Briefs
Agribusiness
CPI in March 2022 quarter shows highest year-on-year food price inflation in more than 10 years
The quarterly Consumer Price Index data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, released today, shows food price inflation accelerated in the March 2022 quarter, with food prices recording the highest
Future Drought Fund: Round two of grants to build community drought resilience
Regional communities across Australia will share in $3.1 million for 60 projects that will help prepare for drought under the Federal Government’s Future Drought Fund Networks to Build Drought Resilience
AGCO Agriculture Foundation donates $100,000 to Ukraine emergency relief
The AGCO Agriculture Foundation (AAF), a private foundation with the vision to prevent and relieve hunger through sustainable agricultural development has announced a $100,000 donation to the World Food Program USA (WFPUSA). The
Roma shopfront supporting drought resilience in southern Queensland
A new drought resilience shopfront in Roma will support farmers and communities in southern Queensland to prepare for and respond to drought. The Roma node of the Southern Queensland and
Japanese encephalitis virus has been detected in eastern Australia
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) has been confirmed in pigs in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia. There have been confirmed cases in humans. The virus had been detected
Cropping
Why it is important to containing lumpy skin disease outbreak in Indonesia
Australia stands at the ready to assist Indonesia following the confirmed detection of lumpy skin disease there. Indonesia notified the World Organisation for Animal Health
Award in the 2022 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture
A project to speed up flowering in macadamias has won the 2022 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Minister
Peach and nectarine exporters gain expanded market access into Vietnam
Local peach and nectarine exporters once again have market access into Vietnam following successful completion of technical negotiations between the two countries. Trade expansion into
Soil science challenge offers grants worth $20 million
Up to $20 million in Federal Government grants is available for innovative research that addresses priority knowledge gaps in soil health and soil management as
AUSVEG wants to see carrots broccoli and potatoes on the menu this holiday season
Industry body AUSVEG is urging Aussie consumers to support their local vegetable growers this festive season and buy plenty of high-quality fresh vegetables over the
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
Farmers welcome certainty on the future of paradise dam
The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) has welcomed an announcement by the state government that it will reinstate Paradise Dam to its original height and capacity
Irrigators turned to water allocation markets to cope with 2019-20 drought
Irrigators in the Murray–Darling Basin faced a challenging year in 2019-20 due to water scarcity and low allocations following persistent drought up until late 2019,
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
Recent rain could push sheep prices up even further in 2022
The recent rain across much of Australia’s sheep country may see sheep prices rise even further, heading into 2022. According to ANZ’s latest Agri Commodity
High cattle prices have the potential to squeeze beef processors
The ongoing record levels of cattle prices could increasingly put pressure on meat processors heading into 2022. According to ANZ’s latest Agri Commodity Report, with
JBS Australia’s acquisition of Rivalea Holdings and Oxdale Dairy Enterprise not opposed
The ACCC will not oppose JBS Australia Pty Ltd’s (JBS) proposed acquisition of Rivalea Holdings Pty Ltd and Oxdale Dairy Enterprise Pty Ltd (together, Rivalea)
UniSA has designed a novel implant to protect Australia’s wildlife from feral cats
New technology developed by the University of South Australia may put an end to predatory cat behaviours in native environments and help control Australia’s feral
Global beef market to tighten as a result of US beef production decline
The global beef market is set to tighten further in 2022, driven in significant part by continuing contraction in the US cattle herd, Rabobank says
Machinery
Climate data for farmers to prepare for future droughts is now live
Two digital tools are expected to deliver farmers the best available climate data to help prepare for future drought and climate change. The Drought Resilience
Industry allowed to collaborate on AdBlue supply arrangements as shortages loom
The ACCC has granted an urgent interim authorisation permitting manufacturers and other industry stakeholders to collaborate on arrangements for the supply of the diesel exhaust
The only registered mixed battery recycling company expands to second site in Victoria
Lithium Australia’s battery recycling division has expanded its Victorian operations to include a second, much larger site in Laverton, following Wyndham City Council issuing a
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
Opinion
Barnaby must save Tamworth Climate Change Crop scientists says PSA Secretary
Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce must step in to save a $130 million ground-breaking research project developing climate change resistant crops says the union representing the
AWU condemns the wool industry push for cheap overseas labour
The Australian Workers’ Union says this week’s wool industry appeal for Pacific Island workers to be used to fill a supposed worker shortfall is just
Agriculture under threat from expanded mining leases says Lock the gate
Lock the Gate has outlined how agricultural land is being significantly encroached upon by coal and gas mining, including the planned Narrabri underground mine expansion
Water allocations may leave NT river high and dry according to a study
Tree ring analysis suggests strong flows in NT’s Daly River can’t go on forever and water allocation could lead to environmental and cultural damage. Plans
Cut emissions to protect farming, food supplies and create jobs, says farmer group
A farmer group is calling on the Federal Government to step up its game on emissions reductions and protect Australian farming families following the release
Charity sector leaders welcome ways for charities, donors and volunteers to connect
Charity sector leaders have welcomed a new way for charities to connect with donors, volunteers and each other. Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commissioner the Hon
