I have heard it said that “doing a traditional thing in a traditional industry may no longer be relevant.” I have also heard it said that the point of entrepreneurship is to “create a legacy”…. that is to create something that makes an impact of significance in the market, that will last beyond your life-time. Certainly there are great examples of …

In this episode, I speak with Tim McGavin, Founder and Managing Director of Laguna Bay, one of the largest privately owned agricultural investment funds globally. Reflecting on his farming background and extensive career, we explore life growing up on a station west of Barcaldine, QLD alongside his ‘bushy’ father and family. We explore Tim’s early …

As always, it is great to speak with Terry Tran and get an update on what is happening across our economy and the global investment landscape. In this episode, and 6 months after our last update from Terry, we cover all things interest rates, inflation, commodities outlooks, exchange rates and economies. We get Terry’s valued insight across the USA…

We all have a role to play in inspiring our next generation of farmers – now there is a compelling program and pathway to make this happen. In this episode, Hutch speaks with Chloe Smart, Training and Career Development Coordinator at AgCareerStarts. As Chloe explains, AgCareerStarts provides on-farm employment opportunities for 17 to 24 year olds …

‘Farm Systems’ or ‘Grower Groups’ play a pivotal part in our farming landscape. Of these, Birchip Cropping Group (BCG) is the pinnacle. Providing large-scale, in-season crop & pasture production trials, the latest research intelligence and important production improvement training to progressive farmers across Victoria’s Wimmera & Mallee for over 3…

It’s incredible seeing the results members of our Platinum Mastermind are achieving, their commitment to the program and the progression of their business and personal development. FOA Alumni Members David (Diesel) & Rhianne Low, make a great example of this. Commencing the program in July 2017, Diesel & Rhianne have become valued members and real …

In this episode, I am delighted to introduce to you Zoe Lamont, owner of Farm Door Riverina, a growing regional food business providing ready-made, wholesome meals to busy families, retirees and the elderly across Australia. Growing up on a farm near Junee, Zoe has deep ties to the land and a vision for bringing high-quality, wholesome, locally sou…

In complement to our last two episodes that focus on on-farm culture and team, in this episode, I explore a question we receive often: When is the right time and how do we best establish an Advisory Board? There is an important set of business practices and disciplines that need to be in place and effective prior to establishing a Board. It is impo…

CULTURE - we all have one, whether we like it or not. Within our business, our family, even our community. Leaving our culture unchecked can be a disaster. Accepting a sub optimal culture can be destroying... for you AND those around you. At Farm Owners Academy, we believe deeply in creating high-performing teams and cultures, both in family AND bu…

It is clear to me that so many of us are under-resourced. As such, we dedicate 20-40 hours per week to low-value farm activity, often at the expense of CEO-level tasks. For me, this continued focus on low-value activity might save a wage, but it's costing you a FORTUNE. This episode is all about how to break free from that cycle and step into the r…

Nuffield International’s vision is to inspire people to make a difference in the world of agriculture. It is fair to say this great organisation is truly achieving it’s global vision- directly as a result of the many great leaders of Nuffield, like Jim Geltch, who have committed much of their careers to making this happen. It was a privilege for me…

Imagine losing your arms, legs, body and your entire outlook on life… at age 19. Imagine being in the prime of your life, only to have it all taken away. Imagine having to start over, come to terms with that hardship, yet find the determination to get on with life. Imagine how hard it would be to ‘stand back up’ and turn up to life again. Then, ima…

In this episode, it was great to connect with the impressive Sam Johnsson, CEO of Farm Owners Academy. During our discussion we: reflected on his 3 years with us, acknowledged the incredible Farm Owners Academy team and community, discussed the importance of the CEO role in any business, explored the power of focusing team members toward ‘their gen…

For so many of us, so often our self-confidence and sense of self go up and down with the seasons. We feel good about ourselves when times are good, and we are intently hard on ourselves, and even think we are failing, when the season, the conditions or the markets go against us. Before Christmas we saw a shock hit the sheep-meat market, impacting …

I have said before that there is so much we can learn from business leaders and entrepreneurs outside of our industry. In this episode, I interview Jim Gall, now CEO of RB Sellars. There is no doubt that RB Sellars has been established as an iconic brand across our landscape. Jim reminds us that success in business doesn’t happen overnight and that…

In my last episode introduction I asked - who here has felt real financial duress and overwhelming stress or hardship in this game called farming? In this episode, I explore this theme further with an in-depth interview with Sarah Crossthwaite. Sarah lives and works with her husband and family on a dairy farm in Northeast Victoria. She has an impre…

Who here has felt real financial duress and overwhelming stress and hardship in this game called farming? I feel this is relevant and real for so many - it isn’t always an easy game to play. In this podcast it gives me great pleasure to interview FOA Alumni Members Cassandra & Andrew (Rusty) Kath. From start-up to established, from 50 cows to 500 c…

So many farming families we meet have businesses that are completely dependent on them. In addition, so many farm owners across Australia’s have business models that are not risk-aware, sufficiently profitable, sustainable, or optimal over time. Is your business model delivering you the outcomes you want from your farm? So often we see farmers ‘rin…

I love the concept that perhaps our subconscious programming is the thing that is holding us back. I also like the concept that money is just a tool to give us what we want in life. However, I believe that many of us have a SCARCITY or ABUNDANCE mindset toward money. I like the idea of visualising money as ‘fun tickets’ to be used and enjoyed for m…

When people succeed at the highest level, often all we see of them is their endeavour and their achievement. We never really get to hear of the challenge, the hardship or the immense struggle that is behind the enduring success. There can be so many lessons relevant to how, as farmers, we can better face the challenges that come our way and overcom…

Throughout our lives, and often at this time of year, we can find ourselves reflecting and asking important questions like; Why am I here? What am I doing this for? What is it that is my purpose in life? What do I want for my life? How do I want to be remembered? Over my business journey, I have been lucky enough to study with and learn from one of…

As farm business owners, we can often be operating at intense and unsustainable levels for extended periods of time. Many times, the farm comes first, and so many other important things take the back seat. Our farms can be under-resourced, our teams insufficient, our realities out of control and operations completely dependent upon us. Our plans ar…

As the finish line to another calendar year arrives, I cherish the opportunity to share the stories of some of our incredible community members - to celebrate their success in all they do as business owners and farmers. Martin & Hayley Grosser own and operate MHG Farming Enterprises, a mixed sheep and dryland cropping operation at Kaniva in Victori…

We can survive 3 weeks without food... 3 days without water… But only 3 minutes without breathing. As for parenting, our body, mind and many other critical life functions, we have never been taught HOW TO BREATHE. As a result, and over time, most of us are immensely inefficient with our breathing, leading us to a long list of health conditions that…

Leadership is about giving those around you certainty. Making strong predictions based on quality information and taking proactive action in tough times is a hallmark of strong leadership. Many Aussie farmers have experienced a marked drop in meat prices in recent months, impacting their realities and outlook significantly. As in Episode 121 with G…

At Farm Owners Academy, we are big believers that our mental well-being is closely linked to our physical health AND positive social interactions. I am delighted to interview Active Farmer Founder and Director Ginny Stevens in this episode. Over eight years, Active Farmers has grown from an idea and one weekly fitness class in Mangoplah, NSW, to a …

One of the best bits about being part of Farm Owners Academy is the life-long friendships we see being fostered across our incredible and growing community. One of the greatest privileges of being a Coach is supporting great people to make meaningful and lasting changes in their personal and business development journeys. Our members achieve huge a…

Often, it is my observation that succession is made to be a bigger and more complex issue than it needs to be. Often, in my opinion, good business practice applied to family business can be the key to aligning a family to a common goal and plan; creating meaningful, regular and proactive communications; providing financial clarity and control for a…

Farmers can be a humble bunch, perhaps in part a function of a certain ‘tall poppy syndrome’ that exists across our landscape. As a result, as well as the fact that most of us are production-focused and not necessarily marketing-trained, we are not always great at telling our unique stories or promoting our own business ‘brand.’ Taking this further…

We find ourselves in an economic environment very different to 12 months ago - now characterised by high inflation, rising interest rates and an uplift in unemployment in most of our trading nations across the globe. On the back of a compelling quarterly economic review to our Members, I have invited Terry Tran – Freedom Trader – to join me again t…

What does moving from a ‘start-up’ to ‘significance’ as an entrepreneur take? Let’s find out. In this episode, I am delighted to reconnect with my past business coaching client, now successful entrepreneur Steven Mirtschin. Leaving a successful banking career to back himself in business, Steven now leads over 13 businesses and a team of over 150. O…

You don’t achieve greatness without first being a very special individual. In this episode, I am pleased to introduce to you Aussie sporting icon Trevor Hendy, renowned as the greatest ironman on earth. A former professional athlete having won six Australian Open Ironman titles and four consecutive World Ironman titles, Trevor has become a coach, r…

We all now know that safety on-farm is an important issue. We also know that most farm businesses have more to do in this area, and it is pleasing to see so many farming families prioritising farm safety as a core part of the business improvement strategies. SafeAg System is presently leading the way in helping farming families create safer and mor…

I have always been intrigued by Rabobank as a business. A 120-year-old Dutch cooperative founded by farmers for farmers, now a global sensation specialising in agribusiness lending from over 1,000 offices across 38 countries, serving over 9 million customers... I think their Australasian Team are to be commended on the passion, dedication and quali…

For many, the last few years have been unique and positive – resulting from low inflation, low-interest rates, above-average commodity prices and above-average production. Now, our current reality is very different. We will likely see an extended period of increased inflation, increasing interest rates and softening commodity prices. In addition, f…

At Farm Owners Academy, we help farming families create FREEDOM FARMS – that is a highly profitable business with the systems, structures, team AND performance to be able to work without dependence on you! As a team, we feel proud of the results that hundreds of farming families are achieving in their pursuit of this reality. Over the coming months…

In life, we have the opportunity to meet some remarkable people. Those individuals are often quietly determined to serve others and make a meaningful impact. I met Mike Stephens, Founder, Director and Lead Consultant of Meridian Agriculture, as an overly enthusiastic and bullish 25-year-old. I have regarded him as a role model and mentor ever since…

So many farming families I meet feel completely REACTIVE in managing their farms. On so many levels, we often are left feeling like the business is running you, not you it. With all that is going on in a typical week, the long list of improvements to make, the complexities of programs and rotations, the changes of the season… for me, it is easy to …

Technology can be pretty incredible. With its exponential advancement, there is no doubt we are on the cusp of unprecedented change on-farm and across our industry. Our game is rapidly changing, allowing us to achieve much more with much less. For me, our future is very exciting. In this episode, I invite you to join me and an audience of 350 progr…

Throughout each year, I value the opportunity to invite our Investment Specialist Terry Tran to join us on Profitable Farmer. With rising inflation, increasing interest rates, ongoing supply issues and softening commodity prices we are potentially entering a new agri-economic landscape, different from all we have experienced in recent years. In thi…

It is so easy in this game to constantly put in massive hours, ensure everyone around you has what they need, and focus intently on getting the job done. An extended finish, a challenging season and ALREADY the urgent requirement to get set to ‘go again’… I hear of many farming families feeling they must sacrifice their holiday plans to stay on top…

So often in this game, we attend only the training put on by the R&D extension agencies or free events by our advisers. So often, we wait for a grant to become available before we commit to a course, or we focus on improving our skills ONLY when there is a subsidy or sponsorship toward the funding of it. My point is: So many farmers don’t invest en…

There are some genuinely impressive Australian stories of entrepreneurial success in our industry — true, unsung, modern examples of courage, initiative, determination and pioneering. For me, Dwain Duxson and the Farm Tender story is one of those. Founded in March 2012, Farm Tender is Australia’s pre-eminent online buying and selling marketplace fo…

We are excited to be kicking off our first podcast of 2023, we hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year break. May 2023 be your best year yet! One of the great things about this time of year is friends dropping in on their holiday travels. There truly is nothing like old friendships. Whilst visiting us, I am delighted to once again welc…

Business can be a very lonely place. Farming can be isolating. Sometimes… no, often… we can feel like we are ‘going it alone’. Our challenges, failings, and issues can feel unique to us. In my experience, when you commit to joining a Mastermind Group, everything can change. There is much wisdom to call on from those around us, and we quickly realis…

It has once again been a unique farming season - perhaps one like no other! In this episode, and once again, I call on Brett Stevenson, Managing Director & Founder of Market Check – the most influential, independent grain marketing and education service for Australian farmers. Together we explore: an assessment of the current season; advice on the …

Right now, there are many farming families facing real challenges. Extended rains, widespread flooding, the prospect of failed crops, wet paddocks and the complexities all this brings for hay carting, harvest and the end of our season. A season that promised so much. A cost-base inflated by the aftermath of a global pandemic. Seven years ago, Plati…

Dave ‘Westy’ Westbrook here – and I have hijacked this episode of the Profitable Farmer Podcast! For me, true wealth is about the inner success or the ‘inner hero’ that we all have inside us, and, at the end of the day, our farming businesses are tools to help us create the life we desire. I am so incredibly excited to welcome three special guests …

As Part III on the important topic of RESILIENCE, I speak with the incredible Maria Ruberto – specialist in the neuroscience and deep psychology of human resilience. Her official definition: Advancing despite adversity. Love this. I find how our mind works so fascinating. Recent advances in neuroscience continue to help us more deeply understand th…

To speak plainly, family relationships need to be resilient in family business. To be honest - so often, behind closed doors, simply, they are not. As Part II on the topic of RESILIENCE, I speak with Farm Owners Academy Director and Soul Pleaser Program Founder, Tracy Secombe – our resident authority on this topic. In this episode, Tracy & I more d…