This week's roundup: Middle East conflict hits meat exports, Australia’s agricultural production, Farmer Input Bolsters John Deere, Australian Agriculture Update, Aussie dairy farmers, and more updates. Plus, fresh listings, auction dates, and more from across Australian ag. Let's get into it →

Ongoing conflict in the Middle East has shut down key trade routes, impacting $15 billion in Australian trade. A number of meat processors across the country have ceased exports to the Middle East.

Farmers going into the cropping season are expecting a fertiliser price hike. 

A number of meat processors across Australia have halted exports to the Middle East as a war in that region continues.

Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell said $15 billion worth of trade to the Middle East had been affected by the conflict.

"This is a serious situation; we're unfortunately living in very much an age of uncertainty," he said.

"Nobody can predict just how this is all going to play out."

The WA Meat Marketing Co-operative (WAMMCO), which runs abattoirs in Western Australia and New South Wales, exports about 20 per cent of its product to the Middle East.

CEO Coll MacRury said he had stopped all exports of chilled and frozen meat products to the region.

"The access ways are all cut off, and there's too much risk of problems once you get to the Strait [of Hormuz]," he said.

"If it extends beyond five or six months, that will become an issue when we really want to ramp up again next spring.

"Don't be surprised if you see more processors close their doors … it's a real shake-up for the industry."

Dubbo-based lamb and sheep processor, Fletchers International Exports (FIE), has containers stranded at sea.

Major carriers have suspended transits through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran warned it would target vessels attempting to pass.

"We've got a lot of containers on the water, and they all have an expiry date," FIE owner Roger Fletcher said.

"They've got the right languages, so you can't just change to another country, you can't send meat that's going to the Middle East, say to America or Europe."

Independent market analyst Andrew Whitelaw said about 20 per cent of the world's oil went through the Strait of Hormuz, and crude oil prices were already on the rise.

He said there would be flow-on effects to the price of fertilisers such as urea.

"The diesel price the farmers pay will also go up, but on top of that, there is a bit of a benefit as well in that the [agriculture] markets do follow crude oil," Mr Whitelaw said.

"So we should see a bit of a rise in wheat prices and canola prices, if we go by the logic."

President of AgForce Grain in Queensland, Brendan Taylor, said any rise in the price of fertiliser would be a concern to farmers who were preparing to plant winter crops.

"Worst-case scenario is that the shipping channels are interrupted for a long period of time and any [fertiliser] stock that's in Australia will increase in value," he said.

"Or we just physically can't get the supply at all, so we have no nitrogen available for the upcoming cropping seasons, which is catastrophic really, if it came to that."

Mr Taylor said there was "probably not enough" nitrogen fertiliser in Australia to fully support the upcoming cropping season.

Liverpool Plains agronomist Peter McKenzie said cropping farmers would be closely watching the rising costs of inputs.

"It's almost at a point now where we've got to get average to above average yields to even break even," he said.

AUSTRALIA’s farm gate production value is forecast to exceed $100 billion this financial year – four years ahead of the National Farmers’ Federation’s 2030 target.

The latest forecasts from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural Resources Economics and Sciences released today show Australia’s agricultural production value will hit a record $101.4 billion in 2025-26, and $107.4 billion when combined with fisheries and forestry.

ABARES forecasts show agriculture, fisheries and forestry exports will reach a record high of almost $85 billion in 2025-26, with more demand than ever for Australia’s world-class food and fibre.

NFF president Hamish McIntyre said the announcement is a landmark moment for Australian agriculture.

“In 2018, we set a bold target to grow Australian agriculture into a $100 billion industry by 2030,” Mr McIntyre said.

“At the time, some thought it was ambitious, and some didn’t think we stood a chance. But farmers wouldn’t be in this game if they weren’t up for a challenge.

“Today, we are forecast to reach that milestone four years ahead of schedule. But it’s important to remember, our target has never been just about chasing a headline number,” he said.

“It is underpinned by a detailed roadmap that places farmer wellbeing, sustainability and natural capital alongside productivity and profitability.

National Farmers’ Federation president Hamish McIntyre.

Mr McIntyre said the milestone didn’t happen by accident.

“It happened because Australian farmers backed themselves,” he said.

“Today’s achievement comes despite drought, fires, floods, global market volatility and trade disruption.

“Productivity gains, innovation and improved market access have done the heavy lifting, but we can never forget the ‘can-do, never-say-never attitude from farmers to get us here, Mr McIntyre said.

The significant milestone is a testament to the hard work, resilience and skill of Australia’s farmers.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins, said the forecast gives Australians 100 billion reasons to thank the country’s farmers, whose hard work, resilience and skill is helping power our national economy.

“Being on track to exceed the industry’s $100 billion target by four years is a tremendous result for our farmers and regional communities,” she said.

“As we celebrate this significant milestone, we also reaffirm our commitment to supporting our farmers and producers during difficult conditions, because we will always have their backs.”

Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Anthony Chisholm, said Australian farmers operate under difficult and ever-changing conditions, yet continue to deliver more for the nation’s economy than ever before.

“This year’s outlook is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the immense resilience and skill of Australia’s agricultural workforce,” he said.

Crestmead, Queensland — When Simon Doolin was asked to be part of a group of only 12 people from across the globe to contribute farmer feedback to the design of the John Deere 9RX 830, it was an unparalleled opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the world's most powerful tractor.

The broadacre grain and cotton grower, who heads up Doolin Agriculture at North Star in northern New South Wales, joined six Americans and five Canadians as part of the group which travelled to John Deere facilities in the United States at various stages of the project.

"We first went to the US in 2019 when the 9RX machines were on the drawing board" Simon said.

"They had a fair idea of what they wanted to do, but they wanted grower input before they started to build it."

In seeking that input, no stone was left unturned.

"We sat down with the heads of all of the departments — transmission, motor, even the seat department — and they worked hard to understand what we all wanted," Simon said.

"They asked what we thought of their existing transmissions; what we like or don't like about their motors; what sort of speeds we're wanting to achieve; how much horsepower we need; how much hydraulic flow and how many hydraulic remotes we want; and so on.

"We were all very honest in answering their questions, and John Deere was really good at sitting and listening to the needs of farmers, which was nice."

From there, the John Deere team presented a 3D virtual reality model of the new 9RX design to the group of farmers.

"It was quite impressive, and it was amazing how they could make it look and feel quite real," Simon said.

The Covid-19 pandemic put a temporary hold on trips to Deere & Company's World Headquarters in Moline, Illinois, to observe project progress, but it was full steam ahead once international travel resumed.

The work culminated in three new high-horsepower, four-track models, driven by the JD18 engine from John Deere Power Systems, with the lineup consisting of the 9RX 710 (710 hp), the 9RX 770 (770 hp) and the mighty 9RX 830, which will deliver a market-leading 830 hp to Australian producers.

"Last July, we went back to California to the testing farm, and we got to see the tractor," Simon said.

"My first impression was that it's enormous.

"Beautiful probably isn't a word many people would use to describe a tractor, but I did think it was beautiful when I finally got to see it up close."

Field testing the machine with a ripper implement attached, Simon said its performance was just as impressive as the appearance.

"We had the opportunity to put it through its paces and really see what it could do," he said.

"They had both the new 9RX and the older model - the generation before this new model - which is the one we currently run at home; you could get out of one and get into the other, so it was a really good comparison."

That comparison highlighted how truly "mind-blowing" the new tractor was," Simon said.

"I thought the ride was already pretty good in John Deere tractors, but the ride in the new 9RX was leaps ahead again.

"The quietness in the cab was really good too, and it was putting power to the ground really well.

"The updated shape of the bonnet has improved visibility through the front, and the new position of the fuel tank means the visibility going backwards is fantastic.

"Moving the fuel tank also means you can now see down to your drawbar pin, whereas you couldn't before, and you can see your remotes a lot easier."

Launched at the Commodity Classic in Houston, Texas, earlier this year, the new Model-Year 25 high-horsepower 9RX models will be available for order in Australia from mid-March, for delivery in early 2025.

Simon said it was a machine you couldn't go past, and the new 9RX would one day be added to his fleet of John Deeres, which includes several 7, 8 and 9 Series Tractors, and two S Series Combine Harvesters — an S680 and an S780.

Despite being involved in a process that would be a machinery buff's dream come true, Simon said the appeal for him was simpler than that.

"I just like operating good gear. You really can't beat nice equipment that's got the advantages of efficiency," he said.

"Efficiency is one of the only ways we can make gains in agriculture these days, and machines with industry-leading technology are a massive part of achieving that."

For the latest news and product launch information from John Deere, see your local John Deere dealer.

It doesn't matter if you've never driven a tractor, mowed a lawn, or operated a dozer. With John Deere's role in helping produce food, fibre, fuel, and infrastructure, we work for every single person on the planet. It all started nearly 200 years ago with a steel plough. Today, John Deere drives innovation in agriculture, construction, forestry, turf, power systems, and more.

Great Job Simon!

Global developments this week are starting to influence conversations across Australian agriculture, particularly the escalating conflict involving Iran and its impact on global energy markets.

Tensions in the Middle East have pushed oil prices higher, with markets reacting to potential disruption around the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. For Australian farmers, movements in global oil prices are more than just headlines. Diesel, freight and fertiliser costs are closely tied to energy markets, meaning volatility overseas can quickly flow through to operating costs on farms.

Higher fuel prices can increase the cost of running machinery, transporting grain and livestock, and moving inputs across long distances. Fertiliser markets may also face pressure if energy costs continue rising, as natural gas plays a major role in global fertiliser production.

Despite these pressures, Australian agriculture remains in a relatively strong position. Global demand for food commodities continues to hold firm, and Australia’s reputation as a reliable supplier of grain, beef and other exports positions producers well in uncertain global markets.

In an environment where global events can quickly influence local costs, planning and flexibility become critical. Many producers are focusing on timing major investments carefully and structuring equipment purchases in ways that protect working capital.

This is where Pay In Time Finance works alongside Australian farmers, helping structure machinery, vehicle and equipment funding around seasonal income cycles so businesses can keep operating efficiently even when global conditions shift.

Australian dairy farmers are calling for stricter labelling laws so that their plant-based competitors cannot use the word "milk".

The UK Supreme Court last month ruled that Swedish company Oatly could no longer trademark or use the phrase "post milk generation" on its products following a lengthy legal battle by Dairy UK.

Australian Dairy Farmers president Ben Bennett wants the federal government to follow suit with mandatory rules, saying milk should come from an animal and not a marketing department.

"You hardly really milk an almond tree," he said.

"I think we just need to be a bit more honest about the language we use."

Bennett has been a dairy farmer in south-west Victoria for the past 20 years and knows first-hand just how much effort goes into producing milk.

He said plant-based alternatives are "effectively a juice" with different nutritional value and calcium levels from the real thing.

"We're all competing for the consumer's dollar, and rightly so," he said. 

"The consumer should have the opportunity to have a transparent, informed perspective for the product that they're consuming, and they are distinctly different."

Australia has voluntary labelling guidelines outlined in an industry code of practice.

The federal government put $1.5 million in the 2024-25 budget towards a review of plant-based and alternative protein labelling and commissioned Food Standards Australia New Zealand to conduct a rapid review, market survey, and a consumer survey.

That research found that Australians can accurately identify plant-based products.

They did not believe plant-based products are nutritionally equivalent to animal counterparts and are not confused about ingredient content. 

The government will, therefore, work with the Alternative Proteins Council to strengthen the code of practice. 

​This will provide clearer guidance by discouraging animal imagery, limiting meat-specific terminology, improving the prominence of plant-based qualifiers, and establishing a complaints mechanism.

"Australian consumers should be able to clearly identify both traditional and alternative protein sources," Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said in late January.

But Bennett's message to plant-based manufacturers is simple.

"I think it's time that they rode their own boat and stopped endeavouring to emulate us. If they're so confident in the product, try having your own name," he said.

Farmers have always loved a good tool. A sharper knife and even a better gate latch are the kind of improvements that earn their place. So yes, trying new things has always been part of the job.

Right now, the tool everyone is talking about is AI. You can’t open a newsletter or listen to a podcast without someone talking about it. Some people are convinced it will change everything. Others are ignoring it completely (please don’t). Most operators sit somewhere in the middle.

They’re open to trying useful tools, but they’re not interested in chasing every new thing that comes along. The sensible approach is the one farmers have always used: Test it.

From one operator to another, here are a few practical ways to approach it.

Don’t begin with the technology itself. Start with a job that eats time every week.

Meeting notes or summarising long reports, for example.

Pick one task that repeats often and doesn’t require deep judgment. That’s usually where AI tools perform best. If it handles that job well, you can expand from there.

The first trial should stay well away from decisions that affect the farm directly.

Use it for background work. Admin. Drafts. Document summaries. Anything where the outcome can be checked easily.

Think of it the same way you would trial a new pasture mix. Limited area and no big commitments until you see results.

Some tools look clever the first week and then just disappear. Others remove a job completely.

Those are the ones worth keeping. If a tool removes something from your weekly workload without creating new complications, it has earned its place.

There is a lot of noise around AI right now.

New tools appear every week. Everyone claims to be essential. Most operators don’t need twenty different systems. They need a handful that genuinely reduces friction.

Trial a few things. Keep the ones that help. Let the rest drift past.

That approach has worked on farms for generations.

New ideas are tested carefully before they spread across the property.

Technology deserves the same treatment.

At RD Creative Studio, we approach new tools in much the same way as rural businesses. Start with one task. Test it properly. Build simple systems around the tools that prove useful.

If you’ve trialled AI somewhere in your operation, we’d be interested to hear what actually worked. Those small trials are usually where the real insights come from.

G’day REALM Readers,

When I was working on a station, most of us had a nickname... Longfella (he was tall), Hank (Quilty), Woody (Allen), Tiny (Yes, he was big), Turtle (It's a long story), Rambo (Big knife on his belt) and Burner (tanned easily)... I was lucky, I liked wearing cheap 'Servo Sunny' aviator sunglasses, so I copped 'Mav' as in Maverick...

G’day REALM Readers,

When I was working on a station, most of us had a nickname... Longfella (he was tall), Hank (Quilty), Woody (Allen), Tiny (Yes, he was big), Turtle (It's a long story), Rambo (Big knife on his belt) and Burner (tanned easily)... I was lucky, I liked wearing cheap 'Servo Sunny' aviator sunglasses, so I copped 'Mav' as in Maverick...

The art of the nickname. Whether you're a ringer, chopper pilot, cook, truck driver, or even the boss, chances are you've either got a nickname or you've given one to someone else. 

I recently asked the RFTTE community to share the best (and worst) nicknames they've come across, and there were plenty!

Nicknames are almost always given with affection (well, mostly), and they're a testament to the colourful characters you'll meet on a station; always when working on a station... bring your sense of humour.

Here are a few cheeky ones, the kind that stick around just long enough to give everyone a laugh...

Wheelbarrow - Only works when pushed
2 Stroke - Hard to start, and always smoking 
Magpie - Always on the top rail squawking
Spark Plug - No vehicle could leave the station without them in it
Crime - As in 'Crime doesn't pay' (i.e.won't shout at the pub!)
Blister - Turns up after the work is done 
Sensor Light - Only works when someone walks past
Kit Kat - Always on a break 
E.T. - Always wants to go home
Muffler - Always exhausted
Pot Hole - Always in the road

VIEW MORE NICKNAMES

And if you do come up with one for a mate, be kind!

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