Business, landscape/production, and mental wellbeing are deeply intertwined, each influencing and reinforcing the others. This episode explores the interconnectedness of these three pillars of the triple bottom line in livestock production in the Southern Rangelands.

We are joined by agribusiness management consultant Richard Brake (Richard Brake Consulting), principal landscape ecologist/agroecologist Richard Marver (Contour Consulting) and rural counsellor and wellbeing health advocate Louise O’Neill (Farm Life Fitness). The three of them participated in the Pastoral Business Toolkit project led by the Goldfields Nullarbor Rangelands Biosecurity Association (GNRBA).

While isolation poses one of the greatest challenges for pastoralists, both in terms of mental health and business operations, seasonal variability remains a significant concern from a landscape and production standpoint.

Our guests discuss how decision-making can be particularly challenging when each choice carries substantial weight for the business. Having access to the right resources can make these decisions far less overwhelming and more informed. They share key lessons from the Pastoral Business Toolkit.

The Pastoral Business Toolkit project is supported by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie.

• FRRR Pastoral Business Toolbox: Kanandah - GNRBA
• FRRR Pastoral Business Toolbox: Morapoi - GNRBA
• Pastoral Business Toolbox heads to the Nullarbor - SW WA Hub
• Hub news - Drought Hub

2024 delivered a mixed season for Western Australian growers. It began with extremely dry conditions, then turned around with above-average rainfall through June, July, and August, leading to above-average yields in many regions. However, rising overheads and variable costs meant many farmers finished the year in a neutral financial position.

In this episode, we’re joined by Renae Piggott, Consultant with AgAsset, and Krista Lancaster from Ninghan Spraying and Ag Services and Project Officer at the Merredin & Districts Farm Improvement Group (MADFIG).

Renae hosted the Cultivating Profit workshops in 2024, designed to give young farmers an introduction into farm finances. Krista supported and attended one of these events.

Together, they explore the importance of planning ahead – rather than making decisions under pressure – and discuss key takeaways from the workshops, including how understanding financial ratios can support better decision-making. As Renae puts it: "The best time to prepare for a poor year is during your best years."

This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie.

• Financial literacy for young farmers - SW WA Hub
• Hub news - Drought Hub

In this episode we are joined by a dynamic farming duo, Danielle Lannin England and Jonathan England, from AgInnovate. With a wealth of experience on-farm and in the wider agricultural industry, they share their advice after experiencing multiple dry seasons on their mixed sheep-grain farm in South Australia.

Danielle, who originally hails from a farming family in southeast WA, is a highly regarded consultant with expertise in farm business management and decision making. She shares her perspective from the farm office and highlights the importance of maintaining community connections during tough times.

Jonathan is a livestock expert with a focus on sheep production systems. He shares how adaptive management approaches, such as 3-week joining and confinement feeding strategies, can help maintain long-term health and productivity for farming operations.

This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Shannon Beattie.

• Top Tips for Season 2025
• Insights from the Grain and Graze Program
• Lifetime Ewe Management
• AgInnovate
• Hub news - Drought Hub