F E A T U R E D

Northern NSW growers welcome bumper grain harvest as the south is plagued by drought

In short:

Grain growers in northern NSW are enjoying a stand-out season, despite some wet weather interruptions.

NSW is tipped to produce 18 million tonnes of grain this year, with most set to come from the state's north.

What's next?

Growers in the south of the state are now looking to next season as drought continues to affect this year's crop.

In north-west NSW, a bumper grain harvest and a premiership win for the local footy club usually go hand in hand.

Just ask Harry Pye, a grower west of Walgett, a town in the region's cropping heartland.

It might not be footy season right now, but there are a lot more people to blow off steam and have a kick with.

"When Walgett's had rain and everyone's planted crops and everything's going on, the Walgett Rugby Club goes really well because we've got a lot of people coming in," he said.

"In the dry years, everything shuts down, farmers stop employing … and we generally come bottom of the table in the rugby."

Mr Pye has three contracting teams harvesting wheat and chickpeas, with well-timed rain leaving him with the best crop he has seen in several years.

The weather is still a challenge

However, even a stand-out season comes with challenges, including weather, stress, and fatigue.

"I like planting the crop, I like growing the crop [but] when it comes around to harvest, no one's excited because it's 18-hour days and stress and heat and breakdowns," Mr Pye said.

"You're just stressed, like the rain is going to come and put it all underwater and you'll lose it all."

Enid Coupe shares the 3,400-hectare near Walgett, where she has had a good season despite recent hail damage to some wheat and chickpeas.

"We had it insured, but not for a lot, so that's going to cost us a lot of money, but you deal with what Mother Nature gives you and you move on, and get off what's left of your crop," she said.

Ms Coupe said back-to-back bumper crops would bring a welcome boost.

"People will spend money, they will put up another silo, they will get something fixed in the house that the wife's been wanting to get fixed for 50 years, they will put in some new water tanks, buy more machinery," she said.

Strong start to the season

Despite recent rain interruptions, GrainCorp is reporting strong delivery volumes across northern NSW.

"Canola is up significantly for us as a region, and we've received more than ever," said Luke Vanderwerf, GrainCorp regional operations manager for northern NSW.

"We've turned on another three canola sites this year, one of them a significant one, being Burren Junction."

The Burren Junction site recently broke its daily receival record by 2,000 tonnes.

"We've been able to really get the tonnes rolling, the same with [Croppa Creek], we've got a new bunker and a new stacker here which has allowed us to get some more tonnes in the door," Mr Vanderwerf said.

As of November 10, GrainCorp sites had received 2,033,600 tonnes of grain across the state, contributing to a total 3,543,000 from NSW, Queensland and Victoria for the season.

Drought hinders southern crops

With New South Wales tipped to produce almost 18 million tonnes of grain this year, most of it will come from the north of the state, as drought continues to plague southern growers.

"Most people down this way are going to struggle to get anywhere near average crops," said grower Mike O'Hare, at Beckom in the Riverina.

"When you throw in wheat prices and barley prices not being that magnificent, it's not really exciting for some people."

As summer approaches, Mr O'Hare hopes next season will turn things around.
"When you're on the edge, it doesn't take a lot to make a difference," he said.

Pay In-Time Finance

Rural Momentum: Steady Rates and Fresh Opportunities for Farmers

Despite a few early-season hurdles, there’s a growing sense of confidence across farming regions this week. Fertiliser and seed prices have edged higher again, but many growers are seeing this as a sign of strong market demand ahead rather than a setback. With early forecasts looking promising, producers who prepare now are positioning themselves to hit the ground running when the season opens up.

Recent fire activity in WA and SA caused temporary disruptions, but the rapid response from local communities, volunteers, and neighbouring farms showed the strength of regional resilience. Stock relocations, feed gaps, and grazing adjustments were handled quickly — a reminder that having flexible funding available isn’t just useful, it’s strategic. It keeps momentum strong, even when surprises hit.

Livestock operators also have encouraging signals. Though export freight capacity is expected to tighten in the short term, demand remains firm, and exporters are confident volumes will recover as shipping lanes stabilise. Producers who can maintain steady programs — feeding, finishing, and moving stock efficiently — stand to benefit when prices strengthen through late spring.

On the finance front, stability is the big advantage right now. Rates are holding firm, and that gives farmers a clear window to secure funding while conditions are predictable:

• Commercial equipment finance: 6.2%

• Car finance: 5.99%

• Business loans: 7.07%

For anyone looking to upgrade machinery, replace ageing vehicles, or take on new opportunities, these rates provide a solid platform to make confident decisions before pressures shift later in the year.

And for farmers waiting on payments, invoice finance is proving to be a valuable tool. Instead of waiting 14–30 days for grain or livestock invoices to clear, producers can unlock most of that money upfront. It’s not long-term debt — it’s smart cash-flow smoothing that keeps the farm moving when timing matters most.

At PAY IN TIME Finance, we’re helping farmers turn this stability into real progress: securing equipment at sharp rates, setting up business loans that follow the farm’s seasonal rhythm, and putting invoice-finance options in place so cash flow stays steady all year round. It’s all about giving you more room to grow, upgrade, and stay ahead of the pack.

If you want to make the most of this steady rate window, we can run the numbers for you this week and show exactly what’s possible for your farm.

WEEKLY AUCTION DATES – 2025

1.) 14^th November 2025

INPUTS & COMMODITIES

Australia’s key commodities highlights and economic influences for this month. The full report covers the developments to watch in the upcoming weeks.

• Wheat and barley: Despite abundant global grain supplies, wheat prices have found support in recent weeks, with gains largely driven by Russia-US tensions. The Australian basis could face headwinds, as RaboResearch expects the Australian dollar to rise over the next 12 months, and carryover into 2025/26 remains high.
  
  Canola: Canola prices have been supported in recent weeks by a sharp rise in CBOT soybean prices following the announcement of a US-China trade framework. The market will be watching closely for further developments.
  
  Beef: Cattle prices remain highly contingent on seasonal conditions, with drier weather through September and October seeing prices ease. With the forecast for November showing average to above-average rainfall we may see prices stabilise and possibly lift.
  
  Sheepmeat: All categories of lamb and mutton have seen prices decline over the last month as supplies increase with new season lambs entering the market. We believe prices may ease further as numbers rise, but ongoing limited supplies will provide a floor in the market.
  
  Wool: Wool prices fell in October, with the EMI down 9% MOM. Despite this decline, prices remain 24% higher than at the start of the year.
  
  Cotton: ICE #2 Cotton futures have found support in recent weeks, rallying 3.3% since mid-October. The recent price strength is largely driven by optimism around US-China trade discussions, which appear to be progressing well.
  
  Farm inputs: RaboResearch sees downside risk for urea and phosphate prices due to poor global affordability. Current market dynamics suggest a potential pullback in usage, as buyers remain unwilling to absorb current high prices.
  
  Dairy: Global fundamentals have slowly become more bearish for prices. Milk supply growth is ramping up, led by record milk flows during New Zealand's peak season. Some welcome news locally, with small increases in farmgate milk price announced by major dairy processors.
  
  Consumer foods: Food inflation came in at 3.1% YOY for Q3 2025. Egg prices were the main category still posting higher inflation. However, firmer livestock prices were leading to upward price pressure in the red meat aisle.
  
  Interest rates and FX: Stronger-than-expected Q3 inflation has likely nixed the chances of another rate cut in 2025. RaboResearch now projects just one more cut, to arrive in May next year.
  
  Oil and freight: Oil prices were pressured lower in October by signs of ample global supply, despite recent sanctions targeting Russia's major oil firms providing some support to prices in the middle of the month.

AG MACHINERY

Top 5 New Machines for Agriculture 2025 | New Machinery Revolutionizing Farming Efficiency

Let’s take a deep dive into the top 5 new agricultural machines that are transforming how food is produced worldwide. Each machine—cutting-edge in technology, efficiency, and design—stands as a benchmark for the future of farm management.

1. AI-Powered Autonomous Tractors

   • Primary Function: Fully autonomous tilling, seeding, and plowing guided by advanced AI.

   • Benefits: Operate without human intervention, adapt to soil conditions, weather changes, and field variability in real time.

   • Use Case: Ideal for large and mid-sized farms facing labor shortages and efficiency bottlenecks.

   Example: 2025 Model SmartTrac X9 utilizes machine learning, advanced navigation systems, and precise soil analysis tools to ensure minimal soil compaction and optimized resource application.

2. Multi-Functional Robotic Harvesters

   • Primary Function: Automated fruit, vegetable, and grain harvesting using AI-driven cameras and sensors.

   • Benefits: Detects crop ripeness, identifies pest infestations, and reduces carbon footprint by optimizing each harvesting route.

   • Use Case: High-value specialty crops, reducing harvest loss for commercial farms.

   Example: RoboHarvest 2025 employs climate-adaptive AI to manage harvesting times and transport logistics.

3. Electric-Powered Precision Planters

   • Primary Function: Electric machinery planting seeds with GPS-coordinated placement and variable-rate input application.

   • Benefits: Slashes fossil fuel reliance, eliminates greenhouse gas emissions, and applies fertilizers and pesticides precisely.

   • Use Case: Farms prioritizing environmental sustainability and resource management.

   Example: EcoSeed Pro 2025 delivers precision planting with less than 0.1% margin of error per acre.
   
   Learn more about reducing environmental impact and monitoring footprints: Farmonaut’s Carbon Footprinting Solutions

4. Autonomous Crop Monitoring Drones

   • Primary Function: Continuous, real-time aerial monitoring of crop health, soil moisture, and early identification of pests or disease.

   • Benefits: Reduce response time to infestations and nutrient deficiencies, guide precise input application, and improve yields.

   • Use Case: Large-scale variable fields or remote farms.

   Example: DroneScout Vision 2025 offers multispectral imaging integrated with AI analytics for rapid farm insights.
   
   Check out our advanced satellite monitoring platform for enhanced automation: Farmonaut Large Scale Farm Management

5. Fleet-Connected Smart Sprayer Systems

   • Primary Function: Automated, sensor-driven application of water, fertilizers, and pesticides, minimizing environmental impact.

   • Benefits: Utilizes real-time sensor data for spot spraying, significantly reducing chemical waste and runoff.

   • Use Case: Precision agriculture, sustainable farms, and eco-sensitive regions.

   Example: SprayMaster AI 2025 automatically adjusts spray levels based on microclimate and crop density.
   
   Efficient fleet management is essential for operational success. Discover Farmonaut’s Fleet and Resource Management Platform

“The latest autonomous tractors reduce fuel consumption by 25% compared to conventional models in field operations.”

These machines set new standards in efficiency, sustainability, and precision agriculture.

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AG NEWS AUSTRALIA

Understanding CASA Part 101: What Australian Farmers and the Agricultural Industry Need to Know About Drone Regulations

Drone Regulations in Australian Agriculture — What Farmers Need to Know

Drones are becoming essential tools in modern farming, but understanding Australia’s regulations is critical. All drone activity is governed by CASA’s Part 101 and the Manual of Standards (MOS) Part 101, which outlines how drones must be flown safely across Australian airspace.

CASA Part 101 – The Basics

Part 101 sets the core rules for all drone pilots:

• Operational Categories

  • Excluded Category: Low-risk use, including drones under 2 kg, or flights on your own property.

  • Licensed/Certified Operations: For larger drones or commercial services requiring a ReOC.

• Key Rules

  • Must fly within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) unless approved for BVLOS.

  • Maximum altitude: 120 m (400 ft) AGL.

  • Stay 30 m from people and avoid airports, controlled airspace, and public roads.

MOS Part 101 – The Detailed Requirements

The MOS outlines the technical and procedural standards, including training (RePL/ReOC), flight records, maintenance logs, safety systems, and requirements for advanced operations like BVLOS or EBVLOS.

Understanding the Landowner Excluded Category

Farmers flying on their own land for their own business (and not getting paid) fall under the landowner-excluded category:

• Under 25 kg
  – No ReOC or RePL required.

• 25–150 kg
  – RePL required, no ReOC needed.

• ReOC is only required if providing commercial services or flying off your own land.

Why Compliance Matters

Following Part 101 and MOS 101 protects people, livestock, property, and ensures farmers can continue using drones safely and legally. It also enables advanced permissions like BVLOS and night operations.

Preparing for BVLOS in Agriculture

BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) allows drones to fly further and cover large, remote properties—ideal for crop surveys, stock checks, mapping, spraying, and infrastructure inspection.

To fly BVLOS legally, operators must hold:

• RePL

• ReOC

• CASA-approved BVLOS authorisation (Enclosed BVLOS or BVLOS OCTA)

Note: BVLOS is not allowed under the landowner-excluded category. Farmers must either obtain a ReOC or operate under a business that holds one.

What’s Required for BVLOS?

• Reliable C2 links

• Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) systems

• Strong fail-safe/RTH systems

• CASA-compliant risk assessments and documentation

Why BVLOS Matters

It enables:

• Large-scale autonomous surveys

• Wide-area crop health monitoring

• Remote inspections of fencing, irrigation, and stock

• Drone spraying over extensive properties
  All with reduced time, cost, and risk.

Key Takeaways for Farmers

• Part 101 = rules.

• MOS 101 = how to apply them.

• Most on-farm work falls under the Excluded Category.

• Under 25 kg: no RePL/ReOC.

• 25–150 kg: RePL only.

• Commercial work: ReOC required.

• Stay below 120 m, maintain VLOS, keep 30 m from people.

• BVLOS requires RePL, ReOC, and CASA approval.

What’s Next

The next article will cover:

• Practical agricultural drone use cases

• Recommended platforms and sensors

• Tips and lessons from real operations

For questions or further guidance, visit www.skyscangeomatics.com.au or contact me directly.

Written by Mike Hooker

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

The Most Overlooked Sales Tool on Your Website (and How to Fix It in 10 Minutes)

Most ag businesses treat testimonials like nice-to-haves. They collect a few generic quotes, stick them at the bottom of the page, and move on.

“Great service.”
“Would recommend.”
“Top team.”

But when your buyers are weighing high-ticket decisions (whether that’s a tractor, a contract, or a new tech service), vague praise doesn’t cut it.

Here’s what actually works:

Use testimonials to reduce risk. Make your buyers think: “That sounds exactly like what I’m worried about, and they nailed it.”

A Quick Fix: The 4-Part Testimonial

Next time you ask for a testimonial, guide them like this:

1. Before — What problem were you trying to solve?
→ “We weren’t sure this would work for our farm size…”

2. Doubt — What hesitation did you have?
→ “We thought it might be too hard to integrate…”

3. Decision — Why did you go ahead anyway?
→ “They explained the fit clearly — no pressure.”

4. After — What happened next?
→ “Now we finish jobs 30% faster.”

Try This Today: Message to Send Your Clients

Here’s a message you can send to your best clients right now:

“Hey [Name], we’d love to share your story on our site. Would you mind answering 3 quick questions?”

1. What was your situation before working with us?

2. What made you decide to try our service?

3. What changed after you came on board?

We’ll polish it up and send it back for your approval before posting. Thanks so much — your story could help other producers make the right call, too.”

Why This Matters

In markets like agriculture, decisions aren’t made on impulse. They’re made based on trust. And the fastest way to earn that trust is to show someone just like your buyer, facing the same doubts.

📬 Want help building trust at every stage of your brand?
RD Creative Studio works with agribusinesses to turn digital touchpoints into proof of performance. Reach out today → [email protected] 

Women Working in and Sustaining Agriculture Worldwide

Agriculture underpins our civilisation. Women have always underpinned agriculture, and continue to do so in diverse and important ways

Women are reported to make up around 43 percent of the agricultural labour force globally. Their role in small-scale farming systems and the barriers they face in achieving equitable access to inputs are often highlighted. However, this strong focus on women as labourers or auxiliary workers masks the wider contribution of women to agriculture over time in Australia and globally.

The Western history of agricultural development generally suggests that agriculture emerged in the “Fertile Crescent” in the Middle East around 12,000 years ago. What is often omitted is that the initial cultivation of wheat was likely the innovation of Natufian women who selected the best seeds and those most easy to harvest, which they then sowed on specially prepared land as a crop for the following year. Indeed, the prevailing narrative is that European men were the pioneers of agriculture. In Australia, the invisibility of women in agriculture has been facilitated by our policy environment: in 1891, in colonial Australia, a decision was made not to count farming women in the census; and post Federation, women were not legally considered farmers until 1994!

Contrastingly, Indigenous Australian society was more egalitarian, with women recognised as key actors in land management prior to colonisation in 1788. Importantly, in 21st-century Australia, where economic pressures on farming households are resulting in a significant decrease in the number of farming families, estimates suggest that women also bring in a massive 75 percent of “off-farm” income, i.e., wages sourced outside agricultural income streams, which is vital to supporting farming families during tough economic periods.

Globally, numerous structural barriers continue to limit the recognition and contribution of women to agriculture, which results in lower agricultural production and less sustainable food systems. The obstacles that many women face in agriculture include a lack of access to and ownership of land, financing, markets, agricultural training and education, suitable working conditions, and equal treatment, including in terms of leadership opportunities. In Australia, women represent about 32 percent of the Australian agricultural workforce, but they remain underrepresented in leadership roles. Globally, according to the World Economic Forum, women occupied only 23 percent of leadership roles in agriculture.

Language and access to formal education are substantial barriers that require significant attention as they limit current and future generations of women involved with agriculture. Worldwide, women generally have lower literacy rates and less access to learning national and international languages. This reduces their ability to participate in agricultural training and policy discussions; the situation is usually worse for rural and Indigenous women. International and national agricultural meetings are frequently conducted in one of the three main European languages (i.e., English, French, and Spanish), which can reduce the voices of women who did not have an opportunity to learn one or more of these international languages.

It’s widely held that leadership diversity improves the performance of organisations and households. An exploration of agricultural endeavours led and implemented by women suggests that this principle also holds true in agriculture. The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research notes that “if women had equal access to resources, their farms would be more productive and they would be able to feed more hungry people. When women earn an income, they invest in their families, who then become healthier and more educated, which in turn leads to greater prosperity for their communities.” In Mozambique, rural communities have recognised that women working as community poultry vaccinators are often more hardworking and persistent, and communicate more effectively with the women of the household who usually care for the family’s poultry. Improved rates of vaccination in poultry improve household food security and income generation, thanks to research and development activities supported by the Australian Government.

In the Philippines, Indigenous women farmers are augmenting their leadership skills through a Global Leadership School for Indigenous Women supported jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the International Indigenous Women’s Forum. In Australia, the Carbon8 organisation was founded in 2017 by three innovators (two women and a man) to promote the adoption of workable regenerative farm management practices in support of improved soil health, soil organic carbon sequestration, and improved soil water holding capacity. Carbon8 continues to grow and support an increasing number of farmers.

Possibly, the best news is that there is a new generation of vibrant, committed young women working on the farms, in agricultural research, and in agricultural policy development and implementation. With access to the internet growing rapidly in rural areas, young women agriculturalists from different countries are supporting each other to build a more resilient future by addressing agriculture, youth, and climate change.

Beyond agriculture, it is essential that women’s knowledge and experience is better utilised across local and global food systems. Achieving gender equity and improving women’s agency in food systems can greatly enhance food security and better nutrition while also delivering “just, resilient, and sustainable food systems for all.”

G'day, REALM Readers!

Earlier this week, Cattle Australia held 'Cattle Connect' in Dalby, which included presentations by industry leaders, a campdraft under lights, a 'muster dogs' display, and a few beers with some delicious beef on the menu. There was also strong attendance by local schools, led by eager Ag Teachers and Year 10 students asking plenty of questions as many prepare for work experience.

I also spoke with plenty of young people already thinking beyond school - some keen on heading north for the 2026 mustering season. An opportunity that some may want to consider is with Australia's largest beef producer, AACo, with feedlots and stations comprising around 6.4 million hectares of land in Queensland and the Northern Territory. A fair chunk of turf at roughly 1% of Australia’s land mass.

So, if you’re ready for a meaningful role with one of Australia’s iconic agribusiness companies, and you want to make your mark in an 'operationally-rich environment', then AACo could be the perfect fit. Whether leading a stockcamp as a Head Stockperson on the Barkly, cooking for hungry ringers, or supporting admin functions - there are some cracking roles with AACo...

They're currently seeking to fill several roles for the 2026 season (and beyond) including Station and Feedlot Head Stockperson's at Eva Downs, Anthony Lagoon and Avon Downs in the NT;  a Cook/ Gardener & Domestic at Wylarah Station in Central Queensland; an Admin Assistant at Rewan Station near beautiful Carnarvon Gorge, QLD; and a Road Train Driver at Anthony Lagoon a few hundred kilometres north east of Tennant Creek in the NT.

LATEST JOBS: RFTTEJOBS.com

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)