Latest from Herald Sun
Herald Sun
22 minutes ago
- Business
- Herald Sun
Aussie farmers need more than rain, so RLF harvests hope with root-deep tech
Wheat crop under pressure as dry soils persist RLF AgTech steps in with tech to boost roots and resilience New trial shows better soil, stronger crops, and lower emissions It's supposed to be winter planting season. But in parts of Victoria and South Australia, the soil's so dry it crumbles like stale cake. In Western Australia, a few inches of rain have painted the paddocks green, but scratch beneath the surface, and you'll find the same old story. Shallow roots, bone-dry subsoil, and farmers praying the next cold front doesn't pass them by. The official forecasts from ABARES expect this year's national wheat crop to drop by at least 10%, down to 30.6 million tonnes. This is a figure that, while above the 10-year average, is well below last season's bounty. Some analysts reckon the number could fall as low as 28 million tonnes. And that's not just bad luck. It's the culmination of years of soil stress, input fatigue, and farming systems pushed to the brink. The knock-on effects could stretch far beyond the farm gate. China, Indonesia, and other major buyers are watching closely. Global grain stocks are already under pressure, and any shortfall from Australia – the world's fourth-largest exporter – adds heat to a market already twitchy from Black Sea instability. From dry dirt to living soil But this isn't just a weather story, it's a soil story. And it's forcing the industry to confront an uncomfortable reality: Australia can't keep playing roulette with rain. That's where companies like RLF AgTech (ASX:RLF) are quietly changing the story, from the ground up, literally. At a glance, RLF might look like just another fertiliser company. But that's missing the point. Its core innovation, Plant Proton Delivery Technology (PPD Tech), works at a cellular level to build bigger, stronger root systems and rejuvenate the very soil those crops depend on. In a season like this, where rain offers only temporary relief, RLF's tech could create resilience from within. By priming seeds and delivering nutrients directly through the leaf or soil, it helps crops pull more from what little moisture and nutrients are there, while also laying down the organic carbon that makes next year's soil just a bit stronger than the last. It's not a silver bullet. But it's a step toward breaking the cycle of nutrient-hungry farming that's left roughly a third of the world's soils degraded. Boosting yields, building better food Stronger roots mean better uptake of micronutrients like zinc, manganese, and boron. That's critical, not just for healthier crops but for more nutritious food on the table. RLF's idea is simple: feed the plant the way it was meant to be fed. The execution, though, is high-tech. It blends agronomy, chemistry and sustainability in a way that helps plants thrive without depending so much on synthetic inputs. And it's not the only company chasing that future. ClearVue Technologies (ASX:CPV)'s ag-tech arm, OptiCrop, has just scored its first commercial sale in Israel for a root-zone cooling system that keeps plant temps in the 'Goldilocks zone'. It works like air-conditioning for crops, and when paired with ClearVue's solar glass, the whole system runs off-grid. Another company, Ridley Corporation (ASX:RIC), has just snapped up the old Incitec Pivot Fertilisers distribution network for $300 million, giving it a near stranglehold on east coast supply. Stronger soil, lower emissions Meanwhile, growers are under pressure to reduce emissions and improve soil carbon. RLF is giving them tools to do both. And that's becoming a big deal, not just in ESG reports but on real farms. Take its recent Hillston Soil Carbon Project in NSW - a real-world test bed that's part of the federal Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme. After just one season using RLF's Accumulating Carbon in Soil System (ACSS), soil organic carbon in some zones jumped by up to 5%. Greenhouse gas emissions fell by 29% across the project area, and synthetic fertiliser use dropped dramatically. Instead of pounding the paddock with urea and monoammonium phosphate, the trial used RLF's PPD-based inputs to do more with less. 'The 29% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is a significant achievement – and once the transition to RLF's system is complete, even greater emission reductions are expected', said Carbon West's Jennifer West. In a tightening margin environment, the ability to pull more value from each hectare is becoming a competitive edge, not a bonus. 'We've got the chance to make a genuine difference to global food security, soil health and meaningful carbon sequestration,' said RLF's acting managing director, Gavin Ball. 'All this, without making things any harder for our farmers.' At Stockhead we tell it like it is. While RLF AgTech and ClearVue Technologies are Stockhead advertisers, they did not sponsor this article. This story does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decision. Originally published as Aussie farmers need more than rain, so RLF harvests hope with root-deep tech
Herald Sun
4 hours ago
- Health
- Herald Sun
St John Ambulance urge Victorian government not to fall behind other states on defibrillator rollout
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News. The state government has been urged to follow South Australia and mandate defibrillators in public buildings. St John Ambulance Victoria, which launched its Defib In Your Street program in Werribee on Friday, said the move could save thousands of lives. 'More than 7500 Victorians suffer a sudden cardiac arrest every year and survival relies on quick access to a defibrillator and training the community in its use,' chief executive Gordon Botwright said. St John has placed more than 90 Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) in Victoria across Reservoir, St Albans and Sunshine, plus trained 12,500 community members in CPR in the past three years. The Defib In Your Street program aims to reduce time to access a defibrillator in a bid to increase survival rates of people suffering Sudden Cardiac Arrest by providing free training and greater access to more public defibrillators. The area of Werribee located in Wyndham City Council is home to more than 28,000 people across a 12.7 sq km area, but St John Ambulance data shows it the only has three publicly-accessible defibrillators available 24-hours a day. 'It's literally a case where every second counts … with every extra minute that a person is in cardiac arrest, their chances of surviving fall by 10 per cent,' Mr Botwright said. 'Since initiating Defib In Your Street in 2022, we have installed more than 90 defibrillators in Melbourne suburbs with a high incidence of sudden cardiac arrest, and we have substantially reduced the time needed to access a defibrillator. 'The state government needs to follow the lead of SA where more than 1000 defibrillators have been installed, so we can work together and improve access to these lifesaving devices for all Victorians. Latrobe University data of the Defib In Your Street pilot program found that in Reservoir the program reduced travel time for residents to their nearest defibrillator by 2.32 minutes (68 per cent), and doubled AED coverage for cardiac arrests. Werribee resident and retired firefighter George Andrews praised the St John program and encouraged local community members to get involved. 'Having had first-hand experience in conducting CPR on a neighbour … I know how vital timing is in improving survival rates, so I didn't think twice about becoming the first person to host a public access defibrillator,' Mr Andrews said. 'The AED units are very easy to operate so if we can improve access to them by increasing the numbers in the suburb, we will have a far greater chance of saving precious lives,' he said. St John plans to make 30 publicly-available defibrillators (PADs) accessible in Werribee to ensure there is one every 400m.
Herald Sun
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Jockey Martin Harley keen to resume Cool Archie partnership
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. A rejuvenated Martin Harley is hoping that gun colt Cool Archie can put him on the map in the same way that mighty mare Winx defined the career of fellow jockey Hugh Bowman. Irish hoop Harley returned to Brisbane on Saturday night after a much-needed holiday back home where he celebrated his epic Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) victory on Cool Archie at Eagle Farm last month with family and friends. Of course, Harley doesn't expect the Chris and Corey Munce-trained colt to win a world-record 33 consecutive races like the legendary Winx, but he knows that a quality horse like Cool Archie comes along once in a blue moon. Winx had six different riders during her illustrious career that netted more than $26m in prizemoney before her retirement in April 2019, but she will forever be associated with Bowman and champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Harley's JJ Atkins victory – which broke a 10-year drought since his last Group 1 – was just reward for his hard work, dedication and persistence after overcoming a potentially career-threatening broken neck suffered in a sickening mid-week race fall in 2023. 'The real exciting thing about having a serious injury two years ago to even being not sure if I'd ride again and then for him to do what he did and put me back on the Group 1 map, in a way he certainly has changed my life in different avenues,' Harley said. 'A lot of jockeys can win if they get the right animal but when you stumble across a horse like that, it could be real life-changing moving forward. 'Look at the Winx story regarding Hugh Bowman. And I'm not saying it'll be like that but he could be an Everest horse and (owner) Max Whitby obviously has a slot. 'There could be serious potential going forward so I'll keep my fingers crossed and we'll take it from there. To live the dream like that would be unbelievable.' • Beriman's appeal for concussion protocols to be strengthened Whitby has declared that Cool Archie should be a shoo-in for Australian Two Year Old of the Year honours during a gala ceremony in Brisbane on August 31. 'I would definitely agree and not just because I've been riding him,' Harley said. 'For a horse to go from a maiden to a Group 1 winner in the space of two months - over all different distances and kinds of tracks - he has conquered more than any other two-year-old in Australia this year.' The father-and-son Munce partnership has said that Cool Archie would be spelled for the spring and set for next autumn's $4m Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick. It comes after a gruelling winter campaign in which the colt embarked on an incredible five-race winning streak in all conditions. Martin Harley steers Cool Archie home in the Group 1 JJ Atkins at Eagle Farm. Picture: Grant Peters / Trackside Photography • Rutledge's 'omen' win on The Irish written in the stars While Cool Archie is resting, a recharged Harley will be coming down from cloud nine to reset for the 2025-26 racing season in Brisbane which starts on Friday. Looking at the bigger picture, the affable Irishman hopes to travel interstate this spring carnival for a few feature races after proving he can handle the pressure of riding in majors. 'Sydney and Melbourne are tough, there are a lot of good jockeys there, but I'll be putting my hand up for a few rides down south if I can get them,' he said. 'You can get brought back to earth pretty quickly in this game but we showed them we can score at the top level and can get the job done in high-pressure races. 'But I'm definitely not getting too far ahead of myself. I had five Group 1 winners that came pretty quick and then it took another 10 years to crack it for my other one (in the JJ Atkins).' Jockey Martin Harley. Picture: Grant Peters / Trackside Photography • 'This isn't a novelty': Female hoops set up for success In the meantime, Harley can look back at that memorable day on June 14 when his dream of finally winning a Group 1 in Australia became reality. 'I went into the jockeys' room that day and I can honestly tell you, there wasn't one jockey who begrudged me the win,' he said. 'They were that happy for me and that made me even more proud.' Originally published as Rejuvenated Martin Harley hopes gun colt Cool Archie will define his career
Herald Sun
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- Herald Sun
Behind the scenes in Kia's Tasman Town
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring News. Followed categories will be added to My News. How many sports stars does it take to convince Australians that Kia can make a good, off-road, dual cab ute? The South Korean car manufacturer – better known for their sensible SUVs – clearly thinks the answer is a lot. Last week, for the launch of its first-ever ute, the Tasman, Kia shipped Alex Volkanovski, Lance Franklin, David Boonie, Damien Oliver, Alfie Langer, Steve Waugh, Dane Swan, Nathan Hindmarsh and Darren Lockyer to a small country town in the Central West of New South Wales. MORE: Kia's Tasman tested in pre-production form Retired Broncos star Darren Lockyer with a horse in Tasman Town. Picture: Supplied A truly impressive bevy of athletes. Some of the biggest names in Australian sport. And they were all brought together to participate in what might best be described as a night of improvisational theatre. No, really. For the launch, Kia took over Sofala, a historic gold rush town with a population of around 100 people, and transformed it into 'Tasman Town', the imaginary destination featured in their ads. I was one of a few dozen motoring writers and media types who were invited along for the event. MORE: Drivers fed up by dangerous driving Kia transformed Sofala, NSW, into Tasman Town. Picture: Supplied On arrival, we were greeted as though we were newcomers to the area, interested in buying a local property. To help us get acquainted with the town, an actor, playing the local mayor, gave us a tour of the main street. Along the way, we were introduced to a few of the 'residents'. These were, of course, the athletes who were in character as … well … themselves. But versions of themselves who drove Kias, worked trades, and lived in a fake town. Frankly, I call this non-consensual improvisation. MORE: Driving Subaru's Forester hybrid Kia transformed a pub into the Tasman Hotel. Picture: Supplied Usually, I would gnaw off my own hand to avoid it. Kia, perhaps being one step ahead of dissidents like myself, were mercifully quick to distribute beer and wine to prevent any such drastic actions. Certainly, some athletes were more comfortable in their acting roles than others. UFC Featherweight Champion Alex Volkanovski – pretending to a butcher – was a standout performer. I suppose if your actual job is beating men into a pulp with your knuckles, all other gigs are comparatively easy. MORE: Australia's favourite cars Kia transformed Sofala, NSW, into Tasman Town. Picture: Supplied A few actual Sofala residents were also involved in the show. They had the important job of walking ponies and goats up and down the street. You know, just like any ordinary country town. The rest of the locals had gathered at the pub, schooners in hand, to watch the palaver unfold. Their faces were inscrutable as the media pack shuffled past. Once the mandatory theatre component of the evening had concluded, guests and the sporting icons were free to mingle. MORE: Jet pilot tech changing Aussie cars Former cricketer Steve Waugh in Kia's Tasman Town. Picture: Supplied This, I realise, would be a dream event for many Australians. Unfortunately, as someone with terrible facial memory and a dearth of knowledge on any non car-related sport, I was in a personally-tailored horror story. Every conversation was socially fraught. Did this person look familiar because I've met them at a car launch? Or are they an Australian sporting legend whom I should absolutely know? There were a million ways for a person like me to socially embarrass themselves. Inevitably, it wasn't long before I found one. MORE: Huge ask for Australia's most valuable car Retired NRL star Nathan Hindmarsh in Kia's Tasman Town. Picture: Supplied During the evening's formal dinner, the person assigned to the place next to me sat down, shook my hand and asked, 'Who are you?'. This was an aggressive start to a conversation, I thought. I fired back, 'I'm Stephanie, who are you?' To which he replied, very politely, that he was Nathan Hindmarsh, one of the footy players. Also, he clarified, he'd asked me how are you, not who are you. Hindmarsh then proceeded to further shame me by being thoroughly funny and charming for the rest of the evening. The Tasman launch was an extravaganza, but I was obviously not the target audience. Stephanie Coombes with the Kia Tasman. Picture: Supplied The fact that no female sporting stars were present – even though they featured in some of the ads – is further evidence of this fact. If Kia has a vision board for the Tasman, dead centre is a caricature of an Aussie tradesman. Their method for appealing to these men – getting high-profile sporting heroes to pretend to be tradies – is borderline patronising. But Kia is not in a position to take any serious creative risks. They need the Tasman to work in Australia. This is no small task. Kia is entering a very established, highly-competitive dual cab ute market late in the day, and with a car that is being thoroughly panned online for its boxy, brutalist design. Kia has decided to align itself with winners. Only time will tell whether that sporting glory will rub off on the Tasman, a ute that's joining the race well behind the starting line. Originally published as Behind the scenes in Kia's Tasman Town
Herald Sun
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Herald Sun
Country footy: KDFNL game between Undera and Violet Town called off
Don't miss out on the headlines from Country Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News. A Victorian country footy game was forced to be abandoned on Saturday afternoon after a player suffered a suspected neck injury. The Kyabram District Football Netball League senior match between Undera and Violet Town was called off in the first quarter after a player from the home side landed awkwardly in a marking contest. Ambulance Victoria confirmed paramedics had attended Undera Recreation Reserve. 'A teenage male was treated by paramedics and transported to Goulburn Valley Hospital in a serious condition,' a statement provided to this masthead said. Undera was leading the game 4.4 (28) to 0.3 (3) when it was called off by officials. As per AFL rules, the two sides will now receive two points each as the game had been abandoned before halftime. Undera has been contacted for comment. Country Footy A Moe star will qualify for finals under Gippsland league rules on Saturday, but his flag dreams are still in the hands of AFL Victoria. See the latest. Country Footy Broadford has a coach for its Bendigo league debut next year and now attention has turned to what help it needs to be competitive.
