ON LANDthe Sustainable farming new way on the land

AUSTRALIAN farmers are increasingly adopting additional sustainable farming practices as they seek to improve farm productivity while safeguarding their land for future generations.

New data from CommBank reveals a 182 per cent increase in Agri Green Loan inquiries since launching in November 2021, with farmers in New South Wales (+340 per cent) and Victoria (+154 per cent) leading the charge.

Among the many farmers reaping the benefits of regenerative farming are Gippsland farmers Narelle and Mark McDonald, who have run a successful beef on dairy operation complemented by regenerative practices for more than 10 years.

The McDonalds recently used a CommBank Agri Green Loan to support a multi-species pasture renovation program to restore the soil quality on their recently purchased farm, to enhance their business for the long term.

CBA also supported the farm to diversify its income through beef on dairy, which is a practice that addresses a long-standing issue within the dairy industry related to surplus calves.

The McDonalds cross their Friesian dairy cows with Wagyu bulls, which are lighter and make for easier calving. The use of genomic testing has helped to identify the top dairy cows to breed with sexed semen. The first-generation female calves are reared as part of the dairy herd, and the remaining males calves are reared on farm and sold into the beef market.

The regenerative farming philosophy adopted by the McDonalds significantly minimises the use of sprays and fertilisers.

“As dairy farmers, our margins have been eroded over time, so we’ve utilised regenerative farming to reduce our cost of production through the decrease in synthetic inputs,” said Mr McDonald.

“We now manufacture our own organic compost and use occasional supplements in response to our system’s needs to lift the measured health of pastures, which underpins the nutrient density of our produce.

“We’re not just committed to creating a more profitable and productive farm, we are trying to create a better environment, healthier food, and leave something better for the future.”

Mareeba Saleyards

Summary – Tuesday 4 April

• Total yarding 253 head including 3 sold open auction

• Yard Averaged 290.15c/kg or $ 815.31/head

• 6 Bulls averaged 216.5c/kg selling to a top of 228.2c/kg

• 34 Steers averaged 207c/kg selling to a top 234.2c/kg

• 11 Heifers averaged 240.3c/kg selling to a top of 260.2c/kg

• 34 Cows averaged 207c/kg selling to a top of 234.2/kg

• 92 Yearling steers averaged 342.9c/kg selling to a top of 430.2c/kg

• 37 Yearling heifers averaged 259.2c/kg selling to a top of 300.2c/kg

• 8 Yearling micks averaged 293c/kg selling to a top of 306.2c/kg

• 3 + 3 cows and calves @ $1400

Salesyard

Knuth backs gun owners over licensing

MEMBER for Hill Shane Knuth has stood up for local gun owners and is pushing for them to have legal representation at hearings regarding Weapons Licence application refusals.

Mr Knuth was informed by a number of sources that within the past three months, Weapons Licencing submitted objections to QCAT that would see people undergoing weapons licencing appeals not be allowed legal representation.

He is calling on the Minister for Police, Mark Ryan, to instruct Weapons Licensing to drop its objections. This follows on from recent revelations that revealed wait times within the QPS Weapons Licencing division have hit more than eight months, for licence applications and 46 days to obtain a permit to acquire.

“The Minister basically agreed that appeals to QCAT are legal matters that should follow the letter of the law, yet emphatically said no to withdrawing Weapons Licencing objections to allow average Queenslanders the right to legal representation at these hearings,” Mr Knuth said.

“We have a number of farmers and lawabiding citizens whose weapons licence renewals or new applications appear to be automatically denied.

“However, when applicants in the past appealed to QCAT and had legal representation they were more likely to have the decision overturned.

“Make your own mind up as to why only a few months ago weapons licencing has started objecting to licence applicants receiving legal representation at QCAT hearings.”

ABC show amazes with climate program

RECENTLY on ABC TV, a short program came on about global warming. Firstly, it said that the “Little ice age ended in 1888” and that the earth entered a warm period and said that since that time, the Earth had warmed up by 0.8 of one degree.

This is wonderful new and proves beyond doubt that the doomsayers are wrong.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) committee has also said that hurricanes, bush fires and floods are no worse but that more people are being affected because the population has increased since 1888. We now have a population of about 25 million in Australia and we had nothing like that in 1888.

The mighty sun controls our climate and we know that the very existence of life on Earth depends on the light from the sun. It warms our seas, generates our weather patterns and gives energy to the growing green plants that provide food and oxygen for life on Earth.

The Australian people are being fooled by the doomsayers and for ABC TV to put this into a program is amazing.

Thanks to who made project a reality

FOLLOWING the recent opening of the Allumbah Heritage Walk in Yungaburra, it is timely to acknowledge several entities and organisations for their support.

To save any embarrassment on my part, I won’t name individuals as for sure I would miss some people out.

Without the great support from Tablelands Regional Council, this community project would never have got to first base, let alone a successful completion.

To Yungaburra Landcare, which was the auspice body, with many volunteers that helped with the sign design and installation.

The Eacham Historical Society in Malanda for their historical knowledge and meticulous fact checking.

To the folks at YAI and the Yungaburra Visitor Information Centre who were enthusiastic with their support.

Finally, a big thank you to Yungaburra Indigenous elders and the many local residents who reminisced and shared their personal memories and experiences on life’s journey.

Our hope is that this community asset will be enjoyed by future generations in the years to come.

Paul Burnell YUNGABURRA

Valid concerns over Voice effectiveness

INDIGENOUS Senator for the Northern Territory Jacinta Nampijinpa Price opposes the Voice for a number of reasons:

There are already eleven indigenous