As South Australian farmers move from vintage into seeding, one reality is front of mind: without fuel, nothing moves.
This is not abstract. It is immediate.
Tractors preparing paddocks, headers finishing harvest, trucks moving grain and livestock, and pumps supplying water all rely on diesel.
When fuel becomes scarce or prohibitively expensive, agricultural businesses do not slow down – they stop.
Food security is national security.
Without reliable fuel supply, our agricultural system and the food supply chains it supports will grind to a halt.
Despite assurances that this is not a supply issue, the experience on the ground tells a different story.
Regional communities are already feeling the impact, particularly where independent fuel suppliers rely on the spot market.
That pressure is translating into empty bowsers, delayed deliveries and rising costs at precisely the time farmers can least afford disruption.
For grain producers heading into seeding, timing is everything.
Miss the optimal sowing window and yields suffer.
For livestock producers, fuel is critical to moving fodder, transporting stock and maintaining water infrastructure.
These are fundamental farm operations for animal welfare and farm viability, not optional activities.
The consequences extend well beyond the farm gate.
When production is disrupted, it flows through to higher food prices, tighter supply and increased pressure on house-hold budgets.
Supporting agriculture is not just about farmers, it is about containing the cost of living and protecting the broader economy.
This is why a coordinated national response is essential.
Through the National Farmers’ Federation and with PPSA as South Australia’s peak body, the sector is presenting a unified, consistent voice to government. This matters. Fuel disruptions do not respect commodity boundaries or state borders.
They require coordinated advocacy that reflects the scale of the challenge. Recent engagement – including the NFF Regional Forum in the Adelaide Hills and direct discussions with NFF President Hamish McIntyre – has reinforced the importance of alignment across the sector.
At the same time, PPSA continues to work closely with commodity groups to ensure clear and consistent messaging to the state government.
The NFF has been clear: government must continue working with fuel companies to improve supply into regional areas and be prepared to use stronger measures if needed, including targeted releases from strategic reserves and prioritisation of fuel for critical industries like agriculture.
But just as importantly, we need an honest conversation about demand.
If government maintains that this is not a supply issue, then strategies to manage demand – particularly panic buying and supply allocation – must form part of the response.
Farmers cannot be left competing in distorted markets during critical production periods.
There has never been a more important time to back Australian agriculture.
A strong, united voice – through PPSA and the NFF – is how we ensure that happens.
Because when fuel stops, farming stops.
And when farming stops, Australia feels it.
This column was written by PPSA Chair Professor Simon Maddocks and originally appeared in the 26 March 2026 edition of Stock Journal.
