Queensland Farmer Today - February 2023 by Star News Group

February 2023

12536829-DL08-22

Born in the saddle

Outback to the classroom

PAGES 18 -19

PAGE 13

Less diesel reliance As rural industries turn their focus to reducing emissions and switching to renewables to address climate risks, there is a call to identify transformative pathways to transition from dependence on petroleum diesel fuels. Cassian Drew, managing partner at Acclimate Partners and lead author of the report The Diesel Transition: Petroleum diesel alternatives for the Australian agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector, said research highlighted the sector-wide opportunity for change. “Diesel is the most widely-used source of energy in agriculture, forestry and fisheries at 84 per cent of total energy consumption,“ he said. “In the current climate this presents an opportunity to rethink the way agriculture operates in order to meet growing global food demands and emission reduction targets. STORY PAGE 5

Deception over soil In a cruel blow to Australian farmers, the federal Labor Government has confirmed it has axed the $54 million pilot Soil Monitoring Incentives Program (SMIP) due to flooding. During the lead-up to Christmas, Minister for Agriculture and Emergency Management Murray Watt “secretly“ cut an innovative soil program, which he recognised just weeks before was important for the agriculture industry. While spruiking the SMIP in November 2022, Minister Watt said: “Healthy soil underpins Australia’s natural landscapes and our high-quality sustainable agriculture industry.” STORY PAGE 7

Dr Andreas Schibler, patient six-year-old Ariella Powell, and Dr Donna Franklin.

Respiratory treatment for children set to improve

Breathe easy By Fiona Gowers New research is set to improve childhood respiratory treatment and reduce unnecessary medical transfers across 18 rural and remote health centres throughout north and far north Queensland. PARIS on Country is a new study being launched by Queensland’s world-leading Paediatric Acute Respiratory Intervention Studies (PARIS) program.

It is led by chief investigator Dr Donna Franklin and aims to halve the number of children being transferred away to city hospitals. “Based on the evidence from two world first clinical trials - PARIS I and II - we now understand when it is best to place an infant or child on nasal high flow therapy and when to use standard oxygen as a first line oxygen therapy,” said Dr Franklin, who is a researcher at Gold Coast University Hospital, Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University

and James Cook University. Donna is also a member of the Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT) group. High-flow oxygen therapy, which provides increased oxygen to patients via a nasal cannula, is rarely available in remote areas and 50 per cent of patients are transferred to city hospitals for a higher level of care than they may actually need. STORY PAGE 3

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WOMEN IN AG ......................pages 12-13

FARMERS’ HEALTH ...................... page 16

BREAKING GROUND .................... page 16

QCWA RECIPE ............................. page 20

MARKET REPORTS ..................... page 21

CLASSIFIEDS .............................. page 22

SPORT ....................................... page 24

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An area the size of Samoa was partially or fully deforested in Queensland in one year despite stricter land-clearing laws being passed, raising concerns about rapid biodiversity loss. About 418,656 hectares of woody vegetation, an area the size of the Polynesian island, was fully or partially cleared in 2019/20, according to the latest government report. Resources Minister Scott Stewart says that’s a fall of almost 40 per cent from the 680,688ha cleared in 208/19, and due to new vegetation laws passed in 2017. “We will continue to work with industry and the community to ensure land clearing continues to reduce,“ he said in a statement. “Clearing in remnant and high-value regrowth vegetation regulated areas reduced more than 50 per cent compared to the previous year.“ About 42,575ha of new regrowth has also been mapped in the report, which was welcomed by farming lobby AgForce, calling it an “undeniably good story“ for landholders. “Landowners do indeed care for agricultural lands,“ AgForce general president Georgie Somerset said in a statement. “The findings are testament to the hard work of landowners, who have made great efforts with sustainable land management during particularly challenging times and tough drought conditions.“ However, environmental groups said the report showed Queensland was still a global deforestation hotspot, two years after new laws were passed to end the practice. The Wilderness Society said almost threequarters of the vegetation clearance was to make way for cattle pasture and around half occurred in Great Barrier Reef catchments, which increased the chance of erosion and

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Eighteen rural and remote hospitals through north and far north Queensland will benefit from game-changing research that aims to improve childhood respiratory treatment and reduce unnecessary medical transfers. PARIS on Country is a new study Queensland’s world-leading Paediatric Acute Respiratory Intervention Studies (PARIS) program is launching. It is led by chief investigator Dr Donna Franklin and aims to halve the number of children being transferred away to city hospitals. A pilot study is currently running successfully in three remote Queensland hospitals including Weipa, Thursday Island and Cooktown. “I’m very passionate about the work that we’ve done over the last 10 years because it will change the way we look after these children and can improve the care for each individual,” said Dr Andreas Schibler, a researcher at Queensland’s Wesley Research Institute and a world leader in paediatric acute respiratory medicine and intensive care. It will not only have an impact here in Australia, it will have an impact internationally.” PhD candidate and lead investigator Sally West from James Cook University said this was a service parents in remote communities were “desperate“ to see introduced. “Having a child with breathing difficulties is stressful, but needing to transfer them away from country can be devastating, particularly for Indigenous families,” she said. Excitingly, the pilot study is now being expanded to 18 rural and remote hospitals across the Torres and Cape, Townsville, north west and Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Services.

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sediment-laden runoff that could kill coral. The group’s Queensland manager Hannah Schuch also criticised the government for not monitoring deforestation in real-time and releasing its report on Friday afternoon. “Australia is a deforestation hotspot and it’s clear that Queensland, sadly, is driving the destruction, putting threatened species on a fast track to extinction,“ she said in a statement. “Bulldozing Queensland’s forests and bushlands kills koalas, trashes rivers, smothers the Great Barrier Reef and contributes to dangerous climate change.“ The Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) said the land-clearing laws were clearly flawed with huge areas being deforested annually, putting the state’s 1000 threatened species at risk. “Loopholes and lack of enforcement by the Queensland government allow broadscale land clearing to continue,“ QCC campaigner Natalie Frost told AAP. “The premier must honour her promise to the Queensland people and end this out-ofcontrol deforestation. “We are facing a biodiversity crisis and need to urgently protect and restore nature, sadly the Queensland government is not doing enough to thwart extinctions.“ The World Wide Fund for Nature also questioned the value of reporting regrowth in the annual report, as it didn’t necessarily have the same value as a native species habitat in recently deforested areas such as old-growth forests. “That’s based on data that gives scrubby regrowth the same value as forest hundreds of years old. Tree hollows, essential for many Australian species, can take over 200 years to form, the clearing of these habitats must stop,“ WWF project manager Vanessa Keogh said.

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Almost three-quarters of the vegetation clearance was to make way for cattle pasture and around half occurred in Great Barrier Reef catchments, according to The Wilderness Society.

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Dr Donna Franklin with five-year-old patient Molly Forbes at Weipa Hospital.

NEWS

Dr Andreas Schibler.

Respiratory breakthrough By Fiona Gowers New research is set to improve childhood respiratory treatment and reduce unnecessary medical transfers across 18 rural and remote health centres throughout north and far north Queensland. PARIS on Country is a new study being launched by Queensland’s world-leading Paediatric Acute Respiratory Intervention Studies (PARIS) program. It is led by chief investigator Dr Donna Franklin and aims to halve the number of children being transferred away to city hospitals. “Based on the evidence from two world first clinical trials — PARIS I and II — we now understand when it is best to place an infant or child on nasal high flow therapy and when to use standard oxygen as a first line oxygen therapy,” said Dr Franklin, who is a researcher at Gold Coast University Hospital, Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University and James Cook University. Donna is also a member of the Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT) group. High-flow oxygen therapy, which provides increased oxygen to patients via a nasal cannula, is rarely available in remote areas and 50 per cent of patients are transferred to city hospitals for a higher level of care than they may actually need. “This causes emotional stress for children and families, unnecessary load on emergency departments and huge transfer costs for the state,” Dr Franklin said. “Paris on Country will develop and implement a respiratory care training package to help rural and remote clinicians decide when to escalate treatment and when to seek specialist advice via telehealth. “By providing local clinicians with the tools, education and information they need, we hope to see a positive change for these sick children.” The resource and training pack is based on evidence from the world first PARIS trials, which were led by Dr Andreas Schibler, a researcher at Queensland’s Wesley Research Institute and a world leader in paediatric acute respiratory medicine and intensive care. A pilot study is currently running successfully in three remote Queensland hospitals, including Weipa, Thursday Island and Cooktown, under PhD Candidate and Lead Investigator Sally West from James Cook University. “This is a service parents in remote communities are desperate to see introduced,“ Ms West said. “Having a child with breathing difficulties is stressful, but needing to transfer them away from country can be devastating, particularly for Indigenous families.” The pilot study is now being expanded to 18 rural and remote hospitals across the Torres and Cape, Townsville, north west and Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Services. The project is a collaboration between Gold Coast University Hospital, Wesley Research Institute, James Cook University and Griffith University.

Dr Donna Franklin, GCUH nurse researcher and lead for PARIS on Country.

Dr Donna Franklin with Lily York who is mum to 7-month-old patient Jenovia York-Charger. FACTS Acute respiratory illnesses, for example bronchiolitis, asthma and pneumonia, are the most frequent cause of hospitalisation in children and 28 per cent of intensive care admissions.

rates from acute respiratory fail· Mortality ure can be up to 20pc in under-resourced

communities - three to four times higher for Indigenous than non-Indigenous Australians. In Far North Queensland, 30 to 50pc of chil-

dren with acute respiratory failure are transferred to hospitals in Cairns or Townsville (compared with only nine to 12 per cent in south east Queensland). New PARIS on Country project aims to reduce these transfers by half. February 2023 TODAY 3

NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Cattle future congregates By Leonie Fuge The 32nd National Santa Gertrude Youth Camp was held at the Polocrosse field in Morgan Park last week and had 110 young cowboys and cowgirls in attendance competing to win a $20,000 heifer. “It’s one of our biggest camps yet,“ said general manager of Santa Gertrudis, Chris Todd. “We had 110 kids from Northern Territory, 100 kilometres south of Katherine, heaps of kids from around Wagga, Tasmania, some of South Australia and from all over Queensland.“ A heifer is donated each year by a stud breeder and adds a true competitive edge to the daily competitions for the young cowboys and cowgirls. The Champion Herdsman of the camp, and winner of the heifer was Alex Wilson from Boonah. The National Santa Gertrudis Camp ran from 11 to 14 January and had kids aged 8 to 18 years of age dressed in blue shirts with cowboy hats learning all there is to know about parading and judging cattle. They entered ’minishows’ throughout the camp where they were put before the judges. The Polocrosse fields were sprawled with tribes of swags for the campers, while families, camp volunteers and vendors lived it up in more modern accommodation, towing in big 4WD caravans and campers. Robert Murphy from Mount Wallace oversaw the 24 Group Leaders who make the camp possible and kept the campers engaged in the full schedule. “We had 24 group leaders form all works of life with seven new to the crew. I take pride in vetting our group leaders to make sure they will offer value for the camp. Most have been participants previously,“ said Roger. “We are constantly looking to see what the kids need,“ he said. “It’s a full program, they start at 6:30 am and go until evening.“ Robert said the campers have either a background or interest in parading. “Some come here from never leading an aminal before to kids who have competed in national parading competitions,“ said Robert. The young cowboys and cowgirls learn everything from the basics of how to tie an animal up to how to judge. Once allocated a beast the participants are responsible to feed, water, muck out the stall and prepare the animal for showing. With competition high, grooming is a big part of the daily routine as each participant wants their animal to look its best. The competitors also bring their best cowboy and cowgirl gear to wear for the finals. The daily competitions culminated on Saturday night with winners from the overall daily competitions judging bulls under lights and before a crowd. The overall winner took home the prized heifer. “We hope it gets them on the way to becoming another stud breeder,“ said Chris. “A good stud heifer could be worth up to $20,000.“ A fundraising auction was also held on Saturday night that saw some ’top shelf’ goods up for grabs. “Stud breeders donated straws of semen from top bulls,“ said Chris. “It helps the kids and keeps the camp growing.“ Auction Plus had two representatives onsite to host the auction which was also online. “The auction raised $90,850,“ said Chris. With 350 people on the campsite at various times over the camp, the food becomes a massive undertaking. “We estimated for 200 meals each sitting,“ said the camp facilitator Gary Waldock, a retired Santa Gertrudis stud farmer now residing in Warwick. “We purchased food from the four local supermarkets in Warwick and meat from local breeders for the three meals per day. They get good food,“ said Gary. On Thursday night the campers were privy to an old breeder who had arrived with a big camp oven and slow cooked over 100kg of silver side.“ 2023 Santa Gertrudis National Camp is the first to be held in two years. The 2021 Camp had to be cancelled at last minute due to a tic infestation at Morgan Park. “The drought had ended and kangaroos had grazed on the land and brought the 4 TODAY February 2023

Over 100 participants in blue shirts and cowboy hats attended the Santa Gertrudis National Youth Camp.

Learning to parade had kids and beasts working together and other times at odds with each other. Dedicated group leaders make sure the participants have the best experience possible.

Eight-year-old medal winners from 1st to 5th for Stud Young Judges.

A little fun after a serious parading competition

Fletcher Johnston, Angus Hamilton, Dom Edwards, Tom Delaforce, Hunter McMurtrie and Mackenzie Taylor loving the camp.

Murdoch Sharpe stands with his grandparents Gary and Roslyn Waldock. Murdoch is the second generation to attend the camp. 32 years ago his mother was part of the first camp.

Robert Murphy now oversees the 24 Group Leaders at the camp and has been involved since he came as a participant when 8 years of age.

Warwick’s up and coming paraders and judges. Back row: Felicity Hutchinson, Charlee Pennell, Georgina Buchan, Angus Hamilton. Front row: Angus Hamilton and Zara Pennell.

tics,“ said Chris. The 2022 year had Covid-19 restrictions which Chris said had the team rethinking how

to run the camp. “Instead of having all the campers in dorms, we now have them sleeping in swags. Parents

have also been welcomed to stay which has made the camp a much more social event,“ said Chris.

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

NEWS

Reducing reliance on diesel As rural industries turn their focus to reducing emissions and switching to renewables to address climate risks, there is a call to identify transformative pathways to transition from dependence on petroleum diesel fuels. Cassian Drew, managing partner at Acclimate Partners and lead author of the report The Diesel Transition: Petroleum diesel alternatives for the Australian agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector, said research highlighted the sector-wide opportunity for change. “Diesel is the most widely-used source of energy in agriculture, forestry and fisheries at 84 per cent of total energy consumption,“ he said. “In the current climate this presents an opportunity to rethink the way agriculture operates in order to meet growing global food demands and emission reduction targets. “The report recommends practical steps for a sector-scale transition to alternative energies but a bold, coordinated approach from industry, government, manufacturers and the wider workforce is needed to make the switch.” Reseach partner Australian Farm Institute’s Katie McRobert echoed the sentiment, saying it’s important the transition is supported by a collaborative cross-industry, indeed crosseconomy, effort. “Building on earlier work investigating energy needs of Australian agriculture, we now have a practical roadmap to deliver new energy technology for the sector,“ she said. “Homegrown solutions are being trialled and we can expect rapid uptake over the next four to five years.“ Supply risks, rising prices and price volatility due to unstable energy markets and geopolitical tensions are a stark reminder of the sector’s vulnerabilities when it comes to reliance on diesel. AgriFutures Australia manager, National Rural Issues, Jane Knight said there were many opportunities to reduce diesel consumption

Rural industries are under increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions . . . and diesel consumption in farm machinery is one area that can be transformed. and a clear business case for rural industries to shift gear. “Battery electric and hydrogen fuel cells are the dominant technologies expected in future heavy machinery and equipment markets,” she said. “Agricultural industries will likely benefit from new energy machinery advances in the freight and mining sectors, however a coordinated effort on both supply and demand sides will be required for equipment and new energy infrastructure. “We’ve seen evidence in the freight sector where prime movers have been retrofitted for battery electric operation, with electric trucks

achieving a 300 kilometre range for between $14-$42 in comparison to a $116 diesel equivalent.” The research acknowledges economies of scale within agriculture are a limiting factor, yet the potential benefits are a strong motivator, with alternative energy expected to create an average of 34,000 new jobs annually to 2035. To reach Australia’s net zero goal, Ms Knight recognises that overcoming initial constraints in the growing alternative energy market will be key to change. And, to support this the research outlines four recommendations to guide the transition: Understand and map transition barriers

· Establish incentives and coordinate planning · Introduce pilot transition programs, and · Harness the expertise of supporting sectors “Rural industries are under increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and diesel consumption in farm machinery is one area we can confidently transform,“ Ms Knight said. “This research paves the way for change and there is a huge opportunity for Australia to learn from international best practice in all areas of transition and become a leader in energy innovation.”

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The difference between re-opening and closing

Bouncing back after floods By Fiona Gowers There was little that could be salvaged at Hooper’s Grantham Store when it was hit hard by the February 2022 floods. But, seven months after receiving financial assistance from the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA), the popular local convenience and takeaway store is welcoming customers again and preparing for the next disaster. It may not have been much when she bought it – a dilapidated donga, previously ravaged by the 2011 Grantham floods – but, situated in the heart of town, it was full of potential in Tanya Hooper’s eyes. Her first business, Tanya bought the “fixer-upper“ in 2017 and, after four months of renovations, she’d breathed new life into the building, now a modern takeaway and grocery store. So, in February, when heavy rain poured and floodwaters began inundating the country town, Tanya feared all her hard work would, quite literally, wash away. “I was worried, so I told my staff to go home because it wasn’t worth risking their safety to stay and pack things up,“ she said. “But, that also meant we didn’t have anything prepared to hold up against the weather. “I couldn’t sleep throughout the night because it just kept raining.” A few days later, when the skies cleared and floodwaters receded, it was finally safe enough for Tanya to assess the damage. “It was chaos. Everything in the store had fallen over – the fridges were smashed, and broken glass and lollies were strewn across the floor.“ More than one metre of floodwater inundated Hooper’s Grantham Store and it was closed for almost two weeks for the clean-up. “Most of our products were spoiled so we filled skip bins with rubbish,“ Tanya said. “We had some soft drinks and bottles of milk that were fine, just covered in some mud, so we gave those away to the community. “It was a pretty stressful time, but we had lots of locals chipping in and, as we were sorting things out in the store, some government representatives came into the shop and told us about disaster grants available from QRIDA.” QRIDA funding fast-tracks recover As Tanya was an eligible “impacted business“, she made an initial $15,000 application for an Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant to get her business operating as soon as possible. “To open, we desperately needed new fridges and freezers to store our food,” she said. “So we made an initial application to cover the costs of those and it was really easy to apply, all we needed were photos of the damage and quotes for replacing those items. “We were relieved when we got the money for them just a few days after our application was approved.” But Tanya still had thousands of dollars of

Hooper’s Grantham Store owner Tanya Hooper with Defence Force personnel during the flood clean-up. unrecovered products and unusable kitchen equipment, so she applied for the remaining $35,000 of the grant to help replace them. The second application took a little longer than the first because I needed to provide proof of payment for the equipment and goods I bought with the grant money,” she said. After receiving the full $50,000 grant, Tanya was relieved. “My husband left his job late last year to come and work for the shop, so it’s basically our only income,” she said. “The grant was the difference between us opening the business how we wanted to and remaining closed for longer until we could get back up in a reduced capacity.” Tanya applied for the financial assistance online so she could remain in her store and focus her efforts on recovery. “It was a very user-friendly process. We were able to scan everything on my phone, transfer it to my computer and upload it to QRIDA’s portal,” she said. A Plan to Stay Afloat For other businesses that might find themselves in a similar situation to Tanya this disaster season, the Grantham business owner has some advice. “If a disaster strikes and there’s funding available, just apply. Nobody wants to stick their hand up for help, but sometimes you need it and we were very appreciative of the

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“We’ve sheeted the lower halves of our walls with corrugated iron, moved power points up, and built a heavy-duty shelf to winch our fridges onto just in case,” she said. “Overall, I’m feeling much more prepared.”

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Labor’s soil cut a ‘con-job’ In a cruel blow to Australian farmers, the federal Labor Government has confirmed it has axed the $54 million pilot Soil Monitoring Incentives Program (SMIP) due to flooding. During the lead-up to Christmas, Minister for Agriculture and Emergency Management Murray Watt “secretly” cut an innovative soil program, which he recognised just weeks before was important for the agriculture industry. While spruiking the SMIP in November 2022, Minister Watt said: “Healthy soil underpins Australia’s natural landscapes and our high-quality sustainable agriculture industry.” And that “without intervention, reduced soil quality and function impacts our economy, environment, food security and way of life”. Despite his comments, the Department of

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s website confirms that the SMIP has now ceased “due to climatic conditions around the country, including flooding and higher than average rainfall”. It appears that while Minister Watt was promoting the importance of healthy soil and urging farmers to access the SMIP, he was planning to cancel it. Established under the former Coalition Government, the SMIP provided landholders with up to $275 per soil sampling site in exchange for sharing the information with a national soil database, to help inform the development of future policy. Crucially this program also allowed farmers to benchmark the carbon or organic matter of their farm soil, to help them gather data required for Emissions Reduction Fund projects.

Scrapping the SMIP is also directly at odds with the final report of the Independent Review of Australian Carbon Credit Units - commissioned by the government - which recommends measures to improve data access, data sharing and transparency. The Nationals leader and Shadow Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said he was proud to deliver the SMIP under the previous government. He said this initiative was a core part of the Coalition’s commitment to strengthen Australia’s soil health and improve data collection. “The Soil Monitoring Incentives Program was designed to boost the productivity and profitability of Australian agriculture,” Mr Littleproud said. “This pilot was about supporting farmers to make informed and evidence-based decisions

on their land, as well as providing invaluable soil information to researchers and the National Soil Strategy. “Labor’s decision to end the SMIP is disgraceful and it reflects their contempt for our farmers and the $85 billion agriculture industry.” Deputy leader of The Nationals Senator Perin Davey said cutting the program was yet another example of the Albanese Government demonstrating its blatant disregard for regional Australia. “It is appalling that the agriculture minister would use flooding as an excuse to cut this crucial program,” Senator Davey said. “Such a claim doesn’t stack up and this soil con-job raises serious questions about the lengths that Labor will go to cover up its own incompetence.”

Turning point for aged care with Illoura Village underway By Fiona Gowers

The first sod is turned on a $28.7 million development of Chinchilla’s Illoura Village. dedicated dementia care home,“ Mr Littleproud said. “No senior should be forced to move away from family or loved ones to a larger town or city to receive care. “This project will change and improve quality of life for seniors. “I look forward to seeing future works of

this project and ensuring our seniors can age in a town like Chinchilla, close to their support network and the community they love and enjoy.” Through the former Coalition Government’s ACAR funding more than $15 million was secured by aged care facilities in Goondiwindi, Chinchilla, Jandowae,

Dalby and Warwick. “I worked extremely hard for this funding because I grew up in Maranoa and live in Maranoa and I know that ‘home’ means so much to locals here,“ Mr Littleproud said. “For me, it’s imperative our seniors have peace of mind and security about their future care options.”

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A string of community, government and industry leaders watched as The Nationals leader David Littleproud turned the first sod on a crucial $28.7 million development of Chinchilla’s Illoura Village. Once completed, Illoura will boast more than 100 residencies and house an education and training centre for up to 50 aged care nursing students from the University of Queensland and the University of Southern Queensland. Southern Queensland Rural Health will oversee the education program that will ultimately boost Illoura’s current staff of 90 to accommodate the expanded aged care village. The development received $14 million from the federal Government and $12 million from the Western Downs Regional Council. It follows Southern Cross Care Queensland’s (SCC) acquisition last year of council’s aged care assets. As well as Illoura, Southern Cross Care now owns and manages aged care facilities in Tara, Miles, Jandowae and Meandarra. Mr Littleproud said the opening of Illoura Village was a “huge milestone“ in a new era for aged care in the region. “I am thrilled the former grant of $14 million I secured before the election is now locked in and the physical works are beginning,” he said. “Ultimately, this project is about people and about being able to age in a place close to family, reinforcing the future of care for senior residents here and across Maranoa.” The $14 million grant was record funding and given under the 2020 Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR). “Southern Cross Care Queensland - providers of Illoura Village - will turn the current 66-bed facility into a contemporary home supporting up to 81 residents, including a

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February 2023 TODAY 7

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Bellevue’s online ram sale With breeding objectives consistently and firmly focused on meat and maternal attributes, Bellevue has once again demonstrated the winning attributes of their genetics. Bellevue Dorper lambs claimed the Champion and Overall, Champion Pen of Three Prime Lambs, as well as First, Second and Third in the Trade Lambs Class at last year’s Brisbane EKKA Prime Lamb Carcase Competition. ‘The feedback from seeing what an ideal, trade-suitable lamb carcase looks like, as a seedstock producers, is invaluable, Bellevue stud principal David Curtis Said. ‘For us, it demonstrates that our stud breeding objectives are on point. The EKKA result backs up Bellevue’s success at the EKKA’s last Prime Lamb competition held in 2019. Our breeding continues to focus on selecting for the factors we believe align with the production of quality and trade suitable prime lamb: Hardiness and functionality Fast growth to market weight Medium- framed ewes and rams for efficient and early production of finished lambs. Maternal characteristics of fertility, easy lambing, milking and mother. Exceptional and high yielding carcase attributes desired by butchers.’ ‘Every Bellevue ram that we sell is a product of a breeding program that places maximum emphasis on measuring and selecting for our commercial clients’ prime lamb needs. Optimum yields, early maturity and weight gain, enough fat for excellent eating quality and maternal traits, visual selection for structural correctness, quality, temperament, and soundness’. Bellevue’s Annual ONLINE ONLY Autumn Joining Dorper and White Dorper Ram Sale will commence 10am Thursday 9 Feb 2023

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8 TODAY February 2023

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

NEWS

Ed secures farming future By Fiona Gowers Secluded among the mulga, Ed Wade, a fifthgeneration 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,“ Mr Wade says. “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.” Mr Wade used a First Start Loan from the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) to complement his family’s succession planning and to improve the enterprise’s sustainability through water, fencing and shed infrastructure. “We approached our local QRIDA regional area manager Terry Pulsford and I found the process extremely simple,“ he said. “It was refreshing to get someone who understood what we were talking about and was able to support us in the application. “The First Start Loan has helped fund onfarm development projects that allow us to run the goats and cattle more efficiently. “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. “We’ve essentially given ourselves the opportunity to plan the future and, with a broad income stream, it’s onwards and upwards from there. “My advice to other producers in the same

Ed Wade and QRIDA regional area manager Terry Pulsford on Mr Wade’s goat and beef enterprise in Charleville. situation is to be motivated, have a plan and don’t lose sight of your goals.“ Mr Pulsford was able to help Mr Wade with his initial enquiry and to support him through the application process. “I was quite impressed with the business that he’d already presented,“ Mr Pulsford said.

“I was impressed with his history in getting to that position and also the direction that he wants to take going forward.“ Looking to the future, Mr Wade hopes to continue with his exclusion fencing plans using the funds from his initial investment. “With how the market is today [January

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2023], it has essentially allowed us to plan into the future with a broad income stream,” he said. 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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NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Rocky year for wool, cotton International markets for wool and cotton have seen volatility through the course of 2022 and the year ahead could be equally turbulent, according to Rabobank. In its latest podcast, the agribusiness banking specialist says the turbulence included the lingering impacts of Covid and escalated geopolitical and economic uncertainty, which affected the trade of both commodoties. And, the year ahead could be equally as turbulent. Speaking on the podcast Turbulent 2022 for Cotton and Wool Prices, Rabobank associate analyst Edward McGeoch said local and global extreme weather events had significantly impacted cotton production. Australian wool production, meanwhile, was on the rise. Year in Review – Cotton There has been big fluctuations with cotton prices through 2022, Mr McGeoch said. “Cotton prices opened well off the back of strong performances in 2021 – kicking off the year with a local price of roughly $740 per bale. “And, we saw the price trend up significantly to an 11-year high, with rises of 29 per cent to achieve just under $1000 per bale. “Unfortunately, we have seen a steady decline from those high prices, which almost halved during the year, recovering slightly in recent months to sit at approximately $600 per bale.” Speaking on the podcast with Rabobank agriculture analyst Dennis Voznesenski, Mr McGeoch said there many factors “playing into” the dramatic cotton price fluctuations seen through 2002. “Reduced global production being one of the chief drivers of the market volatility,” he said. “The US cotton crop has been affected by ongoing drought conditions – particularly in Texas, one of the major cotton-producing states. “Retail sales have also been strong off the back of COVID lockdowns and cotton mills have been very active in the market – driving prices up. “Global container logistics also played a role in the cotton price fluctuations, with high container rates and uncertainty about delivery times, which led to some over-buying and ordering from cotton mills to ensure they had continuity of supply.” Year in review - Wool Mr McGeoch said Australian wool producers – like cotton growers – had experienced similar volatile market conditions throughout the course of the year. “The Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) climbed significantly through the first half of 2022 to reach a high of approximately 1474 cent per kilograms,” he said. “And, subsequently, we have seen the EMI slide back by roughly 20pc from those high prices seen earlier in the year.” Mr McGeoch said within the various wool micron ranges there had been significant drops in prices paid for the finer micron wools, with falls between six to 15pc since the beginning of the year. “There were slight increases for some midmicron wools. “But the biggest price drops, of up to 30pc, have been in the higher micron type wools. “Looking at prices across the last 10 years, some of those high-micron wools are at their lowest price for that period,” he said. Mr Voznesenski said there is a range of factors contributing to the price decline for highmicron wools. “Including when the Chinese property market slows down and there is a reduced need for carpeting – a major market for high-micron wool,“ he said. “High micron wool is also used in the production of fake-fur and when there was a downturn in the demand for fake-fur during COVID this affected the market for the courser types of wool. Mr McGeoch said falling international consumer confidence in major wool markets, such as China and the US through 2022 is the major factor behind the downturn in Australian wool prices. “International retail apparel sales drive the Australian wool market and, while there was a strong start to the year, growing international economic uncertainty has seen a negative ef10 TODAY February 2023

Rabobank associate analyst Edward McGeoch said local and global extreme weather events had significantly impacted cotton production.

There was big fluctuations in with cotton prices in 2022. fect on the sale of wool apparel and hence local prices,” he said. “Key markets for wool suits – US, Japan and France – have seen reduced product appetite with sales down between 20 and 50pc. “And the long Covid lockdowns in China through the year have affected the country’s wool milling capacity and seen reduced demand for Australian wool.” Production outlook - Cotton Mr McGeoch said there have been recent industry adjustments made to the 2023 production outlook – globally and locally - due to weather events. “US production was down this year by roughly 3.5 million bales due to drought conditions. And flooding and heatwaves in Pakistan during the year saw a reduction in the nation’s cotton production of approximately 1.5 million bales.” Looking at the Australian cotton production outlook, Mr McGeoch said the sector was coming off a very strong 2021/22 season of about 5.75 million bales – a big increase on the previously drought-impacted years. Australia’s production estimate for 2022/23 was about six million bales, however, the excessive rainfall and flooding in southern Queensland and across cotton-growing areas of NSW has put a “serious dint” in the outlook

for the 2022/23 production season, he said. Mr McGeoch said Rabobank is now expecting to see a cotton harvest next year of under five million bales due to the impacts of the wet weather. Production outlook – Wool “Since 2019, we have seen the Australian sheep flock recover in numbers, following years of drought – the increased sheep numbers have subsequently contributed to a lift in wool production,” Mr McGeoch said. “In 2021, Australian wool production was approximately 294 million kilograms which we saw increase in 2022 to around 324 million kilograms. “Through the course of this year, there has been a growth in wool production in Queensland and Tasmania – with sheep numbers increasing in Queensland and improved seasons seen in Tasmania.” New markets New export destinations for Australian wool and cotton are opening up in 2023, Mr McGeoch said. “In October 2020, China imposed a soft-ban on Australian cotton imports and, at the time, Australia was sending a significant amount of cotton to that market – around 66pc of cotton exports,” he said. “There was then an urgent need to look for

alternate markets and now in 2022, we’ve seen Vietnam emerge as a key new market – with the largest growth in demand for Australian cotton – with that nation now importing approximately 38pc of Australian cotton exports.” Australian cotton exports to India have also jumped dramatically with 13pc now going to that market – compared with four per cent in 2020, Mr McGeoch said. “And Turkey has also emerged as a new market, taking roughly 10pc of Australian cotton exports this year.” For Australian wool exports, Mr McGeoch said there is still a heavy reliance on the Chinese market – with approximately 80pc of the national wool clip going to China. “We are seeing recent growth of some smaller markets for Australian wool – not to the same extent as in cotton markets – however, India is now accounting for five per cent of Australia’s total wool exports. “That is a 40pc increase on 2021 exports to the country – which is considerable growth off the back of COVID disruptions.” Mr Voznesenski said in recent years, Turkey, Vietnam and Indonesia had been buying and importing textile spinning and weaving machinery, which would further open up these markets for Australian wool and cotton imports.

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

The National Association of Agricultural Educators conference attracted 140 ag educators, primary producers and industry representatives to the RaboTruck.

NEWS

Rabo client councillors gathered at the RaboTruck – Stephen Marshall, Coalstoun Lakes, Georgie Krieg Brookstead, Emma Leonard and Jane Greenslade, Maitland, SA, Sonia Spurdle, Ravenswood, Ardie Lord, Richmond, Sally McGilvray, Mitchell, Sue Marshall, Coalstoun Lakes, Angus McGilvray, Mitchell, Stuart and Maxine Armitage, Cecil Plains and David and Elizabeth Hill, Thallon.

Rabobank backs educators Agricultural educators from across Australia recently converged on Toowoomba for the annual National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) conference. Throughout the five-day event, discussions about the future of ag teaching focused on creators and innovators and included industry panels, presentations and farm tours around the Darling Downs. The principal sponsor of the conference, agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank, hosted a panel discussion at the RaboTruck, which the ABC’s Landline host Pip Courtney hosted. Producers and industry representatives highlighted the variety of career options available to students in the ag sector. Rabo client council chair for southern Queensland Stuart Armitage said the client councils – groups of the bank’s farming clients

who volunteer their time implementing programs that contribute to the sustainability of rural communities – recognise the importance of supporting and investing in ag education and educators. “The 140 teachers and educators who gathered in Toowoomba play a vital role in educating current and future generations about the exciting opportunities open to them in the agricultural sector,” he said. “Australia is home to some of the most dynamic, successful and sustainable food and agribusiness organisations in the world, with huge growth opportunities – but also challenges – ahead in helping to sustainably feed and clothe the world. “The role of ag educators has never been more important in harnessing these opportunities and meeting these challenges.”

Rabo client councillors Sue Marshall, Coalstoun Lakes, Sonia Spurdle, Ravenswood, Georgie Krieg, Brookstead, Elizabeth Hill, Thallon, Maxine Armitage, Cecil Plains and Stephen Marshall, Coalstoun Lakes.

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February 2023 TODAY 11

WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Third year UQ speech pathology student Hannah Quick at Quilpie during her six-week block placement.

Third year UQ speech pathology student Hannah Quick at the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office (TCSO).

Third year UQ speech pathology student Hannah Quick at Sacred Heart Primary School, Cunnamulla.

Hannah chooses right path By Fiona Gowers Third year UQ speech pathology student Hannah Quick returned to familiar territory to complete her six-week block placement. Born in Toowoomba - and subsequently spending six years in the Garden City - Hannah was thrilled the Speech Language Pathology team at the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office was able to supervise her practical experience. “I was really happy when I got Toowoomba as it was my first option for my placement,” said Hannah who had been under COVID restrictions for much of her degree. “I have had to do most of my university learning online so now I am really enjoying doing the more practical face-to-face activities like going out to schools. “I wasn’t sure what to expect out in the field but it has been even better than I hoped. “I’ve really loved my time working at the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office and with the 31 schools in the Dioceses; it has provided me with so much diversity as part of my placement.“ Hannah had the opportunity to spend time at one school per day seeing about three to four students formally. “I spend an hour or so with every student doing an assessment of their speech and language,“ she said. “And then there are some informal chats with classroom teachers and learning support teachers discussing different students. And then we provide some recommendations to the classroom teachers based on what we found in our assessment session.” Having switched ambitions from primary school teaching to speech pathology halfway through year 12, Hannah said she appreciated the opportunity to work with young students. “Experiencing some of the smaller schools has been amazing,“ she said. “We visited St Patrick’s School in Allora. I’ve never been in a school that small, I really enjoyed it. “And, it was also such a great experience being able to see some of the bigger Toowoomba schools as a contrast to some of the smaller schools in the Toowoomba Diocese.” Hannah said the speech language pathology team and office staff supported her during her time at the Toowoomba Catholic Schools. “The team has provided me with as much experience as they possibly could. From the moment I got here, they encouraged me to be hands-on, engaged and doing what I needed to do to get the most out of my placement.“ Alex Borlai, a speech language pathology advisor at the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office loved having Hannah as part of her team and enjoyed the opportunity to provide her with experience that will help Hannah in her future career. “We loved having the opportunity to support Hannah in applying the theory she learnt 12 TODAY February 2023

Third year UQ speech pathology student Hannah Quick works with a student. at university into practice. Hannah delivered effective speech pathology services to local, rural and remote schools. At Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office, we have the privilege of inviting our students on

school visits to rural and remote towns, such as, Cunnamulla, Quilpie and Charleville. Hannah thoroughly enjoyed this unique experience and developed lifelong skills.“ When Hannah was asked if she would rec-

ommend this placement she didn’t hesitate in her answer. “I would 100 per cent recommend this placement to other students and it has helped me to know that I have chosen the right career for me.”

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE

Outback to the classroom By Fiona Gowers Connie Creevey’s first classroom was on the wide, open plains travelling the stock routes between the Northern Territory and Queensland. To learn maths she counted cattle on the muster, to master literature she read beside the campfire and, to learn science, she studied endless stars from her swag. Connie spent her first year on Brunette Station in the NT and the next five travelling between the territory and western Queensland with her parents who have run a contract mustering, droving and weaner tailing business for 30 years “Even though the days were long - and even though sometimes it was tough - we were all together, every single minute of the day,“ she said. “I think you remember the tough moments as a family. It was just really good to work as one, doing what we all loved.“ Connie is a fifth-generation drover. She rode a horse before she walked and the love of the Australian outback runs deep through her veins. Her unique upbringing led her to pursue a career in rural teaching by studying education at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ). “Growing up in a rural and isolated area of Australia, I learned the importance of a quality education,” she said. “Being isolated and rural, access to education can be difficult and students can be disengaged as they have a lot of responsibilities and interests outside of the classroom. “I was motivated to choose a career in education at UniSQ as I understood the struggle and grew to learn the importance of an engaging classroom and education in rural and remote settings.” The 18-year-old is the recipient of the University of Southern Queensland’s Elizabeth

Fifth-generation drover Connie Creevey’s upbringing has led her to pursue a career in rural teaching by studying Education at the University of Southern Queensland. Rowlings Memorial Bursary. Colin Rowlings established the bursary to honour the life of his mother, who was a staunch advocate for the value of education in the development of young people and the role of teachers in providing that guidance. “It was amazing to be acknowledged by this incredible family,” Connie said. “I think it’s an

amazing opportunity to receive and to be recognised when there’s not much recognition out there. “Their story has inspired me to pursue my degree in education and teach in rural areas and make a difference in the lives of others.” Connie’s mum said she was “really proud“ of her daughter attending university.

“It’s the icing on the cake,“ she said. “She’s done everything that we would have ever wanted her to do and it’s just been a pleasure being her mum.“ Connie lives on her family’s property in south west Queensland and has just completed her first year of a Bachelor of Education (Primary).

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February 2023 TODAY 13

NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Gardening guru Kate Wall is brought to tears every time she is confronted by the damage natural disasters bring, as ERLE LEVEY reports.

Gardens spring new life If there’s one thing for certain in the Australian bush, it’s that drought will follow flood. Whether in a garden or on a farm, repairing the soil after flooding and preparing it for the dry periods ahead should be done at the same time. Kate Wall has become the accidental expert on garden repair after living through the devastating Brisbane floods of 2011 and 2022. As well as helping those affected by floodwaters in Brisbane last year, Kate thought nothing of packing her car with plants and soil conditioning material to head to Lismore and help those affected by the horrendous floods in Northern New South Wales. A consulting gardener from Yeronga in Brisbane’s west, Kate is a popular speaker each year at the Queensland Garden Expo on the Sunshine Coast. That was where I first caught up with her, after conducting workshops on weeds and sustainable gardening - then another on too much water in the garden. In that talk about flooding or waterlogging, Kate asked: How has the extreme wet impacted your garden and how do you rectify it? What she told me was that while you’re waiting to work on your home it is important to make the effort to get in the garden. The sooner you can, the more chance there is of saving plants. And it is better to clean up the garden rather than look at it every day. You need to see hope and a return to life. At last year’s Queensland Garden Expo, Kate was presented with an Horticultural Media Association of Australia (HMAA) award for her exceptional work in the past two years. As an ecologist turned gardener, she was honoured for having shared her horticultural knowledge and experience generously with others. Kate’s in-depth understanding of flooding allowed her to assist gardeners in South East Queensland and northern New South Wales with up-to-date information to help them recover their gardens. She did this through hands-on volunteer work, by presenting seminars, writing articles and by providing plants and products to assist others. The award came as a complete surprise to Kate. “I’m actually a little bit embarrassed,’’ she said on the night. “I feel it’s not right to be getting an award for helping people who are suffering … I’ll try not to cry here, it’s a really emotional topic. “I don’t want to be Australia’s expert in flood gardening. “I really wish I never had that experience, because it’s a horrible experience to have to have.’’ Kate paid tribute to Phil Dudman for organising the Lismore Garden Party to try and bring hope to people during the flood. “Nobody wants to be part of a natural disaster, ever. “It was hard enough in 2011 - it was a gutwrenching experience. “It was a huge amount of work and to have to do it all again, and then in Lismore, it was

Kate Wall at home in the garden. 289401

Even after a series of storms flood water is not always washed off plants. 289401

We realised the difference it makes to people’s lives, when you’ve lost everything, when they’re trying to rebuild, to see the hope that a green plant will give you when it tries to grow - that it’s no longer covered in mud. That you’ve got new life and fresh hope.” terrible.’’ As if living and working through a flood was not bad enough, it was heart-breaking to watch the news repeatedly and see what has been happening in Sydney, in Melbourne and wide areas of inland Australia. “I have to turn the TV off again,’’ she said. “I cannot imagine what they’re going through. “I look and I think and I hope … I hope the weather system doesn’t move north again, I don’t want it to hit Lismore again, I don’t want it to hit Brisbane again.’’ Kate’s neighbour was at the awards and during the Brisbane flood they both had to drive past empty houses to get out of their street. “Luckily, I wasn’t flooded,’’ Kate said. “But to go to Lismore, made me cry … “I had seen so much around home but the state of Lismore was devastating. “Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get that same help to other places, places like Gympie.’’ That need to help people get back on their feet again can be anywhere else - but good community connection is needed first. “I couldn’t have given that help to Lismore if they didn’t have that community to pull around … it’s not the sort of thing that you can do alone. It takes a team.

In that regard, Kate was grateful to see the amount of donations - from the companies that stepped up to provide rock mineral-based soil conditioners and fertilisers, to being able to communicate the information. The sharing of information to people in communities around you, who need it, is so critical. “Without that they won’t be able to garden again. I think that’s heartbreaking. “That was the experience of 2011. Unfortunately after you go through something like this, so many people, even if they go back to their homes, don’t go back to their gardens. “We found that while focussing on gardens and letting people do up their house - we had a team of volunteers to do the gardens - but we would return to find home-owners sitting in their gardens, crying. “However, by the time we left they were telling a joke. “We realised the difference it makes to people’s lives, when you’ve lost everything, when they’re trying to rebuild, to see the hope that a green plant will give you when it tries to grow that it’s no longer covered in mud. That you’ve got new life and fresh hope. “You realise the impact on people’s mental

well-being. You realise that after natural disasters like this people are not coping. “That’s the real story. It’s really awful. “If we can do anything to ease the suffering, it’s worth every little bit of the effort that it takes. “It’s a job that needed doing.’’ Then, on the phone last week, Kate told me that any person who has had flood water through their garden would have questions about how it affects their garden. The most obvious impact is often plants dying. When it comes to replanting the garden, the damaged soil conditions become more obvious. Kate has published two e-books on flooding and garden repair that are freely available, and will help dramatically in the clean-up after the damage and preparation for what is to come. Gardening After A Flood and Earth Repair Gardening have followed her popular Working With Weeds. The aim is to save as many plants as possible in the short term, as well as restoring soil health in both the short and long term. In Gardening After A Flood, Kate explains how a few simple measures can make an enormous difference in how many plants survive the flood and ensuing weather conditions. The sooner they are implemented the more successful they will be.

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QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Even after a series of storms flood water is not always washed off plants. 289401

Silt and mud can become caked around plants after flooding if not treated effectively. 289401

This much water was over the lawn. 289401

Healthy soil leads to healthy plants. 289401

Kate Wall’s garden. 289401

It runs through various impacts of flooding including contamination, saving trees, edible gardens, saving garden tools and pot plants and creating a garden resilient to future floods. With formal qualifications in environmental biology, Kate points out the obvious signs of flood-damaged gardens are dead plants and layers of mud. What is less obvious is the damage flooding does to the soil. This soil damage can cause plants - especially trees - to die slowly many months after the flood, it can cause new plants to fail, and can create awful soil which is just too hard to garden in. Restoring the garden is usually something you can do yourself but is naturally better with a group. “It can be very empowering to have something that you can take care of in a time when everything feels overwhelming,’’ Kate said. After the Brisbane floods of 2011, her home and garden did not flood, but her street was cut off. Having been working in the water and waste water industry leading up to the flood, Kate found herself busy helping others. After setting up a volunteer group with another woman in the mowing business, in the six months that followed the flooding they helped to restore more than 150 gardens across 10 suburbs. “I thought I would never have to do this again, but in 2022, I had much lesscapacity to volunteer. “I have worked to connect others to source donations and make them available to give information and advice as far and wide as I could.’’ Anyone impacted by floods knows how hard it is to restore a garden and the more you get into it, the more of the garden you will save. However, it’s not just about plants; during the difficult time, it’s about saving your mental health. Kate reinforced how important a little bit of work in the garden can be in times of tragedy. “Humans need a human connection ... it’s what matters to us.

“Gardening changes people’s resilience, and coping mechanisms. “We need to retain connections ... connections with the community are so critical. “We are not islands, we are all connected.’’ One of the things that spurned Kate on last year was the fact she couldn’t be everywhere. This was at a time when others were offering advice but who had never been in a flooded garden. On the other hand, Phil Dudman was wonderful in the way he helped with the impacts of the flooding in Lismore. Kate did not want to step on his turf but he admitted having never worked in flooded areas before. “We pulled it off,’’ she said. “He was on the ground, and we could work with the people in the community.’’ This included the many donations of plant and products to assist in the revival of the earth. Then there were musicians and cakes from Brisbane. “Phil facilitated it all,’’ Kate said. “I joined in the conversation. “We had five car-loads of donations - yet you grasp the realisation that you need to take every opportunity to talk and help.’’ The problem with waterlogging is long-term root damage, and many issues do not become noticeable until six months after. In 2022, as the floodwaters receded, a nearneighbour of Kate’s followed the water-line down the garden with the pressure hose, getting as much mud off as possible. In the three weeks that followed she pressure-hosed multiple times - the plants, the paths, the rocks, the fences and the lawn. She also spent days scrubbing rock orchids by hand. “When I first saw the garden there was about 5cm to 10cm of silt covering and it started to dry out and crack. “She encouraged the breakdown of the soil,

and mulching aided the composting process. “Six months later, the lawn - which was about to be replaced - had grown back, patchy, but mostly green. “The banksias had put on strong new growth and the orchids were flowering spectacularly. “I know it sounds extreme to pressure-wash plants, but it was very much needed at this point. “Plants cannot photosynthesise when the leaves are covered in mud.’’ Once you’ve done the initial mud removal, go and rest for a while, Kate advised. If the ground is waterlogged, any trampling over it to try and get things done will only add to the compaction. If you are in a rural area, move animal carcasses away from dams, creeks and places where the decomposition of products can end up in water. This will turn the water foul and contaminated, with the harmful bacteria close to the drinking water supply. “Prioritise getting help if you need to move something to protect your drinking water. “If in doubt, boil the water before using it even to wash your hands.’’ The balance of nature means we will be heading back into drought while everyone is trying to get rid of the water damage. In doing so, we are reacting to extremes rather than acting sensibly, Kate said. “In dry times you you should be keeping every precious drop of water. “What we need to be doing is earth repair gardening. “Even a year after flooding we talk about building resilience for the drought that will follow. “It’s not hard to do both at the same time: Care for the soil, and trap the water. “It doesn’t have to be two different solutions - it can be the one for both extremes. “In regard to earth repair we should be gardening in such a way that it keeps giving back.

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“Every garden can be a carbon sink and in the process you are helping fight against climate change. It’s not too hard.’’ To get quality food, plants needs to grow slowly, Kate said. That gives them strength but also helps with the nutrition of the fruit or vegetables. Yet she warns against giving plants added nitrogen as it is like giving children sugar: Fast growth but burn-out. “You are not getting strength in the plant and the full benefit from that food.’’ Kate said early regeneration of a garden after flood can mean the plants start to gain green shoots again fairly quickly, with the right help. “You may not have a team of helpers and find yourself alone. This is tough, really tough, but you can do it. “Having a safe place to live is, of course, more important than having a garden. “This is not about prioritising the garden over the home. It’s about doing a little bit early to make sure it all works for you when you have time. “Sometimes you just don’t have a choice. “But when you can get to the garden, you will be able to make a huge difference.’’ Through the years Kate has made her garden from shared cuttings, propagation of plants and by sourcing additions in sustainable ways. Her philosophy is: “Work out what you have and make the most of it. Focus on the positives.’’ Talking to Kate reminded me of the incredible resilience humans are capable of, as well as the kindness and generosity of humanity in times of need. Kate may not have preferred to become Australia’s expert in flood garden recovery - especially in such devastating circumstances for so many. But the work she’s done, the resources she’s created and made available to those in need, have brought back hope and joy to many flood-stricken home owners. And in true Kate style, she’s offered some tips below for keen gardeners hoping to work on their edible gardens over summer. HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW? Growing your own food can be easier - and cheaper - than one would think. Turning part of your yard into a veggie patch can be a simple afternoon job. Pick the right spot: Somewhere with plenty of sun, and easy to access. Veggies need attention – if your garden is somewhere easy to see and visit, you are more likely to pay it regular attention. Mark out the area you want to plant in. Improve your soil: Veggies are big feeders, so you need good soil. Add compost and rock minerals, but beware using too much of nitrogen-based products – they will make your plants grow too quickly and attract pests. Compost also helps soften the soil for little roots to grow in. Buy: A bag of compost and a bucket of rock minerals. Select your plants. Choose plants that are right for the season, and conditions – our summer can be too hot for some plants that would be considered ‘summer’ plants in southern states. Choose: A selection of seeds and seedlings. Give everything a good water with liquid seaweed fertiliser added. This is a tonic that helps reduce transplant shock and stimulates root growth in plants. Then: Mulch the soil. A thin scattering of mulch such as sugar cane is enough to stop the soil drying out but also lets water penetrate into the soil.

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12586414-HC04-23

February 2023 TODAY 15

OPINION QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Should we be optimistic? FARMERS’ HEALTH WITH DR TOBY FORD Your mindset has a huge influence over your physical health and mental wellbeing. Besides a good season and good produce prices, being optimistic has proven to be linked to various health benefits as well as better resilience and longevity. Does optimism make you healthy, or does being healthy make you optimistic? We would say both! The way that optimism can promote good health, and how that good health translates back into an optimistic mindset can be very powerful when we learn how to utilise it to our advantage. When done correctly, we can even use the momentum of an optimistic mindset to improve our lifestyle and longevity. What is optimism? If we are going to use optimism to our advantage, we first need to understand what it is. As mentioned above, optimism primarily refers to a mindset that is positive in nature; its opposite being pessimism. An optimistic mindset has everything to do with the way we perceive things and events around us in the present and future. Some might assume optimism is a fixed personality trait, however optimism is actually a mindset that you can choose to opt into even in negative situations. As a lens for perception, optimism influences your adaptive behaviour and cognitive responses. An optimist is less likely to see a problem purely as a result of their own failings and instead see the impact of external factors. They are also more likely to see problems as a temporary state which can be changed; something that is limited to a specific event or entity, rather than every aspect of their lives. A temporary health complication, for example, might stop you from practicing your favourite team sport. In this situation, an optimistic mindset can highlight actions that you could take to recover and get back into the sport earlier. It could also motivate you to continue to support and engage with your team while you recover. Optimism and its influence on your health and wellbeing It can be easiest to see the linkage between an optimism and your mental wellbeing as opposed to physical health. Since optimism is a mindset and way of thinking, it can have a strong influence on your mood, relationship satisfaction, and the way you react to situations. Optimism can promote adaptive behaviours and cognitive responses associated with greater flexibility, problem-solving capacity, and more positive cognition of negative events. In the long term, an optimistic mindset can reduce your vulnerability to mental illness such as depression, anxiety, and chronic stress. Optimism also has a strong influence over your physical health, although the link might

not be immediately obvious. Its influence over your physical health primarily happens through the promotion of healthy habits, lifestyle choices, and coping strategies. When we are in a better frame of mind, we are more adaptive and make better, healthier choices more frequently. Optimists are more likely to eat healthier, exercise more, and smoke less. Because of this, the link between optimism and physical health is more evident in chronic conditions. A review of 15 studies involving over 200,000 participants found that optimists have a 35% lower risk of heart disease (which can have flow-on effects to blood sugar levels, metabolism and memory formulation), and a 14 per cent less chance of an early death. Additionally, an optimistic mindset has been found to reduce chances of infection and cancer, as well as improve post-operative recovery. In essence, an individual with an optimistic outlook does not take a fatalistic approach to their health. They believe that most problems have a solution and they are prepared to find a way under, over, around or through the issue to reach a positive outcome on the other side.

This means they actively approach issues like weight gain, elevated cholesterol or injury with a ‘can do’ problem solving attitude to achieve improved outcomes on these parameters. What can I do to build my optimism? It’s all well and good to say that optimism promotes resilience and longevity, but how can we utilise this to our advantage? Lucky, optimism can be learned, practiced, and strengthened. Below are three ways that you can improve and bolster an optimistic mindset for healthier decision-making and stronger resilience. The “Best Possible Self” exercise. UC Berkley has a great guide fgor this exercise. The Best Possible Self (BPS) method is what’s known as a positive psychology intervention. It involves taking time to imagine the bestcase-scenario for various aspects in your life such as your career, relationships, hobbies, and health. Studies have shown that the BPS method can increase optimism after just one session. Practice Gratitude What we focus on is what we see in our day to

day lives. So, shifting your focus to what you are thankful for is a great way to emphasise the positives in your life and build the foundation for an optimistic mindset. Reflect on your Track Record Look back over your track record of accomplishments, performance and times when you have overcome challenges. This builds a sense of reality-based confidence in your ability to deal with new challenges. Use the F.A.C.E.D. method to deal with stress and negative emotions. We have previously talked about the F.A.C.E.D method when dealing with stress. This method can be particularly good at shifting our mindset towards stressful and negative situations. The “acceptance”, “control” and “enjoy” steps in particular are focused on shifting to a positive, optimistic mindset. Surround yourself with optimistic people Optimism is contagious. Surrounding yourself with people who focus on benefits and have a positive outlook on the future can influence your outlook and optimism too!

Expansion of skillsets key for agricultural success The face of agriculture is changing. The average Aussie farmer is becoming more educated and tech-savvy as the sector undergoes a digital revolution. Gone are the days when agriculture was purely a domain for blue collar workers. A growing number of white-collar jobs are sprouting from farm gate to plate as the sector becomes increasingly digital. Agribusinesses are shifting from labourintensive operations to more automated and data-driven environments, which is resulting in a swathe of new jobs. The sector is suffering a skills shortage not just the result of the tight labour market, but also the result of the new skills required for emerging roles in agriculture. Commercial farms need workers with skills in IT, programming, data analytics and engineering as automated machinery and devices, such as drones and robots, reduce 16 TODAY February 2023

BREAKING GROUND WITH THOMAS HALL the number of people needed out in the paddock. These operations will need to rethink their organisational structures, including where jobs need to be based to ensure they get the right workers. It’s estimated there are at least 242,000 people working in Australia’s agriculture sector. The Australian Industry Skills Committee reports this number will rise to 315,800 by 2025 as the sector powers towards a goal of

increasing its farm gate output to $100 billion by 2030. Over the next decade, 41 per cent of jobs in agriculture will be transformed through the impact of technology, according to modelling by analytics company Faethm. An estimated 31 per cent will be transformed through automation and the remaining 11 per cent through augmentation such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). They are huge predictions that come amid a skills shortage that is being compounded by great educational challenges in the sector. While the number of agriculture workers with post-secondary qualifications has increased substantially in recent decades, there simply aren’t enough graduates. A report released this year found that there are six jobs for every agriculture graduate. There is simply a severe lack of kids coming through school and university who want

careers in agriculture. So how do we address this? We need to make sure we are feeding young people the right information about agriculture. We must get them excited about the exciting and diverse opportunities in the sector, promoting it as a place to forge a long and rewarding career. We also need to ensure they understand farming is much more than hard labour in a paddock; that they can flex their computer, engineering, and science skills to operate and make the most of cutting-edge technology to improve productivity and profitability. Indeed, the face and dynamics of agriculture are changing but this must be better communicated as the success of our industry - including reaching that $100 billion farm gate value goal - relies on attracting a bigger crop of young people.

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

NEWS

Call for telcos to step up Telcos have failed to provide adequate mobile coverage in regional/remote areas, according to The Nationals leader David Littleproud. The Maranoa MP is calling for government intervention to ensure telcos provide a suitable service. Mr Littleproud said extending and reforming the Universal Service Guarantee (USG) to mobile phones from landlines and introducing mandated mobile roaming in 2023 was essential to grow the regions and protect lives. “In 2023, communication has never been more important,” he said. “It’s critical as a safety and emergency response, enabling better commerce, business and social interaction in areas of limited network coverage.”

Mr Littleproud said he supported the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) recent decision to dismiss a 10year mobile infrastructure sharing deal with Telstra and TPG Telecom as more than 700 towers would have been lost. Mandating roaming in regional and remote areas, however, would share all towers between all telcos which, in turn, would maintain and improve coverage and competition. Mr Littleproud said the former Coalition government funded more than 1200 new or upgraded mobile base stations under their Mobile Phone Black Spot Program, which the telcos benefited from. He said there now needed to be regulatory guidelines to ensure they could be used by all

Australians, no matter what telco they were with. Mr Littleproud said if mandated domestic roaming in rural areas was introduced in concert with reforms to the USG that extended to mobile service and removed the averaging provisions that currently allows Telstra - the recipient of the $270 million in USG funding to have landline customers without phones for months, then services would improve. “The USG isn’t working and needs reform, which was highlighted in the Regional Telecommunications Review handed down just before the federal election, yet the new government has made no commitment to implementing its recommendations,“ he said. “Telcos should also be forced to maintain

mobile towers, not just landlines. Unfortunately, the October 2022 Budget also revealed cuts to regional telecommunications despite the urgent need for improvements.” The former Coalition Government directed an ACCC inquiry into mobile roaming, to focus on the costs and access to telecommunications towers and facilities. Mr Littleproud encouraged those living in rural and remote locations to complete the online survey: consultation.accc.gov.au/accc/ regional-mobile-infrastructure-inquiry “I’m urging our regional communities to provide input into the consultation process, open until February and prior to the publication of the Regional Mobile Infrastructure Inquiry draft report in April, 2023.”

Have your say on future of livestock brands, earmarks Proposed legislation is looking into the future of livestock brands and earmarks in Queensland. AgForce is encouraging producers to have their say on this by attending a free webinar at 5pm on Thursday, 12 January. The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will explain in detail why it started the consultation, the options of potential future systems and most importantly the financial impacts. The two proposed options for future legislation are: 1. Retaining the current legislative requirements for branding (the status quo) with the addition of a renewal fee, or 2. Providing choice about branding under a streamlined system with a renewal fee under two sub-options: 2A – Giving owners the option of an exemp-

tion from mandatory branding of cattle or pigs (choice to opt-out) 2B – Giving owners the option of voluntary branding of cattle or pigs (choice to opt-in). Speakers include Peter Hall, AgForce Cattle Board President, and Marguerite Clarke, Interim General Manager, Strategy, Investment and Performance, Biosecurity Queensland - Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. The webinar is designed to provide attendees with the opportunity to ask questions, which AgForce will use to form the basis of their draft submission on behalf of their members. This session will also advise attendees on how to submit formal feedback directly to the Department, if they would like to do so. Register your webinar spot through Eventbrite: bit.ly/3ik6Cvx

AgForce is encouraging producers to have their say on the future of livestock brands and earmarks in Queensland. Picture: AGFORCE

Community and police working together To make our communities safe.

L O C K Lock up (cars and property) Out of sight (valuables and money) Contact police (crime or information) Keep a look out (community awareness) If you don’t get it, they will! If it’s an emergency or there’s immediate danger, Call Triple Zero 000 12586399-HC04-23

February 2023 TODAY 17

FEATURE QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

David Earle is wrapped up in his craft of saddler and whip maker, as ERLE LEVEY reports.

All roads lead to Wondai Life’s journey can take you down many roads - some of them dusty, some of them leading to dead ends. Yet with persistence and a spirit of adventure they can also take you to where you are meant to be. David and Tania Earle have travelled down many roads and their journey has led them to Wondai. It’s as if they were always going to settle in the South Burnett town. David is a saddle maker and leather worker while Tania helps with the marketing. Yet she also has her own business, helping women regain order in their life. This can range from cleaning, organising and coaching - to rebuilding their confidence through horse riding. David and Tania both come from rural backgrounds - he was born in Maryborough and she was born in Toowoomba but grew up in Townsville. While David started out mustering and doing horse work for people around Maryborough, Tania’s father was regional inspector for the Lands Department for 20 years at Townsville. As a result they got to know all the cattle station owners in Northern Queensland. Among them was the Atkinson family, who were attributed to developing the Droughtmaster breed of cattle due to their suitability to the tropical conditions. Early in the 1930s the Atkinson family bought two cross-bred bulls, descended from a Bos indicus (Zebu or Brahman) into their herd. By 1957 Lamont (Monty) Atkinson had produced this new breed, generally red in colour, highly resistant to ticks and tolerant of drought conditions while yielding a good quality beef carcass. This background with horses and cattle - combined with a string of circumstances saw David and Tania leave Maryborough last March and head for Wondai. They wanted a property to run their livestock. Once that was taken care of, one thing led to another which saw them establish David Earle Custom Saddles, Gunbelts and Holsters three months later. There, in Haly St, they custom fit and design hand-made Australian fender saddles - as well as roping, western and the Wade saddles favoured for livestock handling. Each saddle is crafted to fit the rider, as well as the horse. David has been a saddler for nearly 30 years now, and prides himself in producing items that are functional. “We were living in Maryborough and saw a place for lease,’’ Tania said. “It was 125 acres close to town. “We had been looking to head west due to a lot of circumstances in our lives. “Dave was working as a driller throughout Queensland. He would come home and do saddles, gun belts and holsters that were on order. “As I had started working my way out of paid employment, he did too. “He wanted me to help build up his sales in saddles … it got to a point where we had nine saddles on order as well as eight gun belts and holsters on the board. “He couldn’t keep doing everything.’’ Working as a driller then coming home to work on the saddles, David said he wasn’t getting any downtime. Then he suffered from Covid and couldn’t get clearance to continue his drilling work at the time. “So we decided to come and have a look at this place,’’ he said. “We opened the shop in June last year. It had been sitting vacant the whole time we’d lived here. “It’s perfect. One shop off the highway and at the main intersection in town. “The shopfront was already here. It’s been lots of different things; engineers, mechanics, upholsterers, crane hire, a second-hand joint.’’ The majority of stock in the shop is by local artisans and craftspeople, and is being sold on consignment. “Something we’ve wanted to do from the 18 TODAY February 2023

David and Tanya Earle at their saddlery shop in Wondai. 314208

A bullock team whip. 314208

I used to muster for a living. I know what it’s like to sit in a saddle for 12 hours then get out of it and not be able to walk because the saddle didn’t fit me right.” time we lived in Maryborough was to give people the opportunity - with the stuff they make at home - to have exposure to sell it,’’ Tania said. “When David gets time we will be putting some of his craft in there too.’’ You cannot help but feel the atmosphere of the shop the moment you walk in the door the timber floors, the galvanised iron walls, the shafts of light coming through the windows and the open door at the back to break up the shadows. David’s leatherwork tools hang from a coach wheel suspended above the workbench - much like a chandelier would in a luxury home. Belts hang in the workshop, along with memorabilia from life in the bush such as bridles, harnesses and a bullock-team driver’s whip. Out the front are saddle racks from a craftsman in Tiaro. By displaying his gear, David is able to use the racks to show his saddles. “You’ve got to have community spirit,’’ he said. “Since we opened the doors we have supported the RSL, the show society ... we are always willing to help whichever way we can.’’ Saddle sales come mainly from orders, Tania said. “Our target market is women my age who are returning to the saddle after so many years off. “Otherwise they have had a fall, and are no longer confident … even with their saddle.’’ For David, saddles should be designed as an investment. You have to look after them. “We don’t do cookie-cutter saddles,’’ Tania said.

“We do pelvic mapping.’’ That means having a discussion with the client about their needs for a saddle, then charting how they sit and their movement. “We ask a series of questions - we don’t do off-the-shelf,’’ Tania added. “If you want it in a short space of time, you are more than welcome to go to a big saddlery shop and buy it because that’s not what we’re about.’’ Talking with David and Tania, if there’s one thing Covid has taught us it is to appreciate what is on offer, the work and skill that has gone into a product rather than convenience for convenience sake. David always likes to make something the rider is comfortable in. “I used to muster for a living. I know what it’s like to sit in a saddle for 12 hours then get out of it and not be able to walk because the saddle didn’t fit me right. “But that was all that was available at the time. “Through the years of working out how I want to build saddles, I decided to make mine differently. “I haven’t seen anything else like the seats I’m putting in. There are people doing close … but I do a full web seat and still have a handhold.’’ The tree - or base - is what the rest of the saddle is built on. David uses a wood/fibreglass tree or a wood rawhide-covered one. He then builds on top with leather to shape the seat, then uses foam. The webbing is for comfort. “Actually, I found this wood/fibreglass tree is light, flexible, and there’s a bit of movement if needed.

“You can drive a nail or a screw into it and it takes.’’ Testament to their lives in country Australia, David’s grandfather worked on the renovations to the Birdsville Hospital. His great aunt represented Australia at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics in equestrian. As for himself, David started mucking around with leather at the age of 19. What he loves is the fact it is a natural product, that’s got depth and feeling. “It can be forgiving, depending on what you’re doing with it. “No two pieces are the same, no two saddles, no two holsters. “I’ve worked for saddlers all the way up to Charters Towers. Then I went into mining and now I’m working for myself, doing saddles. “The response from the community has been great. We are getting known.’’ Saddle orders can come from all over. There have been some recent sales to an equestrian park near Orange, New South Wales. “The owner had a bad fall, and lost her confidence,’’ Tania said. “She saw the deep seat on Dave’s saddles and that made her feel confident. “Our pelvic mapping finds your balance point and that makes you more comfortable and more confident. “You are right there with your horse. “Dave moulds the seat for ’CBC’ - comfort and balance equals confidence.’’ More and more locals are getting to know the saddlery is in town, Tania said. “We are wanting this shop to put Wondai and the South Burnett on the map. “It’s so undiscovered.

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

David Earle carries on his craft at Wondai. 314208

Wondai saddler David Earle. 314208

The Bazadaise bull that is being put over the new heifers are red and black Angus cattle. 314208 “People need to get out of their back door and discover what’s on offer. “We want to get people out here to discover the South Burnett, and while they’re here do a course, do a workshop. “There will be a course every month - whip making in February, belt making, saddle making and we’ve been asked to do bridles.’’ The couple are also promoting the fact people can organise their own workshops. There is an NDIS client who comes in for leatherwork and there are school holiday programs. “Dave is a born teacher,’’ Tania said. “The kids just love it. He gets them used to working with leather.’’ A key to good leatherwork is the quality of the product and the consistency. “The process of tanning is much the same but I don’t want variation,’’ David said, “… not thick one end and thin the other, not sloppy.’’ Saying that, he can make a belt in 15 minutes - not carved but to the standard of RM Williams or Thomas Cook with brass or steel buckle. His gun belts for holding shotgun cartridges or bullets are another facet of the business, along with gun holsters. Some have even been used in western mov-

FEATURE

David and Tanya Earle with their horses at Wondai. 314208

ies, such as those streaming services. “There’s a sport in Australia - single action shooting (SASS) - or cowboy action shooting,’’ David said. “It’s where there is a single cock of the gun rather than automatic firing. “Members can use all three guns - a six gun, a single-action rifle and a double-barrel shotgun. “Most gun clubs can shoot SASS.’’ It was the search for somewhere to keep their cattle and horses that led David and Tania to Wondai. They have four horses and 13 heifers at the moment. The cattle are a mix of Brahman and some Droughtmasters, and they have just put a Bazadaise bull over them. The Bazadaise originate from the Bordeaux region of southern France, with a herd book established in 1895. They were introduced into Australia in 1991 and range in colour from charcoal or dark grey to light grey. As well as high growth rates and feed efficiency, and high-yielding carcasses, they have proven their ability to endure and thrive in the varying Australian climatic conditions from the cooler temperate climate of Tasmania to the hot, arid plains of the Northern Territory.

Wondai saddler David Earle at work on his craft. 314208

There are also some new Red Angus and Black Angus heifers. The horses are used for trail work - a station-bred mare, a thoroughbred, a quarterhorse cross Andalusian, and a miniature horse. “If it wasn’t for them we probably wouldn’t be out here,’’ Tania said, “so we have a lot to thank them for. “We needed a place for them.’’ Both David and Tania have been involved in some iconic horse rides over the years. In 2011, David was among those who took 40 riders from Nanango - along parts of along Australia’s National Trail - to celebrate 150 years of Maryborough. Tania tells me about the 1988 re-enactment of the mail run from Ingham to Valley of Lagoons Station. At the age of 76, Fred Williams - a legend of the bush - took part in the re-enactment of the run he undertook in 1934. There were 140 riders taking part. The property was owned by Monty Atkinson but the Sheahan family run it now, with Dan Sheahan having written the Slim Dusty ballad The Pub With No Beer. Tania’s business ReFinding You Professional Organising is about helping women regain order in their life.

Part of it is putting horses with people who have been abused or been through difficult times. “It’s about rehabilitating … healing through horses, growing their confidence in themselves again, to feel again. Especially if they are coming from abuse. “A horse is your greatest reflection of yourself. And the greatest teacher of who you are or who you are meant to be. “Horses have incredible perception. “If you can take a woman who has no idea of who she is because of the life that has happened to her, and you can take her out and get her to experience that relationship and that connection you get from a horse - one you won’t get from any other animal. That’s life changing. “You become one - you perceive each other’s thoughts, feelings. That’s what you get when you are truly connected to your horse. “When you allow that to happen.’’ David and Tania show how living your passion can have a very positive impact on a community. They take great pride in the quality of their work, and the town they live in. This shines through in what they do with their animals and people every day.

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12586398-KJ04-23

February 2023 TODAY 19

country k tchens recipes Chewy Date, Fig and Ginger Slice Serves: 12 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Fruit and veg: ½ serve per portion Ingredients:

• • • • • • • • • •

2 cups dates, chopped 2 teaspoons ginger spice 2 cups reduced fat milk 1 cup wholemeal flour, self raising 1/3 cup cornflour 2/3 cup rolled oats ½ cup dark brown sugar 1 2/3 cups desiccated coconut ½ cup dried figs, chopped ¼ cup walnuts, chopped

• PLACE the flours, oats, brown sugar, coconut, dried figs and walnuts in a large bowl. • ADD the softened dates to the dry ingredients, mix well and pour into prepared tin. • BAKE for 20 minutes then cut into squares once cooled. What’s Great About It?

Your favourite traditional ginger slice… made healthier! The punchy ginger combined with the sweet, dried dates and figs make for a treat the whole family will love.

Method:

• PREHEAT oven to 180˚C and line a slice tin with baking paper. • SOFTEN the dates and ginger spice in milk. Warm in microwave for 3 minutes.

Recipe Courtesy of Noela Anderson, Rosslea Branch

Cranberry Couscous Serves: 6 Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Fruit and Veggies 1 per serve

Ingredients: • ¼ cup pepitas • ½ cup pecans • 1 cup dried cranberries • ½ cup fresh orange juice • 1 ¾ cup chicken stock, salt reduced • 1 ½ cup couscous • 2 tablespoons olive oil • ½ cup parsley, chopped • 400g chickpeas canned, drained • Cracked pepper to taste Method: • Preheat oven to 180˚C and line a tray with baking paper. • PLACE pepitas and pecan nuts on a tray and bake for 5 minutes • COOL the nuts and chop roughly. • PLACE cranberries in a bowl and add orange juice.

• HEAT cranberries in microwave for 45 seconds then stand for 15 minutes to soften, stirring occasionally. • BRING chicken stock to the boil in a large saucepan, and then add couscous. • COVER tightly and turn off the heat, let stand for 5 minutes. • Drizzle cous cous with olive oil and fluff its grains using a fork and then transfer to serving bowl • ADD the cranberries, orange juice, nuts, parsley, chickpeas and pepper. What’s Great About It?

This is a quick and easy side dish or stand-alone lunch. We have not added any extra salt in this recipe, as cooking the couscous in chicken stock will satisfy that craving! This one is great for leftovers or lunch the next day.

Courtesy of Beverley Milligan, Millaa Millaa Branch

Empowering women through education and health is a priority for the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA). The QCWA Country Kitchens program, funded by the Queensland Government through Health and Wellbeing Queensland, supports Queenslanders to adopt healthier lifestyles. To find out more about the program visit https://qcwacountrykitchens.com.au/. 20 TODAY February 2023

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

Mixed fortunes at market Cattle Physical Report Report Date: 11/1/2023 Saleyard: Dalby The supply of stock for the opening market in Dalby remained relatively low at 1,441 head. A small sample of 50 head from New South Wales and 163 head from far Western Queensland were included in the yarding. A fair line up of buyers was present however some of the regulars were absent from the buying panel. Apart from cows experiencing very little change in price from the previous sale all other classes of young cattle could not maintain the price levels of last year. Lightweight yearling steers returning to the paddock made to 550c to average 458c and poor quality lines averaged 360c/kg. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market made to 470c to average from 431c to 440c/kg. Heavy weight yearling steers to feed made to the occasional 420c to average 390c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers returning to the paddock averaged 428c and sold to 464c with the lesser quality lines at 334c/kg. Yearling heifers to feed made to 441c to average 416c/kg. Heavy weight yearling heifers to the trade made to 380c with a good sample at 346c/kg. Medium weight 3 score cows averaged 280c and made to 282c/kg. Good heavy weight cows mostly sold around 303c with sales to 314/kg. Heavy weight bulls made to 317c/kg. Light weight bulls to restockers made to 438c to average 405c with poor quality lines from 110c to 220c/kg. - Market Reporter, Trevor Hess. Report Date: 17/1/2023 Saleyard: Roma Numbers lifted to 3812 head of cattle at Roma this week. Most of the yarding was sourced from local surrounding areas and overall quality was good. All the major export processors were present and operating with prime cattle holding firm on last week, and despite the seasonal conditions, the was an increase in competition for light weight steers and heifers. Medium weight steers and heifers were pushed along by restockers. Light weight restocker steers under 280kg lifted 23c selling to 580.2c to average 529c while restocker steers 280 to 330kg held firm selling to 534.2c to average 474c/kg. Medium weight steers 330 to 400kg saw large gains of up to 99c due to an increase in competition from restockers selling to an isolated 538.2 with most averaging 481c, while feeders averaged 443c/ kg. Heavy feeder steers also saw gains of 33c to top at 450.2c to average 406c and heavy prime steers held firm topping at 366.2c/kg. Good quality light weight restocker heifers saw price improvements of 17c to top at 488.2c to average 425c/kg. Restockers paid up to 430c for medium weight heifers returning to the paddock averaging 398c while feeder heifers lost 10-15c mainly due to a reduction in quality from last week, making to 396c to average 379c/kg. PTIC cows to the restockers topped at 310c, medium weight cows sold to 293c to average 287c while good heavy cows

over 520kg made to 303c averaging 299c. Cows and Calves sold to $3020/unit. - Market reporter, Sam Hart. Report Date: 16/1/2023 Saleyard: Toowoomba The first cattle sale for the New Year in Toowoomba attracted 204 head. Young cattle were in the largest numbers along with a small sample of cows. Most of the regular buyers were in attendance plus a large number of onlookers. Prices across all classes could not maintain the levels of the previous sale and remained inline with most other markets. A fairly plain offering of light weight yearling steers made to 440c to average 420c/kg. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market made to 414c to average 409c/kg. Heavy weight yearling steers to feed averaged 357c and made to 398c and a few to the local trade market made to 460c to average 438c/kg. Some good quality light weight yearling heifers returning to the paddock made to 488c to average 428c/kg. Yearling heifers to feed made to 410c/kg Medium weight 4 score cows made to 270ckg. Heavy weight 3 score cows averaged 259c and good heavy weight cows made to 271c to average 270c/kg. Heavy weight bulls to processors made to 248c and one bull found a new home at 366c/kg. - Market Reporter, Trevor Hess.

Report Date: 17/1/2023 Saleyard: Warwick Numbers lifted to 1,108 at Warwick. The overall yarding was mixed with several pens of well finished bullocks and cows plus quality pens of yearling feeder steers and heifers also restocker lines. The sale followed the trend of other selling centres with prices easing across most classes with the lesser quality lines the most affected. The return to a full panel of export buyers lifted prices on bullocks and heavy cows.Yearling steers in the 200-280kg range to restockers sold to 510c with those to feed selling from 400c to 434c/kg. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market sold from 344c to 430c with those to restockers selling to 482c/ kg. Yearling steers over 330kg to restockers made 468c and to the wholesale meat trade at 454c/kg. Heavy yearling steers to feed sold from 346c to 412c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers to background sold from 300c to 460c/ kg. Yearling heifers to feed for the domestic market sold from 380c to 460c/kg. Well finished yearling heifers to the local meat trade sold to 496c and averaged 426c with yearling heifers over 400kg to processors selling to 444c/kg. Young bullocks to processors made 375c to average 342c with heavy bullocks selling from 320c to 355c/kg. Good heavy score 4 cows made 318c to average 295c with light weight cows to processors selling to 286c/kg. Heavy bulls to processors made 270c with yearling bulls to the wholesale meat trade selling to

330c/kg. Cows and calves sold to $1,980/unit. - Market Reporter Errol Luck Sheep Physical Report Report Date: 17/1/2023 Saleyard: Warwick The supply of stock at Warwick reduced slightly to 1,870 lambs and 570 grown sheep. All the regular processors were present along with he usual wholesalers and feeder operators plus a full panel of restockers. The yarding contained extra numbers of well finished lambs which sold to slightly improved prices as did the lambs returning to the paddock however the penning of hoggets eased by $11/head and the light weight mutton was back by $12 to $22/head. Light weight young lambs to feed sold from $86 to $93 with young lambs in the 18-20kg range again to feed made from $118 to $120/ head. Light weight lambs to restockers averaged $94 and sold to $136/head. Lambs n the 18-20kg range to feed sold from $98 to $140 with those to the butcher trade selling to $151/head. Trade weight lambs to feeder operators sold from $168 to $174 with those to the wholesale meat trade selling to $180/head. Heavy lambs to processors sold from $189 to $210/head. Hoggets to processors made from $70 to$110/ head. Ewe mutton to processors sold from $25 to $60 with those returning to the paddock selling to $120/head. Ram lambs were again well supplied and sold to the local meat trade from $44 to $110/head. - Market Reporter Errol Luck.

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Burnett Today Journalist Are you hardworking, organised, love a challenge and most of all looking for a great start in journalism? The Burnett Today is looking for a journalist who will be responsible for covering news and events, taking photos and shooting video for this paper’s print, digital and social media platforms. The ideal candidate will possess a great news sense, strong writing skills, creative photographic experience, a keen interest in the online space and a proven ability to communicate with people within a vast array of situations. We are looking for someone with tertiary qualiﬁcations and who has had work experience writing for a newspaper, or a similar print publication, and can demonstrate an ability to work with, and meet strict deadlines. If you are a self-starter who is willing to immerse yourself in your job - and the community you serve - we would love to hear from you. Weekend work is required as is a valid driver’s licence.

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At a memorial service in her honour in Ipswich on 7 January, the star pool player’s numerous achievements were laid out for all to see. 315252

Sharron Brown passed away on 26 December, aged just 54. 315252

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Ms Brown’s funeral will be held at Wondai on 13 January. 315252

World champ dies at 54 By Julian Lehnert A former Wondai resident who became an eight-ball pool world champion in 2007 has passed away aged just 54. Sharron ’Shazza’ Brown, a one-time resident of the South Burnett, died on 26 December 2022, with her funeral service held at Wondai’s cemetery on Friday, 13 January. Brown made a name for herself as a multi award-winning eight-ball pool player through a career spanning 30 years. The celebrated sportswoman represented the Queensland state team 17 times between 1992 and 2010 as well as the New South Wales team 10 times between 2011 and 2022, serving as the captain of both squads five times each. Brown laid claim to a wide range of local, national and even international titles throughout her career, winning the Queensland State Singles once in 2010, the Queensland State Doubles five times in 1996, 1997, 2012, 2013 and 2014, and the New South Wales State Singles seven times between 2011 and 2019, only missing out on the title in 2013 and 2018. Brown won the Australian Eight Ball Women’s Doubles Championship alongside Tania Aitken in 1996, taking home the national Singles title 20 years later in 2016.

The one-time world champion player’s passing has resulted in an outpouring of support from the eight-ball pool community. 315252

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The former Wondai resident was named a player in the Australian Eight Ball Federation Women’s team a staggering 11 times between 1996 and 2019, representing her country at the World Championships on six occasions, three of which were as captain of the squad. Brown’s crowning achievement was as captain of the 2007 Australian squad, where she took home the World Eightball Pool Federation’s Womens’ Team Title, beating out home side England for Australia’s then-first international win. Her decades-spanning career in a vast number of competitions earned her a spot in the Australian Eight Ball Federation’s Hall of Fame in 2017; as of 2019, Brown was still rated as the fourth-best female eight-ball pool player in Australia, according to the AEBF. Australian Eight Ball Federation president Travis Crawley has mourned the passing of one of the sport’s finest players. “We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of Sharron ‘Shazza’ Brown,“ Mr Crawley said. “Our deepest condolences go out to her family and friends. “Rest In Peace Shazza. Thank you for your friendship.“