Targeting Goals in the Field of Genetics Article by: Hari Yellina Les and Jenny Stewart of Victoria were able to achieve their goal of increasing production by using genomic testing and investing in proven high-performance genetics. At Allanjay Holsteins in Newbridge, 30 kilometres west of Bendigo, the Stewarts milk 250 registered Holsteins. Each year, some […]
Benefits of Seaweed Fodder Put on Display Article by: Hari Yellina An industry symposium this week focused on the newest findings regarding the benefits of using seaweed species as cattle feed to help reduce methane emissions. Dr. Breanna Roque of Future Feed was one of several keynote presenters who addressed an audience of farmers at ABS’ 2022 […]
Cattle Market Processors Pull Back due to Port Related Issues Article by: Hari Yellina On the basis of overflowing freezers and reefer storage capacity at the country’s largest beef export shipping facility, the Port of Brisbane, processor grids in Queensland and Northern NSW have plummeted 10 to 15 cents per kilogramme. While shipments are beginning […]
Do Women Farm with Fewer Tools? Article by: Hari Yellina If women farmers had the same access to opportunities as men, agricultural productivity might rise by 30%, feeding an additional 150 million people. This estimate from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization is just one of the little-known, but fascinating, tidbits of information regarding agriculture’s […]
Aldi Tops the List for Best Organic Fresh Produce Australians appear to prefer the fruit and vegetable selections of a major German supermarket chain. For Supermarket Fruits & Vegetables, Aldi won the Canstar Blue Most Satisfied Customers honours in 2021. It also chose the ward because of its organic items. Canstar Blue is a consumer […]
Grains Industry: The Current Overview Domestic Update After several years of reduced output owing to drought, Australia’s grain production is expected to rebound in 2020-21. The country is a prominent player on the global stage, with many of its grain and oilseeds industries geared toward export. The country’s wheat crop for 2020-21 is expected to […]
VEGOILS-Palm Tracks Weaker Rival Oils Malaysian palm oil futures dipped on Friday, followed lower-cost competing oils, although speculators profited after the contract hit an all-time high over labour shortage concerns. At the midday break, the flagship palm oil contract FCPOc3 for March delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange fell 71 ringgit, or 1.38 per […]
Are Backpackers Really Safe in Australia? Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) In a recent court report, serious injuries suffered by UK backpackers working on Bundaberg fields owned by the world’s largest macadamia grower were highlighted. The labourers were hurt in 2018 while working as casuals on Saratoga Holdings Pty Ltd’s plantations. A manager was […]
Shipping Companies Make the Most of the Situation: A Global Report Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) The Indian grape season, which is about to get started, is overwhelmed with challenges. Omicron is posing a serious threat with restrictions and lockdowns, sea freight charges are going through the roof; scarcity of containers is imminent and […]
Shipping Troubles Haunting Almond Growers Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) Kern County almond growers are facing logistical headaches this year. Industry experts say port congestion, combined with a shortage of truck drivers and other supply-chain problems, are frustrating farmers and processors working to get their product to overseas consumers. The latest official estimates say […]
Summer Heat Taking a Heavy Toll on Crops Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) Summer crop production forecasts are tumbling in South America as drought conditions continue to build soil moisture deficits and crop stress in Southern Brazil and much of Argentina. The La Nina weather pattern threatens to scuttle the production potential of large […]
Urea Smuggling: A Current Global Challenge Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) The production of the chemical peaked at an all-time high of 6.3 million tonnes in 2021 thanks to the uninterrupted gas supplies to the urea plants last year on revised government policy. This compared with an annual average demand of around six million […]
Calypso Mango Breaks Records Despite a Tough Season Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) It has been a tough season for most of Australia’s mango growers, with what some call disappointing yields, combined with labour and input costs challenges. Mango growers expect to produce 7.9 million trays this season, down 20 per cent in some recent […]
Almond Volumes Low Compared to the Supply Available Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) The pace at which Californian almonds from the new harvest are being received by the huskers is slowing down. The consensus for the final size still remains around 2.8 billion lbs (-10%. vs. N-1). This figure will be confirmed in January […]
A New Boost to Australia’s Biofuels? Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) With no subsidy, tax credit or mandated usage, biofuels usage in Australia is a small percentage of the overall fuel pool. However, new fuel standards starting in 2022 could significantly increase the ethanol blend rate, according to a report from the US Department […]
Stonefruit Trial Flourishes in the Pilbara Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) The Pilbara may be an unlikely future stonefruit-producing corner of Australia. A crop of stonefruit was harvested in the eastern Pilbara as part of a proof-of-concept trial by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). While the Pilbara is renowned for its extreme […]
Avocados: Deducing its Popularity It is almost impossible these days to find a brunch menu at an Australian café that doesn’t feature at least one dish with smashed avo on toast. Avocado has been all the rage for a while but when did it become so popular in Australia and why? It is no secret […]
Australian Almonds Continue to Flourish Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) The Australian industry is forecasted to reach a production capacity of 160,000 tonnes delivering a forecast farmgate revenue of more than $1 billion. Therefore, the almond crop is also known as the crop of increases. According to the Almond Board of Australia, the future […]
Without Backpers, Crops Rot by the Ton Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) The pandemic has disrupted the rhythms of labour and migration worldwide. In Western Europe, for example, borders were tightened early last year, keeping out seasonal workers from Eastern Europe. However, in isolated Australia, the pandemic has delivered a particularly sharp blow, exposing the unstable […]
Who rules Australia’s Agricultural Domain? Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech) Who owns the Australian outback is a vexed question. The true answer is First Nations peoples, whose ownership stems back 60,000 years. The legal answer is more complex. It’s a mess of titles – freehold, pastoral leases, crown leases, public land, native title and […]
