Queensland Farmer Today - November 2022 by Star News Group

November 2022

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Turning sour sweet

New era at The Grove PAGE 6

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A rain cropper “Too much of a good thing“ has robbed Queensland of a record winter grain crop this year, according to the latest Rabobank forecast. In its newly-released 2022/23 Australian winter crop report, the agribusiness bank says excessive rain throughout the state has resulted in many regions harvesting 90 per cent of planted crop hectares, with some further south harvesting only 80 to 85pc. With a forecast total crop harvest of 2.6 million tonnes, Queensland’s production will fall six per cent from last year. “Excessive rain leading into harvest followed significant issues at planting where

Jobs on way A state-of the art agricultural manufacturing facility is set to create good jobs in the Western Downs region thanks to funding under the Queensland Government’s Rural Economic Development (RED) grant scheme. Morrissey & Co is a family-owned and run business, which manufactures cattle handling equipment. The business has secured a RED grant to help fund the expansion of its operations and commission new, innovative equipment. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner says this expansion will undoubtedly create more good jobs. STORY PAGE 8

some farmers replanted up to three times or had to abandon hectares all together,” report author, RaboResearch agricultural analyst Dennis Voznesenski said. “Across ... southern Queensland, we expect to see considerably less hectares harvested than were planted due to excessive rains either at planting, during the growing season or leading right into harvest. “And the challenge of a wet harvest will be compounded by labour shortages, with an estimated 30pc of farms in Queensland and 27pc in NSW having to change harvest strategies as a result of insufficient labour.” STORY PAGE 3

Cotton tops Jessica Strauch from Goondiwindi is the ADAMA Chris Lehmann Trust Young Cotton Achiever of the Year. Jessica currently manages the northern NSW region, as well as cotton pricing for Queensland Cotton and is also part of the industry’s premier entry-level initiative, the Australian Future Cotton Leaders’ Program. She said she was “beyond humbled” to receive recognition. “It is still so surreal to be recognised for something you love doing,” Jessica said. PAGE 4 and WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE, PAGES 22-25

Sweet 16th On her 16th attempt Central Queensland campdraft competitor Louise Comiskey claimed victory in the esteemed Condamine Bell. STORY PAGE 32

Winner of the Joyce Campbell Memorial Ladies’ campdraft Louise Comiskey and Zaharah. Picture: SUE WALDRON PHOTOS

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NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

RETIREMENT ............................... page 11

Focus on the future

FOOD FOR THOUGHT .................. page 12 FROM THE MLA .......................... page 12 BREAKING GROUND ................... page 14 MOVING FORWARD ...................... page 14 FARMERS’ HEALTH ...................... page 16 MUNGBEANS ........................pages 18-19 WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE ......pages 22-25 QCWA RECIPE ............................ page 27 MARKET REPORTS ..................... page 29 CLASSIFIEDS ........................pages 30-31 SPORT ....................................... page 32

DAM LEVELS Beardmore................................. 102.25% Bjelke-Petersen .......................... 101.34% Borumba ................................... 101.03% Boondoomba ............................. 100.53% Cedar Pocket ............................... 101.2%

By Fiona Gowers Regional communities across the country face similar issues, such as shifting populations and changing industries, yet there is no “onesize-fits-all” solution to these challenges. Dr Chad Renando from the University of Southern Queensland’s Institute for Resilient Regions said strategies for overcoming obstacles usually came down to two factors: leadership and structure. He has worked with local governments and community groups to discuss and take action for the future of their regions, developing approaches for transition and long-term economic resilience. Most recently Dr Renando has helped develop plans for the Burnett Inland, the emerging Goondiwindi Regional Innovation network. “Regions around the world are seeing a ‘hollowing out’ of demographic age bands that include a younger workforce, broad shifts in industry from changing consumer demand and climate impacts, a rapid pace of technology that centralises resources and an increasingly mobile workforce challenging previous attachments to place,” he said. “While adapting for the future by transforming established structures such as gov-

ernment and economic development organisations, we have an opportunity to create new structures to help communities achieve even greater outcomes through collective action.” Dr Renando said engagement was usually driven by a need in the communities. “People are often motivated to work collectively for change as a result of a burning issue, such as a significant industry leaving the region, a new opportunity from infrastructure investment, the loss of an essential service or other significant threats from systemic social, economic or environment drivers,” he said. “The complexity and size of these existential challenges require an approach that is more than any one organisation or institution can achieve. “Regional development happens in a complex adaptive system, which simply means there is uncertainty, we learn as we go and everything is interconnected in ways that may not be apparent. “No region is the same although there are common principles that can be applied.” Dr Renando’s work involves significant stakeholder engagement, analysis of regional information and economic data, the creation of an ecosystem map of the assets and organisation in the region related to the issue and a

strategy analysis to identify gaps in investment commitments. “We then conduct a series of interviews exploring the current state, the potential future state and perspectives on paths forward,” he said. “From there we feed the results back to the community and invite them to co-create their collective response. This includes identifying accountabilities, potential new structures in the region and priority focus tasks. “Our role is as a ‘guide on the side’ to facilitate the conversation, ensuring those around the table are able to realise value from the engagement.” Dr Renando is also managing director – Australia for the Global Entrepreneurship Network. He is currently developing the program for the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, which attracts 5000 delegates from 180 countries to Melbourne next May.

Chinchilla Weir ................................ 100% One year ago this month Today News Group director Damian Morgan welcomed readers to our first edition of Queensland Farmer Today. He said then that the agricultural sector in Queensland had never been more important to our state, nor had it ever been more vibrant and innovative. Such prophetic words that have shone through the busy pages of this burgeoning newspaper over the past 12 months. Our mission at Queensland Farmer Today is to help connect farmers by sharing their stories in traditional newsprint - and online - while giving the agricultural sector a louder voice. “A newspaper should hold the powerful to account while also providing a voice for the local communities we serve to advocate on important issues for our regions,” Mr Morgan said. “In this era where false news spreads faster on social media than the truth does, it has never been more important to have a trusted and regulated source of news. “We’re proud to be providing that service.” It has been such a privilege to serve the progressive and hard-working people of the Queensland agricultural community since November 2021. And, like all farmers, we look forward to where we can grow from here.

Coolmunda ................................ 101.64% Cunnamulla (Alan Tannock Weir) .. 110.87% Leslie ........................................ 101.07% Paradise ...................................... 97.04% Somerset .................................... 79.09% Wivenhoe.......................................... 85%

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Breaking records... hearts By Fiona Gowers “Too much of a good thing“ has robbed Queensland of a record winter grain crop this year, according to the latest Rabobank forecast. In its newly-released 2022/23 Australian winter crop report, the agribusiness bank says excessive rain throughout the state has resulted in many regions harvesting 90 per cent of planted crop hectares, with some further south harvesting only 80 to 85pc. With a forecast total crop harvest of 2.6 million tonnes, Queensland’s production will fall six per cent from last year. “Excessive rain leading into harvest followed significant issues at planting where some farmers replanted up to three times or had to abandon hectares all together,” report author, RaboResearch agricultural analyst Dennis Voznesenski said. “Across ... southern Queensland, we expect to see considerably less hectares harvested than were planted due to excessive rains either at planting, during the growing season or leading right into harvest. “And the challenge of a wet harvest will be compounded by labour shortages, with an estimated 30pc of farms in Queensland and 27pc in NSW having to change harvest strategies as a result of insufficient labour.” Rabobank says, however, despite weather challenges, Australia is on track to harvest a near-record winter grain crop of 61.9 million tonnes. Its forecast is down only one per cent on last year’s when all-time production records were broken, with the total grain crop estimated to be 41pc above the five-year average. Nationally, Rabobank forecasts wheat production to come in at 35.5 million tonnes – down two per cent on last year, but 47pc above the five-year average. Barley production is expected to reach a record 14.8 million tonnes, up seven per cent on last season and 31pc above the five-year average. The canola crop is forecast to reach a record 7.2 million tonnes, also a seven per cent increase on the previous year and a whopping 81pc up on the five-year average. Exports With another bumper national harvest on the way, Australia will have plenty of grain and oilseeds for the export market, the Rabobank report says. However, supply chain bottlenecks will limit the ability to supply world markets, both in regional areas and with capacity at Australian ports. The exportable surplus in Australia from the 2022/23 harvest is expected to exceed the nation’s official estimated 2021 national export capacity of 47.5 million tonnes, Mr Voznesenski said. Commodity price outlook For Australia’s grains and oilseeds, the report sees strong local supply limiting the potential of prices moving above current levels for a sustained time during the harvest period. “With another near-record crop in the

2022/23 total Australian winter crop production forecast at

61.9m -x% on 1% last year YOY

6% YOY

tonnes

2% YOY

27% YOY -28% YOY

41% vs. the fiveyear average

35.52m tonnes Wheat production down 2% YOY and up 47% from the five-year average

process of being harvested - and still significant carry-over from last year - we expect local prices to be pressured below global levels during the key harvest window from now until January and likely into late March,” Mr Voznesenski said. “Growers may see some local price upside between late March and May, ahead of the northern hemisphere harvest. “But from late quarter two next year – when northern hemisphere grain starts coming on to the market – and with an expected rise in the Australian dollar, we are likely to see downward pressure on local prices.” Global grain prices are expected to remain above the five-year average for the next 12 months as supplies from Ukraine and Russia continue to be unpredictable and global stocks below average. Prices, however, are not forecast “under the base (most likely) case” to rise to the record levels seen between March and June this year, Mr Voznesenski said. Locally for wheat, Rabobank forecasts national average APW1 Track/Free-In-Store prices to trade between A$390 and A$420 a tonne over the next 12 months “with upside towards the end of quarter one and the beginning of quarter two 2023”. For feed barley, national average Track/ Free-In-Store prices are expected to trade be-

xx% 26% YOY YOY

7.25m tonnes

14.84m tonnes

Canola production up 7% YOY and up 81% from the five-year average

Barley production up 7% YOY and up 31% from the five-year average

tween A$320 and A$350 a tonne. Strong global and local supply of canola is bearish for prices, however, there may be improvements in demand next year with proposed changes to biofuel mandates in the EU and a potential reduction in Canada’s export capacity later in the year, the report says. Prices for non-GM canola track/FIS are expected to trade between A$700 and A$830 a tonne in 2023. Pulses are “still looking for love”, the report says, with more than 18pc of last year’s Australian pulse harvest estimated to be unsold, with this figure significantly higher in Queensland. “A large rebound in lentil production in Canada is expected to weigh on prices over the next 12 months, while economic and political turmoil in Australia’s second-largest export market of Sri Lanka will also limit demand in 2023,” Mr Voznesenski said. “However, in the short term, recent rains and damage to the Victorian lentil crop could see price support.” The outlook for chickpeas remains largely bearish, though early next year may see some upside from increased purchases from Bangladesh ahead of Ramadan.” Farm inputs Farm input costs, which have risen substantially over the past year, could weigh signifi-

cantly on farm margins ”moving forward”, Mr Voznesenski said. However, while there is notable risk for urea prices increasing, reprieve may be due for other fertilisers and agrochemicals in the near term. Mr Voznesenski said with urea production significantly dependent on natural gas, which has been skyrocketing in price in Europe – the bank sees urea prices as having the largest “upside risk” moving into 2023. For phosphates, there has been “demand destruction”, the report says, with high prices resulting in lower usage and larger than initially anticipated inventory, especially in the Americas, which is indicative of further price declines. “The downward slide in global potash prices is likely to persist for the coming months,” Mr Voznesenski said, “with regional benchmarks taking a cue from further anticipated weakness in the Americas. “Still, geopolitics around Russia and Belarus can definitely impact prices of both phosphate and potash.” An expansion of agrochemical production capacity in China has seen prices decline this year, the Rabobank report says. “And, under our base case, we expect further downside moving into next year,” Mr Voznesenski said.

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Bruce Connolly, farm manager of Tipperary Station, has grown rainfed cotton for four years, quickly becoming the biggest cotton grower in the Northern Territory.

Bernie George, the water services and compliance manager at Australian Food & Fibre, won the prestigious Incitec Pivot Fertilisers Service to the Cotton Industry award.

Industry awards cotton on The 2022 Bayer Cotton Grower of the Year is Nick Gillingham of Sundown Pastoral Company’s Keytah, with Tipperary Station’s Bruce Connolly winning the AgriRisk High Achiever of the Year award. The cream of the rice crop was celebrated at the Australian Cotton Conference awards dinner on the Gold Coast. Sundown Pastoral operates Keytah near Moree in New South Wales. The farm consists of 25,000 hectares with 10,000ha under irrigation and half-used for cotton annually in a 100 per cent rotation. In addition, 10,000ha are assigned to dryland cropping with a further 5000ha retained as native vegetation. Company directors/owners David and Danielle Statham are heavily involved in dayto-day activities, working closely with their 20 full-time staff, headed by Mr Gillingham. The winner of the 2021 Grower of the Year and a judge this year - Tony Quigley said Keytah

“Tipperary was an eye opener,“ he said. “It’s an entirely different production system from what we are all used to and also very isolated in terms of back up and expertise in the area. “They’ve really pioneered a cotton industry in the NT and they’ve done it soundly in terms of stewardship. “They are the first farm in the Territory to be certified with the myBMP program.” The Cotton Seed Distributors Researcher of the Year is soil scientist Dr Oliver Knox, the University of New England’s Associate Professor of Soil Systems Biology and CottonInfo technical lead for soil health. Dr Knox recently released a new framework for soil health and is taking the research lead on cotton circularity with two projects scheduled for this year. Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay congratulated all award winners and all nominees. “Every person nominated deserves recognition here because they are all game-chang-

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ers in their own way,“ he said. “These awards have shown me two important factors in our ongoing commitment to become even better at growing Australia cotton. “We have the most experienced and intelligent operators who have already contributed decades to the industry while recognising some of our younger participants who are bringing a fresh approach to cotton farming.” Bernie George, the water services and compliance manager at Australian Food & Fibre, won the prestigious Incitec Pivot Fertilisers Service to the Cotton Industry award. “Bernie has been delivering excellence in service to the cotton industry through various high-profile roles for more than 30 years, including as chair of the Cotton Australia Board and as a member of the National Irrigators Council and NSW Irrigators Council,“ Mr Kay said. “His contribution has been immense and this recognition is well deserved.” More, page 22

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invested in research, were certified to level 3 in the myBMP program and applied and shared their learnings, which had improved the industry as a whole. “Firstly, the crop was very impressive with its 75-centimetre farming system, coupled with the new Sicot 606BRF variety a great fit,“ Mr Quigley said. “The carbon budgeting they’re doing there - and being able to be neutral from a carbon point of view - is very impressive. “But also the traceability of their cotton product and how they’re being able to market that into the future, using both the carbon story but also the providence story.” Located 160 kilometres south of Darwin, Tipperary Station - the AgriRisk High Achiever of the Year - is into its fourth year of growing rainfed cotton, quickly becoming the biggest grower of cotton in the Northern Territory. Mr Quigley said Tipperary’s farm manager Bruce Connolly had achieved so much despite significant challenges.

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Don’t end on a sour note By Fiona Gowers Cancer and Covid-19 patients whose sense of taste has been disturbed are finding relief from a berry that makes sour, acidic and bitter-tasting consumables taste sweet. Miracle fruit freeze-dried cubes transform the taste of food, changing the lives of people suffering from dysgeusia, which alters the tounge’s receptors. Synsepalum dulcificum (miracle fruit) contains miraculin, a taste-modifying protein, that binds the sweet receptors on the tongue, making food such as lemon taste like lemonade. Queenslanders Chris Beckwith and Karen Pereira, who are the first in Australia to grow the fruit, are passionate about its positive values for people struggling to eat. “It’s a subject close to our hearts,“ Mr Beckwith said. “It’s heart-breaking to watch someone who has cared for you for so long become ill and unable to enjoy simple things like sharing a meal. We felt helpless. “Helping others is what drives us to further understand Miracle fruit and how it can assist those affected by dysgeusia and other chronic illnesses. “In 2013 we left our careers in advertising and moved from Sydney to the Daintree Rainforest to start a mangosteen farm growing the Miracle fruit trees and haven’t looked back since.” During a Covid lockdown in 2020, Rubyberry farm relocated to Childers, which offered a more favourable growing and manufacturing environment with space to grow. “We hope to start producing small runs of freeze-dried Miracle fruit cubes from our 3000 trees within two years,” Mr Beckwith said. Rubyberry Miracle Fruit imports from the only United States farm in the world supplying hospitals such as the Miami Cancer Institute. Mr Beckwith said this gave many Australian

Rubyberry Miracle Fruit Farm’s Production Hurdles Miracle Fruit is labour-intensive farming. The fruit can only be picked by hand. In the tropics, Chris and Karen experienced heavy rains annually. These would knock the flowers from trees and cause fruit to split. The lack of sunlight would slow the development of the flowers forming. Chris and Karen moved the Daintree farm south to Childers from a tropical to a sub-tropical environment and the trees are adapting well. The environment is better suited to freeze-drying, the only way to preserve the highly-perishable glycoprotein Miraculin. Farms in Africa claim 25 kilograms of fresh Miracle fruit produces one kilogram when freeze dried.

· · · · · · ·

Queenslanders Karen Pereira and Chris Beckwith are the first in Australia to grow Rubyberry Miracle Fruit. healthcare professionals confidence to contact their international counterparts to learn more. “Without this link, Rubyberry Miracle Fruit’s mission would be harder to achieve, he said.” Dr Andrew Martin, who is a general surgeon from Cessnock in NSW, said the fruit provided “sweet relief” for those suffering and helped alleviate the burden and pain of illnesses. “When people are sick, nutrition is more important than ever,” he said. “But when taste is disturbed by illness or treatment, it makes eating and tasting everyday foods unpalatable.

“I have a number of patients who have lost their taste due to various cancer treatments, radiation and chemotherapy. They struggle with nausea or can no longer taste food, which severely impacts their health and quality of life.” Lee-Ann Mundy, an accredited practising dietician working in oncology in northwest Tasmania, said it was incredible to see the positive impact the Miracle fruit had on her patients. “The significant therapeutic opportunity for Rubyberry is so critical as a health professional - many patients and clients undergoing

cancer treatment often lose their taste and it can affect their appetite,” she said. “The knock-on effect from this is difficulties keeping hydrated and well-nourished, which is paramount during their treatment and recovery. “Anything that helps me as a clinician to offer strategies for disgeusia is welcome and I believe this product is part of the answer that will make a huge difference to the way we support our patients to eat well and enjoy eating.” Miracle fruit is an ancient fruit that is highly perishable and stays fresh for just one to two days. Rubyberry Miracle fruit cubes are stocked in more than 25 pharmacies across Australia. For more information please visit www. rubyberry.com

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Spencer and his wife Sophie (pictured) now run The Grove Shorthorns alongside Spencer’s brother Godfrey and his wife Megan.

Mary and Goff Morgan worked “very, very hard” to build a solid foundation for their sons.

A new era at The Grove By Fiona Gowers The world’s largest herd of performancerecorded Shorthorns began as a dream of an aspirational 14-year-old living in a tent beside the Condamine River at Condamine. Godfrey (Goff ) Morgan had refused to return to his Brisbane boarding school after one tough year, instead setting his sights on developing the virgin brigalow block, Myall Grove. As he strove to develop the Shorthorn cattle he sought to produce, challenges were vast and varied, including prickly pear, brigalow regrowth, water, fencing and “death duties“. Following solid breeding principles such as single-sire joining of cattle in small mobs to allow meticulous recording of genetics, Goff’s goal was a fertile, low-maintenance cow herd that produced copious amounts of quality beef. Indeed, his sires were keenly sought at multi-vendor auctions throughout Queensland before he registered The Grove Shorthorns in 1969 and began an annual onproperty sale 39 years ago. “Goff lived in a tent for the first five years, but he was wise well beyond his scholastic ed-

ucation,” son Spencer Morgan said. “He was keen to adopt new technologies and encouraged us to keep exploring different ways to do things, not just to follow in his footsteps. “He certainly gave us a work ethic, a set of morals and shared his ideas but was really happy for us to control and write our own page in the book. He didn’t want us to just do what he’d done.” Alongside wife Mary (nee Innes), Goff built a solid foundation for his sons. Spencer and wife Sophie now run The Grove Shorthorns with his brother Godfrey and wife Megan, a partnership Spencer says is so successful due to their small differences. “We don’t always agree on everything at first,“ he said. “Godfrey is a little bit more conservative than me, which is good because sometimes my ideas do need a fair bit of reining in!” The Morgans now run 1200 Shorthorn and Durham Black breeders across the 7891-hectare Myall Grove. Other properties in the Flinton region are primarily breeding blocks, with all young cattle returning to Myall Grove at weaning.

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Spencer says The Grove’s breeding program is a mix of both artificial insemination, embryo transfer and single-sire joining groups, a nod to their father’s legacy. “Fertility is still, and always will be, our most important trait,” he said. “Once you have fertility well and truly embedded, you target other traits that are essential to achieve an article that will hit the higher end of Meat Standards Australia (MSA) boning groups, hopefully having your end product topping the commodity beef product space. “By having a simple breeding goal and being able to accurately genetically describe our product we hope it gives our client-base more confidence and makes the whole process easier for our clients to make real genetic gain in their herds.” Bloodline selection is ever-evolving, Spencer says, and is based on Breedplan statistics, abattoirs’ carcase data, as well as MSA feedback. “Every animal bred is performance-recorded with Breedplan, which allows us to accurately describe the sires’ genetically, as well as show clients their phenotype.

Shorthorn cattle on “Myall Grove” at Condamine.

“We think we can present a pretty accurate picture today yet there is still lots to keep striving for.” Spencer says strong results in the RNA’s Paddock to Palate competitions over 23 years including overall wins in 11 of those and claiming Reserve Champion pen six times - show The Grove’s breeding program “is hopefully on target with what we are trying to achieve”. “The most encouraging aspect to come from the prestigious Paddock to Palate competition is we have been successful across a wide range of feeding regimes and have performed very well in all aspects of the trial. “From weight gain through to yield and meat quality it seems to back our motto of ‘Quality Beef, More of It’.” Calving on Myall Grove occurs over an eight-week period during spring and autumn, with the aim of weaning between late March and early May. Steers and surplus females are placed on grazing crop, if available, or brought into the on-farm feedlot to finish and sell straight to abattoirs at between 350 kilograms to 400kg dressed weight. Continued page 8

Santa Gertrudis “The Big Picture” Broaden your horizons by adding Santa Gertrudis into your breeding program As the bull season nears it end for 2022, I would like to reflect on what a great year for the Australian Beef Industry. Having been in the Industry since 1976, when the cattle/beef industry was at it’s lowest with the UK joining the EU in 1974, and the subsequent collapse of the Australian Beef Industry. Times were not good for our farmers and graziers during the period of 1974 through to 1978, when cattle and sheep prices were at an all time low. As the demand for beef started to improve with other markets in Philippines, Indonesia, Viet Nam, China, Japan, South Korea and the USA, the prices started to improve, and confidence started flow through the industry. With the formation of MLA in 1998, the demand for Australian Beef continued to grow to the present time, where we export 70% of our production to over 100 countries. In 2021, we exported 900,000 tonnes, which is the lowest level in 36 years. This is due to the accumulated effect of herd rebuilding after a large period of drought in Australia. Through all industry bodies, such as the MLA, we know have very mature markets, especially in Japan, the USA, and South Korea. With the high demand for our beef, Australia Growers are receiving good prices for their cattle. Especially over the past 24 months. This has resulted in bull prices raising to record levels over the past two years. The Santa Gertrudis breed was developed in Texas USA, circa 1870, by the Kleberg family at King Ranch in Texas. A bull called Monkey was the foundation sire of the Santa Gertrudis breed in the USA and it is now found in Australian, South America and South Africa. It is seen as a Bos Indicus breed, but there is a difference, it has little hump, due to its breakup of 3/8th Brahman and 5/8th Shorthorn. It is the perfect mixture for all Australian conditions, with members breeding them throughout Australia. With the consumer demanding quality beef, Santa Gertrudis is the perfect fit for crossing breeding with all Bos Taurus breeds. This cross delivers an animal that can survive droughts and produce quality beef for all domestic and export markets. The other important market that Santa Gertrudis and Santa cross cattle suit is the domestic market. They MSA grade and are sort after by butchers and supermarkets. Australians consume 30% of all beef produced. This breed has a small calf, which grows quickly and meets all specifications in the domestic market. The other important trait of the Santa Gertrudis breed is that they weigh. If you are targeting the Jap Ox market in Japan, they will meet the specifications to the letter. On average the sweet spot on most export grids, are milk & two tooth, fat measurements of 8mm to 25mm and dressing at 300 to 420kgs, subject to the allowable chain weight at each works. The Santa Gertrudis Breeders Australia Association are proud of what this breed delivers to the Australian Beef Industry and know that it punches above its weight in regarding to producing quality red meat. The other trait that producers should consider, is the longevity of this breed, the bulls can live from six to ten years, and the females can live and still produce calves up to 16 years plus. Bulls at two years of age generally weigh from 800 to 900 kgs and mature cows can weigh from 500 to 750kgs +. If you need more information please have a look at the Associations website: www.santagertrudis.com.au, or contact the office on 07 3216 2708.

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NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Good jobs headed to Downs A state-of the art agricultural manufacturing facility is set to create good jobs in the Western Downs region thanks to funding under the Queensland Government’s Rural Economic Development (RED) grant scheme. Morrissey & Co is a family-owned and run business, which manufactures cattle handling equipment. The business has secured a RED grant to help fund the expansion of its operations and commission new, innovative equipment. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner says this expansion will undoubtedly create more good jobs. “Job growth in regional communities is critical in providing economic stimulus and encouraging skilled workers to the regions and is essential for the survival of small towns,” Mr Furner said. “Morrissey & Co is already one of the leading employers in Jandowae. Further job growth through this project will boost the entire local economy. “The innovative equipment produced by Morrissey & Co has been an integral part of the beef cattle industry for more than 70 years. This investment will see both domestic and international demands of this cattle handling equipment being met.” Morrissey & Co director Sean Morrissey says the expansion of Morrissey & Co’s existing infrastructure will help the wider beef cattle industry across Australia and overseas. “We are currently limited in our ability to produce goods to meet demand, manufacture certain materials, sizes and shapes,“ he said. “But by using this funding to build a new shed, increase our painting facility area, provide new facilities for staff and build new offices, we will have stronger capability to meet this demand.

Morrissey & Co is a family-owned and operated business, which manufactures cattle handling equipment. It has received funding under the Queensland Government’s Rural Economic Development (RED) grant scheme, which will create good jobs in the Western Downs region. “We’ll be taking on nine new long-term fulltime jobs as a direct result of the expansion and we will employ local first and then encourage skilled workers to join the community. “We are ready to deliver a new facility project that will provide a much-needed boost to jobs in our local, small regional town and will

also have a direct, positive flow-on effect to employment across the Western Downs.” Morrissey & Co is one of 16 businesses approved in the fourth round of the RED grants program, with total funding of just more than $3 million. Overall, these 16 projects are expected to

create more than 217 direct long-term jobs across regional Queensland. The initial three rounds of the RED grants program have seen funding of $10 million over three years to support more than 30 projects, which have created 1800 jobs across regional Queensland.

New era at The Grove as family partnership takes the helm From page 6 Spencer says this allows them to collect feedback from these animals, which is then added to their Breedplan data. “We just wait and see where the season sits and where the best market is presenting ahead of the forthcoming season and we aim to turn them off for that job,” he said. “We are really about breeding cattle that have a natural ability to finish without any artificial help. “Most recently, we’ve been doing an HGPfree program through Kilcoy (Global Foods north of Brisbane) but, even though it’s Chinese-owned, they’re unable to sell to China due to labelling issues. “So, the cattle are now sent to Bindaree Food Group at Inverell and we sell quite a lot of our surplus females/ cast-for-age cows that sort of thing - to JBS Australia.” The latest string to The Grove’s bow is expansion into the branded beef market, with

Goff Morgan’s goal was to produce a fertile, low-maintenance Shorthorn cow herd that produced copious amounts of quality beef. an initial contract to supply 50 head of firstcross Shorthorn/Wagyu per month. “It’s not big but it’s building,” Spencer

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says. “Given it’s a brand new area, we’re not jumping into it blindly, we really want to learn about the final section of the supply chain and where we can fit in before considering any further expansion in this area. “As, while we’ve got a fair knowledge base for breeding cattle, feeding them and hitting specs, marketing is a whole different entity and we’re just trying to learn our way through that. “But it is a new challenge and that keeps you interested.” Aside from boarding at Toowoomba Grammar for six years and attending Gatton Agricultural College for 12 months, Spencer Morgan has lived his entire life on Myall Grove, a property his great grandfather Godfrey Morgan settled in 1908. Godfrey Morgan was a Victorian newspaper proprietor who launched the Donald Times in 1875, sensing a business underpinned by rising agricultural and pastoral activities would

be more viable than gold prospecting. Then, the Queensland Government began booking advertisements in the newspaper seeking graziers to settle on land in the Sunshine State, enticing Godfrey north on horseback. The rest is history. Spencer says he is thankful to have worked full time for more than a decade with his late father, Goff, before his untimely, premature death. “I think he would be proud of what we’ve all achieved,” he said. “Dad only really had two passions and that was his love for his family and his love for Myall Grove, which included the Shorthorns. “And he just worked very, very hard to ensure the family was in a reasonable position to try and grow and expand the business. “I will be very happy if I can manage to achieve something remotely similar.”

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BUSINESS IN FOCUS

Chinchilla homecoming Black Truck & AG are pleased to announce the purchase of Ainsworth Motors in Chinchilla, officially resuming operations on Tuesday 1 November. With existing branches across the Darling Downs, south west Queensland and north west NSW, the acquisition will bring the total to seven dealerships under the Black Truck & AG banner. Trading as Black Truck & AG Chinchilla, the dealership will continue with sales, service and parts of existing franchises of Can-Am and Toro. The product range offered will also expand to include leading agricultural brands Kubota, Krone, Fendt and Croplands. Furthering the “one-stop shop“ approach to the location, Isuzu Trucks, Isuzu UTE and Ram are also available to customers. The existing staff will remain with the business, providing continuity for the existing customer base, while the change also represents a great opportunity for the growth of the business to the benefit of the local community and its surrounds. Operating under the banner of Harvey Black Group, Black Truck & AG is a proud family-owned business with a focus on building and retaining customer relationships, exemplified by its “customers for life” motto. Dealer principal across the Harvey Black Group Jason Black said: “This is an opportunity to once again play a big role in the local community of Chinchilla and its surrounds”. The Black family has a rich history in the area, with a farming operation at Brigalow spanning 150 years, as well the founding of Black Toyota by Harvey Black in 1982. Harvey also built the Great Western Motel in town, with the Black family’s roots well entrenched in Chinchilla. “So it is fair to say there is great excitement about the start of this new journey for

Gerard Bellgrove, Jason Black and Peter Bellgrove of Black Truck & AG Chinchilla. Black Truck & AG in the town,” Jason Black said. The association will maintain the family approach Peter and Gerard Bellgrove built within the Chinchilla business over 20 years. Gerard will continue to bring this innate

understanding to the role of branch manager for Chinchilla, while Peter will move to (hopefully) a more relaxed lifestyle, as he concentrates on farming. Having been involved with the business for

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NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Direct phone line for help A new, dedicated phone line will allow farmers across the country to quickly and easily connect with the Rural Aid counselling team. The direct connection will ensure farmers are provided a faster and more trauma-informed response to their request for help. Rural Aid’s counsellors are based across the country and offer free, confidential counselling to farmers and their families. Rural Aid’s manager of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Lauren Stracey said the team would prioritise and respond to calls more effectively with the new number (1300 175 594). “We know that it’s important to have a trained counsellor help guide farmers through the period of reaching out for help,” Ms Stracey said. “By initiating a dedicated 1300-line, farmers are able to access a trained counsellor who can support them with referrals for immedi-

ate needs, while getting a sense of their story and matching them with the most appropriate support. “Taking the first step in seeking support takes guts, but once you’ve done it you realise counselling is really just another tool you can use to get through tough times.” Ms Stacey said Rural Aid was currently experiencing an increasing number of farmers seeking help. Some farmers, she said, were now ready for mental health support, after experiencing disaster earlier this year. Also, farmers may have felt an increased sense of anxiety since the confirmation of a third La Nina event. “We want to make sure that if a farmer is ready to explore the idea of counselling, that we are there straight away to assist,” Ms Stracey said.

“It takes a lot of courage to make that phone call. But it’s well worth it if you do.“ Rural Aid counsellors catch up with their farmers where they’re most comfortable; whether it’s on farm, in town or over the phone. To call a Rural Aid counsellor phone 1300 175 594 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

South Australian sheep farmer Kaye Wicker contacted a Rural Aid counsellor after a series of personal hardships, including the death of her brother and compounding financial stress. “Not only was it very grief-filled but it was just an incredible amount of work,” Ms Wicker said. “It was just that intense fear of losing everything and not being able to keep it together.” The Waitpinga farmer said she initially found it hard to speak about the things scaring her the most. “I found my time working with my Rural Aid counsellor very beneficial, just to help breakdown those overwhelming feelings.“ Ms Wicker said given the counselling sessions were free, it removed the financial barrier to accessing help. “If there was a charge, I wouldn’t have been able to access it,” she said.

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Rabobank delivers farm financial skills workshops Southern Queensland producers can expand their knowledge - for free - at two 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 Mitchell and Roma in mid-November. 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. Southern Queensland Rabo Client Council chair Stuart Armitage says financial skills are critical for present and prospective producers. “These workshops provide knowledge and insight in running and managing the day-today 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 Rabo Client Council workshops is real and valuable – meaningful knowledge you can walk away with and use in the business. “And for agricultural producers, having a greater understanding of their business when approaching a financier can also help

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Rabobank regional manager Brad James said the workshop content had been tailored to agricultural businesses in southern Queensland. when applying for any additional finance requirements or to fund a new venture.” Mr Armitage says the upcoming workshops had been timed to align with the Young Beef Producers Forum (YBPF) to be held in Roma on 17 and 18 November. “YBPF has been delivering an inspiring learning program for young producers for many years and we are pleased to be able to link into their exciting event and offer forum attendees the chance to also participate in the workshops,” he said Mr Armitage said it was unnecessary to be a Rabobank client to attend the workshops, with “one of the aims of the Rabo

Client Councils to enhance the skills of all primary producers”. Rabobank regional manager Brad James said the workshop content had been tailored to agricultural businesses in southern 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. “And, 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 ad-

versity and positioning the operation when the season improves. “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 workshops are fully allocated.” Hudson Facilitation director Tony Hudson will present the workshops. Dates and locations are: Tuesday, 15 November 2022. Mitchell: 8.30am to 3.30pm. Wednesday, 16 November 2022. Roma: 8.30am to 3.30pm.

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Retirement living at its best

The perfect place to retire The Ninth Middle Ridge retirement community offers something very special for rural retirees looking for a relaxed lifestyle on the Darling Downs. Situated beside the Toowoomba Golf Club, The Ninth has been developed by southeast Queensland retirement village provider and operator Aura Holdings. Aura Holdings director Tim Russell says The Ninth Middle Ridge is the group’s sixth retirement village, with its other communities in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast. The first residents began moving into the independent-living community last month (October). The Ninth is in the sought-after leafy suburb of Middle Ridge on the escarpment providing panoramic views across treetops and the Great Dividing Range. “At Aura we build ‘vertical’ retirement communities in areas that people know and love, and where they want to live, close to all the facilities they need,’’ Mr Russell says. The Ninth’s 74 two, three and four-bedroom apartments, plus spacious penthouses, set a new standard of luxury living for retirees to Toowoomba. Residents will enjoy a private, maintenance-free lifestyle in the low-rise development with community facilities, including a gym, billiards area, wine room, library, craft room, lounge, multi-purpose function room, outdoor entertaining and barbecue areas, and a community bus. Mr Russell says house-size apartments were incorporated into the design of The Ninth to provide retirees with more spacious op-

The Ninth. tions. The largest apartments have up to 215sq m of living area that includes a multi-purpose space, that can be used as a media room, a study, gourmet kitchen with a butler’s pantry, and multiple balconies to take in the views. “Our residents will overlook the manicured 55 hectares of green space and huge trees of the golf course or enjoy stunning views across the range,’’ he says. “They have told us they want wide, open spaces, a feeling of peacefulness and to be able to see the horizon. “The Ninth’s residents won’t be looking out at a sea of rooftops of small villas like they might in the traditional style of other Toowoomba retirement villages. “Many of our buyers are downsizing from large family homes or properties and have no desire to be hemmed in overlooking their neighbours’ washing on the line. Here the trees of the Toowoomba Golf Club will be your backyard!

“Our residents are really excited by the option to downsize somewhere with ease of access via lifts to the communal facilities allowing them to get around securely in air-conditioned comfort no matter what the weather.’’ The village’s facilities and modern apartments are pet-friendly and designed for safe, ageing in place without trip hazards and no stairs to climb. “The Ninth will provide peace of mind for our residents and their adult children. They want to know that Mum and Dad are living somewhere very comfortable where they can continue living independently with as much or as little social connection as they desire,’’ Mr Russell says. “Our residents are joining a community. Their new neighbours will be people of similar backgrounds, people who get them. They have all put in a lifetime of hard work and care for their families, so now it’s their time to just relax

and live their best lives “It’s a great opportunity to do all those things they’ve always wanted to do or try now they have more time on their hands. It might even be a perfect excuse to take up golf! “Toowoomba is a big country town that provides a rich, relaxed lifestyle with the convenience of sophisticated medical and allied health services, a range of retail options and recreational activities, plus an airport linking to the world.’’ The Ninth will have a village manager and staff to support residents, providing a secure lock-up-and-leave home when residents wish to travel. The village also has a partnership with quality in-home support provider Five Good Friends to provide personalised services to help residents continue living independently as they age in place. Five Good Friends offers a range of services from domestic support, transport to appointments, allied health, and personal and nursing care. This can be covered by your government package or privately funded. “With the level of support available to our residents they may never need to move again. They have a wide range of options to live independently well into the future,’’ Mr Russell says. “I can’t wait to witness all the good times to be had at The Ninth; the many wonderful conversations that will occur and the close friendships that develop.’’ To inquire about living at The Ninth Middle Ridge, please call (07) 4602 9099 or email live@ theninthmiddleridge.com.au.

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November 2022 TODAY 11

OPINION QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Time for action, not words FOOD FOR THOUGHT TOM MARLAND Anthony Albanese has signed Australia up to a 43 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. The easy bit was passing the legislation - the hard bit is working out how and who will pay for it. Australia already has one the highest rates of renewable energy in the world at around 30 per cent and also has one of the largest uptakes of roof top solar of any developed country in the world. And yet we still pay one of the highest prices for electricity in the world and this only looks like increasing as more renewables enter the market to replace coal fired power stations. Albanese is now also looking to join Joe Biden’s “Global Methane Pledge” to reduce methane emissions by 30 emissions by 2030. 100 countries around the world have already signed up to the pledge and pressure is on Australia to also jump off the cliff as everyone else is. New Zealand has already introduced a “burp tax” on its dairy and beef industry which looks like costing their farmers between $15,000 and $50,000 annually. Countries like the Netherlands and Ireland are also happy to sacrifice their farmers at the great alter of climate change. Albanese is proposing a “voluntary scheme” where farmers are asked to reduce their methane production for fun. Only a fool would think for one minute that cutting methane levels can be done without costs or

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. someone feeling some pain. Methane emissions from “ruminants” such as cows, buffaloes, goats, deer, camels and sheep according to the CSIRO emit around 11% of Australia’s total national greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers are trying to find ways to reduce methane emissions from ruminants by putting additives in their feed or supplements but currently this technique is not commercially viable. The only way to reduce methane emissions from ruminants is to reduce the number of them. Australia’s “ruminant” industry hit a re-

cord high of $15.7 billion gross value in 2022 so any reduction in the number of ruminants is going to cause a direct hit to the national economy and the production of that stuff we need to survive - food. Methane is also a major component of natural gas of which Australia is the world’s largest exporter. I often shake my head when the “methane” from a cow produced by eating grass produced from carbon dioxide is compared to the “methane” coming from a CSG well extracting hydrocarbons which have been stored deep

underground for millions of years. Open coal pits are also estimated to emit around 1,800,000 tonnes of methane per year according to the International Energy Agency. It is claimed that methane leaking from Australian coal mines has double the climate impact of all of Australia cars. Coal exports reached $100 billion this financial year as the prices for metallurgical coal hit historic levels. Any easy fix would be to shut all existing coal mines but what do replace the export earning with? One of the biggest sources of methane in Australia are landfills - they emit 30 per cent of Australian emissions. They are also unsightly, smelly and take up otherwise productive land. Australians produce approximately 600 kilograms of domestic waste per person per year with only about 20% of that being recycled. Out of the 1200 licensed landfills in Australia, only 100 of them capture the methane they produce to generate electricity. For example, Ravenhall in Melbourne processes 1.4 million tonnes of waste per year and generates 8.8 megawatts of electricity. Woodlawn in NSW processes 461,000 tonnes generates 4 MW of power while Swanbank in Queensland processes 500,000 tonnes to generate 1.1 MW. Imagine if we could invest in better infrastructure and methane capture technology and harness all of the methane from the rubbish we throw away? Imagine if we could turn a waste into a benefit without having to penalise otherwise productive industries? Rather than simply setting targets we need to invest in technology and production systems which will actually allow for emissions to be reduced without having to cut our own economic throats.

Agriculture part of the climate solution, not the problem This November, COP27 will get underway in Cairo, Egypt. This meeting will bring together leaders and policy makers around the world to discuss progress and next steps to halt and reverse the effects of climate change. For the Australian red meat and livestock sector, it is an opportunity to showcase our impressive work into realising our vision to be carbon neutral by 2030, or what Meat & Livestock Australia calls CN30. In October, there was news of the Australian government’s indication that it would sign up to US President Joe Biden’s pledge for a 30% reduction of methane outputs by 2030. It created a debate within the industry as well as outside it, but what it showed most of all was that the livestock sector is already miles ahead of that pledge. MLA’s voluntary goal to be carbon neutral by 2030 is more ambitious than the proposed solution put forward by President Biden. The industry is also already getting results, with recent figures indicating that we have re-

FROM THE MLA JASON STRONG duced greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 60 per cent since 2005, more than any other sector in Australia. The Australian red meat industry can contribute towards the Global Methane Pledge, especially if the industry receives the support necessary to make additional investment in the development, commercialisation and adoption of new methane reducing technology. Most of the industry’s reductions to date have been via carbon storage in vegetation and increased efficiency. It is expected that much of the remaining net emissions reductions will be absolute reductions in methane.

Carbon neutrality should not and does not need to come at the cost of livestock numbers or land productivity. CN30 is as much about building on-farm productivity and intergenerational sustainability as it is achieving zero net emissions from red meat production in Australia. It is important to remember that the Methane Pledge does not ask that every sector or even every country must reduce methane by 30 per cent on 2020 levels by 2030. It is a goal designed to encourage collective action across all industries and across the globe. The pros and cons for other sectors will need to be considered, as collective action from all methane emitting industries will be required. Australian red meat industries contribute roughly 10 per cent of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions and about two-thirds of these emissions come from cattle. Methane stemming from cattle’s natural digestion process is the beef industry’s main contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.

Methane emitted from cattle are part of the natural, or “biogenic” carbon cycle and do not contribute additional net inputs to the environment, compared with emissions released in the extraction and mining of fossil fuels. The beef industry can be helped to reduce methane emissions through funding activities aimed at fast-tracking commercialisation of methane reducing feed additives, helping producers commence emissions accounting for their farm businesses and development of emissions reduction fund methodologies (ERF) and other incentives for adoption of novel feed additives. The Australian red meat industry has already done much of the heavy lifting on limiting carbon pollution and is on track to be carbon neutral by 2030, so we expect these positive, proactive steps our industry is taking are properly recognised and supported should Australia decide to sign up to the Global Methane Pledge.

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QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

NEWS

Transforming a carpark to a helipad and cold stores to emergency food supplies – how Australia’s largest farmer-owned meat processing co-operative scrambled to help its local community in the wake of the New South Wales flooding disaster.

Co-op helps communities

When floodwaters raged through the Northern Rivers in early 2022, hundreds of Casino Food Coop staff split into work crews, complete with machinery and supplies, to help the community. some families to return to their homes,” Mr Moore said. “In the frontline, our Pacific Island staff helped evacuate and raise the spirits of locals in the harshest areas of the flood.” Mr Stahl said he discovered traumatised flood victims were seeking counselling at evacuation centres.

“But there was no one there to help them,” he said. “So, we had our own counsellors go down because we just knew it made sense that there would be people stressed.” The Co-op had launched its own in-house counselling program years earlier. “After realising the difficulties employees

were having in accessing community-based psychological care, a pioneering HR team member retrained as a counsellor and began the in-house program,” Mr Moore said. Mr Moore said the program shows one of the greatest strengths of the co-operative model – a deep connection to the community. “The Co-op is managed by an elected board of directors, with more than 500 farmer members, which means that member engagement is in the DNA,” he said. “Having members on the board means the organisation is approachable and supportive of the people in the local area.” Months after the floodwaters have subsided the recovery work continues, with the Co-op working to address a housing shortage. “The Co-op has just opened what we believe is the first onsite accommodation at a meatworks in Australia, with 60 beds providing a much-needed solution for our employees,” Mr Moore said. Mr Stahl said the commitment to the local community is also related to the Co-op’s wider belief in the sustainability of beef production. “The vast majority of farmers are passionate about good stewardship of the land and maintaining the wellbeing of their herds,” Mr Stahl said. “The Co-op also acknowledges that sustainability of the business, the industry and its people is just as important and we are constantly looking at new opportunities to support the community and help Australian farming businesses to remain strong. “This was a great example of all of our people doing what they do best.”

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When floodwaters raged through the Northern Rivers in early 2022, few had seen anything like it. Homes and properties across the region were devastated, lives were lost and thousands of people were displaced and looking for help. The Casino Food Co-op, which has been operating since 1933, was fortunate to escape damage but some of its farmer members and employees were not so lucky. CEO Simon Stahl says the Co-op immediately suspended operations to launch a recovery effort. “We did not need any approvals other than a call to the chairman,” Mr Stahl said. “Yes, it was going to cost us some money but that wasn’t the consideration. It was about acting and doing.” Executive group manager (environment, sustainability and innovation) Trevor Moore said the meat processing facility became the centre of the operation. “There was the speedy transformation of the Co-op’s carpark into a helipad, ready to assist with rescues and food drops and the repurposing of our cold stores and facilities to store and distribute emergency food supplies,” he said. “It was a team effort, with many employees voluntarily showing up day after day to help put food packs together because they knew they were saving their community.” Hundreds of staff split into about a dozen work crews, complete with machinery and supplies, to fan out into the community to offer assistance. “Our skilled tradesmen led teams helping with essential utilities repairs and enabled

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November 2022 TODAY 13

OPINION QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Boot up to tackle threats going to be stored and will it be protected?’ While cyber security is known about, it’s simply not front of mind for many agribusinesses when implementing internet-connected technologies. But it needs to be, given data breaches and other forms of cyber attacks can cost companies tens of thousands of dollars through extortion, fines for privacy breaches, loss of customer trust and reputational damage. In June 2020, dairy processor and drink manufacturer Lion temporarily shut down production, leading to beer shortages, due to a cyber attack. Then in May last year, global meat processing company JBS paid about US$11 million to a criminal gang to end a five-day cyber attack that brought its operations around the world to a grinding halt. The group behind the attack reportedly said they will continue to target the agriculture sector and its supply chains. It’s frightening stuff. According to security services provider, Aliva, many insurance companies are sending questionnaires to assess the technical capability of a business before they agree to underwrite or renew cyber insurance. For businesses which have no cyber protection, insurance providers are refusing coverage. Aliva is among the companies that will deliver a presentation at a meeting for farmers at the Agtech and Logistics Hub on 24 November. The Hub has teamed up with AgForce to host the meeting which will help farmers with agtech adoption, including the need to protect themselves from the risk of cyber attacks. It’s well and truly time for the agricultural industry to boot up and stamp on this significant growing threat. Thomas Hall is the Director of the Agtech and Logistics Hub, Australia’s home of digital agriculture.

BREAKING GROUND WITH THOMAS HALL The growing adoption of data-driven agtech is yielding benefits in profitability and productivity but has also sowed the seeds of a new challenge for growers and producers – cyber security. Getting hacked is now high up on the list of major threats to the Australian agricultural industry alongside long-standing risks like drought, pest infestation, water insecurity and rising energy costs. The digital revolution in agriculture has made the sector highly vulnerable to cyber attacks that have the potential to cause massive disruption to agribusinesses and food production. In fact, statistics show that during the 20192020 financial year that agriculture was the sixth most likely sector in Australia to record a data breach. So, as we celebrate Queensland Agtech Month and National Agricultural Day this November it’s important to discuss the cyber security risks that come with the growing adoption of agtech. The unfortunate reality is that cyber criminals see agriculture as a soft target because little investment has been made in cyber security despite a surge in digital technologies within the sector. Computerised agricultural machinery and systems give hackers the means to access important business information including finan-

cials, customer information, data and production systems. Cyber criminals can hack into tractor GPS systems, drones, remote sensor technology, unencrypted radio frequency equipment including signal boosters and identification tags and autonomous machinery to name a few. Despite the genuine and growing risk of being hacked, many agribusinesses aren’t doing enough to protect their operations.

A recent survey of more than 1000 agricultural operations found they were underprepared for cyber attacks. Only one in six respondents said they had a cyber security incident response plan and most said they didn’t know where to go for help after an attack. When farmers adopt data-driven agtech they are more likely to be thinking about how it will improve productivity, profitability, and sustainability, rather than ‘where is my data

Guidance for managing impacts of business change Have you ever stopped to think about the impact change has on your life? Some changes are positive and welcomed and others are more challenging. Talking with my mum about this article was particularly enlightening as she recounted a story to me about when she was a 16 year old girl (she is now 92!) and droving cattle over the range from her parent’s farm at Ventor for water. It wasn’t an easy ride, however she loved that time. Then came the time when a bore was sunk on the farm and she no longer had to ride over the range. This change was welcomed for the security of water and less stress on the cattle. However, mum found that she really missed this time away from her other chores (and her little brothers and sisters!) When you are running a business, no matter what industry you are in, change is inevitable. Being prepared and having a plan is a necessary part of the process to get the best

MOVING FORWARD WITH LYNNE WILBRAHAM out of the situation. Times of change are a great opportunity to review, reflect and reassess challenges and opportunities. The need or desire to change may come from a desire to grow your business or external pressure to diversify into different products or services, or maybe there is a wonderful idea you have been itching to explore? There is an excellent guide in the Business. qld.gov.au website to help keep you on track and help make the process less challenging. As noted on this site, the type of change you

are experiencing and your reasons for it, will influence the way you plan. Firstly, think about your reasons for change. Why do you need to change and what do you need to change? Has a threat to your business growth come from an unexpected quarter? Are there opportunities you have identified and want to explore? Do you have a good argument for change? Do your reasons for change measure up against your business and market knowledge? List the steps you need to take. What actions are needed to make changes that will last and will address the problems and opportunities you have identified? Are there any other options you can explore? State your case! Have you done a costbenefit analysis? Have you considered all options? Set and clarify your goals. What are the outcomes you want to achieve through this

change process? Establish targets that will help you realise your goals. Set your objectives. Focus on the environment and business you want to create and also define the level of commitment needed to help make this happen. Identify the critical stages or milestones in your change process. This will help you identify the steps you need to take to reach your goals and targets. Change is inescapable and can be a positive and productive part of your business journey. You can reap the benefits if it is managed effectively. Lynne Wilbraham is a Strengthening Business facilitator supporting the North and South Burnett and Cherbourg regions. More information on the Strengthening Business Service can be found at https:// business.gov.au/Grants-and-Programs/ Strengthening-Business or by contacting Lynne.Wilbraham@ep.industry.gov.au

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November 2022 TODAY 15

OPINION QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

The heart of the matter My mate has had a CAC score for his heart, what is it? When I was out at Longreach and Barcaldine recently for the Head of the Outback , a local bushy I know was asking me about a test he had heard was now available for “checking out rust in your heart pipes”, he said. He is a bit of a cattle station runner and manages in his weekly routine of running sheep and cattle finding time to run out to his mailbox about 10 km round trip. Great effort as he reckons it kept him sane during the years of drought he had had on his place. Anyway, the main thing is here is a good example of a test getting airtime away from the city. So here is a potted version of some facts and information sources you might like to check yourself. Heart disease (coronary heart disease) is the leading cause of death in Australia according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019. Cardiovascular disease kills one Australian every 12 minutes. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) includes coronary heart disease, stroke (3rd leading cause of death) and heart failure. Accurate risk assessment, risk mitigation strategies and early detection are all valuable in reducing the mortality rates from this condition. So it’s a pretty big problem and sadly a lot of people present to late for evaluation of their condition so don’t be one of them. Assessing Cardiovascular Risk The clinical risk factors for CVD include high blood pressure (hypertension), raised total cholesterol (>5.5mmol/L), diabetes and kidney disease. Lifestyle risk factors include smoking, being overweight or obese (waist circumference and Body Mass Index) and sedentary behaviour. Other risk factors include alcohol intake, family history of premature cardiovascular disease, Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (genetically inherited high cholesterol) and abnormal heart rhythms. You can talk to your GP about screening.

FARMERS’ HEALTH WITH DR TOBY FORD Often a stress echocardiogram is the anchor test for exercise tolerance and measuring the motion of the heart alongside the electrics. However, the CAC score is becoming more prominent in screening, particularly if medication might be required and the doctor wants to show a compelling reason to demonstrate the need for preventative treatment . In 2012, the National Vascular Disease Prevention Alliance launched its Absolute Cardiovascular Disease risk calculator. This is freely available online at <http://cvdcheck.org.au> . This risk calculator cannot predict every cardiovascular disease event and recent studies have shown that it may not predict up to 75% of events in younger people. Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Scoring - a screening test The Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ) released its position statement on Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring in May 2017 for patients aged 40-75 years. CAC scoring is a non-invasive CT scan method of quantifying the amount of plaque (atherosclerosis with calcium build-up) in coronary arteries and is an independent predictor of future heart attack and mortality. It is a screening test for those who have no signs or symptoms of disease or illness. The CAC score can be used for individualised risk stratification for individuals that have an intermediate (10 - 15%) risk of heart disease and may also be considered for lower risk patients (6 - 10%) when there is a family history

of premature CVD or if the individual is diabetic and 40-60 years old. Studies have also showed the utility of CAC scoring in super-fit endurance athletes such as people who undertake extreme exercise such as marathon running and ultra-bike riding. My mate in Longreach is a perfect candidate for this discussion as he has a high cholesterol and bad cholesterol fraction. But he is like a lot of people, he thinks his need to take medication has to be pretty convincing. He’s had a few run ins with his GP because he feels his lifestyle is good, but his total cholesterol is over 6.0 mmol and bad cholesterol, LDL, is 4.2 mmol . His good cholesterol, HDL, is low at 0.9 mmol, considering his exercise. (the higher this one is the better). His GP wants him to consider medication but he can’t see why. These are numbers we try to manage actively in our programs for well athletes because they can be a group who don’t present, they are well they feel, “they run”, which is their cure for everything stressful. But as I said to him if for any reason he has to stop running, then he struggles very quickly because he does not have any other psychological outlets for pressure. When he had a skin cancer off his shin and put a spade bit through the web between his thumb and index finger life went to custard quickly so we all need multiple stress relievers, more of that next time. CAC scoring is not currently subsidised by Medicare and needs to be fully paid for by the individual patient. It does however, allow doctors to give individualised information to patients about their relative risk of having a heart attack or a stroke in the future and thereby make informed decisions on strategies and treatments to reduce that risk if it is found to be high. No test is perfect and it cannot prevent every event. Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Scoring Results At the conclusion of your CAC scoring CT

scan, the computer calculates a “score” equating to the amount of calcified plaque in each coronary artery and indicates the calcified plaque burden within the arteries. It does not indicate if there is narrowing or blockage. Your score is then compared to that of other asymptomatic men and women of the same age. Your report will include both a raw score and a percentile score and both are taken into account when interpreting the significance of the result. This then allows your doctor to interpret your cardiovascular risk on an individual basis and provide tailored advice about diet and lifestyle measures or medical therapy such as aspirin or cholesterol-lowering medications. It also allows your doctor to recommend if the CAC score needs to be repeated in the future and in what timeframe if it is required. Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Scoring - Procedure You will need to make an appointment for this test. It is done in a CT scanner and is not a claustrophobic experience. As it is not an angiogram procedure no needles are used and no dye injected, so it is painless and quick. For more information: Talk to your GP Heart Foundation of Australia <https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/aboutus/what-we-do/heart-disease-in-australia> The Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand <https://www.csanz.edu.au/wp-content/ u p l o a d s / 2 0 1 7 / 0 7 / C AC _ Po s i t i o n - St a t e ment_2017_ratified-26-May-2017.pdf> Mayo Clinic <https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/heart-scan/about/pac-20384686> This article was prepared by Dr Toby Ford Ford Health . www.fordhealth.com.au

· · ·

Handel tours regional Queensland at Christmas The Toowoomba Philharmonic Society will perform Handel’s Messiah during its Regional Christmas Tour between 26 November to 4 December in four spectacular performances across Toowoomba, Nanango, and Warwick. Conducted by artistic director Calista Walters, 14 soloists and chorus - accompanied by a Chamber Orchestra - will perform Handel’s Messiah. Andrew Doecke will play the pipe organ. Toowoomba Philharmonic Society president Haidee Janetzki says: “In this performance we have tried to maximise community involvement, to widen our scope and

share the experience to rural communities”. In this spirit, their soloists and choristers hail from right across the region, including Toowoomba, Warwick, Nanango, Pittsworth and the Gold Coast. In addition to the performances, there will be a raffle valued at more than $1000, which will be drawn at the final performance on Sunday 4 December at St Luke’s Church in Toowoomba. If you would like more information about the upcoming performances or would like to buy tickets visit www.tphilo.com.au or call (07) 4632 3072.

Soloists who will perform in Handel’s Messiah this year, photographed in St Luke’s Church, Toowoomba. Front row left to right: Artistic director Calista Walters, Haidee Janetzki, Shekinah Arulapan- Olsen, Yvonne Finlay, Shantelle Shore. Back row left to right: Cathi Brown, Ian Kammholz and Caitlin Nass.

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Scams spike Farmers and small businesses in rural and regional areas are urged to be cautious, particularly when buying heavy machinery, following a spike in scams targeting the agricultural sector this year. Reports to the ACCC’s Scamwatch show Australian farm businesses lost more than $1.2 million to scammers between 1 January and 31 August 2022, an increase of more than 20 per cent compared to the same period last year. The most common scam targeting farmers involved the sale of tractors and heavy machinery, with losses to this scam alone topping $1 million so far this year. “Scammers are ruthlessly luring farmers and rural businesses with seemingly good online deals on tractors and other farm machinery through fake websites or bogus classifieds on legitimate platforms and publications,” ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh said. “Unfortunately, we have seen a concerning rise in agricultural scams in recent years, as farm businesses increasingly purchase machinery online. These scams are causing substantial financial losses and emotional devastation. “Scammers are highly sophisticated in the ways they impersonate a business – some fake websites have ABNs for instance - which is why we are urging farmers and business owners to be alert to the scam risks and do extra checks to avoid getting caught out.” Scammers trick people through a range of ever-evolving methods such as providing a contract of sale, answering questions about the potential sale of machinery by phone or email, or offering a free trial period once money is deposited into an escrow account, which is actually part of the scam. Independently verifying the existence of a business by searching the address of the business and calling a nearby business, is an important step in ensuring the seller is who they say they are. “Many scams can be revealed by doing an internet search of the exact wording in the ad,“ Mr Keogh said.

“Never click on a link provided to you by the seller or pay upfront - even if you are promised the money is refundable. Ask to pay at the time of delivery or pickup. “If possible, inspect the machinery in person or via live video first. Scammers will often have an excuse as to why machinery can’t be inspected in person and that is a red flag for any buyer. “Scammers may advertise machinery at lower prices than the typical market rate. As always, if it looks too good to be true or if you feel pressured in any way, chances are it’s a scam.” Farmers are also being warned against giving too much personal information as scammers are targeting more than just money. “Legitimate sellers will only ever ask for enough information to deliver what you’ve ordered, so it is important not to give too much personal information over the phone or online as you may fall victim to identity theft,” Mr Keogh said. “If you have provided personal information and you are concerned you have been scammed, contact IDCARE immediately.” Businesses, regardless of whether they have lost money, are encouraged to report scams and learn more about how to get help on the Scamwatch website scamwatch.gov.au. Fact File The ACCC-run Scamwatch aims to raise awareness about how to recognise, avoid and report scams. It shares intelligence and works with government, law enforcement and the private sector to disrupt and prevent scams. If you have experienced cybercrime and lost money online, you can report to police via ReportCyber. For crisis support to help with emotional distress about scams contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or access support via the online chat between 7pm and midnight www.lifeline.org.au. Beyond Blue also provides support for anxiety and depression 1300 22 4636 or chat online www.beyondblue.org.au.

Scammers are ruthlessly luring farmers and rural businesses, according to the ACCC.

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November 2022 TODAY 17

Make Mungbeans your summer crop of choice

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Your pillar summer crop By Paul Mcintosh, Pulse Australia Mungbeans are very water efficient, with great dollar returns per mm of soil water from a full moisture profile before planting. So important in my agronomic eyes! The wet weather in Queensland has certainly stopped one of my greatest concerns for farmers or land managers with the tendency to over-estimate their soil moisture levels at pre-plant stage. Let’s turn to weed control for your mungbean crops for the approximately 1400 day degrees growing period in your paddock. By weeds I mean plants out of place, like feathertop Rhodes (FTR) grass or fleabane, as two of our worst weeds. FTR is a highly competitive plant and seeds prolifically, yet DAF researcher Michael Widderick has proven that reducing the row spacings of your mungbean crop can reduce FTR growth and seed set. Add in some good early grass control, as UQ researcher Bhagirath Chauhan has demonstrated, with a residual herbicide like Dual Gold (metolachlor), plus a good even strike of 20 to 30 mungbean plants per square metre, and be rewarded accordingly in your crop yields and potentially grass-free paddock – full of clean green mungbeans. Even if there are a few errant grass plants in your crop, there are several fop and dim type herbicides suitable and registered for applying in-crop for grass weed control. My strong word of caution here is to not use any of the Group 1 (was Group A) grass herbicides in any flowering pulse crop. This group of herbicides are fine to use pre-flowering and are very effective in controlling grasses in broadleaf crops, particularly mungbeans. My note of caution is

Hugh Brier, DAF entomologist, in a mungbean paddock showing how it is done with a beat-sheet, looking for both beneficial and pest insects. that if any mungbean or pulse crop flowers are present, they can accumulate the active ingredient from these grass herbicides and as the pods and seeds form, the plant exports that pesticide active ingredient from the flower to the seed. This can potentially exceed the maximum residue level (MRL), and with all our pre-

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dominantly export markets having sensitive testing procedures, rejection or much lower prices for any MRL breach is very possible. With contact tracing done over the entire Australian mungbean crop, your attention to detail, label compliance and completed grower declaration forms at delivery time are

all very important. Our Australian mungbean crop is highly sought after in the Asian market and with no extra processing performed on these tonnes of seed from your harvester, it really is crucial that you follow all the rules and label registrations of any pesticide used in the crop.

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Mungbean price outlook If there was ever going to be a season that started well and finished wet, the 2022 mungbean crop was it! Dale Reeves, President of the Australian Mungbean Associated reported that “The huge variations in quality due to the continuing La Niña delivered another mixed bag and prices reflected, for a third year, the demand for Australian processing grade mungbeans”. “The Indian market remained closed to the Australian crop with the small quota tonnage released soon satisfied by cheaper lower

grade beans from African and Myanmar origins. Myanmar also has the formulated benefit of trade arrangements that provide supply of Black Matpe direct to India.” James Hunt from Australian Choice Exports commented that “China was again the main support for the early traded crop from Australia and this continued throughout the season for good quality manufacturing to processing grade mungbeans”. The drought in China maintained this focus on buying well into the summer crop harvest when rains started to hamper the yields and quality of the remaining crop. James continued that “the volume of

Mungbean

lower grade mungbeans was initially taken as a major concern to exporters with China wanting only the better qualities. Some grower lines were severely affected with up to 40&percnt; splits and damaged seeds”. The reduced quality was soon met with demand from buyers in the milling markets that are not usually supplied by Australia. Mark Schmidt from Deacons Seeds Company in Dalby said this provided a late season break for a lot of growers that traditionally would be waiting in a queue or taking significant discounts to stock feed prices. Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam all provided a much-needed

outlet for these lower grades with reasonable prices returned for growers. The outlook for the coming season is still positive with prices indicated at levels that started the season in 2022. Commenting on the upcoming season, James Hunt explained that it is anticipated that China will continue with similar demands as there is a very small carryout of stocks globally with indications of drier regions in Africa and South America providing indications of average yields, adding the AUD has also been supportive of exports and currently the lower AUD will make Australian beans attractive. 12573299-HC43-22

By Dale Reeves, Australian Mungbean Association

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November 2022 TODAY 19

NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Lot 89 - Seymour Natasha

Lot 88 - Seymour Newday

Lot 47 - RSVP Sparkle

Cream of the Bunya crop Bunya Sales Group will hold its 9th Cream of the Crop Droughtmaster Female Sale on Saturday 26 November. 130 quality young females have been catalogued from 20 vendors and will include 12 cows and calves, five joined heifers and 113 unjoined heifers. The sale is held at the Coolabunia Selling Complex in Kingaroy kicking off at 10am in the undercover sale ring. All joined and unjoined females will have at a minimum sire verification by DNA. This has been an initiative of the Bunya Sales Group at both the Bunya Bull Sale and Cream of the Crop Female Sale to give buyers confidence in the accuracy of pedigrees in those cattle offered. The vendors of this sale have embraced the technology and the large majority of cattle offered will have also been Pompes Tested Negative and Horn/Poll Tested. All cattle will be pre-treated for ticks and undergo a pre-sale inspection allowing for immediate delivery to clean areas following the sale. The sale will again be offering the Elite

Livestock online selling platform for those who are unable to attend the sale in person. Outside agents are offered a two per cent rebate for introducing their clients in writing, 48 hours prior to the sale. Bulk Buyers that purchase eight or more females will be eligible for the following rebates: WA, SA, NT, NSW & Vic Buyers $75/female. QLD Buyers $50/female. Buyers are invited to attend on Friday 25th November with viewing of females from 3pm. An impressive line-up of females will excite everyone, whether you’re looking for quality additions to your stud or larger numbers for your commercial herd this is a sale not to be missed. With record cattle prices and a strong seasonal outlook, now is the time to add some quality females to your breeding herd. Sale contacts are Mark Duthie GDL – 0448 016 950 & Midge Thompson ALL – 0427 710 018 A Digital Sale Catalogue Link will be available on the Sale Facebook Page or www.bunyasales.com.au

· ·

Lot 18 Eversleigh Polly

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20 TODAY November 2022

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

NEWS

Cattle for a ‘good cause’ By Jessica McGrath A grey heifer, with white streaks on the side of her face, moved around in her yard as the crowd gathered around her. This was no ordinary pen at the Coolabunia Saleyards on Friday, 30 September. The funds from her sale would go towards the South Burnett Relay For Life team Ride 4 Relay’s fundraising efforts. Bill and Leesa Johnston donated their heifer, a Santa Bull over Charolais Angus cow, to the ‘Cattle 4A Cure’ event. “It’s an effective way to raise money and it brings another industry into the fundraising,” Bill Johnston said. Auctioneers Aussie Land and Livestock were keen to get involved and donated the saleyard administration fee for the heifer’s sale. Bill and Leesa Johnston first got on board with South Burnett Relay For Life when their children joined the school Relay For Life team. After a few years break they jumped back on board, joining the Ride 4 Relay team who raise funds for cancer research by taking on the challenge of cycling for five days. “Jason Wyeth started it, we all jumped on the bandwagon,” Mr Johnston said. For Mr Johnston, a highlight of the 2022 Ride 4 Relay, which went from 30 August to 3 September, was the ride over the Bunya Mountains. However, before the auction began the raffle tickets were drawn. For something different this year, Pat and Sue Williams decided to donate their cattle to the cause as well, but as meat packs. The Williams teamed up with The Little Butcher in Kingaroy who will divide the beast into four meat packs for the winners of the ‘Pat Williams Ride 4 Relay Cattle 4A Cure Raffle 2022’ which raised a total of $3,400. The raffle ticket winners were Myolene

The crowd gathered around the Cattle 4A Cure pen as the auction started. 301406

Leesa Johnston, buyer Jamie Marriott and Bill Johnston at the pen with the Cattle 4A Cure heifer. Pictures: JESSICA MCGRATH

301406

Voller from Kingaroy, Jen Castagana from the Sunshine Coast, Paul and Sharon Emery from Longreach and Denise Johnes. Aussie Land and Livestock’s Midge Thompson opened the auction, sharing how every family is impacted by cancer in some way or another. “Let’s try and raise some support,” he said. “We’ve donated the administration fee, so

it’s a bit of a combined effort.” Mr Thompson led the auction as the price quickly grew. Yarraman fencing contractor Jamie Marriott won the bid at $9.25 per kilo. with the heifer weighing in at 295kg. “I came here to support the [Cattle 4A Cure] Sale,” Mr Marriott said.

Bill Johnston addresses the crowd and thanks them for their support. 301406 “It’s a good cause, we’ve all had people with cancer close to us.” The heifer officially weighed in at 295kg, boosting the Cattle 4A Cure total by more than $2,728. The 2022 Ride 4 Relay team’s fundraising totals stood at more than $28,500 before the Cattle 4A Cure boosted their efforts.

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Jessica earns cotton win By Fiona Gowers Jessica Strauch from Goondiwindi is the ADAMA Chris Lehmann Trust Young Cotton Achiever of the Year. Jessica currently manages the northern NSW region, as well as cotton pricing for Queensland Cotton and is also part of the industry’s premier entry-level initiative, the Australian Future Cotton Leaders’ Program. She said she was “beyond humbled” to receive recognition. “It is still so surreal to be recognised for something you love doing,” Jessica said. “I suppose I’ve had quite a short but rewarding career so far in cotton. “I did have a background in agriculture but, prior to my employment within the industry, I’d actually never walked into a field of cotton. “But because of the guidance, mentorship and endless opportunities the industry has provided, I was quite quickly able to move through a range of diverse roles across different growing regions, which has led me to where I am in my current role at Queensland Cotton. “My position provides me with the opportunity to work in a global sphere with export sales and trading teams, while remaining regionally based, so that I can still immerse myself in what’s going on within our local community.” Born and bred in Gympie, where she completed her primary and secondary schooling, Jessica then studied a Bachelor of Environmental Management at Griffith University in Brisbane. Her first position in the cotton industry was as a grower services representative for Namoi Cotton, a role she said gave her incredible insight into the role of merchants and ginners. “Looking back now, I’ll be forever grateful for the chance the company took on my employment,” Jessica said. “It’s a testament to the opportunities, onthe-job training and mentorship that the industry has to provide.”

In 2020 Jessica relocated to Dubbo in NSW for Namoi Cotton, as the general manager of customer operations for the Macquarie and Lachlan Valleys. She said the role presented a “fantastic opportunity” for her to immerse herself in the operational aspects of bringing teams together, building new grower- and industry relationships and expanding on her ginning knowledge. Another career highlight had been her involvement in industry organisations and, in particular, the McIntyre Valley Cotton Field Day Committee. “For me, one of the really memorable events that I was able to assist with was the organisation of the 2019 Baylor Cotton Grower of the Year Field Day,” Jessica said. “It was not only a fantastic event from an industry advocacy and educational perspective, it was also a great networking opportunity for all involved. “What I love about the industry is the people, whether it’s growers or industry personnel, we have such a progressive and nurturing culture within the Australian cotton industry. “I love the warmth that the industry has and this real desire and need to share what we have and to educate those around us with our dayto-day practices. “The industry implements collaboration in a ground-up format that enables the sharing of key learnings and developments, which I feel has been essential in keeping the industry informed, progressive and agile in its endeavour to implement change at a sustainable pace.” Jessica said she had learned the gift of leadership through the mentorship and guidance the cotton industry had provided. And her goals for the future? “To one day be able to give back the opportunities that have been given to me is my ultimate goal of industry contribution,” she said, adding “And to share our story and highlight the wonderful career opportunities this industry has on offer.”

The ADAMA Chris Lehmann Trust Young Cotton Achiever of the Year, Jessica Strauch from Goondiwindi.

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Jessica Strauch from Goondiwindi was named the ADAMA Chris Lehmann Trust Young Cotton Achiever of the Year at the Australian Cotton Conference on the Gold Coast.

22 TODAY November 2022

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Josh Kelly, a University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) student, Julie Tom, Reason to Thrive business development manager, Dr Samantha Brown, a UniSQ lecturer, Michelle Beatty, Reason to Thrive equine programs manager and Sharni Ephraums, a UniSQ student.

Horses for (uni) courses Horsing around will become serious business for a group of University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) students who will soon start learning about horses’ healing power. Up to six Master of Clinical Psychology students will volunteer at Reason to Thrive, a local not-for-profit organisation where qualified equine-assisted learning (EAL) facilitators work alongside horses to improve the mental, physical and social wellbeing of vulnerable youth and women. EAL provides personal development and life skills through experiential learning and psychosocial development. UniSQ psychology lecturer Dr Samantha Brown said EAL was an emerging area of research with promising findings, especially for vulnerable clients with a history of trauma. “For many people, the healing power of animals has been obvious for a long time. However, research is only just beginning to capture

the impact of animals on human wellbeing,” she said. “Research tells us that EAL can help improve client wellbeing and increase hope, particularly for vulnerable groups where traditional talk therapy may not be appropriate. “Working with horses can often help clients with a background of trauma develop a sense of empowerment and confidence that can then help them be ready to engage in more traditional forms of psychological intervention.” The students, currently undertaking an internship at the University’s Ipswich Psychology and Counselling Clinic, will work with Reason to Thrive over the next six weeks as part of their final placement experience for the year. They will observe and assist the facilitators and potentially provide support to clients. Dr Brown said it was a valuable opportunity for the students to see how EAL programs assist the community. “We are very excited to have our students connect with a local organisation providing an

innovative service to vulnerable clients,” she said. “I hope this will inspire future psychologists to work in this emerging area of wellbeing.” Sharni Ephraums is one of the students participating in the exciting placement opportunity. She hoped it would open her eyes to a new level of healing and wellbeing. “I’m looking forward to being outdoors with horses and engaging with clients away from a traditional clinical setting,” she said. “I feel most calm and not stressed when cuddling a puppy, but I’m interested to see how a big and beautiful animal like a horse can provide a safe and stable environment for people. “Equine assisted learning hasn’t been investigated a whole lot scientifically, so I’m keen to see the positive effects of this program.” Mental health is a top priority for UniSQ, which is focused on research and community partnerships that address key issues related to mental health and reduce the impact of men-

tal illness in our communities. Reason to Thrive equine programs manager Michelle Beatty said supporting the students as they completed their placement learning was a win-win. “We are excited to have the students join us and share their experience of our programs,” Mrs Beatty said. “The insight that the students will give us from a mental health viewpoint could allow our facilitators to interpret the outcomes from a different lens, which may not always be so literal.” Reason to Thrive offers two life skills programs, one for youth at-risk of becoming, or who have become, disengaged from formal education and family. The other is for women whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence. Founded in Warwick in 2017 before moving to Brisbane in 2018, the organisation has supported more than 200 young people and 100 women over the past four years.

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By Fiona Gowers

November 2022 TODAY 23

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Rural women play vital role By Fiona Gowers

Dr Karen Peel and Dr Brad McLennan (pictured) received a Research Excellence highly commended award by the Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia (SPERA) at the National Conference for Regional, Rural, and Remote Education in the Barossa Valley in October. the students beyond their online lessons, uploading materials to be sent to the distance education school, communicating with teachers, managing timetables, organising learning resources and establishing everyday routines in the school room.“ Dr McLennan said formally recognising the

skills a RET required could be transformative for rural teaching pathways. “There is an absolute need for the people who take on this role, usually women, to have a career pathway that recognises their skills and offers an opportunity for economic security.” The Capricornia Project will now move into

its third phase and take its findings on the lives and experiences of RETs to share among education stakeholders, with future credentialling opportunities in mind. “We advocate the industry establishes the RET as an occupation that is recognised, respected and valued,” Dr Peel said.

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Resilience and adaptability are familiar skills for rural and remote women across Australia. They are also some of the crucial abilities developed by the women, who, either by choice or necessity, take on the role of educating the children of the bush in a role known as remote education tutor (RET). This complex and essential education work happening in remote homes across the country is being studied in an innovative University of Southern Queensland project that was recently internationally celebrated for its work. The three-phase Capricornia Project, now in its second year, explores the lived experience of mothers and governesses in the role of RET. The research has so far shown that most often it is women in the home who take on this critical role of conduit between distance education students and their teachers. Their voice describes the high level of responsibility and complex capabilities required to fulfill the role. It has also found that when there is an opportunity to employ a RET, frequently the role is filled by young women. Critically, the University of Southern Queensland researchers have shown there is a limited career pathway and no way to gain formal qualification for the education skills required by the women who take on this role. Research found this contributes to the role of RETs being an unseen and under-appreciated occupation. In an Australia-wide survey, only 30 per cent of practising RETs believed they had a clear pathway to a career. Significantly, time constraints and competing demands impact their work-life balance. Dr Karen Peel, Dr Brad McLennan, Professor Patrick Danaher and Elizabeth Burnett received a Research Excellence highly commended award by the Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia (SPERA) at the National Conference for Regional, Rural, and Remote Education in the Barossa Valley in October. The research team, which led the Capricornia Project, presented some of its findings at the national conference. It comes after the project was also presented the 2022 Silver Award from the United States Distance Learning Association. Dr Peel said recognition for the parents and hired governesses who helped educate children in remote and rural areas was long overdue. “The remote education tutor role is undoubtedly adopting an educator’s role,” she said. “It is a crucial part of equitable education in rural Australia. “This includes supporting the learning of

24 TODAY November 2022

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Roma’s Lee Pope on her Angel Flight to Brisbane with volunteer pilot Nigel Fotheringham and support worker Lesley.

Lee thanks her angel pilot Life has thrown its fair share of challenges at Roma’s Lee Pope, but she chooses to look on the bright side. And she was soaring high when Angel Flight chopper pilot Nigel Fotheringham ferried the 62-year-old to Brisbane for a visit with an orthopaedic specialist. “I’m very appreciative of Angel Flight,” Lee said. “I think it’s a marvellous service, I really do. I couldn’t speak highly enough of it because they are all volunteers and they do what they can.” It wasn’t Lee’s first Angel Flight and it probably won’t be her last. Diagnosed with AARSKOG syndrome, an extremely rare disease that affects a person’s

height, muscles, skeleton, genitals and appearance, Lee is riddled with osteoarthritis and her mobility limited by spinal degeneration. “That syndrome is very rare and only one per cent of the population in Australia have it at a push and I’m even a rarer example of that rare group. “I’ve probably pushed it too much by living on anti-inflammatories over the years and the window of opportunity for surgery on my back has closed; no surgeon will touch it.” With her mobility severely limited, Lee relies on her support worker Lesley and the NDIS to make life bearable. Living in a cabin behind her adopted sister’s home, she is waiting for modifications to be approved for her dwelling and a motor for her wheelchair.

“When it works, the NDIS is fabulous and I’ve got nothing but high praise, but it takes a long time to put things in place,” Lee said. “I’ve got the wheelchair, but the NDIS have to approve the motor because it’s in a higher risk category … so it’s sitting there. “I’m also waiting on a builder to start the home modifications, which means I don’t have the room to swing a cat because I can’t even get the walker in there so that’s making life pretty difficult at the moment. “When it all happens, it will be fantastic.” Lee admits she’s learned she has to pick her battles after some hard life lessons. “At one time in my life I felt like I’d lived two or three lifetimes because my mantra in life was to be a chameleon; I tried to be what everybody wanted me to be,” she said.

“In truth, I lost sight of myself and, at the end of the day, I am who I am today … and I just want my nice, peaceful life.” She has found that pottering around in her garden dominated by hardy hibiscus, surrounded by her mini dachshunds Champagne, Contessa, Khanda and Moses. “You’ve got to have something to get you out of bed in the morning,” she said of her dogs. “I prefer to look at the glass half full rather than half empty, but the garden’s looking a little bit worse for wear with all the frosts,” she said. “Everything is in big pots so they can be moved around because the ground out here is abysmal and it helps because the little dogs can’t get in there and dig things out.”

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By Di Stanley

November 2022 TODAY 25

NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Improving life for regions tainly something worth celebrating. While we are familiar with many of the opportunities in this region, it is wonderful to see them acknowledged to a wider audience. However, while our regional economy is better placed than some others because of several major infrastructure projects (including the inland rail), we still face many of the same challenges as other parts of Australia. Chief among those are staff shortages and housing. If the RAI is able to achieve its goal of a more productive and liveable Australia, then 11 million people will be living in the regions by 2023. There is no doubt that building a more level playing field is a complex and long-term aim,

It was very exciting to see our region receive such prominent coverage in the national media this week, as part of a significant discussion focussing on locking in prosperity and closing the divide between cities and the bush. Key stakeholders and powerbrokers took part in a national summit in Canberra where the “Regionalisation Ambition 2023 – A Framework to Rebalance the Nation” was launched by the Regional Australia Institute (RAI). The goal of this strategy is to improve results for regional areas across a range of indicators including education, housing, health, employment, transport and connectivity. National media travelled to Toowoomba to highlight a number of regional success stories happening in our own backyard, which is cer-

a challenge identified by federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King at the launch. But not giving this the best shot possible is simply not an alternative. Just a few of the possible outcomes for regional Australia of the Ambition strategy include: Increasing the share of skilled workers employed in regional Australia to 80% of the regional workforce Improving access to transport services in and between regional communities Lifting access to medical practitioners in regional areas Increasing rental vacancy rates in regional areas to above 3%

· · · ·

· Strengthening

access and opportunities for engagement in arts, cultural, community and recreational experiences in regional Australia Doubling the proportion of new migrants settling in regional Australia Increasing regional Australia’s contribution to national output, thereby boosting Australia’s GDP by an additional $13.8 billion It is hoped that this collective national movement to see improved outcomes for regional Australia across the key pillars of jobs and skills, liveability, population, productivity and innovation, and sustainability and resilience will be supported by governments, communities, and all Australians.

· ·

Bumper jobs hope as production value tops $23B Queensland agriculture, fisheries and forestry continues to deliver good jobs for the economy with the value of production topping $23 billion for the second year in a row. Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Rural Communities Minister Mark Furner said the outlook for the sector was strong, with ongoing bumper crop harvests and high commodity prices in 2022-23. “The sector has started to recover from the extremely wet start to the winter cropping season with late plantings in South West and Central Queensland, but reports strong yield potentials leading into spring,” Mr Furner said. “Recent high rainfall has replenished water storage and soil moisture levels supporting near record plantings. “Increased soybean plantings combined with favourable conditions has seen the sector soar, with the highest

Queensland’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector is strong. recorded Queensland soybean crop valued at over $50 million, a 125% increase from 202122. “Sugar is also expecting a bumper crop

this year with strong prices and output more than offsetting reductions in sugar content.” “The gross value of milk production increased by 14 per cent, reflecting increased

contract milk prices, while wool production was up 6 per cent.” Mr Furner recognised that while the industry faced added pressures of extreme weather and biosecurity threats, the agility of the sector ensured the outlook remained strong. “It is encouraging to see that even though domestic restocking demand has eased and there is a heightened alert for biosecurity threats facing livestock demand, prices for our largest commodity are still holding firm,” he said. “In good news for consumers, horticulture has bounced back from the effects of flooding last year and despite increased costs of production, Queenslanders can expect to see ample supplies of quality Queensland fresh produce this year.” For details of all Queensland AgTrends commodity forecasts for 2022-23 visit daf. qld.gov.au/strategic-direction/datafarm

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3 November 2022

As millions of Australians either choose to stay in the regions, or make the move, this surge in popularity brings with it opportunity and challenges for the Sunshine State. Join the Regional Australia Institute as we present our latest data on jobs, housing and population movement in regional QLD. This event will provide government, industry and regional leaders with the RAI’s insights into the unique settings facing Queenslanders.

The Oaks Hotel Toowoomba

We invite you to take a seat at the table in Toowoomba as together we work towards the Regionalisation Ambition 2032 and rebalancing the nation.

Take a seat at the table: www.regionalaustralia.org.au/RR_QLD

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26 TODAY November 2022

country k tchens recipes Broccoli and Pomegranate Salad Serves: 8 Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes 1 ½ serves per portion Ingredients: • 2 sweet potatoes, cubed • ¼ cup sliced almonds • ¼ cup sunflower seeds • 2 heads broccoli, stems removed, cut into small florets • 1 pomegranate • ½ cup parmesan cheese, shaved Dressing:

• • • •

½ cup natural yoghurt, reduced fat 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1 lemon, juiced Cracked pepper

Method:

• PREHEAT oven to 180˚C. • CUT sweet potato into 1 cm pieces and place on a roasting tray. Bake for 15-20 mins or until golden. Set aside to cool.

• TOAST almonds and sunflower seeds in a small fry pan until lightly browned. Set aside to cool. • FILL a bowl with cold water and ice and set aside. • BOIL a pot of water, add broccoli florets and cook for 30-60 seconds. • TRANSFER the broccoli to the iced water and leave until cooled. • DRAIN the broccoli and put in a large serving bowl. • ADD pomegranate seeds, roasted almonds and sunflower seeds, parmesan and sweet potato to the broccoli. • MIX dressing ingredients in a small bowl and drizzle over salad. • TOSS the salad and place in the fridge to marinate for 15 to 30 minutes then toss again before serving.

Everyday Food

Recipe courtesy of the Country Kitchens team

Bircher Muesli Everyday Food

Serves: 4 Prep time: overnight Cook time: 0 minutes 1 ½ serves per portion

Ingredients: • 1 cup rolled oats • 2/3 cup dried apricots • 500 ml apple juice, no added sugar • 4 green apples, grated • ½ cup natural almonds, roughly chopped • 1 cup blueberries • 1 cup yoghurt, natural (to serve) • Honey to drizzle (to serve)

Method: • PLACE the oats, apricots and apple juice in a bowl and stir to combine. • COVER and refrigerate overnight. • ADD the grated apples, almonds and blueberries next morning. Stir together. • SPOON the mixture into serving bowls. • DRIZZLE with yoghurt and honey on top.

Recipe courtesy of Alison Alexander, Moggill Branch

Empowering women through education and health is a priority for the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA). The QCWA Country Kitchens program, funded by the Queensland Government through Health and Wellbeing Queensland, supports Queenslanders to adopt healthier lifestyles. To find out more about the program visit https://qcwacountrykitchens.com.au/. November 2022 TODAY 27

NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Game changing training AgForce has joined forces with leading training firm Response to launch a game changing training program for farmers called Agforce Training Pty Ltd. Designed to bridge the education gap created by the closure of Queensland’s agricultural colleges, the new AgLearn, AgTrain, and AgMate platforms provide a modern online approach to training, using innovations such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and immersive 360 experiences, as well as traditional workplace training using modern technology and tools. AgForce chief executive officer Michael Guerin said the move would ensure the current and next generation of agriculture workers received the training they needed to continue the success of the agriculture industry. “Agriculture is an essential industry and providing industry-relevant training is vital to ensuring the current and future workforce is ‘job ready’ with the skills needed,” he said. “AgForce surveys have unearthed a huge demand for broadacre agricultural training. “Corporate employers alone take on 160 new employees every year. “They desperately want them trained up in workplace health and safety, basic property operations, basic livestock management, and basic horsemanship skills, and it costs them a lot of money, time, and effort to do that training themselves. “By teaming up with Response, we can work toward a transformative change in pathways and education for our industry in Queensland.” Response has been operating more than 30 years and owns and operates two Registered Training Organisations. It the largest provider of technical training to the beef processing industry in Australia, and provides leadership and management training nationally and internationally.

AgForce general president Georgie Somerset, AgForce chief executive officer Michael Guerin, Paul Eldridge and Andrew Moore from Response Group are pleased to announce the new training. The company currently runs the Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness on behalf of the Australian Meat Processor Corporation, and works closely with associations such as the Australian Meat Industry Council and the Meat Industry Training Advisory Council. Paul Eldridge, director of Strategy with Response Group International, said he was looking forward to the collaboration with AgForce.

30 November 2022

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“AgForce has a long and proud history of representing Queensland’s rural producers and we are excited about working in partnership with them to design and deliver training courses that meet the needs of current and next generation farmers,” he said. “Response has an enviable reputation for working collaboratively with partners to deliver innovative and practical solutions that benefit industry – it is what we do best.

“Our trainers come from industry and it is our intention from the outset to involve industry deeply in this partnership to ensure that what is built and delivered is what industry wants and needs. “It is time to create a fit for purpose and future proofed workforce as we move into a brave new digital and technology driven future.”

Clive Berghofer Events Centre, Toowoomba

A day of presentations, displays and demonstrations bringing you up to speed on MLA investments and progress against our 2025 Strategic Plan.

See the latest ag-tech and investment in action at our showcase

Hear what’s happening across the industry at our plenary session

Get practical help with our programs at our services hub

Catch up and connect at the end of the day with our sundowner social event

! w o n r e t s i g Re updates.mla.com.au

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28 TODAY November 2022

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

Regional market round-up Cattle Report Report Date: 13/10/2022 Saleyard: Blackall A total of 2,573 head of cattle were yarded for the weekly Blackall prime and store this week. In conjunction with the normal sale, several feature lines of vendor bred Lambert Hereford and Charbray stud infused cattle were on offer which attracted strong support from both local and interstate buyers. Overall quality was very good with some very good pens of heavy cows and bullocks from western areas on offer as well. Light weight restocker steers sold to a similar average as the weaner sale, selling to a top of 760.2 to average 692c, restocker steers saw strong demand selling to 702.2 averaging 638c and heavy feeders were solid at 536.2 to average 515c/kg. Light weight restocker heifers made to a top of 646.2 to average 563c, restocker heifers 280 to 330kg sold to 596.2 averaging 518.2 while medium feeder heifers 300 to 400kg made to 540.2 averaging 469c/kg. Heavy feeder heifers over 400kg made to 460.2 to average 428c while those to the processor made to 442.2c averaging 400c/kg. Some very good pens of cows were on offer with medium weight cows improving slightly by 6c/kg to top of 388.2 to average 368, good heavy cows over 520kg sold to 396.2 to average 382c and restockers paid up to 410.2 for young store cows. Heavy bulls to the processor made to 380.3 averaging 360c while restockers paid to 410.2. Market reporter: Sam Hart Report Date: 12/10/2022 Saleyard: Charters Towers A prime only sale attracted 1,838 cattle, 602 fewer than last sale. Quality continues to be mixed with several good quality lines of heavy bullocks and cows penned, however there were increased numbers cows and bulls of lesser quality and weight. One southern processor was absent, with the regular buyer panel operating at reduced rates throughout. Cattle were drawn from Normanton, Julia Ck, Mt Garnet, Belyando, local and coastal areas. Grown steers to feed and the trade were mostly firm, heifers eased up to 30c, bullocks were firm to 6c easier, heavy cows fell 12c to 17c and bulls averaged 9c less. Grown steers above 400kg to feed sold to 414.2c to average 398c to 408c and a small sample of steers suitable to the trade topped at 388.2c to average 376c/kg. Reduced numbers of grown heifers to feed sold to 358.2c multiple times to average 354c/kg. Several lines of well finished heavy bullocks to export slaughter averaged from 377c to 388c/kg, reaching a top of 398c. Medium weight 2 score cows to processors sold to 336.2c to average 308c and 3 scores made to 348.2c to average 327c/kg. A good sample of prime heavyweight 3 and 4 score cows topped at 354.2c to average 348c/kg. Heavy bulls to processors sold to 348.2 c to average from

337c/kg. A store sale scheduled for Friday has 3,500 head booked. Market Reporter: Mick Kingham

Medium weight 3 score cows averaged 360c/ kg. Good heavy weight cows made to 396c to average 387c/kg. PTIC cows sold open auction made to $2,450/head. Market Reporter: Trevor Hess

Report Date: 12/10/2022 Saleyard: CQLX Gracemere Following a week without a sale due to stud sale commitments, CQLX vendors penned 3783 head. Cattle were drawn from Bowen and Mount Coolon, west to Clermont and south past Miriamvale. Quality and condition were good. Competition came from the usual feeders and processors with improved restocker interest. Values showed improvement in many classes. Light yearling steers made to a 718c/kg top to average from 559c to 623c/kg with medium weight pens averaging 439c to 519c/kg. Light yearling heifers to restockers topped at 602c/ kg, returning averages from 440c to 509c/kg. Medium weight yearling heifers averaged 421c to 519c/kg to feeders and restockers. Heavy, finished bullocks went to processors to average 403c/kg and sell to 410c/kg. Grown steers sold onto feed to a top of 506c/kg and averaged 424c to 457c/kg. Trade purchasers paid to 408c/kg for their grown heifers to average 385c to 396c/kg. Those to feed averaged 389c to 440c/kg with the best making to 498c/ kg. Heavy, four score cows averaged better again at 369c/kg and heavy bulls went to processors to average 359c/kg and top at 369c/kg. Best bred cows and calves made from $2,500 to $3,600 per unit with PTIC cows selling between $1,860 and $2,550 per unit. Report Date: 12/10/2022 Saleyard: Dalby The supply of stock reduced by 2,325 head down to 2,674 at Dalby. Cattle were drawn from a wide area with 532 head from Goondiwindi and the St George area, with a couple of small samples from far Western Queensland and New South Wales. Export buyer attendance was not as good as the previous week however all the regular feed and trade buyers plus restockers were active in the market. Light weight yearling steers and heifers returning to the paddock sold to strong demand for the quality penned. Yearling steers to feed followed a similar trend. A lift in the standard of the yearling heifers to feed improved average prices. Bullocks sold to a dearer market pushed on in places by supermarket support. Cows sold to within a few cents of the previous weeks level. A large supply of light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock made to 762c to average 649c/kg. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market averaged from 562c to 592c with sales to 650c/kg. Light weight heifers made to 610c to average 558c/kg. Medium weight yearling heifers to feed averaged from 520c to 542c with an isolated sale to 610c/kg. Heavy weight yearling heifers to feed made to 514c to average 487c/kg. Bullocks averaged 424c with some to the local trade market at 443c/kg.

Report Date: 13/10/2022 Saleyard: Emerald The yarding at Emerald decreased by 145 head to 2,200 with cattle drawn from as far north as Einasleigh along with drafts from all local districts. Quality and condition was mixed, however the buying panel was able to cope with the variation and prices stayed close to recent sales. Yearling steers in light weight pens sold to 710c/kg to average 558c/kg for the better bred lines. Medium weight lots sold to 619c/kg to average 448c to 612c/kg. Yearling heifers made to 582c/kg for light pens to average 418c to 491c/kg. Medium weight pens averaged 414c to 451c/kg. Heavy, finished bullocks made to 402c/kg and averaged 396c/kg whilst those to feed topped at 420c/kg to average 380c to 414c/kg. A few to restockers averaged 496c/kg. Trade buyers paid to 383c/kg to average 364c to 379c/ kg for their grown heifers with feeders averaging 380c to 414c/kg. Two score cows returning to the paddock averaged 307c to 318c/kg with heavy, four score cows going to processors at 369c/kg average and sales to 393c/kg. Report Date: 18/10/2022 Saleyard: Roma Numbers rose to 4362 head at the Roma Store Sale. Cattle were mostly drawn from the local supply area and the overall quality was mixed with an increase in plainer condition young cattle numbers. A smaller buying panel of restockers and lot feeders was present and operating, while most regular processors were present and operating including a southern processor. The market improved for steers and heifers as buyers competed on frame over condition. Cows eased slightly. The limited number of light weight steers under 200kg made to 750.2c/kg while light weight yearling steers under 280kg made to 730.2c/kg. Medium weight yearling steers under 330kg reached 700.2c/kg while medium weight yearling steers under 400kg made to 696.2 c/kg. Heavy weight yearling steers reached a top of 602.2c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers under 200kg made to 620.2c/ kg while light weight yearling heifers under 280kg also made to 620.2c/kg. Medium weight yearling heifers under 330kg sold to 634.2 c/ kg while medium weight yearling heifers under 400kg reached a top of 576.2 c/kg. Heavy weight yearling heifers made to 520.2 c/kg. Medium weight prime cows made to 380.2 c/kg while heavy weight prime cows made to 395.2 c/kg. Heavy weight bulls made to 382.2 c/kg. Cows and calves sold to a top of $3,500/ unit. Market Reporter: Sherrill Stivano

Report Date: 17/10/2022 Saleyard: Toowoomba The supply of stock at Toowoomba increased by 102 head to 320. Young light weight cattle were in the largest numbers with only a handful of cows penned. The regular panel of buyers was present and operating. Light weight yearling steers and heifers continued to receive very strong support from restockers. Medium weight yearling steers and heifers to feed experienced strong demand from feeder operators as well as restockers. Cows were to small in numbers to reliably quote. A small sample of light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock made to 622c to average 614c/kg. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market averaged from 531c to 544c with sales to 606c, and restockers paid to 620c/kg for some in the same weight range. Heavy weight yearling steers to feed averaged 464c with occasional sales to 548c/ kg. Light weight yearling heifers under 200kg made from 498c to 590c to average 528c/kg. Yearling heifers under 280kg to restockers or background made to 550c to average 481c/kg. Yearling heifers to feed averaged from 492c to 500c with some to 540c/kg. A small selection of heavy weight yearling heifers to feed made to 468c/kg. The best of the cows made to 342c/kg. Heavy weight bulls made to 322c, and a medium weight bull made to 398c/kg. A bull sold open auction made to $2,050/head. Market Reporter: Trevor Hess Report Date: 18/10/2022 Saleyard: Warwick Agents penned 883 cattle at Warwick up by 204 head. All the regular processors and feeder operators attended along with increased wholesale buyers plus local and interstate restockers. Yearling steers and heifers were in the largest numbers with only a smaller penning of cows and heavy steers. Restocker yearling steers and heifers sold to a solid market with any price variations being quality related. Well finished grown heifers in larger numbers sold to improved prices however heavy cows could not maintain last weeks rates and eased buy 5c to 12c/kg. Yearling steers in the 200-280kg range to restockers made 690c/kg. Yearling steers over 280kg again to restockers sold to 664c and averaged 591c/kg. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market made 580c with restockers paying to 642c and averaging 600c/kg. Heavy yearling steers to feed made 540c to average 493c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers returning to the paddock made 640c/kg. Yearling heifers over 280kg to background averaged 536c and made to 612c/kg. Yearling heifers to feed for the domestic market made 526c to average 496c/kg. Heavy yearling heifers to the wholesale meat trade averaged 463c and sold to 498c/kg. Grown heifers to processors made 440c to average 408c/kg. Heavy score 3 and 4 cows sold from 332c to 400c/kg. Heavy bulls to processors averaged 359c and sold to 413c/kg. Market Reporter: Errol Luck

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Riding her 12-year-old mare Zaharah, Louise Comiskey of Capella won the Joyce Campbell Memorial Ladies’ campdraft with 178 points.

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Sixteenth time’s a charm By Fiona Gowers On her 16th attempt Central Queensland campdraft competitor Louise Comiskey claimed victory in the esteemed Condamine Bell. Riding her 12-year-old mare Zaharah, Mrs Comiskey of Capella won the Joyce Campbell Memorial Ladies’ campdraft with 178 points. Amanda Hollis on Adios Recess was just two points behind. Mrs Comiskey said she was thrilled to hold the iconic Condamine Bell trophy for the first time. “I still can’t believe it,” she said. “Campdrafting is the luck of the draw and I was lucky enough to have a smooth run. It felt really good, with everything just falling into place. “Zaharah is by Sophisticated Cat and is a beautiful mare. I bought her when she was three and have been her only rider since.

She’s pretty special.” Mrs Comiskey, who lives 85 kilometres north-east of Emerald, said she and husband Steve prepared all year for the Condamine, Chinchilla and Warwick campdrafts. “We love the competition and the camaraderie,” she said. “It’s a great time to catch up with everybody and the campdrafting community supports you and celebrates your success. “It’s so heartfelt and it’s why we love it. It’s like a big family.” For the second year running, Ben Hall of Muttaburra won the Open campdraft, riding 15-year-old homebred mare Halls Eltorrio. He scored 266.5 points to just outscore his father Terry Hall on Hazelwood Composer, who shared second place with Condamine debutante Lachlan Thomson riding Hoody. Ben Hall has now won eight Condamine Bells, as well as three Chinchilla Grandfather

Clocks and three Warwick Gold Cups. He now has the chance to chase the $30,000 Triple Crown incentive, which is awarded if the same horse and rider win all featured Open campdrafts at Condamine, Chinchilla and Warwick. No competitor has ever claimed the trifecta in one year. Condamine Bell Open: 1. Ben Hall, Halls Eltorrio 266.5 2. Lachlan Thomson, Hoody 266 3. Terry Hall, Hazelwood Composer 266 4. Robert Plant, Condet 265 5. Kerry Turner, Country Life 265 6. Will Durkin, Cantaur Park Guardian 264.5 7. Ken Boulton, Redeem 263.5 8. Will Durkin, Durkins Jewel 263.5 9. Joe Payne, In Style 263.5. Joyce Campbell Memorial Ladies: 1. Louise Comiskey, Zaharah 178

2. Amanda Hollis, Adios Recess 176 3. Rylee Turner, Turners Stud Reward 175 4. Lexi Payne, Kanya Catolena 175 5. Sarah Campbell, Banshee Coneye 173 6. Hayley Condon, Bracelet 172 7. Rachael Plant, Kool Change 171 7. Vicki Hiscock, Bamalam 171. Condamine Novice: 1. Steve Comiskey, One Knight Stand 269 2. Laura Comiskey, Skater 268 3. Rick Hopkins, Superact Shiraz 262 4. Steven Hart, Yaven Smooth Spin 180 4. JJ Lamb, Inspiration 180 5. Luke Bennett, Little Miss Hoorey 180 6. Jarryd Sutton, Corvette 180 7. Peter Black, Destiny 179 8. James Moorhead, Consequence 179 9. Mark Buttsworth, Metal Alloy 178.

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