Big Shift For Small Farms - Australian Agriculture and Regenerative Farming

Food Connect founder Robert Pekin shares his journey from dairy farmer to food systems innovator, including the loss of his family farm and the experiences that reshaped how he thought about farming, food and community.Robert explores the power of collaboration, shorter supply chains and community-owned infrastructure to create a fairer and more resilient food system. Drawing on the story of Food Connect and the Food Connect Shed, he argues that farmers and communities can build alternatives by focusing on what they can influence locally and working collectively.Watch on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prvkb4YLJFU&list=PLHRKM-_fhj6gVisit Food Connect Foundation - fcf.org.auThe Farming on the Fringe Forum was delivered by Local Land Services in partnership with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the Primary Industries Productivity and Abatement Program (PIPAP).This podcast was produced by Grow Love Project and supported by Greater Sydney Local Land Services’ Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator through funding from the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.

The folks here at Greater Sydney Local Land Services recently hosted a forum called Farming on the Fringe it covers a range of topics, including:what is natural capital on your farmcarbon farming and environmental market opportunitieswhat a healthy soil ecosystem looks like The event had over 130 participants and was hosted by journalist and radio host Chris Bath. The episodes are recordings of the speaker presentations.

What if farmers could better understand what's happening beneath their feet? And could that information help them make better decisions when seasons don't go to plan? In this episode, we explore Farming Forecaster, a free online tool that combines soil moisture, pasture growth and seasonal information to help farmers make more informed management decisions. We visit Mattana Farm near Milton on the NSW South Coast, where Bec and Adam share how a local soil moisture probe has helped them navigate drought, fire, flooding rains and difficult livestock decisions. Whether you're a data enthusiast or simply looking for another tool to support decision-making, this episode offers practical insights into using information alongside experience and intuition on farm.   Featured Guests Bec and Adam – Mattana Farm, Milton NSW Matt Lieschke – Agricultural Extension Officer, Local Land Services Phil Graham – Agricultural Consultant  Episode Guide (00:00) Farming through drought, fires and changing seasons (06:00) Why soil moisture and temperature matter (07:30) Using data to make tough stocking decisions (08:30) How Farming Forecaster helps manage climate variability (11:30) Exploring the website, probes and pasture forecasts (16:00) Setting trigger points before conditions deteriorate (24:30) Back on the farm: confidence, confirmation and practical advice Useful Links Farming Forecaster NSW Local Land Services This episode is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program and delivered by South East Local Land Services, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel. Views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Local Land Services or the Australian Government. 

Can technology really help farmers build resilience in an increasingly unpredictable climate — or are we getting distracted by shiny new tools?In this episode, we head to Twynam Farm in NSW to hear directly from farmers trialling agtech including virtual fencing, livestock monitoring and regenerative grazing systems.Featuring conversations with Sarah Nolet and Susan Orgill, we explore how agtech can support climate resilience, soil health and better farm decision-making — while also asking where the risks and limitations lie.We also hear from Camilla Beck and producers attending the Twynam field day, grounding the conversation in practical, on-farm experience rather than industry hype.From virtual fencing and livestock monitoring to broader questions around profitability, labour and resilience, this episode asks: what technology is actually worth adopting on farm — and what problems should agtech really be solving?Featured Talent & LinksSarah Nolet - Managing Partner, Tenacious VenturesTenacious VenturesSusan Orgill - Chief Scientist, Impact Ag AustraliaImpact Ag AustraliaCamilla Beck - Executive Officer, Tablelands Farming SystemsTablelands Farming SystemsJohnny Kahlbetzer - CEO, Twynam GroupClimate Smart Farming Series - AgTech to manage climate risks and maximise return on infrastructure investment https://open.spotify.com/episode/0e9xssrvNDOxqNjnkTnokc?si=iJLKN7cPSvKBi5RGXmQxbQ Episode Guide(00:00) Why agtech promises deserve closer scrutiny(02:45) Productivity versus resilience in modern farming systems(05:20) Farmers explain pressures driving technology adoption(09:15) Optiweigh trials and livestock monitoring in practice(11:45) Virtual fencing and rotational grazing with Halter collars(19:05) Susan Orgill on evidence, soil health and farmer intuition(24:00) Sarah Nolet on solving real problems, not symptomsThis episode is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program and delivered by South East Local Land Services, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel. Views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Local Land Services or the Australian Government. 

What if your chickens could do more than just lay eggs? In this episode, we explore how mobile chook sheds can improve soil health, boost pasture growth, and reduce fertiliser costs through better nutrient cycling. Featuring insights from farmers and soil experts, this episode unpacks the nitrogen cycle, pasture recovery, dung beetles, and practical tips for building healthier, more profitable farming systems.Key episode moments[00:02:00] Rising fertiliser costs forced a new approach.[00:04:00] The business started with 50 chooks in a caravan.[00:09:00] Chicken manure improves nitrogen and soil health.[00:10:00] Nitrogen efficiency is low without good management.[00:18:00] Moving sheds regularly helps control manure load.[00:22:00] Dung beetles help spread nutrients naturally.[00:28:00] Changing rainfall affects pasture recovery times.[00:30:00] Start small and build the system slowly.Extra Show Notes LinksClean Coastal Catchments Program nitrogen and dairy pasture video:⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq--upG4xXs⁠NSW DPI fact sheet on chicken manure use in pastures  in the associated links with the podcast:https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/140359/Best-practice-guidelines-for-using-poultry-litter-on-pastures.pdf Sam and Pru Pincott’s pasture-raised egg enterprise holbrookpaddockeggs.com.auWatch a film we made about them youtube.com/watch?v=YqQjQ_IL6mIVirginia Mall’s regenerative mixed farming operation gracespringsfarm.com.au⁠Dung Beetles Podcast Episode – The Big Shift for Small Farmsopen.spotify.com/episode/2Yi2M7FK0JZtmNulR6vKkr?si=bmWzC9iaSqCOe7FDhbLZtAIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with a fellow horse owner, and leave a review — it helps us continue bringing these important conversations to life.Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services. 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 Greater Sydney Local Land Services or the Australian Government.