Ag Newsletter
First Published 11 Sept 2026
The Drover Ag team is packing our bags for the 2026 Henty Machinery Field Days, kicking off in just 10 days time from September 22–24.
As one of Australia's premier agricultural events, Henty is the perfect place to connect, talk shop, and check out the latest innovations driving the industry forward. Here is a quick rundown of what to expect if you are heading down this year:
- Massive Machinery Showcase: Over 14 kilometres of outdoor exhibition space featuring more than $250 million worth of the latest ag machinery, technology, and equipment.
- Awards & Innovations: Check out the prestigious Henty Machine of the Year Award, highlighting the best new releases on the market.
- Agronomy & Tech: Walk through live agronomy trials and get hands-on with the latest precision agriculture and farm management software.
- Lifestyle & Produce: The Country Lifestyle pavilion, Farm Gate produce area, and the highly anticipated Natural Fibre Fashion Awards offer plenty to see away from the heavy metal.
Proud Sponsors of the Murray Valley Yard Dog Championships
We are proud to once again sponsor the Murray Valley Yard Dog Championships. Drawing the cream of the nation's best working dogs, this is the only trial on the calendar run by the NSW Yard Dog Association.
With over 100 dogs competing across three days for a $10,000 prize purse, it is a brilliant display of the everyday livestock skills and stockmanship that keep Australian sheep operations running. The Maiden trials kick off on Tuesday, followed by the Novice (sponsored by Drover Ag) and Open classes on Wednesday, culminating in the high-stakes finals on Thursday afternoon. Be sure to grab a spot on the fence and watch these incredible dogs and handlers at work!
Come and Say G'day!
Whether you are actively looking for your next career move, hunting for the right staff to get you through to harvest, or just want to have a yarn about the state of the industry, we want to see you. The Drover Ag team will be on the ground all three days, set up in the lifestyle pavilion. Drop by our site, and let's talk about how we can help your farming business or your career. See you at Henty!
Super User
Ag Employment for Harvest:
VFF, NFF Warn Visa Delays Threaten Upcoming Harvest - The Victorian and National Farmers Federations have sounded the alarm over the Federal Government's deliberate "go-slow" on processing working holiday and regional employer-sponsored visas, warning agriculture cannot afford to be caught up in broader political debates about migration. With the southern states heading into harvest, they highlighted that crops have narrow harvest windows and that delayed visa approvals could leave machinery seats empty—leaving growers facing massive financial losses. Source: Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) / NFF
Solar Infrastructure & Farm Energy:
SRES Expansion Offers Commercial Irrigators Up to $136,000 Off up front Solar Costs - Cotton Australia released an updated policy analysis on the federal expansion of the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) system limit, which has increased from 100 kW to 1 MW. The expanded framework offers primary producers upfront discounts of approximately 20% on commercial-scale solar installations. Detailed calculations show potential savings of up to $68,000 for a 250 kW system and $136,000 for a 500 kW system, providing commercial irrigators, cotton gins, and grain processing facilities a direct path to lowering grid power and diesel pumping expenses. Source: Cotton Australia
Supply Chain Security:
CommBank Warns of Ongoing Input & Supply Chain Disruption - Speaking following the National Farmers' Federation Leaders' Summit, Commonwealth Bank Chief Economist Luke Yeaman highlighted that Australian primary producers must build long-term operational resilience into their supply chains. Yeaman pointed out that global geopolitical volatility—including recent disruptions to key shipping channels such as the Strait of Hormuz—continues to expose Australian agriculture to spikes in import costs, as the nation imports approximately 80% of its diesel and 65% of its synthetic fertiliser. He noted that while local input prices have eased slightly from peak levels, farm businesses must actively hedge against supply chain shocks as major market disruptions occur every one to two years rather than once a decade. Source: Commonwealth Bank Newsroom
Seasonal Climate Outlook:
BOM Forecasts Dry Spring Signal for the East - The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued its updated long-range seasonal climate outlook for the October to December quarter. The forecast indicates an increased likelihood of below-median rainfall across parts of south-eastern Australia and the far north, accompanied by above-average daytime maximum temperatures.
Conversely, Western Australia, Queensland, and northern NSW show a higher probability of median to above-median rainfall later in spring. BOM climatologists emphasise that while late-spring rain in the north may arrive too late to alter winter crop outcomes, it could provide critical subsoil moisture for opportunistic summer crop plantings. Source:Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)
Climate & Soil Water Profiles:
Update Tracks Rainfall Support Across Southern Belts - Troughs crossing southern Australia brought falls of up to 50 millimetres across Victorian cropping districts and parts of southern New South Wales, with lighter falls observed across South Australia and Western Australia in the past week.
While northern NSW and Queensland remain largely dry, accumulated soil moisture in the south will continue to maintain yield potential for winter crops and foster above-average pasture growth as spring temperatures rise. Source: DAFF / ABARES Weekly Update
Did you know Drover Ag's remote ag recruitment is powered by Starlink? Get amazing internet from Starlink to power your rural business using the link below, and get one month of free service applied to your second month when you sign up for Residential or Roam Plan.
Latest Job Opportunities | Drover Ag
There are currently 38 active vacancies live on the board.
Check them out today at https://www.droverag.com.au/jobs/
