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. 1d ago

    #057 - Every Grazier Should Ask These Questions Before Buying The Block Next Door

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled The block next door can look like the perfect opportunity, but not every neighbouring property makes financial sense. In this episode, Brecken breaks down the practical, financial and strategic questions every grazier should answer before committing to a purchase, so growth strengthens the business rather than creating unnecessary pressure. ◼️ How to assess the true strategic value of a neighbouring property ◼️ The full cost of an acquisition beyond the purchase price ◼️ What lenders look for when assessing a farm expansion ◼️ How to structure debt, equity and working capital correctly ◼️ The warning signs that a deal may create more risk than value Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:24 - Strategic Value of the Block Next Door 00:01:50 - What the Purchase Actually Adds 00:02:38 - The True Cost Beyond the Purchase Price 00:03:07 - Emotion vs Financial Reality 00:04:08 - Can the Business Service the Debt? 00:05:26 - Building a Realistic Acquisition Budget 00:06:06 - Scenario Planning for Tough Seasons 00:06:28 - Structuring Debt the Right Way 00:07:47 - Using Equity Without Losing Flexibility 00:08:57 - Warning Signs to Watch For 00:09:57 - A Real Expansion Example 00:10:56 - Buying the Right Opportunity at the Right Time 00:11:07 - Questions Every Grazier Should Answer 00:12:01 - Final 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

  2. Oct 23

    #056 - 4 Ways to Use Farm Equity and Stop It Going To Waste

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled A rising farm valuation doesn’t automatically create financial freedom. In this episode, Brecken breaks down the difference between net worth, equity and cash flow, and explains why using farm equity for another property, a business, commercial real estate or shares requires more planning than most producers realise. ◼️ How to assess property, business, commercial property and share investments ◼️ Why cash flow matters more than asset values when taking on new debt ◼️ How to protect the farm while pursuing new opportunities Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:57 - Using Equity to Buy Another Farm 00:02:29 - Funding Development and Working Capital 00:03:00 - Using Farm Equity to Buy a Business 00:03:47 - Assessing Business Cash Flow and Risk 00:04:13 - Using Equity for Commercial Property 00:04:46 - Vacancy Risk and Farm Security 00:05:33 - Borrowing Against the Farm for Shares 00:06:11 - Why Equity Is Not Free Money 00:06:39 - Cash Flow Matters More Than Equity 00:07:09 - When Keeping Equity in Reserve Makes Sense 00:07:18 - What Lenders Need to See 00:07:45 - Building a Strong Lender Pack 00:08:04 - Final 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. Oct 20

    #055 - Suncorp Is Moving to ANZ, Do Graziers Need To Review Their Debt?

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled ANZ is moving Suncorp Bank customers onto its banking systems by June 2027, but that doesn’t mean you should panic or refinance immediately. In this episode, Brecken breaks down what the transition means for graziers, what lessons can be learned from past banking acquisitions, and how to review your debt structure before making any decisions. ◼️ What the ANZ and Suncorp Bank transition means for rural borrowers ◼️ Why reviewing your debt structure matters more than chasing a lower rate ◼️ How to assess your facilities, security, working capital and future plans ◼️ Lessons from the Landmark acquisition and why they still matter today ◼️ When staying, renegotiating or refinancing makes the most sense Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:32 - ANZ’s Suncorp Bank Transition Timeline 00:01:01 - What Changes and What Stays the Same 00:01:48 - Reviewing Your Lending Position Early 00:02:17 - Lessons From the Landmark Acquisition 00:03:30 - Why Banking Changes Need a Review 00:03:48 - Aligning Finance With Business Goals 00:04:24 - When Existing Loan Structures Stop Fitting 00:05:11 - Looking Beyond the Interest Rate 00:05:48 - The Real Cost of Switching Lenders 00:06:03 - Matching Finance to Growth Plans 00:06:24 - Stay, Refinance or Renegotiate 00:06:50 - Questions to Ask Your Broker 00:07:05 - What Suncorp Customers Should Review 00:07:35 - Comparing Current and Alternative Options 00:08:00 - How to Change Lenders Properly 00:08:12 - Final 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

  4. Oct 14

    #054 - If You’re a Grazier Applying For A Property Loan, Watch This

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled Before you start looking at another block, you need to know whether the bank can actually fund it. In this episode, Brecken breaks down the four things lenders look at before approving a property purchase, and how to position your application before you even start hunting. ◼️ Equity, security, cash flow and serviceability explained ◼️ How to present the business case behind a property purchase ◼️ The hidden costs that catch buyers out at settlement ◼️ Why lenders care more about cash flow than the property itself ◼️ When to start the finance process before making an offer Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:24 - Equity, Security, Cash Flow and Serviceability 00:01:00 - Showing Why the Purchase Makes Sense 00:02:09 - Explaining the Story Behind the Purchase 00:02:43 - Managing Properties in Another Region 00:03:40 - The Hidden Costs of Property Purchases 00:04:20 - Budgeting Beyond the Deposit 00:05:07 - Proving Serviceability to the Lender 00:05:33 - Forecasting Cash Flow for Expansion 00:06:40 - The Mistake of Starting Too Late 00:07:03 - Understanding Your Borrowing Capacity 00:07:26 - Why Finance Preparation Matters 00:07:47 - Getting Settlement Costs Right 00:08:16 - The Four Things Every Lender Looks For 00:08:41 - Final 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

  5. Oct 7

    #053 - Could Your Farm Survive El Nino? Run This Test.

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled Most producers think the hardest part of a drought is when the season first turns dry. In reality, the biggest financial pressure often comes later, when stock numbers are down, income is lower and lenders become more conservative. In this episode, Brecken breaks down how to build a practical drought plan that protects cash flow, preserves options and gives you confidence in the years that follow. ◼️ Why destocking can create a false sense of financial security ◼️ How to forecast cash flow through the next 12–18 months ◼️ Building drought triggers, fallback options and facility headroom ◼️ Planning for herd rebuilds, lower income and lender reviews ◼️ Why written drought plans create better conversations with banks Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:25 - Why Drought Cash Flow Can Be Misleading 00:01:23 - Forecasting the Next 12 to 18 Months 00:02:15 - Choosing Your Drought Strategy 00:03:07 - Adjustment vs Sell‑Down Decisions 00:03:31 - Setting Drought Triggers and Rules 00:03:51 - Building a Realistic Drought Cash Flow 00:04:23 - Talking to Your Lender Early 00:05:04 - Checking Facility Headroom 00:05:23 - Review Dates and Overdraft Pressure 00:05:58 - Managing Finance Through a Dry Period 00:06:47 - Writing Triggers and Fallback Plans 00:07:35 - Water Infrastructure and Resilience 00:08:18 - The Rebuild Is Often the Hardest Part 00:08:31 - Building a Complete Drought Plan 00:08:56 - Final 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. Oct 1

    #052 - 5 Things Farmers Should Know About Structuring Debt

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://use.seasonedfinance.com.au/pod-ep52 As your farm business grows, the structure that got you here may not be the structure that gets you where you want to go. In this episode, Brecken breaks down how ownership, income, debt and succession all connect, and why reviewing your structure before a major move can save time, money and frustration. ◼️ How growth can expose weaknesses in your current structure ◼️ Why accountants, solicitors and brokers all need the same picture ◼️ How business structure impacts lending, succession and future expansion Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:29 - Reviewing Your Current Farm Structure 00:00:50 - How Growth Changes the Right Structure 00:01:13 - Why Lenders Need a Clear Ownership Story 00:01:59 - Mapping Your Current Structure on One Page 00:02:34 - Aligning Accountants, Solicitors and Brokers 00:03:14 - Family Partnerships and Tax Considerations 00:03:42 - Why There Is No Universal Structure 00:03:58 - Structure, Succession and Liability Risks 00:04:38 - Why Structure and Lending Must Align 00:05:07 - Explaining Changes to Your Lender Early 00:05:54 - Succession as a Trigger for Structure Reviews 00:06:35 - The Right Advisors for Growth and Succession 00:06:45 - Expansion and Property Purchase Planning 00:07:00 - The Myth of a Magic Turnover Number 00:07:14 - Creating a Structure Review Rhythm 00:07:50 - Why Early Reviews Prevent Delays 00:08:13 - Final Takeaways on Farm Structures 00:08:47 - Finance Support 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

  7. Sep 29

    #051 - Before You Change Enterprise, Watch This

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://use.seasonedfinance.com.au/pod-ep51 Changing enterprise can unlock growth, but chasing the highest commodity price isn't always the smartest move. In this episode, Brecken breaks down the framework producers should use before switching enterprises, including country fit, gross margins, timing, cash flow and the true cost of making the change. ◼️ How to compare gross margins across different enterprises ◼️ The full cost of switching, beyond just buying new livestock ◼️ Why timing, cash flow and market premiums can make or break the decision ◼️ How to test whether an enterprise genuinely suits your country ◼️ What lenders need to see before funding an enterprise change Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:24 - Country Fit and Gross Margin Analysis 00:01:15 - Comparing Enterprises Properly 00:02:00 - The Full Cost of Changing Enterprise 00:02:46 - Mapping the Changeover Period 00:03:19 - Timing Risk and Market Premiums 00:03:43 - Goat Market Boom and Bust Example 00:04:37 - Cash Flow During the Transition 00:05:22 - Funding the Gap Before Income Arrives 00:05:45 - The Risk of Staying Stuck 00:06:22 - Questions to Ask Before Switching 00:06:50 - The Enterprise Change Framework 00:07:03 - What Lenders Need to See 00:07:30 - Explaining the Transition to Funders 00:08:06 - Testing the Change Properly 00:08:28 - Opportunity vs Risk 00:09:11 - Lessons From the Goat Market 00:09:28 - Examples of Successful Enterprise Changes 00:09:45 - Finance Planning and Final Summary 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. Sep 23

    #050 - Your Farm Loan Will Be Rejected If You Do These 4 Things

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://use.seasonedfinance.com.au/pod-ep50 A strong property and a good story won’t get a farm loan approved if the fundamentals don’t stack up. In this episode, Brecken breaks down the four most common reasons agricultural loan applications get knocked back, and what producers need to fix before they apply. ◼️ Why weak cash flow forecasts and poor supporting schedules raise red flags ◼️ How security, deposits and overall equity impact approval chances ◼️ Why unpaid ATO, BAS, PAYG and super obligations can stop a deal cold Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:56 - Mistake 1: Cash Flow & Serviceability 00:07:24 - Building a Strong Finance Pack 00:08:18 - Mistake 2: Security & Deposit Requirements 00:12:33 - Mistake 3: Overall Equity Position 00:16:20 - Mistake 4: Statutory Obligations & Character 00:20:11 - How to Avoid a Rejected Application 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
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Seasoned Finance
  • Show Website
    Dollars In The Dirt

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