10 Things to Know from QFF

1. The Queensland Farmers’ Federation and its peak body members have been left disappointed by reforms to the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa program announced last week that will cut a vital supply of labour in regional Queensland. Read more here. Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers Chair Joe Moro joined ABC Radio National last week to discuss how these changes will impact his farm. Listen here.
   
2. Cotton Australia visited Canberra recently for a series of meetings with key staff from the Agriculture Minister’s office, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), advancing the industry’s top priorities. Read more here.
   
3. A new coalition representing Queensland’s green infrastructure supply chain has been formed to build on previous industry advocacy and help ensure Brisbane 2032 delivers a legacy of greener, cooler and more liveable communities. Read more here.
   
4. The Agricultural Extension Work Placement Program is now seeking expressions of interest from host organisations and trainees for the 2027 intake of the program. Learn more and express your interest here.
   
5. Timber Performance in Practice: Moisture, Fire and Durability in Modern Timber Buildings is a practical industry seminar hosted by Timber Queensland, bringing together leading experts and practitioners to address the performance challenges shaping modern timber construction. Book tickets here.
   
6. The Great Artesian Basin and other regional aquifers (GABORA) water plan requires uncontrolled flowing bores to be controlled and bore drains replaced with controlled watering systems by September 2032. Read more here.
   
7. The Australian Government has allocated up to $43 million across 3 rounds for the On Farm Connectivity Program to enable Primary Producers in agriculture, forestry and fisheries to extend connectivity in their fields and take advantage of connected machinery and sensor technology. Applications close 15 October 2026. Read more here.
   
8. QFF’s September 2026 Ag Energy Update is now available. This edition covers the updated Queensland Renewable Energy Landholder Toolkit, drought conscious water and energy savings and bill relief opportunities, as well as information on upcoming discounts on solar PV systems. Read it and subscribe for future updates here.
   
9. Applications are now open for the 2027 AgriFutures Australia Rural Women’s Award and close on Wednesday 4 November 2026. Learn more and apply here.
   
10. A Queensland family that feared 80 years of dairying would end after a contract was not renewed has been offered a last-minute lifeline from Kenilworth Dairies. Read more here.