S5 Ep 14 - Merced Farming

Born and raised on the family farm, my guest today has chosen to make a life back where it all started in Wee Waa NSW. After studying and a corporate career, turns out there was no place like home after all. From cattle, to corn, to cotton, he's passionate about sustainability and biodiversity, interests that earned him the Nuffield Scholarship in 2017 and more recently, he became the Chair of the Lower Namoi Cotton Growers Association. To learn more, Daniel Kahl of Merced Farming, joins me now. Daniel shares his favourite place on the family farm, reflecting on what makes it so special after growing up there and now helping lead the business. Although he left the farm to study Commerce and work as a cotton merchant, Daniel explains how agriculture was always his passion and how those experiences shaped his career. As Business Manager of Merced Farming, Daniel discusses his role overseeing the day-to-day operations and the strategic direction of the family enterprise. With a diverse food and fibre operation, Daniel takes us through the business, which includes around 300 Angus cattle, along with corn, wheat, beans and cotton as the primary crop. He explains the farm's irrigation system and the transition to groundwater irrigation, highlighting the role water management plays in the business. Daniel shares how Merced Farming is embracing sustainability through initiatives including annual carbon audits, biodiversity projects and continual environmental improvements. Awarded a Nuffield Scholarship in 2017, Daniel reflects on the knowledge, global experiences and lifelong networks the scholarship has provided, and why those connections remain so valuable today. He shares what he loves most about life on the land—the constant mental stimulation of farming, balanced by the slower moments that make the lifestyle so rewarding. Daniel addresses some of the most common misconceptions surrounding agriculture, particularly Australia's cotton industry. One of the biggest surprises in Daniel's career has been discovering the many different products and industries his cotton ultimately becomes part of. Looking ahead, Daniel shares his vision for the future of the business and the legacy he hopes to leave for the next generation. We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.   Links: Angie Asimus  Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram Partnered with Australian Farmers  Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram    Merced Farming Follow @mercedfarming on Instagram     Produced by Pretty Podcasts