Lara Webster

Brisbane

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Articles

Farmers say inquiry into live sheep export ban impact on NSW a disappointment

4 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Amelia Bernasconi |Lara Webster |Michael Condon |Cara Jeffery

A NSW parliamentary inquiry heard fears that sheep prices for Australia's eastern state producers could drop heavily as live export was being phased out. The report handed down this week made only one recommendation — monitoring industry trends. NSW Farmers says it will continue to push for more action to address the impacts. Farming groups have slammed the findings of a NSW government inquiry into the impact of the live sheep export ban on the state after it delivered just one recommendation.
Farmers' feelings are mixed about ACCC report into supermarket power

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Lara Webster |Megan Hughes |Selina Green

Farmers have mixed feelings about the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's report into supermarket power. Some are happy to see increased transparency, while others are concerned the ACCC won't have enough "teeth". Some of the measures include weekly data about what supermarkets have paid for fruit and vegetables to an independent body. Recommendations made by Australia's consumer watchdog could even the playing field between farmers and supermarkets but not everyone is convinced.
Goats cheese makes history at Royal Agricultural Society dairy awards

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Michael Condon |Lara Webster

A semi-hard goats cheese made in South Australia has been named Champion Cheese. It's the first time a goats cheese has won the Royal Agricultural Society's top award. One judge said hard cheeses of this kind are "unusual and rare". For the first time in 150 years of judging, the Annual Trophy for the Champion Cheese of Show at the Royal Agricultural Society's dairy awards has been awarded to a goats cheese.
NSW Forestry Corporation overstated timber harvest data over three years

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Amelia Bernasconi |Lara Webster

The embattled Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) is under fire for overstating logging data by almost 30 per cent over the past three years. Public data shows amendments to sustainability reports that drastically reduced the reported yield from native forest logging since 2021. The data shows FCNSW, which recorded a loss of $29 million in the 2022-23 financial year, retrospectively reduced yields from public native forests in NSW by 28 per cent.
Australian wool industry slump will not deter these young growers

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Lara Webster |Joshua Becker |Tim Fookes

Australian wool production is forecast to drop to its lowest level in 100 years. The Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee (AWPFC) has predicted a 12 per cent drop in production for the 2024–25 financial year to less than 280 million kilograms. Production has not been that low since 1920–21. The bleak forecast hasn't dampened the spirits of 23-year-old Miranda McGufficke, a fifth-generation wool grower on the Monaro.
Royal Hotel at Gurley in north-west New South Wales burns down

Dec 12, 2024 | abc.net.au | Lara Webster |Brigitte Murphy

An century-old pub in north-west New South Wales where generations of families have enjoyed a cold beer has burnt to the ground overnight. Emergency services were called to the Royal Hotel at Gurley, a town with a population of about 250 people, at 8.30pm Thursday. A post on the pub's Facebook page said it had been due to close for a summer break from Friday until March. Gurley Fire Brigade member Brendan Munn was one of the first on the scene on Thursday night.
New England Rail Trail derailed as NSW, federal governments withdraw funding

Nov 25, 2024 | abc.net.au | Kristy Reading |Lara Webster

The decision to withdraw government funding for a rail trail project in northern New South Wales has been described as "heartless" by local community leaders. The New England Rail Trail project could be derailed after the state and federal governments withdrew their funding for the project. More than $14 million was granted to the Armidale and Glen Innes Severn councils as part of a program designed to rejuvenate communities affected by bushfires.
Saving a stranger's life

Nov 17, 2024 | abc.net.au | Jacob Round |Lara Webster |Peter Sanders

As well as being legally blind, Megan McLoughlin is a double transplant recipient, but battling an array of health issues has never stopped her from believing in herself.
How Knight's Choice went from the hills of Walcha to winning a Melbourne Cup

Nov 5, 2024 | abc.net.au | Kristy Reading |Haley Craig |Lara Webster

Every year the Melbourne Cup sees a fairy tale written, but the romance surrounding 2024 winner Knight's Choice is particularly heartwarming. The 80-1 outsider may have written his name into racing history books when he carried jockey Robbie Dolan to victory, but his beginnings were humble. The bay gelding was bred by Norm and Di Bazeley at Elswick Park, a thoroughbred stud at Walcha in northern New South Wales. His dam, Midnight Pearl, was bought for just $1,000.
Grain growers in northern NSW say this season's crops could be 'spectacular'

Oct 25, 2024 | abc.net.au | Cara Jeffery |Amelia Bernasconi |Lara Webster

Grain and oilseed growers in northern NSW are looking to the skies and hoping the weather cooperates to produce a stand-out harvest this year. Agronomist Paul Nelson, based at Warialda between Moree and Glen Innes, said crops in the paddock were looking good and were the best he had seen in his 45 years in the industry. "The crop is just spectacular," he said. However, Mr Nelson said the threat of forecast rain was concerning.