Rural Business News

Product development & regulatory services - Summer horticulture - Technology in agriculture

Using next generation genetic testing to give growers a competitive boost

June 21, 2019 | 2 min read

QUT has partnered with Hort Innovation under the Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative (PBRI) to advance the use of next-generation genetic sequencing technologies, giving Australia’s horticulture sector a competitive boost through faster access to new plant stock.

Agribusiness

ACCC warns Ruralco takeover could lead to higher prices for farmers

June 14, 2019 | 2 min read

The competition watchdog has highlighted "competition concerns" with the $469 million takeover of agricultural merchandiser Ruralco by global agribusiness Nutrien, warning of the potential for higher prices and decreased services for farmers.

Winter cropping

Australia's winter crop forecast to jump 20 per cent says national forecaster ABARES

June 12, 2019 | 3 min read

Australia's winter crop will jump 20 per cent after a drought-ravaged season last year, according to the national forecaster. In its first crop report of the year, ABARES today tipped this year's winter crop to reach 36.4 million tonnes.

Cattle health

Sydney team awarded $1m industry grant for new cattle vaccine

June 10, 2019 | 2 min read

A team of scientists at the University of Sydney have been awarded a $1 million grant by Meat and Livestock Australia to fund new vaccine development for feedlot cattle.

Seed treatments & coatings - Winter cropping

To treat, or not to treat seed for Russian wheat aphid

June 5, 2019 | 4 min read

Cereal growers in Queensland and northern New South Wales are being advised to carefully evaluate the need for seed treatments to protect against Russian wheat aphid (RWA) this season.

Fertilisers

Industrial jobs and $106 million investment secured at Incitec Pivot

June 4, 2019 | 2 min read

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has welcomed the announcement by industrial manufacturer Incitec Pivot that it has secured arrangements for the continued operation of its chemical plant near the Port of Brisbane and the jobs of the 400 workers at the plant, thanks to the Queensland Government’s domestic gas policy.

Business solutions & technology

National agribusiness confidence rises despite tough conditions

June 3, 2019 | 2 min read

Confidence levels of Australian agribusinesses jumped in Q1 2019, despite persistently challenging conditions across much of the country.

Summer cropping

On-farm impacts of sorghum RD&E spanning 20 years surface from economic analysis

May 30, 2019 | 4 min read

Productivity gains made by the Australian sorghum industry are unmatched anywhere else in the world, according to a report by the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI).

Winter cropping

Regulator issues licence authorising the limited and controlled release of chickpea genetically modified (GM) for drought and other environmental stress tolerance.

May 28, 2019 | 1 min read

The Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) and the licence were finalised taking into account input received during consultation with the public, State and Territory governments, Australian Government agencies, the Minister for the Environment, the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee and the local council.

Winter cropping

NVT winter crop planting underway in the north

May 23, 2019 | 3 min read

The National Variety Trials (NVT) program is off to a "better than anticipated" start in parts of Queensland and New South Wales thanks to early planting rain.

Rural Business

2019 first half financial results

May 22, 2019 | 4 min read

Elders Limited (ASX:ELD) today released its half year results for the six months to 31 March 2019, continuing to deliver on its Eight Point Plan initiatives despite the reduced activity in agriculture due to the hot and dry conditions across Australia. Elders also announced a fully franked interim dividend of 9 cents per share.

Rural Business

Ruralco diversification drives half-yearly growth, profit and dividend

May 22, 2019 | 4 min read

AGRIBUSINESS leader Ruralco has attributed its three per cent growth and after tax of $16.6 million for the half year ended 31 March 2019 to its diversification strategy.

Winter cropping

Australia approves foreign grain imports for the first time in over a decade

May 15, 2019 | 1 min read

Australia will import foreign-grown grain for the first time since 2007, after the Department of Agriculture approved a permit to import bulk wheat from Canada.

Winter cropping

Canola blackleg breakthrough

May 7, 2019 | 2 min read

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) researchers have identified genetic regions which could be used to develop new canola varieties with durable resistance to blackleg disease.

Knockdown & pre-emergent herbicides - Winter cropping

Sakura remains king of pre-emergent herbicides

April 30, 2019 | 4 min read

Pre-emergent herbicide trials across the country last season have continued to show the consistent strength and reliability of Sakura herbicide for controlling annual ryegrass in a wide range of environments.