F E A T U R E D

Carbon farming – meet the farmers and their new crop - Greening Australia

There’s a new crop on the market for Australian farmers, and it has the potential to help tackle local and global environmental challenges. Farmers around the country are integrating it into their existing farm plans and using it to help diversify their incomes.

For many of us, we know this crop as native trees and shrubs. Now, they’re part of a growing carbon farming industry.

Making financial and environmental gains with carbon farming

Carbon farming has become one of the major buzz terms in Australian agriculture. But as more organisations offering carbon projects emerge, farmers interested in signing up are increasingly wary of how best to navigate this complex market and ensure they are doing the right thing for their property and their bank account.

And here’s the catch – while every Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) produced represents one tonne of carbon dioxide removed from or avoided entering the atmosphere, not all ACCUs are equal.

In August 2023, a historic deal for carbon credits sourced from an environmental plantings project traded for nearly double the generic market price.

For those watching the market closely, it’s an indication that a growing number of buyers are increasingly willing to pay more for higher-integrity credits, like those created through environmental plantings.

When done right, the environmental planting method enables landholders to achieve multiple benefits such as habitat for native birdlife, improved soil health and water quality, shade and shelter for livestock, carbon sequestration, and income diversification.

Meet the landholders already carbon farming

Ten years ago, Clint Dolan was farming a patch of his Nyabing (WA) property that is now virtually unusable for cropping or grazing due to rising salinity. It’s a story that would sound all too familiar for many in WA’s great southwest, where salinity is a growing concern in vast tracts of agricultural land.

But a booming Australian carbon market is making it possible for farmers like Clint to be paid to treat salt-affected areas by increasing vegetation cover with salt-tolerant native species.

“We’ve got 60 to 65 hectares of saline land with some good pockets of loamy country through it, but basically it’s non-productive land,” Clint said.

“At the moment, we’re not really getting any grazing value … so anything we get off the land at this point is going to be a bonus,” said Clint. “We’re getting Greening Australia in and we’re planting that land in shelter belts using native species – salmon gum, white gum, and then saltbush through the salty country – to basically regenerate the land.”

Clint is planning to put stock back in the revegetated area for grazing once the trees are established in five or so years.

On the other side of the country, farmers like Tim Annand – a cattle grazier in NSW – are also working with Greening Australia to implement biodiverse carbon plantings for erosion control, livestock shelter, and improved pasture management.

“I aimed to get the stock out of the gullies and stabilise them, with reduced run-off, raising those gullies and raising the water table. The planting is of great benefit, and if carbon’s going to help pay for it, it just adds up,” says Tim.

Choose the right partner

At Greening Australia, we help farmers and landholders like Clint and Tim to implement fully funded environmental carbon plantings. Our plantings are backed by science, generate multiple benefits, and are tailored to each property.

As one of Australia’s leading environmental not-for-profits, we’ve spent 40-plus years doing good for Australian landscapes and farmers. Now, by tapping into well-established and emerging environmental markets, we’re unlocking new solutions to scaling our impact for people and nature.

May 2025 has brought more than the change of season—it's brought a shift in the financial winds. With the RBA cutting the cash rate to a two-year low of 3.85%, the landscape for Australian farmers is shifting again, and this time, it may just be in their favour.

With inflation easing, the Reserve Bank’s move is designed to reignite economic activity, and agriculture is set to benefit. Lower rates reduce borrowing costs, giving farmers a chance to invest in equipment, land, and infrastructure at a more manageable price point. But it's not just about cheaper loans. It's about confidence returning to the market after years of volatility.

At the same time, we’re approaching the end of the financial year—a period where many business owners reassess their financial position, clear debts, and set plans in motion for the year ahead. For farmers, that often means preparing for the next season’s spend. Whether it’s tax-effective purchasing or securing working capital, smart financial decisions now can shape the next 12 months.

But let’s be real: funding is still a challenge. Traditional banks continue to pull back from the agri sector, making it harder for many producers to access the capital they need. That’s where the right broker makes the difference.

At Pay In Time – Finance, we specialise in tough deals—clients with existing debt, seasonal cash flow, or complex structures. We work with a wide range of lenders who get agriculture and aren’t afraid to back hard-working operators.

Recent large-scale private funding deals, like the $58 million secured against Tasmanian grazing land, show that investment is flowing, just not always from the banks. And that’s fine. You just need to know where to look.

If you’re considering your next move before EOFY hits, now’s the time to act. Let us help you make the most of it. www.payintime.com.au

WEEKLY AUCTION DATES – 2025

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

Ag Machinery

April 16, 2025 -- Massey Ferguson, a worldwide brand of AGCO (NYSE: AGCO), is delighted to announce its MF 5M Series has received the prestigious Red Dot Award: Product Design 2025.

The award is judged by an international jury of 43 professionals from across 21 countries, with the new MF 5M chosen for its exceptionally high design quality.

“We are grateful to the jury of experts for this valuable award, testifying to the innovative, top-class design of one of the most sold MF series in the world,” says Jérôme Aubrion, Director Marketing Massey Ferguson, Europe & Middle East.

“To emerge victorious from such a prestigious award is testimony to the MF 5M and an achievement in terms of aesthetic appeal and functionality,” he continues.

“This is the proof that the MF 5M combines the latest developments in product design, with straightforward and accessible features for ensuring performance and efficiency to all types of farmers, with the best value for money,” he concludes.

The affordable all-rounder

MF 5M tractors feature the latest smart Massey Ferguson family design, now familiar on the higher specification S-Series models. The brand's styling characteristics feature a diamond grey cab and the emblematic sabre line with the new model logo design on the side of the bonnet, fronted by a black, ribbed grille.

The six models in the range are powered by the latest AGCO Power four-cylinder engines, which meet the strictest Stage V emissions regulations, with the award-winning ‘All-in-One’ emissions system. Located neatly beneath the cab, with the exhaust in line with the front, right-hand cab post, this provides superb, all-around visibility.

All tractors in the MF 5M Series come equipped with the highly efficient Dyna-4 transmission, which provides clutch-free control of 16 forward and 16 reverse speeds, with a 40km/h Eco top speed.

An open-centre, 58 litre/min hydraulic system is fitted as standard to the MF 5M Series, while a 100 litre/min system is an option.

Additionally, the MF 5M Series is particularly efficient for tasks requiring a front loader. Fully compatible with a wide offering of factory-fitted loaders, it provides excellent manoeuvrability thanks to the 4.65m turning radius and the choice of mechanical or electrical joysticks. Finally, the optional Visio Roof allows perfect visibility and safer handling operations.

Connected for Smart Farming

For optimum control, precision, and comfort, all MF 5M tractors can come equipped with full MF Guide, including the Fieldstar 5 terminal, or as MF Guide ready.

MF Guide provides fully automatic steering and is offered with Trimble^® or a choice of other receivers that provide a range of positioning accuracies. This will prove especially helpful for vegetable growers.

Massey Ferguson Fieldstar 5 operator interface provides access to MF’s Smart Farming options for automation and improved efficiency. Along with ISOBUS, these include:

• MF Section Control to automatically switch up to 96 different sections on/off

• MF Rate Control to automatically vary application rates

• MF Connect telemetry provides near real-time data transfer.

Spacious, comfortable cab

The MF 5M Series is equipped with a spacious cab that delivers the right level of comfort and visibility.

The roomy, 1.3m wide operator environment has a completely flat floor and car-style pedals. A large glass area and compact ‘All-in-One’ SCR system, tucked under the cab, maintains unrivalled visibility.

Comfort is further improved thanks to the cab suspension system, an option on all models, which delivers high shock absorption.

The MF 5M Series benefits from the entire MF Services portfolio: not only tailored financing solutions, proactive aftersales service and genuine parts to always operate at peak performance and control costs; but also MF By You factory-fitted personalisation options, MF Always Running courtesy fleet to keep farming operations running smoothly in every case and MF Care extended warranty.

About AGCO

AGCO (NYSE: AGCO) is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology. AGCO delivers value to farmers and OEM customers through its differentiated brand portfolio, including leading brands Fendt®, Massey Ferguson®, PTx, and Valtra®. AGCO's full line of equipment, smart farming solutions, and services helps farmers sustainably feed our world. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, USA, AGCO had net sales of approximately $11.7 billion in 2024. For more information, visit www.agcocorp.com.

Input Costs

Index Value (Jul 12 base)
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
Temperatures remained high across Australia’s dairying regions in March, with both minimum and maximum temperatures above average. Rainfall varied across the country, however, with heavy falls in the north contrasting with ongoing dry conditions in the south (with South Australia and western Victoria particularly affected). Temporary water prices were elevated from last year, however, some regions have seen lower prices compared to last month. Water storage levels declined year-on-year and month-on-month across all monitored sites. These dry conditions continued to drive strong demand for feed. Grain prices continued to be firm, supported by offshore market demand for wheat lifting as northern hemisphere growing regions endure dry weather. Hay demand also increased, driven by limited pasture growth in dry areas as well as early stockpiling for winter. The number of cull cows passing through the saleyards increased in March. China's recent tariffs on US beef have raised expectations of stronger demand for Australian beef exports, prompting increased sales activity. Diesel prices fell month-on-month as fears surrounding potential tariffs contributed to a drop in oil prices.

Fertiliser markets were mixed in March. Urea prices fell month-on-month as Iranian production returned to full capacity and weaker-than-expected purchasing from India reduced global demand. However, prices remained above last year. In contrast, potash and diammonium phosphate (DAP) prices lifted from last month, off the back of strong demand from the US and China for potash, and limited DAP volumes exported from China.

Mar-23
May-23
Jul-23
Sep-23
Nov-23
Jan-24
Mar-24
May-24
Jul-24
Sep-24
Nov-24
Jan-25
Mar-25

* The PIPI is created using data collected from the Dairy Farm Monitor Project (DFMP) alongside our monthly reporting and reflects the cost movement of the following grouped inputs: fodder, feed concentrates, fertiliser, and fuel.PIPI inputs price

Cereal grain
Protein conc.
Cereal hay
Protein hay
Fertiliser
Fuel
change
($/t)
($/t)
($/t)
($/t)
($/t)
(c/L)
Mar-25 350 465 306 423 627 169
Mar-24 ↑10% ↓8% ↑7% ↑14% ↑25% ↓9%
Mar-20 ↓0% ↑15% ↓0% ↓30% ↑69% ↑49%
Water storage levels
Per cent of capacity
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Dartmouth Hume Eildon Waranga Basin Eppalock Lake Glenmaggie
Mar-24 Mar-25
Irrigation allocations (2024/25 at 1st April )
Murray 100% - 0%
Broken 100% - 100%
Goulburn 100% Campaspe 100% Loddon 100% Bullarook Creek 19% LRWS
+7% - 0%
- 48%
MID 100% NSW – Murray Irrigation Ltd Allocation Class
C-General Security 110% Change (HRWS) 0%
Change
+48%
- 0%
- 50%
Further details www.g-mwter.com.au, www.srw.com.au , or https://www.murrayirrigation.com.au/.

Temporary water trades Mar-25 Feb-25 Jan-25 Dec-24 Mar-24 % Change LY

Northern Victoria Source: Victorian Water Register
1A Greater Goulburn $118 $95 $100 $95 $25 +371%
6 Hume to Barmah $125 $130 $128 $110 $16 +681%
7 Barmah to Nyah $183 $165 $155 $137 $26 +604%
Volume traded (ML) 171,649 171,683 143,023 157,819 170,219 +1%
Average price ($/ML) $153 $131 $133 $124 $24 +529%
Murray Irrigation System Source: Murray Irrigation Ltd
Volume traded (ML) 66,830 43,968 26,136 34,923 62,207 +7%
Average price ($/ML) $37 $99 $108 $60 $13 +187%
Contact: Madelyn Irvine, Industry Analyst ([email protected])

Disclaimer

The content of this publication is provided for general information only and has not been prepared to address your specific circumstances. We do not guarantee the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information.

Acknowledgement

Dairy Australia acknowledges the funding from levy payers and contributions from the Commonwealth Government.
© Dairy Australia Limited 2024. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 3, Mar-25 Monthly% 

Feb-25 Jan-25 Dec-24
Cereal hay
Northern Australia ($/tonne) 340 +3% 340 330 313
Southern Australia ($/tonne) 306 +3% 298 290 286
Western Australia ($/tonne) 296 -6% 296 315 315

Wheat
Northern Australia ($/tonne) 344 +4% 331 322 316
Southern Australia ($/tonne) 350 +1% 345 340 339
Western Australia ($/tonne) 350 -2% 359 349 343

Futures prices (ASX)
Wheat (av. $/t Jan-26 east coast) 360 -11% 403 366 347
Barley (av. $/t Jan-26 east coast) 334 +6% 315 311 283

Fertiliser
DAP (A$/tonne) 978 +2% 959 936 989
Urea (A$/tonne) 627 -10% 693 611 556
MOP (A$/tonne) 534 +6% 506 485 462

Relative soil moisture (percentile rank averaged
Source: The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), between the reference river regions listed.
Northern Australia (Clarence River, Logan Albert Rivers) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Southern Australia (Goulburn River, Murray Riverina) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Western Australia (Busselton Coast, Albany Coast) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Cull Cows Source: NLRS (saleyards within Vic, NSW, QLD, SA, WA)
Sales volume (head) 4469 +25% 3580 3179 2455
Average price (c/kg lwt) $227 -7% 244 249 237
YTD 2024/25
% change YTD
2023/24 YTD
2022/23 YTD
2021/22
Sales volume (head) 35,389 -2% 36,157 42,586 49,915
Average price (c/kg lwt) 242 +37% 176 276 291

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

🚜 From the Ground Up – What’s Happening at JAB Agri Solutions
By Amanda Burchmann

Thank you again to Realm Group Australia for welcoming me into your network—I'm looking forward to contributing regularly through this platform and sharing insights from the paddock, policy rooms, and the producer's notebook.

At JAB Agri Solutions, my focus is on helping small producers and hobby farmers bridge the gap between what’s expected by the industry and what’s achievable on the ground. Much of my work is centred on livestock compliance, biosecurity planning, traceability systems (NLIS/LPA), and education. These are often overwhelming areas for small-scale operators who genuinely want to do the right thing but don’t know where to start or how to keep up.

Here’s what I’m working on right now:

🌿 Education Hub & Compliance Tool
I’m in the research phase of a national online education hub—a space that will offer producers step-by-step guidance, templates, checklists, record-keeping tools, and a community to support ongoing learning and compliance. This platform is being co-developed with support from MLA and ISC, informed by survey data from over 1,000 small producers across Australia.

📍Workshops & On-Ground Support

In the process of planning a pilot workshop series in partnership with industry experts covering:

• Animal husbandry and welfare

• Finance, insurance, and risk management for small-scale producers

• Hands-on compliance help with NLIS, LPA, and biosecurity documentation

The goal is to take away the overwhelm and replace it with confidence and clarity.

💬 Let’s Make It Practical
Each week, I’ll use this column to break down a common challenge—whether it’s how to fill in a CVD properly, prepare a property biosecurity plan, or understand your responsibilities when buying/selling livestock.

I’d love to tailor this space to what you need.
Please send through your questions, pain points, or topics you’d like me to unpack—chances are you’re not the only one thinking about them!

You can reach me at:
📧 [email protected]
📱 0427 358 500
🌐 https://www.jabagrisolutions.com.au/

Looking forward to growing something meaningful together.

Warm regards,
Amanda Burchmann
Livestock Production & Industry Development Specialist 
Founder | Advocate | Producer 

“Samantha Watkins Photography”

Up-and-coming! We’re now taking listings for RGA25016 & RGA25017—secure your spot today!

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)