There were also reports of some 1250 cattle at a feedlot near Griffith dying and AWB signed a major agreement to supply 200,000 tonnes of prime hard wheat to Japan. 

At the same time the dairy industry also secured a market deal with Japan too to supply milk powder. 

A Merriwagga producer won the NSW Grains Board award for the best malting barley in the state and the Riverina property known as Kyeamba Station was advertised for sale.

Native vegetation made the headlines and there was talk about protecting farming land for future generations at the Landcare 2000 conference. 

Wiltshire Horn sheep also made the news and the merits of the breed were discussed within the prime lamb industry.