10 Things to Know from QFF
- QFF congratulates the Prime Minister’s second-term ministry, including the return of the Hon Julie Collins as the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio, and the Hon Anthony Chisholm continuing as the Assistant Minister. QFF welcome the opportunity to work once again with the Hon Murray Watt who has been appointed Minister for Environment and Water. Read more here.
- Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers have articulated the essential role of honeybees in supporting crop lifecycles, and their importance to Australian food security. Read more here.
- Cotton Australia has announced the finalists for both the 2025 Bayer Cotton Grower of the Year award and the AgriRisk High Achiever of the year award with the results to be announced at this year’s Cotton Collective in Toowoomba.
- The National Farmers’ Federation and Telstra will be hosting a forum, following the QFF breakfast, alongside Farmsafe Australia at this year’s FNQ Field Days in Mareeba on Thursday, 29 May. Learn more and register here.
- Greenlife Industry Queensland (GIQ) have launched Our Growth Agenda: Policy Priorities for a Flourishing Nursery Sector, an advocacy platform reflecting practical reforms for the greenlife industry. GIQ are hosting an upcoming two-day negotiation masterclass in Narangba on 28-29 May tailored specifically for the greenlife industry. Learn more and register here.
- Join QFF, the Bureau of Meteorology, and Farm Agronomy & Resource Management on Monday, 9 June for a Farm Business Resilience Program webinar focused on the BOM’s weather and climate tools, and how they can be used to support farm agronomic decisions. Learn more and register here.
- Irrigation Australia Limited are delivering a non-accredited online micro-credential course for new employees in irrigation businesses in Queensland on 20-21 May looking at practical skills for irrigation efficiency. Learn more and register here.
- Hear about renewable energy projects in the Flinders region at the Queensland Community Renewables Forum in Hughenden on Friday 30 May at the Diggers Entertainment Centre. Register here. QFF and Corporate Partner RELA will be attending the forum. In the latest edition of RELA’s Q&A Series they spoke with Andrew Aitken, a lawyer and long-time advisor to landowners navigating renewable energy opportunities. Read it here.
- The cost of rebuilding fencing in Western Queensland following this year’s major flood event is estimated to be more than $80 million, with at least 8000km of fencing destroyed or damaged. Read more here. Disaster assistance for primary producers is available here.
- Applications are now open for the Small Business Recovery Assistance Grant Program for businesses impacted by the 2025 North and Far North Tropical Low. Learn more and apply here. Tropical Cyclone Jasper recovery grants are ending on 30 June 2025. Learn more and apply here.
Behind the Gate
Griffith gherkins are the pick of the bunch
The Parle Family has been producing pickles for McDonald’s Australia for more than three decades.
In fact, the Parle family is so good at growing cucumbers, they are now the sole pickle supplier to the famous fast-food chain.
It’s a lot of pressure; turning a summer crop into a much-loved ingredient that’s available year-round.
Ben Parle has generously shared his fantastic story of perseverance and preservation.
He’s also admitted what he thinks if you pick the pickles off your cheeseburger!
Second Squeeze
The team behind Second Squeeze are on a mission: find a home for perfectly good food that would otherwise be destined for landfill.
They turn bananas into flour, strawberries into syrup, and raisin toast into liqueur.
It’s a win for farmers and consumers.
Have a listen to their incredible, entrepreneurial journey on the Telling our Story Podcast.
Golden opportunity
The iconic Australian Made Kangaroo has had a makeover.
The team behind the well-known Australian Made brand has added a spring to their step: a “ReMade in Australia” logo.
ReMade in Australia is a new brand that identifies genuine products that use recycled content and are made in Australia.
It’s hoped the new logo will make circular economies a reality, Down-Under.
Winter crops are coming
Farmers have begun planting their winter crops, despite below average conditions for much of the country.
Growers are battling drier than normal weather in parts of Victoria and South Australia.
It means that deciding to plant a crop is a stressful financial gamble for broadacre farmers.
Bindi Whitehead is a farmer and photographer in Minhamite, Victoria, and snapped this stunning photo of their seeding over the weekend.
They’re sowing canola, wheat, beans and barley this season.
The Whitehead family joins thousands of others in southern Australia hoping for decent, urgent rainfall, ahead of the growing season.
We hope there is the perfect amount of rain on the way for all those looking to the skies.