F E A T U R E D

New Zealand cherry grower Mike Casey, Electric Cherries, Otatgo, NZ, runs what is considered to be the world's first fully electric farm. Picture supplied 

When Mike Casey's online job marketplace business was acquired by Seek for $16 million in 2019, relocating to his homeland of New Zealand seemed like an appropriate move. 

The software engineer and co-founder of graduate job site GradConnection had two young children with his wife, Rebecca, at the time when he stumbled across "the steal of the century". 

A nine-hectare lifestyle property near Otatgo in the southern half of the South Island would soon become their new home.

What followed was a series of conscious, environmentally-friendly decisions that led Mr Casey to run New Zealand, and possibly the world's, first fully-electrified farm. 

"It's proven to be a fairly successful farming operation six years in," the 41-year-old said. 

Mr Casey is now a commercial cherry grower and chief executive of Rewiring Aotearoa, an organisation that aims to accelerate energy transition across the country. 

He lived in Australia for 12 years until the sale of GradConnection, which was purchased by online jobs classifieds and services business Seek, 12 years after it was launched. 

The business was owned by Mr Casey with two fellow New Zealanders, Dave Jenkins and Dan Purcha. 

After returning to New Zealand, Mr Casey set out to establish a cherry orchard, which today comprises 9300 trees and produces 80 tonnes of fruit a year. 

The business trades as Electric Cherries. 

Sixty to 70 per cent of the product is exported to Taiwan and China, while the remaining produce is sold via mail order to a loyal domestic client base. 

What makes the operation unique is the fact that every aspect of the operation is powered by electricity. 

Not one litre of diesel or petrol is located on the farm. 
Tractors, irrigation infrastructure and frost fans are electric.
Even two of the employees at the orchard drive EV vehicles. 

The property, Forest Lodge, named after the Sydney suburb the pair lived in during their time in Australia, features 160 kilowatts worth of solar and 300 kilowatt hours worth of batteries. 

It equates to about five EV batteries of energy storage or enough solar to power 20 Australian homes. 

"If we ran our operation on diesel, we'd probably be spending $50,000 dollars a year," Mr Casey said.

"By making it fully electric and not running off New Zealand's national grid, we have halved that cost."

Electricity bills hovered about $21,000, but with built-in solar panels and batteries, energy costs were reduced even further. 

"It's now turning into a revenue stream because we expect to be paid somewhere between $20,000 and $40,000 a year for producing electricity," Mr Casey said. 

"In a good year, our cherry orchard will make somewhere between $200,000 and $250,000 in profit, but then taking a $50,000 fuel bill and turning it into a $40,000 revenue stream is a massive bonus." 

The property is also home to the Casey's three children, Connie, 11, Boden, 6, and Norah, When Mr Casey established the orchard, he undertook an analysis of what certain machines and infrastructure would cost him over a 20- to 30-year operation. 

"At every circumstance for the machines, the electric ones ended up being cheaper," he said. 

"When you need to buy a new machine, make sure that you consider the electric version. 

"This is not about making people feel guilty, I still want farmers to be profitable and have successful businesses, but being electric into the future will be by far the most economical option." 

Mr Casey will be one of the guest speakers at Farmers For Climate Action's Farming Forever National Summit to be held in Canberra in September this year, where he will detail why he opted for power over petrol.

"I never set out to be fully electric until I realised how cheap it was to run on your own electrons instead of Saudi Arabian molecules," he said. 

"I'm fully electric, but even for most farmers, going down the path of being somewhat electric is going to be beneficial to the bottom line. 

"In many cases, on every single farm, there are opportunities to add solar panels or have electric ATVS, or road vehicles, irrigation systems, or tractors."

If you're working the land this year, you’ve probably felt the pressure from all sides—rising fuel prices, unpredictable weather, expensive feed and fertiliser. It’s becoming harder to run a farm the way we used to, and even harder to get the funding to keep things moving forward.

But here’s what I’m seeing on the ground: the finance world is starting to shift in a way that makes sense for farmers.

At Pay in Time - Finance, we speak to rural clients every day—blokes and families just trying to keep the wheels turning on the farm. And what’s coming through clearly in 2025 is that lenders are finally starting to adapt. After a long stretch of banks being overly cautious post-COVID, they’re now realising that farmers need real support, not red tape.

We’re seeing more flexibility in loan approvals—lenders are looking at the bigger picture again. Your character, your cash flow, your long-term business—all that is being considered again, not just ticking boxes. Some banks are even offering unsecured loans now, which was almost unheard of not too long ago.

Another major shift is the rise of new funding models. There are now finance options backed by Agri-tech platforms, where you can raise funds without putting your home or land at risk. We’re even seeing “insurance-backed” loans—basically, if things go pear-shaped, the insurance payout helps cover the loan, giving you peace of mind.

Sustainability loans are also gaining traction. If you're thinking of putting in solar, upgrading to cleaner machinery, or improving your water efficiency, there are lenders willing to back that.

And while interest rates aren’t back to the ultra-low levels we saw a few years ago, they have softened slightly, giving a bit of breathing room to make moves without the repayments being a killer.

At Rev Finance, our job is to cut through the noise and help you find the right loan for your setup—whether you’re buying a tractor, restocking, expanding, or just need short-term working capital to get through a dry patch. We know what the lenders are looking for and how to structure deals that get approved fast.

So, if you’ve been thinking, “Maybe this just isn’t the year to upgrade,” or “There’s no way a bank would lend to me in this climate,” don’t count yourself out just yet. Things are shifting. You’ve got options, and we’re here to help you figure them out.

Reach out for a chat anytime—we’ll look at your setup, no judgment, and see what’s possible.

WEEKLY AUCTION DATES – 2025

1.)9^th May 2025 2.) 30^th May 2025 3.) 20^th June 2025

Ag Machinery

Massey Ferguson, a worldwide brand of AGCO (NYSE: AGCO), is thrilled to announce its MF 8S Dyna E-Power has become the first tractor to complete the Morocco Desert Challenge.

The modified tractor completed the course in 75^th place out of 144 competitors in all categories and registered fourth out of eight entrants in the truck category. The milestone feat emphasises how versatile and adaptable the MF 8S can be. This achievement complements MF’s existing successes in the most demanding environments that highlight machine innovation, including the Antarctica 1 and 2 missions, the World Ploughing Record and the humanitarian initiatives like the Tractor'Dak and Africa Track.

“The team involved did a fantastic job preparing the tractor for this adventure, and it demonstrates that the MF 8S can handle any obstacle and operate efficiently in every environment. We are thrilled to be the first tractor to complete this demanding race,” says Jérôme Aubrion, Director Marketing Massey Ferguson, Europe & Middle East. “The synergy between customer, dealer, and brand has been reflected throughout this achievement: it is a great example of how a customer idea shared with a dealer can become a successful story supported by the Massey Ferguson brand,” he concludes.

The adaptation of the MF 8S from a premium agricultural tractor to a rally-ready model was partly down to Gilles Kuffer, Director of Kufferagri Sàrl. He states that transforming a tractor into a racing machine was an incredible engineering challenge.

“This project highlights the skill of agricultural mechanics and everything these professionals can achieve,” says Gilles. “It’s an incredible human adventure, bringing together resources and skills around a shared goal. It wasn’t just the drivers who were involved; there was a complete team that enabled the tractor to set off again each day. The attention and enthusiasm from the public have also been a real pleasure.”

Race modifications

As the first tractor to complete a Rally-Raid, several modifications were necessary to the MF 8S to comply with race rules. The tractor was equipped with Michelin Evobib VF 600/70 R30 on the front and VF 710/70 R42 at the rear, with a PTG central tyre inflation system, capable of a 3.5-minute inflation or deflation time from an 1800 l/min compressor – an option through MF By You, the customisation centre based in Beauvais, France.

External additions to the tractor included a full roll cage around the cab to protect operators; a spare wheel mounted on the rear with a 180° pivoting crane; a second fuel tank; modified controls; two racing seats with harnesses; an independent hydraulic rear lift and front hydraulic lifting system; modification of the front axle suspension; 75kph top speed; replacement of the side windows with polycarbonate; and installation of camera mirrors.

Distinctive Protect-U design

In the heat of the Moroccan desert, the Protect-U design of the MF 8S, featuring the distinctive 24 cm gap between the cab and bonnet, was essential to limit heat transfer from the engine to the operating environment. The spacious cab, with 6.6m² of glass area and an interior volume of 3.4m³, was large enough to be customised and accommodate two racing seats side by side, with offset driving controls.

The MF 8S kept operators cool in the desert from the 14 air conditioning outlets positioned strategically throughout the cab. The unique Protect-U design also optimises engine cooling. Air is drawn from behind the engine, rather than from the front like traditional systems, which maintains a clean air feed into the system, reducing the load of the tractor’s main air filter.

MF 8S, ready for any challenge

Since the MF 8S was introduced in 2020, it has built a reputation for being a versatile field and haulage tractor. Powered by a 7.4-litre AGCO Power engine, it has been specially programmed for the race, achieving 400 hp while maintaining exceptional dependability even in extreme conditions.

The modified MF 8S had a standard Dyna E-Power dual-clutch transmission fitted, which combined the operational benefits of a continuously variable transmission with the ability to transmit power as efficiently as a mechanical transmission.

The Dyna E-Power was the obvious choice for negotiating the challenging terrain of sand dunes as the tractor required maximum power to the ground without breaks in delivery during gear or range changes.

The team adds, “The gearbox performed exceptionally well, demonstrating impressive responsiveness. After more than 2000 km of rigorous testing and over 13 hours of continuous gear changes, it proved itself worthy of a true competition-grade sequential gearbox.”

About AGCO 
AGCO (NYSE: AGCO) is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology. AGCO delivers value to farmers and OEM customers through its differentiated brand portfolio, including leading brands Fendt®, Massey Ferguson®, PTx and Valtra®. AGCO's full line of equipment, smart farming solutions and services helps farmers sustainably feed our world. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, USA, AGCO had net sales of approximately $11.7 billion in 2024. For more information, visit www.agcocorp.com. 

Thanks AGCO

THE NATIONAL Farmers’ Federation has welcomed the Coalition backing a national food security strategy, cementing bipartisan support for this critical election priority.

In his address to the National Press Club last week, Nationals leader David Littleproud said an elected Coalition Government would develop a comprehensive national food security plan.

He said the Department of Agriculture would be responsible for the plan, with the support of an Industry Advisory Committee, and an interim report would be due within the first six months of government.

“The only way to bring prices down at the checkout is to put downward pressure on costs right along the supply chain,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Only the Coalition has a meaningful plan to support our food producers, which will ensure stronger regional, rural and remote communities.”

The strategy has some similarities to the Federal Labour Party’s commitment to fund a new national food security strategy, which it has called Feeding Australia.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins last month announced the policy that she said would identify opportunities to improve supply chain resilience and feature a plan to better deal with future trends, trade with other nations, and the consequences of natural disasters and global shocks.

Ms Collins said the Government would commit $3.5 million to develop Feeding Australia as well as establish a National Food Council, comprising industry and community experts, to advise on the development and implementation of the strategy.

She said this work would also include a strategic examination of the potential to grow a biofuels feedstock industry to support Australia’s transition to net zero.

With both major parties pledging support for the strategy if elected NFF president, David Jochinke said it was vital the next parliament moved quickly to deliver.

“We’ve fought hard for this commitment, not only working with our members but with other organisations along the food supply chain who have been concerned by Australia not having a national strategy,” Mr Jochinke said.

“Australia is lucky to have a strong and resilient food system – but we’re not bulletproof.

“Farmers are dealing with workforce shortages, soaring input costs, supply chain pressures and rising red tape.

“On top of that, we’re heavily reliant on imported fuel, fertiliser and chemicals.

“That makes us vulnerable to global disruptions we can’t control.”

Mr Jochinke said the proposed strategy must provide a clear framework to identify and fix vulnerabilities across the supply chain, from geopolitical risks and climate shocks, to biosecurity threats and local bottlenecks.

“It’s also an opportunity to look at the cost of doing business in farming and food. What happens along the supply chain affects what Australians pay at the checkout.

“Strengthening our food system helps keep food affordable, and that’s good for every Australian household.”

Source: The Nationals, Federal Government, NFF

Australian agriculture faces a period of transformational shifts in the coming two decades. Emerging technologies, evolving environmental and societal pressures, and the reshaping of global markets will influence how the nation produces, markets and consumes its agricultural products.

Now, more than ever, rural industries must prepare to adapt their systems and supply chains in the face of a future defined by accelerated digitisation, higher temperatures, disruptive technologies and the ongoing energy transition.

These challenges and opportunities will require bold, collaborative approaches to ensure a sustainable and productive future for our producers – the beating heart of a sector central to the national identity and pivotal to national prosperity. To support them in navigating this complex landscape, AgriFutures Australia and venture capital firm Tenacious Ventures partnered on Navigating a future of cross-sectoral forces, a systematic examination for understanding these influences, considering potential scenarios and preparing for a resilient future.

Here’s what the work uncovered.

Artificial intelligence will shape the future

In the future, everything from global trade, marketing and input pricing to agronomic advice, production planning and security will be supported, enhanced or monitored by some form of artificial intelligence (AI). Technology will reshape Australian agriculture, with AI leading the way.

Already, AI-powered drones and sensors are monitoring crop health in real time, providing farmers with critical data to make informed decisions. This technology can also help in predicting weather patterns and pest outbreaks, allowing for proactive measures to protect crops. The AI revolution has the potential to make Australian agriculture more efficient and sustainable.

However, our rural industries are currently not well prepared to navigate a world where AI is ubiquitous. Work is required for producers to both trust the technology and have the skills to capture efficiency gains and develop increasingly valuable products.

The changing climate will test our resilience

For Australian agriculture, the impact of a changing climate will continue to exacerbate challenging climatic events including drought, floods and fires. Higher temperatures, prolonged dry spells and more regular extreme weather events will continue to test the sector’s resilience.

Rural industries will need strategies and technologies to maintain productivity while at the same time prioritising climate adaptation. At the farm level, this is already starting to happen.

Producers are beginning to baseline their emissions, but confusing systems and a lack of accessible information are hampering their efforts. In the future, they won’t have a choice.

Markets, insurers and financial institutions will demand greater transparency about their environmental footprints. The message is clear: participate in disclosure systems or risk being left behind or cut out of key markets.

Biosecurity risks will remain ever-present

Australia is perceived as having a best-in-class biosecurity system, with our federal and state governments particularly adept at managing animal and plant diseases. Even so, the threat of a major pest or disease incursion will remain ever-present in coming decades as more intensive human, animal and wildlife interactions heighten the risk of a zoonotic or plant disease outbreak, or an invasive species incursion.

Strengthened detection systems, coupled with AI-driven biosecurity measures, will be critical in managing these risks, protecting the health of Australia’s agricultural ecosystems and maintaining export market access.

Our rural industries are well aware that they could be more prepared for the increasing biosecurity threats. Preventative action – preparing for pest incursions before their first occurrence and taking a distinctly broader and more proactive approach – will be required to help Australia maintain its reputation as a global leader in biosecurity.

Diverse export markets will be pivotal amid global uncertainty

Australia’s agricultural exports are a cornerstone of the national economy, but global market conditions are shifting. Today, our rural industries are highly reliant on trade, following a decades-long growth trend, with most key trading partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

Though there remains considerable demand for both raw commodities and finished goods, agricultural exports are forecast to be worth $70.1 billion in 2024–2025, conditions have become more precarious.

The rise of de-globalisation and geopolitical tensions is making traditional markets less predictable.

Producers and industries are vulnerable to severe price fluctuations and market access regulations. Proactively seeking new markets and investing in domestic value-added processing are strategies to counter the uncertain international landscape. Seizing the opportunities presented by e-commerce and digital trade platforms is another.

By leveraging online marketplaces, producers in every corner of Australia can sell directly to consumers across the world, bypassing traditional intermediaries. Doing so can increase profit and provide greater control over pricing and branding.

There will be systemic shifts to production challenges, and systems

In the coming 20 years, the incremental pressures Australian agriculture has long adapted to will become systemic shifts that will challenge the sector’s capability to respond. Producers have a proud history of both persevering in the face of climatic, trade and social licence pressures, and capitalising on opportunities from market development to technology adoption.

But as climate change increasingly influences what food we can produce and where, as new technologies allow for entirely new products and markets, and as social media-fuelled activism becomes more prevalent, the ‘way we’ve always done it’ will no longer be enough. The industry must embrace fundamental change to ensure its long-term sustainability.

What does that look like in practice? Prioritising enterprise resilience alongside enterprise productivity. Abandoning certain crops and adopting others in response to climate-influenced production constraints. Diversifying enterprise mixes to mitigate the substantial risk inherent in single-commodity production.

These systemic shifts provide an opportunity to evolve Australia’s research and development (R&D) system to better address the complexities of interconnected global and local forces.

Societal expectations and migration will influence the way we produce food

As technology and sustainability reshape agriculture, societal expectations will also evolve. Consumers are increasingly demanding transparency, ethical practices and environmental stewardship. Meeting these expectations will require rural industries to meaningfully engage with communities and be transparent in their communication.

The movement of climate refugees – people voluntarily or involuntarily displaced by severe weather events – may also influence the Australian agricultural landscape: population shifts could create new demand for commodities in existing locations, but crop failures elsewhere will slash the global supply of affected commodities.

Rural industries will need to rethink how these migrations impact access to, and the affordability of, labour, onshore food demand, target market demographics and preferences, and competition for offshore labour (e.g. from the Pacific islands).

Those who persist will be those who change

The next two decades hold immense potential for Australian agriculture. Yet the unprecedented and interconnected challenges on the horizon will demand new approaches, changed mentalities, and transformed thinking.

The reimagined future will call into question what it means to be a ‘primary producer’ – the deep-rooted identity of the thousands who work on the land.

The farmers of tomorrow will have skills the farmers of today don’t yet know they need.

The insights from the Navigating a future of cross-sectoral forces report underscore the importance of strategic planning and collaboration in ensuring a resilient and prosperous agriculture sector. Staying ahead of trends and proactively addressing challenges will be key. Likewise, diversification and innovation at the farm level an important buttresses against adverse events.

By building climate resilience, embracing technological advancements and fostering collaboration across industries, the sector can both navigate what lies ahead and thrive in an era where the only certainty is uncertainty.

Persistence has long been a hallmark of the Australians who produce food and fibre for the world. The coming decades will require that in no small dose. But they’ll also require change, and herein lies the challenge that Australian agriculture must rise to.

Thanks Simon

We Have Been to Your Town! We don’t just sit in an office; we are hands-on with our Farmers! 🙌

Dancing into Dairy: outstanding in a new field

Pivoting from a career as a dancer to a dairy farmer isn’t the most linear path. But it’s landed one young woman in a place where she feels right at home. Celina Pellett suffered a debilitating injury – a broken back – and it caused a rethink. She’s now thriving working among the cows in the NSW Gloucester region.

Celina is happiest among the calves in her new job, “I’m a sucker for little babies. That’s a special part of it, being around all the calves,” she shares. Little did she know at the time, but her love for these beautiful animals is in her blood. It turns out, her great-grandparents had a dairy in New Zealand. 

Dreams of dancing

Growing up, though, her passion was dance, competing in Australia and overseas in Los Angeles as a ballerina. That all came to an end after a shocking accident on a family holiday. 

“I decided to do one of the activities that I grew up doing as a kid. So, we went mountain biking for the day. On the last run of the day, I was doing something I’d done 50,000 times growing up. But forgot about the blind jump at the bottom and ended up landing on the back of my neck with the bike on top of me,” she recalls.

I found out I had three compression fractures in my lower back and a cerebral spinal fluid leak in the back of my neck.”

That was the end of competitive dancing for Celina. She faced a tough time in her life where she was no longer dancing professionally, it was COVID, and her parents wanted to move to the country. Celina didn’t want to spend lockdown alone in the city, so she joined her family in their new venture, owning the Hidden Haven Retreat at Barrington Tops, north of Sydney. 

“I was making beds for a few months with that. That was not going so well. I was not enjoying it at all. It wasn’t for me.”

I ended up going into town and asking around for a job. One of the local dairy farmers was willing to give me a go. Cows were not on my radar at all.”

Thankfully, they took a chance on Celina because she really found her feet, and for someone who had never been around cows before, it wasn’t easy. 

“I was terrified of cows for the first few days!” 

Celina describes herself as having an ‘understanding’ of cows now, rather than feeling at ‘ease’ around them. Her work has stood out among her peers, with Celina named as Hunter and Central Coast Trainee of the Year and NSW Women in Trades recipient for 2023.

Celina’s roles have included milking, looking after the calves, as well as drenching and vaccinating. 

“No two days are the same,” she says. When she’s not out on the farm, Celina loves working as a role model for other young people who might be considering a move into the sector. She has spoken at high schools, including her own, about her career change. 

“If you like something, you can just go and do it. If you want to change careers because you don’t like the one you’re in, you’ve got that option.”

Celina now laughs that she used to think all you could do on a dairy was milk cows. 

“I thought it would probably get a bit boring! But there’s such a variety of jobs. You don’t have to be a milker. We need tractors, farmhands, mechanics.”

Celina hopes to one day soon board a plane and visit dairies in Europe to learn how they operate over there. Turns out a career in dairy could be as international as one in dance.

Many thanks Angie 

“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)