Have your say on modernising levies legislation: DAFF
‘Have Your Say’ consultation is now open on a redraft of existing legislation that underpins Australia’s agricultural levy system ... The new legislation aims to provide a simpler, clearer legislative framework so industries can keep benefiting from their investments in research and development, marketing, biosecurity, emergency responses, and residue testing.
Australian dairy set for another favourable season ahead, with ‘firm landing zone’ for milk prices: Rabobank
Australian dairy producers can look forward to another favourable season in 2023/24, with the sector set for its fourth consecutive profitable year, Rabobank says in its recently-released annual Australian Dairy Seasonal Outlook.
Annual coral spawning
Just like on other tropical reefs, corals in the LHIMP undertake synchronised mass spawning each year, releasing millions of tiny egg and sperm bundles into the water. This allows fertilisation to take place, resulting in coral larvae with new genetic combinations which can settle back on to the reef and enhance its diversity and resilience.
Government must take control of electricity planning infrastructure: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has called on the Victorian Government to step in and take over planning of the state’s transmission network following the consultation on the proposed VNI West project. VFF President Emma Germano said the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) had failed to take the impact on agricultural production into account in planning for transmission on behalf of the Victorian Government, and that the government needs to take back control.
Farmers plead for visa solutions following Migration Review: NFF
National Farmers' Federation Chief Executive Officer Tony Mahar said the industry had long called for a purpose-built migration system designed to meet its labour and skills demands, rather than the current mixture of haphazard solutions ... Mr Mahar said there was real concern among industry regarding the review’s recommendation to limit or even scrap the requirement for Working Holiday Makers to work on farm.
Mildura Field Days, 19-20 May 2023
The Mildura Field Days is an annual two day event which has grown from humble beginnings as a Gadget Day to become an important link between the broader community to agriculture and the associated industries. Â
Macadamias set to become more accessible for Australians to enjoy
Increased supply good news for consumers, but a challenge for Queensland growers. Sunshine Coast-based macadamia supplier Nutworks has revealed that macadamias are set to become more accessible for the average Australian, with increased supply of the premium product expected to lead to lower prices on supermarket shelves in the months ahead.
Field Day highlights innovation and development
If ever you thought crop farming was easy, a visit to Pacific Seeds Field Day would soon show you the wealth of knowledge our farmers possess and the amazing behind the scenes research and development carried out at Pacific Seeds in an endeavour to give our farmers the latest in seed innovation to help them adapt to changing climatic conditions.
Buybacks cost jobs: Irrigation Council
Water buybacks were blamed for 3261 job losses across the economies of 40 southern Murray-Darling Basin communities, according to Murray-Darling Basin Authority modelling by the NSW Irrigation Council ... "Across the southern Basin States, 648 lost jobs (21 per cent of FTE jobs losses) in the profiled NSW communities profiled were attributed to water recovery, 1684 (30 per cent) in northern Victoria and 929 (45 per cent) in South Australia, mostly in its Riverland horticultural centres": NSWIC CEO, Claire Miller.
More than $7 million in funding for small businesses in native forest regions: Jarvis
The grants of up to $400,000 will help small businesses with a reliance on the native timber industry remain open and invest in job creation through diversification, expansion and innovation. The recipients include furniture makers, transport companies, children's playground builders, firewood contractors and garden suppliers.
Australia passed peak food price inflation, but still well above long-term average: Rabobank
The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, released on 26 April 2023, shows annual top-line Australian food price inflation had slowed to 8.0 per cent in the March 2023 quarter, from 9.2 per cent seen in the previous (December 2022) quarter. Rabobank senior food retail analyst Michael Harvey said while this easing was good news for consumers ... the figure was still well above the long-term (10-year) average of food inflation of 2.2 per cent.
Class action planned over White Spot
A fisherman who has been trawling the Clarence River all his life is behind a legal class action hoping to compensate fishermen who haven’t had any income since February due to a White Spot control order preventing the harvesting of uncooked prawns ... "We are on our asses, we’ve had no compensation, the only compensation we were given by the Department of Primary Industries was a one-third reduction in our management fees, which is nothing": Bruce Clark.
Regional innovations, global connections
As Australia looks towards exploring new export markets, the MENA region presents a wealth of trading and investment potential for Australian regional businesses ... This inaugural event on 4 May 2023 will be co-hosted by the Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Regional Development Australia in Central Coast, with a guest speaker and participants joining from the MENA region and Australia.
Autumn break buoys outlook amid lower agricultural commodity prices: NAB
Australian agricultural commodity prices took another downward turn last month with the NAB Rural Commodities Index* now 19.7 per cent below year-ago levels. Lower beef, lamb, canola, dairy and wool prices saw the Index fall 3.6 per cent month-on-month, according to the bank’s April Rural Commodities Wrap released on 26 April 2023.
Maleny Wood Expo
Over 150 exhibitors, artisans and woodworkers, workshop presenters, speakers and performers! With a dynamic program on offer, a full house of exhibitors, and some new features built into the program this year, the return of the Maleny Wood Expo is set to be a fantastic weekend for the whole family to enjoy!
New animal welfare and farm trespass legislation comes into operation: Quigley, Jarvis
The maximum penalty for individuals charged with illegally entering a premise used for commercial animal farming or slaughter has been doubled and the availability of misconduct restraining orders expanded under the McGowan Government's new animal welfare and trespass laws. Offenders will now face a maximum of two years' imprisonment and a fine of $24,000 if found guilty of the new offence of aggravated trespass.
Global orange juice prices to remain higher for longer on the back of tight world supply: Rabobank
For now, the orange juice market is staying tight for at least another season, unless there is a significant supply-side surprise for the 2023/24 harvest in Brazil or a much sharper contraction in global demand in 2H 2023. According to a recent Rabobank report, record-high orange juice (OJ) prices in 2023 are a consequence of a very tight market, with smaller-than-expected production and low inventories.
Farmer voice in path to net zero: NFF
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) welcomes the Net Zero Australia study report, which recognises the need for a fair transition to a carbon neutral future – and not at the expense of agriculture ... The report outlines exclusion areas to reduce the likelihood of solar and wind developments on productive farmland, while water reliant industries like hydrogen will use desalinised water rather than tapping into Australia’s limited fresh water supplies.
Mulesing merino lambs on downward trend
Kristin Murdock. The AWI Merino Husbandry Practices Survey contacted 1203 Merino producers from the MLA member database to ask about specific Merino management practices. Results recently released showed a downward trend in mulesing. Ewe lambs mulesed fell from 63 per cent in 2019 to 52 per cent in 2021. Mulesing in male lambs showed a similar decline from 54 per cent to 44 per cent.
Neill Earthmoving 130th Nyngan Show, 14-15 May 2023
What a great line up for this year’s Show 14 – 15 May, we have as our feature attraction Mr Rob Bast, Chainsaw Sculptor, who will be starting his work at 9am each day, Rob will create 6 pieces of artwork over the 2 days and they will be auctioned off on Monday afternoon after the Dog High competition. This event is not to be missed.
