ABC Rural Roundup for January 5, 2013

		No. 229/ 04 January 2013
		Welcome to a New Year of the ABC Rural RoundUp and as south-east Australia suffers in the grip of a heatwave and prolonged dry, we hope you are all safe. Sheep swelter as South Australia prepares for extreme fire conditions EU farmers slow to embrace sow stall change SBS series on mining to look at its impact on past, present and future Iron ore price continues climb Seed technology gets a revamp China and Australia join reproductive forces » More Rural News 161 years of bush racing at Wallabadah A good track, fine horses and plenty of punters for New Years Day racing New Year's celebration at Cradle It's 100 years since Waldheim Chalet at Cradle Mountain welcomed its first guests » More Rural Features Landline January 6, 2013   In the Genes Running a farm is a balancing act; just ask the farming family who've been working the land at Dunalley on the coast of Tasmania for seven generations. Whether it's food or fibre, there are critical choices about what crops to grow or which animals to keep. And central to the equation is the land: what's its best use and how's it to be managed?   The Hemp Comeback Hemp is one of the oldest crops known to human kind, and some historians believe the need for material to make ropes and sails for the Royal Navy, was the real reason behind the establishment of Australia as a penal colony. Now hemp is making a comeback of sorts, supplying growing markets in masonry, fibreglass replacements and textiles. However a push to legalise foods made from hemp seeds could be the key to Australia's hemp industry taking off.   Long Road Back Since 1995 the Federal Government has handed back vast tracts of land to traditional owners and bought more properties on behalf of local Indigenous groups.   Trouble brewing Australia has come a long way since the infamous days of the six o'clock swill when drinkers guzzled their industrially brewed beers before early closing time. While beer consumption has been declining for years, so called craft beers are booming. However some of the nation's smallest brewers say they're being locked out of the most lucrative end of the market. Bush Telegraph ABC Radio's Bush Telegraph is an entertaining look at rural and regional issues around Australia. Bush Telegraph is broadcast Monday to Friday between 11:00am and 12:00 on ABC's Radio National . Send us your opinions We look forward to your volleys, serves, lobs and passing shots over summer.	Podcast NSW Country Hour Local Radio Podcast Rural Reporter Radio Australia and Radio National Great Australian Ute Stories We invented it. We love it. It is the very symbol of our resourceful ingenuity. No matter what you drive, this collection of 80 ute yarns will charm you with its laconic humour and Aussie warmth. Book $32.99
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