March 2024
12536829-DL08-22
WOMEN IN AG
Rugby’s healing power
PAGES 14 -15
PAGES 30-31
Algae first
Cilla’s lead role
In a first for algae farming in Australia, Algae Pharm, Goondiwindi has received SGS Australia food grade certification for its marine algae-based products. SGS Australia is one of the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification companies. Algae Pharm, meanwhile, is part of the family-owned farming and grain processing Woods Group. Its business development manager Steve Strutt told Advance Queensland the company believed its food grade certification was unique to the industry in Australia. “This certification is extremely important,“ Mr Strutt said. “It sets us up as a company to deliver a sustainable plant-based Omega-3 to domestic and export food manufacturers. “Without the certification, we would not be able to sell our product into the food market.” STORY PAGE 2
Cilla Pershouse combines her passion for the performing arts and farming in season two of the ABC series Muster Dogs. However, it is her leading role as an isolated mum on the land that has struck a chord with viewers and prompted “heartfelt feedback“ from women, bringing Cilla to tears. WOMEN IN AG, PAGES 14-15
Motivated by the opportunity to share the everyday experiences of rural life, Cilla, a mum of three, said Muster Dogs resonated with her desire to bridge the gap between urban and rural communities. Picture: CONTRIBUTED
Tipping point “I have nothing left!“ Those words, which Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers (QFVG) CEO Rachel Chambers hears too often from desperate Australian growers, is driving her fight against the “poor behaviour and tactics“ of big retailers and the policies of the Federal Government.
The goal? For growers to be paid fairly for their produce, but not at the expense of the consumer. “We are up against supermarkets, which are using their power and asymmetrical data to lower growers’ margins,“ Ms Chambers said. “And, we are also up against the Federal Government, which is responsible for policies that have contributed to growers’ input costs
escalating by 30 to 65 per cent. “Our growers are at tipping point as they are forced to sell produce at a price that, very often, doesn’t cover their costs. “We will keep calling out supermarket spin and government policies that result in price pain at the farm gate for growers and at the checkout for Australian consumers.“ STORY PAGE 4
Agricultural shows have played a leading role in the development of agricultural communities since the first show in Hobart in 1822. They are one of the oldest continuous events in post-colonial Australian society and are still popular in every state and territory with about 587 shows run annually in Australia. In Queensland there are 129 Agricultural Show Societies run by more than 13,500 volunteers. They provide small local events with community populations of 300 or less, to large multi-day events such as the Ekka, which attracts more than 400,000 visitors every year. As they prepare to host their shows this month, Queensland Farmer Today spoke to Mortimer Duff of Proston and Emily Kemp of Goomeri about the vital role they play. COVERAGE PAGES 6-7
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By Fiona Gowers
A vital role