WITH three regional Independent MPs thrust into the role of deciding the next federal government, agricultural policies will be forefront in the minds of all political parties. Whichever way the cards fall over the days and weeks ahead, farming issues and policies will be under intense scrutiny. ... more

Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman said the State Government was committed to ensuring farmers had access to the most up-to-date and relevant information to assist in making decisions relating to the dry season.   Speaking today at the Dowerin Field Days, Mr Redman said farmers wou... more

Young people are being encouraged to ‘open their minds’ to a career in agriculture, with the launch of a new information brochure by Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman at the Dowerin Field Days.   Mr Redman said the ‘Open your mind: careers in agriculture’ o... more

20 Aug 2010 There is an existing coal exploration licence held by Anglo Coal at Sutton Forest. The licence was first granted for the area in 1984. The NSW Government has not received any application to develop a mine at Sutton Forest. An exploration licence does not confer or imply that the G... more

Two Industry & Investment NSW staff members based in Tamworth have been awarded AgQuip’s Brownhill Cup for their contribution into the research and development of the chickpea industry, Minister for Primary Industries, Steve Whan, announced today. Minister Whan congratulated senior res... more

The EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation will launch a new field site at Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 8 September to showcase cutting edge research, Minister for Primary Industries Steve Whan said today. “In a dynamic changing environment, the field site will demonstrate research that ... more

Minister for Primary Industries, Steve Whan, today congratulated Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW) for its role in the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) Pathways Team, receiving the 2010 Australian Research Council Eureka Prize for Excellence in Research by an Interdisciplinary Team. The ... more

17 Aug 2010 Forbes farmer, John Cole, has won the top prize in this year’s NSW Grassland Society hay and silage competition with an outstanding wheaten silage. Industry & Investment (I&I) NSW pasture specialist and competition organiser, Neil Griffiths, said there more than 60 ent... more

A successful industry mentoring program for future leaders in the agriculture and food industry has been expanded, Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman announced today.   The Grow Zone Mentoring Program for 2010, co-ordinated by the Rural Business Development Corporation, will be lau... more

Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman has inspected a section of the State Barrier Fence, recently upgraded to wild dog standard.   The 23km section of fence near Hyden was erected by local landholders using materials provided by the Department of Agriculture and Food.   &ldquo... more

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is advising farmers, calf buyers and transporters to ensure the welfare of bobby calves as DPI Animal Health and Welfare staff will be assessing calves at local saleyards, calf depots, scales and abattoirs this season. If calves are found to be weak and... more

Friday, August 13, 2010 The recent extreme weather conditions have made things difficult for many dairy farmers as they try to manage animal welfare and protect their paddocks and laneways from damage. But, according to Department of Primary Industries Dairy Extension Officer Rachael Ward, ther... more

The North Queensland agribusiness entrepreneur behind a new multimillion dollar development is urging others in the industry looking for investment capital to attend AgInvest 2010. Stewart Peters, an executive director of CassTech Limited, said his company found the precommercial funding it need... more

The Gaia family’s banana farm in the wet tropics of northern Queensland is testament to the balance that can be achieved between high production and a healthier environment. Recognising that they farm on the doorstep of some of the country’s most treasured natural assets, Mike, Rene ... more

It's a dirty job but somebody’s got to do it. James Cook University (JCU) veterinary science students recently got up close and personal with a herd of Oonoonba-based cattle, taking faecal and blood samples during a recent afternoon of hands-on learning. The cattle belong to the Department... more

Graziers wanting to give their balance sheets a million dollar boost will be interested in the results of a long-term Queensland Government research project. The Wambiana grazing trial on the Lyons family property near Charters Towers has been underway for the past 13 years. Department of Emplo... more

A Townsville-based Queensland government economist predicts a bright future for the region’s fruit and vegetable exporters. Paul Telford is a senior economist with the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI). Mr Telford has been analysing the economic movement... more

Beef producers and extension staff in North Queensland have been shown a new tool to help them explore whole-farm economics. Graziers and beef extension officers attended workshops in Charters Towers and Collinsville to learn how to assess the profitability of different enterprise management opt... more

The Queensland Government is profiling agribusiness investment opportunities in the region at the AgInvest 2010 Forum, which is being held in Cairns on 7-9 September. Even during the recent turbulence of world economies, the agribusiness sector has continued to deliver investors competitive retu... more

9 August 2010 “BESIEGED farmers are demanding answers,” National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President David Crombie declared. “Amid converging government, environmental and mining encroachment on our ability to farm, farmers feel frustrated and disempowered. “Be it ... more