Could the Big Orange be about to make a big comeback?
One of Australia’s iconic “big things” looks set to be revived as a tourist attraction after sitting dormant in South Australia’s Riverland region for almost 20 years. ⌘ Read more

How being crowned a ‘queen’ helped propel these women into the agriculture spotlight
Like many farming areas, women’s roles in the apple orchards of Donnybrook went relatively unrecognised in the 1950s. But the region’s Apple Queen competition helped to change that. ⌘ Read more

Grower calls for compulsory fruit fly traps on farms in South Australia amid new outbreaks
After three years and almost 40 outbreaks, a fruit grower is calling for the government to mandate traps in commercial orchards. It comes as backyard fruit growers call for more education on the pest. ⌘ Read more

Grape growers eye off diverse new markets for export
Wine exporters across regional Victoria are building stronger ties with overseas countries to offload a glut of red wine, in what is being described as one of the most challenging harvests the sector has ever seen. ⌘ Read more

Farmers of wild Fijian coffee embrace agritourism with ‘paddock-to-plate’ cafe
One of Fiji’s first agritourism ventures is introducing tourists to the taste of the country’s wild coffee and it’s supporting Fijian women to become financially independent in the process. ⌘ Read more

Producer warns ‘fussy’ consumers could jeopardise local fruit and vegetable industry
With flavour the number one priority for this local grower, Rick Scoones says he’s not willing to change his farming practices for buyers focused on cosmetic appearance. ⌘ Read more

Tassie apple variety Southern Bliss about to enter market as national harvest numbers drop
Tasmanian apples could fetch top prices this season, with its apple season escaping the bad weather that plagued interstate orchards. ⌘ Read more

Why this native fly could help Australia’s biggest blueberry-growing region
A native fly species could be key to pollinating crops across Australia’s biggest blueberry-growing region, which is affected by an outbreak of bee-killing parasite, the varroa mite. ⌘ Read more

Expect to see less canned tomatoes on supermarket shelves this year
SPC-branded canned tomato products will not be produced again until next year as Victorian tomato growers are struggling to recover after flooding and hail. ⌘ Read more

How farmers use sunbeds, sunscreen to give their apples the perfect hue
These apples get a beauty treatment to make them more appealing to customers who ”buy with their eyes”. ⌘ Read more

First Fleet cuttings from the Hill of Hermitage created these vineyards. Now they’re under threat
When a pest epidemic destroyed most vineyards across Europe in the late 1800s, Australia’s untouched syrah, or shiraz, vines became the oldest remaining vine rootstock. Now something new threatens them again. ⌘ Read more

Would you try quandong-flavoured coffee?
A small WA business is using the native Australian fruit quandong as a key ingredient in its products, including a coffee blend created as a tribute to the owner’s late daughter. ⌘ Read more

Morale among fruit growers ‘as low as it’s ever been’ as wild hailstorm wreaks havoc in Victoria
The third major storm of the season, described as a “mini-cyclone”, has ”wiped out” what was left of apple crops in the region and robbed some growers of a year’s worth of income. ⌘ Read more

Farmers say crop losses from floods could have been avoided with better road drainage
Victorian farmers are calling for better management of culverts along the Murray Valley Highway, or the addition of more, to help stop paddocks flooding in the future. ⌘ Read more

Hot chips back on the menu as potato shortage eases, but for how long?
Wet weather and fewer potato imports are creating trying times for fish and chips shops, but growers say the start of the potato harvest across Tasmania and Victoria should ease demand. ⌘ Read more

Dahlias go viral as social media makes these classic blooms cool again
From their humble origins as a cottage garden staple, dahlias are experiencing a resurgence in popularity thanks to the power of social media — and James Bond. ⌘ Read more

Is the potato the best vegetable?
Waxy or floury. Duck fat or oil. What is the best all round potato and should you keep them in the fridge? ⌘ Read more

Humble $26 bottle of Clare Valley chardonnay wins world’s best at prestigious wine awards
Taylors Wines took home the top prize at Germany’s prestigious Mundus Vini Grand International Wine Awards, beating more than 7,500 wines from around the world. ⌘ Read more

‘Game-changer’ deal sees Australian avocados to set sail for India
A free-trade agreement and access to the Indian market of 1.5 billion people is being hailed as “the light at the end of the tunnel” for avocado growers following a recent avo “glut”. ⌘ Read more

Shifts in weather are causing Italian families to rethink an inter-generational tradition
Italian-Australian communities are facing uncertainty over whether they’ll be able to keep their annual sauce-making tradition this year due to a tomato shortage. ⌘ Read more

Wineries ‘rapt’ as infield grape sorting makes processing quicker and easier
As the grape harvest draws to a close, trucks are delivering fruit to wineries — but their loads carry more than just grapes, which is why infield sorters are growing in popularity. ⌘ Read more

Gardening Talkback March 11 2023
Gardening Talkback March 11 2023 ⌘ Read more

Billionaire Andrew Forrest doubles mango footprint in WA’s Gascoyne
Andrew Forrest’s Harvest Road Group will double its mango footprint in northern WA ⌘ Read more

Peter’s business relies on water, but too much of it has left him with no income
River Murray floodwaters wiped out Peter Singh’s Renmark vineyard late last year — and now he is faced with the difficult question of what to do next: rebuild or sell? ⌘ Read more

Wineries eye further opportunities in US as producers continue to feel the squeeze from China tariffs
More than two years after China placed tariffs on Australian wine, SA producers are still looking for alternative markets for their product. ⌘ Read more

Lucy has barely bought fruit in 12 years. As rate hikes hit hard, here’s how she keeps her pantry full
As the cost of living soars, some people are growing their own fruit and vegetables as a community to help keep grocery bills down. ⌘ Read more

Bringing the bugs back to this winery has saved time, money — and insects
The global population of insects has declined by 41 per cent in the past 40 years, with researchers saying the overuse of chemicals in agriculture is a key reason. ⌘ Read more

Laura Wishart working hard ‘to prove them wrong’ after taking over family’s vineyard
One sure way to make Laura Wishart commit to something is to tell her she cannot do it, and after throwing herself into the management of a vineyard north of Albany she is proving her detractors wrong. ⌘ Read more

Well-known Tasmanian wine brand to be bottled interstate
Josef Chromy wines have been bottled in their home state for years. Now a multi-million-dollar expansion plan will see it move to South Australia. ⌘ Read more

Move over Hass, new avocado varieties are being planted in Australia
Three new avocado varieties have landed on Australian shores in a bid to provide consumers with more options. ⌘ Read more

Farmers stripped of 12 months’ income by freak hailstorm want changes to disaster recovery arrangements
Some Queensland farmers lost 100 per cent of their crops during vicious weather last year but didn’t receive government support as no disaster was declared. As climate change gets worse, they fear for their futures. ⌘ Read more