South Australian Country Hour

Ongoing global conflict sees diesel prices start to climb again as farmers get ready for a busy harvest, Adelaide research looks to help prevent cattle deaths from Bovine Respiratory Disease in feedlots, and Australia's horticulture industry sets a target to double the value of exports to $7billion by 2031.

The SA Country Hour broadcasts live from the Royal Adelaide Show, celebrating 100 years of the cookery competitions, the winner of the Supreme Champion Ewe, and pitting one of our rural reporters in a head-to-head challenge with the show's rural ambassadors.

Calls for greater protection for a group of desert dingoes on the SA-Victorian border, more competition for SA's tuna industry as Japan looks to increase its Pacific bluefin tuna quota, and an Angus bull called "Wyatt" sets an Australian record, selling at auction for $420,000.

BOM data shows 2026 was South Australia's 7th warmest and 6th wettest winter on record, challenges continue to get an Australian-European Union trade deal signed off, and another SA country show pulls the pin on its bird exhibits over bird flu concerns.

The value of Australian agriculture forecast to dip for the coming year, trade restrictions reshaping global beef flows, and conservationists welcome the dismissal of a class action against the MDBA.

The government's new national spring crop forecast predicts production volume to reach 61 million tonnes, ideal growing conditions in South Australia leads to increased crop disease pressure heading into spring, and researchers at Adelaide University develop a calcium-fortified faba bean milk prototype.

SA grain farmers urged to immediately check paddocks for signs of mice as numbers climb again, the national sheep flock stabilises at a historic low of 56.3 million head, and a Riverland winemaker recognised at one of Australia's most prestigious wine award nights.

The State Government announces a $6.5 million package for dealing with a potential locust outbreak, Australia's meat processors say trade barriers and increasing costs are making it harder to do business, and a wetland management trial in SA's mid-Murray region showcasing what's possible when carp is removed.

The NFF welcomes more funding to manage feral pests amid the spread of H5 bird flu in Australia, farmers told to re-think how they and their animals interact with wildlife like foxes, and Southern Australia challenges Queensland's title of Australia's meat processing hub.

Uncertain times in grain markets as global wheat prices double and canola prices face instability, Grain Producers SA asks producers to nominate the state's worst grain roads, and we celebrate the impact the late country music legend Dolly Parton had on regional Australia.

Several SA towns break their August records for highest daily rainfall, bulk handler Bung estimates SA's winter crop could be in excess of 12 million tonnes, and alternative protein products offering better value to dairy producers than traditional cheese production.

With concerns the H5 bird flu virus has been found in two seals now Associate Professor in Wildlife health at Adelaide University and a wildlife vet wants more focus on vaccinations, President Trump says the US will allow up to 300,000 tonnes of ground beef to be imported with zero tariffs and a commitment that this beef will be sold at 25 per cent below current market prices and Australia's peak wine industry body is on the hunt for a new chief executive. 

South Australia announces a parliamentary inquiry into the threat of buffel grass spreading in SA, Grain Producers Australia reminds SA growers to remain alert and report signs of locust activity, and a report into the wellbeing of Australia's farmers finds many feel their work isn't valued by the public.

Estimates for this season's SA state-wide grain production increased to a "conservative" 9.8 million tonnes, several days of rain around Broken Hill causes havoc for the Mundi Mundi outback music festival, and Australia's largest and oldest wool exporter, Michell Wool, announces a merger of part of its business.

A warning of increased bushfire risk for most states and territories into spring.Eyre Peninsula farmers call for a review into 50% council rate increases on their rural properties.The grains industry concerned changes to backpacker visas could affect this year's harvest.

The citrus industry reignites calls for a national labour hire scheme, changes to the way Farm Firefighting Unit grants are allocated, and renewed attempts to permanently ban on fracking in the state's South East.

Frustration for freight services as the rollout of Kangaroo Island's new ferries again delayed, farming groups concerned by the government's decision to slow down processing of new working holiday visa applications, government flags challenges with any potential rollout of H5 bird flu vaccines for the poultry industry.

Federal and state water ministers gather to discuss proposed national standards for data centres, dairy farmers express industry concern as Woolworths announces a national end to its own label of milk, and iconic Australian TV series McLeod's Daughters celebrates 25 years since filming started in regional SA.

Free-range egg producers concerned over potential cost of having to house hens to prevent bird flu spread, calls for SA to follow Victoria's lead and delay changes to phosphine use in grain storage, and Treasury Wine Estates' profits down as challenging market conditions persist for wine.

We broadcast live from the Eyre Peninsula Field Days at Cleve as it celebrates 50 years, machinery dealers report a downturn in tractor sales after some tough years, and primary production and transport groups team up to roll out defensive driver training for trucks.

We broadcast live from Streaky Bay, where good rain has local farmers feeling very optimistic about the season, GPSA and NSW Farmers sign a Memorandum of Understanding with national body GrainGrowers, and a business boost for Streaky Bay as the annual Variety Club Bash rolls into town.

Heavy rain falls across parts of SA over the weekend, cutting off outback roads and stations, we broadcast live from Port Lincoln and meet local women leading the seafood sector, and a major Indonesian Investment company to take a 25% share in JBS Australia's operations.

The Royal Adelaide Show cancels this year's bird sections over H5 flu concerns, producers say vaccinations still some way away for Australia's commercial egg and chicken flocks, and research finds improved technologies and practices could save drivers up to 20% in diesel costs.

Financial counselling available for poultry and egg producers to prepare for bird flu impacts, nice numbers reduce across SA as farmers take advantage of stronger baits, and farm buildings included in expanded government program to slash cost of installing rooftop solar.

Farming groups welcome an independent review into the Bureau of Meteorology, looming changes to phosphine use in Australia to impact grain storage, and the ACCC to hold an inquiry into mobile services for people in rural areas.

Calls for a senate inquiry into the Federal Government's scheme to underwrite fertiliser imports, Australia's largest contiguous sheep station in outback SA sold to an Adelaide businessman, and an ABC investigation into horticulture work exploitation spurs renewed calls for labour hire regulations.

Testing confirms Australia's first known case of a mass mortality event involving H5 bird flu, the Bureau of Meteorology announces further changes to its controversial new website, and Australia's rural transporters want more consultation on how the heavy vehicle road user charge is applied.

SA free-range poultry producers advised to house their hens as H5 bird flu cases continue to spread, rural veterinarians receive training for handling and caring for wildlife sick with H5 bird flu, and changes to the rules around how grain is transported on South Australian roads.

Producers doing what they can to reduce the risk of H5 bird flu spreading from the wild into commercial facilities, South Australian beekeepers call for the Federal Government to increase access to organic varroa treatments, and CSIRO funded to start working on the next strain of calicivirus for release into feral rabbit populations.

The H5 strain of bird flu likely spreading locally within native birds as several more SA cases announced, Australian wine exports decline to the lowest level in more than 20 years, and new research finds dung beetles can significantly help to reduce methane emissions.

A Four Corners investigation into food fraud has reignited calls for an overhaul of country of origin food labelling, two wool service organisations are expected to merge, decades after a merger was first proposed, the Smart Sat CRC wound up at the end of June and in its place the Australasian Space Innovation Institute has taken over the work translating research into space-enabled solutions.

South Australia has recorded seven new suspected cases of H5 bird flu, grain lobby group concerned industry increasingly reliant on China for ag chemicals and a $4 million project has been launched to advance the next generation of rabbit biocontrol.

The Trump administration has confirmed a 12.5 per cent tariff will be placed on Australian exports to the US, SARDI has released the findings of its comprehensive investigation into the state's harmful algal bloom, the Australian Veterinary Association says the government has left vet students out in the cold after not including them in the expansion of the Commonwealth Prac Payments. 

Data from the Safer Farms Report 2026 shows 53 farmers died, doing their job last year, outback closed roads are keeping tourists out and cancelling long-awaited community events and US woolgrowers want more Australian merino genetics.

Live from the South East Stud Breeders Association Field Day, according to Meat and Livestock's sheep producers intentions survey both sheepmeat and wool sectors are recording strong positive sentiment at the same time for the first time in the survey's history and he Australian government is aiming to increase sheep meat exports to the most populated country in the world. 

One of Australia's largest free-range poultry farms in the Mid North has sold for an undisclosed amount, ecologist Kristen Messenger has been hearing reports from all around the state of worms up to a metre long and table grape growers are still recovering after losing a third of their crops because of extreme weather during harvest earlier this year.

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association continuing their work to expand Right to Repair rules to include agricultural machinery, and the Department of Primary Industries warns there will be potential for an upcoming locust outbreak in Spring. 

Farmers reporting soggy paddocks and bogged tractors after a wet year to date in parts of SA, confidence high among SA's Stud Merino Breeders in the lead up to on property ram sales, and commercial fishers impacted by the algal bloom still awaiting a pathway forward from the government.

The State Government gives its first approval for a company to operate virtual fencing technology in SA, backlash grows over plans to allow more of a so called "forever chemical" onto berries, and Australia's right-to-repair reforms for agricultural machinery back in the spotlight.

Australia has produced its smallest vintage in 25 years but the reduced national crop didn't result in stronger grape prices, the United States is investigating whether it should impose tariffs on Australian lamb and the Cowell Agriculture museum is on the hunt for more volunteers to help with keeping a restored steam tractor ticking along.

An Australia-first collaboration will see people trained up to identify signs of bird flu in wild birds around the state, synthetic seaweed additives have been shown to be method of reducing methane emissions from livestock and the largest block of intact Mallee left in Australia is home to many threatened bird species and no feral goats.

Confusion in the market as Australia officially reached its quota for beef sent to China, the wheat export industry to a self-regulated system over the next three years, and an increasing number of self-fertile varieties of almond trees planted in Australia.