The Editor
2623 POSTS
Philip Zylstra continues the debate – self-thinning forest understoreys and wildfire risk
Our paper published in 2022 shows that, according to DBCA records, bushfires have been seven times more likely on land previously burned by them than on land that they have not burned. Mr Jack Bradshaw’s educated guesses about the causes of karri regeneration prior to 1850 do not change this, they use speculation to distract from the hard evidence we are discussing.
Barossa welcomes cricket’s elite
Don’t be fooled by their age because some of Australia’s most elite cricketers are out to prove they can “knock ‘em for six” when they converge on the Barossa for the Veterans Cricket Australia Over 50s Cricket Championships. From 20 November, 42 teams across 5 Divisions will play four games over five days on South Australia’s finest turf wickets with Tanunda, Angaston and Greenock included among the venues outside the metropolitan area.
Securing Tasmania’s renewable energy future through historic partnership: Rockliff, Barnett
The Tasmanian Government has signed a Partnership with the Australian Government under its Rewiring the Nation initiative to take the next steps in a Tasmanian energy package comprising of Marinus Link, the North West Transmission Development and Battery of the Nation.
New online tool to unlock carbon curiosity: AgriFutures
Launched at the 2022 Australian Farm Institute (AFI) Roundtable: ‘Cultivating ESG Capability’ in Canberra, a new online tool offers a practical resource for landowners and primary producers to navigate the tricky landscape of carbon choices ... The tool explains which carbon opportunities may be available for a producer and encourages users to consider the potential benefits and costs of different carbon projects for their farming businesses.
Woodford Folk Festival
It was a joyful, heartfelt gathering at Woodfordia on Saturday night. Around 300 organisers, producers, staff, committee, volunteers and friends launched our programme for the festival this year. It felt like a new beginning.
New macadamia varieties to lower production costs
Macadamia growers could significantly reduce their labour costs in the future through new tree varieties that are shorter and enter production earlier. The Hort Innovation-funded national macadamia breeding program led by Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) has found one trait which produces a shorter tree variety and a second that triggers earlier nut production from young trees.
The tractors are ready to roll: TFGA
“It is the fight of the fundamental industries – food and power. We should never plan for one to miss out over another. If the past few years have taught us anything - pandemics, geopolitical unrest and floods, it is we don’t know what is around the corner. Uncertain times call for brave infrastructure investment decisions": Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers CEO Hugh Christie.
FMD Biosecurity Response Zone extended to June 2023: DAFF
The Biosecurity (Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Biosecurity Response Zone) Determination 2022 covering relevant international airports has been extended to 30 June 2023 ... "Australia is currently free of FMD and we want to keep it that way. Extending this determination is a key part of our response": Director of Biosecurity and Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Andrew Metcalfe AO.
Safety first despite improvement in farm safety statistics: AgriFutures
While on-farm deaths decreased in 2021, we must keep talking about farm safety to achieve our zero target as one life lost is one too many. Farm safety advocate Alex Thomas is continuing the conversation by changing the narrative and breaking new ground with her #PlantASeedForSafety initiative.

