QFF congratulates the Australian Labor Party on their 2022 Federal Election result. We look forward to working closely with the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese and the new Federal Minister for Agriculture (who will be determined in the coming days) to advance the needs of Qld agriculture.
2. QFF has developed a set of workforce planning tools with Jobs Queensland, which have been launched as part of Queensland Small Business Month. Workforce Connect tools are specifically designed for small to medium sized agribusiness. You can access Workforce Connect here.
3. Australia’s sugarcane growers are worried a shortage of workers could mean they’ll struggle to harvest a good-looking and sizeable crop this year so peak grower organisation CANEGROWERS is calling for people with experience to head north for winter. Find out more HERE.
4. A new podcast has been launched to share the Australian cotton industry’s story with city folk.The From The Field podcast has been produced by COTTON AUSTRALIA and was launched this week. It helps share the industry’s story through five raw and honest conversations, each covering a different topic relating to the industry. You can find our more, and where to listen HERE.
5. Eleven agricultural extension officers were congratulated at a ceremony in Cairns last week, celebrating the completion of the 2021 Agriculture Extension Work Placement Program. Farmers throughout the Great Barrier Reef catchment have been assisted by these early career professionals through this innovative program which has involved a range of agricultural advisory and Natural Resource Management groups. QFF partnered with the Queensland Government to deliver this latest round of the Agricultural Extension Work Placement Program which commenced in April 2021. Read more about the graduation HERE.
6. SUCCESS STORY – Coming from the urban coastal region of Perth, Western Australia to the regional dry-tropical climate of Ayr, Nikala Passaris found herself a long way from home. Nikala has an interest in food production and preserving natural assets and jumped at the chance to be a part of the Agriculture Extension Work Placement Program. Read her journey HERE.
7. A reminder…producers who have experienced loss or damage to their property in the recent floods are encouraged to fill in our Natural Disaster Impact Survey to help the Queensland Government and industry quickly assess the regions for financial recovery assistance.
Keep records of any impacts, including date-stamped photos. This will inform eligibility for assistance as each natural disaster event is a separate claim. Producers will need to assess and document damages and losses from this event to submit a claim once Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements are activated.
8. QFF has partnered with ErgonEnergy & Energex to offer farmers belonging to any of QFF’s 20 industry members a 50 per cent co-contribution a maximum of $500 to match the funds of installing up to 10 rotamarkers on their properties. More info here.
9. Consultation has opened on an AgTech Roadmap for Queensland to drive digital and technological transformation of Queensland’s agriculture sector. The roadmap will be created through collaboration and input from stakeholders across the AgTech network, including industry, business, research organisations and government. Have your say here.
10. EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION is now open for the Queensland AgWorkforce Summit on 3 – 5 August 2022. You can save $50 per registration during early bird so act fast! For more info, go to the Summit website.