Country Today - July 13th

Country Today - July 13th

In a sign of the difficult times for the rice industry, Australia’s major rice processor, SunRice is cutting back jobs in the Riverina due to high water prices and low allocations meaning less rice was sown and there just isn’t the rice to process. The Victorian Farmers Federation has taken up a challenge to highlight the condition of the state's regional road network. It's launched a two-week reporting blitz, calling on regional and rural road users to report potholes and road hazards. And lo and behold, The State Opposition has pledged to eliminate one million potholes and re-establish a proper, planned system of preventative road maintenance with a  commitment of $5 billion for road funding if they win the election in November. Our first interview on Country Today with Liberal Leader Jess Wilson. And an inspirational young farmer who’s come up with an interesting succession plan for a large family business. Once a family member is 60, they cut their working week by a day a week until they finally retire at 65. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Country Today - July 10th

Country Today has been at LambEx in Adelaide. Young farmer, Katherine Bain, went back to the family farm and one of the first things she did was buy the neighbouring property. We'll will discuss if sheep producers will be tempted back to merinos to profit from two income streams now that wool prices are back on the rise. Also today, updates on the cropping season following substantial rain and more on its way. In the Riverina, the wet winter is seeing outbreaks of plant diseases such as blackleg in canola. Then we’ll head to the Wimmera where Farmers have received upwards of 250 millimeters year to date with waterlogged paddocks setting back crops. The weekly wool report and the EMI rose this week to close at 1909 cents kg. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Country Today - July 9th

In what is claimed to be the largest ever sheep conference in the world. Lambex in Adelaide this week. And half the delegates are sheep, lamb and wool producers. It’s all about challenging mindsets and looking to the future of these industries that are currently enjoying the good times. Today increasing merino breeding profits by attention to data details with Mumblebone stud sixth generation owner/manager Chad Taylor. Also sheep and beef entering an unprecedented golden era with all major exporters going through herd and flock rebuilds to expect record prices to continue to tumble. We’ll head to China to hear about the revolution in wool processing with robotics and AI. And a prominent woolgrower who wants Cricket Australia to choose home grown and produced wool garments for its players. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Country Today - July 8th

A new take on crop insurance. An Australian seed wholesaler is offering a payout to grain growers using their cereal and canola seed if they don’t get enough rain during crop establishment.  Victoria currently has approximately 30 major data centre projects in the pipeline across the development, construction, and commissioning phases. Driven by the need for abundant land and power, massive investments are planned for regional hubs. So what can we expect with this digital infrastructure boom? It’s been a tough year for rice growers with high water prices, low allocations and market deregulation. Nominations for the 2026 Landcare Awards closing at the end of July. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Country Today - July 7th

Coming up an update on how agricultural commodities are faring with Rabobank’s latest commodity outlook. Sheep farmers could soon be able to estimate their flock’s liveweight and fleece weight using a 3D sensor system being developed by the CSIRO.     The latest seasonal climate outlook is for a drier and warmer spring.   The Victorian Government has merged the various food authorities to create Safe Food Victoria.  We talk to the inaugural Chief Executive Officer Michael Gooey.   See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.