Pip Courtney

Brisbane

TV Presenter and Reporter at ABC News (Australia)

Rural journalist Australia

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Articles

Microbial soil fertiliser trial shows early success on Tasmanian farms

4 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Pip Courtney

A group of Tasmanian dairy farmers is hopeful tiny organisms in the soil could soon offer a cheaper, climate-friendly alternative to synthetic fertiliser. They've made more than 500 hectares available on eight farms for a pasture trial to measure whether microscopic soil organisms can supply nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK), the three essential elements in most commercial fertilisers.
Crushed basalt used in roads could cut expensive fertiliser bills, trap carbon dioxide

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Pip Courtney

A growing number of scientists in Australia and overseas are investigating whether finely crushed basalt could reduce the need for expensive fertilisers. If successful, it could help farmers cut costs while removing carbon from the atmosphere. Basalt, a commonly found rock in Australia, forms from rapidly cooled lava and is rich in minerals such as magnesium and calcium. Many Australians know it as "blue metal", the gravel often used in road bases, driveways,concrete mixes and landscaping.
Could this Aussie purple plum hold the key to preventing dementia?

2 months ago | rnz.co.nz | Pip Courtney

By Pip Courtney, ABCScientists at three Australian universities believe a dark purple plum bred in Queensland could help delay or even prevent dementia. Researchers at the University of Wollongong, the University of Queensland and Victoria University are testing juice from the Queen Garnet plum to see if it can protect the brain. While each team's work is in its infancy, Victoria University's Michael Mathai said the results are very promising.
Why scientists and a Hollywood star are excited about this Australian plum

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Pip Courtney

Scientists at three Australian universities believe a dark purple plum bred in Queensland could help delay, or even prevent, dementia. Researchers at the University of Wollongong, the University of Queensland and Victoria University are testing juice from the Queen Garnet plum to see if it can protect the brain. While each team's work is in its infancy, Victoria University's Michael Mathai says the results are very promising.
Super plum boosts brain health

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Pip Courtney

The Queen Garnet plum is the spectacular result of an early 2000's stone fruit breeding program in Queensland: when the plums were fed to obese rats, there was a stunning turnaround in their health.
Rice farming science in race to reduce grain's climate change impacts

Mar 22, 2025 | abc.net.au | Tim Lee |Courtney Wilson |Pip Courtney |Halina Baczkowski |Kath Sullivan |Kerry Staight | +1 more

The livelihood of the world's 150 million rice farmers comes with a cruel paradox. Many are among the poorest in the world, living in regions hardest hit by climate change, yet they depend on a crop which is worsening its effects. Rice, a staple crop feeding 4 billion people daily, contributes to 10 per cent of global human-made methane emissions.
Dogs trained to hunt raccoons used for Kangaroo Island feral cats

Mar 14, 2025 | abc.net.au | Tim Lee |Courtney Wilson |Pip Courtney |Halina Baczkowski |Kath Sullivan |Kerry Staight | +1 more

As dusk breaks on Kangaroo Island, Paul Jennings unleashes the latest weapon in the war against feral cats. It is a battle as old as time, but this time, the dogs have technology on their side. Bluetick coonhounds, which are bred in the United States for their tracking skills, are being trained to help eliminate the invasive predators. "The bloodlines have been developed there for trailing game," Mr Jennings said. "So, things like raccoons, bobcats, mountain lions and bears.
The dairy industry kills up to half a million calves each year. Some farmers say crossbreeding is a solution

Nov 23, 2024 | abc.net.au | Pip Courtney

Victorian dairy farmer Roisin Powles says farmers do not like killing newborn bobby calves on farms or sending them to abattoirs. But she says it has long been the only option. "The whole idea of this little calf, a week old, going through the yard process, going on that big long truck ride, through the abattoir, it's just not pretty from any angle," Ms Powles said. "Nobody likes it.
Fast food chains help savvy farmers give supermarket price uncertainty the slip

Nov 6, 2024 | abc.net.au | Pip Courtney

Queensland lettuce growers Geoffrey and Anne Story stopped selling to supermarkets 30 years ago, tired of riding the roller-coaster of being price takers. "I didn't like putting a lot of product in the ground, spending a lot of money employing people and you actually didn't know whether you're going to make money this week or next," Mr Story said.
Food waste warriors redirect unwanted produce to homes, charities

Oct 26, 2024 | abc.net.au | Pip Courtney

Victorian vegetable grower Catherine Velisha says Australia's food system is broken but it isn't the supermarkets' fault. Each season, supermarkets won't buy a portion of the cauliflowers she grows because they are too small, slightly yellow from sunburn or have tiny spots of leaf rub. "There's not one player that's to blame, that's all of us, that's growers, supermarkets and shoppers," Ms Velisha said.