The Cowra Region Wine Awards were celebrated at Windowrie’s The Mill, where guests were treated to a five course degustation dinner prepared by Neila Restaurant’s Anna Wong. With many vineyards in the district now over 20 years old, the wines are showing a great depth of flavour and quality. Judges sampled 95 red and white wines in all and were impressed with the entries. Best white wine by the judging panel was the Mulyan Cowra Viognier 2007 with the winery’s Mulyan Block 9 Cowra Shiraz Viognier 2006 collecting the best red wine.

Young’s export win

The Young Jam Factory showcased their products to the world in a food and drink fair in Hong Kong after receiving both Federal and NSW Government support. Co-owner Mark Smith stated the company exhibited their range of cherry, plum and tomato based products at the fair in front of 30,000 qualified trade buyers. The good news was that after all the hard work many firm orders were received for their products from these buyers. This will result in more ongoing business for the Young Jam Factory and attending the food fair turned out to be a real boost for the business and for the district’s horticulture industry.

Water release

Twenty five thousand megalitres of environmental water is being released over the coming weeks to support the stressed wetland environments of the Lower Murrumbidgee floodplain. Wetlands are being watered on private properties including Nap Nap, Wynburn and Narwhie, as well as within Yanga National Park.

The Lowbidgee floodplain contains some of the most important wetlands in the Murrumbidgee Catchment and supports important waterbird breeding colonies, River Red Gum Forest and is home to the state’s most significant population of the endangered Southern Bell Frog. The flow uses water set aside for the environment and will not affect water allocations for local irrigators or stock and domestic users.

Feeding the world

CropLife Australia believes that the use of GM crops and other innovative management practices are essential if farmers are to supply the world’s increasing food needs. Global food production will need to double from its current levels by 2050 if the predicted world population of 9 billion people is reached. With Australia, Canada and the United States three of the largest wheat exporters in the world, crop yield increases in these countries are seen as vital to ensure global food security.