From 22nd February the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is calling for nominations under its second annual national Innovation in Agriculture Awards, recognising and encouraging excellence in modern farming. The NFF established the Awards in 2009 as part of its highly successful National Congress to celebrate the pioneering advances and outstanding contributions made by Australian farmers. “Australians know the resilient nature of our farmers and value the quality of our farm fresh... ...Read more »

The latest release the Westpac-NFF Commodity Index has shown that commodity prices remain 16.2 per cent below last year’s data, despite a 2.5 per cent rise in October. Commodity prices that lifted during October, according to the Index, included wool (4.6%), cotton (3.0%), wheat (3.3%), barley (12.5%), dairy (7.6%), and beef (0.3%). International commodity prices easing during the month were canola (-4.6%) and sugar (-6.5%) - although sugar’s fall follows a strong run-up on the back of... ...Read more »

There are signs that panic emerging from the global financial crisis has begun to subside, although it has had a significant impact on global agricultural commodity prices, with the Westpac-NFF Commodity Index showing a 12.7% decrease over the past year. Recent indications suggest the fluctuating price movements of the past 12 months among global commodity prices are dissipating as traditional demand and supply forces re-emerge. “The world economy is beginning to pull out of one of the most... ...Read more »

The Australian Government will implement a pilot program to trial the National Farmers’ Federation’s (NFF’s) Workforce from Abroad Employment Scheme - yesterday approving a new Pacific Island seasonal workers visa in key horticultural regions. The announcement has been warmly welcomed by NFF Vice-President Charles Burke, who co-launched the program with Agriculture Minister Tony Burke at the Marrickville Fruit and Vegetable Markets in Sydney today. “The Government and NFF’s... ...Read more »

The ACCC report into the state of competition in the grocery sector was released to mixed reactions yesterday. Federal Government “I believe that our action plan, combined with the broader reforms that are already in train to further strengthen competition policy, such as the amendments to the misuse of market power provision and the criminalisation of serious cartel conduct, will ensure that the grocery market remains competitive,” the Assistant Treasurer, Chris Bowen, said. “The introduction... ...Read more »

Even though agriculture cannot be covered by an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), the Australian Government must take steps to ensure consumers can still afford basic food items, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) warned today. “Any ETS will cause pain to businesses and households… people are slowly coming to grips with that reality,” NFF President David Crombie said. “But it could be crippling for Australia’s food production, threatening to damage our... ...Read more »

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is calling on the Australian Government to actively petition for new accounting rules under the Kyoto Protocol to ensure agriculture’s sequestration of carbon is acknowledged.”The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties’ examination of the rules under the new Kyoto Protocol, and how they affect Australia, is timely,” NFF President David Crombie said. “A full and sober analysis of how Australia will be impacted is essential.” “Australian... ...Read more »

In the midst of an escalating global food crisis - precipitating riots in several countries - the National Farmers Federation (NFF) has outlined their worries about the “knee-jerk leap” to trade distorting policies by foreign governments. The NFF, peak industry body for Australian farmers, believe the decisions taken are simply misguided attempts to reduce domestic prices. “In response to high food prices, some Governments have counteracted with short-sighted policies to restrict... ...Read more »