Humans of Agriculture

Humans of Agriculture brings you inside the conversations, careers and stories shaping agriculture. Hosted by Oli Le Lievre, the podcast gives listeners access to the people, ideas and experiences you might not otherwise get close to.

Humans of Agriculture is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 391 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 87.

Unknown Host hosts Humans of Agriculture, a business show with 391 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #176

  I'm Certainly Not One of Those Farmers Happy to Take a 3% Return - Stafford Ives-Heres (Rabobank Partner Ep)

  Sep 28, 202635 minS6

  Fourth-generation beef producer Stafford Ives-Heres is building Shanford Park on Tasmania's north-west coast with one eye firmly on the generations still to come. From starting with 10 cattle and working cray boats to fund his growth, to succession, leasing land and questioning whether owning more country always makes commercial sense, Stafford shares how he's thinking about building a family business that's valuable enough to be taken on, not simply sold. We chat about: Growing up at Shanford Park and being the last of four kids to become interested in farming Starting with 10 cattle as a teenager Working cray boats along Tasmania's remote west coast Using off-farm income to build livestock ownership Why the family moved from dairy into beef The beginnings of Tasmanian Seaweed Fertilisers Separating family businesses to make succession work Growing livestock numbers through ownership, leasing and share farming Why Stafford questions the need to own every hectare Building equity and optionality for the next generation Creating pathways into agriculture without owning land Why professional development and strong networks matter Chapters 00:00 The realities of regional connectivity 05:09 Meet Stafford Ives-Heres 06:17 Farming on Tasmania's north-west coast 10:21 Starting with 10 cattle 12:15 Leaving farming for the cray industry 16:24 Lessons from working at sea 18:01 From dairy farming to seaweed fertiliser 23:40 Separating businesses and navigating succession 25:36 Growing the beef business 28:29 Having children and thinking generations ahead 31:04 Playing the long game with land and scale 32:22 Professional development, equity and what's next 36:18 Leasing land and creating pathways into agriculture 39:05 Rabobank's Executive Development Program Rabobank Partner info: This Humans of Agriculture podcast is proudly brought to you by Rabobank. At Rabobank, support goes beyond banking. That's why they’ve created RaboElevate, a platform designed to help farmers, producers and agribusiness leaders expand their networks and prepare for generations to come. Through RaboElevate, you'll gain access to industry-leading insights, practical learning opportunities, business management programs, events and connections with experts and fellow producers from across the agricultural sector. Whether you're looking to strengthen your business skills, stay ahead of industry trends or connect with like-minded people, RaboElevate is designed to support your professional and business development. Visit rabobank.com.au/elevate to learn more

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  Episode #175

  Starting from 0 to 10% of Australia's Strawberry nursery market with Jack and Lisa Beattie

  Sep 21, 202637 minS6

  Jack and Lisa Beattie didn’t set out to build a strawberry propagation business. After leaving Jack’s family dairy operation and trying several different ventures, an unexpected opportunity at Ouse in Tasmania changed their direction. Today, JCLM Farming produces around 10% of Australia’s strawberry nursery plants. Jack and Lisa share the decisions, setbacks and lessons behind that growth, and their ambition to become the provider of choice for Australian strawberry growers. In this episode: Leaving the family farm and starting again Why their early businesses were important stepping stones The unexpected move from dairy into strawberry propagation The moment they decided to back one business rather than keep diversifying Why Ouse is uniquely suited to growing strawberry nursery plants Growing JCLM to around 10% of the Australian market Finding and bringing new strawberry genetics into Australia How six plants can become millions through propagation Digitising the customer journey from ordering through to delivery Building a team around Jack and Lisa’s different strengths Their goal to double JCLM’s share of the Australian market Chapters 00:00 Introduction and JCLM Farming today 02:20 Jack’s farming roots and moving from the UK to Tasmania 05:09 Leaving the family dairy business 07:25 The difficult first decade on their own 09:06 Their first businesses and lessons from things that didn’t work 12:12 Lisa’s perspective on money, growth and building the business 16:11 How strawberries unexpectedly entered the picture 18:55 The two phone calls that changed their direction 22:43 Building JCLM into 10% of Australia’s strawberry plant market 24:44 Creating value for customers and aligning the team 26:29 Jack and Lisa’s different strengths as leaders 28:45 Global genetics and the story of six Eclipse plants 32:34 Building a digital-first strawberry nursery 37:47 The ambition to double JCLM’s Australian market share 39:14 What are the chances your strawberries started at JCLM? 40:41 The strawberry needle scare, COVID and labour challenges Rabobank Partner Ad: This Humans of Agriculture podcast is proudly brought to you by Rabobank. When it comes to agriculture, relationships matter. That's why Rabobank supports clients through a network of local branches and dedicated rural managers who understand the opportunities and challenges facing Australian producers. As a specialist food and agribusiness bank, Rabobank combines local knowledge with global expertise to support farming businesses as they plan for the future. Visit rabobank.com.au to find your local branch

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  Episode #174

  Tom & Mick: Livestock, Markets and the Power of Relationships with Michael Spencer

  Sep 7, 202629 minS6

  Michael Spencer has spent more than 30 years across livestock agency, corporate agriculture, cattle processing and pastoral operations, including roles with Elders, AACo and Bindaree Beef before helping build Adcock Partners. In this episode of The Tom & Mick Show, Michael joins Tom and Mick to unpack what good livestock agency actually looks like, why Adcock Partners deliberately operates under the radar, and what he is seeing across cattle markets from northern Australia through to the eastern states. They discuss: Michael’s unconventional path through Elders, AACo, Bindaree Beef and into Adcock Partners Why relationships and people remain the foundation of a strong agency business Building a business around agility rather than corporate complexity Why Adcock Partners has deliberately stayed relatively quiet and selective How livestock agency has changed over the past 30 years What good service looks like when clients span enormous distances Seasonal conditions across Queensland and the Northern Territory Why producer confidence can move cattle prices quickly The relationship between live export and domestic cattle markets Why live export remains critical to northern Australia and Indonesia What Michael expects from cattle markets heading through spring and into 2027 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Michael Spencer and Adcock Partners 05:24 Michael’s path from Melbourne to livestock agency 12:41 From Elders and AACo to Bindaree 18:05 Building Adcock Partners and the business philosophy 23:34 What good livestock agency service looks like 29:48 Seasonal conditions across northern Australia 35:12 The cattle market and influence of the farmer 40:36 Live export, Indonesia and changing cattle markets 46:18 What happens next for the cattle market 50:20 The Charbray question and wrapping up

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  Episode #172

  “We Mortgaged Our Houses”.... The Bet That Became Delta Agribusiness with Gerard Hines and Chris Duff

  Aug 31, 20261h 18mS6

  Gerard Hines and Chris Duff have spent nearly four decades working alongside each other, building one of Australia's most respected independent agribusinesses from a single rural store into a national business. What does it take to build an agribusiness from a handful of people into a national business, without losing the culture, relationships and local connection that made it successful in the first place? Gerard Hines and Chris Duff are the co-founders of Delta Agribusiness. Their working relationship stretches back almost 40 years, from a small rural business near Young, NSW, through the creation of Delta Agribusiness in 2006 and more than 20 acquisitions, before Delta ultimately became part of Elders. This is a conversation about much more than growth. Gerard and Chris unpack the decisions, people and principles underneath it, from backing themselves during drought, putting their own money on the line and using employee ownership to create alignment, to learning why balance sheet strength, local relationships and great people matter when building a business for the long term. Key insights from the conversation: How Gerard and Chris built a partnership spanning nearly 40 years through trust, respect and shared values Why bringing independent agronomy into agricultural retail fundamentally changed their business model The role mentors and early equity opportunities played in shaping Delta's inclusive ownership philosophy What IAMA, Wesfarmers and AWB taught them about leadership, governance, systems and financial discipline Why Delta was founded during the middle of a severe drought and how backing themselves changed everything The importance of maintaining a strong balance sheet so opportunities can be seized during difficult seasons How focusing on people, culture and local relationships drove more than 20 successful acquisitions across Australia Why equity ownership became one of Delta's greatest tools for attracting, retaining and aligning great people How staying connected to customers and the frontline has remained critical, even as the business has grown nationally The lessons learned from succession planning, bringing in private equity, and ultimately partnering with Elders to secure Delta's next chapter Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Gerard Hines and Chris Duff's Journey 01:52 Early Days of Agriculture and Agronomy 04:00 Founding of Delta Agribusiness and Initial Challenges 08:05 The Impact of Industry Changes and Mergers 11:57 Lessons Learned from Industry Challenges 15:57 Growth Strategies and Private Equity Involvement 20:08 Building Company Culture and Leadership 25:02 Managing Growth, Succession, and Industry Dynamics 31:47 The Decision to Start Delta and Early Risks 36:04 Timing and Market Conditions During Launch 40:03 Resilience During Droughts and Market Cycles 45:07 The Role of Relationships and Trust in Business 49:48 Strategic Acquisitions and Private Equity Partnerships 54:58 Adapting to Industry and Market Changes 59:55 Leadership, Culture, and the Future of Delta Podcast Keywords Delta Agribusiness, Gerard Hines, Chris Duff, Australian agribusiness, agronomy Australia, agricultural leadership, agribusiness entrepreneurship, rural business, agriculture careers, agricultural retail, private agronomy, Australian farming, business growth, mergers and acquisitions, employee ownership, business culture, drought resilience, leadership development, succession planning, Elders, regional business, entrepreneurship in agriculture

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  Episode #171

  The Power of Two Farming Families Working Together - Harry Kemp (Rabobank Partner Ep)

  Aug 26, 202648 minS6

  Building a premium beef brand isn't just about producing exceptional cattle. It's about understanding markets, embracing data, building the right team, and having the patience to make decisions years before the product reaches a customer's plate. In this episode, Harry Kemp shares the story behind King River , the family-owned Wagyu business that has grown from a bold partnership between two Queensland families into a premium beef brand supplying customers across more than 35 countries. Harry reflects on growing up in a family grazing business, leaving school early to return to the land, and how his approach to learning has evolved alongside the rapid transformation of Australian agriculture. What began as a traditional cattle operation has become a data-driven business where genetics, consumer demand, and long-term thinking shape every decision. Together, Oli and Harry explore the realities of building a premium export brand, why consistency matters more than chasing perfection , and how strong relationships have underpinned King River's remarkable growth over the past five years. From genetics and data to leadership, teamwork, and customer relationships, this conversation offers a fascinating insight into what it takes to build a modern beef business that delivers quality from paddock to plate. Key insights from the conversation: Harry's journey from the family cattle property to co-founding King River Why two family businesses joined forces to build a premium Wagyu brand The challenges of building a business with a four-year production cycle How genetics, data, and consumer demand are transforming beef production Why consistency matters more than producing the highest marbling scores Building a business that now supplies premium Wagyu to more than 35 countries Lessons on rapid business growth, leadership, and putting people in the right roles The importance of relationships, accountability, and shared values in successful partnerships Why producing great food is ultimately about bringing people together, regardless of language or culture Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Harry Kemp and King River Beef 02:20 The significance of the Ekka week and industry events 04:00 Harry's background and early life in farming 07:32 Changes in beef farming over 21 years 10:07 The formation of King River Beef in 2019 11:30 Utilising Wagyu to optimise feedlot infrastructure 14:05 Transition from selling cattle to branding and marketing 16:22 Meeting the Rich family and forming the partnership 19:45 Managing rapid growth and team restructuring 24:55 Impact of genetics and breeding on marbling 29:38 The importance of data and technology in decision-making 34:22 Building a global customer base and maintaining quality 44:01 The future vision for King River Beef 45:20 Harry's perspective on being a food producer 46:47 The universal language of good food and beef 47:22 Closing remarks and next steps for the business This episode of Humans of Agriculture is proudly brought to you by Rabobank, Australia's Most Recommended Agribusiness Bank for three consecutive years running.* Exciting news - Applications for the Rabobank Rural Community Hub Program are now open, Rabobank is awarding 10 grants of $10,000 to help improve rural community hubs and halls across regional Australia. These important community spaces play a vital role in bringing people together, strengthening connections, and supporting the wellbeing of regional communities. If your local hall or community hub could benefit from funding, now is the time to apply. Applications close on 30 August 2026. To learn more and apply, visit rabobank.com.au. *RFI Global Australian Banking & Finance Awards

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