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20 December 2023.



It has been a productive year for the AgForce team.

AgForce dedicated staff and industry volunteers are working hard at a local, state, and federal level to improve regulations and policies to ensure they are fair, practical and affordable for our farmers, their families, and the wider industry.

Your membership allows us to advocate on your behalf, so you can focus on what you do best, growing the food and fibre we all need.

SO, WHAT HAVE WE DONE IN 2023

AgForce delivered on a number of policy solutions and continues to work on long form policy developments to ensure you are adequately, represented. These are highlights of our cane affected policy work, which includes:

WATER

  • AgForce has delivered a number of solutions to address the Burdekin Rising Ground Water issue, in our submission to the Burdekin Water Plan Review 2007. We are collaborating with the Department of environment, Department of Public works, Water Planning department, Sugar Research Australia and industry to roll out a number of off-farm and on-farm solutions.
  • AgForce’s strong state representation meant we received an invite from the Departments to participate in the Stakeholders Advisory Group’s review of the Regional Water Assessment Program; a roadmap for economic growth in some of North Queensland’s most significant food bowls. These sessions consider water supply across industries, boundaries and catchments and seeks to increase effective use of existing water, infrastructure, minimise cost and determine allocation needs for the next 30 years.
  • The AgForce Reef Taskforce has made great progress to ensure cane farmers have input at the decision-making table for all policies related to the Great Barrier Reef. The taskforce is still active in the reef space with ten years of work behind us ready to be referred to and mobilised when required. AgForce stands ready to help set a precedent for any court case by supporting any reef farmer who is found not to have met the Agricultural Environment Relevant Activity (ERA) Standard. Our AgForce Reef Taskforce offers members resources to help with reef audits, i.e., factsheets and GeoPDF property maps.

BIOSECURITY

  • AgForce’s dedicated member representative (Ken Cunliffe) in collaboration with industry has develop a paddock test kit for Ratoon Stunning Diseased (RSD) in Cane. The paddock test kit will help in the diagnosis of RSD, which will assist to reduced spread of RSD. Paddock test kits will be available to cane members after March 2024.
  • AgForce membership leads the progression of the science linkages between the challenging issues of Yellow Canopy Syndrome (YPS) in Cane and pasture dieback, directing collaborative solutions for the industry.
  • AgForce continues to advocate for the repeal of the Bio-Security Protection Levy, which could potentially see a new tax on the Sugar Cane industry. We are also advocating for all officer’s entering a property to abide by on farm Biosecurity plans, as per our recent submission to Australian Government.
  • The Rat Plagues in Cane have been one of our biggest challenges facing our members in North Queensland. AgForce coordinated the research into an effective baiting program, organising emergency permits and collaborating with SRA, HCPSL, DAF, and local government. We had an end of year win, with emergency permits granted allowing farmers to bait Ratooning Cane, overcoming limitations of the current permit which only allows the baiting of Lodged Cane. As of November 14, APVMA issued an emergency permit (PER94189) for aerial application of rat baits on ratooning sugarcane crops, with trials starting that same week.

AGRICUTURE & CLIMATE

  • AgForce’s AgCarE Program is the only product in the world developed by producers for producers, that offers accurate reporting and accounting of your property’s environmental assets, such as natural capital, biodiversity, soil health, and carbon footprint. It’s also scientifically verified by eminent scientists. We progress refinement of our digital AgCarE Cane Modules, International Benchmarking Standards and Sustainability Framework. www.agcare.org.au
  • AgForce continues to assist landholders understand their revised land valuations and rates notices; assisting in the lodgement of objections or assist in mediation conferences when required. AgForce provided a submission to the review of the Land Valuation Amendment Bill 2023.
  • AgForce is actively promoting farmer safety, farmers to right to farm, land use protections, and the preservation of agricultural land for our future food production and global food security. In our Land Access and Co-Existence submission, we have successfully advocated for a Land Access Ombudsman (LAO) to be established to provide a free, fair and independent body to investigate and resolve land access disputes.
  • AgForce contributed to multiple submission to the Australian Energy Infrastructure Review, addressing Australia’s Energy Transmission Line Roll-out, by the Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water (DCCEEW); we are advocating for a “National enforceable code of Conduct”, training for energy officers that engage on property with farmers, a National Land Use Plan and “right to farm” position by the government that priorities agricultural land use over commercialisation projects and priorities use of public own-land, before utilising agriculture land used for food production.
  • AgForce’s submission defending Queensland’s Agricultural Production on Climate Change and subsequent attendance to the parliamentary hearing, promoted our agricultural sector at a state level and represented our members right to farm; importance of farm protections and showcased the already great work farms do to manage and improve the environment.
  • AgForce’s strong state membership base has resulted in an invitation to the Department of Public Energy and Works and Ministers Renewable Fuels and Hydrogen industry Round Tables. AgForce’s submission to the Queensland Government’s Sustainable Liquid Fuel Strategy (SLFS) is advocating for farmer access to a renewable fuels market and Biofuel refinery HUBs along the regional coast.   
  • AgForce’s Transport Working Group sits on the on a number of industry panels, including the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR)’s Industry Reference Forum and has contributed to a number of state and national submissions in preservation and enhancement of the Queensland transport road framework. Two Submission referenced:
WORKFORCE
  • AgForce’s Ag Training, a Registered Training Organisation #1834 has created a Joint Venture with one of Australia’s leading agricultural training groups, Response Group. AgForce Training will deliver nationally recognised training to members, pathways for people into industry and ongoing industry professional development programs.
  • AgForce completed a number of cane member information sessions during the year, providing updates on local issues.

WHATS COMING IN 2024

AgForce in collaboration with other industry partners such as the National Farmers Federation (NFF) are advocating on a number of national issues affecting sugar cane production such as:

  • “Keep Farmers Farming”, is a federal campaign AgForce is supporting, to assist Aussie farmers reverse government policies that restrict farmers’ access to water, land or workers and make it harder to grow food and fibre for Australians.  
    • Farmers and industry can co-sign a letter of support to Anthony Albanese government, by registering and/or donating at Keep Farmers Farming.
  • AgForce Ag Training in 2024: https://ag.training/ Cane members have stated agricultural training is vitally important to industry, in order to keep up with best practice and grow production. Here are some of the training sessions we have organised for North Queensland for 2024.
    • Revised Cane Farm Start (Harvester and Haul-out training) – 4-day program,
    • Advocacy for a fully funded Ag Apprenticeship program.
    • One day Chem Card course (or 2-day course, weeds inclusion - available upon request).
    • Other Courses – Advertised soon, subject to demand:
      • Chainsaw training
      • Welding
      • Farm Safety
      • Machinery safety
      • Regional tech Hubs, delivering independent connectivity solutions.
  • State and Federal Budget submissions, assisting Queensland Farm business seek important funding for agriculture and ag business needs, i.e., regional development, transport, roads, infrastructure and supply chain, workforce access, i.e., Ag-apprentaships and viable farm insurance.
  • AgForce has been contributing to the development National Farmers Federation (NFF), “Competition Policy”. AgForce is advocating for the following positions:
    • Greater market competition, i.e., less monopolies.
    • The eliminate Unfair Trading Practices and Contract Terms,
    • Price Transparency (of Markets),
    • ACCC (or other government body) with improved powers and capabilities to enforce bad behaviour,
    • Greenwash Reporting, ("the practice of gaining an unfair competitive advantage by marking a financial product as environmentally friendly, when in fact basic environmental standards have not been met"),
    • Agency Agreements, and Access to Justice mechanisms.
    • NFF have been successful in gaining a commitment from the Federal Assistant Minister Andrew Leigh to revisit Australia’s “Competition Policy”.
  • AgForce is supporting the National Farmers Federation (NFF), in its endeavour to achieve a “Right to Repair” Farm Machinery - Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tractor and Machinery Association of Australia and Name Brands, e.g., John Deere Australia. This will allow localised access to repairers and parts of farm machinery.
  • GENERAL ADVOCACY, LOBBING AND AWARENESS IN 2024
    • Burdekin Water Plan and Regional Water Assessment, Strategic Planning Review
    • Sustainable Finance Strategy - Accounting for Nature and Reporting by farmers, banks and manufacturing etc, (AgCarE the defender)
    • Nature Repair Bill implications,
    • Land Access and farmers Right to Farm.
    • Biosecurity levy on sugar cane, prevent.
    • Renewable biofuels – access for farmers
    • Concessional farm Lending, including new entrants.
    • AgForce Podcast Series – Yarns from the Paddock.
    • And much more under resource link at www.agforceqld.org.au

AGFORCE CANE MEMBER BENEFITS

As an AgForce cane member you will receive a number of “Cane Service Benefits” and potential savings and special deals through our corporate partners. Find out more from our list below or call us on 07 3236 3100.

AGFORCE CANE SERVICES MEMBER BENEFITS:

  • Payroll Services
  • AgForce Cane Seed Farms: Access to disease-free cane farms in the Burdekin.
  • Crop Insurance – 6 cents per tonne
  • Water Perils Coverage
  • Property Valuation Assistance
  • Workforce – Industrial Relations support
  • Reef resources, i.e., Reef Audit factsheets and GeoPDF property maps.

AGFORCE MEMBER BENEFITS PROVIDED BY OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS:

TOYOTA

Producer members can access a fleet association discount on a range of Toyota vehicles, potentially saving thousands of dollars. Speak with your local Toyota dealer.

TELSTRA

AgForce members can have problems escalated to a dedicated Telstra representative, by speaking with your AgForce Regional Manager or by contacting AgForce Brisbane.

WFI

Members who choose WFI will receive an insurance rebate off their next AgForce membership renewal fee. 

NOBLEOAK

NobleOak Life Insurance has partnered with AgForce to offer a 10% lifetime discount* on quality, award-winning Life cover directly to members and their families. NobleOak only offers fully underwritten cover which means they will ask you a series of health and lifestyle questions and assess you at point of application instead of at claim time, meaning claims are processed within 5 business days on average.

THYNNE + MACARTNEY

A free 30-minute consultation with Thynne & Macartney lawyers, is available to AgForce members who have not previously used this service.

POLARIS

On arrival at a Polaris dealership, simply identify yourself as an AgForce member (with your current membership number) and choose either the Polaris AgForce member discount of 5% on a new Polaris and accessories fitted at purchase, or one of the existing seasonal promotional offers.

OLSSON INDUSTRIES

Olsson’s sponsor hundreds of free ruminant nutrition seminars all over Australia with the purpose of educating the grazier in better livestock nutrition. Olsson’s also provide a Free Call Nutritional Advisory Line (1800 804 096).

CLIPEX

Clipex is a 100% Australian family-owned company specialising in fencing and stockyards. They’re revolutionising the agricultural industry with innovative solutions and often patented products and features. AgForce members receive special pricing on the entire Clipex product range. Simply mention your AgForce membership number when you speak to our friendly team.

ISUZU

A Special Fleet discount to AgForce members on the purchase of any Isuzu Truck. For example:

VEHICLE LINE

GROSS VEHICLE MASS

DISCOUNT RANGE

N SERIES

4,500kg to 8,700kg

$14,223 to $28,394

F SERIES

10,700kg to 24,000kg

$31,332 to $74,383

FX/FY SERIES

16,500kg to 35,000kg

$48,323 to $74,828

IOR (Inland Oil Refinery)

IOR provides AgForce members with a competitive on-farm bulk fuel service, a comprehensive fuel management and self-bunded fuel storage solution, and 24/7 technical support. AgForce members are able to access a special discount on fuel purchased through the on-road IOR Diesel Network.

BOC (British Oxygen Company) - AgForce Top 5 Products

Material

Material Name

BOC List Price

AGFORCE Member Price

AGFORCE Savings/ Cylinder

020G

OXYGEN INDUST G SIZE

$ 305.67

$ 109.21

$ 196.46

065G

ARGOSHIELD UNIVERSAL G SIZE

$ 400.21

$ 214.51

$ 185.70

020E

OXYGEN INDUST E SIZE

$ 158.97

$ 53.26

$ 105.71

040G

DISSOLVED ACETYLENE G SIZE

$ 765.10

$ 293.55

$ 471.55

065E2

ARGOSHIELD UNIVERSAL E2 SIZE

$ 225.57

$ 130.80

$ 94.77

Note: Above pricing is current as of November 2023.

www.agforceqld.org.au/services