The Northern Rivers Times Edition 162 Rural News

RECENT CATTLE MARKET REPORTS

WARWICK

MC DOUGALL & SONS

LIVESTOCK MARKETS WARWICK W/E

25/08/2023

Sheep & Lamb numbers were back with only 1474 head available. The mix was a majority of trade and processing stock with a quarter of the yarding in the Mutton categories. The market was frm to a shade dearer for most descriptions the only anomalies being the light trade end and the Ram and light Mutton types.

Lambs topped at $124 to av $82.75 ($11up)

Hoggets topped at $110 to av $57.96 ($2up)

Ewes topped at $80 to av $ 61.09 $(17up)

Wethers topped at $68 to av $59.35 ($3up)

Rams av $30 and topped at $30.

Lamb rams topped at $44 to av $28.05 ($8down)

Ewe Lambs topped at $60 to av $51.21 ($31down)

The total yarding averaged $72.27/head, which was $7/ head dearer than last sale.

Larger numbers of Pigs and Poultry saw some good results for the right articles.

Call Ducks sold to $50, Drakes sold to $45, Ducks sold to $25, Roosters sold to $30, Hens sold to $65, Pullets sold

to $35, Guinea Fowl sold to $30, Chickens sold to $35, Groups of Ducklings sold to $27.50, Groups of chicks sold to $50.

Sows sold from $120 to $202, Boars sold from $40 to $62, Light Pork from $146 to $164, Pork to $186, Barrows to $140, Stores from $58 to $157

MC DOUGALL & SONS SHEEP & LAMB REPORT

Agents today yarded a total of 1,474 head for the weekly sale. The yarding was ¾ lambs and ¼ mutton for the buying panel. There were a few re-stockers looking to buy but were on a subdued rate. Lambs topped at $124 to av $82.75($11up), hoggets topped at $110 to av $57.96($2up), Ewes topped at $80 to av $61.09($17up), Wethers topped at $68 to av $59.35($3up), Rams topped at $30 to av $30($6up), Lamb rams topped at $44 to av $28.05($8down), Ewe lambs topped at $60 to av $51.21 ($31 down). The total yarding av $72.27 which was $7/ head dearer than the previous week’s sale.

Hurley & Weiss sold Dorper x lambs 57.5kg to Highchester Meats for $124, 56.2kg to Thomas Foods for $118, 58kg and 45kg hoggets to restockers for $79. Deborah Kelly sold Dorper lambs 54kg to restockers for $119.

Lloyd & Desley Mauch sold Dorset x Lambs 95kg to Thomas Foods for $124

Rory & Kathy Frost sold Dorper lambs 45.5kg to GR Prime for $100, rams to Whites Trading for $30

Phil & Gabe Byrnes sold Dorper lambs 45kg and 44.4kg to Leslie Lamb for $101

Palmer Steel sold Dorper lambs 53kg to Eversons for $110

Kim Aisthorpe sold Dorper lambs 47kg to Eversons for $104, 45.5kg to Warwick Meats for $90, 39.5kg to Gr Prime for $56

Woodleigh Keetah sold Dorper lambs 52kg to restockers for $65, 52kg hoggets to Eversons for $60

James Cowlishaw sold Merino hoggets 57.2kg to Eversons for $60, Merino wethers and ewes to Eversons for $62

Geoff & Rosemary Gibson sold Merino hoggets in the wool 45kg to restockers for $48, shorn 30.7kg to restockers for $25, Merino ewes in the wool to Eversons for $65, wethers shorn to Eversons for $34

The weekly Cattle Sale saw an irregular sale, with the Saleyards rendered inoperable and a cancellation of the regular sale. A smaller number of cattle were offered through the Stanthorpe yards for cattle on hand.

NSW EPA invites feedback on how biosolids are managed

NSW Environment Protection Authority

Not many people think about what happens to the wastewater that they fush away or send down the laundry drain, but the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is reaching out to stakeholders and the community to ask them to do exactly that.

We are consulting with stakeholders as part of the Biosolids Regulatory Review, which aims to develop new rules around the benefcial use of biosolids while ensuring human and environmental safety.

Biosolids are an organic waste product generated from sewage at wastewater treatment plants. Nutrient and carbon rich, biosolids can be applied to land to

improve soil fertility. At least half of all biosolids in NSW are used on agricultural land.

NSW EPA Chief Executive Offcer, Tony Chappel said that there was a growing body of evidence about potential risks associated with contaminants in biosolids.

“It’s essential that we continue to adapt our approach to accommodate new learnings,” Mr Chappel said.

“As our knowledge around quality requirements and risk grows, it’s clear that our regulatory settings need to evolve too.

“Our review includes assessment of known and emerging chemicals of concern. We’ve reviewed research from around the world and tailored it to be relevant

for the NSW context.

“Biosolids are a valued resource, and the EPA will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure their benefcial, safe and sustainable use.”

The EPA commenced this review, in response to new scientifc knowledge around potential risks associated with the application of biosolids to land, including new knowledge of emerging contaminants such as per- and polyfuoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other chemicals of concern.

Collaborative stakeholder engagement has been key to the review process, with both a Stakeholder Committee and a Regulatory Committee established to ensure that progress on the review

was in partnership with industry and Government.

Now the EPA is inviting all stakeholders to have their say in developing the new regulatory approach.

The EPA is consulting with stakeholders,

including local government, utilities, the farming/agriculture sector, the biosolids industry, technology and research providers, transporters, small business and community to build a modernised regulatory approach for

biosolids.

Further information on the Biosolids Regulatory Review, including the various ways that stakeholders can be involved, is available at https://yoursay.epa.nsw. gov.au/nsw-biosolidsregulatory-review

Biosolids are a valued resource

Australia supports Pacifc for plant health talks

Australia is proud to be able to help Pacifc Island nations bring their views and expertise to critical international plant health talks.

Three delegates from American Samoa, Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia will attend the Pacifc Plant Protection Organisation (PPPO) annual International Plant Protection Convention

(IPPC) workshop and triennial board meeting in the Cook Islands this week.

Australia’s Chief Plant Protection Offcer Dr Gabrielle Vivian-Smith said Australia’s support for the participation of these delegates meant there was a broader scope of views and understanding at the meetings.

“It’s important to have as complete

a representation as possible at a meeting like this, especially since

a board meeting hasn’t been held since 2018 due to COVID and other

delays,” said Dr VivianSmith.

“The PPPO is at its best when the whole region is able to contribute. We also want to encourage a supportive, connected Pacifc family.

“This meeting will discuss draft international plant health standards and approve a work plan of activities designed to improve biosecurity capacity across the

region. Plant health, agricultural production and trade underpins economic development and food security in the Pacifc, but this can be vulnerable without robust biosecurity systems.

“Australia is happy to promote participation by all Pacifc countries and territories in the PPPO in order to improve the biosecurity of our region across the board.”

Australia’s Chief Plant Protection Offcer, Dr Gabrielle Vivian-Smith meets her Fijian counterparts from the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji.

Future drought funding welcome, but don’t lose sight of the next drought

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Agriculture Minister Murray Watt of $38 million from the Future Drought Fund to boost the farm sector’s resilience to

climate change and dry conditions.

However, NFF

Vice President David Jochinke noted the funding would primarily be directed into research and long-term trials and while much needed, it did little for the here and now.

“We are staring down

the barrel at an El Nino bringing drier conditions this growing season,” Mr Jochinke said.

“Improving long term resilience is important, but climate research can’t come at the expense of preparing for the drought just around the corner.”

The NFF said the

Future Drought Fund had to continue to include projects which would directly build resilience for when the next drought hits.

“Resilience is farmers’ middle name, but we can’t outrun the increasingly severe and frequent drought cycles.

“It’s imperative the

Government focuses on climate change resilience but not at the expense of drought preparedness.

“We need to fnd the balance between being ready for the next drought while ensuring there’s continual investment into innovation and technology so agriculture

can adapt to our changing climate.

“This balance is what the farm sector needs to keep up with growing demand for food and fbre, and to reach our goal to be a $100 billion industry by 2030.”

Connecting DPI research to farmers for greater resilience

With the 50th AgQuip Field Days underway in Gunnedah, the NSW Department of Primary Industries is connecting farmers and agronomists to the latest R&D to build resilience and prepare for drought.

NSW DPI representatives presented at the annual Grower Forum breakfast this morning, co-hosted by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and NSW Farmers, where on-ground resilience was a key focus.

NSW DPI Director General Scott Hansen, said AgQuip is a key

annual event for NSW DPI to connect its research with end users, and yet again this year a key focus has been on preparing for drying conditions.

“The Bureau of Meteorology is on alert for El Nino conditions, so drought preparedness is again at the top of everyone’s mind,” Mr Hansen said.

“Our latest State Seasonal Update has shown that drought conditions have continued to develop in the north, north-east and south-east regions of NSW, so NSW DPI is focused on supporting farmers to prepare for

deteriorating conditions.

“It’s important to have conversations about drought now, as we know that with a clearer headspace we can learn from the past and improve our responses for the future.

“DPI has a long history of supporting farmers through varying seasonal conditions and we are proud that our research creates actionable knowledge that helps advance primary industries.

“Three NSW DPI scientists presented at this morning’s breakfast, connecting our research directly with farmers and agronomists, including

the latest available research to inform decision making in dry times.”

NSW DPI’s newly appointed Research Agronomist Dr Mitch Clifton recently completed his PhD on the mechanisms of heat tolerance in wheat with the University of Sydney and GRDC. He shared a summary of his PhD research and discussed his current research into long coleoptile wheat and durum lines, as well as outlining how farmers can incorporate this research into their farming practices.

An update on the best management strategies

for cereal diseases was delivered by DPI’s Director Northern Cropping, Dr Guy McMullen.

Another well-known local, Loretta Serafn who leads NSW DPI’s northern summer grains research program, presented the results of a fve-year research project on optimising sorghum agronomy, which has shown that moving the sowing window forward can be successful in soil temperatures as low as 13 degrees, compared to traditional sowing temperatures of 16-18 degrees for sorghum.

Alongside the DPI presenters at the Grower

Forum, attendees also heard from Arthur Gearon, chair of GRDC’s Northern Regional Panel; Xavier Martin, President of NSW Farmers; and special guest speaker Australian cricket legend Brad Hogg, as the National Ambassador of Grain Producers Australia’s Farmer Mates Mental Health program. Information on drought preparedness and management is available on the DroughtHub website at www.droughthub.nsw. gov.au.

OzFish and Landcare go searching for prehistoric lungfsh after reports from near Lismore

OzFish Unlimited

OzFish Unlimited volunteers recently teamed up with Richmond Landcare in search of the elusive prehistoric lungfsh which was sighted in northern NSW.

Lungfsh have not been in the area for millions of years and the endangered native species is only found in small sections of South East Queensland.

After the foods of 2022 caused major damage to the Tuntable Creek ecosystem, 25km north of Lismore, a resident said he saw a lungfsh in the waterway and his clear description was backed up by another local and members of the Richmond Landcare group decided to investigate.

Richmond Landcare reached out to OzFish, Australia’s fshing conservation charity to see if they could do some eDNA testing to potentially get scientifc verifcation that lungfsh had returned to the area after the foods.

Lucas Kas, OzFish Senior Project Offcer, said the sightings at the Terania Creek and Rocky Creek locations set the local community

abuzz, and they were able to get the project funded through their longstanding partnership with Landcare NSW.

“Just like at a crime scene where we can see who’s been lurking around the place, we can do the same thing with animals through eDNA testing,” he said.

“It’s great because it doesn’t impact the environment like other forms of monitoring and

is robust.

“As an animal moves through the environment it leaves all these traces - skin fakes, mucus, all the other bodily secretions. So all we have to do is come down, take a sample of the water, preserve it, send it off to the lab and then they can do some wizardry on it and basically spit back to us if there’s a presence or absence of Australian lungfsh in the creek.

“The reason we’re making a big deal about lungfsh potentially being sighted in this area is because they’ve only been found in two rivers in South East Queensland and that’s now been expanded due to a breed-out program.

“But never in NSW, at least for a hundred million years. There was some fossil evidence

from back then.

“They’re really signifcant because they’re really rare but they’re also living fossils. They’re prehistoric creatures that have been around since before the dinosaurs and they basically represent an evolutionary stage that all land animals evolved from.”

Australian lungfsh are unique creatures that can live up to 117 years, grow to 1.5 metres, have enamel on their teeth and have limb-like fns.

The eDNA test results were recently fnalised and although it indicated no sign of the lungfsh from the sample areas that were tested, it does not mean that they are not possibly inhabiting other parts of the waterways in the area.

However, the study did detect various

other aquatic species, such as the longfn eel, rainbowfsh, Australian bass, carp, and Australian smelt. Although the lungfsh remained undetected, this project brought the community together, fostering a deeper connection and understanding of the local environment.

The Richmond and Tuntable Landcare groups have been active participants in Lismore City Council’s Urban Landcare Program as they aim to enhance regional biodiversity. The project was made possible from OzFish’s Driving Fish Habitat Action partnership with Landcare NSW, with funding support from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts, and BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing.

Irrigators frmly condemn more buybacks

The NSW Irrigators’ Council (NSWIC) has strongly condemned the Federal Government’s plan for additional water buybacks and removal of the cap on water recovery to go beyond the Murray Darling Basin Plan requirements, saying the announcement has sent shockwaves through Basin communities.

“Basin communities have already lost 1 in 3 litres of irrigation water to get the Basin Plan Sustainable Diversion Limits in place, and the uncertainty of more, beyond what was required to reach the SDLs, is a major cause for concern,” said NSWIC Acting CEO Christine Freak.

“To put this in perspective, buying back the NSW share of an additional 450GL of water will remove the equivalent of nearly half of the remaining high-security water that’s left for farming in the

NSW Southern Basin. This is very concerning, given the severe socio-economic and water market impacts, and implications for Australia’s food bowl.”

Limits are in place,”[1] said Ms Freak.

“Basin communities have engaged with Government in good faith and provided countless alternatives

“It is critical that this additional time is used to genuinely explore alternative pathways, working with Basin communities to target key degradation drivers,

degradation, lack of fsh passageways, cold water pollution, and a need for more fsh screens.”

The most recent fve-yearly review of the implementation of the

450 GL by 2024. There is little evidence that it has been designed to recover water in the places needed to effectively achieve the enhanced environmental outcomes.”

“Buybacks have already had welldocumented severe impacts on Basin communities, with 30% of the 10,800 FTE jobs lost across the Southern Basin from 2001 to 2016 attributed to buybacks,” Ms Freak said.

Irrigators have called out further buybacks as politics over good policy, emphasising that other pathways are available, that can deliver better environmental outcomes, without the socioeconomic impacts.

“Additional buybacks are just not required now Sustainable Diversion

to delivering additional environmental outcomes of the Basin Plan, which do not require further buybacks.”

NSIWC said the NSW Government must ensure no further buybacks, and act fast on getting new projects delivered well and within new timeframes.

and not simply resort to buybacks,” Ms Freak said.

“The science is saying the most pressing environmental needs of the Basin cannot be fxed by just adding more water, with key degradation drivers now being invasive species like carp, habitat

Basin Plan found: “Recovering water through effciency measures has become increasingly divorced from the environmental outcomes it is meant to achieve. The current focus of the program is on meeting the legislated target of recovering an additional

A 2022 report commissioned by the Victorian Government found that simply buying back Basin Plan shortfalls would result in over $850 million in forgone production per year, with an extra 17,500 hectares of high-value horticulture being dried off.

NSWIC is calling on Governments to urgently and meaningful work with communities to fnd alternative pathways.

Being connected to others is key to mental wellbeing

Zoetis

Zoetis and Beyond Blue support the mental health of Australia’s rural communities

Increasing interest rates, infation, rising living costs and concerns about the future are among the primary causes of community concern for people living in regional Australia, according to a new survey by Beyond Blue. However, despite the importance of seeking help for mental health, many Australians are hesitant to do so, especially in rural areas where there is a stigma surrounding mental illness.

Research shows that being connected to others is crucial for mental wellbeing and can serve as a protective factor against anxiety and depression. Zoetis, the leading animal health business, has partnered with Beyond Blue for seven years to support mental health initiatives and reduce stigma around mental illness in rural and regional

Australia. During this time, Zoetis has raised $700,000 for the Beyond Blue Support Service by donating $5 from each sale of the company’s livestock, pig, and poultry vaccines and drenches. In 2023, Zoetis has set a goal to raise an additional $100,000 by the end of the year.

Lance Williams, Zoetis Senior Vice President and Cluster Lead, Australia and New Zealand, says, “Zoetis works closely with rural Australia through interactions with the country’s farming community, agricultural stores, veterinarians and their families. We are proud to once again be supporting Beyond Blue and the important work they do.”

“The farming community has endured many challenges over the years. Through economic insecurity, social isolation, loneliness, and insecure work, we’re seeing an increase in many of the factors that drive mental health challenges. Rural Australia and country

people are stoic and display considerable courage, however, the impact on mental health has been signifcant for many.”

Patrice O’Brien, Beyond Blue Chief Community Offcer, says, “Social connections

support at times. Timely diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of a mental health condition in rural areas are likely to occur later or not at all, often resulting in an increased probability of the most tragic of outcomes. We want

a supportive network. Also, understanding which tools and strategies work well for you in tough times and reaching out for that extra support when you need it are really important,” says Ms O’Brien.

“You are not alone, and you don’t have to work things out by yourself,” says Ms O’Brien. “Seeking support at the frst sign you’re not feeling quite yourself can make it easier to bounce back and maintain good mental health.

Sometimes, just talking to someone can make a difference.”

date, thanks to Zoetis’s donation, over 14,000 people have been able to get the support they need through the service. Together we have made strong progress in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of those who live in rural Australia, and we are passionate about helping again this year.”

are closely tied to our physical and mental wellbeing. Feeling connected with others can reduce stress and build resilience. Having someone to talk to and support you is important.

People in rural Australia are known for their resilience in times of crisis, but even the most resilient need extra

everyone to know that support is available.”

The journey to better mental health can start with small actions.

“It’s important to make looking after ourselves a priority. Maintaining social connections, keeping in touch with friends and family, and being part of a community provides

People can support the Zoetis initiative between 15 July and 31 October 2023. For each sale of the company’s livestock, pig and poultry vaccines and drenches Zoetis, will donate $5, up to $100,000, to Beyond Blue. Mr Williams continues, “The money raised goes directly to the Beyond Blue Support Service to continue helping people living in remote areas. To

For more information on how you can help Zoetis to raise vital funds to support mental health in rural communities through its partnership with Beyond Blue please visitwww.zoetis.com.au. For more information about depression and anxiety, visit www. beyondblue.org.au. The Beyond Blue Support Service offers free and immediate counselling, advice and referrals via phone, webchat or email. To talk to a mental health professional for free, contact the 24/7 Beyond Blue Support Service on 1300 22 46 36. Free web chat is also available 24/7 at beyondblue.org. au/support-service/chat and you can join the Online forums for free.

Lance Williams, Zoetis Senior Vice President and Cluster Lead, Australia and New Zealand and Patrice O’Brien, Beyond Blue Chief Community Offcer.

Annual Land and Stock Return is due now

Local Land Services is reminding all livestock owners to submit their Annual Land and Stock Return before the online portal closes on 31 August 2023.

The NSW government relies on this data when emergencies strike, to help us support livestock when foods or bushfres occur.

Local Land Services Director Emergency Management Andrew Mulligan said it was crucial we knew where stock was kept in the event of a biosecurity outbreak to help protect our agricultural industries.

“With the current risk of foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease, completing your return has never been more important,”

Mr Mulligan said.

“Completing your Annual Land and Stock Return is an important part of meeting your biosecurity responsibilities and paints a statewide picture of land use and livestock numbers.

“It also helps us with planning and resourcing so that we can deliver our services where they are needed most.”

Improvements have been made to the

ABARES Weekly Australian Climate, Water and Agricultural Update

online portal to make it easier to submit your information - or if you can’t access our online services, there’s still time to post back your return this week.

Submitting your Annual Land and Stock Return is just as important for landholders who don’t own livestock.

“By letting us know you don’t have any livestock you can save money on your Local Land Services rates next year,” he said.

“Livestock owners are charged an Animal Health rate and Meat Industry Levy. If you don’t have any livestock, please complete your return and tick ‘no livestock’then this additional rate will not be applied to your next rates notice.”

We appreciate the more than 70,000 landholders across the state who have already completed their returns this year.

It’s easy and quick to do online via our dedicated web hub: http://www.lls.nsw.gov. au/alsr

Don’t forget to submit your return by 31 August – it could help you avoid additional fees and levies being applied to your rates.

• For the week ending 23 August 2023, frontal systems and a trough brought showers to southern parts of Australia. Up to 50 millimetres of rainfall was recorded in parts of Western Australia, eastern New South Wales and in western Tasmania. A highpressure system kept the remainder of the country dry and clear.

• Across cropping regions, rainfall totals of up to 25 millimetres were recorded in central New South Wales and southern and central parts of Western Australia. Little to no rainfall was recorded in the remaining cropping regions and these regions will require suffcient and timely rain in the coming weeks and months to maintain current levels of winter crop production, following a gradual decline in soil moisture reserves.

• Drier than normal conditions are expected in September for large areas of Australia. Across cropping regions, during September there is a there is a 75% chance of rainfall totals of between 10 and 25 millimetres across eastern New South Wales, southern and central Victoria,

western and central South Australia and western and southern Western Australia. If realised, this poor September 2023 rainfall outlook represents a signifcant downside production risk for both winter and summer crop production as well as pasture growth.

• During September to November 2023, there is 75% chance of receiving between 25 and 100 millimetres across most winter cropping regions, except for northern cropping regions in Western Australia where falls are expected to be below 25 millimetres. If realised, these falls may be suffcient to support close to average plant growth, in areas with average or better levels of soil moisture. In

areas with low soil moisture, such as southern Queensland, north-western New South Wales and northern and eastern Western Australia, these probable low three-month rainfall totals are unlikely to be suffcient to sustain average levels of crop and pasture production.

• On 23 August 2023, the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council (AFAC) released its Seasonal Bushfre Outlook for spring 2023. An increased risk of fre is expected for large areas of New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory, as well as parts of Victoria and South Australia. This increased risk of bushfres represents a signifcant localised risk to crop and livestock.

• Over the 8-days to 31 August 2023, fronts and troughs are expected to bring isolated showers to south-eastern parts of the country. Across cropping regions, minimal rainfall totals of up to 5 millimetres are expected across much of New South Wales and Queensland, in central South Australia and southern Western Australia. No rainfall is expected remaining areas. These falls are likely to be of little beneft to crops and pastures as they are unlikely to be suffcient to offset evaporative losses.

• Water storage levels in the MurrayDarling Basin (MDB) increased between 17 August 2023 and 24 August 2023 by 34 gigalitres (GL). Current volume of water held in storage is 20 983 GL. This is 2 percent or 507 GL less than at the same time last year.

©Commonwealth of Australia 2023, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Issued: 23/8/2023

• Allocation prices in the Victorian Murray below the Barmah Choke increased from $152 on 10 August 2023 to $155 on 17 August 2023. Prices are lower in regions above the Barmah choke due to the binding of the Barmah choke trade constraint.

Government hits self-destruct button on Basin unity

Farmers have responded with dismay at the Government’s decision to reach prematurely for water buybacks, before alternative options have been considered.

National Farmers’ Federation President, Fiona Simson, said today’s announcement to deliver the MurrayDarling Basin Plan in full with buybacks squarely on the agenda would be met with disbelief given the Government’s recent

consultation.

“Just a few short weeks ago the Government sought and received over 100 submissions from stakeholders, outlining innovative and smart solutions to deliver the plan without the need for buybacks,” Ms Simson said.

“The NFF’s was just one of these groups that engaged in good faithputting up over 1,000GL of buyback-free water recovery projects.

“The Minister has just admitted these are yet to be fully considered. To fre the starting gun on harmful buybacks while sitting on an unread stack of alternatives beggars belief.”

The Commonwealth has failed to bring Victoria into the new Basin agreement –ending more than 16 years of fragile cooperation around the Plan.

“Maintaining a degree of unity between the states and the Commonwealth has been a major achievement of the Plan to date. Today unity has been pushed to the wayside with

what looks like a rushed and clumsy attempt to override states’ genuine concerns about buybacks.

“States have a right to stand up for their communities and say no to buybacks. Accepting buybacks shouldn’t be a precondition for amending the deadlines – that’s just politically conniving.

“Buybacks have hurt Basin communities in the past and they’ll infict more pain if they start again.

“This isn’t just an issue for farmers. It’s a bill every Australian gets to pay not once, but twice – frst as their taxes

bankroll costly buybacks, then again when their grocery bill goes up.

“You cut production in our food bowl and everyone who eats foots the bill.”

Ms Simson called on the Opposition and members of the crossbench to hold the Government to account on this issue when legislation comes before Parliament.

“Right now, there are too many unanswered questions to wave any legislation though.

“Why has the Government ignored the alternative options it asked for? How much will this unnecessary

spending spree cost the taxpayer? And what will be the impact on Basin communities, and do the socio-economic tests still stand?

“We also don’t want to see an end to bipartisanship. The Government should engage meaningfully with the Coalition to give communities confdence going forward.

“Farmers and communities deserve the chance to engage meaningfully before these laws that will affect them are passed. We look forward to engaging constructively and decisively to ensure their views are heard.”

LEAN agenda would drag Labor to the fringe –costing jobs and fuelling infation

Australia’s peak farm body has called on delegates at the ALP National Conference this week to vote down a radical anti-farming motion backed by the Labor Environment Action Network (LEAN).

Farmers say the “Climate, Clearing and Cows” motion, which calls for methane emissions to be halved in the next 6.5 years, is misinformed and in confict with mainstream scientifc opinion.

“This is not a sensible policy for a mainstream political party. Voting this through would be an open armed embrace of fringe views that are anti-science and antifarming,” explained NFF President, Fiona Simson.

“It goes beyond the Government’s very

recent commitment to the Global Methane Pledge, it massively exceeds the IPCC’s own advice, and it’s scientifcally impossible without cutting herd numbers – something the Government is on record opposing.

“On land clearing, it deliberately fudges the numbers – confating deforestation, land clearing and routine land management. Australia has rigorous, sciencebased laws to protect the environment which have largely stabilised

vegetation cover for years.”

Ms Simson said farmers wanted delegates to understand the impact of the motion if adopted.

“This motion is about taking farms out of production, killing jobs and pushing up food

prices. It’s as simple as that.

“We’re not just talking about farming jobs, but also in trucking, in stevedoring and of course in meat processing – our largest manufacturing industry.

“Delegates need to

be clearheaded about what really matters to Australians and what the ALP stands for. Is it protecting jobs and tackling the cost of living? Or pleasing environmental outliers who have turned their back on science and common sense?

“We’ve seen governments globally fall victim to antifarming policies which ignore the basic need to grow food and fbre, and the community backlash that follows. We don’t want that style of politics to take root here.

“We have every expectation that logic will prevail here, but we won’t mince our words when we see this sort of nonsense being peddled,” Ms Simson concluded.