Producers tell the True Story

Since the state government unveiled its controversial vegetation management maps early in the year, producers have been compelled to defend their track record as genuine custodians of the land and carers of animals.

The government's new co-called trigger maps identify "high-risk" areas where endangered, vulnerable or near-threatened plant species are present or are likely to be present, meaning landowners are severely limited in what they can or cannot do on their own property.

A proactive group of central Queensland producers staffed a display at the Ekka In Brisbane last month to tell their story and debunk myths they are wreaking havoc in the bush.

It was the second consecutive Ekka outing for the initiative titled, A True Story... in which the producers promoted the agricultural industry as a world leader, innovator and an economic driver.

It could be presented at additional shows and even offered to educators if authorities agree and time permits, according to a spokeswoman.

Kate and John Ashton, Illamahta Station, Mt Coolon, said it was imperative to bridge the misinformation gap because "food shouldn't be political".

"We want to give the public the true facts on what we do as producers, that we do a bit more than just raise a cow, or a sheep, that we look after our land and that we are custodians of the environment," Mrs Ashton said.

"The public is starting to love our message.

"They are starting to realise we are the best managers of the land because we live it every day, we work it every day and we work it and manage it in the good times so we can get through the bad times."

Andrea and Carl Moller, Springvale, said the public show-and-tell was borne of frustration.

"The change to the vegetation management laws was the trigger for all of this and getting our message out came about because we were getting nowhere with the government," Mr Moller said.

"We needed to get the public onside so they could at least hear our story. A lot of people are completely unaware of the amount of regulations we face but True Stories shows them what we are about and what we do."

Brigid Price, Hillyvale Injune, said teachers were impressed by the virtual reality experience which takes a viewer out into the paddocks with cattle and crops.

"They would love to get it into the classroom so there is engagement with children who would understand where their food comes from," Ms Price said.

"Producers have been cast as environmental vandals and that's when it got emotional and personal and that's what producers reacted to and hence True Story came about.

"Producers needed to call out the politics and we had to realise that we were not telling our side, others were doing it for us. So we chose to be open and transparent and talk to the public and it's now about keeping the information going."

The True Story "cast" also includes Dyan Hughes, Collinsville, Nebo and Clermont; Elisha Parker, Eastmere Aramac; Cathie and Andrew Fernie, Riverview and Mirabilla Stations Clermont, Wirralee Station Aramac and Glenrobin Station Jericho; Robyn Simmons Avon Downs north of Clermont; Josie Angus, Kimberley Station Clermont, Cameron Hewitt, Hanging Rock Station Charters Towers, and Peter and Julie Anderson, Glenlea Downs, Clermont.