Swan Hill, Australia News

There will be less money available for water buy backs and infrastructure investment in the Murray-Darling Basin in this year's federal Budget, according to analysis done by waterbroking firm Waterfind.

While Australia is the second largest exporter of almonds in the world - it's built on only handful of tree varieties.

The Budget also included a doubling of the 457 visa registration fee and a shuffling of funds in the Caring for Our Country program.

Agrivision senior agronomist Rob Sonogan said the three to six millimetres of rain that fell in the region had soaked up to five centimetres into the sub-soil. "For crops like canola it might be enough to start germinating them but on the heavier soils it won't have gone in that far and it probably won't have done much as far as germinating ... (more)

But what if the initiative came from the other end - if governments and private companies spent more money finding ways to increase demand for what we already produce? Kraft Foods corporate affairs director Simon Talbot says there's too much focus on improving efficiency at the farmgate, and more needs to be spent on research and development in ... (more)

A new interactive map is allowing people to mark sites that have special significance for them within the Murray-Darling Basin in South Australia.

The Victoria State Budget has a focus on infrastructure investment, although most of the money will be directed to Melbourne projects.

The inquiry, which was announced in February, will look at the structure of the industry, as well as export issues, supply chain efficiencies and competition.

THE Department of Human Services is understaffing the DHS child protection services in Loddon Mallee, causing injury and illness to workers, the Community and Public Sector Union claims.

Swan Hill and Mildura only experienced 5mm for the entire month but more than 11mm was recorded at Dimboola and Nhill.

Senior market analyst Arlan Suderman from Wichita, Kansas, said poor conditions in the United States could offer a boost for Australian grain growers.

Struggling but "viable" farm businesses will soon be able to apply for concessional loans from the Federal Government, as part of a new Commonwealth Farm Finance Package.

A new project designed to save the community of Cadell in the Riverland could become a blueprint for regional communities all over Australia.