1. Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) led a delegation of members to meet with federal Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud MP to discuss the sustainability of the agriculture sector in the face of spiraling input costs and concerns regarding input supply security.
With diesel prices hitting record levels and farm input costs across the board rising significantly, QFF and its member organisations were pleased to take the opportunity to meet with the Minister to not only voice their concerns but more importantly to initiate discussions on how industry and government can work closely together to find solutions.
QFF chief executive officer, Jo Sheppard said that member feedback clearly demonstrated the growing concern of farmers who cannot continue to bear the brunt of spiraling input costs. You can read more here.
2. Qld’s famous EKKA Show received a $6.5 million injection last week.
The Morrison-Joyce Government is providing $6.5 million to the Royal Queensland Show (the Ekka) under Round 2 of the Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days program to support costs incurred from the cancelled 2021 event.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said the Government is providing show societies and field day organisers with a much-needed cash injection after the disruptions caused by COVID-19 in 2021.
“The Ekka generates over 3,500 jobs annually and contributes around $200 million to the Queensland economy”.
You can read more here
3. Hort Connections 2022 early bird registration rates are closing this week!
Don’t miss your chance to save on tickets to the largest event in the fresh produce industry. In addition, businesses can still book spots to showcase their products and services by registering early for a booth at the Trade Show which is over 70 per cent sold.
Hort Connections will be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre and will celebrate the horticulture industry, bringing together members from right across the vegetable, fruit and floral sectors.
4.UPDATE: Japanese encephalitis virus
Pig owners are being urged to be on the alert for any signs of Japanese encephalitis virus infection in their animals, following the confirmation of the disease at a second piggery in Queensland.
IF the presence of this disease is suspected in any species of animal, it must be reported to Biosecurity QLD on 13 25 23 or contact the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.
5. Expressions of interest are being sought from Queensland and New South Wales farmers to participate in the project to better understand how electricity tariffs for agricultural operations are considered and chosen.
Participating farmers will undertake a confidential 30-minute phone or Zoom interview with researchers from the University of Queensland and receive a $40 gift card. In addition, those interviewed will be participating in the draw to win one of two $500 discounts off their energy bills offered by the project. Sign up here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z7NVMWZ
6. The Australian cotton industry’s top performers for 2021 have been announced in front of industry peers at one of the best attended field days in northern New South Wales.
The Bayer Cotton Grower of the Year for 2021 is Quigley Farms at Trangie in the Macquarie Valley. The winner of the AgriRisk High Achiever of the year is Ashley Geldard from Columboola Cotton near Miles in the Western Downs of Queensland.
Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay joined sponsors Bayer and AgriRisk in congratulating both winners for their achievements. “Tony Quigley and Ashley Geldard are both outstanding cotton farmers at different stages of their cotton journey, yet they are united in their commitment to sustainability, in particular efficient water use and soil health. They are exceptionally worthy award winners.”
Tony Quigley is a 4th generation farmer, and with the help of wife Sally, sons Tom, George and Richie and staff they run Quigley Farms, a diversified and integrated family farming operation in the Trangie/Nevertire districts of the Macquarie Valley. Congratulations!
7. FLOOD CONSULTATION T2W – Community consultation on a proposed pipeline from Toowoomba to Warwick has been extended, to ensure any residents who may have been impacted by the recent floods still have time to have their say.
Consultation was scheduled to close this week, but Minister for Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water Glenn Butcher said late submissions will be accepted until the end of March.
“We know there are many who are working through a range of issues associated with the recent floods and we don’t want those people to lose the opportunity to share their opinion about this important project,” he said.
The proposed pipeline aims to improve Warwick’s drought resilience and provide water supply to Toowoomba regional towns along the route, while ensuring there are no negative impacts to Toowoomba’s water security. Submission can be made here
SUPPORT – Following SEQ rainfall and flooding, grants of up to $75K are available for affected producers to hire or purchase equipment and materials, clean up, remove debris, replace fencing and other costs associated with the recovery process. To read the guidelines and make an application, visit the QRIDA website HERE or contact QRIDA on 1800 623 946.
8. QFF is finalizing our submission on behalf of members to the National Biosecurity Strategy Consultation.
- A national biosecurity strategy provides an opportunity to articulate national priorities and actions for Australia’s biosecurity system, supporting coordinated reform and investment, to address growing risks and challenges.
- Developing a national biosecurity strategy is a commitment of all agriculture ministers and the Commonwealth Biosecurity 2030 strategic roadmap.
- Australia’s first national biosecurity strategy is being co-developed by the Australian Government and state and territory governments with industry, environment and community stakeholders.
9. DAF is seeking comment on an Issues Paper that will contribute to the review of the Farm Business Debt Mediation Act 2017. The Act requires a review to be conducted by June 2022 on whether its provisions remain appropriate. Consultation closes 25 March 2022. The Act, Issues Paper and submission instructions can be found HERE.
10. GREAT BARRIER REEF LEGISLATIVE UPDATES – Late last year the Office of The Great Barrier Reef flagged they were proposing to make small clarifying and administrative amendments to the minimum practice standards for beef cattle grazing, sugarcane and banana cultivation and the Prescribed methodology for sugarcane cultivation to make the documents easier to understand and apply.
This has concluded and here is a brief overview of the proposed changes.
In summary, the updates to the minimum standards for grazing, sugarcane and banana cultivation:
- remove an incorrect reference to the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019 (EP Reg)
- remove duplication of record keeping requirements already regulated under the Chemical Usage (Agricultural and Veterinary) Control Act 1988
- for sugarcane cultivation
- clarify that Smartcane BMP accredited growers can develop, update or verify their own farm nitrogen and phosphorus budget
- clarify when areas under fallow are not included for certain requirements, such as the nitrogen and phosphorus budget
- clarify when whole-of-crop cycle phosphorus is excluded from the whole-of-farm amount
- for banana cultivation, clarify the term ‘Ground-broadcast application’.
The new versions of these documents are now live and can be found on the departments’ website here: Overview | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au).
More fact sheets etc will be available later this week on the department’s website