23 June 2026. Bellinda Callanan, AgForce South East Regional Director.
A 3-million dollar investment from the Queensland Government to look into the viability of the Emu Swamp Dam is good news for the South East.
We see it as an important step towards water security for the drought stricken Southern Downs Council area – the sooner the better as far as we are concerned.
Especially now that the Bureau of Meteorology has declared the El Niño in the Pacific Ocean.
Biosecurity issues are creating some problems in the South East.
Wild dog and feral pig numbers are climbing and that means damage to crops and issues for livestock.
AgForce has called for stronger enforcement of pest control measures in state lands to stop them spreading into agricultural areas.
We’re also working with representatives from Dalby Saleyards on tick management, to push for strengthened compliance.
Any arrival of ticky cattle at the clean saleyards is a significant problem.
We want to see an education and awareness campaign around producers’ General Biosecurity Obligation for tick management.
We are also happy to see that the Department of Primary Industries has increased its presence at the saleyards to check livestock and enforce regulations.
And we’ve had good attendance at a couple of events in the past few weeks, with a huge turn up at FarmFest and the casual Sundowner drinks, as well as the Innovation in Ag field day at Bell Golf Club.
A big thanks to our partners for their support in bringing these events and the tech to AgForce’s regional communities.
And finally, some much needed rain fell in May – the most all year in some parts.
That’s allowed forage and cereal crops to be planted and brought some confidence back to the livestock markets at Dalby and Warwick.
And at least there is some water in our tanks.
