Agribusiness

Expertise

Our Agribusiness team has many years’ experience in all agribusiness industries including sugar, dairy, beef, sheep and horticulture. We have significant experience in mining issues and renewable energy (wind and solar).
We have worked with processors and representative industry groups in interpreting new legislation and implementing required changes to contracts or resolving disputes in accordance with legislative requirements.
In addition, we specialise in intergenerational business transitions of family farming enterprises.

Our expertise includes:

advising on vertical integration – becoming more than just a bulk commodities exporter by realising the benefits of value adding prior to export
risk management – diversifying your interests by geography and commodity, and allocating risks between joint venture partners
infrastructure development and delivery, operation and maintenance
finance, mortgages, securities (real estate and personal property), insolvency and debt restructuring
pastoral and occupancy leasing and share-farming arrangements, and contracting out farm operations
documenting partnership, trust and company structures for property ownership and management
statutory resumptions, mining interests, and compulsory acquisitions including valuation issues
land titling including leasehold conversions and easements.

Experience

Our experience in realising this potential in the energy and resources context, coupled with our working knowledge of Australia’s agricultural sector and primary industries, puts us in a unique position to help clients turn that potential into commercial reality.

Recently, we have:

provided transactional, disposal and titling advice involving national plantation and forestry trusts
advised on structuring, acquiring and disposals of rural land and assets involving private and proprietary limited companies within the forestry, sugar and cattle industries in Queensland
advised private clients in complex financial facilities and rural loan specific agreements, mortgage and personal property securities
advised on leasing, licensing, indemnities and option agreements in the support of energy efficiency schemes surrounding solar and wind projects in Queensland
negotiated pre-sale issues involving resumption and encroachment of rural land in Queensland
provided advice on contaminated and environmental rural land issues
advised on transactional land transfers of rural family business assets.

Additional experience

Shanghai Zhongfu Group — advising on its bid to acquire agricultural land to establish a greenfield sugar industry in Western Australia and associated infrastructure
Olam International Limited — acting in respect of its Australian operations across various industry sectors including pulses and grains, almonds, cotton and in respect of infrastructure projects such as the Newcastle agri terminal
private equity participants — advising on various investments in agribusiness, including in diverse sectors such as fruit and vegetables, potatoes and wine
- acting for listed European companies in respect of joint venture arrangements with Australian supermarkets for meat packaging
- advising on large rural property acquisitions across Australia and including the purchase of rural water rights, both for private investors and for unlisted agribusiness funds.

Recent Posts

17 May 2023 - Knowledge

Managing the agricultural supply chain: Contract negotiation and management

#Agribusiness, #Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), #Transport, Shipping & Logistics, #Procurement

The agribusiness sector is experiencing significant shifts in its supply chain contracts due to changing market dynamics and growing sustainability concerns. What are the key areas undergoing generational change? How can companies adapt to this evolving landscape?

28 February 2023 - Knowledge

Latest regulatory advice for the agricultural sector

#Transport, Shipping & Logistics, #Agribusiness

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has released two pieces of regulatory advice to help those performing transport activities in the agricultural sector comply with their primary duty under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.

25 October 2022 - Knowledge

ACCC makes a move on Dairy Code compliance

#Private Client Practice, #Agribusiness

A case reminds all dairy processors that breaching the Dairy Industry Code of Conduct may result in ACCC enforcement action, including court proceedings.

01 June 2022 - Knowledge

ACCC identifies unfair contract terms in chicken industry

#Competition & Consumer Law, #Agribusiness

An investigation by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission has resulted in some of Australia's largest chicken meat processors addressing unfair contract terms with chicken growers.

08 December 2021 - Knowledge

Agricultural and veterinary chemicals legislation streamlined

#Agribusiness, #Australian Government, #Government

The Commonwealth Parliament has passed new legislation to streamline the regulation of agricultural and veterinary chemicals and establish a Governance Board for the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

15 September 2021 - Knowledge

Funding for landholders seeking carbon farming advice from LRF approved advisers

#Planning, Environment & Sustainability, #Agribusiness, #Renewable Energy

Queensland landholders can now apply for up to $10,000 to cover the costs of carbon farming advice from approved advisers under the Carbon Farming Advice Rebate Program.

28 April 2021 - Knowledge

Electrical safety on the farm

#Agribusiness, #Workplace Relations & Safety

Awareness and enforcement of the Electrical Safety Act 2002 is as important on the farm as it is in the city. We explore steps farmers can take to ensure their workers are electrically safe.

29 September 2020 - Knowledge

Farming noise and environmental nuisance in Queensland

#Planning, Environment & Sustainability, #Agribusiness

The need for more land redevelopment in Queensland has led to increased complaints against farmers for noise nuisance caused by farming activities. Are there laws in place to protect farmers? What about other states?

10 December 2019 - Knowledge

Expert guide: Be ready for 2020

#Agribusiness, #Corporate & Commercial Law, #Data & Privacy, #Immigration Law, #Native Title & Indigenous Cultural Heritage, #Planning, Environment & Sustainability, #Property, Planning & Development, #Technology, Media & Communications, #Transport, Shipping & Logistics, #Workplace Relations & Safety, #Procurement

New whistleblower requirements, increased pressure to protect data globally, turbulence in the communications sector, and intensifying drought management issues - 2020 is set to be a significant time of change across many industries.

12 November 2019 - Knowledge

Use of chemicals in the workplace: Are you complying with Queensland’s work health safety laws?

#Agribusiness

Chemicals have long been used in primary production. But these chemicals can be dangerous and increased enforcement of Queensland's work health safety laws mean that the safe use, handling, and storage of chemicals in the workplace is more essential than ever.