Thursday, April 25, 2024

CATEGORY

Agriculture

NSW Koala Strategy – Extinguish native forestry

The government’s own research on the north coast has confirmed that forestry does not affect koala numbers ... New data from field surveys of 1000 sites, trumpeted by the incoming Environment Minister and commenced a year ago, will not be released in time to stimulate or inform public submissions on the Koala Strategy ... The result is preordained.

WA farmers looking to the sky and Canberra

... the water reserves in WA farmers' dams are now running dangerously low and farmers are being forced to quit stock at rates that are competitive with the price of a bullet ... What's the trade got to do with the weather? For our farmers, the link is so obvious they remain dumbfounded that the Government has not joined the dots.

What’s Watt got to say now?

Minister Watt, it's time to face up to the reality and accept the consequences of the government’s policy to ban live exports ... Your policies have contributed to driving away buyers and the boats that are essential for alleviating the pressure on the sheep market ... The fact that the live export report you commissioned remains concealed speaks volumes about the economic motivations behind the political decision. The report reportedly confirms what every farmer knows, that the local processing industry cannot replicate the competitive dynamics provided by exporters in the market.

New leaders emerge to support our ag shows

New leaders emerged at the Wimmera Agricultural Societies Association’s Annual General Meeting on Sunday, April 15. Former Secretary and new Treasurer, Andrea Cross representing the Horsham Agricultural Society, said the two new leaders bring wisdom and innovation to the team.

GrainGrowers calls for immediate action on biosecurity protection levy

Industry body GrainGrowers has called on the Federal Government to take immediate action to resolve a range of outstanding issues related to the introduction of the Biosecurity Protection Levy. In its submission to the Senate inquiry examining the issue, GrainGrowers detailed its position, calling for the government to address the following matters in relation to the creation of the biosecurity protection levy...

Scrap the biosecurity bill: NSW Farmers Association

NSW Farmers has fronted a Senate Inquiry to call for the proposed biosecurity tax on farmers to be scrapped, with farmers already paying their fair share of biosecurity dues. NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said despite a last-minute redesign, farm leaders remained opposed to the biosecurity levy bill and would continue to urge parliamentarians to vote against the levy’s introduction over the coming weeks.

“Farmers grow food – not power lines”

Jenny Pollard. The message was clear as farmers from around the Charlton district greeted representatives from the Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) with farm machinery bearing signs of dissatisfaction, as last Wednesday’s meeting about the Victoria to NSW Interconnector West (VNI West) at the Charlton Shire Hall opened to the public. 

In-depth discussions with TCV specialists: Communities “drop-in”

More than 120 landholders and community members “dropped in” to Transmission Company Victoria’s (TCV) community information sessions last week for one-on-one discussions on all aspects of the VNI West project. Held in Kerang, Charlton and Stawell, the informal five-hour sessions were a direct response to community feedback...

Wool industry leads metrics for environmental reporting

With consumer demand for “nature-positive” wool outstripping supply, a new project is underway to provide consistency and certainty for woolgrowers around measuring and reporting on environmental performance ... the Natural Capital and Environmental Performance Measures for Australian Wool Growers project aims to support woolgrowers with on-farm decision making and reporting to their customers, using consistent, science-based, practical metrics.

Farm Management Deposits front of mind as EOFY approaches: NAB

NAB is encouraging primary producers to mark 28 June as a critical date if they’re considering or already utilising Farm Management Deposits (FMDs) as part of their tax planning this financial year. The FMD Scheme is designed to enable primary producers to set aside pre-tax income when they’re experiencing prosperous years and use it as a cashflow management tool for financially challenging years.

Bellingen Show, 4-5 May 2024

The Bellinger River Agricultural Society Committee is in the final stages of plotting and planning for the annual Bellingen Show. The Show Program has hit the streets and tickets are on sale via the Bellingen Show website www.bellingenshow.com.au.

New ‘fish hotels’ to boost climate resilience in Harvey River: McGurk, Whitby

Nine 'fish hotels' will form prime real estate through a 500-metre section of the river near Riverdale Road - an area that was historically de-snagged to increase drainage. The fish hotels, looking like small wooden pyramids, will sit on the riverbed and serve as a perfect location to attract and retain aquatic wildlife ... The purpose built 'hotels' have been constructed by Waroona Men's Shed and students from the Western Australian College of Agriculture in Harvey using locally sourced timber.

Banana waste tech offers ‘golden’ opportunity for Australian distilling industry: AgriFutures Australia

UK biotech startup, LyteGro’s solution converts the pulp of waste bananas into a proprietary liquid supplement to turbocharge metabolic processes offering high-value for Australia’s distilling industry. An exciting joint venture opportunity now exists for Australian investors, banana growers and authorities to scale production plants.

Influx of cattle onto market taking a toll on prices

Doug Robson. The influx of cattle coming onto the market is taking a toll on prices for all classes of cattle. There were 1934 head yarded at the NRLX on Wednesday, April 17 with the main increase being in the young cattle section.

Mundubbera Show, 10-11 May 2024

Mundubbera Show Society Inc.

An opportunity for young farmers

With BCG’s Young Farmer Network rapidly expanding, Senior Manager of Extension and Communications, Grace Hosking, is encouraging more young farmers to register now. "In our role as the Vic Hub’s North West Broadacre Node, BCG has brought together hundreds of young farmers from across the region in recent weeks to build knowledge, create networks and support each other through our BCG Young Farmer Network events...."

Biosecurity tax still fails fairness and equity tests: GPA

Under the Federal Government’s new Biosecurity Tax, Australian grain producers are being forced to pay 10 times more than the existing biosecurity levies that they already contribute towards emergency responses and other proactive initiatives, investments and partnerships. These levies are established by growers themselves and hypothecated for specific purposes.

Fire ant inquiry shows Labor failing and too slow to act: Littleproud

“The frightening thing is that if fire ants get up above the Great Dividing Range, it could potentially get into the Murray Darling Basin and that could effectively see the fire ants go right down to Adelaide. It would impact the whole country and have devastating consequences. Labor now needs to urgently respond to the inquiry and eradication must continue to be the focus”: David Littleproud.

Forests facing collapse

Patricia Gill. Forests and reserves around Denmark have been hit by a ‘forest collapse’ event as the region struggles through a dry six months and feed for farms is depleting. Murdoch University fire and plant ecologist Dr Joe Fontaine says Denmark and South Coast regions may not be having the driest spell on record but the ecology was suffering due to an unusually long summer.

MIL vote outcome

The proposed resolutions to remove the two current MIL non-member directors, Trisha Gorman and Robert Burbury, from the Murray Irrigation Board failed to garner the necessary votes last week ... The infighting at the board level has seen division spill over into the community, with the company, certain directors and influential farmers taking a leaf out of the MDBA book and hosting closed-door meetings for invite-only attendees.

Around the paddock

Farmers across the district are gearing up for the cropping season which is fast approaching. Brett Jewell said, "We are busy preparing for sowing, with a few internal fences being removed, gypsum to spread, some seed still to clean, a couple of stubble to burn, and some maintenance to be done on the sprayer and airseeder.

NFF backs the government’s response to the APVMA review

The National Farmers’ Federation welcomes the Federal Government’s well-considered response to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) review. NFF Chief Executive Officer Tony Mahar said it was imperative to the farm sector the APVMA gets back on track and empowering Ken Matthews AO’s review into the Authority’s future structure and governance was a step in the right direction. 

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