Water trigger ‘too vague’ to stop onshore gas expansion
Tweaked environmental laws remain too loose to safeguard water supplies and tackle threats to food growers and country from onshore gas wells, research shows.
agriculture
Australian ag tech is helping save endangered species
Home grown technology designed for cattle is now being used in the fight to protect some of the world's most vulnerable species including the koala and giraffe.
Banana farmers seek retail support after flooding, rain
A veteran farmer has implored consumers to back the banana industry at retail shelves with mass rainfall in far north Queensland hindering supply and quality.
PM pledges supermarket probe will check out all options
A former federal minister will lead a review into the supermarket sector as claims intensify of price gouging by big chains during a cost-of-living crisis.
School meals on the menu to boost children’s health
A parliamentary committee wants the government to put school meals on the menu across Australia in a bid to improve the health of the nation's school children.
Sniffer dogs catching a whiff of invasive ant menace
A specially trained squad of sniffer dogs has been recruited to protect the Northern Territory's unique environment from invasive, aggressive browsing ants.
Warning system could save farmers millions of dollars
Crop contamination from herbicides can cost growers millions of dollars in damage - but a warning system is helping to avoid it.
Snacks giant sorted with favourite Aussie ingredients
Fancy crackers, chocolates and lollies shared during the holidays are increasingly being made from local ingredients in high-tech manufacturing hubs onshore.
Asian toad pest found in Victoria a ‘serious threat’
Melburnians have been urged to look out for the deadly Asian black-spined toad after a resident found one while taking an afternoon walk on Boxing Day.
Cyclone crop damage to hit supply as farmers count cost
Australians can expect a shortage of tropical produce and possible price rises as Queensland farmers reel from crop damage inflicted by Cyclone Jasper
Alleged animal cruelty could prompt abattoir suspension
The federal government could suspend the export licence of a major Tasmanian meat processor amid allegations of animal cruelty.
Ham over fist, supermarkets face a grilling over prices
Christmas ham has become a political issue with a minister urging supermarkets to freeze its prices as the major chains face an inquiry into price gouging.
Senate gives watertight tick to Murray-Darling plan
Changes to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan have passed the Senate with a raft of amendments after a deal between the government, Greens and crossbenchers.
Croppers warn winter harvest is not looking great
As the winter crop harvest winds up earlier than usual, the nation's biggest wheat producer WA is reporting lower than expected volumes with some yields halved.
Ag graduates urged to swap farm work for the classroom
Schools across Australia are searching for agriculture teachers to guide the next generation of skilled workers, who will help build a $100 billion industry.
CSIRO targets invasive weeds with natural enemies
Natural enemies of two invasive weeds will be released in NSW in an effort to control the unwanted visitors.
agriculture
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
energy and resource
environmental issue
manufacturing and engineering
metal and mineral
mining
politics
transport
Battery economy: From ‘dig-and-ship’ to ‘mine-and-make’
Some $2 billion in capital and other sweeteners could turn Australia from the world's quarry into a "mine-and-make''nation driving the battery supply chain.
Pumbah rounds on parliament in defence of dingoes
Pumbah the domesticated dingo has made a special trip to Canberra as defenders of the native species work to stop them from being shot and poisoned.
‘We’ve got to do better’: farmers tackle mental health
Farmers are hitting the road for a series of workshops across Queensland and NSW to help other producers prepare mentally for the tough times ahead.
Review damns delivery of Murray-Darling Basin plan
A report into the delivery of the Murray-Darling Basin says the federal government must take a renewed approach to water recovery, with little progress made.
Industry backs patience on high-quality EU trade deal
Talks on a landmark free trade agreement between the European Union and Australia have collapsed following the latest round of negotiations.
History and tradition woven through national field days
The Australian National Field Days showcased the latest in agricultural innovation but among the shiny new gadgets yesteryear was ever present.
agriculture
banking
coal
economy, business and finance
education
electricity production and distribution
energy
energy and resource
government health care
manufacturing and engineering
mining
politics
transport
Plan to step up climate investment in vital regions
Super funds and other climate investors have released a plan to help bankroll new industries so workers facing job losses do not shoulder the burden alone.
Farmers’ president fires parting shot at Labor policies
A proposed ban on live sheep exports has been labelled a "disaster for animal welfare" in a heated speech by the outgoing head of the national farmers' lobby.
Fresher fruit and veg on the way to SA shelves
A new biosecurity facility will help tackle fruit fly outbreaks and shorten the time it takes for produce to get to grocery aisles in South Australia.
Winter crop production to fall amid drier conditions
Australia's winter crop production is expected to fall by almost a quarter, after three consecutive years of bumper harvests.
Regenerative farming ‘growing in momentum’
A national soils summit in country NSW has been told that regenerative agriculture is becoming more mainstream.
Agriculture ministers on the march against fire ants
The spread of an ant that can kill native species and livestock has dominated a meeting of senior ministers, with power poles above farmland also on the agenda.
Farm incomes to tumble as drier conditions take hold
Farm incomes are expected to fall this financial year due to drier conditions and lower prices, the federal government's agricultural forecaster says.
Carbon ‘bottom line’: Don’t trade integrity for offsets
Carbon offsets should be used as a last resort and limited to Australia's heaviest polluters, conservationists warn the federal government.
Dozens of red meat producers join sustainability study
Drones will be used to map dozens of farms across Australia to work out ways to improve sustainability in the red meat supply chain.