Department of Primary Industries (Queensland)

Sharing our knowledge on a global scale! 🥭 Our Mango Breeding Program team have provided comprehensive hands-on training this week to researchers from the Philippines, covering hybrid development, orchard management and fruit quality evaluations. Thanks to The Crawford Fund for their support of this training. 🤝

Some cotton growers are battling reniform nematodes, tiny pests that are stunting crops by feeding on the roots and competing for nutrients. Our researchers are exploring solutions that could turn the tide for cotton growers. Plant pathologist Dr Linda Smith says one promising option is crop rotation with Sunn hemp – a fast-growing legume that suppresses nematodes in just 2 to 3 months. 'Sunn hemp is looking like an effective tool for breaking the nematodes’ lifecycle, giving growers a natural and environmentally friendly way to protect their crops' – Dr Linda Smith. 'It’s a practical solution that may fit in well with sustainable farming practices.' We’re also looking at a nematode-resistant cotton germplasm in collaboration with CSIRO which is also showing exciting potential. Early results are showing that these options are providing excellent suppression of nematodes, promising a future where afflicted cotton growers can cultivate more robust crops with fewer losses. Find out more 👉 https://lnkd.in/gSgUku2g Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

SwarmFarm Robotics’ journey from start-up to commercialisation began in a Queensland paddock with a simple vision: unlock autonomous agriculture to create better farming systems. Fast forward 12 years and this vision is a reality with a fleet of customised robots designed for simplicity, by farmers for farmers. 'Our technology isn't really about the robotics, it’s about how we're actually going to farm into the future' – Jocie Bate, Co-Founder. We’re proud to showcase SwarmFarm Robotics’ success story along with other local AgTech leaders at the AgriFutures evokeAG 2025 Team Queensland stand. Read more about SwarmFarm’s journey 👉 https://brnw.ch/21wQtA9

🌱 Driving Innovation in Agriculture with FASTA! 🌟 At #FASTA, we’re pioneering research across five key components to transform the Australian horticulture industry. Our Stress Physiology component is a game-changer, focusing on identifying plant genetics that bolster pest resistance. This means breeding programs can develop fruit varieties needing fewer chemical interventions. 🍎🍐 Why does this matter? 🌍Enhanced Market Access: By cultivating resistant crops, we reduce fruit fly pressure, paving the way for more premium fruits ready for export. 🌍Sustainable Solutions: Our research into fruit fly physiological thresholds aims to optimize postharvest disinfestation methods, ensuring produce remains fresh and safe.    This component is being coordinated by the QUT (Queensland University of Technology) team Peter Prentis and Julia Bally in collaboration with Department of Primary Industries (Queensland) and CSIRO. Caption: Hybrid fruit used in resistance breeding, generated by Malcolm Smith. Image taken by Daniel Francis, QUT.

The Jurgens family are 5th generation vegetable farmers at the forefront of adopting global tech in Australia. Working with automated tools trialed and tested at Queensland Smart Farms, they’ve found new ways to optimise their farming practices. Jacob Jurgens is Head of Agronomy for Vee Jay's Kalfresh – a partnership between the Jurgens family and Kalfresh in North Queensland. 'Automation gives us time to refine our operations, and to hit our next sustainability and productivity benchmarks' – Jacob. The technology is the first of its kind to be used in vegetable production in Australia. We can’t wait to showcase Vee Jay’s Kalfresh and other local AgTech leaders at the Team Queensland stand at @evokeAG 2025. Read more about the Jurgens’ road to automation success 👉 https://brnw.ch/21wQn0Y

Defend your horses against mosquitoes and reduce the threat of mosquito-borne diseases like Japanese encephalitis by implementing a mosquito management program. An effective management program targets all stages of the mosquito life cycle using a combination of methods. Stabling horses between dusk and dawn can also be beneficial. Find out how to implement a safe, effective management program that protects your horses 👉 https://brnw.ch/21wQmWq

📧 The January edition of DCAP News is out now! The Drought and Climate Adaptation Program (DCAP) newsletter contains helpful information to assist producers to better manage and adapt to future drought and climate risks. DCAP is the Queensland Government’s flagship program that delivers improved forecast products, decision support tools and extension activities. Subscribe now 👉 https://brnw.ch/21wQmWo

What do you do when it’s harvest day but a tropical low is closing in? Put up an umbrella to keep the data sheets dry and pick wet fruit! Calypso mangoes looking nice coming off our intensification trials. Department of Primary Industries (Queensland) Perfection Fresh Australia Hort Innovation Terry E X.

Farming is a continuous challenge, particularly in Queensland, Australia’s most disaster affected state 🌽  However, a joint initiative of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Department of Primary Industries (Queensland) is helping farmers better manage weather, climate, and other disaster risks.  The Farm Business Resilience Program aims to increase the capacity of farmers to holistically manage business risks, including natural disasters.      Since the program commenced in 2021, more than 2,300 individual producers have taken part in the program, and around 24,000 participants have attended over 6,000 engagement sessions held across the state 👨🌾📔 The success of the Farm Business Resilience Program saw DPI take out the Government category at the 2024 Queensland Resilient Australia Awards, a just reward for their work improving resilience among local farmers.  #GetReadyQueensland #RAA24 #QLDAgriculture #Farming #Queensland Suncorp Group Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience

Exciting and ‘udderly’ brilliant news for the cattle industry! Emma Black and Shannon Speight are helping cattle producers piece together the data puzzle for the beef industry’s supply chain. Their company – Black Box Co – has soared over the past 5 years thanks to an easy-to-use dashboard that generates data insights at the farm, the feedlot, and the abattoir. A bird’s eye view of data from across the whole supply chain helps producers make better business decisions about their herd – all with the click of a button.  We can’t wait to showcase Black Box Co and other local AgTech leaders at the Team Queensland booth at AgriFutures evokeAG 2025. Read more about Emma and Shannon’s story and their start-up success 👉 https://brnw.ch/21wQliy