National Rural News

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

New rules to boost cherry exports to Japan

Tasmania's cherry industry is expecting to export several hundred tonnes of fruit to Japan this season, after Japan's quarantine protocols were revised.

Greens and Nats failed to block tax breaks for forests

The Greens and Nationals have voted together to protest about a new law which they believe will see more land taken from farmers and sold to trees.

Mixed results as water legislation goes through Parliament

The Federal Government has given the green light to Victoria's north-south pipeline, but it's blocked a $50 million assistance package to farmers in the Coorong and Lower Lakes.

Graziers optimistic after rain and falling dollar

Cattle producers in Northern New South Wales and Queensland may be looking at their best season in a decade.

Gold, oil prices drop

The price of gold has plummeted overnight, in line with the general decline in global markets.

Farmers play down effect of financial crisis

Most Australian farmers say they aren't feeling the pinch of the credit crunch.

Organic farmers say simpler labelling will boost sales

Organic consumers want a simple labelling system for produce.

Lower quality grain being harvested after rain

Farmers in the Central West of New South Wales are getting back on their headers this week, after rain last week stopped much of the state's harvest.

Kimberley trawlers net the raw prawn

It's been a tough year for prawn trawlers off the Kimberley coast of Western Australia, with average yields down and petrol prices up.

Fertiliser industry in stalemate

Australia's fertiliser industry is in a stalemate according to one West Australian company.

Facelift for struggling Futuris

Agribusiness company Futuris has announced a name change, a restructure, a sell-off off of non-performing assets and a downgrading of profits.

Wine industry won't seek more funding to handle grape over-supply

It's unlikely we'll see another vine pull funded by the Federal Government to deal with an oversupply of wine grapes.

Company wins tender to classify wheat

The organisation responsible for classifying wheat will be handed to company, BRI Research.

Concern over Tasmanian's natural resource management

Tasmanian natural resource management groups are still concerned about the Federal Government's Caring for our Country program.

Next generation of locusts threatens farmers

Farmers in southern New South Wales are preparing to fight a new generation of plague locusts after recent rain.

Growcom wants more work done on drought policy

A horticulture lobby group says it's pleased with the direction the national drought policy is headed but says much more needs to be done.

Plan to tackle wild dogs on NSW north coast

Wild dogs living on nearly one million hectares of land in north-east New South Wales will be the focus of a new co-ordinated approach to their control.

Analyst welcomes agricultural mergers

The recent mergers of large agribusiness companies aren't necessarily a bad thing, according to one industry analyst.

WA pastoralists keep fighting for lease security

Pastoralists in Western Australia's Gascoyne want lease security back on the agenda when Lands Minister Brendan Grylls visits the region this week.

Brahman sale sets record

A record has been set for the highest amount paid for a bull in Queensland.

Too costly to prove bush medicines work

A plant chemist says it's too expensive to get bush medicines officially recognised as a therapeutic product.