Drink to a future

By Fiona Gowers

The liquid ‘drinking’ milk market remains crucial to Australia’s dairy sector, with improved domestic retail pricing and opportunities for further export growth.In an industry report, Australia’s Drinking Milk Markets: From Loss Leader to Improving Performer, Rabobank says the liquid milk category has struggled with many challenges.

These have included retailer discounting, which is a major “pillar” for Australia’s dairy sector, accounting for 30 per cent of milk pro-

Gavel champ

Emerald agent Justin Rohde has placed second in the 2023 ALPA National Young Auctioneers Competition at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. In an exhilarating display of talent, the nation’s best young auctioneers showed great flair, personality and determination in selling three diligently prepared show steers. The competitors were judged on their diction, values, voice and manner, as well as their presence and unique style.

“I feel really honoured to place runner up, especially in such a strong field of agents from across the country,” he said.

STORY PAGE 4 duction and generating more than $4 billion in revenue annually. This is important, not only for revenue generation, but also strategically for supply chain efficiency, helping to support the Australian “dairy value chain and leading to stable farmgate milk prices“, the specialist agribusiness bank says.

“Drinking milk, being a staple product in the consumer basket, will remain a large and important category for Australian milk utilisation,” the Rabobank report says.

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Couch worry

In the 1930s an exotic tropical grass known as Indian Couch was brought to Australia and has spread all throughout Central Queensland impacting the land and its farmers. Indian Couch, also known as Bothriochloa pertusa and Indian Bluegrass, was brought to Australia for the use of lawns and aerodromes across the state. The main factors which contribute to the spread of the Indian Couch include overgrazing and drought, which has affected Queensland for years.

Over the years 2017 to 2021, the Central Highlands area endured severe drought for five years, causing Indian Couch and other notorious weeds to spread rapidly.

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That’s gold!

For the second time in three years, a Sunshine Coast couple have produced the best beer in Australia. Husband and wife brewers Shaz and Matt Wilson of Moffat Beach Brewing Co created the Moff’s Summer Ale, which was named the Rallings Grand Champion Beer of Show at the RNA’s Royal Queensland Beer Awards.

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WOMEN IN AG .......................pages 10-11

HEREFORD YOUTH CAMP .......pages 12-13

TRURO STUD ..............................page 14

FARM FEST ...........................pages 15-22

FARMERS’