Country Today - June 22nd

Country Today - June 22nd

We’ll talk about the discovery of the highly infectious H5N1 avian flu in WA with egg producer Brian Ahmed who says it’s when, not if, we get infections in our poultry flocks. Wouldn’t it be great to get a bird's-eye view of how your crops are faring. Well, you can, though satellite imaging and Victoria’s crops are going gangbusters.. Farmers reliant on bees for spring pollination are being urged to act now to secure contracts with apiarists or chance missing out due to the spread of varroa mite.   The annual Best Wool/Best Lamb and Better Beef conferences are on in Ballarat, One of the Keynote speakers is John Francis who says most farmers need to rethink their mindset. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Country Today - June 19th

Farmers for Climate Action has commissioned a report looking at the best alternatives for fossil fuels for farmers and has concluded electrification of farm equipment is the most cost-effective solution   The Federal Treasurer bows to pressure and expands capital gains tax concessions so they’re much better for farmers than they were before the budget announcement.   On the downside, the Albanese Government has also just made its largest purchase of irrigation water for the environment: $431 million for 83 gigalitres from Aware Super fund.   The weekly wool report and the EMI rose again to close at 1989 cents a kg.   See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Country Today - June 18th

It’s the weather phenomenon farmers fear most … El Nino, officially declared this week by the Bureau of Meteorology.  Winter can be a challenging time for sheep producers, with worms and scours posing a significant risk to weaners and lambing ewes Renewable energy developers have been banned from forcing farmers to sign non-disclosure agreement  The successful story of Warialda belted Galloway beef. A huge winner at farmers markets for more than 20 years.   See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Country Today - June 16th

The building of 70 km exclusion fence bordering the Big Desert National Park in north west Victoria hasn't succeeded in keeping the wild dogs at bay.    With a disappointing opening milk price for farmers, there is some hope for increased demand as global milk production slows.     There's a changing world for agricultural employment due largely to the technology revolution. Yet there is a chronic shortage of agriculture graduates. You’ll hear from ag education stalwart Professor John Pratley.   The use of seaweed additives in cattle feed to reduce methane emissions has been proven to work in feedlot situations. Much tougher is to prove its worth in extensive grazing systems. Global beef production is tipped to fall more than 2% this year, and that's good news for the Australian industry    See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Country Today - June 15th

Recent widespread rain has driven substantial increases in sheep and cattle prices are farmers look to restock. But will El Nino put the handbrake on rain.   Australia's science research is largely reliant on Federal Government Cooperative Research Centres, and there's now a push to create a Regenerative Regions CRC.   It's no secret there's a shortage of vets in regional areas.. Dr. Becky Dickinson is founder of Veterinary Support Services (VSS), aimed at helping early-career graduates with mentorship to foster long-term rural careers. She was recognised as Victoria’s 2026 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award winner. Country   The Victorian plague locust commissioner is warning locust populations in the Mallee could  see numbers at levels not seen in nearly 30 years.     Farmer confidence is on the rise, after a late autumn break helped boost soil moisture levels ahead of a predicted El Nino.   See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.