Stockyard Sessions

In this episode of Stockyard Sessions, new host Victoria Lawrance sits down with US-based farmer and educator Dr Allen Williams to explore what healthy land actually looks like on the ground, and how graziers can build confidence in their management decisions, especially during drought.

Drawing on decades of experience across climates and enterprises, Allen shares the early indicators he looks for when stepping onto any property. From pasture diversity and insect life to soil colour, aggregation and aroma, this conversation breaks down the practical observations that reveal whether a system is moving forward or backwards.

As Allen reminds us, “The land does not lie. It bears a record of what we write on it.”

The discussion moves into drought management, livestock performance KPIs, and the direct link between soil function and profitability. You’ll hear a powerful case study of a ranch that, during severe drought, actually increased their carrying capacity, taking on animals from neighbouring properties that needed support.

With Wilmot Field Day coming up this March, this episode offers a timely introduction to Allen’s thinking ahead of his visit to Australia, where he will be sharing these principles in person.

This podcast is brought to you by Atlas Ag, the team behind Atlas Carbon and MaiaGrazing.

In this bonus episode of Stockyard Sessions, we sit down with global regenerative agriculture leader Gabe Brown, recorded live at Wilmot Field Day 2025

Gabe reflects on more than 30 years of farming, sharing how drought, hail and financial pressure forced him to rethink conventional approaches and begin working with natural systems, which transformed both his soils and his business.

He unpacks why healthy soils underpin healthy plants, livestock and people, how diversity builds resilience, and why carbon is a byproduct of better systems — not the goal itself.

With Wilmot Field Day 2026 fast approaching this March, this bonus episode offers a taste of the conversations, insights and inspiration that make the event a standout on Australia’s rural calendar.

In this episode of Stockyard Sessions, I sit down with Charlie Arnott, an award-winning eighth-generation farmer and advocate for innovative farming practices. We explore Charlie's transformative journey from conventional methods to regenerative farming, highlighting his deep commitment to partnering with nature for sustainable land management. Charlie shares insights on the importance of focusing on controllable factors in farming, the evolution of consumer awareness around food quality, and the role of social media in connecting farmers with their communities. We also discuss his ongoing soil carbon project with Atlas Carbon, detailing its potential benefits for both the environment and agricultural productivity. Join us as we delve into the life of a pioneer in the farming industry, driven by passion and a vision for the future.

In this episode of Stockyard Sessions, we sit down with independent plant and soil health educator Joel Williams to explore the connection between healthy soils, resilient farms, and thriving farmers. Drawing on his extensive global experience in soil management and resilient grazing systems, Joel shares practical insights into how biodiversity underpins soil function and why “roots matter more than shoots.”

Joel also offers simple, everyday indicators any farmer can use to assess soil health on their property, discusses the growing movement toward soil-centric farming, and shares his thoughts on how education empowers producers to adapt, innovate, and build resilience in the face of climate challenges and evolving market demands.

This podcast is brought to you by Atlas Ag – the team behind Atlas Carbon and MaiaGrazing. Atlas Carbon offers Australian livestock producers a market-leading solution for soil carbon projects, merging years of practical experience with scientific know-how and advanced analytics from our grazing management tool, MaiaGrazing.

In this episode of Stockyard Sessions, we catch up with Bart Davidson, Chief Grazing Officer at Atlas Carbon and co-founder of MaiaGrazing. Tune in to hear Bart’s thoughts on evolving grazing trends, using the ‘mathematics of farming' to gain confidence in decision-making, and his view that when it comes to agriculture, “If you eat, you’re involved”.

Bart also shares his view on the future of soil carbon measurement and operating with a ‘productivity-first’ mindset, where carbon sequestration is seen as the natural outcome of good management.

This podcast is brought to you by Atlas Ag – the team behind Atlas Carbon and MaiaGrazing. Atlas Carbon offers Australian livestock producers a market-leading solution for soil carbon projects, merging years of practical experience with scientific know-how and advanced analytics from our grazing management tool, MaiaGrazing.