A virtual catalogue on a national food industry website will allow export ready Queensland food and beverage suppliers to connect online with international markets. Read more
Irrigation project saves water for Queensland growers
The $32.54 million Mareeba-Dimbulah Efficiency Improvement Project to enhance water delivery to over 17,000ha of far north Queensland farmland has been completed. Read more
Queensland wines – a vintage way to celebrate the nation
The Queensland government has encouraged revellers to add some distinctive Queensland flavours to their Australia Day celebrations, in recognition of the state’s vibrant wine industry. Read more
Virtual trade mission positions agri-food exporters for growth in Korea
The Queensland government has launched its second virtual agriculture and food trade mission, with a focus on Korea. Read more
Currumbin Valley Brewing taps into Business Boost grant
Currumbin Valley Brewing, a Gold Coast brewery, have received a $15,000 Business Boost grant from the Queensland government to plan a new taproom, kitchen and brewery production facility. Read more
Growers go nuts for new macadamia varieties
The Australian macadamia industry is flourishing as tree sales soar, with as many as 2.5 million trees to be established across growing regions in Queensland and New South Wales over the next few years. Read more
Exclusive licence on offer for three new mango varieties
The Queensland government is offering three elite mango varieties for commercial development, which were developed under the National Mango Breeding Program. Read more
New program aims to grow Queensland’s agriculture workforce
Migrants, refugees and international students will be supported to find work in southwest Queensland’s agricultural sector as part of the Queensland government’s Diverse Queensland Workforce program. Read more
Queensland’s sheep and goat meat industry to double in value
The Queensland government has backed the state’s sheep and goat meat industry to double the value of production to $150 million per annum and create over 100 new jobs in regional communities. Read more
Supercharging rapid airfreight access for producers in Cairns
Air Freight Handling Services (AFHS) is calling for tenders to construct a new Regional Trade Distribution Centre (RTDC) in Cairns, to supercharge rapid airfreight access for agricultural producers. Read more
New program aims to grow Queensland’s online agri-food sales
Toowoomba Food Leaders Australia and the Ipswich Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN) are partnering with the Queensland government to help up-skill producers and suppliers in e-commerce and support agriculture jobs, via a new program. Read more
Farmfresh Fine Foods fights back on frozen imported food
Farmfresh Fine Foods, a Bundaberg fresh food processor, will expand its facilities to enhance its production and packaging capabilities through support from the Queensland government. Read more
How to solve agricultural challenges with Agtech and Logistics
A new Agtech and Logistics Hub based in Toowoomba, Queensland is preparing to scour Australia to solve real-world challenges in the agricultural industry, bridging the gap between research and industry adoption. Read more
Queensland primary producers supported for 2032 Olympic Games
Primary producers in Queensland’s food and fibre industries will have the opportunity to showcase before a global audience, with the state winning hosting rights for the 2032 Olympic Games. Read more
Oyster Growers Association trials new environmental monitoring
The Queensland government will provide a $44,416 Digital Transformation Grant to the Queensland Oyster Growers Association, to fast-track a trial of internet-connected monitoring systems. Read more
New Toowoomba Wellcamp RTDC streamlines paddock-to-freight process
The $17.8 million Toowoomba Wellcamp Regional Trade Distribution Centre (RTDC) has officially opened, which will provide Queensland’s primary regional producers with access to key international markets. Read more
Bundaberg AgTech Hub to provide farmers with new tech solutions
The Bundaberg Regional Council has launched the new AgTech Hub at Bargara in Queensland, unlocking agricultural technology for local farmers across the region. Read more
CSIRO creates DNA test to better manage wild fish populations
The CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has developed a DNA test to determine a fish’s age, improving management of wild fish populations for conservation or harvest. This will help maintain sustainability in fishery supply chains. Read more
Taste of Queensland event allows virtual pitches to food exporters
Trade fair, Taste of Queensland, has gone online this year with exporters and importers negotiating via online meetings. Over 60 Queensland companies have pitched a variety of food and drink products to importers and distributers in 12 major Asian cities. Read more
Queensland research station helps farmers produce better strawberries
Research at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Applethorpe research facility is helping Queensland farmers produce more attractive, flavoursome and robust strawberries.
Queensland government minister for agricultural industry development, Mark Furner, said the government’s Australian strawberry breeding program was targeting three major strawberry production regions – temperate, subtropical and Mediterranean – to get the best fruit.
“Breeding trials at Applethorpe during 2018 have developed two new varieties, Summer Song and Scarlet-silk, which are being trialled this season by strawberry producers in Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia,” he said.
“In addition, our strawberry breeding team has just commenced a new five-year, $8.6m national strawberry varietal development program, co-funded by Hort Innovation, to deliver new and improved varieties to all production regions in Queensland,” said Furner.
READ: Monash University researches why people find some foods disgusting
More broadly, Queensland’s $3 billion fruit and vegetable production industry had benefitted from research into a range of issues.
The department’s researchers are involved in important projects to support and enhance Queensland’s reputation for producing some of the world’s safest produce, said Furner.
“The Applethorpe Research Facility is the hub of research activity for a $16.6 million five-year project to improve the resilience of crops against viral and bacterial diseases.
“This will see the development of an area wide management strategy to address high priority viral and bacterial diseases affecting vegetable crops,” he said.
“Project work is undertaken in all major Queensland vegetable production areas, including Applethorpe, and will give industry the latest recommendations on disease occurrence and management.”
Applethorpe was also renowned for the development of the disease-resistant Kalei apple, said Furner.
“The Kalei is currently being commercialised by Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL), the same company looking after Pink Lady on a global scale,” he said.
“We are still evaluating other promising disease resistant lines from this initial breeding program which commenced 25 years ago.
“The department is also working on high density growing systems including trellises, researching rootstocks, plant densities, row spacing and crop load management to maximise yields. The trials show the potential of producing 100t/ha where industry common practice has only resulted in half that amount,” he said.