Backing Your Gut or Running the Numbers – Smarter Farm Choices

In this episode of the MSF Farm Talk podcast, host Nick Paltridge talks with Rick Llewellyn from CSIRO about farm decision making and the GRDC RiskWise project.

They discuss the decision making processes of farmers, from gut feel to analytical approaches, and the various challenges they face, such as machinery investment and crop sowing times. Rick highlights the importance of practical grower input in the RiskWise initiative and the benefits of reviewing decisions to improve future outcomes.

The episode also touches on upcoming topics like autonomous vehicles and nitrogen management in the ongoing five-year project.

00:00 Introduction to Farm Decision Making

00:36 Meet Rick Llewellyn and the RiskWise Project

01:02 Understanding Risk and Reward on Farms

02:09 Decision Making Approaches in Agriculture

05:31 Tools and Techniques for Better Decisions

07:25 Future Insights and Upcoming Topics

09:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This podcast was supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board through funding from the Landscape Levies and the GRDC RiskWi$e Project.

Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MSF Farm Talk Podcast

MSF’s Farm Talk Podcast proudly brings Farmers, Researchers and Ag Industry connections together to chat innovative farming practices to help build a sustainable farming future for our Mallee growers. Mallee Sustainable Farming is a farmer-driven organisation specialising in Research, Development and Extension for NSW, VIC & SA’s low-rainfall Mallee region. For more information visit: www.msfp.org.au/podcast

In this powerful and practical episode, Nick Paltridge sits down with Mary O’Brien, founder of the grassroots mental health initiative Are You Bogged Mate?

Mary shares her trademark no-nonsense approach to rural mental health, offering honest reflections on the pressures faced by farmers, how mental load builds quietly, and why mateship and straight talk are sometimes the best tools we’ve got.

The conversation dives into:

Why rural men often go quiet when they’re struggling
How Mary uses relatable language (and a bit of humour) to cut through the stigma
The signs to look for in yourself or your mates
Why being available—and being real—makes a difference
Simple ways to start a conversation that could save a life

Whether you’re personally doing it tough or just want to be a better support to your mates, this episode is worth your time.

This episode is part of our “Farming a Growth Mindset” series – practical conversations that focus on the mental and emotional wellbeing when living life on the land.

🔗 Links and Resources

Visit Are You Bogged Mate?
Check out TIACS for free and confidential phone or text support

This episode is brought to you by the South Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

Support the show: https://msfp.org.au/about/membership/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.