Shoring up housing and education in the bush will be key to keeping up with increasing demand. A Regional Australia Institute survey shows close to 40% of capital city residents are considering moving to the regions. Rural editor Emily Minney caught up with chief executive Liz Ritchie to hear more about why policy makers need to be looking to the future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: supermarkets facing scrutiny, more city-dwellers heading bush, landholders reaping the benefit of renewable projects -- plus the latest from the markets and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Rural News Thursday November 21 In today's National Rural News: Farmers react as supermarket operations remains in the spotlight, Australia officially in a cattle herd destock, the effort to save 'imperfect' cherries from landfill -- plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest figures suggest the cattle herd is in an official destock, despite soaring production.  The Bureau of Statistics data has found the last quarter saw the largest slaughter rate in nearly a decade.  While more than a million tonnes has been produced, the third highest on record behind 2014 and 2015 Rural Reporter Dusty Fitzpatrick caught  up with Meat and Livestock Australia Spokesman Stephen Bignell to discuss the data. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Rural News Wednesday November 20.  In today's National Rural News: Supermarkets loyalty program in the spotlight, grain handlers accept new pay deal, calls for more medical researchers in the bush -- plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New South Wales Opposition is calling on the state government to learn from the recent disaster in Broken Hill.  The Nationals are pushing for a Natural Disaster Declaration for the Walgett Shire in the state's North-West, after at least a dozen properties were damaged in a freak storm.  Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke with state Nationals Leader Dugauld Saunders about what the government needs to do next.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Rural News Tuesday November 19 In today's National Rural News: Supermarkets grilled by competition watchdog, community backs live sheep trade, where shoppers are buying their meat -- plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Industry and advocates are continuing to push for the federal government to repeal the ban on the export of live sheep.  A new nationwide survey suggests Australians are increasingly in favour of keeping the live sheep trade operational.  Rural Editor Emily Miney spoke with Australian Livestock Exporters Council Chief Executive Mark Harvey Sutton about its findings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Rural News Monday November 18 In today's National Rural News: Farmers fleeced tens of thousands dollars in online scam, supermarket executives front ACCC inquiry, Avocado trees burned amid oversupply concerns -- plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers are continuing to urge the New South Wales state government to reconsider plans increasing the cost of water.  They say proposed increases to the cost of water in New South Wales will make food production more difficult and even force them out of the industry all together.  Rural Reporter Dusty Fitzpatrick spoke with Murray Regional Strategy Group Executive Officer Shelley Scoullar about the concerns. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Rural News Friday November 15.  In today's National Rural News: Fire Ants detected in turf delivery to Byron Bay, Nationals concerned over potential trade tariffs from the U.S,  Farmers celebrated this National Agriculture Day -- plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New South Wales Farmers Association is raising the alarm after fire ants were detected in Byron Bay.  Biosecurity officials intercepted a delivery of Turf from South-East Queensland after the pests were noticed by a landscaper.  Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke with Association President Xavier Martin about the scare.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Rural News Thursday November 14.  In today's National Rural News: PM working with President-elect on controversial trade decision, frustrated salmon farmers in Tasmania, Brumby culling to continue -- plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Biosecurity advocates are welcoming a parliamentary inquiry's finding into the aerial culling of Brumbies.  The New South Wales Upper House committee recommends the continued aerial shooting of the animals in Kosciuszko National Park  It also recommends a review of the training given to aerial shooters.  Rural Reporter Madelaine McNeill caught up with Invasive Species Council advocacy director Jack Gough about the report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Rural News Wednesday November 13.  In today's National Rural News: Regional airline thrown a multi-million dollar lifeline, red meat exports to smash records, Summer-fruit harvest off to an early start -- plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harvesting of Australia's Summer fruits is off to a flying start, with a strong and high quality crop hitting supermarket shelves.  Varieties like peaches, nectarines plums and apricots are already available in the lead up to Christmas. Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke with Summerfruit Australia Chief Executive Trevor Ranford about the crop and what consumers can expect. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Rural News Tuesday November 12. In today's National Rural News: Worker dies at wind farm in country Victoria, collapsed regional airline offered a lifeline, strengthening agriculture partnerships -- plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia and Indonesia are linking up to boost ag research and education. C-Q University has inked a deal with the University of Mataram - committing to work together on existing and future projects and to provide exchange opportunities for students. Rural Reporter Sophie Clarke caught up with Associate Professor Karen Harper to learn more about the partnership. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Rural News Monday November 11.  In today's National Rural News: Grocery prices back in focus, Government confident W-A's sheep industry can survive without live exports, citrus disease overseas benefits Australian farmers  -- plus the latest from the markets and more. Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scientists have been working to increase oil yield from plants, to advance the production and use of biofuels. After a more than a decade, the C-S-I-R-O has developed technology which fattens up plants, so they not only accumulate oil in seeds and fruits, but in their leaves and stems as well. Rural reporter Sophie Clarke caught up with Doctor Thomas Vanhercke to find out more about the tech and its potential.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A training model is creating a sense of community for teachers in the bush, crucial for staff retention. Researchers at the University of Sydney have been using creative arts strategies and skills to help educators navigate classroom issues and gain insights into the diverse needs of students. Rural reporter Sophie Clarke caught up with Doctor Alison Grove-O'Grady to hear more about the project and its promising results. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: dwindling seasonal worker numbers, the latest from an inquiry into supermarket price gouging, and the concerning trend facing bushfire prone areas -- plus the latest from the markets and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After years of dairy farmers leaving the industry, numbers appear to be stabilising. Data from Dairy Food Safety Victoria shows there were 2,812 active farmer licences during the 2023-24 financial year, up 16 on the year prior. Rural reporter Sophie Clarke caught up with United Dairy Farmers of Victoria president Bernie Free to hear more about the figures and why he doesn't believe the figure is as promising as it seems. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's National Rural News: a new trade deal inked with the middle east, dairy farm numbers stabilise, manmade interventions hindering river flows -- plus the latest from the markets and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.