The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has called for commitments from all sides of politics to bridge the digital divide for ru­ral and regional Australians in this election.

NFF President David Jochinke said that while significant investment has been made, we’re still a long way from fixing the rural and regional connectivity problem.

“Whether it’s calling for help in an emer­gency, coordinating logistics during har­vest, or simply staying connected with loved ones – bush connectivity is not a lux­ury, it’s a lifeline,” Mr Jochinke said.

“Reliable connectivity is critical to keep­ing people outside major population cen­tres safe and connected, both in times of natural disasters, and in daily farm life.”

Mr Jochinke said rural, regional and re­mote constituents deserved reliable and resilient connectivity, and he acknowledged productive discussions with telecommuni­cation providers, but it’s time for the Fed­eral Government to step up.

“This election, we’ve put all parties on notice: rural voters are tired of buffering, dropouts and excuses. They want to be connected” Mr Jochinke said.

The NFF has compiled a list of actions that would continue to improve bush con­nectivity.

The NFF’s Election Platform can be found here keepfarmersfarming.org.au

Livestock producers in NSW are invited to apply for long term grazing access to select Travelling Stock Reserves (TSR). Tender submissions are now open for Long Term Grazing Permits, which are valid for up to five years from July 2025. Permits are al­located via a robust tender process led by Local Land Services. Submissions close at 11:59pm on Sunday 30 March 2025.

Program Lead TSR, Sam Hand, said strategic grazing played an essential role in effective TSR management. “Long Term Grazing Permits allow producers to make long-term business decisions and access TSR for extra fodder to support healthy live­stock, particularly during times of drought, feed shortages and other emergencies.

Applicants are required to inspect the TSR before making a submission, to ensure it is fit for their intended grazing usage.

In NSW, there are more than 6,500 TSR on Crown land, covering an area of around two million hectares. Local Land Services manages about 30 per cent of the state’s TSR network, which is approximately 578,000 hectares.

All submissions must be lodged online at https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-nsw/primary-industries-nsw/travelling-stock-reserves/tsr-permits/long-term-grazing. Applicants can call on 1300 795 299 or visit the website for more information.

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is launch­ing a new Social Media Academy to create the next batch of influential red meat am­bassadors to connect everyday Australians with the vital work of our producers. MLA is calling for producers to sign up to the So­cial Media Academy.

MLA’s Managing Director Michael Crow­ley said the program will help metropolitan Australians see how their favourite red meat is produced on-farm.

“MLA’s Social Media Academy will assist producers show best practice in caring for livestock and the environment so custom­ers can continue to feel good about eating red meat. We’ll be doing this on social me­dia where Australians are engaged in re­ceiving and sharing information.”

Social Media Academy participants will attend workshops at TikTok’s head office and walk away with the skills they need to build a community and following, as well as insights into boosting positive community perceptions about Australian red meat pro­duction.

The first cohort of participants will be trained by TikTok in Sydney on 23 April 2025 and learn how to create best practice content. They will also connect with other Australian agriculture content creators.

Selection criteria available at www.mla.com.au/mla-social-media-academy

Labor has failed to find a live sheep ‘transi­tion advocate’ more than six months since it passed the Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024.

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said despite the position having a $1.7 mil­lion commitment from Labor, not one single person in the entire country wanted it.

“It is Australia’s least wanted, highest pay­ing job, paying an enormous $1600 a day for up to 80 days. It is clear no one wants to be the transition advocate, because no farmer wants the phase out of live sheep exports to proceed.”

The state’s peak farm body has welcomed a new government initiative to address acute shortages of vets across rural NSW.

Under the NSW Government’s Welcome Experience program, vets, vet nurses, vet technicians and their families are now eligible to receive assistance with sourc­ing housing, childcare and other services when moving to rural NSW.

NSW Farmers’ Member Dr Robyn Alders AO said news of the initiative had been warmly welcomed by farming communities across the state, as they continued to grap­ple with critical workforce shortages.

“Farmers know that healthy animals are productive animals and they need to have access to vets if they are to successfully protect animal health on-farm.”

“If we want to build a sustainable veteri­nary workforce here in rural NSW, then we need a range of solutions that address the complex challenges that have caused this shortage in the first place,” Dr Alders said.

“Globally, governments are supporting a range of initiatives to ensure the availability of appropriate, affordable veterinary ser­vices to livestock producers, and it’s critical our government does the same.”

The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD) is reminding livestock producers and indus­try stakeholders that mandatory electronic identification (eID) is set to take effect from 1 January 2025.

The following key requirements will be starting 1 January 2025: 1. Mandatory use of eID devices such as tags for all sheep and goats born from 1 January 2025, prior to leaving the property of birth. 2. For prop­erty-to-property movements, any sheep or goats with an eID device must be scanned, and the entire movement uploaded to the NLIS database. 3. Saleyards and goat de­pots need to scan eIDs and record individu­al livestock sheep and goat movements on the NLIS database.

NSW DPIRD Director of Sheep and Goat Traceability, Kiowa Fenner, highlighted the importance of the new requirements in strengthening the integrity of the state’s live­stock traceability system.

“The introduction of mandatory eID for sheep and goats represents a significant step forward in biosecurity and livestock management for the NSW sheep and goat industry,” Ms. Fenner said.

“If you move or sell lambs or kids born next year, they will need an eID device be­fore departure.”

The NSW Government has put in place a staggered implementation of eID to assist understanding and awareness. To this end, all sheep and goat movements will not be required until 1 January 2027.

These changes will improve the traceabil­ity of animals across the supply chain, help­ing us respond more effectively to disease outbreaks and ensuring the continued com­petitiveness of our agricultural industries.

The implementation is on track, with pro­cessors already having commenced scan­ning eIDs and uploading eID data to the NLIS database from 30 June 2024.

For more information on sheep and goat eID requirements visit the NSW DPIRD website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/dpi/bfs/your-role-in-biosecurity/primary-producers/nlis/eID

Regional Australia will receive its fair share of the Coalition’s $5 billion home building plan, with a target of 30 per cent of the fund­ing to be invested in regional, rural and re­mote Australia.

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud announced that a future Coalition Govern­ment would set an ambitious target of 30 per cent of the $5 billion Housing Infrastruc­ture Programme for investing in the regions, benefiting areas such as the Central West.

David said “The Coalition will invest in shovel-ready infrastructure through our new Housing Infrastructure Programme.

“An elected Coalition Government will commit $5 billion to get these projects mov­ing, unlocking up to 500,000 homes across Australia and we want a fair share of that funding in regional Australia.”

A Coalition Government will also free up more than 100,000 homes by: Reduc­ing migration numbers, compared to Labor who has brought in more than one million migrants in their first two years in office, put­ting a two-year ban on foreign investors and temporary residents purchasing existing homes, working with the building and con­struction industry and bringing in people on skilled visas to support local tradies, tack­ling union corruption that has contributed to driving up the costs of building by 30 per cent, freezing further changes to the Nation­al Construction Code to ease red tape and compliance burdens for builders.

The Nationals’ candidate for Calare Sam Farraway said if elected, he would work with council to speed up projects in the Central West.

“The Coalition’s policy is a game-changer for young people in the Central West who are struggling to break into the housing mar­ket,” Mr Farraway said.

Landcare Australia has opened nomina­tions for the 2025 General Jeffery Soil Health Award.

Back for the third successive round, the prestigious General Jeffery Soil Health Award recognises the work of people who care for soil health and who are educating or inspiring others.

Previous award winners and notable fig­ures in the world of soil health and science, Dr Oliver Knox and Emerita Professor Dr Lynnette Abbot have confirmed they will be part of the specialist advisory panel to se­lect the winner of the 2025 General Jeffery Soil Health Award.

The 2022 winner, leading soil health champion, educator and researcher, of ‘Soil your Undies’ fame, Dr Oliver Knox said “We all have a responsibility to our soils and our soil health and the more we all do, the more likely we are to see a fan­tastic future for Australia’s soils.”

The two previous award winners have teamed up to encourage nominations for the influential General Jeffrey Soil Health Award.

When asked what he was hoping to see from the next round of nominations, Dr Knox said “Passion, drive and impact. Soil is full of surprises, so I’m hoping to learn from all of the nominations and expect to feel disappointed there can be only one winner. It’s exciting and all that is needed now is for some nominations, so that are you waiting for? Nominate your soil’s guru.”

Leading soil scientist Emerita Professor Lynette Abbott and winner of the inaugural prize in 2020, is encouraging soil science experts across Australia to nominate col­leagues for the prestigious national award.

“It is a very valuable process for high­lighting the contributions that others are making to soil health in their various ways.

There are many approaches.”

To find out more about nominations you can visit https://landcareaustralia.org.au/soilhealthaward/

The draft Lachlan Unregulated River water sharing plan is now on public display, and the NSW Government is inviting the com­munity to have its say.

The draft plan sets out clear rules for fair and sustainable water sharing among water users and the environment across the re­gion for the next decade.

It includes setting limits on how much wa­ter can be taken, protecting resources for the environment, basic landholder rights and cultural needs along with providing secure, legal and tradeable water access rights. It also sets out how much, where and when water can be taken by licence holders.

NSW DCCEEW Executive Director of Water Planning Giselle Howard said: “Wa­ter sharing plans are vital tools for manag­ing our state’s water resources, and the La­chlan Unregulated River water sharing plan is no exception.

“We want to hear your feedback on the draft plan now so we can continue to man­age the region’s water fairly and sustainably over the next 10 years.”

We’re inviting the Lachlan community to read the draft plan and make a submission before the public exhibition period ends on 20th December. We’ll be holding a webinar on 28th November from 2pm to 3pm, where the community can learn more, ask ques­tions and provide feedback.

Face-to-face drop-in sessions will be held in Crookwell on 3rd December between 10am and 12pm and in Cowra on 4th De­cember between 10am and 12pm.

Online one-on-one sessions with a water planner are also available in the week com­mencing 18th November.

The draft includes proposed changes to simplify the plan, make it clearer and easier for water users to understand and comply with the requirements.

In some areas, we have proposed chang­es to water access and trading rules. Other changes include additional protections for specific wetlands in the region.

We want to hear the community’s views on these changes and will carefully consider all feedback before finalising the draft plan ahead of it going into effect on 1 July 2025.

To register for a session and to make a submission, visit: https://water.nsw.gov.au/lachlan-water-sharing-plan

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has opened applications for its National Ag­riculture Leadership Program.

The flagship program provides exclu­sive opportunities for emerging leaders in the agriculture sector, including mentoring, policy development guidance, and meetings with Parliamentarians.

NFF President David Jochinke said the program is targeted at Australians aged under 35. “The program immerses our par­ticipants in the policy and advocacy worlds; they’ll have the opportunity to tour Austral­ian Parliament House and meet with federal politicians and government departments, and be mentored by leading policy experts,” Mr Jochinke said.

Now entering its fifth year, Mr Jochinke said the limited spots in the NALP are al­ways hotly contested.

“I encourage everyone with a passion for ag and an interest in leadership to apply.”

“Applications are only open for a month, so please don’t delay if you’re interested in this fantastic program,” Mr Jochinke said.

Program participants will meet up for a three-day advocacy retreat in Canberra where they’ll be matched with an industry leader and work on a policy project.

The program kicks off February 2025, ap­plications are open until 14 November 2024.

Find out more at https://nff.org.au/nalp/