1. The Queensland Government’s Drought and Climate Adaption Program (DCAP) has developed two new free web tools for horticulture producers. HortCarbon Info helps producers measure their carbon footprint. Climate Monitor allows producers and other agricultural business managers to refine and improve their business decisions. You can view these tools along with reports and case studies from the DCAP horticulture team on the Long Paddock.
2. The ACCC has updated its Horticulture Code guidance to help growers and traders understand their rights and fulfill their responsibilities under the code. The code seeks to protect horticulture growers by requiring all trading with agents and merchants (traders) to happen under a written agreement. The agreement must include certain things, such as how prices are calculated and when the grower gets paid.
3. The final consultation phase is underway on the draft AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program RD&E Plan 2022-2027, with industry consultation now open and feedback due by Tuesday, 20 September at 5pm AEST. This RD&E Plan is for the next five years and has been developed to address the issues and opportunities facing the industry, and deliver the overarching vision of the Chicken Meat Program to grow the long-term prosperity of the Australian chicken meat industry.
4. Fair Farms is an industry-led initiative aimed at fostering fair and responsible employment practices in Australian horticulture. Go to Growcom to find out more and to register to attend the upcoming Fair Farms National Conference and Awards to be held 14th October in Coffs Harbour.
5. The Jobs and Skills Summit took place in Canberra last week to work on the challenges and opportunities facing the Australian workforce shortage and the impacts it is having on the broader economy. The Federal government has released a summary of the outcomes from the Summit.
6. QFF has partnered with the University of Queensland to understand the impact of tariffs switching on agricultural operations by working with farmers in Queensland and New South Wales in order to assist them in the decision-making process and support greater inclusion of farmers’ needs in the design of more flexible tariffs.
7. QFF has welcomed Qld Minister for Water Glenn Butcher’s announcement of a new three-year water release from the Dawson River as good news for irrigators and economic development in the Dawson River catchment. This release follows on from the successful pilot of this project which commenced in 2019.
8. QFF are pleased to announce RCS Australia has joined QFF’s Corporate Partnership program. After three decades of operation, RCS Australia have developed a reputation as leaders in the delivery of education, professional development via a range of services and programs on how to best manage people, land, production systems and enterprise profitability to family businesses, corporate agriculture, indigenous agriculture and regional bodies.
9. The contribution of two individuals to the agriculture, fisheries or forestry sector will be recognized through the 2022 Queensland Agriculture Awards, the Peter Kenny Medal and the Minister’s Emerging Leader Award. If you know of an outstanding individual who should be recognized for their work in Ag, please nominate them. Applications close on 9 September 2022.
10. QFF members eastAUSmilk support on-farm innovation with dairy enterprises across the sector. Learn more about a 250-milking cow dairy in the Lockyer Valley region, who implemented a photovoltaic (PV) system and management opportunity based on the energy audit report the farm received through the QFF Energy Savers Plus Program Extension, and subscribe to eastAUSmilk newsletter to keep up with dairy news.
