The Rural News

Unbelievably about one in six Australians believes foxes are a native animal.

About one in five also believe cane toads are indigenous to Australia.

Rural Reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with Rob Brewster from the Invasive Species Council who also has concerns about the perception of feral cats and deer.

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In today's National Rural News:  

** An auto-spray device that allows users to not make contact with chemicals has won the Henty Machine of the Year,

** Police seeking information after the disappearance of 212 cattle at Wilcannia,

** and the bushfire season gets off to a nasty start in drought-affected southern Queensland,

Plus the latest from the markets and more. 

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Farming in Tasmania is changing fast - with poppies and winegrapes now dominating the landscape. That's something we didn't see a generation ago.

A new centre is being built just outside Launceston, that'll test new potential varieties and crops - including medicinal herbs in demand in China. 

Rural Reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with Mike Rose, the director of the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture.

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In today's National Rural News:  

** A record number of exhibitors for this week's Henty Machienry Field Days,

** Farmers fear loss of power and water if a massive Anthropic data centre goes ahead in regional Queensland,

** and a Tasmanian ewe gives birth to quintuplets,

Plus the latest from the markets and more. 

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In today's National Rural News:  

** Truckies struggling to break even say they're parking their vehicles until diesel drops below $2/litre, 

** Fertilizer costs likely to remain high into 2027,

** and calls to count the koalas on your property this Sunday,

Plus the latest from the markets and more. 

Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast

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Various farm groups have welcomed the prioritization of skilled agriculture, forestry and fishing staff who're applying for working holiday-maker visas.

But there's still a huge problem.

Australia is heaidng into peak season for many commodities - and vias that used to be processed in 24-hours are now taking months 

Rural Reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with National Farmers Federation President Hamish McIntyre, who wants it fixed.. within the week.

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In today's National Rural News:  

** One of the world's biigest AI companies has applied to set up a data centre on the site of a feedlot near Dalby, 

** Almost 10,000 endangered native birds nominated for h5 bird flu vaccines,

** and Merv Hughes go in to bat for Aussie avocadoes,

Plus the latest from the markets and more. 

Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast

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Who'd  believe that an animal that turned feral could be re-domesticated - and then become a successful breed in its own right..? 

The Rangeland goat is one of the most resilient animals in arid Australia - and its helped to make our nation the world's biggest exporter of goat meat.

Rural Reporter Gabrielle Hodson caught up with Dr Tom Granleese who says there's room for an even bigger export market. 

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No longer with frost leave Aussie wheat crops - and their farmers -  'fried'. 

The CSIRO has developed a new variety - Hurdle - which not only has high yields, but can also be used for ha.

It comes as properties in WA's southern and eastern Wheatbelt are increasingly exposed to frost.

Rural Reporter Gabrielle Hodson caught up with team leader Greg Rebetzki. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News:  

** Changing diets - linked to weight loss injectibles such as Ozempic - are affecting the shape of the Aussie dairy industry,

** Supermarkets tell shoppers to support egg farmers - as free range chooks are confined to sheds,

** and a chicken meat-giant keeps on growing - with cash-strapped households opting for the cheaper meat,

Plus the latest from the markets and more. 

Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.