CATEGORY

Agriculture

Record beef production forecast as national herd stabilises: MLA 2025 Cattle projections update

Australia’s beef industry is on track to break production records in 2025, according to Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) latest Australian Cattle Industry Projections – September Update. Despite a slight easing in herd numbers, the national cattle herd is forecast to remain stable at 31 million head, supported by strong seasonal conditions in the north and strategic herd management in the south.

VicGrid Bill passes, but fails rural communities: VFF

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has expressed deep disappointment at the passing of the VicGrid Bill through the Legislative Council, warning it grants sweeping powers to the government while doing little to protect farmers and regional communities.

107th Northampton Show, 13 September 2025

Northampton District Agricultural Society Head to Northampton for the Northampton Show being held on Saturday 13th September 2025. This year, we’re celebrating our 107th show,...

Combination scores again at Ekka

Allora stud breeders Steve Hayward and Kelly Smith have continued their run of success with a series of wins at the 2025 Ekka in Brisbane. The success for their K5X Stud came with Black and Red Angus exhibits.

Captain JJ and the Argo Armada

Every time someone brings up the Southern Oscillation Index or the Indian Ocean Dipole, I nod along and drift off. But a recent conversation with an old boarding school mate gave me hope that maybe it’s not as complex as I originally thought and maybe some of the amateur Wheatbelt weather forecasters might have more than half a clue about what's going on out there.

Great Koala National Park Op-Ed: Kemp

This Labor government’s environmental policy doesn’t look like it’s being run by those in Macquarie Street, but maybe by rooftop protestors who contribute little to society ... These high-end activists are screaming “koala crisis”, all the while happily living in high rise towers built from concrete and steel, wrapped in plastics, stuffed with furniture made from imported timber ripped from forests overseas with zero environmental standards. That’s not conservation. That’s hypocrisy.

Community backing for Sam

Greenmount has a young man in Sam Stenzel who looks to be a cattleman of the future after an outstanding season of cattle judging with a major highlight at the recent Ekka Show. Sam was the Class 7 winner at the Ekka of the M.S.A (Meat Standard Australia) Heavyweight Led Steer Limousin section with a steer he bought off good friend and mentor Les Nuss.

From Naracoorte to the world

Rising from his first task as a livestock buyer on the walkway of the Naracoorte saleyards with Ian Perryman, Darren Thomas has piloted Thomas Foods International (TFI) into a global company with a $3 billion turnover. For 15 years he drove to work throughout the South East, but now Mr Thomas flies to work around the globe where he has customers in 85 countries and offices in nine.

Wine industry catastrophe?

Hugh Schuitemaker. Peak representative bodies say the Riverland is at risk of "long-term economic" catastrophe, unless direct support is provided for the South Australian wine industry. The Advertiser on Monday reported local grape growers were "grappling with one of the worst crises to hit the industry".

Unbridled joy as Ms Imogen Porter celebrates national recognition

From draught horses to thoroughbreds, donkeys, and miniature ponies, there are very few breeds which Clarence Valley equine veterinary nurse Imogen Porter has not attended to. And while she initially cared for cats and dogs, comparatively smaller patients, during the early stages of her profession, her love of horses and passion for working outdoors lead her to pursue a career within the equine industry.

Council calls for drought recognition

West Wimmera Shire Council has called on the State Government to expand the drought declaration area to cover the entire shire ... The program helps farmers affected by drought to meet their general rates and municipal charges ... Council also resolved to lobby the state government to expand the drought declaration area to cover the entire shire.

Rural Aid urges Outback Queensland farmers to register now as locust threat intensifies

Rural Aid is encouraging farmers across Outback Queensland to register early for assistance, as locust outbreaks continue to damage pasture and raise serious concerns about the potential for a major plague - the first in Queensland in more than two decades. Millions of locusts have already been reported across parts of western Queensland.

VFF slams VicGrid power play

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has written to state MPs to vote down the contentious VicGrid Amendment Bill that would pave the way for police-backed powers to force entry onto farms and slap landholders with fines of up to $12,100. VFF President Brett Hosking is reiterating previous calls to halt the Bill ahead of it being debated in State Parliament this Thursday.

Mary travels, this time to Mexico

The travels of former Donald resident, Mary Raynes, have so far also included meetings in Puebla with Heineken and Central Altiplano Maltería, Mexico ... Australia has been right in the brew of it, supplying on average 61 per cent, up to 85 per cent of Mexico's total malting barley imports.

Australian rural confidence softens as farmers report mixed outlook on the year ahead: Rabobank

Sentiment in Australia’s agricultural sector has softened over the winter months, as the nation’s farmers contend with higher input costs and mixed seasonal conditions, the latest Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey has found. The survey, released today, found net farm sector confidence has eased to a neutral reading of zero (down from five per cent in the previous survey).

Algae mural an ‘ocean coat of arms’

Sarah Herrmann. Marion Bay Community Centre is home to a new mural calling on the federal government to classify the algal bloom as a natural disaster. Sydney artist Patrick Hunter drove more than 1600 kilometres to donate his time and talent, painting a vibrant depiction of the giant cuttlefish and weedy sea dragon — iconic native species threatened by the unprecedented marine crisis.

Voucher tourism

Sarah Herrmann. Coastal regions impacted by the algal bloom are set to benefit from a travel voucher program this spring. The Coast Is Calling, delivered by the South Australian Tourism Commission, will release 20,000 vouchers for accommodation and experiences valued at up to $500 ahead of the September school holidays.

Paddock to podium: meet Australia’s top young beef cattle judges

The best young beef cattle judges in Australia have been announced by Agricultural Shows Australia and will compete in the prestigious national finals this September. Meet the seven finalists in the Beef Cattle Judging final ...

Farmer frustration highlighted in inaugural farmer survey: VFF

Huge increases to the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, crumbling regional roads, maintaining our biosecurity and forcing renewable energy infrastructure developments on communities topping the list of concerns in the Victorian Farmers Federation’s (VFF) inaugural State of the State: Victorian Farmer Priorities Survey.

Nuffield scholar leading the world in Australian native finger limes: AgriFutures Australia

In the subtropical rainforests of Queensland and New South Wales, a remarkable fruit has quietly thrived for thousands of years. The Australian native finger lime, with its vibrant “citrus caviar” pearls and tangy flavour, was once known only to Indigenous communities.

Police investigate cattle rustling allegations

Police say they are investigating a report of an alleged cattle theft north-east of Alice Springs. Sources contacting the Alice Springs News say the stock belongs to the Alcoota Aboriginal Cattle Company from the Engawala community who for 30 years have been able to graze and run a cattle enterprise on Alcoota Station.

Labor pits funding against farmers in algae bloom disaster: Littleproud

Labor is pitting funding that is meant to be set aside for farmers going through hardship, to pay for South Australia’s environmental algae bloom disaster ... “The Nationals are not against funding to fix the algae bloom problem in South Australia – in fact, we support it – but Labor should not be taking funding from the RIC,” Mr Littleproud said.

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