Harvestable by AgriDigital

In this bonus episode of Harvestable, join Emma Weston as she engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Lucy Cornish, Chief Operating Officer at AgriDigital. Lucy, with over five years of experience at AgriDigital, delves into the transformation from a traditional grain supply chain to a dynamic grain value chain. She shares insights on effective operational strategies in a tech company, from running efficient meetings to implementing agile sprint and scrum methodologies.

Explore AgriDigital's journey as one of the pioneers in cloud-based solutions for agriculture, and how the understanding and application of data have matured among customers. Lucy discusses how product usage data is being leveraged to optimise customer experience and guide future development, especially during critical periods like harvest season.

This episode also touches on how AgriDigital prepares for harvest internally, utilising AI to scale efforts and manage the variability and intensity of the season. Looking ahead, Lucy talks about the future of AgriDigital in the context of data and AI, emphasising the growing need for interconnected data systems and collaboration across supply chain participants to enhance industry efficiency and data insights.

Join us in this fascinating Harvestable episode where Ben Reid, co-founder of AgriDigital, welcomes Bridie Ohlsson, CEO and co-founder of Geora. Bridie's journey is nothing short of remarkable, beginning her career fresh out of university at AgriDigital and swiftly evolving into a leading figure in agricultural technology.

In this episode, Bridie shares her transition from law to leading Geora, and how her work on a blockchain project at AgriDigital evolved into the inception of Geora. Learn about Geora's mission to support agriculture through innovative digital infrastructure, enhancing trust and delivering finance to farmers globally.

Bridie delves into how Geora is harnessing blockchain technology, not just as a sophisticated database but as a tool for creating decentralised, integral, and auditable agricultural data. This approach is crucial in a sector where impact and outcomes significantly influence the bottom line for businesses and farmers.

Discover Geora's role in connecting proof of farm practices with financial products, and how they're working with major banks like NAB to integrate green loans that reward and incentivise climate positive and sustainable farming practices. Bridie also discusses Geora's efforts in providing farmers with tools for benchmarking and adopting greener practices, emphasising that the most profitable farming methods can and should also be the most environmentally friendly.

This episode offers insights into the future of risk and credit models in agricultural finance, underlining the increasing importance of transparent and sustainable farming practices driven by data.

Tune in to understand how Bridie and Geora are shaping a new era in agricultural data usage, where every piece of information contributes to a more sustainable and profitable future.

In the latest epsiode of Harvestable, guest host Jins Kadwood, AgriDigital's Chief Technology and Data Officer, sits down with Andrew Tighe, CFO of Boolah Farms and Pure Grain. With a background in farming and extensive international corporate experience, including as CFO of MARS group in Japan, Andrew shares his insights on the data-driven strategies of Boolah Farms and Pure Grain. The episode delves into their innovative joint venture model for farm management, the mechanics of direct grain trade facilitation, and the vital role of data in both enterprises. Tune in to hear about the strategic investments in data, the increasing demand for transparent and sustainable practices, and the potential impact of AI and predictive modelling in agribusiness. Andrew also underscores the importance of fostering data literacy among team members, ensuring everyone is part of this transformative journey.

In the latest episode of Harvestable, AgriDigital co-founder Ben Reid is joined by Anna Falkiner, CEO and Co-Founder of Cropify. With a farming background, Anna, alongside her co-founder and husband Andrew Hannon, who brings two decades of direct experience in the grain industry, is at the forefront of revolutionising pulse and grain classification.

Anna's transition from her farming origins through to a global marketing role in the wine industry and in her own consulting business has uniquely equipped her to tackle long-standing challenges in the grain supply chain.

Starting with early testing in 2019, Cropify has now developed an impressive prototype, using AI and machine learning to eliminate subjective testing in pulse and grain crops. Beginning with the intricate task of classifying lentils, Cropify's technology shows promise for a wider application across various crops. This approach offers remarkable accuracy, considerably decreasing the time required for crop classification, enhancing supply chain efficiency.

Join us to discover how Anna and Cropify, with their cloud-based intelligence and industry-leading imaging technology, are redefining smart classification standards in the agricultural sector.

Join AgriDigital's Emma Weston as she engages with Joel Robbie, Head of Sales and Growth at Trace, in the latest episode of Harvestable.

With a background steeped in financial services and personal interest in climate solutions, Joel offers an in-depth view on the crucial role of data in calculating and managing a business's carbon footprint.

Trace doesn't just measure carbon emissions; it also helps chart a course for their reduction. From discussing basic carbon definitions and emission factors to emphasising the importance of transparency in climate reporting, Joel provides valuable insights.

Tune in for a compelling exploration into how data is shaping the future of business sustainability and paving the way for net zero achievements.

In a special extended episode of Harvestable, Emma Weston, co-founder of AgriDigital, sits down with Andrew Slatter, CEO of Viridis Ag. This insightful 30-minute conversation breaks our usual 15-minute chat format to delve deeper into Viridis Ag's operations.

Managing over 100,000 hectares across 12 farms, this broad-acre dryland cropping enterprise exemplifies how to leverage data for impactful decision-making.

From practical data application at the paddock level to strategic financial planning, Andrew shares how turning data into a cornerstone of modern farming can lead to efficiency and market adaptability.

In this episode, Emma Weston, Co-founder of AgriDigital, has a fireside chat with Tress Walmsley, CEO of InterGrain. At InterGrain's core is the drive to harness vast data and innovative technologies, translating into predictive breeding and faster product development. Tress offers insights into the complexities of wheat genetics, the pivotal role of AI, and the importance of maintaining data integrity.

The conversation also spotlights the diverse team behind InterGrain, their collective dedication to data integrity, and their endeavours to turn challenges into opportunities. Wrapping up, they discuss the impact of drones in data collection, the power of AI in data analysis, and how all these advancements are propelling InterGrain to bring the best varieties to the market. 

In this episode, Ben Reid, Co-founder of AgriDigital, speaks with Jay Holland, Business Development General Manager at NGR. Jay, a regular Harvestable listener, delves into his role at NGR and the organisation's progression since 2011. Starting as a paperwork-heavy "call centre", NGR now serves over 30,000 farming businesses and collaborates with 200 data subscribers.

Central to NGR's mission is simplifying processes for growers. This allows them to effortlessly tap into new markets and maintain connections in their supply chain, eliminating unnecessary administrative burdens.

The discussion covers the importance of centralised data for growers, the transition from paper to digital records, and NGR's evolving role in the industry. The episode also highlights entities using NGR's database and touches on future focuses: traceability and the carbon in agriculture.

Lastly, NGR's recent ventures are discussed, including their expansion into feedlots and cotton, as well as their collaboration with a chemical manufacturing business.

Join us as we delve into a conversation with Marc, ClearDox’s esteemed Chief Technology Officer, dialling in from Connecticut, freshly recognised with an Innovators Award at the Futures Industry Association Conference in Chicago.

Bringing over 20 years of commodities development experience to the table, Marc illuminates the multifaceted challenges and the transformative data processes within the industry.

Since its inception in 2019, ClearDox has passionately addressed the need to automate the digitisation of commodity information. Fast forward to now, and they're teaming up with 16 firms, using AI to make sense of mountains of data. We'll dig into what digitisation really means for commodities, try to untangle some tech jargon like AI, ML, NLP, and chat about where all this is headed. 

Let's dive in and unpack the world of commodity data, both its current state and where it's going.

AgriDigital Co Founder Ben Reid is joined by Nathan Cattle, Managing Director of Clear Grain Exchange in the sixth episode of our eight part mini-series Harvestable. Clear Grain Exchange was owned and operated by NZX Limited, who operate the New Zealand Stock Exchange, from 2009 to 2016. Nathan shares his journey of taking the exchange private, backed by investment from Elders, and maturing from a start-up to a scale-up. In essence, they operate an independent and secure grain exchange enabling all buyers, sellers, and their agents, to bid or offer grain at their price in an open and transparent market with secure settlement. With a clear value proposition, Clear Grain Exchange's independence enables market efficiency, without bias, to encourage more buyers of Australian grain, and improve farm gate returns. In this fireside chat, Nathan shares with Ben some of the trial and tribulations along the way, and where value is being unlocked into the future. We hope you enjoy, and will see you next week for our second last episode. 

AgriDigital Co-Founder Ben Reid is joined by Andrew Green, Truck Driver for David Knight Transport in the fifth episode of Harvestable season two. Based out of Monteagle, Central West NSW, Andrew joins us from his Kenworth B-Double heading north on the Hume Highway towards Newcastle. We were curious to find out what the week in the life of a truck driver looks like, and Andrew is generous with his insights. Covering upwards of 4,000 kilometres a week, he mostly carts grain from the west to the ports, across a 12 hour day. We chat pot holes, cabin set up, efficiencies of loading and unloading, and the best meals for the road. Andrew has a real passion for truck driving and enjoys the lifestyle it allows. We hope you enjoy this chat and would welcome any feedback or suggestions for grain supply chain participants you'd like to hear from. 

AgriDigital Co-Founder Ben Reid is joined by Jackson Morris Manager of Acquisition and Domestic Trade, Premium Grains, in the fourth episode of Harvestable season two. Based in Western Australia, Premium Grains is primarily a containerised grain exporter out of Freemantle, shipping to up to 10 different countries a week. In what Jackson describes as goldilocks years, Western Australia is expected to harvest close to 23 million tonnes of grain this year, levels similar to last. Discussing the simplicity of supply and demand logic, Jackson unmasks the layers of complexity in the supply chain thats created challenges for meeting global grain demand, despite the record supply. From domestic freight strain, to high container rates, this fireside chat provides a great overview of market and export dynamics. 

AgriDigital Head of Finance Henry Walsh is joined by Daniel Farrell State Director NSW and ACT of Markets at NAB in the third episode of Harvestable season two. Having spent the last decade working across NABs financial markets from retail businesses to the institutional space, Daniel joins us to provide perspective on the current interest rate, inflation, and credit market environment. In his current role, Daniel leads the strategic markets desk and regional and agriculture markets dealers. Chatting with Henry about the speed of change in interest and inflationary markets, he provides insight into what leading and lagging indicators will look like as fiscal and monetary policy decisions come into effect. Despite strong commitment from the RBA domestically to bring inflation back within targets, Daniel makes note that the confluence of international geopolitical challenges as being outside of our control and influential on market dynamics. 

AgriDigital Head of Finance Henry Walsh is joined by Campbell Roydhouse, Founder of Ceres Alpha for a bonus episode of Harvestable. A subject matter expert, Campbell has been working in agricultural markets for over two decades, with various roles at companies including Louis Dreyfus, Goldman Sachs and AWB. In this chat, he dives into the significant impact on the flow of commodities particularly wheat since the Ukrainian war started in March, and implications for the global market. Henry and Campbell discuss the complexities of fragmented and untrustworthy communication and what this has meant for market dynamics. Looking ahead, beyond the logistics of closed freight corridors, Campbell sees the bigger impact being the loss of acreage and labour shortages in Ukraine creating instability in the global wheat balance sheet. 

Kicking off season two of Harvestable, AgriDigital Co Founder and CEO Emma Weston is joined by Tim Whiteley from a family mixed farming operation in Warren NSW. Losing sight of what normal even means, Tim provides a retrospective account on the 2021/22 harvest, where prices were phenomenal but the logistics anything but. Between global geopolitical uncertainty and unprecedented weather conditions, the upcoming harvest is looking not too dissimilar. Resonating with us all, Tim shares the goal this year is to just get the crop off. Join us weekly for raw and unscripted fireside chats with agricultures most insightful minds in the lead up to, and over harvest. 

AgriDigital Co Founder and Head of Growth Ben Reid is joined by Richard Hewitt, Managing Director of Nimbus Broking in the 12th and final episode of Harvestable season one. With 20 years of experience in agribusiness Richard is passionate about supporting farmers achieve their goals. He discusses current finance dynamics amidst a positive agri sector and low interest rate environment. From serviceability to business management Richard shares insights on key things that banks will be looking for and how they support their clients to navigate the onerous borrowing process.

AgriDigital Co Founder and Head of Growth Ben Reid is joined by Harry Gaynor Junior Overseer at Paraway Pastoral Company in the 11th episode of our 12-part mini-series Harvestable. As a Junior Overseer based out at Buttabone, Harry's day to day spans from agronomy to operations and down the supply chain. This visibility across a high performing enterprise is one of the many benefits he enjoys about working for a corporate. Setting up a well rounded skillset for a long term career in agriculture, Harry breaks down some of the stigmas associated with working in big business and how Paraway have created a positive work culture with a people first approach. 

AgriDigital Co Founder and Head of Growth Ben Reid is joined by Tim Dean of Universal Commodity Management (UCM) in the 10th episode of our 12 part mini-series Harvestable. Founded 10 years ago, the business has grown to four sites with a combined capacity of around 400,000 mt in the Southern Riverina, Western Victoria and Wimmera regions. Tim shares how they have achieved sustainable growth, adopted cloud based systems and embraced evolution in the grains industry. 

AgriDigital Co Founder and Head of Growth Ben Reid is joined by Jake Young Office Manager Grain and Intermodal Division at Fletcher International Exports in the ninth episode of our 12 part mini-series Harvestable. Fletchers is one of Australia’s most celebrated agribusiness success stories. Jake shares the scale Fletchers has grown to today in a quest for supply chain efficiency and sustainability. With no signs of slowing down, he provides insight into how they are continuing to evolve in line with grower innovation and where their focus is for the next 5 years. 

AgriDigital Co Founder and Head of Growth Ben Reid is joined by Daniel McNaught Managing Director of McNaughts in the eighth episode of our 12 part mini-series Harvestable. McNaughts have grown from a simple fertiliser distribution business with a few trucks to a highly diversified and integrated business including grain trading, grain storage and freight. Daniel takes us through the journey to find a synergy across business operations that maximises utilisation and chats candidly about regulatory complexities squeezing innovation opportunity in freight.

AgriDigital Co Founder and CEO Emma Weston is joined by Jane Reid of The Gathered Green in the seventh episode of our 12 part mini-series Harvestable. Based at Crowther, Jane is a mother, farmer and founder bridging the gap between locally sourced certified organic/biodynamic produce, and the local regions. After experiencing a health crisis of her own and with a previous career as an Occupational Therapist, Jane explored the impact that food has on our health and wellbeing. In this episode she shares tips for staying healthy over the harvest period when stress and sleep deprivation peaks. From meal tips to tricks that ensure you get quality rest - Jane's insights are practical and actionable by us all! 

AgriDigital Co Founder and CEO Emma Weston is joined by Michael Shanahan of Shanahan Group in the sixth episode of our 12 part mini-series Harvestable. Michael is a sixth generation  farmer from Freeling South Australia who has returned to the family farm after forging a successful career in advertising. An advocate for streamlining operations in order to scale, he shares insights into how his family's business has approached generational change and tech adoption. 

AgrDigital Co Founder and CEO Emma Weston is joined by Pat O'Shannassy of Grain Trade Australia in the fifth episode of our 12 part mini-series Harvestable. Grain Trade Australia (GTA) are a representative group for the grain supply chain, working with the big end of town down to independent businesses operating on farm. Pat joins us to discuss how farmers can get value from GTAs work and the state of the grain supply chain as we head into another bumper harvest. 

AgriDigital Co Founder and CEO Emma Weston is joined by Brad Jones of Bungulla Farming in the fourth episode of our 12 part mini-series Harvestable. This harvest Bungulla farming 200km east of Perth has 10,000 hectares of planted crop from wheat to oaten hay. Brad shares his journey into being an early adopter of agtech and the value this has unlocked for his family operation.

AgriDigital Co Founder and CEO Emma Weston is joined by Leonie O'Driscoll of Evofarm Agribusiness Solutions in the third episode of our 12 part mini-series Harvestable. With a genuine love of practical farming and passion for finance, Leonie has forged a career largely in commodities and the supply chain. Leonie shares insights on how tech can add real value in the paddock to plate supply chain for all farmers.

AgriDigital Co Founder and Head of Growth Ben Reid is joined by Alex Low of Chester Commodities in the second episode of our 12 part mini-series Harvestable. With a wealth of experience in commodity markets, Alex provides insight into the dynamics behind current market conditions and what we can expect into harvest. 

AgriDigital Co Founder and Head of Growth Ben Reid kicks off the first episode of our 12 part mini-series in the lead up to harvest this year. Ben is joined by Sam Heagney of South Bunarba Agriculture at Mungindi. With over 20 years of history between them, they discuss Sam's introduction to agriculture, influence in the social media world and key insights when it comes to employing labour on farm.