Boots Off Log On!™

In this episode, we chat with Keith Drage, co-founder of Silvalis and Dutjahn Sandalwood Oils, who left a career in London’s financial markets to grow one of WA’s most unique native commodities, sandalwood.
Keith shares how plantation sandalwood is making a strong comeback, thanks to long-term thinking, partnerships with traditional owners, and a business model grounded in land ownership and zero debt. He explains how sandalwood thrives on poorer, sandier soils, often the less productive parts of the farm, and how it can slot neatly into a mixed farming operation alongside cropping and even sheep.
We also dig into the challenges of growing a long-term crop in a changing climate, the value of blending wild and plantation wood, and why traceability and premium markets are driving demand for this uniquely West Australian product.
 
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 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.

Join us for a conversation with Tim Ford, founder of Feed Central and now at the helm of LocalAg, two national platforms transforming how hay, grain, and agricultural supplies are bought and sold across Australia.
Tim shares how frustration with outdated systems led to the creation of Feed Central, now the country’s largest independent fodder marketplace, and how that same vision is driving LocalAg, a national online trading platform for everything from seed to machinery.
We explore how trust is built through quality standards, what makes a successful transaction in agriculture, and why technology only works when it’s backed by people who truly understand the paddock. Tim also discusses the challenges of scaling trust in a digital world, the importance of grading and traceability, and how both Feed Central and LocalAg are helping producers and buyers get a better deal without losing the human connection.
 
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 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.

Join us for a conversation with Tom Rooney, the founder of Waterfind and one of the key players in shaping Australia’s modern water trading system.
Tom shares how a small citrus block and a university fee turned into a lifelong career navigating the rules, reforms, and realities of water rights. From early brokerage days to building a national water exchange, he’s seen firsthand how much water has changed in value, in complexity, and in how it’s managed.
Tom opens up about the early challenges, the rapid rise in water values, and why proper water planning is no longer optional but essential.
We break down the layers of Australian water policies, market structures, and why water behaves nothing like land. Tom explains why Australia’s system is so unique (and often misunderstood), what growers need to know to avoid costly mistakes, and how to stay ahead in a landscape of buybacks, allocations, and climate pressure.
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 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.

Join us for a conversation with Belinda Lay, a mixed enterprise farmer from Esperance and the mind behind the 'Fitbit for sheep' project.
Pioneering on-animal sensors to mapping paddock behaviour through layers of soil, crop and GPS data, Belinda’s curiosity has led her to trial, and sometimes fail, with cutting-edge agritech, all in the name of smarter, more resilient farming.
Belinda shares how she navigated a jungle of devices, subscriptions, and signal towers to figure out what’s actually useful on the farm. We chat about the cost of chasing innovation, the eight-pillar framework Belinda uses to assess agritech, and what we can learn from her experience.
We dive into what it means to automate observation, make confident decisions with data, and future-proofing your business through flexibility.
Want more insights like this? See Belinda live at Future Ag Expo in Melbourne!
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 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.

Join us for a conversation with Andrew and Jocie Bate, the farmer-founders behind SwarmFarm Robotics, an Australian agtech company revolutionising the way we farm. Their lightweight autonomous robots, which are already working across millions of acres, are helping growers do more with less: less chemical use, less soil compaction, and less time spent in a tractor cab.
Together, Andrew and Jocie share the story of building SwarmFarm from scratch, how robotics is bringing back old farming practices with a modern twist, and why autonomy is not about replacing people but empowering them.
We dive into the evolving identity of the modern farmer, the return on investment robots are already delivering on-farm, and how this technology is unlocking new roles, new efficiencies, and a more diverse future for agriculture.
 
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 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.

Join us as we sit down with Luke Chaplain, founder of SkyKelpie, Nuffield Scholar, and drone mustering pioneer, to unpack how off-the-shelf tech is transforming the way we manage livestock in Australia.
With roots on a family property in northwest Queensland and a background in stockmanship, Luke brings a practical, ground-up perspective to one of ag’s most exciting frontiers. Since launching SkyKelpie, he’s worked with producers across the country to integrate drone technology into their day-to-day operations, all without losing the art of good stock handling.
We explore the economics of replacing a helicopter with a drone and the role of drones as tools for stockmanship. We also talk about how gamified training is helping a new generation of workers learn to handle livestock with skill and care.
Plus, Luke opens up about his filmmaking side hustle and how one of his first scripts involves a bank heist and a family secret.
 
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 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.

In this episode, we sit down with Nathan MacPhee, a former financial services executive turned agri-entrepreneur, to talk about how a passion for farming and a problem worth solving led to the creation of Invest In Farming Co-operative.
Nathan walks us through the disconnect between consumers and producers, the huge barriers to getting into farming, and the rollercoaster risk that comes with growing food. His answer? A digital platform that lets everyday people invest in real agricultural assets such as cattle, canola, oysters, and pineapples.
For farmers, it means access to capital without more debt. Instead of going to the bank or waiting for the next harvest cheque, they can presell a portion of their produce and get paid upfront before the season even starts.
We unpack how this model works, how it empowers farmers without loading them up with more debt, and how it’s fostering emotional and financial connections between urban investors and rural producers.
 
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 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.

Join us for a conversation with Wendy Sawyer, the powerhouse behind the financial management of one of Dalwallinu’s most successful farm businesses. Wendy has spent the last 15 years running the books—though as you'll hear, it's about far more than “just doing the books.”
Wendy shares her journey of adapting to farm life, stepping into a leadership role, and helping grow a multi-generational farming business through discipline, communication, and an unwavering respect for people.
"You're managing people, you're managing money, you're a nurse, you're a driver, a chauffeur, you're a hotelier... you're not just doing the books."
We dive into what financial discipline looks like on a large-scale operation, how risk is managed through close budgeting, and why running the office is just as vital as running the paddock.
Wendy reflects on succession planning, staff management, and what it really means to be trusted with the money. Plus, the importance of stepping back, knowing your limits—and why sometimes, the best thing you can do for your farm is to take a holiday.
 
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 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.

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Richard Eckard, Professor of Carbon Farming at the University of Melbourne and National Program Leader at the Carbon Research Centre for Net Zero Agriculture. Richard is the mind behind Australia’s first carbon accounting tools, which is now the recognised standard in Australia for measuring on-farm carbon.
Accredited globally, Richard was named one of the world’s top 1,000 climate scientists by Reuters in 2021. He’s also a trusted advisor to governments across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Europe, as well as global organisations like the UN FAO and the International Livestock Research Institute.
"The way I think of carbon farming is: how can we become more efficient at capturing photosynthesis and turning it into a product we can send out to the market?"
Our conversation dives into what carbon accounting actually means in a farming context, why it's becoming critical for every farm business, and how good production farming is synonymous with low carbon farming. Richard unpacks some of the more common misunderstandings in the carbon farming space.
 
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 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.

Join us as we sit down with Matt Dalgleish, agricultural market analyst, co-host of the AgWatchers Podcast, and founder of Episode 3, to explore the key forces shaping today’s commodity landscape.
With a background in financial markets spanning equities, metals, and foreign exchange, Matt brings a sharp, data-driven lens to the world of ag. Since transitioning into agricultural market analysis in 2015, he’s become one of the most trusted voices in the field, regularly quoted in the press for his independent take on global trends.
In this episode, we explore everything from geopolitical shocks and supply chain friction to market volatility and risk management. Matt shares insights on how shifting consumer trends are influencing the beef and lamb markets, and what grain growers need to watch as global trade tensions rise.
This conversation is all about making sense of the chaos and navigating uncertainty with clarity and confidence.
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 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.