South Australian Country Hour

The state's Fisheries patrol vessel Southern Ranger carries out underwater observations of the algal bloom, RSPCA and Australian Pork investigating allegations of animal welfare abuse at an SA abattoir, and the state and federal government to jointly-fund construction of a temporary barge at Cooper Creek.

An independent review recommends a mandatory code of conduct for the wine industry to be enforced by the ACCC, the SA Oyster Growers Association encourages the public to continue to support the industry, and the South Australian Junior Heifer Expo celebrates its 40th anniversary.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

Yet another new national record price set for lambs at Wagga Wagga, fishermen call for more research into what's causing the algae bloom, and a new dual-trade apprenticeship on offer in ag machinery and auto electrical technology.

The drought still not over as rain brings relief to some and little to others across SA, an SA-based organic certifier goes into administration leaving hundreds of producers scrambling, and northern landholders cut off by floodwaters urge the government to install a ferry at Cooper Creek.

Free footy tickets on offer to drought-affected SA farmers at a fundraising AFL match, a commercial fisherman calls for even further support for those struggling in the industry, and Riverland wine grape growers face tough choices as prices and demand not expected to improve for vintage 2026.

The State Government announces immediate licence fee relief for commercial fishers affected by the algae bloom, the 2025 National Vintage Report shows a 20% increase in red wine grape varieties crushed last year, and we cross live to the Australian Grassland Association's annual conference in the Adelaide Hills.

Calls for more regional health services after a retired farmer loses access to local dialysis care, the commercial fishing industry ramps up calls for government support for fishers affected by the algae bloom, and a breeding value for footrot expected to be introduced into Australia soon.

Hay prices soar across Victoria and SA as lucerne hay reaches almost $800 a tonne in some areas, plans to keep varroa mite out of South Australia as pollination season approaches, and buyers from across the country head to the Alice Springs Show where sales fetched prices above national average.

SA ice cream brand Golden North announces it's moving its factory from Laura to Murray Bridge, the South Australian Dairyfarmers' Association welcomes Golden North's move as good news for dairy farmers, and a survey of hundreds of Livestock SA members says 88% have reported severe to catastrophic seasonal conditions.

PIRSA's latest forecast predicts this year's SA crop to be around the 10 year average of 8.2 million tonnes, the Gene Technology Regulator issues a licence to the University of Adelaide for its first GM canola field trial, and the Federal Government asked to intervene to save jobs at Nyrstar as Australia's smelting industry struggles to stay afloat.

South Australia extends the sheep and goat eID essential equipment rebate for producers for a further 12 months, an investigation finds many South Australian horticulture workers are not being paid properly, and mandatory Country of Origin labelling laws for seafood expanded to include hospitality venues.

Hay run charity Need for Feed secures funding to bring a massive load of hay into SA later this month, the National Farmers Federation reflects on ways to keep the organisation together, and hundreds of egg laying hens delivered across Australia's Top End after a long journey from SA.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

Grain Producers Australia wants growers to have more say on how their levy rate is spent, Australian company Vow gains permission to sell its lab-grown meat domestically, and farmers raise concerns about the Federal Government's plan to collect more tax from people with multi-million-dollar super balances.

South Australia again battered by high winds and big tides, but not all farmers receive winter rain, a market analyst outlines the possible impact of the US-Iran conflict for Australian livestock producers, and SA to monitor for polypagous shot hole borer after WA announced it would stop trying to eradicate the pest.

An aerial imagery campaign finds hundreds of illegally built dams and expansions in the Mount Lofty ranges, the State Government unveils details of the mental health support services it's funding through its drought support package, and around 90 farmers turn out for a community drought support event at Streaky Bay.

The fodder industry working through challenges to bringing much-need hay from WA into SA, concern as after authorities admit a plan to eradicate polyphagous shot-hole borer has failed, and a McLaren Vale grenache makes history to claim the Champion of Show award at the National Wine Show of Australia.

The State Government and Opposition at odds over a drought response bill before parliament, councils from drought impacted areas write to the government calling for more targeted drought relief, and SA pauses plans to ban non-compostable plastic produce stickers from September this year.

Sheep and lamb records continue to fall at South Australian saleyards, hundreds of hay bales heading to drought-impacted farmers on Kangaroo Island, and Rural Aid volunteers in Eudunda this week helping farmers with jobs around the farm.

A survey of 130 grain producers finds half are struggling to access finance or credit due to the drought, farmers call for a delay in the phasing out of cage eggs due to ongoing shortages, and the Iran-Israel conflict escalates volatility across global markets.

The New Marine Scalefish Fishery Management Plan for South Australia has been released, a tomato the colour of an eggplant could be available to Australians from next year if it's approved by federal authorities and new research has found natural plant microbes can be used to enhance a wheat plants' ability to resist drought.

Growers raise concerns about the quality of the cropping fertiliser mono ammonimum phosphate, Farmers Across Borders secures 6000 bales of hay and straw from WA for drought-affected SA farmers, and Australia's abalone farms struggling to compete in a market flooded with Chinese farmed product.

Tractor sales down 35% in SA and take a dive nationally in the month of May, Australia and the European Union go back to the negotiating table for a free trade agreement, and one of the country's largest wine producers rips out hectares of shiraz vineyards.

An Adelaide Hills farmer warns others after he's scammed out of $350 while trying to buy hay online to feed his horses, Clare winemakers report a 75% drop in yields for 2025 due to a lack of rain, and Lions Clubs across SA pledge to support Eyre Peninsula livestock producers with donations towards feed.

The South Australian state lamb record smashed at the Dublin sale, Treasury Wine Estates opens a new $15m facility in SA dedicated to making no-alcohol wines, and seasonal shortages and crop damage pushing up blueberry prices.

Some areas of South Australia record their best in crop fall in two years, but more rain is needed, grain industry stalwart John Lush made a Member of the Order of Australia in the King's Birthday honours list, and kelpies celebrated at Casterton's annual Australian Kelpie Muster.

Hundreds of donated hay bales being delivered to South Australian farmers over the long weekend, grain producers SA reacts to a "vanilla" State Budget for agriculture, and dairy farmers told to expect a milk price step up if international markets remain stable.

The number of SA farmers accessing low-interest Rural Investment Corporation (RIC) loans doubles, Rural Aid experiences a 55% rise in new mental health referrals in the past year, and still no answer as to how the deadly bee parasite varroa destructor arrived in Australia.

Pork SA says the closure of a Port Wakefield abattoir next year shouldn't largely impact SA pig breeders, the Rotary Club of SA delivers tonnes of sheep pellets to help livestock producers through the drought, and meteorologists point to multiple signs of a boost in rainfall this winter and spring in southern Australia.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

The Prime Minister visits South Australia to an announce an extra $2million for the Rural Financial Counselling Service, farming groups welcome the PM's announcement but call for more immediate drought support for producers, and biosecurity experts concede it is no longer possible to eradicate the tomato brown rugose fruit virus from Australia.

Dairy farmers call for emergency relief as the industry battles with drought and floods across the nation, a campaign launched to get more South Australians buying local citrus after a dry summer impacts crops, and SA producers de-stocking and sending increasing numbers of livestock to sales as far away as Dubbo.

The ACCC announces further investigations into concerns around a proposed merger between agribusiness giant Elders and rival Delta Ag, farmers and ag groups meet with the Federal Agriculture Minister to talk more support for drought-affected SA, and an evaluation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan shows environmental water having positive impacts on biodiversity and habitat quality.

Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins is touring South Australia today and has announced $800,000 for rural financial counselling services in SA and Victoria, heavy lamb prices hit a national all time high this week -first $400 per head in Ballarat and then $405 in Horsham and the Coalition is officially back together just over a week after they parted ways.

Storms amount to a lot of wind but not much rain to help drought-ravaged South Australia, Streaky Bay farmer Suzie Kenny's save our sheep campaign has been delivered to Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven and there are changes ahead for the beef cattle competition at the Royal Adelaide Show

Dust storms accompanied some rain across South Australia, Livestock SA calls for fodder transport subsidies to be instituted and Elders made $64 million before tax in the first half of the year, up 67 per cent on last year's first half.

SA records its highest quarterly cattle slaughter since 2017 and huge increases in lamb slaughter, most South Australian oyster farms unaffected by a widespread algae bloom along parts of the coast, and Adelaide researchers discover 71 new native bee species found across the country.

Feed Central visits SA clients amid increasing anxiety about hay supply and rising prices nationally, South Australia's Mesonet weather network announces a re-launch and a new membership model, and Victoria becomes the latest state to commit to allowing virtual fencing for cattle by the end of the year.

Rabobank forecasts a record-high winter crop planting for Australia this year, but an overall drop in production, another outbreak of tomato rugose fruit virus in Victoria traced back to NSW, and egg-laying chickens from SA on the move to the NT as demand increases.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.