FROM THE MINISTER

Resilience is important

The resilience of South Burnett is important to me. Bushfire recovery funding continues to roll out, we’re working to relieve pandemic pressure on our agricultural industries through uptake of Working Holiday Maker visas, and innovation is delivering farmers the best available climate data to help prepare for future drought and climate change.

$2m to south burnett under bushfire recovery funding

Two key programs will build a stronger South Burnett under the Australian Government’s Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program - a $1.6 million local led economic and social recovery program and a $300,000 project to build bushfire resilience in Cherbourg and surrounds. We understand that recovery from bushfires takes time and will continue to support impacted communities through their recovery. Details of funded projects are available at recovery.gov.au/programs/black-summergrants.

Attracting more working holiday makers

The pandemic has raised challenges for our agricultural industries and the opening of our international borders gives optimism for our farmers going forward.

A new Work and Play the Aussie Way campaign encourages the uptake of Working Holiday Maker visas in the United Kingdom, Europe, Japan and Republic of Korea, by giving young travellers a glimpse of the adventures that await them while working and travelling Australia. The campaign promotes the recent announcement to refund Visa Application Charges for Working Holiday Maker visa holders (subclasses 417 or 462). These temporary measures aim to provide immediate assistance to Australian businesses that are facing critical workforce shortages.

Practical drought, climate change tools

Two digital tools are delivering Australian farmers the best available climate data to help prepare for future drought and climate change.

The Climate Services for Ag (CSA) platform provides farmers with historical climate data, seasonal forecasts, and future climate projections at a 5km2 resolution across the country.

With the Drought Resilience Self-Assessment Tool (DR.SAT), farmers can explore their property’s current and past condition through satellite imagery. See the tools at www.drsat. com.au (DRSAT) and climateservicesforag.indraweb.io (CSA).

Planting trees for the jubilee

Up to $100,000 will be available in Maranoa to support community tree planting to celebrate Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. The program is a key part of the Australian Government’s celebration of the Jubilee. Those interested in seeking funding should contact my office ahead of the program application period..

Lifeline’s crisis text services goes 24/7

Lifeline has launched a 24/7 crisis text service to expand its support for Australians struggling with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The service is available 24/7 via confidential text message to 0477 13 11 14. Following a few questions via text, Australians are connected to a trained Lifeline crisis supporter. The expansion of the text service is backed by data showing it is the preferred channel for high-risk community members including young people, those experiencing domestic violence, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Funding finder

·Chart funding - Up to $3,000 is available for museums and galleries wanting to stage events or improve facilities. Applications close 29 April 2022 or once funding is expended. Visit www.amaga.org.au/chart. · Saluting their service grants - Hundreds of worthy projects have been funded to help local communities pay tribute to Australians who have served during wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. Check the guide-

lines and if your organisation has an eligible project, apply. Grants of up to $10,000 are available for community-based commemorative projects. To learn more, visit www. communitygrants.gov.au/grants. · Backing women in stem - Grants of up to $1 million and new scholarships are available to help women and girls secure science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) jobs. For more information, visit www.business.gov.au/WISE.

Until next month.

FROM THE MINISTER

AGRICULTURE MINISTER DAVID LITTLEPROUD

The power of mother nature in Tansey. Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Cattle out of Africa

By Judy Barnet I did not realise until recently that the first cattle and sheep into Australia were actually African Cattle. An attempt to bring British Livestock to Australia mostly failed with most livestock perishing before they reached the Cape due to inadequate nutrition. Up until the 1970s Afrikander cattle could be found in Warwick and many were processed at the Warwick Bacon Factory. I believe the Afrikander has all but gone in Australia now, a couple of years ago the CSIRO sold off the last of its Afrikander Semen.

Livestock in Africa

The African continent is home to diverse populations of livestock breeds adapted to harsh environmental conditions with more than 70% under traditional systems of management. Animal productivity is less than optimal in most cases and is faced with numerous challenges including limited access to adequate nutrition and disease management, poor institutional capacities and lack of adequate government policies and funding to develop the livestock sector. Africa is home to more than 1.3 billion people and with increasing demand for animal protein by an ever-growing population. The current state of livestock productivity creates a significant yield gap for animal products. Although a greater section of the population, especially those living in rural areas depend largely on livestock for their livelihood; the potential of the sector remains underutilised and therefore unable to contribute significantly to the economic development and social wellbeing of the people.

With current advances in livestock management and the inclusion of all stakeholders African livestock populations can be sustainably developed to close the animal protein gap that exists in the continent. In particular, advances in gene technologies and the application of genomic breeding in many Western countries has resulted in tremendous gains in traits like milk production with the potential that implementation of genomic selection and other improved practices (nutrition, health care etc) can lead to rapid improvement in traits of economic importance in Africa. The African livestock populations are limited to cattle, goats, pigs, sheep and chickens which are mainly exploited for meat, milk and eggs.

The major breed of cattle in Ghana is the Ghana Sanga, also called Sang, Pseudo-Sanga or Ghanaian Sanga it is the product of interbreeding (composite) between the Ghana Shorethorn (or sometimes the N’Dama) and Zebu (commonly White Fulani, occasionally Sokoto Gudali) in northern Ghana. Sanga is a more recent and specific cross compared to the general cattle group called Sanga, which comprised long-established Zebu x humpless derivatives represented by several breeds in Eastern and Southern Africa. The breed is located in drier areas of Ghana towards the northern border and on the Accra plains extending into Volta Region

Physical characteristics: The animals are small and have variegated coat colour. The head has a long straight and convex profile. Horns are variable in size and slender in shape, mostly small and U shaped. The neck is short and sturdy. The hump is rudimentary and usually inconspicuous. The back is short and concave with an elevated rump. These cattle are mostly solid black, although black pied and brown pied coats are also common. Height at withers is 110-115 cm. Judy: Tell me about the plans for your guesthouse in Ghana? Stone: Together with my Australian wife we have built a guesthouse in Mumford, Ghana. It is on a surf beach within one of the largest fishing towns in Ghana. The government has recently undertaken to build a harbour in Mumford to allow for the larger fishing vessels to bring their fishing fleets into the harbour to offload their catch. Our guesthouse provides for accommodation in four self-contained units and a 10-bed dormitory. We were set to receive our first group of Americans on tour in April 2021, however, the Covid epidemic disrupted our plans and the tour was cancelled in March 2021 and is on hold until further notice. We plan on bringing groups to Ghana based in Mumford and conducting cultural tours for Australians, Americans and Europeans. Judy: What do you like most about Australia? Stone: I love the sunrise, when the sun is shining, and watching the sunset from our rooftop, penthouse apartment in Golden Beach, Sunshine Coast.

I love the people, Australians are incredibly friendly. The variety of landscapes, gorgeous beaches, the vibrant cities, the slang, the food, the sports. Australia is safe and its beauty is unsurpassed. It’s not hard to see why Australia’s vast wilderness, relieved by a handful of vibrant modern metropolises is one of the world’s great travel destinations, containing an immense diversity of cultures and climates, tastes and terrain for wanderers to explore. The climate is extraordinary. The people are friendly and accepting. I love Australian wildlife, especially the kangaroos. Australia is one of the best countries that I have lived with access to educational opportunities are amazing. I feel extremely lucky to be in this beautiful country, Australia is a great place to live!

I was fortunate to be invited to our friend’s 150-acre farm on the lake at Glenlyon for Christmas. It was a wonderful experience to be welcomed into their home and experience real country hospitality during the festive season. It was wonderful to meet the variety the farm animals including sheep, goats, calves, chickens, ducks and guinea fowls, the birdlife and Dora the adorable Kelpie dog. On the first day we arrived at the farm getting closer to all the animals around us, the moment I saw the guinea fowls my first impression was WOW! I am in Ghana. Guinea fowls are native to Africa and I never expected to see them in Australia. This is an experience I will never forget and I look forward to returning to this beautiful place. Judy: How long have you been a Stonemason? Stone: I have been a professional artist for decades and a Stonemason for more than twenty years. In Ghana as tradespersons, we do not have an apprenticeship system like in Australia and we are basically apprentices for life and do not receive certification qualifications. Shortly after I arrived in Australia on a Resident Visa application I was able to work and received full-time permanent employment with a family stonemason company. I applied for my experience to be assessed through the Recognised Prior Learn process and my employers assisted with providing evidence of my experience. After 6 months I have now been granted my Australian Certificate III as a Monumental Stone Mason, which guarantees my career progression as a Qualified tradesperson.

Stone and our dog, Dora.