In today’s talking points: Satellite technology is making a way into Australia’s cattle farming; A new Commonwealth Bank Agribusiness (CBA) survey is showing record levels of investment intentions; High demand for Australian cattle from China is going to increase in this industry; Paramalat Australia made an increase of 9% in 2016 revenues of $1.8 billion
Aussie farmers monitoring cows from space
Satellite technology is making a way into Australia’s cattle farming. This technology allows farmers to be able to control cattle yards, and also keep an eye on farms from space. Newcastle Waters Station is one of these stations that are using this technology. Cattle are lured into yards where they cross a weigh bridge with this technology. It also allows for cattle to be draft off or segregated, which is done so by leading animals with heavier weights to a different pen. With this technology, it helps to fill in information that is typically lost in between. It also helps graziers to to lose two to three weeks behind what we are visually seeing. This is critical on picking up as it can make a great influence on drought situations.
Read more at ABC
Farmers optimistic about prices, seasons showing increase in investment intentions: CBA survey
A new Commonwealth Bank Agribusiness (CBA) survey is showing record levels of investment intentions. The survey demonstrates that farmers have more intentions of hiring, which will also include using more family members and more contractors. There is a high increase in livestock properties, interest in dairy is rebounding, and grain grower investment on farming is lower. A high price in the sheep sector is also developing. Some farmers are looking to off-farm investment to spread their risk, in order to help increase their spend on farming. The boost in technology has also caused intentions to this sector in farmers. Many Victorian, South Australian, and southern Queensland farmers are particularly looking into this. 18 percent will increase off-farm investment and 25 percent of farms plan to buy more plants and equipment.
Read more at ABC
China’s taste for Aussie beef a blessing for industry
The continually high demand for Australian cattle from China is going to increase in this industry. Michael Whitehead from ANZ Bank’s agribusiness sector talks about how Australia’s richest take their money into the beef industry, for example Gina Rinehart and retail giant Gerry Harvey. As there becomes a shortage of protein, investment in the beef industry seems to be a good place to be. Harold Mitchell, an Australian beef investor claims that a demand for beef is unlikely, as there will always be a need for basic proteins. The China trade is an example of this high demand and the U.S. has had a large demand for hamburger meat. By breeding more beef cattle, Australian suppliers would be able to meet demands for local and overseas consumers.
Read more at ECNS
Paramalat backs products to make a splash in Asia
An increase of nine percent in annual revenues to $1.8 billion in 2016 was made for Paramalat Australia, the owner of high-selling milk brand Pauls, Vaalia yoghurt and Oak flavoured milk. Paramlat is owned by the French dairy giant Lactalis, has a resilient Australian business where Pauls is the leading white milk brand. They have also been making a way into Asia, such as it’s UHT long-life version of Pauls in Hong Kong, where it has become the number one seller. The conditions are difficult in Australia, but they have plans of building up their brand and more exports to Asia.
Read more at The Land