Breeding program to strengthen $590 million chickpea export industry

A national chickpea breeding program has been launched under the banner of Chickpea Breeding Australia, to be based in Tamworth NSW. The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has launched its latest Chickpea Breeding Australia program to improve chickpea production across Australia. Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the Australian Government’s […]

Australian malting barley adds a winning taste to Vietnamese beer

With Vietnam’s malting barley imports set to nearly double by 2030, the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) is engaging with Vietnamese brewers and maltsters to ensure Australia maintains a significant market share. Last week, AEGIC hosted a virtual event ­for the Vietnamese brewing and malting industry to provide an update on the 2020 growing […]

GRDC directors will oversee $174 million in grain levies and gov matched funds 

Of the seven directors appointed for the next Grains Research Development Corporation (GRDC) three-year term that commenced on 1 October 2020 three are reappointments and four are new appointees. “The appointment of the next non-executive directors is paramount to realising the priorities highlighted in GRDC’s Research, Development and Extension Plan for 2018‑2023,” Agriculture Minister Littleproud […]

A self-assessment tool to initiate drought resilience is needed in the bush

The Australian Government in seeking a service provider to deliver the Drought Resilience Self-Assessment Tool (DR SAT). DR SAT will then provide the gathered drought information online drought for primary producers to easily access, as part of the $5 billion Future Drought Fund. “Australia is increasingly vulnerable to drought and the impacts of changing climate […]

Organic produce exports expected to increase through free webinars

A $100,000 Australian Government grant will be used by Australian Organic Ltd to support trade of organic products through a national education program focussed on access to the UK and European markets. Organic Ltd intends to use its recently launched online platform to provide free resources and information to certified organic operators interested in exporting. […]

Natural pest control association gains strength from BioProtection Global coming on board

The CABI BioProtection Portal is a ground-breaking online bioprotection resource, available on four continents that has strengthened its ability to promote the worldwide adoption of natural pest control by welcoming BioProtection Global (BPG) as an Associate. An agreement between CABI and BPG – the worldwide federation of biocontrol and biopesticide industry associations – that will […]

Vanuatu answers call for more Top End mango pickers

A second group of workers has arrived from Vanuatu into Darwin, the first group since the formal reopening of the Seasonal Worker Program was announced on 21 August 2020. The 161 workers have come to assist with the mango harvest and will help meet critical workforce shortages in the NT’s mango and citrus industries. But […]