Agricultural Lending Grows as Farmers Invest in Expansion

By Ian Rogers

The Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA) reports a 6% increase in agricultural lending to the farm sector during 2022-23, with total agricultural debt reaching $120.5 billion.

Dr. Jared Greenville, Executive Director of ABARES, attributed the rise in debt to ongoing investment in the sector.

“Farmers are borrowing to reinvest in their businesses, with a particular focus on land purchases as they expand their operations,” Dr. Greenville said.

“Higher land prices have increased equity, enabling farmers to manage debt more effectively, while strong farm incomes over recent years have supported their ability to service these borrowings.”

Uneven Distribution of Farm Debt

The data reveals an uneven distribution of debt across farms. In 2022-23:

• 5% of broadacre and dairy farms—mostly those with the largest turnovers—accounted for nearly 40% of total debt.
• Nearly 50% of farms in the same categories carried little to no debt.

Dr. Greenville highlighted the low proportion of farms in financial stress due to debt in 2022-23.

“For instance, fewer than 1% of broadacre and dairy farms had both low borrowing capacity and high debt-servicing commitments, compared to an average of 7% over the last 20 years,” he noted.

Future Challenges

Despite these positive indicators, Dr. Greenville acknowledged shifting dynamics since the 2022-23 reporting period.

“Higher interest rates, combined with lower average farm incomes, changing seasonal conditions, and fluctuating commodity prices, are likely influencing borrowing decisions moving forward,” he said.

Explore the Data

Detailed insights into trends in farm debt can be found in the ABARES report: Trends in Farm Debt: Agricultural Lending Data 2022–23.

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CHOICE Shonky Awards 2024: Calling Out the Worst in Products and Practices

By Ian Rogers

The CHOICE Shonky Awards, now in their 19th year, continue to spotlight the most misleading, disappointing, and outright shonky products and business practices in Australia. This year’s awards shine a light on five standout offenders that failed to deliver on their promises—or fairness.

The 2024 CHOICE Shonky Award Winners

1. Meta – Failing to Protect Aussies from Scams: With social media scam losses hitting a record $95 million in 2023, Meta earned its spot by not adequately addressing scams on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. CHOICE reported suspicious ads to Meta, but poor response times and loopholes allowing repeat offences highlight a lack of commitment to user safety.
2. Acerpure Clean Lite Stick Vacuum – The Worst Stick Vacuum Ever Tested: Acerpure’s $199 vacuum promised “great suction power” but delivered abysmal results in CHOICE’s performance tests, scoring just 10% on hard floors. Prone to clogs and requiring excessive maintenance, this vacuum creates more work than it solves.
3. NIB – Unfairly Charging Single Parents: Health insurer NIB imposes significantly higher costs on single parents compared to couples for equivalent policies. Single parents face nearly double the premiums to add a child, with their policies sometimes costing more than those for childless couples—exposing systemic inequity in health insurance pricing.
4. Daily Juice Co – Misleading ‘Green’ Juice Claims: Daily Juice Co’s “green” juices contain no vegetables and rely solely on food colouring for their green hue. CHOICE’s experiment with the listed ingredients revealed the juice’s true colour—orange—proving there’s nothing “green” about it.
5. GroundingWell Grounding Socks – Unsubstantiated Health Claims: GroundingWell’s $40 socks promised to alleviate pain, improve sleep, and reverse aging but failed to provide evidence for any of these benefits. Worse, the poorly constructed socks fell apart after two uses, making them doubly shonky.

CHOICE CEO: Shonkys Still Needed More Than Ever

“As we near 20 years of the Shonky Awards, it’s clear they remain essential,” said CHOICE CEO Ashley de Silva. “From Meta’s inaction on scams to NIB’s inequitable pricing, and products like the Acerpure vacuum and GroundingWell socks, shonkiness is alive and well.”

CHOICE urges consumers to remain vigilant and encourages regulators to hold companies accountable for misleading practices.

Visit CHOICE Shonky Awards to learn more about this year’s winners and how to protect yourself as a consumer.

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Cat Netting for Your Garden

A Safe and Effective Solution for Pet Owners

By Liam Jennings

If you’re a cat owner with a love for gardening, balancing the safety of your feline friend with the well-being of your plants and wildlife can be challenging. Cats are naturally curious creatures and love to roam, explore, and hunt. However, allowing them unrestricted access to your garden or the neighbourhood can pose risks to both your pets and the environment. One effective solution that has gained popularity is cat netting, which provides a safe outdoor space for your cat without allowing them to wander freely.

What is Cat Netting?

Cat netting, also known as a cat enclosure or cat-proof fencing, is a type of mesh or net system designed to keep cats confined to a specific area while allowing them to enjoy outdoor space safely. It can be installed around your garden, backyard, or on balconies, creating a contained environment where cats can explore, play, and relax without the risk of escaping or coming into harm.

The mesh used is usually sturdy and flexible, making it resistant to scratching or tearing by curious cats. The netting is typically installed at a height and angle that prevents cats from climbing over it, ensuring they stay within the designated area.

Cat Netting Example – Photo by Catnets

Benefits of Cat Netting

1. Keeps Your Cat Safe

One of the primary reasons for installing cat netting is to keep your beloved pet safe. Outdoor cats are exposed to numerous dangers, including traffic, predators, and poisonous plants. By confining them to a specific space within your garden, you reduce these risks significantly. Cat netting prevents your pet from wandering into busy streets or getting into dangerous encounters with other animals.

2. Protects Wildlife

Cats are natural hunters, and when left to roam freely, they can have a devastating impact on local wildlife, particularly birds, small mammals, and reptiles. By using cat netting, you help protect the local ecosystem and prevent your cat from indulging in its predatory instincts. This is especially important in regions where certain species are vulnerable or endangered.

3. Keeps Your Garden Intact

If you’ve spent time and effort creating a beautiful garden, the last thing you want is your cat digging up your plants, using garden beds as litter boxes, or damaging fragile flowers and vegetables. Cat netting can help keep your garden intact by preventing your feline from accessing certain areas, allowing you to enjoy both a happy cat and a thriving garden.

4. Allows Your Cat to Enjoy the Outdoors

Indoor cats can become bored or stressed if they lack stimulation, and outdoor time can provide them with mental and physical enrichment. With cat netting, your cat can enjoy fresh air, sunshine, and the sights and sounds of nature without the dangers associated with being a free-roaming outdoor cat. It’s the perfect balance between safety and exploration.

5. Customisable and Flexible

Cat netting systems come in various shapes and sizes, and they can be easily tailored to fit your specific garden layout. Whether you have a small balcony, a spacious backyard, or a compact urban garden, there’s a cat netting solution that can be adapted to your space. You can choose permanent installations or temporary, movable netting depending on your needs.

Cat Netting over a laneway – Photo by Kitty Kingdom

Installing Cat Netting

Step 1: Plan Your Enclosure

Decide where you want to place the netting and how much space you want to allocate for your cat. Consider factors such as the height of fences, proximity to neighbouring properties, and access to shaded areas. Measure the perimeter of the area to determine how much netting you will need.

Step 2: Choose Your Materials

You’ll need durable, weather-resistant mesh or netting material, and any necessary hardware, such as clips, fasteners, or brackets. Look for netting specifically designed for cats, which will be strong enough to withstand scratching and climbing.

Step 3: Install Support Poles

If your garden already has a fence, wall, or other structure, you can install directly onto that structure. You can also get designated poles to hold the netting in if you don’t have a solid structure. To stop the cat from climbing over the net, insert poles and netting at an angle towards the base. The poles should be angled inward at around 45 degrees to prevent your cat from climbing over the netting.

Step 4: Attach the Netting

Once the poles are in place, attach the netting to the top of the fence or poles using fasteners or clips. Make sure the netting is taut and free of gaps where a determined cat could squeeze through. The netting should extend across the entire area you wish to enclose.

Step 5: Secure the Base

Check the base of the netting to ensure there are no gaps where your cat could dig under or slip through. You can secure the bottom of the netting with pegs or stones if necessary.

Step 6: Monitor and Adjust

After installation, observe your cat’s behaviour to ensure they cannot escape or find weaknesses. Make any adjustments to the structure as needed.

Final Thoughts

Cat netting is an excellent investment for pet owners who want to give their cats the freedom to enjoy the outdoors while keeping them safe and protecting the garden. It’s a humane solution that benefits both your cat and the local wildlife. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a new pet owner, it offers peace of mind, knowing that your cat can enjoy nature without the associated risks.

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