South Australian Country Hour

The charity AFL game between the Adelaide Crows and Gold Coast Suns at Adelaide Oval has raised $115,000 to support drought-affected farmers, beekeepers say a national bee shortage and a sharp decline in colony health is threatening the 2025 almond pollination season, which is currently underway and the annual food price inflation is slowing down according to the latest data from the ABS consumer price index but is still above the long term average.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

Positive signs for an Australian livestock industry developed MRNA vaccine for cattle against foot and mouth disease, the national dairy cow indicator reaches a record of 354 cents per kilogram, and a new study finds that safety protection on quad bikes has driven down farm deaths.

Barossa water users warned to prepare for allocation cuts as water resources reach critical thresholds, South Australia's winter crop revised back down by around half a million tonnes, and a new public information campaign promotes SA seafood as the algae bloom impacts consumer demand.

We broadcast live from the Isolated Children's Parents' Association national conference in Adelaide, the Australian Meat Industry Council says many processors are reducing capacity due to a lack of supply, and oyster growers react to the temporary closure of one of SA's major harvesting regions.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

Nationals move to force a Senate inquiry into the decision to allow easier access for US, Canadian and Mexican beef into Australia, commercial fishers as well as small businesses hit hard by toxic algae bloom can access up to $100,000 in support and WA beekeepers are stepping up to help almond growers facing a critical shortage of hives this pollination season.

Rainfall over most of South Australia since last Friday has been welcomed by farmers across agricultural regions with open arms, charities, farmers across borders and need for feed, and the South Australian Government teamed up to bring across 6,000 bales of hay on more than 85 trucks to SA and after 45 years EP Robinson is closing its doors and consolidating with Adelaide-based Mitchell Wool to process wool in South Australia.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

The MDBA releases its most comprehensive ever review into the effectiveness of the Murray Darling Basin Plan, Australia lifts biosecurity restrictions on beef imports from the United States, and drought-hit parts of SA forecast to see their heaviest rains in some time over the coming days.

A state record falls again as heavy-weight supplementary fed merino lambs make $408 at Dublin, the federal ag department looks to import more feed into Australia in times of prolonged drought, and SA's seafood industry welcomes a State Government pledge to match the Federal Government's $14million algae package.

The Country Hour is live from WineTech 2025 at the Adelaide Convention Centre, looking at national and global wine industry challenges, as well as new technology and research in grape growing and wine production.

Fishers being pushed to breaking point as the toxic algal bloom continues, thousands raised for farming charities at drought breaker events over the weekend, and a South Australian stud takes the supreme title at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show

South Australia to receive a fleet of new purpose-built CFS vehicles to access harsh and rugged terrain, pressure mounts on the Federal Government to respond to the algal bloom devastating marine life in SA, and the Adelaide Crows get ready to take on the Gold Coast Suns in a Drought Support AFL Match.

The ATA calls on all states to follow SA's lead in tightening licensing restrictions for overseas truck drivers, the government gives further details of the $139m package to support the phase out of live sheep exports by sea, and orange juice prices dip to a decade low after peaking last year.

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.