Ag Newsletter - 14 July 2026
Land Markets:
NFF Slams Foreign Buyout of Historic Tasmanian Asset as Rural Backlash Mounts - The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has questioned the integrity of the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) following the sale of Tasmania’s largest farm, a 22,000-hectare dairy, beef and cropping aggregation, to a UK institutional mega-fund for a carbon scheme.
The approval has triggered severe backlash from the rural community, particularly after it emerged that local Australian farming families were effectively locked out of the bidding process. The NFF has condemned the lack of transparency, arguing that FIRB parameters are creating a heavily distorted playing field where everyday farming businesses cannot compete against the bottomless pockets of overseas entities. Industry leaders are demanding immediate answers from the federal government, warning that allowing foreign capital to monopolise scale acquisitions without giving domestic producers a fair seat at the table fundamentally undermines the future of Australian-owned agriculture. Source: National Farmers' Federation (NFF)
Community:
The 2026 Outback Queensland Cattle Drive Concludes - The massive 2026 Outback Queensland Cattle Drive officially wrapped up in Blackall on July 10. A herd of roughly 1,200 cattle travelled along traditional stock routes from Longreach—clocking up over 32,800 grazing hours according to CERES tagging data. Beyond moving stock, the event brought vital tourism dollars to towns recovering from the cost of living and weather challenges. Registrations are already open for the 2027 event. Source: Beef Central
Follow the Story on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/outbackqueenslandcattledrive/
Grains Research:
GRDC North Updates Roll Out to Tackle AI and Nutrient Volatilisation - The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is kicking off its winter Grains Research Update series this week, with the first regional forums launching in Bell, QLD. Sessions are structured to deliver immediate agronomic value to growers managing winter crops. Key researchers will present updated paddock data on nitrogen volatilisation rates following surface urea applications on black vertosols, the practical integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for real-time farm decision support, and the management of chemical Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) to prevent costly international trade disruptions. Source: Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)
Topics for 1-day GRDC Grains Research Updates are chosen by a local planning committee comprising local growers and agronomists.
Farm Safety & Leadership:
Farmsafe Australia Unveils National Safety Week Campaign - July 19–25, 2026. This year's campaign theme, "Set the Standard: Show 'em how it's done," centres on the powerful role that senior farm managers and employers play in shaping normal workplace behaviours. The initiative highlights that younger agricultural workers and casual hands learn operational habits by watching their supervisors. Alongside the campaign launch, Farmsafe is rolling out Live State Forum events and its new Safer Farmers Ambassador Network, featuring six active primary producers who will share real-life case studies to encourage safer, more practical on-farm decision-making. Source: Farmsafe Australia Events
Useful Resources from FarmSafe: The Induction Tool is a great online resource to use alongside on-farm inductions for new staff. It provides generalised farm safety information so that your new employees, contractors, family members, or visitors can be aware of the risks and hazards they may encounter and have practical knowledge of strategies to mitigate them.
SafeWork NSW Mandates New Fatigue Management Code
Effective July 1, 2026, SafeWork NSW has implemented a new Code of Practice on managing fatigue at work, and agricultural groups are urging farmers to adapt. Cotton Australia has issued an advisory reminding producers that regulators now treat on-farm fatigue as any other physical workplace hazard. Moving forward, business owners are expected to provide documented evidence of how they manage worker fatigue—such as logging shift start/finish times, recording breaks, and adjusting rosters during peak periods. Sources: Cotton Australia | SafeWork NSW
Megan Boote
Agribusiness Graduate Opportunities:
Rabobank Opens Applications for 2027 Graduate Program - Rabobank officially opened applications for its 2027 Graduate Program on July 13. The program offers pathways for young professionals in agribusiness, rural finance, and agricultural data analysis. Source: Rabobank Australia
