A War Half a World Away Reshapes What Australian Farmers Plant
Surging fuel and fertilizer costs are forcing tough crop decisions, raising the risk of higher food prices into next year.
Australia is one of the world’s largest exporters of wheat and planting decisions now could impact global supplies into 2027.
Photographer: David Gray/AFP/Getty Images
By the time Australian farmer Geoff Cosgrove realized President Donald Trump wasn’t bluffing about war in Iran, it was too late.
The 43-year-old, who farms grains, oilseeds and livestock in Western Australia, was competing in a regional lawn bowls tournament when news of US-Israeli missile strikes broke on Feb. 28. Within minutes, he and other farmers were reaching for their phones.