The Rural News

In today's National Rural News: Health department ban generates harvest uncertainty, lamb prices continue to soar, researchers find breakthrough alternative to fertiliser, and more.   Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Researchers have mapped out a hidden network of ancient soil fungi to help future-proof Australian agriculture.  The new national database allows scientists to apply nutrient-rich fungi directly to seeds based on local climate types, meaning crops can grow faster and more consistently.  Rural Reporter Jefferson Shaw spoke with one of the map's lead curators at Western Sydney University,...

In today's National Rural News: Telstra outages continue, southern fishing ban lifted, and an alarming cattle medication shortage.  Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Australia is lifting fishing restrictions in some areas, as the King George whiting recovers after a clearing of the region's devastating algal bloom. A temporary recreational fishing ban on the popular fish has been lifted in some areas, with most of the spawning finished for the winter. Rural Reporter Jefferson Shaw spoke with SARDI Executive Director Professor Mike Steer about the dissipa...

An alternative to increasingly expensive fertiliser is emerging for farmers in a colourful crop which can add nitrogen to the soil. Sunn hemp is a legume that can be used a cover crop to improve soil health. Rural Reporter Jefferson Shaw spoke with Queensland's Department of Primary Industry Principle Scientist Paul Grundy about the benefits and drawbacks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

In today's National Rural News: Assurances for free-range producers during the H5N1 bird flu outbreak, an emerging alternative for fertilizer, and an optimistic agriculture outlook for the second half of the year See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Early prototypes have been developed for a sensor system to analyse sheep body volume, liveweight, and fleece weight. 20 producers are helping to create the design of the system to reflect real world farming conditions. Rural Reporter Jefferson Shaw spoke with CSIRO Principal Research Scientist Doctor Sabrina Greenwood about how it'll allow farmers to better monitoring their sheep: See omnystudio....

Australia quickly approaching a higher tariff on some meat exports, a new way to weigh sheep, and the Great Barrier Reef avoids a classification of in danger. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The highly contagious bird flu confirmed in NSW, an Australian dairy company has been fined, expanding the wool industry -- plus the latest from the markets and more.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bangladesh could provide Australia's natural fibres producers with a new trade opportunity.  The matter has been discussed at the recent Australian Natural Fibres Seminar, which has been held in collaboration with the cotton and wool industry for the first time.  Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke with Australian Cotton Shippers Association Chief Executive Jules Willis about the opportunity...

The CSIRO has developed a new genetic tool that can work out the most resilient Merinos in your flock.  Scientists have used vaccines to determine how likely individuals are to survive under stress. Gabrielle Hodson spoke with Senior Scientist Amy Bell about about the new tool.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday July 3   In today's National Rural News:  ** The value of Australian horticulture has reached a record annual high  ** A new tool  to work out Merinos resilience  ** ABARES annual farm survey gets going   -- plus the latest from the markets and more.  Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast   See omnystudio.co...

National Rural News Thursday July 2. In today's National Rural News: Dairy farmers in Gippsland have been left in the cold, a proposal to creat regional 'meda-councils" support for country-of-orgin pork labelling - plus the latest from the markets and more.  Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Advocates say the farm chemical regulator should not be allowed to present its latest performance report as a recovery from lagging approval rates.  The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority says nearly 81 percent of applications were finalised within the legislated time frames in the past quarter.  Rural Reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke  with CropLife Australia Di...

National Rural News Wednesday July 1 In today's National Rural News: Fifth case of H5N1 bird flu confirmed, new financial year changes on farm, growth of the local olive oil industry-- plus the latest from the markets and more.  Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Olive growers say it's an exciting time for the industry, as consumer demand grows.  Australia produces about half of the extra virgin olive oil it consumes, with the rest being imported from Mediterranean countries.  Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke with Australian Olive Association Chief Executive Michael Southan about the future of the industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

National Rural News Tuesday June 30 In today's National Rural News: National milk pool increases, farmers on alert for bird flu outbreak, NSW water bills on the rise again -- plus the latest from the markets and more.  Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New South Wales Farmers and Irrigators are staring down the barrel of more water bill hikes.  The state's Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal has approved water price increases of nearly 50 percent over the next four years.  Rural Reporter Jefferson Shaw caught up with Shadow Water Minister and Nationals M-P Steph Cooke about what it means for farmers. See omnystudio.com/listener...

National Rural News Monday June 29 In today's National Rural News: Dairy farmers again call for price transparency ahead of new season, rural vets to play a crucial role in bird flu management, Aus Post boss to face senate grilling -- plus the latest from the markets and more.  Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

As Australia rushes to manage any potential outbreak of the deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza, rural vets are calling for more investment to protect biosecurity. Two vets were the first discover the first of the bird infected with bird flu on a Western Australian beach. Advocates say there's far too many veterinary vacancies, despite the crucial role they play in protecting Australia's future....

Experts say this week's dip in wool prices isn't cause for concern.  The Eastern Market Indicator ended the week 46 cents lower than the week prior, after months of strong performances.  Supply concerns are pushing the market up, as fashion and textiles industries and consumers turn their attention back to natural fibres.  Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke with Australian Wool Exchang...

In today's National Rural News: WA Poultry farmers prepare for the worst, RSPCA lays animal cruelty charges, what's behind a dip in wool prices -- plus the latest from the markets and more.  Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast]  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Rural News Thursday June 25 In today's National Rural News: deadly strain of bird flu detected in a second state, farmer concerns over interest in data centres, successful uptake of virtual fencing on QLD farm -- plus the latest from the markets and more.  Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victorian farmers are calling for the agriculture sector to be protected, amid a data centre infrastructure boom.  There are currently 30 proposed projects, which require land, energy and water.  The Victorian Farmers Federation says the lessons from the state's renewable energy roll out need to be learned. Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke with President Ryan Milgate about farmers concern...

National Rural News Wednesday June 24 In today's National Rural News: Chemical regulator makes it's decision about toxic herbicide use, Labor maintains it's prepared for an outbreak of H5N1 bird flu, Opposition demands answers on post office closures -- plus the latest from the markets and more.  Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/l...