Insights and Stories of Colin Packham

Mar. 5, 2014 at 2:39 pm CST

Canberra | Reuters — Drought conditions across Australia’s east coast will cut production of key agricultural commodities such as wheat and beef next season and reduce exports, the government’s chief commodities forecaster said on Tuesday. The current season could see Australia, the world’s third-largest wheat exporter, produce a bumper wheat […]

By Colin Packham

Mar. 1, 2014 at 1:04 am CST

Sydney | Reuters — Australia will issue its 2014-15 wheat production forecast next week, but with hot, dry weather across its east coast and the threat of a dry El Nino weather pattern developing, the supply picture from the world’s second largest exporter is uncertain. The Australian Bureau of Agriculture, […]

By Colin Packham

Feb. 26, 2014 at 4:12 pm CST

Sydney | Reuters — The Australian government will provide a A$320 million (C$319 million) assistance package to help farmers ravaged by years of drought across the east coast, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Wednesday. With pockets of Queensland and New South Wales recording the lowest-ever rainfall levels, farmers in […]

By Colin Packham

Feb. 7, 2014 at 9:35 am CST

Sydney | Reuters — Two neighbouring farmers, a field of canola and a gust of wind are at the centre of a landmark court case in Australia that could have consequences for the controversial growing of genetically modified (GM) crops in the country. Steve Marsh is suing former childhood friend […]

By Colin Packham, Jane Wardell

Jan. 30, 2014 at 12:44 am CST

Sydney | Reuters — Australian cattle farmers will receive much-needed rains in the next two days, forecasters said Wednesday, offering some relief to ranchers struggling to keep animals alive during a period of prolonged drought in the world’s No. 3 beef exporter. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology said much of […]

By Colin Packham