Permanent Crops

Grower-tenant Rod Stiefvater says the adjustment to California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act is just getting underway and will transform regional ag 'dramatically.'

A$13bn LGIAsuper has tapped Troy Rieck to take over as new CIO, leaving the same role at Melbourne-based Equip Super.

Chief executive Chris Rawley says new vehicle will offer 10-12 percent annualized returns through agricultural investments that harness incentives included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

The CEO of the pension's Australian ag portfolio told Agri Investor's Melbourne Forum it is looking to diversify its holdings by both geography and sector after building significant market positions in almonds and avocados.

Capital appreciation returns continue to grow in permanent farmland thanks to the rising value of water entitlements – but dry conditions have hurt returns elsewhere.

Sunrice chairman Laurie Arthur warns of casualties among irrigation enterprises and industries if horticultural development keeps going at the current rate.

Future is unclear for the Brisbane-based asset manager as receivers are appointed after ‘significant instability and uncertainty’ at Blue Sky.

The latest Australian Farmland Index paints a positive picture for Australian agriculture, although drought conditions in the east are hitting returns in some cases.

Ag fund managers are hoping for resolution of US-China trade tensions. The savviest will prepare for them to get better and worse.

Managing director Brent Burnett says recent data suggest return expectations for US farmland are closer to the 6-8% range than the 10-12% suggested by long-term performance.