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Alexandra Bull

Grain producer CFS volunteers threaten to walk away

A NUMBER of South Australian grain producers who are SA Country Fire Service (CFS) volunteers have stated in a Grain Producers SA (GPSA) survey that they may walk away from their membership if any changes are made to the 2m work height Grassland...

Alexandra Bull

March 2024

Horticulture

Telling the story of the Riverland

ONE-hundred-and-three years ago, Sue Heward’s grandfather returned from WWI to Monash as a soldier-settler, planting shiraz grapes on the block. Fast forward to 2024, the vines are now gone but in return flourishing fig and quince orchards have...

Alexandra Bull

February 2024

Horticulture

Providing quality vegetables to the Riverland

THE Riverland is well-known for its thriving citrus and almond industries, but located at Renmark North is a small-but-bustling asparagus farm. Going on 27 years, Renee Horvath and her family took over Renmark Asparagus from her brother-in-law last...

Alexandra Bull

November 2023

Nuts

Pecans make perfect

LOCATED just outside of Monash is one of the Riverland’s only pecan farms, Southern Sky Pecans. Situated on nine acres, and boasting over 350 pecan trees with seven different varieties, the farm is owned and run by Riverland stalwart Dave Otto de...

Alexandra Bull

August 2023

Agriculture

Planty of love for native species in Loxton

THE last couple of years have seen locals’ love of native plants grow to new heights, with Riverland Native Plants flourishing with the new-found demand. The Loxton North-based nursery, owned by Tim Field and his wife, has been in operation since...

Alexandra Bull

June 2023

Sheep

Teaching young dogs new tricks… Lee’s right-hand men

WORKING dogs are often one of the most valuable assets on a livestock property – and Pyap’s Lee Mickan has his own army by his side every day. Lee was just 19 when he got his first black and tan kelpie, an interest that started from an early...

Alexandra Bull

March 2023

Horticulture

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

TUCKED away off the Sturt Highway at Wonuarra, just outside of Paringa, is the Riverland’s only Christmas tree farm. Run by Marg and Ed Simpfendorfer, the Paringa Christmas Tree Farm has been providing the Riverland with Christmas trees for five...

Alexandra Bull

December 2022

Bees

Varroa mite: It only takes one

VARROA mite is a pest that many people are growing to learn all about, including Paringa beekeeper Robbie Johnstone, who is concerned about the potential affects that a varroa mite outbreak would have on the Riverland bee industry. Varroa mite was...

Alexandra Bull

November 2022

Bees

Varroa mite pesticide now in development

THE South Australian bee industry will benefit from a world-first hormone-based pesticide that is safe for honey bees but fatal to the destructive varroa mite. Amid Australia’s first varroa mite outbreak, the grower-owned research and development...

Alexandra Bull

August 2022

Weather & Water

Constraints strategy kicking into gear

THREE Riverland councils were recently presented with an update on a core part of the Basin Plan, after the long-term strategy finally kicked into gear. Loxton Waikerie, Berri Barmera and Renmark Paringa councils all received updates on the...

Alexandra Bull

July 2022

Bees

Restrictions in place to combat varroa mite

Restrictions on bees, hives and associated materials entering the Riverland from New South Wales have been put into effect to protect the state from varroa mite.

Alexandra Bull

July 2022

Bees

Beekeeper’s varroa forecast... buzzkill

A RIVERLAND beekeeper predicts the varroa mite parasite devastating the New South Wales bee industry will be “everywhere” by this time next year. Varroa is a tiny external parasite of honey bees, feeding and living on adult honey bees, as well...

Alexandra Bull

July 2022