Rural Business News

Summer cropping

First fall armyworm detected in NSW between Moree and Boggabilla

Oct. 13, 2020 | 1 min read

A pest which has the potential to destroy crops has been discovered in New South Wales for the first time. Growers in northern NSW have been urged to be on the lookout for fall armyworm in crops following the positive identification of a single male moth trapped between Moree and Boggabilla on Tuesday.

Agribusiness - Tropical agriculture & sugar cane

Potential to expand horticultural industries in Northern Australia

Oct. 1, 2020 | 1 min read

Northern Australia has long been regarded as an important gateway to the Asian market. However, due to Australia’s focus on supplying the domestic market, horticultural industries in the region have yet to take full advantage of international market opportunities.

Summer cropping

Growers advised to bait at planting as mouse numbers rise

Sept. 10, 2020 | 3 min read

Northern New South Wales and southern Queensland grain growers are being encouraged to bait for mice when they plant summer crops, with mouse numbers expected to rise under favourable conditions across the region. CSIRO mouse researcher Steve Henry, whose work has support from the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), is advising growers to closely monitor for mouse activity and bait to protect winter crops pre-harvest, as well as newly planted summer crops.

Summer cropping

Ag-biotech innovations reap rewards for farmers, food security and the environment

July 27, 2020 | 2 min read

An international report shows the significant economic, environmental and agronomic benefits of farmers adopting GM crops.

Seeds - Summer cropping

Nuseed and Barenbrug collaborate

May 6, 2020 | 2 min read

Nuseed and Barenbrug enter into collaborative agreement to provide R&D, plant breeding, and commercialisation of hybrid sorghum and sunflower.

Tropical agriculture & sugar cane

Economists develop online tool for sugar cane growers

April 24, 2020 | 1 min read

Agricultural economists at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries have developed a new online tool that helps sugarcane growers to measure farm profitability and planning.

Summer cropping

Queensland researchers launch new mungbean ‘gem’

April 24, 2020 | 2 min read

Queensland Government plant breeders have developed a new disease-resistant variety of mungbean with high yield potential.

Summer cropping

QLD research makes breakthrough in boosting sorghum protein content

April 3, 2020 | 2 min read

Researchers from the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation have announced a major breakthrough in lifting the protein content of sorghum using gene editing.

Seeds - Winter cropping

A new strain of salt-tolerant bread wheat will begin field trials this year.

March 30, 2020 | 4 min read

A new strain of salt-tolerant bread wheat with genes that can be traced back to wild relatives will begin field trials in Australia this year.

Summer cropping

New appointment to make mungbeans even healthier

March 16, 2020 | 2 min read

The Queensland Government has appointed a dedicated mungbean pathologist to further develop and protect the State’s $100 million a year industry.

Fungicides - Herbicide & fungicide resistance - Knockdown & pre-emergent herbicides - Post-emergent herbicides - Seed treatments & coatings - Seeds

Independent science based regulation needs defending from activist attacks and community ignorance

Feb. 19, 2020 | 3 min read

In an address to the inaugural international conference on the regulation of agvet chemicals and technologies at the University of New England, Chief Executive Officer of the peak industry organisation for the plant science sector, Matthew Cossey, declared that Independent science-based regulation needs defending from activist attacks and community ignorance.

Tropical agriculture & sugar cane

New tool for sugarcane farmers

Feb. 2, 2020 | 3 min read

Sugarcane farmers in far north Queensland have a new app by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, that will help them manage fertiliser use and reduce nitrogen runoff onto the Great Barrier Reef.

Seeds

Swiss Agronomist Trades Snow For Australia’s Outback Dream

Nov. 6, 2019 | 2 min read

With her Australian accent, it is hard to believe Pacific Seeds Production Agronomist Annie Christinat recently swapped life in the Swiss mountains for the Australian outback to pursue her dream of living on the land.

Seeds - Summer cropping

Researchers double sorghum grain yield to improve food supply

Nov. 5, 2019 | 2 min read

Plant scientists have doubled the amount of grains that a sorghum plant can yield.

Summer cropping

Australia: Widespread rainfall on the way

Oct. 30, 2019 | 2 min read

According to weather experts, a slow moving upper level trough will deliver the most widespread rain event across the east coast in six months over the next week.