South Australian Country Hour

Sixth-generation farmer Rick Gladigau has shut the gate on the family dairy at Breezy Heights, ending a generational link to dairy that stretched back to 1859, and dairy farmers struggling to lock in contacts following confusion around milk price announcements. Kangaroo Island has successfully eradicated feral pigs, can other regions follow its lead?

A new sale record at the Naracoorte saleyards with 78 Poll Dorest ewe lambs from Leigh Clifford's stud Gowanbrae at Furner reaching $428 as head, and a step ahead in the fight against varroa with New Zealand researchers developing a new biopesticide which helps make varroa destructor mite infertile.

Meet the 97-year-old grazier, who still gets up for work each day on his sheep and cattle property in far west NSW, and the goat industry have been a hive of activity in recent months, so what is the state of the industry. And after a few weeks of use, have the double strength mouse baits been helping producers?

Australia on track to produce the nation's biggest ever crop of lentils, a new report finds Australian ag "desperately under prepared" for a shortage of honey bee pollination, and South Australians recognised for their contribution to the ag sector in King's Birthday honours.

We unpack what is and isn't in the State Budget for the state's ag sector, Treasury Wine Estates plans to move away from around half of its wine labels, and police warn farmers to be vigilant over fuel thefts amid high diesel prices.

The BOM confirms that May was one of the wettest on record for parts of SA, data shows SA on track for an average season as crops emerge earlier than usual, and the government assures farmers there's enough fertiliser to produce this year's winter crop.

The SA Country Hour broadcasts live from the southern hemisphere's largest horticulture event, veggie growers react to this week's announcement of a minimum wage increase, and researchers try to help understand viral food trends to increase fresh produce sales.

CEO of South Australian Dairyfarmers' Association reflects on the broad variation in opening milk prices, SAFCOL turns the sod on an $80 million investment in food processing in Adelaide and the 2026 Impact Report from the International Fresh Produce Association released today shows how Fruit and Veggies Yummy Yummy campaign has helped drive fruit and veggie consumption in Australia.

A taskforce tries to progress approval and rollout of a footrot vaccine for Australian producers, eyes turn to Australia and Argentina to see how global grain prices will develop this year, and Renmark records a huge month of rain and breaks long standing May records.

Concerns over the future of wild dog management as landowners report increased sightings, councils calls for access to bird baits to manage little corella numbers, and a Coonawarra winery repurchases a historic label 60 years after selling it to another company.

The McLaren Vale wine industry disappointed by Endeavour's plans to close a local winery and bottling facility, economic modelling shows government buybacks in the Murray Darling Basin have pushed up water prices, and provisional approval granted to develop one of the world's largest critical minerals projects in Australia.

Wine retailer Endeavour Group announces a major restructure and sale of wine assets in SA, thousands of people provide feedback to the BOM over its controversial new website, and Ag KI welcomes a decision on livestock freight costs on the new Sealink ferries from Cape Jervis.

South Australia's Court of Appeal has upheld a judgement that found the late pastoralist, Tom Brinkworth was responsible for the Blackford bushfire that threatened the south east town of Lucindale 2021, ongoing road closures continue to impact the far west NSW communities, months after large rainfall events caused severe damage to parts of the network and more than a decade after Berri Fruit Juices co-op closed its former factory workers are attempting to keep its memory alive.

South Australia has seen one of the best starts to the season in years but input costs combined with low wheat prices mean confidence hasn't been boosted as much by the rain as it might have been in the past,  the Iran War put the global spotlight on fuel and fertiliser supply chains but has also raised questions about Australia's sovereign capability and new research has found the spinning cone column technology that removes alcohol from wine can also help mitigate smoke taint effects as well.

The Federal Government begins consultation on right to repair legislation for farm machinery, SADA says the Dairy Code of Conduct is working as the ACCC penalises two companies for alleged breaches, and SARDI watching waters around Port Lincoln amid elevated levels of karenia linked to algal blooms.

Legislation to lift a fracking ban in the South East tabled in parliament, ag industries warn cuts to immigration could put their workforce at risk, and a look at whether excess wine could be converted to fuel.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

South Australian mouse bait manufacturers ready to roll out double strength baits, historic outback Farina Station to go under the hammer next month, and landholders urged to report locust sightings amid swarms in parts of NSW.

The chemical regulator approves the use of stronger baits to combat escalating mouse numbers in WA and SA, parts of SA receive soaking weekend rain at a crucial time during seeding, and the USA announces a major deal with China to buy $17 Billion worth of agricultural products.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

Major tax reform, funds for fuel and fertiliser supply, and cuts to pest control grants in the Federal Budget, industry surprise as one of Australia's largest almond orchards is listed for sale, and adverse weather conditions across the globe playing havoc with grain production.

Funds start to flow to farmers via the SA Government's new Drought Loan Scheme, rising costs giving dairy farmers "limited margin for error" heading into the new season, and calls for government funds to urgently develop new rabbit bio-controls.

The SA Government signs a $40million deal to secure and store millions of litres of diesel for an emergency, low-interest loans now available for commercial fishers under financial strain due to the algal bloom, and winners announced for the the 2026 Premier's Horticulture Awards for Excellence.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

The Federal Government to create an Australian government-owned fuel security reserve, Victoria announces it's secured 10 million litres of diesel specifically for its farmers in an emergency, and Mannum farmer Narelle Zanker named the winner of the 2026 South Australia AgriFutures Rural Women's Award.

South Australian farmland prices soar to record highs ahead of a market cool down, dairy farmers welcome extra payments from processors amid tough operating conditions, and increasing popularity of platforms selling meat directly to consumers.

Australia's largest contiguous sheep station up for sale in South Australia's north, new varroa mite detections on the Yorke Peninsula and on the West Coast near Elliston, and a high-powered alliance formed to re-energise carp control in Australia.

We broadcast live from AgFair at Broken Hill, the School of the Air celebrates its anniversary by releasing a cookbook, and a look at the state of the wool industry with AWN.

The Northern Transmission Project unveils a fifth optional route for the southern section of transmission lines, farmers react to the new route option, which pushes further east of Kapunda, and submissions about to close on the review of the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

Grain producers asked to report sightings of locusts and mice across SA as number rise, Riverland wine grape growers look at opportunities to diversify their business, and almost 90 fires detected early by a network of AI-driven fire detection cameras.

Farmers report locust swarms in the Riverland and Upper Eyre Peninsula, Australia's wool production again forecast to fall in the coming year, and an EP farmer reports the theft of sheep that were due to got to market today.

SA makes more changes to commercial and recreational fishing rules following "positive" algal bloom test results, veggie growers campaign against any plans to place transmission lines and towers through key production land, and the honey bee industry calls for a fresh investigation into how varroa mite reached Australian shores.

SA mice bait manufacturers call for permits to use stronger baits as demand increases, some growers planting crops earlier than ever as traditional seeding time arrives, and more detail released on a planned mandatory code of conduct for wine grape purchases.

GIN virus detected in Australia for the first time in table grapes in Victoria, QLD & SA, Grain Producers Australia seeks an emergency permit for double strength mouse bait, and the global fertiliser market facing a prolonged period of tight supply and high prices.

The Federal Government reaches an agreement to underwrite the financial risks of importing fertiliser, NeuRizer looks to progress its proposed urea project at Leigh Creek, and China grants export licences to eight new Australian facilities to start supplying beef.

Safety warnings issued after several recent incidents of farm vehicles making contact with power lines, the Fair Work Commission orders major retailers to help truck drivers with rising fuel costs, and citrus season kicks off after summer heatwaves and a cold April impact fruit condition.

Warnings of fresh food price rises as war continues to disrupt Australia's supply of fuel and fertiliser, young scholarship winners announced at the South Australian Sheep Expo, and research examines the impact of feeding methane-reducing supplements to pregnant & lactating cows.

Australia strikes a deal with Indonesia to bring much needed fertiliser into the country, consumers face higher meat prices as livestock producers experience soaring input costs, and visitors to the BOM's website climb since the controversial $96 million dollar update.

Graziers call for faster repairs to outback roads damaged or cut off by floodwaters, Coorong fishers struggle to keep operating amid increasing seal numbers taking their catch, and support for those working in the ag industry to look after their mental health during tough times.

SA's River Murray irrigators projected to receive minimum opening water allocations of 62% this coming year, the State Government and private donors commit almost $1.2 million dollars towards eradicating cats on KI, and a national minimum quality standard for the cherry industry to be developed over the next three years.