International

On 14 May 2024, the Treasurer delivered the Federal Budget. The key themes of the Budget were addressing cost of living pressures and a ‘future made in Australia.’ ... Waterfind has analysed the May 2024 Budget, and has provided commentary from a ‘water’ perspective on the key initiatives, funding and changes from previous budgets.

Ben Arandt and Will Barnes, with Australian team mate Kurtis Fisher, have won the Coupe de France national division grand-final. The trio play for the Les Loups Paimers-Vernajoul X11 Wolves and have enjoyed a successful season, with Barnes and Fisher backing up their Leeton Greens Group 20 premiership, with this latest win.

The Green Pioneer, Fortescue’s world-leading, dual-fuelled ammonia-powered vessel has been awarded the Hydrogen Transport award at the World Hydrogen 2024 Awards ... Sustainable Energy Council Hydrogen Advisory Board recognised Fortescue for its significant achievements in the transport sector and outstanding work over the past 12 months to advance hydrogen technologies...

The export of live sheep by sea from Australia will end on 1 May 2028, with legislation enacting the phase out to be introduced in this term of Parliament ... While the live sheep export industry has been in decline for many years, down from $415m in 2002-03 to $77m in 2022-23, the demand for processed sheepmeat both here and overseas has been rapidly expanding. This presents an opportunity for more processing to occur onshore in WA ...

The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) says farmers have been left shocked after Agriculture Minister Murray Watt announced a radical 4-year timeline to phase out live sheep exports ... "I’d say to farmers – stand tall and don’t lose hope. We’re proud of the vital role we play in feeding and clothing people all around the world. We will not allow this Government's sucking up to activists rob us of that pride": Tony Mahar, NFF CEO.

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said a future Coalition Government will maintain the live sheep trade if it wins the next election, after Labor announced its live sheep export shutdown timeframe, with Agriculture Minister Murray Watt revealing a $107 million plan to ‘transition’ the industry by May 1, 2028 ... Warranine park farmer Ellen Walker from Brookton, WA, went to two meetings with the independent panel in Kondinin and York and said she was devastated by Minister Watt’s announcement today.

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.

Recently, Australia's trade relationship with the Middle East strengthened by the establishment of an MOU between the Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry and  Dubai Chamber and the launch of the Dubai Chamber office in Sydney, Australia. This is testament to the strong collaboration and opportunity to strengthen future collaboration between Australia and the Middle East, with a hub in Dubai.

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.

In one city, the cost of milk is double! Buyers are outraged. And sellers set the prices they want. Yet the law prohibits making a trade markup on milk of more than 10 per cent. All this happens not only because of violation of the law. Another reason is the lack of a food consumption culture.

Latrobe City Council has reaffirmed its strong support for the Japanese hydrogen HESC project, stressing the vital role it can play in the Latrobe Valley’s economic future, after a visit to the proponent’s industry hub in Japan. “The visit was successful in reinforcing the support from Latrobe City to be a hub for hydrogen manufacturing and the HESC project... "

The world has witnessed a surge in interest surrounding superfood Moringa oleifera, a fast-growing tree known for its extraordinary nutritional benefits. Almost every part of the moringa tree, from its high-protein green leaves to its seed oil, is edible and packed with essential nutrients.

Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, recently embarked on a moving journey to Villers-Bretonneux to pay respects on Anzac Day and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the twinning with Robinvale.  

South Australia is the only state in the nation to grow its exports according to latest trade stats as trade with China continues to soar – up nearly 40 per cent year-on-year. The state’s merchandise exports reached $17.7 billion in the year to March 2024, growing by 2.8 per cent, against a nationwide decrease of 10 per cent over the same period.

Manager of cluBarham’s Golf and Sports Club Sienna Voglis will represent Australia in this year’s Women’s PGA Cup in Oregon in October. Sienna is one of five women on the Australian team after two days of qualifying at Sandhurst Club.

A small group of women gathered at 9.00 a.m. on Monday, 29th April, at Nhill Lake to participate in Walk the World, an annual event that celebrates the values of the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW). This global organisation is the largest international association for rural women, boasting a membership of nine million across 82 countries.

Ex-Birchip resident, Dennis Smith, served in the Vietnam war as a private soldier 12 Platoon D Company 4th Battalion for 10 months, between April 1968 and April 1969. He provided the large crowd gathered at the Birchip Cenotaph with a moving firsthand encounter of war and a history lesson of our country at war and what it means to our way of life.

Some long necks were seen parading around Australia’s quarantine facility recently with the arrival of 5 llamas to our shores ... “After a significant search, I selected these animals for their quality and genetic diversity,” said importer Jane Ackland of Everlong Llamas. She said llamas haven’t entered Australia from the USA since the mid-1990s.

Australia’s cattle market is sitting in a "state of balance" – with improved beef production waiting on an increase in demand – but an upside in prices is expected towards the end of the year, Rabobank says in its Australian Beef Seasonal Outlook 2024. The current absence of any strong demand – along with a higher herd inventory, with no real liquidation or rebuilding urgency...

A recent Rabobank report highlights a complex scenario for the global fertiliser market – fertiliser costs are down, but so are commodity prices, squeezing farmers’ margins. Demand for certain fertilisers, such as phosphates, is experiencing a downturn.

South Australia’s world-class shiraz is currently being showcased on the global stage as part of the ‘Via Sensoria’ exhibition, running until November at the iconic world wine museum, La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux, France. This partnership ensures South Australian wines can be showcased to thousands of visitors to the centre each year, as well creating a platform for producers to conduct wine tastings...