This Month
US issues order mandating bird flu testing of milk supply
The virus has infected more than 500 dairy herds in top milk state California, and more than 700 nationwide since March.
- Leah Douglas
November
Aussie VC Artesian, horticulture R&D group partner to launch $60m fund
The new fund, dubbed Hort Innovation Venture Fund, will target up to 30 local and international startups for pre-seed or early series A funding.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
The muscle and clout behind Australia’s $750m acai boom
Australian businesses are scrambling to jump aboard the superfood trend as it attracts fitness buffs and social media users entranced by colourful desserts.
- Simon Evans
Nufarm entrepreneur Doug Rathbone a winner in $475m Elders buyout
The 79-year-old, who made his fortune via the crop chemicals business, will pocket a small windfall from the buyout of Delta Agribusiness by its larger rival.
- Simon Evans
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Monday’s big deal shows domestic M&A is definitely not dead
For all the bluster we hear from bankers and lawyers about the ACCC, companies are still willing to take on the competition regulator.
- Anthony Macdonald
- Updated
- Agriculture
Elders supercharges agribusiness consolidation with $475m Delta buy
One of the country’s largest farm services groups is buying its private equity-backed rival in a deal expected to be scrutinised by the competition regulator.
- Simon Evans
Consumers lose taste for Australian beef giant’s wagyu
Global competition and a reluctance to buy pricey wagyu has sliced into Australian Agricultural Company’s profit.
- Mark Wembridge
GrainCorp profit dries up as weather and competition bite
Chief executive Robert Spurway says that crop variability in Australia and strong overseas production have dented earnings.
- Mark Wembridge
Why Fonterra puts its dairy farmers before profit
Fonterra’s relationship with its dairy farmers is paramount to its success, making it a leader in the Established Business to Business category.
- Larry Schlesinger
October
Butchers’ super fund to have biggest stake in fruit group SPC
The return of the fruit and vegetable processor SPC to the ASX comes with a Rich Lister and the meat workers super fund at the top of its share register.
- Simon Evans
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Glass Lewis backflip prompts AGM proxy process questions
It is one thing to have a view, it is another to stand behind it. How much work goes into some of these proxy recommendations?
- Anthony Macdonald
Trade officials probe cheap Woolworths, Coles imported tomatoes
The investigation will assess whether Italian tinned home brand products sold in the supermarkets are being dumped at low prices to damage local growers.
- Simon Evans
WA fishermen celebrate end of lobster ban
The end to a years-long trade stand-off with China over rock lobster imports has buoyed WA’s fishing industry.
- Tom Rabe
Australian Vintage rehires CEO it sacked for ‘lack of judgment’
The ASX-listed wine producer behind McGuigan and Tempus Two has again appointed Craig Garvin as its chief executive, who says the “past is the past”.
- Simon Evans
Almost $600m slashed from popular wine brands as drinkers steer clear
Documents filed with the regulator show the value of brands from Jacob’s Creek to Wolf Blass is shrinking as the industry battles to attract younger consumers.
- Simon Evans
AI greenhouses feed remote communities and educate children
Food Ladder installs AI greenhouses in remote communities to feed people and educate their children about the benefits of healthy fresh produce.
- Christopher Niesche
The public institutions that have never been led by a woman
Leading executive women are calling for public institutions and government organisations to do better after the University of Melbourne appointed its first female vice chancellor.
- Hannah Wootton
Meet the farmer billionaire who wants you to do nothing about climate
Johnny Kahlbetzer knows humans won’t change anything just for the planet’s sake, so he’s obsessed with backing technology that’s not only greener, but better and cheaper.
- Michael Bailey
The storm chasers trying to save the world from drought
Everyone agrees the planet needs more water. So why is cloud-seeding so controversial?
- Jeremy Miller
September
Fonterra targets South-East Asia, keeps Aussie dairy arm for now
The burgeoning cafe and bakery scene across South-East Asia has boosted the milk giant’s appetite for the region.
- Elouise Fowler
Competition watchdog dissects Namoi takeover
Undertakings provided by Singapore’s Olam may be insufficient to approve a takeover of Namoi Cotton, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says. .
- Brad Thompson
Farmers rate Labor policies as bigger threat than extreme weather
Farmers say their greatest challenges are adverse political and regulatory decisions, closely followed by price volatility and extreme weather events.
- Brad Thompson
Roc Partners bankers up for Aware Super’s ProTen; assembles consortium
Roc is not wasting any item, assembling its consortium even before sell-side adviser Macquarie Capital has had chance to set a deadline for first-round offers.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Farmer co-op shops $51m raising to energy players
Regen has raised $500,000 through crowdfunding efforts and $5 million in government and foundation grants, but this effort represents the group’s biggest push to date.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
- Exclusive
- Mining
Union wants BHP to pay $10,000 annual bonuses to iron ore workers
The $10,000 retention bonus is part of a log of claims presented to BHP on Wednesday as unions seek to retake the Pilbara.
- Brad Thompson
