A Place to Call Home | Stories from Australian Agriculture

A Place to Call Home Group
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A Place to Call Home, hosted by Sam Fryer, is a podcast for the next generation of Australian primary producers, sharing the stories, lessons and insights from people building a life on the land. Through honest conversations with farmers, industry leaders and rural entrepreneurs, each episode explores the journeys behind agriculture — the successes, the challenges, and the decisions that shape life in rural Australia. Guests share first-hand experiences from across the industry, along with practical knowledge to help guide those looking to build their future in agriculture and find a place to call home. Whether you're already farming, looking to return to the land, or simply passionate about the future of Australian agriculture, this podcast is here to support the journey. Copyright: A Place to Call Home Group

  1. Ag Innovation Series | Innovation, Agronomy & The Future of Farming with Sam Simons

    9h ago ·  Bonus

    Ag Innovation Series | Innovation, Agronomy & The Future of Farming with Sam Simons

    Send us Fan Mail  Ag Innovation Series | Innovation, Agronomy & The Future of Farming with Sam Simons In this episode of the Ag Innovation Series, Sam Fryer sits down with agronomist Sam Simons from Poole Ag to explore innovation through the lens of modern farming systems. Working with producers across broadacre agriculture, Sam is on the front line of some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the industry today. From weed resistance and labour shortages through to automation, precision agriculture and emerging technology, he sees firsthand what is driving innovation on farm and what is delivering real results. Throughout this conversation, we discuss the difference between innovation and technology, why necessity often drives change, and how producers can navigate the constant stream of new products, systems and ideas entering agriculture. In this episode we discuss: • What innovation actually means in agriculture • Why necessity is often the driver of change • Weed resistance and the role of innovation in solving complex challenges • Precision agriculture and data-driven decision making • Automation, robotics and emerging technologies • Water efficiency and getting more from every input • Why some innovations succeed while others fail • Innovation adoption and producer confidence • The role producers play in driving innovation themselves • What the future of Australian agriculture could look like Whether you're a producer, agronomist, advisor or simply interested in the future of agriculture, this episode provides practical insights into how innovation is shaping farming systems across Australia. This Ag Innovation Series is proudly a collaboration between A Place to Call Home and the Pandaemonium Paper, exploring the people, ideas and technologies helping move Australian agriculture forward. Pandaemonium Website: https://www.pandaemonium.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p.andaemonium/ If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au Support the show

    24 min
  2. Ag Innovation Series | Practical Innovation, Mobble & The Next Generation of Agriculture with Will Bucknell

    May 27 ·  Bonus

    Ag Innovation Series | Practical Innovation, Mobble & The Next Generation of Agriculture with Will Bucknell

    Send us Fan Mail AG INNOVATION SERIES | Practical Innovation, Mobble & The Next Generation of Agriculture with Will Bucknell In this episode of the Ag Innovation Series, Sam Fryer sits down with young producer Will Bucknell from Quambone in north-west New South Wales to explore what innovation actually looks like on the ground for the next generation of Australian agriculture. After growing up on his family’s steer trading operation, Will went on to work on large scale cattle stations across Queensland before studying farm management at Marcus Oldham College, where he was exposed to a range of emerging technologies and management systems being adopted across the industry. Since returning home, Will and his family have been gradually implementing new technologies into their own operation, including Mobble, smart tagging, spray drones and improved data management systems — all with a strong focus on practicality, efficiency and return on investment. This episode is part of the Ag Innovation Series, a collaboration between Pandaemonium and A Place to Call Home exploring the people, ideas and technologies helping move Australian agriculture forward. This episode is proudly supported by Mobble — a livestock and farm management platform helping producers streamline record keeping, improve communication across teams and simplify day-to-day farm management. To learn more about Mobble, head to: https://www.mobble.io/ Pandaemonium Website: https://www.pandaemonium.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p.andaemonium/ If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au Support the show

    28 min
  3. Ag Innovation Series | Adapting, Innovating & Evolving in Viticulture with Liz Riley

    May 20

    Ag Innovation Series | Adapting, Innovating & Evolving in Viticulture with Liz Riley

    Send us Fan Mail Ag Innovation Series | Adapting, Innovating & Evolving in Viticulture  with Liz Riley In this episode of the Ag Innovation Series, Sam Fryer sits down with Liz Riley — an independent viticultural consultant and trainer based in the Hunter Valley, as well as sitting on the Plant Health Australia board and a Nuffield Scholar with more than 25 years of experience working across viticulture, sustainability, biosecurity and agricultural leadership. Liz completed her Nuffield Scholarship in 1996 focusing on integrated pest management in vineyards, an experience that helped shape her approach to innovation, adaptability and continuous improvement across agriculture. Throughout this conversation we explore what innovation actually looks like on the ground, how industries evolve under pressure and why practical solutions often matter more than flashy technology. This episode is proudly part of the Ag Innovation Series, a collaboration between Pandaemonium and A Place to Call Home exploring the people, ideas and technologies helping move Australian agriculture forward. Pandaemonium Website: https://www.pandaemonium.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p.andaemonium/ If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review, it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au Support the show

    22 min
  4. Ag Innovation Series | What Innovation Really Looks Like in Australian Agriculture

    May 13 ·  Bonus

    Ag Innovation Series | What Innovation Really Looks Like in Australian Agriculture

    Send us Fan Mail AG INNOVATION SERIES | INTRODUCTION with Sam Fryer & Alice Armitage Welcome to the first episode of the Ag Innovation Series — a new collaboration between Pandaemonium and A Place to Call Home. In this introductory conversation, Sam Fryer and Alice Armitage unpack what innovation in agriculture actually means beyond the buzzwords. From drones and AI to genetics, data collection, storytelling and succession, this episode explores the real-world challenges and opportunities shaping the future of Australian agriculture. Across the series, we’ll sit down with producers, founders, researchers and innovators who are pushing the industry forward not for the sake of flashy technology, but to create more productive, sustainable and resilient farming businesses and rural communities. This series is about highlighting the people and ideas shaping the future of agriculture and showcasing how regional Australia continues to innovate, adapt and evolve. Thanks for listening and we’re excited to bring you the conversations ahead. Pandaemonium The independent media outlet sharing stories of positivity and prosperity from country Australia. Website: https://www.pandaemonium.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p.andaemonium/ If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au Support the show

    41 min
  5. #84: A Different Take on Succession with Tamara Finger

    Apr 24

    #84: A Different Take on Succession with Tamara Finger

    Send us Fan Mail G’day and welcome to the A Place to Call Home Podcast, a podcast sharing the stories of people building a life in agriculture across rural Australia. In this episode, I sit down with Tamara Finger, owner and manager of TF2 Grazing Company, a beef breeding operation recently relocated to Theodore in Central Queensland. Tamara shares a powerful and practical story of succession done differently — starting with being gifted cattle as a child, building her own herd from a young age, and stepping into property ownership in her early 20s. From growing up in Dysart to working across local government, retail, and federal politics, Tamara’s journey highlights the importance of gaining experience off-farm, understanding business fundamentals, and staying open to opportunity. This is a conversation about taking ownership early, building assets over time, and backing yourself when the right opportunity comes along. In this episode, we chat about: 🏡 Growing up in Dysart and balancing agriculture and mining communities  🐄 Being gifted cattle as a child and building a herd from a young age  📊 Learning business fundamentals early — books, tax, and decision-making  🚜 Gaining experience off-farm through council, retail, and politics  🤝 A unique family succession model focused on early ownership  🏦 Stepping into property at 22 with her sister  📈 Building a breeding operation and growing herd numbers  🔄 Buying out her sister and navigating business and family decisions  📍 Selling and relocating to Theodore to align with long-term goals  🧠 The importance of setting goals and staying adaptable to opportunities  🏛️ Advocacy, AgForce involvement, and shaping the future of agriculture  🌱 Opportunities through innovation, technology, and genetics Resources mentioned 📊 Beef Central Podcast (The Weekly Grill) 🌎 Cattle Chats (US-based podcast) If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au 🎙️ This episode is brought to you by Rural Succession Solutions. If you’ve ever found succession conversations difficult — or avoided them altogether — you’re not alone. Rural Succession Solutions work with rural families to guide those conversations, helping bring clarity, alignment, and a clear plan for the future of the farm. Their structured process focuses on communication first — because without it, even the best plans can fall apart.  If you’re looking to protect your family, your business, and your legacy, it’s well worth reaching out. 👉 Learn more: https://ruralsuccessionsolutions.com.au/ Support the show

    44 min
  6. #83: From New Entrant to Advocate: Educating the Next Generation of Producers with Amanda Burchmann From JAB Agri Solutions

    Apr 17

    #83: From New Entrant to Advocate: Educating the Next Generation of Producers with Amanda Burchmann From JAB Agri Solutions

    Send us Fan Mail G’day and welcome to the A Place to Call Home Podcast, a podcast sharing the stories of people building a life in agriculture across rural Australia. In this episode, I sit down with Amanda Buchmann from JAB Agri Solutions, based in Southeast Queensland. Amanda is a passionate advocate for the red meat and broader agricultural industry, focused on bridging the gap between industry knowledge and new entrants coming into agriculture. From growing up around livestock with her grandparents to building a career outside the industry in pharmacy and law, Amanda has taken a unique path back into ag — now combining her life experience with a mission to educate and support producers. This conversation dives deep into the realities of entering agriculture today, the importance of education and compliance, and the role every producer plays in strengthening the future of the industry. In this episode, we chat about: 🏡 Growing up in Warwick and early exposure to livestock through family  🚛 Lessons learned from time spent in livestock transport with her dad  📚 Building skills outside agriculture in pharmacy, law, and conveyancing  🐄 Returning to ag and starting a small cattle operation with her family  ⚠️ The challenges new entrants face when buying land and livestock  📉 Common mistakes producers make when starting out  📊 Why record keeping, traceability, and compliance are critical  🛑 The risks of poor biosecurity and lack of education in the industry  🧠 Breaking down barriers between industry knowledge and new producers  🤝 Building JAB Agri Solutions to educate and support small-scale producers  🌱 Understanding ESG, natural capital, and telling your story as a producer  📈 How good management and record keeping can improve profitability  🌏 The importance of advocacy and strengthening the agricultural supply chain Resources mentioned 📊 Integrity Systems (NLIS & LPA) 🌱 Australian Rural Leadership Program 📖 Stolen Focus by Johann Hari If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au 🎙️ This episode is brought to you by SkyKelpie. You can learn more at: SkyKelpie - Drone Mustering & Aerial Stockmanship Support the show

    1 hr
  7. #82: Succession, Scale & Seedstock with Lindsay Barlow from Triple B Brangus

    Apr 10

    #82: Succession, Scale & Seedstock with Lindsay Barlow from Triple B Brangus

    Send us Fan Mail G’day and welcome to the A Place to Call Home Podcast, a podcast sharing the stories of people building a life in agriculture across rural Australia. In this episode, I sit down with Lindsay Barlow from Triple B Brangus, based in Dingo, Central Queensland. Lindsay and his family have built a highly regarded Brangus stud from the ground up, producing bulls for both southern and northern markets, while navigating one of the most important and often challenging parts of agriculture — succession. Lindsay’s story starts far from where he is today, growing up on a pineapple farm on the Capricorn Coast before eventually finding his way back to cattle after a period of uncertainty post-school. What followed was decades of building, learning, and working through a long and complex succession journey within a family business.  This conversation dives deep into what it really takes to build a seedstock operation, the realities of succession, and the mindset required to create a sustainable future in agriculture. In this episode, we chat about: 🏡 Growing up on a pineapple farm and early exposure to agriculture  🐄 How a Brahman bull over Angus cows sparked a lifelong Brangus journey  📈 Building the Triple B Brangus stud from a foundation herd  🤝 The realities of succession in a family business over decades  🧠 Why communication, trust, and patience are critical in succession  📉 The risks of wills being contested and planning ahead  🌱 Gradually taking on responsibility vs being thrown in the deep end  🐂 Expanding into northern Australia with a Charters Towers bull sale  📊 Using data, Breedplan, and DNA to create a point of difference  🚜 The workload and pressure behind running a seedstock operation  👨‍👩‍👦 The importance of having the right partner and support system  🌏 Why knowledge, education, and networks are key for the next generation Resources mentioned 📊 Breedplan (performance recording and genetic evaluation) BREEDPLAN 🌱 Young Beef Producers Forum (Roma) Young Beef Producer's Forum - Australia If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au 🎙️ Podcast Partner — JobSafe Pro This episode is proudly brought to you by JobSafe Pro. Built by farmers, for farmers — JobSafe Pro helps you simplify safety and compliance by keeping everything in one place, from inductions and chemical registers to machinery logs, incident reporting, timesheets and payroll. Job Safe Pro Pty Ltd - An app to simplify workplace safety and compliance Support the show

    1h 8m
  8. #81: Starting a Farm from Scratch with Seamus O’Connor from O’Connor Agriculture

    Apr 3

    #81: Starting a Farm from Scratch with Seamus O’Connor from O’Connor Agriculture

    Send us Fan Mail G’day and welcome to the A Place to Call Home Podcast, a podcast sharing the stories of people building a life in agriculture across rural Australia. In this episode, I sit down with Seamus O’Connor from O’Connor Agriculture, based across the Calliope and Boyne Valley regions west of Gladstone in Queensland. Seamus and his wife Hannah are building a diversified farming business running breeders, backgrounding cattle, producing hay, and more recently selling beef direct to their local community. But their journey into farming hasn’t been straightforward. Seamus grew up in agriculture southwest of Goondiwindi before heading away to boarding school, studying engineering at the University of Queensland, and building a career in the resource sector during the LNG boom. Like many people who grow up in the bush though, agriculture has a way of pulling you back. What started with buying a small block of land and agisting cattle eventually turned into building a farming business from the ground up — navigating drought, market crashes, financial challenges and plenty of lessons along the way. This is a conversation about first-generation farming, enterprise stacking, resilience, and the mindset required to build a life on the land from scratch. In this episode, we chat about:  🏡 Using property investing as a stepping stone into farming  🐄 Buying their first block of land and starting with agistment cattle  📉 The lessons from drought, market downturns and early mistakes  🌾 Shifting towards regenerative grazing principles  📊 Enterprise stacking and building multiple income streams  🚜 Starting a hay production enterprise  🥩 Selling beef direct to consumers through boxed beef  📱 The power of social media in connecting farmers and customers  👨‍👩‍👦 Building a farm business while raising a young family  🌱 Why mindset and curiosity are key to building a future in agriculture Resources mentioned 📘 Dirt to Soil — Gabe Brown 📘 A Bold Return to Giving a Damn — Will Harris 📘 Nourishment — Fred Provenza Courses mentioned: 🌱 Grazing for Profit Follow Seamus 📸 Instagram: O’Connor Agriculture 📘Facebook: O’Connor Agriculture If you enjoyed this episode Please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps these stories reach more people across rural Australia and the agriculture industry. Stay connected with A Place to Call Home: 📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home 📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast 🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast 🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au 🎙️ Podcast Partner — Halter This episode is proudly partnered with Halter. Halter® | Virtual Fencing and Pasture Management Halter is the app and smart collar helping producers run more productive cattle properties. It provides virtual fencing and remote shifting, allowing you to move and manage mobs straight from your phone. Support the show

    1h 8m
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A Place to Call Home, hosted by Sam Fryer, is a podcast for the next generation of Australian primary producers, sharing the stories, lessons and insights from people building a life on the land. Through honest conversations with farmers, industry leaders and rural entrepreneurs, each episode explores the journeys behind agriculture — the successes, the challenges, and the decisions that shape life in rural Australia. Guests share first-hand experiences from across the industry, along with practical knowledge to help guide those looking to build their future in agriculture and find a place to call home. Whether you're already farming, looking to return to the land, or simply passionate about the future of Australian agriculture, this podcast is here to support the journey. Copyright: A Place to Call Home Group

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