Эпизоды
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Some friendships change your life. This one changed Australia.
When Tracy Bevan met Jane McGrath at an airport café in 1996, they were simply two British women far from home, trying to find their place in a new country while their husbands travelled the world playing cricket.
What neither of them knew was that a friendship forged over cups of tea, loneliness, laughter and life's challenges would go on to impact hundreds of thousands of Australian families.
Tracy co-founded the McGrath Foundation with Jane in 2005. Two cricket wives, a kitchen table, no roadmap. Before Jane passed away in June 2008, Tracy made her a promise: to keep going, to honour what they had started together and to ensure no family would ever face cancer alone. She has spent nearly two decades since keeping that promise.
Today, 367 McGrath Cancer Care Nurses, 174,000+ families supported, and a mission that has changed what a cancer diagnosis looks like in Australia.
In this episode, Tracy shares the story behind one of Australia’s most loved charities - not from a corporate lens, but from the heart of a best friend who has spent nearly two decades honouring Jane’s legacy.
We explore:
How a difficult childhood taught Tracy resilience and the powerful lesson that helped her break free from the past Jane McGrath’s breast cancer diagnosis that changed everything and how one moment between two best friends sparked a national movement How one extraordinary nurse helped Jane navigate her darkest days and inspired a mission to ensure no family faces cancer alone What it really takes to build a lasting organisation from scratch, growing from a kitchen-table idea to one of Australia's most trusted charitiesToday, one in two Australians will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. You may already know someone who has.
It's a sobering reminder that the work of the McGrath Foundation is far from finished. Behind every diagnosis is a family navigating uncertainty, fear, and change and that's why the Foundation's support is needed now more than ever. To learn more, seek support, or contribute to this incredible mission, visit the McGrath Foundation website.
Tracy, thank you for keeping your promise to Jane and reminding us that one act of care can become a ripple that reaches families we may never meet, in places we may never see.
Sincerely, Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team
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There’s an old saying that uncertainty creates opportunity.
But if you're a grain grower right now, uncertainty can also create confusion, hesitation, and some pretty costly decisions.
Over the past few years, we've seen massive swings in commodity prices, input costs, weather patterns, and global politics. For many farm businesses, it feels like the rules keep changing. One minute we're talking about record production and oversupply. The next, global conflict, fund money, and drought concerns are driving volatility back into the market.
In this episode, I'm joined by Market Check’s Managing Director and Founder, Brett Stevenson and CEO, Nick Crundall to unpack what has changed in global grain markets over the past nine months and what Australian grain growers need to be thinking about right now.
More importantly, we explore the mindset and disciplines that separate consistently successful grain marketers from everyone else.
We cover:
How global conflict, rising fertiliser costs, and speculative investment are influencing grain prices and market volatility. Why global wheat stocks are tightening after record production years and what that means for the outlook for Australian growers. Insights around hedging, forward selling and grain storage, including why many growers continue to leave money on the table despite producing excellent crops. The common mistake of allowing tax planning and cash flow pressures to drive grain marketing decisions instead of following a clear strategyNick shares some compelling analysis comparing hedging versus traditional forward selling and the long-term performance difference between growers who actively manage risk and those who don't. You can access Market Check's analysis here.
This conversation also reinforces themes I explored with Jeff McDonald around financial clarity, proactive planning, and leading your business with confidence rather than reacting to circumstances. If you haven't listened to that episode yet, I'd encourage you to do so here.
Nick and Brett, thank you both for your time, your honesty, and your willingness to share what you've learned over many years working alongside growers.
Here's to a great season ahead,
Sincerely,
Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team.
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Пропущенные эпизоды?
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In Part 1, John Fargher took us back to the beginning, exploring the early days of AgriWebb and the farming families who backed a young ag tech company long before the rest of the industry could see what it would become. If you haven't listened to that one yet, we recommend starting there.
In Part 2, the story gets bigger.
Because beneath the global partnerships and the rapid growth, this episode is really about how farming families move from recording the past to actually getting ahead of it.
At the centre of it all is still the farm business itself. The producer who knows their country better than anyone but is making critical decisions without the right information in front of them. The family navigating rising expectations around data, sustainability, succession, and performance, often without the tools or support to do it confidently.
John talks openly about the gap between what is possible and what most farming families are actually doing, and how AgriWebb's direct to farm model is closing that gap every day. Their collaboration with Figured takes it even further, finally connecting the operational and financial picture of a farm business in one place, so that the decisions being made on the ground are backed by the numbers that matter.
In this episode, we explore:
How AgriWebb's two-part business model works and why the enterprise model is unlocking value for farmers in ways the industry has never seen before The Sainsbury's and ABP partnership, six years in, 500+ farms, and results th -
John Fargher grew up on a remote family station in the Northern Flinders Ranges, where distance, drought, hard work and innovation were simply part of life. He saw first-hand how quickly farming can change. A station that once needed 40 people could later run with four or five. Horses gave way to motorbikes. Water runs that once took days could be done in hours by plane. Each shift changed what was possible, and left John asking one question: what is the next step change in livestock agriculture? That question became AgriWebb. In this episode, John Fargher, co-founder of AgriWebb, shares the story behind one of Australia’s great ag tech businesses, from a floppy disk sitting unused in a station office to a global platform now used across 28 countries, tracking more than 20 million head of livestock. He talks openly about the early days, the failed hardware ideas, the farmer who almost said no but then chose to back them, and why that moment still gets him emotional more than a decade later. We explore:
What AgriWebb is seeing across global agriculture and why Australian agribusiness may be slower to invest than other markets How AI is shifting livestock management from recording what happened to forecasting what is coming Why the future of farm data is about planning ahead, not just tracking the past How AgriWebb now supports farmers across Australia, the UK, the US, Brazil and beyondFor farmers, this is more than a technology story. It is a reminder that progress rarely comes from one big leap. It comes from practical people backing better ways of working before the rest of the industry catches up. This is Part 1 of the AgriWebb story, with more to come in the next episode.
Thank you John, for sharing the story so openly, and for the work you and the AgriWebb team continue to do in helping move agriculture forward. Keep winning, Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team
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A good season can hide a lot. So can a strong balance sheet. But performing well on the surface does not always mean the business is built on the right foundation.
Risk builds quietly. Options narrow over time. And by the time most farm owners recognise it, they have less room to move than they thought.
In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Andy Fenton, Managing Director of Fenton Financial, who brings more than 20 years of experience across financial planning, funds management and investment banking, to unpack a confronting but important idea:
It can be our business structures that kill our farm businesses.
Not all at once. Not dramatically. But over time, through outdated structures, poor protection, limited leverage, unnecessary tax inefficiency, and too much control sitting with the bank.
Andy explains why so many farming businesses are still operating in structures that were inherited, kept because they were simple, or never reviewed as the business grew. He talks through what can go wrong when land, machinery and trading operations are tied together in the wrong way, and why that can leave farming families more exposed than they realise.
We cover:
why outdated structures can quietly hold a farm business back the risks of having land and trading activities sitting together how tax averaging and poor structuring can limit flexibility why banks can gain too much control when security is not set up well how better structures can improve protection, succession and wealth creationWe often see farming families operating in structures that no longer fit the business. That’s why conversations with specialists such as Andy matter. While Farm Owners Academy is not an accounting firm, we help members ask better questions, think more strategically, and strengthen the business behind the farm through the deeper support available in our 3-year comprehensive Platinum Mastermind program.
If this episode has raised questions about how your business is structured, you can learn more about Andy and his work at https://fentonfinancial.com.au/
Andy, thank you for bringing a clear and commercially grounded perspective to how structure, tax and leverage can shape the level of risk, control and succession in a farm business.
Till next time, Jeremy Hutchings & The Farm Owners Academy Team
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Are you concerned by the uncertainty surrounding increased fuel prices?
Is the current global turmoil challenging your view on how to best navigate this season?
The biggest risk right now is not fuel, fertiliser, interest rates, or global instability. It's panic.
Uncertainty has a way of hijacking clear thinking. It pulls people into worst-case scenarios and pushes reactive decisions before the facts are fully in.
That is where the real damage starts. Not in the disruption itself, but in the response to it.
Because when something shifts, whether it is a headline, a price rise, or a disruption, the natural human response is not calm, measured thinking. It is alarm. It is projection. It is the tendency to ask, “What if this gets worse?” rather than, “What is actually true right now?”.
In this conversation, Sam Johnsson, Tracy Secombe and I unpack what it really looks like to lead through uncertainty, not just from a business perspective, but from a mindset and leadership standpoint.
We cover:
how to check your state first and move from angst and panic back to composure and optimism why stepping away from drama, media, and negativity helps you come back to facts and make logical, informed decisions how to use forecasting to assess worst case, average case, and best case, and adapt your approach accordingly how practices like gratitude, exercise, and self-regulation help lift your mindset so you can lead your family and team more stronglyYou do not need to pretend uncertainty is not there. You do need to lead yourself well enough that it does not make your decisions for you.
Sam and Tracy, thank you for the practical insight and steady perspective you’ve brought to this conversation on how to lead through uncertainty.
Navigating the financial side of the business in times like this can feel overwhelming, and you’re not alone. Many farm owners have felt that same pressure and have used the Cash Flow Optimiser to turn uncertainty into clearer thinking and more confident decisions. If that’s where you’re at right now, you can find out more here.
Keep winning,
Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team
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This week, Sam Johnsson hijacks the podcast while I’m off on a skiing holiday in Austria and he takes on a topic that might not sound flashy, but can quietly change everything in a farm business: building a strong financial system.
Because for a lot of farm owners, the numbers are still something that sit in the background until they become a problem.
And that’s a hard way to lead.
When the books are behind, the reporting is patchy, or the numbers only come out at tax time, it leaves people making big decisions without a clear view of where the business is actually at. That creates stress, second-guessing, and a constant sense of being on the back foot.
In this conversation, Sam is joined by Jayne Walsh, Tim Fowler, Renee Nicholls, and Bec Balfour to unpack what good financial management actually looks like in a real farm business.
Between them, they bring lived experience from multi-generational farming operations, succession, enterprise management, and bookkeeping support for rural businesses. And what comes through clearly is this: strong financial systems are not just about compliance. They are about clarity, confidence, and better decisions.
We explore the gap between “doing the books” and actually using your numbers to lead the business well. From clean data and simple chart-of-accounts structures, through to forecasting, enterprise analysis, cashflow visibility, and stronger conversations with banks, this is a practical discussion about getting out of reactive mode and into a much more proactive way of operating.
Here’s what we uncover:
Why weekly reconciliations and end-of-month processes create confidence in the numbers How forecasting helps you adjust as the season changes instead of reacting too late The value of enterprise-level reporting to understand what is and is not making money Why banks and lenders respond better when your numbers are current, clear, and well presented Practical first steps for farm businesses wanting to improve their financial systems this yearIf you’ve ever felt like the financial side of the business is heavier than it should be, this episode is a good reminder that you’re not bad at business, you just might not have the right system yet.
Because the goal here is not to become an accountant.
It’s to build enough visibility and rhythm around the numbers that you can lead with more confidence, make better decisions earlier, and stop carrying that constant uncertainty in your head.
Bec Balfour from Rembiz Bookkeeping and Renee Nicholls from RN Business Consulting both work with rural businesses to bring more clarity, structure, and confidence to the numbers. You can reach Bec at rembiz.com.au or [email protected], and Renee at rnbusinessconsulting.com.au or [email protected].
Sam, Jayne, Tim, Renee, and Bec - thank you for a conversation that gets to the heart of what strong farm finance looks like. There’s real value in this one for any farm owner who wants to feel more in control of the business, rather than be overwhelmed by it.
Keep winning, Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team
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Selling the family farm can feel like the ultimate failure. For a lot of farming families, it can carry guilt, grief, and the sense that something precious has been lost.
But Mike Stephens challenges that story head-on.
Mike is the founder of Meridian Agriculture, one of Australia’s oldest and most experienced agricultural consulting firms, and the author of Life After Farming. For decades, he has helped farming families navigate the people side of agriculture with practical support around succession, transition, and decision-making.
He argues the real measure of “successful succession” is not whether the land stays in the family, but whether the outcome meets the needs of the whole family, passes the fairness test, and protects relationships.
We explore why the “never sell” narrative adds pressure to families already carrying enough, how to get the right conversations on the table (early), and what it looks like when a family chooses a positive exit and thrives in the next chapter.
Here’s what we uncover:
Why selling the family farm is not a failure of succession Why fairness is the hard but necessary test, especially between farming and non-farming siblings The cost of staying in the game at all costs, including debt, pressure, and resentment How to approach succession conversations properly, starting with confidential one-on-one input before bringing key issues to the family table The power of starting early: it may be too early for a succession plan, but it’s never too early to plan for successionIf your family is carrying the weight of succession conversations, this episode offers a clearer reference point for what good decision-making can look like. Not perfect. Not painless. But fair, practical, and grounded in what matters most.
Mike, thank you for bringing such clarity and steadiness to one of the hardest conversations farming families ever face. Your perspective gives people permission to think more honestly about legacy, fairness, and what a good outcome really looks like.
In your corner, Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team
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As we step into 2026, there’s a lot of noise out there.
Geopolitical tension. AI hype. Market highs. Media drama.
And if you’re a farm owner trying to make steady, strategic decisions in the middle of a tight season… it can feel like one more thing to carry.
In this episode, I sit down with my good mate Terry Tran, founder of Freedom Trader, to cut through the headlines and look at what the data is actually telling us.
Because while the media sells emotion, markets move on numbers.
And if you’re building off-farm wealth whether inside super, a managed fund, or direct equities, this matters.
We uncover:
What’s really driving the market surge (and why it’s not as broad as it looks) Why AI investment is inflating valuations across tech What Warren Buffett and other “smart money” investors are quietly doing What questions you should be asking your advisor or super fund And how to prepare so you’re not a spectator when opportunity returnsIf you’re looking for a clear, practical framework to assess markets, filter quality investments, and build an off-farm portfolio with confidence, join Terry’s exclusive FOA webinar on March 17th at 7:20pm AEDT. Register here.
You can also learn more about Terry’s philosophy, real-money approach to risk management, and the Freedom Trader Blueprint program via his website here.
Thank you Terry for your generosity, your clarity, and for continuing to equip farming families with the tools to invest with confidence and discipline.
Yours in investing,
Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team
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What if the real constraint in your business isn’t effort, seasons, or skill, but the role you’re still stuck playing?
For Ben and Kate, this question didn’t arrive neatly. It crept in over time.
Their journey took them far from the farm first, through university, into investment banking in London, and straight into the pressure cooker of the GFC. Long hours. High stakes. A world where structure and accountability were non-negotiable.
Choosing to come home to the family farm wasn’t about escaping work. It was about building something of their own.
What they returned to was a third-generation Darling Downs farm growing irrigated silage for Wagyu feedlots. A good business, but one run largely from people’s heads, with no clear leadership role and a heavy reliance on who was on the ground each day.
Here’s what we explore:
What it really took to come home and spend years earning influence before having authority Why their succession took close to two years, and why slowing it down led to better decisions and stronger relationships The point where expanding pivots and working harder stopped delivering growth What changed once Ben stepped out of daily operations and into a full-time CEO role How simple rhythms now hold the business together, including weekly meetings, clear roles, and a 90-day operational focusIf you know your business could handle more, but not the way it’s currently being run, this conversation will give you a clearer reference point for the next shift.
Ben and Kate, thank you for sharing what leadership looks like when it’s intentional, well-timed, and anchored in long-term thinking. The clarity you’ve built into your roles, your team, and your systems is a benchmark for what’s possible when committed leaders give good decisions the space to compound.
Cass, thank you for walking alongside Ben and Kate as their coach. The decisions, structure, and confidence reflected here show what’s possible when farm businesses are supported, not left to figure it out alone.
Sincerely, Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team
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There comes a moment in every farm business where the question isn’t how much more can we do, it’s what do we actually want to build?
For Simon and Naomi Goode, that moment came after years of doing everything: cropping, hay, livestock, all while raising four kids and managing 3,200 hectares in Victoria’s eastern Wimmera. They weren’t in crisis. In fact, from the outside, they were flying. But inside, they were carrying too much. Too many moving parts. Too many long days. Not enough space to step back, lead strategically, or live the life they were working so hard to create.
In this episode, their FOA Accountability Coach, Rick Morris sits down with Simon and Naomi to explore what it really looks like to evolve a fifth-generation family farm into a professionally run business without losing the heart of it.
From completing full succession to stepping into defined leadership roles, they share what it took to:
exit a legacy enterprise that no longer served them; restructure the business and move Naomi into the CEO seat; create a trusted “Core Four” advisory team to guide decisions; redefine success around clarity, family time, and aligned growth.You’ll hear Simon speak candidly about letting go of old work patterns, building a team he can trust, and learning to prioritise leadership over busyness. And Naomi with her background in public health and local government unpacks how she’s brought structure, financial discipline, and long-term planning into the heart of the business.
If you’re running a solid farm but craving more alignment… if you’re stuck in the weeds but ready to step up and lead… or if you simply want to see what’s possible when a couple gets clear, strategic, and intentional, this episode is for you.
Thank you Simon and Naomi for your candour, courage, and willingness to share the journey so generously. You are a brilliant example of what’s possible when structure meets heart, and business meets life. And Rick, thank you for being a steady guide and coach on their journey, and for holding this conversation with such care.
Here’s to more farmers leading like this.
Keep winning,
Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team
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There comes a point when the late nights, the mental load, and the constant pressure make you wonder... how much longer can we keep doing this?
Lachlan and Anna Sutton hit that point. Burnt out. Leasing land. Bucketing grain by hand while raising three young kids.
Then something shifted.
In this episode, their FOA Accountability Coach, Hayley Grosser speaks with Lachie and Anna, a couple who, in just 18 months, scaled from those long, heavy days to owning their first property, finishing over 20,000 lambs a year, launching a vertically integrated meat brand, Red Dirt Lamb, and holding a bold vision to build a $100M agribusiness that revitalises rural communities.
But this story isn’t just about scale. It’s about identity, grit, and the price of transformation.
We dive into:
how they scaled from $200K turnover to multi-million dollar growth in less than two years; Anna’s leap from night shifts and nappies to launching a thriving farm-to-fork brand; the cashflow squeezes, mental burnout, and mindset shifts they had to overcome with the FOA community in their corner; and why their next chapter is about more than lambs on grain - it’s about building a team, backing people, and reigniting regional towns.This is for anyone who’s been told it’s too hard to start from scratch. For the couple feeling the strain of burning both ends. For the farmer who lies awake wondering, “Is this all there is?”.
Lachie and Anna show us that it’s not just about working harder. It’s about changing the game, letting go of the rules, and building a farm that works for your life, not against it.
To learn more about their story or to order their pasture-raised lamb direct from the farm, head to reddirtlamb.com.au.
Thank you Lachie and Anna for reminding us that the strongest farms aren’t built on perfect conditions, but on heart, hard conversations, and a refusal to give up. And to Hayley, for not just guiding the story, but offering the right challenge and believing in them before the results were visible.
Until next time, all the very best!
Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team
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What if the hardest seasons in your business turned out to be the ones that set you free?
In this deeply honest episode, Marina Gregor, one of our senior business coaches sits down with Andrew Graham, a cattle producer from southwest Victoria, to explore a powerful story of resilience, family, and business transformation.
Andrew was previously burnt out, juggling operations management for a large-scale dairy business while navigating succession plans for his own family farm. Fast forward to today, and his world looks remarkably different, with a thriving cattle operation with 2,500 head, family back on the land, systems in place, and a sense of balance he never thought possible.
This episode is a conversation about what happens when you step out of survival mode and into leadership with clarity and intention. It’s about letting go, backing yourself, and creating a business that truly works for you.
Together, they explore:
The messy reality of succession and how Andrew found clarity through it How burnout showed up, and what it took to finally slow down Why mindset, not just management, was the missing piece What changed when Andrew started building the business around his life The power of building a team and trusting them to leadThese small shifts might not look like much at first, but they’re where real change starts. On the farm, it’s the everyday choices including how you plan, how you work with others and how you set priorities that determine the outcome of the season. The same applies in leadership. Creating space to step back, adding structure to the work, trusting others to lead, and getting clear on roles and direction helped Andrew move from burnout to focus and confidence.
If you’re looking to do the same, now is the time to take stock. Block time early in the new year to step off-farm and get clear on your 12-month priorities, because without space, clarity rarely comes. Need help resetting your goals for the new year ahead? Our Ultimate 2026 Planning Guide can help. It’s a practical resource designed to support reflection, bring focus, and give you a framework to set clear, purposeful goals for the year ahead. Download the guide here.
Thank you Andrew for your openness, your wisdom, and your leadership. You’ve not only changed your business, you’re lighting the way for others too. And to Marina, thank you for stepping in to lead this conversation with insight and care. Your ability to support others to reflect, share honestly, and draw out lessons that others can learn from is what makes conversations like this truly valuable.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team
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As we reach the business end of the season for many, this episode offers a quiet reflection on some of the deeper and important challenges showing up for farming families and their business teams right across the country.
There’s no guest this time. Instead, I wanted to take a moment to share some of my learnings and observations over the year through coaching calls, leadership workshops, and time spent walking alongside farm owners who are doing their best to juggle family, team, operations, and future planning.
What continues to surface are three common forces quietly undermining even the most committed families. They don’t always get named, but they’re felt - in the tension, in the exhaustion, and in the weight that so many carry day to day.
Those three forces are confusion, conflict, and control.
In this episode, I explore what tends to happen when there’s no clear structure, when roles aren’t defined, and when everything rests on one or two people to hold it all together.
I also touch on something many find uncomfortable - the idea that succession might not in fact be the issue at all! Sometimes all that is missing can be a professional and practical business management framework. Without structure, succession becomes messy. With structure, it becomes manageable, and the potential for success through generations enhanced.
We will explore:
Why resourcing decisions have such a direct impact on freedom, stress, and family dynamics The cost of carrying too much, and the long-term risk of building a business that depends on one person What it means to lead professionally and put the right frameworks in place, from organisational charts and role clarity to strategic planning and operating rhythms The career ladder model that helped one farming family move from tension to shared understanding What high-performing teams have in common, and how they’re built with intention, not guessworkThis is an honest look at what it takes to lead well inside a complex family business. It’s not about having all the answers, but about making time to pause, reflect, and begin putting the right pieces in place.
As you think about what you want 2026 to look and feel like, this could be the right time to reset. Our TOP Producers Workshop offers space to slow down, take stock, and plan from a stronger base. If you’re looking to lead with more clarity and confidence next year, this 2-Day Workshop in February is a great place to start. We highly recommend it. More details here.
You can also book a free coaching call to assess what’s working, pinpoint bottlenecks, and walk away with a clear 3-step action plan for your business. Click here to lock in a time and date that suits you.
Thank you for your continued involvement with us and well done on everything each of you achieve for yourselves, your families, teams and communities. We're honoured to share this journey with you.
Wishing you a safe, restful break and the clarity to make 2026 your most aligned year yet.
Merry Christmas!
From Hutch & the entire FOA Team
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Sam Whitelock knows pressure. He’s captained the All Blacks through some of rugby’s most intense moments. He’s made high-stakes decisions with the weight of a nation on his shoulders. And now, he’s turned that same grit and composure to life on the farm.
But here’s what Sam’s learned. Real leadership isn’t about powering through at all costs. It’s knowing when to push and when to pause. When to speak and when to listen. And how to look after yourself, so you can lead others well.
In this episode, Sam opens up about his transition from rugby to farming, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and how the principles of leadership he honed on the field apply to farming life. From managing stress and communicating effectively to balancing the demands of family and business, Sam offers practical insights that can help anyone facing the pressures of modern-day farming.
We cover:
The parallels between leadership on the rugby field and managing a farming business, and how both environments require clear communication, calm decision-making, and showing up for your team. The importance of staying grounded and managing stress in high-pressure situations. The impact of Farmstrong, a wellness initiative supporting farmers' mental and physical health. The challenges of farming and why building a support network and taking time off are key to long-term success.Whether you’re managing a farm or a team, Sam’s reflections remind us that leadership is not just about being in control. It’s about being self-aware enough to step back and ensure your own well-being is a priority.
Sam, thank you for sharing your journey with us and for reminding us that good leadership starts with taking care of ourselves.
For all our listeners, if you’re looking for resources to support your mental and physical health, be sure to check out Farmstrong. And if you're in Australia, I encourage you to get involved with Active Farmers, a great initiative supporting rural communities.
Keep leading, keep caring, and keep supporting your mental well-being.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team
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“You’re doing better than you think.” It’s the simple, powerful reminder that Tim and Cheryl Freak leave behind after every farm visit.
In this episode, I sit down with two of our long-time FOA members and coaches, Tim and Cheryl, who have spent the past three years deeply embedded in our community, supporting hundreds of farm businesses across Australia. This year alone, they’ve completed more than 50+ full day, in-person visits and share rare insight into what’s really going on in farming right now.
From drought-hit sheep properties in Victoria, to feedlot expansions in NSW, to cropping and irrigation operations in Queensland, they’ve sat at kitchen tables and walked paddocks, helping farming families align around a shared vision, map out their next steps, and reconnect with why they’re doing what they’re doing.
They bring a fresh perspective, often seeing things that others can’t because they’re too close to it. Whether it’s spotting simple changes, helping families refocus on what really matters, or gently challenging assumptions, their approach is grounded in experience and care.
In this episode, we unpack:
The key themes from their farm visits, from confinement feeding and breed decisions, to water shortages, machinery investments and moreHow the most effective operators are thinking strategically, knowing their numbers, and making informed decisions even in tight seasonsSuccession planning, and the honest conversations that many families avoid but desperately need to haveThe power of having a clear Clarity Action Plan that brings the whole team into alignment, and maps a path forwardWhy investing in your people and seeing your team as an asset, not a cost, is key to building a business that lastsThe importance of finding joy, creating harmony, and celebrating wins along the wayWhat Tim & Cheryl bring to these visits with fresh eyes, deep understanding, and a tonne of lived experience is gold.
They often walk into some homes where stress is written all over people’s faces and by the time they leave, there’s a visible shift. Shoulders ease. Confidence returns. People stand a little taller, not because everything’s perfect, but because they’re clearer, calmer, and more focused on what matters most.
Whether you’re a grazier in Victoria, a cropper in NSW, a dairy operator navigating burnout, or running a mixed-enterprise with a family team, there’s something in this one for you.
Tim and Cheryl, you have given yourselves fully and wholeheartedly to this community. You have helped families feel seen, supported, and stronger through some of their most challenging moments. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for the care, wisdom, and compassion you continue to share so generously.
Let’s get into it.
Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team
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Australia’s wool sector is still feeling the pinch. There’s no doubt the last couple of years have been challenging, with recent decile two and three prices making it hard for many businesses to stay afloat. But despite these obstacles, the Swales of Woodlands set an example of resilience. They’re carrying 150 years of family heritage into the future, proving that even in the face of adversity, there are opportunities to adapt and thrive.
This week, I’m joined by Jamie & Will Swales both proud Platinum Mastermind Alumni from Woodlands, a 4,265 ha merino operation 55 km west of Armidale in NSW’s New England. This year marks 150 years of their family farming this property, with children Will, Georgia and Angus representing the sixth generation. Congratulations to Jamie, Angela, and their family on this incredible milestone.
In this conversation, we dig deep into:
The significance of 150 years of family farming at Woodlands, discussing how the farm has evolved and the connection to family heritage.The current state of the wool industry, including the impact of falling production, shifts in global demand and the disconnect between auction room price signals and actual consumer uptake.Strategic responses to tough times, including pivoting to cattle during drought periods and focusing on merino genetics to improve wool production.The industry's need for action on mulesing, with Jamie and Will stressing the importance of addressing animal welfare practices and marketing efforts to meet consumer expectations and boost demand.Will also shares his personal journey into the wool export industry through Endeavour Wool Exports, a company that’s become one of Australia’s largest wool exporters in just a few short years, now exporting around 220,000 bales annually. Will's role at Endeavour involves helping farmers navigate the export process and connecting them to the global market, offering direct-to-farm services and auction support. You can learn more about Endeavour Wool Exports by visiting their website here or by emailing Will directly at [email protected].
Whether you’re a wool grower, a farmer considering merino, or someone keen to understand what levers can shift an entire industry, this episode is for you.
BONUS: Get the exclusive! Hutch catches up with Will Swales 10 days later about his recent trip to China, where he joined a group of young wool producers to tour processing mills. Will shares his insights into the industry's future, with mills investing in state-of-the-art machinery and expanding production. He also talks about advocating for Australian wool growers at the Nanjing Wool Market Conference, highlighting the need for price adjustments as production continues to decline. Will’s message seemed to resonate, with the wool market rallying soon after.
A huge thanks to Jamie & Will for sharing their industry knowledge and practical insights into sustainable farming, wool genetics, and navigating global market challenges. Your experience and forward-thinking approach are invaluable to anyone looking to understand where the wool sector is heading and how they can adapt for the future.
Till next time,
Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy TeamP.S. If you’re feeling the pressure of navigating industry challenges like falling wool prices, shifting demand, or tough times on the farm, the 2026 TOP Producers Workshop is tailored to help you tackle these hurdles head-on. We’ve created this workshop to address the unique challenges farmers like you face, so you can stay ahead in the game. Secure your spot here.
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After more than 15 years of focused breeding, data collection, and persistence, Tom Bull and his team at LAMBPRO have achieved what many thought was impossible: the creation of KS7, a Marble Score 7 lamb, developed in partnership with Meat & Livestock Australia, Endeavour Meats, and chef Matt Moran. This high-marbling lamb delivers the same eating quality, juiciness, and tenderness that consumers love in premium beef. But this story isn’t just about a product. It’s about the vision, innovation, and belief that Australian lamb can compete on the global stage for the most discerning markets. Tom shares the journey from identifying high-marbling Hampshire Down genetics to developing grading technology that can now grade lambs accurately on the processing floor. He also reflects on what this means for producers and how the industry can evolve to attract young people, reduce labour, and build more efficient, profitable sheep enterprises. Specifically during this episode, we unpack:
how genetic discovery and grading technology combined to deliver the world’s first Marble Score 7 lamb; how labour efficiency and youth engagement are shaping the next era of sheep production; and why Australia’s future lies in premium, not commodity markets, serving the “Uber-premium” consumer who values quality over quantity.Tom Bull’s work is proof that persistence and vision can move an entire industry forward and that Australian producers are ready to lead the world in innovation and eating quality. You can learn more about Tom and his work at https://www.lambpro.com.au/ A huge thanks to Tom Bull for his time, insight, and unwavering commitment to raising the bar for Australian lamb. P.S. Innovation like Tom’s doesn’t happen by chance. It comes from clear goals, smart planning and bold action. The TOP Producers Workshop in Sydney on the 16th & 17th February 2026 will help you bring that same mindset to your farm business. Two days that change the way you lead, earn and grow. 🔥 Early bird tickets are on sale now for a limited time only! Click here to secure your spot.
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Australian cattle and lamb markets are at a tipping point. Prices have surged to record highs, but according to leading analyst Simon Quilty, we’re about to hit what he calls “unsustainable pricing.”
Bringing over 30 years of hard-won market insight to the table, Simon Quilty has worked with top firms including Louis Dreyfus, ConAgra, DR Johnston, and FC Stone. Today, he helps large financial institutions and farmers alike make sense of the complex forces shaping the red meat sector.
In this episode, Simon delivers a no-nonsense forecast: cattle rallying up to 750c/kg before falling back to a new norm around 550… lambs peaking at 1350c/kg before settling at 950. These aren’t guesses. They’re grounded in global supply shocks, America’s herd liquidation, and the structural rebuild now underway in Australia.
We cut straight into the forces driving this market, including:
why America’s drought and Trump’s tariffs are reshaping global trade in our favour; how the mass liquidation of the southern Angus herd has set the stage for a desperate chase for quality cattle; the shift from wool into meat sheep and the rise of self-shedding breeds; and how new global demand from China shutting out US beef to the Middle East’s booming chilled carcass trade is creating both opportunity and protection against future price crashes.For producers, this conversation is a wake-up call. The highs won’t last forever. But there is a clear path forward. One built on understanding the new norms, preparing for volatility, and making confident decisions in a transformed market.
Simon Quilty’s analysis has never been more relevant. If you want to know where livestock pricing is really headed and how to position your business, this is essential listening.
👉 You can learn more about Simon and Global AgriTrends at www.agritrends.com
A huge thanks to Simon for his time, his candour, and his ongoing commitment to helping livestock producers navigate these markets with clarity and confidence. Simon, your insights are invaluable and we’re grateful to have your voice guiding us through such a pivotal moment for the red meat sector.
Here’s to strong seasons ahead.
Hutch & The Farm Owners Academy Team
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At just two years old, Terry Tran fled Vietnam by boat with his parents, was rescued after days lost at sea, and spent months on a Malaysian refugee island. It was there, on Christmas Eve, that a storm claimed his father’s life, leaving his 21-year-old mother widowed with a toddler to raise.
From those humble beginnings, Terry has built a life of financial freedom, not through shortcuts but through patience, persistence and following a clear process. Along the way, he was also shaped by the kindness of others, a reminder that generosity can change lives.
In this conversation, Terry shares how he started from almost nothing, the mistakes he made chasing quick wins, and the principles he now follows to protect and grow wealth. He talks about the role of risk management and how the mindset farmers use to work through seasons is the same mindset needed to succeed as an investor.
We also explore Terry’s view on the global share markets. He explains why US-China tensions and trade tariffs have left markets sitting at unsustainable highs, why Australia may face deflation rather than inflation, and why he is holding larger cash positions to stay prepared. Most importantly, he reminds us that downturns, while uncomfortable, are often when the best opportunities appear.
Specifically, we explore:
Why managing risk and protecting your capital must always come first How to avoid “get-rich-quick” traps and instead build wealth through discipline and compounding How global tensions and tariffs are shaping markets, and why Australia may face deflation Why downturns like the GFC and COVID-19 can be the best times to invest if you’re preparedFor farmers, this is both a story and a lesson. The same qualities that get you through tough seasons on-farm can also build lasting wealth off farm.
And there’s more. Terry is running an exclusive webinar for the Farm Owners Academy Community on Tuesday evening, 23rd September. This is your chance to go deeper, learn directly from him, and build the skills to invest safely and confidently.
Click the link to register your interest: https://www.thefreedomtrader.com/farmownersacademy/
Thank you, Terry, for sharing your journey and wisdom with such openness. Your generosity and guidance continue to inspire and support our FOA community.
Keep winning, Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team
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