Rural News

More rain forecast after wet weekend recorded across northern Victoria and southern Riverina

While 2020 will be remembered for many reasons, many farmers in northern Victoria and the southern Riverina will remember it for the amount of rain that has fallen after several years of dry conditions. That memory will be helped by the consistent...

Rodney Woods

Managing fruit quality for export summer fruit industry webinars

Four upcoming Agriculture Victoria webinars will offer an update on a new tool to predict stone fruit quality before it reaches its export destination. Agriculture Victoria research scientist John Lopresti said the Managing fruit quality for export...

Country News

Stricter abattoir rules to stop coronavirus spread

Regional abattoirs have been hit with further coronavirus restrictions as Victoria remains in a State of Disaster. From August 7, meat processing facilities with more than 25 employees will be required to reduce to two-thirds of their peak workforce...

Jamie Salter

Stricter abattoir rules to stop coronavirus spread

Regional abattoirs have been hit with further coronavirus restrictions as Victoria remains in a State of Disaster. From August 7, meat processing facilities with more than 25 employees will be required to reduce to two-thirds of their peak workforce...

Jamie Salter

SPC still in organic milk deal

The owners of fruit processing business SPC are continuing to develop a debt for equity swap in an organic dairy business, despite supply problems created by the collapse of an organic milk supplier. Shepparton Partners Collective, which bought the...

Geoff Adams

Law fees admission in Banksia case

A prominent lawyer involved in legal actions following the failure of Banksia Securities has told a court he will not defend allegations he had overcharged for his services. Senior Counsel Norman O’Bryan abandoned his defence in the Supreme Court on...

Geoff Adams

SPC sales boosted in virus lockdowns

Australian consumers have been snapping up SPC products during the coronavirus pandemic. The demand has been so strong there is a risk that there may be a shortage of some fruit lines before stocks can be replenished this season. SPC chief executive...

Geoff Adams

Shepparton Agricultural Show cancelled

The Shepparton Agricultural Society Committee has been left with no option but to officially cancel the annual show. Planned for October, organisers had hoped to host the event despite other shows across the region being cancelled because of...

James Bennett

Risk of farm crime rises with grain harvest

With harvest season right around the corner, the risk of farm crimes occurring is increasing. VFF grains councillor Jason Mellings has provided growers with tips for preventing farm crime. “The thing about farm crime during harvest season is...

Jamie Salter

Beef and horticulture exporters get a digital edge

The cost and complexity of exporting food will be reduced in Australia with the launch of a project that will harness the power of data and digital platforms. CSIRO is working with the horticulture and beef industries on a system that will automate...

Jamie Salter

Bird flu detected on second egg farm

Agriculture Victoria has confirmed a second egg farm near Lethbridge has tested positive for bird flu. The farm, near Geelong, has been quarantined and movement controls have been introduced to prevent further spread. Avian influenza, otherwise known...

Jamie Salter

Tim’s a sweetie who rules the roost

Eight-year-old cavoodle Tim rules the roost at a 12 ha hobby farm outside Echuca. He spends his time chasing chickens and following his owner Josh Wilson wherever he goes. Tim lives a double life away from the farm, helping Mr Wilson sell...

Jamie Salter

SPC finalises EBA with employees

After six months of negotiations and several negative votes, fruit processor SPC has concluded an enterprise bargaining agreement with many of its factory staff. Talks to update the agreement started more than six months ago, and several times...

Geoff Adams

Water flows give South Australia a free fill

Winter flows running through the Murray and Goulburn rivers are giving South Australian water systems a free fill of water, a water lobby group believes. Good winter rain has raised river levels over the past few months, pushing water into the main...

Geoff Adams

Fake meat, sautéed spider and lobster lollies - that’s just a taste of Taste Tomorrow

Do you like the sound of fake meat, sautéed spider and lobster lollies? If so, Taste Tomorrow is for you. The series of virtual events, running online during National Science Week, will explore what foods we might eat in the future. Taste...

Charmayne Allison

News in brief

Farm invaders charged in Queensland A further six people have been charged under Queensland’s tough new trespassing laws aimed at deterring so-called farm invasions by animal rights activists. Police visited several addresses across the south-east...

Geoff Adams

$31m in aid delivered to farmers and communities

More than $31 million in aid has been delivered to farmers and their communities in the past year by charity Rural Aid. In the past three months alone, 274 trucks have delivered 17,041 bales of hay, valued at $4.7 million, to 1110...

Country News

Crime Stoppers Victoria and NSW Police Force implement crime prevention resources

Crime Stoppers Victoria has released a two-episode podcast series focusing on rural crime in the state. The podcast, titled Rural Crime – Intentions, Prevention and Detection, highlights the impact of crime taking place on farms across...

Rodney Woods

Renewable energy in agriculture to be discussed at Shepparton climate event

Narromine farmer Karin Stark who, along with her partner, installed Australia’s biggest solar/diesel hybrid water pumping system, will discuss the benefits of renewables in agriculture at Shepparton’s Beneath the Wisteria session on August 12...

Rodney Woods