F E A T U R E D

Burdekin cane grower winning the war on weeds

With a family legacy of more than 100 years of growing sugarcane to draw on, fourth-generation producer Ben Nielson of JNL Farming Company Pty Ltd, in Far North Queensland’s Burdekin, knows what it takes to get the best out of his crop.

When it comes to weed control, he can’t go past the herbicide Valour from the Sumitomo Chemical range, which he has used in its original granular form (Valour 500WG) since its inception approximately 10 years ago, until transitioning to the new liquid SC formulation (Valour EZE) when it was launched in 2024.

Mr Nielson, who grows sugarcane with his brother David over 273 hectares east of Ayr, said Valour was a fantastic product to control a multitude of weeds while being safe enough to use near commercial vegetable operations.

“I had been using the granular product since it came out and was keen to try the new liquid form. We did some trials and had the same good results that we were used to with the granular,” he said.

“What I like about the liquid form isthat there is an ease of use. It can be added directly to the sprayer without the need to dissolve the granules first.

“We’ll put Valour EZE down in spring when the cane gets about a foot high. One application a year is enough to give residual protection,” he said.

Company info:

Established in 1998, Sumitomo Chemical Australia provides innovative solutions, including a range of conventional and biological products for Australian agriculture. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical Co, Japan, which traces its origins back to the 1600s, and USA-based Valent Bioscience,s which produces a range of biologically derived, environmentally compatible pesticides and plant growth regulators. Based in Sydney, Sumitomo Chemical Australia has a team of sales and technical support personnel in key agricultural regions of Australia. 

Company email: [email protected]

Pay In-Time Finance

Australian Ag Update: Land Sales, Export Strength & Growing Crop Areas

This week in Australian agriculture has seen some noteworthy shifts that reflect both confidence and change across the sector.

Across Victoria, significant grazing property transactions have just wrapped up, with large holdings selling to local farmers and agricultural investors. These transactions signal renewed interest from domestic buyers and reinforce confidence in the long-term value of livestock and pastoral land.

Meanwhile, in the Northern Territory, cattle exports continue to surge — reaching their highest levels in a decade thanks to strong demand from Southeast Asian markets. Producers and exporters alike are pointing to improving trade relationships and market access as key drivers of this growth, even as regulatory and logistical pressures remain part of the export equation.

On the cropping front, winter crop areas have expanded across major regions, with total planted hectares now at some of the highest levels seen in recent seasons. Improved rainfall and water-use efficiency are encouraging growers to expand cereal, oilseed, and pulse production, supporting farm incomes and broader supply chains.

At a broader industry level, sustainability and productivity remain front-of-mind. Farmers are increasingly exploring soil carbon and biochar markets as ways to both improve soil health and capture emerging value streams through environmental investment.

In this dynamic climate of growth and opportunity, strategic planning is key — especially when it comes to equipment, transport, and technology investment. Pay In Time Finance works with Australian producers to structure asset finance that aligns with seasonal cash flow, helping farms access the tools they need without tying up working capital.

WEEKLY AUCTION DATES – 2026

1.) 25^th January 2026
2.) 8^th February 2026
3.) 15^th February 2026
4.) 22^nd February 2026
5.) 1^st March 2026

INPUTS & COMMODITIES

COMMODITY UPDATE: JANUARY

Victoria’s 2025 winter cropping season started poorly with very dry conditions across most cropping regions. Many growers were forced to dry sow crops, which increased risk and uncertainty for establishment. Soil moisture levels were often low through April and May, especially in parts of the north-west Mallee and Wimmera, which delayed early growth. The season saw warmer conditions and patchy rainfall through winter, which helped in some regions but meant uneven emergence and crop growth. Some crops fell behind their normal development schedule, and there were concerns about potential frost risk during key reproductive stages. Due to dry soil profiles and uncertain rain, many growers adjusted planting decisions — shifting areas into more drought-tolerant crops like barley and lentils, and reducing canola acreage. In addition, it was simply getting too late to plant Wheat.

Though the start was dry, average to above-average rain in June and July across many northern and western Victoria cropping areas improved soil moisture and helped crop establishment. This boosted any early plant development in wheat and barley, which had been struggling earlier in the season. Early spring remained dry in some zones, forcing some growers tocut cereals for hay rather than let them mature for grain, especially in northern areas where grain fill risk was high. A key turning point was rainfall in October, which arrived at a crucial time during grain fill for later-sown crops. This timely rain helped lift yield potential, especially in the Wimmera and Western Districts. Fast forward to harvest, and while there is still plenty left to go, the overall production is forecast to be strong — significantly better than earlier in the season predictions:

Victoria’s total winter crop production in 2025-26 is now forecast at about 9.1 million tonnes, up around 17 % on 2024-25 and above the 10-year average.

According to the December crop report from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES):

Overall production is forecast to be strong — significantly better than earlier in the season predictions:

• Victoria’s total winter crop production in 2025-26 is now forecast at about 9.1 million tonnes, up around 17 % on 2024-25 and above the 10-year average.

• Wheat: ~4.0 million t, with average yields slightly above the 10-year average.

• Barley: ~2.6 million t — a solid increase, with yields well above long-term averages.

• Lentils: ~860 000 t — record or near-record production supported by increased area and good conditions.

• Canola: Slightly lower at ~1.15 million t due to a smaller area planted and its higher water demand.
  
  Cheers - Justin Fay
  Commodity Manager

AG MACHINERY

Australia adds farm equipment to right-to-repair

Government commits to passing necessary legislation following study showing it would boost national productivity

As the right-to-repair farm equipment issue slowly simmers in North America, often just under the radar, the issue has been resolved Down Under.

Australia’s National Farmers Federation announced Dec. 1 that it had secured a commitment from the Australian federal government to extend the existing right-to-repair legislative reforms to include farm machinery.

“Farmers will finally have more freedom to choose who services and repairs their machinery,” said NFF president Hamish McIntyre in a press release.

“That means less downtime, lower costs, and more control over their own businesses.”

According to a news report from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the existing consumer regulations enacted in 2010 only covered goods valued at less than $100,000, so most farm equipment didn’t qualify.

“Waiting days, weeks, or months to have machinery repaired by an authorized dealer when it could be done locally makes no sense,” Treasury Secretary Jim Chalmers told ABC.

The government decision to include farm equipment in the legislation came after several years of lobbying by the NFF.

“When a machine breaks down in the middle of harvest, waiting on an authorized dealer isn’t just inconvenient; it can cost tens of thousands of dollars,” McIntyre said.

“This reform will help farmers stay productive and competitive, which is exactly what farmers and the economy need.”

That effect on the Australian economy doesn’t appear to have gone unnoticed in the government’s decision-making process.

The published results of a 2021 inquiry by the government’s own Productivity Commission showed that greater competition in the repair sector could add an additional $311 million to the country’s gross domestic product and provide a $97 million boost directly to Australian farmers. It would also add significantly to government revenue.

Several other farm organizations in the country have expressed support and approval for the decision to act on the report and include farm equipment in the legislation.

Right to repair was only one part of the commission’s 2021 study, which looked at the broader issue of improving the country’s overall productivity, GDP, and government revenue.

According to ABC, consultation will begin early next year on how to include agricultural machinery in the right-to-repair legislation.

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AG NEWS AUSTRALIA

Australia's new land clearing and regrowth laws spark concern among farmers

In short:

A "blanket" approach to environmental laws will restrict the ability for farmers to appropriately manage their land, a cattle producer says.

Many producers rely on the clearing of native trees to manage thick regrowth as part of their grazing management practice.

What's next?

Farmers say clear and flexible environmental standards are needed.

Farmers are concerned that Australia's new environmental laws will restrict their ability to manage their land responsibly.

Following a deal between Labor and the Greens last week, the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation laws have introduced tightened controls for land clearing and larger fines for breaches.

In Queensland, native trees, including brigalow, mulga, boree, gidgee, and eucalypt, are periodically cleared on properties to manage thick regrowth.

Josh Phelps runs cattle on properties near Tambo, Brigalow, and Bauhinia, in the heart of Queensland's scrub country.

"To put a blanket-type ruling over a nation, I just find it hard to grapple with," he said.

The Central Queensland producer said clearing was an essential part of land management, provided it was done in a "sustainable" way.

"A lot of that mulga land is actually rotated at 10, 15, 20-year intervals — not just to keep stock alive and healthy through dry times, but also as part of maintaining vegetation on the ground," Mr Phelps said.

The same laws for all sectors

Federal Environment Minister and Queensland Senator Murray Watt faced "furious" backlash from sections of Australia's agricultural community after the laws were passed by parliament last week.

The laws do not automatically prevent clearing, but federal approval would be needed when clearing could damage nationally protected "environmental matters".

"If that clearing will have a significant impact on, for example, threatened species, then they would need to seek federal environmental approval to do that in the same way that other industries do," Senator Watt said.

He also clarified that land clearing within 50 metres of rivers, creeks, and wetlands within the Greater Barrier Reef catchment would need federal approval.

Senator Watt has repeatedly stated that the changes to Australia's environmental laws will bring agricultural approvals in line with other sectors.

"All this means is that producers need to comply with the same environmental standards and laws that every other industry needs to meet, like mining, housing development, renewable energy, and other industries," he said.

But Mr Phelps said blanket rules were the fundamental problem with the changes.

"I think the forgotten element here is that there are people involved in this," Mr Phelps said.

"We're not asking to knock down a heap of country, we're just asking to let us do what we do well."

An 'unaffordable' approvals process

This year, data from Queensland's Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) found Queensland livestock producers have cleared fewer trees for pasture, although environmentalists say the new federal laws do n 'o go far enough.

Queensland Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett said the changes added unnecessary red tape, created economic uncertainty, and could render state-approved farming practices illegal.

"It's bringing farmers into line with multi-billion dollar foreign companies that propose mining projects here in the state," he said.

"This impact on mum-and-dad farmers in this state, to go through the regulatory process that's now required, will drive these people insane.

"This is never an easy process. It'll be unaffordable."

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

Use AI Like a Good Farmhand: Give It the Jobs No One Wants

Most rural businesses stall on AI for the same reason they stall on anything new. That is to say that they start with training instead of work. And that’s usually where things go sideways.

Just think of it this way:

You don’t train a new farmhand by handing them the whole operation.
You give them one, clear job. Preferably, the job everyone avoids.

AI works the same way. That’s where it actually earns its keep. So instead of rolling out “AI training,” start here.

1. Meeting notes and follow-ups

No one enjoys writing them. Everyone relies on them.
AI is already better at this than most humans because it doesn’t miss things.

Use it to:

• Turn calls into clear notes

• Pull out actions and owners

• Draft follow-up emails while the conversation is still fresh

This alone saves hours every week and removes friction between people.

2. Quotes, scope notes, and proposals

Most quotes don’t fail on price but on clarity. AI can:

• Clean up rough scope notes

• Turn voice notes into readable proposals

• Standardise how work is described across jobs

Don’t worry, you still decide the price. You just stop wasting time explaining the same thing five different ways.

3. Repetitive admin that drains good staff

Invoices, summaries, job cards, reports. This is the work that makes capable people feel underused.

If someone says, “It doesn’t take that long,” ask how often it comes up. Five minutes, done fifty times, is still real labour.

AI is good at volume. Let it carry the load.

4. Finding things your business already knows

Most established rural businesses are sitting on years of knowledge they can’t access. Old jobs, past decisions, supplier info, etc.

AI can:

• Make old files searchable

• Summarise past projects

• Surface patterns no one has time to look for anymore

This reduces reliance on “the one person who remembers.”

5. The jobs people quietly hate

This is the most important one.

Ask your team:

• What task do you avoid?

• What feels like busywork?

• What keeps you late for no good reason?

That’s your starting point. Adoption happens when people feel relief.

The rule most businesses miss

Don’t sell AI as an improvement. Use it as relief.
Once people see it removing friction, confidence follows. Not before.

If AI isn’t making someone’s week easier, you’re doing it wrong. Start by identifying one job you’d happily never do again.

That’s the conversation worth having.

If you want help identifying which task in your business AI could take off your plate first, we’re happy to have that conversation.

Email [email protected] today.

Women in Ag

In 2026, we’re bringing the Australian Women in Agriculture Conference to Orange, NSW.

Simon Cheatham
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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)