Farming

Energy developers must fairly engage with the community and properly address the impacts of renewable projects on regions, NSW Farmers has told a state inquiry. On Tuesday the state’s peak farm body appeared at a NSW Government inquiry into renewable energy zones, saying its calls to improve community engagement around the renewable transition were still yet to be answered.

When was the last time you picked a strawberry fresh from the paddock, joined the farmers at the dairy for morning milking, or soaked in a hot tub on the clay pans of Outback Queensland? Farmers all over the state are opening their farm gates to visitors to share the character and heart of our farming communities. This Friday, 16 May is World Agritourism Day.

Bendigo Bank Agribusiness’ Monthly Commodity Update, released today, reports even higher beef export volumes in early May, and heralds the possible breaking of the previous monthly export record for cattle, set in October 2024.

A non-toxic, environmentally friendly method of controlling weeds and pests in horticultural crops that has already proved successful in the United States and Europe will now be tested in Australia through a $4.74 million project led by La Trobe University. 

Australian farmland prices are expected to return to modest growth in the year ahead, Rabobank says in its newly-released 2025 Australian Farmland Price Outlook. The annual report, by the agribusiness banking specialist’s RaboResearch division, says a positive outlook for key agricultural drivers is expected to see agricultural land prices rebound in the year ahead...

The Australian beef industry can play a positive role in the climate solution provided policy settings recognise the science of the biogenic carbon cycle, according to a leading international air quality specialist. Professor Frank Mitloehner, of UC Davis in the US, told [Cattle Australia forum] ... that while livestock do have an impact on our climate, the contribution of animal agriculture is often exaggerated at the expense of farmers and viable solutions.

Roughly two thirds of voters in those 39  seats in the House of Representatives defined as "rural" by the AEC gave their first preference vote to right of centre parties in the 2025 federal election ... No matter how many votes are cast and no matter how many seats are won in rural areas in favour of a particular side of politics it will not matter a fig if the majority of voters in the city and provincial electorates cast their votes in favour of the opposite side of politics.

Now that the dust has settled and the amazing Maldon Easter weekend is behind us, I am thinking back to one of the larger vehicles that you may have noticed in the parade. It's a 1909 John Fowler Power Traction Engine, made in Leeds England.

Former cattle drafter Barry Coonan from Wellcamp reflects on his history with the Toowoomba Saleyards at Harristown following the announcement of their indefinite closure. "I worked at the Saleyards for 58 years and retired in 2015, at the age of 75.

Australian Food and Fibre's Geoff Lucas and Heidi Stephens expect this year's ginning season to break all records. The Cobb Highway cotton gin, operated by Australian Food and Fibre (AFF) has entered its tenth year of processing.

Australia’s pulse exports – comprising chickpeas, beans, lentils, lupins and peas – may face minor headwinds in the year ahead due to changes in global supply and demand, Rabobank says in a newly-released report. The food and agribusiness banking specialist says the most likely impacts on farmgate prices and export margins for pulses will stem from currency volatility and shipping costs.

Either way, Sunday, May 18, will be a day of mixed emotions for Wedderburn identity, Tony Hansen, because on May 18 he hopes to sell his collection of iconic items of vintage farm machinery. These relics of the pioneering past are like “best mates” to Tony, who has arrived at that point in time to see his “best mates” move on to another collector, or possibly a machinery museum.

Potential declines in bee populations due to varroa mite infestation could jeopardise Australian horticultural production, Rabobank says in a newly-released report ... In the report, How varroa mites might impact Australian pollinators, the bank’s RaboResearch division says this threat comes at a time when demand growth for pollination is outpacing growth in beehive numbers.

TasFarmers President Ian Sauer ... stressed that some major issues were not presented to voters during the campaign, including changes to superannuation, environmental law reforms, and forestry policy, therefore it is a fallacy to say there is a mandate from voters.

The South QLD and Northern NSW Region of the Australian Alpaca Association has several studs holding Open Farm days during National Alpaca Week ... The first weekend coincides with Grafton Show, and the alpaca section will have fleece judging on Friday 9 May, with halter/led classes on Saturday 10 May.

Australian Alpaca Association Ltd, Media Release, May 2025 The Australian Alpaca Association (AAA) is proud to mark a major milestone in 2025—celebrating 35 years of...

Around the state, Mr Schinckel said the amount of money spent by producers nowadays would be something in the order of $10-$15 million per week per 1000 producers. “So, $50m that the SA government is offering is not going to go far—it’s a drop in the ocean.” ... He believed that the state and federal governments did not know or understand livestock production.

Sean Cunningham. A prized parcel of cropping land in the heart of one of Australia's most productive farming regions remains up for sale after a planned auction was shelved last week. The auction for Grong Grong property, East Midgeon, was originally scheduled to be held at Narrandera Ex-Servicemen's Club last week.

Mildura Field Days The Mildura Field Days is an annual two day event which has grown from humble beginnings as a Gadget Day to become...