The Prosperous Farmer: Recent Episodes
MacKillop Farm Management Group
Everyday, new research and innovation is being adopted in agriculture. Hear real stories from Limestone Coast and western Victorian farmers and experts on the benefits of adopting industry leading research. If you’re curious about adopting cutting edge cropping and livestock systems based on research this is the show for you!
Phosphorus can be a complex beast, particularly when coupled with managing alkaline black flats and calcareous soils found in the Limestone Coast.
In direct response to growers keen to learn more on how to leverage its potential, Adam Hancock and the team established a trial site at Bool Lagoon comparing novel phosphorus treatment ideas and strategies.
How does liquid application compare with granular? Broadcasting or deep banding? What are the key barriers to uptake, particularly in the face of seasonal challenges?
With the mantra of 'replace what you remove', Adam unpacks how using yield maps and soil variability data to tailor phosphorus replacement rates can improve long-term nutrient management and paddock performance.
The Prosperous Farmer catches up with spray drift specialist Mary O’Brien following the Best Practice Spray Application Workshop in Naracoorte. Drawing on her experience as a former regulator and industry advisor, Mary shares practical, no-nonsense insights into responsible chemical use, spray drift prevention, and protecting agriculture’s social licence.
From understanding inversion conditions and wind movement to choosing the right nozzle, maintaining accurate records, and managing water quality, Mary outlines the critical decisions that sit firmly in the hands of spray operators. She explains why compliance with chemical labels is non-negotiable, how good record-keeping can protect farmers, and why a few simple tweaks can prevent costly mistakes and industry conflict.
TPF previously caught up with Mary O'Brien in Season 3, Episode 2 with 'Are You Bogged Mate?'.
Having a robust risk management strategy in place is part and parcel of a farming business, a fact Chris Matthews Principal of MGA Naracoorte knows well. Chris is a long time supporter of the MacKillop Group, a former chair and board member serving in its early years throughout the nineties. MGA Naracoorte is a long term sponsor and is currently a Gold Sponsor.
In this episode Chris shares the highlights of his thirty year journey in the insurance industry, underpinned by his strong sense of community and connection with farming businesses.
What does a robust risk management strategy look like? And when a crisis hits, where does a brokers role begin and end?
*content relates to a major Limestone Coast fire event and may be triggering for some listeners.
Armed with a PhD in ruminant nutrition and physiology from the University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy College, and with experience in senior research roles at the University and the Thomas Elder Institute, Michael launched his own livestock nutrition consultancy in Naracoorte three years ago.
In this episode Michael unpacks learnings from the Dry Feed to Dollars project as part of SA Drought Hub's Decision Making for Drought.
He dives into smart, cost-effective strategies for managing dry feed during tough seasons, showing how targeted protein, mineral, and nitrogen supplementation can unlock more value from poor-quality pasture. Listen in for practical rules of thumb to boost feed utilisation, protect animal performance, reduce feed costs, turn dry feed into dollars and build more resilient livestock systems.
Nitrogen application doesn’t have to be a guessing game. In this episode, Dr Melissa Fraser and agronomist Lee Menhenett reveal how moisture, measurement and timing can transform your nitrogen strategy—and your bottom line.
Mel and Lee break down the tools, data and on-farm decisions that drive profitable, resilient cropping. Packed with smart tools, practical insights and memorable one-liners (yes—rainfall is a tool, not just pub bragging rights!), this lively, insightful conversation is full of farmer-tested wisdom, good humour, and a reminder that you can’t manage what you don’t measure.
The Mastering Nitrogen Application Seminar was held in July in Naracoorte.
Shownotes:
CliMate website : https://climateapp.net.au/
Yield Prophet Lite: https://www.yieldprophet.com.au/yplite/
Soil Moisture Probe: https://app.outpostcentral.com/remote/MFMGLogin.html
CoTL Mesonet: https://cotl.com.au/mesonet
Tom Kapcejevs is a Durum Breeder with Australian Grain Technologies (AGT) MFMG sponsor, and Australia’s largest plant breeding company and market leader in wheat genetics.
At the recent Southern Australia Durum Growers Association Crop Walk at Bordertown Tom took some time out to catch up with The Prosperous Farmer. Tom dives into the two new releases of durum wheat varieties - Rimfire and Banker - discussing their performance, their limitations, their yield, and how they stack up against common diseases for durum wheat.
Durum wheat in the Limestone Coast is a positive story, with a strong domestic market with San Remo together with a growing export market.
And what's with the variety names? And what do they have to do with the Melbourne Cup?
Is there any money in farming? Cam Nicholson and Nathaniel Modra unpack the biggest challenges farmers face in today's landscape, areas for improvement for calculating costs, and how knowing your cost of production plays an important part in decision making.
Whilst its a retrospective measure, knowing your cost of production can give farmers an understanding of the efficiencies of their business. But what else needs to be considered when it comes to cost management? And what are the volatilities of being in ag? How have they changed over the years?
Why are alternative methods of weed control systems important? Which options will become commercially available for farmers?
Michael Walsh from the Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga details the new technologies on weed control. With the development of electrical and chemical weeding systems, targeted tillage, and automated laser delivery system through robotics, Michael unpacks the opportunities, challenges and potential adoption of these technologies.
Michael Walsh presented at the GRDC Update at Keith in August 2025, on 'Novel weed control technologies with potential for use in Australian grain production systems'.
Did you know that the majority of fertiliser spreaders deliver highly variable spread patterns? This compromises production rates and farm profitability as some areas within the paddock receive too much fertiliser and others too little. Understanding your spreader pattern using different products can result in higher productivity and healthier waterways.
In this episode, we catch up with Australia’s leading Accu-Spread trainer Russell Nichol sharing his knowledge on the types of spreaders, how to test and calibrate spreading equipment, how frequently farmers should be check their calibration. What's the elusive spreader mark, why is it important and how can it be achieved? And if you're in the market for a spreader what should you be looking for?
Together with farm business consultant Chris Scheid, Pine Hill farmers - father and daughter team Ted and Clare Langley - share the learnings from their participation in the recent AgRi-Silience program. Kicking off with the 'Now, Where, How' business planning process, profitability, return on assets, key business ratios and goal setting, the program was an excellent opportunity to work on the business and identify challenges and opportunities.
The business planning 'roadmap' provides pathways when challenges arise, using risk analysis and actionable strategies for individual businesses.
AgRi-Silience is delivered by Livestock SA and jointly funded through the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund and the Government of South Australia.
New germplasm in the Limestone Coast - Upper (Bordertown) and Lower (Millicent) - offers insight into the future of wheat and barley disease management for the region. The Prosperous Farmer checks in with FAR Australia's Senior Research Manager Darcy Warren and Research Manager Max Bloomfield on the trials undertaken in the Limestone Coast. What were the key results in terms of yields and fungicide response for the selected varieties and how will these results assist with farmer decision making?
This episode was recorded on 29 May 2025.
Related episodes:
Season 3, Episode 3 'Grain Legume production with Max Bloomfield.
Season 6, Episode 5: The GRDC Hyper Yielding Crop Project - reflections with Jen Lillecrapp and Sam Ballantyne
Upcoming events: FAR Australia Crop Technology Centre Field Day at Millicent on October 24.
Related Projects: GRDC Hyper Profitable Crops Project
The Prosperous Farmer catches up with Vet Jo Ward and farmer Haydn Lines to learn more about the post weaning project for beef weaners, looking at how they grow - or not - from the time of weaning until there is sufficient feed on the ground. What are the factors that influence the profitability of beef weaners? And what management strategies can be used to optimise their growth? Keith-based Haydn explains why he got involved in the project and how it has changed his approach to managing beef weaners.
We take a look at the agtech product of virtual fencing with SARDI Senior Research Officer, Megan Willis and Mallee based mixed farmer Paul Roberts.
Megan explains how virtual fencing is changing the way we think about managing rotational grazing for cattle using this collared technology.
Trial participant Paul Roberts explains why this exciting technology is the next step in their system for crop management and its benefits for soil, pasture and productivity on farm.
What are the limits, and will commercialisation of virtual fencing come to South Australia?
Related podcast: Virtual fencing in agriculture with James Pitchford and Megan Willis
Prof. Wayne Pitchford explains that the losses that occur in maternal productivity in southern beef herds often aren't disastrous, but there is still plenty of room for the 'one-percenters' to be addressed, making breeder herds as efficient as possible.
He steps through the reproductive cycle and the losses that may occur in each.
Through strategies relating to joining weight - and weight gained during joining - calving time and bull genetics, productivity and profitability opportunities can be realised.
Related podcast: Benchmarking Beef with Michael Cobiac and Elke Hocking
The Prosperous Farmer previously caught up with Simon Quilty in June 2024.
In this episode, Simon shares key insights from his March 2025 presentation at the Westpac Regional and Agribusiness Breakfast Forum at Lucindale, including the impact of potential US tariffs, global markets, supply and demand, the cycle of production and where beef and sheep prices will land in 2025.
Simon Quilty is a leading independent meat and livestock analyst and broker of physical meat products worldwide, works with international companies and is founder of ‘Global Agritrends Downunder’.
MFMG CEO Sally Klose catches up with Soil Consultant Dr Mel Fraser on soil amelioration - what it is, why it's important, and how it's achieved. What effect does it have on crop production, and how does it relate to a knee reconstruction? Find out more in this highly informative update on the current project 'Managing soils post amelioration in the Upper South East of SA'.
Resources
MFMG Project: Managing soils post amelioration in the Upper South East of SA
GRDC: Sandy soils of the southern region
CSIRO: Water repellent soils
GRDC: Clay Spreading and delving in light, sandy soils
Spread, delve, spade, invert - a best practice guide to the addition of clay to sandy soils
Coorong Tatiara LAP: Soil Amelioration and Sand Stabilisation
Coorong Tatiara Soil Hub: Supporting growers and advisors for better economic outcomes
In this episode MFMG CEO Sally Klose catches up with Jen Lillecrapp, Project Lead for the recently completed GRCD Hyper Yielding Crops Project, together with Mt Burr based farmer Sam Ballantyne as they share their learnings, reflections and ideas on future crop varieties.
In this episode we catch up with Dr William van Wettere, Associate Professor from the Davies Livestock Research Centre and Dr Jamee Daly, Senior Research Scientist, SARDI, Turretfield Research Centre, talking about the effects of heat stress on sheep and its impact on mating and reproduction. Working with farmers across the Limestone Coast and beyond, the trials highlighted some interesting results!
If you'd like to join the study, contact Dr van Wettere at william.vanwettere@adelaide.edu.au.
In this episode of The Prosperous Farmer we welcome Pat Harrold, owner of Harrold Services, to find out a little more about his journey in agriculture and the growth of his bulk haulage company based in Penola.
Dr Mariana Caetano is Lecturer in Animal Nutrition & Metabolism in the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Adelaide. Mariana takes us behind the scenes of her latest project looking at reducing methane emissions throughout the beef cattle production cycle in southern Australia.
If you'd like to join as a project participant, please contact Dr Caetano via email mariana.caetano@adelaide.edu.au.
Simon Quilty, leading independent meat and livestock analyst and broker of physical meat products worldwide, works with international companies and is founder of ‘Global Agritrends Downunder’. Fresh from his June 2024 MacKillop Farm Management hosted presentation at Padthaway Estate, Simon shares his global, domestic and regional observations on both current global trends across key markets, and Australian domestic supply and demand and pricing for cattle and sheep.
Molly Kalman, Elders Naracoorte Livestock Production Specialist and coordinator of Feed Testing for MFMG's Filling Feed Gaps Project, together with Jake Phillips, participant of the Filling Feed Gaps Project and Angus Australia Extension Officer discuss best practice hay and silage production and the importance of Feed Tests for optimum animal nutrition.
Adam Hancock, Elders Naracoorte Agronomist and Manager of the Nitrogen Project, discusses nitrogen fertiliser decision making on durum wheat, both to maximise agronomic return and minimise environmental impact.
Michael Nash an applied invertebrate ecologist together with Amanda Pearce, Senior Research Officer with the PIRSA South Australian Research and Development Institute discuss Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus, commonly referred to as BYDV. We examine how it impacts wheat yields in the high rainfall zone of the Limestone Coast.
Disover how a weather station network can combat agricultural spray drift. Damon Grace co-founder of the COtL Mesonet discusses the information the Mesonet network provides and how it helps growers make spray decisions and the value of the network to the wider agricultural community. Find out more at COtl Mesonet
Research agronomist James Manson discusses how to unlock higher yield potential in beans. Amanda Pearce, Senior Research Officer with the PIRSA South Australian Research and Development Institute, discusses the results from the MFMG bean seeding rates and variety trials conducted at Bool Lagoon.
- Yield response to plant density in faba beans: management and profitability implications - GRDC
- Benchmarking the response of grain yield to plant population density across environments and management: A case study for faba bean - ScienceDirect
Today we’re turning the tables, putting the spotlight on our regular host Meg Bell. We’re going to find out what drives Meg’s interest in agriculture.
Deb Scammell, livestock consultant at Talking Livestock discusses setting your stock strategies for Summer, providing tips on what to consider when developing a supplementary feeding strategy and how do we go about deciding who to keep and feed. Deb recommends using the NSW DPI Drought and Supplementary Feed Calculator for comparing feed costs and calculating simple rations.
A wide ranging conversation with Tony Catt on how to work through generational transfer of farms. Why is succession more complex for agricultural businesses compared to other family businesses? How to approach these tricky discussions and the planning frameworks for succession planning. Who should be involved in the discussions and as farmers what outside expertise should we utilise. Hear more from Tony on his Pass the Baton podcast.
True believers Anthony Uren and Steph Brooker-Jones discuss sheep and wool, the past, what's happening now and what's the future for sheep and wool. Listen as we unravel large scale sheep farming, wool growing and wool sales.
Cropping is a critical part of Australia’s agricultural industry. Several key premium export markets have indicated or mandated requirements around minimising or eliminating glyphosate use in cropping systems. Hear from Dr Christopher Preston and Jason McClure on alternative practices to the use of glyphosate in crop production.
Mark Inglis, Farm Assurance Manager at Thomas Foods International unravels meat processing and marketing, talking about what customers want. He discusses TFI’s vision for the future of lamb and beef processing and the global outlook for major markets.
Farms are complex beasts – this means that decision making is also complex. What does it mean when we talk about a complex system? Why is it hard at this point in farming history? We make many decisions in farming. Join us as we chat with Danielle Lannin England about making the tough decisions in November 2023. Download the episode notes here.
- 2023_Making the tough decisions_The Prosperous Farmer, Season 4, episode 1 resources
This episode is part two of our series discussing the Hyper Yielding Crops and Grain Legume Production projects, funded by GRDC. On this episode we discuss pulse trial results, as part of the Grain Legume Production project. This project is delivering the local development and extension to close the economic yield gap and maximise farming systems benefits from grain legume production. Researcher Max Bloomfield shares what has been learnt from the project, the 2022 results and how they compare to other years. Find out more about the Grain Legume Production project here.
The GRDC Hyper Yielding Crops (HYC) project is pushing the economically attainable yield boundaries of wheat, barley and canola across five states. Reputed cereal research and extension agronomist, Nick Poole, shares what has been learnt from the project, the 2022 results and how they compare to other years? Find out more about HYC here.
What are the benefits of using a standing ripened crop as a fodder option to provide sheep with early feed in winter, turn lambs off faster in summer, and improve lamb growth rates in early autumn. Willalooka farmer Josie Jackson and senior research officer Amanda Pearce share their learnings about grazing standing crops. Find out more about grazing standing crops here.
De-mystify carbon farming and hear from independent experts Sam Bye and Cam Nicholson on the happy coincidence of carbon and why getting on the carbon bus is encouraged.
What role does stock containment feeding play in preserving soil condition, pasture survival, animal welfare and profitability and recovery after drought. How do you go about deciding when to use containment feeding, what are the trigger points and tools to support your decision making. Coombe farmer Rodney Lush shares his experience with stock containment. Cam Nicholson provides tips on making a good decision.
Watch the videos on decision making here.
What makes the landscape and soils in the Limestone Coast fascinating and how does this impact on how we farm? This episode is part 1 of a 2 part series examining soil acidity with Melissa Fraser who has worked extensively over the last 8 years exploring ways to overcome constraints in the region’s soils. She’s passionate about restoring soil function to ensure a healthy future for farmers, consumers and the environment.
Soil acidity is a constraint to crop production in Australia, which can be corrected with lime. Hear about the soil acidity trials we've conducted in the Limestone Coast, what they involved and what have we learnt. This episode is part 2 of a 2 part series examining soil acidity with Melissa Fraser who has worked extensively over the last 8 years exploring ways to overcome constraints in the region’s soils. She’s passionate about restoring soil function to ensure a healthy future for farmers, consumers and the environment.
Find out how virtual fencing works, how it can be implemented effectively in red meat and wool production systems and how it will improve your farm efficiency and management practices with interested onlooker and Keith farmer, James Pitchford and Megan Willis, Principal Investigator in the Commercialisation of Virtual Fencing for Livestock project.
The Limestone Coast Beef Producers group have been building their knowledge and skills to optimally manage their breeding heifers through to second calving and improve profitability within their beef enterprise. Hear from Bool Lagoon producer, Dean Eastwood and Dr Sean McGrath from the Millicent Veterinary Clinic on the knowledge and skills they have gained and is this helping them to increase profitability?
How has the Hyper Yielding Crop initiative pushed the economically attainable yield boundaries of wheat, barley and canola and has it built business resilience and profitability in the Limestone Coast? Robbie Childs who farms at Kalangadoo with his family tells us about growing sheep, wheat, beans, barley, pasture seed and even carrot seed. Jen Lillecrapp has extensive experience in the cropping sector in the Limestone Coast, and played a large role in MacKillop Group’s success in its early days and shares the successes of the Hyper Yielding Crop project with us.
A wide ranging discussion with 2022 AgriFutures SA Rural Woman Robyn Verrall covering food security, becoming a farmer and establishing and growing a business. Robyn shares with us her mission to reduce food insecurity, how Robyn established her farm to consumer meat business and how this business is innovating and supporting food security.
Agricultural Consultant John Francis, shares insights into making decisions under pressure and his key messages around decision making, how livestock system design influences a number of key productivity measures in a beef business and how decision making drives productivity and profitability. Don’t underestimate the power of a good system.
A desire to value add their grain has led Kate Wheal along an interesting path of farm diversification. Hear how Kate, with her husband Mark, established Beachport Berkshires and Beachport Brewing Co. Felicity Turner has extensive experience running producer group training and extension and has seen first hand the many benefits of getting off the farm to learn from others.
What is the business case for sheep scanning and can producers who use pregnancy scanning better manage the nutritional requirements of twin and triplet‑bearing ewes? Hear from Charlie Crozier, who has been farming for about 25 years east of Keith in the Sherwood district, running cleanskin sheep for about 20 of these years. Experienced animal sciences researcher Forbes Brien shares insights into years of researching genetic improvement of lamb survival and improving the use of pregnancy scanning in ewes.
Bool Lagoon farmer Bruce McLean shares with us innovations and technology he’s implemented to improve crop yields and Soils Consultant Dr Melissa Fraser explains new technologies that aid water movement across the Limestone Coast plains, reduce the impact of prolonged waterlogging, leading to improved soil condition and business profitability.
Our Beef Producer Group guest, Mount Benson farmer, Michael Cobiac shares his story of returning to the farm in 2010 after working in cattle and pasture research in the Northern Territory and as an assistant manager at an oyster farm in Coffin Bay. Michael shares the knowledge and skills he's gained from the Beef Producer Group and how this is helping him to increase profitability. Livestock consultant Elke Hocking shares the aims of the Beef Producer Group and the benefits of being part of the group.
Hear from Woolumbool farmer and Nuffield scholar Graham Clothier and agricultural advisor Felicity Turner about the innovative technologies and tools that have been trialled and implemented aimed at reducing pressures on natural resources and increasing productivity and profitability. What are these technologies and how do they grow your farm and profitability?