The Rural News

Family farms are likely to be exempt from a proposed 30% tax on discretionary trusts, with legislation expected to pass unchanged. Around 37,000 trusts are used by operators nationwide to manage long-term succession planning. Rural reporter Gabrielle Hodson caught up with National Farmers Federation chief executive Mike Guerin to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: discretionary trust tax likely to be slashed for farmers, ANZ to keep regional branches open, drones helping detect illegal fishing, plus the latest from the markets and more.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wool is making a comeback as a fibre used in active-wear - and Chinese manufacturers are on the hunt for more. This - and other global trends - means it's a great time to be a wool producer.   Rural reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with Wool technical manager Matt Cox from Elders.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News:   ** Plans to force UK backpackers to pay fees to work in Ausyralia for a second or third year - but this would be waived in the bush,  ** A Riverina business fined $18,000 over 'exit' signs that didn't have a running man symbol, ** and Rural Aid helps locals in drought-stricken southern Queensland and northern New South Wales,  Plus the latest from t...

A Victorian MP is hoping a business case can kickstart a project to get another truck-friendly crossing over the Murray River. This one would be south-east of Mildura - and avoid the regional city's CBD.   Rural reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with Mildura MLA Jade Benham - who says it would affect Sunraysia produce, as well as trucks between Adelaide and Sydney - and even Melbourne-to-Darwin...

In today's National Rural News:   ** An investment bank grabs millions of shares in SPC, ** A new report outlines specific job shortages in the ush - including pilots, ag technicians and ag mechanics, ** and feral deer causing $91 million in car damage and lost land productivity,  Plus the latest from the markets and more.  Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly...

Thousands of Aussie farmers were watching - when 4000 Brahman cattle were sold by Auctions Plus in what is understood to be Australia's largest online cattle auction. The mob reportedly sold for $1653 a head or 474c/kg liveweight. Similar steers - also from the Northern Territory - are currently selling for around 455c/kg    Rural reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with Paul McCormick from...

In today's National Rural News:   ** Good news on water allocations and some welcome rain means there's now a rush to get rice plants ready in the Riverina, ** Spectacular results from what's believed to be Australia's biggest online auction of cattle, ** and Queensland grain farmers hoping their government will delay new exposure limits for phosphine - which they say are so low, it doesn't w...

Country students become country doctors - or at least that's the theory. Eliza O'Sullivan has worked with a friend to create the charity  RuralRounds.org.au - which helps secondary students in the bush turn their seemingly-impossible medical dreams into reality. Rural reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with the RDAA's Medical Student of the Year - who also just happens to be a 2027 Rhodes S...

In today's National Rural News:   **  Pauline Hanson says she won't go head-to-head with Nationals leader Matt Canavan who is seeking a lower house seat via the Rockhampton based seat of Capricornia, ** Grain farmers want a fair balance between human health and killing weevils when it comes to phosphine, ** and a $24 bottle of Clare Valley shiraz finishes in the top 10 at world wine comp...

Ghost towns in Australia are not always what you expect. Falling under the definition is everything from abandoned mining towns to holiday-home hotspots and even inner suburbs full of empty high-rise homes.   Rural reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with Ray White economist Atom Go Tian, who says there are soem easy ways to avoid your community becoming a ghost town. See omnystudio.com/listener...

In today's National Rural News:   **  Cattle Australia fronts a Woolworths AGM to counter activists - and all of them are shareholders.  ** The Nationals say Canberra is using 'fake figures' to promote its European Union Free Trade Agreement, ** and bright purple GMO tomatoes hit the stores of Melbourne,  Plus the latest from the markets and more.  Subscribe to the Nationa...

Trust, value, knowledge and stopping to read the fine print are all essential if Australians are going to buy more local food and fibre. Rural reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with Joe Hildebrand, who is the 'Back Australia' correspondent for Newscorp. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News:   **  The Minns  Government has agreed to delay the new phosphine workplace exposure limit until July 2028 - giving farm advocates time to argue for meaningful new limits. ** A survey of Angus Australia members has found more than 80-per-cent oppose  handing over decades of genetic data to a new national evaluation  led by MLA, ** and fisher...

Australians were shocked - when it was revealed earlier this month that an established nest of deadly fire ants was found at a freight hub in inner Sydney. Rural reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with Reece Pianta who is the Invasive Species Council Advocacy Director - and says Australia's peak authority on the issue is now demanding a review.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...

In today's National Rural News:   ** Owners of 10 or fewer legal firearms - and wanting to take part in the NSW buy-back - are being told there'll be no compensation, ** Australia's head agency for bio-security will review how a deadly fire ant nest was able to get established in a Sydney freight facility, ** And Victoria's Agriculture Minister says the Western Renewables link has to go ahead...

Japan - like Australia - is facing big decisions on interest rates, but a meeting in Tokyo this week could help determine what happens to Aussie beef in one of our biggest export markets. There are fears US beef could one day be cheaper for the Japanese - displacing our product.  Rural reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with Ebury economist  Anthony Malouf.  See omnystudio.com/listener...

In today's National Rural News:   ** Transactions of sheep have dropped at the nation's saleyards - but not in WA, ** McDonalds - and picky exporters - have helped Angus overtake Herefords as out most common cattle breed, ** And rural truckies call for cutting or reducing the fuel excise to help them stay afloat, Plus the latest from the markets and more.  Subscribe to the National Rural...

Aussie sugar is definitely in demand - especially in canegrowing countries like India - where dry conditions have hit the national crop hard.   But our own crop has been hit in some key regions by too much rain. Rural reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with Canegrowers Chair Owen Menkens about what lies ahead for his industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News:   ** The Queensland Farmers Federation is watching for any governemnt announcement on an official end to the drought in the state's south, ** Cattle Australia says the tranaction levy has to be increased - partly so they can fund research to counter their critics, ** And locust numbers on the rise - but its unlikely any part of Victoria will get to 'plague' sta...

Rural students often go above and beyond when it comes to attending university, TAFE and other training courses - but sleeping in cars and and driving for four hours isn't always safe.   Rural reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with Associate Professor Erin Smith from Latrobe University Bendigo - who's been recognised for developing a game that helps health students manage disasters - and avoids...

In today's National Rural News:   **  Huge amounts of rain hit Souht East Queensland, ** Sugar cane harvesting is wrapping up - but the estimated total is way down on initial estimates, ** And the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party raises concerns with NSW's Great Koala National Park, Plus the latest from the markets and more.  Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://b...

In today's National Rural News:   ** A WA company is on the hunt for capital - to grow one of its main products: a pig health tracker, ** Postive sentiment for agricultural property, ** And Australia's oldest agricultural show celebrates its 205th year. Plus the latest from the markets and more.  Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio....

New research shows our sheep industry is at an 'inflection point'  - with the national flock close to a record low - and  growth set to remain constrained over the next 5-years  Rural reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with Rabobank Senior Animal Protein Analyst Angus Gidley-Baird - who says we'll have to rely on improved productivity, for the sector to kep up with the world's increain...

What do you do when a mob of camels is blocking your truck?  They're just one of the many hazards drivers face - heading into the high risk season in WA, SA and the Northern Territory. Freight, forecasting, biosecurity and emergency services leaders have met up to work out some pre-planning. Rural reporter Gabrielle Hodson caught up with WATIA CEO Cam Dumesny, who says drivers are the ears an...