Research

A team of world-leading researchers from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, are exploring if a small insect, the stem-boring weevil, Lixus caudiger, could hold the key to tackling flaxleaf fleabane; one of the most invasive and costly weeds in Australian grain production.

Australian researchers are delving into the secret life of bees in a quest to breed more resilient, productive and happy honey-makers. The nation’s first comprehensive honey bee genetic improvement program, Plan Bee, has delivered genetic tools to secure the future of beekeepers.

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is seeking input from growers to shape investment in 'blue sky' research that could uncover the next game changer for the Australian grains industry. This engagement will build on the grower-informed priorities captured in the organisation's current, 5-year research, development and extension (RD&E) plan.

The Grains Research and Development Corporation thought it could settle the question of whether its budget was “right-sized.” Instead, it has lit a fire under growers. After a run of big harvests and strong prices, levy income has ballooned and reserves now sit at $688.4 million—up more than $100 million in a single year.

New research released ... by AUSVEG has for the first time quantified the cost and scope of the $213 million annual compliance, regulatory and red tape burden hampering the productivity and profitability of Australian vegetable growers, and threating the long-term viability of Australia’s vegetable industry.

Australians are renowned for their love of coffee. From the bustling laneways of Melbourne to beachside cafés in Byron Bay, the daily ritual of the flat white or long black has become woven into national culture. Collectively, Australians consume around six billion cups of coffee each year.

AI is not the future but already the present of agriculture. This creates an unexpected occupation for every farmer in Australia. This occupation is creating a culture of AI consumption in agriculture. Australian Consumer Law can help. So, let's go?

According to Avocados Australia’s latest “Facts at a Glance Report”, Australian avocado growers produced 131,385 tonnes of avocados for FY2024/25, valued at AUD$794 million* (Gross value of production (GVP)). Volume was slightly lower, but GVP was 22.34 per cent higher when compared to the previous period.

Agriculture investment is evolving globally. Once focused on farmland, today’s investors are targeting entire supply chains. Rising costs and flat land prices are pressuring returns, and the focus is shifting to yield, resilience and ESG-linked income.

More than 500 farmers, advisers and industry representatives converged on BCG’s Main Research Site on the Sunraysia Highway, Birchip, for the 2025 Main Field Day ... Alongside the recognition and reflections, the day showcased hands-on trial tours, expert presentations, and discussions on disease control, herbicide innovation, yield optimisation and soil management.

A report released in partnership with Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, Commonwealth environmental water sustaining Murray–Darling Basin ecosystems: 10-year (2014–24) retrospective, outlines how a decade of monitoring, evaluation and reporting is optimising management of Commonwealth environmental water holdings – a public asset with a market value approaching $10 billion.

Australian milk production is set to fall again in the current season, as ongoing feed shortages and a smaller milking herd in drought-affected areas continue to impact, Rabobank says in newly-released research. This comes as global milk supply surges, with production increasing across other key dairy-exporting regions across the world.

A new drone test flight facility in the Northern Territory will give manufacturers the chance to test their technology in some of the most diverse terrain and extreme weather conditions in the world. The North Australia Centre for Autonomous Systems (NACAS), based out of Charles Darwin University (CDU), has launched its Airspace Integration Research Facility (AIR-F), the only purpose-designed and built Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) test flight facility based in northern Australia. 

Soil compaction is quietly limiting pasture productivity and affecting horse health. Thanks to the work of 2022 Nuffield Scholar Adam Williamson, the thoroughbred industry now has practical, evidence-based strategies to address it.

Premier Chris Minns says it’s unthinkable that koalas are at risk of extinction. He’s spot on. Koalas are not now and never have been at risk of extinction ... Environment Minister Penny Sharpe says the Great Koala National Park has been a dream for more than a decade. Indeed. The Great Koala Park is the culmination of a campaign by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to extend their empire ... Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty says the Government is committed to a sustainable forestry industry in NSW. I think her ministerial title gives the lie to that.

NSW border town of Albury experienced a 16-fold increase in net migration from capitals in the year to June 2025. Regional Australia remains a strong draw for city dwellers, with 26 per cent more people relocating from capital cities to regional areas than vice versa, according to the June Quarter Regional Mover Index (RMI).

Cattle prices have risen solidly across all categories, supported by recent rainfall across southern Australia and strong demand from northern lot feeders. ANZ’s latest Agri InFocus report highlights the Female Slaughter Rate (FSR) as a key indicator of destocking activity over the past year, and the resulting surge in restocker demand.

Australia’s wine industry is showing signs of recovery after one of its most challenging decades – but the rebound remains fragile and uneven. According to ANZ’s latest Agri InFocus report, wine exports rose 13 percent in value to $2.48 billion in the year to June 2025, driven largely by renewed trade with mainland China following the reopening of that market. 

Whether you like it or not, the era of AI is beginning in global agriculture. The reasons for this event are divided into obvious and secret. These reasons predetermine the prospects for using AI.

Australia’s beef industry is on track to break production records in 2025, according to Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) latest Australian Cattle Industry Projections – September Update. Despite a slight easing in herd numbers, the national cattle herd is forecast to remain stable at 31 million head, supported by strong seasonal conditions in the north and strategic herd management in the south.

Madison Eastmond. Two Riverlanders have presented a first-of-its-kind survey to SA Parliament, with research findings revealing the challenges that many face while living with Tourette's. Contingent member, and Riverland Youth Theatre artistic director Sam Wannan, and RYT youth intern Rowen Hurrell, joined the Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia to share the Tourette's Impact Report ...

QUT researchers have created a powerful new tool that could predict when an athlete is at risk of suffering another injury when returning to play from a previous injury. It uses data from wearable sensors capturing how the athlete moves in training or gameplay … The system was developed by Associate Professor Paul Wu, Distinguished Professor Kerrie Mengersen (pictured above) and Yu Yi Yu from the QUT…