Farming

The presence of Varroa Mite (a parasite of adult honey bees that weakens and kills colonies and can also transmit viruses) has exacerbated and magnified the regular stresses of beekeeping in Australia ... “Lead by beekeeper volunteers from around Australia, the eradication effort is progressing well; however, if NSW can't contain Varroa Mite, then it will eventually be everywhere in time, including Victoria”: Owner and Managing Director of Warral Maldon, Lindsay Callaway.

Lee Mead. Over the past 16 years, the Tarrangower Cactus Control Group has achieved remarkable success in increasing knowledge about wheel cactus in our local area, and how to keep the problem under control. Now, in this new era of change, the TCCG Committee has decided to plan some different approaches and objectives for our future.

Kirstin Nicholson. Leitchville’s Matthew Hawken is part of a new program designed to strengthen the future of regional communities through capacity building and collaboration. The Drought Resilience Leaders Development Program is an initiative of the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund offered in 12 regions around Australia. The Mallee region program includes 25 people working in agriculture, financial service providers, irrigators and self-employed business consultants.

Cane farmer Tony Carusi said time was critical for planting sugarcane. “It takes time to get the ground ready and we have ideal weather conditions,” Mr Carusi said at his farm near Woodburn ... A Primary Producer Grant was announced by the State Government five months ago to help farmers after the floods. The criteria for the grant are still unknown and the grant has stalled. No money has been given to farmers yet.

Sunraysia residents are being urged to ensure their properties are prepared for the upcoming Fire Danger Period. The Country Fire Authority (CFA) declares an annual Fire Danger Period from October through to April, and it’s important that everyone in our region does their part to reduce the risk of fire.

Grain growers across the wheatbelt have gathered to hear the latest advice for managing mouse damage to crops this growing season at a series of in-paddock workshops with Steve Henry, leading mouse expert and research officer from Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO. The field walks visited 11 locations across four days, from Calingiri down to Beaumont, as part of a Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) investment addressing increased mouse activity in WA’s grainbelt.

A landmark new initiative will help firefighters and farmers work together to better protect communities in regional and rural NSW from bush fires and grass fires. Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke released a first-of-its-kind Operational Guide for the use of Farm Fire Units.

Giru Show, 10 September 2022

Australian owned agricultural technology company Agrimix is set to release a toolkit that will see the cost of soil carbon measurement cut up to 90%.

While the risk remains low, the threat of a widespread outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is hanging over a well-prepared Australian livestock industry ... The Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Analysis increased its assessment of the probability of such an outbreak in Australia over the next five years, reaching 11.6% in June 2022, a 9% rise on March 2021.

Over 200 rice growers, industry representatives and stakeholders attended the Rice Growers Australia (RGA) annual conference in Yarrawonga last week ... Neville and Brooke Hollins from Woorak Ag at Burraboi were announced SunRice Grower of the Year.

The 50km yellow Varroa mite notification zones, located outside the emergency surveillance and eradication zones, have been officially lifted, allowing beekeepers to move their honeybees and hives in more parts of the State. Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the decision shows the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is confident about tracking where Varroa mite has travelled.  

Livestock producers wanting practical information and tools to better manage their on-farm biosecurity are invited to watch the latest industry webinar update now available. This webinar was held last Tuesday 9 August and continues a collaborative cross-industry approach as the Australian livestock industry works together to keep  lumpy skin disease (LSD) and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) out of the country.  

The third instalment of an industry webinar series providing updates on foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) as well as lumpy skin disease (LSD) is set to be held next Wednesday 24 August ... The webinar continues a collaborative cross-industry approach as the Australian livestock industry works together to keep  LSD and FMD out of the country.  

A new online apiary system enables beekeepers to more efficiently apply for, manage and share sites, adding value for Western Australia's globally-significant apiary industry. The new system was developed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), and provides approvals for apiary sites in WA's national parks and conservation reserves, as well as on pastoral leases, mining tenements and unallocated Crown land.

The show opens at 9am, we have a parade at 11am. We have a motocross freestyle display over the day. Old Macdonald Farm with small animals for the kids. Some free rides, lots of entertainment.

The 84th Annual Weethalle Show is on Sunday 21 August 2022 at the Weethalle Showground.

The 88th annual Mullewa Show will be held on Saturday 27th August. Gates open at 9.30am and the main pavilion opens at 12 noon. Entry costs have been kept low thanks to Lotterywest with Adults $15, Seniors $5, and kids under 16 FREE!

Get ready to experience a great day at the popular Gold Coast Hinterland country show. Canungra township comes alive in August to present local agricultural, horticultural exhibits, equine, miniature goats, stud beef cattle, ute muster and entertainment for all ages to enjoy!

The 2022 Gawler Show has brought with it a lot of optimism. It has been an enormous challenge to say the least, with unprecedented obstacles appearing more than once. This year's show continues to bring back family favourite exhibits and hands on experiences that make it a great day out.

After the announcement of the launch of the partnership between Escrow.com and the farmer to farmer transaction platform, ONFARM, Australian Rural & Regional News found out a bit more about this new e-commerce and social media venture from ONFARM's co-founders, Melinda and George King.