3 March 2026. Michael Penna, AgForce North Director.
I write this From the AgForce desk column to you listening to the rain on the tractor roof, in one of the stickiest summers I can remember.
While some people might have thought this rain event has passed up here in the north, it's still very much in the present.
We had a very early start to the wet season - with strong rain coming since Boxing Day. And the weather, particularly along the east coast here, hasn't really let off since, and looks like it could keep going for another week at least.
There's even the possibility of a cyclone coming our way from the Coral Sea. We'll keep an eye on that and wait and see what happens. While we've had cyclones as late as March before they certainly don't come along very often.
In a lot of cane paddocks, it's probably getting close to the point of getting too wet. Although some parts of north-west Queensland have had very damaging flooding.
But in saying that we haven't had any damaging flooding, which has been good, and much better than last year. Last year was horrific for flooding along the East Coast.
All of this has really highlighted to me that it's been a bit of a tale of two stories. The sugar price has been really ordinary yet the cattle price has been really good, so again what's good for some is not so great for others.
The other big issue for us is the significant biosecurity risk from foreign boats coming up to the northern part of Australia.
It's a concern for all of us - but particularly our beef producers. If there was an incursion of lumpy skin or foot and mouth, it's going to devastate the beef industry in the northern part of Australia, and the rest of Australia will feel the repercussions.
Everyone up here has noticed how many more foreign boat incursions there have been of late. Biosecurity Queensland and the Federal Government seem to have upped the ante with increased flight activities and increased monitoring, but whether that's enough, I'm not sure.
Also the changes to the EPBC Act continue to keep us on our toes. A lot of producers in the Great Barrier Reef catchment could be greatly affected by the some of the rule changes.
We need to get clearer messaging from the powers that be about how that's going to be set out. We are in ongoing negotiations.
So here's to wishing everyone safety and hopefully a bit of light at the end of the tunnel for commodity prices, because grains have been down pretty well too. Let's hope this year leads to better commodity prices across the board for all.
