January 2026
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Push for connectivity PAGE 7
Rural health initiative PAGES 16 17
Hail forecasts Farm Angels bring hope
A unique network of monitoring stations is being installed across some of Australia’s most hail-prone locations this storm season to better understand extreme weather events. HailNet is gathering data from 10 urban and rural sites as part of a project by University of Queensland researchers, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF). Associate Professor Matthew Mason from UQ’s School of Civil Engineering said the seven year monitoring study aimed to fill gaps in knowledge about how hail behaved. “Unlike other meteorological hazards such as rainfall and wind, hail isn’t currently systematically monitored at ground level,” Dr Mason said. STORY PAGE 5
South Burnett cattle farmer Kate Cosh’s life is now full of hope thanks to a bit of help from Farm Angels. When she had the much-needed boost from Farm Angels two years ago, Ms Cosh had a cattle property in Kingaroy. The single mum now lives on a bigger block in the Proston area, raising her two teenage ‘bush boys’ aged 14 and 16 and running her own cattle property. STORY PAGE 4
Looks positive Bendigo Bank’s 2026 Australian Agriculture Outlook report provides an in-depth perspective on supply, demand, and price outlooks for Australia’s major agricultural commodities for the first half of 2026. The six months ahead for Australian agriculture will be impacted by seasonal conditions and the economic environment, two key factors which have the capacity to significantly benefit or hamper the industry moving through the first half of 2026. With around two thirds of Australian agricultural products exported, increasingly volatile global markets will be key to growth prospects across Australia’s agribusiness sector, underscoring the importance of maintaining strong diversified trade relationships. STORY PAGE 15
Kate Cosh is grateful for the support of the Farm Angels who helped her get through a tough season.
Galloping to $8m eight-fold in five years, reflecting remarkable demand. Progeny from champion sire Hazelwood Conman dominated, with the top-priced horse, McNamara Conbrace, a nine-year-old mare, selling for $170,000. Peelvale Truce, an eight-year-old
gelding, equalled the Australian record price for a gelding at $110,000. The top stallion, Mt Oweenee Quba, brought $100,000. In total, five horses cracked the six-figure mark. Organiser David Felsch of Ray White Livestock Dalby described the $8,124,000 result as “seri-
ously unbelievable,“ crediting the success to the team, community, and the high-quality Australian Stock Horses presented at the event. STORY PAGE 3
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The 51st annual Dalby Australian Stock Horse Sale cemented its global leadership, with total sales surpassing $8 million for the first time. The landmark event saw 297 of 333 horses sold, achieving an 89 per cent clearance rate and a $27,170 average. Sale revenue has surged