Tony grew up on a 50,000-acre sheep and cattle property north of Richmond in north-west QLD. He completed 18 months study for Accounting at Toowoomba Uni from 1978 to 1979 before returning home to the family properties. He worked in the family business until 1986 and then bought Somerville a 72,000-acre cattle property North of Richmond with a carrying capacity of 3,500 to 4,000 head.
In 1993 Tony and his wife Mandy completed GrazingforProfit® and proceeded to control the water on Somerville with 100 km of 63 mm poly, 18 250,000 gallon turkey nests and 27 trough watering points. They installed 500 km of one and two-wire electric fences and had the entire place under time-control grazing management by 1997.
Their goal at Somerville was to run a business that managed its four main assets, land, people, animals and finances so that they all grew optimally together. They had a mixed Brahman breeding and growing herd which fluctuated between 6,000 to 10,000 head on Somerville, and traded and fattened cattle on other leased and agisted properties around QLD.
They sold Somerville in early 2008, having increased the carrying capacity up to 8,000 head with the property fully under cells and rotational grazing.
Tony was CEO of Topex Livestock Marketing from 2008 to 2010 after they sold the business.
Since 2011 Tony has partially owned and run a number of startup businesses, which they have since exited. And in 2016 and 2017 he advised a mining company with RCS helping them manage and regenerate 10,000 acres on a daily, hands-on basis.
From October 2019 to December 2022, Tony has implemented regen principles and practices (time control grazing, cover cropping and soil biology applications) and set up a registered Carbon Project on 1200 acres of beautiful NSW Southern Highlands country.
Nature has so many tools and is so intelligent, precise and powerful in its responses. Tony’s passion is helping people, animals, and the land get in sync with nature and watching the magic that happens.
Tony’s specialties include:
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The season in SA and Tassie is particularly tight right now with little or no useful rain since early January and a generally failed 2023 spring prior to that. Right now, across southern Australia and much of the eastern NSW, you won’t need to drive far out into the countryside to see cattle and sheep grazing (and lying on) hay and silage trails lined across paddocks.
Martha Lindstad and partner Robert James are farm managers on ‘Karalee’, Enngonia NSW. Both have travelled different paths to being where they are. Martha is originally from Norway, growing up on a three hectare farm before travelling to New Zealand and eventually the Pilbara in Western Australia. It was here that she saw the benefits of sustainable farming for the country and livestock.
The Prince’s RCS mentor, Raymond Stacey, sees a strong future ahead for Simon and Laura. “The Drought Resilient Soils and Landscapes project is about supporting graziers to manage their country and businesses better,” Raymond said. “I see an operation here where they’re working hard on their planning and putting their plans into action to leave their country, business and people in better shape.”
John Kempf, a visionary in regenerative agriculture, founded Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA) to revolutionise farming practices. A respected expert in biological and regenerative systems, John's mission is to empower farmers worldwide with the knowledge and tools for a healthier, more sustainable food system. AEA's impact extends from healthier soils to thriving communities. John hosts the acclaimed Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, sharing cutting-edge insights from scientists and leading growers on implementing these transformative practices. Prepare to be inspired as John delves into the profound connections between soil health, human health, energy, and economics.
Unlock the Secrets to a Thriving, Sustainable Grazing Operation! In this video and blog post, David McLean, RCS's Chief of Delivery, spills the tea on building a successful grazing business. It's not just about cows and grass (although those are important!). Discover how to find the perfect balance between practical skills, smart choices, and a long-term vision. We'll dive deep into the foundational principles and strategies that can make your grazing operation both profitable and environmentally responsible. Learn how to: Maximise your profits (without sacrificing your land!) Make sound decisions for a healthy herd and ecosystem. Plan for a thriving future in the grazing industry. Ready to take your grazing operation to the next level? Watch now!
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