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.

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.