Gippsland Rural Report
Friday, January 9, 2009
Latest Report
US dairy situation tumultuous
After drought, high input costs and falling milk prices, you could be forgiven for thinking things are a bit rough for the Australian dairy industry at the moment.
But it could be worse. You could be a dairy farmer in America.
To get a feel for the conditions in California, we speak with Michael Marsh, CEO of Western United Dairymen.
Drought bites in SA's North West
Let's Continue our tour of rural Australia, courtesy of the ABC's rural unit.
Today we're stopping off in South Australia.
Based in Port Pirie, Lorna Perry is Rural Reporter for South Australia's North West.
Care of a rather large satellite, she reports on a region from the NT border, south to Kangaroo Island, from the West Australian border - as far east as the New South Wales Border.
Could this be the year of the beef cow?
It's been a very slow start to the meat market in Bairnsdale this year, with some pens of cattle returning home because prices were so low.
It might be the late weather conditions or "maybe it's the depression" says one farmer. "Hopefully it's all up from here" says another.
We make our way around the Bairnsdale yards, to gauge expectations for the beef industry in 2009.
Victorian Features
Horsing around
Running as fast a horse has taken on a whole new meaning in Mildura, where horses and humans share the track.
So much more than just a veggie patch
It started with a bit of dirt, a shovel and a few vegetable seedlings, but it ended up being about a whole lot more.
Shear generosity
What do you do to help out in your local community?
Teenager or grandpa, life's still about good food
Whether you're 20 or 80, life's still about good food and great conversation.
Me change, you eat
It may be the occasional green room for country music stars and the ballroom dancing venue for others, but for two hours a week, the back of Yarram's Regent Theatre is now home to a community kitchen.
Not bored with boers
Demand for Australian boer goats is going through the roof.
All aboard the Paddle Steamer Curlip
Come along as the Rural Report goes onboard the Paddle Steamer Curlip, on eastern Victoria's Brodribb River.
Recycling water at Melbourne Zoo
It's a new look for Melbourne Zoo, with English flower beds out and Australian natives in.
Busy time for Christmas ham maker
Andrew Vourvahakis's love affair with smallgoods began when he was a school boy.
Community cooking reduces isolation and improves health
Obesity levels in Victoria's Gippsland region are above the state average, but one town is meeting the challenge head-on.
