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DIGGING DEEPER - AG CHATS WITH AL

DIGGING DEEPER - AG CHATS WITH AL

Written by: Gippsland Agricultural Group Inc
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About this listen

Real farmers, real conversations, practical insights and inspiring stories.
Join Al Micallef and special guests to help unlock your farm's production potential.
Whether it's in relation to drought or economic shifts, this podcast is your go-to for developing resilience in agriculture.
This podcast is made possible by the Future Drought Fund Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program co-funded by the Victorian and Australian Governments.

© 2025 DIGGING DEEPER - AG CHATS WITH AL
Episodes
  • DIGGING DEEPER - Community Resilience and Livestock Trends: A 2026 Start
    Jan 29 2026

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    In the latest episode of Digging Deeper, host Al reflects on a successful first year of podcasts and unveils exciting plans for 2026, including featuring local producers, regular updates from industry experts Chelsea from Herd Solutions and Morgs from Elders.

    Al talks with Morgan Davies about recent cattle and lamb markets, highlighting seasonal trends, strong sales, and challenges. They also discuss the swift community response to recent fire-affected areas, emphasising the importance of support networks in agriculture. Additionally, there are significant updates on the mountain calf sales, including changes in sale dates and locations to improve conditions for buyers and sellers. This episode captures the essence of community resilience, industry updates, and adaptive strategies in agriculture.

    00:00 Welcome to 2026: New Beginnings and Gratitude

    00:34 Introducing Regular Guests and Updates

    01:04 Kicking Off with Morgan Davies

    01:39 Market Updates: Cattle Prices and Trends

    04:00 Sheep and Lamb Market Insights

    08:21 Community Support During Fire Crisis

    14:38 Big News: Changes to Mountain Calf Sales

    21:24 Conclusion and Farewell

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    23 mins
  • DIGGING DEEPER - Fire Resilience in Farming: Jen Smith Shares Her Story
    Jan 22 2026

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    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 Smith. The episode delves into the challenges and strategies of dealing with bushfires, focusing on preparedness, response, and recovery. The conversation also highlights the importance of community support, government grants, and practical farm management during and after fire events.

    Jen emphasises the need for robust infrastructure, effective communication, and mental resilience during critical times.

    00:00 Welcome Back to Digging Deeper 2026

    00:36 Jen Smith's Early Life and Education

    03:01 Meeting Brad and Life in Agriculture

    06:02 Jen's Career Journey

    09:38 Gippsland Agricultural Group and Future Projects

    12:52 Experiences with Bush Fires

    21:09 Bushfire Recovery Grant and Infrastructure

    21:50 Importance of Efficient Feeding Systems

    22:32 Navigating Government Grants

    24:15 Pre-Fire Preparedness: Farm, Animals, and People

    30:03 During the Fire: Immediate Actions and Strategies

    38:26 Post-Fire Recovery: Immediate Steps and Long-Term Planning

    42:11 Community-Led Recovery and Support

    45:12 Silver Linings and Lessons Learned

    46:57 Final Thoughts and Resources

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    50 mins
  • DIGGING DEEPER - Gippsland Agriculture: Wrapping up the Year with Morgan Davies
    Dec 18 2025

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    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 Mawarra featuring esteemed cattle judge PJ Butler and a panel of industry experts. Morgan and Alister ponder lessons learned over the year, including the critical nature of seasonal changes. They sign off by encouraging listeners to enjoy the festive season and prepare for 2026.

    00:00 Introduction to Season Two

    00:43 Holiday Greetings and Reflections

    03:36 Field Day Highlights and Panel Discussion

    06:51 Gippsland Agriculture Group's Impact

    12:41 Cattle and Sheep Market Update

    16:26 Seasonal Reflections and Farewell

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    18 mins
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