The NSW Government has announced a two-year extension of six water sharing plans across the Murrumbidgee, Macquarie-Bogan, Gwydir, Lachlan, Belubula, Namoi and Peel regions to implement recommendations to their replacements. 

Executive Director of Water Planning Giselle Howard said water sharing plans are legal documents which lay out clear rules for the equitable and sustainable distribution of water among users over a 10-year period. 

“We’ve extended six plans by an extra two years to give us more time to collect detailed data, complete analysis and hear from stakeholders which will help inform each new water sharing plan that will now come into effect on 1 July 2025,” Ms Howard said. 

The following water sharing plans will remain in effect until 30 June 2025: 

• Water Sharing Plan for the Murrumbidgee Unregulated River Water Sources2012

• Water Sharing Plan for the Macquarie-Bogan Unregulated Rivers Water Sources 2012

• Water Sharing Plan for the Gwydir Unregulated River Water Sources 2012

• Water Sharing Plan for the Lachlan Unregulated River Water Sources 2012

• Water Sharing Plan for the BelubulaRegulated River Water Source 2012

• Water Sharing Plan for the Namoi andPeel Unregulated Rivers Water Sources2012

Rural Aid has thrown its support behind a campaign to help Australians better understand where their food comes, how to eat seasonally and ways they can stretch their “food dollars”. The National Farmers Federation (NFF) inspired campaign featuring Sydney-based culinary experts Alex Elliott-Howery and Jaimee Edwards from Cornersmith will showcase a different Aussie-grown product every week for the next six weeks. Recent research commissioned by the NFF found that 51 per cent of the Australian population is “extremely” concerned about fresh food and grocery costs. 

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said it’s concerning that same number of people said they only “know a little” about Australian farming and agriculture, according to the new research.

Mr Warlters said while Australian farmers were world-renowned for the quality of their produce and their efficiency, closer to home many people were less familiar with how their food was grown and how to make the most of their food purchases.

The adventure begins this week on the Australian Farmers social media accounts. Tips, tricks, recipes and farmer profiles can be found at farmers.org.au

A research report released by CSIRO and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has shown that the Australian red meat and livestock industry has reduced its net greenhouse gas emissions by 65% since 2005.

According to MLA’s Managing Director, Jason Strong, the reduction in red meat industry GHG emissions in 2020 was partly explained by reductions in livestock numbers following the years of drought leading into 2020.

“The number of livestock on the ground has an influence on industry’s overall emissions, and we know these numbers will fluctuate with seasonal and market conditions,” Mr Strong said.

The new research report examined the production of beef cattle, sheep for meat, and goats, as well as the domestic processing of these animals.

Emissions were attributed to the red meat industry based on animal numbers, feed intake, livestock processed, and resource use. It’s part of the industry’s work in annually benchmarking its GHG footprint, which has been occurring since 2015.

“MLA and the red meat industry are ready to further reduce emissions” Mr Strong said.

National Farmers’ Federation has released a new certification scheme, aimed at helping farmers choose tools and services which protect their farm data.

NFF Vice President and Chair of the new Certification Panel, David Jochinke, says the scheme is about informing farmers and lifting industry standards.

“We’re in the digital farming era, and the volume and value of our data is growing every day. There’s a gold mine of industry data held with service providers. 

“The certification has been developed over an 18-month period with support from the Australian Government and in consultation with farmers and product providers.

“What we’ve learned is that farmers want a simple answer: do providers meet the standard or not? That means to get certified under the code is a high threshold, with providers having to meet 100% of the requirements.

“Those that don’t meet the standard will be offered an assessment report, made public on the NFF website, so farmers can dig into the detail for themselves.”

“If you’re a business that holds farmers’ data, now’s the time to get in touch.”

“Farmers should start looking for the certification tick and asking their providers whether they’re certified against the Code. As a voluntary scheme, it’s that market pressure that will ultimately lift standards and keep everyone accountable.”

For more information go to https://nff.org.au/programs/australian-farm-data-code/

The National Farmers’ Federation is pleased to announce that its President, Fiona Simson, has been elected overnight as a Director of the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO). 

At the 2023 World Farmers’ Organisation General Assembly, held in Sun City, South Africa, Fiona Simson was elected to represent the Oceania Constituency of the WFO. The Oceania Constituency represents farmers in Australia and New Zealand. 

“Farmers are at the forefront of the big issues facing the world. When it comes to climate change, food security, economic development and environmental protection, farmers are part of the solution. 

“It’s important that when discussions are being held at the global level on issues impacting on agriculture, Australian farmers will be able to have a voice in those discussions. 

“A strong voice for Oceania in the WFO provides an opportunity for NFF to communicate Australian industry and government approaches in these global forums. 

“It is essential to food and fibre producers a strong voice on the big global issues.” 

The World Farmers’ Organisation is the global voice for farmers across the world. It represents farmers in international forums through the ‘Farmer Constituency’ a collaboration of farmers organisations from diverse countries. 

“The World Farmers’ Organisation is at the heart of global discussions. Whether its COP or the UN Food Systems Summit, the WFO has a seat at the table. As a Director, I can ensure Australian farmers are heard at the highest levels. This can only be a positive for Aussie farmers. 

Ms Simson also paid tribute to Katie Milne, the outgoing WFO Vice President and Oceania Board Director. “Katie Milne has been a phenomenal representative of farmers in Australia and New Zealand. I’m proud to be able to carry on Katie’s work, ensuring that the voices of farmers in our region are heard everyday around the world.” 

NSW Farmers has warned the federal government against hiking costs to operate trucks and tractors in the proposed Fuel Efficiency Standard. 

Energy Minister Chris Bowen and Transport Minister Catherine King announced a Fuel Efficiency Standard would be introduced as part of Australia’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy, aimed at driving cleaner, cheaper to run vehicles.The ministers said Australians households and businesses are missing out on more efficient vehicles, which could save motorists $519 per year in fuel costs. 

Farmers were fearful, however, that the fuel standards could make it more expensive to run the diesel vehicles that form the backbone of Australia’s farm sector and transport fleet, in turn increasing the cost of food and goods for consumers. 

NSW Farmers Energy Transition Working Group chair Reg Kidd said there were no commercial alternatives to diesel-powered trucks and tractors, and Australia’s large size meant electric vehicles were still not an option to keep the country running. 

“There’s a lot of promise in electric vehicles, but the farm and transport sectors are a long way from broad-scale adoption, the technology’s just not there yet,” Mr Kidd said. 

“People can choose to drive an electric car to get around town, but you still can’t drive from Dubbo to Broken Hill in one – the distances between charging stations are too great. 

“We want people in rural, remote and regional communities to be involved in this discussion, not sidelined as a consequence of a narrow thinking.” 

“Genuine engagement and consultation is critical here, because what works even in a large center like Orange doesn’t work further out at West Wyalong,” Mr Kidd said. 

“Good intentions alone just won’t cut it, people are keen to do their bit in reducing pollution, but we need to be careful we don’t also reduce our ability to feed ourselves.”

Australia’s most trusted rural charity, Rural Aid, has today opened its fourth annual Spirit of the Bush photography competition.The winning twelve photographs will be used in Rural Aid’s stunning 2024 calendar.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said he was excited to see what the bush’s talented photographers had captured this year.

“The photographs that are submitted are always breathtakingly raw, real, and reflect the highs and lows of life on the land,” Mr Warlters said.

“I hope to see dozens of photos of successful crops, happy working dogs and fat cattle.”

“On the flipside, the pictures of flooded creeks and empty paddocks tell a sobering, but equally important, story,” said Mr Walters. “I’d encourage anyone with a love, and eye, for the bush, to send their photos in.”

Photographers are encouraged to submit their photos to the themes of; family, community, mates, faces, eyes, tough, golden hour (sunrise/sunset), or all things rural.

Winners will be awarded a feature in the 2024 calendar, and a $250 pre-paid VISA card. Rural Aid’s 2024 calendar will be available for purchase later this year. Proceeds will directly support Rural Aid’s range of programs that help farmers and their families.

The competition closes May, 29 2023. To enter the competition, entrants must submit a high-resolution, landscape image via Instagram or Facebook, with the hashtag #SOTB2023 and tag @ruralaid in the picture, or upload their photo through the Woobox link: www.ruralaid.org.au/spirit-of-the-bush