Rice paddies thirsty for water
A local official with the water department in Iran’s Gilan Province says the water level in Sefidrood Dam has lessened by 21 percent compared to last year and by 50 percent compared to normal times.
agriculture
Banana appeal: Australia’s first genetically modified fruit sent for approval
Cavendish made to resist fungus threatening variety worldwide is seen as safety net for growers if industry wiped outGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastScientists have submitted Australia’s first genetically modif…
Herd the news? Australian alpaca numbers near 400,000 after baby boom
Most alpaca farmers run hobby farms or side businesses despite Australia having the second-largest alpaca herd after PeruSign up for the Rural Network email newsletterJoin the Rural Network group on Facebook to be part of the communityAustralia has the…
Locust outbreak in Afghanistan’s ‘breadbasket’ threatens wheat harvest
With 20m people at the highest risk of famine for 25 years, farmers are desperately trying to kill the pests before vast swarms form The northern “breadbasket” of Afghanistan is battling a potentially devastating outbreak of locusts that threaten to ea…
Fine young cannibals: locust study could lead to better pest control
Discovery of ‘anti-cannibalism’ pheromone raises possibility of spraying crops with similar chemical as non-toxic insecticideLocusts are voracious eaters with appetites that extend to members of their own species. Now scientists have discovered an “ant…
Australia fails to adequately monitor effect of agricultural chemicals in humans, report finds
Study confirms government lacks basic data on pesticides and other chemicals in the environmentGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastThe federal government has no suitable data source for monitoring the effect of agri…
Use of antibiotics in farming ‘endangering human immune system’
Study suggests antimicrobial used to promote livestock growth breeds bacteria more resistant to our natural defencesThe blanket use of antibiotics in farming has led to the emergence of bacteria that are more resistant to the human immune system, scien…
Canola fields turn gold as key oil plants flower in Arak, central Iran
One month into spring in Iran, the canola fields in the central city of Arak are shining bright.
Australia’s farmers call for backup plan after GPS tractor-steering system fails
A satellite that issues a correction signal to most Australian farm machinery went down this week, leaving farmers in the lurchSign up for the Rural Network email newsletterJoin the Rural Network group on Facebook to be part of the communityMobile inte…
FAO names Iran world’s third largest honey producer in 2022
Latest data by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) shows that Iran was the third largest producer of honey in the world in 2022.