Country Today

Country Today has been at LambEx in Adelaide. Young farmer, Katherine Bain, went back to the family farm and one of the first things she did was buy the neighbouring property. We'll will discuss if sheep producers will be tempted back to merinos to profit from two income streams now that wool prices are back on the rise. Also today, updates on the cropping season following substantial rain and more on its way. In the Riverina, the wet winter is seeing outbreaks of plant diseases such as blackleg in canola. Then we’ll head to the Wimmera where Farmers have received upwards of 250 millimeters year to date with waterlogged paddocks setting back crops. The weekly wool report and the EMI rose this week to close at 1909 cents kg.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In what is claimed to be the largest ever sheep conference in the world. Lambex in Adelaide this week. And half the delegates are sheep, lamb and wool producers. It’s all about challenging mindsets and looking to the future of these industries that are currently enjoying the good times. Today increasing merino breeding profits by attention to data details with Mumblebone stud sixth generation owner/manager Chad Taylor. Also sheep and beef entering an unprecedented golden era with all major exporters going through herd and flock rebuilds to expect record prices to continue to tumble. We’ll head to China to hear about the revolution in wool processing with robotics and AI. And a prominent woolgrower who wants Cricket Australia to choose home grown and produced wool garments for its players.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new take on crop insurance. An Australian seed wholesaler is offering a payout to grain growers using their cereal and canola seed if they don’t get enough rain during crop establishment.  Victoria currently has approximately 30 major data centre projects in the pipeline across the development, construction, and commissioning phases. Driven by the need for abundant land and power, massive investments are planned for regional hubs. So what can we expect with this digital infrastructure boom? It’s been a tough year for rice growers with high water prices, low allocations and market deregulation. Nominations for the 2026 Landcare Awards closing at the end of July.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coming up an update on how agricultural commodities are faring with Rabobank’s latest commodity outlook. Sheep farmers could soon be able to estimate their flock’s liveweight and fleece weight using a 3D sensor system being developed by the CSIRO.     The latest seasonal climate outlook is for a drier and warmer spring.   The Victorian Government has merged the various food authorities to create Safe Food Victoria.  We talk to the inaugural Chief Executive Officer Michael Gooey.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New federal environment laws are confusing to navigate, and will make it harder for farmers to manage their own land.   The Murray Darling Basin Authority has dumped 14 environment projects. So where will the extra 355 gls come from?   Water traders beware: market manipulation and insider trading in Murray-Darling Basin water markets is now illegal with potential fines in the millioins of dollars. Except of course for Governments ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh   While there's talk of a super Ël Nino, Gippsland dairy farmer Stuart Griffin says it's been a great season so far.     It's now less than five months until the Victorian State Election and the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry says regional Victoria holds the key to the state’s future prosperity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There have been some pretty impressive rainfall recordings in the past few days. Most cropping zones had 10 to 25 mills and some double that. You’ll hear from farmers in the Wimmera and the Victorian/NSW border, which has also had great rain. You might have noticed the price of urea has fallen after the first shipment under the Federal Government’s policy to underwrite the inflated cost due to the war with Iran. The problem is it only applies to three big importers. Other fertilizer companies are taking big hits. A new resilience test for merino sheep is using hereditary markers to help producers identify which animals are better able to cope with stressors in their environment And not a great start to the new wool selling season with the market fell 39 cents to close the week at 1904 cents a kg. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria is introducing new rules for how renewable energy and large-scale battery projects access the grid The Ararat Export Meatworks has installed a bioenergy system to convert organic waste into energy and reduce carbon emissions.  Farmers are encouraged to consider the Victorian Trees on Farms Program (VToF), which provides grants to rural Now is the time for farmers to check their water storages and dam levels, to better plan for buying any livestock and knowing if there is the carrying capacity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The largely unpublished works of a man considered one of the great pioneers in wool science in Australia have been shipped from England back to Victoria: A treasure trove of work that was foundational to the modern understanding of wool. This unseasonably warm, wet weather has led to outbreaks of blackleg fungal disease in canola crops. Council Watch argues that Victoria's 79 local councils are inefficient and lack transparency and is proposing fewer councillors and a merger of councils to just 25 in the StateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this edition, we’ll answer a lot of questions and misconceptions about the new regulations regarding the use of the herbicide paraquat. Farmers should be preparing now for what could be a tough and earlier fire season.  The Australian Veterinary Association says it doesn’t have enough vets in regional areas to deal with the potential outbreak of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza Landcare is running a Resilient Farming Course in August across south west Victoria.   An ambitious project that has searched the world for global innovators to help solve key challenges faced by Victorian Dairy Farmers   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lamb and mutton prices are at record highs, with sheep selling last week at Wagga Wagga for 1000 cents a kg. You'll hear from Elders Wagga Agent, Rob Inglis.   It’s estimated the feral deer population in Victoria is around a million and growing. Yet in Victoria, they are a protected species under the Wildlife Act of 1975.    And what should be a farmer's best friend, the humble dung beetle, which eats manure and boosts our soil health.   We’ll take a look at the global wheat market with Colin Peace of JumbukAG  The Victorian Farmers Federation wants protection for farmland from the 30 data centres proposed in Victoria.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sheep producers have long been dealing with worms that are increasingly resistant to drenches. It’s now a big problem in cattle.   Beef cattle prices have returned to the record highs of 5 years ago. That’s despite our beef exports to China hitting the trigger point so that tariffs of 55 per cent now apply. So what’s driving demand. You'll hear from Simon Quilty of Global AgriTrends  It was the last wool sale for this financial year, and despite falls this week, the market is still up 61 per cent in value compared to this time last year --See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has released the “What We Heard” report, which will influence what Governments do next with the basin plan. The take-home message from the report was people want the basin plan to work better. You’ll hear from  CEO of National Irrigators Council, Zara Lowien. Cuts to water allocations in the Murray Irrigation system has meant some farmers haven’t been able to grow rice crops Recent rain has seen paddocks turn green, but it doesn’t mean the pastures are providing livestock with the nutrition they need.  This winter, demand for food relief remains high. You’ll hear from CEO of Albury Wodonga FoodShare, Katrina Pawley.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How prepared is Australia for the highly virulent strain of bird flu, H5N1 that’s been confirmed in WA? You’ll hear from Victoria’s Chief Vet Graeme Cooke. A Victorian egg producer has been fined nearly $40k for selling eggs falsely claiming to be free range.    It’s less than 12 months since the Victorian Government approved the use of virtual fencing in farming and beef and cattle producers are embracing the technology as a great labour saver.    Farmers are raising concerns about the federal government's decision to move to full cost recovery on agricultural exports.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ll talk about the discovery of the highly infectious H5N1 avian flu in WA with egg producer Brian Ahmed who says it’s when, not if, we get infections in our poultry flocks. Wouldn’t it be great to get a bird's-eye view of how your crops are faring. Well, you can, though satellite imaging and Victoria’s crops are going gangbusters.. Farmers reliant on bees for spring pollination are being urged to act now to secure contracts with apiarists or chance missing out due to the spread of varroa mite.   The annual Best Wool/Best Lamb and Better Beef conferences are on in Ballarat, One of the Keynote speakers is John Francis who says most farmers need to rethink their mindset.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers for Climate Action has commissioned a report looking at the best alternatives for fossil fuels for farmers and has concluded electrification of farm equipment is the most cost-effective solution   The Federal Treasurer bows to pressure and expands capital gains tax concessions so they’re much better for farmers than they were before the budget announcement.   On the downside, the Albanese Government has also just made its largest purchase of irrigation water for the environment: $431 million for 83 gigalitres from Aware Super fund.   The weekly wool report and the EMI rose again to close at 1989 cents a kg.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the weather phenomenon farmers fear most … El Nino, officially declared this week by the Bureau of Meteorology.  Winter can be a challenging time for sheep producers, with worms and scours posing a significant risk to weaners and lambing ewes Renewable energy developers have been banned from forcing farmers to sign non-disclosure agreement  The successful story of Warialda belted Galloway beef. A huge winner at farmers markets for more than 20 years.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The building of 70 km exclusion fence bordering the Big Desert National Park in north west Victoria hasn't succeeded in keeping the wild dogs at bay.    With a disappointing opening milk price for farmers, there is some hope for increased demand as global milk production slows.     There's a changing world for agricultural employment due largely to the technology revolution. Yet there is a chronic shortage of agriculture graduates. You’ll hear from ag education stalwart Professor John Pratley.   The use of seaweed additives in cattle feed to reduce methane emissions has been proven to work in feedlot situations. Much tougher is to prove its worth in extensive grazing systems. Global beef production is tipped to fall more than 2% this year, and that's good news for the Australian industry   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent widespread rain has driven substantial increases in sheep and cattle prices are farmers look to restock. But will El Nino put the handbrake on rain.   Australia's science research is largely reliant on Federal Government Cooperative Research Centres, and there's now a push to create a Regenerative Regions CRC.   It's no secret there's a shortage of vets in regional areas.. Dr. Becky Dickinson is founder of Veterinary Support Services (VSS), aimed at helping early-career graduates with mentorship to foster long-term rural careers. She was recognised as Victoria’s 2026 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award winner. Country   The Victorian plague locust commissioner is warning locust populations in the Mallee could  see numbers at levels not seen in nearly 30 years.     Farmer confidence is on the rise, after a late autumn break helped boost soil moisture levels ahead of a predicted El Nino.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers impacted by this year’s January bushfires are encouraged to check what support they may be eligible for to help with recovery.  Regional road users across Victoria are being asked by the RACV to nominate the most dangerous roads for the My Country Road Survey.   Grain growers have historically been locked out of the regulated carbon market. New trial results from Victoria’s Wimmera using Carbon Builder fungal seed treatment in wheat shows promising results. To the dairy industry in the irrigation districts of Northern Victoria. Farmers were attracted to move to the area in the 1980s and nineties. But water prices have skyrocketed in more recent times and farmers have either left dairying or radically changed how they farm. To the weekly wool report and the market rose again with the EMI closing at 1979 cents a kg. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To the controversy about the chemical herbicide paraquat. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority is due to announce if the highly toxic weed killer will be banned. Neurologists argue that exposure to paraquat is linked to Parkinson's disease.    Damaging hailstorms that can destroy entire crops are likely to increase in south east Australia due to climate change. While the renewables debate continues to divide many regional areas, for some farmers becoming a host has been a financial lifesaver.   If you’re in the sheep and or wool industry, you should take a look at the bi-ennial Lambex conference coming up next month, the 7 – 10 July in Adelaide.    Riverine Plains AG Extension is supporting southern NSW producers with free practical carbon farming assessments.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The start to the new milk season hasn't been as dairy farmers had hoped.. So what's holding prices back? Australia's red meat exports to the Middle East have begun to rebound, despite the war with Iran.  the Federal Government has announced it has secured another 31,000 tonnes of fertiliser, and another 50 million litres of diesel. So how significant is that? To the expansion of renewable energy in regional areas, NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe has announced an initial $60 million in community benefit funding from the South West Renewable Energy Zone in the Riverina   There simply won’t be enough honey bees to pollinate key autumn flowering crops’, thanks to varroa mite devastating commercial beehives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To the King's Birthday Honours and Lucinda Corrigan has been named a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition for her significant contributions to Australia’s meat and livestock industry, sustainability and climate action. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is calling for a strong code of conduct for the horticulture industry, NSW is joining national requirements for electronic identification requirements for sheep and goats. The Wine industry is calling for the federal government to halt tax changes announced the budget. Taylors Wines is threatening to take its operations overseas,  while the nation's largest retail liquor network Endeavour Group has announced it will step away from producing Concerns have been raised in the NSW parliament about Motor Neurone Disease, with reported clusters in the Riverina, particularly among farming communities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This lovely recent rain has already boosted cattle prices, with weaner steers making up to 8500 cents a kg at the Euroa sale earlier this week. But Elders analyst Richard Koch thinks these prices are overcooked.   A study into dingo DNA has found Australian dingoes do typically carry at least a small amount of domestic dog genetics.  The wool market continued its upward trend Grains Research and Development Corporation is announcing a $115m investment to cut nitrogen costs and secure supply through new science and technology.    A volunteer organisation based in Warrnambool in Victoria's South West has harvested more than a tonne of locally grown Olives in a weekend.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following a record year ABARES is forecasting the value of agricultural production to fall by 5% to $98.3 billion.    Bulla Dairy Foods has announced its opening farmgate milk price for the 2026–2027 season at $9.15 - $9.95 kg/milk solids, which is higher than most processor prices.     There’s been widespread and very welcome rain over the past week, with most areas seeing totals from 15 to 100 mls, which is great to grain growing regions. Today you’ll hear about Hand to the Land is a fundraising initiative focused on increasing mental health professionals in the bush.   Anthrax has been recorded in Australian livestock for over 150 years. To explain the risks, signs to watch for and how farmers can protect their animals, you’ll hear from Agriculture Victoria’s senior vet Geoff Cave.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we revisit the global fuel and fertilizer situation with specialist international supply chain management, David Leaney. And a resolution to the War with Iran is no closer, so we’d better get used to increasing input costs. Dairy farmers are disappointed by opening milk prices, but industry leaders say processors are struggling too.  Gippsland farmers are fighting plans from three energy companies to build Battery Energy Storage Systems in the Baw Baw Shire. Victoria has the highest feral deer population in Australia, estimated to be more than a million and growing.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Country Today has been at the United Dairy Farmers of Victoria conference in Ballarat. It’s the first in several years after the divisive leadership under former VFF president Emma Germano, which saw the UDV leadership walk away and form a breakaway group, Dairy Farmers Victoria. Just short of three years, and they’re back. You’ll hear from UDV president Bernie Free, who now has former Dairy Farmers Vic president Mark Billing is his vice president. Then a young dairy farmer who has gone down the path in intensive dairy farming with cows housed and milked three times a day Then it’s on to the Victorian Farmers Federation conference, and the official election of the new president Ryan Milgate, who’ll talk about what he sees as the priorities in the job You’ll also hear from the Victorian Minister for Agriculture Michaela Settle, only appointed to the role in mid April And dairy industry stalwart, for UDV President, octogenarian Max Fehring takes us back a quarter of a century to talk about the deregulation of the dairy industry See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Victorian Government has finalised five of the state's renewable energy zones. So does this mean the zones are cast in stone? You’ll hear from VicGrid chief executive Alistair Parker    It’s 15 years this month since the Australian Government suspended live cattle exports to Indonesia after shocking footage of being beaten and their throats cut, left to an agonizing, slow death. The Federal Court is still wrangling with lawyers over compensation for northern Australian cattle producers. On this edition of Country Today, a special three-part interview with the Australian who pioneered the establishment of the live cattle trade, Greg Pankhurst, who is still involved with the industry to this day.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dairy farmers call it the silly season when milk processors announce the opening milk price.  Without a decent increase, more farmers will be walking away from the industry. You’ll hear from Shadow Agriculture Minister Darren Chester about the Treasurer not coming clean on the changes to Capital Gains tax The wool market is tantalisingly close to 2000 cents a kilo and now at it's highest level since 2019. If you’re in the sheep industry, you should be heading to the biennial Lambex conference being held in Adelaide in July   Green is back in the grass across the South West after a dry 18 to 24 months, See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s largest olive producer, Cobram estate is choosing to expand its olive production in California rather than here, in large part due to the Murray Darling Basin Plan. We’ll take a look at what’s happening in the cattle market with significant price rises after recent rain. Then we’ll head to Western Victoria where, again that autumn break has pastures looking the best they have in years. Also today a report from ANZ Agribusiness concludes that Geopolitics, energy shocks, and extreme weather are no longer isolated disruptions. And renewed calls for the completion of the Murray Basin Rail Project.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The End of Live Sheep Export: Canberra Killed It. The War in Iran Buried It. That is the analysis of Episode 3's Andrew Whitelaw. Campaspe and Gannawarra Shire mayors are calling for fairness in the Murray–Darling Basin Plan review, they say their irrigation communities have already made major water savings and shouldn’t face further disproportionate cuts. Cynthia Mahoney, she’s a coach specializing in leadership and positive psychology delivering practical workshops designed to help farm businesses and rural teams work smarter and stay resilient through tough seasons. The Australian lamb industry is well-positioned for strong exports and farmer profitability through the remainder of 2026. An ambitious land restoration program known as Landlife South West, plans to plant one million trees and protect and restore 400 hectares of land by 2040.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Quad bikes are now the leading cause of death and serious injury on farms. Today you’ll hear about how regulations are going to tighten and it will likely to compulsory roll bars, helmets, and only riders 16 years and above. It’s called the Green Sheep Project and it’s designed to help sheep producers understand how important data collection is becoming in the path to more sustainable farming. Calls for a carp herpes virus to be released in water storages in the Wimmera to trial of it could be a successful control method. Grass Fed cattle producers are being urged to take part in a survey looking at the Cattle Transaction Levy which has been at $5 a head for 20 years. A warning to farmers that livestock can suffer arsenic poisoning from eating or licking contaminated coals lift over after burns offs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most divisive issue in many rural communities at the moment is the roll out of renewable energy. It’s pitting farmers against power companies and also farmer against farmer. There is help at hand. The Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner, former National Farmers Federation CEO Tony Mahar. Farmers are deeply disappointed in the Labour Government’s budget decision to cut funding for Australia’s Regional Tech Hub. Dairy farmers are feeling more confident, with milk production also rising according to Dairy Australia's Analysis. The Young Farmers Advisory Council is seeking new members.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Renewable energy versus the right to farm. That was the focus of an emotionally charged forum held in St Arnaud in Victoria’s Wimmera, Defending your right to Farm. It attracted Federal and State politicians including Nationals Leader Matt Canavan, federal shadow agricultural minister Darren Chester, Victorian Nationals leader Danny O’Brien. But the mood amongst farmers was emotional and defiant. You’ll hear from Nationals Leader Matt Canavan who wants to dump net zero emissions. And from two farmers vehemently opposed to renewables coming up. And the weekly wool report with Andrew Partridge. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China has re-approved 425 US beef plants following a summit between US President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping. The Defending Your Right to Farm at the St Arnaud Town Hall in the Wimmera, The race to renewable energy is sweeping through prime agricultural land, with wind and solar farms popping up right where farmers and regional communities don’t want them. We’ll head to  NSW, flood plain harvesting has been heavily regulated and irrigators are doing their best to comply. An 18 year old Victorian pilot has set  a Guinness World Record as the youngest woman to  circumnavigating Australia solo by and also raise funds for rural children's charity Little Wings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Severe drought across Northern New South Wales has caused the price of hay to soar. Feed Central is hosting a free webinar tomorrow, 'Feeding Through the Drought 2026.' to help farmers navigate the challenges. The South Australian government plans to lift a fracking ban in the state’s south east. Farmers say it shows very little concern about the impact this will have on prime agricultural land. And GO FARM LAKE BOGA in North West Victoria is set to reduce most of its local workforce after a supply deal ended early. We’ll find out what this means for Victoria's north west. We'll take a look at what's happening in the lamb market. Over in the US trade lambs are going for $600, while Australian producers are receiving roughly half that amount for theirs. The difference in price is helping drive demand for Australian lamb export. Sheep Producers Australia has launched The Green Sheep Project to build confidence across the sheep industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

United Dairy Farmers of Victoria will once again be united, with the break-away group Dairy Farmers Victoria agreeing to kiss and make up. If, or when, there's ever an outbreak of food and mouth disease in Australia, livestock producers will go broke. That's the blunt assessment of livestock vet Dr Ross Ainsworth who has had many years of working with the live cattle export trade to Indonesia. Mice plagues have been spreading across Western Australia and South Australia causing major concerns for growers. Grain Producers Australia (GPA) has secured a national emergency permit  for stronger mouse bait. You may have heard of the Dolly's Dream Foundation, established after 14-year-old Dolly Everett took her own life after being cyberbullied. Bairnsdale Horse Centre owner Carly Knight recently celebrated a major milestone in her fundraising efforts for Dolly's Dream, having raised a total of $1 million. To best help farmers deal with the mental impact of drought, a scheme funded by the Federal Drought Innovation Hub is looking at a community based approach with a check in over a coffee, rather than formal clinical appointments with farmers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coles Supermarkets has been found in breach of consumers laws and misleading customers with its “Down Down” campaign and is likely to face very large fines. The latest New South Wales Farmer Business Sentiment Survey is very revealing: 80 per cent of farmers are expecting business conditions to worsen. We'll travel around Victoria to see who got what rain. There were very few falls over 10 millimetres, with some patches east of Bendigo getting more substantial rain. First to the Lake Bolac area had some of the lowest soil moisture readings earlier in the year.   Then to the Wimmera where good, substantial rain has given crops the boost they need for a growth spurt. To the north east of the State and falls weren’t as has high as predicted, but the warmer weather means there has been some plant growth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Farmers Federation’s reaction to the Federal Opposition response to the Albanese Government's latest budget. Let's take a look at some of the devil in the detail of the Albanese Government's latest budget because a few things are emerging that primary producers hadn't been aware of, but farmers can still think themselves lucky. The weekly wool report and the market eased slightly this week. While public attention has shifted toward the immediate oil crisis, the Climate Council warns that this flip in priorities has sidelined the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels. Australian beef exports dipped slightly in April compared to March, yet with over 140,000 tonnes shipped, volumes remain above 2025 levels.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States Department of Agriculture is expecting this season's wheat crop to be the smallest it's been since 1972, and it's good news for both global prices and Australian farmers. We'll hear from an economist, to talk us through what’s going on across the globe. We’ll take a look at Rabobank's latest Australian Beef Seasonal Outlook. The Australian cattle industry is expected to remain steady throughout the year, as the push of historically high production levels is countered by the pull of heightening seasonal risks. As the price of fertiliser continues to rise and supply challenges are yet to be resolved, farmers are looking to alternative solutions. NutriSoil is a biological, organic solution made by worms at Baranduda, just outside of Wodonga in Victoria. Farmers are being urged to sign up to Agriculture Victoria’s Soil Moisture Monitoring Cropping Report e-newsletter to access up-to-date soil moisture information for their local area. Victorian Dairy Communities are being encouraged to utilise two grant programs launched by the Gardiner Foundation this week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we focus on the federal budget. Treasurer Jim Chalmers describes as the most important and ambitious in decades. So what does that look like for the regions? EQ Economics Managing Director, Warren Hogan. Whilst there wasn’t a big spend on agriculture family farmers will be greatly relieved to hear they haven’t lost the exemption for capital games tax. One agricultural sector is devastated by its omission from the Federal Budget. That’s the wine industry. Wine grape growers are going out backwards and they wanted govt assistance for an orderly transition. There were a few other snippets of funding for agriculture: 8.7 million for  APVMA  and another  commitment was to Australian low carbon liquid fuel production, that is, bioefuels.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Growers in Western Australia have planted 2.28 million hectares of canola, marking the largest area ever recorded for the state. We’ll head to the Wimmera where growers are pleased with the recent rainfall, and according to this weekend's weather forecast, there's more on the way. Australia’s largest breeder of layer hens is introducing technology that can identify the sex of a chick in-ovo, that is, in the egg. The NSW Government is trying to give itself the power to flood private land without consultation. It's primarily to facilitate environmental flows such as sustaining wetlands. The Bill passed the Legislative Council last week. It now has to be passed in the lower house to become law. Last week's lamb sale at Bendigo Livestock Exchange saw many producers choosing to pass in their lambs after offers fell short of processor rates.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ll hear from the new federal member for Farrer David Farley with his views on the Murray Darling Basin Plan, migration and foreign ownership of farm land. His win for One Nation sends more of a message to the Coalition than it does the Labor Government. With plans to run candidates in Victoria's state election, will more votes make the shift to One nation? Persistent drought in the United States has left its beef cattle herd at its lowest level since the 1960s. It's one of the best autumn breaks in north-east Victoria for years and beef numbers are tightening and local buyers are dominating the market. The use of cameras in shearing sheds is being trialled in Victoria over.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today a very revealing interview with major agricultural supplier who says the federal Government’s underwriting of fertilizer imports announced late last month doesn’t have the confidence of the industry. That two part interview with Josh McGregor agricultural inputs and service provider McGregor Gourlay a must listen. The weekly wool report and the market fell slightly due to a rising $A Farmers in the planned path of the Western Renewables Link power lines have received emails from power company AusNet that it will by applying for government consent to compulsorily acquire land to construct the power lines. The Victorian Coalition has responded by confirming they'll stop VNI West and Western Renewables Inc works and review the State's renewables plan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re going to try to work out what the Federal Budget means for our agricultural sector. We’ll be joined by President of the National farmers Federation who’s pleased with the $10 billion fuel and fertilizer reserve fund. The bad news is fears that the budget will include changes to exemptions for capital gains tax. Also we’ll try to work out the very vague announcement by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan’s for a separate 10-million-litre diesel reserve. It it all that it seems? Country Today this week has been following up on rainfall in grain growing areas and where farmers are at with sowing. Today with head to Barham in the Western Riverina. Emergency service workers and volunteers across Victoria impacted by this summer’s severe weather events can now access free and confidential mental health support through Black Dog Institute.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let’s take a look at the State Budget delivered by the Allan Labor Government yesterday. We’ll be joined by Editor of the Weekly Times, James Wagstaff. Farming organisations led by the National Farmers Federation have called on the Federal Government to introduce an immediate national mandate for ethanol and biodiesel to bolster fuel security. What does that mandate entail? To the Wimmera, where farmers have welcomed the recent rain and are now hoping for a window of dry weather to finish sowing and get the crops out of the ground and growing. It's not just skyrocketing fertilizer prices that are tempting grain growers to plant more pulses this season. There has still been a slow and steady trend to include pulses in cropping rotations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers are calling for an immediate national mandate for ethanol and biodiesel production. We’re already producing ethanol, but it’s all being exported. As the war in Iran enters its third month, farmers in the United States are also being hit by skyrocketing input costs. The Australian live cattle export industry met with our largest market, Indonesia, in Jakarta last week to discuss current industry trading opportunities. Dairy farmers are calling for fair milk pricing from the supermarkets to secure Australia's milk supplies. The Gippsland Irrigation Expo is set to return on Wednesday 20 May at the Sale Showgrounds, focussing on improving water efficiency and farm productivity as conditions remain increasingly dry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drought affected farmers in northern NSW and southern Queensland are selling cattle at record rates. And it's creating an opportunity for Victorian farmers to secure stock at an affordable price. The weather word on everyone’s lips is El Nino … is too soon to say drier weather is on its way? The latest climate outlook from seasonal risk agronomist with Ag Victoria, Dale Grey. Then we’ll head to Rutherglen in north east Victoria, which had some very handy rain over the weekend due to strong thunderstorms. Then to the Wimmera where farmers welcomed the rain even though it was less than forecast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rabobank's latest property report suggests we’ll see modest growth in Australian farmland prices this year. Farmers are using satellite data to monitor nitrogen levels and crop stress without even stepping foot in the field. Regional banks from across Australia have formed an alliance to lobby against the ongoing closure of bank branches. Australia's $900 million table grape industry trying to deal with a vine virus that can drastically reduce grape yields. The weekly wool report and the market rose to slightly with the EMI close JUST short of 1900 cents a kg.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rollout of the controversial Victoria to NSW interconnector west project, or VNI west. We’ll be hearing both sides of the story. First we’ll hear from the farmer who has been threatened with enforcement action by Vic Grid. He joins us from a protest in Western Victoria. Then the Victoria Energy Policy Centre's Professor Bruce Mountain who says it’s a major policy failure and is proposing an alternative plan B. To the other side of the story, CEO of Vic Grid, the company responsible for leading the Victorian section of the VNI West transmission project. The struggling bulk wine producing industry has finally persuaded the Federal Government to introduce a Mandatory Code of Conduct to regulate how much wine producers pay grape growers. Let's find out how the season is coming along for grain growers in North West Victoria. And it’s feeling optimistic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ll hear from Victoria’s Shadow Transport Minister Matthew about how he would change the rail system if elected in November. Victoria's Government has boldly announced what it called record investment in the May budget for roads of $1 billion. Regional Cities Victoria which represents the largest 10 councils is calling for double that: a $2 billion package just for regional roads. We’ll take a look at the effectiveness of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, industry body CropLife Australia says it’s slowing down critical chemical approvals.  You’ll hear about one of the world's leading and largest sheep industry conferences LambEx is being held in Adelaide in July. He’s known as The Wombat Dude: the Gippsland wildlife rescuer and carer who is in talks with a production company to do a television series.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.