Humans of Agriculture

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, Oli sits down with Hamish Irvine, Head of Southern States at Halter Australia, to explore the technology, leadership and mindset driving one of agriculture’s fastest-growing companies.

Growing up on a mixed farming operation in western New South Wales, Hamish always imagined a future on the land. But after drought forced a change in direction, his career took him through the meat industry, global supply chains and commercial leadership before landing at Halter, the virtual fencing and livestock management company now transforming grazing systems across Australia and New Zealand.

This conversation goes beyond the technology itself. Hamish shares the lessons that shaped his career, what it takes to build high-performing teams, and why feedback, accountability and culture are critical in fast-growing businesses. He also unpacks how Halter is helping farmers rethink labour, pasture management and livestock performance through virtual fencing and real-time animal insights.

From career progression and leadership to innovation and the future of livestock farming, this is a conversation about embracing change and creating impact.

Key insights from the conversation:
  • How growing up on a family farm and experiencing drought shaped Hamish’s career journey
  • Why stepping outside traditional agriculture career pathways can create unexpected opportunities
  • The lessons learned from building a career across meat processing, sales and agribusiness leadership
  • What high-performance culture looks like in practice and why feedback is central to success
  • How Halter uses virtual fencing and animal insights to transform livestock management
  • The three biggest drivers of value for farmers: pasture utilisation, labour efficiency, and animal health
  • Why adopting new technology requires trust, clear outcomes and a willingness to change
  • How innovation is reshaping the future of livestock farming and creating new opportunities across agriculture
  • The importance of leadership, ownership and accountability in building successful teams
  • Why agriculture needs more people focused on solving industry challenges rather than following traditional career paths

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Halter and Hamish Irvine
02:05 Career Path and Early Experiences
04:37 The Importance of Diverse Experiences
08:37 Reflections on Career Choices
10:37 Leadership and Team Building at Halter
12:17 Transitioning to Halter: Embracing Change
20:13 High-Performance Culture at Halter
26:56 The Art of Feedback and Communication
30:18 The Birth of Halter: A Journey from Dairy Farming to Tech Innovation
34:37 Expanding Horizons: Halter's Growth in Australia
37:36 Understanding Farmer Needs: The Halter Approach
39:59 Building Trust: Overcoming Skepticism in Agriculture
43:45 Transformational Technology: The Future of Farming
46:42 Bridging Agriculture and Technology: The Ideal Candidate
48:07 The Future of Agriculture: Opportunities and Challenges

Creators and Guests

OL
Host
Oli Le Lievre

What is Humans of Agriculture?

Humans of Agriculture brings you inside the conversations, careers and stories shaping agriculture. Hosted by Oli Le Lievre, the podcast gives listeners access to the people, ideas and experiences you might not otherwise get close to.