South Australian Country Hour

Beekeepers concerned about future access to pollination services as varroa mite spreads across SA, an exploration company hopes to extract helium and natural hydrogen on the Yorke Peninsula, and we revisit the origins of the ABC's Country Hour program ahead of tomorrow's 80th anniversary.

The cool and wet spring delays the ripening of much of the Adelaide Hills cherry crop, concerns over the future of pollination services as varroa mite continues to spreading in South Australia, and some grain growers receive decent late-spring rainfall too late to help with this year's crop.

Oyster harvesting & sales resume in Franklin Harbour four months after being closed due to brevetoxin in the waters, South Australia's Varroa Industry Advisory Committee meets following multiple confirmed outbreaks of varroa mite, and the APVMA again delays its decision on the future use of paraquat and diquat in Australia.

Beekeepers dismayed as more varroa detections confirmed across South Australia, an average season forecast as recent rain eases the bushfire risk for SA in summer, and we cross live to SA's Agricultural Town of the Year — Lameroo.

The Country Hour celebrates 80 years with a special broadcast from Parliament House in Canberra, South Australia launches a new new mobile biosecurity laboratory to test for H5 bird flu, and the first box of South Australian new season cherries fetches $65,000 for charity at auction.

Crop yield estimates have gotten a boost following rainfall during October in parts of the state, and BOM working through 350,000 pieces of feedback on new website following the revelation that the site cost $96.5 million, about 20 times higher than the previously stated $4.1 million price tag.

A second case of the deadly bee parasite Varroa Mite has been detected in South Australia, and residents remember the Pinery bushfire 10 years on, which burned 86,000 hectares of land resulting in the tragic loss of 2 lives, and 50,000 livestock.

Henschke Wine becomes the only vineyard in Australia to make the 2025 World's 50 Best Vineyards Ranking, while Helen Strachan announced as the new chair for Australian Grape and Wine, and optimism bouncing back in the wool industry as prices rally and SA Ram sales results prove better than expected.

Meat and Livestock Australia are in Adelaide hosting its annual updates event where over a dozen speakers are sharing insights about some of the latest insights from the organisation, further north there are concerns about a new round of the Southern Murray Darling Basin buybacks from market analysts, and a group of Eyre Peninsula farmers have gotten their gear off for a good cause launching a calendar to raise money for local projects. 

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

The CFS responds to criticism over its online portal to register farm firefighting units, concerns land won't be able to be rehabilitated for farming after the closure of an SA mineral sands mine, and SA's Fat Farmers joining forces with fellow health organisation Active Farmers to help grow its program.

Farmers frustrated by lengthy delays in being able to register their farm firefighting units, Elders repots a full year profit increase of 12% on the previous year, and South Australian wool grower George Millington elected the new chair of AWI.

A new national record for first-cross ewes set at Naracoorte's annual breeding sale, Australian Dairy Farmers push to have dairy processors removed as Group B members of Dairy Australia, and grain producers launch a harvest fire safety campaign as harvest begins across SA.

Farmers concerned over changes to the state's mining act to extend exploration tenures, irrigators shocked by news of a new round of voluntary water buybacks in the Southern Murray Darling Basin, and Rural Aid reports continued demand for drought support from SA farmers.

SA farmers urged to check their security measures after incidents of farm trespass reported, dairy farmers angry over imported butter being sold in Australia in green and gold packaging, and the farm chemical regulator suspends the registration of dimethoate for use on berry crops.

Grain growers highlight the urgent infrastructure investments needed across the state's roads, calls for wider testing for potato mop top virus on the Australian mainland, and Ceduna the latest region to be declared free of Mediterranean fruit fly.

The potato industry fighting to keep mop top virus from spreading to the mainland from Tasmania, grain growers hang hopes on a formal resumption of Australia's canola trade to China, and South Australia's Jo Collins elected president of the exclusive Global Wine Capitals network.

South Australia's exports to the United States hit an all-time high, an Australian shipment of canola heads to China for the first time in 5 years, and Swan Reach the first town declared fruit fly free since the Riverland outbreak began.

The Mallee town of Lameroo named the winner of the 2025 Agricultural Town of the Year, calls for greater compensation for farmers who host power transmission lines on their property, and an SA wine label makes history as a finalist for an export award recognising First Nations businesses.

The state's horticulture industry lobbies for changes to South Australia's Local Nuisance Act.Scientists identify a little-known algal species linked to SA's devastating algal bloom.Grain producers push for the re-registration of double strength mouse bait.

The Bureau of Meteorology outlines changes to the radar on its new website following a backlash, recent monitoring highlights key SA cropping areas at risk of an explosion in mice numbers, and SA grain farmers vote for their favourite harvest songs in the 4th annual Harvest 100.

Nearly $70,00 worth of oysters destroyed as a blockade halts relocation in SA waters, funding to help primary producers manage kangaroos numbers during drought, and a survey finds 7% of reported bees losses in SA last year were due to starvation.

Authorities respond to oyster growers angry about the movement of oysters from waters impacted by the algae bloom, ferry services for livestock producers begin today across the flooded Cooper Creek, and South Australian egg farmers report an oversupply as eggs flood in from the eastern Australia.

The owners of the world's biggest cattle station charged over allegedly building illegal dams, Eyre Peninsula oyster farmers upset at plans to relocate oysters from an area currently closed due to the algal bloom, and a continued push for global standards of extra virgin olive oil.

The Bureau of Meteorology told to make changes to its new website after a refresh sparked backlash from users, a new state of the industry report finds SA is producing around 20% of Australia's total vegetable value, and sHedway founder Carol Mudford named the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women's Award National winner.

The Bureau of Meteorology defends its new $4 million website after a flood of complaints, pastoralists welcome the imminent launch of a ferry to transport livestock across flooded Cooper Creek, and the potato industry meets to discuss management of the potato mop top virus.

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.