Commodity Conversations

Lamb supply snakes & ladders - 29th October 2021

This week Nutrien Ag Solutions Livestock Manager, Ron Rutledge, gives us the low down on what's happening in local lamb and sheep markets, as the '8 million residents' are 'released' in Melbourne and Sydney and the restaurant trade returns, will supply meet demand?

A great time for a big crop - 22nd October 2021

This week our resident analyst Nick Booth from Next Level Grain Marketing on to fill us in on what's happening in his local patch, the Eyre Peninsular, but also what's happening in the international grains markets. As Australia looks set for another record/near record wheat crop and is still relatively cheap internationally, they're should be no shortage of demand in the foreseeable future. 

Preparing the next generation of Ag - 15th October 2021

This week we got the chance to chat with current Director of Studies and soon to be Principal of Marcus Oldham College (2022), Andrew Baker. We asked Andrew how the current demand is in the Agricultural sector for new Ag graduates and what skillsets are employee's looking for in new graduates and where the varied fields they can end up working in.

Fibres, fashion and the fate of wool - 8th October 2021

The recovery in apparel fibres over the past year looks to be a solid one and this week Andrew Woods, Mecardo analyst and Director of Independent Commodity Services, joins us to talk about what this all means for wool. We also break down the wool complex to discuss what is driving prices for fine, superfine, medium Merino and crossbred wool.

Good weather for wethers - 1st October 2021

Soaking spring rain has moved from the outlook to the paddock in areas, and with the weather warming up, feed is going to be abundant. It’s that time of year when NSW Merino wether lambs start to hit the market, and so it’s time Mecardo analyst Angus Brown joins us to share how the trade is shaping up this year and to discuss the underlying lamb demand outlook.

Rain, hail or shine - Long term weather outlook with Eric Snodgrass - 25th September 2021

In Australia we are coming into the critical finishing period of many crops so this week we were lucky to be joined by Eric Snodgrass, Principal Atmospheric Scientist at Nutrien, to find out what the weather outlook is for the west and east of Australia, whether there is much risk of frosts and how weather events around the globe are influencing our markets.

Kurra Wirra & Mecardo - a look back & forward - 18th September 2021

Agriculture is built on relationships, and for our 150^th episode we’re joined by one of Mecardo’s longest partners – Kurra Wirra stud. Anthony Close is the 3^rd generation of farm management at Kurra Wirra and shares how they've responded to market changes, found new opportunities, and adopted new tools, innovations and data into their business.

What‘s the beef with Brazil? - 10th September 2021

This week on Commodity Conversations we have Adrian Ladaniwskyj and Robert Herrmann on from Mecardo to discuss the big news coming out of Brazil this week as well as take a closer look into our local sheep and cattle markets and how they are performing.

Have we hit peak agriculture? - 3rd September 2021

There’s a long road ahead to a $100bn agriculture sector and expanding acreage isn’t going to get us there. Michael Whitehead, head of agribusiness insights at ANZ, has been researching these trends and joins us today to chat about how we will get closer to the target, what this might look like at a farm level and some of the long term trends and adaptions in cotton and sugar sectors.

PTIC Plus – An Australian First? 27th August 2021

This week on Commodity Conversations we had Ken Miall, Livestock Manager from Nutrien Wagga Wagga on to tell us about what is possibly an Australian, if not worldwide first in cattle sales.

For the first time, that we know of,  PTIC’s were sold, with knowledge of the sex of their foetus/s, via the AuctionsPlus online market place. 

Join us to hear how this came about and what the results were, with Ken and Robert Herrmann, Managing Director of Mecardo.