From the Director
It’s been a busy month for the team at the hub. We have been planning a unique evokeAG sideline event, Millennia of Ag Innovation. This collaborative event will bring together traditional owners, contemporary farmers, AgTech developers, and stakeholders to explore cutting-edge agricultural innovations while fostering collaboration across diverse sectors of farming.
Our programs have also been busy with delivering their activities, projects and events. You can read all about them in our Latest News. Some recent highlights include Indigenous Business Month, Sandpit to Seed, the Indigenous Australian Datathon, Ag Succession workshops and AgValuate.
We celebrated National Agriculture Day where we asked the team to share with us ‘what ag means to them’. With such a diverse set of skills throughout the team and many different backgrounds, it was touching to see connection to community and the land was the main theme that everyone spoke to.
It’s this connection to communities and land that keeps us grounded in the work that we do at the hub with our partners.
December 5th is World Soil Day. This day reminds us of the importance of measuring, monitoring and managing soil in a sustainable way. Soil is essential for the food that we eat, for the environment, for biodiversity and for the health of the planet.
I would like to invite all our supporters to take part in our Annual Stakeholder Survey. If you are someone who has attended a hub related workshop or event, participated in a hub project or activity, read a newsletter or follow us social media – we are eager to hear your thoughts and feedback, so we understand what we are doing well and what needs improvement.
Your feedback will help us to build resilience across the region.
Until next time, keep safe and well.
David Phelps
Director
Hub Highlight - Millennia of Ag-Innovation
Key takeaways
- Millennia of Ag-Innovation, 10-11 February 2025, Cairns is a sideline event supporting evokeAG 2025
- The event will explore the intersection of traditional knowledge and cutting-edge agricultural technologies
- Exhibitors, sponsors, speakers and attendees are encouraged to register their EOI
Farmers, AgTech innovators and industry stakeholders in Queensland’s agricultural sector are being encouraged to take part in the first-ever First Nations-led AgTech showcase being held in Cairns on 10-11 February 2025, with expressions of interest now open.
The Millennia of Ag-Innovation event, facilitated by the TNQ Drought Hub in collaboration with key partners, will explore the intersection of traditional knowledge and cutting-edge agricultural technologies.
The showcase aims to highlight groundbreaking First Nations initiatives and demonstrate how the fusion of traditional practices with modern AgTech can drive sustainable advancements across the sector.
TNQ Drought Hub Director Professor David Phelps said the Millennia of Ag-Innovation event, which is being funded by AgriFutures Australia, is part of a larger effort to spotlight First Nations innovation and collaboration within the industry.
“The Millennia of Ag-Innovation event aims to bring together First Nations farmers, contemporary producers, and AgTech developers to advance sustainable agricultural practices and showcase the innovative technologies shaping the future of our region,” said Professor Phelps.
Drought Resilience in Action
2024 Indigenous Australian Datathon explores innovative solutions to critical challenges affecting Indigenous communities across Australia
On the 3-5 November, over 180 participants gathered at James Cook University in Cairns for the Indigenous Australian Datathon (IAD) 2024, to explore the powerful intersection of innovation, traditional knowledge, and technology to solve real-world indigenous community challenges.
Teams made up of data professionals, Indigenous community members and businesses, and students, collaborated to devise data-driven and AI-powered solutions, merging cutting-edge technology with deep cultural insights to create impactful outcomes tailored to the unique needs of Indigenous communities.
The TNQ Drought Hub was proud to provide support and participate in this year’s Indigenous Australian Datathon.
Soil Erosion Control Workshops equip producers with practical skills
Southern Gulf NRM partnered with renowned expert Darryl Hill to deliver two impactful soil erosion workshops at Morella Station and Villadale Station.
Darryl shared over 40 years of knowledge and practical experience using graders and machinery to achieve safe, effective, and low-maintenance construction solutions for erosion management.
In addition to the hands-on sessions, attendees received updates on Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience-funded projects, including Southern Gulf NRM’s “Satellite-Based Water Analysis and Drought Planning in Northwest QLD” and James Cook University’s “Evaluating the drivers of persistent bare soil in the Southern Gulf to inform rehabilitation and build drought resilience”.
Sandpit to Seed funding enhances AI projects for land managers
Throughout 2024, the TNQ Drought Hub partnered with James Cook University to deliver Sandpit to Seed – a fund designed to support the development of Proof of Concept, Prototype or Minimum Viable Product projects.
The fund focused on JCU researchers working on an innovative idea or research outcome aimed at enhancing the sustainability of the agriculture and food industry in Tropical North Queensland, directly benefiting the region’s producers and farmers. Two projects were selected;
EcoSprAI, is a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution that uses AI-driven image analysis and GIS mapping to revolutionise spraying practices.
BeefVantage is an artificial intelligence chatbot that leverages cutting-edge AI and natural language processing to provide beef producers with tailored, actionable advice through humanlike responses to questions and prompts.
Brewing ideas and opportunities in the Torres Strait with Indigenous Business Month
Program Coordinator, Jen McHugh was pleased to represent the Hub’s Sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program at the Black Coffee event on Thursday Island, held as part of the 2024 Indigenous Business Month.
The gatherings bring together Indigenous business owners, professionals, and their supporters to “yarn,” exchange ideas, and build relationships with the goal of fostering growth and creating new opportunities.
TNQ Drought hub was invited to connect, share ideas, and participate in conversations around future opportunities in the Torres Strait region
Sarina succession workshop helps farmers for the future
Reef Catchments and TNQ Drought Hub joined forces to host an interactive Succession Planning Workshop in Sarina on 7 November, providing local farmers with the knowledge on how to plan an effective succession transition.
Led by succession expert Scott Patterson, the event delivered practical strategies tailored to the agricultural sector, sparking meaningful discussions and hands-on learning.
For those unable to attend in person, a 1-hour online webinar was hosted by Scott. View a recording of the webinar.
REGISTER NOW: Free Soil Workshop, Lakeland, 9 December
for a FREE Soil Workshop
When:12pm – 3pm, Monday 9 December, lunch provided
Where: Lakeland Hall
Regional Soils Coordinator Dhiraj Gajera will be joining Cape York NRM for an informative soil workshop to talk about soil, plant disease and integrated pest management.
Bring a soil sample and have your questions ready!
For further information and to register, please contact Jayme Burkett on 0477 720 359 or email jayme.burkett@capeyorknrm.com.au
REGISTER NOW: Property Management Workshop, Emerald, 11 December
Topics include;
- The importance of herd records and what the information can tell you about herd and overall business performance
- What drives profit in a CQ beef business
- Difference between management and compliance accounts
- Understanding regional industry performance
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST: Gulf Savannah Ag Succession Workshop
Gulf Savannah NRM are working with succession expert Scott Patterson to provide you with practical solutions and strategic advice on how to manage your unique succession journey.
Submit your expression of interest for either a face-to-face workshop or online consultation by contacting
Mandy Pickering mandy.pickering@gulfsavannahnrm.org
Agtech Insights
Read the latest edition of Agtech insights where we look into:
- MLA’s $6.5M Foragecaster Project
- Exploring drone technology in livestock mustering
- Military-Grade Satellites: Fighting Weeds
- Build Your App with Replit
- plus more
Get Involved
- Survey: Well-being, the ‘future of work’ and resilience Study. You are invited to participate in a research study conducted by Someek Basu, a researcher at James Cook University. This study aims to find out links between well-being, the ‘future of work’ and resilience to compare workplaces in far north Queensland. Complete the survey.
- Survey: Kangaroos and Farms Study. University of Technology Sydney is undertaking a study to understand the diverse experiences, challenges, and solutions for managing kangaroos while running successful farms and want to hear from commercial farmers from across QLD, NSW, ACT, SA, and VIC. Complete the online survey or for more information email kangaroosurvey@uts.edu.au
- Survey: TNQ Drought Hub Annual Stakeholder Survey. The TNQ Drought Hub invites you to take part in our stakeholder survey. We are keen to hear your thoughts and feedback, so we understand what we are doing well and what needs improvement. Your feedback will help us to continue building drought resilience. Responses will be de-identified. Complete the survey.
- EOI: Digital Beef Project. University of Queensland, Sapien Technology and Cibo Labs are interested in understanding how stock managers and station owners manage stocking levels. Interested in participating or want more information? Reach out to digitalbeef@sapien.com.au to learn more.
- Tool: ESG Rapid Assessment. The TNQ Drought Hub has developed an easy to use, rapid ESG assessment specifically for small business farmers. This tool is designed to help small business farmers quickly adopt ESG standards and enhance their sustainable farming practices. Complete your rapid assessment.
Where applicable, we can provide Letters of Support to assist with your applications. Email tnqhub@jcu.edu.au with details of your application and how it applies to future drought resilience.
To find more grants available in the TNQ region, visit the following organisations.
- Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
- RDA Townsville and North West Queensland Grant Finder
- RDA Tropical North Grants
- Greater Whitsunday Grant Finder
TNQ Drought Hub has worked with our NRM Node and industry partners to develop regional priorities. These are a useful resource when writing grant applications.
Upcoming Events
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;
- Property Management Workshop, 11 December, Emerald
- Carbon, cattle and sustainability, 3-6 December, Arcadia Valley, Lochington, Blackwater, Calliope
- Carbon in Agriculture: Understanding ecosystem opportunities for business, 5 December, Online
- World Soils Day, 5 December, Silkwood
- FREE Soil Workshop, 9 December, Lakeland
Lakeland Hall - SAVE THE DATE: Millennia of Ag Innovation, 10-11 February, Cairns
- SAVE THE DATE: CQ AgTech Showcase 2025, 14-16 February, Emerald
- SAVE THE DATE: EvokeAG, 18-19 February, Brisbane
- SAVE THE DATE: Western Cape Futures Symposium, 7-8 May, Weipa
- SAVE THE DATE: Governance Essentials, Online, 2 April – 11 June
Resources
Take a few minutes to brush up on your weather warnings in the lead up to the wet season.
The Bureau of Meteorology issue warnings when weather conditions have the potential to threaten lives and property. But different weather calls for different warnings. It’s important to read warnings carefully to make sure you understand them and get the most out of what’s in them. Read more.
TNQ Drought Hub Node Partners
