Dollars In The Dirt

Seasoned Finance
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Investing

Welcome to Dollars in the Dirt with Brecken Curtis, the no-BS podcast for Australian farmers and graziers who want to grow their operations and build real wealth. Hosted by Brecken Curtis, Award Winning Agricultural Finance Broker, this podcast breaks down farm loans, property finance, and agribusiness lending strategies that actually work. From rural property loans to cattle station finance, you'll get straight answers on agricultural finance without the jargon. Each episode delivers practical insights on farm expansion, loan structuring, and navigating the finance challenges facing beef producers and graziers across regional Australia. If you're a rural grazier looking to secure more favourable loan conditions for your next expansion, this podcast is a game changer.

  1. 9 hrs ago

    #044 - How to Structure Your Debt for Where You Want to Be in 2030

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled In this episode, Brecken explains why proactively aligning your debt with your long‑term growth plans unlocks better terms, stronger cash flow and a more resilient business. You’ll learn: ◼️ How to assess your current debt position ◼️ Setting realistic 2030 growth targets ◼️ Structuring core debt and working capital for flexibility Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:47 - Assessing your current debt structure 00:02:23 - Short‑term vs long‑term debt issues 00:03:26 - Debt security and refinancing challenges 00:03:42 - Growth targets for 2030 00:04:51 - Herd expansion, land purchase and infrastructure planning 00:05:33 - External conditions and commodity price volatility 00:05:54 - Structuring debt for 2030 00:06:12 - Core debt vs working capital 00:07:05 - Building flexibility into your loans 00:07:57 - Fixed and variable rate mix 00:08:20 - Structuring debt for land purchases 00:08:36 - Staggered borrowing for infrastructure upgrades 00:08:51 - Seasonal cash flow and working capital use 00:09:00 - Flexibility during droughts and floods 00:09:19 - Summary and ongoing debt management Follow Brecken Curtis: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breckenfinancebroker/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Brecken-Curtis/61575665536876/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brecken_curtis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brecken-curtis-8716323aa/ Seasoned Finance: https://seasonedfinance.com.au

  2. 2 days ago

    #043 - Exactly How Farmers Can Know If It’s The Time To Buy More Land

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled Exactly how farmers can know if it’s the right time to buy more land comes down to four fundamentals, not just market prices. In this new episode, Brecken breaks down the key checks producers need before committing to a new block. You’ll hear: ◼️ Your true, accessible equity ◼️ Serviceability under stress ◼️ Business timing over market timing Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:23 - True equity position 00:01:10 - Accessible vs headline equity 00:02:27 - Equity quality and land productivity 00:03:00 - Assessing real borrowing capacity 00:03:30 - Serviceability under stress 00:04:12 - Rate rises and price drops 00:05:02 - Stress‑testing scenarios 00:05:51 - Structuring flexible repayments 00:06:28 - Market timing vs business timing 00:07:05 - When expansion backfires 00:07:32 - Business readiness for growth 00:08:05 - Deal structure and development costs 00:08:53 - Working capital requirements 00:09:09 - Summary and next steps Follow Brecken Curtis: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breckenfinancebroker/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Brecken-Curtis/61575665536876/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brecken_curtis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brecken-curtis-8716323aa/ Seasoned Finance: https://seasonedfinance.com.au

  3. 12 Aug

    #042 - I've Seen 40% Cattle Price Drops Kill Good Farms (Make Sure Yours Isn't Next)

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled A sudden 40% drop in cattle prices can devastate even the strongest operations. In this episode, Brecken breaks down how to protect your farm from a market crash, from building a solid cash‑flow buffer to structuring debt for resilience and stress‑testing your business before trouble hits. You’ll hear: ◼️ Cash‑flow buffers and working capital management ◼️ Flexible loan structures and interest‑only periods ◼️ Stress‑testing your business for market swings ◼️ Real‑world examples from Australian beef producers Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:20 - Understanding a 40% Price Drop 00:01:15 - Real-World Example: Queensland 2016 Price Crash 00:01:57 - Immediate Impact on Cash Flow 00:02:41 - Importance of a Cash Flow Buffer 00:03:54 - Managing Working Capital Wisely 00:04:47 - Debt Structure Resilience 00:05:54 - Interest-Only Periods and Working Capital Facilities 00:06:54 - Stress Testing Your Business 00:08:51 - Mindset and Planning for Market Downturns Follow Brecken Curtis: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breckenfinancebroker/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Brecken-Curtis/61575665536876/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brecken_curtis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brecken-curtis-8716323aa/ Seasoned Finance: https://seasonedfinance.com.au

  4. 6 Aug

    #041 - Why Your Herd Records Are Worth More Than You Think at the Bank

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled Most producers think banks only care about land value and turnover. In reality, lenders prioritise detailed herd records, because they prove productivity, management skill and risk control. In this episode, Brecken breaks down exactly what banks want to see and how to present your data to secure better finance terms. ◼️ The herd metrics lenders actually assess ◼️ How to present pregnancy, weaning, mortality and weight‑gain data ◼️ Why storytelling with your numbers builds lender confidence ◼️ How to link herd performance to cash flow and profitability Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:25 - What Herd Records Banks Actually Assess 00:01:00 - Pregnancy Rates and Herd Fertility 00:02:13 - Weaning Rates and Calf Survival 00:03:21 - Mortality Rates and Risk Management 00:04:29 - Weight Gains and Productivity 00:05:31 - How to Present Herd Data to Lenders 00:06:20 - Using Graphs, Reports and Narratives 00:07:11 - Explaining Improvements and Management Decisions 00:08:23 - Linking Herd Performance to Financial Outcomes 00:09:03 - Free Call CTA 00:09:21 - How Herd Data Fits into a Finance Application 00:10:01 - Projecting Revenue from Herd Expansion 00:10:27 - Third‑Party Verification for Credibility 00:11:05 - Risk Mitigation and Contingency Planning 00:12:07 - Importance of Multi‑Year Records Follow Brecken Curtis: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breckenfinancebroker/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Brecken-Curtis/61575665536876/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brecken_curtis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brecken-curtis-8716323aa/ Seasoned Finance: https://seasonedfinance.com.au

  5. 4 Aug

    #040 - The Team Graziers Need To Succeed

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled Most graziers have an accountant, a lawyer and a bank manager, but none of them speak to each other. In this episode, Brecken breaks down why siloed advice is costing producers money, blocking growth and creating avoidable finance roadblocks. The operators who scale don’t just hire advisors; they build a coordinated strategic team. ◼️ Why siloed advice sabotages tax, lending and legal decisions ◼️ Who actually needs to be on your advisory team ◼️ Why the broker is the missing link that aligns everyone ◼️ How blind loyalty to the wrong advisor stalls growth Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:35 - The Silo Problem in Advisory Teams 00:01:00 - Conflicting Advice That Hurts Growth 00:01:53 - Decisions Made Without Cross‑Checking 00:02:20 - Aligning Advisors to Long‑Term Goals 00:02:41 - Example: Coordinated Team Unlocks Expansion 00:03:13 - Who Needs to Be on Your Advisory Team 00:03:25 - The Role of a Proactive Accountant 00:03:58 - Why You Need an Agricultural Lawyer 00:04:38 - The Broker as the Missing Link 00:05:11 - Example: Broker Aligns Accountant and Lawyer 00:05:50 - Ensuring Finance Matches Strategy 00:06:02 - When Loyalty Starts Costing You Money 00:06:38 - Loyalty to the Wrong Bank Manager 00:07:24 - Example: Better Terms After Switching Lenders 00:08:01 - Reviewing Advisor Performance 00:08:21 - Broker Loyalty to Business Outcomes 00:08:39 - Advisory Team as an Investment 00:09:11 - Upgrading Advisors When Needed 00:09:23 - Why You Need a Coordinated Specialist Team Follow Brecken Curtis: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breckenfinancebroker/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Brecken-Curtis/61575665536876/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brecken_curtis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brecken-curtis-8716323aa/ Seasoned Finance: https://seasonedfinance.com.au

  6. 29 July

    #039 - What Most Graziers Get Wrong About Structuring for Succession

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled Most succession plans fail long before the handover. Not because families can’t agree, but because the structure, expectations and documentation were never set up properly. In this episode, Brecken breaks down the biggest mistakes graziers make when planning succession, why assumptions destroy family operations, and how a documented deed and clear financial structure protect the farm for the next generation. ◼️ Why unspoken assumptions derail succession ◼️ Why every family needs a documented deed, not a verbal plan ◼️ How to structure off‑farm assets to avoid crippling buyouts Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:34 Unspoken Assumptions in Family Succession 00:01:35 Conflicting Expectations Between Siblings 00:02:32 Why Early Communication Prevents Disputes 00:03:06 Verbal Agreements vs Formal Documentation 00:03:24 Deed of Family Arrangement Explained 00:04:18 How Formal Deeds Strengthen Bank Confidence 00:04:58 Handling Off‑Farm Siblings Without Crushing Cash Flow 00:05:29 Building Off‑Farm Assets to Avoid Large Buyouts 00:06:06 Using Diversified Assets for Fair Succession 00:06:37 How Succession Impacts Borrowing Capacity 00:06:51 Succession Plans Must Be Flexible 00:07:05 Evolving Roles Across the Generations 00:08:02 Building the Next Generation’s Balance Sheet 00:08:31 Example: Gradual Ownership Transition 00:08:50 Why Advisory Boards Strengthen Succession 00:09:20 Governance, Accountability and Bank Confidence 00:10:18 Clear Communication, Documentation and Structure 00:10:38 Succession as a Business Strategy 00:10:51 Final Call to Structure Succession Properly Follow Brecken Curtis: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breckenfinancebroker/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Brecken-Curtis/61575665536876/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brecken_curtis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brecken-curtis-8716323aa/ Seasoned Finance: https://seasonedfinance.com.au

  7. 23 July

    #038 - Asset Rich, Cash Flow Tight: When Farm Value Works Against You

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled Land values have exploded across Australia, but most producers aren’t feeling wealthier. In this episode, Brecken breaks down the dangerous gap between rising farm valuations and tightening operating margins. Being asset rich and cash‑flow poor is one of the most risky positions in agriculture, and this episode shows why equity alone won’t fund expansion, succession or drought resilience. ◼️ Why high land values don’t translate into usable wealth ◼️ How tight margins block expansion and succession ◼️ How brokers turn static equity into working capital Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:32 Land Values vs Actual Profitability 00:01:01 Unrealised Equity and Tight Margins 00:01:34 The Psychological Trap of Feeling Wealthy on Paper 00:02:30 Expansion Risks When Cash Flow Falls Behind 00:03:28 Poor Structural Decisions During Expansion 00:03:47 Succession Problems Created by High Asset Values 00:04:21 Risk Management Limits When Cash Flow Is Tight 00:04:55 Why a Specialist Ag Broker Is Critical 00:05:11 Producer A vs Producer B: Equity vs Cash Flow 00:05:57 Cash Flow First Structuring 00:06:25 Unlocking Equity for Productivity Improvements 00:06:48 Scenario Planning and Debt Affordability 00:07:07 Structuring for Market and Climate Realities 00:07:28 Turning Land Value Into Operational Performance 00:07:58 Final Call to Restructure and Unlock Equity Follow Brecken Curtis: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breckenfinancebroker/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Brecken-Curtis/61575665536876/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brecken_curtis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brecken-curtis-8716323aa/ Seasoned Finance: https://seasonedfinance.com.au

  8. 21 July

    #037 - Most Graziers Don't Realise How Brokers Can Help

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled Farm succession doesn’t fail because families argue. It fails because the business structure and finance were never set up to support a handover. In this episode, Brecken breaks down the biggest myths in farm finance, why “fair” doesn’t mean equal, why loyalty to one bank can stall succession, and how the right debt structure can save the family farm. ◼️ Why equal splits collapse succession plans ◼️ How the wrong bank can block the next generation ◼️ Why flexibility beats chasing the cheapest rate Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:40 – Myth 1: The Fair Split That Destroys Succession 00:01:23 – Why Equal Doesn’t Mean Fair in Farming 00:02:19 – How Brokers Turn Equity Into Cash‑Flow‑Based Succession 00:02:48 – Staggered Buyouts: A Real Example of Succession Done Right 00:03:34 – Myth 2: Your Long‑Term Bank Will Support Succession 00:04:14 – When the Bank Won’t Back the Next Generation 00:04:52 – How Brokers Use Leverage, Not Loyalty 00:05:29 – Succession‑Friendly Lenders and Policies 00:05:53 – Myth 3: Chasing the Cheapest Interest Rate 00:06:20 – Why Cheap Rates Come With Dangerous Conditions 00:07:02 – Flexibility Matters More Than the Headline Rate 00:07:38 – How Brokers Negotiate Terms That Protect Cash Flow 00:07:56 – Myth 4: Wait Until Retirement to Sort Out Finance 00:08:17 – Starting Succession 5–10 Years Early 00:08:42 – Building Off‑Farm Assets and the Next Gen’s Credit History 00:09:11 – How Early Planning Makes Handover Smooth 00:09:25 – Government Grants You Miss If You Start Too Late 00:09:41 – Myth 5: One‑Size‑Fits‑All Loan Products 00:10:01 – Why Standard Loans Don’t Work for Succession 00:10:13 – Designing Bespoke Succession Finance Architecture 00:10:33 – Private Agri‑Credit Funds and Flexible Repayments 00:11:01 – Building Multi‑Facility Structures for Real‑World Cash Flow 00:11:13 – Succession Finance Must Match Family Goals 00:11:40 – Plan Early, Bust Myths, Protect the Legacy Follow Brecken Curtis: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breckenfinancebroker/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Brecken-Curtis/61575665536876/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brecken_curtis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brecken-curtis-8716323aa/ Seasoned Finance: https://seasonedfinance.com.au

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to Dollars in the Dirt with Brecken Curtis, the no-BS podcast for Australian farmers and graziers who want to grow their operations and build real wealth. Hosted by Brecken Curtis, Award Winning Agricultural Finance Broker, this podcast breaks down farm loans, property finance, and agribusiness lending strategies that actually work. From rural property loans to cattle station finance, you'll get straight answers on agricultural finance without the jargon. Each episode delivers practical insights on farm expansion, loan structuring, and navigating the finance challenges facing beef producers and graziers across regional Australia. If you're a rural grazier looking to secure more favourable loan conditions for your next expansion, this podcast is a game changer.

Information

  • Creator
    Seasoned Finance
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Seasoned Finance
  • Show Website
    Dollars In The Dirt

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