In this week’s episode of The Weekly Grill, podcast host Kerry Lonergan catches up with processor Roger Fletcher, the man behind Australia’s most integrated sheep meat processing business, Fletcher International.
In a wide ranging conversation, the pair discuss Roger’s humble beginnings droving sheep around Glen Innes, the opportunities he seized along the way to help build his $1.4b empire, and current high lamb prices, and how sustainable they are.
Other topics of conversation include:
- Why he never got into cattle
- Expanding interests in Western Australia
- Exclusion fencing
- Today’s challenges
- Trends towards lot feeding lambs
- Saying ‘no’ to Kerry Packer
- … and more
The Weekly Grill is brought to listeners by Rhinogard and Bovi-Shield MH-One – the One Shot, One Spray, One Time BRD Vaccines by Zoetis.
Previous episodes:
Series 5:
- Aussie butchers heading to Paris for World Butchers’ Challenge
- US Tariff scenarios with Simon Quilty, plus MLA’s red meat projections with Stephen Bignell
- Steve Kay – US cattle markets, tariff impacts… and more
- All roads lead to Brisbane for Angus World Congress, with Scott Wright
- Consumer behaviour researcher, Howard Parry-Husbands
- Red Meat Advisory Council Chair, John McKillop
- Regular cattle market update, with Matt Dalgleish and Chris Howie
Series 4:
- Foodbank’s Brianna Casey and Michael Davidson
- Food security issues, with Andrew Henderson from AgSecure
- A glimpse into the future of artificial breeding, with Nbryo’s Nick Cameron and Gerard Davis
- Regular cattle market update, with Matt Dalgleish and Chris Howie
- Sustainability credentials, with Catherine Marriott
- Charlie Arnot, CEO of Centre of Food Integrity
- Energy and Agriculture, Professor Ralph Schoellhammer
- Renewable energy services provider Carl Duncan
- Lotfeeder and grainfed branded beef exporter, Lachie Hart
- Evolving state of Australia’s rural property market, with LAWD’s Danny Thomas
- Turning the tide on the anti-farming agenda – Claire Taylor
- Agribusiness lawyer Trent Thorne on livex class action, legalities around drone use
- MLA managing director, Michael Crowley
- Rabobank chief analyst Stefan Vogel
- Prof Ben Hayes on how AI is driving genetic progress in beef
- What does Indonesia’s new president mean for Australian ag? Live exporter Greg Pankhurst offers some thoughts
- Regular cattle market update, with Matt Dalgleish and Chris Howie
- US low-n-slow barbecue legend, Phil Breeden
- Livestock methane researcher, Fran Cowley
- Queenslander lotfeeder, Charlie Mort
- Net Zero Emissions CRC CEO Richard Heath
- Bush author, Jack Owen, on what defines successful farmers
- Australian Wagyu Association CEO, Matt McDonagh
- New National Cattle Vets Association president Craig Wood
- Fifth generation local butcher Michael James – How is beef demand holding up?
- Regular cattle market update, with Matt Dalgleish and Chris Howie
- MDH’s Julie McDonald
- The Great Australian Charity Cattle Drive saddles up – with Bim Struss
- Three-Day Sickness surge in 2023-24 summer – what was behind it? with Dr Lee Taylor
- Beef 2024 Trendsetters podcast series – Former board member David Crombie reflects on 200 years of AA Co
- Beef 2024 Trendsetters podcast series – US National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president Mark Eisele
- Beef 2024 Trendsetters podcast series – Nancy Crawshaw
- Beef 2024 Trendsetters series – Garry Edwards
- Addressing mental health in the bush, with Dolly’s Dream’s Sally McSweeney and mental health expert Dr Simone Shaw
- Regular cattle market update, with Matt Dalgleish and Chris Howie
- Northern property market, with valuer Frank Peacocke
- AA Co 200 years – Recollections from former staff member Geoff Wagstaff
- Celebrating the success of ICMJ program, with Peter McGilchrist
- Industry advocate, Brent Finlay
- Beef 2024 chairman Bryce Camm
- Northern Cooperative Meat Co chairman, John Seccombe
- MLA Science & Innovation head, Michael Lee
- Cattle Australia chief executive, Chris Parker
- Northern live exporter Patrick Underwood
- Northern pastoral and agribusiness identity, Chris Evans
- What lies ahead in 2024 for beef, with analyst Simon Quilty
- Cattle market update, with Matt Dalgleish and Chris Howie
- What are the big trends evident in Beef Central’s Top 25 Lotfeeders report?
- Highland Beef supply chain principal, Murray Richardson
- Australian Beef Sustainability Chair, Mark Davie
- Live export industry pioneer Rick Trivett
- Cattle Australia president David Foote
- Markets reporting legend, Murray Arnel
- MLA managing director Jason Strong
- Carbon neutral beef brand program pioneer, James Madden
- MLA’s Corporate chef Sam Burke
- Downs lotfeeder David Brown, and BeefEX attendees
- The changing face of the ag finance sector, with NAB’s Khan Horne
- McDonald’s global head of beef procurement, Andrew Brazier at BeefEX
- S2 Ep33: Aussie agtech innovations – Farmbot and Optiweigh