Goulburn Murray Rural Report
Friday, January 9, 2009
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Fodder availability
It is a quiet time in the fodder market at the moment as many of the consumers of fodder products wait to see what happens with milk prices.
Colin Peace from the Australian Fodder Industry Association says that he believes that it will be a tight year in terms of fodder availability but there shouldn't be a huge shortage.
Canola hay could be the bargain basement fodder for dairy farmers who are hit hard by lower milk prices because farmers are fairly wary of the hay from last year.
Mr Peace believes if you do your homework well you can get great quality hay cheap if you look at canola hay.
Haystack fires have also been a huge problem for Northern Victoria and they are already beginning to ignite this year.
Mr Peace says that Australia is one of the only places in the world that has this problem and more research needs to be done.
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.
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.
