25 November 2025. Shane McCarthy, AgForce General President.
Looking back on the past year, I'm proud to say AgForce has continued to deliver for Queensland producers - advocating fiercely, adapting strategically, and strengthening the organisation for the future.
Our AGM in Blackall this week was a great success. It was fantastic to welcome Niki Ford for her first AGM as AgForce's new CEO. She brings enormous skill, fresh energy, and a clear vision for the future. Under Niki's leadership, AgForce is entering a new phase of operational renewal and strategic focus, built on financial sustainability, service excellence, and real member value.
We're already working with Niki to identify new income opportunities, including at our Belmont Research Station near Rockhampton, and to return it to its rightful potential. Her 100-day review will ensure AgForce reflects the values of our members and is positioned confidently for the next chapter.
It has been a big year for advocacy, and we've responded well to some enormous challenges. The devastating floods across Western and North-East Queensland isolated communities, destroyed infrastructure, and caused severe livestock losses. AgForce acted swiftly - engaging directly with councils, government agencies, and both the Prime Minister and Queensland Premier - to secure urgent support.
Our advocacy helped deliver emergency payments of up to $75,000 for affected producers and more than $190 million in joint State-Federal recovery funding for Western Queensland. We also secured flexibility in fencing and infrastructure repair grants, pushed hard on feral animal control, and backed mental health initiatives for impacted producers. These efforts show our greatest strength: neighbours helping neighbours, and producers standing strong for one another.
This year we also prevented the proposed expansion of stock routes during property ownership or freeholding changes - a major win for landholders. Through our Sustainability Policy Committee, we advanced work on an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework to ensure agriculture stays firmly in the climate and sustainability conversation.
In biosecurity, we continued to defend Buffel Grass from being listed as a weed of national significance, challenged relaxed U.S. beef import standards, and supported grain producers following Khapra beetle detection. Across our commodities we tackled a wide range of issues - EID and tag retention for sheep and goats, sugarcane bioenergy reviews, rising input costs, locust outbreaks, and more.
Earlier in the year, AgForce sent a delegation of cattle producers to Indonesia to strengthen relationships across the live trade. The visit was a great success, followed by a return trip from the Indonesian Ambassador to Cloncurry - the first time he had seen the breeding side of the industry. He was impressed by the professionalism and care of our producers, and even surprised to learn cattle come in more colours than white. He plans to return again next year.
As the advocacy landscape evolves, AgForce will evolve with it - staying proactive, constructive, and committed to securing a strong future for Queensland producers.
It has been a significant year - one that tested our resilience but proved our strength and unity. To every producer, volunteer, regional councillor, commodity board Director, policy committee member, our staff, and my fellow Board Directors - thank you for your trust, energy, and commitment.
Together, we will continue to lift Queensland agriculture - its resilience, its reputation, and its returns.
Remember: Every Family Needs a Farmer.
