South Australian Country Hour

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

Farmers call on ElectraNet to consider a different route for the Northern Transmission project, closures and reductions for both commercial and recreational fishing along parts of the SA coast, and the National Shearing and Woolhandling Championships kick off in Jamestown.

The Bureau of Meteorology's new website receives widespread criticism, the Murray Darling Association receives support from basin councils to implement a National Carp Control Plan, and marine researchers say seafood has been unfairly singled out as a major source of microplastics.

Farmers push the government to legislate a right-to repair framework for agricultural machinery, South Australian strawberries hitting the shelves as QLD's season winds up slightly early, and farmers looking to replenish supplies of hay and silage after years of scarce feed.

Storms finally bring heavy rain to many parts of SA but it's too late for some, farming groups concerned as Australia and the USA sign a critical minerals deal, and the incoming National Farmers Federation president outlines his priorities.

Rabobank forecasts a 6% increase in Australia's winter grain crop, Australian barley growers look to opportunities in emerging markets in Latin America, and rabbit numbers booming in parts of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.

South Australia's harvest officially kicks off with the first load of lentils delivered to Bunge this week, unresolved telco complaints rise significantly in the wake of the 3G shutdown, and the Federal Government backflips on planned changes to the PALM scheme.

The value and number of South Australian farms sold lifts across the first half of 2025, dairy and cattle farmers on the waitlist for when virtual fencing is allowed in SA, and both top-end premium and lower-end Australian labels feeling the pinch in a contracting Chinese market.

Farming groups welcome the government's changes to planned superannuation legislation, nominations open for the GPSA's 2025 edition of the Harvest 100, and a new 'world first' fully autonomous hydrogen tractor launches in Japan.

We broadcast live from the National Agritourism Forum in Hahndorf, the State & Federal Governments announce millions more in funding for algae bloom support and recovery, and hundreds of golfers converge for an outback golf tournament in SA to raise funds for the RFDS.

The grains sector looks at ways to reduce emissions from fuel use and fertilisers, Penfolds chief winemaker Peter Gago named the 2025 South Australian 'Legend of the Vine', and the LambEx 26 AMPC Carcase Showcase program opens for entries.

Shearer supply outstrips demand as work begins to increase into spring, farmers selling as many bales as possible in the hopes the wool price stays strong, and the CFS announces start dates for several of South Australia's fire ban districts.

The ACCC announces it won't oppose a merger between Elders and rival Delta Ag, Australian exports of beef to Canada climb by 76% this year, and an Aussie wine company shrinks its wine bottles to appeal to younger drinkers.

Biosecurity measures boosted to protect Kangaroo Island's bees from varroa, SA hosts its first ever motorbike crop trials tour, and a team of 62 heavy horses pulling an antique wagon sets a new world record.

The company behind Roundup says it's getting ready to launch a brand-new herbicide in Australia, Thomas Foods International plans to invest $22 million dollars to expand their Southern Cross Feedlot at Tintinara and farmers in the South East have raised concerns kangaroo populations are on the rise, and becoming more of a problem on properties

Trade restrictions lifted as South Australia declared free of tomato brown rugose fruit virus, fresh potato prices rise due to a shortage caused by drought across South Australia, and multiple fish deaths reported along the River Murray at Tailem Bend and Wellington.

Freight fee increase put on hold for Kangaroo Island producers transporting livestock via ferry, drought and extreme weather leads to a temporary national shortage of fresh potatoes, and a significant increase in farmers seeking RIC loans, especially in SA and Victoria.

A Stansbury oyster grower marks 150 days since their business was shut down due to the algae bloom, wine, beer, cider & spirits included in an expanded Australia-Japan organics equivalence arrangement, and South Australia on track to be fruit-fly free by the end of the year, barring further detections.

We broadcast live from the Yorke Peninsula Field Days at Paskeville, a new mental health initiative launched to support SA farmers through drought, and the recent rally in the wool market put down to lack of supply, rather than increased demand.

Winter rain lifts PIRSA's crop outlook for SA to 8.5 million tonnes, GPA asks growers if they would like to pay a lower levy to fund R&D, and Ceduna on track on to be declared free of Mediterranean fruit fly.

DNA proves feral pigs released in SA came from NSW, Australian wool producers welcome a lift in prices, and a new report finds systemic market failure in the chicken meat industry.

The wool market surges as the EMI hit its highest level in more than 3 years, Kangaroo Island puts out a biosecurity bee alert for travelers during the school holidays, and the sale finalised for Australia's biggest sheep station.

Agriculture Victoria confirms a suspected case of potato mop top virus on the mainland, forestry residue from the South East of SA to be used to create biofuels, and PIRSA seeks to gain further access to properties in the Riverland for fruit fly surveillance.

We broadcast live from the State Pest and Weeds Conference in Adelaide, Riverland wine grape growers again urge the government to implement compulsory indicative prices, and a company contracted to provide testing for seafood brevetoxin levels within Australia.

Authorities confident they can stop any further spread of khapra beetle, the gross production value of Australia's horticultural sector overtakes the cattle industry, and the National Irrigators Council wants more information on how irrigated agriculture will be affected by climate change.

Sheep Producers Australia to develop a national strategy covering both the sheepmeat and wool sectors, authorities agree it's not technically feasible to eradicate potato mop-top virus from Australia, and the Federal Government releases draft legislation for the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

The Federal Government announces more than a billion dollars towards the bioenergy industry, Australia's processor cow indicator reaches a record high price, and the South Australian wine industry launches its first industry brand and website.

Concerns as khapra beetle larvae discovered in nappy pants imported into Australia, authorities say South Australia is getting closer to eradicating feral deer, and an oyster grower welcomes early signs of sea life returning to the Spencer Gulf.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

Safework SA launches a farm safety campaign on the back of a number of workplace deaths and serious injuries, the wool market records its longest weekly rally in six and a half years, and Australia's first national climate risk assessment outlines the negative impact on agriculture.

Fishermen call for more government support for the industry at the algae bloom inquiry in Victor Harbor, renewed calls to establish an animal welfare office following an investigation into an SA piggery, and a significant increase in livestock transactions reported across Australian saleyards.

The algae bloom inquiry moves to Ardrossan to hear from local fishermen about the impact, the value of SA's agricultural exports takes a dive as a result of the drought, and the state's chief vet outlines the work ongoing to manage SA's first varroa mite outbreak.

SA oyster growers outline how much income they've lost due to the algae bloom, Nationals leader David Littleproud calls for no-interest loans for drought affected farmers, and the Minnipa Agricultural Centre celebrates 110 years of agricultural research.

The Country Hour broadcasts live from the Nuffield Australia National Conference in Adelaide, and the state and federal governments announce a further $30million in drought funding.

The NFF and SA drought commissioner speak as we broadcast live from the National Drought Forum at Gawler, SA among three states placing import restrictions on Tasmanian potatoes due to mop top virus, and an SA beekeeper criticises the decision to allow interstate hives into the state amid the varroa outbreak.

Apiarists worry the discovery of varroa in SA could destroy countless family businesses, Bunge expecting an average SA grain crop as it launches its harvest recruitment drive, and Coles to pause its phase out of cage eggs for 5 years as a result of bird flu outbreaks.

Beekeepers, citrus and almond growers react to the news that SA has recorded its first outbreak of varroa mite, the QLD Government confirms the SA varroa detection came from hives that originated in a previously free of the pest, and a new report finds Australia's wine industry contributes $51.3billion to Australia's economy.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

Cassie Hough broadcasts live from the Royal Adelaide Show, celebrating 100 years of the event at the Wayville Showgrounds, the first ever schools' wheat competition, our Rural Ambassador finalists and the first showing of blacknose valais sheep at the Adelaide Show.

The Federal Government announces an extra billion dollars for the Regional Investment Corporation, wool-growing property Telopea Downs, on the SA-Vic border, listed for sale with a potential $100 million price tag, and the BOM's long-term forecast for spring trends towards a wetter than average spring for parts of SA.

An independent MP calls for the creation of an Independent Office of Animal Welfare for SA, room for cattle processing in southern Australia outstrips the north for the first time in two decades, and the national spring outlook show an elevated risk of bushfires in parts of WA, Victoria and South Australia's Mallee.