Humans of Agriculture

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli Le Lievre sits down with Lennie Grace of Action Steel to explore the journey of a family-owned business that has grown from a small shed-building operation into a focused agricultural business serving livestock and cropping enterprises.

Lennie shares how he and his brother Vince grew up around the business, spending weekends at the factory and school holidays visiting farms with their father, Martin, who started Action Steel in 2001. Those early experiences, from seeing rotary dairies and shearing sheds to witnessing the importance of customer relationships, helped shape Lennie’s passion for agriculture and ultimately his decision to join the family business.

A major part of the conversation is the decision Action Steel made to focus exclusively on agriculture. At the time, around half of the business was commercial and industrial work, so walking away from that work felt like a significant risk. Lennie explains why the family chose to go narrower and deeper into agriculture, how that allowed the business to build its expertise and expand geographically, and why relationships, trust and word of mouth have remained so important. The discussion also covers one of the practical constraints to growth: building a network of subcontract installation crews across the East Coast.
The conversation then turns to people and culture. Lennie talks about the complementary roles of the three family directors, the importance of vulnerability-based trust and the shift from a family-run operation where everyone simply did what needed doing, to a business that increasingly relies on specialists in areas such as operations, marketing and finance. He also explains Action Steel’s approach to transparency, including sharing financial statements with staff and linking a portion of profit above its annual target to the team.

There is also a practical overview of the Sales Coordinator opportunity at Action Steel. Lennie explains why the role has been created, what the person will actually do, the importance of curiosity, organisation and a genuine interest in agriculture, and how the role could develop into a Building Consultant position over time. For anyone interested in how a growing regional agribusiness creates structure without losing its family-owned culture, there is plenty to take from this conversation.

Listen to the full conversation with Lennie Grace to hear how Action Steel has grown, why focus has been central to that journey, and what comes next for the business.

To learn more about Action Steel and the Sales Coordinator opportunity, visit the Humans of Agriculture careers page.
The role is live now, and we'd love to hear from people who are ready to advance their career in sales with an ambitious Australian-owned and operated business in Victoria. 
Key insights from the conversation:
How growing up around a family business gave Lennie and his brother an early connection to agriculture and its people.
Why Action Steel chose to walk away from commercial and industrial work and focus deeply on agriculture.
What has focusing on livestock and cropping enterprises enabled the business to do, geographically and operationally?
The role of subcontractor relationships in removing one of the biggest constraints to Action Steel’s growth.
How the family has shifted from doing everything themselves to bringing specialists into the business as it has grown.
The importance of vulnerability-based trust, humility and knowing when someone else is better placed to make a decision.
How financial transparency and sharing profits above the annual target can change how employees think about the business.
What Action Steel is looking for in its Sales Coordinator role and the potential pathway into a Building Consultant position.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Action Steel and family business
01:27 How Action Steel started
02:01 Growing up in the family business
03:33 Why Action Steel chose agriculture
04:53 The importance of focus
06:21 Building a network for growth
08:18 Team, culture and specialist skills
10:03 The Sales Coordinator opportunity
12:43 Understanding the role and customer experience
18:26 Transparency, incentives and the future of Action Steel

Building a premium beef brand isn't just about producing exceptional cattle. It's about understanding markets, embracing data, building the right team, and having the patience to make decisions years before the product reaches a customer's plate.

In this episode, Harry Kemp shares the story behind King River, the family-owned Wagyu business that has grown from a bold partnership between two Queensland families into a premium beef brand supplying customers across more than 35 countries.

Harry reflects on growing up in a family grazing business, leaving school early to return to the land, and how his approach to learning has evolved alongside the rapid transformation of Australian agriculture. What began as a traditional cattle operation has become a data-driven business where genetics, consumer demand, and long-term thinking shape every decision.

Together, Oli and Harry explore the realities of building a premium export brand, why consistency matters more than chasing perfection, and how strong relationships have underpinned King River's remarkable growth over the past five years.

From genetics and data to leadership, teamwork, and customer relationships, this conversation offers a fascinating insight into what it takes to build a modern beef business that delivers quality from paddock to plate.
Key insights from the conversation:
Harry's journey from the family cattle property to co-founding King River
Why two family businesses joined forces to build a premium Wagyu brand
The challenges of building a business with a four-year production cycle
How genetics, data, and consumer demand are transforming beef production
Why consistency matters more than producing the highest marbling scores
Building a business that now supplies premium Wagyu to more than 35 countries
Lessons on rapid business growth, leadership, and putting people in the right roles
The importance of relationships, accountability, and shared values in successful partnerships
Why producing great food is ultimately about bringing people together, regardless of language or culture
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Harry Kemp and King River Beef
02:20 The significance of the Ekka week and industry events
04:00 Harry's background and early life in farming
07:32 Changes in beef farming over 21 years
10:07 The formation of King River Beef in 2019
11:30 Utilising Wagyu to optimise feedlot infrastructure
14:05 Transition from selling cattle to branding and marketing
16:22 Meeting the Rich family and forming the partnership
19:45 Managing rapid growth and team restructuring
24:55 Impact of genetics and breeding on marbling
29:38 The importance of data and technology in decision-making
34:22 Building a global customer base and maintaining quality
44:01 The future vision for King River Beef
45:20 Harry's perspective on being a food producer
46:47 The universal language of good food and beef
47:22 Closing remarks and next steps for the business

This episode of Humans of Agriculture is proudly brought to you by Rabobank, Australia's Most Recommended Agribusiness Bank for three consecutive years running.*

Exciting news - Applications for the Rabobank Rural Community Hub Program are now open, Rabobank is awarding 10 grants of $10,000 to help improve rural community hubs and halls across regional Australia.

These important community spaces play a vital role in bringing people together, strengthening connections, and supporting the wellbeing of regional communities.

If your local hall or community hub could benefit from funding, now is the time to apply. Applications close on 30 August 2026.

To learn more and apply, visit rabobank.com.au.

*RFI Global Australian Banking & Finance Awards

In the second of a two-part panel series with the Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, Oli Le Lievre sits down with St George producers Jake Moon of Moonrocks and cotton grower Craig Saunders to explore how innovation is being used to solve real problems within two very different farming businesses.

Jake shares how Moonrocks identified labour and weed management as a growing constraint before adopting an AI-powered green-on-green sprayer, while Craig reflects on how the pursuit of growing more cotton with less water led him to rethink irrigation and develop automation for bankless systems.

This conversation is not about promoting a particular product. It is about what happens before and after a technology is adopted: identifying a problem, researching potential solutions, working through the economics and building the people, systems and processes needed to make it work.

Jake and Craig discuss the importance of measuring performance, understanding return on investment and being willing to challenge the way things have always been done. They also share the limitations, frustrations and unanswered questions that remain, from integrating data across a business to deciding which investment should come next.

From robotics and irrigation automation to labour, software, profitability and long-term planning, this is a practical conversation about using innovation to build more productive, adaptable and drought-resilient farming businesses.

The Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub is supported by funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund. Learn more at www.unisq.edu.au/sqnnswhub.
Key insights from the conversation:
Why Jake and Craig began looking for new ways to solve labour, water and productivity challenges.
How Craig’s pursuit of “more profit per drop” led to the automation of bankless irrigation.
How robotics is helping Moonrocks reduce manual weeding, lower herbicide use and improve crop performance.
Why measuring water use, labour, inputs and yield is essential when assessing new technology.
The importance of matching innovation with a clearly defined business problem.
Why successful adoption depends on people, processes and simple, reliable systems - not just the technology itself.
How farmers can assess return on investment without chasing every new product or efficiency.
The role of data, software and connected systems in improving decision-making.
The value of learning from other farmers, industries and international businesses.
The practical challenges of adopting technology, including cost, integration, support and uncertainty.
Why profitability is central to long-term sustainability and drought resilience.
How innovation can shift farm roles away from repetitive manual work and toward higher-skilled decision-making.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Craig Saunders' farm and innovation focus
01:50 Historical context of farming equipment and evolution
03:52 The rapid pace of agricultural change and innovation
06:53 Craig Saunders' farm history and diversification
10:06 Water management challenges and technological solutions
15:01 Adopting bankless irrigation and automation
20:06 Jake Moon's farm history and crop diversification
24:57 Use of AI-powered sprayers and weed management
30:11 The impact of technology on crop health and yields
34:48 Decision-making processes and data leverage in farming
40:00 The role of grants, strategic planning, and future opportunities
45:11 Lessons learned from travel and industry networks
50:10 The importance of continuous evolution and innovation in agriculture
55:04 Future prospects: local manufacturing, AI, and robotics
57:52 Final thoughts on the future of agriculture and technology

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli Le Lievre sits down with Josh Tepper, CEO, and Michael Webb, COO and co-founders of Ornata Technologies, to explore how they're transforming farm operations through autonomous machinery and why now is an exciting time to join their growing team.

Following their appearance at evokeAG, Josh and Michael share how Ornata has evolved from launching its first commercial customers to building strong momentum across Victoria. They discuss their unique approach to autonomy, where experienced remote operators work alongside autonomous machinery to deliver the benefits of automation without adding complexity for farmers or requiring them to replace the equipment they already own.

The conversation also provides an inside look at the newly created Area Sales Manager role across Victoria and Southern New South Wales. Josh and Michael explain why this is much more than a sales position. It is an opportunity to build trusted relationships with farmers, understand their operations, demonstrate the technology in the field, and help producers solve one of agriculture's biggest challenges, finding skilled labour.

Whether you're passionate about agriculture, technology or helping farmers adopt new innovations, this episode offers a genuine insight into life inside one of Australia's most exciting agtech startups. Josh and Michael explain what success looks like, why trust sits at the centre of every customer relationship, and how joining Ornata today offers the chance to grow alongside a business shaping the future of Australian agriculture.

To learn more about Ornata Technologies and the Area Sales Manager opportunity, visit the Humans of Agriculture careers page.

The role is live now, and we'd love to hear from people who are ready to help bring the next generation of autonomous farming technology to Australian agriculture.

Key insights from the conversation:
How Ornata has progressed from its first commercial deployments to a growing customer base.
Why Ornata's remote operations platform makes autonomous farming practical for today's producers.
How the business helps farmers address labour shortages while using the machinery they already own.
Why building trust with farmers is the foundation of every customer relationship.
What the Area Sales Manager role looks like day to day.
Why understanding farming systems matters more than having deep technical knowledge.
How customer referrals are driving growth across regional farming communities.
What it is like working in a fast-growing Australian agtech startup.
Why joining early creates opportunities to grow with the business.
What success looks like after the first 12 months in the role.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Ornata Technologies and the new role
02:34 Six months of progress and milestones
05:31 The importance of local customer relationships
12:00 Why Victoria and New South Wales are key markets
15:10 What success looks like in the territory manager role
22:45 Customer profiles and farm types
26:54 Onboarding and what to expect in the role
36:51 The future of autonomous farming technology

This episode of Humans of Agriculture is proudly brought to you by Rabobank, Australia's Most Recommended Agribusiness Bank for three consecutive years running.*

Exciting news - Applications for the Rabobank Rural Community Hub Program are now open, Rabobank is awarding 10 grants of $10,000 to help improve rural community hubs and halls across regional Australia.

These important community spaces play a vital role in bringing people together, strengthening connections, and supporting the wellbeing of regional communities.

If your local hall or community hub could benefit from funding, now is the time to apply. Applications close on 30 August 2026.

To learn more and apply, visit rabobank.com.au.

*RFI Global Australian Banking & Finance Awards

In the first of a two-part panel series with the Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, Oli brings together Alex Archer from Webster Grain & Grazing at Lundavra and Ewen Beaton, Aminya Pastoral Pty Ltd, Manager at Kioma, west of Goondiwindi, to explore how two producers have approached the adoption of virtual fencing within their own grazing businesses.

While each operation uses a different virtual fencing platform, this conversation is not about comparing technology. It is about the decision-making process behind adopting innovation, identifying opportunities within a farming business and understanding how new tools can support more productive, resilient grazing systems.

Alex shares how virtual fencing has unlocked more than 160 hectares of previously underutilised country within a predominantly cropping enterprise, while Ewen reflects on how the technology is changing the way his team thinks about pasture utilisation, forage management and livestock movement. Together, they discuss the practical realities of implementation, the importance of good systems and the lessons they've learned along the way.

From business decisions and grazing management to resilience and continuous improvement, this is a conversation about using innovation to solve real problems on farm.

The Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub is supported by funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund. Learn more at www.unisq.edu.au/sqnnswhub.
Key insights from the conversation:
Why both businesses started looking for new grazing solutions and what drove their investment decisions.
How virtual fencing is helping improve pasture utilisation and unlock previously underutilised country.
The importance of matching technology adoption with business goals and economic outcomes.
What successful implementation looks like beyond the technology itself.
The role of management systems, people and processes in making innovation work.
How virtual fencing is changing the way producers think about grazing intensity, livestock movement and pasture management.
The practical challenges, limitations and lessons learned during adoption.
Why curiosity, continuous learning and asking questions are essential when adopting new technology.
How innovation can help farming businesses become more productive, adaptable and drought resilient.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Virtual Fencing and Guests
02:02 Why Virtual Fencing is a Game Changer
03:05 Alex Archer's Farm and Grazing Innovation
05:01 Ewan Beaton's Experience with Halter
05:48 Adoption Timeline and Decision Factors
09:04 Economic Drivers and Farm Benefits
11:55 Training Cattle and Managing Boundaries
16:03 Animal Behaviour and Welfare Insights
19:58 Seasonal Grazing and Pasture Management
28:05 Challenges, Connectivity, and Lessons Learned
32:08 Future Potential and Next Steps in AgTech