F E A T U R E D

Atherton small butcher buys local meatworks to supply beef across the country

In short:

An Atherton-based butcher has bought an Innisfail meatworks site to help process more animals for his brand.

With nearly all aspects of the supply chain covered, Doug Cross works with about 80 local farmers to produce his beef products.

The meat is sent around Queensland and interstate, as demand for beef at a retail level has increased this year.

A Far North Queensland butcher is expanding to provide an "innovative" end-to-end supply chain for beef producers and consumers.

What started as Doug Cross's small butcher shop seven years ago has since expanded with an on-site boning room and established brand, Altitude Beef, supplying businesses and consumers throughout Queensland and interstate.

Mr Cross said purchasing the meatworks at Innisfail in June — about 100 kilometres away from the Atherton shop — marked the next logical step towards securing the brand's future.
He said it paved the way for more supply chain control while ensuring the process remained local once the facility was operational.

"I believe just ensuring that continuity of the processing side of it," he said.

Sourcing premium grass-fed, flat back cattle from about 80 Tablelands and Cassowary Coast graziers, the butcher said acquiring the meatworks presented a unique opportunity.

I just thought that there's a niche market in North Queensland to do something with our beef up here," he said.

Mr Cross sends out 20,000 kilograms of meat — or 70 head of cattle — a week.
He hopes to increase that to 100 once the Innisfail meatworks opens.

The brand supplies dozens of retailers and restaurants across Queensland, the Northern Territory and New South Wales.

He said working closely with producers, wholesalers and customers to build the business had resulted in strong support from the community.

"There's big demand … I think because we aren't one of the big multinationals, we're just a husband and wife show with an awesome crew of staff behind us just having a crack," he said.

"I can tell you in that box [of meat] whose cattle that is, where their farm was from, all their stories, everything."

'Innovative' business model

Industry group Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) said it was unique to see a butcher cover nearly all aspects of the processing supply chain.

"I think it's a fantastic initiative," Scott Cameron, MLA Group Industry Insights and Strategy Manager, said.

"It's very innovative and it's actually a very interesting way of being able to bring meat to market to consumers having that vertical end-to-end supply chain."

Mr Cameron said, despite a cost-of-living crisis, retail meat sales had increased domestically along with the price of beef.

He said there were a few reasons for this, including a shift in consumer habits.

"We're actually seeing a bit of a move away from food service into at-home consumption," he said.

"And because it's a little bit cheaper to eat at home than going out to dinner and nice restaurants, people can afford to buy high-quality meats and … cooking them at home."

Local farmers praise

Nick Trompf, a North Queensland stud stock breeder from Tallangalook Santa Gertrudis, Angus and Shorthorns, said accessing the meatworks at Innisfail would save costs and a 500-kilometre round trip to Townsville.

"One of the challenges in the Far North is there's only one major meatworks here and that's JBS in Townsville," he said.

"There's a fair bit of freight associated with that, obviously."

Mr Trompf said it had been inspiring to see Mr Cross's contribution to the growth of the beef industry in the Tropics.

"He's been at the forefront of the introduction of a lot of new breeds by encouraging people to crossbreed and to build the quality of their beef, and the consumer base from that beef over a number of years," he said.

"Since he launched his single butcher shop in Atherton and was courageous enough to pitch it at the high end of the market … he's been incredibly successful."

Pay In-Time Finance

Cash Rate on Hold, Farmers Face Price Shocks and Record Forecasts

WEEKLY AUCTION DATES – 2025

1.) 3^rd October 2025

INPUTS & COMMODITIES

GrainGrowers Farm Inputs Policy

The government must ensure that domestic policy settings allow least cost pathways for commoditised agricultural inputs to reach grain growers, be it through domestic manufacture or importation. This means there must be the correct regulatory and competition settings by the government in place to promote sufficient farm input supply.

In addition, the government has a crucial role in ensuring there is appropriate monitoring and public reporting of key input pricing and stock, fostering transparency for the benefit of growers and other market participants.

GRAINGROWERS SUPPORTS:

• Increased transparency in domestic farm input markets and increased public stock reporting so that growers can make more informed and timely purchasing decisions.

• New and emerging entrants into the Australian farm inputs market are to ensure healthy competition and sufficient supply.

• New technology and processes in the manufacture and distribution of farm inputs that are globally cost-competitive with, or superior to, existing ones
  technology and processes to underpin efficiency and productivity.

GRAINGROWERS RECOGNISE:

• Australian grain growers operate in a highly competitive global environment, meaning they are highly sensitive to costs that are in excess of other grain-exporting nations.

• The Australian market for inputs, such as agricultural chemistry, is often more costly to serve than global competitors due to Australia’s lack of demand and scale.

• Australian grain growers are among the most efficient and technologically advanced users of farm inputs globally.

GRAINGROWERS SEEKS:

• The establishment of a farm input public transparency portal, initiated by the government, so that growers can make more informed and timely purchasing decisions.

• Government policies that promote the least cost pathway for agricultural inputs to reach domestic grain growers, either domestically or via importation, while maintaining fit for purpose regulations to safety, quality, biosecurity and other relevant standards.

• The collection of ABS data to an expanded list of major agricultural inputs, with increased public reporting frequency, so that information is more granular and meaningful for growers and other market participants.

AG MACHINERY

CLAAS XERION 12.650 2024 review

A tractor with the lot, with good looks to boot

It has been 27 years since CLAAS launched its XERION range of tractors, and its concept at the time, which is still valid today, was nothing short of revolutionary. The range was designed to be multi-purpose, ready to be transformed into anything: a tractor, a forage harvester or even a combine harvester.

Even more impressive was the rotating cab, which allowed the driver to monitor implements at the rear of the tractor. Who needs swivelling seats if you’ve got a cab that can spin 180 degrees? That feature sure came in handy when German race car driver, Christian Menzel, decided to steer the then range-topping XERION 5000 into the record books. Driving the tractor with the cab spun around meant the nose of the tractor wasn’t in the way, and the driver had full visibility of the race track in front of him.

Fast forward to the 2010s, when CLAAS decided it wanted to focus on creating a heavy-duty draft tractor whose job – and only job – was to pull and power implements with horsepower breaching 600hp.

After years of development and testing, the XERION 12 series was born. The tractor lineup was launched locally in July 2024 in Williamstown (Vic), and we recently had the opportunity to take the range-topping X12.650 TERRA TRAC for a quick spin.

Design

A common response from those who see the tractor for the first time is “How cool is this? It looks like a space vehicle!” That says a lot about the overall design of the tractor, which has won prestigious awards such as the IF design prize earlier this year.

It has inherited a number of features from CLAAS’ harvesters, including the sleek Y-design on the bonnet. Speaking of awards, the XERION 12 has received plenty since its release in late 2023, including the Tractor of the Year 2024, a Farm Machine Award 2024, and an AE50 award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ASABE), among others.

CLAAS is offering three models in Australia: the 12.650 with 653hp; the 12.590 with 585hp, and the 12.540 with 544hp.

The 12.650 model we tested features CLAAS’s renowned TERRA TRAC system with four triangular crawler tracks that offer superior floatation and traction.

The two larger models can be equipped with TERRA TRAC crawler tracks with widths of 914 or 762mm or 800/70 R42 dual wheels. The smallest XERION 12.540 can be fitted with tracks, dual wheels or 900/60 R42 single tyres.

Regardless of how the CLAAS XERION 12 is configured, one thing is for sure – this tractor is designed to pull and power the heaviest of implements.

Power and transmission

If you’re looking for power, the CLAAS XERION 12 offers oodles of it, and then some.

At the heart of the CLAAS XERION 12 is a 15.6-litre, six-cylinder Mercedes-Benz engine that CLAAS used to power its combine and forage harvesters, capable of producing a whopping 653hp. A big plus for farmers Down Under is that the models offered here are Tier 3 compliant, meaning they do not require AdBlue to run.

Its innovative low engine speed allows the XERION 12.650 to achieve maximum torque of 3100Nm at a low 1300rpm, ensuring maximum performance with minimum fuel consumption.

Another key feature of the XERION 12 is the ZF Eccom 5.5 CVT transmission, making the tractor the most powerful on the market with a CVT.

Don’t let the size of the tractor fool you, though: it is capable of a top speed of 40km/h on tracks and 50km/h on wheels.

Access to the engine is via a one-piece bonnet that opens up wide. However, it isn’t electronically controlled, so lifting it up and pulling it down can be a challenge for people of smaller stature due to its size and weight.

Hydraulics, PTO and rear linkage

Moving to the rear, aka the business end of the tractor, operators can fit up to three hydraulic pumps offering a maximum flow of 537L/min to run just about anything behind the machine.

The pumps are also load-sensing, meaning only the right amount of power and flow is sent to the implement, saving fuel and prolonging the life of machine parts.

A Cat 4N hitch comes standard, offering a maximum lift capacity of 13.6 tonnes. The XERION 12 features a standard PTO speed of 1000rpm.

The XERION 12 is a four-wheel drive tractor with a 50/50 weight distribution, giving it stability and power to tow heavy-duty implements.

Cab and comfort

If you think everything that has been mentioned is impressive, wait until you step inside the cab.

CLAAS has surely ramped up the comfort factor, with the cab carried over from its combine harvesters providing operators with a massive four cubic metres of space. Even with my legs fully stretched sitting in the operator’s seat, there’s still plenty of space up front, ensuring operators of any size and stature can feel comfortable in the cab.

There are two sets of footpegs on the cabin floor to rest feet on – one on the front and one towards the right. While there are no swivelling cabs on the XERION 12, the seat swivels for better visibility of surroundings and implements.

The interior of the cab is neat and clean with a touch of European luxury. Controls are well placed within reach of operators, ensuring maximum comfort throughout the day and minimal fatigue.

If you’re feeling a bit peckish during a long day, there is no need to stop what you’re doing to head back into the house. A cooler under the passenger seat lets you store your snacks and drinks to keep you going.

Other comfort features include automatic climate control and a radio.
Related: CLAAS XERION 12 lands in Australia
Related: CLAAS supersized tractor named Tractor of the Year
Related: CLAAS to bring in flagship XERION 12 tractors

Technology

With a tractor this size, technology and innovation are a must, especially with the large-scale broadacre farming the machine is designed to carry out.

The XERION 12 comes standard with CLAAS’s most intuitive and comprehensive control terminal – the CEBIS terminal with a 12-inch touchscreen. That, combined with the CMOTION multi-function lever, gives operators complete control over tractor and implement functions.

Another fantastic standard equipment is CLAAS’s CEMIS 1200 terminal, which puts precision farming functions like autosteer, ISOBUS control, task management and real-time data exchange at operators’ fingertips.

But the real game-changer is the optional CEMOS system, which acts as your personal assistant. Feed it information about the soil, implement type, and tyres, and CEMOS will recommend the best ballasting and tyre pressure for optimal performance, for example.

It even helps in real time, offering suggestions when issues arise in the field to reduce downtime and maximise efficiency.

Drive Experience

We were unable to test the XERION 12 with an implement in tow due to paddock restrictions; however, on its own, the XERION 12 drives like an absolute dream. For such a big tractor, the XERION 12 is surprisingly nimble. Navigating headlands and making tight turns proved to be no challenge for the unit.

The CVT transmission takes care of all gear shifts automatically, making driving it a breeze – even for novices. Throw autosteer into the mix, and operators need not even have their hands on the steering wheel or control lever, as the tractor does the driving all by itself.

Add in its ability to reach speeds of up to 40 km/h on tracks, and this tractor feels more like a smooth cruiser than a heavy-duty workhorse. As the tractor comes with a four-point cab suspension, the drive was as smooth as can be.

Verdict

The CLAAS XERION 12 is an absolute powerhouse, bringing unmatched technology, comfort and performance to the table.

While it might not be the single most powerful tractor out there, it certainly ranks among the most advanced in its class.

If you’re looking for a heavy-duty tractor that can handle any job with ease, while keeping you comfortable and connected, the CLAAS XERION 12 is a worthy investment. Just don’t be surprised if you attract plenty of attention and stares from your neighbours with one of these fine-looking units sitting in your paddock.

The CLAAS XERION 12 series is available for order now, with stock expected to arrive by mid-2025.

CLAAS XERION 12.650 specifications
Engine: 15.6-litre six-cylinder Mercedes-Benz OM473
Engine power: rated – 612hp; max – 653hp
Max torque: 3100Nm
Transmission: ZF Eccom 5.5 CVT
Hydraulics: Max three load-sensing hydraulic pumps with 537l/min flow
Max rear linkage lift capacity: 13,600kg
Undercarriage: TERRA TRAC tracks (914 or 762mm) or 800/70 R42 dual wheels
Fuel tank capacity: 1400L
Operating weight: 25,400kg

Featured Auction Listings

RGA - REALM GROUP AUSTRALIA - MULTI-VENDOR MACHINERY AUCTION, AUSTRALIA WIDE

We’re now taking listings for our next up-and-coming auction.
Contact us today!

AG NEWS AUSTRALIA

YAMAHA AGRICULTURE ACQUIRES THE YIELD AND ROBOTICS PLUS TO ENABLE PRECISION AGRICULTURE FOR GROWERS

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. has launched Yamaha Agriculture, Inc., a new company focused on delivering autonomous equipment and AI-powered digital solutions that help growers in the specialty crop market become more sustainable, profitable and resilient in the face of scarcer resources and climate change.

Through the strategic acquisitions of Robotics Plus and The Yield Technology Solutions, Yamaha Agriculture will develop and deliver robotics solutions for spraying, weeding and other field operations, while leveraging advanced data analytics and AI to enable precision farming and data-driven decision making for growers of wine grapes, apples and other specialty crops in North America, Australia and New Zealand.

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

Beyond the Paddock: Why Digital Eyes in the Sky Are Changing Farm Management 

When people talk about technology in agriculture, the conversation usually starts with what’s visible. A new tractor. A sensor on a gate. An EID tag clipped to an ear.

But some of the most powerful tools in modern farming aren’t in the paddock at all. They come from above. The sky. Satellites that are tracking pasture growth, rainfall patterns, and ground cover in near real time.

This is where the shift is happening. And it’s changing how farms are managed from the ground up.

From Gut Feel to Ground Truth

For generations, good stockmanship and land management relied on instinct. Field walks. Rain memories. The feel of pasture underfoot. Those skills still matter. 

But today, they can be paired with something new: near-real-time, objective data that shows what’s happening across every paddock.

Platforms like CiboLabs are making this kind of visibility practical. Every five days, satellite imagery is converted into updated pasture biomass maps. That means managers no longer need to guess at ground cover. Now, they can see it.

And that clarity feeds real-world decisions:

• Adjusting stocking rates before feed gaps appear

• Matching grazing pressure to pasture growth

• Backing up farm management plans with actual numbers

This isn’t abstract. It’s the difference between reacting late and planning ahead.

More Confidence, Less Guesswork

Margins are tight. The weather is unpredictable. The costs of getting it wrong have never been higher.

Having a reliable view of feed availability means producers can make sharper calls with less hesitation. For mixed operations, it also links directly to livestock performance. The feed base is no longer a passive backdrop but an active variable in the productivity equation.

This kind of visibility builds confidence. In the manager. In the team. Even in conversations with banks, agents, and buyers.

When you can show your numbers, decisions carry more weight.

CiboLabs’ platform is one example of what modern AgTech can do. But the real story isn’t the technology itself. It’s what happens when it’s used well.

In a time of increasing climate volatility, market pressure, and supply chain scrutiny, these tools don’t just offer convenience. They offer resilience. They give producers the data they need to justify investment, make better seasonal calls, and explain what’s working and why.

That’s not a “nice to have.” That’s business-critical.

AgTech Only Works If It’s Adopted

There’s no shortage of tools. The real barrier is adoption. That takes more than a login screen and a satellite feed. It takes trust. Training. And often, a mindset shift.

The producers who benefit most from technology are rarely the ones chasing the next shiny thing. They’re the ones who make it part of how they work. Consistently. Confidently.

That kind of adoption is what can strengthen instinct. It helps people see patterns earlier, manage variability better, and show up to the negotiation table with more certainty.

The Takeaway

Satellite data doesn’t replace boots on the ground. It sharpens them.

Tools like CiboLabs are not here to replace experience. They’re here to make good decisions easier to repeat. They help producers see beyond what’s in front of them, connect the dots sooner, and manage risk with more clarity.

Because in the end, it’s not about the tech. It’s about the people who use it and what they’re now able to see.

Time to Think Ground Cover First

Good Evening,

I hope this week has been a good one for you. As we edge closer to summer, many of us are already thinking about how to best manage our pastures through the hotter, drier months. What we do now has a huge impact on whether our country stays resilient and productive when conditions get tough.

This week’s article on the website explores a simple but powerful principle: ground cover first. Keep your cover high, and you’ll bank water, protect soil, and grow more grass when the summer storms arrive. Let it slip, and short-term gains can quickly turn into long-term losses.

Here are some timely reminders as we head into summer:​
🌱 Aim for >50% cover year-round – especially critical going into the storm season.​
🐄 Match mouths to grass – know how much your animals are really eating (kg DM/day) and balance this with safe utilisation.​
🧂 Use supplements wisely – understand when NPN licks or protein meals help, and when they don’t add value.​
📊 Stocking rate vs carrying capacity – align them early to protect both your animals and your country.

Why it matters now:​ Summer can be harsh. By protecting ground cover now, you’re not just looking after today’s stock — you’re banking resilience, faster recovery, and better productivity for the months to come.

👉 [Read the full article here] https://www.jabagrisolutions.com.au/knowledge/suggested- upkeep-for-your-livestock-property-amp-best-practices-zrr8r

Wishing you a productive week ahead, and here’s to making the most of the season while protecting the resource that matters most – your land.

Until next week —Let’s build a lifestyle we all love, the right way.

Kind Regards,​
Amanda Burchmann​
Livestock Production & Industry Development Specialist​
Founder | Advocate | Producer​
📞 0408 847 536​
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.jabagrisolutions.com.au

RFTTE Podcast, Book & Audiobook Recommendations...

G'day, REALM Readers!

Whether you're planning on a road trip these holidays, heading south after a busy season mustering up north or simply walking the dog. I've rounded up some of the best podcasts, books and audiobooks that capture the heart of the Aussie character and country...

🎧 Podcast Highlights

• Harry Bowman & Brutus the Croc: How could Harry not have a cracker yarn or 10 after more than three decades of taking boatloads of people into the croc-infested waters of the NT.

• The Natural Horseman | Ken Faulkner: After a terrible accident on one of his favourite horses, Smoke, Ken had to learn to walk and ride again, and at the same time, he discovered himself all over again.

• ‘In that instant, I knew I needed to become a cowboy’ | Roland Breckwoldt: Roland was working as a lab technician in Sydney when he heard about the chance to move to a remote cattle station in Queensland to become a stockman.

• The Queen of The Kimberley: My former boss, Susan Bradley, has lived and worked in the remote Kimberley region for more than 35 years - and I doubt she'll ever leave!

• Nursing in Kimberley Country | Bec 'Sister' Crozier: Bec speaks about her journey to the north with Angie Nisbet on her fantastic podcast, 'Married to the Land'.

• 'Yeah Nah' William McInnes and his favourite Australianisms: This is a good laugh - from 'Foot Falcon's', 'Reg Grundies', 'Head like a sucked mango' to 'Noah Arks' and 'Bag of Fruit' - McInnes has some great yarns and background stories behind many Aussie favourites... including one of the all time best nicknames 'The Pharaoh'.

  …and many more voices from the bush: stockmen, station families, vets, and adventurers.

📚 Doco's, Books & Audiobooks to Explore

• King of the Outback Skies | Doco - one of my favourite doco’s, it took me about 2 years to make it public, but it was worth telling Kerry Slingsby's story - get in quick because the rights I purchased it for are ending soon!

• The Cattle King (Sidney Kidman) | Audiobook – How a poor boy built a pastoral empire.

• Hell West and Crooked (Tom Cole) | Book – Droving, buffalo shooting and crocodile hunting in the Top End.

• In the Middle of Nowhere (Terry Underwood) | Book/ Audiobook – What a story, what a woman! From Darlinghurst to the bush - Building a life and raising kids in the NT from scratch.

• Sarwak Stock Take | Doco - another favourite of mine - from 1985, featuring the Rosewood Stockcamp and the first live exports to Malaysia.

• The Flying Vet: David Bradley | Doco: My former boss at Carlton Hill, features David Bradley flying a tiny Cessna out of Kununurra to cattle stations across northern Australia. includes stunning aerial footage, including Bullo River Station, Newcastle Waters and Rockhampton Downs.

• Nemarluk: King of the Wilds | Book – The story of a fierce Aboriginal warrior in the NT.

  VIEW THE FULL LIST

Hooroo for now,
Simon Cheatham
0417 277 488 | [email protected] 
Founder | Ringers From The Top End | RFTTE.com | The Online Campfire since 2007
RFTTE PTY LTD | ABN 29 678 593 283

“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)