Farmers and graziers from the Hay region have recently featured at the forefront of national outreach efforts by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), demonstrating how local expertise is shaping broader industry knowledge and showcasing regional resilience to a national audience.

Through collaborative partnerships, sheep and beef producers from Hay are sharing their insights on platforms designed to educate and empower producers across Australia.

Recent features by MLA highlight the work of Jess Armstrong, and Jack and Annabel Hanna.

Jess Armstrong is an extension officer who spends her weekdays travelling across NSW, but dedicates her weekends to the family’s sheep and cattle station north-west of Hay. Jess’s family is keenly focused on ensuring the long-term sustainability of their family-owned and operated business.

Her insights on integrating new technologies, like electronic identification (eID), and the importance of informed decision-making have been featured by MLA.

In the article, Jess told MLA how the “Productivity & Profitability” series, in both podcast and webinar formats, has provided practical and grounded information crucial for their on-farm advancements.

“The accessibility of the podcasts makes it an easy choice,” Jess said.

MLA says her experiences, particularly in adapting to new technologies and navigating the challenges of farm labour attraction and retention in far-west NSW, resonate deeply with producers facing similar hurdles across the country.

Another feature story showcases Jack and Annabel Hanna, who three years ago transitioned from off-farm careers to full-time farming, managing Jack’s family Merino and small beef operation, also north of Hay.

Their journey, chronicled in the MLA podcast “Podcast delivers trustworthy resource when taking on full-time farming,” underscores the steep learning curve involved in managing a property, a business, and a budget.

The Hannas have actively sought to upskill and expand their knowledge, finding the MLA’s “Productivity & Profitability” podcast series to be an invaluable and trustworthy resource.

Jack Hanna praised the podcast for its independent nature. “I like that it’s independent – no one is trying to bring in a client or sell you something, so I can trust the information,” he said.

This article appeared in The Riverine Grazier, 2 July 2025.