The Rural News

National Rural News Tuesday June 2 In today's National Rural News: Farmers react to opening milk prices, ag production value to fall, wool market reaches five year high  - 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.

Some farmers say they are disappointed by opening milk prices, but industry leaders say processors are struggling too.  Prices and supply agreements for the new milk season have been finalised, with prices ranging from between 8 to 10 dollars per kilogram of milk solids.  Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke with Australian Dairy Farmers President Ben Bennett about how the prices reflect the...

National Rural News Monday June 1 In today's National Rural News: Deadline day for dairy processors and their new milk supply agreements, final decision on paraquat use weeks away, support for rural families travelling for their child's specialist treatment  - plus the latest from the markets and more.  Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omny...

New data rural families who need to travel for their child's specialist healthcare are unaware of the support available to them.  Research conducted by Ronald McDonald House warns a majority of rural based families would face financial strain if they needed to travel to receive specialist care.  Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke with Chief Executive Barbara Ryan about the support on offer...

National Rural News Friday May 29 In today's National Rural News: Winter crops gets off to an early start, olive growers raise concerns over water policy, another strong year for goatmeat production and exports  - 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.

The federal government is being urged to re-think it's water management policies.  The Olive Oil industry is raising concerns about it's future, after Cobram Estate blasted water management,  taxes and the cost of fuel and fertiliser as it shifts investment to the United States.  Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke to Australian Olive Association Chief Executive Michael Southan about ho...

National Rural News Thursday May 28 In today's National Rural News: Experts believe Australian farmers can adapt to increasing volatility in the ag sector, dairy farmers wait for opening milk prices, a disability advocate's journey through regional NSW  - plus the latest from the markets and more.  Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudi...

A new report has found market volatility is becoming the new normal in the agriculture sector.  But experts believe Australian farmers are well placed to adapt. ANZ Food for Thought Report warns geopolitical tensions, energy shocks and extreme weather are becoming more frequent and interconnected.  Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke with Agribusiness expert Michael Whitehead about the repor...

National Rural News Wednesday May 27 In today's National Rural News: Data shows freight operators are absorbing soaring diesel costs, wheat plantings to plummet, farmers urged to source winter feed early - 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.

Farmers are urging the federal government to hold a fast and efficient consultation process on Right to Repair reforms.  Labor is moving to expand the reforms to agricultural machinery, which would allow farmers to service and repair their own farm machinery, like tractors.  Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke with National Farmers Federation President Hamish McIntyre about how it would bene...

National Rural News Tuesday May 26 In today's National Rural News: Feedlot capacity and turnover reaches record levels, ACCC issues fines for alleged breaches to the dairy code of conduct, almond exports plummet - 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.

Cattle on feed and feeding capacity numbers has risen to record levels, according to the latest industry survey.  The Australian Lot Feeders Association and Meat and Livestock Australia figures show numbers on feed this quarter hit a new record of 1.6 million.  Feedlot capacity is above 1.7 million.  Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke with Meat and Livestock Australia Senior Market Inf...

National Rural News Monday May 25 In today's National Rural News: Goat transaction levy could rise, potential deal to re-open the Strait of Hormuz, Farmers band together to send grain to conflict zones - 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.

Goat producers are calling for changes to transaction levies, as the industry experiences rapid growth.  The Goat Industry Council is reviewing the current levy, which is collected at a rate of 37.7 cents per head.  Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke with President John Falkenhagen about the next steps in the consultation process. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Rural News Friday May 22 In today's National Rural News: Beef production off the strongest start to the year on record, changes to Right to Repair laws for agricultural machinery, recent rainfall doesn't quell drought pressures - plus the latest from the markets and more.  Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

It's been a strong start to the year for beef production, according to the latest figures.  ABS data shows more than 730 000 tonnes of beef were produced in the March quarter, with 2.3 million head of cattle slaughtered.  Rural Reporter Chris McCarthy spoke with Meat and Livestock Australia Senior Market Information Manager Stephen Bignell about the figures. See omnystudio.com/liste...

National Rural News Thursday May 21 In today's National Rural News: Dairy farmer sentiment rises, calls for better education for irrigators, the nation's booming agritourism sector - 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.

Farmers are being urged to consider the benefits of Agritourism to help offset rising input costs. CSIRO data estimates demand for the sector to reach more than 18-billion dollars by the end of the decade. Rural Reporter Chris McCarthy spoke Giovanna Lever, Managing Director of Consultancy firm Sparrowly, about how producers can leverage the booming sector.  See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Apiarists are expecting their industry to continue to struggle for the next few years as they battle the destructive Varroa Mite. Bee keepers are encouraging Australians to buy local honey to support the industry this World Bee Day. Rural Reporter Chris McCarthy spoke with Parliament House Head Bee Keeper Cormac Farrell about the state of the industry and it's importance.  Subscribe to the Na...

In today's National Rural News: More fertiliser on the way to help Australian farmers, regional television issues in the spotlight, celebrating the nation's bees - 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.

Farmers battling mice plagues in W-A, South Australia, and Queensland now have a new tool in their arsenal to deal with the pest. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has approved Grand Producers Australia's emergency application for access to double-strength zinc phosphide mouse bait. Grain Producers Australia Research Development and Extension Spokesperson Andrew Weideman...

In today's National Rural News: Farmers given access to double-strength poison to deal with mouse plagues, Federal Government knocks back flood relief package for North Queensland producers, live export appeal quashed - 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.

The wool industry says a slight decline in wool markets in the past fortnight is not cause for concern.  The Eastern Market Indicator is sitting nearly 58% higher than this time last year off the back of a strong performance this calendar year.  It's been driven by tightening supply and shifting demand for natural fibres instead of synthetics.  Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke with W...

In today's National Rural News: Wool industry hopeful of positive effects from the Middle-East conflict, forecasters warn of "super el Nino", tractor sales slump, the new resources for hobby farmers - 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 Friday May 15 In today's National Rural News: Beef industry closely monitoring Brazil's booming exports, more fertiliser on its way to Australian farms, building social resilience to drought-- 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.