Briefs
Agribusiness
RBA Governor shows true grit to raise rates by a further 0.25% to hit 4.35%
With the distraction of the general public, taking time out to watch the running of the 163rd Melbourne Cup the Reserve Bank of Australia Board (RBA) has taken a swipe
RIC Act offering $4.075 billion loans to farm and farm-related small businesses under review
Farmers and agribusinesses will have the chance to provide feedback on the products and service delivery of the Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) and the effectiveness of concessional loans through an
Victoria is now the best performing economy in the CommSec State of the States report
It will surprise many Victorians to learn they live in the best performing economy, but that’s the word according to figures released in the theCommSec State of the States report
Inflation rate gives the RBA a slam dunk to increase rates on Melbourne Cup Day 2023
According to Moody’s Analytics report on Australia Consumer Price Index the uptick in quarterly price growth will put pressure on the Reserve Bank Australia (RBA) to hike rates further when they
Grants of $50,000 are up for grabs to help build resilient regional communities
Applications are now open for grants from $20,000 or up to $50,000 for events and initiatives to strengthen communities and capability for drought preparedness. But get in now as the
Cropping
Correction on forecasts called by ABARES as La Nina retreats and El Nino looms
The overall value of the agriculture sector is set to contract by 14% in 2023-24 due to drier-than-normal conditions after three record harvests during wetter
Have your say on the National Soil Action Plan
Public consultation is now open on Australia’s first national action plan on soil. First Assistant Secretary of Portfolio Strategy and Climate Policy at the Department
Growing the vegetable industry has revealed a $4.7 billion increase in value
The Australian vegetable industry has grown significantly by taking advantage of changes in consumer incomes and tastes. ABARES Executive Director, Dr Jared Greenville said their
Record grain harvest in 2020-21 exposed issues with regulation of grain ports
ACCC consultation with the bulk grain export industry has shown that grower representative groups and some exporters generally support regulation of bulk grain export supply chains, but port terminal operators largely do not
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
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
Farmfest holds a rural auction fundraiser to support flood victims
Following widespread flooding in Southeast Queensland and Northern NSW, Lloyds Auctions has joined forces with ACM Rural Events to host an onsite auction at the
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.
Irrigation
Getting the Murray–Darling Basin Plan back on track according to the Productivity Commission
Improved accountability would boost progress on the Murray–Darling Basin Plan, according to the Productivity Commission. The interim report of the 2023 Murray–Darling Basin Plan implementation
ACCC set to restore trust and confidence in Murray-Darling Basin water markets
The ACCC says it welcomes the Australian Government’s plan to legislate new functions for the ACCC as the water market conduct regulator in the Murray-Darling
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.
Livestock
Animal disease detective training package will help prevent spread of infectious disease
The University of Sydney-led Asia Pacific Consortium of Veterinary Epidemiology (APCOVE) launched its world-class field training package on the sidelines of the World Health Summit in Berlin today. The
Invasive Species Council agrees with proposed change to allow aerial control of feral horses
The Invasive Species Council says it welcomes the announcement the NSW government is consulting on changes to the Kosciuszko National Park Wild Horse Heritage Management
Rabies is under the spotlight and submissions being sought for draft risk review
A draft report into a policy review of the rabies virus risk in imported cats and dogs has today been released for stakeholder comment. Deputy
The Nationals call on Labor Government to explain their refusal of live sheep export advice
Following advice contrary to what the Independent Regulator has recommended has fired up The Nationals who are now calling on the Labor Government to explain
Stronger biosecurity powers at international airports as the Commonwealth Government establishes Biosecurity Response Zones
The Commonwealth Government has taken further measuresat international airports, in response to the Indonesian outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). The Director of Biosecurity,
Machinery
Moody’s Analytics reveal another drop in Used Vehicle Price Index for September 2023
Not surprisingly, sales of used vehicles in September 2023 presented as another decline in the price of used vehicles across the country. This trend is
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
Opinion
National study suggests new vaccine is needed to prevent childhood pneumonia
Vaccine-resistant pneumonia has increased since a vaccine targeting 13 serotypes of the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria was introduced into the Australian routine childhood immunisation program. The
Marine experts welcome global resolution to save whales from plastic peril
The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) has welcomed news that a resolution calling for greater collaboration to save whales from plastic pollution was adopted by
Food prices to climb under cost of living crisis according to The Nationals
The Nationals leader David Littleproud says not all of Australia’s high food prices are caused by natural disasters – they’re also man-made by Labor scrapping the
Plan for zero extinctions requires end to human population growth says Sustainable Population Australia
If the federal government is serious about its goal to prevent any new extinctions of Australian wildlife, it must understand that preservation of habitat is
Zero extinction target of threatened species critically important says Invasive Species Council
“Today’s announcement that Australia is adopting a zero extinction target as part of its Threatened Species Action Plan is very welcome news,” said Invasive Species
SPA points to latest immigration figures that reveal we are heading back to population growth
According to Sustainable Population Australia (SPA), the figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Wednesday reveal the country is heading back to
