Humans of Agriculture

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli Le Lievre shares a very different kind of conversation, part late-night reflection, part Instagram live announcement, as he opens up about a major shift happening at Humans of Agriculture.Parlty recorded at 2am and continued via an Instagram Live, this episode captures a raw and honest moment behind the scenes at Humans of Agriculture. Oli takes listeners through the evolution of the business over the past seven years, the challenges of building a sustainable model through storytelling alone, and the decision to step fully into recruitment.It’s a conversation about growth, discomfort, and backing a new direction, not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary.This episode is about taking action, building something sustainable, and redefining how agriculture attracts its next generation of talent.Key insights from the conversation:Evolution of Humans of Agriculture into a recruitment platformThe importance of storytelling and community in agricultureStrategies for attracting and showcasing talent in agThe role of video content and social media in recruitmentFuture vision for Humans of Agriculture and industry impactChapters:00:00 Introduction: Oli's Wake-Up Call00:29 The Business Evolution at Humans of Agriculture01:26 Building a Stronger Foundation with New Team Members02:19 Humans of Agriculture as a Recruitment Business03:42 Sharing the Exciting New Chapter04:12 The Sector's Opportunities and Challenges05:08 The Next Evolution in Agriculture Storytelling06:07 Why Recruitment Is the Future for Humans of Ag07:35 The Power of Content and Community in Recruitment09:01 Why Now Is the Right Time for Recruitment Focus09:57 Using Video Content to Promote Jobs and Culture11:25 The Impact of Authentic Content on Talent Attraction13:21 Backing the Recruitment Strategy14:16 Vision for the Next 10 Years in Agriculture15:15 The Importance of Sharing Opportunities and Stories16:13 Conclusion: Staying Committed to the Journey

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli Le Lievre sits down with Blair Davies, Assistant Commercial Manager at Zentera (formerly New Zealand Merino Company), for a conversation that spans five decades in the wool industry.Blair’s story is one of deep industry knowledge, long-term commitment, and an enduring passion for natural fibre. From working in wool stores as a student to spending 23 years with the same company, he’s witnessed firsthand the evolution of wool, from manual classing to data-driven testing, and from local markets to global brand partnerships.Recorded in the Christchurch wool stores, this episode explores how the industry has changed, what still matters when assessing a fleece, and why, despite disruption and competition from synthetics, wool continues to hold a powerful place in the future of textiles.This conversation is about experience, perspective, and a lifelong belief in the value of wool.Key insights from the conversation:Blair Davies’ 50-year journey in the wool industryWhat’s changed (and what hasn’t) in wool classing and fibre assessmentThe evolution from visual appraisal to data-driven testingWhy natural fibres like wool are regaining consumer attentionThe role of growers and ownership in shaping the industryHow Zentera is evolving into a global brand beyond New ZealandWhy relationships with growers remain at the heart of the businessSkills and pathways for young people entering the wool industryChapters:00:00 Intro & Blair’s Journey02:10 Early Days & Industry Evolution05:54 Working with Growers06:54 How to Assess a Fleece08:29 Skills for the Next Generation09:23 The Shift to Zentera & Future Vision

(Image: Supplied)In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli sits down with Sarah McDonald, Head of Sustainable Impact at Zentera (formerly New Zealand Merino) to unpack the reality behind sustainable wool.Sarah sits at the intersection of growers and global brands, her role is to translate what’s happening on farm into credible, measurable data that brands can trust and consumers can believe. From regenerative frameworks and biodiversity metrics to digital traceability and global legislation, this conversation explores how wool is being repositioned in a rapidly evolving sustainability landscape.Sarah unpacks the tensions between profitability and expectations, the challenge of comparing natural and synthetic fibres, and why clear communication across the value chain is more important than ever.This is a deep look into the systems, science and strategy shaping the future of wool.Key insights from the conversationWhy wool sits at the centre of a complex global system connecting growers brands and sustainability expectations across continentsWhat ZQ and ZQ+ actually measure on farm from biodiversity and soil health to credible market ready dataThe balancing act between farmers and brands navigating productivity and rising sustainability demandsWhy sustainability is really about risk driven by banks insurers and legislation more than consumersThe challenge of measuring impact in agriculture with seasonality and long timelines versus short term expectationsHow technology is transforming traceability by tracking wool from farm to garment using digital systemsNatural versus synthetic fibres and why emissions accounting can disadvantage woolChapters:00:00 Intro & episode overview02:15 Sarah’s role & measuring on-farm sustainability03:13 What Zentera (NZ Merino) does04:18 Bridging farmers and global brands05:07 Farm reality vs global expectations07:21 Sustainability timelines: short vs long term08:15 How sustainability is measured on farm09:35 Global pressure, risk & regulation12:16 Differences across NZ, AUS & South Africa13:53 The challenge of data collection15:17 Food vs fashion sustainability gap17:42 Tech, traceability & supply chains20:48 Natural vs synthetic fibres debate23:25 Careers in sustainability & Sarah’s journey29:51 Animal welfare, mulesing & industry pressure36:43 Outro & closing remarks

The Tom & Mick show continues with a practical conversation on livestock trading, grazing systems, business resilience and long-term decision making.Tom and Mick are joined by Nigel Kerin, CEO of Kerin Ag, to unpack how his business approaches livestock trading, forward contracts, pasture management, Wagyu, and the systems that drive profitability through both dry and strong seasons.From the role of grass budgets and forward pricing to lessons from drought, inflation and on-farm technology, Nigel shares a grounded look at what it takes to build a resilient livestock business.In this episode:Nigel’s background and Kerin AgCentral west NSW grazing business based south of DubboKerin Ag founded through succession in 2007Built around Merinos, a newer Wagyu seedstock arm, and a growing trading enterpriseHow the trading business worksTrading introduced as a pressure valve for seasonal variability and cashflowDecisions driven by grass budgets, not headline market pricesFocus on securing the sell price first, then finding the buyForward contracts used to remove emotion and manage downside riskWhy relationships matterThe value of strong relationships with agents, commission buyers, financiers, processors and transportersCreating win-win outcomes across the supply chainWhy trust and consistency matter when operating at speed in trading marketsThe 2020 lamb tradeLocking in a $9/kg dressed weight JBS contract as drought brokeContracting 15,800 lambs before owning any of themHow forward pricing protected the business when the spot market later fell sharplyA defining trade that helped get the business back in the blackShould every livestock producer trade?Nigel’s view: absolutely notWhy trading needs systems, rules, finance and disciplineThe danger of trading without forward pricing or without enough grassTechnology and grazing systemsRegular pasture analysis every 10–14 days in growing periodsUsing OptiWeigh, soil moisture probes and grazing data to drive decisionsThe emergence of a new grazing app Nigel describes as potentially “the auto-steer for grazing”Why Kerin Ag moved into WagyuReturn on grass as a major driverLower adult cow weight and efficiency compared with larger framed alternativesTaking a long-game view on Wagyu economics rather than reacting to short-term cyclesInflation and on-farm economicsNigel’s estimate that on-farm inflation has run at 7.8% annually post-COVIDWhy understanding business cost inflation is critical to decision makingThe importance of introducing structural change in good times, not when under pressureKey business lessonsSystems matter more than goals on their ownFeed efficiency and speed of turnover are central to profitIn agriculture, long-term averages matter more than short-term noise“Don’t run out of grass” remains one of the core rules of a successful trading businessThis episode is full of practical insight for livestock producers, graziers, advisors, seedstock operators and ag businesses thinking about risk, trading, pasture utilisation and long-term business performance. It’s a valuable conversation on how to build guardrails, use data well, and make better decisions through changing seasons and volatile conditions.

Charlie Blomfield isn’t just building a farm business, he’s building a voice that agriculture can’t afford to ignore.In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli sits down with Charlie Blomfield at Boridgeree, just outside Canowindra in Central West NSW. Farmer, business owner, marketer and one of the most talked-about voices in Australian agriculture right now, Charlie shares what’s driving him, how he’s built GreatHAY, and why he’s chosen to step so publicly into conversations around ag, media and advocacy.From growing up in a tough era for agriculture, to working across Northern Australia and the Middle East, to building a modern mixed farming and hay business from the ground up, Charlie’s story is shaped by curiosity, conviction and a willingness to back himself.But this conversation goes beyond the farm gate.It explores the role agriculture must play in telling its story better, why traditional industry communication is falling behind, and how humour, clarity and honesty are helping Charlie connect with audiences far beyond agriculture.This episode is about leadership, relevance, building teams, making hard decisions under pressure, and why the future of agriculture depends on more people being willing to speak in ways the rest of the country can actually understand.Key insights from the conversationHow Charlie went from asset management and private equity to building BoridgereeWhy water security and flexibility shaped their move to CanowindraThe evolution of Boridgeree from mixed farming into a branded hay businessWhy GreatHAY was built around simplicity, clarity and cut-throughHow social media became more than marketing and turned into a platform for advocacyWhat agriculture gets wrong when it tries to communicate with the broader publicWhy humour, character and storytelling are powerful tools for building trustHow Charlie thinks about leadership, team culture and accountability on farmThe value of coaching, perspective and creating time for what matters mostWhy agriculture needs more voices that are credible, human and willing to say what they really thinkChapters:00:02 Introduction and why this conversation matters02:03 Who Charlie is and what drives him05:13 Growing up in ag and forging his own path06:21 Global experiences and gaining perspective10:30 Starting in business and backing himself early12:00 Moving into farming and building Boridgeree14:16 Water strategy and evolving the farm business17:35 Building GreatHAY and the power of simplicity20:27 Social media, storytelling and cutting through22:57 Building teams, culture and leadership27:47 Coaching, performance and managing priorities34:31 Stepping into media and why ag comms is broken40:10 Using influence to drive change in agriculture46:28 Momentum, opportunity and staying relevant53:18 Decision-making, perspective and what matters most01:00:05 Advice for the next generation and future of ag