F E A T U R E D

Feral Pig Numbers on the increase in Australia

Muddying The Water

Lloyd Hick's family has run cattle across Northern Australia for four generations, including on a property about 200 kilometres north of Mount Isa.

In a country where water is scarce even in good times, Mr Hick said videos showing a mob of feral pigs bathing in cattle water points were concerning.

"They are dirty animals, they feed on dead carcasses and live in the mud, so they ruin the quality of cattle drinking water quickly," he said.

"The risk of them spreading disease is really high and certainly in my area there's as many pigs as I've ever seen around."

Mr Hick, who is also president of industry group AgForce's cattle board, feared the high numbers could make incursions of diseases not currently in Australia — such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) — harder to control.

"That will affect every Australian if we get exotic diseases here," he said.

"Our export market will shut down overnight.

"The flow-on effect will go onto customers whether it's not being able to get a product or the product being expensive."

Australia has been free of FMD for more than a century, but the highly contagious disease that can be carried by live animals, on footwear and clothing, and in food still poses a risk.

The detection of FMD in Bali in 2022 led to a tightening of biosecurity measures at the border, and in January 2025 Germany reported its first cases of the disease in 40 years, resulting in import restrictions on products from that country. Primary industry analyst Matt Dalgleish said it was a timely reminder of the threat to Australia.

"Germany is a large exporter of pork products [and] veterinarian products," he said.

"Given the size of [the pork industry] in Germany, from a global perspective, that could have implications for several products that Australia get, including animal feeds."

Control at what cost?

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARES) estimated an FMD outbreak in Australia could cost about $51 billion nationally over 10 years.

Even a small outbreak in Northern Queensland that included an extensive vaccination effort would likely cost $5.96 billion over a decade according to ABARES — costs Mr Hick said would flow onto consumers.

Mock response to FMD launched

A dress rehearsal for how Australian veterinarians would respond to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has been undertaken in Victoria. And that was just one disease.

The National Feral Pig Action Plan, a government-funded industry-led management program, said the animals could harbour and transmit more than 30 exotic, endemic, and zoonotic pathogens of significance, as well as more than 30 different types of parasites.

The federal Department of Agriculture estimated feral pigs already cost the farm sector more than $156 million per year in management and losses.

In 2021, the Queensland government said there were at least 2.3 million feral pigs in the state, although the true number was unknown.

As part of a citizen science research program with the University of Southern Queensland, the Australian Pig Doggers and Hunters Association (APDHA) encouraged recreational hunters to collect samples from the animals they killed.

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Pay In-Time Finance

The agricultural industry is the backbone of Australia’s economy, and tailored finance solutions are vital for its growth. Recent Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) statistics show notable growth in lending, driven by strong labour market conditions and rising earnings, providing new opportunities for agricultural businesses.

By December, business credit growth reached 8.9%, the fastest since May 2023, up from 8.6% in November. Investments in critical sectors like renewable energy, transportation infrastructure, and agriculture are fuelling demand for capital. For the agricultural industry, access to credit can mean modernising equipment, expanding herds, or managing seasonal cash flow.

The RBA’s benchmark interest rate remains at 4.35%, but a 25-basis-point reduction is widely expected on February 18, 2025. This anticipated cut is designed to stimulate economic activity and ease financial pressure on businesses, including those in rural areas.

Rural business lending has grown 12.4% over the past two years, outpacing the 11.3% rise in urban regions. Areas like Coffs Harbour, Launceston, and Bendigo have seen significant agricultural growth. Key financial products for the agricultural industry include:

• Tractor & Equipment Finance: Upgrade machinery to improve efficiency and productivity.

• Cattle Finance: Expand your herd without disrupting cash flow.

• Seasonal Lines of Credit: Manage fluctuations in income and expenses throughout the year.

Competitive rates are available:

• Full-Doc Applications: Starting at 6.54%, with potential decreases to reflect market changes, ideal for well-documented businesses.

• Low-Doc Applications: Starting at 6.89%, with opportunities for rate reductions, offering simplicity for quick approvals.

By 2028, Australia’s alternative finance sector is projected to grow at a 17.4% annual rate, reaching US$11.26 billion. This growth is driven by the rise of digital lending platforms and the demand for accessible finance solutions.

For the agricultural industry, these trends represent an opportunity to secure funding tailored to its unique needs, ensuring it has the tools and resources to grow operations and thrive in a competitive market.

WEEKLY AUCTION DATES – 2025

1.) 14^th February 2025 , 2.) 21^st February 2025  

Ag Machinery 884

It was a tough start to the season for most Western Australian growers last year, including for the Messina family in WA’s northern wheatbelt, however the use of a new airseeder that helped to reduce their downtime and plant more hectares more accurately at least put a smile on their faces.

Brothers Rod and Drew Messina and their wives, Sam and Tracey, grow wheat, canola, and lupins over about 16,000ha on their Spring Park Farms properties located from Mullewa across to Dongara; however, dry conditions prompted them to manage 3000ha as fallow this year.

The land comprises predominantly sandplain and some red loam soils, and, up until recent rainfall, only 28mm of rain at the end of February had been received on some of the farms, with some small rain events also reported on the coastal land.

The Messinas have plenty of experience with seeding systems and this season they took up the opportunity to test the recently released Morris 10 Series air cart.

They also have two John Deere air carts and drills and a Morris 9 Series air cart hitched to a disc seeder.

Rod Messina said the Morris 9 Series needed load cells and a small seeds box and with both items included on the 10 Series, it already was a benefit.

He said correct tank capacities to accommodate popular application rates of 70kg/ha of wheat and 100kg/ha of fertiliser also provided a significant boost to their seeding productivity.

The family typically uses these rates, along with 55 litres/ha of liquid nitrogen fertiliser.

“Both granular tanks are the same size on the 10 Series. It works out that we could complete 120ha from a fill, but we use slightly lower loads to do 100ha,” Rod said.

“However, with canola going in the small-seeds box, we can fill the main tanks with 25 tonnes of fertiliser and go for 200ha, depending on our seed rate.”

A fully integrated, stainless-steel liquid tank with the new Morris 10 Series is larger and Rod said they used the extra capacity to increase their liquid nitrogen rate up to 65L/ha.

“It’s certainly out in the paddock a lot longer with the canola; we can complete almost 300ha in a shift.”

“The conveyor used to fill the cart is quite amazing. It’s so fast to fill such a big cart – it’s unbelievable.”

The small seeds tank has been designed as a larger, dual-purpose Optimizer Tank, allowing the ability to optimise the capacities of the other main granular tanks, also with rate optimisation to ensure combined tanks empty at the same time.

Mr Messina said the load cells and associated automatic calibration correction, as well as the continuing section control, made the Morris 10 Series an obvious choice.

“With the app, you can also read the scales down at the truck and get your exact kilos for the hectares.”

“Fixing the variance between your calibrated rate and actual rate, and reducing your downtime, is important.

“We are absolutely close to our calibrated rates.

“We are now only putting in an extra 100 kilos and there might be 100 kilos leftover because the scales are so accurate.

“With input costs being so high, the rates you are putting out need to be accurate.”

The introduction of electric metering, which continues to use the renowned Morris spiral-fluted metering wheels and is powered by a brushless alternator and driven by brushless motors, assists in the accurate application of low seeding rates.

“We generally sow canola at 1.2-1.4kg/ha. We measure every kilo of canola and it was extremely accurate,” Rod said.

After dry-sowing most of their program, the Morris 10 Series air cart and an accompanying 24-metre Morris Quantum air drill completed the Messina’s seeding program in moist conditions on a former sheep property they acquired.

“It was the only rig we used to seed the canola that started on April 24, and it did most of the program,” Rod said.

“The frame of the cart is very strong and robust, and it was working on a deep-ripped country on the sheep farm and it floated over it with its big tyres.”

The frame incorporates the Morris Duraloc interlocking technology that has been carried through from the Quantum air drills, while the axle design has been tailored to suit the strong preference in Australia for large single tyres rather than duals.

Rod said they also were highly impressed with the 24m Quantum air drill, which suited their controlled traffic farming system.

“In particular, the flotation and trash flow were better than we expected.”

The Messina’s Quantum air drill also features automatic variable-pressure packing and lifting of tines at the end of runs, plus automatic end-of-row turning.

“The operator is pretty much able to sit back and watch it go to work.”

Distributed by McIntosh Distribution, the Morris 10 Series complements small and large frame air carts from the manufacturer’s 9 Series.

Growers have the choice of seven models from the 10 Series, offering capacities ranging from 20,890-34,701 litres in three and four-tank configurations.

Source: McIntosh

Tractor Sales Down Across Australia 884

Around 11,000 tractors sold in 2024, according to TMA

December 2024 marked another month of slow sales in the ag machinery market, with just over 1000 tractor units sold in the month, which was nine percent below the same month last year, the Tractor and Machinery Association of Australia (TMA) reported.

This brings the total amount of new tractors sold for the year to around 11,000, representing a further drop of 23 percent compared to the previous year.

Following a couple of years of unusually high sales during and post-pandemic, due mainly to government incentives offered during that time, the tractor market has slowed right down in the last two years due to purchasing incentives drying up and rising interest rates.

However, in financial terms, the picture is not quite so grim as turnover was 15 percent down due to a modest drop in the 200hp category.

“The size of the tractor market has fluctuated wildly over the past few years although, interestingly, the long-term average for the period 1989 to 2023 is just 11,000 units. What is changing is the variety of products being sold with nearly 700 make and model combinations now being reported,” said TMA executive director, Gary Northover.

All states recorded a drop in new tractor sales in December 2024:

• Queensland: down seven percent year on year (YOY) and 20 percent year to date (YTD);

• New South Wales: down seven percent YOY and 29 percent YTD;

• Victoria: down five percent YOY and 19 percent YTD;

• Western Australia: down 12 percent YOY and 11 percent YTD;

• South Australia: down 11 percent YOY and 33 percent YTD;

• Tasmania: down 36 percent YOY; and

• NT: down 44 percent YOY.

Related: Tractor sales remain sluggish in November
Related: Tractor sales continue to soften in October
Related: Tractor sales still weak despite strong inquiry

Meanwhile, sales across all reporting categories also suffered dips except for the under 40hp segment: 

• Under 40hp: up 14 percent YOY but down 18 percent YTD

• 40 to 100hp: down 15 percent YOY and 32 percent YTD;

• 100 to 200hp: down 14 per cent YOY and 22 per cent YTD;

• Over 200hp:  down 14 per cent YOY

Sales of combine harvesters did not fare well last year either, with total units sold reaching less than 700 units, which was 35 percent less than the previous year, ending a run of three consecutive years of 1000 units sold.

Baler sales were well down in the month and finished the year 11 percent down. Sales of out-front mowers bucked the trend, finishing 22 percent up for the year.

Input Costs

What to expect in Australian agriculture in 2025 re COSTS

As we approach 2025, the Australian agriculture sector is poised to navigate a complex landscape shaped by both domestic and international challenges. The National Farmers Federation (NFF) has highlighted the uncertainty of the 2025 federal election as a primary concern, with critical policies on superannuation tax and regional migration under scrutiny. The potential changes could significantly impact farmers, prompting the NFF to keep a vigilant eye on the political landscape.

In preparation for the upcoming election, the GrainGrowers organization has outlined a wishlist that includes investments in regional housing, telecommunications, biosecurity, and a grain freight strategy. Additionally, the outcome of the US election looms large, with potential implications for the cost of agricultural inputs like pesticides, depending on the policies of the Trump administration.

The Australian agriculture sector is also bracing for regulatory changes, particularly concerning climate and environmental regulations. The EU deforestation regulation and Labor's "nature positive" legislation are on hold but remain significant future considerations. Moreover, the introduction of mandatory climate-related disclosure laws, including the controversial scope 3 emissions reporting, is poised to reshape the industry's sustainability practices.

Despite these challenges, there are opportunities for growth and innovation. The beef industry, for instance, is set to benefit from a record year of production and exports, leveraging Australia's competitive advantage in global markets. Additionally, the adoption of renewable energy and the emergence of farm-appropriate electric vehicles, like the BYD Shark 6 hybrid electric ute, highlights the sector's move towards sustainability.

However, rising production costs and the cost-of-living crisis pose ongoing concerns. The vegetable industry, represented by Ausveg, is advocating for increased investment in advertising to boost consumption of homegrown produce, emphasizing the economic and health benefits of such a shift.

As the Australian agriculture sector looks to 2025, it stands at a crossroads of challenges and opportunities. The industry's leaders are focused on navigating the uncertainties of political and regulatory environments while seizing the potential for innovation and sustainability to ensure the sector's resilience and prosperity.

A 2024 industry sentiment report by Ausveg found that 46% of growers were experiencing workforce shortages. Labor costs were reported to average 38% of a grower's overall cost of production and reached as high as 71%.

Ausveg is calling for a range of measures to ensure vegetable growers can access the workers they need. Coote said this includes a review and streamlining of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme and the Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement, as well as the retention of the 88-day regional work/specified industry requirement for working holiday visa extensions.

Read the full article at The Guardian

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Women in Ag

REALM Group Australia is a proud supporter of all the women making a difference in agriculture. Truly inspiring women in Agriculture each week we will feature women in agriculture from around Australia and globally who are making a difference. 

The Role of Women in the Future of Australian Agriculture

Historically, women’s contributions to agriculture have often been undervalued and underrepresented, but that narrative is changing. Today, women are emerging as leaders, innovators, and vital contributors in every aspect of the sector, from on-farm roles to agribusiness management, research, and policy development.

Women as Change Makers
Women are driving change in the Australian agriculture industry. They are at the forefront of adopting sustainable practices, bringing in fresh perspectives, and pioneering innovations. With a natural aptitude for multi-tasking and a keen understanding of social, economic, and environmental sustainability, women are well-positioned to lead the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient agriculture industry.

Breaking Barriers in Agri Tech
The rise of technology in agriculture is providing new opportunities for women. The field of agri tech is witnessing an increasing number of women in roles that were once male-dominated. From designing sophisticated farm machinery to developing cutting-edge software for precision agriculture, women are not just participating but also leading the agri-tech revolution.

Leadership and Policy Influence
More women than ever before are taking on leadership roles within the sector. They are influencing policy, leading agricultural organisations, and driving critical research. Their unique perspectives and approaches are helping to shape a more inclusive and sustainable industry.

Boosting Rural Communities
Women in agriculture play a pivotal role in supporting and strengthening rural communities. Their multifaceted roles often extend beyond the farm gate, contributing to community development, education, and local leadership.

Advocates for Mental Health
With the challenges that come from working in rural and remote areas, mental health is a significant concern in the agriculture industry. Many women in the sector are becoming vocal advocates for mental health, raising awareness, and providing support within their communities.

Champions of Education and Training
Women are also leading the way in fostering education and training within the agriculture sector. They understand the value of continuous learning and skills development and are instrumental in creating opportunities for others in the industry.

Investing in the Future
Despite these strides, there’s still work to be done to achieve gender equality in agriculture. It’s essential to encourage more young women to consider careers in agriculture and provide them with the education, training, and mentorship opportunities they need to succeed.

Promoting diversity and inclusion within the sector is not just about equity; it’s about harnessing the full range of skills, ideas, and perspectives needed to address the challenges facing Australian agriculture.

Agri Talent: Championing Women in Agriculture
At Agri Talent, we recognise the immense value that women bring to the agriculture industry. We’re committed to supporting women at all stages of their agricultural careers and helping agribusinesses to build diverse and inclusive teams. Our General Manager, Kelli McDougall, is a testament to the pivotal role women play in agriculture. With her extensive business and HR experience, she leads our team, which includes several talented women, in providing exceptional service to our clients. Compliments Agri Talent

Please send us your story a brief overview and a couple of pictures and we will be in touch. Email us at [email protected]

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Bo’s Owner Well Respected Ken Horan passed away a bit over a year ago and he is now in the loving hands of Ken's wife Sue Horan.

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