September 2022
12536829-DL08-22
Women In Agriculture PAGES 19-22
‘Avo-lanche’ hits By Fiona Gowers Australia’s avocado oversupply is “just the beginning” with domestic production tipped to jump by 40 per cent in the next five years. A supply boom means households have been enjoying avocados at cheaper prices. But agribusiness bank Rabobank suggests Australians will need to eat and export even more, as growers navigate soaring production growth over the next five years. This year alone, the per capita supply of avocados is estimated to be up 26pc on the previous year to 4.8 kilograms, equating to 22 avocados per Australian.
A bumper crop, mainly in Queensland and Western Australia in 2021-22, has caused a national oversupply, which saw retail prices plunge to a record low $1 each in June 2021, and again last month. Retail prices this year are 47pc below the five-year average for avocados. Consumers currently facing significant price rises for many other food items and household staples have welcomed the low prices. But, they have put considerable pressure on grower margins, already squeezed by increasing input costs and labour shortages, RaboResearch associate analyst Pia Piggott said. STORY PAGE 4
Big winners Much more at the Ekka than a game In the 2022 RNA Paddock to Palate competition at Ekka, Myriam and Simon Daley proved that commercially-bred cattle from family enterprises can shine brightly. In a stunning result, the Daley’s Charolais-cross exhibits secured both overall champion carcase and third in the pen of six carcases in the Class 40 100-day HGP free category and second in the pen of six carcases in the Class 37 100-day HGP export class. The Morgan family’s The Grove Shorthorns also won the 100-day HGP free export class in the hotly-contested 2022 RNA Paddock to Palate competition. They were overall winners and runnersup in Class 40.
Andrew Johnston, president of the Dalby and District Rugby Union Football club, agrees with the old edict of “It’s more than a game”. Passionately. As an agronomist, he is close to his farming clients throughout the Darling Downs and sees personally the psychological and social benefits they gain from the comradeship so unique to country clubs. “The severe drought in 2018 and 2019 caused a tough time and a lot of people were battling mentally,” Mr Johnston said. “The struggle was real. “So, to me, I look at rugby from a mental health point of view, from a networking point of view and from a community point of view. Our club has become the central point for farmers to come and have a drink, enjoy the afternoon with mates and bring their family.”
STORIES PAGE 3
She’s living the dream Current Warwick Rodeo Queen Tamara Evans (pictured) and former Queen Kate Christensen last month travelled to Wyoming in the United States to represent Warwick at the Cheyenne Frontier Days. Held
annually since 1897, the event promotes itself as the “World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo and Western Celebration” and attracts crowds of up to 200,000 annually. STORY PAGES 20-21
STORY PAGE 40
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