News Takeover bid for GrainCorp GrainCorp shares surged by more than a third after the drought-hit grain handler received an all-cash $2.38billion takeover bid from little-known asset manager Long-Term Asset Partners (LTAP). Country News 13 Dec 2018 13 Dec 2018
News Solar plan irks locals A new solar farm is being proposed for Benalla, but locals whose houses are in close proximity have signed a petition to have it stopped before it even begins. Rodney Woods 13 Dec 2018 13 Dec 2018
Working Dogs Easy to love Instagram star What’s the best and worst thing she has ever done? Country News 13 Dec 2018 13 Dec 2018
News Greens Lake to close for New Year’s Eve Greens Lake at Corop will once again be closed for New Year’s Eve. Country News 12 Dec 2018 12 Dec 2018
News Mountain pygmy possum numbers recovering A tiny possum is on the way back from extinction in north-eastern Victoria. Country News 12 Dec 2018 12 Dec 2018
Dairy Farmers win fairer contracts Dairy processors — including Fonterra, Parmalat and Lion Dairy & Drinks — have agreed to amend their milk supply agreements following concerns from Australia’s consumer watchdog they were ‘‘unfair’’. Country News 14 Dec 2018 14 Dec 2018
Dairy Mumford steps up into UDV’s top job Paul Mumford is the interim UDV president, replacing the outgoing Adam Jenkins. Country News 14 Dec 2018 14 Dec 2018
News New hands on the reins MURRAY DAIRY has announced the appointment of its new chair and deputy chairs following the annual general meeting on October 18. Karen Moroney, from the Mitta Valley, will take on the leadership of the organisation, stepping up from her role as... Dairy News 14 Dec 2018 14 Dec 2018
News Nutrient warning as crops are cut for hay FARMERS IN Victoria and South Australia who have cut crops due to moisture stress and frost are advised to be mindful of the amount of nutrients being removed from their paddocks. Cutting crops for hay and silage removes significantly more nitrogen... Dairy News 14 Dec 2018 14 Dec 2018
News Millions for organic expansion A $65 MILLION expansion of an organic dairy processing plant in north Geelong is expected to create 60 new jobs and generate $95 million in dairy exports. Announced in October, the expansion will see the Organic Dairy Farmers Australia processing... Dairy News 13 Dec 2018 13 Dec 2018
Horticulture Region optimistic despite SPC being sold The region continues to be optimistic about the future of SPC, with hopes a new buyer can continue to build the company. Country News 13 Dec 2018 13 Dec 2018
Horticulture Cherry disease risk lowered with the dry weather Despite most farmers praying for rain for most of the year, cherry growers across the region have enjoyed the dry conditions. Rodney Woods 06 Dec 2018 06 Dec 2018
Horticulture Promoting apple and pear export Apple and Pear Australia has appointed an industry services and export manager, correcting what chief executive officer Phil Turnbull said was a ‘‘historical imbalance’’ of investment and focus. Country News 05 Dec 2018 05 Dec 2018
Cropping Grain growers need evidence from peers When it comes to changing grain growers’ perceptions and motivating practice change on-farm, American agricultural academic Drew Lyon believes it does not matter where in the world you are, the challenges are strikingly similar. Country News 12 Dec 2018 12 Dec 2018
Cropping Soil-borne disease risk higher Grain growers in the southern cropping region who have experienced a dry growing season this year are being warned of a potential increase in the risk of some soil-borne diseases in 2019. Country News 11 Dec 2018 11 Dec 2018
Cropping Crop numbers take a big hit The national winter crop production is tipped to be 20 per cent below the 20-year average, as farmers grapple with drought across large parts of Australia’s east. Country News 11 Dec 2018 11 Dec 2018
Livestock New livestock app Farmers now have access to day-to-day livestock prices from across the country at the touch of a button, thanks to a new app. Country News 14 Dec 2018 14 Dec 2018
Livestock Buyers flocked to Euroa sale Despite the dry season, buyers turned up from all corners of Victoria, the Riverina and even Tasmania to the second Euroa Feature Angus Cattle Sale on December 5. Country News 14 Dec 2018 14 Dec 2018
Livestock Hayes family, from Girgarre, takes out Victorian Red Cow On-Farm Challenge After 164 entries from 21 breeders, Girgarre’s Hayes family won Champion Cow at the 2018 Victorian Red Cow On-Farm Challenge. Country News 13 Dec 2018 13 Dec 2018
Livestock Sheep exports banned in northern summer Australian livestock exporters have written to Western Australian sheep producers, advising of a new three-month ban on sheep shipments to the Middle East during the Northern Hemisphere summer. Country News 12 Dec 2018 12 Dec 2018
Water Call for action on plan No more water can be retrieved from NSW or Victoria, with the country already ‘‘suffering’’ at the hands of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, according to the Speak Up Campaign. Country News 14 Dec 2018 14 Dec 2018
Water Probe needed to assess river bank damage The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority has said additional funding and support was being explored to develop a new lower Goulburn River flows study and long-term environmental monitoring program to investigate the effects of unseasonal high flows on river banks, water quality, native fish and vegetation. Country News 13 Dec 2018 13 Dec 2018
Water Farmers desperate for water ‘‘If nothing changes family farms are going to disappear; people will really start to struggle.’’ Country News 12 Dec 2018 12 Dec 2018
Management Flexibility helps family through dry season PLANNING, BUSINESS flexibility and diversity has helped one western Victorian dairy farming family navigate a tough season. The Martins at Irrewarra, north of Colac, have never fed in the bail and do not buy-in fodder. This means they haven’t been... Dairy News 13 Dec 2018 13 Dec 2018
Management Feeding options on the table EVERY DAIRY farmer is well aware of the harsh impacts this dry season is having on their business — not only for this season but also for their management moving forward. With the spring flush well and truly over and temporary water prices hitting... Sophie Baldwin 13 Dec 2018 13 Dec 2018
Management Seeing red at global gathering RED DAIRY cattle breeders, breed organisations and genetics company representatives from around the world will converge on Australia next March for a global event designed to bring red cattle breeds together. The International Red Dairy Breed... Dairy News 16 Nov 2018 16 Nov 2018
Management No turning back OWEN AND Carlie Barry don’t mind taking on a challenge or two. When the dairy crisis was at its nadir, instead of selling cows they leased a second farm. In early 2019 they will move onto their first purchased farm at Carpendeit but at the same... Rick Bayne 16 Nov 2018 16 Nov 2018
From the Experts Bringing new pastures on line GETTING YOUR grazing rotation right is critical to maximise your pasture production. A well-managed rotation will help not only to boost pasture intake per cow but enable a more effective use of supplements. Establishing a rotation with newly sown... Dairy News 22 Apr 2018 22 Apr 2018
From the Experts Genetics may ease heat stress THE MODERN dairy cow is highly susceptible to the effects of heat and in the Australian climate, the effects of heat stress cause millions of dollars in lost production every year. Temperature and humidity that exceed certain thresholds lead to... Dairy News 16 Apr 2018 16 Apr 2018
From the Experts Five tips for growing better maize FutureDairy’s Yani Garcia says management has a big impact on the profitability of a high input crop such as maize. “A profitable maize crop is achieved by optimising both yield and nutritive value,” Professor Garcia said. “Very high... Dairy News 08 Mar 2018 08 Mar 2018
Markets Don’t forget global markets WITH MANY eyes focused on the current feed shortage in Australia and resultant surge in feed costs, global markets have taken something of a back seat. Apart from helpful depreciation of the Australian dollar, there hasn’t been much to jolt our... John Droppert 13 Dec 2018 13 Dec 2018
Markets That was the year that was IT’S THAT time of the year when we look back — sometimes in anger — at the journey of the past 12 months. This time last year we had a different prime minister, the Federal Government was still opposing the Banking Royal Commission, the... Jo Bills 13 Dec 2018 13 Dec 2018
Markets Feeding Asia’s growing appetite for cheese THE RACE is on to win market share in Asia’s cheese market, with the region offering “a compelling growth opportunity” for Australian dairy exporters in the medium term, according to a recently released report. Despite the robust growth... Dairy News 16 Nov 2018 16 Nov 2018
Machinery & Products Wrapping up a hypothetical silage venture I’D BE willing to wager that every machinery enthusiast has their share of ‘aspirational’ purchases. The machines that you don’t strictly need, but with whose hypothetical selection and applications you preoccupy your spare time. I have... John Droppert 13 Dec 2018 13 Dec 2018
Machinery & Products Digital toolbox gets an upgrade CASE IH Australia and New Zealand’s parent company, CNH Industrial, has partnered with Canadian-based Farmers Edge for a new strategic digital agriculture agreement, reflecting Case IH’s global focus to give customers more access to the tools... Dairy News 13 Dec 2018 13 Dec 2018
Machinery & Products Planting the seeds of success IT’S THE planter that has put precision, performance and profitability to the fore for producers across the globe, and now Australian farmers can see what the Early Riser 2000 Series from Case IH can do for their bottom line. The Early Riser 2130... Dairy News 13 Dec 2018 13 Dec 2018
Machinery & Products Tough workhorses get new stablemates OVER THE past 10 years, the heavy hitters in Mahindra’s range have forged an ironclad reputation for bulletproof toughness and durability, all thanks to the design of the tractors. The Mahindra 8000 series 80 hp tractor has been the bedrock of the... Dairy News 13 Dec 2018 13 Dec 2018
Animal Health Keep cows cool this summer CLIMATE CHANGE is leading to warmer Australian summers with an increased number of hot days and warmer nights. This increases the risk of heat stress, leading to adverse effects on herd health and farm profitability. Effects of heat stress Reduced... Gemma Chuck 13 Dec 2018 13 Dec 2018
Animal Health No flies on us — eventually PAUL* HAD made some small but significant changes to both his milking equipment and milking routine after our initial visit had exposed some mastitis risks that he had been unaware of. A change to a different liner, a small change to the system... Rod Dyson 13 Dec 2018 13 Dec 2018
Animal Health Is it too hot in the ‘kitchen’? SUMMER IS almost here, and there will be some consistently high temperatures as well as some very hot days coming, especially in some of our warmer regions. Unfortunately, heat and sunlight can be an enemy of many products used on farms. One of the... Rod Dyson 16 Nov 2018 16 Nov 2018
Animal Health Look out for cancer eye THE WARMER weather is just around the corner for many of the dairying regions in Australia. The longer summer days can bring new animal health concerns, one of which is cancer eye. This article discusses the most common types of cancer eye in cows... Gemma Chuck 16 Nov 2018 16 Nov 2018
