On Monday night we hosted 40 people for the final stop of the AFIA pre-conference tour, following their 3-day visit to farms and producers across regional South East Queensland.
It was a great opportunity to catch up with new and familiar faces, share a drink and show them just a little of what we do at Feed Central and LocalAg.
The AFIA National Conference officially kicked off last night, with a number of our team in attendance, so if you're there, be sure to say hi to Tim, Megan, Dave, Steve and Anthony over the next few days.
In this episode of Hay Matters, brought to you by LocalAg and Feed Central, Grower Services Manager Steve Page hits the road to uncover a unique regional story of buried haylage, long-term storage, and unexpected opportunity.
When grain grower Pat Hull purchased a property near Warren in 2022, he wasn’t expecting to find over 1,000 tonnes of buried forage sorghum haylage stored in pits by the previous owner. With no livestock of his own and limited on-farm use, Pat turned to the LocalAg Marketplace to connect with buyers further south, and the response was immediate.
Listen now: https://t.co/afXK4tInBa
In this episode of Hay Matters, brought to you by LocalAg and Feed Central, Jon Paul Driver is joined by National Sales Manager Dave Clothier to unpack current fodder market conditions. With drought in the south driving record demand and pushing prices up fast, Dave explains what’s moving across the country and what’s not — and what buyers and sellers need to know as an early northern season begins to take shape.
Listen now: https://t.co/YHfdxHJZiv
In this episode of Hay Matters, brought to you by LocalAg and Feed Central, host Jon Paul Driver concludes his three-part series with South Australian farmer Matt Eckert. This final instalment shifts focus to the financial, mechanical, and personal pressures that often sit behind the paddock – and how Matt and his team are navigating them.
From soaring machinery costs and safety scares to family life, team trust, and planning for the future, this conversation reveals the daily challenges that aren’t always discussed, but shape everything on the farm.
Listen now: https://t.co/6zQMytzyaW
Last year, Graham Thomson (Thommo) shared his story of carting hay for six decades on the Hay Matters podcast. This year, he’s in the news after getting fined $398 for taking two bales of hay to a neighbour during the drought.
We’ve teamed up with Thommo and his wife Ruth to help fund their fight in court, and Thommo wants to do more.
He’s decided all donations above legal costs will go to @FarmerHealth to support farmer mental health.
If you’d like to be part of Thommo’s impact, here’s the GoFundMe: https://t.co/Q4fO3DQJB5
And you can listen to his original podcast episode here: https://t.co/nawpqy1bby
In this episode of Hay Matters, brought to you by LocalAg and Feed Central, host Jon Paul Driver continues the conversation with South Australian farmer Matt Eckert. In this episode, Matt opens up about the people, mindset, and decisions that help keep the wheels turning during hard seasons.
From financial pressure and breakdowns to succession planning and emotional burnout, this episode digs into the less visible side of managing a large farming operation in a drought — and the personal resilience it takes to carry it through.
Listen now: https://t.co/oYrOoCwu4n
In this episode of Hay Matters, brought to you by LocalAg and Feed Central, host Jon Paul Driver speaks with South Australian grower Matt Eckert in the first of a three-part series. Matt shares a candid look at the decisions, trade-offs, and resilience required to keep a mixed farming operation running during a prolonged dry spell.
With the region facing one of its hardest seasons in recent years, Matt opens up about the real impact of drought — from feed shortages and pasture losses to the mental load of managing stock and cropping programs when nothing goes to plan.
Listen now: https://t.co/WDWB39Ishb
We’ve now opened expressions of interest for hay supply through LocalAg.
If you or someone you know is in need, please visit the LocalAg site and complete the form: https://t.co/J1ccdC2Li1
*This isn’t a contract, just a way to let us know if you’re in need of hay, so we can start coordinating potential deliveries and supply options. By gathering this information, we’ll be better placed to work with government, freight providers, and suppliers, especially in areas such as Western Australia and Queensland, to plan a coordinated response.
In the latest episode of Hay Matters from Feed Central and LocalAg, our host Jon Paul Driver catches up with Director Tim Ford to discuss the current market and LocalAg’s first quarter.
As southern sheds sit nearly empty, Queensland hay has begun heading south in a reversal of traditional seasonal movement. With biosecurity concerns under control in most areas and demand climbing, the coming weeks could see more sheds open if rain arrives.
Meanwhile, the LocalAg platform is handling high volumes well, and buyer demand has led to the introduction of LocalAg Plus, re-introducing delivered pricing and logistics for those who want a hands-off experience.
Listen now: https://t.co/7r6cjiPmbU
💐This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating the women who’ve helped build and shape everything we do at Feed Central and LocalAg.
To the mums who were here from the start — especially Tim’s mum, Marie, whose support helped lay the foundation — and to Megan, whose hard work and heart are woven into our story.
And to all the incredible mums who are part of our team today — in the office, on the phones, out on farms and behind the scenes — thank you. Your dedication, resilience, and care make a difference every single day.
Happy Mother’s Day from all of us!
We’re hiring!
Feed Central's LocalAg is on the lookout for a confident communicator to join our team in a key customer support role. If you're great on the phone, enjoy helping people, and want to be part of a growing agricultural marketplace, we want to hear from you.
Apply now: https://t.co/7YAxLpQz3v
In this episode of Hay Matters from Feed Central and LocalAg, host Jon Paul Driver chats with @MartyConroy_9, the Agronomy Services lead for Northern Australia at @BarenbrugAUS.
From his base in Northern NSW, Marty offers a practical look at tropical pasture systems across Queensland, the NT, and northern NSW. He unpacks the science behind C3 and C4 grasses, explains how feed quality directly impacts profitability, and highlights the untapped potential of pasture management and modern breeding programs.
Listen now: https://t.co/ttw72DQ19k
#AusAg #AgTwitter #AgChat #AgChatOz
Can your hay compete with the best? With entries for this year’s National Hay Quality Awards closing at the end of June, there’s never been a better time to list, test, or sell your hay. Every listing that has undergone an on-farm inspection during the 2024/25 financial year is automatically entered into this year's awards.
In the latest Hay Matters Podcast brought to you by LocalAg and Feed Central, host Jon Paul Driver catches up with Stefan Hollmann, a German-born machinery operator and high-density baling expert based in South Australia.
After arriving for one harvest, Stefan stayed on and has since produced over 100,000 bales across eight years with the Schusters. He reflected on his recent 7,500-kilometre trip across the east coast, sharing insights on seasonal variability, farming practices, and why understanding feed quality matters more than ever.
Listen now: https://t.co/fcpjb0KVnM
Wishing you a safe and happy Easter from the Feed Central team.
However you're spending the long weekend — working, resting, or somewhere in between — we hope it's a chance to reset and enjoy some time with family and friends.
Thanks for your continued support.
In the latest Hay Matters Podcast brought to you by LocalAg and Feed Central, Regional Sales Manager for South East Australia, Alex Smith, shares insights from the ground as he travels across the south-eastern states.
With southern regions facing dry conditions and Queensland still dealing with the impacts of flooding and beginning their recovery, Alex discusses the shifting dynamics in feed production, market demand, and the value of forward planning.
Listen to the podcast: https://t.co/0r9nWznNbp
It’s been a HUGE week for listings on LocalAg… and we’ve got some exclusive new items you won’t want to miss!
Check out all the latest listings on https://t.co/xbq7z7Khuy.
In the latest Hay Matters Podcast, brought to you by LocalAg and Feed Central, Jon Paul Driver is joined by cattle producer, advocate and agfluencer Gillian Fennell.
Gillian has spent time serving on industry boards and committees at a local, state and national level, and has a special interest in on-farm succession planning and the impact that it has on farming families and communities.
With over 20 years in the beef industry and a base in one of the most remote parts of Australia, Gillian brings insight and lived experience to this episode, covering everything from succession and farm management to social media, leadership and the realities of modern ag life.
Listen to the full episode: https://t.co/mFZGlb6L25
📢Calling NextGen fodder producers...if you are between 18 & 30 we have free conference passes available to attend the National Fodder Conference in QLD.
Thanks to @JohnDeereAUNZ and @AnspachAg.
Apply now and join us in July - https://t.co/4inSYZsTP6