AGP Executive Report

Farm resilience planning: A new guide urges Australian producers to prepare for seasonal uncertainty by setting a clear family vision, stress-testing finances, and mapping drought and other business risks before making costly upgrades like water supply changes or stock containment. Livestock industry shake-up: Sydney’s Leilani Lodge stables will move to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott after the Australian Turf Club cited safety concerns, ending the long-running Tulloch Lodge era for the Waterhouse-Bott operation. Climate pressure on food systems: A major El Niño forecast is strengthening, with global agencies warning hunger risks could escalate for millions, pushing early action needs in high-risk countries. Ag-tech and breeding: Researchers propose an AI + pangenetics framework to speed crop breeding by combining biological knowledge with prediction models for more climate-resilient varieties. Water and local land impacts: Councils in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania say AI-linked data centre projects arrived with little warning, raising alarms over water use and agricultural land. Trade and meat standards: The UK signals it may investigate its own approach to any EU-style ban on Brazilian beef over antibiotic concerns, with industry worried about market disruption. Low-carbon materials with ag links: Green360 signs a first binding supply deal with Holcim for low-carbon cement replacement product MKX-CC, supporting commercial scale-up.

Renewables for regional Australia: The Federal Government has backed HAMR Energy with $32m via ARENA to turn Greater Green Triangle forestry waste into renewable methanol, then convert it into sustainable aviation fuel and other low-carbon liquids. Farm tech from the sky: Satellite monitoring is giving growers a clearer view of crop development, soil moisture and vegetation health, helping compare current seasons with historical conditions. Energy storage at a coal site: Idemitsu’s Australian arm is proposing a 108MW/864MWh vanadium flow battery at the former Muswellbrook Coal Mine, pitching long-duration, low-degradation storage. Wind build-up in WA: Envision Energy has received NTP for 179MW Narrogin Wind Farm, with 23 large turbines and a 30-year O&M deal. Market signals for grain growers: Wheat prices rose again as Black Sea tensions and weaker harvest prospects lifted global risk premiums. Beef trade pressure: China says Brazilian beef imports hit 80% of quota, triggering an extra 55% tariff once the safeguard threshold is exhausted. Sheep confidence: Reporting highlights “confidence strengthens” among Australian sheep farmers. Biosecurity and wildlife: A story on a tiny fish found only in one spring system underscores ongoing conservation work to protect critically endangered species.

Food Manufacturing Push: FaBA is backing a $180m plan to strengthen Australia’s “missing middle” by linking universities and industry to turn ideas into onshore food and beverage products. Cattle Levy Consultations: Cattle Australia is running WA face-to-face sessions to shape how the cattle transaction levy is spent, with producers paying $5 a head and the review focused on marketing, biosecurity and R&D. Rice Industry Networking: Rice Connect 2026 returns to Barham, NSW (Aug 13-14) with a tighter program for growers and leaders, including awards and an RGA summit. Farm Safety Week: Farm safety advocates are urging farmers to focus on everyday habits—fatigue, machinery checks, PPE and keeping kids away from hazards—because “complacency” is where accidents start. Ag Tech & Data Centres: Beetaloo Energy has launched Beetaloo Digital, securing NT land for an AI data centre and gas-powered energy precinct, aiming to bundle gas supply with computing demand. Market Watch: Coles has ended talks with TPG over a potential Greencross acquisition, while Lindt says it’s adjusted prices after Easter sales fell following a price hike.

Renewables Grid Strain: A new report highlights how high solar and wind output can force renewable curtailment when demand is low, wasting clean power and leaving less generation later when it’s needed. Dairy Market Signals: Ag Briefs points to dry whey price strength lifting Class III milk prices, a reminder that feed and dairy inputs keep moving the goalposts. Aquaculture R&D Push: CSIRO has opened a free online aquaculture R&D programme for Australian SMEs, aiming to turn early ideas into practical research plans. Beekeeping Growth: Oman’s honey output hit 934,443kg in 2025, showing how expanding beekeeping infrastructure can grow rural food production even with continued imports. Biosecurity Watch: A parasitic diarrhoea outbreak overseas (cyclosporiasis) is raising concerns about what could slip into Australia via produce or travellers, underlining the need for training and research. Reef Alarm: Scientists warn the Great Barrier Reef faces extreme El Niño-driven bleaching risk, with possible ecosystem collapse if action doesn’t match the threat. Land Clearing Pressure: New figures again call out NSW Government failures to rein in land clearing, keeping pressure on primary producers and regulators.

WA Sheep & Wool Extension: The Muster program has launched in Western Australia, appointing eight “Muster Points” grower groups to deliver practical sheep and wool know-how through local workshops and field activities. NSW Land Clearing Scrutiny: NSW land clearing rose 16% in 2024 (after the Minns government promised tighter controls), with trees down but non-woody clearing up, prompting calls that the system is “broken” and “not good enough.” Heat Stress Warning: A new push highlights how extreme heat is already pushing food and farming systems “to the brink,” with drought and rainfall extremes creating long ripple effects for growers. Plant-Protein Dairy Breakthrough: Israeli researchers report engineered seeds can produce and store β-casein, a key milk protein, pointing to a potential route for cow-free dairy ingredients. Food Safety in Travel Season: Health experts warn that summer travel and buffet/cold-chain failures can raise foodborne illness risk when temperature controls break down. Biosecurity & Pesticide Exposure: Tracking Carnaby’s black cockatoos in WA’s Wheatbelt found many seed samples contaminated with multiple pesticides, with some levels far above legal limits. Energy for Farms & Industry: NSW has approved a $1.8bn Stratford pumped hydro and solar project, while Fox ESS launched POWER BEAST for scalable commercial battery storage. Beetaloo Basin Update: Tamboran says its record Beetaloo stimulation campaign has reduced execution risk ahead of first gas, with further catalysts expected later in 2026.

Geopolitical Shock to Inputs: Malaysia’s deputy economy minister says renewed West Asia conflict is pushing up oil prices, raising the risk of higher production input costs and consumer prices, with government monitoring and contingency measures focused on supplies, price curbs and support for firms. Regional Diplomacy: ASEAN foreign ministers meet in Manila to address renewed Middle East hostilities and press for the Strait of Hormuz to fully reopen, warning of knock-on effects for fuel, food and regional stability. Beef Market Watch: The EU expects beef prices to stay firm through 2026 despite cooling from record highs, citing structural cow-herd decline and supply constraints, with live export volumes also expected to fall. Spot-Spray Weed Tech: Nufarm highlights “green-on-green” in-crop spot-spraying as adoption grows, aiming for fewer weeds, less herbicide and higher yields, while regulators and trials work toward a clearer framework for site-specific chemical use. Farm Risk & Cover: Allianz revamps farm pack insurance with simpler, more relevant cover and updated definitions, plus expanded support via Rural Aid farm recovery events. Energy for Farmers: Naturgy backs a Fraser Coast solar-plus-battery project (290MW solar, 180MW/360MWh storage), while European Energy reaches financial close on Victoria’s Mokoan hybrid solar and battery build.

Right to Repair for farm machinery: Independent agricultural machinery repairers are pushing for Australia’s Right to Repair law to expand beyond passenger vehicles, with a National Agricultural Machinery Repairers Roundtable set for 5 August and Treasury officials attending as observers. Farm finance pressure: Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) says its variable loan rate will rise from 5.18% to 5.71% from 1 August 2026, while stressing concessional support for eligible farmers and farm small businesses. Aquaculture R&D support: CSIRO’s free eight-week “Innovate to Grow” program is open again, helping aquaculture SMEs turn early ideas into practical R&D plans. Livestock tech uptake: Halter’s virtual fencing collars are gaining traction, with more Australian states legalising the approach and farmers using GPS-enabled collars to manage herds remotely. Grain market lift: Australian wheat values have jumped as Asian demand responds to disruptions to Russian grain shipments, with exporters scrambling for bulk business. Renewables and grid rules: Australia is moving to legislate a net-generator requirement for large-scale data centres, aiming to force new clean power build rather than drawing from household supply. Wind farm milestone: Victoria’s Golden Plains wind project has completed installation of its final turbine, boosting output as commissioning continues. Regional manufacturing boost: An old Heinz factory site in Girgarre is set to be repurposed for food manufacturing and processing, after years of dormancy. Skills and jobs in mining: Chinese partners in Guinea’s Simandou iron ore project are investing in technology transfer and local talent development to run major rail and mining infrastructure.

Food Security Recognition: The World Food Prize Foundation named 40 “Top Agri-food Pioneers” across 30 countries, spotlighting innovations from crop and livestock research to methane cuts and new food printing/AI approaches, with formal recognition in October in Des Moines. Pesticide Scrutiny: WA Carnaby’s black cockatoos are being exposed to a “chemical cocktail” of 26 pesticides near grain silos, with some residues reported hundreds of times above accepted levels, raising fresh pressure on pesticide use and monitoring. Biosecurity Watch: New Zealand confirmed H5 bird flu in migratory seabirds, with authorities urging the public to report dead birds as response steps ramp up. Farm Tech Adoption: Virtual fencing is expanding across Australian states after legalisation, using smart collars and an app to manage herds remotely. Regulatory Fight Over PFAS: Regulators are proposing a 500-fold increase in the allowed residue level of a “forever chemical” on berries, triggering backlash from anti-pesticide campaigners. No/Low Alcohol Push: NSW is backing the state’s first wine dealcoholisation facility with a $2m grant, aiming to help wineries tap growing alcohol-free demand. Trade & Markets: Reuters flagged tightening global grain balance as wheat and corn production struggles to keep up with consumption, with acreage shifting toward oilseeds.

Fertiliser squeeze fallout: urea prices have tumbled, leaving some Australian resellers stuck with expensive stock after being pushed to lock in supply during the peak. Farmers are seeing better access and government-backed support, but smaller operators face the biggest hit. Herbicide access pressure: restrictions on paraquat are forcing growers to seek emergency relief, with sugarcane among the hardest affected as workable alternatives are still being developed. Bird flu watch: Australia is on alert after H5N1 detections in New Zealand, with wildlife monitoring ramped up and seabird cases raising concern for spread. Beef trade shock: Australian beef exports to China have stalled after a 55% tariff, with exporters looking to redirect volumes while China draws on inventory and reserves. Koala conservation update: new national estimates suggest koala numbers remain critically low, with habitat loss, climate stress and bushfires still driving declines. Rural community spotlight: a Wheatbelt town profile highlights how local hubs and services support farmers and families through the seasons.

Avian Flu Watch: Australia is on alert after New Zealand confirmed H5N1, with scientists stressing ongoing surveillance and lessons from Australia’s earlier seabird detections. Beef Trade Shock: Australian beef exports to China have slowed sharply after a 55% tariff, pushing exporters to reshuffle volumes toward markets like the US, Japan, Korea and the Philippines. Biosecurity & Wildlife: Authorities and wildlife groups are monitoring coastal birds after H5N1 detections near key colonies, including Victoria’s gannets at Point Danger. Farm Finance Meets Tech: An Aussie platform, Invest Inya Farmer, is letting city investors buy shares in farm produce (from oysters to cattle), reporting $20m+ invested across 100 farms. Soil & Farming Future: Coverage highlights soil health as a critical farming priority, alongside practical research and field-day style updates. Energy for Ag: A new grid-connected AI wind turbine prototype in WA supports Fortescue’s Nullagine project, pointing to more renewables backing industrial decarbonisation.

Trade & Biosecurity: Australia’s bird flu watch intensifies after New Zealand confirmed its first H5N1 case in a seabird, with authorities urging the public not to touch sick or dead birds and stressing eggs and poultry remain safe. Water & Food Security: The National Irrigators’ Council says Murray-Darling Basin water use is now within Sustainable Diversion Limits, arguing “over-extraction is no longer the issue” and calling on the federal government to reassess whether enough water remains for agriculture. Farm Inputs & Costs: Machinery sales are at 15-year lows as farmers grapple with high input costs, signalling pressure across farm budgets. Agribusiness & Markets: Asian feed millers are shifting formulations toward more corn as Black Sea tensions lift wheat prices and freight costs. Industry Events: Rice Connect 2026 is set for August 13–14, aiming to bring growers and partners together with a tighter, more focused program. On-farm Livestock: Inglebrae Farms’ Angus bull sale saw a full clearance of 38 bulls, led by a top $24,000 bid for Inglebrae Farms So Right V2. Clean Energy Logistics: Port of Newcastle has been authorised to receive and store grid-scale lithium-ion batteries for major NSW storage projects, supporting the state’s dispatchable power push.

Biosecurity & Bird Flu: A newly arrived H5N1 strain in New Zealand is being flagged as potentially “catastrophic” for native wildlife, with officials vaccinating only highly managed populations and urging rapid reporting of sick birds. Climate Outlook for Farmers: Farmers are watching forecasts for a potential super El Niño, with growers bracing for hotter, drier conditions and knock-on effects for production planning. Invasive Species Watch: Australian redclaw crayfish could reach Botswana’s Okavango Delta within about 10 years, raising alarms for fisheries and fragile ecosystems. Grazing Tech in Action: Halter has teamed with Motion Sickness to support its next stage of global growth in virtual fencing and livestock management across Australia and the USA. Land & Nature Planning: An Adelaide University study argues Australia may need to redraw rural landscapes to meet biodiversity goals, with many regions far below the 30% land-to-nature target. Trade & Red Meat: The US has exempted Brazilian beef from new 25% tariffs, a move that disappoints cattle groups and could reshape competition for Australian exporters. Energy & Farm Impacts: Solar PV recycling plans are on hold after a suspended flagship pilot, leaving industry waiting on how end-of-life panels will be handled.

Biosecurity Alert: New Zealand has confirmed its first H5N1 bird flu case after a migratory seabird (a brown skua) tested positive near Wellington, with officials saying there’s no sign of spread to poultry yet and that monitoring will ramp up alongside industry plans. Aquaculture Push: CSIRO is backing a future white-flesh fish industry in Northern Australia by selecting pompano for breeding work, aiming to cut reliance on imported white-flesh seafood. Energy for Farmers: NSW has approved the Stratford pumped hydro and solar project, repurposing a former coal site into long-duration storage plus solar to support the state’s grid needs. On-Farm Innovation: Researchers are trialling gentle neck exercises from the University of Queensland to reduce migraine frequency and severity, targeting neck function as a key driver. Wildlife & Safety: A cyclist on a Northern Rivers rail trail was bitten after an eastern brown snake became trapped in her bike chain, highlighting the risks of close encounters with venomous wildlife.

Foreign Ownership Shock: Tasmania’s Rushy Lagoon (21,744ha) is set to be sold for $142m to UK forestry giant Gresham House after Albanese approval, despite local and state pushback. Biosecurity Alert: New Zealand confirmed H5N1 in a brown skua on Petone Beach, with officials urging vigilance as the risk to native birds and potential spread to poultry sheds grows. Farm Operations & Productivity: Davimac says its new 45-tonne chaser bin is designed to cut harvest downtime by keeping headers fed and reducing waiting on grain logistics. Beef Genetics Spotlight: The Land Southern Beef Week opens July 27–Aug 1 with NSW studs hosting on-farm open days and showcasing 2026 genetics. Succession Planning: Proagtive is running a Tamworth event on Aug 6 to help families plan farm handovers without breaking business or relationships. Research Breakthrough: CSIRO-linked teams helped develop the world’s first graph-based pan-genome for mung bean, mapping tens of thousands of structural variants to speed breeding. Market Watch: Wheat futures rose as traders weighed global trade and weather impacts on US crop ratings.

Pesticide Push on Berries: Australia’s regulator is defending a proposal to allow much higher pesticide residues on berry farms, with critics warning about health impacts and the government scrambling to reassure consumers. Avian Flu Alarm: New Zealand has confirmed its first H5N1 case after a migratory seabird tested positive near Wellington, while Australia continues to log isolated coastal detections—keeping poultry and egg safety messages front and centre. Wind Power for Rural Supply: RWE’s 1.1GW Theodore Wind Farm in Queensland has cleared federal EPBC approval, moving it toward construction and adding a major battery component—an energy boost with knock-on implications for farm power costs. Trade Watch for Sheep: Australia’s lamb industry is “disappointed” the US has launched an investigation into lamb imports, with industry and the federal government preparing a legal defence. Wine Grapes Down: Wine Australia reports the crush has fallen to the lowest in over 25 years, driven by weaker global demand and a red-wine glut, with weather also contributing. Long-Range Forecasting: Cynoptec unveiled a new model aiming to forecast weather up to six months ahead, targeting better planning for agriculture and disaster readiness. Energy Rules for Data Centres: The Albanese government says large AI data centres will be required to underwrite new power generation and minimise water use—relevant to future farm energy and water planning.

Right to Repair push: New Zealand industry leaders backed a Choice of Repairer law, arguing motorists should get the same diagnostic and repair information from manufacturers as dealer networks, on fair terms. Digital travel admin: Australia’s plan to replace paper arrival cards with digital passenger cards gained hospitality and tourism support, with $56.1m earmarked for airport traveller modernisation. Food safety recall: Tasmanian Mountain Waters recalled Mt Ossa Australian Spring Water (1L) in NSW and Queensland over possible mould contamination, warning consumers not to eat it and to seek refunds. Sheep flystrike innovation: Australian Wool Innovation is developing a tea-tree oil biopesticide using nanotechnology to help prevent and treat flystrike as chemical resistance rises. Agri-solar expansion: RWE launched monitoring for advanced agrivoltaics in Italy, with crops grown under panels and sheep grazing at sites. Helium, hydrogen, methane prospects: D3 Energy’s PEL121 in South Australia received independent certification of a maiden prospective resource (54 BCF helium, 88 BCF hydrogen, 226 BCF methane). Rural community electricity: A Euroa forum heard residents’ anger over repeated outages and rolling brownouts, with council pushing for network upgrades. Feral deer cull: WA authorities say aerial culling has nearly eradicated feral deer around Esperance, while the next phase at Harvey in 2027 remains controversial.