11 May 2026. Janet Reddan, AgForce Southern Inland Director.
The main issues we are grappling with daily in Southern Inland Queensland are on the face of it - very similar to issues agriculturalists face all over the state. But of course it's how it plays out locally that matters.
For us the main issues are the EBPC Act, fuel and fertiliser, and dry weather.
The changes to the EPBC Act are still causing a lot of confusion. This ever-changing legislation is hard because we can't actually nut it out to say - this is how you do it. This is how you adjust.
There's so much angst that a lot of people are going out and knocking over their regrowth. There is a lot of fear out there, but that's also been exacerbated by the fuel situation which has put a stop to a lot of contractors. A lot of bulldozers have pulled up in our area as they realise with diesel at the price it is, they are no longer profitable.
We've asked for a bit of a leave pass for the EBPC Act changes coming in - particularly now with the price of fuel recently that's caused so much angst and complicated that even further.
And there's ripple effects too, like with the supply of poly pipe. People forget this worldwide crisis is not just strictly about fuel. It's petroleum products too. And this coincides with the dry weather we're experiencing as well. We've had very little water runoff. In half of my district, it's been the best season ever. The other half is absolutely horrid.
It's a huge contrast. Right now, people are getting very low on water. So we've got these ever-burgeoning costs involved with just supplying water to our stock.
Everyone needs a good two inches more rain to be able to plant. This time of year is generally a cutoff of sorts for winter crops. But instead we are reducing plantings in this area in SIQ. We've had to reduce fodder crops as well - the grazing oats and barleys.
While there was a bit of a sprinkle last week, which was lovely to settle the dust, it was nowhere near enough to bring relief.
On a positive note - it's showtime in our district. It's a great opportunity for people to not dwell on these things and instead get out and support the local communities that support you.
There's Roma and Mitchell, we've just had Wallumbilla, Taroom and Goondiwindi. AgForce has got representatives at all these local shows. We're even running the bar at the Mitchell Show! It really brings together the communities in these smaller towns and smaller areas.
So we'll see you there or hopefully at our Innovation in Ag Field Day at "Avenel" Roma on Wednesday June 17.
So much community volunteer hours go into the local shows. So get out there and support the shows, otherwise the shows aren't going to be here for you into the future. Don't dwell on the negative. Get out and enjoy yourselves.
