Dollars In The Dirt

Seasoned Finance
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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. Sep 3

    #047 - Vendor Finance Vs Lease With An Option Vs Debt Funding

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled Getting into the right rural property doesn’t always mean waiting years to save a bank‑sized deposit. In this episode, Brecken explains three pathways, vendor finance, lease with an option, and straight debt funding, showing how each works, who it suits, and the traps to avoid before signing. Whether you’re a younger producer starting out or an established grazier looking to expand, this breakdown gives you the practical framework to choose the right structure. ◼️ How vendor finance bridges the deposit gap ◼️ Why lease‑with‑option builds equity and trading history ◼️ When straight debt funding is the cleanest route Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:29 - Vendor finance explained 00:01:08 - How vendor finance bridges deposits 00:01:27 - Structuring vendor finance with banks 00:02:00 - Lease with option overview 00:02:19 - Building equity through leasing 00:02:53 - Legal complexity of lease with option 00:03:23 - Vendor perspective and legacy 00:03:50 - Negotiating option terms and protections 00:04:24 - Importance of records and valuations 00:04:43 - Straight debt funding overview 00:05:11 - Why banks prefer equity and history 00:05:26 - When straight debt suits established producers 00:06:05 - Structuring bank loans with advisors 00:06:40 - Key questions to choose the right route 00:07:07 - Three scenarios compared 00:07:40 - Role of brokers and presenting to lenders 00:08:06 - Planning the exit strategy 00:08:53 - Designing a refinance pathway 00:09:39 - Why stable ownership makes a bankable deal 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. Sep 1

    #046 - The First 5 Financial Moves to Make When You Inherit a Farm

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled Inheriting a farm doesn’t guarantee financial security. In this episode, Brecken breaks down the first five financial steps every new owner must take to protect their inheritance, avoid hidden pitfalls and set the business up for long‑term success. From uncovering the true debt position to separating family emotion from business decisions, this episode gives you the practical framework to take control early. ◼️ Assessing the real debt tied to the farm ◼️ Separating family emotion from business structure ◼️ Building working capital and the right advisory team Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:10 - Understanding Financial Obligations 00:01:24 - Assessing Debt Position 00:02:59 - Separating Family Emotion from Business 00:04:54 - Reviewing Banking Relationships 00:05:04 - Building a Working Capital Buffer 00:08:16 - Establishing an Advisory 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

  3. Aug 26

    #045 - While Property Crashes, Cattle Stations Hit Record Prices

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled Residential headlines are full of mortgage stress and falling values, but out in the paddock it’s a completely different story. In this episode, Brecken breaks down why cattle stations are hitting record prices, what’s driving the surge, and how producers can position themselves to take advantage of a market fuelled by productivity, institutional capital and long‑term demand. ◼️ Why agricultural land is defying the residential downturn ◼️ The buyers driving record‑breaking station sales ◼️ How producers can prepare and compete in a strong market Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:36 - Record‑breaking cattle station sales 00:01:23 - Major buyers and mega transactions 00:02:16 - Why agricultural land is defying the downturn 00:03:26 - Productivity‑based land valuation 00:04:52 - Global capital driving demand 00:05:55 - Herd rebuild and rising domestic demand 00:06:10 - How ag lending differs from residential lending 00:07:12 - Strong fundamentals keeping banks lending 00:07:22 - What this means for producers 00:08:38 - Reviewing and optimising your current debt 00:09:11 - Market professionalism and competition 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. Aug 20

    #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

  5. Aug 18

    #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

  6. Aug 12

    #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

  7. Aug 6

    #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

  8. Aug 4

    #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

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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
    47
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Seasoned Finance
  • Show Website
    Dollars In The Dirt

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