Member for Murray Helen Dalton’s Water Management Amendment (Register of State and Commonwealth Water Access Licences) Bill 2025 was read for the second time in NSW Parliament recently.

“I rise to speak for the people of the bush, the farmers and the irrigators and the small-town communities who’ve been doing it tough, while water policy is being made behind closed doors,” Ms Dalton said in her speech.

Ross Wells OAM honoured as 2025 Hay Merino Sheep Show Ambassador

Hay Merino Sheep Show crowned Collinsville as the Supreme Champion and the South Australian Stud swooped the biggest prizes at the 73rd show.

Hay stud Woodpark Poll took the honours in the unhoused section and Poll Bonoke took out champion hogget.

Local landcare groups and Wiradjuri Cultural Burns Team deliver hands-on workshop teaching 60,000-year-old fire management techniques to modern land managers.

Vegetation protection on farms is vital for soil health, but Stacey and Ian Lugsdin also discovered a rare plant - once thought extinct - on their farm. The Winged Peppercress herb has been found on sandhills near Gunbar, NSW.

Dr Ben Gooden and Caroline Delaisse visited Hay recently, to present the rust fungus success story at the Riverina Local Land Services forum.

The fungus is being used by the CSIRO, in the fight against noxious weed, the African Boxthorn.

Image: CSIRO

A quiet revolution is brewing in the world of food, and it's not happening in the paddocks – it's in the pharmacies.

New weight-loss drugs, like the much-talked-about Ozempic, are not only helping individuals shed pounds but are also prompting experts to consider a seismic shift in our food systems, potentially even more significant than the impacts of climate change.

The Australian Government has released figures pertaining to more than $89 million water purchasing contracts for the period March 1 to April 14. Total purchases over the past six week total $210 million.

District water holders have taken advantage of the government buyback scheme, with local agricultural businesses Hazeldean, Budgewah Pastoral Co and M and T Mirabelli listed on the Austender CW website.

Highly respected rural education program Hay Inc has welcomed its latest cohort of students, in its 11th year.

The program teaches young people hand-on skills, from local industry experts and has grown to include an alumni group.

Read about the programs success, by Hay Inc’s own Sandra Ireson.

Hay Grains storage facility in east Hay has changed hands, after JEK Rural Investments purchased the depot.

Deniliquin-based Paul and Jenny Fellows have owned the business for the past seven years and say they have enjoyed their time as part of the business community.

“Jenny and I have enjoyed our time with Hay Grains and the relationships we’ve made and loyalty we have seen from customers,” Paul Fellows told The Riverine Grazier.

Australian Food & Fibre’s tertiary scholarship has awarded, as new grower rep joins the Hay Gin team.

“It’s good to be back,” agronomist Heidi Stephens said.

The top-down approach to NSW feral pig management needs to be reversed if there is to be any hope of real progress in managing NSW worst agricultural pest, according to the Australian Pig Doggers and Hunters Association (APDHA).

Read the results on the 2024 Great Australian Pig Hunt survey.

Investigations into allegations of the removal of Aboriginal scarred trees on Gundaline Station have ended.

Compliance officer Wendy Illingworth has confirmed investigations into management outfit Customised Farm Management and timber cutter Michael Strange have concluded.

“An investigation was commenced in September 2024 and is now concluded.”

AFA’s $780 million deal to Agriculture and Natural Solutions Acquisition Corporation has received FIRB approval.

The sale consists of three major freehold title land aggregations within the Deniliquin, Hay and Coonamble districts including Boonoke, Burrabogie, Wanganella and Wingadee stations.

“Everyone passed with high distinction and I am very proud of their achievements.”

Wool handling champion Kayla Garner praised the largest wool classing cohort, who recently graduated with high distinctions at Hay TAFE.

Murrumbidgee Council has released a report following investigations into an alleged fuel spill at Gundaline Station, east of Hay.

A historic moment at Alma’s selection day: (from left) classer Andrew Rutherford joined three generations of the McKeon family - Bob McKeon, son Mark McKeon, and grandsons Jack and Patrick Ward. Image: supplied.

The 2024 ginning season came to an end last week at the Australian Food and Fibre (AFF) gin south of Hay.

The ginning season ran for five months and processed 45,000 round modules into 199,000 finished bales, making 2024 one of the Hay gin’s biggest runs.

Woodpark Poll Merinos enjoyed a full clearance at their annual ram sale on September 23.

The top price of $15,550 for Woodpark Poll 23-404, was paid by Grassy Creek Merinos, Reids Flat.

All 150 rams on offer sold to an average of $3,110.