Agribusiness Optimism

97% Forecast Salary Increases in the Upcoming Financial Year

As the agricultural landscape continues to evolve, the Agribusiness sector is displaying remarkable optimism for the financial year 2023/24. According to the results of the 2023 Agribusiness HR Review, 97% of Agribusinesses have strategically allocated budgets for salary increases in the upcoming fiscal year. This positive trend has been attributed to the findings of market research conducted by Rimfire Resources in December 2023, shedding light on the impact of economic and environmental conditions on remuneration budgets within the industry.

Economic and Environmental Influences:

Market research in December 2023 indicates that external factors, including current economic and environmental conditions, have played a pivotal role in shaping the remuneration landscape. Nearly two-thirds of Agribusiness organisations cited these conditions as key drivers for increasing their remuneration budgets. This proactive approach signifies a sector that is not only adapting to external challenges but is also investing in its workforce to ensure sustained growth and competitiveness.

Industry Leaders in Workforce Market Analysis

At the forefront of this insightful analysis is Rimfire Resources, renowned as the Agribusiness industry leader in workforce market analysis. Their expertise in dissecting industry trends and providing actionable insights has positioned them as a trusted partner for businesses looking to make informed decisions.

For Agribusinesses seeking tailored support in navigating the evolving workforce landscape, Rimfire invites interested parties to get in touch. Whether it's understanding market dynamics, benchmarking against industry standards, or crafting effective workforce strategies, Rimfire stands ready to provide the expertise needed to drive success in the competitive Agribusiness sector.

The overwhelmingly positive outlook revealed by the 2023 Agribusiness HR Review, coupled with the proactive stance of 97% of Agribusinesses towards salary increases, paints a picture of resilience and strategic foresight within the sector. As organisations gear up for the challenges and opportunities of the upcoming financial year, the role of market analysis becomes crucial. By understanding and adapting to economic and environmental influences, Agribusinesses are not only investing in their employees but are also fortifying their positions as key contributors to the global agricultural landscape.

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Advancing Disability Inclusion in Australian Agriculture

February 11, 2025

In late 2024, Rimfire proudly partnered with Ability Agriculture , an Australian organisation dedicated to increasing employment opportunities and providing support for people with disabilities in the agricultural industry. Like many sectors, agriculture faces challenges in fully integrating people with disabilities into the workforce. While progress is being made, there is still significant work to be done to create more inclusive hiring practices. Supported Employment plays a vital role in fostering workplace inclusion, particularly for individuals with disabilities. Within agriculture, initiatives like those led by Ability Agriculture help break down barriers and create meaningful career pathways. To better understand the current landscape, Rimfire conducted an industry-wide survey on behalf of Ability Agriculture, gathering insights into the prevalence and awareness of Supported Employment and Open Employment opportunities in agribusiness. Key Insights from the Survey The survey received 70 responses from a diverse cross-section of the agricultural sector. The primary production and horticulture sectors made up over 38% of responses, while private unlisted companies accounted for the majority (around 70%). Non-profit organisations represented 15.7% of the total respondents. Disability Representation in Agriculture One of the most revealing findings was the low representation of employees with disabilities in the sector. While nearly a third of companies reported that 1-5% of their workforce identified as having a disability, a significant 61.4% indicated that none of their employees identified as having a disability. When it comes to job roles, there was a clear disparity in inclusion. Technical roles had the highest representation of employees with disabilities (10%), while sales and management roles had none. This highlights the need for more inclusive hiring practices across all levels of agribusiness. Steps Toward Inclusion Despite these challenges, 52% of businesses reported having workplace accommodations in place for employees with disabilities. This demonstrates that many agricultural businesses are actively taking steps toward inclusivity. However, more awareness and resources are needed to expand these efforts industry-wide. Barriers to Hiring People with Disabilities While some progress is evident, 50% of respondents identified challenges in hiring people with disabilities. Addressing these challenges requires industry-wide collaboration , education on inclusive employment practices , and continued investment in workplace accessibility .

Push for Inclusive Hiring

February 11, 2025

Rimfire & Ability Agriculture’s Push for Inclusive Hiring in Agribusiness

Rural Jobs Market Sees Decline Amid Industry Challenges

February 6, 2025

Strong global demand for premium agricultural products drove export growth in 2024. However high input costs, fluctuating commodity prices, and interest rate pressures challenged profitability for many producers. Workforce shortages continued to put a strain on operations in some areas, despite efforts to attract domestic workers and reform visa programs for both seasonal and skilled international labour. Despite this, Rimfire can report that 2024 represented a slowing in demand for workers across agriculture. Annual results from the Rural Jobs Index, a key indicator of employment opportunities in Australian agriculture, revealed the overall number of advertised vacancies was down 18% on the annual figure for 2023.