User Profile

Country News

Geoff Adams is editor of Country News, the biggest circulating rural paper in northern Victoria. Geoff has always lived in the country and started his career at the Kyabram Free Press. He enjoys his Country News role, which allows him to get out and meet farmers regularly and also to help shape the coverage for the region. Geoff dabbles in photography (he works on the principle that if you take enough photos you are bound to get a good one) and enjoys bushwalking. Geoff has held a number of other positions with the Country News sister paper, The Shepparton News, and is currently the assistant editor.

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

3 hours ago

Dairy

Call to fight back against plant-based ‘milk’

The ongoing disruption caused by coronavirus may have an adverse impact on the production of milks manufactured from plants. Non-dairy liquids marketed nationally as ‘milk’ include soy, cashew, almond, oat, hemp, rice and coconut...

Country News

18 hours ago

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

19 hours ago

Water

Work together, VFF urges

By Andrew Leahy (VFF Water Council deputy chairman) and Paul Mundy (VFF Water Council member) It is unfortunate that the Victorian Farmers Federation again needs to spend time in setting the record straight. The Northern Victorian Irrigation...

Country News

22 hours ago

Opinion

Keelty challenged on remarks

Lachlan Marshall from Blighty has “grave concerns” that Mick Keelty, who is conducting a review of water resource management in the Murray-Darling Basin, has a few facts wrong.

Country News

23 hours ago

Water

Understanding unused water options

By Charmaine Quick, Goulburn-Murray Water managing director With so much uncertainty in our daily lives as a result of COVID-19, I am pleased to assure our customers that at Goulburn-Murray Water, business as usual is our current mantra and reliable...

Country News

31 Mar 2020

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

30 Mar 2020

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

30 Mar 2020

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

25 Mar 2020

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

25 Mar 2020

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

24 Mar 2020

News

Murray-Darling Basin independent panel members

Members of the independent panel who were responsible for the report: Robbie Sefton: NSW consultant (chair). Dr Deborah Peterson: Agricultural and natural resource economist. Rene Woods: A Nari Nari man from south-west NSW with a long involvement in...

Country News

23 Mar 2020

News

Don’t forget the ... what was that?

I almost forgot the word from the wise this week. That’s because lately I have been a little more challenged in the wherewithal than I remember being — which is a good thing. To be able to remember I actually used to be able to remember...

Country News

23 Mar 2020

Opinion

Alarmed by the inequities of water pricing

By Robert Campbell, McMillan At last we have engagement from the top of the Goulburn-Murray Water tree — the right buttons must have been pushed to elicit a response. It is apparent that there is little understanding of why bills aren’t...

Country News

23 Mar 2020

News

Colbinabbin drainage works near completion

Farmers are looking forward to the completion of works on the Cornella Creek Drainage Course Declaration near Colbinabbin. Excess water from rainfall events should now flow unimpeded into Gaynor Swamp, after the project restored natural flows...

Country News

20 Mar 2020

News

Kerang Gymkhana turns up the heat

Kerang Gymkhana participants galloped into action on March 1, competing in more than 100 events across the rings of Pony, Galloway, Hack, Rings, Topsy, Games and Showjumping. About 40 riders braced the extreme heat, with the temperature reaching...

Country News

20 Mar 2020

News

Business as usual for Invergordon beef producer

It is business as usual for beef farmer Stuart Cameron from Invergordon, who is continuing with his work despite rising coronavirus fears. Mr Cameron said the coronavirus should have a low impact on Australian farmers when compared to other...

Country News

20 Mar 2020

News

Farmers left with no outlet as markets close

Sometimes it pays to be a small operator, particularly during a pandemic. Farmers’ markets across the state have been hit hard by coronavirus, but smaller boutique markets — attracting fewer than 500 visitors — will continue to...

Country News

18 Mar 2020