Farming

The global dairy market may experience a slower price recovery than previously anticipated, particularly as China shows a reduced need for dairy imports, Rabobank says in recently-released sector research. But, despite this, the overall market outlook remains positive, the global specialist agribusiness bank says in its Q2 Global Dairy Quarterly, titled Searching for Equilibrium.

I was working for the WA Minister for Agriculture Ken Baston back in 2010, during the last big drought and, like Jackie Jarvis with the current dry, he had to deal with calls from industry for the Government to do something. At the time, as Chief of Staff, I asked the Department what the State's legislated responsibilities were when it came to dry seasons and the advice that came back was pretty simple - ‘soils and animal welfare', that’s it. Farmers were on their own when it came to subsidies for fodder or transport.

Traditionally when the Australian Labor Party gets serious about winning elections, it looks to the grownups in the right wing of the party to provide the leadership that will appeal to the centre of Australian politics. Unfortunately, it seems this time around, things are different, as Australia now has its first Prime Minister who hails not just from the left, but the hard left of the ALP.

Hay, New South Wales, is a small town basks in the golden glow of the outback summer sun. It is a community whose history is deeply intertwined with the iconic figure of the Australian shearer. Here, amidst the vast sheep stations and dusty plains, lies Shear Outback...

The NFF Horticulture Council ... welcomed the report by the Senate Select Committee on Supermarket Prices, which reveals the true cost of supermarket power and exploitative behaviour being borne by both Australian households and the national horticulture industry. Chair of the Council Jolyon Burnett said ... there has been shock at the evidence of widespread appalling treatment of fresh produce suppliers.

Home grown movie aims its lens at suicide prevention in the bush. Farmer Leila McDougall is determined to raise awareness about farmer suicide after "losing too many people."

We welcome ... release of Select Committee on Supermarket Prices final report.  This inquiry has been an important opportunity to shine a light on the challenges being faced by many Australian producers.  

TASC Carbon Australia Pty Ltd is looking to collaborate with landowners to facilitate access to carbon project registration opportunities. TASC allows farmers to be the project proponent (if they choose) and pays for all project costs (depending on financial viability). Australian Rural & Regional News found out more from Marc Bezuidenhout from TASC.

The 2024 Rural Bank Australian Farmland Values Report finds that Australian farmland values have now recorded a full decade of unbroken growth. While 2023 saw a rise in the national median price, capping off an extraordinary period for farmland values, it also marked a shift in the market as the pace of growth slowed considerably.

Farmers have welcomed an announcement by the Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in Rockhampton today regarding the next phase of the Future Drought Fund (FDF). National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President, David Jochinke, said the FDF was central to making producers more resilient in the face of current and future droughts.

Biggenden Show Society

The Mildura Field Days is an annual two day event which has grown from humble beginnings as a Gadget Day to become an important link between the broader community to agriculture and the associated industries.  

We have camping available Friday and Saturday night combined $25.00 for the 2 nights camping including entry into the Show Saturday with bookings essential : admin@blackbuttsdhowsociety.com.au

Australian farmland prices are set for further growth in the year ahead – but at a slowing pace – Rabobank says in its just-released annual Australian Farmland Price Outlook. The global agribusiness banking specialist says after three consecutive years of "double- digit" growth, the momentum in agricultural land price increases is expected to further slow in 2024, as farm profitability levels come off record highs.

Alpha Show Society Inc.

The peaks body for Tasmanian Farmers today welcomes TasNetworks as the first signatory to the Farm Access Code of Conduct, reaffirming their commitment to collaborating with the Tasmanian Agricultural Community. In February of this year TasFarmers, in partnership with the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) launched, the Farm Access Code of Conduct aimed at promoting respectful and sensible access to agricultural land.   

Farmers are calling for more resources to tackle pigs as millions of the pests rampage across the state. NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said the state’s pig problem was out of control, with official estimates suggesting there could be up to 100 million feral pigs in Australia at present.

National Alpaca Week kicks off on May 4th with a host of celebrations including open farm days, Mother’s Day picnics and educational programs for kids. The week serves to educate, entertain, and bring awareness to the alpaca industry, while promoting the production and use of high-quality alpaca fleece this winter season.

Geoff Pearson. Two weeks ago 300 farmers from across the South West convened an urgent drought meeting to address what is one of the driest seasons experienced in living memory across what is traditionally the wettest part of Western Australia. It’s at times like these that the State and Federal governments need to step up and support farmers to rectify where they have made things worse through past policy mistakes.