Briefs
Agribusiness
Strike hits an already tight farm machinery supply line as Deere & Co workers throw down tools
It’s the UAW workers that are up in arms about pay conditions, and have walked off the job and threaten Deere & Co with a protracted shut-down unless their demands
Pilot scheme to reward farmers for improving their native vegetation is now open
Applications are now open for the Australian Government’s $22.3 million Enhancing Remnant Vegetation Pilot, but hurry as applications for the scheme close on 27 October 2021. Six regions will be
Future Drought Fund hands out $1.4 million in round one with more to follow
Regional communities are expected to share in more than $1.4 million to help them better prepare for drought under the Future Drought Fund’s Networks to Build Drought Resilience program. There
Mardie Salt & Potash Project has now chalked up $490 million in loan support
Increased funding now takes to support for the expansion of BCI Minerals’ Mardie Salt & Potash Project in Western Australia to $490 million with an Australian Government, Northern Australia Infrastructure
Future Drought Fund is spending more than $11 million on a new generation of leaders
The Australia Government is spending in the hope of finding drought resilient leaders through the $5 billion Future Drought Fund. Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud said applications
Cropping
Deputy Premier’s plan for fruit picking public servants sends sector into outrage
The Public Service Association has lodged a dispute over a plan to get NSW’s public servants to harvest fruit and grains, saying it is a
Dr Martin Cole a food scientist has been appointed CEO of Wine Australia
The engagement of a new CEO will provide certainty for the organisation after a period of significant challenges, including COVID-19, drought and bushfires and a
AUSVEG says fruit and vegetable growers set to benefit from Agriculture Visa
AUSVEG, the peak industry body for vegetable and potato growers, has welcomed the signing of legislation by the Governor General for the Australian Agriculture Visa,
Supply disruptions force growers to lock in fertiliser early for season ahead
Widespread global disruption to supply is set to see farmers again move to lock in fertiliser and other inputs early for the season ahead, Rabobank
Record 23.2 million hectares sown to winter crops across the country
While the 2021-22 winter crop is once again forecast to be well above average, many industry pundits are predicting a 70% chance of an all-time
Dairy
Dairy Industry Code review extended to allow more people to respond
The public submission period for the review of the Dairy Industry Code has been extended until 29 August 2021. It is understood the two-week extension
Making farms a safer place across the life stages of a farmer
The recently concluded National Farm Safety Week took on the subject of safety issues from childhood to ageing farmers to show how farm safety was
Dairy Australia awarded a $310,000 grant to increase trade in South East Asian
Dairy Australia have been awarded a $310,000 grant from the Australian Government to reduce technical barriers to trade across six markets in South East Asia.
Dairy Industry Code hands out penalties when a dairy processor failed to comply
A dairy processor has been fined for allegedly failing to comply with the Dairy Industry Code of Conduct in 2020-21. Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud
QDO and Dairy Connect discuss a merger to strengthen Dairy industry
The Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation (QDO) has been discussing ways to unite with other dairy groups with a view to advocating for better outcomes for dairy
Field days & Events
Fenner Conference on sustainable agriculture deferred until March 2022
The Fenner Conference on Environment, originally scheduled for 30 September and 1 October 2021 in Canberra, has been deferred until March 17 and 18 in
Fenner Conference on Environment aims to make agriculture sustainable
Discussions over ‘circular bioeconomies’ are challenging our commodity-based food production and trading systems that ignore the critical role of food in our health, says Dr
Registration is open for the first Future Drought Fund Science to Practice Forum
Sign up to be part of the first Future Drought Fund (FDF) Science to Practice Forum, to be held from 29 June 29 to July
Budget offers support to agricultural showmen and women
The Australian Government has committed $4.3 million in the 2021-22 Budget to ensure that agricultural showmen and women can continue to provide their services at agricultural shows across Australia.
International Dairy Federation Nutrition Symposium for 2021 is now open
This will be a virtual two day event and it is free to attend, running on the 11 and 12 May 2021, from 12:00 to
Irrigation
Water Research will open up the Top End for more farm production
A project to bolster water sustainability in northern Australia is about to start, gathering the insights Northern Territory producers need for greater crop yields while reducing water usage.
Critical funding is expected to strengthen Burdekin water surety
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia and Federal Member for Dawson have inspected the site of the Warrens Gully System, where $4.76 million in federal
Livestock
Melbourne Cup defender among 13 international runners subjected to a double quarantine
Horses arriving from overseas for the 2021 Spring Carnival racesunderwent 14 days’ pre-export quarantine overseas and also must complete 14 days’ post-arrival quarantine at government
Abattoir workers get a $450,000 grant to spot biosecurity problems
Over $450,000 will be spent on training to improve emergency animal disease capability at domestic abattoirs. Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said
Egg production in 2020-21 was worth $911 million and will grow to $952 million in 2021-22
This income came off the back of hard work producing 376 million dozen eggs in 2020-21, forecast to grow to 387 million dozen in 2021-22.
Kosciuszko horse plan promises big reduction but locks in damage says the ISC
The NSW Government’s draft Kosciuszko feral horse plan has promised a significant reduction in feral horses in the park, but according to the ISC also
SpaceCows uses GPS satellite tracking tags to monitor feral cattle and buffal
Feral cattle and buffalo management in the NT is reaping the benefits of space-based technology from a project using satellite data and artificial intelligence to
Machinery
Telehandler Safety Book helps guide operators towards farm safety awareness
A new safety resource is now available for farmers utilising telehandlers on their properties to increase awareness of their machinery’s operation and prevent accidents while
Construction of new electric car plant in China keeps them ahead of the game
Volkswagen Group China has begun construction of an all-new MEB plant at Volkswagen Anhui and will be the third of the Group’s pure-electric vehicle manufacturing
Webfleet Solutions next-generation PRO Driver Terminal offers fleet management with Google Services
The new PRO 8475 Driver Terminal is equipped with advanced hardware technologies that enable fleet operators to improve workflow efficiency, enhance customer service and boost
ATV four wheel Quad bike makers and owners face a future of added responsibility
While it is not yet written into the new Quad bike code being adopted on 11 October 2021, in the future it will be the
MTA Queensland supports future skills with training courses
The Motor Trades Association of Queensland has announced the launch of a suite of training courses aimed at delivering skills in the area of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
Vocational overhaul encouraged for machinery repair workforce
The Productivity Commission’s final report into Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector has called for serious overhaul around its confusing and underperforming aspects. The
Opinion
Climate Council says inaction on climate control putting jobs at risk from carbon tariffs
A report released by the Climate Council says the lack of federal government climate policy exposes the nation to serious economic consequences – including tens
Wind farm noise found to be no worse for your sleep than a barking dog
Residents who live within 10km of a wind farm were part of a survey that has found no worst adverse sleep affects than other irritants.
Farmers in SE Asia’s biggest cropping countries see climate change as a threat
Farmers in SE Asia’s biggest cropping countries see climate change as a threat Research reveals growers in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam
The Australian Koala Foundation launches social media campaign for Save the Koala Month
September marks the beginning of the annual fundraising and awareness campaign Save the Koala Month (STKM) from the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF). Each September the
NATS put nuclear option on the table to upset greenies and poke any other protractors in the eye
National Party Senators have announced they will move amendments to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act to remove Australia’s prohibition on nuclear energy. Nuclear Energy
A stark warning on the need for ambitious climate action revealed in IPCC report
The IPCC Assessment Report released today is “a stark warning that ambitious action on climate change is urgent,” Australia’s peak science body has declared. “The
