Chris Francis is a Farmer in ‘Gobothery’, southwest of Forbes. Alongside his brother and their families, Chris has been taking on grain farming, fodder growing, and short-horn cattle, following 3 generations of family history.

In this episode, Chris discusses the landscape his extensive operation sits on and some key motivations for their dedication. He explains the farm’s livestock decisions, irrigation choices, fodder production, and his stance on the rise of corporate input in the farming industry.

 

Nominate a Mate:
If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'.

 

Connect:
Central West LLS website
Central West LLS on Facebook
Central West LLS on X
Central West LLS on YouTube

 

The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation.


  This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Chris Francis is a Farmer in &lsquo;Gobothery&rsquo;, southwest of Forbes. Alongside his brother and their families, Chris has been taking on grain farming, fodder growing, and short-horn cattle, following 3 generations of family history. In this episode, Chris discusses the landscape his extensive operation sits on and some key motivations for their dedication. He explains the farm&rsquo;s livestock decisions, irrigation choices, fodder production, and his stance on the rise of corporate input in the farming industry. &nbsp; Nominate a Mate: <ul> <li aria-level="1">If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: <a href="https://regionalnsw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aVuHOf7krHE9Voq">Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'</a>.</li> </ul> &nbsp; Connect: <ul> <li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/central-west">Central West LLS website</a></li> <li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CentralWestLLS">Central West LLS on Facebook</a></li> <li aria-level="1"><a href="https://twitter.com/CentralWestLLS">Central West LLS on X</a></li> <li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/CentralWestLLS">Central West LLS on YouTube</a></li> </ul> &nbsp; The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation. This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit <a href="https://wavelengthcreative.com/?utm_source=show-notes&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=rss-feed-footer">wavelengthcreative.com</a> for more information.

Seeds for Success is a show where we have a good yarn about ag life with producers who are having a go. On the show, you'll hear from farmers in New South Wales who are out there battling the elements, making tough calls and getting the job done. You'll get a laugh out of some of their stories, and also pick-up some know-how along the way. Produced by Central West Local Land Services.

Seeds for Success is a show where we have a good yarn about ag life with producers who are having a go.

Seeds for Success

Fodder Growers: How this farm supplements its grazing enterprises with irrigation

What happens when a producer decides not just to grow the product but to own the entire supply chain?

In this episode, Local Land Services Cropping Ag Advisor Tim Bartimote sits down with Andy and Ben Sippel to unpack how a vertically integrated lamb business was built from paddock to plate. Starting with farmers’ markets and evolving into a streamlined event-based model, they share why simplicity, consistency, and market alignment have been central to success.

You’ll hear why limiting customer choice became a strength, how ensuring “everything has a home before it leaves the paddock” protects profitability, and what it really takes to bootstrap and scale a food business.

This is a practical conversation for producers interested in value-adding, controlling their market pathway, and building resilient agricultural businesses beyond the farm gate.

Resources and links:
Saltbush Lamb
MLA Managing Your Feedbase
Ben Sippel on LinkedIn
Andy Sippel on LinkedIn

Nominate a Mate:
If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'.

Connect:
Central West LLS website
Central West LLS on Facebook
Central West LLS on X
Central West LLS on YouTube

The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation.

This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit soundcartel.com.au for more information.

What happens when a producer decides not just to grow the product but to own the entire supply chain?
In this episode, Local Land Services Cropping Ag Advisor Tim Bartimote sits down with Andy and Ben Sippel to unpack how a vertically integrated lamb business was built from paddock to plate. Starting with farmers&rsquo; markets and evolving into a streamlined event-based model, they share why simplicity, consistency, and market alignment have been central to success.
You&rsquo;ll hear why limiting customer choice became a strength, how ensuring &ldquo;everything has a home before it leaves the paddock&rdquo; protects profitability, and what it really takes to bootstrap and scale a food business.
This is a practical conversation for producers interested in value-adding, controlling their market pathway, and building resilient agricultural businesses beyond the farm gate.
Resources and links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.saltbushlamb.com.au/">Saltbush Lamb</a></li>
<li><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K0jkHy0iDo6-bAlPjlI3N75Nn9biUHHP/view?usp=sharing">MLA Managing Your Feedbase</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-sippel-36918287/">Ben Sippel on LinkedIn</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-sippel-b9744352/">Andy Sippel on LinkedIn</a></li>
</ul>
Nominate a Mate:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: <a href="https://regionalnsw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aVuHOf7krHE9Voq">Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'</a>.</li>
</ul>
Connect:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/central-west">Central West LLS website</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CentralWestLLS">Central West LLS on Facebook</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://twitter.com/CentralWestLLS">Central West LLS on X</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/CentralWestLLS">Central West LLS on YouTube</a></li>
</ul>
The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation.
This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit <a href="https://soundcartel.com.au/">soundcartel.com.au</a>&nbsp;for more information.

From Paddock to Plate: Building a Lamb Brand That Controls the Whole Chain with Andy and Ben Sippel

What if one native plant could fundamentally change how your grazing system performs, even through drought?

In this episode, Local Land Services Cropping Ag Advisor, Tim Bartimote, sits down with Andy and Ben Sippel from Saltbush Plains to unpack decades of hands-on experience using old man saltbush as a backbone species in grazing systems. From transforming degraded cropping country into resilient perennial pasture, to maintaining high stocking rates independent of rainfall, they share why deep-rooted native shrubs are one of Australia’s most underutilised agricultural assets.

You’ll hear how saltbush supports livestock performance with year-round green feed, high protein levels, and exceptional water-use efficiency, plus how smart grazing management turns ecological strength into economic strength.

This is a practical, grounded conversation for producers interested in building resilient pastures, reducing inputs, and working with Australia’s landscapes, not against them.

Resources and links:
Saltbush Lamb
MLA Managing Your Feedbase
Ben Sippel on LinkedIn
Andy Sippel on LinkedIn

Nominate a Mate:
If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'.

Connect:
Central West LLS website
Central West LLS on Facebook
Central West LLS on X
Central West LLS on YouTube

The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation.

This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit soundcartel.com.au for more information.

What if one native plant could fundamentally change how your grazing system performs, even through drought?
In this episode, Local Land Services Cropping Ag Advisor, Tim Bartimote, sits down with Andy and Ben Sippel from Saltbush Plains to unpack decades of hands-on experience using old man saltbush as a backbone species in grazing systems. From transforming degraded cropping country into resilient perennial pasture, to maintaining high stocking rates independent of rainfall, they share why deep-rooted native shrubs are one of Australia&rsquo;s most underutilised agricultural assets.
You&rsquo;ll hear how saltbush supports livestock performance with year-round green feed, high protein levels, and exceptional water-use efficiency, plus how smart grazing management turns ecological strength into economic strength.
This is a practical, grounded conversation for producers interested in building resilient pastures, reducing inputs, and working with Australia&rsquo;s landscapes, not against them.
Resources and links:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.saltbushlamb.com.au/">Saltbush Lamb</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K0jkHy0iDo6-bAlPjlI3N75Nn9biUHHP/view?usp=sharing">MLA Managing Your Feedbase</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-sippel-36918287/">Ben Sippel on LinkedIn</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-sippel-b9744352/">Andy Sippel on LinkedIn</a></li>
</ul>
Nominate a Mate:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: <a href="https://regionalnsw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aVuHOf7krHE9Voq">Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'</a>.</li>
</ul>
Connect:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/central-west">Central West LLS website</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CentralWestLLS">Central West LLS on Facebook</a></li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/CentralWestLLS">Central West LLS on X</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/CentralWestLLS">Central West LLS on YouTube</a></li>
</ul>
The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation.
This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit <a href="https://soundcartel.com.au/">soundcartel.com.au</a>&nbsp;for more information.

Building Drought Resilience with Deep-Rooted Pastures with Andy and Ben Sippel

Welcome to the final episode of our 4-part series, The Lime Light, where we shine a light on lime and dig into building pasture performance on acidic soils. 

Liam Mowbray runs a cattle operation near Gloucester in partnership with his wife Alissa and his parents. Since moving to the area four years ago, the family has focused on lifting production by increasing the carrying capacity across their properties. 

In this episode, Liam talks about making soil pH a foundational part of their production approach and the flow-on effects this has had on soil and pasture performance. You’ll also hear Liam discuss managing steeper country where cultivation isn’t an option, and the strategies used to address soil acidity in these areas. 

Local Land Services Mixed Farming Advisor Rohan Leach, sat down with Liam, away from the heat of the day, to bring you this chat. 

Resources and links: 
NSW - Pastures on acid soils 
Liam Mowbray on LinkedIn 

Nominate a Mate: 


If you'd like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here: Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'. 

Connect: 


Central West LLS website 


Central West LLS on Facebook 


Central West LLS on YouTube 

The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation.


This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Welcome to the final episode of our 4-part series, The Lime Light, where we shine a light on lime and dig into building pasture performance on acidic soils.&nbsp;
Liam Mowbray runs a cattle operation near Gloucester in partnership with his wife Alissa and his parents. Since moving to the area four years ago, the family has focused on lifting production by increasing the carrying capacity across their properties.&nbsp;
In this episode, Liam talks about making soil pH a foundational part of their production approach and the flow-on effects this has had on soil and pasture performance. You&rsquo;ll&nbsp;also hear Liam discuss managing steeper country where cultivation isn&rsquo;t&nbsp;an option, and the strategies used to address soil acidity in these areas.&nbsp;
Local Land Services Mixed Farming Advisor Rohan Leach, sat down with Liam, away from the heat of the day, to bring you this chat.&nbsp;
Resources and links:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/pastures-and-rangelands/research/acid-soils" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/pastures-and-rangelands/research/acid-soils&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1770424113090000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0YMeCHfkF27IQRmDcfxSCz">NSW - Pastures on acid soils</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-mowbray-07b53790/?originalSubdomain=au" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-mowbray-07b53790/?originalSubdomain%3Dau&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1770424113090000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3MTHIOMVKc29Xk2smj_6EB">Liam Mowbray on LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Nominate a Mate:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>
If you'd&nbsp;like to nominate a mate (or yourself) as a potential future guest on the podcast, you can do so here:&nbsp;<a href="https://regionalnsw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aVuHOf7krHE9Voq" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://regionalnsw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aVuHOf7krHE9Voq&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1770424113090000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2o5uHz84qC0d1S_TPQe5ND">Nominate a Mate for 'Seeds for Success'</a>.&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
Connect:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/central-west" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/central-west&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1770424113090000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3TnDnY4E2InbMoG8xbFicK">Central West LLS website</a>&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/CentralWestLLS" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/CentralWestLLS&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1770424113090000&amp;usg=AOvVaw38KVP-jQo_AzjkNaD2MmTa">Central West LLS on Facebook</a>&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/CentralWestLLS" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/user/CentralWestLLS&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1770424113090000&amp;usg=AOvVaw15oAnEMxg46ti5ROHgiEgM">Central West LLS on YouTube</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation.
 This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit <a href="https://wavelengthcreative.com/?utm_source=show-notes&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=rss-feed-footer">wavelengthcreative.com</a> for more information.

Fodder Growers: How this farm supplements its grazing enterprises with irrigation

Seeds for Success

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