National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President David Jochinke received a taste of the sweet life when he visited the heart of Queensland sugarcane country earlier this week.
A grain and livestock farmer from Victoria, Mr Jochinke enjoyed some beautiful Queensland sunshine while visiting farms throughout the Burdekin region, where he caught up with local Canegrowers members.
The NFF president, who was in town for the Canegrowers Burdekin AGM on Tuesday, learned firsthand of the challenges and opportunities facing Queensland’s sugarcane industry.
“It was great to have David here visiting farmers so he could hear directly from growers about the work they are doing and their hopes and plans for the future,” Canegrowers Chairman Owen Menkens said.
“As a founding member of the National Farmers’ Federation, Canegrowers has very strong ties with the organisation, and we work extremely closely with the NFF on national issues that impact our members and agriculture more widely.”
Following visits to several farms in the region, Mr Jochinke will head back to the Canegrowers Burdekin office to meet staff and directors before addressing the AGM.
Mr Jochinke said given sugarcane was Queensland’s second largest agricultural export, he was keen to get firsthand insights into what makes the industry tick.
“There is a deluge of bad policy ideas being thrown at farmers from decision-makers in Canberra. It’s why I launched the unprecedented campaign, Keep Farmers Farming on my first day in the job as NFF President," Mr Jochinke said.
"I enjoyed hearing directly from cane growers on what issues are keeping them up at night and where they see their sector as we head towards our industry-wide goal to reaching $100 billion by 2030.
“I’ve been highly impressed by the positivity from the cane community with the growers I was able to meet here in the Burdekin, who are incredibly invested in the success of the industry and in investing in their farms.
“Agriculture in the region is in good hands,” he said.
Mr Jochinke said that workforce shortages were a key concern for growers.
“Access to a skilled workforce is one of the hardest challenges for the horticulture and agriculture producers to overcome,” he said.
“Especially in high-production areas like the Burdekin.
“Infrastructure relating to moving equipment and produce was also a common concern shared by growers.”
On Wednesday Mr Jochinke also met with the local Burdekin Council.
“Regional councils across Australia are all facing an enormous battle when it comes to the amount of infrastructure and maintenance they are expected to upkeep with little support from state and federal governments.
“They have this mammoth task of providing the libraries, pools and infrastructure critical to communities with their income coming largely from rates.
“We can’t let rates get out of control for our farmers and regional communities, but local governments need stronger financial support from other levels of government, it’s a huge problem faced by regional councils.”
National Farmers’ Federation President David Jochinke (right) with Home Hill cane farmer Mark Barbagallo
David Jochinke and Canegrowers Chair Owen Menkens
