Episodes
This week Rob is joined by Ripley Atkinson, Australian Livestock and Commodities Manager with StoneX Financial.  With cattle herds in Australia and the US a big topic of discussion, Ripley joins us to discuss the opportunities and key drivers behind the future US herd rebuild and the resulting opportunities for the Australian Beef Industry. 
Published 03/01/24
This week Rob is joined by Prime lamb producer Charlie de Fegely who manages the Quamby property in Ararat, Victoria. Charlie, his partner Liz, and their sons have been innovative, progressive producers looking to maximise productivity and Charlie discusses how they've managed the last 12 months of the turbulent lamb and sheep market. 
Published 02/16/24
This week, Rob is joined by Jessica Clarke, Market Reporter for Argus Media to discuss the Northern cattle indicators and how the season is developing for grain fed cattle markets this season.  
Published 02/09/24
This week the Mecardo team (Rob Hermann, Olivia Agar & Ethan Woolley) discuss the key insights from quarter 4 of 2023 in commodity markets including the livestock market turnaround, freight issues and wool premiums.  To be added to the Quarterly report mailing list, please reach out to us on [email protected]
Published 01/30/24
This week, Rob is joined by Stewart Raine, Victorian Wool brokerage lead with Nutrien Ag Solutions, to discuss the impact of the large wool offerings at auction to begin 2024 and the improving sentiment as we approach superfine sales in the next few weeks. 
Published 01/19/24
This week Rob is joined by commodity conversations regular Ron Rutledge, Livestock Development Manager with Nutrien Ag Solutions, to talk about the positive start to the year for cattle and sheep markets.  They discuss recent weaner sales and the balance of the market drivers and new found confidence in buyers and sellers.
Published 01/12/24
This week Rob is joined by commodity conversations regular Michael Whitehead, Head of Food, Beverage and Agribusiness Insights with ANZ. Rob and Michael discuss some key takeaways from the Summer edition of the ANZ "Agri InFocus" Commodity insights report.  
Published 12/15/23
This week Rob Hermann is joined by Tom Silcock, former president of the Australian Merino Sire Evaluation Association. Rob and Tom discuss the future of Merino Sheep and market influences on breeder ram choices.
Published 12/01/23
This week we continue with Part 2 of Rob's discussion with David Cornish, Director of the Centre for Professional Development at Marcus Oldham College which can also be heard on the AgTalk Podcast.  In this iteration, David and Rob discuss where the world is at with grain, oilseeds, and wool markets. 
Published 11/24/23
This week David Cornish, Director of the Centre for Professional Development at Marcus Oldham College interviews Mecardo's Robert Hermann as a 2-part series which can also be heard on the AgTalk Podcast.  In this iteration, David and Rob discuss how cattle and sheep markets have changed in recent times. 
Published 11/17/23
This week Ethan Woolley is joined by Courtney Tourle, Animal Production Specialist with Nutrien Ag Solutions based in Central West NSW.  Courtney discusses the benefits of early weaning and livestock nutrition strategies to make the most out of dry conditions. 
Published 11/10/23
This week Olivia Agar and Ethan Woolley discuss harvest progress, drivers impacting the global grain market as well as an update on the sugar and cotton markets. 
Published 11/03/23
This week Rob Hermann and Ethan Woolley discuss some of the key market highlights in commodities covered in Mecardo's latest Quarterly report. To access the quarterly report, reach out to the Mecardo team by email, [email protected] 
Published 10/24/23
This week on episode 250, we have a heavy focus on the lamb market as Rob is joined by one of our favourite guests, Will Barton, CEO of Gundagai Meat Processors. Rob and Will discuss the supply and demand system at play with lambs currently and look ahead to the Summer.  
Published 10/13/23
This week Rob is joined by Debora Tricarico, Authentico brand manager with the Schneider Group. Debora talks us through the importance of traceability and transparency in the wool supply chain. 
Published 10/06/23
This week Rob is joined by Angus Brown, analyst with Mecardo to discuss identifying opportunities during the current downturn in Lamb and Sheep markets. They discuss store lamb trades, merino wether opportunities, and the current state of the market.
Published 09/29/23
This week, Rob is joined by Sarah Bolton, Dairy Beef and Animal Welfare Manager with Greenham. Sarah talks to us about the developing Dairy beef market including what's required to participate, how other countries have developed the industry, and finding sustainable ways to improve outcomes for Dairy producers. 
Published 09/22/23
This week Rob is joined by Jo Hall, CEO of Wool Producers Australia. We discuss the benefits of the Indian trade agreeent for Australian Wool, the economic feasibility of domestic wool processing, traceability, and the education of international processors through the Trust in Australian Wool Program.
Published 09/15/23
This week, Rob is joined by Jason Strong, Managing Director of Meat and Livestock Australia. Jason and Rob discuss priorities for the Red Meat and Livestock Industry, such as the big supply and demand issues the current market is facing as well as the strategic goals for long-term growth including processing and export markets. 
Published 09/08/23
This week Olivia is joined by Nick Goddard, Executive Director of the Australian Oilseeds Federation.  Nick discusses the latest drivers in Canola and oilseed markets including the latest supply and demand dynamics, the biofuel boom and ISCC certification news.
Published 09/01/23
This week Rob is joined by Stephen Hill, National Committee Chairman for the Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee. Stephen talks us through some key findings from the latest forecast and discusses for what is ahead for wool production in Australia. 
Published 08/25/23
This week Rob is joined by Mecardo livestock analyst Jamie-Lee Oldfield to discuss everything lamb and sheep markets with spring approaching.  Jamie-Lee is based out of a sheep and cattle operation in Coolac, NSW and is well placed to run us through the boom in supply, the lamb crop to come and what is happening to the flock across the ditch. 
Published 08/04/23
This week, Rob has returned from the United States and is keen to discuss with the Mecardo team what he saw including some of the key insights from Mecardo's recent analysis of the US cattle market and its potential impact on the Australian market. 
Published 07/28/23
This week Olivia and Ethan from Mecardo discuss the key insights from the latest Mecardo Quarterly Commodity Report. They discuss wool at the crossroads, the weather market impacts on grain, mutton milestones and cattle export signals. 
Published 07/20/23
This week Olivia travels across Australia with some of the Nutrien Ag Solutions network to get a regional update on the winter cropping season so far.  Olivia is joined by Greg Toomey: Branch Manager at Elmore, Victoria; Nick Brennan: Agronomy account manager at Wee Waa NSW; and Tom Shaw: Farm Services Support Agronomist based in WA.
Published 07/14/23