CommBank Agri Podcast

Shona Gawel, GrainGrowers CEO - Fertiliser & Fuel Crisis

GrainGrowers is a nationwide organisation representing over 15,000 Australian grain farmers. It is one of Australia’s agricultural success stories, set up as a farmer collective in northern NSW over 65 years ago.Shona and I discuss the impact of the US and Iranian blockades of the Strait of Hormuz on Australian grain producers. We discuss the deteriorating impact of high farming costs on profit margins, and what farmers are doing to sure-up their bottom line.We cover the broader vulnerabilities within Australian agriculture, what’s being done to address them, and the shift in urban perspectives towards recognising the importance of food production to national sovereignty.
Disclaimer: 
 
Important Information  
This podcast is approved and distributed by Global Economic & Markets Research (“GEMR”), a business division of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945 (“the Bank”). 
Before listening to this podcast, you are advised to read the full GEMR disclaimers, which can be found at www.commbankresearch.com.au.  
No Reliance 
This podcast is not investment research and nor does it purport to make any recommendations. Rather, this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon for any investment purposes. 
This podcast does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any securities or other financial products, or as a recommendation, and/or investment advice. You should not act on the information in this podcast.  
The Bank believes that the information in this podcast is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations made are reasonably held at the time given, and are based on the information available at the time of its compilation. No representation or warranty, either expressed or implied, is made or provided as to accuracy, reliability or completeness of any statement made. 
Liability Disclaimer 
The Bank does not accept any liability for any loss or damage arising out of any error or omission in or from the information provided or arising out of the use of all or part of the podcast.  
Usage of Artificial Intelligence 
To enhance efficiency, GEMR may use the Bank approved artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing content for this podcast. These tools are used solely for drafting and structuring purposes and do not replace human judgment or oversight. All final content is reviewed and approved by GEMR analysts for accuracy and independence. 

US beef tariff changes?

Dennis Voznesenski delves into rumours around changes for US beef import tariffs and current peace negotiations in the Middle East and Black Sea. For more information, follow Dennis on LinkedIn or X (Voz_Dennis).
 
Important Information  
This podcast is approved and distributed by Global Economic & Markets Research (“GEMR”), a business division of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945 (“the Bank”). 
Before listening to this podcast, you are advised to read the full GEMR disclaimers, which can be found at www.commbankresearch.com.au.  
No Reliance 
This podcast is not investment research and nor does it purport to make any recommendations. Rather, this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon for any investment purposes. 
This podcast does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any securities or other financial products, or as a recommendation, and/or investment advice. You should not act on the information in this podcast.  
The Bank believes that the information in this podcast is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations made are reasonably held at the time given, and are based on the information available at the time of its compilation. No representation or warranty, either expressed or implied, is made or provided as to accuracy, reliability or completeness of any statement made. 
Liability Disclaimer 
The Bank does not accept any liability for any loss or damage arising out of any error or omission in or from the information provided or arising out of the use of all or part of the podcast.  
Usage of Artificial Intelligence 
To enhance efficiency, GEMR may use the Bank approved artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing content for this podcast. These tools are used solely for drafting and structuring purposes and do not replace human judgment or oversight. All final content is reviewed and approved by GEMR analysts for accuracy and independence. 

Tasmanian fertiliser and fuel shortages with Sam Conibear

Agri Conversations with Sam Conibear: Standing in front of one of Tasmania’s primary freight vessels, Sam and I chat about how the global fertiliser shortfall is affecting the state’s farmers.The ship pictured behind us is responsible for importing everything from fertiliser to food into Tasmania. Because supply chains are more geographically constrained than on the mainland, many farmers typically pre purchase inputs well ahead of time. While a lot of fertiliser and fuel was locked in before the US–Iran conflict, some producers have still faced sourcing challenges.Tasmanian agriculture is a high input, high output system. Significant investment has gone into irrigation and on-farm infrastructure in recent years, and keeping those investments viable means maintaining high levels of production. Farmers are still using large volumes of fertiliser and fuel, but with a sharper focus than ever on managing margins.Tasmania produces an extraordinary range of agricultural products — from rock lobster and superfine wool to cherries, poppies for morphine production, vegetables, cattle and specialty seeds. It’s also a highly export oriented state: much of its beef goes to the US, while a large share of rock lobster and wool ends up in China.P.S. Sam Conibear is CommBank’s Executive Manager of Agribusiness in Tasmania. Thanks for coming on the podcast Sam!
 
Disclaimer: 
 
Important Information  
This podcast is approved and distributed by Global Economic & Markets Research (“GEMR”), a business division of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945 (“the Bank”). 
Before listening to this podcast, you are advised to read the full GEMR disclaimers, which can be found at www.commbankresearch.com.au.  
No Reliance 
This podcast is not investment research and nor does it purport to make any recommendations. Rather, this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon for any investment purposes. 
This podcast does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any securities or other financial products, or as a recommendation, and/or investment advice. You should not act on the information in this podcast.  
The Bank believes that the information in this podcast is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations made are reasonably held at the time given, and are based on the information available at the time of its compilation. No representation or warranty, either expressed or implied, is made or provided as to accuracy, reliability or completeness of any statement made. 
Liability Disclaimer 
The Bank does not accept any liability for any loss or damage arising out of any error or omission in or from the information provided or arising out of the use of all or part of the podcast.  
Usage of Artificial Intelligence 
To enhance efficiency, GEMR may use the Bank approved artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing content for this podcast. These tools are used solely for drafting and structuring purposes and do not replace human judgment or oversight. All final content is reviewed and approved by GEMR analysts for accuracy and independence. 

Wheat prices rally higher while cattle prices 'moo've lower

Commbank's Agri Economist Dennis Voznesenski jumps into the latest on wheat market rallies and weaker cattle prices as drought bites. Follow Dennis on X (Voz_Dennis) and Linkedin (Dennis Voznesenski) for more frequent updates. 

Crop prices move higher on US dryness and Hormuz Strait uncertainty

Dennis Voznesenski delves into the drivers behind a rise in wheat and canola prices. The factors include dryness in the US, dryness in northern NSW/Southern QLD and uncertainty around the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Important Information  
This podcast is approved and distributed by Global Economic & Markets Research (“GEMR”), a business division of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945 (“the Bank”). 
Before listening to this podcast, you are advised to read the full GEMR disclaimers, which can be found at www.commbankresearch.com.au.  
No Reliance 
This podcast is not investment research and nor does it purport to make any recommendations. Rather, this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon for any investment purposes. 
This podcast does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any securities or other financial products, or as a recommendation, and/or investment advice. You should not act on the information in this podcast.  
The Bank believes that the information in this podcast is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations made are reasonably held at the time given, and are based on the information available at the time of its compilation. No representation or warranty, either expressed or implied, is made or provided as to accuracy, reliability or completeness of any statement made. 
Liability Disclaimer 
The Bank does not accept any liability for any loss or damage arising out of any error or omission in or from the information provided or arising out of the use of all or part of the podcast.  
Usage of Artificial Intelligence 
To enhance efficiency, GEMR may use the Bank approved artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing content for this podcast. These tools are used solely for drafting and structuring purposes and do not replace human judgment or oversight. All final content is reviewed and approved by GEMR analysts for accuracy and independence. 
 
 

Regional Fuel and Fertiliser Problems - Agri Conversations with Ned Mulholland in Wagga Wagga

Regional Fuel and Fertiliser Problems - Agri Conversations with Ned Mulholland: last week we released a report covering the global disruption to farm inputs due to the US-Iran conflict. Yesterday, I saw clients and colleagues in Wagga Wagga (southern NSW) to see what’s happening on the ground. Commbank Agribusiness Executive Ned Mulholland and I chat about the impact of offshore disruption to the farming sector.The Strait of Hormuz closure has blocked roughly 40% of the world’s urea and 20% of its oil exports. In regional NSW, so far, the main challenge has been related to high prices as opposed to shortages. In most cases you can still get the farm inputs you need, but you need to pay up at considerably above pre-war levels. While 60% of the nitrogen fertiliser and a large proportion of fuel used by Australian agriculture is consumed by broadacre cropping, the impact is broader. Livestock producers who are sowing and improving pastures are impacted. Livestock operators are also impacted by increased cost of cartage of livestock. In Southern NSW most cropping farmers are pushing ahead with their planting programs in coming weeks due to favourable soil moisture profiles. The main question is whether post-crop-emergence (June), farmers will reduce their nitrogen application rates or possibly spread fertiliser later in the season if it becomes cheaper. The sooner the Strait is reopened, the less chance yield will be impacted by reduced nitrogen application. High prices have a large sway on how much nitrogen fertiliser farmers will choose to apply.
Disclaimer: 
 
Important Information  
This podcast is approved and distributed by Global Economic & Markets Research (“GEMR”), a business division of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945 (“the Bank”). 
Before listening to this podcast, you are advised to read the full GEMR disclaimers, which can be found at www.commbankresearch.com.au.  
No Reliance 
This podcast is not investment research and nor does it purport to make any recommendations. Rather, this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon for any investment purposes. 
This podcast does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not to be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any securities or other financial products, or as a recommendation, and/or investment advice. You should not act on the information in this podcast.  
The Bank believes that the information in this podcast is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations made are reasonably held at the time given, and are based on the information available at the time of its compilation. No representation or warranty, either expressed or implied, is made or provided as to accuracy, reliability or completeness of any statement made. 
Liability Disclaimer 
The Bank does not accept any liability for any loss or damage arising out of any error or omission in or from the information provided or arising out of the use of all or part of the podcast.  
Usage of Artificial Intelligence 
To enhance efficiency, GEMR may use the Bank approved artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing content for this podcast. These tools are used solely for drafting and structuring purposes and do not replace human judgment or oversight. All final content is reviewed and approved by GEMR analysts for accuracy and independence. 

Agri Conversations with Roddy Brown, General Manager for Agribusiness Banking

Not sitting in a field for once, I caught up with Roddy Brown, CommBank’s General Manager for Agribusiness Banking.In this 6‑minute conversation, we discuss insights from Roddy’s recent trip across the ditch to New Zealand, along with innovative practices he’s seen across rural Australia - including Optiweigh, cattle GPS collars and soil practice improvements.We finish by unpacking which agricultural industries are currently outperforming, and which are doing it tough.This podcast was recorded in late March at the CommBank Cultivate event in the Hunter Valley, which brought together close to 100 cattle producers from around Australia.

Agri Conversations with SA & VIC livestock operator Mark Gubbins

Sitting in a field of Black Angus cows, I chat with Mark Gubbins, managing Director of Gubbins of Coolana. Mark’s operation involves commercial beef and sheep, spanning Victoria and South Australia. Mark’s family has been involved in farming since the early 1900s. We discuss everything from the impact of high fuel prices to diversifying farming operations interstate, succession and on-farm innovation.The below are topics with timestamps for your convenience:- The origin story of Mark’s family farm since the 1930s (0:33)- Fuel shortages and rural availability in mid-March (2:27)- Switching from specialised breeding to commercial beef (4:00)- Key takeaways on succession in farming (5:55)- Diversifying farming operations interstate (7:00)- Farmers rebuilding their livestock herds after a dry run (8:15)- Advice to younger farmers on adopting innovation (9:30)P.S this video was recorded on 18 March.

Agri Conversations with Kate Crozier in Western Victoria

Sitting among a flock of sheep in Western Victoria, Kate and I discuss the recent turn-around in the season following a dry-run. We also delve into how farmers are dealing with rising farm input costs, including fertiliser. This podcast was recorded in early March. 
Kate is the Agribusiness executive out of Hamilton, Western Victoria. Kate works with a diverse range of the agricultural industry including sheep, beef, dairy, wool, cropping and even wine.

Fragile US-Iran ceasefire pulls down agri prices

This week Dennis Voznesenski discusses the recent ceasefire between the US and Iran, and the potential implications for agricultural markets. Be sure to follow on LinkedIn by searching 'Dennis Voznesenski' or on X by searching 'Voz_Dennis'.