Country Today - June 2nd

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.

Country Today - June 10th

The start to the new milk season hasn't been as dairy farmers had hoped.. So what's holding prices back? Australia's red meat exports to the Middle East have begun to rebound, despite the war with Iran.  the Federal Government has announced it has secured another 31,000 tonnes of fertiliser, and another 50 million litres of diesel. So how significant is that? To the expansion of renewable energy in regional areas, NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe has announced an initial $60 million in community benefit funding from the South West Renewable Energy Zone in the Riverina   There simply won’t be enough honey bees to pollinate key autumn flowering crops’, thanks to varroa mite devastating commercial beehives.  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Country Today - June 9th

To the King's Birthday Honours and Lucinda Corrigan has been named a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition for her significant contributions to Australia’s meat and livestock industry, sustainability and climate action. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is calling for a strong code of conduct for the horticulture industry, NSW is joining national requirements for electronic identification requirements for sheep and goats. The Wine industry is calling for the federal government to halt tax changes announced the budget. Taylors Wines is threatening to take its operations overseas,  while the nation's largest retail liquor network Endeavour Group has announced it will step away from producing Concerns have been raised in the NSW parliament about Motor Neurone Disease, with reported clusters in the Riverina, particularly among farming communities.  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Country Today - June 5th

This lovely recent rain has already boosted cattle prices, with weaner steers making up to 8500 cents a kg at the Euroa sale earlier this week. But Elders analyst Richard Koch thinks these prices are overcooked.   A study into dingo DNA has found Australian dingoes do typically carry at least a small amount of domestic dog genetics.  The wool market continued its upward trend Grains Research and Development Corporation is announcing a $115m investment to cut nitrogen costs and secure supply through new science and technology.    A volunteer organisation based in Warrnambool in Victoria's South West has harvested more than a tonne of locally grown Olives in a weekend. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Country Today - June 4th

Following a record year ABARES is forecasting the value of agricultural production to fall by 5% to $98.3 billion.    Bulla Dairy Foods has announced its opening farmgate milk price for the 2026–2027 season at $9.15 - $9.95 kg/milk solids, which is higher than most processor prices.     There’s been widespread and very welcome rain over the past week, with most areas seeing totals from 15 to 100 mls, which is great to grain growing regions. Today you’ll hear about Hand to the Land is a fundraising initiative focused on increasing mental health professionals in the bush.   Anthrax has been recorded in Australian livestock for over 150 years. To explain the risks, signs to watch for and how farmers can protect their animals, you’ll hear from Agriculture Victoria’s senior vet Geoff Cave.   See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.