Queensland Farmer Today - May 2024

Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies grow Up To Be Cowboys!

This year Road To Rodeo Mount Isa is on 11 May – the day before Mother’s Day – and organisers are keen to shine the light on rodeo mums.

Cloncurry’s Kylee Ferguson is a famed rider and mum of three successful rodeo riders in Cade, Kolt and Brandee.

Kylee and Cade will both defend their titles at Road to Rodeo Mount Isa in May.

Kylee is a five-time Australian APRA junior title holder, was former Miss Rodeo Australia, is the reigning Road to Rodeo Open Barrel Race winner and also leads Australia’s Youth Rodeo Organisation (YRO).

She was just 12 when she first fell in love with rodeo from watching her cowboy father Cliff McIntyre in action.

Reflecting on Mother’s Day, Cade said the worst gift he ever gave his mum was a card he made at school.

“I’m not much of a drawer to be honest, I’d rather be on a horse!” said Cade.

“This year we will all be together competing at Road to Rodeo Mount Isa and being together as a family makes mum super happy and when she’s happy, we all are!”

Keep ’em honest

By Fiona Gowers

Big retailers in Australia need mandatory rules that demand fairness in dispute resolutions, a review into supermarkets has recommended.

In January, the federal Government appointed economist and former Labor MP Craig Emerson “independent reviewer“ of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, which exists to keep supermarkets honest.

Dr Emerson delivered an interim document last month, with the full report expected in June.

The ACCC and Senate are also investigating big Australian retailers, all of which have faced intense public scrutiny for contributing to escalating cost of living expenses.

Dr Emerson said the existing Food and Grocery Code of Conduct was ineffective and needed to be mandatory for Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and wholesaler Metcash.

“It contains no penalties for breaches and supermarkets can opt out of important provisions by overriding them in their grocery supply agreements,“ he said. “Effective penalties must apply for breaches of the mandatory code.

This would bring the Australian Competition and Consumer Commissions (ACCC) into code enforcement.”

Invest in the safety of the future

The Ferguson family ... Rodeo is in their blood. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

SUPERMARKET INQUIRY ................page 6

COTTON UPDATE ...........................page 8

NEXT GENERATION ......................page 10

FARM FEST ...........................pages 13-20

WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE ...........page 23

MARKET ROUND-UP ....................page 28

CLASSIFIEDS

Project takes off

In a great day for the development of the region, Wagner Corporation turned the sod on their state-of-the-art Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat facility at Wellcamp.

It has been almost 80 years since the last plane was built in Australia, and that is all set to change soon out of Toowoomba.

The new facility that will manufacture the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, a low-cost and versatile unmanned aerial vehicle, is set to be built at Wellcamp Business Park.

The facility, which will cover 9000 square meters, is a joint venture between Boeing Australia and Wagner Corporation.

Beardmore ...................................... 87%

Bjelke-Petersen .......................... 87.33%

Borumba ................................... 100.3%

Boondooma ............................... 86.22%

Cedar Pocket ............................. 101.2%

Chinchilla Weir ......................... 102.55%

Coolmunda ................................ 68.03%

Cunnamulla (Allan Tannock Weir) 175.81%

Leslie ........................................ 73.66%

Paradise ...................................... 98.3%

Somerset .................................... 79.5%

Wivenhoe ..................................... 81.4%

The project was announced today by the federal Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price, who said it would boost Australia’s defence capabilities and create jobs in the region.

“This is a game-changer for Australia and our defence industry,“ Minister Price said.

“This facility will produce cutting edge unmanned systems that can protect and assist our defence force personnel, as well as generate significant economic benefits and opportunities for local businesses.“

The facility, which forms part of the Wellcamp master plan will put Toowoomba on the world stage and attract more investment and innovation to the area.

The facility will be one of the most sustainable in the world, using solar power, rainwater harvesting, and natural ventilation.

Collocated with an airport, and has access to extensive transport networks, making it convenient for transport and logistics.

April

The partnership with Boeing, a global leader in aerospace and defence, means the facility will be a magnet for other world-class manufacturers and start-ups that wish to relocate here and take advantage of the unique opportunities and infrastructure on offer.

The facility is projected to create 200 jobs during construction and employ about 100 people on completion, including engineers, technicians, and support staff.

He said it would also create opportunities for local suppliers and contractors, as well as educational and research institutions.

April Cavanagh, CEO of Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) said facilities

Michael Crowley is the new managing director of Meat &

MLA appoints Michael Crowley as new MD

By Fiona Gowers

Michael Crowley is the new managing director of Meat & Livestock Australia.

He will start the role on 27 May.

The announcement in April followed an extensive recruitment process to find a suitable candidate to lead the red meat and livestock industry Research and Development Corporation after Jason Strong resigned in November 2023.

MLA chairman Alan Beckett said Mr Crowley came to the role with extensive experience within the industry domestically and internationally, including several senior roles previously with MLA.

Over a 14-year period these included manager of Meat Standards Australia (MSA), regional manager for Europe and Russia and general manager for Research, Development and Adoption.

He was most recently chief executive officer at Herefords Australia.

“The MLA Board is thrilled to announce Michael as managing director,” Mr Beckett said.

“His knowledge of the industry and of MLA’s functions will see him well-placed to ensure MLA continues to deliver high impact services and outcomes for industry.

“MLA is about to begin consultation and development of a new five-year strategic plan and we look forward to Michael leading that process.”

Mr Crowley’s 20 years of industry experience includes previous ownership of a cattle and beef marketing business and property management covering stud and commercial operations.

He said he was excited by the “opportunity and privilege” to lead MLA as its managing director.

“The Australian red meat and livestock industry is an exciting and dynamic industry,” Mr Crowley said. “MLA has a key role in driving that further through R&D, innovation, marketing and much more.

“I look forward to working with the MLA team, its Board, levy-payers, peak councils, government and all of our partners to deliver high impact outcomes for the industry.”

like this in Toowoomba represent an amazing opportunity to diversify the job market and show students jobs of the future are available in their backyard.

While turning sod on 26 March, the facility is expected to be operational in three years, manufacturing MQ-28 Ghost Bat aircraft for Australian and allied defence use is a major development for investment, manufacturing, and skills in the region.

The facility is expected to generate approximately $1 billion in economic activity for Queensland and represents the innovation, skill, and commitment to growth in the Toowoomba Region.

Globally-recognised, intrinsically Australian and iconic are some superlatives used to describe the triennial beef expo in Rockhampton.

On 5 May, Beef2024 opens at Rockhampton Showgrounds and, with more beef, more tech, more trade, more education, more entertainment and international visitors for the first time since 2018, it promises to be beefier than ever!

Beef Australia CEO Simon Irwin said his team had worked tirelessly to curate an event that set a new standard for excellence.

“Beef2024 holds the promise of being the biggest and best yet,“ he said.

Indeed, Beef2024 offers more than 300 free events, 27 ticketed dining events, 35 entertainers across four stages, three a la carte restaurants on site, 32 food vendors, more than 430 exhibitors, 35 seminars and 49 tech talks.

A primary objective of Beef2024 is to enhance sustainability across the beef supply chain, which involves adopting more efficient production methods, reducing environmental impact and promoting responsible land management practices.

Another pivotal aspect - achieved through its “Handshakes Program“ - is market diversification. Beef2024 seeks to expand international market access for red meat producers, tapping into emerging markets while strengthening existing trade relationships.

In December 2021, two days into his new role as Beef Australia CEO, Mr Irwin told Queensland Farmer Today his priority was to ensure Beef2024 was a worldclass event.

He said then welcoming back international visitors after the unpredictability of Covid-19 was a top priority.

“My focus will be to ensure that, through growth and innovation, this event continues to lead the world and help to secure beef producers a bright and sustainable future.”

Three years later Mr Irwin’s dream is set to become a reality.

- Fiona Gowers

Livestock Australia. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Cavanagh, Amy List from Boeing Defence, Pat Wier, Trevor Watts and Denis Wagner. Picture: SUPPLIED

Beef industry on show

Global delegates interested in Australia’s beef industry will get a taste of the country’s leading technologies, genetics, products and services at Beef2024 in Rockhampton on 5 to 11 May.

The triennial event will showcase Australia’s beef industry and provide unique opportunities for global delegates to meet with key Australian industry personnel and government officials.

Beef Australia CEO Simon Irwin said Beef Australia’s 2024 international program was shaping to be a “true reflection“ of all Australia’s beef industry had to offer the global marketplace.

“Beef2024 will see Australia’s leading tech companies, cattle producers, agribusinesses and the rest of the nation’s agricultural sector all come together in one place - at one time - for a week-long showcase of Australia’s beef industry,” Mr Irwin said.

“Our Handshakes Program will enable international delegates to meet face-to-face with Australian producers and industry stakeholders through business matching meetings, promoting collaboration, understanding and cooperation between international and domestic stakeholders.

“Beef Australia invites any international businessmen and women interested in Australia’s beef industry to come out to Australia and experience Beef2024, to see the latest advancements in Australia’s beef industry and network with key beef industry personnel.”

Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said Beef2024 was a truly international event.

“This event will showcase the very best of cutting-edge beef production right here in Queensland, Australia and it is wonderful that the eyes of the world’s industry will be on us through this event,” he said.

“Queensland leads the way with beef exports from Australia and this event gives us even more opportunity to show international delegates how good our products, technology and sustainability can be.”

Beef Australia’s International Committee chair Greg Pankhurst said it’s great to see Beef Australia’s international program back in 2024, with the 2021 program cancelled due to the global COVID pandemic.

“We’ve seen a renewed level of interest in Beef Australia’s 2024 International Program, with global delegates signed to the program from Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Japan, China, USA, Canada, UK, France, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, South Africa, Ghana, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil,” Mr Pankhurst said.

“International delegates who are part of the program will have the chance to meet with key beef industry personnel, including high profile Australian government officials and Australian cattlemen and women who are leaders in the field of genetics and beef production.

“They will also get to hear from leading global beef industry stakeholders address worldwide issues surrounding the beef industry, listen to numerous educational seminars,

be part of the climate change discussion and partake in facilitated trade meetings.

“For those who want to see an Australian beef cattle operation first-hand, Beef Australia is also offering delegates the opportunity to visit real working cattle properties through its Property Tours program.

“With more than 5000 stud cattle on site, international delegates will also get to see first hand Australia’s leading genetics and stud cattle, as well as taste some of Australia’s best beef.

“To top off your beef experience, attending Beef2024 will also give you a great opportunity to come and explore Queensland’s famous Great Barrier Reed and the iconic Australian outback.”

Key Highlights of Beef2024

Live demonstrations and competitions: Witness Australia’s premier national stud and commercial cattle competitions, machinery demonstrations and skill challenges that exemplify the exceptional standards and capabilities of Australia’s beef industry. Learn from the experts, network with fellow professionals and witness the best-in-class practices firsthand.

World-Class Trade Fair:

Experience an extensive showcase of cutting-

edge technologies, equipment, products and services that drive innovation and efficiency in the beef industry. The event will feature a diverse range of exhibitors, including producers, processors, exporters, equipment manufacturers, research institutions and more.

Thought-provoking seminars and symposium:

Engage in stimulating discussions and gain valuable insights from industry thought leaders, experts and researchers. The program will cover a wide array of topics, including animal genetics, sustainability, food safety, market trends, digitalisation and international trade, to name just a few.

Networking opportunities:

Forge new international business relationships, strengthen existing partnerships and expand your network through various events. Connect with key decision-makers, potential collaborators and influential stakeholders from across the globe.

Social and cultural experiences: Immerse yourself in the vibrant Australian culture and hospitality while enjoying live entertainment, cultural performances, culinary delights and the breathtaking beauty of the host region. Experience Australia’s warm welcome and enjoy the local attractions and experiences available.

Beef2024 in Rockhampton on 5 to 11 May will showcase Australia’s beef industry to the world. Pictures: CONTRIBUTED

Beef Australia CEO Simon Irwin.

Landmark property acquisition

The Miles Government has secured one of the largest and most environmentally significant land acquisitions in recent history with the purchase of Vergemont Station, a 352,589-hectare cattle grazing property in western Queensland.

The landmark deal was made possible through a partnership with The Nature Conservancy, which brokered a $21 million philanthropic donation to contribute to the purchase, in what is likely to be the single largest donation for land protection in Australia.

Vergemont Station sits at the headwaters of the Lake Eyre Basin, one of Queensland’s most important inland river catchments and one of the last remaining free-flowing arid river systems in the world.

It contains significant riverine and biodiversity conservation values, including key habitat for the endangered night parrot, vulnerable yellow-footed rock-wallaby and highly restricted Opalton grasswren.

About 98 per cent of Vergemont Station is covered in remnant vegetation and the land lies across two of Queensland’s 13 bioregions.

Vergemont Station contains 34 different regional ecosystems, ranking higher than 90pc of existing national parks in Queensland in terms of regional ecosystem representation.

Eight of these regional ecosystems are not represented as comprehensively on any other property in Queensland.

term future of Western Queensland’s iconic opal industry.

“Dedication of Vergemont Station and the recently acquired Tonkoro and Melrose Stations as national park will also generate a range of economic activity in the local region,“ said Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leanne Linard.

“This includes enhanced tourism opportunities, the employment of locally-based rangers and construction of new infrastructure and land management activities such as pest and fire management actions, which will be sourced from local contractors where suitable.

“We will work to ensure an ecologically sustainable co-existence between the existing opal mining operations and conservation of the important natural and cultural values on the property.

“We will allow small-scale opal mining interests to continue their operations on suitable areas within the property.“

Dr James Fitzsimons, the Nature Conservancy senior advisor, global protection strategies said:

“(The) purchase of Vergemont Station by the Queensland Government creates a conservation corridor of about 1.4 million hectares, including key habitat for the night parrot and Opalton grasswren and protects the headwaters of the Lake Eyre Basin, the source of one of the last remaining free-flowing arid river systems in the world.

This includes an area of “of concern“ mulga woodlands on quaternary deposits regional ecosystem that is about the size of Lamington National Park and will significantly increase the protection of this type of regional ecosystem from 1.43pc to 10.35pc of its extent.

Vergemont Station adjoins the recently acquired Tonkoro Station.

When these two properties are combined with the surrounding Mount Windsor Nature Refuge, Pullen Pullen Special Wildlife Reserve and Goneaway and Diamantina National Parks, it will create a protected area corridor that conserves almost one and a half million hectares of Channel Country bioregion.

Much of this broader protected area landscape sits within the Maiawali First Nations People’s ancestral lands and is understood to contain significant Indigenous cultural heritage values.

The government will engage with the First Nations people to undertake cultural heritage assessments and future planning.

It is intended that at least 300,000 hectares of the property will become national park following a transition period that will enable the former landowner to transition their business off the property.

“The $21 million donation to The Nature Conservancy to enable this purchase is most likely the single largest donation to buy land for conservation in Australian history.

“It highlights the power of leveraged gifts, enabling philanthropists and governments alike to achieve outcomes far beyond what is possible alone.

“This model will be essential if Australia is to achieve its target of protecting 30pc of lands and 30pc of oceans by 2030.”

Key Facts

· In a landmark deal, the Miles Government, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, has acquired a cattle property in western Queensland for future dedication as national park.

· Vergemont Station contains significant riverine and biodiversity conservation values, including key habitat for the endangered night parrot, vulnerable yellow-footed rockwallaby and highly restricted Opalton grasswren.

· The acquisition creates a protected area corridor that conserves nearly 1.5 million hectares of the Channel Country bioregion.

The remainder will continue to support opal mining operations, ensuring the long-

· The government will allow boulder opal mining operations to continue on parts of the property.

Vergemont Station, a 352,589-hectare cattle grazing property in western Queensland. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

The Miles Government has secured one of the largest and most environmentally significant land acquisitions in recent history with the purchase of Vergemont Station in western Queensland. The landmark deal was made possible through a partnership with The Nature Conservancy.

Vergemont Station contains significant riverine and biodiversity conservation values, including key habitat for the endangered night parrot, vulnerable yellow-footed rock-wallaby and highly restricted Opalton grasswren.

Plants to grow on moon

By Fiona Gowers

When NASA returns the Artemis III mission to the moon in 2026 astronauts will grow plants in a mini lunar greenhouse.

In a world first, they will then return the duckweed, cress and brassica plants to Earth.

Lunar Effects on Agricultural Flora - or LEAF - is one of the three experiments chosen to travel to the moon in 2026.

It will be the first time NASA has attempted to grow plants on the moon and may be the key to feeding future space missions.

Slated for a September 2026 launch, the consortium of partners who will pioneer this initiative includes a core group from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space (P4S), headquartered at the University of Adelaide.

“This research will be a pivotal step towards understanding how we might use agriculture in space to support human crews, paving the way for sustained lunar exploration and even missions to Mars,” said project lead and space lab vice-president Christine Escobar.

Associate Professor of Plant Synthetic Biology at the University of Adelaide and P4S chief investigator Jenny Mortimer said the mission would show how plants responded in an off-Earth environment and “how well we can build a robust, fully-contained environment that allows them to thrive“.

“The data we capture from the mission, both from the lunar surface and what we learn when we analyse the samples upon return, will help us to design the lunar and Martian crops of the future,” Associate Professor Mortimer said.

Professor Mathew Lewsey of P4S and the La Trobe Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and Food said the LEAF investigation would provide information about how plants could grow in extreme conditions.

Experiments undertaken as part of the LEAF program will progress P4S goals to develop novel plant-based foods and biomanufacturing technologies that help humans explore deeper into space than ever before, while also advancing on-Earth sustainability and efficiency.

“LEAF has been made possible by bringing together world-leading skillsets in engineering, plant science, molecular analysis and space logistics,“ said P4S director and University of Adelaide Professor Matthew Gilliham.

“It is a perfect representation of what P4S is here to do, to assist in delivering a new frontier for humanity.

“The learnings and technologies we gain by growing plants in a completely closed loop, as we must do in space, will provide new options for improving sustainable plant production and processing here on Earth.”

Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo said the selection of Plants for Space involvement in Artemis is a major vote of confidence in Australia’s space sector.

“This is another example of the cuttingedge space research and innovation happening in Australia and the demand there is for us to contribute to generation-defining international missions,” Mr Palermo said.

“Importantly too, the technologies and practices developed as part of Plants for Space will improve life on Earth and benefit all Australians by addressing challenges like food security and water scarcity.”

“The seeds we send to the moon will germinate in an enclosed capsule, which we will be monitoring through a remote camera,” Professor Lewsey said.

“We can then apply this knowledge to improve plant resilience to radiation and other environmental challenges.”

LEAF is one of three science instruments so far selected for deployment on the moon’s surface as part of NASA’s Artemis III mission, all of which will be set up near the lunar South Pole.

“Our team of scientists will collect data on the plants as they grow on the moon, monitoring their size and morphology, then conduct genetic and metabolic analyses of individual cells when the plants return to Earth.

The LEAF experiment includes a plant growth chamber with an isolated atmosphere, housing red and green varieties of Brassica rapa (Wisconsin Fast Plants®), Wolffia (duckweed) and Arabidopsis thaliana.

The other two are a Lunar Environment Monitoring Station, a compact, autonomous seismometer suite designed to carry out continuous, long-term monitoring of ‘moonquakes’.

Plants in space team: La Trobe honours student Jiayue Wang, PhD student Sofya Gvaramiya, Professor Mathew Lewsey, Dr Frazer Thorpe and bioinformatician Onkar Nath.

Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Supermarkets need code

By Fiona Gowers

Big retailers in Australia need mandatory rules that demand fairness in dispute resolutions, a review into supermarkets has recommended.

In January, the federal Government appointed economist and former Labor MP Craig Emerson “independent reviewer“ of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, which exists to keep supermarkets honest.

Dr Emerson delivered an interim document last month, with the full report expected in June.

The ACCC and Senate are also investigating big Australian retailers, all of which have faced intense public scrutiny for contributing to escalating cost of living expenses.

Dr Emerson said the existing Food and Grocery Code of Conduct was ineffective and needed to be mandatory for Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and wholesaler Metcash.

“It contains no penalties for breaches and supermarkets can opt out of important provisions by overriding them in their grocery supply agreements,“ he said.

“Effective penalties must apply for breaches of the mandatory code. This would bring the Australian Competition and Consumer Commissions (ACCC) into code enforcement.

“It would be able to seek penalties for major or systemic breaches of up to $10 million, 10 per cent of a supermarket’s annual turnover or three times the benefit it gained from the breach, whichever is the greatest.”

Dr Emerson said the ACCC would need to progress through the courts to enforce the Code, with a cheaper alternative suggested to help resolve disputes.

“This would involve replicating processes for independent mediation and arbitration that are in other industry codes, while also allowing for the complaint-handling provisions of the voluntary code,” Dr Emerson said.

The National Farmers’ Federation has long sought a mandatory code of conduct.

President David Jochinke said Dr Emerson had endorsed the group’s calls for a mandatory code, with greater penalties for breaches.

“The status quo clearly hasn’t worked for many producers,“ Mr Jochinke said in a statement.

“Farmers have continued to suffer a massive power imbalance, so we support measures to improve transparency and accountability.

“Farmers need this stronger protection in negotiations where there is a large number of small producers dealing with a small number of large retailers.“

Mr Jochinke said it was wise to increase penalties of non-compliance to $10 million and to introduce safeguards against retribution.

“This should send a strong message to retailers that the Code now has teeth,” Mr Jochinke said.

“Likewise, we support the proposal to better protect farmers from commercial retribution.

“It makes sense to monitor commercial

decisions by retailer buying teams following a disagreement and that will help give producers confidence to speak up.”

Nationals leader David Littleproud was unhappy about the timing of the final report, saying June 30 was “too far away”.

“The Nationals wrote to Labor more than

15 months ago offering bipartisan support, urging Labor to take action on supermarket price gouging, which impacts almost every single Australian,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Instead, Labor allowed families and farmers to be ripped off because it was too focused on a $450 million failed Referendum.”

Spin special: Claims on pricing just don’t ‘check out’

Senate inquiry hearings last week exposed a special display of supermarket spin, with the CEOs of the two major chains giving evidence around pricing that just doesn’t check out.

That’s the view of peak grower body Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG), which says the ugly truth is that supermarkets are using tactics to force growers to sell produce at a price that “very often“ doesn’t cover their costs.

“In their oral evidence at today’s hearings, the CEOs of the major supermarkets gave the impression that there is no major issue with their suppliers or product pricing,” QFVG CEO Rachel Chambers said.

“This will infuriate many growers, who are receiving similar prices as they were a decade ago - or more - while consumers are paying more for fresh produce at the checkout.

“In many cases, growers’ returns are unsustainable.

“Today, while the CEOs were playing nice with Senators, their buying teams are paying avocado suppliers about 78 cents per piece, which they are then retailing at $1.50.

“These sorts of returns do not cover the grower’s average cost of production and are

frankly, unsustainable. Once again, the retailer holds a margin (48 per cent) while growers lose money.”

Ms Chambers said growers had been hopeful the supermarkets would have addressed the serious issues and suggested improvements.

“Although there were little rays of acknowledgement about problems in the fresh fruit and vegetable sector, most talk consisted of more spin than is typically unleashed by the products in the laundry aisle,” she said.

“Between the Woolworths CEO rejecting suggestions the company forces suppliers to meet prices and a Coles representative stating it wasn’t her experience that supply agreements take place after plantings - when we know they do - it seems the supermarkets have a bit more digging to do internally before they get to the truth.

“All our growers want is a fair price to ensure they can keep growing fresh produce for Australians for generations to come. It shouldn’t be this hard.”

Late last year, QFVG launched the national We Give A Fork campaign to drive real action around pressing issues facing the sector, including growers’ margins, policy pile-on and the reputation of the sector.

The National Farmers’ Federation president David Jochinke. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Former Labor MP and “independent reviewer” Craig Emerson. Picture: AAP

Nationals leader David Littleproud. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Sharing cotton knowhow

By Fiona Gowers

Benefits of adopting innovative nature and data-driven systems headlined the Bayer Grower of the Year field day held last month on Johannes and Scarlett Roellgen’s Darling Downs property.

Some 220 cotton industry enthusiasts toured Tyunga Farms, Brookstead at the Cotton Australia-hosted event, which showcased the achievements of the Roellgens, the 2023 Bayer Cotton Growers of the Year.

Mr Roellgen said the field day provided an opportunity to share knowledge gained from 30 years of innovation and testing new operating systems.

He told Cotton Australia’s Darrin Davies winning the 2023 Bayer Cotton Growers of the Year was a “humbling experience”.

“And, it can be a tricky thing to accept because you know that many of our neighbours are also very much on top of their game dealing with insects, dealing with nutrition, water use, efficiency and all those things. “So, it’s quite humbling.”

The Roellgens assume a whole-farming system approach to boost efficiencies on all aspects of the operation, including water use, soil health and crop growth.

This work has enabled the family to maximise yields while cutting chemical applications and maintaining water usage.

The field day also showcased the work of

2023 AgriRisk High Achievers of the Year, the Skerman family.

Still surprised their Dalby operation was recognised, Ross and Daniel Skerman explained how data had driven their decision making.

“I think winning this award has come from just having an open mind and learning from everyone,” Ross Skerman said.

Daniel Skerman added: “There are a few things we do that I probably took for granted that everybody does such as the data collecting stuff or the way we’ve set up the business.”

Other speakers at the field day included environmental scientist Majella Mumford of Carbon Friendly, Cotton Australia’s supply chain consultant Brooke Summers and Kim Bowman from farm business management consultancy company, Agripath.

Mr Davies said the aim of field days was to learn, share knowledge and catch up with friends, which is something cotton growers value “immensely”.

He said all attendees engaged with interest, with the skill of listening instilled in the next generation of both the Roellgen and Skerman families.

“The biggest secret to success is having a talkative parent!” Lauren Roellgen said.

“Dad definitely likes to chat all things ag and cotton and the business, which really helps a lot in sort of transferring that knowledge.”

Australian cotton conference to cultivate excellence

One of Australia’s leading agricultural industries will gather on the Gold Coast from 6 to 8 August 2024 to network, learn and unite around the theme “Cultivating Excellence”.

With the number of participants growing each conference, organisers expect record attendance from a diverse range of delegates including cotton researchers and scientists, farmers and agronomists, marketers, industry organisations, spinners, brands and retailers.

According to conference chair Liz Stott, the challenge is to create a program that appeals to these diverse groups, ensuring the farmer voice is heard and is inclusive.

“In 2022 we had a record number of more than 2600 attendees at conference and they came to learn from more than 120 expert speakers on a wide range of topics from weeds and diseases to the drivers of our global market,“ she said.

“The committee is currently considering topics including cover cropping, renewables, carbon farming, climate forecasting, water surveillance, the performance of new cotton varieties, mental health and artificial intelligence applications for cotton.

“As conference will be held during the Summer Olympics in Paris, we will focus on how to achieve and maintain excellence in the Australian cotton industry and hear from those at the top of their game in a range of

fields outside of agriculture.“

Apart from access to the latest research, updates and innovations, the Australian cotton conference is an opportunity to engage with topics away from farm life and to network with friends and peers.

The Australian Cotton Industry Awards will be a social highlight.

A free Kids’ Club will ensure families can attend, a special event will engage our NextGen, an Olympic Lounge will replay highlights from the Games, there will be opportunities for mental and physical health check-ups and a fashion parade will showcase Australian cotton brand partners on the catwalk.

“Our trade show exhibition is at capacity with more than 100 sites already booked, so delegates will also be treated to the best on offer in ag tech and innovation,“ Ms Stott said.

“All of this is made possible by the support of our sponsors and I am pleased to announce we already have major commitments from Foundation Partners CRDC and Cotton Seed Distributors as well as a host of other sponsors.“

The 2024 Australian Cotton Conference is hosted by Cotton Australia and the Australian Cotton Shippers Association and registrations are now open at www.australiancottonconference.com.au/register.

Lauren, Scarlett, Johannes and Henry Roellgen hosted the field day at Tyunga Farms, Brookstead. Picture: COTTON AUSTRALIA

Some 220 cotton industry enthusiasts last month toured Tyunga Farms, Brookstead at the Bayer Grower of the Year field day.

Picture: COTTON AUSTRALIA

The field day showcased the work of 2023 AgriRisk High Achievers of the Year, the Skerman family. Pictured is Ross Skerman. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

The field day showcased the work of 2023 AgriRisk High Achievers of the Year, the Skerman family. Pictured is Dan Skerman. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Cultivating next generation

By Fiona Gowers

New resources released in April will help teachers and advisors encourage young people to consider a career in Australia’s constantly evolving agriculture industry.

The supplies comprise the second part of the Cultivating the Next Generation research project, compiled and delivered by AgriFutures Australia and CQUniversity.

Stage one of the project, completed in 2023, aimed to better understand educators’ perceptions and knowledge regarding the agriculture industry and subsequent careers in the industry.

It offered valuable insights into the perspectives and challenges faced by teachers, career advisors and school leadership, including the need for more resources and support to help educators fully understand the breadth of job opportunities across Australian agriculture.

Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said the agriculture sector had a great opportunity to redefine itself in students’ minds.

“A career in ag is exciting and diverse, whether you want to work with your hands or in an office, in the country or the city.

“So many young people are interested in sustainability and technology and that’s exactly what ag careers offer.

“I’m proud to see Aussie schools and AgriFutures working hard to foster our next generation of agriculture workers and can’t wait to see the footprint they make on the industry.” New resources and learning opportunities

The resources released last month include all five recommendations put forward as part of the project’s stage one.

They are:

· Curriculum-aligned lessons for five subject areas including agriculture, science, food technology, business and digital technology.

· Twenty video case studies of agriculture industry ambassadors showcasing the diverse range of jobs available in the sector.

· Work placement guides for industry, schools and students to assist with organising valuable work placements for students.

· In person and online professional development workshops that delivered training to 247 educators to increase their confidence to promote careers in agriculture.

· Industry excursions across every state and territory that involved 19 schools, more than 500 students and 35 teachers.

· Each resource was trialled through a national outreach program designed to en-

hance years 9 to 12 students and educators’ knowledge and perceptions of the numerous agricultural career opportunities across Australia.

AgriFutures Australia managing director John Harvey said the agriculture industry, including fisheries and forestry, must do more to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce.

“Our future workforce is dependent on the next generation seeing agriculture as an industry of choice,“ he said.

“And critical to this is the role educators play in encouraging students towards a career in agriculture and we want to do everything we can to make that happen.

“It’s crucial that students are informed about the diverse career opportunities within agriculture, and more importantly view it as an attractive employment choice.

“We need to show young people that careers in agriculture are not only rewarding but also essential for our future, playing an important role in environmental management and food security.“

Lead researcher Associate Professor CQUniversity Australia Amy Cosby says the responsibility for promoting careers in agriculture extends beyond career advisors and emphasises the role industry can play in connecting students to agricultural careers.

“It’s important that the agriculture industry provides support to the education sector to enable opportunities and provide knowledge.

“There are so many unique and varied roles in agriculture and they all require different skills-sets and interests but the difficulty is in getting people to go beyond their thinking of what a career in agriculture could look like, that’s where the face-to-face interaction and learning experiences are just so important.” The resources from both stages of the project are now available for free on the AgriFutures Australia website here: https://agrifutures. com.au/cultivating-futures/

Meet Angelo, QRIDA’s new regional area manager

By Fiona Gowers

Angelo Rigano might be new to the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) but he is no stranger to north Queensland’s thriving agribusiness scene.

Born and bred locally, QRIDA’s new regional area manager for north Queensland Angelo Rigano has years of experience in rural lending, having helped primary producers from various industries including horticulture, cane and cattle achieve their farm goals.

“I’ve enjoyed an extensive career in banking and a highlight has been helping clients from intergenerational family farming businesses,” he said.

Angelo can help existing north Queensland primary producers pass the farm business down to the next generation and up-and-coming producers begin their agricultural career with QRIDA’s First Start Loans of up to $2 million.

“What I love about QRIDA’s First Start Loans is that they help remove barriers to entry for up-and-coming producers by financing lease and share-farming arrangements,” Angelo said.

“Our concessional First Start Loans can also help primary producers finance succession arrangements to keep the farm in the family for another generation.

“Recently, I’ve seen a return of youth back to the regions with a renewed interest in agriculture because they realise they can enjoy a good quality of life while making a good living.

“It’s great that QRIDA has financial assistance to back these entrants to primary production.“

Angelo also has expertise in QRIDA’s Sustainability Loans of up to $1.3 million, which can help producers improve the profitability and productivity of their operation.

“QRIDA’s Sustainability Loans of up to $1.3 million can help primary producers upgrade equipment and machinery, improve irrigation, bolster biosecurity and more,” he said.

“As more primary producers are tapping into emerging ag-tech, such as mustering by drone and building on-farm rural worker accommodation to secure employees for their horticultural operation, they are turning to QRIDA’s Sustainability Loans for financing, and you may be able to as well.”

Primary producers can also chat with Angelo about how QRIDA’s financial assistance could help them prepare for disasters and drought.

“Here in north Queensland, we get the full gambit of extreme weather conditions from floods to drought, so it’s important to get on the front-foot, whether that’s using a Sustainability Loan to invest in drones for flood monitoring, or a drought grant or loan to install new water infrastructure for your cattle property,” he said.

With many of north Queensland’s key industries enjoying favorable conditions, Angelo said it was the perfect time for producers to consider how they could get the most from their crops and livestock through on-farm improvements.

“The sugar cane crop is in reasonably good shape – yields may be slightly impacted given weather events, but all in all we’ve had some good months and we’re looking forward to another good harvest,” Angelo said.

“Coastal cattle country has also had plenty of rain with a reasonable body of feed.

“While you’re enjoying improved conditions, it’s a good idea to consider what onfarm improvements you could make to set your farm business up for success and I’m here to walk you through the ways QRIDA could help take your operation to the next level.”

Angelo Rigano is QRIDA’s new regional area manager for north Queensland. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Students engage in agriculture excursion and incursion opportunities as part of the Cultivating the Next Generation research project.

Pictures: CONTRIBUTED

The best breed around

By Sarah Dimond

The annual ‘AAA Speckle Park Bull, Female, and Genetics Sale’ is set to kick off with an open day to inspect the cattle up for auction on Friday 7 June between 9am-3pm at Ivyhome, Haly Creek.

The second annual sale, conducted by Elders in conjunction with Livestock Sales, will commence on Saturday 8 June at 11am.

AAA Speckle Park owner Denis Roberts said they have bulls, females and genetic packages.

“One of the biggest points of difference for my herd is rather than selling cattle that are grain fed, which can lead to fertility and other issues, we prefer to do things differently,“ Mr Roberts said.

“We focus on regenerated farming.“

Having had the sale bulls on millet for the last eight weeks, Mr Roberts said they have also bred larger bulls that are one to two frames larger.

“We did this for better compatibility when hybrid breeding, such as with a taller breed like a Brangus,“ he said.

“My point of difference is that I try and select genetics that have a larger frame than a typical Speckle Park.“

To ensure his herd maintain their high caliber marbling that Speckle Park are known for, Mr Roberts said he keeps the best of moderate breeds due to their softer frames.

“The Speckle Park cattle are noted for their quality of meat, specifically they have a high marbling meat in the carcass and have a unique sweet flavour in the meat,” he said. Mr Roberts continued to explain the Speckle Park cattle have a higher yield of around 62-63 per cent.

This is a massive draw for commercial buyers, as well as for breeders, as even while hybrid breeding, the benefits can be between 10-15 per cent while still maintaining a higher yield.

Carefully preparing for the sale, Mr Roberts ensured all beasts will be vet checked and will have their vet certificate upon the sale date.

The vet checks also include checking that the females have normal reproductive tract and palpation and the bulls are semen tested.

“Our bulls are usually very early maturing and super fertile,” Mr Roberts said.

Stud season has only just started, however with the weather at the moment the market is looking positive.

Information and pictures of the cattle are available at aaaspecklepark.com.au.

Call Denis Roberts on 0423 868 351 for more details about the open and sale days.

Pasture raised with little additional feed assistance.

AAA T09 Speckle bull show our breeding objective long thick and soft.

AAA S75 is a blue ribbon royal winner coming from two of our best. Pictures: CONTRIBUTED

Time to take tax advantage

With farmers focused on maximising yields and harvesting at this busy time, it’s easy for the end of financial year to creep up unnoticed.

Aussie Pumps would like to alert farmers and small business owners to the Government’s Instant Asset Write-off support which finishes on 30 June 2024.

INSTANT ASSET WRITE-OFF

Aussie Pumps is urging business owners to consult with their tax agent to determine if they are eligible.

Companies with a turnover of less than $10 million can get the benefit of instantly writing off assets worth individually up to $20,000.

The benefits are enormous!

Farmers need to understand that now is the time to buy and take advantage of these tax incentives.

Aussie Pump’s Finance Manager, Brian Cocker says “No-one wants to pay more tax than they have to, and the current Instant Asset Write-off for small businesses is set to end 30 June 2024,” he said.

Australian Pump Industries has come up with a series of great ideas which will appeal to farmers, businesses, and tradespeople.

GETTING VALUE FOR MONEY

Australian Pump Industries is focused on meeting market needs through research and user feedback.

They design products to be more efficient, ultra-reliable and last a lifetime.

The inspiration is the feedback from a wide range of customers who use their products.

Aussie’s preoccupation is self-priming centrifugal pumps and high-pressure water blasters.

The range they have developed over the last 30 years is the most complete and versatile in the industry!

WHAT FARMERS WANT

When surveyed about their requirements for a portable fire pump, farmers stated that reliability and performance was key.

That resulted in the development of what is today regarded as being the best range of selfpriming centrifugal lightweight portable fire pumps in the world.

The range starts with the Aussie QP1, a 1” UItralite that weighs in at only five kilos and makes a handy utility pump.

This small but mighty unit will deliver up to 120 lpm in flow and a maximum head of 40 metres.

That is not bad considering it also selfprimes from 7.6 metres.

The flagship of the fire pump range is of course the Aussie Fire Chief powered by a Honda 5.5 HP petrol engine.

Due to its ‘no compromise’ design, this lightweight portable fire pump delivers 25 per cent more performance than competitors, with heads as high as 75 metres and flows to a maximum of 450 lpm.

For more demanding applications Aussie offer twin impeller pumps, with ports up to four”, powered by Honda 13 HP engines.

With flows to 770 lpm and heads to 95 metres these pumps can run multiple sprinklers for fire protection or irrigation.

MOVE WATER FAST

Water management on farms often means moving large volumes between dams or tanks to maximise storage or relocate resources.

That’s where Aussie QP Drought Buster range of water transfer pumps come into their own.

The company offers a range of self priming transfer pumps from 2” (QP-2) to 6” (QP602) with maximum flows as high as 2,900 lpm (litres per minute!).

The self priming capability they offer, with vertical lifts up to 8.2m, means the pumps are fast to set up and simple to use.

“We found at field days that some farmers weren’t even aware that these big pumps were available,” said Aussie Pumps Chief Engineer, John Hales.

The diesel version of the QP602 pump is powered by a 10 HP Yanmar electric start air

cooled diesel engine.

An optional 18 litre fuel tank enables the unit to run without refuelling for up to 8 hours when running at 3,000 rpm continuous engine speed.

CLEAN UP WITH AUSSIE

Australian Pump Industries has done a huge amount of research and development for quite unique engine and electric drive pressure cleaners.

Conceived, designed, and built in Australia in Sydney’s Norwest business district, the machines offer features that are significantly upgraded from imports from Europe or third world countries.

“Again, it is the contact with users that drives our pressure washer innovation” Hales said.

The big breakthrough was the company’s unique “Scud” frame design.

Built in stainless steel, these ergonomic designed frames house either Honda petrol or

Yanmar diesel engine drive heavy duty pressure cleaners.

They are suitable for a wide range of tasks from dairy washdown to contract cleaning, local government work or trades like concreting, brick cleaning and of course plant washdown for those in the earthmoving or quarry industries. The Scud’s unique design is its curved sculpted frame.

There are no sharp edges and are fitted with big 13” steel wheels with flat free tyres, which makes the machines manoeuvrable.

The heart of the system is a “Big Berty” Bertolini pump, gearbox drive running at slow speed (1450 rpm).

They are designed for a long and troublefree life.

The latest introduction of the Scud is a high flow version suitable for big truck washdown or even for that matter, moving livestock effluent from dairies, piggeries and similar applications.

JETTERS CLEAR PIPES FAST

Aussie’s range of drain cleaning Jetters is another example of industry consultation driving design.

Designed by plumbers for plumbers, these Jetters use high pressure water to clear drains or pipework fast.

Safer than conventional drain cleaning devices, the debris from the blockage is simply flushed away leaving a clean work site and clear pipes.

These are a great investment for anyone clearing out pipework, and buying before the 30 June could mean the asset can be instantly depreciated!

WHERE DO YOU GET ‘EM?

Aussie has got a wide network of distributors operating in the region.

Our Dealer contacts are located on our website aussiepumps.com.au or you can contact us on (02) 8865 3500 and we will put you in touch with the right dealer for your application.

Aussie’s Jetter was designed by plumbers for plumbers. Pictures: SUPPLIED

Aussie’s 4” Transfer Pump – Moves water fast.

Queensland's largest commercial agricultural business event farmfest.com.au

Make a date with FarmFest

By Fiona Gowers

Queensland’s biggest primary industry business event, Elders FarmFest field days return this year from 4 to 6 June.

ACM Rural Events - the organisers of Elders FarmFest - have taken a steady stream of inquiry since last year.

ACM Rural Event’s sales manager Sean McKeown said 2024’s event was unfolding as one of the biggest yet, with a dedicated AgSmart Connect pavilion and daily talks at the Elders stand at 11am discussing the future of agriculture.

He said the response from manufacturers and service providers across Australia had positioned this year’s Elders FarmFest in a positive light.

“We’re expecting continued growth in visitation numbers as producers want to understand more about what equipment, technology and learning they can use to create better outcomes,” Mr McKeown said.

“Farmers need to be able create better efficiencies in how they operate and it is the role of field days such as FarmFest to help share how this can be done.”

Elders FarmFest is located on its own dedicated site in Kingsthorpe, just 20 kilometres west of Toowoomba, in the heart of the Darling Downs, one of Australia’s richest agricultural regions.

The event is designed to offer promotional and sales opportunities to all agribusinesses, from big farm machinery, tractors, tillage and irrigation equipment to pumps and power tools.

ACM Rural Events organise and promote several field days in Australia, including Australia’s largest, the AgQuip Field Days in Gunnedah and the AgSmart Connect conference in Tamworth.

FarmFest is among the largest outdoor agri-

cultural industry events, gathering more than 60,000 farming families and consumers.

“The key to the event has always been its ability to connect the farmer with suppliers of important products and services – allowing

Kingsthorpe transforms into agricultural epicentre

FarmFest is situated in Kingsthorpe in the heart of the Darling Downs.

It is a rich pastoral and agricultural region, with Toowoomba as the hub of commercial and light industrial activity in South East Queensland.

Well known in the Australian agricultural industry for its dedication to Queensland farming, FarmFest has been a major force in field days for the past 47 years.

The Darling Downs region has a reputation as one of Australia’s major agricultural machinery manufacturing locations.

It is also surrounded by areas renowned for peanuts, navy beans, grain, pork, stone fruit, grape and wine industry production, vegetables, lucerne, sorghum, wheat, barley, beef cattle, wool, prime lamb production, cotton, sheep, as well as horticulture and pastoral farming.

for demonstrations and conversations - and building trust and understanding,” Mr McKeown said.

“FarmFest has been an important part of Queensland’s agriculture scene for 49 years.”

For information about exhibiting, please contact the event organisers ACM Rural Events on email farmfest@austcommunitymedia. com.au or visit the FarmFest website at farmfest.com.au

Elders FarmFest is located on its own dedicated site in Kingsthorpe, just 20 kilometres west of Toowoomba.

A renewable energy display at FarmFest.

FarmFest positions new technology and innovation at farmers’ fingertips. Pictures: CONTRIBUTED

ACM Rural Event’s sales manager Sean McKeown.

A great farming deal

Metalcorp is an Australian steel distribution business that is into everything in steel.

Our extensive product range includes livestock handling equipment, building materials, structural and tubular steel, fencing, roofing, aluminium and more.

For over 40 years, Metalcorp has been involved with Cattle Management systems. We pride ourselves on delivering the highest levels of customer service and quality products. Our link to BlueScope steel ensures we have huge stock holdings and our products can be cut to length and delivered to your site.

Our commitment is to supply competitively priced products, to operate in a safe environment and to deliver outstanding customer service. The successful outcomes of this commitment have enabled Metalcorp to become a leading metals distribution business.

Metalcorp operates across Australia with branches and stockists in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia.

Contact one of our customer service advisors on 1300 306 204 for friendly, personal advice on your steel needs. Also view our website at metalcorpsteel.com.au where you can now order online all your steel farming needs from the convenience of your phone or home computer.

Come and see our friendly staff from Toowoomba Metalcorp at Farmfest 2024 Tuesday to Thursday 4-6 June, site G-H: 06-07, and ask about our great Field Day specials. Also come enjoy the Metalcorp Virtual Yard experience! Try on our virtual reality googles and view what your new yard would look like on your own property.

At Metalcorp, we’re your Rural Brand for the Land. Livestock handling with MetalCorp.

Your questions answered

With the exception of guide dogs for the vision impaired, registered service dogs for medical or disability requirements. other than those exceptions, no dogs are permitted on-site.

WHERE IS HEADQUARTERS (HQ)

LOCATED?

Headquarters is on the southern end of the field located on site B/19.

WHERE ARE THE TOILETS?

Toilets are located on rows in B/05, D/32, G/21, J/10, N/36 U/28 and Livestock Area.

Disabled toilets available end of B/05 and J/11

WHAT TIME DO THE GATES OPEN?

Gates for public access will open at 8:30am each morning.

WHAT TIME DOES THE CARPARK OPEN?

The car park will be open for public entry from 7:30am each morning.

CAN I PURCHASE TICKETS EARLY?

Don’t miss your chance to see Queensland’s biggest field days, Elders FarmFest! At Kingsthorpe Park (Toowoomba), from Tuesday to Thursday, 4 to 6 June 2024. Be a part of a special event - you will be able to pre-purchase your tickets online and avoid the queues at the field day site.

FARMFEST TICKETS

HOW CAN I WORK FOR AN EXHIBITOR?

If you would like to seek casual employment with one of our exhibitors, please email us and ask to be added to the employment list, which is shared with exhibitors seeking help in the lead-up over the days of the event, and during dismantling. farmfest@austcommunitymedia.com.au

HOW DO I APPLY TO WORK AT FARMFEST?

If you are interested in working at Elders FarmFest, you will need to email your interest to farmfest@austcommunitymedia.com.au

CAN I GET HELP TAKING ITEMS TO MY CAR DURING THE EVENT?

Elders FarmFest offers a free parcel pickup service during the event. Please note, not all exhibitors have registered with parcel pickup. It is only for items between 10 and 40 kilograms. Please check with the exhibitor if they have registered. If they are registered they will provide you with a parcel pick-up ticket once you have finalised your purchase. Your item/s

will then be collected by our drivers and taken to the official parcel pick-up depot located at Gate 3.

When you’re ready to leave the event, simply return to your car, then make your way to Gate 3 on the western end of the field, follow the parcel-up signs into the depo to collect your item/s.

CAN WE CAMP AT ELDERS FARMFEST?

No, unfortunately, no one is allowed to camp on the FarmFest property.

CAN WE BRING ALCOHOL TO THE SITE?

No, you cannot bring alcohol onto the FarmFest site.

There are three public bars that operate at FarmFest daily from 10am to 4pm.

The bars are located at B/08, M/36, and Livestock Area. Please Note: No alcohol is allowed to be consumed outside of the bar areas.

No alcohol is to be served or consumed by persons under 18 years of age and no alcohol will be supplied to an intoxicated person.

WHERE IS THE ATM LOCATED?

ATMs are located outside Headquarters on B/19 and outside the Pavilion on MP/09 and operate from 8:30am daily.

WHERE IS THE DISABLED CAR PARK?

Disabled car parking is available in the southern car park.

Look out for the disabled parking signs.

WHERE CAN I FIND AN OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK?

FarmFest 2024 Fast Facts

· Elders FarmFest is Queensland’s premier primary industry field days.

· Elders FarmFest is Queensland’s biggest field days and fastest growing agri-event in Australia.

· Elders FarmFest field days in 2023 became the largest event recorded in its history.

· Elders FarmFest celebrates its 49th anniversary.

· Elders FarmFest is a Safe Site – operating under Event Safety best practices. All attendees to follow the event safety with wash hands regularly and if you feel unwell with COVID-19 symptoms please return home.

· Elders FarmFest site is located twenty kilometres west of Toowoomba, QLD, off the Warrego Highway – in the heart of the Darling Downs.

· Elders FarmFest is held on its own dedicated site at Kingsthorpe Park, QLD.

· Elders FarmFest has its own radio station –FarmFest FM 94.5, powered by Elders commences transmission during the event.

· Size of the static display area is 26 hectares – including Livestock Area; Farm Machinery demonstration area; Drone demonstration area; ATV/UTV and Motor Bike demonstration area; the new Agri-Tech Alley and Agri-Tech Pavilion and new Shopping Arcade #2.

· Parking areas will open from 7.30am. Car parking is free. Elders FarmFest car parks have capacity for more than 8000 vehicles.

· Elders FarmFest has introduced new ticket booths at the event for visitors to move more easily and offer quick access to the static display grid.

· Taxi rank and buses drop off via Gate 2 off Weedons Road – at ticket booth 2.

· A representation of more than 2000 businesses, organisations and authorities will be on-site.

· Elders FarmFest boasts the biggest range of agri-products and services in Queensland –once a year, one-stop agricultural shop.

· Elders FarmFest offers a variety of local food - see the site map, which provides a location map of all food and drink outlets and type of food on offer.

· Elders FarmFest offers a free shuttle bus service on site during the days of the event and in the car parks.

· Elders FarmFest runs a free parcel pick-up service for visitors.

· FarmFest features a lifestyle shopping arcade and marketplace featuring more than 100 lifestyle and general interest exhibitors.

· Elders FarmFest has emergency services on site including first aid, fire service, QLD police, security.

· Elders FarmFest has a parents’ room.

Official Guide

Yes, there are a number of gluten-Free options with many of our food vendors.

WHAT ENTERTAINMENT IS THERE AT ELDERS FARMFEST?

From livestock competitions, petting zoo and machinery & drone demonstrations to informative learning sessions. You will find something at Elders FarmFest to keep you entertained.

WHERE IS THE BABY CHANGE ROOM?

The baby change room is located next to Headquarters in the First Aid Building located at

CAN I HIRE A MOBILITY SCOOTER?

To hire a scooter at Elders FarmFest, it is preferred to book online prior to attending the event directly with Show Mobility - www. showlockers.com.au.

You will be able to select your scooter and select which day you will be attending. The booking will be completed by making payment via a credit card and a confirmation email will be sent to you.

If you would like to hire on the day, walk up to the stand located at W/30 (Gate 5) and have payment ready (card or cash) and your

identification (a driver’s licence will be held as a deposit until the scooter is returned).

CAN I HIRE A GOLF CART?

To hire a golf cart at Elders FarmFest, it is preferred to book online prior to attending the event directly with Augusta Golf Cars.

If you would like to hire on the day, walk up to the stand located at W/28 (Gate 5) and have payment ready (card or cash) and your identification (a driver’s licence will be held as a deposit until the Golf Cart is returned).

DO YOU HAVE A SHUTTLE BUS TO OFFER A LIFT AROUND THE SITE?

Shuttle bus service picks up at Headquarters and Livestock Area roaming the static display area to enable you to see more of the site - also operates throughout the car parks to pick you up and take you to the closest ticket booth.

DOES FARMFEST BROADCAST THE PUBLIC ADDRESS (PA) SYSTEM?

Yes, FarmFest in fact has its own radio station – FarmFest FM 94.5 -Powered by Elders.

FarmFest FM runs during the event.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE RURAL AID PRECINCT FARMFEST?

In 2024, FarmFest features the Rural Aid Precinct, inviting several rural and regional support organisations to provide some lifesaving preventative health and safety information, on-site help to apply for relief and assistance for farmers and families.

See the Rural Aid Precinct at LS/42-43 in the Livestock area.

Well known in the Australian agricultural industry for its dedication to Queensland farming, FarmFest has been a major force in field days for the past 48 years. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Red Angus making mark

Red Angus-influenced cattle have been making their mark in the Queensland and Northern Territory regions, with many breeders recognising the advantages of crossbreeding with Red Angus genetics.

Crossbreeding has led to notable improvements, including enhanced MSA compliance and grading, increased rib fat and muscle distribution, and improved fertility within the female herd.

Despite these benefits, it’s essential to consider the impact of heat, as it can sometimes outweigh the advantages of crossbreeding.

However, the red coat of Red Angus cattle contributes to producing light-coated progeny, which enhances their adaptability to heat, making them a valuable addition to cattle operations in these regions.

For those interested in getting to know the Red Angus breed better, we invite you to visit us at BEEF Australia from 5 to 11 of May.

You can find the Red Angus stall in the Exhibition Centre at stall E19.

BEEF Australia will host many Red Angus breeders exhibiting in the Stud Cattle Championships, offering a great opportunity to learn more about the breed.

In northern New South Wales, The Invitational Sale will be hosted on 13 June in Tamworth, and online through Stock Live.

This year, the sale is showcasing over 50 bulls.

This multi-vendor event offers an excellent opportunity to acquire strong Red Angus genetics known for their performance and adaptability to suit a range of beef production programs.

Red Angus will also be on display at Farm Fest, held from the 4 to 6 of June at site LS1, located at the entrance to the livestock area.

At Farm Fest, you can also view Red Angus cattle on display, providing a firsthand look at the quality of Red Angus cattle.

Farm Fest, hosted by the Queensland Red Angus Power of Red Sale group, is a highly anticipated event for the Red Angus breed, especially as the group celebrates their 10th sale anniversary.

The 10th annual Power of Red Sale is to be held on 14 September at Toowoomba.

This milestone marks a decade of showcasing and selling top-quality bulls and females from Northern NSW and QLD vendors.

Red Angus cross Brahman heifer with first calf at foot, Rockhampton QLD. Pictures: SUPPLIED

Pure Red Angus cow and calf.

One stop farmers shop

Elders FarmFest is billed as one of the largest annual commercial and agricultural events in Australia.

Held annually at Kingsthorpe, the event showcases new products, services and technology and provides relevant information to landowners and agricultural professionals.

Enjoy our memories of last year’s three-day event.

Brad, Caytie, Georgia, Joel, Jack and John from Grizzly Off The Grid. 340501 Pictures: DANIEL PELCL

Greg Patch with his Beauvale Australian White. 340501

Jo, Pete and Amber Graham with Michael Carlton from Graham’s Precast Concrete. 340501

Mark and Clare Coughran from Queensland Machinery. 340501

St George State High School cattle show team. 340501

Amaliya Ananskaya and Tom Feez from Agbot. 340501 Annette Rose, Steph and Lilly Simpson, Jeff Rose and Brett Simpson. 340501

Ashlee from Toowoomba CBD and Wellcamp Hello World and Sharon from Dalby Hello World with Felicity Dascombe from Kingaroy Hello World. 340501

Boonah State High Cattle Club on their second event out who took home the Young Junior Champion, Reserve Champion and Third in Junior Judging. 340501

Frank Devlin who is a volunteer with the West Toowoomba Lions Club and are looking after parcel picks and the entry gates. 340501

Graham and Wendy Caldwell from Wenbox. 340501

Surf Life Saving team Kayla Hinde and Cameron Berry. 340501

Queensland Machinery Agency (QMA), prides itself on delivering high-performance products, honest advice, reliable service and post-sale-back-up support to its customers. Located in South East Queensland, the business specialises in stock feeding, grain drying and handling equipment.

Its product brands include SUPREME vertical feed mixers, SEKO horizontal feed mixers, THOMAS rollermills and GT grain dryers and diesel conversion kits to suit various brands of grain dryers.

Business owners appreciate agricultural production and think it is crucial to society and its economy.

“We understand the strains and ultimate costs involved with machinery breakdowns,” business owners said.

“We’re committed to supporting the brands we sell and stock a wide array of spare parts to eliminate downtime.

“We strive to assist in customizing the right machine for your individual operation and follow this up with routine service and maintenance.

“Service is our best salesman and we work hard to make sure the solutions we provide help our customers be more efficient and ultimately more profitable.”

TUE 4 - THU 6 JUNE 2024

Queensland's largest commercial agricultural business event farmfest.com.au

Pasture dieback spreads

Graziers are urged to be careful of pasture dieback, which is continuing to spread to new areas of the state.

In southern Queensland, newly affected regions include Charleville, Chinchilla, Goondiwindi, Inglewood, Injune, Millmerran, Roma, St George and Warwick.

In central Queensland, pasture dieback has been reported in Alpha, Jericho, Springsure and Tambo.

In north Queensland, pasture dieback has been detected near Charters Towers, Cloncurry and Lakeland.

“Pasture dieback has also been detected between these locations and is likely to be present throughout the surrounding districts,” Department of Agriculture and Fisheries principal agronomist Stuart Buck said.

“Pasture dieback generally affects highyielding sown-grass pastures in regions with more than 600mm of average annual rainfall.

“However, it is now spreading into western districts of southern, central and northern Queensland where there has been good summer rainfall.”

Pasture dieback is caused by pasture mealybug, a sap-sucking insect, which is mostly spread by wind.

Pasture dieback is very likely to occur when pasture mealybugs are present in warm and wet conditions with a dense body of susceptible grass.

“Graziers should be on the lookout for symptoms during the summer growing season, when pasture dieback is easier to detect,” Mr Buck said.

“Initial symptoms include leaf discoloration and unthrifty growth, before the pasture dies in patches.

“The dead patches are then colonised by broadleaf weeds or legumes — both of which are unaffected by pasture dieback.”

Suspected pasture dieback can be reported

through the Pasture Dieback App, which can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play or by calling DAF on 13 25 23.

“Reporting pasture dieback through our app takes less than 5 minutes,” Mr Buck said.

“By uploading photos and describing the

pasture species affected, you will help us better understand the spread of dieback.”

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) has a range of dedicated tools and resources to help graziers identify and manage pasture dieback: https://futurebeef.com.au/

resources/pasture-dieback/

Research into pasture dieback is continuing through the Queensland Pasture Resilience Program, a partnership between DAF, Meat & Livestock Australia and the Australian Government through the MLA Donor Company.

Pasture dieback is detected on a roadside in southern Queensland. Pictures: CONTRIBUTEDLand affected by pasture dieback in central Queensland.

Principal pasture agronomist Stuart Buck in dieback-affected pasture in central Queensland.

School toasts 50th

By Warren Acutt

Valkyrie, what an intriguing name on the map of Central Queensland, of the locality, a property and school.

Predominantly cattle grazing country, Valkyrie is a rural locality, not a town, lightly populated, currently by approximately 122 people, over 2500 sq km, in north-western Central Queensland.

According to Google, Valkyrie comes from Norse mythology (as well, a Marvel Superheroine). Marvel fans and Viking followers possibly aware that a Valkyrie is one of a host of female figures who guide souls of the dead to the god Odin’s hall, Valhalla.

How did a small piece of Central Queensland get to be called after a Norse soul guide?

I wonder if the Archers, who in the 1850s had pastoral runs in the Peak Downs region, gave it the name, having lived in Norway before coming to Australia.

They being the first European settlers of Gracemere (originally named by them as Farris, after a Norwegian lake) in Central Queensland.

This year, on 22 June, Valkyrie State School, on the Fitzroy Development Road, about 300km from Rockhampton, celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The school’s beginnings were under the shade of the Coolibah trees, on the banks of Lake Plattaway (if only Banjo Patterson were alive to put this all to verse).

In 1974 a good number, of the then Valkyrie population, met there with a determination to better the educational opportunities for their children.

With this determination the seeds for Valkyrie State School were planted. Funny enough, not in its originally intended position, wet weather determined where the first school building was dropped off at, and then assembled.

The school, being the hub (only landmark) of the community, has, along with hosting working bees, weddings, and christenings, had some significant achievements and adversities over its 50 years, just like the surrounding land holders.

Drought being the big challenge, with the school, at times, running out of water (not enough to even flush a toilet), and having to send the students home early.

The school oval so dry and unforgiving that students were banned from playing on it, after one had broken his arm.

This was all highlighted in state media, ‘it would never happen at a Brisbane school’ being the common declaration.

No, it would most likely would not, but isolated schools must be resourceful, and the Valkyrie SS Parents and Citizens Association have certainly proved to be, particularly during the drought years.

Despite the state government strangely blocking the school from accepting charitable donations of bottled water (‘you got to buy it’), and no funding in the 2021 state budget to access alternative supplies of water, the P&C found an innovative way to create and store drinkable water.

In 2022, they had 15 hydropanels installed, panels that make drinkable water from sunshine and air (by capturing humidity).

The project was made possible with the support of Rural Aid, technology partner SOURCE Global, mining company Stanmore Resources, and the Central Queensland Mining Rehabilitation Group, along with passionate local backing.

Non-potable water is donated, now approved by the Department of Education, to the school by Pembroke Resources. But the oval still relies solely on rain for grass coverage.

Water, the lack of ready access to enough of it, still the ongoing challenge for Valkyrie SS (as is for many isolated schools).

Adversity can be viewed as an insurmountable, or series of, hurdle(s), OR one of life’s greatest teachers, building character, a stepping stone to greatness.

The school motto is ‘strive to achieve.’ Valkyrie SS, with currently 11 students, certainly lives by its motto.

Congratulations to those who had the vision for a school to be built, those who made that vision a reality and those who persist in their determination to make better the educa-

tional opportunities for their children.

Congratulations on 50 years. I am sure the 50-year book will be a great read, a story of

The key drivers of demand

JLL Agribusiness report identifies nine key drivers of demand, from calories to ESG

Global population trends, advances in technology and increasing capital inflows are tipped to drive a significant investment boon in the $3.6 trillion Australian agriculture sector.

In its new report Agriculture, your next investment move, JLL’s national agribusiness team has identified nine key demand drivers it predicts will anchor a new wave of investment.

They include:

· Growing global population, with an average hectare of farmland that once fed an average of 2.8 people now having to support 5.6.

· Technology in agriculture, driven by the Agriculture 4.0 revolution, which incorporates everything from artificial intelligence and analytics to connected sensors and cloud computing.

· Tsunami of capital, estimating the global value of total capital at $USD176 trillion and noting that allocation towards asset classes other than Equities and Bonds has increased by more than 14 per cent in the past decade, with this ‘other’ category including agriculture real estate assets.

Report author and JLL Agribusiness director Bhavin Patel said multiple factors had piqued investor’s appetite to diversify and enhance their portfolios, from persistent inflation to stock market volatility.

“As high net worth individuals, investment funds, pension funds and sovereign wealth funds look towards stable, inflation-resistant investments, agriculture is emerging as a favoured option,” he said.

“The Australian agriculture sector holds significant value, standing at roughly $3.6 trillion, making it the second-largest real estate sector in the country.

“With institutional ownership lagging behind commercial real estate, there lies a promising opportunity.”

Mr Patel also noted the lack of scale in many of the alternative real estate sectors outside office, industrial, retail and residential.

“In stark contrast, agriculture is one of the very few alternate sectors that offers institutional investors the scale at which they would find it worthwhile to invest in.”

He said as investors navigated the shifting economic landscape, agriculture stood out as a resilient and promising investment avenue.

determination, resourcefulness, and achievement.

A real Central Queensland story.

“The sector’s growth potential, driven by global population trends, technological advancements and increasing capital inflows, positions it favourably for longterm investment strategies.”

Valkyrie State School plays an important role in the community. Pictures: SUPPLIED

A magnificent painting of the school marking the 50th anniversary.

Valkyrie State School students of 2016. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

The Valkyrie State School logo.

Fighting the good fight

By Fiona Gowers

Did you know 99 per cent of the 50,000 tonnes of tinned tuna Australians eat annually is imported? And less than a third is certified as sustainably fished?

Well, as a nation, we consume 336 million servings of the affordable, nutritious form of protein annually, with the product sourced from foreign waters.

When Kate Lamason learnt about Australia’s reliance on imports in 2015, her husband Rowan was commercial tuna fishing off the Cairns coast using cameras, electronic logbooks and vessel monitoring systems to meet our domestic fishery’s strict sustainability standards.

She was shocked at the double standard.

“Rowan is a fisherman and he was catching incredible, sustainable, high quality fish and yet we’re at home eating tuna from overseas!

“So, in Australia there are 37 tuna fishers complying with rules and regulations to ensure the future of the fishery and working hard for their families and they’re not even on our supermarket shelves.

“It doesn’t sit well with me at all so we started manufacturing our own.”

In 2015 Rowan and Kate founded Little Tuna using their sustainably-caught wild Australian albacore tuna. They taste-tested the recipes developed in their kitchen on willing friends and family.

“We’re very fussy fish eaters,” Kate said. “And we went through a lot of trial and error trying to get the perfect salt content and the perfect oil content to showcase the amazing fresh flavour of the fish.”

The Australian-owned and sourced food manufacturing business sells its high-end tuna in glass jars - “so you can see the high quality and beautiful fresh fish inside“ - online and in more than 150 health food, seafood and independent stores across the country.

Ms Lamason admits that running a 100pc Australian manufacturing business presents challenges.

“It’s not an easy place to manufacture or to even have a business that is 100pc Australian,“ she said.

“Australians look at price points a lot, so we constantly have to be very aware of what we’re spending to ensure that we’re still remaining profitable and sustainable.“

She said the recognition had fuelled her ambition to boost the profile of tuna fishers and the sustainability of the local tuna industry.

“The award is a huge opportunity and a massive honour,” she said.

Last month, Ms Lamason was named the winner of Queensland’s 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.

“We see this as a huge opportunity to have our fishing families recognised and instill trust in our customers that they look after the ocean, that our brand is worth their money.

“Our end goal is to have processed Australian tuna on supermarket shelves.

“We know there’s a journey ahead but we are certainly looking forward to having some productive discussions with supermarkets.”

“Over the past 18 months the cost of living has increased significantly and we’ve noticed people being more conscious of spending and want to understand where their money is going.

Kate Lamason takes out Queensland AgriFutures title

By Fiona Gowers

Cairns tuna businesswoman Kate Lamason has won Queensland’s 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award for her extensive work across the seafood industry.

The accolade acknowledges and supports the critical role women play in rural and regional businesses, industries and communities and provides an opportunity to celebrate forward-thinking, courageous leaders.

Ms Lamason, who receives a $15,000 Westpac grant and will represent the state at the national awards in August, is a worthy recipient.

In 2017 she co-founded Australia’s first canned tuna company and has worked tirelessly since to boost both the profile and sustainability of the local tuna industry.

Her career spans the seafood industry, not-for-profit organisations and local government. She is a graduate of the National Seafood Industry Leadership Program and serves as a board director for Tuna Australia.

“As co-founder and director of Little Tuna, I am passionate about delivering a sustainable Australian product, as well as fostering inclusivity and diversity in the industry, particularly advocating for women’s support and recognition in the field,” she said.

“I am honoured to be the Queensland winner alongside such a strong field of con-

tenders and appreciate how critical these Awards are for championing rural women from all industries.”

Ms Lamason, who runs Little Tuna with

her husband in Cairns, was chosen from four finalists: Burdekin senior secondary agricultural science teacher Louise Nicholas, Aussie Helpers CEO Natasha Kocks and Gladstone

and Gloriously Free oats founder Kylie Hollonds.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said:

“Kate Lamason is an inspiration to so many women in the seafood industry, including with her advocacy through Women in Seafood Australasia.

“Her example of success will add to the shining light of women’s contributions to primary production in Queensland, as also exemplified by the other Queensland finalists.

“That contribution is growing every year and the innovation, creativity and leadership being shown by Queensland women will help to lift our $23 billion industry to even greater heights.”

AgriFutures Australia managing director John Harvey said the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award provided forward-thinking female leaders the support and skills to pursue projects that make a real difference for generations to come.

“These Awards are not just a game changer for the recipients, they allow them to continue driving change in rural and regional Australia so that entire communities and industries reap those awards,” Mr Harvey said.

“Positive initiatives like this set us all up for a stronger tomorrow.”

Queensland 2024 Agrifutures winner Kate Lamason (right) with Queensland Governor Jeannette Young.

Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Cairns tuna entrepreneur, accountant and mum of three Kate Lamason.

Pictures: CONTRIBUTED

In 2015 Rowan and Kate Lamason founded Little Tuna using their sustainably-caught wild Australian albacore tuna.

Little Tuna sells its product in glass jars online and in health food, seafood and independent stores across the country.

Renewables on the farm

By Jim and Jo, Ag Energy Australia

As a farming family, we wanted our kids to carve their own path in agriculture.

So, we decided to give them a leg up by handing over a starter herd of beef cattle.

It’s been a delight seeing them take charge and grow their business, running operations from our properties near Kilkivan, Queensland and northern New South Wales.

While they have the advantage of using our properties to keep costs down, they face the same challenges of any farmer - rising expenses for fuel, feed, chemicals, fencing, vehicles and insurance, not to mention the unpredictable nature of livestock markets and the weather.

We’ve taken the leap into a renewable project teaming up with energy experts who are extremely knowledgeable about the renewable energy sector.

After careful consideration, a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) was determined as the best option for our place.

The location we’ve chosen won’t interfere much with our cattle and farming operations, so it’s a win-win for us and the renewables team.

It just made good business sense and enables the kids to sustain and grow their business.

The renewables team have been incredibly helpful, and their engagement with our kids in the process was really appreciated.

Our experience working with them was really positive, so when they asked if we’d recommend them to other farmers we didn’t hesitate.

Our first challenge was coming up with a name to promote renewable opportunities for farmers.

After some brainstorming, we settled on ‘Ag Energy Australia - Farmers for Farmers’ and we’re excited to share our journey with others in the farming community.

Recent and planned upgrades to energy infrastructure along with favourable wind, sun and other attributes across Southern and Central Queensland presents an opportunity for farmers and landholders to consider diversification of their income streams.

We highly recommend that you consider reaching out to Ag Energy Australia, through Jo and I, for a no cost / no obligation desktop review of renewable options for your property.

The farm. Jim and Jo.

Hub navigates the way

A one-stop-shop for livestock transport information has been launched at the combined Queensland and Australian Livestock Transporters’ Associations’ national conference in Toowoomba.

Developed in consultation with the livestock transport supply chain, the Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) transport hub helps to navigate rules, roles and responsibilities for livestock transport anywhere in Australia. MLA project manager animal wellbeing and rural transporter Sharon Dundon said the hub was a proactive and collaborative effort to help everyone in the supply chain understand how to prepare livestock correctly for transport.

“We met with transporters, agents, lot feeders and producers in 2023 to find out how we (could) continue to improve the livestock transport process,” Ms Dundon said.

“There was united agreement in the need for a central location for livestock transport information leading to the development of the transport hub.”

The hub includes information on transporting cattle, sheep and goats by road in Australia, with specific advice on different classes of animals and links to other relevant sites.

“We will continue to refine the hub as we receive feedback from users,“ Ms Dundon said. “We want it to be relevant, easy to access and useful for people needing to transport livestock every day.“

Vice-president of the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association Athol Carter said the hub demonstrated how supply chain parties were getting on the front foot and working together for the best outcomes for animals in their care.

“Transporting and handling livestock is a specialist task and one which the whole supply chain relies on to be performed safely, efficiently and professionally,” Mr Carter said.

“Well planned and managed livestock transport delivers the best results for people and animals, higher profits and ensures the sustain-

ability of the industry.

“The transport hub is going to be especially valuable in helping producers understand how they can work with transporters and the rest of

the supply chain to achieve best practice.“ Using new and existing resources, the hub equips producers with tools to identify and implement best practice in dispatching and receiving stock,

including the latest industry trends, hands-on practical advice and scientific research.

* To access the MLA transport hub visit mla. com.au/transport-hub.

FARMFORCE Post Driver

MLA project manager animal wellbeing and rural transporter Sharon Dundon said the hub was a proactive and collaborative effort to help everyone in the supply chain understand how to prepare livestock correctly for transport.

Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Nominations for the Rural Ambassador Award are now open! The Rockhampton Agricultural Show is going back to its roots of bringing together future leaders who have a deep appreciation for rural life and the Agricultural Show movement.

Advance Rockhampton Tourism and Events Manager, Zac Garven is encouraging locals who are eligible to participate in the awards.

“There’s an abundance of potential leaders in our region and the Rural Ambassador provides a platform to advocate the importance of agriculture and our local Show,” Mr Garven said.

“We are searching for passionate individuals who embody the rural spirit and are actively involved in the Show movement. It’s your chance to inspire the next generation of leaders and advocate the importance of agriculture in our region.”

“Participants in the Rural Ambassador Award have the chance to win $1000 and the runner-up will receive a cash and prizes combo worth $500.”

To be an eligible candidate, you must be 20 to 30 years of age, male or female and reside in the Rockhampton region or surrounds. The winner of the Awards will become Rockhampton’s representative and proceed to the Sub Chamber judging which if successful, will go to the State Final which is held during the Royal Queensland Show in Brisbane.

“If you are looking to kickstart your career in the ag industry, the Award offers valuable experience to gain personal and professional growth and refining leadership skills.”

“Being a participant in the Rural Ambassador Award unlocks exciting opportunities such as building connections with local businesses and networking with ag industry leaders.”

It’s a rewarding experience to support your local Show and give back to your community. Get involved and register your interest for the Rural Ambassador Award. Entries are open at

www.rockyshow.com.au/competitions

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

· Male or Female 20 to 30 years of age

· Live in the Rockhampton area or surrounds (Yeppoon, Gladstone, Biloela and Mackay)

·

·

Rural Ambassador Winner Prizes:

Winner: $1000

Runner Up: Cash + Prizes combo worth $500

The 2024 Rural Ambassador Awards nominations are now open.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Three new stocked dams

Three more Queensland dams have been nominated to become stocked freshwater fishing destinations as part of Fisheries reforms now open for public feedback.

Paradise Dam and Mount Morgan No. 7 Dam in central Queensland and Enoggera Reservoir in south east Queensland have been earmarked to potentially join the Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS), with fingerlings released annually into the system and anglers buying fishing permits to support restocking.

Fisheries Queensland executive director Dallas D’Silva said Queensland’s 63 SIPS throughout the state are popular places for recreation that have boosted economies, local businesses and the social fabric of our regional communities.

“Recreational fishing in the state generates $2.5 billion a year and much of this economic benefit is across our regions,” Mr D’Silva said.

“Potentially adding three more dams to the scheme will give Queenslanders more opportunities to wet a line in the great outdoors.”

Fisheries Queensland is also seeking public feedback on proposals including:

· Changes to possession limits for crimson and saddletail snapper and black jewfish, including a proposed black jewfish spawning closure.

· The phasing out of Opera House traps to protect air-breathing animals such as platypus and turtles, as has been done in Victoria, NSW and South Australia and lightweight crab pots to reduce their impacts on “ghost fishing”, where they are abandoned or lost in tidal currents and become traps for other marine wildlife, and

· Prohibiting the recreational take of coral in Queensland waters.

Feedback is also sought for fishery management reforms proposed by parts of the commercial C1 crab fishery on the east coast and in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

With the phase-out of gillnet fishing in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park underway, Fisheries Queensland is consulting the broader crab sector on measures aimed at mitigating the risk of potential commercial fishing effort transfer to other fisheries.

Mr D’Silva said the Sustainable Fisher-

ies Strategy 2017-2027 outlined how the Queensland Government worked with fisheries working groups and the Sustainable Fisheries Expert Panel to effectively manage recreational, commercial and charter fisheries.

“I encourage all community members to visit our eHub to learn more about these pro-

posals and contribute their views for consideration,“ he said.

To read more about these proposals and to have your say, visit the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ eHub or call 13 25 23.

Submissions close on 9 May 2024.

Paradise Dam.

Regional market round-up

Report date: 17/04/2024

Saleyard: Casino

The influx of cattle coming on to the market at the moment is taking a toll on prices for all classes of cattle. There was 1,934 head yarded with the main increase being in the young cattle section.

Quality of the young cattle was fairly good with a large percentage going to restockers . Restocker weaner steers and heifers were 20c to 30c cheaper, depending on quality. Restocker weaner steers sold from 240c to 375c for a average price of 334c/kg. Restocker weaner heifers sold from 216c to 296c and vealers to process ranged from 214c to 255c/ kg. Yearling steers followed a similar trend selling from 246c to 308c/kg. The export market could not escape the downward trend in prices with grown steers selling from 236c to 272c to be down by 20c/kg. Grown heifers reached a top price of 252c/kg. The cow market took the biggest fall to be down by 40c to 50c, with 2 scores selling from 130c to 185c and 3 score medium weights averaged 190c, while 4 score cows ranged from 192c to 214c/kg.

Report compiled by

Doug Robson

Report date: 17/04/2024

Saleyard: Dalby

Young cattle again dominated the larger yarding while the export steer market contained some good lines although overall quality started to slip. The cow market saw a large percentage of the stock penned being in good conditioned. Calves improved up to 14c while yearling steers that sold to restockers were around 4c dearer with yearling heifers only improving 1c to 2c/kg. Values for the steers and bullocks averaged mostly firm and while the top end of the market was a little dearer the lighter and medium weight steers were marginally cheaper. The cow market was dearer across the board with improvements from 2c to 5c/kg.

Calves topped at 151.2c to average 131.7c while those that sold to restockers made to 170c and over 300 head averaged 146c/kg. Vealer steers that sold to restockers made to 157.2c and the heifers that sold to slaughter reached 135.6c/kg. Yearling steers that sold to the local butcher trade made to 145c while those that sold to restockers topped at 154 and a large number averaged 141c/kg. Yearling heifers made to 144c however a large number of drought effected stock sold to restockers and feedlots from 110c and 120c/kg.

Medium weight steers reached 146.2c and a fair sample averaged 140c/kg. A large number of heavy steers made to 145.2c to average 140c/kg. Heavy bullocks made to 144.2c to average 141.2c/kg.

Export heifers reached a top of 130.2c and they averaged from 115c to 126c/kg. There was a small amount of restocker activity on the medium weight cows and they were prepared around 87c/kg. There were a large num-

ber of better cows that sold to slaughter which reached 120.2c and the medium weight D4s averaged 114c/kg. Good heavy cows reached 124.2c to average 117c and heavy bulls sold to a top of 135c/kg.

Light weight feeder steers made to 149.4c and the heifers topped at 133.2c/kg.

The Queensland Cattle Market Index was on 139.1 points at the completion of the Dalby sale.

Report date: 11/04/2024

Saleyard: Emerald

The Yarding at Emerald Sale increased by 1300 head to 2067 with little rain to interrupt the process in the past week. Most cattle came from the usual draw area and values in processor lines particularly showed easing prices throughout. Other classes showed variations related to the quality on hand. There was still restricted activity from some processors on suitable cattle, whilst the feeders also lack the urge to compete on many of their usually preferred cattle.

Light weight yearling steers averaged 380c/ kg for well bred lines and the medium weights showed a similar variation with best bred lines averaging 351c to 380c/kg and selling to 405c/ kg. Light weight yearling heifers sold to 295c/ kg on occasions with averages recorded from 260c to 262c/kg. Medium weight pens showed averages from 245c to 264c/kg for well bred pens.

Grown steers to feed returned averages from 270c to 320c/kg whilst a fair line up of heavy ox averaged from 255c to 265c/kg.

Grown steers to feed averaged 270c to 320c/kg. Well finished trade heifers sold to consistently average between 253c to 265c/kg. Feedlots averaged 247 to 265c/kg for their grown heifers. Cows to processors gave up much of their

gains from the past two sales with heavy, four scores averaging 239c/kg. Heavy bulls also eased with limited livex contributions this week. Processors averaged 221c/kg for the heavy bulls.

Reporter,

Richard Thomson

Report date: 15/04/2024

Saleyard: Toowoomba

The number of cattle penned at Toowoomba increased to 217 head. The lift in prices experienced across most selling centres continued and all classes were dearer compared to the previous sale of three weeks ago. Buyer attendance and activity across most classes of young cattle was good however export buyer attendance was not as good as the previous sale.

Light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock improved by over 40c/kg. Feeder steers lifted in price and this trend also flowed onto the better end of the yearling heifers.

Yearling steers under 200kg returning to the paddock made to 448c to average 443c/kg. Yearling steers under 280kg to restockers made to 432c to average 377c/kg. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market made to 360c and averaged 298c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers to restockers made to 308c to average 280c and some to processors averaged 259c and made to 268c/kg.

Medium weight 2 score cows made to 208c to average 204c/kg. The best of the heavy weight cows made to 230c some returning $1988/head. Light weight steers sold open auction made to $580/head. Cows and calves made to $1680/unit.

Market Reporter, Trevor Hess

Report date: 16/04/2024

Saleyard: Warwick

The supply of stock at Warwick increased to 1,583 head. All the usual processors, wholesalers and feeder operators were present and operating with reduced rates for all export lines. The restockers present were very selective only competing strongly on the quality yearlings with the plainer bred lines proving harder to sell.

Yearling steers to restockers eased from 11c to 29c with quality the main factor. Yearling steers in the 200-280kg range made 336c to average 306c/kg. Yearling steers over 280kg to restockers made 354c and 378c to feeder buyers to average 312c/kg. Medium weight yearling steers to restockers made 350c with feeder operators paying 342c to average 320c/kg. Heavy yearling steers to feed made 328c to average 314c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers to restockers made 294c to average 255c/kg. Yearling heifers over 280kg to feed went against the trend and improved in price topping at 318c to average 303c/kg. Heavy yearling heifers to the wholesale meat trade lifted in price and sold to 328c and averaged from 294c to 321c/kg.

Grown steers to feed sold to 320c and averaged 303c/kg. Grown steers over 500kg to processors made 294c to average 274c/kg. Grown heifers to processors made 282c to average 252c back 11c/kg. Plain conditioned light weight cows to processors eased by 11c and sold from 132c to 195c/kg. Good heavy cows were back by 35c and sold to 219c with an average of 209c/kg. Light weight bulls to feed made 242c to average 229c/kg. Heavy bulls to processors made 255c to average 245c/kg.

Market Reporter

Errol Luck

family business. 2024 marks 100 years of the Moffatt family farming in the Tarome area. Tarome (4309) is located 6km from Aratula, in the heart of the Scenic Rim. This corner of South East Queensland offers natural beauty, with a rural lifestyle, and is only one

nick@moffattcarrots.com.au 0407 047 728 for further information.

A knowledge of cattle nutrition, animal health and being familiar with the grazing industry in Queensland and Northern NSW would be advantageous.

•The successful applicant will be from a rural background.

•They will strive to achieve increased market share and profitability as per the goals of the company.

•They will be self-motivated and possess professional communication and administration and computer skills including Microsoft office.

•They will be able to demonstrate a good rapport with primary producers.

This position requires regular customer contact through onsite visits and travel to remote areas and periods of time away from home. You must hold a current valid drivers license. Competitive base salary available commensurate with experience.

To apply please forward Resume to admin@stocklicktrading.com.au

Helping to establish

Biloela beef graziers Sam and Casey Alsop will tell you there’s a lot to purchase when it comes to getting started in the cattle industry.

First, there’s the land and livestock, then fencing, equipment, machinery, and all the other bells and whistles.

Fortunately, Sam and Casey knew a rural lender who could help them finance everything they needed to build their dream cattle enterprise.

“We got a First Start Loan from the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) to purchase Sam’s parents’ property about 10 years ago,” Casey said.

A few years later, when the husband-andwife graziers were ready to expand their ultra-black cattle and leucaena business, they returned to QRIDA for more financial assistance.

“We used a QRIDA Sustainability Loan to purchase our other block of land, Apex Downs, and some breeders,” Sam said.

“We also used the loan money for water infrastructure and a lot of fencing projects because this was traditionally a set-stocked property, and we wanted to move into rotational grazing.”

Casey was relieved she could use a Sustainability Loan to finance the water tanks and troughs for her Central Queensland farm business as drought preparedness was frontof-mind.

12679274-MS13-24

“It’s definitely getting warmer, and I think your property is your biggest asset as well as the cattle on it and the production you can gain from your property,” Casey said.

Sam and Casey’s long-standing relationship with QRIDA began after they heard about QRIDA’s concessional loans online.

“We subscribed to emails from QRIDA, so we’ve stayed in touch with information through there,” Casey said.

“We also follow QRIDA on Facebook and have face-to-face meetings with our Regional Area Manager, John Metelli, at various workshops and field days.”

Casey said her Regional Area Manager had expertise about the local agricultural industry and QRIDA’s financial assistance which gave her the confidence she needed to complete the loan applications.

“We think it’s important to have a good relationship with your Regional Area Manager. John is just easy-going, and easy to talk to in a time of the biggest purchase of your life,” Casey said.

“It’s quite stressful, but I think he’s really calm, and he knows what he’s talking about.”

John took the time to guide Sam and Casey through QRIDA’s range of financial assistance for primary producers over the phone and then in Biloela, saving the pair a trip to the city.

“A few years ago, I got a phone call from Sam and Casey, and we spoke about eligibility,” John said.

“After that, we met at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries office in Biloela to talk through some other programs that were available.”

John is proud to have helped the Alsops grow from budding beef graziers to the owners of a successful multi-generational cattle operation throughout their decade-long relationship with QRIDA.

“I’m impressed. Sam and Casey are a young couple with plans to step out there and have a go. That’s what we’re trying to do at QRIDA – we’re trying to help people like that,” John said.

Sam and Casey have big goals for the future, and when the time comes to implement more on-farm improvements, they know they can get in touch with their Regional Area Manager to find out what other QRIDA financial assistance could benefit their operation.

“We would love to purchase more land and continue to expand our herd, along with our operations, and just make ourselves full-time primary production,” Casey said.

“We’re in the early stages of looking at a carbon project on the property and just seeing what’s out there, and what the benefit would be to our land and our production model.”

To find out more information about how a QRIDA First Start Loan or Sustainability Loan could improve your primary production business, visit www.qrida.qld.gov.au or call 1800 623 946.

You can also chat with QRIDA in the Robert Schwarten Pavilion at Beef Australia 2024.

John Metelli and Sam Alsop.

Casey and Sam Alsop. Pictures: SUPPLIED

Big question: What’s next?

BREAKING GROUND

WITH THOMAS HALL

Agriculture is a rapidly changing sector, with consumer demands, advances in technology and a nationwide sustainability push transforming agribusiness operations.

The pace of change can be hectic, which doesn’t always leave time for reflection. But it’s something we’ve made some time for of late, prompted by the Agtech and Logistics Hub’s third anniversary.

And it’s been a chance to think not just about how far we’ve come and our evolution into a sector-wide industry-led innovation connector, but also the opportunities that lie in wait around current and emerging challenges and trends.

With Queensland Government backing, the Hub officially opened on 18 May 2021 to grow the agricultural value chain through the development of innovation and technology.

Since then, we’ve worked with industry and hundreds of innovators to fast-track adoption of technology in agriculture and food production.

We know farmers are more likely to adopt technologies they understand, so a key focus has been bridging the knowledge gap between their challenges and available solutions.

A challenge has been getting them connected, with fast and reliable internet critical to the adoption of digital technologies.

Many farmers have had limited connectivity, preventing their use of everything from drones to robotics.

Our team has improved the connectivity of

more than 2000 sites, including farms, agricultural businesses and communities.

Another major challenge for farmers has been integrating traceability systems into their operations, with many still largely reliant on paper documents rather than digital files.

Demand for traceability, which is the digital tracking of a product through all stages of production, processing and distribution, has surged due to the growing number of consumers wanting assurance around food quality and provenance.

We’ve supported organisations of all sizes

with their traceability requirements, from farm gate to checkout, and have embarked on projects with supermarkets, Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and the federal government to enhance traceability through the food supply chain.

We’ve also helped unearth innovative solutions in biotechnology, which is essentially the process of using living things to create or change products.

Producers and growers are having to change how they manage crops, particularly in relation to pests and diseases, amid growing

consumer demand for agricultural products with little or no chemical residue.

Biotechnology will continue to provide new ways for farmers to improve crop quality and yields. We will also need to keep connecting farmers and help them adopt traceability systems to ensure they aren’t left behind in our increasingly digitalised sector.

But what other key challenges are ahead?

One is the adoption of technology powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), from drones to agricultural robots. While many agribusinesses know AI can bring benefits including productivity and profitability improvements, few understand how to integrate it into their operations.

Farmers will also need to use more sustainable crop and pasture management methods to meet Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) guidelines, which can determine whether they can export to certain markets.

We’ve recently embarked on a circular economy project to grow innovative sustainable practices in Queensland’s agribusiness sector and, in conjunction with Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), are delivering an accelerator seeking technologies to complement grain growers and their commitment to sustainable, responsible farming.

We also expect to see emissions reduction become even more of a focus, with the Federal Government developing six sectoral plans, including one for agriculture, outlining how we can transition to a net-zero economy.

We’ve been agile in responding to the rapid change our sector is experiencing, and our goal for the year ahead and beyond is to grow our collaboration with businesses across the food supply chain, including farmers, to help overcome challenges.

Finding solutions for them remains at the heart of everything we do.

ARE YOU IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR?

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Owen Williams, Stephen Williams, Mayor Paul McVeigh, Mayor Paul Antonio, John Bell, Gillian Gardiner and Bruce McConnel at the opening of the Agtech and Logistics Hub in May 2021.

Rodeo mums. There’s something special about them and we are thankful they continue to ignore the warnings of that famous Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson song, Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies grow Up To Be Cowboys!

This year Road To Rodeo Mount Isa is on 11 May – the day before Mother’s Day – and organisers are keen to shine the light on rodeo mums, starting with Cloncurry’s Kylee Ferguson, a famed rider and mum of three successful rodeo riders in Cade, Kolt and Brandee.

At Road to Rodeo last year, it was 17-yearold Cade who was the busiest cowboy of the day.

He rode in five events and took the title for two – Junior Steer and Junior Barrel - and his rides in the second division Bull, the Saddle Bronc and the Open Team Roping, cemented him as a leading cowboy of the future.

He has competed in America 10 times since he was nine-years-old, winning the Mini Bull Ride that first year and taking a slew of Buckles there since.

Yeah, he’s a cowboy alright!

Kylee and Cade Ferguson will both compete again at Road to Rodeo Mount Isa in May to defend their titles.

However, the mother-son rodeo super duo can no longer share a mantlepiece, given their haul of buckles.

Kylee is a five-time Australian APRA junior title holder, was former Miss Rodeo Australia, is the reigning Road to Rodeo Open Barrel Race winner and also leads Australia’s Youth Rodeo Organisation (YRO).

She was just 12 when she first fell in love with rodeo from watching her cowboy father Cliff McIntyre in action.

“One of my most memorable wins was the Open Barrel Race at the Mount Isa Rodeo in 1986 while still a junior,“ Kylee said.

“Doing that lap of honour with the blue ribbon is one of the biggest rodeo honours. There were no Buckles for the girls in those days, now there are and I still have that ribbon.”

When asked what’s it like being the mum of one of Australia’s most talented young cowboys, Kylee said it was busy!

“This is his last year as a junior with the Australian Professional Rodeo Association and

he has set himself a few big goals.

“As long as he pulls his weight at home, keeps his school work up to date when he is away and helps contribute when he can, we do our best to help him achieve them.”

Cade said he couldn’t thank his mum enough for taking him from rodeo to rodeo, organising itineraries and supporting his passion to ride.

Reflecting on Mother’s Day, Cade said the worst gift he ever gave his mum was a card he made at school.

“I’m not much of a drawer to be honest, I’d rather be on a horse!” said Cade.

“This year we will all be together competing at Road to Rodeo Mount Isa and being together as a family makes mum super happy and

when she’s happy, we all are!”

Kylee said Cade’s heart had always been in rodeo. “I think it’s just something that once it’s in your blood - it’s hard to shake off. I also think the friendships that they make in rodeo last forever and he has friends all over the world just from being involved in the sport he loves.

“I love that we all get to compete together and have the same interests and that our teenage kids still like hanging with their parents.

“I didn’t realise how special that was until somebody pointed it out recently.“

Road to Rodeo Mount Isa 2024

· Buchanan Park Events Complex Saturday 11 May.

· Gates open from 12pm, with kids rides and activities, community food trucks and mar-

ket stalls. There’s also a special gift on arrival for all the mums (given the next day is Mother’s Day).

· Local band Pacific Groove kicks off the action at 12.30pm and rodeo starts in the famous red dirt arena from 2pm through to 9pm when the Rodeo Rock Concert starts.

· At 6pm the official opening and grand entry will be held, always a huge highlight at Buchanan Park and highlights of the 2024 Mount Isa Rodeo Festival will be shared.

Key Facts:

· Ticket Prices: Adults $30 + booking fee, 17 years and under free.

· Gold Coin donation on entry to go to Mount Isa and North West Qld Breast Cancer Support Group.

The rodeo family ... Cade, mum Kylee and Colt Ferguson (missing is their cowgirl sister Brandee). Pictures: CONTRIBUTED

Kylee Ferguson in action at Road to Rodeo Mount Isa last year. She is barrell racing. Cade Ferguson in action in the barrell race.

Cloncurry cowboy Cade Ferguson follows his calf down to collect his rope after stopping the clock in 3.65 seconds for the early lead in the junior breakaway roping.