Regional Roundup - March 2018

What we do

Rural Financial Counselling Services are:

Free, independent and confidential
Staffed by qualified and experienced Rural Financial Counsellors (RFCs) who understand farming and business – our RFCs are required to have a Diploma of Financial Counselling as minimum qualification, and have years of experience in assisting farming businesses
For primary producers of livestock, milk, honey, fruit, crops, wool, meat, vegetables, eggs, fish, plants, trees and logs
For small businesses who mainly support primary production such as: fencing, shearing sheep, controlling weeds or agricultural pests, managing stock, planting crops etc.
Able to assist farm or small agribusinesses experiencing or at risk of financial hardship
Able to come to your place of business or you can come and see us.

Assistance when

Rural Financial Counselling Services can assist businesses affected by:

Drought/water issues
Low commodity prices
Natural disasters
Structural adjustment
Industry downturns
Low equity/tight cash flow
Difficulties with lenders or access to finance
Unpaid creditors/debtors
Market disruptions
Changes in personal circumstances
Farm accidents or illness
Share farming/succession agreements/ contracts.

How can we help you

Rural Financial Counselling Services can help you:

Understand your financial position and the viability of your enterprise
Identify options to improve your financial position
Develop a plan to implement your chosen options, and implement that plan
Provide information, referrals, and support to access, government or industry grants and programs
Assist you to deal (whether through meetings or otherwise) with lending institutions in relation to:
- Applications and contracts with those institutions; and
- Processes relating to farm debt mediation
Assist you to identify the need for advice from professional service providers, and provide support with preparation for meetings with professional service providers.

News

NE Regional Soil Health Conference

NECMA conference

North East Regional Soil Health Conference - 14 May 2021 at Beechworth is for ALL land managers, agriculture industry groups and soil health service providers in North East Victoria.
Read more ...

Farm Finance getting prepared 2021 Webinar

Farm Finance

The team at the Young Farmer Business Network have put together a series of sessions designed to build skills in financial planning and business resilience for your farm business.
Read more ...

Details: Published: 30 March 2018; Last Updated: 01 June 2018

Regional Round-up is a monthly newsletter providing an overview into the environmental and business conditions affecting farmers and rural businesses in the Goulburn Valley and North East Victoria.

Dairy

The Saputo purchase of Murray Goulburn Dairy continues to progress slowly¹ with an extraordinary general meeting held on April 5th to discuss various resolutions and future pricing.
Other milk buyers have confirmed price as either static or with a small increase which is welcome news for suppliers.
There is growing anticipation the arrival of a new milk processor will trigger a “milk price war” as milk processors compete to secure supply. At the same time, others are warning international market forces will remain the dominant influence on milk price and the price will not reach levels rumored.

Cropping/Sheep

Stubble burning continues across the region as part of this season's preparation. Current dry conditions will see increased usage of hay, however buyers remain price and quality conscious. Wheat growers are anticipating a small rise in price this coming harvest.
Wool prices are expected to remain strong for at least the first half of 2018. Strong export markets and limited growth in global lamb production are expected to continue to drive prices for the lamb industry through 2018.
Mutton is in strong demand and this helps push seasonal trends higher. Heavy mutton reached a high of $195.20 for Merino wethers at Corowa in NSW.
Lamb prices softened across the board slightly. Shearing is still in progress.

Beef

Early indications are that beef prices will feel some pressure from above average international beef production and high levels of domestic livestock. Overall, prices are still quite good.
At a local level, Shepparton numbers were higher due to the dry weather and quality was varied. Finished cattle were in short supply.

Horticulture

Apples are almost ready for picking and this will see an increase in harvest labour rates.

Irrigation

Temporary water is currently trading at $135/ML (Murray system Zone 6) and $120/ML (Goulburn System Zone 1a).

1 On April 4, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced it will not oppose the proposed sale of all of MG’s operating assets and operating liabilities to Saputo Dairy Australia Pty Ltd (Asset Sale).