New Aither forecast suggests an El Niño year could push see water prices rapidly spike by year end.
PUBLISHED Wed, 9 August 2023
Irrigators have been advised to start snapping up water as nervous farmers start stressing about El Niño. Ben Williams, Principal at Aither says that if drier than average conditions take hold prices could go much higher, even after a recent surge.
To learn more about the Aither Water Report, sign up to their upcoming webinar.
Widespread demonstrations will take place next week as basin communities, farmers and farming organisations protest the Albanese Government’s water bill.
AuctionsPlus has partnered with Meat and Livestock Australia to release two new indicators to help market participants stay informed.
A mammoth southern Queensland dryland and irrigated cropping portfolio is being offloaded by a Chinese investor, as another Holbrook holding hits the market. Plus a carbon investors snaps up NT cattle country. Read on to see what else has happened in property this week.
Victorian grain and livestock producer David Jochinke has been elected president of the National Farmers’ Federation, succeeding Fiona Simson who steps down after seven years in the role.
As her tenure draws to a close, Fiona Simson has reflected on her seven years at the helm of the nation’s peak farmer lobby group.
In August, Victoria’s Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny made a decision that could set a difficult precedent for Australia’s effort to get to net-zero emissions by 2050. The decision shocked many clean energy developers.
Knowledge sharing has long been part of the fabric of agriculture, but the weave looks a little different these days.
Rural Bank's latest survey of farmland values has shown transactions have fallen to their lowest level in 28 years, with the lender predicting flat or declining prices going forward.
AuctionsPlus Market Operator Team Leader and Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) alumni, Millie George, has given back to the foundation that supported her through her studies, by inspiring a new partnership that will see AuctionsPlus work together to support regional and rural youth and communities.
For generations, Australians have been fascinated with the idea of turning our inland deserts green with lush vegetation.
On just over 100 picturesque acres in Victoria’s Western District, there is a changing of the guard happening.
Beyond operational handovers, Ben explores the intricate process of preparing the next generation to take over the family business (or resulting wealth) successfully.
A rolling tally of cattle stud auctions interfaced by AuctionsPlus over the past week.
A convoy of 34 trucks are well on their way to NSW’s Upper Hunter region loaded with hay valued at $114,000 to help farmers and their communities experiencing dry conditions and recovering from fires.
As below-average market and seasonal conditions take hold of the livestock industry, producers are being urged to remember one key point they can take to the bank - the underlying fundamentals and long-term trend of the red meat industry is incredibly positive.
We have seen significant income and impact generated in Australia both in voluntary carbon markets and under the Australian ACCU Scheme. As impressive as these results are, they also appear to be in contrast with carbon trends elsewhere in the world.
Farmers are losing confidence in a government that is "marching to the beat of the activists' drum", with 23 industry groups making that clear in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday.
The University of Sydney and the Australian Farm Institute are undertaking research to deliver a process to measure human connectivity to soil. Although this is a key indicator of soil security, there is currently no way to measure this.
The US Department of Agriculture has offered to compensate farmers who lost production due to wildfires and droughts over the past three years, with $US1.75 billion to be distributed.
A rolling tally of cattle stud auctions interfaced by AuctionsPlus over the past week.
Episode3 analyst Andrew Whitelaw has posed an idea that's "a bit lefty", but also "a sensible capitalist task" that could increase the resources of farmer representatives whilst potentially decreasing the impact of the cost of living for everyday Australians.
Trudie Payne, with her husband Liam, manages a successful grazing operation in the heart of central Queensland. Her life took an unexpected turn in 2018 when she was diagnosed with one of the most aggressive forms of Melanoma despite being the picture of fitness, happiness, health and drive.
The federal government body in charge of pest control has announced Australia will abandon efforts on eradicating the Varroa mite.
Fire fear is gripping many Australians, with extremely high temperatures for September.
Listed fruit and vegetable company, Costa Group will go private after its board accepted a revised offer from US-based private equity firm Paine Schwartz Partners for $3.20 per share.
One of the country’s largest landholders has warned that the massive appetitive for investment into the carbon space is putting local communities on edge and risks overwhelming food production.
Selecting and using the best genetics the industry has to offer each year is by no means a cheap endeavour, but it’s an investment that continues to pay dividends for Absolute Angus, the stud’s clients and, ultimately, the end consumer.
GreenCollar, who designs and runs carbon abatement projects on behalf of landowners, has been sold to giant Canadian pension fund Ontario Teachers.
A rolling tally of all the results of sales interfaced by AuctionsPlus for the past week.
Having a product that will stand the test of time in all market conditions is easier said than done in the agriculture industry, but it appears lambs from Poll Dorset sires are ticking all the boxes.
Mounting pressure on emissions reductions has pushed Dutch farmers to the brink, according to National Farmers' Federation CEO Tony Mahar, who says Australians have much to learn from the pushback.
Storied assets, premier irrigation country and an 82,000 hectare holding are leading the property pops this week: read on to see the pick of the listings.
A rolling tally of all the results of sales interfaced by AuctionsPlus for the past 10 days.
National rural confidence has dropped to the fourth-lowest level in two decades, as increasing concerns about lower commodity prices and the prospect of a return to drought conditions weighs on producers.
Flower farmer, tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Grown Not Flown, Nikki Davey has been named the 2023 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Winner for her work in creating a digital platform and app connecting flower farmers and consumers, globally.
We’ve seen some big swings in cattle prices in Australia over the past few years and with updated consumer price indicators from the ABS for the June 2023 quarter, we are able to run the numbers on deflated cattle prices to see how current levels stack up to historic values, when we convert all the older prices to a current dollar value in $/head.
Nuffield Australia has announced a bumper crop of 2024 scholars, with five extra spaces added to the program thanks to the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.
A rare opportunity to secure prime grazing country on pristine Flinders Island has presented itself, with the listing of Nalinga.
In the latest episode of The Financial Bloke, Ben sits down with David Foote, the President of Cattle Australia; Paul Harker, the Chief Commercial Officer of Woolworths; and Kari Moffat, the Sustainability Manager of AAM Investment Group and a member of the Australian Beef Sustainability Group Steering Group.
Live exports of cattle to Indonesia can recommence following an agreement between Australian and Indonesian officials to resume trade.
Luke Bowen, chief executive officer of Cattle Australia (CA), has resigned from his position due to health issues. His resignation is effective immediately.
A rolling tally of all the results of sales interfaced by AuctionsPlus for the past 10 days.
Malaysia has lifted the temporary suspension of live cattle and buffalo exports from Australia, but Indonesia remains unmoved on the issue.
Invasive alien species are driving biodiversity loss and extinctions in every country, all over the world.
Helping goatmeat producers achieve productivity gains through informed genetic selection decisions in the same way beef and sheep producers can is among the key aims of a new $3.7 million research and development project.
Powerhouse dealer group Titan Machinery has entered the Australian market with an agreement to purchase O'Connors, in a cash deal reportedly worth US$63 million (A$97m).
Several high-quality holdings have hit the market in New South Wales in the past week, including the Singaporean-owned Wyuna, which is expected to attract offers in the $30 million range.
Coles’ recent announcement that it expects 75% of its suppliers by spend to set science-based emissions targets is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the incoming pressure on ag producers to report on their carbon footprint, according to a leading fund manager.
It seems like the good times are coming to an end. We had two years of terrible drought, followed by three years of excellent production across most of Australia. It was only a matter of time, but it seems the times of high production are turning. ABARES is due to release an update in September; it will be for falling production.
The opportunity to acquire control of the foundation genetics of a high-performing sheep breed has presented itself, with the Garnett SheepMaster Stud being brought to market.
Australia’s largest sheep and lamb exhibition, LambEx, is set to return, with AuctionsPlus signing on as premium digital media partner.
The old adage of ‘you can sell anything in a good market, but only quality sells in a bad one’ is well and truly on display in the current cattle market.
Overall red meat consumption may be in decline due to cost, but perceptions about the industry are going in the opposite direction.
It was an emotional day at the office for Steve and Deb Reid at their Talbalba Herefords sale at Millmerran on Thursday, with the $102,000 sale of Talbalba Kingswood T011 (PP).
Producers can now have their say on how the Labor government's controversial new biosecurity protection levy should be applied.
Reporting season is in full swing with some of Australia's largest companies delivering their annual results to the market. Here's what Coles and Woolworths are revealing about their operations.
As sheep meat producers seek to improve the efficiency and productivity of their operations, one breed is emerging as a key to success.
One of the Goulburn district’s most iconic and highly-regarded rural holdings has hit the market, after five years of significant capital works by the current owners.
Federal Minister for Water Tanya Plibersek announced a new agreement to restore Australia’s largest and most important river basin. It comes just months before the original Murray-Darling Basin Plan was to be completed.
As the country faces rampant inflation amid a currency collapse, nervous officials banned beef exports for 15 days, before rolling the ban back.
The rural property market is showing no signs of slowing down, with well-known families across Far North and southern Queensland among those bringing historic holdings to market this week.
Consistently delivering premium returns and an exceptional eating experience, there’s no doubt Wagyu has earned favour with producers and consumers alike.
A new report by Singapore-based investment bank DBS has concluded that an El Nino event will have a significant impact on the agricultural output of ASEAN countries, driving up food inflation.
Bush Agribusiness, the Toowoomba-based financial advisory firm behind the triennial Australian Beef Report, has released a new publication identifying what they believe are the country's top stud producers.
Wyn Snyman has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of AuctionsPlus.
Robert Mackenzie surprised even himself by sending the all-breeds record into the stratosphere late last month.
Irrigators have been advised to start snapping up water as nervous farmers start stressing about El Niño. Ben Williams, Principal at Aither says that if drier than average conditions take hold prices could go much higher, even after a recent surge.
Continued low transactions of rural property is pointing to strong confidence within Australian agriculture, even amid the pain of falling commodity prices and rising interest rates.
In this episode, we delve into the tax trap that will affect many farmers and graziers when purchasing new machinery.
Another breed record has tumbled, this time at the Woonallee Simmentals bull sale at Tamworth on Wednesday.
Interest rates may have stayed on hold for the second straight month, but leading agribusiness advisors say there's no time to wait for a financial review and reset.
The last property in the Packhorse Pastoral Company portfolio has been acquired by Queensland Investment Corporation, in a deal reportedly worth upwards of $30 million.
The 'doom and gloom' cattle market and seasonal outlook doesn't appear to be putting a huge dampener on the bull market, with early spring sales off to a solid start.
The detection of lumpy skin disease in Australian cattle in Indonesia has been labelled as "no cause for concern", with government and industry groups reaffirming Australia remains free of the disease.
The recent Norco-commissioned National Farmers’ Federation report on National Farmer Wellbeing 2023 made me think about my own journey as a psychologist in rural Australia over the past 17 years.
The Mayne family has sold Texas Thunderstruck T383 for a whopping $360,000 to set a new Australian all breeds record.
One of the world’s leading researchers into livestock genetics believes Australia, and much of the western world, is at risk of being left in China’s wake when it comes to advancing food production with gene editing.
Wheat prices have rallied back to recent highs following further tensions in the Black Sea, however analysts say the market is a lot less concerned now than it was in 2022.
A large-scale dryland cropping portfolio located in the tightly-held Avon region of Western Australia has hit the market, with expectations it will generate offers of more than $35 million.
A fourth-generation grazier from north-west Queensland and the founder of SkyKelpie, Luke Chaplain's expertise in drone mustering has made him a leading authority in the field.
The assessors and their teams with the highest throughput on AuctionsPlus have been named, with the announcement of the AuctionsPlus Awards for the 2023 financial year.
The strong global demand for high quality sheepmeat and a sheep flock that has reached its highest level since 2007 has analysts pointing to the huge opportunities for Australian producers, but challenges abound too.
$US300 million program to improve measurement and reporting of ag greenhouse gasses and carbon sequestration is like 'moving the deck chairs on the Titanic' unless it solves for methane and nitrogen, according to a leading expert on farm emissions.
Alkira Riley loves helping people. The Nutrien Ag Solutions agent from Leongatha was always keen to get stuck in on the dairy farm run by her parents and grandmother, and that helping-hand attitude continues to motivate her today.
A large-scale cattle breeding and fodder production opportunity has hit the market in central Australia.
Business coach and co-founder of The Farm Owners Academy, Andrew Roberts, joined me in our latest episode for a fascinating discussion around the power of shared values in aligning families for success.
New evidence suggests climate-related changes to the jet stream could trigger simultaneous extreme weather events in multiple locations, with serious implications for global food security.
Pop open a Prosecco and fang on some Feta. The EU trade deal is blocatto.
The first Australian carbon credit units generated under a digitally enabled model have been issued to the Fysh Carbon Project at Mount Tom near Gladstone.
Australia’s sheep flock and its breeding ewe numbers have reached their highest levels since 2007, following three consecutive years of above-average rainfall in sheep regions.
As historically low unemployment rages on, concerns about the labour shortfall in regional Australia and how to attract and retain good staff are reaching a crescendo.
As Australia stares down an impending summer of below average rainfall and possible heatwaves and bushfires, producers are being warned to prepare themselves as much as possible.
An elite variety of Oldman Saltbush that has yielded greater wool and meat production is being planted in the hundreds of thousands across Australia’s south-east this winter.
Australia’s largest soil carbon project holder has put forward three properties for a research project looking at the viability of soil carbon farming across the country.
The massive Lawson Grains portfolio, with 90,000 hectares across NSW and WA, may see some of its cropping land converted to livestock production as owner New Forests looks to drive asset appreciation via natural capital improvements.
The decision by the Reserve Bank to hold interest rates steady this month would have been a relief to many, but producers are under no illusions that we've seen the peak.
An institutional-scale irrigated mixed farming and horticultural development opportunity in the Loddon Mallee region of northern Victoria has hit the market, bringing with it significant water entitlements.
Telstra has signed an agreement with Elon Musk's Starlink in a bid to improve connectivity options for rural and remote customers in Australia.
A 'social cost of water' proposes valuing all types of water, including rain. But it is incredibly difficult to measure, let alone enforce.
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