The WeeklyTimeNow Business News

Prime start to New Year

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 02:00:00 EST

NEW year prime markets opened strongly with many sales quoted as up 2-10c/kg on pre-Christmas rates.

Noel's keeping an eye on costs

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 02:00:00 EST

EVEN without the freight costs of northern buyers, local restockers such as Noel Reeves were still having to look hard at their buy-in figures at Hamilton, in Victoria, on Monday.

NZ push on Aussie traceability

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 02:00:00 EST

NEW Zealand's sheep industry "will look like the laggard for rural traceability" if it doesn't follow Australia's lead on livestock identification.

Agri chiefs rake it in

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 02:00:00 EST

INCITEC Pivot Limited chairman John Watson has had his remuneration almost double in just three years to almost $470,000.

Eastern Australia harvest slows

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 17:26:00 EST

A HARVEST of winter grains, including wheat, in southeast Australia is nearly complete - except in Victoria - just as summer sorghum crops ripen further north.

GRDC releases guide for cash-strapped growers

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 17:08:00 EST

GRAIN growers cash-strapped after another year of drought have been offered a help with farm business planning by the Grains Research and Development Corporation.

Warrnambool bosses to back pay $200k

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 14:39:00 EST

EMPLOYERS in Victoria's southwest who short changed workers will have to back pay $200,000 after investigations by the federal workplace watchdog.

Winemaker admits to misleading consumers

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 13:40:00 EST

A SOUTH Australian winemaker has admitted it may have misled consumers in a free beer sales promotion offered last year.

Business confidence at record lows

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 13:08:00 EST

BUSINESS confidence is at record lows, with the global financial crisis dealing a blow to sales and profitability, a new survey shows.

Heavy Angus steers top $750 at Hamilton

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 12:55:00 EST

LOCAL buyers had the greatest influence on the opening Western District calf sale at Hamilton, paying to a top of $750 for heavy Angus steers.

Shares up, $A closes lower

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 11:42:00 EST

The Australian sharemarket closed firmly in the black with gains across most sectors, while the dollar closed lower after a US dollar revival pushed the local currency back towards $US0.71.

Asian retail giant announces Aussie wool ban

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 10:03:00 EST

Australian farmers have been dealt another blow with an Asian clothing giant joining the growing global boycott of Australian wool.

Dollar, shares receive boost

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 07:50:00 EST

THE Australian dollar has opened firmer, gaining support from a higher oil price and expectations of more rate cuts by the European Central Bank.

Mideast, Russia issues send oil above US$48

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 07:39:00 EST

ISRAEL'S ground offensive in
Gaza and a dispute between Ukraine and Russia over gas imports pushed oil prices above US$48 a barrel Monday, but some analysts say there is more than just unrest in the Middle East behind the rally.

Crude oil price recovery may aid grain prices

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 07:22:00 EST

A RECOVERY in crude oil prices due in part to Israel's Gaza strikes is likely to keep grain prices higher over the next few days.