10 Things to Know from QFF
- Queensland Treasurer, the Hon. David Janetzki MP has handed down the Crisafulli Government’s first state budget. QFF welcomed several commitments made to the agriculture sector reiterating that the successful development of a shared delivery model between government and industry will be instrumental in enabling on-ground effectiveness. Read more here.
- Last week Far North Queensland hosted the global sugar industry’s World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG) Conference – which has returned to Australia for the first time in almost two decades. Read more here.
- The latest statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) have revealed the value of Australian vegetable, cut flower, nursery and turf industries all went backwards in FY24, despite increases in production. Read more here.
- Cotton Australia has revealed the full agenda for the three-day Cotton Collective to be held in Toowoomba from 5-7 August, with a packed schedule of events, speakers and trade show highlights. Read more and book tickets here.
- Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) have celebrated Queensland’s horticulture industry being recognised as a national leader in workplace compliance, following the release of the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Horticulture Compliance Report 2021–2024. Read more here.
- Hear Queensland Premier David Crisafulli’s thoughts on the state’s priorities and plans to navigate a fast-moving geopolitical climate at AmCham Australia’s 4th of July event in Brisbane. Book your tickets here.
- The Office of the Inspector-General of Emergency Management are undertaking reviews into the three major weather events that impacted Queensland between January and April 2025. Find terms of reference and have your say here by 1 August 2025.
- eastAUSmilk’s Dairy Farmers Technology Program is helping their members make informed decisions when it comes to tech adoption. Through the two-year program, 21 projects were completed and new technologies adopted, resulting in a range of benefits including labour savings and better work environments, improved animal health, and energy savings. Read more here.
- The Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers are reminding those who hold a relevant authorisation such as a water license, to submit their end-of-year meter reading via WaterIQ. Read more here.
- The full program for the 2025 Queensland Garden Show is now available online here. The show takes place from 11-13 July at the Nambour Showgrounds and is organised by Greenlife Industry Queensland. Book your tickets here.
Behind the Gate
First time’s a charm
Kaitie Nash swapped the comforts of the city for the country charm of Coonabarabran a few years ago.
But a crippling drought, and newfound isolation, took a toll on her mental health.
She turned to social media for comfort.
She found friendship, understanding and representation.
Kaitie now leads from the front, building a country community through her camera lens.
Operator, please recognise rural resilience
Two regional public phones are in the running for Heritage listings.
Historian Dr Naomi Parry Duncan was on the New South Wales’ South Coast during the brutal bushfires of 2020.
“There was no mobile coverage, or power, or internet, or ways to get cash or coins,” Dr Duncan said.
“When we heard Telstra had made the payphones free, people queued for hours to contact the outside world.”
Now, while the towns wait to hear their Heritage-listing fates, the call-out has been made for more public phone stories.
Sweet, succulent and sustainable
Citrus season is in full swing at the moment – and so are the scientists behind a great new invention.
An Australian trial of compostable fruit stickers has had really a-peeling results.
Nutrano recently tested compostable stickers on their citrus lines.
The stickers were tested for their adhesion, durability and functionality – and passed with flying colours!
The new certified compostable stickers meet the Australian standard for home compost and industrial composting.