Rural Business News

Commentary

The slowly changing face of the dairy trade

March 11, 2024 | 4 min read

Australia’s dairy import and export mix is “slowly trading places” – with export volumes falling sharply in recent years while imports have spiked, Rabobank says in a newly released report.

Commentary

Farmers ignored in climate change fight

Feb. 7, 2024 | 3 min read

On average, farmers estimate their incomes had reduced by 15.7 per cent due to climate change according to the farmer voice survey, an independent global research project commissioned by life science company Bayer.

Commentary

Tight margins to impact animal protein

Dec. 9, 2023 | 4 min read

Animal protein production growth will slow as margins remain tight in 2024, with producers and processors needing to adapt to sustain success, according to Rabobank’s annual Global Animal Protein Outlook report.

Commentary

Global food commodity prices set to fall in 2024

Nov. 20, 2023 | 4 min read

Global food commodity prices are set for respite in 2024 after three years of record highs caused by war, adverse weather and rising energy and input costs, according to Rabobank’s annual Agri Commodity Markets Outlook report.

Commentary

Challenges in meeting growing MRL restrictions

Nov. 2, 2023 | 3 min read

Domestic and export grain markets continue to revise their chemical regulations and maximum residue limits (MRLs) on grain that Australia supplies, writes Gerard McMullen.

Commentary - Management

Why EQ is vital during uncertain times

Oct. 29, 2023 | 4 min read

The importance of emotional intelligence in leadership is not a new concept, at a time when the pace of change and rate of uncertainty seems to be accelerating worldwide, the need for business leaders to develop their EQ has never been more important, writes Leah Mether.

Commentary

Seasonal outlook a mixed bag says GPA

Sept. 18, 2023 | 6 min read

This year’s national grain crop needs urgent rains over coming weeks to deliver an average production year in most grain producing regions, says Grain Producers Australia chair, Barry Large.

Commentary

How to de-escalate conflict with empathy

Sept. 16, 2023 | 4 min read

Knowing how to de-escalate conflict is a vital leadership skill. Whether it’s defusing a heated meeting, dealing with personality clashes, or differing opinions between staff, navigating competing priorities, or supporting your people through the stress of change.

Commentary

Grow your business in a changing environment

Aug. 24, 2023 | 3 min read

Australian agribusiness has experienced significant economic uplift over recent years but there is plenty of evidence to suggest that has now changed, writes Chris Green.

Commentary

Horticulture shows resilience in tough times

Aug. 10, 2023 | 3 min read

Despite the significant challenges facing growers over recent years, the vegetable sector continues to show impressive growth and resilience due to the hard work and dedication of its growers who continue to struggle with increasing costs of production and labour shortages, writes Michael Coote.

Commentary

The swings and roundabouts of supply management

July 11, 2023 | 3 min read

Anyone involved in Australian agribusiness is used to the challenges of running a successful operation in an environment with cyclic demand and supply disruptions – nobody more so than our growers, who have been operating in our harsh and challenging climate for hundreds of years, writes Peter O’Keeffe.

Commentary - Merchandise

Why people resist change (and what to do about it)

July 7, 2023 | 3 min read

The human brain is wired for comfort and certainty. It likes routines, patterns and habits. Change challenges us – like that being experienced by rural businesses across Australia after natural disasters, COVID-19, skills shortages and technology advances, writes Leah Mether.

Commentary - Management

Don’t leave our farmers behind

June 25, 2023 | 3 min read

Australian agriculture is in the early stages of a dramatic disruption and a subsequent transition, writes Matt Anderson.

Commentary - Fertilisers

Need for fertiliser labelling awareness campaign

May 18, 2023 | 3 min read

Fertilizer Australia will launch the national Fertiliser Labelling Awareness campaign in the coming months – and with good reason, writes Stephen Annells.

Commentary

Commodity prices, interest rates and drought bite

April 21, 2023 | 3 min read

Australian farmers continue to ride the rollercoaster of seasons, commodity prices and economic factors, with rural sentiment at the start of 2023 dipping to its lowest level reported since late 2018.