The easing of COVID-19 restrictions hasn't been the cause for celebration for many publicans and cafe owners, as we would have hoped.

The development of new port projects on the Eyre Peninsula has been a hot topic for many years, with growers wanting alternative options to Viterra's facilities at Port Lincoln and Thevenard to increase competition. Soon, they could be spoilt for choice.

THE concept of free trade is a very positive one for export-driven countries such as Australia. But, as the saying goes, perhaps nothing in life is truly free.

China's ruling that Australian barley growers were subsidised by the government - allowing them to dump grain into China - is hard to understand.

THE long-awaited Independent Review of Lower Lakes Science Informing Water Management is unlikely to end debate on the lakes' future.

A PUSH to have five regional state electorates consolidated into four threatens to further erode the representation of country people in State Parliament.

GRAIN producers keen to grow genetically-modified crops had reason to celebrate this week, with the state government announcing it had reached a deal with the opposition to pass its legislation to lift the GM moratorium on mainland SA.

While we'll all be apart this Anzac Day, we'll be together in spirit, remembering the sacrifice of those killed, injured or forever changed by war.

While the world around us might be changing constantly, the Stock Journal team's dedication to keeping you informed remains steadfast.

I DON'T envy the government's role of deciding what's an essential service and what's not, but agriculture must make the cut.