Shows
AgPro CastEpisode 79 - The East coast perspective with Agrista's John FrancisJohn and I discuss the season and a range of current Ag issues. see Agpro and Agristas website data below2025-05-2045 min
What's On Your MindCorn, Cars & Controversy: Grand Forks on Fire (05-7-25)Live from Nelson Ford in Grand Forks, host Scott Hennen dives into a jam-packed episode filled with local power moves and political fireworks. Mayor Brandon Bochenski shares bold updates on economic growth, value-added agriculture, and a $450M potato plant (yes, really). State Senator Scott Meyer joins in to unpack legislative wins on property tax relief, infrastructure, and why Grand Forks is quietly becoming a national defense and innovation hub. Oh—and things get spicy when listeners challenge Scott’s “establishment” credentials. From tariffs to EVs to whether Red Lobster’s closure is the end of civilization, this one has it all. ⏱️ St...2025-05-081h 34
DIGGING DEEPER - AG CHATS WITH ALDIGGING DEEPER - Benchmarking Success: Insights with John FrancisSend us a textIn this episode of 'Digging Deeper,' hosts Alistair and Jen Smith welcome special guest John Francis, a former jackaroo, agronomist, and the director of Agrista, a consultancy firm in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. The discussion focuses on the importance of integrating scientific knowledge with financial management in farm businesses. John shares his expertise on farm benchmarking, a method that compares farm business performance metrics with other similar farms or past performance, to identify areas for improvement. The episode dives deep into the relationship between production and...2025-04-2435 min
Productivity and Profitability Media SeriesFertility and fecundity in the Australian sheep flock between 2006 and 2019.Welcome to Episode 20 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series! In this episode, we're joined by Dr Gordon Refshaugee to explore fertility and fecundity in Australian sheep flocks over the past decade. Your host, Ellie Hays, and Gordon discuss the average pregnancy rate in Australian sheep flocks and share practical tips to improve fertility and manage the resulting obligations. To watch our webinar with Gordon head to: Productivity & Profitability series | Meat & Livestock Australia (mla.com.au)To access Gordon's research paper head to: An analysis of fertility and fecundity in the Australian s...2025-03-1849 minProductivity and Profitability Media SeriesBredWell FedWell: Setting your breeding flock up for successWelcome to episode 19 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Tim Gole from For Flocks Sake. Tim and I will dive into all thing BredWell FedWell and setting up your breeding flock for success. Your host, Ellie Hays and Tim discuss the importance of pre-joining exams, body condition scoring, scanning, ASBVs and how eID's can be used as an advantage. To find out more on anything was discussed throughout this podcast, visit For Flocks Sake website https://www.flockssake.com.au/. To watch our webinar with Tim head to: Pr...2025-02-1842 minProductivity and Profitability Media SeriesIntegrating Livestock into Mixed Farming: Summer NutritionWelcome to episode 18 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Ed Riggall from AgPro Management. Ed and I will dive into integrating livestock into mixed farming systems with the main focus on summer nutrition. Your host, Ellie Hays and Ed briefly discuss on a life on a consultant before diving into summer nutrition, feed requirements for sheep, different grains and much more.To find out more on anything was discussed throughout this podcast, visit AgPro Management website https://agpromanagement.com. Alternatively you can email Ed via ed@agpromanagement.com for any r...2024-12-1747 minProductivity and Profitability Media SeriesNatalee Johnston - Performing under PressureWelcome to episode 17 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Natalee Johnston from Skilful Decisions. Natalee Johnston was the Royal Australian Navy’s first female pilot and with over 24 years of military experience, Natalee has led teams in high-stakes situations, taught as a helicopter instructor, and now runs her own consultancy focusing on human factors, risk management, and safety across various industries. Your host, Ellie Hays and Natalee discuss what you can do to manage high workloads and pressure. Natalee will share her insights on safety culture and risk management and why these ski...2024-11-1842 min
Head ShepherdStrategic Farm Management with John FrancisJohn Francis, director of Agrista, an agricultural consultancy, discusses benchmarking, understanding optimum stocking rates, maximising pasture utilisation, feed efficiency and much more. Maximise pasture use and adjust stocking rates seasonally to boost profitability.Measure to manage.Profit varies by livestock system, so choose one that suits your resources.Benchmarking offers insights but avoid relying solely on past data.Stay flexible and adaptable to respond to market shifts effectively.Head Shepherd is brought to you by neXtgen Agri International Limited. We help livestock farmers get the most out of the genetics they farm with. Get in touch with u...2024-11-0349 min
Virages-Campus FMVirages, les chemins de la transition, épisode 59 : La Sécurité sociale de l'alimentation en BD : Encore des Patates !?Au micro : Cécile.BAujourd'hui, nous revenons sur un sujet qui avait été traité dans l'un des tout premiers épisodes de Virages : il s'agit de la Sécurité sociale de l'alimentation. C'est à travers la BD "Encore des Patates!?" créée par le collectif ISF (ingénieurs sans frontières) Agrista que nous allons aujourd'hui aborder ce sujet. Pour en parler, nous sommes allés chercher un invité jurassien : Vivien Bourgeon, membre actif d'ISF Agrista depuis plusieurs années et qui a participé au déploiement du projet de SSA et à la création de la BD aux côtés...2024-10-3134 minProductivity and Profitability Media SeriesDeb Scammell - Mineral Supplementation in Beef and SheepWelcome to episode 16 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Deb Scammell from Talking Livestock. Deb dives into the key questions around mineral supplementation for beef and sheep. Your host, Ellie Hays and Deb discuss the importance of mineral supplementation, when they need supplements and which essential minerals to focus on. Find out how minerals interact in the body, the risks of excess and how to evaluate products to ensure you're choosing the most effective and cost-efficient options. To watch our webinar with Deb head to: Productivity & Profitability series | Meat & Livestock Aus...2024-10-2020 minProductivity and Profitability Media SeriesMark Ferguson - Cattle complexity and changeWelcome to episode 15 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Matt Ferguson from NeXtgen Agri. Mark talks about the importance of embracing change to continue to be successful in agriculture.Your host, Tanisha Shields and Mark discuss exciting technologies including genomics, robotics, artificial intelligence, augmented reality and big data. They discuss the impact that these technologies have on agriculture currently and in the future. This episode introduces the concept of conducting a pre-mortem of your business to prepare for the future. To watch our webinar with Mark head to: P...2024-09-1936 min
Commodity ConversationsWoolpower: Wool enterprises and the numbers for staying - 16th September 2024Rob is joined by John Francis, Director at Agrista and the author of a recent AWI report into the profitability of specialised wool sheep enterprises. John discusses the data, modelling and outcomes of the recent report into why there is a profit argument for staying in wool.
https://www.wool.com/globalassets/wool/news--events/2024/why-stay-in-wool-sheep/why-say-in-wool-sheep---report-by-john-francis-of-agrista.pdf
2024-09-1623 minProductivity and Profitability Media SeriesElke Hocking - Hot tips for top heifersWelcome to episode 14 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Elke Hocking from Elke Hocking Consulting. Elke talks about the importance of measuring and monitoring to manage for reproductive success in heifers. Your host, Tanisha Shields and Elke discuss that by proactively managing weaner heifers to achieve critical mating weight targets and condition scores prior to joining (60% of SRW prior to heifer joining and 85-90% of SRW prior to second joining), beef businesses have the potential to improve the reproduction rates in their heifers and second calving cows.This episode covers t...2024-09-0438 minProductivity and Profitability Media SeriesCallen Thompson - Growing beef from dairyWelcome to episode 13 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Callen Thompson from AgSTAR Projects. Callen talks about growing beef from dairy, the benefits, barriers and next steps for the industry. Your host, Tanisha Shields and Callen discuss the importance of relationships and understanding what the end user of your product wants. Callen highlights the benefits of dairy beef, including carbon emissions, eating quality and consistency of supply. Beef and dairy producers looking to get involved in the Dairy-Beef supply chain need to breed, feed and manage their calves with their end market i...2024-07-2841 minProductivity and Profitability Media SeriesSally Martin - eID does it add value?Welcome to episode 12 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Sally Martin from SheepMetriX. Sally talks about how electronic identification can be used in your business to add value. Your host, Tanisha Shields and Sally discuss the importance of being clear on what you want to achieve when collecting data. Sally highlights that there are multiple avenues for data collection using eID and it is how you efficiently use this data that will enable you to reap the benefits.Sally's key steps for getting started with eID technology are:2024-07-0842 minProductivity and Profitability Media SeriesSPECIAL EDITION - Managing the late break in 2024Welcome to episode 11 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This special edition episode features Dr Shane Thompson from Holbrook Vet Clinic, Ed Rigall from AgPro Management and Felicity Turner from Turner Agriservices. In this episode we discuss the business, pasture and livestock management considerations when managing a late seasonal break or failed autumn period. Your host, Tanisha Shields speaks to the specialist panel about the importance of assessing and managing business risk to make informed decisions to manage the failed autumn. We discuss how to conduct a supplementary feeding analysis, including which stock t...2024-07-0153 minProductivity and Profitability Media SeriesAnne Collins - Maximising Dorper Reproductive Performance in Challenging EnvironmentsWelcome to episode 10 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Anne Collins of AC Ag Consulting. Anne talks about how to maximise dorper reproductive performance, particularly in challenging environments. Your host, Tanisha Shields and Anne discuss how to utilise condition scoring as a management tool to inform decision making, the importance of pregnancy scanning and how to use the scanning results to improve flock reproductive performance. Shedding sheep breeds are a relatively easy-care, low labour input, enterprise option for producers, particularly mixed farmers who have multiple enterprises competing for their time. The...2024-05-2037 minCommodity ConversationsPrime lamb under pressure and benchmarking for success - 19th April 2024This week Rob is joined by John Francis, Director at Agrista Agricultural consultancy to discuss his recent article ( https://www.agrista.com.au/articles-podcasts-tools-analysis/ ) and the key drivers impacting profitability for prime lamb producers.
2024-04-1921 minProductivity and Profitability Media SeriesDr Jason Condon - How can producers make liming decisions on their properties for maximum returns?Welcome to episode 9 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Dr Jason Condon from Charles Sturt University. Jason talks about how implementing improved soil sampling intervals will enable better decisions about liming.Your host, Tanisha Shields and Jason discuss the movement and effect of liming to address lower soil acidity layers. We also discuss the how the management of acid soils removes one of the manageable constraints of the production system. Dr Jason Condon is Associate Professor in Soil Science at Charles Sturt University and has taught and researched soils there s...2024-04-1746 minProductivity and Profitability Media SeriesShawn McGrath - Do dual-purpose crops add value?Welcome to episode 8 of the MLA Productivity and Profitability media series. This episode features Shawn McGrath from Charles Sturt University. Shawn talks about the role of dual-purpose crops in livestock production businesses. Your host, Tanisha Shields and Shawn discuss the benefits of dual-purpose crops, when to sow a dual-purpose crops and how to manage grazing with different livestock species. We also discuss the complexities associated with dual purpose crops and how they alter the feed production curve for your business. To watch our webinar with Shawn head to: Productivity & Profitability series | Meat & Livestock Australia (mla.co...2024-03-2727 min