READ THE FULL REPORT HERE.
- Hay continues to reach unprecedented prices across all hay types, at all-time highs, and with no signs of slowing. The freight costs of shifting hay interstate are now weighing heavily on /t pricing, and demand is outweighing supply, with some regions now looking further afield and thus increasing prices further due to distance.
- The Iran conflict is now affecting urea and fuel prices. While some contractors and producers have noticed an increase in costs over the past week, most are using a ‘wait and see’ approach and absorbing this until it is necessary to pass it on to buyers.
- Conditions remain cold, with frost interfering with the seed growth. The delayed autumn break, along with drought conditions continuing and no guarantee of longer-term rainfall, means limited fodder availability and pricing pressure will continue for several months. Farmers in these regions continue to rely heavily on silage and supplementary grain feeding, with pellets now slowing due to a lack of key ingredients: straw and grain
- Farmers in drought-hit parts of Victoria are calling for an exemption from paying council rates for 12 months, with an $87 million case put to Premier Jacinta Allan.
- News Corp announces 2025 National Bush Summit, on 20 August to 1 September across Broome, Mount Gambier, Toowoomba, Wagga Wagga, Ballarat, and Darwin, focusing on key rural issues such as natural disasters, cost of living, infrastructure, and red tape reform, with national media coverage and high-level political engagement.
- SA Government appoints Drought Support Commissioner in response to farmer concerns. In June, Premier Peter Malinauskas announced the new role of fast-tracking drought funding and improving access to support. Newly appointed Commissioner Alex Zimmermann hit the ground running this week, visiting regional farms and pledging to be accessible and responsive to farmers’ needs.
- Buyers are encouraged to feed test and view fodder before purchase to ensure the quality of feed.