May was a significant month for the hub and the overall sentiment is positive due to a number of things.
For the first time since 2013, Queensland is drought free with the last of the drought impacted local government areas declared drought free on the 9th May by Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner. This offers a very welcome respite after 11 years of drought.
Climatologist and TNQ Drought Hub close associate Professor Roger Stone often recalls the wisdom of a grazier who said to him “many of our droughts start and finish with a flood”. History so far supports this. Roger points out that most of our droughts are associated with El Niño climate patterns, and then broken by flooding rains in above average La Niña years. These patterns can be clearly seen in the LongPaddock rainfall charts.
But what happened to the dry conditions that were expected from the El Niño this summer? This has been widely covered in the media, and in many articles from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Roger has a different perspective from most and has told us that “some key major and more intense El Niño years such as 1997/98 and this recent year (2023/24) did not produce major droughts. In fact, remarkably, these more intense El Niño periods were associated with high rainfall in many regions and not associated with major drought periods.” He has highlighted that “A key problem we therefore face, in my opinion, is that climate change models are not yet capable of predicting the future of El Niño (or of the opposite pattern, La Niña) under climate change. A reasonable assumption is that we will still experience droughts with some El Niño patterns but perhaps not with the more intense and strong El Niño patterns.” We can assume that droughts will continue to impact Queensland’s climate in the future, but we still need to learn more to fully understand changes to our rainfall patterns.
The best time to prepare for the next drought is now, when the rainfall is above average, as it is still highly likely that droughts will continue to start and finish with a flood. In terms of building resilience, soils health and land condition can be improved, production can be boosted, and funds can be put aside ready for the next drought. The better that reserves can be built now during better rainfall conditions, the better the resilience during the next drought.
Resilience is built over a number of years, of course, not just in a single season. It was therefore very pleasing to hear the Federal Government announce an eight-year investment of $519.1 million towards initiatives to support farmers and communities to continue to improve how they manage drought and adapt to climate change.
The long-term commitment of this funding announcement for drought preparedness is one of the best for decades. The Future Drought Fund continues to receive bipartisan support, having been initiated by the previous government and now supported and progressed further under the current Federal Government. This level of commitment provides the confidence that is needed to continue to work towards improving resilience.
For the hub, this means we can shift the focus of our work towards longer-term activities to support our communities, agricultural industry and researchers to help unlock new solutions and look for new answers around drought preparedness and resilience.
Until next time, keep safe and well.
David Phelps
Director
Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience grant recipients update
James Cook University researcher, Dr Jack Koci participated in Southern Gulf NRM’s ‘From the Ground Up’ workshop to provide an update on the university’s project which focuses on the causes of bare ground within the Southern Gulf region. One of the focal points is to investigate areas that are still slow to respond after the 2019 monsoon flood event and to identify if new innovative rehabilitation methods are needed to assist with best management grazing practices. The hub funded project is contributing to a larger project that focus on managing and rehabilitating rangelands that is constantly bare.
Gulf Savannah NRM recently ran a webinar that explores silvopasture — a system that combines commercial tree growing and livestock production, as part of their project that explores silvopasture as a drought resilience strategy. Silvopasture offers benefits including alternative animal feed sources and a new income stream for graziers. Watch the webinar.
Terrain NRM ran a demonstration day to showcase the Soilkee Renovator this week at Malanda. The Soilkee Renovator is a pasture cropping system that plants seasonal crops and pasture seeds into existing pastures. Growers got to see the Renovator in action and hear from the inventor and local farmer that is trialing the equipment. Find out more.
Drought Resilience Commercialisation Initiative – helping to launch new agtech innovators
Applications are now open for innovators with research, intellectual property, or groundbreaking ideas aimed at enhancing drought resilience in Australian agriculture.
The Drought Venture Studio, led by Beanstalk and supported by the TNQ Drought Hub, seeks to launch a new generation of agtech ventures focused on drought and climate resilience. Successful applicants will receive hands-on commercialisation support and the chance to be one of eight startups paired with experts to bring their drought resilience product or service to market.
Applications close 12 July 2024. To find out more, contact TNQ Drought Hub Agricultural Innovation and Commercialisation Program Lead, Tony Matchett, at tony.matchett@jcu.edu.au or 0438 482 728.
You can also register for an online information session that will outline the Drought Venture Studio mission, program, and approach to selecting innovators to participate.
When: Friday 7 June, 12pm AEST and Friday 5 July, 12pm AEST
Register: Friday 7 June, 12pm – Register here or Friday 5 July, 12pm – Register here
F2F TEKFARM – identifying challenges to on-farm technology uptake
Primary producers and Agtech companies who are looking to increase drought resilience through the uptake of proven technologies, are encouraged to participate in a new project presented by Farmers2Founders and supported by the TNQ Drought Hub.
F2F TEKFARM aims to help primary producers identify on-farm challenges, build capability, and accelerate the uptake of agricultural technologies that enhance drought resilience through optimised profitability and productivity.
With space still available for both primary producers and agtech companies, TNQ Drought Hub Agricultural Innovation and Commercialisation Program Lead, Tony Matchett says, “it’s a great opportunity for a producer to work with an expert to develop an adoption plan that focuses on solutions specific to their business needs.”
Find out more or get touch with Tony, at tony.matchett@jcu.edu.au or 0438 482 728.
Hub Highlight - Beef Australia 2024
The TNQ Drought Hub recently attended Beef Australia 2024 in Rockhampton to highlight the hub’s drought resilience activities and meet with producers, researchers, and key stakeholders across the beef sector.
The hub’s Agricultural Innovation and Commercialisation team, along with the Adoption Officers, spent the week networking with agtech industry representatives and discussing challenges and opportunities with producers to understand some of the challenges and opportunities the beef sector is currently facing
Hub Director Professor David Phelps also attended and emphasised the importance of events like Beef Australia in facilitating knowledge exchange and ensuring North Queensland’s perspectives are well-represented.
“Beef Australia provides an invaluable opportunity for the TNQ Drought Hub to share insights, collaborate with industry experts, and broaden our perspectives to improve our efforts in North Queensland,” said David.
“Given the unique challenges faced by farmers and producers in the north, it is important to amplify their voices and viewpoints at industry gatherings like this.”
Throughout the week, the hub hosted three presentations featuring four guest speakers during the week covering succession planning, university students’ journeys in agriculture and updates on the hub’s work.
The Farm and Succession Planning presentation led by Natalie Hughes from the Rural Financial Counselling Service North Queensland and Connie Navarro from Connie Navarro Legal, received high praise. One participant described the advice as ‘life-changing’ due to the interactive nature of the talk. Watch the presentation recording.
The Journey of a JCU Student in the Agriculture Industry presentation featured TNQ Drought Hub Honours Scholarship recipient and Southern Gulf NRM Project Officer, Lucy Gardner and JCU PhD student and Wi-Sky QLD Director, William Harrington. They shared their career and study experiences and highlighted the importance of taking up opportunities event when uncertain.
“At its core, events like Beef Australia serve as a pathway for exploring collaborative efforts and fostering fresh ideas,” added David. “This enables us to bring innovative concepts back to our region to better support landholders and farmers, ensuring no one is left behind when it comes to drought-preparedness.”
Integrated Pest Management Workshop, 7 May, Cooktown
Regional Soils Coordinator (RSC) Dhiraj Gajera was invited to the Integrated Pest Management Workshop organised by Cape York NRM in Cooktown. This workshop was part of the two-year Smart Farms Small Grants: Soil Extension Activities Project carried out in the Endeavour Valley.
The workshop covered a range of important topics including integrated pest management, the National Soils Strategy, soil test interpretations, and soil health, fertility and nutrients availability.
Integrated pest management is an environmentally friendly approach to managing crops. Its main goal is to solve pest problems or keep them below economic injury levels while limiting unwanted effects on the environment and on human health. It incorporates various biological, chemical, physical and cultural techniques.
Dhiraj praised the workshop, stating, “It was a great workshop covering very important themes to prioritise soil health and build the capacity and capability of growers. They were particularly interested in learning about beneficial insects and holding future field trips.”
Following the workshop, Dhiraj has been able to assist growers in identifying unfamiliar insects and larvae, further supporting their efforts in sustainable farming practices.
If you have any soils health questions, contact Dhiraj Gajera, at dhiraj.gajera@jcu.edu.au or 0424 018 003.
ESG One-on-one, 20-21 May, Mackay
ESG expert and hub Senior Research Officer, Ana Leite De Almeida and Reef Catchments Drought Resilience Coordinator, Carlos Bueno have been out visiting several sugarcane farmers who attended the ‘ESG on Farm’ workshop in Mackay in December last year.
The purpose of the visit was to meet and go through a new one-on-one activity with those farmers who are interested in completing an ESG analyse, and to better understanding what would be the easiest and most effective way for farmers to adopt the ESG on Farm framework.
Ana and Carlos worked with the farmers to apply the framework to their individual business. Ana said, “It’s so important to continue working with the farmers who are interested in implementing these ESG practices. As one of them said to me, he wants to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.
“By working directly with the farmers, some have been able to identify opportunities for reducing environmental impacts and to implement more sustainable management.
From the Ground Up, 21-22 May, Cloncurry
Node partner, Southern Gulf NRM in collaboration with Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry hosted a workshop and field day at Cloncurry focusing on soil restoration and rangeland management. The event highlighted strategies to enhance drought resilience through improved soil health.
At the workshop, RSC Dhiraj Gajera presented on crucial topics including soil acidity, nutrient retention, organic matter, structurally unstable and sodic soils, and the factors contributing to soil health decline. He also shared practical methods for improving soil health.
Additional presentations covered soil crust and the biology makeup that can contribute to soil health, the significance of understanding plants species in paddocks and various project updates focusing on restoration.
Participants then attended a field day at Lara Downs near Julia Creek to view the recovery efforts focused on Mitchell grass downs country following the 2019 floods. The group also practiced plant identification, witnessed a drone demonstration for identifying Mitchell grass tussocks and explored a legume trial site. These hands-on activities emphasised the importance of adaptive land management practices in enhancing drought resilience.
Mulgowie Farming Company Visit, 22-23 May, Bowen and Home Hill
The hub’s Agricultural Innovation & Commercialisation team, Tony Matchett and Kara-Glenn Worth, along with the Northern Adoption Officer, Keerah Steele, embarked on an insightful visit to Mulgowie Farming Company’s farms in Bowen and Home Hill. Their visit focused on sharing insights and learnings to identify diversification opportunities and potential areas of innovation for Mulgowie’s future business endeavors.
Mulgowie Farming Company, known for its sustainable and innovative practices, currently grows Sweet Corn, Green Beans, Broccoli, Pumpkin and other assorted vegetables with consumer-led values in mind ensuring both quality produce and environmental stewardship.
Leveraging on their technical, on the ground expertise in horticulture and livestock production, the team were able to help with strategic planning focusing on resilience and adaptability for current and future commodities in light of changing climate conditions through My Climate View and other predictive modelling applications.
The team will continue to work with Mulgowie Farming Company on future diversification opportunities.
Curious about innovative opportunities for your own farm or property business? Reach out to Program Lead Tony Matchett at tony.matchett@jcu.edu.au or call 0438 482 728.
Tropical North and North West Queensland Decarbonisation and Regional Development Showcase, 27 & 29 May, Cairns and Townsville
Last week, TNQ Drought Hub Director David Phelps attended the Decarbonisation and Regional Development Showcase’s which highlighted energy, infrastructure, mining and agricultural opportunities across Tropical North and North West Queensland. The showcase’s focused on how these opportunities link to the newly formed Queensland Decarbonisation Hub (The Decarb Hub).
The Decarb Hub brings together seven universities to drive research and innovation efforts to meet the state’s climate targets to boost renewable energy sources and achieve net zero by 2050.
Speakers emphasised the importance of collaboration and involvement of traditional owners, local communities and landholders in transitioning towards a more sustainable future through a multidisciplinary approach.
David underlined the significance of this work and said, “This is an important initiative to support development opportunities within our region through decarbonisation. We will work with the Decarb Hub to create strong linkages into the agriculture sector to make sure the sector’s voice is being heard to help meet this challenge and ensure we are all benefiting from decarbonisation mechanisms.”
Find out more about the Decarb Hub.
What’s Next?
Check out our Events calendar to see what’s happing in the agricultural industry around Tropical North Queensland and throughout the country. Some upcoming events to keep an eye out on are;
- Northern Beef Producers Expo, 7-8 June, Charters Towers
- Richmond Field Days and Races, 14-15 June, Richmond
- Small Business Disaster Recovery Summit, 17 June, Rockhampton
- Tropical Innovation Festival, 17 -21 June, Cairns
- Reboot my Soil Online Course, starting 24 June, Online
- Native Foods Workshop: Unveiling Commercial Opportunities, 25 June, Rockhampton
Agtech Insights
Read our latest post on AgTech Insights where we look into:
- The 3G network shutdown approaching and what it means for AgTech?
- Data Interoperability Framework for agricultural traceability
- Smart farms: improving data-driven decision making in agriculture
- AgTech So What? and AgTech Finder podcast Highlights
Read the latest edition of AgTech Insights
Apply Now! Grants, Programs amd EOI's
- Help contribute to the future well-being of Cape York Peninsula. Cape York NRM is embarking on the development of a new Land and Water Plan for managing natural resources on Cape York Peninsula. The plan will provide a framework for supporting natural resource management at all scales across the region, to maintain and improve the health and productivity of the land, waters, soils, habitats and biodiversity. Complete the questionnaire.
- Hort Innovation’s 2024 Grower and Partner Survey is Hort Innovation’s primary, regular mechanism for feedback, and the results help them to deliver value and impact for growers, invest strategically to address challenges and opportunities, and ultimately help the industry we all care about to prosper. Complete the survey.
- The Queensland Government-sponsored SBAA Digital Upskilling Hub provides free access to a variety of digital learning tools for Queensland residents. Whether you’re a student, a professional, a business owner, an employee, or simply interested in technology, the centre is the place to go for free, high-quality education.
- SRA Weed Survey will help SRA prioritise research investment to develop future weed management strategies. The project aims to deliver anonymized data about the number of major weed species, their distribution and severity across the industry. This will help SRA prioritise research investment for specific weed problems. Complete the survey.
- You are invited to participate in a project Investigating the PFAS burden in livestock raised on biosolid-amended pastures. The University of Queensland and The University of Adelaide are looking for 60 sheep and cattle producers or feedlots that have used wastewater treatment plant effluent/ biosolids on their pastures in the past 10 years to assess the levels of the chemical group PFAS in sheep and cattle across Australia. The testing is free and results will be made readily available to those who participate. Published data will be made completely anonymous. For more information contact Josh Tynan j.tynan@uq.edu.au 0416 246 743
The TNQ Hub can provide Letters of Support (LoS) to assist with your application. Please email details of your application and how it applies to future drought resilience to tnqhub@jcu.edu.au and we will supply a LoS if applicable.
Are you looking for funding to enable your idea to become a reality? Visit the following Regional Development Australia initiative to find grants available in the TNQ Drought Hub region.
- RDA Townsville and North West Queensland Grant Finder
- RDA Tropical North Grants
- RDA Greater Whitsundays
TNQ Hub has worked with our NRM Node and industry partners to develop regional priorities. These are a useful resource in writing grant applications.
Resources
Hort Innovation has developed a portal to support growers and the broader horticultural industry through the forecast dry times by providing a suite of resources and information to inform decision making.
TNQ Drought Hub Nodes
