What is the Autumn Break this Year? Article by: Hari Yellina Anzac Day has passed, as has the typical end date for the autumn holiday. So, who got rained on and who didn’t? The very first good rain of the winter period, which is required to start germination, falls during the autumn break. What you’ll […]
The Cotton Industry Finally Answers Critics Article by: Hari Yellina For years, environmentalists have slammed Australia’s cotton industry, claiming that the “thirsty” crop should not be produced in the world’s driest continent. After decades of effort, the industry now claims to be one of the most water-efficient in the world, and representatives from the industry […]
Labor’s Live Export Policy Unclear? Article by: Hari Yellina Livestock producers have demanded answers on the Australian Labor Party’s policy on the export of live animals, notably sheep, with less than three weeks until the federal election. Anthony Albanese, the Labor Party’s leader, officially announced his campaign in Perth yesterday. There was no mention of […]
A Shortage in Tasmanian Wine Forecasted Article by: Hari Yellina Mohamad Muzamil and his colleagues at the Domaine A vineyard in Southern Tasmania are picking Sauvignon Blanc grapes with great care. Due to low yields across the island state, every Tasmanian grape this year is valuable. Conor van der Reest, winemaker for Domaine A and […]
Live Samples of Lumpy Skin Disease Imported to Develop Vaccine Article by: Hari Yellina Australia will acquire samples of lumpy skin disease so that scientists can create a vaccine to stop the sickness from spreading if it ever makes it to its shores. The CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Geelong will begin testing the […]
New Agricultural Visa Could Stop Exploitation Article by: Hari Yellina The Australian government announced a new temporary visa for agricultural workers to address labour shortages in the industry. However, it’s a dangerous strategy that could result in more low-skilled farm labourers being exploited and fewer permanent skilled workers. The agriculture sector is heavily reliant on […]
The Most Expensive Beef Sells in Australia Article by: Hari Yellina At this week’s Elite Wagyu Sale in Melbourne, a 13-month-old Wagyu cow became the most valuable beef animal ever sold in Australia, collecting $400,000. It broke the previous record of $325,000 established by NCC Justified, a Brahman bull sold by the Nobbs family to […]
Some Regions in Queensland no Longer in Drought Article by: Hari Yellina Several areas of south-east Queensland have been declared drought-free, but farmers say it would take more than a few months of good rain to undo years of struggle. While torrential rains caused floods in the southeast and in numerous farming villages, the recent […]
Western Queensland Soaked in Record-Breaking Rains Article by: Hari Yellina Western Queensland has been drenched in “nearly monsoonal-like” rains, which has shattered an 83-year weather record. The rainstorm, which began on Saturday, dumped more than five times the usual April rainfall in regions of central-west Queensland. The rainiest April day in decades was recorded in Blackall, […]
Fruit Pickers now Eligible for a Set Wage Article by: Hari Yellina Shoppers are being cautioned that cost-of-living pressures are likely to worsen starting today, as farm pay increases all across the country have the potential to raise the cost of fruits and vegetables. It’s the first day of a new wage framework for horticultural employees, […]
Can we Eat our Way out of Climate Change? Article by: Hari Yellina Is it possible to eat our way out of global warming? Could we eliminate animals and significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions if we all became vegans? These are just a few of the questions Dr. Sara Place, Elanco Animal Health’s chief […]
Firewood Shortage Flagged for Western Australia Article by: Hari Yellina Due to a prohibition on native timber cutting from 2024, households in Perth and southern Western Australia that rely on wood heating have been warned of an impending fuel scarcity. In September of last year, the WA government announced intentions to phase out native forest […]
Cease to Pump Rules Removed from Hunter Valley Water Sharing Plan Article by: Hari Yellina The immediate survival of a fourth-generation vegetable farm in the NSW Hunter region has been ensured, according to the owner, after a water policy plan that claimed to “weaken” the region was ruled out. Stephen Osborn’s family has been growing […]
Is the Biggest Global Container Port Closed? Article by: Hari Yellina The global shipping congestion is threatening to turn into a multi-year tale as fresh Chinese lockdowns stifle trade at some of the world’s busiest ports. Shanghai, China’s largest metropolis and home to the world’s busiest container port, is under lockdown as officials battle just […]
Australia Boasts of a Booming Saffron Harvest Article by: Hari Yellina The saffron season is in full swing on the few farms in Victoria that grow the labour-intensive spice. Gamila MacRury, who has been cultivating saffron in Beechworth for 13 years, said the next four weeks would be the busiest of the year. “In the […]
Pig Producers Declare Pork Safe to Eat Article by: Hari Yellina As the country continues to control the Japanese encephalitis virus, consumers have been assured that eating pork is safe (JEV). Because the virus is spread by mosquitos, it cannot be transmitted from pigs to humans. Mary Carr, the Chief Veterinary Officer of South Australia, […]
Live Cattle Exports to Vietnam Slowed Down Article by: Hari Yellina The first live cattle shipment from Darwin to Vietnam left East Arm this week, kicking off what is expected to be another difficult year for trade to Vietnam. In 2021, the number of cattle transported from Australia to Vietnam nearly halved, to 160,000, compared […]
New Location Could be Potential Site of Commercially Farmed Seaweed Article by: Hari Yellina After preliminary study findings showed promise, Gippsland might be the source of Australia’s next harvest of commercially farmed seaweed. As part of a geophysical study conducted by Food and Fibre Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley Authority, Deakin University researchers went out […]
Nationals Support ‘Flexible’ Net Zero Pledge Article by: Hari Yellina Barnaby Joyce, the Deputy Prime Minister, has backed a coalition election candidate who called his government’s net zero emissions goal “not binding.” Colin Boyce, the LNP Queensland candidate for Flynn, dubbed the commitment “Morrison’s paper” and a “flexible strategy.” “It gives us some wiggle room […]
Aussie Sheep Farmers Intend to Increase Flock Numbers Article by: Hari Yellina Over a third of sheep breeders in the country want to expand their flocks, while 60% plan to maintain their current size. According to the results of the latest Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) sheep meat and wool […]
