Big Shift For Small Farms - Australian Agriculture and Regenerative Farming

What if farmers could better understand what's happening beneath their feet? And could that information help them make better decisions when seasons don't go to plan? 
In this episode, we explore Farming Forecaster, a free online tool that combines soil moisture, pasture growth and seasonal information to help farmers make more informed management decisions. 
We visit Mattana Farm near Milton on the NSW South Coast, where Bec and Adam share how a local soil moisture probe has helped them navigate drought, fire, flooding rains and difficult livestock decisions. 
Whether you're a data enthusiast or simply looking for another tool to support decision-making, this episode offers practical insights into using information alongside experience and intuition on farm. 
 
 
Featured Guests 
Bec and Adam – Mattana Farm, Milton NSW 

Matt Lieschke – Agricultural Extension Officer, Local Land Services 

Phil Graham – Agricultural Consultant 

 
Episode Guide 
(00:00) Farming through drought, fires and changing seasons 

(06:00) Why soil moisture and temperature matter 

(07:30) Using data to make tough stocking decisions 

(08:30) How Farming Forecaster helps manage climate variability 

(11:30) Exploring the website, probes and pasture forecasts 

(16:00) Setting trigger points before conditions deteriorate 

(24:30) Back on the farm: confidence, confirmation and practical advice 

Useful Links 
Farming Forecaster 

NSW Local Land Services 

This episode is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program and delivered by South East Local Land Services, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel. Views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Local Land Services or the Australian Government.

Can technology really help farmers build resilience in an increasingly unpredictable climate — or are we getting distracted by shiny new tools?
In this episode, we head to Twynam Farm in NSW to hear directly from farmers trialling agtech including virtual fencing, livestock monitoring and regenerative grazing systems.
Featuring conversations with Sarah Nolet and Susan Orgill, we explore how agtech can support climate resilience, soil health and better farm decision-making — while also asking where the risks and limitations lie.
We also hear from Camilla Beck and producers attending the Twynam field day, grounding the conversation in practical, on-farm experience rather than industry hype.
From virtual fencing and livestock monitoring to broader questions around profitability, labour and resilience, this episode asks: what technology is actually worth adopting on farm — and what problems should agtech really be solving?

Featured Talent & Links
Sarah Nolet - Managing Partner, Tenacious Ventures
Tenacious Ventures

Susan Orgill - Chief Scientist, Impact Ag Australia
Impact Ag Australia

Camilla Beck - Executive Officer, Tablelands Farming Systems
Tablelands Farming Systems

Johnny Kahlbetzer - CEO, Twynam Group

Climate Smart Farming Series - AgTech to manage climate risks and maximise return on infrastructure investment 
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0e9xssrvNDOxqNjnkTnokc?si=iJLKN7cPSvKBi5RGXmQxbQ 

Episode Guide
(00:00) Why agtech promises deserve closer scrutiny
(02:45) Productivity versus resilience in modern farming systems
(05:20) Farmers explain pressures driving technology adoption
(09:15) Optiweigh trials and livestock monitoring in practice
(11:45) Virtual fencing and rotational grazing with Halter collars
(19:05) Susan Orgill on evidence, soil health and farmer intuition
(24:00) Sarah Nolet on solving real problems, not symptoms
This episode is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program and delivered by South East Local Land Services, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel. Views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Local Land Services or the Australian Government.

What if your chickens could do more than just lay eggs? In this episode, we explore how mobile chook sheds can improve soil health, boost pasture growth, and reduce fertiliser costs through better nutrient cycling. Featuring insights from farmers and soil experts, this episode unpacks the nitrogen cycle, pasture recovery, dung beetles, and practical tips for building healthier, more profitable farming systems.

Key episode moments
[00:02:00] Rising fertiliser costs forced a new approach.
[00:04:00] The business started with 50 chooks in a caravan.
[00:09:00] Chicken manure improves nitrogen and soil health.
[00:10:00] Nitrogen efficiency is low without good management.
[00:18:00] Moving sheds regularly helps control manure load.
[00:22:00] Dung beetles help spread nutrients naturally.
[00:28:00] Changing rainfall affects pasture recovery times.
[00:30:00] Start small and build the system slowly.

Extra Show Notes Links
Clean Coastal Catchments Program nitrogen and dairy pasture video:
⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq--upG4xXs⁠

NSW DPI fact sheet on chicken manure use in pastures  in the associated links with the podcast:
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/140359/Best-practice-guidelines-for-using-poultry-litter-on-pastures.pdf
 
Sam and Pru Pincott’s pasture-raised egg enterprise holbrookpaddockeggs.com.au

Watch a film we made about them
youtube.com/watch?v=YqQjQ_IL6mI

Virginia Mall’s regenerative mixed farming operation gracespringsfarm.com.au⁠

Dung Beetles Podcast Episode – The Big Shift for Small Farmsopen.spotify.com/episode/2Yi2M7FK0JZtmNulR6vKkr?si=bmWzC9iaSqCOe7FDhbLZtA

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with a fellow horse owner, and leave a review — it helps us continue bringing these important conversations to life.

Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services. Supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. Views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Greater Sydney Local Land Services or the Australian Government.

What if you could add value to your farm without scaling production? In this episode, we explore pick-your-own as a diversification strategy—covering the realities, the opportunities, and what farmers need to know before opening the gate.
Key episode moments
(00:00) Is pick-your-own actually more profitable than wholesale?
(01:30) From city life to farming: buying a rundown blueberry farm with no experience
(04:30) COVID pivot: opening the gates and inviting the public in
(08:30) Why customers—not strategy—often drive the shift to PYO
(14:00) Burnout from farmers markets → “people are paying me to pick my fruit”
(15:30) Location matters—but people will travel for the experience
(17:30) The reality of customers: education, behaviour & managing expectations
(20:00) Does it stack up? Labour savings vs crop loss and margins
(29:30) Marketing that works: social media timing + a strong website
(41:30) Final advice: start small, ask for help, and know if it suits your personality

Read the full transcript
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vvs2_PqBmqMlhXEjoZjc3Ul332DDtBl2/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=103831811474414598304&rtpof=true&sd=true

Explore more from our guests below:
meliorafarm.com.au
cedarcreekorchards.com.au
higginscreekfarm.com.au

Want more info about our pick your own guide. Click the link below:
https://forms.gle/M4uShQbCU954w2JEA

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with a fellow horse owner, and leave a review — it helps us continue bringing these important conversations to life.

Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services. Supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. Views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Greater Sydney Local Land Services or the Australian Government.

The episode urges horse owners to shift from viewing land as turnout to thinking like “grass farmers,” linking soil biology, plant diversity and grazing decisions to horse health.
We hear from horse behaviour expert Jane Myers who explains how separating horses and giving constant paddock access drives fence-walking, overgrazing and worn-out land, and she shares a simple yet transformative pasture paddock setup with her Equicentral system.
Hoof care professional Faith Robinson redesigned her NSW property with a track and laneways to boost movement, choice, and pasture recovery. 
Agroecologist Nicole Masters links soil biology and plant diversity to nutrition, hoof and behavioural issues and urges owners to get curious by digging and reading “weeds” as indicators, and promotes diverse browse and nutrition supplements to reduce reliance on routine chemical worming.

Key episode moments
(00:00) Grass Farmer Mindset
(00:40) Meet the Guests
(01:48) Faiths Property Transformation
(03:24) From Bored Horses to Choice
(06:43) Jane on Behavior and Overgrazing
(09:27) Nicole on Pasture Diversity
(11:32) Soil Biology Basics
(13:13) Weeds as Soil Clues
(15:55) Rest and Second Bite Rule
(17:13) Stubby Test and Laminitis
(18:54) Equicentral System Explained
(21:52) Faiths Track and Laneways
(21:30) Design for Movement and Browse
(28:05) Rethinking Worming
(32:57) Manure Management and Dung Beetles
(38:38) Resilience in Drought and Flood
(43:19) Wrap Up and Resources

If this episode sparked new ideas about horse care, grazing, and land stewardship, you can explore more from our guests below:

Founder of Equiculture and educator in regenerative horse and land management.Learn more about the Equicentral system and Jane’s courses:Free Equiculture mini-course: equiculture.net/equiculture-free-mini-course

Agroecologist and soil educator helping landholders understand what’s happening beneath the surface.Explore Nicole’s Soil Horse Course and other training programs:integritysoils.com/products/soil-horse-course

Hoof care professional and horse owner sharing her real-world journey into regenerative horse management.tranquilisland.com.au

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with a fellow horse owner, and leave a review — it helps us continue bringing these important conversations to life.

Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services. Supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. Views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Greater Sydney Local Land Services or the Australian Government.