Behind The Collective

Tom Squiers is a passionate shearer and farmer. While he once thought a career in business finance was on the cards, Tom realised that shearing was the pathway he needed to pursue to build his future and follow his passion for the wool industry. He hasn't looked back since.

In this episode, Tom shares how he got his start in shearing, the opportunities the industry has provided, and the lessons he has learned along the way. We also discuss how his experiences in the shearing shed are shaping the farmer he hopes to become and his vision for the future of the wool industry.

Join us for a great chat about career pathways, personal growth, and the people and experiences that make the wool industry such a rewarding place to build a future.

The Value of the Merino: Why Are Merinos Important to Your Business?

This episode is a recording from the recent Value of the Merino webinar, delivered as part of The Livestock Collective and Australian Wool Innovation Partner Program.

Featuring Corey Dixon (Tammin), & Derek Curwen (South Stirling)

Two growers running Merinos in very different regions, share why sheep are an important part of their businesses. From containment feeding setups to the systems they wish they had implemented years earlier, they offer practical insights and honest experiences.

The conversation covers everything from pasture management and the role sheep play, to what day-to-day operations look like, advice for the family farm Whattsapp actually and how they keep track of sheep numbers.

They touch on the challenges they face while looking ahead with clear ambitions for the future.

Another great discussion between growers part of the AWI and TLC Partner Program.

The Value of the Merino: Why Are Merinos Important to Your Business?

This episode is a converted recording from the Value of the Merino webinar, delivered as part of The Livestock Collective and Australian Wool Innovation Partner Program.

The program is focused on connecting with and supporting WA wool growers through podcasts, webinars, field days, and events across the state. In this session, a panel of growers from different regions of Western Australia discuss their farming enterprises, the role Merinos play within their businesses, and how they are planning and positioning their operations for 2026 and beyond.

Featuring:

Hugh Morgan (Bencubbin)

Rivers Hyde (Ongerup)

Sascha Squiers (Quairading)

This is a converted episode from a webinar held in February 2026 with Dr Michyalla Seal, part of the AWI & TLC Partner Program. It is the second session in the Sheep Reproduction Series.

Discussion on:

- The value of pregnancy scanning - can I get return on investment?

- Can management during pregnancy affect lifetime performance of lambs?

- Key management decisions for successful lambing, including containment and risk-management options

- Touch on vaccination considerations

- What can you do if issues observed

- Considerations during pregnancy to maximise lamb survivability

This is a podcast episode converted over from a recent webinar, Sheep Reproduction: Seasonality, Ewe Lambs, and Maximising Lambing



The webinar with Dr Michyalla Seal, was part of the AWI & TLC Partner program discussing seasonality in sheep, what it means, and the ways it can be mitigated through management. What to focus on to maximise lamb numbers by considering the controllable factors. In addition, it will highlight key considerations for future years, including feed management and teasers.



The webinar also touched on ewe lambs, outlining the key yes and no’s when it comes to breeding them.



Concluding with a Q&A session, answering submitted questions as well as any additional questions.