Rural

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Rural News

News

Benalla woman takes out prestigious thoroughbred awards

Wendy Smith feels most comfortable getting the job done behind the scenes. But her hard work has not gone unnoticed and recently the yearling manager has found herself in the limelight. Gathered with son Joshua Schwandt and her Blue Gum Farm...

Jessica Ball
News

Louie is farming family’s new fur baby

Dairy farmer Anne Barbagallo from Mead, near Cohuna, recently added a new member to the family. Jack Russell Louie has become a substitute child after Anne’s daughters Stacey, 21, and Heidi, 18, left home for university in Melbourne and Geelong...

Jamie Salter
News

Goulburn rises on the back of rainfall

Winter rain and the early filling of Waranga Basin has pushed the Goulburn River stream flow higher recently. The Goulburn River flow increased to almost 9000 Ml/day in the last week of June, and last Thursday it was running at about...

Geoff Adams
News

Start of a new season sees wool price rise

Wool prices have turned around with the start of a new season, according to Australian Wool Innovation’s weekly wool market summary. The AWI Eastern Market Indicator lifted 18 cents, closing week two of the 2020-21 season at 1134¢/kg. This was...

Jamie Salter
News

Lobby group says Australia’s food security relies on water policy

The importance of food security in Australia has been highlighted during a National Rural Health Alliance ‘virtual conversation’. Speak Up Campaign chair Shelley Scoullar said Australia’s food security had been raised numerous...

Jamie Salter

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Dairy

Dairy

Freedom Foods extends trading halt

Freedom Foods will not trade on the ASX until November 2 after the company extended its trading freeze. The company’s board said it believed investors required “comprehensive and up-to-date” information as to the impact of the historical issues...

Country News
Dairy News

Murray Goulburn shell company goes into liquidation

The remaining assets of former dairy co-operative, Murray Goulburn, have been placed into voluntary liquidation. Most of the assets of the once dominating dairy processor were sold to Saputo in 2018, but a shell company remained to finance...

Geoff Adams
Dairy

Coles staff shortage leads to milk shortage

A shortage of staff at a key Coles Supermarkets distribution centre is holding up delivery of fresh milk to stores around Victoria. One Shepparton Coles supermarket was emptied of any fresh dairy milk on Saturday. As well as random shortages, the...

Geoff Adams
Dairy

Fonterra want FASL loans repaid as part of class action proceedings

The lawyers behind the class action against Fonterra for its price claw-back in 2016 are still on the lookout for registrations as Fonterra looks to get loans repaid as part of the court’s decision. It comes as Fonterra has issued legal action...

Rodney Woods
Dairy

Murray Goulburn shell company goes into liquidation

The remaining assets of former dairy co-operative, Murray Goulburn, have been placed into voluntary liquidation. Most of the assets of the once dominating dairy processor were sold to Saputo in 2018, but a shell company remained to finance...

Geoff Adams

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Horticulture

Horticulture

Businesses surprised by border closure

Barham avocado grower Katrina Myers has been surprised to hear the announcement of the NSW-Victoria border closure.

Geoff Adams
Horticulture

Harvest Trail Services will secure seasonal workers

A multi-million program hopes to encourage more Australian job seekers to take up seasonal harvest jobs in major horticulture regions across Australia, including the Goulburn Valley. The $24.1 million Harvest Trail Services program will cover...

Jamie Salter
Horticulture

Fruit fly action plan funding extended for Goulburn Murray Valley group

Moira Shire Council has received $522 800 to continue delivering the Goulburn Murray valley’s fruit fly regional action plan. The funding is part of the Victorian Government’s one-year extension of the Managing Fruit Fly in Victoria Action...

Rodney Woods

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Cropping

Cropping

Report links grains production to regional jobs

A new report has revealed a strong correlation between Australian grains production and jobs in regional areas — about one job for every 1000 tonnes of grain produced. The research was conducted by the Regional Australia Institute with Grains...

Jamie Salter
Cropping

Cropping season growing success

A good start to the autumn cropping season has led to a positive outlook from farmers, who are now hoping for average rainfall throughout winter. Shepparton Advanced Ag senior agronomist Tony Kelly said after heavy rainfall in April, farmers would...

Jamie Salter
Cropping

Winter crop production expected to jump by 53 per cent

Winter crop production is forecast to skyrocket by 53 per cent in 2020-21 off the back of a favourable start and a 23 per cent jump in the area planted. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences Australian Crop Report...

Country News

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Livestock

Livestock

Domestic livestock prices historically high

Confidence in livestock producers looking to rebuild depleted herd and flock numbers has risen due to an improvement in domestic conditions, according to Meat & Livestock Australia. Global markets are uncertain as the economy has shrunk for the...

Country News
Livestock

Cattle prices high now but face risks amid pandemic

Strong restocker demand has seen the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator reach a record high of 772¢/kg in mid-June, driven by a national cattle herd at 25-year lows and producers looking to rebuild in response to improved seasonal conditions. While...

Jamie Salter
Livestock

African swine fever is bigger threat to world protein market than COVID-19

Australian protein exports remain strong due to high demand from China, according to Rabobank’s latest African Swine Fever Update

Jamie Salter
Livestock

Pain relief is now law when mulesing sheep

Victorian producers are now required by law to administer a registered pain-relieving product when mulesing sheep. The new provisions, which came into effect on July 1, have been introduced as part of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations...

Jamie Salter

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Water

Water

$20 million for research into Murray-Darling Basin rivers

The Federal Government is looking for partners for a $20 million research program to increase knowledge about Murray-Darling Basin rivers. Federal Water Minister Keith Pitt said the program demonstrated the government’s commitment to...

Jamie Salter
Water

Goulburn-Murray Water halfway through Winter Works program

Goulburn-Murray Water is halfway through its $2.5 million Winter Works program, with maintenance and refurbishment work undertaken by local businesses and regional contractors. The works are taking place across the irrigation delivery network...

Jamie Salter
Water

Eureka flags protest water management

The Eureka flag is once again a symbol of rebellion, flying at farming properties from Echuca to Wentworth. The flag represents a united protest against the continuation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. It originates from the rebellion of...

Jamie Salter

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Management

Management

Foote in the door with Coles

The Foote family, of Fish Creek, is among dairy farmers selling their total milk production direct to Coles. John and Marion Foote, with sons, Rowen and Kristopher, and their respective wives, Sally and Jess, along with two full-time workers, milk...

Dairy News Australia
Management

Water and feed lift family’s confidence

This season is improving on the past few years for Frank and Fiona Mills, with moisture in the ground at all their farms and feed to carry their entire herd through winter. “It’s looking good,” Mr Mills said. “You need water...

Dairy News Australia
Management

Sharefarming model helps farmer get foot in the door

The sharefarming model of Circular Head Farms has certainly helped Cody and Denieka Korpershoek grow their asset base in the Tasmanian dairy industry. Cody grew up on a farm but started his career as a builder; six years ago the decision was made to...

Sophie Baldwin
Management

Illawarra blood flows through family’s veins

There are not too many people who would have a stronger association with the Illawarra breed than the English family from Malanda, on the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland. Greg, wife Bronwyn and their seven children have more than 100 years of...

Sophie Baldwin

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From The Experts

From the Experts

Consistency of good behaviours drives calf rearing success

Consistency in all that we do around calves is pivotal to calf health, wellbeing and performance. This was the overarching message when MaxCare hosted a calf rearing seminar at International Dairy Week in Tatura in January, and a message that...

Dairy News Australia
From the Experts

ABV release prompts sire review

The August release of Australian Breeding Values (ABVs) and the upcoming joining season will have dairy farmers around the country thinking about the next best sires to use over their herds. While breeding enthusiasts will delve into great detail...

Dairy News
From the Experts

Sires’ success is proven

THE DESIRE by ABS to make better cows faster has never been more evident than in the August ABV proofs, delivering top sires in both the Holstein genomic rankings and sires with Australian milking daughters. The success of the ABS genomic program is...

Dairy News

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Markets

Markets

Global dairy prices ease

DAIRY MARKETS have entered 2020 with strong supply and demand fundamentals which are supporting global commodity prices. It has been widely reported the current market is operating in a well-balanced state, with demand marginally ahead of supply...

Sam Leishman
Markets

Profits drop on Queensland farms

THE PROFITABILITY of Queensland dairy farms continues to decline due to climatic conditions and high purchased feed costs, according to the latest Queensland Dairy Accounting Scheme report from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries...

Dairy News
Markets

Australian consumers and the value of premium products

With temperatures heating up, all eyes are on southern Australia’s harvest prospects. As northern parts of the country experience yet another failed harvest, the southern crop will be paramount for any potential impact on current feed costs. While...

Sofia Omstedt

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Machinery & Products

Machinery & Products

McIntosh Beater Wagons are saving farmers time and money

The new McIntosh Beater Wagons are getting plenty of praise from farmers who are using the equipment on their farms. Users say the unique design of the beater wagon, with its three PTO-driven horizontal beaters, allows you to better incorporate...

Dairy News Australia
Machinery & Products

Farming smarter makes life easier for the Vines family

Only 11 years ago this farming family started off with one cow, called ‘Hope’. With no family farm to begin their rural journey, the couple made the move to South West Victoria because they were uncomfortable with water security in Northern...

Dairy News
Machinery & Products

Speedtiller gives fuel for thought when sowing

FOLLOWING THE devastating fires over summer and a long period of drought many dairy farmers are now working towards pasture improvement or establishment, which starts with better soil health and structure. Not often can you buy the one machine that...

Dairy News
Machinery & Products

Faster feeding — and more efficient too with the McIntosh’s Multi 4 Bale Feeder

MCINTOSH’S MULTI 4 Bale Feeder has been in the market for more than five years and is proving itself to be a great purchase by many happy farmers. CLAAS Harvest Centre Echuca’s Brendan Caffery said they were receiving great feedback from...

Dairy News

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Animal Health

Animal Health

Preparing the team ahead of the game

When it comes to preparing for the next joining period, it’s never too early to start thinking about your bulls. Often, these blokes are away in a back paddock or at the out-block, out of sight and out of mind. However, a recent study in...

Dairy News Australia
Animal Health

Probiotics are a vital piece in calf-rearing jigsaw

A family operation that calved down 850 cows in spring has slashed antibiotic use in its calves by up to 70 per cent. Greg Perry, Annie Newton and Greg’s son Scott milk 1400 cows between two rotary dairies on 500 ha at Tatura in northern...

Dairy News Australia
Animal Health

Downer, but not always out if you get the management right

DOWNER COWS can be a massive drain of time, resources and emotional energy. A down cow is a cow that lays down due to a primary condition such as milk fever, sepsis or calving paralysis. A downer cow is a cow that remains down after 12 hours...

Dairy News Australia
Management

New data aids breeding for mastitis resistance

AUSTRALIAN DAIRY farmers can now breed specifically for Mastitis Resistance, a trait which delivers animal welfare and economic benefits. The Mastitis Resistance Australian Breeding Value is one of eight new or updated health and type traits...

Dairy News