F E A T U R E D

Seasonal conditions lead to supersized strawberries in Australian stores

In short:

Early-season strawberries are looking especially big this year in parts of Australia. 

Cooler seasonal conditions are leading to the fruit's larger size. 

What's next?

After a slow start to the southern season, a consistent strawberry supply should return by Christmas. 

Supersized strawberries have been filling the shelves at supermarkets across Australia this summer.

While many farms produce extra-large strawberries regularly through November and December, this year, some growers are noticing even bigger fruit than usual.

In southern Australia, early-season strawberries are generally larger due to the extra time allowed for the fruit to grow before the weather heats up and ripens the berry.

South Australian fruit grower and Harvest the Fleurieu director Ryan Sherry said it had been a few years since strawberries were this large on his property.

"A cold spring just gives plenty of time for the new plants to be established, and then start producing big strawberries," he said. 

"This consistent rain has been hard work, but it's turned out with some massive strawberries.

"A large strawberry in a normal punnet is [about] 80 to 90 grams, whereas some of the guys in the [Adelaide] hills are picking 190g strawberries."

Mr Sherry said it was not just strawberries that were looking bigger this year, with blackberries, blueberries and raspberries also expected to be on the larger side in some regions because of a wetter spring.

"Berries in general just love moisture," he said.

Picking the best of the punnet 

Mr Sherry said while the size of a strawberry should not impact too heavily on the taste of the fruit, there were ways consumers could pick the sweetest berries without trying them first. 

The farmer said it was best to focus on the colour, not the size of the fruit, when picking out the best strawberries.

"The varieties we've got now … the flavour has always been amazing," Mr Sherry said.

"Pick a red one, and it's going to taste good."

Even so, Mr Sherry said it could be hard to manage consumers' expectations, with many preferring smaller strawberries.

"Sometimes we get complaints that there are only three strawberries in a 250g punnet," he said.

"People need to get used to big strawberries or big berries."

Patchy start to the season

There are fewer berries around than typically expected at this time of year, due to the slow start of the growing season. 

Berries Australia project manager Jen Rowling said it was a mixed bag across the country. 

"The Victorian season, for example, started pretty poorly with a lot of rain, and even substantial hail events," she said.

"It has also been quite cold down south, so that always delays the onset of fruit."

Ms Rowling said supply was expected to return to normal before Christmas.

"The fruit is looking really big, but really good, and it's going to be excellent quality.

"Around Christmas, I think you can expect some really amazing fruit from berries."

Pay In-Time Finance

Stable Rates, Record Production Forecasts & Wellbeing in Focus — What Farmers Need to Know This Week

This week’s agricultural outlook has delivered a mix of solid signals and serious conversations for Australian farmers. On the economic front, the Reserve Bank of Australia has kept the cash rate at 3.60%, and the message from Governor Michele Bullock is clear: the era of easy rate cuts is effectively over and future cuts are unlikely as inflation pressures persist. That means borrowing costs aren’t going down soon — so if you’re thinking about finance for next season, upgrades, or expanding your operation, now is the moment to secure it while conditions are stable. Reuters+1

Across the sector, new national data forecasts that Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry production is on track to hit a record-breaking $106.4 billion in the 2025–26 financial year. Strong livestock markets, combined with steady crop performance in key regions, are anchoring that outlook — even as drought and climate variability continue in parts of the country. This suggests that farm receipts could be healthier than expected, giving many producers an opportunity to strengthen balance sheets or reinvest back into their businesses. Australian Rural & Regional News

At the same time, there’s growing attention on the well-being of farmers themselves. A major national survey has been launched to track changes in mental health and stress among rural producers, following alarming findings that nearly half of farmers reported serious well-being challenges in recent years. Leaders from industry bodies are urging participation, pointing out that understanding downtime, disaster fatigue, and financial strain is critical to creating real support on the ground. Daily Telegraph

So what ties all this together for your farm? First, a stable borrowing environment combined with a strong production outlook means there’s a window right now to lock in finance before lenders start re-pricing products or tightening terms in response to broader economic conditions. Second, good times in the ledger should go hand-in-hand with good planning for the hard times that still loom — whether those are climate-driven or linked to pressure on mental wellbeing and workforce stability.

At Pay In Time Finance, we’re helping farmers make proactive decisions based on both sides of this coin:

• Securing competitive loans that match your seasonal cash flow, before market pricing or credit policies shift.

• Structuring finance that supports investments in production, water infrastructure, or livestock systems, using forecast strength as leverage.

• Building buffers and working capital facilities that help manage both anticipated and unexpected costs — so you’re protected when volatility hits.

• Ensuring that lunch-to-dinner stress doesn’t translate into financial strain by matching repayment timing to your real income cycle.

It’s not just about getting finance — it’s about getting finance that fits your farm, your season, and your wellbeing. www.payintime.com.au

WEEKLY AUCTION DATES – 2025

1.) 12^th December 2025

INPUTS & COMMODITIES

2026 Australian Agriculture Outlook

Bendigo Bank’s 2026 Australian Agriculture Outlook report provides an in-depth perspective on supply, demand, and price outlooks for Australia’s major agricultural commodities for the first half of 2026.

The six months ahead for Australian agriculture will be impacted by seasonal conditions and the economic environment, two key factors which have the capacity to significantly benefit or hamper the industry moving through the first half of 2026.

With around two-thirds of Australian agricultural products exported, increasingly volatile global markets will be key to growth prospects across Australia’s agribusiness sector, underscoring the importance of maintaining strong diversified trade relationships.

Bendigo Bank Agribusiness Senior Manager Industry Insights, Eliza Redfern, said: “Seasonal risk and economic uncertainty remain at the forefront, but the outlook for Australian agriculture is broadly positive as we move into 2026.

“Beef production is tipped to drop slightly from the high volumes seen in 2025, and strong demand, especially from an export perspective, is likely to keep prices firm, supported by reduced supply in the US. This factor will help keep Australia as a preferred choice in key export markets across Asia, despite the US recently removing the additional tariff imposed on Brazilian beef.

Australia’s total winter crop production for 2025/26 is now forecast at 62.3 million tonnes, representing a 12 per cent increase from our mid-year estimate of 54.5 million tonnes. This would be the third-largest crop on record, driven by an extraordinary turnaround in Western Australia, where the production forecast has jumped 26 per cent, or around 5.0 million tonnes, since June.

“Weather remains the key driver of horticultural output heading into the first half of 2026. Based on current forecasts, we should see both high quality and volumes across key production regions, with output to remain strong across the fruit and nut sectors. A major dampener continues to be input costs that continue to pressure margins with fertiliser, irrigation, chemical and labour costs showing no signs of sustained easing in the coming months.

“We’re also expecting the Australian lamb and mutton supply to remain lower in the first half of 2026, with prices easing from recent record highs but remaining well above the five-year average. The recent run of strong prices is expected to continue into 2026 due to firm demand and the tight supply environment, driven primarily by processors who have increased their capacity over the past two years,” Ms Redfern concluded.

Fast facts

Cattle: Strong beef production and export demand, along with stable prices, indicate a favourable outlook for the cattle industry. Australia’s beef industry is set for a big 2026 with strong exports and well above average slaughter rates.

Cropping: Harvest pressure keeps wheat prices soft early, but Q2 strength should emerge as Southeast Asian feed demand lifts. Barley values are likely to find support from China and the Middle East in early 2026. Barley and canola dominate Q1 exports, allowing wheat to roll into Q2.

Dairy: Expectations for milk production have improved, whilst the outlook for farmgate milk prices has eased. Downside risks cloud the outlook for both. High input costs continue to plague farmers and production, with indicators for fodder and fertiliser around one third higher year-on-year, in many cases double that of five years ago, despite recent easing.

Horticulture: A shift in market dynamics with uncertain export demand, strong supply forecasts and a high-cost environment is driving a slightly less favourable outlook compared to 2025. Output to remain high across fruit and nut sectors, while vegetable production will be pressured by high irrigation costs. Input costs continue to drive significant margin pressure with fertiliser, irrigation, chemical and labour costs showing no signs of any sustained easing in the coming months.

Sheep: The recent run of strong prices is expected to continue into 2026 due to firm demand and the tight supply environment, with lamb and mutton supply likely to remain lower in the first half of 2026.

Wool: The Australian wool industry is looking to build on its positive start to the season with constrained supplies supporting rising prices. Improving demand from China is aiding the Australian wool market, although European demand lags.

States roundup

Queensland:

• The forecast for the state’s cattle industry is expected to remain positive leading into 2026. Export demand is likely to remain at high levels, which will support local prices at saleyards. Processors are likely to be very active at local markets, creating strong competition for stock to match the appetite from international markets.

• Grain growers in Queensland are the first to wrap up harvest for the 2025/26 winter crop season. Growers had a mostly smooth run at harvest except for showers in the back end of November, causing some delays.

• Reduced global macadamia output is supporting kernel prices as China cautiously resumes in-shell buying. However, a shift in the global demand environment presents a mixed outlook for prices heading into 2026.

• Avocado producers are in for another large season; producers located in North Queensland expect stable yields in 2026, though production remains dependent on weather conditions over the coming month, which will affect flowering and fruit set.

• Milk production in Queensland lifted in the first quarter of 2025/26, reversing slight losses from the previous season’s wet conditions. The rate of increase has slowed over this time, and a relatively stable full-season total is expected by June.

New South Wales:

• At the beginning of December, the New South Wales harvest was over 60 per cent complete, with growers in northern regions largely finished, while those in the state’s south were just ramping up. To date, yields and quality have been good.

• New South Wales cattle producers can expect a stable beginning to 2026. Many will be eyeing the forecast and utilising on-farm feed before looking to sell; if seasonal conditions prove unfavourable, producers may look to increase turn-off, which would weigh on prices.

• Lamb prices in New South Wales are expected to ease from the recent record highs in the first half of 2026.

• The wool market is looking to continue its positive start to the season, with further price growth driven primarily by reduced supply. Some producers will start to look at increasing flock sizes in 2026; however, there will be a lag before wool supply starts increasing again.

• New South Wales has so far backed up a strong performance in 2024/25 with continued milk production growth into the new season.

• Output and quality across most major fruit varieties should remain strong across the first half of 2026, with plantations of oranges and avocados continuing to mature and produce larger crops.

Victoria:

• At the time of writing, the Victorian harvest was off to a slow start, running more than 50 per cent behind the five-year average. This delay has had an immediate firming effect on nearby cash prices for feed grains. However, the outlook is constrained once harvest accelerates.

• Victoria’s cattle industry is set for an interesting beginning to 2026, as the latest Bureau of Meteorology forecast shows a roughly even chance of achieving median rainfall.

• Victorian lamb prices are forecast to come back from the recent highs as supply continues to pick up; however, prices should remain historically strong. Supply will continue to build, but the quantity of lambs available is still expected to be lower following a prolonged period of destocking.

• The wool market is looking to continue its positive start to the season, with further price growth driven primarily by reduced supply. Some producers will start to look at increasing flock sizes in 2026; however, there will be a lag before wool supply starts increasing again.

• Timely spring rainfall has eased some of the immediate pressure on Victorian dairy farmers, with improved pasture availability reducing the immediate need for scarce and expensive purchased fodder.

• Table grape crops are looking promising, with early industry forecasts placing national production in line with last season at around 230,000 mt. This forecast has been supported by reports of strong flowering across Sunraysia and the Riverland. For context, this forecast production total sits 14 per cent above the ten-year average.

• The final figures for the 2025 almond harvest have been announced by the Almond Board of Australia at 155,697 mt (kernel weight equivalent). This is a strong result for the industry, considering the challenges some growers faced across the season.

South Australia:

• South Australia is experiencing a near-record slow harvest start, creating a temporary lift in cash prices for nearby feed grain delivery. Domestic buyers are actively chasing a limited immediate supply, mirroring dynamics in Victoria.

• Output and quality across most key fruit varieties are anticipated to sit above average in the first half of 2026. Positive seasonal conditions throughout spring and into the new year, alongside the ongoing maturation of recent plantings, underpin this optimistic supply outlook.

• The almond supply outlook appears favourable as almond crops across Sunraysia and the Riverland are tracking strongly, with yields looking similar to last year.

• Impacts of the prolonged dry period are continuing to show up in South Australian milk production, with output for the four months to October the lowest in over a decade.

• South Australia’s cattle industry is forecast to see a mixed first half of 2026. Seasonal conditions do not appear to show a strong chance of above or below median rainfall, which could push producers to sell more stock.

• Lamb prices in South Australia are forecast to come back from the recent highs as supply continues to lift; however, prices should remain historically strong.

• The wool market is looking to continue its positive start to the season, with further price growth driven primarily by reduced supply. Some producers will start to look at increasing flock sizes in 2026; however, there will be a lag before wool supply starts increasing again.

Western Australia:

• The adage that “big crops keep getting bigger” is proving accurate once again in Western Australia this season. At approximately 40 per cent complete, the harvest is delivering consistent upside surprises in both yields and receival volumes.

• Avocado producers are in for another large season from a yield perspective, with Western Australian growers in the middle of harvesting another record crop of almost 60,000 mt.

• Despite weather conditions being mostly favourable in Western Australia’s dairying regions this season, the state’s milk production continues to track below last year, after culling and farm exits (as several businesses convert to beef) during the 2024/25 season.

• Western Australia's cattle industry is expected to mirror the trends in the eastern states, but with greater price volatility. The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting drier conditions, which may force producers to sell more stock, increasing market supply; however, the ongoing strong export demand will put upward pressure.

• The wool market is looking to continue its positive start to the season, with further price growth driven primarily by reduced supply. Some producers will start to look at increasing flock sizes in 2026; however, there will be a lag before wool supply starts increasing again.

• Western Australian lamb prices are expected to soften from the recent record highs, although they should remain historically strong. Firm demand from processors and exporters, alongside generally tighter supply, will be supportive, but the drier seasonal outlook may limit restocker demand.

Tasmania:

• Rainfall is likely to be average across Tasmania over the coming months. Most water storages in the state have lifted compared to this time last year, which should keep irrigation costs in check and support strong vegetable production.

• Tasmanian milk production is leading the country, with a strong bounce back from last season’s weather challenges. Growth is likely to moderate as the season progresses, but a benign rainfall outlook offers the prospect of maintaining good cow condition and reduced supplementary feed requirements compared with last year.

• Tasmania’s cattle prices are forecast to remain mostly stable. The dry weather outlook may encourage more selling of stock if these conditions eventuate. This would, in turn, apply some downwards pressure on prices as more stock becomes available at saleyards; however, the high demand for Australian beef on international markets will limit any strong declines in prices.

• The state’s lamb prices are forecast to ease from the record highs seen in 2025, although they should remain historically strong. Processor and export demand is expected to remain elevated, and should conditions allow rebuilding to commence across the southeast of the country, restocking activity will also be supportive.

• The wool market is looking to continue its positive start to the season, with further price growth driven primarily by reduced supply. Some producers will start to look at increasing flock sizes in 2026; however, there will be a lag before wool supply starts increasing again.

AG MACHINERY

Tractors lined up in South Melbourne

By the end of the decade, cultivating implements, milking machines, internal combustion engines, tractors and motor vehicles were added to the product line-up. An Australian subsidiary commenced operations in 1912 and, in 1939, opened a new factory on City Rd in South Melbourne, on a site previously occupied by General Motors Holden (which moved to Fishermans Bend). The factory was partly demolished and remodelled.

Old floors were torn up, and a forest of existing pillars was eliminated by the installation of modern wide-spread girders. The emphasis throughout was on light and space.

The building featured a glass-fronted showroom for the display of International trucks, Farmall tractors and McCormack agricultural machinery. They were all vital tools for the booming agricultural sector of Australia and were in fierce competition with the local firm of Massey Ferguson, situated in Sunshine.

The stylishly updated new building, with cement-rendered finish, plate glass windows and a modern layout and finish, was accessible from four sides, which made it unique for receiving, dispatching and servicing trucks and tractors.

It also featured central heating and modern lighting throughout, and a large metal sign facing City Rd advertising McCormack-Deering.

On the interior, where the administrative offices were located, soundproofing was ensured by sugar-cane fibre board, and all doors were in matching plywood of Queensland silver ash with floors in narrow hardwood that was stained and polished. Hardware was in oxidised brass. It must have given staff a distinct feeling of satisfaction to work in the stylish surroundings. One special interior feature was a theatre used for demonstrations, conferences, displays of new machines, and films.

The complex also featured an extensive parts department (up to 60,000 pieces!) connected by pneumatic tubes and bell wiring systems. Body parts were moved around the premises by a system of monorails and electric hoists, and a massive goods lift from Kavanagh St.

The building was used by the firm until the early 1980s, when it ceased operations in Australia.

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AG NEWS AUSTRALIA

Mormons join $1.1b American push into ‘undervalued’ Aussie farm Land

American investors have delivered a massive vote of confidence in Australia’s $84-billion agriculture sector, after spending $1.1 billion buying up two huge farming portfolios in NSW and Queensland.

The first deal involved the agricultural investment arm of the Utah-based Mormon Church, which has spent over $300 million to acquire around 26,000 hectares of cropping farmland in southern Queensland.

The acquisition of Worral Creek from retiring cotton growers Robert and Jennie Reardon was made by Alkira Farms, a subsidiary of the Mormon Church’s Farmland Reserve, which owns about 300,000 hectares of farmland in Nebraska, Oklahoma and Florida worth around $3 billion.

The Mormon Church – officially the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or LDS Church –has an investment portfolio worth US$265 billion ($391 billion).

Local agricultural asset manager Warakirri will manage Alkira Farms on behalf of the Mormon Church through a new cropping business called Solterra, led by investment director Adrian Goonan.

“Australian agriculture continues to be an attractive proposition for both domestic and global investors, providing genuine portfolio differentiation in a region that has a strong reputation globally,” Mr Goonan said.

“We are excited by the opportunities available in Australian agriculture and continue to see value from an investment in the sector that has the potential to drive strong returns into the future.”

The Worral Creek aggregation spans seven non-contiguous properties between Talwood and Mungindi in the Border Rivers region. The sale includes 65,900 megalitres of water entitlements. The property produces a diverse range of cereals and legumes, while also running a livestock breeding program and a feedlot.

“Worral Creek provides a turnkey large-scale enterprise, with exceptional irrigation infrastructure and water security, making it an ideal foundation asset for Alkira’s investment in Australian agriculture,” Mr Goonan said.

Clayton Smith and Chris Holgar from JLL negotiated the sale of Worral Creek. Ben Craw from Oxley Capital Partners was an advisor on the deal.

Bell family sells AFA for $780 million

In the larger of the two deals, NASDAQ-listed Agriculture & Natural Solutions Acquisition Corporation has acquired the Bell family’s Australian Food & Agriculture Company (AFA) in a deal valuing the Australian business at $780 million.

A new company – Agriculture & Natural Solutions Company (ANSC), which will own and operate the Australian business, is expected to list on the New York Stock Exchange or “another exchange, as agreed”.

AFA, which farms across 222,000 hectares at Hay, Deniliquin and Coonamble in the NSW Riverina region, was established in 1993 by stockbroking legends Colin, Andrew and Lewis Bell – the founders of Bell Potter.

It’s 14 properties, farm 95,000 merino sheep, a 19,000-strong herd of beef cattle and 35,000 hectares of dryland and irrigated row crops that produce cotton, rice, wheat, barley, canola and other crops.

The business, put up for sale following the death of Colin Bell in 2022, has delivered average annual total returns of 16 per cent over the past 10 years.

ANSC intends to further enhance returns through the development of soil carbon and other biodiversity projects, as well as by developing premium products and other initiatives.

In a presentation document published online, ANSC highlighted the attractiveness of Australia’s agriculture sector, including its “innovative farmers with a commercial mindset”, “proximity to key export markets” and its “regulated carbon market”.

“We have always believed that agriculture – backed by the right sort of capital – could deliver nature and climate solutions,” said ANSC CEO Bert Glover.

Mr Glover founded Impact Ag Partners, which, together with US asset management firm Riverstone, established ANSC last year as a NASDAQ-listed special purpose acquisition company.

The Cayman Islands-incorporated company was set up to invest in agriculture as a means to tackle climate change through carbon sequestration.

In its presentation, ANSC asserted that Australian farmland is undervalued relative to North America and Europe and “offers attractive pricing to investors”.

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

What Happens If You Take a Step Back? 3 Fixes So the Next Gen Can Step Up

You say you want to pass the reins one day. Let the kids take over. 
But if you stepped back tomorrow, what exactly is your team walking into?
A contact list scribbled in an old notebook? Filenames that only make sense to you? Unless your business can run without anyone texting you every six minutes, it’s not ready.

Here are three fixes that make stepping back less terrifying for you and for them.

1. Write Down What’s in Your Head

Start with this:

• Where are the passwords?

• Who do you call when the printer breaks?

• What’s the name of the rep who gives you the better rate?

Most of the time, you’re the only one who knows. That makes you irreplaceable, sure. It also makes you a single point of failure.

Even if you’re not ready to hand it off yet, act like you might. One day off-grid shouldn’t collapse the operation.

2. Just Set Up the System

We know. No one else gets it as you do. You’ve been doing this for years. You know the breeders, the buyers, the quirks. BUT you can’t pass on knowledge that’s never been documented.

Start with low-hanging fruit: 

• Your sales cycle

• Your onboarding steps

• Your content calendar (or lack of one)

• Your actual budget, not the one in your head

Don’t overcomplicate it. Just make things findable, sendable, repeatable.

3. Give Them Something Real to Work With

The worst way to hand over a business is all at once.
You vanish. They flounder. Then you step back in and say, “See? Not ready.”
Of course they’re not. You didn’t give them the reps.

Instead, give them the rope slowly. One comms channel. One mini-campaign. One catalogue season. Let them fail, recover, and learn. They won’t do it your way. Doesn’t matter. What matters is that they can do it.

Also, if they show zero interest? That’s information too. Better to find that out now than in the middle of a transfer.

TL;DR

If you’re half-considering a sabbatical, a break, or just sleeping in during catalogue week, do these first:

• Write the cheat sheet

• Fix the weak links

• Let them have a proper go

Then see what happens.

🎯 Want help documenting your systems, cleaning your stack, and turning tribal knowledge into repeatable workflows? That’s what we do.

📬 [email protected]

More grounded advice at: rdcreativestudio.com.au/blog

Women in Ag

Women of the outback - the unsung heroes of rural and regional Australia

In 2025, Australia ranked 13th globally in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report, marking its highest ever position since the index began in 2006. With around 30 per cent of Australians living in rural and regional areas, one might reasonably ask the question, “What is being done to ensure women living in non-metropolitan centres are accounted for in this positive trend towards gender equality?”

Australia is fortunate to have many advocacy not-for-profit organisations serving as pillars of support for women living in rural and regional areas of the country. The members of these not-for-profits, which include Country Women’s Association of Australia, Australian Women in Agriculture, and the National Rural Women's Coalition, are everyday women who are the backbone of rural and regional communities – managing farms, raising families, supporting local businesses, and working tirelessly to ensure that Australians living in the outback continue to thrive.

Through these not-for-profits, a platform is provided where rural and regional women can connect, learn, and most importantly, share their unique challenges and triumphs. The connection between these organisations and rural and regional women runs deep. The unique challenges faced by those living in rural and regional areas are well understood – from the isolation that can come with living far from services and family, to the mental and emotional toll of farming and rural and regional life.

Yet, despite these challenges, rural and regional women have always found ways to rise above them. They are innovators, leaders, and changemakers who have continually demonstrated extraordinary strength and perseverance.

This very spirit should be celebrated on a daily basis by every Australian, acknowledging the contributions that rural and regional women make to their communities and across industries, from agriculture to education, healthcare, and everything in between.

The Not For Profits provide an opportunity to showcase the incredible leadership and entrepreneurial spirit of these women who often work quietly behind the scenes, yet whose impact is immeasurable. The importance of offering these women a platform to gain recognition, receive support for their projects and advocate for their communities, and connect with other like-minded individuals cannot be overstated.

But beyond that, it’s about women living in rural and regional Australia inspiring future generations of women who will continue the work of transforming our rural and regional communities. The power of rural and regional women is real.

Recent studies by nationally recognised organisations, such as NSW DPIRD, DAFF, and the Soil CRC, have put the spotlight on trends in women working in the agricultural industry in a series of recent major studies.

They found that women represent about 32 per cent of the Australian agricultural workforce, but they remain under-represented in leadership roles. Despite the potential positive on-farm impact of women farmers’ knowledge, the research identified barriers to women’s participation in agriculture.

Women were found to be excluded from agriculture in a range of ways, including stereotyped gender roles, and the societal assumption that on family farms, a man is the farmer and a woman is the farmer’s wife.

Swapping the cities and coastlines for paddocks and stockyards, a new generation of women is forging careers in agriculture, bringing fresh perspectives and innovation to the industry and proving that you don’t need to be born into farming to make an impact.

From 2016 to 2021, the number of women employed in agriculture grew by 7,105 workers, representing almost two-thirds (66 per cent) of the overall expansion in the agricultural industry. Sheep, beef cattle and grain farming accounted for 42 per cent of women working in the agricultural sector.

I believe that when rural and regional women succeed, we all succeed as a nation. It’s not enough to just celebrate the individual achievements of rural and regional women; the not-for-profits are investing in the future of our communities and ensuring that the voices of rural and regional women continue to be heard and valued.

As we move forward, let us all continue to stand together in support of rural and regional women, for they are the driving force behind the future of agriculture, innovation, and community growth in outback Australia.

Let us take pride in their contributions, celebrate their successes, and continue to empower them to reach new heights. 

G'day, REALM Readers!

"I have no great skills in life, but I'm a very good observer, and I get my pleasure - and my income - from writing books and songs principally about exciting and interesting people..." Ted Egan, aged 90.

Ted Egan, or 'Elvis of the Outback', died last week aged 93, and the more I dig into Ted's history, the more I can appreciate why The National Trust of Australia appointed him as a National Living Treasure!

I must admit Ted Egan's songs didn't get into my top songs playlist for 2025 - but 'Drovers Boy' has always stirred up emotions - many of you may have been lucky enough to hear Ted play it on a beer carton (he called it the 'Fosterphone' - as he couldn't play any other instrument!)... Another of his favourites, 'Drinkers of the Territory', captures the humour, heart, and spirit of life in the Outback like few others.

He was born in Melbourne in 1932 and came to the NT with a mate when he was 16. They were working in Darwin to save money for a trip to Brazil - but he never quite made it there.

Early in his career, before music, he worked with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in remote communities - as a patrol officer, reserve superintendent, and bush-school teacher - it was during this time in the 1950s that Ted began learning Indigenous languages and started writing bush ballads and collecting stories.

A good Aussie Rules player, he also set up and captained the iconic football team, St Mary's Football Club in Darwin. The club began as a way to give Indigenous people from the Tiwi Islands a chance to play. "It was probably one of the most important things in my entire life..." he said in 2012.

In the 1960s, Ted began recording songs, and The Ted Egan Outback Show was basically the only nighttime entertainment in Alice Springs for 30 years - 'coach tourism' was peaking and tourists wanted to leave Alice with 3 notable souvenirs - the NT Flag, A Ted Egan Cassette and a Darwin Stubby*.

He spoke proudly of the NT flag and was given the very first flag by its designer, Robert Ingpen of Geelong, in 1978. Ted explains the flag, "...the land is ochre, people are black and white (basically), the Southern Cross, and the Desert Rose is our flower..."

Amongst many of his achievements, Ted recorded 30 albums and published 17 books; hosted This Land Australia and was one of the first founding interviewers for the TV show, The Great Outdoors. He was appointed Administrator of the Northern Territory in 2003 and was awarded the Order of Australia (AO) for service to Indigenous people, history, and the arts in 2004.

Ted will receive a State Funeral; the date will be announced in the coming weeks.

Humpty Doo Digger (Cheers) Ted Egan.

*Listen to Matt Stewart interview Ted Egan at 90, in Alice Springs, NT: View Video.

Hooroo for now,
Simon Cheatham
Founder RFTTE - The Online Campfire | E: [email protected] or reply to this newsletter | Subscribe to this newsletter | The RFTTE Story | RFTTE MERCH 
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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)