South Australian Country Hour

The South Australian Government announces a new drought advisory committee, a Pacific Island community leader raises concerns after a seasonal worker from Vanuatu drowns in the Riverland, and a pharmacologist explains how a widely-used herbicide came to be banned in Australia.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

The APVMA immediately bans the sale of 12 herbicide products used in the horticulture, cotton and the turf industries, grape growers again call for assistance to cope with frost damage, saying frost insurance is too expensive for many, and representatives from Coles and Woolworths tell a Parliamentary Hearing they're not responsible for rising grocery prices.

The Chinese have rocketed back to being the biggest buyer of Australian barley, PIRSA's Winter Crop Performance report is predicting a 5.9 million tonne crop, down from 7.6 million tonnes two months ago and the Isolated Children's Parents Association has launched Rural and Remote Education Day - to highlight the unique challenges families in bush face when it comes to education.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

Viterra strikes an agreement with Cargill to acquire storage and handling sites in SA and western Victoria, the union calls for more support for the almost 800 workers affected by the Production Fresh shutdown at Two Wells, and SA proposes greater powers for landholders to manage feral cats.

Adelaide Plains producer Perfection Fresh cuts jobs as a tomato virus outbreak forces a shutdown in production, milk processor Fonterra Australia announces an increase in profits, and scientists use micro-organisms to clean up a diesel spill in soil in outback SA.

SA's leafy vegetable producers raise concerns over what they've called a new "lettuce tax", grain producers asked to share their spray records to help it build a case in support of paraquat, and farmers react to the news that the ACCC is taking Coles and Woolworths to court over fake discounting schemes.

A project to rebuild much of the SA section of the dog fence reaches the 1000km milestone, interest grows in Australia for planting super high density olive trees and SA's first commercial agave crop is planted as an alternative to grapes.

Beston Global Food Company in voluntary administration, the competition watchdog says consumers and social media triggered its decision to take Woolworths and Coles to court over their pricing practices and table grape outlook positive with more people eating grapes in Australia.

Calls to lift restrictions on disease-affected tomato growing properties north of Adelaide, grain producers expect a hit to the SA economy as already struggling crops hit by widespread frosts, and the SA Drought Hub begins a roadshow of workshops for farmers struggling with options in a dry year.

Farming groups welcome a new trade deal between Australia and the United Arab Emirates, SA farmers count the cost of crop losses after another frost event across parts of the state, and a third of Australia's vegetable growers considering quitting the industry over the next 12 months.

More than 20 hay trucks have delivered much-needed hay for farmers in the South East, South Australian farmer confidence is the lowest in the country and oaten hay exporter Balco Australia has announced that it will build a fourth Australian processing plant - and it'll be here in South Australia

Grapegrowers count the cost of frost damage after a run of freezing September mornings, Elders partners with an SA-based space research centre to explore how satellites can help agriculture, and Australia's worst outbreak of bird flu under containment in Victoria.

Australian tomato growers say there's still plenty of market for their fruit after NZ stops taking imports, the value of international trade though South Australia's ports calculated at $22billion, and an increasing number of rural property sales happening off-market or prior to listing.

Canola producing Omega-3 oils could be available to Australian growers as early as next year, a veterinarian runs 100km in a day to raise funds and awareness of mental health issues in the industry, and an SA partnership looks to promote bush foods and provide economic opportunities for First Nations communities.

South Australian rock lobster fishers start another season without trade access into China, changes made to the way recreationally caught rock lobster are marked, and the performance of Australia's drought hubs under review.

Farmers from across the country gather to protest ag policy at Parliament House in Canberra, Ag Minister Collins says the government won't be backflipping on the live sheep export ban, and AWI asks farmers to increase the levy they pay for research and marketing programs.

A $5million plan unveiled to rebuild the fire-damaged Struan Research Centre, Australian researchers trying to throw mice off the scent of crops like wheat, and potato and dairy farmers give evidence to a parliamentary inquiry into South Australian grocery prices.

Exotic plant virus Tomato Brown Rugose detected on a third property north of Adelaide, dairy giant Saputo to shut its iconic King Island Dairy in the middle of next year, and China launches a probe into Canadian canola imports.

An earlier fire season possible for parts of SA as a higher fire danger risk forecast for spring, SA and Western Victoria miss out on a forecast bumper year for Australian crop production, and northern SA farmers continue to hold out hope for some much-needed spring rain.

A world-first sterile sheep blowfly facility opens for business on Kangaroo Island, a cane toad spotted in central Adelaide, and people asked to stay out of private paddocks as canola blooms.

The South Australian Country Hour is again live from the Royal Adelaide Show, checking in on this year's feature breeds - Poll Dorsets and Hollsteins - and celebrating 120 years of the Stock Journal.

Today the Country Hour is live from the Royal Adelaide Show, where we catch up with the rural ambassadors and the SA Produce Market, and find out what's happening in this year's grains competition and poultry sections.

The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts a very warm spring across South Australia, frustrations continue over delays in fixing a hole in the wild dog fence along the SA and NSW border, and Victoria marks 100 days since Australia's biggest outbreak of bird flu was first detected.

Livestock SA calls on the Federal Government to commit more funding to finish replacing the dog fence, Woolworths announces it will only purchase "deforestation-free" beef from the end of next year, and strong winds and high swells lead to the closure of five barrages along the Lower Murray.

A campaign to provide better support and protections for veterinarians reaches a significant milestone, South Australia's dairy industry to investigate converting the methane off farm wastewater ponds into electricity, and new biosecurity legislation introduced into South Australia Parliament.

Australia's canola harvest forecast to be about 3% smaller than last year, grain producers welcome a mid-north council's decision not to proceed with proposed heavy vehicle restrictions, and a new round opens for a vineyard resting trial in the Riverland.

Winter temperature records fall across SA after an exceptionally hot August weekend, calls for water policy to be updated under predictions of less water to allocate from the Murray-Darling Basin, and a push for buffel grass to be declared a weed nationally before it spreads further.

Areas of out back South Australia poised to break winter heat records, Adelaide researchers calculate the cost of desalinating brackish groundwater in the Murray Darling Basin, a South Australian wine company wins at the International Canned Wine Competition.

Australian wool production forecast to drop by 10% in the coming year, cheaper supermarket imports hurting Australian produce growers, and Australia's chief science agency CSIRO to cut up to 500 jobs.

Charity Need for Feed plans its first ever hay run into the south east of South Australia, Grain Growers call for Federal Government investment into grain freight infrastructure, and Green Triangle bluegum plantations turned into Glue Laminated Timber for building construction.

An exotic plant virus that affects tomatoes, capsicums and chillies detected for the first time in Australia, north of Adelaide, the rural property market cools off after some bumper years for sales and values, and an extra nervous pollination season for SA beekepeers keen to keep the varroa mite out of our state.

Veterinarians across Australia grappling with a global IV drip shortage, SA's red meat and wool industries launch a new blueprint with targets for the rest of the decade, and South East dairy farmer James Mann stepping down as chair of the Dairy Australia Board.

SA beekeepers say they're not surprised varroa mite has jumped into Victoria, South Australian Dairyfarmers' Association confirms it's threatened to resign from the national industry body, and farm machinery sales in a slump as tough conditions take their toll.

The SA, NSW, and WA dairy associations give the national peak body, Australian Dairy Farmers, a 12 month resignation notice, SA on high alert as varroa destructor mite found in Victoria for the first time, warm weather is causing problems for SA farmers who were hoping for rain, not heat.

Telstra and Optus announce a further two-month delay to the 3G network shutdown, an Australian-first research project launched to help better manage fatigue on-farm, and Australia well positioned to continue growing exports of barley to China.

SA's regional business confidence in the negative as increasing costs take their toll on the ag sector, authorities crack down on people illegally taking and selling firewood from the state's parks and reserves, and people told to act immediately if they're not sure if their equipment will still operate after the looming 3G shutdown.

Iconic South Australian knitwear firm Silver Fleece saved from collapse, dairy Company Saputo says it will keep paying lower milk prices to farmers for as long as it can this season, and South Australia at the forefront of a new $6million soybean breeding program.

A new compendium launched at LambEx to help producers make the most of lamb co products, truckies warned to be across major changes to industrial relations laws being rolled out across Australia's transport sector, and more than two million kilograms of fresh produce donated to Foodbank through the South Australian Produce Market over a year.

Australia's sheep, lamb and wool industries converge on Adelaide for the return of LambEx, increasing costs threaten Australia's food and beverage processing industries, and a Coonawarra winemaker inducted into the James Halliday Hall of Fame.

A new report finds sheep producers are more satisfied with their lives than the average Australian, a regional council waives the annual fee for farmers wanting to graze their livestock on roadsides, and a new South Australian wine costing $18,000 per bottle sells out before it's released.

Hay availability tight after a massive movement of fodder into SA and western Victoria so far this year, SA grain producers surveyed about their concerns if proposed restrictions on the use of paraquat go ahead, and CFS volunteers fly out of Australia to help fight fires burning in America's north-west.

A senate committee recommends telcos again delay the shutdown of Australia's 3G mobile phone network, another CPI increase applied to Australia's spirits tax, pushing it to almost $104 per litre, and rural property sales cool off in the South East as "green drought" bites.

SA's total grain production now expected to be about 12% down compared with last season, Elders launches a new national wool-handeling business from farm gate to port, and the Australian wine industry launches a new plan to put it back on track after some tough years.

Farmers concerned after the chemical regulator recommends changes to the use of the herbicide Paraquat, the Australian meat industry responds to Chinese claims that its athletes failed drug tests after eating contaminated Aussie beef, a pellet mill that recycles waste from the timber industry planned for the outskirts of Mount Gambier,

Primary industry groups concerned over potential loss of regional air services, southern SA producers send livestock to greener pastures in western NSW, and ALDI and independent supermarket chains Foodland and IGA front SA grocery inquiry.

Australian winemakers export the lowest volume of wine to the rest of the world, excluding China, in two decades, parents of isolated children who attend boarding schools hope for the continuation of embattled REX Airlines, and Australian researchers say the ocean has become too loud for baby oysters

A major farming seed retailer is placed into voluntary administration, the NFF welcomes a new Federal Agriculture Minister as a chance to reset agriculture's relationship with government, and the CFS establishes two new operational support brigades.

The Federal Court rules there's insufficient evidence to prove the controversial weed killer Roundup causes cancer, a new buyer found for the Rasp silver and zinc mine operated by CBH Resources Limited in Broken Hill, and farmers lead the charge in calling for a change in the length of Daylight Savings.

South Australian authorities invest in PPE and equipment to prepare for any possible bird flu outbreak, the Federal Government's Regional Telecommunications Review comes to SA, and the RFDS warns of the potential implications of the imminent closure of the 3G mobile network.

South Australian ram sales kicking off after a run of success for SA studs at recent national sheep and wool shows, Riverland beekeepers nervous about potential for varroa mite spread as almond pollination season arrives, and Westminster opens of a new centre for agriculture for its students.

New US research finds H5N1 bird flu in dairy herds is able to spread between cows through the air as well as milk, the country's largest and most lucrative pollination season starts in SA, NSW and Victoria, and the number of cattle offered for sale out of SA almost double what it was by this time last year.

An Australian wine industry report says the current red wine oversupply is an opportunity for a "long overdue" rebalance, the national indicator for processor cows reaches its highest level since March of last year, and South Australia's cheese exports climb by more than 40% in the first half of 2024.

A $260,000 State Government grant for Riverland wine grape growers to explore diversification and alternative crops, the wool industry's eastern market indicator falls to its lowest point since 2020, and Hahndorf's Oscar Golding named the senior champion herdsperson at this week's South Australian Junior Heifer Expo.

Renmark and Central Irrigation Trust irrigators unable to sell water through the latest round of MDBP buybacks, Australian researchers closer to finding a way to tackle fly strike problems without using chemicals, and a second lot of Murray crayfish released back into the river system after previously being extinct in SA.

Global wine giant Treasury Wine Estates launches a world-first automated barrel handling system, calls for government regulation of the nursery industry to clamp down on the sale of invasive weeds, and New research finds the long-term survival of farms depends on daughter in laws and the need to include them in succession plans.

World wheat prices fall more than $20AU per tonne in two days of trade, registrations max out for this week's South Australian Junior Heifer Expo, and South Australia's olive season finishes early with lower yields.

The first round of voluntary water buybacks from the Murray-Darling Basin opens, South Australian wool producers encouraged to vote in this year's Wool Poll, and Elsie Johnson is named state winner of the 2024 Young Rural Ambassador Award.

A fourth-generation Adelaide Hills apple grower sells out of the industry and says others will follow due to increasing red tape and input costs, Seppetsfield purchases a 230 acre vineyard in the Barossa Valley from Australian Vintage, and farmers experiencing continuing dry conditions across SA witness a a die off of native vegetation.

A virologist says Australia should have spent more, and sooner, to protect the country from the H5 strain of bird flu, the nation's leading grape and wine research institute loses almost 17% of its workforce due to the industry downturn, and bush foods and native grains a major focus during NAIDOC Week.

The Federal Government announces almost $7million to combat the threat of the deadly H5 strain of avian influenza, confidence down among SA sheepmeat and wool producers in the latest MLA survey, and Riverland wine producers estimate a $600million possible revenue loss in the last few years due to low grape prices.

Australia's total wine grape crush climbs in 2024, but remains still well below the long-term average, a safety operation targeting truck drivers on the Nullarbor finds some not complying with national fatigue management rules, and the pig hunting industry hopes the collection of 10,000 pig ears will provide some answers to controlling the pest.

Pastoralists around South Australia's north and far west NSW welcome big rains, lamb prices climb in the southern states as supply dwindles into winter, and changes proposed to South Australia's Commercial Kangaroo Management Plan.

A hay registry launched for livestock producers looking for feed for their animals, a Port Lincoln tuna business sees sales sky rocket after signing a deal with a Chinese company using Tik Tok to reach consumers, and global butter prices surge to record levels and consumers warned they will continue to climb.

Livestock carriers expect more animals to be transported across the Nullarbor for processing once live sheep exports end, the government's Future Made in Australia Policy introduced into Parliament in a bid to rebuild the nation's manufacturing sector, and the ACCC expects future rounds of water buybacks to further drive up irrigation water costs in the Murray-Darling Basin.

Calls for a $22billion investment to bring Australia's crumbling regional roads to an adequate standard, poultry competitions grapple with cancellations and tighter biosecurity amid the avian influenza outbreak, and an Australian company manufacturing vaccine doses to protect the human population from avian influenza.

Legislation passes parliament to end Australia's live sheep exports by May 2028, the opposition calls on SA to do more to ensure avian flu stays out of the state, and Grain Producers SA explores options for recycling grain silo bags.

A new $475,000 support package to help SA's seafood and lobster exporters rapidly re-engage with the lucrative Chinese market, an Australian plant-protein company with plans to expand into South Australia goes into voluntary administration, and an analyst predicts how the global spread of bird flu could affect international red meat trade prices.

A freight alliance calls for government intervention to address skyrocketing shipping costs, Australian and New Zealand frying potatoes now the most competitive for exports worldwide, and Australian scientists create new gene editing technology to develop more drought tolerant plants.

South Australia's kangaroo numbers on the increase according to surveys, tests carried out as bird flu is suspected to have spread to the ACT, and Riverland locals stock up as production comes to an end for a beloved orange juice.

Viterra announces a $35million dollar investment in its facility at Wolseley in the South East, the State Government say its stepping up support for SA beekeepers to help monitor for the deadly Varroa mite, and new research finds rural firefighters are facing more frequent and more extreme bushfires.

An inquiry recommends the passage of the Federal Government's bill to end the live sheep trade by sea, Australia's first integrated green manufacturing facility planned for Tailem Bend, and the plant nursery industry disappointed that big retailers like Bunnings won't come under a new mandatory code of conduct.

The government to impose a mandatory code of conduct for supermarkets as soon as possible, SA smallgoods producer Conroy's announces job cuts and an end to its manufacture of bulk pork products, and researchers fine tuning a method for dropping millions of sterile blowflies onto Kangaroo Island to eradicate fly strike.

The RSPCA reports a dramatic increase in reports of starving livestock across South Australia, Vietnam emerges as a potentially significant market for Australian wool, and a call for action as thousands of dead fish rot away in the Coorong's South Lagoon.

The State Government unveils a Green Iron and Steel Strategy for South Australia, Livestock SA members vote for a change its corporate structure and constitution, and a  funding boost for environmental research and monitoring in the Murray Darling Basin.

The Inspector-General of Water Compliance calls for greater powers to enforce laws and conduct audits of the Murray-Darling Basin, South Australia's grain growers back the fight to retain live sheep export by sea from Australia, and questions raised around the licensing system for overseas-trained truck drivers and road safety.

The ABS makes a massive change to how it calculates the size of Australia's cattle herd, China threatens hefty tariffs on pork from Europe in its latest international trade battle, and Australian Women in Fishing travels to SA to encourage more women to pick up a rod.

A campaign continues to secure federal funding for upgrading the Mount Gambier Saleyards, South Australian producers attend a visit to SA by the Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and a Mid-North farmer welcomes the surprise arrival of six lambs from one ewe.

Australian wool growers anxiously await a decision by the EU on proposed garment labelling, a parliamentary inquiry begins into the internal processes of the Country Fire Service, and funding scrapped for a free service helping farmers and packers find seasonal workers.

South Australia's grain production predicted to land somewhere around the 10 year average despite a dry start, the Federal Government announces a $3.5million package to help the Australian wine industry deal with a grape and wine glut, and farmer confidence in South Australia plummets to the lowest in the nation in the latest Rabobank survey.

An increase in orders for SA egg producers as Victorian poultry farms grapple with bird flu outbreaks, AusVeg SA meets with Coles to discuss concerns over grower contracts and fresh produce profit margins, and the Federal Government pledges $300million to support regional communities affected by Murray Darlin Basin water buybacks.

Coles questioned at a SA supermarket hearing about its profit margins, price transparency, and agreements with growers, SA distillers highlight a high excise rate as a barrier to industry growth and export opportunities, and Australia now the world's fourth largest producer of truffles.

The grains industry releases a road map to improve the freight network and the sector's global competitiveness, dairy processors Saputo and Bega Cheese defend the lower opening milk price offered to dairy farmers for next season, and South Australian David "Doc" Cunningham receives an OAM for his service to the beef cattle industry.

Funding for fruit fly eradication, rural financial counselling and low-emissions farming systems in the state budget, a fifth poultry farm in Victoria reports an outbreak of bird flu, and strawberry prices rise as disease and rain impact growers in Queensland.

Hay supplies running short in SA as some farmers look to buy interstate, the ACCC hears from Riverland growers about their experience supplying to major supermarkets, and SA company Nippy's says an global orange juice shortage is prompting growers to explore planting more citrus trees.

Farmers face losing access to a popular insecticide used to control pests in stored grain, Australia's winter crop estimated to increase by 9% despite a dry start to autumn across southern Australia, and concerns raised about a large flow of water containing blue-green algae being flushed into the Murray River.

The Federal Government officially introduces legislation to formalise the end of live sheep exports by sea, Australian researchers develop world-first technology to detect fruit fly with AI, and a young South Australian heads to Paris to compete in the World Young Shepherds competition.

Vets busy dealing with the impact of a late season break on breeding livestock across South Australia, huge interest expected in a ballot for to 3000 permanent Australian visas for Pacific Island workers, and a virus that's been killing abalone along the South East coast spreads further.

SA dairy farmers face a pay cut as major milk companies post scaled-back opening prices, the European Commission slaps large tariffs on cereals and oilseeds from Russia and Belarus, and an Adelaide Hills winery wins Best Wine of Show at the National Wine Show of Australia