The Editor

On the back of strong cattle and grain prices, the NAB Rural Commodities Index is now almost 20% higher than the same time in 2020, according to the bank’s November Rural Commodities Wrap. With a La Nina event now officially underway, the prospect of a wet summer for eastern and northern Australia could see grass fever push record cattle prices even higher, while grain prices are also rising.

Racing NSW has announced the 2022 dates and venues for the $1.6 million Newhaven Park Country Championships Series. The Series in 2022 will again be run on six Sundays and two Saturdays before culminating in a $500,000 Final at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday, 2 April 2022 on Day 1 of The Star Championships.

Victorian Minister for Water Lisa Neville has released the Barre Warre Yulluk Action Plan, identifying seven directions and 30 actions to protect the region’s waterways ... Barre Warre Yulluk – the Rivers of Barwon – includes the whole network of creeks and rivers from the Barwon (Parwan), Moorabool (Murrabul), Yarrowee (Yarowee) and Leigh (Waywatcurtan) rivers and their tributaries.

Regional Queenslanders will soon benefit from improved air service frequencies between Charleville, Roma, and Brisbane and coach services with stronger route connections following the signing of new regional transport service contracts starting in December and January.

Eighteen of Australia’s small news publishers who produce public-interest journalism, are banding together, to negotiate collectively to secure commercial agreements with Google and Facebook for supply of news content on their platforms. Called the Public Interest Publishers Alliance, these important Australian publishers, from around Australia, attract multicultural audiences, focus on issues at a local and regional level, and cover news that affects LGBTQI communities. The group includes valued titles such as: The Australian Jewish News, Australian Rural & Regional News, Australian Chinese Daily, Out in Perth, Q News, Time Out and more.

The immediate need for the development of a Desalination Plant on the Eyre Peninsula was fully supported by the District Council of Cleve at its November Council meeting. However, the Council also decided that it does not support SA Water’s proposed location of Billy Light’s Point in Boston Bay, Port Lincoln.

Australia is in the grip of an unprecedented alien attack on its native wildlife and environment, with experts warning more of our unique flora and fauna is in danger of disappearing by 2050 unless urgent action is taken.  

Avoca’s iconic War Memorial will be celebrated this week, following months of restoration work ... Built in 1921, the Avoca War Memorial was constructed by the local community to remember those who fought in the First World War. The memorial was later rededicated in 1988 to also commemorate soldiers who served in the Second World War.

As Australia’s chicken meat consumption continues to grow, attracting and developing emerging leaders in Australia’s chicken meat industry is crucial to ensuring its future success ... In 2019 Joshua Angove was awarded the Gary Sanson Scholarship, and now nearing completion of his PhD, Mr Angove says his introduction to the chicken meat industry was through his honours project.

Australia’s peak farm body has ridiculed a policy proposal to scrap the Fuel Tax Credits Scheme – reportedly being floated by Andrew Forrest – saying it would be devastating to regional Australia. National Farmers’ Federation Chief Executive, Tony Mahar, said it was bad policy that would damage livelihoods in country areas.