1. In QFF’s May Farm Business Hour our panel of experts covered the management of farm financial and market risks including analysing risk impact, how volatility of prices impacts farm production and tools available to help build a resilient farm business. Watch the recording here.
2. Farmers are threatening to boycott the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme after changes that would guarantee 30 hours a week of work to employees, regardless of the various factors that influence the variability of farm working hours. Rachel Chambers, , recently spoke on behalf of the horticulture industry here.
3. QFF met with corporate partner Mobil last week following FarmFest in Toowoomba to discuss the future fuels opportunity for Queensland agriculture, including bio diesel and other alternative fuels. QFF will continue working with Mobil and our members to ensure that agriculture has a seat at the table in these important discussions and to ensure the sector is best placed to respond to this opportunity.
4. The Queensland Government is seeking feedback on draft legislation to deliver the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan. Submissions can be made through a questionnaire here. The consultation period will close on Friday, 30 June.
5. The biennial event Cotton Collective is returning in 2023, in Toowoomba. From Tuesday, 1 August to Thursday, 3 August attendees will have the opportunity to tour Darling Downs cotton farms, hear from industry leaders in conference sessions covering workforce, sustainability, farm safety and more. The event will also host the National Cotton Industry Awards on Wednesday night. Register here.
6. Applications are now open for the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP), a 15-month leadership development course for individuals committed and ready to respond to regional, rural and remote Australia’s most complex challenges and biggest opportunities. Apply here.
7. NSW Farmers continue to seek responses from Queensland chicken meat farmers and interested stakeholders regarding the transparency and balance of power within the Australian poultry meat industry. Provide your response by Friday, 30 June here.
8. In response to feedback received through public consultation undertaken in 2022 regarding land access and coexistence, the Queensland Department of Resources has revised the land access principles and has made changes to the Land Access Code. You can access the updated code here.
9. The Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) has released the Regulated electricity prices for regional Queensland 2023-24 final report here. The QCA’s final determination on the solar feed-in tariff which will increase by 44.5% to 13.441c/kWh for power exported to the grid from eligible solar systems, will apply in regional Queensland from Saturday, 1 July 2023. Learn more here.
10. Turf Queensland’s Annual Field Day is being held on Wednesday, 14 June at Tinamba Turf Farm, Australia’s largest turf producer. Paddock to Pitch welcomes turf farmers and growers, landscapers and gardeners, sports field and golf course greenskeepers/ curators and the everyday homeowner that is proud of their lawn to come down and enjoy the day. Register here.