More Options, Less Risk: Mixed Farming Strategies That Last with Rob Watt

More Options, Less Risk: Mixed Farming Strategies That Last with Rob Watt

How do you build a farming business that stays profitable through both the good seasons and the tough ones?  In this episode, Rob Watt shares how his mixed farming operation balances livestock, cropping and long-term decision-making to manage risk and improve resilience. Drawing on years of experience and farm benchmarking data, Rob explains his approach to stocking rates, enterprise diversity, confinement feeding and maintaining profitability without relying on exceptional seasons.  Rob also discusses the value of self-replacing livestock systems, pasture management, wool production, and why having more options across your farm can help you make better decisions when conditions change.   Local Land Services Mixed Farming Advisor Rohan Leach sat down with Rob for this practical and insightful conversation.  Resources and links: * Rob Watt on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-watt-421978114/] Nominate a Mate: * If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success' [https://regionalnsw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aVuHOf7krHE9Voq]. Connect: * Central West LLS website [https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/central-west] * Central West LLS on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/CentralWestLLS] * Central West LLS on X [https://twitter.com/CentralWestLLS] * Central West LLS on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/CentralWestLLS] This podcast was supported by Central West Local Land Services’ Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator. Sustainable Agriculture Facilitators are supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. Views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Local Land Services or the Australian Government. This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit soundcartel.com.au [https://soundcartel.com.au/] for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Grain Storage, Innovation and the Future of Agriculture with David Langfield

Fifth-generation mixed farmer David Langfield has spent a lifetime balancing cropping, livestock and pasture management on his family's Cowra property. In this episode, he shares how lucerne underpins his farming system, why long-term soil management matters, and how on-farm grain storage has improved grain quality, marketing flexibility and business resilience.  David also talks about his passion for telling the stories of Australian agriculture through his podcast, Ages of Farming. He reflects on the changing media landscape, the importance of showcasing the next generation of farmers, and why sharing real stories from the paddock is one of the best ways to promote Aussie agriculture. Local Land Services Mixed Farming Advisor Rohan Leach, sat down with David to bring you this chat. Resources and links: * Ages of Farming Podcast on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/agesoffarmingpodcast/] * Ages of Farming Podcast on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/34OuMMp0Zr6yase2suAM0c?si=b51f0647548e4d21] Nominate a Mate: * If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success' [https://regionalnsw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aVuHOf7krHE9Voq]. Connect: * Central West LLS website [https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/central-west] * Central West LLS on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/CentralWestLLS] * Central West LLS on X [https://twitter.com/CentralWestLLS] * Central West LLS on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/CentralWestLLS] This podcast was supported by Central West Local Land Services’ Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator. Sustainable Agriculture Facilitators are supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. Views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Local Land Services or the Australian Government. This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit soundcartel.com.au [https://soundcartel.com.au/] for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Farming Smarter at Scale: R&D, Soil Carbon and AgTech with Sarah Jacobson

How do large-scale farming businesses balance productivity, sustainability and profitability while staying ahead in a rapidly changing industry? In this episode, Sarah Jacobson from Lawson Grains shares how research, data and technology are shaping the future of farming across New South Wales and WA. Sarah explains how Lawson Grains approaches R&D, variable rate technology, soil health and sustainable farming practices. She also dives into soil carbon projects, the importance of accurate farm data, and how the business is using innovation to improve long-term productivity and resilience across diverse farming systems. Sarah shares practical insights into evaluating new technology, managing risk with trial work, and why continuous learning is critical in modern agriculture.  Local Land Services Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator, Bonnie Mitchell sat down with Sarah to bring you this chat. Resources and links: * Sarah Jacobson on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-jacobson-90794b61/] Nominate a Mate: * If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success' [https://regionalnsw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aVuHOf7krHE9Voq]. Connect: * Central West LLS website [https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/central-west] * Central West LLS on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/CentralWestLLS] * Central West LLS on X [https://twitter.com/CentralWestLLS] * Central West LLS on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/CentralWestLLS] This podcast was supported by Central West Local Land Services’ Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator. Sustainable Agriculture Facilitators are supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. Views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Local Land Services or the Australian Government. This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit soundcartel.com.au [https://soundcartel.com.au/] for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Learn by Osmosis: Growing a Farm and a Future with Chris Kilby

How do you make the right decisions when the season turns against you and the pressure is on? In this episode, Chris Kilby shares how he’s managing a dry and challenging season near Trundle, offering practical insights into decision-making, risk management, and keeping a farming business moving forward when conditions are tough. Chris explains how they’ve adapted their cropping plans after missing key rainfall windows, shifted focus to feeding and protecting their core breeding ewes, and made early decisions to reduce stock numbers. He walks through the realities of confinement feeding, water security challenges, and the significant effort involved in establishing reliable infrastructure under pressure. You’ll also hear about the mental side of farming through dry conditions, the importance of community and connection, and why continuous learning and surrounding yourself with the right people can make all the difference. Local Land Services Mixed Farming Advisor Rohan Leach, sat down with Chris to bring you this chat. Nominate a Mate: * If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success' [https://regionalnsw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aVuHOf7krHE9Voq]. Connect: * Central West LLS website [https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/central-west] * Central West LLS on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/CentralWestLLS] * Central West LLS on X [https://twitter.com/CentralWestLLS] * Central West LLS on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/CentralWestLLS] The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation. This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit soundcartel.com.au [https://soundcartel.com.au/] for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

From Scattered Blocks to One Operation: The Power of Consolidation in Farming with Chris Kilby

Are you making the right decisions when it comes to expanding your farm business or managing risk in a new environment? In this episode, Chris Kilby speaks about building a mixed farming enterprise near Trundle, sharing his journey of starting again, consolidating land, and improving efficiency across his operation. Alongside his wife Sarah and their three daughters, Chris runs a self-replacing Merino flock and cropping program, while continuing to refine their system after moving from the Goulburn region. Chris shares the realities of purchasing and piecing together multiple blocks of land, the challenges of succession planning, and the steep learning curve of farming in a new district during drought conditions. He explains how infrastructure investments, pasture renovation, and strategic decision-making have shaped their business, along with the importance of relationships, flexibility in purchasing strategies, and long-term planning. You’ll also hear insights into managing worm resistance, testing before making decisions, and why knowing your numbers and your land is key to building a sustainable and profitable farming operation. Local Land Services Mixed Farming Advisor Rohan Leach, sat down with Chris to bring you this chat. Nominate a Mate: * If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success' [https://regionalnsw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aVuHOf7krHE9Voq]. Connect: * Central West LLS website [https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/central-west] * Central West LLS on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/CentralWestLLS] * Central West LLS on X [https://twitter.com/CentralWestLLS] * Central West LLS on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/CentralWestLLS] The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation. This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit soundcartel.com.au [https://soundcartel.com.au/] for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.