Profitable Farmer

What if the future isn’t something to fear but something we can prepare for, shape, and lead into with confidence? 

For Simon Kuestenmacher, understanding what’s ahead isn’t guesswork. It’s grounded in data, demography and deep thinking. As co-founder of The Demographics Group, Simon helps leaders across the country make sense of the big forces shaping our communities, our economies and our businesses. In this conversation, he brin...

What if we treated safety not as a box to tick, but as a culture to lead? 

For Rebecca Fing, this isn’t a theoretical question — it’s the heart of her life’s work. From her base in Goondiwindi, Rebecca and her team at House Paddock Training & Consulting have spent two decades helping farm families lift their game in HR, business strategy, and importantly — work health and safety. 

This episode is a full-bodied conversation ...

Every great innovation starts with a question — Could this be done better? 

For Wayne Perkins, that question came in a wool shed, with a busted back, and a view of shearing that hadn’t changed in a century. He wasn’t looking to build a business. He was looking to fix a problem. 

And in true agri-entrepreneur fashion, what followed was part invention, part persistence — and one heck of a story. 

In this episode, we shine a l...

Succession isn’t just a plan on paper — it’s a living, breathing conversation about legacy, leadership, and what we’re really passing on. And when it’s done well, it can strengthen not just the business, but the family behind it.  This episode is a testament to that. Rob and Ainsley McArthur aren’t just managing a successful beef operation in central Queensland — they’re guiding a generational transition with intention, structu...

Now and then, you get the chance to pause, look back, and really take stock. And when that moment rolls around, it can be quietly powerful. 

That’s exactly what this episode is. A milestone. A moment. A celebration. 

This year marks 10 years of Farm Owners Academy, and I wanted to sit down with two people who’ve been there from the start — FOA founder Greg Johnsson and our CEO Sam Johnsson — and reflect not just on where we’ve ...

The markets are rattled. The headlines are loud. And for farmers trying to plan ahead, it’s starting to feel a bit like trying to build a fence in shifting sand.

That’s exactly why, in this episode of Profitable Farmer, I’ve invited back our trusted investment specialist, Terry Tran from Freedom Trader - because when the world gets noisy, Terry brings sharp thinking and clear-eyed strategy.

  At present, we’re diving deep into o...

Let’s be honest - running a farm can feel like a never-ending list of things to do. The sun comes up, and we’re off… chasing the day, solving problems, making it all happen. But here’s the question we’re leaning into on this episode: What if the biggest breakthrough for your business isn’t out there in the paddock… but in here, inside you? 

At Farm Owners Academy, we’ve learned time and again that real transformation - the kind tha...

As we reset for 2025, many are feeling the weight of a brutal 2024. And to be completely honest — when you're staring down a decile one year, it’s hard to know where to start.     How do you budget with confidence? How do you front up to your bank when the season doesn’t go your way?    So here is the truth: waiting it out isn’t a strategy. Hope isn’t a business plan. And if you want to lead your business forward, now is the ti...

Where have you learned leadership? 

On the farm? In a day job? Inherited perhaps? 

For most, NONE have learned the vital art and science of leadership. 

It is a learned skill. One we can all commit to and master.  

One we all need to be successful in life and business, and in succeeding in the pursuit of a family farm that can transcend generations… 

It is a privilege to introduce Paul Ainsworth, Managing Partner of Lincoln Institu...

Running a farm comes with its fair share of challenges, and it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day. But some of the biggest opportunities for growth come from stepping outside our own operations, connecting with others, and learning from those facing similar challenges. Stronger businesses, smarter decisions, and a more resilient industry all start with farmers coming together and sharing knowledge. 

This episode is all abo...

If something happened to you tomorrow, would your farm keep running? Would your team know what to do? Would your business continue to operate, or does it all rely on you? It’s one of those things we don’t like to think about, but it’s critical — not just for succession planning or long-term growth, but for building a farm business that’s resilient and can operate without you. Today, I have the pleasure of sitting down with tw...

Farming is a beautiful and rewarding way of life, but as we know, it comes with its fair share of risks—some that we prepare for and others that shake us to the core.  

In this episode, we dive into an extraordinary story of resilience, resourcefulness, and reinvention as we sit down with Matt and Hayley Watson, first-generation farmers who built a thriving free-range egg business, faced devastating adversity, and emerged stronge...

Today, we’re diving into a cracker of a conversation with three of our incredible FOA business coaches—Rick Morris, Marina Gregor, and Jack Owen. They not only run their own successful farming enterprises but also help guide others in our FOA community to achieve remarkable results.    In this episode, we reflect on the wins, challenges, and insights that shaped 2024. You’ll hear how these coaches, through bold decisions and a de...

As we near the end of another whirlwind year, it’s a chance to reflect, reset, and recharge. The festive season brings its own flurry of busyness, but before we all step into some well-deserved downtime, I wanted to bring you a conversation packed with insight and inspiration to help you wrap up 2024 with purpose and head into 2025 with clarity.    In this episode, I’m joined by Farm Owners Academy’s CEO, Sam Johnson. Together, w...

Today’s conversation is one of those deep dives into leadership, resilience, and navigating the complexities of life—whether that’s on the farm, in the boardroom, or out on the footy field.  

 Joining me is Cameron Schwab, a man who, at just 24, stepped into the CEO role of an elite AFL club, and over the years has learned not only what leadership demands of us but how it shapes us.  

 Cameron is the real deal—a thinker, a mentor, ...

Often, the journey of personal development can be misunderstood or even dismissed- many might view it as unnecessary or even indulgent. As we explore in this episode, it is not about ‘fixing’ yourself or chasing perfection… it’s about choosing who you want to become, letting go of old stories, and moving towards a more authentic, abundant version of yourself.  

In this episode, I am delighted to once again speak with Tracy Secomb...

I have heard it said that “doing a traditional thing in a traditional industry may no longer be relevant.”

I have also heard it said that the point of entrepreneurship is to “create a legacy”…. that is to create something that makes an impact of significance in the market, that will last beyond your life-time.

Certainly there are great examples of individuals and teams out there daring enough to be highly entrepreneurial, deepl...

In this episode, I speak with Tim McGavin, Founder and Managing Director of Laguna Bay, one of the largest privately owned agricultural investment funds globally. 

Reflecting on his farming background and extensive career, we explore life growing up on a station west of Barcaldine, QLD alongside his ‘bushy’ father and family. We explore Tim’s early years through school, his journey into agriculture and the intriguing and unique p...

As always, it is great to speak with Terry Tran and get an update on what is happening across our economy and the global investment landscape. In this episode, and 6 months after our last update from Terry, we cover all things interest rates, inflation, commodities outlooks, exchange rates and economies. We get Terry’s valued insight across the USA, China, Russia/Ukraine and other global developments, and how these might impa...