Humans of Agriculture

• "The adventures agriculture has taken me on is incredible" with Muster Dogs Star Blythe Calnan

  Adventure pulses through the veins of Pilbara cattle woman Blythe Calnan.From navigating live cattle export supply chains in Jordan in the Middle East, to raising pasture-raised poultry in southern WA - Blythe's habit of saying 'yes' to opportunities in agriculture has taken her to all sorts of climates and farming systems.She's now back in her home state of Western Australia, teaching the basics of low stress stock handling and soil health to show the role working dogs can play in healing landscapes.Liv caught up with Blythe at the Grounded Festival in Bridgetown where she madly jotted down Blythe's dog training mantras, which she discovered can be applied to all sorts of life and business scenarios!00:00 Introduction to Blythe Calnan and Her Journey02:27 The Role of Working Dogs in Agriculture05:09 Blythe's Career Path and Experiences08:18 The Impact of Reality TV on Agriculture11:22 Understanding Dog Training and Relationships14:04 The Importance of Communication in Dog Handling16:59 Pressure and Education in Animal Training19:49 Linking Dogs, Livestock, and Landscape Health23:04 Valuing Working Dogs in Agriculture25:49 Returning to Basics in AgricultureYou can hear more episodes of Humans of Agriculture here. If you enjoyed this episode, share with a friend and let us know your thoughts at [email protected].  Don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review!

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• Mind boggling scale: what a trip to Brazil added to Felicity Taylor's bank of cotton knowledge

  A knowledge tour around Brazil cotton farms has blown the minds of a group of Aussie growers. Imagine having a cotton gin on every single farm?... or a family-led business with a breezy 220,000 hectares in crop? Rabobank Area Manager Felicity Taylor says the sheer sophistication and scale of Brazilian cotton production has to be seen to be believed.Freshly home from a Rabo Agri Knowledge Tour of Brazil, Felicity shares the contrasts between Brazilian and Australian cotton production, particularly in terms of supply chain logistics, technology, and sustainability practices.She also shares her reflections on the networking opportunities as a finalist for the Zanda McDonald award and the personal growth that comes from stepping outside one's comfort zone.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background02:45 Insights from Brazil's Cotton Industry05:20 Comparative Analysis: Brazil vs Australia08:16 The Xander McDonald Award Experience11:00 Encouragement for Future ApplicantsThis episode of Humans of Agriculture is brought to you by our friends at Rabobank Australia. Rabo Agri Knowledge Tours is an initiative out of Rabobank's specialist commodity groups, which provide that behind-the-scenes access to other production systems to share insights, build relationships, and open up that ideas sharing network through the domestic and international Rabobank family.You can hear more episodes of Humans of Agriculture here. If you enjoyed this episode, share with a friend and let us know your thoughts at [email protected].  Don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review! 

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• East to west: Fraser Stewart connects sheep producers across borders

  WA sheep farmers do things "bloody well" if you ask Fraser Stewart, which is why he wrestled the 2025 Rabo WA Sheep & Wool tour to the west side of the country. Fraser was proud to see curiosity and ideas bounce between the 21 big industry players visiting from the Eastern States and New Zealand to WA's Great Southern region last month. WA is a key restocking market nationally, but Fraser wanted to show the impressive adaptations farmers are making to the phase out of the live export trade, and some of the on-farm strategies to maximise production systems in a drying climate. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Sheep Tour02:43 The Great Southern Region's Importance05:53 Engagement and Curiosity from Participants08:42 Adapting to Market Changes11:27 Market Dynamics and Future Outlook14:23 Raising Awareness for WA Agriculture This episode of Humans of Agriculture is brought to you by our friends at Rabobank Australia. Rabo Agri Knowledge Tours is an initiative out of Rabobank's specialist commodity groups, which provide that behind-the-scenes access to other production systems to share insights, build relationships, and open up that ideas sharing network through the domestic and international Rabobank family.You can hear more episodes of Humans of Agriculture here.  If you enjoyed this episode, share with a friend and let us know your thoughts at [email protected].  Don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review! 

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• FOMO kicking in? Tom & Mick chat sheep market dynamics with Todd Clements and Nick Fogarty

  We're keen to know what's going on with sheep - there seems to be records hit week after week at sale yards across the country. Are farmers getting FOMO? Tom & Mick chat with stock and station royalty Todd Clements and Nick Fogarty about the underlying drivers of current sheep and lamb prices and what's likely to come.Todd and Nick are from Bowyer & Livermore in the Central West of NSW -  a real estate, stock and station agency.  TakeawaysSlaughter prices have been higher than restocking values, affecting market dynamics.There is a slow rebuild expected in the sheep population over the next 12 to 24 months.Seasonality plays a crucial role in the availability and quality of lambs.The industry is seeing a shift towards higher breeding models and later joining practices.Opportunities exist in the WA sheep market, but competition is fierce.There is a growing interest in lamb feedlotting, but scalability remains a challenge.Market fluctuations create uncertainty, impacting producers' decisions.Chapters00:43 Business Background and Clientele03:29 Current Trends in Sheep and Lamb Market06:03 Technical Difficulties and Adjustments09:40 Insights into Stock & Station Agency13:31 Shifting Trends: From Sheep to Cattle17:43 Market Dynamics: Record Prices and Supply Challenges20:31 The Future of Sheep Breeding and Market Stability24:57 Feedlotting: Opportunities and Challenges in Lamb Production28:18 Western Australia: Market Opportunities and Competition30:35 Future Predictions: Mutton and Lamb Prices in 2025You can hear more episodes of Humans of Agriculture here. If you enjoyed this episode, share with a friend and let us know your thoughts at [email protected].  Don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review!

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• "You’re going where?" Sophie Marriott's leap into Tassie’s red meat world

  There’s more to meat than what Aussies might think. After graduating from uni, Sophie Marriott couldn't wait to leave the bright lights of Brisbane to explore the seemingly endless opportunities in red meat processing. She never expected she'd end up in Tasmania, working for family-owned beef processing company Greenham, on the north-western coast. She's become totally smitten by the local community of Smithton and has grown a deep appreciation for the diversity of jobs and experiences inside the red meat world for young people.In this final interview for our More To Meat series, you'll hear how Sophie's travels to America for a meat judging competition sparked a deep love and curiosity for the industry, and her horseback adventure for this year's Robbin Island saltwater cattle muster, an experience she will not easily forget.TakeawaysWorking on a cattle station was pivotal for her career.ICMJ provided her with valuable industry connections.Product knowledge is crucial in the meat industry.Greenham is a family-owned beef processing company committed to backing any emerging talent inside the business and support them to work up through the ranks.Sophie values the connections between producers and consumers.There are diverse roles in agriculture that need to be filled.Chapters00:00 Sophie’s Journey to Agriculture05:09 Involvement in Intercollegiate Meat Judging07:49 Career Path and Opportunities at Greenham10:40 Experiences in the U.S. and Industry Insights13:11 Understanding Greenham's Operations15:47 Robbins Island Wagyu Experience21:05 Graduate Program Structure and Future Goals23:50 Connecting with Friends and Advocating for Agriculture26:05 Advice for Future Agricultural StudentsAustralian meat processors are leading the way in research and innovation. There are so many diverse career opportunities, and processors like Greenham are committed to investing in the next generation of business and community leaders like Sophie. Learn more about the More to Meat campaign, which is showing us the side of the red meat industry we don't often see, by highlighting the good work it does for local people, their rural communities and the country as a whole.  Explore more stories of Humans of Agriculture - don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review!If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and let us know your thoughts at [email protected]. 

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