Rural News

Letter to the editor: Comments reveal ignorance of drought impacts

Sue Braybon Tocumwal, NSW I was extremely concerned to read a recent article in a metropolitan newspaper that claimed the drought was a “fake crisis” and that “despite the sob stories, most farmers were fine”. This...

Geoff Adams

2 hours ago

Letter to the editor: Community urged to attend water meeting

Shane Brugge, Cobram Although I am not a food producer at the mercy of poor water policy decisions, I cannot stand by and watch communities across northern Victoria and southern NSW continue to suffer from ill-informed policy makers. This week the...

Country News

Letter to the editor: Community urged to attend water meeting

Country News

Canadian company buys up Australian water

Global food and agri-business company Olam International has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Olam Orchards Australia, has entered into an agreement to sell 89 085 Ml of its permanent water rights in Australia to a company...

Geoff Adams

46 minutes ago

Still time to sign Big Buffalo petition

A petition calling on the Victorian Government to refer the expansion of Lake Buffalo to the Federal Government for investigation has received more than 1000 signatures so far. State Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy said the petition had been...

Rodney Woods

NSW water rules will be detrimental for farmers downstream, MP says

Rain will not end drought conditions across southern NSW if the state government allows special interests to secretly siphon off water before it reaches the river, according to NSW Member for Murray Helen Dalton. “Government ministers keep...

Rodney Woods

NSW MP calls for change to basin plan rule

An amendment to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, which would allow it to be paused in times of critical need, must be implemented, according to NSW Shadow Water Minister Clayton Barr. On his first visit to the southern Riverin...

Country News

23 hours ago

Bushfire recovery for red meat producers

Meat & Livestock Australia has launched two new initiatives to assist red meat producers affected by recent bushfires with their recovery. The Bushfire Recovery Sponsorship Program will provide financial support for industry events that increase...

Country News

07 Feb 2020

Water

Farmers call to boycott water rates

For more than half a century, Cohuna’s Russell Crichton has been a proud food producer. But for the first time in all those years, he has joined the ever-lengthening list of farmers unable to pay their Goulburn-Murray Water bill.

Sophie Baldwin

Water

A return to Canberra for farmers?

If new Federal Water Minister Keith Pitt takes a ‘slowly slowly’ approach to his portfolio, farmers will again be rallying in Canberra, says one water advocacy group.

James Bennett

Couple awaits council decision on planning permit

Former dairy farmers wishing to develop an embryo transfer facility in Cosgrove have had their plans delayed, as their proposal awaits approval from Greater Shepparton City Council. Andrew and Tina Paterson from South Gippsland moved to Cosgrove to...

Jamieson Salter

Landholders take on regenerative agriculture project

More than 100 landholders are participating in the North Central Catchment Management Authority’s Regenerative Agriculture project, to reinvigorate the productive and ecological health of soil in the region. The project has been running for 15...

Jamieson Salter

Dairy

Basin plan discussed at Murray Dairy meeting

The first Murray Dairy agronomy network meeting was held in Echuca recently, with the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, water policy and water use on the agenda. Among the guest speakers were Claire Miller from Claire Miller Consulting. Ms Miller has been...

Sophie Baldwin

Dairy

Fonterra milk production continues to decline

Australia’s milk production has continued to decline according to the 2020 Global Dairy Update, released by New Zealand dairy company Fonterra. In November 2019, Australian milk production decreased 3.4 per cent, compared to November 2018. Production...

Jamieson Salter

Sit down Fido

Country News introduces Colin Curmudgeon — an old cocky with an unshakeable faith in the old way. There are a few ways to get things done, he says, including his way or the wrong way. But best of all, so near and dear to his heart, is the old...

Geoff Adams

Horticulture

Finding farm work in Shepparton region

Several foreigners on working holiday visas looking for work in the Goulburn Valley have taken to advertising their skills on the Australian job seeker website Gumtree. Rémi Naudin from France is 20 years old and came to Australia on...

Country News

Seymour Expo a hit

The 28th Seymour Alternative Farming Expo was a major event, showcasing modern farming methods, ag-tech solutions and sustainability. Event manager Jamie Gilbert said more than 20 000 people visited over three days. “It was a great...

Jamieson Salter

A moment in time

Numurkah is an irrigation district for dairying, fruit production, mixed farming and grazing, where local produce is sold in the town centre. In 1901, 61 085 ha was under cultivation in the district, with nearly two thirds producing wheat...

Country News