Behind The Collective

Tom Squiers is a passionate shearer and farmer. While he once thought a career in business finance was on the cards, Tom realised that shearing was the pathway he needed to pursue to build his future and follow his passion for the wool industry. He hasn't looked back since.In this episode, Tom shares how he got his start in shearing, the opportunities the industry has provided, and the lessons he has learned along the way. We also discuss how his experiences in the shearing shed are shaping the farmer he hopes to become and his vision for the future of the wool industry.Join us for a great chat about career pathways, personal growth, and the people and experiences that make the wool industry such a rewarding place to build a future.

The Value of the Merino: Why Are Merinos Important to Your Business?This episode is a converted recording from the Value of the Merino webinar, delivered as part of The Livestock Collective and Australian Wool Innovation Partner Program.The program is focused on connecting with and supporting WA wool growers through podcasts, webinars, field days, and events across the state. In this session, a panel of growers from different regions of Western Australia discuss their farming enterprises, the role Merinos play within their businesses, and how they are planning and positioning their operations for 2026 and beyond.Featuring:Hugh Morgan (Bencubbin)Rivers Hyde (Ongerup)Sascha Squiers (Quairading)

This is a podcast episode converted over from a recent webinar, Sheep Reproduction: Seasonality, Ewe Lambs, and Maximising Lambing The webinar with Dr Michyalla Seal, was part of the AWI & TLC Partner program discussing seasonality in sheep, what it means, and the ways it can be mitigated through management. What to focus on to maximise lamb numbers by considering the controllable factors. In addition, it will highlight key considerations for future years, including feed management and teasers. The webinar also touched on ewe lambs, outlining the key yes and no’s when it comes to breeding them. Concluding with a Q&A session, answering submitted questions as well as any additional questions.

Nikita Jamson didn’t own a handpiece when she first entered the shearing industry. Just three years on, she’s turned the physical demands of the job into fitness for her triathlon training, used the flexibility of the work to complete her degree, invested her income into property, and built a network that’s helping shape her future in agriculture.We caught up with Nikita to hear her story - how she got started, what the industry has taught her, and why she believes more young people should give it a go.

We caught up with Bella Wilshusen between campdraft runs. She's a vet nurse turned university lecturer at Charles Darwin University in the Northern Territory. Like many others, she headed north for a gap year — and never left. So if you're thinking about doing the same, this episode is for you.

Recorded amongst the cattle lanes of the Katherine Show in the Northern Territory, we catch up with Brad Inglis of "Sturt Plains Brahmans" for a a chat that covers everything from Brahmans, leadership in the North, to how a bloke from Sydney ended up owning a cattle station in the Top End.

In case you missed the webinar, this episode is converted over for easy listening. It is the first session of our 'Ten Minute Talks: Lunchtime Series' - quick, insightful updates and discussions designed to support you as a wool grower, along with the latest news from the industry.• Beth Green – eID 101: What You Need to Know Now• Georgia Welsh PhD student – Improving Lamb Survival• Steph Schmidt – Filling Your Silo: Mental Health Tools for the Silly Season• Bridget Peachey – AWI Research Update. What’s happening behind the scenes? Bridgett shares the latest developments and updates from AWI’s current research projects.This episode is part of the Australian Wool Innovation and The Livestock Collective partner program.

In today's episode, we chat with Luke and Jess Harding, a dynamic couple who built successful careers as shearing contractors and now farmers while raising a family. Both graduates of the WA College of Agriculture Cunderdin, Luke and Jess developed a deep passion and skill for the wool industry. This journey has led them to compete in shearing competitions and work across Australia and New Zealand. They share their personal story, valuable lessons from transitioning into contracting, and how those experiences have shaped their farming business. Tune in for advice on how to get started in the industry, plus hear why they have a special love for wool – or perhaps Merino sheep!

This is an episode converted over from a recent webinar where we chat with Dr. Michylla Seal, a veterinarian and director at Genstock, as she shares insights into the impact of water quality and heat stress on our sheep. Dr. Seal discusses the critical importance of water for livestock health, what constitutes good quality water, and the various factors that can affect water quality. She also covers practical management steps that farmers can take to prevent and mitigate the negative effects of poor water quality and heat stress on their flocks.We finish the episode with questions from farmers, providing relatable solutions and advice.This episode is proudly brought to you by the AWI & TLC Partner Program.

This episode is part of the Sheep & Goat traceability task force.Sam Tretheway is a Tasmanian farmer and small abattoir operator. Sam has spent 15years working around Australia, United Kingdom and America in various aspects of agriculture. His experience in farming, supply chains, policy and ag tech makes him well equipped to share his candid thoughts on eID. Sheep Producers Australia Resources - https://www.sheepproducers.com.au/sgttfCheck out The Livestock Collective website -https://thelivestockcollective.com.au/

This episode is part of the Sheep & Goat traceability task force.Today's guest is Paul Christopher, Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange Site Manager. He shares the process of their weekly sale and what eID's mean for them. Sheep Producers Australia Resources - https://www.sheepproducers.com.au/sgttfCheck out The Livestock Collective website -https://thelivestockcollective.com.au/

We interview growers Brittany Bolt and Maeve O'Brian, who leverage their industry experience with eIDS to inform their equipment and tag choices, and discuss their plans for utilising data. As well as tips and tricks from working for other growers.Mallawillup Livestock Services Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095157181782&mibextid=LQQJ4dSheep Genetics Service Providers - https://www.sheepgenetics.org.au/service-providers/Sheep Producers Australia Resources - https://www.sheepproducers.com.au/sgttfCheck out The Livestock Collective website -https://thelivestockcollective.com.au/

Hailing from a farm in Ongerup, Western Australia, Taite O'Neill is on a very exciting career trajectory. She's about to begin a Graduate Program position with Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) and she can't wait. Taite speaks very fondly about her hands-on childhood growing up on her family's sheep and cropping property. Her parents were active in teaching Taite and her two sisters everything they wanted to know and it fostered a deep love of agriculture, particularly sheep and wool. You can feel Taite's enthusiasm for the industry and we love it! All the best as you graduate and take on this next adventure, Taite! Agriculture and the wool industry is lucky to have you.