Ag Newsletter - 7 August 2026
Broadacre R&D:
GRDC Invites Eyre Peninsula Growers to NGN Sandy Soils Forums - The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) announced four National Grower Network (NGN) forums scheduled across South Australia's Eyre Peninsula at Arno Bay, Buckleboo, Warramboo, and Cummins.
The interactive forums will deliver technical updates on GRDC’s Sandy Soils II initiative, featuring field-trial visits and practical insights into autonomous agronomy, soil amelioration techniques, and strategies to increase crop water-use efficiency in challenging sandy landscapes. Source: Global Agriculture / GRDC
Red Meat Markets:
Historically Low Mutton Throughput Signals Flock Rebuild Phase - Official market and slaughter reporting from Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) Prices & Markets division indicates a tightening supply phase across the national sheep flock as producers move to retain breeding stock. MLA’s weekly market reporting recorded national mutton slaughter at historically low levels through late winter, while overall sheep processing volumes have contracted sharply compared to previous seasons.
MLA analysts highlight that the drop in ewe turnoff points toward widespread retention of breeding ewes across southern states, where improved winter pasture and soil moisture conditions have encouraged flock rebuilding after extended periods of heavy turnoff. Despite tighter available supply and overseas trade headwinds—including adjusted U.S. import tariffs—Australia’s lamb exports and underlying export demand remain resilient across key international markets. Source: Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) Prices & Markets
Development & Leadership:
Future Cotton Leaders Focus on Staff Retention and Farm Communication - A cohort of 17 emerging agricultural leaders graduated from the Australian Future Cotton Leaders Program. As part of their practical coursework, graduates developed on-farm workforce projects directly aimed at addressing regional labour challenges.
Key outputs included practical staff retention frameworks, structured weekly toolbox meeting guides, irrigator communication tools, and school-to-farm career engagement models designed to help regional employers build cohesive, long-term farm teams. Source: Cotton Australia Industry News
Megan Boote
Weather & Climate:
BOM Weekly Update Details Cold Fronts and Onshore Showers - The Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) weekly rainfall update tracks a series of cold fronts and low-pressure troughs delivering showers and snow across elevated southern regions. Weekly rainfall totals up to 50 mm were recorded across far south-eastern South Australia, southern/north-eastern Victoria, south-western Western Australia, and northern Tasmania, with western Tasmania receiving localised totals of 50 to 100 mm. Persistent onshore winds generated showers up to 25 mm along coastal NSW and Queensland, with Mt Sophia recording the weekly high of 95 mm. BOM
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Latest Job Opportunities with Drover Ag
Focus On: Management & Leadership positions
- Station Management Couple | Plenty Highway, NT — Complete operational autonomy over an expansive 1.5M-acre cattle property, roadhouse, and tourism hub.
- Lamb Feedlot Manager | West Wimmera, VIC — Lead an established, purpose-built 27,000-head lamb feedlot team ($120k–$150k + package).
- Farming Area Manager | Barham, NSW — Lead large-scale horticultural cropping (carrots, garlic, processing tomatoes) for Kagome ($120k–$125k).
- Cropping Operations Manager | Netherton, SA — Drive a 2,000 Ha broadacre cereal and pulse program in the Upper South East ($90k–$110k + 4-bed home).
- Assistant Manager Couple | Blackall, QLD — Strategic 2IC role on a progressive 80,000-acre beef breeding operation.
- Assistant Manager - Mixed Farming | Caramut, VIC — Hands-on leadership across 1,000 Ha cropping, cattle, and sheep ($80k–$100k).
- Assistant Cropping Manager | Jamestown, SA — Autonomous broadacre & fodder management role with career progression ($80k–$100k).
To apply or view full job descriptions, visit the Drover Ag Jobs Board.
