Country Today Podcast

Today on the podcast

Hundreds of farmers in the Western District have received a letter from the Native Title Tribunal informing them of a native title claim and the advice from the VFF, whatever you do, don’t panic 

The Moyne Shire of south west Victoria last night unanimously passed a motion to support farmers and lodge a submission into the state inquiry into animal activism.

And pulse and oilseeds farmers with mysteriously under-performing patches in their crops can find out for free if it’s a soil borne disease. 

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

After much shouting and general political shenanigans in the House of Reps late last night, the Federal Government finally got its multi-billion dollar Future Drought Fund passed. You’ll hear from Federal Water Resources and Drought Minister David Littleproud

Also today Southern Riverina Irrigators are taking class action against the Murray Darling Basin Authority for alleged gross mismanagement and they want more irrigators to join the court battle.e

And the VFF works with the Victorian Government to make pain relief for mulesing compulsory

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast....

The boom in rural property prices is likely to slow according to Rabobank, but it’s from record-high gains of nearly 30 per cent in some areas. It’s not a bust, just a slowdown.

Also today, how can farmers use blockchain to guarantee they get paid for their produce

And integrating livestock into a no till cropping system.

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

The ABC’s Four Corners program has been widely criticised for its program on the Murray Darling Basin Plan, with the latest attack coming in an open letter for some of Australia’s leading water scientists. Libby Price spoke to Co-author is Professor Rob Vertessy,\

The latest technology is being used to detect the highly invasive weeds, serrated tussock and Chilean needle grass, before they become established. 

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

The United States has threatened to take Australia to the world trade organisation on, of all things, move to mandate roll bars on quad bikes. 

Also today, 15 thousand megalitres of water to be flushed through the Millewa forest, straight past farms with zero water allocation. You’ll hear from Rice Growers President, Jeremy Morton.

And the rock star turned farmer: breaking up the band to go home and raise sheep. A touring guitarist as a member of rock band Airbourne, the 37-year-old’s passion had him performing in front of tens of thousands all over the world.

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

Another lamb sale, another record price. $355 a head in Forbes yesterday. Sheep farmers haven’t had it so good in decades. So when will the bubble burst?

Australia's first major commercial plant protein extraction facility is opening in Horsham in Victoria’s Wimmera.

It was supposed to be a game-changer for freight of agricultural produce in north-west Victoria. The Murray Basin Freight Project seems to have gone off the rails.

But first the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

The megadrought of the early 1900s caused mass ecosystem collapse and dramatic declines in plant and animal populations across more than a third of the continent. As part of efforts to prepare for and adapt to future droughts, the CSIRO has recreated the megadrought through historical records. You’ll hear from ecologist Dr Robert Godfree.

The introduction of competition across the food supply chains has failed to create the value and benefits expected for farmers and consumers. This is according to NSW Farmers President James Jackson

Cattle producers have been making use of sexed semen. It's now available in sheep.

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

A farmer in the heart of cattle country does the unthinkable and goes into prime lamb production

Also what farmers think of the Victorian Government’s decision to mandate a new licence review limiting the amount of water sold in the lower Murray region of the state.

And how a city girl has made something of a Facebook sensation by blogging about marrying a farmer. 

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

The Victorian Government is taking the drastic step of reviewing all water licence applications for extractions below the Barmah Choke on the Murray River.

In recent months, Irrigators have been voicing their concern that the growth of large plantation plantings further downstream are putting too much pressure on the choke, coupled with water for the environment being pushed through the choke to flow to South Australia. Water minister Lisa Neville joins us

A blueprint for how to attract migrant workers to regional areas has been released

One such story is that of Rupanyup in Victoria’s Wimmera, population of 563. With migrant from South America bringing a whole new vibe to the town.

Plus the latest National Rural News.

Today on the podcast

The Federal Government and the Murray Darling Basin Authority are backing up the management of the Murray Darling Basin Plan after last night's damning 4 corners program. That's despite the likes of the former Environmental Water Holder saying the plan needs a total review. Today, the irrigators perspective from CEO of the Irrigators Council, Steve Whan.

The Australian Sheep and Wool show is on next week in Bendigo. Matt Johns speaks to Patrick Fawkner about the details of the show’s premier event, the Festival of Lamb.

And latest National Rural News.