AgWatchers

#89 The robots are coming for your grain.

Our podcast sometimes gets berated for lacking intelligence, so we thought we would bring some artificial intelligence onto the podcast. AI is all around us at the moment, from netflix to amazon. It isn't getting all that much attention from the point of view of helping farmers price grain. We have a chat with Marcelo Artal, CEO of Hedgit. We find out what AI is, the opportunities for AI to assist farmers price grain and a whole lot more. 
 
 
 

#88 Wet effect on grain and livestock

A quick market update on the impacts of the wet weather on livestock and grains. 

#87 As raindrops say, two’s company, three’s a cloud.

Rain is impacting the supply chain in Australia and now Canada. You might have seen the images in the press this week of Vancouver and the deluge they have received. We bring back Corey Nesteroff to tell us what is happening and the supply chain impacts of the floods. These rains are impacting the main port for grain and fertilizer exports in Canada. We also talk about the impact of the rains on our own crop. 

#86 Live from Global Grain

In a first for our podcast, maybe the first for any ag market podcast we record to a live audience in Geneva at the Global Grain conference. We chat with Dave McKeon, CEO of GrainGrowers and Tim Worledge, editor of Fast Markets. The chat was all about what is happening in the grain space. What is happening with the barley tariff, the impact of the wet weather and what is happening with government intervention in markets. 

#85 Chinese military helping our market.

We have a quick chat with Michael De Kleuver about what is happing in the wool market. We talk about how Chinese energy woes have impacted wool processing, but also recent military uniforms purchases have assisted the market.We talk about our reliance on China for wool (+90%), and how early-stage processing could feasibly move here.
As always a bunch of topics, including something for everyone. 

#84 A COP out

We have a quick update on the markets. Topics covered include livestock, a moan about COP26, fertilizer woes and the harvest pressure on grain. 

#83 Sirloin or soy, T-bone or tofu?

We have a chat with Queensland Senator Susan McDonald. This conversation covers a wide range of topics with a focus on fake meat labelling, climate change and the livestock industry. 
 

#82 Geneva Grain Unconventional

We have a chat with Swithun Still, a 'veteran' grain trader based out of Geneva with a focus on the black sea region. We talk through a bunch of topics including how he survived the 2010 export ban, how he may be related to @wheatwatcher (he's probably not) and how he got into the industry. 

#81 Sheep and grain update (kind of)

100% serious, 10% of the time. A quick update for a Friday afternoon. We talk about the sheep yarding numbers being low, the controversy of sheep types and Andrew dials it up for the grain update. In this episode, we find out that @wheatwatcher can't do a Scottish accent.

#80 We Doug into Ag Data

We have a chat with Doug Fitch, CEO of AgWorld. We cover a range of areas, from data ownership, connectivity, how Australia is too small for agtech and also a couple of tangents. As always a fun conversation!

#79 A Bolt out of the Blue

We have a chat with Steve Bolt, Corrigin wool grower, leader of the livestock leaders and chair of the WoolPoll panel. In this discussion, we introduce the new six for six sense segment. We have a chat about the sheep industry in WA, live export, advocating for agriculture and the coming wool poll. Remember sharing is caring - send to your friends. 

#78 Hitting the Neale on the head of AgTech

We have a candid chat with Tim Neale of Datafarming about a whole range of things. Tim is a forthright speaker, and doesn't hold back on his opinions of agtech. Our type of guest!We cover off on the craziness of money in agtech, farming getting more efficient (and reducing input costs) and the pitfalls that agtech innovators are falling into. 

#77 Meat and two grains

A quick market update. We cover off on Canola for this year and next. The issues of a wet harvest and protein premiums. The rampaging heavy cattle and the risk of covid restrictions on lamb processing. Remember, sharing is caring.

#76 VIC lockdown impact with Richard Riordan MP.

On the day that Victoria hits record daily covid numbers, we have a chat with candid MP Richard Riordan, Shadow Minister for Local Government and Resources. We chat about the impact of COVID on business, city slickers relocating to the country, renewables on farming and the state government covid response. 

#75 China to ban fertilizer exports?

On the day of China 'banning' fertilizer exports, we have a chat with podcast regular Chris Lawson of CRU about the fertilizer market. We cover the issues of fertilizer in the US, Europe and China that are causing the fertilizer price to rise. The China ban, high energy prices, hurricane IDA, fertilizer substitutions and carbon impact. 

#74 Biosecurity = national security.

We have a chat with Andrew Henderson, consultant and chair of SAFEMEAT advisory group. We discuss the importance of biosecurity, and its impact upon national security.Recent reports indicate there is almost a 1 in 10 chance of a foot and mouth outbreak in the next ten years in Australia, we talk about this, along with Andrews recent report on his biosecurity to food security to national security equation. You can read his short report here

#73 Staffing crisis is not just on the farm.

There is a labour crisis on-farm, what is often not spoken about is the supply chain labour issues. It is getting harder for businesses to get staff. A strong jobs market is a strong barometer of the health of the industry. So we had a chat with Ryan Hoiberg from Rimfire resources about the jobs market, and the big changes in the post-drought and covid era. Ryan tells us about the job market, his criticisms of Agwatchers (specifically Andrew!), the rural jobs index, the advent of social media in recruitment and a lot more. A great mixed bag chat with Ryan. 

#72 The world is your oyster

We love oysters, and we wanted to learn a bit more about them. So we reached out to Zac Halman the founder of Angel Seafood to talk oysters. 
Zac definitely wasn't shellfish with his knowledge. In this chat, we learnt about the market for oysters, the logistics and how they have survived covid. 

#71 Fertilizer, Canola and livestock update

A quick update from us on what is happening in the market. We cover off on the situation in Canada with Canola, the rampant increase in fertilizer price and the big issues in livestock - Brazil and local shutdowns. 

#70 The State of the Supply Chain

Last week we had a chat with Fiona Simson about the state of the industry from a farming perspective. This week we thought it was a good idea to delve into the state of the supply chain. We have a chat with Mark Allison, chair of Agribusiness Australia, director of Grain Growers and CEO of Elders. As usual, we talk about a wide range of topics - China & geopolitics, sustainability, getting ag to $300bn and the COVID supply chain.