News

Fungus the new frontline in fleabane fight

A natural fungal agent specific to flaxleaf fleabane weeds is entering the final phase of development for eventual field deployment. Flaxleaf fleabane (Conyza bonariensis), which is now widespread across northwest Victoria, is one of the grain...

29 Mar 2025

News

Guard against mice this sowing season

Northwest Victorian farmers are being urged to check paddocks for increased mouse numbers in the lead up to sowing. The latest meeting of the National Mouse Group (NMG) has received widespread reports of moderate to high mouse activity from the...

29 Mar 2025

Innovation

Audreys in action on farmings frontline

Behind farming’s frontline – and in the paddocks – is a diverse and dynamic network of researchers working hard with growers and industry to redefine the role of pulses in Australian farming. Audrey Delahunty is one of...

29 Mar 2025

News

Swan Hill livestock exchange under cloud

THE future of the Swan Hill Livestock Exchange, which has been running since 1938, is open for debate after its owner and operator Swan Hill Rural City Council reported the exchange has operated at a loss for several years. Mayor Cr Stuart King said...

29 Mar 2025

Opinion

Politicians must be reminded who they work for

This is the first of a regular series of columns coming from the VFF president Brett Hosking, a northwest Victorian graingrower, which will appear in each edition of the North West Farmer to update all farmers about their industry. As we gear up for...

29 Mar 2025

News

Young farmers had a ball

It was a packed house at the second annual formal event for the Birchip Cropping Group Young Farmer Network Ball in Swan Hill last week, picking up where the highly successful sold-out event in 2024 left off. Featuring live music by That Guy, the...

21 Mar 2025

Planning for the future, now and in the long-term

WITH the cost of farming per hectare at an all-time high, Australian graingrowers are facing increasing pressure to make informed, strategic business decisions. The balance between maximising production and ensuring profitability has...

08 Mar 2025

North West Farmer

Guidance on sheep chemical treatments

The wool market has enough challenges without blindly going ahead and creating some of its own. Which is why AWI program manager animal wellbeing and industry resilience, Carolina Diaz, said it’s critical woolgrowers understand and...

08 Mar 2025

North West Farmer

Mildura researcher named industry leader

MILDURA-based Agriculture Victoria researcher Audrey Delahunty has been recognised for her major contribution to the grains industry despite her still emerging career. Dr Delahunty and agricultural consultant Cam Nicholson have each...

28 Feb 2025

Dairy

Were too busy to be burnt out yet

I FEEL as though I’ve spent the past month putting out fires – literally and figuratively. Shout out and thanks to all the volunteer firefighters who came to our farm a week ago, it’s pretty incredible how fast they came and how well organised...

22 Feb 2025

Opinion

Trickle or torrent - this is Australia

RIGHT now, Australian farming has got bigger problems than climate change. We are struggling to simply cope with climate constant. This is the stuff of drought and flooding rains. Take Hamilton in the heart of Victoria’s Western District – in the...

22 Feb 2025

Dryland Farming

Harvesting the power of progress in the Mallee

COMING off a tough 2024 for most farmers across northwest Victoria, Mallee Sustainable Farming is ramping up a new series of programs, research initiatives, and events in 2025 to support dryland farmers. And not just in Victoria but also into...

21 Feb 2025

North West Farmer

Harvest is rolling and so is the wildlife

COLIN FREE THE wine grape harvest is now in full swing, with the earlier ripening white varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio coming off first. Although the other whites and reds won’t be too far away. And I’m delighted to...

21 Feb 2025

North West Farmer

Grain records fall but Victoria misses out

GRAIN receival sites in the GrainCorp network have recorded their highest receivals in more than 10 years, with receival records falling in Queensland and New South Wales. Harvest activity has wound up across both states and in Victoria, with totals...

21 Feb 2025

Citrus, Stone Fruit & Nuts

Leading the way to the almond industrys future

Almonds Australia chief executiveTHE almond industry’s new leadership program is officially underway. The first intake includes representatives from three states and all of the major growing regions: Jo-Anne Bond (Almondco), Matt...

21 Feb 2025

News

Specialist focus on rural stomal therapy

CULGOA-based Emily Mudge has launched Sunflower Nursing – Ostomy and Wound Solutions to deliver a much-needed allied medical support service for regional and rural areas across northwest Victoria. Born and raised in the Mallee region, Ms Mudge has...

21 Feb 2025

Livestock

Combo is king when it comes to drenches

WHEN it comes to managing worms in sheep, combination drenches are one of the most valuable tools in your toolkit. However, often the questions ‘but why is this the case?’ and ‘if I use a combination drench, won’t the worms develop...

21 Feb 2025