Backyard orchard bearing fruit for remote residents
A backyard orchard is proving wrong the myth that remote regions are barren, sparking a mission to bring productive gardens to communities across Australia.
agriculture
Car-drawn horse, footy field of bison: farm hits city
AFL footballers have been bumped from their regular home by 35 bison as one entertainer gets ready to show 800,000 people "what's possible with horses".
Thirsty nuclear plants ‘could suck water from farmers’
Farmers and businesses may be forced to surrender gigalitres of water to fuel proposed nuclear power stations due to their inland locations, a report claims.
Sweeping US tariffs create ‘uncertainty’ for Australia
Donald Trump's "unwarranted" decision to impose tariffs on Australia and other trading partners has rattled investors and left exporters facing an anxious wait.
‘Just too much water’: town flooded after levee breaks
The entire population of a remote town have fled for higher ground after a levee broke as floodwaters twice the size of Victoria cause more havoc.
App to reveal how much farmers can reap from renewables
Work will be fast-tracked on software that can assess how much landowners could earn from installing renewable energy projects on their properties.
Bayer hit with $3.3b Roundup verdict in US cancer case
Bayer says it will appeal after a US jury ordered it to pay one of the largest legal settlements issued in an alleged Roundup weed killer-related cancer case.
Food and fibre get millions to fend off Trump tariffs
The federal government has moved to defend Australia's agricultural exports, as the sector prepares to have one of its biggest production years on record.
Space mushrooms: Aussie research will test flying fungi
A world-first experiment led by Australians will put mushrooms in space for the first time and determine if they can be a tasty addition to astronauts' diet.
‘Feast or famine’: farmers count the cost of heavy rain
Farmers are determined to get their winter crops in the ground after flooding rain from ex-tropical cyclone Alfred inundated paddocks and swept away soil.
Growers move stock higher, bracing for Cyclone Alfred
Growers have been moving their stock and machinery to higher ground to prepare for Cyclone Alfred, as heavy rain floods paddocks and cuts off rural roads.
China slaps retaliatory tariffs on US farm products
China has announced it will levy 15 per cent tariffs on imports of US chicken, corn, and other farm products and 10 per cent on soy and others.
Science meets tradition to harness power of lightning
Bringing together traditional knowledge and modern science, this Indigenous startup hopes to help grow crops bigger, faster and more sustainably.
Bird flu case detected in Victoria’s north
There has been a bird flu outbreak at a poultry farm in Victoria, days after the federal government announced it had eradicated the disease from Australia.
How horses, pumpkins and corn flakes made a bush legend
A craft competition on the back of a cereal box, a deep love of horses and a quirky pumpkin festival have shaped one woman's life of service to rural Australia.
Labour of love in the Dayboro Valley
It’s mid-morning and Farm Animal Rescue volunteer Nicolette Moore is coming to the end of her shift. She’s been hard at work since 5.30 am, feeding, cleaning, grooming and carrying out basic health checks on the free-roaming pigs, sheep, cattle, goats and chooks who call this tranquil sanctuary in the beautiful Dayboro Valley home.
Through dagwood dogs or hot wings, country shows unite
The man behind one of the biggest agricultural fairs in the US is set to visit Australia, sharing wisdom on everything from Pluto pups, to pigs and parking.
Pacific envoys gather to tackle visa exploitation risks
Employment Minister Murray Watt is convening a roundtable with Pacific envoys to shore up worker protections in a regional labour mobility scheme.
How a Trump presidency could affect Aussie produce
Farmers are keeping a close eye on US president-elect Donald Trump's commitment to impose tariffs on imports.
Psychology goes in search of new age Aussie farmers
Researchers are looking into whether psychology can help improve workplace practices on Australia's cotton farms, in a bid to better attract and retain workers.
Boon for critical minerals, education in trade pact
Australian pacts with a Gulf state are set to open up investment from its massive sovereign wealth fund and opportunities in critical minerals and education.
Demand to pressure US senators out of kangaroo ban
Australian politicians and officials have been asked to pressure US senators out of a kangaroo ban that could harm exports and farming.
Strengthening wildlife numbers key to mitigate bird flu
The Invasive Species Council wants better bird protections to mitigate the impact of a deadly bird flu strain as Australia war games how to contain an outbreak.
A lobster in every pot at Christmas and the New Year
Australia's lobster fishers are confident of being able to meet renewed demand from China and satisfy local customers this Christmas.
Lobster deal not enough as more China trade championed
China's door is back open for Australian rock lobster fishers, but the trade minister wants more producers tagging along too.
Deadly bird flu could lead to mass extinctions
Australia is preparing for a deadly strain of the bird flu which could lead to the extinction of unique species, as authorities brace for its arrival.
Farmland sales plumb 29-year low as price demands boom
Farmers' asking prices for their land are spooking potential buyers as the number of deals plummets almost 20 per cent in 12 months.
‘Climate action pays’: call to rev up clean investment
There can be winners in the clean energy race, a group of super funds says, rolling out a campaign to quell community fears and accelerate development.
Trade war fully thawed as China drops live lobster ban
Australia and China have effectively ended a years-long trade dispute after Beijing agreed to drop an import embargo on live rock lobsters.
Devastating bird flu strain ‘on Australia’s doorstep’
Conservation groups are calling for more funding to prepare for the arrival of a deadly bird flu strain believed to have killed billions of animals worldwide.
Fire ant eradication refuseniks face sting of the law
Tensions are ramping up between authorities and property owners who are resisting the fire ant eradication program with a lock-the-gates style campaign.