Claim OwnershipDIGGING DEEPER - AG CHATS WITH AL
Subscribed: 7Played: 205
Subscribe
© 2025 DIGGING DEEPER - AG CHATS WITH AL
Description
Real farmers, real conversations, practical insights and inspiring stories.
Join Al Micallef and special guests to help unlock your farm's production potential.
Whether it's in relation to drought or economic shifts, this podcast is your go-to for developing resilience in agriculture.
This podcast is made possible by the Future Drought Fund Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program co-funded by the Victorian and Australian Governments.
39 Episodes
Reverse
Send us a text In this episode of Digging Deeper, host Alister interviews Justin Dunn, founder and owner of Shepherd Ag Auto Feeders. Justin discusses his transition from being a school principal to becoming an entrepreneur in agriculture technology. He shares his journey from teaching and developing science and technology programs in schools to addressing labour challenges in sheep farming through automated feeding systems. Justin explains the evolution of his products, the importance of aut...
Send us a text In this episode, Chelsea Hair recounts her harrowing experience of a recent car accident, emphasising the significance of safety and insurance while praising the professionalism of emergency responders. Chelsea also outlines an ongoing livestock project, supported by Meat & Livestock Australia, focusing on post-weaning performance, discussing the methodologies and preliminary findings from different farm management practices. This research aims to enhance the understanding ...
Send us a text In this episode of Digging Deeper, host Al interviews Anthony Snow, a unique thinker in the realms of business and farming. They delve into Anthony's journey from growing up in a turf maintenance family in Bacchus Marsh, to his eventual move to East Gippsland to manage a large-scale turf farm for Lilydale Instant Lawn. Anthony shares his evolution from turf expert to cattle farmer, discussing his current operations under Snow Rural, which focuses on black Angus beef cattle with...
Send us a text In this episode of 'Digging Deeper,' the host welcomes Alison Gunn, the owner of Herd Solutions, who shares insights into her extensive career in veterinary practice and her sustainable farming philosophies. Alison discusses her upbringing in a horticultural family in Kent, England, her determination to become a vet despite societal challenges, and her career journey across the UK and Australia. She highlights the importance of preventive health in veterinary practice and her p...
Send us a text In this episode of 'Digging Deeper,' the host welcomes guests Trevor and Trent, who share their experiences at Gippsland Ag and discuss their farming journeys. Trent provides an overview of his extensive background in farming, experiencing life as a jackaroo, and gaining agronomy expertise. The conversation covers decisions made during drought conditions, proactive management strategies, and maintaining mental health. The episode also touches on community support, infrastructur...
Send us a text In this episode of Digging Deeper, the host interviews Lily McCole, a young farmer from Swifts Creek who has recently gone viral for her event recap on the Youth Agritech Expo. Lily shares her experiences growing up on a family farm, managing a diverse range of animals, and the challenges faced in modern farming. She also discusses her viral social media moment, organising the Youth Agritech Expo, and her aspirations for a future in farming and real estate. Despite her young ag...
Send us a text In this episode of 'Digging Deeper,' Alistair from Gippsland Ag Group welcomes regular guest Morgan Davies from Elders to discuss the current state of the livestock market. They cover topics such as the recent sale of cattle in Barnawartha, seasonal market conditions, cattle and sheep price trends, and processing details for various livestock classes in Victoria. They also touch on how farming seasons can change rapidly, the impact on producers, and the importance of looking af...
Send us a text In this episode of 'Digging Deeper,' host Al sits down with Chelsea to discuss the latest developments and best practices in managing bulls and rams for breeding. Chelsea highlights the increased workload in the business and delves into various veterinary procedures and observations, including bull testing, body condition scoring, and addressing common reproductive issues such as malpresentations, uterine twists, and episiotomies. The conversation also covers seasonal impacts o...
Send us a text In the latest episode of Digging Deeper, host Alistair from the Gippsland Ag Group welcomes Joel Williams, an independent educator specializing in soil science, to discuss the intricacies of soil health, nutrient management, and sustainable farming practices. Joel shares his international experiences from Canada, insights on the renewed interest in soil biology, and practical advice for leveraging soil chemistry and physics for better farming outcomes. The episode covers the im...
Send us a text In this episode of Digging Deeper, Jackie and Kelvin Pendergast discuss their experiences and insights into sheep breeding and farming life. The couple recently participated in the Gippsland Stud Merino Breeders ram sale, achieving remarkable success with an impressive clearance rate and top price ram. They share the history of their farm and their journey in sheep breeding, including their unique approach to maintaining quality genetics and dealing with challenges like drought...
Send us a text In this episode of Digging Deeper, the host welcomes Taylor, the youngest guest so far at just 15 years old. Taylor, who lives on a farm and has a deep-rooted passion for agriculture, shares her early memories of farm life, including feeding a neighbour's calf at the age of four. She discusses her involvement in cattle showing, working at a dairy, and managing her own stud, Lookout Angus. Taylor aims to study agriculture at Marcus Oldham College after completing a 12-month farm...
Send us a text In this episode of 'Digging Deeper,' host Al catches up with Chelsea, a visiting vet, to discuss a range of veterinary topics. They delve into Chelsea's busy start to the carving season while managing the clinic solo. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on lameness in cattle and sheep, highlighting causes like foot rot and nutritional issues, along with treatments including foot baths and hoof trimming. They also explore a rare case of malignant catarrhal fever in c...
Send us a text In this episode of Digging Deeper Ag Chats with Al, the team provides updates from the Gippsland Research Farm. Topics include new projects, soil testing results, and upcoming events like Spring Field Day in October. Special guests Rick Blackshaw and Jen Smith discuss ongoing trials, such as soil sampling, cereal variety research, grass trials, and brassica comparison. They also touch on efforts related to improving soil fertility, livestock management, and the broader impact o...
Send us a text In this episode of Digging Deeper Ag Chats with Al, Alistair from the Gippsland Ag Group returns after a mid-season break to discuss the cattle and sheep market trends with guest speakers Morgan Davies and Joey, livestock agents from Euroa. They explore recent price movements, market predictions, and share insights on livestock handling and MSA accreditation. Additionally, they delve into various factors influencing livestock value and the evolving landscape of sheep and cattle...
Send us a text In this episode, the discussion centers on best practices for yard weaning and artificial insemination (AI) in cattle. Topics include the importance of adequate space to prevent disease, acclimating calves to feedlot conditions, and the benefits of keeping calves longer after weaning. The conversation also delves into optimal vaccination strategies and the logistics and challenges of AI, with a focus on synchronization protocols, benefits in terms of conception rates, reduced d...
Send us a text In this episode of 'Digging Deeper,' host Al welcomes back Mors after a brief hiatus. Mors shares updates about his recent holiday in Broome and discusses upcoming vacation plans. They dive into the cattle market, analyzing current trends and prices, the impact of weather conditions on livestock, and forecasts for winter and early spring. They also touch on the global scene, the effect of economic and political factors on exports, and the strong performance of the lamb market. ...
Send us a text In this episode of Digging Deeper, Alistair welcomes Dr. Enoch Bergman, a renowned cattle vet originally from WildHorse, Colorado. They discuss Dr. Bergman's journey from America to Australia, sharing tales of his early life, the challenges of relocation, and his significant contributions to veterinary medicine. The conversation delves deeply into Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV), also known as Pesty Virus in Australia. Dr. Bergman explains the epidemiology of BVDV, its effec...
Send us a text Optimizing Livestock Management: Insights on Carving, Lambing, and General Animal Husbandry Join Chelsea and Al on 'Dig In Deeper' as they discuss the challenges and best practices in livestock management, focusing on carving and lambing preparations. From dealing with busy schedules and adverse weather to handling specific livestock health issues like abortions, disbudding, and bull problems, Chelsea provides a comprehensive overview of their current veterinary projects, incl...
Send us a text In this episode, Nathan shares his non-traditional path into agriculture, from growing up in Geelong to running a successful farm consultancy. He discusses the importance of translating scientific research into practical on-farm applications and offers advice on managing sheep operations, including lamb survival strategies and the benefits of scanning for multiples. Nathan also highlights the value of focusing on practical, actionable insights and understanding animal behavior....
Send us a text In this episode of 'Digging Deeper,' the hosts welcome Paul from Rabobank and local guest Ellie Caldwell to discuss the current trends and factors influencing farmland prices in Australia. Paul, a Commodities and Farm Inputs Analyst originally from Wales, shares insights from Rabobank's Australian Farmer and Price Outlook 2025 report. They delve into topics such as the recent decline in median land prices, factors affecting farmland values, corporate and foreign investmen...
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States