Stronger ag sector, stronger regions
This research release from the Australian Farm Institute, Stronger ag, Stronger regions highlights the interdependence of agriculture and regional economies. The paper considers how the agriculture sector can leverage stimulatory regional investment to ensure enduring economic stability and social benefits by establishing a virtuous cycle of beneficial impacts.
Fungicide resistance awareness in the spotlight
Grain growers and advisers are invited to take part in a national Australian Fungicide Resistance Extension Network (AFREN) survey to gauge awareness of fungicide resistance issues and management.
Yabby fishers urged to stick to the rules
With the impending commencement of the yabby season, recreational fishers are being reminded to do the right thing when fishing for the popular species on the state’s inland waterways.
Forestry firefighters converge on Tumbarumba to prepare for season ahead
Forestry Corporation put 40 new firefighting recruits through their paces at its Tumbarumba training camp in preparation for the fire season ahead ... This included topics such as fire behaviour, tactics and strategy, leadership, command, control and communications, and how to operate the range of appliances and equipment used at fires, said Fire Training and Operations Officer, Adrien Thompson.
New release – The Islands
A moving and original debut novel. Observant, warm and extraordinary. 'There is an other-worldly quality about the Abrolhos which is beyond the reach of ordinary storytelling. Emily Brugman has captured them, staked them to the page in all their isolation and aridity and scoured indifference, because her storytelling is extraordinary.' Jock Serong, bestselling author of Preservation.
Uraidla and Summertown Show exceeds community expectations
Sunday’s Uraidla and Summertown H&F Show has been described as a “spectacular success” by locals and visitors alike ... Show President, James Sadler, was over the moon to see not only the sea of smiling faces but the huge support the Show had from so many volunteers who all helped to make it happen.
Forest fire management – hard won lessons almost forgotten
Peter Rutherford, SETA. ... evidence that the three dimensional fuel loads, which have become the norm in much of the NSW forested landscape, are an artefact of over 200 years of fire management neglect and are not representative of the of up to 60,000 years of evolution, shaped by the intelligent use of fire in the Australian landscape.
Tasmania prepared for upcoming bushfire season
Preparations for the upcoming bushfire season are well advanced, with more than 150 people taking part in a multi-agency pre-season briefing in Launceston ... This year, a total of 217 fuel reduction burns treating over 32,000 hectares have to date been completed, and a successful “Red Hot Tips” Program has also supported farmers and large landholders to conduct 229 burns covering over 5,300 hectares.
Farmbot deploys over 5,000 remote water monitoring units across Australia
Farmbot, a leading Australian agritech business, has now sold over 5,000 units, deploying to farms in every state and territory ... Farmbot gives farmers real-time insights into their water levels, consumption rates, flow pressure and more to improve overall water management on-farm via sensors which provide insights and alerts through an online dashboard.
Economic recovery could be lost at sea, warns NFF
The National Farmers’ Federation says a critical report released by the ACCC should be a wakeup call for governments, failing to curb the chaos on our waters. The 2020-21 Container Stevedoring Monitoring Report confirms Australian importers and exporters are struggling amid a perfect storm of extreme congestion and delays, reckless industrial action, and skyrocketing costs.
SA Labor to appoint River Murray Commissioner and prepare for High Court action
SA Labor: A Malinauskas Labor Government will appoint a Commissioner for the River Murray and prepare for High Court action to defend South Australia's water rights against upstream states’ greed. Labor has released its six-point action plan for the River Murray.
New Queensland strategy to bring wild dogs to heel
Minister for Agricultural, Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the Queensland Dog Offensive Group (QDOG) developed the new five-year strategy in consultation with stakeholders. “The Queensland Wild Dog Management Strategy 2021-2026 provides state-wide coordination and direction to wild dog management,” Mr Furner said.
Wild dogs terrorising Gwydir Shire farmers stopped in their tracks
Two elusive wild dogs, which had been terrorising farming operations north of Coolatai for the last 12 months, have now been successfully controlled, Minister for Agriculture and Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has announced ... “Over the last year, this wicked pair of wild dogs wreaked havoc on local landholders, including one farmer who lost around 200 sheep,” Mr Marshall said."
Gidge Show a gogo!
By all reports, the Gidgegannup Show held on Saturday 30 October was a roaring sucess with over 6,000 patrons attending the one day event.
Another day, another Greens stunt: Tas Gov
Predictable calls by radical environmentalists, such as the Bob Brown Foundation (BBF), to shut down Tasmania’s sustainable native forestry overlook the fact that sustainable forestry management plays an important part in the solution to climate change. Tasmania’s forestry sector has been globally recognised as being one of the best managed and most environmentally and sustainable forest estates in the world.
Megafires: Vic Jurskis replies to Prof Bradstock
Dear Editor, Ross Bradstock’s response failed to address “the recommended fire frequency thresholds” aka ‘Bradstock Intervals’, which featured in his NRC media release and my commentary on it. Those ‘recommended’ intervals are severely restricting the mild burning which is essential to maintain healthy and safe landscapes ... Furthermore, three aspects of the Emeritus Professor’s response elucidate my argument that megafires are a purely political crisis ...
Science not slogans needed on methane
NSW Farmers President James Jackson says a “key” climate promise from Glasgow is more about slogans than science. Mr Jackson welcomed Australia’s decision not to sign up for a 30 per cent reduction in methane emissions, which would have had disastrous consequences for agriculture without delivering any positive action on climate change.
Alnus trees aid Rwanda in climate change fight
A new study has found that Alnus trees in agroforestry systems significantly contribute to capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Researchers discovered that the fast-growing Alnus tree, common in most Rwandan households, capture substantial amounts of carbon in aboveground biomass—live or dead matter from trees—with amounts varying depending on the age and elevation of the tree.
Everybody needs good neighbours
A productive broadacre cropping and sheep property known as Dixons in the West Wimmera Shire has sold to a neighbour for $3.6 million, of $4,391 an acre.
The meat in the methane debate
In the lead-up to the G20 meeting in Rome and the COP 26 Summit in Glasgow, and after some necessarily tough negotiations with their Liberal Party Coalition partner, the National Party obtained some concessions it says are designed to prevent the 'heavy lifting' of emissions reductions being placed unduly on rural and regional Australia.
Cod spawning success
The first Murray cod eggs of the season were collected from nesting boxes in the broodstock ponds at DPI’s Narrandera Fisheries Centre. The nesting boxes were put into the ponds in late August with hatchery staff checking for eggs from late September.
FutureFeed: Asparagopsis update
As the only IP holder globally for Asparagopsis, Australian innovation start-up, FutureFeed, is the founding authority on the natural seaweed that helps fight climate change and produce more food with fewer resources. Built from strong scientific foundations based on proven results, FutureFeed exists to support the growing use of Asparagopsis as a natural ingredient for livestock to significantly reduce carbon emissions.
