Ganmain Show, 20 August 2022
Ganmain Show to be held on Saturday 20 August is once again set to be a highlight on the events calendar of Ganmain and surrounds.
Wentworth Show, 27-28 August 2022
The township of Wentworth is situated in the best location for the best Country Show. It’s not too far from other states to travel and be part of a great weekend.
Can community gardens increase our food security?
Bernice Shepherd. Community gardens and city farms have been around for a long time, but they are enjoying a resurgence in popularity in Australia ... We are lucky to have several gardens in our area and I visited three of them; one well established, one partway there, and another in the beginning phases.
Ugly fruit earns Lachlan a pretty penny
Have you ever reached for a bright yellow bunch of bananas over bruised ones? Or perhaps you’ve tossed a half-full packet of spinach into the trash to free up fridge space. Chances are at some point in your life, you’ve contributed to the global food wastage problem. And you’re not alone ... In his final year studying a Bachelor of Property at Bond University, Mr Creese launched Dehydrated Co, a business which transforms fruit bound for the bin into a dried garnish with a long shelf life.
Inaugural National Biosecurity Strategy released: Watt
Minister Watt said the National Biosecurity Strategy would provide clear direction to ensure our system remains fit to meet the challenges of the next decade and beyond ... “This strategy has been under development for more than a year and I’m really pleased that a new spirit of cooperation between Federal, State and Territory Agriculture Ministers has seen the strategy finalised and released so soon after the change of government, " Minister Watt said.
Why aren’t more cows eating seaweed?
Asparagopsis is a native Australian seaweed rich in bromoform. It’s the bromoform compound within the seaweed feed supplement that reduces livestock methane emissions by up to 98 per cent. So why isn’t Asparagopsis a commodity of large scale? One of the key issues is its availability; but one scientist is on the brink of a discovery which could drive a surge in demand for this seaweed biomass.
Net zero targets won’t last long
This story is about the impossible challenge of feeding a growing world population while staying true to net zero emissions targets ... Something strange happened in June this year when two of the world's most bullish emissions reduction advocates, Germany and Britain, panicked at the huge spike in grain prices and called for temporary waivers on biofuels mandates to combat soaring food prices.
A tale of the Goldfields Woodlands where ideology triumphs over professionalism, experience and history: Robert Onfray
When I first visited Kalgoorlie last October, I read about the Great Western Woodlands. Based on their distribution and extent, they certainly are “Great”. The Woodlands cover nearly 16 million hectares south and west of Kalgoorlie ... Until recently, though, the woodlands were known as the Goldfields Woodlands. Why the name change?
Late bloomer scientist uses grant to grow vanilla
Vanilla is an emerging rural industry in Australia with huge potential. There is one major roadblock which is preventing the spice from really taking off. The orchid relies on hand-pollination and it’s labour intensive. Julie Sosso has a plan to change this.
Chinese meat market “still firing” despite lockdowns and slowing economy: Rabobank
Australia's beef and sheepmeat sectors can expect continuing demand from China despite its slowing economy and continued lockdowns impacting how the country consumes animal proteins. Speaking on a newly-released podcast, Is the Chinese meat market still firing?, Rabobank's Hong Kong-based senior animal protein analyst Chenjun Pan said China's lockdown policies have affected the population's protein consumption habits, with the major short-term change being where people are consuming food.
Woodstock Memorial Show, 4 September 2022
The annual show is an important part of the cultural life in the small village of Woodstock and surrounds, and has been for decades now. The show provides the community with the opportunity to reflect on its values and aspirations; celebrate achievements ranging from excellence in prime lamb breeding to the beauty of a delicate piece of embroidery; and enjoy a break from the routine of everyday life.
Legislation to protect forestry workers passed: Tierney
The Sustainable Forests Timber Amendment (Timber Harvesting Safety Zones) Bill 2022, brings stronger penalties to deter dangerous protest activities that puts the safety of both forestry workers and people who illegally enter dangerous work sites at risk. The new legislation introduces offences and updates existing penalties to deter dangerous protest activities in Timber Harvesting Safety Zones and prevent harm.
Bloom time in Mullewa
There has never been a better time to visit Mullewa than right now. As the bush blooms all eyes are on the flourishing heart of wildflower country ... “Mullewa really is the place to be this time of year and it is not just about the wildflowers,”: City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn
Australia’s best of the best – Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2023
Boutique Hunter Valley winery, Briar Ridge Vineyard, wins “Other White (& Blends) Wine of the Year” with the 2021 Limited Release Albariño by winemaker Alex Beckett ... Winemaker Alex Beckett also recently took out the Riedel 2022 Hunter Valley Young Achiever of the Year award that recognises exceptional talent and contribution to the wine industry by winemakers under the age of 35.
Escrow.com partners with Australian farmer network ONFARM
Escrow.com, the leading provider of secure online payments and a wholly owned subsidiary of Freelancer Limited (ASX: FLN, OTCQX: FLNCF), has announced a partnership with ONFARM, a world-first agricultural meeting and marketplace founded in Australia and available worldwide. The partnership will help secure farmer-to-farmer transactions for livestock, hay, grains, machinery, farming equipment and more.
Almost 20,000 feral pigs culled in regional NSW: Saunders
More than 19,500 feral pigs have been culled in seven months through targeted aerial shooting operations run by the NSW Government ... “There is a definite concern that if FMD was to enter our country, it could be spread through feral pig populations across NSW,”: Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders
$70 million Riverina rail revival: Farraway
The NSW Government has announced a Riverina rail revival is under way with more than $70 million in rail projects funded under the Fixing Country Rail Program, with the largest project now officially complete. Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said 174 kilometres of rail between Junee and Griffith has been replaced, while a $11.7 million project is about to get under way near Coolamon to further reduce rail bottlenecks on the line.
Millions of sterile fruit flies to be released weekly
Sterile fruit flies will be released across the Riverland this week, as part of an eradication plan to stop breeding. From Monday 1 August, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) started releasing 20 million sterile male fruit flies per week.
Castlemaine Central Wine Store
Castlemaine Central Wine Store specialises in wine from small and medium-sized producers (mostly family owned and operated) from around Victoria. You will find a wide range of varietals such as Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon - surely specialties of our part of Central Victoria - to wines made from less well-known grapes including Durif, Grenache, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Mataro and of course Pinot Noir.
It’s time
It’s not just the ‘it’s time’ factor, nor the furore around Allanah MacTiernan's recent comments linked to Foot and Mouth disease, nor her failure to get her Department to operate effectively, or even the fact she has been captured by the unscientific religion of regenerative agriculture, that she has to go. No, it’s simply the fact that farmers have stopped listening to someone who prefers to lecture rather than listen.
Local industry concerns
Sheryl Lowe. Nick McBride MP, Member for MacKillop, hosted a visit by the Shadow Minister for Regional South Australia and Primary Industries, the Hon Nicola Centofanti MLC, in Naracoorte this week, to discuss the impact of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). Mr McBride and Ms Centofanti toured the Naracoorte Livestock Exchange (saleyards) which has been operating on the corner of Wimmera Highway and Carters Road since 1973 ... “If FMD was found in the region, the impact would be enormous,”: Nick McBride, Member for MacKillop
Investment program pays off for Southern Gulf NRM
A partnership between major landholders and Southern Gulf Natural Resource Management is delivering better pastures for graziers as part of the Natural Resources Investment Program. Working with 20 properties on almost 90,000 hectares of land, management plans were developed to improve their condition.
