Making confident financial decisions | The Engine Room by Boots Off Log On!

Episode 92: What a Tuscan farm teaches us about diversification with Neri Roncucci

Join us for a conversation with Neri Roncucci, agronomist, PhD in carbon cycling, and manager of Tenuta di Mensanello [https://www.tenutadimensanello.it/], a 300-hectare multifunctional farm in the heart of Tuscany. We explore how diversification has shaped a farming business that now includes arable crops, Sangiovese vineyards, olive groves, free-range pigs, a restaurant, agritourism accommodation, truffle hunting, cooking classes and other farm experiences. Neri shares why diversification sits at the centre of how he thinks about resilience, from the financial security of multiple income streams to the climate resilience that comes from healthier soils and less reliance on industrial inputs. We explore what global supply chain volatility means for farm businesses, why soil health is a long-term strategy rather than just an environmental goal, and what it has been like for Neri to return from academia to a working farm. He also reflects on farming under the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy, and how agritourism is helping reconnect people with food, farming and the places that produce it. A global perspective on farming, and a reminder that the fundamentals of resilience look remarkably similar no matter where in the world you farm. Tenuta di Mensanello: https://www.tenutadimensanello.it/ [https://www.tenutadimensanello.it/en/]     Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not in any way constitute financial, investment, accounting, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult with a relevantly qualified and licensed professional for advice tailored to your specific situation and requirements. The opinions expressed are our own and do not reflect those of our sponsors or any third parties. © 2026 Master Group (Aust.) Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.

Get your farm business Payday Super ready | The Engine Room by Boots Off Log On!

In this episode of The Engine Room mini-series, David and Natalie tackle one of the most pressing deadlines hitting Australian farm businesses in the new financial year: Payday Super.  As of the 1st of July, every time you run a pay run, you'll be required to submit superannuation on the same day, with funds hitting your Super Clearing House within seven days or fines will apply. On top of that, the ATO’s Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH) is closing on the 30th of June, meaning every farm business still using the service will need to find a new provider. Join us as David and Natalie focus on the practical side of payroll management for your farm office. They cover how to communicate pay rhythm changes to staff and why cash flow management for small business and farm business owners needs to be updated in your budgets before harvest season hits. Find resources for Payday Super and End of Financial Year (EOFY) below: Visit the ATO’s website - Payday Super [https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/super-for-employers/payday-super] View our free guides - Payday Super & Wages Guides [https://agmstr.com/3Rb01o2] Read our blog - Payday Super: What’s changing for farmers in 2026 [https://agmstr.com/42CDino] Watch our help video - Introducing Payday Super – What You Need to Know (Wagemaster / WageEasy) [https://agmstr.com/4tDvr4b] Get personalised support - End of Financial Year (EOFY) package [https://agmstr.com/4ua2gqb]   Have something you’d like Natalie and David to discuss on the podcast? Or someone you’d love to hear from as a guest? Email us at bootsofflogon@agrimaster.com.au [bootsofflogon@agrimaster.com.au] or fill out the form [https://www.agrimaster.com.au/forms/boots-off-log-on-podcast-form]and let us know!   Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not in any way constitute financial, investment, accounting, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult with a relevantly qualified and licensed professional for advice tailored to your specific situation and requirements. The opinions expressed are our own and do not reflect those of our sponsors or any third parties. © 2026 Master Group (Aust.) Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.

Episode 91: Rural Aid, mental health and the pressures no one talks about with John Warlters

Join us for a conversation with John Warlters, CEO of Rural Aid [https://www.ruralaid.org.au/], the organisation established during the 2015 drought that now supports more than 18,500 producers across Australia. In this conversation, we explore the full picture of what recovery looks like after a disaster, from the floods in Northwest Queensland and the bushfires in Victoria earlier this year, to the slow and relentless grind that continues long after the cameras have gone. John highlights mental health and wellbeing as agriculture’s constant challenge, and how Rural Aid’s counsellors, many with agricultural backgrounds, are working to close that gap. We also get into the role of connection in shrinking rural communities, what volunteers bring beyond physical work, and why initiatives like agritourism and community days are having more impact than many realise. A practical and honest look at the parts of farming life that are rarely discussed, and why reaching out can make all the difference. Rural Aid: 1300 327 624 | ruralaid.org.au [https://www.ruralaid.org.au/]     Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not in any way constitute financial, investment, accounting, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult with a relevantly qualified and licensed professional for advice tailored to your specific situation and requirements. The opinions expressed are our own and do not reflect those of our sponsors or any third parties. © 2026 Master Group (Aust.) Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.

Making confident financial decisions | The Engine Room by Boots Off Log On!

Join David and Natalie as they explore how cashflow budgeting becomes a practical tool for better decision-making in farm businesses. With tighter margins, rising costs and more volatility, gut feel is no longer enough. They break down why cashflow is the lifeblood of a business, and how using a budget actively, not just for the bank, helps you stay ahead of problems. A practical look at building decision confidence, using budget vs actuals, and turning uncertainty into clear, informed choices. Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not in any way constitute financial, investment, accounting, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult with a relevantly qualified and licensed professional for advice tailored to your specific situation and requirements. The opinions expressed are our own and do not reflect those of our sponsors or any third parties.

Episode 90: The story behind one of WA's most successful grain farmers with Robert Sewell

Join us for a conversation with Robert Sewell [https://youtu.be/KKT25tzwGxw?si=P61n8jBuM5hk0ys-], a third-generation grain grower from Wongan Hills and former Chairman of the Grain Pool of WA, whose career spans six decades of Australian agriculture. We explore how he thinks about risk, capital and expansion, why he believes the farmers who struggle most are often the ones who retreat inward, and what the merger of the Grain Pool and CBH taught him about leadership and listening. Robert also reflects on the transformation he has witnessed in grain farming across six decades, from hand-cleared paddocks and bagged superphosphate to precision soil science, auto steer and the coming age of autonomous machinery. A conversation with one of WA's most experienced grain growers, and a reminder that the fundamentals of a good farm business have not changed as much as the technology has.   Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not in any way constitute financial, investment, accounting, tax, or legal advice. You should always consult with a relevantly qualified and licensed professionals for advice tailored to your specific situation and requirements. The opinions expressed are our own and do not reflect those of our sponsors or any third parties. © 2026 Master Group (Aust.) Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.