Queensland Farmer Today - July 2023

A rural leader

Emma-Louise Gibbons

is a national finalist in The 2023 AgriFutures

Queensland Rural Women of the Year Award, which recognises her contribution to Australia’s rural and emerging industries, businesses and communities.

She is one of seven “remarkable“ women vying for the principal award that empowers and celebrates the inclusive and courageous leadership of rural women across Australia.

The founder of Huds and Toke, Ms Gibbons is a trailblazing entrepreneur based in Coolum on the Sunshine Coast.

WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE, PAGES 14-15

Palate perfect

By Fiona Gowers

Queensland beef producers have again proven the quality of their cattle genetics, dominating the weight gain phase of the RNA’s 2023 Paddock to Palate Competition and Wagyu Challenge.

Juandah Grazing of Guluguba in the Western Downs won Class 37 (100 day) at the

awards presentation in Toowoomba last week, with their Charolais-cross recording an average daily weight gain (ADG) of 3.057kg.

They also won the highest individual weight gain for Class 37A, with the heaviest of their pen of six weighing in at 3.33kg.

Devon Court Herefords, also of the Western Downs, had success in Class 38 (70 day), with its pen recording an ADG of 3.121kg.

Crop ups and downs

A 23.48 million hectare winter crop is predicted for Australia this year - up slightly on last year - according to Rabobank in its newly-released 2023/24 Australian Winter Crop Outlook.

In Queensland, plantings are expected to increase by 3.5 per cent.

“For several areas across Queensland, early-season rainfall started relatively well, notably in the Fitzroy region, with above-average rainfall totals from January to April contributing to an expected jump in wheat planting,” said report coauthor, Rabobank associate analyst Edward McGeoch.

But, while area under crop remains high nationally - projected at about 0.3pc above last year and five per cent above the five-year average - overall harvest totals are forecast to be lower than last season.

STORY PAGE 4

Chicken surge

World-first chicken meat research consortium is set to level up Australia’s favourite meat. It’s already Australia’s most popular animal protein. But now, a world-first research project is set to give consumers even more reasons to love chicken meat.

One of the steers in its winning pen had an ADG of 3.5kg, winning the Highest Individual Weight Gain for Class 38A, which was also the largest ADG recorded in the 2023 competition.

Tom Nixon, Devon Court Herefords, Drillham said on Facebook he was “absolutely over the moon“ with the results from the first stage of the Paddock to Palate Competition.

STORY PAGE 3

The Sustainable Precision Feeding in Broiler Chickens in Australia project has brought together poultry industry partners and leading research providers to investigate how chicken meat producers can use nutrition to optimise gut health, animal welfare and sustainability outcomes.

Jointly funded by AgriFutures Australia, the consortium will deliver a flagship project under its Chicken Meat Program RD&E Plan (20222027), which seeks to grow the long-term prosperity of the Australian chicken meat industry.

STORY PAGE 6

Emma-Louise Gibbons, who founded Huds and Toke, is a trailblazing entrepreneur based in Coolum on the Sunshine Coast.

INSIDE

WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE ......pages 14-15

ROYAL QLD AWARDS ....................page 18

FARM FEST SOCIAL SCENE ....pages 19-22

BATTLE FOR CATTLE ....................page 24

BRAHROCK RECORD ...................page 26

QCWA RECIPE .............................page 28

BREAKING GROUND ....................page 32

MARKET ROUND-UP ....................page 37

SPORT .................................pages 39-40

DAM LEVELS

Fertiliser progress

Farm fertiliser “affordability” is starting to improve across the globe, with a likely recovery in application in some regions in 2023, Rabobank says in a recently-released report.

However, in most cases, demand will take some time to return to pre-pandemic levels.

In its semi-annual Fertiliser Outlook, the global agribusiness banking specialist says most fertiliser prices are gradually returning to their historical averages, after the impacts of Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war caused them to skyrocket.

The report, titled Improved Affordability Ahead, says global fertiliser prices had begun to trend higher in 2021 due to supply chain constraints resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Affordability deteriorated further when fertiliser prices set new record-high levels after Russia invaded Ukraine, reducing supply from the region and also resulting in higher production costs.

By that time, Rabobank analyst Vitor Pistoia said: “Reasonable prices for agricultural commodities were the only reason fertiliser didn’t become as unaffordable as it was in 2009 during the global economic crisis”.

Prices continue to remain above average for a number of agricultural commodities, due to tighter stocks, he said.

“The combination of still-positive commodity prices and lower fertiliser prices is helping fertiliser affordability for farmers,“

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Queensland Farmer Today was named Best Free Newspaper at the recent Queensland Country Press Association awards among a competitive field of quality publications.

How exciting!

Judge Rohan Gosstray said ... “Queensland Farmer Today has a great mixture of stories highly relevant to the broad farming community. It has an excellent design with bold headlines and editorial content ranging from energy to agri-finance. The photographs are of a range of identities from the region with many smiling faces. The Women in Agriculture section is a particularly positive addition.“

Our mission at Queensland Farmer Today has always been to help connect farmers by sharing their stories in traditional newsprint - and online - while giving the agricultural sector a louder voice.

“A newspaper should hold the powerful to account while also providing a voice for the local communities we serve to advocate on important issues for our regions,” Today News Group director Damian Morgan said.

“In this era where false news spreads faster on social media than the truth, it has never been more important to have a trusted and regulated source of news.

“We’re proud to be providing that service.”

It has been such a privilege to serve the progressive and hard-working people of the Queensland agricultural community since November 2021. And, like all successful farmers, we look forward to where we can grow from here.

- Fiona Gowers

Mr Pistoia said.

“Although globally ’consumption’ may take two or three years to recover and the speed of

recovery will depend on how long the current positive cycle lasts.“

Australia

For Australia, the Rabobank report says fertiliser demand has grown in recent years despite the price hikes, as the country enjoyed good seasonal conditions and a surge in grain and oilseed production.

“Every year since 2020, grain and oilseeds yields have exceeded the previous year’s production, with 2022 winter and summer crop seasons combined reaching an historically high 72 million metric tonnes, a 130 per cent surge.“

At the same time, cropping area increased 27pc from roughly 20 million hectares to 25.5 million hectares, according to the report.

Mr Pistoia said La Nina-driven good weather and investments in crop management had underpinned this “phenomenal growth”.

Apparent fertiliser demand in the same period moved from 5.4 million to around 6.6 million metric tonnes, a 21pc increase, according to the report.

“Although the conditions for the 2023 crop seasons are a bit different, they do not signal a reversal in the trend of historically-high cropping area and a significant application rate,” Mr Pistoia said.

“The drop in farm input prices is greater than that of commodity prices and this is slowly improving farmers’ buying power.”

Diversion angers MP as crumbling road worsens

The State Government is diverting heavy vehicles off the Warrego Highway Dogwood Creek bridge at Miles onto the crumbling Roma Condamine Road, which has infuriated Warrego MP Ann Leahy.

“A quarter of the funds wasted on the failed Wellcamp Quarantine facility would have seen the Roma Condamine road widened to an eight-metre seal,”Ms Leahy said.

“This road is narrower than a bike track, yet the State Labor Government think it is fit to carry wide loads that don’t even fit on the bitumen.

“This road is not wide enough for the existing heavy traffic let alone the additional over mass and wide loads forced by a diversion.

“Locals are telling me there are an increasing number of accidents and incidents on this road due to the poor condition of the road and the narrow sections,” Ms Leahy said.

“The State Labor Government have not spent one cent on widening these narrow sections in the Western Downs Council area

through the Roads Implementation Plan in the last eight years.”

The petition calls for works to restore the Dogwood Creek Bridge at Miles to full capacity as a matter of urgency.

Most importantly the petition calls for the rehabilitation and widening of the narrow sections of the Roma Condamine Road to an eight-metre seal in the Western Downs Regional Council section and have these works completed over a period of no longer than two years.

Ms Leahy said she strongly supported the petition and will fight for these residents and businesses along the Roma Condamine Road who produce millions of dollars in revenue for the State Government.

“They deserve their fair share in return investment in this road,” she said.

The petition is available online at https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/ Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/PetitionDetails?id=3886

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Queensland Farmer Today manging director Daniel Pelcl (right) receives the award for Best Free Newspaper from Kym Leonard representing QCPA sponsors Norske Skog.

Rabobank analyst Vitor Pistoia.

QLD producers dominate

By Fiona Gowers

Queensland beef producers have again proven the quality of their cattle genetics, dominating the weight gain phase of the RNA’s 2023 Paddock to Palate Competition and Wagyu Challenge.

Juandah Grazing of Guluguba in the Western Downs won Class 37 (100 day) at the awards presentation in Toowoomba last week, with their Charolais-cross recording an average daily weight gain (ADG) of 3.057kg.

They also won the highest individual weight gain for Class 37A, with the heaviest of their pen of six weighing in at 3.33kg.

Devon Court Herefords, also of the Western Downs, had success in Class 38 (70 day), with its pen recording an ADG of 3.121kg.

One of the steers in its winning pen had an ADG of 3.5kg, winning the Highest Individual Weight Gain for Class 38A, which was also the largest ADG recorded in the 2023 competition.

Tom Nixon, Devon Court Herefords, Drillham said on Facebook he was “absolutely over the moon“ with the results from the first stage of the Paddock to Palate Competition.

“Big thanks to JBS Australia for doing a fantastic job in preparing the steers, the EKKA committee and sponsors,“ he said.

“What a wonderful opportunity to showcase our cattle in this most prestigious event.

“Congratulations to all the other winners and nominees.

“Now, the long wait to see the carcass results.“

In the Wagyu Challenge, Hewitt Pastoral Enterprises from Taroom in the Banana Shire came first in Class 39A (pen of 6) with its Wagyu Brahman-cross recording an ADG of 1.294kg.

Shima Wagyu won the Highest Individual Weight Gain for its Shorthorn/ Wagyu with an ADG of 1.516kg.

Meanwhile, Palgrove Pastoral Company of Bukkulla in NSW placed first in the Highest Individual Weight Gain for Class 40 (HGP-free), with its winning pen of Charolais-cross weighing in with an ADG of 2.445kg.

RNA’s 2023 Paddock to Palate Competition, a prestigious supply chain contest, offers almost $55,000 in prize money and, this year, attracted 756 head of cattle.

RNA Beef Committee chair Gary Noller said there was both an increase in entries and standards across the competition, with

Queensland producers dominating.

“Queensland producers performed really well this year and, I believe, the cattle we have seen were born post the 2018/19 drought and have had better preparation due to the season’s pre-entry to the feedlot,’’ Mr Noller said.

“These post-drought cattle have led to an extremely high standard being entered from Queensland and we have seen the overall competition entry numbers rise from 751 last year to 875 cattle this year.

“It’s the data and being able to benchmark against their peers in the industry that keeps the exhibitors coming back.“

Mr Noller said the 100 day Paddock to Palate Competition winners would “exclusively“ go to the JBS Royal 100 Brand, while the 70 day winning cattle would form part of the JBS Queenslander brand.

“There are 50 retail outlets and 18 wholesalers from the Sunshine Coast to Weipa, to Mt Isa, out to Cunnamulla and back to the coast that will sell this award-winning beef this year,” he said.

“It’s amazing exposure for a brand and the product is so hotly sought after that JBS have trouble keeping up with demand.“

The Paddock to Palate Competition now moves into the second phase, which is carcass judging.

Competition classes 37, 38 and 40 are threephased, comprising best aggregate weight gain, carcass and MSA eating quality, while the Wagyu Challenge is four-phased, finishing in a beef taste off judged by some of Queensland’s top chefs.

Exhibitors who poll the highest aggregate scores across all phases of the four classes will

be presented with overall prizes at the Brisbane Showgrounds on Thursday 10 August.

RESULTS

· Class 37A – Rabobank Best Weight Gain for Pen of 6, 100 Day Grain-Fed Steers:

· 1st - Juandah Grazing - Charolais X - ADG

3.057kg - Guluguba QLD

· 2nd - Palgrove Pastoral Company - Charolais X - ADG 2.895kg - Bukkulla NSW

· 3rd - Palgrove Pastoral Company - Charolais X - ADG 2.85kg - Bukkulla NSW

· Class 37A - Rabobank Highest Individual

Weight Gain

· 1st - Juandah Grazing - Charolais X - ADG

3.33kg - Guluguba QLD

· Class 38A – Elanco Animal Health Best

Weight Gain for Pen of 6, 70 Day Grain-Fed Steers

· 1st - Devon Court Herefords - HerefordADG 3.121kg - Drillham QLD

· 2nd - Russell Pastoral Operations Pty LtdAngus X - ADG 3.029kg - Blackall QLD

· 3rd - Aurelian Pastoral Company - Angus X Ultrablack - ADG 2.955kg – Warwick QLD

· Class 38A - Elanco Animal Health Highest

Individual Weight Gain

· 1st - Devon Court Herefords - HerefordADG 3.5kg - Drillham QLD

· Class 39A (Wagyu Challenge) – Smithfield

Cattle Co Best Weight Gain for Pen of 6

Grain-Fed Wagyu Steers

· 1st - Hewitt Pastoral Enterprises - Wagyu Brahman cross - ADG 1.294 kg - Taroom QLD

· 2nd – Shima Wagyu - F1 Angus / WagyuADG 1.266 kg – Bundarra NSW

· 3rd - McIntyre Agriculture - Wagyu Angus cross - ADG 1.260 kg - St George QLD

· Class 39A (Wagyu Challenge) - Smithfield Cattle Co Highest Individual Weight Gain

· 1st – Shima Wagyu - F1 Shorthorn / WagyuADG 1.516 kg - Culcairn NSW

· Class 40A – Best Weight Gain for Pen of Six HGP Free Steers

· 1st - Palgrove Pastoral Company - Charolais X - ADG 2.445kg - Bukkulla NSW

· 2nd (tie) - Palgrove Pastoral Co - Charolais X - ADG 2.385kg - Bukkulla NSW

· 2nd (tie) - Jabinda Pastoral - Santa Charolais Angus - ADG 2.385kg - Tambo QLD

· Class 40A - Highest Individual Weight Gain

· 1st - Palgrove Pastoral Company - Charolais X - ADG 2.87kg - Bukkulla NSW.

Winner of the hotly- contested 100 day category Kel and Greg Kelly of Juandah Grazing Company, Guluguba, Western Downs.

Royal Queensland Show - Ekka general manager Dianne Rigg with Ben Noller, Palgrove Pastoral Company.

Palgrove Pastoral’s Ben Noller with his company’s winning pen in the 100 day HGP free category.

Tom Nixon, Devon Court Herefords, Drillham won the 70 day class.

What goes up must fall

By Fiona Gowers

A 23.48 million hectare winter crop is predicted for Australia this year – up slightly on last year – according to Rabobank in its newly-released 2023/24 Australian Winter Crop Outlook.

In Queensland, plantings are expected to increase by 3.5 per cent.

“For several areas across Queensland, earlyseason rainfall started relatively well, notably in the Fitzroy region, with above-average rainfall totals from January to April contributing to an expected jump in wheat planting,” said report co-author, Rabobank associate analyst Edward McGeoch.

But, while area under crop remains high nationally – projected at about 0.3pc above last year and five per cent above the five-year average – overall harvest totals are forecast to be lower than last season.

Expectations are of drier growing conditions due to the likely transition to an El Nino climate cycle, the specialist agribusiness bank says in its report.

“Australia’s harvest potential for the upcoming season is expected to be below the recent consecutive bumper harvests.“

Mr McGeoch said “on a national level“ the season did not begin as well as in recent years.

Plantings and production

Rabobank’s Australian Winter Crop Outlook forecasts planted area for wheat, barley and pulses to increase this season, but with canola plantings down.

Wheat area is projected to increase 2.9pc on the previous year to 13.44 million hectares (11.5pc above the five-year average) with barley up 1.3pc to 4.27 million hectares (though still down 10.4pc on its five-year average).

Area planted to pulses is also expected to increase on the previous year to 1.77 million hectares (though still down 8.4pc on the fiveyear average).

Canola planting is forecast to be down 8.4pc on last season to 3.32 million hectares. However, this would still be 21.2pc above the five-year average, Mr McGeoch said.

“Canola plantings have suffered as all other crops have benefited,” he said.

“The trend in most states is that canola planting is down on last year due to the pull back in prices and the drier start to the season, which has seen farmers returning to cereal crops within their rotations.”

Assuming normal seasonal rainfall, Rabobank says, wheat production for 2023/24 could be expected to reach 29.9 million tonnes (down 24pc on the previous year), barley 10.8 million tonnes (down 24pc) and canola 5.4 million tonnes (a drop of 35pc).

However, Mr McGeoch said, with climate models indicating a transition to weak El Nino conditions, “we could see production drop lower, potentially to the lowest total crop in four years (at 41.2 million tonnes)”.

Exports

Export opportunities for the upcoming winter crop remain positive for Australia’s key market in South-East Asia, the report says, with freight charges dropping back to 2020 levels and with Australia’s position as a “favourable origin market”.

Assuming the development of “weak El Nino” in 2023, Rabobank’s base case forecast would have 15.7 million tonnes of wheat from the 2023/24 crop heading to export markets, with continued strong global demand for wheat.

Australia’s exportable barley and canola surpluses from 2023/24 production would be expected to reach 3.3 million tonnes and 3.4

In terms of global grain markets, Rabobank says recent price declines may reflect an only “temporary oversupply of crops in a complacent global market that is assuming nothing goes wrong later in the year”.

“Current global prices may be too complacent, given the political and seasonal risks around the world,” Mr McGeoch said. “In the short term, there is enough grain available on global markets. However, if we look even a little bit further, a myriad of potential issues are bubbling away. The obvious is the Black Sea grain corridor collapsing during Ukraine’s export season, but also Canada is becoming hot and dry, Argentina and the US remain dry and we now see Australia also becoming drier.”

Global wheat prices have collapsed 58pc from record levels seen in March 2022, the report says. However, Australian wheat prices have held up comparatively well, dropping just 20pc in the period, albeit from lower levels.

“Whether the local wheat prices continue to hold up well despite the global price decline depends on the outcome of local production,” Mr McGeoch said. “If Australian wheat production is more favourable than expected, basis could decline to negative levels.”

Locally, Australian Premium White (APW1) wheat track prices are expected to trade, on average nationally, between AUD 340 and AUD 380 over the same period. How strong local prices remain will also be determined

by whether drier conditions persist or not,

Mr

The fate of barley prices will partly hinge on the outcome of negotiations to lift Chinese tariffs, the report says. Pending this, for now, the bank forecasts Australian feed barley to continue trading at a heavier-than-average discount to wheat over the next 12 months, on average nationally between AUD 230 and AUD 270 track prices. The high premiums seen last year for malt barley should not be expected in the current season, the report says.

Rabobank forecasts Australian national non-GM (genetically-modified) canola prices to trade, on average, between AUD 560 and AUD 670 over the coming year, with GM canola trading at an AUD 20 to AUD 50 per tonne discount.

Crop inputs

On average, Australian farmers will increase fertiliser application this season, according to the bank’s research. This is the result of a decline in farm input prices after recent spikes, making fertiliser more affordable, Mr McGeoch said, as well as expectations of good returns from farming.

“Urea prices are expected to track around current levels, or with a minor increase, in the coming months,” he said.

Application of urea is projected to be up four per cent on last year, potash up three per cent and phosphate two per cent.

However, this would still be below the longterm average use of these fertilisers by Australian growers, Mr McGeoch said.

Rabobank associate analyst Edward McGeoch.

Carson holding snapped up

By Fiona Gowers

Local farmers have bought the substantial Carson family holding in the Balonne region of south-west Queensland, ending an almost 50-year legacy.

The 18,180.46-hectare portfolio – encompassing the properties Ooraine, Somerset and Hooloovale – went to market in February for the first time in 48 years.

JLL Agribusiness director Chris Holgar confirmed local families had bought the three properties separately, with a large number of enquiry generated during the six-week campaign.

“Interest in the portfolio was received from not only the south-west region but also further afield, with strong domestic and foreign interest.”

Mr Holgar said the campaign reflected one of the changing trends in agribusiness: that buyer interest remains strong despite rising interest rates.

He said buyers wanting to consolidate sought an increased degree of diversification in the pursuit of value and returns.

“The interesting thing we’re finding is that given where interest rates have gone - generally you would see people step out of the market and take a wait and see approach.

“But, we’re not seeing any discernible change in levels of inquiry.

“That’s probably the really interesting observation is that there are still a lot of people that are acquisitive in the market.

“We’re continuing to observe a supply/ demand imbalance and, with commodity prices still strong relative to what they were pre-COVID, it’s still very good across the board.”

Mr Holgar said the private family sector continued to strengthen within the market - as shown in the Carson family portfolio - but also in the sale of four Queensland/Northern Territory properties that S Kidman & Co owned,

with which JLL was involved.

“It is encouraging to see private buyers consistently competing at levels of value that might have almost been seen as reserved for institutions,” he said.

“It’s a trend that owes its origins to the pandemic, fuelled by logistical challenges of travel, the re-weighting of portfolios and many institutions taking a wait-and-see approach to its impact.

“Complementary to that, we have had a run of favourable seasonal conditions and good commodity prices across the board, which quickly and materially changed a lot of balance sheets.”

JLL Agribusiness’s last $200 million to $300 million deals, for example, were all with private family buyers.

SATURDAY 29TH JULY 2023 | INVERELL SHOWGROUND

“While we might see some more balance in the market between the private families and institutions moving forward, it’s not going to be the two-tier dynamic where larger transactions were somewhat reserved for institutions,” Mr Holgar said.

“There are now private buyers who are actively competing in that space and often on terms that settle quicker and pose less executional risk for the vendor, for reasons such as the lack of requirement for Foreign Investment Review Board approval.”

Looking to the Carson deal, Mr Holgar said part of the portfolio’s appeal was its quality of development, presentation, diversified revenue streams and scope for change of land use through continued development of farming areas.

Community Fair Day, Farmall Tractor Muster and Guinness World Record attempt

100 YEARS CELEBRATION

JOIN US TO CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF THE FARMALL

Are you interested in being part of history, and an attempt at a Guinness World Record to mark the 100th anniversary of the Case IH Farmall tractor? Case IH is planning to honour the Farmall, one of the most iconic and popular tractors across our range, with a Guinness World Record attempt and a community celebration in the beautiful NSW town of Inverell from 28-29 July 2023.

To make this happen we are looking for Farmall tractors dating back as early as the 1930’s, to today’s latest models, to form part of a world record parade attempt and community celebration.

If you’d like to be part of this milestone community celebration, please register by June 30th. Register now at caseihevents.com.au/centenary

The sales were also good news for the nearby Dirranbandi township – roughly 600km west of Brisbane - which relies on the continued support of surrounding properties, including nearby Cubbie Station, Australia’s largest irrigated cotton property.

TIMELINE

· 1975 – The Carson family’s Ooraine Pastoral Company begins with the purchase of Ooraine Dirranbandi from the estate of Guy Elliott, which had owned it since the end of WWI.

· 1979 – The family buys Hooloovale from Randal and Blyth Lampard, who had owned it for 60 ye1988 – Their portfolio expands to include Somerset (adjoining Ooraine), bought from Michael Hill.

JLL Agribusiness director Chris Holgar confirms local families have bought the substantial Carson family holding in the Balonne region of south-west Queensland.

Thinking big on chickens

By Fiona Gowers

World-first chicken meat research consortium is set to level up Australia’s favourite meat.

It’s already Australia’s most popular animal protein. But now, a world-first research project is set to give consumers even more reasons to love chicken meat.

The Sustainable Precision Feeding in Broiler Chickens in Australia project has brought together poultry industry partners and leading research providers to investigate how chicken meat producers can use nutrition to optimise gut health, animal welfare and sustainability outcomes.

Jointly funded by AgriFutures Australia, the consortium will deliver a flagship project under its Chicken Meat Program RD&E Plan (2022-2027), which seeks to grow the longterm prosperity of the Australian chicken meat industry.

Big in scale and potential impact, the project represents an ambitious new direction for poultry research in Australia and world wide.

Senior manager for the AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program Amanda Olthof explained:

“The AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program invests in research, development and extension to improve the sustainability, productivity and viability of the Australian chicken meat industry – one which already accounts for nearly half of Australia’s domestic meat consumption, contributes nearly $3 billion to the national economy and employs more than 58,000 people.

“Growing an already big industry requires big thinking.

“By increasing the scale and scope of nutrition research and fostering close collaboration

between Australian and global chicken meat researchers – and industry partners – the project will drive greater impact for this important industry.”

Led by The University of Queensland (UQ), the project also involves the University of Sydney, Massey University, Central Queensland University and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

In addition, nine top international universities and six global industry leaders in the poultry industry including Aviagen, DSM, Lallemand, Lucta and Metex Noovistago, are heavily involved in the project.

Project director, UQ Professor Eugeni Roura said strong support had been received from across the poultry research space.

“At last count, we have 48 scientists signed

on, eager to collaborate and bring their unique expertise, skills, and backgrounds together to deliver the biggest nutrition-driven research program the chicken meat industry here, or internationally, has seen in recent times.”

The project will tackle key questions including:

· How can we influence nutrition in parent birds to improve health and production outcomes in future generations?

· How can we improve the digestibility of locally grown high-protein feed grains to reduce the industry’s reliance on imported soybean?

· Could we implement a lower protein diet yet maintain health and production?

· What impact do these nutritional changes have on gut health and, consequently, the environment in which broiler chickens are raised?

· And, finally, how do we turn these research outcomes into actionable insights for producers?

Professor Roura is excited the impact the project will have on the industry.

“This is a never-before-seen opportunity to connect industry and academia – from here and abroad – to address some key challenges facing poultry producers.

“And, while our primary focus is on Australia, the challenges we face are shared right across the global chicken meat industry.

“By harnessing the ambition of AgriFutures and the broader Australian poultry industry, the project has a unique opportunity to deliver solutions that drive further production, environment and animal welfare outcomes for Australia’s most popular meat.”

Fact-file: Why we should respect the humble chook

Why should people within the agriculture and chicken industry give a cluck?

· Australians consume more chicken meat per annum than any other protein source.

· The chicken meat industry contributes

$7.9 billion to the Australian economy and sustains 58,000 jobs across the country.

· This collaborative project is a world first. It hasn’t been seen before in a chicken meat program.

· The management of nutrition within the chicken meat industry will become more precise, local resources will be used more effectively and improvements to management practices across the production chain

will be made - even at farm level.

· The collaboration involved universities, international researchers and partner organisations and has never been initiated within the chicken meat industry before.

Project director, UQ Professor Eugeni Roura.Hazeldene’s Chicken Farm, Lockwood.

The Sustainable Precision Feeding in Broiler Chickens in Australia project has brought together poultry industry partners and leading research providers to investigate how chicken meat producers can use nutrition to optimise gut health, animal welfare and sustainability outcomes.

AgForce blasts Longreach Pastoral College sale as a...

Lost learning opportunity

AgForce has accused the State Government of “turning its back on agriculture” over fears Longreach Pastoral College has been sold to three different companies - none of which has any intention of using the building as an education facility.

When tenders for the college were awarded in April, the organisation remained hopeful that the new owners would work with industry to deliver the training so desperately needed.

But this no longer appears to be the case.

AgForce CEO Michael Guerin said he was disappointed in the State Government’s decision, particularly as a consortium of 10 large pastoral companies had put in a strong bid to restore the college to its former glory.

“We are bitterly disappointed to hear that the college will not be used as an education facility,” he said.

“We have an industry crying out for a skilled workforce and existing ag education programs that are not adequate.

“It beggars belief that the government would sell this facility to anyone other than someone who wants to use it for the purpose it was intended to be used.

“If this is indeed what has happened then such poor judgement is indicative of a government that cares little for the future of farming. It has quite simply turned its back on agriculture.”

Last month, the State Government also cut funding to AgForce’s School to Industry Partnership Program, which enables thousands of children every year to learn about the farming industry in the classroom.

“It’s time Australia’s politicians recognised the importance of sharing agriculture’s good news stories with young people, of encouraging children to take an interest in farming, and introducing students to the diversity of a

career in agriculture - before it’s too late,” Mr Guerin said.

The blow comes as AgForce launches its new joint training venture Agri Training - an enterprise that will look for partnerships, collaboration, and co-design opportunities.

“If the government is not going to invest in education for our farming industry then we will have to do all we can to fill the void,” said Mr Guerin.

“Agriculture is an essential industry and providing industry-relevant training is vital to

ensuring the current and future workforce is ‘job ready’ with the skills needed.

“As technology and innovation continue to drive broader and different career pathways for young people into the industry, a contemporary training infrastructure sits central to delivering that opportunity and allowing those young people clear pathways and support.

“It is critical to underpinning the social, environmental, and economic benefits industry can and does bring to Australia.”

Drone view of the Longreach Pastoral College.

AgForce CEO Michael Guerin.

Farewell Riverton Braford

By Breanna Lloyd

Former Riverton Braford stud owners Larry and Beth Acton achieved 100 per cent clearance for their Braford dispersal sale at CQLX Gracemere sale yards on 22 May.

Eighty-one lots with 50-year-old Braford genetics from 58 cows and calves, 10 heifers, 10 bulls and three sires achieved an overall average of $7725 with a gross of $625,750.

Riverton Ulana (lot 24) claimed the toppriced cow and calf selling for $18,000, to Cameron Bennett from Little Valley Brafords, at Casino New South Wales (NSW).

Top-priced heifer, Harriett Valley 660 (lot 65) sold for $9500 to Hayley and Wesley Offord, owners of Brigalow Longhorn stud at Marmor, south of Rockhampton.

The top-priced bull went for $14,000 (lot 61) to Larry’s brother John and his wife Judy from Brackloon Grazing in Blackwater.

The 13 bulls averaged $7692 with a gross of $100,000.

Mr Acton told Queensland Farmer Today what he believes makes a quality female.

“I have always thought that any sort of an animal breeding enterprise requires a strong female background,” he said.

“I looked for a good feminine cow, with good mothering ability, cows that will walk out into a big paddock with their calves and will look after their calves by themselves.

“That was critical with our commercial cattle business and that is what I carried on into my stud.”

How it all began

Larry grew up on a 40,000-hectare block near Middlemount, where his parents had a good Hereford herd and introduced Braford bulls in 1964.

On 13 July 1971, when Larry was 20 years old, his father, Tris Acton, went guarantor for Larry to help him purchase Riverview, a 20,000ha virgin block near Mackenzie River, north of Comet, behind the Ensham coal mine, which still operates today.

With little improvements on the Brigalow block initially, the Actons fully developed the place over 35 years.

With the help and support of his parents, Larry gradually built and improved the Braford genetics from a mixed commercial herd in the 1970s.

Later in the 70s, Larry met his future wife Beth Laws, who was the Senior Mistress at the Blackwater High School.

Larry and Beth both have ancestors from the land, originating in Ireland and England.

In the 1800s, the Acton and Law ancestors both separately migrated to Australia.

Since the migration to Australia, Beth’s ancestors have been on Queensland soil for generations.

She grew up on a property outside Rockhampton near Mount Larcom and has a strong passion for the land.

According to Larry, Beth also enjoys gardening.

“Beth is an avid gardener if she’s not helping me and we just love being out here on the land, doing what we want when we want,” said Mr Acton.

“Because she loves her gardening and I love my cattle, it’s all about how we complement each other and provide and produce food for our family and the broader community in Australia and overseas.

“We just love that side of it.”

In 1978, Larry and Beth got married and had

three children, Christine, Richard and Julie.

Once the two girls finished high school Christine and Julie went to university, Christine majoring in animal behavior and Julie in criminology and behavioral science.

Although they live in Brisbane, the two girls are still interested in their parent’s operation.

Owning a cattle property between Biloela and Monto, Richard is the most involved with his family’s business, helping them right through to the dispersal sale and after.

In 2005, the married couple bought Riverton near Gogango and moved there after selling Riverview in late 2007.

The 2500-ha Riverton block on the Fitzroy River saw the beginning of the Acton stud, Riverton Brafords.

“Some of the Braford stud breeders used to try to convince me that as well as running a commercial operation I should also have a stud and when we moved down from our larger property closer to Rockhampton we decided there was an opportunity for us to do that,” said Mr Acton.

“I was never really a big fan of stud operations but when we downsized from 20,000 to

2,500

acres, we decided to give it a go.”

Throughout his years of breeding a commercial herd, Larry always purchased aboveaverage cattle and kept records of each beast to look at their overall performance.

So when the decision was made to start a stud, the Actons found it easier to transition.

To help numbers grow for their new business, the Actons classified the best of their female herd and bought registered cows and heifers from various studs throughout QLD and NSW.

For 15 years the Riverton Braford stud operated, with bulls being sold annually for 13 years at the National Braford bull sale.

In June 2020, the Riverton block was sold to a macadamia nut farming group and the Actons relocated their stud to a small property near Biloela, Frogs Hollow in April 2021.

The decision Around Christmas 2022, Larry and Beth decided it was time to disperse their stud after 52 years of Braford breeding.

“The decision to sell the stud was a difficult one, I loved my Brafords and it’s the first time

in 52 years where I will go outside and not see a Braford animal,” said Mr Acton.

“A bit of fun involved and a bit of stress when it came to video and photo day about two months ago but we got there in the end,” he said.

Mr Acton did not retain any cattle from the stud and only has 12 head of bought non-Braford steers.

What is next for the Actons

After a short holiday overseas, Larry and Beth will decide whether they will continue to run a few cattle commercially or whether they will allow Richard to utilise the Frogs Hollow country.

“We look forward to watching the genetics that has gone from our stud into a big number of the Braford studs around QLD and NSW and seeing them come back through the sale yards in the next few years.

“Those calves will play a big role in the breed in the future so yes it is a sad moment to not have any Brafords running around our place or be involved in the stud business but we are at that stage of our life and it’s just going to be a little bit of change.“

Braford herd on Riverview property 2001. Acton’s Braford herd.

Larry Acton and his herd two months prior to dispersal sale.

Riverview property in 1984.

Georgie Connor, GDL, Larry Acton, Beth Acton, Richard Acton.

Some of the Actons Braford bulls.

Top Price Heifer, Lot 65 Harriett Valley 660, with buyers Hayley and Wesley Offord, Brigalow Longhorns, vendor Larry Acton and Georgie Connor. Pictures Supplied.

Top Price Cow and Calf, Lot 24 – Riverton Ulana, with Mark Duthie, Buyer Cameron Bennett of Little Valley Brafords Casino and Vendor Larry Acton.

KUHN Machiner y Expo 2023 KUHN Machinery Expo 2023

Machinery Expo is back

Following its success in 2020, the KUHN Machinery Expo is back for 2023, and will provide a hub for industry innovation and technology.

KUHN Australia will once again play host to their dealers and customers who wish to attend the 2023 KUHN Expo and will be offering attendees the opportunity to see first-hand more than 30 of KUHN’s cutting edge agricultural machinery.

Set to be held in Toowoomba, Queensland on Wednesday 26, and Thursday 27 July 2023, planning for the 2023 KUHN Expo is well underway.

KUHN Australia’s Marketing Manager, Michael Murer said, “the KUHN Expo is a great opportunity to see and experience the KUHN machinery range in action on farm, whilst networking with leading industry partners”.

Attendees will be exposed to a variety of impressive live demonstrations, machinery displays, and workshops led by KUHN product specialists. There is also the opportunity for customers to take part in a silent auction of the demonstration machinery, where a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the mental health support organisation lead by Mary O’Brien - “Are you Bogged Mate”.

The event will showcase the full KUHN machinery range. Starting from the full hay & forage process, mowing to baling, stubble management and tillage, crop protection and fertilising, to livestock solutions.

In addition to exhibiting a broad range of KUHN machines, the event will also highlight the newest additions to Australian shores; the VBP 7100 round baler wrapper combi series and the FC 13460 RA and FC 9330 RA mower conditioners.

KUHN Group’s VBP 7190 round baler wrapper combo was recently crowned as the winner of category nine at the 2023 Farm Machine of the Year Awards, securing KUHN’s position as leaders in the hay and forage industry. The VBP 7190 was identified as being the most powerful and versatile machine in its category.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to the 2023 KUHN Expo and sharing KUHN’s latest innovative technology,” Mr Murer said.

Registrations for the 2023 KUHN Expo are open now, to find out more & register to attend, visit; www.kuhn.com.au/expo

Machinery demonstration at the 2020 KUHN Expo, Naracoorte, SA

Attendees at the 2020 KUHN Expo, Naracoorte, SA

Quest for drought-proofing

By Fiona Gowers

After producing hay and chaff for almost 40 years, Steve Neuendorf knows the importance of securing water for his enterprise.

So, when his accountant told him that the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) was administering drought support grants and loans to help prepare producers for future droughts, he applied immediately.

“I used the Drought Preparedness Grant for purchasing a boom irrigator and also putting down another bore so, if there were any droughts, I’d have plenty of water,” he said.

“The process was fairly quick. Once we got all the paperwork filled out, it was only a couple of weeks and we heard back from them.“

Investing in water infrastructure has mitigated the impacts of future droughts for Steve and helped him improve his hay and chaff business.

“The boom irrigator is very efficient because it is low pressure, so you don’t need as high electricity to make it run and it is also water efficient because it’s spread out and it

doesn’t go up high and get blown away by the wind,” he said.

After buying the block across the road 12 months ago, the boom irrigator was the next investment in Steve’s plan to help secure water.

QRIDA’s Drought Preparedness Grant helped him achieve this sooner.

“I bought the property next to me 12 months ago and, when I purchased it, I said to my wife that it would be perfect for a boom irrigator and she said, ‘We can’t buy that yet, we’ve got to wait’.

“Then I heard about this grant and she said ‘I think you were meant to get that boom irrigator’!” Steve laughs.

Steve encourages other producers to act now and use the funding available through QRIDA to prepare their property for the future.

“Nothing will grow without water,“ he said.

“With the new bore and boom irrigator, it has made my business more efficient and productive.

“Apply for the grants, it’s a necessity. The dry times will come and go but they will always be back.”

Lilydale hay producer Steve Neuendorf.

Steve holds some chaff.A tractor rakes hay on Steve Neuendorf’s property in Lilydale.

Steve Neuendorf’s boom irrigator, which he bought through the Drought Preparedness Grant from the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA).

Feeds assist performance

Improving livestock performance in beef cattle is at the forefront of every producer’s mind.

At Performance Feeds, we believe that nutritional supplementation is often the missing piece of the puzzle for producers looking to take their herd’s performance to the next level.

You will often hear that an engine is only as good as the fuel you put into it, so why should livestock be managed differently?

Year-round nutrition planning and implementation is a key driver in delivering results for beef cattle producers. By working alongside cattle producers, the team at Performance Feeds customise nutrition programs that fit in with existing production systems and seasonal feed availability.

Anipro Liquid Supplements is a molassesbased supplement that has been deigned to provide protein, minerals, and trace vitamins to beef cattle, complementing the pasture or forage that they are consuming. The vitamins and minerals in Anipro will promote greater immunity in a herd, stronger hooves and reduce the stress of livestock handling.

One of the benefits of Anipro, is the slowrelease nitrogen and calcium source (RumaPro®) that promotes efficient microbial growth. The RumaPro® advantage optimises rumen function and increases an animal’s appetite up to 27%. An increase in appetite and rumen function help to convert feed into energy more efficiently, boosting a producer’s production and profitability.

An added benefit of Anipro is that it focuses on consumption control. By not over feeding nutritional supplements, producers will reduce their costs and optimise their results. Each program is tailored to ensure that stock

Anipro is a favourite among these Herefords.

consume the desired quantity for maximum results. Anipro distributors take into consideration forage type and availability, stocking rates and crucial phases of production.

Anipro Liquid Supplements is a fully ser-

viced product, that allows producers to sit back while our team of trained Anipro distributors deliver Anipro to your paddock.

By balancing essential nutrients and optimising the function of the rumen, Anipro will

Boost Livestock Performance

help to improve weight gain, reduce weight loss and improve immunity.

To find out more or to talk to your local Anipro distributor, visit www.performancefeeds. com.au or call 1800 300 593.

Dual taste of QLD success

Queensland is the beef and ice cream capital of Australia.

The Sunshine State dominated the field in the hunt for the nation’s finest produce at the Brisbane Showgrounds last month.

From 513 entries, Australia’s best beef, lamb, cheese and ice cream were crowned in the RNA’s prestigious Royal Queensland Awards presented by King Street.

ICON XB Wagyu - produced on the Darling Downs - was named Australia’s best steak, while Milani Minus Eight Degrees in Sunnybank, Brisbane claimed Australia’s best ice cream for its cucumber sorbet.

Queensland has won Grand Champion Branded Beef of Show since 2014, while Milani Minus Eight Degrees is one of the nation’s finest ice cream producers, winning four of the five major awards.

Royal Queensland Branded Beef and Lamb competition chief judge Elaine Millar said the beef competition, won by Paradigm Foods, provided a superb judging and eating experience across all classes.

“The champion ICON XB Wagyu by Paradigm Foods was exceptional in its depth of flavour that lasted delicately on the palate for an extraordinary time and melted like almond infused butter,” she said.

“Our retail, food service and, ultimately the end diner, are certainly spoilt for choice due to the broad range of flavours and textures currently available, which can only be the result of ideal seasons, diversity of regions and breed.

“The exceptional beef entries and availability reinforce Australia’s position as a leader in the international beef market.”

Chief judge of the Royal Queensland Cheese and Dairy Awards Russell Smith said the quality of the entries in the ice cream competition were the highest ever seen.

“The winning cucumber sorbet was incredibly refreshing - it might be in sorbet form, but it still just tasted like fresh cucumber and it cleaned up on the palate beautifully,” he said.

“The three ice cream, sorbet and gelato judges acknowledged they were awarding a phenomenal number of gold medals over the four days of judging as the quality of entries was extraordinary.”

Meanwhile, it was all about southern Australia when it came to lamb and cheese, with Thomas Farms Lamb produced in South Australia named Australia’s best lamb and Heidi Farm Tilset made in Tasmania winning Australia’s best cheese.

Ms Millar said due to the high standards, the scoring was very close in the Branded Lamb Competition.

“Lamb has excelled across all states with entries, which indicates we have some of the

world’s best breeding programs, pastures and conditions for producing lamb.”

Mr Smith said when it came to cheese, the winning Heidi Farm Tilsit was as good as Tilsit’s get anywhere in the world.

“The Tilsit had a huge amount of flavour, nice elastic curd and a beautiful texture – the cheese dissolved in your mouth.”

Entries in the Branded Beef and Lamb competitions were up 35 per cent on last year, while entries in the dairy competitions were up 20pc.

Some of the award-winning products will be showcased on the Royal Queensland Cooking Stage at the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) on 12 August to 20 August.

GRAND CHAMPIONS

GRAND CHAMPION BRANDED BEEF OF SHOW (Australia’s best steak)

· ICON XB Wagyu by Paradigm Foods

MEAT & LIVESTOCK AUSTRALIA

CHAMPION BRANDED LAMB OF SHOW (Australia’s best lamb)

· Thomas Farms Lamb by Thomas Foods Australia

GRAND CHAMPION DAIRY PRODUCT OF SHOW (Australia’s best cheese)

· Heidi Farm Tilsit by Saputo Dairy Australia

GRAND CHAMPION ICE CREAM, GELATO OR SORBET OF SHOW (Australia’s best ice cream)

· Cucumber sorbet by Milani Minus Eight Degrees

OTHER BEEF TROPHY WINNERS

MEAT & LIVESTOCK AUSTRALIA CHAMPION

MSA GRADED BRANDED BEEF OF SHOW

· Little Joe by JBS Australia

King Street Grain Fed Class 1

Gold: Angus Pure by Thomas Foods International

Silver: JBS Australia Riverina Angus MB2+

MSA by JBS Australia

Bronze: Black Diamond by Kilcoy Global Foods

King Street Grass Fed Class 2

Gold: Little Joe by JBS Australia

Gold: JBS Australia Right to Roam EQG by JBS Australia

Wagyu Class AUS-MEAT Marble Score 6 or less

Gold: Carrara 640 Wagyu by Kilcoy Global Foods

Silver: ICON XB Wagyu by Paradigm Foods

Bronze: YUGO XB Wagyu by Paradigm Foods

Wagyu Class AUS-MEAT Marble Score 7+

Gold: ICON Xb Wagyu by Paradigm Foods

Silver: Jade Pure Wagyu by Kilcoy Global Foods

Bronze: YUGO XB Wagyu by Paradigm Foods

Open Class

Gold: Stockyard Gold by Stockyard Beef Pty Ltd

Silver: JBS Australia Bachelor Angus MB2+ by JBS Australia

Bronze: Ebony Black Angus by Kilcoy Global Foods

OTHER LAMB TROPHY WINNERS

Branded Lamb - 20kg or Less

Gold: Good Country by JBS Australia

Silver: Sovereign by Australian Wholesale

Meats

Bronze: Coles Graze Lamb by Coles

Branded Lamb - More than 20kg

Gold: Thomas Farms Lamb by Thomas Foods

International

Silver: Thomas Farms Classic Lamb by Thomas Foods International

Bronze: Coles Graze Lamb by Coles

Restaurant Trade Branded Lamb - More than 24kg

Gold: Great Southern by JBS Australia

Silver: Union Station by Midfield Meat

International Pty Ltd

Bronze: ’246’ by Midfield Meat International Pty Ltd

OTHER CHEESE AND DAIRY TROPHY

WINNERS

· Champion Cow’s Milk Cheese of Show

· Heidi Farm Tilsit by Saputo Dairy Australia

Champion Non Cow’s Milk Cheese of Show

· Meredith Dairy Goats Cheese with Pepperberry by Meredith Dairy

Champion Dairy Dessert or Yoghurt of Show

· Bulla European Style Natural Yoghurt by Bulla Dairy Foods

Dairy Australia Champion Butter, Milk or Cream of Show

· Norco Pure Jersey Milk by Norco Foods

Champion Buffalo, Goat, Sheep or Other Non-Cow’s Milk Product of Show

· Meredith Dairy Goats Cheese with Pepperberry by Meredith Dairy

Champion Queensland Cheese or Dairy

Product of Show

· Blackall Gold Washed Rind by Woombye Cheese

OTHER ICE CREAM, GELATO AND SORBET TROPHY WINNERS

Champion Vanilla, Chocolate or Strawberry

Ice Cream or Gelato of Show

· French Vanilla by Milani Minus Eight Degrees

Champion Flavoured Ice Cream or Gelato of Show

· Miso Maple Gelato with Sesame Brittle by Scoop Gelati

Dairy Australia Champion Ice Cream or Gelato of Show

· French Vanilla by Milani Minus Eight Degrees

Champion Sorbet of Show

· Cucumber Sorbet by Milani Minus Eight Degree

Trade delegation aims to maximise good Korea moves

Six local agtech and food and beverage companies have embarked on a six-day trade delegation to South Korea.

They are seeking to understand the Korean agriculture, food and beverage landscape and will follow the supply chain meeting with buyers and fostering long term connections along the way.

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise members Wearing Memories Wine Merchant, Gooralie Free Range Pork, Inglewood Organic, Down Under Farming, FutureFeed and Harvest Ant are the delegates representing a diverse portfolio of products across pork, chicken, jujubes, figs, seltzers, methane reducing livestock feed and smart tags for harvesting efficiencies.

TSBE Trade and Market development coordinator Molly Wagner said Korea is a sophisticated market with a well-educated population who highly regards Australian produce and technology.

“We have identified the potential to capitalise on Korea’s demand for food security, efficiencies in harvest production and consumer appeal for sustainable proteins,” Molly said.

“With the assistance of an Australia Korea Foundation grant, delegates are able to actively pursue new sales and generate strong

export leads to grow sustainable relationships between businesses in regional southern Queensland and Korea.”

Mark Ladner, owner of Gooralie Free Range Pork - Australia’s largest privatelyowned free range pork producer - said this trade mission would identify openings into the food service and retail market.

“Pork is a staple product in the Korean diet, with most dishes incorporating it in some form as more than two million tonnes of pork is consumed in Korea,” Mark said.

“We are aiming to supply the Korean market with our clean and green product via our boxed pork product, as well as our whole carcass option,” Mark said.

Down Under Farming owner Lynda Johnson is using the trade delegation as a study tour to shape their business plan for future export.

“Down Under Farming is new to export, so we are eager to understand what is involved in exporting to Korea from a regulatory perspective,” Lynda said.

“Queensland fruit fly prevents us from exporting fresh produce, but we have expanded our business capabilities to offer dried product and would like to explore what other value add opportunities are available in Korea.”

Six local agtech and food and beverage companies are embarking on a six-day trade delegation to South Korea. Pictured are: Justin Heaven TSBE, Molly Wagner TSBE, Greg Youngberry Inglewood Organics, Kiron Barui Wearing Memories Wine Merchants, Tegan Tiss Gooralie Free Range Pork, Lynda Johnson Down Under Farming, Tony Eyres FutureFeed, Mark Ladner Gooralie Free Range Pork, Stephen Dummett TSBE.

Yue Lin and Nicholas Cathie at the Royal Queensland awards presentation.

Kate’s passion for rural life

By Breanna Lloyd

An inspiring young agricultural figure, Kate

Power believes there is significant potential for the future of young farmers, graziers and rural communities and thinks there should be more sustainable agricultural learning programs in schools.

The 29-year-old is the livestock operations and development manager for Kilcoy Global Foods.

“As a young person in agriculture, we cannot underestimate the importance of our network,” Kate said.

“Finding and establishing mentoring and professional relationships are so incredibly beneficial to our development and I am thankful for mine every single day, and now I find myself in the position where I can start being that mentor for young people stepping into the industry.

“Our farming population is aging, and there is a growing population of children who have no concept of where their food and fiber come from.

“It is astounding to me that agriculture is not a highly supported subject in schools.

“I myself was asked to turn away and focus my attention elsewhere during my senior year of schooling.

“Anything I can possibly do to help change that narrative, I will be doing.”

Kate and her partner Ratu have consistently been involved in the rural life, as Kate grew up on a now sold 100-acre family hobby farm near Maryborough and Ratu from his family farm in Fiji.

“We had a herd of 20 to 30 head which was dad’s hobby and outlet, selling weaners directly off cows, which I was generally forced to help out with,” said Kate.

Apart from her horse riding expeditions, Kate didn’t particularly immerse herself in ‘life on the farm’ during her younger years.

As she matured, her passion for the industry flourished after one of her favourite teachers pointed her onto the agricultural pathway.

“The thing I enjoy the most about agriculture is that it’s the greatest industry in the world,” she said.

“I think there is currently a lot of vision in agriculture and we are using science and technology, mixed with tradition, to find a way to feed an ever growing world, and I think that’s something really exciting to be a part of.”

Kate’s journey began in 2011 after graduating high school when she started to work in the Stockyards at Nolan Meats.

Shortly after she found herself in a Kill Clerk role where she learned to process daily kills, send feedback, organise costings, check carcass grading, etc.

Kate decided to enroll in a Bachelor of Agriculture with an Animal Production major which she completed part-time whilst also working full-time at Nolan Meats and was soon promoted to the livestock coordinator in 2014.

In 2017, Kate moved her work to Saxby Feedlot, conducting both hands-on and admin work.

“This was one of the most challenging roles, if not the most challenging that I’ve ever had,” said Kate.

“The hands-on aspect of the role was what I was really looking for, and the amount of knowledge I accumulated at Saxby has absolutely been one of the key drivers of my success over the past five years.

“It also gave me a whole other level of appreciation for those in our feed lotting and pastoral sectors.”

A year later (2018), Kate found herself working at Kilcoy Global Foods as the livestock supplier liaison officer, and three years after, she was named the livestock operations manager.

During this time, she applied for the Graeme Acton Beef Connections one year program which runs in conjunction with Beef Australia, supplying professional development for young people in the industry.

“My relationships with my mentors Julie McDonald and the facilitator Barbara Bishop were truly life changing for me,” she said.

“They are both women who I still have wonderful relationships with, and they both truly inspire me, and I honestly am just so thankful to have them both as a part of my journey.”

The Graeme Acton Beef Connections program then led to her current position as well as being a committee member of the International Committee and Carcase Competition Committee for Beef Australia 2024, appointed in early 2023.

The young Australian’s main focus in her present role is the development of processes, procedures, people and systems, with animal welfare to be one of her key focus points.

Kate thanks her mentors and explains her dedication towards herself and the industry.

“A special mention to some of the most influential people in my life and career, Liz Carter, Terry Nolan, Barb Bishop, Julie McDonald, Jackie Kyte and Nigel Adler,” she said.

“I have spent the last decade working incredibly hard to get myself into the position I am in today, and I am finally in a space where I’m happy to just soak it all up, learn as much as I can, and just settle for the moment.

“I can’t imagine myself doing anything differently now and can still see a strong future ahead for me in the industry.”

Prue Bondfield, Senator Susan McDonald, Roz White, Madison Campbell and Kate Power at the KGF Rural Womens Day 2022.

Jackie Kyte, Kate Power, Prue Bondfield, Barbara Bishop, Caitlyn Barton and Chloe Gould at the KGF Rural Womens Day 2022. Pictures: SUPPLIED

Noel Cheshire and Kate Power at the Proston show, 2014.Kate Power and Julie McDonald at Beef 2021.

Kate Power, Michelle Landry MP , Scott Morrison MP , Caitlin Obst, Liz Allen, Chloe Gould, Georgia Glasson and Barbara Bishop.

Kate Power showed cattle in 2014.

An innovative rural leader

By Fiona Gowers

Emma-Louise Gibbons is a national finalist in The 2023 AgriFutures Queensland Rural Women of the Year Award, which recognises her contribution to Australia’s rural and emerging industries, businesses and communities.

She is one of seven “remarkable“ women vying for the principal award that empowers and celebrates the inclusive and courageous leadership of rural women across Australia.

The founder of Huds and Toke, Ms Gibbons is a trailblazing entrepreneur based in Coolum on the Sunshine Coast.

She received recognition for using Australian-farmed insect protein to sustainably produce a line of dog food and treats.

More widely, she aims to show consumers that there are choices that are healthy for their pets with alternative ingredients that produce both a lower carbon footprint and a reduction in waste.

Ms Gibbons said she was “absolutely thrilled“ to be recognised as a national finalist for this award.

“Especially alongside the six other amazing women. I’m very proud. It is such an honor to be able to represent women in this way and in our industries.

“Receiving this recognition really cements my drive to showcase what we as women can do in the agricultural and manufacturing industries.

“And, hopefully, I can be of some inspiration to other women in our industries to show that innovation - plus an amazing all-women team - can really create new markets and help producers to think outside the square with their commodities.“

Ms Gibbons said she helped Australian insect and vegetable farmers - who produced alternative proteins - to create premium, market-ready products.

She said the insect protein animal food was in its final stages of product development.

“Huds and Toke works with Australian producers and companies from the ground up,“ Ms Gibbons said.

“We understand we are the link for many of these agri-industries to be able to test the viability of these alternative proteins in market.

“And, we play an important role in this supply chain for agribusiness in Australia.“

Ms Gibbons was raised on a mixed farm at Grandchester in the Lockyer Valley but since 2012 has manufactured edible dog and horse products alongside husband Russell, children

Arthur and Barkeley and 15 female employees.

“It has been a slow journey for us as we have done it all ourselves and learnt everything the hard way without outside investment,“ she said.

“Our whole goal has been to create worldclass premium products using Australiangrown commodities.

“We have been, and continue to be, extremely innovative in our approach to creating products and building a well-known brand throughout Australia and the world.“

The seven national finalists vying for the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award were announced at events in their respective states and territories across Australia, after a highly competitive selection process.

Women from all over Australia were en-

couraged to apply with a project, business or program having a positive impact on rural and emerging industries, businesses and communities.

Each of the seven female leaders will receive a $15,000 Westpac grant to help boost, expand or elevate their work, with the national winner awarded an additional $20,000 Westpac grant and national runner-up, an additional $15,000.

AgriFutures Australia managing director John Harvey said he was impressed with the breadth of innovative projects that were submitted this year.

“2023 is an exciting year for the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award with our seven national finalists an outstanding representation of the impact female-led initiatives are having within their industries and communities.

“We’re delighted to be able to provide our winners with a platform to not only celebrate their achievements but also to build on their leadership skills to drive change in rural and regional Australia.“

Rural women meet up for lunch at Granite Belt Brewery

It was a chance to leave the farm gate in the rear view mirror for a few hours when the Granite Belt Growers Association organised a Ladies of the Land Luncheon on 16 June.

You didn’t have to be a farmer to attend – or even be a member of the Growers Association – as it was a purely social event. Local women took the opportunity to forget about work for a while and unwind over lunch at the Granite Belt Brewery.

“The message we’ve received about the lunch was that ‘We have to do this again!’ so I’d count that a success,” said Narissa Corfe, industry support officer for the Granite Belt Growers Association.

“The event was for anyone who grows, mows, milks, shears, supplies or supports someone who does.

“I cannot speak for women in other regions, but here on the Granite Belt our women in the agricultural sector excel at everything they set their sights on. They are administrators, payroll officers, equipment operators, innovators, chauffeurs, accountants and medics.”

She said while women often played a critical role in managing farms and making strategic decisions, many were also keen to implement innovative farming practices.

“We can feel justly proud of the women at the forefront of promoting sustainable agricultural practices. They have championed conservation efforts, biodiversity protection and the adoption of eco-friendly farming techniques,“ Narissa said.

“I believe that women’s perspectives and experiences have influenced the shift towards more sustainable and environmentally conscious farming methods. They have embraced organic farming, integrated pest management and precision agriculture.

“If you asked these ladies to describe themselves, I guarantee their answer would be humble and modest. But from the outside looking in, I see pioneers and leaders.”

Ladies of the land (from left) Liza Cannavo, Toni Nicoletti and Connie Taylor.

Pictures: SAMANTHA WANTLING

Jess Andreatta, Karen Dwyer and Vicki Ross appreciated the ladies’ lunch.

Amanda Stroud-Watts and Mariel Thompson enjoyed the event.

It was great to catch up over lunch at the Granite Belt Brewery for Rose King and Bridget Ryan.

Emma Flood (left) and Linda Clutterbuck.

A chance to talk for Kathryn Gow and Coleen Bauman.

Emma-Louise Gibbons received recognition for using Australian-farmed insect protein to sustainably produce a line of dog food and treats.

Emma-Louise Gibbons, who founded Huds and Toke, is a trailblazing entrepreneur based in Coolum on the Sunshine Coast.

Designing our ag futures

University of Southern Queensland student Isaac Halling is a step closer to his dream career in agricultural engineering after being awarded a 2023 AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship.

Isaac was one of just 22 university students across Australia to receive the scholarship this year.

He is now in his third year of a Bachelor of Agricultural Engineering (Honours)/Bachelor of Science (Plant Agricultural Science).

As part of the scholarship, he will spend some of the year in Western Australia gaining experience working on a subterranean clover harvester and learning from industry experts.

“I always knew from relatively early on that I wanted to study agricultural engineering as I am most passionate about the designing and manufacturing of future agricultural machinery and equipment,” Isaac said.

“The AgriFutures placement in Western Australia is already the closest I have ever been to designing and engineering machinery and equipment.

“One of my career goals is to investigate and design new machinery specific to Australian conditions.

“I would love to design something in the future that would become a crucial part of Australian or global agricultural productions.”

With support from industry sponsors, The AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship Program provides recipients with a $10,000 bursary over two years, as well as opportunities to develop their leadership skills and expand their networks.

Isaac said the financial and industry support, alongside his degree, would allow him to gain real world experience in agricultural engineering compared with traditional university experiences.

University of Southern Queensland student Isaac Halling.

Jim’s Jerky going global

By Fiona Gowers

Jim Tanner recently enjoyed his first holiday in more than 19 years.

Since creating the locally-beloved Jim’s Jerky brand, Mr Tanner, together with wife Cathie, has worked tirelessly to build the delicious, dried-meat product into a national icon.

And now, with the company one of few manufacturers in the country with full export accreditation - and the product available in Japan and set to launch into Vietnam - the Jim’s Jerky family has introduced the additional brands of Grazers premium natural smallgoods and Jimmie’s Beef Bites for Kids.

While the Jim’s Jerky founders enjoyed a long overdue break, the business remained in safe hands, with the Tanners’ daughter Emily Pullen who joined the business as CEO six years ago.

“Emily is leading a transformation of the business, taking forward the best parts of our 20-year history and bringing in new skills and ways of thinking,” Jim’s Jerky director of Strategy and Commercial Kate Morrison says.

“The company is recognising that different audiences have different needs and we are meeting those different consumer needs while staying true to what matters to us – family values, a quality product and remaining close to the source of the beef that we use.

“Grazers is our unashamedly premium brand for healthy entertaining at home, while Jimmie’s is focused on healthy snacks for kids.”

Grazers and Jimmie’s were launched at the Fine Food event in Melbourne, with social media sensation and author George Georgievski set to speak on behalf of the company at one of the event’s presentations on the Australian Culinary Stage.

Mr Georgievski is known as the “School Lunch Box Dad”.

He has a social media following of 500,000 and is a Jamie Oliver Healthy Lunchbox Ambassador.

“Jim’s Jerky has really stepped up onto the global stage now after such a humble beginning in Toowoomba,” Ms Morrison says.

“In 2022, we received five medals across the three brands from the Sydney Royal Fine Food Awards, including a silver medal for Jim’s Jerky Chilli Beef Jerky.

“We really are punching above our weight.”

The Jim’s Jerky story is unique.

Jim Tanner, an ex-grazier, bought a wholesale butcher shop in Toowoomba after spending several decades raising cattle on his own family farm.

It was then that Mr Tanner fell in love with the dried meat creation.

So, he made his own and developed a loyal following locally in Charlton, which remains today.

“It’s an iconic shop on the Warrego Highway, with an absolutely incredible 15-strong team and is kind of cheeky while remaining true to our roots,” Ms Morrison says.

“It is very popular with people doing long trips - and travellers will often stop in to buy one-kilo packs of the jerky - but the demo-

graphic is changing.

“We now have more women purchasing our products and they are choosing items that are healthy, obviously high in protein and low in

fat for their kids.

“It’s a new phase of the Jim’s Jerky evolution. We are now looking at options to expand our manufacturing facility at Charlton, as demand

has really ramped up, but we will always keep the shop.

“That connection to local community is really important to all of us.”

Jim Tanner works in the factory.Founders of Jim’s Jerky Jim and Cathie Tanner.

Jim Tanner and Emily Pullen, who joined the business as CEO six years ago.

Kids enjoying Jimmie’s beef bites.

One stop farmers shop

By Daniel Pelcl, Managing Director

Elders FarmFest has been listed as one of the largest annual commercial and agricultural events in Australia.

Held at Kingsthorpe between 6 and 8 June this year, the event once again played a vital role in showcasing and demonstrating a large range of new products, services, new technology and innovation, and provided a wealth of information to professionals on the land.

The agri-event secured quality exhibitors, which included many of South East Queensland farmers and businesses; those in attendance showed their commitment to both the rural community and the primary industries.

During our rounds of the three-day event, we snapped a range of shots of our region’s exhibitors and familiar faces:

Brad, Caytie, Georgia, Joel, Jack and John from Grizzly Off The Grid. 340501

Pictures: DANIEL PELCL

Mark and Clare Coughran from Queensland Machinery. 340501

St George State High School cattle show team. 340501

Amaliya Ananskaya and Tom Feez from Agbot. 340501

Annette Rose, Steph and Lilly Simpson, Jeff Rose and Brett Simpson. 340501

Boonah State High Cattle Club on their second event out who took home the Young Junior Champion, Reserve Champion and Third in Junior Judging. 340501

Brent Barbeler, Shannon and Russell Seng from Sengs Tractors. 340501 Claudia Humphries, Olivia Delaforce and Hugo Humphries from Wattle Grove Speckle Park Cattle. 340501

Colin Bettles Chief Executive from Grain Producers Au, Brendan Taylor Agforce President, and Nicole Galvin and Cheryl Calder from Rural Aid and Brad Hogg Ledgendary Australian Cricketer. 340501

Surf Life Saving team Kayla Hinde and Cameron Berry. 340501

Out and about at FarmFest

Greg Patch with his Beauvale Australian White. 340501 Pictures: DANIEL PELCL

Cubex team Henry Schwartz, Kimberley Pike and Ross Archer. 340501

Jeff Rose from Amavale with Shakespeare a Shorthorn Bull. 340501

Concordia Lutheran College year 9 Agricultural Practice Students. 340501

David Pitt and Miah Adam’s from Winter Gardenz Geelong. 340501

Jody Mahon, Callum Rose, Dean Hoey, Sharon Munro from the Queensland Rural Fire Services. 340501

Downlands College cattle show team. 340501

Graham and Wendy Caldwell from Wenbox. 340501 Frank Devlin who is a volunteer with the West Toowoomba Lions Club and are looking after parcel picks and the entry gates. 340501

Jason Ellis from Ellis Tanks and Justin Downey from Southern Cross Water. 340501

Ruth Sanders with Fox, Thomas and Simone Youlden from Youlden Valley in Tomingley NSW. 340501

The Kerkow and Jorgensen families from the South Burnett Region. 340501

Scott Reed, Australian Cricket Legend Brad Hogg, Ruth Thompson from AgForce, Cheryl Calder from Rural Aid, Brendan Taylor Agforce President and Colin Bettles Chief Executive from Grain Producers Australia. 340501

Trevor Watts MP for Toowoomba North, Anne Leahy MP for Warrego and James Lister MP for Southern Downs. 340501

Ryan Williams, Teagan Meyer and Cooper Buckley part of the Polaris team. 340501

Quinalow State School cattle show team. 340501

Toowoomba Grammar School cattle show team. 340501

Jo, Pete and Amber Graham with Michael Carlton from Graham’s Precast Concrete. 340501

Pictures: DANIEL PELCL

Friendly faces of farming

Matt Hutchinson with Santa Gertrudis Stud bull Texas. 340501

Pictures: DANIEL PELCL

Kurt Dissegna and Rowan O’Hara from Woods Equipment. 340501

Queensland Farmer Today proudly supporting the Elders Farmfest 2023. 340501

Mark Magisana, Martin Cook, Oz Value Ag Kingaroy general manager Carl Rackermann, Stewart Jones from WA, Kristy Young, Tom Prest from Brisbane and Ben Finlay Oz Value Ag from Victoria. 340501

Matthew and Gayle Mott from Bass to Barra. 340501

Morgan Jones, Kai Marshall, Jayden Cloete and Matthew. 340501

Mitchell, Michael and Michelle Hunter from Hunterway and Hunterway M Brahman. 340501

Mitchell Hunter with Hunterway M Miss Elina. 340501

Oakley State High cattle show team. 340501

Kim McCosker, Melinda Dines and Lisa Darr from 4 Ingredients. 340501

From page 21

Open sesame! $2m project

By Fiona Gowers

AgriFutures Australia will invest $2 million into a new five-year national program of research to scale-up production of the high-value sesame crop.

With the rapidly growing global market predicted to hit $26 billion by 2025 - and 100 per cent of sesame consumed in Australia imported from overseas - the research and development (R&D) investment is designed to capitalise on the opportunity and boost the output of the emerging local industry.

AgriFutures Australia Emerging Industries program manager Dr Olivia Reynolds said the applied research approach would address practical challenges that included crop agronomy for maximum yield, customising machinery for planting and harvest specifications, as well as post-harvest processing.

“In supporting the industry to scale-up production, it’s essential that farmers have the tools available to them so that sesame can fit within existing broadacre cropping systems,” Dr Reynolds said.

“We see a strong future for sesame in Australia with research to date demonstrating its suitability to a range of environments and its ability to perform under extreme climatic conditions, as well as that at $2000 a tonne at farmgate it is an attractive commercial proposition.”

AgriFutures Australia is dedicated to growing the future of Australian agriculture and long-term prosperity of rural industries through investing in research, innovation and leadership development.

Alongside farmers from across the country, the Central Queensland University Australia (CQU) will lead the national program of research, in collaboration with universities, State and territory governments, commercial seed companies, farm machinery and seed processing businesses.

Research will address six themes:

· Crop protection – to understand the diseases and weeds of sesame and their management and then extend this knowledge to industry.

· Nutrient, irrigation and water management – to understand and extend to industry nutrient cycling under different water and nitrogen regimes.

· Farming systems and modelling – to inform the adoption of sesame crops into existing Australian farming systems.

· Southern production – to assess and articulate the adaptability of growing sesame in southern Australian farming regions (southern QLD, north and south NSW).

· Crop establishment and harvesting mecha-

nisation – to develop optimised planting and harvesting guidelines for sesame production in Australian farming systems and provide this to industry.

· Post-harvest seed storage and harvesting – to optimise seed storage and harvesting capability for industry.

Over the past five years, CQU has led a series of sesame research activities, with the AgriFutures program to link with work underway through the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA) for a comprehensive national approach.

CQU research leader Dr Tieneke Trotter said the industry had now overcome many of its early challenges in gaining a foothold in Australia, with international seed companies now investing in developing a new production base.

“Sesame has traditionally been grown in tropical and sub-tropical environments but, as part of our research, we will be investigating new genetic lines with a shorter growing season to expand the crop’s footprint into southern Australia,” Dr Trotter said.

“The new varieties that are coming through are non-shattering, which means harvest equipment should be able to capture more seed and more value for the farmer.”

Different sesame varieties produce either black or white seed, which can be sold as seed for human or animal consumption or processed into oil, paste (tahini) or flour.

They are also used as a flavouring in confectionary.

Dr Reynolds said that with such diverse uses, it was important that the research consortium brought together players from all sections of the value chain.

“The collaborative program of research brings together the Australian Sesame Industry Development Association (ASIDA), growers, researchers, seed suppliers and seed processors, to carry out the research and solutions that will be practical in real world conditions.“

CQU research leader Dr Tieneke Trotter.

The battle for cattle sale

By Breanna Lloyd

The Kubota Weaner and Feeder Sale was a huge success as four champion pens were knocked out by three vendors in the Battle of the Cattle judging section.

CQLX agents said it was the biggest yarding they have had for over 30 years.

The total herd equaled 6585 and was split into 4746 steers and 1839 heifers, all located from the Central Highlands area including Nebo, Biloela, Middlemount, Marlborough, Yeppoon, Dululu, Calliope etc.

Within the challenge, five main breeds were split into sections, including, Brangus, Brafords, Charbray, Brahman and Droughtmaster.

Judges were separately appointed to each section.

Elders territory sales manager and livestock agent Morty Wilson concluded the challenge victoriously after his Droughtmaster and Brangus pens were both crowned champions for their class.

Morty, owner of Parker Cattle Co from Westwood, and his pen of 20 Droughtmaster heifers were the only female pen to achieve the champion title in the Battle of the Cattle Challenge.

The herd weight averaged 242.5kg and averaged priced at $727.98 per head.

John Atkinson, from Glenavon Droughtmasters, judged the Droughtmaster section.

The Brangus segment, judged by Mark Howard, chose Morty’s pen of 14 Brangus steers whose weight averaged 310kg and average priced at $1088.

Taking home the champion pen of Charbray’s was James and Deslea, Yeldham from Dululu.

The pen of 14 Charbray’s steers’ weight averaged 315.86kgs, priced at $1131.40 per head, and was dually judged by Janelle Forrest, Darnelle Charbrays and Leanne Winn, Breanne Charbrays.

Judge of the Brahman champion pen, Peter Day, chose a pen of 16 Brahman steers owned by Sid Farr of Garnett, to take home the champion title winning against the other 600 to 700

lots of Brahman competitors.

Sid’s herd’s weight averaged 264kg and the average price was $953 per head.

The final round of the competition/sale will be held on Monday 3 July.

The Central Queensland Livestock Exchange Gracemere (CQLX), said they have noticed a 20-cent increase in the better quality weaner steers and heifers across the board.

Nutrien Ag Solutions livestock marketing agent Sam Moy told CQLX agent Warren Mato-

tek, the whole of Nutrien ‘Certainly looked forward to it.’

“The whole of Nutrien were looking forward to the sale and as a total, we presented 1300 head,” he said.

“We had a really good run of Brangus steers that came from Nebo.”

Not only were there over 6,000 head of weaners to be bought but also on offer is a Kubota RTV250.

To enter the draw, vendors must do at least

one of the following to receive one ticket into the draw, pre-sale feed, post-sale feed, or dip/ dectomax their cattle (one head equals one entry in the draw).

“It’s a great incentive for the vendors with all of the interest rates going up these things are only getting dearer,“ said Sam.

The raffle for the new Kubota will be drawn at the next Kubota Weaner and Feeder Sale on Monday 3 July.

Champion pen of Brahman steers, Joel Dawson, Brian Dawson Auctions, and Sid Farr of Garnett.

Pictures: CQLX

Champion pen of Charbray steers with dual judges Janelle Forrest, Darnelle Charbray’s and Leanne Winn, Breanne Charbray’s.

Champion pen of Droughtmaster heifers awarded to Morty Wilson from Elders, Parker Cattle Co of Westwood.

Champion pen of Brangus steers awarded to Morty and Meg Wilson, Parker Cattle Co of Westwood.

Build your own kit home

A growing number of over 50’s are making the ‘Tree change’, leaving the chaos of city living and making the move to the country, buying a few acres in a regional area, and building their dream home.

To build a quality country home in rural areas can be a challenge when faced with tight budgets and possible shortages of builders, architects, materials and suppliers. Building a kit home provides a unique solution to overcome these difficulties.

So why consider a kit home? By becoming an owner builder or owner manager, you can enjoy the satisfaction of building your own home with full control over the design, construction, timing and budget. Build it your way....owner build, owner manage, or use a builder...you choose. Either way, you will have the full backup of the Paal technical support team at all times during construction.

The unique design of Paal’s steel framed homes provides customers with a framing system that can be assembled by the average handy person, where each component has made-to-measure accuracy. The components have been designed in sections and manufactured from high tensile steel, tested for superior steel frame strength by the CSIRO. This makes them not only extremely strong, but also easy to handle.

The frame assembly is a simple process of ‘building by numbers’ with pre-assembled frame panels that simply bolt together. You can do as little or as much as you like, employing trades to do the electrical and plumbing, you are in charge.

Complete kits including all materials from floor up can be transported to all parts of Aus-

tralia and arrive ready to assemble with a complete, customised, easy to follow instruction manual.

PAAL have a wide range of home designs which blend with an Australian country lifestyle. There are family cottages, but also mag-

nificent homesteads. The designs are also fully flexible and can be modified to suit your specific needs. You can add an alfresco area, garage, carport, additional verandahs, or move windows and walls.

Paal GUARANTEE you can build your own

home, without prior building experience, and you will save money in the process. Join over six thousand Paal owner builders, read their success stories on the Paal Kit Homes website today, and view the full range of fully Customisable Designs to suit every budget.

Paal Kit Homes, for over 53 years, the longest established kit home supplier in Australia. Queensland Showroom, 67 Morayfield Road, Caboolture South. www.paalkithomes.com.au

Kiama-Cedar Creek.

Stanthorpe-Caboolture copy.

Camden-Maidenwell.

Brahrock hits sale record

By Breanna Lloyd

It was a bidding frenzy for the Brahrock Brahman family stud at the annual Gympie Brahman Female Sale, as the grey Brahman female top price was broken twice by the Sommerfeld family, whilst also knocking out the top price for the red Brahman females.

Royce and Beryl Sommerfeld, owners of Brahrock Brahmans, offered 13-month-old, Brahrock Lady Esto Henny and 14-month-old Brahrock Miss Right Power, both selling for $55,000 each, leaving the old $50,000 record they set last year, in its dust.

Buyers of, Brahrock Miss Right Power, Lee and Owen Scott from a partnership with Rosetta Grazing in Clermont, told reporters they have ‘bought from Brahrock Brahmans for the past three years.’

Purchasing the other gold mine beast, Brahrock Esto Lady Henny, was Brett Nobbs from NCC Brahmans Duringa, and Garglan Brahmans.

The overall sale on Saturday 3 June, offered 103 lots from 31 vendors, where 86 head were sold, averaging $10,982 with a clearance of 84 percent.

Selling 13 heifers altogether, Royce and Beryl’s herd averaged $23,500.

“We have topped the sale numerous times throughout the years, as I have been selling at the Gympie Sale since 1975,” said Royce.

“I originally started off as a member of the committee before I started selling my herd there.

“Although we didn’t top the wholesale in 2021, I had a top price of $39,000, in 2020 $25,000 and in 2019 $19,000.”

Son to Royce and Beryl, Neville, and his wife Shannon, said goodbye to their 14-month-old polled grey, Miss Rocca Bella, as she was taken to her new home with Don Hurrell and Darren Clem.

The second top-priced grey beast went for $54,000, leaving Neville and Shannon just short of the new record.

Having sold all of their five lots, Neville and Shannon’s herd averaged $20,400.

Slammed under the hammer for the topprice red Brahman female was 28-month-old Brahrock HJ Ruby Pappo, from vendor Hayden Sommerfeld, grandson of Royce and Beryl Sommerfeld.

The red beast sold for $19,000 to Dylan and Sarah Sivewright, Diddine Brahmans, from Lismore.

Royce Sommerfeld said they ‘certainly didn’t expect it.’

“It was amazing, we certainly didn’t expect it,” he said.

“We knew we had a beautiful line of females and the top three were an outstanding show of the breed, considering the downward trend of the cattle market.

“We thought the sale would be back and not reach those highs.”

Royce explains Brahrock Brahmans will continue to make an appearance for future Gympie sales, having started drafting their selections for next year’s sale, and are preparing for the Rockhampton Brahman week in October.

Royce Sommerfeld with one of his Brahman females before the sale commenced.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Brahrock Miss Right Power, Peter Brazier GDL, vendor Royce Sommerfeld and buyers Lee and Owen Scott.

Top-priced red Brahman Brahrock HJ Ruby Pappo with Hayden Sommerfeld and Dane Pearce, Nutrien agent.

Joint focus on rural health

Australia’s two peak grain grower groups –Grain Producers Australia (GPA) and GrainGrowers – have joined forces to strengthen mental health awareness and suicide preventions to support Australian farmers and rural communities.

Launched in 2022, Farmer Mates Mental Health initiative partners GPA with Nufarm, Rural Aid and Lifeline, as well as Australian cricketing legend Brad Hogg as the inaugural National Ambassador.

GrainGrowers has committed to supporting GPA’s Farmers Mates Mental Health initiative through co-hosting events and promoting shared messages and engagement opportunities.

The announcement coincides with this year’s first tour event, with Brad attending Elders FarmFest, Toowoomba in June.

GPA chair and WA grain producer Barry Large thanked GrainGrowers for its support, saying backing the mental health partnership demonstrated genuine leadership and commitment.

“The partnership sends a strong message that we are working to make a real difference on mental health for growers and our communities,” he said.

“The theme and messaging for this year on Hoggy’s ‘Take-a-Break’ tour highlights the importance of farmers taking a break, to stay fit, fresh and healthy, after a few big production years.

“The GrainGrowers partnership strengthens the message, sharing events and awareness opportunities across the grains industry and the broader community.”

GrainGrowers chair Rhys Turton also farms in WA and said his organisation was proud to back the strong partnership with GPA, Nufarm, Rural Aid and Lifeline.

“GrainGrowers understands how impor-

tant mental health is to our members and the broader community and that we all need to play our part in supporting better outcomes,” he said.

“Our farm safety project is not just about helping with the visible aspects of safety, but also extends to mental health. The partnership with GPA highlights our commitment to make a real difference.

“We’re looking forward to hosting Hoggy at community events, to provide more opportunity to share his important messages about

mental health and his personal journey and experiences.”

Mr Turton said the partnership with GPA also followed through with recommendations made in the National Farmer Wellbeing Report, which Norco and the National Farmers’ Federation commissioned.

“This reported highlighted the need to take action in key areas including increased funding, the importance of ‘checking-in’ on your mates and supporting mental health advocates,” he said.

“We encourage NFF members and others, including agribusinesses, to also show leadership on mental health and join the initiative to help us all deliver even better outcomes for growers.”

This year’s program on the ‘Take-a-Break’ tour includes:

· AgQuip, Gunnedah, NSW, 22 to 24 August

· Yorke Peninsula Field Days, Paskeville, SA, 26 to 28 September

· Elmore Field Days, Elmore, Vic, 3 to 5 October

Australian cricketing legend Brad Hogg attended FarmFest in June as the inaugural national ambassador of the Farmer Mates Mental Health initiative.

country k tchens recipes

Vegetable Barley Soup

Serves: 8

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour

2 1/2 serves per portion

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 medium onion, finely diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 medium carrots, diced

• 3 celery sticks, diced

• 2 cups butternut pumpkin, diced

• ¼ cup tomato paste

• 2L chicken stock, reduced salt

• 1 cup pearl barley

• 1 400g can cannellini or butter

beans

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• ½ teaspoon onion powder

• 1 bay leaf

• Cracked black pepper

• 3 cups baby spinach

Optional to serve:

• fresh basil pesto

• shaved parmesan

Method:

• HEAT oil in a large pot on medium heat. Add the onion and fry for 5 minutes then add garlic and fry for a further minute.

• ADD the carrot, celery and butternut pumpkin and sauté for 5 minutes.

• STIR in the tomato paste, chicken stock, barley, beans and seasonings.

• BRING to a boil then reduce heat and cover, cooking for 50-60 minutes or until the barley is tender and fluffy.

• REMOVE soup from heat and tear in the spinach leaves, stirring through until wilted.

Optional:

• Serve with a teaspoon of fresh basil pesto and shaved parmesan on top.

Ever yday Everyday Food

Lamb Casserole

Serves: 4

Ever yday Everyday Food

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 90 minutes

3 serves per portion

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 500g lean diced lamb

• 1 onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, crushed

• 4 celery stalks, sliced

• 2 carrots, halved and sliced

• ½ cup fresh green beans, sliced

• 400g can diced tomatoes, reduced salt

• 2 cups chicken stock, reduced salt

• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped

• Pepper

Method:

• HEAT oil in a large saucepan on medium heat and cook lamb until sealed and golden (about 5-7 minutes).

• ADD onion, garlic, celery, carrot and beans and cook for a further 3-4 minutes.

• ADD tomatoes, stock, vinegar, rosemary, pepper and cover to simmer on low for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally or cook in an oven-proof dish at 160°C for the same amount of time.

• SERVE with brown rice or wholemeal pasta.

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/.

Recipe courtesy of the Country Kitchens team

Recipe courtesy of the Country Kitchens team

Aboot-scooting beauty

By Breanna Lloyd

Celebrating their 10th anniversary, the Birdsville Big Red Bash (BBRB) has a ripper festival lined up for attendees, providing camel and helicopter rides, dress-up competitions, a series of artists, two world record attempts and much more.

Fans will have their boot-scooting boots on from 4-6 July as they will endeavor to recreate the largest human image of a country record and grove away to Rock n Roll queen Tina Turner’s Nutbush City dance followed by other terrific entertainment.

The Big Blue Day on Tuesday 4 July, will have guests dressed up in blue wigs and arranged into the shape of Australia.

The current world record is held by Romania with 4807 participants.

Festival organisers are asking for candidates to purchase a $15 blue wig, with all proceeds going to charity.

The Nutbush City dance record attempt will take place on Thursday 6 July and are expecting 5,000 dancers to twirl away to the famous dance.

In front of a 40-meter-high big red sand dune at the Simpson Desert, the occasion will be Australia’s biggest tribute to Tina and the largest occasion of its kind in the world.

The current record was set last year by BBRB.

Singing Nutbush City, honouring Tina and other rock star legends, are artists Kate Ceberano, Wendy Matthews, Grace Knight, Melanie Dyer, Caitlyn Shadbolt, Miranda Carey and Robyn Lou.

Also taking to the stage throughout the three day event, are artists Icehouse, John Williamson, Human Nature, Pete Murray, the Angels, etc.

The operations manager of the outback music festival group Steve Donovan said why it is ‘fulfilling to organise this event.’

“I find it fulfilling to organise this event due to the positive impact it has on attendees,” he said.

“The overall occasion provides a platform for artists to showcase their talent, allows people to experience the remote beauty of the outback, and supports charitable initiatives like fundraising.”

Steve shared his ‘personal favourite’ costume moments.

“My personal favorite was watching about 20 people dressed as inflatable dinosaurs do the Nutbush,” he said.

“This year we’ll encourage people to dress as Tina Turner and we’re expecting to see a big turnout for this.”

Continuously since 2016, the BBRB festival has fundraised for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) raising $500,000 in total from the Nutbush dance alone.

“We hope to facilitate the RFDS in raising upwards of $150,000 over the entire event,” said Steve.

“This goal is important for us to achieve as it enables the provision of vital medical services to remote areas of Australia.

“The RFDS plays a vital role in bridging the healthcare gap for people living in rural and isolated communities.”

Group of friends dressed up for BBRB dress-up competition 2022.

Group dressed up for last years dress-up competition at BBRB 2022.

The group set the new record for Nutbush 2022.

Attendees at the 2022 BBRB.

Nutbush City fans breaking the record for the Nutbush 2022 record.

Birdsville Big Red Bash area 2022.

Group of friends dressed up and ready for Tina Turner Nutbush 2022.

Mascot at BBRB 2022.Friends dressed up for 2022 BBRB.

Raylene Donovan, Steve Donovan, Laura Impey and Greg Donovan.

An offer ‘money can’t buy’

A well-known charity called the Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) is offering a ‘moneycan’t-buy’ outback experience for the sold-out Birdsville Big Red Bash.

Two lucky winners will receive VIP tickets to the festival, will be flown from their location to Birdsville and can enjoy their own barefootluxe accommodation once the day has ended.

Elevating the experience to soaring heights, the prize also includes a scenic flight aboard one of the Flying Doctor’s Beechcraft King Air planes.

It is only the second time that an RFDS flight experience has been made to the public, outside of medical retrieval use - the first being this same competition last year.

From Tuesday 4 July to Thursday 6 July, the Big Red Bash will host more than 10,000 festival-goers under the skies of Simpson Desert in a town affectionately named ‘Bashville.’

It is officially the most remote festival in the world.

RFDS Senior Base Pilot Nick Tully said it was a real thrill to be able to give back to the community who supports the Flying Doctor across the year.

“We’ve been flying in Queensland for 95 years thanks in large part to the generous support of individuals who donate kindly, and the critical funds that are raised at events such as Big Red Bash,” Tully said.

“As an RFDS pilot, I know how important it is to support the health and wellbeing of people in some of Queensland’s most remote locations.

“This prize is like nothing offered anywhere and it truly is the chance of a lifetime.

“I’ve been involved as an RFDS pilot supporting the Big Red Bash for years and I can tell you from my own experience, everyone involved has an amazing time.

However, most importantly, it’s rewarding to know that all the money raised goes towards

providing essential support to people living in the bush,” he said.

With an incredible lineup of Australian legends including Icehouse, John Williamson, Hoodoo Gurus and Pete Murray, among many others, the Big Red Bash will provide an unforgettable, electric experience.

Big Red Bash Operations Manager Steve

Donovan said the competition was a natural extension of a host of fun and unique events that the festival has become famous for.

“The outback is a truly unique and special place and the home of some pretty spectacular people who rely on the RFDS,” Mr Donovan said.

“Every year we dance, donate and drag it up

as a means of raising money for the RFDS, and our partnership together has become as iconic as the festival itself.

“This epic competition - and the chance to take a scenic flight on an RFDS outside of medical care - is a brilliant way to put the spotlight further on the organisation and the role they play in providing pivotal health services to regional, rural and remote Queensland,” he said.

Birdsville Big Red Bash night time 2022.

Picture: MATT WILLIAMS

Eyes of the world on us

BREAKING GROUND

WITH OWEN WILLIAMS

What do Danish robots, Silicon Valley AI and Israeli drones have in common?

Simple. They’re all looking to Australia for agricultural innovation and leadership. And the Agtech and Logistics Hub is in the thick of the action.

While we’re incredibly proud to support Australian innovators working on ag products and services, we know some of the solutions and opportunities for farmers and producers can be found beyond our own borders.

This makes it important to search far and wide for the best agtech, and certain regions or countries lead different areas of innovation.

Europe, for example, tends to have some of the best sustainability agtech, as farmers there have been adhering to ESG (Environmental Social Governance) principles for years.

Then there’s Israel which produces impressive drone tech. The Middle Eastern country is also home to N-Drip, which has a presence in Australia and has answered one of our dry continent’s most pressing challenges with a micro irrigation solution powered by gravity that provides precise irrigation and higher yields while saving water. Their irrigation is already being used by farmers across the Darling Downs, including a cotton farmer who has reported water savings of between 20 and 25 per cent.

Other international tech making its way into Aussie farming paddocks include Robotti, an advanced agricultural robot from Danish manufacturer Agrointelli, and AgDrive, a

cloud-based all-in-one management app for farmers created by a young farming contractor in the UK.

We are also seeing plenty of incredible agtech, including AI-powered farming vehicles, coming out of the tech powerhouse that is the Silicon Valley.

The bottom line is Aussie farmers and pro-

ducers need access to the best technology from all corners of the globe to ensure our industry remains internationally competitive.

That’s why the Agtech and Logistics Hub in Toowoomba is committed to providing an agtech ‘landing pad’ for both homegrown and international innovators.

Our ‘landing pad’ is a place where innova-

tors can base their business and have guaranteed access to relevant support and customers. It serves as a hub for knowledge exchange and expertise, bringing together farmers, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and innovators, creating a dynamic network where ideas can flourish, and partnerships can be forged.

By facilitating interactions between these stakeholders, we enable the rapid development and deployment of cutting-edge technologies and practices in agriculture. We can also accelerate the development of world-class innovations in areas such as precision agriculture, robotics, data analytics, biotechnology, and vertical farming.

These advancements can help farmers optimise crop yields, reduce resource usage, minimise environmental impact, and improve the resilience of agricultural systems. They also have the power to address pressing challenges in agriculture production, such as increasing global demand, climate change, resource scarcity and sustainability concerns.

Our ‘landing pad’ is already attracting plenty of international interest, with representatives from 12 countries visiting the Agtech and Logistics Hub during the past 18 months.

In June, we hosted Richard Cowin and Louise Bisset from the British Consulate-General in Brisbane. We loved introducing them to farmers adopting agtech across the Toowoomba region. It was also great to show Richard and Louise the physical facilities available for UK innovators who see their future in Australian agriculture.

By providing a dedicated space for agtech innovators to thrive – regardless of their origin – we can unlock the potential of technology to revolutionise agriculture and create a more sustainable and productive future.

Owen Williams is Hub Manager at the Agtech and Logistics Hub, Australia’s home of digital agriculture.

Governments need to spread ag’s good news stories

By Georgie Somerset, AgForce general president

“The goal of education is the advancement of knowledge and the dissemination of truth.”

This John F. Kennedy quote often springs to mind whenever I’m asked what good education is about.

And when it comes to agriculture, I can’t think of a better reason to teach the next generation where their food and fibre comes from.

Here at AgForce, our School to Industry Partnership Program does exactly that.

Since 2004, thousands of schoolchildren every year have been benefiting from our events and programs – Moo Baa Munch, Kids to Farms, Ag Inspirations, and Career Conversations to name a few – connecting with agriculture and learning about one of the

fastest growing industries in the country.

With so much good work under our belt and plenty more to be done, it’s hard to believe why anyone could fail to support us.

But sadly, our governments do not.

Previously the state government funded our secondary school programs, and the federal government funded the primary school program Kids to Farms.

However, in a disappointing display of nonchalance, all funding has now been cutleaving the future of our learning programs hanging in the balance.

It’s not the first time our politicians have turned their back on ag education.

Who can forget that the state government closed Queensland’s agricultural colleges in 2019, with little thought for industry and the training we desperately need.

With so few pathways available for young people to enter agriculture, and a farming industry crying out for a skilled workforce, stripping us of much-needed funding just doesn’t make sense.

SIPP has long been regarded not only as incredibly successful, but also as a benchmark for school to industry engagement.

But without government backing, it’s hard to say what happens next.

Currently, our school programs are being solely funded by AgForce – but they shouldn’t be.

It’s time Australia’s politicians recognised the importance of sharing agriculture’s good news stories with young people, of encouraging children to take an interest in farming, and introducing students to the diversity of a career in agriculture - before it’s too late.

AgForce general president Georgie Somerset.

Members of the British Consulate-General in Brisbane meeting with members of the Agtech and Logistics Hub’s ecosystem during their recent visit to Toowoomba.

Truck and trailer

All farmers know how difficult it can be to source parts for their equipment.

So, when you find a reliable supplier who knows what they’re talking about, the word spreads quickly.

That is exactly what has happened with locally family-owned truck and trailer parts supplier Tranzmile.

Starting 12 years ago from a single store in Coopers Plains in Brisbane, Tranzmile has now grown to be Australia’ largest family-owned truck and trailer suppliers.

From five branches, they now service customers around Australian and also in PNG.

Their success has been due to unrelenting focus on customer service.

Growing up in the bush himself, owner Cameron Black understands well the importance of customer service to people who work in regional areas.

“In Brisbane or Sydney, when something breaks, you can jump in your car and drive to a place that can help you,“ he said. “If they don’t have it you can then drive on another 10 minutes and so on.

“When you are in the bush you obviously can’t do that ... at least you shouldn’t. Unfortunately many do.

“I remember many a time having to run into town to try and find parts. It’s time consuming, always happens at the worst times (think harvesting or planting) and is hit and miss.

“At Tranzmile, we have really focused on trying to improve how this process works. We have implemented software called TranzMate, that enables us to track every enquiry and every sale so we stay on the ball and get back to our customers faster.

“We even have an App so our customers can order parts - or just enquire on themseven days a week no matter what time of the day. It means that our regional customers can

continue working and we can sort the parts for them.“

So, the process goes like this . . . the customer uses the App to take a photo of what’s broken and types in a quick message, ideally linking this to the vehicle or piece of equipment listed in the App.

This takes about a minute in most cases. All of Tranzmile’s 25-plus parts interpreters are then immediately alerted and someone is assigned to sort the query or order out.

The order is then confirmed and shipped.

It can take minutes - not hours or days - and everything is tracked.

With five branches located in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Townsville and Kingaroy and seven authorised resellers, Tranzmile is well set-up to service customers anywhere in Qld and NSW, in particular.

“We have customers from Longreach to Wagga to Cape York, not to mention the Kimberley and PNG, which are a lot harder to service, so we are set up to help regional customers no matter where they are,“ Mr Black said.

“As farmers ourselves we understand the rural community and are committed to doing our best to service the industry no matter where they are.

“Simply give a branch a call and we will set up your equipment in our system so its super easy to order parts.

“Once set up, its as easy as, ’Can I get some filters for the ACCO please’?“

Find out more about TranzMile at www. tranzmile.com.au or call 1300 442 142.

Tranzmile is one of Australia’s largest independent truck, trailer and 4WD parts suppliers. They carry more than 50 common trailer connectors.

Ag-Grow packed with events

By Breanna Lloyd

One of Central Highlands’ most significant agricultural events, the Emerald Ag-Grow, was a smashing hit for vendors, buyers, participants and visitors.

The three-day event offered a Stockman Horse Challenge, an Elite Multi Breed Bull Sale, an Elite Horse Sale, a Working Cattle Dog Trial and Sale, Kids Entertainment areas, dozens of stalls and informative sessions.

Day one presented guests with the opening of the Cattle Dog Workout Trial and Sale and the Forshaw Performance Horse Stockmans Workout Challenge (FPHSWC).

The Cattle Dog Workout Trial and Sale event organiser Steve Biles said ‘one thing that has changed is the quality of dogs.’

“Before, you would have a lot of cross-bred dogs, but now we have purebred border collies and kelpies competing,” he said.

Having kicked off at 3pm on 22 June and ending at 12pm on 24 June, the 100 dogs competed for the champion Working Dog title.

Taking to the reins on the other side of the ring was the FPHSWC from 22 to 23 June.

President of FPHSWC and founder of the family-owned horse-breaking business Forshaw Performance Horses Belinda Foreshaw said ‘it was a really good change for the overall Ag-Grow event.’

“It was a really good challenge and change for the overall Ag-Grow event,” said Belinda.

“I am highly involved in the camp drafting, challenge and show world and I wanted to bring a little bit of all of that to Ag-Grow this year.”

Showcasing an extraordinary line up of 190 bulls, the Multi Breed Elders Bull Sale accepted pedigree nominations from various locations across the Central Highlands area.

At 7am on day two, eager vendors and bidders were inspecting the line up of extraordinary bulls and were ready for the sky rocketing

bids to open.

Elders Stud Stock agent Anthony Ball said ‘it was just a really great opportunity for people

Still Supporting Fast Fashion?

to come to Ag-Grow.’

“It was just a really great opportunity for people to come to Ag-Grow and to look at all

of the displays and come to both the bull and horse sale,” he said.

“There was so much offered.”

Straight after at 8am, the Working Cattle Dog Trials and FPHSWC both took off with a bang leaving dust in their tracks.

The rest of day two was catered by a Queensland Fire, Police and Ambulance Service, a talk with the Rural Crime Squad, a Workplace Health and Safety talk, entertainment and then finished off with the Working Cattle Dog Sale.

Day three kicked off bright and early at 7am with the Elite Horse Inspections and Ridden Workouts, followed by the auction.

The 48 Geldings and 47 Mares darted away in the sale ring at 8am for the Elite Horse Sale.

“There were horses there that suited everyone,” said Anthony.

The Working Cattle Dog trial finales scurried off at 9am, followed by the presentations at 12pm.

For more information on the results for the Ag-Grow event, please go to our website.

In Kidszone parents can relax in the free retreat lounge.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

2022 Ag-Grow.

Funds for regional groups

By Breanna Lloyd

Ten thousand dollars in funds have been granted to a community support group located in a small Queensland border town, Texas, in hopes to improve investments in mental wellbeing and social connections with local farmers and small businesses during difficult times.

The Texas and District Drought Support Group (TADDS) is an organisation which constantly caters and provides supplies and reinforcements to farmers and graziers in the Texas area.

The group was recognised by the Nestle Professional Company for their support to the community, whilst also covering a wide range of critical issues around their region.

The Nestle Professional company states they wanted to give back to those who significantly reinforce their regions, thus the beginning of the ‘Serve Your Community Program,’ with major and minor awards granted, including a $10,000 prize to three major businesses and dozens of Milo and Nescafe tins and accessories for the minor winners.

Forty-one-year-old Amanda Croft, Secretary of the Texas and District Drought Support Hub, said ‘TADDS is important as we are here to help anyone in our community in any way.’

“It could be as simple as a cuppa and a chat to make someone’s day,” said Miss Croft.

“We all want our communities to be sustainable and successful in the long run.”

In 2019, a drought broke out across Queensland, severely affecting Texas, which led to the beginning of the TADDS group.

Amanda and other dedicated volunteers set out a plan to provide farmers in the area with various supplies such as livestock feed and water, hampers, etc.

“We received a grant for Hardship Payments, in which we implemented a Local Gift Card Program, and loaded the Local Prepaid EFTPOS cards with funds for farmers and workers, which then in turn could only be

spent locally ensuring the funds benefitted local businesses as well,” said Miss Croft.

“We also helped community members apply for and print their border passes on a regular basis.

“The TADDS group now runs from the TADDS Hub and is there for all community members.”

The association has dozens of programs for the Texas community including, Mates Helping Mates cuppa and chat every week, book exchanges, pre-loved clothing, technological assistance and support and a Facebook group to spread information thoroughly.

“The prize money will help us to expand the services of the TADDS Hub and also provide workshops on life skills as well as financial literacy, arts and crafts, mental health programs and wellbeing workshops,“ said Miss Croft.

Major Prize Winners

· Long Gully Neighbourhood Centre in Victoria (VIC)

· Remote Laundries in the Northern Territory (NT)

· Texas and District Drought Support Group

Minor Prize Winners

· All Abilities Cheer and Dance, South Australia (SA)

· Angas Go-Kart Club, SA

· Bridge Builders, Western Australia (WA)

· Fostering Hope, WA

· Launceston Benevolent Society, Tasmania (TAS)

· Lockington District Neighbourhood House, VIC

· Open Hands Community Care, QLD

· Safe Waters Community Care, NSW

· Sikh Family Food Van Trust, NT

· Swimz Guildford, NSW

Nestle Professional, Brand Manager-Standard Beverages, Robyn Lu, TADDS Treasurer, Ann Higgins, TADDS member, Kylie Buck and Past District Governor Rotary Tasmania, Heather Chong.

TADDS Treasurer Ann Higgins and Nestle Professional General Manager, Kristina Czepl.

TADDS Treasurer, Ann Higgins and TADDS member, Kylie Buck received $10,000 grant.

‘Huge leap ahead’ in sprays

“Hugely beneficial“ is how Jake and Felicity Hamilton describe their investment in a John Deere 616R self-propelled sprayer equipped with See & Spray Select.

The Hamiltons operate the dryland cropping business Krui Pastoral, west of Condamine on the Darling Downs.

They rate the machine’s simplicity, efficiency and ease of use but, most of all, its ability to save them time and money in chemical application, with savings varying from 70 per cent to as high as 95 per cent.

Jake’s family has been farming in the region since 1937 but, with the climate changing, the challenge for Jake and Felicity is to adapt their cropping regime to more intense, yet more irregular, rainfall events.

“We’ve been chasing efficiency gains and making incremental improvements over the years with John Deere products such as AutoTracTM for pass-to-pass overlap control and section control with older sprayers to save on chemical,” he explained.

“All of these machines and technologies have brought small gains, whereas See & Spray Select has helped us to make a huge leap ahead.”

Technology reduces weed seed bank

Rainfall at Krui Pastoral is 570mm a year and the Hamiltons grow mainly winter crops including wheat, barley, chickpeas, faba beans and mungbeans, with summers too hot to make sorghum viable.

More than 10 years ago they began to invest in more efficient weed technology as part of a move to integrated weed management (IWM), in the wake of the glyphosate resistance of the mid-2000s.

The main aim was to stop weed seed-set at all costs, and the program has worked well.

“We used IWM practices, including high seeding rates, to create strong crop competition, an in-crop and summer residual chemistry program and optical spot-spraying,“ Jake said.

“We treated sparse, hard-to-control weeds such as feathertop Rhodes grass with a mobile spraying unit on a John Deere Gator.

“Over the past decade, we’ve had a pretty strict regime of using residual herbicides over summer to try to keep our weed burden down but, even with that, you’re always going to get escapes.

“And that’s where the See & Spray Select really comes in, because we can just go out and

hit any of those escapes without having to spray the whole paddock.”

Not spraying boosts productivity

See & Spray Select integrated camera technology detects green weeds as small as .9cm diameter in fallow and triggers a spot treatment application from multiple nozzles to these specific plants.

Jake said the 616R sprayer had increased their productivity through sparse spraying.

“We’re not filling the tank all the time,“ he said. “We just load it up in the morning, the operator jumps on and can go spraying all day with just one tank. It’s that easy.

“It all comes down to simplicity, efficiency and ease of use. The boom folds up in 30 seconds and I don’t know many tow-behinds that

you can pull at 55 kilometres per hour, so the transport speed makes changing between paddocks a breeze.

“It has really made our spraying a lot more efficient.” GreenStarTM displays make monitoring easy

The couple is quick to add that the See & Spray Select has reduced chemical usage and, in turn, their chemical costs.

“It depends on your application but we’re seeing savings from 70pc and up to 95pc.

When we’re fallow spraying with See & Spray Select we just leave the cameras on all the time so, even if we’re only saving five to 10pc, that’s still a saving that most businesses would take any day.“

Felicity said the data generated in the cabin also made it easy to monitor each operation for compliance.

“We have a legal responsibility to document what we’re putting out with the sprayer,“ she said.

“We’re documenting the weather, the products that we’re using and the rates that they’re going out at. The technologies in the GreenStar displays in this cab make that so easy for us.

“Technological advancements like See & Spray Select have been hugely beneficial to our business.

“It makes us more environmentally and more economically sustainable and that’s something that we need to keep building on into the future.“

Established dealership is new home of Isuzu trucks

Black Truck & Ag is pleased to announce an exciting addition to the Goondiwindi and Moree dealerships. Isuzu Trucks was added to its line-up of leading manufacturers from June. The dealerships will provide complete offerings of the Isuzu brand with sales and aftersales support, via service and parts, at each of the locations.

With 27 years of experience in the truck industry - and an innate understanding of the Isuzu brand developed over many years across existing Isuzu dealerships at Black Truck & Ag locations - the addition of Australia’s leading truck brand “feels like a natural fit and another complimentary offering to provide to our well established and loyal customer base”, Black Truck & Ag director

Jason Black said. Bringing Isuzu on board at each of the locations “will assist in the stock availability within the region and ensure that Australia’s market-leading truck manufacturer is prominently represented in Goondiwindi, Moree and their surrounding communities”, he said.

Isuzu is renowned for “trucks that last the distance and an aftersales experience that supports the customer throughout the lifespan of their vehicle”.

It is well aligned with Black Truck & Ag’s motto ‘Customers for Life’ and it is this synergy that spells an exciting opportunity for the business.

Jake and Felicity Hamilton are benefitting from their game-changing 616R self-propelled sprayer equipped with See & Spray Select.

Report Date: 15/06/2023

Saleyard: Blackall

The supply of stock into the Blackall saleyards increased by 200 head to 906 with 51 head sold open auction. A mixed quality line up of young cattle were penned and the overall standard of the cows was good. All the regular buyers were in attendance and operating plus some additional export operators. Restockers were the major buyers across the young cattle sections. Light weight yearling heifers received very little interest. However yearling steers to feed improved in price. Cows to export processors averaged 20c/kg better. A small sample of light weight yearling steers returned to the paddock at 268c/kg. Most of the medium weight yearling steers sold to restockers at 299c with sales to 306c/kg. Heavy weight yearling steers to feed averaged 282c and made to 303c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers under 200kg to restockers made to 162c and the under 280kg lines averaged 179c and made to 184c/kg. Medium weights to restockers made to 212c and feeders averaged 186c/kg. Heavy weights over 400kg made to 218c to average 206c/kg. A handful of grown steers to export processors made to 236c to average 229c/kg. Medium weight poor condition cows averaged 158c and the 2 scores 181c and sold to 190c/kg. Good heavy weight cows made to 229c to average 222c/kg. Heavy weight bulls made to 244c/kg.

Market Reporter, Trevor Hess

Report Date: 21/06/2023

Saleyard: CQLX Gracemere

649 head less were penned at CQLX Gracemere sale, in a yarding of 1,511 head. Cattle were drawn from south to Theodore through to Bowen in the north and west past Clermont. It was a mixed quality and conditioned offering which made for difficulty building lines for buyers. The regular buyers for processors and feeders were present and active whilst restockers lacked confidence with limited numbers and mixed quality. Yearling steers in light weight pens topped at a rare 357c/kg to average 271c to 311c/kg with feeders leading the way. Medium weight pens averaged 265c to 315c/kg again mostly to feed. Yearling heifers in light weight pens averaged 196c to 240c/ kg whilst medium weight lines averaged 223c to 285c/kg. Grown steers sold to feed to average 301c to 312c/kg and topped at 315c/kg. Trade heifers averaged 211c to 218c/kg, reaching 223c/kg for the best finished pens. Very few heavy, four score cows were on offer with those present averaging 202c/kg and selling to 206c/kg. Heavy bulls sold to livex at 227c/ kg with those to processors averaging 221c/kg and selling to 245c/kg. Good average quality cows and calves made from $825 to $1,800 per unit for the biggest number seen here for some weeks.

Report Date: 21/06/2023

Saleyard: Dalby

The supply of stock into Dalby continues to decline with numbers reducing by 576 head to 3,150. All the regular buyers were in attendance

and operating. Apart from a few well presented lines the overall quality was not up to the standard of the previous week. Young cattle continued to vary in price according to quality. Heavy weight cows averaged 5c/kg less. Light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock made to 378c to average 344c and poor quality lines 274c/kg. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market averaged from 337c to 341c and sold to 370c/kg. A run of well bred medium weight yearling steers returning to the paddock made to 396c to average 365c/kg. Heavy weight yearling steers to feed averaged 321c made to 338c/ kg. Light weight yearling heifers to restockers made 244c to average 223c poor quality lines at 193c/kg. Medium weight yearling heifers to feed made to 301c to average from 228c to 291c/kg. Heavy weight yearling heifers to feed made to a top of 304c to average from 265c to 291c/kg Grown steers to processors made to 291c to average 284c/kg. Medium weight plain condition cows to restockers averaged 181c and heavy weights 187c with sales to 196c/ kg. Heavy weight 3 score cows to processors averaged 191c and made to 200c/kg. The best of the cows made to 225c to average 213c/kg. Heavy weight bulls made to 268c/kg.

Market Reporter, Trevor Hess

Report Date: 15/06/2023

Saleyard: Emerald

Emerald cattle sale yarding increased by 468 head to 746 head with cattle from local areas along with a draft of Brahman feeder steers from Lawn Hill Station north of Julia Creek. Competition came the usual processors and feeders plus an improved restocker attendance. Values improved in some classes but generally held previous rates

Light weight yearling steers reached 407c/ kg to average 300c to 344c/kg. Medium weight pens averaged 263c to 317c/kg. Light pens of

yearling heifers averaged 228c to 279c/kg. Medium weight lines recorded an average of 229c to 271c/kg.

Grown steers went to processors to average 269c to 276c/kg relevant to finish. Those going to feed averaged 249c to 281c/kg with a top price of 299c/kg. Grown heifers to trade buyers averaged 207c to 268c/kg, whilst those too feed averaged 212c to 273c/kg.

Heavy, four score cows reached 222c/kg to average 205c/kg. Heavy bulls sold to livex to average 247c/kg with processors averaging 236c/kg. Market Reporter, Richard Thomson

Report Date: 20/06/2023

Saleyard: Roma

The continuing dry seasonal conditions resulted in producers choosing to lighten numbers which lifted the supply by 1,485 head to 7,594 at Roma. Cattle were drawn from western QLD, NSW and the local supply area and included several runs of quality weaners in excess of 400 head lots. All the regular buyers attended along with a very large gallery of restockers and onlookers. The lift in the quality of the yearling steers and heifers to restockers saw prices improve with the plainer lines receiving limited competition. Bullocks and cows sold to prices similar to last week. Yearling steers in the 200-280kg range made 400c to average 356c/kg. Yearling steers over 280kg to background made 370c to average 342c. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market made 356c with those to restockers at 390c to average 343c/kg. Heavy yearling steers to feed made 352c to average 308c/kg. Yearling heifers to restockers made 308c to average 266c/ kg. Yearling heifers over 330kg to restockers made 312c to average 265c/kg. Heavy yearling heifers to feed made 284c to average 256c/ kg. Young bullocks to processors made 284c

to average 277c with the heavy lines at 278c to average 273c/kg. Grown heifers to processors made 266c with those to feed at 264c/kg. Light weight cows to processors made 190c to average 156c/kg. Good heavy cows to processors made 215c to average 211c with PTIC cows at 236c/kg. Heavy bulls made 266c to average 249c/kg. Light weight bulls to restockers made 290c/kg.

Market Reporter, Errol Luck

Report Date: 19/06/2023

Saleyard: Toowoomba

The number of cattle into the Toowoomba saleyards experienced a small lift to 163 head. Buyer attendance was good with some additional support across a number of categories. Prices experienced some improvement from the previous week however young light weight cattle continued to receive limited competition. Light weight yearling steers under 200kg made to 354c/kg. Yearling steers under 280kg returning to the paddock made to 340c to average 280c/kg. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market averaged from 292c to 295c with sales to 358c/kg. A couple of very heavy weight yearling steers to feed made to 246c/kg. Poor quality light weight yearling heifers made to 176c to average 163c/kg. Yearling heifers to feed made to 246c and a lesser quality lines 210c/kg. Plain condition heavy weight cows made to 216c to average 203c and the best of the heavy weights made to 226c/kg. Heavy weight bulls made to 256c/kg. Light weight steers sold open auction made to $390/head.

Market Reporter, Trevor Hess

Report Date: 20/06/2023

Saleyard: Warwick

There was a small increase in supply to 750 cattle at Warwick. The regular buyers were in attendance and operating. The quality of the young cattle was mixed and the overall standard of the cows was not up to the previous week. Most classes experienced only quality related price changes and light weight young cattle continued to receive very little support. Light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock made to 340c to average 330c/kg. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market averaged from 331c to 339c and made to 378c/kg. Some very well bred steers with show ring potential made to 514c/kg. Heavy weight yearling steers to feed made to 325c to average 316c/kg. Very heavy lines to the local trade market made to 378c to average 351c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers to restockers averaged 230c and made to 250c/kg. Yearling heifers to feed averaged from 272c to 299c with sales to 320c/kg. Bullocks to the wholesale meat trade made to 330c with the remainder at 277c/kg. Medium weight 2 score cows averaged 171c and made to 180c/kg Heavy weight 3 score cows averaged 194c and the best of the heavy weights made to 210c to average 204c/kg. A pen of well bred heavy weight PTIC cows sold to restockers at 300c/kg return $1890/head. Heavy weight bulls made to 260c/kg. Market Reporter, Trevor Hess

Lower bull cost per calf weaned ADAPTABILITY

Towns on top

Various regional Queensland (QLD) communities are jumping for joy after receiving numerous tourism awards from the QLD Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) at the Top Tourism Town Awards (TTTA).

First being identified as one of the TTTA finalists from the ‘Explore Rockhampton with your mate’s campaign’, Rockhampton City was then selected as the State winner.

Rockhampton now represents Queensland at the National Awards, where they will be running for Australia’s Top Tourism Town.

The Top Tourism Town award (population over 5,000) went to Caloundra for its beautiful beaches and creative community tourist attractions, leaving Airlie Beach to take out the Top Small Tourism Town (population 1,5005,000) followed by Winton succeeding in acquiring the Top Tiny Tourism Town (population under 1,500).

Up against two other finalists, Joel McPherson received the Top Tour Guide Award for his extraordinary storytelling and strong passion for the Sunshine Coast.

Rockhampton Region Mayor, Tony Williams, said ‘it was a recognition of the great things to see and do in our local area.’

“We are so proud of our region and the many events, sites and attractions we have to offer,” Mayor Williams said.

“It’s a big driver of local economic activity

and it supports so many of our local businesses, including our local hotels, restaurants and retail stores.

“This is a great recognition of each and every individual in our tourism industry who makes Rockhampton a great place to visit and stay and something we can build on in the years to come.”

According to the QTIC, the annual awards recognises regional and rural towns who celebrate and take pride in their community.

Advance Rockhampton Acting Executive Manager, Zac Gaven, said ‘inclusion in the QTIC awards would add to Rockhampton’s reputation as a holiday destination of choice.’

“Where else can visitors discover one of Australia’s longest streets lined with heritagelisted buildings, a significant modern Australian collection in Queensland’s largest regional gallery, explore one of Australia’s richest gold mining towns, catch a trophy barra, play with meerkats and ride premier mountain bike trails,” Mr Gaven said.

“Through Advance Rockhampton, Council is investing in the visitor economy and working to attract tourists to our region.

“Explore Rockhampton and our ultimate mates trip campaign is delivering in spades through its modern, engaging and actionpacked presentation and we are eager to continue to build on this success going forward.”

LifeFlight’s new Roma base

Leader of The Nationals and Maranoa MP David Littleproud has welcomed the official opening of LifeFlight’s new base at Roma.

Unveiled at a ceremony last month, the new state-of-the-art facility will provide residents of the region with access to emergency medical care.

The project is supported by the Lee Family Group and the former Coalition Government’s grant of $1,072,137 via the now-defunct Building Better Regions Fund.

“The opening of this facility is indeed a major turning point for the Maranoa electorate and I’m proud to have secured the federal Government’s commitment to it,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Now everyone in the region will have peace of mind knowing that state-of-theart medical assistance is never far away.

“LifeFlight does magnificent work and it is really pleasing to see that the funding delivered by the former Coalition government’s Building Better Regions Fund for this project has come to fruition.”

The new facility features a hangar large enough to efficiently house an AW139 aircraft and will be home to the LifeFlight Surat Gas Aeromedical Service (SGAS) chopper and crew.

The service, which is provided by LifeFlight on behalf of Surat Basin Gas companies – Shell’s QGC business, Santos, Arrow Energy and Australia Pacific LNG/Origin

Energy – has been dedicated to the South West since 2011.

It was started to ensure gas company employees, their families and community members in South West Queensland had access to prompt emergency medical services and to minimise the impact on local medical services.

As part of their commitment to the region, the SGAS partners donate 150 flying hours each year to assure community aeromedical coverage.

LifeFlight South West Regional Advisory Committee Chair Kate Scott said the opening of the base was indeed a special occasion.

“This project has been a true partnership that has involved the Federal Government, generous community members, businesses, major donors, the Maranoa Regional Council, our SGAS partners and LifeFlight Australia,” Ms Scott said.

“As we look to the future of LifeFlight in our region, we will continue to support projects which help to deliver vital medical retrieval services.”

In 2022 alone, the Roma LifeFlight SGAS helicopter crew helped 78 people, with the top five mission categories including motor vehicle incidents (17 missions), animal falls (seven missions) and cardiac/chest pain incidents (seven missions).

QTIC CEO Brett Fraser, Mayor Tony Williams, Minister Stirling Hinchliffe, Zac Garven, QTIC Chair Elsa Dalessio.

Macaulie holds on for win

By Breanna Lloyd

It was bucking mayhem at the Great Western Hotel on 19 and 20 May at the PBR Monster Energy Tour Rockhampton Invitational as the number one Australian bull riding competitor took out his fourth champion event win.

Queensland Team rider, number one Australian National Standings PBR competitor, and 2021 Rookie of the Year award winner, Macaulie Leather, bucked his way to victory for his first-time ride on the previously undefeated bull, Feldt Jacket.

“It feels good to get an event win and it’s always good to come back to Rocky every now and then and see how it’s going,” said Macaulie.

“I have seen Feldt Jacket at the last shows and he has been progressing and getting better and better so I thought why not have a go tonight.”

Scoring a total of 172.5 points from his three rides on bulls Seven Eleven, Mimi, and Feldt Jacket, Macaulie said he is excited about the grand finales.

“I am really looking forward to the grand finales,” he said.

The 21-year-old rider originated from Calliope Queensland, helped the Queensland Origin team get the win for the first PBR Origin event in Newcastle on 23 April against New South Wales (NSW) team.

Macaulie secured his spot for the Australian National Standings by winning the Origin series event, after leaving team Queensland with a total of 11 qualified rides and NSW with eight qualified rides.

Macaulie said how he felt to win both the Origin Series and the Australian National Standings.

“It feels good to back it up and I’m just trying to cover all my bulls and build on that, so it is always good to get them rode,” he said.

“I just want to keep riding my bulls and keep staying consistent.”

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Next edition out on the 27 July 2023

Macaulie trying to hold onto the beast.

Macaulie Leather won the bull riding comp in Rockhampton and was crowned champion.

Macaulie received his champion prizes.

QLD gets up on last ride

By Breanna Lloyd

Team Queensland’s (QLD) epic last ride sealed their fate for the PBR Australian Monster Energy Origin Series (AMEOS), dragging them across the finish line to victory for the fourth time since 2019.

Held at the Brisbane Entertainment Center, QLD and New South Wales (NSW) teams put on a spectacular show for the 6,500 fans amongst the sold-out crowd.

Team NSW began strong, with two bull rides in front, and just a few points off first place, until QLD team captain Aaron Kleier made his appearance in the ring.

Dirt turned to dust as Aaron rode Roid Rage from Dittmann Bucking Bulls, scoring the highest score of the night, dramatically changing the course of the origin series.

Aaron went on to take out the event win for team QLD scoring 90.5 points, winning the event title by four points from team NSW.

Roid Rage from Dittmann Bucking Bulls gained the highest points of the night, finishing off with a 44.5-point ride score.

PBR Australia General Manager Glen Young said ‘what a battle.’

“What a battle, each team got nine bulls ridden, so it just came down to who rode the best bulls and got the points, and at the end that was team QLD,” said Mr Young.

“Since it is normally an individual sport, it’s great to see the team aspect come into play during the Origin series and see these guys work together.

“This finale round will play a crucial role in determining who will qualify for the PBR Grand Finales occurring in Townsville in November, which is the richest bull ride event in the entire Southern hemisphere.”

QLD team captain Aaron Kleier said how the team reacts when they put on their state jersey.

“When us boys put on the QLD jersey, we know what it’s about,” he said.

“It’s just so good to be able to ride together as a team.”

Following close behind their leader was James Stockdale from Dubbo, Mitch Paton,

Will Purcell and Jackson Gray.

Although the NSW team had taken the loss, team captain Cody Heffernan remains positive to win the next Origin in Cairns.

“I am proud of the guys, you can see that everyone put it out there,” he said.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

“We didn’t get it in the end, but everyone put in a big effort.

“We’ll be back for Cairns, and we’ll be better.”

Origin round three is taking place in Cairns on 22 July.

Team Queensland took the win.

Team NSW rider action shot of PBR Origin Series Round ll.

Queensland team captain Aaron Kleier scored the victory champion title for his team.