Latest news with #dairyfarmers
ABC News
3 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Dairy farmers disappointed with new farm gate prices as drought, floods add financial pressure
Dairy farmers have been disappointed by the farm gate milk prices announced for the next financial year as they continue to struggle with drought and floods. Dairy companies have revealed their opening milk prices, a month before the start of the financial year, as required under the mandatory milk pricing code. This year's milk prices are up slightly on last year, ranging from $8.60 to $9.20 per kilogram of milk solids. But they are lower than what farmers were hoping for. The dairy heartlands of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania are in the grips of drought, while many farms in New South Wales and Queensland are recovering from floods. "This is not a normal year," Colac dairy farmer and Dairy Farmers Victoria president Mark Billing said. "The climate challenges we are seeing right across Victoria, coupled with extraordinary cost increases on farm, mean that farmers are carrying unprecedented levels of financial and emotional strain." He said companies risked the rapid decline of Australia's milk production if they did not increase prices to help dairy farmers through the tough times. "Milk processors have repeatedly said they value their suppliers," Mr Billing said. The majority of farmers are paid for the level of fat and protein in their milk, known as milk solids. Many were hoping to be paid at least $9.20 to $9.50 per kilogram of milk solids, which equated to about 70 cents per litre. Mr Billing said the prices under $9.20 on offer from the dairy companies were not enough for farmers to get by. United Dairyfarmers of Victoria president Bernie Free agreed. "It's pretty disappointing, really," he said. He said some farmers would quit the industry if milk prices did not go up soon. "I think it's a concern that farmers may move out of the industry at this price mark, especially in [drought-affected] western Victoria," he said. "Gippsland is not far behind us, and there are pockets in north-east Victoria that are doing it pretty tough. Dairy Australia's latest outlook shows the national milk pool is on track to drop 1 per cent this financial year, compared to the previous one. It has also forecast a further drop in production of up to 2 per cent in 2025/26. If that happened, milk production would sit around 8.24 billion litres, almost 3 billion less than the industry's peak in the early 2000s. Dairy Australia analysis and insights manager, Eliza Redfern, said ongoing challenges with the weather were affecting production. "We are also seeing a lower appetite for farm business growth, and we do expect some farm exits to continue within the new season," she said. Fonterra Oceania was the first milk company to announce its opening milk price for the next season, with one of the lowest prices — an average of $8.60 per kilo of milk solids. Its director of farm source and sustainability, Matt Watt, said while it was higher than last year's opening price, he understood farmers would like more. "What we've got to do is make sure we're running a business that is here, not only this year, but for years to come," he said. "That's our job, frankly, to make sure that we're continuing to make decisions that support paying a milk price that we're earning in the market. "Sometimes that is a milk price that farmers appreciate and enjoy, and other times it takes a bit of time."
ABC News
6 days ago
- Science
- ABC News
Microbial soil fertiliser trial shows early success on Tasmanian farms
A group of Tasmanian dairy farmers is hopeful tiny organisms in the soil could soon offer a cheaper, climate-friendly alternative to synthetic fertiliser. They've made more than 500 hectares available on eight farms for a pasture trial to measure whether microscopic soil organisms can supply nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK), the three essential elements in most commercial fertilisers. Agronomist Hiren Bhadani proposed the experiment three years ago while working at one of the farms now in the trial. The then-master's research student was working at George Rigney's property in Cressy, northern Tasmania, to help pay his way through university. "We were spreading urea throughout the year with one operational tractor every day going with the urea, and that's not really good for the soil or not good for the environment," Mr Bhadani said. Witnessing the daily routine got Mr Bhadani thinking about potential solutions, like applying microbes. "If we reduce the synthetic urea application, we will reduce the greenhouse gas emission in the environment, which is very, very harmful to the climate," he said. He also estimated reducing urea use by 25 per cent would save the dairy $100,000 a year. Hiring Mr Bhadani as a farm worker proved fortuitous for Mr Rigney. Sparked by an after-work yarn with Mr Bhadani about microbes and cricket, Mr Rigney agreed to a trial to see if soil microbes could improve soil health, boost pasture growth and cut the farm's reliance on urea. "[There are] millions of microbes in just one milligram of soil, but out of those millions we have only a few species which are very important for the soil, and me and George are working on those kinds," Mr Bhadani said. Mr Bhadani has been testing four species imported from India, which are sprayed onto paddocks in liquid form. Two take nitrogen from the air and put it in the soil, while the remaining microbes unlock complex forms of phosphorus and potassium, making the nutrients accessible to the plants. The pasture growth and reduced soil acidity shocked both men. "We're actually growing more grass with 25 per cent less fertiliser and soil pH is up," Mr Rigney said. When the trials began three years ago, the soil contained none of the four microbes. Now, their concentration is about 35 per cent. "They multiply by themselves … our aim is to get to 50 per cent microbes per gram of soil, and then we're going to call that fully stocked," Mr Rigney said. "That's our saturation point. We don't think that we're going to get any more benefits after that." Mr Bhadani predicted significant savings. "In the next five years, if the whole area is under [the] microbes trial, it will definitely reduce 30-to-40 per cent of the synthetic urea … that's a big, big amount for the dairy business." As word of the trial spread, other dairy farmers asked to take part. Before signing up, Troy Ainslie, manager of Woodrising Dairy at Cressy, was sceptical. He figured if they worked, microbes would already be widely used. "You have a bit of apprehension [asking], 'Why is it not done already then?' Mr Ainslie said. After the success at Woodrising, the farm's owner Compass Agribusiness Tasmania is considering using the microbes on its five other dairy farms. The trial's early success hasn't just convinced local farmers; it's also sparked interest from industry leaders. The Rigney farm supplies milk to dairy giant Fonterra. Fonterra is watching the trial closely as pressure builds worldwide for farmers to apply less urea to pastures. The milk company's agronomist, Richard Rawnsley, said nitrogen losses were a concern for the industry. "If we're losing it up [into the air], that can be lost as nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas that we don't want. And nitrogen can get down below our root zone and into our waterways. "It's a new area of science and understanding, and it's great to see what Hiren and George and the team are doing here … I think it's very exciting." While the trial is still in its early stages, Mr Bhadani hopes, with Mr Rigney's help, they might one day be able to manufacture the Indian microbes under licence on the dairy farm. Watch ABC TV's Landline at 12:30pm AEST on Sunday or stream anytime on ABC iview.
Irish Times
29-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Letters to the Editor, May 29th: On climate targets, religious education and marriage names
Sir, – I watch with ever increasing concern as Ireland drifts recklessly towards massive EU penalties for our failure to meet legally binding climate targets which targets we ourselves agreed to ('Ireland falls further behind on emissions targets, Home News, May 28th). This situation is not because we lack solutions, but only the political courage to implement them. There is a legally binding obligation to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 51 per cent by 2030-from about 60 million tonnes to about half of that. Yet even if all current climate plans were fully realised we would only achieve a 23 per cent reduction. The shortfall could cost, and is likely to cost the taxpayer, between €8 and €26 billion, not to mind the cost to planet Earth. And we continue to protect and encourage our biggest offenders, why? Cutting the national dairy herd by 30 per cent would reduce emissions by about 2 million tonnes annually. A similar 30 per cent reduction in the beef herd a further 1.5 million tonnes annually. Together that's nearly one quarter of the emissions gap we must close to avoid fines. READ MORE Other measures such as banning new fossil fuel boilers, taking existing ones out of service, mass retrofitting homes, sharply reducing car use, especially large car/ SUV use, through radical measures (perhaps rationing fuel availability for everyone regardless of the size of their car), public transport investment, stopping the subsidisation of aviation fuels and suspending new data centre expansion etc could close much of the remaining gap. Even smaller symbolic changes, like reducing or removing red meat and dairy from school lunches, hospital menus and other state funded meals would reduce both demand and emissions even further. The necessary steps are obvious, what's missing is not the funding or the means – it's the courage to face down lobby groups and do what is clearly required, rather than kick the can down the road for the sake of temporary popularity. Too many of our politicians are afraid of farmers, air passengers, motorists and others –afraid of doing what needs to be done. It is somewhat depressing, and even more depressing to think that, if this letter is published, there is unlikely to be any substantive response from the powers that be. – Yours, etc, PAUL O'SHEA, Dublin 18. Sir, –The report that Ireland is projected to achieve a reduction of just 23 per cent in total greenhouse emissions by 2030 is alarming. As the report highlights, this exposes Ireland to multibillion costs imposed by the EU. While some of the more bullish commentators dismiss the prospect of such penalties, they might note international reports that the EU as a whole will hit the target for a 55 per cent reduction. Tolerance for Ireland's poor performance is very unlikely in that scenario. Those billions in Apple taxes which we disputed with the EU may well be on their way to Brussels. –Yours, etc, DAVID LOUGHLIN, Dublin. What's in a name? Sir, – Aine Kenny (' Yet another good name lost to the Mrs Machine' , Wednesday 28th May) is disappointed at women changing their last names to their husband's name when they marry. She describes this as part of a patriarchal, sexist tradition and symbolic misogyny. Of course, this is all true except that nowadays women have full choice in the matter. Women do not have to change their name on marrying, nor are children 'automatically' given their father's name as is suggested. While traditions can be hard to shake off, these are all choices that people are free to make in a modern society and most people, other than newspaper columnists, really don't care what name people choose in these situations. Double barreled names sounds like the ideal egalitarian choice, but what happens when two people with double barreled names get married? If they have children will they be given quadrupled barrelled names? At some point for most people it makes sense to choose a name. I personally like having the same name as my husband and children, it is our family name and signifies us a unit and I am happy with the choice I made while fully aware of the patriarchal tradition this comes from. Aine admits to having a big white wedding. Unless her new husband also wore virginal white, she too has taken part in an inherently sexist symbolically misogynistic tradition. We are both lucky that we had the choice to opt into inherently sexist traditions simply because we wanted to. We should not judge or sneer at the choices made by others.– Yours, etc, KAY CHALMERS, Douglas, Cork. Sir, – Áine Kenny tells us that a woman changing surname on marriage suffers a loss of identity. I'm afraid that loss is centuries old. The name she loses is her father's name. The name she takes is her husband's. Did women ever have names of their own? – Yours, etc, BERNIE LINNANE, Dromahair, Co Leitrim. Too many boards Sir, – In the wake of the current HSE controversy, it begs the question why we have so many organisations in the delivery of health care with their own separate boards. The function of a board is to provide management oversight, set broad policy objectives ensure compliance and protect shareholder interests. All of these functions should be management objectives set by the HSE and not the purview of independent boards of management. In the current controversy we have the CHI board, hospital boards and National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), to name a few. It would be more transparent if these were simply just functions within the HSE. – Yours etc, LIONEL BARKER, Sandymount, Dublin. Speeding cyclists Sir, – Kathy Sheridan ('I have nothing against cycling but spare me speeding cyclists' Opinion, 28th May)notes that there is a cultural issue amongst cyclists in Ireland. As a frequent cyclist and occasional motorist, I often find myself annoyed and frustrated with other cyclists behaving recklessly and ignoring the rules of the road. However, she misses a point on priorities for road use; the behaviour of drivers is by far a more serious issue we should focus on. Distracted driving, phone use, aggressive behaviour have all become all too frequent the past few years. On a final note; if motorists and pedestrians find cyclist behaviour to be unsafe, then they should be the biggest proponents of investment in greenways and good cycling infrastructure! – Yours, etc, PAUL BARRY, Leixlip, Co Kildare. Sir, –While Kathy Sheridan raises some valid concerns in her article 'The aggressive speed and silence of cyclists is a cultural problem that needs tackling in Ireland,' it's important to keep perspective. This is not the most pressing issue on our roads. The biggest problem is not cyclists, but the almost complete absence of safe, high-quality infrastructure for walking and cycling. And if we're talking about cultural issues, the most deep-rooted one is our collective dependence on cars, particularly the rise of ever bloating SUVs. This car-centric mindset, what some refer to as 'car brain', conditions us to ignore the real source of danger and dysfunction on our roads. Instead, we often shift blame onto more vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians, simply because they disrupt the illusion that the car should always come first. If we are serious about making our roads safer and our cities more liveable, we need to start by questioning that assumption, not by scapegoating those who are already at risk. – Yours, etc, DR OLA LØKKEN NORDRUM, Irish Doctors for the Environment, Dublin 4 US student visas Sir, – As the US State Department prepares to expand social media vetting of foreign students I am reminded of Senator McCarthy campaign of spreading fear of communism. If McCarthyism was the political practice of publiciding accusations of disloyalty or subversion with insufficient regard to evidence. Then is Trumpism the same practice of publicising accusations of disloyalty or subversive based on what your friends have shared with you on social media? As it turned out in the 1950s there were no reds under the beds. – Yours, etc, DERMOT O'ROURKE , Lucan, Dublin. Education and religion Sir – I agree with Alan Hynes ('Catholic education is not about indoctrination - it is about preparing pupils to contribute to the common good' , May 27th) that religious education is important. But, when I use the term 'religious education' I am talking about being educated about religions (plural). Mr Hynes initially appears to endorse this very approach when he writes: 'In an increasingly pluralistic and multicultural society, the importance of religious education has never been more apparent' and 'individuals are more likely than ever to interact with people from various religious backgrounds. Misconceptions about religious beliefs often lead to prejudice, fear and even conflict'. But then what he means by 'religious education' appears to shift when he says that it provides 'a proposition of faith'. Here, he conflates two completely different and mutually exclusive meanings of the term 'religious education'. One entails a non-biased and objective education about religions (plural), while the other entails a biased and non-objective form of education in terms of religion, which in the guise Mr. Hynes advocates, overtly promotes one faith - namely Catholicism- over all others as well as atheism and agnosticism. For example, he writes of a 'responsibility: to faithfully transmit the teachings of the church'. Mr Hynes refers to constitutional and human rights. Children have a clear-cut constitutional right not to attend religious instruction (indoctrination) in state-funded schools, but this right is flouted in Catholic schools across the country, and the State is of the clear opinion that it is for each school to ensure that this right is protected. Children often have no choice but to remain in the classroom during these sessions in breach of their clearly enshrined constitutional right, while often being segregated at the back of the class and therefore othered within the classroom. Moreover, because of the 'integrated curriculum', children are exposed to more subtle forms of religious indoctrination throughout the school day. So much for 'inclusion' and respect for children's rights. What kind of 'values-based education' which purports to espouse 'the essential dignity of all' engages in such practices? Mr Hynes refers to the late Pope Francis. In an interview with La Croix in 2016, Pope Francis has said that the 'States must be secular. Confessional states end badly. That goes against the grain of history. I believe that a version of laicity accompanied by a solid law guaranteeing religious freedom offers a framework for going forward.' The Irish school system is one which is consistent with that of a confessional state. It is a system in which children's rights are breached while Church and State turn a blind eye. – Yours, etc, ROB SADLIER, Rathfarnham, Dublin. Wrong turn on Pearse Street Sir, – I had to double-take on your headline: ( 'Dublin's Pearse Street 'noticeably quieter' since left-turn ban,' May 28th). It should be clarified that your reporter refers to just one section of Pearse Street (the 400 metres between Westmorland Row and Tara Street) as enjoying less noise and congestion. It's worth pointing out that this part of Pearse Street has no residents, only businesses. Iwrite from a flat above a shop on the other side of Pearse Street, at the junction with Erne Street, where traffic has hugely increased since these traffic changes. To get onto Tara Street and across the Quays now, traffic is joining Pearse Street earlier, via Macken Street or Erne Street (closer to Grand Canal Dock). Pearse Street has consistently achieved top placement in delightful lists of pollution 'hotspots', 'blackspots' and 'areas of concern', with health risks posed and EU air pollution limits 'repeatedly breached'. I can only imagine that this new influx of cars will cause air monitors to simply expire in a puff of toxic smoke. Previously, rush-hour traffic (4pm - 7pm) would have cars at a standstill on Pearse Street (from the Macken Street junction towards city centre) and surrounding roads of Macken Street, Erne Street and Grand Canal Street Lower. This week there has been no rush hour traffic – that is to say, the rumbling, revving, riled up traffic jam lasts all day long. It's great that one section of Pearse Street is now quieter, as per your article. As one of those fabled few who 'live above the shop' in our country's capital, I recognise the desperate need to make Dublin into a liveable city - for Pearse Street residents, a breathable city would be a good first step. To be clear, we need even more traffic restrictions for private cars, replacing that option with many more buses, Darts, Luases and cycle tracks. I would urge The Irish Times to look at Pearse Street more fully in future, lest I have to read about 'Pearse Street' being quieter while the roar of engines and aggressively long beeps increase daily outside my window. – Yours, etc, CARA DUNNE, Pearse Street, Dublin 2. I nsurance the legal profession Sir, how disappointing to see the Chair of the Bar Council resort to populist invective in defending the role of lawyers in bringing personal injury claims( 'Is going to court worth it for personal injuries claimants? A lawyer and insurer go head to head on the issue' , Tuesday, May 27th).Describing insurers as bandits is just as bankrupt an approach as similar demonisation of lawyers. Perhaps he resorts to such demagoguery because his arguments are so poorly made: a society needs profitable insurers because the insolvency of an insurer leaves policyholders exposed and reliant on limited government compensation schemes. And if profits are considered too high, that's a regulatory issue best addressed by regulators aiming to lower premiums for the benefit of all. His thesis seems to include the idea that high insurer profits should be addressed by higher awards. How does he square the idea that awards should be informed by insurer profitability with the common view that they should be determined only by justice and circumstances of the case? If he has better arguments to make, he should do so more dispassionately. – Yours, etc, DECLAN BLACK Donnybrook Dublin 4 Background check Sir, – David Clarke (Letters, 28th May) is sceptical of the description of Madeleine ffrench-Mullen, who has had a plaque mounted at her childhood home in Ranelagh, as a 'radical Irish nationalist despite coming from a middle-class Protestant background '. He rightly cites Wolfe Tone, Robert Emmet, Maud Gonne and other equally prominent Protestant nationalists. My ancestor Madeleine was certainly a radical nationalist, a proponent of women's suffrage, and a social reformer, but for the record, she came from a long established Catholic family. – Yours, etc, RODNEY DEVITT, Dublin.
SBS Australia
23-05-2025
- Climate
- SBS Australia
Cows dead on beaches, beehives destroyed: Locals 'numb' after NSW flood devastation
Residents in parts of the NSW mid-north coast were met with a shocking scene as dead cattle beneath debris washed up on beaches after being swept away in raging floodwaters. Heavy machinery is removing them from the sand, in a heartbreaking picture of what's been lost in floods that have decimated the region this week. It's expected many more dead animals will be discovered as floodwaters recede further and the true toll is laid bare. Fifth-generation dairy farmer James Neal from Oxley Island, just east of Taree, told SBS he knew of nearly a hundred local dairy farmers impacted. "It's such a desperate situation, unprecedented in that any plan you had just went straight out the window," said. "It's been really stressful for everyone involved. "This is going to take a huge mental toll on farmers for sure. It's upsetting." Emotions are still raw as the community grapples with the distressing loss of both animals and property. Neal was one of hundreds who also had to be rescued when water rose rapidly on Tuesday night, catching many off guard. "I had to get rescued at our own house and there were so many calls, SES was so under the pump," he said. "We had a friend rescue us and some other people up to their waist in water sitting on a table. "All our houses for our staff went under water as well." Neal said many farmers in the area made contingency plans for moving stock to higher ground after major flooding in 2021, but those areas were under water by half a metre this week. "In 2021, we had a flood that was recognised as one in 100. This year they're saying this is a one-in-500-year flood because all those areas that were normally flood-free are not flood-free anymore," Neal said. "Cows just got washed away and basically got caught on fences. I've got heaps of photos of stock that has washed up and they're not even local ones, they've come from upriver where obviously people thought they were on flood free paddocks and they just weren't." According to WeatherZone, Oxley Island received 279 millimetres of rain on Tuesday alone, 500 millimetres over three days — equivalent to eight months' worth of rain. Neal said they weren't warned of the severity of the weather event, and modelling didn't reflect how much rain ultimately came. He and many more on the island have been isolated for days without power and struggling to tend to their livestock that have survived with feed washed away and equipment destroyed. According to Neal, dairy cows also need to be milked every 24 hours, but that is proving a nearly impossible task in current conditions. Laura Polson, part of one of Oxley Island's biggest dairy farming families, has also been isolated on her property, trying to keep animals alive. "Sadly, a lot of calves have been lost but we were able to hoist this white calf up out of the water and have been feeding it bread, milk and weet-bix," she told SBS on Thursday. "My dad, brother and sister have made huge efforts to protect our cows and calves on other parts of the island but it's unknown how those cows are doing." Commercial beekeeper Colin Broos keeps hundreds of hives on Oxley Island and says he's lost most of them in the flood. "Pretty devastating. I've lost 40 to 50 per cent of my income. Just like that, gone." "We had the droughts in 2019, we were all affected by bushfires, lost hives there, a lot of people did. Then we had the floods in '21, then we had Varroa Mite, and now we've got this. It's pretty tough." He was ferried across flooded pastures on a friend's boat to assess the damage to his hives. "This is next level. We did not expect this. There were no warnings … nobody knew how bad this was going to get. It's taken us by completely by surprise." "We're a bit numb at the moment actually." Other Oxley Island farmers like Lee Fieldhouse say it's going to be a 'tough winter' for everyone in the area. "From an animal perspective, the pastures are in trouble and a lot of hay has been lost, the soil has been lost as well," Fieldhouse said. "Because [the flood] is so late, it'll take a very long time to dry out this time of year. "There's going to be a lot of people that have lost everything." He has been reaching isolated friends by canoe, delivering supplies to keep spirits up. "I've done the bread and milk run and beer and ciggies. All the essentials." Sherinah Peck is one of likely hundreds of people whose homes have been completely flooded and who have lost nearly everything. Already facing the challenge of rebuilding a destroyed home, Peck was injured by a distressed cow while searching the beach for missing belongings that washed away during the flood. She had to travel two hours south to hospital in Newcastle with a suspected broken leg, because the nearest public hospital in Taree was still cut off by floodwater. "Taree is only 15 minutes away from where I live but I couldn't get to that hospital," Peck said. "I have to have surgery… for them to put in a plate and screws." The lack of a public hospital in Forster-Tuncurry has been the subject of debate for several years. On Tuesday, local member Tanya Thompson told SBS it was a serious problem. "I called on the premier to do a stand up hospital in Forster because people in that area don't have access to public health at the moment, that's a concern," Thompson said. "If something happens, where do they go? Our paramedics are stretched. We're in a whole world of pain here. "We don't want any further trauma here; we are already traumatised enough." Peck has appealed to her community to look out for things that have been washed from her home, including one with deep sentimental value. "I am after one particular item, that means the world to me and that's my mum's bike if anyone finds that I'll be so grateful," she said. "Her bike – Betsy – was everything." Many others have lost everything, and donations have begun to pour in to support those in need. Four people have died in the flooding disaster.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Bizarre scenes on beach as heavy rain continues, man found dead in flooded home, lotto winner purposely sits on $1.6m ticket
Hello and welcome to Yahoo's live news blog this Thursday. The devastating floods on the Mid North Coast in NSW have turned deadly after a man's body was found inside a flooded home. A lotto winner says he purposely sat on his $1.6 million winning ticket to "ponder" his life-changing prize. The Sunshine Coast man now plans on telling absolutely no-one about his win. Dairy farmers are in crisis as the NSW floods engulfed farms across the region. Swollen rivers and creeks swept "distressed" livestock from fields and dumped them on beaches. Ange Postecoglou finally has something to cheer about after he became the first Australian to lift a European trophy in football. Find out why one of his 2024 quotes is going viral. Follow along as we bring you regular updates throughout the day. Widespread flooding continues to severely impact NSW's Mid North Coast and has proven devastating for dairy farmers. The record-breaking flood level of the Manning River has swept "distressed" livestock downstream and left them on Old Bar Beach and further along the coastline. Sad video shared online shows several people on Wallabi Beach trying to herd the cows off the beach, with the woman who shared the photos saying the cows were "so scared and exhausted". Local police reiterated that the cows will be frightened and the public should take caution when nearby. Dairy farmer Sue McGinn told the ABC the situation is "diabolical" and farmers across the region were desperately in need of help. Imagine winning the lottery and then sitting on your ticket for five weeks. Well that's exactly what this Sunshine Coast man did, after taking 39 days to come forward and claim his $1.6 million prize. He was one of three Division one winners in the Gold Lotto draw from April 12 and while he learnt of his win soon after, he decided not to reach out to lottery officials. "I just had to sit and ponder the win for a month. I couldn't believe it," he said after checking his win at his local newsagent. He said he now plans on keeping his win a complete secret and won't be telling a sole. Well, he did call it. Ange Postecoglou has guided Tottenham Hotspur to European success after defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final. He becomes the first Australian to lift a European trophy in the sport and it comes after his now-iconic declaration at the start of the season. 'Usually in my second season I win things," he told reporters last year. 'I'll correct myself. I don't usually win things - I always win things in my second year." And the players lapped up his remarks after the final whistle, with star James Maddison seen holding up a meme of the quote before a photo of the moment was shared on Tottenham's official accounts. The win is one of few highlights in what former Socceroos star Mark Bosnich described as a "dark" season for Postecoglou, with his Tottenham side, regarded as one of the 'Big Six' English sides, unable to finish higher than 16th place in the table. Postecoglou delivered Spurs their first trophy since 2008. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tottenham Hotspur (@spursofficial) The floods on NSW's Mid North Coast have turned deadly, with police confirming a man's body has been found in a flooded home. The 63-year-old's body was found in a flooded home in Moto about 3pm on Wednesday, police said. Premier Chris Minns said the death was "horrifying" before praising the ongoing efforts of rescue teams during the challenging situation. More than 1000 calls were made to the SES in the past 24 hours, with 339 residents rescued from the floodwaters as they near 1-in-500-year levels. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Widespread flooding continues to severely impact NSW's Mid North Coast and has proven devastating for dairy farmers. The record-breaking flood level of the Manning River has swept "distressed" livestock downstream and left them on Old Bar Beach and further along the coastline. Sad video shared online shows several people on Wallabi Beach trying to herd the cows off the beach, with the woman who shared the photos saying the cows were "so scared and exhausted". Local police reiterated that the cows will be frightened and the public should take caution when nearby. Dairy farmer Sue McGinn told the ABC the situation is "diabolical" and farmers across the region were desperately in need of help. Imagine winning the lottery and then sitting on your ticket for five weeks. Well that's exactly what this Sunshine Coast man did, after taking 39 days to come forward and claim his $1.6 million prize. He was one of three Division one winners in the Gold Lotto draw from April 12 and while he learnt of his win soon after, he decided not to reach out to lottery officials. "I just had to sit and ponder the win for a month. I couldn't believe it," he said after checking his win at his local newsagent. He said he now plans on keeping his win a complete secret and won't be telling a sole. Well, he did call it. Ange Postecoglou has guided Tottenham Hotspur to European success after defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final. He becomes the first Australian to lift a European trophy in the sport and it comes after his now-iconic declaration at the start of the season. 'Usually in my second season I win things," he told reporters last year. 'I'll correct myself. I don't usually win things - I always win things in my second year." And the players lapped up his remarks after the final whistle, with star James Maddison seen holding up a meme of the quote before a photo of the moment was shared on Tottenham's official accounts. The win is one of few highlights in what former Socceroos star Mark Bosnich described as a "dark" season for Postecoglou, with his Tottenham side, regarded as one of the 'Big Six' English sides, unable to finish higher than 16th place in the table. Postecoglou delivered Spurs their first trophy since 2008. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tottenham Hotspur (@spursofficial) The floods on NSW's Mid North Coast have turned deadly, with police confirming a man's body has been found in a flooded home. The 63-year-old's body was found in a flooded home in Moto about 3pm on Wednesday, police said. Premier Chris Minns said the death was "horrifying" before praising the ongoing efforts of rescue teams during the challenging situation. More than 1000 calls were made to the SES in the past 24 hours, with 339 residents rescued from the floodwaters as they near 1-in-500-year levels.
