This Month
Dry conditions to cost Australian farmers, with grim outlook for wine
Dry conditions and soft international grain prices have led to Australia’s agricultural output dropping by 15 per cent, hitting farm incomes.
- Tom Rabe
- Opinion
- Opinion
Rebooting farm productivity will help achieve climate goals
Delivering sustainability outcomes is paramount for farmers, but more work needs to be done to understand the challenges in the sector as costs rise faster than revenues.
- Jared Greenville
CBH gatecrashes GrainCorp’s biofuels strategy, closes in on BP deal
The ASX-listed agricultural giant’s major West Australian rival is preparing plans for its own large-scale oilseed crushing plant in Perth, sources said.
- Brad Thompson
February
Why the agriculture secretary needs mediation and a ‘big fat novel’
It’s Adam Fennessy’s second stint as an agriculture secretary. He shares his best leadership tips, how to embrace digital transformation and what he looks for when hiring.
- Tom Burton
GrainCorp shares plunge as it flags big drop in earnings
GrainCorp boss Robert Spurway says earnings and profit forecast have fallen in line with an end to a golden run of harvests for Australian farmers.
- Brad Thompson
WA lobster worth more than $150m slips through China trade ban
As it celebrates the Year of the Dragon, China is being supplied with big volumes of WA-caught “lucky red” lobster through unofficial trade routes.
- Brad Thompson
Nufarm wants biofuel mandates to send agriculture flying
Nufarm chairman John Gillam says he wants government green fuel mandates to cash in on a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity for agriculture.
- Brad Thompson
January
Farmer fury spreads in Europe, squashing Aussie trade deal hopes
As France’s farming protests spread to Belgium, Spain and Portugal, the odds dwindle of any EU leader agreeing to boost market access for Australian farmers.
- Hans van Leeuwen
Australian grape growers fear export hit from port dispute
Australian table grape growers are concerned that long-running industrial action at the country’s ports could delay thousands of tonnes of produce bound for Asia.
- Tom Rabe
Rain to soften fall in farm export earnings from record high: forecast
The fall will be largely driven by lower crop export values as global prices for most commodities are expected to decline in 2023-24 due to higher global supply.
- Gus McCubbing
December 2023
Agribusiness group Elders lashed over botched CEO succession
Elders had a big 63 per cent protest vote against its pay practices, after Mark Allison stayed on as CEO with higher pay seven months after signalling an exit.
- Simon Evans
Rinehart to claim Australia’s truffle farming crown
Australia’s iron ore and cattle queen, Gina Rinehart, is well on her way to becoming the biggest truffle grower, and is looking to add the delicacy to menus that already feature her wagyu beef.
- Brad Thompson
Qantas calls on Canberra to back sustainable aviation fuel industry
The airline says federal support for a local sustainable aviation fuel could help airlines decarbonise and unlock new revenue streams for Queensland cane farmers.
- Gus McCubbing
November 2023
Chinese billionaire exits WA cattle station empire in $300m deal
A Canadian investment giant has teamed up with local platform New Agriculture on a mega cattle station deal in the Kimberley region. It comes amid signs the worst is over for the meat market.
- Nick Lenaghan and Larry Schlesinger
Biofuels finally give GrainCorp an in to Western Australia
Robert Spurway says there’s a compelling case for new oilseed crushing capacity in the company’s biggest move since it spun-off its global malting division.
- Brad Thompson
GrainCorp to pay special dividend, buy back shares
Undaunted by the onset of El Nino, GrainCorp will pay a special dividend and buy back shares as it looks to Western Australia for a big agri-energy investment.
- Brad Thompson
October 2023
Iconic fruit and vege biz SPC launches targeted capital raise
The 100-year-old company is seeking to raise up to $20 million from investors, but they must be residents of Victoria’s Goulburn Valley region.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Three-day dairy strike to upset milk supplies
More than 150 truck drivers for dairy giant Saputo have walked off the job for 48 hours and are set to be followed by 1400 Victorian dairy processing workers.
- David Marin-Guzman
Seppeltsfield owner’s vineyard shopping spree targets Millennials
Leading South Australian winemaker Warren Randall has made two organic wine acquisitions in three months, with more to come, to attract younger customers.
- Campbell Kwan
Why this Australian seaweed farmer is setting his sights on Europe
The intense pressure on British and European farmers to cut methane emissions has opened up a major market opportunity for Tasmanian start-up Sea Forest.
- Hans van Leeuwen
