CATEGORY

Farming

Wool industry leads metrics for environmental reporting

With consumer demand for “nature-positive” wool outstripping supply, a new project is underway to provide consistency and certainty for woolgrowers around measuring and reporting on environmental performance ... the Natural Capital and Environmental Performance Measures for Australian Wool Growers project aims to support woolgrowers with on-farm decision making and reporting to their customers, using consistent, science-based, practical metrics.

Farm Management Deposits front of mind as EOFY approaches: NAB

NAB is encouraging primary producers to mark 28 June as a critical date if they’re considering or already utilising Farm Management Deposits (FMDs) as part of their tax planning this financial year.  The FMD Scheme is designed to enable primary producers to set aside pre-tax income when they’re experiencing prosperous years and use it as a cashflow management tool for financially challenging years.

Bellingen Show, 4-5 May 2024

The Bellinger River Agricultural Society Committee is in the final stages of plotting and planning for the annual Bellingen Show. The Show Program has hit the streets and tickets are on sale via the Bellingen Show website www.bellingenshow.com.au.

Banana waste tech offers ‘golden’ opportunity for Australian distilling industry: AgriFutures Australia

UK biotech startup, LyteGro’s solution converts the pulp of waste bananas into a proprietary liquid supplement to turbocharge metabolic processes offering high-value for Australia’s distilling industry. An exciting joint venture opportunity now exists for Australian investors, banana growers and authorities to scale production plants.

Influx of cattle onto market taking a toll on prices

Doug Robson. The influx of cattle coming onto the market is taking a toll on prices for all classes of cattle.  There were 1934 head yarded at the NRLX on Wednesday, April 17 with the main increase being in the young cattle section.

Mundubbera Show, 10-11 May 2024

Mundubbera Show Society Inc.

Stein follows in mum’s footsteps

In September 1995 a shy young Norwegian girl, Ingvill Backman, came to work on the Campbell farm, “Springbank” at Corack.  For eight months she helped Trevor and Adam with all types of agricultural activities ... Now, almost twenty-nine years later her elder son, Stein Sira, has paid a visit to the Campbells.

An opportunity for young farmers

With BCG’s Young Farmer Network rapidly expanding, Senior Manager of Extension and Communications, Grace Hosking, is encouraging more young farmers to register now.  "In our role as the Vic Hub’s North West Broadacre  Node, BCG has brought together hundreds of young  farmers from across the region in recent weeks to build  knowledge, create networks and support each other through our BCG Young Farmer Network events...."

Biosecurity tax still fails fairness and equity tests: GPA

Under the Federal Government’s new Biosecurity Tax, Australian grain producers are being forced to pay 10 times more than the existing biosecurity levies that they already contribute towards emergency responses and other proactive initiatives, investments and partnerships. These levies are established by growers themselves and hypothecated for specific purposes.

Forests facing collapse

Patricia Gill. Forests and reserves around Denmark have been hit by a ‘forest collapse’ event as the region struggles through a dry six months and feed for farms is depleting. Murdoch University fire and plant ecologist Dr Joe Fontaine says Denmark and South Coast regions may not be having the driest spell on record but the ecology was suffering due to an unusually long summer.

Around the paddock

Farmers across the district are gearing up for the cropping season which is fast approaching. Brett Jewell said, "We are busy preparing for sowing, with a few internal fences being removed, gypsum to spread, some seed still to clean, a couple of stubble to burn, and some maintenance to be done on the sprayer and airseeder.

NFF backs the government’s response to the APVMA review

The National Farmers’ Federation welcomes the Federal Government’s well-considered response to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) review. NFF Chief Executive Officer Tony Mahar said it was imperative to the farm sector the APVMA gets back on track and empowering Ken Matthews AO’s review into the Authority’s future structure and governance was a step in the right direction.  

APVMA review a welcome opportunity: GrainGrowers

The government’s response to the Matthews Review into the governance of the AVPMA is a welcome opportunity to ensure the regulator can operate in the best interests of Australian agriculture. GrainGrowers CEO, Shona Gawel said the report was an important step in maintaining our strong, independent, evidence-based regulatory system.

World Vegetable Map 2024 – Turbulent times for the global vegetable sector: Rabobank

Global vegetable trade value rose amid cost increases; production down in some major markets. The value of the global vegetable trade rose in line with rising prices, reaching 3 per cent average annual growth from 2017 to 2022, according to Rabobank’s recently-published World Vegetable Map.

Shire meets with farmers

Carey Brennan. On Thursday, April 11, approximately 80 farmers filled the Donald Memorial Hall supper room to hear from the Buloke Shire and several speakers, to find out exactly what the Victorian NSW Interconnector (VNI) West Transmission Lines project means for this district.

Eagle slayer myth hard to kill off

Shaun Hollis. A trio of majestic wedge-tailed eagles rises out of the paddock stubble as our farm ute approaches ... Honiton farmer Matt Smith said he likes the huge birds living in the scrub beyond the bottom paddock because they help clean up the remains of any lambs which have become too weak to survive on their own. He said he has never seen an eagle kill a healthy lamb on his farm.

Commonwealth backs down on Basin Plan blackmail: VFF

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is relieved the Commonwealth Government has finally stopped blackmailing Victoria and agreed to fund environmental projects that will ensure floodplains are watered. VFF President Emma Germano said it’s pleasing to see that Victoria will no longer be short-changed for key Basin Plan projects.

Dechra welcomes Numnuts ® into the Gold Standard for pain relief

In a significant stride towards elevating pain relief standards for farm animals, Dechra Pharmaceuticals proudly welcomes Numnuts ® into its product offering. Numnuts ®, a revolutionary solution for ring marking in lambs, will be distributed alongside Dechra’s flagship wound care, anaesthetic, and antiseptic product, Tri-Solfen ®.

Roundtables seek agreement for defining Indigenous agricultural products: NFF

The National Farmers’ Federation will host a series of roundtables across April and May to confirm support for the broad characteristics and principles that must be used in defining Indigenous agricultural products ... NFF President David Jochinke said it was essential the widest range of voices were heard at this stage to ensure project’s objectives are achieved, including delivering ongoing prosperity to Indigenous peoples and business by being able to demonstrate authenticity and verifying claims about their products.  

A superfood renaissance down under: AgriFutures Australia announces new research plan for the quinoa industry

Known for its ancient origins and impressive nutritional profile, quinoa has not only captured the attention of health-conscious consumers globally, but also some entrepreneurial Australian farmers. Quinoa fuelled ancient Andean civilisations in South America for more than 7,000 years … along with high protein levels and essential amino acids has earned it the “superfood” title.

The family farm is doomed

Some rough numbers: 18 million hectares make up Western Australia’s freehold grain belt. Back in 1970 we had 20,000 growers and farms averaged about 1500ha in size, today we have 4000 broadacre farmers with the average farm about 3000ha ... While we may think our version of the family farm will be here forever, think again. The mega global family farms are on the march and so are the corporates.

The autumn draft to Corryong

Anonymous. A thousand head of ‘forward steers’ are listed for the sale - cold country reared, good doers, to go forward without fail. So runs the stock advertisement and buyers from the plains are on their way to Corryong to beat the winter rains. Away in far-off Groggin and out near Buenbar, the mountain lads are mustering the cattle, near and far ...

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