Earth’s doppelganger: scientists make $15m digital twin
From stress-testing crops to simulating disease outbreaks, researchers plan to create a virtual copy of Australia's agricultural landscape to test scenarios.
agriculture
AI digs deep into future of Australian farming sector
Farmers are rapidly adopting autonomous machinery and artificial intelligence to boost efficiency, although the industry needs stronger backing to truly thrive.
Digging it: the dopamine hit hiding beneath our feet
Soil influences what we eat, what we wear and maybe even what we feel, with one Australian scientist on a mission to help us all dig a little deeper.
Global grain glut pushes growers toward self-storage
A global oversupply of grain continues to weigh on the earnings of one of Australia's biggest handlers, as growers opt to keep their product on-farm.
Cattle pioneer says the gentle giants saved her life
A renowned cattle breeder formed a remarkable bond with Brahman after swapping a city job for a long and rewarding life on the land.
Shooters to take aim at feral pigs stranded by floods
Sharpshooters will take to the skies across Queensland's flood-ravaged northwest, targeting feral pigs stranded on pockets of higher ground.
Alarm bells as Murray declared critically endangered
Listing the beleaguered Murray River as critically endangered must be backed with action if it is to be saved, environmentalists say.
PM pledges help for flooded graziers ‘doing it tough’
Anthony Albanese has boosted financial support for outback communities impacted by devastating floods as an ex-tropical cyclone threatens to return.
Exploited worker’s death sparks anti-slavery calls
The death of a migrant worker who was exploited and fearful of his visa sponsor has prompted calls for the creation of an anti-slavery hotline.
Indigenous community hatches native prawn plan
The giant freshwater prawn has been a tasty meal for multiple generations but a new First Nations aquaculture project aims to share it with the country.
Livestock flood losses set to triple as cyclone looms
Graziers are bracing for more heavy stock losses from flooding that has left communities isolated as a potential tropical cyclone looms.
Flood-hit region braces for devastating cyclonic deluge
As a sodden region prepares for the arrival of a tropical cyclone, flood-ravaged graziers are bracing for the deluge to come as they count stock losses.
Residents hunker down as cyclone heads for coast
Tropical Cyclone Koji has formed and is threatening to barrel through a region already reeling from heavy flooding.
Cyclone threat for flood zone as federal aid unveiled
A possible tropical cyclone threatens to exacerbate damage from recent flooding as the prime minister announces relief measures for devastated farmers..
Bee-sieged island keeping deadly mite at bay
An island that is home to a unique population of honey bees hopes biosecurity measures will protect it from a deadly parasite taking hold across Australia.
The smell of native grasses reviving women’s knowledge
Indigenous women are tapping into an ancient knowledge of native grains, harvesting and cooking with them, through their sense of smell.
Indigenous-run station turning a wild problem into food
On an Aboriginal-owned station in one of the country's most remote regions, wild cattle are looked at as a solution after decades of causing problems.
Avo go at this: Aussie exports fuel hopes for new year
Australians are expected to eat 5kg of avocados per person in the new year, as bumper harvests and export demand boost optimism across the agricultural sector.
Ag bosses told of land clearing reforms at last minute
Farmers are unsure how to continue work under fast-tracked changes to land clearing laws, which have been hailed as a milestone for conservation.
Push to ramp-up fire ant battle as new nest found
Fire ants are hampering agriculture, tourism and even kids' sport, with calls for more federal funding to control the spread of one of the world's worst pests.
Strong lift off for seaweed firm with unique business
A local climate technology company tackling a potent greenhouse gas with seaweed has soared in value after listing on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Drought continues but farmers find ‘paydirt’ at last
Australia's combined agriculture, fisheries and forestry production is on track to reach a record-breaking $106.4 billion in 2025–26.
Australia makes mince meat of beef industry at awards
At the end of a tumultuous year for the beef industry, Australian producers have taken out top categories at the World Steak Challenge in London.
Your next serve of lentils could be the product of AI
Australian inventors are using artificial intelligence to help farmers grade their crops but the technology almost proved too efficient.
Loan defaults bad for business as NAB profit takes hit
Business lending is growing for NAB but so is the level of bad debt from that customer segment, pumping the brakes on profits at the big four bank.
Aussie researchers look to space to help on earth
Emergency services, agricultural projects and defence operations are expected to benefit from eyes in the sky provided by Australian space innovations.
Concerns over sovereignty, risk in satellite internet
Satellite technology has advanced rapidly as "constellations" promise better internet in remote areas, but the transformation is not without risk.
Battle for the bush? Ignore the noise – most farmers like renewables
Farmers worry more and more about changes to the climate. Most quietly support renewables and many benefit directly from the reliable income of solar and wind.
Farming export success sows seeds of growth goal reset
A $100 billion target is expected to be met by Australian agriculture, but whether it remains the best goal has been questioned at a farming conference.
Nature fixes ‘futile’ if government keeps enabling harm
Ministers agree Australia's "broken" environment system needs fixing but land managers criticise continued funding of damaging projects.
Why AI-powered cameras are watching Australian forests
Artificial intelligence technology will be deployed in more Australian forests in an investment inspired by the devastating Black Summer bushfires.