Preventing assets from going to seed: Cultivating successful workouts in Australian agri-business
27/02/2026
Contributors
- Stephen Musso, Regional Head of Credit Risk, Rabobank
- Andrew Barnden RITF, Director, Rodgers Reidy (NSW) Pty Ltd
- Moderator: Laura Johns RITP, Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright Australia.
Agribusiness workouts demand specialised expertise due to unique challenges: climate volatility, corporatisation, and complex asset security. Formal enforcement is costly and sensitive, making informal workouts preferred. Based on a presentation at the 2025 ARITA NSW/ACT Division Conference by Stephen Musso, Regional Head of Credit Risk, Rabobank, Andrew Barnden RITF, Director, Rodgers Reidy Pty Ltd and moderated by Laura Johns RITP, Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright Australia, this article explores how IPs must deploy creative appointment strategies to successfully navigate agribusiness distress, including addressing issues such as mandatory Farm Debt Mediation and emerging risks from renewable energy projects.
The Australian agricultural sector, described as a cornerstone of the national economy and world-class in scope, is facing a unique merging of traditional and contemporary pressures. While economic contributions are significant – employing more than 421,000 people and backed by $131.4 billion in farm sector lending – volatility in commodity prices, rising interest rates, and climate risk are compounded by factors unique to the sector: the inextricable link to land, water, weather, and seasonality. For insolvency practitioners (IPs), an agribusiness workout or formal appointment demands sector-specific expertise, sensitivity, and a forward-thinking strategic mindset.
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