Humans of Agriculture

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli sits down with Hamish Irvine, Head of Southern States at Halter Australia, to explore the technology, leadership and mindset driving one of agriculture’s fastest-growing companies.
Growing up on a mixed farming operation in western New South Wales, Hamish always imagined a future on the land. But after drought forced a change in direction, his career took him through the meat industry, global supply chains and commercial leadership before landing at Halter, the virtual fencing and livestock management company now transforming grazing systems across Australia and New Zealand.
This conversation goes beyond the technology itself. Hamish shares the lessons that shaped his career, what it takes to build high-performing teams, and why feedback, accountability and culture are critical in fast-growing businesses. He also unpacks how Halter is helping farmers rethink labour, pasture management and livestock performance through virtual fencing and real-time animal insights.
From career progression and leadership to innovation and the future of livestock farming, this is a conversation about embracing change and creating impact.
Key insights from the conversation:
How growing up on a family farm and experiencing drought shaped Hamish’s career journey
Why stepping outside traditional agriculture career pathways can create unexpected opportunities
The lessons learned from building a career across meat processing, sales and agribusiness leadership
What high-performance culture looks like in practice and why feedback is central to success
How Halter uses virtual fencing and animal insights to transform livestock management
The three biggest drivers of value for farmers: pasture utilisation, labour efficiency, and animal health
Why adopting new technology requires trust, clear outcomes and a willingness to change
How innovation is reshaping the future of livestock farming and creating new opportunities across agriculture
The importance of leadership, ownership and accountability in building successful teams
Why agriculture needs more people focused on solving industry challenges rather than following traditional career paths

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Halter and Hamish Irvine
02:05 Career Path and Early Experiences
04:37 The Importance of Diverse Experiences
08:37 Reflections on Career Choices
10:37 Leadership and Team Building at Halter
12:17 Transitioning to Halter: Embracing Change
20:13 High-Performance Culture at Halter
26:56 The Art of Feedback and Communication
30:18 The Birth of Halter: A Journey from Dairy Farming to Tech Innovation
34:37 Expanding Horizons: Halter's Growth in Australia
37:36 Understanding Farmer Needs: The Halter Approach
39:59 Building Trust: Overcoming Skepticism in Agriculture
43:45 Transformational Technology: The Future of Farming
46:42 Bridging Agriculture and Technology: The Ideal Candidate
48:07 The Future of Agriculture: Opportunities and Challenges

Running a farm business comes with its challenges; from seasonal conditions to rising costs and cash flow uncertainty, there can be many unknowns along the way.
 
Regional Investment Corporation, simply known as RIC, is the Australian Government’s agri-lending specialist, providing low interest loans to help eligible farm businesses navigate challenges. Whether that’s starting out, planning for succession, or managing through tough conditions like drought and natural disasters, RIC helps viable farmers to keep farming.
 
With concessional interest rates, RIC loans can provide valuable breathing space, helping farmers manage cash flow while they get through tough times or to build their business.
 
Every situation is different, so it’s important to understand what support may be available and what’s involved before applying.
 
Visit ric.gov.au to learn more, explore your options, and check your eligibility.

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli heads to the windswept coastline of Seaspray in Gippsland to sit down with first-generation farmer Danna Boulton.

Growing up just down the road on her family’s dairy farm, Danna always dreamed of farming - but like many young Australians, the pathway to ownership wasn’t straightforward. After building a career as a teacher, making sacrifices, studying the land market for years, and leaning on the right support networks, she found her opportunity.

Today, Danna is three years into running her own beef operation on “the island” at the Honeysuckles - a unique coastal property she now calls home. With support from her family, a rural financial counsellor, her bank, and a RIC AgriStarter Loan, she’s been able to take that leap into ownership and build a business from the ground up.

This episode explores patience, persistence, and the reality of doing it on your own - while also highlighting the importance of community, financial support, and backing yourself when the opportunity finally comes. 

RIC is the Australian Government’s farm business lender providing low-interest loans to help farmers establish a first farm business and support with succession arrangements.

Key insights from the conversation:
Non-linear pathways into farming and first-generation ownership
The power of patience and studying the market over time
Making sacrifices to build a deposit and create opportunity
The role of support networks - family, advisors, and community
Using finance to reduce pressure and enable sustainable growth
Learning to ask for help and manage risk on your own

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Farming Life
02:23 Growing Up on a Dairy Farm
05:11 Transitioning from Teaching to Farming
08:09 Navigating Financial Challenges in Farming
10:51 Acquiring Land and Starting a Farm
13:59 Support Systems in Farming
16:37 Challenges of Solo Farming
19:34 Advice for Aspiring Farmers

Running a farm business comes with its challenges; from seasonal conditions to rising costs and cash flow uncertainty, there can be many unknowns along the way.
 
Regional Investment Corporation, simply known as RIC, is the Australian Government’s agri-lending specialist, providing low interest loans to help eligible farm businesses navigate challenges. Whether that’s starting out, planning for succession, or managing through tough conditions like drought and natural disasters, RIC helps viable farmers to keep farming.
 
With concessional interest rates, RIC loans can provide valuable breathing space, helping farmers manage cash flow while they get through tough times or to build their business.
 
Every situation is different, so it’s important to understand what support may be available and what’s involved before applying.
 
Visit ric.gov.au to learn more, explore your options, and check your eligibility.

This business spotlight episode is a practical deep dive into the Regional Investment Corporation, how it works, why it exists, and how it’s helping farmers manage risk and build stronger businesses.

CEO John Howard shares his journey across agriculture, food, and finance and breaks down how concessional loans can provide breathing room during tough seasons and create opportunities for long-term growth.

This episode explains what RIC does, who it’s for, and how farmers can access loans to improve cash flow, rebuild after hardship, or enter the industry. For anyone in agriculture looking to better manage risk, understand finance options, or plan for the future, this is a practical and highly relevant conversation.

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:
What the Regional Investment Corporation is (and isn’t)
The role of concessional finance in agriculture
Managing risk through drought, flood, and volatility
Why timing and preparation matter when accessing finance
The reality of farm business resilience in Australia

Chapters:
00:00 Spotlight on Regional Investment Corporation
01:30 Understanding RIC's Role in Agriculture
03:49 Navigating Hardship and Opportunities
06:57 Demand Trends in Australian Agriculture
10:49 Innovative Loan Products for Farmers
13:03 The RIC Team and Customer Experience
14:53 RIC vs Traditional Banks
15:34 Supporting the Next Generation of Farmers
18:11 Future of Agriculture and Succession Planning
19:34 Success Stories from RIC Customers
23:09 Practical Steps for Engaging with RIC

Running a farm business comes with its challenges; from seasonal conditions to rising costs and cash flow uncertainty, there can be many unknowns along the way.
 
Regional Investment Corporation, simply known as RIC, is the Australian Government’s agri-lending specialist, providing low interest loans to help eligible farm businesses navigate challenges. Whether that’s starting out, planning for succession, or managing through tough conditions like drought and natural disasters, RIC helps viable farmers to keep farming.
 
With concessional interest rates, RIC loans can provide valuable breathing space, helping farmers manage cash flow while they get through tough times or to build their business.
 
Every situation is different, so it’s important to understand what support may be available and what’s involved before applying.
 
Visit ric.gov.au to learn more, explore your options, and check your eligibility.

This week, Oli sits down with farmers Chris and Nick Blunt at their family farm near Orange, NSW.  The Blunts know the importance of water, and Chris can use his water divining skills to find it, but he needed the capital in order to support the business survive and ultimately rebound from the drought. 

In this episode, Chris Blunt shares how a lifetime on the land has helped him build deep instincts and partnering that with his son Nick’s background in finance - they’re building a thriving future fit business. 

The Blunt’s used a low-interest loan through the Regional Investment Corporation, to build water security for their business and help to secure its future direction. 

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:
Multi-generational farming and succession in practice
Decision-making under pressure (drought context)
The role of financial literacy in modern farming
Blending instinct with data and external advice
Using finance to rebuild and grow

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Family Farming and Legacy
01:43 Chris’s Spiritual Connection to the Land
04:36 The Importance of Safety in Farming
07:05 Navigating Drought and Financial Challenges
12:57 Collaboration Between Generations
17:30 Decision Making During Crisis and Drought
21:20 Utilising a RIC Loan for Growth
25:43 The Benefit of having a career outside Farming 
28:24 Water Security and Its Impact
30:12 Future Aspirations and Innovations in Farming

Running a farm business comes with its challenges; from seasonal conditions to rising costs and cash flow uncertainty, there can be many unknowns along the way.
 
Regional Investment Corporation, simply known as RIC, is the Australian Government’s agri-lending specialist, providing low interest loans to help eligible farm businesses navigate challenges. Whether that’s starting out, planning for succession, or managing through tough conditions like drought and natural disasters, RIC helps viable farmers to keep farming.
 
With concessional interest rates, RIC loans can provide valuable breathing space, helping farmers manage cash flow while they get through tough times or to build their business.
 
Every situation is different, so it’s important to understand what support may be available and what’s involved before applying.
 
Visit ric.gov.au to learn more, explore your options, and check your eligibility.

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.

Running a farm business comes with its challenges; from seasonal conditions to rising costs and cash flow uncertainty, there can be many unknowns along the way.
 
Regional Investment Corporation, simply known as RIC, is the Australian Government’s agri-lending specialist, providing low interest loans to help eligible farm businesses navigate challenges. Whether that’s starting out, planning for succession, or managing through tough conditions like drought and natural disasters, RIC helps viable farmers to keep farming.
 
With concessional interest rates, RIC loans can provide valuable breathing space, helping farmers manage cash flow while they get through tough times or to build their business.
 
Every situation is different, so it’s important to understand what support may be available and what’s involved before applying.
 
Visit ric.gov.au to learn more, explore your options, and check your eligibility.