This week's roundup: REALM EOFY, Index of Commodity Prices, CNH’s Colour-Mixing, Profit Pressure, and more updates. Plus, fresh listings, auction dates, and more from across Australian ag. Let's get into it →

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Preliminary estimates for May indicate that the index increased by 1.3 per cent (on a monthly average basis) in SDR terms, after decreasing by 0.3 per cent in April. The rural, non-rural and base metals subindices increased in the month. In Australian dollar terms, the index decreased by 0.1 per cent in May.

Over the past year, the index has increased by 16.8 per cent in SDR terms. Increases in the prices of lithium, coking coal, and rural commodities have more than offset declines in iron ore and gold. The index has increased by 6.1 per cent in Australian dollar terms.

Consistent with previous releases, preliminary estimates for iron ore, coking coal, thermal coal and LNG export prices are being used for the most recent months, based on market information. Using spot prices for the bulk commodities index, the index increased by 1.0 per cent in May in SDR terms, but remains 18.1 per cent higher over the past year.

For further details regarding the construction of the index, please refer to ‘Changes to the RBA Index of Commodity Prices: 2013’ in the March 2013 issue of the Bulletin and ‘Weights for the Index of Commodity Prices’ (April 2026).

The recent move by CNH to further align the Case IH and New Holland organisations—often referred to as the "purpling" of the brands—has generated significant discussion throughout the dealer network. While many details remain unclear, NAEDA sees both opportunities and challenges associated with this strategy.

On May 11, 2026, Ag Equipment Intelligence learned of CNH’s layoffs and a reorganisation for a combined management authority over BOTH the New Holland and Case IH dealer networks. A brief mention of the CNH leadership reorganisation, centred on consolidating brand oversight, was reported in Ag Equipment Intelligence's May 15, 2026, newsletter. 

A week later, several at this week's Ag Equipment Intelligence Executive Summit described it as a “purpling” of the organisation known for its New Holland (blue) and Case IH (red) colours. Another update was provided in the May 25, 2026, episode of Ag Equipment Intelligence’s On The Record broadcast. 

It was big news for a company that had navigated and integrated major mergers before. In 1985, when Case and International Harvester merged and again in 1999, when the new company was merged with New Holland after the purchase by Fiat. Brian Osterndorff, CEO of Roberts Equipment, a 6-store Ontario New Holland dealer, noted the recent events are “clearly a pivotal moment for the CNH dealer network.”

On Thursday, May 21, editors reached out to both dealer networks for context and reaction, which is included in the text below.

Some didn’t even know about it and asked Ag Equipment Intelligence basic questions like whether their current rep was handling both lines. 

Another added that recent communications have been poor. “I would’ve guessed they’d announced it in one of their 3-5 meetings held each month. I found out about it when I called a service rep for assistance.”

Dealers were mixed in their responses, with most of the larger dealers indicating support for the change. Most had questions on what it means and how it plays out between rival dealers in the same AOR, and whether access is gained to the other-colored equipment. Other industry observers opined if this was an attempt toward “forced” dealer consolidation and whether more trimming of overhead was coming.

That was on the mind of one small New Holland dealer who asked his name be withheld. “It makes sense for CNH cost efficiency. But change always causes stress, including questions among New Holland dealers if this is the first step toward ‘merging’ the brands and, at minimum, future product and large lines moving exclusively to CIH.” 

This week, one message is becoming impossible to ignore across Australian agriculture: it's no longer just about producing a crop — it's about protecting profit.

Recent industry forecasts point to a decline in farm profitability across many broadacre operations. While production is holding up reasonably well, rising fuel, fertiliser and finance costs are taking a significant bite out of margins. In some regions, winter crop plantings are being scaled back as growers reassess the economics of additional hectares.

The recent cash rate increases are adding another layer of pressure. Borrowing costs have risen sharply this year, and many farm businesses are now feeling the impact through higher repayments and tighter cash flow.

At the same time, ongoing global tensions continue to affect fuel and fertiliser markets. Many farmers are making planting and purchasing decisions based not only on seasonal conditions, but also on the availability and cost of key inputs. Some growers are shifting toward crops that require lower fertiliser inputs in an effort to protect profitability.

The response across the sector has been practical rather than pessimistic.

Farmers are reviewing costs line by line, refinancing existing facilities, consolidating debt, and looking for ways to improve cash flow without slowing down operations. The focus has shifted from growth at all costs to building resilience and maintaining flexibility.

In this environment, Pay In Time Finance continues working with Australian farmers to refinance existing lending, reduce repayment pressure where possible, unlock equity, and structure machinery and equipment finance around seasonal cash flow.

The reality is that 2026 is becoming a year of disciplined decision-making. Those who stay proactive, protect liquidity and keep costs under control will be the ones best positioned when conditions improve.

In short:
Australian bull semen exports have resumed to the lucrative Chinese market after a five-year break. The Wagyu and dairy genetics will be used to improve farm efficiency in China and for the production of premium beef.

What's next?
24,000 straws of semen have been sent to China since April, with further exports planned for the coming months.

Australian bull semen is being sent to China after a five-year break as demand for premium beef in the People's Republic grows.

A total of 24,000 straws of bull semen were sent in April and May this year, marking the first exports of Australian cattle genetics to China since 2021.

Genetics company ABS Australia secured a major export agreement with China for Wagyu, Jersey and Holstein semen, with the potential for the inclusion of other breeds in the future.

"[Australia's] got some of the best Wagyu bulls and Angus bulls available around the world," business operations manager Bruce Ronalds said.

"[Breeders in China] are pretty excited to start using them within their herds."

Premium beef for hot pot markets

ABS China commercial director Snow Wu said local farmers want to improve their productivity and efficiency, as well as the quality of the beef they are producing.

"We are seeing increasing demand for premium beef products in China, particularly in traditional dining and hot pot markets," Ms Wu said.

Ms Wu said China's dairy herd had increased "from around five million to six million cows" and milk production was up.

She said there was also interest in Australian Wagyu for the breeding of cows with beef bulls.

"On-farm, using Australian Wagyu sires over Chinese dairy cows allows producers to improve beef quality and profitability while maximising existing dairy herds," she said.

"Australia has built a strong reputation for breeding performance and production systems, including environmental benefits and consistency."

Mr Ronalds said the "high marbling" of Wagyu beef was a drawcard.

"The Wagyu product brings that extra marbling on the beef-on-dairy … and the Chinese market is really looking for that in the Wagyu space," he said.

Five-year break ends

China closed the door on Australian cattle genetics in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before that, China was Australia's biggest market for cattle semen and embryos.

The General Administration of Customs of China re-accredited the Total Livestock Genetics export facility at Camperdown in south-west Victoria in October last year, paving the way for exports to resume.

"That's where we house and collect all our bulls that we export globally," Mr Ronalds said.

"We do have some withholding periods before the semen can actually leave, and that's why it took until April to get the first shipment away."

The export of cattle semen and embryos is big business for Australian cattle producers.

Australian government figures show that last year alone, 324,357 units of bovine reproductive material were sent overseas.

The bovine exports sit well ahead of the 22,000 units of sheep genetics sent in 2025.

North Victorian Jersey and Holstein breeder Rohan Sprunt provided some of the genetics from his Kaarmona Jersey bull.

"It's exciting to see Australian-bred genetics heading into a market like China," he said.

"It's not really an accolade for me, it's an accolade for the Australian Jersey breed and the work that's gone into developing efficient, productive cows suited to global production systems."

Semen shipped in liquid nitrogen

The first 10,000 straws of semen left Australia bound for China in April, and another 14,000 units departed last week.

They are stored in liquid nitrogen for the trip.

"You've got to have the right equipment," Mr Ronalds said.

"Once the bull's collected, and it's gone through a very strict quality assurance program to make sure that we'll get cows in calf, it's put down into liquid nitrogen.

"The sperm is in a straw, so we ship it around the world in these cryogenic tanks that hold liquid nitrogen."

The new agreement with China will double ABS Australia's export sales of bull semen in a very competitive market.

"There are a lot of companies around the world wanting to export genetics," Mr Ronalds said.

"This will actually more than double our actual exports of both beef and dairy with this China market opening up, so we're pretty excited."

More shipments of cattle semen are scheduled to head to China in the coming months.

Likes were never the point. Turns out shares are. 

Someone mentioned to me recently that a post they'd put up had generated three enquiries. No one likes to speak of. The post just travelled around, and people started calling. 

I didn't have an explanation for it at the time. I mentioned it to the team, and apparently, Facebook changed how it decides what gets seen. A post with a handful of shares will now travel further than one sitting on a hundred likes. As it turns out, that's been the scoreboard these days.

Facebook Now Ranks a Share Above 80 Likes

Here’s what that means in practice: 

When someone sends a post to a mate via Messenger (or shares it to a group) Facebook reads that as a genuine signal that the content was worth something. A post shared five times privately will travel further than one sitting on eighty likes. 

To Facebook, a like has become a reflex, and a share is a recommendation.

Rural Communities Already Do the Thing That Works

People in regional communities have always shared useful information with each other. What's changed is that this behaviour now carries more algorithmic weight than it used to. 

An operator posting something genuinely useful to their community, for example, can reach people well outside their existing followers without spending a dollar. The post gets shared to a group, someone forwards it to a neighbour, and it travels the way useful information always has in these communities. The operator posting promotions is playing a harder game than they realise.

One Check, Before Your Next Post

Go back through your last ten Facebook posts and ignore the like counts. Look at the shares. If you're getting shares (even a few), something is connecting. 

If everything has likes and nothing has shares, the algorithm is likely moving your content to the back of the queue. The fix isn't technical. Before you post, ask one question: would someone send this to a mate? If the honest answer is no, it's worth reconsidering what you're putting out.

If your posts are getting plenty of likes but not much else, it might be worth a conversation. Reach the team at [email protected]  

G’day REALM Readers,

Longreach was the place to be last weekend, with more than 220 competitors converging on the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame Campdraft. Add in plenty of supporters, tourists and spectators, and it made for a cracking few days celebrating one of Australia's most iconic horse sports. 

One of the major highlights was the $30,000 Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame Campdraft, won by Capella horseman Steve Comiskey aboard Hat Fulla Jewels (picture bottom right). Competitors drafted a quality line of Wagyu cattle from Lake Nash Station, generously donated by Peter and Jane Hughes from Georgina Pastoral Company.

We're especially proud of the RFTTEJOBS-sponsored Junior Draft (the main event for the day;), which attracted 14 young competitors (pictured top right). Congratulations to the winner, Kodie-Anne Comiskey from Alpha, who scored an impressive 85 points aboard Connie (pictured bottom left). Tania Karger finished second on 78, while Kacee Dillon and Harrison Hughes shared third place on 73 points. Mikaela Kehl (pictured top left) also took home the Cut Out Award with a score of 22 aboard Cashmere.

The event was born from a vision by the late Graeme Acton to showcase campdrafting at the home of The Stockman's Hall of Fame. With more than 350,000 Facebook views during draft week and new funding announced for facility upgrades, organisers are already promising an even bigger and better event in 2027...and we'll be looking forward to sponsoring again!

Hooroo for now,

Hooroo for now,
Simon Cheatham
Founder RFTTE - The Online Campfire
0417 277 488 | [email protected]

Robbie is definitely 'that guy!' He's even got his own cartoon character.