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. 17h ago

    #030 - The Real Cost Behind Farming Decisions

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled In this reaction episode, Brecken breaks down the real issues behind rising production costs, equipment debt traps, net worth tracking, succession pressure and why operators get squeezed when they’re not across their numbers. These clips might be funny, blunt or uncomfortable, but every one of them shows what’s actually happening inside Australian farm businesses right now. ◼️ Why rising costs and depreciation are hitting operators harder than they realise ◼️ How equipment finance decisions quietly reduce borrowing capacity ◼️ Why net worth tracking and early succession planning matter more than ever Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:20 - Legacy and Generational Differences in Farming 00:00:34 - Importance of Net Worth Statements 00:00:49 - Challenges in Saving Money in Farming 00:01:02 - Adapting to Rising Production Costs 00:01:43 - Understanding Expenses and Budgeting 00:02:09 - Equipment Costs and Depreciation 00:02:34 - Financing Equipment and Its Impact 00:03:41 - Generational Succession Planning 00:04:45 - Importance of Early Succession Planning 00:05:05 - Season Finance Advertisement 00:05:25 - Interest Rate Hikes and Their Impact 00:06:40 - Economic Pressures and Business Resilience 00:07:30 - Equipment Debt and Land Financing 00:08:42 - Monitoring Net Worth Annually 00:09:10 - Asset and Liability 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

    11 min

  2. Jun 11

    #029 - 900 Rural Bank Branches Gone (Regional Banking Crisis)

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled Regional Australia has lost nearly 900 bank branches in nine years, and the impact on agricultural lending is far bigger than most producers realise. In this episode, Brecken breaks down what the closures mean for complex finance, why the new Regional Banking Investment Alliance matters, and how farmers can protect their banking relationships before the next branch disappears. ◼️ How branch closures weaken access to decision makers for ag lending ◼️ Why the pass‑through banking model is failing regional communities ◼️ How brokers provide stability when banks abandon the bush Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:56 - The Scale of Regional Bank Closures 00:01:29 - The Loss of Local Knowledge 00:02:32 - The Pass-Through Banking Model 00:03:34 - Vulnerabilities of Relying on Major Banks 00:03:55 - Building Relationships Without Physical Branches 00:04:58 - The Role of Brokers in Financial Stability 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 min

  3. Jun 9

    #028 - Stop Letting Your Bank Build Your Farm Budget

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled Banks build compliance budgets to protect their loan book, not to grow your business. In this episode, Brecken shows how to take control of your numbers, restructure finance, and build a strategic growth budget that reflects your farm’s true potential. ◼️ Why bank‑built budgets limit borrowing capacity and growth ◼️ How timing errors and generic assumptions distort cash flow ◼️ The power of a strategic growth budget to negotiate from strength Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:20 - Restructuring Working Capital 00:00:42 - Conflict of Interest with Banks 00:01:45 - Strategic Purchases and Budgeting 00:02:37 - Understanding Farm Operations 00:03:41 - Strategic Growth Budget 00:05:06 - Negotiating from Strength 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 min

  4. Jun 3

    #027 - The $2.9B Farming Revolution (Virtual Fencing!?)

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled Virtual fencing has moved from gadget to $2.9B industry, but banks don’t automatically fund innovation. In this episode, Brecken shows how to build a bulletproof finance case so lenders see the upside, not just the risk. ◼️ Why banks treat ag tech as expense unless ROI is proven ◼️ How to structure finance terms to match technology lifespan ◼️ The broker’s edge in translating innovation into credit approval Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:30 - Structuring a Finance Proposal 00:00:41 - Bank's View on Ag Tech 00:01:22 - Capital Expense vs. Business Improvement 00:02:04 - Loan Options for Ag Tech 00:02:36 - Translating Investment into Bank Terms 00:03:29 - Aligning Loan Terms with Technology Lifespan 00:03:51 - Importance of Capital Management 00:04:12 - Broker's Knowledge of Lenders 00:05:16 - Innovation vs. Conservative Lending 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 min

  5. May 28

    #026 - The $1.48 Trillion Farmland Valuation

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled Australian farmland has hit $1.48 trillion, but higher valuations don’t automatically make producers wealthier. In this episode, Brecken breaks down how top operators turn unrealised equity into resilience, cash flow and long term security before the cycle cools. ◼️ Why sitting on equity keeps farmers asset rich and cash poor ◼️ How strategic off farm assets create monthly income and drought resilience ◼️ The succession advantage created by deploying equity early Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:10 - Understanding Equity vs. Cash Flow 00:01:03 - Leveraging Equity for Business Growth 00:02:17 - Diversifying Off-Farm Investments 00:03:43 - Strategic Infrastructure Investments 00:04:36 - The Importance of Water Management 00:05:28 - Succession Planning and Wealth Transfer 00:06:21 - Taking Action While Valuations are High 00:06:43 - Conclusion: Building a Stronger Business 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 min

  6. May 26

    #025 - How to Read a Bank Term Sheet (And Spot the Hidden Traps)

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled A low interest rate can look like a win, but the real cost is buried in the structure, the fees and the fine print. In this new episode, Brecken breaks down the five step framework he uses to read a term sheet properly and expose the traps that cost producers thousands every year. ◼️ The hidden fees that quietly add thousands a year ◼️ How banks over secure loans and tie up unnecessary assets ◼️ The covenants and review clauses that can trigger a breach Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:22 - Understanding Loan Structure 00:03:36 - Negotiating Security 00:06:35 - Evaluating Covenants 00:07:40 - Review Periods and Revaluations 00:09:37 - Conclusion and Key Takeaways 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

    10 min

  7. May 20

    #024 - Ranking Banks For Ag Finance

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled Choosing a bank is not just about the lowest rate, it is about finding a lender that understands agriculture and can structure a deal that fits your operation. In this new episode, Brecken ranks the major banks based on real performance, policy flexibility, turnaround times, and how well they support producers today. ◼️ How each major bank is positioned in ag right now ◼️ Which lenders are slow, understaffed, or pulling back ◼️ Which banks are growing and offering more flexibility ◼️ Why the cheapest rate often costs more long term ◼️ How the right bank can save $40k to $50k a year on a $2 to $3M loan Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:31 - Commonwealth Bank Overview 00:01:46 - ANZ Bank Assessment 00:02:59 - NAB's Role in Agricultural Finance 00:03:41 - Westpac's Resurgence in Ag Banking 00:04:33 - Rabobank's Unique Offerings 00:05:49 - Introduction to Judo Bank 00:06:30 - Bendigo Bank's Flexibility 00:07:55 - Importance of Comparing Bank Options 00:08:57 - Understanding Your Business Needs 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

    10 min

  8. May 14

    #023 - The Most COMMON Farm Finance Questions I Get Asked

    Grow your agribusiness with expert finance strategies, book a free consultation 👉 https://outlook.office.com/book/SeasonedFinance@seasonedfinance.com.au/?ismsaljsauthenabled A lot of producers think growth under Albanese is impossible, but the operators still expanding aren’t relying on luck or waiting for policy to shift. They’re building a business model that can absorb rising costs, tightening environmental rules and a banking system now watching your ESG footprint as closely as your numbers. In this new episode, Brecken breaks down the five questions farmers ask him every week, and why the smartest operators approach each one differently. This episode covers ◼️ The real considerations behind fixed vs variable decisions ◼️ Why comparing your rate to your neighbour’s tells you nothing about your deal ◼️ How banks assess borrowing capacity and why it varies so widely ◼️ What lenders will and won’t finance across different asset types ◼️ Why predicting property prices is the wrong strategy for long‑term growth Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:52 - Fixed vs. Variable Interest Rates 00:03:18 - Comparing Interest Rates with Neighbors 00:05:04 - The Role of a Finance Broker 00:05:46 - Understanding Borrowing Capacity 00:07:09 - Should You Borrow the Maximum? 00:07:30 - What Can You Borrow Money For? 00:08:45 - Predicting Property Prices 00:10:20 - Getting Started in the Rural Industry 00:11:55 - Focus on Structure, Cash Flow, and Strategy 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

    13 min
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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
    2K
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Seasoned Finance
  • Show Website
    Dollars In The Dirt

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