August food for thought…

• Where Does Women’s Health Fit into the International Year of the Woman Farmer?
• Child nutrition nutrient gaps - The Milk Matrix: Why Real Milk Beats Plant Alternatives
• National farmer wellbeing report finds worsening mental health across sector
• Shamonda-like virus detected on Dutch cattle farms
• Cobungra cattle station sale sparks carbon farming concerns

Where Does Women’s Health Fit into the International Year of the Woman Farmer? From FoodTank.com. Women in agricultural communities are farmers and also simultaneously caregivers, nutrition providers, innovators, pillars of their communities, and so much more. As the International Year of the Woman Farmer calls attention to, gender gaps in income and in accessing resources like land ownership and financial markets have been well-documented. But there’s another factor that cannot get lost during this special year: Women’s health. If a woman’s health is not prioritised and supported, how will she be effective in her job of feeding and nourishing. Read the article

Child nutrition nutrient gaps - The Milk Matrix: Why Real Milk Beats Plant Alternatives – from edairynews.com. A new scientific review highlights the structural and nutritional superiority of dairy over soy, oat, and almond drinks. Read the article

National farmer wellbeing report finds worsening mental health across sector – from ABC News. More than 1,000 farmers responded to a survey which formed the basis of the 2026 National Farmer Wellbeing Report. It found primary producers were facing sustained and cumulative pressures, with two in five reporting they had considered leaving the industry. The Black Dog Institute has recommended authorities enact immediate practical support in the aftermath of natural disasters. Read the article

Shamonda-like virus detected on Dutch cattle farms - from Dairy Global. An infection with an orthobunyavirus has been detected on 4 cattle farms in the Netherlands. Using various sequence analysis techniques, Dutch animal health organisation Royal GD has identified the virus as the Shamonda-like virus. The virus had previously been detected in Switzerland, France and Germany. Read the article

Cobungra cattle station sale sparks carbon farming concerns - from ABC News. An iconic cattle station in Victoria's far east has sold to a carbon fund and asset manager, Silva Capital. The federal opposition says prime agricultural land should not be used for carbon credits. What’s next? Read the article