South Australian Country Hour

Cattle Australia is preparing to put a series of recommendations to its levy payers on changes to the cattle transaction levy, Australia is considering a deal with Uruguay that could increase Australia's beef quota into China and fifty years ago today the famous Blue Hills theme played for the last time ending Australia's longest running radio serial.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

Giant Pine Scale has been found in trees in the Hope Valley Resevoir and Highbury Aqueduct reserves, the Chandlers of Charra on the west coast Eyre Peninsula have been the first to get their crop to the silos this year and Australia's cattle industry is on track to produce more than 3 million tonnes of beef this year - which will be a national record.

Wine grape growers consider future as next seasons minimum prices are announced, attention on biofuels which could strengthen Australia's fuel security and create new markets for the country's farmers at the same time and despite strong disease and pest pressure a South East agronomist is optimistic seasonal results will be strong. 

Strong harvest expected following the latest crop and pasture reports, why one canola expert believes farmers overgrowing canola could be putting the whole industry at risk, and high cocoa prices and increased manufacturing costs mean chocolate prices remain stubbornly high.  

Broadacre farmers in the Southern Mallee say frost events in the last week have led to damage in some of their grain and lentil crops, an auto-fill system from Swarm Farm Robotics that aims to keep the robots spraying weeds into the night has won the Henty Machinery Field Days Machine of the Year and expressions of interest are now open for the South Australia Winegrape Grower Transition Loan Scheme.

The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association has backed the Australian Trucking Association's call for urgent fuel tax relief, Clean Up conference in Adelaide highlights the work being done to deal with PFAS chemicals on farm and the federal government has opened public consultation on a proposed mandatory winegrape purchases code of conduct.

The country's peak body for the wine industry says the support package for South Australia shows great leadership but other states need assistance too, farmers can now apply for help repairing and servicing private firefighting equipment ahead of this year's bushfire season and despite a wet season in Far West New South Wales, the Menindee Lakes are experiencing poor quality water and low levels coming into Summer. 

The State Government announces a $109million support package for SA's struggling wine industry, farming groups raise concerns over the government's changes to working holiday-maker visas, and safety warnings after near-misses involving photography drones and low-flying aircraft over canola crops.

The Federal Government set to outline its plans to overhaul Australia's migration system, a warning for farmers as locusts begin hatching around parts of SA, and a transport group calls for diesel storage to be located in regional areas where it's needed.

Farmers in the Riverland and Mallee are concerned that the state primary industries department has excluded them from locust surveillance and aerial spraying, a new wheat variety developed to withstand heat and frost landed on the market yesterday to support growers to handle increasingly unpredictable weather events and South Australia's Dr Karleah Berris has been awarded a Churchill Fellowship, which she'll use to study how farmers in other countries are leading wildlife conservation on agricultural land.

Calls for greater funding for country health services as SA hosts the National Rural Health Conference, ag groups seek emergency talks on the Federal Government's go-slow on working holiday visas, and agrochemical company Bayer seeking regulator approval to release a new weed killer in Australia.

A new national stud ewe record is set at the Royal Adelaide show sale, calls for reforms to Australia's national carbon offset system, and Australian growers concerned by possible access for American apple imports.

SA marks one full year since the destructive bee-killing parasite varroa mite was first detected, GPA raises concerns over a parliamentary inquiry into the APVMA's decision not to ban paraquat, and the NFF calls on the Federal Government to urgently clarify its plans for the backpacker visa program.

A parliamentary inquiry to examine the APVMA's decision to allow the continued use of paraquat, an SA farmer receives a Nuffield Scholarship to study how livestock businesses recover after drought, and financial losses mount for growers as fruit fly as restrictions in the Riverland enter their sixth year.

The SA Country Hour broadcasts again from the Royal Adelaide Show, where we celebrate SA farmer Narelle Zanker taking out the national 2026 Rural Womens' Award, learn all about what's involved with Dairy Day at the show, and meet some students showing goats.

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.