Queensland Farmers' Federation

19/10/2026

Queensland farmers don't just need more workers. They need a workforce system that is reliable, practical and built for the realities of modern agriculture.

In our latest Queensland Country Life column, we discuss why workforce shortages remain one of the most significant challenges facing Queensland agriculture and the importance of getting workforce policy settings right.

While immediate concerns around Working Holiday Maker visas continue to impact farm businesses, the bigger challenge is building a workforce system that gives farmers and agribusinesses confidence they can access the people and skills they need, both now and into the future.

There is no single program, visa stream or policy that will solve agriculture's workforce pressures. What is needed is a coordinated, long-term approach across industry, government and education that supports farm viability, regional growth and food security.

We also highlight some of the practical initiatives QFF is delivering to support Queensland farmers and agribusinesses, including the Industry Workforce Advisor program, SmartAg Queensland, the Agricultural Extension Work Placement Program and the Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor Program.

Read the full column below 👇

https://bit.ly/4i0RjCq

19/10/2026

This week in 10 Things to Know 👇

🎟️ Don’t miss out on your ticket to QFF’s National Agriculture Day breakfast featuring keynote speaker the Treasurer of Queensland, the Hon David Janetzki MP on Wednesday, 18 November 2026.

🍍 Australia's pineapple industry represented by Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers is urging the Federal Government to put biosecurity first, warning that proposed fresh pineapple imports from India and Indonesia could place local production and supply chains at unnecessary risk.

🐜 ABC Landline has run a story on the Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce’s suppression efforts in South-East Queensland and covers the risk for agriculture and communities if the pests go unmanaged.

Read more here 👉 https://bit.ly/3VSFzL5

14/10/2026

⚡ Are energy costs, solar options or renewable energy proposals raising questions for your farm business?

The Energy Information Service for Landholders (EISL) provides Queensland farmers and landholders with free, independent information to help navigate a changing energy landscape.

Whether you're considering solar or battery investments, reviewing electricity tariffs, exploring energy efficiency opportunities, or responding to a renewable energy development proposal, the EISL team can help you better understand your options and access trusted information.

The service is designed to support informed decision-making and help landholders identify practical opportunities to improve energy outcomes on farm.

💡 Learn more about the Energy Information Service for Landholders and request a call from the team here 👉 https://www.qff.org.au/projects/eisl

13/10/2026

We welcome the Federal Government's decision not to proceed with proposed changes to disaster recovery funding arrangements.

Queensland is Australia's most disaster-impacted state.

For farmers and regional communities already facing the challenges of droughts, floods and cyclones, effective disaster recovery funding is essential to restoring infrastructure, maintaining supply chains and returning businesses to productivity following disaster events.

QFF joined industry and regional stakeholders in advocating against the proposed changes, which would have reduced support available to Queensland and shifted a greater share of recovery costs onto local councils and communities that already bear a disproportionate share of the nation's disaster impacts.

Disaster recovery funding is not simply about rebuilding after an event. It supports regional economies, protects food production and provides the certainty communities need to recover and move forward.

We thank the Government for listening to the concerns raised by Queensland communities and industry, and welcome this outcome.

Looking ahead, we remain committed to working with governments on solutions that strengthen both disaster recovery and resilience, including measures that help reduce future disaster costs while ensuring farmers and regional communities have the support they need when disaster strikes.

Cotton Australia CANEGROWERS Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers

13/10/2026

Agritourism gives Queensland farmers new opportunities to diversify their businesses while giving visitors a unique chance to connect with the people, places and stories behind our food and fibre.

As more people step onto farms to enjoy these experiences, biosecurity becomes something we all have a role in protecting. In this video, Agritourism Queensland President Kay Tommerup shares some simple but important steps visitors can take to help reduce biosecurity risks, from following on-farm instructions to being mindful of what they bring onto a property.

Good biosecurity doesn't have to be complicated. Small actions by visitors can help protect farms, animals, crops and rural businesses, while supporting the continued growth of Queensland's agritourism industry.

By working together, we can ensure agritourism remains a safe, enjoyable and valuable experience for visitors, while creating new opportunities for farmers and regional communities.

This video has been developed as part of the Biosecurity in the Boardroom initiative, a collaboration between Australian Biosecurity and the Queensland Farmers' Federation (QFF) that is helping organisations across all industries better understand their role in biosecurity risk management.

Read more about Biosecurity in the Boardroom here 👉 https://bit.ly/4s1nUNk

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Queensland Agriculture

12/10/2026

This week in 10 Things to Know 👇

⛈️ QFF welcomes the Federal Government’s decision last Friday, not to proceed with proposed changes to disaster recovery funding arrangements. QFF and our peak body members have advocated strongly for the proposed changes to be scrapped, working alongside state and local government representatives for a fair disaster funding outcome for Queensland.

🛫 Last week QFF and Biosecurity Queensland hosted Biosecurity in the Boardroom at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, connecting regional business, government and industry leaders to highlight the growing importance of biosecurity risk management across Queensland's regional economies.

👨‍🌾 The National Farmers' Federation has welcomed the Coalition’s commitment to introduce a new Agriculture Visa from 2030, saying a fit-for-purpose migration system is essential to Australia’s food and fibre production and regional communities.

Read more here 👉 https://bit.ly/4idUCHP

09/10/2026

08/10/2026

🛫 Business, government and industry leaders gathered at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport (WTB) this morning for the latest Biosecurity in the Boardroom event, highlighting the growing importance of biosecurity risk management across Queensland's regional economies.

Hosted by QFF in partnership with Biosecurity Queensland, the breakfast brought together leaders from agriculture, infrastructure, resources, professional services and government to examine how biosecurity risks can impact business operations, supply chains, workforce productivity and organisational reputation.

The program featured a keynote presentation from David Keir, CEO of Wagner Corporation, who outlined Wellcamp's approach to managing biosecurity obligations across its operations and the importance of embedding risk management into everyday business practices.

Mr Keir then joined a panel discussion on biosecurity risk management alongside Queensland Chief Biosecurity Officer Rachel Chay, Coexistence Queensland CEO, Queensland Land Access Ombudsman Warwick Squire, and Power Tynan CEO and Executive Director Amanda Kenafake. The panel discussed practical industry learnings regarding biosecurity best practice, and the small steps all businesses can take to begin embedding biosecurity risk management within their operations.

Following the panel, attendees were taken on a bus tour of Wellcamp's Business Park, gaining insights into the practical biosecurity considerations that underpin new developments on site and the export and import opportunities that biosecurity management enable for the airport.

Thank you to Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, Wagner Corporation, our panellists and attendees for being a part of this important conversation around the importance of biosecurity risk management for all sectors.

Read more about this morning's event here 👉 https://bit.ly/4zGWPlh

For more information on the Biosecurity in the Boardroom initiative, and free resources to start the conversation in your organisation, visit the project page here 👉 https://bit.ly/4h4AqYJ

06/10/2026

This week in 10 Things to Know 👇

🚜 Cotton Australia is continuing to work with the National Farmers' Federation, the Australian Government and industry partners to protect agriculture’s access to Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) and support growers facing immediate workforce pressures.

📖 A Century of CANEGROWERS is a richly illustrated coffee-table book celebrating 100 years of Queensland’s sugarcane industry – and the people, families and communities who shaped it. Pre-orders are now open.

💲 QFF Partner Power Tynan has written an article discussing compensation tax treatment for renewable energy projects. Understanding the potential income tax, capital gains tax and GST treatment of these payments can help property owners avoid unexpected tax consequences.

Read more here 👉 https://bit.ly/4y5S3fP

30/09/2026

From tomorrow, bigger solar projects could become more affordable for Queensland farms and agribusinesses. ☀️

From 1 October 2026 the Australian Government's solar incentive will expand to cover systems up to 1 megawatt (MW), replacing the current 100 kW limit. The change could significantly reduce the upfront cost of larger solar installations, creating new opportunities for irrigation, packing and processing facilities, and other energy-intensive agricultural operations.

If you're considering solar or battery investments on your property, it's important to understand how these incentives apply, eligibility requirements and the factors that can influence project viability.

Read more here 👉 https://bit.ly/4hAefZm

📞 Have questions about what this means for your farm? Contact QFF's Energy Information Service for Landholders (EISL) on 07 3329 7500 for independent information and guidance on on-farm energy options or visit the project page here to request a call 👉 https://bit.ly/4hVa3EE