Business

Metha.ai, a company launched from MIT in 2022, is revolutionising the agricultural sector by reducing methane emissions from livestock with its groundbreaking AI-driven microbiome analytics technology. Metha.ai’s proprietary technology not only cuts emissions by 30-40 per cent but also enhances milk yield efficiency by 5-10 per cent…

Bev’s Baubles and Jewellery continues to be the lead trader in the newly established Donald Shared Shop, and has been joined by Snowy’s Vintage Homewares, Benson’s Bow Ties and Bandanas, Horizons Vintage and Antique Furniture, Ask for Art, local author S.L. Davies and 1mile2 go Photography. There are extra craft, brica-brac and hobby-type products being sold on consignment through the shop and on behalf of additional smaller businesses.

The Sailing Season officially started … and was scheduled to begin with the Alan Carson Memorial Commodore’s Cup ... the weather gods intervened. In the interest of safety the Race Officer of the Day declared racing abandoned ... The following weekend (12 October) there was a marked improvement in the weather conditions and 13 boats took to the water and racing was successfully completed.

The Village Business Expo took place … with a great atmosphere and great attitudes abounding at the Maldon Golf Club. Collaboration was the word of the day, with Rebecca Barnett of Maldon Bakery declaring: "if you don’t have money, you need to have friends" … Expo organiser Luz Restrepo reinforced the idea of working together.

Sydney has struggled with water shortages since European settlement, relying on various schemes over the years, including the Tank Stream and Botany Swamps ... Warragamba Dam remains one of the world's largest domestic water supply dams, standing alongside iconic projects like the Opera House and the Snowy Mountains Scheme.

Customer-owned banks are giving back to their communities at a rate nearly nine times higher than the major banks, according to the Customer Owned Banking 2024 Impact Report released today.  Credit unions and mutual banks dedicated 5.2 per cent of their profits to community and charitable organisations, totalling $38.4 million. In contrast, major banks contributed 0.6 per cent of their profits.

Amidst changes to regulations and community engagement requirements, the Queensland Government is seeking feedback on its approach to renewable energy projects. Queensland is now over half way to the 2030 renewable energy target, with renewables generating over 27 per cent of Queensland’s energy needs.

Condamine candidates Pat Weir (LNP) and Elissa Parker (Greens) addressed an audience at an “Energy Done Right” Forum facilitated by the Darling Downs Environmental Council at The Irish Club in Toowoomba last week ... Questions focused on issues such as the expansion of coal seam gas into the Cecil Plains district.

After rocky progress over the past four years, rehabilitation of the Bluff Falls tourism area at Cudgewa North following the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires is almost complete. In June last year, a residents’ action group was formed to progress the recovery project and it sought the support of the community to get the tourism site re-opened.

Cycling Without Age Kerang is seeking to expand its services to other nursing homes, but they require more volunteer cyclists to do so ... The TriBike, a trike bike, is electronically assisted, providing an effortless pedal for the cyclist and a safe and enjoyable ride for up to two passengers.

Research conducted by Insurance provider, Youi, shows that only one in two Australians surveyed were concerned about bushfire risk, with one in four acknowledging that they are unprepared. Youi has launched a Bushfire Preparedness Hub with a wide range of tools and information to help going into bushfire season. ARR.News learnt more from Jim Smith, volunteer firefighter and former Deputy Commissioner for Fire and Rescue NSW.

Sean Cunningham. Lockhart's Spirit of the Land Festival was hailed as a "highly successful" event once again last weekend. Held in Lockhart on the second weekend in October each year, Spirit of the Land is an annual festival which attracted a large crowd of locals and visitors.

The Cohuna Fire Brigade has a new appliance that will improve the services the brigade provides to the district. The new Hino rescue appliance was delivered and presented to brigade members on September 19 and replaces the Isuzu appliance that has been in use locally for seven years.

Hundreds of attendees admired the 107 vehicles on display at the Moulamein Car Club’s annual Show and Shine. Owners and their prized possessions had travelled from as far as Melton to be a part of the unique event that offers free attractions for the kids and live music courtesy of ‘Dementia’.

Madison Eastmond. Riverlanders, rosarians, and visitors can now ‘stop and smell the roses’ for the month of October, with celebrations for the 30th Rose and Garden Festival beginning this week. With the region now in bloom, the 2024 program will kick off on Friday with a number of popular returning components ... including the Renmark Institute floral display, the Festival Fair...

Hugh Schuitemaker. A State Government plan to utilise satellite imagery in assessing frost damage to Riverland grape vines has "missed the mark" for growers needing support, according to senior local politicians ... Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said local industry representatives had completed satellite imagery of frost-damaged areas.

Sebastian Calderon. A local nursing home recently organised a week of arts, crafts, and creative activities aimed to put smiles on the faces of its residents. The Riverview Lutheran Rest Home in Loxton held a ‘show week’ with residents and visitors enjoying activities organised to boost the mood and happiness of everyone involved.

The Riverine Grazier has made a decision to not publish images of children under the age of 13 online, in a move aimed to protect local kids. At the invitation of the NSW Government and representing Country Press NSW, Grazier manager Krista Schade attended the Social Media Summit ... "The eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant spoke of the hazards of sharing images of children online, on open pages, which prompted Tertia and I to reconsider how our newspaper handles images of young children."

TAFE NSW Hay has helped a former florist raised in suburban Bathurst make an unlikely career pivot to wool classing, as the spring shearing season hits full swing. Rebecca Owen, 35, was trained at TAFE NSW as a florist and an aged care assistantin-nursing in her 20s, before falling in love with the wool industry and moving to Hay.

Hay’s Local Health Advisory Committee (LHAC) hosted a very well attended open day at Hay Multipurpose Service (MPS) ... More than 65 community members and service providers gathered on the lawns for morning tea, before tours of McFarland Wing were given by Acting Facility Manager Melissa O’Brien.

The Nhill Show is on tomorrow ... with action starting at 8:30 am and wrapping up at 9:00 pm with the magnificent fireworks display. From shearing competitions to the animal nursery and home industries, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained throughout the day.