This Month
Succession drama at Elders triggers huge protest vote again
A botched succession planning process where CEO Mark Allison was re-hired after the company signalled that he would be stepping down has enraged shareholders.
- Simon Evans
Orchard and vineyard values down 15pc as livestock farms rally
Farmland planted with permanent crops such as wine grapes and nuts has fallen 15pc on average over the past 12 months, according to a key index.
- Larry Schlesinger
Why grapes (for eating) are so expensive
Australians are increasing consumption of table grapes in a near $1 billion industry whose exports to China were unscathed when the wine industry was hit hard by tariffs.
- Simon Evans
US issues order mandating bird flu testing of milk supply
The virus has infected more than 500 dairy herds in top milk state California, and more than 700 nationwide since March.
- Leah Douglas
‘Authentic’ Jeremy Clarkson tops polls in disaffected, desperate UK
His shift from Top Gear cars to Diddly Squat cows has so enhanced Clarkson’s everyman appeal that people are asking if a political future beckons.
- Hans van Leeuwen
How salmon could cost Labor majority government
A fierce backlash over a review into fish farming in Macquarie Harbour in the state’s west that is costing the party votes in battleground electorates.
- Ronald Mizen
End of sanctions as China lifts bans on beef
China has removed sanctions from two Australian abattoirs, bringing to an end an avalanche of tariffs and de facto bans that began four years ago.
- Phillip Coorey
- Exclusive
- Macquarie Group
Macquarie buys $175m stake in fresh fruit producer
Macquarie Asset Management adds a controlling stake in one of the country’s largest citrus, berry and table grape producers to its $4.7 billion agricultural portfolio.
- Campbell Kwan
November
The ‘bad habit’ that turned into a $7.5m business opportunity
Using refurbished components to overcome supply shortages for renewables projects turned into a lucrative business.
- Agnes King
- Updated
- Elders Limited
Elders supercharges agribusiness consolidation with $475m Delta buy
One of the country’s largest farm services groups is buying its private equity-backed rival in a deal expected to be scrutinised by the competition regulator.
- Updated
- Simon Evans
GrainCorp profit dries up as weather and competition bite
Chief executive Robert Spurway says that crop variability in Australia and strong overseas production have dented earnings.
- Mark Wembridge
IPF spreads a little wisdom to keep farmers in fertiliser
Incitec Pivot Fertilisers has won the Established Business to Business category in The Australian Financial Review Customer Champions list 2024.
- Alexandra Cain
Lex Greensill scuttles English farm project
The fallen financier says he is – for now – no longer buying a 502-acre tract of park and farmland in his home village, Saughall, amid an entrenched local rift.
- Hans van Leeuwen
October
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Cobram Estate shows AGM season proxy advice can be a slippery slope
Annual shareholder meetings often bring out the nitpickers. A push against the founder and chairman of the ASX-listed olive oil producer is a prime example.
- Anthony Macdonald
Why $31 billion will not be enough to build Inland Rail
Australia’s grand plan to transport goods by rail from Melbourne to Brisbane in less than 24 hours is cutting corners to stay on track, say residents of one city on the route.
- Jenny Wiggins
Equipment financier Coex Capital secures $200m warehouse, fresh equity
A major Australian bank provided the senior funding while credit fund Alexander Funds tipped in mezzanine debt.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
- Exclusive
- Pubs
Ed Peter’s Duxton Pubs dangles 2025 IPO as it seeks $35m
Some parts of Peter’s South Australian business empire have come under pressure as investors get cold feet.
- Primrose Riordan and Sarah Thompson
Project Crescent: Ellerston taps into WA’s wheat belt with agri bet
The deal terms mean it can force an IPO of the leading John Deere agricultural equipment distributor after three years.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
‘The cabin is the driver’s office’ for filters maker Ryco
Ryco’s fine-particle vehicle filters offer a medical-grade ‘face mask for your truck’ – a game changer for the health of commercial transport drivers.
- Sylvia Ramsay
Meet the farmer billionaire who wants you to do nothing about climate
Johnny Kahlbetzer knows humans won’t change anything just for the planet’s sake, so he’s obsessed with backing technology that’s not only greener, but better and cheaper.
- Michael Bailey