ABC News

Graziers west of the Great Dividing Range can’t believe their luck at the prospect of a third La Niña in a row.Key points:A wetter than average early summer is expected following almost 12 months of steady rainMany rainfall records were broken this year, with Queensland living through the wettest winter in six yearsSome on the land aren’t surprised…

Eight weeks out from the varroa parasite outbreak, NSW has eased restrictions on the movement of thousands of pollinating beehives, but the decision comes too late for many almond growers.Key points:The NSW Government has scrapped yellow zones in its varroa mite responseHundreds of beekeepers can now apply to move their hivesThe bees are needed to pollinate orchards ahead…

The Goldfields’ largest newspaper says reform in the mining industry is needed after a 23-year-old journalist was allegedly groped after this year’s Diggers and Dealers Mining Forum. Key points:The Diggers and Dealers Mining Forum was held in Kalgoorlie-Boulder last weekAmber Lilley says the mining industry must do more to stop sexual harassmentJohn Bowler says the Diggers and…

In news that will strike fear into the heart of anyone who has struggled with a corkscrew, the traditional wine closure — cork — is making a comeback.Key points:Winemakers say cork is more sustainable and improves the ageing process of wineOnly about 15 per cent of Australian wines use a cork closureA cork manufacturing company says…

For the many Australians who have a coffee to get the day going, another cost-of-living price rise is coming for you.On the back of milk price rises, cafes near you may be looking to charge more for a cup of coffee.Key points:A Hobart cafe says it will increase the price of its coffees by between…

A wealth adviser says it seems a Canadian seafood company is “pretty serious” about taking control of Tasmanian salmon giant Tassal, which could leave the entirety of the state’s salmon industry in the hands of foreign investors.Key points:Tassal is the last of the big three Tasmanian farmed salmon producers not foreign-ownedCanadian company Cooke Seafood was in…

Natural disasters and trade bans are creating a perfect storm for Australian vegetable oil producers as prices skyrocket globally. Key points:Australian canola export prices have gone up by 72 per cent year on yearAustralia Oilseeds Federation chief executive Nick Goddard says he expects the prices to remain highFarmers are planting their winter crops, with canola seeds…

Mark Schneider has no plans to become the next Rupert Murdoch but he still has a lot to celebrate after his start-up newspaper celebrated one year in print.Key points:The Bridgetown Star is a small newspaper in WA’s South WestIt is celebrating its first year of print despite the pressures of the regional media industryThe editor says…

News that food manufacturer The Kraft Heinz Company has discontinued a popular condiment has sent ripples through regional Victoria’s cooking community.The food and beverage giant confirmed it had “deleted” Wild’s Ezy-Sauce from its range due to “operational issues”.And, while not everyone uses the pickling liquid or sauce enhancer, which is made from a variety of ingredients including…

The administrator of an outback South Australian council is planning to sue the local newspaper for defamation and has referred allegations it made to the corruption watchdog.Key points:The paper’s editor says she welcomes the investigation, but only found out about the action when the ABC calledThe administrator says he’s been accused of a “particularly serious offence”He…