Country Today - June 11th

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.

Country Today - June 12th

Farmers impacted by this year’s January bushfires are encouraged to check what support they may be eligible for to help with recovery.  Regional road users across Victoria are being asked by the RACV to nominate the most dangerous roads for the My Country Road Survey.   Grain growers have historically been locked out of the regulated carbon market. New trial results from Victoria’s Wimmera using Carbon Builder fungal seed treatment in wheat shows promising results. To the dairy industry in the irrigation districts of Northern Victoria. Farmers were attracted to move to the area in the 1980s and nineties. But water prices have skyrocketed in more recent times and farmers have either left dairying or radically changed how they farm. To the weekly wool report and the market rose again with the EMI closing at 1979 cents a kg.  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Country Today - June 11th

To the controversy about the chemical herbicide paraquat. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority is due to announce if the highly toxic weed killer will be banned. Neurologists argue that exposure to paraquat is linked to Parkinson's disease.    Damaging hailstorms that can destroy entire crops are likely to increase in south east Australia due to climate change. While the renewables debate continues to divide many regional areas, for some farmers becoming a host has been a financial lifesaver.   If you’re in the sheep and or wool industry, you should take a look at the bi-ennial Lambex conference coming up next month, the 7 – 10 July in Adelaide.    Riverine Plains AG Extension is supporting southern NSW producers with free practical carbon farming assessments. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.