DIGGING DEEPER - AG CHATS WITH AL

Gippsland Agricultural Group Inc
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Real farmers, real conversations, practical insights and inspiring stories.Join Al Micallef and special guests to help unlock your farm's production potential. Whether it's in relation to drought or economic shifts, this podcast is your go-to for developing resilience in agriculture. This podcast is made possible by the Future Drought Fund Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program co-funded by the Victorian and Australian Governments.

  1. DIGGING DEEPER - Lily McCole: A Young Farmer's Perspective on Modern Agriculture

    1D AGO

    DIGGING DEEPER - Lily McCole: A Young Farmer's Perspective on Modern Agriculture

    Send us a text In this episode of Digging Deeper, the host interviews Lily McCole, a young farmer from Swifts Creek who has recently gone viral for her event recap on the Youth Agritech Expo. Lily shares her experiences growing up on a family farm, managing a diverse range of animals, and the challenges faced in modern farming. She also discusses her viral social media moment, organising the Youth Agritech Expo, and her aspirations for a future in farming and real estate. Despite her young age, Lily showcases impressive knowledge and dedication to agriculture while considering the role of technology in its future development. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:58 Going Viral: The Agritech Expo 02:01 Life on the Family Farm 05:31 Challenges of Running a Farm 07:23 Starting a Sheep Stud 10:40 Life as a Young Farmer 13:41 Working in Shearing Teams 14:34 The Rewards and Challenges of Shearing 15:06 Best Sheds for Food 15:47 Learning to Shear 16:15 Industry Changes and Shearing Rates 17:01 Experiences as a Young Female in Shearing 18:38 Favorite Job in the Shearing Shed 19:10 Future in Farming and Real Estate 21:52 Hobbies and Downtime 22:29 Youth Agritech Expo Involvement 27:45 Future of Agriculture and Technology 28:45 Surprising Student Engagement

    30 min
  2. DIGGING DEEPER - From Droughts to Livestock: Conversation with Brad Obst

    OCT 9

    DIGGING DEEPER - From Droughts to Livestock: Conversation with Brad Obst

    Send us a text In this episode of Digging Deeper, host Alister welcomes experienced stock agent Brad Obst to discuss the unfolding season in East Gippsland and the broader livestock industry. Brad shares his journey from growing up in Melbourne to becoming a prominent figure in the livestock sector, detailing his experiences, including a notable educational tour to the USA. The conversation covers topics such as early weaning, strategic selling, and feeding decisions, emphasising the importance of planning for tough seasons and the emotional aspects of decision-making in farming. Brad also provides advice for young farmers, stressing the importance of family time and realistic planning. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:13 Brad's Background and Early Life 01:52 Career Journey and Current Role 04:05 Insights from the US Livestock Tour 08:21 Challenges in the Livestock Industry 10:01 Current Season and Market Conditions 14:48 Strategies for Managing Stock 17:23 Pushing Young Cows and Culling Strategies 17:43 Stocking Rates and Seasonal Preparations 18:40 Predictions and Market Opportunities 21:04 Sheep Market Insights 22:13 Client Relationships and Emotional Decisions 32:03 Advice for Young Farmers 33:35 Final Thoughts and Farewell

    34 min
  3. DIGGING DEEPER - From Cattle to Crops: Navigating Gippsland's Agricultural Shifts

    OCT 2

    DIGGING DEEPER - From Cattle to Crops: Navigating Gippsland's Agricultural Shifts

    Send us a text In this episode of 'Digging Deeper,' Alistair from Gippsland Ag Group welcomes regular guest Morgan Davies from Elders to discuss the current state of the livestock market. They cover topics such as the recent sale of cattle in Barnawartha, seasonal market conditions, cattle and sheep price trends, and processing details for various livestock classes in Victoria. They also touch on how farming seasons can change rapidly, the impact on producers, and the importance of looking after each other's well-being in the farming community. The episode wraps up with Q&A on processing plants and livestock buyer dynamics. 00:00 Introduction to Digging Deeper Season Two 00:43 Guest Introduction: Morgan Davies from Elders 01:01 Cattle Sales and Market Insights 02:17 Weekend Activities and Family Life 02:49 Hat Delivery and Upcoming Guest 03:42 Seasonal Shifts and Market Trends 04:37 Hay and Grain Market Dynamics 05:58 Cattle Prices and Market Conditions 10:08 Sheep and Lamb Market Overview 12:59 Processing Questions and Industry Insights 13:28 Challenges in Regional Victoria's Meat Processing 13:34 Distribution of Meat Processing Plants 15:05 Export and Domestic Meat Processing 16:16 Midfield's Dominance in the Market 18:16 Buyer Competition and Market Dynamics 20:44 Optimal Livestock for Market 23:36 Changes in Livestock Size and Efficiency 24:34 Importance of Livestock Temperament 27:10 Final Thoughts and Seasonal Reflections

    30 min
  4. DIGGING DEEPER - Bull and Ram Health: Expert Tips and Practices with Vet Chelsea

    SEP 25

    DIGGING DEEPER - Bull and Ram Health: Expert Tips and Practices with Vet Chelsea

    Send us a text In this episode of 'Digging Deeper,' host Al sits down with Chelsea to discuss the latest developments and best practices in managing bulls and rams for breeding. Chelsea highlights the increased workload in the business and delves into various veterinary procedures and observations, including bull testing, body condition scoring, and addressing common reproductive issues such as malpresentations, uterine twists, and episiotomies. The conversation also covers seasonal impacts on cattle management, importance of pre-joining body condition for bulls, practical tips for bull and ram vaccination, drenching, and social grouping ahead of breeding seasons. The episode concludes with a brief discussion on Ram testing, highlighting similarities and differences with bull management, and underscores the importance of proper nutrition, foot care, and structural soundness for optimal reproductive performance. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:53 Current Busy Season 02:00 Challenges in Calving 04:44 Bull Testing and Pre-Joining Conditions 07:31 Semen Quality and Body Condition 12:47 Structural Issues in Bulls 17:37 Vaccinations and Biosecurity 23:26 Bull Nutrition and Management 25:39 Reducing Stress in Animal Transport 26:47 Bull Ratios and Paddock Size 27:57 Selecting Bulls for Breeding 29:34 Bull Morphology Testing 30:52 Challenges with Young Bulls 32:24 Retesting Bulls and Morphology 34:41 Rams: Body Condition and Health 38:28 Drenching and Shearing Rams 41:04 Rams: Social Grouping and Ratios 44:26 Surprising Dairy Statistics

    47 min
  5. DIGGING DEEPER - Exploring Soil Science and Resilience with Joel Williams

    SEP 18

    DIGGING DEEPER - Exploring Soil Science and Resilience with Joel Williams

    Send us a text In the latest episode of Digging Deeper, host Alistair from the Gippsland Ag Group welcomes Joel Williams, an independent educator specializing in soil science, to discuss the intricacies of soil health, nutrient management, and sustainable farming practices. Joel shares his international experiences from Canada, insights on the renewed interest in soil biology, and practical advice for leveraging soil chemistry and physics for better farming outcomes. The episode covers the importance of organic amendments like chicken litter, the benefits of compost extracts, and strategies for effective nitrogen foliar sprays. Joel also addresses common misconceptions about regenerative agriculture and highlights the benefits of a mixed-species approach in farming. This episode offers valuable knowledge for farmers looking to improve soil health and build more resilient and profitable agricultural enterprises. 00:00 Introduction to Digging Deeper Ag 00:43 Meet Joel Williams: Our First International Guest 01:06 Joel's Journey: From Australia to Canada 01:47 The Importance of Soil Science 04:16 Linking Soil Chemistry, Physics, and Biology 06:04 Making Science Practical for Farmers 07:38 Independent Education and Practical Applications 09:20 Farm Visits and Real-World Applications 12:15 The Role of Chicken Manure in Soil Health 14:23 Compost Teas vs. Compost Extracts 18:38 Foliar Sprays and Nitrogen Management 22:50 Understanding Contaminants in Spray Tank Water 23:28 The Role of Carbon Sources in Nitrogen Stabilization 24:26 Optimizing Spray pH for Better Nutrient Uptake 25:14 Importance of High Humidity and Spray Rates 26:24 Debunking the Myth: More Species in a Mix 28:40 Balancing Biology and Chemistry in Soil Health 32:12 Regen vs. Conventional Systems: Finding Common Ground 35:23 Economic Benefits of Soil Health: Short-term vs. Long-term 38:39 Surprising Learnings and Final Thoughts

    44 min
  6. DIGGING DEEPER - Rams, Risks & Resilience: A Journey with the Pendergasts

    SEP 11

    DIGGING DEEPER - Rams, Risks & Resilience: A Journey with the Pendergasts

    Send us a text In this episode of Digging Deeper, Jackie and Kelvin Pendergast discuss their experiences and insights into sheep breeding and farming life. The couple recently participated in the Gippsland Stud Merino Breeders ram sale, achieving remarkable success with an impressive clearance rate and top price ram. They share the history of their farm and their journey in sheep breeding, including their unique approach to maintaining quality genetics and dealing with challenges like drought, wildfires, and wild dogs. The episode also touches on personal anecdotes, such as a significant injury Kelvin endured and how they have adapted their farm operations over time to improve safety and efficiency. This episode offers a blend of personal stories and professional advice, highlighting the resilience and dedication required in the farming industry. 00:00 Introduction and Special Guests 00:53 Recap of the Gippsland Sheep Breeders Association Ram Sale 02:49 Top Price Ram and Client Success 05:15 Background of Jackie and Kelvin Penas 09:51 Starting the Farm and Early Challenges 10:41 Expansion and Diversification of the Farm 13:17 Drought Challenges and Hay Storage 18:57 Establishing the Panara Stud 27:45 Introduction to Gibson Ag's New Venue 27:57 Success and Feedback from the New Venue 29:28 Challenges and Solutions in Sheep Farming 29:45 The Impact of Yoni's Disease 32:56 Vaccination Practices and Challenges 35:55 Wild Dogs and Electric Fencing 39:57 Bushfire Experiences and Preparations 47:48 A Close Call in the Yards 54:43 Family Stories and Reflections 56:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    58 min
  7. DIGGING DEEPER - Gippsland Wool and Cattle Chronicles with Morgs & Madi

    SEP 4

    DIGGING DEEPER - Gippsland Wool and Cattle Chronicles with Morgs & Madi

    Send us a text In this episode of 'Digging Deeper,' Al welcomes two guests, Morgan Davies and Madi Gallagher. Morgan reflects on his recent visit to the Leongatha cattle sales, while Madi shares her background as the District Wool Manager in Gippsland. Madi discusses the recent Gippsland Breeders Merino sale, noting its success despite market challenges. The conversation shifts to the wool industry, where Madi outlines market trends, including the impact of feeding practices on wool micron levels. The discussion then moves to the cattle and sheep markets, where Morgan highlights significant trends, including rising cattle prices and the impact of the season on lamb prices. Light-hearted banter and interesting facts about collective nouns add a touch of humor to the episode. 00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Guests 01:05 Meet Madi Gallagher: District Wool Manager 01:36 Madi's Background and Career Journey 03:14 Recent Land Purchase and Future Plans 04:28 Gippsland Breeders Merino Sale Recap 08:57 Wool Industry Predictions and Challenges 10:40 Cattle Market Trends and Predictions 13:38 Market Trends for Feedlot and Restock Cattle 14:39 Sheep Market Insights and Pricing Trends 16:41 Wool Market Developments and Sales 20:34 Interesting Facts and Final Thoughts

    26 min
  8. DIGGING DEEPER - Young Ambition: Taylor Dennett's Journey in Agriculture

    AUG 27

    DIGGING DEEPER - Young Ambition: Taylor Dennett's Journey in Agriculture

    Send us a text In this episode of Digging Deeper, the host welcomes Taylor, the youngest guest so far at just 15 years old. Taylor, who lives on a farm and has a deep-rooted passion for agriculture, shares her early memories of farm life, including feeding a neighbour's calf at the age of four. She discusses her involvement in cattle showing, working at a dairy, and managing her own stud, Lookout Angus. Taylor aims to study agriculture at Marcus Oldham College after completing a 12-month farm placement through the Ag Career Start program. She talks about the challenges and benefits of being a young person in the agricultural industry and her future aspirations for her stud. The episode closes with Taylor sharing a surprising fact about the influence of diet and genetics on the color of fat in meat. 00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement 01:10 Taylor's Early Interest in Agriculture 01:36 Memories from the Farm 02:31 School Life and Farm Responsibilities 03:18 Cattle Showing Beginnings 05:29 Building a Stud and Future Plans 11:14 Daily Routine and Farm Operations 12:30 New Heifers and Property Locations 12:59 Flood Management Strategies 13:37 Interest in Marcus Oldham College 15:46 Career Aspirations in the Stud Industry 17:06 Challenges and Benefits for Young People in Agriculture 19:26 Agriculture and Education 23:21 Extracurricular Activities and Hobbies 24:56 Surprising Facts About Meat and Animal Diets 26:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    28 min
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About

Real farmers, real conversations, practical insights and inspiring stories.Join Al Micallef and special guests to help unlock your farm's production potential. Whether it's in relation to drought or economic shifts, this podcast is your go-to for developing resilience in agriculture. This podcast is made possible by the Future Drought Fund Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program co-funded by the Victorian and Australian Governments.

Information

  • Creator
    Gippsland Agricultural Group Inc
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 DIGGING DEEPER - AG CHATS WITH AL
  • Show Website
    DIGGING DEEPER - AG CHATS WITH AL

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