Farmers left wanting after National Cabinet fuel response: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says today’s National Cabinet outcomes fall short of delivering the certainty farmers need, warning that more must be done to give farmers confidence. VFF President Brett Hosking said while the Federal Government’s temporary fuel excise cut may provide some relief for consumers, it does little to address the unique and massive impacts being felt at the farm gate.
Urea $1400 : Going… going… gone
Urea hit the equivalent of $2,800 a tonne in today’s dollars back in 1974. That’s not a typo—and it’s not ancient history either. To understand how that happens, you need to start with geography. Roughly a third of global fertiliser trade by sea—not production, trade—passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Agforce leader talks on food security
The General President of AgForce, Shane McCarthy has highlighted the issues creating big problems for primary producers as a result of current unrest at an international level ... "One big lesson we've learned from this latest chain of events is that fuel plus fertiliser equals food," Mr McCarthy said. "It's surprising how quickly our food security can be put at risk without even one of those crucial ingredients.
Cost pressures weighing on farmer sentiment even prior to outbreak of Middle East conflict – quarterly survey: Rabobank
Australian rural confidence declined in the first quarter of 2026, with the nation’s farmers already concerned about cost pressures in the year ahead, even prior to the outbreak of the current Middle East conflict. The quarter one Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey found national rural confidence had slipped to a net reading of -9 per cent (down from six per cent in the previous survey) even before the outbreak of the war against Iran.
Food supply chain probe welcome, but plan needed now as input pressure mounts: NFF
The National Farmers’ Federation welcomes the Federal Government’s decision to commission a National Food Supply Chain Assessment as part of the National Food Security Strategy, but has reiterated its calls for an immediate plan of action for the sector.
TasFarmers urges fuel rationing plan as national leadership fails
TasFarmers has warned the Federal Government must immediately quarantine fuel for agriculture or risk disrupting national food production as supply uncertainty deepens across Australia ... “We’ve been clear for weeks, no fuel will mean no food,” Mr Sauer said.
Panic buying of fuel more of a problem than supply as regional fuel stocks most under threat, government says
The Roundtable of more than 50 industry and government leaders met ... to discuss the fuel issues affecting Australia from the conflict in the Middle East ... While the Federal Government is responsible for Australia’s fuel supply and has advised that national fuel stocks remain secure, the Roundtable agreed to immediate actions by the State Government to address local distribution issues and minimise price impacts for consumers.
Fuel fury
Caitlin Menadue. Yorke Peninsula farmers, businesses and residents are grappling with the ongoing fuel crisis, as prices soar, independent retailers start to run dry and there’s no visible end in sight .... "Tractors, sprayers, seeders and trucks all rely on diesel to operate, and with seeding approaching it is essential that grain producers can access reliable fuel supplies."
Fertiliser supply shocks are a wake-up call for Australian agriculture: Colin McGregor, Genesis Algae Innovation
Colin McGregor. Australia has an opportunity to think differently about how we support farm productivity. Instead of relying exclusively on imports, we can invest in locally produced biological and nutritional solutions that complement existing fertiliser systems and reduce pressure on global supply chains. At Genesis Algae Innovation, we have been working on one such approach using Australian-grown chlorella algae.
Fertiliser shock could push Australia “towards the gates of a recession”, farmers warn: TasFarmers
TasFarmers has warned that just as farmers grapple with a fuel supply crisis, alarm is now growing over surging farm fertiliser prices that could push food costs higher and deepen economic pressure ... TasFarmers President, Ian Sauer, said the impact would be felt across the core fertilisers farmers rely on to grow crops.
Opinion: Diesel and fertiliser – The two essentials powering Western Australia’s economy: Hunter
Right now across regional Western Australia something deeply concerning is unfolding. Farmers are being told their diesel deliveries have stopped. Some have been warned supply may not resume for weeks. Others cannot lock in deliveries at all. In some cases, operations have already ground to a halt simply because there is no fuel to run the machinery. This should alarm every Western Australian.
Choking on the price of urea
I’m continually amazed how many people can fly to Bali yet couldn’t point to it on a map. Ask them to name the countries that sit north of Indonesia and you’ll usually get a blank look. Yet geography still matters. In fact, it quietly dictates how the global economy works.
Single atoms of silver and earth-abundant carbon turn pollutants into fertiliser: Centre of Excellence for Carbon Science and Innovation
A single atom of silver working in synergy with carbon and nitrogen atoms can efficiently convert polluting nitrogenous waste in water from industries such as agriculture and mining into ready-to-use liquid fertiliser.
Elders’ acquisition of Delta not opposed: Elders
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced that it would not oppose the acquisition by Elders Limited (ASX:ELD, Elders) of all of the shares in Delta Agribusiness Pty Limited (Delta) subject to an undertaking given pursuant to section 87B of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) (Undertaking). Pursuant to the terms of the Undertaking, six Delta branches in Western Australia will be divested. These branches are located in Dalwallinu, Kalannie, Albany, Manypeaks, Wellstead and Hyden.
Latest data shows reduction in GHG emissions intensity for grains industry: GRDC
Australian grain growers have reduced their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity, while continuing to produce high quality cereals, pulses and oilseeds, according to a new report released by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).
From grass to glass – Sustainable grazing between the vine rows
Peter Christen. If you've ever wandered through Panacea Estate and seen a flock of sheep wandering between the vine rows, you might have wondered: What are they doing here? The answer is simple and surprisingly effective. They're helping us make better wine.
Monash scientists call for caution over green nitrate fertiliser breakthroughs
Monash University scientists are urging caution around recent claims of breakthroughs in green nitrate fertiliser production, warning there is more work to do before the concept is market-ready. Research by the Monash School of Chemistry has reviewed 50 published studies claiming to have produced green nitrate fertilisers, and found none that successfully resulted in a sustainably-produced alternative to existing products.
Supply ‘fragility’ creating volatility in urea market – Rabobank report
Global urea supplies currently sit in a fragile state, with several key suppliers exporting lower volumes year-on-year, which creates a "ripple effect" for available volumes for Australian fertiliser importers, Rabobank says in a newly-released report.
A use for carp
Roy Butler, Member for Barwon, tells us he visited a place run by Oceans2Earth. They make a product called Soil Enhancer. They mix fish waste and wood together to make a fertiliser. The man behind this is Tim Crane, originally from Wilcannia.
Biochar form of ‘recycled’ carbon now part of $5 billion market
Shaun Ossinger. The world biochar market is estimated to reach $5 billion dollars by next year more than 100 people were told at the recent South Coast Biochar Forum. Key speaker Professor Stephen Joseph told the Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee forum that biochar had huge potential to sequester carbon, improve plant and animal health and manage a host of waste streams in the process.
Landscape Board fuelling interest in biochar – Upcoming Lameroo workshop: Landscape SA
Land managers across the Murraylands and Riverland are invited to attend a free workshop to find how biochar can be used to improve soil health. The event will be held on-farm at Lameroo ... and include live demonstration of a biochar kiln, weather permitting. Operated by Maccy Biochar, the kiln will be used to burn organic, on-farm waste at a high temperature in a low oxygen environment.
GrainGrowers watching Incitec sale
GrainGrowers is closely monitoring the impending sale of Incitec Pivot Fertiliser (IPF) to Indonesian government-backed fertiliser company PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur (PKT) to ensure growers have access to a consistent supply of critical inputs. GrainGrowers’ Chair Rhys Turton said the sales process had been underway for some time, with members expressing concerns over access to an uninterrupted supply of products.
