As harvesters finish sweeping across the Dalby region, growers have secured a winter crop laced with uncertainty. After a season shaped by uneven rainfall, sporadic weather challenges and variable paddock performance, many producers are now tallying results that range from exceptional to hardwon. To make sense of this year’s outcomes, Elders agronomist Millie Bach of Dalby joins us for a Q&A, offering her on-the-ground perspective of how the region’s winter crops have fared. See page 4.
Severe storms in November ripped through parts of southern Queensland leaving farmland battered, crops destroyed and farmers counting heavy losses.
On the Darling Downs, the hailstorm triggered by a super-cell thunderstorm system hit areas north of Toowoomba - Googa Creek and Yarraman - Manapouri to the north and Southern Downs regions including Pratten, Clifton, Victoria Hill, Talgai, Ascot and Ellinthorp. Giant hailstones have smashed fields of wheat, barley and chickpeas, infrastructure and even machinery.
“Yes, there have been some pretty horrific hail storms and storms in general,“ said Paul McIntosh, Pulse Agronomy Australia and Weedsmart Industry Development Agronomist - Northern Region. “They’re streaky and they’re patchy. One end of the paddock can get hammered with hail and rain and the other end doesn’t get any of either. So, it’s your typical hail pattern in the fact that there is no pattern.”
4-5
By Fiona Gowers
Even after a lifetime of selling bulls, Rick Greenup admits he still gets nervous before a bull sale. And, this year was no different, with the added pressure of offering a young sire he thought had the poten-
tial to become an impact sire for the breed.
With a massive draft of bulls on offer, strong market expectations and the pressure of delivering top-end genetics, the nerves were understandable. What followed was a performance that exceeded expectations, with Mr Greenup selling the
top-priced bull for the Santa Gertrudis breed this season.
Lot 81 Greenup Apollo V222, sired by Eidsvold Napoleon N888 and out of Greenup Clover, triggered intense bidding from a number of stud and commercial breeders and eventually sold for
$120,000 to Andrew and Fiona Bassingthwaite of Yarrawonga Santa Gertrudis, Wallumbilla.
Recognising his potential, Apollo was the first bull sold at auction that Mr Greenup had retained semen in over a decade.
COVERAGE PAGES 2-3
Santa Gertrudis cattle have again demonstrated their resilience and appeal in the Australian beef market, with 2025 delivering solid results from auction sales held in Queensland, Western Australia and NSW.
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From 2405 bulls offered nationally - not including multi-breed sales - 2260 were sold, representing a 92pc clearance rate and an average price of $11,987.
This marks an increase from last year’s average of $11,450, when Santa Gertrudis led all nonWagyu breeds at auction.
The breed not only maintained its clearance rate but also sold more bulls, reinforcing its position as a reliable performer in both stud and commercial settings.
“The simple thing is it comes down to market suitability,” TopX Roma principal, Cyril Close said.
“For the domestic or export market, they get the weight gain and they just perform.
“The world we live in now is based on performance and they’re consistently doing it across all markets.”
Data from AuctionsPlus further supports the breed’s strong market presence.
In 2024, Santa Gertrudis achieved the highest clearance rate of any breed on the platform, with 89pc of listed head securing buyers.
NSW-listed lots were particularly sought after, averaging $286/head over reserve, the highest of any breed in any state.
Over the past five years, Santa Gertrudis cattle of all descriptions have averaged an 84pc clearance rate on AuctionsPlus, outperforming the allbreeds average of 77.28pc.
This trend has held across most quarters, with Santa Gertrudis consistently clearing at higher rates than other breeds, regardless of location.
In terms of pricing, the breed continues to show strength. Since 2019, both purebred and crossbred Santa Gertrudis lots have consistently attracted a cents-per-kilo dressed weight premium over the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI).
Even during the market correction of 2023, Santa lines maintained their premium, which has widened again in recent quarters.
According to Hugh Courts of AuctionsPlus, this performance reflects sustained buyer confidence.
“Quarter after quarter, buyers have shown up and bid confidently on Santa lines,” Mr Courts said.
“Even in softer markets, buyers are still willing to pay more for genetics they trust.”
Santa Gertrudis Australia general manager Brad Cooper said the breed’s consistency was also reflected in longer-term investment trends.
“The data from the past five years shows that Santa Gertrudis remains a stable and consistent breed of choice for seedstock producers and commercial operators alike,” Mr Cooper said.
“One of the clearest indicators of ongoing interest is the steady rise in registered Santa Gertrudis females captured in our database, which have increased by nearly 17pc since 2020.”
While commercial herd data isn’t directly tracked by the Association, Mr Cooper points to average bull sale prices as a reliable market signal.
“The 2024–25 year saw Santa Gertrudis bulls sell to a higher average than any other non-Wagyu breed and the results from 2025 are on the same trajectory.
“This suggests the breed continues to perform where it counts — in commercial herds and at sale time when buyers are investing in their future and generational performance.
“With consistent clearance rates, strong sale averages and enduring price premiums, Santa Gertrudis cattle remain a dependable choice for producers seeking performance and market confidence.”
Santa Gertrudis bulls are sold across Australia, with the breed proving adaptable to a wide range of environments — from the far north and west, including the Northern Territory and Western Australia, to the southern regions near the snowfields of NSW and Tasmania.
The busiest period on the Santa Gertrudis spring selling calendar falls between August and October, when major auctions are held in NSW and Queensland.
Looking ahead, the next single-vendor onproperty sale will take place in Northampton, Western Australia, in April.
Beyond auctions, Santa Gertrudis bulls and females are also available year-round through private paddock sales, giving buyers flexibility to secure quality genetics at any time.
Celebrating the festive season in the bush is a wonderfully unique experience.
While the rest of the world is “dreaming of a white Christmas“, rural Queenslanders are happy with a scorcher, a cicada choir and a backyard smelling of eucalyptus and sunscreen.
Out here, Christmas lunch often isn’t served, it’s wrangled. Someone’s in charge of the prawns, someone else is burning snags on a barbie and there’s always that one uncle determined to roast lamb in 40-degree heat “because it’s tradition“. Eskies work hard, groaning under the weight of ice, soft drinks and the one cheap bottle of bubbles nobody admits to buying.
Decorations tend to have a bush flavour too. Fairy lights wind their way around verandah posts, twinkling against the brilliant western sunset. The kids’ tinselcovered gum branches fall faster than the Christmas tree decorations and there’s always that one blow-up Santa clinging for dear life against a hot northerly.
But what really makes a bush Christmas special isn’t the weather, the food or the quirky decorations, it’s the gathering itself. It’s the laughter drifting across open paddocks, the neighbours dropping by unannounced bearing yet another homemade Christmas cake and the simple joy of celebrating under a big, blue Queensland sky.
Because out here, Christmas is not polished, it’s perfectly, proudly, unmistakably bush!
Merry Christmas to our Queensland Farmer Today family. To our advertisers, thank you for your steadfast support this year. We will look forward to seeing you all in 2026. Stay safe.
- Fiona Gowers
By Fiona Gowers
Even after a lifetime of selling bulls, Rick Greenup admits he still gets nervous before a bull sale. And, this year was no different, with the added pressure of offering a young sire he thought had the potential to become an impact sire for the breed.
With a massive draft of bulls on offer, strong market expectations and the pressure of delivering top-end genetics, the nerves were understandable.
What followed was a performance that exceeded expectations, with Mr Greenup selling the top-priced bull for the Santa Gertrudis breed this season.
Lot 81 Greenup Apollo V222, sired by Eidsvold Napoleon N888 and out of Greenup Clover, triggered intense bidding from a number of stud and commercial breeders and eventually sold for $120,000 to Andrew and Fiona Bassingthwaite of Yarrawonga Santa Gertrudis, Wallumbilla.
Recognising his potential, Apollo was the first bull sold at auction that Mr Greenup had retained semen in over a decade.
“He was a standout weaner but started to really jump out of the box a couple of months before the sale and just kept improving,“ he said.
“He really had it all – dark, great sheath, exceptional growth, muscle and softness.”
The homozygous polled bull is a trait leader for growth and carcass weight estimated breeding values (EBVs).
Apollo weighed 986 kilograms, scanned an eye muscle area of 136 square centimetres, measured 13 millimetres P8 and 11mm rib fat, recorded 5.3pc intramuscular fat and had a scrotal circumference of 42cm.
“Before the sale Ruby and I were talking and she asked how I was feeling, and said, ‘You seem more nervous than usual’.
“And I said, ‘We’ve had a fair bit of interest in Apollo. He’s got everything that the breed is chasing - but you never know how the sale will go on the day’.
“Andrew and Fiona have been our good friends for a long time and they breed great cattle, so for them to appreciate the calibre of the bull and put their faith in him was awesome ... I did become quite emotional.“
Held in September at Belvedere, near Eidsvold, the stud sold 109 catalogued bulls and an additional 55 non-catalogued bulls on the day.
Mr Greenup said while their aim as one of the breed’s largest studs is to produce a large volume of consistently high-quality bulls, every year “there are those that stand out and attract extra interest on top of that“.
In 2025, the Santa Gertrudis breed continued its upward trajectory, marking another strong year with sale averages climbing steadily over the past three years.
This year saw 34 dedicated Santa Gertrudis bull sales, ranging from single-vendor on-property events — such as the Greenup family’s sale at Eidsvold — to multi-vendor auctions at major saleyards including Roma, Dalby and Blackall.
In addition, two online sales were held and many breeders participated in multi-breed sales, further expanding market reach.
For single-breed auctions, the annual average price reached $11,987, underscoring the breed’s strong market position.
Santa Gertrudis Breeders’ (Australia) Association general manager, Brad Cooper, said the results reflected both consistent demand and buyers’ confidence in the breed’s quality.
“Our average sits well above the industry benchmark for all other cattle breeds sold at auction,“ he said. “Beyond that, we’ve seen metrics that reinforce this consistency.
“For example, 40pc of members who held auction sales this year cleared 100pc of their bulls, while 80pc achieved clearance rates of 90pc or higher.
“That’s not a seasonal anomaly — it’s a sustained trend. Since 2021, 72pc of sales have recorded clearance rates between 90 and 100pc.“
Mr Cooper said combined with sale averages that outperformed industry norms, the figures confirmed Santa Gertrudis as a profitable choice for breeders and a trusted investment for buyers, who are securing sires with confidence in their return on investment.
Interestingly, the Greenup Eidsvold Station sale signalled strong market demand for highquality, data-backed bulls from buyers seeking genetics that deliver across growth, carcass and commercial traits.
Indeed, Mr Greenup’s 2025 sale was more than the headline $120,000 price; it represented consistency, program strength and market relevance.
On 18 September, the nervous vendor became a market leader in mere hours and, for that, the wider Santa community is toasting his success.
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By Fiona Gowers
As the curtain closes on winter grain harvests in southern and central Queensland - and the push begins to establish summer crops - growers’ eyes look skyward as they wonder, ’Where’s that wet spring?’
Moisture is the wildcard. And the next few weeks are pivotal.
If rain falls, growers may ride into summer with a strong second-crop opportunity with sorghum, mungbeans or even opportunistic cotton.
If not, those planted paddocks may simply become a risk rather than a reward.
Farmers on the Darling Downs and Western Downs are racing against time. Stubble management from recent harvests is underway, paddocks are being prepared for sowing and seed orders are being finalised.
Yet, the message is clear: “Planting now is good but follow-up rain is essential to lock in a profitable crop“.
As one farming systems specialist put it, summer crops demand significantly more stored water and are more vulnerable if rainfall falters.
AgForce grains president Brendan Taylor said “significant rain“ was needed to ensure successful planting of summer crops.
Queensland growers, he said, would welcome 50mm to boost production prospects.
“It’s been very hot,“ Mr Taylor said. “Back in August, it was really wet and we’re all going, ’Gee, it looks like we’re probably going to have another wet harvest’, which isn’t ideal but it hasn’t rained much since then in a lot of places.
“There are lots of cracks in the ground, which is great harvest weather, but yes, for the summer crop, it’s pretty tough going.
“I would say we’re probably the driest we’ve been here for about three years.“
Mr Taylor finished his winter crop harvest last month at Warra on the Western Downs of southern Queensland.
He, like many others, planted sorghum in early September and said it looks “pretty good“, considering it only received 25mm of rain.
More is needed, however. Soon.
“We’ve still got plenty of time for the summer crop but there was a reasonable area of sorghum planted very early at the end of August/ start of September.
“It’s done well to get to where it’s got now, with bits and pieces of small amounts of rain, but it needs a significant amount of rain now to bring it to a reasonable crop.
“December into January is our prime planting window so, fingers crossed, we get some rain in the latter part of November and December, which will stimulate sorghum and mungbean planting.
“Any of the irrigators who have got their cotton in, have had to use a lot of water just to get the cotton in and up, because we’ve had very little help from the sky.“
Mr Taylor said the most disappointing aspect “from our end, amongst all of it“ was that commodity prices are flat.
“Last year we were probably trading chickpeas in that $800 to $900 a tonne range. This year we’re in the mid $500s/t.
“It’s really fallen off a ledge and that’s just because there’s very little international demand, which is where most of the chickpea crop goes.“
Sorghum and cereal values, meanwhile, are all about $300/t on farm.
As harvesters finish sweeping across the Dalby region, growers have secured a winter crop laced with uncertainty.
After a season shaped by uneven rainfall, sporadic weather challenges and variable paddock performance, many producers are now tallying results that range from exceptional to hard-won.
To make sense of this year’s outcomes, Elders agronomist Millie Bach of Dalby joins us for a Q&A, offering her on-the-ground perspective of how the region’s winter crops have fared. Millie describes the 2025 season as a “mixed bag,” with early-sown crops generally delivering the strongest yields.
Barley has been a consistent performer, though test-weight issues have surfaced in some areas.
Wheat has produced an even broader spread of results – from standout patches to paddocks hit by poorer grain quality, crown rot pressure and lower yields following the dry finish.
Meanwhile, canola, grown on smaller hectares this year, has largely impressed, with strong oil content and reliable yields despite the tough conditions.
While disease pressure remained relatively low across the Downs, the season’s biggest challenge proved to be rainfall – good early falls for some, but patchy and insufficient for others, directly influencing grain quality and yield potential.
Yet there have also been notable positives, including barley crops yielding 6–7 tonnes per hectare and canola returns holding firm thanks to strong pricing.
In the following Q&A, Millie unpacks these trends, outlines expected yield ranges and reflects on a season that has delivered its share of surprises – both challenging and rewarding – for Dalby-region growers.
How would you describe the winter cropping season in the Dalby region?
A mixed bag. Early crops seemed to have had the better yields as we get through harvest. Barley has been fairly consistent, however some concerns with test weight. Wheat has been average with some better yields but also some poorer quality and lower yields in areas. Crown rot issues developed with the lack of rainfall and hard finish in some fields and pushing screenings up. Canola and faba beans with lower hectares seemed quite good.
Have there been any challenges? For example, diseases, weather?
Limited diseases this year, particularly in chickpeas, we were fairly lucky. Some net blotch in barley and rust in wheat in more susceptible varieties but nothing significant on the Downs. Weather has been tricky, early rainfall was good however fairly patchy with some missing out on a lot of in-crop rainfall, which has reduced yield
and quality.
What have been the positives?
Some fantastic yields coming off barley, with crops yielding 6–7 tonnes per hectare . Canola has seemed like a standout this year, with only a small area grown but oil content above 40 and okay yields even in tough conditions. With a higher price for canola than our cereals, the GM per hectare, even with challenges like frost and moisture, the comparison with wheat and barley at lower yields and prices have been on a par. Did your growers follow a standard management plan or variations of this for any reason?
Pretty standard this season – no really big hiccups.
What are the expected tonnes per hectare for the various crops?
• Wheat: 3-3.5mt/ha
• Barley: 3.5-7mt/ha
• Canola: 1.5-1.8mt/ha
• Chickpeas: 1-2.5mt/ha
Please add anything else of relevance . . . It has been a bit of a surprising end to the season. Varying yields but some outstanding crops in that mix.
By Fiona Gowers
Severe storms in November ripped through parts of southern Queensland leaving farmland battered, crops destroyed and farmers counting heavy losses.
On the Darling Downs, the hailstorm triggered by a super-cell thunderstorm system hit areas north of Toowoomba - Googa Creek and Yarraman - Manapouri to the north and Southern Downs regions including Pratten, Clifton, Victoria Hill, Talgai, Ascot and Ellinthorp.
Giant hailstones have smashed fields of wheat, barley and chickpeas, infrastructure and even machinery.
“Yes, there have been some pretty horrific hail storms and storms in general,“ said Paul McIntosh, Pulse Agronomy Australia and Weedsmart Industry Development Agronomist - Northern Region.
“They’re streaky and they’re patchy. One end of the paddock can get hammered with hail and rain and the other end doesn’t get any of either.
“So, it’s your typical hail pattern in the fact that there is no pattern.
“Incredibly, you could have four paddocks of wheat and four paddocks of fallow or bare country. And, guess what it hits? The four paddocks of wheat! It’s bloody unreal the way it goes but it’s just the way it is with hail.
“Over the many decades I have provided agronomic advice, sometimes I think good crops breed hailstorms.
“I would imagine there will be some 100 per cent losses around and that is very unfortunate and sad.“
Indeed, hail assessors have been busy in southern Queensland, with insurance companies establishing assessment and repair centres to process the surge in claims for both property and vehicles.
To date, more than 2500 insurance claims have been lodged.
“The many experienced hail assessors operating in the northern region are fairly busy,“ Mr McIntosh said.
“Assessing hail is not a very pleasant job and only just in front of late frosts as far as terrible inspection roles go.
“Many times there can be some grain left in the head after hail events, unless it gets completely and utterly smashed like it’s been hit with a lawn mower or mulcher.
“Growers should invariably choose to harvest any of that remaining grain, after the assessor has determined how much is on the ground and given the farmer is insured.
“If you don’t harvest these invariably much lower yields, you may end up with volunteer seeds (weeds) emerging for the next two or three months, which you then have to spray.
“So that’s another sad offshoot of a hailstorm.
“It’s not only a loss of production or loss of profit, it’s how you handle all the volunteer plants that may germinate and emerge for the next month or two?
“It’s another operation across your paddock you will need to consider.“
On the bright side, Mr McIntosh said there were many “tremendous“ three to four tonne chickpea crops through the Central Highlands and four to five tonne wheat and barley crops in southern Queensland.
“I do suspect that there are paddocks in Queensland averaging much higher than those lofty yield amounts mentioned,“ Mr McIntosh said.
“I’d have to say that the earlier the crop was planted for this year, the better the yield was because we haven’t had too many late frost issues.
“Certainly, the earlier planted crops appear to be a lot better in yields and quality.
In regards to prices, Mr McIntosh said cereal and pulse crop farm gate prices had “sagged a bit“ for all crops.
“But the yields have been pretty good and everyone’s relatively happy in those non-hailstorm affected areas.“
By Fiona Gowers
Two Australian Army veterans, Stephen Hagan and Michael Lindeblad, have turned 40 hectares of land into more than just a goat stud. It’s become a space for mates, memories and recovery.
The pair founded Sundown Boer Farm in early 2022, with the dual purpose of breeding top-quality goats and offering a haven for fellow veterans to rest, recharge and reconnect after years of service overseas.
Located 35 kilometres west of Stanthorpe in southern Queensland, the farm has become a symbol of hope for ex-service personnel.
“Michael and I served overseas together in different units; Michael for 20 years and me for 18,“ Mr Hagan said. “We were medically discharged about the same time.
“I asked him if he wanted to buy a goat and he said ’Yes’ he thought it was a great idea. Therefore, with the help of Dave Beaumont, we established a farm. We needed to get away and to be alone.
“There are some guys (ex-servicemen) who are just so broken and we wanted them involved too.
“Mental health is the only reason we are doing it. It has nothing to do with being a business and making money. It is for recovery from both physical injuries and mental injuries.“
Since its inception, Sundown Boer Farm has quickly made its mark in the stud goat industry.
Having started showing with trepidation, Mr Hagan said they have now done two show seasons, this year claiming Supreme Champion at the Toowoomba Royal Show.
“Oh look, it’s not about winning,“ Mr Hagan said. “It’s all about being able to socialise because a lot of guys who are involved with the farm, how can I say, even myself, we can put ourselves in our house and not walk out.
“We just don’t want to be around people. So to see some of the gents who come to the shows and help, it’s amazing to see how they are afterwards. They stay on that high for days or weeks and then they slowly slip back.“
In February, Sundown Boer Farm hosted the goat competition at Stanthorpe Show, offering $1000 for the Supreme Champion as opposed to the $150 given at the Sydney Royal, long regarded as the “most prestigious show for goats in Australia“.
“We were blown away with the support,“ Mr Hagan said. “We raised prize money through veteran-owned companies but also through friends who own businesses. And, many of our other
classes were worth ten-fold compared with the Sydney Royal.
“Event sponsor Kennedy Creek Livestock Exports even flew South African judge John Peter ’Pierre’ Bouwer out for the event.“
In January, Stephen and Michael have been asked to host the Australian Nationals at the Stan-
thorpe Show, which will celebrate its 150-year milestone.
Mr Bouwer will again attend as a ringside steward, while Jo Jenkins from the United Kingdom will be the presiding judge.
“Everyone was just so impressed with our goat show in Stanthorpe,“ Mr Hagan said.
“They loved the atmosphere we created and that’s what we wanted to generate, a community atmosphere. It was also one of the largest shows this year with 14 breeders and 156 animals.
“We already know there are more breeders and animals coming to the Australian Nationals next year.“
Stephen and Michael bought their first goats in 2022 from one of Australia’s top studs Pacifica Boer Goats in Eugowra, NSW.
Pacifica stud masters Richard and Tracey have become important mentors, as have Helen Darlington of Yarrabee, Darryl Evans of Rosehill Pastoral and Jill Lake of Balmoral Boer Goats.
Sundown Boer Farm ideally cap breeder numbers at 70, with its stud bucks named after Victorian Cross recipients and stud does after nursing sisters of the Australian Army Nursing Service.
To date, 12 veterans have chosen to invest in Sundown Boer Farm, while others prefer to relax on the farm with their families.
“We allow our lads who want to be investors to purchase goats,“ Mr Hagan said.
“Some own seven goats, some own one. It just depends on the person.
“We have guys that come in when they need the time to sleep and be on their own and rest. We have guys who come up and they want to help around the farm.“
While the goat stud side of the business is thriving, the heart of Sundown remains its social purpose.
Ringing around the six paddocks is the quiet aim of fostering camaraderie, rebuilding confidence and offering transition pathways for returning servicemen.
The farm’s model is simple: good stock, good support, good mates.
Looking ahead, Stephen and Michael aim to expand both the stud and the veteran-support side of the business.
They are planning more events, increased mentorship programs for ex-service staff and stronger links with veteran wellbeing organisations.
At the same time, their goats continue to perform at sales and shows, drawing interest from commercial and stud buyers alike.
In rural Queensland, where the gap between service life and civilian life can feel wide, Sundown Boer Farm is building a bridge.
It honours the past, serves the present and breeds for the future, goat by goat, veteran by veteran.
Following a recent ABC Landline expose on imported vegetables sold under private label by Coles and Woolworths, grain legume growers in the Wide Bay-Burnett region of Queensland have launched a scathing attack on the two major retailers accusing them of the same unfair practices in their industries.
Soybean and peanut growers in the Bundaberg and Kingaroy regions say competition from inferior imported ingredients used in Coles and Woolies private label soy milk and peanut butter is threatening the viability of their industries at a time when these powerhouse legumes should be celebrated for their carbon smart benefits.
Former peanut grower, Peter Howlett, from Kumbia, near Kingaroy, said he left the peanut industry two years ago because he could see the writing on the wall that the peanut butter manufacturer he supplied, Bega, was close to going broke due to relentless price pressure from inferior imported products.
“I’m sorry to say I was not surprised when Bega announced they were getting out of their peanut facilities in Kingaroy and North Queensland,” Mr Howlett said.
“The competition from imported peanuts from Argentina and China being used in the Coles and Woolies private label peanut butter was just too much for Bega to compete with”.
Mr Howlett said while Bega has recently announced a sale of their facilities in Queensland to another party, the pressure from cheap imported peanuts would continue to undercut Australian grown nuts.
“Queensland farmers grow some of the best quality peanuts in the world” said Mr Howlett “yet we are expected to compete with developing countries like Argentina and China who do not have the same cost pressures or regulatory obligations that Aussie farmers do”.
Mr Howlett’s great grandfather was one of the early peanut growers supplying the original Peanut Company of Australia in Kingaroy, which was bought by Bega in late 2017, and Mr Howlett had been a proud peanut grower in the Kingaroy dis-
FarmerslikeMitchellChapman,GregZunker,JeffreyPlath,TonyChapman,BruceCanniford,Dean CayleyandJudyPlathareconcernedaboutthechoicesbeingmadebylargersupermarketswith overseasproducts.(EkaScherer:515570)
trict for decades.
“Making the decision to exit the peanut industry a couple of years ago was absolutely gutwrenching.
“But I could not see how Bega could compete with the inferior imported peanut butter that Coles and Woolies were selling so I made the tough decision to leave the industry before it collapsed.”
The soybean industry is facing similar challenges according to Bundaberg region soybean grower and agronomist, Judy Plath, who says Coles and Woolworths are using imported soy, most likely from China, in their private label soy milks which retail at significantly cheaper prices than Aussie grown and made soy milk.
“Australian soy milk is being undercut by the private label soy milk sold by Coles and Woolies, which directly undercuts hard working Aussie farmers” Mrs Plath said.
“Considering Coles and Woolies are always advertising that they support Aussie farmers, I find their cheap imported soy milk very hypocritical, along with the baked beans ‘packed in Italy from
imported ingredients’[6], the canned baby carrots from France, the peanut butter from China and all the other examples where private label foods are imported!”
Even worse, according to Mrs Plath, Coles and Woolworths are exploiting a labelling loophole to give the impression their soy milks are made in Australia with Australian ingredients, when in fact, the soy component of their private label soy milk is imported.
“When you read the label on the Coles and Woolies soy milk, it would be easy to think it’s made with Australian soybeans but it’s actually the Australian water in their soy milk that makes it Aussie, not the soy.“
Bundaberg grower, Dean Cayley, has grown peanuts since 2009 after exiting the crisping potato industry when the crop became unprofitable due to stagnating prices and rising production costs.
Mr Cayley is concerned the peanut industry could go down the same path as crisping potatoes if inferior imported peanut butter used in the Coles and Woolworths private label ranges continues to
compete with Aussie grown peanuts.
“Australian farmers are expected to compete with Coles and Woolies private label peanut butter from China or Argentina even though our labour costs are much higher than those developing countries and our regulatory environment is so much more expensive to navigate” Mr Cayley said.
“I’d be willing to bet that those Chinese or Argentinian farmers are not being asked to prove they pay their staff legal wages, provide a safe working environment or meet the same strict chemical safety rules we do and I bet they don’t have to prove they’re not hurting the Great Barrier Reef every time they jump in a tractor.
“I’ve always grown soybeans or peanuts because they are such high performing legume crops which really deliver improvements to my farming system, as well as providing another income stream.
“But these days it’s getting very hard to consider growing a crop that doesn’t make a profit because it’s good for the soil and good for the reef when we’re dealing with high power costs, skyrocketing insurance bills, ever increasing fertiliser costs and labour costs on the rise.”
Mrs Plath agrees with Mr Cayley regarding the soil health benefits of soybeans and peanuts and says as a soybean agronomist she has seen firsthand the benefits a summer grown legume can deliver to the soil.
“The Wide Bay-Burnett region has grown a lot of Queensland’s soybeans and peanuts over the last 20 years and both crops have added immense value to our farming systems, not just for cash flow, but because soybeans and peanuts are some of the strongest performing summer legumes we can grow in Queensland in terms of their soil health benefits” Mrs Plath said.
“Farmers can use less nitrogen fertiliser and capture more carbon in our soils with soybeans and peanuts than any other legume out there, yet Coles and Woolies are doing their best to prevent us selling our crops for a profit by undercutting Aussie farmers with their imported private label range.”
9.5
By Fiona Gowers
Three potential international investors have emerged after Lockyer Valley Foods hosted a landmark fundraising event in November aimed at propelling its ambitious plan to build a $400 million food processing plant in Withcott.
While Lockyer Valley Foods founder and CEO Colin Dorber will travel to Hong King in Januaryand later to Germany - to continue negotiations, he was disappointed with the lack of local interest.
Mr Dorber said it was staggering how Australians could complain about the level of fresh food imports and yet refuse to support the region’s agribusiness future.
A feasible food processing plant, he said, would secure the future of regional sourcing, job creation and value-retention in Queensland’s ’salad bowl’.
He cited three reasons why he thought Australians “might sit on their hands“.
“Firstly, because we’ve been conditioned by successive governments to believe that manufacturing, especially in the food sector, can’t happen in this country.
“Secondly, we’ve fallen for the myth that other people make better food and cheaper food than we do.
“And, thirdly, Australians are blind to the truth that they’re giving their country away.“
Since 2011, vegetable and fruit growers in Queensland have lacked a local processing facility, which has forced them to send produce interstate or offshore, meaning lost value and wasted opportunity.
Lockyer Valley Foods was established to change that.
It has already secured land (55 hectares in Withcott) and approvals for development and pre-construction operational works.
Mr Dorber said the proposed facility would benefit growers in the Lockyer Valley, as well as neighbouring regions such as the Darling Downs,
the Scenic Rim, the Fassifern, Bundaberg and northern NSW.
If expectations are met for this funding round, Mr Dorber is hopeful earthworks will begin “midnext year“, with a view to processing commercial beetroot and onion in 2026.
“The Lockyer Valley is the tenth most fertile growing region in the world and is a major contributor, year-round, to Australia’s produce needs, both fresh and processed,” he said.
“This facility delivers a secure food future for our country, long-term growth and national food
security for our producers and a major reduction in waste and emissions.
“It really is win-win-win.”
Once completed, the facility will feature steel/ aluminium canned fruit and vegetable production, as well as frozen, juiced and powdering products.
A bio-methane plant will process green waste, with the aim of being fully off-grid.
For growers, the message is clear: the plant promises to buy up to 100 per cent of their pro-
duce under long-term (five-by-five year) supply contracts and keep more value in the region rather than exporting raw product.
A recent survey from AUSVEG shows one in three Queensland vegetable growers are reportedly considering quitting the industry due to lack of processing options and wasted produce.
Lockyer Valley Foods’ development is positioned as a solution to this systemic challenge.
“It will be a state-of-the-art facility,“ Mr Dorber said.
“Very high technology with robots, human staff and a model that allows farmers to deliver their product 24-7 in an automated delivery process.
“We can save the growers and give them a future that’s profitable. (Their) kids might even stay on the farm.
“We know the markets are there. We probably can’t compete with the Chinese price necessarily, but one wonders how long those subsidies and/ or the dumping of their products in Australia will be allowed to continue.
“If we do this right - and we’ll be close to (the Chinese) on price - we’ll be offering Australians a chance to buy Australian-grown products and save the fruit and vegetable industry.“
By Griffith Thomas
Research has revealed that many Australians have poor awareness of Australian native bee species, revealing a significant gap in public understanding of the nation’s bee biodiversity.
Australia is home to more than 1700 described native bee species, with hundreds more yet to be scientifically identified – a diversity that remains largely unrecognised by the public.
A study led by University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) native bee scientist and conservationist Dr Kit Prendergast surveyed members joining the Facebook group ‘The Buzz on Wild Bees’, to explore how people engage with Australia’s native bees.
When asked to name their favourite Australian native bee species, most participants gave only general group names, such as “blue-banded bee”, rather than a specific species or scientific name.
Dr Prendergast said the findings, published on 10 November in the journal Insects, highlight that while Australia’s native bee diversity is extraordinary, it remains largely unrecognised – and that some of the most unique and threatened species are being overlooked.
“Entire bee families and subfamilies that are found only in Australia, including the Stenotritidae and Euryglossinae, didn’t appear in any responses,” Dr Prendergast said.
“Even species at risk of extinction were absent, showing that the bees most in need of attention aren’t getting the attention they need.”
This lack of awareness is part of a wider trend in which attention and conservation efforts are often dominated by the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) – a non-threatened, introduced species that receives widespread publicity due to its economic importance.
“The European honey bee plays a major role in agriculture, but it differs greatly from our native bees,” Dr Prendergast said.
“Focusing solely on honey bees can hinder native bee conservation. Honey bees aren’t at risk of extinction and their presence can even harm native bee populations through competition and disease.”
Dr Prendergast said that while the honey bee’s popularity has successfully raised awareness about pollination services, it has done little to advance the advocacy or conservation of native bees.
The research underscores the need for a national education and communication effort to improve the public’s understanding of native
bee biodiversity — and to shine a spotlight on underrepresented groups.
“This isn’t just an academic exercise,“ she said. “When we rely solely on common names, we risk obscuring biodiversity and losing our connection to the language of nature.
“For example, there’s more than one ‘bluebanded bee’ – different species live in different
parts of Australia – but that nuance gets lost.”
The study also found that the native bees most often mentioned by participants – Amegilla (blue-banded bees) and Meliponini (sugarbag bees), such as Tetragonula carbonaria – are the ones with strong media presence and public familiarity.
“It shows that with the right engagement strategies, stories and imagery, we can raise the profile of lesser-known native bees too,” Dr Prendergast said.
“Species like Amegilla can be a great gateway to spark curiosity, while others, such as Xylocopa aerata, which has declined on Kangaroo Island due to habitat loss and competition from honey bees, could serve as important flagship species.”
As Australian Pollinator Week celebrates the vital role of pollinators, Dr Prendergast hopes the findings will inspire a more inclusive approach – one that brings all of Australia’s native bees, not just the familiar few, into the public spotlight.
You can also access the study, ‘An Evaluation of the Popularity of Australian Native Bee Taxa and State of Knowledge of Native Bee Taxonomy Among the Bee-Interested Public’.
Australias reputation as a premium supplier of mungbeans is forged on the professionalism of its growers, processors, and exporters.
With export markets demanding ever-higher standards, the comprehensive management of crop protection products, accurate record keeping and communication are all critically important.
According to Paul McIntosh, AMA Industry Development Agronomist, every decision made in the paddock can have a ripple effect all the way to our overseas customers.
Ensuring you are following best practice with your crop protection product use is vital, not just for your own crop but for the protection of the industrys reputation, Mr McIntosh said.
Mr McIntosh emphasised that growers should always check that all products are registered for use on mungbeans and only apply them as per label or permit directions, at the appropriate stage of the crop, and adhering to all withholding periods.
In addition, many harvest withholding periods and re-treatment intervals are typically determined to meet Australian Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) which were often set at much
higher levels of tolerance than those set by our export destination countries.
This means it is essential that accurate and complete information is provided to your grain purchaser via a Grower Commodity Declaration, said Mr McIntosh.
Transparent communication assists exporters in their risk management activities to protect our valuable export markets.Comprehensive and accurate records are your safety net, if there is ever a question raised about what has been applied to your crop.
When its time to sell, completing the declaration available from your grain purchaser or the AMA website was a simple step, that demonstrated strong collaboration in the supply chain.
Good communication flow between growers, agronomists, processors, and exporters is key to managing risks and ensuring compliance in the use of crop protection products.
Sharing accurate information about crop treatments and history helps exporters meet the requirements of importing countries and avoid costly rejections Mr McIntosh stressed. Do it right, write it
Purchasing AMA-approved seed assures you of:
•High yield potential
•Highest possible seed purity
•Reduced risk of seed-borne disease
•Bred to meet market specifications
AMA-approved seed is grown under rigorous seed production protocols and fully inspected and tested for diseases, such as halo blight.
Varieties include Jade-AU, Australia’s most popular mungbean variety, and Brolga, Australia’s newest broadly-adapted mungbean variety.
This season, ask your preferred seed supplier for AMA-approved seed. Fly high this summer
Australian Mungbean farmers are gearing up for a promising season ahead, with recent rain and strong prices off the back of robust export demand according to Australian Mungbean Association (AMA) President, James Hunt.
“We’re seeing a surge in demand for highquality Australian Mungbean, particularly from Asian markets,“ Mr Hunt said. “Our beans are sought after for their consistent size and quality.“
Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that Mungbean exports almost doubled in 2024/2025 to exceed 110,000 tonnes and have already exceeded this figure in 2025/2026.
China remains the largest buyer, accounting for approximately 60% of Australia’s Mungbean exports, followed by Vietnam and Indonesia.
Total production value may reach more than A$180 million this year reflecting increased volumes and favourable prices.
“It’s not just about quantity,“ Mr Hunt noted. “Buyers overseas are demanding beans that meet strict safety, traceability and quality standards. Australian growers, processors and exporters are meeting this challenge through best practice farming and post-harvest management.“
As the industry targets sustained growth over the next five years, the AMA has launched the industry’s new Strategic Plan – “Making Mungbean Mainstream 2025 - 2030+”.
The plan outlines a series of strategic priorities aimed at boosting grower productivity, reinforc-
ing export standards and product quality systems, and improving market access.
“Our primary focus as a sector continues to be on research and development – improving disease resistance and yield through better varieties,“ Mr Hunt explained. “We’re also investing in farmer and agronomist education and training to ensure crops continue to reach closer to yield potential.”
With sowing conditions looking favourable across Queensland and New South Wales, farmers are optimistic according to Mr Hunt.
“If conditions are right during the planting window, and with the export pipeline running well, we could be on track for a positive year,“ Mr Hunt concluded. “It’s a great time to be in Mungbean, and the AMA will continue to support growers every step of the way.“
Australian mungbean growers can soar to new heights this summer thanks to the release of two new large, green shiny varieties, Brolga and Kookaburra. Bred by the National Mungbean Improvement Program and licensed by the Australian Mungbean Association (AMA), the varieties show great promise for this coming season.
Executive Officer of the AMA David Pietsch said the industry was excited about the potential for both varieties to perform well for producers and add to the already strong stable of varieties licensed through the AMA including the industry’s most popular variety Jade-AU.
“Brolga and Kookaburra represent another step forward for our industry in terms of best available package of large seed size, disease resistance and yield potential - bred specifically for Australian conditions,” Mr Pietsch said.
The broadly-adapted Brolga boasts high yield potential, improved resistance to Halo Blight over Jade-AU, and demonstrates consistent large seed size and robust plant vigour.
Kookaburra represents the first mungbean variety specifically targeted for NSW and areas of Southern Queensland that may be more susceptible to disease pressure. It has best available
disease resistance with seed size consistent with Jade-AU. Kookaburra also shown promise under irrigation conditions.
Both varieties are produced and marketed by members of the AMA through the AMA-approved seed scheme.
“The unique feedback loop between the NMIP and industry via the AMA has helped focus the breeding program’s attention on to the highest priority traits”, Mr Pietsch said, “and the team can take great credit on the delivery of two new varieties to underpin the industry’s future growth.”
Brolga and Kookaburra planting seed is available through accredited AMA seed suppliers in Queensland and New South Wales including Agrocorp, Bean Growers Australia, Deacon Seeds, PB Agrifood, Shepherd Grain, Unicorn Specialty Foods and Woods Grain.
Given the attractive outlook for mungbeans this season growers are encouraged to ‘swoop’ early and secure their planting seed.
For further trial and agronomic information growers can access the variety management packages for each variety via the AMA website www.mungbean.org.au
Choosing the right seed is one of the most important decisions a Mungbean grower can make. The quality of your seed sets the foundation for a healthy, high-yielding crop that meets market specification.
AMA-approved seed is your guarantee of best seed quality available to Australian Mungbean growers.
Each seed lot is produced under rigorous production protocols to deliver the highest purity, germination and disease freedom available.
This means growers can plant with confidence, knowing their seed has been rigorously tested and ready to perform.
Australian Mungbean growers have access to a range of high-performing varieties, from Australia’s most popular Jade-AU, through to the exciting new varieties Brolga and Kookaburra, available for 2025/2026.
These varieties (and indeed all varieties in the AMA stable) have been bred in Australia, and specifically selected for their excellent yield potential, disease resistance, grain quality and suitability to local production environments. These traits make them reliable, resilient choices for a broad range of conditions across Mungbean growing regions.
When producing crops from AMA-licenced varieties growers are not only choosing the best genetics – they’re also investing in the future of the industry. End-point royalties on delivered grain directly support Australia’s Mungbean breeding program, along with wider industry research and development initiatives. These programs generate agronomic knowledge, tools and services that continue to improve crop management and strengthen the long-term profitability of the Mungbean industry.
Give your crop the best possible start. Place your AMA-approved planting seed order this season with your preferred seed supplier – and start your crop with confidence.
Now Buildings is continuing its largest ever shed sale, and Queensland farmers are still in prime position to cash in. With up to $750,000 in total discounts and rebates available, time is running out to secure unbeatable value on a 100% Australian made steel shed.
Whether you need a robust machinery shed, an efficient hay storage solution, or a versatile workshop, this limited time offer delivers serious savings just in time for the end of the year.
A simple deposit today locks in your access to exclusive rebates before they’re gone.
Built for Queensland’s Harshest Conditions
From North Queensland to the Darling Downs, Now Buildings sheds are designed and engineered for the tough Aussie climate.
With high winds, blazing sun, and unpredictable downpours, Queensland farmers need structures that go the distance.
That’s why every Now Buildings shed is constructed from 100% Australian made BlueScope and Colorbond® Steel.
With industry leading corrosion resistance and structural strength, you can rest easy knowing your Now Buildings shed is built to last.
When you contact Now Buildings, you speak directly with our shed experts who know regional farming and understand your business.
From your first enquiry to delivery, the team is hands on and invested in your project.
And because Now Buildings works directly with local suppliers and backs more than 100 rural associations across Australia, every shed supports the regions that keep this country moving.
Sheds Are Selling Fast, Act Now!
Word is spreading quickly. With many Queensland farmers already securing their shed at a heavily discounted rate, availability won’t last.
Whether you’re expanding your operation or replacing aging infrastructure, now is the perfect time to invest.
Make your next shed a Now Buildings shed and feel like a winner every time you step inside.
• Call 1300 553 779 or visit www.nowbuildings. com.au
Want a brochure? Call us and we’ll send one straight to your mailbox.
Queensland farmers back Now Buildings and Now Buildings back Queensland farmers.
With the CSIRO warning of what looks like a potentially catastrophic fire season, it’s obvious that preparations are vital. Australian Pump Industries has spent the last 30 years working hard to develop portable fire pumps that particularly suit Australia’s conditions.
The result is a continuing process of developing pumps ranging from Ultralites weighing only 5 kilos to serious twin impeller pumps with truly amazing capabilities.
Across the country, we’re seeing firefighting authorities warning of more disastrous bushfires not only taking their toll in country areas but, also on the outskirts of major cities, towns and villages across Australia.
WHAT CREATES A BUSHFIRE?
Professor of Pyrogeography and Fire Science, David Bowman says it takes fuel, heat and wind to create truly disastrous fires.
To quote the professor, there is a sense of denial with many folk only realising the danger when they smell smoke and see embers flying through the air. By then it’s too late to make a decision about staying or protecting property.
FIGHT OR FLIGHT?
We have to face the reality that some homes, due to their location, construction and design, are simply not safe enough to defend.
Australian Pump warn the responsibility is with the homeowner to make sure they are prepared and follow the instructions of the firefighting authorities.
Those authorities work together closely to make sure people are warned adequately.
They spend huge amounts of money on television advertising just to make sure the population is aware of the dangers.
GET GOOD ADVICE
Aussie Pumps Chief Engineer, John Hales, recommends taking a scaled drawing of your property to an authorised Aussie Pumps distributor.
They will advise what you need for an external sprinkler and fire protection system.
Many of them do installations as well.
FIRE DANGER RATINGS
Fire authorities around the country are promoting an awareness of the new fire danger ratings.
If you decide to stay and defend as part of your survival plan, your property must be suitably prepared.
The required planning and preparation includes the installation of reliable equipment!
As a guide to making that critical decision of fight or flight, take note of the new ratings and chart.
On days of catastrophic fire danger, even well prepared homes may not survive.
Leaving early is the safest option under these conditions.
WHAT ABOUT PUMPS?
That’s where Australian Pump come into their own. 30 years ago the company started with the clear mission of producing products that were better than those currently available.
The result was a range of self priming centrifugal fire pumps that are unique to Australia and offer significantly better performance and features.
“We put more material into our pumps to make a bigger bowl and bigger impeller”, said Hales. “That bigger bowl gives more volume and the impeller, a larger diameter than the old major brands, Davey and Onga, gives us more pressure as well. The key to pump design is all about balance between performance and available horsepower.”
Working with Honda engineers, Hales and the Aussie Pump engineering team have introduced pumps which produce more flow and water than competitors, but don’t overload the Honda engine that drives them.
“Match testing with Honda engineers and getting that perfect balance between performance and horsepower is critical in a fire”, said Hales. “We’ve achieved that not just in the lightweight portable fire pumps like the Aussie Fire Chief, but in our bigger pumps as well”.
CHOOSE THE PUMP WISELY
Once you have a water source, the action now is for the homeowner to get equipped with a reliable pump, powered by a reliable engine and get the best possible combination of pressure and flow. Questions that need to be asked are as follows;
• Will the pump deliver enough pressure and flow to feed the sprinklers and a couple of fire hoses?
• Will it draw water from a dam even when the water level drops?
• Will the pump prime fast? That’s where Aussie QP pumps, “Quick Prime” come in. The Aussie Fire Chief, the product leader, will lift water through a vertical of 7.6 metres! That’s significantly more than it’s competitors.
• Will it start first time every time? “That’s why we choose Honda petrol engines because they are so reliable, unless they’re on a slope when the oil alert kicks in, they will work perfectly under the most difficult conditions.
We choose Honda because we know third world copy engines are often unreliable. For a fire pump to have a sub-standard engine is asking for trouble!” said Hales.
Australian Pump Industries has a network Australia wide and more recently internationally as well, that appreciates the performance and quality and value for money of the product range.
Shipments to Indonesia, Canada, Africa are an everyday occurrence for Australian Pump as this company continues to expand it’s capabilities to provide very real climate change support, whether it’s floods, fires or drought.
“We relate to the people on the land but are more and more conscious of the need for protecting people on the outskirts of key cities”, said Hales.
If you’re interested in protecting your property, go see your local Aussie Pump distributor and pick up a copy of a free Bushfire Survival Guide.
It is part of Aussie’s program to educate and help prepare for what looks like a wicked fire season. A SALUTE TO THE VOLUNTEERS
The team at Australian Pump Industries have a huge respect for the volunteer firefighters around Australia.
Those volunteer brigades are quite unique in the sense that they have the skills and knowledge of true professionals but give their time and risk their lives, free of charge to help protect their communities.
They deserve our respect and thanks.
Further information on the above is available from Australian Pump Industries or your local authorised dealer.
By Maddison Richards
It was all about ‘Romancing the Land’ at Gayndah Art Gallery, as they opened their November exhibition.
On Saturday, 1 November, Gayndah Art Gallery welcomed home artist Zarabella Bambling and her exhibition, ‘Romancing the Land’ to its halls, with a crowd of over 100 people for the opening afternoon, where guests enjoyed afternoon tea and drinks.
It was a successful opening with sales of paintings and prints hot.
Artist Zarabella was honestly surprised to sell over 10 originals on opening day, and cannot thank everyone who attended and bought a painting to support her enough.
This exhibition is Zarabella’s first solo exhibition, and in the first week alone, has proved to be a huge success for her.
“It was wonderful to see Zarabella surrounded by her local Gayndah family, friends and community members, plus visitors from afar, as she celebrated this milestone event,” Chrissy Taylor, Vice President of Friends of Gayndah Gallery said.
The Gallery volunteers worked in tandem with Zarabella to bring this event to life, with everyone beat by the time afternoon rolled around.
Zarabella Bambling said her exhibition, ‘Romancing the Land’ is an ode to the bush and its
people.
“My inspiration for the collection comes from rural Australia, the landscape and people, the quiet beauty of everyday life in the bush,” Zarabella said. “The romance is in the vibrant use of colour and fun spin on bush classics.”
Zarabella was overjoyed to have the opportunity to return to her hometown of Gayndah and exhibit at the gallery.
“Many years ago at the reopening of the building, I won my first ever art prize, so I was so excited when I was invited back to exhibit,” she said.
“The town is very lucky to have such a space.”
“The Gayndah community has been amazing and it was nice to see so many young people coming through the gallery,” Zarabella said.
“You should be proud, Zara,” Vice President Chrissy Taylor said, with extra congratulations going to the raffle winners of Zarabella’s prints and merchandise, the lucky food winner, and member prize draw winners for Friends of Gayndah Gallery, or FROGGSs.
Zarabella’s exhibition will remain on display for another seven weeks at Gayndah Art Gallery, running until 20 December, so if you haven’t had a chance to see Zarabella’s creations, there’s still time to do so, with several originals, prints and Christmas cards still for sale.
The Gayndah Art Gallery is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 2pm every week.
By Fiona Gowers
AgTech leaders across Queensland are invited to apply for the Liz Alexander Bursary for Leadership in AgTech and Innovation, a $3000 opportunity to attend evokeAG 2026, the Asia Pacific’s premier agrifood innovation event.
The bursary is designed to empower Queensland AgTech leaders by providing access to cutting-edge ideas, global networks and industry-leading insights.
Created in honour of Liz Alexander, a visionary leader from Emerald who helped shape Queensland’s AgTech ecosystem, the bursary celebrates her legacy of leadership, collaboration and innovation.
Ms Alexander was instrumental in driving the growth of the state’s AgTech ecosystem, playing a pivotal role in initiatives such as the AgFrontier program and i4Connect.
She also served on multiple boards including Cotton Australia, Plant Health Australia and QRIDA.
Department of Primary Industries Agtech Innovation Manager Alicia Dunbar said the bursary was an apt tribute to Liz Alexander’s extraordinary contributions to Queensland’s agricultural and innovation landscape.
“Liz was a trailblazer in AgTech, known for her vision, leadership and dedication to building a world-class AgTech ecosystem across Queensland,” said Ms Dunbar.
“This bursary not only honours her legacy but also inspires the next generation of innovators to continue driving change in our primary industries as we work towards the ambitious goal of boosting primary production output to $30 billion by 2030.”
Ms Dunbar encouraged nominations from emerging AgTech leaders who embodied Ms Alexander’s values of innovation, collaboration and community engagement.
“Liz believed in the power of bringing people together – producers, innovators, researchers or industry leaders – to help cultivate a culture of innovation across Queensland,” Ms Dunbar said.
“Through her work, Liz empowered others to think differently, embrace technology, and build the connected ecosystems that continue to drive agricultural innovation today.
“The bursary ensures that Liz’s values of open-
ness, leadership and community-driven progress inspire future generations.”
Sonya Comiskey, chair of the Agtech Advisory Group that works with the Department of Primary Industries to collaborate with farmers on AgTech innovations, said Ms Alexander’s leadership, vision and dedication to fostering innovation in agriculture was “second to none“.
“Liz has left a legacy that continues to shape the industry today,” Ms Comiskey said.
“This bursary will honour her contributions and inspire future generations of AgTech and regional leaders.“
In February, the Crisafulli Government announced the bursary in Ms Alexander’s name at evokeAG. 2025.
“Liz Alexander was a true pioneer and a passionate advocate for Queensland’s AgTech sector,” said Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett.
“Liz championed not only technology and innovation, but also the people behind them — the
start-up founders, investors and enablers working to supercharge the productivity and sustainability of our primary industries.
“This bursary is about recognising those who continue to lead in that space and drive meaningful change in Queensland’s primary industries.
“I look forward to seeing the next generation of AgTech leaders emerge and continue the work that Liz so passionately championed.“
For more information or to submit a nomination visit the Department of Primary Industries eHub.
Carol Mudford, founder of sHedway — a national not-for-profit tackling suicide prevention and mental health in the shearing industry — has officially been named the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Winner for her leadership in creating safe spaces and practical support across sheds nationwide.
Since launching sHedway in 2023, Carol has delivered events across every mainland state, breaking down stigma and building peer networks to ensure shearers and wool handlers know they are not alone.
Western Australian finalist Isabella Thrupp was named national runner-up for her project Prinking in Pindan, a clothing brand shaped by life on cattle stations in the Kimberley. Managing Leopold Downs Station with her partner, Isabella has fused station life with design to create clothing for outback realities. Her first release, The Pindan Jeans, drew overwhelming demand, highlighting the appetite for durable, stylish clothing designed by women on the land.
The 2025 cohort includes:
• Carol Mudford, founder of sHedway (NSW/ ACT);
• Nicole McNaughton, CEO of the Food and Agribusiness Network (Queensland);
• Kelly Johnson, creator of Sphiker (South Australia);
• Kristy Hollis, naturopath and founder of Everlasting Health (Northern Territory);
• Dr Mary Cole, soil scientist and founder of AgPath (Victoria);
• Sarah De Jonge, founder of 1000 Hearts (Tas-
mania);
• Isabella Thrupp, founder of Prinking in Pindan (Western Australia).
The announcement was made by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins, during a black-tie gala dinner at Canberra’s Parliament House.
This year marked a milestone — 25 years of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. Since its inception, the award has celebrated hundreds of women transforming their industries, from food and fibre to technology, sustainability and community leadership. It has become a national platform that amplifies rural voices, fuels innovation, and inspires the next generation of leaders.
The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award is Australia’s premier award recognising and supporting the vital role women play in rural and regional businesses, industries, and communities. With the continued support of Platinum Sponsor, Westpac, the program offers opportunities to foster the growth of tomorrow’s female changemakers across Australia.
In addition to the $15,000 Westpac grant awarded to each of the seven state and territory winners, Carol and Isabella will receive an additional $20,000 and $15,000 respectively to further develop their winning projects.
Midwest Fabrication has been honoured with the Dalby Chamber of Commerce and Industry Excellence Award for Manufacturing and Trade, announced at the recent 2025 award ceremony.
The recognition continues a remarkable slew of accolades for the local manufacturer, who in 2024 won the Stevie International Business Award (Gold), the Australian Small Business Champion Award, and was highly commended for Machine of the Year at the Henty Machinery Field Days.
Midwest Fabrication is Australia’s only manufacturer of harvesting platforms, producing equipment that ranges from 36ft through to the world’s largest draper heads at 60ft.
The company employs 40 staff and manufactures components on-site at its Dalby facility. Their platforms are sold through a national
dealer network across Australia.
Beyond their contributions to the agricultural industry, Midwest is highly engaged in their local community.
Their initiatives reflect a deep commitment to supporting the people and causes that matter most in regional Queensland and beyond.
Midwest proudly sponsors the Dalby Devils Junior Rugby League, the Bell Rodeo, and supports local organisations, including the Country Women’s Association. The company backs youth development through the Broncos Dalby School Development Program and Our Lady of the Southern Cross teams at the Confraternity Carnival, while also mentoring the next generation through the Dalby State High School Mentor Program and supporting Kulpi State
School fundraisers.
Midwest’s commitment to making a difference extends internationally as well. Midwest sponsors three children in Uganda through the Kyampisi Childcare Ministries (KCM), and CEO Amy Schutt has personally travelled to Africa to donate her time building a rehabilitation centre for children, demonstrating that Midwest’s values of compassion and service reach far beyond Australian shores.
CEO Amy Schutt, who has worked at Midwest for 27 years, says the decision to manufacture in Dalby is deliberate. “We actively choose not to manufacture offshore,“ Amy said. “We want to support Australian-made, Australian jobs, Australian manufacturing and support Australian suppliers.“
“I think we choose the integrity of this company and the integrity of our products to make sure that the end product is the best on the market,“ she continued.
For Amy, the relationships built over decades with farming families across Australia are what make the business special. “We’ve been part of these families and these farming communities so long that we’ve watched their kids grow up,“ she said.
The strength of Midwest lies in its dedicated team, many of whom have been with the company for years. Their long-term commitment and expertise are what drive the quality and reliability that farmers have come to trust. As the company continues to grow, Midwest is always looking for talented individuals who share its values and dedication to excellence.
By Jane Lowe
Welcome to Humble Custom Cabins! We’re a familyowned business based in Toowoomba, Queensland, dedicated to building high-quality custom cabins designed around your lifestyle.
Whether you’re after a cozy Airbnb retreat, a functional granny flat, a private home office, or a spacious family home we’re here to bring your vision to life.
We build fully engineered, transportable cabins that are really popular for rural and farm accommodation, staff housing, family retreats, and farm stays. Let’s work together to create a cabin that’s uniquely yours.
Brenton, the founder of Humble Custom Cabins, has over 10 years of experience as a carpenter. He’s worked across a wide range of projects from home renovations to transportable structures and has developed a deep passion for craftsmanship and quality. That passion inspired him to start Humble Custom Cabins, where he could combine skill, creativity, and practicality to build unique, durable, and beautifully designed cabins for his clients.
“I love what I do. Every cabin we build is a chance to create a functional, comfortable space that truly reflects our client’s needs,” said Brenton. “At Humble Custom Cabins, we offer a range of thoughtfully designed floor plans that make everyday living easy and enjoyable.
Each design is fully customizable to suit your preferences, lifestyle, and the location where your cabin will be placed. We take pride in working closely with you at every step to ensure your cabin is a perfect fit both in form and function.
We’ll start with a visit to your site to measure the area and determine the best cabin size for your space.
• Design & Planning: Together, we’ll review the plans, discuss any changes or additions, and finalize your finishes and features.
• Itemized Quote: Once the plans are confirmed, we’ll provide a detailed, itemized quote for your cabin.
• Council & Certification: If required, we can assist with council approvals through a private certifier, or you’re welcome to handle this independently.
• Soil Testing: A soil test may be needed to determine pier depth before construction begins.
• Build & Delivery: Once everything is in place, we’ll begin building your cabin.
When completed, we can coordinate stump installation, transport, and crane setup to position your cabin on-site.
Our quotes typically cover the cabin itself, but we’re happy to assist with: Council approvals, Transport and delivery, stump installation and service connections
These can be included for an additional fee or managed separately whichever suits you best.
Let’s Build Something Great Together
At Humble Custom Cabins, our goal is simple: to create beautiful, functional spaces that feel like home wherever they’re built.
You imagine it, we create it.
By Jane Lowe
A family-owned and operated business based on Queensland’s Darling Downs is proving that no house is too big and no job too difficult.
Travelling far and wide on the Darling Downs, the team has built a strong reputation for safely and efficiently relocating homes, giving old houses a new beginning and new owners a fresh start.
More than just house movers, TK King Removals also specialises in re-stumping existing homes breathing new life into older properties and ensuring they stand strong for years to come.
Operating under a full QBCC licence with QBCC insurance, the business prides itself on honesty, reliability, and affordable service with no hidden costs.
Whether you’re looking to move a home, buy one, or sell one that no longer suits your needs, they’re ready to help.
“Don’t demolish we buy and sell homes,” they say, offering a practical and sustainable alternative that benefits both people and the environment.
The team can quote to move all types of houses and buildings, regardless of size, location, or terrain.
Equipped with state-of-the-art hydraulic lifting gear and extendable trailers, they can remove complete homes without the need to cut and re-join, even on tight or challenging sites. For larger or more complex moves, they work to precise engineering specifications, ensuring homes are rejoined and restumped with quality foundations that will stand the test of time.
Their house packages include delivery and re-stumping within 100km of the house’s current location, with engineers’ footing designs, building reports, and draftsman plans all part of the process.
They can also assist with council applications, ensuring the process is smooth and stress-free for clients.
With years of experience and a hands-on approach, this local team continues to go the extra mile making house relocation simple, safe, and affordable for families across the Darling Downs and beyond.
In the face of changing climate and water challenges, South Australia’s Hydrosmart is pioneering sustainable solutions for farmers across Australia.
Their innovative water conditioning technology is transforming hard, saline, and mineral-rich bore and dam water into a valuable resource for agriculture.
Hydrosmart’s system employs computer-generated resonance frequencies to alter the physical properties of water without chemicals or filters.
This process dissolves minerals like calcium and iron, preventing scale buildup in irrigation systems and enhancing water flow.
The treated water retains beneficial minerals in a form more accessible to plants and livestock, promoting healthier growth and productivity outcomes.
Livestock also benefit from improved water quality. Farmers have observed increased weight gains and reduced illness in cattle and sheep when provided with Hydrosmart-treated water, even from previously unsuitable sources.
Commencing a 3-year scientific trial with SARDI on sheep the CEO of Hydrosmart Paul Pearce is keen to learn if methane reduction is also an outcome of sheep drinking treated water due to increased micro-oxygen availability potentially impacting outputs and they have a cud output testing device on site.
Another independent plant trial has showed a 34.5 % increase in Broccoli crop outcomes over a summer crop on treated V untreated bore water at 2,000 ppm TDS.
Farmers have reported significant benefits. In Marcollat, SA, lucerne grower Dave Prosser installed a 225mm HydroMAX system on his center pivot and observed a rapid improvement in crop yield, with salts in the soil disappearing and enhanced growth in his homestead gardens also.
Zac,JaiandPaulPearce.
Similarly, in Tintinara, SA, Michael McCabe noted a 25% increase in Lucerne crop yield and improved soil with reduced chemical compaction after using Hydrosmart-treated water of 4,500 ppm TDS. Economically, Hydrosmart offers a cost-effective solution.
• Soften hard water for decades on $10 power yearly
• Clear out scaled pipes, increase ows
• More effective than magnets by design
• Grow healthy plants using saline water
• Healthy stock using hard water
The unit requires no maintenance and operates at approximately $10 per year in electricity costs with units still now working 25 years later the same as #day1 they were turned on.
By reducing need for chemical water treatments and extending the lifespan of irrigation equipment, farmers can achieve significant sav-
• No waste streams or decreases in ow
• Used by farmers, stations, councils, mining companies
• Scienti cally tested and proven technology
• Australian Made and Owned for 23 years
ings.
As climate variability continues to impact water availability, Hydrosmart’s technology provides a sustainable and efficient method for farmers to optimise their water resources, ensuring the health of their crops, livestock, and the environment.
By Jane Lowe
The tiny home movement is growing rapidly in Australia, offering affordable and sustainable housing alternatives.
However, because there are no national standards for tiny homes, rules differ between states, regions and even neighbouring councils, making approvals confusing for new owners.
In many areas, expandable container homes are classified as caravans or temporary dwellings, which can make approval simpler compared to traditional builds.
Rural and semi-rural councils tend to provide the most flexibility and always confirm with your local council regulations and property overlays can vary.
Why Rural Areas Are Embracing Tiny Homes:
• Larger land parcels
• More flexible zoning
• Less red tape than urban areas
For landowners, expandable container homes offer a cost-effective option to create extra living space starting from around $45,000 (excl. footings and assembly).
Tiny Homes as ADUs - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) such as granny flats are increasing-
ly supported by councils including Toowoomba and Gold Coast.
Expandable homes fit well into this category and can be used for: Guest stays or rentals, aging family members, worker accommodation and home offices or studios
Despite regulatory complexity, tiny homes especially expandable container models are becoming a more accepted and accessible housing option across regional Australia
By Jane Lowe
From the moment your feet touch the ground each morning, the right flooring makes every step effortless.
Whether it’s carpet, timber, laminate, vinyl, hybrid, rugs, or window furnishings, whatever your style, we’ve got you covered.
Since 1959, Choices Flooring has been helping families across Australia choose flooring that not only looks beautiful but feels right and lasts a lifetime.
What began as a small, local flooring business has grown into one of Australia’s most progressive retail floor covering groups and now includes a growing network of stores across New Zealand.
At the heart of our business is a simple promise to help you find the floor you’ve been searching for.
We understand that choosing the right flooring is about more than just materials or colour, it’s about creating a home that reflects your lifestyle and personality.
That’s why we take a holistic approach, helping you design your space from the floor up.
Our stores feature innovative layouts, touch-screen technology, and an extensive range of the latest products and styles.
Combined with our team’s professional decorating training and friendly, personalised advice, we make the process of selecting your new floor both inspiring and enjoyable.
Whether you’re seeking styling inspiration, practical guidance, or just a little help getting started, our experienced in-store teams are here to support you every step of the way.
At Choices Flooring, we also believe in investing in our people.
We’re proud to offer training and development opportunities that empower our team members to grow personally and professionally because when our people thrive, so do our customers.
From concept to completion, we’re here to help you make the right choice for your home, your lifestyle, and your future.
Choices Flooring helping you make the right choice, every time.
Whether you dream of a charming Queenslander or a modern family home, Dalby Removal Homes can make it happen.
Based in Dalby, we provide expert advice on home pricing, relocation costs, design, and renovation. We buy and sell quality removal homes and work with professional contractors to ensure your project runs smoothly from start to finish.
Founders Robert and Kristine’s passion for Colonial and Queenslander homes began while renovating their own house. That interest grew into a business built on experience, integrity, and a love of giving classic homes a second life.
As proud National Trust members, we source properties from developers, government departments, and private owners, helping both local and interstate clients relocate homes across South East Queensland.
10 Key Tips Before Buying a Removal Home
1. Never Buy Privately – Private deals can lead to costly issues. We handle everything safely and professionally.
2. Home Selection – We’ll help you find a home that suits your lifestyle and site.
3. Financing – Guidance on available lending options.
4. True Costs – Transparent pricing with no surprises.
5. Pre-Relocation – Permits, inspections, and logistics managed for you.
6. Renovations – Expert advice to maximise your home’s potential.
7. Owner Builder Permits – Know when you need one (see below).
8. Starting the Process – We make every step easy and stress-free.
9. Ownership Benefits – Affordable, sustainable, and full of character.
10. Again—Avoid Private Sales! – Trust experience to protect your investment. Owner Builder Permits
An Owner Builder Permit is required if you plan to renovate, extend, relocate, or build a single home yourself. Applicants must be the property owner and complete the Owner Builder Course (No. 39045QLD) through an approved provider. Applies to projects valued over $11,000, Course covers legal, financial, and safety responsibilities and owner-built projects are generally not covered by statutory insurance.
Even if you hire a builder, the course helps you better understand contracts, supervision, and project management.
Dalby Removal Homes helping Queenslanders bring history home one house at a time
Trading as Dalby Removal Homes since 1992, the company has developed a market niche in the purchase and sales of many older style homes.
Coming from a rural background, Robert and wife Kristine became interested in Colonial and Queenslander homes when renovating their first home and they have continued to renovate.
Demolishing dilapidated farm houses and selling the materials lead them to source better homes more suitable for removal. Robert has extensive knowledge to guide you in the process of purchasing your own removal home.
Dalby Removal Homes, a member of the National Trust, operates from its Dalby office and provides sales advice to customers on price, relocation costs, design and renovation. We purchase from developers, government, primary producers and others who need to relocate homes for land development and new construction.
The business services inquiries from local and interstate customers thinking of relocating in South East Queensland. Our removal contractors are professional and experienced operators.
Current government rebates available on both panels and batteries mean systems are even more affordable.
LLR Energy Solutions thrives on helping clients towards their off-grid goals, with a focus on post-installation service and support rather than just the sale.
We partner with select manufacturers of componentry that we have absolute confidence in for longevity in the industry.
The componentry we recommend to clients are the same ones we use on our own property.
David, owner of LLR Energy Solutions, is both an off-grid lifestylist and a farmer.
Raising a small herd of beef cattle on his Lockyer Valley property that is entirely run on solar and battery storage.
Water movement pumps, workshop and dwellings all operate with no grid access. *Servicing all areas, not just SEQ*
With LLR Energy Solutions, the bloke that answers your initial phone call is the same one that designs and installs your system and then delivers personalised handover training.
We can design systems to meet the needs of all ranges from small – medium capacity through to large capacity, three phase and hybrid systems.
With planning, systems can be designed with growth in mind. Expansion of the battery storage as budgets allow.
David guides clients through an assessment of power needs, such as appliances and equipment needed (welder, air-con, induction cook-top, coldroom etc.) to determine appropriate battery storage needs for the desired lifestyle.
3 phase systems are also available for the clients that need those larger systems.
A chemical-free and cost-effective way to tackle viruses in Australia’s multi-billion-dollar vegetable industry is the focus of a five-year project being led by The University of Queensland.
Dr Mark Jackson from UQ’s Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation said rather than concentrating on controlling the insects that spread viruses, the team would identify molecules that prime defensive gene pathways in plants.
“Some of the viruses we’re looking at are transmitted so quickly that traditional methods like insecticides can’t contain the spread,” Dr Jackson said.
“Initially, we’re looking at papaya ringspot virus, which affects zucchini and other vegetable crops in Queensland.
“The industry wanted innovative approaches to manage these problems so we started thinking about what molecules might induce defence gene pathways in plants at the very early stage of growth when the plants are most vulnerable.”
Dr Mark Jackson and Dr Nipuni Thanthrige from UQ’s Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation.
Designed to safeguard Australia’s $5.7 billion vegetable industry, the project is funded through Hort Innovation, the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation dedicated to advancing Australia’s horticulture sector.
This initiative will focus on identifying the risks posed by viral diseases and developing innovative, sustainable solutions to manage them.
Dr Jackson said considering virus management, plant defence peptides or plant growthpromoting bacteria could be a key to solving the problem.
“We’ll use molecular biology tools to look for peptide elicitors, which are molecules that simulate the presence of a virus, triggering a defence mechanism and allowing the plant to fight back,” he said.
“We’ll also look at beneficial bacteria from
vegetable root systems.
“It’s just like priming an immune defence in the plants.
“We’re hopeful of success and already setting up the required high-throughput assays to find peptides and beneficial microbes to prime the defence response and also enhance growth.
“It’s exciting to have support from Hort Innovation and the Department of Primary Industries to identify a sustainable pathway to control a wide range of viruses.”
“This research will support reduced reliance on chemical treatments by offering growers practical, eco-friendly virus control options,” Mr Fifield said.
“It will also enhance crop resilience and productivity, helping to future-proof farming systems against emerging viral threats.”
By Daniel Pelcl - Managing Director
As the festive season approaches, the South Burnett Peace of Mind Association-Incorporated (SBPOM) is once again opening its heart to the community with a week-long celebration of compassion, connection, and care.
Dedicated to supporting all people in need, SBPOM invites families and individuals facing financial hardship or homelessness to join them for a series of free events designed to bring joy and relief during the holidays.
From 19-24 December, the Supper Room at Kingaroy Town Hall (Glendon Street, Kingaroy) will transform into a welcoming space each afternoon from 6pm to 9pm. Guests will be treated to a free sit-down meal and desserts, followed by a family-friendly movie screening. Children can enjoy colouring and painting activities, while families are welcome to browse free clothing and access referral services for additional support.
The generosity continues on Christmas Day, December 25th, with a special morning tea at 10:30am and a Christmas lunch served at 12:00pm again at the Supper Room in Kingaroy Town Hall.
Santa will make a cheerful appearance, and Christmas hampers will be distributed to help brighten the day for those doing it tough.
No booking is required, but those wishing to confirm attendance can contact Rhonda on 0488 110 955.
Volunteers are warmly welcomed and deeply appreciated, as this initiative relies on the kindness and commitment of community members.
SBPOM will remain on call throughout the Christmas period until December 30th, ensuring ongoing support for anyone in need.
This program is partly sponsored by the South Burnett Regional Council.
newsdesk@queenslandfarmertoday.com.au
all your classified and advertising enquiries, contact our team.
Jane Lowe 0408 488 609
E: jane.lowe@queenslandfarmertoday.com.au
Daniel Pelcl 0408 956 830
E: daniel.pelcl@burnetttoday.com.au
Sharon Jones
P: 07 4182 0451
E: sharon.jones@burnetttoday.com.au
40,000 readership per month
Inserted into the following newspapers:
• South Burnett Today
• Central & North Burnett Today
• Warwick Today
• Stanthorpe Today
• Leader Today
• Jimboomba Today
• Beaudesert Times
• Emerald Today
• CQ Today
• Goondiwindi Argus
Also available from the follow outlets:
• Hartleys Newsexpress Toowoomba
• Roma Sale Yards
• Warwick Sale Yards
• Highfields News & Post
• Pittsworth Newsagency
• News Extra Central City
• Dalby Saleyards
• The Barn, Oakey
• Crows Nest Newsagency
• CQLX Gracemere,
• Longreach saleyards
• Emerald saleyards
• Meringandan Produce
• Goombungee Newsagency
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By Fiona Gowers
Sunshine Coast-founded agtech business Land Watch Australia has officially opened its new purpose-built headquarters in Yandina, celebrating 10 years of innovation, growth and support for Australian farmers.
The event brought together staff, partners, clients and community members to mark a major milestone for the family-owned business, which has grown from a backyard start-up to a national leader in on-farm security and connectivity solutions.
Founded by brothers John, Daniel and James Hill, Land Watch now employs more than 25 local staff and has recently expanded into the New Zealand market, with installation teams servicing every state and territory.
The new headquarters, affectionately known as “The Shed,” provides expanded space for manufacturing, logistics and technical support, helping the company meet growing demand from Australia’s farming sector.
For John Hill, co-founder and chief storyteller, the new unveiling represents the continued growth of the company as it aims to protect more of rural Australia,
“This new HQ represents how far we’ve come and what’s still ahead,“ he said.
“What started as an idea to help local farmers keep an eye on their properties has become a national (and international) business built on trust, innovation and Australian know-how.
“We’re proud to be investing back into the Sunshine Coast and creating jobs right here, at home, whilst also helping some of the most remote producers.
“Our success comes from staying connected to our customers and communities. Every camera or system we install helps protect livelihoods and that’s something we never lose sight of.”
Since its beginnings 10 years ago, Land Watch has delivered more than 3000 cameras across the country, providing remote oversight for livestock, crops and property management.
The company’s rugged camera systems are designed for Australian conditions, offering peace of mind for producers and agribusiness operators working in some of the most isolated parts of the country.
In 10 years of operation, Land Watch has covered some ground:
• 600,000km and counting on the odometers of the Land Watch install fleet
• Continued testing and researching new solutions mean 12 camera brands tried, with only three making the cut
• 650 properties protected here in Australia
• More than 3000 cameras deployed
• And, in 2025, now in two countries ... Land Watch recently set up shop in New Zealand, the first of its international outposts.
The peace of mind that comes from knowing their stock have water is ‘priceless’ for Injune producers Reade and Jill Radel, “Yebna”, Injune, Queensland.
The Radels run Kandoona Red Brahman Stud and operate properties across the Taroom, Injune, and Augathella districts.
They installed Farmbot Monitoring Services water monitors three years ago and haven’t looked back.
Farmbot’s remote access tools allow farmers to monitor and manage water infrastructure from anywhere, saving time and reducing the need for manual labour.
“We’re seriously impressed with Farmbot’s backup support and the ease of use,” Mrs Radel said.
“In the first 12 months that we had Farmbot installed it saved us when a couple of water issues could have turned nasty, but we were straight onto it because we had an alert and within an hour we could fix it,” she said.
“We’ve got the alerts set up to go to four different people on their phones so whoever is closest is there and they’ve got the problem sorted before we’ve run out of water so we’re very happy with the product.
“The Farmbot platform is very easy to use and you don’t have to be a tech head to use it. Just that peace of mind is priceless.”
Mrs Radel said they’ve been able to check their waters while travelling which gives them confidence to be able to leave their properties and know their stock are safe.
“It doesn’t matter where in the world we are we are, we know everything’s right.”
Tess O’Hagan, Farmbot Monitoring Services General Manager said the Farmbot ecosystem
enhances sustainability in Australian agriculture by improving water management, reducing labour demands, protecting land resources, and boosting overall farm productivity.
“Near real-time monitoring of water tanks, troughs, dams, and bores allows farmers to track water levels and flow remotely, minimising waste and optimising usage,” Ms O’Hagan said.
“Automated alerts and pump controls help prevent overflows, leaks, and shortages, ensuring water is used efficiently and responsibly.
“This is especially critical in drought-prone regions, where water conservation directly impacts farm viability and environmental health.”
Visit www.farmbot.com.au
By QRIDA Disasters and Drought Manager Sheree Finney
Queensland producers are encouraged to prepare for a hot and wet summer, with climate scientists forecasting extreme heat and high ocean temperatures that could lead to cyclones.
This was my key takeaway from the Bureau of Meteorology’s first long-range forecast which was recently released and explained in a meeting with disaster management stakeholders.
But what does this mean for your farm’s disaster preparedness? I have all the key details to unpack this for your operation.
Firstly, it’s important to note that despite the best climate scientists, long-range forecasts can and do change as weather patterns are constantly evolving.
So, while primary producers should heed the warning of tropical cyclones, it’s important to get ready for all disasters including bushfires, storms and floods.
While I’ve led QRIDA’s disaster recovery assistance over several years, I’ve gathered the triedand-true disaster preparedness tips that have helped mitigate damage on farms.
I encourage you to ensure you have adequate insurance and financial reserves, review your emergency plan, pack an emergency kit and take pre-disaster photos of on-farm infrastructure.
If your farm is impacted by an extreme weather event and, once it is safe to do so, take photos of the damage, even if you think it is minor, as this will be required for any QRIDA recovery financial assistance applications.
I also encourage you to upload these images to the Department of Primary Industries’ voluntary Disaster Impact Survey and complete the survey questions as this helps the government assess the extent of the damage for the activation of recovery assistance.
If disaster financial assistance becomes available through QRIDA, don’t self-assess.
By Shane McCarthy, AgForce General President
Farmers cannot be forgotten in the rush to reform Australia’s environmental laws. There has never been more an important time for advocacy.
As always the devil is in the detail of the proposed changes to Australia’s federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conversation (EPBC) Act.
We need clarity and consistency in government regulation. Our position is not antienvironment, it’s pro-farm.
They’re talking about bringing back an EPA, which is an Environment Protection Agency to oversee legislation, which would have the power to stop work. But who are they? And who they accountable to? Yes, there is a proposed appeal system, but that can be lengthy and costly.
cerns in parliament and we also welcome and thank the response from the Agriculture Minister Julie Collins in acknowledging that beef is an integral and important part of the Australian economy. And how Buffel is therefore an integral part of the red meat industry.
We also commend Woolworths in their recent AGM for acknowledging the importance of the beef sector, and commend them for standing up against activists in this area.
This is a timely reminder given recent changes to the definition of primary production enterprise which means agricultural contracting services are also eligible for disaster assistance.
While QRIDA amplifies disaster preparedness reminders over the coming months, we continue to focus on helping primary producers recover from cyclones and flooding earlier this year.
If your operation was impacted by these events, there’s still plenty of time to apply for QRIDA disaster recovery grants and loans.
The forecast for the months ahead means the 2025/26 disaster season may be similar to the last, but whether summer brings cyclones, bushfires, storms or floods, remember Queensland - we’ve done it before and we can do it again.
For more information about QRIDA’s disaster financial assistance and how you can prepare your Queensland primary production operation for disasters, visit qrida.qld.gov.au.
Queensland agricultural producers are urgently calling for more input into this overhaul of the EPBC Act. There are concerns we’ve heard about around the possibility of increasing fines, as well as how those fines are determined. There needs to be more transparency here.
While the Senate inquiry into the EPBC Act takes place over coming months, it’s provided a welcome pause in proceedings which we can take advantage of. This is a great time to ensure further consultation with all of the agriculture industry takes place to make sure that we get this crucial review right.
Because the one thing that we need going forward for our population and security in the region is ample food and fibre.
Our work here follows up well after our recent successful lobbying on Buffel Grass. We take this opportunity to thank the federal member, Bob Katter, for raising our con-
Queensland farmers manage the largest share of the nation’s agricultural land. They live and breathe that land every day. They know what’s best for it. They want to leave it to future generations. And in order to do that, they need quick, accountable, easy to work with processes, that don’t need to go through three or four levels of government - this review of the EPBC Act must reduce duplication and triplication.
The agriculture opportunity in Queensland is absolutely immense, especially in the northern part of the state which is essentially untapped. Consultation with those land managers is absolutely critical.
The Queensland agricultural sector thrives on confidence, and it needs reassurance so that future generations have the necessary certainty to invest in lands, soils, and their businesses.
We need a coherent framework with predictable timelines and accountable processes so that we can plan for the long term and do what we do best, which is grow fibre and food and support regional communities.
Because remember Every Family Needs a Farmer.
BUSINESS IN FOCUS QueenslandFarmerToday.com.au
By Kewpie
It can be worrying when horses get injuries, as even small wounds have the potential to have serious complications.
It’s always best to contact a vet, even if that’s making a phone call to describe the injury and get professional advice.
When horses have superficial skin wounds like lacerations and abrasions of the upper layers of the skin that aren’t going to affect muscles, tendons or bones, use of a high-quality wound care product and applying correct treatment can fasttrack the healing process.
Kewpie Stockfeeds is now stocking EquiSolfen, a new product that takes a 4-way approach to wound care in horses.
Packaged in a 250ml trigger spray bottle, Equi-Solfen contains two local anaesthetics - lignocaine and bupivacaine - to reduce the horse’s pain response; adrenaline for reducing blood loss and minimising shock and stress; and cetrimide, an antiseptic that helps to start the healing process while protecting against infection.
Used once-daily for up to seven days, EquiSolfen can provide an easy solution for simple, superficial wounds.
Kewpie also stocks wound care products suitable for cattle, pigs, sheep, dogs and cats. Consult your vet if you have any concerns about wounds, especially if they are deep or are bleeding heavily, or if the wound isn’t healing.
Equi-Solfen Anesthetic and Antiseptic wound solution for horses. (Supplied)
CATTLE Report Date: 12/11/2025
Saleyard: Casino
Numbers were similar to last week for a yarding of 1,323 head, consisting of a good supply of young cattle and there was a fair penning of cows. The yarding of young cattle consisted mainly of vealers and weaners, along with several pens of yearlings. Quality was mixed with some lines of well bred weaner steers and heifers through the sale, along with several lots of plain conditioned cattle offered. Most of the young cattle went to restockers and backgrounders. Restocker weaner steers sold 20c to 30c dearer depending on weight and breed, selling from 400c to 588c with the medium weight steers averaging 532c/kg. Restocker weaner heifers were 20c dearer selling from 360c to 480c/kg. Yearling steers to background ranged from 438c to 570c, while restocker yearling heifers sold from 366c to 416c.kg. Yearling heifers to the trade sold from 368c to 410c/kg. The few pens of grown steers met a strong market ranging from 400c to 450c/kg. Grown heifers sold to 415c/kg. Again there was another strong cow market with 3 scores selling from 10c to 15c dearer, ranging from 380c to 405c, while heavy 4 score cows were 10c dearer selling from 394c to 426c/kg. Heavy bulls reached a top price of 415c/kg. Report by Doug Robson Report Date: 19/11/2025
Saleyard: Dalby
Interim Report. Dalby Agents yarded 7,278 head which included 1030 from far Western Queensland and 199 from NSW and 224 from SA. All the regular buyers attending and active. An exceptional line up of cattle from far Western Queensland and the local district and with consignments from NSW and SA. At the time of this interim report the market very solid to dearer for all categories. Yearling steers 280 to 330kg sold from 500c to 540c/kg to restockers. Yearling steers 330 to 400kg made to 544c/kg to Lot Feeders. Yearling steers 400 to 480kg improved almost 18c/kg to make 528c/kg. Yearling steers over 480kg to 478c/kg to processors.
Yearling heifers under 200kg to 431c/kg to processors. Yearling heifers 280 to 330kg made to 482c to restockers to average 437c/kg. Yearling heifers 330 to 400kg selling from 300c to 492c/kg to restockers. Yearling heifers 400 to 480kg topped 480c/kg to processors. Yearling heifers over 480kg made to 472c/kg to Lot Feeders. Grown steers 500 to 600kg sold from 457c to 494c/kg to processors. Bullocks over 600kg to 494c/kg to processors. Grown heifers over 540kg to 464/kg to processors. A very good run of prime conditioned cows from Western Queensland and the near local district. Prime score 3 cows over 520kg sold to 415c/kg. The 2 score cows 400 to 520kg made from 201c to 310c/kg Bulls over 600kg to 440c/kg. Market Reporter David Friend.
Report Date: 18/11/2025
Saleyard: Roma
Some wonderful rain around the Maranoa region which reduced cattle numbers at Roma to 3,655 head. All the regular buyers attending and active. A quality yarding penned with western bred bullocks and feeders. The market considerably stronger for prime bullocks and feeders as well
as cattle suitable to restockers. Yearling steers 200 to 280kg realised 600c/kg to restockers. Yearling steers 280 to 330kg topping 598c to average 542c/kg to restockers. Yearling steers 330 to 400kg sold to 544c/kg to restockers. Yearling steers 400 to 480kg made to 540c/kg to Lot Feeders. Yearling steers over 480kg to 536c/kg to Lot Feeders. Yearling heifers under 200kg topped 494c to average 465c/kg to restockers. Yearling heifers 200 to 280kg made to 390c to processors and 494c/kg to restockers. Yearling heifers 280 to 330kg sold from 430c to 488c/kg to Lot Feeders. Yearling heifers 330 to 400kg made from 400c to 486c/kg to Lot feeders. Yearling heifers 400 to 480kg topped 470c to average 468c/kg to Lot Feeders. Grown steers 400 to 500kg made to 455c/kg to Lot Feeders. Grown steers 500 to 600kg to 514c to processors and 488c/kg to Lot Feeders. Bullocks over 600kg sold to 496c to processors and averaged 479c/kg. Grown heifers over 540 kg sold to 410c to Lot Feeders and 462c/kg to processors. A quality yarding of prime western bred and local cows penned. The 3 score cows topped 418c with a line of locally bred Angus cross cows averaging 413c/ kg. A pen of younger cows making to 421c/kg. The 2 score cows 400 to 520kg sold from 318 to 370c/ kg. Bulls 450 to 600kg sold to 420c/kg. A magnificent run of high yielding heavy bulls on offer and sold to 438c/kg. Market Reporter David Friend.
Report Date: 18/11/2025
Saleyard: Warwick
Warwick agents penned 1,605 good quality and well finished cattle a small increase of 106 head.
The buying panel included the regular and southern processors which resulted in bullocks and cows lifting from 11c to 27c/kg. Feeder buyers also lifted prices on steers and heifers from 8c to
26c/kg. Yearling steers in the 200-280kg range to restockers sold to 608c/kg. Yearling steers over 280kg to restockers sold to 530c and averaged 510c/kg. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market made 520c to average 491c/kg. Heavy yearling steers to feed sold to 517c and averaged from 476c to 503c/kg. Yearling heifers in the 200280kg range to background made 466c to average 419c/kg. Medium weight yearling heifers to feed made 460c to average 422c/kg. Heavy yearling heifers to the wholesale meat trade sold to 469c and averaged from 441c to 467c/kg. Bullocks to processors sold to 485c and averaged from 469c to 472c/kg. Grown heifers to processors made 450c to average 428c/kg. Light weight plain conditioned cows to processors made 359c to average 344c/kg. Heavy score 3 cows to processors made 390c with the best heavy cows topping at 437c to average 413c/kg. Light weight bulls to restockers and feed made 456c to average 434c/kg. Heavy bulls to processors made 426c to average 396c/ kg. Market Reporter Errol Luck.
Report Date: 18/11/2025
Saleyard: Blackall
Numbers lifted to 3,850 head of cattle for the weekly Blackall prime and store sale with close to 2,400 prime cattle yarded. Quality remained high for prime grown steers and heifers with averages lifting up to 20c while prime cows remained firm to slightly cheaper, mainly due to quality. Overall quality of yearlings was good with some very good local PTE heifers yarded and local restocker competition was strong on light weight steers. Local restockers paid up to 550.2c for good quality light weight restocker steers with averages lifting by 10c to 515c, steers 280 to 330kg sold to 544.2c to average 504c and an extra feeder order saw a lift
of 15c for heavy feeder steers, selling to 508.2c to average 487c/kg. A limited number of restocker heifers 280 to 330kg sold to 468.2c to average 400c while a very good run of PTE feeder weight heifers over 400kg sold to 453.2c to average 408c/kg. Heavy grown steers saw good competition from northern exporters and saw a lift of 20c, topping at 468.2c to average 454c, while grown steers to feed sold to 480.2c/kg. A very good run of heavy heifers over 540kg to the processor sold to 442.2c to average 422c, medium cows made to 398.2c to average 381c and prime cows over 520kg made to 417.2c to average 396/kg. Cows and calves $2050/ unit. Market reporter, Sam Hart.
Report Date: 18/11/2025
Saleyard: CQLX Gracemere
The CQLX yarding increased by 165 head to 2315 head. Quality was again mixed. Although much improved on last week’s yarding with less plain conditioned cattle, there were very few heavy, four score cows on offer. However, what was penned sold to improved values. Light weight pens of yearling steers sold to top at 545c/kg and average 416c to 456c/kg. Medium weight pens reached a top of 477c/kg, averaging 418c to 467c/ kg. Light weight pens of yearling heifers topped at 389c/kg to return averages from 313c to 378c/ kg. Medium weight pens sold to 411c/kg for euro cross backgrounders, averaging 323c to 401c/kg. Bullocks, selling to processors, made to 454c/ kg. Feeders paid to 483c/kg for their best grown steers-averaging 373c to 454c/kg. Grown heifers to the trade topped at 427c/kg, returning averages from 394c to 422c/kg. Those selling to feed yards averaged 351c to 401c/kg. Two score cows to processors and restockers averaged 305c to 372c/kg for better-framed cows. Heavy, four score cows topped at 449c/kg to average 404c/kg. Heavy bulls to processors averaged 375c/kg. A small offering of cows and calves made from $1,020 to $1,980 per unit. Reporter: Richard Thomson SHEEP
Report Date: 12/11/2025
Saleyard: Warwick
The supply of stock reduced to 743 lambs and 554 grown sheep.The usual buyers attended however with the low numbers not all could operate which resulted in the heavy lambs and mutton selling to easier trends of $5 to $14/head.Lambs suited to the wholesale and butcher trade sold to improved prices of $2 to $10/head along with the store lambs to restockers lifting by $15/head. Young lambs under 12kg to restockers sold from $70 to $102/head. Young lambs in the 12-16kg to restockers sold from $131 to $149/head. Young lambs in the 20-24kg range to the butcher trade sold from $146 to $249/head. Older lambs in the 20-22kg range to the wholesale meat trade sold from $180 to $260/head. Lambs in the 22-26kg range to processors sold from $232 to $276 with the best heavy lambs at $287/head. Hoggets to processors sold from $121 to $220/head. Light weight crossbred and merino ewes to restockers sold from $105 to $130/head. Heavy ewes to processors sold from $128 to $177/head. Ram lambs to the butcher trade sold from $122 to $191/head. Rams to processors sold from $100 to $180/head. Ewes and lambs to restockers sold to $350/unit. Market Reporter Errol Luck.
By Erle Levey
If the question was why a 4WD convoy of 20 vehicles was needed to facilitate a “paddock walk” … then the answer was provided at a Central Queensland Landscape Alliance (CQLA) field day near Theodore.
Hosted by Karen Smoothy of Tipperary station, the field day saw more than 90 attend the event, one that primarily looked at a chemicalfree solution for tick and weed control.
Supported by RCS Australia, it showed the level of interest there is in regenerative farming in Central Queensland.
Healthy Herds, Healthy Lands - Innovative Parasite Management was a hands-on workshop for producers who came from Goondiwindi to Wandoan, Monto and all through Central Queensland.
Among the guest speakers was Tim Scott of Kandanga Farm Store in the Mary Valley.
RCS advisor and coach Henry Hinds shared his experience in property management and grazing systems as well as acting as MC. CQLA joint secretary and 2024 Nuffield scholar Claudia Benn of Arcadia Valley was among those who attended.
Tim Scott, who runs Kandanga Farm and K2 Organic Beef along with The Kandanga Farm Store with his wife Amber Scott, has been at the forefront of integrated pest management for parasites in cattle. The Kandanga Farm Store was the first operation in Australia to be accredited as a Slow Food Farm under a world-wide initiative to create the largest global network of farms dedicated to producing good, clean and fair food in a way that’s rooted in agroecological principles.
Aligned with Slow Food International’s philosophy that everyone deserves access to nourishing food that supports communities, honours the Earth and strengthens local economies, these farms embody the future of sustainable agriculture.
The Theodore field day was presented with an introduction to non-chemical products on the market, including developments in homeopathic products and biocontrol agents.
As well as introducing grazing and other management strategies to reduce parasite load, the day included a property tour and discussion. This provided the chance for those in attendance to share their thoughts and learn from others.
What stood out was that despite marked differences in the features of the land and the climatic environment of the Mary Valley and Central Highlands regions, there were perhaps surprising levels of similarities.
In particular, both regions share a common issue of parasites impacting stock with the tick line being north of Taroom and west of Alpha.
While the Mary Valley enjoys a sub-tropical climate, reliable rainfall and rich alluvial soils, the Central Highlands are more inclined to have variable rainfall, but can experience high-intensity rain events that can lead to soil erosion.
The primary soil type is self-mulching grey cracking clay soils, commonly called black soils.
Water conservation or improved usage is a prime concern in the areas - from Clermont in the north to Arcadia Valley in the south, from Biloela and Theodore in the east to Springsure in the west.
The search for a chemical-free solution for tick and weed control set beef producer Karen Smoothy on a regenerative agriculture path.
The tragic loss of her husband, Wayne, was the driving force to drastically cut down chemical use from her Simmental-cross breeding business.
Karen sought a sustainable approach to control weeds, significantly reduce ticks and confidently navigate drought.
The change in the 1800ha property has been dramatic.
Henry Hinds manages a time-controlled grazing system on 3425ha at Dukes Plains, using the RCS grazing principles. The property is certified organic and used to trade organic and conventional dry cattle.
Tim Scott has tertiary qualifications in Science and Rural Management, and a passion for regional business development.
He has training in Holistic Management, Livestock Trading (KLR), Low Stress Stockhandling (LSS), as well as being a graduate of RCS’s Grazing for Profit program.
As well as working on his own properties, Tim has worked internationally in livestock and equine industries, and been the driving force behind several fast-growing agribusinesses over the
past two decades
What has stood out about the Central Highlands in recent years has been the increase in properties adapting to ground cover, even large pastoral companies.
“It was a good turn-out at Theodore,’’ Tim said. “There was genuine interest in the topics, particularly the reasons to get rid of poisons.
“There were a number of conventional graziers in attendance looking to reduce or eliminate chemicals.
“You would expect a big jump towards regenerative or organic methods.
“There was a passionate talk from Karen (Smoothy) that made everyone sit up and listen.’’
The motivation behind the change in the philosophy at Tipperary over the past 10 years has been: “To build a strong ecosystem on our land and to raise healthy, fertile cattle. To create a life where we are happy, healthy, and financially independent with time to enjoy family and friends.”
At the heart of this vision is a guiding principle to avoid chemicals wherever possible.
“Tipperary has been in the Smoothy family for 50 years.
For the first 40 years of these 50, we followed the management system of set stocking.
“Paddocks were grazed continuously, with occasional rests.
“Bulls ran with the cows year-round.
“Weaning and branding happened three times each year.
“Dipping for ticks was a standard part of management.
“These practices suited us at this time, especially since the earthmoving business took priority.’’
The turning point came in June 2015 when Wayne passed away, after suffering the effects of misuse and prolonged exposure to chemicals considered harmful.
That devastating event gave Karen the determination to minimise chemical use across every part of the operation, and to ensure that when chemicals are required, they are used with care and safety.
Karen started researching, speaking with locals and exploring how to become as natural and organic as possible without compromising cattle health. They merged five breeder mobs into one and treated the herd with Acatak three times in a period of a year.
After treatments, cattle went into paddocks that had been rested for 3–4 months in the growing season 4-5 months in the non growing season.
At that time, there were 13 paddocks.
Steps taken since 2016 included the introduction of rotational grazing with the aim of eradicating ticks.
There were nine dams, one paddock trough and a creek.
By 2020 that had changed to 19 paddocks including lanes, three paddock troughs, the creek and a bore.
Today there are 55 paddocks, the nine dams, and 21 troughs - excluding yards.
“We are looking forward to increasing paddock numbers in the future.
“Our water system is pretty much completed with only two troughs to go. So far, we have installed 20 new troughs and a bore.
“No animal walks more than 600m to water now.’’
In the non-growing season, the paddocks are rested from 90 to 120 days, and in the growing season 45 to 90 days.
A water system and cell grazing is in place.
Branding and weaning takes place once a year and the herd has not been dipped for nine years.
Karen admits to now having a good knowledge on how to match stocking rate to carrying capacity, and a full understanding of plan, monitor and manage.
This has been enabled through RCS and the MaiaGrazing pasture management software system.
In doing so, soil health and biodiversity is improving, along with ground cover.
The result is quiet, healthy cattle and increased carrying capacity, along with limited use of chemicals.
Electric fencing finds cattle respecting just one wire, and the paddocks are easier to muster in.
At Tipperary, Karen is planning to install more temporary electric fencing to maximise stock density for minimum time, but also more permanent electric fencing.
DESIGNED TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE
The Central Queensland Landscape Alliance (CQLA) is a volunteer-led network that connects landholders, industry, and community to share knowledge and champion regenerative agriculture across Central Queensland.
Through peer-to-peer learning, field days, and collaborative projects, CQLA supports producers to adopt practical, locally proven solutions that enhance soil health, biodiversity, and business resilience.
For Claudia Benn, who shares the role of secretary with Kylie McTaggert, the Theodore field day brought increased knowledge and energy.
Claudia and partner Miles Burow work on the 3755ha Benn family property, Mount Kingsley, in Arcadia Valley.
As a qualified agronomist, Claudia splits her time between consulting in the areas of broadacre cropping and grazing management for FARM Agronomy and Resource Management.
Mount Kingsley is an organic, grass-fed beef breeding operation and Claudia is passionate about improving economic, ecological and social outcomes of agricultural systems.
She intends to do this by farming in alignment with natural processes and addressing environmental challenges through identifying root causes.
“I place a strong importance on deepening our ecological literacy, encouraging diversity and cultivating biological relationships between soil, microbes, plants, animals and people.
“Having been awarded a 2024 Nuffield Scholarship I plan to explore how we can profitably farm more in alignment with these relationships.’’
Claudia is the third generation to farm Mount Kingsley, since her grandparents Owen and Mary Benn drew the block in the early 1960s.
Since then David and Chris Benn continued the work on infrastructure and a desire to work with the environment for a sustainable production system.
Now Claudia and Miles are tackling the sustainability challenge further.
The Theodore workshop highlighted methods of integrated pest management, Claudia said.
“But there is no silver bullet. Instead we need to layer the approach.
“That includes nutrition - and there is a need for vegetation diversity.
“It’s important to understand the importance of what we select for … as an example, selecting for tick and fly resistance can mean we select against fertility.
“There was really good discussion on taking a holistic approach, and there is the example of the amount of birdlife.
“If you are to create good a habitat for birds then you are working with nature.’’
A Biloela field day earlier in the year provided the stimulus for the recent event.
That event included the importance of dung beetles and worms in the soil.
“It stemmed from that,’’ Claudia said. “There was a lot of interest in the impact dung beetles made on tick and fly numbers as an integrated approach.
“People wanted more.
“Such an important part of being on the land is bringing the production of food back into the conversation and not just treating it as a commodity.’’
As a 2024 Nuffield scholar Claudia was part of a study tour that included Canada, France and Georgia.
In her Adelaide address, Claudia said that while working as an agronomist she heard the saying that we’re constantly trying to kill the things we want to live, and keep alive the things that want to die.
“At times you wonder why farming is not seen as a fight against nature. Is this not the definition of unsustainable?
“Trying to find a balance between ecosystem health, productivity and profitability felt like walking a very fine line and a constant trade-off.
“I felt that nature was fragile and always crumbling around us. Yet this led to my biggest realisation in the past couple of years, that maybe nature isn’t actually fragile and maybe that it is inherently resilient.
“Certainly constant pressures over timewhether they be environmental or human induced - are absolutely degrading our ecosystems.
“But the more I looked and observed then the more I found traits that actually build resilience.
“There are global examples of people who have built these traits into their personal lives, their businesses and their farming systems to also build resilience.
“Nature is adaptable and ecosystems are never static. They are constantly responding and adapting to the pressure applied.’’
Claudia believes nature is incredibly complex and diverse and that these come together to create an inextricably linked web.
Livestock nutrition is one example of the incredible complexity of biological relationships.
Quoting Dr Fred Provenza from Utah State University, Claudia said decades had been spent researching nutritional wisdom.
This refers to livestock that will self-select plants based on their individual nutritional requirements, but they will also select plants in order to self-medicate.
In the French Alps, Claudia met shepherds who have been using experiential knowledge for thousands of years in their herding of sheep.
This gives an incredibly in-depth local knowledge in which to work with the complexity and the diversity of their environment.
The shepherd values the relationship between the landscape, the plants and the livestock. They are always observing the physiological and behavioural signs of their flock, and then adapting the grazing route.
In Georgia, a country at the intersection of Europe and Asia, farmers displayed a rich tradition, culture and connection around wine production - particularly of their 8000-year-old techniques of fermenting wine buried in clay vessels underground.
Claudia said that in mid-western Canada, farmers Derek and Tannis Axten were witnessing the downfall of rural regions due to larger machines, less people and the prioritisation of efficiency over community.
The Axtens don’t want to be wasteful but be-
lieve they shouldn’t base everything on efficiency.
In their province of Saskatchewan, they are building community into their farming system and have done this by investing in an on-farm grain grading and flour mill facility.
This has allowed them to shorten their supply chain, and value-add with traceable and nutritious products to consumers. This increases job opportunities and builds regional industry.
From her study tour Claudia has learnt that nature is far more complex and intelligent than we could comprehend .
“Honestly, what a humbling and wondrous thing that is.
“As farmers we know the importance of building business literacy and practical skills, but are we valuing and investing in building our ecological literacy?
“I learnt so much from visiting all these farming systems around the world but I now feel really motivated to slow down and to really look and listen, smell and feel, and get to know our system intimately.
“Then get creative with management systems or practices that can better work with the complexity and diversity of our environment.’’
At the outset of Claudia’s journey she had a mindset that farming was about scarcity and competition.
Now she suspects the real power in building resilience is in nature - that it is a matter of fostering a connection between community and soil.
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By Julian Lehnert
After a three-year hiatus that came to a close last year, Nanango’s annual November campdraft is now once more on a path to becoming a firm fixture in the South Burnett’s event calendar.
The Nanango Campdraft brought close to 200 competitors from across Queensland and New South Wales to the local showgrounds for a threeday event on 7, 8 and 9 November.
Riders of all ages and skill levels were tasked to single out a head of cattle from a pen before leading it around an arena, being scored on their aptitude along the way.
Each day the campdraft started off early in the morning, with Saturday’s rides continuing even into the night when the arena’s floodlights came on.
Visitors and riders waiting for their turn could spend the time at a variety of food- and market stalls, with the Nanango Campdraft committee also holding a number of raffles and organising ’jackpots’ for lucky successful competitors.
The 2025 Nanango Campdraft followed on from last year’s revival of the annual event, which had stalled in 2021 when the previous committee disbanded.
The revival of Nanango’s campdraft would not have been possible without dedicated volunteers like committee secretary-treasurer Robyn Sawtell.
“Mum and Dad have always been involved in the [Nanango] Show Society,“ Ms Sawtell explained.
“They wanted to form a new campdraft committee after the existing group resigned.“
The Nanango local said she and her team worked hard to turn the showgrounds’ campdrafting arena into a usable space for the nearly 200 competitors. The campdraft committee repeatedly watered, aerated and offset the arena’s soil to make it softer in an effort to combat what Ms Sawtell called “surface issues“ that had previously plagued the grounds.
Announcer Lesley Dennien praised Ms Sawtell’s determination, saying the young local stood out amongst her peers for choosing to take charge.
“She’s special,“ she said.
The winners of the 2025 Nanango Campdraft are:
Open
• First: Barry Hockey on Spicy
• Second: Justin Hafey on Stylish Daddy
• Third: Chris Kelly on Creepy Cat
• Highest cut-out: Trevor Francis
• Highest-scoring local: Barry Hockey
• Highest-scoring lady: Lauren Winks Novice
• First: Zoey Young on Kirkbys Stud Icon - HSH
• Second: Luke McEwan on Durkins Stylish Charlie
• Third: Midge Thompson on Ace
• Highest cut-out: Nick Stark
• Highest-scoring local: Midge Thompson
• Highest-scoring lady: Zoey Young
Sweepstakes Novice
• First: Po Hasthorpe on Cool Gun Henry
• Second: Andrew Winks on Count Tessa
• Third/Fourth: Rebecca Dunlop on Smooth Cruzer and Abbie-Jane Lord on Big Boss
• Highest cut-out: Karen Byrnes
• Highest-scoring lady: Po Hasthorpe
Junior
• First: William Ramke on Wasp
• Second: Milla Creagh on Branchvale Dennison
• Third: Charlie Elliott on Zeus
• Highest cut-out: Zeus
• Highest-scoring local: Claire Kelly
• Encouragement award: Delian Yesberg
Juvenile
• First: Jack Jeffrey on Stylish Jack
• Second: Angus Dennehy on Kit Kat
• Third: Madelyne Albrecht on Boons Badger
• Highest cut-out: Jack Jeffrey
• Highest-scoring local: Lily Hockey
• Encouragement award: Cleo Creagh
Maiden 4 Maiden
• First: Danielle Creagh on Branchvale Dennison
• Second: Albert Auer on Amigo
• Third/Fourth: James Green on Confetti and Katelyn Sharp on Swish-Alicious
• Highest cut-out: Kent Perrett
• Highest-scoring local: Kent Perrett
• Highest-scoring lady: Danielle Creagh
• Encouragement award: Patrick McCallum
Maiden A
• First: Lauren Winks on Woolerina Minette
• Second: Zoey Young on Kirkbys Stud Icon - HSH
• Third: Trevor Tessmann on Maverick
• Highest cut-out: Amy Tessmann
• Highest-scoring local: Patrick McCallum
• Highest-scoring lady: Lauren Winks
Maiden B
• First: Jack Jeffrey on Peppi
• Second: Amy Tessmann on Proudly Rapt
• Third: Justin Hafey on Jaylyn Downs Walter
• Highest cut-out: Hannah Batts
• Highest-scoring local: Amy Tessmann
• Highest-scoring lady: Kent Perrett
Over 55 years old: Phillip Matthews
By Fiona Gowers
William Tapp of Allora has ridden his son Charles’s homebred mare Lonesome Dove Flight to victory in the Black Truck & Ag Chinchilla Grandfather Clock campdraft.
From a record field of 640 starters, the former Northern Territorian combined scores of 91, 90 and 90 in the final (aggregate score of 271 points) to hold a single point lead in the fiercely-fought competition.
Before this victory, Mr Tapp’s best place in a campdraft was fourth while the 12-year-old Lonesome Dove Flight - sired by Hott Spot and out of Double Dove - was a novice mare.
“Yeah, (it feels) very, very good, pleasing to come here,“ Mr Tapp said.
“It’s just an honour to win it and it’s my son Charles’s mare and we bred her. She’s a homebred mare and we nearly lost her a few years ago.
“(Winning has) not really exceeded my expectations but you’ve got to have a lot of things go your way to get there. Yeah, I just feel good and feel like I’ve accomplished something that I wanted to.
“Tick-tock, tick-tock, it’s a great thrill.“
Charleville’s Kylie McPhee, meanwhile, won the Sandon Glenoch Angus Grandmother Clock campdraft with 181 points, riding her 11-yearold homebred stallion Denmark Victor, sired by Brown Victory and out of Denmark Coreena.
This combination won the 2022 and 2024 maiden novice/ horse and rider event at Chinchilla.
“No words, yeah, it’s extraordinary,“ Ms McPhee said.
“It means the world to me. This is very much a highlight of my campdrafting career.
“Victor, he’s my unicorn, definitely, he’s an extraordinary animal, he’s so soft, very easy to live with, he’s a very human-loving, kind- natured animal and yeah, I’m just very blessed to have him on the track.“
For the first time, consistent campdraft campaigner Pete Comiskey and his 16-year-old grey gelding Ervines Just Jim - sired by Soda Justice out of Ervines Chicko - won the Knudsen Family Restricted Open.
“Full credit to the Knudsen family, they’ve been long-time supporters here at Chinchilla,“ Mr Comiskey said.
“It’s a magnificent event over five days and full credit to the committee. There’s only a few people that put in 110 per cent and we from the north enjoy coming down and appreciate all the work that they go through.
“I feel very honoured to win. It’s always good to be a part of it but it’s always better to be at the top of it, if that makes sense.
“So to get the opportunity to win. I mean, there’s any one of hundreds of people today in this competition that can win. They just need a good steer.
“And I was lucky to get two good steers on a very good horse and luck swung my way so I get the win here.
“You need that bit of lady luck with you.“
There were “fist pumps all round“ when, from a field of 500 starters, Luke McEwan from Sheep Station Creek held off a narrow margin to win the Australian Stockmans Saddlery Novice with 273
points, riding Mr Stitch on behalf of owner David Duncan.
He combined scores of 90, 91 and 92 in the final to secure the victory.
Mt Stich is a 15-year-old gelding sired by Eskdale West Joe Cody and out of Miss Okie Quixote, bred by the late Ray Beasley.
“Just putting three together is always a good feeling, but with a big start in the yards you always know you’re in with a shot,“ Mr McEwan said.
“He’s a good pony and when it all comes together it’s great. It’s always a big deal.
“This is probably the biggest novice in the country to have to go three rounds over 90 each run. Just to make the final of these big drafts is good but to come out on top, it is an amazing feeling.“
Aimee Jamieson riding CD won the RDO Equipment Australia Maiden/Novice horse and rider campdraft.
Ms Jamieson, formerly from Tamworth, NSW and now from North Queensland, made the 12hour trip south to Chinchilla.
“It means a lot just because to win anything is a real honour but he’s a very special horse to me and I’m very proud of him,“ Ms Jamieson said.
“Yes, it’s very special.
“We’re really enjoying being here though. We make an effort to come down every year. It’s one of our favourite drafts.
“I’m stoked. I couldn’t be happier.“
Sponsor of the Saddled Cut Out, Sam Gree-
nup from Rosevale Santa Gertrudis was a popular winner when he combined with Spin Rey to win the event (the Rosevale Santa Gertrudis Saddle Cut Out) with 47.5 points over the two rounds.
Spin Rey is owned in partnership between Rory Fitzgerald and Joe Payne.
“Yeah, no, it’s cool,“ Mr Greenup said. “He’s a proper horse and he was pretty cool. It means a lot to win the event.
“It’s pretty easy when you’ve got the calibre of horse like Spin Rey. He does it all himself. I was just sitting there.
“But no, our family’s proud to sponsor (at) Chinchilla. It’s been a big part of our lives, Chinchilla itself.
“And it’s good to give back to the community and sponsor a draft. The committee that is involved here, they all mean a lot to our family and we’re happy to sponsor them.“
Cattle donors at Chinchilla included NAPCO, Bottle Tree Pastoral, Batman Pastoral, Knudsen Cattle, Sandon Glenoch Angus, Greg and Annemaire Flynn and Condabri Beef.
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