Tom & Mick: Grain, Livestock and Land - Where Aussie Ag sits in 2026 with Tommy Taylor
Humans of AgricultureShow Notes
Season 4 of Monthly Markets opens with a strong pulse check across livestock, wool, property and grain. Tom and Mick begin with: Wagga sheep market strength, with mutton pushing 7.50–8.00 and trade lambs over 10.50 The Eastern Market Indicator hitting 1677 cents — a two-year record Cattle prices holding firm at Gunnedah Major rural property listings across NSW and QLD, including Springfield, Bogo, Glenfinnan, and Goodar Station Then they’re joined by Tommy Taylor from Clear Grain Exchange for a deep dive into the grain landscape. In this episode: How Clear Grain Exchange works Empowering growers to set their own target prices Bringing 140+ buyers into a single digital marketplace Secure settlement and title retention for reduced counterparty risk Digitised documentation simplifying compliance and accounting 2025–26 Harvest Review Record WA crop Strong Northern NSW and QLD yields Chickpeas, lentils and canola performing well Barley trading near parity with wheat in some regions Global Market Pressures Argentina’s 30 million tonne wheat crop flooding lower-spec markets Freight advantages favouring WA exporters Stocks-to-use ratios tightening globally despite current surpluses On-Farm Storage Trends Increased investment in storage infrastructure Growers holding grain as both a price strategy and drought hedge Risks and costs of multi-year carry China & Canola First canola exports to China since 2020 Political risk remains, but diversified export markets provide resilience Feedlots & Domestic Demand Potential 6 million head on feed Feedlots becoming a major structural demand driver Barley strength in northern markets driven by ration preferences Tommy’s Advice Don’t miss opportunities Set target prices Volatility creates upside for prepared sellers This episode is essential listening for growers, traders, feedlot operators, advisors and agribusiness professionals planning for the year ahead.
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In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli Le Lievre sits down with Elle Moyle, a Zanda McDonald Award finalist, veterinarian and farmer with Pathfinder Angus in Western Victoria. Elle reflects on her path from working as a district vet, including international biosecurity work, to returning to the family farming business and building her own agricultural interests. A big part of the conversation is Elle’s experience with the Zanda McDonald Award. While she made the final three but didn’t win, the experience helped build her confidence, expand her network and create relationships that continue to shape her career. Elle also shares what she has learnt about building genuine professional relationships, the value of putting yourself forward for opportunities, and what is happening at Pathfinder Angus as the family business continues to grow.
Welcome to the Tom & Mick Show! This week, Tom & Mick sit down with Anna Speer, whose career has taken her from teaching and AgTech to leadership roles with AuctionsPlus, Australian Agricultural Company, Woolworths and now Stone Axe. Anna shares what she’s learnt about building strong teams, making commercial decisions and creating long-term value, while unpacking how Stone Axe is building a vertically integrated Wagyu business from conception through to consumption. In this episode: Anna’s unconventional career through agriculture and AgTech What private equity brings to an agricultural business How vertical integration can reduce exposure to market volatility Using 10-year herd modelling to make better decisions today Managing rising feed, fuel and labour costs Why building your own brand isn’t always the best strategy Wagyu genetics, premium markets and future growth Building teams and adapting your leadership to different people Chapters 00:00 Introduction and catching up with Anna Speer 03:01 Anna’s career through agriculture and AgTech 07:49 From Woolworths to Stone Axe 12:39 Private equity and commercial decision-making 19:29 Wagyu genetics and growing Stone Axe 26:14 Managing market cycles and supply chains 31:20 Herd modelling and planning 10 years ahead 36:00 Consumer trends and Wagyu’s premium market 40:04 Managing rising input costs 44:40 Branding, Angus and supply chain partnerships 50:17 Leadership and building better teams
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