The potential for irrigated agriculture in north-west Queensland has long been talked about, with all levels of government eager to champion the ‘development of the north’ and the idea of a ‘northern food bowl’.
The AgForce Grains Board, along with AgForce Water Committee chair Kim Bremner, recently travelled to the north-west to see these opportunities first hand and to talk to primary producers in the area to learn more about their issues and assess how we can assist.
We met with Member for Mount Isa Robbie Katter, toured local properties and spent a lot of time with the Flinders River Agricultural Precinct Group, a group of cattle and sheep producers eager to diversify into cropping for harvest and to feed livestock.
There is certainly plenty of open country, good quality soils and a willingness from local producers to get development happening as soon as possible.
Access to water remains a critical factor, with more than 30 proponents missing out in the recent tender process for unallocated water from the Gulf catchment and only about three per cent of the water allocated being used so far.
With almost 150,000 megalitres still unallocated, AgForce is keen to engage with the Department of Natural Resources to ensure applicants who missed out are given feedback and assistance to be successful in the next round so we can unlock the region’s full agricultural and wider potential.
Another big challenge we picked up on during our visit was the skills gap and the lack of support services in the north that are readily available to grain growers in southern and central Queensland, whether that be agronomists, mechanics or chemical suppliers, to name just a few examples.
Local landholders have a strong desire to partner with farmers from other areas who can bring their knowledge and expertise to help develop sustainable irrigated agriculture in the region.
Finally, I’d like to remind all those with an interest in the grains industry that registrations will open soon for this year’s Grains Gala Dinner at the Goondiwindi Civic Centre on Friday September 1.
The 2016 dinner in Emerald was a fantastic event and this year’s event promises to be even bigger and better.
