Humans of Agriculture

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

Tom and Mick are joined once again by Riverina livestock agent James Tierney from Riverina Livestock Agents to unpack what's happening in the cattle and sheep markets, how producers are approaching restocking, and whether the lessons from recent seasons will influence decision-making this time around.
From record lamb contracts and surging cattle prices to breeder shortages, restocker demand and the outlook for the next 12–24 months, James provides a practical perspective from the front line of the livestock industry.
In this episode:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RIC is the Australian Government’s farm business lender providing low-interest loans for farmers and farm-related small businesses to prepare for, manage through and recover from tough financial times.
Key insights from the conversation:
First-generation farming and non-traditional pathways
Building a business without owning land initially
The role of relationships and reputation in agriculture
Risk, resilience, and long-term thinking
Using finance as a strategic tool - not just survival

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Brodie and Kevin's Journey
01:53 The Landscape of Bega Valley
03:18 Early Interests in Agriculture
04:51 The Path to Dairy Farming
06:51 The Love Story and Partnership
07:40 Understanding Share Farming
09:10 Transitioning to Leasing
11:15 The Importance of Networking
12:10 Acquiring Their Own Farm
14:10 The Role of Community Support
15:37 Daily Life on the Farm
17:26 Ownership vs. Leasing in Farming
19:32 The Value of Dairy Farming
20:51 Exploring Ag Tech Innovations
22:19 Investment Decisions in Farming
24:37 Utilising Finance for Growth
27:31 Future Aspirations and Growth
29:09 Vulnerability and Accountability in Farming
31:32 Pride in Their Achievements

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

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

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

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

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

If you’d like to learn more about Pavilion Farms or the AgTech Lead opportunity, head to https://humansofagriculture.com/careers/job-board/agtech-lead-precision--cgk9
The role is live now, and we’d love to hear from anyone interested in the future of agriculture and technology.

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

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Pavilion Farms and AgTech Lead Role
04:57 Evolution of Pavilion Farms and Industry Changes
10:10 Dynamic Between Nathan and His Father in Business
12:58 Balancing Family and Business Responsibilities
17:14 Precision Agriculture: The Formula 1 of Farming
21:07 Team Structure and Operations at Pavilion Farms
21:45 Future Opportunities and Technological Evolution in Poultry Farming
23:24 Harnessing Technology for Poultry Management
25:01 The Role of Ag Tech Lead
26:28 Fast Tracking Innovation in Poultry
28:15 Understanding the Current Technology Landscape
30:46 Incremental Improvements in Poultry Farming
32:14 Consistency and Efficiency in Production
34:30 The Ideal Candidate for Ag Tech
36:06 Passion for Agriculture and Family Legacy
37:53 Building Relationships and Change Management
38:59 Early Wins and Data-Driven Decisions
41:00 Balancing On-Farm and Desk Work
43:01 The Importance of Location in Poultry Farming
44:08 Recruitment Process and Future Opportunities

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

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

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

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

Key insights from the conversation:
Payday super legislation coming in July 2026
Impact on business cash flow and compliance
Practical tips for businesses to prepare for new super payment rules

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Episode and Main Topic
01:07 Guest Introduction: Julie Schofield from Boyce
02:16 Julie’s Background and Career Path
04:00 Overview of Boyce and Its Regional Presence
06:12 Leadership Approach and Mentorship
08:17 Client Portfolio and Travel Routine
10:11 What is Payday Super and Why Now
11:48 Impacts of Payday Super on Employees and Employers
12:52 Practical Tips for Businesses to Prepare
13:55 Changes in Behaviour and Cash Flow Management
15:39 Data Verification and Compliance Measures
16:30 Penalties for Non-Compliance and Enforcement
17:02 Handling Super Payments for Different Pay Periods
18:03 Questions from the Audience and Surprising Insights
19:18 Tools and Software for Compliance
20:16 Closing Remarks and Future Outlook

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli Le Lievre shares a very different kind of conversation, part late-night reflection, part Instagram live announcement, as he opens up about a major shift happening at Humans of Agriculture.

Parlty recorded at 2am and continued via an Instagram Live, this episode captures a raw and honest moment behind the scenes at Humans of Agriculture. Oli takes listeners through the evolution of the business over the past seven years, the challenges of building a sustainable model through storytelling alone, and the decision to step fully into recruitment.
It’s a conversation about growth, discomfort, and backing a new direction, not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary.
This episode is about taking action, building something sustainable, and redefining how agriculture attracts its next generation of talent.
Key insights from the conversation:
Evolution of Humans of Agriculture into a recruitment platform
The importance of storytelling and community in agriculture
Strategies for attracting and showcasing talent in ag
The role of video content and social media in recruitment
Future vision for Humans of Agriculture and industry impact

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction: Oli's Wake-Up Call
00:29 The Business Evolution at Humans of Agriculture
01:26 Building a Stronger Foundation with New Team Members
02:19 Humans of Agriculture as a Recruitment Business
03:42 Sharing the Exciting New Chapter
04:12 The Sector's Opportunities and Challenges
05:08 The Next Evolution in Agriculture Storytelling
06:07 Why Recruitment Is the Future for Humans of Ag
07:35 The Power of Content and Community in Recruitment
09:01 Why Now Is the Right Time for Recruitment Focus
09:57 Using Video Content to Promote Jobs and Culture
11:25 The Impact of Authentic Content on Talent Attraction
13:21 Backing the Recruitment Strategy
14:16 Vision for the Next 10 Years in Agriculture
15:15 The Importance of Sharing Opportunities and Stories
16:13 Conclusion: Staying Committed to the Journey