The Rural News

In today's National Rural News: ** The average national price for diesel could jump to $2.45 by the end of the week, ** Bird flu gets into Australia's largest zoo (by area) - but operators say they've been prepared and will stay open, ** And Sheepvention crowns our top shearers and farm dogs. Plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farms and food processors across Australia are screaming out for people to help them with information technology. Sharon Starick is a farmer - and chair of the Council of Rural Research and Development Corporations. She says that for every IT or computing graduate, there are six jobs in IT-related agriculture. Rural reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with her about a glut of job opportunities for skilled IT people in food and fibre. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many myths have been circulating online about H5 avian influenza. Wild seabirds with bird flu have now been confirmed in every part of Australia except Tasmania, Canberra and the Northern Territory. Today's toll is more than double what it was a week ago. Long time chicken farmer - now poultry consultant - Jack Mills - from Go Ahead Solutions says the myths have to be busted - and doing nothing isn't an option.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: ** A second suspected positive H5bird flu case is found in Victoria - again at Portland - while four sick crested terns on Kangaroo Island have been confirmed, ** Officers from the tax office, Border Force and Fair Work Ombudsman converge on a dozen farms in the Griffith area. ** And Queensland rolls out more bio-security officers in regional areas. Plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's estimated there are anywhere between three- and 23-million feral pigs in Australia - with the worst problems in New South Wales, the far north of WA and in Queensland. Now a General Bio-Security Directive have been slapped on the Walgett region - the first for pis in NSW - and it requires every landholder to actively take part in a mandatory eradication program. Rural reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with Invasive Species CEO Jack Gough - who wants to see somehting similar in Victoria.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: ** H-5 Bird Flu is confirmed for the first time in Victoria - after a sick Greater Crested Tern was found in the far west of the state, ** Researchers find an Australian garlic cultivar that can kill influenza and COVID-19 in the lab, ** And anger over a camp for high voltage transmission line workers in the central west of New South Wales. Plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian tomato growers are struggling against a global oversupply. It doesn't help that investigations have shown several processed tomato products appear to be openly lying about the country of origin on the packaging. Rural Reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with former tomato grower and New South Wales Farmers horticulture committee chair Chris Stillard. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: ** Growers plead with shoppers to buy passatta, paste and diced tomatoes from brands that are honest about country-of-origin laws, ** Parts of Queensland are officially drought-declared for the first time in two years, ** And a plea for protection laws to be lifted on feral deer. Plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Victorian Farmers Federation says Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan could have done a lot more for people in rural areas. The Bendigo East MLA has resigned from the state's top job - with a handful of hopefuls wanting to replace her before the state goes to the polls on November 28 Rural Reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with VFF President Ryan Milgate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: ** Plans for oil - and urea for fertilizer - to be made in the north west of WA. ** Scientific tests show one in four processed tomato products don't match the country of origin on their label, ** And the VFF says former Victorian Labor Premier Jacinta Allan will leave a bitter legacy for rural Victorians. Plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: ** Aussie beef exempt from Trump's 12.5 per cent tariffs - but not lamb or goat meat, ** Truckies want relief from the fuel excise - which is set to return in full from Monday August 3, ** And a new program to develop a biological conrol for rampant rabbits. Plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rain or shine, rural Australians have always looked out for one another. But when it comes to issues we not be even able to verbalise, asking for help doesn't always come easy. Now farmers are telling their own stories in a series of videos you can watch at WeatherItTogether.org.au Rural Reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with campaign co-ordinator Annabelle Ottens from Adelaide University. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: ** A 12.5 per cent tariff slapped on Aussies goods entering the United States, starting 2pm AEST today, ** A petrel found on Moreton Island becomes Queensland's first suspected positive H5 bird flu case, ** And the Australian Wool Exchange looks into a merger talks with the Australian Wool Testing Authority. Plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the Trump Administration making it harder to import Aussie food and fibre into the United States - maybe we should be pushing our 'clean green' image harder into untapped markets. As of 2pm AEST Friday, we're among 60 nations slapped with tariffs up to 12.5 per cent because the US Government says we are not doing enough to stop forced labour. Rural Reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with RMIT Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Vinh Thai. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: ** Lactalis announced the closure of its Longwarry dairy manufacturing site in West Gippsland, months after the company took over the assets of Fonterra Australia, ** NSW Farmers want a rethink on the way drought assistance is handed out - saying food and water on the farm is essential, ** And meet Australia's youngest publican - who has her own country hotel at age 20. Plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lactalis will close its Longwarry (West Gippsland) manufacturing site in early 2027 Meat and Livestock Australia has teamed up with Australian Wool Innovation for its latest Sheep Producers Intention Survey - which is giving a record positive score. Rural Reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke Australian Dairy Farmers Ptresident Ben Bennett, who believes that sadly, it was almost inevidable.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: ** Fears Cyclospora suspected to have come from Mexican lettuce may end up in Australia - after reported cases in 30 US states, ** More petrol pain is on the way - with experts saying rationing could start as soon as September, ** And Barnaby Joyce apologies for "verbally assaulting" his dog, Plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new survey shows sheep producers are feeling super confident at the moment. Meat and Livestock Australia has teamed up with Australian Wool Innovation for its latest Sheep Producers Intention Survey - which is giving a record positive score. Rural Reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with Emiliano Diaz who is the Senior Market Industry Analyst at MLA.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: ** One Nation has huge plans for infrastructure spanning several states in regional Australia - including the inland rail, iron boomerang and a project to funnel monsoonal Queensland rain into the Murray-Darling - but questions are being raised about where the estimated $125 billion will come from. ** Barnaby Joyce's dog gives metro TV viewers a rude shock. ** And the Rural Doctors Association of Australia wants you to share a lamington - and make a connection. Plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aussie shoppers are cottoning-on to the benefits of wearing and using natural fibres - with disturbing research linking microplastic pollution to artificial fibres. The cotton indusry is also expanding into new regions - mainly in northern Australia. But there may be challenegs ahead, with just half the plantings this season - compared to two years ago. Rural Reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: ** Hope on the horizon for the nation's grain growers - with welcome rain amid costs that are dangerously close to production for several crops' ** A dead whale south of Sydney tested for H5 bird flu, ** The trucks watchdog uses a court injunction to stop a operator and their fleet in Queensland. Plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

High voltage transmission lines have been making farmers and country firefighters angry for a long time. With a line proposed that would connect Windfarm electricity to Melbourne and beyond, Rural reporter Gabrielle Hodson caught up with Jason Barratt - who farms at Gre Gre and is captain of the Traynors Lagoon CFA. He says there's "no way in hell" he'd sent crews in to battle a blaze on a property where there's a massive tranmission line.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: ** 13 nutrition experts and social media influencers from around the world are meeting with red meat producers from Monday, with fears there's not enough focus on iron-rich foods - especially for women, ** South Australia approves the state's first virtual fencing company, ** Police say pregnant ewes are the latest hot target for farm thieves. Plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why would someone steal sheep from a farm? Sadly, sheep theft on the rise - and they're stolen in bigger numbers in the one offence - which means police believe many thieves have a detailed knowledge of the industry - and have access to the trucks and equipment to make whole flocks disappear. Rural Reporter Gabrielle Hodson caught up with Victoria Police Inspector Paul Hargreaves, who's talking on the subject this weekend at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: ** New Zealand cops its first H-5 bird flu case. with a mystery WA case classified positive as a "precaution", ** Calls for more cash to fix, strengthen and build crumbling country bridges, ** Plans to help rural and remote mechanics with issues such as EVs by using smartglasses, Plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you have an old, weak or damaged bridge that's causing transport headaches? What happens in a bushfire - when increasingly heavy fire trucks can't cross it anymore? Rural Councils Victoria wants serious cash splashed on country bridges. Rural Reporter Gabrielle Hodson caught up with deputy chair Kate Makin, who's also the Mayor of Corangamite - a south-west Victorian shire that has some seriously damaging rainfall.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: ** Relief in Queensland as a sick migratory bird found at Noosa tests negative to bird flu. ** CropLife fears Australia will scare off chemical companies, under proposed cost-recovery changes to the pesticides and animal medicines agency. ** Sellers of fertilizer cope with enormous losses, as cheap urea floods in. Plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are we scaring off ag chemical and animal medicine compnaies? Unlike many OECD countries, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority is not funded from general tax revenue - and has to come up with its own cost-recovery from industry. They've come up with a proposal - with submissions due in September - but CropLife Australia CEO Matthew Cossey says it'll cause chemical companies to take their new products to bigger nations first - potentially leaving smaller markets like Australia years behind.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: ** $1.5 Billion is handed to investors and irrigators after water buybacks in the Murray-Darling Basin. ** Farmers and truckies say Australian agricultural exports are at risk from the poor state of Victorian country roads. ** Urea for fertilizer could soon be made from old tyres - with plans to start processing in Queensland from 2029. Plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new foundation is aiming to help prevent families from leaving rural and remote areas - for the sake of their kids' education. The Spirit of the Bush foundation will look at educating parents about boarding schools in the 21st century, as well as their options. Rural reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with founder Amanda Ferrari about how unlocking the secrets of great boarding schools can help country communities survive and thrive. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: ** National aspirations for a Victorian program to fix crumbling rural roads that aren't repaired in a timely manner. ** Insurers are urging the federal government to reform vehicle repair laws so independent mechanics in regional areas can properly access genuine parts. ** The foreign buyout of Tasmania's largest farm has sparked backlash from agricultural leaders and the Federal Opposition. Plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If your road isnt being repaired in a timely manner - or at all - you're not alone. Three-quarters of Victorian road repairs aren't meeting their repair targets The Victorian Farmers Federation has launched a campaign that may soon go nationwide - and Rural Reporter TOBY GOUGH spoke to ptesident Ryan Milgate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: Health department ban generates harvest uncertainty, lamb prices continue to soar, researchers find breakthrough alternative to fertiliser, and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Researchers have mapped out a hidden network of ancient soil fungi to help future-proof Australian agriculture. The new national database allows scientists to apply nutrient-rich fungi directly to seeds based on local climate types, meaning crops can grow faster and more consistently. Rural Reporter Jefferson Shaw spoke with one of the map's lead curators at Western Sydney University, Doctor Adam Frew, about the program. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: Telstra outages continue, southern fishing ban lifted, and an alarming cattle medication shortage. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Australia is lifting fishing restrictions in some areas, as the King George whiting recovers after a clearing of the region's devastating algal bloom. A temporary recreational fishing ban on the popular fish has been lifted in some areas, with most of the spawning finished for the winter. Rural Reporter Jefferson Shaw spoke with SARDI Executive Director Professor Mike Steer about the dissipating algae bloom. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An alternative to increasingly expensive fertiliser is emerging for farmers in a colourful crop which can add nitrogen to the soil. Sunn hemp is a legume that can be used a cover crop to improve soil health. Rural Reporter Jefferson Shaw spoke with Queensland's Department of Primary Industry Principle Scientist Paul Grundy about the benefits and drawbacks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: Assurances for free-range producers during the H5N1 bird flu outbreak, an emerging alternative for fertilizer, and an optimistic agriculture outlook for the second half of the yearSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Early prototypes have been developed for a sensor system to analyse sheep body volume, liveweight, and fleece weight. 20 producers are helping to create the design of the system to reflect real world farming conditions. Rural Reporter Jefferson Shaw spoke with CSIRO Principal Research Scientist Doctor Sabrina Greenwood about how it'll allow farmers to better monitoring their sheep:See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia quickly approaching a higher tariff on some meat exports, a new way to weigh sheep, and the Great Barrier Reef avoids a classification of in danger.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The highly contagious bird flu confirmed in NSW, an Australian dairy company has been fined, expanding the wool industry -- plus the latest from the markets and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bangladesh could provide Australia's natural fibres producers with a new trade opportunity. The matter has been discussed at the recent Australian Natural Fibres Seminar, which has been held in collaboration with the cotton and wool industry for the first time. Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke with Australian Cotton Shippers Association Chief Executive Jules Willis about the opportunitySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The CSIRO has developed a new genetic tool that can work out the most resilient Merinos in your flock. Scientists have used vaccines to determine how likely individuals are to survive under stress. Gabrielle Hodson spoke with Senior Scientist Amy Bell about about the new tool. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday July 3 In today's National Rural News: ** The value of Australian horticulture has reached a record annual high ** A new tool to work out Merinos resilience ** ABARES annual farm survey gets going -- plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Rural News Thursday July 2. In today's National Rural News: Dairy farmers in Gippsland have been left in the cold, a proposal to creat regional 'meda-councils" support for country-of-orgin pork labelling - plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Advocates say the farm chemical regulator should not be allowed to present its latest performance report as a recovery from lagging approval rates. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority says nearly 81 percent of applications were finalised within the legislated time frames in the past quarter. Rural Reporter Gabrielle Hodson spoke with CropLife Australia Director Justin Crosby about the challenges which still need to be addressed See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Rural News Wednesday July 1 In today's National Rural News: Fifth case of H5N1 bird flu confirmed, new financial year changes on farm, growth of the local olive oil industry-- plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Olive growers say it's an exciting time for the industry, as consumer demand grows. Australia produces about half of the extra virgin olive oil it consumes, with the rest being imported from Mediterranean countries. Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke with Australian Olive Association Chief Executive Michael Southan about the future of the industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Rural News Tuesday June 30 In today's National Rural News: National milk pool increases, farmers on alert for bird flu outbreak, NSW water bills on the rise again -- plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New South Wales Farmers and Irrigators are staring down the barrel of more water bill hikes. The state's Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal has approved water price increases of nearly 50 percent over the next four years. Rural Reporter Jefferson Shaw caught up with Shadow Water Minister and Nationals M-P Steph Cooke about what it means for farmers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Rural News Monday June 29 In today's National Rural News: Dairy farmers again call for price transparency ahead of new season, rural vets to play a crucial role in bird flu management, Aus Post boss to face senate grilling -- plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.