Agribusiness Australia Newsletter

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Agribusiness Australia newsletter. 

The first event in the Grant Thornton roadshow series kicked off last week in Melbourne, with a sold out event and more than 80 attendees in the room.

We also have a number of events coming up over the next month, so be sure to secure your tickets early to avoid missing out.
We’re also excited to announce the date for our inaugural Annual Leaders Lunch event, more details to come soon.  

This week we also have a spotlight on Achmea Farm Insurance. You’ll find the latest industry news, reports, and resources from our corporate members, MGR & Co, Elders, and Bendigo Bank in our Keeping You Informed sections.

Member Spotlight - Achmea Farm Insurance

 

Achmea Farm Insurance has launched a convenient way for stud stock buyers to insure their stud animals online. The new Stud Stock Insurance Portal enables farmers to insure their bulls and rams in just minutes – anytime, anywhere.

In recent years, there have been record-breaking bull sales for several key breeds, pointing to Australian farmers’ growing investment in elite genetics. Reflecting this trend, the average insured sum for bulls covered by Achmea Farm Insurance last year exceeded $50,000.

Drawing on its specialist claims experience, Achmea Farm Insurance reports that common stud stock insurance claims include animal illness or physical failure (including disease or deterioration), infertility-related issues, and accidental or traumatic injuries, including those that may occur during handling or transit. Given the high value of these animals, the financial impact of a single incident can be substantial.

To help farmers protect their investments, Achmea Farm Insurance has developed an online portal that enables farmers to insure their stud stock more easily following purchase, regardless of whether they purchase their animals online or on site at an auction.

Achmea Farm Insurance’s new Stud Stock Insurance Portal is designed with farmers in mind, offering: 

  • A convenient way to purchase stud stock insurance on mobile devices
  • A simple five-step process from getting a quick quote, to having your animal insured
  • Secure payment options, including Visa, Mastercard (credit/debit card) and BPAY

The portal is now live at www.achmea.com.au/online-cover and is open to all Australian stud stock buyers. It provides online cover for stud bulls and rams valued up to $100,000, with no need to be an existing Achmea client. For animals valued above $100,000, buyers can contact Achmea Farm Insurance directly for tailored cover by calling 1800 724 214.

*This information is general information only and does not consider your individual objectives, financial advice or needs. Read the Stud Stock Insurance Policy Wording available on www.achmea.com.au/important-documents before making any decisions.

In the news - from MGR & Co

Another fortnight of market disruption and cost pressures across the agri value chain. Last Thursday's inflation figures confirmed food inflation running just above three per cent, with the supply chain price rises impacting farmers and agribusinesses only just starting to flow to food consumer prices.


The Commonwealth has utilised its Strategic Reserve powers to underwrite fertiliser imports, with a government-industry working group established to expand measures. Debate about Australia's "just-in-time" supply chain exposure continues, with a range of voices calling for a more strategic approach to domestic supply security.


Next Tuesday's federal budget will be closely watched. Speculation is mounting that the Government will move on negative gearing, the capital gains tax discount and family trust arrangements. There are reports agriculture will be carved out of any changes to trusts and its instant asset write off may be made permanent.

We’ll provide an update and reaction to the budget in the next newsletter.


  • Farmers grapple with fertiliser supply shock and rising costs, ABC Landline
  • Government to underwrite fertiliser imports to secure supply, Beef Central
  • Fertiliser supply measures expanded through government-industry working group, DAFF
  • Food price inflation remains above three per cent despite broader CPI surge, Agriculture Australia
  • Labor explores massive changes to negative gearing, capital gains tax and family trust tax ahead of May 12 budget, Sky News
  • Labor weighs tax on trusts, instant write-off changes ahead of budget, FarmOnline (paywalled)
 

 

Keeping you informed with member company highlights

 

Bendigo Bank:

The era of rapid, across the board gains in farmland values is giving way to a more complex and selective market. Released Tuesday 5th May,Bendigo Bank’s 2026 Australian farmland values report details how the national median price may have increased, but the state and regional performance is more nuanced. The market is showing signs of cooling as buyers prioritise high quality assets, water security and long-term returns, against the backdrop of a drier weather outlook, rising input costs and a higher cash rate. Subscribe to get the report directly to your email on Tuesday morning or access the report on the Bendigo Bank Agriculture Insights webpage.

Click here to subscribe to Agriculture insights

DLF Seeds:

The legume advantage - Cultivating on farm certainty in uncertain circumstances

With ongoing volatility in input costs, alongside the ever present climate challenges, Farmers and Agronomists are looking for reliable ways to optimise pasture productivity while reducing exposure to rising fuel and fertiliser prices without adding additional risk.

Rising fuel and urea costs remain a key concern. The price of synthetic Nitrogen fertilisers continues to fluctuate, and global pressures are creating uncertainty around future pricing and supply. Read more here.

 

Elders:

Click through the banner below to see the latest insights into key Australian commodity markets as seen through the eyes of Elders business intelligence analyst Richard Koch and guest contributors. 

Latest article: Australian Cattle Prices Facing Stern Test