This week's roundup: Ag tech bridges, Price and market volatility, Why The Run For A Million Continues to Raise, Rate Pressure Eases, But Farmers Stay Alert, and more updates. Plus, fresh listings, auction dates, and more from across Australia's ag sector. Let's get into it

Kyle Bridgeforth’s story shows how data management, precision tools and industry partnerships are creating new pathways for young farmers to return to the family operation.

Being a Braves fan in the St. Louis Cardinals’ bullpen likely isn’t what Kyle Bridgeforth envisioned for his 2026 growing season. But the opportunity to travel to new places and see new faces is one of the many fringe benefits capable of luring the fifth-generation Alabama row cropper back to the family farm.

“I grew up on the farm, and I’ve had a focus on agriculture through several different lenses during my upbringing, and eventually I began to realize I could advance all the pursuits I wanted in a career through agriculture,” Bridgeforth said. “I didn’t realize until I came back to farming full time that agriculture is a global business with a global value chain, and you can travel absolutely everywhere in the world and find an abundance of agriculture there.”

Bridgeforth came to St. Louis as a farmer-spokesperson for Pivot Bio’s Year of One Million Thanks tour, one of many partnerships he’s formed in the ag industry to increase his farm’s access to the early adoption of ag tech.

“Ag tech for me was always my avenue back to farming full time,” Bridgeforth said. “For previous generations, farming was almost entirely an art form, so you’re figuring out your seed depth, you’re figuring out your rate you’re putting out, or how you harvest, controlling uniformity — all these things that your machine today is pretty automatic at achieving.”

Pivot Bio’s Year of One Million Thanks tour kicked off with a tractor in front of the iconic Busch Stadium in St. Louis, the first of many stops on the company’s tour to thank farmers and advocate for agriculture across the country in the coming year.

Family legacy

Hoping to bring a career-making mentality back to the family farm, ag tech showed Bridgeforth a way to increase his farming finesse without the prerequisite 45 years of experience and build on his family’s legacy instead of being buried by the learning curve.

The family farm has seen some big wins at the hands of technology — and some big failures as well — but everyone involved sees the importance of early adoption.

“Fortunately enough, I’m on an operation where we’ve always been very progressive on trying new technology and finding ways to farm that are beneficial for us,” Bridgeforth said. “We’ve had some great successes with ag tech. We’ve had plenty of failures, and not failures because of the technology, just because of implementation on our side or it wasn’t a good fit.”

After growing up on the farm, Bridgeforth was continually trying to find his way back to it. Like so many young farmers, he was seeking the financial formulation to enable the family land to afford a new generation.

The farm data revolution ended up opening that door.

“As soon as the data management and the digital revolution in agriculture became almost a standard,” Bridgeforth said, “that’s when I really was able to make some managerial decisions, and we were able to farm differently using this data.”

Canola pathway

The Bridgeforth farm, which covers mostly dryland acres in northern Alabama near Tanner, has historically grown cotton as a main crop. Corn and soybeans make up a minority, with winter canola showing up on the scene as another standout way partnerships have opened pathways to early adoption.

“I see partnership as the next step,” Bridgeforth said. “We’re seeing some really cool digital tools and solutions that are helping people grow different things in different areas. Canola in Alabama is a prime example.”

New crops, different maturities, spray tools and all the other ways humans are sharing knowledge and information with next-level assistance all remind Bridgeforth of why he returned to farming in the first place.

“What really drove me in wasn’t just production agriculture; it wasn’t just getting a high yield or the scientific aspect of farming and the agronomics,” Bridgeforth said. “There’s storytelling, there’s cultural impact, there’s so many different aspects of agriculture that really applied to my interests and things I wanted to pursue in life even more than just a career. That’s what really brought me back to it full time.”

4 ways next-gen farmer uses ag tech¹

For Bridgeforth, it’s hard to think of a way ag tech isn’t used daily on the farm. It’s much easier to think of all the ways it’s been embedded into daily operations:

1. Mapping. Accurate, real-time mapping of equipment in progress, of historical equipment uses, and even satellite imagery of fields has come a long way for farmers.

“Being able to pull up a bird’s-eye view of where your machinery is, what’s been sprayed, what hasn’t, what’s been harvested, what’s been planted,” Bridgeforth said. “That has a big daily impact.”

2. Historic decision-making. In the haze of harvest season or after years of worrying over weather cycles, it’s difficult to remember specific practices year over year. Having easy access to records from prior years helps farmers make better decisions — and fewer expenditures.

“There’s a lot of timing decisions that become easier having a historical reference to what you’ve done in the past in similar situations,” Bridgeforth said. “If it was high moisture and you harvest it, just being able to see when you were in a similar setting and you need to make a similar decision, being able to reference something historic has been greatly beneficial.”

3. Guidance. Autosteer and GPS guidance were some of the first widely accepted ag tech among farmers, for good reason.

“Every piece of equipment today is highly technical,” Bridgeforth said. “Everyone can be a better operator using a GPS-guided technology.”

4. Record-keeping. Record-keeping might not seem like the most tech-savvy aspect of the farm, but layering production decisions with profitability calculators can help farmers evaluate where a tough season is headed.’

“Every single decision we make, an element of ag tech is a part of it— even something that’s not in-field related, like if we go to the Farm Service Agency to certify; then you’re using your maps and your data,” Bridgeforth said. “If you’re talking to a downstream partner, you’re showing data to give recommendations on timing, so it’s in every single decision we make.”

Partly connected to this column I wrote last week, the cattle market in Australia in absolute terms has experienced significant levels of price volatility, more so than the corresponding period in 2025.

Figure 1 below indicates the differential in volatility comparing January 1 to the week ending Friday, July 16, 2026 against the corresponding period in 2025.

As Figure 1 clearly shows, across all NLRS indicators, prices have been substantially more volatile this year than they have been for the same period last year. The largest movers have been restocker cattle (driven by the shifts in seasonal conditions and producer confidence) and also feeder heifers.

To explain this dynamic and the drivers behind the price volatility we’ve seen, the article I wrote last week goes part of the way to articulating those drivers.

Importantly, the sharp adjustment in seasonal conditions throughout the central eastern regions of Australia is very much a major factor here. The drought conditions those regions faced in the final quarter of 2025, which carried into the first four months of 2026, encouraged a mass sell-down of the breeding herd. That translated into higher supply, forcing a sharp fall in processor cow prices.

When seasonal conditions then began to improve in late April, this aligned with southern Australia experiencing its best autumn break in at least two years and a gradual recovery in seasonal conditions, which stoked restocker demand. Additionally, producers chose to retain stock on farm and subsequently, buyers (feedlots and processors) had to compete harder to secure supply, placing upward pressure on market prices.

Ultimately, the real underlying driver of this volatility has been the weather and changes in seasonal conditions. The flow-on factors from that, such as wildly swinging producer confidence and supply of cattle to market from an oversupply to an undersupply, are products of the underlying driver of weather.

The destination that 2026’s price volatility has currently brought the beef industry to is prices at Decile 9 and 10 levels, meaning they are at or near their highest levels on record.

While this is most certainly an outcome to be celebrated for producers – it is a reminder that with prices where they are, the risk sellers now carry is much larger for prices to fall back from these levels than it is to go higher.

With a higher price benefitting the seller (naturally), but a lower price or the risk of lower prices creates market uncertainty and challenges.

In relation to the above discussion surrounding market volatility – trading activity on the Australian Feeder Cattle forward contract has subsided recently. Selling interest and volume remains very strong, although matching counterparties has been difficult, as buy side clients (feedlots and vertically integrated businesses) are willing to participate in the market to a price and no higher – creating a standoff on rates.

That ceiling, where buy side clients are willing to lock contracts in at, seems to be $5/kg liveweight on flatback feeder steers delivered to a Darling Downs feedlot for Q4 2026. When accounting for the premium attached to Angus feeder steers later this year, plus three months from today, that premium or basis, as it’s known, is +10-20c/kg lwt on Angus feeders.

These market conditions and bids suggest the buy side of the market thinks Angus feeder prices are likely to ease out to the end of 2026, a similar outcome for crossbred cattle.

Managing price risk via a tool like a forward contract may provide a potential solution to hedge against downside price risk and protect profit.

In just a few short years, The Run For A Million has become one of the most anticipated events in Western performance horse sports.

Created by Taylor Sheridan in 2019, the event has redefined what’s possible for the industry. What began as a premier reining competition has grown into a week-long celebration of Western performance, bringing together many of the sport’s top riders, horses and owners while offering unprecedented prize money and opportunities across multiple disciplines.

More than the competition itself, The Run For A Million has helped shine a brighter spotlight on the Western lifestyle and the people who make it possible. From competitors and trainers to horse owners, arena crews and fans, the event celebrates a community built on dedication, hard work and a deep respect for the horse.

Those are values Kubota knows well.

For the fourth consecutive year, Kubota will return as the Official Tractor of The Run For A Million, supporting the event behind the scenes throughout the week. Kubota tractors will pull Arena Werks drags to help maintain the arena footing between classes, supporting the crew responsible for preparing a consistent surface for competition.

While the equipment plays an important role during the event, the partnership extends beyond a single week in Las Vegas. Across the country, Kubota equipment is part of everyday life for many horse owners and equestrian facilities. From maintaining riding arenas and moving hay to cleaning stalls and caring for acreage, dependable equipment helps keep operations running efficiently so owners can spend more time focused on their horses. That connection to the equestrian community is what makes The Run For A Million a natural fit for Kubota. The event reflects the same commitment to hard work, stewardship and reliability that customers demonstrate every day, whether they’re preparing for competition or caring for their property at home.

As The Run For A Million continues to grow, so does its impact on Western performance horse sports, introducing new audiences to the sport while creating even greater opportunities for competitors and the industry as a whole. For Kubota, supporting the event is about more than being part of one of the sport’s biggest stages. It’s about supporting the people behind it. The riders chasing their next great run. The horse owners putting in countless hours before and after competition. The arena crews who prepare the footing between every class. And the communities working every day to preserve and grow the Western way of life.

As competitors return to Las Vegas this year, Kubota is proud to once again stand alongside the people who make The Run For A Million more than a competition. Together, they’re helping shape the future of Western performance horse sports while celebrating the traditions and values that continue to bring the industry together.

Join our affiliate program and earn by connecting farmers, agents, and buyers to REALM. With trusted systems, secure transactions, and a growing community, you’ll be promoting a platform built by farmers, for farmers.

This week has brought a more balanced picture for Australian farmers, with some pressure easing in the finance market while new operational risks continue to build across agriculture.

The biggest finance development is the latest inflation data. Inflation has come in softer than expected, reducing the likelihood of another Reserve Bank cash rate rise in August. The cash rate is still sitting at 4.35%, so borrowing remains expensive, but the immediate fear of another quick hike has cooled. For farm businesses, that gives a little more certainty when planning machinery purchases, refinancing, overdrafts and working capital.

Fuel has also been a mixed story. Recent inflation figures showed fuel prices easing, but global oil markets remain volatile after renewed tension in the Gulf. That means farmers should not assume diesel relief will last, especially with freight, spraying, irrigation and harvest planning all heavily exposed to fuel movement.

On the grains side, one of the major issues this week has been industry pushback against proposed phosphine rule changes ahead of the winter crop harvest. Growers and grain handlers are concerned that impractical changes could create delays, compliance issues and productivity losses across storage and export pathways.

Biosecurity is also back in focus, with poultry producers watching local bird flu developments in South Australia closely. While the broader industry is not panicking, it is a reminder that farm risk is no longer just about price and weather.

At Pay In Time Finance, we’re seeing why farmers are reviewing structures early — refinancing existing debt, reducing repayment pressure, unlocking equity and aligning machinery finance with seasonal cash flow.

The message this week is clear: rates may be steadier, but smart operators are still protecting liquidity, controlling costs and preparing before pressure returns.

Australian winemakers have taken a $183 million hit with exports dropping to their lowest level in 22 years, according to a report from Wine Australia. The report links the decline to a global trend of consumers lowering their alcohol intake and tightening their purse strings amid cost of living pressures. New opportunities are being created in the production of low alcohol and zero alcohol options.

Australian wine exports have dropped to their lowest level in 22 years amid a global decline in alcohol consumption, a new report has found.

The amount of local wine sent overseas has fallen below 600 million litres for the first time since 2004, with exports to Australia's three largest markets — China, the United States and the United Kingdom — all dropping, according to the report from peak body Wine Australia.

Worldwide wine consumption fell to its lowest level since 1961, the report said.

Paul Turale, general manager of market development at Wine Australia, said everybody in the supply chain across Australia was "feeling the pinch".

"Around 60 per cent of the wine that we produce here in Australia is exported, so as the market becomes tougher and those opportunities become more limited, it's a squeeze right throughout," he said.

Australian winemakers took an overall $183 million hit as exports dropped seven per cent last financial year to $2.3 billion.

In Perth's Swan Valley wine region, Faber Vineyard owner and winemaker John Griffiths said his business was suffering.

"It's ridiculously tough," he said.

"If there's less wine being sold, we're trying to sell into a market that's shrinking, so that's never going to be good.

"Someone is going to start discounting their wine. If they're not selling it, they'll start discounting it, and if they're discounting it, then it puts pressure on us."

In a silver lining, Australia managed to pick up buyers in the Canadian market due to their battle over tariffs with the United States, according to the report.  That issue has reduced the availability of US wine in Canada and allowed Australian producers to pour in.

There was a 20 per cent increase in exports to Canada in the last financial year, to $188 million. Mr Griffiths said all winemakers were trying to take advantage of the opportunity in Canada.

"Australia's been selling wine in Canada for a long time quite successfully," he said.

"But the opportunity is exploding. If you take the Californian wines out of the Canadian market, there's a huge opportunity."

Australian wine producers are not alone in battling falling exports, with the decline broadly matching a drop internationally in wine sales.

Australian wine grape production has fallen to its lowest amount in more than 25 years as the industry adjusts to a combination of depressed market conditions.

Global wine consumption currently sits at about 20 billion litres, down from almost 30 billion litres in 2018.

"The decline mirrors a broader global trend of declining wine consumption over the past decade," the Wine Australia report noted.

"Worldwide wine consumption has fallen to its lowest level since 1961, as consumers increasingly moderate alcohol intake, face cost-of-living pressures and shift towards alternative beverages."

To accommodate changing tastes, Faber Vineyard's John Griffiths said they were adapting to lighter-bodied wines.

"We're making more grenache, pinot wines, which are lighter-bodied than the shirazes we've made for a long time," he said.

'But we're not stopping making shiraz."

Wine Australia's Mr Turale said there were also big opportunities in low alcohol wines.

"In particular what we've termed the mid-strength, or that 7-9 per cent alcohol," he said.

'It plays to the benefits around the moderation, in particular, that we think is an important and growing sector."

Margaret River was one of a small number of Australian wine-growing regions to buck the national trend, with exports up five per cent over the past 12 months.

Penny Dickeson, chief executive officer of Margaret River Wines, said sustainable wines were playing an important role.

"Wine customers are happy to pay more for wines when they understand the effort and consideration that has gone into making such a wonderful product," she said.

China remains Australia's biggest export market by value at $756 million, despite a 15 per cent drop in wine sent there.

In terms of volume, the United Kingdom is still the biggest market for Australian wine, followed by the US.  But Wine Australia said exports to the two countries were at their lowest level in 25 years.

Australia's 2026 vintage came in at 1.3 million tonnes of grapes harvested, which Mr Turale said was well below the 10-year average.

"The market is already adapting and moving to where the market is," he said.

Why some customer requests are harder to earn than others. 
This week, we've spent more time discussing QR codes than I'd care to admit.

It was all practical stuff. Placement. Size. What they should link to. Somewhere along the way, I found myself wondering: when was the last time I actually scanned one on a product? I genuinely couldn't remember.

So, my first thought was that QR codes might simply be running out of steam. That's when it hit me: a QR code isn't like opening a confirmation email or answering a delivery call. It asks someone to interrupt what they're doing, trust an unfamiliar link, and spend a little of their time before they've received anything in return.

That's a surprisingly big ask.

A QR code is what I'd call a cold ask.

And most businesses have more cold asks than they realise. "Book a call." "Download the brochure." "Complete this form." "Leave us a review."

Before you ask whether people are doing those things, ask something else: have you given them a good enough reason to? If the value isn't obvious before they commit, you've probably added another step instead of creating another opportunity.

We'd been looking through a year's worth of QR scan data for one of our clients.

It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't where we wanted it to be either. Like most people, our first thought was practical: should the QR code be bigger? More visible? Somewhere else on the packaging?

The more we talked about it, the more we realised we were solving the wrong problem. The real fix sits upstream: show the customer the payoff before you ask for the action. Tell them what they'll find. Make it obvious it's quick.

 Earn the scan before you ask for it, not after.

If you'd like another perspective on where your business might be asking customers for effort before offering value, we'd be happy to take a look. 

Reach out at 📧 [email protected]

G’day REALM readers,

What are the unspoken rules of the Australian bush?

Sam Hughes (aka The Travelling Jackaroo) asked the RFTTE community and kicked things off with arguably the most important one: “Always leave a gate how you found it.”

The responses came flooding in, covering everything from checking water and respecting livestock to slowing down near the homestead, carrying more water than you think you’ll need and always thanking the station cook.

There was plenty of hard-earned wisdom, practical advice and, of course, some classic RFTTE member humour.

We’ve mustered up 18 of the best into our latest blog and a few of the funniest quotes. Whether you grew up in the bush, work on a station or are heading out for the first time, these are rules worth knowing.

18 UNSPOKEN RULES OF THE AUSTRALIAN BUSH

And we’d love to hear yours. What unspoken rule of the bush would you add? (Simply reply to this email after you'd had a look at the blog!)

Hooroo for now,

Hooroo for now,
Simon Cheatham
Founder RFTTE - The Online Campfire
0417 277 488 | [email protected]

Robbie is definitely 'that guy!' He's even got his own cartoon character.