Seeds for Success

Central West Local Land Services

Seeds for Success is a show where we have a good yarn about ag life with producers who are having a go. On the show, you'll hear from farmers in New South Wales who are out there battling the elements, making tough calls and getting the job done. You'll get a laugh out of some of their stories, and also pick-up some know-how along the way. Produced by Central West Local Land Services.

  1. Learn by Osmosis: Growing a Farm and a Future with Chris Kilby

    2d ago

    Learn by Osmosis: Growing a Farm and a Future with Chris Kilby

    How do you make the right decisions when the season turns against you and the pressure is on? In this episode, Chris Kilby shares how he’s managing a dry and challenging season near Trundle, offering practical insights into decision-making, risk management, and keeping a farming business moving forward when conditions are tough. Chris explains how they’ve adapted their cropping plans after missing key rainfall windows, shifted focus to feeding and protecting their core breeding ewes, and made early decisions to reduce stock numbers. He walks through the realities of confinement feeding, water security challenges, and the significant effort involved in establishing reliable infrastructure under pressure. You’ll also hear about the mental side of farming through dry conditions, the importance of community and connection, and why continuous learning and surrounding yourself with the right people can make all the difference. Local Land Services Mixed Farming Advisor Rohan Leach, sat down with Chris to bring you this chat. Nominate a Mate: If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'. Connect: Central West LLS website Central West LLS on Facebook Central West LLS on X Central West LLS on YouTube The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation. This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit soundcartel.com.au for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    24 min
  2. From Scattered Blocks to One Operation: The Power of Consolidation in Farming with Chris Kilby

    May 18

    From Scattered Blocks to One Operation: The Power of Consolidation in Farming with Chris Kilby

    Are you making the right decisions when it comes to expanding your farm business or managing risk in a new environment? In this episode, Chris Kilby speaks about building a mixed farming enterprise near Trundle, sharing his journey of starting again, consolidating land, and improving efficiency across his operation. Alongside his wife Sarah and their three daughters, Chris runs a self-replacing Merino flock and cropping program, while continuing to refine their system after moving from the Goulburn region. Chris shares the realities of purchasing and piecing together multiple blocks of land, the challenges of succession planning, and the steep learning curve of farming in a new district during drought conditions. He explains how infrastructure investments, pasture renovation, and strategic decision-making have shaped their business, along with the importance of relationships, flexibility in purchasing strategies, and long-term planning. You’ll also hear insights into managing worm resistance, testing before making decisions, and why knowing your numbers and your land is key to building a sustainable and profitable farming operation. Local Land Services Mixed Farming Advisor Rohan Leach, sat down with Chris to bring you this chat. Nominate a Mate: If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'. Connect: Central West LLS website Central West LLS on Facebook Central West LLS on X Central West LLS on YouTube The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation. This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit soundcartel.com.au for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    25 min
  3. Making Better Livestock Trading Decisions with Courtney Tourle

    May 4

    Making Better Livestock Trading Decisions with Courtney Tourle

    Are you matching your livestock trading decisions to your feed base or the market? In this episode, Local Land Services Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator, Bonnie Mitchell speaks with Courtney Tourle about livestock trading, decision-making, and building a profitable enterprise while balancing work, family and farming. Courtney and her husband Tom run a livestock trading business on a leased property, while Courtney also works as an Animal Production Advisor at Nutrien Ag Solutions, giving her a unique perspective across many different farming operations and seasons. Courtney shares how they got their start leasing country after the drought, the steep learning curve of financial literacy and trading livestock, and the lessons they learned from both profitable seasons and difficult market downturns. She explains how they match livestock classes to available feed and the importance of making proactive decisions rather than waiting too long. You’ll also hear about how the best farmers manage seasonal variability, make confident decisions using the best information available at the time, and focus on controlling what they can control. Resources and links: Courtney Tourle on LinkedIn Nominate a Mate: If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'. Connect: Central West LLS website Central West LLS on Facebook Central West LLS on X Central West LLS on YouTube This podcast was supported by Central West Local Land Services’ Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator. Sustainable Agriculture Facilitators are supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. Views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Local Land Services or the Australian Government. This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit soundcartel.com.au for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    21 min
  4. Pastures, Pulses and Profit: Resilient Mixed Farming Solutions with Lawrence Balcomb

    Apr 20

    Pastures, Pulses and Profit: Resilient Mixed Farming Solutions with Lawrence Balcomb

    Are mixed farming systems the key to more resilient and productive farms? In this episode, Local Land Services Mixed Farming Advisor Rohan Leach sits down with Lawrence Balcomb from Golden Glen near Toogong to talk about mixed farming, pasture management and how cropping and livestock can work together in a practical farming system. Lawrence shares how his operation combines prime lamb production with grazing crops and pasture renovation, using rotations that include oats, canola, wheat and lupins to improve pastures and manage weeds and chemicals. You’ll hear practical insights on managing lucerne-based pastures, dealing with soil acidity and dryland salinity, integrating tropical grasses, and how crop rotations can be used as a tool to reset and improve pasture productivity. Lawrence also talks about succession planning in family farming, labour challenges, and the role Landcare plays in helping farmers access support, knowledge and community networks. This episode is a great listen for mixed farmers, livestock producers, and anyone interested in improving pasture systems, integrating cropping and grazing, and building a resilient farming operation for the long term. Nominate a Mate: If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'. Connect: Central West LLS website Central West LLS on Facebook Central West LLS on X Central West LLS on YouTube The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation. This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit soundcartel.com.au for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    31 min
  5. How Data-Driven Grazing Can Transform Your Farm with Emily Mosely

    Apr 6

    How Data-Driven Grazing Can Transform Your Farm with Emily Mosely

    Is your grazing strategy working for your land or are you working for your grazing? In this episode, Local Land Services senior Natural Resource Officer Jasmine Wells sits down with Emily Mosely, Grazing Solutions Advisor with Atlas Carbon and MaiaGrazing. Emily explains how a people- and data-first approach to grazing management transformed her family’s semi-arid rangeland operation. Drawing on both her personal experience and professional role, she shares why proactive monitoring, digital tools, and strategic rest and recovery are game changers for sustainable livestock and pasture management. You’ll hear practical insights on multi-species grazing, leveraging technology to track livestock and pasture performance, increasing carrying capacity while regenerating ground cover, and fostering a feedback loop that improves decisions across your enterprise. Emily also discusses how implementing practice changes early and experimenting with regenerative techniques can create measurable, long-term results. This episode is a must-listen for graziers, land managers, and anyone interested in optimizing productivity while caring for the land. Resources and links: Emily Mosely on LinkedIn Atlas Grazing (formerly MaiaGrazing) Nominate a Mate: If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'. Connect: Central West LLS website Central West LLS on Facebook Central West LLS on X Central West LLS on YouTube The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation. This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit soundcartel.com.au for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    22 min
  6. Succession, Custodianship & the Future of the Family Farm with James Hamilton

    Mar 23

    Succession, Custodianship & the Future of the Family Farm with James Hamilton

    Is your family serving the farm… or is the farm serving your family? In this episode, Tim Bartimote sits down with James Hamilton, a central New South Wales farmer who also works nationally in agricultural succession planning. Drawing on lived experience and more than a decade advising families, James explains why succession isn’t about dividing assets; it’s about aligning needs. He outlines his people-first approach, how he structures conversations to move families from “I” to “we,” and why everyone must see their opportunity for a transition to succeed. You’ll hear practical insights on introducing the next generation early, managing debt responsibly, handling off-farm siblings fairly, and why succession rarely works when it’s left too late. This is an essential listen for producers who want to extend productivity across generations while keeping the family unit intact. Resources and links: James Hamilton on LinkedIn Cultivate Advisory Nominate a Mate: If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'. Connect: Central West LLS website Central West LLS on Facebook Central West LLS on X Central West LLS on YouTube The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation. This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit soundcartel.com.au for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    47 min
  7. From Paddock to Plate: Building a Lamb Brand That Controls the Whole Chain with Andy and Ben Sippel

    Mar 9

    From Paddock to Plate: Building a Lamb Brand That Controls the Whole Chain with Andy and Ben Sippel

    What happens when a producer decides not just to grow the product but to own the entire supply chain? In this episode, Local Land Services Cropping Ag Advisor Tim Bartimote sits down with Andy and Ben Sippel to unpack how a vertically integrated lamb business was built from paddock to plate. Starting with farmers’ markets and evolving into a streamlined event-based model, they share why simplicity, consistency, and market alignment have been central to success. You’ll hear why limiting customer choice became a strength, how ensuring “everything has a home before it leaves the paddock” protects profitability, and what it really takes to bootstrap and scale a food business. This is a practical conversation for producers interested in value-adding, controlling their market pathway, and building resilient agricultural businesses beyond the farm gate. Resources and links: Saltbush Lamb MLA Managing Your Feedbase Ben Sippel on LinkedIn Andy Sippel on LinkedIn Nominate a Mate: If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'. Connect: Central West LLS website Central West LLS on Facebook Central West LLS on X Central West LLS on YouTube The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation. This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit soundcartel.com.au for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    35 min
  8. Building Drought Resilience with Deep-Rooted Pastures with Andy and Ben Sippel

    Feb 23

    Building Drought Resilience with Deep-Rooted Pastures with Andy and Ben Sippel

    What if one native plant could fundamentally change how your grazing system performs, even through drought? In this episode, Local Land Services Cropping Ag Advisor, Tim Bartimote, sits down with Andy and Ben Sippel from Saltbush Plains to unpack decades of hands-on experience using old man saltbush as a backbone species in grazing systems. From transforming degraded cropping country into resilient perennial pasture, to maintaining high stocking rates independent of rainfall, they share why deep-rooted native shrubs are one of Australia’s most underutilised agricultural assets. You’ll hear how saltbush supports livestock performance with year-round green feed, high protein levels, and exceptional water-use efficiency, plus how smart grazing management turns ecological strength into economic strength. This is a practical, grounded conversation for producers interested in building resilient pastures, reducing inputs, and working with Australia’s landscapes, not against them. Resources and links: Saltbush Lamb MLA Managing Your Feedbase Ben Sippel on LinkedIn Andy Sippel on LinkedIn Nominate a Mate: If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'. Connect: Central West LLS website Central West LLS on Facebook Central West LLS on X Central West LLS on YouTube The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation. This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit soundcartel.com.au for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    47 min
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About

Seeds for Success is a show where we have a good yarn about ag life with producers who are having a go. On the show, you'll hear from farmers in New South Wales who are out there battling the elements, making tough calls and getting the job done. You'll get a laugh out of some of their stories, and also pick-up some know-how along the way. Produced by Central West Local Land Services.

Information

  • Creator
    Central West Local Land Services
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    150
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Central West Local Land Services
  • Show Website
    Seeds for Success

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