Country Journal, Week #81 - July 25, 2022

4000 COPIES DISTRIBUTED WEEKLY IN THE SOUTHERN DOWNS REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA + DAILY JOURNAL & STANTHORPE RECORD

CountryJournal Week commencing 25th July 2022

Buy a bee!

Qld producers go global Great Geitz unveiled

Page 4

Page 10

Page 6

$2.8 million spent on local infrastructure Leonie Fuge editor@thedailyjournal.ink

O

ver $2.8 million has been spent sprucing up infrastructure across the Southern Downs and Granite Belt by the Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC).

The funds were used by the SDRC to address critical ageing infrastructure issues across the region from July 2019- June 2021. Due to flood impacts and other unforeseen circumstances, some of the projects were extended but Council has recently announced all projects have now been completed.

The Queensland Government's Works for Queensland program funding went to 16 projects across the region with the Granite belt benefiting from a reliable supply

of treated water from the con- infrastructure - and the two our community that are already struction of the Dalveen issues are intrinsically connect- improving the overall liveability of the region. ed," Mayor Pennisi said.

Reservoir.

Another benefit of the fundThe Southern Downs has Drivers in the region are grateful for two more sealed nearly $1b worth of assets of ing is the economic boost to roads, Darcy Street in town and which $500m are under the the region as local businesses the Brunckhorst Avenue - ground and the Mayor said, and Council teams are engaged Wallangarra Road link road "We must focus the future on to deliver the projects.

Council offered thanks to which was part of a two-stage replacing and renewing assets, project to seal Brunckhorst as well as provide infrastruc- the Queensland Government Avenue - Wallangarra Road ture to make our communities for the funding and is grateful to be able to complete worthy liveable and attractive." through further funding.

The funds received through projects.

Repairs were also made to the skate park with an upgrade to the Works for Queensland prothe picnic facilities and shelter gram have enabled Council to deliver a variety of projects for and an extension of a pathway.

Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi said that receiving fundServicing Warwick, Stanthorpe and Beyond ing from the Queensland and Made from Bluescope Australian Steel Federal Governments is essenFULL SERVICE - SLAB, ERECTION & COUNCIL tial to address the region's age•Acreage Sheds ing infrastructure problem.

"The single biggest issue fac•Farm Sheds ing Southern Downs is our lack (07) 46 619 835 •Garages of financial sustainability and E warwick@rfsteelbuildings.com.au QBCC: 1197750 l NSW: 237076C consequently not having the capacity to fund our ageing E warwick@rfsteelbuildings.com.au

(07) 46 619 835

2

COUNTRYJOURNAL

Country briefs Why dear ginger?

Growcom is asking why we're paying higher prices for ginger as well as lettuce and tomatoes. Not every fruit and vegetable price should be going up.

Take ginger for example.

SPECIALS

Bee movement order

The early onset of cold weather in Qld coupled with great rains in the last year means there is now a bumper crop of newly maturing ginger being harvested. Shoppers should receive the price benefit of this availability. It’s up to the retail giants to start passing on the huge cost cut.

The Department of Agriculture has issued an updated beehive movement control order order following the detection of varroa mite (varroa destructor) in New South Wales.

The new order, which came into effect on 14 July 2022, replaces the previous movement control order that com-

30 PACK

ANY 2 FOR

2 FOR

$

57.99

$

EACH

GREAT NORTHERN SUPER CRISP 30 X 375ML CANS

$

96

100

GREAT NORTHERN ORIGINAL 24X 330ML BOTTLES OR CARLTON MID 30 X 375ML CANS

CARLTON DRY 24X 330ML BOTTLES

ANY 2 FOR

TOOHEYS EXTRA DRY 24 X 345ML BOTTLES OR XXXX GOLD 24 X 375ML BOTTLES

$

84

41.99

$

79.99

$

EACH

BUNDABERG UP RUM & COLA 4.8% OR JOHNNIE WALKER RED & COLA 4.6% 10 X 375ML CANS

89.99

$

EACH

EACH

JIM BEAM & COLA OR CANADIAN CLUB 4.8% VARIETIES CUBES 24 X 375ML CANS

BUNDABERG UP & COLA 4.8% VARIETIES CUBES 24 X 375ML CANS

ANY 2 FOR

$

76 BUNDABERG UP RUM, RED RUM OR JOHNNIE WALKER RED LABEL SCOTCH 700ML

1 LITRE $

ANY 2 FOR

74.00

MCCALLUM’S SCOTCH WHISKY OR SOUTHERN COMFORT 700ML

30

53.99

$

47.99

$

1 LITRE

EACH

DIMPLE 12YO SCOTCH WHISKY 700ML

1 LITRE

54.99

$

EACH

56.99

$

EACH

CANADIAN CLUB WHISKY 1 LITRE

JOHNNIE WALKER RED LABEL SCOTCH WHISKY 1 LITRE

EACH

GRANT’S SCOTCH WHISKY OR JIM BEAM WHITE LABEL BOURBON 1 LITRE

PACK

30 PACK

ANY 2 FOR

$

106

XXXX BITTER OR TOOHEYS NEW 30 X 375ML CANS

6.99

$

EACH

WOLF BLASS RED LABEL WINES 750ML

9.99

$

EACH

WYNDHAM ESTATE BIN RANGE 750ML

$

ANY 4 FOR

20.00

MCWILLIAMS INHERITANCE WINES 750ML

$

ANY 2 FOR

22.00

STONELEIGH SAUVIGNON BLANC 750ML

$

ANY 3 FOR

25.00

HARDY’S VR RANGE 1 LITRE OR YELLOWGLEN COLOURS SPARKLING NV OR MCGUIGAN BLACK LABEL WINES 750ML

HORSE & JOCKEY HOTEL

WARWICK TEL 4661 0600 BOTTLESHOP TEL 4529 7295

BOTTLEMART.COM.AU

All specials available from Wednesday 20th July until Tuesday 2nd August 2022.

Bottlemart supports the responsible service of alcohol.

QLD_P15_M9x4_WDN

menced on 30 June 2022 and will allow low-risk honey products and equipment into Queensland while stopping varroa mite from entering.

Under the order you cannot move bees, beehives, used beekeeping equipment or bee products (including honey) into Queensland, unless the carrier is processed honey or processed beeswax, a new or unused apiary appliance, or a quarantine secured diagnostic honey sample for testing at a recognised diagnostic facility.

Where processed honey and beeswax is being transported the container must be clean on the outside to avoid attracting bees.

You can enter Queensland with bees and beehives from other states that are free from varroa mite. Provided the hives are quarantine secured, as detailed in the order.

Beekeepers, check your hives and report the result (even if you do not find suspect mites) using our Bee 123 online form.

Cultural buring workshop Githabul fire practitioner Fire Lore principal Robbie Williams will train local landholders about using fire for the health of the land as practiced by First Nations people.

Based on an understanding the land, reading its conditions and applying an appropriate or ‘right’ fire, the practice results in a cool burn that reduces weeds and encourages ecologically correct plants and doesn’t damage the soil. The resulting smoke and ash also have specific benefits while the process itself reduces fuel, lessens the chances of a severe fire and is recommended as a way forward to protect against bushfire.

The Cultural Burning Workshop will be held Saturday 30 July 2022 at 10 a.m. at 446 McMasters Road, Upper Freestone. Everyone is welcome

3

COUNTRYJOURNAL

Protect us from FMD, Council asks Feds

Protected cropping the remedy

G

oT

o Local Ban

k

Dr Cameron Osborne and Teddy the Golden Retriever Warwick Horse Trials

Every lifelong friendship starts with a conversation Warwick Credit Union Ltd ABN 98 087 651 116. AFSL and Australian credit licence 240556.

ld

i

es. There are, in fact, three varieties including a "high tunnel that protects the crop from the weather", a greenhouse or a structure fully indoors where the plants never see the sun.

The benefit of protected cropping is controlling the environment of crops, including temperature, water and soil in systems that use hydroponics.

"By putting everything indoors and controlling you inputs you can start predicting what the outcome is going to be and your plants are protected," he said. "In the case of a storm even, as long as your building can resist the storm, then all of your plants will be safe and you can continue to produce food," he told the ABC. The initial capital outlay of infrastructure for protective cropping may be prohibitive to most modest growers, despite the long-term benefits.

Bu

Protected cropping may be the future of the Granite Belt vegetable bowl, according to the ABC. Extreme weather in Queensland and much of NSW caused extraordinary price rises in a range of salad vegetables, particularly lettuces.

Growers that were utilising undercover cropping techniques were left relatively unscathed.

Experts now say that protected cropping may be the future of successful cultivation and rehabilitation after bouts of extreme weather.

Paul Gauthier, a professor of protected cropping with the Queensland Alliance for agriculture and food innovation told the ABC that protected cropping is not just greenhous-

put in place to restrict the spread of FMD at Sydney airport. The disease, like Mad Cow disease, can be spread by footwear and posed a concern for the Councillor.

"We have Quarantine measures in place… but I am concerned we are a bit lax at Sydney Airport," said the Councillor.

Minister Murray Watt, to make Australia's controls against FMD more stringent.

Mayor Vic Pennisi said he has already invited the Federal Minister to visit the region and would do so in the not too distant future. The Mayor was happy to write to the Minister and ask him to visit sooner rather than later where a conversation could take place. However, Deputy Mayor Ross Bartley encouraged more immediate action with a letter addressing the FMD concern for the region, "so the Minister had the opportunity to come prepared."

A motion was passed for a formal letter to be sent by the Mayor to forewarn the Federal Minister before his visit of the SDRC's concern about the threat of FMD.

gs

T

he imminent potential for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) to spread to the Southern Downs agricultural sector was discussed in council on Wednesday resulting in a motion for a letter to be sent

by Mayor Vic Pennisi to the Federal Minister asking for more stringent controls.

The highly contagious FMD has severely impacted our neighbouring country of Indonesia, and with holidaymakers returning from this region to Australia, the threat of FMD's spread is real.

Councillor Cynthia McDonald spoke about her recent return from a holiday in Bali and said, that apart from a statement being read out and a pamphlet given to those disembarking her flight, no other measures were

The councillor relayed how when she was in the army, the requirement was for every piece of footwear to be disinfected and scrubbed before returning to Australia to restrict the spread of Mad Cow disease at the time.

Before her homecoming last week, the councillor said, "I had every shoe lined up and scrubbed, I'm very proud of that. I wish every Australian would do the same."

Councillor Andrew Gale in a tongue in cheek response said, "That would have taken a fair while as we all know how many shoes the Councillor has."

Cr McDonald put forth a motion for a letter to be written to Agricultural Minister Mark Furner and also to Federal

in

i

n

Leonie Fuge editor@thedailyjournal.ink

Th gA m a zin g

4

COUNTRYJOURNAL

Buy a bee - help a beekeeper Krista Bjorn krista@smallnewspaper.com.au

T

he varroa mite situation is devastating impacted beekeepers, so Rural Aid has launched the Buy A Bee fundraising campaign to support them.

"Beekeepers are in an awful state right now as they anxiously wait for news on how far the Varroa destructor mite has spread," Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said. "The DPI has identified mental health strain as the biggest issue currently facing these primary producers. Rural Aid is proud to be able to offer beekeepers immediate assistance in this area."

The campaign is fully supported by the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC) "The contribution of honey bees to agriculture in Australia through pollination services is estimated at up to $20 billion, and the start of the pollination season is just weeks away, which demonstrates what an enormous threat this crisis poses to our industry," AHBIC Chairman Stephen Targett said. "Without urgent support, some of our beekeepers will struggle to survive financially.

We are calling on the public to back our beekeepers now, not just for their sake, but for the sake of Australia's entire agri-

The contribution of honey bees to agriculture in Australia through pollination services is estimated at up to $20 billion cultural and food production industries."

Rural Aid is supporting beekeepers and their families by offering free counselling through its nation-wide team of qualified counsellors and providing financial assistance through $500 prepaid Visa cards.

"We stand with our farmers when they need us most," Rural Aid said.

AHBIC hopes the public

will show their support for Australia's "littlest livestock" by donating to the Buy A Bee initiative.

The parasite was first detected in hives at the Port of Newcastle but has quickly spread to multiple locations across New South Wales.

"Rural Aid has been supporting beekeepers for years," Mr Warlters said, "through its HiveAid program, created during the Black Summer bush-

fires in partnership with AHBIC and Hive + Wellness, the nation's largest honey packer, best known for its Capilano branded honey. The new Buy a Bee campaign, under the HiveAid umbrella, will assist these same beekeepers as they take on the Varroa mite. We thank every Australian who will dig deep to support our beekeepers in their moment of need."

Donations can be made at www.ruralaid.org.au/hiveaid/ Beekeepers who aren't already registered with Rural Aid can do so at www.faa. ruralaid.org.au/

5

COUNTRYJOURNAL

Slight slump in beef prices Staff reports editor@thedailyjournal.ink

M

eat and Livestock Australia reports a slight dip in prices, bringing the lowest average price range since September 2021. The slump is due to the mixed quality and variation in the drafts presenting at the saleyards, creating two-track pricing over the last few sales.

The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) has eased 39c week-on-week to 1,013.57c/kg cwt.

Good quality cattle are fetching a strong price whereas some of the plainer types are going for a heavy discount.

The wet and wintery condi-

tions from the last few months have not been aiding the quality and finish on the cattle passing through the saleyards.

Restockers and processors can be pickier around quality and what cattle they bid for as supply increases, putting downward pressure on prices with processors bringing their grids back.

This easing in prices has allowed lot feeders and processors to source young cattle under $10, further tightening the premium between feeder and restocker prices recorded recently.

Goat meat is good value.

Goat OTH prices are back up to $9.20 c/kg cwt for June the highest price since late September 2021.

Lamb slaughter has not followed seasonal norms this year, strengthening 16% to 412,570 head week-on-week after the short processing week in the southern states. This is a 36% increase on 2020 levels showing the movement of the 2021 flock rebuild and the continued supply of lambs.

Most of these numbers are coming out of Victoria and NSW to reach the second highest slaughter rates in the last three years.

Sheep are also above 2020 and 2021 levels at 90,314 head this week. The mutton indicator eased 39c week-on-week with majority of the contribution coming from Griffith who was trading 45c under the national average. Much of this

softening in prices is due to the plainer quality moving through the saleyards and the unseasonal increase in supply putting downward pressure on prices.

Cattle slaughter nearly cracked 100,000 head, reaching 99,738 head this week - the highest slaughter rate in 2022 but still 8% under 2021 levels.

The annual Alice Springs Show Feeder Steer and Heifer Sale went ahead last week with yardings of 4,139 head mostly coming from within the Northern Territory. Yearling steers contributed 47% of sales, with the top price for Angus weaner steers under 200kg going for 685c/kg for $1,269/head.

Full program online Warwick’s Yarnbombing & Jazz Festival

21 - 31 JULY 2022 www.jumpersandjazz.com.au

6

COUNTRYJOURNAL

QLD producers target global markets Krista Bjorn krista@smallnewspaper.com.au

Q

ueensland food and beverage producers now have access to more markets thanks to the virtual Queensland Food and Beverage Export Catalogue.

“This free platform connects market-ready Queensland food and beverage businesses with qualified domestic and international buyers,” Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities The Honourable Mark Furner said. “The interactive directory is a one-stop shop for buyers to see exactly what Queensland businesses can offer them, with in-depth profiles for each highlighting how they operate and market themselves, as well as the

range of products they have to offer.”

The catalogue was developed through a partnership with the Queensland Government and Food Innovation Australia Limited (FIAL).

“The catalogue leverages FIAL’s expertise to showcase Queensland’s world class produce,” Mr Furner said. “This valuable tool fits the bill for Queensland’s travel-restricted exporters who need access to a contemporary platform supporting new buyer introductions and global expansion.”

FIAL’s General Manager Commercial, Rod Arenas said the last two years had placed a serious dent in the ability of Queensland food and beverage businesses to meet international buyers face-to-face and secure trade deals, essential to the recovery of the sector.

“The Queensland Food and

Beverage Export Catalogue delivers tangible outcomes in accelerating commercially-driven support at a challenging time with ongoing disruptions, enabling Queensland businesses to showcase their products directly to buyers for targeted global growth,” Mr Arenas said.

“FIAL and the Queensland Government will continue to implement real solutions to sus-

tain and support the growth of the food and beverage sector.”

Mr Furner is excited to see how the Queensland Food and Beverage Export Catalogue provides potential business growth for Queensland food and beverage producers.

“The catalogue is an important element of the Queensland Government’s trade recovery initiative, allowing us to better target global markets,” he said.

“Regional food and agribusiness networks, regional economic development agencies, peak bodies and other relevant groups can also use the catalogue for virtual events. I encourage export-ready agribusinesses to register to showcase their products in the catalogue.”

For more information, contact FIAL.

Particles provide protection Krista Bjorn krista@smallnewspaper.com.au

P

rotecting sheep against flystrike is one step closer as researchers develop a promising new method that utilises unique silica nanocapsule particles with surface spikes purpose-built to give prolonged periods of protection against flystrike and lice.

“New methods that can provide longer periods of protection are required to counter the development of resistance to flystrike insecticides and to support the reduced reliance on mulesing, a surgical technique that has been relied upon over many years,” UQ’s Centre for Animal Science Senior Research Fellow Dr Peter James said.

Flystrike costs the Australian sheep industry $173 million a year, but this project funded by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) may be part of the solution.

“We’ve had very promising results during testing with the slow-release formulations giving extended periods of protection in comparisons with more conventional formulations,” Dr James said, explaining that the careful choice of active ingredient can ensure minimal residues or off-target effects for the sheep.

“Nanocapsules offer new, labour-efficient options for managing flystrike and could also

help counter the risk of blowflies developing resistance to treatment.”

For years, chemical pesticides have been delivered in relatively large doses to achieve extended protection, but in slow-release formulas, doses can be smaller and potentially, more effective.

“By using nanocapsules, the chemical can either be delivered at steady levels over a prolonged period or designed to release only when needed,” Dr James said.

The silica nanoparticles have been patented

by UQ and feature a hollow cavity and a porous silica shell.

“We’ve tested a number of designs, but the most promising is a nanoparticle that has whisker-like spikes which cover the outer surface,” Materials scientist Professor Michael Yu said.

“These spikes help the capsules ‘stick’ to either the fleece fibres or to the blowflies.”

Until now, the research has been conducted in the laboratory, but it will soon move outdoors where the technology will be tested in the field.

For All Your Taxation Requirements

PROACTIVE ADVICE EXPERIENCED ACCOUNTANTS TAXATION SPECIALISTS

Book your next appointment with us and see the difference

4661 1508

F: 07 4661 1500 • E: admin@barlows.net.au 84 Grafton St, Warwick • PO Box 1068, Warwick

COUNTRYJOURNAL

The glorious uncertainly of cricket is a few words I have heard stated, you could also say “the glorious uncertainty of farming”. Farming is a great occupation and business which has its ups and downs.

Last week, I experienced one downer when I put a timber stake through a tractor tyre. The end of the stake was the size of a little finger and the tyre service thought it might have been too big to fix. I priced a new tyre and it was $1700.

It is not recommended to have one new tyre and one bally tyre on a tractor and that meant $3400 and two new tubes at $200 each on a tractor worth around $10,000.

They did patch the tyre and so far so good but we won’t be driving over much timber in future. They didn’t guarantee it so I am taking the chance it will hold up.

For the first time in a year of these columns, I put in a little classified, if anyone has an 18. 4. 38 tyre without minimal thread, please email re C/- of editor@thedailyjournal.ink. I need a plan B if the repaired tyre does give out. I don’t want to get free classifieds in this column and will adver-

The Long Paddock with Gerard Walsh

tise a fuel tank and chemical tank, both with pumps, in the Country Journal next month.

I hate to admit it but I bought both at a clearing sale at Nobby in the past year and haven’t used either yet.

Sometimes I get a bit finger happy at a sale. No point in going back to see what I paid but about $50 each.

My other purchases of a scarifier, slasher and boat for our big dam were all good buys. I also bought some two-inch polythene pipe at a clearing sale at Ellinthorp on a day when I should have bought a small slasher which would have been the right size for our Fergey TEA20 Tractor which is older than me. The slasher sold for around $300 but for all I know the buyer could have bid to $700 on it if I started bidding.

A new one is $1500.

It is probably fair to say, you win some and you lose some with farming.

The other downer for me in the past week was booking cattle in to sell on weight and

finding they had dropped 30 cents per dressed kilogram.

The market was slipping so I needed to be more proactive and booking them in three day earlier which would have meant another $60. The extra week meant $15 in extra weight.

Recovering Readers last week would have read that I had been in Warwick Hospital and couldn’t write the column. I had bacteria in reverse gear and a chest infection. It all started with a sore throat and it didn’t help I spent a lot of those cold rainy days doing things on the farm when I should have been inside.

For a few days, reverse gear was working much better than normal and I started to struggle.

At times, I admit I probably go to the doctor too early but this time I left it a bit late and my wife Margaret took me to the hospital.

I have no complaints with the care, my only concern was lightning had hit the tele-

THE HON

DAVID LITTLEPROUD YOUR FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MARANOA

Proudly supporting the Southern Downs community P5, 81 Palmerin Street, PO Box 188, Warwick Qld 4370 E: david.littleproud.mp@aph.gov.au P: (07) 4661 2494 www.davidlittleproud.com.au Authorised by Hon David Littleproud MP, Liberal National Party, Dalby Qld

Focused on Maranoa’s future

MP

7

visions and I couldn’t watch State of Origin on TV. There is a community room but they weren’t sure what I had (definitely not COVID) so wanted to keep me away from other patients which meant my own room for most of my time in hospital.

One staff member set up my phone on the ABC and it was back to the old days like when Eric Simms and Bob Fulton were playing in NSWRL grand finals between Souths and Manly and Bill Lawry was turning a few around the corner at the MCG. Oval names I am going to start a weekly story in the Country Journal on the names of sporting ovals in the region.

I know about Sullivan Oval and Crisp Oval in Stanthorpe but no idea about the names of C.F. White Oval and Sheahan Oval.

In Warwick, I know about Slade Park, Father Ranger Oval and Risdon Oval but no idea where the name Mayhew Oval at Warwick Christian College originated.

I have a soft spot for Mayhew Oval, it was the venue for the best innings of my cricket career, a 40 against a team including former Shield player Don Seccombe. Peter Butler was wicketkeeper. On the same day, my neighbour John Ryan took eight wickets in an innings while still a teenager.

The 40 wasn’t the highest score of my career, I made one century, was run out for an 80 odd, a 67, couple of 50s but from a quality batting point of view, the 40 was my best. I was a player who went between A and reserve grade so no champion with bat and ball.

Newspapers are all about the readers so I invite readers to send me information on ovals and a photo to editor@ thedailyjournal.ink

8

COUNTRYJOURNAL

Half of US farmers set to retire Elizabeth Voneiff editor@thedailyjournal.ink

A

merica's agricultural sector is facing a crisis with more than half of farmers reaching retirement age in the next 10 years with fewer younger growers stepping up.

The steep price of entry to start a farm, along with rising input costs and squirmy markets make it too daunting for young and early farmers to take their places.

High crop prices have fattened farmers over the past year are not expected to last while costs of fertliser, fuel, seeds and chemicals will continue to rise. Uncertainty about the scope of the US agriculture economy is still high and

The Small Newspaper Company Published, Printed, Designed, Owned, Administered....here Not London. Not New York.

Main phone number: (07) 4528 3131 Head office: 41 King Street, Warwick A.C.N. 167 171 217

• Editor: Elizabeth Voneiff editor@thedailyjournal.ink * Sales: Gordon Bratby 0437 417 736 * Sales: Peter Schmidt 0447 105 846 sales@thedailyjournal.ink

A little bit of legals While every care is taken to compile this newspaper accurately, we cannot be held responsible for any errors that may occur with advertisements or articles. All submitted content does not necessarily represent the opinions of The Small Newspaper Company or The Country Journal All art and editorial content remains the property of the relevant copyright holder and may not be reproduced without permission. If we have got something wrong, get in touch, and we will print a correction in our next edition...and apologies in advance!

demands for farm loans is rising noticeably. Capital expenditure is expected to decline for the first time since 2020.

The US Federal government is looking for ways to mitigate some of the risks and support early career agriculturalists through programs and funding levels for farm and food support.

Concern over who will step up as the next generation of farming is beginning to pressure Washington.

Aging farmers and the price of entry in the industry pose a challenge for U.S. agriculture.

A third of America's 3.4 million farmers are over 65, according to the most recent agricultural census from the U.S. Department

of Agriculture. The census was taken in 2017 and published in 2019.

At the time, nearly a million more farmers were within a decade of the milestone retirement age of 65.

The census found that 27% of farmers qualify as "new and beginning producers," with 10 years or less of experience in agriculture. Most of those farmers have operations that are smaller than average, both in terms of acres and value of production, according to USDA. Debate will be held in Congress in July to examine some of the issues before representatives travel to their constituencies to hold field talks in communities across the country.

Helen Harm Real Estate COUNTRY GETAWAY

OFFERS OVER $ 250,000

PRATTEN We wanted to escape the pandemic instead of being in a city lockdown.

We have enjoy the peace and quiet, easy living and general stress free environment of our getaway.

It is time for us to move on!

• 8.15 Ha (20.13 Acres) • 2 Dongas -demountable storage units • Fully boundary fenced • 10 000 ltr concrete water tank • 22 500 ltr black poly tank • 1000 ltr green water tank • Concrete trough for potential small herd • Composting toilet value over $2000 • Block has a gentle slope at the rear • Front cleared of big trees for possible future home

HIGHWAY FRONTAGE

$ 250,000

RENOVATED QUEENSLANDER OFFERS OVER $ 450,000 Queenslander in the CBD • 4 bedroom fully renovated home with built ins and air conditioning.

• Separate lounge, dining room, kitchen with modern conveniences such as dishwasher, range hood, pantry.

• Bathroom has a bath and separate shower, toilet.

• Second separate toilet off the laundry.

• Verandahs front and back, good backyard with a two bay garage.

• Handy to shops, schools... walk and save.

MULTI-MILLION VIEWS

• Clad 2 bed cottage • North sunroom at entry • Separate lounge • Kitchen has electric appliances, bench space & pantry.

• Bath has shower over bath, vanity, toilet • Laundry nook & 2nd toilet • U/cover entertaining & fernery • 506 m² fenced yard, Single carport

ELEVATED VIEWS

OFFERS OVER $ 450,000 • 4 bed, X-large main • Lounge media has sliders to front deck with VIEWS • Front & back entertaining • Family bathroom - shower over bath, separate toilet • Laundry- bench space + storage • Lock-up garage shed • 3 rain water tanks • Above ground pool • Landscaped gardens • Fruit Orchard • 4161 m² allotment

URGENT!!

STOP WE NEED RENTAL PROPERTY IN GOOD REPAIR

• 64.77 Ha • Mains power • Solar System (saves on costs!)

• 3 bedrooms • 2 bathrooms • kitchen and dining with woodfire • lounge entertaining has reverse cycle air conditioning • Border Fence Bar, setup for entertaining • deck overlooks the play area and dam • 3 bay shed • rainwater tanks • 2 dams • Views that go forever …

AS NEW DUPLEX

INVESTORS: Current Rent return $850p.w.

Suggestion for downsizing – live in one and use the other for income.

WORKIN WEAR - WARWICK $ 210,000 + STOCK • Sell products always in demand • Main Street location • Workwear, work boots, safety supplies & more

WE HAVE NO VACANCIES!!

• Solid customer & account base • Open 5 ½ days

PLEASE CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE A RENTAL AVAILABLE

• Steady growth since 2008 • Easily run by Owner + 1 or 2

LAND

$ 65,000 INVESTORS OPPORTUNITY!!

• Buy Lot 58, 2023 m² (½ Acre ) • Rural views • Power in Street • 23K (20 mins) North of Warwick

OFFERS OVER $ 795,000 Each Unit has: • 3 Large built in bedrooms • 2 bath, master has en suite • Living dining off the kitchen • Lounge with aircon • Bathroom has shower, vanity & toilet • 2 Enclosed courtyards • Laundry • Storage cupboards • Solar power • Rain Water tank • 2 bay garage • 997 m² yard

PRESS Call …Helen Harm Real Estate 4661 3663

HENDON

OFFERS OVER $ 900,000

• WARWICK - 1170m², new estate, bitumen frontage, power, views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $145,000 • WARWICK -

....................

$2,210,000

• PRATTEN - 4047m² (2 available), bitumen road, water & power available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $90,000

See www.helenharm.com for more listings

53 FITZROY STREET, WARWICK www.helenharm.com

0408 457 496

10

COUNTRYJOURNAL

Great Geitz unveiled Time capsules and timeless stars Leonie Fuge Country Journal

T

he official unveiling of the Laura Geitz statuette and the induction of Wayne Bennett and Laura Geitz into the Allora Hall of Fame attracted big names to the Southern Downs. Though Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sent an apology, other politicians, sporting heroes and Hall of Famers, along with prominent locals were in attendance at the Allora Regional Sports Museum (ARSM) on Saturday morning for the historical event.

After being piped in by the Warwick Thistle and Pipe Band, Wayne and Laura took their seats beside the statutette as King and Queen sports stars of Allora.

Former Bronco player and Queensland State of Origin captain Shane Webcke was MC for the event.

The Laura Geitz statuette was officially unveiled as an exact miniature version of a life-size statue of Laura that stands at the Boondall Entertainment Centre. The statuette was funded by an SDRC Arts Grant and was scheduled to be unveiled in 2020 however, due to Covid-19 the ARSM had postponed the event for two years.

The extensive sporting contributions of the two local sporting heroes were publicly honoured by the speakers who highlighted the many and varied achievements made by both. Wayne is noted as being one of the greatest rugby league coaches of all time whilst Laura remains one of Australia’s greatest netball captains and netball champions.

Wayne and Laura were both raised in Allora and spoke of the immense value growing up in a small country town played in their lives.

Shane who grew up in Leyburn echoed the newly inducted

Immortals' sentiments saying, “It’s because our roots are in these towns that we have been able to do the things that people look upon and admire.”

Filling the crowd of locals that spilled out onto the streets in front of ARSM were Mayors Vic Pennisi from the Southern Downs and Paul Antonio from Toowoomba and former SDRC mayor Tracy Dobie.

Many SDRC council members attended the event and Marco Gliori was one of the speakers who presented a poem for each of the newly appointed Hall of Famers.

Rod Kelly, treasurer of ARSM and former SDRC councillor told the Country Journal, “over 30 athletes were in attendance.”

Recognising the long list of notables attending the unveiling and induction, Shane welcomed some of Allora’s Hall of Famers

including Queensland and Kangaroo rugby league representative Greg Platz, Toowoomba Clydesdales legend John Cowley, Polo star Garry Gilmore, Queensland rugby league representative Les Lane, international rugby league star Steve ‘Gibbo’ Gibson and likely Hall of Famer of the future, junior athletics champion William Gilmore.

Former federal member for the Darling Downs Tom McVeigh added to the historical events of the morning by gifting the historical O’Shay Cup to the museum. The former MP was also a former player of A-grade Warwick District Downs Rugby League player that played for the trophy and said, “for the record, I am the only fella still living who played for the O’Shea Cup.” Buried under the Laura Geitz statuette is a time capsule that former Mayor Tracey Dobie told

the attendees was quite large and required the help of a funeral parlour to bury. The time capsule is due to be dug up in 2069 and will contain 100 years of local history.

The former mayor presented two ceremonial shovels to the granddaughters of ARSM President Perry Cronin, Molly and Mahalia (Diddle) Williams, who have been officially designated to oversee the digging up the time capsule. The girls invited those in attendance to return in 50 years for the digging up ceremony which prompted chuckles from the audience, especially the aged.

A community BBQ lunch followed at the Railway Hotel.

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD 4

5

6

D R T T A P

7

8 9 10 11 12 15

16

19

17

18

20

23

Bee Box Dad Debt

25

13 Name an apparatus used in weight-lifting (7) 14 To perform surgery is to do what (7) 15 To be confidently expectant is to be what (7) 17 Which term implies a voice characterised by strength, fullness, etc (7) 18 What is a place of higher learning (7) 20 To be disinclined or reluctant is to be what (6)

Dew Duty Led Peel

G

J

8

14 12 22

P

T

V

2

4

10

4

5 6 7 SUDOKU

D

3

G G G G I J

L M M N N N

O O S S S T

CROSSWORD

A:8, D:14, G:12, J:22, P:2, T:4, V:10

2

A A A A B E

SOLUTIONS

BIYWORD

1

DOWN 1 Cash drawer 2 Brain wave 3 Blueprint 4 Transmit

030

GS

QUICK THINK Solve the crossword.

Each answer has four letters.

158-030

E

ACROSS 1 Inclines 5 Not in use 6 Low-fat 7 Touch down

A

CLUES: Answer (abb) (3) Business Activity Statement (3) Con (5) Largest ray genus (5) Limb (3) Long time periods (5) NZ extinct bird (3) Ring-shaped hard roll (5) Running for exercise (7) Tropical fruit (7)

M B A S M A N T A © J O G G I N G A E O N S L E G S

12 22

030

030

Build it yourself using the clues and each of the twenty-four letters once only to form ten words: five across and five down. A key word (bold clue) builds on the letter set in the grid.

8

SUDOKU

030

BIYWORD

are shown in the right-hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.

© Auspac Media - meq0040

Tend Use Winner

The Mammalian Diving Reflex occurs when cold water (below 21°C) hits your face.

Instantly, your airways snap shut and body systems slow down. Humans are born with the reflex but lose it around toddler age. It’s one of the reasons some people survive being submerged in freezing water.

E-QUATIONS

040 Some values are in the right hand cells.

Create remaining values using Letters A toclues Z haveina centre number value.

Some cells.

PxT T+V J-V A+D T÷P D-V J-G

Pot See Swim Tap

CURIO

Letters have a number value

A D G J P T V

L W E D U W

Find the following words in the grid. They may be read in any direction, even diagonally.

Some letters are used more than once.

24

E-QUATIONS 7

M I W S A D

21 22

3 Which term describes that which completely surrounds something (7) 4 Which long-shafted golf club is used for making long shots (6) 5 What band is considered to be the most influential of pop groups (7) 6 Name a less familiar term for daily (7) 7 What is another name for a corpse (7)

Y N E E N D

B D C I V E R I N A A U D I C T O R I A L N V O L E A E S O L A R R A R C V I O L A S U E T D R O U T E S E S N M E D D I E S

14

T N L E E P

11

030

S T R A N D R M R M U M B A I M I V S P H E R E E N R B R O T H A P O K R E P B A R B E C E A F L E T T U C L E L

13

U E T B O X

QUICK THINK ACROSS: 1 Tips, 5 Idle, 6 Lean, 7 Land.

DOWN: 1 Till, 2 Idea, 3 Plan, 4 Send.

3

E-QUATIONS A:8, D:14, G:12, J:22, P:2, T:4, V:10

2

L W E D U W

1

COUNTRYJOURNAL MINI WORD FIND

MINI WORD FIND D U T Y M R E N N I T T L E W T B E E S A O E N A P X P D D

ACROSS 1 What, poetically, is the land bordering the sea or ocean (6) 8 Name a district in NSW, one of Australia’s most productive rural areas (8) 9 What is an alternative name for Bombay (6) 10 Albert was the Prince Consort of which Queen (8) 11 Name a round body whose surface is at all points equidistant from the centre (6) 12 What is an actor’s part called (4) 13 What is a thin soup of concentrated meat or fish stock (5) 16 Which energy is obtained from the sun (5) 19 The pods of which plant of the mallow family are used in soups (4) 21 Which four-stringed instruments are slightly larger than the violin (6) 22 What is a metal frame for cooking food above an open fire (8) 23 What do we call roads taken for travel (6) 24 Which biennial plants with large leaves are used in salads (8) 25 What are currents at variance with the main currents (6) DOWN 2 Name an Australian Test cricketer (1877-1915), noted for his ability as a batsman, Victor ... (7)

729

12

COUNTRYJOURNAL

Ukraine grain down 43% Staff reports editor@thedailyjournal.ink

U

S news service Reuters reports that Ukraine's grain exports plunged 43% yearon-year to 1.41 million tonnes in June, underscoring the damage being done to the major sector of the economy by Russia's unwarranted invasion.

Grain exports for the 2021-22 season ending June 30 rose 8.5% to 48.5 million tonnes, driven by strong shipments prior to the February invasion, the data

showed.

Ukraine's grain exports have slumped since the start of the war as its Black Sea ports - the key route for shipments - have been largely closed off, driving up global food prices and prompting fears of shortages in Africa and the Middle East The ministry data showed wheat exports rose to 18.7 million tonnes in the 2021/22 season from 16.6 million a year earlier.

Corn exports edged up to 23.5 million tonnes from 23.1 million, while barley sales increased to around 5.8

GNF market report

million tonnes from 4.2 million.

The government has said Ukraine could harvest up 65 million tonnes of grain and oilseeds this year, compared with 106 million in 2021, due to the loss of land to Russian forces and lower grain yields.

The ministry said farmers in southern and eastern Ukraine had already started the 2022 harvest, threshing 293,800 tonnes of grain from around 1% of the sown area.

It said farmers had threshed 131,500 hectares and the grain yield averaged 2.23 tonnes per hectare.

(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk Editing by Mark Potter)

Message from DAF: Biosecurity Queensland is encouraging livestock owners including those with cattle, buffalo, camels, sheep, goats, deer and pigs to be prepared, vigilant and on the lookout for lumpy skin disease (LSD), foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and African swine fever (ASF).

LSD, FMD, and ASF are not present in Australia, and if introduced, pose a significant impact on production, businesses and families.

Livestock owners are reminded that feeding pigs food that contains or has been in contact with meat, eggs and untreated cooking fats and oils (swill feeding) is illegal, as it can spread animal diseases.

This is a timely reminder after viral fragments of FMD and ASF were confirmed in a small number of products in Australia tested as part of routine surveillance and testing of meat and other animal products by the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

CONDAMINE SPORTS CLUB Daily Lunch Specials Open 7 Days Members’ Price - $11.50 Permanent Membership Available - $5 Nightly Specials Sunday to Thursday

133 Palmerin St, Warwick - 4661 1911 www.condaminesportsclub.com.au SUPPORTING SPORTS IN OUR COMMUNITY

Follow us on Facebook

Shelley’s Industries No. 1 in All Types of Steel

WIA Welders Dog Cages

Contact Bruce or Neil

Under Body Tool Boxes

Plastic Water Tanks

ALL IN STOCK NOW

33 Albion Street, Warwick

On Tray Tool Boxes

07 4661 2178