10 February 2026. Lloyd Hick, AgForce Cattle Board President.
I'm pleased to inform you of some good news after the recent devastating floods through our state's north-west. Many cattle producers across Queensland are now finally moving beyond the immediate response phase of the disaster into the early stages of recovery.
For some, that recovery has been underway for close to a month; for others, it has literally only just begun as waters recede and access is slowly restored.
As with all flood events, the real work starts after the water goes down. Fencing, yards, roads and watering points all take time to rebuild, and the impacts linger far longer than headline reports for our communities and producers.
Recovery is rarely linear. Some properties return to near-normal operations quickly, while others face longer timelines because of isolation, supply chain constraints or ongoing access issues. We always seem to manage a rebuild and push on through though.
That is the strength of our industry - and how we don't forget to have a beer or a bbq along the way to ensure our bonds stay strong.
Alongside these ongoing recovery efforts, there is also growing concern about the recent outbreak of cattle tick in the Taroom region.
It's a stark reminder that biosecurity is a daily obligation for every producer and industry participant; that even with good protocols, outbreaks can still happen.
The cattle tick remains one of the most significant endemic pests affecting herd productivity. If routine practices are relaxed, even briefly, the consequences spread quickly.
Our industry's scale-valued at about $19 billion-depends on collective diligence. Strong on-farm biosecurity, from accurate record-keeping to robust muster and treatment protocols, protects individual businesses and underpins confidence along supply chains. It also strengthens our collective readiness to respond to exotic animal disease incursions.
As a final thought, market and weather commentary in the media remains highly active. Journalists seem to talk about the weather forecast almost more than we do.
But I would caution against acting too strongly on speculation and reactive decision-making. Headlines amplify uncertainty, particularly when global markets and seasonal outlooks change quickly.
Panic-driven responses often prove costly in hindsight. A more disciplined approach is to focus on the practical decisions immediately in front of our business, such as stock welfare, feed availability, operational cashflow and recovery priorities.
Queensland producers have managed floods, droughts and market volatility before. This current situation is no different.
While the broader outlook continues to evolve, progress will be made one paddock, one fence line and one decision at a time. Staying grounded in what can be controlled, while keeping an eye on longer-term lessons, remains the most reliable path through the long recovery phase.
