Agriculture

A new resource is available to queen bee breeders to help improve stock of queens, leading to more productive and profitable hives.

Developing a blood test to predict the stress of aquatic species and help industry develop a more sustainable fish economy is the focus of a new research project at The University of Western Australia in collaboration with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Simplot and its potato growers continue to work in strong partnership, and the new pricing agreement reflects an understanding of the issues currently being faced by the industry.

Covid-19 has focused our attention on a serious underlying fragility that goes well beyond health. This fragility stems from the fact that our health, energy, finance, and food systems are all connected. There are clear lessons to be learned for Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector about how supply chains that cross multiple borders are vulnerable to a host of intersecting economic, social and environmental risks associated with Australia’s participation in global systems, markets and supply chains.

Baby animals, a quick shearing competition, fireworks, local produce plus live entertainment and tunes are some of the reasons why you should attend the 87th Mullewa Agricultural Show this August. The event attracts hundreds from around the state and it’s no surprise with a diverse program as well as the popular Outback Bloom – Mullewa’s Wildflower Festival taking place during the same week.  

Excellent seasonal conditions and strong prices are fuelling a positive outlook for Australia’s cotton sector, with expectations next year’s crop could be one of the largest on record, according to  agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank.

BeefUp forums provide an opportunity for northern Australian beef producers to learn something new, stay up to date with the latest on-farm research and technologies and meet others working in the red meat industry.

North Queensland grazing and farming property Inkerman Station has been sold for over $30 million, with the cattle price boom propelling its value to almost triple what it was less than five years ago.

Farmor Manufacturing has laid to rest an iconic grader design ushering in new beginnings for the humble grader.   In clearing sales across the country the old version of the Farmor grader always has plenty of interest. I’ve been outbid a few times on the pioneering grader that smoothed many tracks and fence lines, as well as dragging soil in the paddock.  

The National Farmers Federation says Australian farmers are the amongst the world’s most progressive in their approach to mitigating climate change and are poised to go even further.

Timber Towns Victoria argues that native timber production in public forests promotes carbon storage and must be taken seriously if Victoria is to tackle climate change.

In a partnership between Sunshine Sugar and biotechnology company Sustinent, mushroom grow bags using sugarcane biomass are currently being developed as a commercial product on-site at the Harwood sugar mill. CEO of Sunshine Sugar, Mr Chris Connors said; “With gourmet mushrooms in demand across the world for their flavour, versatility and health benefits, we see this project as a great fit for our diversification program. By teaming up with the experts at Sustinent, we will be producing a world-class product by the end of the year.”

Local businesses need to adapt and innovate to keep up with the constantly changing world and build resilience into their business. Advance Rockhampton is teaming up with key players in the business innovation and AI industries to show how emerging technologies can help Rockhampton businesses thrive.

Gordon Wilson and Kookaburra. Several issues need to be addressed in response to the Environmental Defenders Office press release about the legal challenge to the NSW forest logging agreement ... timber is a renewable resource ... native forestry products come from "working forests" ... native forestry uses only a very small portion of Australia's native forests ... native flora and fauna co-exist with forestry

The first of a series of themed animations being produced to debunk myths about the environmental impact of red meat production in Australia has been launched by Meat & Livestock Australia. The animation explains how methane from cattle is part of the natural carbon cycle, demonstrating how the environmental impacts of emissions of methane from cows and carbon dioxide from fossil fuels, are fundamentally different.

The National Farmers’ Federation has welcomed the formal appointment of Troy Grant as Inspector-General of Water Compliance for the Murray Darling Basin. "We expect the role of Inspector-General will deliver improved outcomes for Basin farmers, communities and the environment," NFF CEO Tony Mahar said.

Grain growers in Victoria’s Mallee region are being urged to ‘walk through paddocks’ to check for signs of mouse activity and crop damage and apply bait where necessary to help drive down numbers before spring.

GrainCorp plans to build one million tonnes of new storage capacity at several sites ahead of the 2021-22 winter crop harvest. Following last year’s bumper crop where more than 60 GrainCorp sites broke all-time receival records, the agribusiness is expanding its regional network, which stretches across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

Australia’s Beef Sustainability Framework has welcomed the goals recently announced by the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. The GRSB, a worldwide network of organisations powering progress in sustainable beef, announced a commitment to reduce net global warming impact of beef by 30% by 2030 through global sustainability goals.