Country Today Podcast

Today on the podcast

Predictions prices for merino ewes will go to $400 a head once the drought breaks.

The age-old saying is make hay when the sun shines.

It’s a bit more like make hay before a crop fails.

In nsw farmers are salvaging what they can from drought affected crops.

And timely advice for farmers looking at cutting pasture hay this season on how best to make that grass grow.

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley talks about today's climate strike, the likely impact ongoing drought will have on the Murray Darling river system, and admits the Productivity Commission's recommendation to split the Murray Darling Basin Authority is unlikely to happen during the Basin Plan.

Plus the weekly wool report with Lionel Plunkett from AWEX.

Today on the podcast

The latest dairy farm monitor shows that annual income has fallen by an average of $24 000 a year. But it’s a lot worse in the northern irrigation district and in drought stricken Gippsland

The tale of two shires: Campaspe in Victoria and Murray in NSW. Both on the Murray river Local leaders facing the reality of a tougher future. 

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

Yet another voice has joined the ever growing chorus demanding changes to the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

The NSW Business Chamber is calling for a more sensible discussion. 

 

Also today, former State MP and farmer Simon Ramsay on his submission to the inquiry into animal rights activism.

And agricultural production to fall to the lowest level since the millennium drought.

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

Australia’s agricultural exports have peaked at a record $50.7 billion dollars, according to Rural bank. Let’s set see what’s hot and what’s not in exports

Irrigators have been warning water prices could break through a thousand dollar a megalitre and now water traders agree.

Intelligence in the global  wool market is both woolgrowers and our major market, China want prices to settle. 

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

In open defiance to the Federal Water Minister, David Littleproud, Victoria’s Nationals passed a motion at the federal council meeting in Canberra yesterday calling for 300GL of environment water to be traded onto the market to assist drought-affected farmers in Victoria and NSW. Victoria’s Shadow Water Minister, Steph Ryan.

Also the ongoing trade war between China and the US, and China has been forced to drop all tariffs on pork and soybeans due to catastrophic losses of pigs to the deadly African swine fever.

And Marcus Oldham Agricultural College holds its Marcus Minds open weekend.

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

There’s nothing quite like the anxiety of waiting for a special birth. Today, the scientist who loves his little dung beetles and is monitoring an expected 6000 giving birth so they can then spread their dung beetle magic.

Also, what to do with those plastic chemical drums lying around. Recycling through DrumMuster and earning money for your local community

A great end to the week with wool prices having their strongest rally ever in cents a kg terms, an increase of more than 12 per cent. 

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

Australia’s grain industry is the latest to produce a sustainability framework.

So what is a sustainability framework? Joining us is chair of grain growers Australia and Victorian farmer, Brett Hosking

Also today, how much do you value your dogs ... warnings of outbreaks of the deadly parvovirus

And charity Rural Aid raising money to fund more financial counsellors as the drought drags on in NSW

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

Federal Water Minister David Littleproud responds to angry irrigators demanding he be sacked.

It’s a very big happy birthday to our favourite rural newspaper, The Weekly Times which turns 150 today. You’ll hear from Editor Ed Gannon.

You’ll meet the latest Australian wool industry medal recipient, Michael Blake

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

Australian Wool Innovation’s AGM is less than three months away and it looks as if negotiations between AWI and Wool Producers to limit board tenure to a decade won’t be concluded. It's a huge win for former chair and board member of 15 years, Wal Merriman. Today you’ll hear from Wool Producers President, Ed Storey.

Calici virus seems to be resurfacing, putting paid to quite a few of the rascally rabbits. I’ll speak  to Jason Wishart, Ag Victoria's biosecurity invasive animals officer.

Plus the latest National Rural News.