Humans of Agriculture

At 28, Sarah Wheeler has already experienced enormous loss, rediscovered her place in agriculture and ridden 5,500 kilometres on horseback across regional Australia, raising more than $650,000 for charity along the way.But this conversation is about much more than the ride.Sarah shares how losing her dad at 12 and her mum in her mid-20s changed her perspective on life, how working across rural Australia helped her find her feet again, and why the people she met during nine months on horseback became one of the journey's most powerful parts.We also talk about the part that doesn't make the highlight reel: coming home after achieving something enormous and wondering, "What now?"Sarah is now building G'day Grief, with a vision to bring people experiencing loss together through nature, animals and shared experiences. And she's already dreaming about another adventure involving horses, dirt bikes, the Murray River, the Nullarbor and potentially a few things she doesn't yet know how to do.Chapters00:00 Finding her way back to agriculture03:04 Sarah's sisters and the family farm04:12 Losing Mum and keeping the farm moving06:19 What rural community really means07:57 The idea to ride 5,500 kilometres11:11 Announcing the ride before knowing how she'd do it13:27 The people who made the journey15:00 Raising more than $650,00016:49 What happens after achieving something enormous18:22 Turning pain into purpose19:12 Building G'day Grief21:44 Creating something for people experiencing loss25:16 Sarah's next big adventure27:46 Why giving it a go matters more than finishing28:34 Learning to live with grief Proudly brought to you by RabobankThe future of Australian agriculture depends on the next generation of farmers, producers and agribusiness leaders. That's why Rabobank is committed to supporting young farmers with more than finance. Through industry insights, specialist agribusiness expertise, networking opportunities and long-term partnerships, Rabobank supports the next generation as they build their skills, knowledge and connections. Rabobank is committed to supporting farming businesses as they plan for the future and transition across generations. Visit rabobank.com.au to learn more.

Little Big Dairy Co is growing!We're working with them to find 2 x roles: a Farm Operations Manager and, separately, an Executive Assistant to the CEO.They run three businesses in one: a 1,000-hectare fodder operation, a herd of registered Holsteins, and an on-farm factory. Two new roles have opened as a result.We are sitting down with Campbell Chesworth (director and Nuffield Scholar) to explain what the business is building, who they need, and why these roles have no uncapped potential.Seen the ad? This is your sign to apply.👉 Apply now HERE!Chapters01:31 Campbell’s three-month sabbatical that became a career in the family business04:11 Nuffield takeaways: circularity, confidence, and people as the biggest investment07:00 Developments: Eight new robotic milkers, a new freestall barn and an effluent upgrade09:57 Is ag tech replacing jobs or creating better ones in Dairy?11:30 The Farm Ops Manager role: about the farm13:36 What a great hire looks like in this role14:15 The EA role: working alongside CEO Emma Elliott across accounts, HR and operations17:18 Boots on the ground: a family that works beside its team18:20 Why now: succession, building systems, and the move into butter and cottage cheese20:00 Final word: throw your hat inWho they’re afterFarm Ops Manager: eager to learn, takes initiative, and owns problems from fault to fix. You’ll work alongside Campbell, Steve and the farming team.Executive Assistant: can-do attitude, keen to take on responsibility, and ready to learn the business from one of the sharpest operators in Australian dairy.Ready? Apply here Proudly brought to you by RabobankThe future of Australian agriculture depends on the next generation of farmers, producers and agribusiness leaders. That's why Rabobank is committed to supporting young farmers with more than finance. Through industry insights, specialist agribusiness expertise, networking opportunities and long-term partnerships, Rabobank supports the next generation as they build their skills, knowledge and connections. Rabobank is committed to supporting farming businesses as they plan for the future and transition across generations. Visit rabobank.com.au to learn more.

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli Le Lievre sits down with Elle Moyle, a Zanda McDonald Award finalist, veterinarian and farmer with Pathfinder Angus in Western Victoria.Elle reflects on her path from working as a district vet, including international biosecurity work, to returning to the family farming business and building her own agricultural interests.A big part of the conversation is Elle’s experience with the Zanda McDonald Award. While she made the final three but didn’t win, the experience helped build her confidence, expand her network and create relationships that continue to shape her career.Elle also shares what she has learnt about building genuine professional relationships, the value of putting yourself forward for opportunities, and what is happening at Pathfinder Angus as the family business continues to grow.In this episode:Elle’s move from veterinary work to full-time farmingHer experience as a Zanda McDonald Award finalistWhy you don’t have to win to get enormous value from the awardBuilding confidence, networks and long-term professional relationshipsThe growth of Pathfinder Angus and Elle’s role in the family businessWhy Elle encourages others to put themselves forwardApplications for the Zanda McDonald Award are open from 1 October to 31 October 2026.Chapters00:00 Elle Moyle’s journey and the Zanda McDonald Award02:11 From veterinary work to full-time farming04:00 Veterinary and biosecurity work05:21 Why Elle applied for the Zanda McDonald Award06:15 Lessons from being a finalist07:34 Building a lasting network10:04 Learning from industry leaders11:12 The growth of Pathfinder Angus12:23 Why more young agricultural professionals should apply13:45 What’s ahead for Pathfinder Angus Proudly brought to you by RabobankThe future of Australian agriculture depends on the next generation of farmers, producers and agribusiness leaders. That's why Rabobank is committed to supporting young farmers with more than finance. Through industry insights, specialist agribusiness expertise, networking opportunities and long-term partnerships, Rabobank supports the next generation as they build their skills, knowledge and connections. Rabobank is committed to supporting farming businesses as they plan for the future and transition across generations. Visit rabobank.com.au to learn more.

Welcome to the Tom & Mick Show! This week, Tom & Mick sit down with Anna Speer, whose career has taken her from teaching and AgTech to leadership roles with AuctionsPlus, Australian Agricultural Company, Woolworths and now Stone Axe.Anna shares what she’s learnt about building strong teams, making commercial decisions and creating long-term value, while unpacking how Stone Axe is building a vertically integrated Wagyu business from conception through to consumption.In this episode:Anna’s unconventional career through agriculture and AgTechWhat private equity brings to an agricultural businessHow vertical integration can reduce exposure to market volatilityUsing 10-year herd modelling to make better decisions todayManaging rising feed, fuel and labour costsWhy building your own brand isn’t always the best strategyWagyu genetics, premium markets and future growthBuilding teams and adapting your leadership to different peopleChapters00:00 Introduction and catching up with Anna Speer01:52 Anna’s career from the Territory to AuctionsPlus, AACo and Woolworths08:17 Joining Stone Axe and what private equity really means11:11 Making fast, commercially sound decisions15:50 The Stone Axe story and building Wagyu genetics21:00 Managing market cycles and price volatility25:33 Forward selling and planning years ahead29:44 Protein trends and the Wagyu supply outlook32:59 Managing rising input costs36:36 Wagyu versus Angus, branding and partnerships41:32 Leadership, personal growth and raising good humans Proudly brought to you by RabobankThe future of Australian agriculture depends on the next generation of farmers, producers and agribusiness leaders. That's why Rabobank is committed to supporting young farmers with more than finance. Through industry insights, specialist agribusiness expertise, networking opportunities and long-term partnerships, Rabobank supports the next generation as they build their skills, knowledge and connections. Rabobank is committed to supporting farming businesses as they plan for the future and transition across generations. Visit rabobank.com.au to learn more.

What happens when you step outside your own patch and spend time learning from some of the best operators in agriculture?2026 Australian Zanda McDonald Award winner Bryce Neyland joins Oli after completing his mentoring trips across New Zealand and Australia. Bryce shares what he learned about risk, resilience, investment and leadership, and why seeing how other businesses operate has challenged the way he thinks about his own career and family farming business.Importantly, Bryce didn’t win the first time he applied. He reflects on what changed between applications, the value of getting clear on where you want to go, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is put your hand up and have another crack.In this episode:What Bryce learned travelling through Australian and New Zealand agricultureWhy New Zealand challenged his thinking about productivity and getting more from what you haveWhat resilient Australian farming businesses do differentlyHow leading businesses think about investment, risk and long-term decision-makingWhy Bryce is now thinking differently about planning for tough seasons on the family farmLearning to expect pressure rather than being surprised by itWhy getting outside your own "sandbox" matters for personal and professional growthWhat changed between Bryce's first unsuccessful Zanda application and ultimately winning the AwardWhy the alumni network may be one of the Award's greatest opportunitiesBryce's advice for anyone considering putting their hand upApplications for the Zanda McDonald Award are open from 1 October to 31 October 2026.If you’re involved in agriculture, want to keep learning and are curious about where you could take your career, Bryce’s advice is pretty simple: get your application in and have a crack.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Bryce Neyland and the Zanda McDonald Award 01:37 Catching up after the New Zealand and Australian mentoring trips 04:12 New Zealand productivity versus Australian resilience 06:16 How great businesses think about investment and risk 08:18 Bringing the lessons back to the farm and boardroom 10:46 Lightbulb moments and learning to expect pressure 12:08 What successful dryland farming businesses taught Bryce 13:52 Why apply for the Zanda McDonald Award? 18:01 What changed between Bryce's two applications 19:24 Bryce's advice to future applicants Proudly brought to you by RabobankThe future of Australian agriculture depends on the next generation of farmers, producers and agribusiness leaders. That's why Rabobank is committed to supporting young farmers with more than finance. Through industry insights, specialist agribusiness expertise, networking opportunities and long-term partnerships, Rabobank supports the next generation as they build their skills, knowledge and connections. Rabobank is committed to supporting farming businesses as they plan for the future and transition across generations. Visit rabobank.com.au to learn more.