A SOUTHERN Riverina grain trading business has gone bust leaving a trail of farmer creditors across Victoria and southern NSW.
Barooga Agri Products was placed under external administration on July 22 according to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).
Since then, police have confirmed the death of the company’s owner Andrew Leighton-Daly.
Mr Leighton-Daly was found dead in a car in the Murray Valley National Park near Mathoura, NSW, on July 23.
A police spokesperson said the death was not being treated as suspicious and a report was being prepared for the coroner.
The business had a strong footprint in the malt barley and feed grain sectors.
Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) grains group president Brett Hosking said along with the personal tragedy it was a difficult time for the growers owed money.
He said VFF members who had contacted the organisation for assistance had said there had been little warning of the collapse, saying payments had been on time right up to July.
“We just urge everyone impacted to seek their own independent legal advice on how to progress the matter.”
Nandaly district farmer Terry Kiley said he had sold malt barley in June and lupins in July out of on-farm storage to Barooga Agri Products and had not been paid.
“It has come as a bit of a shock as there were no warning signs from our end.”
“We’d been dealing with them for a long time, for over ten years probably, and we’d never had any problems with payment.”
He said he was pessimistic about recouping his money through the administration process.
“History shows that farmers, as unsecured creditors, don’t tend to get a lot back.”
Fairfax Ag Media has spoken to several growers in the central and southern Mallee and in the north-east owed sums of close to six figures by Barooga Agri Products.
For those feeling they may need help, contact Lifeline on 131 114.
