Humans of Agriculture

Humans of Agriculture brings you inside the conversations, careers and stories shaping agriculture. Hosted by Oli Le Lievre, the podcast gives listeners access to the people, ideas and experiences you might not otherwise get close to.

Humans of Agriculture is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 386 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 87. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Humans of Agriculture, a business show with 386 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #170

  Hiring | Ornata: Building the Future of Autonomous Farming with Josh Tepper & Michael Webb

  Aug 19, 202641 minS6

  In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli Le Lievre sits down with Josh Tepper, CEO, and Michael Webb, COO and co-founders of Ornata Technologies , to explore how they're transforming farm operations through autonomous machinery and why now is an exciting time to join their growing team. Following their appearance at evokeAG, Josh and Michael share how Ornata has evolved from launching its first commercial customers to building strong momentum across Victoria. They discuss their unique approach to autonomy, where experienced remote operators work alongside autonomous machinery to deliver the benefits of automation without adding complexity for farmers or requiring them to replace the equipment they already own. The conversation also provides an inside look at the newly created Area Sales Manager role across Victoria and Southern New South Wales. Josh and Michael explain why this is much more than a sales position. It is an opportunity to build trusted relationships with farmers, understand their operations, demonstrate the technology in the field, and help producers solve one of agriculture's biggest challenges, finding skilled labour. Whether you're passionate about agriculture, technology or helping farmers adopt new innovations, this episode offers a genuine insight into life inside one of Australia's most exciting agtech startups. Josh and Michael explain what success looks like, why trust sits at the centre of every customer relationship, and how joining Ornata today offers the chance to grow alongside a business shaping the future of Australian agriculture. To learn more about Ornata Technologies and the Area Sales Manager opportunity, visit the Humans of Agriculture careers page . The role is live now, and we'd love to hear from people who are ready to help bring the next generation of autonomous farming technology to Australian agriculture. Key insights from the conversation: How Ornata has progressed from its first commercial deployments to a growing customer base. Why Ornata's remote operations platform makes autonomous farming practical for today's producers. How the business helps farmers address labour shortages while using the machinery they already own. Why building trust with farmers is the foundation of every customer relationship. What the Area Sales Manager role looks like day to day. Why understanding farming systems matters more than having deep technical knowledge. How customer referrals are driving growth across regional farming communities. What it is like working in a fast-growing Australian agtech startup. Why joining early creates opportunities to grow with the business. What success looks like after the first 12 months in the role. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Ornata Technologies and the new role 02:34 Six months of progress and milestones 05:31 The importance of local customer relationships 12:00 Why Victoria and New South Wales are key markets 15:10 What success looks like in the territory manager role 22:45 Customer profiles and farm types 26:54 Onboarding and what to expect in the role 36:51 The future of autonomous farming technology

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  Episode #169

  "Trust the Tech. Trust the People." We’re in QLD talking all things cow collars (SQNNSW Innovation Hub Partnered Ep)

  Aug 17, 202646 minS6

  In the first of a two-part panel series with the Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub , Oli brings together Alex Archer from Webster Grain & Grazing at Lundavra and Ewen Beaton, Manager at Kioma, west of Goondiwindi , to explore how two producers have approached the adoption of virtual fencing within their own grazing businesses. While each operation uses a different virtual fencing platform, this conversation is not about comparing technology. It is about the decision-making process behind adopting innovation , identifying opportunities within a farming business and understanding how new tools can support more productive, resilient grazing systems. Alex shares how virtual fencing has unlocked more than 160 hectares of previously underutilised country within a predominantly cropping enterprise, while Ewen reflects on how the technology is changing the way his team thinks about pasture utilisation, forage management and livestock movement . Together, they discuss the practical realities of implementation, the importance of good systems and the lessons they've learned along the way. From business decisions and grazing management to resilience and continuous improvement, this is a conversation about using innovation to solve real problems on farm. The Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub is supported by funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund. Learn more at www.unisq.edu.au/sqnnswhub. Key insights from the conversation: Why both businesses started looking for new grazing solutions and what drove their investment decisions. How virtual fencing is helping improve pasture utilisation and unlock previously underutilised country. The importance of matching technology adoption with business goals and economic outcomes. What successful implementation looks like beyond the technology itself. The role of management systems, people and processes in making innovation work. How virtual fencing is changing the way producers think about grazing intensity, livestock movement and pasture management. The practical challenges, limitations and lessons learned during adoption. Why curiosity, continuous learning and asking questions are essential when adopting new technology. How innovation can help farming businesses become more productive, adaptable and drought resilient. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Virtual Fencing and Guests 02:02 Why Virtual Fencing is a Game Changer 03:05 Alex Archer's Farm and Grazing Innovation 05:01 Ewan Beaton's Experience with Halter 05:48 Adoption Timeline and Decision Factors 09:04 Economic Drivers and Farm Benefits 11:55 Training Cattle and Managing Boundaries 16:03 Animal Behavior and Welfare Insights 19:58 Seasonal Grazing and Pasture Management 28:05 Challenges, Connectivity, and Lessons Learned 32:08 Future Potential and Next Steps in AgTech

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  Episode #168

  "I couldn't have it all in my head"...so Tom Lahey went digital (AgriWebb Partner episode)

  Aug 10, 202639 minS6

  Third-generation cattle producer Tom Lahey always knew he wanted to return home to the family farm near Goondiwindi. But after working across Western Australia and travelling through the United States to visit some of the world's leading regenerative ranches, he came back with a different perspective on what the future of Australian grazing could look like. Rather than chasing quick wins, Tom has focused on building a more resilient business by improving soil health, measuring grazing performance and making better decisions with data. Over the past five years, AgriWebb has become a central part of that journey, helping the family move from relying on notebooks and memory to having real-time information that supports day-to-day management and long-term planning. In this episode, Tom shares how travel reshaped his thinking, why healthy soil and healthy people go hand in hand, and how technology is helping his family make more confident decisions while creating a stronger future for the next generation. Key insights from the conversation: Growing up on a family cattle property near Goondiwindi How travelling through the US changed his approach to grazing and soil health Bringing new ideas back into a multi-generational family business Why AgriWebb became the foundation for better decision-making Using grazing data to navigate dry seasons with confidence How technology supports carbon projects and tells the story behind farming practices The importance of measuring progress instead of relying on memory Why the future of farming will rely on connected technology and better data Building a legacy focused on healthy soils, healthy businesses and healthy people Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Tom Lahey and his farm journey 00:28 Tom's background and family farm in Wyaga 02:08 Growing up on the family farm and passion for farming 04:56 Adopting a progressive mindset in agriculture 06:53 Experience in Western Australia and genetic improvements 07:35 Trip to the US and insights into regenerative ranching 09:42 Soil health, environment, and profitability 11:30 Implementing grazing techniques post-US trip 13:20 Using AgriWebb for farm management and decision making 17:52 Integrating data and technology in farm operations 20:26 Evolution of farm management tools over five years 22:38 Future plans for technology and farm legacy

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  Episode #167

  The Livestock Industry Was Running on Paper. AgriWebb Bet Everything That Would Change - John Fargher, Co-Founder (AgriWebb Partner episode)

  Aug 3, 20261h 7mS6

  John Fargher grew up on a sheep and cattle station in South Australia's Flinders Ranges, where innovation wasn't a buzzword. It was a necessity. From School of the Air and life on a remote station to practising law in London, John's path looked a long way from building one of agriculture's most recognised technology companies. But a conversation in a London pub changed everything. Together with fellow co-founders Kevin Baum and Justin Webb, John left his legal career behind to tackle one of agriculture's biggest challenges: helping livestock producers move beyond paper records and make better decisions using data. More than a decade later, AgriWebb supports producers across Australia, the UK, North America, South America and beyond, helping digitise livestock businesses while connecting farmers more closely with supply chains and the future of food production. In this episode, John reflects on the journey from startup garage to global ag-tech business , the realities of building a company in one of the world's least digitised industries, and why earning farmers' trust has always mattered more than building software. The conversation also explores AgriWebb's recent acquisition by URUS, the future of livestock data, and why John believes agriculture still has enormous untapped opportunities for innovation. Key insights from the conversation: Growing up on a remote station in the Flinders Ranges Leaving a legal career in London to co-found AgriWebb Why agriculture was still running on paper when AgriWebb began Building a startup before ag tech was an established industry The lessons from growing a global software business Expanding into the UK, North America and Brazil Why digitising agriculture remains one of the industry's biggest opportunities The role of trust, partnerships and culture in scaling a business How AI, data and genetics could shape the future of livestock production What's next for AgriWebb following its acquisition by URUS Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to AgriWebb and its origins 00:33 John Farger's background and childhood in the Flinders Ranges 01:01 The early days of AgriWebb and its mission 02:24 Recent milestones and the URUS acquisition 06:40 John’s childhood and the influence of farming life 09:39 The start of the AgriWebb story in London 12:00 The founding of AgriWebb in Melbourne 13:40 The state of Australian agtech a decade ago 16:08 The initial problem in livestock digitization 20:51 Pivot from hardware to software focus 23:41 Technological evolution and early challenges 27:55 Business model evolution and market education 30:49 Competitive landscape and category creation 33:11 International expansion and market entry strategies 37:26 Building a global business with a unified culture 41:24 Company culture and employee engagement 45:46 Lessons from market fluctuations and industry challenges 49:00 Managing noise and trends in ag tech 51:46 Future opportunities in agriculture and advice for entrepreneurs 55:33 Vision for the next decade and impact goals 58:57 Connecting farm data to global supply chains 01:03:50 The role of sustainability and corporate responsibility 01:06:01 Reflections on the journey and future outlook

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  Episode #165

  From Frozen Yoghurt to Global AgTech Leader with Campbell Mauchan (AgriWebb Partner episode)

  Jul 27, 202652 minS6

  When Campbell Mauchan moved from Canada to Australia in 2016, agriculture wasn't part of the plan. He'd been running frozen yoghurt stores back home when his partner accepted a six-month opportunity in Melbourne. Looking for work, he landed an interview with a small ag-tech startup called AgriWebb , despite having no farming background, no sales experience and none of the qualifications listed in the job description. That decision changed everything. Nearly a decade later, Campbell has helped grow AgriWebb from a team of fewer than ten people into one of agriculture's leading technology businesses , building his career across Australia, the UK, Europe and North America along the way. In this episode, Campbell shares what it's been like to grow alongside the business, why curiosity became his greatest strength , and how working with farmers and ranchers around the world has shaped both his career and perspective. The conversation explores why you don't need to grow up on a farm to build a meaningful career in agriculture, what great leadership looks like inside a fast-growing business, and why trust will always matter more than technology alone. Key insights from the conversation: Following an unexpected opportunity into agriculture Joining AgriWebb in its earliest startup days Why asking questions became a career advantage Building a global career by putting your hand up What farmers across Australia, the UK and North America have in common The role trust plays in agriculture and ag-tech Lessons from working in startups across multiple countries How AI and technology could support better decisions on farm Why agriculture offers incredible opportunities for people from all backgrounds Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Campbell Mauchan and AgriWebb 00:33 Campbell’s journey from Melbourne to Toronto 02:09 Reflecting on a decade of growth at AgriWebb 04:01 Backstory: From frozen yogurt to ag tech 08:51 Why AgriWebb backed Campbell 10:58 The early days of AgriWebb and initial challenges 13:26 Approach to management and decision-making 16:57 The importance of farm visits and farmer engagement 19:56 Solving real problems with technology 22:18 The evolution of farm mapping technology 23:50 Building trust with farmers and ranchers 27:26 Data ownership, privacy, and value for farmers 30:14 Career growth through global opportunities 34:46 Balancing confidence and curiosity in leadership 38:34 The impact of changing locations on career development 42:57 Commonalities among farmers worldwide 45:43 Cultural differences in agriculture and technology adoption 48:19 The future of ag tech and AI advancements 50:56 Closing remarks and advice for aspiring ag tech professionals

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