Media Release

Agriculture, fisheries and forestry is well placed to take on future challenges and opportunities, according to the latest ABARES Snapshot of Australian agriculture. Sector value and production have continued to grow over the past 20 years with another strong performance expected in 2024-25.

Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), a leading animal welfare organisation, has released its APAC EggTrack 2024 Spotlight. As the 2025 deadline for numerous global, regional, and local commitments approaches, the Spotlight highlights Australia’s standout leadership in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region for advancing cage-free egg commitments.

A new terminal line of beef genetics which produces maximum productivity, efficiency, and sustainability has been successfully bred in Australia for the first time. Queensland cattle producers Nick and Kate Boshammer of NB Genetics reached a milestone over the weekend, confirming the birth of Australia’s first NuEra T14 calves...

People caught abusing, neglecting or mistreating animals will face tough new penalties after new animal welfare laws were passed in State Parliament this week. Those found guilty of animal cruelty now face maximum fines of up to $250,000, and/or 10 years jail, for the aggravated ill-treatment of an animal, up from $50,000 and/or four years in jail.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says the Essential Services Commission’s decision to grant Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) an electricity transmission licence must not be treated as a license to steamroll landholders in the path of planned renewable energy projects. Amongst a raft of new powers, the licence enables TCV workers to legally enter farms and carry out preparatory works for the VNI West powerline without the need to obtain landholder consent. 

During Parliament ... The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, raised concerns over the Allan Labor Government’s inadequate response to an inquiry into the 2022 floods.

Rural, regional and remote Australians are dying at higher rates than their urban counterparts, with avoidable deaths in the regions nearly four times higher, according to new data released today by the National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA).

One of Queensland’s most loved events in the Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular, the richest Clydesdale Show in the Southern Hemisphere will this year be held in Beaudesert, taking over the showground on the weekend of June 14 and 15. The announcement was celebrated today by three magnificent harness horses – Billy, Bobbi and Bluey!

Mandalay Venture Partners, a specialist early-stage agrifood tech venture capital firm, is pleased to announce its first strategic investor - leading Malaysian fresh food group Segi Fresh ... One of the companies that may immediately benefit from this collaboration is Queensland-based startup TomKat Kool Paks, which develops Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled thermal containers for cold chain transportation.

The cost of producing milk in Australia continues to compare favourably with other dairy-exporting regions, despite a structural lift in global milk production costs across the past five years, according to a new report by agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank.

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said live sheep export farmers have been dealt another insulting blow by the Albanese Labor Government, amid revelations $2.3 million of the budget allocated to phase out live sheep exports has gone to a global media company for advertising.

The Crisafulli Government has officially opened the new Tara Hospital - and commenced work on new staff accommodation - reinforcing its commitment to delivering easier access to health services in rural and regional Queensland.

Join this special February Hazardous Webinar to discuss the lessons we can take so far from the devastating Los Angeles (LA) bushfires and what they mean for Australia. The webinar is bought to you by Natural Hazards Research Australia and AFAC.

Farmers have warned the march of a destructive cactus through NSW could be only the beginning of the state’s weed woes unless ongoing funding for weed control is secured. NSW Farmers’ Croppa Creek and North Star Branch Chair Richard Doyle said farmers in the north of the state have reported a drastic surge in harrisia cactus infestations as the destructive cactus continues to spread south from the Queensland border.

Australian barley production is forecast to lift by eight per cent to deliver 11.7 million tonnes in the 2024/25 season – while facing trade headwinds as Chinese buyers plan to focus on their own domestic market – according to new research from Rabobank.

As the second February sitting week wraps up, Australian famers have secured major policy wins across biosecurity, taxation, environment and trade. National Farmers’ Federation President David Jochinke has spent the past sitting fortnight balancing his time between the farm and the halls of Parliament, speaking directly with political leaders.

The visionary Bradfield Scheme – which by design diverts excess floodwaters from the upper Tully, Herbert and Burdekin river systems – could have ameliorated the devastating 2025 North Queensland floods had it been built, Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter has said.

The latest Monthly Commodity Insights report from Bendigo Bank Agribusiness flags a strong start for Australian agricultural markets in 2025.