Interview

The first major project unveiled by the Australasian Space Innovation Institute, the National Digital Twin for Australian Agriculture holds immense potential for the agricultural industry to harness existing national datasets and observation systems to model scenarios, test options and inform discussions and decisions, including at scale. Australian Rural & Regional News found out a good deal through an in depth interview with Andrew Beveridge, Director of the National Digital Twin for Australian Agriculture.

Energy Estate and Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables have formalised a strategic affiliation to advance the BioNQ Project in North Queensland, positioning sugarcane as a critical solution to Australia’s fuel security challenge while delivering long-term regional economic benefits. ARR.News asked a few further questions of Simon Currie, Energy Estate's Chief Project Officer.

Adaptation to climate change is happening at ground level amongst the vines in Australia. One winemaker in the vanguard is Mudgee winemaker David Lowe, who, in 2021, made a major decision in pivotting his certified organic and biodynamic estate away from "delicate French varieties" and towards hardy Mediterranean styles better able to handle a hotter, more volatile future.

Tim Ellis' current exhibition of paintings and new media, ‘Glimpses’ brings together cinematic compositions and bright, fluid brushstrokes for vivid, hyper-real scenes from his life in rural Far North Queensland ... Tim joins us to answer three questions about 'Glimpses', on display at the Tableland Regional Gallery until 7 March.

As MacKillop heads toward the March 2026 state election, voters are being challenged to weigh experience, independence, and influence. Labor candidate Mark Braes makes his case in an exclusive Q&A with The [Naracoorte] News, pitching decades in law, local government, and mayoral leadership—alongside the leverage of being part of a governing SA Labor Party.

Facing aggravated assault charges he has denied, member for MacKillop Nick McBride says he is "chafing at the bit, desperate," and "can't wait to get to the court" to tell his side of the story. In an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with The [Naracoorte] News, Mr McBride asked voters for a "leap of faith," urging the electorate to uphold the Australian Constitution and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

Normanby Aboriginal Corporation and Esparq Ventures have announced they have raised $600,000 as part of their mission to raise $10 million to commercialise, launch, and nationally scale their innovative and sustainable enterprise, Bush Beef ... ethical, climate-friendly food sources are in growing demand ... ARR.News found out more from Dominiqe Bird of Esparq Ventures.

After years of uncertainty over what happens to household soft plastics, a new Australian partnership is proving they can be recycled, and reused, locally, and at scale ... ARR.News interviews Matthew Holloway from the Holloway Group and Danial Gallagher from iQRenew.

Cameron Keane explains how mine tyres can be recycled into pretty much free energy and fishing banned in WA? Fiona L Fox delves into this contentious law in your regional news.

Is there life after the ban on live sheep exports? Bindi Murray joins us from Sheep Producers Australia with some good news! Plus we catch up with local legend Mat Dunn from Beacon who is in Harvest for an update and all of your local weather with Jessica Lingard from the Bureau (of Meteorology).

Testimony to the potential presented by Southeast Asia is the steady progress of innovative Australia agtech company Bygen, both domestically and in the region, in this case Vietnam. Bygen is a Melbourne-based manufacturer producing granular and powdered activated carbon products. ARR.News found out more from Cameron Griffiths, Bygen CCO.

After a gruelling 21-day competition that saw working dogs battle it out on farms across Australia, the winner of the 2025 Cobber Challenge has officially been crowned ... Taking out the highly coveted title of Australia’s hardest working dog is Duke, a tall leggy collie, and his owner Beck Smith based in Stonehenge, a remote town in Central Queensland with a population of 58.

After reviewing "Black, White + Colour - A biography of Mervyn Bishop, Australia's first indigenous professional photographer", Aedeen Cremin was able to speak with the author, former journalist Tim Dobbyn, about his book and its celebrated subject, a long-time family friend.

JAZZ™ apples are the first of their kind to undergo a groundbreaking compostable sticker trial, reaffirming a commitment to reducing environmental impact and paving the way for an eco-friendly future. ARR.News found out more from Montague Farms and J-Tech.

Australia’s sheep industry is at a turning point - and producers are being asked to help write the next chapter. Sheep Producers Australia (SPA) has launched the development of The Future Flock, a national strategy designed to guide the sheepmeat and wool sector through change and set a profitable, resilient direction for decades to come. ARR.News asked some questions of SPA CEO Bonnie Skinner about The Future Flock and national strategy.

Shared love of a wee dram that has distilled into a brilliant business. The Single Malt Whisky Club started when two mates would catch up on Friday nights and relax with a shared bottle of single malt whisky. At the time single malt whisky mainly came from Scotland and only a few brands were available in Australia. ARR.News found out more about single malts, the club and the business from founder Brad Wright.

Sam Marwood, the Founder and Managing Director of Cultivate Farms, reports on the information session held at Malanda Dairy Centre in the Atherton Tablelands. ARR.News found out some more about the sharefarming concept from Sam ... "The ultimate aim is to empower aspiring farmers to own profitable farms, revitalise regional communities, and create sustainable, profitable agriculture across Australia."

NBN Co and Amazon have announced an agreement to deliver high-speed, wholesale fixed broadband to customers in parts of regional, rural and remote Australia via Project Kuiper’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology. ARR.News had some questions for NBN Co and Amazon.

Professor Matthew Harrison. While practices for reducing or removing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions abound, little information exists on the combination of practices required to reach net-zero emissions, the cost of transitioning to net-zero, or how carbon removals may change under hotter and more variable conditions expected with climate change. ARR.News asked a few further questions of Professor Harrison.

Narrabri launches a cheeky new campaign calling for major retailers to close the regional retail gap ... Watch the saucy short video and read the ARR.News interview with Narrabri Shire Mayor, Darrell Tiemens and Narrabri Shire General Manager, Eloise Chaplain.

With National Alpaca Week taking place around Australia from 10 to 18 May, this seems the ideal time to learn more about these cute camelids with the fabulous fleece and the industry in Australia. ARR.News found out more from Brett Fallon, the President of the Australian Alpaca Association.

Ten candidates for the seats of Mallee and Farrer respond to questions on a range of key issues including cost of living, national energy security and affordability, housing, water buyback and human rights violations of the Government's Covid-19 response.