Horticulture

Victorian Government announce $17 million package to encourage locals to fill harvest labour roles

A $17 million package has been announced by the Victorian Government to help address seasonal workforce shortages brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. The package includes more than $6 million to boost the supply of COVID-safe accommodation for...

Rodney Woods
News

Prices at record highs, but low growth ahead for agricultural land prices

After hitting record highs in many regions, Australian agricultural land prices are expected to stagnate in the next 18 months with little to no growth in median prices forecast, according to a new report. In its annual Australian Agricultural Land...

Country News
Livestock

Hundred per cent clearance rate for Kerang clearing sale

An online clearing sale has proved to be a hit with Kerang’s Geoff and Fiona Kendell, with the vendors achieving a 100 per cent clearance rate. Run by Nutrien Harcourts Kerang and Nutrien Shepparton, the clearing sale went online as a result of...

Country News
News

Money for solar, energy efficiency on farms approved

Five local farms will share $122,607 in funding after successfully applying to the Victorian Government’s Agricultural Energy Investment Plan. Tatura dairy farmer Hamish Crawford received $29,735 through the grant program — the...

Daneka Hill

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Horticulture

Victorian Government announce $17 million package to encourage locals to fill harvest labour roles

A $17 million package has been announced by the Victorian Government to help address seasonal workforce shortages brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. The package includes more than $6 million to boost the supply of COVID-safe accommodation for...

Rodney Woods
News

Interest free drought loan applications close on September 30

Farmers and farm-related small businesses have until the end of the month to take advantage of two-year interest-free loans from the Regional Investment Corporation before the drought-related loan terms change. Federal Agriculture Minister David...

Rodney Woods
News

NFF to design and run the new Regional Digital Tech Hub

A new Regional Digital Technology Hub is set to be created, backed by the Federal Government. Set to be developed and operated by the National Farmers’ Federation, the hub is designed to build regional, rural and remote Australians’...

Country News
News

Money for solar, energy efficiency on farms approved

Five local farms will share $122,607 in funding after successfully applying to the Victorian Government’s Agricultural Energy Investment Plan. Tatura dairy farmer Hamish Crawford received $29,735 through the grant program — the...

Daneka Hill
Water

Ex Nats leader on new dam body

Former Victorian Nationals leader Peter Ryan has been appointed to the Federal Government’s hand-picked dam-building advisory panel. The National Water Grid Advisory Body will be chaired by former Transurban boss Chris Lynch, whose most recent...

Geoff Adams
News

Money for solar, energy efficiency on farms approved

Five local farms will share $122,607 in funding after successfully applying to the Victorian Government’s Agricultural Energy Investment Plan. Tatura dairy farmer Hamish Crawford received $29,735 through the grant program — the...

Daneka Hill
News

NFF to design and run the new Regional Digital Tech Hub

A new Regional Digital Technology Hub is set to be created, backed by the Federal Government. Set to be developed and operated by the National Farmers’ Federation, the hub is designed to build regional, rural and remote Australians’...

Country News

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Opinion

Opinion

End of Water for Fodder program ‘disappointing’

The announcement that Round 2 of the Federal Government’s Water For Fodder program will not proceed is disappointing. The program was a response to ongoing drought and made 100 Gl of water available for farmers to buy at a reduced rate...

Country News
Opinion

Streamlined G-MW workforce consolidates at fit-for-purpose office

When I started at Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) in early 2019, I set transformation of the business as my priority. The first step towards achieving this goal was to declare all executive leadership positions vacant and adopt a new structure. Since...

Country News
Opinion

Those good old days, when you could be a kid

Holiday childcare, when we were children, was pretty routine. Your mother would shoo you out the back door, handing you a sandwich or similar, with the same farewell every day: “Be home before dark.” And you were pitched into the street...

Country News
Opinion

Border responsibility needs to be accepted

Farmers must be shaking their heads in disbelief at the pontificating by NSW ministers over the border closure. This week we were treated to the bizarre spectacle of coalition ministers declaring their belief in easing restrictions so agricultural...

Geoff Adams
Opinion

End of Water for Fodder program ‘disappointing’

The announcement that Round 2 of the Federal Government’s Water For Fodder program will not proceed is disappointing. The program was a response to ongoing drought and made 100 Gl of water available for farmers to buy at a reduced rate...

Country News
Opinion

Streamlined G-MW workforce consolidates at fit-for-purpose office

When I started at Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) in early 2019, I set transformation of the business as my priority. The first step towards achieving this goal was to declare all executive leadership positions vacant and adopt a new structure. Since...

Country News
Opinion

Those good old days, when you could be a kid

Holiday childcare, when we were children, was pretty routine. Your mother would shoo you out the back door, handing you a sandwich or similar, with the same farewell every day: “Be home before dark.” And you were pitched into the street...

Country News
Opinion

End of Water for Fodder program ‘disappointing’

The announcement that Round 2 of the Federal Government’s Water For Fodder program will not proceed is disappointing. The program was a response to ongoing drought and made 100 Gl of water available for farmers to buy at a reduced rate...

Country News
Opinion

Streamlined G-MW workforce consolidates at fit-for-purpose office

When I started at Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) in early 2019, I set transformation of the business as my priority. The first step towards achieving this goal was to declare all executive leadership positions vacant and adopt a new structure. Since...

Country News
Opinion

Those good old days, when you could be a kid

Holiday childcare, when we were children, was pretty routine. Your mother would shoo you out the back door, handing you a sandwich or similar, with the same farewell every day: “Be home before dark.” And you were pitched into the street...

Country News
Opinion

Border responsibility needs to be accepted

Farmers must be shaking their heads in disbelief at the pontificating by NSW ministers over the border closure. This week we were treated to the bizarre spectacle of coalition ministers declaring their belief in easing restrictions so agricultural...

Geoff Adams

View All

Dairy

Dairy

Murray Dairy webinar to help maximise returns when growing corn for silage

Murray Dairy is hosting a webinar on September 17 to help farmers growing corn for silage to maximise their return. The one-hour webinar will cover soil preparation, fertiliser requirements, hybrid selection and water management. The guest speaker...

Rodney Woods
Dairy

Fonterra Australia to acquire cheese business Dairy Country

Fonterra Australia has set its sights on boosting its cheese production, purchasing Melbourne-based cheese business Dairy Country for $19.23 million. Fonterra Australia managing director René Dedoncker said Fonterra had a long and...

Country News
Dairy

International Dairy Week cancelled

International Dairy Week has been cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions. The organising committee announced they had made the “hard call” to cancel the event, which was due to take place in Tatura from January 17 to 21 next year, on Saturday...

Country News
Dairy

Discussion paper outlines impact of water scarcity on dairy industry

The northern Victorian dairy industry is at “pressure point” and water availability will be significantly impacted by increased demand from the horticultural industry according to a discussion paper. Compiled by Marsden Jacob Associates, the report...

Rodney Woods
Dairy

App gets updated to help dairy farm workers learn on the job

Recently hired dairy industry workers will be able to learn the skills and knowledge needed in their new field in an easier way, with the launch of an app supported by the Victorian Government’s Agriculture Workforce Plan. Victorian Agriculture...

Rodney Woods
Dairy

Dairy Australia board nominations finalised

Dairy businessman David Beca, south-west dairy farmer Carlie Barry and Bega Valley dairy farmer Phil Ryan will be on the ballot for a spot on Dairy Australia’s board, which will be voted on at this year’s annual general meeting. Nominations closed...

Rodney Woods

Bloggers

Your local news

The Boss's Dog

Socrates saw it coming

“Bad manners are the beginning of chaos, General,” The Boss said, with that disapproving tone of voice – a tone quite well known to me. I had just leapt in to hoover up my breakfast without sitting first, which he likes me to do but which I...

The General

The Boss's Dog

Wicked humour at my expense

If there’s one day in the year I have to play second fiddle, it seems to be Fathers’ Day. That’s when The Boss gets all this attention and nobody has much time for me, which is disappointing. It started the day before, on Saturday, when I...

The General

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Water

Water

Goulburn-Murray Water seeks community feedback

Goulburn-Murray Water customers are being encouraged to provide feedback to its customer satisfaction survey. G-MW’s Customers and Stakeholders general manager Ann Telford said the independent survey would provide further opportunity for customers...

Spencer Fowler Steen
Water

Ex Nats leader on new dam body

Former Victorian Nationals leader Peter Ryan has been appointed to the Federal Government’s hand-picked dam-building advisory panel. The National Water Grid Advisory Body will be chaired by former Transurban boss Chris Lynch, whose most recent...

Geoff Adams
Water

Extending basin plan deadlines not an option, says Pitt

Extending Murray-Darling Basin Plan timelines would only drive uncertainty, according to Federal Water Minister Keith Pitt who has urged states to “pull out all the stops” to reach the 2024 deadline for the plan. Addressing the Murray-Darling...

Alana Christensen
Water

New report finds communities reliant on agricultural are worse off

A new report has revealed the basin communities most dependent on agriculture are poorer in terms of population change, their economy, and are less likely to have access to infrastructure services compared to other regional communities outside of...

Rodney Woods

View All

Horticulture

Horticulture

Victorian Government announce $17 million package to encourage locals to fill harvest labour roles

A $17 million package has been announced by the Victorian Government to help address seasonal workforce shortages brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. The package includes more than $6 million to boost the supply of COVID-safe accommodation for...

Rodney Woods
Horticulture

Take your gap year in regional Australia, parliamentary committee says

Young Australians could be given student debt discounts to work across regional Australia in a bid to plug critical labour shortages. An interim parliamentary committee report has floated the measure as part of a wider plan to address urgent needs...

Country News
Horticulture

Automation could solve labour shortage

Growers across the Goulburn Valley are facing the rising risk of labour shortages for the upcoming harvest season. Apple and Pear Australia’s Future Orchards Spring Walk in the Goulburn Valley will provide growers with tips to prepare their orchards...

Jamie Salter

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Viticulture

Viticulture

Australian table grape exports hit new record

The Australian table grape industry has achieved its highest ever export volume and value, with one country in particular driving growth. The 2020 financial year saw 152,200 tonnes of table grapes exported, valued at $622 million...

Jamie Salter
Viticulture

China alleges dumping of Australian wine

China has launched an anti-dumping investigation into Australian wine as diplomatic relations between the two nations continue to sour. The inquiry will look into whether Australian winemakers dumped cheap bottles of wine into China over a five-year...

Geoff Adams
Viticulture

Regenerative farming key for Australian vineyard resilience

To combat a changing climate, a new report says Australia’s wine producers need to be more regenerative in their management practices. The report released by 2019 Nuffield Scholar Richard Leask explored how regenerative agriculture systems...

Jamie Salter

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Livestock

Livestock

Hundred per cent clearance rate for Kerang clearing sale

An online clearing sale has proved to be a hit with Kerang’s Geoff and Fiona Kendell, with the vendors achieving a 100 per cent clearance rate. Run by Nutrien Harcourts Kerang and Nutrien Shepparton, the clearing sale went online as a result of...

Country News
Livestock

Violet Town stud’s ram sale to be held online

The 33rd Toland Poll Merino stud sale will be held online for the first time due to the uncertainty around COVID-19 restrictions. Owners Anna Toland and Simon Riddle made the difficult decision to not hold an on-property sale two months ago...

Rodney Woods
Livestock

Disabled calf nursed by Strathy farmer

A severely disabled Shorthorn calf has been given a new lease on life thanks to a Strathmerton farmer and a modified wheelchair. Buttons, a six-week-old calf, had little hope of survival after her original owner found she was not able to support her...

Geoff Adams

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Cropping

Cropping

Grain growers urged to check expiry date of stored chemicals

With improved seasonal conditions and an upbeat spring forecast, grain growers will be carefully assessing the need for disease management during the coming months and taking steps to ensure they have adequate fungicide supplies on hand. For some...

Rodney Woods
Cropping

Irrigated Cropping Council field day to be held virtually

Local grain growers and industry representatives will be treated to a field day with a difference this year as the Irrigated Cropping Council adapts to the times to provide key information about irrigated crop research via online meeting platform...

Rodney Woods
Cropping

Hay shed build boom

Victorian hay shed construction has surged off the back of a record 2019 fodder harvest. Sales of hay sheds are on track to double this season according to shed manufacturer Entegra, which by April had already sold 65 per cent of the total number of...

Country News