Queensland Farmers' Federation

🚜 Join QFF for a special AgTech and Innovation Breakfast event in Mareeba on Thursday, 29 May 2025, as part of northern Australia's largest field days event, Rotary FNQ Field Days. Join us to hear insights into the current state of play in agriculture and the valuable role of technology and innovation in building a strong future for Queensland farmers. Network with our ministerial guests, representatives from QFF peak body members, industry leaders and key stakeholders, and be part of the conversation about how innovation is driving efficiency and productivity in Queensland agriculture. Secure your ticket here 👉 https://bit.ly/41DPxPQ This event is proudly supported by Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers, CANEGROWERS Australia and the Rotary FNQ Field Days team. #Agriculture #QldFarmers #AgTech #FarmTechnology #FarmInnovation

🗳️ Last Friday QFF CEO Jo Sheppard appeared on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)'s Queensland Country Hour to discuss Queensland agriculture's top priorities ahead of the Federal Election. With a number of high priority challenges at a local level, including significant changes to land use planning and ongoing #workforce shortages, and the front of mind challenge for all Queensland farmers of natural disaster risk management and response, as well as emerging global trade challenges, QFF is looking for strong leadership from both State and Federal Governments on these issues, and many more. Queensland farmers need the next Australian Government to have a clear vision for the future of #agriculture, and a recognition of the sector's critical role in #RegionalCommunities, for the economy, the environment and for all Australians from a #FoodSecurity perspective. Listen to the full interview here (starts from 41:00) 👉 https://bit.ly/3QVRqlO #QldFarmers #AusVotes #FederalElection #FarmPolicy  

⛈️ Queensland farmers have experienced a number of severe flooding events this year, including the Far North Queensland Tropical Low, ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the ongoing #WesternQueensland flooding, as well as the recent cumulative rainfall impacts on Far North Queensland and Southeast Queensland after their respective events. Disaster assistance is available for primary producers impacted by these events which you can access on the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority website here 👉 https://bit.ly/41NkQXO The Industry Recovery and Resilience Officer (IRRO) program helped impacted primary producers recover from the impacts of the 2021-2022 flooding and cyclone events in Southern, Central, Southeast and Western Queensland. Through the program, 199 primary producers were supported by QFF and the Burnett Mary Regional Group to develop Flood Management Plans to build flood recovery capacity, resilience and strategies to mitigate farm business risk. In the video below Jason and Chelsea Kidd discuss their experience during the 2021-2022 flooding events and the process, and benefits, of developing a Flood Management Plan with QFF's Eloise Cosgrove. Read more about the Kidd's experience with the program here 👉 https://bit.ly/4j1zrGx The Industry Recovery and Resilience Officer Program was jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. #QldFarmers #Agriculture #DisasterRecovery #Flooding #Preparedness Department of Primary Industries (Queensland)

This week in 10 Things to Know 👇 🐜 QFF joins members CANEGROWERS Australia, Cotton Australia, Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers, Nursery & Garden Industry QLD and Turf Queensland in welcoming the Queensland Government’s announcement of an extra $24 million over two years for Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) treatment. Department of Primary Industries (Queensland) 🌊 The Australian and Queensland Governments are activating concessional loans and freight subsidies to help primary producers in nine western Queensland Local Government Areas recover from recent flooding. With four severe flood events impacting Queensland farmers in 2025 alone, QFF and our members are calling for the next Federal Government to deliver long term investment to support agriculture’s preparedness and ability to respond to weather events. 💻 RELA Australia has received funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to support the development of a self-service digital platform that gives landowners transparent insights into the renewable energy potential of their land. Read more here 👉 https://bit.ly/3QXRSjE #QldFarmers #Agriculture #DisasterResponse #Biosecurity #FederalElection #Farming

QFF’s Water and Energy Policy Committee was pleased to meet with the Hon. Ann Leahy MP, Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers to discuss a number of water priorities for Queensland agriculture including an urgent request for the extension of the irrigator price discount. Irrigators across Queensland are facing significant water pricing increases of up to 39% and removing the irrigator discount at this point would result in producers being hit with water pricing increases of over 50% in some schemes, giving the impacted businesses, the vast majority of whom are family small to medium enterprises (SMEs), no time to adjust. QFF and our Water and Energy Policy Committee are seeking the support of the Queensland Government to continue the price discount and proactively seek efficiencies across Sunwater and Seqwater, in a way that doesn’t add further cost and process burdens to farmers and the government. On behalf of our peak body members, QFF is strongly urging the Queensland Government not to remove lower bound pricing for irrigators and to continue a 15% discount to be applied to all irrigators. We commend the Queensland Government's goal and whole of government commitment to supercharge the agricultural sector’s output to $30 billion by 2030 and QFF and our peak body members are committed to engaging with the government to turn these aspirations into reality. If we are to bring this goal to fruition, access to secure and affordable water is critical. We acknowledge and appreciate the Queensland Government’s support for the viability and future prosperity of food, fibre and foliage produced through irrigated agriculture across the state. Dr Alicia Kennedy Rachel Chambers Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers Jo Sheppard Jo Martin Steven Ford (Pioneer Valley Water Co-operative Limited), Michael Murray Cotton Australia , Austin Evans (eton irrigation co operative), Dale Hollis (Bundaberg Ag-Food & Fibre Alliance// Bundaberg Regional Irrigators Group), Mario Barbagallo (Burdekin River Irrigation Area), Gordon Van Der Est (Lockyer Water Users Forum) #QldFarmers #Agriculture #WaterPolicy #Farming #Irrigation Water Queensland Department of Primary Industries (Queensland)

This week a low vibing budget was handed down by the Federal Government amidst a backdrop of subdued expectations in relation to economic growth and the ongoing structural deficit projected for the years ahead. We have seemingly now entered the fiscal twilight zone where a $42 billion budget deficit is surrounded by an ‘it could have been worse’ or ‘it is not as bad as I thought’ narrative. With approximately $9 billion of the budget not yet announced, tax cuts and cost of living sweeteners, this budget feels very much like an election budget and not a full-term budget. QFF acknowledges the investment commitment to increase the ACCC’s capacity to investigate unconscionable conduct among supermarkets and retailers. While there is no detail yet provided regarding the $2.9 million investment announced to assist suppliers in standing up to the big supermarkets, the Federal Government should look no further than Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers’ (QFVG) leading Geared Up Growers program here in Queensland. Let’s hope there is strong industry engagement underpinning the execution of these budget announcements. With the Federal Government election about to be called and the world watching as Donald Trump plans to enact his tariff policies next week, this week’s election budget may in fact be the last thing on our minds by April. However, Federal Government priorities and how they choose to invest taxpayers' money is incredibly important. Now is a time when we need to double down on the things that matter to Australia. QFF will continue to work with governments of the day at both a state and federal level to push for the things that will support a viable future for agriculture – consumers, regional communities and future generations, need a strong farming sector. Read more in our President's Column below 👇 #QldFarmers #Agriculture #FederalBudget

💲 Last night's underwhelming Federal Budget has underscored the importance of the upcoming Federal Election to deliver key investments in Australian agriculture. Read about the key announcements for agriculture in the National Farmers' Federation's slides below. #QldFarmers #Agriculture #FederalBudget

👩🌾 Join Kylie Wilson of Sparke Helmore Lawyers and Maddi Allen from BDO in Australia to learn about the different business structures common to agricultural enterprises and discuss the advantages and pitfalls of each structure at a QFF delivered Farm Business Resilience Program workshop on 9 April in Boonah. Business structures are not a one-size fits all approach and this workshop will explore the key considerations when discussing the options for your agribusiness. Beginning with the end in mind, this workshop will ask participants to identify their long-term goals for their agribusiness, and provide practical resources for you to determine your next steps. The details 👇 🗓️ Wednesday, 9 April 2025 🕣 8:30am – 1:00pm. Registration at 8:00am. 📍 The Outlook Training and Resource Centre, Boonah Learn more and RSVP to attend here by 2 April 👉 https://bit.ly/4iKdE6M This workshop is being delivered as part of the Farm Business Resilience Program which is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Queensland Government’s Drought and Climate Adaptation Program. #BusinessStructures #Succession #FarmBusinessResiliencePlan #QldFarmers #Agriculture #AgribusinessManagement

Here's a recap of QFF's recent engagement activities with our members, partners, industry, and government 👇 💡 QFF Energy Project Manager Andrew Chamberlin presented on the EnergySQ program at a meeting of the Traprock Group at the Terrica Woolshed. The QFF energy team are in the process of finalising reports for up to 90 farms that participated in the free on-farm energy audit program. ACCIONA Energía, Southern Downs Regional Council, Goondiwindi Regional Council, Rural Financial Counselling Service Southern Queensland Coexistence Queensland 🧑🌾 The Hon. Tony Perrett MP Minister for Primary Industries met with the QFF Board and Council to discuss a range of priority issues for our members including biosecurity, workforce skilling and disaster recovery and resilience following the Department of Primary Industries (Queensland) 25 Year Blueprint for Agriculture forum. Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers, CANEGROWERS Australia, Cotton Australia, Nursery & Garden Industry QLD, eastAUSmilk Jo Sheppard, Aaron Kiely 🌱 QFF's Project Manager - Graduate Programs Tim Bradley was in Airlie Beach for the Agricultural Extension Work Placement Program Induction Workshop. There was also a 2 day Spectra Coaching Workshop for the program mentors representing each participating host organisation. These events marked the official welcome for nine new trainees embarking on their 15-month journey in the program. Jeanette Long, Sharon Honner Angela Williams Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry burdekin productivity services Dawson Catchment Coordination Association Inc Farmacist Pty Ltd Reef Catchments Mackay Area Productivity Services (MAPS) Aglantis 🚜 QFF CEO Jo Sheppard met with the Hon. Sam O'Connor MP Minister for Housing and Public Works to discuss urban creep into agricultural land and the #RightToFarm issues and land use planning considerations arising from this urban encroachment. 🏫 QFF CEO Jo Sheppard met with representatives from the Isolated Children's Parents' Association Queensland to discuss opportunities to collaborate on agricultural education priorities. Wendy Henning  Sancia Fegan, Sally Campbell, Kate Bradshaw Stay up to date with QFF and connect with us at upcoming events by subscribing to our 10 Things to Know newsletter here 👉 https://bit.ly/45KCXP7 #QldFarmers #Agriculture #Farming

This week in 10 Things to Know 👇 🛒 Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) has welcomed the release of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) final report of the supermarket inquiry, as well as the Government’s in principle support of its recommendations. 🌧️ Primary producers impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred can now apply for concessional loans and/or freight subsidies to support their recovery. 👨🌾 Join Kylie Wilson of Sparke Helmore Lawyers and Maddi Allen from BDO in Australia to learn about the different business structures common to agricultural enterprises and the advantages and pitfalls of each structure at a QFF delivered Farm Business Resilience Program workshop on 9 April in Boonah. Read more here 👉 https://bit.ly/41TvbCg #QldFarmers #Agriculture