Cotton Industry Awards announced at Cotton Conference on the Gold Coast
The Cotton industry’s top awards for the year have been announced ... with the top two awards going to Queenslanders. The 2024 Bayer Cotton Grower of the year is Scott Balsillie, farm manager for Eastern Australia Agriculture in Dirranbandi while the AgriRisk High Achiever award recipients are Steve and Bridget McVeigh from Dalby on the Darling Downs.
NAB backs Noveco Surfaces to address crystalline silica ban via $7.75m funding partnership
Pioneering Australian benchtop and tile manufacturer Noveco Surfaces and NAB have announced a $7.75 million partnership that will facilitate the development of an innovative new facility, which will scale its local production of crystalline silica-free tiles and benchtops, made from 80 per cent recycled materials ... Nowra-based Noveco Surfaces, in partnership with the SMart Centre at UNSW, the inventors of Green Ceramics, uses waste to product technologies to manufacture sustainable, designer green products.
The biography of John Gunn
The biography of John Gunn is now published, titled Opportunity Makes the Man, The Labours of John Alexander Gunn—the only biography ever written about one of Australia’s greatest sons. Who was John Gunn? He was an Australian pastoralist who, in 1893, commenced using his own double-dose anthrax vaccine. His vaccine outperformed the vaccine of Louis Pasteur ...
Growers’ passion: A love for gardening seeds native nursery success
... this region is renowned for its abundance and diversity of produce ... Marc and Stacey Brooke are one such couple who have wholeheartedly embraced the area’s inherent spirit of diversity, with the transformation of their small cropping farm nestled on the outskirts of Wakool into the blossoming Australian natives enterprise, Tulla Natives.
Calls for urgent Wind Farm Code reform
AgForce has said it is increasingly concerned that delays to urgently needed reforms to the Wind Farm Code could put agricultural landholders at potentially crippling financial risk. Queensland’s peak representative body for farmers is disappointed that despite a review of the Wind Farm Code last year, the Queensland Government has not released any reforms to the Code since.
Massive Massey Field Day
Tractor manufacturer Massey Ferguson treated dealers and farmers to what Product Manager for Hay and Harvest, Sam Mulkearns, said was the biggest Field Day Massey Ferguson has ever conducted in Australia, with over 80 pieces of tractor equipment and 60 brand new shiny tractors on display all bound to excite farmers and dealers.
“Common sense recommendations”
The Health Minister has welcomed the Limestone Coast Local Health Network board’s decision to endorse “several common-sense” recommendations from the feasibility study on establishing a radiation therapy service in Mount Gambier for the South East. The study has found that the establishment of a radiation therapy service in Mount Gambier for the South East to deliver cancer care is not “currently a safe, sustainable, or financially viable option”.
No radiation therapy
The establishment of a radiation therapy service in Mount Gambier for the South East has been scrapped. An independent feasibility study has found that the establishment of a radiation therapy service in Mount Gambier for the South East to deliver cancer care is not “currently a safe, sustainable, or financially viable option”. The design and planning of the new Mount Gambier Cancer Care Centre have been on hold while the feasibility study into radiation therapy services was undertaken.
We won’t give up
Naracoorte based radiotherapy working group chairman Lachlan Haynes has vowed “we won’t give up” following a $110,000 feasibility study rejecting South East radiation services. Meanwhile, the $243million Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) is aiming to spend $4.3 million of federal funding for radiation services on a Cancer Consult Suite at the Mount Gambier Hospital.
New advantage program for SA’s eID roll out: Scriven
South Australian producers of sheep and farmed goats and the broader supply chain will benefit from a new electronic identification (eID) implementation program to prepare for the traceability system that becomes mandatory from 1 January 2025. A further $900,000 in funding is being provided to establish the eID Advantage Program to improve producer knowledge and understanding of changed responsibilities under the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS).
Line dancers from all over liven up Narrandera for annual festival
Line dancers from all over the country descended upon Narrandera recently, turning the town into a lively festival of twirls and stomps. Locals jumped in, mingling with the competitors, creating cherished memories and savouring the electric atmosphere.
National Livestock Identification System a policy of inequity for SA farmers: Centofanti
The SA Cattle Industry Fund has announced its intention to withdraw funding for the Malinauskas Labor Government’s National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) cattle compliance program, after revelations not all states are contributing equally. Minister for Primary Industries, Clare Scriven, has reportedly pleaded for the decision to be reversed.
Record tonnes exported from the Pilbara for fifth consecutive year: Michael
The Pilbara region has achieved a remarkable milestone, with a record 758.3 million tonnes of exports passing through its ports in the 2023-24 financial year. This marks the fifth consecutive year of record-breaking throughput for Pilbara Ports.
Rex continues to connect regional Australia during Voluntary Administration
I’m Sam Freeman, and alongside Justin Walsh, Adam Nikitins, and our team, we have been working to ensure Rex’s regional services continue through – and beyond – Rex’s Voluntary Administration. As we shared on social media last week, we’ve been focused on ensuring our regional network operates without disruption and I’m proud to say that since Wednesday last week, we’ve carried thousands of passengers across hundreds of sectors.
The emerging forces shaping Australia’s rural industries: AgriFutures Australia
In the coming decade, Australia’s rural industries will be shaped by significant forces that have the potential to disrupt how we produce, market and consume agricultural goods ... Navigating a Future of Cross-Sectoral Forces reports that now, more than ever, rural industries must prepare to adapt and thrive in the face of an uncertain future...
New app on the horizon – Back Country Bulletin launched at Hatfield Happenings
The Riverine Grazier team chose last week’s Hatfield Happenings event to announce a new digital masthead. The Back Country Bulletin will be available in September ... “Adding a new masthead to our company is one of the biggest expansions in the 151-year history of The Grazier,” manager Krista Schade said.
Liberal Party discuss plan for wine industry support – understand and listen
Hugh Schuitemaker. Riverland wineries to expand export opportunities would be an aim if the Liberal Party was successful at the next Federal Election, according to senior local politicians. Barker MP Tony Pasin last week toured Angove Family Winemakers, in Renmark, with federal opposition spokesperson for trade and tourism, Kevin Hogan, and Riverland-based MLC, and opposition spokesperson for regional South Australia, Nicola Centofanti.
Celebrating 30 years in business as a new chapter awaits
For Carmell Sanne, it hasn’t just been about selling quality lingerie, sleepwear, and hosiery throughout the past 30 years, it’s also been about working closely with Clarence Valley women who have undergone lumpectomies, unilateral, and double mastectomies, offering professional advice and guidance as they navigate life post-surgery, and helping them restore their confidence and rediscover their identities.
New contracts for the Whiskey Project Group
Yamba Welding and Engineering continues to go from strength to strength since it was taken over by The Whiskey Project Group in 2021 with the announcement of contracts with the NSW SES and the Royal Australian Navy following their recent success at the Sydney Business Awards. The Whiskey Project Group build high-performance specialised aluminium vessels for Marine Rescue NSW, NSW SES, Australian Border Force, Australian Defence Force, Australian Federal Police, Queensland Police, and their Naiad vessel designs supply the Victorian and Western Australian police forces.
New wind farm in north-west Victoria to power 202,000 homes: Plibersek
The Albanese Government has ticked off a new wind farm in Victoria which will generate enough energy to power 202,000 Victorian homes. The 312 megawatt Wimmera Plains Energy Facility is located 10 kilometres north-east from Horsham and includes up to 52 wind turbines connecting to an existing 220 kilovolt transmission line.
Albanese Government providing more support for Aussie farmers to embrace ag-tech and connectivity solutions: Rowland, Collins
The Albanese Government is increasing help to Australian farmers and primary producers by launching Round Two of its popular On Farm Connectivity Program (OFCP) ... The program provides rebates of up to 50 per cent for eligible equipment - worth up to $30,000 - to extend data coverage and allow for greater connection and reliability of machinery and sensor technology.
Lovell calls for review of windfarm setback: Lovell
Liberal Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has called on the Minister for Planning to review the windfarm setback distance, after concerns were raised by Nanneella community members in a public meeting with a wind energy facility developer. Ms Lovell spoke in parliament last week to ask the Minister to review the distance that wind turbines must be set back from homes to limit the impact of noise, and consider extending it in light of increasing turbine heights.
