by Farm Owners Academy
This show is all about increasing the profitability of your farm so you work smarter and not harder. Your host, Jeremy Hutchings (Managing Director at Farm Owners Academy), reveals the best farming business tips for more leverage in your farm business.
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🇺🇲
Publishing Since
11/8/2017
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April 10, 2025
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 that sticks - starts with mindset. When farmers turn the focus inward and start doing the inner work, everything shifts. And this episode of Profitable Farmer is a powerful reflection of just that. We’re unpacking the theme: “Work harder on yourself than you do on your business.” It's a simple idea, but it cuts deep. And it’s at the very heart of what made our recent Tune In, Deep Dive event so special. Over 500 farmers joined us to dive into the mindset, wellbeing, and emotional intelligence tools that don’t just improve your business - they change your life. I’m joined by two people I respect deeply - Tracy Secombe, our Head of Wellbeing, and David Westbrook (Westy), one of our most loved coaches and a farmer through and through. Together, we get real about: Why mindset matters - and how looking inward can unlock better relationships, stronger leadership, and a more fulfilling life. Breaking old habits - especially the tough-it-out, stoic mentality so many of us were raised with. Simple, practical tools that build self-awareness and keep you grounded, even on the hardest days. Real stories of transformation - Westy shares his own journey - raw, honest, and incredibly powerful - from living on autopilot to becoming intentional and aligned in life and business. If you’re ready to lead with clarity, step into your potential, and show up as your best self - on the farm, at home, and in life - this episode is for you. Tracy and Westy, thank you for sharing your wisdom and experiences. To everyone listening - my hope is that something in this conversation stays with you, nudges you forward, and reminds you just how powerful you really are. Keep winning everyone! Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team
March 28, 2025
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 time to level up how you turn up. In this episode, I am joined again by Jeff McDonald, Founder & Director of RLS Agribusiness. Born and bred on an irrigation property in Loxton, SA, Jeff stepped off the farm and into finance, spending 20 years inside a major bank before founding Riverland Lending Services. Today, Jeff leads one of the largest Agri-finance brokerages in the country. His team settles over $200 million in Agri finance each year, and through RLS Agribusiness, he advises farm businesses on everything from strategy and succession to governance and growth. Jeff has worked with hundreds of producers, and his insight is gold because it’s built on experience and not theory. He knows what banks are really looking for and how the best operators are preparing — strategically, financially, and emotionally — for what's next. This episode is not about hype. It’s about truth. It’s about acumen. And it’s about how we all step forward, more commercially aware, more proactive, and more in control. So, here’s your call to action: If you’ve been flying under the radar... waiting to see how it all plays out... hoping the bank gives you another run - I hope this episode provides insight into how to take a hard look at your business, forecast with clarity and lead with courage. Sincerely, Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team P.S. Ready to take your leadership, financial clarity, and business strategy to the next level? Join us at the next TOP Producers event – live at the Melbourne Convention Centre or virtually on June 23 & 24. With early bird tickets on sale now and the last three events completely sold out, get in quick – secure your spot today and get ready to shift gears in your business.
March 14, 2025
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 Institute to you in this episode - one that speaks deeply to the heart of leadership, resilience, and the power of community. Over 15 years, and after a decorated career in the Australian Army, Paul has helped shape leaders in the veterinary and agricultural industries. A graduate of the Australian Defence Force Academy and the Royal Military College Duntroon, Paul served as an Infantry Officer with international deployments across five foreign countries, culminating in a role as a military observer in the Middle East. His leadership journey continued beyond the Army, first as the inaugural Director of ALDI Foods in Australia and then, as CEO and Board Chairman of Australia’s fastest-growing company in the energy sector. Now, as the Founding Principal of the Lincoln Institute, Paul is dedicated to equipping veterinary and agricultural professionals with the leadership, management, and communication skills they need to thrive. Leadership is more than just making decisions. It’s about connection. It’s about knowing when to step forward and when to step back. It’s about building a team that isn’t just technically strong but also aligned, empowered, and accountable. Here Are Some of The Key Leadership Lessons from This Episode: How self-aware are you as a leader? How you think you come across isn’t always how you do. Where might there be a gap between your intent and your impact? Who’s in your corner? Isolation is the enemy—whether you’re a vet, a farmer, or a business owner. Who do you lean on? How are you building a strong support network? Are you pushing yourself and your team to grow? Real learning happens outside the comfort zone. Where are you playing it too safe? Are you empowering or micromanaging? Move from telling to coaching. Teach the standard, then trust your people to own it. Do your people know what’s expected—before there’s a problem? The best way to avoid hard conversations is to set clear expectations from the start. Are you creating clarity or confusion? Strong teams don’t need coddling—they need to know where they stand, what success looks like, and how to get there. We are delighted that our FOA Platinum Mastermind & Alumni Members have access to the Lincoln Institute Emerging Leaders Programs. For more information about FOA’s programs and our connection with Lincoln, book a Complimentary Coaching Call here. Paul and his team at Lincoln Institute have been working alongside farm owners, veterinarians, and business leaders for years—helping them not just lead, but lead well. This is a conversation about what really makes a difference in leadership—the moments that test us, the decisions that define us. A sincere thanks to Paul for joining us in this conversation. Your knowledge, wisdom and insights are so valuable and transferrable. Sincerely, Jeremy Hutchings and The Farm Owners Academy Team
Marcus Oldham College
Ben Law
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Mark Ferguson
Humans of Agriculture
Andrew Whitelaw & Matt Dalgleish
Agrimaster
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LiSTNR
Mentored.com.au
Mentored.com.au
Eureka Report
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Australian Financial Review
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