News

Ag Newsletter 19 June 2026

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Beef:

Daley Cattle Dominate 2026 Paddock to Palate Export Classes - Western Queensland producers Simon and Myriam Daley have claimed top honors in the weight-gain phase of the 2026 Paddock to Palate competition, outperforming a record field of 1,358 head. Hosted at JBS Australia’s Beef City feedlot, a pen of six Charolais-cross steers from the Daley's commercial herd sustained an outstanding average daily gain (ADG) of 3.03kg over 120 days to win the expanded export class. The Daleys also dominated the HGP-free 120-day export class with an ADG of 2.4kg, confirming the feedlot performance and profitability of their western-adapted genetics. Source: Beef Central

Livestock Markets:

Restocker Demand Firms Values for Contracted Dalby Cattle Offering - In line with broader national trends showing tighter seasonal yardings, supply at Queensland's Dalby saleyards dropped by more than 2,100 head to a total of 5,874 cattle. Heavy cows and bulls dominated the pens. A highly active contingent of restocker and feeder buyers drove strong competition, particularly for lighter categories. Lightweight yearling steers returning to the paddock experienced a solid 10¢/kg lift, averaging between 541¢ and 545¢/kg and topping at 600¢/kg. Export bullocks also saw a 7¢/kg firming trend to average 465¢/kg, while heavy 3-score processing cows averaged 381¢/kg. Source: Beef Central

Cropping:

Fertiliser Relief as Global Urea Supply Squeeze Eases - Ideally timed winter rain across Australia’s southern and eastern grain belts has supercharged grower demand for urea top-dressing. Sources within the fertiliser industry indicate that sufficient cargoes have either landed or been booked to cover the nation's immediate winter-crop requirements, providing significant relief to growers on the supply front. Furthermore, global supply chains are showing signs of normalising, bringing local urea prices well below the crippling peak of $1,400 per tonne (free on truck) experienced during March and April. Source: Grain Central

Global Feed Complex Shifts Support Local Sorghum and Barley Demand - Shifting feed margins are reshaping global grain demand as feed manufacturers worldwide seek cost-effective alternatives to stabilise their operations. While global corn and oilseed markets currently face heavy bearish pressure, international buyers are aggressively diversifying their procurement toward alternative coarse grains like sorghum and barley. This sustained global demand for alternative feeds is creating a strong pricing floor for these specific commodities. Consequently, Australian growers are being effectively insulated from the broader commodity downturn, keeping localised prices remarkably buoyant. Source: Grain Central

Water:

Federal Government Proceeds with $430M Basin Buybacks Amid NFF Backlash - The Federal Government’s latest $430 million water buyback, securing roughly 380 gigalitres (GL) for the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, has drawn fierce opposition from the agricultural sector. With total water recovery now hitting roughly 98% of the Basin target, the National Farmers' Federation (NFF) argues these aggressive acquisitions unnecessarily strip vital productive capacity from farming communities without guaranteeing ecological benefits.

A major frustration for Basin irrigators is that physical river constraints already limit the delivery of existing environmental water, meaning further buybacks offer diminishing returns. Instead of removing more water from food and fibre production, the NFF is urging the government to definitively end the buyback program. Industry leaders argue funding must be redirected into practical, non-disruptive river health projects—such as European carp control, fish passages, and infrastructure upgrades—that support the environment without costing regional jobs. Sources: ABC News | NFF Media Release

Taxation:

The small business 50% active asset Capital Gains Tax (CGT) turnover threshold has been lifted from $2 million to $10 million, effectively extending vital tax concessions to 99% of Australian farm businesses and giving family operations immediate financial breathing room. This comes in addition to the exemption from the minimum 30% CGT for primary production income within Discretionary Trusts announced around Budget time. Source | NFF

Following the June 18 announcement by the federal government, the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has confirmed that testamentary trusts are exempt from the proposed minimum tax arrangements on trusts. This exemption provides critical certainty for farming families, ensuring that succession planning and intergenerational farm transfers can proceed without being subject to these new tax measures. Source | VFF