Media Release

Feral animals, regional airlines, farm data and artificial intelligence are just some of the topics up for debate as NSW Farmers gears up for its Annual Conference this month. More than 250 farmers are set to descend on Sydney’s Rosehill Gardens Racecourse on 22–23 July to decide what policy positions the state’s peak farm body will advocate for at the highest level.

An Asian hornet’s incredible compound eyes, the distinct ventral spine of a mottled shieldbug and the diamond-like bling of a polished green stink bug are among remarkable high-resolution images now bolstering Australia’s biosecurity system. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry recently added high-tech digital stacking capabilities to its laboratory imaging set-ups, to photograph tiny pests with deeper depth of field than ever before, and without any loss of clarity.

A plethora of events focusing on community, culture, art, wellbeing, creativity, gastronomy and adventure will be on offer in Halls Gap and Pomonal this winter, thanks to a new festival designed by volunteers. Glow – Bringing light to Halls Gap started on Saturday and runs for eight weeks until August 31.

Greater Shepparton City Council, supported by the Greater Shepparton Business Network (GSBN), officially launched the 2025 Greater Shepparton Business Festival on Monday 7 July at the Aussie Hotel in Shepparton ... The festival, running from Monday 4 to Thursday 21 August 2025, features 13 free workshops designed to help local businesses learn, connect and grow.

In June, three delegates from Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) visited Australia to understand counter-seasonal horticulture export opportunities and interview Australian growers and horticulture experts to assess feasibility of future export opportunities and collaboration between our two countries.  

Forestry Australia has welcomed the release of the Federal Government’s Timber Fibre Strategy ... The Strategy recognises the critical role of science, innovation, and active forest management in ensuring that Australia’s forests can continue to deliver environmental, economic, cultural and social outcomes for generations to come.

The Nationals' Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, has slammed new legislation proposed by the Allan Labor Government that would allow government officials and transmission companies to enter private farmland without consent, and hit landholders with steep fines if they object.

The Allan Labor Government is expanding recreational hunting in East Gippsland – boosting tourism, supporting local jobs and helping control wild deer. Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos today announced that the National Parks Act will be amended to allow seasonal deer hunting in Errinundra and Snowy River National Park. 

The Shadow Minister for Forestry and Member for Warren Blackwood, Bevan Eatts MLA, has called on the Cook Labor Government to urgently invest in public awareness and collaborative monitoring efforts to prevent the spread of the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) beyond the Perth metropolitan area and into the South West.

Farmers are calling for a government crackdown to stamp out fire ants in NSW after the pests were discovered in Tweed Heads this week. On Wednesday the NSW Government confirmed an immature Red Imported Fire Ant nest was detected on a property in NSW, where it was later destroyed by authorities.

TasFarmers is calling on all political parties in the upcoming state election to support a $500,000 investment into funding an independent Agricultural Career Coach, designed to connect young Tasmanians with fulfilling careers in agriculture regardless of their background.

A new ABARES report, Australia’s native forests and wood production, highlights the important role Australia’s diverse native forests play in helping to combat climate change, providing a home to many flora and fauna species, and providing high quality wood products.

Australia is experiencing a dip in avocado production with the 2024/25 crop estimated to be down 15 per cent on last year, Rabobank says in a newly-released report ... And Australian production is forecast to rebound to record volumes – of around 170,000 metric tons – in 2025/26.

The global poultry industry has seen a relatively strong start to the year, sustained by rising animal protein prices and lower feed costs compared to last year. However, recent developments, including the announced (and postponed) US import tariffs, bird flu outbreaks in key regions, and the Israel-Iran conflict, are introducing significant uncertainty.

Experts from the Geological Survey of Western Australia, part of the newly formed WA Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration, have identified a distinctive chemical fingerprint that signals where gold is most likely to be found ... a major step forward for mineral exploration on a global scale.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says evidence of some Victorian local government councils slugging huge rate rises on farmers shows the Victorian Government’s local government rate capping policy isn’t working. VFF President Brett Hosking said farmers continue to get the raw end of the stick with rate capping failing to deter unfair rate hikes in some regions.

Campaspe Shire Council is leading the way in emergency preparedness with the launch of a new Emergency Dashboard. The Emergency Dashboard is a centralised online hub designed to provide real-time, reliable information to residents before, during and after emergency events.

A new showroom displaying Holden heritage vehicles is revving up Gippsland, giving car enthusiasts another reason to visit the region. Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos was at the Trafalgar Holden Museum to announce that the new showroom, the Neil Joiner Holden Heritage Centre is now open. 

The illegal importation of 62 tonnes of pork and other animal protein from Thailand into Australia proves the urgent need for increased funding and resources for frontline biosecurity services ... a District Court judge sentencing her to a 24-month intensive corrections order and 150 hours of community service ... “The two cases demonstrate that food smugglers can get away with breaching our biosecurity laws too easily and for too long before being found out, and face too small a punishment”: CA Chief Executive, Dr Chris Parker.

Work has started in Stockinbingal on building an accommodation camp for workers on the Illabo to Stockinbingal (I2S) section of Inland Rail. The accommodation camp will provide a home away from home for 350 workers who will be helping build the 39km of new track over the next two years.