Queensland Farmer Today - May 2022 by Star News Group

May 2022

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Easter in the Country

FarmFest 2022

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Stakes high this winter

Opportunities are dawning

High wheat prices and full moisture profiles are fuelling positivity through southern Queensland as grain growers prepare to sow their winter crops. But, as input costs continue to increase, so do croppers’ risks and all are crossing their fingers for smooth sailing this season. “The promise is there with high prices and a full moisture profile, but production costs are up 30 per cent this year so risk is high too,” said MCA Ag agronomist/ director Ed Offner, Chinchilla. “The risk of production shock is higher so that’s in the back of everyone’s mind.” STORIES PAGES 4-5

When you mention wine, most people think of a drink with friends over dinner. For Dawn Walker, however, science is the name of the game. “I love drinking wine, of course, but was always passionate about the science behind it,” she said. STORY PAGE 6

Stars of show Cousins Chloe Plowman and Corey Evans have done their family, region and state proud. Chloe is the 2022 National Young Beef Parader champion, while Corey is the 2022 ALPA Young Auctioneers national runner-up. The pair of agricultural show stars both represented Queensland, Kingaroy and their workplace Aussie Land and Livestock when they competed at the Sydney Royal Easter Show on 8 April. STORY PAGE 30

Dawn Walker produces wines from her own vineyard.

Wheat record set A Dalby farmer who reset the State’s wheat yield record with a crop weighing 9.997 tonnes per hectare is confident he can push it “a step further” next year. Derryck Mickelborough of Glenesk Farming grew the irrigated crop of Borlaug 100 in

2021 that won the 2022 Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland (RASQ) crop competition. He received a plaque for Irrigated Yield and a shield for Championship Crop at the Toowoomba Royal Show in March.

Mr Mickelborough’s crop beat his previous record of 8.72t/ha - also with Borlaug - that was grown in 2020 and won champion crop at the 2021 RASQ competition. Mr Mickelborough said it was a “great achievement” that he is keen to improve

on this year. “It’s really interesting to know how far we can push some of these crop varieties with not all that much extra input,” he said. STORY PAGE 3

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INSIDE

OPINION

AGRIFOOD INNOVATION .........pages 12-14

Against mandate extension

COLUMNS ..................... pages 23-24, 32 EASTER IN THE COUNTRY .....pages 26-28 EASTER SHOW STARS ...........pages 30-31 MARKET ROUND-UP ..................... page 33 QCWA RECIPE ............................ page 34

DAM LEVELS Beardmore................................. 100.63%

Bjelke Petersen .......................... 100.07%

Borumba ..................................... 100.4%

Boondoomba ................................. 97.96

Cedar Pocket ............................... 100.9%

Chinchilla Weir ................................ 100%

State Parliament has just debated the extension of the Chief Health Officers (CHO) emergency powers which implement Covid related restrictions. I voted against the extension of these powers for a number of reasons. More than 90 per cent of the State’s adult population have now received two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. The circumstances are very different now to August last year. The health advice should be made public. The LNP has called from the beginning for Covid health advise to be released and in line with other Australian and International jurisdictions. Queenslanders would then know why they have had to make sacrifices. There needs to be more oversight by the Parliament of these extraordinary powers enabling the restrictions to be scrutinised and for health officials to answer questions. An ongoing Parliamentary Committee would be able to examine changes to the AHPPC advice, quarantine requirements and suitability of restrictions. There is no clear plan detailing how State Labor Government will roll back these restrictions. The first on that plan should be dealing with the anomalies impacting showgrounds and 15,000 volunteers. It is absurd that for one to two days during a show there are restrictions on who can enter, however for other community events for the other 363 days these do not apply. The State Labor Government refused all of these requests. Consequently I voted against their legislation to extend the CHO powers. Unfortunately the Labor Government used their numbers to pass the legislation and these restrictions will now continue until October 2022. Ann Leahy, Warrego MP

Coolmunda .................................. 99.95%

Leslie .......................................... 100.1%

Somerset ...................................... 80.3%

Wivenhoe....................................... 89.7%

Address: 154-156 Haly Street Kingaroy 4610 Telephone: 07 4182 0450 Website: QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au CONTACT US Editorial: Email: newsdesk@QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au Advertising: Email: advertising@QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au Classifieds: Phone: 07 4182 0450 or 1300 666 808 Email: sales@networkclassifieds.com.au ADVERTISING Annette Weatherstone Account Manager E: annette.weatherstone@QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au Queensland Farmer Today is published monthly and part of the Today News Group. Published by South Burnett Today Pty Ltd ACN 641 796 349. Publisher: Damian Morgan Managing Director: Daniel Pelcl. All material is copyright to South Burnett Today Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible. For our terms and conditions please visit QueenslanFarmerToday.com.au/terms-and-conditions/

Santa tops at $24,000 By Fiona Gowers

Cunnamulla (Alan Tannock Weir) ....... 100%

Paradise ...................................... 98.96%

Phoebe, Sophie and Lilly Ferguson of Nobby paid the top price of $24,000 to buy Warenda Q47 (P) from Sylvia Kirkby, Warenda Santa Gertrudis stud, Narrabri at the second annual Santa Central female sale. Picture: CHRIS TODD

Unique in name and nature they might be, but three young achievers profiled this month in Queensland Farmer Today stand united in one passion — agriculture. Beef producer Ryan Olive, grain/ cotton grower Derryck Mickelborough and viticulturist Dawn Walker are all determined to make significant contributions to their respective rural industries. They are dedicated, dynamic and down-to-earth. In 2015, at the age of 26, Mr Olive developed a live-export facility on his family’s Brahman breeding property to create another viable market for beef producers in central Queensland. The facility, which handles cattle bound for China, Indonesia and Vietnam, has greatly reduced freight costs for farmers, with the Port Alma Shipping Terminal just 46 kilometres away. Derryck Mickelborough of Glenesk Farming, Dalby, meanwhile, has reset the state’s wheat yield record with a crop weighing 9.997 tonnes per hectare. With ideal irrigation timing in 2023, he is confident he can push it “a step further”. Over the past three years, Mr Mickelborough has achieved the best yield response with Borlaug 100 using the seed rate of 30 kilograms per hectare, as opposed to 80kg/ha and 40kg/ha. He said that was “real, tangible data” he could now pass on to financially benefit fellow farmers. Finally, viticulturist Dawn Walker who has just started producing wines from her own vineyard. Last year, one of her first creations won silver at The Australian Small Winemakers’ Show in Stanthorpe. Ms Walker’s “grand dream” is to create a boutique winery with cabin accommodation among the vineyards. If you know of a passionate person achieving big things in agriculture in southern Queensland, we would love to meet them. Please email: fiona.gowers@queenslandfarmertoday.com.au Thank you!

- Fiona Gowers

The “next generation” of Santa Gertrudis breeders secured the top-priced cow at the second annual Santa Central female sale on 11 April at Headingly sale complex, near Clifton. Young breeders Phoebe, Sophie and Lilly Ferguson of Nobby outlaid $24,000 to buy Warenda Q47 (P) who was sold with a bull calf at foot. Bullamakinka Nick N54 (P) sired Warenda Q47 who was out of the dam Warenda L3 (P). She was offered by Sylvia Kirkby, Warenda Santa Gertrudis stud, Narrabri. Warenda Q47, according to the sale catalogue, carries her sire’s slick coat, length, smooth tail setting and quiet temperament. Her bull calf at foot was sired by Glenn Oaks Penfold (PS) who Ms Kirkby bought at the Santa Central sale in 2020 for $95,000. Nutrien region livestock lead north east Colby Ede said Phoebe, Sophie and Lilly were keen to build their core female herd and continue the family’s tradition with the Santa Gertrudis breed. He said top-end female genetics were in high demand backed by the strength in the commercial market and buyers “wanting to take their herd to the next level”. More than 80 Santa Gertrudis buyers attended the Santa Central sale from southern Queensland and northern NSW, with another 80-plus registered through AuctionsPlus. In all, 58 females from the 64 offered by Glenn Oaks, Bullamakinka, Glenalbyn, Goolagong, Kilcock, Sujo and Warenda studs sold

to average $6776, with 90 per cent clearance achieved. Santa Central sale hosts Scott and Wendy Ferguson, Glenn Oaks Santa Gertrudis Stud, Nobby secured the second top-price female Kilcock R013 for $16,000. She was offered by Matthew Way and Mark Daly, Kilcock Santa Gertrudis stud at Deniliquin, NSW. R013 was described as a “magnificent looking female who ticks all the boxes for future breeding”. She is in-calf to Munnabah Night Walker P2683 (P). Norm Black, Ayredale Santa Gertrudis stud, Federal, NSW, finished his buying spree with six females to average $9300. Mr Black also secured the top-priced embryo at $4000 for Glenn Oaks Ribbons R322. The Hatton Family of Santa Hat Santa Gertrudis stud Monto, bought eight females through their agent Hourn & Bishop Moura, using AuctionsPlus. In all, the Hattons outlaid $47,750 to average $5969. Clinton Wheatley, Henley Brook, Western Australia, was also active and finished with six females for an outlay of $38,500 to average $6416. The Wheatleys also bought five embryo packages for $3500. The Osborne family, Ramsey, secured five females, grossing $35,250 to average $7050. Buyers attended or logged in through AuctionsPlus from Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia. Nutrien conducted the sale, which was simulcast through AuctionsPlus.

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The field that produced the State’s wheat yield record with a crop weighing 9.997 tonnes per hectare. Derryck Mickelborough of Glenesk Farming, Dalby said the big storm that rolled in before harvest was a hinderance not a help.

NEWS

Harvest 2020 at Glenesk Farming, Dalby. Derryck Mickelborough had planted his wheat seeds from 30 kilogram per hectare to 80kg/ha and, interestingly, when he began harvesting the trial strips, he found the same yield response regardless of seed rate.

Wheat record for Dalby By Fiona Gowers A Dalby farmer who reset the State’s wheat yield record with a crop weighing 9.997 tonnes per hectare is confident he can push it “a step further” next year. Derryck Mickelborough of Glenesk Farming grew the irrigated crop of Borlaug 100 in 2021 that won the 2022 Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland (RASQ) crop competition. He received a plaque for Irrigated Yield and a shield for Championship Crop at the Toowoomba Royal Show in March. Mr Mickelborough’s crop beat his previous record of 8.72t/ha - also with Borlaug - that was grown in 2020 and won champion crop at the 2021 RASQ competition. Mr Mickelborough said it was a “great achievement” that he is keen to improve

on this year. “It’s really interesting to know how far we can push some of these crop varieties with not all that much extra input,” he said. “To go from six tonne to nine (tonne) isn’t all that much more cost in terms of fertiliser and nutrition extracted and water applied. “So, I don’t think we’ve seen the end of it. “It’s just a matter of time before I just happen to have my timing right and get to do an early irrigation and then two more in good timing later on and . . . we’re on!” To determine the crop’s weight, the QRAS judges weigh two 0.2 hectare test-strips in onetonne weigh bins. They take a sample, test the moisture content and adjust the yield back to a standard 12.5 per cent moisture.

Mr Mickelborough’s record crop topped 9.997t/ha, while the average across the whole paddock was 9.4t/ha. How was this achieved? “It’s a really hard question to answer,” Mr Mickelborough said. “There are so many things that affect yield and, to be honest, we’re a pretty busy operation for the staff we’ve got and so we haven’t done anything super spectacular. “In both years, we were fortunate enough to have good early rain and we had water that we could put towards it.” Mr Mickelborough flood irrigated the crop twice in August and September at a rate equivalent to 100 millimetres of rain. And, for 14 years, has applied composted gin trash out of the Louis Dreyfus cotton gin at Dalby to achieve superior soil nutrition.

For the 2021 season, Mr Mickelborough began planting his wheat program - 270ha dryland and 215ha irrigated - in the first week of June at seed rates of 30kg/ha and 40kg/ha. Interestingly, when he began harvesting the trial strips in November, he found the same yield response regardless of seed rate. “This is a good thing because it means, if the crop is irrigated at least, it has the capacity at 30kg to the hectare, to produce an extraordinary amount of yield with 25 per cent less seed. “So, that is real, tangible data.” Mr Mickelborough runs the 1050ha Glenesk Farming operation with his wife Anna and three boys. He also part-owns Rebel Seeds, which markets Borlaug 100 in Australia.

Calling all land owners! Do you have a story to tell, new projects to talk about or just simply highlight an achievement.... Call Fiona Gowers | E: fiona.gowers@queenslandfarmertoday.com.au

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Margin control is critical By Fiona Gowers Keeping track of margins and controlling input costs is vital for farmers preparing for winter crop planting, say industry experts closely monitoring the global market. In a recently-released RaboResearch podcast, Urea Price Halfpipe, senior commodity analyst Cheryl Kalisch Gordon and senior agriculture analyst Wes Lefroy said higher commodity prices were a boon for Australian farmers. Record input prices, however, meant grain growers would need a strong focus on margin control for the 2022/23 season. “Australian grain growers will need to keep doing the sums to make sure they are pricing according to an outlook that is for input higher prices,” Dr Kalisch Gordon said. “(And) for grain pricing to potentially soften, even though we expect that to still be to levels well above average. “Our analysis shows that the ‘returns to key production inputs’ (ratios) remain positive but have fallen, even though output prices have also increased. “Returns to urea application in wheat production, for example, have fallen from nearly 10:1 in 2019 to 2.5:1 at current prices.” Greater per hectare costs of production also increases business risk for the season ahead, Dr Kalisch Gordon said. “This is top of mind for most farmers and they are approaching input management from a range of angles,” she said. Dr Kalisch Gordon said growers, “first and foremost” were thinking about efficiencies within their cropping businesses and how they used their nitrogen fertiliser to ensure they received “the best bang for the buck”. “Farmers are also considering their crop choices and about planting less fertiliser-hungry crops. “They are also thinking about which nutrients they can stand to reduce in their program.” In doing so, Dr Kalisch Gordon said it was critical for farmers to ensure that pricing assumptions for both inputs and outputs reflected “how markets will move over the year ahead and the potential to be otherwise caught buying and selling on different markets in terms of timing”. Even before the invasion of Ukraine, she said, Australian grain growers were aware the outlook was for firm pricing of inputs and well-above-average pricing over the course of the coming year. “Along with concerns about their capacity to secure supply, farmers were already weighing up changes to gross margins and procurement strategies that would limit exposure to cost increases but also ensure timely availability of supplies,” she said. Speaking on the podcast, Mr Lefroy said it was an unlikely scenario that urea prices would fall considerably for the winter crop applications. And, he believed farmers should be budgeting for prices to be at least at current global levels - if not even slightly higher - through the second quarter of 2022.

In a recently-released RaboResearch podcast, Urea Price Halfpipe, senior agriculture analyst Wes Lefroy said higher commodity prices were a boon for Australian farmers. “Grain growers need to budget for fertiliser prices that are at least where they are currently sitting, if not slightly higher, to cover themselves,” he said. “While the impact of the Russian-Ukraine conflict has predominantly led to another rise in input prices, the supply of key agricultural inputs needs to also be at the forefront of grain growers’ minds. “Russia supplies 14 per cent of global urea exports and 21pc of potash exports. “Now with them largely out of the picture from a global supply standpoint, global supplies are much tighter than usual.” Mr Lefroy said it was “really remarkable

how resilient Australian fertiliser suppliers have been over the last 12 months”. “Despite the challenges last year with COVID, port shut-downs, Chinese restrictions on exports, supply chain issues and the high cost of freight, Australia actually imported a record amount of Mono-Ammonium Phosphate (MAP) and urea. “This resilience will give growers some comfort in a difficult global situation. “These high urea prices and elevated supply risks may impact farmers’ plans for the initial application for the winter crop and possibly even make top-up applications challenging in this pricing environment.

“It’s important to note that procurement times are still long, so it may take up to three months for prices to actually flow through. “It is a fast-evolving situation and there is no better time for growers to be in contact with their local fertiliser suppliers and consultants to gain an understanding of how local suppliers view the situation.” Despite the volatility of the fertiliser market, Australian grain growers were generally positive about the season ahead, Mr Lefroy said. “Even with the higher fertiliser prices, they recognise there will be returns - a lower return - but still a return,” he said.

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Stakes are high for winter By Damian Morgan and Fiona Gowers High wheat prices and full moisture profiles are fuelling positivity through southern Queensland as grain growers prepare to sow their winter crops. But, as input costs continue to increase, so do croppers’ risks and all are crossing their fingers for smooth sailing this season. “The promise is there with high prices and a full moisture profile, but production costs are up 30 per cent this year so risk is high too,” said MCA Ag agronomist/ director Ed Offner, Chinchilla. “Farmers will be more exposed (this year) to production shocks such as late hailstorms. “The risk of production shock is higher so that’s in the back of everyone’s mind.” Mr Offner said in 2022 60pc of farmers on the Western Downs would chase the “significant premium” being paid for high-protein, prime hard wheat. He said while “I’m not an analyst”, higher wheat prices were, in part, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, where up to 30pc of global supply was typically drawn. “So, that’s likely to affect the price.” Mr Offner said the trend towards wheat would mean high demand for nitrogen, whose price had more than doubled over the past year. “Nitrogen levels in the Western Downs are particularly low this year due to the very wet summer and after two big production years,” Mr Offner said. “Higher diesel prices are also driving costs up.” Mr Offner said just 20pc of Western Downs farmers would this year grow chickpeas, whose popularity had waned due to marketing and distribution challenges such as a shipping container shortage. Meanwhile, AgForce grains president Brendan Taylor said while crops such as chickpeas

MCA Ag agronomist/director Ed Offner, Chinchilla in wheat stubble from a Muckadilla crop harvested in 2021. did not require the up-front application of nitrogen, international demand for the legume was low. “So, there is no point growing a crop no one wants,” Mr Taylor said. “Despite last year’s bumper crop, there is

still significant demand for wheat and barley through the feeder section. So, it’s certainly not a straightforward decision for growers.” Mr Taylor said while the cost of nutrition products remained high, soil preparation was “incredibly important”.

“Hopefully over the next six to 12 months, input costs will ease.” Mr Taylor said COVID-19 was still impacting prices, complicated by factors such as high energy costs, labour problems and international freight fees.

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Where opportunities dawn By Fiona Gowers When you mention wine, most people think of a drink with friends over dinner. For Dawn Walker, however, science is the name of the game. “I love drinking wine, of course, but was always passionate about the science behind it,” she said. “It can be quite involved so I was intrigued in that sense. And, I think something else that has followed through, which might be from my previous career, is the creative flexibility within it. “I’m looking at these beautiful grapes growing and I’m thinking, ‘what am I going to do this year?’ It’s really exciting because, in a way, you kind of have an open book. “And then, of course, drinking it at the end is quite fulfilling, as well as sharing your process with others’ In 2019, Ms Walker arrived in Stanthorpe from Sydney where a 15-year career in television advertising preceded a stint with P&O Cruises. “I decided to take a break and change paths,” she said. “Wine was what it was going to be and what it has turned out to be.” Ms Walker poured herself into a Bachelor of Wine Science and Agricultural Science through the University of Southern Queensland, determined to learn more about creating the perfect drop. She is now a semester away from becoming a qualified winemaker and viticulturist. “The wine science degree is a great foundation for anyone wanting to move into the in-

Alongside her work at Ridgemill Estate, Dawn Walker produces wines from her own vineyard. Under vine she has Nebbiolo, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. dustry,” Ms Walker said. “There’s plenty of interesting theory at the start, then you get to come down to the Granite Belt and take part in one of the residential schools down here. “You have the opportunity to work alongside people with a wealth of knowledge and

learn about their philosophies and passions. “It’s just a really nice experience and, being a practical person, when you do it for real, it all makes sense.” It was during one of the residential schools that Ms Walker was introduced to the team at Ridgemill Estate, an award-winning boutique

winery in the Stanthorpe region. “The chief winemaker, Peter McGlashan, was looking for a wine making assistant and I had my name put forward for the role,” Ms Walker said. “When I was offered the job, my partner and I looked for a property down here to purchase as really, this was our dream. “Working at Ridgemill has been great. There’s always something new happening and no vintage is the same.” Alongside her work at Ridgemill Estate, Ms Walker also produces wines from her own vineyard, soon to be released under the new brand name Rokkwell. Under vine they have Nebbiolo, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and will add Nero d’Avola and Arneis later this year. “This vintage, I’m mostly excited about the Nebbiolo and Fume Blanc we’ve made,” Ms Walker said. The “grand dream” is to create a boutique winery with cabin accommodation among the vineyards. “It’s all ticking away nicely. It’s all coming together and it’s good.” Last year, one of Ms Walker’s first wines won a silver award at The Australian Small Winemakers’ Show in Stanthorpe. Ms Walker said she relished each stage of the winemaking process. “It’s a journey right from the beginning. I thoroughly enjoy the viticultural aspect, as well as the creative component of winemaking. Every vintage is a little bit different, which keeps it exciting.”

The global wine industry must reassess supply chain By Fiona Gowers Australian winemakers still spinning from crippling China import tariffs imposed in 2020 now face the prospect of long-term freight, energy and bottling cost rises. Vineyard production costs also continue to escalate due to soaring fertiliser/ fuel prices and labour shortages, adding more pressure points to wine’s eventual retail price. Agribusiness lender Rabobank warns this will test local and overseas consumers’ appetite to pay, as well as their loyalty to Australian wine labels. While some cost trends should plateau in the short-to-medium term, Rabobank predicts other disruptions emerging that appear to be more structural in nature. “Today’s global wine industry has evolved in a context of cheap freight, cheap energy and declining trade barriers - all of which are now being called into question,“ said the bank’s global beverages strategist Stephen Rannekleiv. Five key factors challenging the sector are: Freight: Shipping rates for containers ex-

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perienced exponential increases in 2021. This rise in freight costs – of 200 per cent or more in some cases - and sporadic shipping availability, have led to a dramatic increase in the cost of importing wine in some markets. Fuel: Brent Crude oil prices have risen 70pc since March 2021. Natural gas prices in Europe have risen 550pc over the same period. These rising fuel costs are hitting producers around the world and are felt all along the supply chain – from fertiliser costs, operating costs, transportation and packaging. The vast majority of wine is sold in glass bottles, which is an energy-intensive operation. Packaging costs – of which glass is the largest component – can account for 12pc to 35pc of a winery’s cost of goods sold. Labor: The impact of rising labor costs is felt in the vineyard but also in wine production, transportation and sales. Some regions cop a bigger impact than others. Geopolitics: The direct impact of numerous geopolitical developments in recent years has caused volatility and disruptions in the global industry.

Production: In 2021, Europe had one of · Ag the lightest grape harvests in decades. In the US – the largest wine producer outside of Europe – the 2021 wine grape crop was below average. As a result, inventories are relatively tight, keeping upward pressure on bulk wine pricing in most regions. Wineries in different regions and price segments feel disruptions differently. Those in Europe have been hit to a much larger degree than other regions. European producers are taking the greatest brunt of rising energy costs. Geopolitical factors, meanwhile, have had the greatest impact by far. In 2021, exports to China, its largest market, fell by 97pc, after China imposed tariffs of 166pc to 218pc on imports of Australian wine. Strategic solutions are needed, Mr Rannekleiv said. “As wineries grapple with so many disruptions, the immediate responses have been more tactical than strategic,” he said. “This makes sense because it has not always been clear which challenges were short-term cyclical issues and which changes

were likely more structural in nature. “However, we would argue that energy prices and geopolitical factors are more structural in nature and any ‘solutions’ moving forward should take them into account. “We need to reassess supply chains with a fresh, creative perspective. “Old assumptions that have formed the basis of the current operating model, such as free trade, cheap fuel and cheap freight, should be questioned. “It is important to rethink how to thrive in a context where the rules of the game are different.” Pricing actions have been wineries’ first and most obvious line of defense to try to maintain margins. But as consumers face rising cost pressures for numerous basic staples, other more structural and strategic responses may be worth considering. These may include complete rethinking of packaging; shifting more of the supply chain operations closer to the end-consumer where possible to improve efficiency and diversifying – of markets and/or sourcing – to help mitigate geopolitical risks.

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May 2022 TODAY 7

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Playing bigger beef game By Fiona Gowers Beef industry trailblazer Ryan Olive says being named Rabobank Young Beef Ambassador has challenged him to aim higher and to play a bigger game. Third-generation Brahman breeder, Mr Olive won the award that recognises young, forward-thinking and high-achieving beef producers from a record number of nominations. “It’s a sort of pinch yourself moment where you go, ‘I actually have done a lot more than what I realise’,” said Mr Olive, 33, from Raglan station in central Queensland. “It (the award) has made me recognise what is possible and how I can now use it to keep progressing.” Mr Olive, who is the treasurer of the Young Livestock Exporters Network and executive of the Queensland Livestock Exporters Association, comes from a long line of Brahman producers. Both sets of grandparents have been involved in the industry and his parents, Andrew and Roxanne, have bred grey Brahmans for 30 years as part of their stud and commercial cattle operation. Rabobank Australia CEO Peter Knoblanche said Mr Olive’s leadership and vision extended beyond his family’s extensive Brahman operation. Since 2015, he has developed a live-export facility and feedlot on the Raglan property creating additional markets for beef producers through central Queensland. “To get both developments off the ground shows how proactive and effective Ryan is as a leader, “Mr Knoblanche said. “And, with his track-record to date, it will be exciting to see where he is in another 15 years.” Mr Olive is operations manager of the Raglan cattle-handling facility and feedlot on the family’s 10,000 hectare holdings, south of Rockhampton. He initiated the development of the live export facility, overseeing the building of a state-of-the-art cattle-handling facility, which has serviced live-export trade from Port Alma since 2018. “The cattle come in, get weighed and from there they are put into lines according to the buyers’ specifications,” Mr Olive said. “Quarantine protocols and two veterinary inspections also happen onsite before cattle board the boats.” According to Mr Olive, the cattle-handling facility has opened another viable market for producers in central Queensland. “The opportunity was identified with the large volume of good quality heavy cattle in the area,” he said. “Particularly into Vietnam and China, with the Chinese market predominately chasing premium cuts and cattle that may have done 100 days on grain.” The facility, which handles cattle bound for China, Indonesia and Vietnam, has greatly reduced freight costs for central Queensland cattle producers with Port Alma just 46km from

the Raglan facility. “There are a lot of people that deliver half or deck lots to Raglan that would otherwise not be viable to truck to Townsville in small numbers,” Mr Olive said. He said a 1000-head feedlot recently established on the property complemented the cattle-handling facility, with the first consignment of 480 custom-fed cattle entering the system in April 2021. “We’re in a reasonably good location here,” he said, “And, we’ve got very good access to a lot of saleyards and abattoirs, with three processing facilities within 150km,” he said. With both operations now up and running, Mr Olive says he is “enjoying the fast-paced nature of live export” and “feedlotting is that natural progression of cattle going through a feeding system”. He predicts a big future for the beef industry. “Anything to do with protein is going to be in demand for years to come with a growing population,” Mr Olive said. “And, the longer Australia can maintain a very good health status, the more we are in a ‘box seat’ in terms of supplying that protein around the world. “You only have to look at prices cattle are currently trading for. It’s a good indication of the high demand for beef, with that demand driving our price up by some degree in recent times. “There is a lot of confidence in the industry right now and it’s good to see.” As part of Mr Olive’s Young Beef Ambassadorship he attended this month’s Rabobank Executive Development Program (EDP). The EDP is designed to develop the strategic planning mindset and commercial management skills of progressive farmers. “It was phenomenal,” Mr Olive said. “That was a very big highlight. It opened my horizons to thinking a bit different, looking at things with a different perspective and being aware of things that are influencing us and our actions.” Mr Olive said meeting like-minded people was a considerable percentage of the program’s value. “There was such a diverse range of people from diverse backgrounds,” he said. “We had people from seedstock production, cattle, lamb, cropping, milk. Even to the likes of orchardists, fruits and nuts and kiwi fruit. “I can’t ever think of a time when I’ve been in a room with a kiwi fruit farmer, an orchardist and a macadamia farmer. “It was great to learn from the ’cream of the crop’ and to enjoy their positivity.” The Rabobank Young Beef Ambassador is presented every three years at Beef Australia in Rockhampton. Ryan Olive is operations manager of the Raglan cattle-handling facility and feedlot on the family’s 10,000 hectare holdings, south of Rockhampton. Picture: PAULA HEELAN

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CubeX Group

It’s a dream come true By Mikeely Paterson Cathy McCarthy is making moves towards a greater potential for her property, family and business, investing in a brand new CubeX rural shed that extends 45m along the banks of Wivenhoe Dam. “It really is a dream come true,” she said. “Everyday I’m absolutely beside myself”. Cathy, a Year 2 drama teacher from Bryden in Queensland, leads the life of a proud rural woman, balancing her time with husband Andrew between the school, working the property and riding their horses together. “My life is such an adventure,” Cathy laughed in a recent phone call with Founder and Director of CubeX, Harvey Thrush. “The other night I had just dropped a couple of loads of cattle off, jumped on my horse to ride home in the moonlight and I couldn’t help but think, my life is seriously such an adventure”. There really is so much to learn from the gratitude and stoicism of our rural people. Despite the recent hardship they have faced with floods, drought, fire and world pandemics, you have to admire the strength and humility of people like Cathy and Andrew. This is what it’s all about for the team at CubeX – building lasting relationships and delivering quality work to Queensland families like the McCarthy’s, so they can turn their dreams into a reality without the stress, time and hassle that so often comes with rural construction and installation. “We have already put in gardens and a fire pit,” Cathy said. “We’re especially looking forward showing off the new shed to 55 of our relatives who who were here over the Easter break”.

CubeX rural shed that extends 45m along the banks of Wivenhoe Dam 277803 With a family that size, it’s no wonder Cathy needed a space that not only met their needs and added value to their property, but catered for the parties and family gatherings the shed will undoubtedly host. Harvey and the team at CubeX are excited

to make their own trip down to the McCarthy residence soon, for the official grand opening of the shed and to share a few yarns and breaky burgers with the family and neighbours. “It really has become one of our favourite places on the property,” Cathy stated.

It is testimonials like these that drive the professional team at CubeX to stay committed to providing Queenslanders like Cathy McCarthy, with the customised solutions needed to add significant value to their property, business and family.

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He’s ready to represent Nathan McDonald is running as the United Australia Party candidate for Maranoa in the federal election on 21 May. McDonald has spent most of his life in Maranoa. Goondiwindi born and bred, he grew up on his family’s beef and grain properties in the Billa Billa district north of his home town. After leaving school, McDonald studied education and after several years working as a teacher, he moved into school leadership. For 10 years McDonald has led two school communities as Principal, most recently at Chinchilla Christian College which grew from 171 to 468 students under his leadership. McDonald was an LNP member until November last year when he became disillusioned with the party and gravely concerned about the direction that the country was heading in. As McDonald said, “Under the LNP, our national debt has increased to around 1 trillion dollars, a massive figure which will place our country under considerable strain for many years to come.” McDonald was shocked when the LNP committed to net zero emissions by 2050 in October of last year. He said that he never thought this would happen, especially given earlier in February Nationals’ leader Barnaby Joyce declared, “If The Nationals supported net-zero emissions we would cease to be a party that could credibly represent farmers.” Of net zero, McDonald said, “I fear it will threaten Australia’s world class industries, including our agricultural industry, and affect our standard of living. I am also concerned about what net zero will mean for the provision of reliable, affordable electricity into the future. With the UAP team, I want to see manufacturing return to Australia, but this won’t happen with rising energy costs. We need to review energy policy in this country.” McDonald said he was also disappointed with the government’s management of the pandemic. He asserted, “I’ve seen first-hand, as I’m sure most have, the toll taken by confusing, inconsistent and unfair policy the last two years. The division in families and communities, the struggles of local businesses, increased mental health issues and people losing their jobs because of a personal health choice are all impacts felt by those in Maranoa. People are hurting, who I know and love, along with people right across the electorate; and rather than strong leadership bringing us together, our leaders have driven that division, fear and loss.” McDonald believes our country is in bad shape and that at this election, it’s time to get it back on the right path. He says, “We need a strong government that will genuinely serve the interests of the Australian people. The United Australia Party, a genuine alternative to the failing major parties, is committed to restoring our freedoms and putting Australia first. If we keep voting the same old way, we are going to get the same old results. It’s time for change.” He went on to say, “UAP’s policies, 10 TODAY May 2022

with their strong focus on rural Australia, key infrastructure spending in the regions, investment and targeted tax cuts, align with my vision for my electorate.” In particular, McDonald believes that UAP’s zonal taxation policy that provides for a 20% tax concession for individuals and businesses located more than 200 kms from a capital city would help encourage growth and investment in the regional communities of Maranoa. He said, “The electorate of Maranoa generates considerable revenue for the government. I believe it’s only fair that tax payers in my electorate would receive this tax concession and end up with more money in their pockets.” He is also excited about UAP’s plans to save Australian homes by freezing home loan interest rates below 3% for the next five years and to pay down our national debt within 20 years by introducing a 15% export licence on iron ore. McDonald stated, “By getting our national debt under control, we can introduce targeted tax cuts, increase the age pension and have free higher education in Australia once again.” McDonald describes himself as someone who has lived a life true to his values, who stands up for freedom, truth, accountability, transparency and integrity. He believes that having been a leader of a school community and as someone who has deep ties to the agricultural lifeblood of our electorate, he is in a unique position to understand the needs of Maranoa families, communities and producers. McDonald said, “I am ready to listen to and

work hard for the people of my electorate. I will get the job done and deliver a truly thriving Maranoa. If you want someone with these values and with this commitment and vision representing

you, vote 1 McDonald for Maranoa.” Nathan McDonald, the UAP candidate for Maranoa, can be contacted by emailing maranoa@unitedaustraliaparty.org.au or by phoning 0407 221 308.

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Toowoomba 23 - 25 May 2022 Find out more at www.tsbe.com.au/400m Event Facilitated by

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400M AGRIFOOD INNOVATION FORUM 12539001-SG13-22

Big first year for Hubs This month marks one year since the official opening of the AgTech and Logistics Hub in Wellcamp, which has been a game-changing space for the sector. The aim of the AgTech and Logistics Hub has been to grow the agricultural value chain through the development of innovation and technology. AgTech and Logistics Hub manager Owen Williams said he’s proud of what’s been achieved in the past 12 months. “Since opening, the AgTech and Logistics Hub has been very busy interacting with industry to learn about the challenges they face so we can be a truly industry-led Agtech Hub,” he said. “We’ve been grateful to welcome a diverse range of tech businesses to the Hub. This is important as the industry is facing a wide range of challenges throughout their supply chain.” These challenges have been addressed through a number of initiatives since May 2021, with Mr Williams noting the important role of industry networking. “Hosting monthly Meet Ups in partnership with TSBE, along with weekly Co-Working Wednesday events at the Hub has allowed for an open dialogue between some of our region’s brightest researchers and innovators,” he said. “Some of my personal highlights also include travelling across the state to meet with and learn from other Hubs, along with the site visit we hosted at a local feedlot.” At the end of last year, the Hub celebrated the launch of the Open Innovation and Accelerator programs. These programs are now equipping businesses with leading advice from industry experts, under guidance of the Entrepreneur-inResidence Al Fullerton.

Owen Williams, Stephen Williams, Mayor Paul McVeigh, Mayor Paul Antonio, John Bell, Gillian Gardiner, Bruce McConnel at the opening of the AgTech and Logistics Hub in May, 2021. It’s hoped that initiatives like this will help the ag industry meet its goal to be a $100 billion sector by 2030. The multi-million dollar AgTech Hub is jointly funded by the Queensland Government

in association with the FKG Group, TSBE, University of Southern Queensland and the University of Queensland. To meet the AgTech and Logistics Hub team and learn more about how they’re building on

the success of the past year visit them at 400M. 400M Agrifood Innovation Forum will be hosted by Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise on 23 to 25 May in Toowoomba, with tickets available online.

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Amit Byron, Cyril Delome and Udi David Stern at last year’s event.

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TSBE Food Leaders Australia (FLA) general manager Bruce McConnel.

Agrifood innovation focus

Tim Neale, Tom Dowling and Angus Street at last year’s event. der transfer can be prevented. Not every country has the same safety standards and being able to easily identify these risks can prevent problems before they happen. Enhancing the agricultural sector is at the

heart of all businesses involved in the 400M Forum. Agrifutures Australia aims to grow the long-term prosperity of Australian rural industries and communities. This is being done through research, development and extension programs for established industries that lack their own Research & Development Corporation (RDC), including the rice, chicken meat, honey bee and pollination, thoroughbred horse, pasture seeds, export fodder, ginger and tea tree oil industries. Zondii is another company excited to showcase their innovative solution. Zondii provides real-time smartphone authentication solutions for food and fibre. The patented technology delivers the world’s first real-time smartphone authentication tool with no extra hardware required, designed to integrate into any smartphone. Ease of access will be a hot topic at this year’s forum. Go Micro is making accurate, quality assessment easy.

The technology can help sort and grade produce with your phone, which can reduce quality-related pricing and rejection issues throughout the chain. These four businesses are just a handful of those from across the country who will arrive in Toowoomba for the 400M Forum in May 2022. TSBE Food Leaders Australia (FLA) general manager Bruce McConnel said the event was a fantastic showcase of industry solving problems with disrupted supply chain, through innovation. “We’re excited to bring together industry leaders who are helping businesses move into new markets, make clear and auditable claims around origin and environmental status to attract premiums,” he said. “I’d encourage anyone involved in the agtech or agrifood sectors to attend the 400M Forum on 23 to 25 May, as we discuss the future of the industry,” said Mr McConnel. Tickets are available online: www.tsbe.com. au/400m

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Toowoomba will soon host the sixth annual 400M Agrifood Innovation Forum on 23 to 25 May. The event, run by Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) in conjunction with the Agtech and Logistics Hub, is a showcase of innovative solutions and technology to resolve industry challenges right along the supply chain. It’s also an exciting opportunity for businesses to pitch their products or ideas in front of influential investors. One of the innovative companies attending is iTrazo Tracetech, which offers real-time product traceability for the entire supply chain. Traceability within the agriculture industry means that every fruit, vegetable and piece of meat - basically every form of produce - can be traced back to its point of origin. Farm to fork tracing systems provide the food provenance that consumers desire. Traceability makes it difficult to interfere with the food supply and unwanted cross-bor-

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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.

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

FarmFest considered a giant among field days Elders FarmFest has cemented its status as a giant among Australia’s agricultural field days with more than 2000 companies participating in this year’s event. For 47 years, the Toowoomba-based event has been showcasing and demonstrating new products and services. FarmFest is at the forefront of achieving representation from agtech companies across Australia - and the globe - in order to position new technology and innovation right at farmers’ fingertips. ACM Rural Events general manager Kate Nugent believes visitors to this year’s event will be pleasantly surprised at the number of improvements. “The simple grid pattern of the purposebuilt FarmFest site makes it one of the best in Australia for visitors, including special areas for live demonstrations,” Ms Nugent said. “Additional activities are planned at Elders FarmFest including the Caterpillar Global Challenge, the Queensland Working Dog demonstrations and a live auction onsite to raise funds for our farmers affected by floods in south east Queensland and northern NSW.” Traffic management updates will enhance the event’s access and car parking arrangements, with courtesy shuttle buses in the car parks helping visitors make their way to the ticket booths on to the static display grid. Organisers will also have shuttle buses to help visitors navigate around the enlarged 26-hectare site. This year the organisers are installing ticket expressways at the ticket booths to enable visitors who have bought tickets online with easy and quick access to the site. A free parcel pickup service will be avail-

FarmFest is among one of the largest outdoor agricultural industry events, gathering more than 60,000 farming families and consumers. able once again, with investment in developing a streamlined service to purchasers. Other equally important improvements include more seating, more shade and more food choices. Organisers will be working to ensure

“safety best practice“ with sanitiser stations located across the site, signage to encourage hand washing, physical distancing and returning home if you present with Covid-19 symptoms. “Most importantly, you’ll discover the

greatest and the latest national agricultural brands in one location, in Queensland, at one time of year, at one special event Elders FarmFest 2022,” Ms Nugent said. “It is unbelievable - and as the saying goes, ‘you have to see it to believe it’!”

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Machinery displays at FarmFest.

A renewable energy display at FarmFest 2021.

Make date with innovation Queensland’s biggest primary industry business event, the three-day FarmFest field days, will return this year from 7 to 9 June. ACM Rural Events, the organisers of Elders FarmFest, has been taking a steady stream of enquiry since the conclusion of last year’s successful sales event. General manager Kate Nugent said despite all Covid conditions, the overall outlook in Australian agriculture was one of high optimism. She said the feedback received from many agri-manufacturers and service providers across Queensland and other states had positioned this year’s Elders FarmFest in a positive light. Strong interest was anticipated as the industry navigated the safe return of major events. “I am certain we will see an even stronger showing of interest and support from farmers and people on the land, on the back of a record-breaking visitation last year,” Ms Nugent said. 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 display promotional and sales opportunities to all agribusinesses, from big farm machinery, tractors, tillage and irrigation equipment to pumps and power tools. Ms Nugent said “more than ever” FarmFest was recognised as playing an important role in the Australian agricultural industry. “We offer enormous opportunities to showcase new products and services, demonstrate machinery, highlight new technology, innovation and information.” In 2004, ACM Rural Events, a division of Australian Community Media, the largest and

FarmFest positions new technology and innovation right at farmers’ fingertips. leading independent regional and rural publisher in Australia, bought FarmFest. ACM Rural Events organise and promote several field days in Australia - including Australia’s largest - the AgQuip Field Days in Gunnedah, NSW. This year at Elders Farmfest, an Agri-Tech Expo will highlight modern innovation in the agribusiness industry. An Education Expo and seminars, meanwhile, will shine a spotlight on ground-break-

ing and exciting new farming practices to drive farming efficiency, productivity and profitability. FarmFest is among one of the largest outdoor agricultural industry events, gathering more than 60,000 farming families and consumers. “The key to the event is to ensure the experience always puts the customer front and centre – to enable the exhibitor’s product and service to resonate with them at a deeper and

more impactful level than any other marketing platform,” Ms Nugent said. FarmFest has been a significant force in field days over the past 47 years. It is an incomparable agricultural hybrid event in Queensland and the 2022 event will be no exception. * For information about exhibiting, please contact the event organisers ACM Rural Events on email farmfest@austcommunitymedia. com.au or go to the FarmFest web site at farmfest.com.au.

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Fast facts on FarmFest FarmFest is Queensland’s premier pri· Elders mary industry field days. FarmFest is Queensland’s biggest field · Elders days and fastest growing agri-event in Aus-

· · ·

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tralia. Elders FarmFest field days in 2022 has became the largest event recorded in its history. Elders FarmFest celebrates its 47th anniversary. Elders FarmFest is a Safe Site – operating under Event Safety best practices. All attendees to follow the event safety, practice physical distancing, wash hands regularly and if you feel unwell with COVID-19 symptoms please return home. Elders FarmFest is staged over three days in early June; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, June 7, 8 and 9. 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 App – go to Apple App Store or Google Play to download your free copy one month prior to the event. Elders FarmFest has its own radio station – FarmFest FM 94.5, powered by Elders commences transmission during the event. Opening hours are from 8:30am to 4:30pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, with an earlier close on Thursday from 8:30am to 4pm. Size of the static display area is 26 hectares, including Livestock Area; Farm Machinery demonstration area; Drone demonstration area; SXS and Motor Bike demonstration area; 4WD demonstration area; Working Dog demonstration area and the new Agri-Tech Alley

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

· Elders FarmFest has introduced a new Ticket ·

Expressway at the ticket booths at the event for visitors who pre-purchase tickets online to avoid queuing and offer an easier and quick access to the static display grid. Tickets online go on sale from 1 May 2022

via the website www.farmfest.com.au. Prepurchase ticket online cost is $6, ticket at the event is $8. 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 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 onsite including First Aid, Fire Service, QLD Police, Security. Elders FarmFest has a Parents’ Room, provided by First Aid. Pick-up your free copy of the Elders FarmFest Official Guide at the entrance gates to the event – the official visitors’ information guide, published by Queensland Country Life. Each year the event features a number of agri-product launches and live demonstrations listed in the Event Program, which appears on the website and is featured in the FarmFest Official Guide inserted in Queensland Country Life 26 May issue. FarmFest major sponsor is Elders who has supported the event since 2021.

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Agbot’s a game changer By Fiona Gowers Automation in agriculture is skyrocketing across the Downs as companies develop world-class technology to transform the industry. Agbot is one such product hitting the market by storm. Through harnessing the power of microsatellites, Agbot monitors near real-time liquid levels for cow troughs, water tanks, irrigation dams and trenches, diesel tanks and fertiliser tanks. “At Gasbot we are laser-focused on liquid and gaseous level monitoring across multiple industry verticals in multiple geographic markets,” said Philip Livingston, managing director of Gasbot, which owns Agbot. “And, because of that laser focus on a single application our offering is quite simple.” Australian designed and manufactured, Agbot is versatile, low-cost technology allowing producers to maximise their on-farm operations in a world of industry labour shortages. Mr Livingston said the product’s architectural build began in September 2021, with pilot units released in March. “Agbot is Gasbot’s product line specifically designed for agricultural on-farm related use,” he said. “At the moment, we are nearing parity with competitive Australian on-farm offerings. “Agbot’s technology roadmap is deep and we aspire to be the vanguard for on-farm asset to cloud connectivity for this emerging sector.” Designed and manufactured in Queensland, Agbot is a versatile, low-cost technology allowing producers to maximise their on-farm operations in a world of industry labour shortages.

Mr Livingston said the cutting-edge technology was unlocking the power of remote monitoring at a price point never seen before. The Agbot harnesses Gasbot’s commodity GPS-enabled ‘Nebula’ communications module, supplied for Agbot specifically with an applications engineering cable management base and cockatoo protection ‘snap on’ cover, as well as specialised sensors. “Customers own their own data and have multiple analytics package integration choices in-cloud for greater levels of analytics to meet their on-farm requirements,” Mr Livingston said. Mr Livingston said all design aspects of Agbot have had a farmer - or an integrator who works with a farmer - across each in multiple stages of the process. “We have had multiple iterations and now it feels we have an architecture that is widely adaptable.” The product is being officially launched in early May 2022, with a 30-day free trial period for interested customers via the Agbot website www.agbot.tech. “We’re pricking the ears of those who need to monitor remote assets at scale,” Mr Livingston said. Bruce McConnel, TSBE Food Leaders Australia (FLA) general manager said Agbot was a prime example of some of the innovative solutions coming from our region. “Particularly in the feedlot and beef sectors it’s going to lower labour requirements and give us more certainty that cattle have the right amount of food and water when they need it. “The Agbot product line is already receiving strong industry demand within Queensland with pilot requests and strong early access pre-sales.”

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Frequently asked questions CAN I BRING MY DOG TO FARMFEST? With the exception of guide dogs for the vision impaired, registered service dogs for medical or disability requirements, 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 row and J/11. WHAT TIME DO THE GATES OPEN? Gates for public access will open at 8:30am each morning. WHAT TIME DOES THE CAR PARK OPEN? The car park will be open for public entry from 7:30am each morning. CAN I PURCHASE TICKETS EARLY? To save congestion at the tickets booths, you can pre-purchase tickets online from the end of May, or make your purchase at the ticket booths when you arrive on-site. The ticket booths are open from 7:30am, entry gates open at 8:30am. 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 to 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 80kgs. Please check with the exhibitor if they have registered. If they registered they will provide you with a parcel pick-up ticket once you have finalised your purchase. Your item/s will then be picked up 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 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

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. 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, western and northern car parks. Look out for the disabled parking signs. WHERE CAN I FIND AN OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK? Official Guide Books are located at all ticket booths and at headquarters B/19. WHERE IS THE TAXI RANK? The Taxi rank is located at the southeast end of the field, at Ticket Booth, Gate 2. ARE THERE GLUTEN-FREE FOOD OPTIONS AT FARMFEST? Yes, there are a number of Gluten-Free options with many of our food vendors. WHAT ENTERTAINMENT IS THERE AT FARMFEST? From livestock competitions, petting zoo, working dog demonstrations, machinery demonstrations to informative learning ses-

We can’t wait to see you at

FARMFEST 7th - 9th June 2022

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sions. You will find something at 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 B/20 CAN I HIRE A MOBILITY SCOOTER? To hire a scooter at Elders FarmFest, it is preferred to book online prior to attending the event. If you would like to hire on the day, walk up to our stand located at T/37 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). All information regarding Scooter hire at FarmFest 2022 can be found on our website www.scooters.show Scooters: Small (100kg limit) - $90 Medium (159kg limit) - $110 Large (182kg limit) - $110 Double seat (227kg limit) - $170 Double seat with roof (200kg limit) - $190 DO YOU HAVE A SHUTTLE BUS TO OFFER A LIFT AROUND THE SITE? Shuttle Bus service picks up at Headquarters

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and Livestock Area roaming the static display area to enable you to see more of the site. It 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. FarmFest FM commences during the event WHERE CAN I FIND RURAL RELIEF/ SUPPORT AT FARMFEST? In 2020 the organisers introduced the new Rural Relief Precinct inviting several rural and regional support organisations to provide some lifesaving preventative health and safety information, on-site help to apply for drought relief assistance for farmers and families. DOES FARMFEST HAVE AN APP? FarmFest has its own App – go to Apple App Store or Google Play to download it for free. Please note: The 2022 exhibitor list, Product search, and Site Map will be updated two weeks before the event. (Current version if downloaded will reflect 2019 data until the update is released in May 2022).

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Building better fences To help drive posts into the ground QuikFence has three premium quality post driver brands for farmers and fencing contractors to select from. “Each machine has different features, and depending how big the project is, soil conditions and materials being used, will make a huge difference to what post puncher is required. A popular choice for farmers is the PostPuncher, manufactured locally using Australian steel, by Warwick Gates, exclusively for QuikFence. There are four models available, starting with the PP1, ideal for knocking in steel pickets and small posts, through to the PP3 for large posts that requires a driving weight of 200kg. Farmers and fencing contractors that are planning larger fencing projects for exclusion fencing, or replacing kilometres of damaged fences from floods and fire should really consider either the FencePro from New Zealand, or the Bryce Suma from Scotland. “Both are very useful machines, plus come with a heap of addons and options to maximise productivity.” Jon said. The FencePro is easy to learn and operate, very agile, plus quite a sturdy machine. “The cool thing about FencePro, they are designed to start off with what you need, what your budget can comfortably afford, and add to as you go along” said Jon. QuikFence are the sole distributors for PostPuncher, FencePro and Bryce Suma, this unique position enables operators to select the best post driver to suit their needs and budget without bias. To see the FastFencer and post drivers visit Jon at FarmFest, site K-L/09 to get better prepared for your next fencing project.

By Richard Watts QuikFence have been supplying fencing machinery and supplies since 1998, with the purpose of helping farmers to build a better fence, without breaking their backs. Help make it a quicker process, and safer. To help make sure QuikFence supply quality machinery that is reliable and performs on demand, Jon and the team have spent thousands of hours in production, and out in the field building fences to develop better fencing equipment. During this time Jon realised there’s two key pieces of equipment required, “the farmer needs something to knock those posts into the ground and something that can lift big heavy rolls of netting. Production started in January 2010 locally in Warwick, southern Queensland. Within six months in conjunction with Jamie, a fencing contractor from NSW, Jon modified the design to carry more rolls, go forward and introduced a new clamping system. “Jamie was really helpful, real live testing and modifications allowed us to develop the machine in the field. While the FastFencer 1300 proved to be very popular, it didn’t have the height required for the 1.8m rolls need for exclusion fencing. The FastFencer 2100 was introduced to allow for higher fence netting with aprons to deal with feral pests for exclusion fencing. “The next evolution for the FastFencer was the Side Shift, this really helped fence builders get closer to the fence line without their tractor damaging the new fence” said Jon. By introducing the Side Shift to the 2.4 metre wide machine, operators could carry the larger rolls and get closer to the fence line while their tractor or skid steer was parked.

“Operators loved it!” Jon said. “It gave them more control, and just made it easier to operate the machine”. The FastFencer has evolved to allow the farmer or fencing contractor to pick up three rolls, up to 1800 high, 500 metres in length,

weighing up to 672kg each. The FastFencer is available in six models; the 1300 series more suited for sheep and smaller fences and the 2100 series which is ideal for exclusion fencing or where higher fences are required.

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WELCOME TO

ELDERS FARMFEST From tractors to tools, FarmFest is the number one place in Queensland to view, compare, try and buy the latest and greatest in agricultural products. As a visitor you'll be treated to live demonstrations, experience new and innovative products, taste wonderful produce and so much more. 12545545-HC17-22

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QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

OPINION

Forever wet, burnt, thirsty I was fixing a flood crossing for the sixth time in the past six months over the weekend and I had to stop myself from cursing the rain. I quickly remembered back to October when I was kicking the dust while putting out drought lick - how quickly times have changed. With over 1500mm of rain in the last few months the cows no longer come looking for me and instead amongst all the tall grass and hidden bog holes - I have to go looking for them - often not with complete success. With all the grass around I am casting my mind forward to this October when I’ll be no doubt fighting a few bush fires. How good is the merry-go round of living and working on the land? If they hadn’t invented cold beer farmers would have given up chasing their own tails decades ago with all of the seasonal fluctuations when carbon dioxide levels were a bit lower and things were a bit easier. I don’t want to sound trite about climate change and our need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions, but I can’t help but wonder what will happen once we meet the lofty and expensive goals of net zero emissions. I’ll hazard a guess I’ll still be putting out drought lick, fixing flood crossings and fighting bushfires in the same sequential order I do now. Now I am no climate change denier. The science is clear - it is getting hotter and drier. Last year was the hottest and driest on record. This year looks like it could be one of the wettest and we aren’t even halfway through. However, my position is that if the climate is changing than we must adapt and change our approach also. One of my frustrations around the climate change debate is that the focus is always on emissions reductions and trying to change the climate (or at least keep it the same) rather than

FOOD FOR THOUGHT TOM MARLAND talking about how we adapt to and mitigate the impacts from an always changing climate. Even if we could reduce carbon emissions tomorrow - the climate will still keep changing. It’s been changing for over five billion years and people tying themselves to inner bridges and waving placards won’t change that reality. This is not an excuse not to limit our emissions and transition to a cleaner and greener future - but the reality is that the climate will always be variable. Another of my frustrations is the use of climate change by our politicians to waive away all their responsibilities when natural disasters strike. Whether it be bushfires, floods, cyclones, droughts and disaster relief - the failures of all levels of Government to adequately plan and prepare is deflected by terms like “climate catastrophe”, “unprecedented” and “we have never seen anything like this before”. The reality is that we have in many incidences seen bigger and badder natural disasters to allow us the ability to learn from our earlier mistakes. Whether it is not undertaken hazard reduction burns in eucalypts forests, building more houses in flooded areas or not preparing for a drought - there are always simple, practical and achievable things we can do to protect ourselves, our community and our environment. Sadly, must of this common sense is lost in the hysteria of the climate change debate

We will be forever cleaning up after floods. and accordingly our approaches to solving the problems are often based more on emotion than reason.

The reality is even if we manage to “save” the climate - we will still get wet, burnt and thirsty like we always have and always will.

The Federal election and what it means for Maranoa This election – to be held on 21 May – presents a clear choice. It has been an absolute honour to represent Maranoa since 2016 and I am proud to have secured more than $6.9 billion for our region. You know what the Coalition stands for, you can see what we’ve delivered and you can see our plan for the future. We’re delivering tax relief for workers and small businesses. We’re halving the tax you pay at the petrol pump for six months and our tax plan will put more money in your pocket in the coming weeks and months, on top of our longerterm tax relief for everyone earning up to $200,000 a year. I’m about better and safer roads to make sure you and your loved ones get home – like the $678 investment million for the Outback

FROM THE MINISTER AGRICULTURE MINISTER DAVID LITTLEPROUD Way to unlock the interior from Winton, $508 million to upgrade the Warrego Highway from Miles to Toowoomba, $36.19 million to upgrade the Gore Highway at Wyaga Creek in the Goondiwindi region and $20 million to upgrade Warwick’s Eight Mile Intersection. We’re making record investments in health and other essential services. The Coalition’s plan is to have record bulkbilling, we’ve made Telehealth permanent to limit the tyranny of distance and listing more

than 2800 drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to make medicines more affordable for you and your family. Investment in tourism to not only diversify economic opportunity and create local jobs but also celebrate and educate about our unique way of life, history, innovation and resilience. Whether it was securing $47 million in funding to stimulate the economy by rebuilding Winton’s Waltzing Matilda Centre after it was destroyed by fire, upgrades to Longreach’s Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and the Qantas Founders Museum, a new Charleville Outback Museum of Australia, $5 million to develop Cunnamulla’s Artesian Hot Springs and Warrego River Walk, and $4.5 million to help transform Kingaroy’s CBD. Maranoa’s agriculture has done the heavy lifting in our economic recovery post Co-

vid-19 and I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with farmers and graziers to boost Australia’s production to $100 billion by 2030. This government has committed more than $5.5 billion in direct support across the seven themes of Delivering Ag2030 – Trade and Exports, Biosecurity, Stewardship, Supply Chains, Water and Infrastructure, Innovation and Research, and Human Capital – which sets the foundation for industry to not only achieve its goal, but also help primary producers build resilience and access new markets across the world. Maranoa represents 43% of rural and remote Queensland with thriving communities and vibrant regions and I am fully committed to continue to get our fair share to ease cost of living pressures, more investment for safer and better roads, access to education and better health support and aged care.

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OPINION QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

What’s your go-to stress? Welcome back. Last month I was talking to you about the concept that we could all go to Bunnings as an analogy for always staying flexible about new ideas and tools for solving life’s challenges and problems. In stress management terms, life’s challenges and problems are called stressors. Stressors are imagined or real. An imagined stressor is thinking of what might happen to us, while a real stressor is something that has or is happening to us. Within the realm of both types are three different sizes of stressors. A stressor like a drought, fire or flood is usually regarded as a cataclysmic size, meaning it affects large groups of people at one time or another. The war in Ukraine is big, but so too are the floods of northern NSW and south-east Queensland and the droughts of inner Australia. The next category of stressors are called life events. Usually, life events affect your family or close group of friends. Marriages, births, deaths, sale of a property and completion of qualification are events smaller groups go through. Lastly, the groups most commonly experienced on a daily basis are hassles. These are things you might see every day and they include, falling off your bike, spilling sauce on your going to town frock, and banging your knuckles undoing a bolt, missing tennis serve at sport, preparing to do a public speech. We put stressors into these six categories for a reason. It is mainly because once sized up we can then decide if we need to use big tools or small tools so to speak to address them. Interestingly you will see I’ve not offered any definition of a stressor as being good or bad, right or wrong, sad or funny at this stage. That is because the biggest thing you and I do every day is to interpret and perceive stressors for ourselves. We then decide if they are a source of what we can call good stress or bad stress.

FARMERS’ HEALTH WITH DR TOBY FORD Consider this logic. A stressor real or imagined must be determined by you based on past knowledge, sometimes no known knowledge if it looks it is a source of distress. This means you see it as a danger, threat, negative, harmful, fear-producing or you could lose by having it happen to you. Distress is more commonly recognised as stressful. But if you have shared a house or workplace with anyone, you know that sometimes lots of stressors can be interpreted by others differently to you. Has your wife or husband ever interpreted anything differently from you? So for this difference of interpretation, we talk about some stressors being a source of challenge, opportunity, positivity, and success or they could lead to a win for you or be positive as an experience. This second form of stress impact is called eustress. “Eu” is a Greek word for good. While Distress or Dys is a Greek word for bad. If ever you watched “My Fat Greek Wedding”, you know that the Greeks invented lots of words, they invented Eustress and Dystress. I think the derivation of such terms is actually from the Latin language but let’s not worry too much about invention, let’s look at the incorporation of the two types into your thinking. The thing in the modern day is we fail to remind people that the two types of stress exist. Generally, the media conveys stress as being bad and this is quite wrong. Nothing is good or bad, right or wrong, black or white, in or out, until you interpret it for yourself. I will tell you why. For both situations where you might say receive an award for good service

or you are about to jump out of a plane, the two circumstances produce, nervous heart rate rise, sweaty palms, tummies to rumble, vision to improve, breathing to speed up etc. What is decided by you is if the symptoms you are experiencing are due to something good or bad. Over the years I have tried to encourage lots of people to start to talk about stress as being both good and bad. Stress management is about altering one’s perception of a stressor. This is possible it just needs tools for the occasion. If you don’t have the right tools to alter your perception then you need to go to get some new tools and that is usually asking for help,

reading up about tools, maybe reminding yourself that in the past you have had something happen from which you learnt how to adapt and see it differently. So over the next few weeks, add to the blue dot we talked about a couple of months ago, which is the space between you feeling in control versus blowing up, cut yourself some slack and permit yourself to get new tools. Then apply these where ever possible to build up a skill of managing your perceptions better. Next time we will look at six skills I recommend to manage stress better. If you have a question please direct them to info@fordhealth.com.au. Cheers.

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SOCIAL SCENE QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Everyone had a heap of colourful fun at the Senex Colour Xplosion.

Pictures: DANIEL PELCL

An explosion of colour The PCYC Maranoa coordinated the Senex Colour Xplosion which was the highlight of the Sunday morning at the Roma Easter In The Country festival. Family and friends enjoyed the moment they could cover their loved ones with colour. No one was spared not even the pet dog.

Easter In The Country brings rodeo thrills and spills Roma’s Easter In The Country Extreme Rodeo was all action with the crowds enjoying the thrills and spills of a Rodeo on 17 April.

Pam Trickett from the Sunshine Coast with Casey from Roma and Tony Trickett from Sunshine Coast. 277505 Daniel and Ronald Manns from Roma at the Rodeo. 277505

Matthew Gorry, Linda Nicholson and Trevor Roberts all from Brisbane. 277505 26 TODAY May 2022

Immi, Bayley, Harlan and Darcy having a ball at the Friday night rodeo all from Brookfield. 277505 Pictures: DANIEL PELCL

Sydney sister and her family visiting country brother and his family in Roma. 277505

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

SOCIAL SCENE

The Easter In The Country street parade was a spectacular show of everything Roma. The streets were filled with on lookers from all over Queensland with so much to see and take in.

Easter In The Country

Bree, Sam with princess Lexa and Elijah from Brisbane. 277514

Jan, Angela and Tammy from Roma ready for the Roma Easter parade. 277514

Jenny Flynn President of the Easter in The Country committee. 277514

Forbes, Lushers, McTighe, Smith and the Bourke families from Brisbane at the Easter parade. 277514

Sharon and Ian Paisley from Brisbane Logan City and first time to Roma. 277514

Vicki, David and Luna Taylor with Stevie, Miriam and Theo Loom. 277514

Pictures: DANIEL PELCL

Larry Cann announcer at the rodeo arena and main stage over the weekend. 277514

Teigan Bradford and Patrick Dries from the Peanut Van. 277514

Peter Coombes from Roma soaking up the atmosphere of the Roma Easter Parade. 277514

Thea Hayes with her two books An Outback Nurse and A Country Nurse with her third book on the way. 277514 May 2022 TODAY 27

SOCIAL SCENE QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Bryce Jumps family. 277514

Crystal, Ella, Chris and Thomas Maybury at the Roma Speedway. 277514

Speedway stampede fun Roma’s Speedway over the Easter Weekend drew in huge crowds from all around. The race heats were fast and the track was in perfect condition for the ’Easter Stampede’ on 15 and 16 April.

Lloyd and Eva Keegan from Minden at the Roma Speedway. 277514

Glen, Sharnie, Helen, Alek and Oskar. 277514

Kiara Reid and Tara Griffiths. 277514

Kathy, Bella, Paul, Lauren and Dakai from Roma. 277514

Drag racing an Easter In The Country highlight Roma Easter In The Country Drag Racing was fast and furious over the Easter weekend. The two day race event on Easter Saturday and Sunday was held at the Ironbark Raceway Roma.

Drag Racing team. 277514

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Nathan and Tayla from Roma. 277514

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Drag racing fans at the Roma Easter Drags. 277514

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Expanding horizons With a growing demand for clean, green food in Asia - and significant investment in infrastructure - the opportunity exists for Western Downs and Surat Basin producers to grow into new markets. TSBE Food Leaders Australia (FLA) is looking for agribusinesses who are eager to explore international trade, through the Emerging Exporters Program (EEP). Applications are closing soon, with businesses encouraged to submit an expression of interest. TSBE’s FLA export manager food and agribusiness, Justin Heaven said graduates of the program had been successful in breaking into the international export market. “We’ve seen participants like Four Daughters Premium Black Angus successfully export to China and Riverbend Pork Group export to markets in Asia,” he said. “EEP is a fantastic program which provides tailored support and the tools for businesses to grow both domestically and internationally,” said Mr Heaven. The EEP, delivered by TSBE’s FLA, is an initiative of Shell’s QGC business and is a threeyear program to see a cohort make inroads into these new markets. SMA Marketing is a previous participant, which Belinda Boshammer said helped develop the company’s export strategy and understanding of overseas markets. “When we first joined the program, we knew where we wanted to get to and with help through EEP, we’ve developed the plan of how to get there.” “Starting an export program in the current environment hasn’t been the easiest due to the challenges around logistics and staff but we have great logistics and retail partners and we’re looking forward to the future,” said Ms Boshammer. Rangeland Quality Meats managing direc-

SMA Marketing’s business development manager Belinda Boshammer. tor Alister Hughes said the Emerging Exporters Program was a great experience. “Being in a room full of like-minded businesses is a great opportunity to grow your knowledge base, while being able to have all your questions answered by people and businesses who have walked the road before you,” he said. “It provided me and my business a better understanding of the process, and do’s and

don’ts and what to look out for when entering the export markets.” The social investment program, supported by Shell’s joint venture partners Tokyo Gas and CNOOC, contributes to a strong and diverse economy within the Western Downs. To find out more information about the Emerging Exporters Program contact Justin Heaven on 07 4639 4600 or email justin@tsbe. com.au.

NEWS

Weather fix By Arthur Gorrie The federal government has let serious environmental and agricultural threats into Australia and done nothing to improve the forecasting of the other big farming uncertainty, the weather, state Agriculture Minister Mark Furner has told state parliament. “By failing to do anything but to announce things, it has failed to introduce policy that would protect the states and territories from biosecurity threats,“ he said. “What the farmers of this state want to see from (the federal) budget is real action, (including) more funding and more action for the Bureau of Meteorology. “We need to get Queensland’s fair share for agriculture in the budget. Producers the Premier and I have spoken to after recent flood events near Inglewood, Gympie and the Lockyer Valley say that they want to see the bureau properly resourced so that communities can get better advice on extreme weather events. “And these extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. However, this is clearly not on this federal government’s radar because it still has not come to terms with climate change. “In these unprecedented times we have had a federal government that continues to fail our farmers,“ he said. He accused the federal government of failing to engage with the states and territories. “The LNP and (federal Agriculture Minister) David Littleproud are more concerned about their own jobs than working for our producers,“ Mr Furner said. He said the Queensland Government was, by contrast “working hand in hand with farmers“ to help the state recover from the pandemic.

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NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

ALPA Young Auctioneers National Championships Runner Up Corey Evans (centre) with Aussie Land and Livestock’s James Bredhauer and Midge Thompson.

2022 Australian Stud Beef Parader Champion Chloe Plowman with the national parader judge.

Pictures: CONTRIBUTED

Cousins Easter show stars By Jessica McGrath Cousins Chloe Plowman and Corey Evans have done their family, region and state proud. Chloe is the 2022 National Young Beef Parader champion, while Corey is the 2022 ALPA Young Auctioneers national runner-up. The pair of agricultural show stars both represented Queensland, Kingaroy and their workplace Aussie Land and Livestock when they competed at the Sydney Royal Easter Show on 8 April. Nation’s Young Beef Parader Champion Choe Plowman joined the “exclusive club” when she was named the 2022 National Young Beef Parader champion. The 18-year-old Kingaroy woman competed in the nationals final at the Sydney Royal Easter Show on 8 April, representing Queensland. As there is only one national winner every year which is open to 16 to 25-year-olds, only an elite few have ever claimed the national parader title. “Not many people do it at 18, they usually wait [until their early 20s],” Chloe said. Chloe, who was the South Burnett Show Society representative, won the QCAS Stud Beef Young Paraders Queensland Final at the Proston Show on 5 March, 2022. This earned her a spot in the national finals at Sydney on the 8 April. Sydney’s Royal Easter Show was a much bigger stage for Chloe as she worked in the ring in the rain alongside the six other finalists from across the country. “The nationals experience was really good,

everything I’ve learned I showed it off, I kept the animal calm,” she said. She had just an hour to work with the animal assigned to her, in order to show her “true ability” working with animals. “I got a really good animal and people to work with,” Chloe said. The young paraders then swapped animals towards the end of the competition. “My animal was a bit challenging and then I got an animal that was a bit more challenging,” she said. “It’s all about showing how you can control the animal and keep it calm.” The judges told Chloe she managed to keep her animal calm. “When I swapped animals I showed the animal to the best of my ability,” Chloe was told by the judge. “I also knew the information about my animal. “The judge said she’d be happy for me to show her animals.” Chloe said the best part of the competition was the animal she got to work with, Cooper Enia, whose owner was from America. Cooper Enia went on to win the junior championship at the show. Chloe’s family, along with James and Kathy Bredhauer from Chloe’s workplace, Aussie Land and Livestock, were proud Queensland supporters amongst the New South Wales crowd. Chloe was proudly sponsored by Canard Hats who provided her with a new hat for the competition.

One catch with becoming the National Young Beef Parader champion is that Chloe can no longer compete in the young parader competitions. However, she plans to continue to show cattle at the upcoming Kingaroy, Blackbutt and Cooyar Shows as well as the Brisbane Ekka. Stewarding and judging the young parader competitions could be on the cards for Chloe in a few years time when she gains some more experience. Australia’s second best young auctioneer Kingaroy’s Corey Evans was shocked to learn he was named runner up in the ALPA Young Auctioneers National Championships at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. “I went down there just for the experience -I had no expectations,” he said. “To come home with a ribbon is really rewarding and really exciting.” He went up against eight competitors from across Australia in the Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association Ltd Young Auctioneers national final on 8 April 2022 after winning the Queensland final in Roma on 12 October, 2021. Corey said the Sydney stadium was a lot bigger with a lot more people watching. “It was probably a lot different to what we’re used to in Queensland,” he said. “I’ve never sold in anything like that before, it was a totally different experience. “I’m very pleased I got the opportunity.” Corey was pretty happy with his performance at the nationals competition. “I went into it with an attitude that I had

nothing to lose and it was an honour to be there, I tried to be as calm as I could… and it paid off,” he said. His family came along to support him alongside his mentors Aussie Land and Livestock’s Midge Thompson and James Bredhauer. He competed alongside fellow Queenslander Simon Kinbacher, an auctioneer who had grown up in Biggenden and was representing Elders Rural Services Rockhampton. “We travelled down and got to catch up -it was really good,” Corey said. The national Young Auctioneers winner for 2022 was William Claridge from C.L. Squires & Co at Inverell. ALPA CEO Peter Baldwin announced the winners of the young auctioneers final and congratulated all of the “fine young gentlemen” who had competed in front of the “biggest crowd they ever had”. “You sold your hearts out, you did your states proud, you did your families proud, you did your employers proud,“ Peter said. “You sold impeccably and we at ALPA are very proud of you.” Competing at the Young Auctioneers National Championships was a dream come true for Corey. “It’s something I always dreamt of growing up, just to get to the nationals was something,” he said. “It’s a pretty unreal feeling when I was down there and got the opportunity, it was really exciting.”

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NEWS

Wade makes the podium By Fiona Gowers Thomas Wade from Mudjimba, Queensland is the nation’s third best young dairy cattle parader for 2021. Mr Wade, 21, competed against Australia’s best at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, which in April hosted finals for 2021 and 2022. Last year’s championships were unable to be held at Brisbane’s Ekka show due to Covid cancellations. Courtney Afford, 24, from Woods Point, South Australia and Jaxon Gillam, 22, from Burnie, Tasmania won the young dairy cattle parader championship for 2021 and 2022 respectively. Runners up for 2021 and 2022 were Georgia Sieben, 18, from Torrumbarry, Victoria and Tegan Afford, 20, from Woods Point, South Australia. Abbie Hanks, 16, from Cobden, Victoria placed third this year. “I’ve been going to shows since I was a baby,” said winner Courtney Afford. “In fact, I attended my first Adelaide show at nine-months-old. “Originally, I helped out my uncle and aunt’s string at Boldview Farms for many years, while also showing our own cows. “I mainly started getting involved through leading some calves at our local calf day and Adelaide Show, thanks to support from my parents, cousins and grandparents. “This passion then developed through youth camps and focus days, which allowed my sister and I to develop the skills and knowledge to start running our own string of cows at the show.” Young paraders are assessed on their presentation, confidence and technique in handling the animal, as well as their knowledge about the animal and use of cattle terminology. Judging is more objective. While there are characteristics about an animal to look for, the judges pay close attention to how clearly competitors express their decision and how they

Thomas Wade from Mudjimba, Queensland was named the nation’s third best young dairy cattle parader for 2021. validate it. A competitor’s appearance is also important and judges can mark down for poor presentation. The national judges and paraders competition brings together the best young judges and paraders aged from 15 to 25 in each state to compete at the national finals. Qualification is via success in regional and state competitions. Overall there are nine categories for judging and parading each year under the Agricultural Shows Australia (ASA) national competition program. They are beef cattle, dairy cattle, alpaca, poultry, Merino sheep, meat breed sheep and Merino fleece judging, as well as parading

competitions in beef and dairy cattle. The young beef cattle judging championship for 2021 and 2022 were won by Sarah Sutton from Victoria and Dayna Grey from South Australia, respectively. Ms Sutton, 23, of Sulky also represented Victoria in the beef cattle parading competition and placed second. Ms Grey, 23, from Marrabel, also represented South Australia in the beef cattle parading competition. She is a fifth-generation beef cattle farmer. Runner up for 2021 was 18-year-old Angus Llewellyn of Keith, South Australia and third was 25-year-old Alice Hall of Scottsdale, Tasmania.

Runner up for 2022 was 20-year-old Brittany Abbott from Kolora, Victoria and third was Miguella Grima from New South Wales. ASA chairman Dr Rob Wilson said the competition was designed to recognise the best new talent in livestock judging nationwide. “It’s an extremely prestigious event and positions at the nationals are keenly contested,” he said. “These young people are the future of agricultural show competitions, which are crucial to the continual improvement of Australia’s food and fibre. “The national competition is a coveted opportunity to grow personally and professionally by practising skills against the cream of the crop.”

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OPINION QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Heading to carbon neutral FROM THE MLA JASON STRONG A key part of MLA’s Strategic Plan is driving research and development projects to help the red meat industry achieve its goal to be carbon neutral by 2030 (CN30). Carbon neutrality should not and does not need to come at the cost of livestock numbers or land productivity. CN30 is as much about building on-farm productivity and intergenerational sustainability as it is achieving zero net emissions from red meat production in Australia. Cattle and sheep do not create the climate impact some people think they do. Those views have been formed because of mistruths, vested interests and intentional distraction from the sources of the majority of emissions. In fact, Australia’s lamb and sheep meat industry is now considered ‘climate neutral’. In simple terms, this means that eating lamb doesn’t contribute to further global temperature rise. This is an important step towards carbon neutrality. MLA has recently announced the next round of investments towards CN30 thorough the formation of the Australian Red Meat Industry’s Emissions Avoidance and Carbon Storage Partnerships. Collectively, these partnerships aim to achieve a 20 per cent improvement in livestock productivity, 50 per cent reduction in enteric methane emissions in five per cent of the herd and flock, and 15 million tonnes of CO2 stored within 10 m ha of Australian grazing land by 2025.

This body of work will see MLA working on more than 10 major new research and development projects, focussed on six key areas: 1. Forages, 2. Feed additives, 3. Livestock genetics, 4. Trees for shade and shelter and edible shrubs, 5. Leadership and training resources for producers and advisors, 6. Digital farm management tools that enable producers to capitalise on market opportunities for low or carbon neutral red meat products. The red meat industry in Australia is uniquely positioned to store carbon in the landscape - we are custodians for about half of the land mass of the country. The carbon

storage partnership focuses on products that can build industry capacity and capability to increase carbon in the landscape, and then use that stored carbon to offset the emissions associated with their business, generate an additional income stream through the sale of carbon credits, either through a carbon project, or attached to a carbon neutral or low carbon branded product. When it comes to emissions avoidance, what we feed livestock will play a crucial role in achieving carbon neutrality through bringing to market new additives and supplements that reduce the production of methane but also increase productivity. MLA is also working with our partners to scope investment opportunities to develop practical, economic and effective delivery mechanisms for livestock supplementation

products. These include the Biopolymer bolus: a fully biodegradable biopolymer that sits in the rumen delivering a sustained slow release of a methane reducing additive over a 6-12-month period, the delivery of water additives through remote water dosing technology and lick blocks that deliver a mix of compounds to reduce methane and improve productivity. We are also developing breeding values for cattle and sheep - the output from this work will be the inclusion of low methane traits available in Lambplan, Breedplan, and other existing genetic selection tools. All of these investments show a commitment from MLA and our partners to accelerate our journey to carbon neutrality for the red meat industry. It also shows what can be achieved when we collaborate effectively, all striving towards a common goal.

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Quality yarding of steers Monto KellCo Rural Agencies fortnightly fat & store sale was held on 20 April 2022 in Monto with a quality line up of cattle especially weaner steers. A total of 307 head were yarded. VI & AC Goody sold a line of Simmental cross steers averaging 260kg at 680.2c/Kg to return $1767. Charbray Steers on account of Barlu Farms sold for $1750 at 693.2c/kg averaging 252kg. Santa Steers account of Hampson’s sold for $2130 at 484.2c/kg averaging 440kg. Hampson’s also sold smaller steers averaging 395kg at 510c/kg to return $2015. Braford Steers of Henley Cattle Co sold for $1908 averaging 340kg at 560.2c/kg. 362kg Angus and Droughtmaster cross steers sold for $2026 at 560.2c/kg. GR & PJ O’Dell sold Charbray heifers for $1743, averaging 348kg at 500c/kg. Waratah Pastoral sold 265kg Angus x heifers at 590.2c/kg to return $1565. B & S Urquhart of Biloela sold Brangus heifers to return $1518 at 582.2c/kg to average 260kg. Ron Goody also sold Brangus heifers to bring $1515, at 590.2c/kg averaging 256kg. S. Stewart sold an 815kg Droughtmaster Bull at 320c/kg to return $2608. Droughtmaster cows account of Barlu Farms sold for $2061, averaging 630kg at 327.2c/kg. Coolabunia Weaner Show & Store Sale, Coolabunia saleyards, 14 April 2022 A successful day at Coolabunia Saleyards for the Weaner Show & Sale. Agents yarded over 1100 head with a great turn out of vendors and buyers in support of the day. We would like to give a massive thank you to our sponsors for the weaner show and their very generous prizes. Congratulations to Geoff Patterson and his grand champion pen of weaners, and last but not least a thank you to our hard-working agents and Aussie Land & Livestock team on a great sale. Simmental X steers ex-Kumbia made 800 cents, 290kg, $2320 Simmental steers ex-Kumbia made 646.2 cents, 299.2kg, $1933.22 Charolais steers ex-Baloogie made 692.2 cents, 302.5kg, $2093.91 Speckle Park steers ex-Baloogie made 692.2 cents, 210.7kg, $1458.56 Charolais steers ex-Dangore made 656.2 cents, 323kg, $2151.70 Charolais steers ex-Nanango made 626.2 cents, 333.5kg, $2088.38 Angus steers ex-Nanango made 756.2 cents, 224.6kg, $1698.54 Angus steers ex-Cooyar made 748.2 cents, 224.6kg, $1698.54 Angus steers ex-Maidenwell made 754.2 cents, 241kg, $1820.85

Speckle Park heifers ex-Baloogie made 908.2 cents, 285kg, $2588.37 Charolais heifers ex-Baloogie made 700 cents, 195kg, $1365 Charolais heifers ex-Dangore made 650 cents, 315kg, $2047.50 Charolais heifer ex- Johnstown made 638.2 cents, 212kg, $1354.72 Limousin heifers ex-Cushine made 624.2 cents, 282.2 cents, $1761.63 Santa Gertrudis cows & calves ex-Inverlaw made $3625 -Aussie Land & Livestock Murgon Sale report 19 April Numbers were back to 480 yesterday in Murgon partly due to the short weeks and the Easter break. Values remained reasonably firm on the previous market. Heavy Bulls sold to $3.48 per kilogram and $2260.00. Bullocks topped at $4.05 per kilogram and $2840.00. Cows over 500 kilograms topped at $3.69 per kilogram and $3040.00. Cows 400 to 500 kg sold to $3.38 per kilogram for $1630.00. Cows under 400kg topped at $2.94 per kilogram and $1100.00. Export heifers sold to $3.84 per kilogram and $2320.00. Cattle were drawn from Gayndah, Mt Perry, Kingaroy, Yarraman, Nanango, Kandanga, Kilkivan and local areas. Brangus steers from Kandanga sold for $5.10 c/ kg & $4.98 c/kg returning $2450.00 & $2340.00 respectively. Local 413kg Simmental cross steers sold for $2110.00 at $5.10 c/kg. 2 pens of Braford steers from Yarraman sold for $5.30

c/kg & $5.36 c/kg for $2170.00 & $1990.00. Local Santa steers weighing 406 kg sold for $2070.00 at $5.10 c/kg. Droughtmaster steers 349 kg sold for $1920.00 at $5.50 c/kg. 285 kg Brangus steers sold for $1750.00 at $6.16 c/ kg. 312 kg Charbray steers from Wooroonden sold for $6.10 c/kg returning $1900.00. Santa steers from Crownthorpe sold for $1720.00 at $6.04 c/kg. Droughtmaster weaner steers from Gayndah sold for $1440.00 at $6.74 c/kg. Local Charbray weaner steers sold for $1630.00 and $6.44 c/kg. 2 pens of Charbray weaner steers from Mt Peery sold for $6.38 c/kg averaging 230 kg & $1470.00. Angus cross heifers 430 kg sold for $4.70 c/kg and $2030.00. 380 kg Brahman heifers sold for $1600.00 at $4.22 c/kg. Santa heifers from Gayndah sold for $5.70 c/kg and $1770.00. Droughtmaster weaner heifers also from Gayndah sold to $1580.00 and $5.664 c/ kg. Angus cross weaner heifers sold for $5.86 c/ kg and $1370.00. Light Droughtmaster weaner heifers sold for $1080.00 at $5.90 c/kg. Brahman Cows & Calves sold to $3500.00. Angus Cows & Calves sold to $3400.00. -Paul Pratt Agencies Murgon BLX Fat & Store Sale -Murgon Saleyards, 19 April Agents yarded 460 head for the Fat & Store Sale at Murgon Saleyards. All values eased with fat cows selling to dearer rates. Bulls sold to 348.2 cents per kilo and $2089.20. Cows over 600kg topped at 365.2 cents per kilo and $3042.48. Cows 400-600kg sold to 369.2 cents per kilo and cows under 400kg sold to 294.2 cents per kilo. Limited number of bullocks but sold

to 405.2 cents for 700kg. Feeder steers 510kg sold to 486.2 cents per kilo and $2479.02. Local Droughtmaster light feeders T 350kg sold to 550.2 cents per kilo. Weaner steers topped at 674.2 cents per kilo at 215kg. Feeder heifers topped at 470 cents per kilo at 432.5kg. 310kg heifers sold for 570 cents per kilo and $1767. Weaner heifers sold to 590.2 cents per kilo. Cows and calves sold $3525. Charolais X cows ex-Nanango made 365.2 cents, 840kg, $3042.48 Angus bulls from local areas made 348.2 cents, 600kg, $2089.20 Hereford X bullocks from local areas made 405.2 cents, 700.9kg, $2840.08 Charbray X feeder steers from local areas made 486.2 cents, 510kg, $2479.62 Charbray X trade light heifers from local areas made 550.2 cents, 349.1kg, $1921.12 Droughtmaster X weaner steers from local areas made 674.2 cents, 212.7kg, $1434.55 Angus X feeder heifers from local areas made 470 cents, 432.50kg, $2032.75 Crossbreed light feeder heifers from local areas made 570 cents, 310kg, $1767 Angus X weaner heifers from local areas made 586.2 cents, 235kg, $1377.57 Brahman cows & calves from local areas made $3525 Our next sale will be the SBLX Fat & Store Sale at Murgon Saleyards on the 3rd of May 2022. Our next Special Store Sale at Coolabunia Saleyards will be on the 26th of May 2022. -Aussie Land and Livestock

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country k tchens recipes Assam Chicken Curry Serves: 4 Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes 2 ½ serves per portion

Ingredients: • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 1 stalk of lemongrass, mashed • 500 g chicken thigh, sliced into 2cm strips • 50 g of tamarind paste • 2 chicken stock cubes, reduced salt • 2 cups water • ½ cup pineapple, diced, fresh or tinned • 4 tomatoes, quartered • 1 carrot, sliced • 1 cup green beans, halved Spice paste: • 3 red chillies, deseeded • 10 shallots, peeled and sliced • 4 cloves of garlic • 2cm knob of turmeric, sliced

• ½ teaspoon dried shrimp paste (belacan) • 1 tablespoon ground coriander Method: • MAKE a spice paste by grinding all the spice mix ingredients in a mortar and pestle or a high-speed blender. Set aside. • HEAT oil in a large saucepan. Fry lemongrass for 10-20 seconds then add the spice paste. Fry over medium-low heat until fragrant (1-2 minutes). • ADD chicken slices to the saucepan and cook to seal. • MEANWHILE mix the tamarind paste and stock cube with the water. • POUR the tamarind mixture over the sealed chicken and bring to the boil. • ADD pineapple, tomato, carrot and green beans and cook until chicken is cooked through and the green beans are tender (5-6 minutes). • SERVE with brown rice.

Everyday Food

* Recipe courtesy of the Country Kitchens team

Barb’s Vegetable Slice Serves: 8 Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 30-35 minutes

Method:

1 serves per portion

• BEAT the eggs in a large bowl then stir in the spring onions, carrot, zucchini, corn, mushrooms and cheese.

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs, lightly beaten • 3 spring onions, chopped • ½ cup carrot, grated • ½ cup zucchini, grated • 310g can corn kernels, drained • 3 button mushrooms, diced • ½ cup cheddar cheese, reduced fat, grated • ½ cup self-raising flour • ½ cup wholemeal self-raising flour • 2 medium tomatoes sliced, or cherry tomatoes halved • ¼ cup cheddar cheese, reduced fat, grated

• PREHEAT oven to 180°C and line a slice pan with baking paper.

• FOLD through the sifted flours. • SPREAD the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with extra cheese then top with the sliced tomato. • BAKE in the oven for 30-35 minutes or until lightly browned and cooked through. • COOL before slicing.

Everyday Food * Recipe courtesy of Barb McMillan, Dirranbandi Branch

Empowering women through education and health is a priority for the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA). The QCWA Country Kitchens program, funded by the Queensland Government through Health and Wellbeing Queensland, supports Queenslanders to adopt healthier lifestyles. To find out more about the program visit https://qcwacountrykitchens.com.au/. 34 TODAY May 2022

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

NEWS

Rabobank support Rabobank has offered support measures to its farming clients adversely impacted by floods and extreme rainfall in Queensland’s south east and NSW Northern Rivers region. While the full effect of flood on agriculture is unknown, it says impacted producers will deal with damage to pasture, crops, livestock and infrastructure, including sheds and fencing. Rabobank regional manager for southern Queensland and northern New South Wales Brad James said it was “very early days”, with water in some districts still peaking. “The current focus is on the safety and wellbeing of people in affected regions and concerns about loss of homes and businesses,” he said.

“As people embark on the enormous task of recovering and rebuilding from the devastating floods in coming weeks, the full extent of damage will become more apparent.” Mr James said there would be concern among producers about the loss of pasture, crops and topsoil, as well as the impact on livestock and damage to stored inputs. Other potential issues include damage - or loss of access to - road networks and uncertainty about replacement of damaged machinery, with the current supply chain delays. “This flood disaster is among the worst in recent history in these regions and agriculture has undoubtedly borne part of the brunt of the damage,” Mr James said.

“However, I would like to reassure affected clients that, as a bank which has a single focus on agriculture, we consider it a normal part of our business to work with farmers who are affected by weather conditions, even extreme weather events such as these.” Mr James said Rabobank’s staff would contact farming clients in impacted areas to offer support and assess the extent of any damage they have sustained. He said the bank would work directly with individual clients whose farms or agribusinesses had been affected to offer a range of assistance measures in applicable circumstances. These include: Deferral of scheduled loan payments,

Rabobank regional manager for southern Queensland and northern New South Wales Brad James said it was “very early days”, with water in some districts still peaking. of break costs on early redemption of · Waiver farm management deposits, of fees on loan increases necessary · Waiver for rebuilding operations, and of fees for equipment finance con· Waiver tract variations. Any farming clients adversely impacted by flood should contact their local branch or call Rabobank on 1800 025 484.

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Broncos beefing things up Australian Beef has struck an official union with the Brisbane Broncos. Under a new deal Meat & Livestock Australia will deliver, the partnership will highlight the essential role Australian red meat plays in high-performing athletes’ diets on the national stage. MLA’s purpose is to foster the long-term prosperity of the Australian red meat and livestock industry by investing in research and marketing activities. Australian Beef’s partnership with the Brisbane Broncos - the number one football club for viewership in Australia - will provide brand integration and content opportunities that demonstrate beef’s essential role in a healthy diet. The union will highlight how beef powers the club’s elite athletes and provides a compelling consumer proposition that can be delivered through multiple media touchpoints. For the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Australian Beef is a platinum partner of the Brisbane Broncos NRL and NRLW teams. The partnership will provide access to the Broncos playing group, creating opportunities for content production that reinforces beef’s role in helping you perform at your best, community education programs and business development opportunities for Australian Beef into the food service channel. MLA managing director Jason Strong said MLA was thrilled to have Australian Beef as an official partner of the Brisbane Broncos, embracing the opportunity to showcase Aussie

beef’s nutritional credentials. “Australian beef is packed with natural protein, so partnering with the Brisbane Broncos is a great fit to demonstrate the important role nutrient-dense Australian red meat plays as part of a healthy diet,” he said. MLA domestic marketing manager, Graeme Yardy said the Broncos partnership continued to build on the association with healthy lifestyles of high-performing athletes who eat beef. “Australian Beef has a successful history of partnering with high-performing athletes and we’re really pleased to be associating with the Broncos, the most popular football club across all codes in Australia, who can share the story of Australian Beef,” Mr Yardy said. “Partnering with a high-profile sports property helps the Australian Beef brand to amplify its key health messages around beef’s role in a healthy diet, ensuring we make every bite count.” Brisbane Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy said: “We are really excited to be welcoming Australian Beef to the Broncos family – they are a quality brand with a great reputation across the community.” Brisbane Broncos head of performance Dave Ballard said: “It’s awesome for our players to be powered by Australian Beef both on and off the field. “Good nutrition and a balanced diet are key for elite athletes so having Australian Beef as a partner will give us the edge we need every week in the NRL.”

Broncos Tesi Niu, Thomas Flegler, Jada Ferguson and Shenae Ciesolka fuel up on Australian beef.

Good turnout trackside for the Roma Easter races Roma Easter Races were all set and the crowds filled the stands on 16 April at the Roma Turf Club.

Seth, Tanya, Shelley, Jeff, Dave, Danielle and Ebony from all over having a ball at the Roma Easter Races. 277514 Chris, Heidi, Kate, Sarah, Katrina, Donaugh, Nic and Scott enjoying the Easter Roma Races. 277514

Louisa Nichols, Jim Saville, Ben Pulford and Gemma Muir from Brisbane. 277514

Toni, Missy, Lauren, Nicole, Toni and Fiona at the Roma Easter Races. 277514 Pictures: DANIEL PELCL

Kirstin, Jordan, Grace and Meg having fun at the Roma Easter Races. 277514

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36 TODAY May 2022