Weekly Bulletin

State Government releases Carbon Farming in Queensland guide

THE Queensland Government has released a 44-page document outlining potential on-farm activities under the Federal Government’s Carbon Farming Initiative, available here. The Carbon Farming in Rural Queensland document has an emphasis on already-publicised activities proposed by the CFI, which include reducing methane emissions from livestock, reducing savannah burning, carbon forestry, and managing emissions from soils. It remains the case that for many farmers who operate intensive production systems, their options for participation in the CFI will be relatively limited. QFF is currently preparing its own analysis of the CFI, and will be working actively in this policy area in 2012. Meanwhile, ABARES has released a report detailing the short-run impacts of the carbon tax, available here. This report shows a significant impact across sectors, and especially so for the dairy industry. It reports that in 2012–13, the economic value of dairy farm production is estimated to fall by up to 4.3 per cent ($4200) and 1.1 per cent ($1080). These figures are estimated to increase to 4.7 per cent ($4580) and 1.1 per cent ($1090) in 2014–15, with the inclusion of freight in the scheme.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE DEADLINE WELCOME NEWS FOR REGIONAL COMMUNITIES

THE extended deadline for farmers seeking disaster assistance from last summer’s floods and cyclones will be welcome news in rural communities. The State Government announced prior to Christmas that it was extending the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) assistance measures, which includes grants and concessional loans, to June 30 2012. The cut off had previously been January 31. This deadline extension will ensure the NDRRA grants and loans are rolled out to their full extent across Queensland and that they are accessed by all eligible primary producers and small businesses. In Far North Queensland areas impacted by Yasi, farmers can contact Industry Recovery Officers for assistance. In flooded areas, farmers can contact their industry organisation for guidance.

NEW SUBMISSIONS ON THE QFF WEBSITE

PRIOR to Christmas QFF lodged several submissions to important policy areas, all available on our website. These submissions include comment to DERM’s Land Access Review Panel on the Land Access Code; to the Department of Environment and Resource Management Draft Beneficial use of CSG Water policy; to the Productivity Commission on Barriers to Effective Climate Change Adaptation; and to the Queensland Competition Authority on proposed water prices for SunWater irrigation schemes.

MEMBER NEWS

NGIQ ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT

PAUL Lancaster from Suncoast Water Gardens and Wholesale Nursery near Beerwah has been elected president of the Nursery & Garden Industry Queensland, starting a two-year term. After his election, Paul paid tribute to the contribution made by his predecessor Bill Watson who had served two separate terms as NGIQ president. He will be supported by senior vice president Tom Hennessey from Bush Garden Nursery near Upper Caboolture and junior vice president Elaine Duncan from Anza Production Nursery at Mareeba.

MALAYSIAN IMPORTS MAY THREATEN LOCAL PINEAPPLE CROPS

GROWCOM has called on Biosecurity Australia to delay the importation of de-crowned Malaysian pineapples until more scientific information can be provided on the level of risk from bacterial fruit collapse. In a submission to the federal government agency on the draft import risk assessment, Growcom argued Malaysian pineapple imports may threaten the Queensland pineapple industry through introduction of the disease. Bacterial fruit collapse occurs as a latent infection which does not manifest signs of disease detectable by quarantine measures. Rachel Mackenzie, Growcom Chief Advocate, said that industry was greatly concerned that fruit collapse, which causes losses of up to 60 percent of the Malaysian pineapple industry, was not considered by Biosecurity Australia to be a high risk to the Queensland industry. “The draft IRA does concede that there is a possibility that some Malaysian pineapples will bring this disease into Australia but argues that once it is here it is unlikely to spread,” Ms Mackenzie said. “The argument seems to be based on a number of flawed assumptions both about the nature of pineapple growing itself and characteristics of the disease.”

RESEARCH REFORMS START DELIVERING FOR SUGAR INDUSTRY

LATE last year, sugarcane growers received a letter from BSES Limited on the changed service fee arrangements for 2012. The service fee is collected by BSES from growers and millers to fund a range of activities including plant breeding and variety development. For sugarcane growers the 2012 BSES Service Fee of 30 cents per tonne is 10 cents per tonne less than the special fee paid in 2011 while research, development and extension was being reviewed with the aim of growers and millers agreeing and equally funding reformed structures. Importantly, growers and mills will now make equal contributions totalling 60 cents per tonne (30c/t each) for operations of BSES Limited and the miller research company SRL. Growers and millers will continue to pay the 14 cents/tonne (7c/t each) for the Sugar Research and Development Corporation (SRDC). This will bring the total 2012 contribution to 37cents per tonne each. The BSES Service Fee arrangements are one part of the broader reform package, endorsed by CANEGROWERS and the Australian Sugar Milling Council through the Australian Sugar Industry Alliance in October 2011. Under these changes, in 2012, BSES Limited will receive 55c/t funding directly from industry plus income through SRDC and from other sources.

CHINA’S APPETITE FOR AUSTRALIAN COTTON STILL STRONG

FIRST hand market intelligence following a trade delegation to North Asia shows the Chinese remain heavily focused on Australian Cotton. Recently returned from an Australian Government backed trade mission to Shanghai, Cotton Australia director and St George cotton grower, Hamish McIntyre says many challenges facing Australian growers, like competition for available labour, is exactly the same problem confronting our northern neighbours. Mr McIntyre says the expansion in Chinese manufacturing is simply mind blowing and the growth in this sector of China’s economy is placing massive demands on their rural workforce. “Recruiters are scouring China’s cotton growing areas, looking for labour to fill positions in newly opened factories and they are prepared to pay top dollar, leaving many farm managers without the large numbers of workers needed to pick the Chinese cotton crop in the traditional way, by hand.”

He says for many Chinese cotton growers, the only solution will be a rapid program of mechanisation, and they would dearly love to have 200-300 experienced Australia cotton farm managers to help bring that technology online. “The wage difference between the top price the Chinese can afford to pay and local wages down under means there won’t be too many Aussies cotton farm managers packing their bags any time soon.” Mr McIntyre says the desire for Australian farm expertise is a direct result of the continued high regard the Chinese have for quality Australian cotton products.

OTHER NEWS

2012 PREMIER’S CLIMATESMART SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS

Nominations are open for the 2012 Premier’s ClimateSmart Sustainability Awards to showcase the work of Queenslanders achieving excellence in sustainable practices. DERM coordinates these prestigious awards on behalf of the Queensland Government. Entries are encouraged from Queensland business, industry, community groups, schools and individuals and relate to projects or initiatives that are Queensland-based and have potential to be adopted or adapted by other organisations. Applications for the 2012 Premier’s ClimateSmart Sustainability Awards can be completed online at www.derm.qld.gov.au/premiersawards or call 3225 1764 for more information. Entries close on Friday, 16 March 2012.