Driving around the gravel back roads of Corangamite Shire, councillor Jamie Vogels surveys the landscape where once-green, cattle-grazing pastures have been sprayed and cut into uniform windrows ready for blue gum seedlings. Cr Vogels points out a nearby property, now bare of grass and cleared of farming infrastructure; fences, troughs, shelter belts and tracks, with...
Tag: dairy
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King Island Dairy to shut, ending iconic Australian cheese brand
Dairy giant Saputo will shut its iconic King Island Dairy in the middle of next year and discontinue its more than 120-year-old brand, after being unable to find a buyer. Saputo Dairy Australia president Leanne Cutts said the decision to shut the dairy had “not been taken lightly”, and only after a 10-month “intensive review...
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Almost-retired couple discover love of cheesemaking after buying kit during COVID
In short: A South West WA couple purchased a cheesemaking kit during the COVID lockdown. The farmers have turned their hobby into a business, making and selling cheese using locally sourced milk. What’s next? David Doepel and Barbara Connell are hoping to experiment with other products, such as yoghurt. David Doepel describes himself as “crazy”...
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Bird flu strain behind global animal pandemic closes in on Australian shores
In short: The Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness says the H5N1 strain has been detected to Australia’s north and south. The strain has been detected in farm workers in the US and in a range of animal species. What’s next? Surveillance for signs of the disease’s arrival is continuing. Australian disease authorities are looking to...
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Australia is importing record amounts of butter at ‘eye-watering’ prices
In short: Australia imported a record 47,500 tonnes of butter last year, mostly from New Zealand. Global butter prices are at record highs, but opening milk prices for Australian dairy farmers are down. What’s next? Rabobank is warning shoppers may need to brace for higher butter prices. Global butter prices have surged to record levels...
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As avian flu spreads around the world, experts say ‘we’re nowhere near prepared’ for a future pandemic
When Victorian health officials confirmed Australia’s first human case of avian influenza last week, there were a few key details that struck some of those listening as odd. The announcement came on the same day that the state’s agriculture department reported an outbreak of bird flu at a poultry farm near Meredith. But the Department...