1. QFF has provided a submission in response to the Australian Government’s National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) that will be established to diversify and transform Australia’s industry and economy. With an investment value of $15 billion, QFF is calling for the NRF to undertake further consultation to establish a framework that sees all of the Queensland agriculture sector benefit.
2. QFF CEO Jo Sheppard will be joined by special guest ACCIONA Energia Business Developer Manager, Gavin Lee, on 21 February to discuss “Land access for Renewable Energy developments from a project developer perspective”. The webinar is being held as part of the QFF Renewable Energy Webinar Series in preparation for the release of the QLD Renewable Energy Landholder Toolkit, an initiative of QFF in partnership with the Department of Energy and Public Works (DEPW).
3. Do you need a helping hand to start your Farm Business Plan? Turf Queensland will host their Farm Business Resilience Program Workshop with a focus on soil resilience and sustainability this Friday, 17 February. This is a follow up to their Intro to Farm Business Resilience Program held on 31 January. The recording is available on request – email ido@turfqueensland.org.au.
4. This week, QFF caught up with our partner RCS Australia to discuss the important topic of ‘How can farming businesses improve profitability?’. In this short video, RCS Australia’s Chief of Delivery, David McLean, talks through the three key focus areas farming businesses can look at to increase profitability, including scaling efficiency, production efficiency and cost efficiency.
5. The National Farmers’ Federation is looking for a new Chair of their Horticulture Council. The Council is the preeminent forum for deliberating and forming policy concerning our national horticulture industry. Applications are encouraged from those with experience as a Chair or leader, and in engaging in public policy development and debate. Interested? Applications close Wednesday, 1 March. Click here to apply.
6. Cotton Australia’s myBMP (Best Management Practices) Program demonstrates to the community and supply chain the industry’s improved farming practices and careful management of natural resources. Through a recent profile Cotton Australia have published, meet Narrabri Cotton farmer Kevin Schwager who discussed how the program underpins his farm’s workplace health and safety practices and the impact down the supply chain.
7. Growers are being urged to practice good on-farm biosecurity following the confirmation of Guava root-knot nematode (GRKN) was confirmed on a second property in Queensland at Hervey Bay. Biosecurity Queensland is undertaking surveillance and tracing efforts to determine the extent of distribution of GRKN in Queensland. Click here for simple steps you can take to protect your farm or property.
8. The Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) will soon hold information sessions about their upcoming draft determination of regulated electricity prices (notified prices) and two new retail tariffs to apply in regional Queensland in 2023-24. The sessions will be held from 20 – 31 March 2023 in Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Mackay, Toowoomba, Townsville and other locations as suggested by stakeholders. Find out more here.
9. What’s next for one of Australia’s favourite proteins? AgriFutures has announced a new five-year research, development and extension (RD&E) plan for Australia’s $6.6 billion dollar chicken meat industry. The AgriFutures Chicken Program RD&E Plan (2022 – 2027) aims to address the issues and opportunities facing the Australian chicken meat industry to further drive the sustainability, productivity and viability of the industry.
10. The Great Aussie Composting Roadshow will be visiting Queensland in March providing farmers a unique opportunity to learn and share knowledge and experience about the many aspects of composting. The Roadshow is free, supported by the Australian Government’s Smart Farming Partnerships program, and will be visiting Pittsworth (15 March), Dalby (16 March) and Beaudesert (17 March).