Country Today Podcast

Today on the podcast

The irrigation industry in the Murray Darling basin is on high alert, with another expose to be aired tonight on ABC’s Four Corners.

One of the major allegations is that $40 million dollars from the Murray Darling Basin Plan have been paid to build huge dams on the Murrumbidgee going against the essence of the plan to use less water…

The red meat industry is in for a major shakeup, following the release of white paper recommending the industry’s various bodies be merged.

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

Agriculture needs to be part of the school curriculum and more schools should even have small farms. That’s the simplest way to attract young people to ag careers.

You’ll also hear how studying the gut bacteria of honey bees may help prevent colony collapse which would be a disaster for much or agriculture

And the wool market this week had a modest rally.

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

It’s being claimed that scientific reports on the salinity of the lower lakes in South Australia, in particular, the largest, Lake Alexandrina was doctored a decade ago so that the South Australian government could argue the lakes need more freshwater flows from the Murray River.

Joining us is the scientist who claims his report was altered, Professor Peter Gell a paleoecologist at Federation University.

Also today, Phin Ziebell Associate Director, NAB Group Economics with his outlook for sheep, cattle and wool and a prediction we may soon say farewell to the fashion trend of activewear…

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

While merino wool prices have tumbled in the last month, there’s one brand of wool that’s standing its ground. And that’s wool from sheep who haven’t been mulesed with demand now very strong.

 

Farmers can find a partner to help them innovate their product to find a niche market in the middle classes of China, Indonesia and India. You hear from one of the guest speakers to the Global Table conference in Melbourne in September.

 

And speaking of Asia, If Australia is to hold on to its premier south-east Asian wheat market, the grain now not just has to look good, it has to feel good. So what does that mean?

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

The big wet in the united states has led to the record lowest acreage of wheat plantings. You’ll hear how this will influence global wheat prices.

The target has been set for Australian agriculture to be carbon neutral by 2030, but it can’t be done without spending up big on research

And the latest seasonal outlook for our regular agronomist, Dale Grey. 

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

It’s 12 months since a review of Australian Wool Innovation recommended sweeping changes, including a limit of 10 year board membership. That would of course have meant farewell to the outspoken former chair Wal Merriman.

You might be wondering where that’s at, with the Federal Government repeatedly asking AWI to get on with implementing the reforms.

Those controversial constitutional changes won’t go to a vote until next year, and only when there’s an agreement with all industry bodies. On this podcast, you'll hear from CEO of AWI Stuart McCullough.  

And farmers resort to desperate measures during desperate times, using the offcasts from almonds to feed livestock.

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast..

The global outlook for the wheat industry. The all important USDA acreage report comes out tonight with predictions an incredibly wet season is drowning crops.

Also on this podcast China has slapped a ban on all Canadian meat imports. Couple that with the catastrophic African swine fever and it adds up to a much needed boost to the Australian pork industry.

And the largest monthly fall in the wool market in 28 years along with the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast.

A lovely set of numbers. Australia’s sheep meat exports have gone up by 130 per cent in the past 20 years so we now export three quarters of what we produce.

You’ll also hear about Australia’s first mobile cattle abattoir which processes the animals on farm, making it far less stressful than the cattle being trucked to a slaughter destination.

And the Murray Darling Basin Authority prioritises compliance with water regulations, particularly unmetred water.

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

 

Rural crime is on the rise, and the thieves are getting away with it.. the latest crime statistics there have only been four arrests from nearly 300 reports of crime.

Also, sporting shooters say a government aerial cull of deer and goats in the Grampians national park is wasting money when they’d do it for free.

And Australia’s agricultural exports predicted to fall, especially in sheep and cattle, as farmers look to restock once the drought breaks .. but with that, the national crop outlook is much brighter and the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

The Victorian Government's controversial fire services reforms have passed through the parliament so that the CFA is now only a volunteer organisation, with all career firefighters now under the new organisation Fire Services Victoria. And that means under the powerful United Firefighters Union.

The Victorian Farmers Federation joins other irrigators in the call for a moratorium on new large scale irrigation developments in the southern reaches of the basin.

And what better way to make use of carp by turning fish in into fertiliser. Balmoral farmer Justin Weaver has devised an innovative way to stimulate soil health at his farm. In collaboration with the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority, they’re mulching carp and applying it to the soil.

Plus the latest National Rural News.