Australia’s most promising young beef cattle judges have been announced by Agricultural Shows Australia as eligible to compete in the national finals of the prestigious annual competition to be judged next month. 

The competition brings together the best young judges and paraders aged from 15 – 25 in each state to compete at the national finals. Qualification is via success in competitive regional and state competitions. 

The national championships are held in a different location each year. This year, the event is being hosted by Tasmanian Ag Shows and held at the Launceston Royal Show. The winner of each competition will take home a pair of boots from Blundstone Australia. 

NSW will be represented by Sam Parish of Forbes who works as a Stock and Station Agent at KMWL. Sam said “My parents were involved in stud and show cattle so I was always running around bull sales as a kid and even though I grew up in Dubbo, I absolutely loved it. I competed at the National All Breeds Junior Heifer Show when I was five-years-old and got the reserve pee wee champion,” he said. 

“I’ve been involved in shows my whole life and it’s the ability to give your judgment and give credibility to your judgment that I love. It’s a massive learning curve and you take in a lot from the opinions of peers and fellow competitors and you see a lot of perspectives. I’m looking forward to going to Tasmania for the first time and hopefully taking home the win.” 

The winner of the beef cattle young judges competition will be determined by who most accurately placed the animals according to its form and characteristics. The National Beef Cattle Young Judges Championship will be held at 9am on Friday, October 13. Find more about the competition go to https://agshowsaustralia.org.au/yjpromotionalmaterial/ 

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is looking to elect three producer representatives; one cattle, one sheep and one lot feeder; to its Board Selection Committee for a three-year term.

Producer members wishing to nominate a person or to nominate themselves for election to the MLA Board Selection Committee at the 2023 MLA AGM must give written notice to MLA by 18th September.

The role of the Selection Committee is to call for applications, review, interview and then report to members on the suitability of candidates for election or re‑election to the MLA Board of Directors.

The Selection Committee has nine members. The cattle, lot feeder and sheepmeat peak councils each appoint one member, two non‑voting members are MLA directors, and the remaining four members are producer representatives elected at the MLA AGM for a period of three years.

At the 2021 AGM, MLA cattle producer members voted to elect Julie McDonald to the Selection Committee, and she is completing year two of her three-year term.

Producer representatives on the Selection Committee are paid a sitting fee in accordance with MLA policy and expenses are covered for travel to attend meetings.

The Federal Labor Government has scrapped the National Soils Advocate and cut funding to programs that previously had bipartisan support. 

Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud has said that the decision was disappointing and it showed Labor was turning its back on agriculture, with National Soils Advocate, the Hon Penelope Wensley AC, having now finished her term. 

“Once again, Labor is cutting corners and costs when it comes to soils. There is no detail on who or what will replace the National Soils Advocate, even though the Government has had nearly 18 months to plan and this is a crucial position.” 

The former Coalition Government set up the National Soil Strategy back in May 2021 and committed $196.9 million. 

“We invested in soils because we know soils are imperative for the environment, the economy and our food security and costs. The strategy was to prioritise soil health, empower soil innovation and stewards, and strengthen soil knowledge and capability.”

Federal Member Michael McCormack is urging farmers and families in the Central West to have their say on Labor’s fresh food tax. The new tax is set at a rate equivalent of 10 per cent of the 2020-21 industry-led levies. Consultation has now opened into the Sustainable Funding to Strengthen Biosecurity Budget measures. 

Mr McCormack said “Farmers throughout the Central West will likely be slugged by this new tax, which comes into effect on July 1, 2024,” Mr McCormack said. 

“The new tax on farmers will inevitably be passed on to consumers, meaning even higher grocery bills for Riverina and Central West residents already suffering from higher cost-of-living pressures. 

“Those who are concerned about this potential impost on their livelihoods to register on the website and have your say.” 

For more information go to http://www.haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-funding 

The Department of Planning and Environment is launching its first survey on domestic and stock rights to get a clearer snapshot of how water extracted under these rights is being used, and whether any changes are needed to improve the way it’s regulated or managed. 

“The more we know about how water is being taken and used under these rights, the better we can manage it, that’s why I encourage all water users to fill out this survey,” Executive Director Strategy and Policy Kaia Hodge said. 

“Understanding how people use their basic water rights for domestic and stock purposes helps us to effectively manage water across NSW. This can have flow on benefits such as boosting drought resilience and creating healthier river systems. 

“We want to hear about how landholders are using their domestic and stock rights and if they, or other people have any concerns around the current approach to regulation and management.” 

In parallel with the survey, the Department is offering to hold meetings with stakeholder 

groups and organisations to hear directly about the experiences of these water users. “We are using the current engagement with domestic and stock water users to remind them of the requirements under the Water Management Act 2000,” Ms Hodge said. 

“When water users understand their rights, they can be confident they are taking water within the rules. That’s a win for everyone who relies on water from rivers and aquifers.” 

People have until 21 November to complete the survey. To learn more about domestic and stock rights and complete the survey visit: https://water.dpie.nsw.gov.au/licensing-and-trade/basic-landholder-rights/domestic-and-stock-rights 

Sweeping paddocks of grain crops are a familiar sight across much of regional Australia, but how many stop to think that those crops end up in their sandwich or breakfast bowl?

In fact, the average Aussie wheat farmer produces enough grain to make 3 million loaves of bread and 2 million tins of Milo.

In the final week of a crusade to better connect consumers with where their food comes from – and to value that food – the NFF-led campaign under the Australians Farmers platform aims to connect those dots.

NFF President Fiona Simson, hoped the Australian Farmers campaign had opened people’s eyes to the work farmers invested into growing food sustainably.

“This week we’re putting the spotlight on a household staple – bread. It’s main ingredient, wheat, is also a staple in the farming world,” she said.

Australia produces 23 million tonnes of wheat each year. This is used in bread, pasta, pizza dough, cake, instant noodles, dumpling skins and even animal feed.

Bread is one of the most wasted foods in Australia, bread is too precious to waste, store it properly and learn what to do if it goes stale