Dollars In The Dirt

Seasoned Finance
  • 0.0 (0)
  • 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. 2d ago

    #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

  2. Jul 23

    #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

  3. Jul 21

    #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

  4. Jul 15

    #036 - What Ag Debt/Finance Structures Should Look Like At $1M, $5M and $15M

    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 breaks down how agricultural finance structures must evolve as your business scales. The loan setup that works at $1M will choke your growth at $5M, and the structure at $5M will fail completely at $15M. This is a practical walkthrough of the traps, the leverage points, and the structures top operators use to expand without strangling cash flow. ◼️ The $1M structure: off‑farm income reliance and long loan terms ◼️ The $5M structure: separating land debt, working capital and equipment finance ◼️ The $15M structure: corporate‑level facilities, lender diversification and risk management Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:37 What $1M Finance Should Actually Look Like 00:02:03 The Trap: $1M Loans Take the Same Work as $15M Loans 00:03:03 Why Loan Terms Must Stretch to 25–30 Years 00:03:28 What $5M Finance Should Look Like 00:04:26 Separating Land Debt from Working Capital 00:04:47 The Trap: Buying Land Without Stocking It 00:05:22 Why Loyalty to Your First Bank Can Cost You 00:05:45 Equipment Finance Mistakes That Kill Equity 00:06:29 Why Equipment Finance Must Be Separated at Scale 00:07:05 Master Limits for Machinery 00:07:46 What $15M Finance Should Look Like 00:08:08 Corporate‑Level Structures and Multiple Facilities 00:09:14 The Trap: Cross‑Collateralisation Across All Properties 00:09:53 Splitting Debt Across Multiple Lenders 00:10:13 Why Trusts and Companies Matter at $15M 00:10:48 Your Debt Structure Must Evolve as You Grow 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. Jul 9

    #035 - The TRUTH About Scale, Finance and Risk in Modern Agriculture

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled In this reaction episode, Brecken breaks down the biggest misconceptions in agriculture, from land price spikes to why scale only works when the foundations of a farming business are strong. He unpacks why good operators grow, how poor finance structures hold producers back, and why doubling acres without the right systems is a recipe for disaster. ◼️ Why big operators grow because they are good, not because they start big ◼️ How weak financial information leads to bad deals and missed opportunities ◼️ Why expansion fails when the foundations, systems and family structure are not ready Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:20 Why Lamb Prices Don’t Make Farmers Rich 00:00:27 Big Operators Grow Because They Are Good 00:02:24 The Bank Gap and Half‑Prepared Financials 00:03:43 Real Estate Security and Operating Loan Risks 00:05:32 Succession, Marriage Breakdowns and 25% Estate Loss 00:06:45 Policy Ambiguity and Government Barriers in Agriculture 00:09:54 Big Balance Sheets, Equity Traps and Bank Over‑Lending 00:11:13 Why Doubling Acres Without Foundations Fails 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. Jul 7

    #034 - Buying Grass, Not Dirt: When Season Drives the Market

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled Across southern Queensland and New South Wales, producers aren’t chasing expansion, they’re chasing grass. In this episode, Brecken breaks down why the market has shifted from strategic land buys to desperate feed buys, the hidden costs that can cripple your balance sheet, and how the right finance structure gives you breathing room when the season turns against you. ◼️ The real financial risk of buying multi million dollar blocks purely for feed ◼️ Why adjustment often preserves capital better than emergency property purchases ◼️ How flexible finance facilities protect your herd and your long‑term borrowing capacity Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:17 Shift From Buying Dirt to Buying Grass 00:01:51 Lenders’ Caution on Feed‑Driven Purchases 00:02:47 Hidden Costs of Buying a Relief Block 00:04:44 Cost Comparison, Buying vs Adjustment 00:05:57 Break‑Even Modelling 00:08:12 Opportunity Cost of Capital 00:09:36 Protecting Borrowing Capacity 00:10:13 Buying Property Is a 20‑Year Decision 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. Jul 1

    #033 - What The Budget Means For Graziers

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled The latest federal budget is shaping up to hit graziers harder than most realise. Changes around trust structures and capital gains tax could directly affect how you expand, restructure or hand the farm to the next generation. In this episode, Brecken breaks down what the announcements mean for agricultural businesses, why freezing your operation is the most dangerous response, and how the right finance structure protects your borrowing capacity. ◼️ How trust changes could trigger lending reviews and impact expansion ◼️ Why rising CGT exposure is forcing families to sell core assets ◼️ The finance strategy that keeps your operation flexible while policy shifts Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:42 - Tax Grab Concerns 00:01:46 - ATO's View on Trusts 00:02:07 - Impact on Finance and Lending 00:02:28 - Waiting for Legislation Finalization 00:03:09 - Capital Gains Tax Issues 00:03:52 - CGT and Succession Planning 00:04:12 - Impact of CGT on Commercial Decisions 00:04:54 - Freezing Operations vs. Moving Forward 00:05:46 - Controlling Your Balance Sheet 00:06:07 - Building a Financial Fortress 00:06:50 - Role of a Finance Broker 00:07:11 - Planning Around Major Transactions 00:07:53 - Coordinating with Advisors 00:08:13 - Managing Tax Liabilities 00:08:25 - Absorbing Tax Hits 00:08:46 - Rising Asset Values 00:08:57 - Reviewing Your Structure 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. Jun 25

    #032 - Full Stock From Day One or Build Slowly? I Ran The Numbers.

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled Most producers think keeping debt low is the safest move, but running a multi million dollar property at 30% capacity is one of the fastest ways to drain cash flow. In this episode, Brecken breaks down the real numbers behind fully stocking on day one, the hidden cost of slow build strategies, and why the right livestock facility changes everything. ◼️ How understocking quietly destroys cash flow ◼️ Why fully stocking can outperform conservative debt plans ◼️ The finance structure that keeps land equity free and production funded Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:20 - Fear of Debt vs. Fear of Unproductive Assets 00:00:30 - Fully Stocking a Property on Day One 00:01:02 - Production and Revenue from Full Stocking 00:01:43 - Structuring Finance for Maximum Productivity 00:02:04 - Establishing Strong Cash Flow 00:02:15 - Building Slowly: The Conservative Approach 00:02:36 - Hidden Costs of Running Under Capacity 00:03:08 - Market Risks of Slow Herd Building 00:03:29 - Aligning Production with Market Conditions 00:03:40 - Operational Inefficiency of Understocking 00:04:12 - Importance of Proper Finance Structure 00:04:43 - Livestock Funding Facilities 00:05:04 - Presenting Cashflow Projections to Banks 00:05:25 - Building Flexibility into Loan Structures 00:05:46 - Using Debt as a Tool for Expansion 00:06:07 - Conclusion and Call to Action 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

See All (39)

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
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Seasoned Finance
  • Show Website
    Dollars In The Dirt