This Month
The death of this winery sums up the industry’s woes
Karadoc Winery near Mildura rode the boom when the world gorged on Australia’s cheap, drinkable plonk. Then tastes changed and winemakers were left stranded.
This cattle supplements supplier wants to go global; launches raise
Bandera Capital has put its hand up for $1 million of DIT AgTech’s raising at a $77 million pre-money valuation.
This hidden natural disaster is costing trillions
A study has found the economic burden of invasive species is 1646 per cent higher than previously recorded, with an average cost of $US53 billion a year.
Can the Murray cod finally hook Australia an aquaculture giant?
It’s a fish that can be found on the menu of white tablecloth diners. But shrinking supply of premium species is a big opportunity for this ASX-listed company.
May
Elders will need to sell stores to secure $475m Delta Ag buyout
The competition regulator has concerns about a tie-up of the No.2 and No.3 players in farm supplies, saying farmers could face higher prices and less choice.
Meat prices to rise as drought-hit farmers struggle to meet demand
Elders reports a rebound in profit for the first half on strong cattle and sheep prices, but it falls short of market expectations, sending its shares lower.
Milk prices to rise after floods and drought hit dairy land
The widespread flooding in NSW occurred at the worst possible time for dairy farmers, while drought conditions in Victoria and SA will compound limited supply.
Top Shelf lender Longreach sidesteps $30m approach for its debt
Street Talk understands the alternative asset manager received the non-binding offer for its debt in early May.
GrainCorp upgrades forecast as sun shines on 2025 harvest
Australia’s biggest agribusiness is primed for a bumper grain harvest following ideal growing conditions in Queensland and northern NSW.
‘Worst I’ve seen in my life’: Farmers rocked by drought in SA, Victoria
The only silver lining for South Australian and Victorian farmers forced to sell off livestock is that Chinese demand for Australian grain-fed beef is surging.
In Pictures: Drought 2025
Farmers struggling with drought conditions in Victoria and South Australia.
Farmers fear Coles, Woolworths-style duopoly in Elders’ $475m buyout
Small groups are readying to buy stores if the ACCC orders divestments in a ruling due May 29 on a merger between the No.2 and No.3 companies in rural supplies.
Greensill family whacks locals for waste fees
Once you make something free, it’s hard to wind that back. Even at bargain prices.
Margaret’s Pav and Heidi have a problem – a Sydney asset manager
Seafood quotas are becoming a serious business. And that’s putting investors and family-owned fishing fleets on a collision course.
Forrests’ Tattarang backs Bega Cheese bid for $4b Fonterra spin-off
The billionaire family’s investment vehicle says it supported the ASX-listed dairy company’s growth ambitions and interest in the NZ-based business.
April
Fonterra warns uncertainty over Bega brand ‘could kill’ $4b spin-off
The New Zealand co-operative has failed in its push to have the divestment of its consumer products division declared not to be a change of control transaction.
The surprising winners from Trump’s trade war? Almond farmers
Steep Chinese imposts have locked out California, which supplies the vast majority of the tree nut to the world, creating a big opportunity for local growers.
Major water rights fund investors consider turfing management
Ed Peter, the former head of Deutsche Asset Management in Asia, will also step down as chairman of the $290 million Duxton Water after the vote.
The McDonald’s effect: Why Aussie beef can ride out Trump’s tariffs
Farmers and exporters are more worried that the wider economic impact of the tariffs could diminish global appetites for beef.
March
Fresh produce suppliers copping downside of power imbalance: ACCC
The National Farmers’ Federation says claims by fresh food producers that Coles and Woolworths have the upper hand been validated by the competition regulator.
Count Financial keeps some private credit in the family
Count took the bold step of telling advisers to sell off holdings in some private credit funds this month. But Realm products are still in favour.
Specialist private lender FarmCap raising $100m
The $100 million fund is accompanied by a direct fund, which will hold an additional stake acquired in individual deals.
Adamantem Capital doubles down on questionable carbon offsets
Others may be examining the veracity of carbon farming methods, but these private equity vultures have no doubts.
Beef exporters and farmers count the cost of Alfred
Lucrative export markets were hampered by ex-cyclone Alfred as fruit and vegetable farmers in Queensland count the cost.
Brazilian JBS heir quietly quits his crippled salmon empire
Henry Batista came to Australia to run Huon aquaculture. Now he’s gone, and the company is in a crisis.