Country Breakfast

Avocado producers and researchers want people to stop squeezing and damaging avocados at the supermarket when testing their ripeness.

In Laos, Australian researchers are helping farmers manage their use of pesticides, amid debate between organic and chemical-reliant farming.

Growing school vegetables and hauling in fish - it's all about healthy eating in the Northern Territory; a charity helps seafarers get their land legs; and we dial up a telephone collection.

Rockmelon crisis talks after contaminated fruit linked to deaths; Competition watchdog raises concern over foreign dairy takeover; Farmer 'gutted' over $50,000 sheep heist; Beekeepers turn to satellite tracking systems to halt hive theft.

Country pubs are becoming more than drinking holes as they strive to adapt to a changing drinking culture. A Japanese company is growing a banana with an edible skin.

Meet the catering brigade - the often forgotten volunteers of the RFS; the endangered Mary River cod is making a comeback; Sydney's Vietnamese community picks their own lychees; and the Darkan show is back after 60 years.

Victorian fumigation plant suspended amid Tasmanian fruit fly alert; Farmers say cages are better for chickens; Fonterra partners with The a2 Milk Company to expand reach.

This week we explore the key trends in Australian wine and find out how we've ridden the highs and lows of consumer demand.