The Rural News

A south west Victorian dairyfarmer is the first in Australia to try a portable solar and battery set-up that more-than provides for his dairy - and its 220-plus cows. Peter Mulheron says although it's only been three months he expects to see a massive drop in power bills - and a guaranteed supply during blackouts.  Rural reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke to the Swans Marsh farmer who'd also lik...

In today's National Rural News:   ** Reports of a Federal  back-flip on working holiday-makers, ** A new report shows its sometimes cheaper to fly overseas - than to rural areas in your own state, ** and hthe VFF welcomes a promise of $5 million for a soil research centre,  Plus the latest from the markets and more.  Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/R...

The Shadow Minister for Northern Australia wants to know why so little money is being spent on a vital bushfire monitoring service, why a quarter of it is being spent on admin - and how the Federal Government plans to deal with the service's ageing NASA satellite.   Susan McDonald says the North Australia and Rangelands Fire Information - or NAFI - provides critical mapping and detection that...

In today's National Rural News:   ** Latest annual results show a $10 million loss for Graincorp, ** The High Court orders animal welfare activists to destroy footage shot in a Victorian goat abattoir, ** and fears future Aussie water infrastructure could be stopped - if we sign the EU Free Trade Agreement,  Plus the latest from the markets and more.  Subscribe to the National Rural...

Walk through any town - and you're likely to see Skippy the jumping bull. Not in person, but as a logo on Ringers Western shirts, hats, hoodies and more. Rural reporter Gabrielle Hodson met co-founder Emma Salerno - who says the brand was born from a sense of frustration with poorly designed and made clothes - and the desire to give Aussies something more practical and durable. See omnystudio.com/...

In today's National Rural News:   ** Fears new draft Australian Dietary Guidelines and health star ratings will favour some highly processed foods over red meat, ** An indefinite delay to the 2027 WoolPoll - cementing a 1.5 per cent levy, ** and Rongers Western - whats the very Aussie story behind that jumping bull logo?,  Plus the latest from the markets and more.  Subscribe to the...

New RAI figures show the number of city people moving to regional areas is about 30-per-cent higher than country folk heading to the big smoke. Shanghai-born Daisy Ye has found herself in Warrnambool - a place she'd never heard of when she first landed in Brisbane - and says it's perfect. Rural reporter Gabrielle Hodson caught up with the multi-cultural trailblazer, ahead of the Asian-Australian L...

In today's National Rural News:   ** Fears a critical bushfire detection and mapping service is being underfunded - and its NASA satellite is starting to fail, ** New South Wales Farmers formally join the Graingrowers group, ** and an argument about a council fence .. at the Betoota pub,  Plus the latest from the markets and more.  Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http:...

A young canegrower with tons of enthusiasm has been named an official 'Emerging Legend' by peak body Canegrowers on their 100th anniversary. Ryan Brownlie says he was blown away by the news - and is excited about the future of sugar and bio-fuel.   Rural reporter Sophie Clarke caught up with the Burdekin canegrower - who only entered the industry a few years ago.  See omnystudio.com/list...

In today's National Rural News:   ** Dairy farmers say they'll still face hefty taxes and restrictive export quotas in Europe if the EU free trade deal go ahead in its current form, ** The Coalition's Water Taskforce has begun  identifying new ways of improving water security across the country - saying investment in water projects has been neglected, ** and researchers say people who sw...

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...