News
Technology in Agriculture
Drone Survey Making a Positive Step Towards Better Agricultural Regulations
Cattle mustering is a crucial part of the livestock industry for herding and gathering cattle for various purposes such as vaccinating, sorting and transportation. Traditionally, cattle mustering has been done on horseback or with the use of helicopters, but with the advancements in drone technology, a new opportunity for the industry has been created.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is now asking manufacturers who use or plan to use drones for mustering and spraying a series of question to help improve the regulatory framework.
Working in Agriculture
More women and young people are entering the agricultural workforce.
According to a 2021 census analysis, more young people, women, and people from diverse cultural backgrounds are choosing to work in agriculture.
Local Events
Feed Gap Workshops
Feed Gap Workshops With Dr Jillian Kelly (AHN Consulting) BVSc
North West Local Land Services is pleased to be hosting 3 ADDITIONAL FREE Feed Gap Workshops in November with Dr Jillian Kelly.
As we enter another scorching summer, it's important to keep your property clear and safe from bushfire hazards. The NSW RFS is part of every rural community and work together with farmers to help make their communities safer. The NSW RFS has a strong partnership with the NSW Farmers Association to help mitigate and respond to the threat of fires.
Technology in Agriculture
Farmbot – monitoring Australia’s water sources with precision agriculture
There are over 430,000 rural water tanks in Australia, as well as over 1,000,000 dams, reservoirs, and other bodies of water. Despite their critical role in keeping farms irrigated, very few of these water storage facilities are monitored in real time.
Farmbot, an Australian agricultural technology company, is attempting to change this.
Handling Climates in Agriculture
Navigating the Challenge of Changing Climates – Both Economic and Weather Conditions
In the context of changing weather patterns and economic conditions, there has never been a more opportune moment for strategic planning in the cattle and lamb industry. With the climate becoming increasingly unpredictable, and the economic climate presenting its own set of challenges, it's essential for livestock producers to adopt forward-thinking strategies.
Weather in Agriculture
Finally, an El Nio has been declared by the BoM. What does this mean?
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Australia is now experiencing an El Niño climate phenomenon.
The World Meteorological Organisation, the UN's weather agency, issued a similar warning in July after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the US government issued its own pronouncement that El Niño was underway in June. A "surge in global temperatures and disruptive weather and climate patterns" was predicted for the entire world.
Tech in Agriculture
Norco has launched an augmented reality game to give children a taste of farm life
It's not uncommon to see headlines highlighting how little children understand about how their food is produced, with research indicating that many children believe their food comes from a supermarket or their own refrigerator.
While many children never visit farms, technology now allows farms to be transported to children - at least in a technological sense.
Agricultural Biosecurity
Malaysia has suspended live cattle exports from Australia due to disease concerns
The federal government has initiated urgent talks with Malaysia after suspending Australian live cattle exports from several facilities due to concerns about an outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD).
Malaysia, like Indonesia, has halted cattle exports from four Australian facilities while authorities conduct additional testing.
Agricultural Biosecurity
Trade has come to a halt as Indonesia reports more LSD infections.
The Federal Government confirmed this week that eight more Australian cattle tested positive for lumpy skin disease after arriving in Indonesia, where the disease is widespread.
The development, which comes despite extensive recent testing of 1000 cattle in Australia that found no trace of the disease, is set to halt further trade of Australian cattle to Indonesia until Australia's LSD status is resolved.
Agribusiness
Tips for rural businesses to see through scams
Scams are not new, but they are becoming far more sophisticated and have grown exponentially in recent years. They sound like the work of science fiction novelists. From impersonating loved ones and known business contacts to infiltrating existing text message threads to exploit trust.
Pests in Agriculture
Varroa mite detected for the first time in Kempsey; DPI says eradication is still possible.
Bee hives will be destroyed on the mid-north coast of New South Wales after the damaging varroa mite was discovered for the first time in Kempsey.