agriculture
Your daily Ag briefing is here: we've curated the ultimate roadmap of upcoming agricultural shows, from LambEx to Sheepvention and beyond. In other news, the BOM and international agencies are now tracking indicators that could trigger a 'Super' El Niño. Read on for the full event
Drover Ag to Take the Stage at Record-Breaking LambEx 2026 The official program for LambEx26 has been released, and it is shaping up to be the most comprehensive sheep industry program to date. Set to take place from July 7-10, 2026, at the Adelaide Convention Centre, the event promises to
Weather: Higgins Storm Chasing Warns of Rapid Drought Onset in NSW and QLD - Forecasters are warning producers to prepare for a "rapid onset of drought" across Northern NSW, as well as Central and Southern inland areas. In a recent update shared to their subscriber base and social
agriculture
Dairy: Mounting Input Costs and Supermarket Pricing Squeeze - Dairy farmers are intensifying their push for supermarkets to absorb the mounting costs of farmgate production and processing. Rising expenses across energy, labour, and logistics have placed significant financial pressure on the dairy supply chain, prompting stark warnings from producers that
agribusiness
Cropping: Court fines operator $15,000 for drone spray drift - A Victorian business has been hit with a $15,000 fine for damage caused by chemical drift from an agricultural spraying drone in Barongarook. With drone technology becoming more accessible for tricky paddock applications, this ruling is a timely
logistics
Logistics: Farmers shut out of zero-interest ERP loans - The Federal Government has clarified that primary producers will not be eligible for zero-interest loans under the expanded Economic Resilience Program (ERP). While the $6.15 billion fund covers manufacturing and logistics businesses—including those transporting "value-added" agricultural products
Employment Market Update
The agricultural labour market is shifting as rising unemployment elsewhere sends a surge of unskilled applicants and Working Holiday Makers toward the regions. However, for the professional producer, quantity isn't quality and all agri-businesses need to weigh up any new hire with care to ensure they are getting
sheep
Sheep Mutton indicators surge 60% year-on-year While beef has been volatile, the sheep market is showing remarkable resilience. The Mutton Indicator is up nearly 60% compared to last year, driven by tight supply and robust Middle Eastern demand. For mixed enterprises, the sheep flock is currently providing a critical hedge
pests
Mouse pressure warnings spread into SA ahead of sowing Grain Central says calls for growers to check paddocks for mouse activity have spread into South Australia’s Adelaide Plains and Yorke Peninsula, alongside parts of WA. With sowing close, this is a practical reminder that pest pressure can quickly turn
agriculture
Autumn 2026 is shaping up as a margin-management season as much as a production season. Across weather, fertiliser, diesel, livestock throughput, grain markets and water policy, the pattern is pretty clear: many businesses may still produce well, but the operators who manage input exposure, timing and regional risk best are
cattle
Cattle Market EYCI drops as fuel costs bite The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) has fallen to 801c/kg, a 10% drop since mid-March. While prices remain high by historical standards, the surge in fuel and freight costs is creating significant downward pressure. Southern processors are increasingly looking to source
News
The general mood across the Australian agricultural landscape is one of disciplined resilience. While confidence in the livestock sector is surging, cropping and inputs are being hammered by global volatility. Producers are ditching "shiny toy" tech in favour of practical gains—focusing on better efficiency, reduced waste, and