Elders flags $187m AIRR takeover tilt

July 16, 2019 | 2 min read
Elders has made a $10.85-per-share, half-scrip, half-cash bid for Australian Independent Rural Retailers in a deal that values the enterprise at $187 million.

Mandatory pain relief for mulesing in Victoria looks set to become a reality

July 15, 2019 | 3 min read
Victoria is set to become the first state in the country to introduce mandatory pain relief for mulesing.

Gallagher ups investment in Aussie agritech company

July 15, 2019 | 1 min read
Melbourne agritech company Agersens says it has raised $14.75 million capital including cash from existing investors such as NZ’s Gallagher Group.

Elders strengthening horticulture investments in technical services

July 10, 2019 | 2 min read
Building on its position in Australian horticulture was one of the aims for iconic agribusiness Elders at this year's Hort Connections.

Wheat myth comes a cropper

June 27, 2019 | 2 min read
The myth that modern wheat varieties are more heavily reliant on pesticides and fertilisers than older varieties has been debunked by new research.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.