Business & Farming
Butchery
One butcher shop + six moustaches = $5000
The butchers at Metcalf Quality Meats in Evans Head, Tom Karry, Jacob Lane, Mark Simeoni, Riley Stothard, Nathan Scully and Wade Goldthorpe, grew moustaches to raise money for men’s mental health. Wade said the young fellas didn’t stand a chance in the moustache-growing race.
Community energy
Newstead solar: so far, so good
The Newstead solar project that was launched in August is rolling out and has been holding regular information sessions at the Newstead Rural Transfer Centre. The project, a partnership between Renewable Newstead and retailer Flow Power, centres around the newly operational Newstead Solar Farm.
Architecture
Global award for local architect
Andrew Fedorowicz has won another award for his work on the stunning rejuvenation of the Fernery at Ballarat Botanical Gardens. Andrew’s company, Balance Architecture, has been awarded a First Award at the 2024 Global Architecture & Design Awards ... A picnic in the gardens makes a lovely day out. Andrew hopes for many visitors to the Fernery; "I want the world to know about it!"
Health
MS Australia launches major EBV research platform to combat MS
MS Australia is bringing together the nation's top researchers to unlock the complex link between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and multiple sclerosis (MS); with the potential to revolutionise how we treat, prevent, and ultimately cure MS. The EBV in MS National Collaborative Platform, launched today at MS Australia's inaugural Frontiers in MS Research Symposium at the University of Sydney, aims to unify and strengthen Australian research efforts into EBV and MS.
Dairy
Who will pay for GHG emissions reductions in Australia’s drinking milk market? – industry report: Rabobank
As key players in the food supply chain set targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Australia’s dairy sector is grappling with how to best transition to lower- emissions production, and how the cost will be borne, Rabobank says in newly-released research.
Ag labour
Law & order
Suspected farm worker exploitation under investigation in Gatton
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) and Department of Home Affairs have joined forces under the Shadow Economy Taskforce to investigate labour hire providers suspected of unlawful conduct in the agriculture industry through surprise visits in the Gatton region in Southeast Queensland.
Land management
Farm labour
Farmers finding solutions to ease labour shortages: ABARES
Labour shortages in the horticulture sector have eased slightly, according to a report from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES). ABARES executive director Dr Jared Greenville said the report, based on a survey of over 2,000 horticulture farms across Australia, showed a fall in the number of farms struggling to find workers.
Drought
Support our Aussie farmers this Christmas: Rural Aid
Rural Aid is calling on Australians to provide a much-needed hand up for our struggling farmers this Christmas. Farmers across South Australia, Victoria, and the southern parts of New South Wales are currently enduring a devastating drought and need our help – so too families in Southwest WA who are recovering from their driest start to cropping season on record.
Regional health
Move it or lose it
Rachel Hagan. Minlaton Family Centre is moving towards becoming the wellbeing hub of the lower Yorke Peninsula. However, these dreams may fall short if the community does not start using the new health services already available ... the family centre hosts GP Gaurang Prajapati and dietitian Bonnie Sanderson, who are currently not being utilised to their full capacity.
Cattle
Inaugural Cattle Australia event draws a large crowd
More than 500 stakeholders from across the beef supply chain have walked away optimistic about the future and ready to collaborate on the big issues facing the industry, following last Thursday’s Cattle Connect producer day … Cattle Australia’s inaugural conference and producer day, providing delegates the opportunity to hear from Australian and global experts on the changing dynamics of food production.
Hospitality
Bringing them in by baring all at the Bowlo
When is a bowlo more than a bowlo – when it’s at Bonalbo and the bowling club is a place to meet, eat, have a drink and even get your kit off. Bonalbo Bowling & Recreation Club is making sure it’s doing what it can to thrive. Club board president David Whitney ... quoted a shocking statistic that one bowling club a week is closing.
Leadership & You
Good manners cost nothing – bad manners can cost you your reputation
Recently I attended a family wedding in country Victoria. It was a magical evening with a perfect sunset. Mother Nature really turned on a show! An observation several of us made at the recovery the next day was that a few family members did not leave a wedding gift or simple card, nor did they say goodbye to the bride and groom when they made an early departure. This got us talking about manners, and whether they are diminishing.
Research
Growth opportunities for Australian beef exports into South-East Asian markets – Rabobank
Australia has the opportunity to cement itself as one of the key beef suppliers into South- East Asian markets – as the appetite for beef continues to grow among the region’s consumers, according to agribusiness specialist Rabobank.
Media
‘Rabbit’s’ PodVan visits Narrandera
In the late 1990s, Dave ‘Rabbit’ Rabbetts was a household name throughout the MIA as the original breakfast radio host on Griffith’s edgy new youth station, FM99.7. More than two decades later, he has taken his show on the road, doing what he does best from a mobile podcasting studio dubbed The PodVan, delivering "a celebration of the lighter side of life".
Business community
Almonds
Women’s almond networking event in Loxton
Sebastian Calderon. Almost 40 women gathered within almond orchards in Loxton ... to welcome industry newcomers, compare notes and learn more about Riverland production. Believed to be the first time a gathering exclusively for women working in the industry had taken place ... the event was ... deemed a total success.
Seeds
Final Western Riverina Seed Workshop near Tabbita
The last workshop in Murrumbidgee Landcare’s Western Riverina Seed Workshop Series ... brought together a group of dedicated landholders, conservationists, and seed enthusiasts to deepen their knowledge of native species seed ...
Pharmacy
End of an era at Japps
It was the end of an era ... when Hay’s pharmacist of close to 70 years finally passed on the baton. "The time has come," Allan Japp told The Riverine Grazier after signing over his share of Japp’s Pharmacy to Mina Malek who had been working with him for the past two-and-a-half years.
Mapping
New app maps pesticide resistance across Australia
The Pesticide Resistance Integrated Mapping (PRIM) tool offers a clear view of pesticide resistance across Australia, helping growers and agronomists make data-driven crop management decisions … PRIM visualises fungicide resistance data and aims to expand to herbicide, insecticide, and biosecurity data.
Microbrewery
Publican never studied chemistry at school yet has created seven craft beers
Publican Daniel Simpson never studied chemistry at school. It hasn’t stopped him from learning how to make his own brew for the Rod n Reel at Woodburn. The microbrewery vats behind the bar at the pub make a glugging noise as the yeast ferments and makes alcohol.
Organiser
Bee Pope: One very busy bee
As the new year looms many of us are looking to freshen up our homes and streamline our lives but decluttering and becoming better organised are things that often fill us with dread. Not so for Bee Pope. Decluttering and organising are things that fill her with excitement and joy.
Fishing
Whites run to start earlier this year DPIRD predicts
The annual whites run of WA rock lobsters into deeper waters will start earlier this year, scientists with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development are predicting. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) said the number of rock lobster on the move offshore was influenced by several factors including ocean temperature.
Agribusiness
Elders enters into agreement to acquire Delta Agribusiness
Australian agribusiness Elders Limited (ASX: ELD) has entered into an agreement to acquire 100 per cent of the shares in Delta Agribusiness Pty Ltd (Delta) for an enterprise value of $475 million. Established in 2006, Delta is an Australian agribusiness providing a range of products and services through a network of 68 locations and approximately 40 independent wholesale customers.
Elders reports steady FY24 earnings
Australian agribusiness Elders has today released its results for the 12 months to 30 September 2024. Elders recorded a resilient FY24 earnings result, with improved second half trading partially offsetting the negative earnings impact from the first quarter which resulted from low livestock prices, lower crop protection margin and subdued client sentiment.
Community ownership
Birchip business decisions pending
Over twenty years ago the Birchip Butcher’s Shop was in a perilous position and the current owner was unable to supply the local supermarket with meat or find anyone willing to purchase the business as a going concern ... Community ownership ensures that important decisions are made locally by people who care about the community and who will feel the impacts of those decisions.
Steak
Rural health
Skilled GPs delivering babies at Naracoorte
A highly skilled team of four specialist rural doctors with qualifications and experience in obstetrics are working together, continuing to deliver babies at the Naracoorte Hospital. They include Dr Kim Trueman, Dr Clare Garner, Dr David Mills and Dr Ron Wallingford … news for obstetrics was released in statements by … (LCLHN) as well as the Naracoorte General Practice and Kincraig Medical Clinic.
Sale
Sale draws a top draft
As the Upper Murray Christmas Cattle Sale approaches ... excitement is building in the Corryong community and beyond. Held at the Corryong Municipal Saleyards and accessible online via Auction Plus, this annual sale conducted by Costello Rural has established a reputation for featuring high-quality, locally bred, grass-fed cattle…
Regional banking
People First Bank partners with FKG Group to develop landmark new head office in Toowoomba
People First Bank has announced a significant new partnership with the award-winning, locally based FKG Group to develop a new five-storey head office in Toowoomba’s CBD ... The new head office at 502 Ruthven Street will accommodate up to 400 employees in a modern, adaptable work environment.
Rural health
Dr Rosenthal’s guernsey for distinguished service
Hugh Schuitemaker. A desire to see sustainable medical care provided for Riverlanders has seen a former local doctor receive a major national award. Renmark-based retired GP David Rosenthal recently received the 2024 Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Distinguished Service Award for five decades of dedication to rural, remote, and First Nations healthcare.
Co-operative
Food Co-Op marks 10 years
Neil Amor. Ten years ago, the Nimbin community came together to ensure the continued growth of an organic, sustainable food culture ... with the financial support of the community and the hard work of a legion of volunteers, despite some tough times getting things up and running, the Nimbin Organic Food Co-op has grown to supply the local need and has become a thriving business.
Leadership & You
How to frame a coaching conversation
I am often pulled aside and asked how to approach a specific coaching conversation with someone. Usually, the nature of the topic may be a little delicate or uncomfortable, so they are looking for the best way to broach a topic. Often these coaching conversations are unplanned, so are in the moment and require the right tone, framework and context to be an effective and respectful moment.
Research
Agricultural lending on the rise: ABARES
The latest agricultural lending statistics provided by the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA) show an increase in lending to the farm sector of 6 per cent in 2022-23, reaching $120.5 billion. Executive Director of ABARES Dr Jared Greenville said that while the amount of debt had risen, the reasons point to ongoing investment in the sector.
Innovation
DAMDEEP tool impresses farmers
A simple device for measuring the depth of a farm dam was introduced to landholders at a series of workshops in south west Victoria recently. Agriculture Victoria Land Management Extension Officer, and creator of the measuring tool, Greg Bekker said the DAMDEEP device consists of a hand reel, float, beads and a sinker.
Energy - NSW
Lightning strike on power pole leaves 4400 residents without power
Essential Energy sent text alerts to more than 4400 customers who are affected by an unplanned power outage ... Areas impacted by the outage include Codrington, Bagotville, Bora Ridge, Coraki, Swan Bay, parts of Bungawalbin, Broadwater, Kilgin, Woodburn and Evans Head.
Energy - Vic
Fashion
This stylist is a country girl who likes to shop and find clothes to transform your wardrobe
Anna Mabin likes to make people happy. And she does that by helping people find clothes they feel confident wearing making them feel good about who they are. Through her business AM Styling she shops and styles for individuals who want to look better and wear clothes that suit their lifestyle.
Campaspe Murray awards
Local winners
Barham High School and Tulla Natives are two of 17 winners in the 2024 Campaspe Murray Business Awards ... Owners of Tulla Natives, Marc and Stacey Brooke were awarded the Best Agri Business sponsored by Greenham ... diversified their traditional farming pursuits ...
Tourism - Corryong
Tourism group has more irons in the fire
At the 2024 annual general meeting of the Man from Snowy River Tourism Association (MFSRTA), president Ros McKenzie presented her report of its activities over the past 12 months ... "Our projects are funded from profits from the sale of souvenir items at the Corryong Visitor Information Centre and in the last few years we have also been successful with funding from a number of grants. Ongoing projects of the association are..."
Utes
A generational journey through farm utes
Every generation has its automotive obsession, and for farmers, it often revolves around a ute. Farmers can almost be defined by the aspirational utes they dreamed about owning in high school—often working long hours to pay for their first one, then adding custom touches to make it their pride and joy.
Field days challenges
Coro Club announces end of hosting Riverina Field Days
Coro Club at Griffith has announces it will no longer host the Riverina Field Days beyond 2024. This decision follows an extensive review involving the Board of Directors, Coro Club staff and consultation with multiple exhibitors, resulting in the board unanimously voting not to proceed with the event in 2025 or beyond.
