Australian Farmers: Telling Our Story Angie Asimus

Mum, wife and bull catcher are roles you don’t often see on the same resume. But my guest today does all three in the Northern Territory. Liz Cook is an outback ringer, which means she wrangles feral cattle for a living. Bull catching can be a lucrative business with hundreds of thousands of wild bulls and buffalo wandering remote properties across the country unclaimed. It is tough, it’s dangerous and it’s isolated. To learn more about this high stakes world, Liz Cook joins me now to discuss:
Liz is based on Bauhinia (bo-hin-ya) Downs Station and, her favourite place on the land. The distance is vast, for some perspective, the closest shop Darwin is more than 10 hours away. Originally from New Zealand, Liz shares how she became a ringer in outback Australia. Liz and her husband, lease land for the right to catch feral bulls and ultimately are able to make a living that way. We’re given a picture of how the feral buffalo, cattle and wild horses got there and, why there is a need to catch them. The environmental impact of these feral cattle herds is huge, particularly in our National Parks where they roam free. These animals have never seen humans before and therefore can be quite dangerous and, the best-case scenarios for capturing them. These animals need to be in good condition if Liz is going to then raise and then sell them. She shares how they define these characteristics. The community is in need of this service, and Liz explains who they contract to. What Liz loves most about this lifestyle. The most unexpected thing to happen in her time as an Outback Ringer. A common misconception about her work. The ultimate dream for the future for Liz and her family. We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.
 
Links:
Angie Asimus
Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram
Partnered with Australian Farmers 
Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram 
 
WATCH ‘Outback Ringer’ in iView
Follow @lizcooknt on Instagram
 
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If you’re a dog lover, you’d be no stranger to the impressive intelligence, agility and loyalty of working dogs. But these special animals gained a whole new fan club with the hit TV series Muster Dogs. Today I speak with the owner of star pup Gossip. There is a lot to breeding these amazing canines that are so highly sought after on farms that some are worth a small fortune. Happily, for those of us who don’t own one, Teesh Grey from Pilbara Working Dogs photographs life on her outback station for us all to enjoy. We discuss:
Teesh’s favorite place on the land. Working dogs weren’t always her thing and she shares how she started. The most famous of Teesh’s dogs is Gossip who had a starring role in Muster Dogs. Teesh gives us an update on how she is going now. Working dogs are so valuable to farmers often doing the work of several people. The Australian record for a working dog is $50 000 and Teesh explains why this is actually a good investment. The most common working dogs are border collies and kelpies and, Teesh’s preferred breed. In her spare time Teesh is a photographer taking gorgeous photos of the kelpies. What she loves most about life on the land. The most unexpected thing to happen in the running of the station. A common misconception about working with dogs on the land. Teesh’s ultimate dream for the future We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus
 
Links:
Angie Asimus
Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram
Partnered with Australian Farmers 
Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram 
 
Pilbara Working Dogs
 
 
 
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The humble orange finds its way into most fruit bowls at some stage during the year. We know it’s a powerhouse for immune boosting Vitamin C. But there’s so much more to citrus than many of us know. What better way to find out than with a farmer who grows 14 different varieties. And for a fruit that is usually purchased for its flesh, not its skin, why then is preventing blemishes such a big investment? To learn more, Michael Arnold from South Australia’s Pyap Produce joins me to discuss:
Michael’s favourite place on the citrus orchard near Loxton in South Australia’s Riverland. The history of the family farm as Michael’s father used to be a dairy farmer and bought the place about 20 years ago. He is growing 7 types of oranges, 5 varieties of mandarins and 2 lemon varieties and, the advantage of having such depth in the orchard. Some of the varieties are not just orange in colour but red and pink and, Michael explains how we arrive at these different colours. Outside of colour, different varieties of citrus produce different vitamins, separate from the commonly known Vitamin C. Despite the fact that most of us throw away the peel of citrus, Michael shares why he has invested so heavily in technology to stop blemishes. Harvesting citrus is conducted by hand and the skill required to become a citrus picker. What Michael loves most about life on the land. Common misconceptions about citrus and his work The most unexpected thing to happen in the citrus business. Michael’s favorite way to eat his fruit. The ultimate dream for the future.  
We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.
 
Links:
Angie Asimus
Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram
Partnered with Australian Farmers 
Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram 
 
 
South Australia’s Pyap Produce
 
 
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** Trigger Warning** 
In this episode, we do talk about suicide, which can be distressing. If you need resources or support go to beyondblue.org or for 24 hour free counselling in Australia, the number for Lifeline is 13 11 14.
Leila McDougall wears many hats – not just an Akubra. As well as being a farmer, she’s a mother, a teacher, a writer, producer, actor and former Miss Australia. Most recently she’s harnessed all those skills to become a mental health advocate in a self-funded film called ‘Just a Farmer’ which is currently being shown in regional cinemas. Her motivation is to inspire a better conversation around mental health, with her young children at the heart of what she does. To learn more Leila McDougall joins me now to discuss:
Leila’s favourite place on her farm in Victoria’s west. ‘Just A Farmer’, the movie is beautifully shot but, also has a powerful message behind it. As a teacher, Leila decided on making a film rather than a documentary based on her own experience of what people engage with. The film has a great cast, including the wonderful Robert Taylor among others and, she shares what was it like to work with such a team. Leila wrote, produced and starred in the film -  she plays a newly widowed mother of two, left in the care of an alcoholic father in law. If the viewer was to take home one message what Leila would want that to be? “Just talk”. The trailer ends on this quote: “An Australian farmer dies by suicide every 10 days. Farming – the most important job in the world.” This powerful statistic and how it shows a real problem laid bare – and Leila shares what motivated her to share this message. Growing up in the country and now living on a farm, she imparts her wisdom and git to her children. There are so many hard things about farming and the film tackles a lot of that – isolation, debt, shame and, how ‘just talking’ can make the difference. Leila’s favourite thing about this life on the land. The most unexpected thing to happen in the making of the movie. The most common misconception about farmers. The ultimate dream for the future. We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.
 
Links:
Angie Asimus
Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram
Partnered with Australian Farmers 
Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram 
 
Just A Farmer
 
 
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The humble cabbage may not often receive the kudos it deserves. But for one couple who swapped the hustle and bustle of Sydney for the pristine pastures of Tasmania, these cruciferous vegetables are a hero ingredient. Tom and Sue Glynn might be new to farming but the art of turning cabbage into kimchi is something that’s been passed down for generations. Now, they’re giving customers the chance to do it too with on-farm workshops. The woman behind KimchiME joins me now to discuss: 
Sue’s favourite place on her farm and, falling in love with the land.  Deciding on where to move from away from Sydney, it was between New Zealand and Tasmania so, they flipped a coin!  Although the Kimchi recipe was known for generations, farming was fairly new to both Tom and Sue.  Kimchi is a staple Korean cuisine with many different varieties however, the most common is made with cabbage.  Sue shares with us how she came to be a farmer and, how she learnt how to make kimchi from family knowledge. Sharing her recipe online, while diversifying the business with workshops. Sue has two hectares of certified organic land which was prepared by hand!  Tom’s role in the business and why they chose to create a chemical-free product. Sue uses low-cost traditional JADAM Korean soil improvement, and as a result, was nominated for organic grower of the year.  Using organic and chemical-free practices to control pests, like garlic and soap.  Traditionally, Kimchi is made with cabbage, but Sue has made some tweaks to the recipe using root vegetables.  What Sue and Tom love most about the farming life, compared to the hustle of the city.  The most common misconception about life on the land.  Sue’s ultimate dream for the future of KimchiME.   
We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.
 
Links:
Angie Asimus 
Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram
Partnered with Australian Farmers 
Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram 
 
 
KimchiME
Follow @kimchimetas on Instagram
 
 
Produced by Pretty Podcasts
 

Not all farm animals are soft like woolly sheep or docile like grazing cows. Some in fact, would eat you, if given the chance. Crocodile farming is not for the faint-hearted and today we’re catching up with the family who established Queensland’s first commercial crocodile farm in 1981. Croc leather, meat and tours are growing in popularity. But this niche enterprise certainly has its challenges from feeding 3000 reptiles to housing them. To learn more about the croc business, Lauren Lever of Koorana Crocodile Farm joins me now to discuss:
 
Lauren’s favourite place on the crocodile farm.  Koorana Crocodile Farm provides educational tours, which is where Lauren’s passion lies.  As a farm, they also produce the increasingly popular crocodile meat, as a light white meat and leather.  Lauren shares some common crocodile behaviours and her tips if you were to encounter a crocodile out in the wild. She shares the diet of a crocodile and why she considers the farm a ‘meat recycling plant.’ How farming crocodiles assists with conservation of the wild population. They are surprisingly picky eaters and extremely territorial and how they manage this on the farm.  How the different seasons of weather impact the temperament of the crocodiles.  Koorana Crocodile Farm is one of the last Australian owned crocodile farms in this country and some of the challenges of running a crocodile farm.  Some of the crocs, like Buka and Rocky, have become family to Lauren. Some crocodiles can live 100 years and the impact these animals have had on the local community as well as the emotional attachments formed over time.  The Australian Crocodile meat and leather industry.  The seasonal work from nesting, hatching, grading and breeding.  Lauren’s favourite thing about crocodile farming and, learning to read the animals’ behaviours.  Lauren shares some unexpected moments on the farm.  The biggest misconceptions around crocodile farming.  Lauren’s ultimate dream for the future.  
We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.
 
 
Links:
Angie Asimus
Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram
Partnered with Australian Farmers 
Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram 
 
Koorana Crocodile Farm
 
Produced by Pretty Podcasts