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31 Jan 2003 | Study backs what tastebuds knew
Australians have long known that certain regions produce foods with particular flavours and quality. ...... FULL STORY
31 Jan 2003 | Call for calm on Japan's BSE fear
Australia's cattle industry is confident that the discovery of more cases of BSE in Japan won't affect exports to our second-largest beef market. ...... FULL STORY
31 Jan 2003 | AWB has finger on pulse market
AWB Ltd's growth strategy will include greater sales of non-wheat grains, its annual report says. ...... FULL STORY
31 Jan 2003 | Nats' appeal for starving Vic livestock
Cattle and sheep that survived the fires in Victoria's alpine areas are facing starvation as a result of hay and pastures being destroyed. ...... FULL STORY
31 Jan 2003 | Ipswich to ban battery hens
Ipswich City Council has voted unanimously to ban battery hens within the city under its town plan. ...... FULL STORY
30 Jan 2003 | Waterways choke on sand plague
A quarter of the rivers in southern Australia are choked with sand, says CSIRO. ...... FULL STORY
30 Jan 2003 | Grape harvest to fall by up to 20pc
The 2003 grape harvest is expected to fall by up to 20 per cent following hot conditions over the past two weeks, which have compounded the drought conditions. ...... FULL STORY
30 Jan 2003 | Sugar industry reports 'flawed'
A Queensland University of Technology academic says that recent reports on the sugar industry, including one commissioned by the Beattie Government, are "seriously flawed" and ignore key issues. ...... FULL STORY
30 Jan 2003 | Rising dollar hits farmers
The rising Australian dollar is adding to problems for farmers already hit by one of the worst droughts in a century. ...... FULL STORY
30 Jan 2003 | CRC bid for healthier grains
North Ryde's new Co-operative Research Centre for Innovative Grain Food Products - based around BRI Ltd, formerly the Bread Research Institute - could lead farmers to produce flours and other products with particular health benefits. ...... FULL STORY
29 Jan 2003 | Supplies flown into Qld towns cut off by floods
While the rest of the state is gripped by drought, towns in the Gulf of Carpentaria have been cut off by flood waters. ...... FULL STORY
29 Jan 2003 | Farm curbs to aid reef
Cattle farmers and cane growers in Queensland are likely to face restrictions in a government bid to improve the water quality of the Great Barrier Reef. ...... FULL STORY
29 Jan 2003 | Flower exports blooming brighter than expected
Australia's flower exports are 30 per cent higher than official reports suggest, a new study shows. ...... FULL STORY
29 Jan 2003 | Blue-green algae hits Murray River
The Murray River has been hit with unprecedented levels of toxic blue-green algae, as water continues to decrease due to the drought. ...... FULL STORY
29 Jan 2003 | Drought strangles 106 Qld shires
More than 100 of Queensland's 125 shires are expected to be declared drought-affected by the end of February. ...... FULL STORY
28 Jan 2003 | Tough year ahead for sugar cane farm owners
There's a tough year ahead for owners of sugar cane farms, with research by valuers Herron Todd White showing prices for farms since the peak in 1997-1998 have fallen from $11,500 per hectare to $6,700 per hectare. ...... FULL STORY
28 Jan 2003 | Deregulation the only way for sugar
A summit organised by breakaway lobby group Australian Cane Farmers' Association will take place in Brisbane on Wednesday 29 January. ...... FULL STORY
28 Jan 2003 | Close encounter with Vic's big black cat
Two Queensland boys, holidaying at their grandparents' Healesville farm over Christmas, witnessed Victoria's legendary big panther-like cat mercilessly slaughter another animal. ...... FULL STORY
28 Jan 2003 | Harsh toll on native animals due to land clearing
At least 100 million native animals, birds and reptiles are being killed every year due to the practice of land clearing, according to a report by World Wide Fund Australia, and about 190 million trees are disappearing each year. ...... FULL STORY
28 Jan 2003 | Farms’ debt up as loans top $26bn
Farms are going into debt at a faster rate than they're making sales, according to the 2003 Year Book Australia. ...... FULL STORY
24 Jan 2003 | Vic drought aid list expands
The Victorian Government has added five rural communities to the list of areas where farmers can apply for cash grants of up to $20,000. ...... FULL STORY
24 Jan 2003 | Aust protest over mooted Japanese beef tariff hike
The Trade Minister, Mark Vaile, will contact the world's largest beef producers in the US, Canada and New Zealand, urging them to follow Australia's lead in protesting against Japan's proposed beef tariff increases. ...... FULL STORY
24 Jan 2003 | Farm Pride sells egg business
Farm Pride Foods has sold its struggling eggs business to a subsidiary of Sunny Queen, for $6.1 million plus shares. ...... FULL STORY
24 Jan 2003 | Cotton farms face big cuts in water use
A new report, commissioned by Premier Peter Beattie, claims that present water allocations for irrigators in Queensland's lower Balonne district will cause significant environmental damage. ...... FULL STORY
24 Jan 2003 | Drought set to continue as El Nino lasts
After earlier more optimistic statements about El Nino breaking down, the Deputy Prime Minister now says we should brace ourselves for a continuation of the drought. ...... FULL STORY
23 Jan 2003 | Qld land-clearing accelerates
Land-clearing in Queensland has increased over the past two years, with 1.1 million hectares cleared - a rate only equalled by a couple of developing countries such as the Congo and Zambia. ...... FULL STORY
23 Jan 2003 | Deputy PM meets sugar farmers
The Deputy Prime Minister, John Anderson, met with Canegrowers after the release of Boston Consulting's report, which recommended widespread reforms to the sugar industry. ...... FULL STORY
23 Jan 2003 | Keeping ahead of TB
The original Tuberculosis Freedom Assurance Program (TFAP), which commenced in 1970, was superseded on January 1 by a new program, TFAP2. ...... FULL STORY
23 Jan 2003 | GrainCorp dumps AWB stake
GrainCorp has sold its entire shareholding in AWB Ltd. The bulk commodities handler sold all of its 8.7 million shares in the wheat exporter and grain trader for an undisclosed price. ...... FULL STORY
23 Jan 2003 | Cattle prices plummet
Cattle prices at Dalby saleyard have crashed, as graziers are forced to sell stock due to the lack of water and feed, and high fodder prices. ...... FULL STORY
22 Jan 2003 | Vaccine may cut livestock methane gases
CSIRO is developing a vaccine which cuts the production of methane gases from livestock as they digest food. ...... FULL STORY
22 Jan 2003 | Funding threat to fruit fly program
The TriState Fruit Fly program is under threat if it does not receive more funding from the fruit industry, according to a government review of the $6 million program. ...... FULL STORY
22 Jan 2003 | US farmers see red over Aust free-trade push
The US beef, milk and sugar industries have attacked Australia's push for a free-trade agreement, claiming it would damage their industries to the tune of billions of dollars. ...... FULL STORY
22 Jan 2003 | Partial deregulation of sugar industry likely
A new report by Boston Consulting on Australia's sugar industry recommends radical changes if it is to survive, including more competition, and says the industry is on the verge of collapse. ...... FULL STORY
22 Jan 2003 | Dead stock pose water risk
Victorian farmers have been warned not to leave the carcasses of dead stock in waterways. ...... FULL STORY
21 Jan 2003 | Pork boycott urged over sows' cramped quarters
Animal rights activists, including Professor Peter Singer, have called for a boycott of pork products in protest at the practice of keeping pregnant sows in stalls. ...... FULL STORY
21 Jan 2003 | Twists to the GM debate
Criticism of the recent arrival of GM corn from the US by Democrats Senator John Cherry shows scientific misunderstanding, according to former NSWFF president John Cobb. ...... FULL STORY
21 Jan 2003 | Rising $A adds to farmers' woes
The strengthening Australian dollar is starting to make an impact on returns for dairy, wool, wheat and meat farmers, although other factors are contributing to commodity prices. ...... FULL STORY
21 Jan 2003 | Salt-tolerant wheat may be grown first in WA
The world's first genetically-modified wheat variety, being developed by Grain Biotechnology Australia at Murdoch University, may be grown by West Australian farmers within six years. ...... FULL STORY
20 Jan 2003 | NFF wants tough stance in US free-trade talks
Business groups which have lodged submissions with the Federal Government on Australia's proposed free-trade agreement with the US want the Government to take a tough stance on certain issues. ...... FULL STORY
20 Jan 2003 | Livestock exports at record levels
Livestock exports earned more than $1 billion in 2002, providing a lifeline for Australia's drought-afflicted farmers. ...... FULL STORY
20 Jan 2003 | Push to end BJD movement restrictions
The Cattle Council of Australia is investigating the use of a risk assessment system as an alternative to blanket movement restrictions on female cattle between bovine Johne's disease zones. ...... FULL STORY
20 Jan 2003 | Drought hits cotton but GM spreads
The drought cut the amount of land set aside for genetically modified cotton in 2002 from 200,000 to 100,000 in Australia, but worldwide the area under GM cultivation increased by 12 per cent, according to a new report. ...... FULL STORY
20 Jan 2003 | Farmed eucalypts produce quality timber
Despite early industry pessimism, further research has shown that plantation-grown eucalypts produce good-quality timber, CSIRO says. ...... FULL STORY
17 Jan 2003 | AACo teams up with Bidvest
Australian Agricultural Company Ltd will team up with Bidvest plc, Australia's largest foodservice supplier, to sell fresh meat cuts into restaurants and catering firms. ...... FULL STORY
17 Jan 2003 | Plan puts GM crops 'too near' organics
Rules drawn up by the Gene Technology Grains Committee would allow farmers to grow genetically modified canola with just a five-metre buffer zone from traditional crops. ...... FULL STORY
17 Jan 2003 | Drought aid a mere trickle
Only $1.6 million in emergency funds has so far been made available to drought-stricken farmers since the scheme was announced in December 2002, new figures show, although the Federal Government budgeted for $134.4 million in emergency assistance. ...... FULL STORY
17 Jan 2003 | Murray Goulburn 'to remain a co-op'
Paul Kerr, chief operating officer of Murray Goulburn Co-operative, has reassured shareholders that it intends to remain a farmer co-operative, irrespective of a likely expansion which would follow a takeover of Bonlac Foods. ...... FULL STORY
17 Jan 2003 | Report slams livestock export standards
A report to the Federal Government by the Independent Reference Group, convened by the Minister of Agriculture, has criticised live animal export standards... ...... FULL STORY
16 Jan 2003 | Drought threatens Qld jobs
The Queensland Farmers' Federation says the drought has already cost hundreds of jobs and will threaten thousands more this year. ...... FULL STORY
16 Jan 2003 | Wheat growers urge strong stance on US lobbying
AWB Ltd is urging the Federal Government to stand firm against lobbying by US farmers against Australia's single desk for bulk wheat exports. ...... FULL STORY
16 Jan 2003 | Satellite images pinpoint bushfire hot-spots
A bushfire-spotting system based on satellite images is now available via the Internet. ...... FULL STORY
16 Jan 2003 | Merged dairy firm would control half market
A takeover of Bonlac Foods by Murray Goulburn Co-operative would see a rationalisation of the merged entity's 10 manufacturing plants. ...... FULL STORY
16 Jan 2003 | Japan tariff hits beef exports
Japan is preparing to impose harsh tariffs on Australian beef, with an increase from 38.5 per cent to 50 per cent to be applied from August 1 until April 2004. ...... FULL STORY
15 Jan 2003 | Bonlac, Murray Goulburn in merger talks again
Two years ago, Bonlac Foods and Murray Goulburn Co-operative initiated discussions about a merger - but this first attempt failed. ...... FULL STORY
15 Jan 2003 | Warrnambool dairy may go public
Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory hopes to list on the Australian Stock Exchange soon. ...... FULL STORY
15 Jan 2003 | Now farmers face theft
Not only are farmers facing drought and the loss of stock and crops - they're now faced with thieves stealing hay and feed grain and exploiting farmers' hardships. ...... FULL STORY
15 Jan 2003 | Last call for VFF fodder drive
The Victorian Farmers' Federation is making its final call for donations of hay to send north to farmers in need. ...... FULL STORY
15 Jan 2003 | Farms top of workplace danger list
Figures from WorkSafe Victoria have once again confirmed that farms are the most dangerous workplaces in the state. ...... FULL STORY
14 Jan 2003 | Wood waste to power $60m SA plant
Plantation and timber waste will be used to produce renewable energy in a $60-million biomass power station to be built in the south-east of South Australia. ...... FULL STORY
14 Jan 2003 | Hunt for world's longest gum leaf
Carol Johnstone and her husband Greg Lee, from the northeastern Victorian town of Mount Beauty, have started a competition: to find the world's longest gum leaf. ...... FULL STORY
14 Jan 2003 | Wheat crop slashed as drought bites
Australia's wheat crop has been cut by more than two-thirds this year. ...... FULL STORY
14 Jan 2003 | Continuing the war on feral pigs
Feral pigs in New South Wales have continued to resist all efforts to eradicate them: they have survived traps, poison, pig dogs, farmers' guns and even the drought. ...... FULL STORY
14 Jan 2003 | Summer sucks heat from parched countryside
Climate experts from Monash University say record temperatures this year have contributed to the severity of the drought by causing an additional 10 per cent evaporation from water storages, rivers and soils. ...... FULL STORY
13 Jan 2003 | Wool price to soar on back of drought
Wool exporters have predicted that prices will soar, as the nation's sheep numbers approach 50-year lows. ...... FULL STORY
13 Jan 2003 | Push for bumblebees on mainland
The Federal Government is considering whether to introduce the bumblebee to mainland Australia, after studying a report for Horticulture Australia which found no adverse effects on native plants in Tasmania. ...... FULL STORY
13 Jan 2003 | Signs of El Nino breaking down
The Bureau of Meteorology says there are strong signs that the El Nino weather effect, closely connected with the drought, will break down either before or during Autumn. ...... FULL STORY
13 Jan 2003 | Full dress rehearsal for naked rain dance
The women of Ouyen in Victoria decided to do something about the low rainfall their region was suffering: inspired by a group of female dancers in Nepal who performed nude to bring on a monsoon, they decided to enact a local version. ...... FULL STORY
13 Jan 2003 | Drought erodes Qld primary produce forecast
The drought has wiped around $780 million from the forecast for Queensland's primary industry commodities for the 2002-2003 financial year, according to the December edition of a biannual report by the Department of Primary Industries. ...... FULL STORY
10 Jan 2003 | Chooks to eat GM corn pellets
Part of a 50,000-tonne shipment containing genetically-modified maize from the US was offloaded in Brisbane yesterday, as activists called for it to be returned. ...... FULL STORY
10 Jan 2003 | New Vic gold rush may deliver $600m boom
Victoria is undergoing a new gold mining boom which could deliver a $600 million economic boost to country areas. ...... FULL STORY
10 Jan 2003 | Govt pushes states on water rights
The Federal Government has commissioned experts to design a national water property rights system, putting further pressure on the states over reform and compensation issues. ...... FULL STORY
10 Jan 2003 | Wine exports surge to new highs
Exports of Australian wine have reached record levels, according to the Wine & Brandy Corporation and Wine Export Council. ...... FULL STORY
10 Jan 2003 | Livestock farmers brace for 'green drought'
Sheep and cattle farmers won't get much comfort from the drought-breaking rains predicted for March or April, with many of them facing a "green drought" - when feed is plentiful but stock are scarce and expensive. ...... FULL STORY
9 Jan 2003 | Lamb, cattle slaughter numbers rise again
Drought-stricken farmers are continuing to turn off stock, with new figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics for November 2002 showing slaughter numbers rose for the 10th month in a row. ...... FULL STORY
9 Jan 2003 | Milk levy to be extended
The levy funding the $1.73 billion dairy industry deregulation will be extended by two years until at least 2010, according to the Dairy Adjustment Authority, with another review in 2006-2007.... ...... FULL STORY
9 Jan 2003 | Battling pig farmers leaving the industry
Many of Queensland's pig farmers are quietly exiting the industry as grain prices soar, imports of pork increase and pig values drop. ...... FULL STORY
9 Jan 2003 | Farming, forestry jobs lost due to drought
Almost 70,000 jobs in farming and forestry have been lost over the past 12 months due to the drought, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. ...... FULL STORY
9 Jan 2003 | Wheat growers warned on drop in returns
As international prices continue to slide, wheat growers have been warned to expect much lower returns this year. ...... FULL STORY
8 Jan 2003 | Aust beef exports to Japan recover
Exports of Australian beef to Japan have returned to the levels achieved prior to the discovery of BSE, or "mad cow disease", in Japan in late 2001. ...... FULL STORY
8 Jan 2003 | Grain imports raise concerns
The first cargo of imported feed grain to Australia for seven years will arrive in Brisbane today. ...... FULL STORY
8 Jan 2003 | Drought hits dairy production and exports
New data from the Australian Dairy Corporation show that the drought has hit milk production, the manufacture of cheese and the value of dairy exports. ...... FULL STORY
8 Jan 2003 | Honey prices soar as industry does it hard
Honey prices have increased substantially over the past year due to a slump in production brought about by the drought. ...... FULL STORY
8 Jan 2003 | Tough task ahead for sugar industry reformer
Agribusiness expert Bob Granger, chosen by the Federal Government to drive its sugar industry reform plan, says the industry faces a huge challenge. ...... FULL STORY
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