Cattle, Hay and Hard Conversations with Gillian Fennell

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.Gillian and her husband operate a family-run cattle station spanning a million acres, running around 5,000 breeders.They’ve recently expanded into fodder production on a newly acquired irrigation block in the Flinders Ranges.Producing their own hay has added flexibility, reduced reliance on freight and provided new opportunities for cattle marketing and logistics. A new hay shed at the home station marks one of their biggest infrastructure investments to date.Gillian discusses how social media—especially Twitter—has become an important space for connection, advocacy, and countering negative perceptions of agriculture.She highlights innovations like no-till cropping and improved chemical use as major steps towards sustainable production.Three core messages for agricultural advocacy are: producers are skilled, already sustainable, and deeply connected to the environment that supports them.Gillian sees succession as less of a legal or accounting challenge and as more of a people problem; it needs to start early, with open and long-term business conversations, not last-minute decisions.Gender dynamics also play a role; many women feel excluded from farm leadership, even when they bring training, ideas, and experience.There need to be more pathways into the Ag industry, beyond university or tech roles—especially for those with strong work ethic and practical skills.Gillian's upcoming podcast "Suck-session" explores succession breakdowns, featuring real stories to help others avoid common pitfalls.