South Australian Country Hour

We unpack what is and isn't in the State Budget for the state's ag sector, Treasury Wine Estates plans to move away from around half of its wine labels, and police warn farmers to be vigilant over fuel thefts amid high diesel prices.

The BOM confirms that May was one of the wettest on record for parts of SA, data shows SA on track for an average season as crops emerge earlier than usual, and the government assures farmers there's enough fertiliser to produce this year's winter crop.

The SA Country Hour broadcasts live from the southern hemisphere's largest horticulture event, veggie growers react to this week's announcement of a minimum wage increase, and researchers try to help understand viral food trends to increase fresh produce sales.

CEO of South Australian Dairyfarmers' Association reflects on the broad variation in opening milk prices, SAFCOL turns the sod on an $80 million investment in food processing in Adelaide and the 2026 Impact Report from the International Fresh Produce Association released today shows how Fruit and Veggies Yummy Yummy campaign has helped drive fruit and veggie consumption in Australia.

A taskforce tries to progress approval and rollout of a footrot vaccine for Australian producers, eyes turn to Australia and Argentina to see how global grain prices will develop this year, and Renmark records a huge month of rain and breaks long standing May records.

Concerns over the future of wild dog management as landowners report increased sightings, councils calls for access to bird baits to manage little corella numbers, and a Coonawarra winery repurchases a historic label 60 years after selling it to another company.

The McLaren Vale wine industry disappointed by Endeavour's plans to close a local winery and bottling facility, economic modelling shows government buybacks in the Murray Darling Basin have pushed up water prices, and provisional approval granted to develop one of the world's largest critical minerals projects in Australia.

Wine retailer Endeavour Group announces a major restructure and sale of wine assets in SA, thousands of people provide feedback to the BOM over its controversial new website, and Ag KI welcomes a decision on livestock freight costs on the new Sealink ferries from Cape Jervis.

South Australia's Court of Appeal has upheld a judgement that found the late pastoralist, Tom Brinkworth was responsible for the Blackford bushfire that threatened the south east town of Lucindale 2021, ongoing road closures continue to impact the far west NSW communities, months after large rainfall events caused severe damage to parts of the network and more than a decade after Berri Fruit Juice...

South Australia has seen one of the best starts to the season in years but input costs combined with low wheat prices mean confidence hasn't been boosted as much by the rain as it might have been in the past,  the Iran War put the global spotlight on fuel and fertiliser supply chains but has also raised questions about Australia's sovereign capability and new research has found the spinning cone c...

The Federal Government begins consultation on right to repair legislation for farm machinery, SADA says the Dairy Code of Conduct is working as the ACCC penalises two companies for alleged breaches, and SARDI watching waters around Port Lincoln amid elevated levels of karenia linked to algal blooms.

Legislation to lift a fracking ban in the South East tabled in parliament, ag industries warn cuts to immigration could put their workforce at risk, and a look at whether excess wine could be converted to fuel.

The national chemical regulator, the APVMA, says it's worked quickly to approve an emergency permit for double-strength mouse baits, after years of drought South Australian farmers are sowing next season's crops with wetter soil, and higher hopes and for 90 years the Royal Flying Doctor Service at Broken Hill has ensured community healthcare for those living regional, rural and remote NSW and Sout...

South Australian mouse bait manufacturers ready to roll out double strength baits, historic outback Farina Station to go under the hammer next month, and landholders urged to report locust sightings amid swarms in parts of NSW.

The chemical regulator approves the use of stronger baits to combat escalating mouse numbers in WA and SA, parts of SA receive soaking weekend rain at a crucial time during seeding, and the USA announces a major deal with China to buy $17 Billion worth of agricultural products.

The SA ag minister responds to concerns over plans to lift a fracking moratorium in the South East, the Federal Court dismisses an appeal over the scale of financial losses incurred after the live export ban, and SA firearms retailers report a sales downturn due to market uncertainty around gun law reforms.

The government says it wants to remove a 10-year ban on fracking the South Australia's South East, a Federal Court finds Coles broke consumer law by misleading shoppers on discount prices, and researchers find a way to turn hemp into a renewable and biodegradable, plastic.

Major tax reform, funds for fuel and fertiliser supply, and cuts to pest control grants in the Federal Budget, industry surprise as one of Australia's largest almond orchards is listed for sale, and adverse weather conditions across the globe playing havoc with grain production.

Funds start to flow to farmers via the SA Government's new Drought Loan Scheme, rising costs giving dairy farmers "limited margin for error" heading into the new season, and calls for government funds to urgently develop new rabbit bio-controls.

The SA Government signs a $40million deal to secure and store millions of litres of diesel for an emergency, low-interest loans now available for commercial fishers under financial strain due to the algal bloom, and winners announced for the the 2026 Premier's Horticulture Awards for Excellence.

The NFF welcomes the Federal Government's plans to beef up fuel and fertiliser reserves, the Opposition concerned the government's fertiliser importing scheme could be anti-competitive, and fuel supply concerns leading to more inquiries about bio-diesel in Australia.

PIRSA says SA unlikely to see a locust outbreak this spring despite reports of swarms, the state Opposition calls for SA to follow other states that have established their own fuel reserve, and SA grain producers report increasing mice numbers amid ongoing calls for stronger baits.

The Federal Government to create an Australian government-owned fuel security reserve, Victoria announces it's secured 10 million litres of diesel specifically for its farmers in an emergency, and Mannum farmer Narelle Zanker named the winner of the 2026 South Australia AgriFutures Rural Women's Award.

South Australian farmland prices soar to record highs ahead of a market cool down, dairy farmers welcome extra payments from processors amid tough operating conditions, and increasing popularity of platforms selling meat directly to consumers.

Australia's largest contiguous sheep station up for sale in South Australia's north, new varroa mite detections on the Yorke Peninsula and on the West Coast near Elliston, and a high-powered alliance formed to re-energise carp control in Australia.