F E A T U R E D

As Australia races towards what seems like an inevitable renewable energy future, one voice cannot be ignored … it’s us farmers who feed our nation and work our vast landscapes.

We’re nearing the pointy end of the federal election campaign, and the Victorian Farmers Federation has sent a clear message to both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton—transitioning to clean energy must not come at the cost of regional communities.

Farmers aren’t standing in the way of progress. In fact, many support the move to renewables. But that support does not mean it’s open slather in the face of these projects.

We won’t accept a system where multinational energy companies dictate terms to local landholders. There’s no doubt that frustration is growing amongst those whose livelihoods are impacted by sprawling energy and transmission projects that are often planned with little to no input from those most affected.

What we’re calling for is not controversial, I would say it’s completely reasonable. Proper consultation. Fair compensation. Respect for local voices. These are not nice to have, they are the foundation of a just and lasting energy transformation, and a non-negotiable.

One key demand is that no Commonwealth funding be granted to developers who haven’t meaningfully engaged with landholders or adhered to a mandatory Land Access Code of Conduct. In other words: no engagement, no funding. Taxpayer dollars must come with strings attached that look after the people. In this case, it helps safeguard the rights and well-being of rural Australians.

Then there’s compensation for hosting transmission lines … it should be tax-free. These payments are not bonuses. They’re compensation for disrupted operations, lost productivity, and the visual and environmental footprint that farmers must endure long after construction is complete.

This federal election is about more than politics—it’s about shaping how Australia powers its future. And that future must be built with, not on, our regional communities.

As farmers, we’re not asking for special treatment, we’re asking for a fair go.

Thanks, Brett Hosking is the President of the Victorian Farmers Federation.

Australia remains one of the world’s most dependable producers of beef, grain, and horticulture, but the business of farming has never been more complex. Between unpredictable weather, volatile global commodity cycles, and climbing operational costs, farmers are now contending with tighter margins and even tighter bank lending rules. Unsurprisingly, many are beginning to look beyond the banks.

In the past year alone, demand for agricultural lending has risen by over 12%, according to data from Agri Futures Australia and the National Farmers' Federation. But what’s telling is not just the rise in demand — it’s where that demand is going. More farmers are now working with specialist agri-finance brokers, rather than traditional lenders, to access the capital they need.

It makes sense. Mainstream banks, with their rigid systems and city-based credit teams, often fail to grasp the seasonal nature and cash flow rhythms of rural businesses. In contrast, brokers who operate exclusively in the agriculture space bring a working knowledge of farm life, understanding livestock turnover, planting schedules, and machinery upgrades as part of the financial conversation, not an afterthought.

There’s also the issue of flexibility. As many farmers know, tax debt can be an instant roadblock with the banks. But some brokers are stepping in where the banks won’t, arranging practical funding solutions even when ATO arrears are in play. With over $1.1 billion in farm-related tax debt currently outstanding across Australia, this kind of support is proving essential for keeping operations on track.

In addition to plugging gaps in working capital, these brokers are also helping farmers engage with sustainable finance. As lending criteria shift to favour regenerative agriculture and ESG performance, brokers are emerging as the bridge between rural producers and incentive programs, such as the Agri Futures Carbon + Biodiversity Pilot or the Farm Business Resilience Program, that would otherwise remain underutilised.

With just nine weeks left in the financial year, now is the time many farming businesses begin planning ahead — reviewing balance sheets, preparing for tax season, and thinking about what next season looks like. Having 

Pay In Time – Finance someone in your corner who not only understands agri-finance, but also understands farming itself, can make that process a whole lot smoother.

While the face of farming continues to change, one thing is becoming clear: for an increasing number of producers, the future of rural finance doesn’t lie behind a bank counter — it’s in the hands of those who speak the language of the land.

WEEKLY AUCTION DATES – 2025

1.)20^th May 2025 2.) 30^th May 2025 3.) 3^rd June 2025 4.) 20^th June 2025

Ag Machinery

In May 2025, the Australian agricultural machinery market showed a mix of trends. Tractor sales were down, suggesting a shrinking market, while the Toyota HiLux continued its dominance in new vehicle sales. There was also a focus on integrating grain analysers with CNH harvesters and a push towards electric tractors, indicating a move towards technology adoption. 

Specific News Items:

• Shrinking Market:

  April tractor sales showed a significant decline compared to the previous year, indicating a potential downturn in the agricultural machinery market. 
  

• New Vehicle Sales:

  The Toyota HiLux remained the top-selling vehicle in Australia, despite its previous displacement by other models, highlighting the popularity of versatile vehicles in the agricultural sector. 
  

• Grain Analyser Integration:

  CropScanAg announced the integration of its grain analyser with the latest generation of Case IH and New Holland harvesters, indicating a focus on improving harvest efficiency and data analysis. 
  

• Electric Tractors:

  Hutcheon and Pearce (H&P) are developing electric tractors, with plans to deliver a comprehensive solution including batteries and chargers, suggesting a growing interest in electric alternatives for farm machinery. 
  

• Market Impact:

  Record demand and disrupted supply chains have led to high prices and delays for agricultural machinery imports, impacting the Australian market. 
  

• Insurance Costs:

  Farmers are facing increased insurance premiums due to extreme weather events, leading to challenges in managing risk and ensuring the protection of their machinery. 

• Farm Machinery: Farm News - Farming Ahead

  Machinery HEADLINES * Machinery market continues to shrink. April tractor sales show a significant decline compared to last year. Farming Ahead
  

• Snapshot - Australian agricultural machinery imports - DAFF

  4 Nov 2022 — Record demand and disrupted supply chains have led to high prices and delays for agricultural machinery imports. Strong.
  

• Agricultural Machinery - Topic - ABC News

  Farmers hit with $100,000 insurance bills as extreme weather events become more frequent. Farmers consider running the gauntlet.

Input Costs

Vital inputs –  (WORTH A READ)

Australia’s ability to produce food is dependent on the supply of critical agricultural inputs. This includes labour, energy, fertiliser, agvet chemicals, functioning freight and logistics, biosecurity, and land. The insecurity of supply of key inputs poses a substantial risk to Australia’s agricultural production capacity.

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) emphasised that food production in Australia is dependent on the supply of critical agricultural inputs. It stated:

Each input supply chain is plagued by different risks, and appropriate solutions to mitigate vulnerabilities will vary. However, the absence of any single input would pose a substantial if not disastrous, risk to Australia’s domestic food security and contribution to global food security. 

A graph from DAFF’s submission shows the estimated aggregate farm cash costs of the key inputs used in farming operations. 

Figure 4.1 Estimated aggregate farm cash costs, Australia, 2021-22

4.6 Key risks to critical agricultural inputs include:

• Global input shortages.

• Supply chain disruptions (i.e., freight, logistics, and lack of adequate supply chain efficiency/backlog compromising continued and timely input supply). 

• Overreliance on overseas labour and expertise.

• Overreliance on the import of key inputs. 

• Lack of input market diversification. 

  7. Mr Tony Mahar, National Farmers’ Federation CEO, stated that there are a number of actions Australia needs to take to safeguard our domestic food security, including ensuring timely access to critical inputs for farmers and addressing the increasing cost of critical inputs. 

Labour – problems and potential solutions

It is widely agreed that a primary risk to Australia’s food security is access to both skilled and unskilled labour. This issue is of concern for both the food supply chain and the farm sector.

Approved Employers of Australia (AEA) recognised that while traditional challenges of attracting and retaining workers are ongoing issues for the agriculture industry, the current labour shortages were severe, large-scale, and unlikely to be resolved without direct government intervention. It noted that:

A lack of appropriate labour stifles business output and economic growth. For the horticulture industry, labour shortages can disrupt fresh produce supply, prevent the uptake of new technology and other advancements, and delay growth opportunities. 

The NFSCA highlighted that Australian farms, processing facilities, and food and retail businesses are currently operating at reduced capacity and estimated that over 172,000 vacancies exist across the supply chain. 

Overseas workers 

The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme is a circular migration program with Pacific nations, designed with foreign aid objectives to fill workforce gaps in Australia's labour market.

The Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA) noted that migration plays a key role in the horticulture industry. The expansion of the PALM scheme from 8,000 workers to 20,000 workers in the horticulture industry over recent years clearly demonstrates the importance of migrant workers to the sector. The AFPA highlighted industry support for the introduction of a Harvest Work Visa (HWV) to complement the PALM scheme and other visa pathways, including the Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement (HILA) and Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) pathways. It concluded:

Acknowledging the need for migrant workers in the sector, a fit-for-purpose visa framework that offers appropriate pathways, protections, and regulations is an important way forward in both addressing current workforce shortages, enabling workforce planning, and filling skills gaps. 

Administrative burden 

While the value of the PALM scheme was recognised, some stakeholders expressed concern at the administrative burden attached to the scheme and the restrictions this placed on accessing PALM labour. Ms Claire McClelland, CEO of AFPA, highlighted that alterations to policies and regulations related to labour can significantly influence employment processes and resources within the agriculture industry and, by association, Australia's food security and the price of groceries. Ms McClelland pointed out the recent changes to the PALM scheme as an example:

The changes to the deed and guidelines will affect the operations of the PALM scheme and, if unresolved, will likely reduce industries' access to a substantial source of harvest labour. These changes are an example of where perceived minor tweaks in policy and programs have a substantive impact on the industry, putting downward pressure on growers, pushing up costs to consumers, and reducing our ability to continue to supply fresh and healthy food to all Australians.

Mobilising the local workforce 

In addition to the benefits of migrant labour for the food industry workforce, evidence presented to the Committee highlighted opportunities for mobilising the local workforce, including the use of job hubs and urban farming.

Job Hubs

Having faced significant labour shortages during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tasmanian Government has taken steps to access a reliable agriculture workforce, in particular seasonal workers post-COVID-19. The Jobs Tasmania Strategic Plan 2021–2024 involves programs targeting employers and industry to attract and support training and workforce development. It includes a regional jobs network, featuring a collection of jobs hubs across Tasmania.

When COVID occurred in Tasmania and we experienced these shortages, one of the things that the government did was really look at trying to encourage the local workforce to get into the agricultural sector, where they hadn't considered that before. That was quite successful for us. We linked it to the Harvest Trail website and encouraged people to work through that mechanism to encourage them to look for work in local areas. 

Role of urban farming 

There are many benefits of urban farming, not only in food production but also in career opportunities. Canberra urban farmer, Ms Fiona Buining, identified three kinds of urban farming programs and explained how they can benefit career choices and employment opportunities:

• Heart Programs are paid farm training programs for people with multiple barriers to employment that transform lives through teaching them how to grow food. The employment rate of graduates is over 80%, and there is a high return on investment (ROI). The farms provide an oasis and a new beginning, growing people and food. 

• Farm incubators – Upon completion of initial farm training, aspiring farmers with a successful business plan join the incubator program, where they have affordable access to land and other support to start their own farm enterprise. Incubators hatch successful farm businesses. 

• Land-based practicums at universities – land-based courses, from 6 months duration, on existing university farms offering practical experience and training within a theoretical framework. Incorporating partner farms is highly recommended. 

Skills development and education

The Tasmanian Government recognised the important role skilled labour plays across the entire agriculture industry, highlighting real skill shortages across Tasmanian agriculture. The Tasmanian government understands that to build a skilled labour force, skills development and education are required, not only for employees but employers. 

We also looked very closely at some of the real skill shortages. It wasn't just about numbers but also skills: for example, artificial insemination technicians, shearers, and those kinds of things. Hopefully, industries would become more self-reliant here in Tasmania rather than having to bring in those skills from interstate. 

Shifting the paradigm—agriculture is more than farming.

Critical to encouraging people to seek out careers in agriculture was shifting perceptions of what working in agriculture involves. Ms Margo Andrae, CEO of Australian Pork Limited, identified the difficulties posed in attracting workers into the meat processing industry. Firstly, the jobs are often in regional Australia, and trying to get people back into our regions is really tough.

…we need to reframe how people see our processing plants; that they are a great part of our food supply chain…it's a great job with great conditions, and you can live in a great part of Australia as well. 

Mr Luke Bowen, CEO of Cattle Australia, argued that the opportunity to change people’s perceptions of careers in agriculture were already there. Mr Bowen told the Committee, ‘There’s certainly a change in people's perception about agriculture and the opportunities that agriculture presents’:

Agriculture isn't perceived as the person in the paddock, in the field type of thing. It's an incredibly diverse range of skills, and technology has ballooned to the point where it's bringing a new generation of people into things that never existed before. That's the big opportunity that it presents. 

Imported inputs

Australian agriculture relies heavily on international markets and supply chains for a range of inputs to agricultural production, food manufacturing, and on-farm operations. To generate high levels of production, farmers typically use large amounts of inputs, including imported inputs such as fuel and fertilisers. 

Regarding fertiliser imports, the CSIRO stated that:

Australia uses about 5.4 million tonnes of fertilisers each year, of which 50 percent is manufactured in Australia (Fertilizer Australia, 2021). However, over 80 percent of nitrogen fertilisers are currently imported, which poses some risks for timely delivery and exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. Imports of crop protection products have increased more than 4-fold over the past 20 years, with the majority of these produced overseas. 

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) advised that the food manufacturing sector is ‘heavily dependent on a wide range of imported food ingredients’, including ‘food additives and processing aids, and other materials critical to the sector such as food packaging and personal protective equipment (PPE)’.

The COVID-19 pandemic and recent international trade disputes have highlighted that international trade can be disrupted by unexpected economic, political, and health events. This disruption can impact right across the supply chain from raw materials to final products. In an increasingly difficult geo-political environment, the probability of more disruptive events has increased. 

The University of Sydney noted that Australian agriculture’s reliance on overseas inputs has heavily exposed the industry to external influences. For example, ‘a single disruption in urea supply would cripple all of Australia’s grain production capacity and influence other sectors to suffer significant challenges in their ability to produce’. 

Addressing vulnerabilities 

Changes to farming systems were seen as a means of reducing reliance on imported inputs. About fertilisers and soil nutrients, CSIRO stated:

Improved nutrient and pest management strategies could mitigate the costs of fluctuating supply and prices. Current CSIRO research is showing there is significant potential to reverse the high reliance of farming systems on tactical fertiliser or pesticide applications. More consistent and long-term fertiliser strategies, whereby farmers maintain their soil’s fertility, will reduce spikes in demand and allow farmers to more consistently match crop demand across seasons to maximise their yield potential. 

Scope for local production

There was considerable support for developing sovereign capability in the manufacture of essential inputs. AUSVEG recommended increasing sovereign capability by ‘investing in local manufacturing facilities to develop key inputs such as fertiliser’. The possibilities for local phosphate production were highlighted by Agriflex Pty Ltd and Trigg Minerals. Grain Producers Australia asserted that ‘recent world events highlight the sovereign risks to Australian food production from an over-reliance on imported inputs’.

• Agricultural machinery, such as tractors, harvesters, motors, drivetrains, and hydraulic equipment (as external factors limit access to required machinery from overseas).

• Pesticide and fertiliser manufacturing of active ingredients (as there is almost no sovereign fertiliser manufacturing capability; rather, a complete reliance on imported fertiliser products).

• Secondary processing to increase value, storage life, and transportability of food products.

• Local fuel supply and sovereign fuel stocks, including increased renewable fuels, including biodiesel for agriculture and critical heavy industry and transport. 

The Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA)—while supporting local production of imported inputs—cautioned that ‘it will take significant investment in Australia’s workforce, manufacturing capabilities and infrastructure to replicate the quantities required and be commercially viable’.

Local inputs

Local inputs such as land, water, and energy are critical to almost every facet of food production, manufacturing, and distribution. Almost all contributors to this inquiry emphasised the importance of local inputs and the role they play in Australia’s food security. Many stakeholders stressed the point that timely access to affordable and reliable inputs such as land, water, energy, and pallets is critical to ensure the nation’s food security.

Every player in the supply chain is faced with the increasing cost of energy, with wholesale electricity prices more than doubling since 2021, and further increases forecast for 2023. This is particularly acute for energy-intensive food processing and manufacturing businesses, and those in food cold storage, distribution, and logistics. 

Protecting farmland from development

The threat of development, particularly urban encroachment, to Australia’s farmland was highlighted in the evidence presented to the Committee. The NFF stated that ‘prime agricultural land is an invaluable, natural resource that provides the capacity for Australia to meet increasing domestic and global demand for food and fibre’. It argued that ‘non-agricultural on-farm development must be managed in a way so as to complement or coexist with agriculture, not stifle it’. The NFF noted that:

Productive land in high rainfall zones along the coastlines and around cities is now being lost to urban expansion. The development of mines and the expansion of onshore gas activities can risk the productivity of agricultural land, where there are potentially irreversible impacts on the integrity of soil and water resources. Continued urban expansion and, more recently, the development of solar and wind farms have raised concerns about further losses of prime agricultural land, particularly as many of these developments occur in agricultural areas.

The Queensland Government acknowledged the importance of this issue, advising of policies to improve ‘land use coexistence requirements through its planning framework to protect and maintain the regionally significant agricultural land and uses from fragmentation and incompatible non-agricultural development’. 

Committee Comment 

A productive, efficient, and reliable workforce is vital to the food production sector and Australia’s food security. There are opportunities for workforce development both within Australia and externally. Overseas workers play an increasingly critical role in agriculture and food production. COVID-19 highlighted some vulnerabilities in the workforce and its reliance on overseas workers. A productive and returning workforce is vital to productivity and a critical input for production.

Similarly, the Committee heard about the importance of local inputs, such as land, water, energy, and pallets. The Committee considers that local inputs of land and water need to be managed and regulated appropriately to balance access and use between agricultural and non-agricultural operations.

Finally, we are chatting about Autonomy robots and Drones daily. I have been banging on about them for over 15 years.

Farmers develop 'autofill' tech so agricultural robots can operate around the clock

In short:

Queensland farmers Andrew and Jocie Bate have built robots that operate day and night. They say the new technology is the 'final piece of the puzzle' in improving on-farm productivity.

What's next?

There are still concerns about the cost of such robots, with further research being carried out on automation. Driverless farm robots have existed for years, but they have always needed a helping human hand.

That's changing, thanks to an Australian farming couple who are taking innovation to the next level. After more than a decade of development, Andrew and Jocie Bate have created what they believe is a world-first "autofill" system for robots that can weed, mow, and spray crops.

They said the new technology allowed their fleet of robots to find refill stations, dock, reload with pesticide or fertiliser, and return to work — all without human intervention. "It's a game changer," Mr Bate said.

"Australian farmers are the first in the world to have access to this. 

"This is the final piece in the puzzle that allows these small machines that we make to be super productive."

The technology would give farmers more time to spend with their families and reduce their exposure to chemicals, Mr Bate said.

But concerns remain about the affordability of the technology. 

A recent survey by Grain Producers Australia found growers were also worried about connectivity and their ability to use robots correctly. 

13 years in the making

The Bates launched their ag-tech startup in 2012 from their 4,000-hectare property in Gindie, central Queensland, with the idea of swapping traditional heavy tractors for fleets of lightweight, autonomous robots.

Equipped with GPS, advanced software, and diesel engines capable of running for up to 24 hours on a single tank, the robots can precisely spray crops and mow fields. With add-ons like smart camera systems, they can apply chemicals only where needed.

The result is less soil compaction, fewer chemicals, shorter workdays — and now, with the autofill feature, round-the-clock operation.

"We've just opened the next frontier in farming,"

  Mr Bate said.

"They can now work all day and night, automatically filling themselves up, which is opening up huge opportunities for farmers to cover more acres, more efficiently." The company now has 145 robots working on farms across Australia, with farmers either buying the robots outright or leasing them on a three-year plan.

How 'robot arms' will make the banana industry safer

A robotic arm is in development to separate bananas from the stem, a dangerous, labour-intensive process known as de-handing.

In February, the Bates also officially opened a manufacturing hub in Toowoomba. For Jocie Bate, it's been "an incredible journey".

"We have been at it a lot of years and it's so awesome to see the team grow," Ms Bate said.

Farming then and now

Before this technology, peak spray times meant big hours in the field. Mr Bate recalls coming home after long days, having missed family events and smelling of chemicals.

"I've done thousands upon thousands of hours of spraying with conventional farming machinery," he said.

"No matter how hard you tried, you'd still smell of chemicals.

"You'd always end up with a little on you, whether cleaning nozzles or refilling." Now, that's changing.

"I'm running my robots over weekends [and] all sorts of hours that I wouldn't normally be able to do," he said.

"That means I can go and do things with the family, spend time with friends, get to events I wouldn't get to."

'Game-changing' tech

A recent survey by Grain Producers Australia found 27 per cent of the nation's farmers were now using semi or fully autonomous technology, with productivity cited as the top benefit. However, cost remains the biggest barrier to wider adoption.

Among those embracing the innovation is Scott Balsillie, 2024 Australian Cotton Grower of the Year. On a property near Dirranbandi in south-west Queensland, he uses two of the Bates' robots to target weeds with precision.

"They've changed industry out here," Mr Balsillie said.

"Labour is quite hard to get, as we all know in the agricultural industry at the moment, and having these robots here has allowed us to get across the country we need to in an efficient and quick way and keep on top of our weeds."

Mr Balsillie, who is also the chief operations officer for Eastern Australia Agriculture, said he planned to add the autofill system next to further boost productivity.

Will robots replace humans?

Mr Bate is sceptical about concerns around automation replacing human jobs.

"I don't think anyone has ever bought a robot and laid someone off," he said.

"We're all still looking for people [to employ] in agriculture."

Looking ahead, global innovators are testing everything from solar-powered robots to fully automated machines that can plant and harvest crops — edging ever closer to the idea of a fully automated farm, from seed to silo. But for now, the Bates are proud to see Australia leading the charge.

Robbie will be visiting the new Factory when next in Toowoomba. Thanks ABC!

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

Women in Agriculture are inspired by the many women working across Australia’s agricultural industries. Over 88,000 women work in Australia’s agriculture sector – nearly one third of the agricultural workforce – so we value the inclusion of women in agriculture and those who work across our organisation. 

Women make up nearly half of our leadership, including two of our four Deputy Secretaries, as well as in key scientific roles such as Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Beth Cookson. For today’s celebration, we’ve showcased inspiring women working in vastly different roles around Australia.

We spoke to women across the nation, in departmental roles as well as key industry figures. Learn more about each of the women who inspire inclusion and what they had to say about their part in this vast and diverse sector of Australia’s economy.

Queensland

Gikana Mosby, 35, Yorke Island

"I know my work is vital, we’re on the front line, if I don’t do my work then pests and diseases could damage the Australian environment, and we’d suffer as well,” Gikana said.

"I think women bring more organisation, multi-tasking and are more prepared. But I’m seeing that more from the men as well, it’s good to have a balance of both.

"I hope to inspire younger ones, I think we need to raise more public awareness of what I do and try and get them interested and involved in becoming a biosecurity officer."

Jackie Lowe, 27, Brisbane

Jackie Lowe is an assistant director in the Detection Technology section, part of our Cargo and Conveyance Policy and Detection Capability Branch. She brought her knowledge of x-ray technology from previous work in hospitals to the department to help develop x-ray imaging for biosecurity detection.

“I find fulfilment in knowing that my work makes a real difference in society. I understand that my contributions to biosecurity have far-reaching effects on many areas like agriculture, farming, and the environment. Knowing there is this interconnectedness fuels my enthusiasm for working in this dynamic field,” Jackie said.

"I believe diverse perspectives, including those from women, bring valuable insights to the table. With different personalities and approaches, a well-rounded team can approach situations from various angles, leading to more comprehensive solutions.”

Dalene Wray AM, 48, Brisbane

“Our supermarkets are stocked with food from all over the world, and so much of the labour that got it there is female. But it’s not only about female farmers – there are women in influential positions in governments around the world. Our diplomats are negotiating with women in leadership positions in agriculture all around the world,” Dalene said.

“We're better off overall with women working in agriculture, whether it's on farms, or our truck drivers, to diplomats negotiating free-trade agreements. We're better off with women in the room.”

“Samantha Watkins Photography”

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