Eliza Spencer

From the ground up: growing a contracting business on the family farm Meet the young farmer building a business one contract at a time.

Facebook callouts for the win! Young Lachlan Vallender was dobbed in by family and friends as a standout young farmer making waves in the Southern Tablelands, and with good reason. 🌿

Full story (and machinery vid) at the link below 🚜

www.theland.com.au/story/9195769

#AgSky #AusAg

'Enough talk': calls for action as govt announces new feral pig, deer review Industry groups have warned of more paperwork and less action.

Opponents have come out swinging against more paperwork, less action, after another review was announced.

www.theland.com.au/story/9191703/

#AusAg #Biosecurity #AgSky

What 'nature-positive' policies could mean for farming's bottom line A seven-point plan has been put to government for productivity and planet.

Big news in the carbon and ag space, with a new blueprint for "Healthy Country and Thriving Regions" released this week.

All the deets, along with why the big supermarkets should pay up already, in the link!

www.theland.com.au/story/9190150/

#AgSky #AusAg #CarbonFarming

Well, that didn't take long. 🙄

Our farms need women, but are women in ag getting their fair share? Women's work is celebrated, but their names still aren't on the deed.

Got cranky, wrote an op-ed about country women being the 'backbone' of communities, too often without the pay and assets to back it up.

No representation without remuneration please and thank you!

www.theland.com.au/story/9189716/

#AusAg #AgSky #WomenInAg

It’s 978 days since Peta Murphy called for a ban on betting ads. What happened to Labor’s pledge to respect parliament? | Josh Butler From gambling to ‘jobs for mates’ and reports left to gather dust, the teals have a shopping list of thorny topics to talk about

Reports are delayed, then left waiting for responses. On thorny issues, there can be long silence.

News on "jobs for mates", gambling and a lack of response to parliamentary committee reports:

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

The face of ag: has much changed in the past four decades on the farm? A 40-year analysis of women in ag shows how far we have to go.

We talk a lot about women in ag, but how much has actually changed? Turns out, one dedicated researcher has sought to answer that very question, and it may not be as warm and fuzzy as you think...

www.theland.com.au/story/9185396/

#AusAg #WomenInAg #AgSky

No beef between friends: social media shuns US beef as imports to Aus begin American beef is back on Aussie shores - will you give it a try?

Consumers are un-mooved by the prospect of US beef hitting Aussie shelves, after a 'beef launch' organised by the US Embassy earlier this week.

With some rather colourful comments shared online, it's fair to say Aussie are making their feelings 'herd' 🥩🐮

www.theland.com.au/story/9184472/

#AgSky

Three people, Paris Capell, Eliza Spencer and Lindsay Boyton, stand and smile at the camera. Paris is wearing a blue dress, Eliza is wearing a patterned floral dress, and Lindsay is wearing a dark suit.

Taking part as a judge was a huge responsibility, but such a joy to meet more young women passionate about making change across the ag sector. Still can't believe I get paid to spend a day with amazing folks like these day in and day out. Truly the best job in the world.

Feedlot specialist and first-time ag worker named Young Woman finalists at Zone 2 A first-time ag worker and internationally recognised meat judge have been awarded.

City friends, may I introduce one of my new favourite country events I've discovered: the Young Woman competition.

You can hear from some of the twelve amazing finalists, and check out the bumper gallery below 👀

www.theland.com.au/story/9180311/

How a forest the size of a tennis court could transform your farm's ecosystem Behind the Japanese technique helping supercharge native habitat.

🌳 Tiny forest, big impact. 🌳

There are so many different ways landholders are boosting biodiversity and productivity outcomes on farm - the latest is inspired by a dense, multispecies, forestry system known as Miyawaki.

www.theland.com.au/story/9175702/

#AusAg #TinyForests #TreePlanting

Producers unite to put regenerative agriculture on the political map Landholders have joined forces to help shift the dial on regen ag.

There are some new players in town, and they're determined to bring together producers and policy makers to put regen ag principles in focus. 👀🌳

www.theland.com.au/story/9174447/

#AusAg #RegenerativeFarming #AusPol #AgSky

Banking on beans: southern growers lock in legumes after volatile season Agros, farmers, weigh in on new crop potential across southern NSW.

Full story with a video interview above the paywall below #BeansBeansBeans
👇
www.theland.com.au/story/9173597/

September 2025 👉 February 2026

Super gratifying to see this 20ha plot at Tirranna, near Goulburn, go from in the ground, to seeds for the 2026 season. AJ Gibson and his family tested these faba beans to see if they'd work in the rotation, and they're back for 2026! 🫘

#AusAg #FabaBeans #AgSky

Really impressed by Bill Newcomen and Garry Grant's insights for this story, clearly explaining expected speed bumps in legislation, and toning down the fight to simply say "this isn't going to work for everyone, and here's why."

'More questions than answers': farmers hit out at gun laws, demand clarity Are country gun clubs fit for use if farmers are required to attend?

Under new firearms reform, primary producers would need to be members of a gun club, & meet attendance requirements.

But if you or your staff are on a station, or the local range is for .22s, not .308s, there are some problems on the horizon.

www.theland.com.au/story/9171951/

#NSWpol #gunreform

Democracy manifest: state politics has dominated a double spread for this week's print edition of The Land!

#NSWPol #AusPol

Parliament returns: firearms, renewables and crime on the rural agenda Drought, pests, and parks unite politicians as parliament returns.

🏫 NSW state parliament is back for 2026 🏫

Trying something new for The Land News today, with a parly preview before the day kicks off. Seven pollies shared their priorities, and there's more in common across party lines than you might think. 👀

#AusPol #AusAg

www.theland.com.au/story/9166061/

The surprise from people when I explain I'm bound by my employer's editorial code, the Australian Press Council guidelines, and the MEAA code of ethics when they call with an issue. Real reporters, freelance, big time, or at the local paper, have a strong ethical framework - for a very good reason.

Preach girl, preach. As always, an incredibly insightful and important read from @miasato.bsky.social

The first pen of the day for sale at the Yass saleyards.

Kelpie pup Lucy visiting for a cuddle.

First sale of the year, and a mercifully quick one at that for the Yass first-cross ewe sale. Prices were a little softer on last year, with the full report coming up this afternoon.

#AusAg

'We've lost some friends': resilience takes a toll as renewables ramp up Mental health professionals and landholders described a 'wearing down' of resilience.

Grief has been one word used by those on both sides of the proverbial fence near renewables projects. With some great insights from mental health professionals, I asked what it will take to find a productive way forward.

www.theland.com.au/story/9137927

#AusAg #AgChatOz #AgSky

New report calls for limitations on gun ownership, access to firearms The Australia Institute provided six recommendations for gun reform.

Cards on the table, I've tried to steer clear of reporting on anything related to guns following the Bondi attack. One research paper released by the Australia Institute has been making the rounds again, so here's my story from Jan 2025 on their recommendations.

www.theland.com.au/story/8879460

Former police prosecutor leads nearly $500k fight against new gun laws Crowdfunding will support a court campaign to test new gun reforms.

More than 4000 people have donated to a crowdfund campaign to test new gun laws in NSW, following the December 14 Bondi terror attack, raising nearly $500,000.

www.theland.com.au/story/9146411/

#AusAg #AgSky #AgChatOz #GunReform

In a Christmas miracle, the ACM Agricultural Publications EA has been approved on Christmas Eve! 🎊

It includes 3.75% pay rise, backpaid to Jan 1, 2025, and comes into effect on New Year's Eve.🎇 A very festive solidarity celebration and a huge thanks to the House Committee and MEAA.

#UnionStrong

The perfect Christmas present for lots of woolgrowers!!

Five years in charity comms and the amount of data on donors is astounding, and often on really old software (Blackbaud circa 2020 I'm looking at you!)

It can be really helpful as a copywriter, but when donors realise just how the sausage is made, it doesn't always go down well.

GO PHEEEEBS 🧡

Misinformation exploits confusion, grief after Bondi attack With victims fighting for their lives and many dead in the Bondi terrorist attack, misinformation online is exploiting their suffering.

With victims fighting for their lives and many dead in the Bondi terrorist attack, misinformation online is exploiting their suffering.

www.aap.com.au/factcheck/mi...

Forward contracts save the day for Central West growers battling dry season One family was in a race against the weather, near Canowindra.

www.theland.com.au/story/913476...