The Farmers Club

The “Club Notes” for Tuesday, the 9th of July, 2024.

By Dwain Duxson

Losing out locally

The media landscape is about to hit some headwinds, and that is going to hurt us in the regions. This was in an article we put up over the weekend: "Meanwhile, we're losing more local newspapers, with the Country Press Association warning that up to 50 regional newspapers could fold when Meta (formerly Facebook) funding agreements expire later this year. What's behind the upheaval? The News Media Bargaining Code requires tech giants to strike deals with media companies to pay for news or face regulatory intervention. While Meta and Google signed deals, Meta reckons it won't renegotiate. They're even threatening to block news sources on their platforms, a move they've already pulled in Canada". Many local newspapers have fallen by the wayside, and to have more on the blocks is devastating for many. These newspapers connect communities, and most people have grown up with these publications; it's a part of their fabric and a part of their routine. What effect will it have on Agriculture? Some at a local level because Ag usually gets a page or two in most of these publications. It's a story for another day, but Australian Country Media (ACM), which produces The Land, Stock Journal, etc., was recently pawned off to Southern Cross Media (SCM) in exchange for shares in SCM, which SCM rejected after doing some diligence. Don't be surprised if the ACM owners re-offer the portfolio to SCM or look for other suitors for these Agricultural icons. For us, we are “Meta free” and plan to stay that way. All the more reason to subscribe. Do you still read your local paper? Reply to [email protected]

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Win a Tractor

We were pretty chuffed when we offered up a new Toyota Hilux, but this one takes the cake. Active Farmers are offering up a John Deere Tractor, valued at over $280,000. See the flyer in the Machinery & Equipment section or go to the link here.

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