Queensland Farmers' Federation

21/08/2026

🚜 Queensland agriculture is one of the most dynamic and diverse industries in the country - and it needs the next generation of talented, curious people to help shape its future.

QFF's Careers in Agriculture magazine is a free resource designed to help students discover the remarkable depth and breadth of career opportunities available across our industry - from science and technology to agribusiness, environmental management and beyond.

Helping young Queenslanders find their place in agriculture is something we can all contribute to.

Download the magazine here 👉 https://bit.ly/3UvuZZH

20/08/2026

As National Biosecurity Week approaches, it’s a timely opportunity to highlight the important role industry and government leaders play in strengthening Queensland’s biosecurity preparedness. 🤝🌿

We recently joined Queensland Farmers' Federation and government leaders in Cairns for a Biosecurity in the Boardroom Breakfast and behind-the-scenes tour of the Port of Cairns. 🛥️

Representatives from agriculture, transport and logistics, tourism, education and research, energy, natural resource management and government sectors explored the growing biosecurity risks facing Queensland, and how to extend biosecurity awareness to the boardroom. ✨

A panel featuring Ports North CEO Richard Stevenson, Queensland Chief Biosecurity Officer Dr Rachel Chay, Plant Health Australia Chair Doug Phillips, and Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen discussed the real-world impacts of biosecurity threats beyond the farm gate.

Attendees then toured the port to see the safeguards helping protect Far North Queensland from pests, diseases and invasive species.

Read more about the Cairns event here 👉 https://brnw.ch/21x55CQ

Want to start the biosecurity conversation in your organisation? Find out more and access free resources here 👉 https://brnw.ch/21x55CP

19/08/2026

⛈️ Learn about building Queensland’s first automated network of hail and wind monitoring stations to better understand and manage the impact of severe weather on communities, infrastructure, and agriculture.

QFF and our project partners are hosting a webinar discussing UQ HailNet - a project aiming to establish a long-term, scientifically robust hail monitoring system across South-East Queensland and the Darling Downs.

📆 Thursday 17 September

🕘 1pm-2pm

Register here 👉 https://bit.ly/4g6FUBv

You will hear from Matt Mason, Associate Professor at The University of Queensland, Joshua Soderholm, Senior Scientist at Bureau of Meteorology and Jonathan Barratt, CEO at CelsiusPro Australia.

18/08/2026

🧑‍🌾 Last week the QFF team joined our members CANEGROWERS and Cotton Australia at the 150th Ekka.

More than 420,000 people attended this year's Ekka, with thousands taking virtual trips through cotton and cane production systems via virtual reality headsets in the Agricultural Education Hall - meeting farmers and learning more about where their food, fibre and foliage comes from.

Congratulations to the Royal National Agricultural & Industrial Association of QLD, our members, and all exhibitors and volunteers for making the show such a success - bringing the country to the city and celebrating Queensland agriculture and rural communities.

17/08/2026

The first test of commitment to the Queensland Dairy Plan
Media Release 17 August 2026
Many Queenslanders have now heard the story of Jason & Lisa Rozynski and the very real threat facing their family dairy farm.
eastAUSmilk has deliberately not rushed into the public conversation. Our priority has been working urgently behind the scenes speaking to processors, government and industry stakeholders and doing everything possible to find a way forward for Jason and his family.
This is an established Queensland dairy farming family that wants passionately to keep farming. Their farm produces approximately 3.3 million litres of high-quality Queensland milk. This isn’t milk Queensland needs to produce sometime in the future. It is Queensland milk we already have, and we are at risk of losing it.
While eastAUSmilk exists to fight for dairy farmers and to help build a strong, sustainable future for our dairy industry, this responsibility cannot sit with us alone.
The Queensland Government, processors and key industry bodies have recently committed to a Queensland Dairy Plan to rebuild, strengthen and grow our local dairy industry.
This is the first real test of that commitment.
The Plan is about working together to protect and grow Queensland dairy production and right now, that means doing everything we can to keep the farmers and milk production we already have.
That commitment has to mean something.
TO THE QUEENSLAND PUBLIC:
Please be a voice for the Queensland dairy farmers and please keep supporting Queensland produced and processed milk. Queenslanders have a powerful voice in the future of our dairy industry, and we are asking for your help to:
1. Call on ALL Queensland Dairy Processors to Step Forward Now
Work with us to find a solution that keep these cows milking, keeps this family farming and keep 3.3 million litres of high-quality fresh milk in Queensland.
2. Always Choose Queensland Fresh Milk
Choose fresh Queensland-produced and processed milk. Ask for Queensland milk & encourage your family, friends, local businesses and supermarkets to do the same.
3. Use your voice
Share Jason & Lisa’s story. Talk about it. Ask questions. Help us send a clear message to processors, retailers and government which is:
QUEENSLANDERS WANT QUEENSLAND PRODUCED AND PROCESSED MILK AND WE WANT A STRONG LOCAL DAIRY INDUSTRY
Eric Danzi, CEO eastAUSmilk (0459 362 955)

17/08/2026

This week in 10 Things to Know 👇

🥛 A Queensland dairy farm with 80 years of history is facing the prospect of closing down after learning that its contract to supply milk would not be renewed. eastAUSmilk

💡 QFF Corporate Partner RELA Australia was highlighted in an article in R.M.Williams OUTBACK magazine, with CEO Michael Katz discussing the maturation of the renewable energy development sector and the opportunities for regional communities.

🚜 The National Farmers' Federation is extremely concerned that the EPBC Act Guide released by the Federal Government last week will not enable food and fibre producers to make informed decisions about routine management practices on their farms.

Read more here 👉 https://bit.ly/45AxfBg

16/08/2026

14/08/2026

QFF and our peak body members have had a strong period of engagement with State and Federal leaders, championing key priorities for Queensland agriculture.

🚜 QFF President Aaron Kiely, General Manager, Water and Energy Dr Alicia Kennedy and Senior Policy Advisor, Samuel Laffer joined QFF members Cotton Australia, CANEGROWERS and Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers, as well as AgForce Queensland, at an Agriculture, Energy and Water Council meeting, chaired by Minister for Primary Industries the Hon. Tony Perrett MP. QFF discussed opportunities to reduce red tape for the agriculture sector, among other priorities. Ann Leahy David Janetzki MP

🧑‍🌾 QFF Project Manager, SmartAg Queensland, Julia Jurgs joined Cotton Australia's General Manager, Michael Murray and Senior Policy Officer, Paul Sloman to discuss the success of SmartAg Queensland with the Hon. Ros Bates MP, Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training. To date, SmartAg Queensland has supported 4800 participants to upskill, making the agriculture sector safer, more productive and more profitable, with training tailored to industry needs and delivered locally.

🛣️ QFF CEO Kylie Porter was in Alice Springs for the Developing Northern Australia Conference, engaging in conversations on regional economic development, connectivity and infrastructure, presenting on SmartAg Queensland and other QFF workforce initiatives, and discussing priority challenges for Queensland agriculture with Nita Green - Senator for Queensland including proposed changes to the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and EPBC Act reforms.

💡QFF General Manager, Water and Energy Dr Alicia Kennedy and CANEGROWERS' Project Manager for Farm Business Resilience Chris Gillitt met with Energy Queensland's new Chief Executive Officer Craig McCabe at Energy Queensland's Regulatory Determination 2030-35 Engagement Strategy Co-design Workshop.

🌱 QFF's Project Manager, Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor Program Kym Wessling was in Longreach for the Growq Innovation Expo, meeting three current students from the National Farmers' Federation's AgCareerStart program.

Read more about QFF's project and policy priorities on our website here 👉 www.qff.org.au

13/08/2026

🚜 Queensland's high-value agricultural land needs stronger protection before the Critical Minerals Bill goes any further, QFF says.

With the Parliamentary Primary Industries and Resources Committee recommending the Bill pass unamended, QFF CEO Kylie Porter says farmers understand governments need to move quickly on critical minerals projects, however the interests of high-value agriculture must be protected in how the Bill is applied.

QFF is seeking more detail on how the Bill will be implemented and what regulatory framework will support it, particularly around the circumstances in which government could override existing protections such as the Regional Planning Interests Act.

Queensland agriculture has underpinned the state's economy for generations, and QFF wants to see it set up for long-term success and sustainability.

QFF is continuing to gather feedback from members as the Bill progresses.

🎧 Hear more from Kylie on the ABC Tropical North and Wide Bay Rural Report 👉 https://bit.ly/4zeEw7r (Listen in from 4:30)

13/08/2026

🌱 This week QFF hosted our annual Celebration of Queensland Agriculture Ekka networking event at Queensland's Parliament House.

Each year this event brings together QFF’s Board, our peak body members and corporate partners, ministerial guests and key stakeholders to celebrate the significant contribution of the agriculture sector and farmers in Queensland.

Thank you to our speakers, including the Hon Tony Perrett MP, Minister for Primary Industries, who discussed the recent launch of the Prosper2050 targeted action plans, the importance of and the Queensland Government's investment in the sector through its Sowing the Seeds of Farming Innovation Fund.

Hamish McIntyre, President of the National Farmers' Federation highlighted the importance of strong advocacy across agriculture as farmers navigate difficult operating conditions, including Federal regulatory reforms across taxation, environment and water policy.

This event is important to QFF and our peak body members to continue to build meaningful relationships with the decision makers and key stakeholders who we work with during the year to build a more productive and profitable future for Queensland agriculture and regional communities.

A big thank you to our event sponsors Sparke Helmore Lawyers and Attuned Talent for your ongoing support, and to the many guests from across Queensland who joined us on the night.

CANEGROWERS Cotton Australia Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers eastAUSmilk Greenlife Industry QLD Pat Weir MP Steve Minnikin MP Bryson Head MP Ros Bates MP David Janetzki MP Tom Smith - Member for Bundaberg