Country Today - March 2nd

March 2, 2026·23 min·2 clips

Analyst Andrew Whitelaw explains why an Israeli-US attack on Iran could spike diesel and fertilizer prices just before Australian farmers start planting.

Oil prices set up the first question. Libby Price starts with the link between Middle East conflict, higher oil prices, and rising fertilizer prices, then brings in analyst Andrew Whitelaw. Before long, the rain takes over. Across Victoria and the Riverina, steady falls have brought flash flood warnings from the Mallee through to northeast Victoria. Farmers want to know what to call it: an autumn break, or just a good wet spell. John Bennett gives an answer. Speaking from Lawlite after 80 millimetres, he says stored moisture should give people enough confidence to sow canola, though seed supply still matters. The exchange stays practical. Rain helps, but it does not settle every cropping call. Pastures are moving fast too. Bennett says some of the best livestock years came after a couple of inches at the start of March, then calls the break. That is a big deal for livestock producers who have been feeding animals for 18 months through the last two years. The field days segment shows the messier side of all that rain. At the Wimera machinery field days site at Longanong, more than 100 millimetres has forced changes before the March 3rd, 4th and 5th event. Vanessa Lenahan keeps it matter of fact: wet weather gear, moved parking, and shuttle buses. The program also notes Australia's highest female slaughter rate in more than 50 years. Elevate Dairy closes things out, with Alan Cameron from the Gardner Foundation explaining how ag tech providers can meet farmers, get into dairy regions, and use an Elevate Dairy farm to start actual conversations.

As heard by us

A wet-weather rural bulletin where prices, pasture, and farm events all move together.

Country Today starts by tying oil and fertilizer costs to Middle East conflict, then shifts into the rain across Victoria and the Riverina and the practical question of whether this is the autumn break.

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Listen for the rain break, the oil spike, and what both mean on farm.

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