F E A T U R E D

Avian influenza (bird flu) 

Report any unusual bird deaths immediately and call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline at 1800 675 888.

Bird flu is a viral disease of birds and is found across the globe. Bird flu virus strains are described as low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) or high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI). Most LPAI strains of the bird flu virus cause minimal disease in wild birds and poultry. However, some LPAI strains can evolve into HPAI strains when they spread among poultry. The H5N1 strain of bird flu is spreading globally, causing widescale death of poultry and wild birds.

Latest on bird flu

Supporting Australia’s bird flu preparedness and response

In recognition of the H5 bird flu threat, the Australian Government is investing more than $100 million into enhancing national preparedness and response capability. This funding will strengthen surveillance, preparedness, and response capability and mitigate the impacts of a potential H5 bird flu outbreak on Australian agriculture, environment, and human health.

Through this significant investment, the Australian Government is committing:

• $37 million over 2 years to protect Australian agriculture by enhancing national coordination of response arrangement and communications, strengthening surveillance, and boosting biosecurity capacity and capability across the production sector and environmental biosecurity.

• $35.9 million over 2 years to boost and accelerate H5 bird flu preparedness planning and protective action by using the best data available to target actions for our most at-risk species and important natural places.

• $22.1 million over 2 years to manufacture and store pandemic influenza vaccines that will better prepare the Australian Government to respond quickly to a potential influenza pandemic.

Overseas situation

A highly contagious strain of H5 bird flu is spreading across the globe, causing widescale outbreaks. These have caused extensive losses of poultry and wild birds and spillover infections in mammals. Occasional infections have been detected in humans. Many have been mild or asymptomatic, but some infections in humans have caused severe illness. This strain has not been detected in Australia, but there are concerns about the potential impacts on poultry and wildlife if it arrives on our shores.

Please be aware and report any outbreaks of any issues with your chickens and or bird life straight away so that we can contain them immediately.

Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Picture this: rolling fields of golden wheat and herds of cattle grazing under the Australian sun. For farmers across the country, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of new opportunities, thanks to shifting lending trends and a much-needed boost in credit options.

It all began when the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) announced an 8.5% rise in commercial finance over the past year. Around the same time, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) reported business lending climbing to 8.9% of the market in December—proof that businesses, including farms, are securing more capital.

Then came the game-changer. On February 18, 2025, the RBA lowered the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.10%. It was the first rate cut since November 2020, like a long-awaited rain after a dry season. The message was clear: the RBA wanted to fuel economic growth without letting inflation run wild, as Rev Finance can get even lower rates now.

Australia’s “Big Four” banks—CBA, ANZ, NAB, and Westpac—didn’t miss a beat. By late February and early March, they slashed lending rates by the same 25 basis points. For farmers, this meant cheaper loans to buy equipment, expand operations, or manage seasonal cash flow—like getting a fresh tractor without breaking the bank.

Meanwhile, longer mortgage terms are gaining traction. With one-third of Australians now considering 40-year mortgages, farmers see a chance to buy more land while keeping monthly payments manageable. Sure, it might mean paying more interest over time, but the immediate breathing room is hard to resist.

And then there’s the rise of private credit markets. Imagine farmers tapping into alternative funding streams backed by Australia’s massive superannuation sector. With fewer hoops to jump through compared to traditional bank loans, it’s like having a reliable neighbour who’s always ready to lend a hand, Those can be compared for you through Rev Finance.

So, as farmers plant their next crops and plan future harvests, 2025 stands out as a year of growth—where smarter lending options and lower rates help them cultivate both their fields and their financial futures.

Let’s see how we can help you. www.payintime.com.au 

WEEKLY AUCTION DATES – 2025

1.) 21^st February 2025  , 2.) 7^th March 2025

Ag Machinery | AI Management Assistance-887

Parkes grain farmer investigates the potential benefits of artificial intelligence with help from Case IH

Treen Swift, a 2024 Nuffield Scholar, is studying the impact of artificial intelligence on the agriculture industry and how it may benefit.

Hailing from a 4200ha family-owned-and-run cropping operation near Parkes in NSW, where she farms up to 13 different cereal, oilseed, pulse and fibre crops with husband Mark, brother Bruce Watson and his wife, Karina, Treen is keen to understand how the new technology might reshape the sector.

Family affair

The family is no stranger to Nuffield scholarships – both Mark and Bruce are former Nuffield scholars, and they both encouraged Treen to further her research in the field.

“The technology has progressed so much in recent years, so just the amount of data we can now process is enormous,” said Treen. “So, where do those opportunities lie for agriculture? I could also see other fields and industries talking about it, and I thought, ‘Why aren’t we talking about that in our industry?’

“Why aren’t we talking about how AI is going to benefit our businesses, whether it’s as simple as using number plate recognition when we’re managing trucks coming in for deliveries, or the machinery space and what brands like Case IH are doing – I wanted to learn more.”

At the forefront

She had her chance at the United Nations’ Committee on World Food Security (CFS) event in Italy late last year, where she met Luca Ferrari, the Global Manager of Robotics for Case IH’s parent company, CNH. Luca invited her to visit CNH’s labs in Modena, where so much of the company’s technology is developed.

“It was a fascinating experience,” she said, opening her eyes to the progress being made in machinery and the potential for AI to assist farmers in managing the increasingly complex regulatory space, particularly with regard to emissions and environmental impacts.

“Looking more at practices that are less reliant on chemical use is one area where there is a lot of interest in Europe at present, and I can certainly see a role for AI in this space,” she said. “Emissions reduction is another area of global focus, and with so much data around it, the average farmer will need help in processing this.

“I don’t have the means to put on extra people to crunch those numbers, so I’ll need a tool to help do this quickly and efficiently, to ensure my business remains profitable, sustainable, and viable in the future.”

New tech trial

Treen was able to see the benefits of the increasingly sophisticated machinery being developed by Case IH for herself when her family farm had the opportunity to trial new Case IH AF Series combines late last year.

Case IH’s new AF Series has only just been launched in Australia, with limited numbers of AF9 and AF10 combines available to order for the 2025 harvest. The company says the series has been redesigned from the ground up to maximise capacity and crop flow with efficient horsepower, simplified maintenance, and connectivity built-in at the base.

And the hardware got a thorough workout, too, under the added pressure of forecast rain.

“We were pushing pretty hard to get as much grain off as we could before the rain, and we were very grateful the new headers were there at that time, and we got the opportunity to trial them. They were pushed hard,” Treen said.

“We'd just put in a large grain storage handling facility, and I think the AF9 and AF10 arrived on day two or three of us being able to use the dump hopper. So, it was straight from the paddock and unloaded quickly. I think we moved about 1500-plus tonnes of grain out of the paddocks one of the days they were there. They were really impressive, and we can certainly see how much value one of them would bring to our business with their significant capacity.”

Treen’s Nuffield study into AI is ongoing, but she’s optimistic about the future and how agriculture may benefit from AI.

“By harnessing AI’s capabilities for applications within our industry, we have so much to gain with increased productivity and better-informed decision-making from an economic and environmental perspective,” she said. “This will help reinforce our competitiveness on the global stage and drive greater sustainability to ensure we can be proud of what we’re leaving for future generations of farmers.”

Travis Wentriro, Regional & Rural Network Manager at Raine & Horne Group, commented that the Rabobank report provides key insights for the agricultural industry, noting, “These factors can significantly influence the buying and selling of agricultural holdings in 2025.”

Livestock product prices are predicted to perform well in 2025, with grain prices also showing upside potential, according to the rising RaboResearch Australia Commodity Price Index forecast. However, soil moisture levels are lower than last year, with most cropping and dairy regions along Australia’s southern coastline too dry. Recent rains in sheep and cattle areas have improved feed availability. The rain forecast for the next three months suggests similar conditions, but this may be mitigated if rainfall arrives during the growing season.

Read more here…

Input Costs

A Look Ahead – Rural  Land Prices and Input Costs - 887

Travis Wentriro, Regional & Rural Network Manager at Raine & Horne Group, commented that the Rabobank report provides key insights for the agricultural industry, noting, “These factors can significantly influence the buying and selling of agricultural holdings in 2025.”

Livestock product prices are predicted to perform well in 2025, with grain prices also showing upside potential, according to the rising RaboResearch Australia Commodity Price Index forecast. However, soil moisture levels are lower than last year, with most cropping and dairy regions along Australia’s southern coastline too dry. Recent rains in sheep and cattle areas have improved feed availability. The rain forecast for the next three months suggests similar conditions, but this may be mitigated if rainfall arrives during the growing season.

Farm input costs, such as fertilisers and plant protection chemicals, might remain stable but hold upside price risk, while crude oil prices might come off their recent five-month high.

Rabobank successfully predicted that the RBA would cut interest rates in February. “We expect the RBA to make three small 0.25 basis point reductions in 2025, as global geopolitical headwinds might keep inflation and interest rates higher for longer. The global economic outlook for 2025 is subdued in many regions of the world, with Australia’s GDP growth recovery to 2.3% in 2025 being almost an exception,” noted Rabobank.

Major economies, including the US (2.0% growth versus 2.7% in 2024) and China (4.7% versus 4.8%), are expected to struggle, dampening consumer confidence. The Australian dollar is forecast to stay weak near US0.60, benefiting Australian exports but raising import costs. Australia’s tight labour market may soften.

Australia’s major agricultural sectors are poised for a strong year. The recently harvested grain crop surpassed last year’s, though soil moisture levels in South Australia, southern WA, and western Victoria need monitoring for planting. Beef and sheep producers have a positive outlook for farm-grown feed in early 2025. Commodity prices are expected to remain stable, avoiding the extreme highs and lows seen in recent years.

Geopolitical issues and some shipping routes impacted by piracy also remain areas of concern. Moreover, Rabobank noted that Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency and the potential for US import duties on Australian beef, a key export, will create some uncertainties.

Likewise, the Middle East conflict and Red Sea piracy will impact shipping routes and drive volatility in 2025. Russia’s actions in Ukraine could also disrupt grain exports, further impacting global grain markets.

Globally, farm input prices for fertilisers and plant protection products are forecast to remain stable or increase slightly. Global urea and phosphate prices have moved upward from their Q2 2024 lows in Australian dollar terms. As Australia imports most fertilisers, the weaker Australian dollar has been a key driver in this increase.

Looking ahead to 2025, Rabobank doesn’t expect very significant price swings but sees more upside than downside price risk. Costs on Australian farms are expected to remain well above pre-pandemic levels.

Travis Wentriro added, “While geopolitical and economic uncertainties may create volatility, the strength of Australia’s major agricultural sectors and the positive outlook for livestock and grain prices should support rural property values.

“A steady demand for high-performing agricultural holdings is likely, particularly in regions with strong rainfall and feed availability. However, areas facing ongoing dry conditions may see more cautious buyer sentiment.”

Please email us with a picture of yourself or a family member in front of your TOWN-SIGN to [email protected]

Women in Ag

Both David Jochinke and Robbie Mckenzie encourage All Women of Agriculture to apply for the Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program (DiALP).

Ambitious women urged to join Ag leadership program

Women with leadership ambitions are urged to apply to the popular Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program (DiALP).  The initiative is run by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and is now entering its eighth year. NFF President David Jochinke said more women are needed in the top echelons of agriculture organisations and businesses.   

“The NFF has set a goal to double the number of women in leadership ranks by 2030 in the ag sector,” Mr Jochinke said.  

“This fantastic program enables women to elevate their careers, expand their networks, and drive meaningful change in agriculture.” 

2024 DiALP graduate Sarah Stevens said that applying for the program was one of the best decisions she’d ever made.  

“The program gave me many things, but most importantly, it built my confidence,” she said. 

“I learned to trust my instincts and recognise that my skills and knowledge have real value, both to others and to my industry.” 

She credits the program for empowering her to pursue a major career move.  

“That mindset led me to step up as Acting CEO at Gulf Savannah NRM, which has been an invaluable opportunity to further expand my skills and experience.” 

Madie Hamilton, 2024 Alumni, agreed the program could be a life-changing opportunity.  

“Since graduating, I’ve enjoyed a broadened perspective on leadership, the power that comes with embracing your unique strengths, and my heightened ability in dealing with complex challenges,” Madie said. 

Madie also uses the valuable learnings in her C-suite role.   

“Taking on the COO role of a national peak industry body, I have used the skills and networks gained throughout my journey on the program to excel in this new challenge,” Madie said.  

The friendships formed through the program have also improved participants’ lives on both a personal and professional level.  

“The greatest gift of the program has been the friendships and support network I have found in the incredible women in my cohort, our mentors, and the team at NFF,” Sarah said.  

Twelve women will be selected for the 2025 program.  

The 2025 cohort will take part in a three-day leadership retreat in Canberra, be matched with an industry-leading mentor, and work toward personal and professional goals under the guidance of the DiALP team.  

The Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program is made possible thanks to the support of dozens of corporate partners.  

Applications open Monday, 24 February, and will remain open for one month. 

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

“Samantha Watkins Photography”

Realm Group Australia

REALM Group Australia (RGA) - originally est. 1992. The most trusted online Ag Marketing System in Australia. Built by Farmers for Farmers! Education is the KEY. True Pioneers - We were the first, and we are still growing. Proud Supporters of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) & Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC)