South Australian Country Hour

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

Rural news and events from South Australia and the nation.

The NFF welcomes the Federal Government's plans to beef up fuel and fertiliser reserves, the Opposition concerned the government's fertiliser importing scheme could be anti-competitive, and fuel supply concerns leading to more inquiries about bio-diesel in Australia.

PIRSA says SA unlikely to see a locust outbreak this spring despite reports of swarms, the state Opposition calls for SA to follow other states that have established their own fuel reserve, and SA grain producers report increasing mice numbers amid ongoing calls for stronger baits.

The Federal Government to create an Australian government-owned fuel security reserve, Victoria announces it's secured 10 million litres of diesel specifically for its farmers in an emergency, and Mannum farmer Narelle Zanker named the winner of the 2026 South Australia AgriFutures Rural Women's Award.

We broadcast live from AgFair at Broken Hill, the School of the Air celebrates its anniversary by releasing a cookbook, and a look at the state of the wool industry with AWN.

SA's River Murray irrigators projected to receive minimum opening water allocations of 62% this coming year, the State Government and private donors commit almost $1.2 million dollars towards eradicating cats on KI, and a national minimum quality standard for the cherry industry to be developed over the next three years.

Truckies stuck waiting for diesel as fuel supply constraints continue across regional Australia, SA the only state to record an increase in the latest farmer confidence survey, and cost of PVC pipes for irrigation to rise amid disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict.

The Federal Government to release millions of litres of fuel from Australia's domestic reserves, the wool market remains relatively immune to the upheaval caused by the Middle East conflict, and tighter controls flagged for some of Australia's most commonly used rat poisons.

The Federal Ag Minister rejects calls to reduce the levies paid by grain growers to the GRDC, the Invasive Species Council calls for more funding to stop the spread of buffel grass across SA, and a survey finds consumers want country-of-origin labelling on wood products sold in Australia.

The GRDC marks 30 years of presenting its annual update in Adelaide, SA researchers focus on the future of double-knock weed management and herbicide resistance, and debate continues over whether Goyder's Line is moving.

Since 1979 Rex Liebelt has been a stalwart of South Australian show, receiving an OAM for his dedication, for the third year in a row Freeling farmer Harrison Schuster has tilled a piece of Australia Day artwork into his paddock and the state opposition is promising to extend grants for farm fire-fighting units until 2030, if it wins the March electionstralia and the nation.

Tens of thousands of houses will need to be built in regional South Australia to meet the housing needs by 2051 according to a new report and the State Government has released six regional plans to set out the housing, land use and infrastructure needs for Kangaroo Island, Eyre and Western Peninsula, Far North, Yorke Peninsula and Mid North, Murray Mallee and Limestone Coast. 

The Australian cattle industry responds to China's new tariffs on Australian beef imports, Stansbury oyster growers allowed to harvest and sell again after a seven month shutdown, and Adelaide Hills cherry growers winding up amid a later and shorter cherry season.

A Mallee farmer still harvesting into the new year as he hopes for a better season in 2026, Broken Hill commercial and residential fruit growers desperate to rid the city of fruit fly, and farming waste being tested as possible material for furniture and home construction.

Long-range marine heatwaves now able to be forecast with a new CSIRO and weather bureau model, an industry analyst says US tariffs were actually advantageous for Australian beef producers in 2025, and researchers and chefs tout the overlooked benefits of eating offal.

The CFS attending to several fires across regional SA during a day of scorching heat, a new safety reminder issued after several deaths in SA in recent years involving quad bikes and ATVs, and a NSW farmer reflects on his experience of training his livestock with virtual fencing technology.

A second official government review finds the dairy code is operating as intended, the algae bloom forces some SA oyster growers to remain closed during the busy Christmas period, and an iconic South Australian brandy label celebrates its 100th distilling season in 2025.

Grain receival sites remain busy as harvest continues right up to Christmas in some regions, South Australian seafood in high demand in the lead up to the festive season, and graziers around Broken Hill celebrate some much-welcome rain ahead of Christmas.

The Federal Government announces it'll introduce a new mandatory code of conduct for wine grape purchases, Australia to have a gas reservation scheme operating on the east coast from 2027, and a new initiative to highlight the challenges regional South Australians face accessing health care.

The SA Government announces an extra $24.5million for its Drought Support Package, the SA Small Business Commission sees increased demand for its farm debt mediation service, and Australia's wool clip forecast to drop a further 13% on last year's record-low production.

Rabobank's latest farmer confidence survey shows sentiment holding reasonably steady in SA.A new study finds droughts are lasting longer across Australia.Gun laws debate highlights the need to ensure firearms remain available for feral animal control.

Farmers welcome the opportunity to rollout virtual fencing in South Australia, hundreds of soil samples to be collected across SA for the National Soil Monitoring Program, and a survey of EP farmers finds succession planning, water security, and a lack of services as key concerns.

The State Government announces virtual fencing has been legalised in South Australia, calls for urgent reforms to address skyrocketing port charges imposed by the nation's stevedores, and many farmers close to finishing harvest across South Australia.

The new National Food Council meets for the first time to start developing Australia's food strategy, an SA company launches a new non-terrestrial 5G network for industries such as farming and mining, and SA researchers win a grant to study how soil microbes could help tackle antibiotic resistance.