something from scratch in agriculture. In this episode, we chat about: Taking on responsibility at a young age and learning on the job Overcoming adversity and rebuilding after a life-changing accident Transitioning land from cropping back to pasture Regenerative agriculture and ultra-high density grazing Sanga genetics and breeding cattle for resilience and efficiency Building a paddock-to-plate beef business from scratch The realities of running multiple ag businesses at 24 Systems thinking, soil health, and long-term land stewardship Resources Mentioned MAN, CATTLE and VELD : Zietsman, Johann: Amazon.com.au: Books Integrity Soils - Biological Education Specialists Follow Charlie 📘 Facebook: Kamilaroi Cattle Company 📸 Instagram: @kamilaroicattlecompany @elementagri 🌏 Website: Kamilaroi Cattle Company If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with your friends and leave a review—it really helps us keep these conversations going. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home : 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au 🎙️ This episode is brought to you by, Speed Tagger You can learn more at Speed Tagger Website Speed Tagger – Speed Tagger Support the show

Send us Fan Mail G’day and welcome to Episode 1 of Season 7 of the A Place to Call Home Podcast. To kick off Season 7, I’m joined by Tim Lee . I first heard Tim speak at the Young Beef Producers Forum in Roma, and you honestly could’ve heard a pin drop in the room. The way he shared his story stuck with me, and I knew it was a conversation I wanted to bring to the podcast. Tim’s journey has taken him from the army back into agriculture, stepping into the responsibility of taking over his family’s property. Along the way, he’s had to navigate transition from the army, identity, and the realities that come with life on the land. In this episode, we spend a lot of time unpacking regenerative agriculture, and we also have some really open conversations around mental health and the realities of life in agriculture. Tim also shares how his involvement with the Lachlan Hughes Foundation helped create real change for him personally, as well as on his family property. This is an honest conversation about land, purpose, community, and the role regenerative thinking can play not just in improving country — but in rebuilding people as well. In this episode, we chat about: Tim’s journey from the army back into agriculture Transitioning from conventional systems to regenerative farming The importance of land connection, stewardship, and long-term thinking Mental health challenges faced by veterans and rural landholders The power of community, mentorship, and shared experience Tim’s involvement with the Lachlan Hughes Foundation and lessons learned Purpose, legacy, and leaving the land better than you found it Resources Mentioned Call of the Reed Warbler, eBook by Charles Massy | A New Agriculture - A New Earth | 9780702254741 | Booktopia Farming & Grazing for Profit Programs | RCS Tarwyn Park Training: The Home of Natural Sequence Farming | Tarwyn Park Training: The Home of Natural Sequence Farming Lachlan Hughes Foundation - Supporting Regenerative Agriculture If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with your friends and leave a review—it really helps us keep these conversations going. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home : 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au 🎙️ This episode is brought to you by, KneeDeep Apparel You can learn more at KneeDeep Apparel Website KneeDeep Apparel Support the show

Send us Fan Mail G'day and welcome to episode 72 of the A Place To Call Home Podcast Today I’m joined by Jacob (Jake) Wolki , a mixed-enterprise farmer from Woomargama in southern New South Wales. Jake and his wife Ann run a 60-hectare home block with Nguni cattle, Berkshire pigs, laying hens, honey, an orchard and a stack of little side enterprises – all feeding into their on-farm butchery and direct-to-consumer business. What started as a personal health crisis and a backyard veggie patch has evolved into a fully fledged, multi-layered farm business: regenerative, direct-to-consumer, value-adding, and fiercely family-centred. Jake is also known for creating one of Australia’s first 24/7 unstaffed butcher shops , his unapologetically honest social media, and his advocacy for “fit-for-purpose” African genetics like Nguni cattle and Damara sheep. Whether you’re dreaming of stacking enterprises, going direct-to-consumer, or just want your kids more involved in the day-to-day, this yarn is packed with hard-won lessons, uncomfortable truths and plenty of practical inspiration. In this episode we chat about How a health crisis pushed Jacob from the “stupid Australian diet” into growing food and building a regenerative farm business. The journey from leasing his dad’s 100-acre block to creating a fully integrated farm, butchery and nationwide direct-to-consumer model. Why he built one of Australia’s first 24/7 unstaffed butcher shops — and how it transformed the business. The power of value-adding: turning trim, fat and “waste” into high-margin products like tallow, broth and skincare. Why Jacob chooses African genetics like Nguni cattle and Damara sheep for fit-for-purpose, low-input, resilient farming. Resources Mentioned How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie - Penguin Books Australia The Richest Man in Babylon, eBook by George S. Clason | 9789897786884 | Booktopia Almanack of Naval Ravikant MAN, CATTLE and VELD : Zietsman, Johann: Amazon.com.au: Books Follow Jacob and Wolki Farms 📘 Facebook: Wolki Farms 📸 Instagram: @Wolkifarms 🌏 Website: Wolki Farm Grass Fed Meat If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with your friends and leave a review—it really helps us keep these conversations going. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home : 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au 🎙️ This episode is brought to you by, Speed Tagger You can learn more at Speed Taggers Website Speed Tagger – Speed Tagger Support the show