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31 May 2005 | Parmalat stabilises profit
The operating profit of the Australian operations of dairy processor Parmalat Australia - which makes Paul's milk and Vaalia yoghurt - increased by two per cent in 2004 to $56 million, despite a steep rise in its interest bill. ...... FULL STORY
31 May 2005 | Half of all farms qualify for drought relief
About 10,000 additional farmers are expected to be eligible to benefit from additional drought relief measures announced by the federal government. ...... FULL STORY
31 May 2005 | Farm subsidies minor by standards of Europe and North America
By international standards, Australian farmers receive little government support. ...... FULL STORY
31 May 2005 | More than one third of farmers expect conditions to worsen
Farmers are more pessimistic about the rural economy than they have been in almost three years. ...... FULL STORY
30 May 2005 | One farmer in eight qualifies for drought aid
The federal government is likely to relax the assets and income test on off-farm activities, providing access to drought relief for hundreds of farmers that do not qualify now. ...... FULL STORY
30 May 2005 | Farm deposit scheme more of a tax shelter than drought relief
Treasury and the Australian Taxation Office believe some farmers are using Farm Management Deposits Scheme – designed to help them ride out the drought - as a tax shelter. ...... FULL STORY
27 May 2005 | Drought out deferred
The federal government will not announce additional drought relief measures until next week. ...... FULL STORY
25 May 2005 | Government defends drought aid
The federal government rejected criticism that drought aid for farmers was business welfare. ...... FULL STORY
24 May 2005 | Leave the land with dignity
Governments should stop "throwing money" at farmers and find a dignified way to get some to leave their properties, Professor Peter Cullen, a member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists that’s advised Cabinet on water reform. ...... FULL STORY
24 May 2005 | Credit quality in top condition despite the dry
National Australia Bank's general manager of agribusiness said non-performing loans in the agribusiness sector stood at a 15-year low of just a third of one per cent. ...... FULL STORY
24 May 2005 | More financial assistance on the way for farmers
Federal cabinet is set to announce new drought relief measures that will include increased assistance and more flexibility. ...... FULL STORY
23 May 2005 | Farmers draw down cash reserves in December quarter
Farmers drew down for a second quarter in a row in late 2004 on their tax-advantaged cash reserves held as farm management deposits. ...... FULL STORY
23 May 2005 | Cabinet may relax rules on drought assistance
The federal government is considering broader criteria for welfare payments and further interest rate subsidies for farmers. ...... FULL STORY
20 May 2005 | Farmers seeks cash grants rather than loans
Farmers are seeking individual cash grants of up to $100,000 for the worst hit farms, to stave off bankruptcy. ...... FULL STORY
19 May 2005 | Farm property values remain firm
The drought has slowed the level of interest in investment in rural properties, but prices have remained firm. ...... FULL STORY
19 May 2005 | Feds reconsider limits on drought assistance
The federal government said it would reconsider the cut-off point at which income from outside the farm would disqualify a farmer for drought assistance. ...... FULL STORY
18 May 2005 | Feds impose conditions of water funding
The federal government plans to tie $2 billion in payments to states to facilitate reinvestment in water and irrigation systems to reform of industrial relations laws. ...... FULL STORY
18 May 2005 | Government leans on banks over farm debt
The deputy prime minister John Anderson held private talks with the National Australia Bank and the Australian Bankers Association to convince financiers to keep bankrolling farmers through the worsening dry. ...... FULL STORY
17 May 2005 | Some farmers face fourth year of drought
Farmers struggling with years of drought desperately need extra financial help from the government, the NSW Farmers' Association president says. ...... FULL STORY
16 May 2005 | Government forecasts return to normal conditions
The federal government has budgeted for a one third reduction in assistance for drought relief over the next four years, estimates the Cattle Council says either means the government expects wetter conditions soon, or... ...... FULL STORY
16 May 2005 | NSW drought worse than 2002
Preliminary findings from a survey of 250 farmers conducted by the NSW Farmers Association suggests that 10 per cent have been refused credit assistance from the bank. ...... FULL STORY
13 May 2005 | Tax break extended for forestry schemes
Investors will continue to be able to claim tax deductions for any up-front subscriptions paid to a managed investment scheme that specialises in forestry plantations. ...... FULL STORY
12 May 2005 | Roberts targets Ruralco
Tasmanian-based rural services group Roberts said it wanted to takeover NSW-based services provider Ruralco. ...... FULL STORY
12 May 2005 | Landmark severs ties with Rabobank
Wheat exporter AWB severed a nine-year relationship between its Landmark subsidiary and Dutch financier Rabobank. ...... FULL STORY
9 May 2005 | Milk prices firm
Australian milk production is tipped to be lower than last season, prices remain firm. ...... FULL STORY
6 May 2005 | Reduced wheat crop hurts GrainCorp
Grain handler and marketer GrainCorp downgraded its profit forecast for 2005 to between $10 million and $12 million, compared to earlier forecasts of $14 million to $16 million. ...... FULL STORY
5 May 2005 | Mallee and northern Wimmera qualify for drought subsidies
About 2,300 farmers in Victoria's Mallee and northern Wimmera will be able to qualify for drought assistance, following a decision by the agriculture minister to include the two areas as eligible for an “exceptional circumstances” declaration. ...... FULL STORY
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