Australian avocado production continues to smash records – Rabobank
Australia’s avocado industry is grappling with another year of increased production and low prices, according to a new report by agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank. However, the world’s growing appetite for the popular nutrient-packed green fruit is offering growers some relief, with increasing export demand for Australia’s produce, the report says.
New Zealand flights to take off after Bonza closure
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli’s call to the Queensland Government for a lifeline following Bonza Airline’s closure has been met with a positive step forward ... The Fund will support direct Jetstar flights from Sunshine Coast Airport to Auckland all year round, starting in December.
Goat year for goat production
If you think you are beginning to see more goats in paddocks on the Downs you might be onto something as across the whole nation goat production is breaking new records. Goats arrived in Australia with the First Fleet in 1788 and spread with settlers throughout the country ... Australia has notched up a record year of goat production in 2023 as both domestic sales and exports reach new levels.
Battle on this weekend for a ticket to ride at Paris Olympics
The dressage world is bubbling with excitement with the Olympic Games just weeks away and the final CPEDI qualifier in Australia begins this weekend at the Hawkesbury Dressage Festival at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre. Once this is done, the selectors and EA high performance people will get their heads together to choose the teams.
National Farmers’ Federation champions Australian trade and sustainability in Europe
The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) President David Jochinke and CEO Tony Mahar, along with the Special Representative for Australian Agriculture (SRAA) Su McCluskey, are championing the vital message of Australia’s trade and sustainability credentials in Europe. The delegation has been showcasing the Australian Agriculture Sustainability Framework (AASF), an industry-led initiative that highlights Australia's dedication to sustainable agriculture.
Jon Bell’s first feature film hits the big screen
Casino filmmaker Jon Bell has had a huge year with his first feature film The Moogai. In January, it was screened at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, United States. The Moogai is an Australian horror film showing the ongoing trauma of the Stolen Generations through a bogeyman terrorising a family.
Thank you, Naracoorte!
One of Naracoorte’s champion athletes, Jessica Stenson, nee Trengrove, is off to Paris to represent the country’s women’s marathon team in the 2024 Olympic Games next month. Born and bred in the small town of Naracoorte, South Australia, Jessica, a medal-winning marathon runner, was selected by Athletics Australia for the team after weeks of controversy and recriminations.
CWA International Food Fair goes from strength to strength
CWA Narrandera Evening Branch is celebrating another huge success with their International Food Fair on Saturday ... "There were over 30 food and market stalls on offer, again a further increase on last year’s stall numbers": CWA President Beryl Brain ... Free children’s activities included a jumping castle, face painting and fun activities provided by Fusion.
Uarah bred golden perch fingerlings bound for China
Uarah Fisheries at Grong Grong is attempting to establish an export market for live golden perch in China. The aquaculture farm will export tens of thousands of native golden perch fingerlings to China as demand grows for Australian fish.
Australia and Japan to strengthen horticulture ties: Hort Innovation
Efforts are underway to continue to grow the important trade relationship between Australia and Japan, with exports from Australia to Japan valued at $154 million annually, through a series of inbound and outbound trade activities ... the program will enable Australian and Japanese horticulture industry representatives to build relationships, expand networks, exchange knowledge, and explore commercial and research opportunities.
Is technology and AI impacting our ability to critically think?
Last week I attended and spoke at an International Leadership and Management Conference in Liverpool UK. It is an annual conference where academics and practitioners come together to share and explore the latest research and new trends on leadership. One of the key themes discussed that impacted me was the session on how technology and AI is impacting on our next generation’s ability to critically think.
Locals celebrate anniversary of Samoa’s independence
This past Saturday marked the 62nd Anniversary of Samoan Independence from New Zealand, a significant milestone for the Samoan community. The celebration at the CWA Hall in Tennant Creek was a testament to our rich cultural heritage, featuring an afternoon of singing, dancing, and fun.
Update on PALM scheme
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has welcomed the Federal Government’s backflip on ill-advised changes to the Pacific Australian Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme, after The Nationals strongly advocated against the now-defunct minimum hours of work requirement.
Beehero establishes regional headquarters in Australia, growing its local presence & supporting pollination of multiple crops
BeeHero, the pioneer of precision pollination, announced the establishment of its new regional headquarters in Australia as part of a strategic plan to expand operations in support of Australian growers and beekeepers. BeeHero’s expanded presence involves support for multiple crops, with the company’s groundbreaking in-hive and in-field monitoring technologies now deployed across almonds, canola, macadamia nuts, apples, pears, plums, cherries, avocados, hybrid seed crops, and blueberries.
There is a labour shortage in Ukrainian agriculture
Labour shortage is becoming a big problem in Ukrainian agriculture. By the end of 2023, 10 per cent of agricultural enterprises indicated a lack of labour as the main factor hindering business development. This was the highest value since 2013 ... The war created a problem. But war can solve this problem.
Madison is off to Mexico
Fifteen-year-old Sandringham Sabres young gun, Madison Ryan, has officially made the under-17 Australian Sapphires Basketball team and will travel to Mexico to compete in the World Cup series between July 13 and 21, 2024.
Australian beef genetics set to take on world
US and Canadian genetics dominate world markets, but Genetics Australia’s (GA) beef manager, Damien Thomson, says the time is right for Aussie products to make a mark on the international scene. “Many of the most used sires in Australia are either American or out of American sires,” Mr Thomson said. “But the strength of our Australian bulls, GA’s partnership with GENEX and the upcoming World Angus Forum will open doors for products to go both ways between Australia and America.”
Tamsen’s Territory – the U.N. and its new world order
The United Nations is quietly encouraging a policy of making all countries adopt a host of new laws and regulations aimed at creating a new world order with international control by its target year of 2030. Evidence of this is provided by various U.N. management reports calling for a different world direction away from the post-World War II way of life and the way people have been governed by individual States. These reports claim that the U.N. intends to “reshape the world for the better,” by means of a common (U.N.) agenda driven by solidarity as prescribed by its declarations on human and associated rights, such as those for reparations for indigenous people.
Don’t cry for me Albanese
Argentina has long interested me. Just how a country blessed with their natural assets and European colonial history has managed to turn itself from being one of the 10 wealthiest countries in the world prior to the first world war to 65th in the world is a case study of the failings of popularist socialist government policies ... Imagine paying out $50 per tonne tax for the privilege of growing a tonne of wheat and then having to pay tax on any profits you manage to make. It may sound mad but it's not that far from Albanese's new biosecurity tax on farm gate production.
Op shop’s benefits reach far and wide
Look First Op Shop appreciates the patronage of many local customers, alongside the visitors from out of town ... The theme behind the name is that we look beyond the “four walls” of our homes, our town, our country as we contribute into our local organisations and overseas – Ukraine, Niger, Indonesia and Timor Leste.
GrainGrowers watching Incitec sale
GrainGrowers is closely monitoring the impending sale of Incitec Pivot Fertiliser (IPF) to Indonesian government-backed fertiliser company PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur (PKT) to ensure growers have access to a consistent supply of critical inputs. GrainGrowers’ Chair Rhys Turton said the sales process had been underway for some time, with members expressing concerns over access to an uninterrupted supply of products.
Broadway calling
Casterton local and Year 10 student at The Hamilton and Alexandra College, Sarah Crowle, is heading to New York City to perform under the bright lights of Broadway. Sarah auditioned at the Victorian Dance Festival, held in Melbourne during April, and received an invitation to attend the New York City Musical Theatre Summer Intensive program.
