Commodity Conversations

El need to know - Weather update- 26th May 2023

With an El Nino looming and mixed conditions around the country, we turn to the skies this week with Eric Snodgrass, Principal Atmospheric Scientist at Nutrien Ag Solutions. Today's episode covers all things climate drivers, diving into what to expect from an El Nino this season, the implications for rainfall, temperature and frost patterns, as well as what might be in store beyond the current season.  

You can check out Eric's latest fortnightly weather forecast for Australia here, https://youtu.be/xX_QL0aiWwA

Sticking to the biosecurity plan - 19th May 2023

This week Rob is joined by Scott Young, Livestock Council President of the Victorian Farmers Federation.  Scott’s mandate is to improve the Biosecurity outcomes for all farmers, and he talks us through what VFF is doing behind the scenes to ensure Biosecurity plans can protect farmers from risks such as trespassing.  Read more at https://www.vff.org.au/policy/animal-welfare-biosecurity/biosecurity/

Beef, Budgets and Biosecurity - 12th May 2023

This week Rob is joined by Luke Bowen, the Inaugural CEO of Cattle Australia. We discuss the takeaways for the cattle industry with this week’s budget release and upcoming opportunities for the cattle industry.

Regional livestock roundup - 5th May 2023

This week Rob reaches out across the country to the Nutrien Ag Solutions livestock team, to get the latest insight into what exactly is happening in lamb and cattle markets. Andrew Holt, senior livestock account manager, talks about conditions for cattle up North.  Leon Giglia, Regional Livestock Lead, runs us through supply situations in WA and Ron Rutledge, South-East Livestock Development Manager discusses the latest developments in South-East Australia. 

Leadership success along the supply chain - 28th April 2023

This week, Rob is joined by David Cornish, Director at the Centre of the Study of Agribusiness at Marcus Oldham.  The agenda is all about the landscape for developing and fostering the next generation of leaders in Agriculture. 

Key Market Updates Quarter 1 2023 - 21st April 2023

This week the Mecardo team, Olivia Agar, Robert Hermann, and Ethan Woolley discuss the key market updates for commodity markets in 2023.  We cover US Beef exports, wool supply surpluses, the ups and downs of the mutton job, Sugar cane success, cotton concerns, and barley back in China. 

Key drivers of livestock profitability - 14th April 2023

This week, Rob is joined by Bronte Lloyd, Animal production specialist with Nutrien Ag Solutions. Bronte discusses some strategies for maximising efficiencies in livestock production including balancing nutrition through supplementation and the importance of managing feed and vaccinations for breeding stock. 

Lambs’ seat at the trade table - 6th April 2023

This week Olivia is joined by Bonnie Skinner, CEO of Sheep Producers Australia.  With free trade negotiations well underway in the EU and UK, Bonnie talks us through some key insights regarding the demands of the European lamb consumer.  Bonnie also discusses how EID implementation and traceability can unlock value in these markets. 

Ewe have got to be in it to win it - 31st March 2023

This week, Rob is joined by Ally Jaffrey, Wool Area manager for Nutrien Ag Solutions based in Crookwell NSW.

Ally plays a key role in the NSW SMBA Southern Tablelands flock ewe championship and joins us to discuss what farmers are getting out of the competition.  We learn how benchmarking, networking, and the sharing of knowledge are driving excellence in Wool.

Commodity Outlook: Climate, Conflict, China, Costs & COVID - 24th March 2023

This week Rob is joined by commodity conversations regular Michael Whitehead, Head of Agribusiness Insights at ANZ.  Michael talks us through some of the key insights from the ANZ Agri in focus autumn report. We cover the outlook for a number of commodities including the climate and cost trends for farmers, the impacts of Chinese demand, continued conflict, and Post COVID supply chain developments.