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.
Group rejects “poultry corridor”
The Castlemaine–Maryborough Rail Trail (CMRT) committee released a statement on Wednesday 13 August confirming it had lodged a formal objection with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) opposing the planned development of a broiler farm at 705 Baringhup Road, Carisbrook. A case is being heard at VCAT after the property owner applied for a review...
What does ‘dry’ really mean?
Peter Christen. The crispness of winter mornings has well and truly arrived at Panacea Estate ... It's during these tastings that I'm often reminded how confusing wine language can be—especially one of the most misunderstood words of all: dry...
Farmers say “no!”
Hundreds of farmers at Marnoo today are telling the Victorian Labor Government they do not want VNI West, they do not want WRL and they don't want their farmland made into renewable infrastructure," said Dr Anne Webster MP, Member for Mallee and Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Local Government, Territories and Regional Communications.
Fungicide use may be placing canola production at risk: GRDC
Crop pathologists and fungal disease experts are concerned about the increasing use of precautionary fungicide applications in Australian canola. Repeated applications of a single fungicide as ‘cheap insurance’ against disease could have serious long-term consequences.
Australian grain fed beef sector reaches new heights: ALFA
Australia’s grain fed beef sector continues its strong growth trajectory, with the number of cattle on feed reaching 1.58 million head and national feedlot capacity reaching a record 1.7 million head, according to the June 2025 quarterly feedlot survey released by the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).
Walsh pleads for DEECA to repeat 2024 Barmah firewood collection
The Nationals Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh is appealing to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action to repeat its public firewood collection from Barmah Forest in September last year. Mr Walsh said that day saw thousands of tonnes of flood-damaged timber made available to hundreds of locals for heating and, in some cases, cooking.
Local research homing in on the year round truffle
Serena Kirby. Research progress, technology advancements and opportunities to support a new truffle species which can be harvested in winter, spring and summer seasons was outlined last week. Academics, farmers, industry partners and representatives converged on the McHenry farm at Mt Lindesay recently to hear about these advancements in truffle cultivation.
Financial year 2025 delivers historic highs for Australian beef, lamb and mutton production: MLA
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released the latest statistics on livestock slaughtered and red meat production, which according to Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has confirmed a historic period for the red meat sector. Financial year 2024-2025 has seen beef production reach an all-time high, lamb slaughter maintained near-record levels, and mutton throughput surging to its highest volume since 2007.

