Four wheels, one life: kick-starting National Farm Safety Week
Farmers are being urged to take more care on their four wheeled motorbikes during this year’s National Farm Safety Week, as the number of fatalities from quad bike accidents reaches 12 deaths so far this year. “In the past 10 years, over 130 lives have been tragically lost on Australian farms due to quad bike […]
Under the microscope: New research body on coal seam gas
A new research body may assist farmers and rural communities to understand the complex social and environmental challenges around the emerging coal seam gas (CSG) industry in Australia, says the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF). GISERA, or the Gas Industry Social and Environmental Research Alliance, is a jointly-funded partnership between CSIRO and the gas alliance Australian […]
Have your say: the 2011 Ag Census
The 2011 ABS Agricultural Census collects information on agricultural production throughout Australia, the contribution of agriculture to the national economy, and the management practices being adopted by Australian farmers. Some 170,000 farmers and rural businesses across the country have been asked to take part in the Agricultural Census. The information gathered is used to measure […]
Carbon concessions – but still a cost for Australian farmers
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has today acknowledged moves by the Government to reduce the cost burden for Australian farmers from the carbon tax and to assist agriculture develop genuine carbon mitigation options through new R&D. “Over the past three years, the NFF has continually reinforced concerns about the impact this carbon tax will have […]
Australian rice growers the next carbon casualty
The carbon tax will severely affect the ability of Australian rice growers to produce their staple food crop, new research released by the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia and National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has shown. The research, conducted by independent researcher Australian Farm Institute (AFI), shows that a carbon tax with agricultural fuel included will add […]
Industry statement: live export trade
The livestock industry welcomes the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig’s announcement that the Australian Government has lifted the suspension on the live cattle trade to Indonesia, under new conditions that will assure the welfare of Australian cattle throughout the supply chain. While this is an important first step for cattle […]
Fuelling the farm: uncertainty on tax for agricultural fuel
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has today reiterated the major concern by farmers over the future taxation of fuel used by agriculture and the supply chain. NFF President Jock Laurie says that rather than provide assurances to farmers, the Government’s announcement that fuel for families, retirees and small businesses will be exempt from the carbon […]
Sell only what we don't need
An opinion piece by NFF President Jock Laurie appears in today’s Australian, providing clarity around the foreign investment debate and the need to separate it from issues around mining v agriculture. While foreign investment has traditionally been positive for Australian agriculture, in the wake of the ‘other GFC’, the global food crisis, the motives of […]
Carbon tax another blow for cattle producers
The Government’s announcement that petrol will be excluded from the proposed carbon tax has offered little relief for Australian cattle growers, with a lack of clarity about whether agricultural fuel will be taxed. If fuel used in agricultural production is included, the tax will slug beef producers with an extra $7,000 in costs every year, […]
Bridging the divide: FarmDay 2011
NFF President Jock Laurie and his family hosted a city family on their farm at Walcha in North West NSW for FarmDay 2011. Concord residents Mark and Rachel Batkin and their children, Amy, 12, and Nathan, 9, spent a weekend with the Laurie family, learning about life on the land as part of the FarmDay […]