A Place to Call Home | Stories from Australian Agriculture

A Place to Call Home Group
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A Place to Call Home, hosted by Sam Fryer, is a podcast for the next generation of Australian primary producers, sharing the stories, lessons and insights from people building a life on the land. Through honest conversations with farmers, industry leaders and rural entrepreneurs, each episode explores the journeys behind agriculture — the successes, the challenges, and the decisions that shape life in rural Australia. Guests share first-hand experiences from across the industry, along with practical knowledge to help guide those looking to build their future in agriculture and find a place to call home. Whether you're already farming, looking to return to the land, or simply passionate about the future of Australian agriculture, this podcast is here to support the journey. Copyright: A Place to Call Home Group

  1. Ag Innovation Series | Innovation Beyond Technology with Josie Copley

    17 June ·  Bonus

    Ag Innovation Series | Innovation Beyond Technology with Josie Copley

    Send us Fan Mail AG INNOVATION SERIES | Innovation Beyond Technology with Josie Copley In the final episode of the Ag Innovation Series, Sam Fryer sits down with Josie Copley from Copley Pastoral to explore what innovation really means in modern agriculture. As part of a fifth-generation family beef business and Brahman seedstock operation, Josie brings a unique perspective to the innovation conversation. Working across livestock production, marketing and communications, she sees firsthand how businesses can evolve through genetics, data, better decision making and a commitment to continuous improvement. Throughout the conversation, Josie challenges the idea that innovation is always about new technology. Instead, she shares why some of the most powerful innovations come from doing the small things consistently well over time. In this episode we discuss: • Innovation beyond technology • Genetics and data-driven breeding decisions • The role of BreedPlan and objective measurement • Building a profitable and sustainable family business • Why adoption is often harder than innovation • The importance of curiosity and continuous learning • Field days and knowledge sharing across the industry • Collaboration between producers, researchers and industry • The role of the next generation in shaping Australian agriculture We also dive into Copley Pastoral's Curious Minds, Profitable Herds Field Day and discuss how events like these help bridge the gap between research, innovation and practical on-farm adoption. One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that innovation doesn't always need to be revolutionary. Sometimes the greatest gains come from making small improvements, staying curious and consistently moving forward. This episode wraps up the Ag Innovation Series, a collaboration between A Place to Call Home and the Pandaemonium Paper exploring the people, ideas and technologies shaping the future of Australian agriculture. Pandaemonium Website: https://www.pandaemonium.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p.andaemonium/ If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au Support the show

    30 min
  2. Ag Innovation Series | Ceres Tag, Livestock Technology & The Future of Beef Production with Jean Liebenberg

    10 June

    Ag Innovation Series | Ceres Tag, Livestock Technology & The Future of Beef Production with Jean Liebenberg

    Send us Fan Mail Ag Innovation Series | Ceres Tag, Livestock Technology & The Future of Beef Production with Jean Liebenberg  with Jean Liebenberg In this episode of the Ag Innovation Series, Sam Fryer sits down with cattle producer and Ceres Tag Business Development Manager Jean Liebenberg to explore what innovation actually looks like in the Australian beef industry. Drawing on his experience as both a producer and ag tech professional, Jean shares his perspective on technology adoption, livestock monitoring and the growing role of data in helping producers make better decisions on farm. Throughout the conversation, we discuss how innovation doesn't always need to be flashy. Sometimes it's about solving real problems, improving efficiency and finding practical ways to make farming operations more productive and resilient. In this episode we discuss: • Innovation through a producer's lens • Technology adoption in the beef industry • Data-driven decision making • Livestock monitoring and animal performance • The role of Ceres Tag in modern beef production • Why innovation needs to solve real problems • Return on investment versus return on effort • Collaboration, mentoring and industry networks • The future of livestock technology • What the next generation of agriculture could look like One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that innovation isn't necessarily about having the latest technology, it's about using the right tools to make better decisions and improve outcomes on farm. This episode is proudly supported by Ceres Tag. Designed specifically for extensive livestock systems, Ceres Tag is helping producers gain greater visibility into their cattle through real-time monitoring and animal performance insights. From tracking grazing behaviour and feed intake through to health monitoring and management decisions, the technology is providing producers with new ways to understand what's happening in the paddock when they can't always be there themselves. For producers operating across large and remote beef enterprises, access to better information can lead to better decisions, improved productivity and stronger business outcomes. To learn more about Ceres Tag, visit: https://cerestag.com/ Pandaemonium Website: https://www.pandaemonium.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p.andaemonium/ If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au Support the show

    35 min
  3. Ag Innovation Series | Innovation, Agronomy & The Future of Farming with Sam Simons

    3 June ·  Bonus

    Ag Innovation Series | Innovation, Agronomy & The Future of Farming with Sam Simons

    Send us Fan Mail  Ag Innovation Series | Innovation, Agronomy & The Future of Farming with Sam Simons In this episode of the Ag Innovation Series, Sam Fryer sits down with agronomist Sam Simons from Poole Ag to explore innovation through the lens of modern farming systems. Working with producers across broadacre agriculture, Sam is on the front line of some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the industry today. From weed resistance and labour shortages through to automation, precision agriculture and emerging technology, he sees firsthand what is driving innovation on farm and what is delivering real results. Throughout this conversation, we discuss the difference between innovation and technology, why necessity often drives change, and how producers can navigate the constant stream of new products, systems and ideas entering agriculture. In this episode we discuss: • What innovation actually means in agriculture • Why necessity is often the driver of change • Weed resistance and the role of innovation in solving complex challenges • Precision agriculture and data-driven decision making • Automation, robotics and emerging technologies • Water efficiency and getting more from every input • Why some innovations succeed while others fail • Innovation adoption and producer confidence • The role producers play in driving innovation themselves • What the future of Australian agriculture could look like Whether you're a producer, agronomist, advisor or simply interested in the future of agriculture, this episode provides practical insights into how innovation is shaping farming systems across Australia. This Ag Innovation Series is proudly a collaboration between A Place to Call Home and the Pandaemonium Paper, exploring the people, ideas and technologies helping move Australian agriculture forward. Pandaemonium Website: https://www.pandaemonium.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p.andaemonium/ If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au Support the show

    24 min
  4. Ag Innovation Series | Practical Innovation, Mobble & The Next Generation of Agriculture with Will Bucknell

    27 May ·  Bonus

    Ag Innovation Series | Practical Innovation, Mobble & The Next Generation of Agriculture with Will Bucknell

    Send us Fan Mail AG INNOVATION SERIES | Practical Innovation, Mobble & The Next Generation of Agriculture with Will Bucknell In this episode of the Ag Innovation Series, Sam Fryer sits down with young producer Will Bucknell from Quambone in north-west New South Wales to explore what innovation actually looks like on the ground for the next generation of Australian agriculture. After growing up on his family’s steer trading operation, Will went on to work on large scale cattle stations across Queensland before studying farm management at Marcus Oldham College, where he was exposed to a range of emerging technologies and management systems being adopted across the industry. Since returning home, Will and his family have been gradually implementing new technologies into their own operation, including Mobble, smart tagging, spray drones and improved data management systems — all with a strong focus on practicality, efficiency and return on investment. This episode is part of the Ag Innovation Series, a collaboration between Pandaemonium and A Place to Call Home exploring the people, ideas and technologies helping move Australian agriculture forward. This episode is proudly supported by Mobble — a livestock and farm management platform helping producers streamline record keeping, improve communication across teams and simplify day-to-day farm management. To learn more about Mobble, head to: https://www.mobble.io/ Pandaemonium Website: https://www.pandaemonium.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p.andaemonium/ If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au Support the show

    28 min
  5. Ag Innovation Series | Adapting, Innovating & Evolving in Viticulture with Liz Riley

    20 May

    Ag Innovation Series | Adapting, Innovating & Evolving in Viticulture with Liz Riley

    Send us Fan Mail Ag Innovation Series | Adapting, Innovating & Evolving in Viticulture  with Liz Riley In this episode of the Ag Innovation Series, Sam Fryer sits down with Liz Riley — an independent viticultural consultant and trainer based in the Hunter Valley, as well as sitting on the Plant Health Australia board and a Nuffield Scholar with more than 25 years of experience working across viticulture, sustainability, biosecurity and agricultural leadership. Liz completed her Nuffield Scholarship in 1996 focusing on integrated pest management in vineyards, an experience that helped shape her approach to innovation, adaptability and continuous improvement across agriculture. Throughout this conversation we explore what innovation actually looks like on the ground, how industries evolve under pressure and why practical solutions often matter more than flashy technology. This episode is proudly part of the Ag Innovation Series, a collaboration between Pandaemonium and A Place to Call Home exploring the people, ideas and technologies helping move Australian agriculture forward. Pandaemonium Website: https://www.pandaemonium.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p.andaemonium/ If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review, it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au Support the show

    22 min
  6. Ag Innovation Series | What Innovation Really Looks Like in Australian Agriculture

    13 May ·  Bonus

    Ag Innovation Series | What Innovation Really Looks Like in Australian Agriculture

    Send us Fan Mail AG INNOVATION SERIES | INTRODUCTION with Sam Fryer & Alice Armitage Welcome to the first episode of the Ag Innovation Series — a new collaboration between Pandaemonium and A Place to Call Home. In this introductory conversation, Sam Fryer and Alice Armitage unpack what innovation in agriculture actually means beyond the buzzwords. From drones and AI to genetics, data collection, storytelling and succession, this episode explores the real-world challenges and opportunities shaping the future of Australian agriculture. Across the series, we’ll sit down with producers, founders, researchers and innovators who are pushing the industry forward not for the sake of flashy technology, but to create more productive, sustainable and resilient farming businesses and rural communities. This series is about highlighting the people and ideas shaping the future of agriculture and showcasing how regional Australia continues to innovate, adapt and evolve. Thanks for listening and we’re excited to bring you the conversations ahead. Pandaemonium The independent media outlet sharing stories of positivity and prosperity from country Australia. Website: https://www.pandaemonium.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p.andaemonium/ If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au Support the show

    41 min
  7. #84: A Different Take on Succession with Tamara Finger

    24 Apr

    #84: A Different Take on Succession with Tamara Finger

    Send us Fan Mail G’day and welcome to the A Place to Call Home Podcast, a podcast sharing the stories of people building a life in agriculture across rural Australia. In this episode, I sit down with Tamara Finger, owner and manager of TF2 Grazing Company, a beef breeding operation recently relocated to Theodore in Central Queensland. Tamara shares a powerful and practical story of succession done differently — starting with being gifted cattle as a child, building her own herd from a young age, and stepping into property ownership in her early 20s. From growing up in Dysart to working across local government, retail, and federal politics, Tamara’s journey highlights the importance of gaining experience off-farm, understanding business fundamentals, and staying open to opportunity. This is a conversation about taking ownership early, building assets over time, and backing yourself when the right opportunity comes along. In this episode, we chat about: 🏡 Growing up in Dysart and balancing agriculture and mining communities  🐄 Being gifted cattle as a child and building a herd from a young age  📊 Learning business fundamentals early — books, tax, and decision-making  🚜 Gaining experience off-farm through council, retail, and politics  🤝 A unique family succession model focused on early ownership  🏦 Stepping into property at 22 with her sister  📈 Building a breeding operation and growing herd numbers  🔄 Buying out her sister and navigating business and family decisions  📍 Selling and relocating to Theodore to align with long-term goals  🧠 The importance of setting goals and staying adaptable to opportunities  🏛️ Advocacy, AgForce involvement, and shaping the future of agriculture  🌱 Opportunities through innovation, technology, and genetics Resources mentioned 📊 Beef Central Podcast (The Weekly Grill) 🌎 Cattle Chats (US-based podcast) If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au 🎙️ This episode is brought to you by Rural Succession Solutions. If you’ve ever found succession conversations difficult — or avoided them altogether — you’re not alone. Rural Succession Solutions work with rural families to guide those conversations, helping bring clarity, alignment, and a clear plan for the future of the farm. Their structured process focuses on communication first — because without it, even the best plans can fall apart.  If you’re looking to protect your family, your business, and your legacy, it’s well worth reaching out. 👉 Learn more: https://ruralsuccessionsolutions.com.au/ Support the show

    44 min
  8. #83: From New Entrant to Advocate: Educating the Next Generation of Producers with Amanda Burchmann From JAB Agri Solutions

    17 Apr

    #83: From New Entrant to Advocate: Educating the Next Generation of Producers with Amanda Burchmann From JAB Agri Solutions

    Send us Fan Mail G’day and welcome to the A Place to Call Home Podcast, a podcast sharing the stories of people building a life in agriculture across rural Australia. In this episode, I sit down with Amanda Buchmann from JAB Agri Solutions, based in Southeast Queensland. Amanda is a passionate advocate for the red meat and broader agricultural industry, focused on bridging the gap between industry knowledge and new entrants coming into agriculture. From growing up around livestock with her grandparents to building a career outside the industry in pharmacy and law, Amanda has taken a unique path back into ag — now combining her life experience with a mission to educate and support producers. This conversation dives deep into the realities of entering agriculture today, the importance of education and compliance, and the role every producer plays in strengthening the future of the industry. In this episode, we chat about: 🏡 Growing up in Warwick and early exposure to livestock through family  🚛 Lessons learned from time spent in livestock transport with her dad  📚 Building skills outside agriculture in pharmacy, law, and conveyancing  🐄 Returning to ag and starting a small cattle operation with her family  ⚠️ The challenges new entrants face when buying land and livestock  📉 Common mistakes producers make when starting out  📊 Why record keeping, traceability, and compliance are critical  🛑 The risks of poor biosecurity and lack of education in the industry  🧠 Breaking down barriers between industry knowledge and new producers  🤝 Building JAB Agri Solutions to educate and support small-scale producers  🌱 Understanding ESG, natural capital, and telling your story as a producer  📈 How good management and record keeping can improve profitability  🌏 The importance of advocacy and strengthening the agricultural supply chain Resources mentioned 📊 Integrity Systems (NLIS & LPA) 🌱 Australian Rural Leadership Program 📖 Stolen Focus by Johann Hari If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au 🎙️ This episode is brought to you by SkyKelpie. You can learn more at: SkyKelpie - Drone Mustering & Aerial Stockmanship Support the show

    1 hr
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A Place to Call Home, hosted by Sam Fryer, is a podcast for the next generation of Australian primary producers, sharing the stories, lessons and insights from people building a life on the land. Through honest conversations with farmers, industry leaders and rural entrepreneurs, each episode explores the journeys behind agriculture — the successes, the challenges, and the decisions that shape life in rural Australia. Guests share first-hand experiences from across the industry, along with practical knowledge to help guide those looking to build their future in agriculture and find a place to call home. Whether you're already farming, looking to return to the land, or simply passionate about the future of Australian agriculture, this podcast is here to support the journey. Copyright: A Place to Call Home Group

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