Rural Business October '25

Market insight - Specialty fertilisers & nutrition

Innovation and impact at 2025 Fertiliser Australia awards

Nov. 14, 2025 | 5 min read

The Australian fertiliser industry came together in Melbourne on September 9 and 10 for the 2025 Fertiliser Australia conference.

Market insight - Specialty fertilisers & nutrition

Biological fertilisers build soil fertility, carbon credits

Nov. 13, 2025 | 5 min read

Like many farmers, Victorian Wimmera grower Geoff Vivian had plenty of scepticism about using biological fertilisers, but after first-hand experience with a soil carbon project which is set to provide valuable income following a tough year, he is now on-board and excited in the benefits for future generations.

Commentary

Growers walk as vegetable industry compliance costs top $200m

Nov. 12, 2025 | 4 min read

New research by AUSVEG has for the first time quantified the massive cost and scope of the $213 million annual compliance, regulatory and red tape burden hampering the productivity and profitability of Australian vegetable growers and threating the long-term viability of Australia’s vegetable industry.

Management

Doing less not more - the key to boosting productivity

Nov. 11, 2025 | 4 min read

At first, it’s light with just the basics: a few meetings, a couple of tasks, the usual expectations of modern life. But as time goes on, we start adding more: another project, a few extra responsibilities, the pressure to be better, faster, more responsive.

Movers & Shakers

Chambers new food commissioner

Nov. 10, 2025 | 1 min read

Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers chief executive Rachel Chambers has been appointed as Queensland Food Farmers’ Commissioner.

Rural Business

Combing through genetics delivers tools to keep bees busy

Nov. 10, 2025 | 4 min read

Australian researchers are delving into the secret life of bees in a quest to breed more resilient, productive and happy honey-makers.

Movers & Shakers

New science leaders for the APVMA

Nov. 7, 2025 | 3 min read

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has welcomed three outstanding executives to lead its new science branches – Dr Ed Cram, executive director of agricultural chemicals; Lee Metcalf, executive director of veterinary medicine; and Dr Maria Trainer, executive director of science and assurance.

Movers & Shakers

New science leaders for the APVMA

Nov. 7, 2025 | 3 min read

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has welcomed three outstanding executives to lead its new science branches – Dr Ed Cram, executive director of agricultural chemicals; Lee Metcalf, executive director of veterinary medicine; and Dr Maria Trainer, executive director of science and assurance.

Movers & Shakers

BASF makes key appointments

Nov. 6, 2025 | 2 min read

BASF Australia has strengthened its agricultural solutions leadership team with the appointments of Roger States as head of marketing and Chris Staff as head of sales.

Rural Business

WA’s humble lupin poised to become a $4 billion global industry

Nov. 6, 2025 | 2 min read

Western Australia is home to one of agriculture’s best-kept secrets — the sweet lupin.

Agribusiness - News

Growers help protect pollinators and beneficial insects

Nov. 5, 2025 | 2 min read

Australian grain growers and advisers have an improved resource to help safeguard beneficial insects while managing pests with the launch of the latest Beneficials Chemical Toxicity Table (version 4.0).

Agribusiness

Possible causes and the management of downer cows

Nov. 5, 2025 | 2 min read

As we enter the spring calving season, you may find a downer cow in your herd, there are several potential causes of this.

Agribusiness - News

Building confidence in food from farm to fork

Nov. 4, 2025 | 2 min read

In a world shaped by changing consumer expectations and shifting trade policies, food company Cargill sees science and technology as central to strengthening food systems.

Rural Business

‘Weevil Kinevil’ could be the answer to wicked weed problem

Nov. 4, 2025 | 3 min read

A team of world-leading researchers from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, are exploring if a small insect, the stem-boring weevil, Lixus caudiger, could hold the key to tackling flaxleaf fleabane; one of the most invasive and costly weeds in Australian grain production.

Merchandise

Farmer avoids mud and saves feed with new shelters

Nov. 3, 2025 | 4 min read

People often tell Kevin Jones that there’s money in mud when it comes to farming – but he’s never seen it.

Agribusiness - News

Spicy new crop options for farmers in northern Australia

Nov. 3, 2025 | 2 min read

Efforts to spice up northern Australia’s crop options are gathering pace with this season’s trials of kalonji and fennel proving to be some of the best performing yet.

Merchandise

Know before you sow: ASF champions quality and integrity

Oct. 30, 2025 | 4 min read

The Australian Seed Federation (ASF) is reinforcing the importance of seed quality, transparency, and respect for plant breeders’ rights (PBR) in building a resilient and trusted agricultural sector.

Merchandise

Hay could pay for northern NSW farmers this season

Oct. 30, 2025 | 2 min read

Farmers across the northern NSW region are encouraged to enter the hay market by harnessing unused farmland and diverse seeds.

Agribusiness - News

GRDC northern panel tours southern Queensland grain regions

Oct. 30, 2025 | 2 min read

The Grains Research and Development Corporation northern panel has staged its spring tour, engaging with growers to gather firsthand insights into local innovations, seasonal conditions, production opportunities and challenges.

Agribusiness - News

Tour reinforces universal agricultural challenges

Oct. 29, 2025 | 2 min read

Shepparton-based horticulture agronomist Lucas Coreejes recently joined a study tour of Argentina, gaining fresh insights into the challenges and opportunities facing agriculture on the global stage.

Merchandise

precision sucker control across vineyards, orchards, and rubus crops

Oct. 29, 2025 | 3 min read

In the face of rising labour costs and increasing disease pressure, Spotlight Plus Herbicide has emerged as a vital tool for growers seeking efficient, targeted sucker control across a wide range of horticultural systems.

Agribusiness - News

Fertiglobe enters Australian market through Wengfu acquisition

Oct. 28, 2025 | 2 min read

The world’s largest seaborne exporter of urea and net ammonia combined, and the leading nitrogen fertiliser producer in the Middle East and North Africa has acquired the distribution assets of Wengfu Australia.

Agribusiness - News

APVMA gives final neomycin decision

Oct. 27, 2025 | 2 min read

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has published its final regulatory decisions for the reconsideration of neomycin, an antibiotic contained in certain veterinary products for use in both companion and food-producing animals.

Rural Business

Planting stronger trans-Tasman connections

Oct. 27, 2025 | 3 min read

For the first time, Seed and Grain New Zealand and the Australian Seed Federation (ASF) joined forces for a joint Seed Business 2025 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Agribusiness - News

Above average crops expected for cotton

Oct. 24, 2025 | 6 min read

Planting is underway across most of Australia’s cotton growing regions with some crops already out of the ground in warmer climates, while some growers in southern regions are awaiting warmer weather before starting their 2025/26 season.

Movers & Shakers

Sumitomo appoints David Morey to national sales role

Oct. 24, 2025 | 1 min read

Sumitomo Chemical Australia has appointed respected agricultural executive and agronomist David Morey, as national sales manager, to capitalise on growth generated by increasing demand for its biological and proprietary products.

Merchandise

Practical tips for using Butec

Oct. 23, 2025 | 4 min read

Butec is an oral transmucosal form of meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. Meloxicam has been used for years, in many situations, in veterinary medicine and this formulation provides an over-the-counter option registered for the alleviation of pain associated with routine husbandry procedure in cattle and sheep.

Merchandise

Keybri Ultra - a new standard in downy mildew protection for grapes

Oct. 23, 2025 | 5 min read

Consistency is the key when keeping downy mildew out of grape crops, making Keybri Ultra a powerful choice in unpredictable seasons.

Merchandise

New 4-in-1 treatment for treating superficial wounds

Oct. 22, 2025 | 2 min read

Dechra Veterinary Products has released a new anaesthetic and antiseptic spray that provides 4-in-1 pain relief and wound care for horses with superficial skin wounds.

Market insight

Monsoon gets the job done

Oct. 22, 2025 | 4 min read

Northern croppers have a lot to think about when applying broadleaf herbicides on winter and summer fallows – of course, their effectiveness on weeds, particularly from some traditional options; plantback intervals; one-pass applications with brews containing grass herbicides and any related antagonism; their volatility and application restrictions in sensitive cropping areas; and weather conditions after spraying.

Market insight

Corteva’s Intrepid Edge - giving farmers alternative control

Oct. 21, 2025 | 3 min read

Dairy farmers and silage producers in the Northern Rivers region of NSW are relieved to finally have an alternative control option for Fall armyworm (FAW), which has decimated maize crops in the region in several successive seasons.

Merchandise

Effective control of St John’s Wort

Oct. 20, 2025 | 2 min read

The hilly country of Kuloo Station, at Cassilis, in the Hunter region of NSW, has meant controlling weeds has been a challenge.