Livestock SA outlines ongoing work on fuel and fertiliser challenges facing farmers

Livestock SA continues to work with government and industry on fuel and fertiliser issues, as rising input costs remain a significant pressure on South Australian farming businesses.

Livestock SA Chair Gillian Fennell said recent discussions with government and industry reflect a shared understanding of how critical reliable access to fuel and fertiliser is for food and fibre production, regional safety and animal welfare.
 

“We welcome the fact that government is working with industry on fuel and fertiliser supply and that agriculture is clearly recognised as a priority,” Ms Fennell said. “These are complex, globally driven issues, and constructive engagement is essential.”
 

Ms Fennell said farm financial pressure reflects concerns Livestock SA has consistently raised with both state and national decision-makers over the past several months.
 

“What farmers are experiencing now is not unexpected,” she said. “We have been communicating for some time about rising input costs, fuel reliability and fertiliser supply risks, and the compounding impact these pressures are having on farm businesses.”
 

Livestock SA has previously acknowledged government action to provide access to finance through nationally administered, government-subsidised loan products, including those offered through the Regional Investment Corporation (RIC), which can assist some producers during extended periods of pressure.
 

Ms Fennell said while such loans may provide short-term assistance or cash-flow relief, they do not fully meet the needs of South Australian producers.
 

“These are interest-deferral or interest-bearing products, not tailored resilience tools,” she said. “They can be helpful for some businesses, but they are not a complete solution, particularly when producers are facing sustained increases in essential input costs like fuel and fertiliser.”

Ms Fennell said the current situation again highlights Livestock SA’s long-standing call for South Australia to establish its own Rural Finance and Development Agency, designed to reflect local conditions and industry needs.
 

“South Australian producers do not have access to a dedicated, state-based finance agency that can respond quickly and flexibly during periods of stress,” she said. “Local investment tools focused on resilience, recovery and productivity would complement national schemes and better support long-term industry viability.”
Livestock SA continues to hear from producers on:
 

• Rising fuel and fertiliser costs affecting seasonal and financial planning
• Inconsistent fuel deliveries and regional supply constraints
• Ongoing uncertainty around fertiliser availability
• Broader concerns about business viability if input pressures persist
 

Ms Fennell said Livestock SA’s role has been to ensure producer experiences are clearly understood and responsibly represented, while avoiding unnecessary alarm.
 

“Our focus has been calm, accurate communication,” she said. “Farmers need clear information and confidence that their concerns are being heard at the right tables.”
 

Livestock SA continues to engage with the South Australian Government through established fuel security and supply chain coordination groups and continues to support efforts to improve information flow and regional supply outcomes by working with Primary Producers SA (PPSA) and the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) to ensure South Australian farming conditions and impacts are reflected in broader national advocacy on fuel and fertiliser inputs.
 

Ms Fennell said “We need to make sure our farmers can keep producing food and fibre safely and sustainably, with the right support in place.”
 

ENDS
Further information:
Cathy McHugh
Marketing & Communications Manager
0412 515 819
comms@livestocksa.com.au
 

About Livestock SA:
Livestock SA is the peak industry body representing South Australia’s livestock producers, including more than 5,200 sheep producers, 2,700 beef cattle producers and several hundred goat producers across the state.
South Australia’s red meat and wool industries contribute approximately $4.49 billion to the state’s economy each year, and employ over 21,000 South Australians, accounting for 28% of all agricultural sector jobs.