Rural

Poor seasonal conditions and easing commodity prices are credited with causing a sharp decline in the confidence of Queensland farmers.

Rising electricity prices are forcing rural businesses to look for alternative energy sources. But it's not renewables they're turning to - they're going back to diesel.

With just weeks until north Queensland's wet season draws to a close, farmers report results as diverse as the rainfall.

The sale of Gold Coast cane farms could could carry the biggest price tag of any Australian land deal to a foreign investor.

The Bundaberg region in Queensland has been drought-declared after suffering through its hottest summer since 1897.

Embattled sugar marketer Queensland Sugar Limited has been forced to sack its board of industry directors as its dispute with Australia's largest sugar miller drags on.

The Federal Government says it will "not be very long" until it intervenes in a vitriolic sugar marketing dispute in Queensland if the parties involved cannot reach a solution.

Sugar entities Wilmar and Queensland Sugar Limited will not be forced into arbitration after the LNP fails to pass laws in State Parliament to mandate the move.

Rogue Federal Government backbencher George Christensen says he does not regret intervening in an agricultural dispute in Queensland, even though it cost him the position of National Party chief whip.

Queensland Parliament will urgently debate an Opposition bill aimed at forcing a long-running sugar industry dispute into arbitration, even though the Government has installed a mediator between the two bodies at the centre of the row.

The Queensland Opposition has vowed to force the major players in the state's sugar marketing dispute into arbitration, following stalled negotiations.

Sugarcane farmers in Queensland concerned about a payment dispute give a not-so-sweet message to Canberra.

The sugar lobby group Canegrowers says a joint announcement by Australia and Indonesia to reduce import tariffs will improve competitiveness.

A review of Mackay Sugar's financial position has recommended a new levy on growers, as well as a restructure and the sale of assets.

A Queensland's sugar industry report warns that the pain from increasing electricity prices under a new tariff proposal is almost guaranteed.

Farmers, residents and conservationists on Queensland's Sunshine Coast say they are receiving contradictory information about plans for a multimillion-dollar land sale.

Barnaby Joyce warns Wilmar his patience has run out as growers threaten to leave this year's cane crop in the paddock.

Some North Queensland cane growers consider withholding their crop this year if a marketing agreement with sugar miller Wilmar is not reached.

Cane growers say they will be disappointed if the United States pulls out of the Trans Pacific Partnership, which gives them new access to a lucrative market.

There have been mixed results for Queensland rice plantings following heavy rainfall in the north.

Cane growers in Sarina end their crush with about 5 per cent of the crop unharvested, while growers around Mackay express their frustration at mill performance.

A new collective cane supply agreement for Tully is welcomed as a new era of sugar marketing choice.

ABARES is forecasting a 6.1 per cent increase in Australia's agricultural production for 2016-17, driven by unexpectedly high grain yields.

There is a perception that farming and environmental preservation rarely go hand in hand, but one far north Queensland farmer is looking to change that.

Remote-controlled tractors will bring about a seismic shift in Australian agriculture by making farms "a hell of a lot more productive" and reducing farmer stress, agricultural consultants believe.