The Editor
2622 POSTS
New name for IFA/AFG to reflect the future of forestry
The professional association representing some 1,000 forest scientists, researchers and professional forest land managers in Australia will soon be known by a new name. The Institute of Foresters of Australia and Australian Forest Growers (IFA/AFG) has announced it will launch a new identity at its upcoming national conference, which will be held in Launceston and online in a hybrid model, from 11 to 14 October 2021.
Birtinya-based business wins at Qld export awards
From their headquarters at Birtinya, Kilcoy Global Foods manages the production, distribution, and export of eight million cartons of premium beef annually to more than 35 global markets. KGF is also a major supplier to Australian supermarkets, food wholesalers, fine dining establishments and family restaurants including McDonalds.
Regional quarantine facility well under way at Wellcamp
Queensland’s first dedicated regional quarantine facility is moving ahead quickly with the first concrete poured at the Wellcamp site today ... “Construction is moving ahead swiftly and Wagner Corporation has confirmed we are on-track for the first stage of the quarantine facility to be delivered for use by the end of 2021": Steven Miles.
BHP opens iron ore mine of the future
Premier Mark McGowan congratulated BHP on the official opening of its South Flank iron ore mine. The mine adds to BHP's existing mine operations in the Pilbara to create one of the largest operating iron ore hubs in the world, expected to produce 145 million tonnes of iron ore each year.
Whether Australia’s regions rise, or fall, depends on the stories we tell
Professor Andrew Beer. Across Australia, one in five regions is struggling, but the one-dimensional solutions we commonly look for don’t work ... the future prosperity of regions lies with those who live there, rather than those who govern, especially when they do so from a distance. Mobilizing regions is a matter of empowering regional leaders – making sure they have the tools needed to bring about change while enabling them to both listen to others and be heard across communities.
MoU to grow agricultural trade between Pacific Island Countries and Australia
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and DT Global will grow agricultural trade between Pacific Island countries and Australia, through improved food security, better market access and biosecurity outcomes.
Unpacking water allocations the next topic in MDBA webinar series, 12 October 2021
In partnership with Basin state governments, the Murray–Daring Basin Authority (MDBA) will detail water sharing arrangements in the River Murray system at a public webinar next Tuesday 12 October 2021. The webinar will run through the basics of how water is shared between New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia and the factors that influence each state's allocation decisions.
More support arrives for state’s farmers
Almost 500 foreign workers will be added to NSW's agricultural workforce, joining the more than 2,000 whose arrival the NSW Government has already aided, to provide additional support to industry through the COVID-exacerbated labour shortage. Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said while this would be welcome news for the state’s farmers, the NSW Government was constantly reviewing its support measures to give industry the best help it can, and that continued today.
Pollen home delivery sweet for honey bees
Scientists are exploring the use of mobile polliniser units to improve cross-pollination in netted apple orchards in a new trial being delivered through Hort Innovation in partnership with the University of Adelaide. Over the past 14 months, scientists have been working with apple growers in the Adelaide Hills as part of the project, which aims to solve the challenges involved in using honey bees to cross-pollinate in undercover settings.
Sick hospital system fails to prepare
With all symptoms indicating that the Queensland Health System is sick and struggling, the question for the Queensland Premier and Health Minister is ‘what have you done to prepare for the inevitable arrival of COVID-19 in our community?’ Hospitals are full despite the lack of COVID-19 cases, nurses face being sacked if they don’t get vaccinated and preparation measures appear to be minimal. Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen put questions to both Mackay and Townsville Hospital and Health Services in August on preparation measures.
