Isabella Pittaway
Adelaide
Storyteller ~ Comms and podcasting @edu_sagov ~ Was: @ABCRural reporter and SA Country Hour Presenter ~ Still:🍷& gin appreciator
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Articles by Isabella Pittaway
Researchers recycling grapevine waste into particleboard for sustainable buildings
The houses of the future could be built with a sustainable building material made from grapevine waste, if Victorian scientists have their way.
National Agricultural Workers Movement Code welcomed, but three-week delay in start questioned
As the seasonal worker shortage worsens, the National Farmers Federation (NFF) has welcomed the new national agricultural workers code but criticised the states that have not signed on.
SA grain industry blueprint to grow industry to $6 billion by 2030
South Australia's grain industry has unveiled a blueprint aimed at creating a $6-billion a year industry by 2030.
Scientists develop 'climate-change-resistant' apple that keeps red colour and crisp crunch
An apple touted as the first in the world to be resistant to climate change could be grown in Australia as early as next year.
University fee cut for agriculture courses prompts warning that education quality might suffer
Universities from around Australia are warning that cheap fees for agriculture courses will make it easier for students to finance their study, but could result in lower quality education.
South Australia lifts 16-year-old GMO crop cultivation ban after months of political wrangling
The GLP Needs Your Help It is easier than ever for advocacy groups to spread disinformation on pressing science issues, such as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. No, vaccines are not harmful. Yes, the use of biotechnology, GMOs or gene editing to develop antigens for treatments including vaccines are part of the solution. To inform the public about what’s really going on, we present the facts and challenge those who don't. We can’t do this work without your help.
SA lifts ban on GM crops after 16 years
South Australia will allow mainland farmers to grow genetically-modified (GM) crops from next season, but councils can apply to remain GM-free.
Sunscreen made from mushroom waste may help create sustainable industry, researchers say
Researchers in Adelaide are working on a way to turn mushroom waste into items like sunscreen, skincare products and outdoor furniture coating.
'Essential' farmers' markets free of coronavirus crowd bans, Health Department confirms
Updated March 20, 2020 10:49:30 Farmers' markets around Australia have official clearance to go ahead this weekend - and are preparing for a potential onslaught after unprecedented panic buying and hoarding at supermarkets.
'Essential' farmers' markets escape coronavirus crowd bans
Farmers’ markets around Australia have official clearance to go ahead this weekend – and are preparing for a potential onslaught after unprecedented panic buying and hoarding at supermarkets. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said strict new bans on large gatherings to slow the spread of COVID-19 did not apply to supermarkets, food markets, grocery shops, retail outlets and shopping centres. The term “farmers’ markets” was not specified, leading to confusion and concern.
'Essential' farmers' markets free of coronavirus crowd bans, Health Department confirms
Farmers' markets around Australia have official clearance to go ahead this weekend - and are preparing for a potential onslaught after unprecedented panic buying and hoarding at supermarkets.
Butcher sells 800kg of German snags in a day as coronavirus drives push to buy local
As customers strip supermarket shelves bare, smallgoods producers across South Australia are appealing to the community to buy local as they deal with an oversupply of product amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Coronavirus dries up restaurant trade, demand and price for pork tumbles
As people abandon restaurants until the coronavirus pandemic subsides, Australian pork producers are seeing the impact with lower prices.
Bushfires, drought affecting more than half of South Australia's farmers
More than half of South Australia's primary producers have been affected by drought or bushfires.
Ban on genetically modified crops to be lifted as SA Government bypasses Parliament
The South Australian Government will let mainland farmers grow genetically modified (GM) crops from the start of 2020, sidestepping State Parliament which has twice blocked the plan — and could do so a third time.
Carp herpes virus recommendation expected by Christmas, despite lingering concerns
The National Carp Control Plan (NCCP) will recommend to the Federal Government before Christmas whether or not to release the controversial herpes virus, a potential move described as "reckless" by some commercial fishers.
South Australian Government considers council rate relief for drought-affected farmers
The South Australian Government is considering providing council rate relief to drought-affected farmers as the state opposition claims that South Australia is way behind other state government support.
Winemakers should create fairer contracts for grape growers, ACCC says
Australian winemakers should review their contracts with grape growers and large wienmakers should pay for the supply of grapes within 30 days of delivery, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has recommended.
SA to introduce tougher penalties for farm trespass
Farmers have welcomed a South Australian government proposal to enforce tougher penalties on animal activists who trespass on farming properties. The draft bill includes a new offence of aggravated farm trespass and a doubling of the maximum fines. Livestock SA says the proposed changes will help ease farmer concern.
Gippsland family farm's golden blooms: daffodils a busy bouquet of business ahead of spring
As you drive towards the Blyth family farm south-east of Melbourne you spot a flash of gold against the deep green of the South Gippsland hills. The daffodil was named after the Greek god Narcissus, who drowned while admiring his own reflection. The flower is a favourite in many gardens not only for the colour but also for keeping away rodents who don't like the taste of them. The Blyth family business started in 1948 in Boronia, east of Melbourne, before a shift to Warragul in the late 1980s.
South Australia seeks to lift ban on mainland GM crops, Kangaroo Island to remain GM-free
South Australia's mainland farmers will be able to grow genetically-modified (GM) food crops next year.
SA Government to lift GM ban
South Australian farmers will soon be able to grow genetically modified crops with the state Liberal Government announcing plans to overturn the state's moratorium. The moratorium, which was introduced by Labor, was due to extend until 2025. But Primary Industries Minister Tim Whetstone says the Government will introduce regulations to lift the ban from next season - although it will still apply on Kangaroo Island.
Aussie wine exports continue to grow as industry spends big to reclaim United States market
Despite a tightening supply and smaller yields due to dry conditions, the value of Australia's wine exports has continued to grow.
Horseradish may be 'underground octopus' of vegetables, but it's one hot commodity
It has been described as an underground octopus and can take nine months to grow. With its twisted roots, parsnip-like appearance and strong taste, horseradish has been around since Ancient Greece, but in Australia it's always been a rare crop. Brian Meakins' family bought Newman's Horseradish, which processes the spicy root vegetable into a condiment, soon after World War II.
Saffron adds some spice into life of Gippsland farmer by turning fields of purple into gold
A love of bright purple flowers and a sense of intrigue was what drew Sandra Pietrolungo in to growing saffron. Saffron, a spice derived from the flower of the Crocus sativus, is used to add flavour and colour to dishes like paella, desserts and teas. Mrs Pietrolungo planted her first saffron crocus bulbs as a hobby gardener 20 years ago before turning commercial in 2010. "I think because it was something a little bit different. It's not something that everyone does," Mrs Pietrolungo said.
Cape Barren geese poo and chew their way through Phillip Island, cause headaches for farmers
Hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to Victoria's Phillip Island to see the penguins, but it is the growing population of Cape Barren geese pooing and chewing their way through farmland, and the school oval, that is causing headaches for the community.
Warning about dangers of keeping male pet deer
A former deer farmer has warned about the dangers of keeping male deer as pets, after a man was attacked and killed in northern Victoria. The incident happened after the farmer went to feed the pet when he and his wife were attacked. It's commonly know within the deer industry about the dangers of keeping male deer as pets.
Eastern Victoria's winemakers battle a tricky vintage as drought and bushfires take their toll
Bushfires, drought, birds and bats — this year's vintage has been a tough one for eastern Victoria's winemakers.
Associated Country Women of the World changing lives and improving rights of rural women across the globe
It is not just about the traditions of scones with jam and cream, country women's associations from around the world are working together to empower women and improve their rights.
Microgrid plan in Federal Budget to combat soaring power costs, endless blackouts
Posted March 28, 2019 17:19:42 The Government is expected to announce funding for microgrid studies in next week's Budget as remote and regional communities continue to grapple with spiralling electricity costs and outages.
Farmers call drought 'a natural disaster' as daily dust storms, gale-force winds strip farms bare
As gale-force winds create huge dust storms in Victoria's Central Gippsland, farmers say it is time to call the drought a natural disaster as the little remaining topsoil is blown away from paddocks.
Winery owner who 'begged' for fuel reduction burns loses everything in Bunyip fire
By Damian McIver and Isabella Pittaway Updated March 05, 2019 10:38:32 The owner of a Tonimbuk winery destroyed by bushfire said his property might have been spared if only the Victorian Government had pursued a more active fuel reduction policy.
Jinks Creek winery destroyed in Gippsland fires
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Expect to pay more for vegetables as floods, drought and heat start to cut supplies
If you've been pushing a trolley around the supermarket fruit and veg section lately, one thing has probably jumped out at you — high prices. After floods in Queensland and continuing drought in other parts of the country, the supply of vegetables has been hit particularly hard, with staples like broccoli now selling for $8.90 a kilogram. Vegetables such as womboks have risen to $7.90 per head, cabbages are $4.90 a head, and other crops like green beans are limited in availability altogether.
Vegetable prices on the rise
If you've been pushing a trolley around the supermarket fruit and veg section lately, one thing has probably jumped out at you - high prices. After floods in Queensland and continuing drought in other parts of the country, the supply of vegetables has been hit particularly hard, with staples like broccoli now selling for $8.90 a kilo. Womboks have risen to $7.90 per head, cabbages are $6 a head, and other crops like green beans are limited in availablilty altogether.
Vic Government announces extra $13m in drought assistance, farmers say it is 'way off the mark'
Farmers are disappointed and say Victoria's Agriculture Minister is "naive" and "out of touch" as she announced additional drought relief for the state's farmers which excludes municipal rate relief.
Tinder for cows is online dating for cattle breeders to find their stock's perfect match
It is not just humans seeking love on Valentine's Day; a new matchmaking app is bringing cows together. United Kingdom farming startup, Hectare Agritech, has created Tudder, a Tinder-style app that helps farmers find breeding matches by viewing pictures of cattle with details of their age, location and owner. When users swipe right to show interest or left to reject a possible match, they hear a mooing sound.
SA Country Hour
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Farmer crushed over 400kg of stolen garlic crop harvested in the night
Police are calling for the public’s help to solve the theft of a garlic crop worth up to $15,000 from a farm at Cockatoo, south-east of Melbourne. In late November, about 400 kilograms of organic Australian and Italian garlic was stolen from a paddock. Senior Sergeant Carolyn Hill said the theft was carried out overnight. “The previous evening [the grower] heard her dogs barking and looked out and didn’t see anything.
Garlic crop theft 'impossible' to solve without public assistance, police say
Police are calling for the public's help to solve the theft of a garlic crop worth up to $15,000 from a farm at Cockatoo, south-east of Melbourne. In late November, approximately 400 kilograms of organic Australian and Italian garlic was stolen from a paddock. Senior Sergeant Carolyn Hill said the theft happened overnight. "The previous evening [the grower] heard her dogs barking and looked out and didn't see anything.
Shearing contractors call for better workplace conditions amid shearer shortage
Australian shearing contractors reliant on New Zealand shearers are struggling to fill vacancies in the wool industry's busiest period after New Zealand increased its pay rates. Normally New Zealand shearers flock to Australian wool sheds in search of higher wages, but in July the New Zealand Shearing Contractors Association raised its pay rates by 25 per cent in an effort to keep workers.
Winx inspires chainsaw artist John Brady to carve her for posterity
Winx has carved out her name in racing history and now a chainsaw artist has carved a tribute towards the mare with a wooden sculpture. Victorian man John Brady, who was an amateur jockey growing up, has had a passion for wood carving for more than 35 years. Those two enjoyments have combined in his latest work: a one-tonne wooden sculpture of Winx and jockey Hugh Bowman. "She's an amazing horse and I've always wanted to do full-sized horses," Brady said.
Premier uses TV fishing show to announce ban on commercial net fishing on Gippsland Lakes
Fishing on Gippsland Lakes in Victoria's east has become a hot election topic ahead of next month's state election. Premier Daniel Andrews has come out on the side of recreational fishers, saying Labor will ban commercial net fishing on the lakes. Recreational fishing groups say net fishing is bad for fish stocks in the 350 square kilometres of lakes and estuaries near Lakes Entrance.
'I cannot begin to imagine the anguish': Prince Charles sends letters to drought-affected farmers
Victorian farmer Tim Paulet plans to hang his letter from Prince Charles in his shearing shed. It has been a tough year for Australia's farmers, but a small gesture can go a long way — especially when it's from a future king. The Prince of Wales has written letters of support to sheep farmers across Australia who have been battling drought. One of the letters caught Tim Paulet, from eastern Victoria, by surprise.
Technology that tenderises meat win for consumers
Scientists have found the eating quality of tough cuts of meat like shank, silverside and chuck steak can be improved using shockwave technology, in what could be a win for farmers and consumers.Shockwave technology, or hydrodynamic pressure processing, is the application of mechanical pressure pulses in a large water tank.
Shockwave technology tenderises meat and improves eating quality of cheaper cuts, scientists say
Press play then disable your screen reader. Use space bar to pause or play, and up and down arrows to control volume. Use left arrow to rewind and right arrow to fast forward. Scientists have found the eating quality of tough cuts of meat like shank, silverside and chuck steak can be improved using shockwave technology, in what could be a win for farmers and consumers. Shockwave technology, or hydrodynamic pressure processing, is the application of mechanical pressure pulses in a large water tank.
Shockwave technology tenderises meat and improves eating quality of cheaper cuts, scientists say
Scientists have found the eating quality of tough cuts of meat like shank, silverside and chuck steak can be improved using shockwave technology, in what could be a win for farmers and consumers. This article first appeared on ABC News online. Shockwave technology, or hydrodynamic pressure processing, is the application of mechanical pressure pulses in a large water tank. The tenderisation process is instant. Tenderness is a price driver and quality that consumers look for in their meat.
Labour shortages, hours of paperwork and uncertainty lead farmers to push for new 'ag visa'
Ian Quinn says he would like to see Pacific workers transition to a proposed agriculture visa. Fruit and vegetable growers say a lack of workers is keeping a lid on industry growth and leaving hundreds of tonnes of fruit at risk of being left on the ground every year. Many are hoping a promised 'agricultural visa' for foreign farm workers will solve industry labour woes by allowing farms to hire a dedicated overseas workforce on a temporary basis.
Sixth-generation Victorian farmer leaves industry because of ongoing stress from dairy crisis
Brad Missen is leaving his Gippsland farm after 23 years as a dairy farmer. A Victorian dairy farmer whose family has been farming in Gippsland for 164 years has walked away from his Denison farm because of ongoing stress from the dairy crisis, which led to his late-diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome. Sixth-generation dairy farmer Brad Missen was calm but concerned as he said goodbye to his 300-head herd before they were sold at auction. "It's a sad day to see them go.
Strawberry needle scare: Growers claim 'hysteria' is outrunning practicalities, risk management
Masi Rattanasriphaiboon is still buying strawberries at Sydney's Paddy's Market despite the scare. Strawberry growers are taking aim at government agencies for creating what they describe as "hysteria" around the needle crisis. Growcom chief advocate Rachel McKenzie said the response had tarnished the sector and led to copycat attacks that had seriously damaged the industry.
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