South Australian Country Hour: Recent Episodes
ABC Radio
China has taken top spot as the biggest trade partner for Australian wheat farmers for the second year in a row, Australia's grape and wine sector has released a new Emissions Reduction Roadmap to cut its carbon emissions by more than 40% by the end of this decade, and the timber industry wants the Federal Government to commit to using Australian wood for any builds as part of the new Housing Australia Future Fund.
Ways to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with nitrogen fertiliser use are being explored in research commissioned by Fertiliser Australia, Australian agriculture exports to China jumped more than 20% to a record high of $16.6 billion according to new data, and food fraud is costing the Australian economy $3 billion every year, while also putting Australia's reputation as a quality, trustworthy producer of food at risk.
Peak body Grain Growers is calling on the Federal Government to fund and support domestic fertiliser production, a new plan has been agreed upon to mitigate the costs of eradication of varroa mite in Australia, and a wine ambassadors program will be expanded after it helped generate more than $1.2million in sales of SA wines into key Asian-Pacific markets in the past year.
The Greens say at this stage they won't support the Federal Government's new plan to offer more time and money to enable more water to flow into the Murray Darling Basin, the South Australian Government has released a Wild Dog Management Strategy for the next 10 years, which will include a complete rebuild of the 1600-kilometre dog fence, and Lachlan Johnson from the Mundulla Show has been crowned this year's State Rural Ambassador.
Live from the Royal Adelaide Show we meet a woman who fits working dogs and other animals with wheelchairs, learn about the Rural Ambassador program, and celebrate a breeder who is the first South Australian life member of the Charolais Society of Australia.
The Country Hour is live from the Royal Adelaide Show, featuring the latest on biosecurity and animal welfare in school ag diplays, the Beef Cattle & Led Steer competition, alpaca judging, the feature breeds Polwarth and Corriedale, and much more!
A pilot project on a farm in regional SA will look at providing better connectivity for farmers, including fitting wifi units to headers to create a fully-integrated system, South East rock lobster fishers are excited to get back onto the water for an earlier season start, but concerns continue about prices and the Chinese lobster ban, and the MP representing the Riverland's CCW wine grape growers wants to take a delegation to Canberra to speak with the federal government about their challenges, amid the wine glut crisis.
Researchers are trying to understand how sustainable the growing seaweed industry is, Australian laboratories involved in cancer research are purchasing foetal bovine serum from overseas as the price skyrockets in Australia, and a wheelchair bound working dog bringing in a mob of sheep has become an international online sensation.
The SA Apiarists Association has again highlighted concerns about hives coming in from interstate following further varroa mite outbreaks in NSW, South Australian grain growers have welcomed changes to fertiliser supply contracts following an ACCC investigation, and major sheep and lamb conference SheepEx will return in 2024 after a six year hiatus and will be held in Adelaide.
It's a mixed bag for Australian wool producers as recent wool markets have been in the negative, while a new report says the future is looking pretty good, researchers are trialing a way to trick predators such as foxes into eating food that will make them throw up to deter them from coming back, and foetal bovine serum is becoming harder to source, putting vital cancer research at risk
Global dairy prices took a big hit overnight, but it's not all bad news for Australian dairy farmers, scientists are looking into how native stingless bees could be alternative pollinators for Australian crops, and Australia's mushroom industry says there's "no chance" of poisonous wild mushrooms entering the supply chain.
An existing shortage of equine vets is expected to worsen in regional South Australia, a new seaweed ecopark will be built at Louth Bay just outside of Port Lincoln, and government funding will further research and development of an irrigation scheduling system for multiple crops.
Grain Producers SA are opposing proposed changes to the grasslands fire danger index, saying they're "unworkable", wild dog attacks on sheep are being reported along the boundary of Ngarkat Conservation Park, and a project to rehabilitate the degraded seagrass meadows along Adelaide's coastline has reached a major milestone.
China's decision to lift the suspension on barley trade from CBH and Emerald has been welcomed as great news for the whole industry, the Federal Government has formally abandoned plans to build a low-level nuclear waste dump near Kimba, and one of the oldest women's groups still running in South Australia has celebrated its 100th anniversary.
The Federal Agriculture Minister gives an update on the future of Aussie wine exports to China and the livestock sector's plans to become carbon neutral, a new report reveals the phenomenal cost of damage caused by Australia's feral deer population, and consumers are being asked to embrace locally-grown olives, with claims that cheap imports are hurting the Australian industry.
South Australian grain growers have welcomed the news that China is lifting tariffs on Australian barley, Forestry SA is looking for outside the box ideas on how to utilise tonnes of forestry waste created each year, and shearing shortages are expected to ease this spring as the industry looks to attract young people into shearing careers.
A global downturn in demand for sheep and lamb skins is hurting producers, who are being charged a disposal fee of several dollars per skin by meat processors, farmers are closely watching moves by Australia's largest fertiliser manufacturer to sell to a major Indonesian business, and several South Australian wineries have been recognised by the Halliday Wine Companion - including Winery of The Year for a Langhorne Creek winery.
The potential sale of Australia's biggest fertiliser manufacturer and distributor could be a test for the Federal Government, the mining industry has been told to do more to address reports of sexual assaults and harassment on mine sites, and Big Brother-like technology is being deployed to improve the welfare of chickens before they end up on dinner plates.
SA Junior Heifer Show is the largest yuth eef event in Australia and has once again attracted young people from across Australia, truffles are currently in season and one farm in the South East has this week completed its first ever truffle hunt and the owner of Canada's largest beekeeping operation says the tens of millions of dollars the Australian government is spending to manage varroa mite is "worth every penny" compared to the pest becoming endemic.
State farm lobby group leaders met in Adelaide this week to discuss the reforms to the sheep and goat traceability, Australia's agriculture ministers will meet today to discuss bringing forward the date from 2046 to 2036, and a Riverland citrus grower says he's hopeful a local campaign will help to reduce excess food waste in the fruit growing sector.
The Port Lincoln Tunarama committee has announced the event won't be held in 2024 and the committee itself is winding up.
The price of an Australian Carbon Credit Unit has slumped by nearly 10 per cent this week, merino producers considering ceasing mulesing through breeding should strap in for a 15 to 20 year journey and SA wine tourism operators and producers will soon have the chance to show off their goods with some of the best on a global scale.
There was a record number of Merino studs on display yesterday at the EP Stud Merino Breeders association expo in Wudinna, there aren't many green shoots in lamb and mutton markets at the moment, with depressed pricing and abattoir booked out into August and a Riverland pecan farmer says he's set to increase his output for next years harvest through the growth of a processing facility.
Wool brokers say low value wool is being dumped into landfill because its not worth the cost of storage, former senator Rex Patrick has lodged an F-O-I for emails about the Eyre Peninsula desalination site choice and the prawn season has wrapped up for Spencer Gulf fishers and while the catch was up, prices are down.
Former Labor leader and Primary Industries minister Simon Crean is being remembered as a man of great integrity who made Australia "a better and fairer country", cultured meat could be on sale in Australia as early as next year and the second round of grants for Farm Firefighting Units (FFUs) has launched today.
The SA State budget has been described as a 'missed opportunity' for agriculture, particularly for roads and research and development but the biosecurity spend has been welcomed, hundreds of grape growers supply wine grapes through the cooperative CCW say they are still hanging out for full payment for their crop and a machinery collector is fighting to stop the export of a vintage tractor he says should never have received federal approval for export.
About 350 dairy farmers who settled a class action with Fonterra over the 2016 dairy crisis have learned they will get about 10 per cent of what they claimed they lost in milk payments, an old Viterra silo site on the Eyre Peninsula will soon be collecting plastics rather than grain and a wet season has made for tricky conditions this season, lowering quince yields for some growers in the South East.
The chief executive of Australian Pork Limited explains the fallout from the ABC investigation into pig stunning using carbon dioxide, weed killers for use by farmers could soon be made from failed antibiotics and a new method of working out how old a fish is, might hold the key to ending over-fishing.
Strong start to the Riverland's citrus season, a Coonawarra wine has won big at this year's International Wine Challenge and pig welfare will come under scrutiny from a Victorian parliamentary committee after a motion to examine the industry has been approved.
Grain Producers SA has shared concerns of South Australian grain growers about mobile phone connectivity to a Federal parliamentary committee, snapper fingerlings have been released into the big wide world to help increase the population in the Spencer Gulf and woodland bird species in the Mount Lofty Ranges have been in decline for 20 years but a $820,000 grant from the State Government aims to tackle the issue.
The Fleurieu Community Co-operative - an revamp of the Strathalbyn abattoir - is back on track with $1.1 million funding secured from the State Government, mice reports arepatchy across the state as winter crop seeding continues and dewatering of the flooded areas of the Murraylands continues as 40 gigalitres of water needs to be removed from the region.
The world's first genetically-modified banana has been submitted for assessment by Australian researchers, a small wool shop has been built on a historic SA property where customers can see the sheep the woollen products have came from and the United States has reported an aytipcal case of BSE, commonly known as mad cow disease.
The Federal Government's plan to charge primary producers a new levy to help contribute to biosecurity in Australia, Ali Paulett has been awarded the 2023 SA AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award for her creation of Bush DeVine Indigenous Australian Native sensory bush garden and the Federal Department of Agriculture has released its findings into reports that cattle were allegedly mistreated in seven Indonesian abattoirs in 2021.
The Federal Government has released an extra $250 million for rural, region and outer-urban roads, concerns have been raised that Australia does not have a national import control scheme to prevent the importation of seafood from fisheries involving illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing practices and as soon as this year diesel locomotives will start to be displaced with battery electric alternatives.
Unusually high numbers of crickets are causing havoc in pasture crops across the lower South East, a food scientist talking to a room full of Wagyu cattle producers has argued that the breed is actually full of dense protein and healthy fats and amid one of the most difficult vintages in decades many growers are having to dump their grapes, especially in the Riverland.
A key name in Port Lincoln's fishing industry has been honoured with a fit-for-purpose work shed named after him at disability employment service Bedford, florists across Australia can now differentiate locally-grown flowers with new country-of-origin labelled rubber bands and one of Australia's highest-volume organic wine producers has hit the market.
The Australian wine industry's fight to retain the use of the term prosecco continues with a a group of academics supporting the claim it is a grape variety and not a geographic region, growers that rely on the precision accuracy of their farming equipment are today back on the job after a satellite outage caused many gps signals to fail and former test cricketer Brad Hogg will head to agricultural field days again this year as Grain Producers Australia's mental health ambassador with a new message about mental health.
Illegal dumping in Green Triangle forests getting worse, former agriculture minister and economist John Kerin has been remembered as a policy elder statesman and a leading rural reformists and Bureau of Meteorology forecasts a positive Indian Ocean Dipole could develop in coming months, driving a drier trend.
What's causing canola to lose its shine, could beef from dairy surpass conventional beef within five years, a new climate change report says fisheries yields within Australia face an imminent threat from a warming planet, strawberries specially bred for robotic picking could soon be available to Australian growers
A new set of guidelines released to help SA grain and winegrape growers manage smoke from burn offs, a grain analyst says growers are increasingly investing in permanent on farm storage and an apple that's red on the inside as well as the outside could be just around the corner
National guidelines for Feedpads and Contained Housing in the dairy industry have been launched, Grain Producers SA is urging a reconsideration on a proposed 30 per cent increase on the terminal access charge, the Forestry Centre of Excellence is one step closer and helping women get their foot in the door of the trucking industry.
AWI says good progress has been made in developing a new form of biological defleecing, why are fish kills not being seen in South Australia like in Menindee and varroa mite outbreaks in New South Wales are creating problems for almond growers across the country
Menindee locals are in shock as they are witnessing the biggest fish kill since 2018/19, Kangaroo Island has been named as one of The Greatest Places in the World by Time Magazine, a leading marine biologist says a study into a desalination plant at Port Lincoln was insufficient and the future of the Millicent saleyards is in doubt.
Australia's first shedding sheep sale has been held in the Murray Mallee, although the price of fresh produce is high at the moment, a stabilising market should see the cost of food reduce in coming weeks and Wine Australia representatives for Japan and South Korea have toured the Riverland.
Viterra has welcomed the return of rail freight to the Eyre Peninsula after joining with the country's largest freight operator Aurizon, the State Government has chose Billy Lights Point as the location for the Eyre Peninsula's desalination plant, and farmers are considering growing industrial hemp or hemp for seed after the state's Minister for Housing said using hemp-based material for affordable housing was worth considering.
How has Aussie agriculture fared over the past year? The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics has crunched the numbers and revealed the results, the Murray Darling Basin Authority has released it's plan to run the river system for the year ahead and take a journey up the Darling River to discover how different communities have managed the flood.
The Australian wool industry is looking to ramp up supply of the fibre to India, and recruit a much needed workforce in the process, twenty SA wineries will participate in a program that will help them crack further into the Canadian export market and one-thousand razorfish shells made from clay have been buried in a seabed near Kangaroo Island to create artificial reefs for native oysters to grow
Viterra has joined with Australia's largest rail freight operator Aurizon to push for rail freight to return to the Eyre Peninsula, work has begun to fix levees in the Lower Murray region to fix levees and de-water the floodplain starting today at Wall Flat, up river from Murray Bridge and the feather boa industry has a boom in recent times, partly thanks to Harry Styles, but where do all of those feathers actually come from?
The Australian Livestock Exporters Council says the federal government's policy to end the live sheep trade sets an alarming precedent for all agricultural industries, Rabobank predicts China's record beef consumption will continue to rise this year, presenting opportunities for Australia's cattle industry and a Kimba local is hoping to provide regional education workshops to give people the skills and confidence to go or get back into the workforce if she wins with SA Rural Women's award.
The State Government and Meat and Livestock Australia are putting $2.9 million towards a new four year wild dog management plan, Coorong Wild Seafood owner and manager Tracy Hill says navigating the conditions, weather, and local environment in the Coorong has been difficult and the dried fruit industry is expected to have two new grape varieties available for growers to plant in 2025.
The unusually late grain harvest for many farmers across the state has put pressure on families work life balance, a South East mushroom grower hopes the Limestone Coast will become renowned for fungi and mushrooms and after three dry of being closed due to flooding the tiny outback community watering hole at Tilpa has re-opened.
The South Australian government has rejected a bid by Terramin to develop an underground gold mine at Woodside in the Adelaide Hills, the State Government will put a final $191,000 towards the eradication of the last 30 feral pigs on Kangaroo Island and South Australian farmers will be able to have their hemp crops processed into products like building materials, at a new facility in the Murraylands.
The carbon economy will be a key part of the Evoke Ag conference in Adelaide in a couple of weeks, an English grain grower has set Guinness World Records for both wheat and barley yields and SA Rural Women's award nominee Bridget Jones explains her plan to help rural women clear clutter
The Animal Welfare Act is being reviewed in South Australia, and the RSPCA is calling for urgent action to include currently overlooked marine life into the Act, despite average wine production globally there's still more supply than demand and a hobby farmer from Coffin Bay on the Eyre Peninsula is now the official record holder for the biggest elephant garlic grown in Australia.
Fruit fly restrictions in the Riverland will see more children than ever return to school without homegrown fruit in their lunchbox, Russia's Ministry of Agriculture wants farmers to plant less wheat and more barley and legumes and Hemp crops in South Australia are still reasonably new, but signs are they may have some staying power within the state.
One of Australia's largest dried fruit companies is expanding its apricot production to meet increasing demand from consumers, there's a big price premium on offer for heavy lambs at the moment, as strong demand and a lack of supply push up prices and Wilcannia mob member reflect on their song Down River recorded about 20 years ago.
The Australia Trade Tasting event has returned to London showcasing more than 700 wines from 200 wine producers to hundreds of trade and media in the United Kingdom, South Australia and truffles are not commonly associated, but Truffle farmers, known as truffières, are slowly becoming more common in the state and Dr Graeme Stevenson, who is renowned in Tasmania for is his pioneering work with dung beetles and earthworms has been awarded and OAM.
Grain growers who want to use double strength zinc phosphide mouse bait now need need to complete a short training course to access the product, Australian manuka honey producers have scored a significant win against a group of New Zealand producers who wanted exclusive use of the word manuka and Shawn Barnett and Dylan Hancock have shorn more than one-thousand-600 hundred sheep in an effort to fundraise money for both The McGrath and Prostate Cancer foundations.
A dairy analyst looks at the latest trends in the national dairy markets, revealing most milk companies don't actually make enough butter or cheese to supply local market, Riverland wine growers share their optimism on the State Government's $100,000 investment towards a 10 year blue print for the industry and a station owner in the far west of New South Wales thanked a good Samaritan for helping her with resources and a levee construction as she faced the flood emergency.
Australian farmers splashed more than $2 billion on 19,000 new tractors in 2022, and the spending spree is tipped to continue this year, while recreational cockle fishing has been closed on the northern side of the Murray Mouth due to the detection of E.coli, commercial fishing is still going strong and Grain Producers SA has received $60,000 to look how big an issue silo bag waste is and what can be done about it.
SA's timber industry welcomes State Government mandate that any new public housing in South Australia will have to use products manufactured within the state, Sussan Ley, Member for Farrer, has spent time in the far west of New South Wales where floods were high on the agenda and more than 1200 female beekeepers successfully set a record for "The Most Photos of Women+ Beekeeping Uploaded to Social Media in 24 Hours"
Recreational cockle fishing on the northern side of the Murray Mouth is now closed until further notice due to the detection of E.coli in pipis, a farmer from the state's South East is using her family's cattle farm to grow and sell Australian native flowers, and a farmer in South Australia's Riverland is expanding his watermelon plantings, as prices remain stable and the crop's hard skin provides protection against pests
Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven discusses how primary producers can use this flood event to prepare for future events, Oz Fish says the federal government should release the carp herpes virus to stop mass spawning of the pest as floodwaters recede, and an Australian freight shipping company describes how rising port costs are hurting his business as a Productivity Commission report on Australia's container ports is released.
Foot-and-mouth-disease was a real threat six months ago, and one pastoralist has shared how the disease resulted in him having to sell his cattle, fire fighters warn of the potentially deadly bushfire season ahead with more fire fuel from floods and consistent hot temperatures likely and a Swan Hill property owner discusses his newest property addition, tiny houses.
In parts of the state there's been an increase of almost 50 per cent in shearing costs this season with some woolgrowers putting shearing delays to rain and price hikes, the Chair of Primary Producers SA tales a look at the year ahead for grain farmers, and Kirrilee and Cameron Foster became accidental lavender farmers with the purchase of their home just outside Port Lincoln.
A regional NSW company is converting diesel prime movers to electric and trialling seven trucks involved in agriculture, mining and food distribution, a Murraylands farmer has made the devastating decision to sell his dairy cows and farm after a levee breach caused their property to flood, and this year's lamb ad shows ordinary people be exiled to desert wasteland for committed offences other people label as "un-Australian".
While receival records are being broken a wetter spring is seeing many grain growers out on their headers much later than usual, flood waters are impacting several vineyards across three Australian states, and Livestock SA wants to hear from flood affected producers about what they need in terms of fodder.
Recent weather has sparked concerns for upcoming crops showing signs of powdery mildew earlier than expected, a grazier who will be cut off for weeks due to flooding between Louth and Tilpa in western New South Wales has described communication from government agencies as woeful, and some tips and tricks on putting your best summer fruit platters together.
An evacuation order was issued by the NSW SES for residents of the Far West town of Menindee, as the flood peak travels further downstream in SA communities are working together to protect farms from the rising River Murray and 2022 was the year biosecurity really made headlines in mainstream news as well as agricultural media.
People in Menindee township and low lying areas have been told to evacuate with a major flood expected from today, pig farmers are waiting anxiously for a vaccine to protect their animals from the Japanese Encephalitis Virus, and Australian farmers now provide 80 per cent of a popular natural insecticide used in gardens across the world extracted from the Pyrethrum plant.
Viterra gives harvest update as South Australian farmers continue harvesting into the new year, Australia's trade minister talks are underway to expand the India free trade agreement and grain producers from the Mallee and South East describe how harvest is going.
Grain Producers Australia has unveiled its new 'Sustainability Taskforce' - aimed to drive sustainability and profitability for grain producers, Australia's only licensed razor fish farmer says he hopes to have spat in the water by this time next year and Riverland growers are becoming frustrated as the fight to eradicate fruit fly outbreaks for the region enters its third year.
A silverleaf nightshade infestation is proving be to a difficult and costly problem in the state's Mid North, SA Water is currently fixing Oodnadatta's water issues by building and transporting a new desalination plant to the township and Australia's peak wine body is hopeful Senator Penny Wong's visit to China means Australia's trade relationship with the country may be on the mend
Good spring rain means confidence in SA farmers is the highest in the country according to Rabobank's Rural Confidence Survey, the competition watchdog, the ACCC, has released a report on the nation's container ports and found that stevedores have been making "excessive profits" during the pandemic and as the River Murray swells dairy farmers in the Murraylands are in a race against time to build private levees to protect their infrastructure.
More than 100 ex-defence force personnel are assisting with the grain harvest across Australia this season, Murraylands dairy farmers are concerned what the flood will mean for their cows if the levee is breached and the Fair Work Ombudsman has fined growers and labour hire companies in the Sunraysia, Riverland and Coffs Harbour and Grafton areas of NSW almost $80,000.
The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia to merge joining together the universities combined teaching in agriculture, science and rural health, a Renmark winemaker is heartbroken after his vineyards were flooded when a private levee was breached this week and Mount Gambier resident Liz McKinnon has been named Cross-border Commissioner.
T Ports is expanding storage capacity to keep up with the Upper Eyre Peninsula crop, after mass dumping of fruit in 2022, avocado growers are bracing for another year of oversupply off the back of increased production and another big flowering and Heywire winner Zane Hunter from Port Pirie explains why he chose to speak about his relationship with his grandfather.
Wool prices fell dramatically at auctions this week with some brokers describing the situation as a 'bloodbath' for the market, a new $4.6 million project will help Australian grain growers deal with the ever increasing issue of snails and a tractor mechanic helps rebuild race cars.
Farmers across the state are praying for pockets of sunshine to get their possibly bumper crop into silos, trucking companies are finding it increasingly difficult to move freight across eastern Australia and fuel, tools and motorbikes from farms have been common targets for thieves in South Australia over the last year.
Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union has claimed JBS meatworks in Bordertown has threatened to lock-out workers who gave notice of their intention to take industrial action over ongoing pay negotiations, Australia's livestock and rural transporters association wants to create a type of self insurance scheme to deal with difficult years and Kindergarten students weigh in on National Ag Day.
Agriculture Minister Murray Watt tours South Australia, a Federal review of the nation's immigration system could have wide ranging implications for agriculture and three unions involved in port operations have suspended protected industrial action and are sitting down with the country's biggest tug boat operator Svitzor to see if they can resolve their differences.
Locals from Mypolonga give insight into why Mypolonga was named Ag Town of the Year, Mypolonga Primary School is a key reason why the town won Ag Town of the Year and concern in mounting in low-lying Murraylands towns as floodwater predictions rise.
South Australian potato producer, the Pye Group, officially opens its $45 million facility at Parilla, Lameroo Forward chair Nicole McMahon is helping welcome the new people into the community and some Riverland irrigators are facing months without being able to pump as increasingly high flows across the border threaten electricity supply.
The weekend's wild weather has trashed much of the Mount Compass strawberries, Freeling farmer, Corbin Schuster says they're currently experiencing the wettest November in 139 years with two weeks of the month still to go and Elders reports a nine per cent increase in profit to $163 million.
The ban on snapper fishing was due to end at the start of February next year but it could be extended after a new scientific report shows stocks are still tight, dairy giant, Saputo will shut the Maffra processing facility in Gippsland, a powder line at Leongatha will shut along with cheese packing operations at Mil-Lel in South Australia and researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a world first proof of concept for the technology called t-CRISPR that would make mice infertile.
State Government forecasting today also shows there's a "possibility" of flows reaching as high as 180GL a day, South Australian researchers will take the lead on research adapting existing technologies that could help in reducing methane emissions in grazing sheep and the research work appears to have been spared from the fire at Struan Research Centre on the weekend.
Mypolonga wins Ag Town of the Year, large stretches of bean crops around the Lower South East have been decimated by the recent wet weather and humidity and Kangaroo Island council has met with stakeholders to address ferry shortages in the lead up to the peak tourism and livestock transporting season.
The State Government will allow farmers to use both the Grassland Fire Danger Index and the new Grassland Fire Behaviour Index this harvest after changes were made to the way farmers monitor conditions during harvest, cattle producers are pushing the State Government to allow the use of virtual fencing, claiming it’s both practical and cost effective and recent wet weather has put a dampener on the latest outlook for Australian cherries,
The State Government has introduced increased biosecurity measures to protect SA from emergency animal diseases, heavy rainfall has delayed the dog fence rebuild and a new resource is available for farmers to help them deal with the aftermath of a bushfire.
It might be November but snow has fallen in the hills hear Hallett in the mid north, American apples could be on the supermarket shelves soon and there are fears it could see farmers forced out of the industry and the cooler and wetter spring may be creating an ideal environment for fruit fly to survive and thrive.
Russia's decision to pull-out of a UN-brokered deal to allow grain exports from Ukraine is likely to mean less grain on the world market, one year on from the oyster disease issues that shut down Coffin Bay, oyster growers have had a great season with plenty of oyster sales once again and dam money has been reallocated by the Federal Government so that water can be bought back from irrigators
The World Rose Convention begins in Adelaide, breeders, distributors and growers discuss their love of roses and the future for the world's most popular flower, today marks one year since parts of South Australia were devastated by a freak hailstorm and new lucerne seed varieties are being trialled to better handle salinity.
Harvest delayed by weeks in some parts of South Australia following wet, cold weather, the annual food price inflation reached nine per cent in the September quarter, the highest annual rise in food prices seen since 2006 and the River Murray's last irrigator discusses the possibility of buybacks and reflects on the huge rive flows at the moment.
The federal government is paving the way for a showdown with farmers, rural communities and the eastern states, with last night's Budget revealing plans to reintroduce water buybacks, the fox scalp bounty launched a year ago has claimed more than 10,000 scalps so far and $1.6 million dollars over two years has been put towards country of origin labelling in the food service trade.
Keeping pests and disease out and getting workers on farms were at the centre of the agriculture spend in Albanese government's first budget.
Keeping pests and disease out and getting workers on farms were at the centre of the agriculture spend in Albanese government's first budget.
A new herbicide-resistant barley developed after an Eyre Peninsula farmer could get rid of it in his paddock, confidence is wavering on whether fruit fly can be wiped out in the Riverland by Christmas and heavy rain has falled across parts of the state with areas like the Mid North, Riverland, Murraylands and Yorke Peninsula hit the hardest
Australia's wine exports are starting to stabilise after almost two years of declines in volume and value following the imposition of tariffs by China, Lower Lakes and Coorong spring monitoring has begun and native fish species are being found in large numbers and recent wet and humid conditions have raised the risk of downy mildew for fruit and grape crops in parts of the state.
Even without China, the price and demand for is strong due drought in America and growing interest from international customers, fresh food importers and farmers are looking to next week's federal budget for a major boost to biosecurity funding and a kelpie from near Bathurst New South Wales, has sold for $49,000, a breed record.
Viterra is re-opening a raft of de-commissioned sites and adding new storage facilities across the South Australia, the clock is ticking for the State Government to upgrade vulnerable levee banks in the Riverland and RecFish SA has been reinstated as the peak body for recreational fishers.
Outback roads might be cut but pastoralists are pleased to receive good falls of rain in the leadup to summer
Prime beef cuts have been expensive for some time but now second cuts, offal and co-products are commanding prices never-seen before
Many growers have hay crops at their peak and can't wait any longer to start mowing, even though the risk of rain is high
Bradley Richardson is lucky to be alive after enduring a 19,000 volt electric shock when the machine he was working on connected with powerlines - he's now urging farmers to not be complacent when using machinery
Bradley Richardson is lucky to be alive after enduring a 19,000 volt electric shock when the machine he was working on connected with powerlines - he's now urging farmers to not be complacent when using machinery
More than 100 gigalitres of water in the River Murray could be flowing into South Australia following flooding upstream, Bradley Richardson tells his story about surviving electric shock to warn people about the dangers of power lines and construction on a multi-million dollar upgrade to Caddell Training Centre's dairy facility will start soon.
From this week, T-ports Wallaroo site will start to receive grain for the first time, the plan to phase out caged hens by 2036 is causing national confusion amongst egg producers, supermarkets and governments and supplies of lucerne seed have fallen to historically low levels.
The wet weather could again create ideal conditions for mozzies which is why the free vaccine for Japanese encephalitis has been expanded, in an effort to reduce waste a Riverland fig grower is turning her fig leaves into tea and the Country Fire Service has developed a workshop called Firey women to help women in particular learn skills and prepare for a fire.
Farmers on the west coast of the state are looking at one of their best seasons in recent years, if the rain eventually stops, Japanese encephalitis virus was expected to affect the supply of pork this Christmas but that might not be the case now and native Australian Kangaroo paw plants are gaining a reputation for cosmetic purposes.
Harvest has kicked off with the first load of barley being dropped to Port Pirie's Viterra site, SA growers are feeling the squeeze with the cooler and wetter conditions leading to fruit dumping in the Riverland and Murray Darling water ministers agree to change the socio-economic requirements for water efficiency projects.
The State government is putting $1.6 million up to get on top of locusts, hopefully before they become an issue, Grain Producers SA is creating a 'Harvest 100' playlist and is asking for farmers to help collaborate by sending through their favourite songs ahead of harvest and Australian rock lobster fishers are going into their third year of the China trade ban and prices remain volatile
Cattle Producers Australia have launched legal action against aspects of Cattle Council of Australia's involvement in the development of the new lobby group Cattle Australia, the price spread between beef and lamb at the farmgate is the widest it has been for over 20 years and through past recessions alcohol consumption has been quite resilient but new research from Wine Australia shows inflation could start to take a toll.
The warm wet conditions have led to outbreaks of fungal diseases in crops across the state, development of a new single dose, protein-based vaccine is underway to protect the beef sector from the highly infectious Lumpy Skin Disease and rare native South Australian plants are on display at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens as part of the Nature Festival.
Australia's first dedicated space weather forecasting service has blasted off for business in Adelaide, the State Government has changed planning laws to fast track temporary accommodation for seasonal workers and a plaque honouring the Barwell boys has been unveiled at Cummins on the Eyre Peninsula
Livestock SA is pleased Cattle Australia received support from the State farming organisations and will move forward, vets are concerned a decision by the TGA will put them out of work because farmers will be able to buy some animal pain management meds over the counter and administer without their advice and at Broken Hill's Mineral and Gem Show dozens of people went hunting for garnet's, and almost everyone found something to bring home.
Parents discuss crisis in regional childcare availability, rain sees River Murray swell to it's highest point in six years and the wheat price shot up over the weekend when the scale of the problems facing the drought-ravaged US crop became obvious.
Livestock SA is encouraging its cattle producer members to vote in favour of endorsing the new Cattle Australia despite concerns from NSW Farmers' Assoc., sniffer dogs are the new weapon in the fight to rid South Australia of fruit fly and Broken Hill's RFDS Women's Axillary are busy baking puddings for the annual Christmas pudding fundraiser.
Stop food waste has launched a Food Rescue Action Plan, the mango season is being officially launched today, as distribution volumes ramp up across the north and Nelshaby Ag Bureau celebrates 100 years.
An emergency operation to drain a dam that is at risk of failing and flooding Echunga in the Adelaide Hills is underway, after a ten year journey, a popular white variety of asparagus has sprouted for the first time in Australia and the GRDC will put $20 million over three years towards building Australia's long term research capacity.
Far west NSW don't want EID tags made mandatory for goats, a vineyard rejuvenation day in Barmera is helping farmers put grape vines into dormancy to ride out the red wine glut and a higher fuel excise means the fuel tax credit will be reinstated on Thursday which means more expensive fuel but truckies say it's no necessarily a bad thing for them.
The first Hills Small Acreage Field Day hailed a success, aquaculture company Clean Seas is moving thousands of tonnes of Kingfish from its fish farm near Whyalla to its facility at Port Lincoln and $15,500 was the top price paid for a dog at the second Lucindale Working Dog Auction.
A grape disease that hasn't been found in Australia before has been identified in SA, WA and Victoria, a hobby beekeepers urged to register their hives and a Broken Hill Grazier is back home and at work after crossing the English Channel.
A far west NSW grazier says this year has seen some of the best rain in the past 65 years, SA irrigators are hopeful as NSW releases its first water resource plan for the Murray Darling Basin and an oyster farmer gears up for the international oyster shucking championships.
An update on Murray Darling Basin Plan with the first water resource plan from NSW accredited, Hawker copped flash flooding and wild winds in a storm - the roof of a school was ripped off and an SA based Nuffield Scholar is researching letting lambs play to provide higher welfare outcomes.
Hart Field Days celebrates 40 years, Australia's biggest almond grower has revealed it expects a slightly larger crop next year, despite the fallout from varroa mite and dairy processors are considering the future of their plants in Australia.
Australian Grain Technologies celebrates their 20-year anniversary with the release of their very first canola varieties, the Federal Court has found Lactalis failed to publish milk supply agreements on its website by the June 1, 2020 deadline, as was required by the then new Dairy Code of Conduct and a $7 million joint research project wants to develop new, elite strawberry varieties.
NSW grazier Michael Taylor wins the Australian Farmer of the Year award, widespread rain welcome to boost crops and pastures as weather warms up and livestock SA supports the Federal Government's decision to ban individuals from importing meat from 70 countries where foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has been detected.
A fashion expert has described Australian Wool Innovation's new international ad as a powerful campaign, Debbie and Steve Milne from Waratah White Suffolks, Branxholme, Victoria have sold the top-priced ram at the prime lamb and maternal breeds elite stud sheep at the Royal Adelaide Show and the 2022 South Australian Young Rural Ambassador has proven he can perform in the judging area winning the Poultry and Meat Sheep Junior Judging competitions and the Royal Adelaide Show.
Oil and gas giant Santos is being taken to court, accused of misleading investors with some of its clean energy claims, the Australian Veterinary Association is calling on the federal government to scrap HECS debt for graduates who live and work in regional and rural areas and a world-first study from the University of South Australia has made new discoveries around how frog skin microbes may hold the key to defeating the deadly chytrid disease.
Consumers are turning to frozen and canned vegetables, as bad weather, input costs and COVID disruptions continue to push up fresh food prices, trawl fishers of south eastern Australia have welcomed news the new Federal Labor government will buy out licences in their fishery and research from the University of Adelaide has found that if climate change continues warm-season grasses may move south to survive, forcing cool-season grasses out of home.
South Australia's bushfire season possibly delayed by wet weather depending on how spring pans out
South Australia's bushfire season possibly delayed by wet weather depending on how spring pans out
South Australia's fire season expected to start later if wet weather continues, South Australian barley growers are taking part in a project to track barley from paddock to pint and Brett and Marie Smith win the 2022 annual Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board Citizen Science Award for Outstanding Achievement for their conservation work.
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Livestock producers are set to gain greater access to the oral pain relief products NumOcaine and Buccalgesic, William Rayner is the new CEO of the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia and a Taiwanese backpacker who fell in love with Pinnaroo, and a local - has established a food van with meals from her home country
Recent rain and wind has made it impossible for crop spraying companies to help farmer get on top of pests and diseases, South Australian farmers and landholders are keen to get their hands on upgraded farm fire fighting unit equipment with the State Government receiving 1,255 applications in less than a month and about 100 women from across the state converged on Streaky Bay on the weekend to attend the 24th Rural Women's Conference.
Conventional layer hen cages will be phased out in Australia by 2036 after an independent review panel released updated poultry standards, Riverland shoppers can again buy any fruit and vegetables at their local retailers and move across fruit fly outbreak and suspension boundaries with fruit and a receipt and a major Australian bank says asset lending in the last financial year was the highest ever and ag machinery led the demand.
Are sheep getting too big to find shearers to shear them, South East potato growers have successfully negotiated a contract with a major processor and heat mapping fruit fly hotspots in gardens to help combat fruit fly.
Federal Government is considering reinstating a levy on container movements to pay for biosecurity inspectors to check freight, license fees have been waived for SA schools participating in aquaculture and Golden Guitar winning bush balladeer Keith 'Jammo' Jamieson has died aged 74
A webinar has outlined what the South Australian government and industry groups have been doing to prepare for biosecurity risks like foot and mouth disease, PCR testing, like the test used for COVID, is being used by mushroom growers to better manage their biosecurity and a new cool chain app is being developed that will help oyster growers track the temperature of oysters from shed door to the customer.
An Adelaide-Hills winery wins best new winery in the annual James Halliday wine companion awards, Flinders University research has found a number of unique snapper populations that are genetically distinct from others in Australia and Adelaide based company Cropify is working towards developing the an artificial intelligence system that might one day replace the visual classification standards for grains and pulses.
South Australia has driest July since 1997 - in the top 10 driest July's on record, a key commitment of the Murray Darling basin plan can't be met according to a new independent report and a group of Pacific Island farm workers who breached their visa conditions are fighting to get them back, although advocates say it should never have reached this point.
Irrigated agriculture through the Murray Darling Basin is set to increase as another wet year is forecast, Riverland fruit growers welcome the ability to do their own fruit fly baiting and Broken Hill farmer Brendan Cullen swims the English Channel.
The heightened disease risk in Asia Pacific region is prompting some in Australia's 20 billion dollar beef sector to seriously consider safeguarding their genetics, in Indonesia a single beast is more than just a protein source, it's their livelihood which means the foot and mouth disease outbreak will have far reaching consequences beyond the agriculture sector and Ukrainian Grain Association president Nikolay Gorbachev addresses the Australian Grain Industry Conference.
The Indian Government has extended the the tariiff-free imports of lentils for six months, Australia's wine exports are down 10 per cent in volume to 625 million litres and down 19 per cent to 2.08 billion for the year ending June 30 and the new White and Pink 'novelty' fruits were cross-bred by Queensland scientists are a step closer to being on supermarket shelves.
The Federal Government has invoked new biosecurity powers at Australian airports in response to the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in Indonesia, for the first time in 10 years, the number of lives lost in 12 months on Australian farms has dropped below 50 and a deal to allow grain exports to resume from Ukraine is expected to be confirmed later today.
An independent livestock analyst says Australian beef exporters will face a tough six months exporting red meat to South Korea, a UK farmer explains how farmers are managing the heatwave conditions during harvest and the Adelaide Junior Heifer Show again attracts plenty of entrants.
A South Australian breeder has just sold a 170 kilogram Ram for $115,000 dollars, confidence is up for South Australian merino and poll merino breeders heading into this seasons ram sales and South Australian date growers have producer a bumper crop.
Tractor and farm machinery sales in the past year have toppled forty year records, Flinders University researchers have looked into the viability of farmers diversifying their land by offering services like B and B farm stays to stabilise income and an aerial control operation across the Adelaide Hill and Fleurieu Peninsula has culled more than 200 deer from Deep Creek National Park.
Grain Producers SA has joined with an ag tech connectivity provider to try and give farmers more reliable mobile service, South Australia's Opposition is calling for increased biosecurity measures at the Adelaide Airport to keep foot and mouth disease out of the country and olive production across the country is down compared to last year, but a South Australian grower is working to limit biennial bearing.
With the threat of Foot and Mouth disease on Australia's doorstep advocates of electronic sheep tags says they are needed more than ever
South Australia's only commercial buffalo producer is branching out from producing the milk used for mozzarella cheese into meat production as well
The National Farmers' Federation wants you to #throwoutyourthongs if you've visited Indonesia in an attempt to keep foot and mouth disease out of Australia
Australian vets are concerned not enough is being done to prepare for foot and mouth disease being found in Australia, dairy farmers are finding new ways to deal with bobby calves and a group of SA grain growers curious to see where their barley ends up have teamed up with one of the state's biggest beer producers to trace it.
In August 2021, a non-Indigenous landholder freely gave back her 30-acre Flinders Ranges property to the Nukunu people.
Inflows from the Diamantina and more expected from the Cooper Creek in coming weeks has delivered a tourism boom for northern South Australia, after years of research, the methane-busting seaweed is now for sale to cattle feedlots in Australia and a fire at a major wool processing plant in China, is not to blame for the big fall in prices at this week's wool sales.
About a million tonnes of wheat grown in Victoria and New South Wales last season was driven over the border into export-dominant South Australia, there's been a thirteenth outbreak of fruit fly in the Riverland and the spike in the number of accidents involving farm machinery and power lines has promoted a meeting between Grain Producers SA and SA Power Networks to try to try and get to the bottom of why they're happening.
Rural Aid has delivered about 300 tonnes of hay to 30 South Australian graziers to feed their livestock, hundreds more beehives will be destroyed in the coming days, as authorities confirm more varroa mite eradication zones in NSW and the demand for Highland cattle has soared in the past 12 months, and breeders can't keep up.
Grain handler Viterra wants to get rail back on the Eyre Peninsula to transport grain, the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group has warned Australia is ill prepared for food insecurity driven by war and climate crisis in a new report released today and brisket has seen a surge in popularity.
The Australian Wine Industry technical conference looks at issues of social licence in the wine industry from the point of view of safe consumption and the environment, the industry looks at the global issues affecting wine consumption and the winner of a new award - the new McWilliam’s Excellence In Action Award is announced.
The Reveg festival in the Adelaide Hills this weekend will give away 20,000 native seedlings to landholders whose properties were affected by the 2019 Cudlee Creek bushfire, the state government has abandoned its plans for a Paris trade office, to make budget savings and Tibooburra's iconic two-storey pub is full of life again after being gutted by a fire over a year ago
The director of the agtech startup that created Mesonet has taken out a rural business award, at the budget Estimates Committee Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven outlined plans for more funding for fruit fly and job cuts and a new website is being set up to cut out the supermarket costs incurred by both farmers and customers by linking them up directly.
About 60 chefs from across the country have converged on Mypolonga in the Murraylands to try some of the regional produce like buffalo, olive oil and carp, history was made at the annual SA Pruning Championships with a lady taking out top honours for the first time and increasing fertiliser production out of Morocco could help lower fertiliser costs.
Scientists from the University of Adelaide are working to develop a vaccine for toxoplasma - a disease found in cat faeces - that can cause lamb loss, an Adelaide-based company has taken out the top prize at an agtech competition in the Riverland for an idea on how to make exit blocks productive again and Cleve Area School has added goats to the animals they'll be showing at the Royal Adelaide Show
Australian exporters warn they are facing major export uncertainty when IFAM ends at the end of the month, a naval aircraft technician turned bee keeper has won the first Australian beekeeper award and the Australian Almond Board says the industry is expected to set a new record for crop size in 2022, up fourteen thousand tonnes on last year.
Farmers warn minimum wage increase will cause more pain at the checkout, the Riverland fruit fly situation is at a critical point with an unprecedented twelve outbreaks underway and US President Biden announces plan to build temporary silos on the Polish border to get grain out of Ukraine.
Trucking companies say the rising cost of fuel, plus the decision to scrap the Fuel Tax Credit for heavy vehicles is putting the industry under a lot pressure, a face-to-face meeting between Australia's defence minister Richard Marles and his Chinese counterpart has been described as a small step in the right direction to getting Australia's relationship with China back on track and almost 1000 workers flocked to Renmark over the long weekend for the second Riverland Pasifika Sports Carnival.
A 33-month-old Kelpie named Kimmy has sold for $27,000 at the Casterton Kelpie muster, Eyre Peninsula farmers who experience Mallee seeps to benefit from a three-year project looked at the best management options and there are early signs beef prices will remain high into next year.
Backyard fruit growers discuss restrictions after maggots have been detected in home-grown apples in Renmark extending the fruit fly outbreak areas, young people discuss the issues they face in regional areas at the Youth Futures Summit and battery-powered, autonomous tractors coming to a paddock near you,
South Australian vegetable and herb producers have taken out Young Grower of the Year and the Environmental award the Hort Connections 2022 National Awards for Excellence, South Australia prepares for increased flows down the River Murray after months of high rainfall in the eastern states and a key export pipeline in the Black Sea region is reported to have been bombed, putting even more pressure on the global fertiliser market.
Get used to cabbage in your burgers and paying more than $10 for lettuce because it seems there's no end in sight for high fruit and vegetable prices, how to breed the perfect dairy cow and Australia's grains industry marks two years since China applied prohibitive tariffs to barley imports
The new shadow Water Minister from Deniliquin is offering to take the incoming Water Minister for a tour of the Murray-Darling, the absence of some Riverland stallholders due to fruit fly restrictions has been keenly felt by farmers' markets and China's lockdown might be easing but analysts warn consumers there won't be spending money as they are too wary of another lockdown.
The State Labor Government's budget has been described as "no-frills" by agriculture lobby groups with concerns not enough money is being put into biosecurity, funding for fruit fly eradication has been more than halved in this year's state budget and Australia's chief vet has just returned from a trip to Indonesia, a country battling to control the spread of both foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease.
Grain Producers SA CEO says he hopes the Labor state government's first budget doesn't contain further cuts for PIRSA, an Australian milk formula company ramping up production to send to the US amid contamination scare there and new research has found local saleyards are important community hubs for rural and regional communities
Plans for a major shakeup of how South Australia's pastoral lands are run have been shelved for now, an outback postie retires and the new government announces its ministers
More rain welcomed by SA farmers, a no to ban on Bali flights and are you really happier in regional and rural areas?
It's wet and wild across South Australia as farmers welcome the rain, a call to stop flights coming from Indonesia for three months to help in battle against foot and mouth and growing saffron on Kangaroo Island.
A popular storybook character has teamed up with a not-for-profit safety group to share an important message, growers hope forecast widespread rain arrives to get the winter growing season off to a good start and plant-based milk alternatives are on their way to making up half of all drinks in Australian cafes.
WaterNSW will release more water from Menindee Lakes to make space for the floodwater making its way down the Barwon-Darling system, Fleurieu Community Co-operative has begun renovations on the Strathalbyn abattoir and the dairy situation and outlook report shows stiff competition for milk and recovering profitability isn't enough to stop the flow of farmers out of the industry.
Storage at many Riverland wineries is full and some growers are taking stock, while others are calling it quits, the world's food supply is running short and one analyst believes governments will fall before it gets better and administrators will liquidate a Port Lincoln agriculture machinery business, after the company went into voluntary administration in March.
Primary Producers SA chair Prof. Simon Maddocks gives his take on the election for rural South Australia, Elders half-year results show a strong balance sheet and 80 per cent growth on profit before tax and a WA seaweed farmer is about to launch two chewing products made from seaweed as healthier snack options.
What are the Greens priorities for the farming sector this Federal election, climate change is shaping up to be one of the big election issues, the strain of Foot and Mouth Disease that is currently spreading through Indonesia has now been identified and a young Adelaide Hills beekeeper a state finalist for a big award.
There are concerns custom-made quad bikes to help eradicate fruit fly have been taken out of service because they're "too noisy", RecFish SA has applied to the State Government for recreations fishers to be able to catch prawns within one metre of the shore and the breakthrough technology behind the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines could be set to revolutionise pest control in agriculture.
More detections mean the fruit fly issue in the Riverland has reached a critical point, pastoralists in the north say repairs to the State's dog fence - which was damaged in floods earlier in the year - has been swift and the New South Wales government says it officially is officially over, even the far west.
Timely rain and incredibly good prices are encouraging many growers across the country to plant as much canola seed as possible, early trial results show an inorganic, lab-grown, bioactive can reduce methane emissions from cattle by up to 95 per cent and the Riverland is set to have its own commercial-scale organic compositing facility.
Grain Producers Australia asked the political parties for their position on a Australian Competition and Consumer Commission inquiry into the Australian grains market, Grain Producers Australia have welcomed Federal Labor's commitment to discuss an inquiry by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission into the Australian grains market and the country's largest producer of gladioli is ramping up production to meet increasing demand.
The unions described the new horticulture award as a victory, but on the ground the winners and losers are less clear, Treasury Wine Estates has opened its new 165 million dollar wine production facility in the Barossa and a rugby union team in the Barossa Valley has welcomed some new members to the side that are helping get a few more wins on the board.
Researchers have identified a genetic driver that improves wheat yield traits and can also possibly increase protein content by 25 per cent, Casella Family Brands has put 35 of its vineyards up for sale in what's thought to be the largest offering of its kind ever made in Australia and Australia's wool industry continues to fight for its environmental credentials in Europe, where there are moves to adopt Product Environmental Footprint labelling.
The South Australian Country Hour live from the Renmark Irrigation Trust with a debate between Barker Labor and Liberal candidates Mark Braes and Tony Pasin, fruit grower Humphrey Howie discusses what's in season and Judy Bailey from the Renmark Irrigation Trust explains the history of the Woolenook Japanese internment camp.
One of Australia's key animal biosecurity groups says it's on high alert following the detection of foot and mouth disease in Indonesia, seven new mobile towers will be put in and three base stations will be upgraded to improve coverage to about 3,500 properties across the Mid-north, Riverland and South East and in an effort to add value to his fine wool a sheep farmer from Orrorroo has decided to turn his fleece into fashion.
Beston Global Dairy Company has invested almost 15 million dollars in new technology to produce lactoferrin, a natural milk product, a top chef encourages people to try cooking carp and the Federal Government has confirmed it won't be introducing Country of Origin labelling for cut flowers ahead of Mother's Day.
About 1,000 workers from the Pacific Islands are expected to arrive in the Riverland this year to ease workforce pressure, plans have been unveiled for a big multi faceted tourism development for Kapunda and there have been two more detections of Japanese encephalitis in South Australian piggeries since April 7.
Peninsula Ports, which is on the Eyre Peninsula, has secured funding to build a $250 million grain exports port at Port Spencer, a record-breaking 90,000 tonnes of biosolids - a bi-product of treated human poo - will be collected and reused by South-Australian farmers and South Australia's ag tech experts meet in Hanhdorf to discuss opportunities to develop ag tech ahead of a major conference in New Zealand later in the year.
A South East clearing sale highlights how pricey second-hand farm machinery now is, Sue Pratt is the new lead teacher for agriculture in South Australia encouraging more teachers to teach agriculture and shearer Cathy Wendelborn, who started her career in South Australia, is the first female shearer to be inducted into the Australian Shearer's Hall of Fame.
A record-breaking Wagyu sale could herald the beginning of a new era in the cattle industry, the weather might be cooling off but it stays balmy in the banana ripening facility near Adelaide and the Australian Alpaca Association is warning people online market places fleecing could be perspective buyers.
Shipping backlogs in China are threatening to slow exports to a crawl and impact cash flows for wool mills, food price inflation has had its highest year-on-year increase in more than a decade and has vegetable producers concerned and today is the day the Horticultural Award switches over to the new system.
The landmark 'Designing effective interventions to reduce household food waste research project' is the most comprehensive of its kind ever conducted in Australia, meal made from solider fly larvae could be the pet food of the future and northern South Australian receives widespread rain.
Holiday makers left stranded after rain cuts off outback roads, the Shanghai lockdowns threaten to derail global shipping even further and sniffer dogs are helping farmers keep on top of weeds.
Rain in the outback has left travellers stranded and graziers overjoyed, the buy now, pay later revolution has hit the agriculture sector, but opinions are split over the benefits of buying livestock, machinery or feed with deferred payments and Australia's newest outback music festival - the Mundi Mundi bash - has had a fantastic first event.
Bega has released a record price for SA dairyfarmers, South Australian opposition leader David Spiers unveils his shadow cabinet, the Adelaide Hills apple season wraps up and industry representatives work on improving the new look Pacific worker scheme.
A recent South Australian study has found micro plastics found on local beaches and water across the state, the Federal government has awarded forestry $1.3 million to develop an engineered wood product and a mine that is being planned for near Poochera on the West Coast is one step closer to being up and running with plans to rule out fly in fly out workers and keep jobs for locals.
The Federal Government would guarantee part of a first farm buyer's loan if the Coalition wins next month's election, the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry is still looking to continue working with China as a market option and the Pacific Islands Council of South Australia says recruiting seasonal workers under a community-based approach will help reduce common cultural challenges.
South Australia's performance of carbon farming is improving, according to a new scorecard released by the Carbon Market Institute, Contributions to the South Australian Stud Merino Breeders Association over 25 years has seen Ian Rowett awarded with life membership and after four years on the lam, a Merino wether has been found in the foothills of Mount Cook on New Zealand's South Island and shorn.
A South Australian winery has won Australia's premier food and wine prize, South Australia's seafood producers are enjoying strong sales this Easter and the peak body representing dairy processors will support a mandatory levy but dairy farmers aren't pleased with the proposed plan.
The South East forestry industry is the latest to start working on a plan to attract more people to apply for its job openings, a federal government scheme which pays landholders to improve remnant vegetation on farm is scaling up and Riverland growers meet following several fruit fly detections.
Shearing Contractors Association of Australia has held a roundtable with industry to discuss bringing in Pacific workers to join shearing teams, fifth generation Eudunda farmer Karl Milde has been announced as the National Rural Ambassador at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and the Royal Australian Mint has released a very special coin to honour 200 years of bees in Australia.
The forestry sector is calling for one billion new trees to be planted by 2030, a survey is underway to figure out how many feral deer are roaming in South-East SA and Riverland grape growers are dumping produce as the China trade dispute enters its second year.
Federal Labor won't commit to not buying back irrigation rights from farmers in the Murray Darling Basin, a Melbourne wholesaler says prices fruit and veg prices across the country are the highest he's ever seen and a $486,000 agricultural trade and market access cooperation grant has been awarded to Citrus Australia to help growers target the Indian market.
Avocados Australia want to help growers in the Riverland access the Japanese market, Robyn Verrall from near Keith has won the South Australian Rural Woman of the Year award for 2022 and China has banned the import of all cloven-hoofed animals and their products from South Africa due to an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease earlier this week.
The Cattle Council of Australia is calling for live samples of lumpy skin disease to be allowed into the country so infectious disease experts can work on a vaccine, Elder's first Rural Property Update has found there's been a 32pc jump in SA rural land values to $5878 a hectare for land sold in the last quarter of last year and Australian barley exporters are searching for beer making countries to send their grain two years on from China's trade ban.
Australian grain growers could gain long-term market opportunities as Russia's invasion of Ukraine escalates, the Australian wine will gain better international market access under a new interim Free Trade Agreement with India and traditional owners in the Mid-North are harvesting native seeds that could be used to make farms more drought resilient.
The SA Country Hour broadcast live from the Isolated Children's Parents' Association conference, a small group of high school students have been learning to shear and a Melrose farmer is positive for the season ahead.
Trials for a Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine for animals could start in under twelve weeks, there are commercial hemp growing trials under way in Coonawarra and in Loxton looking at different varieties and Citrus Australia is calling for a standard licensing scheme for labour hire across Australia.
There have been two more cases of Japanese encephalitis found in piggeries in SA with the total number of cases in SA now at six, we cross to Canberra to get a farmer's perspective on the federal budget and retiring grains market analyst, Malcolm Bartholmaeus, reflects on his career.
We meet South Australia's new minister for water, environment and climate- Susan Close, the latest on Japanese encephalitis virus in SA and AusVeg reacts to the government's Ag Visa agreement with Vietnam.
Foreign workers on Australian farms are being left with as little as $100 per week, in accordance with the federal government's Pacific labour schemes, the inclusion of agtech on farms is progressing at a rapid pace with more and more farmers taking it on and with a number of single fruit fly detections and outbreaks in the Riverland in the last few weeks there's a call out for people to become fruit fly controllers.
Three more confirmed cases of Japanese encephalitis have been found in South Australian piggeries, UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation in Indonesia is working with the Indonesian government to contain an outbreak of lumpy skin disease in cattle and COVID has changed the nature of the job market and now a university study hopes to explore how small producers can make the most of the changing market.
The new ministry has been announced for the South Australian parliament and we get a reaction from the the primary producers and dairy industry, a university study hopes to explore how small producers can make the most of the changing market and a new Queensland fruit fly outbreak in Loxton means restrictions will now push into stone fruit harvest season.
The State's Premier, Peter Malinauskas, visited the South East today, the latest wave of covid cases raises challenges for boarding school students from regional South Australia and we look at the reasons behind high fertiliser prices.
Farmers on the Eyre Peninsula are still waiting for state government disaster aid funding - following flooding several weeks ago, Robotic dairy systems sound futuristic but they are being successfully used in South Australia and making a huge difference to the work life balance of dairy farmers and "Chocolate trees" on the West Coast have been given critically endangered status to help protect them into the future.
A look at the results of the SA election including industry reaction, latest on the national reaction to Japanese encephalitis virus and large numbers of older cows have been given a second chance and some price records have been broken.
The Country Hour heads to the South East Field Days in Lucindale. You'll hear the progress of the 2022 South Australian Yard Dog Championships, what are rural voters' priorities ahead of the state election and why a broad reaching agricultural education is important.
The Country Shows SA President on removing mandatory vaccinations for shows, access to safe drinking water and the biggest potato attempt is rejected from the record book.
Rainfall records smashed during flash flooding in Broken Hill, the Federal Government attempts to renegotiate export requirements for fruit fly affected areas and the South Australian dairy industry explores robotics while Merino SA celebrates 100 years at Burra.
In what could be a win for Australian grain farmers China's Ag minister has said that his country's winter wheat crop will be the worst in history, a group of Coonawarra grape growers are using prototype sensors that they're hoping will reduce their water usage to just a third of what it is currently and a look at some autumn thunderstorms.
The latest on rising fuel prices and the impact on rural industries, Robyn Verrall from Keith has been announced as a South Australian finalist in the Rural Women's Award and an insight into Australia's olive oil industry.
Fruit fly restrictions are being extended in affected areas in the Riverland after more insects have been found, dairy products are set to get more expensive due to inflation and a South Australian prison reduces reoffending rates with an agricultural training program.
A panel on the impact of high fuel prices, the latest on the detection of Japanese encephalitis in SA and South Australia's drought hub has been boosted with the appointment of four node coordinators.
The latest on Japanese encephalitis in South Australia with PIRSA, Australian lobster exporters can now send their produce to Mexico and we take a look at biosecurity in South Australia as an election issue.
A Broken hill farmer has written a book on how farming can be part of the climate change solution
A South Australian winery, usually recognised for its wine, has taken home an award for it's vineyard, Dr Anika Molesworth loves the land she grew up on and is working on solutions to pave a way forward for practical and sustainable farming not only for Aussie farmers but world wide and the new executive officer at Merino SA is Rachel Titley.
Public health officials are undertaking mapping along the Murray River to try and contain an outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis Virus, a West Coast oyster grower has received Australia's first lease and licence to farm razorfish and the peak body for wine in the Riverland says it needs more support from the state government to help growers diversify their varieties and markets.
The Pastoral lands act is one of the key rural issues in the upcoming state election, another fruit fly has been found in the Riverland, restrictions have now been extended until May 16 and an unusual vegetable, the spaghetti squash, seems to be making a resurgence
The WA Border is open and we cross to the border as well as FIFO families, the latest on a grain producer's election forum in Loxton and South Australian fishermen are helping Primary Industry scientists undertake a comprehensive stock assessment of snapper numbers.
Candidates and parties are making their election promises and outlining their platforms for the upcoming state election, people want to get out of the cities and there's a growing interest in living regionally and Livestock SA has appointed its first sole CEO for the organisation with Travis Tobin taking on the role.
3 plant based manufacturing hubs to be built in South Australia, Australian seafood to be advertised under a global brand overseas and guinea pigs are being used on a farm to deal with weeds.
A look at Labor and LNP's promises for the Murray Darling Basin Plan, South Australians urged to be alert for the rare Japanese Encephalitis virus that affects pigs and horses and a winery in Port Lincoln celebrates their best vintages in years.
The latest on Ukraine and the impact on wheat markets, plant-based food products should not use words like "beef" and "chicken", nor use images of animals on packaging, according to recommendations from a Senate inquiry and the upper house in NSW state parliament has rejected controversial floodplain harvesting regulations.
A group of workers from Kiribati, within weeks of arriving in Murray Bridge, were awoken at 5am by rocks being thrown through the window of their accommodation, the fire burning in pine plantation at Glenburnie in South Australia's south east is within containment lines and research on South Australia's "blue economy" is set to increase with a new alliance between SARDI and Flinders University.
Moscow yesterday moved troops into two breakaway regions of Ukraine after recognising them as independent- we look at what this means for commodity prices in Australia, there's spray drift concerns for vineyards in Clare and the Riverland and with recent historical rains hitting parts of South Australia sheep producers are being reminded to keep an eye out for flies.
Fuel is expensive at the moment and a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine have sparked fears about market access to Russia's massive oil production, with the shortage of construction timber across the country... the federal government has announced a new program to get more plantation trees in the ground and we take look at low alcoholic or ‘lifestyle’ wines and how they will be made and marketed into the future.
Grain Producers SA has released its state election priorities with the key focus of having SA grains as a $6 billion industry by 2030, Australia's international borders have reopened - we look at what this means for tourism in the outback and we catch up with two backpackers who are helping with vintage in the Riverland.
Heavy rain may have meant a fair bit of damage around the place but many farmers are seeing the silver lining of plenty of sub soil moisture, the Ukraine/Russia tension could have a flow on effects to many pantry staple foods and worker shortages have meant there is a mushroom shortage in South Australia.
Basin state governments have agreed, in principal, to a mandatory code of conduct for water brokers implemented through Commonwealth legislation, a new abattoir will be built on Kangaroo Island by the end of this year following a state government post fire recovery grant received by farmers Will and Jenny Stanton and after flood damage forced an almost three-week closure of the interstate railway network between Port Augusta and Tarcoola it's back up and running.
Sustained river flows have seen a significant increase in the bird life on the Lower Lakes and Coorong, the brewing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been causing volatility in the grain and oilseeds market for a few weeks and after a unicorn vintage in 2021, some Riverland growers say they're considering dumping their red wines grapes due to low prices.
A look at the impact of the peak of the flood in the Darling River on local communities, With fully vaccinated tourists returning to Australia next week, there's hope this will mean more reliable air-freight routes for exporters and today marks the very first trip, 70 years ago, of the tuna boat the Tacoma arriving in Port Lincoln.
Today's Country Hour comes to you from the opening of the new RFDS clinic at Maree, it's a huge project to replace the 100 year old hospital with a modern facility to service the outback, you'll also hear from the local community in Maree and restrictions on importing produce into South Australia will soon be further tightened to ward off fruit fly.
Taste testing of edible insects - a new study by the University of Adelaide, yesterday the Premier's department met with the Eyre Peninsula councils to discuss the ongoing impacts of the floods and recovery and farmers are making the most of the summer rains with fields of sunflowers.
Truck drivers are said to be fed up with their treatment by West Australian authorities at the border with South Australia, an Adelaide surgeon is wanting to convert reusable plastics into end user products ...working with local Eyre Peninsula industries to help reduce overall waste and a year 10 student from Streaky Bay says it has been frustrating having to do home schooling when he was meant to return to Adelaide for boarding school.
The latest on the partial opening of the Stuart Highway. RFDS delivering food supplies to the Oodnadatta community. Barossa grape growers are facing doing their first vintage since hail storms tore through the region's vines late last year.
Grain Producers SA has toured parts of the flood ravaged Eyre Peninsula to try and get an understanding of what work needs to be done, one of Australia's largest performance horse auctions has seen its sale record beaten, with $260,0000 paid for a filly and McLaren Vale's bells have rung to mark the start of vintage.
The is still work to do before grain company Tports knows the full extent of recent rains on grain at its sites at Lucky Bay, Lock and Kimba, recent rain is adding another logistical hurdle for pastoralists in the outback in the middle of shearing and the latest report from Wine Australia shows exports excluding mainland China have reached two billion dollars in a calendar year for the first time since 2009.
China's export ban on meat processing giant Teys Australia, will have wider industry implications according to the Australian Meat Industry Council, a program to re-snag, or recreate fish hotels, in the Murray River has found some unusual allies and Port Augusta residents survey the damage after a quarter of the city's rainfall fell in a few hours.
Chinese authorities have temporarily suspended the meat processor Teys Naracoorte from exporting meat to the country, Hancock Agriculture and S Kidman and Co have entered into contracts to sell Innamincka and Macumba ((MA-cum-buh)) Station in north east South Australia and 15,000 seagrass fruit have been gathered from Adelaide's beaches and returned to the ocean to restore Adelaide's seagrass meadows.
Two houses have been torn apart, along with sheds and fences after a massive storm swept through the Cummins area on the Eyre Peninsula, Riverland fruit growers James and Sandra Schober have spent 14 years transforming a 1960s lifeboat into a luxurious river cruiser and truck drivers weigh up their options as the Stuart highway remains closed.
With rail lines cut between Adelaide and Tarcoola due to flooding, freight to Perth and Darwin is expected to be unable to move for at least 12 days, heavy rainfall has caused damage in Cummins on the Eyre Peninsula and container farming could be the answer to food security in cities.
Riverland vintage is underway, a little later than usual, a huge shake up for global wheat markets could be on the cards due to the conflict brewing between Russia and NATO and local production of AdBlue has ramped up with Incitec Pivot producing over three million litres last week.
Farmers and graziers say rainfall of up to about 200mm in some areas could set them up for the year to come, South Australia's isolation rules is affecting the ability for potatoes to be harvested and the war against weeds now has a new hero... and his name is Fonzie, the German Shepherd.
The Teys Australia Naracoorte plant has temporarily closed its doors, Australian researchers have made a breakthrough in breeding disease resistant wheat varieties for septoria nodorum and a new shop front, processing plant and tourism centre on Kangaroo Island will aim to teach tourists, and even locals, more about the important wool industry on the island.
Australia's peak farm group is calling for the government to be more hands on in the supply of rapid antigen tests to agricultural workers, the chair of the Riverland fruit fly committee says increasing fines could help deter people from bringing illegal produce into SA and stock sales are being effected with feedlots unable to move livestock to meatworks due to issues in the supply chain.
Lucerne seed growers can access a new chemical to treat aphids West Riverland growers are cleaning up after an short but intense storm swept through the region
Shoppers are struggling to buy chicken in supermarkets as covid related worker shortages affect the supply chain
It's the start of a long road to recovery for those affected by the Poolaijelo fire, which killed thousands of head of livestock In Australia's opal capital, Coober Pedy the town's State emergency squad team is the only one in SA trained to rescue people from opal mines More resources are being given to a team which monitor emerging animal diseases.
Thousands of head of livestock and several farm structures were lost to a grassfire on New Year's Eve Australian Lobster fishers have had a tumultuous couple of years dealing with the pandemic A pest and disease trapping robot has been sent to the Adelaide Hills ready to warn the horticulture and viticulture industries of any threats.
Cooperation across four states was better than expected to get staff and machinery moving back and forth for a difficult grain harvest There's been a big win in the fight against fruit fly in South Australia, The bug has been eradicated in more than 170 suburbs across Adelaide, as well as in Berri, Cooltong and Monash Southern Rock Lobster exporters have a new market. Effective immediately they now can send live, frozen and chilled product to Korea.
Across SA it's been a slow start to the Cherry picking season - the Millicent Cherry Farm are slowly getting fruit off the trees An oyster grower from Coffin Bay has ventured into retail, opening a drive through seafood shop at Port Wakefield South Australia is often seen as wine country producing almost half of the nation's annual wine production... but it is also growing spirit production
The latest supply chain shortage has wine makers concerned about a vital ingredient in the fermentation process A 'game changing,' world first technology to extend the life of raw milk, straight from the cow is being pitched as an exciting export opportunity for Australian dairy farmers Adelaide Hills cherry growers are madly selling cherries as the fruit has ripened just in time for Christmas
Everyone is buzzing around at the moment getting ready for Christmas, no one more so than our vegetable farmers. Like many growers this is the busiest time of year for veggie growers The lack of spring rain has seen confidence drop back again in the latest Rabobank Rural confidence survey. But the drop hasn't surprised those in the industry considering the previous survey in the last quarter rocketed to a 10 year high Increasing sowing rates could be one way mid-north farmers could ensure their crops deal with colder temperatures better and make more money.
It's been a year since the sod was turned at Thomas Food's Murray Bridge meat processing plant. The facility being built north of Murray Bridge will replace the original facility that burnt down in January 2018 The Fleurieu Community Co-operative abattoir is formally preparing for the re-opening of the Strathalbyn processing facility after receiving regulatory approval In the last few years, it’s been hard to escape the reach of people promoting products in your feed. However, one organisation has decided to recognise the storytelling success of influencers amid awards for country journos and photographers.
Suppliers may only be weeks away from running out of some herbicide products, including glyphosate, Australian bee keepers are celebrating a decision by the UK Intellectual Property Office to reject New Zealand's bid to trademark the term manuka honey and four young cousins from the Edillilie area near Cummins have come up with their own business selling sheep poo and they have already made quite a bit of money.
With avocados selling below the cost of production, one farmer has come up with a social media campaign to drive sales A better price for prawns this Christmas will help with a shortfall of the catch for the prawn industry Australia's red meat industry's carbon emissions are down 53 per cent from 2005. The industry is working towards a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2030 and has managed to cut emissions by about 50 million tonnes
Amanda Vanstone has been announced as the independent chair of a new Marine Scale Fishery Management Advisory Committee To combat the ongoing housing shortage, a meatworks in the South East has bought a motel for staff to live in The United States Department of Agriculture has made it possible for US cattle producers to have their beef certified as "low carbon beef"
After being frustrated with the way farmers are represented in the wool industry, grower and woolclasser Monica Ley is launching a dedicated 'young wool group' 'Extremely disappointing' is how the Australian Trucking Association has described a roundtable meeting organised to address the critical Ad Blue shortage A new CSIRO study shows Australian cattle are very good at converting grass and grain into high quality beef protein for you to eat.
One farmer takes their own life every 10 days, according to an Australian-first study of farmer suicide rates Two competing ag technologies are racing to deliver a solution to methane emissions from cattle SA Power Networks is reminding farmers to watch power lines while busy during harvest to prevent a serious incident.
A group of sailors from Kiribati have had a COVID-19 induced career change - becoming fruit pickers in the Riverland The Australian dairy industry has had one of its most profitable years in recent times, but it hasn't helped production, with the milk pool expected to stagnate The prices for grain in SA off the header during harvest are a new record, according to one analyst.
The Country Hour is on the road this week, broadcasting four OBs from the Eyre Peninsula. Today we’re concluding the road trip with a special broadcast from the North East Pastoral Field Days Paraequestrian Noella Angel describes herself as having been born on the back of a horse. Her father - a lifelong rider - qualified for two Olympic teams, while her mother is a riding instructor in Strathalbyn
The Country Hour is on the road this week, broadcasting four OBs from the Eyre Peninsula. Today we are in Cowell The world is in a Champagne shortage and it's music to ears of local sparkling wine makers. There's major issues in Victoria's forestry sector - with Australia's largest producer of wooden pallets saying its days away from stopping production
The Country Hour is on the road this week, broadcasting four OBs from the Eyre Peninsula. Today we are in Kimba, recently crowned Agricultural Town of the Year November was the worst month for processors' profit margins in about 20 years. That's according to Australian Meat Industry Council Wattle Range Councillors have voted to fund upgrades to the Millicent Saleyards
The Country Hour is on the road this week, broadcasting 4 OBs from the Eyre Peninsula. Today we’ll begin in Ceduna, and find out how the grain harvest has been going so far, speaking with growers, agronomists and the local mayor. SA's oyster industry has been asked to voluntarily shut itself down temporarily to reduce any further illness in the wake of a bacterial outbreak that has caused numerous cases of serious food poisoning New forecasting tools are meant to help farmers manage their risk across entire seasons. The Bureau of Meteorology has released two new tools including a national map showing the likelihood of weather extremes, such as very hot or very wet conditions, and a location-specific tool showing the chances of rainfall over the coming months
It's been a year since China imposed anti-dumping duties on Australian wine imports. Since then a billion dollars worth of exports to China have been wiped from the balance sheet A group of passionate rail supporters is rallying to have rail transport started back up on the Eyre Peninsula
The federal resources minister Keith Pitt has formally selected a property on the Eyre Peninsula to store Australia's low to medium level radioactive waste.
SA has crowned its new Cherry King, raising $50,000 for Camp Quality. To kick off the season, the SA Produce Markets has auctioned off a case of locally grown cherries South Australian Rick Gladigau has been elected as the new Australian Dairy Farmers President Cummins locals are concerned about having a request for a 40km zone through the main street knocked back.
Some graziers in the far west of New South Wales say they've had their best rain in almost 30 years overnight A new Australian record has been set for a goat stud, sold for $21,000 A new report has revealed the grim reality of Australia's pest species problem - with invasive animals and plants causing the extinction of 79 native species and costing Australians $25 billion a year to try control.
Rabobank has just released a survey which has found that South Australians are the most frugal comes to food waste, but still 9% of the buy we buy ends up being wasted If you've seen wetter weather in your region recently, more may well be on the way. The Bureau of Meteorology has officially declared that we are in a La Nina weather pattern again After cracker yields this season - hemp growers around the south east are reducing plantings
As the SA/Victoria border opens, we broadcast live from Bordertown to find out how locals are feeling and what kind of a difference it will make to farmers who cross the border regularly The competition watchdog has put dairy processors on notice, with greater penalties possible in the coming years Online shopping company eBay has been working with the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment to weed out unidentified seeds and live plants coming into the country in the mail
One of the biggest beneficiaries of the diesel fuel subsidy is calling for the government to scrap it. Fortescue Metals, Andrew Twiggy Forrest says his company claims $300 million per year under the subsidy and wants it rediverted to green energy projects from the government The Ag Town of the Year award has returned to the Eyre Peninsula with Kimba being announced as this years winner SA Health has initiated a recall of oysters from Coffin Bay and is advising people not to eat them.
It's National Ag Day today, we meet some young farmers who have just entered the industry and find out why they made the shift NBN and the National Farmers Federation say by 2030 internet-enabled digital agriculture could add $15.6 billion to the value of the farm sector...but the challenge is getting the technology adopted by farmers A new program aimed at educating primary school students about all things agriculture has been officially launched by Primary Producers SA.
Almost 2,500 fox scalps have been collected from South Australian farmers since August when the State Government said it would pay $10 for each fox destroyed A new program aimed at educating primary school students about all things agriculture has been officially launched by Primary Producers SA Spray plane pilots ended up with one of their busiest seasons in the last decade with heavy rains earlier this year.
The oyster production areas of Coffin Bay have been closed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) as a precautionary measure as part of an ongoing investigation into a recent rise in Vibrio parahaemolyticus (gastro) cases Wheat supply shortages globally as well as possible export restrictions out of Russia and weather damaged crop in Australia has pushed wheat prices to some of the highest prices ever seen at harvest. More than 200 citrus trees have been stolen from a farm near Waikerie. Managing director of Nippy's Jeff Knispel says they were taken several days after planting. The company has notified police.
Australia is on track to export around 700,000 head of cattle this year, the live export industry's smallest year in about a decade South Australia's Deputy Premier and Attorney-General, Vickie Chapman, misled state parliament and should be referred to the state's ombudsman for a conflict of interest, a parliamentary committee has been told The Green Triangle Forestry Hub, one of the first to be established here in Australia, has published plans to expand the regional plantation estate by 200 million trees over the next decade.
Profits have jumped at the agribusiness giant Elders off the back of high livestock prices and an increase in rural real estate sales Wool, cotton and mohair are industries that have often competed against each other, have now come together to take on new textile labelling laws in Europe If you've been feeling stressed amid recent damaging storms and heavy rains falling amid harvest remember you're not alone. Clinical psychologist and Worlds End farmer Stephanie Schmidt who founded Act for Ag wants farmers to remember they are more than their crops
The Commonwealth and state governments have announced a joint support package for those impacted by damaging storms two weeks ago in the Barossa, Murraylands and Riverland regions With recent storms across South Australia affecting primary producers from grain through to fruit, insurance assessors have a huge list to work through While rain has fallen in some parts of the pastoral lands, others haven't been so lucky. Some people have basically missed out, and will continue carting hay and destocking.
Australia will resume canola exports to Pakistan this year after being locked out for five years, about 1,000 Pacific Island workers brought into Australia to help with harvest have absconded, many poached by labour hire companies that are not licensed to do so and an Eyre Peninsula oyster spat hatchery is branching out into growing seaweed at its site near Cowell.
Grain producers concerns turn to mice after widespread storm damage to ripe crops, peak agriculture groups say pitting alternative protein and meat industries against each other is 'counterproductive' to both industries and meet the new Chair and CEO of Primary Producers SA.
As primary producers around the state count the costs of last weeks storm, a family near Lock are still coming to terms with the damage it did to their house and surrounding sheds Croppers in and near the Barossa have seen their promising crops cut to pieces by storm damage, with some farmers saying they lost most crops during last week's storm Are you on the OcSober bandwagon at the moment or perhaps you tried dry July? These initiatives are a part of a global trend towards alcohol moderation and Australia's wine industry is watching it closely
The Fair Work Commission has ruled that workers picking fruit on a piece rate must be guaranteed a minimum wage under the Horticulture Award There are two South Australians putting their hat in the ring for the 2021 AWI director elections If you're a fan of the Kensington Pride - you might know them as Bowen - mangoes, you might have trouble finding them in the supermarket this summer
Australian wheat prices are still climbing as we head into harvest, the prices are up 40 per cent on the same time last year While the Barossa is still counting the cost of the recent hails, the Clare Valley has been tabulating the impact from a frost event A proposal to make wearing a lifejacket mandatory on commercial boats is being floated by the marine safety regulator
One of South Australia's oldest wineries says last week's hail tore a "path of destruction" through it's wine grape vines in the Barossa Valley Almond growers are assessing the damage to their crops after severe storms swept across the state late last week Rabbits are holding back environmental regeneration across Australia, even in small numbers, according to a new study
Vegetable growers on the northern Adelaide Plains are counting the cost of yesterday's hail storm with millions of dollars worth of damage, hail has damaged some of Australia's most valuable grape vines in the Barossa Valley and Riverland growers are surveying the damage caused by an unexpected storm damaged grain and almond crops.
There are a number of reports of hail failing this morning, which could damage crops that are basically ready to be harvested National petrol prices have reached a record high his week as global oil prices continue to rise. With vast distances to cover, Australian primary producers have always been more vulnerable than most to fluctuations Upgrades to seal and weatherproof the Strzelecki Track, a major freight route for energy, farming and tourism industries between SA and Queensland, is underway
Machinery importer Agrison has been ordered to pay a fine of $220,000 after it admitted to making false claims to customers about warranties and after-sales service Whilst the goal of net zero by 2050 was taking the headlines in Canberra yesterday, the red meat industry was quietly talking up it's plans to be carbon neutral 20 years earlier The State Government is creating a plan for what the future of water in the Barossa will look like.
After another weekend of negotiations the National Party has given it's seal of approval to Prime Minister, Scott Morrison to take a net zero by 2050 commitment from Australia to the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow When we speak about fertiliser prices it's usually associated with cropping but analysts are warning high fertiliser prices could lead to a softening in livestock returns Border restrictions and staff shortages have lead to a lack of wool classers in Australia which could hold up shearing and effect the welfare of sheep
Five projects will receive $330 million in funding as the federal government steps up its race to get the water it needs under its commitments to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan Australian grain growers should not become complacent about the future of barley prices without China as a major customer Australian food and beverage exporters to China are scrambling to register their businesses with relevant sites to comply with the Chinese Government's latest requirements.
With farmers desperate to recruit workers this harvest the federal agriculture minister says the government is a step closer to welcoming foreign workers, under the new agriculture or ag visa. Australia's representative to the World Trade Organisation has used a regular review of China's trade policies to attack Beijing's formal and informal sanctions against Australian goods. The Tports site at Lucky Bay has had its first load delivered as it meets with growers at pre harvest meetings this week.
The Country Hour is doing an outside broadcast today from the AdvanceAg conference in Adelaide, which is highlighting the latest agtech developments.
Millions of fish could potentially make their way down the Darling-Anabranch over the next year as water continues flowing down the river system The shearer shortage could reach crisis point in Victoria as some shearers threaten to move interstate to escape the COVID-19 vaccine mandate A new trend has surfaced, with more people using stock tanks as pools.
This seasons grain harvest has officially begun, a load of peas from Arno Bay deposited into the Viterra network Things are getting tighter on an already tight international fertiliser market after a major player has started to ban exports Pacific Island Council of South Australia CEO Tukini Tavui says only about 30-50 per cent of the 1000 seasonal workers in SA have had their first dose of Covid vaccines
Concern about the cost of sea freight has escalated this week with allegations from the National Farmers Federation of collusion between shipping operators to keep rates high Postage delays are causing a massive headache for queen bee breeders and beekeepers, and it could be devastating for Australia's food production The Australian wine industry is pushing to be 100 per cent sustainable.
The Federal Government has today announced it will extend its Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Day Program by $21 million GM canola has been the genetically modified crop grown commercially in SA, but researchers at the University of Adelaide have been able to look at a variety of new crops and growing methods and today some of that work will be presented at a research update Sales of modern shearing plants have exploded this year, continuing a trend that began four years ago when a woman was scalped after her hair got entangled in an overhead shaft.
The wool industry was called into a meeting by the federal Agriculture Minister last week and told to sort themselves out by Christmas Contract tracing and QR codes have been crucial for tracking COVID-19, and it could also offer insights for livestock industries looking to improve traceability New safety standards requiring rollover bars on new or imported second hand Quad bikes for sale are mandatory from today.
Some big changes are coming to the ATV market, with the deadline looming to ensure all new or second-hand, imported quad bikes sold in Australia meet a new standard set by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Farmer and former SA police minister Robert Brokenshire is calling for a dedicated stock squad to handle livestock crime Bees have been working hard pollinating apple trees in orchards around the state and now researchers are figuring out how to make the job easier for them
Supermarket giant Coles has confirmed it will end its in-store butcher service this Sunday, redeploying or making redundant dozens of butchers and meat workers nationally A pilot program has been developed to try safeguard the industry from fraudulent activity and ensure the integrity of citrus exports are protected A number of wine industry groups are now pushing for grape growers and wine makers across the country to be part of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia
The state government has released more details on how it will help get huge amounts of timber on Kangaroo Island off the island and processed into wood for homes A new front has opened up today in the long running trans-Tasman battle over manuka honey The price of phosphate fertiliser is not coming down any time soon as exports from China slow
More young people are interested in getting into shearing, and that's meaning a lot of demand for shearer training Soil acidification is becoming a bigger concern for grain growers across South Australia Putting on an agricultural show under any circumstances is a big undertaking but organising one amid a pandemic is an even greater challenge. Loxton ag show organisers say it was well worth the effort with thousands through the gate of the long weekend event
Farmers in the United Kingdom are making the heartbreaking decision to kill their own pigs and put them in landfill due to a shortage of butchers in the country Lamb skins were virtually worthless this time last year but a shortage of supply and resurgence of demand from China has led to prices climbing A new study from Flinders University into Australia's native bees has moved two species into the endangered list, with another nine being marked as vulnerable after last year's bushfires
Australian wool exporters have been advised by their Chinese customers they may have to cut milling production by as much as thirty per cent due to government-imposed power restrictions A silage contractor has paid $44,000 to charter a plane to get his workers to Australia After three years a federal parliamentary committee, made up of Senators from all parties, has now completed its study of the management of the Murray Darling Basin Plan
A new record has been set for a sheep meat ram, with an Australian White fetching $165,000 Dairy farmers have been given no option to lower or cease paying compulsory levies to their industry organisation under voting details released today The Master Builders Association says more Australian timber plantations are needed to meet the ongoing demand for housing.
The Country Hour today is broadcasting live from the Paskeville field days on the Yorke Peninsula, one of few large public events to go ahead in regional South Australia, as the grain season moves closer to harvest and some growers grow increasingly worried about rain and frost.
Urea and phosphorous fertilisers are trading either side of $1000 a tonne, much higher than usual levels For the next few months, blueberries will be the number-one selling berry in Australia A citrus grower and fruit juice producer is hoping to expand its facility at Moorook to cater to a growing demand for its products in Japan.
The South Australian government is considering adding wine bottle to the state's 10c bottle deposit scheme New research has found a new clue as to why kids find brassica vegetables like broccoli unpleasant A Kelpie from Victoria has claimed top price at South Australia's inaugural working dog auction.
Adelaide Hills apples and cherries are flowering at the moment, it's the crucial time of year that sets up the apple and cherry harvest Australian Wool Innovation is developing a mechanical system that delivers the sheep to the shearer Farmers are showing a renewed interest in using deep ripping to improve yields in sandy soils.
A group working with seasonal workers is trying to develop a system to get undocumented workers vaccinated For many producers, there was hope that this year would be the year that marks the beginning of the recovery from drought. However for many, particularly in the state's north, that hasn't happened Onion growers say they are facing an oversupply of the crop this year.