Fostering debate – a range of opinions
No meat interview demonstrates “go with the flow” journalism
Too many journalists fail to ask their on-air guests questions about generalisations made, in this case about different types of meat production in Australia versus overseas.
Read moreRegenerative agriculture’s version of science creates division between farmers
In part two of a three article series on regenerative agriculture Patrick Francis examines why the concept is creating unnecessary divisions amongst Australia’s broadacre farmers.
Read moreLive sheep export Independent Observers reports inadequate for trade to continue
Live export participants who treat sheep as widgets that must endure a level of suffering and deaths on voyages undermine community trust in the trade. The community won’t accept avoidable sheep deaths on boats as a cost of doing business, its members know that these unavoidable outcomes will end once the sheep live trade from Australia ends.
Read moreServed with a side of science — building community trust in food production
The people that we trust adhere to rules and standards and act with integrity. How people have acted in the past also becomes part of our judgement about whether to trust them.
Read moreDreaming of a more equitable Australia via a culture of compassion
Hugh McKay – Do you dream as I dream of a kinder, more compassionate, more generous, more equitable Australia?
Read moreProducing more food from less land
On current trends, the area of land under conservation or protected from commercial uses will exceed that allocated to grazing by the year 2045. By then, both grazing and conservation will each command around 35% of the Australian land area.
Read moreLive sheep exports – Where is evidence WA sheep farmers rely on it for business survival?
The history of sheep farming in WA since 1990 demonstrates farmers have the capacity to find alternative enterprises to live sheep trading.
Read moreThe history of farm land management in Australia – there are two different versions
In this essay David Smith contends that the message that agricultural scientists have promoted for decades and the core of the courses in land management they have taught, is acceptable, and a recognition of the work of the agricultural science/natural resource management profession.
Read moreOptimism needed – let’s study climate resilience
The latest CSIRO Biodiversity Knowledge Project seems premised on agriculture being a negative force. In reality farmers have some really positive stories of land use and climate resilience, which we should be sharing and learning from.
Read moreEnvironment improving but some scientists reluctant to admit it
Many Australian farmers have dramatically improved the state of the environment over the past decade, however, while these improvements are noted in the State of the Environment report released in March 2017, the authors persisted in painting a gloomy picture of the future.,
Read moreExclusion fencing brings multiple outcomes to landcare farming
After 30 years of landcare farming practice change, greater emphasis should be put on protecting the enhanced environments built up across participating farms. It’s time for more dollars being allocated to exclusion fencing for its long-term benefits in protecting farm ecosystem functions and livelihoods.
Read moreLive export animal welfare needs feedback mechanism to farmers
The recent statement by Animals Australia that farmers who are involved in the live export trade are being “kept in the dark” over the treatment of their stock seems to be correct. This situation can be easily changed to give farmers knowledge about what happens to their livestock overseas.
Read moreSledge hammer killing another reason to question live exports future
The latest expose showing killing cattle with a sledge hammer in a Vietnamese abattoir highlights the inability of the Australian government’s Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) to prevent animal cruelty.
Read moreLivestock farming on pasture is a responsibility not a right
Patrick Francis summarises the key points in his submission to the Victorian government’s Animal Industries Advisory committee’s review into a presumed intensification of livestock farming.
Read moreThe “should” of sheep welfare inappropriate for 21st century farming
New animal welfare standards for sheep will still result in people not being legally liable for many undesirable sheep husbandry and handling practices.
Read moreBlackmore’s right to farm – a case study
Petition fails to understand the complex animal husbandry and ecosystem functions associated with Blackmore’s move to finishing his Wagyu cattle on farm.
Read moreRight to farm livestock requires holistic decision making by farmers and councils
Livestock farming intensity is a relative term which should not be categorized by the percentage of daily feed intake which an animal eats. What is important about intensity are the outcomes associated with livestock health and welfare, outcomes for ecosystem functions across the farm concerned, and issues with feeding logistics and transport in the vicinity of the farm.
Read moreFarming webinars a great extension tool
Webinars are close to the ultimate extension tool because they give farmers specific information on a topic of interest without the farmer having to leave home
Read moreRSPCA live export policy attacks demean the beef/sheep sectors welfare credibility
The RSPCA is the target of a concerted campaign by state farmer organisations and vested interest commentators to discredit it and possibly diminish its role in overseeing animal welfare on farms.
Read moreBooming new live cattle markets could impact Aussie beef exports
The greatest value-add for meat comes via processing and retailing, both are lost with live exports unless joint ventures are involved.
Read moreESCAS fails stunning for sheep
Review is misleading on animal welfare By Patrick Francis It is baffling to me how Australia’s most credible animal welfare
Read morePCAS starts grass finished beef marketing games
By Patrick Francis The discussion and one-upmanship surrounding the domestic marketing of beef produced from cattle grazing pasture for their
Read moreABARES live sheep export review another whitewash
By Patrick Francis It is interesting to review some of the key issues raised in the recently released ABARES report
Read moreWhy PCAS to identify Australia’s best known beef
Comment by Patrick Francis Australia’s beef farmers grow and finish the majority of the nation’s slaughter cattle on pastures.
Read morePolice post- fire road blocks need new rules of engagement
By Patrick Francis The post-fire police road blocks to prevent residents, supporting volunteers and service providers entering so-called danger
Read moreFarm profitability ignored in overseas investor and Food Bowl debates
By Patrick Francis Key points Most farmers have a different agenda to the rest of agriculture’s sectors when it comes
Read morePushing productivity on Australian farmers misunderstands world food supply and demand
The Direction for Australian agriculture leading t0 2050 By Tony Gleeson and Nelson Quinn Currently there is a broadly based
Read moreLetter from Finland where biomass is leading energy source
By Andrew Lang I am sitting in a small hotel in Finland having woken up early by my brain which
Read moreLive export review misleading
– Ignores cruelty risk and consumer demand for Aussie quality meats Comment by Patrick Francis The Australian Farm Institute’s analysis
Read moreLive export for slaughter has farmer opponents as well
Comment by Patrick Francis In a recent blog the Australian Farm Institute’s director Mick Keogh provided a counter explanations for
Read moreLeading ag scientist critical of Jeffery’s appointment
By Patrick Francis Dr David Smith is the quintessential agricultural scientist. Now retired, Smith has been at the forefront of
Read moreMichael Jeffery an inappropriate Advocate for Soils
By Patrick Francis In October 2012 the Prime Minister announced that Major General (retired) Michael Jeffery is Australia’s first Advocate
Read moreGM arguments too simplistic
The Australian newspaper editorial of January 15, 2013 continues the highly simplistic thinking being used by pro-GM companies and supporters.
Read morePoliticians GM claims need testing
By Patrick Francis There are plenty of claims made about the potential benefits of GM crop varieties but their unsubstantiated nature
Read moreFood Green Paper fails industry analysis test
By Patrick Francis The National Food Plan Green Paper should be amongst the top four policy documents prepared by the
Read moreCarbon Farming Initiative could overwhelm landcare
Funding buys environmental policy acceptance By Patrick Francis The Australian government’s Clean Energy Future legislation package has become law and
Read moreBrand “live export” disappoints
By Patrick Francis The words “Product of Australia” on exported foods carry with them critically important attributes about all aspects
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