Researchers predict farm robots will be common within 5 years
GROUND robots will be operating on Australian farms within five years, a senior robotics researcher has predicted. Speaking at the Henty Machinery Field Days, Australian Centre for Field Robotics senior research fellow Robert Fitch said agricultural robots would increase land and labour productivity. Dr Fitch was a keynote speaker at the field day’s new Agri-Centre, […]
ACCC warns about quad bike dangers for kids
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has warned parents and carers to keep children away from quad bikes. A recent Medical Journal of Australia study indicated that children do not have the physical and cognitive capacity to operate quad bikes safely. The study found that children under 14 years of age made up a third […]
US Government shutdown warning to New Zealand farmers
The budgetary deadlock, which has sections of the United States Government shutting down, should serve as a warning to New Zealand farmers to run conservative farm budgets. “Following record milk price forecasts and increases in the ANZ Commodity Index across the primary industries, farmers may be very bullish about the current 2013/14 season,” says Dr […]
Agriview says machinery dealer numbers to decline
The number of single-outlet machinery dealers across Australia will continue to decline but not disappear completely – while there will be an ongoing rise in the number of large group outlets, according to Agriview managing director Alan Kirsten. Discussing industry trends at the Tractor and Machinery Association (TMA) annual conference on the Gold Coast, Mr Kirsten said the […]
Extra Australian agricultural voices deployed across the globe
Australian food producers and exporters will benefit from new strong Australian voices to be deployed to Vietnam, Malaysia and China, with extra agricultural specialists being sent to gain more market access. Under the National Food Plan, $5.6 million has been allocated to fund a new Australian Agricultural Counsellor and locally engaged support officers in new […]
NFF responds to government Farm Finance package
Australia’s farming community has welcomed, in principle, an announcement by the Federal Government aimed at supporting farmers in the grips of rural debt and at risk of returning to drought. Vice-President of the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), Brent Finlay acknowledged the ‘Farm Finance’ package announcement, saying that it was good to see the Government listening […]
Fleet rotation auction
Manheim, Australia’s specialist industrial auctioneer is conducting a major auction in Elmore, Victoria on behalf of Treasury Wine Estates on Wednesday the May 29, 2013. The fleet rotation auction will feature a wide range of viticultural and agricultural equipment and will be held onsite at the Elmore Events Centre at 48 Rosaia Road at 10.30am. […]
Food statistics report released
The Australian Food Statistics publication, now in its 12th year, has been released and it provides an in-depth look at our food sector. This edition compares major players in the world food retail market, looks at Australia’s position as a food exporter as global food demand grows, and profiles Australia’s growing olive oil industry. Australia has a reputation […]
Transformation key to new opportunities
Australia’s farmers, fishers and foresters are expected to perform well in 2012-13 to achieve $39 billion in exports and $51 billion in production, but smarter practices and cooperation between industry and government will be vital to long-term success. Speaking at the launch of the 43rd Outlook Conference, Executive Director of ABARES Paul Morris said the […]
NSW Farmers call for farm land to be included in CSG policy
NSW Farmers welcomed the announcement overnight of a tougher approach to coal seam gas regulation by Premier Barry O’Farrell. The announcement coincides with a meeting in Sydney of the association’s policy setting council comprised of 70 farmer representatives from around the state. Representatives at the meeting welcomed the announcement but also pointed out […]