Australian Farmers: Telling Our Story
Being the support manager of a million-hectare cattle station in the Northern Territory keeps her busy enough but my guest today has been handpicked for the Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program run by the National Farmer’s Federation. The program helps support female leaders who are driven to create a more inclusive and sustainable future for the industry. To learn more, Anna Cochrane of Consolidated Pastoral Company joins me now. Anna's favourite place on the station is less about a specific location and more about the feeling of privilege that comes with living there and...
info_outlineAustralian Farmers: Telling Our Story
The power of pictures is profound – they tell stories, celebrate moments that would otherwise be lost in time, and connect people. The thirst for authentic outback stories is undeniable, but it’s not often we have the chance to meet the person behind the camera. Photographer and founder of AgriShots Alice Mabin joins me now. Her favourite place to have done a shoot isn’t about the location but the people, although the Kimberley is incredible. Alice originally planned a career in animal health but bought a camera after seeing that the stories of people in the industry...
info_outlineAustralian Farmers: Telling Our Story
Working in remote parts of Australia doesn’t mean no one is watching. Quite the opposite. In Queensland’s Goondiwindi Region, a station general manager has become one of seven inaugural recipients of the AgriEmpower Scholarship. The prize is $20 000 for the winners to continue to be change-makers in the industry. Andrew Powne of Cameron Pastoral Company joins me now. Andrew’s favourite place on the station is home, because “home is where the heart is.” A typical day for Andrew involves managing 6–7k head of cattle and keeping people moving. He was recently part of...
info_outlineAustralian Farmers: Telling Our Story
All farmers wear many hats, but others wear more than they need to. From farming, to podcasting, being a mum and heralding rural women through a groundbreaking conference, my guest today is spreading an important message with her own unique story. Founder of Harvest Her Power, Katja Williams joins me now. Katja’s favourite place on her farm is when the family enjoys picnics on the hill where you can see almost the whole of Orange. She became an ag-influencer by finding her own space and, starting her Instagram page over five years ago. Empowering rural women is...
info_outlineAustralian Farmers: Telling Our Story
One Family. One Flock. That’s the extraordinary history that belongs to the Dennis family. Since 1840, each generation has added their own touch to this unique sheep farm and historic homestead, Tardwarncoort in south-western Victoria. It’s also home to Australia’s first breed of sheep – the Polwarth. And everyone is invited to share in the property’s rich history with accommodation and a wool shop open to the public. To learn more, Tom Dennis of the place affectionately known as Tarndie, joins me now. Tom’s favourite place on the farm is the courtyard. ...
info_outlineAustralian Farmers: Telling Our Story
We’re all busy but sometimes you meet someone, take a look at their schedule, and wonder how on earth it’s all possible. From studying nursing, to helping on the family cattle property, being an active member of the Country Women’s Association, visiting parliament and even sitting on the local Campdraft committee. It all comes back to a deep love of rural Australia. To learn more about her impressive contribution to the industry, Charlotte Leys joins me now. Charlotte’s favourite place on the family farm is riding her horse down at the back creek. Studying nursing, working...
info_outlineAustralian Farmers: Telling Our Story
Behind every piece of food we eat and fibre we wear, there is not only a farmer, but a scientist solving the ever-changing puzzle that is agriculture. Whether it be adapting to changes in climate or bolstering natural capital. Paris Capell is a passionate young agricultural professional who is helping to make a meaningful mark on the future of farming, and she joins me now. Paris’ favourite place is being in the ‘living classroom of home’. Realising agriculture was her path while working at the local pool in summer. She started wondering where the...
info_outlineAustralian Farmers: Telling Our Story
https://www.prettypodchttps://www.prettypodcasts.com/ asts.com/ Joining stock camps in north-west Queensland is about as tough as it gets, let alone holding your own there as a teenager. It kick-started a career in agriculture that has since spanned the country. For now, a pause, managing Elverton Pastoral in Blessington, Tasmania. And they say farmers wear many hats, so a mechanics apprenticeship, dog handling skills, courses in low stress stock handling and grazing management have all prepared young talent William Lyon for his current role. To learn more, William Lyon joins me...
info_outlineAustralian Farmers: Telling Our Story
Tariffs are a bit of a buzz word right now. But what do they really mean for our farmers? The answer is – they can be good and bad. Who better to break it down for us than Julia Hausler. She runs a successful family farm, and holds influential roles within industry body GrainGrowers. Julia is a tireless advocate for economic and social opportunities in her part of the world, Victoria’s Wimmera region. To learn more Julia joins me now. Julia’s favourite place on the family farm is the creek, as it transforms throughout the years. She assists with the marketing,...
info_outlineAustralian Farmers: Telling Our Story
A love of food can most certainly take you anywhere, but perhaps an unlikely destination is a remote Northern Territory cattle station. It’s a path down which former Brisbane café owner Wendy Cox has ventured. For those of us who haven’t been lucky enough to try her recipes, she generously shares photos of the sizeable spreads she prepares for the cowboys and girls. To learn more about Wendy’s Cooking Adventures, the lady herself joins us now. Wendy’s favourite place on the station is Telstra Hill, where you can see for miles and enjoy amazing sunsets. She traded café life in...
info_outlineEggs - they’re an easy and usually affordable source of protein and nutrition. But walking through most Australian supermarkets lately, it’s clear cracks have appeared in the industry. So why is there an egg shortage and why when you do happen to find some are they so expensive? Egg farmer and sector advocate, Danyel Cucinotta from LT’s Egg Farm joins me now for the lowdown on avian influenza.
- We catch up with Danyel, who still finds the work on the farm deeply emotional but continues to love both the work and the land.
- As an egg farmer, she has experienced firsthand the significant challenges caused by bird flu.
- She explains how bird flu spreads and why geographical locations like Victoria are more at risk due to their position on a bird migration path.
- Free-range egg farms are more affected because they are exposed to wild bird droppings.
- While direct egg purchases from farmers may seem unaffected, supermarket supply chains are feeling the impact.
- She explains the EADRA Agreement (Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement) as a cost-sharing arrangement where government and livestock industries, like the egg sector, jointly fund responses to animal disease outbreaks, with industries paying back their share over time. At an industry level, farms are still paying off the cleanup from the 2019 outbreak.
- The situation is more complex than simple supply and demand due to the caged vs. free-range debate and government involvement.
- The root cause stems from the spread of bird flu and environmental exposure in high-risk zones, and she shares that it’s unclear when the situation will improve, as control and recovery take time.
- Danyel remains passionate about advocacy and is proud of her work on a caged egg farm.
- The most unexpected aspect has been that even the most biosecure farms have been affected.
- A common misconception is that it’s unsafe to eat bird products, though the chicken meat industry remains unaffected.
- She offers a parting piece of advice for people to best navigate this issue.
We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.
Links:
Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram
Partnered with Australian Farmers
Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram