Media Release

The biggest beef exposition in the Southern Hemisphere just got bigger with the return of international guests and a throng of passionate locals fuelling record crowds at Beef2024. Support for the event has boomed post-Covid as people converged on Rockhampton, the Beef Capital of Australia, for the week-long festival of cattle culture.

The Green Pioneer, Fortescue’s world-leading, dual-fuelled ammonia-powered vessel has been awarded the Hydrogen Transport award at the World Hydrogen 2024 Awards ... Sustainable Energy Council Hydrogen Advisory Board recognised Fortescue for its significant achievements in the transport sector and outstanding work over the past 12 months to advance hydrogen technologies...

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says the federal Labor government’s decision to ban live sheep sea exports could have dire consequences for Victorian farmers and demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the entire agricultural industry.  VFF President Emma Germano said the move has sent shockwaves across the industry and has left many local farmers questioning the motive of our decision makers.  

The export of live sheep by sea from Australia will end on 1 May 2028, with legislation enacting the phase out to be introduced in this term of Parliament ... While the live sheep export industry has been in decline for many years, down from $415m in 2002-03 to $77m in 2022-23, the demand for processed sheepmeat both here and overseas has been rapidly expanding. This presents an opportunity for more processing to occur onshore in WA ...

The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) says farmers have been left shocked after Agriculture Minister Murray Watt announced a radical 4-year timeline to phase out live sheep exports ... "I’d say to farmers – stand tall and don’t lose hope. We’re proud of the vital role we play in feeding and clothing people all around the world. We will not allow this Government's sucking up to activists rob us of that pride": Tony Mahar, NFF CEO.

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said a future Coalition Government will maintain the live sheep trade if it wins the next election, after Labor announced its live sheep export shutdown timeframe, with Agriculture Minister Murray Watt revealing a $107 million plan to ‘transition’ the industry by May 1, 2028 ... Warranine park farmer Ellen Walker from Brookton, WA, went to two meetings with the independent panel in Kondinin and York and said she was devastated by Minister Watt’s announcement today.

Grain Producers Australia says continued references to the consultations held with farmers on the Federal Government’s proposed Biosecurity Tax are grossly misleading and need to be called out. A Senate Inquiry report was handed down on Friday and delivered a brutal assessment of the levy/tax policy.

NSW Farmers has condemned the Federal Government’s catastrophic ban on live sheep exports by sea as it released a four-year plan to transition away from the live sheep trade ... According to an announcement made by Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt ... Australia’s live sheep exports by sea trade will be phased out by 1 May 2028...

The global dairy market may experience a slower price recovery than previously anticipated, particularly as China shows a reduced need for dairy imports, Rabobank says in recently-released sector research. But, despite this, the overall market outlook remains positive, the global specialist agribusiness bank says in its Q2 Global Dairy Quarterly, titled Searching for Equilibrium.

From Monday 13 May the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) will commence releases from Lake Mulwala to lower the water levels by approximately 1.5 metres ahead of necessary maintenance and inspection work in June. MDBA Acting Executive Director of River Management Angus Paton said releases would be managed to meet demands downstream of the Lake while also achieving the target water level of 123.3 metres AHD by 17 June 2024.

Koala Conversations, a dynamic series of events dedicated to koala conservation, is set to captivate communities across the Northern Rivers region. From the 18th to the 31st of May, a multitude of engaging activities and educational opportunities will unfold, culminating in the Koala Conversations Forum at Southern Cross University on the 1st of June.

Recently, Australia's trade relationship with the Middle East strengthened by the establishment of an MOU between the Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry and  Dubai Chamber and the launch of the Dubai Chamber office in Sydney, Australia. This is testament to the strong collaboration and opportunity to strengthen future collaboration between Australia and the Middle East, with a hub in Dubai.

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, is adding value to the beef sector, turning red meat into a highly nutritious powder to give an allergen-free protein boost to snacks and beverages, targeting a $3.8 billion health and wellness market opportunity. Taste testings of the innovation are on offer at Beef 2024 in Rockhampton this week, as CSIRO unveils its Just Meat protein powder...

The NFF Horticulture Council ... welcomed the report by the Senate Select Committee on Supermarket Prices, which reveals the true cost of supermarket power and exploitative behaviour being borne by both Australian households and the national horticulture industry. Chair of the Council Jolyon Burnett said ... there has been shock at the evidence of widespread appalling treatment of fresh produce suppliers.

We welcome ... release of Select Committee on Supermarket Prices final report.  This inquiry has been an important opportunity to shine a light on the challenges being faced by many Australian producers.  

Buffel and gamba grass are highly flammable and increase the intensity and frequency of bushfires and impact the biodiversity of the natural environment ... The TWG provided its findings, which recommend a Weed Advisory Committee be formed to build on the findings and develop a management plan, with the view of declaring buffel grass a weed.

The 2024 Rural Bank Australian Farmland Values Report finds that Australian farmland values have now recorded a full decade of unbroken growth. While 2023 saw a rise in the national median price, capping off an extraordinary period for farmland values, it also marked a shift in the market as the pace of growth slowed considerably.

Farmers have welcomed an announcement by the Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in Rockhampton today regarding the next phase of the Future Drought Fund (FDF). National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President, David Jochinke, said the FDF was central to making producers more resilient in the face of current and future droughts.