ROMA-based property manager Anthony Dunn has given the federal government’s white paper the thumbs-up but says there will be need to be greater collaboration between industry, government and the private sector to achieve results.
“I am really encouraged by the white paper and believe it is a step in the right direction for Australian agriculture,” he said.
“I believe that with a co-operative approach this plan could benefit the entire ag sector greatly. My greatest passion is to grow opportunity for the younger generation to have a secure and prosperous future on the land and that’s what this document is all about.”
A fifth generation farmer, Mr Dunn is the livestock manager at Echo Hills – a highly regarded cropping and beef enterprise located north-east of Roma and owned by Peter and Nikki Thompson.
Mr Thompson said there was some “very good stuff” in the white paper but he said he was disappointed by the measures announced for multi-peril crop insurance and grain infrastructure.
“They have totally missed the opportunity to create a foundation for a good multi-peril crop insurance scheme, which is just so disappointing,” he said.
“I was also disappointed from a grain aspect that we are not addressing the rail and port issues in any state – but in general I liked the talk of dams and roads and general infrastructure.”
The Thompsons currently have 250ha of chickpeas, 450ha of wheat and 400ha of oats planted and say the crops are looking good considering the lack of in-crop rain.
“We haven’t had rain above double digits since the middle of March, so considering it is growing on summer moisture it is looking pretty good,” he said.
The Thompsons purchased an adjoining property, Nugget Hills, 18 months ago and plan to have 2500ha under cultivation in the next 12 months.
“Hopefully that will coincide with a rise in grain prices like we have seen with beef,” Mr Thompson said.
