Commodity Conversations
Business & Finance
About
Mecardo's market analysts bring you Commodity Conversations, sharing the stories behind what's driving livestock, grain and wool market.
Episodes
- What are the Impacts of the Middle East Conflict on Agricultural Markets? -26th March 2026
This week Ethan Woolley is joined by Jason Newton, Chief Economist and Head of Market Research for Nutrien. The episode covers both the local and global impacts of the conflict so far on agricultural commodities including fertiliser, oil a…
- Hot Start for the Cattle Market - 10th of February
This week, Mecardo's Ethan Woolley catches up with Nutrien Ag Solutions Livestock and Wool Manager for the East region, Adam Mountjoy, to chat about how the sales have kicked off the year. They take a look at the fundamentals and the main…
- Wide World of Wheat - What's Driving Prices This Harvest? - 20th of November
This week, Ethan Woolley sits down with Next Level Grain Marketing and Mecardo Analyst Nick Booth. With harvest now in full swing, they break down what is driving prices this season and unpack what growers need to know as we head into Chri…
- Steer Clear or Dive in with Cattle – 5 November 2025
This week, Ethan Woolley sits down with Amy Phillips, deputy editor for Agriculture at Argus Australia to discuss the key trends and drivers currently shaping the cattle market. They unpack what’s occurring in the saleyards and explore the…
- Wool market defies gravity - 3rd October 2025
This week, Ethan Woolley sits down with Nutrien Ag Solution's Wool Operations Manager, David Hart. They discuss the key trends and drivers behind the surge in wool prices currently unfolding in the market. They unpack what is occurring on…
- What Direction is the Herd Heading? 15th of August
This week, Ethan Woolley is joined by Meat & Livestock Australia’s Emily Tan to discuss the latest Beef Producer Intentions Survey. They unpack the factors shaping on-farm decisions, from seasonal conditions and market volatility to input…
- Managing global challenges thrown at Australian agribusiness - 4th July 2025
This week, Nutrien Ag Solutions Managing Director Adrian Capogreco joins Ethan Woolley to discuss how a national agribusiness manages the domestic and global challenges thrown up by the market.
- Drought, floods, record highs, and politics, wild start to the year - 17th June 2025
This week, Ethan Woolley is joined by Jamie-Lee Oldfield, Market Analyst at Mecardo, to discuss the supply and demand dynamics shaping the livestock markets as we head into the colder months.
- Scoping out what's next for sustainability - 2nd May 2025
This week, Ethan Woolley sits down with Bill Pardy, Head of Sustainable Agriculture at Nutrien Ag Solutions. They discuss how farmers can get on the front foot when it comes to thinking about sustainable agriculture on farm.
- Rob’s Spinning the Last Yarn - 16th April 2025
This week, Ethan Woolley is joined by Rob Herrmann for a special farewell episode — his final with Mecardo. As Rob hangs up the boots, the conversation reflects on his journey, the growth of Mecardo, and what lies ahead in his next chapter.
- Shiploads of success for exports in 2025 - 4th April 2025
This week Ethan Woolley is joined by Tim Jackson, Global Market Analyst with Meat & Livestock Australia. Tim discusses the key export market drivers for Australian red meat in 2025.
- Wool market positivity - 21st March 2025
This week Ethan Woolley is joined by Mark Symes, Wool Manager for G Schneider Australia. Mark talks us through some of the recent positivity for wool markets including rws premiums, lower supply pushing prices higher and stronger presence…
- The Tariff test on aussie grain markets - 28th February 2025
This week Ethan Woolley is joined by Mecardo analyst Nick Booth of Next Level Grain Marketing to discuss the evolving tariff impacts on the grain and oilseed market.
- What's in store for the autumn in lamb and sheep markets - 14th February 2025
This week Rob is joined by Ronald Rutledge, Livestock Development Manager with Nutrien Ag Solutions to discuss the opening weeks of the lamb and sheep season in 2025. Ron lets us in on what has been driving the erratic market and what's in…
- Quarterly Market Update - Q4 2024 - 29th January 2025
This week Olivia Agar, Ethan Woolley & Robert Herrmann discuss the latest Mecardo quarterly report insights. To join the mailing list for the quarterly reports, please reach out to us at ask@mecardo.com.au
- What buyers are looking for in weaners - 17th January 2025
This week, Rob is joined by Andrew Hosken to discuss the 2025 January weaner sales in the South east of Australia. Andrew discusses what the market is doing, what buyers of weaners are looking for and the strategy behind their buying decis…
- What's in store for 2025- 20th December 2025
This week Olivia Agar, Ethan Woolley and Rob Hermann talk through the year that was for Agricultural commodities and discuss what's in store for commodities in 2025.
- Why the herd might not be in decline – 13th December 2024
This week Rob is joined by Ripley Atkinson, Australian Livestock & Commodities Manager with StoneX to discuss his latest article on Auctions Plus about the size of the national herd https://tinyurl.com/mr4a7drt .
- Saddling up for the campdraft that could be the biggest show in town - 6th December 2025
This week Rob is joined by Mark Barton Livestock specialist with Nutrien Ag Solutions to talk about the fast approaching 2025 Nutrien Classic performance horse sale and campdraft event in Tamworth NSW.
- What's happening in cattle country? -29th November 2024
This week Rob is joined by Colby Ede, Northern Livestock Manager with Nutrien Ag Solutions. Colby takes us through what's been a great year for the Northern cattle industry and the exciting prospects ahead over the summer.
- Trump tariffs - 15th November 2024
This week Rob is joined by Mecardo Analysts Olivia Agar and Jamie-Lee Oldfield to discuss the potential impacts of US tariffs on imported products for Agricultural trade.
- The Big Opportunity in India - 8th November 2024
This week Rob Hermann is joined by Michael Whitehead, Head of Food, Beverage and Agribusiness Insights at ANZ to discuss the latest ANZ report on the exciting opportunities for Australian Agriculture in India. The report can be found at th…
- Making sense of the current grain market - 1st November 2024
This week Rob is joined by Nick Booth from Next Level Grain Marketing, (and Mecardo contributor) to discuss how Russia, China and conflict in the Middle East continue to drive uncertainty and volatility in global grain and oilseed markets.
- Key Market Updates Q3 2024 - 21st October 2024
This week the Mecardo team (Olivia Agar, Robert Herrmann & Ethan Woolley) discuss the key drivers and trends impacting grains, oilseeds, cattle, sheep, lamb and wool markets for q3 2024.
- An Aussie cropping in Ukraine - 11th October 2024
This week Rob is joined by Lawrence Richmond, a farm manager from Victoria who has been managing cropping operations throughout the Black Sea including Romania and Ukraine. Lawrence talks us through the challenges and opportunities croppin…
- Eat your Veggies!!! Challenges and opportunities for the Australian vegetable industry - 26th September 2024
This week Rob is joined by Lucy Gregg, General Manager of Public Affairs at AUSVEG. Lucy joins us to discuss key challenges of Australian vegetable growers and other insights on the labour market impacting growers.
- Setting the benchmark for lamb carcase with merinos - 20th July 2024
This week, Rob is joined by Brad Cavanagh, part of the livestock team at Oxton Park. Brad joins us to discuss what goes into the Oxton Park livestock operation which received the honour of Gundagai lamb Producer of the year for the 2nd yea…
- Woolpower: Wool enterprises and the numbers for staying - 16th September 2024
Rob is joined by John Francis, Director at Agrista and the author of a recent AWI report into the profitability of specialised wool sheep enterprises. John discusses the data, modelling and outcomes of the recent report into why there is a…
- Projecting what's next for the national flock and herd - 6th September 2024
This week Olivia Agar is joined by Erin Lukey - Senior Market Information Analyst with Meat & Livestock Australia (mla). Erin joins us to discuss the latest sheep and her projections and the drivers behind the figures MLA landed on.
- Forecasting Wool production - 20th August 2024
This week Rob is joined by Stephen Hill, National Committee Chairman for the Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee. They discuss the changing dynamics that influence the forecasting process for Australian wool production.
- Nice one day, perfect the next: Opportunities in FNQ
This week Rob is joined by Thomas Mugford, Branch Manager for Mareeba, Tolga, Richmond and Cloncurry for Nutrien Ag Solutions in Far North Queensland. Tom joins us to discuss the diverse opportunities and industries the region has to offer.
- Key Market Updates Q2 2024 - 23rd July 2024
Olivia Agar is joined by Mecardo Analyst Ethan Woolley to discuss the key market insights from the Mecardo Quarterly report. They discuss the stability of cattle prices, optimism for lamb and sheep markets and the challenges from the North…
- Where to for the national flock? 19th July 2024
This week Rob is joined by Stephen Bignell, Manager of Market Information with Meat & Livestock Australia. Stephen discusses the changes in the sentiment of Sheep and Lamb producers detailed in the latest iteration of the Sheep Producers I…
- What to make of the Wool market - 15th July 2024
This week Rob is joined by Stewart Raine, State Wool Manager for Nutrien Ag Solutions. Stewart and Rob discuss the finish to the 2023/24 wool season and the market dynamics impacting pricing and demand currently.
- Winter wondering about the land - 28th June 2024
This week Rob Hermann is joined by Michael Whitehead, Head of Agribusiness Insights at ANZ. He joins us to discuss what the winter has delivered and key insights from the 2024 Winter ANZ AGRI INFOCUS commodity insights report.
- Steaks getting higher for cattle - 21st June 2026
This week Rob Herrmann is joined by Cattle Australia Deputy Chair Adam Coffey. Adam joins us to discuss the ongoing work of Cattle Australia as it handles a myriad of issues that currently or could potentially impact grassfed cattle produc…
- Supply, demand and the recent rain for the livestock market - 31st May 2024
Robert Herrmann is joined by Ron Rutledge, Nutrien Ag Solutions Livestock Development Manager to discuss the impact that the recent rain will have on the livestock market, and the news that is China removing import suspensions on five Aust…
- How will the live export ban impact the wool industry? – 24 May 2024
This week Rob Herrmann is joined by Jo Hall CEO of Wool Producers Australia to chat about some of the major policy debates currently shaping the farming landscape including shedding some light on the proposed live export ban.
- An update on the Fertiliser market -16th May 2024
This week Olivia is joined by Mark Tully, Global Market Research Manager for Nutrien Ag Solutions based in Calgary, Canada. Mark joins us to discuss the latest drivers for key inputs for 2024 and beyond.
- Decline in wool production on the cards for 2024/25 - 3rd May 2024
This week Rob is joined by Stephen Hill , National Committee Chairman for the Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee to discuss the April report for 2024.
- Key Market Updates Quarter 1 2024 - 22nd April 2024
This week, Rob Hermann, Olivia Agar and Ethan Woolley discuss the key takeaways from the latest Mecardo quarterly report for Q1 2024. to sign up to the mailing list please reach out to us through email: ask@mecardo.com.au
- Prime lamb under pressure and benchmarking for success - 19th April 2024
This week Rob is joined by John Francis, Director at Agrista Agricultural consultancy to discuss his recent article ( https://www.agrista.com.au/articles-podcasts-tools-analysis/ ) and the key drivers impacting profitability for prime lamb…
- When it rains it pours - 5th April 2024
This week Olivia is joined by Andrew Holt, Senior Account Manager & Divisional Livestock coordinator with Nutrien Ag Solutions. They discuss the impact of the big rain event on the East Coast for cattle markets in the short term.
- Impacts of the Middle East Bag Lamb market
This week Rob is joined by Mecardo's Senior Livestock analyst Angus Brown to give an update on the lamb job. They discuss the impacts of elevated slaughter and the return of the Middle East Bag Lamb market.
- Why the NZ sheep flock is in decline - 15th March 2024
This week, Olivia Agar is joined by Matthew Haddrell, Senior Agricultural Analyst with Beef + Lamb New Zealand LTD. Matthew joins to discuss how the livestock markets in New Zealand are shaping up in 2024 and some of the key drivers causin…
- What is driving demand in the wool market - 8th March 2024
This week Rob is joined by Mark Symes, Southern Region Wool Manager for G.Schneider. Rob and Mark discuss what is driving demand in the wool market with insights from key customers in China and Europe.
- What we have heard about the US cattle herd- 1st March 2024
This week Rob is joined by Ripley Atkinson, Australian Livestock and Commodities Manager with StoneX Financial. With cattle herds in Australia and the US a big topic of discussion, Ripley joins us to discuss the opportunities and key drive…
- Making the most out of the current lamb market -16th February 2024
This week Rob is joined by Prime lamb producer Charlie de Fegely who manages the Quamby property in Ararat, Victoria. Charlie, his partner Liz, and their sons have been innovative, progressive producers looking to maximise productivity and…
- On the lookout for more cattle- 9th February 2024
This week, Rob is joined by Jessica Clarke, Market Reporter for Argus Media to discuss the Northern cattle indicators and how the season is developing for grain fed cattle markets this season.
- Key Market Updates Quarter 4 2023 - 30th January 2024
This week the Mecardo team (Rob Hermann, Olivia Agar & Ethan Woolley) discuss the key insights from quarter 4 of 2023 in commodity markets including the livestock market turnaround, freight issues and wool premiums. To be added to the Quar…