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News

Submissions to Murray-Darling Basin report close on Sunday

The independent panel assessing social and economic conditions in the Murray-Darling Basin is seeking submissions on its draft report by Sunday, April 5. Released more than two weeks ago, the panel’s draft report identified mental health...

Country News
News

Strike me technicolour - I thought I knew some idiots!

By Col Curmudgeon It was my intention to pick up where I left off last week because I was really starting to warm to my theme. Then I got distracted, which I know you will find unusual for the Curmudgeon. It happened when I was walking down the main...

Country News
News

Machinery dealers meeting crisis head-on

Machinery dealers across the region are holding out hope that agriculture remains an essential service amid the coronavirus pandemic, and have put the necessary procedures in place to slow the spread. Haeusler’s Group chief executive officer Justin...

Rodney Woods
News

Rodeos hit hard by crowd ban

Rodeos across the region have been cancelled due to restrictions on crowd sizes, spelling disaster for the industry. Following the government ban on crowds of more than 500, the Australian Professional Rodeo Association has cancelled upcoming rodeos...

Spencer Fowler Steen
News

Rice industry under pressure as demand outweighs dwindling supply

The panic buying caused by coronavirus fears is putting pressure on rice supply, which is already low due to two years of drought and zero water allocation in NSW.

Rodney Woods
News

Sefton report disappoints Shepparton MP

State Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed is disappointed the recently released Sefton report does not “sufficiently recognise” the impacts the Murray-Darling Basin Plan has had on farmers in northern Victoria and southern NSW. Ms Sheed said her...

Rodney Woods
News

NSW Farmers backs proposed changes to National Wool Declaration

NSW Farmers Association has backed proposed changes to the National Wool Declaration, which includes the creation of an additional mob mulesing status. The new status would cover wool from sheep that were not mulesed, but have been treated with an...

Rodney Woods
News

Fire Danger Period comes to an end

The Fire Danger Period will end across the region on Monday. The Country Fire Authority said the Fire Danger Period would finish at 1 am on Monday, March 30 for the City of Greater Shepparton and Moira and Strathbogie shires. District 22...

Liz Mellino
News

Events cancelled by coronavirus restrictions

CLEARING SALES Numerous clearing sales have been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, and Kevin Hicks Real Estate owner Kevin Hicks said he would have no income from clearing sale divisions until selling began online. “We’re not at...

Jamieson Salter
News

Katamatite memories

Katamatite is in the Murray Valley irrigation area, 42 km north-east of Shepparton. Katamatite farmers mostly grew wheat and animal fodder, and bagged wheat was transported from the Katamatite Railway Station until a silo was built in 1943.

Jamieson Salter
News

A not so Despicable site

Tragowel dairy farmers Mick and Cath Shepard are putting smiles on faces during tough times. The V-Line train track borders their property and the family have set up their little minion family (complete with face masks) along the train line to cheer...

Country News
News

Lobbying vets get their wish

The Australian Veterinary Association is lobbying governments to ensure vets are classified as essential service providers. Vets are seeking assurances they can continue to provide animal health services in the event of any restrictions or national...

Geoff Adams
News

Water prices likely to remain high in southern Murray-Darling Basin

Water prices in the southern Murray-Darling Basin are likely to remain high in 2020 to 2021, according to the latest Market Outlook report from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences. ABARES’ farm performance...

Country News
News

Country News still available in Gannawarra Shire area

Loyal readers in the Gannawarra Shire area will be aware Country News is normally found inside the Gannawarra Times, but with the latter closing amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Country News will be available at three local businesses. Country News...

Rodney Woods
News

Saleyards put precautions in place to reduce the spread of coronavirus

The restrictions on how many people are allowed at outdoor and indoor events have been set and saleyard operators must abide by the rules. That’s the message from the Victorian Government and it seems saleyard operators are listening. Echuca &...

Rodney Woods
News

Young people encouraged to enter Furphy Literary Awards

Young talents across the Goulburn Valley will have a chance to share their stories through the Furphy Literary Awards. The awards were established in honour of Shepparton author Joseph Furphy, who wrote Such is Life in 1897, a book portraying his...

Country News
News

Pets can save the lives of their elderly owners

Household pets have the ability to save lives. A new study by the University of South Australia has found the presence of a dog, cat, or even birds can be enough to stop some older people from taking their own life. Suicide rates among people aged...

Country News
News

Shutdowns will not affect food production

Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said Australia’s food production and supply chain would not be affected by coronavirus shutdowns. “The Commonwealth is guaranteeing food production and supply as we deal with the...

Country News

Trending stories

Water

Farmers fear for their family’s future

Woodleigh at Gonn (near Barham in NSW) has been home to the McDonald family for a century. Current custodians and third-generation farmers Glen and Kendell McDonald are wondering if they will be the last. The 1000 ha mixed farming property...

Sophie Baldwin
Opinion

Cobram man urges government to take off blinkers and fix basin plan

By Peter Gilmour, Cobram It’s interesting that Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie is now prepared to acknowledge the environmental crisis being faced along the Murray River, as reported in Country News (March 17). Various organisations and...

Rodney Woods
News

Mental health retreat could be reality near Strathmerton

Mental health is close to Kel Sidebottom’s heart and because of this he is looking to raise $1.2 million to buy Red Gum Retreat on Ulupna Island, near Strathmerton, to set up a mental health retreat for farmers. The Wunghnu resident has...

Rodney Woods
News

SPC and AMWU at loggerheads over industrial action in Shepparton

Protected industrial action by union members at Shepparton’s SPC factory could result in the loss of one million cans of diced tomatoes, but the union says any losses will be caused by a poor season, not a strike. The action will happen on March 6...

Rodney Woods