Business & Farming
2026 outlook
Conditions favourable for Australia’s livestock sector –Rabobank 2026 outlook
Export market demand has supported elevated prices for Australian lamb, mutton and beef through much of 2025, with favourable market conditions expected to continue into the new year, according to agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank. In its Global animal protein outlook 2026, the bank’s RaboResearch division says high cattle inventories will maintain elevated Australian beef production, while sheepmeat production takes time to recover.
Forestry
State Forest pine brings festive cheer to Government House: Forestry Corporation of NSW
A radiata pine grown in a Southern Highlands State forest is taking pride of place in the foyer of Government House continuing a grand NSW Christmas tradition. For decades, real Christmas trees selected from State forest pine plantations have delighted guests and visitors at the Governor’s residence ... Forestry Corporation has also supplied a 3.5-metre pine to feature at Vaucluse House.
Wine
Call to love Riverland wine this summer
A Riverland MP is urging locals and visitors to show their support for the region's wine industry while enjoying the summer holiday season. Member for Chaffey Tim Whetstone launched his Local Labels campaign last week, highlighting the range of Riverland wines available from wineries, liquor stores and venues like hotels, clubs, cafés and restaurants. "This summer is the perfect time to celebrate and the exceptional wines that our region produces, while also sending a clear message that this is an industry worth fighting for," Mr Whetstone said.
Wild beef - Cape York
Bush Beef to raise $10 million for ethical wild food
Normanby Aboriginal Corporation and Esparq Ventures have announced they have raised $600,000 as part of their mission to raise $10 million to commercialise, launch, and nationally scale their innovative and sustainable enterprise, Bush Beef ... ethical, climate-friendly food sources are in growing demand ... ARR.News found out more from Dominiqe Bird of Esparq Ventures.
Ag labour - Pt 2
Success in America is being an immigrant
For its 250-year history, the United States has been the largest immigration centre in the world. As of 2024, the country was home to 52,375,047 immigrants ... The concentration of illegal immigrants in the agricultural sector in some states is so high that it raises the question, "Are authorities truly combating illegal immigration, or is illegal immigration officially encouraged as a supplement to legal immigration?"
Leadership & You
Eight truths I learnt about leadership in 2025
I feel 2025 has been one of the most instructive leadership years I can remember. We have seen plenty of leadership lessons and styles on the world stage, much of it on what not to do! Many regional and rural businesses have faced uncertainty, skill shortages, rising expectations from staff, rapid shifts in technology, and the everyday pressures of running operations that never stop. Yet it has also been a year where I’ve watched extraordinary leadership rise from ordinary circumstances.
Compliance
Manufacturing - WA
Gemco Rail establishes wagon manufacturing in Karratha
Gemco Rail is proud to announce that wagon manufacturing is now established at our Karratha facility, marking a major step in bringing rollingstock capability into the Pilbara and closer to our customer operations.
Australian Stock Horses
51st Dalby Australian Stock Horse Sale shatters records with $8 million milestone: Ray White Livestock
Historic sale achieves $170K mare, equal Australian record $110K gelding, and exceeds $8 million for first time. The 51st Annual Dalby Australian Stock Horse Sale has cemented its position as the world's premier Stock Horse sale, delivering a historic weekend that shattered records and exceeded $8 million in sales for the first time in the event's history.
Leadership & You
Retail
Co-op switches focus to online model
Five years after establishing a community-driven food system in the Upper Murray, the Acres & Acres Co-op paused operations at its retail outlet ... to review the business. Following a trial period, Acres and Acres is now operating under a new model and a new board ... "The new model has already allowed us to reduce the price of many products in-store as our markups are very low.
Data
Energy Estate Digital announces Tasmanian data centre hubs and digital infrastructure plans: Energy Estate
Energy Estate Digital is developing state of the art subsea data cable networks between Australia and New Zealand and key global hubs including California, Japan and India. These new networks are designed to support the growth of the AI economy and connect global hubs with new regions with access to the abundant land, energy and water resources.
Regional capital
A big week as Gosford forges ahead
Terry Collins. It's been a huge week for Gosford, with the opening of the long-awaited Archibald Precinct on the site of the former Union Hotel and a hugely successful open day at the new Gosford campus of The University of Newcastle, which is set to open next year. Business NSW Central Coast Regional Director Scott Goold said with more major developments in the CBD well underway, the longed-for reactivation of the regional capital was finally becoming a reality.
International
Kerang mill’s Pacific trip turns into cattle mission
Gus van Hart. For Kerang operator Michael Sommerville, a four-day visit to Samoa in November showed how a small, family-run business in northern Victoria could build deep ties with Pacific workers and end up advising the nation's Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Fuimaono Maiava Tito Asafo.
Farm crime
Gold
Works restart at Maldon’s Union Hill Gold Mine
The owner-operator of the Union Hill Gold Mine and nearby gold processing plant, Kaiser Reef Ltd, held an information session for Maldon residents ... to advise of current and future works planned for its Maldon sites. ... Kaiser Reef Ltd, which is listed on the ASX, has operated in Maldon since 2021 after an acquisition agreement with Golden River Resources Pty Ltd.
Vet of the year
John’s pawsome service awarded
Madison Eastmond. A long-serving Riverland veterinarian has been awarded as the best practitioner in Australia. Recognising close to 50 years of animal care, and 40 years of service to the local pet population, Riverland Veterinary Practice (RVP) principal vet John Hammond received the 2025 Australian Small Animal Veterinarians (ASAV) Roger Clarke Practitioner of the Year Award in August.
Bees
Riverina’s beekeeping industry under threat as Varroa Mite takes economic toll
The beekeeping sector across the Riverina is experiencing an unprecedented financial crisis as the region grapples with the ongoing challenge of varroa mite management, placing critical agricultural pollination services at risk.
Report
Fishing - WA
Rock lobster whites active with run to ramp up any day
Rock lobsters are active now in waters off Two Rocks with the annual whites run expected to ramp up any day now. Earlier this week Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) scientists predicted the annual whites run of three-and-a-half to four-year-old western rock lobsters would occur at the usual time from about Friday, November 28.
Christmas shopping
All you need is local
You’ve no doubt heard the phrase: ‘Shop Local’ but have you really thought about why it matters? As we head into the summer months and the festive time of year, there’s a lot of pressure to spend money on gifts, entertaining and looking our best; let’s be thoughtful about where and how we part with our hard-earned bucks. You don’t need to go very far to make a difference.
Research
Farms could be our secret climate weapon, QUT-led study finds: QUT
The world’s farms could become one of the most powerful tools in the fight against climate change according to a new international study led by QUT. Published in Plant Physiology, the paper lays out a framework to assess how plant agriculture and synthetic biology innovations can help mitigate climate change by cutting greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon storage.
Ag show
Local show kicks more goals
After being in danger of folding several years ago, the Corryong Show underwent a revamp and a change of date which has revitalised the community event, culminating in it being named the Corryong Event of the Year at this year's Australia Day ceremony.
Narrandera
Bendigo takes out main award
Liz Lawrence. Narrandera Bendigo Bank branch took out the main award, Best Business any size, at the Narrandera Rotary Club and Narrandera Business Group Annual Business awards formal dinner last week.
Horticulture
New report reveals Queensland horticulture pumps $6.06 billion into the economy and supports nearly 45,000 jobs: QFVG
Queensland’s horticulture sector is doing far more than feeding the nation – it’s contributing more than $6 billion to the state economy each year and supporting almost 45,000 jobs, according to a new report released today by the Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG).
Seasonal ag labour - Pt 1
The hidden side of seasonal agricultural labour
Seasonal legal and illegal labour migration in agriculture compete with each other despite serving the same goals. These goals are increasing food availability and agricultural efficiency. This competition arises because villagers and politicians prefer different paths to achieving these goals. These different paths magnify the impact of seasonal labour migration.
Classic car tourism
Vintage cars descend on Allora
Saturday morning saw vintage car enthusiasts arrive in Herbert Street for a show and tell ... Mary Poppins House - the perfect backdrop for Lester Diggles with his Model A Ford 1928 on the left and Alwin Chalk with his 1928 Chevrolet on the right.


























