F E A T U R E D

Rain saves Queensland graziers on the brink of drought from selling cattle some of our Clients are over the moon

In short:

Farmers in parts of northern and western Queensland had been selling cattle in January to prepare for drought.
They say they will now be able to keep their stock after the late northern monsoonal rain moved west, bringing hope for their pastures.

What's next?

Analysts say graziers who keep their cattle will be able to take advantage of global opportunities, including high demand for beef in the US.

As north Queensland's devastating rains moved west, they brought something unexpected with them — hope. 

Graziers on the brink of drought say the late monsoonal wet that destroyed towns, roads, and farms on the coast may prove to be their saviour.

It is a remarkable turnaround for producers like Sam Fryer from Hughenden, about 400 kilometres southwest of Townsville, who sold stock in January due to a lack of feed.

"I think now [we'll just be] sitting on our hands for a while and watching the grass grow," he said.

Others like him can now keep their animals, with follow-up rain in the coming weeks expected to help grow pastures that had burned off in the dry.
"Hopefully we do get some more follow-up for everyone out there to help the season and help the industry right across the north," Mr Fryer said.

Global opportunities

In mid-January, just before the rains came, more than 90,000 head of cattle were sold in markets around Australia, the largest weekly sale in the past three years according to the National Livestock Reporting Service.

ANZ agribusiness research associate director Madeleine Swan said the season-breaking rain would slow the sale of cattle and stabilise prices.

She said it was unlikely graziers would restock as they did a few years ago, which pushed prices to "stratospheric" levels.

"We're not going to see that again because we're all very fairly well stocked across the nation," she said.

Ms. Swan said by keeping their cattle, Australian producers would be able to capitalise on global market events like changing tariff policy and rising demand for beef from the United States.

Australia set new records last year for export of beef to the US. 
"Our position on the global market is going great guns," Ms Swan said.

"That US story continues to dominate ... that long, protracted drought and herd liquidation, which is seeing [US] production numbers fall.

"[It's] created a big space for Australia to step into and it's been a real boon for the Australian industry."

Rain is a double-edged sword

At Rockwood, a 31,000-hectare station north of Muttaburra in western Queensland, the rain has been a mixed blessing. Station manager Ross Tindall said 152 millimetres of rain fell over four days last week, which was "perfect" for grass.

But north of the property there were reports of more than 300mm, bringing floodwaters to Rockwood.

"It's a double-edged sword. We love the rain, but sometimes it can be a bit cruel to you," Mr Tindall said.

"The big trouble for us is we have five creeks that all join up … so there was some major water coming down at us."

Mr Tindall said some cattle died in the floodwater.

"We do know that a few have gone down the river which is a bit of a shame," he said.

"It happened in the middle of the night.

"Fencing and the like is going to be the biggest issue in the coming months."

Creeks filling up

Helicopter pilot Gordon Magoffin has been tracking the movement of the water through the state's central west.

"It looks like an inland sea from up there. It's kilometres wide at the moment. There's little islands only just sticking out,” he said.

Mr Magoffin said a video he shot of Towerhill Creek near Muttaburra showed how quickly water could rise and fall.

"That video was taken Saturday night and by lunchtime Sunday, it was already starting to retreat a little bit," he said.

Mr Magoffin said it was the first time in years locals had seen the creek run.

"I've only been working down this way for a couple of years, so I haven't seen that much water in it before," he said. 

Compliment ABC

Navigating Australia’s Commercial and Agricultural Finance Landscape

Australia’s financial sector is undergoing significant changes, driven by shifts in interest rates, economic trends, and strategic investments in key industries. As businesses adapt to these changes, securing the right finance solutions is crucial for growth and stability.

Economic Outlook and Banking Trends

Westpac, one of Australia’s largest banks, reported a net profit of AUD 1.7 billion for Q1 2024, a 9% drop year-over-year due to rising costs and weakened consumer demand. Despite these challenges, commercial lending grew by 3%, reflecting ongoing business investment.

Looking ahead, Westpac forecasts unemployment to rise to 4.5% by the end of 2025, alongside modest GDP growth of 2.2% in both 2025 and 2026. While the broader economy faces headwinds, businesses with the right financial strategies can position themselves for success.

Cash Rate Cut to 4.1% – What It Means for Borrowers

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has reduced the cash rate to 4.1%, marking an important shift in lending conditions. This rate cut presents a significant opportunity for businesses as it can lead to lower borrowing costs, making it more affordable to invest in growth. However, lenders are still applying strict criteria, meaning businesses need to present strong applications and structured finance solutions to secure the best terms.

Strategic Investment in Agriculture

The agricultural sector remains a strong investment target, with Macquarie Asset Management acquiring a majority stake in Australia’s largest citrus, berry, and table grape producers. This$4.7 billion expansion highlights confidence in high-demand commodities and reinforces the need for accessible financing to support agricultural businesses.

However, the sector still faces regulatory uncertainty, price volatility, and extreme weather risks. Farmers and agribusinesses must have access to the right financial products to maintain stability and growth. With many lenders tightening approval criteria, having a strategic finance partner like Rev Finance ensures that businesses can navigate lending complexities, access competitive rates, and structure deals effectively.

Conclusion: A Market in Transition, But Full of Opportunity

Australia’s commercial and agricultural finance sectors are undergoing a period of transformation. While economic challenges, regulatory hurdles, and changing lending conditions create uncertainties, they also present opportunities for businesses that take a proactive approach to financing.

With the cash rate at 4.1%, competitive lending options available, and investment in key sectors increasing, now is the time for businesses to secure the funding they need to grow. 

WEEKLY AUCTION DATES – 2025

1.) 21^st February 2025  , 2.) 26^th February 2025 , 3.) 7^th March 2025

Ag Machinery 886

Case IH and New Holland honoured with 10 AE50 Awards

CNH's Case IH and New Holland brands have won 10 AE50 Awards with machinery ranging from the latest harvester to baling technology.

The annual AE50 Awards are run by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) and they highlight 50 product innovations from the agricultural, food and biological sectors.

CASE IH AWARDS

The Axial-Flow (AF) 260 series combine harvesters bring together the latest innovations with subscription-free, integrated technology. Case IH says the 260 series sets a new standard for operator experience while also maximising production and grain handling with single-rotor Case IH harvesting technology.

C500 series corn fronts have been designed to seamlessly pair with the AF and 260 series harvesters.

Large Square Baler Automation controls are designed for hands-free efficient baling, automatically adjusting tractor speed and steering to match windrow volume to maximise throughput for consistent, high-quality bales.

The Quadtrac Heavy-Duty Suspension delivers faster transport speeds of up to 42km/h with a smoother ride thanks to the fully suspended track system, which closely follows ground contours. 

Model Year 2025 Magnum tractors with 21x5 PowerDrive transmissions will benefit from Automatic Productivity Management 2 (APM2). APM2 technology manages the driveline and engine to control ground speed while optimising fuel economy and preventing engine stalls. 

A Modular Tramline System for the Early Riser 2160 48-row Large Front-Fold planter features a modular tramline system that is tailored to the swath sizes of a farmer's equipment while minimising the number of unused tramlines – areas of the field which are not planted and over which the vehicles drive.

NEW HOLLAND

New Holland's IntelliSense Bale Automation system uses cutting-edge technology that integrates SmartSteer swath guidance to keep the baler in the middle of the windrow, together with IntelliCruise II speed control which uses light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology to adjust the baler's forward speed in real-time. This ensures the baler is always full for more efficient baling and higher quality bales.

The CropSpeed Monitoring System, featured in the FR Forage Cruiser range of self-propelled forage harvesters, uses radar technology to detect the speed of crop, and if it detects a potential spout blockage, the operator receives a warning to reduce forward speed. 

The UltraFeed Pickup head is also designed to enhance the performance of the FR Forage Cruiser. Its 3.97m working width means the UltraFeed Pickup can handle larger windrows, and thanks to a range of new features, improves crop flow through the harvester. 

OTHER WINNERS

John Deere won six AE50 Awards which included its 5ML tractor cab, See and Spray Premium system and C Series air carts.

AGCO picked up five AE50 Awards for its Fendt Momentum planter, Fendt ErgoSteer Retrofittable Steering Joystick, AGCO Parts Application Lift system, ReconBlockage Sensor for precision planting and PTx Trimble OutRun Autonomous Grain Cart Solution.

CLAAS was granted three AE50 Awards including for its Lexion 8900 Terra Trac harvester which features a 580kW (779hp), 16.2L MAN engine and Jaguar V-Flex Drum which is a flexible cutting cylinder with a three-bolt knife design for the Jaguar forage harvester. Farming Ahead.

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

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. 

3 Outstanding ROLE MODELS for Agriculture Australia
Victorian finalists announced for 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award 

Sherri Symons (Ellerslie) – Founder of WoolGrow Australia
Den Lim (Churchill) – Founder of Uplift Collective
Dr Mary Cole (Garfield) – A leading scientist, educator, and founder of Agpath

Three inspiring Victorian women have been named as finalists for the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, recognising their leadership, innovation, and contribution to rural industries and communities.

The award celebrates women driving positive change in rural and regional Australia by empowering them with the skills, support, and leadership opportunities to shape their industries and communities.

Now in its 24th year, the award is a nationally recognised program of influence, providing each state and territory winner with a $15,000 Westpac grant, professional development opportunities, and access to a powerful alumni network.

The Victorian winner will be announced in March at a ceremony in Melbourne and will then go on to represent Victoria at the National Award in September at Parliament House, where the national winner will receive $20,000.

The 2025 Victorian finalists are:

• Sherri Symons (Ellerslie) – Founder of WoolGrow Australia, creating sustainable gardening solutions using 100% wool products to support the environment and the crossbred wool industry while promoting eco-friendly gardening.

• Den Lim (Churchill) – Founder of Uplift Collective, a collaboration of over 20 organisations providing free, engaging activities for young people across Latrobe and Baw Baw, helping them connect with local services through entertainment, cultural events, sports, and the arts.

• Dr Mary Cole (Garfield) – A leading scientist, educator, and founder of Agpath, a biological farming research and education centre helping farmers reduce costs, improve soil health, and build more sustainable businesses.

‘As Australia’s leading award in acknowledging and supporting the essential role women play in rural industries and communities, we couldn’t be prouder to announce this year’s Victorian state finalists,’ Belinda Allitt, AgriFutures Australia Chief Operating Officer said.

‘These 3 women are role models for the next generation of rural leaders, turning their passions for science, youth engagement and innovation into projects that are making a difference in rural and regional Australia, she said.

‘This is an important step in providing a platform for women’s voices to be heard and to shine a light on the incredible work being done to future-proof our rural industries and communities.’

Victoria has a strong record of success at the national level. In 2024, Grace Larson, co-founder of The Sisterhood Project, was named national runner-up for her work in improving healthcare education and empowering parents and caregivers with vital first aid skills.

‘If any one of us could prevent a child’s death, we would, and that’s what drives us at The Sisterhood Project,’ Grace said.

‘Receiving this award has meant I can continue to deliver on my vision that everyone should have access to the best healthcare no matter where they live.’

The Victorian Government is committed to supporting women in agriculture through the Victorian Women’s Network, which delivers programs that build leadership skills, strengthen resilience, and foster greater connections for women across rural and regional Victoria.

Find out more about the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award

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

AG Dogs of The Week

Meet SNOOP-

He is the Best Cow Dog in Waughope and His Proud owner is Anne Watkins.

Please send us pictures of your Dogs to [email protected]

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)