Queensland Farmer Today - December 2023 by Star News Group

December 2023

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Lighting the way Charleville-born and bred Kylee Tindale-Smith was welcomed into The Lighting the Way Ambassador Program by the Royal Flying Doctor Service at its 80-year anniversary celebration. STORY PAGE 15

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$1b on agenda By Fiona Gowers Emerald cotton grower Ross Burnett of Barkool has been reappointed to the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) board for his second three-year tenure to September 2026. Mr Burnett primarily farms cotton on his myBMP-certified property and has developed extensive hands-on knowledge of cotton production over the years. Beyond the farm gate, Mr Burnett has been an active advocate for cotton, representing the industry at local, state and national levels. He has a passion for sustainability and re-

RFDS chair Russell Postle, Kylee Tindale-Smith, board member Emeritus Prof Robert Stable, deputy chair Georgie Somerset AM, and board member Bruce Scott AM.

search, implementing both in his farming business and being a grower representative for the industry in these areas. Indeed, the new CRDC board has wasted little time in building the coporation’s vision to grow Australia’s cotton industry by $1 billion over the next five years. Clever Cotton is a strategic plan that guides all CRDC’s research, development and extension (RD&E) investments from 2023 to 2028. Mr Burnett says the initiative reflects the current focus and agility of Australia’s cotton industry. STORY PAGE 3

Weir done

Labour win

Mt Alma Organics in the Burdekin is attracting and retaining more rural workers at its burgeoning organic fruit, vegetable, cane and cattle operation with newly installed on-farm accommodation. With housing and labour shortages making it difficult for Mt Alma Organics owners Angela and Gary Spotswood to secure workers, the husband and wife primary producers used a Sustainability Loan from the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority to fund the on-farm worker accommodation. STORY PAGE 9

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

Rookwood weir opens

FROM THE MLA ........................... page 16 BREAKING GROUND .................... page 19 RECIPES .................................... page 24 MARKET ROUND-UP ..................... page 25 CLASSIFIEDS ............................. page 26

By Fraser Barton, AAP SPORT ....................................... page 28

DAM LEVELS Beardmore: ................................... 06% Bjelke-Petersen: ............................. 71% Borumba: ...................................... 77% Boondoomba: ................................ 72% Cedar Pocket: ............................. 18.3% Chinchilla Weir: .............................. 58% Coolmunda: ................................... 73% Cunnamulla (Alan Tannock Weir): ..... 64% Leslie: ........................................... 83% Paradise: ....................................... 69% Somerset: ..................................... 75% Wivenhoe:...................................... 63%

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Queensland Farmer Today is published monthly and part of the Today News Group. Published by South Burnett Today Pty Ltd ACN 641 796 349. Publisher: Damian Morgan Managing Director: Daniel Pelcl. All material is copyright to South Burnett Today Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible. For our terms and conditions please visit QueenslanFarmerToday.com.au/terms-and-conditions/ 2 TODAY December 2023

The largest weir built in Australia since World War II has been completed, capturing enough water to fill more than 34,000 Olympic swimming pools. Rookwood Weir in central Queensland will yield 86,000 megalitres of the precious resource annually after local protests led to additional funding to raise its height and capacity. More money was delivered in 2021 after local Federal MP Michelle Landry led calls from farmers and agriculture workers to build the weir to full capacity, instead of the 54,000 megalitre project initially proposed. Almost three years after construction began, the $568.9 million project located near Rockhampton was unveiled on Wednesday 22 November. The landmark project will capture water from the Fitzroy River for agricultural, industrial and urban use across the region. More than 36,000 megalitres of water from the weir has already been allocated for agricultural use. Federal Water and Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said the project delivered both water security and protection for vulnerable species. “Land that has previously been used for grazing can be used for higher intensity purposes like macadamia farming, creating jobs and really putting that water to good use creating wealth for central Queensland,“ she said. “The work that’s been done here to protect nature is also really important. “We’ve got a unique turtle passage here, we’ve got a fish passage that will help 31 species of native fish survive and thrive.“ A water allocation from the weir has also been provided in perpetuity to traditional custodians the Darumbal people to support ongoing cultural and economic development opportunities. Days after vowing not to co-operate with the Commonwealth’s proposed infrastructure cuts, Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick said the weir was a perfect example of state-

Rookwood Weir in the latter stages of construction in September this year. federal collaboration. The weir would provide roughly $3.5 billion in additional agriculture value to the region over the next two decades, he said. “Our argument is with the federal infrastructure minister, so we will continue to seek for Queensland what we see is our fair share,“ Mr Dick said. “But when we work together, we deliver great projects like this.“ The Queensland and federal governments combined with state-owned company Sunwater to fund development of the project which provided 350 jobs. The water is expected to be available next year. Meanwhile, National Party Leader David Littleproud called on the state government and Andrew “Twiggy“ Forrest’s Fortescue to reveal how much of the weir’s water would be used for a nearby proposed hydrogen project. Mr Littleproud said Fortescue had reportedly signed off on a 50 megawatt green hydrogen project at Gladstone that would potentially put up to 20,000 megalitres of agricultural water at risk. The state government must explain what Fortescue was planning to do with the weir’s water and what the hydrogen project meant for central Queensland’s future, he said. “Removing water to help Twiggy’s business ventures will only drive up the cost of living, with less water available for farmers and producers.“

A helping hand Prolonged dry conditions in Queensland have prompted governments and charities to initiate relief measures, including financial assistance and support programs for affected farmers. The Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) has a suite of drought grants and loans available to help producers complete important on-farm development to maintain productivity as El Nino conditions strain cash flows. Disaster and Drought manager Sheree Finney says Drought Preparedness grants of up to $50,000 have already helped producers manage their business through tougher conditions. Furthermore, she says a Drought Ready and Recovery Finance Loan of up to $250,000 can be used in conjunction with the Drought Preparedness Grant to fund large-scale activities. Rural charity Rural Aid, meanwhile, is facing surging demand for fodder to feed drought-stricken livestock, emergency drinking water, as well as mental health and wellbeing support. Chief executive officer John Warlters said since August farmers had registered requests totalling more than $1 million for fodder. He said in Queensland, the State’s south was desperately dry and without widespread and substantial rain it would only be a matter of time before drought declarations followed. “Right now, what we’re seeing is below-average rainfall, above-average temperatures and so much of the countryside is tinder dry. “It’s very, very early to see this level of fire activity and it gives us great concern about what this summer is going to look like.” * To access help call QRIDA on 1800 623 946 and Rural Aid on 1300 327 624.

- Fiona Gowers

Toowoomba firm’s hand in hydrogen strike In another historic development for the energy sector, natural white Hydrogen deposits have successfully been struck on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula. ASX-listed Gold Hydrogen made its groundbreaking announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) last month, revealing they had successfully unearthed hydrogen from drilling activities. The company’s initial exploration efforts have confirmed the existence of natural hydrogen, a resource that was first stumbled upon almost a century ago during an oil drilling campaign. This successful strike could mark another step towards new energy availability to meet Australia’s carbon-neutral goals. Toowoomba’s own Savanna Energy Services was engaged to supply a gas drilling rig and experienced crew for this critical task. Long established as an integral part of the Australian oil and gas industry, Savanna run their national operation from Toowoomba and its involvement in the South Australian project highlights local operators’ commitment to excellence and the current energy transition. Savanna Energy Services general manager Mark Urquhart said: “It’s great for the local Toowoomba region to have a voice on a national scale for such a project,“ he said. “I hope we are able to see this type of exploration of renewables here in Queensland.“ The hydrogen technology cluster, Southern Queensland Hydrogen Industry Institute (SQHII) established within the Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) has been

working with the regions’ oil and gas businesses to review skills and practices from traditional resources that can be transferred or adapted into renewables. Leveraging local level technical, mechanical, operational and safety expertise from the coal seam gas (CSG) sector, will give businesses the ability to adapt traditional energy skills to new and emerging industries, particularly within the realm of alternate

energy technologies. This breakthrough is considered a milestone for Australia, marking a pioneering moment in hydrogen exploration and one of only a handful of such activities worldwide. For this region, it reflects the diversity of energy service businesses from the Surat Basin and signifies the continuation of the vital role of the energy sector in Toowoomba and the Surat Basin - the energy capital of Australia.

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New CRDC board meets for the first time with...

$1billion on the agenda Michelle Tierney, New South Wales (new · Ms appointment)

By Fiona Gowers Emerald cotton grower Ross Burnett of Barkool has been reappointed to the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) board for his second three-year tenure to September 2026. Mr Burnett primarily farms cotton on his myBMP-certified property and has developed extensive hands-on knowledge of cotton production over the years. Beyond the farm gate, Mr Burnett has been an active advocate for cotton, representing the industry at local, state and national levels. He has a passion for sustainability and research, implementing both in his farming business and being a grower representative for the industry in these areas. Indeed, the new CRDC board has wasted little time in building the coporation’s vision to grow Australia’s cotton industry by $1 billion over the next five years. Clever Cotton is a strategic plan that guides all CRDC’s research, development and extension (RD&E) investments from 2023 to 2028. Mr Burnett says the initiative reflects the current focus and agility of Australia’s cotton industry. It will allow, he says, the industry to establish a sustainable low-carbon production system, as well as capture data and insights that enhance its market access and value. Furthermore, he hopes it will provide a roadmap to world-leading RD&E that enables the cotton industry to respond faster to the rising challenges affecting how much cotton is produced. “Over the past five years, the industry’s focus on sustainability has grown and Clever Cotton aligns strongly with that to ensure Australian cotton is competitive on the world

CRDC’s Board of Directors: chair Richard Haire, acting executive director Allan Williams, and nonexecutive directors Julie Bird, Ross Burnett, Bernie George, Niall Blair, Sally Ceeney and Michelle Tierney. Picture: CONTRIBUTED stage,” Mr Burnett said. “Also, stakeholders throughout the supply chain are asking for more thorough evidence of how we produce cotton, which ensures we must remain open and transparent.” CRDC chairman Richard Haire said the new board was “laser focused“ on rising to the challenge Clever Cotton had set. “Clever Cotton is our most ambitious strategic plan ever – calling on CRDC to turn a $125 million investment into a $1 billion return for the industry over the next five years,“ he said. “Capturing that $1 billion starts now and our new board members have come with their

sleeves rolled up, ready to get on with the job.“ CRDC board directors (three-year appointment until 30 September 2026): Mr Ross Burnett, Queensland (reappointment) Ms Julianne (Julie) Bird, South Australia (new appointment) The Hon. Niall Blair, New South Wales (new appointment) Ms Sally Ceeney, New South Wales (new appointment) Mr Bernard (Bernie) George, New South Wales (new appointment)

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Mr Haire said the new board was a capable and experienced team with diverse backgrounds, experiences and expertise. “It’s exciting to welcome a passionate new team of directors to CRDC and, at the same time, great to have central Queensland cotton grower Ross Burnett returning for a second term to provide some continuity,” Mr Haire said. “The new directors bring a unique blend of industry experience and non-cotton backgrounds across business, research, government and communications – diverse external perspectives that will foster broad and rich insights to complement the learnings and thinking of the experienced team at CRDC. “To our outgoing board members, I express a big and sincere thank you for their dedication to advancing Australia’s cotton industry. “CRDC prides itself on listening to industry and the outgoing board was no exception – responding with a strategic plan that prioritises the things that matter to growers: our paddocks, our planet and our people.” CRDC acting executive director Allan Williams said the new directors came onboard at an exciting time for cotton industry innovation. “Australia’s cotton industry has long been synonymous with innovation but, with the range of technologies available to us now and with more coming online daily, it’s a really exciting time to be a part of CRDC – helping to shape the next generation of innovations that will see industry deliver on improved farming efficiencies and meet changing expectations around sustainability and supporting data. “I look forward to working with the new board to bring Clever Cotton to life.“

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A raised garden bed at Dalby State High School, which the students use for practical studies.

From horses to horse power, Dalby State High students gain hands-on access to agricultural life.

Born to THRIVE in Dalby By Fiona Gowers Students in Dalby are the first in Australia to benefit from agricultural learning technology, which explores cattle yards, cropping fields and tractors in virtual reality (VR). Dalby State High School’s (DSHS) Bunya campus has been using the THRIVE platform as part of teaching for its agricultural certificate courses in years 11 and 12 and for its Special Educational program. The emerging technology enables classes to trial farming activities and learn safety and animal handling skills before embarking on physical work. The not-for-profit Endeavour Foundation, in partnership with Arrow Energy - and alongside students and teachers - last month launched the inclusive, educational video toolkit, comprising three agricultural-focussed modules . . . 1. Livestock (cattle, sheep and chickens) 2. Seeds to broadacre, and 3. Tools and machinery. It will use this video alongside the disability service provider’s world-leading VR learning suite and its immersive agricultural education modules. “The THRIVE platform is pioneering inclusive technology that prepares students of all abilities - including people with disability - for the world of agriculture,” said Endeavour Foundation’s service design manager Chris Beaumont. “In a 2D video format, it allows students to learn at their own pace - in the classroom without a teacher and without being in the field but shows real people in real agricultural scenarios without any physical contact. “We are so grateful for Arrow Energy as, without its support, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. “The partnership is making such a huge difference to the lives of so many and not just in this area but further afield also.“ The THRIVE learning modules are linked to the Australian curriculum, helping students achieve their Certificate III goals in Innovate Agriculture. Other schools will use it to further their year 11 and 12 curriculum education. “When the student is ready and has completed the course of videos, workbooks and assessment guides, as well as the option of additional VR training, they can decide if they want to try the activities in real life or not,” Mr Beaumont said. “We have three 15-minute videos, featuring Dalby students who inevitably will become mentors to the next generation of learners utilising this new-age tech. “A teacher at Dalby State High was always telling us how Dalby has so many agriculturalbased jobs and students who don’t understand farming and our rural connections. “She said, ‘we’ve got so many jobs out here but kids with a disability are scared to be involved’. So, we hope to use virtual reality technology to our advantage. “And, the virtual reality is repeatable so people can, with challenges with certain things, do 4 TODAY December 2023

Chris Beaumont, Endeavour Foundation, students Alicia and Paige, Mac Gordon, Shenda Evans and Kellie Schneider, Arrow Energy, councillor Megan James and Kirrily Boulton of the Endeavour Foundation. The Endeavour Foundation, in partnership with Arrow Energy - and alongside students and teachers - last month launched ThRIVE, which comprises three agricultural-focussed modules. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

The Endeavour Foundation’s Kirrily Boulton chats with students at the THRIVE video launch. it over and over to become comfortable and then ideally take those skills into the real world and turn that into a job.“ Dalby is the first school to integrate the education into its inclusive learning scope, with 11 other schools across the Surat Basin ready to join in and “thrive” shortly. Dalby State High School students - and presenters of the videos - Paige and Alicia are skilled in the agricultural field but are excited the new tech enables less experienced students to safely explore opportunities. “It’s pretty special to be a part of this video and to be able to help others learn about agriculture,” said Paige. “I can definitely see how if you are nervous about being in the field or you’re just not ready to put the gloves on the video is a great way to gain confidence and get prepared at your own pace.” DSHS Bunya campus deputy principal Brad Pharaoh is excited Dalby students can help lead the way in this innovative learning. “Everyone learns differently and we abso-

Dalby State High school students develop their horse husbandry skills.

lutely celebrate that here,” he said. “When it comes to agriculture, safety is a major factor, especially when learning and working with livestock and machinery. “Plus, it’s an industry that can be noisy and of course physical. It’s great to know our students of all abilities can learn, investigate work opportunities and feel supported during the process. “As a close farming community, this is a true collaboration of emerging education with next generation agricultural innovation.“ Endeavour community solutions group general manager Tom Mangan said while the VR was originally designed for people with a disability, the tech had far greater reach. “... It’s a platform that clearly embraces everyone, bolstering confidence, skillset development and greater agricultural industry appreciation,“ Mr Mangan said. “VR is not just the way of the future, it’s available to us right now - it’s inclusive, it’s immersive and it’s shaping how we learn, where we learn and ensuring we safely learn at

the same time.“ DSHS first implemented VR learning in 2020, focusing on travel safety, as well as a driving module to help introduce age-appropriate students to navigating a car. * To find out more about Endeavour Foundation’s services, go to endeavour.com.au or call 1800 112 112. Fast facts Endeavour Foundation has launched another Australian-first in inclusive educational technology. The new agriculture THRIVE video learning modules will run in conjunction with Endeavour’s world leading VR learning suite. The inclusive, educational video toolkit consists of three ag-focussed modules including: Livestock (cattle, sheep and chickens) / seeds to broadacre / and tools and machinery. THRIVE consists of videos, workbooks and assessment guides and are aligned to the Australian curriculum, helping students to achieve certificate III in Innovate Agriculture or to complete year 11/12.

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In the regions, with the regions, for the regions

Excellence in research By Fiona Gowers Whether it’s growing the grain or harvesting the cotton, capturing the solar or harnessing the hydro; regional Australia is where the magic happens and the story of our great nation is crafted. It’s a story the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) is proud to share and continue to support, with the introduction of our new Regional Development research flagship. The University’s Institute for Resilient Regions executive director Professor John McVeigh said the regional development research flagship was focused on empowering regional industries, businesses and communities, now and into the future. “The Institute for Resilient Regions is quite an exciting research institute; we’re focused on helping regional communities and industries prepare for change, adapt to change, embrace change, all while maintaining their own heritage, their own culture and their own history,” Professor McVeigh said. “Change is significant – whether it’s in the markets, in agriculture, what’s happening in energy, or the need for skills or housing change is ever-present and that’s where our research is focused.” The Regional Development research flagship joins the flagships of Health, Agriculture and Space and Defence. Together, the four research flagships will ensure the University of Southern Queensland is focusing our excellent research on the issues that matter most to our communities and the world around us. Ensuring the research can be applied to regional communities is crucial for the University’s Regional Economies Centre of Excellence

Institute for Resilient Regions executive director Professor John McVeigh, Centre for Heritage and Culture director Professor Celmara Pocock and Regional Economies Centre of Excellence director Associate Professor Ben Lyons.

Professor John McVeigh is the executive director for the Institute for Resilient Regions. Pictures: CONTRIBUTED

The University’s Centre for Heritage and Culture director Professor Celmara Pocock said the cultural experience of regional life was crucial to understand - and to continue to improve - through research. “The work of the Centre for Heritage and Culture focuses on our past, present and futures in terms of that cultural diversity and inclusion and that helps us to contribute to a lively place where people want to live,” Professor Pocock said. “That lively workforce we need is based on a sense of belonging and community, which is crucial in regional, rural and remote parts of Australia.” Professor John McVeigh said he had big goals for the Regional Development research

flagship – all of which would take Australia’s regional communities along for the journey. “Our vision for the Institute and the Regional Development research flagship going forward is to remain at the forefront and to remain thought leaders where it comes to assisting regional communities to deal with the challenges and issues they’re facing every day,” he said. “That’s housing, that’s skills attraction, skills retention, decarbonisation, energy and agriculture, just to name a few. “It’s looking at where all those industries are now and working with the regional communities to discover where they could be in the decades to come.”

(RECoE) director Associate Professor Ben Lyons. “We don’t start any projects without having that impact, or what this could do for that community, in mind,” Associate Professor Lyons said. “At RECoE, we have the insight and understanding that there’s more to it than just basic economy; we’re looking at regions through the lens of the natural environment, the built environment, people and economy together,” he said. “I think that is a much more mature and practical way of looking at economies and that’s where I really see the excitement in doing research with us.”

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New date locked in for NIOA RL Pastoral Sale By Fiona Gowers Organisers of the NIOA RL Pastoral sale have confirmed a new date for its annual Santa Gertrudis auction on Queensland’s Southern Downs. Sale manager Rob Sinnamon of Riverina Santa Gertrudis said that after careful consideration - and in response to buyer feedback - the two studs had decided to move the 2024 event to Thursday, 5 September. “We’ve listened to many of our repeat buyers and for those reasons we have decided to go back to the first Thursday in September, which is when the sale traditionally was,” Mr Sinnamon said. “This adjustment aims to accommodate those loyal clients, as well as new buyers and ensure that all interested parties can participate in what is becoming an annual highlight on the regional spring sale trail.”

The magnificent setting of Talgai Homestead, the home of NIOA Santa Gertrudis on Queensland’s Southern Downs, will once again host the annual NIOA RL Pastoral Sale on a new date in 2024 - Thursday, 5 September. Picture: SUPPLIED NIOA Santa Gertrudis general manager Shannon Gardner said: “We understand that many of our buyers come from throughout

Built out of necessity By Fiona Gowers The popular proverb: “Necessity is the mother of invention” succinctly sums up the inception of Offsider Agricultural Equipment in 2017. When Andrea Brosnan inherited a property in Killarney she had two “helpers”, her 70-yearold mother and young nephew. Her husband David Hicks, a civil engineer, was away often for work, usually just as critical tasks arose on the mixed farm. “And, yes, we would argue, you know. And I was like, ‘I need an offsider’! “So, David actually built the basis of these machines - all the stuff we make and own now - for me so I could do the job myself. “When they say ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ it is actually true.” Offsider Agricultural Equipment last month won the prestigious Machine of the Year for its Small Ruminant Bulk Handler at the Australian National Field Days. David and Andrea had developed and manufactured the handler from Australian inputs in response to the national adoption of mandatory electronic identification (eID) for small ruminants. “When the Commonwealth Government decided that all sheep, cattle, goats and alpacas needed an eID tag, we saw that as something that would be really challenging, especially if you were operating by yourself, absolutely,” Andrea said. “The Small Ruminant Bulk Handler turns a three person job into a one person job. “It holds multiple sheep (meat or fibre) and/or goats securely so the operator can

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drench, tag and perform husbandry tasks. “It doesn’t need electricity or an air compressor to run.” Andrea said the design’s simplicity and robustness impressed the judges, along with the ability of all ages and genders to use it effectively. She said “many more” women were now running farms and the agricultural workforce continued to age. “The products we make really do make sure that everybody is safe. The farm owner, employees, as well as the animals. There’s less brute force and ignorance, yes. “So, while it’s such a big honour to win an award like this and we are incredibly thrilled, anytime a customer gives us feedback and says, ‘This machine has changed my life, thank you so much, we’re so much safer.’ It’s the same feeling of satisfaction.” Offsider delivers its machines throughout Australia to clients who have just 10 sheep and to others who have 10,000 sheep, as well as cattle mobs of all sizes. “We like to say that we’re based in Killarney, yes, because it’s halfway between Victoria and the Cape,” Andrea said. “We can look after everybody!” Offsider currently employs 17 local fulltime staff. “It’s our social responsibility, I think,“ she said. David Hicks and Andrea Brosnan of Offsider Agricultural Equipment last month won the prestigious Machine of the Year for its Small Ruminant Bulk Handler at the Australian National Field Days. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Queensland and northern New South Wales. “This new date reflects our commitment to making this event accessible to as many

people as possible. “As well as a showcase for the best of the breed, over the years we have had glowing feedback from clients and auctioneers alike that Talgai Homestead is one of the best settings and atmospheres on the circuit. “We want to build on that tradition, creating a must-attend event where breeders, buyers and enthusiasts can come together to celebrate excellence in Santa cattle.” Mr Sinnamon said the 2024 event would feature top-tier genetics from the best North American and Australian bloodlines. In 2022, the NIOA RL sale sent waves of excitement through the Santa Gertrudis community when more than $800,000 worth of cattle changed hands, including a new Australian benchmark at the time of $160,000 for a bull.

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With a proven history of summer and winter crop growth, the aggregation also supports a large livestock enterprise.

The property’s roughly 1700 hectares of irrigation comprises flood and overhead spray.

A blue-chip opportunity By Fiona Gowers A rare agribusiness opportunity in Queensland’s Border Rivers region is expected to draw offers around $100 million. The Undabri and Yambocully aggregation in Goondiwindi features two distinct hubs owned by a private investment group. It is managed by Australian-owned and -operated rural asset management group Customised Farm Management. The two holdings Undabri (10,444 hectares) and Yambocully (3475ha) share a border and cover 13,920ha. They are being offered in one line or as separate assets, with a two-stage expressions of interest campaign. JLL director - agribusiness Clayton Smith is managing the sale of the premium large-scale irrigated and dryland farming operation with Chris Holgar, senior director – Agribusiness and Geoff Warriner, senior director – Agribusiness. Mr Smith said it provided a genuine opportunity to buy a large-scale aggregation of institutional scale or logical add-on for existing private operators on the doorstep of Goondiwindi. “The tightly held Border Rivers region is considered to be one of the premier irrigated and dryland cropping regions in Australia,“ he said. “It represents a mature agricultural investment landscape underpinned by a large institutional footprint, minimising peer risk. “During the past decade, the aggregation has been thoughtfully developed to ensure reliability and productivity. “Quality infrastructure supports every aspect of the aggregation, from pumping infrastructure through to accommodation. “It’s a blue-chip asset with strong appeal to local, domestic and foreign buyers, noting there is potential to engage customised farm management beyond the sale.” Substantial water assets support the irrigation areas and comprise 8399 megalitres of supplemented and unsupplemented water via the Yambocully Scheme (plus overland flow). Entitlements allow more than 15,000 megalitres of annual irrigation water usage if avail-

The aggregation boasts 8100 hectares of arable dryland farming, with established balance areas suitable for grazing. able to pump and more than 10,500 megalitres can be stored on-farm. Extensive irrigation infrastructure has been developed and comprises a mixture of spray (both lateral and centre pivot) along with flood. Significant areas of dryland farming exist on quality land soil types (some of which have recently been developed), which provide further scope to increase irrigation areas or continue as is. Mr Holgar noted: “There are numerous end markets throughout the Border Rivers, including cotton gins, grains receival sites and feedlots. “Topography is generally flat and soils are deep and fertile black self-mulching, crackingclay loams typical on the vast flood plain, with areas originally timbered with Coolibah, Brigalow, Belah, Myall and well suited to a variety of summer crops including cotton and sorghum,” he said. “Winter cereals, canola and chickpeas are also grown in the rotation. “The aggregation is supported by multiple residences, machinery sheds, storage sheds and elevated silos, as well as state-of-the-art

Pictures: CONTRIBUTED

Positioned on the doorstep of Goondiwindi, the property has ready access to end-markets and agricultural support services. livestock handling facilities.” About the property 1700 hectares is irrigable with a further 8110ha of arable dryland farming. Balance areas comprise grazing, infrastructure and support lands.

· ·

· The aggregation is offered for sale on a going ·

concern basis with inclusions (standing crop and plant and equipment) available. Offers will also be considered for Undabri and Yambocully separately on a contingent basis.

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8 TODAY December 2023

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Mt Alma Organics owners Angela and Gary Spotswood used a QRIDA Sustainability Loan to fund on-farm rural worker accommodation and infrastructure expansions.

NEWS

Mt Alma Organics’ new open-plan five-bedroom container home. Pictures: CONTRIBUTED

Overcoming labour strain By Fiona Gowers Mt Alma Organics in the Burdekin is attracting and retaining more rural workers at its burgeoning organic fruit, vegetable, cane and cattle operation with newly installed on-farm accommodation. Behind fields of organic cane and cattle and rows of more than 40 different fruit and vegetable varieties - farm workers put their feet up in a comfortable container. Finally home after a day of picking. With housing and labour shortages making it difficult for Mt Alma Organics owners Angela and Gary Spotswood to secure workers, the husband and wife primary producers used a Sustainability Loan from the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority

(QRIDA) to fund the on-farm rural worker accommodation. “Our seasonal worker pool is growing so we needed extra accommodation,” Gary said. “We currently have 18 seasonal workers from the Solomon Islands that live and work on the farm here and their main roles are picking zucchinis, chilies and watermelons. “It’s hard to find suitable housing close by and the nearest town is 30 kilometres away.” Mt Alma Organics’ new open plan fivebedroom home has also helped boost team morale. “It’s been so beneficial for the workers,“ Angela said. “They have their own rooms. They enjoy it. “We think having the workers living on-

farm builds a better community spirit within our own business.” The Spotswoods also used the QRIDA Sustainability Loan to expand their cold room and packing shed, with demand for their fresh produce increasing from some of Australia’s major supermarket retailers. “The expansion that we’ve just done is to house some new equipment we’ve installed as our production has been increasing over the last three years,” Gary said. “It’s great to see that we can automate things. Everything from labeling to stickering to presentation. “We just find it’ll be more efficient. We can grow other crops and we can produce more, we can be faster in packaging and it helps on labour as well.”

As repeat QRIDA clients, the Spotswoods said completing the Sustainability Loan application was straightforward. “We receive emails and information all the time on the Sustainability Loans and we probably follow it regularly to see what suits and what’s available to our business,” Gary said. “For ourselves with the application, we’re used to doing paperwork, so we don’t find it so daunting. “We would recommend QRIDA to other Queensland primary producers because we found them very easy to deal with.” * QRIDA’s Sustainability Loans of up to $1.3 million can help primary production businesses construct on-farm small-scale rural worker accommodation.

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www.blacktrucksales.com.au Toowoomba 07 4631 4200 | Dalby 07 4679 8600 Roma 07 4624 | Gatton 07 5462 1266 | Chincilla 07 4662 7286 12640799-AP48-23

December 2023 TODAY 9

NEWS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Leading lights of future By Breanna Lloyd High school students from across the country graduated from their LEADAg program and are taking the next step in their agricultural journeys. The one-year program ran through Central and Western Queensland and delivered hands-on practical activities and training for a selective group of applicants. The group of 12 students, one being Calvary Christian College graduate Connor McIntosh, all finished the LEADAg program on Friday 10 November. “Being from Logan Brisbane, I am so fortunate to have been able to see that side of the country,” Connor said. “It was an amazing experience and I couldn’t recommend it highly enough. “I learned about agriculture and the importance of community and meeting new people. “The course taught me to have a deeper appreciation for the agricultural industry and it portrayed how far Australia has come not just domestically but internationally as well.” As this is the program’s second year in the making, the community-owned group, developed by CHRRUP, received 136 applications with only 12 slots available. The not-for-profit organisation is dedicated to showcasing Central and Western Queensland’s thriving and connected rural communities to students from Queensland and New South Wales. The program was split into three blocks throughout the year, all located in Emerald, Clermont and Longreach. Block one, held in Emerald, covered farm safety activities, first aid, small motors orientation, tours of the Fairbairn Dam and Costa farm and an introduction to cropping management and science.

Students will take the next step in their agricultural journeys after graduating from the LeadAg Program.

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AUCTION NO RESERVE A/C: The estate of Neville Morris. Saturday 2nd December 9.30am 783 Dalby - Cooyar Road, Dalby, QLD.

ENGINES: Rolls Royce Merlin V12 (running on stand), Guiberson 9cyl diesel radial engine (running on stand), Continental 9cyl radial engine (running on stand), GM 4-51 Detroit (running on stand), Foden 2 stroke FD4 running on stand, 1907 Gardner model FHM (running on stand), Ruston Hornsby AP (running), Kelvin K3 engine, Chev 6 cyl engine (30 – 40”s), Gardner 6LX truck engine (reconditioned), Ruston Hornsby 1HR (running), early Kohler engine/generator, John Deere header engine, CS Lister & generator, Bradford twin cylinder, Southern Cross (YFB 31.6hp, YGB 39hp), Lister Blackstone 14hp, 2 x Cooper 3.5hp, Radial engine parts, 60 x magnetos, carbies, lots of assorted parts and more…….. TRACTORS/TRUCKS: Chamberlain 55DA (converted to super 70), 1949 Lanz Bulldog P (original, running, same family 3 generations), Farmall A with underbelly slasher, Commer R7 tray back truck (petrol), 1932 Ford BB truck with crane, Chamberlain 55DA engine (complete), Holden HQ ute (one owner, original, 173 motor), Massey 65 with loader, Fordson E27N, Massey Harris, Lanz Bullbog panels, 2 furrow plough. HOMEBUILT VEHICLES/ENGINES: Steam Trike, homebuilt car with straight 8 Buick s/charged, homebuilt open wheeler car GMC V12, homebuilt car SOG, homebuilt trike with side car grey motor, approx 10 homebuilt model engines & tractor, (all built & designed by Nev Morris). MOTORBIKES: 1944 Indian Chief model 344, 1927 Indian Scout, Sunbeam, Honda 350 Four, Suzuki T125 Stinger, Indian Scout motor, 1923 Harley Davidson F head motor, & assorted bike parts. VEHICLES FOR RESTORATION: Mercedes 190D sedan, Valiant SV1, HQ panel van (shell), Datsun 160B 2 door, Peugeot 405 SRDT, Mercedes 280 SE sedan, (cars in various states of repair), lots of parts. COLLECTABLES: Airplane prop, 2 x large search lights, anvil & tools, camp ovens, water fountains, enamel signs (6x3 Super Plume Ethyl,6x3 Mobil), painted Texaco sign, 10 x vintage chainsaws, oil bottle racks with bottles, cast wood planes, axes, adzes, reaper binder, saddle bags & quart pot, spurs, forge blower, dingo traps, cast irons, push bikes, trikes, car badges, milk cans, cross cut saws, lights, hub caps, strainers, cast tractor seat, cast iron stove, cast wood heater, Howard rotary hoe, heaters, 3 x timber out houses/ toilets, wooden mallet, small cream can, trunk & more. WORKSHOP: Cincinnati milling machine, Proﬁtmil, Libby lathe, Mitchell lathe, Asquith 6ft radial arm drill, Webster and Bennett vertical borer, Austolite shaper, mill drill, Milwaukee model H mill, ﬂat belt lathe, power hacksaw, treading machine, metal roller, diesel injection test bench, electrical tools, welders, huge hydraulic press, & workshop tools. MISCELLANEOUS: 40ft shipping container, 20ft shipping container, tandem axle car trailer, boiler converted to safe storage vessel, steel beams, small kiln, John Deere STX38 ride on mower, assorted tyres, rims and wheels (tractor, car, motorbikes),Albion radiator, assorted timber furniture & household items, bronc saddle, and lots lots more….

NO RESERVE

CASH, APPROVED CHEQUE, BANK TRANSFER 11% Buyers Premium will apply. All Enquiries Contact Bundaberg Auctions Australia Wide | MATT BEER 0427 527926 Full listing and photos | www.bundabergauctions.com.au 12650256-SM48-23

10 TODAY December 2023

NEWS

QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

Pictures: CONTRIBUTED

Students were then taken out to Longreach for block two, where they focused on small animal production, mustering sheep, and orientation to woolshed operations with sessions on AgTech, biosecurity, horsemanship and mental health and wellbeing in rural areas. The program was finished off with block three in the

Clermont and Emerald regions with handson experiences in large livestock production, utilising working dogs, fencing and pasture management and tours of the Emerald Saleyards and Van Dyke Feedlot. Once he began school at Calvary Christian College in Logan

Brisbane in 2018, Connor developed a strong passion for the agricultural industry. “I love agriculture because there are so many different avenues and there’s always going to be a job there,” he said. “Compared to Logan the small rural towns

are amazing and it would be the dream to move out to a remote area and live there. “It’s just a completely different feel compared to the big cities.” Connor said he definitely will be a part of the industry moving forward.

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December 2023 TODAY 11

RURAL STEEL SUPPLIES Quality Steel for customers throughout Queensland

Ben, Debbie and Cec Fox of Rural Steel Supplies have many years exxperience in servicing the rural industry.

Cattle grids sold at Rural Steel Supplies.

12648403-RR47-23

Barbed Wire sold at Rural Steel Supplies.

All rural steel supplies By Fiona Gowers Deals done on a firm handshake, first-class customer service and competitive prices have underpinned the success of Rural Steel Supplies (RSS) since 2010. For 45 years, owner/operator Cec Fox was chief executive officer of Metalcorp Steel, previously known as Ashley and Moore and M.I. Steel. He retired in 2009 but, after six months, decided to pour his industry experience into a new family venture, a steel business servicing rural clients. “The aim then and now is to supply products to the rural sector while sharing my knowledge of the industry to help farmers choose supplies they need to help reduce onfarm costs,” Cec said. “In conjunction with our staff, I have developed many steel products for rural markets including portable cattle and sheep panels, as well as cattle rails, yards and grids.” Now 74, Cec operates the business with his wife Debbie from the family home in Moorooka, Brisbane, while his son Ben works from an office in Salisbury, Brisbane. The family also leases a warehouse in a transport yard in Rocklea. “Operating under this low-cost strategy allows us to pass on these savings to our customers,” he said. RSS has established a supply chain that caters for all rural steel needs, including the organisation of a transport network that is able to cart the business’s steel products anywhere. “We aim to make dealing with RSS as easy as possible,“ Cec said. “We offer steel products to customers

throughout rural Queensland and have supplied substantial quantities as far south as Orange in New South Wales up to Katherine in the Northern Territory.” Cec said Ben joined the business seven years ago when the demand for RSS products was becoming too high for him to handle. “He got into the steel industry at 18 and he is now 42 so he has brought an additional 24 years of knowledge in the steel distribution industry to the table. “He has been a great asset for our expansion. “In fact, Ben was so enthusiastic about learning more about the rural sector that he produced a 100-page easy reference booklet that includes steel specifications, sizes and dimensions that a farmer can have on his desk and refer to for any jobs that come up onproperty.” Cec said he had always been a firm believer in giving back to the communities that support RSS. “Wherever RSS makes profits we put money back into the community to show our support for the rural sector. “We would spend in excess of $30,000 annually on sponsoring the Alpha Race Club, the Pittsworth, Stanthorpe and Toogoolawah Show Societies and many more rural clubs.” Cec said he loved what he was doing. “I’m proud that RSS can supply material at extremely competitive prices. “I’m proud that we have established a business for the Fox family and that Ben will eventually take it over. “And, I’m so thankful to the rural sector for its massive and ongoing support.”

Strainer Posts sold at Rural Steel Supplies.

Rural Steel Supplies’ Ben and Cec Fox ensure farmers receive the supplies they need to help cut on-farm costs. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Line Pipe sold at Rural Steel Supplies.

A Steel Harrow sold at Rural Steel Supplies.

12 TODAY December 2023

Steel Water Troughs sold at Rural Steel Supplies.

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December 2023 TODAY 13

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Carry on, with data By Fiona Gowers In light of an official El Nino weather forecast, producers are preparing for the possibility of an extended dry period and considering its effects on herd management. Reducing breeding herd size can be a difficult, yet necessary step to navigate low rainfall conditions, with the recent increased movement of stock through saleyards indicating some producers have begun strategic herd contraction. Black Box Co chief executive officer Shannon Speight said it was during challenging periods that herd data and insights could be a powerful tool to support destocking decisions. “Dry weather and drought are such a difficult time both from a production perspective and the pressure it places on producers to make decisions to protect the wellbeing of their business and their livestock,” Mrs Speight said. “However, these times also provide us with the opportunity to look carefully at data from previous seasons or years to help take some of the pressure off decision-making, particularly in terms of selecting what animals will be sold.” Mrs Speight said now was an important time for producers who had already accumulated herd information and for those embarking on the process. “It may sound like another job to add to the list when caught in the day-to-day of drought management,“ she said. “But, if you don’t already have data measurement in place, dry times can be an excellent place to start collecting information that will be indicative of the performance of individual animals in the future, to help you understand how they will manage in difficult conditions – and select accordingly.” The importance of data during tough times When weather gets tough, one of the most important things to remember is the breeders that are retained will provide the genetic foun-

Black Box CEO Shannon Speight. Picture: CONTRIBUTED dation for herd rebuilding efforts. Mrs Speight said it was critical to base selection decisions on factors beyond just those presented in the “here and now“ and to those indicating performance demonstrated over a period of time and in diverse conditions. “When the pressure is on and you are making these decisions just off a single point in time, it is quite likely you will make the wrong call,” she said. “Ideally, you will look back at data to ensure you are genuinely selling from your bottom 30 per cent. “This means having information on hand to not just know if cows have just reared a weaner, are wet or are pregnant, but if they are able to become pregnant and have calves when under pressure. “A direct indicator of this is if cows can fall pregnant while still lactating as the strain placed on females during milk production - in many ways - mimics dry weather.”

Ranking herd for easier decisions A further key strategy that may be used to simplify destocking decisions is ranking herds in percentiles from most to least productive, based on key measures. Each percentile may then be placed in a calendar, with dates corresponding to when they should be sold, subject to rainfall. “Through this system you can say, ‘if we have not had a certain amount of rain and there is not a certain body of feed by a certain amount of time, then the bottom 10pc go’,” Mrs Speight said. “A new date with a new baseline amount of rain and feed is then set for the next 10pc and so on. “This really assists in making sure hard decisions don’t need to be made in the heat of the moment or all at once, which is overwhelming, but can be made in the calmness of the office.” Collecting data on a year-round basis also allows producers to begin to isolate the lower percentiles of performers in advance, to reduce stress and workload. “For example, through Black Box you can create a draft list for breeders so that each time they come through the yards you can move those who may potentially need to be sold in the future into one paddock. “Collecting data throughout the year also means if things are dry, you can look back at previous data and know, unless you have significantly changed your management practices, who is in calf or likely to be in calf, without having to ’preg test’ and further increase stress.” Key data to record Mrs Speight recommended a few key data points as the most powerful to underscore genetic selection in breeding herds . . . Pregnancy status (pregnant or empty) Lactation status (wet or dry) Foetal age/calving date Weight or body condition score Age and breed.

· · · · ·

Industry leader takes CottonInfo forward After an extensive recruitment process, Dr Janelle Montgomery has been named the new program lead for the Australian cotton industry’s extension program, CottonInfo. An industry leader, Janelle is a familiar and trusted face, having been part of the CottonInfo team since its establishment in 2012; first as a technical lead for water use efficiency, before assuming the regional extension officer (REO) role in the Gwydir Valley in 2017. Based in Moree, Janelle has managed the REO team for the past five years and said she felt incredibly excited by the opportunity to assume the program lead position. “I’ve built a career on research and development and making sure that growers come on the journey too, by helping them to improve onfarm efficiencies and practices,” Janelle said. “It’s been such a privilege to be able to do this over my years with CottonInfo, promoting best practice on the ground. “Now being able to further promote this by helping to set the strategic direction of CottonInfo is something I’m very much looking forward to.“ CottonInfo is a joint partnership between the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC), Cotton Seed Distributors and Cotton Australia. CRDC funds the program lead role. CRDC acting executive director Allan Williams said Janelle’s appointment reflected her incredible mix of research, development and extension experience and genuine passion for the Australian cotton industry. “The CottonInfo program is something that other cotton growing areas of the world look at with interest and envy and Janelle has played a significant role in building the program’s strong reputation,” Mr Williams said. “Throughout her decade-plus association with CottonInfo, she’s worked tirelessly to not just support growers and consultants, but also 14 TODAY December 2023

Dr Janelle Montgomery is the new program lead for the Australian cotton industry’s extension program, CottonInfo. Picture: CONTRIBUTED the three industry partners who jointly facilitate the program. “To have someone as respected and passionate as Janelle leading CottonInfo into its 12th year is a massive advantage for the cotton

industry and, on behalf of CRDC and the CottonInfo Management Committee, I welcome her to the new role.” Janelle will officially start on 4 December, 2023.

QRIDA’s manager for Disaster and Drought, Sheree Finney.

Prepare for future droughts Prolonged dry conditions across Queensland are prompting primary producers to begin drought preparedness activities to sustain their business through the next drought. The Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) has a suite of drought grants and loans available to help producers complete important on-farm development to help maintain productivity as El Nino conditions strain cashflows. Disaster and Drought manager Sheree Finney says Drought Preparedness grants of up to $50,000 have already helped producers manage their business through tougher conditions. “The Drought Preparedness grant aims to assist producers with the cost of implementing new permanent capital improvements and carrying out drought preparedness activities identified in their Farm Business Resilience Plan,“ she said. “This could be anything from water infrastructure to storage, mixing and feeding-out equipment to any asset that improves the ability of the business to manage drought.“ A Drought Ready and Recovery Finance Loan of up to $250,000 can be used in conjunction with the Drought Preparedness Grant to fund large-scale activities. Support for producers currently experiencing drought is also available through QRIDA. “As El Nino continues to worsen, we will unfortunately eventually see parts of Queensland become drought-affected again,” Ms Finney said. “Our Emergency Drought Assistance Loans and Drought Carry-on Finance Loans are available to assist primary producers who have been significantly financially affected by drought. “Up to $50,000 is available through the Emergency Drought Assistance Loan and up to $250,000 is accessible through the Drought Carry-on Finance Loan.“ * For more information on QRIDA’s drought support visit www.qrida.qld. gov.au or speak with your local regional area manager on 1800 623 946.

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Toasting two milestones By Breanna Lloyd A Charleville-born and bred Kylee TindaleSmith was welcomed into The Lighting the Way Ambassador Program by the Royal Flying Doctor Service at its 80-year anniversary celebration. Over 90 guests attended the event at the RFDS Charleville Base on Thursday 2 November. Kylee said she was honoured to be a part of the RFDS Ambassador Program and inducted during such a momentous celebration for the Flying Doctor. “With its rich legacy of service to Queensland’s South-West region, the Charleville Base is a shining example of the vital role the RFDS plays in connecting communities to essential healthcare services,” she said. “It’s this unique history and the tireless dedication of the base team that makes joining the Lighting the Way program all the more meaningful. “I now have the privilege of helping to raise awareness about the work the RFDS does, build relationships with individuals and organisations that can support our efforts and inspire a new generation of RFDS supporters.” Since the program launched early this year, five influential Queenslanders have joined the group to vocalise the importance of health and wellbeing in rural and remote areas of Queensland. Already involved in the program are Queensland RFDS chair Russell Postle, board members the Hon. Bruce Scott AM and Emeritus Professor Robert Stable, the travelling jackaroo Sam Hughes and Western Queensland Primary Health Network CEO Sandy Gillies. Queensland RFDS chief executive officer Meredith Staib said the program significantly strengthens the RFDS’s connection with Queensland communities. “Community is at the heart of the Flying Doctor, and this program celebrates and fortifies our enduring partnership with the people we serve,” Ms Staib said. “Charleville’s long-standing history of service and its unique role as the longest-serving RFDS Base in Australia make it a symbol of our commitment to this region. “Without the ongoing support of Queensland communities, we would not be able to provide the finest aeromedical and primary health care to the furthest corners of the state. “The Ambassador Program allows individuals and organisations who share our passion to recognise and champion our existing supporters while motivating and inspiring others to

The Charleville team.

Pictures: CONTRIBUTED

Kylee was presented with the Ambassadorship by Board Member Bruce Scott. join us on our mission. “It is a testament to the enduring legacy of Charleville and the dedication of the entire RFDS team that we continue to light the way for the health and well-being

of all Queenslanders.” The Charleville base, established in 1943 and is more than 622,000 square kilometres, connects rural and remote urban areas with life-saving and healthcare services.

Having treated more than 56,000 patients over the past 14 years the organisation operates from Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cairns, Charleville, Longreach, Mount Isa, Rockhampton, Roma and Townsville.

RFDS local hero returns, so start nomination process Nominations are open across Queensland for the RFDS Local Hero Awards, as the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) (Queensland Section) looks to unearth more of the state’s unsung heroes. The RFDS Local Hero Awards supported by Ergon Energy Retail is now in its eighth year, having had a profound impact on many communities across the state. RFDS (Queensland Section) CEO Meredith Staib said the awards provide an opportunity for the RFDS to acknowledge members of the community who enable the organisation to provide the finest care to the furthest corner. “Our ability to deliver our services hinges on the continuing support of the communities where we operate,” Ms Staib said. “These awards offer a way to express our gratitude for the kindness we receive from emergency services, healthcare professionals, volunteers, fundraisers, administrative personnel, and everyone who plays such a vital role.“ Ms Staib also announced that the

Queensland Hero will be awarded a $20,000 grant, generously provided by Ergon Energy Retail, to support a healthcare initiative in their community. “We’re grateful to the Awards’ partner, Ergon Energy Retail, for helping us to shine a light on the unsung heroes behind the RFDS,” she said. Ergon Energy Retail Executive General Manager Ayesha Razzaq said she was looking forward to hearing about this year’s nominees. “This is our eighth year supporting the awards and each year we’re overwhelmed by the stories of bravery and selflessness of all the nominees,” she said. “As a regional Queensland business, we’re proud to celebrate these everyday heroes. “We’re also thrilled to provide a grant to improve health and wellbeing in local communities. “Ergon Energy Retail has a long history of supporting the RFDS, with our customers and employees raising more than $18 million for this vital service over 23 years.”

Local heroes can be nominated from anywhere across Queensland, with nominations closing on 12 December. The impact of these awards has been demonstrated time and time again. The 2022 Queensland Hero Emma Jackson used her grant to start a Horse Wisdom Program on her property in the Archer River Region of Cape York. The two-day program was successfully launched in June, offering participants the opportunity to work and communicate with horses which in turn helps to develop more control over feelings and thoughts while gaining a clearer understanding of how these affect their choices and behaviours. “It’s wonderful to be able to embark on this program with the help of the grant from Ergon Energy Retail,” Emma Jackson said. “These two days could really help people to have more control over feelings, be more aware of limiting thoughts and see how these affect their choices and behaviours.” 2022 RFDS Queensland Hero Emma Jackson. December 2023 TODAY 15

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McIntyre new NFF director By Sarah Dimond Queensland cotton producer Hamish McIntyre was elected as director of the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) in October. Mr McIntyre and his wife Mary work across many different farming industries including cotton and grain, chicken, beef and lamb spread over nine properties in the St George and Quilpie districts, totalling about 160,000 hectares. Motivated by a desire to advocate for farmers across all commodities, Hamish draws on his family farm’s expertise in these various industries in his new role as director of NFF. He emphasises the importance of driving policies to sustain farmers, addressing the rising costs affecting businesses. “We just need to help drive policy that keeps farmers farming,” Mr McIntyre said. “As our main goal at the NFF is to maintain their viability, and work towards our ambitious goal to be a $100 billion industry by 2030.” Hamish went on to explain his main focus at the moment was trying to help improve the gross margins, as costs to run businesses keep going up. “My father always said, ‘it’s no good complaining from the sideline, get involved and see if you can help sort it out’,” he said. Hamish also wants to make the bush more attractive and viable for young people and their families. He aims to showcase the bush as both an amazing place and also a place where one can build a livelihood. To continue the growth and sustainability of the Australian farming industry, Hamish reiterated the need to keep advocating strongly for positive policies to go through the government. “The NFF has been doing a good job and it’s just a never-ending job though, isn’t it? All the directors that have come before have done an excellent job,” Mr McIntyre said. “There is a change occuring and that’s healthy for any board and we’re just going to follow on the good work that they’ve done.” Mr McIntyre’s personal vision for the NFF is to: “Support governments where they are help-

Adam McKay from Cotton Australia, left, new NFF director Hamish McIntyre, centre, and new NFF president David Jochinke. ing us with positive policies,” he said. Hamish believes his experience working across a range of commodoties provides a broad perspective in policy conversations. In the context of agricultural innovation, Hamish sees technology as a key driver for change. He shares a success story from his farm, where the adoption of a SwarmFarm robotic machine for weed control initially faced scepticism but eventually gained widespread approval. He believes in the potential of technology, particularly in planting and cultivating crops like cotton. “What Andrew Bate and his company is doing is fantastic,” Mr McIntyre said. “The possibilities are endless and I think we still require a lot of people who manage and run and service all these robots.

“I think from a labour point of its changing the face of labour and not so much reducing it.” Hamish has also noticed in terms of attracting families to the bush that the robotic technology is providing jobs for partners of rural workers. In the past it has been difficult to create a double income and provide jobs for people who don’t have specialties in the farming industry. People are now being able to work from home, run the robots and technology from the computer. “Parents who are raising young children can do it,” he said. In the face of evolving farming practices, Mr McIntyre highlights the industry’s increasing focus on green energy. He emphasised the need for affordability and a viable timeline for green energy adop-

tion to be effective and commercially viable. He is confident in the adaptability of the farming community and acknowledges the ever-changing climate and underscores the importance of supporting farmers during the transition to green energy. He suggests exploring government subsidies to facilitate a smoother shift toward sustainable practices. “As farmers we know that the climate is always changing, it will continually change, but it’s nothing new. We’re just going to keep adapting.” In his new role as director of the NFF, Mr McIntye aims to use his diverse farming experience to continue to advocate for positive policies and help the farming community continue to navigate the evolving landscape of agricultural innovation.

‘Tipping point’ fears after driest three months on record The surging demand for fodder to feed drought-stricken livestock has come as little surprise to rural charity Rural Aid. It says the bureau’s declaration of the three months, August to October, as the driest on record since records began in 1900, coincides with the rapid increase in calls from farmers for help – especially hay for livestock, emergency drinking water and mental health and wellbeing support. Rural Aid chief executive officer John Warlters said farmers had registered requests totalling more than $1 million for fodder. He said in Queensland, the State’s south

was desperately dry and without widespread and substantial rain it would only be a matter of time before drought declarations followed. While attending a hay drop for bushfire affected graziers, Mr Warlters said it was a challenging outlook for farmers. “Right now, what we’re seeing is belowaverage rainfall, above-average temperatures and so much of the countryside is tinder dry. “It’s very, very early to see this level of fire activity and it gives us great concern about what this summer is going to look like.” Mr Warlters said Rural Aid had been monitoring the impending weather conditions

closely, as the reality of the current season started to emerge. Requests for Rural Aid’s assistance have increased over the past three months as farmers chase feed for their livestock. They are “extremely“ anxious about the months ahead. “We’re really concerned at Rural Aid that we are almost at a bit of a tipping point right now,” Mr Warlters said. “Collectively, it means we’re all on edge and we know that really puts so much more stress and worry on our farmers at this time.

“The number of calls to our counsellors has effectively doubled from this time last year.” Mr Warlters said Rural Aid worked hard to support farmers but needed support. “As we come into Christmas, it’s a time that we can all contribute to an organisation like Rural Aid so that we can help farming families and get them through these challenging times,” Mr Warlters said. * Donations can be made at https://buyabale2023.ruralaid.org.au or by calling 1300 327 624.

Exporting better animal welfare through live cattle trade National animal welfare standards consistent with those applying to imported Australianbred cattle have been announced in Vietnam as part of the Australia-Vietnam Beef Cattle Symposium. This is the result of years of work by Australian beef cattle exporters, led by MLA, and represents the potential of the live export trade in improving animal welfare standards with other nations. The Symposium held in Hanoi in November featured the Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Andrew Goledzinowski, Vietnamese and Australian government officials, and representatives of Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) and LiveCorp. Vietnam has become a significant partner for the live export industry in the past decade, importing almost two million head of cattle in that time. It is now Australia’s second largest 16 TODAY December 2023

FROM THE MLA JASON STRONG market for beef cattle. Australian exporters have been in-market in Vietnam for years, building relationships, investing in training, and working with supply chain partners to help them continually improve their practices. This has provided an opportunity to start conversations that otherwise may not have happened for some time, including actively raising awareness of animal welfare and sharing the knowledge gained from decades of

supporting beef operations across Southeast Asia. Australia is the only exporter of live animals that requires animal welfare for exported livestock in destination countries, meets and surpasses the guidelines set by the World Organisation for Animal Health. Vietnam’s new standards will benefit their local cattle by setting expectations for animal welfare in line with those for cattle imported from Australia. Vietnam’s animal welfare standards were developed over three years by the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The process included consultation with national and provincial government officials as well as industry, to ensure easy and practical adoption. Information campaigns and training resources for the Vietnamese cattle and beef industry have also been developed and will

showcase the various components of the new standards. Australian assistance has been provided through the Livestock Export Program (LEP), a collaboration between LiveCorp and MLA which provides professional development and training for workers in feedlots and abattoirs in market, along with activities to support market access and regulatory compliance. The work was also funded in part through a $135,000 grant from the Australian Government. Since it started importing Australian cattle, Vietnam’s cattle industry has grown significantly and modernised rapidly. People have become more aware of animal welfare, and it has been a pleasure to work alongside the Vietnamese Government to share the body of knowledge gained by the Australian industry.

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Embers fires up flavour In a reversal of the over-used (and often underdelivered) adage paddock to plate - three extraordinary hatted chefs have followed their love of local produce to become roaming flavour-creators and champions of hyper-local flavour. Embers Wood Fire Dining is the brainchild of chefs Simon Furley, Kyle McNamara and Alex Hall. After working together at the multi-award winning Homage restaurant - then launching and gaining critical acclaim at Paddock restaurant, Beechmont Estate - they have literally jumped the fence into the paddocks and places of the Scenic Rim). The concept of Embers is a hatted chef trio with a love of local produce, creativity, masterclasses and chef collaborations that can roam wherever they fancy. Like a Saturday monthly residency at Towri Sheep Cheese near Beaudesert, tasting nights at Veranda House Estate at Tamborine, private dinner parties and weddings and dining events all over south east Queensland. They leave their mantelpiece of awards at their kitchen HQ in the Scenic Rim and head to where the tastebuds call them, creating plated masterpieces cooked over fire. As well as offering a range of dining experiences and menus able to be delivered anywhere, Embers will run masterclasses and tastings with growers, producers and guest chefs. “We have spoken for a few years (about) working together and working intimately with local producers, but we didn’t want to go the traditional restaurant route, we wanted freedom from a set work week to try something different,” said chef Simon Furley. “The culinary landscape across the world and here in Queensland has changed significantly and we want to embrace it. “We feel there’s a gap in the dining and flavour market for south east Queensland food lovers and we will bridge that gap with Mrs Frost’s Farm as our headquarters. “It is a 25-minute drive from the Gold Coast and one hour from Brisbane, right on the edge of the glorious Scenic Rim, the region famed for incredible produce and innovative, generous farmers. “Call it what you will – paddock to plate, nose to tail, root to shoot, hive to home … we are wood-fire driven, hyper local in flavours and produce and every one of our dishes tells a story. “We are constantly communicating with our local growers, producers and suppliers and have built great relationships over the years. “They really are the people behind the produce on our plates. “Embers is incredibly proud to be using these producers and countless others ...“ Tommerup’s Dairy Farm – “This sixth-generation farm produces a premium product, with incredible care taken in every step. We buy pork, veal and creme fraiche and receive the animals whole and then do our own butchering,” said Mr Furley. Harry’s Paddock – “Harry Tommerup (son of Kay and Dave) grows veggies on their farm using farm waste to fertilise, thus creating a

Embers Wood Fire Dining chefs Simon Furley, Alex Hall and Kyle McNamara in a paddock in the Scenic Rim.

· ·

closed-loop farming system with no waste. Everything has purpose. He grows the very best small batch bio-dynamic vegetables and heritage vegetables; I’m amazed each time I order!” Towri Sheep Cheeses – “The hogget and sheep’s cheese of different varieties is as good it gets from a chef’s point of view from this farm. The way the sheep are raised and cared for is admirable and it shows in the final product.“ Australian Sweetwater Crays – “This is a fully off-grid sustainable ethical cray fish farm specialising in Redclaw, near Beaudesert in the Scenic Rim. They have the biggest crayfish I have ever worked with!“ Pretty Produce – “We forage here as much as possible to pick edible flowers and plants on

· · ·

the property just out of Canungra. To be able to have all of these flowers and herbs to pick at our leisure is a privilege.” Forgotten Sound Farm – “A farmer of the future, these guys are ‘soil driven’, thinking not about the produce but about the microbiome and health of the soil. It’s a small organic farm that grow things specifically for Embers.“ Summerland Camel – “Their award-winning feta is incredibly versatile and great on a plate.” Valley Pride Produce - “This multigenerational farming family is our go-to vegetable supplier for top-notch seasonal vegetables in a big quantity.” Scenic Rim Pottery – “This brilliant potter

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Picture: SUPPLIED

makes our plates to order. We collaborate on ideas and she is always happy to try new crazy ideas we have. Amazing work!” Greenlea Farm Macadamias – “Given we will only use hyper-local ingredients to wherever we are working, having macadamias nearby is incredible for us, as we use them for all sorts of things from smoked and roasted to fermented tofu style. Delicious!” Butcher Co Boonah & Kalbar – “Kane the owner and butcher has small herd of Black Angus that we use for dry aging; the marbling and the richness in flavour is stunning.” Christie’s Traditions in Timber - “Embers wouldn’t be the same without her timber skills and Christie is making most of our roaming kitchen pass, our tables and bowls, which gives us a natural modern look.”

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QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au

OPINION

Plant health solutions BREAKING GROUND WITH OWEN WILLIAMS Plant health in agriculture is no longer just about the size of the crop you get or the quality of your pasture. It’s also about how you go about managing the risks to plant health, namely pests and diseases. Local suppliers and overseas export markets are increasingly demanding agricultural products with minimal to zero chemical residue, which means our growers and producers are having to rethink how they keep their crops and pastures healthy. We’re starting to see the sector undergo a paradigm shift whereby biostimulants and biopesticides are being increasingly used on farms, reducing reliance on more traditional synthetic chemicals. Biostimulants, composed of naturally occurring substances such as botany, algae, microbe or a combination, stimulate plant growth and enhance nutrient uptake, contributing to improved overall plant health and resilience. Biopesticides harness the power of living organisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses to control pests and diseases. The use of these alternatives not only reduces environmental impact, they also mitigate concerns about pesticide residues in crops. The shift towards more natural options is being driven by consumers across the globe, who are concerned about chemical residues on their food.

While science is moving towards biotechnology, agtech is also playing a major role in transforming plant health.

Agtech platforms powered by artificial intelligence (AI) can enable traditional boom sprays to be more precise, which means less

chemicals need to be sprayed to eradicate pests. Through advanced algorithms and realtime analysis, AI ensures precise use of pesticides, reducing environmental impact and crop management costs while promoting a more sustainable approach to agricultural practices. Drones and satellite mapping, meanwhile, are providing farmers with insights, such as dry matter and where to soil test, to help them make better decisions about how they manage the health of their crops and pastures, including pest control. There’s also agtech that monitors the performance and effectiveness of the products farmers are using, providing them with confidence that what they’re investing in is actually working. To ensure there’s widespread adoption of biotech and agtech, we need to bring farmers on the journey. Education is needed to challenge the conventional perspectives that traditional chemicals are the best method of pest control and provide the confidence to use biological alternatives and utilise agtech to improve efficiency and sustainability. The team at the Agtech and Logistics Hub is working with scientists, tech providers and agronomists to educate and help farmer’s sustainability plans with mainstream practices for plant health. We’ve also just run an open innovation program on plant health to find solutions with the potential to transform crop and pasture health. This collaboration is a promising stride towards ensuring farmers who adopt more sustainable practices will maintain their return on investment, ensuring we can grow our exports and, ultimately, foster a healthier global food system.

Community and police working together To make our communities safe.

SAFEGUARD YOUR FIREARMS Protecting Our Community A person who posses a firearm must take all reasonable precautions to ensure: • Safe storage of the firearm; and • That the firearm is not stolen or lost; and • That it does not come into the possession of a person who is not authorised to possess the firearm. Section 60 of the Weapons Act 1990 applies penalties in excess of $10,000 or two years imprisonment for failing to secure firearm/s. A person convicted of a weapons offence becomes disqualified from holding a firearm license for five years.

If it’s an emergency or there’s immediate danger, Call Triple Zero 000 Visit www.police.qld.gov.au for more information 12628513-JC35-23

December 2023 TODAY 19

RELIABLE PRODUCTS ... RELIABLE PEOPLE

Geoff Coles and the team from Warrego Water, like all Aussie Gold Distributors, are primed to assist customers with pump selection, advice and service.

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Flooded quarry using an Aussie 4” transfer pump to move water fast.

Brace for floods, fires Last October we saw Gippsland farmers rocked by devastating bushfires followed immediately by major floods. Both had a direct and dire effect on livestock and left homes and buildings, infrastructure, and machinery severely damaged and even destroyed. Climate change experts tell us this fluctuation is the new world order and that scorching high temperatures will come with this package! Fire authorities around the country are already bracing for what looks like a devastating fire season this summer all due to climate change. AUSSIE IS THERE One Australian manufacturer, Australian Pump Industries understands what regional Australia goes through when racked by fires and floods. They conceive and design pump products that are built to tackle the results of these destructive weather events. THE URBAN INTERFACE Aussie Pumps’ high pressure fire pumps are an everyday tool for a wide range of applications around the farm. They can be used for plant washdown, high pressure water transfer and of course fire protection. They can run sprinklers, be used in irrigation and can clear a messy dairy yard fast and efficiently. However, their primary task is for the fire protection of outbuildings, homes, and sheds, in what fire authorities call the “Urban Interface”. That is over a million houses that are built on the outskirts of cities and towns in a rural or semi rural environment. Many of those locations are scattered around capital cities with the owners having not just a few pets but also serious livestock from cattle to horses, sheep and other animals. Protecting those assets, in terms of buildings and livestock is a massive issue in the event of a fire, bearing in mind the horrific fires, and the speed at which they travelled, during the Black Summer of 2019/20. Aussie Pumps believes there are practical steps that can be taken to prepare for bushfires. AUSSIE’S BUSHFIRE SURVIVAL GUIDE Every year, Australian Pump produce a revised version of their free Bushfire Survival Guide. It gets better each year with more input from not just the fire authorities but also from people who have had practical experience in protecting their homes and assets. The guide is a terrific document that shows a wide range of actions that need to be taken to protect property and livestock. The guides are distributed through Aussie Pump shops around Australia. 20 TODAY December 2023

Moving dirty water efficiently with an Aussie 3” trash pump. Pictures: CONTRIBUTED

Aussie Fire Chief is a versatile, high performance pump for fire protection duties.

Homes in the urban interface and rural areas under threat.

The guide covers the basics on how to fill gutters with water and move debris from around the house. However, there are a score of other practical ideas that can be easily achieved. For example, the guide covers instructions on how to set up sprinklers for a roof mounted reticulation system. The “halo” effect of water sprayed over the building can be a lifesaver. There are real risks involved and people living in the “Urban Interface” need to be prepared. BE PREPARED The first essential is to have an adequate water source in the form of either a swimming pool, water tank, dam or well. That source should have a minimum capacity of at least 20,000 litres. The Aussie Pump team believe that if you intend to fight the fire and protect your property, which may be your most valuable asset, is worth doing the research to make sure you have the right equipment. After water, the next thing is having the right product in the form of a firefighting pump that will give you the best chance. The company has a movie that illustrates the benefits of the Aussie Fire Chief, their flagship product. They claim the Fire Chief is the world’s best

closed impellers that can be subject to clogging if used for moving dirty water. This risk can be reduced by fitting a suitably sized strainer. A better option for moving contaminated water is a specialist self priming trash pump. These feature open vane impellers that will move larger volumes more efficiently and can handle solids in suspension. Aussie’s range of QP trash pumps ranges includes 2”, 3”& 4” Honda petrol or Yanmar diesel pumps. Self priming means these pumps can be set up fast and are easy to maintain. They are ideal for use in quarries, construction sites and clearing stagnant water from low lying areas. Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that the versatile Aussie Fire Chief doubles as a terrific tool for moving mud with a “wash and flush” effect. Those high pressure fire pumps running up to 100 psi, with flows of 150 lpm, can clear a lot of mud, slime, and mess from inside buildings, patios and general wash down duties. BUY LOCAL Aussie Pumps has an extensive network of Queensland dealers that are ready to assist with pump selection advice and service backup on the Aussie range of pumps. Check the Aussie Pumps advertisement on page 17 for their contact details.

and most effective lightweight, portable fire pump. The movie shows exactly why The Aussie Fire Chief is better than competitor products. Those advantages include more heavy duty components that deliver true reliability and increased performance. In some cases it’s 25&percnt; more than of other products. The Aussie Fire Chief will deliver a maximum pressure of around 100 psi and flows up to 450 lpm. Best of all, in it’s standard configuration with genuine Honda 5.5 or 6.5 hp engine, the pump will deliver 150 lpm at 60 metres head. Delivering that much water at that pressure provides a degree of competence not found with third world products or other brands. So bushfires are covered but what about preparing for floods? PREPARING FOR FLOODS We’ve all seen the misery people go through when their homes are wrecked, livestock drowned, outhouses and fences destroyed. There are huge costs involved but also an awful lot of heartbreak as well. AFTER THE DELUGE On a practical level, moving surplus water from flooded basements and carparks in an emergency can be done with a high pressure fire pump like an Aussie Fire Chief. However, these pumps are designed with

Make Mungbeans your summer crop of choice

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Paul McIntosh in a handy crop of Mungbeans free of weeds.

Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Success with mungbeans By Paul Mcintosh, AMA Industry Development Agronomist The first ever crop of mungbeans I walked into was in the wet 1983-84 summer on the Western Downs - and it was not the best initiation to my mungbean agronomy career. The mungbean industry and its varieties have come a long way since then, as we all have with BMP agronomic inputs. One question that keeps popping up is the best time of sowing for a quick growing mungbean crop. During the season I receive many enquiries on this very topic and I usually ask about the paddock topography with respect to north or south facing slopes in their specific local region. I also quiz the grower or agronomist about their plant available moisture in their soil type and I talk about day degrees. Let’s examine day degrees first. This is my rough method to determine how many approximate days (in the enquirer’s area) it is going to take from planting to physiological maturity. With mungs it takes about 1200-day degrees (heat accumulation) to maturity. Applying a base temperature of 10 degrees celsius to that equation can have me advising that in hotter areas of summer like Central Queensland, the mungs can take just 60 days total crop life before harvest, so planting in late January, right through February is fairly common practice in these more northern, hotter regions. Considering a potential paddock of mungs in Southern NSW, the day degree formula is still 1200-day degrees for physiological

maturity, however in this cooler clime it can take well over a 100 days to achieve mungbean maturity so the last mungbean planting date for southern regions is much earlier in the summer period – likely a December timing. For South East Queensland it is more in the middle of these extremes. My next favourite topic is Plant Available Water (PAW) at planting time and in mungs, that is a critical parameter for growing a successful mungbean crop. Older literature states that mungs require over 100 mm of stored water. In the AMA Best Management Practice agronomy course, we quote that research and experience proves time and time again, that over 125 mm of PAW is needed to maintain a profitable crop outlook. Measuring this 125 mm of PAW is another crucial piece of soil characterisation knowledge, as is the PAW capacity - or more practically termed, your paddock’s bucket size and soil constraints. This all adds up to having a solid preparation for the best time of sowing in your area and assessing accurately your PAW at the proposed planting time, plus achieving a successful inoculation process with live rhizobia bacteria onto the planting seed, whilst not forgetting other critical nutritional inputs. Other key factors in producing a top mungbean crop include the sourcing of AMA approved seed lines and utilising an AMA accredited agronomist for important and regular crop checks. Australian mungbeans are always sought after in the world market. With no carryover of Australian 2023 stocks, we expect to see good demand in 2024.

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December 2023 TODAY 21

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The Puglisi family show how to blend wine, food and the arts to support the Ballandean community. ERLE LEVEY went along to find out more.

Wine the lifeblood Queensland produces good wine. For many years we’ve been told by those living south of the border that the climate is not conducive to ideal growing conditions for grapes. However, the altitude, climate and soil of the Granite Belt combine to where we now see more than 50 vineyards and wineries in the Southern Downs region. Think granite outcrops, cool winters and altitudes of 1000m above sea level. Think about Ballandean - that region on the Granite Belt that is highlighted by the Ballandean Estate as part of this growing band of wineries. Ballandean Estate has been here for generations, and a visit, a tasting and a conversation changes your whole perception. Started by Angelo and Mary Puglisi in 1968, everything they’ve done goes back into the business, the family, the community and the region. As Queensland’s oldest family-owned and operated winery, I wanted to talk to them about their history in winemaking and whether they understood the impact it was going to have on rural industries and rural communities throughout Queensland. In particular, the impact it has when we share food, wine and the arts. Client relations manager Leeanne PuglisiGangemi is part of the Puglisi family, one that has been at the heart of the Ballandean community for five generations. Her sister Robyn Puglisi-Henderson is the CEO. “She calls herself finance manager,’’ Leeanne said, “but she’s more than that. “I’m fourth-generation - my son’s just joined us, so the tradition continues. “Stephen, he’s been here for a year now and is mainly working out the back with my husband Mario, who is production manager.’’ The family impact on the Southern Downs has been substantial - it has underlined the economy in many ways. Wine has been made on the estate since 1932, while the cellar door was opened to the public in 1970. Ballandean Estate blends this rich history with modern winemaking methods that result in a remarkable wine experience. Producing quality, boutique wines that express the unique characteristics of the Granite Belt is what keeps the Puglisi family enthusiastic and innovative. They support local business, are passionate, professional, and encouraging of other growers in the region. Such is the reputation of the Puglisi name and the Ballandean label that the supply of their wine wasn’t an issue during Covid as everything is done either at the cellar door or online, Leeanne said. This epitomises continuity and business success. It also underscores the value of local tourism events where businesses collaborate within the region. Ballandean is an example of a success story where not only do they benefit, but they are helping others through their past experience … learning from each other. Reflecting on the positive impact that Covid travel restrictions brought to the industry, Leeanne thought Australians should be encouraged to stay home every four years to support local businesses and farmers through local tourism. We also talked about the benefits of Australians avoiding non-seasonal foods, and should instead choose fresh fruit and vegetables. Sitting in the Barrel Room wine lounge at Ballandean Estate, Leeanne said the family had a restaurant on site for more than 30 years. “My mum catered here for more than 20 years. “We had the opportunity at the middle of last year to take it back, so we are now running it as a wine lounge, serving antipasto boards with all local produce. “Try the local mustard garlic paste,’’ Leeanne suggests, “... it’s pretty delicious.’’ In a moment I can see the passion runs right through the family. 22 TODAY December 2023

Angelo Puglisi ... wine is his life. 325800

Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi in the tasting room at Ballandean Estate. 325800

As small as we are, we are recognised around the world. We make a particular wine now and it’s been listed in the top three in the world outside of the country it comes from. That’s the saperavi … it’s a delicious wine from Georgia.’’ The Ballandean area has been part of the shift away from family winemakers in the 1950s and ’60s, to widely-recognised vineyards and wineries. But we are also seeing more and more artisan winemakers pop up, Leeanne adds. “In the winemaking game, there’s more than 40 of us in the region … we are very, very small on a national scale but we believe we’re punching fairly well above our weight. “As small as we are, we are recognised around the world. “We make a particular wine now and it’s been listed in the top three in the world outside of the country it comes from. “That’s the saperavi … it’s a delicious wine from Georgia.’’ Saperavi is regarded as one of the oldest wine varieties in the world, dating back at least 6000 years. It literally means ‘dye’ or ‘paint’’ as it has red flesh, and dark fruit flavours such as blackberry and plum, with hints of chocolate and tobacco. Syrah, which has become known as shiraz here in Australia, is up there in age too - being regarded as about 5000 years old. Sitting here, tasting one of the best examples of the saperavi variety in the world, I put it to Leeanne there are still people who say: “Ahh, Queensland wine … is it up to scratch?’’ Her answer is simple: “We’ve come to the conclusion that if you’re not a believer by now, you probably never will be - and you’ve actually missed the boat. “We’ve worked hard to change that perception. Mum and Dad in the ’60s ... that was going to be their job. “They were going to be winemakers. Nothing fazed them. I don’t know how they survived. “Robyn and I as kids knew that you had to work each weekend as 12-year-olds. We were catering with Mum, out in the paddock with Dad. Things were hard - but then a lot of their friends did the same thing on their farms. “We didn’t know any different. But it mustn’t have been too hard because it didn’t scare us off.’’ Being the oldest in her generation, Leeanne did have a certain responsibility. Her cousins were not that particularly interested and it fell on her shoulders. “I never really minded because I always wanted to be in the industry - I wanted to be a winemaker. “People have said to me over the years, as a young woman, did anything get in your way?

“Well nothing got in my way. My father was going to do whatever to allow me to be a winemaker. “I did all the classes at school to become a winemaker. I didn’t do home work like all the other girls, I did science and chemistry. “Nothing was going to get in my way, except I wasn’t that good at chemistry. “So I found another way to be involved in the business, but it was what I always wanted. “I went off to university with the intention of coming back - Mum and Dad wanted me to get experience and go off to see the world. “They were using it as a way of not letting us feel remorse or regret - to go and do something else - and if we really wanted to we, would come back.’’ Leeanne felt she was very lucky and came back quite quickly. That was by 1992 and Robyn came back a few years after that. “She had a whole other life in IT and had some really good jobs,’’ Leeanne said. “But she decided to come home to be with family.’’ For both Leeanne and Robyn, their journey into the wine industry started as singular roles but so many career options have opened up. “The wine industry, to me, was not the farm. It was the business. “Someone had to run the business, and for a long time in the Granite Belt people didn’t realise that the wine industry was more than just working on a farm. “That was not what I was going to be doing. I was going to be running a business. “We’ve seen the winemaking go from growing grapes to an industry. We rely on our cellar door. “The lovely thing that’s happened for us in the Granite Belt is the Australian wine consumer has become very well educated and realises there’s more to the industry than the Barossa Valley. “There are some lovely wines from the regions - and it is the regionality of the wines that you’re from that is creating this interest. “For the first 30 years, people were comparing us with the Barossa but they didn’t understand enough to realise that we were not in the Barossa. “They were saying that our shiraz doesn’t taste like the Barossa. But why should it, when its not grown there?’’ That was when Leeanne discovered some home truths about the wine industry … how much it serves a local market, how the regions are developing their own styles instead of trying to be one homogeneous style. “Now people come here and they want to taste the difference in our wines, they want to

come to the Granite Belt seeking the Strange Birds varieties which have really put us on the map.’’ While other wine regions are known for one or two signature grapes, it is the non-signature wines that define the Granite Belt. Strange Birds is what they call the alternative wine varieties that are grown and crafted here. And a wine is only called a Strange Bird if it represents less than one percent of Australia’s vines. On the list at Ballandean at the moment is the durif, which is one of their most popular wines. It is a grape variety that dates back to France in the 1800s. A spicy, full-flavoured, full-bodied red wine primarily grown in Australia, California, France, and Israel. “These alternate varieties have really attracted the interest of wine lovers,’’ Leeanne said. “We grow about 10 rare varieties. “We’ve got malvasia … we knew it as a northern Italian variety but the Croatians have claimed it, and now the Greeks have claimed it as originally being from there. “It’s a family, not a variety on its own. You can even get it as a red variety. “We’ve got the malvasia d’istriana which is where Mum’s family is from, just outside of Venice.’’ That’s when the cheese platter arrived in the Barrel Room to complement our wine tasting. All I could say was: “Oh my goodness, it’s amazing. I hope you are going to help with this.’’ It was their signature antipasto board and so much of the produce was local. This was a perfect example of businesses collaborating in support of each other. The presentation was excellent and the produce authentic - fresh and with strength of flavour as well as a sense of nutrition. The autumn chutney from New England Larder, the Bramble Patch spiced tomato chutney, the caramelised black garlic paste from Cypress Ridge. They are doing a joint venture with Foley’s Truffles to create a black garlic and truffle mustard. Then there’s Ballandean’s own onion jam made with caraway seeds, red gum honey from the north side of Stanthorpe, house-cooked ham, Borgo salami and prosciutto, King Island aged cheese, a pepper cheese from Stanthorpe, South Cape brie and marinated vegetables. To top it off there’s a lovely sourdough bread from Ballandean Bakery. “We’re so spoiled with the products on this cheeseboard,’’ Leeanne said. “This is not just a platter - it’s about having access to produce you can’t have everywhere else.’’

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Other wines we taste are the fiano, a white Italian grape variety with delicate flavours of citrus and stone fruits, and viognier which is described as a red wine drinker’s white. “We grow nebbiolo but it sells out very quickly,’’ Leeanne said. “We only make small volumes of it and it is always awarded when we’ve got it ... it just goes.’’ Strange Birds is a concept the region came up with nearly 17 years ago, Leeanne said, and it all came about because two of the local winemakers were sitting, drinking some of the unusual wines being grown in the region. “They decided to formalise this by creating a wine trail. I was on the board of Granite Belt Wine and Tourism at that stage and we thought there was something in it - we should create a trail and show people where the varieties are growing here. “I wasn’t sure what they were talking about in terms of ’unusual’ wines because we had always been growing them. “We did the survey and realised at that stage we had about 21 different varieties - we now have 29 very rare varieties that are on the wine trail. “That doesn’t mean that’s all we’ve got. There are others in the wings, they just aren’t ready yet.’’ Now, as a long-term industry, there is employment sponsorship within the community. “We work together so well,’’ Leeanne said. “People are often so surprised, especially in the wine industry, but we are all good mates and work together. “If there’s a show or event, I tell my neighbours and we all go together - the community is very together. “People come to the Granite Belt and comment on the friendliness of the wineries. “They recognise the Ballandean name, they recognise the village, they talk about Dad as if he’s 105 years old - they’ve heard his name for so long. But he just turned 80 this year and absolutely ’lives’ the winemaking industry. “For such a long time he was the one out there in charge of promoting the place. “He’s been so passionate about the region for a long time. He said: ’This is what I do ... I’m not a doctor or a lawyer ... I’m a

winemaker full-time.’ “Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing, that is what you are. He put his absolute heart and soul into it from the day he started in his early 20s - he was not going to do anything else.’’ Over the years Ballandean has held significant events on the estate that benefit the community. Opera in the Vineyard ran for more than 27 years with the Stanthorpe Rotary Club and raised more than $1 million which was donated to hospitals and charities, or to anybody who needed it. “That was a huge thing for our family to do,’’ Leeanne said. “It’s something we all wanted to do. “Here was an opportunity to help the hospital that saved my son‘s life. He was born there prematurely - there are so many families we’ve been able to help. “Dad is a very fiercely proud Rotarian - actually the whole family are Rotarians.’’ Activities such as these are all about community - the social responsibility and giving back when a business is in a position to do so. There were more than 2500 people at the biggest events, Leeanne said. And that included preparing lunch and dinner for the guests. “When we said we wanted to run an opera, it was a $60,000 investment. We had to get a certain number of people to cover costs and then to make some money for the charity. “It was brilliant. It was so good for the Granite Belt and for the amount of money raised. “We met so many people, we had a very young Rosario DiSpina who went on to be very big in Australian opera. “It gives me goosebumps to remember his booming voice ringing throughout the valley. He was so generous ... he did it for charity.’’ Being local is very important for the Puglisi family and the Ballandean brand. That was shown during Covid when, faced with so much uncertainty about being able to continue to do business, the opposite happened. With Queensland being locked down in the early stages of the pandemic, it made a huge

impact on the awareness of the Granite Belt. “We are very grateful for the way Queenslanders supported us,’’ Leeanne said. “When we closed down on 23 March 2020 we sat in the office as a family and considered everything. We have these employees, no income … what are we going to do? “Are we going to survive? How are we going to survive? “Robyn was doing spreadsheets … what our minimum income would be, bearing in mind there’ll be no cellar door sales. “But then, as she puts it, the next day the emails started - buy, buy, buy, buy, buy. “It was as if people were dying of thirst. It was mad - they were buying wine on-line, and they wanted to support us. “We had just come through four years of drought and people were so kind, they wanted to see the winery survive and be here for when they could get out again. “When we opened up again, people just wanted to visit. Queenslanders wanted to travel and in that time more visited the Granite Belt and the wineries than ever before. “So there is a greater awareness of what we are producing. We hope to maintain that. “We feel like, as a region, we have finally got to the top of the mountain. “People know we’re here - they understand what we’re doing. They understand the wines we are making and they want more.’’ There has been a shift in the tastes of consumers and Ballandean is moving to give them what they want. They would like to make a visit to the winery an experience for the guests and an education about the wines, the food, and the industry. “Most people don’t understand the processes involved in winemaking,’’ Leeanne said, “... the stories, the experience of matching the food and wine. “During Covid people suddenly became interested more in life, what is in their backyard. They couldn’t go to Bali, they couldn’t go to Woolworths or Coles. They needed to go to the local retailers and the farms.’’ With their on-line and cellar door sales, Ballandean were also able to escape the disrup-

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tion to supply chains caused by Covid staff shortages and the floods. At the same time, it had a lot to do with locals supporting locals. “We have to eat seasonally,’’ Leeanne said. “That’s the thing that is really important. “And as locally as we can. If you want to eat cherries in June, they do not grow in Australia in June. “So you have to ask what they have done to those cherries to get them across the oceans? “Eat cherries when they’re in season, eat apples when they’re in season. “In Italy they do that. They get fresh produce on the day they want it. “We’ve been through a lot - a big fire in 2011 and the floods. But the drought was probably the worst thing we’ve experienced. “We produce so much fruit and vegetables here, apart from the winemaking, it will be devastating if growers have to leave because of a lack of water.’’ Until Angelo and Mary Puglisi planted shiraz in 1968, wine in Queensland was mainly a by-product of table grape production by a few European families who were selling the grapes to market and using the leftovers to make wine. It was a far cry from the wine industry of today. Having lived in Queensland for most of my life, it was extremely pleasing to taste such great, locally-produced wine. But Ballandean Estate also left me with a very true sense of what can be accomplished when a community of producers and businesses band together. When they support each other, and genuinely believe and foster a value system based on supporting local, their work and personal efforts benefit the entire community. GRAZING ON THE GRANITE BELT The Granite Belt had a weekend of wine and food tasting on 25-26 November, with 10 cellar doors and food venues participating on the one ticket. This included the use of the hop-on, hopoff buses.

KEEPING OUR LOVED ONES SAFE! IN ONE YEAR

drowning 141 Coastaldeaths

23%

16%

51%

OFFSHORE

ROCKS/CLIFFS

AT THE BEACH

49% AT LEAST 5KM FROM A LIFESAVING SERVICE

89% MALE

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December 2023 TODAY 23

Carbonara Strata Serves: 2 Prep time: 10 mins Cooking time: 30 mins Resting: 1 hour - overnight Ingredients

· ½ baguette or equivalent crusty bread Method: 1. Tear the bread into bite-sized chunks and place in a small baking dish. Set aside. 2. In a medium frypan over medium heat, fry the bacon until crispy. Set aside to cool. 3. Meanwhile, in a blender add milk, cream, eggs, salt, pepper and cheese. Blend until smooth. 4. Chop or crumble the bacon and scatter it over the bread, then pour over the

· 2 rashers bacon · 1 cup milk · 1 cup cream · 2 eggs · 1 tsp salt · 1 tsp pepper · ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated blended egg mix and cover. Rest in the fridge overnight, or for at least 1 hour so the bread soaks up all the liquid. 5. Preheat oven to 180°C fan-forced. 6. Bake for 30 minutes until golden on top and just cooked through. Rest for 5 minutes to cool and set further before serving. Recipe courtesy of Australian Eggs

Nicoise Pasta Salad Ingredients 200g large shell or similar pasta 200g green beans, cut into small batons 3 eggs

· Juice of one lemon · 2 tsp French or dijon mustard · 2 tbsp olive oil · Salt and pepper, to taste · 200g sweet snacking tomatoes · ½ red onion, finely sliced · 1/3 cup kalamata olives, halved · 1 x 185g tin tuna in oil, drained

Method: 1. Place a small pot of water and another medium pot of wellsalted water on to boil. Once boiling add the shell pasta to your salted pot of water and gently lower the eggs into the small pot. 2. After 8 minutes, remove the eggs and place them in a bowl of icy water to stop them cooking. Add your green beans to the pasta and cook one more minute. Drain the pasta and set aside.

3. In a large serving bowl place the lemon juice, dijon, oil, salt and pepper. Mix well to combine then add your pasta and beans, the tomatoes, onion, olives and tuna. Toss well to combine. 4. Once the eggs have cooled, peel and slice them into quarters. Add the eggs to your salad bowl and gently toss to combine. 5. Serve at room temperature or make-ahead and chill in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.

Serves: 4 Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes

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Recipe courtesy of Australian Eggs

Muffin Tin Egg Pies Serves: 4 Prep time: 10 mins Cooking time: 10 mins Ingredients 6 large slices sandwich bread, crusts removed 40g butter, softened

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Method: 1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Using a rolling pin, roll slices of bread flat. Spread butter over both sides of bread and press into the moulds of a 1 cup-capacity 6-hole Texas muffin pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden and crisp. Set aside to cool. 2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and carrot and cook for 3 minutes or until softened. Add corn and peas. Remove from heat and stir through ham Recipe courtesy of Australian Eggs. 24 TODAY December 2023

· 1 tablespoon olive oil · 1 small brown onion, finely chopped · 1 small carrot, finely diced · 125g can corn kernels, drained · ½ cup frozen peas double smoked ham · 100g or bacon, finely chopped · 3 eggs · 1 cup grated tasty cheese or bacon. Lightly whisk eggs in a small bowl, then add to vegetable mixture with half the cheese. Season. 3. Spoon vegetable mixture into bread shells. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake for 15 minutes or until egg mixture is set and top of pies are golden. Tip • These crunchy egg pies are perfect for breakfast on the run or add it to your children’s lunchbox for a vegie-filled, high-protein bite.

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District market round-up Report date: 15/11/2023 Saleyard: Charters Towers Following no sale last week, Charters Towers agents yarded 1422 cattle, 1150 less than a fortnight ago. Quality was generally good, consisting of several small lines of prime cattle, supported by some good quality lines of store cattle. Half of the regular processors were in attendance and operating at stronger rates, supported by two live exporters, one regular feeder and opportunity restockers. Cattle were drawn from Cloncurry to Georgetown, east to Ingham and south to the Belyando and local area. Increased demand saw values for light cattle improve 17-60c, prime cattle improved 14c to 35c/kg. Light steers under 200kg to restockers averaged 294c reaching a top of 322c and steers above 200kg averaged 266c to 280c/kg. SimilaR heifers returning to the paddock sold to 200c to average 189c/kg. A small sample of yearling steers to live export sold to 238c most averaging 226c/kg. Yearling heifers above 330kg to feed sold to 178c to average 172/kg. Grown steers consisted of many small lines, with values reflecting quality. A good offering of grown heifers to processors topped at 206c to average 185c to 199c/kg. A small sample of heavy full-mouthed bullocks to processors reached 208c, most selling from 176c to 196c/ kg. Medium weight 2 score cows reached 172c, 3 scores made to 186c to average 175c/ kg. Prime heavyweight cows topped at 184c to average 178c/kg. Heavy bulls suitable for live export reached 212c, and bulls processors sold to 180c/kg. Market Reporter, Mick Kingham Report date: 23/11/2023 Saleyard: CQLX Gracemere Some falls of rain in the catchment area reduced CQLX Gracemere yarding by 227 to 1064 head. Cattle came forward from Nebo and coastal areas around Sarina through to Miriamvale in the south and west to Biloela. The coastal bred cattle were mostly light to very light in condition although cattle from the Callide were in good, forward condition. The buying panel reflected that from last week, only with more money - improvements were seen throughout the sale. Light weight pens of yearling steers sold to 385c/kg with averages from 294c to 352c/kg recorded. Medium weight pens averaged 249c to 283c/kg to restockers. Light weight pens of yearling heifers averaged 221c to 258c/kg to restockers and backgrounders. Medium weight lines sold to 250c/kg to average 217c to 250c/ kg again mostly to restockers and backgrounding interests. Feedlots paid from 256c to 280c/kg for grown steers whilst a few to processors made 249c to 265c/kg. Grown heifers to the trade sold from 245c to 266c/kg average. Cows in all classes were lightly supplied, with two score cows averaging 182c to 222c/ kg and heavy, four score cows selling to 246c to average 242c/kg-a 50c/kg improvement on

last sale. The few heavy bulls penned made from 205c to 229c/kg. Over 100 cows and calves were penned, mostly in small lots that sold from $700 to $1,325/unit, relative to cow age, condition and age of calf. Report date: 22/11/2023 Saleyard: Dalby Useful falls of rain across most parts of the supply areas reduced numbers at Dalby to 1,723 head. A full panel of export buyers was present however not all were operating and the regular feed and trade buyers plus restockers were in attendance and active. Most classes sold to a dearer market. A very plain quality lineup of light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock experienced very little change. Yearling steers to feed averaged a further 20c to 30c/kg better. Light weight yearling heifers to restockers were noticeably dearer and yearling heifers to feed and the trade lifted by over 40c/kg in places. Heavy grown steers and bullocks averaged

40c/kg dearer. All classes of cows experienced improvements of 30c to 35c/kg. Light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock averaged 315c and made to 353c/kg. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market averaged from 302c to 319c with sales to 335c/ kg. Heavy weight yearling steers to feed made to a top of 296c to average 270c some to the trade at 306c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers to restockers made to 308c to average 296c/kg. Medium weight yearling heifers to feed averaged 253c to 260c with sales to 270c/kg. Heavy weights to feed made to the occasional 293c to average 276c/kg. Heavy grown steers and bullocks to export processors made to 278c with a fair sample at 274c/kg. Medium weight 2 score cows to restockers made to 204c/kg. The best of the good cows made to 241c with both medium and heavy weights averaging in the early 230c/kg range. Heavy weight bulls made to 247c/kg. Market Reporter, Trevor Hess

Report date: 21/11/2023 Saleyard: Roma With scattered showers Roma agents yarded 2,575 head. The market showed improvement on most descriptions. The regular processors in attendance’s and operating especially on better finished bullocks and heavy heifers. With cows firm to slightly stronger. Light weight yearling steers under 200kg sold to 282c/kg. Yearling steers under 280kg made to 356c to average 314c/kg. Yearling steers under 330kg averaged 311c topping at 356c/kg. Medium weight steers under 400kg topped at 338c/kg with the over 400kg made to 267c and averaged 263c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers under 200kg made from 200c to 280c to average 257c/kg. Yearling heifers under 280kg topped at 290c and averaged 264c/kg. Yearling heifers under 330kg made to 270c and averaged 253c/kg. Medium weight yearling heifers under 400kg averaged 227c topping at 240c/kg. Heavy weight yearling heifers over 400kg made from 191c to 210c/kg. Manufacturing bullocks made from 140c to 245c/kg to average 220c/kg. Grown steers 400 to 500kg made to 242c with the 500 to 600kg selling to 242c/kg. Grown steers over 600kg made from 240c with grain assisted bullocks to 267c/kg. The 2 score cows 400 to 520kg made from 120c to 193c to average 176c/kg. The 3 score cows over 520kg sold to 220c and averaged 205c/kg. Light weight bulls under 450kg sold to 300c with the best of the heavy weight bulls selling to 235c to average 219c/kg. Market Reporter, David Friend Report date: 21/11/2023 Saleyard: Warwick The useful rain event across the regular supply area reduced numbers to 213 head at Warwick. A full panel of buyers and onlookers attended and with spirited bidding across all lines prices lifted from 7c to 50c/kg. Light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock made 308c to average 292c/kg. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market averaged 243c and sold to 250c/kg. Heavy yearling steers to feed made 229c to average 224c with a line of high yielding euro steers to the wholesale meat trade at 384c/kg. Yearling heifers in the 200-280kg range to restockers made 219c to average 205c/kg. Yearling heifers over 280 kg to background sold to 238c/ kg. Yearling heifers over 400kg to the wholesale meat trade averaged 253c and sold to 280c/kg. A small sample of bullocks sold from 252c to 259c/kg. Light weight cows to restockers made 177c to average 173c with those to processors at 180c to average 175c/kg. Good heavy cows to processors made 231c to average 215c/kg. Heavy bulls to export processors averaged 215c and sold to 224c/kg. Market Reporter, Errol Luck

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Top MSA producers named Some of the tastiest beef from Queensland has been recognised in the 2023 Meat Standards Australia (MSA) Excellence in Eating Quality awards. The Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) awards recognise producers from across the country who consistently deliver beef of superior eating quality, according to the parameters of the MSA program. MSA is based on more than 1.7 million taste tests by more than 250,000 consumers from 13 countries and considers the factors that affect eating quality from paddock to plate. South west Queensland grassfed beef producer Cameron Smith and NKP Pty Ltd won the award for Queensland’s Most Outstanding Band 2 (smaller non-grainfed) Producer in the 2023 MSA Excellence in Eating Quality awards. NKP achieved an average MSA index of 60.59 and compliance of 98.6 per cent for cattle consigned for MSA grading over the twoyear period of 2021 to 2023. The Smiths run a self-replacing herd of 360 breeders at New Kooroon, supplying cattle for the Teys Grassland’s range and Coles and Woolworths, with steer carcase weights averaging 346 kilograms following finishing on oats. New Kooroon’s annual average rainfall is 525 millimetres and its pastures comprise predominantly buffel grass on red loam soil types. Aboutg 300 hectares of oats are planted in late March each year to feed rising two-yearold progeny throughout winter, before being sent for processing. “Our 2021 and 2022 oat crops were outstanding with 4.5 month and 5.5 month grazing windows, respectively. This gave the cattle time to reach their potential,” Mr Smith said. “We rotate our mobs of approximately 60 cows between two allocated paddocks per mob to give the pastures a spell when it’s needed or after a rainfall event.”

Smith said. “As a breeder/finisher, we want to deliver a top-quality product to the consumer and it’s rewarding to know we are.” MSA program manager David Packer said the awards recognised beef producers in Queensland who had achieved outstanding results in a large field of tough competition. “This is the 25th year of the MSA program and, in that time, it has become the worldleading eating quality grade program for Australian beef,” Dr Packer said. “It is a key driving force behind the quality of Australian beef, so these awards are a prestigious achievement for the producers.” This year’s Most Outstanding MSA Beef Producers for Queensland are as follows: Most Outstanding MSA Beef Producer – Feedlot Winner Stockyard Lot Feeders Pty Ltd, Jondaryan Finalist - 1st runner up Maydan Feedlot, Warwick Finalist - 2nd runner up Whyalla Beef (NH Foods), Texas Most Outstanding MSA Beef Producer – Band 1 (larger businesses) Winner Bull Creek Pty Ltd, Taroom Finalist - 1st runner up Baronga Cattle Company Pty Ltd, Roma Finalist - 2nd runner up JC Mayne & Son, Wealwandangie Most Outstanding MSA Beef Producer – Band 2 (smaller businesses) Winner NKP Pty Ltd, New Kooroon and St George Finalist - 1st runner up Hillview Feedlot, Killarney Finalist - 2nd runner up Penjobe Pastoral, Springsure.

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South west Queensland grassfed beef producer Cameron Smith and NKP Pty Ltd won the award for Queensland’s Most Outstanding Smaller Non-grainfed Producer in the 2023 MSA Excellence in Eating Quality awards. Picture: CONTRIBUTED Besides good nutrition, Mr Smith said the bulls they bought had a big impact on their MSA results. “Our herd comprises predominantly Devon-Hereford cross females and some Shorthorn genetics,” Mr Smith said. “We look at Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs), particularly around the rib fat and rump fat and refer to them when we’re nar-

rowing down a decision between two bulls, for example.” Mr Smith noted the immense pride he and his family felt after being awarded the MSA award for smaller producers in Queensland. “It is a good feeling to be getting this feedback and recognition knowing the genetics in the cattle are able to perform well against all breeds in our environmental conditions,” Mr

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Steering his way to victory Young gun Macaulie Leather (Calliope, Queensland) has been crowned the 2023 PBR Australia Monster Energy Champion. After an impressive season that saw him place first in over seven events this year, Leather has taken home over 170K from the sport in 2023, which includes a 75K championship bonus he received at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre in early November. Leather finished strong, riding Feldt Jacket (MJ/Keliher /Feldt Partnership) on his first match up for 86.25 points before tackling Blondies Bomber (MJ/Keliher Bucking Bulls) for 84.00 points. However, the bovine athletes outperformed Leather, with him bucking off both Say When (Throsby and Russell Bucking Bulls) and Rockabilly Rebel (Kleier Bucking Bulls). Sorry For Partying Boss Hog (Dittmann Bucking Bulls) also got the best of Leather in the final championship round. Leather, who is one of 13, was the 2021 Rookie of the Year, and this weekend marked only his second time competing in the PBR Australia Monster Energy Grand Finals in Townsville. “I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet,” said Leather of taking out the title. “It’s been a good year and it’s just good to build on that and try and make next year bigger and better. “I’m just trying to stay positive and stay healthy and ride bulls. The main goal is you’ve got to beat the bull. At the end of the day, you beat your bull and everything else comes with it.” Despite Leather’s success, it was Clermont boy Brady Fielder who took out the Grand Finals event win after being the only rider to complete four out of five of his bulls across the two nights. It was Dunno Yet (Fred Kleier Bucking Bulls) who was the only bull to beat Fielder in the fourth round on Saturday evening. “I feel pretty great, it’s been an awesome weekend really. Thankfully I got four out of five bulls rode and came out with the win,” said Fielder. “I just had to remain focused as it can slip away from you I suppose if you get ahead of yourself.” The 23-year-old has only just come back from the US after spending time competing for the Texas Rattlers in a new PBR Teams format that features the world’s top bull riders. “I’ve learnt a lot along the way while riding over there and you know just comfortable in myself with every ride I make, just makes it a lot easier,” said Fielder of his time in the US. “Every bull is a great bull. It’s no different to any other to me. No matter what, the bulls job is to buck you off and my job is to ride him. “I set quite a few goals at the start of the season along the way and I’m very happy with what I’ve achieved this year.” Finishing in second place just behind Fielder was Donovan Rutherfurd (Mount Isa, Queensland), who rode three of out of five of his bulls across the weekend. It was Bad Deal (ST Bucking Bulls) in Friday

night’s second round and Seven Eleven (Peter Wallace) in Saturday night’s championship round that got the best of Rutherfurd. “Everything kind of happens so quick I suppose,” said Rutherfurd of the weekend’s events. “You’ve got to just stay calm and keep showing up and put the effort out there.” Zane Hall (Athol, Queensland) was named the 2023 Rookie of the Year and took home a 15K bonus for his efforts. Taking out the 2023 YETI Bull of the Year was Cattle King Boogers Beach (Dittmann Bucking Bulls), who overtook Roid Rage (Dittmann Bucking Bulls) who was in the No.1 spot

heading into the Grand Finals. Jason Dittmann also took out the 2023 Contractor of the Year, whilst Dittmann Bucking Bulls and TNR Bucking Bulls tied for the YETI Bull Team of the Event. The 2023 Rookie Bull of the Year was Mr T (Wallace Bucking Bulls). PBR Australia General Manager Glen Young said the event, which was sold-out across both nights, saw a record 240K in Grand Finals payouts. “This year’s event was bigger and better than ever before. It was a two-night sell out inside the Entertainment Centre with around

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10,000 fans from across Australia tuning in for an incredible weekend of adrenaline-fueled action,” said Mr Young. “The performances from both the riders and bovine athletes were incredible, and it certainly had the crowd on the edge of their seats. “This year’s prize pool was the largest we’ve ever had for the PBR Australia Grand Finals, marking a new record for the sport here in Australia. “We love hosting the PBR Australia Monster Energy Grand Finals here in Townsville, and we’re looking forward to bringing it back again next year and seeing what the new season brings.”

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in ralia e t ad us M A h ut o S

Calliope’s Macaulie Leather was crowned as the PBR Australia Champion on Saturday night.