MONSANTO chief Peter O'Keeffe will speak about genetically modified food at a Rural Press Club of Victoria breakfast tomorrow.
Mr O'Keeffe will discuss what GM technology means for growers and what biotechnology will mean for the future of agriculture, at the Hilton on the Park, East Melbourne. To book, phone (03) 9696 5899.
Water skier dies
ONE man has died and several people were injured during the 2010 Southern 80 event in Echuca at the weekend. Tim Driver, 43, died after colliding with another racer on Saturday.
Wally with water
A GRAMPIANS Wimmera Mallee Water customer has been found guilty of 13 charges including interfering with a water meter, removing a water meter, taking and using water without consent and breaching Stage 4 water restrictions.
The case, heard at the Ararat Magistrates Court this week, resulted in a $2500 fine for the customer, without conviction. The customer also had to pay $840.60 in costs.
Almond future
GREAT Southern's almond growers will decide next week whether Regional Funds Management becomes the responsible entity for their projects.
RFM needs approval from 50 per cent of investors in the 2007 and 2008 Almond Income Projects.
RFM was bought by Great Southern in 2007 but is seeking to cut ties to the failed company.
Rivers run dry
GOULBURN-Murray Water has warned the Broken River could cease to flow and possibly dry up for short periods this season.
The same risk applies to other regulated streams in Northern Victoria such as the Campaspe and Loddon rivers and Tulloop and Bullarook creeks. Many of the unregulated streams not supplied by releases from a water storage have stopped flowing already.
Northern rain
RAIN in January and February in Queensland and northern NSW has improved the yield potential for summer crops but overall area planted and production is forecast to be lower than last season, according to ABARE.
The rain came too late for major additional plantings in southern Queensland and northern NSW, but further sorghum plantings are likely in central Queensland.
