Queensland Farmer Today - July 2024

Rural mums in Queensland struggling financially will now be able to access the Motherland program for free.

In an Australian first, the Queensland Government has announced $1 million in funding over three years to enable the charity to deliver more services, support and connection for rural mothers across the state.

Motherland founder and CEO Stephanie Trethewey said the investment would “turbocharge“ Motherland’s mission to reduce the isolation and improve the mental health of rural mums.

WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE, PAGES 16-17

Motherland program manager Kate Brow, Queensland ambassador Alice Woods and founder and CEO Stephanie Trethewey. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

A path to future

By Fiona Gowers

Renewable energy innovations that enhance the sustainability of agricultural production will headline this month’s National Renewables in Agriculture Conference in Toowoomba.

Theannualevent,whichconferencefounder Karin Stark launched in 2019, will be held on 4 July.

“The National Renewables in Agriculture Conference serves as a platform for industry stakeholders to collaborate, innovate and chart the path towards a more sustainable fu-

ture,“ Ms Stark said.

“It’s important communities get on the front foot and effectively and constructively engage with governments and developers in the energy transition.

“For example, we will have Professor John Cole from the University of Southern

Queensland who will outline how this can best happen as part of the conference.

“It could be a once in a lifetime opportunity for the regions if they’re prepared and proactive in how they negotiate, ensuring meaningful legacy projects and programs are funded.“

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The lessons from drought

Choosing the right livestock for their drought-susceptible property hasn’t always been an easy decision for western Queensland primary producers Anita Dennis and Joe Taylor.

Anita and Joe began with sheep but, shortly after, came a rise in fatal wild dog attacks.

They then transitioned into cattle but were met with the millennium drought.

“It was quite a turbulent five, six years, and we couldn’t sustain those sorts of losses,” Anita said.

Now Anita and Joe run a herd of Rangelandcross Kalaharis and Australis Blacks goats and take on agistment when the feed budget allows.

Anita said the goats had adapted well to their two properties, Coolagh, between Barcaldine and Blackall, which she and Joe bought from Joe’s parents with a QRIDA First Start Loan in 2009 and Lorne, near Aramac.

“We were wanting an animal that could give us a good return for little inputs and that’s what we found with the goats,” Anita said.

“We were quite fortunate. When we got in, goat prices were only about $3.50 a kilo but we could see the return and we were able to ride that big wave the goat industry went through.

“The First Start Loan also helped us greatly with the lower interest rate and interest-only period for the first five years given the tough times we had when we started out.”

Anita and Joe then used the Sustainability Loan to help them build exclusion fencing around their remaining country.

“The goats were naturally coming down our river systems and so we thought let’s put them behind wire for regrowth control,” Anita said.

“When we realised the exclusion fencing was going to pay us back, we were confident to borrow money from QRIDA through the Sustainability Loan and we fenced the remainder of Coolagh.”

Although Joe and Anita have enjoyed three good summers, the impacts of the millennium drought have stuck in their minds.

So, over the past year they have improved the climate resilience of their properties with a QRIDA Drought

Preparedness Grant and Drought Ready and Recovery Finance Loan.

“We also installed 34 kilometres of poly pipe and set up 24 different water points with troughs and tanks to distribute the stock and make better use of the pasture,“ Anita said.

“At Coolagh, we pump water from the Barcoo River. To reduce the strain on the pumps during summer and to provide water to areas far from a reliable source, we built two dams equipped with solar pumps.

These dams also supply water to various points in other paddocks.“

Joe said his and Anita’s business plan helped make their decision-making easier during stressful times.

“It’s a living, breathing document that changes over time with our situation and it helps us treat the operation like a business, not a lifestyle, so we don’t get attached to our livestock,” Joe said.

Regional area manager for Central Highlands and West Bradley Whittington, explained he helped Joe and Anita with their applications to QRIDA for financial assistance.

“We discussed the guidelines and what paperwork was needed,” Brad said.

“I helped them finish their livestock schedule and cashflows, then I reviewed them,made sure the figures worked out to what they were predicting and what was in the cash flows, and ran through their business plan.”

Joe said he and Anita had regularly met with Bradley, their local QRIDA regional area manager, to talk about the QRIDA financial assistance available to benefit their operation as well as broader industry updates.

“Brad has always been at field days and social events, so we’ve seen him out and about a lot and we’ve been able to build a very good relationship with him,” Joe said.

“Our relationship with Brad is very open and trustworthy. He is very approachable – we ask him plenty of questions and he gets back to us with good feedback.”

Although Joe and Anita know all too well the impacts drought can have on a grazier and their property, they still try to view dry conditions as an opportunity.

“By working with your trigger dates, if the rain hasn’t arrived, you start selling down your livestock,“ Anita said.

“When a rain event occurs, it improves your pastures and provides a feed budget and you can then bring in livestock for agistment.“

Joe needs just a few words to sum up his drought preparedness and recovery advice for other primary producers.

“Look after yourself and look after your land. You’ll come out pretty good.”

Tansey Polocrosse Club continues to cement its reputation as one of the best in Australia, with three of its members selected to compete this month in an eight-person national team at the Polocrosse World Cup in South Africa.

Tom O’Neill and Sam Allen of Kingaroy and Tansey resident Beth Hafey play for Tansey, which has produced a string of top competitors over the years in State, national and international competitions.

Tansey is a small rural town in the Gympie region that boasts 147 residents! Sam Allen of Kingaroy has waited 10 long years for her selection in the Australian polocrosse team.

In and out of the national squad since 2014, she was finally named in the best eight in 2022 but had to withdraw due to her first pregnancy.

Patience proved to be a virtue this year, however.

“It has taken me a while to get hereto get this opportunity - but I’ll run with it with both hands,” said Ms Allen.

“You’ve just got to get after what you want to do.

“Selection in the Australian polocrosse team is the highest level we can achieve in our sport.

“And, it is something that over the years my family and I have invested a lot of resources in and it feels like a reward for that effort.”

Congratulations to Tom, Sam and Beth, Queensland Farmer Today wishes you well in South Africa and, no doubt, the residents of Tansey will be cheering you on.

- Fiona Gowers

Anita and Joe (right) and (above) their herd of Rangeland-cross Kalaharis and Australis Blacks goats. Pictures: CONTRIBUTED

Sharp renewables focus

By Fiona Gowers

Renewable energy innovations that enhance the sustainability of agricultural production will headline this month’s National Renewables in Agriculture Conference in Toowoomba.

The annual event, which conference founder Karin Stark launched in 2019, will be held on 4 July.

“The National Renewables in Agriculture Conference serves as a platform for industry stakeholders to collaborate, innovate and chart the path towards a more sustainable future,“ Ms Stark said.

“It’s important communities get on the front foot and effectively and constructively engage with governments and developers in the energy transition.

“For example, we will have Professor John Cole from the University of Southern Queensland who will outline how this can best happen as part of the conference.

“It could be a once in a lifetime opportunity for the regions if they’re prepared and proactive in how they negotiate, ensuring meaningful legacy projects and programs are funded.“

According to Ms Stark, this year’s conference highlights include pioneering farmer Mike Casey from New Zealand who will share his journey of electrifying his cherry farm and will showcase practical applications of solar and the use of an electric tractor.

“Mr Casey runs a fossil-free, fully-electric cherry orchard,“ Ms Stark said. “He imported electric frost-fighting fans from South Africa, run on solar and batteries. The farm’s irrigation also runs during the day powered by solar.

“The cherry farm is one of the first farms in the Southern Hemisphere to use a Monarch Electric Tractor and Mr Casey will share with the conference audience just how the tractor has performed in reality on his farm.“

Also, Queensland beef producer Caitlin McConnel who has trialled grazing cattle under solar panels will speak about her learnings from that project and why it is critical that agriculture and renewables co-exist.

She will be joined by Elton Miller, executive director of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and Katie Anne Mulder from Queensland Renewable Energy Council in what promises to be an engaging panel discussion.

In 2019, Karin Stark launched the National Renewables in Agriculture Conference to provide credible, independent advice to farmers about how they could replace diesel and electricity on their properties with renewables.

“Energy costs were and are increasing for many farmers across Australia putting stressors on profitability,“ she said.

“At the same time, renewables like solar panels were reducing significantly in price.

“This meant the business case for farmers to switch over from diesel or electricity to renewables was becoming stronger but, back in 2019 when the conference started, there weren’t many credible sources of information to support farmers.

“Hence the idea of the conference came about, to share the stories of farmers using renewables, the benefits they’ve gained and what lessons they’ve learnt.“

Ms Stark said a keynote speaker who had struck a chord with her was Ross Garnaut. She said Mr Garnaut last year brilliantly outlined a future that saw regional Australia as the economic powerhouse of Australia.

“I’ve also really enjoyed hearing directly from farmers who are early adopters and using renewables to run their operations.

“Justin Jarrett from See Saw Wines uses solar for irrigation for his organic vineyard and is reducing plastic waste across the business.

“He spoke eloquently about the need to adopt renewables not only because it saves money but it reduces emissions and is the right thing to do.

“Also, the importance of telling farmer’s stories, in order to build trust with consumers and the community.“

To register for the conference please visit the website · www.renewablesinagconference.com.au

Ross Garnaut at last year’s National Renewables in Agriculture Conference. Mr Garnaut brilliantly outlined a future that saw regional Australia as the economic powerhouse of Australia.

Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Pioneering farmer Mike Casey from New Zealand will share his journey of electrifying his cherry farm at the National Renewables in Agriculture Conference on 4 July.

Picture: MILES HOLDEN PHOTOGRAPHY

They’re farmers’ angels

By Fiona Gowers

There once was a farmer in southern Queensland who was relieved to finally find a buyer for his skinny cows.

The B-Double arrived at his drought-stricken property, the driver glanced at the emaciated stock, shook his head and left with empty trays.

The farmer then shot his cattle, his working dogs and himself. Total carnage.

The overwhelming stress of drought conditions had claimed yet another farmer’s life.

It was this tragic story that prompted Natasha Johnston of Miles to launch in 2014 Drought Angels, a Queensland-based national charity.

“When our small charity took its first steps back in 2014, the grip of drought held our nation tight. Across Australia, farmers fought tirelessly against an unrelenting dry spell,“ she said.

“I couldn’t bear to hear of the fatal toll it took on so many farmers and their families that I was compelled to do something for these hard-working people, who we rely on to feed and clothe our country and who were left feeling like they had no support or way out of the crisis.

“And so, Drought Angels came to be, showering our farmers with care, support and resources as needed.

“As history has shown us, every drought eventually yields, which unfortunately often makes way for floods, which are equally devastating.

“While we have weathered many storms during this time, our mission has grown beyond just aiding through drought conditions.

“We’ve constantly expanded our services to meet the evolving needs of the farming community, ensuring we provide support not just through drought, but through any challenges that arise because of natural disasters.”

As such, Drought Angels has this year rebranded to Farm Angels to better represent the support it provides and signifies its commitment to stand by farmers, no matter the challenge.

“We believe that while conditions are tough - as are our farmers - and just because they can handle a heck of a lot, it doesn’t mean they should have to,” Natasha said.

“While there are many challenging days on

the land, Farm Angels help to make the really tough days a little easier.

“We’ve always said ‘we’re led by the heart’, which is in our logo. We always say ‘we put our hearts in everything we do for our farmers’.“

Farm Angels CEO Jason Law said it was ‘business as usual’ for the charity, which has raised more than $24.1 million and supported more than 10,000 primary producers and their families in 1300 rural communities across Australia.

“Farmers face many challenges and crises on a daily basis including drought, flood, fire and plagues, as well as mental health issues,” Mr Law said.

“With growing concerns around climate change, we want our farmers to know that they are not alone and we are always here to help.

“We always need our farmers and we recognise that sometimes they need us too.

“With the tough conditions they face yearround, it’s important that we have the support and resources to offer a hand and we can’t do that without the financial donations and volunteers who back our charity.”

* For more information or to make a donation visit www.farmangels.org.au

Angels a lifesaver for the Fitzpatrick family

By Fiona Gowers

Dan Fitzpatrick of Dulacca called Drought Angels in February 2019 as he was struggling to pay a bill.

The creditor was threatening legal action against the drought-stricken, fourth-generation farmer, prompting him to call multiple government “aid” agencies only to hear rolling voice recordings.

“By this stage, I picked up the phone half a dozen times before I actually rang them (the Drought Angels) because I just said ‘more than likely there’ll be a bloody machine on the end anyway’.

“On the seventh time I just decided to give them a try. It rang a couple of times and next thing, there’s a human on the other end of the phone!

“I told her my plight and she said, ‘I’ll call you back in 15 minutes’. Anyway, after 10 minutes, she rang me back and said, ‘I’ve spoken to my supervisor and we’ll pay that bill for you’.

“They’ve just been amazing. That was our first encounter and ever since then, they’ve been unreal to me and my family.”

The rebranded Farm Angels provides financial assistance, as well as emotional support and practical help.

Mr Fitzpatrick said the Chinchilla-based charity could relate to the challenges farmers faced as opposed to someone sitting in a city office reading from a script.

“They took the time to actually have a chat to me and see how I was going physically and mentally,” he said.

“It was just a period in my time of life that I had no money coming in and we had a little baby girl … “

In 2019, when Poppy was one, Jada 5 and Cooper 11, Mr Fitzpatrick and his wife Callie told their children they couldn’t afford Christmas gifts.

Farm Angels realised this and soon arrived with presents to put under the tree.

“It just brought us to tears that the kids were going to have presents to open on

Christmas Day,“ Mr Fitzpatrick said.

“My kids don’t call them the Drought Angels, they call them the Angels. They just helped us like you wouldn’t believe.“

Mr Fitzpatrick credits the Farm Angels with allowing his family to continue farm-

ing; breeding cattle and cropping. This year, he is enjoying sowing barley and wheat crops into juicy subsoil moisture.

“The thing that I’d like to get across though is just because we’ve had a good start to the season, it doesn’t mean the drought

has ended,” he said. “The challenges continue but, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

“I always say, ‘I don’t need to go to the casino because I do enough gambling at home’! Farming is just one big gamble.”

The Fitzpatrick family . . . Dan Fitzpatrick credits the Farm Angels with allowing his family to continue farming in Dulacca. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Natasha Johnston of Miles launched Drought Angels in 2014. The Queensland-based national charity is now called Farm Angels.

Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Farm Angels has replaced Drought Angels.

Stewards of the land

By Sarah Dimond

Grant and Carly Burnham’s unique love and care for their land has been recognised with the Australian Government Climate Innovation Award.

The North Burnett couple won the Landcare award, at the award ceremony inYeppoon on Saturday, 25 May, for their holistic and innovative practices. They call themselves soil farmers, as they use innovative and organic practices at their property, Bonnie Doone, located west of Monto.

Grant is a third-generation beef producer, and Carly a fifth-generation beef producer in the North Burnett area.

The couple originally started their business underneath Grant’s parents in 2000, before building up their own business in 2010.

Originally needing to reduce imputes and the need to be more productive with less land, they started to learn new farming practices. “We did quite a bit of training through resource consulting services in Yeppoon,” Grant said.

They adopted holistic practices and changed their whole way of thinking about cattle production to focus more about the land and health of the ecology. Through that, they ended up requiring less and less imputes, less chemical interventions and their grazing practices became more holistic. “We use time control grazing or cell grazing to manage our cattle and manage the landscape. As a result, things started healing and parasites became less of an issue…,” Grant said.

The changeover from focusing on beef production and cattle health, to more of an ecological land steward, it requires more management, such as more water and fencing. They have 70 troughs now and have fenced their 20,000 acres into almost 150 smaller paddocks.

The family then mobbed their cattle into smaller groups of around 500-600 heads, and move them around 15-30 paddocks per mob.

“They short graze, in large mobs, in small areas and move reasonably quickly so that landscape, and all the plants in it, have long recovery periods after they’ve grazed it,” Grant explained.

So, what is time-controlled grazing?

“The time control rising that we use is one of the most ancient styles of grazing, the herders and shepherds back in ancient times used to move their animals from area to area, when there were no fences or property boundaries… that’s why the landscapes were so abundant and productive.”

He explained that they are just mimicking that style with their electric fences.

“The aim of what we are doing is to just keep green plants growing for as long as possible throughout the whole year, so the greener

plants we have growing… the more sugars are being converted from sunlight energy and being put into the soil. That’s really how soil carbon comes about and when its locked away at that depth its, one of the most secure carbon sinks there is… it’s a really positive thing.”

They have almost been able to double the productivity of their cattle, as well as increase the carbon.

“A lot of this management was undertaken when we started our soil carbon project in 2016,” Grant said. “Under the government regulation of the soil carbon project, you are required to change your management practices from what you are normally doing.”

They won the Landcare award due to this incredible attitude towards their farming.

There is clear evidence to how the change

to time-controlled grazing benefited the soil and the land.

“We core sampled parts of the properties, down to a depth of 1.2 metres and then that goes through to a lab and they measure the accurately lever carbon levels in that soil to that depth, and then we measured it again five years later in 2021 and in that resulted in the issue of Australian carbons units, for the amount of carbon we were able to get out of the atmosphere and put into the soils,” Grant said.

Having won the award was so exciting for the family, they are proud to be able to showcase the great things farmers are doing for landscapes.

“We are immensely proud of being able to represent good land stewards and we fully understand we are one of many…there’s some great people doing wonderful things out there within agriculture, in Landcare, in community groups,” Grant said.

“It was a real honour to be put up beside those wonderful people… we were quite inspired by the other people there,” Grant continued.

They are one of five properties that initially joined the carbon project, four out of those five properties have been issued carbon credits, with theirs being the largest to date at this stage with 94,666 Australian Carbon Credits.

The couple have spoken at a number of events, they host university bus tours, grazing tours come through, and they are involved with local schools who bring their ag students to see their innovative practices.

“We are really keen to spread the word and hopefully gain some knowledge from other people as they travel through,” Grant said. His advice to other farmers is to; “just love the land, that’s where it really starts and be equally if not more focused on the health of the land, then the productivity and the bottom line”.

Grant and Carly Burnham won the Australian Government Climate Innovation Award. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

High input costs, soft prices hit hard

By Fiona Gowers

High input costs and soft commodity prices have dented the confidence of Queensland farmers, Rabobank says.

Queensland, however, was one of two states where seasonal conditions were found satisfactory in its Rural Confidence Survey, with the jurisdiction generally enjoying better-thanaverage to average rainfall over autumn.

And, although more producers here have a negative outlook, Queensland farmer confidence levels remained among the highest in the country.

In all, 39 per cent of respondents nominated concerns about rising input costs, while 28pc were worried about lower commodity prices.

Meanwhile, improving commodity prices and overseas markets/economies were seen as positives for the agricultural economy by 28pc and 22pc respectively.

Rabobank regional manager for North Queensland and the Northern Territory Trent McIndoe said high input costs and commodity price uncertainty were “taking the shine off”.

“Most parts of Queensland are experiencing a good season – but, as always, there are some dry areas and people who have missed out on rain,” Mr McIndoe said.

“It’s the subdued cattle market that is a major cause for concern for many Queensland producers.

“And the current interest rate environment is also underpinning a level of concern – while it was not one of the major factors highlighted in the survey results, it is certainly an underlying reason.”

For the state’s beef producers, Mr McIndoe said the survey found they held concerns around soft cattle prices and the prospect of dry seasonal conditions returning.

“While cattle prices saw a lift earlier this year, there is still room for improvement,” he said.

“We are in a situation where the current absence of any strong demand in the cattle market – along with a higher herd inventory, with no real liquidation or rebuilding urgency in northern Australia – means cattle prices are more exposed to changes in producer sentiment.

“And producers are confused by the disconnect between the US beef market and the Australian market – it defies traditional logic.

“The major drivers that generally push the Australian beef market – like the season and the US market – are not having the expected impact.

“It is hoped that global beef demand, led by the US market, will start to have a stronger

influence on the Australian cattle market, providing upside to cattle prices in the second half of the year.”

Queensland grain sector confidence also eased this quarter

The majority of the state’s grain growers are anticipating agricultural economic conditions will remain the same or decline in the year ahead, the survey found.

Mr McIndoe said, overall, grain growers in the state were benefiting from positive seasonal conditions.

“Good rainfall through summer has set grain growers well for the winter cropping season, with full sub-soil moisture levels.

“Queensland growers’ winter cropping intentions have been bolstered by summer and early autumn rainfall, which was above the historical mean,” he said.

“The bank is expecting Queensland’s crop planting to show the biggest year-on-year area increase in the country – up 31.7pc to 1.475 million hectares.

And Queensland’s wheat area is on track to be the largest on record in the state, with the pulse area to increase 17pc.”

This quarter, the majority of Queensland cotton growers (61pc) expect agribusiness

‘All is not well on the farm’:

Australia’s most trusted rural charity has been urgently assisting farmers who are battling increased levels of mental ill-health in recent months.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said primary producers were feeling overworked, underappreciated and anxious.

“In a recent Rural Aid study, one in two farmers said they’ve felt their mental health decline in the past year,” Mr Warlters said.

“Some 76 per cent of our farmers rated their mental health as poor, very poor or average.

“These numbers show that all is not well on the farm.

“It’s a sentiment echoed across the industry; Rabobank’s Rural Confidence Survey has shown farm confidence has plummeted in the past three months.”

Rural Aid’s mental health and wellbeing manager Myf Pitcher said weather conditions, biosecurity concerns and disaster recovery were on farmers’ minds.

“Our counselling team is making a really important difference every day, we’ve been all over the country supporting primary producers,” Ms Pitcher said.

World first soil scan innovation

Groundbreaking automation for a soil-scanning process vital to successful broadacre crop planning has been developed at the Central Queensland Smart Cropping Centre.

Electro-magnetic survey scanning has long been used to identify variability in soils, including assessment of salinity, water and clay content.

The process has usually involved a scanning sled being dragged behind an all-terrain vehicle.

However, in a possible world-first, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries team at the Smart Cropping Centre has developed an automated scanning process.

The innovation has the potential to save hundreds of hours on-farm, freeing farmers, staff and resources for other tasks.

The system they have developed brought together SwarmRobot Sunny and an ElectroMagnetic (EM) 38 Survey Unit and analysis service provided by Data Farming, two of Queensland’s stand-out AgTech and Innovation companies.

conditions to remain unchanged.

“Many cotton growers in southern Queensland were impacted by late summer storms that saw crop yields downgraded,” Mr McIndoe said.

“While irrigated cotton growers in the Emerald region will be buoyed by the knowledge they are going into the season ahead with full water allocations.”

Mr McIndoe said the agricultural sector was moving into a period of consolidation for the property market, “moving on from the high supply and demand for property seen in recent years”.

“And producers are considering higher interest rates and taking into account the forecasts for further interest rate rises in the months ahead,” he said.

It is important to note, Mr McIndoe said, that good properties were still selling and selling well – there is just not the prolific number of transactions at present.

Fast Facts

· After rallying last quarter, Queensland rural confidence slips.

· High input costs and soft commodity prices key concerns.

· Investment intentions remain stable.

Rural Aid CEO

“From hay drops in South Australia, to water tank deliveries in Western Australia and resilience and recovery conversations in Queensland, our mental health and wellbeing team have been working overtime to assist farmers with the challenges they’re currently facing.”

Mr Warlters said the record dry conditions in the south and west of the nation were proving especially difficult for farmers to deal with.

“Rural Aid has organised and executed a support drop of hay, stockfeed or emergency household drinking water at the rate of roughly one per day over the past four weeks.

“But, Rural Aid can’t do any of its vital work without the generosity of the Australian public,” Mr Warlters added.

“With tax time just around the corner, it’s a good time to consider a donation to Rural Aid.

“Thank you to every single person who has dug deep for our mates in the bush in their moment of need.“

* To donate to Rural Aid - or to find out more about Rural Aid’s mental health and wellbeing program - visit www.ruralaid.org.au or call 1300 327 624.

Queensland Smart Cropping Centre senior innovation broker Alicia Dunbar said the impact of this innovation for farmers to better manage drought conditions and overall farm agronomy “is huge“.

“We can see this becoming a standard add-on to autonomous robots such as SwarmBots that are continually building hyper-accurate soil and moisture maps in real time,“ she said.

“These units offer a non-invasive, efficient and precise means of assessing and monitoring soil properties and we’re excited to work with industry to make this a widespread tool for producers.

“The technology supports our research and production systems including soil salinity assessment, soil texture and structure analysis, soil moisture content, mapping soil depth and guiding our soil sampling efforts.

“The Smart Cropping Centre in Emerald is producing real-world results, propelling our research capabilities to better manage the uncertainties of the future in broadacre cropping that will help our famers to be more productive and more profitable.“

The Smart Farm Initiative supports the delivery of the AgTech Roadmap, through taking innovative solutions and making them a reality for industry.

One of Rural Aid’s many hay drops in June 2024. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Rabobank regional manager for North Queensland and the Northern Territory Trent McIndoe. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Toasting top in tourism

By Fiona Gowers

The annual awards celebrate regional communities that show a commitment to visitor excellence.

An extensive judging process by tourism experts, as well as a public vote that attracted

more than 16,000 responses, narrowed the field of Queensland’s top holiday destinations to 16 finalists.

Three regional centres were crowned the best based on population size.

For the third consecutive year, Airlie Beach won Queensland Top Small Tourism Town with a population between 1500 and 5000 and Winton, with a population under 1500, won Queensland Top Tiny Tourism Town.

Outback icon Roma, meanwhile, was named the 2024 Queensland Top Tourism Town, with a population of more than 5000.

“This award recognises the many years of hard work by the tourism industry and business community,“ said Roma Commerce and Tourism general manager Debbie Joppich.

“It highlights the quality tourism product and experiences that visitors are enjoying but, most of all, it acknowledges every smile to a visitor and excellent customer service delivered.

“We are so proud to live in this community where our visitors are also feeling the love.“

Magnetic Island’s Adam Hinks from Aquascene was announced Queensland’s best tour guide for 2024.The accolade recognises a tour guide who goes above and beyond in providing guests with an outstanding visitor experience.

State winners from the Top Tourism Town Awards and Top Tour Guide Award will go on to represent Queensland at the national awards held later in the year, where they have the chance to be crowned the best in Australia.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Brett Fraser said:

“Congratulations to Queensland’s top tourism towns, Roma, Airlie Beach and Winton.

“It takes an entire community to create a wonderful and welcoming guest experience. While attractions may drive visitors to our regional destinations, it is the locals who create unforgettable memories.

“Well done to all the incredible finalists – tiny and big – for uniting in delivering exceptional holiday experiences. We applaud their remarkable efforts in helping to make Queensland a world-class destination.

“Congratulations to all the finalists in the Top Tour Guide Award and to this year’s winner Adam Hinks from Aquascene. We owe much to our state’s tour guides, who captivate audiences and fill guests with a richer appreciation for Queensland.”

Top Tourism Town (population more than 5000) finalists and winner:

· Roma – GOLD

· Redcliffe – SILVER

· Bowen – BRONZE

· Rockhampton

Top Small Tourism Town (population 1500 to 5000) finalists and winner:

· Airlie Beach – GOLD

· Longreach – SILVER

· Agnes Water – BRONZE

· Kilcoy

· Cloncurry

Top Tiny Tourism Town (population below 1500) finalists and winner:

· Winton – GOLD

· Quilpie – SILVER

· Toogoolawah – BRONZE

· Hughenden

· Collinsville

· Wandoan

· Croydon

Queensland Top Tour Guide finalists and winner:

· Adam Hinks from Aquascene – GOLD

· Jessica Blackmore from Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort – SILVER

· Joel McPherson from Joel’s Journeys –BRONZE

· James Boettcher from FNQ Nature Tours.

Roma, Airlie Beach and Winton were the big winners at the 2024 Queensland Top Tourism Town awards.

Kelly Hensley, Winton, Adam Hinks, Aquascene Magnetic Island, Dean Ellwood, Roma and Mayor Ry Collins, Whitsunday Shire Council celebrate at the 2024 Queensland Top Tourism Town awards.

Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Surat Basin Energy Summit 2024

Powering renewable path

By TSBE

In Queensland there is currently $60 billion being spent or earmarked to be spent on renewable energy investment projects.

The Queensland Governments Energy and Jobs Plan has set ambitious targets of reaching more than 80 per cent of the state’s energy production being derived from renewable sources by 2035.

Our part of Queensland will be doing most of the heavy lifting in the transition to renewables, with the Western Downs already referred to as the energy capital of Queensland and sits in one of the states 12 Renewable Energy Zones (REZ).

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) is proud to be hosting their biennial Surat Basin Energy Summit on 6 August 2024 in Dalby.

The summit brings together industry leaders to discuss practice and strategy for sustained energy production in the region, fostering long-term regional economic development.

The event will look at the present energy scenario, the trajectory of low-carbon transition, and the opportunities and challenges for emerging energy producers.

With panel sessions covering themes of renewables, the role of coal in the Surat Basin, natural gas and the future of energy production this is an event not to be missed.

Tickets available at tsbe.com.au/events

Energy Summit 2022. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Road trippin’ with Moores

By Fiona Gowers

To truly connect with Australia - and each other - Anthony and Angie Moore and their boys Lachie, 13 and Riley, 11 road tripped through outback Queensland.

Lifelong family memories were made over the two weeks they visited Roma, Charleville, Longreach, Winton, the Sapphire Gemfields, Carnavon Gorge and Gayndah.

“It was such an amazing experience that I would highly recommend to other families,” Angie said. “And, if one other family can benefit from my advice, that would be awesome!

“The trip was an experience so different from anything we have ever seen before - generally we have stayed in coastal areas - and I would highly rate it as a family holiday.

“The thing we noticed and enjoyed was how each outback town had its own character and charm. I wasn’t expecting that. And all of the wildlife we saw out there was amazing.”

Angie planned the trip over three months.

She said it took “a lot of hours” researching the best route to take, what tours to book and

then aligning the accommodation.

Highlights included the Cosmos Centre in Charleville, the Stockman’s Experience at the Stockman’s Hall of Fame in Longreach, the “amazing“ Dinosaur Stampede near Winton and the world’s largest sapphire walk-in underground mine in Rubyvale.

Angie said the night safari tour at Carnarvon Gorge was her son Lachie’s “absolute favorite thing of the whole trip”, while the Rangelands Rifts and Sunset Tour in Winton was also spectacular.

She said “if you have the time” the centre of Queensland monument at Muttaburra was worth visiting.

And, Angie’s top tips for a family road trip through outback Queensland? “Be very organised on your trip and have your tours planned and accommodation booked.

“Because, particularly if you’re with the kids, it’s going to be school holidays and everything is busy.

“Travelling all that way, you don’t want to miss out on tours you really want to do.”

Angie, Riley, Lachie and Anthony Moore at the Qantas Mueseum in Longreach.

Pictures: CONTRIBUTED

Riley and Lachie Moore with a bottle tree in Roma.

Lachie and Riley Moore put the ‘I’ in beautiful Winton.

Longhorn pats at Up The Creek Garage Museum in Roma.

The Moores at Barcaldine.

Pictures: CONTRIBUTEDThe Tree of Knowledge in Barcaldine.

Lachie and Riley Moore at the Big Rig in Roma.

The Moore family at the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Charleville.

The Cobb & Co Stagecoach Experience in Longreach.

New era of beef genetics

By Breanna Lloyd

While having a slightly different approach to traditional beef cattle breeding, Chinchilla farmers Nick and Kate Boshammer are the first graziers to incorporate “NuEra“ genetics into Australia.

Their goal is to aid Australian cattle producers in increasing their herd’s overall growth, feed efficiency and carcass qualities through these new genetics.

The pair runs an NB Genetics commercial Angus operation on the Western Downs, that focuses on providing maximum value to their clients who seek to produce efficient cattle that excel in commercial conditions.

NB Genetics and ABS established a relationship in 2023, which led to NB Genetics implanting NuEra T14-male sexed embryos into recipient cows, straight from the ABS research and development facility in Wisconsin, USA in May.

After decades of research, NuEra genetics was created to improve profitability through precise genetic selection.

NuEra T14 is an Angus hybrid designed as an ideal terminal solution that maximises productivity, efficiency and sustainability while complementing the highly maternal cow.

Upon establishing their relationship, NB Genetics and ABS acknowledged their shared vision with supporting beef producers by assisting them in navigating industry challenges, including production costs and the increasing level of accountability.

Nick said people often talk about utilising technology and advanced animal breeding to address the challenges.

“Allowing our clients to stay focused on producing high-quality beef, in the most efficient way possible is our goal,“ he said.

NB Genetics is excited about its newly formed partnership with ABS and thinks the opportunity presented is a way to connect Australian beef producers directly to the newest genetics and technology on the market.

“What this does for NB Genetics, is that it opens us up to a genetic pool without any limitations, to focus on what’s really important in terminal feeder cattle - growth, efficiency, and meat quality,” Nick said.

Kate said the best way to help not only help their clients but the industry as a whole, would be to bring cattle producers new technology

and show them the results on their own cattle.

“Joining forces with ABS allows us to supply these genetics directly to producers, and the NuEra bulls represent the newest and most advanced herd sires on the market,“ she said.

“When ABS approached us with the concepts and ideas around this genetic line, it immediately caught our attention.

“ABS’ genetic technology and expertise is so far advanced, as a seedstock producer we would never be able to match the genetic ad-

vancements they are making.”

ABS NuEra business development officer Jared Wareham said the chemistry and alignment between NB Genetics and ABS was very strong from the start.

“We sensed right away the level of enthusiasm Nick and Kate had about bringing NuEra to Australia,“ he said.

“It wasn’t hard to see and feel the complementarity.

“What we feel is important to the partner-

ship is being passionate about delivering the best solutions to commercial producers as they endeavour to raise a calf crop and secure the property for the next generation while making better beef.

“It’s about not being bound up by a specific breed or philosophy, just focusing on what’s the best path forward and what the right combination of people, science and vision can achieve.”

Kate and Nick Boshammer, NB Genetics with Matt Aikenhead and Jared Wareham from ABS.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

NuEra T14 Bulls.

Jared Wareham, ABS with Nick Boshammer, NB Genetics.

Amanda Ryan from Ced Wise AB Services, Nick Boshammer from NB Genetics and Javier Mariano Irouleguy from Ced Wise AB Services.

Passion turns to Gold

By Breanna Lloyd

A Central Queensland couple, Dan and Alice Rye of Evaldar, discovered their passion for mango farming after changing from their mining and media careers and have been named Honey Gold Grower of theYear by leading producer Pinata Farms.

Announced at the Pinata Farms’ annual Honey Gold Congress, more than 45 growers and families congregated in Cairns to share the past season’s outcome and to prepare for the next one.

Mr Ryes said it was fantastic to be recognised but they did it because they loved it.

“Our reward is getting good quality mangoes off the trees and into the market,“ he said.

“We are also proud to be part of a group which achieved the highest year as a group for quality.“

Neither Dan nor Alice had experience in horticulture, so when they first bought the 30-hectare property at Alton Downs, they joined a network of third-party growers producing the premium Honey Gold mango variety.

Evaldar has 9000 Honey Gold trees and produced 33,000 trays last season, which has decreased by 22 per cent in the previous season.

The property includes the original tree that produced the first Honey Gold, which is a natural cross between a Kensington Pride and a Kensington Pride off-type.

Mr Rye said it had been a huge learning curve to become growers but they had no regrets.

“We liked the idea of farming, and the mango industry was certainly an industry that appealed to us,“ he said.

“Other local Honey Gold growers and those in the extended Piñata network have generously shared their knowledge of growing mangoes and the nuances of growing the Honey Gold variety, in particular.

“Above all, the constant advice we received was to aim for quality over quantity and we continue to focus on that, from the nutrition program to pest and disease management.“

Since acquiring the property, the Ryes have experienced floods and drought, however, not to the extent their colleagues in the Mareeba region faced last season.

The Far North Queensland region had more than its average annual rainfall of 900mm between mid-December and mid-January, right at harvest time.

“Fortunately, last season was a lot drier through winter and spring and that contributed to getting a consistent flowering and fruit set,” Mr Rye said.

“The lack of rain and fewer spring storms reduced disease pressure.

“Our season which typically runs for about three weeks was a week or two ahead of our usual window, but otherwise, our season was stable.“

Mr Rye attributed the farm’s forecasting accuracy to having a more consistent flowering than other regions and the practice of taking a high number of samples in the lead-up to the Christmas-NewYear harvest.

Piñata Farms managing director Gavin Scurr said Evaldar received the award for excellent communication before and during the season, as well as accurate forecasting, which

was critical to managing supply to the market.

“Many variables can affect forecasting ranging from late flowering to weather events, and it can change throughout the season, right up to harvest,“ he said.

“Our growers in five states do a great job in managing these variables such as the extreme flooding impacts felt by our North Queensland growers last season.“

Piñata Farms produces Honey Golds at its own farms in Darwin, Katherine and Mataranka in the Northern Territory in NovemberDecember.

Third-party growers produce mangoes in the Northern Territory, Queensland, New SouthWales,Victoria andWestern Australia.

Honey Golds are available at leading supermarkets nationally from November to March.

Dan and Alice Rye of Evaldar with children Evelyn, Finlay, and Hudson.

Evaldar, outside Rockhampton in Central Queensland has been operated by the Rye family since 2016.

Home of the original Honey Gold, Evaldar, Central Queensland.

Pinata Farms managing director Gavin Scurr. Pictures: SUPPLIED

The top cotton achievers

Sharna Holman of Toowoomba and Elsie Hudson of Goondiwindi, alongside Alex Trinder, Moree, NSW are finalists in the Chris Lehmann Young Cotton Achiever of theYear award.

The Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) award recognises emerging cotton growers and industry participants, who bring a fresh wave of enthusiasm, energy and ideas.

Sharna Holman is a development extension officer (Cotton) and PhD candidate at the QLD Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Elsie Hudson is an innovation broker at CRDC and Alex Trinder an independent agronomist at HMAg and director of Crop Consultants Australia.

The award recipient will be named at the Australian Cotton Conference in August.

“We know that many of our family farmers aregenerationalwithchildrentakingoverfarms from their parents after succession planning but many new entrants to the cotton industry do not come from cotton farms,“ said Cotton Australia general manager Michael Murray.

“The three finalists this year are great examples of young people who were not farmers yet who discovered their passion for the cotton industry early and decided they wanted to play a major part in its development.

“These three women are doing incredible work across their respective fields of science, research investment and agronomy.“

CRDC executive director Allan Williams said while people often say there’s a shortage of young people in agriculture it certainly doesn’t apply to cotton!

“This year alone, Cotton Australia and CRDC had 45 applicants for just 15 spots in the Future Cotton Leaders’ Program.

“Ours is an industry that attracts young people – testament, I think, to our openness and willingness to share, our sense of innovation and opportunity and the support we offer our people.

“And these young people are putting down roots and choosing cotton for their careers and their community.

“With the number of outstanding young people in the cotton industry, you can only imagine how difficult it is to select just three finalists.

“Our congratulations to each nominee in the 2024 CRDC Chris Lehmann Young Cotton Achiever category on the contributions they are already making to cotton.”

* Sharna Holman: Sharna’s journey into the cotton industry began in 2014 when she attended the Australian Cotton Conference as a student scholar, subsequently working as a CRDC Summer Scholarship student at the Australian Cotton Research Institute, Narrabri. Under Dr Mary Whitehouse, Sharna researched Helicoverpa Bt resistance genetics. Post-graduation, Sharna joined Queensland DAF as a development extension officer and later assumed CottonInfo’s biosecurity tech-

nical lead role in Emerald, contributing to significant advances such as August planting research and boosting crop yields. Sharna’s current CRDC-supported PhD research focuses on the pest status of cluster caterpillar in northern Australia, addressing sustainable cotton production challenges.

* Elsie Hudson: Elsie began her career bug checking during summer breaks fromThe University of Queensland, Gatton. Transitioning from a general Rural Science degree to a Bachelor of Applied Science with majors in plant science and regional and rural business, Elsie’s passion for cotton grew exponentially. After a year on-farm in Moree post-graduation, Elsie had a stint as a trainee agronomist in Narrabri and joined CottonInfo during the 2018

drought, bridging the gap between research and growers. In Elsie’s role as an innovation broker with CRDC, she has spearheaded many important initiatives including the newlyformed $9 million Australia Cotton Disease Collaboration. Elsie is focused on driving positive impacts through research, development and extension.

* Alex Trinder: Alex is a private consultant in Moree NSW who was awarded the Gwydir Valley CGA Young Achiever in 2023. Alex focuses on engaging with researchers and private stakeholders to achieve the best results for clients. Alex attained a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Charles Sturt University, where she received an AgriFutures Australia Horizon scholarship and gained experience in the cot-

ton industry through a placement at Auscott farms. After graduating, she joined HMAg as a junior agronomist and quickly progressed to become a director, specialising in consulting on irrigated and dryland cotton, which led to impressive yields and sustainable practices. As an active member of the Gwydir Cotton Growers Association, Alex has assumed roles such as social media coordinator and treasurer. In 2023 she joined the board of Crop Consultants Australia as the young member director and shadow projects director, focusing on professional development for young agronomists and supporting research projects.

The award recipients will be announced during the Australian Cotton Conference starting 6 August on the Gold Coast.

Elsie Hudson of Goondiwindi is a finalist in the Chris Lehmann Young Cotton Achiever of the Year award. Pictures: CONTRIBUTED

Sharna Holman of Toowoomba is a finalist in the Chris Lehmann Young Cotton Achiever of the Year award.

Alex Trinder of Moree, NSW is a finalist in the Chris Lehmann Young Cotton Achiever of the Year award.

Accessing Motherland

By Fiona Gowers

Rural mums in Queensland struggling financially will now be able to access the Motherland program for free.

In an Australian first, the Queensland Government has announced $1 million in funding over three years to enable the charity to deliver more services, support and connection for rural mothers across the state.

Motherland founder and CEO Stephanie Trethewey said the investment would “turbocharge“ Motherland’s mission to reduce the isolation and improve the mental health of rural mums.

She said more than 20 per cent of the charity’s engagement nationally came from Queensland mothers, with growing demand for its support services.

“This is the first investment of its kind into rural motherhood nationally and I want to thank the Queensland government for backing rural women who are the linchpin of our farming communities,“ said Ms Trethewey.

“This support will help power Motherland’s vision to ensure no Queensland rural mum is left behind.“

Motherland is developing a Queenslandfocused strategy that will bolster its services to rural and remote women in Queensland.

This will be achieved through its soon-tobe-launched Motherland Connect platform, the Motherland podcast, Motherland Village program, Scholarship Fund and Motherland events.

“We know Queensland mothers are strong supporters of Motherland and are in need of the programs we are offering,“ said Goondiwindi-based Motherland chair Julia Spicer OAM.

“This support from the Queensland Government shows that it understands being a mum in rural and remote areas in Queensland creates added challenges.

“We will be able to really achieve for Queensland through this support.“

Motherland Queensland ambassador Alice Woods is Motherland’s “boots on the ground” in the state and also facilitates online Motherland Village groups from her home near Goondiwindi.

“Motherland’s work in supporting rural mums is vital in communities like mine,” she says.

“The distances in Queensland can be a huge challenge with poor technology and lack of services. The buzz around our recent Mother’s Day fundraising event held in Goondiwindi just illustrates how valued Motherland’s services are in helping women to connect.

“This funding is such an exciting opportunity for Motherland to extend its reach and support to even more rural women and their families across Queensland.”

Queensland’s Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister

for Women Shannon Fentiman said the funding meant more rural women would receive the support they needed, when they needed it.

“I’m so thrilled that our budget includes this crucial funding for Motherland to be able to expand their care to even more rural mothers across Queensland,” Minister Fentiman said.

“The Motherland team do an incredible job supporting the health and wellbeing of our ruralmumsandtheMilesGovernmentisproudto support them in the delivery of this vital work.”

Motherland is a national charity that was founded in 2019 by TV journalist turned farmer Stephanie Trethewey.

Ms Trethewey is the current 2024 Australian of the Year for Tasmania and in 2022 was

awarded the national AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award for her pioneering work. Over the past 12 months, the charity has ex-

· Motherland is a national charity that advocates for the emotional wellbeing of rural mothers in Australia and delivers services that help build resilience and improve mental health outcomes.

· The Motherland podcast, which shares real and raw stories of rural motherhood every week, recently clocked 950,000 downloads, while Motherland Village, Australia’s first online rural mother’s group program has connected more than 280 rural mothers to their own per-

tended its reach across Queensland, appointing its state-based ambassador, with plans to invest in more roles in the future.

sonalised support group in just over two years.

· More than 90 per cent of rural mothers who say they were struggling with their mental health before joining Motherland Village say the program improved it.

· In March 2024 the charity celebrated its inaugural national conference and in May 2024 held three Mother’s Day fundraising events to connect rural mothers, including in Goondiwindi, Queensland.

A group shot at the Motherland National Conference.

Goondiwindi Motherland Fundraiser 2024.

Motherland Village alumni at the Motherland national conference.

Pictures: CONTRIBUTED

Motherland ambassadors Marissa Veitch, Alice Woods, Fiona Waters, Stephanie Trethewey, Kate Brow and Georgina Simson.

Motherland program manager Kate Brow, Queensland ambassador Alice Woods and founder and CEO Stephanie Trethewey.

Motherland chair Julia Spicer and Motherland Queensland ambassador Alice Woods.

A field day for everyone

By Daniel Pelcl - Managing Director

Farmers of all types flocked to this year’s Elders FarmFest situated in Kingsthorpe in the heart of the Darling Downs on a purpose-built site of more than 64 acres.

There were three brisk mornings, but the days ended up with sunshine and great crowds. Over 1000 exhibitors and 2000 companies were represented at this year’s FarmFest and they attracted over 50,000 visitors.

There was so much to see with a full day just about not enough to get through the exhibits which ranged from cattle, machinery of all types, motor vehicles, Hi Tech drones, irrigation and supplies, handyman and tradies tools, Lifestyle products and the list goes on.

The Isuzu Iron Summit was a crowd pleaser as it gave the visitors the opportunity to experience the power of the D-Max ute and Mu-X 4-wheel drive.

Make sure you don’t miss Queensland’s largest and most successful annual field day as it’s already gearing up for a big year with FarmFest celebrating their 50th anniversary.

Andrew Bartley from Clark Tanks and Conrad Kingon from Reefe Pumps. 414541

Picture: DANIEL PELCL

Belinda and Angus Hess from Blonde Daquatine Stud from ‘Waite A Wyle’ MaClagan. 414541

Howard Hobbs pilot and chair of angle flight Australia with Keith McKenzie Angle Flight pilot Toowoomba and MP for Warrego Anne Leahy. 414541 Hugo Mortensen and Ross Archer from CubeX. 414541

Isuzu Iron Summit demonstrations throughout the day giving festival goers the opportunity to experience the ride. 414541

Large selection of breeders in the cattle judging section this year. 414541

Picture: DANIEL PELCLMikala Shevill and Beccy Erbacher taking it all in at FarmFest. 414541

Picture: DANIEL PELCL

Jayne and Ciaran Gentry from Australian Cattle Back Rubs from Toowoomba. 414541

KOMATSU team with training and demonstrations throughout the three days. 414541

Tom Prest from Brisbane, Oz Value Ag Kingaroy general manager Carl Rackermann with Tony Cook and Martin Cook from Kingaroy. 414541

Rob Clark from East Coast Trailers & Horse Floats ‘ifor Williams’ from the UK. 414541

Representing the Rural Fire Service at the FarmFest 2024. 414541

Xag p100pro agricultural drone from Oz tech Drones Bundaberg. 414541

Sam, Chris, Layla, and Angus Inwood from Ramsey. 414541

Oz Value Kingaroy had a large display of farm spreaders and grain chaser bins. 414541

Rory McCutchen Barb Evans with Fleckvieh Cow and calf from Kingaroy. 414541

Peter from Agri Future Drones Bundaberg. 414541

Pete and Amber Graham from Graham’s Precast Concrete. 414541

RELIABLE PRODUCTS ... RELIABLE PEOPLE

Heroes of the hot wash

By Aussie Pumps

Cleaning oily and greasy farm gear with hot water and steam offers huge advantages over cold water cleaning. It’s more efficient, cutting cleaning times by up to 75 per cent uses less water and reduces the need for cleaning chemicals.

For service technicians it is not only faster, but helps to identify hydraulic leaks prior to maintenance, facilitating less equipment downtime and reduced service times.

For livestock producers hot water and steam can deliver a more hygienic clean, killing bacteria and germs. This makes it an ideal option for cleaning in dairies, piggeries and chicken sheds.

Aussie Pumps offers a range of hot wash machines and steam cleaners that are specifically designed for Australian conditions.

“When we set out to sell hot water and steam pressure cleaners in Australia, we knew that the standard European machines did not measure up to the local conditions,” said Aussie Pump’s Chief Engineer John Hales. “Reliability is vital, especially in remote areas where the breakdown of the steam cleaner can mean the machine is out of action for weeks,” he said.

Aussie Pumps set out to design in key features into their hot wash machines that gave users advantages they felt were essential, without including over complicated components with the potential to fail.

All of Aussie’s electric drive hot water machines come with four pole motors and slow speed heavy duty European triplex pumps. They provide a longer and trouble free life. The range includes both single and three phase options with pressures from 1,800 psi all the way up to 4,000 psi.

They also come with stainless steel covers, replacing the traditional European style polypropylene cover, a steel chassis, and four wheels, not castors, for ease of movement on uneven surfaces.

Aussie’s machines are streets ahead of imports. They feature a wide range of protection devices that are aimed at providing the maximum convenience for the operator. These include Timed Total Stop, Auto Shut-down, Micro-leak Detection, and Low Fuel sensor with warning light.

“Aussie’s steam cleaners are as tough on the inside as they look from the outside but still outstanding value,” said Hales.

AUSSIE SIZZLER ….GREAT VALUE HOT WASH

The Aussie Sizzler represents a price breakthrough, but without compromising quality.

The hot wash delivers 1800 psi pressure with a flow of 10 lpm. With a maximum temperature of 80°C, the machine has proven popular for cleaning farm equipment and dairy washdown.

The Sizzler comes in a stainless steel cover over a four wheel trolley. The secret of the machine’s success is what is under the cover.

It comes with a top quality slow speed first world heavy duty triplex pump with solid ceramic pistons. It is driven by a four pole 1450 rpm electric motor and equipped with loads of safety protection gadgets.

The diesel fired burner has been set to produce hot water to a maximum of 80°C.

“Experience has taught us that running a hot wash at this temperature is both fuel efficient and delivers great cleaning results,” said Hales

AUSSIE ADMIRAL … TOP OF THE CLASS

Aussie’s Admiral 4000 steam cleaner. It is a 4,000 psi steam cleaner with increased capability but with the advantage of using less water consumption.

The Admiral can save time, water and electricity in the cleaning process. The 4,000 psi capability with flows to 15 lpm, means it can move caked on debris fast, delivering huge time savings. It’s the combination of steam (up to 130°C), 4,000 psi pressure and huge flow, that get the jobs done faster.

The operator has the ability to vary both pressure and heat from the control panel to optimize performance and cleaning efficiency.

This heavy duty machine is ideal for busy transport hubs and high volume wash bays where the machine will be used for most of the day.

AUSSIE HEATWAVE …. MOBILE STEAM CLEANING

Yes, we can even supply Honda engine drive, portable 4,000 psi hot wash machines delivering steam up to 130°C and it’s called the Aussie Heatwave.

The 13HP electric start Honda engine drives a heavy duty triplex pump with solid ceramic pistons and top quality seals for a long trouble free life.

The Heatwave features a 12 volt ignition system and a diesel fired burner. The heating system enables the operator to go from using

cold to hot water with the flick of a button. The operational temperature of the water delivered can be dialled up from ambient to 130°C.

The unit is built into a compact stainless steel frame with four steel wheels with rubber tyres. This means it can be used as a mobile wash unit for landscapers and maintenance contractors.

Alternatively, it can be hard mounted on a ute, truck or trailer together with a 300 or 400 litre water tank to become a self-contained mobile high pressure on-site cleaning system.

For further information on the Aussie Pump range of hot wash and steam cleaners contact your nearest Aussie Gold Distributor or check out the Aussie Pump website (aussiepumps. com.au).

Aussie Admiral heavy duty steam cleaner is ideal for pre-service cleaning of trucks and farm gear in high volume wash bays. Pictures: CONTRIBUTED

The 4,000 psi Aussie Heatwave is Honda powered to enable mobile on-site cleaning.

An Aussie Admiral in action cleaning tanks on a fish farm with high pressure steam.

The single phase electric powered Aussie Sizzler is a great on farm tool for general gear cleaning.

Glenwarrah Pastoral Co.

Quality Brooksby Angus

Brooksby Angus was established in 1998 when the Collins family moved to the Bundarra area and purchased the property “Brooksby”. Bundarra is located in the New England of New South Wales which is highly sought after these days for its lush pasture grazing ability.

Stephen Collins has a long history, over 50 years, in the cattle industry with dairy farming on his families property at Tamworth, taking over from his parents in the 70’s. Then he developed a commercial based herd at his property at Delungra.

On moving from Delungra to Bundarra, Stephen and Leanne purchased the Angus commercial herd from Ian and Helen McDonald, that was on Brooksby at the time of purchase, which had some of the best Angus genetics used over many years.

He commenced breeding stud Angus cattle along with the commercial herd to diversify the operation. The base herd came from strong bloodlines from Wattletop Angus and two dispersals of Hopetoun Park and Tucklan

Valley. There were other females added over the years from prominent studs in Victoria.

The property runs around 500 breeders and weaners from the herd constantly top or neartops the New England Armidale Weaner Sale, with some of the heavier weight calves up for sale every year. These are mainly sired by Brooksby bulls.

Recently, Kym and Jeff Liddle of CV Pastoral,Wandoan took out the grassfed section and Reserve Champion over all with grogeny at Rockhampton Beef 2024, from Brooksby Bulls. They have been purchasing our bulls now for over 15 years and have achieved tremendous results with their stock.

This year’s sale draft consists of 44 two year old bulls and 24 low birth weight yearling Angus bulls. They are a strong draft of bulls showing outstanding muscle expression. Any enquiries can be sent to the selling agents Nutrien Armidale or Armitage and Buckley Armidale.

Lot 2 T28.

Brooksby Exclusive T49 Lot 10.

Pictures: CONTRIBUTED

Brooksby Angus grazing on good pasture.

Brooksby Navigator T156 Lot 4.

Sharpening financial skills

By Fiona Gowers

The key to running successful farming businesses is a strong understanding of financials, according to Cecil Plains cotton grower Stuart Armitage.

“The agricultural sector is part of a rapidly changing world in which financial skills play a critical role for both our current and next generation farmers,“ said Mr Armitage, the southern Queensland Rabo Client Council chair.

As such, primary producers in the Pittsworth and Goondiwindi districts are invited to attend free financial skills workshops designed to help them effectively manage their agricultural enterprises.

“There is increasing pressure and need for next-generation primary producers to understand financial reporting,“ Mr Armitage said. “These workshops aim to close the gap between farming expertise and financial knowledge.

“And, while many of our well-educated next-generation primary producers have extensive on-farm experience, understanding the nuances of financial reporting and banking requirements can still be unfamiliar to them.”

Mr Armitage said the workshops were designed to allow couples and family members to attend together.

“They offer a valuable chance for farmers to step away from their business, absorb the same knowledge and foster a shared understanding of financial reporting.

“By learning together, they can enhance their financial expertise as a team.”

Rabobank’s Rabo Client Council - a group of the bank’s farming clients who volunteer their time implementing programs that contribute to the sustainability of rural and regional communities - has initiated the workshops.

Each session will provide practical, handson advice for understanding financial state-

ments and banking requirements and explore topics such as taxation versus management accounting and essential business management ratios.

“By equipping farmers with the knowledge to efficiently utilise financial reporting and navigate banking procedures, the Financial Skills Workshops play a crucial role in enhancing the resilience and prosperity of local farming enterprises,” Mr Armitage said.

“As a result, our rural and regional communities also reap the benefits of a financially robust agricultural sector.”

Rabobank regional manager for southern

Queensland, Brad James said producer feedback from previous Rabobank Financial Skills Workshops was that the information provided was “real and worthwhile and readily applied to their farming operations”.

“Since the launch of the workshops in 2018, the Rabo Client Councils have extended this valuable learning opportunity to more than 4550 farmers across Australia and New Zealand,” he said.

“If you’re interested in attending these workshops, keen to meet other leading producers in the agri-sector and increase your financial literacy and skills, confirm your place

before the courses are fully allocated.”

The workshops – which are limited to 30 participants each and are not restricted to the bank’s clients – will be presented by director of Hudson Facilitation, Tony Hudson.

Workshop dates and locations are:

· Tuesday, 16 July 2024: 8:30am to 3:30pm –Pittsworth.

· Wednesday, 17 July 2024: 8:30am to 3:30pm – Goondiwindi.

Morning tea and lunch catering will be provided.

Please contact rabocommunity@rabobank. com with any queries about the workshops.

FARMFORCE Post Driver

Glenwarrah Pastoral Co.

Hitting the sweet spot

Originally ‘Glenwarrah‘ was the name given to Steve’s A.I.S. stud, chosen by Steve and his mother Joyce Collins, combining the two cultures Scottish and aboriginal with ‘glen’ meaning water and ‘warrah’ place of honey, for their Tamworth dairying property.

The hereford stud herd of ‘Glenwarrah’ was established 40 years ago by Steve, whose background came from dairying and a commercial crossbreeding beef operation at Tamworth. The first stud cows were purchased from Strathleigh Herefords, these cows were mainly by the successful breeding bull Devon Court Coronet 22 with calves at foot by Tummel Jubilee 10.

In the early stages females were purchased from South Boorook, Yarram Park, Invernaion, Clerkness and Cootharaba. In the mid 80’s a large number of cows were added from the dispersal of the Iolanthe herd. The renowned Satisfaction family came from two cows in this purchase. Over the early years there were other cows purchased at dispersals, the best of these was a Devon Court heifer from the Lioness family, this family has gone on to be a dominate family for us.

Glenwarrah was a prominent exhibitor at ‘Glen Innes Show and Sale’ for many years, where the stud had great success achieving the ‘Champion Pen of Three Bulls and the Truck Load of Bulls’ on two occasions, as well as winning Grand Champion Bull of the sale and topping the sale several times.

After Glen Innes the stud combined to sell with Stannum Herefords at Casino and later at Tenterfield. We decided to move our sale back to the family property “Brooksby” at Bundarra, where we conduct the sale in July every year. 2020 saw a new direction for Glenwarrah Hereford with David and Kate Collins adding their ideas to the breeding of the Herefords here at “Brooksby”.

As David has always been directed by Steve on the breeding, it is now time for him to make his mark on the beef industry using sires that complement the base herd that Stephen has put together. With a strong grounding in meat and muscle it isn’t hard to see what David is after in the future.

Recently David and Kate returned two sires to the herd to add strength in the future, both had been bred by Stephen and sold in recent times and David felt he could introduce the six year old Glenwarrah Mumbai M183 and Glenwarrah Delux P232 over the strong cow herd to a great advantage. This year’s offering of

28 Hereford bulls have these two bulls represented soundly with big strong muscled bulls for sale.

Our sale is on the 24th July at “Brooksby” Bundarra and can also be followed on Auctions Plus. The selling agents are Nutrien Armidale and Armitage and Buckley Armidale.

Beef Australia 2024 Commercial Cattle Champion’s.

Glenwarrah Delux T017 Lot 46.

Pictures: CONTRIBUTEDGlenwarrah Sale bulls 2024

Deep phosphorus research

Understanding how to maximise the efficiency of phosphorus fertiliser use is becoming more important than ever as the fertility of Queensland grain-cropping soils diminishes

Long-term research has found that deep banding — applying phosphorus between 10 and 30 centimetres below the soil surface in concentrated bands — boosted yield for some central and southern Queensland grain growers by more than 10 per cent compared to surface application alone.

Now, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) are taking the research a step further.

DAF is conducting research projects that investigate the most economically beneficial deep phosphorus-banding methods and how long the residual benefits of deep banding last.

The work is part of long-term, multi-million dollar GRDC investment on behalf of Australian grain growers to understand phosphorous fertiliser use efficiency, its behaviour in different soil types, its residual benefits and, importantly, the economic returns on-farm.

Nine new research sites from Condamine in the east, Roma in the north and Mungindi in the south have been established, with large plots allowing growers to measure yield responses at harvest, mirroring commercial scale farming operations.

Smaller plots will be used to experiment with different fertiliser intensities and spacing between banding and how various environments might interact with these regimes.

A separate complementary project with plots at Capella, Jimbour West, Goondiwindi, Condamine and west of Roma will analyse the long-term residual benefits of deep phosphorus-banding.

This work will build on more than 11 years of research by DAF, GRDC and the University of Queensland and apply those learnings at a broadacre scale.

Deep-banded phosphorus plots were established at these sites between 2013 and 2016.

Researchers will re-assess these sites to determine the residual benefits of banding six to 10 years after application.

This data can then be fed back into costbenefit analyses based on the amount of fertiliser applied and the timeframe until reapplication is required.

This research aims to maximise the efficiency of phosphorus fertiliser use and thus return on investment for grain growers by locating it at the most ideal depth in the soil for crop uptake, which also significantly reduces the risk of runoff.

Dr David Lester, principal research scientist, Crop Improvement RD&E, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries said this important research could help Queensland grain farmers

increase their crop yields, as well as soil and water productivity.

“Phosphorus is a finite resource, so making sure it is placed in the soil optimally for plant recovery is important, he said.

“Better crops can mean better ground cover with more carbon that decreases runoff, allowing farmers to save money and improve the health of our waterways.”

GRDC grower relations manager Rebecca Raymond said GRDC had invested more than $6 million to date into this research to improve understanding of phosphorous fertiliser use efficiency.

“(We) assess how grain growers can maximise their use of this input in different soil types, for different crops at different rates and levels to determine the genuine return on investment at a farm-level,” she said.

“We are also investing in additional research to investigate where phosphorus fertiliser goes and what agronomic practices effect its uptake.

“It is important these key research learnings are validated and tested at a farm level in different environments, so we can understand the cost benefits for growers.”

Driving value for investment at the heart of MLA

By Michael Crowley, MLA Managing Director

I started as Meat and Livestock Australia’s (MLA) managing director at the end of May. This role is an honour and opportunity as it presents the chance to lead an organisation that is a major driving force behind our industry’s marketing, research and innovation.

It’s also an opportunity for me to return to MLA in a new capacity after previously having been the CEO at Herefords Australia.

Prior to that, I worked with MLA in roles including regional manager for Europe and Russia, manager of Meat Standards Australia (MSA) and general manager for Research, Development and Adoption.

There is plenty to be enthusiastic about for Australia’s beef cattle, sheep and goat sectors, with significant opportunities globally and domestically.

For example, Australia is the largest exporter of lamb. We also know 92 per cent of Australian households purchased beef over the past year, with 67pc purchasing it every month.

We know that Australian red meat is highly regarded and sought-after by consumers in Australia and around the world, with our industry underpinned by Australia being our largest beef and lamb market and our increasing opportunities to grow market share in international markets.We have strong Free Trade Agreements in most major markets and the MLA international team continues excellent work capitalising on these opportunities.

There are headwinds around rising costs, inflation, seasonal variability and various trade and market access issues – but the overall outlook is bright.

MLA has an opportunity to work with all of industry to accelerate growth and oppor-

tunities. A key component of this approach will be the development of a new five-year Strategic Plan that will run to 2030 and will align directly with the Meat Industry Strategic Plan, Red Meat 2030.

MLA will soon begin consultation on how the next five-year MLA Strategic Plan can align with the goals of Red Meat 2030, as well as identify and address priorities for the industry. This consultation will span several months, engaging producers, peak industry

councils, the supply chain, government, research partners, fellow RDCs and other key stakeholders.

Looking forward to that process, we can already see some of the successes that can be built upon. Programs like Meat Standards Australia (MSA) continue to deliver outcomes for the producers involved, enhancing our reputation and generating significant value. It is estimated that this program generated an additional $259 million in farm gate returns to beef producers in 2022/23.

Our investment in genetics also allows our industry to continue to raise the bar, improving productivity, profitability and sustainability. This has been matched by producer enthusiasm, with a record number of 420,000 animals submitted to both the MERINOSELECT and LAMPLAN evaluations in 2023.

Driving on-farm profitability and productivity is crucial in our day-to-day work at MLA and technology plays a key role in that. Research and technology allow for innovation, but for that innovation to be impactful, it needs to make its way into practical outcomes in the paddock.

This is why MLA’s investments in adoption are crucial as they help bridge the connection between R&D and what is happening on farm. To cite some examples, Manabotix bunk scanning is now being used in seven feedlots with a combined capacity of 250,000 head, while the new Transport Hub has brought together a wealth of information for the entire supply chain about safely and humanely transporting our animals.

Most importantly, we understand that for adoption to occur, producers need to be presented with a clear value proposition.

Sustainability continues to be a fundamental priority for the red meat industry.

Sustainability needs to be delivered in terms of productivity, profitability and positive environmental and social outcomes. It must be practical and it must drive real and tangible value for producers. A major aspirational target for the industry is being carbon neutral by 2030 (CN30). The red meat industry, through significant investment, has made considerable progress towards this ambitious target.

Sustainability is bigger than just emissions and carbon. It covers almost everything we do in our businesses and this is why industry’s ongoing commitment to the Sheep Sustainability Framework and Australian Beef Sustainability Framework is so important. These frameworks are industry led and customer focussed, helping to clearly articulate industry’s significant achievements in sustainability and plot a path for the future.

For the MLA strategic plan to be successful, we must deliver value for each participant in the supply chain.We will have a focus on creating and delivering value as a result of the investments we make on behalf of industry. Working collaboratively, transparently and in regular communication we will be able to deliver great outcomes for our levy payers.

As well as the upcoming conversations with industry on the strategic plan development, I’m also looking forward to catching up with stakeholders at some significant events coming up this year.

These include LambEx in Adelaide in August, MLA Updates in Perth in October and the Annual General Meeting in November. I encourage producers to get along to these events, learn more about MLA and to have a chat with me.

Meat and Livestock Australia managing director Michael Crowley. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries principal research scientist Dr David Lester. Picture: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES

• RHS-Tube

• RHS-Near New

• Pipe-Galv & Black

• Cattle Panels

• Goat Panels

• Galv Heavy Welded Mesh

• Black Sheet

• Angle + Flat Bar

• Round Bar

• Roofing Iron

• Top Hats Purlins

• Barbed Wire IOWA & H/T

• Fence Post Pickets

• Hinged Joint Wire

• Strainer Posts

• Cattle Rail

• Gates

• Gridmesh

• Gate Fittings

• Black Plate

• Square Bar

• Structural Beams

• Purlins Z+C

• Gutter

• Plain Wire

• Plate cut to size

The Foxes

Mexican Pasta Salad

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 7 minutes

Serves: 6-8

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

· 300g farfalle pasta

· 5 eggs

· 1 large green capsicum, finely chopped

· 200g punnet cherry tomatoes (see tips), halved

· 400g can corn kernels, drained

· 400g can black beans, drained and rinsed

Method:

1. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water until tender. Drain. Rinse under cold water. Cool.

2. Cook eggs in a saucepan of boiling water for 6 minutes for medium softness. Remove with a slotted spoon and cool in cold water. Peel. Cut in half.

3. To make dressing; whisk all ingredients in a bowl until smooth.

4. Place pasta in a large bowl with remaining ingredients except eggs. Add half of the dressing and stir until combined. Arrange in a serving bowl with eggs nestled in amongst salad.

· 4 green onions, thinly sliced

· 1 bunch coriander, chopped

· 1 large avocado, chopped

· Sliced red chilli, to serve (optional)

Dressing

· 1/4 cup Greek yoghurt

· 1/2 cup whole egg mayonnaise

· 2 limes, zested and juiced

· 1 teaspoon garlic powder

· 1 tablespoon Mexican hot sauce

Sprinkle with chilli if using. Drizzle with remaining dressing.

Tips:

· Use Solanato or Perino tomatoes available from supermarkets

· We used chipotle hot sauce which was not spicy but you can use any of your favourite or even a Mexican salsa. For added spice, add a fresh finely chopped jalapeno to salad.

· Salad can be made up the day ahead without the dressing, avocado or eggs. Stir through a good drizzle of olive oil to keep pasta separated. Cover and refrigerate salad then add dressing, avocado and eggs when ready to serve.

Prawn

Cocktail Platter

Prep time: 25 minutes

Serves: 4

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

Dressing

· 1/3 cup whole egg mayonnaise

· 1 1/2 tablespoons horseradish cream

· 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

· 2 tablespoons lemon juice

· 1/2 bunch chives, sliced

Method:

Dressing

1. Make dressing by whisking all ingredients in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate.

Boiled Eggs

1. Place the eggs in a saucepan of cold water. Place the pan over medium heat, bring to a gentle simmer, gently stirring the eggs constantly in a clockwise direction. The movement of the water helps to centre the yolks.

2. Simmer the eggs for 4 minutes for soft-boiled eggs. For semi-firm yolks and hard whites, simmer for 5 minutes. For hard-boiled eggs, simmer for 8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the egg from the water. Transfer to a bowl filled with ice to cool. Peel and cut into quarters. Set aside.

Platter

· 4 boiled eggs

· 1/4 cup olive oil

· 2 cloves garlic, crushed

· 1 small sourdough baguette, thinly sliced

· 16 medium fresh, cooked king prawns, tail intact

· 2 little gem lettuce, leaves washed and separated

· 1 firm, ripe avocado, sliced

· Dill sprigs, to serve

Platter

1. Preheat oven to 160C (fan-forced).

2. Combine oil and garlic in a small bowl. Brush both sides of baguette with oil mixture. Arrange on a large baking tray in a single layer. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until golden and crisp.

3. Arrange lettuce leaves on a large platter with prawns and avocado on a serving platter. Top with prawns, croutons and eggs. Scatter with dill sprigs. Serve with dressing.

Tips:

· Boiled eggs and croutons can be made a day ahead.

· To save time, seafood sauce and croutons can be purchased from your local supermarket.

Recipe courtesy of Australian Eggs

Recipe courtesy of Australian Eggs

Building leader resilience

Social enterprises play a crucial role in addressing local needs and fostering community resilience, but what happens to the wellbeing of teams leading these essential organisations?

A new research initiative led by the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) seeks to understand the wellbeing needs of social enterprise leaders and their teams across rural, remote and regional Queensland.

The project team from UniSQ – Dr Naomi Ryan, Dr Aastha Malhotra and Professor Amy Mullens – is funded through the Queensland Government’s Social Enterprise Research Grants Program.

Senior lecturer (pathways) Dr Ryan said social enterprises were vital across Australia, particularly in rural, remote and regional areas, providing services to communities by supporting marginalised people or those with complex needs.

“Social enterprises address community needs, create positive social impact, and generate revenue,” Dr Ryan said.

“The demanding nature of their work, combined with limited resources and support, often leads to heightened stress and fatigue among leaders and employees, particularly in rural and remote areas.

“Running a social enterprise in remote areas requires creativity and resilience to overcome resource issues. Balancing the needs of the enterprise and its consumers with personal wellbeing can be demanding.”

The research team aims to contribute to the long-term sustainability of social enterprises through capturing the complex factors impacting the wellbeing of social enterprise founders and employees.

By engaging with local social enterprises and stakeholders,theresearchteamwillgaininsight into their unique operating environments and co-create an accessible toolkit to support ongoing wellbeing in the social enterprise sector.

BackTrack Youth Works CEO Marcus Watson

said the research was vital in ensuring the sustainability of social enterprises in rural, remote and regional Queensland.

“We’ve seen firsthand the importance of resilience and support networks for our staff and

colleagues who are working with young people doing it tough in the regions,” MrWatson said.

“This research is an important step in ensuring the leaders of our social enterprises can continue to make a positive impact in rural and

remote areas.”

Dr Ryan said the project aligned with strategic state and federal priorities to improve sustainability outcomes and support the growth and maturity of the social enterprise sector.

BackTrack founder Bernie Shakeshaft, UniSQ senior lecturer (pathways) Dr Naomi Ryan and Mona Aboriginal Corporation founder Patrick Cooke.

Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Regional market round-up

Report Date: 19/06/2024

Saleyard: Casino

Numbers increased for a yarding of 2,000 head , with weaner cattle in larger numbers, while there was a good supply of cows. The yarding of young cattle consisted mainly of vealers and weaners, while there was only a few pens of yearlings offered. Quality of the young cattle was mixed, although there continued to be runs of well breed steers and heifers through the sale. The market was cheaper, however buyers from Queensland and the Tablelands kept prices more stable this week on some lines. Restocker weaner steers were 10c cheaper selling from 236c to 356c for a average of 311c/kg. Restocker weaner heifers were down by 10c to 15c ranging from 170c to 282c with medium weights averaging 226c/kg. There was only a few yearlings, steers toped at 290c and the yearling heifers sold to 240c/ kg. The yarding of export cattle was made up mainly of cows, with a limited supply of grown steers and heifers. Grown steers toped at 255c and grown heifers sold to 265c/kg. There was increased numbers of plain cows yarded this week in a cheaper market which was down by 10c. medium weight 2 score cows sold from 140c to 170c, while 3 score medium weights averaged 168c and 4 score cows ranged form 188c to 213c/kg.

Report compiled by Doug Robson Report Date: 19/06/2024

Saleyard: CQLX Gracemere

Numbers at CQLX Gracemere sale decreased by 193 head to 2369. Cattle came from the usual draw areas between Bowen and Miriamvale and west to include some grainfed cattle from Springsure. The cold weather has turned some coats up, but overall condition was good. Quality could best be described as mixed in most classes. The processor panel is still short a couple of regular buyers and restockers are becoming less plentiful and more particular, with most categories easier than last sale. The exception was in the light end of the yearling steers and heifers which showed some improvement on last sale for the best bred pens.

Vealer steers sold to 320c/kg, to average 298c/kg for the best. Vealer heifers sold to 225c/kg.

Light weight yearling steers made to 339c/ kg with the largest samples averaging 314c/kg for “C” butt lines and 252c/kg for plain pens. Well-bred pens of medium weight yearling steers to restockers averaged 312c/kg for the best. Light weight yearling heifers to 280kgs averaged 202c/kg, with sales to 219c/kg. Medium weights made to 231c/kg, to return averages of 202c to 228c/kg.

Grown steers to processors averaged 241c to 255c/kg for grass feds and 253c to 261c/ kg for 100 day grain feds, selling to 271c/kg. Grown heifers to trade buyers averaged 2203c to 238c/kg for grass fed pens, whilst the grain fed pens topped at 272c/kg to average 265c/kg. Heavy, four score cows went to processors

to average 195c/kg, with the best selling to 205c/kg. Heavy bulls to feed for the livex orders averaged 220c/kg, whilst those to processors averaged 194c/kg. Beef cows and calves sold to make from $950 to $1,225 per unit, whilst a few foster cows sold from $1,500 to $1,650 per unit.

Reporter: Richard Thomson

Report Date: 19/06/2024

Saleyard: Dalby

The supply of stock at Dalby remained close to last week with 4,638 cattle penned being 672 from far western QLD a handful from NSW and the balance from the local supply area. Not all the export buyers were present resulting in the export lines being 15c to 35c cheaper. The yearling feeder steers were the least affected and sold to similar rates with most of the yearling heifers to feed and background selling to an easier trend.

Lightweight yearling steers to restockers sold to 386c and averaged 341c with the lesser quality lines at 290c/kg. Yearling steers over 280kg to restockers made 374c to average 337c/kg. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market sold to 366c and averaged 329c/kg. Heavy yearling steers to feed sold to 344c and averaged 311c/kg. Yearling steers over 480kg to feed made 324c to average 305c/kg. Light weight yearling heifers to background made 282c to average 233c/kg. Yearling heifers over 280kg to feed made 256c with those to restockers at 271c/kg.Medium weight heifers to feed made 294c to average 249c/kg. Heavy yearling heifers to feed sold to 316c and averaged 280c with those to the wholesale meat trade topping at 324c/kg.

Young bullocks to the butcher trade sold to an isolated 310c/kg. Bullocks over 600kg to processors made 260c to average 227c/ kg.Grown heifers to processors topped at 312c/ kg.Light weight cows to restockers sold from 143c to 176c with an isolated sale to 300c/kg. Heavy PTIC cows to restockers made 223c to average 204c/kg.Plain conditioned heavy cows

to processors sold from 152c to 198ckg. Good heavy cows sold to 215c and averaged 186c/kg. Medium weight bulls to processors made 242c to average 233c/kg. Heavy bulls to processors made 215c to average 195c/kg.

Market Reporter Errol Luck

Report Date: 18/06/2024

Saleyard: Roma Store

With the cooler weather Roma Agents yarded 5,965 head. All the regular feedlotters and backgrounders present as well as an extra processor. The yarding consisted of heavy feeders and quality well bred weaners and another line up good condition cows.

Light weight yearling steers under 200kg sold from 180c to 360c/kg. Yearling steers 200 to 280kg sold from 310c to 382c/kg. Yearling steers 280 to 330kg lost ground on previous sale and made to 378c/kg. Yearling steers 330 to 400kg to feed topped 366c/kg and averaged 338c/kg. Yearling steers 400 to 480kg also to feed made from 236c and topped 342c/kg. Yearling steers over 480kg made from 260c to 290c and averaged 277c/kg.

Light weight yearling heifers under 200kg also lost ground sold 220c and averaged 204c/ kg.Yearling heifers 200 to 280kg made to 296c/ kg. Yearling heifers 280 to 330kg sold well to 306c/kg. Yearling heifers 330 to 400kg with the majority selling from 226c to 314c/kg. Yearling heifers 400 to 480kg also gained selling to 308c/kg to feed.

Yearling heifers over 480kg made to made from 174c to 288c/kg. Grown steers 500 to 600kg made to 286c/kg to processors with the over 600kg also made to 286c/kg. Heifers over 540g topped 258c/kg. Another line up of well conditioned cows were presented however prices could not be maintain from the previous sale. The 2 score cows sold from 140c to 207c/kg. The 3 score cows made to 243c to average 219c/kg. The best of the heavy weight bulls to 268c/kg.

Market Reporter David Friend

Report Date: 17/06/2024

Saleyard:Toowoomba

The supply of stock at Toowoomba reduced to 98 head of mixed quality cattle. Most of the regular buyers were in attendance along with a large panel of onlookers. The better bred lines of yearling steers and heifers sold to prices similar to last week and any price gains were due to the improvement in the quality presented.

Yearling steers in the 200-280kg range to restockers sold to 370c and averaged 315c/kg. Yearling steers over 280kg to feed made 338c to average 309c/kg. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market sold to 350c and averaged 333c/kg. Heavy yearling steers to feed sold to an isolated 254c/kg.Yearling heifers in the 200280kg range to background averaged 255c and sold to 316c/kg. Yearling heifers over 330kg to feed made 282c to average 268c with those to processors at 244c/kg.

A small sample of heavy cows to processors sold to 180c/kg. Medium weight bulls to feed made 207c with heavy bulls to processors at 170c/kg.

Market Reporter Errol Luck

Report Date: 18/06/2024

Saleyard:Warwick

Warwick agents penned 1,048 cattle being 198 less than last week. All the usual processors and wholesalers were present along with feeder operators and restockers.The overall quality of the yarding was mixed with the better bred and finished lines selling to improved prices however any of the lesser quality cattle received limited competition from the buying panel.

Yearling steers in the 200-280kg range to restockers improved in prices and sold to 392c to average 341c with the plainer lines at 280c to average 268c/kg. Yearling steers over 280kg to feed sold to 340c and averaged 320c/kg. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market made 345c to average 321c up by 9c/kg. Heavy yearling steers to feed sold to 340c and averaged 318c/kg. Yearling steers over 480kg to feed made 330c with those to the wholesale meat trade topping at 345c/kg. Light weight heifers to restockers averaged 232c and sold to 244c/kg. Yearling heifers over 280kg to feed sold to 286c and averaged 270c/kg. Medium weight heifers to feed sold to 290c and averaged 260c with those to restockers at 305c/kg. Yearling heifers to the wholesale meat trade topped at 376c and averaged 333c/kg.

Young bullocks to processors gained 7c and sold to 300c and averaged 261c with those over 600kg selling to 278c/kg. Grown heifers to processors sold to 310c and averaged 263c/kg. Light weight cows to processors sold from 130c to 203c/kg. Heavy plain conditioned cows to processors sold from 165c to 198c with good heavy cows averaging 209c and selling to 220c/ kg. Medium weight bulls to processors made 268c to average 267c/kg. Heavy bulls sold to 259c and averaged 238c/kg.

Market Reporter Errol Luck

Backflip on PALM scheme

Changes to the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, announced last month, have been welcomed by the National Farmers Federation and Maranoa MP and Nationals leader David Littleproud, whose agriculturally based electorate is closely tied to the PALM scheme.

The change means from 1 July 2024, employers of short-term workers will be required to offer 120 hours of work over 4 weeks, rather than 30 hours each and every week as had been planned.

Jolyon Burnett, chair of the NFF Horticulture Council, said industry was encouraged the Albanese Government had heeded advice that the original settings would result in fewer employers engaging with PALM and fewer workers from the Pacific able to benefit from the opportunity of earning great wages in Australia.

“Business confidence in horticulture is at a low ebb right now, and a lot of that has got to do with a lack of certainty in our workforce options,” Mr Burnett said.

“The announced improvements will be a real shot in the arm for employers in the sector, and especially for those who have made significant accommodation and other capital investments to meet scheme requirements.

“We congratulate the government on this improvement to the PALM scheme and ask that we now take a long-term view of building a workforce for the horticulture industry that is secure, reliable and productive, with a more balanced mix of labour sources.

“We’ll continue to work with government on getting the mix right.”

Leader of The Nationals and our local Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has welcomed the Federal Government’s backflip on ill-advised changes to the PALM Scheme, after The Nationals strongly advocated against the now-defunct minimum hours of work requirement.

“Despite warnings from the Coalition and industry bodies, last year, Labor ploughed ahead with unworkable changes to the PALM Scheme, jeopardising our agricultural industry in Maranoa and our foreign relations,” Mr Lit-

tleproud said.

“The changes forced employers in Maranoa to guarantee 30 hours per week.

“Those whose day jobs actually involve growing the world’s freshest produce knew

there was a deep-rooted lack of comprehension of seasonality and how weather can dictate the hours a PALM employer can provide.

“These flaws were raised in Senate Estimates, in Questions in Writing to the Minister for the Pacific and through strong media advocacy which has, thankfully, turned the tide.

“Thankfully, now the Government has backflipped but only after seeing a decline of 10.2 per cent in short-term workers and 10.4 per cent for all PALM workers in agriculture.

“I will continue to fight against red tape that makes things harder for the 6982 farmers and farm managers in Maranoa and Pacific relations.”

Warning on avian flu

Owners of backyard coops throughout Queensland are being warned of the significant biosecurity risk posed by the avian flu.

Avian flu has been causing devastation to farms in the United States since late 2023.

Now the entirety of Australia is on high alert with the first human case reported here, and a seventh egg farm in Victoria now affected.

University of The Sunshine Coast Nursing Lecturer Dr Matt Mason, who is an expert in infection prevention, says that while great care is being taken with biosecurity measures, backyard chicken coops have the potential to undo our best efforts.

“If we consider this like Covid, where we enforced nationwide lockdowns to try and contain the spread, this is much the same - except all it takes is one infected bird to

fly the virus from a backyard to a chicken farm, potentially devastating egg, chicken, and other farming industries on the way,“ Dr Mason said.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, avian influenza or bird flu refers to the disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses.

Further, these viruses naturally spread among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species.

Bird flu viruses do not normally infect humans and cases of such are considered rare.

However, sporadic human infections with bird flu viruses have occurred.

Picture: AAP IMAGE/CATHY PARKER

David Littleproud and Member for Flynn Colin Boyce discuss the changes to the PALM scheme and the impact on agriculture.

Pictures: CONTRIBUTED

Agricultural work can be very seasonal and farmers welcome the change from 30hrs every week to 120hr over 4 weeks.

It was the ride of his life

By Matthew Pearce

Ross

Maclean

jokes he’s in a state of withdrawal after riding 4214 kilometre to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House.

“It’s a bit difficult to not to get up in the morning, pack the bike up and get going... it’s like going cold turkey, from riding to not riding,” he said.

The 66-year-old Baralaba grazier left from the Baralaba Cafe on Wednesday 17 April, heading inland to pass through towns in the Northern Territory and South Australia, before completing his journey on Saturday, 8 June, at Broken Hill in NSW.

Ross made Ronald McDonald House SouthEast Queensland his chosen charity as his family had used their accomodation services after his grandson Sonny fell ill and his great-nephew Wyatt was born with heart issues.

“Ronald McDonald House has helped my family out quite a bit over the last two years,” he said.

“I wanted to do a ride to challenge myself personally, but also wanted to make it worthwhile by raising money for Ronald McDonald House, actually giving back a little bit of what they have given to us.”

Ross’s ride from Baralaba to Broken Hill has raised close to $30,000 and is still climbing, tripling his initial goal of $10,000.

“The ride itself was really nothing like I expected - it was better,” he said.

“I opened the fundraising link up about a week before I left and had donations pouring in that week, but what really surprised me was the support I got along the way.

“People were shouting me meals and accommodation and even pulling up on the side of the road with a cold drink.

“It all made the ride just so so much better, even if it was a little bit overwhelming at the start.”

The trip involved 52 days of total travel time,

including 41 days riding.

Ross averaged about six hours riding a day, or about 103km per day.

While the weather got “progressively colder” after he arrived in Alice Springs, Ross said it had been an amazing trip.

“On the day I rode into Junta in South Australia it was a maximum of 11 degrees with a bit of an icy breeze blowing.”

Ross said some of the highlights of his jour-

ney were the quirky roadhouses, the beautiful colours of the desert and the history of towns like Junta and Broken Hill.

“I hadn’t been between the Three Ways and Alice Springs for quite some time, and a lot of it has changed,” he said.

“There’s places that I’ve ticked off to go back to when I have more time to have a look around.

“I would have been home a week ago if i didn’t stop and take so many photos.”

Ross arrived at Rockhampton Airport on Wednesday, 12 June, with his son Kash there to welcome him and take him home to Baralaba.

“I’d like to thank everybody who has donated to the cause and supported me all the way along,” he said.

“It has been overwhelming.”

If you’d like to make a donation, go to Ross’s public Facebook group, Ross Maclean Charity Ride 2024.

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Next Edition out on JULY 25, 2024

He made it! Ross Maclean in Broken Hill after the completion of his charity ride.

Baralaba grazier Ross Maclean with his grandkids, who set out on a 4000km charity bike ride to aid Ronald McDonald House.

Ready to ride for country

By Fiona Gowers

Sam Allen of Kingaroy has waited 10 long years for selection in the Australian polocrosse team.

In and out of the national squad since 2014, she was finally named in the best eight in 2022 but had to withdraw due to her first pregnancy.

Patience has proven to be a virtue this year however, with Sam selected to represent Australia at the Polocrosse World Cup in South Africa.

The Durban Shongweni Club in KwaZuluNatal hosts the prestigious event in July, with the Australian team comprising four men and four women.

“It has taken me a while to get here - to get this opportunity - but I’ll run with it with both hands,” said Ms Allen.

“You’ve just got to get after what you want to do.

“Selection in the Australian polocrosse team is the highest level we can achieve in our sport.

“And, it is something that over the years my family and I have invested a lot of resources in and it feels like a reward for that effort.”

Since moving to Queensland in 2016, Sam has played for the Tansey Polocrosse Club, which incredibly given its size, is contributing three of eight members to the 2024 Australian team.

One of whom is Sam’s partner Tom O’Neill, as well as Beth Hafey.

Tansey - population 147 - punches above its weight with seven polocrosse teams. It has produced many top competitors over the years in State, national and international competitions.

Polocrosse combines polo and lacrosse and is a team sport invented in Australia, which has since spread across the world.

Sam said the sport had been a big part of her life for as long as she could remember.

She competed in her first polocrosse Nationals when she was aged just 12 and she met Tom when they competed at a polocrosse carnival in Albury.

The couple now has a two-year-old son, Jon.

Sam Allen was born and raised until she was nine in Batchelor in the Northern Territory. Her parents played for the former Rum Jungle Polocrosse Club there and both represented Australia.

When the Allen family moved to South Australia, the Casterton Polocrosse Club in Victoria became their playing base.

“Casterton was where a lot of my junior and senior years were played,” Sam said.

“It was a very family-oriented club and my Mum is still involved there.”

As for Sam, she is excited to play on the biggest polocrosse stage in the world next month. “I can’t really explain the feeling you get when you ride out there to represent Australia.” she said. “It’s goosebumps, for sure.

“The World Cup is next level in terms of

the strength of the competition, compared with what I’ve played in already, if that makes sense. It’s just a different game altogether.

“But the Australian team is very supportive

of each other and it’s a very nice team to be involved in.

“It’s almost like it’s a team of mates and you wanna go out there and do well for each

other.” This year’s Polocrosse World Cup in South Africa will be held over two weekends, with first round play taking place on 20 to 22 July and the finals played on 25 to 28 July.

Beth Hafey of Tansey at the Gold Coast Polocrosse Carnival in Killarney. Australia was playing a tri-test series there against New Zealand as part of their World Cup preparation.

Tom O’Neill of Kingaroy with his Queensland off-the-track thoroughbred Straight Alphas.

Sam Allen of Kingaroy is one of eight riders selected in the 2024 Australian polocrosse team.