A ‘coffee table’ book - worthy of any coffee table in the country. Reflecting a passion for the 'bush', from boyhood to manhood, interwoven with agri-politics, agribusiness, the fluctuating fortunes of Australian agriculture, and the people who were an integral part over the past 70 years. Click the image for more information.
Cotton is just one example of a fundamental agricultural debate. Forbes Magazine has published an opinion piece weighing up the pros and cons of conventional Vs organic Vs regenerative cotton production. It seems based on the premise that while cotton is fashion's second most popular fiber after polyester, finding sustainable solutions to current farming methods … Continue reading Forbes Magazine Debates Cotton’s Sustainability
My friend Trevor Johnston has a great ability to succinctly communicate in his regular ”Cotton Wires”. People often ask me about agricultural land values. But I am an out of touch “has-been”. I liked the clarity of this- Australian farmland values continued to grow rapidly in 2021, with the national median price per hectare increasing by … Continue reading Land Values
Bob Freebairn 9 Aug 2021, 5:30 a.m. Purlewaugh long term rainfall trend. Similar to many central northern NSW areas, trending slightly upwards, contrary to many beliefs on climate change effects. Purlewaugh long term rainfall trend. Similar to many central northern NSW areas, trending slightly upwards, contrary to many beliefs on climate change effects. In many … Continue reading View from a Purlewaugh farm: climate variability, not change
The NAB's February Agribusiness View contains an interesting article written by Simon Talbot, Chief Executive Office of the National Farmers’ Federation, noting that in 2014/15, farm gate incomeincreased by 8 per cent to $57 billion, and this is expected to rise to about $105 billion by 2030.This prompted him to comment: "We need to establish … Continue reading A Man Talking Sense on the Big Picture-Three NZ’s
The Harvard Business Review recently ran an interview with Robert B. Shapiro, chairman and CEO of Monsanto, on the subject of sustainability.Sustainable development is the term for the dual imperative—economic growth and environmental sustainability—that has been gaining ground among business leaders since the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. As Shapiro puts it, … Continue reading Food for Thought
I don't think I have read a better "run-down" on Australian Agriculture. A real gem from Mick Keogh.http://www.farminstitute.org.au/_blog/Ag_Forum/post/optimising-australian-agricultures-comparative-advantages/
This article in the Sydney Morning Herald by well respected journalist Paul Sheehan, really "got up my nose". So much so I sent off the following letter to the Editor. Sadly he/she didn't see fit to publish it."Paul Sheehan's perception of modern agriculture is severely flawed (''We'll reap what we deserve'', February 18). Instead of relying on some credibility … Continue reading Modern Agriculture
Last week I attended the annual Agricultural Outlook Conference in Canberra for the umpteenth time. I attended my first in 1975 and have only missed two or three since, so perhaps I have been to 40! One of my workmates once pointed out that nearly every year I would say that I wouldn't bother going, yet still … Continue reading Outlook Conference and Water
A quote worth remembering-"Perhaps more than any other parts of the Australian economy, farmers understand uncertainty. They live with uncertainty about rainfall and growing conditions. They live with uncertainty about the costs of their key inputs. And, of course, they live with uncertainty about the world prices for their outputs. It is this ability to … Continue reading Uncertainty
David Boyd's Blog 