Humans of Agriculture

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

What does the future of Australian agriculture look like? On your farm, in your
community, and around the kitchen table?
Across the country, producers are already navigating change, balancing productivity,
profitability, and the growing pressure to reduce emissions. It’s complex. It’s evolving.
That’s why the Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC Annual Conference exists.
From 18 to 20 August in Perth, Western Australia this is where real conversations
will happen, bringing together the people, ideas, and innovations shaping the future
of agriculture.
Whether you're in the paddock, in research, or across the supply chain, this is your
chance to be part of it.
Head to zneagcrc.com.au to explore the program and get your ticket today.

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

What does the future of Australian agriculture look like? On your farm, in your
community, and around the kitchen table?
Across the country, producers are already navigating change, balancing productivity,
profitability, and the growing pressure to reduce emissions. It’s complex. It’s evolving.
That’s why the Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC Annual Conference exists.
From 18 to 20 August in Perth, Western Australia this is where real conversations
will happen, bringing together the people, ideas, and innovations shaping the future
of agriculture.
Whether you're in the paddock, in research, or across the supply chain, this is your
chance to be part of it.
Head to zneagcrc.com.au to explore the program and get your ticket today.

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

What does the future of Australian agriculture look like? On your farm, in your
community, and around the kitchen table?
Across the country, producers are already navigating change, balancing productivity,
profitability, and the growing pressure to reduce emissions. It’s complex. It’s evolving.
That’s why the Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC Annual Conference exists.
From 18 to 20 August in Perth, Western Australia this is where real conversations
will happen, bringing together the people, ideas, and innovations shaping the future
of agriculture.
Whether you're in the paddock, in research, or across the supply chain, this is your
chance to be part of it.
Head to zneagcrc.com.au to explore the program and get your ticket today.

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

What does the future of Australian agriculture look like? On your farm, in your
community, and around the kitchen table?
Across the country, producers are already navigating change, balancing productivity,
profitability, and the growing pressure to reduce emissions. It’s complex. It’s evolving.
That’s why the Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC Annual Conference exists.
From 18 to 20 August in Perth, Western Australia this is where real conversations
will happen, bringing together the people, ideas, and innovations shaping the future
of agriculture.
Whether you're in the paddock, in research, or across the supply chain, this is your
chance to be part of it.
Head to zneagcrc.com.au to explore the program and get your ticket today.

(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

What does the future of Australian agriculture look like? On your farm, in your
community, and around the kitchen table?
Across the country, producers are already navigating change, balancing productivity,
profitability, and the growing pressure to reduce emissions. It’s complex. It’s evolving.
That’s why the Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC Annual Conference exists.
From 18 to 20 August in Perth, Western Australia this is where real conversations
will happen, bringing together the people, ideas, and innovations shaping the future
of agriculture.
Whether you're in the paddock, in research, or across the supply chain, this is your
chance to be part of it.
Head to zneagcrc.com.au to explore the program and get your ticket today.