The saying, ‘fit for a king’ denotes a product of impeccable quality. It’s not often it literally means a king will try it. But in this case, caviar and kings go hand in hand. For anyone not previously familiar with the sustainable Murray River Cod produced by Aquna, in the NSW Riverina region, it certainly came under a spotlight during King Charles and Queen Camilla’s recent visit to Australia. To learn more about this pioneering business, Aquna’s CEO Ross Anderson joins me now to discuss:

• Ross gives us an overview of Aquna and their unique approach to producing Murray Cod.
• He shares his favourite product or the best way to enjoy their beautiful product.
• Unlike commercial fishing, which is banned for wild Murray Cod, Aquna has pioneered an innovative open-pond farming method.
• Their commitment to sustainability means they avoid indoor, tank-based systems and focus on having one of the lowest environmental impacts in the industry.
• This approach has earned them multiple awards and even an invitation to an event with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
• Reflecting on the impact of the pandemic on production and, the next 18 months for Aquna.
• A key aspect of their sustainability efforts is ensuring that no runoff from their farm enters the Murray-Darling Basin’s waterways.
• While the fish itself is a beautiful white-fleshed variety, their caviar is exceptionally rare and highly sought after.
• Ross reflects on the most unexpected experience in the business.
• The biggest misconceptions about land farmed Murray Cod.
• The ultimate dream for the future for Aquna.

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

Aquna


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It’s a big call to leave the familiar comforts of life in the city for the wide-open spaces of farm life. Even tougher to make the move in the middle of crippling drought. It was harder than Kaitie Nash thought. Much harder. And that took a toll on her mental health. Social media became a way to connect and build an online community. She’s also since improved her farm skills too! First Time Farmer, Kaitie Nash joins me to discuss:

• Kaitie’s favourite place on the farm.
• As a city girl, she shares how she ended up in country NSW.
• The expectations versus the harsh realities of life on the land.
• Kaitie shares her journey with mental health and how she coped during challenging times.
• Social media became a safe space and an outlet for her.
• Her content shares the realities of farm life, but it’s also very entertaining and brings her so much joy.
• Now, Kaitie loves supporting other first-time farmers and “finding a way to have a laugh.”
• A common misconception about life on the land.
• What Kaitie loves most about this lifestyle.
• The most unexpected thing to happen.
• Kaitie’s ultimate dream for the future.

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

Connect with @ kaitie_nash on Instagram

Produced by Pretty Podcasts

Vegetables are an essential for all of us. But it’s easy to forget that the big, bright and beautiful produce that fills our shopping bags, all starts with a tiny seed. The key to growing veggies all year round in different climates comes back to genetics. It’s the kind of science that gives cauliflowers UV protection or even turns them orange or purple. To learn more, I’m interviewing someone who doesn’t just develop seeds to suit every climate in Australia, she’s even transplanted herself from Darwin to Melbourne to pursue her career in agronomy. Plant scientist Eliza Seymour joins me now to discuss:

• Eliza’s favourite vegetable or seed.
• She works in genetics and hybrid vegetables, providing examples of what that entails.
• The Australian climate is so varied, and Eliza explains how the breeding process works.
• The role of field trials before making these seeds available to farmers across the nation.
• How long it takes to develop a variety from concept to commercialization.
• The difference between genetic modification and hybridization.
• It all starts with tiny seeds, and the importance of getting it right to ensure supply all year round.
• As consumers, we learn how much work goes on behind the scenes with genetics to ensure our vegetables are consistent.
• On her fabulously named ‘Need for Seed’ account on TikTok, she shares interesting facts about the growing process.
• Eliza studied an intriguing combination of plant science and accounting, both of which have been useful.
• What she loves most about working in the agriculture industry.
• The most unexpected thing to happen since she started in this field.
• Common misconceptions about the world of seeds.
• Eliza’s ultimate dream for the future.

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

Need for Seed on TicTok

Need for Seed on Instagram

Produced by Pretty Podcasts