F E A T U R E D

White wine grape oversupply 'another kick in the guts' for growers already in crisis

In short:

South Australian white wine grapes are set to be in oversupply this vintage.

Early indicators show prices are at historic lows, with some grape varieties plummeting in value.

What's next?

Riverland Wine has written to the SA government asking for help as it says the industry heads into "catastrophic" territory.

There are fears that farmers in Australia's largest wine grape growing region will be forced to walk off the block as white wine grape prices are expected to drop due to an oversupply this upcoming vintage season.

The wine industry across Australia has been battling a global oversupply of red wine grapes due to international market changes and shifting consumer behaviour for the past five years.

In South Australia's Riverland, early price indicators for the 2026 vintage show shiraz prices as low as $80 to $120 per tonne.

That is according to Riverland Wine, which also said the cost of producing grapes exceeded $350 per tonne.

While low prices were expected, the industry is preparing for white grape prices to also plummet.

It is a blow for growers like Amanda Dimas, who has had grapes growing on her family block for three generations.

"We don't have any more capital left to diversify, change plantings, and even if we could, whites have taken a turn for the worse," she said.

"We've removed all of our shiraz and planted chardonnay, so it's just another kick in the guts.

"You've spent that hard-earned money to reinvest, and it's not got us anywhere."

"It comes to a point where it's just not economically viable, and we are going to start seeing the devastation of that with some pretty sad-looking vines and vineyards."

Industry in crisis

Riverland Wine has penned an "urgent letter" to Premier Peter Malinauskas describing the region as being "in the grip of a severe economic and social crisis".

It has called for a government-led crisis meeting with industry, peak bodies and grower representatives before the end of January.

"While this may sound like a familiar call for help, please understand that the risk of your inaction is now catastrophic," the letter read.

"Right now, the Riverland is breaking."

Board member Peter Hill said South Australia's identity as a wine state will be at risk if action is not taken by the government in some form.

"The outlook is catastrophic … not just for the industry, it's for this whole community, the whole state," he said.

"You don't have to go too far, and you can talk to people in the Barossa or Clare or McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek — they're all in trouble.

"The wine industry is a big industry in this state, and you would think it would attract the premier for help."

The state government said Riverland Wine's request had been received and is under consideration.

It acknowledged the current industry conditions and said the Department of Primary Industries had established multiple programs totalling $15 million in investment.

The programs include a $2.5 million South Australian Wine Recovery Program to support vineyard waste management of abandoned or removed vineyards and a national vineyard register to inform supply and demand decisions.

Last week, the state government also announced a third round of rebates to encourage growers to "rest" their vines this season.

Diversification might be too late

Diversifying crops had been suggested within the industry as a way of mitigating growers' reliance on wine grapes.

Ashley Ratcliff, owner of Ricca Terra Wines in Barmera, has been expanding his crops to include olives and agave.

He said that while it was an option, it had risks of causing oversupply in other industries too.

"You put in too many things like olives or almonds or pistachios and also flood the market," he said.

Mr Hill said it is also not simple to transition crops.

"Whatever you do costs a lot of money to replant," he said.

"Growers' financial resources are now exhausted because it's been three years of below the cost of production pricing.

"Without any help, the next step will be growers walking off properties."

Pay In-Time Finance

Rain Shows Sparks, Markets Bounce Back, & Farmers Eye Smart Finance Moves

This week brought a mix of relief and renewed activity across Australia’s farms. Some regions finally received welcome rainfall — enough to revive hope for pastures and ease feed pressure on livestock, while cropping zones are showing the first signs of stabilising after a tough run. Farmers in previously dry areas are now reassessing their spring and summer plans, especially around restocking and feed budgeting.

Livestock markets are also showing strength. Recent saleyard reports point to renewed buyer confidence, with slaughter-weight cattle lifting as feedlots and processors compete more aggressively. Heavy steers, cows and even some categories of young cattle have firmed after the softer prices seen in October. Wool markets have also remained steady, outperforming long-term averages and giving mixed-enterprise producers something solid to lean on in an otherwise unpredictable year.

The rainfall helps, but it doesn’t erase the underlying uncertainty. Some cropping regions still face uneven soil moisture, late-season weather swings and rising input costs. That means timing remains critical — a mistimed fertiliser, chemical or feed spend could eat deep into margins if conditions shift suddenly.

This blend of improving confidence and lingering risk is exactly why smart finance matters right now. When markets are lifting, but weather remains unpredictable, cash-flow flexibility becomes one of the most important tools on the farm.

At Pay In Time Finance, we’re helping farmers use this window to their advantage by:

• Structuring loans with seasonal repayment curves so you’re paying when the farm is earning.

• Funding restocks, equipment upgrades and pasture improvements while livestock and wool prices sit in favourable ranges.

• Providing operating capital that lets you move quickly when conditions turn — without locking yourself into rigid, inflexible terms.

If you’re looking to make a move this month — whether it’s upgrading gear, securing working capital, or setting up a buffer ahead of summer — now is a strong time to get your finances lined up. It’s all about staying ahead of opportunity, not reacting to it.

WEEKLY AUCTION DATES – 2025

1.) 28^th November 2025 2.) 12^th December 2025

INPUTS & COMMODITIES

Key Australian Commodity Price Inputs & Trends (November 2025)

In November 2025, Australian commodity prices varied by sector: overall prices for major exports were broadly flat through October, but specific commodities showed notable movements. 

• Overall Index: The Westpac Export Price Index (WEPI) saw a 2.5% gain in May 2025, driven by a rally in gold, though overall trends in October were flat.

• Metallurgical Coal and Crude Oil: These commodities showed notable strength during October 2025.

• Agricultural Commodities:

  • Grains (Wheat, Maize, Rice): Global prices were generally soft due to ample supplies and record production forecasts. The FAO Food Price Index and Cereal Price Index both fell in October 2025. Australian farmers faced thin margins despite robust harvests.

  • Fertiliser: The local granular urea market remained slow, with prices flat at around A$795-810/t Geelong fca. A major supplier, CSBP, lowered its urea price slightly at the end of October 2025. Demand for phosphates (MAP) was also low as growers focused on the grain harvest.

• Specific Companies: Dyno Nobel's phosphate output rose for the FY25 period, and the company benefited from strong commodity prices overall, even while missing internal forecasts. 

Detailed, up-to-date reports can provide specific pricing data and can often be found through financial institutions and agribusiness specialists like Westpac IQ, Rabobank, or the GrainGrowers Fertiliser Report.

AG MACHINERY

New Holland previews the CR11, the next-generation flagship combine

Categories: Combine HarvestersEvents and Initiatives

• The CR11 combine is a brand-new product that takes the legacy of the flagship CR line, which includes the world-record-holding CR10.90, to another level of productivity.

• The CR11 has been redeveloped to provide higher productivity, with minimal grain loss, improved residue management, and more automation. These features aim to reduce the total cost of grain harvesting.

• To be produced at New Holland’s Centre of Harvesting Excellence in Zedelgem, Belgium

In a major development in high-capacity harvesting, New Holland Agriculture is previewing the new CR11, incorporating new cutting-edge technologies that will help drive down the total cost of harvesting for large grain farmers and increase their bottom-line profitability.

The new combine was designed – and will be produced – at New Holland’s center of Harvesting Excellence in Zedelgem, Belgium. Thanks to the most advanced automation features, it will offer new levels of productivity, drive grain loss down close to zero, with the best grain quality and perfect residue management.

The new CR11 builds upon the success of the current New Holland flagship combine range, which is topped by the CR10.90, which has held the world record for the most wheat harvested in eight hours – 797.656 tons – for almost a decade, since August 15, 2014.

While we approach the 50th anniversary of the New Holland Twin Rotor™ technology in 2025, the new CR11 will also highlight the advantage of the Twin Rotor concept that revolutionised the way farmers harvested, and that is now part of New Holland’s DNA. It’s still thanks to the Twin Rotor technology that the new CR can offer the highest productivity at the lowest grain cracking on the market.

New Holland has designed the new CR in anticipation of the way in which harvesting demands will continue to evolve, and in response to feedback from customers seeking greater capacity, lower loss and maximum protection of grain quality. Recognising how higher-yielding crops and unpredictable weather can affect both one season’s crop and the next, New Holland engineers aimed to design a machine that can play its full part in delivering maximum productivity, and clear fields quickly to ensure quality is protected and the following year’s crop establishment can take place in good time and in good conditions.

Four pillars to set a new standard in harvesting
More productivity, close to zero losses, better and more efficient residue management and a significant reduction in downtime are the four pillars the CR11 was projected, with the overall higher objective to reduce the Total Cost of Harvesting to improve the farmer’s bottom line profitability.

Thanks to its 775hp C16 engine, 2x24-inch rotors, a grain tank of 20.000 litres and a 210l/second unload rate, the CR11 significantly increases productivity to levels that have not been achieved before.

New Holland engineers worked on the goal of creating a zero-loss harvesting machine, developing a double cleaning shoe. In fact, the new Twin Clean cleaning shoe comes with two cleaning systems behind each other, with 2 upper sieves, 2 lower sieves, 2 clean grain augers and 2 sets of pressure sensors to measure cleaning shoe load. As an industry first, the new Twin Clean is fully automated to guarantee even cross distribution of the cleaning shoe, for maximum capacity at loss levels close to zero.

The completely new Residue management system comes with a new chopper and chaff spreader system, designed to ensure the best chop quality and even residue spreading over up to 60ft cutting width. The awarded Intellispread radar system, winner of a 2022 Agritechnica Innovation Silver Medal, automates the spreading control to ensure full and even residue coverage behind the combine, regardless of wind effects, crop type or moisture conditions.

A new automated deslug procedure was designed to reduce downtime. While the new CR11 combine is ready to be pushed for maximum throughput, New Holland recognises that it is impossible to completely eliminate any risk of plugging. In the unlikely event of a combine plugging, the automatic deslug procedure will guide the operator through an unplugging procedure in a way that clears the combine in minutes rather than hours – without requiring the operator to exit the cab or perform any physical effort.

Because it significantly reduces downtime caused by such a scenario, the automated reverser helps and encourages the operator to exploit the combine’s full capacity potential without fear of blocking. In addition, this feature increases safety while clearing a blockage, because no person is leaving the cab during the automated unplugging process.

Downtime prevention is further aided by the combine’s revised driveline simplicity with as many as 25% fewer drive components and with the elimination of all chain drives.

CR11 will also mount the new Intelliview 12 display and IntelliSteer™ guidance system, together with other essential precision farming functions, like Telematics and Remote screen viewing.

Furthermore, NutriSense™ comes with an NIR sensor that monitors crop quality via the use of near infra-red light to analyse nutrients like protein, starch and oil contents, plus moisture levels, and can create maps of these for further agronomic analysis.

Visible changes
Some features of the new combine will be evident from the machine on display at Agritechnica. The new combine benefits from a completely new design that combines premium aesthetics with form and functionality. Multiple cab upgrades provide additional benefits in comfort and control.

Also visible is the new 15m (50ft) draper header manufactured by MacDon for New Holland adds to the overall productivity and field efficiency gains.

Recognising the trends for reduced ground compaction in combination with transport width regulations, the CR11 offers a range of wider tracks and bigger tyres.

The machine at Agritechnica will be fitted with tyres from Michelin - Michelin Cerexbib 2 - size 900/65R46 with a diameter of 2.32m is a co-development between New Holland and Michelin. It’s the first time that this next level of tyre size is introduced on a combination of any type. The longer tyre footprint and increased traction provide a reduced ground compaction with no precedents in harvesting.

A close collaboration between Industrial Design and Engineering teams, together with product specialists and Brand marketing, has produced a design that is focused on customer needs, with a form that really does follow function. The result is an iconic, refreshed design that is stylish yet timeless. The flow of the harvest is underlined on the exterior body panels by the dynamic blue feature that runs across the body through the various functions.

Lars Sorensen, Head of Combines and Headers at New Holland Agriculture, said: “Farm consolidation, increased yields and short harvesting windows are driving the need to continue the evolution of combine capacity, with less grain loss and at the best grain quality. This new combination is a market game-changer designed to offer the next level of productivity, with no comparison to anything available on the market today. This was recognised by the DLG when they assigned to our new CR the most important award for innovations in our industry, the Agritechnica Innovation Gold Medal. In the established range of CR models, we already had a design proven in these respects, topped by a model in the CR10.90 that offered the ultimate proof of its claim to provide the highest productivity in the world. We have made further strides in technology and automation, and the strong feedback from the first farmer tests means we are very excited for the launch of these new machines.”

Carlo Lambro, Brand President of New Holland Agriculture, said: “This preview of our new CR11 underlines New Holland’s readiness for the future and its ability to adapt to meet the changing needs of our customers worldwide. Beneath the radical new styling design from our internal CNH Industrial team, led by David Wilkie, is a very special combine design across individual areas that, together, create a package that will not replace the current CR range, but add a whole new productivity layer on top of the current offering. Our whole team has done a fantastic job of taking our world record-holding combine and coming up with something even better, and we are delighted to unveil it to the world. Further details will be revealed ahead of the CR11 full launch.”

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AG NEWS AUSTRALIA

Drones Transforming Crop Care in Australian Agriculture 

Across Australia’s vast and diverse farming landscape, drones are rapidly becoming one of the most valuable tools in modern agriculture. Once viewed as experimental, agricultural drones are now delivering practical, cost-effective solutions for seeding, spraying, and crop management, reshaping how farmers approach productivity and sustainability. 

Now that we have explored how drones are able to map fields and paddocks of various sizes and identify areas with weeds or nutrient deficiencies, we will now explore how drones can assist with seeding, spraying, and crop management. 

If you haven’t mapped an area, you are still able to utilise these platforms by setting the area you're targeting through the included flight management software. 

Precision Seeding From the Air 

New-generation seeding drones are enabling farmers to plant cover crops, pasture seed, and even native species across terrain that is traditionally difficult or unsafe to access. Using GPS-guided flight paths and variable-rate technology, drones distribute seed with exceptional accuracy, eliminating overlaps, reducing waste, and improving establishment rates. 

For broad-acre operations, drone seeding is proving especially useful after floods or fire damage, allowing rapid re-sowing without the need for heavy machinery. On smaller or uneven properties, drones offer manoeuvrability that tractors simply can’t match. 

Mining companies currently use these seeding platforms to rehabilitate previously mined areas with native seed stocks.

Efficient Spraying of Liquid Fertilisers and Pesticides 

Spray drones are now widely deployed for applying liquid fertilisers, pesticides, and fungicides. 

With highly controlled droplet sizes and automated flights, they can deliver treatments uniformly while minimising drift and environmental impact.

Australian farms are increasingly relying on drones for: 

• Targeted spraying of weed outbreaks 

• Treating wet or inaccessible paddocks, eliminating damage to crops. 

• Managing vineyards and orchards 

• Reducing operator exposure to chemicals 

These drones can cover large areas quickly, flying low and using downward airflow from the propellers to push spray directly into plant canopies, improving coverage while reducing chemical use. 

Solid Fertiliser Application With Reduced Waste 

Beyond liquids, almost all “Spray Drones”  can also spread granular and pelletised fertiliser with precision. Variable-rate dispensing allows for tailored nutrient delivery based on soil maps or crop-health imagery. This reduces over-application, cuts input costs, and supports more sustainable nutrient management practices. 

The ability to fly over steep hillsides, muddy paddocks, and sensitive pasture areas makes drone-based solid fertiliser application particularly appealing to livestock and mixed-farming operations. 

Boosting Efficiency, Safety, and Sustainability 

The benefits of drone application technologies are being felt across Australian agriculture: 

• Lower labour requirements in regions facing workforce shortages 

• Reduced machinery costs, fuel use, and soil compaction 

• Improved farm safety, minimising the need to operate equipment in hazardous or challenging terrain 

• Environmentally responsible application, reducing chemical drift and runoff. With continuous improvements in battery life, payload capacity, and AI-assisted flight, Spray drone technology is becoming more powerful and accessible each year. 

A Growing Pillar of Modern Farming 

From the cane fields of Queensland to the vineyards of WA & South Australia and the extensive wheat belts of WA, drones are now an essential tool in the push for smarter, more precise, and more sustainable farming. As adoption accelerates, drones are not replacing traditional machinery but complementing it, giving Australian growers new ways to boost yields, cut costs, and operate safely in an ever-challenging agricultural environment. 

Drones are no longer the future of farming—they are the present, and they’re transforming the industry from the ground up. 

Drone Platforms 

As mentioned in my last article, there are many drone manufacturers globally. The main manufacturer that is trusted and used by industry professionals is  DJI.  

DJI offers various Agras spray drone models with different capacities, including the  

• T25 (20 kg spraying, 25 kg spreading),  

• T40 (40 L spraying, 50 kg spreading),  

• T50 (40 kg spraying, 50 kg spreading), and the large-scale  

• T100 (100 L spraying, 150 L spreading, 100 kg spreading payload).  

Comparison of features 

Capacity: The T100 has the highest capacity for both spraying and spreading, making it ideal for large farms. The T40 and T50 are versatile, handling significant loads for both tasks. The T25 is designed for smaller operations. 

Technology: Higher-end models like the T40, T50, and T100 feature more advanced technology such as AI-driven flight path planning, obstacle detection (including power lines), and RTK positioning for greater accuracy and efficiency. 

Application: Each model is designed for specific use cases. The T25 is best for smaller, more frequent tasks, while the T100 is built for maximum output in large-scale agricultural operations. 

Spray Drones vs Manned Aviation: The Modern Advantage 

Spray drones are rapidly becoming the smarter choice for applying fertiliser and pesticides. 

Unlike manned aircraft, drones fly low and precisely, reducing drift, chemical waste, and the risk of off-target spraying. They also eliminate low-altitude pilot danger and can access steep hills, wet paddocks, orchards, and tight areas where aircraft can’t operate safely. 

With lower operating costs, minimal fuel use, and highly targeted application, drones deliver safer, cleaner, and more efficient crop treatment, especially for small-to-medium areas or spot spraying. While manned aviation still suits large, broad-acre jobs, drones offer superior precision and sustainability for today’s farming needs. 

As mentioned in my last article, throughout this series, if you have any questions or would like me to go into more detail on a drone use case or technology, please check out our website or contact me directly. My contact details are on our website www.skyscangeomatics.com.au 

Written by Mike Hooker.  
CEO / Chief Remote Pilot. 

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

If a Customer Googled You Right Now, Would They Be Impressed or Confused?

When was the last time you looked up your business online the way a buyer would?

Not as the owner. As a stranger. A contractor from up north. A farm manager is looking for a new supplier. A dealer double-checks before locking in a big order.

Because that’s how most deals start now. They’re not asking for brochures. Someone pulls out their phone and checks out what you have to offer. 

And if what shows up is a half-filled Facebook page and a link to a decade-old directory listing, you don’t just seem hard to contact. You seem unprepared.

Here’s how they decide whether to trust you (in under 30 seconds):

Run This Quick Test

1. Search your business in private browsing.
Is your website even on page one? Are you happy with what you see?

2. Click the first few links.
Are your offers clear? Does it look like you serve regional industries?

3. Ask this out loud:
Would I choose this business based on what’s here?

Why This Matters

In industries where the handshake still matters, your online footprint is often the first handshake. Make sure it doesn’t feel like a limp one.

📬 Want a no-pressure second opinion on your digital first impression?
Drop us a note: [email protected] 

Or read more straight-shooting advice here: rdcreativestudio.com.au/blog/

Women Working in and Sustaining Agriculture Worldwide

G'day, REALM Readers!

If you’ve decided it’s time to head out to a cattle station in 2026 and you're ready to learn, work hard... and have a bit of fun, then Kallala Station might be exactly what you’re looking for. Hacon Pastoral Company is preparing for its 2026 intake, offering a fantastic opportunity to kickstart a hands-on career in the northern cattle industry, right in the heart of North West Queensland.

Located 160km south-west of Mount Isa, Kallala Station blends hard work with a thriving social scene and a tight-knit community. It’s the kind of place where you’ll learn real skills, make lifelong mates, and experience the true 'ticker' of station life.

You’ll be getting stuck into everything that makes a cattle station tick. Expect to build your skills in:

• Cattle mustering (with choppers and bikes), yard work, branding and tagging

• Water construction and maintenance

• Fencing and general tool work

• Machinery upkeep and welding

• Operating plant, bikes and equipment

• Animal welfare, feeding and daily care

If you’re energetic, reliable and eager to learn, you’ll fit right in... Apply below... (and here's a hint, prepare a good cover letter to stand out from the others!)

Hooroo for now,
Simon Cheatham
Founder RFTTE - The Online Campfire | E: [email protected] or simply reply to this newsletter | Subscribe to this newsletter | The RFTTE Story | RFTTE MERCH 
0417 277 488 | RFTTE PTY LTD | ABN 29 678 593 283

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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)