EP Ag Chats

In this episode of the Risk-Wise Podcast, Jake Giles sits down with Paul Schafer from the Kimbra district on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula to unpack how his farming business is evolving in response to changing conditions.Paul shares insights into his mixed farming operation at Pinkawillinie and Caralue , where wheat, barley and medic pastures have long been the foundation — alongside sheep. But in recent years, that balance has shifted, with lentils becoming a more prominent part of the rotation and sheep numbers scaled back.The conversation explores the drivers behind those decisions, from labour efficiency and workload across large paddocks to profitability and lifestyle considerations. Paul also reflects on how their system has changed over time, including increased use of contractors and expansion into new country to spread risk.With timely rainfall across the region, Jake and Paul also discuss how the season is shaping up — from soil moisture and crop planning through to the real-time decisions farmers are making around inputs, timing and uncertainty.It’s an honest and practical look at how one farming business is adapting its strategy while balancing risk, opportunity and the realities of farming in a low rainfall environment.

In this episode, Jake sits down with West Coast farmer Jim Evans to talk about the journey of building a farming business from the ground up. After starting out in contracting—running spray rigs, headers and trucks across the country—Jim made the move into farming in 2000 following the ’99 drought.Over the past 25 years, he and his wife Janet have steadily grown their operation to around 35,000 acres of cropping, a mix of owned and leased land across the Upper Eyre Peninsula.In this practical conversation, Jim shares how long-term planning, disciplined decision-making and careful cost management have helped the business navigate rising input prices and the challenges of farming in a marginal environment. They also discuss machinery replacement strategies, the role of lentils in the rotation, and how recent rainfall is shaping decisions as the new season approaches.It’s a grounded look at the mindset, planning and risk management needed to run a large cropping operation in today’s farming landscape.

After a welcome burst of rain across the Eyre Peninsula, the Riskwi$e Podcast is back for 2026. In this episode, Jake Giles sits down with third-generation farmer Andrew Watson to talk about what it really takes to farm in a marginal environment.Andrew runs a mixed farming operation of around 15,000 acres of cropping alongside a growing feedlot enterprise — a shift that has helped the business navigate tough seasons, rising input costs and volatile grain prices. With some significant rainfall recently falling across the region, the conversation explores how that moisture could shape decisions heading into seeding.From machinery costs and changing farm economics to soil moisture, livestock opportunities and sticking to a seasonal plan, Andrew shares practical insights from decades of farming experience. The discussion also touches on the realities of risk in agriculture and the difficult balance farmers face when making decisions in an unpredictable climate.If you want a grounded, honest look at farming in one of EP's more challenging environments, this episode offers valuable perspective from someone who’s lived it.Produced as part of the GRDC-funded Riskwi$e project.

In this episode, Bruce shares his reflections on a season that’s been anything but ordinary. After enduring the driest 18 months on record, conditions flipped dramatically in June, bringing above-average rainfall but also fresh challenges with cold day time temps, and enough wind to last a life time. Bruce opens up about nutrient constraints—particularly phosphorus uptake under dry sowing—and the surprises he’s seen in crop performance on lentil stubbles compared to medic pastures.He discusses what worked (like delayed seeding, dry-sown wheat on lentils, and a winning move with barley) and what didn’t, including lessons around early sowing and second-year wheat. Nitrogen management, moisture conservation, and navigating uneven crop development remain front of mind as he looks for upside in a compressed season.Despite the complexities, Bruce stays grounded, finding positives in strong crop patches and the resilience of his system, while also keeping balance with family and life off the farm.

Jake Giles chat with Todd Matthews a grower from Cootra on the Eyre Peninsula about their approaches to one of the driest starts in recent memory. The discussion delves into decision-making strategies regarding crop residue, paddock selection, and overall farm management amidst challenging conditions. Farmers share their experiences, including maintaining motivation, seeking advice from neighbour and advisors, and staying informed about long-term weather forecasts. The episode underscores the significance of resilience and community support in overcoming agricultural uncertainties.