Profitable Farmer
Episodes
# 190 - Are Your Business Structures Impeding Your Farm Business’s Success? with Andy Fenton
24 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A good season can hide a lot. So can a strong balance sheet. But performing well on the surface does not always mean the business is built on the righ...
# 189 - Fertiliser & Fuel Prices: How to Lead Through This New Economic Uncertainty with Tracy Secombe & Sam Johnsson
10 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Are you concerned by the uncertainty surrounding increased fuel prices? Is the current global turmoil challenging your view on how to best navi...
# 188 - Knowing Your Numbers How to Build A Stronger Farm Financial System with Jayne Walsh, Tim Fowler, Renee Nicholls, and Bec Balfour
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Sam Johnsson hijacks the podcast while I’m off on a skiing holiday in Austria and he takes on a topic that might not sound flashy, but...
# 187 - Legacy Isn’t Land: Rethinking What Succession Success Looks Like with Mike Stephens
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Selling the family farm can feel like the ultimate failure. For a lot of farming families, it can carry guilt, grief, and the sense that something pre...
# 186 - An Overheated Stock Market Crash in 2026? How to Get Ready with Terry Tran
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As we step into 2026, there’s a lot of noise out there. Geopolitical tension. AI hype. Market highs. Media drama. And if you’re a farm ...
#185 - From Farm Operator to Farm CEO with Ben & Kate Johns
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What if the real constraint in your business isn’t effort, seasons, or skill, but the role you’re still stuck playing? For Ben and Kate, this...
# 184 - Out of the Shadows of Succession: Taking the Lead as a Family, with Simon and Naomi Goode
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There comes a moment in every farm business where the question isn’t how much more can we do, it’s what do we actually want to build? For Sim...
# 183 - Scaling from Scratch: The Rise Behind Nala Agribusiness and Red Dirt Lamb with Lachlan & Anna Sutton
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There comes a point when the late nights, the mental load, and the constant pressure make you wonder... how much longer can we keep doing this? L...
# 182 - Out Of Survival Mode Burnout, Balance, and Breakthroughs with Andrew Graham
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the hardest seasons in your business turned out to be the ones that set you free? In this deeply honest episode, Marina Gregor, one of our s...
# 181 - The 3 Secret Killers of Family Farming Businesses Confusion, Control and Conflict, with Jeremy Hutchings
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we reach the business end of the season for many, this episode offers a quiet reflection on some of the deeper and important challenges showing up ...
# 180 - Leadership Lessons From Elite Rugby and Dairy Farming With Sam Whitelock
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sam Whitelock knows pressure. He’s captained the All Blacks through some of rugby’s most intense moments. He’s made high-stakes decisions with t...
# 179 - Touring to 50+ FOA Farms Across Australia with Tim and Cheryl Freak
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“You’re doing better than you think.” It’s the simple, powerful reminder that Tim and Cheryl Freak leave behind after every farm visit. In ...
# 178 - What Is The Future For? Wool Can It Survive? With Jamie & Will Swales
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Australia’s wool sector is still feeling the pinch. There’s no doubt the last couple of years have been challenging, with recent decile two and th...
# 177 - Premium, High Marbling Lamb Is Here. With Tom Bull from LAMBPRO
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After more than 15 years of focused breeding, data collection, and persistence, Tom Bull and his team at LAMBPRO have achieved what many thought was i...
# 176 - Will Red Meat Prices Crash or Hold With Expert Analyst Simon Quilty
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Australian cattle and lamb markets are at a tipping point. Prices have surged to record highs, but according to leading analyst Simon Quilty, we’re ...
# 175 - From Refugee To Financial Freedom - The Terry Tran Story
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At just two years old, Terry Tran fled Vietnam by boat with his parents, was rescued after days lost at sea, and spent months on a Malaysian refugee i...
# 174 - Nothing Beats High Prices like High Prices with Brett Stevenson, Market Check
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In recent years grain growers nationally have enjoyed an extended period of strong prices and favourable market conditions. According to grain indus...
# 173 - Beating Brain Cancer with Sam McGuane
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From growing up on a dairy farm in western Victoria with 12 siblings to the frontlines of one of the toughest fights in medical research, Sam McGuane’...
# 172 - How AI and ChatGPT Can Transform How You Operate as Farm Business Owners with Dimity Smith
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When you wear as many hats as our farming families do, time is one thing you never have enough of. From the kitchen table to the paddock, we’re...
# 171 - The Value Of Getting Away From Your Farm For Inspiration And Clarity – lessons from a recent FOA client conference
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I really values the constructs that: ‘you cannot solve the problem you have created in the environment in which you created it’… and ‘many min...
# 170 - How Demographics Can Shape Smarter Farm Decisions with Simon Kuestenmacher
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the future isn’t something to fear but something we can prepare for, shape, and lead into with confidence? For Simon Kuestenmacher, unders...
# 169 - Don’t Wait for a Crisis to Care — A Real Talk on Farm Safety with Rebecca Fing
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if we treated safety not as a box to tick, but as a culture to lead? For Rebecca Fing, this isn’t a theoretical question — it’s the he...
# 168 - A Shout-Out to the Great Work of Agri-Entrepreneurs - The Wayne Perkinz Story
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every great innovation starts with a question — Could this be done better? For Wayne Perkins, that question came in a wool shed, with a bust...
# 167 - Enrolling the next generation - the McArthur Family Story
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Succession isn’t just a plan on paper — it’s a living, breathing conversation about legacy, leadership, and what we’re really passing on...
# 166 - The TOP Producers Workshop: 10 Years In The Making
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Now and then, you get the chance to pause, look back, and really take stock. And when that moment rolls around, it can be quietly powerful. That’...
# 165 - Tariffs, Turbulence & Tough Decisions: How Farmers and Investors Can Navigate Economic Uncertainty
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The markets are rattled. The headlines are loud. And for farmers trying to plan ahead, it’s starting to feel a bit like trying to build a fence in s...
# 164 - Work Harder On Yourself Than You Do In Your Business
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let’s be honest - running a farm can feel like a never-ending list of things to do. The sun comes up, and we’re off… chasing the day, solving pr...
# 163 - Is your greatest opportunity buried inside your toughest season? with Jeff McDonald, RLS Agribusiness
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we reset for 2025, many are feeling the weight of a brutal 2024. And to be completely honest — when you're staring down a decile one year, it’...
# 162 - Vital Leadership Lessons Learned on the Battlefield - with Paul Ainsworth, Lincoln Institute
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Where have you learned leadership? On the farm? In a day job? Inherited perhaps? For most, NONE have learned the vital art and science of leadersh...
# 161 - How Grower Groups Are Making an Impact with Pippa Jones from Macintyre Ag Alliance
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Running a farm comes with its fair share of challenges, and it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day. But some of the biggest opportunities for ...
#160 - The Impact of FOA On-Farm Visits - With Tim & Cheryl Freak
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If something happened to you tomorrow, would your farm keep running? Would your team know what to do? Would your business continue to operate, or doe...
# 159 - Rebuilding a Farm Business Against All Odds with Matt & Hayley Watson
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Farming is a beautiful and rewarding way of life, but as we know, it comes with its fair share of risks—some that we prepare for and others that sha...
# 158 - Transforming Farming Success Through Simplification, Strategy, and Support with FOA Coaches
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we’re diving into a cracker of a conversation with three of our incredible FOA business coaches—Rick Morris, Marina Gregor, and Jack Owen. ...
# 157 - Business Model, Scaling, Benchmarking, and Navigating Tough Times with Sam Johnsson
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As we near the end of another whirlwind year, it’s a chance to reflect, reset, and recharge. The festive season brings its own flurry of busyness, b...
# 156 - Leadership Lessons from Cameron Schwab: Insights on Courage, Resilience, and Building Teams that Thrive
06 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s conversation is one of those deep dives into leadership, resilience, and navigating the complexities of life—whether that’s on the farm,...
# 155 - The Personal Development Journey: Embracing Growth, Emotion, and Abundance with Tracy Secombe
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Often, the journey of personal development can be misunderstood or even dismissed- many might view it as unnecessary or even indulgent. As we explore ...
# 154 - Unlocking New Capital To Transform Farming Assets The GO.FARM Story
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I have heard it said that “doing a traditional thing in a traditional industry may no longer be relevant.” I have also heard it said that the p...
# 153 - High-Performance in Farming - Marcus Oldham and Marcus Minds with Tim McGavin
24 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I speak with Tim McGavin, Founder and Managing Director of Laguna Bay, one of the largest privately owned agricultural investment fun...
# 152 - Mastering Off-Farm Wealth Creation: Strategic Market Moves with Terry Tran
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As always, it is great to speak with Terry Tran and get an update on what is happening across our economy and the global investment landscape. In t...
# 151 - Bringing Young, Passionate Talent onto Your Farm, with Chloe Smart-AgCareerStarts
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We all have a role to play in inspiring our next generation of farmers – now there is a compelling program and pathway to make this happen. In th...
# 150 - The Great Work of BCG, with Harm van Rees
12 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
‘Farm Systems’ or ‘Grower Groups’ play a pivotal part in our farming landscape. Of these, Birchip Cropping Group (BCG) is the pinna...
# 149 - More Profit, More Control, More Freedom, with David and Rhianne Low
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s incredible seeing the results members of our Platinum Mastermind are achieving, their commitment to the program and the progression of their bu...
# 148 - Wholesome Food for All, with Zoe Lamont from Farm Door Riverina
16 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I am delighted to introduce to you Zoe Lamont, owner of Farm Door Riverina, a growing regional food business providing ready-made, wh...
# 147 - When Is The Right Time To Establish an Advisory Board
02 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In complement to our last two episodes that focus on on-farm culture and team, in this episode, I explore a question we receive often: ...
# 146 - Building a Thriving Farm Culture with Si Harris
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
CULTURE - we all have one, whether we like it or not. Within our business, our family, even our community. Leaving our culture unchecked can be a d...
# 145 - Resourcing Up for Growth
05 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It is clear to me that so many of us are under-resourced. As such, we dedicate 20-40 hours per week to low-value farm activity, often at the expens...
# 144 - The Impact Of A Nuffield Scholarship, with Jim Geltch
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Nuffield International’s vision is to inspire people to make a difference in the world of agriculture. It is fair to say this great organisation ...
# 143 - Sam & Jenny Bailey – A Story of True Aussie Grit.
06 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine losing your arms, legs, body and your entire outlook on life… at age 19. Imagine being in the prime of your life, only to have it all tak...
# 142 - The Gap And The Gain
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, it was great to connect with the impressive Sam Johnsson, CEO of Farm Owners Academy. During our discussion we: reflected on his ...
# 141 - You Are Not Your Bank Balance
10 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For so many of us, so often our self-confidence and sense of self go up and down with the seasons. We feel good about ourselves when times are good, a...
# 140 – Leadership lessons with Jim Gall - CEO RB Sellars
23 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I have said before that there is so much we can learn from business leaders and entrepreneurs outside of our industry. In this episode, I interview...
# 139 - How Does The Stress Of Farming Impact Our Mental Well-Being
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In my last episode introduction I asked - who here has felt real financial duress and overwhelming stress or hardship in this game called farming? ...
# 138 - From Rock-Bottom to Sustained Success
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Who here has felt real financial duress and overwhelming stress and hardship in this game called farming? I feel this is relevant and real for so many...
# 137 - It Is Our BUSINESS MODEL That Can Set Us Free
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
So many farming families we meet have businesses that are completely dependent on them. In addition, so many farm owners across Australia’s have bus...
# 136 - Is It My Money Mindset Holding Me Back
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
I love the concept that perhaps our subconscious programming is the thing that is holding us back. I also like the concept that money is just a too...
# 135 - What It Takes To Achieve Greatness - Lessons From A World Champion
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When people succeed at the highest level, often all we see of them is their endeavour and their achievement. We never really get to hear of the cha...
# 134 - What Is My Purpose In Life?
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Throughout our lives, and often at this time of year, we can find ourselves reflecting and asking important questions like; Why am I here? What am I d...
# 133 - Making a farm completely professional, Sam & Carla Armytage
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As farm business owners, we can often be operating at intense and unsustainable levels for extended periods of time. Many times, the farm comes first,...
# 132 - FOA Members Success Story - Martin & Hayley Grosser
20 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As the finish line to another calendar year arrives, I cherish the opportunity to share the stories of some of our incredible community members - to c...
# 131 - The Missing Link in Life - Your Breath
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We can survive 3 weeks without food... 3 days without water… But only 3 minutes without breathing. As for parenting, our body, mind and ma...
# 130 - Red Meat Price Collapse - what the hell happened?!
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Leadership is about giving those around you certainty. Making strong predictions based on quality information and taking proactive action in toug...
# 129 - Beating farm suicide and lifting rural communities – the Active Farmers Story
15 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
At Farm Owners Academy, we are big believers that our mental well-being is closely linked to our physical health AND positive social interactions. ...
# 128 - Perhaps Being TOUGH Isn’t It
30 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One of the best bits about being part of Farm Owners Academy is the life-long friendships we see being fostered across our incredible and growing comm...
# 127 - Succession or just good business?
15 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Often, it is my observation that succession is made to be a bigger and more complex issue than it needs to be. Often, in my opinion, good business p...
# 126 – Another great Human of Agriculture, Oli Le Lievre
30 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Farmers can be a humble bunch, perhaps in part a function of a certain ‘tall poppy syndrome’ that exists across our landscape. As a result, as wel...
# 125 – What’s Going On In Our World?
14 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We find ourselves in an economic environment very different to 12 months ago - now characterised by high inflation, rising interest rates and an uplif...
# 124 - What does it take to SCALE?
30 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What does moving from a ‘start-up’ to ‘significance’ as an entrepreneur take? Let’s find out. In this episode, I am delighted to reconnect...
# 123 - Life Lessons from Aussie Icon Trevor Hendy
15 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You don’t achieve greatness without first being a very special individual. In this episode, I am pleased to introduce to you Aussie sporting icon...
# 122 - The SafeAg Systems Story, with Founder Katy Landt
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We all now know that safety on-farm is an important issue. We also know that most farm businesses have more to do in this area, and it is pleasing to ...
# 121- A Global Perspective on Grains
14 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I have always been intrigued by Rabobank as a business. A 120-year-old Dutch cooperative founded by farmers for farmers, now a global sensation spe...
# 120 - Will your BUSINESS MODEL stack up
30 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For many, the last few years have been unique and positive – resulting from low inflation, low-interest rates, above-average commodity prices and ab...
# 119 - A MAJOR DREAM REALISED, with Marina Gregor
14 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
At Farm Owners Academy, we help farming families create FREEDOM FARMS – that is a highly profitable business with the systems, structures, team AND ...
# 118 - The Worlds Largest Look into Farm Succession
29 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In life, we have the opportunity to meet some remarkable people. Those individuals are often quietly determined to serve others and make a meaningful ...
# 117 - Are you Proactive or Reactive in Your Management?
14 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
So many farming families I meet feel completely REACTIVE in managing their farms. On so many levels, we often are left feeling like the business is ru...
# 116 - Robotic Agriculture is now very much a reality
31 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Technology can be pretty incredible. With its exponential advancement, there is no doubt we are on the cusp of unprecedented change on-farm and across...
# 115 - Thinking like an Investor…
14 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Throughout each year, I value the opportunity to invite our Investment Specialist Terry Tran to join us on Profitable Farmer. With rising inflation...
# 114 - Prioritising BEING WELL
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It is so easy in this game to constantly put in massive hours, ensure everyone around you has what they need, and focus intently on getting the job do...
# 113 - Invest in YOURSELF
14 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
So often in this game, we attend only the training put on by the R&D extension agencies or free events by our advisers. So often, we wait for a...
# 112 - Back yourself – the Farm Tender story
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There are some genuinely impressive Australian stories of entrepreneurial success in our industry — true, unsung, modern examples of courage, initia...
# 111 - Aligning Your Team To A Plan
16 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We are excited to be kicking off our first podcast of 2023, we hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year break. May 2023 be your best year ...
# 110 - Reflecting on our shared success
15 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Business can be a very lonely place. Farming can be isolating. Sometimes… no, often… we can feel like we are ‘going it alone’. O...
# 109 – A Season Like No Other
29 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It has once again been a unique farming season - perhaps one like no other! In this episode, and once again, I call on Brett Stevenson, Managing Di...
# 108 - There is always a silver lining
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Right now, there are many farming families facing real challenges. Extended rains, widespread flooding, the prospect of failed crops, wet paddocks ...
# 107 - Creating the life that you desire with Trevor Hendy, Kane Johnson & Mark Kluwer
30 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dave ‘Westy’ Westbrook here – and I have hijacked this episode of the Profitable Farmer Podcast! For me, true wealth is about the inner succe...
# 106 - The Psychology of Resilience
14 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As Part III on the important topic of RESILIENCE, I speak with the incredible Maria Ruberto – specialist in the neuroscience and deep psychology of ...
# 105 - Resilience in Family Relationships
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
To speak plainly, family relationships need to be resilient in family business. To be honest - so often, behind closed doors, simply, they are not....
# 104 – What is it to be RESILIENT
19 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With R U OK Day taking place last week, I wanted to take a few moments to share a business coaching principle that changed my life. In my younger...
# 103 - A Global And Local View On Our Current Reality
30 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hi [First Name], In leadership, sometimes it pays to take the highest perspective possible. Today, as we find ourselves navigating global politica...
# 102 - Navigating A Major Market Correction
14 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As our world continues to change, our commodity and investment markets continue to be impacted by an ongoing series of externalities. To help us u...
# 101 - Another Look Into Successful Succession
27 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Succession is often described as a complex, challenging, confronting, highly emotional and intense process. At its worst, succession can tear famil...
# 100 - Leadership lessons from a Wallaby Great
15 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Growing up, like most kids, I had three heroes: Mel Gibson, Greg Norman, and Phil Kearns. All Aussies. All champions in their own way in their c...
# 99 - Reflecting on the Farm Owners Academy Story...
30 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Eight years ago, Farm Owners Academy (FOA) was just an idea shared by two incredible visionaries, Greg & Deb Johnsson. Six months later, and fo...
# 98 - Average business decisions at tax time
15 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Let me be straight for a moment. Many of us are making tax ‘minimisation’ decisions at tax time that constrict our growth. Many of us are ex...
# 97 - Finance, Farming and Family
30 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It is always a pleasure to catch up, shoot the breeze and reflect on all things finance, farming and family with Tony Catt, Director at Catapult Wealt...
# 96 - A Vision for Australian Agriculture
14 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For a vision to be compelling AND create meaningful change, it has to enrol and inspire. Well-designed, a compelling vision can align people from a...
# 95 - Time Management and Personal Productivity
29 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You will have heard me say this before: Time is our greatest asset. So many of us feel SO BUSY. We operate in CHAOS. We are REACTIVE rather than pr...
# 94 – Navigating high input prices in this new season.
14 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once again, we are reminded that no two seasons are the same. Distinct from prior seasons, we find ourselves in a new business environment where, l...
# 93 - Men, who do you have in your corner?
30 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Let’s be real for a moment; business ownership is one of the world's toughest assignments. Even more so is farm business ownership, with its numerou...
# 92 - A global shift to the economy...
15 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once again, our world has taken a surprising and unprecedented turn - on the back of fires, COVID, floods… and now war. After a period of econo...
# 91 - Modern Day Pioneering
28 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this Podcast, I am delighted to interview my good friend and FOA Business Coach Sam Pincott, sharing with you the story of Holbrook Paddock Eggs. ...