Rural Business March 2025

Market insight

Understanding nutrient removal and maximising input

April 15, 2025 | 3 min read

As the dust settled on the 2024 harvest, Mallee Sustainable Farming reported producers have been diving into their yield data, evaluating how drought and frosty conditions impacted their crops.

Orchard equipment and pruning

Pruning for vigour management

April 11, 2025 | 8 min read

Apple and Pear Australia Limited research shows optimising vigour is critical for growing high yields of top-quality fruit –and pruning plays an important role in vigour management.

Market insight - Snail & slug control

Slugs ‘weighed in’ to optimise management

April 11, 2025 | 4 min read

Snail & slug control Analysing the life history of the grey field slug and black keeled slug is part of new research to help growers better respond to threats from these pest species.

Fencing, livestock handling & ID - Market insight

Barrier against wild dogs and livestock disease

April 10, 2025 | 2 min read

David Counsell and his wife Genevieve operate Dunblane a 15,000ha Mitchell grass property west of Barcaldine, in Central West Queensland, where their enterprise encompasses 15,000 Merino sheep along with 500 head of agistment cattle.

Market insight - Snail & slug control

Importance of long-term monitoring for slugs

April 10, 2025 | 4 min read

Since 2013, AgNova Technologies Pty Ltd and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) have supported ongoing monthly slug monitoring at three sites in southwest Victoria.

Fencing, livestock handling & ID - Market insight

Fencing in better pasture management

April 9, 2025 | 2 min read

On a recent visit to Justin Cooper’s 80 hectare property in Tasmania, the seasoned farmer and Gallagher territory manager shared his expertise on the principles and practices of rotational grazing.

Fencing, livestock handling & ID - Market insight

Livestock handling –there’s a better way

April 9, 2025 | 4 min read

Nic Kentish, a champion of the low stress stock handling (LSSH) system, was a guest on the Te Mania Angus podcast RawAg, where he outlined the game-changing protocols which create a world where stockmen and women get to understand what the animal is thinking.

Merchandise

Downforce with Good Earth to power sustainable cotton

April 8, 2025 | 5 min read

Danielle Statham describes her discovery of Downforce Technologies ‘remote measurements of soil organic carbon (SOC) which provide historic data and annual monitoring of carbon at 10m resolution, as a game changer.

Commentary

NAB says tighter supply could benefit our ag

April 8, 2025 | 2 min read

The NAB Rural Commodities Index moved marginally higher in January, rising 0.4per cent month-on-month, underpinned by higher average prices for beef and a more modest increase in dairy prices in the month writes Gerard Burg.

Merchandise

Innovative smoke sensor helping winegrowers during bushfire

April 7, 2025 | 4 min read

A smoke sensor developed by La Trobe University researchers that has the potential to save hundreds of millions of dollars in lost wine production, is in the process of being rolled out across the wine industry, with monitors most recently being used to track the impact of bush res that have ravaged Victoria’s Grampians.

Management

5 ways to capitalise on the opportunity a tight market brings

April 7, 2025 | 3 min read

We often carry underperforming people in a good market writes Ingrid Maynard. * We shouldn’t because it can cost us our best people, who think: ‘How come they take the p*** and nothing happens while I’m busting a gut getting great results?’

Rural Business

Nufarm and KingAgroot partner on new herbicide

April 3, 2025 | 2 min read

Nufarm Australia has confirmed a partnership with Chinese agricultural biotechnology innovation company, KingAgroot, with plans to develop a new broad spectrum, non-selective herbicide for the Australian market as a stand-alone knockdown.

Rural Business

Alltech takes agriculture to the big screen

April 2, 2025 | 2 min read

Alltech, a global leader in animal nutrition and crop science, has launched Planet of Plenty, a business entity dedicated to science-led storytelling, advocacy and educational initiatives which amplify agriculture’s vital role in creating a sustainable future.

Rural Business

Yamaha plans to Prospr with Robotics Plus

April 2, 2025 | 3 min read

New Zealand-based company Robotics Plus, a specialist in agricultural automation solutions, has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Yamaha Motor Co to form the foundation of Yamaha Agriculture.

Rural Business

Can diverse weed management push resistant weed numbers down?

April 1, 2025 | 4 min read

There is good evidence across Australia that farming systems using diverse weed control strategies are better placed to resist new weed incursions and loss of herbicide efficacy.

Movers & Shakers

Niven to lead Nbryo team in ET strategy

March 31, 2025 | 2 min read

An executive with a track record in animal health, dairy farming and bovine genetics has been appointed to lead a company changing the face of the global beef and dairy industries by developing breakthrough embryo transfer technology.

Movers & Shakers

Diederich steps into top job

March 31, 2025 | 2 min read

BioWish Technologies, a global provider of biotechnology solutions, has named Bill Diederich as chief executive.

Movers & Shakers

New chief executive for Crop Smart

March 28, 2025 | 1 min read

Crop Smart has appointed Sam Hole as new chief executive from April 1.

Movers & Shakers

Fresh direction for Kynetec

March 28, 2025 | 3 min read

Kynetec, a global leader in data, analytics and insights in agriculture, animal health and nutrition has announced the acquisition of Freshlogic, a premier provider of data-driven insights and market intelligence in Australia's horticultural and fresh food industries.

Agribusiness - News

Drive change with a 2026 Nuffield scholarship

March 27, 2025 | 2 min read

Nuffield Australia has opened applications for its 2026 scholarships, calling on the next crop of Australian agriculturalists to be curious, drive change and help their industry thrive.

Agribusiness - News

Another solid cotton season tipped

March 27, 2025 | 2 min read

Cotton picking is underway in Central Queensland with growers in the region recording average results despite the slow start to the season and late rain.

Agribusiness - News

Tassie berry happy with conference

March 26, 2025 | 2 min read

Australia’s international berry conference Berry Quest 2025 has been held in Tasmania, showcasing the latest innovations and discussing key issues for the industry including growing techniques, packaging, marketing, export development, biosecurity labour.

Agribusiness - News

Low interest loans for low emissions machinery

March 25, 2025 | 2 min read

Farmers for Climate Action (FCA)has warmly welcomed news that low-emissions heavy equipment, trucks and utes will be eligible for low-interest loans under a new scheme supported by the Federal Government.

Agribusiness - News

AUSVEG welcomes biosecurity tax withdrawal

March 24, 2025 | 2 min read

AUSVEG has welcomed the Government’s decision to discharge the Biosecurity Protection Levy legislation from the Senate.

Agsafe

Best practices for placarding in AgVet retail premises

March 21, 2025 | 2 min read

Placarding is essential for maintaining safety and regulatory compliance in agricultural and veterinary (AgVet)retail premises.

Market insight - Snail & slug control

Precision, power and performance – Slugoff leads the way

March 21, 2025 | 3 min read

Since its launch both in Australia and New Zealand local farmers and their agronomists have continued to be impressed at the superior effectiveness in both broadacre and high value horticulture situations, ensuring Sluggoff is the first choice molluscicide choice in all-weather situations.

Rural Business

BASF prepares for the launch of a novel rice insecticide

March 19, 2025 | 3 min read

BASF has started the registration for Prexio Active, a new insecticide active ingredient designed specifically to manage all four rice hopper species.

Rural Business

New canola weed strategies deliver for growers

March 19, 2025 | 4 min read

Growers are increasingly adopting latest herbicide strategies in canola for improved weed control longer into seasons and cleaner paddocks in following years, as well as to reduce pressure on traditional chemistries.

Rural Business

Giving it a go pays off for 7 Worlds Ag CEO

March 18, 2025 | 6 min read

If there are two enduring themes which have shaped Ben Coombe’s career, it’s the value of listening and ‘giving it a go’.

Market insight - Seed treatments & coatings

Groundbreaking endophyte research

March 17, 2025 | 3 min read

DLF Seeds Australian research manager, Martin Harmer, spent four years exploring the nitrogen efficiency benefits of AR37 endophyte and how incorporating it into a pasture system can improve a farmer’s bottom line.

Knockdown & pre-emergent herbicides - Market insight

Robotic weed manager pays it way

March 17, 2025 | 3 min read

Weed detection and spot spraying in fallow is a powerful way to reduce chemical use, conserve soil moisture and run down the weed seed bank.

Knockdown & pre-emergent herbicides - Market insight

Reinventing the-seeding double-knock tactic

March 16, 2025 | 4 min read

The double-knockdown tactic is a key component of the WeedSmart Big 6 strategy, which aims to keep weed numbers low, preserve herbicide efficacy and give competitive crops ahead start.