F E A T U R E D

Tropical Cyclone Alfred to ‘cut’ agriculture supply lines, ABARES' Jared Greenville warns as wild weather lashes coast

An agriculture expert has warned of supply chain issues and voiced concerns about livestock in northern New South Wales and Queensland as the region is lashed with wild weather from Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The cyclone has re-intensified into a category two system as it lingers about 630km east of Brisbane and is expected to make landfall between late Thursday and early Friday.

Its ramifications for the region’s agriculture are a point of concern with Jared Greenville, executive director of the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences. 

Mr Greenville highlighted challenges facing the local industry in an interview with Sky News Australia's Business Now on Tuesday. 

“The weather events and the cyclone at the moment are a big focus for agricultural producers in that region,” Mr Greenville told host Ross Greenwood.

“We produce around two per cent of Australia's agriculture in terms of value out of that region and a lot of horticultural products and also some poultry.”

Mr Greenville said ABARES is looking at how the wild weather will impact the area and gave a few insights into what the area could face.

“It's a bit of wait and see at the moment but often some of the first-round impacts are obviously the cutting of supply lines and that's important for product that's recently been harvested or getting product out to market, but (it’s) also important to getting feed and so forth in,” Mr Greenville said.

“We've also got issues around livestock getting stranded and making sure we can get feed to them.”

Mr Greenville said there are a “few impacts” to consider, such as the damage to the area and “assessing what that means for farms and their produce and their incomes later on”.

The heavily impacted region neighbours the Murray Darling Basin which is Australia’s main area for irrigated agriculture.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is forecast to turn west towards Queensland’s coastline later on Tuesday, with the current watch zone encompassing areas from Sandy Cape down to Grafton in NSW.

Mr Greenville’s warning comes as ABARES forecasts the value of Australia’s agriculture in the 2026 financial year to be the third highest on record at $91 billion.

This is slightly down on an “exceptional” 2025 financial year, Mr Greenville said, as the nation expects strong results for livestock and livestock products to hit a new record value of $40 billion.

“Demand for red meat is reflected in both strong export volumes and rising export prices, which has led to the total value of meat exports expected to hit $22 billion this financial year,” he said in a statement.

“Agricultural exports are also looking healthy next year, with the value forecast to remain relatively steady at $72 billion – or $77 billion if we include fisheries and forestry.”

Many thanks, Abares.

In rural Australia, farming is more than a livelihood—it's a way of life that supports families, communities, and local economies. But when unpredictable weather and fluctuating market prices strike, even the most established farms can find themselves facing financial strain.

One such farm, known for producing premium fruits and produce, faced two tough seasons that pushed it into a severe cash flow crisis. With debts amounting to $3 million, including a substantial obligation to the ATO, their future looked uncertain. Despite holding significant assets, securing funding proved difficult. Traditional lenders hesitated due to the specialized nature of their operations, and creditors were pressing for payments.

Understanding the seasonal nature of agriculture and the urgency of their situation, our team stepped in with a tailored solution. We arranged a $1.6 million funding package, with a significant portion allocated to settling critical tax debts. This allowed the farm to continue operations and focus on its upcoming harvest.

Beyond immediate funding, we worked alongside their advisors to explore refinancing strategies and optimize assets. The goal wasn’t just survival but also setting them up for long-term sustainability. By relieving the pressure of asset liquidation, the farm had the space to focus on optimizing future crops and strengthening its financial position.

Today, the farm is on a steady path to clearing its debts within two years, supported by strong crop forecasts and strategic management.

This isn’t just a financial success story; it’s a testament to the resilience of Australian farmers and the importance of the right financial guidance. We are dedicated to helping farms overcome financial obstacles so they can continue to thrive and support the communities they serve.

If your farm is facing financial challenges, let's have a conversation and explore how we can help you find the right solution.

WEEKLY AUCTION DATES – 2025

1.) 21^st March 2025  , 2.) 4^th April 2025

Ag Machinery

Size Meets Smarts: Discover John Deere’s Largest Tractor Yet, the 2025 9RX Series & the All-New S7 Combines

Farming has always been a challenging profession, but today’s farmers face a unique set of pressures that demand a shift in thinking. Gone are the days when simply maximizing crop volume was enough to ensure success. A new imperative is clear: farm for value, not just volume.

Let’s face it: Farmers around the world are masters of adaptation. They’ve always focused on what they can control amidst unpredictable circumstances. And, as we enter the 2025 growing season, so must we — whether farmer, supply chain partner, or investor. This approach is more crucial than ever as the agricultural sector navigates through turbulent times. Farmers have traditionally zeroed in on things like input costs, quality, and farming practices to optimize productivity. Row crop farmers are constrained by the commodity value of their crop, and therefore, the road to success is productivity while optimizing inputs. While these factors remain important, they’re no longer enough to guarantee profitability in the face of declining commodity prices and shrinking margins.

The situation looks even more challenging as we look ahead to 2025. According to economic projections, net farm income is expected to fall to its lowest level in nearly a decade, with a forecasted decline of 15%-20% from 2024 levels. This steep drop highlights the urgent need for farmers to find new ways to create and capture value from their crops.

So, what’s the answer? It’s all about generating and capturing greater value from the acre. This isn’t just about working harder; it’s about working smarter and more collaboratively. The shift requires significant innovation and, crucially, collective action.

One exciting example of this collective approach is the Corn Value Chain Challenge, a partnership between U.S. Corn Growers and Radicle Growth. This initiative is offering $1.5 million in equity investment to innovators who can develop advanced technologies and business models that create new, sustainable demand for corn. It’s not just about finding new uses for corn; it’s about reimagining the entire value chain.

The Challenge is uncovering some fascinating possibilities. We’re seeing advancements in fermentation technologies that could create bio-based alternatives to petrochemicals. There’s work being done on thermo-catalytic processes to develop drop-in replacements for industrial materials. And let’s not forget about the efforts to reduce the carbon intensity of corn production, which could significantly boost its value in increasingly carbon-conscious markets.

But here’s the thing: this isn’t just about corn. The model of innovation and collaboration we’re seeing here has the potential to transform the entire agricultural sector. By leveraging the collective power of grower associations and partnering with forward-thinking investors, farmers across all crops can drive industry-wide value growth.

As we look to the future, it’s clear that farming for value will require a multifaceted approach. We’re talking about embracing new technologies, fostering partnerships across the value chain, and adapting to market demands for sustainable, high-value products. It’s a big shift, but it’s an exciting one.

And we’re already seeing dramatic progress in this direction. Take, for instance, the adoption of variable rate technology (VRT) for pesticide application. According to the CropLife/Purdue Precision Agriculture Dealership Survey, the use of this technology has skyrocketed from 20% in 2019 to 50% in 2022. This represents a remarkable 150% increase in just three years, highlighting farmers’ growing recognition of the value that precision agriculture technologies can bring in improving efficiency and reducing input costs while potentially increasing crop yields.

To our agricultural leaders and agtech entrepreneurs: the time for action is now. We need your vision, your innovation, and your commitment to drive this transformation. Let’s work together to create new value chains, develop groundbreaking technologies, and forge partnerships that will redefine agriculture for the 21st century. Whether you’re leading a grower association, running an agtech startup, or investing in the future of farming, your role is crucial. Join us in this mission to farm for value, not just volume. The future of agriculture – and the prosperity of our farmers – depends on it. Let’s sow the seeds of change today for a more valuable and sustainable harvest tomorrow.

Please email us with a picture of yourself or a family member in front of your TOWN-SIGN to [email protected]

This International Women’s Day, NSW Farmers is recognising the women driving Australia’s agricultural sector.

NSW Farmers’ first female CEO, Annabel Johnson, says the role women play on and off the farm keeps regional Australia moving.

“As they say: if you want something done, ask a busy woman, and there is a lot of truth to that,” Ms Johnson said.

“Women are running farms and leading agricultural businesses that are feeding the world – and they’re doing it in a way that’s more productive and sustainable than ever before.

Encouraging the success of female leaders in agriculture has been a continued focus for the state’s peak farm body in recent years, with NSW Farmers’ Empowering Women in Farm Businesses workshops attracting over 700 attendees in 2024. 

“Opening doors to get talented women into the agricultural industry is something we’re continuing to invest in to foster a strong future for farming,” Ms Johnson said. 

“Women make up 63 per cent of managers at NSW Farmers, while the executive team is 85 per cent women – and while numbers aren’t everything, it’s important we have diversity in the talented and qualified staff we have on board.

“There’s still more to be done to unlock opportunities in the agricultural sector for all, but we’re here to support that every step of the way.”

Two women from New England are two of the three finalists in the 2025 NSW/ACT AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, highlighting the growing impact of female leadership in an industry long dominated by men. Tamworth’s Dimity Smith and Nemingha’s Katelyn Wall have been named alongside Dubbo’s Carol Mudford as this year’s finalists, recognised for their contributions to agriculture and rural communities.

Women with leadership ambitions are again being urged to apply to the popular Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program (DiALP). Run by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and now entering its eighth year, this program helps women gain skills and networks to take on leadership roles in agribusiness companies and organisations. Great Job Thanks Times.

“Samantha Watkins Photography”

Featured Listings of the Week

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)