New figures show the cost of irrigation water in the southern Murray-Darling Basin has climbed by almost 140 per cent in the space of a year.

A report by water consultancy firm Aither shows the cost per mega-litre in July 2018 was $230, but that number now sits at more than $550 per mega-litre.

Reporter Matthew Bridges spoke with director Chris Olszak.

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In today's National Rural News, water costs continue to surge for Murray Darling irrigators, US farmers frustrated by tariff indecision, cameras developed to monitor chicken health, plus the latest from the markets and more.

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A new report is predicting Australia's export of grain-fed beef to Asian countries could rise to more than 500-thousand tonnes by 20-30.

Our exports to China alone could increase from the current 50-thousand tonnes to 200-thousand in the same period.

Our Rural Reporter Sophie Clarke caught up with report author and Rabobank senior animal proteins analyst Angus Gidley-Baird.

In today’s National Rural News, grain-fed beef exports to China on the rise, calls to water down South Australia's proposed snapper ban, a test oilseed crop in Queensland and more.

Residents from northern Victoria and southern New South Wales will converge on Tocumwal, to protest over what they believe is a failing Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

Rural Reporter Sophie Clarke caught up with the organiser of the event Jan Beer, to discuss why they're calling for action:

In today’s National Rural News, communities rallying over the Murray Darling Basin Plan, workplace safety standards in Victoria, reliable energy as older coal-fired plants shut down and more.

New South Wales could be the first state or territory in Australia to give farmers a legal "right to farm".

Activists are being targeted in a proposed law to impose three years jail and fines up to 22-thousand dollars for trespassing.

There will also be aggravated offences to cover the release of stock and property damage.

New South Wales Farmers Association President James Jackson believes the move could push other state's to follow suit.

Rural Reporter Sophie Clarke caught up with him to get a bit more insight.

In today's National Rural News, farm rights in the spotlight, the water crisis plaguing Queensland, improved transparency in the cattle and beef industry but more to be done,  plus the latest from the markets and more.

In today's National Rural News,16-year ban on genetically-modified crops lifted in SA for next season, plans to reopen an Adelaide mine rejected by the community, the biggest agriculture field days get underway, plus the latest from the markets and more.

The drought plaguing much of the country has not dented enthusiasm for those attending the annual AgQuip event in the New South Wales New England region - which has been fully booked out.

The event attracts over 100-thousand visitors each year, over a three day period.

The gates at Gunnedah are open.

Rural Reporter Sophie Clarke caught up with Rural Events Group Manager Kate Nugent to hear about the underlying factor drawing people in.