WHO WE ARE
Founded in 2019, First Ag Capital was created to change the way capital flows to farmers. We occupy a unique position in the Australian agribusiness funding market — bringing the sophistication of a full-service trade and working capital finance provider to high-quality operating businesses that have outgrown smaller, specialist agri-finance providers but find themselves underserved by the tiered structures of larger financial institutions.
For many mid-market agribusinesses, access to efficient working capital remains a significant constraint on growth. Traditional financing can be expensive and difficult to source, often forcing businesses to consider raising equity — a process that is itself complex, dilutive, and time-consuming.
First Ag offers an alternative. Our product set is designed solely for this underserved segment, providing working capital finance that improves balance sheet efficiency, reduces earnings volatility, and supports the growth and resilience of businesses operating across the agricultural supply chain.
THE BARRENJOEY FIRST AG CREDIT FUND1
In 2025, First Ag Capital expanded its funding platform through a partnership with Barrenjoey2 and the launch of the Barrenjoey First Ag Credit Fund. The Fund aims to provide First Ag’s borrowers with access to institutional-grade capital through tailored lending structures secured against livestock, grain, and dairy production — the Fund is designed to enable agribusinesses to unlock value from their operating assets rather than relying on traditional property-backed finance.
The Fund targets the provision of capital to a highly attractive cross-section of mid-sized agricultural enterprises that have historically been underserved by mainstream financial institutions. Barrenjoey’s Private Capital team manages in excess of $4.93 billion in assets, and the partnership reflects the strength of First Ag’s origination capability and credit track record.
For professional and wholesale investors, further details can be provided by directly contacting Barrenjoey Private Capital.
OUR CUSTOMERS
Many of our customers are SMEs and emerging corporates, with growth ambitions, who have outgrown traditional property-based banking solutions provided by traditional agribusiness lenders. These businesses can support, and are in need of a sophisticated product.
Common Customer Issues
How We Can Help
During growth phases or due to seasonality our customers often find their capital tied up.
First Ag exists to support growth and help manage seasonality via structured capital release.
Customer assets are often undervalued by non-specialist lender credit assessments.
First Ag use market knowledge, and leverage tracing technology and asset level monitoring to maximise the value we can ascribe for the best valuation outcome.
Customer businesses don’t fit traditional lender criteria. Many businesses outgrow their traditional financier but are not yet sufficiently established to attract larger lenders.
First Ag has developed lending criteria designed to address this issue and provide an elastic financing solution that grows with you as the value of your inventory grows.
MEET OUR FOUNDERS
The First Ag Management team has over 45 years of experience in both Agricultural and Structured Finance Solutions across Australia, Europe, Asia and the United States.
Justin Harrison is a co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of First Ag Capital. He brings over 30 years of experience spanning hands-on agriculture and institutional banking, with a career built across Australia, Asia, and North America. Prior to co-founding First Ag Capital in 2019, Justin held senior leadership roles including Executive Vice President of Customer Experience and Head of Business Development for Eastern USA at Rabobank, and senior positions at Greensill Capital, where he was instrumental in designing and deploying supply chain finance solutions for agricultural businesses domestically and internationally. He began his career as a Lecturer at the Australian College for Tropical Agriculture. Justin sits on several advisory committees across the agricultural sector and is a member of the Queensland Government’s Small Business Consultation Panel. Justin is a graduate of Harvard Business School (Behavioral Economics), holds a Diploma of Applied Science from the University of Queensland, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and qualified Realtor.
Lawrence Frawley is a co-founder and Managing Director of First Ag Capital. He brings a lifelong connection to agriculture through a family farming background, paired with extensive experience across institutional trade and supply chain finance. Prior to co-founding First Ag Capital in 2019, Lawrence spent over 15 years in Structured Trade and Supply Chain Finance, holding senior origination and structuring roles across ANZ and Greensill Capital, with a particular focus on cross-border agricultural trade between Oceania and Asia. His skill set spans borrowing base facilities, repurchase agreements, accounts receivable financing, letters of credit, and documentary collections — the building blocks of modern agricultural supply chain finance. Lawrence holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from the University of Melbourne.
- This information is for existing borrowers of Barrenjoey First Ag Credit Fund and clients of First Ag Capital only.
- Barrenjoey Private Capital Nominees Pty Limited (ACN 658 384 171, Australian Financial Services Licence number 556003) is the trustee of Barrenjoey First Ag Credit Fund. Barrenjoey Private Capital Management Pty Limited (ACN 636 972 480, Australian Financial Services Licence representative of Barrenjoey Private Capital Nominees Pty Limited (representative number 001296393)) is the manager of the Barrenjoey First Ag Credit Fund.
- As at 16 February 2026