In today's National Rural News: Further details about the live sheep export phase out, aquatic weed spreads further and improving the taste of olives.

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Farmers in the parts of Southern New South Wales are calling for drought relief.

The region has seen little to no rainfall in recent months, as drought conditions in South Australia and Victoria creep north.

Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke with Local M-P Steph Cooke, about the dry conditions in her Cootamundra electorate.

Listen to the full interview above or Subscribe to the National Rural News podcast: http://bit.ly/RuralNewsPodcast

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National Rural News Tuesday July 15

In today's National Rural News: Report into grape and wine sector handed down, renewed call for action on the major supermarkets, slow rebuild in flood ravaged outback Queensland -- plus the latest from the market and more.

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The wine and grape sector is welcoming the findings of a review into its commercial and market practices.

The probe has been looking at the relationship between growers, winemakers and retailers.

It's found there are significant power imbalances in the supply chain and is recommending a mandatory purchasing code of conduct.

Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke with Australian Grape and Wine Chief Executive Lee McLean about the findings.

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National Rural News Monday July 14

In today's National Rural News: Farmers question decisions allowing Lactalis and Fonterra merger, staff shortages in the meat processing sector, South Australian communities cut off by floodwaters -- plus the latest from the market and more.

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Dairy farmers are raising concerns about plans to merge operations at two major dairy companies.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has approved French company Lactalis' bid to accquire Fonterra's consumer, dairy ingredients and food service businesses.

Both companies purchase and process raw milk from dairy farmers in Victoria and Tasmania.

Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke with Australian Dairy Farmers President Ben Bennett, who says he's 'perplexed' by the decision

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National Rural News Friday July 11

In today's National Rural News: Lactalis and Fonterra given the go ahead to merge operations, Bega to close its peanut processing plants, tracking on-farm fatalities and deaths in real time -- plus the latest from the market and more.

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Telstra mobile towers across the nation are being upgraded or replaced to better accommodate the 5G network.

The series of upgrades and new construction projects will be rolled out over the next 12 months.

Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke with Telstra Regional General Manager for Northern New South Wales Michael Marom about the work.

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