A devastating hailstorm has struck Australia's Victorian Mallee just as farmers were preparing to harvest one of their best crops in years.
In Ukraine, attacks on Black Sea export infrastructure are preventing farmers from selling grain and generating the cash needed for their next crop.
Meanwhile, Indonesian egg producers are culling productive hens early as high feed costs and weak egg prices squeeze margins.
In North America, a fifth confirmed case of New World screwworm in Arizona has brought additional livestock movement controls, while Canada has extended restrictions on animals from affected US states.
And in Malawi, smallholder maize farmers are approaching the planting season without the subsidised fertiliser or training needed to prepare an alternative.
Plus, the Global Market Report examines a sharp fall in crude oil prices following renewed hopes of US–Iran diplomacy
This week's stories:
Oceania — Australian hailstorm destroys harvest hopes
Hailstones larger than golf balls have devastated crops across Victoria's Mallee, including districts around Birchip, Quambatook and Lascelles.
Europe — Ukraine's export crisis threatens the next harvest\\
Attacks on Ukrainian ports and export infrastructure are preventing grain from reaching international markets, leaving farmers with unsold crops and insufficient cash for the next production cycle.
Asia — Indonesian egg farmers cull productive hens
Indonesian poultry producers are culling laying hens at around 80 weeks rather than keeping them in production for approximately 100 weeks.
North America — Screwworm restrictions spread in Arizona
A fifth confirmed New World screwworm case in Arizona, detected in a domestic dog near Thatcher, has prompted another livestock control zone.
Africa — Malawi's maize farmers face fertiliser deadline
Smallholder maize farmers in southern Malawi are approaching the planting rains without subsidised fertiliser or the training needed to prepare a promoted alternative.
Global Market Report — Oil prices fall, but diesel remains expensive
Crude oil futures fell sharply on 2 November, with the December contract dropping $8.36 to $95.76 a barrel.
Chapters:
00:00 — World Farm Brief: 8 November 2026\\
00:46 — Oceania: Australian hailstorm devastates harvest\\
04:18 — Europe: Ukraine's grain export crisis\\
07:06 — Asia: Indonesian egg farmers cull productive hens\\
10:11 — North America: Arizona screwworm restrictions expand\\
12:53 — Africa: Malawi's fertiliser shortage threatens planting\\
15:24 — Global Market Report: Crude oil prices plunge\\
16:36 — Closing: World Farm Brief\\
Correspondents:
Samuel Njoroge – Africa
Ananya Rao – Asia
Daniel Mercer – North America
Claire Mitchell – Oceania
Lukas Fischer – Europe
Useful links:
Hailstorm devastates Victoria's Mallee harvest (ABC Rural)
Russian attacks disrupt grain exports and farm finances (Associated Press)
Egg production and poultry industry information (Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture)
Arizona confirms fifth New World screwworm case (Arizona Department of Agriculture)
Fertiliser delays threaten Malawi maize planting (Nyasa Times)
Global Market Report — International oil prices (US Energy Information Administration)
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