Cressida and Michael Cains are award-winning cheesemakers in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, who have set up a peer-to-peer energy trading scheme that allows them to trade surplus energy from their solar panel and battery system.In this episode we will learn how they set their system up and the dramatic changes it meant for their business, including the goal of being energy positive on farm. The Cains are always looking for ways to innovate and are well on their way to becoming carbon neutral. In 2020 Cressida was the AgriFutures National Rural Women’s Award National Runner Up, and in 2021 she launched Dairy Cocoon, a not-for-profit digital platform and support hub which provides a pathway for willing dairy farmers to begin their journey up the value chain. The National Winner and Runner Up of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award will be announced at a Gala Dinner and National Announcement on Tuesday, 12 September 2023 at the Great Hall, Parliament House in Canberra. Tickets are now on sale, to read more visit: https://agrifutures.com.au/news/tickets-on-sale-rwa-gala-dinner-and-national-announcement/ Featuring: Cressida Cains, Pecora Dairy farm owner and operator, 2022 Rural Women’s Award Runner Up.Judy Kennedy, AgriFutures onAIR contributor at Judy Kennedy Media.Related content:Future looks positive for NSW dairy’s energy trading system: https://agrifutures.com.au/news/future-looks-positive-for-nsw-dairys-energy-trading-system/ Eight-part alternative energy series spurring Australian rural industries efforts to switch to renewables: https://agrifutures.com.au/news/eight-part-alternative-energy-series-spurring-australian-rural-industries-efforts-to-switch-to-renewables/ AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award National Winner and Runner Up announced: https://agrifutures.com.au/news/agrifutures-rural-womens-award-national-winner-and-runner-up-announced/ 

Meet Marieke Hoelscher, an inspiring Horizon Scholar who turned a gap year running camel tours into a career in Australia's emerging industries. She has completed placements in insect, industrial hemp, and native bee industries and is now pursuing a career in extension to work with emerging industry producers. Featuring:Marieke Hoelscher, AgriFutures Horizon Scholar Related content:2022 AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship winners announced: https://agrifutures.com.au/news/2022-agrifutures-horizon-scholarship-winners-announced/   University student keen on camels, not cropping, bucks trend of her cohort: https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2022-12-27/camels-over-cropping-for-csu-student-studying-agriculture/101726498 

Bluegreen aphids (Acyrthosiphon kondoi) are a major pest of lucerne and other legume crops. These tiny pests feed directly on the foliage, damaging the plant and spreading harmful viruses through crops. What’s more concerning is that the tiny insect has developed resistance to chemicals they’ve never been exposed to before, making the pest more difficult to control. Growers' concerns for bluegreen aphids launched a bottom-up research approach investigating chemical application failure in relation to the insect. To support the research project, Cesar Australia is calling on growers to send in samples of bluegreen aphids found in pasture seed paddocks. The research project is led by Cesar Australia and funded by AgriFutures Australia in partnership with Lucerne Australia.Featuring:Emma Rodham, AgriFutures Pasture Seeds Program ManagerDr Evatt Chirgwin, project leadKatrina Copping, Executive Officer, Lucerne AustraliaRelated content:From paddock to the lab: send in your bluegreen aphid samples this Autumn - https://agrifutures.com.au/news/from-paddock-to-the-lab-send-in-your-bluegreen-aphid-samples-this-autumn/ Growers asked to send in samples to tackle bluegreen aphid resistance - https://agrifutures.com.au/news/growers-help-tackle-bluegreen-aphids-insecticide-resistance/Grower concerns trigger research into bluegreen aphid resistance to insecticides - https://agrifutures.com.au/news/bluegreen-aphid-resistance-to-insecticides/

In this episode of AgriFutures OnAir we bring you an interview from the ANZ Bloodstock News podcast, the Business of Bloodstock. In this podcast Dr Ben Ahearn discusses the fascinating research funded by AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horse Program Australia on endoscopy of the upper respiratory tract at Australian Thoroughbred yearling sales and an investigation of what radiographic lesions in thoroughbred yearlings are significant in limiting future racing performance project.Featuring:·         Ben Ahearn, lead researcher and professor, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland. 

Murray cod is an iconic Australian fish species, prized by recreational anglers, Indigenous communities, and increasingly, seafood consumers. With the global and domestic unmet demand for premium white flesh fish increasing, the industry has thrown down the gauntlet setting an ambitious target of being a $100 million industry by 2050. To kick off season 3 of AgriFutures OnAir, this episode explores how the Murray Cod industry has evolved and how the industry plans on achieving its targets. Featuring:Ian Lyall Program, Fisheries and Aquaculture Management NSW Department of Primary Industries Fisheries, Leader AquacultureMatthew Ryan, Founder of Murray Cod Australia / Aquna.