National Rural News

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Fed Govt to buy back irrigation licences

The Federal Government plans to kick-start the stalled $10 billion national water plan by buying back irrigator licences.

Queenslanders offered flood relief

Flood-affected farmers and business operators in Queensland have been offered grants of up to $25,000 to get back on their feet.

Big rains cause disease problems

The big wet across New South Wales in recent weeks has caused hundreds of cattle to come down with the insect-borne disease, three-day sickness.

Water theft penalty under fire

A Victorian water authority has criticised the penalty given to a man who admitted stealing water.

Miner fined over spill

The operator of Australia's biggest open-pit hold mine has been fined $25,000 for breaching Western Australia's Environmental Protection Act.

WA miners look to import skilled workers

West Australian mines desperate for skilled labor may soon add a contingent of Polish miners to their ranks.

Wool prices ease

Wool prices have eased across the country, after a jump in the value of the Australian dollar, and a lack of buyer interest.

Sugar chief in line for top wheat job

An Australian may soon be named the head of the Canadian Wheat Board.

Wheat export industry needs safeguards

There are fears in the wheat industry that the looming deregulation of the export market will result in an uneven playing field.

Crop plantings up after record prices

The latest international grain market report says prices of wheat and soyabeans have soared to new records in the past two months.

Vets call for biosecurity change

The Australian Veterinary Association says more qualified people need to be put in charge of national biosecurity.

Rodeos to be monitored by RSPCA

Tasmanian rodeo organisers say extra scrutiny of this year's Australia Day events won't reveal any animal welfare problems.

Darling fish stocks damaged by drought

Although water is again flowing down the Darling River in far western New South Wales, local indigenous communities say fish stocks aren't what they used to be.

New world shearing record

A Kiwi shearer has smashed the world record for strongwool ewes, shearing 560 sheep in eight hours.