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From ‘where you are’ to ‘where you want to be’
Farming comes with enough uncertainty. From crops, staff, machinery, audits, and getting produce to market, it can be difficult to take a step back and ask: “Where are we now? Where do we want to be? And how do we get there?”
Collaboration cultivates grower learnings across the state
Throughout 2025, 130 horticulture growers across the Great Barrier Reef Catchment - from Gympie in the south to Tolga and Mareeba in the north - rolled up their sleeves for hands-on, peer-to-peer workshops focused on sharpening pest management practices.
On-farm safety is everyone’s responsibility
Strong attendance from Lockyer Valley farm owners, operators and Human Resources representatives at the recent Getting Farm Safety Right training event in Gatton shows that growers understand their responsibility to lead from the front on safety.
Red Valley Farms: Growing a legacy from the ground up
In the rich volcanic soils of Lakeland, three hours north of Cairns, Red Valley Farms stands as a powerful example of what long-term vision, calculated risk, and family commitment can achieve.
Local fertiliser solution on the horizon
With fertiliser costs rising and supply becoming increasingly uncertain, growers are being forced to rethink how they secure one of their most critical inputs. An Australian company, PlasmaLeap Technologies, is developing a different approach - one that could bring fertiliser production closer to the farm.
Funding helps line the path to water security
The Caamaño family have seen their fair share of farming’s ups and downs over the last 40-plus years. From farming vegetables, citrus, and now coffee in Queensland’s Far North, Debbie, José and family have seen cyclones, frosts and everything in between.
Training program puts growers’ needs in the driver’s seat
The wheels are turning on the Skilled to Drive program that will see 10 Lockyer Valley locals trained, licenced, and farm-ready within 10 weeks.
Incentive funding to support on-farm improvements
Across the state, growers continue to invest in improving soil health, minimising erosion and sediment runoff, and increasing nutrient and pesticide efficiency, supporting both productive farming systems and better environmental outcomes.
Support for growers needed to keep fresh food on supermarket shelves
Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) says pressure continues to build for horticulture growers despite recent Federal Government measures aimed at supporting freight and input costs.
Payroll tax settings not working for the regions
Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) is calling on the State Government to review payroll tax settings and adopt a more reasonable compliance approach, warning that current arrangements are creating inequity and placing additional pressure on growers already battling soaring input costs.
Balancing complexity when every link counts
Queensland horticulture relies on a finely balanced supply chain. Growers need efficient, predictable transport to move produce from farm to market. When that chain is disrupted - by fuel spikes or supply chain shocks - the impact is felt immediately at the farm gate.
General Protections claims on the rise
General Protections (GP) claims continue to rise at a pace that is outstripping other Fair Work Commission (FWC) applications, prompting procedural changes from both the Commission and the Federal Court.
When the cost of getting to work becomes a barrier
Rising fuel prices are starting to show up in the workplace in a very real way. We’re increasingly hearing from growers that employees are raising concerns about the cost of simply getting to work.
Workforce options following a natural disaster
For growers impacted by the recent weather events it is important to understand how to best manage your skilled workforce and not lose good employees.
Enough talk, it’s time for action: Queensland growers are at breaking point
Queensland horticulture growers have been dealing with rising input costs for years. Now, surging fuel prices, and critical input shortages are compounding those pressures, pushing farms to breaking point, threatening jobs and the state’s long-term supply of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Payroll tax relief a cashflow lifeline for Queensland horticulture growers
Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) is calling on the Queensland Government to introduce temporary payroll tax relief for primary producers in declared disaster zones, saying the measure would provide an immediate boost to farm cashflow and help growers recover faster.
Protecting Your Business in 2026: The HR/IR Risks You Can’t Ignore
In this 45-minute webinar, QFVG Partner Who Cares, Focus HR, unpacks the most pressing workplace issues facing horticulture businesses right now.
Chemicals, regulation, and the balance horticulture needs
Recent decisions affecting the industry’s access to Dimethoate has brought regulatory processes into the spotlight once again.
Fair Farms appoints Amanda Higgins as National Program Manager
Fair Farms, Australia’s only independent social compliance training and certification program for horticulture, has appointed Amanda Higgins as National Program Manager, reinforcing the program’s strong foundations and clear strategic direction for the future.
Queensland labour hire provider in court
The Fair Work Ombudsman has commenced legal action against a Queensland-based labour hire provider and its manager for allegedly knowingly providing false and misleading records to a Fair Work Inspector.