Rare Species of Macadamia Found near Rockhampton, Queensland
A rare species of macadamia trees has been found near Rockhampton in Queensland, thanks to a keen naturalist and some handy satellite imaging software. Thirty-seven jansenii trees were located by Keith Sarnadsky, a retired cane Farm Manager. Jansenii are the smallest native Australian macadamia species, producing small, bitter nuts. Until the discovery, it was thought […]
The Borne Solution: Wearable Technology Set to Revolutionise the Way Cattle Farmers Monitor Animal Health
US-based Livestock Labs is set to shake up livestock management with the development of Embedivet, a remote monitoring system which tracks valuable information about the health status of cattle. The system includes an Embedivet chip which is implanted beneath the skin of each animal in a herd, recording vital data including body temperature, stress factors, […]
Darling Saffron: Australia Aims for the High End of the Market
It’s the world’s most expensive spice, more valuable than gold and with a rich history dating back to Persia nearly 3,500 years ago. Saffron – the stigmas plucked from the crocus flower – has been used as a key spice in middle eastern and asian cuisine, but also as a dye, medicine and fragrance. Australia’s […]
Economists Predict a Bumper Year for Australian Agriculture
Rural Bank has forecast a solid year for Australian agriculture including strengthening cattle prices, farm gate milk values and an increasing average prices for lamb and mutton. Despite the trying conditions of 2018, Rural Bank’s recently released Australian Agriculture Outlook indicated that strong global demand for Australian produce is likely to offset declining supply levels […]
A Small-Scale Solution for a Big Problem: Small Farming Robots for Every Tom, Dick and Harry
Driverless tractors, bumper crops and an end to herbicide resistance. Despite the hype in recent years, the new agricultural revolution that technology promised is yet to be fully realised. While precision agriculture technologies have made significant inroads into sustainability gains, most still rely on a significant input from a human component, whether it be the […]
Australian Milk Production Could Hit 20 Year Low
A decline in the national dairy herd could lead to milk production being reduced to a 20 year low, according to a report released this month by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES). ABARES’ recent Agricultural Commodities report has forecast the production of milk to have declined to 8.1 billion […]
Flexible Work Arrangements: How to Navigate Applications for Employee Flexibility
A recent ruling by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) could increase access to flexible work conditions for employees, requiring a new approach for all employers engaging workers under a modern award. From the beginning of December 2018, employers are required to make a sufficient attempt to reach an agreement with a staff member requesting workplace […]