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Farmers Offered Vital Tools To Combat Rising Energy Costs From Carbon Tax and Take Advantage of the Carbon Farming iniative

INTERNATIONALLY-RESPECTED ‘FATHER OF BIOLOGICAL FARMING’ GARY ZIMMER PRESENTS THE LATEST IN BIOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES TO ACHIEVE LONG-TERM INCREASES IN FARM PROFITABILITY

Farmers in Queensland and NSW will be offered vital tools from some of the world’s most respected biological farming experts to help combat rising energy costs and position them to take advantage of potential additional income presented by the Government’s carbon tax.

There’s no doubt about it, many farmers have been handed another challenge to combat rising costs of energy and water that will result from the carbon tax,” according to Australia’s leading organic industry representative body, Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA).

On the other hand it presents what may be the greatest opportunity presented to growers increasing their soil carbon levels,” explains BFA spokesperson and grower David Bruer.

A key objective for biological farmers, or those converting to organic, is to increase soil carbon levels. The key benefit to these growers is that this increases the productivity and resilience of these soils often achieving a substantial increase in profitability. With the introduction of the price on carbon, an additional benefit which farmers have is the Government will pay for the increase in soil carbon, providing farmers with an additional income stream,” he said.

The tool for calculation of soil carbon will be decided by the end of 2012 and growers participating in the Carbon Farming Initiative can expect payments as soon as the end of this financial year.

We’re not here to make a judgment on the tax but our aim is to help farmers negate issues from the rising input costs associated with it and instead position themselves to take up opportunities presented by it,” said BFA representative and soil health consultant Greg Paynter.

This includes sharing the most effective research and knowledge on biological farming that has the ability to significantly improve soil productivity, increase water use efficiency and decrease energy costs,” he said.

To present growers with the latest in biological farming and means of increasing productivity, BFA will host Biological Roadshows in Queensland and NSW from next week with international soil health expert Gary Zimmer and researcher and ecologist Leilani Zimmer-Durand.

Gary, known as the ‘father of biological farming’ is an incredibly valuable source of knowledge, while also presenting in an entertaining and straight forward manner. He’s an internationally published author, researcher and consultant and also has the dirt under his fingernails through running his own organic dairy farm for some 25 years,” said Greg.

Now more than ever techniques like biological farming are key to helping farmers save dollars. Whether it be through pasture cropping, holistic pasture management, compost, mineral balancing, green manure crops, bio products, biodiversity or other techniques to manage land using more natural systems.

They all work towards lower energy needs and greater water efficiency and can make a sizeable difference to farming more efficiently and profitably within 12 months,” he said.

Gary Zimmer and his daughter Leilani Zimmer-Durand will tour Australia from 19-23 July as keynote speakers for BFA’s annual Roadshows, including a one-day event at Bundaberg QLD, Bungendore NSW and Albury NSW.

There are three key things to consider when starting biological farming. Firstly, do the basics, starting with a soil test that looks at twelve to thirteen different minerals,” said Gary.

Secondly, there are no miracle products, just ones that fit certain situations. Separate out the soil correctives and crop fertilisers, clarify and position the needed inputs.

And thirdly, start those soil corrections with calcium and phosphorous and do the crop fertilisers following a three to five year plan,” he said.

As Director of Research at Midwestern Bio-Ag, a biological-based agricultural company that assists thousands of US farms to become more sustainable and productive, Leilani Zimmer-Durand reviews the latest biological farming products and systems.

Our latest research on carbon-based liquid starters has shown they can stimulate early plant growth and improve overall crop health and yield, when included in a biological farming system along with compost, manure or dry fertilisers,” said Leilani.

In the majority of our test plots, the treated plants have a larger root system with more fine root hairs, which should help crops be more resilient during drought and also help overall plant health and yield,” she said.

Tickets are now selling to the one-day Roadshows. Visit www.bfa.com.au for further details.

WHAT: BFA ROADSHOWS WITH GARY ZIMMER & LEILANI ZIMMER-DURAND

WHEN: Thu 19 July – Bundaberg Civic Centre, 190 Bourbon St, Bundaberg QLD

Sat 21 July – Mulloon Creek Natural Farms, 3585 Kings Highway, Bungendore NSW

Mon 23 July – National Environment Centre, Ettamogah Rd, Thurgoona (Albury) NSW

BOOKINGS: www.bfa.com.au or call 1300 331 309

COST: General admission tickets – $75 BFA member, $95 non-member

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More Info: Melody Nalatu – Evoke Communications, m. 0408 928 229 e. melody@evokecommunications.com.au

For interviews: Greg Paynter – BFA spokesperson and soil health consultant, m. 0424 092 064 e. greg.paynter@bfa.com.au

David Bruer – BFA spokesperson and grower m. 0412 246 178

Submitted by:
Cheryl Vaughan
PA to the General Manager

Toowoomba Regional Council is quite proud of its Customer Service Centre and justifiably so after scooping the pool on Friday night at the Queensland ATA Awards at the Brisbane Convention Centre. Council’s team overcame a strong field to emerge as the State winner of the 2012 Contact Centre of the Year (in the category of 30 or less fulltime employees). Council‘s Coordinator of Customer Service, Allan Luther, was a finalist in the Champion of the Year (Operations) while the chance for further awards continues with the Implementation Category recognising the delivery of the Customer Service Centre to Council operations.

Executive Project Specialist Paula Grant accepted the certificate as a finalist in the National Award for Implementation Category, to be held in September. Customer Services Portfolio Leader Cr Anne Glasheen was on hand to congratulate staff on their achievements. As the peak body for the Contact Centre industry in Australia, the ATA Awards are highly sought after and represent the very best in contact centre service,” Cr Glasheen said. The Contact Centre of the Year award reflects on the high levels of customer satisfaction achieved by the team, as well as looking to the value the contact centre brings to the organisation, which in Council’s case, is very substantial.”

The upcoming Implementation award will be judged on how the project was managed, the results achieved and customer and employee satisfaction. “These awards reflect on the great work that Malcolm Angell and his team do in customer service for our region and all the work Paula Grant and the team did in the implementation of this branch,” Cr Glasheen said.

Submitted by:

Matthew Grant

Toowoomba Regional Council

In a first for the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba, the Ordination of  Most Rev. Robert McGuckin as Bishop of Toowoomba at St Patrick’s Cathedral on July 11th at 11am will be streamed live on the internet.

Spokesperson and Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Dr Brian Sparksman said it was an exciting concept which will allow parishioners from all parts of the Diocese, stretching from Helidon to Birdsville, to participate in this very important occasion. We have contracted Toowoomba company Evolution Studios to handle the project using the very latest technology available. Now, for the first time people right across the region will have the opportunity to view a very special occasion in the life of the Diocese without having to actually be there” he said.

Dr. Sparksman said the project follows the successful live streaming of the ordination of Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge from St Stephen’s Cathedral earlier this year. I’m sure that parishioners will appreciate being part of the service and enjoy the solemnity and sacredness of the occasion using the wonderful technology currently available”, he said. On the day, live streaming may be accessed via a link on the Diocesan website www.twb.catholic.org.au

Most Rev. Robert McGuckin has been officially farewelled from his home diocese of Parramatta in Sydney, where he has worked since 1986.  He was appointed Diocesan Administrator in 1997,  and since then he has been Vicar General of the Diocese and Moderator of the Diocesan Curia.

A farewell Mass was held in Parramatta’s St Patrick’s Cathedral on Saturday,  23rd  June. In his homily during the Mass, Bishop Anthony Fisher told the congregation that like St Paul, a getting to know you and love you adventure” is ahead for the Bishop-elect as he is called to adopt and be adopted by a new family, the church in Toowoomba”.

Submitted by:
Sr Eileen March
Catholic Media Office
PO Box 756
Toowoomba Qld 4350

Paul McKenzie, Bob Collins, Gary Saville and David Egan representing the Clifton Firefighting Team took out the Title of 2012 Champion Firefighter Team at the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) South Western Region (SWR) Firefighter Championships held on Saturday 23rd June at the Toowoomba Christian College, Highfields.

They were presented their awards at the presentation dinner held at the Highfields Tavern on Saturday evening.

Following close on their heels to take out the Runners Up Champion Firefighter Team Award was the Jandowae crew, Paul Wood, Russell Schwerin, James Oliffe and John Trcka. Paul Schwerin from Jandowae was named the 2012 Champion Firefighter with Rohan Greer from Cambooya taking out the Runner up Title.

Highfields Team, Jason Spies, Brett Kelly, Jack Thorpe and Steve Collins were presented with the Encouragement Team Award.

The winning teams will now go on to represent QFRS SWR at the 2012 State Firefighter Championships to be held at Hervey Bay in August.

Submitted by:
Di Warr
QFRS Community Liaison Officer