Humans of Agriculture

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

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

Third-generation cattle producer Tom Lahey always knew he wanted to return home to the family farm near Goondiwindi. But after working across Western Australia and travelling through the United States to visit some of the world's leading regenerative ranches, he came back with a different perspective on what the future of Australian grazing could look like.

Rather than chasing quick wins, Tom has focused on building a more resilient business by improving soil health, measuring grazing performance and making better decisions with data. Over the past five years, AgriWebb has become a central part of that journey, helping the family move from relying on notebooks and memory to having real-time information that supports day-to-day management and long-term planning.

In this episode, Tom shares how travel reshaped his thinking, why healthy soil and healthy people go hand in hand, and how technology is helping his family make more confident decisions while creating a stronger future for the next generation.
Key insights from the conversation:
Growing up on a family cattle property near Goondiwindi
How travelling through the US changed his approach to grazing and soil health
Bringing new ideas back into a multi-generational family business
Why AgriWebb became the foundation for better decision-making
Using grazing data to navigate dry seasons with confidence
How technology supports carbon projects and tells the story behind farming practices
The importance of measuring progress instead of relying on memory
Why the future of farming will rely on connected technology and better data
Building a legacy focused on healthy soils, healthy businesses and healthy people

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Tom Lahey and his farm journey
00:28 Tom's background and family farm in Wyaga
02:08 Growing up on the family farm and passion for farming
04:56 Adopting a progressive mindset in agriculture
06:53 Experience in Western Australia and genetic improvements
07:35 Trip to the US and insights into regenerative ranching
09:42 Soil health, environment, and profitability
11:30 Implementing grazing techniques post-US trip
13:20 Using AgriWebb for farm management and decision making
17:52 Integrating data and technology in farm operations
20:26 Evolution of farm management tools over five years
22:38 Future plans for technology and farm legacy

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

John Fargher grew up on a sheep and cattle station in South Australia's Flinders Ranges, where innovation wasn't a buzzword. It was a necessity.

From School of the Air and life on a remote station to practising law in London, John's path looked a long way from building one of agriculture's most recognised technology companies. But a conversation in a London pub changed everything.

Together with fellow co-founders Kevin Baum and Justin Webb, John left his legal career behind to tackle one of agriculture's biggest challenges: helping livestock producers move beyond paper records and make better decisions using data.

More than a decade later, AgriWebb supports producers across Australia, the UK, North America, South America and beyond, helping digitise livestock businesses while connecting farmers more closely with supply chains and the future of food production.

In this episode, John reflects on the journey from startup garage to global ag-tech business, the realities of building a company in one of the world's least digitised industries, and why earning farmers' trust has always mattered more than building software.

The conversation also explores AgriWebb's recent acquisition by URUS, the future of livestock data, and why John believes agriculture still has enormous untapped opportunities for innovation.

Key insights from the conversation:
Growing up on a remote station in the Flinders Ranges
Leaving a legal career in London to co-found AgriWebb
Why agriculture was still running on paper when AgriWebb began
Building a startup before ag tech was an established industry
The lessons from growing a global software business
Expanding into the UK, North America and Brazil
Why digitising agriculture remains one of the industry's biggest opportunities
The role of trust, partnerships and culture in scaling a business
How AI, data and genetics could shape the future of livestock production
What's next for AgriWebb following its acquisition by URUS

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to AgriWebb and its origins
00:33 John Farger's background and childhood in the Flinders Ranges
01:01 The early days of AgriWebb and its mission
02:24 Recent milestones and the URUS acquisition
06:40 John’s childhood and the influence of farming life
09:39 The start of the AgriWebb story in London
12:00 The founding of AgriWebb in Melbourne
13:40 The state of Australian agtech a decade ago
16:08 The initial problem in livestock digitization
20:51 Pivot from hardware to software focus
23:41 Technological evolution and early challenges
27:55 Business model evolution and market education
30:49 Competitive landscape and category creation
33:11 International expansion and market entry strategies
37:26 Building a global business with a unified culture
41:24 Company culture and employee engagement
45:46 Lessons from market fluctuations and industry challenges
49:00 Managing noise and trends in ag tech
51:46 Future opportunities in agriculture and advice for entrepreneurs
55:33 Vision for the next decade and impact goals
58:57 Connecting farm data to global supply chains
01:03:50 The role of sustainability and corporate responsibility
01:06:01 Reflections on the journey and future outlook

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

This business spotlight explores how RLF AgTech is turning decades of agricultural research into practical products that help farmers improve productivity and profitability.
Chairman Ben Barlow shares his journey from building and exiting New Edge Microbials to leading RLF AgTech, explaining why commercialisation is often the missing link between great science and widespread adoption. He discusses what attracted him to the business, how RLF has built on more than 20 years of research and field trials, and why the future of Australian agriculture depends on making innovation practical at the farm gate.
This episode explains how RLF AgTech's approach to plant nutrition, biologicals and local manufacturing is helping strengthen farm businesses while positioning Australian innovation for global growth. For anyone interested in ag tech, agricultural productivity or the future of farming, this is a practical and insightful conversation.
RLF AgTech is an Australian agricultural technology company developing plant nutrition and biological solutions that improve crop performance. The business combines decades of research, extensive field trials and local manufacturing to deliver products that integrate into existing farming systems while supporting more productive and resilient agriculture.

Key insights from the conversation:
How RLF AgTech is commercialising decades of agricultural research
Why adoption depends on trust, education and on-farm results
The role of local manufacturing in strengthening Australian agriculture
Why improving farm profitability is the foundation for future ag tech adoption
Ben's outlook on the future of Australian agriculture and agricultural innovation

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Ben Barlow's background
01:34 Ben's journey since last conversation
02:30 Focus on plant, animal, and soil health
03:57 Deep science and commercial potential of biologicals
05:55 Involvement with RLF AgTech
07:52 Opportunities in biologicals and crop yields
10:54 Australian agriculture's adoption challenges
14:13 Market opportunities and niche products
17:06 Global markets and export potential
20:02 Local manufacturing and supply chain resilience
23:11 Future of agritech and investment challenges
26:08 Leadership, risk, and strategic growth
30:00 Opportunities and pathways for Australian agriculture
32:50 Skills for the next generation of farmers
33:56 Closing remarks and key takeaways

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