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.

Commodity Conversations

Preparing the next generation of Ag - 15th 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.

Fibres, fashion and the fate of wool - 8th 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.

Good weather for wethers - 1st October 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.

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

Agriculture is built on relationships, and for our 150th episode we’re joined by one of Mecardo’s longest partners – Kurra Wirra stud. Anthony Close is the 3rd 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.

Kurra Wirra & Mecardo - a look back & forward - 18th 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.

What‘s the beef with Brazil? - 10th 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.

Have we hit peak agriculture? - 3rd September 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.

PTIC Plus – An Australian First? 27th August 2021

This week Rob had a chat with Mark Symes, Southern wool manager at G.Schneider Australia, about how the wool markets have fared post the recent 3 week recess. Mark also shares some insights into the inspiration behind the  "Wool Connect" community initiative, which the Schneider Group started last year, and what to expect at this years upcoming online conference scheduled for September 7th -9th.  

From Pooginook to Paris, Wool connections with Mark Symes - 21st August 2021

Online livestock auctions have seen incredible growth and this week we welcomed Tim McRae, Chief Economist at AuctionsPlus, back to Commodity Conversations to talk through the underlying trends. Rob & Tim cover what drove the lift in volumes online, ewe throughput and breed trends and the flow of stock between regions. 

The download on digital stock sales - 13th August 2021

With a season of extremely low cattle slaughter and exports, the door has been opened for other exporters to move in on Australia's market share. South America is one of the competitors we are keeping a close eye on and this week Alvaro Periera from the National Meat Institute (INAC) in Uruguay shares his insights into developments in Uruguayan beef production and markets.  

Big beef abroad - 6th August 2021

With a new season lamb supply not far on the horizon, we had Will Barton from Gundagai Meat Processors on to talk us through some of challenges and opportunities in the months to come. We also got a unique insight into some of the innovative technologies they are incorporating into their day to day operations.

Who will chop the spring lambs? - 30th July 2021

Heard of 'nudie' sheep before? This week we have John Keiller from Cashmore Park on to Chat with Rob Herrmann about some of the history of Cashmore Park and the interesting breeding programs they have implemented there. John discusses some of the challenges and opportunities unique to their environment and how they have adapted.   

Cashmore 'Nudies' - 23rd July 2021

With plenty of rain continuing to soak most of the country and more to come on the horizon, will the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator nudge over the 1000 cent mark? This week we have the full team, Adrian Ladaniwskyj, Robert Herrmann and Olivia Agar, to discuss the EYCI's continued rise upward, droughts in Canada and what it means for Australian grain growers and finally a look at how far the wool market has come since this time last year as it moves into a three week recess. 

Market update - 17th July 2021

Commodity conversations explores the ins and outs of the agriculture industry.

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Commodity Conversations

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