DIGGING DEEPER - AG CHATS WITH AL

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Digging Deeper for 2026, the discussion features General Manager Jen Smith reflecting on her journey from Melbourne to agriculture, spearheading projects at Gippsland Agricultural Group, and her experiences with bushfires.  Jen shares insights about her upbringing, educational background in social work, and how she adapted to farming life after marrying Brad Smi...

Send us Fan Mail In this season finale of Digging Deeper, host Alister from the Gippsland Ag Group is joined by Morgan Davies to extend festive wishes and reflect on the year's events in agriculture. They discuss the importance of resilience in farming, updates on cattle and sheep markets, and the impact of the Gippsland Agriculture Group. The episode highlights the recent field day at Mawarr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Digging Deeper, host Al welcomes Olivia Betts from Elders Bairnsdale. Olivia discusses her background growing up on a beef farm, her path from taking a gap year to studying agriculture and accounting at university and eventually becoming a leading agronomist at Elders. She shares her experiences, challenges, and the importance of mentorship in her fast-paced rol...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Digging Deeper, host Alister interviews Justin Dunn, founder and owner of Shepherd Ag Auto Feeders. Justin discusses his transition from being a school principal to becoming an entrepreneur in agriculture technology. He shares his journey from teaching and developing science and technology programs in schools to addressing labour challenges in sheep farming thro...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Chelsea Hair recounts her harrowing experience of a recent car accident, emphasising the significance of safety and insurance while praising the professionalism of emergency responders. Chelsea also outlines an ongoing livestock project, supported by Meat & Livestock Australia, focusing on post-weaning performance, discussing the methodologies and preliminary...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Digging Deeper, host Al interviews Anthony Snow, a unique thinker in the realms of business and farming. They delve into Anthony's journey from growing up in a turf maintenance family in Bacchus Marsh, to his eventual move to East Gippsland to manage a large-scale turf farm for Lilydale Instant Lawn. Anthony shares his evolution from turf expert to cattle f...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Digging Deeper, the regular guest Morgan Davies returns to discuss various industry topics with the host. They touch upon Morgan's recent activities, market dynamics in cattle and sheep, and the impacts of recent rain on local agriculture. They also delve into the practices and strategies for livestock trading and highlight the importance of a good relation...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Digging Deeper,' the host welcomes Alison Gunn, the owner of Herd Solutions, who shares insights into her extensive career in veterinary practice and her sustainable farming philosophies. Alison discusses her upbringing in a horticultural family in Kent, England, her determination to become a vet despite societal challenges, and her career journey acr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Digging Deeper,' the host welcomes guests Trevor and Trent, who share their experiences at Gippsland Ag and discuss their farming journeys. Trent provides an overview of his extensive background in farming, experiencing life as a jackaroo, and gaining agronomy expertise. The conversation covers decisions made during drought conditions, proactive manag...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Digging Deeper, the host interviews Lily McCole, a young farmer from Swifts Creek who has recently gone viral for her event recap on the Youth Agritech Expo. Lily shares her experiences growing up on a family farm, managing a diverse range of animals, and the challenges faced in modern farming. She also discusses her viral social media moment, organising the You...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Digging Deeper, host Alister welcomes experienced stock agent Brad Obst to discuss the unfolding season in East Gippsland and the broader livestock industry. Brad shares his journey from growing up in Melbourne to becoming a prominent figure in the livestock sector, detailing his experiences, including a notable educational tour to the USA. The conversation cove...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Digging Deeper,' Alistair from Gippsland Ag Group welcomes regular guest Morgan Davies from Elders to discuss the current state of the livestock market. They cover topics such as the recent sale of cattle in Barnawartha, seasonal market conditions, cattle and sheep price trends, and processing details for various livestock classes in Victoria. They al...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Digging Deeper,' host Al sits down with Chelsea to discuss the latest developments and best practices in managing bulls and rams for breeding. Chelsea highlights the increased workload in the business and delves into various veterinary procedures and observations, including bull testing, body condition scoring, and addressing common reproductive issue...

Send us Fan Mail In the latest episode of Digging Deeper, host Alistair from the Gippsland Ag Group welcomes Joel Williams, an independent educator specializing in soil science, to discuss the intricacies of soil health, nutrient management, and sustainable farming practices. Joel shares his international experiences from Canada, insights on the renewed interest in soil biology, and practical advi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Digging Deeper, Jackie and Kelvin Pendergast discuss their experiences and insights into sheep breeding and farming life. The couple recently participated in the Gippsland Stud Merino Breeders ram sale, achieving remarkable success with an impressive clearance rate and top price ram. They share the history of their farm and their journey in sheep breeding, inclu...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Digging Deeper,' Al welcomes two guests, Morgan Davies and Madi Gallagher. Morgan reflects on his recent visit to the Leongatha cattle sales, while Madi shares her background as the District Wool Manager in Gippsland. Madi discusses the recent Gippsland Breeders Merino sale, noting its success despite market challenges. The conversation shifts to the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Digging Deeper, the host welcomes Taylor, the youngest guest so far at just 15 years old. Taylor, who lives on a farm and has a deep-rooted passion for agriculture, shares her early memories of farm life, including feeding a neighbour's calf at the age of four. She discusses her involvement in cattle showing, working at a dairy, and managing her own stud, L...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Digging Deeper,' host Al catches up with Chelsea, a visiting vet, to discuss a range of veterinary topics. They delve into Chelsea's busy start to the carving season while managing the clinic solo. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on lameness in cattle and sheep, highlighting causes like foot rot and nutritional issues, along with...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Digging Deeper Ag Chats with Al, the team provides updates from the Gippsland Research Farm. Topics include new projects, soil testing results, and upcoming events like Spring Field Day in October. Special guests Rick Blackshaw and Jen Smith discuss ongoing trials, such as soil sampling, cereal variety research, grass trials, and brassica comparison. They also t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Digging Deeper Ag Chats with Al, Alistair from the Gippsland Ag Group returns after a mid-season break to discuss the cattle and sheep market trends with guest speakers Morgan Davies and Joey, livestock agents from Euroa. They explore recent price movements, market predictions, and share insights on livestock handling and MSA accreditation. Additionally, they de...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the discussion centers on best practices for yard weaning and artificial insemination (AI) in cattle. Topics include the importance of adequate space to prevent disease, acclimating calves to feedlot conditions, and the benefits of keeping calves longer after weaning. The conversation also delves into optimal vaccination strategies and the logistics and challenges...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Digging Deeper,' host Al welcomes back Mors after a brief hiatus. Mors shares updates about his recent holiday in Broome and discusses upcoming vacation plans. They dive into the cattle market, analyzing current trends and prices, the impact of weather conditions on livestock, and forecasts for winter and early spring. They also touch on the global sc...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Digging Deeper, Alistair welcomes Dr. Enoch Bergman, a renowned cattle vet originally from WildHorse, Colorado. They discuss Dr. Bergman's journey from America to Australia, sharing tales of his early life, the challenges of relocation, and his significant contributions to veterinary medicine. The conversation delves deeply into Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus...

Send us Fan Mail Optimizing Livestock Management: Insights on Carving, Lambing, and General Animal Husbandry Join Chelsea and Al on 'Dig In Deeper' as they discuss the challenges and best practices in livestock management, focusing on carving and lambing preparations. From dealing with busy schedules and adverse weather to handling specific livestock health issues like abortions, disbudd...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Nathan shares his non-traditional path into agriculture, from growing up in Geelong to running a successful farm consultancy. He discusses the importance of translating scientific research into practical on-farm applications and offers advice on managing sheep operations, including lamb survival strategies and the benefits of scanning for multiples. Nathan also hi...