AGP Executive Report

Farm safety spotlight: WA farmer Tim Haslam’s barley-harvest fire survival story has earned him a Toyota Wellbeing and Safety in Agriculture award, with his son Dougal accepting on his behalf. Rural women’s leadership: Finalists for the 2026 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award are set to be announced at a Canberra gala on Sept 8, recognising bush projects with grants for local impact. Biosecurity and food systems: An Australian biotech firm is partnering with Indonesia to build a traceable, certified seaweed supply chain, aiming to meet global demand and support responsible farming. On-farm tech: C-Lock has moved cattle feed efficiency testing from months to minutes using a mobile breath-and-RFID system at the crush. Climate and farming risk: UN warnings say a “very strong” El Niño is likely to persist into February, reshaping rainfall and temperature patterns that matter for Australian agriculture. Land access tensions: Barossa canola growers are calling out tourists who enter private paddocks for photos, damaging crops and ignoring gate and land rules. Global grain signals: Morocco is restarting soft wheat imports with a flat subsidy for approved traders as international prices stay volatile.

Canola crop conflict: Barossa Valley canola growers are fed up with tourists walking onto private farmland to snap photos, with reports of gates left open and flowers picked—an escalating reminder that “pretty fields” are still working farms. El Niño and ocean heat: Australia’s weather outlook is tightening as scientists warn this El Niño is unusually intense, while global sea surface temperatures hit a record 70°F, raising concerns for agriculture and food systems. Climate disaster impacts: Nepal’s Bhotekoshi River floods have affected 32,933 people and damaged about 1,806 hectares of agricultural land, alongside major road, bridge and hydropower losses—another signal of how extreme weather can hit food production fast. Rangelands spotlight: The NT is marking the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists with a focus on practical pastoral management, including rotational grazing approaches on Central Australian properties. Solar for farms: A Victorian dairy farmer is using a portable, containerised solar-plus-battery setup to match power to cattle schedules and refrigeration needs, showing how renewables can be adapted to farm realities. Biosecurity and bird flu: Australia has reported a first case of H5N1 bird flu in Sydney, prompting renewed attention to farm biosecurity and bird movement controls. Great Barrier Reef pest control: Queensland tourism operators are culling Drupella snails to protect coral, highlighting how agriculture-adjacent coastal ecosystems still need active management. Rural women awards: AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award finalists are being announced ahead of the national winner, celebrating leadership and projects outside major cities. Sea mine defence gap: A report flags Australia’s weakening mine-countermeasure capability after Project SEA1905 was shelved, raising supply-chain and port security concerns for maritime trade. Local farming community stories: A NSW piece profiles Lebanese cherry growers in Young, showing how migrant farming networks are building long-term community roots.

Global food prices: UN/FAO data show the Food Price Index rose to 133.3 in August, the highest since late 2022, as Russia-Ukraine disruptions keep grain flows under pressure and Black Sea export uncertainty lifts wheat and other staples. Grain market pressure: The FAO cereal index climbed too, with wheat up 2.6% month-on-month and 15% year-on-year, while sugar and corn also posted gains. Wheat policy abroad: Morocco plans a flat subsidy of up to 20.80 dirhams per quintal for imported soft wheat (mid- to late September), aiming to rebuild stocks as global prices rise. Drought and livestock confidence: In Australia, drought-affected breeders are reporting stronger sale results, with Bunya Bull Sale averages up 29% as buyers return. Innovation in agriculture: WA’s Moojepin Merinos won Westpac Innovation in Agriculture at the Australian Agriculture Awards, backing faster adoption of technology alongside traditional breeding strengths. Biosecurity watch: Australia’s H5N1 bird flu situation continues to expand in reports, including new detections in Sydney’s northern beaches area. Trade and exports: India’s recent FTAs are flagged as opening major agriculture export access, while Australian and other buyers are turning to alternative wheat supply sources as Black Sea disruptions persist.

Queensland Dairy Shock: Lactalis’ July closure of the south Brisbane Milk factory has left dairy farmers scrambling, with some reportedly having no local buyer and fears of an “irreversible industry exodus” as contracts end. Renewables on Farms: WA sustainability winner Tim Stevenson is using a 470MW Parron Maam Marang wind farm to de-risk his sheep business, pairing low-stress animal welfare and regenerative practices. Biosecurity & Water Impacts: SA researchers say a harmful algal bloom may be behind a sudden absence of lampreys in Murray River monitoring, raising concerns for affected freshwater migration. Livestock Industry Spotlight: The Glen Angus’ 56th annual bull sale in Victoria saw 51 of 56 bulls sold, lifting averages and topping at $15,000, with buyers from across Australia. Policy & Community Tensions: NSW residents are urging a planning panel to reject a proposed solar farm near Braidwood, arguing the site choice will heavily affect views and community wellbeing. Agritech & Exports (Global): Pakistan’s planning minister urged a shift from raw farm exports to value-added, certified and branded products to lift high-value trade.

Global Food Prices: The UN FAO says its Food Price Index hit the highest level since late 2022, with a “risk premium” returning as heat, drought and Black Sea disruption lift grain, sugar, meat and dairy costs. Biosecurity & Food Safety: A rare E. coli-linked illness killed a 3-year-old after a petting zoo visit, while separate outbreak reports flag illness linked to frozen berries and fresh sprouts overseas—another reminder to keep hygiene tight around animals and produce. Climate & Water for Agriculture: Australian researchers trialled floating wetlands in wastewater lagoons, cutting greenhouse gases (including up to 66% less methane), and the federal government is again in the spotlight over Murray-Darling Basin water buybacks and their impact on rural communities. Renewables & Rural Resilience: Australia delivered battery storage to Palau to reduce diesel use and boost renewables, while the Pacific also launched a reef seeding hub to protect climate-vulnerable ecosystems. Precision Ag & Tech: John Deere rolled out an AI assistant for farmers, and new drone and precision-spraying developments continue to push automation into field operations.

Biosecurity Shock: H5N1 bird flu has reached Sydney, with a greater crested tern at Warriewood testing positive, adding to NSW detections at Port Kembla and Coffs Harbour; authorities say there are no signs of spread into commercial poultry flocks and urge people to avoid contact with wild birds and carcasses. Climate Risk for Farmers: The UN’s weather agencies warn El Niño is “supersized” and likely to persist through February 2027, raising odds of drought, floods and extreme heat that can hit Australian production and freight. Pacific Energy Pivot: Pacific leaders in Palau launched a $2bn renewable investment prospectus to cut fossil-fuel dependence, as climate and energy security pressures mount. Grower Pressure: Vegetable retail prices fell while supermarkets’ profits rose, squeezing grower returns and adding to cost pressures like fuel and fertiliser. Rural People & Industry: WA’s KAPCO Beef executive Allison Dakin wins the state Women in Agriculture award, progressing to national judging.

El Niño Watch: The UN’s weather agency says El Niño is set to intensify into a “very strong” event and likely persist through February, raising risks of drought, floods and extreme heat into 2027. Animal Health & Biosecurity: A Victorian petting zoo is under investigation after a child died from an infection linked to farmyard animals, with another child also seriously ill—sparking fresh calls for safer handling and hygiene. Agrifood Innovation: CNH and Bourgault have teamed up to expand co-branded precision seeding equipment across CNH’s dealer network, aiming to improve soil health and input efficiency. Precision Farming Tech: ZenaTech says its autonomous IQ Octo drone prototype is ready for field testing in Arizona, built for precision spraying and seeding via Drone as a Service. Agriculture Awards (WA): Western Australia’s top agrifood trailblazers were named ahead of national finals, including winners in women in agriculture, next-gen leadership, sustainability and farm safety. Energy & Farm Systems: Amazon has signed a standalone battery storage tolling deal with Anza Power for Victoria’s Bairnsdale BESS, boosting dedicated grid storage capacity.

Conservation Shock: AusNet is investigating the felling of critically endangered Yarra gums in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley, a loss experts say can’t be “fixed” by quick replanting because the trees were part of a genetic study at the edge of the species’ range. Climate & Farm Risk: The UN’s weather agency warns El Niño is set to intensify into a “very strong” event, with major knock-on risks for rainfall, drought, floods and extreme heat into 2027—raising the stakes for Australian agriculture planning. Biosecurity Misinformation: New Zealand officials are battling online “bird flu hoax” claims as H5N1 detections continue, while surveillance and wildlife protection ramp up. Livestock & Labour: Visa changes are biting WA abattoirs and pork producers, with one facility struggling to attract local workers and pushing back reopening timelines. Agri-Industry & Trade: Woolworths’ profit jump renews pressure on Australian dairy as farmers warn of growing supermarket reliance on imported products. Rural Crime: Police appeal after 5,500 sheep worth $1.7m were stolen from a property near Blackall, Queensland. Agrisolar Research: CQUniversity wins a Fulbright to study “solar grazing” using sheep under large solar developments. Horticulture Threat: Citrus growers face ongoing risk from huanglongbing (HLB), with new research backing early detection and vector control. Energy for Regions: Victoria’s Horsham solar-battery hybrid has connected to the grid, part of the state’s first solar-battery hybrid push.

Bird Flu Watch: Australia’s H5 outbreak has jumped into new wildlife hosts, with confirmed cases in mammals including a dead dolphin near Goolwa, raising fresh biosecurity and wildlife-welfare concerns even as officials say human risk remains low. Aquaculture Tech Link: Indonesia plans to trial 40,000 mini recirculating aquaculture systems, citing Tasmania’s results, with Australia-backed knowledge transfer aimed at boosting tilapia and catfish output before expanding to other species. Climate & Pacific Power: Australia is funding Palau’s solar battery upgrades to cut diesel use and expand renewable generation, as Pacific leaders press for stronger climate action ahead of COP31. Food Markets: Global wheat prices are surging on Black Sea disruption and El Niño-linked weather risk, with analysts warning of tighter grain supplies that could ripple into consumer costs. Trade & Agriculture: Canada–US tariff escalation is set to bite from September 8, with knock-on pressure for farm-linked supply chains as both sides retaliate. Rare Earths Angle: Rare earth mining is reframing around magnet materials like neodymium and dysprosium, as demand rises for EVs, wind and defence and supply chains seek less reliance on China.

Livestock Theft: Queensland police are investigating the alleged theft of about 5,500 Dorper sheep worth more than $1.7m from a western property near Blackall, with National Livestock Identification tags used to track the animals. Water & Salinity Research: A long-running south-west WA study found eucalyptus plantations can change groundwater and salt movement over time, using more water than nearby crops, but not necessarily stopping saline seeps. Climate Pressure: A landmark UN report says the world is likely to overshoot the 1.5°C target by 2030, raising food and disaster risks for the Pacific and beyond. Carbon Funding for Farms: The federal government is backing carbon management trials, including projects on agricultural land for removing CO₂ and other storage and utilisation approaches. Indigenous Clean Energy Grants: Applications are open for Labor’s $10m grants to help Indigenous-led clean energy projects move from feasibility toward financing. Agri-Industry Watch: Receivers have been appointed over Agripower’s Conjuboy mine and Charters Towers processing facility, with offers sought by Sept 18. Biosecurity: Bird flu has been detected in Frankston, adding to Australia’s ongoing animal health concerns.

Australian cropping update: ABARES has revised winter crop production for 2026–27 down 12% to 61Mt, but still well above the 10-year average, with wheat forecast 29.9Mt and barley 16.4Mt after better-than-expected conditions in SA, Vic and southern NSW. Ag tech push: John Deere has launched an AI assistant, JD, inside Operations Center to let farmers ask questions of their field and equipment data instead of digging through dashboards. Biosecurity and livestock risk: Australia’s bird flu situation is widening, with reports of new detections including in a dolphin and other wildlife, underlining gaps in wildlife protection. Renewables with rural impact: Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners has acquired the Gawara Baya 408MW wind plus 104MW battery project in North Queensland, reaching financial close with construction targeted to start soon and full operation in 2030. Farm safety and compliance: A blitz has issued dozens of safety breaches in agribusinesses, adding pressure on operators to lift workplace standards. Trade and market signals: Grain transloading capacity is expanding, with a new facility at Baltimore’s Seagirt Marine Terminal set to boost containerised exports for grains and oilseeds.

Water & Basin Rules: NSW Irrigators’ Council says drought should let towns buy/lease water from entitlement holders instead of forcing reallocation, while speakers flagged the cost, long timelines and ecological impacts of new dams. Fertiliser Supply: Malaysia’s NAFAS signed MoUs worth RM355m to secure inputs via phosphate rock and urea links with Australian firm PRL, plus partnerships with PKPS and UMPSA. Bird Flu Response: NSW rolls out targeted H5 vaccination for vulnerable native birds, including little penguin populations, with trial cohorts already receiving doses. Ag Tech for Farmers: Charles Sturt’s SkyEye drone uses AI to flag crop stress, weeds, pests and irrigation risks, aiming to cut time and fuel for large properties. Productivity & Market Access: ANZ argues small productivity gains across farm-to-retail could unlock billions and that market access rules are now as important as production. Beef Trade Shock: Rabobank says China’s safeguard quota hit Australian beef exports hard, with volumes redirected to other markets. Energy Transition: CER reports record solar and battery investment momentum, while a new giga-scale battery near Melbourne is in the pipeline. Rural Education & Livestock: Victorian Schools Merino Challenge crowns Greater Shepparton Secondary College, highlighting hands-on skills in sheep and wool.

Biosecurity & Farm Health: Victorian dairy farmers can access subsidised Q fever testing and vaccinations from 1 September 2026 to May 2027, with eligible owners/sharefarmers able to book two clinic appointments and receive reimbursement if vaccination isn’t required. On-Farm Infrastructure: An Australian-first field day highlighted benefits of compost barns and deep-litter shelters, with research measuring bedding temperatures, moisture and carbon-to-nitrogen ratios to show improved cow and paddock management. Sheep Breeding in Practice: “The proof is in the paddock” at Mount Monmot, where Perendale genetics and a nil-drench approach are positioned as a resilience advantage against drench resistance. Agribusiness Tech & Equipment: CNH and Bourgault announced a strategic alliance to expand co-branded seeding systems across North America and Australia, including precision air drill and air cart tech. Market Pressure & Supply Chains: Woolworths will stop buying Tasmanian beef from 2027 due to a supply-chain stocking gap, pushing cattle to be raised and killed on the mainland. Renewables & Power for Industry: Federal plans to set binding national datacentre standards aim for “BYO power” using 100% renewables, but states’ gas/coal interests could shape carve-outs. Global Risk Watch: Australia’s first known bird flu death in a dolphin underlines how quickly H5N1 can spread beyond birds into marine mammals.

Solar R&D Push: ARENA will invest up to $105.6m across 20 university-led projects to drive “ultra-low-cost” solar, aiming for cheaper, more durable panels and lower solar farm costs. Biosecurity & Wildlife: NSW’s workplace watchdog issued 44 safety notices after inspections of labour-hire fruit farm operators in Coffs Harbour and the Riverina, following modern slavery concerns. Pest & Decision Tools: CSIRO and Hort Frontiers unveiled the Pest READI digital toolkit to help growers monitor pests and improve integrated pest management with practical, farm-ready guidance. Bees Under Threat: Australia’s H5 bird flu and Varroa pressures are raising fresh food-security alarms, with experts warning pollination losses could follow if interventions lag. Water Court Battle: The NSW Supreme Court backed the MDBA in a class action by 28,000 irrigators, finding no duty of care for alleged river-operation impacts. Industry Trade & Markets: Australia’s wine sector is sending professionals to China for a month-long immersion, while global buyer interest remains strong in rice trade.

Agricultural Trade Talks: Agriculture Minister Julie Collins meets US USDA officials in Melbourne to push market access, tariffs and biosecurity, with two-way ag trade worth A$93.1b in 2025 and the US a major export destination. Cattle Levy Review: AgForce cattle president Lloyd Hick says Australian beef is still exported to a record 83 countries and urges levy spending to back new markets, R&D and biosecurity as the levy review gathers input. Biosecurity & Seafood Safety: NSW research finds a parasite linked to “mushy” kingfish flesh is present in many yellowtail kingfish, often without obvious symptoms until cooking. Food Supply Chain Pressure: An opinion argues farmers are squeezed by rising input costs while supermarkets resist price rises, calling for a deeper supply-chain reset rather than old-style farm payments. Farm Tech & Labour: Seasonal workers are warned over contracts, while Australia’s digital push for Fiji includes data storage, skills and cyber security—supporting regional agrifood connectivity. Regional Disruption: Nepal’s floods have damaged rice terraces and swept away farm tractors, with 42 Australians still missing and fresh flood alerts issued for the Bhotekoshi River.

Australia–US Ag Talks: Agriculture Minister Julie Collins meets USDA trade officials in Melbourne to push market access, tariffs and biosecurity, with two-way ag trade at A$93.1b in 2025 and the US a major export destination. Cattle Levy Review: AgForce president Lloyd Hick backs continued marketing and targeted R&D, raising questions about whether levy money should do more for biosecurity as the industry weighs the cattle levy review. Bird Flu Funding Fight: Animal groups say new federal bird flu money is skewed toward commercial chicken biosecurity rather than protecting threatened native species, calling the approach “deeply unserious.” Wild Dog Losses: Western Queensland graziers report hundreds of lambs dead or missing, blaming damaged exclusion fences after floods and warning uncertainty over wild dog action funding is weakening frontline protection. Nepal Floods: Nepal warns of more flooding after the Bhotekoshi River rose again, with rice terraces and farms hit and the combined Nepal–Tibet toll climbing sharply, including dozens of Australians affected. Pacific Forum Duty of Care: Prime Minister Albanese will attend the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau despite key no-shows, stressing Australia’s role in Pacific security, climate action and support for Pacific workers. Seasonal Worker Contracts: The Australian Workers Union urges Pacific seasonal workers to take time to read and understand contracts before signing, highlighting rights if injuries occur. Food Supply Shock: A viral “sardinemaxxing” trend is clearing tinned sardines from shelves, raising concerns about supply and whether hype could spread to other seafood.