Queensland Farmer Today - January 2023 by Star News Group

January 2023

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His field of dreams

Irrigation honour

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Drought fight The Queensland Government’s big push to help farmers better manage climate risks has entered its third phase, with the University of Southern Queensland leading major projects to help those most vulnerable to drought. Of the six programs comprising the third sector of the Drought and Climate Adaptation Program (DCAP), the university will spearhead three initiatives funded for the next 4.5 years. Deputy vice-chancellor (research and innovation) Professor John Bell said the university would deliver the programs through its Queensland Drought Mitigation Centre, building on its substantial existing work on climate adaptation more broadly. “The fight against drought is fought on many fronts,” Professor Bell said. STORY PAGE 4

Talent pool spreads Rural and remote classrooms was where 92 per cent of University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) graduates in the School of Education Alternative Context project chose to start their careers last year. The project offered pre-service teachers contextualised support to engage in placements outside metropolitan areas. WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE, PAGES 16-17

Drone trials Swoop Aero will transverse the health service with remotely piloted drones after success in its Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships (EATP) program. They will deliver essential supplies, test samples and pharmaceuticals between facilities. Darling Downs Health executive director (infrastructure) Dr Paul Clayton said the trial would to evaluate the technology’s capability. STORY PAGE 14

Toogoolawah State School teacher Jasmine Hunt graduated from the University of Southern Queensland in 2018 and says starting her career in rural towns has helped her grow as an educator.

Farmers positive Queensland farmer sentiment has stabilised as 2023 begins, the latest Rabobank rural confidence survey finds. The fourth quarter data, released last month, shows farmer confidence in the state has held firm, after sector sentiment dived into

“negative territory“ last survey due to high input costs and biosecurity concerns. While more Queensland producers expect business conditions to decline rather than improve in the next 12 months, most (55 per cent) have a stable outlook.

And, fewer - 26pc - are negative about the coming year’s prospects (down from 31pc previously). Strong commodity prices and positive seasonal conditions have fuelled those with a positive outlook, while concerns about the risk

of foot and mouth disease (FMD) have abated. High input prices continue to be a concern, however, with 55pc of Queensland producers who expect agribusiness conditions to decline citing this as a key factor. STORY PAGE 3

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NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

WOMEN IN AG .......................pages 16-17

Leaders celebrate TSBE’s first decade

FOOD FOR THOUGHT ................... page 20 BREAKING GROUND ................... page 20 FROM THE MLA ........................... page 20 FARMERS’ HEALTH ...................... page 21 QCWA RECIPE ............................ page 24 MARKET REPORTS ...................... page 25 CLASSIFIEDS .............................. page 26 SPORT ....................................... page 32

DAM LEVELS Beardmore................................... 91.98% Bjelke-Petersen .......................... 100.34% Borumba ..................................... 100.2% Boondoomba ............................... 99.74% Cedar Pocket ............................... 100.6%

Some 250 guests gathered at the Walton Stores last month to celebrate the first decade of the Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise. TSBE was created to link business with opportunity and create sustainable growth and diversity across the region and, over the years, that mission has always been at the forefront of operations. Civic and business leaders – including mayors of the Toowoomba, Western Downs and Maranoa regions Paul Antonio, Paul McVeigh and Tyson Golder - attended the function to mark the region’s success and growth over the past decade. Even Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk sent a message of support via video. “Congratulations to the Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise on your 10 years,” Ms Palaszczuk said. “This is not only a celebration of your or-

ganisation, but a celebration of your amazing region and its contribution to Queensland – from food, to energy to manufacturing. “All are critical to our economy and I wish you all the best for the next decade.” Guests at the TSBE Turns Ten celebration enjoyed a networking opportunity with members across each of the organisation’s programs of energy and infrastructure, food and agriculture and health and education. They also heard from TSBE’s first CEO Shane Charles, inaugural chairman John Wagner and current chairman Dr John McVeigh, as well as mayor Paul Antonio and Western Downs councillor Kylie Bourne. “We really wanted tonight to celebrate the success of this region over the past 10 years, which can be seen in projects such as the second Range crossing, the Wellcamp airport, growth in agriculture and exports and growth in energy and renewable projects plus, of course, the future Inland Range and new hos-

Chinchilla Weir ................................ 100% Coolmunda .................................... 97.2% Cunnamulla (Alan Tannock Weir) ...... 99.4% Leslie .......................................... 99.09% Paradise .................................... 100.38% Somerset .................................... 80.04% Wivenhoe....................................... 80.0%

Address: 154-156 Haly Street Kingaroy 4610 Telephone: 07 4182 0450 Website: QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au CONTACT US Editorial: Email: newsdesk@QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au Advertising: Email: advertising@QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

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Panel discussion members at the TSBE Turns Ten event last month were: TSBE CEO Ali Davenport, inaugural TSBE chair John Wagner, first TSBE CEO Shane Charles, Western Downs Regional Council councillor Kylie Bourne, current TSBE chair Dr John McVeigh and Toowoomba Regional Council mayor Paul Antonio. Picture: SALT STUDIOS

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Happy New Year! In our first Editor’s Desk for 2023, Queensland Farmer Today is excited to announce that Savina Lane Wines, which Brad and Cheryl Hutchings operate in the Granite Belt on Queensland’s southern border, has just been named one of Australia’s top vineyards. It is the first time in the three-year history of the national Vineyard of the Year Awards a Queensland-based business has made the top 50, from some 6000 entries. The other finalists included 26 from South Australia, 10 from Victoria, seven from New South Wales/ACT, four from Western Australia and one from Tasmania. The Vineyard of the Year Awards were created in 2020 to place vineyards across the nation at the heart of the Australian wine community. Inundated with entries, judges narrowed the 2022 field to the 50 that best exemplified the values of sustainability, innovation, provenance and just growing great wine! Queensland Farmer Today will of course cover this story in more detail next month but, in the meantime, we will share these words of wisdom from awards panellist Max Allen ... “The 50 finalists in this, the third Vineyard of the Year Awards, show that the spirits of resilience and innovation and custodianship are alive and well in our viticultural community, despite all the challenges hurled at it by Mother Nature and world events.”

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pital projects,” Ms Davenport said. “Toowoomba, the Western Downs and the Maranoa would have to be the most exciting regions in Australia in terms of growth and investment. “TSBE is delighted to have had the opportunity to work closely with our members to connect them to opportunities. “And, it is something we are looking forward to continuing over the next 10 years and into the future.”

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2 TODAY January 2023

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

NEWS

Strong commodity prices and positive seasonal conditions see...

Ag confidence stabilising By Fiona Gowers Queensland farmer sentiment has stabilised as 2023 begins, the latest Rabobank rural confidence survey finds. The fourth quarter data, released last month, shows farmer confidence in the state has held firm, after sector sentiment dived into “negative territory“ last survey due to high input costs and biosecurity concerns. While more Queensland producers expect business conditions to decline rather than improve in the next 12 months, most (55 per cent) have a stable outlook. And, fewer - 26pc - are negative about the coming year’s prospects (down from 31pc previously). Strong commodity prices and positive seasonal conditions have fuelled those with a positive outlook, while concerns about the risk of foot and mouth disease (FMD) have abated. High input prices continue to be a concern, however, with 55pc of Queensland producers who expect agribusiness conditions to decline citing this as a key factor. Flooding threats also weighed on sector sentiment, with 21pc worried about “too much rain“ as Australia enters its third consecutive La Niña weather pattern. In all, 18pc of those with a pessimistic outlook cited increasing interest rates as a concern, a rise from 13pc last quarter. Rabobank’s southern Queensland regional manager Brad James said the third La Niña affecting Australia this summer presented a “myriad of scenarios” for Queensland’s different agri-commodity sectors. “Cattle producers across the state are generally optimistic about another summer with above-average rain and pasture production,” he said.

Rabobank’s southern Queensland regional manager Brad James said the third La Niña affecting Australia this summer presents a “myriad of scenarios” for Queensland’s different agri-commodity sectors. “There has already been beneficial spring rainfall across much of the central west and even northern parts of the state, which is a little unusual and has seen a good response from the various pastures. “The wet spring has been disruptive for grain and cotton producers, particularly around Emerald, but hopefully these challeng-

es are outweighed by the inflows Fairburn dam has received. “They have pushed water levels up to around 40pc, which will set local irrigators up for the coming season.” Mr James said while soil profiles had dried out across the Darling Downs in recent weeks, grain and cotton farmers in certain areas were still battling to drive machinery through soggy paddocks without bogging due to spring rain. Queensland beef producer confidence showed some recovery in the survey, with a drop in those expecting conditions to worsen. Mr James said biosecurity concerns were found to have eased considerably among beef producers in the latest quarter. “At the time the previous survey was conducted, beef producers were particularly mindful of the potentially-catastrophic impacts of FMD in the weeks following the news of Indonesia’s outbreak,“ he said. For the state’s grain growers, rising input costs were the chief reason cited by those anticipating agricultural economic conditions to worsen in the coming year. However, Mr James said those with a pessimistic outlook declined this quarter. “While input prices remain high,” Mr James said, “producers are experiencing less challenges with limited access to these farm inputs or lengthy delays for chemicals, fertilisers and machinery than they were earlier in the year when geopolitical issues were stressing global and local supply chains.” Queensland producers’ investment appetite remains stable with 22pc expecting to increase investment in their enterprises in the coming 12 months, compared with 24pc last quarter.

They cited on-farm infrastructure (77pc), adopting new technology (48pc), buying more livestock (46pc) and new machinery (40pc) as their major investment plans. The latest survey found demand for property purchases to expand farming operations had lifted since last quarter, with 28pc of producers planning to increase their business investment, an increase from 12pc. “While demand has increased again, there is evidence that the market has perhaps found its peak based on general activity in the property market,” Mr James said. “That said, it is still very active and healthy based on the sales data. “As is generally the case, premium properties are continuing to attract premium prices, however, we might be seeing the property market pause to take a breath.” A comprehensive monitor of outlook and sentiment in Australian rural industries, the Rabobank rural confidence survey questions an average of 1000 primary producers across a range of commodities and geographical areas on a quarterly basis. The next results are scheduled for release in March 2023. FACT FILE sentiment stabilises, following · Farmer previous quarter’s significant decline. commodity prices and positive · Strong seasonal conditions continue to fuel those with an optimistic outlook.

input costs, concern about rising · High interest rates and too much rain are ar-

eas of concern for producers. Biosecurity concerns abate.

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January 2023 TODAY 3

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Climate Mates’ is an initiative of the Northern Australia Climate Program (NACP). Pictured are Paul Webb (left) with Warwick grazier Darren Marshal.

The inevitable big dry By Fiona Gowers The Queensland Government’s big push to help farmers better manage climate risks has entered its third phase, with the University of Southern Queensland leading major projects to help those most vulnerable to drought. Of the six programs comprising the third sector of the Drought and Climate Adaptation Program (DCAP), the university will spearhead three initiatives funded for the next 4.5 years. Deputy vice-chancellor (research and innovation) Professor John Bell said the university would deliver the programs through its Queensland Drought Mitigation Centre, building on its substantial existing work on climate adaptation more broadly. “The fight against drought is fought on many fronts,” Professor Bell said. “Over the past few years alone, our climate scientists have worked tirelessly on projects that have seen improved seasonal forecast products, tools and on-property activities. “At the same time, members of our Centre for Applied Climate Sciences have been among the leading voices on this topic at an international level – their expertise sought from organisations such as United Nation’s World Meteorological Organisation. “The links our climate centre has with the university-led Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales Hub (SQNNSW Hub) through the Future Drought Fund Hub will also help increase the benefits of the DCAP research to the region. “University of Southern Queensland has been heavily involved in previous DCAP projects and I’m heartened to see that great work will continue.” The three projects funded for DCAP 3 include $3.7 million to continue the university-led Northern Australia Climate Program (NACP), $845,000 to create alternate agricultural income streams to increase farm profitability and benefit the environment and $410,000 to improve pasture prediction in drought-impacted savanna woodlands. Director of the University’s Centre for Ap4 TODAY January 2023

UniSQ Professor (Agricultural Economics and Climate Finance) Shahbaz Mushtaq.

UniSQ research fellow (Agricultural Engineering) Jo Owens.

UniSQ deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor John Bell.

plied Climate Sciences professor Scott Power said the three projects were strongly aligned with the centre’s mission to help people and organisations manage climate variability, climate change and climate extremes. “NACP is a partnership between the University of Southern Queensland, Queensland Government and Meat and Livestock Australia Donor Company to help the grazing industry better manage drought and climate risks,” Professor Power said. “Over the past few years, it has improved the reliability of multi-week, seasonal and multi-year forecasts and enabled us to establish a network of ‘Climate Mates’ to support the development and delivery of customised climate information and products into regional networks. “Professor (Agricultural Economics and Climate Finance) Shahbaz Mushtaq, Dr Jarrod Kath, and Dr Kathryn Reardon-Smith will develop a platform to help land managers identify

and manage the risks associated with engaging with government programs that monetise environmental benefits (for example, payments to farmers for carbon and biodiversity credits).“ Professor Power said the project would work closely with the Queensland Farmers Federation, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, Department of Environment and Science and Commonwealth Bank of Australia. “Jo Owens, Dr Tim Cowan and David Cobon’s project will fill fundamental gaps in our knowledge of competition for water between trees and grasses, enabling graziers to better manage areas with woody vegetation. “Their work will monitor water, carbon and energy fluxes to enable graziers to better manage areas with woody vegetation, collaborating with James Cook University, the Australia Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network and three Queensland Government departments.“

UniSQ director of the Centre for Applied Climate Sciences Professor Scott Power.

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

NEWS

He’s a leading light for the irrigation industry...

UniSQ researcher honoured Irrigation expert Erik Schmidt may have “retired” but good luck stopping him from continuing to contribute to the industry to which he has dedicated his long career. The former University of Southern Queensland researcher continues to help with numerous projects in irrigation, water use and evaporation. It’s that dedication - and his decades-long record of research excellence and innovation - that has won him Irrigation Australia’s MacLean-Iedema award, an accolade given biennially to recognise someone who has made outstanding contributions to the industry. Irrigation Australia CEO Dave Cameron presented Mr Schmidt with the award at the group’s national conference in Adelaide. Mr Schmidt joined the University of Southern Queensland in 2003 to head its National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture following an international career in engineering and agriculture research. He led the centre as director for nine years and as deputy director for another 10. The centre was subsequently renamed the Centre for Agricultural Engineering (CAE). Mr Schmidt continues his association with the university as an industry fellow. Career highlights include providing expert oversight in the Smarter Irrigation for Profit programs; his role as a leader and innovator in the Cooperative Research Centre for Irrigation Futures; involvement with the commercialisation of the award-winning Irrimate technology for measurement and assessment of surface irrigation systems; leading international research for development projects in South and South East Asia and authoring more than 65 journal and conference papers. Current CAE director Professor Bernadette McCabe said Mr Schmidt’s tenure saw him

achieve great strides in the area of water management, supporting tools and extension to irrigators and their advisers. “Not only did he provide exceptional leadership in these research areas, he also has contributed to countless projects and initiatives,” she said. “His mentorship of students and staff has cemented his enduring legacy not only at our university but the industry as a whole.” CAE senior research engineer (Irrigation and Water Engineering) Michael Scobie nominated Mr Schmidt for the award and was one of the many researchers to benefit from his guidance. “I have worked with Erik on dozens of projects across Australia and Asia, in both large and small teams,” he said. “The way he operates and leads these teams is extraordinary. “He can challenge and bring together people from a range of disciplines and backgrounds to deliver amazing results. “I’ve been blessed to have him as a mentor for almost 20 years and he has certainly had an impact on me and my career with UniSQ.”

Irrigation Australia CEO Dave Cameron (right) presented Erik Schmidt (left) with the MacLean-Iedema Award at the Irrigation Australia Conference. Picture: IRRIGATION AUSTRALIA LTD

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ADVERTORIAL QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Glenmore hits the market By Johnny Graham One of Queensland’s most historic cattle properties is going to market for the first time since the 1870s. “Glenmore”, 162.5-plus hectares of prime grazing land on Barkers Creek, just off the Burnett Highway, is ready for a new chapter after five generations in the one family. The pristine property has dual, front and back, access roads and features about 1km of Barkers Creek frontage, several dams of various sizes, plus solar power water pipes pumping to cattle troughs. “Glenmore” presents as two surveyed lots: one of 56.26 hectares with its own creek frontage, fenced and with grids, but without any buildings; the second of 106.38 hectares features significant improvements, including residences, farmyards, and creek frontage. The property boasts a well-presented sixbedroom, two-bathroom, air-conditioned Queenslander-style homestead with a third toilet, two enclosed verandahs, a barbecue deck and three-car lock up garage with three lockable storage rooms; plus, a one-bedroom, one-bathroom cottage with enclosed verandah sleep-out. These homes are nestled amongst one full hectare of landscaped native and tropical gardens amidst manicured lawns, with white timber fencing completing the stunning showcase. The homes and gardens sit atop some of Australia’s most picturesque bushland heartlands, with multiple stands of untouched gum trees as backdrops. The outlook from the homes on the hill is to distant mountains and much closer sit three farm sheds: one for vehicles, with diesel and unleaded fuel tanks adjacent; a second serves as a hay shed with parking for a tractor and slasher and several stables with separate yards, suitable to be refurbished for cattle or horses; the third has three-phase power and currently is primarily used for storage but could be easily set up as a large workshop. Sturdy cattle yards include a vet crush and truck ramp. As well as the rolling hills of grazing land, Glenmore has in decades gone by also been used for various crops, sheep, pigs and dairy cows. In the 1960s and 1970s, however, stud beef breeding became the main activity, with the twin studs of “Glenmore” and “Glenlea” dominating trophy presentations at cattle shows and sales from Roma to Rockhampton and Brisbane. “Glenmore” was selected in the late 1870s by ringer and brumby runner Bob Sexton, the former head stockman at Barambah Station. He built a slab settler’s hut and moved to the property in 1881. When he built the current homestead in the early 1930s, slabs from the hut were retained and used as walls on one of the farm sheds. They remain to this day, as does the homestead. It has had significant additions and renovations and been maintained to perfection, including modern bathrooms, six reverse cycle split system air conditioners, and poly water tanks. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Bob Sexton ran a stage coach from Kilkivan to Nanango, bridging two rail head-ends, carrying passengers, cargo and mail, arriving without 6 TODAY January 2023

fail and therefore earning the nickname the “hope-caravan”. The property passed from Bob Sexton to his grand-daughter Mary Lee, who married William Lee. It then passed to their only daughter Lorna, who married Len Graham and together they raised five children on the property. With both Len and Lorna now deceased, the fifth generation have, after due consideration, decided it is time for new owners to manage this impressive rural grazing spread. After three exceptional wet seasons in a row and with cattle prices at historic highs, “Glenmore”, is ready for its next chapter. Seller and Lorna’s son Ian said: “I have called Glenmore home for the past 45 years and it has never looked so green. I’m hopeful the people who buy Glenmore will add to its rich history and will love the property as much as my family did. Growing up here was wonderful.”

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Creek Front Cattle Country One of Queensland’s most historic cattle properties is being offered to the market for the

• Storage/workshop shed with 3-phase power

first time since the 1870s, as we present “Glenmore”. Consisting of 162.64 hectares of

• Hay/machinery shed

prime grazing land on Barkers Creek, this pristine South Burnett property is located just off

• Farm-vehicle three-bay shed with fuel tanks

the Burnett Highway and is ready for a new chapter after five generations in the one family.

• Cattle yards including truck ramp and vet crush

“Glenmore” presents as two adjoining surveyed portions: Lot 84 being vacant comprises

• Multiple modern tanks for rainwater and creek water

56.26 hectares with its own creek frontage, fencing and grids.

• Six paddocks and good fencing, seasonal dam and water holes

The second portion Lot 137 consisting of 106.38 hectares features significant improvements,

• Solar powered creek pump feeds to five cattle troughs and the homestead

including large homestead, cottage, sheds, farmyards, and further creek frontage.

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• Large well maintained six-bedroom, two-bathroom homestead, six reverse cycle split

First time to market since the 1870s, a fifth-generation cattle property, the historic home of the

system air conditioners, two enclosed veranda’s and entertaining deck

stage coachman (connecting Nanango and Kilkivan rail head-ends from late 1800s);

• One bedroom, one bathroom worker’s/caretaker cottage, enclosed veranda/sleepout

slabs from original settler’s hut form a shed today. Address available on Request. Call to arrange

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NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Dusty’s on track with TAFE By Fiona Gowers

TAFE at School student and farmer, Dusty is passionate about working on the land. know my cattle so worming cattle is what we worked with. “You’d go home, work your hours and then report back to TAFE and fill in your paperwork and stuff like that.

Young producer branches out

Hub trials on the horizon Supporting the resilience of the Granite Belt community is a key focus of the Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales (SQNNSW) Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub’s Stanthorpe-based node. SQNNSW hub director Professor John McVeigh said the node would leverage research and a highly-involved and motivated farming and agribusiness sector. “The University of Southern Queenslandled hub currently has six nodes from western Queensland to northern New South Wales and we’re especially pleased to have this node based at the Queensland College of Wine Tourism,” Professor McVeigh said. “Our node manager Wim Linström has already connected researchers and farmers in a series of trials already underway,” he said. At the official node launch, hosted by the Granite Belt Growers Association, farmers, business and community members had the chance to hear more about current and upcoming projects. “The hub is supporting a proof-of-concept project, exploring the viability of using drones to identify downy mildew in grapevines,” Professor McVeigh said. “Downy mildew is a disease that can cause severe yield loss for most commercial grape varieties and can spread rapidly in the right conditions. “Current detection involves in-person inspections. “What we are hoping to help develop is a drone-based option that will allow for easier detection, resulting in reduced labour costs, reduced input costs and better protection for vines not just on the Granite Belt

By Fiona Gowers

but, potentially, across the country.” The second project is aimed at improving the region’s soils. “The castings created by earthworms vermicast - has long been recognised as a fertiliser and soil conditioner,” Professor McVeigh said. “Our Stanthorpe node is working with industry and growers to trial the potential benefits on on-farm worm farms, including a comparison of soil, plant health and yields under commercial conditions.” Professor McVeigh said while these trials were based on the Granite Belt, they had the potential to benefit other regions. “The job of the hub’s isn’t to ‘reinvent the wheel’ but to help producers and their communities grow in resilience and their capacity to manage climate variability by bringing together those already working on drought resilience, agricultural innovation and wellbeing. “That’s what these exciting projects will do.” The Stanthorpe node was launched on 15 November 2022 at the Queensland College of Wine Tourism, at a Granite Belt Growers Association farmer networking event. The SQNNSW hub is one of eight hubs established across Australia through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought fund. The Australian Government is contributing $10 million over four years to the hub through the Future Drought Fund to boost drought resilience and agricultural innovation. Hub partners will provide co-contributions of $10.8 million over four years.

Goats, a 35,000-cubic metre dam, exclusion fencing and a hay shed are securing the future of Ed Wade’s family farming enterprise west of Charleville. Secluded among the mulga, Ed, a fifth-generation producer, runs a goat and beef enterprise on his parent’s property, “Ravenscourt“. After being forced out of the sheep industry due to drought and the prevalence of wild dogs, the Wades made the decision to diversify into goats. “We always believed in having a dual enterprise, whether that was cattle and sheep or cattle and something else,“ Ed said. “In the dry years, we realised our country probably wasn’t always going to be suited to purely cattle, so we looked at what options we had. “As the goat industry grew and developed, we decided that was the avenue we’d go into.” Ed used a First Start Loan from the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) to complement his family’s succession planning by improving the sustainability of the enterprise through water, fencing and shed infrastructure. “The First Start Loan has helped fund onfarm development projects that allow us to run the goats and cattle more efficiently,” he said. “The exclusion fencing has helped with reducing the impact of wild dogs on the livestock, building a dam has improved our water supply for when we are faced with the next drought and the shed will allow us to stock hay and protect it from the weather.” Regional area manager for the Maranoa and South West Terry Pulsford was able to help Ed with his initial enquiry and support him through the application process. “We approached Terry, our local QRIDA re-

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8 TODAY January 2023

gional area manager, and I found the process extremely simple. “It was refreshing to get someone who understood what we were talking about and was able to support us in the application.” Looking to the future, Ed hopes to continue with his exclusion fencing plans using the funds from his initial investment. “Since we’ve done the initial exclusion fencing, we’re looking to expand further with more fencing which we will fund through the initial investment,“ he said. “With how the market is today [November 2022], it has essentially allowed us to plan into the future with a broad income stream.“ First Start Loans provide up to $2 million for aspiring young producers to buy their first block of land, buy into the family farm or achieve stand alone viability.

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“Being born on the land, cattle are my everything.“ So says Dusty who added how fitting his Certificate III in Agriculture (AHC30116) was “just to get a better understanding of weeds and sprays and all that sort of thing“. A long way from the 1133-hectare property at Taroom he calls home, Dusty was able to complete a school-based traineeship while in Year 10 at boarding school through TAFE Queensland. The balance of theory and practical tasks fitted around Dusty’s school work and his trips home during the holidays. He said he learned more than just the cropping side of agriculture. “We did a lot on ticks and poisons in cattle, sheep, pigs, mustering techniques where the cattle needed to be placed so you and your other workers don’t get hurt,” Dusty said. “You had a choice on what particular animal you wanted to work on and, obviously I

school-based apprenticeship back on the family farm. “I’ll be able to plan out when to move cattle, breeding seasons, when to apply poisons to weeds and other things like that — using the machinery in general, tractors, bikes and those sorts of things,” he said. In Year 12, Dusty furthered his studies and his passion for animals with a Certificate II in Animal Studies (ACM20117) through the TAFE at School program. With the practical learning, real-life scenarios and helpful teachers, Dusty suggests any high school students thinking about studying TAFE at school should “just go for it“. “Meeting different people, seeing how they work, it’s something that I find quite interesting,“ he said. “Everybody works different, learns different. It’s amazing how we all work together and finish together and TAFE Queensland is pretty flexible with workload. “It’s great!”

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STEM (Cor)field of dreams Growing up on a cattle farm in the North Burnett, there was never a shortage of things to keep young Max Corfield occupied. Whether it was fencing, cattle work, ploughing the field or mustering with his father, every day posed a new challenge and taught him the importance of reaping what you sow. While his education started years before he stepped foot in a classroom, his time at Coalstoun Lakes State School and Gayndah State High grew his knowledge and set him up for his next – yet very different – adventure; moving almost 300 kilometres from his home at just 14 years to become a boarding student at Downlands College in Toowoomba. “It was extremely daunting, but I was so excited,” he said. “Even though I wasn’t exactly sure what I was in for, I did know it was a great opportunity to learn new skills to hopefully one day take back to the farm.” Despite initially being riddled with homesickness, Max quickly hit his stride and found a friend in STEM. “I loved studying science and maths – they were so technical and really inspired me to think more deeply about how the concepts could be applied in the real world,” he said. “Being a farm kid, I was always broadening my horizons and wanted work somewhere with lots of possibilities and opportunities to be innovative.” What exactly that industry was remained in the air until he had a “light bulb“ moment towards the end of year 12 in 2021. “I was sitting in one of my career classes when we started discussing engineering and how it was essentially a passport to a world of different industries,” he said. “I realised it was the perfect combination of what I loved and would give me the chance to be at the forefront of today’s technological world.”

With that in mind, he started researching what was on offer and quickly landed on a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) at the University of Southern Queensland. “I read that you would get to explore all areas of the engineering field in your first year to allow you to take charge of your own career, so I knew it was the right choice for me,” he said. As for location, it was a case of simply staying true to his roots. “After moving to Toowoomba, I realised it’s essentially a big country town – the people are really nice, it’s very easy to make connections and the atmosphere reminds me of home,” he said. “The prospect of staying here was really enticing so I investigated the accommodation at the university’s residential colleges and got myself a spot at McGregor College.” With a year of study done, Max is going from strength-to-strength and is busy laying the foundation for an exciting future. “This year has given me a great taste of everything that’s out there,“ he said. “We’ve been investigating all the basic engineering principles along with the skills of design and systems improvement. “Like I used to do in high school, I’m constantly thinking about how I can apply the concepts on the farm and in other agricultural settings.” With his thinking cap – or, more accurately, cowboy hat – firmly on, one thing’s for sure, his love for learning will always extend beyond the classroom. “My learning adventures started on the farm and I can’t wait to take my skills back there so I can play a small part in keeping my family’s legacy alive for generations to come,” he said. “Regardless of whether I end up in manufacturing, the design of machinery, agricultural innovation or construction management – all of these careers will help me to make a real difference.”

Max Corfield, who was raised on a cattle farm in the North Burnett, is now studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) at the University of Southern Queensland.

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University of Southern Queensland Centre for Crop Health director Professor Levente Kiss.

Centre for Crop Health builds capability in plant biosecurity...

Diagnosing crop pathogens Despite their impact on agriculture and horticulture, powdery mildews are still a largely understudied group of plant pathogens in Australia. The University of Southern Queensland’s Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment - as part of its Centre for Crop Health - is this week hosting a range of industry experts to dissect the issue via lectures, seminars, laboratory practicals, and a field survey. Centre for Crop Health director Professor Levente Kiss said these plant pathogens, while themselves small, were the source of big headaches for the agriculture sector. “Powdery mildews have been increasingly intercepted by national border surveillance, border inspections and the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy,” Professor Kiss said. “Also, there is a need for surveillance and diagnostic expertise in commonwealth and state department and industry programs to recognise, collect and identify powdery mildew fungi that impact Australian agriculture. “Our workshop focuses on surveillance and morphological and molecular identification of powdery mildews to integrate surveillance and diagnostics skills and provide an up-to-date catalogue of the Australian powdery mildew species based on new specimens identified with molecular tools and microscopy.” In 2018, a similar UniSQ workshop focused on diagnostics and resulted in a paper that provided the first comprehensive catalogue of this group of plant pathogens. Professor Kiss said since then new species had emerged as potential biosecurity risks and many undetermined specimens were collected across the country. “This new workshop will integrate surveillance and diagnostics skills and will provide an extended, up-to-date catalogue of the Australian powdery mildew species based on new specimens identified with modern molecular tools and light microscopy.” 10 TODAY January 2023

Powdery mildews are still a largely understudied group of plant pathogens in Australia.

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Sustainable water solutions Hydrosmart’s innovative water conditioning system can improve the efficiency of any patch of land. The simple to install Hydrosmart system is beneficial for the conditioning of water for livestock, crops and plants including, vineyards, orchards, market gardens or just your household garden. How does water conditioning benefit crops? The Hydrosmart system unlocks the natural minerals in water. Water that is treated using Hydrosmart products makes the otherwise insoluble mineral particles in water bioavailable as plant nutrients. This in turn reduces the volume of fertiliser and chemicals required, thus saving you valuable time and money. Which minerals are unlocked by the Hydrosmart water conditioning system? Minerals such as iron, calcium and magnesium are often the cause of build-up in pipes, but they are also useful nutrients once treated. Using Hydrosmart technology, each mineral is broken down into bioavailable plant nutrition. Hydrosmart also removes scale and improves irrigation. It provides efficient scale removal in irrigation pipes and fittings such as sprays and drippers. This leads to improved water flow, better irrigation and more efficient uptake of nutrients by plants. The Hydrosmart also has great benefits in conditions of high salinity. For growers who must work with water which is high in salinity, Hydrosmart’s unique technology allows growers to raise a diverse range of crops in otherwise toxic conditions. With better quality water, growers can significantly reduce their reliance on fertiliser and descaling chemicals, leading to lower costs and healthier crops. It also leads to improved efficiency with fewer chemicals. As the most cutting-edge scientifically researched water softening equipment supplier, 12 TODAY January 2023

Hydrosmart is committed to helping growers get the most out of the most fundamental element for crops: their water. Developed in South Australia by Paul Pearce, Hydrosmart’s innovative electronic water softening technology is unlocking the power of poor quality water on farms. From eliminating scouring in cows and boosting the growth of lucerne, to adding extra flavour to tomato crops, the patented system developed by Mr Pearce’s family-owned and run company continues to amaze those using it. “Twenty-five years ago when we first started out trialing this technology people were pretty sceptical about it and even now they are incredulous until they see the results,“ he said. “But more and more people are now embracing it, saying we want to use this technology, around Australia and overseas, for so many different kinds of projects.“ Born from Mr Pearce’s passion for water, with his business initially focused on filtration, the Hydrosmart system was designed to improve the performance of highly-mineralised hard, salty, iron or calcium/gypsum-affected water from bores, rivers and saline areas. The “plug and play“ system is based on research that showed scale layers and corrosion problems in pipes delivering this water was related to how well minerals in water are dissolved. Hydrosmart uses a series of computer-generated resonance frequencies to disrupt the bonding between minerals and charged compounds in the water. As a result, the technology eliminates pipe scaling issues while at the same time restoring nutrient balance in the water, making the otherwise insoluble mineral particles in water bioavailable as plant nutrients and for healthier stock. “What that means is farmers get a sustainable solution to their water problems that requires no chemicals, no filter and no maintenence,“ said Mr Pearce. More information: Hydrosmart today for innovative water conditioning solutions, call 1300 138 223 or go to hydrosmart.com.au

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NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

First tool for grazing management

Swoop Aero will transverse the health service with remotely piloted drones.

Health taking flight under Swoop Aero By Fiona Gowers Swoop Aero will transverse the health service with remotely piloted drones after success in its Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships (EATP) program. Darling Downs Health, alongside Swoop Aero, will facilitate a trial drone program that will see dispatch hubs launched within the health service. They will deliver essential supplies, test samples and pharmaceuticals between facilities. Darling Downs Health executive director (infrastructure) Dr Paul Clayton said the trial would allow the health service to evaluate the technology’s capability. “We’re continually searching for ways to enhance our capability as a health service and we’ll be looking to see if this trial improves the outcomes for patients and our community,“ he said. “We’ll be considering the time it takes to plan a tasking of the drone, the dispatch and

retrieval of goods and of course how that all integrates into an already efficient service. “What is really exciting about this trial is it is just the beginning of integrating new AI technologies, which have the potential to transform how we work and provide care.” The trial will use Swoop Aero’s latest and most advanced aircraft, the Kite™, which can travel at maximum speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour with 4.7 kilograms of payload. They would be dispatched from multiple hub locations across the Darling Downs Health Service to deliver goods to surrounding hospital and multipurpose facilities. CEO and co-founder of Swoop Aero Eric Peck added that the EATP program would enable Swoop Aero to exponentially scale the integrated drone logistics network. He said this was already proven to yield immediate benefits to the healthcare system through its ability to deliver medical supplies in a timely manner. “We have sustained integrated drone logis-

tics operations for more than five years across a number of countries globally and achieved more than 22,000 operational flights to date,“ Mr Peck said. “Funding from the federal Government will accelerate the value we can add back to Australian society, across industries including medical transport, search and rescue, agriculture and government. “The large-scale trial, set to commence in the first half of 2023, will present life-changing opportunities to patients and communities. “Swoop Aero has already successfully deployed this technology across 14 countries and four continents, delivering more than 1.2 million items.” The trial comes after a successful series of demonstrations in Goondiwindi this year, which Darling Downs Health staff attended. Darling Downs Health is committed to remaining at the forefront of healthcare provision and continues to identify emerging technologies and providers that can improve patient outcomes.

New mobile app tackles connectivity issues The red meat industry now has access to the electronic National Vendor Declaration (eNVD) livestock consignments app. A new tool, it is designed to increase adoption of digital consignments even when there is no mobile connection. The app has been in development with industry for more than a year by Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) subsidiary, Integrity Systems Company (ISC). It is a complete mobile solution that enables consignments to be transferred from producer to transporter, saleyard, feedlot and processor, even while offline. The consignment data is transferred from one mobile device to another using a series of QR codes and then syncs with the eNVD database when the producer and receiver return to service. ISC chief executive officer Jane Weatherley said the rollout of digital livestock consignments had been a major focus for 2022. She said the organisation had worked with industry stakeholders to communicate the benefits and prepare supply chains for increased adoption. “We know that developing the app is just one step on the digital adoption journey and we will continue to work with our supply chain 14 TODAY January 2023

ISC chief executive officer Jane Weatherley. partners to support them with this process,“ Ms Weatherley said. “Our adoption team has been working with supply chains to understand individual busi-

ness requirements, helping to set up supply chain capabilities for digital consignments and upskilling, where needed. “Our adoption and promotion program will continue into 2023 and we will progress further updates to the app’s functionality as uptake progresses.” MLA managing director Jason Strong said development of the app - and its capacity to increase the use of digital consignments - had been a “significant piece of work“ and something that industry had sought for some time. “Until now, about 30pc of all NVDs have been completed using the web-based eNVD system and further widespread adoption by red meat producers has been held back by connectivity issues in some parts of Australia,” Mr Strong said. “This innovative new app means mobile coverage is no longer a barrier to use the eNVD. “Digital consignments will save all supply chain users time, create efficiencies and prevent errors, which is why we’re excited to be able to offer this new option to industry.” The eNVD Livestock Consignments app is available for free download through the Apple Store and the Google Play Store. A suite of ’how-to’ resources is also available to assist users at eNVD app.

Australian red meat producers now have access to weekly information on their farm-level pasture status with the release of a new tool called the Australian Feedbase Monitor (AFM). Launched late last year at the MLA Updates in Toowoomba, the AFM is a joint initiative between Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and Cibo Labs. This world-first tool provides producers with satellite-derived objective estimates of leading pasture growth, biomass and ground cover for their property. It is free for MLA members who have linked their Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) accounts to their myMLA dashboard. MLA managing director Jason Strong said the Australian Feedbase Monitor helped take the guesswork out of grazing management, putting more precise information at producers’ fingertips. “The AFM will be a catalyst for a major shift in the objective management of Australia’s pasture and fodder feedbase,” Mr Strong said. A survey undertaken by Cibo Labs showed that more than 85 per cent of producers surveyed made regular pasture assessments, with 40pc undertaking a weekly assessment. Three quarters of these assessments, however, were carried out using subjective visual assessments. Although producers conducted regular visual inspections, 28pc of producers said they often had to make unplanned reductions in stock numbers in response to pasture conditions. These forced reductions resulted in more than 40pc of producers identifying lower sale returns. The financial impact of inaccurate visual pasture assessments not only impacts sale returns, but often leads to increased supplementary feeding costs. About 46pc of survey respondents identified a need to provide additional supplementary feeds at least twice in the past five years. Angus beef producer Paul Franks from Flat Tops in the Upper Hunter, NSW said he was looking forward to making the AFM a regular resource in his toolbox. “The more you use it, the more valuable it becomes,“ he said. “You can go back and look at the pasture trends on your property over time and use that data to plan your management strategy going forward.“ The tool’s satellite maps are updated every five days, showing the variability in pasture biomass for a producer’s entire farm at 1ha resolution. Mr Strong said the frequency of updates will help producers to understand where the feedbase may be declining or responding to weather events over time. “Producers will also be able to generate graphs showing monthly changes in the feedbase since 2017, compare individual months to the same period in previous years and compare their farms to regional trends. “The AFM will equip producers to make earlier and more informed grazing decisions to avoid forced stock reductions or unplanned supplementary feeding programs.” MLA members can access the AFM for free though the myMLA portal by linking their LPA account to their myMLA dashboard. Within a few minutes, they will be able to click “Access the tool“ from the myMLA dashboard and receive secure, private and ongoing access to weekly updates on their feedbase for any registered PIC. If producers prefer high resolution and more frequent information - or if they are not an MLA member with a linked LPA account - there is also a paid subscription service available via Cibo Labs.

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Making connections count By Fiona Gowers Ashley Williams is the newly-appointed indigenous business connector at the Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise. Based out of Toowoomba and Chinchilla, he will connect and facilitate the growth of indigenous businesses across the region. “Initially I will be mapping indigenous businesses in the region and collaborating with them to see what the gaps might be in their business models, such as their website, or marketing for instance,” Mr Williams said. “Then my goal will be to connect these businesses to agencies that can provide free services to assist individual businesses, as well as to other businesses for the purpose of networking and sourcing opportunities.” Mr Williams has extensive experience in making and managing connections within the resource, infrastructure and government sectors. Raised in Brisbane, Ashley Williams completed a traineeship with the National Native Title Tribunal, before securing a job with Arrow Energy. It was in this position that Mr Williams began working with Indigenous groups. He then developed that interest further when he worked at the Australian Rail Track Corporation as an indigenous participation advisor. “I loved the work I was doing with Inland Rail and, when the job at TSBE came up, it gave me a greater opportunity to pursue that work across a bigger region,” Mr Williams said. “I just love seeing how I can help indigenous businesses and advocate for them and look for networking opportunities. “As the indigenous business connector, I can talk to the business owners one-on-one and create relationships where they feel comfortable with someone they trust and can understand their specific requirements.”

Ashley Williams (left) of TSBE is focused on building strong relationships with indigenous business owners in the region, such as Keegan Brooke from Magnitude Pipelines. One such business that Mr Williams is currently working with is Magnitude Pipelines and Construction, which was established 12 months ago by Keegan Brooke as an emerging

Indigenous contractor from the Yuwaalaraay Nation. The company is leading the way in project management, fabrication and installation

in the mining and construction sectors, while developing training and development pathways for young indigenous workers. With an ultimate goal of a fully indigenous team, Mr Brooke believes that there are tremendous business benefits to be gained from working with Mr Williams. “One of the things I’ve learned throughout my years in business is that it’s not always about what you know, but who you know,” Mr Brooke said. “Accessing the necessary contacts and information is so important when you are trying to get established, tender for jobs, training staff – getting those things right allows you to create a business model that can work moving forward. “Ash – and all of the TSBE team - will be able to help us with that.” Knowing that he is in a position to make a difference to the success of a young and ambitious business is something that makes Mr Williams very happy indeed. “I get great personal satisfaction from seeing businesses like this succeed - it really puts a smile on my face,” he said. “It can be a jungle out there in the business world and I understand the hurdles and can help to create a sense of safety, confidence and self-belief. “And, I have seen first-hand what can be achieved when you give people opportunities and work with them to build strong relationships. “I really hope to see a lot of businesses like Magnitude– and I’m not the only one who is excited about what it could ultimately mean. “The companies I liaise with, as well as councils and other levels of government, are so excited to see the growth of businesses, which may help to meet the significant employment needs in this region.”

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USQ fuels rural education By Fiona Gowers Rural and remote classrooms was where 92 per cent of University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) graduates in the School of Education Alternative Context project chose to start their careers last year. The project offered pre-service teachers contextualised support to engage in placements outside metropolitan areas. USQ School of Education associate head Dr Tania Leach said the project emerged from the 2019 to 2020 UniSQ Rural and Remote summits, where community members, industry partners and researchers collaborated to create practical solutions to nurture a knowledgeable and skilled teaching workforce for rural and remote contexts. It is one of many ways the UniSQ prepares its graduates for rural classrooms. “The Bachelor of Education (primary) program has embedded course work, which specifically focuses on preparing pre-service teachers for rural and remote communities,“ Dr Leach said. “This includes multi-year level planning, pedagogical approaches and how to build sensitive and confidential relationships with community members. “This rural context provides opportunities for graduate teachers to expand their employment prospects and career growth, while also addressing the needs of students and their families.” In 2021, 531 UniSQ students completed professional experience in rural or remote schools, travelling as far north as Nanum. A further 1249 students completed professional experience in regional schools. Bachelor of Education (secondary) student Taylah Hoffman chose to study education because of the positive leadership of her high school teachers. “I was always happy and excited to come to school each day, so I chose to become a teacher in the hope that I could help make school a happy place for my future students and be a positive role model,” Miss Hoffman said. In 2021, she travelled to Quilpie for one of several placements during her studying journey, where she was able to learn in a school with just 60 students from prep to year 10. “On my placement, I had 11 students in the high school and was under the guidance of two amazing mentor teachers who really took me under their wing and taught me lots about the profession,” Miss Hoffman said. “This placement was hands down one of the best experiences of my university studies to date. “I’m excited to see where my teaching degree will take me in the future and look forward to having students of my own in the future.” Former UniSQ students who have gone

University of Southern Queensland third year student Taylah Hoffman chose to complete her placement in Quilpie at a school with just 60 students. on to start their careers in regional areas are leading innovation and connection in their classrooms. Jasmine Hunt is in her fourth year teaching in rural and regional Queensland after graduating in 2018. She said experience in a rural classroom was the best way to set yourself up for a rewarding career in education. “In small schools, you have the opportunity to take on roles that may not be what you intended, but these experiences push you outside your comfort zone and help you to grow and develop as a professional,” she said. “You have opportunities to step up and lead projects and events early in your career.” After three years in Surat Basin, Jasmine is now teaching in Toogoolawah. She said the small and supportive commu-

nities she had worked in gave her an amazing place to launch her career. “In my experience, parents in rural communities are committed to working with you to help their child to be successful,” she said. “They really value good teachers who go the extra mile to give their children a quality education.” Fellow alumni and regional teacher Danielle Chapman vied for the Queensland College of Teachers TeachX awards. The 2015 UniSQ graduate was nominated for the Merline Muldoon Memorial award for Innovation in Teaching in celebration of her use of technology to create an inclusive classroom at her school in Toowoomba. One of her current students uses body language, facial expressions and gestures to communicate, as well as has technology-based

display systems such as an eye-gaze device to choose symbols for communication. To fully support his learning, Ms Chapman teaches all students to become communication partners, and she uses a device to aid communication. “Augmenting my natural speech with the use of symbols and a speech-generating device has many benefits for all students,” she said. “Involving all students on this journey also enables them to become citizens who celebrate and respond creatively and naturally to difference or disability and to advocate for inclusion and accessibility.” Dr Leach said the success of students and alumni demonstrated the university’s capacity to guide and promote excellence in rural and regional teaching.

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Senior research fellow (irrigation and cropping systems) Dr Alison McCarthy of USQ’s Centre for Agricultural Engineering continues to lead ground-breaking research into the cotton industry.

Dr Alison McCarthy is cottoning on to tools University of Southern Queensland graduate Danielle Chapman was nominated for an education award for her innovative, inclusive approach to teaching in her regional classroom.

Toogoolawah State School teacher Jasmine Hunt graduated from the University of Southern Queensland in 2018 and says starting her career in rural towns has helped her grow as an educator.

Finding and retaining staff is more difficult than ever across a myriad of Australian workforces right now, including the agricultural sector. The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) has accepted the challenge, on behalf of the cotton industry, to investigate how automated machine vision tools may be able to automate or augment some activities, such as crop scouting, to improve data collection and labour efficiency and boost productivity and profitability. The work will continue to identify target areas where machine vision tools can help industry personnel. Dr Alison McCarthy, a senior research fellow (irrigation and cropping systems) from the University’s Centre for Agricultural Engineering continues to lead this research. “Elements of farming like scouting the field for pests and diseases or collecting plant measurements underpin everyday decisions for cotton farmers, from insect control decisions and crop rotations to irrigation management,” Dr McCarthy said. “These are activities that are vital to successful every day operations, but they are also heavily reliant on having enough people on the ground to carry them out. “This research project will develop a novel suite of automated machine vision tools, from infield stationary cameras to smartphones, to make infield monitoring more efficient and to support agronomic activities.

“Crop agronomy is complex. These tools will provide agronomists and growers with consistent and accurate information.” The research includes Dr Derek Long from USQ, as well as agronomists, entomologists and plant pathologists at Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. The Cotton Research and Development Corporation and Cotton Seed Distributors will both provide support. Dr McCarthy said exploring the feasibility of multiple machine vision systems was critical to understanding how they could be used for many activities. “We would hope to see outcomes such as improved repeatability of insect assessment using machine vision and more efficient collection of agronomic farm data to measure plant features that underpin decision making,” she said. “We know too that detecting disease distribution is critical for planning crop management, so these tools should also offer data for better scheduling of crop rotation to curb disease. “Data can also be used to support improved irrigation scheduling using thermal cameras for irrigation detection. “Agronomists will be able to cover more hectares with a wider spread of sensors providing them timely site-specific information.”

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‘If you Grow ‘em, Know ‘em’

This world-first tool provides producers with satellite-derived objective estimates of leading pasture growth, biomass and ground cover for their property. Picture: MEAT & LIVESTOCK AUSTRALIA

World-first grazing management tool Australian red meat producers now have access to weekly information on their farm-level pasture status with the release of a new tool called the Australian Feedbase Monitor (AFM). Launched at the MLA Updates held in Toowoomba, the AFM is a joint initiative between Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and Cibo Labs. This world-first tool provides producers with satellite-derived objective estimates of leading pasture growth, biomass and ground cover for their property, and is free for MLA members who have linked their Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) accounts to their myMLA dashboard. Managing Director of MLA, Jason Strong, said the Australian Feedbase Monitor helps take the guesswork out of grazing management, putting more precise information at producers’ fingertips. “The AFM will be a catalyst for a major shift in the objective management of Australia’s pasture and fodder feedbase,” Mr Strong said. A survey undertaken by Cibo Labs showed that over 85&percnt; of producers surveyed made regular pasture assessments, with 40 per cent undertaking a weekly assessment. However, three-quarters of these assess-

ments were carried out using subjective visual assessments. Although producers conducted regular visual inspections, 28 per cent of producers identified they often had to make unplanned reductions in stock numbers in response to pasture conditions. These forced reductions resulted in over 40 per cent of producers identifying lower sale returns. The financial impact of inaccurate visual pasture assessments not only impacts sale returns but often leads to increased supplementary feeding costs. Around 46&percnt; of survey respondents identified a need to provide additional supplementary feeds at least twice in the past five years. Angus beef producer, Paul Franks from Flat Tops, in the Upper Hunter, NSW said he’s looking forward to making the AFM a regular resource in his toolbox. “The more you use it, the more valuable it becomes. You can go back and look at the pasture trends on your property over time and use that data to plan your management strategy going forward,” Mr Franks said. The tool’s satellite maps are updated every five days, showing the variability in pasture biomass for a producer’s entire farm at 1ha resolution. Mr Strong said the frequency of

the updates will help producers to understand where the feedbase may be declining or responding to weather events over time. “Producers will also be able to generate graphs showing monthly changes in the feedbase since 2017, compare individual months to the same period in previous years and compare their farms to regional trends. “The AFM will equip producers to make earlier and more informed grazing decisions to avoid forced stock reductions or unplanned supplementary feeding programs.” From today, MLA members will be able to access the AFM for free though the myMLA portal by linking their LPA account to their myMLA dashboard. Within a few minutes, they will be able to click ‘Access the tool’ from the myMLA dashboard and receive secure, private and ongoing access to weekly updates on their feedbase for any registered PIC. If producers want high-resolution and more frequent information, or if they are not an MLA member with a linked LPA account, there is also a paid subscription service available via Cibo Labs. For more information on the Australian Feedbase Monitor; visit the Australian Feedbase Monitor website.

Believe it or ‘nut’, almonds cut calories Weight loss is never an easy nut to crack, but a handful of almonds could keep extra kilos at bay according to new research from the University of South Australia. Examining how almonds could affect appetite, researchers found that a snack of 30 to 50 grams of almonds could help people reduce the number of kilojoules consumed daily. Published in the European Journal of Nutrition, the study found people who consumed almonds – as opposed to an energy-equivalent carbohydrate snack - lowered their energy intake by 300 kilojoules (most of which came from junk food) at the subsequent meal. Dr Sharayah Carter from UniSA’s Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA) says the research provides valuable insights for weight management. “Rates of overweight and obesity are a major public health concern and modulating appetite through better hormonal response may be key to promoting weight management,” Dr Carter says. 18 TODAY January 2023

“Our research examined the hormones that regulate appetite, and how nuts – specifically almonds - might contribute to appetite control. “We found that people who ate almonds experienced changes in their appetite-regulating hormones, and that these may have contributed to reduced food intake (by 300kJ).” In Australia, two in three (12.5 million) adults are overweight or obese. Globally, nine billion adults are overweight with 650 million of these being obese. The study found that people who ate almonds had 47 per cent lower C-peptide responses (which can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease); and higher levels of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (18 per cent higher), glucagon (39 per cent higher), and pancreatic polypeptide responses (44 per cent higher). Glucagon sends satiety signals to the brain, while pancreatic polypeptide slows digestion

which may reduce food intake, both encouraging weight loss. “Almonds are high in protein, fibre and unsaturated fatty acids, which may contribute to their satiating properties and help explain why fewer kilojoules were consumed.” The findings of this study show that eating almonds produce small changes to people’s energy intake. Dr Carter says this may have clinical effects in the long term. “Even small, positive lifestyle changes can have an impact over a longer period,“ she says. “When we’re making small, sustainable changes, we’re more likely to be improving our overall health in the long run. “Almonds are a fantastic healthy snack to incorporate into the daily diet. We are now excited to look at how almonds might affect appetite during a weight loss diet and how they might assist with weight management in the long term.”

Pure Gold Pineapples is launching its‘If you Grow ‘em, Know ‘em’ campaign in support of the McGrath Foundation, with the tongue in cheek message designed to put a fun spin on a very serious message about the importance of breast awareness. The campaign will be backed by a fundraising initiative to help fund McGrath Breast Care Nurses, to support families experiencing breast cancer across Australia with Pure Gold Pineapples selling special pines this summer, with a portion of sales going to the McGrath Foundation. Around three quarters of the Foundation’s McGrath Breast Care Nurses are located in regional and rural Australia. Anthony Dobson, general manager Tropical Pines said: ‘’Being a regionally located business we understand the additional challenges faced by breast cancer patients living in remote and rural areas and we want to help ensure that all patients, regardless of where they live, can access the care they need. ‘’So many of our team have been affected by breast cancer and know all too well the significant impact this has on Australian families and everyone across the organisation from the growers to the office staff are passionate about supporting McGrath Breast Care Nurses. Based in Central and Southern Queensland, Pure Gold Pineapples is the largest supplier of pineapples in Australia, packing more than 12 million pineapples each year. The McGrath Foundation currently funds 171 nurses who provide essential physical and emotional support for free to anyone experiencing breast cancer and their families from diagnosis and throughout their treatment. Tracy Bevan, McGrath Foundation ambassador & director said: “At the McGrath Foundation we say, ‘if you grow ‘em, know ‘em’. ‘’We encourage women (and men) to learn how to check your breasts, and most importantly, to seek medical attention if you notice anything unusual. “Early detection of breast cancer while it is still small and confined to the breast provides the best chance for treatment to be effective. ‘’It’s so important that if you find a lump or notice any changes to your breasts that you seek medical attention straight away. “We are so grateful to Pure Gold Pineapples for helping us share this important message while also helping fund McGrath Breast Care Nurses. ‘’Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in Queensland women, and with one in seven women in Australia being diagnosed before the age of 85 our nurses are more important than ever.”

Ian and James Fullerton supporting the campaign. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

NEWS

Aussie ag up despite flood Australian agriculture has had another bumper year, with near-record production despite devastating floods in eastern states taking its toll on some crops. Total production in Queensland is forecast to reach the second highest on record, despite parts of the Darling Downs missing out on plantings due to floods. The quarterly outlook for December from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) also found the value of exports is expected to reach a record for 2022 to 2023. “The gross value of agricultural production is forecast to be a near-record $85 billion in 2022-23, just shy of the record set the previous year,“ ABARES Jared Greenville said. “Another bumper year combined with high commodity prices means Australia’s agricultural exports are forecast to break records at more than $72 billion in 2022 to 2023. “Meanwhile, the winter crop is forecast to be the second largest on record at more than 62 million tonnes.“ That comes despite a decrease in winter planting by 10 per cent in NSW and nine per cent in Queensland due to the “big wet“. Crops in Western Australia and South Australia benefited the most from spring conditions, with total production in both states forecast to reach record levels. While the bureau also concluded that summer crop planting in 2022 to 2023 may fall by nine per cent due to excessively wet conditions and flooding across major production regions in NSW. The report found NSW bore the brunt of damage from the spring rains and floods. “Record spring rainfall followed above average rain in August, which has led to losses,“ Dr Greenville said. “The total production for NSW has been revised down by two million tonnes since our

last crop report in September.“ In Victoria, high yields in the Mallee and the Wimmera will offset crop losses in central and northern border regions. While flooding and waterlogging have caused widespread damage on the east coast, stored irrigation water is at its highest level in a decade. The bureau found the volume of water held in storage across the Murray-Darling Basin reached close to 96pc capacity, the highest level since 2011 to 2012 and close to 10pc higher

than at the same time last year. Livestock production was expected to hold steady, contributing $34 billon to the national total, Dr Greenville said. The outlook concluded inflation was squeezing demand and producer incomes across the agricultural sector. “Considerable uncertainty remains over winter crop harvest progress and grain quality in NSW and Victoria given ongoing high rainfall, which could lead to downgrades in production value,“ Dr Greenville said.

He said harvests in Victoria and NSW were likely to run well into summer. Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt urged those affected by floods to contact the National Emergency Management Agency for help. “This is a timely reminder that our sector is beholden to climate conditions,“ Senator Watt said. “We need to continue to support the agricultural industry to prepare for and respond to the ongoing impacts of climate change.“

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OPINION QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Opportunity or a curse? A hundred years from now, historians will look back at the worlds transition to renewable energy and either call it “the great green transition” or the “great green catastrophe”. Never in human history has a program of mass transition - from fossil fuels to “renewable energy” - been attempted let alone achieved in such a short period of time. The sheer scale of the investment required to completely overhaul our energy production and delivery systems is rarely given much thought. Figures such as $US275 trillion by 2050 simply roll off the tongue. This is just a number so large it is basically meaningless but to put it in some perspective - it would cost $1 trillion over the same period to completely end world hunger and poverty. It’s also easy for politicians to say “43 per cent emission reductions” and “80 per cent renewable electricity targets” but the hard part is paying for it, practically building the infrastructure and then making it work so the lights

FOOD FOR THOUGHT TOM MARLAND don’t flicker and the air conditioners don’t stop. Just to get to the 80 per cent renewable energy by 2030 will require 64 million solar panels or roughly 400,000 acres of land, 4000 wind turbines with another 1,000,000 acres and 28,000 kilometers of new powerlines with a further 500,000 acres of easements. Of course, it’s unlikely the these “great new green shiny things” will be located in Ascot, Vaucluse, Toorak, Dalkeith or Glenelg. They will go in the same place were the

coal mines are, where our coal seam gas wells are, were we also grow the food that we all eat and were there aren’t many votes to complain about it - rural and regional Australia. I’ve seen what coal mines and coal seam gas fields along with their associated pipelines and can do to prime and productive agricultural land. Now, the “great green transition” will need giant power lines connected to pump all that clean, green renewable energy into the cities. Those power lines will be connected to massive solar farms and wind turbines made in China from Australian iron ore and coking coal. In the last 12 months there has been an explosion of activity in the solar, wind and hydrogen sector (excuse the pun) with projects popping up all over the place. Landholders - who are finally getting to enjoy some green grass - are now faced with the prospect of having their farms littered with solar panels or rotating blades. How’s the serenity?

Of course, with all of this massive investment - there will be opportunity if these projects can be properly managed, and investment is focused on the local economies and communities and not simply siphoned back to the cities or overseas. Landholders should also play the most important part in how these projects are developed, constructed and maintained and not simply ridden over like has happened previously with coal mines and coal seam gas developments. But the question will ultimately be - does the bush get the crumbs again or do we finally get a proper piece of the pie? Ultimately, this will be up to us - to coordinate, communicate and to demand that the mistakes of the past aren’t repeated again. Renewable energy projects could create a bright future for rural and regional Australia as long as they don’t impede our ability to grow food and also don’t leave a mess that we will have to clean up.

MLA speaks with producers at yearly showcase updates

Sky is the limit for drones Drones are taking agriculture sky high, with forecasts the global market for drone technology in the sector will hit $8.4 billion by the end of 2028. In Australia, a growing number of farmers are deploying drones to carry out seeding, spraying, soil analysis, irrigation management, livestock management, and mapping and surveying. As with many sectors, drones – also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) – are becoming more commonplace as they help businesses save both money and time. Agricultural drones come fitted with a range of sensors, inbuilt cameras and GPS that enable them to map farmland and collect data in real-time to empower farmers to make more informed decisions. Farmers can operate the devices manually via remote control or use ones embedded with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to automate tasks that would otherwise be labour intensive or involve the use of expensive machinery. Not surprisingly then, drones are a major driving force behind the rise in precision agriculture, which is essentially farmers using new technologies to increase production while reducing inputs such as fertiliser, water and herbicides. We are already seeing how drones are revolutionising crop management and spraying, both jobs that have traditionally required the use of tractors, planes and helicopters. Farmers are saving money on chemicals as drone spraying is more precise, while also improving on-farm safety as they don’t have to fly aircraft. Drones may also soon transform the way farmers muster livestock. The Agtech and Logistics Hub recently hosted a workshop with Luke Chaplain, who presented the results of recent drone mustering trials undertaken by his company SkyKelpie, Meat & Livestock Australia and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The results have been encouraging, with drones shown to be an effective way of locating animals and moving herds. 20 TODAY January 2023

BREAKING GROUND WITH THOMAS HALL Luke is also looking to address regulations to make the devices more user-friendly for livestock farmers with large operations. In Australia, there are strict rules and regulations around the use of drones which means it’s extremely difficult for farmers to fly them out of their visual line of sight. Other major barriers to adoption include the need for farmers to have a reliable internet connection and the skills needed to operate the devices. Despite these challenges, a Deloitte report in 2020 estimated that one in 10 agribusinesses in Australia were using drones. With agricultural drones becoming more affordable in recent years, the number has no doubt grown and is expected to take off as the capability and application of drones improve. AI will further increase the capability of drones and there are reports that improved sensors and scanners are on the way. And when regulations make it easier for farmers to fly drones beyond their visual line of sight, they will be able to use the tech to perform even more jobs, particularly those on larger-scale operations. The Deloitte report, commissioned by the federal government, found the use of drones in the agriculture, forestry and fishery industries could deliver savings of between $3.5 billion and $10.4 billion between 2020 and 2040. The benefits that drones can deliver to farmers are huge – but I think I’ve droned on and on about it enough! Thomas Hall is the Director of the Agtech and Logistics Hub, Australia’s home of digital agriculture.

On 30 November in Toowoomba, Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) had the pleasant opportunity to speak directly with producers at our annual MLA Updates showcase. We had a plethora of technologies, offerings and solutions available for producers to view, try out and discuss with our MLA team on the day. I also had the opportunity to speak with producers on everything from cattle prices to market access to carbon accounting on-farm. Agricultural technology was front and centre for the crowd at MLA Updates, with drones, robots, satellite maps and cuttingedge genetics all featuring in displays and presentations. MLA was proud to announce the launch of two cutting edge technologies available for producers to adopt, being the electronic National Vendor Declaration (eNVD) Livestock Consignments app and the Australian Feedbase Monitor (AFM). eNVD app The eNVD app has been developed by MLA subsidiary, Integrity Systems Company, and is designed to increase adoption of digital consignments even when there is no mobile connectivity. The app is a complete mobile solution which enables consignments to be transferred from producer to transporter, saleyard, feedlot and processor, even while offline. The consignment data is transferred from one mobile device to another using a series of QR codes and then syncs with the eNVD database when the producer and receiver are back in service. Until now, about 30 per cent of all NVDs have been completed using the web-based eNVD system and further widespread adoption by red meat producers has been held back by connectivity issues in some parts of Australia. This innovative new app means mobile coverage is no longer a barrier to use the eNVD. Digital consignments will save all supply chain users time, create efficiencies and prevent errors, which is why we’re excited to offer this new option to industry. Our adoption team has been working with supply chains to understand individual business requirements, helping to set up supply chain capabilities for digital consignments and upskilling where needed. Our adoption and promotion program will continue into 2023 and we will be progressing further updates to the app’s functionality as uptake progresses. The eNVD Livestock Consignments app is available for free download through the Apple Store and Google Play Store. A suite of ’howto’ resources is also available to assist users at eNVD app. Australian Feedbase Monitor The Australian Feedbase Monitor is a joint initiative between MLA and Cibo Labs. This

FROM THE MLA JASON STRONG

world-first tool provides producers with satellite-derived objective estimates of leading pasture growth, biomass and ground cover for their property, and is free for MLA members who have linked their Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) accounts to their myMLA dashboard. A survey undertaken by Cibo Labs showed that over 85% of producers surveyed made regular pasture assessments, with 40% undertaking a weekly assessment. However, three quarters of these assessments were carried out using subjective visual assessments. The financial impact of inaccurate visual pasture assessments not only impacts sale returns, but often leads to increased supplementary feeding costs. Around 46% of survey respondents identified a need to provide additional supplementary feeds at least twice in the past five ye ars. The AFM will equip producers to make earlier and more informed grazing decisions to avoid forced stock reductions or unplanned supplementary feeding programs. The tool’s satellite maps are updated every five days, showing the variability in pasture biomass for a producer’s entire farm at 1ha resolution. The frequency of the updates will help producers to understand where the feedbase may be declining or responding to weather events over time. If producers want high resolution and more frequent information, or if they are not an MLA member with a linked LPA account, there is also a paid subscription service available via Cibo Labs.

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

OPINION

Keeping hydrated vital FARMERS’ HEALTH WITH DR TOBY FORD There is a fair chance this Christmas most readers will have a time when they forget to drink enough water. Seems that hydration has more benefits than we recognise. Carrying a water bottle in the work vehicle , whilst riding bikes or horses for example doesn’t work for everyone Hydration is important, but there are other ways to keep your fluid levels up when you’re under the pump. Establishing and maintaining healthy habits can take a lot of time, effort, and commitment. But as we know, the benefits that we get from maintaining healthy habits far outweigh the costs. A good sleep schedule, healthy diet, and regular exercise can go a long way when it comes to caring for our physical and mental health. Why do we need to stay hydrated? Many of us have heard of the notion that 5080 per cent of the human body is water. So, it comes as no surprise that all of the body’s chemical processes take place in water. Habits that keep us hydrated can promote better : Blood health Joint health Muscular performance Brain function and mood Digestion and excretory system Skin health Health Direct Australia has also put together a helpful graphic, outlining the relationship between water and our health. What Happens If We Don’t Stay Hydrated? Most of us are familiar with and prone to what is known as acute dehydration. This is when we go several hours without drinking water, causing our fluid levels to drop below the healthy level. Chronic dehydration, however, can set in when we are dehydrated for days at a time. This can be caused by circumstances like working in hot conditions, or being so busy or stressed that we neglect the habits that keep us hydrated. Chronic dehydration can cause health complications like kidney stones, ongoing muscle weakness, dizziness, headaches, dry/flaky skin, and constipation. Hydration is About Healthy Habits So, we know that staying hydrated in important, but how do we keep our fluids up when we are busy and working? It can be difficult to make sure you are hitting the mark in terms of water consumption: Sometimes we can be so busy that it’s hard to even keep track of how much water we are drinking. Our doctors at Ford Health suggest an integrated approach with habits that happen as part of our day can be far more effective and reasonable. An integrated approach minimises disruption to your day and means that

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hydration happens almost automatically on a regular basis. Drinking water regularly as part of our day can be difficult to include and easy to forget. Here are some habits you can start to integrate into you daily life to stay healthy and hydrated. Wake up with water Having a glass of water when you wake up can help with the process of waking up as well as restore fluids that may have dropped while you were sleeping. Have water before drinking a coffee Coffee can dehydrate the body. So having water before a coffee can regulate this removal of fluids as well as help balance out your cortisol levels. Eat fruit and vegetables for snacks About 20% of our fluid intake comes from the food we eat. Get your fluids from a healthy source that is high in water such as fruit or vegetables. These natural sources of fluids contain natural sugars that can promote and improve fluid absorption. You can even add fruit like lemon, mint, cucumber, or strawberries to your water to give it a little bit of extra flavour. Avoid consumption of unhealthy or unnec-

essary fluids like soft drink and alcohol Similar to coffee, drinks with high sodium or alcohol can dehydrate the body. Opting for water or natural fruit juice can deliver fluids to your body far more effectively. The CDC provides a fantastic resource to help you stay informed and Rethink Your Drink. Set a regular timer or reminder to help you remember to drink water regularly While you don’t necessarily have to drink water at an exact interval time, a timer can help by acting as a reminder to drink water when you have the next chance Sip water when it is convenient and nearby. Taking small opportunities to have a single glass or mouthful of water, whether it’s in a meeting room or at the drink station, can help maintain fluid levels. The body can absorb water far more effectively when it is consumed in small amounts rather than large, infrequent doses. So this summer keep an eye out on water intake. It can make a difference and help prevent headaches, cramping and poor concentration. I hope you will join us again for this year’s series. Ford Health Team thank the news team for the opportunity to connect with rural communities and the bush.

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January 2023 TODAY 21

NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Push for agritourism regs The Queensland Farmers’ Federation has partnered with Airbnb and Regionality to design a new regulatory framework for rural land to unlock Queensland’s potential as the nation’s agritourism capital. The discussion paper proposes a sliding scale of regulation to boost rural economies, and identifies the challenges and opportunities for agritourism as an emerging sector. The report proposes enabling no-or-lowimpact agritourism activities by ensuring freedom from regulatory burdens and onerous red tape. QFF warns the state risks falling behind others and losing a competitive tourism edge because of complex land use regulations. Airbnb says measures to create more unique stays, and deliver alternative means for farmers to generate income, are crucial to strengthening the bush and building more resilient communities. The ’Unlocking Queensland’s agritourism potential - discussion paper’ identifies the challenges and opportunities for agritourism as an emerging sector and proposes to define it by creating a sliding scale of regulation recognising the different ways in which farmers engage with agritourism. QFF president Allan Dingle said agritourism was an important growth industry in Queensland’s rural and regional areas and is estimated to be worth around $4.5 billion by 2030. “Agritourism provides opportunities for farmers to expand their businesses and market their produce through alternative channels, while gathering valuable feedback from consumers,” Mr Dinglesaid. “However, Queensland is at risk of losing market share by falling behind other states because of onerous and complex land use regulations that do not solve the intractable problems that limit the growth of this valuable regional Queensland industry. “In order to enable Queensland farmers to innovate, clarity and consistency are required to create a new regulatory framework that is easy for farmers to navigate and opens up the benefits of agritourism.” “Defining agritourism as an ancillary use, the proposed definition of agritourism seeks to enable no-or low-impact activities free from regulatory burdens and move on a sliding scale towards greater regulatory oversight for higher-impact agritourism activity. “Creating settings based on the scale and frequency of agritourism accommodation, experiences and activities, produce sales, processing, and events, addresses the need to protect agricultural productivity, while allow-

Agritourism is opening up another income for Queensland farmers like this Farm Stay cottage at Taabinga Station. ing value adding and diversification through agritourism.” Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb’s Country Manager for Australia, and Toowoomba native said Queenslanders are always looking to explore their own backyard through unique, authentic experiences that immerse them in regional communities. “We know that Airbnb allows people options to travel to more places, especially in regional Australia where there is limited tourism

infrastructure. What’s needed is a regulatory framework that empowers rural communities and allows the creation of more unique stays that deliver new income streams for farmers and help strengthen and build resilience in the bush,” Ms Wheeldon said. “As farming evolves, and our populations and cities change, there are untold opportunities to show off the best regional Queensland has to offer, and create a framework that promotes participation and benefits farmers, their communities, tourists, and indeed the

Picture: AIR BNB

entire economy. “QFF, Airbnb and Regionality are committed to working together with the Queensland Government, rural and regional communities, and other stakeholders to empower farmers to establish or expand into agritourism. “Through future-focussed regulatory reform, Queensland can unlock the potential of agritourism and foster innovation that helps secure the future of farmers and a diverse and resilient Queensland economy.”

The traditional farm field trip goes virtual for university University of Queensland students are gaining unprecedented access to farms and other agricultural sites through self-navigated virtual tours. The creative approach to teaching and learning is being led by Associate Lecturer Suresh Krishnasamy from UQ’s School of Agriculture and Food Sciences. Mr Suresh said students scrolled their way around 360 degree images for invaluable insights into the agricultural corridor between Brisbane and Toowoomba. “The project bypasses the logistical headaches that come with field trips, such as cost, class size, timetabling and safety,” Mr Suresh said. “So far it covers the Lockyer Valley and Darling Downs regions, which contain primary production that aligns to the concepts taught in the Bachelor of Agricultural Science course at UQ. “This includes horticulture, cropping, production animal management, natural grazing, feedlots in a range of agribusiness models.” One site that students can visit is Boomaroo Nurseries west of Toowoomba, a supplier of wholesale vegetable seedlings to the fresh produce industry and potted plants to the nursery and garden industry. 22 TODAY January 2023

This is what a virtual tour looks like. The plan is to add more sites to broaden student experiences and the UQ team is seeking producers and organisations willing to be involved. Mr Suresh said a virtual tour developed by Australian Pork Industries had recently been added and the team was in talks with two

other locations. “The great thing about this is that it’s simple to set up – you just need some nice quality 360 degree images of the site and you’re good to go,” Mr Suresh said. “We hope this ease of use will allow us to

keep populating the map so that anyone, not just agriculture students and teachers, can pick it up and use it. “There are many educational applications for this format, it’s a really exciting opportunity.” Third-year Bachelor of Agricultural Science student, Claire Cornel, has completed the Boomaroo tour and said she learnt about the nursery, the different equipment on the site and how it benefited the nursery and environment. “Lectures and practicals are good to demonstrate a concept, but the key to fully encompassed learning is to see those concepts in action,” Ms Cornel said. “Virtual tours are able to harness key advantages of site visits such as the ability to witness real-world problems and solutions.” The project is an example of the creative and innovative approaches being celebrated during UQ’s Teaching and Learning (T&L) Week through five days of events across the university’s campuses. A team of academics has supported the project including Dr Millicent Smith, Dr Edward Narayan, and Dr Ammar Abdul Aziz along with UQ’s Science Blended Learning team and eLearning Innovations and Partnerships in Science and Engineering (eLIPSe).

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

FEATURE

Beef up your bottom line By introducing Truro Whiteface genetics into your herd, be it straight breeding or baldy breeding, you will be impacting your herd with a genetic package that is second to none. Truro Whiteface is using cutting edge genetics for fertility, calving ease, growth, carcase and IMF. Introducing a Truro Whiteface bull into your herd guarantees extra weight as either a straight Hereford, or a baldy and guarantees British bred content with the whiteface. This is unique to the whiteface breed, and no other breed brands them with that guarantee like a “baldy”. The Truro cow herd is the Hann family’s pride and joy. Fertility, calving ease, moderate birth with growth. They expect all females to give them a calf every year, from two-year-olds onwards. The Hanns weigh every calf at birth and continually measure and weigh the progeny throughout their lifetime. They don’t tolerate bad udders, feet or temperament. Truro Whiteface have a spring and autumn calving, making it quite an intensive programme – joining, calving, weaning and bull sales twice a year. In 2023 the sales are on 17 February, 2023 and another on 28 August, 2023. This gives new, younger, cutting edge genetics to the industry sooner. Truro are continually searching for new and updated genetics, that phenotypically and genetically keep them at peak performance. Truro purchased genetics to $74,000 this year and only purchase the very best they can find. Sires go out twice a year, and longevity of their sire power is imperative. Truro definitely look after their sires when they come out of the cows, as they have to perform and last. The bulls they sell must be the same, and it’s bred into them. You shouldn’t be replacing bulls every year – a massive cost that can be avoided. Truro Whiteface bulls are a genetic package with performance. Carcase shape is imperative and they strive to increase carcase and IMF. These traits are industry driven and paid for at

a higher rate by all processors. You get paid for what you produce, so cattle producers should get on a programme and stick to it. Listen to what the industry is saying and be driven by those indicators that your environment allows you to breed and maximise your returns. Some

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breeds may get more cents per kg, but $$$$’s per head is the real benchmark. Truro Whiteface’s Autumn Sale will be held on property at “Truro” Bellata on Friday 17 February, 2023. The sale will be conducted by Elders Gunnedah and North West Stock and

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January 2023 TODAY 23

country k tchens recipes Turkey Burgers with Coleslaw Serves: 4-6 (makes 8 small patties) Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Fruit and veggies: 1 serve per portion Ingredients:

• • • • • • • • •

1 tablespoon olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed 500g turkey mince ½ cup breadcrumbs, wholemeal 2 tablespoons barbeque sauce ½ teaspoon smoked paprika ½ cup cheddar cheese, reduced fat 8 wholegrain dinner rolls

Coleslaw:

• • • •

¼ cabbage, thinly sliced 1 carrot, grated ½ capsicum, thinly sliced ¾ cup yoghurt, reduced fat

Method:

• PREHEAT oven to 180. • HEAT half the oil in frying pan over medium heat and cook onion and garlic for 4 minutes or until softened. Set aside and cool.

• COMBINE turkey mince, breadcrumbs, barbeque sauce, paprika and cooled onion mixture in bowl and divide into 8 patties, 2cm thick. • HEAT remaining oil in pan and cook patties 3 minutes each side or until browned. Transfer to tray and bake in oven for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and stand for 5 minutes. Coleslaw:

• COMBINE cabbage, carrot and capsicum in large bowl. Add yoghurt and toss to combine. • SERVE patties with coleslaw and barbeque sauce if desired. What’s Great About It?

Turkey mince is low in fat and high in protein making it a good alternative for beef in patties. Using wholemeal breadcrumbs will increase the fibre content of the meal and when paired with wholemeal bread rolls makes for a good fibre hit. Feel free to use any veggies you have left over in the fridge for the coleslaw – anything goes!

Dragon Fruit Vinaigrette Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 0 minutes Ingredients: • ½ pink dragon fruit • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil Method: • ADD all ingredients to a blender. • BLEND on high speed until well combined. • POUR over salad of choice when ready to serve. What’s Great About It? The pink coloured flesh of dragon fruit provides a characteristically bright fuchsia colour to this dressing which is sure to make any salad pop! It can be made in a matter of minutes and pairs well with many types of salad. If you are unable to find fresh pink dragon fruit, frozen dragon fruit works just as well. Recipe courtesy of the Country Kitchens 2023 Product of the Year Recipe Collection – Dragon Fruit

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/. 24 TODAY January 2023

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

Sheep and cattle report Report Date: 14/12/2022 Saleyard: Dalby Saleyard: DalbyCattle numbers at Dalby for the last sale for 2022 reduced to 1,429 head. A small consignment of 344 head from far Western Queensland and 51 head from New South Wales were included in the lineup. Overall quality was very mixed and also a large number of light weight bulls were penned. Buyer attendance was not as good as the previous week. Most classes experienced good demand with only quality related price changes. Light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock sold to 610c and averaged 542c/kg. Yearling steers in the 280 to 330kg range to restockers averaged 507c and made to 563c/kg. Medium weight yearling steers to feed made to 500c to average 455c, with a good sample in the same weight range returning to the paddock reaching 563c to average 471c/kg. Heavy weight yearling steers to feed made to 466c to average 420c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers returning to the paddock or background made to the occasional 524c with the largest numbers at 448c/kg. Yearling heifers to feed for the domestic market averaged from 418c to 428c with sales to 460c/kg. The occasional heavy steer to export processors made to 354c/kg. The best of the cows made to 295c/kg. A large number of light weight bulls to restockers averaged 451c and sold to 602c/kg. The next sale for Dalby 11/01/23. - Market Reporter, Trevor Hess Report Date: 8/12/2022 Saleyard: Emerald Commentary Numbers dropped to 1250 head for the last Emerald sale for 2022. Cattle were reported to be mostly drawn from local areas alongside a few consignments from northern regions. While there was limited numbers of finished steers, prime cows and heifers held firm to slightly dearer and yearling cattle met strong competition from local restockers depending on content. Lightweight restocker steers sold to 666.2 to average 602c for C muscle lines and 465c for secondary pens. Restocker steers to 280 to 330kg sold to 650.2 to average 585c, the best of the medium weight feeder steers made to 524.2 to average 434c and there was too few heavy feeder steers to reliably quote. Light weight restocker heifers sold to 506.2 to average 451c and despite a line of Brahman heifers averaging over 400c most higher content heifers averaged around 362c/kg. Good quality heifers returning to the paddock sold to a top of 506.2c most sold around 454c/kg. heavy heifers to the processor sold to 361.2 to average 336c medium weight cows average around 291c while good heavy cows sold to 328.2 to average 311c/kg. Bulls sold to 302.2 averaging 272/kg. - Market reporter, Samuel Hart Report Date: 13/12/2022 Saleyard: Roma Commentary A total of 4234 head were yarded for the last

Roma sale for 2022. It was a very mixed quality yarding which included a line of 500 yearling bulls from Mount Isa. A full panel of buyers were present and while restockers were still active on good quality pens of light weight steers and heifers, heavy feeders struggled to maintain prices, easing 5 to 10c. Very few prime cattle were on offer and heavy cows saw a lift of nearly 15c/kg. Good quality light weight restocker steers 200 to 280 kg sold to strong demand to 614.2 to average 580 up 10c, while D muscle pens sold to 492.2 to average 401c/ kg. Steers 280 to 330kgs also made to 614.22 average 561c/kg. Restockers outbid feeders on medium weight steers paying up to 598.2 with most around 531c/kg while those to feed averaged 498c/kg. Heavy feeder steers lost 7c selling to 450.2 to average 432c/kg. Light weight restocker heifers saw good improvements selling to 540.2 while joinable heifers returning to the paddock over 280 kg sold to 518.2 to average 464c/kg. Medium cows were selling to 300.2 to average 297c and good heavy cows over 520 kg Sold to 310.2 to average 306c, up 10 to 15c/kg. - Market reporter, Sam Hart Report Date: 12/12/2022 Saleyard: Toowoomba Commentary The last sale before the annual break attracted a relatively small number of 113 head at the Toowoomba sale. All the regular buyers were in attendance and operating. The smaller yarding was dominated by young cattle. The short supply of yearling steers to feed experienced a dearer trend. Yearling heifers to feed sold to good demand for the quality penned. Light weight yearling steers returning to the

paddock made to 526c to average 511c/kg. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market averaged from 460c to 503c and sold to 520c/ kg. A small selection of heavy weight yearling steers to the local trade market made to 398c/ kg. Yearling heifers to feed averaged from 477c to 486c and sold to 518c/kg. The occasional bullock sold to feeder operators at 350c/kg. A single bull sold open auction made to $4,600. Cows and calves made to $3,200/unit. The next cattle sale in Toowoomba 16/01/23. - Market Reporter, Trevor Hess Report Date: 13/12/2022 Saleyard: Warwick Commentary The supply of stock at the last sale for the year at Warwick more than halved the previous weeks level down to 323 head. Export buyer attendance was not as good as the previous week, however the regular feed and trade buyers plus restockers were active in the market. A combination of the smaller numbers and a better quality lineup of young cattle average prices improved by 20c to 30c/kg. Light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock made to 640c to average 552c/kg. Yearling steers in the 280 to 330kg range to restockers made to 576c and averaged 522c/kg. Medium weight yearling steers to feed averaged 476c and made to 522c while restocker lines made to 551c to average 536c/kg. Heavy weight yearling steers to feed made to 453c and averaged 402c with some to the local trade at 496c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers returning to the paddock or background made to 556c to average 549c/kg. Yearling heifers to feed for the domestic market averaged from 449c to 463c and sold to 534c/kg. Heavy weight yearling heifers to the local trade market made to 466c/kg. A

handful of bullocks made to 320c/kg. The occasional cow made to 314c/kg. Cows and calves made to $2,500/unit. - Market Reporter, Trevor Hess Sheep Physical Report Report Date: 14/12/2022 Saleyard: Warwick The supply of stock rose to 1,243 lambs and 553 grown sheep at Warwick for the last sale of 2022. A lift in the quality and finish of the lambs on offer saw prices regain the losses of last week with improvements of $14 to $24 for most trade lambs and up to $31 on selected store lambs. The prices for the mutton portion were close to last weeks rates. All the regular processors and wholesalers were present and operating along with feeder operators and restockers. Very light young lambs to restockers sold to $82 and averaged $53 with young sucker lambs to the butcher trade selling to $132 and the heavier young lambs to the wholesale meat trade selling to $150/head. Ewe lambs in the 18-20kg range returning to the paddock made $176 with those to the trade market selling to $172/head. Lambs over 20kg to feeder operators made $181 with those to the meat trade selling from $185 to $187/head. Heavy lambs to processors sold from $192 to $211 with the ewe lambs returning to the paddock at $210/ head. Heavy hoggets to processors made from $110 to $134/head. Light weight ewe mutton sold from $64 to $80/head. Light weight cross bred wethers made $35 to $50 with very heavy wether mutton selling to $110/head. Ram lambs to the butcher trade sold from $80 to $89/head. Market Reporter Errol Luck

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January 2023 TODAY 25

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Management and Staff at Network Classifieds would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year. THE CLASSIFIEDS DEPARTMENT WILL BE CLOSING 12559877-SN30-22

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ARE YOU IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR? Do you have a story to tell, new projects to talk about or just simply highlight an achievement.... Call Fiona Gowers E: fiona.gowers@queenslandfarmertoday.com.au

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

Classified Advertising Sharon Jones | P: 07 4182 0451 E: sharon.jones@burnetttoday.com.au The Voice of the Central Highlands race caller Scott Power.

Powerful mike voice The Voice of the Central Highlands, race caller Scott Power, had a bird’s eye view of Raymond William’s Country Cup winner Echo Point after being selected as the race caller from a state wide pool. Calling the recent $200,000 County Cups Challenge (1600 metres) won by Emerald galloper Echo Point and the $105,000 Country Stampede (1110m) won by Dynamic Verse, Power called the two features with the precision and the accuracy that he is known for. The Voice of Pioneer Park recently celebrated his 40th year as a caller, commencing

his career at 14 at his beloved Bluff racecourse where he still broadcasts today. Four years after his debut, he was appointed Emerald Jockey Club race caller at 18 years old. Power has also enjoyed the thrill of calling the 2019 Battle Of The Bush at Eagle Farm but now holds the honour of calling the big three in country racing, the Battle Of The Bush, The Stampede and The Country Cups Final, while calling at Eagle Farm and Doomben, which are Queensland’s two premier racetracks.

Entries now open in hunt for Australia’s best beer Australian beer makers are being urged to put their best brews forward, with entries open for the Royal Queensland Beer awards. The competition involves a team of highly experienced judges including brewers, sensory experts and industry figures award trophies across 10 beer styles including pale ale, larger and porter stout. The beverage bestowed the title of Rallings Grand Champion Beer will receive a $5000 Lion bursary, with further opportunities to be showcased during Queensland’s largest event – the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka). Those new to the industry will also be recognised, with Queensland brewers who have a maximum three years’ experience eligible to be crowned The Star Entertainment Group Best New Queensland Craft Brewer of the Year. The winner will have their brews sold at a vast array of The Star outlets across southeast Queensland. RQA Beer advisory group member and

15,000 copies published. Inserted into the following newspapers: • South Burnett Today • Central & North Burnett Today • Warwick Today • Stanthorpe Today • Longreach leader • Central & West Leader Today • Emerald Today • CQ Today Also available from the follow outlets: • Hartleys Newsexpress Toowoomba • Roma Sale Yards • Warwick Sale Yards • Highfields News & Post • Pittsworth Newsagency • News Extra Central City

Next edition out on the 27 January 2023

judge Steve Henderson said he expected to see an increase in entries in 2023, following a record 570 this year. “The competition has become better known interstate,“ he said. “Plus, the offer of free freight for New South Wales and Victorian breweries makes the competition much more accessible for brewers to have their product judged,” he said. “In the last 12 months there has been a rise in a particular beer style called cold IPA, so I would expect to see quite a few entries in the New World Lager category next year. “The Royal Queensland Beer awards aims to showcase the best of not only Queensland, but Australian beer, and I look forward to the results.” Entries must be in by Friday 3 February, with judging taking place from Monday 27 February. The winners will be announced at an awards presentation on Wednesday 1 March 2023. 12582191-JW52-22

January 2023 TODAY 27

SPORT QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Les ‘Bubba’ Tilley salutes after crossing the line on topweight Echo Point to win the Country Challenge at Doomben.

Raymond Williams with his father Barry who strapped Echo Point for the team. Picture: SUPPLIED

Echo Point’s triumphal run The old adage that the best ride wins is exactly what Les Bubba Tilley provided for Emerald trainer Raymond Williams and his loyal partner Tracey Leake when Echo Point ($4.40) overcame a 1700 kilometre marathon trip from Emerald to win at Doomben last month. The trek from Emerald to Brisbane paid off handsomely for the Goonyella Riverside miner-come-trainer, Emerald Jockey Club committee man and track curator when his gelding made it to the line winning the $200,000 Country Cups Challenge Final at Doomben. Raced by several Barcaldine boys and gals including Willy Chandler, Matty Miller, Toni Austin and the Hands and Heels boys led by Kerrod Power and his Brother Gavin Power who is based in Emerald. Echo Point, a tried horse purchase from the Waterhouse/Bott stable on the advice of Quade Krough, a former apprentice Jockey for Todd and Toni Austin and a loyal friend, has now won over $250,000 in prize money and close to $200,000 for the current ownership group. Echo Point has developed a huge cult following as a prolific winner in Country Queensland with the Emerald-trained galloper being solid in the betting trimming up late from $5.00 to $4.40 in a masterful Les Tilley ride under the weight of 60 kilograms. Echo Point needed to be ridden in an economical manner, which is

exactly what happened. Tilley tucked the Williams trained galloper away on the fence and produced Echo Point in the straight to exploded to the lead and hold off Corey and Kylie Gerans runner Vinasta ($5.50) who charged home with Gary Geran onboard in a family affair collecting $37,000 in prize money for the KO racing team led by the man himself Kobie O’Brien who will have celebrated hard after the effort. In third it was Rockhampton trainer Kristy Clark Peoples with Centaur ($8.00) with Jim Byrne in the saddle. Winning trainer Raymond Williams keeps a small stable of between 6-10 horses in work in his on-course Emerald stables at Pioneer Park and has had a lifetime in racing after starting his career as an apprentice jockey before his weight led him to a career in mining at Gregory Mine and now at Goonyella Riverside Mine in Moranbah. Williams has always kept his hand in racing learning his training craft off the late Tony Button spending many years riding trackwork and working along with Tony and his partner Glenda Bell and riding as amateur jockey on the picnic circuit. Williams’ partner Tracey Leake has also been a long time Picnic trainer, a legacy of her late father Ross who was a stalwart of picnic racing in Queensland and gave Tracey the racing bug from a young age.

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Tracey juggles her full time role at the Westpac Bank with being Raymond’s right hand woman and serving on the Emerald Jockey Club as Vice President in the past and on the committee working tirelessly. Williams has been training for four years and has had several good horses including prolific winners Hayyler’s Tary, Bootshaker, Shigeru Mahogany and Awahneechee raced by Williams long time friend Micky Calvert. He was a travel companion for Echo point and has given Williams the thrill of competing in the last two Battle of the Bush finals and the last two Country Stampede finals while winning 10 races for Williams and Calvert. Echo Point’s win in the $200,000 Country Cup final is by far his biggest win and the best horse he has trained to date in his short career. All the big action was early in the day with Queensland Country Racing showcased at Doomben last Saturday with the Voice of Pioneer Park race caller Scotty Power being selected calling both country features. It was scenes of jubilation boiling over in the winners enclosure with the connections of Dynamic Verse prevailing in a keenly contested $105,000 Country Stampede Series Final. Over the 1110m journey Toowoomba based trainer Pat Webster stood proudly by the winners stall when jockey Angela Jones brought Dynamic Verse ($18.00) back to scale after

their barnstorming win in the $105,000 event. The six-year-old gelding, a winner of over $200,000, has made a name for himself on the country circuit. Trained by Pat Webster who has mastered the art of winning these feature country sprints Dynamic Verse qualified for the Stampede final via a third placing behind Mr Vista in the Gayndah heat. Dynamic Verse had a nice weight and nice barrier (8). Jockey Angela Jones kept Dynamic Verse out of trouble and the Toowoomba based galloper done the rest rattling home late to grab plunge horse Liam Birchley’s runner Bungarribee Lad ($8.50) with Mark Du Plessis onboard in the shadows of the post. Shane Iverson’s Charleville galloper and favourite Mori’s Press ($4.80) ridden by Ben Thompson was only a small margin away in third. Pat Webster now has three successive feature sprints, last year’s Country Stampede with his Bush Champ VJ Day and this year’s Battle of the Bush final with VJ Day who unfortunately is no longer with us and the Webster Stable after passing away on Roma Cup Day. The win of Dynamic Verse will lift the spirits of the Webster stable who have recently moved from St George to set up stable in Toowoomba. Power behind the microphone, page 27

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