Back-to-back-to-back: SA only state growing exports: Szakacs
South Australia is the only state in the nation to grow its exports according to latest trade stats as trade with China continues to soar – up nearly 40 per cent year-on-year. The state’s merchandise exports reached $17.7 billion in the year to March 2024, growing by 2.8 per cent, against a nationwide decrease of 10 per cent over the same period.
Australian cattle market “in balance”, but price upside potential ahead – Rabobank Beef Seasonal Outlook 2024
Australia’s cattle market is sitting in a "state of balance" – with improved beef production waiting on an increase in demand – but an upside in prices is expected towards the end of the year, Rabobank says in its Australian Beef Seasonal Outlook 2024. The current absence of any strong demand – along with a higher herd inventory, with no real liquidation or rebuilding urgency...
Australian cattle prices forecast to remain elevated: NAB
Australian beef cattle prices are expected to remain elevated over the next year, supported by improved restocker demand on the back of better seasonal conditions and healthy export demand. NAB’s Beef in Focus Report released today reports that after falling to a nine-year low in October 2023, reaching 349c/kg, the benchmark Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) is now above the 2015-19 average.
WA farmers looking to the sky and Canberra
... the water reserves in WA farmers' dams are now running dangerously low and farmers are being forced to quit stock at rates that are competitive with the price of a bullet ... What's the trade got to do with the weather? For our farmers, the link is so obvious they remain dumbfounded that the Government has not joined the dots.
What’s Watt got to say now?
Minister Watt, it's time to face up to the reality and accept the consequences of the government’s policy to ban live exports ... Your policies have contributed to driving away buyers and the boats that are essential for alleviating the pressure on the sheep market ... The fact that the live export report you commissioned remains concealed speaks volumes about the economic motivations behind the political decision. The report reportedly confirms what every farmer knows, that the local processing industry cannot replicate the competitive dynamics provided by exporters in the market.
Scrap the biosecurity bill: NSW Farmers Association
NSW Farmers has fronted a Senate Inquiry to call for the proposed biosecurity tax on farmers to be scrapped, with farmers already paying their fair share of biosecurity dues. NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said despite a last-minute redesign, farm leaders remained opposed to the biosecurity levy bill and would continue to urge parliamentarians to vote against the levy’s introduction over the coming weeks.
Influx of cattle onto market taking a toll on prices
Doug Robson. The influx of cattle coming onto the market is taking a toll on prices for all classes of cattle. There were 1934 head yarded at the NRLX on Wednesday, April 17 with the main increase being in the young cattle section.
BHP Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2024
We have released our BHP Operational Review for the nine months ended 31 March 2024. “We remain on track to meet copper, iron ore and energy coal production for the year...": BHP Chief Executive Officer, Mike Henry.
World Vegetable Map 2024 – Turbulent times for the global vegetable sector: Rabobank
Global vegetable trade value rose amid cost increases; production down in some major markets. The value of the global vegetable trade rose in line with rising prices, reaching 3 per cent average annual growth from 2017 to 2022, according to Rabobank’s recently-published World Vegetable Map.
Hay plant in construction
A new hay export plant is being constructed at Warracknabeal by farmers and businessmen Scott Somers and Paul Johns, who, after six years of planning, are finally seeing the results of their efforts with the footings for the air-conditioned production shed now under way.
Foreign land buyers quietly backing the Live Exports Gone movement
Notice how there is a deathly silence by the big foreign pension and sovereign investment funds on the merits of the Government's planned end to the live export trade. These are the foreign entities that have been quietly buying up millions of acres of Australian farmland.
Norco resumes international exports
Australian dairy products from Southern Queensland and northern New South Wales are on their way to Japan, marking the first international shipment from Norco’s Lismore dairy operations since before the Northern Rivers floods in 2022.
Statement on live cattle class action delay: NFF
David Jochinke. Recent news that the Government has requested a nine month delay in proceedings will be a bitter blow to victims of the illegal 2011 live cattle export ban ... There is no reason for this delay besides petty politics ... The Government is meant to be a model litigant.
Australian livestock genetics to strengthen Pakistan cattle herds: DAFF
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) has successfully negotiated new technical market access into Pakistan for bovine semen and embryos. Head of Trade at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Matthew Koval said this was a huge accomplishment for Australia’s germplasm industry.
Rural Commodities Index continues its steady climb north: NAB
Rising prices for a range of rural commodities including cattle, cotton and dairy have seen the NAB Rural Commodities Index* increase for the fourth month in a row. NAB’s March Rural Commodities Wrap ... reports the Index increased 2.2 per cent month-on-month in February and is back up around levels last seen in April 2023.
Letter from a sheep farmer to Senator Ghosh
Hugo Bombora. Dear Senator Varun Ghosh, Congratulations on your recent appointment to the Australian Senate. Nice to bump into you at a wedding last Saturday night. Thanks for the insightful questions. As acknowledged, it’s hard to put together one’s thoughts with Taylor Swift playing in the background. But as promised, here they are via email.
Can this senator save live exports?
Meet newly appointed senator, the former barrister Varun Ghosh who recently took his place in the Senate after he was officially confirmed as Labor’s choice to replace the retiring Patrick Dodson.
... The bit in Ghosh's CV that talks about constitutional law is what every sheep farmer in WA should be interested in, as it hints that our new senator might actually understand the concept of States' rights and that any move to ban a trade that is almost exclusively out of one State may well impinge upon section 52 of the Constitution.
Cook Labor Government deserts live sheep export industry: Love
Premier Roger Cook has deserted farmers and shown his true intentions after admitting in Parliament last week to talks with Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt to end the live sheep export industry. Deputy Nationals WA Leader and Member for Roe Peter Rundle MLA asked the Premier … to explain why the Minister for Agriculture had been in secret talks with Canberra around a transition package for farmers.
NFF urges parliament to side with farmers on biosecurity levy: NFF
The National Farmers’ Federation is sending a message to politicians to do the right thing by Australian farmers as debate on the controversial Biosecurity Protection Levy kicks off in the House of Representatives ... NFF President David Jochinke said despite the mounting evidence the levy was poor policy and should be scrapped...
Mining exports soar: Koutsantonis
South Australian mineral and petroleum exports increased by a remarkable 14.3 per cent to more than $5 billion in 2023, according to new Australian Bureau of Statistics figures. Of our $17.9 billion export record in 2023 reported by the ABS, the resources sector contributed $5 billion, according to ABS data.
Australian milk production firing on all cylinders: Rabobank report
More than halfway into the current dairy season, Australian milk production is firing on all cylinders, Rabobank says, with widespread growth in milk supply across all dairying regions due to favourable seasonal conditions and good farmgate margins. In its recently-released Q1 Global Dairy Quarterly report … Australian milk production reached 5.35 billion litres from the period July 2023 to January 2024…
Trade roadshow opening passage to India
Local businesses interested in exporting to India will be able to learn more at a free two-hour workshop being held in Toowoomba next Thursday, 14 March. India is one of the world’s fastest growing economies, and Queensland businesses have a golden opportunity to learn from some of Queensland’s most experienced exporters who have successfully entered the market.
