“I have concerns for the future. We are being asked to carry an unfair burden.”
Darren De Bortoli. "Our family has a proud history, building a winemaking business that we believe is a true Australian success story ... But I have concerns for the future and I believe my fellow Australians, especially those in capital cities, need to understand the pressures being applied across the board to those who grow the quality food and beverages, including wine, that you enjoy.
Festival frenzy returns in 2025
Madison Eastmond. The Riverland Food & Wine Festival is back to take over the Berri riverfront this March, with the revamped event preparing to showcase the best local produce, wine, and entertainment. With a focus on local wine and cuisine, sustainability, and safety, the classic event has been reimagined for the Riverland community since it was last held in the region six years ago.
Logging does indeed increase fire risks!: David Lindenmayer
Professor Lindenmayer responds to Robert Onfray's article, "Debunking false claims about bushfire risk and native logging in Australia" by contending that logging does indeed increase the risk of high severity wildfires, and the evidence for this worrying narrative comes from work by many scientists across Australia and in fact around the world.
Millari Group expands with acquisition of JUKEN, Gisborne, boosting Australian timber supply
Millari Group Australia has entered into a sale and purchase agreement to acquire 100 per cent of JUKEN Gisborne, NZ Facilities, including LVL and Plywood manufacturing lines and Sawmill ... ARR.News asked Millari Group some questions about the acquisition, including opportunities for the Australian industry.
Milton Show, 7-9 March 2025
Milton Show Society
Show theme: Horsepower
A fantastic community event, run by the community, for the community.
Two large pavilions displaying local produce, historical memorabilia, art,...
150th Community Bank Cooma Show, 7-8 March 2025
Cooma Pastioral & Agricultural Association
Cooma Show will celebrate its 150th anniversary on March 8th with the 2025 Community Bank Cooma Show. There will be...
Gunning Show, 15-16 February 2025
2025 Gunning Show: A Community Tradition
Gunning P A & I Society
The 2025 Gunning Show is just around the corner, with locals already preparing for...
Bendigo Bank Agribusiness Insights: 2025 off to a strong start for Australian agricultural markets
The latest Monthly Commodity Insights report from Bendigo Bank Agribusiness flags a strong start for Australian agricultural markets in 2025.
A use for carp
Roy Butler, Member for Barwon, tells us he visited a place run by Oceans2Earth. They make a product called Soil Enhancer. They mix fish waste and wood together to make a fertiliser. The man behind this is Tim Crane, originally from Wilcannia.
Forest firefighters deploy to Victorian firegrounds: FCNSW
Nine fire specialists from Forestry Corporation have deployed to Victorian firefronts as part of an interstate NSW firefighting contingency ... “Our firefighters are highly skilled and experienced in Australian bushland firefighting and are always ready to lend a hand in regional NSW or further afield": Rebel Talbert, FCNSW’s Senior Manager Fire and Natural Hazards.
Turning science to finance – New tool to help farmers tackle the climate challenge: CEFC, CSIRO
Australian farmers are set to tackle emissions from the ground up, with a free guide to develop and implement sustainable practices on farms. The Towards Net Zero Agriculture Pathfinder (Pathfinder), a joint initiative by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and CSIRO, is a practical guide to help farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining productivity and competitiveness.
At BCG Trial Review Day … Focus on fleabane
Farmers will gain valuable insights into summer weed control with a particular focus on fleabane at BCG’s members-only Trials Review Day on February 21, where BCG Research Agronomist Angus Butterfield and ICAN Rural Senior Consultant Mark Congreve will present the latest research and practical management strategies.
Throwing good money overboard – WA Government’s aquaculture obsession
DPIRD, dated January 22, 2025, announces a $7 million splurge under the banner of “Building Climate Resilience on WA Farms.” Tucked neatly inside this generous handout is an eye-watering $1,071,770 for “future-proofing” Western Australia’s aquaculture industry. Future-proofing? Against what, exactly? Climate change? Cue the laughter.
Take precautions amid rise in crime
RACV and Neighbourhood Watch Victoria are working together to improve the security of Victorian farms and regional properties following a rise in crime, with the regional areas of Latrobe, Mildura, Ararat and Horsham among the top five highest Local Government Areas for criminal incidents and recorded offences.
Powerline battle still strong
In an ironic twist that many joked could have conspiracy written all over it, last Monday’s Community Meeting in Murrabit, to discuss the VNI West transmission line project, at the Murrabit Golf Club, lost power just before the meeting commenced.
United Arab Emirates trade deal – public hearing: NFF
The opening statement by National Farmers’ Federation General Manager of Economics and Trade, Chris Young to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, holding a public hearing on the United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (UAE CEPA).
SA Parliament delivers on Forestry Select Committee Report: Centofanti, Hood
The report of the Select Committee on Matters Relating to the Timber Industry in the Limestone Coast and Other Regions of South Australia has been tabled in Parliament, after 5 years of evidence over two parliamentary sessions ... The committee published 17 recommendations covering aspects of the industry from transparency, infrastructure investment through to industry productivity innovations and the importance of water security.
Riverland grapes at risk during vintage as heatwave continues… Dry whites and dry reds
Hugh Schuitemaker. Current forecasted temperatures for the Riverland are set to remain above at least 37C until Tuesday, with a high of 41 set for tomorrow. Renmark-based Angove Family Winemakers chief winemaker Tony Ingle said the excessive heat could cause grapes on vines to appear ready for harvest without the necessary character development for quality wine.
A complex, costly web: the regulatory burden on Australia’s regional businesses: Page Research Centre
The Page Research Centre, in collaboration with Adept Economics, has released a comprehensive new report shedding light on the severe economic and social consequences of regulatory inefficiencies in Australia.
Cargill keeps contributing
Once again, the “Cargill Cares Cropping for the Birchip Community” program has come to the rescue of the Birchip Cemetery Trust.

