Softwood plantings
Victorian Agriculture Minister Gayle Tierney said the agreement with Hancock Victorian Plantations involved planting an extra 16 million trees to create a new forest estate ... The Nationals Leader, Peter Walsh, slammed the policy as a replay of a $110-million investment, the Gippsland Plantations Investment Program, announced in 2020.
Cowra Spring Show, 14-16 October 2022
The 2022 Cowra Spring Show promises to be full of fun activities for all ages, with the addition of several new sections, and some very exciting attractions attending our show.
NFF calls on Government to listen to farmers on Methane Pledge
The National Farmers’ Federation is urging the Federal Government to continue its constructive consultations with agriculture as part of any Global Methane Pledge. As more than 100 countries around the world, including the EU, the US, and Indonesia pledge a 30 per cent global cut in methane emissions by 2030, the spotlight has fallen on Australia to follow suit ... "For agriculture, the best way to reduce emissions further is to arm us with cost-effective technology solutions – not to pursue punitive taxes or regulate farmers out of existence": NFF's Tony Mahar.
Dowden explores human element of wild dog management: National Wild Dog Action Plan
Managing wild dogs is not easy work with community engagement simply not about the deployment of tools into the landscape by the people whose assets are threatened by incursions. According to Western Australian landholder Debbie Dowden, it requires human action, which means working within the complex dynamics of human nature.
Lactalis found breaching Dairy Code of Conduct
The Federal Court has found Lactalis Australia Pty Ltd (Lactalis) breached the Dairy Code of Conduct by failing to meet some of its obligations in relation to the 2020-21 milk season, in court proceedings brought by the ACCC. Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) Deputy Chair Mick Keogh described the decision as a win for dairy farmers, who generally have limited bargaining power in their dealings with much larger processors.
Sheep dogs on trial
The Moulamein sheep dog trials has returned showcasing the incredible bond of human and working dog. Barry McKenzie, Moulamein Working Dog Club president, had four dogs – two mature dogs and two pups – in the competition and was delighted to have the competition running again.
Kerang Shows up
Kendall Jennings. Mother nature dealt the Kerang and District Agricultural Society an unfair hand as they prepared for the 136th Kerang Annual Show with rain that made the Kerang Turf Club waterlogged. It was a moment of damned if you do, damned if you don’t, deciding if the event would go ahead or not last week.
The Willy Wonka-like fruit changing the lives of cancer and covid patients
A solution that may help people in distress – this berry makes sour, acidic, and bitter-tasting food and drinks taste sweet, helpful for people whose sense of taste has been disturbed due to treatment or illnesses ... Queensland farmers who are growing Australia's first Miracle fruit farm, Chris Beckwith and Karen Pereira, are passionate about the fruit's positive value and making it available to Australians struggling to eat.
Boost for farmers with completion of Murchison cell fence: MacTiernan
Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan has officially opened an expansive cell fence project in the Murchison, which is protecting 53 pastoral properties in the region from wild dogs ... The cell builds off the State Barrier Fence to encompass more than 6.5 million hectares of pastoral land, extending through the Yalgoo, Mount Magnet, Sandstone, Cue and Meekatharra areas.
Russian farmers running out of spare parts
If you think Australian farmers are worried about the availability of spare parts, then spare a thought for Russian farmers who are suffering under the impact of ever tightening sanctions as a direct result of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine ... Open the door to Russian ag mechanics ... Is China a parts risk?
Hay there, we’re here to help!
Emma Pritchard. It was a lifeline that stretched more than 8km. 56 trucks transporting over 2000 bales of hay, generously donated by farmers across Victoria, arrived in the Clarence Valley on September 30, bound for local properties owned by hobby farmers and primary producers who are continuing to struggle following months of relentless wet weather which has severely compromised their livelihoods. Â
Norco factory will rebuild but on a smaller scale to fit budget
Finally, the announcement many workers in Lismore were hoping for – Norco will rebuild its ice cream factory in South Lismore although it will be smaller. The factory was left wrecked and non-operational after the February 28 floods.
The Show is coming back to Kyogle! 7-8 October 2022
After an absence of three years the Kyogle Show is returning to the the Kyogle showgrounds on the 7th and 8th of October. With the return of traditional events plus some new entertainment to excite the kids and adults alike.
Labor’s plantation transition plan will not save timber towns: Forest and Wood Communities Australia
The Victorian Labor Government’s promise of jobs with a transition from native forests to plantation forests, announced last week, does not add up, said Forest & Wood Communities Australia (FWCA). As it takes at least 15 years for trees to grow to the minimum harvest age, and the government plans to end native forestry in eight years, timber towns face ruin, with Orbost set to lose 37% of its full-time jobs.
Tweed River water quality,  fish health  major concern – Testing shows  detrimental effects of acid sulfate soil runoff
Tweed Shire Council is urging Tweed River floodplain landowners to seek Council assistance in projects that can improve water quality, after recent testing detected acid-affected water in the river and red spot disease in local fish ... Recent testing has indicated acid sulfate soil (ASS)-related runoff from floodplain drains is affecting water quality in the Tweed River, with indications this is severely impacting fish health.
Planting millions more trees for thousands of jobs: Tierney
Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney has announced the Labor Government is investing $120 million – the single largest investment in plantation establishment in the state’s history – in an agreement with Hancock Victorian Plantations (HVP), planting an extra 16 million trees in a new estate.
Chaotic transition to 100% plantation industry: Nillumbik Friends of the Great Forest
Nillumbik Friends of the Great Forest have followed with interest the developments in the native forest logging industry, in particular the decision by the Andrews government in 2019 to halt native forest logging in 2030. Victoria is well placed to transition to a 100 % plantation industry as we already have considerable areas of plantation ... The industry has every right to be upset with the government for withholding the funding for a fair and just transition ... ARR.News asks NFGF a few questions.
Mapping report shows salinity still a significant issue: MacTiernan
Sustainable land management in Western Australia has been boosted by a ground-breaking initiative that has more accurately calculated the extent of salinity in the agricultural region to support new approaches to conserving natural assets and agricultural productivity. The 'Mapping salt-affected land in the South-West of Western Australia using satellite remote sensing' report by the national science agency, CSIRO, and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) was released at a forum in Perth.
