National Rural News

Friday, January 9, 2009

Unit pricing plan for supermarkets wont hurt producers

The Government says its unit pricing policy won't increase the cost of production for farmers.

Mine jobs keep drying up across the country

The fall out from the global financial situation continues to be felt by mine workers across Australia.

Australia to continue using toxic insecticide

The toxic insecticide endosulfan, will continue to be used in Australia, despite New Zealand becoming the latest country to ban it.

Global crisis eats into abalone profits

Demand for abalone has dropped significantly and it's being blamed on the global financial crisis.

Dairy doldrums for US producer

American dairy farmers are spiralling into debt and depression.

Dairy farmers get smart about buying feed

The drought and failing milk price for dairy farmers in northern Victoria has changed the way they are buying feed.

Cattle trapped and dying in floods

Large numbers of cattle are being put down in the Barkly region of the Northern Territory as floodwaters trap them in areas with no feed.

WA bananas growers celebrate good prices

Western Australian banana growers are finally reaping the benefit from a decade long marketing campaign.

Switching from cane to horticulture

Canegrowers looking at becoming vegetable producers might be interested in some North Queensland trials.

River water prices rising

The battle for irrigation water is heating up in the Murray region with prices lifting for the first time since November.

Thoroughbred sales booming despite tough times

Early indications show the global financial crisis has had little impact on thoroughbred sales at the Magic Millions auction in Queensland this week.

Bitter melon pill to improve health

Bitter melons are being used to combat diabetes in poor countries.

Decision on sea water in lower lakes postponed

Salt water won't be flowing into the lower lakes in South Australia any time soon.

Fertiliser price plunge dented by strong Aussie dollar

A report from rural lender Rabobank, says international fertiliser prices have fallen up to three quarters since the highs of 2008.

Nursery industry urged to breed sterile plants

The Australian nursery industry is being urged to follow North America and breed sterile lines of garden plants that can't spread by seed as weeds.