Business

Caitlin Menadue. Minlaton's Michael and Rebecca Thompson have been named finalists in a national cropping award recognising excellence in Australian agriculture. The recognition places the Yorke Peninsula pair among some of the country’s leading producers, with winners to be announced at a gala ceremony in Melbourne on February 13.

South Australia has officially experienced its strongest four years on record for international trade, with latest ABS stats revealing our state’s exporters have sold an additional $21 billion worth of local goods to the world since 2022 ... Each calendar year within this period has eclipsed the pre-2022 record of $13.1 billion by more than $3 billion, with 2023, 2024 and 2025 each exceeding $17 billion.

Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) and the Australian Airports Association (AAA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that sets out an agreement to work together to advocate for fairer airfares, stronger connectivity and more sustainable airports across regional Australia.

Vytelle last week announced the commercial release of Vytelle SENSE™ Methane, a methane phenotyping system that costs a fraction of available systems and enables concurrent measurement of intake and sustainability. The technology was featured at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association CattleCon in Nashville on February 3, where producers saw live demonstrations.

As negotiations take place in Brussels this week for an Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement, Australia’s peak farm body welcomes comments by Trade Minister Don Farrell that the deal hinges on securing a better deal for Australian Agriculture ... National Farmers’ Federation President Hamish McIntyre said Australian farmers would hold the Minister to these comments against a growing fear that Australian agriculture is about to be traded away.

How Tammy and Gavin Gilbert turned a simple idea into $4.38 million for Country Hope, and why, ten years on, it's still going strong. It started with a conversation. Gavin Gilbert had been on a couple of car rallies, loved them, genuinely loved them, but something about the way they were set up nagged at him ...

Carol Lyall. On behalf of the Allora Show Society, I warmly invite our community and visitors to join us for the 148th Allora Show this February. Each year, our Show brings people together to celebrate the best of country life, and in 2026 we are excited to welcome you to a Show that honours tradition while delivering an unforgettable experience from day into night.

Australia’s Oyster Coast (AOC) has commenced 2026 with positive momentum, announcing the acquisition of an oyster farm at Pambula on the NSW Far South Coast. The purchase deepens the company’s geographic footprint, strengthens its Rock Oyster supply capability and reinforces its position as Australia’s largest Sydney Rock Oyster producer.

The Alliance is pleased to kick off 2026 by announcing that abstract submissions are now open for the 18th National Rural Health Conference, to be held 14–16 September 2026 in Adelaide (Tarntanya). 

With a new year comes change, and one of the exciting changes that came to Donald was the new ownership for popular eatery Spud's Cafe. Kieran White and Julie Robinson are stepping into business owner shoes, with all the excitement and anticipation that follows.

Victoria’s regional shows celebrate the heart of their communities, showcasing everything from fresh produce and handmade craft, making them a must visit destination throughout the vibrant spring and summer seasons. The program supports projects and activities promoting agriculture, improving infrastructure and upgrading amenities for community use during annual agricultural shows and events...

Saleyards Australia has today announced The Mustering Yard Cafe at the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange as the 2026 Saleyards Australia Canteen of the Year ...

Get ready for big excitement on little legs at the Inverleigh Dachshund Derby! This much-loved local event brings a whole lot of joy—and a fair bit of chaos—as dozens of determined sausage dogs line up to sprint, wobble and occasionally wander their way toward the finish line.

Nhill's Licensed Post Office is welcoming customers under new ownership, offering a broad range of postal, travel and retail services for the local community. Along with everyday post office services, the Nhill Licensed Post Office provides passport lodgements and photos, foreign exchange, travel cards, travel insurance and complete travel solutions, as well as TattsLotto services.

Madison Eastmond. Numerous new volunteer faces are needed at tonight's Riverland Rose and Garden Festival emergency meeting, in order to save the event from complete collapse. While the Riverland Rose and Garden Festival has been cancelled for 2026, organisers are encouraging locals to attend an emergency meeting ... "The facts still remain, if we don't get more members on the committee, particularly someone stepping into the role of chair, we won't be able to go ahead," former festival chair Michelle Dominic said.

Sam Starcevich - Farmer Across Borders gives us the latest from the road. Plus your weekly farming weather and all of your rural news.

After seven years of patience, persistence and a fair bit of experimentation, Lord Howe Island Distilling Co. has released its very first whisky - Rise ... For founders Anthony Riddle and Christian Young, the launch marks the end of a long journey that began not with whisky, but with a shared idea: that Lord Howe Island could produce spirits that reflected its unique environment, history and character.

What began as an initiative to promote the region’s thriving arts and culture sector through sustainable art practices has grown into a diverse program of metal focused workshops, creative activities and community events across the region ... This year’s events feature a vibrant metal art exhibition at the Emerald Art Gallery, an inspiring public metal art trail spanning the region, and an engaging lineup of flower making and blacksmithing workshops.

Campaspe Shire Council’s draft Campaspe Festivals & Events Strategy 2026-2031 has opened for comment. The draft strategy was developed following community consultation in 2024-25 and outlines social, cultural, economic, and environmental goals for festivals and events within Campaspe Shire that align with the broader aims of Council and the community.

The Crisafulli Government and Port of Townsville Limited are strengthening trade and supply chains in North Queensland with upgrades to berths three and four at the Port of Townsville. This upgrade removes a key bottleneck by extending the operating reach of the Port’s Liebherr Ship-to-Shore crane across both berths, improving vessel turnaround times for containerised, general cargo and other trade-critical freight.