The Prosperous Farmer

The Prosperous Farmer catches up with spray drift specialist Mary O’Brien following the Best Practice Spray Application Workshop in Naracoorte. Drawing on her experience as a former regulator and industry advisor, Mary shares practical, no-nonsense insights into responsible chemical use, spray drift prevention, and protecting agriculture’s social licence.From understanding inversion conditions and wind movement to choosing the right nozzle, maintaining accurate records, and managing water quality, Mary outlines the critical decisions that sit firmly in the hands of spray operators. She explains why compliance with chemical labels is non-negotiable, how good record-keeping can protect farmers, and why a few simple tweaks can prevent costly mistakes and industry conflict.TPF previously caught up with Mary O'Brien in Season 3, Episode 2 with 'Are You Bogged Mate?'.

Having a robust risk management strategy in place is part and parcel of a farming business, a fact Chris Matthews Principal of MGA Naracoorte knows well. Chris is a long time supporter of the MacKillop Group, a former chair and board member serving in its early years throughout the nineties. MGA Naracoorte is a long term sponsor and is currently a Gold Sponsor.In this episode Chris shares the highlights of his thirty year journey in the insurance industry, underpinned by his strong sense of community and connection with farming businesses.What does a robust risk management strategy look like? And when a crisis hits, where does a brokers role begin and end?*content relates to a major Limestone Coast fire event and may be triggering for some listeners.

Armed with a PhD in ruminant nutrition and physiology from the University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy College, and with experience in senior research roles at the University and the Thomas Elder Institute, Michael launched his own livestock nutrition consultancy in Naracoorte three years ago.In this episode Michael unpacks learnings from the Dry Feed to Dollars project as part of SA Drought Hub's Decision Making for Drought.He dives into smart, cost-effective strategies for managing dry feed during tough seasons, showing how targeted protein, mineral, and nitrogen supplementation can unlock more value from poor-quality pasture. Listen in for practical rules of thumb to boost feed utilisation, protect animal performance, reduce feed costs, turn dry feed into dollars and build more resilient livestock systems.

Nitrogen application doesn’t have to be a guessing game. In this episode, Dr Melissa Fraser and agronomist Lee Menhenett reveal how moisture, measurement and timing can transform your nitrogen strategy—and your bottom line.Mel and Lee break down the tools, data and on-farm decisions that drive profitable, resilient cropping. Packed with smart tools, practical insights and memorable one-liners (yes—rainfall is a tool, not just pub bragging rights!), this lively, insightful conversation is full of farmer-tested wisdom, good humour, and a reminder that you can’t manage what you don’t measure.The Mastering Nitrogen Application Seminar was held in July in Naracoorte.Shownotes:CliMate website : https://climateapp.net.au/Yield Prophet Lite: https://www.yieldprophet.com.au/yplite/Soil Moisture Probe: https://app.outpostcentral.com/remote/MFMGLogin.htmlCoTL Mesonet: https://cotl.com.au/mesonet

Tom Kapcejevs is a Durum Breeder with Australian Grain Technologies (AGT) MFMG sponsor, and Australia’s largest plant breeding company and market leader in wheat genetics.At the recent Southern Australia Durum Growers Association Crop Walk at Bordertown Tom took some time out to catch up with The Prosperous Farmer. Tom dives into the two new releases of durum wheat varieties - Rimfire and Banker - discussing their performance, their limitations, their yield, and how they stack up against common diseases for durum wheat.Durum wheat in the Limestone Coast is a positive story, with a strong domestic market with San Remo together with a growing export market.And what's with the variety names? And what do they have to do with the Melbourne Cup?

Is there any money in farming? Cam Nicholson and Nathaniel Modra unpack the biggest challenges farmers face in today's landscape, areas for improvement for calculating costs, and how knowing your cost of production plays an important part in decision making.Whilst its a retrospective measure, knowing your cost of production can give farmers an understanding of the efficiencies of their business. But what else needs to be considered when it comes to cost management? And what are the volatilities of being in ag? How have they changed over the years?

Why are alternative methods of weed control systems important? Which options will become commercially available for farmers? Michael Walsh from the Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga details the new technologies on weed control. With the development of electrical and chemical weeding systems, targeted tillage, and automated laser delivery system through robotics, Michael unpacks the opportunities, challenges and potential adoption of these technologies. Michael Walsh presented at the GRDC Update at Keith in August 2025, on 'Novel weed control technologies with potential for use in Australian grain production systems'.

Did you know that the majority of fertiliser spreaders deliver highly variable spread patterns? This compromises production rates and farm profitability as some areas within the paddock receive too much fertiliser and others too little. Understanding your spreader pattern using different products can result in higher productivity and healthier waterways.In this episode, we catch up with Australia’s leading Accu-Spread trainer Russell Nichol sharing his knowledge on the types of spreaders, how to test and calibrate spreading equipment, how frequently farmers should be check their calibration. What's the elusive spreader mark, why is it important and how can it be achieved? And if you're in the market for a spreader what should you be looking for?

Together with farm business consultant Chris Scheid, Pine Hill farmers - father and daughter team Ted and Clare Langley - share the learnings from their participation in the recent AgRi-Silience program. Kicking off with the 'Now, Where, How' business planning process, profitability, return on assets, key business ratios and goal setting, the program was an excellent opportunity to work on the business and identify challenges and opportunities. The business planning 'roadmap' provides pathways when challenges arise, using risk analysis and actionable strategies for individual businesses. AgRi-Silience is delivered by Livestock SA and jointly funded through the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund and the Government of South Australia.

New germplasm in the Limestone Coast - Upper (Bordertown) and Lower (Millicent) - offers insight into the future of wheat and barley disease management for the region. The Prosperous Farmer checks in with FAR Australia's Senior Research Manager Darcy Warren and Research Manager Max Bloomfield on the trials undertaken in the Limestone Coast. What were the key results in terms of yields and fungicide response for the selected varieties and how will these results assist with farmer decision making?This episode was recorded on 29 May 2025. Related episodes: Season 3, Episode 3 'Grain Legume production with Max Bloomfield.Season 6, Episode 5: The GRDC Hyper Yielding Crop Project - reflections with Jen Lillecrapp and Sam BallantyneUpcoming events: FAR Australia Crop Technology Centre Field Day at Millicent on October 24.Related Projects: GRDC Hyper Profitable Crops Project

The Prosperous Farmer catches up with Vet Jo Ward and farmer Haydn Lines to learn more about the post weaning project for beef weaners, looking at how they grow - or not - from the time of weaning until there is sufficient feed on the ground. What are the factors that influence the profitability of beef weaners? And what management strategies can be used to optimise their growth? Keith-based Haydn explains why he got involved in the project and how it has changed his approach to managing beef weaners.

We take a look at the agtech product of virtual fencing with SARDI Senior Research Officer, Megan Willis and Mallee based mixed farmer Paul Roberts. Megan explains how virtual fencing is changing the way we think about managing rotational grazing for cattle using this collared technology. Trial participant Paul Roberts explains why this exciting technology is the next step in their system for crop management and its benefits for soil, pasture and productivity on farm. What are the limits, and will commercialisation of virtual fencing come to South Australia?Related podcast: Virtual fencing in agriculture with James Pitchford and Megan Willis

Prof. Wayne Pitchford explains that the losses that occur in maternal productivity in southern beef herds often aren't disastrous, but there is still plenty of room for the 'one-percenters' to be addressed, making breeder herds as efficient as possible.He steps through the reproductive cycle and the losses that may occur in each.Through strategies relating to joining weight - and weight gained during joining - calving time and bull genetics, productivity and profitability opportunities can be realised. Related podcast: Benchmarking Beef with Michael Cobiac and Elke Hocking

The Prosperous Farmer previously caught up with Simon Quilty in June 2024. In this episode, Simon shares key insights from his March 2025 presentation at the Westpac Regional and Agribusiness Breakfast Forum at Lucindale, including the impact of potential US tariffs, global markets, supply and demand, the cycle of production and where beef and sheep prices will land in 2025.Simon Quilty is a leading independent meat and livestock analyst and broker of physical meat products worldwide, works with international companies and is founder of ‘Global Agritrends Downunder’.

MFMG CEO Sally Klose catches up with Soil Consultant Dr Mel Fraser on soil amelioration - what it is, why it's important, and how it's achieved. What effect does it have on crop production, and how does it relate to a knee reconstruction? Find out more in this highly informative update on the current project 'Managing soils post amelioration in the Upper South East of SA'. ResourcesMFMG Project: Managing soils post amelioration in the Upper South East of SAGRDC: Sandy soils of the southern regionCSIRO: Water repellent soils GRDC: Clay Spreading and delving in light, sandy soilsSpread, delve, spade, invert - a best practice guide to the addition of clay to sandy soilsCoorong Tatiara LAP: Soil Amelioration and Sand StabilisationCoorong Tatiara Soil Hub: Supporting growers and advisors for better economic outcomes

In this episode MFMG CEO Sally Klose catches up with Jen Lillecrapp, Project Lead for the recently completed GRCD Hyper Yielding Crops Project, together with Mt Burr based farmer Sam Ballantyne as they share their learnings, reflections and ideas on future crop varieties. MFMG Project: GRDC Hyper Profitable Crops - cereal paddock benchmarking and innovation groups

In this episode we catch up with Dr William van Wettere, Associate Professor from the Davies Livestock Research Centre and Dr Jamee Daly, Senior Research Scientist, SARDI, Turretfield Research Centre, talking about the effects of heat stress on sheep and its impact on mating and reproduction. Working with farmers across the Limestone Coast and beyond, the trials highlighted some interesting results!If you'd like to join the study, contact Dr van Wettere at [email protected]:MFMG Project: Improving the climate resilience of the Australian Sheep Flock

In this episode of The Prosperous Farmer we welcome Pat Harrold, owner of Harrold Services, to find out a little more about his journey in agriculture and the growth of his bulk haulage company based in Penola. 

Dr Mariana Caetano is Lecturer in Animal Nutrition & Metabolism in the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Adelaide. Mariana takes us behind the scenes of her latest project looking at reducing methane emissions throughout the beef cattle production cycle in southern Australia. If you'd like to join as a project participant, please contact Dr Caetano via email [email protected] Project: Methane reduction in beef cattle in commercial production systemsMFMG Project: Methane throughout the beef cattle production cycle in southern Australia

Simon Quilty, leading independent meat and livestock analyst and broker of physical meat products worldwide, works with international companies and is founder of ‘Global Agritrends Downunder’. Fresh from his June 2024 MacKillop Farm Management hosted presentation at Padthaway Estate, Simon shares his global, domestic and regional observations on both current global trends across key markets, and Australian domestic supply and demand and pricing for cattle and sheep.