Fair enough Shonga, but what do you make of the fact that Australian subsidies pale in comparison to those afforded to our competitors?

Despite this, Australian farmers are still competing - yes, it's hard for them, but they are subsidised to a far lesser extent, which goes to show that they are operating more efficient businesses.

TRTL,
That is exactly what I'm saying mate, free, private enterprise does not have subsisies, the taxpayer subsidises businesses all business in fact as they can write off petrol and many other expenses to aid to manufacture, or some other lurk. While the working people can claim nothing, a wee bit unfair when the employee, subsidises his or her employer isn't it?

I don’t think it matters a hoot whether it is climate change or drought or a normal weather pattern!

The wake-up call is just the same – to get our collectives arses into gear, understand the limitations of this land and its resource base and quickly get ourselves off of this completely absurd continuous growth track and onto a stable sustainable foundation.

End of story!

Turn Right Turn Left, thanks for your thoughtful comments about Aussie farmers. They have, in fact, over the years in WA here done pretty well, considering that we have been said over the years to have grown the most wheat on the poorest land in the world.

Also through crossbreeding our Department of Ag' is producing hardier varieties. Interesting about Canola, which when first grown here was nowhere near as hardy as wheat but only on a bit more than three inches of rain this year in the growing period, an improved variety is yielding reasonably well. Was a smidgeon of summer moisture however in the subsoil when planting.

It is said that the new canola has been crossed with one of the toughest cereal-type weeds we have ever had in the WA wheatbelt - Indian mustard brought over here in the bales of bags we used to buy from India. It is cross-breeding grains that our plant researchers have become so world-famous for - let us keep on supporting them.

In WA similar to Queensland, in our northern wheatbelt, any good summer rains we get, we till the surface soil back to hold in moisture. One wonders whether they do this in NSW and Victoria where summer rain is often more than in winter.

Whether the problem is a non-cyclical global weather disaster or not we must try to keep on going. Also to keep our Federal government awake, who seem to believe that pitstock ore production will last forever. In fact, the government has enough in kitty right now to subsidise graingrowing as is being applied in all Western countries right now apart from Australia and New Zealand.

The problem is that there are so few farmers in Australia now growing what grain there is, their votes don't mean much to the Howard Government as they do so handsomely for the US republican government, especially from the MidWest.

Doogs, good to see some stats. The fact is Aussie farmers ARE the most efficient in the world. We are also among the most innovative. Aussie farmers also manage to earn a living despite being severely disadvantaged on the world market.

Yes there are some farmers who are currently living beyond their means. I know of several who have recently exited the industry as a result of their continued extravagence, and others who despite subsidies, will not be far behind. As for million-dollar houses cant say I know of many. Most farm houses are pretty ramshackle. Yes there are the odd ones that might have cost $300k, but rarely more than that. Those that I know of that have nice big new houses are those farmers that dont qualify for EC assistance. Yes, shock horror there are criteria that have to be met before govt assistance can be received. Even if you do qualify to get incomesupport, it is only equivalent to the dole. Its no different to supporting unemployed workers! You have to meet the same tests, except that farm assets are excluded from the assets test. Are you suggesting we should withdraw all unemployment benefits too?

Shonga, You seem to have a pathological hatred for business. Taxpayers dont subsidise business for business tax deductions. Businesses are simply taxed on their PROFITS!! So are individual workers. You are taxed on yur income, less whatever it took you to generate that income. Businesses cant deduct private expenses and neither can individuals. Businesses by definition get higher tax deductions because it costs them MORE to generate their income. Farmers get slightly beneficial tax treatment to recognise that they have higher capital costs than most industries (except for mining which surprise, gets similar concessions), and also to recognise that factors completely beyond their control can wipe out a years income. To use your analogy, your butcher would have to have his shop closed down and be unable to sell for 12 months, to be in a similar situation to which many farmers now find themselves. It just doesnt happen in other industries.

Ludwig,
That is the first time I've found myself in absolute agreement with you mate. Sadly we have an old PM who doesn't even acknowledge that there is such a thing as climate change/global warming, apparently snow in Tasmania in October is "normal" along with a host of other examples. To make any ground on any problem, you first have to admit you have a problem before you can fix it, this gereatric old fool doesn't recognise the problem, because those who are making the mess, are also contribute to the Liberal Party, what does one do, the right thing by the world's population, or by one's backers, not difficult to see the choice made here.