Queensland Farmer Today - October 2022 by Star News Group

October 2022

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The Queen in Regional Queensland PAGES 28 -30

Boom on farmland By Fiona Gowers The boom in farmland prices across Australia is accelerating into uncharted territory. Prices paid this year have risen 25 per cent, says agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank in its just-released five-year outlook for farm sales. And, the scene is set for more land price records to fall during the bumper spring sales. In Queensland, demand has surged as the median price for grazing land jumped 37pc in 2021 to $2500 per hectare and, for cropping, by

60pc to $8900/ha. Sales so far this year have shown further price increases. More than 400 properties were sold, which is only a slight decrease from last year, but sales are substantially bigger. Prices being paid for Australian cropping land in recent years has outpaced the United States, Canada and Western Europe “but couldn’t keep up with the surge in Brazil and the eastern European Union’s grain export powerhouse, Romania“, the report found. STORY PAGE 3

Record bulls Energy challenges

The Santa Gertrudis breed has celebrated record-breaking bulls four times in three weeks. Last week, Yarrawonga S316 (P) sold for $250,000 to NIOA Pastoral Company, in conjunction with RL Pastoral Company, at the Yarrawonga Cattle Company sale to reset the breed’s benchmark. Soon after, Hardigreen Park stud bought Yarrawonga S156 (IVF) (P) for what would have been an Australian record price of $180,000. Previously, at the inaugural Nioa RL Pastoral Production sale at Allora on 1 September, Riverina Roland Sanchez R88 (ET) (PP), offered by Rob and Lorraine Sinnamon, Riverina stud, Kyogle, claimed the then record at $160,000, selling to the Wheatley and Nioa families. STORY PAGES 8-9

The future of energy supply in Australia is a complex and challenging issue but one the Surat Basin energy summit tackled in Dalby recently. The sold-out event featured industry leaders who discussed the challenges and opportunities involved in guaranteeing reliable and affordable energy supply while transitioning to low carbon. They also discussed the Surat Basin’s role as Queensland’s energy capital. STORY PAGE 4

Bridging the gap Queensland agronomist Tessa Dimond will gain a global perspective on how Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) affect Australian grain prices and access to international markets. Through a Nuffield scholarship, Tessa will travel from St George to the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, China, Indonesia and countries in Europe during the 12-month program. WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE PAGES 17-20

Queensland agronomist Tessa Dimond.

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GRAINGROWERS ..................pages 10-11 FOOD FOR THOUGHT .................. page 13 FROM THE MLA .......................... page 16 WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE .....pages 17-20 HYDROSMART ......................pages 22-23 YABBY SENSORS ..................pages 24-25 FARMERS HEALTH ....................... page 27 MARKET REPORTS ...............pages 32-33 QCWA RECIPE ............................ page 34 CLASSIFIEDS ............................. page 35

DAM LEVELS Bjelke-Petersen ......................... 101.36% Borumba .................................... 100.3% Boondoomba ............................ 100.06% Cedar Pocket .............................. 100.3% Chinchilla Weir .......................... 109.82% Coolmunda ............................... 101.92% Cunnamulla (Alan Tannock Weir) ... 114.7% Leslie ....................................... 100.08% Paradise ..................................... 97.79% Somerset ........................................ 81% Wivenhoe ...................................... 89.7%

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The Burnett River at Gayndah breaks is banks, swallowing surrounding foliage whole. Picture: DAEL GIDDINS

Drawing on past flood experience Following a series of rolling weather-related disasters in the first half of 2022 - and forecasts of yet another La Nina pattern to impact southern Queensland - preparedness has never been more vital. Now, researchers from the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) are working to ensure lessons from early 2022 can be applied to protect communities in the firing line in late 2022 and beyond. USQ emergency communications expert Dr Barbara Ryan will collaborate with Natural Hazards Research Australia, Macquarie University and the Queensland University of Technology to learn from the experiences of those flood-affected this year. They will gather vital insights on how people reacted to the preparedness, response and recovery stages of floods. “Our goal is to interview as many people as we can from Western Downs, Southern Downs, Scenic Rim and Lockyer Valley regional council areas - online or in person - in September,” Dr Ryan said. “The results of this research will be used by agencies to understand what communities need at certain stages of the disaster and what obstacles people faced in reducing the impact,

Everybody has a story. Indeed they do. When Queensland Farmer Today called Kerry Crowe to interview her for our Women In Agriculture feature all we knew was that she was the Norco distributor for the Southern Downs. What we didn’t realise was how passionate she was about the dairy industry and its producers. Or, that prior to delivering the milk, she had worked as a dairy hand, giving her a unique appreciation for both ends of the supply chain. And, why the primary producer will always have her steadfast support. “Our heart and soul is in backing those Australian farmers,” Kerry said. “We don’t just own the business and go, ‘Oh well, it’s just a job delivering milk’. “We understand it from every aspect and are passionate about supporting our local producers.” It is sharing unique stories such as Kerry Crowe’s that has made Queensland Farmer Today’s Women In Agriculture pages so well read over the past six months. And, we thank the feature’s sponsor Pioneer Seeds for its ongoing financial support.

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getting information during the events and then recovering from the floods.” Lead researcher and occupational psychologist Associate Professor Mel Taylor of Macquarie University said every story was important and encouraged people affected to get involved. “Each individual experience is unique and can help make a difference during future floods,“ she said. “By contributing your personal experience to this research, you can help improve community safety strategies and influence future policy. “You may have had to evacuate quickly due to rising floodwaters or perhaps you put your flood plan into practice but the floodwaters didn’t come to your house. “We want to hear about a wide range of experiences.” Natural Hazards Research Australia is funding the independent study, which is supported by the NSW State Emergency Service and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. Results will be used to inform strategies to improve flood safety right across Australia. To register to be part of the research project visit naturalhazards.com.au/floods2022 or call (02) 9850 9955.

University of Southern Queensland emergency communications expert Dr Barbara Ryan will collaborate with Natural Hazards Research Australia, Macquarie University and the Queensland University of Technology to learn from the experiences of those flood-affected this year.

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Report author, RaboResearch general manager Australia and New Zealand Stefan Vogel.

Farmland prices still hot By Fiona Gowers The boom in farmland prices across Australia is accelerating into uncharted territory. Prices paid this year have risen 25 per cent, says agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank in its just-released five-year outlook for farm sales. And, the scene is set for more land price records to fall during the bumper spring sales. In Queensland, demand has surged as the median price for grazing land jumped 37pc in 2021 to $2500 per hectare and, for cropping, by 60pc to $8900/ha. Sales so far this year have shown further price increases. More than 400 properties were sold, which is only a slight decrease from last year, but sales are substantially bigger. Prices being paid for Australian cropping land in recent years has outpaced the United States, Canada and Western Europe “but couldn’t keep up with the surge in Brazil and the eastern European Union’s grain export powerhouse, Romania“, the report found. Grazing land prices have also grown more than North America and Europe. The forecast, which Rabobank research leader, Stefan Vogel prepared, says the new median price paid for arable farmland across

Australia is $5400/ha. Other research shows the national median price of farmland is $7635/ha but Rabobank excluded lifestyle block sales in its analysis. That median price rose 27pc for grazing, cropping and dairy country in 2021, the research found. State-by-state analysis unearthed a mix of results. In Queensland, grazing land prices jumped 37pc in 2021 to $2500/ha and for cropping by 60pc to $8900/ha, with 2022 sales so far showing further price rises. In Victoria, meanwhile, the price of arable cropping land rose a staggering 78pc to above $10,000/ha. Even grazing country in the south rose more than 40pc to more than $16,000ha and early results from 2022 sales revealed a further 20pc to 30pc price growth. According to the Rabobank survey, six per cent of Australian farmers intend to buy land in the next year compared with their forecast of 11pc a year ago. “Prices of most major commodities reached or approached record highs, widespread rainfall supported production volumes and interest rates were at historic lows,“ Mr Vogel, RaboResearch general manager (Australia and New Zealand) said.

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He said the availability of land for sale had tightened and rising input costs - plus interest rate rises - were cooling demand. “The tide is turning slightly as the land market needs to take a breather after the staggering growth over the past 18 months,“ Mr Vogel said. But, Rabobank still says the five-year agricultural land outlook remains positive and has forecast a double-digit rise in values this year. Looking into its crystal ball, the report says climate-adjusted productivity growth remains on the current 20-year trend, with “a potential of one to two years of drier than normal conditions“. Production volumes are unlikely to stay at the current record levels. “Our base case forecast is that land price growth will continue, showing double-digit growth also for 2022 as a result of the strong first half of the year,“ the report says. “However, for the following years, we predict a substantial slowdown of land prices. “Commodity prices are likely to stay well above the five-year average for the next one to two years, but costs will likely also exceed their five-year average, driven by elevated prices for farm inputs, such as fertilisers, as well as interest rates.“ According to Rabobank, recessions often

follow periods of interest rate hikes and land price vulnerability. Mr Vogel said only a disaster like a drought or the unwanted arrival of foot and mouth disease could take the steam out of the farm sale boom. And, he said, farm buyers “are not likely to find a cheap gem“ anymore. “In some cases, fear of missing out is prompting buyers to enter an ’expression of interest’ for a purchase that is much higher than the productive value in order to secure the purchase, not knowing when an opportunity may arise again. “Buyers have already scoured the pockets of opportunities. “Competition is fierce and while Australian agricultural investments are still attractive to investors from other regions and abroad, the strong growth of land prices compared to other regions makes some investors also look more intensely elsewhere.“ Rabobank says it expects foreign interest in Australian farming land will remain strong. “Investors will continue to be attracted to agriculture, not only because of the competitive returns, but also because the returns are often less volatile and not necessarily correlated to the returns of other asset classes.”

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Tackling energy challenge By Fiona Gowers The future of energy supply in Australia is a complex and challenging issue but one the Surat Basin energy summit tackled in Dalby recently. The sold-out event featured industry leaders who discussed the challenges and opportunities involved in guaranteeing reliable and affordable energy supply while transitioning to low carbon. They also discussed the Surat Basin’s role as Queensland’s energy capital. Professor Andrew Garnett of The University of Queensland said due to its energy security and access, affordability and emissions reductions, the Surat Basin was well placed to help Australian and overseas energy markets. He acknowledged, however, it was going to be a wild ride. “The demand for energy is increasing and will continue to do so, as the global population is forecast to grow by 1.7 billion people by 2050,” Professor Garnett said. “That’s an extra 107,000 extra people every day for the next 28 years and those people need food, clean water and energy. “Energy supply and demand are in fine balance and even fears of possible small shortages cause havoc. “For the foreseeable future, it’s important that we continue to invest in maintaining energy flow until adequate fully-functional alternatives are actually deployed. “So, we need to continue to invest to meet the growing demand and ensure prices don’t rise to a level that will create even greater inequality both globally and here within Australia. “At the same time, we need to transition to low carbon energy.” The panel session on natural gas included Arrow Energy CEO Cecile Wake, Senex Energy CEO Ian Davies and APPEA CEO Samantha McCulloch. Panellists acknowledged the need to transition to net zero - and their deep commitments to this goal - as well as the need to meet Australian and global gas demand. Panellists agreed that current high gas prices were due to high demand and low supply and the only way to reduce prices was to increase supply. Senex Energy CEO Ian Davies said the Surat Basin was doing the “heavy lifting“ in producing natural gas and it was important industry, stakeholders, government and community continued to work together. “At local, state and national levels the conversation needs to be around the ‘and’ equation of how everything can work together with renewables to achieve our net zero ambitions and keep energy flowing,” he said. “The International Energy Agency (IEA) has said natural gas will be around for a very, very long time and Senex announcing it is set to invest $1 billion to increase natural gas from the Surat Basin shows our commitment to supporting Australia’s energy security, creating jobs and growing local economies.” Tony Nunan who is the Australian Country

Surat Basin discussion panel left to right: Gemma Claase (Marsh), Jodie Taylor (Western Downs Regional Council), Scott Walkem (BE Power), Roger Pattison (Helmont Energy) and Emma Roberts (CS Energy). Chair of Shell, echoed the gas panellists’ comments about the need to ensure gas supply met growing demand. He added that when Australia’s energy market was recently under stress, the country looked to the Surat Basin. It was fitting, then, that the energy summit was held in the Surat Basin. The region is one of Australia’s most energy diverse, with traditional resources of coal and gas, as well as housing more than 50 per cent of Queensland’s renewable assets. Energy Synapse managing director Marija Petkovic was optimistic about the potential of the Surat Basin. “Australia is on the cusp of a once-in-a-generation investment opportunity in clean energy and the Toowoomba and Surat Basin region is extremely well placed to take advantage of this boom,” she said. “This region is already home to the biggest wind farm, solar farm and battery in Queensland. “And, its proximity to grid infrastructure and load centres, as well as good solar and wind resources puts it in prime position to be the clean energy capital of Queensland, potentially the nation.” Another panellist, Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane acknowledged that all energy sources - wind, gas, solar, coal, hydrogen, biomethane, pumped hydro, battery storage and even nuclear needed to be in the mix moving forward.

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) CEO Ali Davenport said the event highlighted the need for continued investment into all forms of energy. “The reality is Australia must continue to produce coal and gas for the foreseeable future to meet domestic needs and global demands and, at the same time, exponentially grow renewable projects,” she said. “If not, the price of energy will continue to skyrocket and we’ll see greater inequality both overseas and right here in Australia.” The energy summit attracted an impressive field of leaders from across the industry, including Powerlink chief executive Paul Simshauser. Mr Simshauser said the summit had brought together important stakeholders to consider the challenges being faced and the opportunities it brought. “The region has some of the best renewable resources in the country, so it will play a key role in the Queensland energy transformation,” he said. “The energy industry has a huge responsibility in ensuring the people living and working across the region are involved in decisionmaking and planning for the future. “We also need to ensure they receive their fair share of the benefits generated by future energy projects.” More than 250 people attended the inaugural Surat Basin energy summit and Ms Davenport said she was delighted by the strong inter-

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise CEO Ali Davenport. est in the event, the calibre of speakers and the chance to have a frank and honest discussion about energy. “It was a wonderful opportunity to talk openly about the challenges and opportunities in the energy space,” Ms Davenport said. “The potential for the Surat Basin region is significant – we are well placed to take advantage of those opportunities moving forward.”

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High mungbean demand By Fiona Gowers An insatiable appetite for Australian mungbeans continues unabated throughout the world as the local summer legume’s clean, green reputation and traceability is unrivaled. Anywhere. So says Pulse Australia industry development agronomist - northern region Paul McIntosh who expects the usual 125,000 hectares to be sown to mungbeans this year through southern/ central Queensland and throughout NSW. But, he adds, favourable seasonal conditions over eastern Australia, as well as possible reduced area or time of sowing opportunities for other summer crop options with more wet weather predicted from another La Nina, may see the area planted up to 200,000ha. “The world loves Aussie mungs with our clean and green reputation and the traceability factor of our total mungbean crop, exported in mostly 25 kilogram bags,” Mr McIntosh said. “We usually cannot produce enough mungs or even have continuity of supply for the world’s needs.” Mr McIntosh says mungbean planting can begin in spring after the soil and air temperatures reach about 20 degrees however traditional planting times have been late summer. “They are a chilling-sensitive plant with a base temperature requirement of 10.5 degrees, which signifies that warmer soils and air are even more necessary than for other summer crops for sowing times,” he said. “We prefer our future mungbean soils to have a full profile of moisture. Even with a full profile, a significant rainfall or irrigation event just prior to flowering is very desirable. “So, I jokingly say many a time, the best window to plant mungs is three to four weeks before two inches-plus of steady rain.” Mr McIntosh says mungbeans are being grown in various farming systems with short

Pulse Australia industry development agronomist - northern region Paul McIntosh and Ian Wolski, Chinchilla in a mungbean crop. rotation cropping practices in South Burnett, the Central Highlands, Callide Dawson, the Burdekin Delta regions and northern NSW.

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“We do call them a short rotation crop, which is a much different slant than what folks used to say, that they are an opportunity crop,” Mr McIntosh said. “We much prefer the short rotation crop phrase and I encourage farmers and agros (agronomists) to adopt this terminology to give them - and the crop - a better atmosphere for success. “Some folks have set mungs up as a pillar crop, with the term ‘pillar crop’ meaning that specific cropping choice as the main summer crop option, with planning and preparation starting months before a mungbean seed goes in the ground.” Widespread flooding this year - including one memorable 200 millimetres on a Sunday night in March 2022 on the eastern Darling Downs, impacted all crops at physiologically mature stages. Mr McIntosh says while less than five per cent of the total mungbean area of 125,000ha was lost in 2021/22, downgrading of the crop’s quality has been more problematic. He says 90 to 95pc translated into processable product and fetched between $1050 to $1150 per tonne. “The end-point farmer prices did not alter much this year, that is true,” Mr McIntosh said. “Currently, with more than $1000/t on a clean seed basis for several previous production years, we believe that this is still a solid and profitable price for our farmers. “Quality of our mungbeans is a key consideration of the price realised. “For example, the top grade of number ones could return a much higher price per tonne due to their consistent size and lustre. “So, with the summer of 2022/23 nearly upon us, planting enthusiasm of Aussie mungbeans, combined with sound agronomic advice and suitable weather conditions, is very much anticipated.”

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Beef producers Helen and Paul Lovell, “Fieldview”, Lawgi Dawes have been working towards their dream for the past 30 years.

Helen and Paul Lovell run a beef production enterprise across 790 hectares of scrub and forest country at Lawgi Dawes.

Looking to the future By Fiona Gowers Nestled in scrub land 40 kilometres south of Biloela in Lawgi Dawes, Helen and Paul Lovell sit on their back deck with a hot cup of coffee and fresh scones, looking out over their property “Fieldview“. It’s a dream they’ve been working towards for the past 30 years. Coming from primary production backgrounds, Helen and Paul have always loved the land. The couple now runs a beef production enterprise with between 150 and 170 breeders and between 280 and 300 prime cattle across 790 hectares of scrub and forest country. “We’ve got a diverse range of country here,“ Helen said. “We’ve got forest country, which is more suitable to the breeders and then our fattening country, which we fatten the progeny on.“ The couple began with only 200ha 33 years ago before later buying an additional 405ha block. But, as Helen explains, they still needed more land. “Over the past few years, we had to offload cattle just so we could keep our pastures and our ground cover at a sustainable level,“ she said. “So that we weren’t doing any damage to our land. “We realised we couldn’t keep our breeder

numbers and grow all the progeny through, we needed to expand.“ So, when a nearby block of land became available, Helen and Paul called QRIDA’s regional area manager for Capricornia John Metelli. “We’d dealt with QRIDA in the past and always found them helpful,“ Helen said. “With the application process, while some people say it’s daunting, it’s not really that difficult. “John is just a phone call away. He came out before we purchased the last property and ran through some figures with us and guided us in the right direction. “To have someone to sit down at the kitchen table with us while we explain what we were looking to do and the process - it makes it so much easier than trying to do it over the phone with people you don’t know. You develop a relationship,” Paul said. Helen and Paul accessed a QRIDA Sustainability Loan to purchase an additional 150ha of land. “We wanted to get to those levels to be more sustainable and that’s why we bought the extra scrub block just so that we could carry the progeny of those breeders right through to fattening,” Helen said. “By having that extra land, it makes our enterprise more profitable so that we can have those numbers in the breeders and their progeny coming through, so we’re not overstocking

at any point in time. “It’s all sustainable. We have put a lot of legumes back into the land to enhance those pastures as well, so it’s a win-win for the soil, pastures and the cattle are fattening better on them.” But achieving this goal wasn’t just about the land. Both Paul and Helen were still working side jobs off-farm, with the dream of working 100 per cent on-farm. Buying this additional block has allowed Paul to do just that. “It’s nice to get out of the hum-drum of getting up and going to work every day, working for someone else, whether it be enjoyable or not, there’s a lot more satisfaction in doing it for yourself,” he said. “The difference for me is I get out of bed because I want to and want to go to work, not because I have to. Everyday has its challenges, but it’s much more satisfying.” An element of Helen and Paul’s expansion has been about maintaining the quality of the land and leaving it better than how they found it. Parents to a 23- and 26-year-old who are eager to follow in their footsteps, Paul says education and their children’s futures play a large part in their business decisions. “You’ve got to be doing what you love to do,“ he said. “Our kids grew up here, we were

able to educate them and give them a grounding that I think they can take for life. “Looking to the future we want to keep this country in as good condition as we can get it, and then hopefully in time with succession planning, bring that through to our family. “It’s wonderful that they’re both so keen to get back onto the land and, as it is now, they come out to help us brand and fence or whatever we’re doing, they’re here to help and are quite involved with what we do,“ Helen said. “The kids are keen to adopt the new processes that we have.“ Reflecting on their journey, Helen and Paul say QRIDA has helped make their dreams achievable. “It’s been more than a 30-odd year plan to get to this point and its finally happening,” Paul said. “QRIDA has allowed us to build our family enterprise up to a point where we will leave a legacy that is not only sustainable but economical.“ QRIDA offers Sustainability Loans up to $1.3 million for producers looking to invest in the latest infrastructure to create a viable future for their farming business. This can include buying property or activities that improve farming system sustainability, natural resource sustainability and financial sustainability.

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October 2022 TODAY 7

NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

They topped the market Santa Gertrudis The bull: Yarrawonga S316 The price: $250,000, up by $75,000 The seller: Yarrawonga Cattle Company at Wallumbilla, Q The buyer: NIOA Pastoral Company in conjunction with RL Pastoral Company The sale: On-site at Yarrawonga, Wallumbilla Q, on September 21 Charolais The bull: Palgrove Ringo The price: $115,000, up by $32,000 The seller: Palgrove stud at Dalveen, Q The buyer: Percol Plains, McKinlay, Q The sale: On-site at Palgrove stud, Dalveen, Q, on September 9 Ultrablack The bull: Palgrove Revolution The price: $70,000, up by $35,000 The seller: Palgrove stud at Dalveen, Q The buyer: Eric Slack-Smith, Richmond, Q The sale: On-site at Palgrove stud, Dalveen, Q, on September 9 Droughtmaster The bull: Oasis A Long John The price: $220,000, up by $40,000 The seller: Adam and Shelley Geddes, Oasis Droughtmasters, Dingo The buyer: Rondel Stud, Winton The sale: National Droughtmaster sale at Gracemere on 13-14 September Wagyu The bull: Sahara Park Yasufuku R153 The price: $240,000 The seller: Dean and Sam Pollard, Sahara Park at Rockhampton, Q The buyer: Que Hornery from Bar H Grazing at Moranbah, Central Queensland The sale: AWA Elite Wagyu Sale, May 2022

· · · · ·

Sahara Park Yasufuku R153.

· · · · · · · · · ·

Palgrove Ringo.

Yarrawonga S316.

· · · · · · · · · ·

Oasis A Long John.

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12564865-SN39-22

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

NEWS

A record-breaking month By Fiona Gowers The Santa Gertrudis breed has celebrated record-breaking bulls four times in three weeks. Last week, Yarrawonga S316 (P) sold for $250,000 to NIOA Pastoral Company, in conjunction with RL Pastoral Company, at the Yarrawonga Cattle Company sale to reset the breed’s benchmark. Soon after, Hardigreen Park stud bought Yarrawonga S156 (IVF) (P) for what would have been an Australian record price of $180,000. Previously, at the inaugural Nioa RL Pastoral Production sale at Allora on 1 September, Riverina Roland Sanchez R88 (ET) (PP), offered by Rob and Lorraine Sinnamon, Riverina stud, Kyogle, claimed the then record at $160,000, selling to the Wheatley and Nioa families. Then, at the Santa Central sale near Clifton on 13 September, 21-month-old Glenn Oaks Sterling S314 (PP) again raised the benchmark to $175,000. Bred and offered by Scott and Wendy Ferguson and family, Glenn Oaks stud, Nobby, the 856-kilogram son of Yarrawonga N138 (P) boasts an EMA of 146 square centimetres and rib and rump fat measurements of 12 millimetres and 8mm respectively. After spirited bidding, a partnership between Neil and Rosalie Watson, Watasanta stud, Tamworth and Luke and Carly Baker, Annabranch stud, Taroom was successful. The Bakers also secured the second toppriced bull Glenn Oaks Somesby S64 (P) for $90,000. The 21-month-old, 856kg son of Goolagong Leopard L26 (AI) (P) sold in a three quarter share, full possession arrangement to Annabranch stud. Mr Baker said both bulls caught his eye onfarm in April. “I just thought, ‘they are going to be gamechangers for the breed’,” he said.

The 21-month-old Santa Gertrudis bull Glenn Oaks Sterling S314 (pictured) sold for $175,000. Back row from left: Neil Watson, Watasanta stud Tamworth, Nutrien auctioneer Trent McKinlay, Wendy Ferguson, Glenn Oaks stud, Nobby. Front row from left: Luke and Carly Baker, Annabranch stud Taroom, Lilly, Sophie, Phoebe and Scott Ferguson, Glenn Oaks stud, Nobby.

Glenn Oaks Sterling S314 is sold at the Santa Central sale on September 13. Why? “Where do I start? Both sires were standouts in the line of bulls presented on sale day and attracted a lot of attention from buyers. “They fulfill the goals we’re trying to

achieve in our breeding program as we are anticipating they will give their progeny plenty of bone, muscling and increase overall weight-for-age. “We have been chasing sires with more

grunt and power and we think these two bulls meet the criteria perfectly. “Basically, they are the complete package backed up with raw breedplan figures.” Mr Baker said he was grateful his partnership with the Watsons had allowed access to top Santa Gertrudis genetics, which would be financially challenging without their support. “We have similar tastes in bulls to Neil and Rosalie,” Mr Baker said. “We are just a small stud and they have been very, very good to us.” At Santa Central, all 89 classified bulls sold to average $15,488 to record a 93 per cent clearance of the catalogue for the 12 vendors resulting in a $1.378 million gross. A crowd of more than 120 attended the onproperty sale. Jason and Kylie Bruggemann and family, Triple S stud, Wandoan paid $65,000 to buy the 22-month-old Bullamakinka Sonic S44 (P) offered and sold by Craig Hindle, Bullamakinka stud, Toobeah. Weighing 892kg with an EMA of 145sq cm, and rib and rump fat measurements of 12mm and 9mm respectively, Sonic was from a granddaughter of the ever-consistent, Canowindra Gold Edition. Asked why the demand for Santa Gertrudis genetics continued to grow, breeders association general manager Chris Todd said: “Under our grid system, processors pay mainly on weight-for-age and Santas are one of the heaviest beef breeds in the world”. Mr Todd said while more than 25 new studs had been registered over the past 3.5 years, “the bulls realising more than $100,000 are being purchased by mature studs who are looking for new genetics for their studs”. Buyers came from Deniliquin in southern NSW to Greenvale in North Queensland to attend the Santa Central sale.

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October 2022 TODAY 9

12562912-AV34-22

THE NATIONAL VOICE FOR AUSTRALIAN GRAIN FARMERS

Free farm safety resources GrainGrowers has launched a new program that provides farm safety resources and learning opportunities for growers. With 68 per cent of industry fatalities occurring in three industries including agriculture, GrainGrowers is working to support growers in improving those statistics and to help ensure everyone goes home safely at the end of the day. Farms are unique workplaces and GrainGrowers saw the need for practical, farmready solutions to improve approaches to farm safety in Australia. Improving farm safety has positive flow-on impacts for productivity, farm families and our broader regional communities. For many growers, the farm is also home and keeping families and workers safe is important to our farmers. Farming environments can be unpredictable. Weather conditions deteriorating quickly is a good example of that. There are also more high-risk activities that happen on a farm than you would find in a corporate office desk job. In sobering statistics, over half the fatalities in agriculture involve a piece of machinery or equipment – namely quad bikes, tractors and side-by-side vehicles. GrainGrowers farm safety resources have a focus on machinery, recognising these risk factors. There’s easy to use information and tools such as checklists and demonstration videos that growers and farm workers can use to make sure they are on the right track and have appropriate risk management plans in place. GrainGrowers farm safety resources cover general farm machinery, vehicles, motorbikes and quad bikes, grain harvest and general farm safety. There is a comprehensive work-

book with interactive check lists and there is also a series of farm safety videos presented by respected industry specialists. These resources are all available free of charge on the GrainGrowers website and every grower is encouraged to use them. These will also be available in French, German and Italian to support the return of seasonal workforces for harvest this year. The resources have been developed in partnership with industry specialists House Paddock Training, Ben White and Josh Giumelli, and are part of the National Farm Safety Education Fund. GrainGrowers farm safety resources are intended to provide growers with practical, useful tools to support WH&S efforts on the farm. Visit graingrowers.com.au for more information.

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10 TODAY October 2022

Ed Ross, Dave McKeon, Nigel Corish and Dan Allen.

12562912-AV34-22

THE NATIONAL VOICE FOR AUSTRALIAN GRAIN FARMERS

Meg Kummerow, Robert Siviour, Frankie Taylor and Alan Meldrum.

Grower input is crucial Ensuring that grower voices and feedback are heard and are acknowledged is critical to the work that GrainGrowers undertakes. Grain farmers in Queensland are well represented on a national level by GrainGrowers Limited through grower participation on both the board and the National Policy Group (NPG). Nigel Corish from Condamine is one of the two Northern Region Directors and is the owner of Condamine based grain and cotton growing enterprise NewLeaf Ag. On the Northern NPG Panel are Luke Brad-

ley from Springsure/Boyne Valley, Ben Taylor from Condamine and Stuart McIntyre from West Prairie. All four were elected to their positions in 2021. They join Kate Taylor and Ian Carter from NSW to make up the Northern NPG Panel. In total there are 15 members on the National Policy Group from across Australia. The NPG meets three times per year as well as attend regular meetings for each region. Prior to every meeting, each NPG member talks to as many growers as they can to develop an informed view on the policy and advocacy

topics that will be discussed. To ensure policy and advocacy efforts are sound, each a year a policy survey is distributed to growers and members across Australia to sound out the key themes that are affecting on farm sustainability and profitability. The information that comes out of this survey ensure that our work is focused on what really matters to growers across Australia. This year the key priority themes are: Trade & market access Grain freight & supply chain Workforce

· · ·

FARM SAFETY RESOURCES FOR GROWERS

· Carbon & Climate, & Farm Inputs. GrainGrowers National Policy Group consider a range of issues and opportunities and come from diverse backgrounds/areas. This is also reinforced by GrainGrowers team who canvas a wide range of grower views through a broad spectrum of other engagement activities. GrainGrowers policy development framework is grower focused and we get interactions and feedback from growers across the state. We also work with SFOs, grower groups, government, and the value chain.

DOWNLOAD THE WORKBOOK OR VIEW GRAINGROWERS SAFETY PROGRAM RESOURCES ONLINE.

Practical tools to support safe farm workplaces. GrainGrowers free farm safety resources include training videos and checklists covering:

VEHICLES, MOTORBIKES AND QUAD BIKES

GRAIN HARVEST

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October 2022 TODAY 11

NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Next gen cheese-makers By Fiona Gowers Bowenville State School was last month crowned cheese-making champions at the Brisbane Showgrounds in the Ekka’s StudentMade Cheese competition. The grade one to six students topped the mold-ripened cheese - blue class for their ‘Bowenville Billycan Blue’ entry. And, they placed third for their white moldripened cheese called ‘Creamy Creekside Camembert’. Renowned dairy expert and chief judge Russell Smith said the winning entry was unusual because it was a surface-ripened blue cheese. “There’s no blue in the middle but the blue mold on the outside has penetrated the cheese enough to give it a gorgeous flavour - not very strong, very mild, but a beautiful balance of blue flavour,’’ he said. Bowenville acting principal Emily Potts said the school’s 15 students all participated in cheese-making, which was offered as part of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program. “It integrates well with our science program and we wanted to expand on our learnings from that by looking at the process behind the formation of mold,” she said. “We live in a farming area and I think it’s really special for the children to be able to see the whole cheese-making process, starting with milk. They can connect it back to the raw product. “Cheese-making isn’t an easy process. It takes a lot of time and effort from our dedicated students. “But, I think they get a lot out of it and when they see the final result, which they present to their families and community members, it’s a proud moment for them.” Pimpama State Secondary College also starred at the Ekka, winning gold for its mold-ripened cheese - white entry titled ‘Say Cheese.’ In all, the competition attracted 124 white

Dakota Latham and Maddison Rowlands, Pimpama State Secondary College, Zia Haylock and Jasmine Bowman, Bowenville State School and Llawella Bidmead, Tullawong State High School. cheeses and 23 blue cheeses for judging from 24 schools, with Pimpama’s camembert entry rated a class above. Mr Smith said the quality of the winning camembert was as good - or better - than anything available commercially. “It’s superb, a really good camembert cheese,’’ he said. “The teachers and students that produced it should be really proud because it’s as good as it gets.’’ Meanwhile, Tullawong State High School was crowned champion for its cabernet in the Agricultural Sciences and Student Fermented Beverages competition. Mr Smith described the entry as an “excellent wine” and probably the best he had judged

in the decade-long student competition. ‘It’s a very good cabernet, both the chief judge, Heather Smyth and I said we’d be quite happy to take that home,’’ he said. Over three days, the judges tasted their way through 147 cheeses and 26 beverages that 25 Queensland schools had entered. 2022 WINNERS STUDENT-MADE CHEESE Class 1 - Mold-Ripened Cheese – White 1st Place: Pimpama State Secondary College for ‘Say cheese’ by Lily Crabb & Alysia McMahon. 2nd Place: Beenleigh State High School for ‘Cheese the day’ by Group L # 3. 3rd Place: Bowenville State School for its ‘Creamy Creekside Camembert’.

· · ·

Zia Haylock and Jasmine Bowman, Bowenville State School, which topped the mold-ripened cheese - blue class for its ‘Bowenville Billycan Blue’ entry. Class 2 - Mold-Ripened Cheese – Blue 1st Place: Bowenville State School for its ‘Bowenville Billycan Blue’. 2nd Place: Caboolture State High School for ‘Cheese’ by Jackson. 3rd Place: Caboolture State High School for ‘Veina Cava’. AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES & STUDENT FERMENTED BEVERAGES CHAMPION SCHOOL: Tullawong State High School for its Team #5 - Cabernet. RESERVE CHAMPION SCHOOL: Tullawong State High School for its Team #1 – Shiraz. HONOURABLE MENTION: Flagstone State Community College for its Stone Fruit Wine by Lauren and Cameron.

· · ·

Talbalba’s 2022 bull sale reaches $91,000 high By Fiona Gowers Talbalba Herefords on the Darling Downs kicked sale-ring goals in the spring sale season, achieving a top of $91,000 at its sixth annual on-property sale. In total, stud principals Steve and Debbie Reid, Millmerran, sold 63 of 67 bulls under the hammer for a stellar $19,119 average and 94 per cent clearance. Twenty-five bulls made $20,000, or more, which lifted the sale’s average from $15,797 last year. Sale topper Talbalba Hoffman R131 was knocked down via AuctionsPlus to Barry and Topsy Newcomen, Newcomen Herefords, Ensay, Victoria.

The 22-month-old homozygous polled son of Talbalba The Hoff M035 and out of Talbalba Almond N018, weighed 912 kilograms, had a scrotal measurement of 48 centimetres and was rated in the top 10pc of the breed for eye muscle area, gestation length and scrotal size. He also boasted strong calving ease, low birth weight with above average growth, positive fats and intramuscular fat. “He is a unique individual with outstanding data,“ said Talbalba stud principal Steve Reid, who retained semen rights and part ownership of the bull. “Phenotypically he has a lot of carcase shape, moderate bone, is structurally correct and mobile.“

Second top price was $34,000 for Talbalba Genesis R027 sold to the Anderson family, Narrien Station, Clermont. The 24-month-old son of Days Genesis N102 and out of Talbalba Choice P049 weighed 880kg, had a scrotal measurement of 36.5cm and was rated in the top 10pc of the breed for EMA and retail yield. Mr Reid said there was strong demand for bulls from central Queensland buyers, with the stud aiming to breed cattle with muscle and adequate fat for either straightbred or crossbred herds. “This allows them to increase carcase quality over Bos indicus cattle and yield over Hereford cattle,” he said.

Sale topper Talbalba Hoffman R131 was sold for $91,000 at Talbalba Herefords sixth annual on-property sale.

12569525-SN39-22

12 TODAY October 2022

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

OPINION

Little respect for history FOOD FOR THOUGHT TOM MARLAND It has been a sad and strange few weeks, as we mourn the passing of our Sovereign – Queen Elizabeth II. There has been an enormous outpouring of respect and admiration for our Queen from people of all walks of life and it has reinvigorated an interest in our Monarchy, its institutions and the role that it plays in the world we live in today. Inevitably, there has been talk about the relevance of the Monarchy to our modern-day society and whether Australia should become a Republic. Some are calling for Australia to sever ties with the monarchy and demand a reckoning over historical colonial wrongs. Most of the people who are making these demands either don’t know our history or have little respect for it. As much as some might wish that Australia existed in a bubble – the practical reality is that if Australia wasn’t settled by the British – it would have been by someone else at some point in time. In fact, the term “Australia” was not formally used until 1817. The country we now all call home was previously known as “New Holland” as named by Dutch explorers who landed on the Western Coast of Australia in the 1600’s. At the time that Captain Phillip sailed into Botany Bay in January 1788, the French explorer La Perouse was sailing out after refilling with clean water and supplies. The French were one of many European maritime powers active in the region including the Portuguese, the Spanish and the Dutch. The Spanish and the Portuguese have brutal records of being despotic colonisers and their legacy in the lands they colonised have not been anywhere near as stable, democratic or economically successful as Australia. If people were wondering what Australia would look like if the Dutch settled Australia – you don’t have to look further than South Africa and their treatment of the Afrikaaners to find an answer. In 1788, the French were going through their own period of violent upheaval with the beginning of the French Revolution. The French have also demonstrated their reluctance, unlike the British, to give up their colonies such as New Caledonia and French Polynesia. They also don’t mind the political or radioactive fallout for using them as nuclear testing sites and exposing 100,000 of their own subjects. The most likely possibility is that Australia, due to its size, would have been settled more like Africa by a number of competing Europe-

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Queen Elizabeth II. an and even Asian interests such as Indonesia, China and Japan which would have resulted in disputed boundaries and inter-colonial wars. One of the main reasons Australia is such a stable place to live is because we don’t have any internal borders. Australia has a natural advantage in areas such as defence, quarantine, customs, trade and immigration. We also share one language and a unified legal and political system. We also had the significant benefit of inheriting a political, legal and economic system which had worked for centuries. We also inherited the system and institutions of a Monarchy which had provided stability to its people for over 800 years. For all the flaws and mistakes that have been made since 1788 – Britain had far more enlightened ideals than their European cousins in areas like science, justice, reason, universal education and the abolition of slavery.

King George III himself actively advocated against slavery and ended the transatlantic slave trade to Britain in 1807. No one disputes that the arrival of the British in 1788 didn’t have an enormous impact on the traditional owners of this land and it has changed Australia forever. However, “Australia” is a much more caring, compassionate, stable, and successful country today thanks to our British heritage and the Monarchy. This is demonstrated by the fact that we can recognize native title in our legal system and today we embrace our indigenous heritage and history. While we still have more work to do, we must be thankful for being able to live in a great country like Australia and that it didn’t just happen by chance. Australians has also benefitted greatly by being part of the Monarchy and its proud history.

The Queen is laid to rest.

Picture: AP

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October 2022 TODAY 15

OPINION QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Hindsight a wonderful thing MOVING FORWARD WITH LYNNE WILBRAHAM

Keep our farms safe In August, a group of us from Australia’s livestock industries saw and inspected the rigid biosecurity checks and precautions being taken at our nation’s international airports. Through a tour of Sydney’s International Airport, I we saw how travellers to and from countries such as Indonesia are exposed to more than 20 biosecurity touch points enhancing the biosecurity wall protecting Australia from exotic animal diseases, like foot and mouth disease (FMD). The behind-the-scenes inspection hosted by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s (DAFF) Biosecurity and Compliance Group, featured a step-by-step review of the increased biosecurity measures in place from plane arrival through to baggage collection and exit. The inspection was a collaboration between Government and representatives from Meat and Livestock Australia, Australian Meat Industry Council, Wilmot Cattle Co, Australian Pork Limited and Australian Wool Innovation. The Australian Government has implemented a range of further urgent measures to reduce the risk of exotic diseases like FMD, but also other serious animal diseases like lumpy skin disease (LSD) and African swine fever (ASF) from entering Australia. We have been working hand in hand with

FROM THE MLA JASON STRONG other industry bodies and Federal and State governments to make sure our response to the threat of FMD is measured and targeted. As always it is important to note that Australia remains FMD-free and we will do everything we can to keep it that way. The group was provided an overview of the large number of the biosecurity touch points including announcements and handouts to passengers before disembarking, sanitation foot mats, passport and Inbound Passenger Card checking, passenger profiling, roaming biosecurity officers, x-ray inspections, detector dogs, manual inspections and the unprecedented level of screening of incoming cargo and mail now in place. While the Australian Government carries the responsibility for protecting Australia from biosecurity risks at places like airports and ports, the industry is doing everything it

can to support their work. For MLA, we have recently funded five sets of portable yards to aid local Indonesian government authorities to vaccinate cattle for foot FMD across the Indonesian Archipelago. This is part of our ongoing effort to support the Indonesian government and Australian exporters to keep cattle safe from FMD in Indonesia. By stemming the flow there, we can look to prevent its spread here. Australia has some of the strictest biosecurity protocols in the world and industry has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to develop lifetime traceability systems, partly in response to the risk of an exotic disease incursion. Producers are urged to exercise vigilance on-farm by: being aware of the symptoms of FMD and LSD calling the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 if you suspect LSD or FMD in your livestock adhering to all traceability obligations, including meeting your requirements under the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) and completing National Vendor Declarations so they are clear, complete and correct reviewing your on-farm biosecurity plan.

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Farming towards an automated future Electric driverless tractors controlled by smartphones, vegetable-planting robots and soil sensors capable of monitoring temperature, moisture and pests in real-time. It may sound like a scene out of a sci-fi movie, but it will be the reality for our farmers in the not-too-distant future. A digital revolution in agriculture is well underway, with the sector transitioning to automated and data-driven environments from paddock to plate. In food manufacturing we are seeing a rapid uptake in automation to tackle mundane tasks like labelling, stacking and palletwrapping. On the farm, the transition to automation has well and truly begun with farmers employing technology like drones and sensors to collate information about their crops to guide their decisions. But there’s a new emerging trend with the potential to change farming in ways many would have never thought possible – artificial intelligence (AI) driven automation. We’re talking about technology like robots that can plant fruit and vegetables, sensors equipped to monitor plant and soil health and driverless farm machinery. 16 TODAY October 2022

BREAKING GROUND WITH THOMAS HALL Right now, there are several companies developing fully autonomous tractors. John Deere, for instance, has been working on a tractor that can steer itself and is linked to an app letting farmers start and stop the vehicle and see how much fuel is left in the tank. Incredible AI technology is also undergoing tests, which is great news for the increasing number of farmers who are turning towards automation to increase production, efficiency, profitability and sustainability. But adopting autonomous farming practices can be challenging. High costs associated with autonomous technology present a huge barrier for many farmers. For example, robotic planters must carry water or pesticides with significant weight so the hardware must be built differently and that results in higher production costs. Specialised autono-

mous equipment can also be expensive to fix. Then there’s the issue of connectivity. In the past year alone, the Agtech and Logistics Hub has helped more than 1300 farms connect to a network. There are many farmers who simply don’t have the internet connection required to operate robots or data-driven equipment. On top of these challenges, automation carries risks such as over-fertilisation and cyber attacks. But the opportunity is huge. With increased automation, farmers can grow more food on less land with fewer inputs and less manpower. This is critical given farmers are finding it difficult to source workers at a time when the world’s population is rapidly growing. The world’s population is projected to reach 10 billion by 2050 – that’s an extra two billion mouths to feed! Farm automation or ‘smart farming’ is the future. Not only will it improve farm productivity and profitability but will also benefit the environment and ensure we have enough food to feed the planet. Thomas Hall is the Director of the Agtech and Logistics Hub, Australia’s home of digital agriculture.

Have you noticed that it’s interesting how people react to different impacts and opportunities? Case in point, when managing director Daniel Pelcl mentioned the opportunity for me to write this column for the Farmer Today, my initial thoughts were “Sure! How hard can it be to put together 350 words – interesting, informative, entertaining words – about aspects of running a business.” Then you start to think about things, self-doubt creeps in. “There are some amazing people out there running very successful and renowned farming, cropping, tourism, value-adding businesses – what can I share that will be of interest?” However, sometimes, as my friend Kristy said, “You just have to give it a go!” And that attitude and drive is what so many businesses are built on today. Who would have known about the disruptions coming our way with Covid, drought, floods, international impacts and more. I’m not telling you anything you don’t know as some of the impacts have been devastating and have completely thrown well thought-out plans and years of work into disarray. However, this is the time when opportunities can come along from often unexpected quarters. This has been a time for reflection and reassessment for many businesses. Looking at the way things have always been done and realizing that it may be time to rethink and change direction to a more profitable or productive way of doing business. Growing up and working on our family farm when I was a kid was such an education and a huge privilege. We had droughts, floods, cattle prices crashing, dairy deregulation and family dramas. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and looking back now, I have a great appreciation for the way that my father ran the farm and was able to always come through. However, every farm and every family is different. Things aren’t perfect, but the times we live in now are so rich with opportunities for assistance. If you need to talk to someone who understands what you are going through and who can support you through the tough times, if you are seeking financial support, want to explore different ways of working or opportunities for change, there are people who can help. My role as a Strengthening Business Facilitator with Deloitte takes me to all areas of the North and South Burnett and Cherbourg and I have the privilege of working with and meeting people from all different industries, walks of life and backgrounds. I look forward to sharing information with you which will help you strengthen your business, be more resilient and better prepared for whatever the future brings.

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Delivering on a dream By Fiona Gowers

Kerry and Dave Crowe are the Norco distributor for the Southern Downs area. The Crowes now supply the hospitality and retail industries including IGA, FoodWorks, butchers, delicatessens, cafes, restaurants, service stations, McDonald’s and Zarraffas. “If you bought a cafe or fast food outlet tomorrow we could deliver everything . . . all dairy, smallgoods, frozen goods and packaging, as well as cakes, savories and anything else you may need.“ Kerry and Dave are also distributors of BioPak and Castaway packaging. “Our business has grown so much over the past nearly four years,” Kerry said. “We are now a one stop shop.” Five days a week, Norco delivers bottled milk to its depot in Warwick from where the Crowes start delivering at 4.30am. “A lot of people lack comprehension about what happens after the cow is milked to when the bottle appears in the shop,” Kerry said. “It starts with the farmer who transports his milk to the factory. The manufacturer then does his work before it’s transported to the Norco depot where we pick and pack orders ready to dispatch the next day. “We then deliver to shops nice and early so people can stack the shelves ready for the customer to walk in. “When there is a shortage, we regularly joke and say, ‘Oh, we should just take the bottles out to the farm and start milking’!” While the Crowe’s “ultimate” goal is to carry a few beef breeders and horses on 245 hectares, Kerry still reminisces about milking cows. “I miss milking cows,“ she said. “Yeah, I do miss it. I miss the calming noise of the dairy and telling the cows all my problems . . . They always listened and never answered back!”

Dave and Kerry Crowe went from milking the cows to delivering the milk, giving them a unique appreciation for both ends of the supply chain.

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Kerry Crowe’s position as the Norco distributor for the Southern Downs area complements her personal passion for the dairy industry and its producers. You see, prior to delivering the milk, Kerry worked as a dairy hand, giving her a unique appreciation for both ends of the supply chain. And, the farmer will always, always have her support. “Our heart and soul is in backing those Australian farmers,” Kerry said. “We don’t just own the business and go, ‘oh well, it’s just a job delivering milk’. “We understand it from every aspect and are passionate about supporting our local producers. “With Norco, 100 per cent of the profits stay in Australia to support farmers and their communities.” Kerry said three milk price rises this year had been necessary to ensure the dairy industry’s survival. “If we can’t keep the farm gate price up, we can’t support those farmers and they have no option but to sell their cattle, you know. It’s not just a job for everyone, it’s a livelihood. “The dairy farmers I know would feed their cattle before they feed themselves if push came to shove and that’s pretty massive.” Kerry said the Lismore floods in February 2022 had been particularly devastating for dairy farmers, with years of breeding genetics lost. “They just don’t replace themselves overnight. Every cent counts for those farmers and those communities to rebuild after the floods. “And, you know, we all go outside with the sun shining, but there’s still an awful lot of damage and consequences from those floods and some people will never be the same again.” Kerry Crowe grew up on a vegetable farm at Amiens, 17 kilometres north west of Stanthorpe. After finishing school, she worked in the transport industry but transitioned into dairy about eight years ago due to the flexibility it offered around her four children and “loved everything about it”. Starting at the ground level with Phillip and Karen Christensen in Freestone Valley near Warwick, she also milked for Graham and Theresa Bourke at Gladfield. “I still love milking to this day,” Kerry said. “It’s a dirty job, but the money is clean. And, the early hours back then allowed me to hold other jobs in the middle of the day. It worked well.” Seeking to buy a business, Kerry and her husband Dave became the distributors for Norco - Australia’s oldest dairy cooperative - in Warwick in February 2019. Initially, they continued to milk cows every second weekend but, when COVID-19 struck in March 2020, they focused on expanding their range beyond dairy products.

October 2022 TODAY 17

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Agronomist By Fiona Gowers Queensland agronomist Tessa Dimond will gain a global perspective on how Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) affect Australian grain prices and access to international markets. Through a Nuffield scholarship, Tessa will travel from St George to the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, China, Indonesia and countries in Europe during the 12-month program. She hopes to share best-management practices, global trends and leading-edge technology with Australian growers. A broadacre and irrigation agronomist at AGn Vet Rural in St George, Ms Dimond has worked in the agriculture industry for 12 years. She says following label directions, spray quality and drift are cornerstones of protecting access to chemicals however the same atten-

tion is not paid to chemical residues, including MRLs. “There is an opportunity to better understand international MRL requirements, which are part of the final commodity and market requirements and how these have reformed chemical application and stewardship globally.” Ms Dimond said the $30,000 Nuffield Scholarship - the first supported by GrainCorp - will assist her professional goal of helping the agriculture industry strive for greater sustainability. “I believe opportunity lies in building awareness of how grower application of chemicals not only impacts commodity pricing and access to international markets, but also the international reputation of Australian grain and the future sustainability of our grains industry.

Dr Zahra Faraji Rad will lead a team from the University of Southern Queensland to develop microneedles that detect high-risk plant pests and pathogens at Australian borders.

Micro(needle) solution for major biosecurity issue By Fiona Gowers

Miriam Villen King from Bargara.

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An innovative project exploring a quick and cost-effective way to combat plant disease has received funding from the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). Dr Zahra Faraji Rad will lead a team from the University of Southern Queensland to develop microneedles that detect high-risk plant pests and pathogens at Australian borders. The proposed device will act as a fieldportable “sample-in-result-out” tool, fast tracking biosecurity detection times. The project is one of 24 innovation program pilots funded this year through the DAFF’s Biosecurity Innovation program. Dr Faraji Rad said she would develop a customised, nano-fabricated microneedle to extract plant tissue samples. “The biosecurity innovation program joins my research in microneedles technology with a separate project looking into nano-biosensors at RMIT University to develop a diagnostic tool for plant disease detection,” she said.

“The end-product diagnostic device itself will use microneedles to extract cell contents from a suspect plant and then immediately scan the samples with biosensors. “It would allow multiple plant pathogens to be detected instantaneously in the field by generalist biosecurity officers, minimising the need for laboratory-based diagnostic process.” DAFF deputy secretary of biosecurity and compliance Dr Chris Locke said once the technology was proven, a handheld prototype would be developed for frontline biosecurity officers to use. “At the moment our biosecurity officers in the field have to send samples off-site for laboratory testing for high-risk plant pests,“ Dr Locke said. “This diagnostic tool could allow fast and accurate testing in the field, which will speed up biosecurity screening processes and contribute to a sustainable and effective national biosecurity system.“ Microneedles are currently used in the medical field for sample extraction and diagnostics.

18 TODAY October 2022

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helping bridge the gap “I’m also passionate about continuing to bridge the gap between the agricultural industry and our metro consumers, or risk losing our social licence to operate.” The Leader of The Nationals and Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has congratulated Ms Dimond on being awarded the prestigious 2023 Nuffield Scholarship. Mr Littleproud said funding research by knowledgeable outback Queenslanders would significantly help aid industry in rural Australia. “Funding research for outback Queensland is essential for helping us gain a better understanding on how to shape the future of agriculture,” Mr Littleproud said. “I would like to sincerely congratulate Ms Dimond for her achievement and I look forward to hearing about the results of her research.”

Ms Dimond was one of 19 recipients named as 2023 Nuffield Scholars. The scholarships are awarded annually to allow the study of agricultural-related topics. Queensland’s 2023 Nuffield Scholars: Regan Lynch from Hughenden. Regan will explore ways to improve farm biosecurity attitudes and practices in the Northern Australian beef industry. Aimee Snowden currently works in Rockhampton and will study agriculture education models that drive immersive experiences and engage curious minds. Miriam Villen King from Bargara will study sustainable approaches to growing walnuts in Australia. Jarrod Cook of Stamford has been awarded the Northern Pastoral Scholarship and will study the best methods to prepare cattle for feedlot entry to optimise performance.

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Regan Lynch from Hughenden.

Aimee Snowden who currently works in Rockhampton.

Queensland agronomist Tessa Dimond has been awarded a Nuffield Australia Scholarship to further her studies on how agricultural chemicals can affect Australian grain prices and access to international markets.

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October 2022 TODAY 19

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Lack of knowledge in ag By Fiona Gowers

CQUniversity’s Agri-tech Education and Extension research team, led by Dr Amy Cosby (pictured) surveyed more than 5000 primary and secondary students across Australia about their knowledge of agriculture. to make them grow (a practice that has been banned in Australia for some 60 years). “Today’s students are tomorrow’s consumers and their future purchasing decisions will be shaped by their understanding of things like animal welfare, environmental sustainability and healthy eating practices,” Dr Cosby said.

Dr Cosby said the study also highighted the need for a formal framework to assess students’ agricultural literacy, similar to what is in place in the United States under the National Agricultural Literacy Outcomes (NALOs). “The absence of an agricultural literacy framework in Australian schools is a significant deficit and limits the capacity for com-

prehensive assessment of the agricultural education that is taking place,” Dr Cosby said. The report findings will inform the Agritech Education and Extension team’s evidence-based programs such as EXCITED 4 Careers in Agriculture, GPS Cows and RACE Gippsland delivered in partnership with an extensive array of industry and education organisations.

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A new study by CQUniversity has identified a lack of agricultural knowledge among Australian school students, highlighting a need for more adequate agricultural education programs. In the largest ever survey of its kind, CQU’s Agri-tech Education and Extension research team, led by Dr Amy Cosby, surveyed more than 5000 primary and secondary students across Australia about their knowledge of agriculture. The study found many students regarded agriculture to be a low-tech industry, with four in five primary students and three in five secondary students believing commercial milking of dairy cows occurs by hand, rather than machine. “Agriculture is in a period of rapid technological advancement but modern farming practices are not being adequately portrayed to Australian students,” Dr Cosby said. The study showed student awareness of agricultural careers was also limited, with many only able to recognise traditional roles such as a ‘farmer’ and ‘beekeeper’ as jobs in agriculture. Dr Cosby said this was likely a contributing factor to the industry’s current skilled workforce shortage. “If students are not being shown an accurate vision of modern agriculture, they are unlikely to recognise that agricultural jobs can be highly skilled, well paid and possibly located outside rural areas,” Dr Cosby said. Importantly, the study showed one of the biggest factors impacting students’ agricultural knowledge was their level of exposure to farms. Students who lived on a farm - or who visited an agricultural property at least four times a year - scored significantly higher (as a group by median score) than those who had never been on-farm. Dr Cosby said it highlighted the importance of including regular exposure to farming activities in agricultural programs for Australian schools. “Virtual experiences and online resources are important, but nothing beats exposing students to agricultural workplaces in real life and to people who work in these careers,” she said. While agricultural knowledge is developed through both formal schooling and informal experiences, agriculture as a subject is not a mandatory inclusion in most Australian schools. The exception to this is in New South Wales, where agriculture is part of the compulsory curriculum in Years 7 and 8. Most students surveyed were able to recognise that some fruits and vegetables grow better in certain parts of the world, while more than half of the secondary students understood that hormones are not given to chickens

20 TODAY October 2022

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

NEWS

Financial skills workshop Central Queensland producers can expand their knowledge - for free - at three Rabobank workshops designed to help provide the financial skills essential to managing agricultural enterprises. The practical Financial Skills workshops – providing producers with an opportunity to both upskill and network – will be held in Emerald, Rolleston and Clermont in late October. The initiative has been spearheaded and funded by Rabobank’s Rabo Client Council – a group of the bank’s farming clients who volunteer their time implementing programs that contribute to the sustainability of rural communities. Offered at no cost to participants, the introductory, interactive workshops provide practical, hands-on advice for understanding financial statements and banking requirements. Topics will include taxation versus management accounting, essential business management ratios and understanding key components of a business’s financial profile. Rabobank Northern Queensland/Northern Territory Rabo client council member Ardie Lord said financial skills “are vital for our producers and future producers”. “These workshops provide knowledge and insight in running and managing the day-to day aspects of agricultural businesses from a financial perspective,“ he said. “They also seek to attract and retain the next generation of individuals in the industry while supporting the knowledge of current producers. “The information provided through this workshop is real and valuable – meaningful knowledge you can walk away with and use in the business.” Mr Lord said if agricultural producers had a greater understanding of their business it may help when applying for additional finance requirements or to fund a new venture. Rabobank regional manager Trent McIndoe

said the workshop content had been tailored to farming businesses in central Queensland through realistic case studies. “Through these case studies, the sessions will look at what makes up a balance sheet, profit and loss statement and cash flow,” he said, “Also, interpreting the financial ratios to make calculated business decisions. “This then feeds into sessions on how banks assess a loan application and the importance of developing a business plan, as well as managing the business through adversity and positioning the business when the season improves.“ The workshop in Clermont follows another held there in March 2022. “In this follow-up second module, we will be exploring gross margin analysis – a critical step in farm planning and decision making,“ Mr McIndoe said. “We will be taking an enterprise-focused approach, separately considering grains and livestock enterprises. “The module will also focus on preparing annual cash flow budgets. “If you’re interested in these workshops, keen to meet other leading producers in the agri-sector and increase your financial literacy and skills, confirm your place before the courses are fully allocated.” Hudson Facilitation director Tony Hudson will present the workshops, which are limited to 30 participants each and are not restricted to the bank’s clients. Workshop dates and locations are: Wednesday, 5 October 2022. Emerald: 10:30am to 5pm. Thursday, 6 October 2022. Rolleston: 10:30am to 5pm. Friday, 7 October 2022. Clermont: 9am to 3:30pm.

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Rabobank regional manager Trent McIndoe says the workshop content has been tailored to farming businesses in central Queensland through realistic case studies.

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WE SOLVE DIFFICULT WATER PROBLEMS

Smarter use of water

Hydrosmart. down that mortar and reduces the house to rubble.“ If you have iron and calcium and magnesium in your water, their ionic charges allow them to bind up and become molecular giants. It’s the size of these molecular giants that creates problems and causes hardness. “So once water has gone through this pro-

cess the elements are more singular, if you like, and so become scavengers to break down hardened layers via a positive feedback system,“ Mr Pearce said. “It’s like a healthy reset without taking anything out. “You’ve essentially got the same water and the same total dissolved salts as before - you still have the same ppm.

“But it behaves differently and you get better outcomes.“ The system uses an antenna and a number of external coils which are connected to a small microprocessor. Mr Pearce said it was cheap to operate and required just five watts of electricity to run, so can be solar powered. Moreover, he said it doesn’t require any chemicals, filters or maintenance.

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One of the biggest challenges most Australian farmers face is water. At times, there isn’t much of it around and you have to make the best use of what you’ve got. However, using hard water or bore water that is high in salinity creates challenges of its own. More to the point, it can impact your bottom line. That’s why South Australian company Hydrosmart has come up with a technological solution to help “turn bad water into good water and good water into better water“. That improves your bottom line, according to Hydrosmart managing director Paul Pearce. “Whether it’s: challenges to making crop and plants grow; animals with digestive problems caused by salinity; issues with your soils; or even scale and calcium build-up corroding or blocking up your pipes, the quality of your water is fundamental to the success of your operation,“ he said. Many problems with hard water are caused by bonding between dissolved minerals or elements. Hydrosmart’s physjcal water conditioning systems use a series of ULF and VLF radio frequencies to excite the water molecules and stop these mineral bonds forming. They are softening the water without changing it’s elemental composition. “They’re simply making it better to use,“ Mr Pearce said. “This is partly achieved by converting carbonate to bicarbonate in a gradual fashion. “If you think about your water as being like a house, the bonding between minerals is kind of like the mortar that keeps it all together. “So, what we’re doing is exciting the water molecules in the pipe, which essentially breaks

22 TODAY October 2022

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WE SOLVE DIFFICULT WATER PROBLEMS

Hydrosmart boosts yield DNA trials show Hydrosmart’s Australianmade water conditioning systems increases soil activity and growth outcomes in highly mineralised water. Water is a high-value asset to farmers – but its value depends on its quality. Substandard water can cause big problems for crops and stock, not to mention irrigation infrastructure. Anything that can improve the quality of the water we draw from bores, wells, dams, and rivers, then, is great news for Aussie agriculture. Enter the Adelaide-based water conditioning company Hydrosmart, which has been working at the forefront of the water treatment space for 25 years, with CEO Paul Pearce at the helm and his two sons in the growing businesses team of several employees. The company’s core technology is a computerised, chemical- and filter-free water conditioning system that softens hard water that’s high in salt, iron, calcium, and other minerals. A microprocessor unit is attached to the outside of a pipe and directs resonance frequencies onto the water inside, breaking down the bonds in its minerals and in any existing mineral deposits in the pipe. That sounds complex – but the devices are easy to install, don’t require maintenance, and only cost around $10 per year to run. The benefi ts they can bring include improved growth rates, reduced scale layers and corrosion in pipes and troughs, decreased water use, and stock that fatten more quickly. Hydrosmart, which found early success

working with South Australian winemakers, has helped everyone from strawberry, olive, and citrus growers to broadacre and livestock farmers. Other satisfied customers include largescale commercial miners and small-scale domestic gardeners. The results speak for themselves. In trials on young lemon trees in California, for example, Hydrosmart-treated water increased growth by 30 per cent over the first year. Recent soil experiments run at Victoria’s RMIT measured increased activity of beneficial fungus in the rootball of plants grown in treated water compared to those using untreated bore water 3,500 ppm TDS which was used to grow lettuce in a greenhouse when DNA samples were laboratory analysed. With water security being a key challenge of our time, we need to make the most of every drop of our water supply – and an investment in a Hydrosmart conditioning system is a step in the right direction.

Craig Osborne D25 EO user loves it on his farm for lawns garden horses and house use-cropped.

IMPROVE FERTILISER EFFICIENCY WITH AUSTRALIAN SOLUTIONS As fertiliser prices increase globally, it is imperative that we make the most of the limited resources we currently have. By eliminating pipe scaling issues, restoring nutrient balance and creating an environment where plants can take in the nutrients which are already available, Hydrosmart’s innovative water conditioning system can improve the efficiency of any patch of land. Learn how you can unlock the power of water with Hydrosmart, the innovative water softening equipment supplier.

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October 2022 TODAY 23

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Saving the family farm By Steve Dudgeon, Managing Director Recent ANZ (2019) analysis shows trends in Australian farming are towards consolidation amid a reallocation of resources across the country from smaller, less efficient farms to larger-scale operations. Over the past 20 years farm consolidation has occurred alongside a correlated increase in productivity. On current trend, the number of farms in Australia will shrink from today’s 123,000 to 110,000 in 2025 and just over 85,000 in 2050. While scale is often attributed as the key driver of increases in farm productivity, ANZ research shows since 1995–96, 62 per cent of the increase in agricultural output can be attributed to farm consolidation leading to greater access to technology - with tech arguably the key driver of the productivity gain as opposed to scale itself. That is over 30 per cent of family farms in Australia will not be around in 28 years or on average 1,357 disappearing every year. NAB (2020) stated that Incremental improvements can boost profits and highlighted a few simple changes that can bring the biggest gains. One of the key changes is to adopt technology for a competitive advantage. “The most successful farmers are usually smart, fast adopters and, because of that, they end up getting better results,” Keeping abreast of developments in your sector and embracing systems and solutions with a compelling value proposition can help you make ongoing, steady improvements to productivity that result in a healthier bottom line and a greater ability to compete,

domestically and abroad. Our technology will improve farm productivity and help protect and sustainably manage your most precious resource…water.

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Sorting wheat from chaff Yabby Sensors is one of the few AgTech companies that provide complete integrated IoT solutions, including a range of sensors, pump switches and controllers, trackers and camera. They provide holistic turnkey water management and technology solutions to the agricultural, resource and government sectors. We have developed five simple criteria to assist with selecting your AgTech provider to ensure you don’t end up with the wrong AgTech, poor support and limited options moving forward. Sadly there is only a few AgTech Sensor providers that would pass the test. Its fair to say that sensors and connectivity is technically complex and difficult to pick what you need and who to purchase it from. 1. Do they offer more than a few sensors? It is important to future proof your remote monitoring and control by ensuring you have options to expand, automate and integrate solutions moving forward. If all the provider offers is a tank level sensor, rain gauge and tough level sensor then your options are limited in the future. 2. Do they offer more than a couple of connectivity options? There is a lot of debate around which is the best connectivity, but in truth the best solution is often a hybrid of connectivity options. The provider should be able to offer a range of connectivity options depending on your scale, location, and future plans. 3. Do they know their arse from there elbow There is a lot of providers with limited knowledge of agriculture and water and soils science who are selling sensors. For ongoing support and assistance, you should

do your homework and see if they have any real background or training in Agricultural Science, which most don’t. Pick an AgTech provider who can offer expert ongoing support and understand your business. Look at it as a long-term relationship and they maybe as import as your agronomist or accountant.

4. Do they offer a mechanism (API, Webhook) to transfer your data to another provider if the relationships breaks down? Your provider should not hold you hostage should you wish to move your sensors to another provider or platform. Check to see if they offer an API or webhook to allow you to transfer your data. Be aware that even if

they can transfer the data there will be additional costs. 5. Do they appear to have an excessive advertising budget? Be careful that you are not conned by glossy sales brochures and a constant barrage on Twitter and Facebook. Do your homework and ask the right questions.

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NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

What are ‘forever chemicals’ WHAT ARE PFAS CHEMICALS? is the short-hand name for a family · PFAS of manufactured chemicals used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s There are thousands of types of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and they are valued for their heat, water and stain repelling properties They’re present in a vast range of industrial and consumer products including food packaging and non-stick cookware to make-up, shampoo, paints, sealers and stain-resistant carpets and fabrics WHY ARE REGULATORS CONCERNED? PFAS are sometimes referred to as forever chemicals because they are long-lived, and don’t easily break down in the environment They are often toxic and can accumulate in plants, including agricultural crops, and in the bodies of animals including humans Experts say they are now ubiquitous, meaning they are found everywhere on earth PFAS have been found in Antarctica and in Arctic Sea ice, where there is no obvious source of contamination HOW DOES IT AFFECT HUMANS? Scientists suspect PFAS may pose broad health risks including cancer but research is inconclusive so far The US Environmental Protection Agency cites peer-reviewed scientific studies that have shown exposure to certain levels of PFAS may lead to increased risk of some cancers, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers It points to other studies showing there may be increased risk of fertility issues, developmental effects in children, immune system impacts, hormonal inter-

· ·

· · · · · ·

ference and increased cholesterol levels and/or obesity risks The EU’s responsible agency says PFAS can lead to problems such as liver damage, thyroid disease, obesity, fertility issues and cancer It says of the relatively few well-studied PFAS most are considered moderately to highly toxic Australia’s health panel for PFAS says there are fairly consistent reports of an association with several health effects while noting they are generally within normal ranges for the whole population. It says there’s no existing evidence suggesting an increase in overall cancer risk Australians generally have at least three types of PFAS in their bodies PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS are readily absorbed through the gut, and once present in a person’s body it takes two to nine years, depending on the study, before levels go down by half, even if no more is taken in Australia decided about 14 years ago to phase out the most concerning PFAS and recommends ongoing exposure should be minimised WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS? PFAS have been shown to be toxic to some animals and can bioaccumulate and biomagnify in some wildlife, meaning animals higher up the food chain may accumulate high concentrations in their bodies The toxicity, mobility, persistence and bioaccumulation potential of PFAS means they have the potential to cause serious environmental and human harms depending on exposure levels PFOS and PFOA are highly persistent and can travel long distances in water and in the air

A group of commonly used materials known as PFAS chemicals could potentially pose long-term risks.

Bold plan on chemicals

· · ·

By Tracey Ferrier, AAP Brisbane

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Australians may not realise it but they are sharing their food, homes and even their bodies with potentially harmful substances dubbed forever chemicals. Technically they’re not forever but are longlived and don’t easy break down in the environment. The chemicals are contained in countless everyday products and known as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS for short. Experts say their use in everything from food packaging and non-stick cookware to cosmetics and carpet, mean they’re now part of us - literally. “We all have some PFAS in us,” Jen Martin, who’s involved in researching exposure in livestock, told a recent conference in Sydney. “They are ubiquitous in the environment, and in humans. Many of these can bioaccumulate (become concentrated inside the bodies of living things), are persistent and can have toxic properties.” Authorities can’t agree on how many PFAS there are with estimates ranging from 4000 to 8000. What’s certain is they are now present in rainwater and snow in even the world’s most remote locations, where there are no obvious sources of contamination, a Stockholm University study recently found. Worse, they’ve been found at levels that exceed US drinking water guidelines and scientists say there’s an urgent need to rapidly restrict their use. The jury is still out on human health effects but many nations now warn of increased cancer risks and advocate limiting exposure to chemicals in use since the 1940s. The EU’s environment agency says PFAS can lead to health problems such as liver damage, thyroid disease, obesity, fertility issues and cancer. Of the relatively few well-studied PFAS most are considered moderately to highly toxic. The US Environmental Protection Agency says certain PFAS are known to cause human health risks. The group points to studies showing certain exposure levels may heighten cancer dangers, hurt fertility and birth weights and accelerate puberty. Australia - which is about to get a new draft of its national management plan - appears to be more cautious. The federal government’s expert health panel points to “fairly consistent reports of an association with several health effects” while noting they are “generally small and within normal ranges for the whole population”. “There is also limited to no evidence of human disease or other clinically significant harm resulting from PFAS exposure at this time,” the panel found. It’s also concluded there’s no evidence suggesting an increase in “overall cancer risk”. Regardless, there’s a vast amount of work being done to assess Australia’s PFAS problem, what levels are already locked in, and what should happen to stop an “emerging” contaminant becoming more entrenched. One critical concern is how to limit further exposure given Australians already have at least three types of PFAS in their bodies. Experts hope the latest draft of the PFAS

plan, due for release this month, will contain improved risk management systems. One of the many things it’s expected to address in greater detail is the issue of PFAS in biosolids, a by-product of the wastewater treatment industry that’s routinely repurposed as fertiliser for Australian farms. Biosolids are essentially treated and dried sewage sludge - a mud-like residue the reflects everything Australian families put down the drain or sewer, including poo and dirty water used to wash dishes, clothes and bodies. It can also include the leftovers from waterborne trade waste. Once the sludge is treated and dried it’s spread over the nation’s farmlands to improve soil condition. Last year, more than 70 per cent of the 349,000 tonnes of dried solids was disposed of in this way. Water companies say reusing the waste has many benefits, including reducing reliance on man-made fertilisers, but they also know it’s distributing low levels of PFAS. They say the process is carefully managed to guard against risky levels of contamination. But experts say the existing system of statebased guidelines is not good enough and must be consistent nationally. “We don’t have consistent guidelines in Australia for biosolids quality and risk management. They are sort of all over the place,” University of NSW professor Stuart Khan says. “In NSW our guidelines date back to the 1990s and haven’t really been updated since. There are big gaps. “If we don’t sort out our risk management, and make sure we practise safe handling of biosolids particularly where it’s being reused to grow food crops, we might run into difficulties in the future.” If people want a sobering case study about what’s at risk from PFAS contamination, they need look no further than the Heart Morass Wetlands in Victoria. The area is connected to East Sale RAAF base, which historically used PFAS-loaded firefighting foams. Wildlife in the wetlands now have concerning levels of PFAS and for some years authorities have been telling duck hunters and fishers not to eat what they kill. At a biosolids symposium in Sydney last week, PFAS researcher and University of Newcastle Professor Ravi Naidu explained how typically low and safe levels of PFAS found in Australian bodies could rise over time. “The question is really the exposure pathways. The utensils, the food you eat, the water you drink. If all of these introduce PFAS into your system, you’d become an outlier,” he told delegates. “Exposure pathways, and duration of exposure, they all play a significant role in risk.” Prof Naidu is due to present a new study on PFAS levels in vegetables sold at Sydney markets at a conference in Adelaide this week. Last year’s Australian Total Diet Study, conducted by Food Standards Australia New Zealand, tested for 30 different types PFAS in 112 common foods sourced from all over Australia. It found consumers’ exposure to PFAS through food and beverages is very low and poses no food safety concerns.

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

OPINION

Travelling with a snorer Recently I told readers about a trip I had done out west to see some of our outback Queensland in the full recovery after years of drought. Either luckily or unluckily for me, I spent some of the trip sharing time with a good friend a bit overweight and a bit out of nick. The thing that struck me was how poor his sleep was. I’ve since looked at some of the data in our clinic database and I am surprised at how many people have poor quality sleep, either in duration, the quality or the degree of interrupted patterns. So here is a quick download of some sleep advice. Sleep the great energy source A good night’s sleep It’s not just your quality of life that is at risk if you don’t get enough sleep - it’s also your health. Poor sleep puts a strain on your body and can worsen serious health problems like heart disease and diabetes. Without proper sleep, you are like a zombie at work, making it near impossible to cope with the demands of any job but especially a highpowered and stressful one. It is also a problem when it comes to relationships and being reasonable to live with particularly its impact on mood and of course the bigger nuisance if snoring or apnoea are present. Why is lack of sleep a concern? Research has shown that people, who are not getting enough sleep work more slowly and less creatively, make more mistakes and have more accidents than their well-rested colleagues. They are also more likely to come to work grumpy and be less satisfied with their job. Most of us need around 7 to 8 hours of sleep. Some people feel they need less , however, there is a class of sleeper who is chronically tired because they don’t allocate enough time to actually sleep. Also, chronic lack of sleep is known to in-

FARMERS’ HEALTH WITH DR TOBY FORD crease hunger and appetite and stress hormones, alter hormonal levels and reduce your physical activity. It can in fact make your diabetes worse if you have this condition. What is the best way to get a good night’s sleep? Do whatever it takes to prepare your body for sleep - read a book, listen to relaxing music, have a warm shower, enjoy a warm milk drink or chamomile tea - you need to find a way of letting go of the day’s stresses! The best way to have good sleep is to keep regular sleep hours - get into a routine. Go to bed and wake up at the same time - a regular cycle will make your sleep patterns and rhythms stronger which will support your body, making it easier to fall asleep at night. Meditation and sleep apps are now available online. Try one of these. Keep looking until you find one to suit your needs. Helpful tips for a good night’s sleep Here are some quick wins if your sleep sucks and you are not getting enough of it each week. Use a sleep watch (Apple or Garmin types are good). Monitor for a month. See if the patterns fall into a recognised ebb and flow of your working week. Some of us sleep differently on work nights to weekends. Some FIFO, DIDO workers sleep poorly when at site and then better at home. What you are looking for is to see if you actually have a pattern even if it’s a broken pattern. You may need to sometimes decide if, in

fact, many nights are good and only some nights are bad. Remember, claiming what’s right in sleep patterns is harder to achieve than focusing on what is wrong. Try not to drink lots of fluids just before you go to bed to make up for shortages in the day’s consumption. It will go in and take about 3 - 6 hours to come out hence impacting the need to get up and go to the toilet. Avoid large, heavy evening meals that make you uncomfortable. Stay away from caffeine, nicotine and alcohol, particularly later in the day. Exercise regularly, but not too close to bedtime. Allow two to three hours to cool down and relax. Have a power nap (15-30 minutes) if you need it rather than a long afternoon snooze which affects your nighttime sleep pattern. Take the TV and other electronic devices (laptops, iPads, mobile phones) out of your bedroom. Avoid working immediately before bedtime. Make sure your bedroom, pillow and mattress are comfortable (a good mattress lasts about 10 years). Turn your clock away so that you’re not watching it all night if you have trouble sleeping. Sleep disorders A medical sleep disorder will affect your sleep. Sleep disorders are more common than you may think, affecting approximately 12 % of the population. There is a range of sleep disorders that can affect your ability to get a good night’s sleep. These include sleep apnoea, insomnia, narcolepsy, restless legs, jet lag, sleepwalking and snoring. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Obstructive sleep apnoea is one of the most

common sleep disorders. This is on a spectrum with snoring and occurs when there is a degree of obstruction to airflow whilst asleep which is also associated with pauses in breathing. This may occur dozens or even hundreds of times a night. If it isn’t treated, the risk of stroke doubles and many people struggle to function through the day. Sleep-disordered breathing increases the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease due to the strain of starving your heart of oxygen many times each hour throughout the night. If you routinely feel tired even though you’ve had a good night’s sleep, or you snore loudly, talk to your GP about having a Sleep Study. If you are diagnosed with sleep apnoea, there are several treatment options depending on the severity of the condition. Your doctor will provide guidance as to which is best for your circumstances. Why fix it? Attending to your sleep hygiene, habits and any medical conditions may help you to: be more alert, have better concentration and memory have better decision-making skills and judgement be in a better mood and have more motivation reduce your risks of certain medical conditions

· · · ·

For more information: See your GP Sleep Disorders Australia www.sleepoz.org. au Australasian Sleep Association www.sleep. org.au The content of this article was prepared by Dr Toby Ford. For more information visit www. fordhealth.com.au

· · ·

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The Queen mixes with the huge crowd at the opening of the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame in Longreach in 1988.

The Queen’s visit to Camden Park near Longreach in 1970.

A royal brush with fame By Michael R Williams and Karen Simmons Rosemary Champion from Longway Station shares her fond memories of meeting Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family in Longreach. Mrs Champion said she felt so blessed to have had Her Majesty and Prince Philip come to Longreach twice during her life. “I remember as a school girl back in 1954 where hundreds of thousands of us, it seemed had a first glimpse of her at the Sydney showgrounds when I was at boarding school,“ Mrs Champion recalled. “My father was Mayor of the shire and invited the royal family to Camden Park Station and they came, I believe to Longreach to in the 1970s celebrate the 50th anniversary of Qantas. “He invited them to come for lunch so 100 people assembled for lunch at Camden Park. I was living on a property near Bowen at the time with a new baby and came to help with the luncheon. During the time there was a huge drought on. “It was April and very, very hot. They flew in from Cunnamulla to Longreach and Her Majesty was so ill that all she could have was a cup of tea and a glass of orange juice and we had put don the most lavish lunch, so that was quite devastating.“ Mrs Champion remembered how she introduced her daughter to the Duke of Edinburgh. “All the children had been ferried away, but after a while, I bought my daughter back over as she was too upset and I took her in my arms and Prince Philip came up to her and said what a beautiful little girl she was and she reached out and touched his arm,“ Mrs Champion said. “That was a big occasion and nice memory for us. “My father was Chairman of the Stockman Hall of Fame during the bi-centenary celebrations in 1988 and he invited the Royal family over to celebrate. “To win the Stockman’s Hall of Fame was enormous for Longreach. It was sited as a bicentenary project and they built it in under three years. “It was such a busy and stressful day as all the eyes of the world were on us. 250 light aircraft were pulling into Longreach for an air race at the time she was here. It felt like the whole world was coming to Longreach. 28 TODAY October 2022

Rosemary Champion’s father, former Longreach Shire chairman Sir James Walker, with Queen Elizabeth at Camden Park. Picture: ROSEMARY CHAMPION “We had the world’s longest cattle drive of 12,000 head of cattle happening as well - it was incredibly dry.“ Another clear memory that stood out for Mrs Champion was of the royal balcony at the Stockmans Hall of Fame. “One of the stressful things was all the protocol for the Queen. The officials thought we couldn’t run a royal visit so they came a month earlier and they were so persistently annoying. “When the Queen declared the hall and outback heritage centre was now open, my father said “Three cheers for the Queen!“ much to the reprimand of the officials. “And he replied into the microphone “Well, this is my town and I’ll bloody well say what I like.“ This is how we do it in the bush.“ During the 1970s visit of the Royal Family Mrs Champion said she remembers how the Queen loved animals. “The Queen just loved livestock and came to Camden park to see our Santas Gertrudis

cattle and quarter horses,“ she said. “The beautiful little outfit she wore was above the knees. She dressed immaculately and was enamoured by our animals - it was an intimate visit. “A famous quote of hers said something like ’Where on the planet can you stand on open planes with 360 degrees views of the landscape and see nothing manmade?“ “After her visit, she went into town to plant the two famous trees that are now a symbol of longevity. Mrs Champion believes Charles is going to make a fantastic King. “What the Queen and her husband have endured living in the goldfish bowl of the paparazzi is just incredible - how you get up every day and face that,“ she said. “Two days before she died she invited the press in when she had failing health. She was there for the people to the end - that is her lasting memory.“

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Dan recalls royal visit By Michael R Williams As a six-year-old Camden Park Station owner Dan Walker remembers the first time he saw the Queen. “I was six years of age, I just remember the hype,“ he said. “Dad’s energy, mum getting us all into a line, me sitting on my sister’s shoulder just trying to get a glimpse. “The next minute the Queen and my Grandfather were walking straight past us—so we had a pretty great view.“ Mr Walker’s grandfather, former Longreach Mayor Sir James Walker, had been visited by the Queen in their homestead at Camden Park Station, and now he was hosting her at the official opening of the Stockman’s Hall of Fame. “I fondly remember a photo of my grandmother with Prince Phillip and then the Queen and my Grandfather walking up the steps,“ Dan said. “I saw the pride in the community. “The event was 20,000 strong—tent city. “Looking back on it now, it meant so much to our community. “It was huge.“ The town ballooned during that year, and the world’s eyes were on Longreach. “All those people visiting a 3000 population town, why? because of the Australian’ Stockman’s Hall of Fame and those pioneers and graziers behind the story,“ Dan said. “The community raised over $5 million.“ As a boy, Dan was made by his parents to be

Dan Walker by trees laid by the Queen during her 1970 visit. as presentable as possible. “I remember everything had to be spot on, mum and dad were dressed to the nines,“ he said. “I can remember a glimpse and knowing it was something big. “We had visitors of course because there was only one hotel in town at that stage.“? Dan Walker wished the incumbent King the best of luck. “He’s seen his mum do the job that she’s done as a 25-year-old,“ Dan said. “He has big shoes to fill, but I think he’ll do a pretty good job.“

The Queen plants a tree during a visit to Longreach in 1970.

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Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip in the processional car.

Queen Elizabeth II signing the city’s visitor’s book at the Rockhampton Town Hall. Pictures: CQ COLLECTION, ROCKHAMPTON REGIONAL LIBRARY

Queen’s visit to Rocky The Queen and Prince Philip visited Rockhampton for just under two hours on 15 March, 1954 following a major flood. The visit helped motivate the city to clean up after the Fitzroy River burst its banks and devastated the community, with flood waters reaching 9.4m on 19 February. The Queen offered her sympathy to those impacted by flooding, saying in a public address that she had read with concern the accounts of flooding which had recently struck the city and district. “I send my sympathy to all who have suffered and I hope you will quickly be able to repair the damage,“ she said. “May you continue to grow in wealth and stature in the years that lie ahead. God bless you all.“ The royal couple were met by Rockhampton Mayor Rex Pilbeam, his wife and Health Minister Bill Moore when they arrived at Rockhampton Airport. The royal party consisted of Minister in Charge of the Royal Tour Eric Harrison, Queensland Premier Vince Gair and his wife Ellen, Lady Alice Egerton, Michael Adeane, Baron Adeane, Lieutenant-Commander Michael Parker and Wing Commander Michael George Cowan.

Queen Elizabeth II arriving at the Rockhampton Town Hall with Prince Philip.

Rockhampton residents prepare for the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s royal visit in March 1954 by decorating the business district with Australian flags, Union Jacks, and bunting. Picture: OWNED BY QUEENSLAND NEWSPAPERS PTY LTD Source: STATE LIBRARY OF QUEENSLAND

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ARE YOU IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR? 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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Campdraft explained In a campdrafting competition, a rider on horseback must “cut out” one beast from the mob of cattle and block and turn it at least two times to prove to the judge they have the beast under control. They then take it out of the yard or camp and through a course around pegs involving right and left hand turns in a figure eight, before guiding it through two pegs known as “the gate”. The outside course must be completed in less than 40 seconds. Events for juniors between eight and 13 years have one sound beast in the yard at all times. In other events, it is recommended that there shall be a minimum of six head of sound stock in the yard at any time.

Up to a total of 100 points are scored by horse and rider: “Cut out” is worth a total of 26 points; horse work up to a further 70 points and four points for the course. Most disqualifications (signalled by a crack of the judge’s stockwhip) occur when a competitor loses his beast more than twice on the camp; losing control of the beast in the arena or running a beast onto the arena fence. A “tail turn” executed by a horse in the opposite direction of the beast’s line of travel also incurs disqualification at any stage of the draft. The sport requires consummate horsemanship and skill in selecting a beast from the mob that will run well, but is not too fast for that particular horse. Great prestige is bestowed on the winning horse and rider of the competition.

Annette Weatherstone | P: 0428 844 937 E: annette.weatherstone@queenslandfarmertoday.com.au Samantha Wantling | P: 0439 420 289 E: samantha.wantling@warwickstanthorpetoday.com.au Daniel Pelcl | P: 0408 956 830 E: daniel.pelcl@burnetttoday.com.au Michael Callaghan | P: 0401 233 803 E: michael.callaghan@burnetttoday.com.au Tori Johnson | P: 0447 621 904 E: tori.johnson@queenslandfarmertoday.com.au

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Monthly market report brought to you by Herefords Australia. 12535648-BL08-22

Cattle and Sheep report Cattle Physical Report Saleyard: Blackall Sale Date: 08-09-2022 With further rain events in the area numbers reduced to 1,250 head in Blackall this week. Good quality local primes cows and bulls made up the majority of the yarding alongside a large consignment of high content heifers from the Northwest. Light weight restocker heifers sold to 547.2c and while there were too few yearling feeders to quote this week. A large run of Brahman heifers sold to 432.2c to average around 426c/kg. Despite not all the regular processor buyers in attendance, competition was strong on cow pens with medium weight cows to the processor topping at 358.2c to average 355c and good heavy cows over 520kgs sold to 382.2c to average 370c/kg. Heavy bulls witnessed good gains selling to 370.2c to average 355c and those to feed topped at 382.2c/kg. Heavy heifers to process sold to 408c and bullocks topped to 396.2c/kg. Market Reporter, Sam Hart Saleyard: Dalby Sale Date: 14-09-2022 The supply of stock reduced by 968 head to 2,395 at Dalby. Cattle were mainly drawn from the local supply area with a small sample of 240 head from far Western Queensland. Buyer representation was good and included local and interstate processors, plus the regular feed and trade buyers and restockers. Light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock averaged 14c/kg better. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market improved in price pushed on in places by restockers. Heavy weight yearling steers to feed averaged 14c/kg dearer. Light weight yearling heifers returning to the paddock experienced a small improvement. A small selection of heavy grown steers and bullocks lifted in price by 6c/ kg. Most classes of cows sold to a dearer trend with medium weight cows to export processors gaining 10c and heavy weight cows improved by 7c/kg. Light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock made to a top of 754c with a good sample averaging 686c/kg. Medium weight yearling steers to feed averaged from 558c to 594c with sales to 600c, with a good sample to restockers averaging 616c and sold to 725c/kg. Heavy weight yearling steers to feed averaged 499c made to 552c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers made to the occasional 626c to average 532c/kg. Medium weight yearling heifers to feed averaged from 478c to 520c with sales to 540c/kg. Heavy weight yearling heifers to feed made to 528c a good sample averaging 473c/ kg. Heavy grown steers and bullocks to export processors made to 437c to average from 433c to 434c/kg. Medium weight 2 score cows returning to the paddock made to 380c to average 357c/kg. Good heavy weight cows to export processors averaged 392c with one pen reaching 408c/kg. Heavy weight bulls made to 415c/kg to return $3,987/head. Market Reporter, Trevor Hess Saleyard: Emerald Sale Date: 15-09-2022 The numbers at Emerald sale increased by 810 head to 2,500 head with cattle from north to Ravenswood along with well-bred lines of local stock. The usual processors were present and operating to return prices equal to or a little above previous sale rates. There was a strong field of local and travelling restockers which helped maintain and improve values. Yearling steers sold to 702c/kg returning averages from 604c to 621c/kg for light weight pens and 467c to 539c/kg average for medium weight lines to restockers. Feeders paid 436c to 464c/kg for medium weight pens. Light weight pens of yearling heifers topped at 519c/ kg to average 430c to 519c/kg. Restockers paid 430c to 502c/kg and those to feed made 415c to 495c/kg relative to quality. Grown steers to restockers averaged 458c/kg whilst 3 score bullocks to processors averaged 379c to 386c/ kg and finished 4 score bullocks averaged 397c 32 TODAY October 2022

to 413ckg. Grown heifers went to trade buyers to average from 354c to 404c/kg whilst feeders paid from 364c to 496c/kg average. Restocker 2 score cows made to 348c/kg with heavy 4 score cows reaching 366.2c/kg to average 360c/kg. Heavy bulls sold to 360c/ kg to processors. PTIC heifers sold from $1,975 to $2,175/ head. Market Reporter, Richard Thomson Saleyard: Roma Sale Date: 20-09-2022 Numbers rose sharply to 6,302 head at the Roma Store Sale. Cattle were mostly drawn from the usual supply area, with numbers from Quilpie, McKinlay and Mt Isa included in a good quality yarding. Steers accounted for over half of the yarding. A large buying panel was present and operating. The market lifted, with strong competition as buyers continued to seek frame over condition on steers. Overall the yarding experienced mostly good gains with light weight steers up by 90c, medium weight steers to feed improved by 47c to 131c and heavy feeders up by 27c/kg. Light weight heifers improved by 10c to 222c, medium weight heifers to feed improved by 15c to 41c, and heavy weight heifers to restockers were up by 44c/kg. Cows improved by 2c to 7c/kg. Light weight steers under 200kg made to 748.2c to average 715c/kg. Yearling steers under 280kg to restockers made to 750c to average 676c/kg. Medium weight yearling steers under 330kg to restockers reached 714.2c to average 633c/kg. Yearling steers under 400kg to feed made to 640.2c to average 565c/kg. Heavy weight yearling steers to feed reached a top of 556.2c to average 500c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers under 200kg made to 714.2c to average 602c/kg. Yearling heifers under 280kg to restockers made to 692.2c to average 586c/kg. Medium weight yearling heifers under 330kg to restockers sold to 574.2c to average 546c/kg. Yearling heifers under 400kg to feed reached a top of 550.2c to average 462c/kg. Heavy weight yearling heifers to restockers made to 548.2c to average 520c/kg.

Monthly market report brought to you by Herefords Australia. 12535648-BL08-22

Heavy weight grown steers made to 434.2c to average 428c/kg. Heavy weight grown heifers reached a top of 410.2c to average 386c/kg. Medium weight prime cows made to 396.2c to average 381c/kg. Heavy weight prime cows made to 400.2c to average 387c/kg. Heavy weight bulls made to 389.2c to average 374c/ kg. Good numbers of PTIC cows were yarded, selling to a top of $3,000/head for red tags. Cows and calves continue to be yarded in limited numbers and sold to a top of $2,260/unit. Market Reporter, Sherrill Stivano Saleyard: Toowoomba Sale Date: 19-09-2022 The supply of stock lifted by 56 head to 276 at the Toowoomba cattle sale. Yearling heifers dominated the young cattle section and the increased number of cows penned were mainly dairy classes. The larger number of cows attracted an increased number of export processors. The regular feed and restockers buyers were also present and active in the market. Light weight yearling steers and heifers returning to the paddock improved in price. Yearling heifers to feed also sold to a dearer trend. Cows generally sold to fair demand for the quality penned. Light weight yearling steers average 631c and sold to 658c/kg. A small selection of yearling steers to feed averaged from 519c to 570c/ kg. A handful of heavy weight yearling steers to feed made to 480c to average 442c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers returning to the paddock made to 576c to average 522c/kg. A fair sample of yearling heifers to feed for the domestic market averaged from 474c to 475c with sales to 534c/kg. Heavy weight yearling heifers to feed averaged 449c and sold to 472c/kg. The largest samples of dairy cows averaged from 270c to 284c with sales to 323c/kg. The occasional heavy weight cow made to 359c/kg. Heavy weight bulls made to 341c/kg. Market Reporter, Trevor Hess Saleyard: Warwick Sale Date: 20/09/2022 There was a small increase of 116 head to 538 cattle penned at Warwick. All the usual local and interstate processors were present and operating along with the regular wholesale and feeder buyers plus local and interstate restockers. The yarding contained a good mix of quality yearling steers and heifers along with well finished young bullocks and cows. Prices remained similar to last week for all classes and any price variations were quality related. Light weight yearling steers to restockers made 710c with yearling steers in the 200 to 280kg range again returning to the paddock averaging 590c and selling to 636c/kg. Yearling steers over 280kg to background made 644c to average 604c with those over 330kg selling to 601c and averaging 568c/kg. Heavy yearling steers to feed averaged 480c and sold to 540c/ kg. Light weight yearling heifers made 602c to average 581c/kg. A good sample of yearling heifers in the 200 to 280kg range to background made 598c to average 564c/kg. Yearling heifers to feed for the domestic market averaged 523c and sold to 576c/kg. Well finished young bullocks sold to the wholesale meat trade at 480c and averaged

437c/kg. Grown heifers to processors averaged 388c and sold to 430c/kg. Light weight cows to restockers made 339c to average 328c/ kg. Good heavy weight score 3 and 4 cows to export processors sold from 360c to 395c and averaged 384c/kg. High yielding bulls to processors made 415c/kg. Market Reporter, Errol Luck Sheep Physical Report Saleyard: Warwick Sale Date: 14-09-2022 There was an increase in supply of stock at Warwick with 1,845 penned the breakup of

1,433 lambs and 412 mutton. All the regular export processors were in attendance and active on t he improved numbers of well finished heavy lambs and mutton and with extra numbers of good trade lambs suited to the wholesale market prices lifted on these lines. The usual feeder buyers were also very active on lambs that suited their weight ranges again lifting prices with the restockers active on the ewe lambs. Young lambs to the wholesale meat trade made $133 with restockers paying $128/head. Lambs in the 20-22kg range to feeder operators made $177 to average $174 with the ewe lambs returning to the paddock at $180/head. Lambs suited to the butcher trade sold to $180

and averaged $170/head. Lambs over 24kg to feeder buyers averaged $184 and sold to $187/head. Lambs to the wholesale meat trade made $192 to average $186 with heavy lambs to processors selling to $195/head. Good heavy hoggets to processors sold to $175 and averaged $138/head. Light weight ewes to processors averaged $102 and sold to $116 with those to restockers selling to $150/ head. Light weight wethers to processors averaged $86 and sold to $111 with those returning to the paddock selling to $170/head. Rams to processors made $152/head. Ewes and lambs returned $152/unit. Market Reporter, Errol Luck

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October 2022 TODAY 33

country k tchens recipes Potato and Carrot Rosti Serves: 4 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes 2 serves per portion

Ingredients: • 2 large potatoes, grated • 3 large carrots, grated • 2 eggs, beaten • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 tablespoon flat leaf parsley, finely chopped

Everyday Food

Method: • SQUEEZE excess liquid from the grated potato and carrot and combine in large bowl. • ADD egg to vegetable mixture and stir to combine. • HEAT oil in a frypan over mediumlow heat. • POUR batter into pan and fry for 5 minutes on each side, until golden brown. • SERVE with a sprinkle with parsley.

Recipe courtesy of the Country Kitchens team

Honey Soy Noodle Salad Everyday Food

Serves: 4 Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 1 minute 1 ½ serves per portion Ingredients: Salad:

• 220g shelf fresh noodles, Hokkien or Singapore • 1 carrot, grated • ½ spring onion, sliced • ½ cucumber, sliced • ¼ red cabbage, shredded • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Method: • PLACE noodles in large bowl. Cover with boiling water for 1 minute, then drain and refresh in running cold water. Set aside. • ADD carrot, spring onion, cucumber and cabbage to noodles. Gently toss to combine. • COMBINE all dressing ingredients in screw top jar, shake well. • POUR dressing over noodle mix and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

Dressing:

• 1 tablespoon honey • 1 tablespoon soy sauce, salt reduced • ½ teaspoon sesame oil

Recipe courtesy of the Country Kitchens team

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 October 2022

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IN CONJUNCTION WITH STEFFENSEN AUCTIONEERING & NUTRIEN AG SOLUTIONS ON SITE CLEARING SALE Sat. 8th October -10am start 754 Pedersen’s Rd. Gordon Brook, Q.4610 A/c L. Breitkreutz

ONLINE MULTI VENDOR AUCTION With The Auction Exchange www.auctionexchange.com.au Bidding Open: Monday 9am – 10th October Bidding Closing: Wednesday 6pm – 12th October Farm machinery & equipment

Property Sold; mostly unreserved. Farm machinery & Equip. + Sundries Part List: Nuﬁeld DM4 BMC Diesel Tractor, Water Drilling Plant, Saw Bench, Split Posts, Hardwood Timber, Hino Truck *unreg., Suzuki 2 Wheel Motor Bike, 18 Plate Napier Offset,3pl Jib Crane, Air Compressor, Trailer, Stihl Chainsaws, 3 Farm Utes *unreg., Welder, Various motors, 3pl Post Hole Diggers, 4’6” Slasher, Carry All, Forks,6T Bin, Bag Elevator, NH Bale Loader, NH Side Delivery Rake, NH 7’ Sickle Mower, Ford 530 Baler, Air Compressor,3pl Back Scoop, Tractor Pac Welder, Tig/Mig Welder, Pipe Bender, Chain Dogs, Under Axle 6’ Blade, Covering Harrows, Diamond Harrows, Generators, Excavator Bucket, Truck Gates, Cages, Steel Posts,1200L Fuel Tank w/stand, Chains, Loading Ramp, Poly Pipe, Tyre Feeders, Vintage Sunshine 12 Run Combine + Sundries too numerous to mention.

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Wallers Industrial Hardware is a long-standing locally owned business, supplying specialist tooling to Toowoomba, Darling Downs, and surrounding districts for the engineering trade for over 30 years. Our Toowoomba store is looking to hire a sales and warehouse assistant with the following requirements. • A background or keen interest in one of the following (or similar) - Tool sales - Engineering, machining, or fabrication - Mechanics - Spare parts sales • Computer literate • Car licence • Well presented for customer service • Well-spoken • A fair level of physical ﬁtness We offer full-time hours, no weekend work and well above award pay. For more information, please contact Justin. Email: info@wallersindustrial.com.au. Ph: (07) 4663 3774 Wallers Industrial Hardware. 594 Boundary Street, Toowoomba, Qld. 4350.

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October 2022 TODAY 35

SPORT QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

The 2021 winner of the Pryde’s EasiFeed Warwick Gold Cup, Richard Hansen riding 49er Shake.

All set to defend crown By Fiona Gowers Central Queensland cattle farmer Richard Hansen will return to the prestigious Warwick Gold Cup later this month to defend his title. Last year Mr Hansen, riding his homebred gelding 49er Shake, blitzed the open final with a high-paced 91-point run to accumulate an unbeatable aggregate of 271 points. Due to drought, it was the first time since 2005 he had travelled to the campdraft from his property, “Chesalon” at Alpha, west of Emerald, where he and his wife Allison breed Droughtmaster cattle. “We would have liked to come to Warwick

more often over the years but commitments on the farm prevented us, I suppose,“ Mr Hansen said. “But, yes, we are coming back this year and really looking forward to it. “I never really go to a campdraft expecting to win - never in my wildest dreams would I have expected to win at Warwick - you just hope that everything comes together on the day.“ Mr Hansen will travel down with three homebred horses, including 49er Shake. “He is a really good horse.“ After his win last year, which earned him

$23,100, an elated Mr Hansen told reporters: “It’s a bit unreal and a bit surreal, but it will dawn on me. “It’s just good to have your horse do a good run. It’s just good to be here. Winning isn’t everything, but it’s nice.” Known by many as the Melbourne Cup of campdrafting, the Warwick Gold Cup - an icon since it began in 1929 - attracts more riders and offers more prize money than any other in Australia. This year, after multiple Covid-19 interruptions, riders are expected to be drawn from all states of Australia. The feature event is the

Ariat Saddle Bronc ride. “The Pryde’s Easifeed Warwick Gold Cup Campdraft is the most sought-after prize in the land of campdrafting,” a Warwick Show and Rodeo Society spokesperson said. “And, this year we will have riders from east to west and north to south travelling to Warwick for the honour of holding the cup high.” For more updates and ticket release information, see social media: @WarwickRodeoandCampdraft or website: warwickshowandrodeo.com.au. Campdraft explained on page 31

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