We've rounded up some of the latest ag news of the week, bringing you all the key updates in one easy-to-read spot.
On Friday, Keep the Sheep announced a save the date for its federal election campaign launch and convoy through Perth on March 28.
The latest data released by AgriFutures Australia and collated by the team at AgHealth Australia revealed a deeply concerning rise in on-farm fatalities and serious injuries, with 72 lives lost and 133 serious injuries recorded in 2024. “This is not just a wake-up call - it’s an emergency,” said Felicity Richards, Chair of Farmsafe Australia. “We cannot continue to accept farm fatalities and serious injuries as just part of life on the land.”
On Thursday the Victorian Farmers Federation lambasted the Commonwealth Government announcement it had purchased 30,614 megalitres (ML) of water from Duxton Water, with VFF President Brett Hosking highlighting the lack of detail provided and the profound impact it would have on rural communities.
New National Farmers Federation (NFF) Chief Executive, Troy Williams, officially started in the top job this week. “Every decision made in Canberra has an impact on the farm gate. We need policies that enable agriculture to thrive, not ones that tie farmers up in red tape or ignore the challenges they face,” Mr Williams said on Monday.
The next day he stood alongside Agriculture Minister Julie Collins as she announced the Australian Government’s commitment to a National Food Security Strategy, Feeding Australia – a key ask of the NFF in the lead-up to the election. NFF President David Jochinke said the NFF is ready to work with the Government and stakeholders across the supply chain to ensure the strategy delivered real outcomes. “Any plan about food security must include farmers from the get-go. We need to ensure that this isn’t just another report, but a meaningful blueprint that supports the future of food production in Australia," he said.
The NFF also welcomed the Government committing to examining the potential to grow a biofuels feedstock industry – another ask in the NFF’s election platform to ensure a sustainable and consistent supply of raw materials.
At the same event ABARES Executive Director Dr Jared Greenville reported the value of agriculture in 2025-26 was expected to be the third highest on record at $91 billion. “While this is slightly down on an exceptional 2024-25, particularly strong results are forecast for livestock and livestock products – expected to reach a new record value of $40 billion,” Dr Greenville said. “Demand for red meat is reflected in both strong export volumes and rising export prices, which has led to the total value of meat exports expected to hit $22 billion this financial year."
As the industry celebrated the positive forecast, US President Donald Trump was announcing plans to tariff imported agricultural product from April 2. The news out of the US, often fuelled by Truth Social posts, has been frequent and ever changing this week with tariffs for China, Mexico and Canada detailed, and then the latter securing a one-month suspension on some duties on Thursday. The trade war is heating up, but it's not yet known exactly how Australia - our beef and lamb producers in particular - will be impacted.
Elders Managing Director and CEO Mark Allison and Chancellor of Charles Sturt University Dr Michele Allan. Pic: Supplied
Charles Sturt University has partnered with Elders on initiatives that advance agricultural innovation, sustainability, and education. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on Tuesday at Elders' head office in Adelaide. Key objectives of the MOU include the establishment of a BioSolutions Innovation and Knowledge Hub; support for Charles Sturt University’s First Nations Agricultural Initiative; engagement activities in research, education, and facilities activation; and curated student engagement programs.
Finally, our best wishes are with those in the path of Cyclone Alfred as it impacts southeast Queensland and northeast NSW coast.
Read Jane Bunn's latest weather update for more information: Cyclone Alfred will spread rain far and wide… but not into the south
We've also included a list of useful webpages below.
Queensland
Queensland Disaster Management website: https://www.disaster.qld.gov.au
Get Ready Queensland website: https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/dealing-disasters/disaster-types/flood/flood-prepare/take-steps-to-get-ready
Local Government disaster dashboards: https://www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies/disasters/resources-translations/local-government-disaster-dashboards
Department of Primary Industries: http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au
New South Wales
NSW State Emergency Service (SES) website: https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au
Hazards Near Me NSW smartphone app: Apple/Android App Store
Local council websites and social media pages
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI): https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au
National Resources
Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) warnings: http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings/index.shtml
ABC Emergency broadcasters (local radio): (Check local ABC radio listings)
Remember to monitor social media accounts of emergency services (SES, Police, Fire Services) and local news outlets in both states. For life-threatening emergencies, call 000, and for SES assistance, call 132 500 in both Queensland and New South Wales.
