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Farming

Animal protein producers and processors must pivot in 2023 to secure future: global Rabobank outlook

Animal protein producers and processors face an “inflection point” with a need to respond to structural changes in the market even with production levels and prices likely to remain elevated next year, according to a new report by agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank.

Labor using coalition system to tax flood grants

The Labor Party have hit back at claims by Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan that the government is taxing flood grants stating they are working with the same system they inherited from the coalition ... Federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said the Albanese government was working within the constraints of a system they inherited ... “This is the usual practice, which the Government also used in response to the Feb-March floods."

A bumper year for agriculture despite flooding: ABARES

“Crops in Western Australia and South Australia benefitted the most from spring conditions, with total production in both states forecast to reach new record levels. Total production in Queensland is forecast to reach the second highest on record, despite parts of the Darling Downs missing out on plantings after being impacted by the floods. In other parts of the country, the results are mixed with both flooding and water-logging impacting winter crop production": Jared Greenvillle, ABARES.

After two turbulent years, fertiliser markets may start to settle in 2023 – Rabobank Semi-annual Fertiliser Outlook

Amid extreme market volatility and record-high prices, fertilizer consumption suffered in 2022. According to a new Rabobank report, a recovery in consumption is possible in some regions in 2023, with fertilizer prices lowering and commodity prices at historically high levels.

Natural catastrophe: recent floods deemed most expensive in Australia’s history, full toll not yet known, Buy a Bale is back

Recent flooding across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia has been declared the most expensive in the nation’s history and a natural catastrophe by trusted rural charity, Rural Aid, as the dire consequences to regional communities become more clearly understood ... In response to the unfolding disaster the organisation is relaunching its Buy a Bale fundraising campaign which was popular during the equally significant recent drought.

Crops – fire warning

A safety reminder from the CFA to farmers during harvest to ensure machinery such as headers are regularly inspected and maintained, and moving parts such as bearings are cleaned of any material on hot engine components. After heavy rains, there is extra growth around that makes the chance of fires highly likely.

South Australia’s harvest breaks records with $4.4 billion farm gate value: Scriven

South Australia’s 2022-23 harvest is set to break previous records of production levels and farm gate value, according to estimates in the latest South Australian Crop and Pasture Report. The record high production estimate of 12.1 million tonnes, combined with high global grain prices means the farm gate value is estimated to come in at $4.4 billion, breaking last year’s previous record high value of $3.3 billion.

Choke hold

Even with more than 100,000 megalitres a day crossing the South Australian border, SA Water closed the barrages due to seawater flowing into the freshwater estuary. SA Water satellite imagery also shows the current flooding is still not moving down the Coorong. The real risk of constraints relaxation may be felt closer to home. The modification of the Barmah Choke has been seen as the crown jewel for accessing held environmental water. The choke protects Echuca-Moama and Koondrook-Barham from large Murray floods from Hume Dam, currently on display with the flows heading north down the Edward-Wakool system ... Community concerns over constraints relaxation flooding farmers and potentially impacting townships has been labelled as scaremongering by MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville.

Four lambs! Tale of Queenie the supermum launches new author

Sheep farmer Suzanne Lewis has just published her first children’s book and had no further to look for something to write about than her own front paddock. “Queenie the Quad Lady” is the story of a remarkable ewe that captured Suzanne’s heart after giving birth to four lambs and successfully raising them all despite all the trials and tribulations a sheep can face.

Labor are taxing our flood grants

Shadow Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Kevin Hogan said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed grants given to businesses and farmers will be taxed ... “In his answer he said they will be taxed. This is huge blow to our small businesses and farmers”: Shadow Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Kevin Hogan

Warning about snakes on the plains: NSW Farmers

Farmers are reporting increased snake sightings as floodwaters force the reptiles onto higher ground. Sarah Thompson from the NSW Farmers Rural Affairs Committee said many members were reporting an increased number of snake sightings as a result of the flooding, which had also reduced access to veterinary treatment.

Drones bolster war on weeds in state’s central west: Toole, Saunders

Drones to detect and spray weeds will soon be deployed out to councils across the Central West as the NSW Government ramps up its war on weeds after months of wet weather ... “Through this program, Local Land Services will roll out drones to councils across the Central West and set them up to help map weed infestations – and ultimately deploy larger drones to spray invasive plants from the air": Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole.

Concerns remain despite IR Bill concessions: NFF

The National Farmers’ Federation has acknowledged the concessions granted which will see the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill pass the Parliament this week, but warns that the consequences for the food supply chain remain largely unknown. NFF President Fiona Simson said it was disappointing to see a government so disinterested in the genuinely held concerns of employers.

Blowing in the wind in your window

If you love the view from the top of your farm looking out over the surrounding countryside, then let’s hope you are not near the coast or major power lines or in a windy part of Western Australia because the state and federal governments and the men and women with white shoes are quietly pouring over maps looking for sites that will become tomorrow’s wind farms.

Flood situation update: Campaspe Shire Council

Many of our local traders are open for business as usual and we encourage you to shop local ... Kerbside household flood waste collections have been running in Rochester for around five weeks.

AI advancing for abalone: FRDC

Technology that will save time and money, provide more accurate data more often, and reduce stress on farmed abalone, is continuing to prove its worth in trials. A multi-disciplinary team at James Cook University (JCU) is testing tools and methodology to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the critical task of counting and measuring abalone in grow-out tanks in aquaculture farms, under an FRDC-funded project.  

Murray Darling Basin Authority is out of touch: VFF

The Victorian Farmers Federation has expressed outrage towards the comments made by Murray Darling Basin Authority Chief Executive Andrew McConville in his Rural Press Club address, 10 years after the Basin Plan gave the green light to take water from farming communities. VFF Water Council Chair Andrew Leahy said Mr McConville’s commentary ignored the ongoing impact of the Murray Darling Basin Plan on farming communities and sounded like it was designed to appease the Federal Labor government ... “We expect the MDBA CEO to be professional and impartial, not a political sycophant. It seems he needs to re-read the Basin Plan as he forgot to mention in his speech that the 450GL is only possible if there are no negative social and economic impacts”.

SA beef a winner at 2022 World Steak Challenge

Teys. South Australian produced beef, 36 ° South, has been named top in its class at the recent 2022 World Steak Challenge in Dublin, Ireland. Teys Australia entered two of its premium brands – 36 ° South and Teys Certified Angus – in the prestigious meat competition that showcases product quality, breed credentials and processing standards on an international stage.

Interview with founder of farm to plate marketplace, Half A Cow Online, James Gilbert

Find out about the inspiration, operation and plans for the online marketplace that helps farmers sell their meat directly to customers and customers find the meat they want from its founder, James Gilbert.

Right mix takes Raintree off grid

Serena Kirby. The Birkbeck family’s Raintree Farm distillery and restaurant arm is completely ‘off grid’ after more than a decade of research and infrastructure construction. By being energy self-sufficient Steve said The Dam expected to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by between 105-150t a year. The move to energy self-sufficiency has been a long-term goal that has cost more than $1 million.

Food industry warns government of long-term food supply chain disruptions: National Food Supply Chain Alliance

The National Food Supply Chain Alliance, made up of nine influential national food industry associations, says long term supply chain issues, including ongoing natural disasters and labour shortages, are set to increase food prices for the foreseeable future ... The Alliance has, over the past two days, met with government and the opposition to explain the risks to the economy and Australians’ wellbeing should a National Plan not be developed and implemented as a matter of urgency.

Soil carbon markets: science or snake oil? Matthew Harrison, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture

Matthew Harrison's presentation covers a range of issues relating to soil carbon markets, from changes in soil carbon over time to whether we should rethink soil carbon markets, beginning with the key question: why all the hype about soil carbon?

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