South Australian Country Hour

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.

Calls for more government support to expand Australia's domestic biofuel industry, the CSIRO working to roll out a new tool to help farmers remain profitable through drought, and one of the last map shops in Australia set to close after almost 60 years.

SA producers urged to check their paddocks for signs of increased mouse activity, resistance detected to the two most effective chemicals used to treat varroa mite, and an SA company launches a a system to electrify the trailer system for heavy vehicles.

Interstate orders for SA-produced hay cancelled over skyrocketing freight costs, the creation of the new biggest dairy company in Australia completed, and calls for an increase in the price of milk to help out dairy farmers facing higher costs.

Growers weigh up their cropping options in an increasingly risky year, the ATO leads a crackdown on non-compliance in three South Australian wine regions, and farmers call for a review of food labelling laws to better identify Australian made products.

An agronomist considers the risks faced by the increasing number of growers early seeding their crops, truckies welcome transport reforms by the State Government to tackle the growing fuel crisis, and the seafood industry quick to allay fears over reports of mass tuna deaths near Port Lincoln.

A GPSA survey over almost 800 growers finds growing anxiety around fuel and fertiliser access and costs, reports of squid numbers recovering in coastal areas impacted by the algae bloom, and a new trial looks to ways to reduce the amount of food wasted at the farmgate.

Fuel and fertiliser price rises have led to renewed calls for Labor government's concessional loans to be expanded, Steph Brooker-Jones was recognised with a Career Legacy Award at the 2026 Women in Wool Conference and Australia's first "Avocado Ripeness Scanner" undergoes a trial.

The NFF joins a new Fertiliser Supply Working Group to address concerns over fertiliser shortages, a new Drought Hardship loan now available through the Regional Investment Corporation, and an SA forestry company shares the results of its trial of a world-first electric log truck.

Consumers encouraged to support the local seafood industry this Easter weekend, an SA dairy processing plant signs a deal to produce a Chinese brand of infant formula, and monitoring continues of the algae bloom along the South Australian coastline.

Farming lobby groups warn the government's fuel plan doesn't go far enough to help their industry, good news for growers as Glynde in the Adelaide Hills finally declared fruit fly free, and latest MLA figures show record beef exports but prices for farmers will stay flat.

The government to halve the fuel excise and reduce heavy vehicle charges to address the fuel crisis, Australia's fertiliser industry looking to alternatives products and sources to ease supply concerns, and the wool industry searching for innovations and efficiencies in the selling system amid a declining wool clip.

Grain Growers calls for government action on the fertiliser supply crisis, vegetable production cut back due to the uncertainty flowing from the Middle East conflict, and an outback town cut off by floodwaters receives an anonymous donation of food and supplies.

Truckies stuck waiting for diesel as fuel supply constraints continue across regional Australia, SA the only state to record an increase in the latest farmer confidence survey, and cost of PVC pipes for irrigation to rise amid disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict.

Australia finally strikes a free trade agreement with the European Union, Yumbah Aquaculture to shut down its operations on Kangaroo Island, and rural SA retailers running short on both diesel and fertiliser.

Primary producers continue to experience challenges accessing fuel, voting continues for many rural electorates following the State Election, and increased concerns around fuel thefts as prices continue to rise.