Access to radiotherapy treatment in South Australia’s Limestone Coast has again been pushed into the spotlight, with local advocates meeting election candidates to discuss the region’s healthcare needs.

Australia’s heavy vehicle regulator has launched a nationwide compliance operation targeting driver fatigue, following a record number of breaches detected last year. The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator will roll out Operation Ambit across the coming weeks, focusing on work and rest compliance among heavy vehicle operators.

Australian agriculture is on track to reach a record 101.4 billion dollars in gross production value in 2025–26, before easing the following year as seasonal conditions and prices turn less favourable.

Nominations have opened for the 2026 Australian Cotton Industry Awards, with the program to be held on a biennial basis from this year. The awards, coordinated by Cotton Australia, recognise excellence across the supply chain, celebrating growers, researchers, service providers and emerging leaders who contribute to a productive and sustainable cotton sector.

Consumers can continue to enjoy NSW-grown berries with confidence following recent testing by the NSW Food Authority. The testing was part of an ongoing program to monitor produce safety, alongside inspections by the NSW Environment Protection Authority, which found no evidence of off-label chemical use on berry farms.

Australia’s agriculture sector is on track to surpass the $100 billion production milestone, four years ahead of the National Farmers Federation’s 2030 target.

Australian grain producers are facing rising uncertainty as global conflicts threaten access to key farm inputs. Grain Producers Australia Chair Barry Large says recent military action in the Middle East has laid bare Australia’s reliance on international supply chains.

Agriculture Victoria is expanding support for the state’s beekeepers, appointing two new bee biosecurity officers in Bendigo and Attwood.

Local advocacy group Grain Producers SA has informed growers of its decision to withdraw its membership from national body Grain Producers Australia - citing a lack of "necessary progress".

Work has officially begun on what Cattle Australia is calling a “once in a generation” review of the Cattle Transaction Levy. A seven-member Committee has been appointed to oversee the process, including five producers from southern, northern, and western regions, and two independent specialists in government systems and research and development.

Western Australian sheep producers and processors are set to receive $20 million in the first round of the Supply Chain Capacity Program grants.

Australia’s horticulture sector has achieved its highest production value ever, reaching $18.4 billion for 2024–25, up 6 per cent on the previous year, according to the latest Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook.

Australian dairy farmers have renewed calls for mandatory rules protecting dairy terms following a UK Supreme Court decision that ruled plant-based products cannot be labelled as milk, butter or yogurt.

The Rural Doctors’ Association of South Australia has welcomed a proposed $13 million medical training investment in Mount Gambier, but warns infrastructure alone will not fix workforce shortages.

Australia’s red meat sector is seeking clarity after the United States flagged a new 15 per cent global tariff following a Supreme Court ruling on emergency powers.  

A new report from Rabobank says Australians are returning to restaurants and takeaway outlets, with a stronger focus on value, convenience, and frequency.

Farmers in southern and eastern Australia are facing mounting pressure as drought conditions tighten, with requests for household water and tanks rising sharply.

Regional and rural communities in New South Wales will soon have hands-on access to the latest agricultural technology, with the launch of the Farms of the Future mobile learning centre.

A new South Australian pilot project is investigating safe and practical solutions for growing stockpiles of treated vineyard posts.

Grain Producers Australia will continue advocating for reform of the nation’s grains levy system, despite the Federal Agriculture Minister declining to support its proposal in its current form.