High expectations for Tasmanian medicinal cannabis farm
ASX-listed local and international supplier of medicinal cannabis ECS Botanics is offloading its production enterprise in Tasmania’s Northern Midlands ... ECS cultivates and manufactures medicinal cannabis products in both Tasmania and Victoria, and supplies domestic and overseas markets. Last year, it secured a five-year, $4.5 million deal to supply Polish company Alivio Spolka with GMP-manufactured medicinal cannabis, and a one year rolling supply agreement with local company Canngea, after it took over Murray Meds early in the year as part of a $1 million deal.
Zadro family hoping investors will go nuts over macadamia offering
The world’s largest macadamia producers, the Zadro family, have tipped their Gemfields aggregation in Queensland’s Central Highlands to the market, with expectations of $70 million as institutional investors grow their focus on horticulture ventures. At the same time, the Elliot River horticulture portfolio in the Coastal Burnett region has been listed for sale with a circa $30 million price tag, making for $100 million worth of sunshine state horticultural assets available.
Global headwinds put pressure on local agri sector
Many Australian farmers are still battling to get grain crops planted due to wet conditions, while the global wheat outlook price remains elevated and buyers will be hoping prices will ease as the northern hemisphere supply comes to market.
Locking up land is not the answer, NFF said
With Australian biodiversity under significant threat, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is urging the federal government to look to investment and collaboration with farmers. The call from the NFF comes after the recent release of the State of the Environment Report which revealed biodiversity across the country is experiencing a massive decline and currently remains under threat of further deterioration.
An ‘avo-lanche’ of avocados – Australia needs to consume and export more avocados as production continues to soar: Rabobank
Australia will need to both consume and export more avocados as the nation’s growers navigate a period of soaring production growth over the coming five years, specialist agribusiness bank Rabobank says in a new report. This year alone, ‘per capita (person) supply’ of avocados is estimated to be up 26 per cent on the previous 12 months to 4.8 kilogram – equating to 22 avocados per Australian.
Bee bug reaches blueberry fields: NSW Farmers
Blueberry and avocado growers on the Coffs Coast are concerned about the arrival of Varroa mite in the region. Local NSW Farmers Coffs Harbour Branch Chair Paul Shoker said Varroa mite had been detected in hives near Nana Glen, and were linked to the Newcastle outbreak. “It’s a bit of a worry for our farmers as we approach pollination time, without bees we can’t produce avocados or blueberries, or a lot of other crops for that matter,” Mr Shoker said.
Biosecurity zones around Coffs Harbour after new Varroa mite detection: Saunders
A new detection of varroa mite has been confirmed near Nana Glen north-west of Coffs Harbour, leading to another set of biosecurity zones. The infested hives were located at a property that sits outside of the existing zones and brings the total number of infested premises (IPs) to 43.
Ground breaking trial returning cotton textile waste to cotton fields in Goondiwindi, Queensland shows promising results
A 12 month trial on a cotton farm just outside the rural town of Goondiwindi Queensland in Australia has shown it’s possible to divert large amounts of cotton textile waste at end of life from landfill with no harm done to soil health or cotton yields. Project collaborators are confident that with a solid business plan and more research, returning shredded cotton products to cotton fields could soon offer benefits to soil health, and a scalable solution to the massive global problem of textile waste.
FMD timebomb ticking but Labor’s nowhere to be seen: Nicola Centofanti
The SA Opposition is calling for additional biosecurity officers to be stationed at Adelaide Airport as fears grow over foot and mouth disease (FMD) potentially getting into South Australia which would have devastating consequences for the economy, jobs and cost of living. An urgent biosecurity staffing boost would allow for the luggage of every traveller from Indonesia to be individually inspected, creating an extra ring of protection for SA’s livestock industry while Labor governments sluggishly roll out disinfectant mats.
What did the Winemaker drink OS?
Just back from three weeks overseas ... I thought I would write a few lines about booze overseas: quality, range and distribution ... Our first stop was the US ... We used to drink wine on our visits to the US ... Spent the first day in London walking the “Monopoly board”, stopping for a reviver or two in beautiful pubs.
Genetic Noah’s ark solution to saving farming future: Robert Borsak, SFF
Whilst hoping for the best, leader of the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party Robert Borsak MLC calls on the Government to plan for the worst in preparing for the imminent threat of Foot and Mouth Disease. “We are all hoping for the best in shielding our nation from the infection of Foot and Mouth Disease, but our governments need to plan for the worst by implementing a range of measures to protect the valuable bloodlines of our livestock industry,”: Robert Borsak.
Varroa-targeting pesticide under development
Amid Australia’s first Varroa Destructor Mite outbreak, the grower-owned research and development corporation Hort Innovation has joined forces with the University of Sydney to develop a world-first hormone-based pesticide that is safe for honey bees but fatal to Varroa mite. As part of the $1.2M initiative, scientists will create molecules that selectively bind to and interfere with the hormone receptors of Varroa mite and fellow honey bee pest, small hive beetle, interfering with reproduction, development, and behaviour.
New stronger biosecurity powers at international airports: Watt
The Commonwealth Government has established Biosecurity Response Zones at international airports, another strong measure in response to the Indonesian outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) ... “These zones strengthen and widen the powers of biosecurity officers to direct passengers to use foot mats and other biosecurity control measures such as the cleaning of shoes ... I also announced the deployment of sanitisation foot mats at all international airports as an additional layer of protection for returning travellers from Indonesia" : Minister Watt.
National tag system no silver bullet for FMD: NSW Farmers
Members of the state’s peak agricultural body have voted to support the development of a national electronic tagging system ... NSW Farmers Biosecurity Chair Ian McColl said while electronic tagging could be helpful, it would not be a silver bullet for the threat posed by FMD.
Australia’s forest scientists call for active and adaptive forest management in wake of RFA review: Forestry Australia
Following the release, the Victorian Regional Forest Agreements (RFA) - Major Event Review of the 2019- 2020 bushfires, the peak national organisation representing over 1,000 forest scientists and professionals have called for active and adaptive forest management to be implemented as a matter of urgency. President of Forestry Australia, Bob Gordon said the organisation has been calling on all governments to prioritise and invest in a year-round active and adaptive management approach to forest management, regardless of tenure.
Welcome changes will help reverse environmental degradation
“The Mulloon Institute heartily welcomes the Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek’s calls for structural reform and new environmental legislation,” said Mr Gary Nairn AO, Chairman of the Mulloon Institute and former Federal Liberal MP. The Institute restores degraded landscapes across Australia for improved agricultural productivity, enhanced environmental outcomes, improved biodiversity including habitat for threatened species, and greater community resilience to drought, bushfire and flood.
Bushfire theories versus real world experience
Sadly, death and destruction will continue to escalate whilst governments rely on advice from academics and firechiefs and give them increased funding after every disaster. Sustainable fire management would be very much cheaper and better.
The role of academics in influencing the perceived threat from climate change: Frank Batini
Some academics are happy to comment in areas where they have no expertise or local knowledge. In contrast, the views of locals with years of practical management experience are mostly ignored.
A short history of the Boranup Forest: Robert Onfray
As you drive on the Caves Road between Margaret River and Augusta, you will pass a magnificent forest of tall karri trees called the Boranup Forest. It is an extraordinary place – the furthest west that karri grows.
Money drives madness
Australia’s $13 billion Murray-Darling Basin Plan is yielding some unintended consequences as decades of sage warnings went ignored ... Money is the motivator. “Almonds, citrus, and table grapes can all be grown above or below the Barmah Choke, but horticulturalists believe they can each be grown more profitably below the Choke.”
Existing environmental benefits mean 450GL isn’t needed: VFF
“Over 2,100 gigalitres of water has already been recovered for the environment and has delivered great benefit to our ecosystems. But we must acknowledge the huge toll on rural communities and agricultural jobs as a consequence. Further recovery can’t be achieved, will hurt farming communities and jobs, and won’t provide any real environmental benefit” : VFF Water Council Chair, Andrew Leahy.
Australian and Indonesian livestock sectors work together to limit disease spread: MLA
The Australian livestock industry will work with Indonesian feedlots to help protect their facilities from disease incursions and subsequent trade disruption via a biosecurity support project jointly funded by the Australian Government and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) ... MLA responded to a question from ARR.News about border closures.
