Agriculture

The biennial Northern Australia Food Futures Conference, organised by NT Farmers Association, is now in its 5th year. The conference was established to promote the development of agriculture across northern Australia and to raise the profile of northern region at a national level. 

Nine scientific research papers published ... in the world-renowned journal Animal Frontiers have confirmed the critical role red meat and livestock play in society, arguing that animal agriculture is key to the challenges around climate change and global food security.

Australia’s future food and fibre production is being threatened by surging land prices, NSW Farmers says. NSW Farmers Young Farmers Council chair Martin Murray said the price rises meant young people looking to enter the industry will find it harder to get a start.

Food and Farm Fest is being held at the Serpentine Horse and Pony Club grounds, 1432 Karnup Road Serpentine.

Australian agricultural land is on track for another year of strong price growth in 2023, agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank says in its newly-released annual Australian Agricultural Land Price Outlook ... Agricultural land prices were found to have recorded double digit percentage growth on the previous year in all states, with South Australian farmland prices rising the most – at 34 per cent.

In Ukraine, the largest horticultural centre has been destroyed ... In the vicinity of Bakhmut, a fifth of the specialised gardens for growing new trees and flowers in Ukraine was concentrated ... only one person, Danilenko Andrey Yuryevich, the owner of the "Artemsad" company, could find in himself the strength to answer questions about what happened.

Gavin Butcher. When the WA Premier announced it was changing direction in the management of native forests to one guided by improving forest health and climate resilience he was on a potential winner ... Here was a unique opportunity to end the forest wars and set up a sustainable future for all. Alas the government has fluffed it.

The Bonalbo Show will be held on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 April at the Bonalbo Showgrounds. The Show Schedule is available online at the Bonalbo Show website – www.bonalboshow.com.au and at several locations in Bonalbo and around the district.

Highlights of our show this year will include : We are running a raffle and the first prize is a ride on a lawnmower sponsored by Hutchinson and Pearce. Our Diamond sponsors are Hutchinson and Pearce, Santos & Whitehaven Coal Running a rodeo for entertainment on Friday night and we have the RoofTop Express (Who performed at Sydney Royal this year) as entertainment on Saturday night.

CANEGROWERS has welcomed Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s recent public vote of confidence in the sugarcane industry’s ability to supply the feedstock for a biofuels revolution in Queensland ... “With more than 1500 domestic flights in Australia every day, the aviation industry burns through an awful lot of highly polluting jet fuel”: CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens.

Mundubbera Show Society Inc.

Australian honey exporters will benefit from new digital reforms that streamline the export certification process to Great Britain and the EU. On 30 March 2023, certification for honey and apiculture exports for human consumption became available via NEXDOC for Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and the European Union.

“The Victorian Government must answer questions why it is fast-tracking a project experts say could triple electricity transmission costs, whilst steam rolling our state’s farmers in the process ... The Victorian Government must explain to farmers why they are being forced to endure needless anxiety and fear over having their land carved up by power lines that may provide no benefit to the state": VFF President, Emma Germano.

Local beef stud, Challambi Charolais of Greg Greg, met with success after attending the Sydney Royal Easter Show to compete in the Charolais judging. They entered Challambi Sargent (pictured), a 19-month only bull weighing 752kgs, which went on to win his class and reserve Junior Champion.

Since she was a child,  Navanka Fletcher has helped her nan set up the district produce exhibit at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Her nan Lyn Cregan, 76, has been involved in setting up the Northern District exhibits for 30 years.

Farmers are on the lookout for increased mouse activity with reports of increasing damage to crops and fodder across the state. Two years after a mouse plague saw vehicles, buildings and towns infested while crops were destroyed, NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin is urging growers to be extra-vigilant about mouse activity.

Volunteer-based not-for-profit organisations have received vital support through the Early Needs Recovery Program to help re-build, repair and clear fences in flood-affected areas ... "By providing this funding to ShoreTrack, BlazeAid and Rotary Australia to help with the fence rebuilding process, it is hoped to take some of the pressure off farmers to get this done so they can concentrate on other parts of their businesses and recover production quicker": Peta Holcombe, Early Needs Recovery Project Manager.

The BSFFD concentrates on the activities of small farms with sections on livestock suitable for small holdings, small scale farm machinery and equipment, horticulture, small farm information, gourmet foods from local products, local crafts and a limited number of market stalls featuring predominantly local produce.

A slice of paradise nestled in Welshman’s Reef on Dja Dja Wurrung country is home to magical panoramas and a charming winery that’s perfect for families and their furry friends. Panacea Estate is a recent addition to the thriving wine industry in the region and celebrated its harvest season with a family-friendly festival over the weekend.

Wilson Inlet could become a thriving commercial fishery for rock oysters and mussels given the correct salinity levels, says aquaculturalist Zak Launay. The sustainable product feeds on phytoplankton and has the capacity to contribute greatly to the local economy, creating jobs and local fresh seafood.