10 Things to Know from QFF

1. Applications are now open for the second round of the AgriEmpower Scholarship, delivered by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) in partnership with Woolworths. The $20,000 scholarships support people aged 25–40 from across the ag supply chain to develop skills, ideas and leadership capability. Applications close Tuesday, 3 March 2026. Read more or apply.
   
2. Save the Date: National Agriculture Day 2026 is locked in for Friday, 20 November. QFF will host our annual National Ag Day Breakfast on the morning of Friday, 20 November. If you haven’t already, subscribe to the NFF here to stay up to date with everything happening in the lead-up to National Ag Day 2026.
   
3. A shipment of Queensland raw sugar that departed the Port of Cairns on Saturday bound for Japan marked an important milestone for Australian sugar, industry leaders have said. Read more here.
   
4. Farmers in Far North Queensland can now apply for a share of 55,000 megalitres of newly released water in the Mitchell water plan area, supporting agricultural growth, jobs and regional water security. Applications for new water licenses close 30 April 2026. Read more or apply here. Read more or apply here.
   
5. Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) have published a number of articles on fair work issues, including updates to superannuation rules, employer obligations after a natural disaster and unpaid leave. Read them here.
   
6. Genetically modified purple tomatoes have been approved for growing and sale in Australia, becoming the first fresh GM whole food to reach the market. A Queensland farm is set to be the first to grow the crop, as industry watches closely to see how consumer acceptance shapes its future. Read more here.
   
7. From 1 January 2026, changes to the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System will more tightly target clean energy and housing construction roles, potentially reducing support for agribusiness, animal care, forestry and racing pathways. Completing this survey will help build evidence on workforce impacts and inform advice to government. Read more and take the survey here.
   
8. As part of CANEGROWERS’ 100-year celebrations, the Voices of Cane Country video series is sharing the stories behind Queensland’s sugar industry. This short film features Jo from Innisfail, reflecting on a lifetime in cane farming, family, resilience and community. Watch the video here.
   
9. Rural, regional and remote women can once again connect, celebrate and share ideas through a busy 2026 events calendar from Queensland Rural, Regional, Remote Women’s Network, including three of its popular Long Lunch events in Toowoomba, Rockhampton and Brisbane. Register for a long lunch near you here. Queensland Farmers’ Federation congratulates the finalists for the 2026 AgriFutures Australia Queensland Rural Women’s Award, recognising outstanding leadership by rural women across agriculture, business and community. Read more here.
   
10. Public consultation on the future of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan is now open. Read the discussion paper and have your say here by May 1, 2026. Public consultation is also now open on proposed updates to the Fair Farms Program, with growers, workers and industry stakeholders invited to provide feedback. Submissions close Monday 2 March 2026. Take the survey and have your say here.