10 Things to Know from QFF

1. In 2026, CANEGROWERS will reach a major milestone, celebrating 100 years of representing Queensland’s sugarcane industry. As part of the celebrations CANEGROWERS are shining a light on the growers who’ve made their mark on their patch of cane country. Read more and nominate a legend here. CANEGROWERS have also launched a centenary collection shop, stocking commemorative merchandise to celebrate 100 years of CANEGROWERS. Shop here.
   
2. Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers has released new data showing horticulture contributes $6.06 billion to the state economy and supports almost 45,000 jobs. Read more here.
   
3. Cotton Australia is reminding growers to proactively protect nearby hives during spray season, using tools like BeeConnected. Read more here. At the same time, NSW beekeepers report worsening varroa mite pressures, with rising treatment and labour costs forcing some operators out of the industry and reducing pollination capacity. Read more here.
   
4. QFF congratulates the newly appointed Coexistence Queensland Board, including new Chair Cameron MacMillan. The board brings strong experience across agriculture, resources and renewables, and has an important role in working to optimize coexistence outcomes to ensure the future viability of industry, important water resources and communities. Read more here.
   
5. The National Farmers’ Federation has raised serious concerns about the Federal Government–Greens deal on Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) reforms. NFF is seeking urgent clarity and pushing for reforms that remain workable for farmers. Read more here.
   
6. The Australian Government has launched a free Cyber Health Check Tool to help small businesses and farmers assess and improve their cyber security. Read more here.
7. Farmers are invited to QFF’s two-part Farm Business Resilience Program webinar series with CarbonLink, exploring soil carbon opportunities on-farm. Part one (17 Dec) unpacks what carbon means for your business and its links to soil health, productivity and resilience. Register here. Part two (18 Dec) covers practical steps to turn carbon into a farm asset. Register here.
   
8. QFF’s SmartAg Queensland Program is seeking expressions of interest from trainers, educators and organisations delivering AI training for agriculture. If your organisation delivers relevant digital capability programs, express your interest here.
   
9. The Queensland Government’s Irrigation Pricing Rebate Scheme is now open, offering a 15% rebate on Seqwater and Sunwater (including Burnett Water) bills for the 2025–26 and 2026–27 financial years. The rebate supports owner-operated irrigated farm businesses earning primary production income. Eligible producers can apply through QRIDA. Read more and apply here.
10. Australian farmers are invited to take part in Farms in Focus, a national survey led by Harvard University’s STAR Lab in partnership with National Farmers Federation, Australian Farm Institute and Commonwealth Bank of Australia. The survey captures real on-farm experiences to help shape future policy and industry programs, with all responses confidential. Take the survey here.