Soil

New Agriculture’s Bruce King and New Forests’ Mark Rogers discuss the new division’s strategy, what investors want from the asset class, and the potential blend of farmland and forestry into a single investment product.

QIC, New Forests and Macquarie Asset Management are taking different approaches to the nascent asset class, but there are common themes.

New Agriculture will be led by Bruce King, who joined the firm in 2022, and will manage the Lawson Grains portfolio it acquired in 2021.

QIC plans to raise at least A$500 million for the Queensland Natural Capital Fund, its first commingled agriculture and natural capital fund.

Tom Strachan was an executive director at Packhorse Pastoral Company and an investor in agricultural properties, after founding and selling labor hire company AWX.

The market for Australian Carbon Credit Units has been thriving, but recent developments have thrust it into the spotlight – which may not be a bad thing.

Changes to how government buys carbon credits could see holders collectively benefit from a A$2.4bn windfall from sales on the open market instead.

The Australian agtech investor invested alongside Macdoch Ventures and Global Founders Capital in nature-based solutions provider Cecil.

Sandmount Farms, built by goFARM over several years and prepared for further development, is likely to sell for more than A$250m.

The purchase of Ottley in NSW diversifies the Packhorse Pastoral Company portfolio as it continues to raise capital for its inaugural fund.