TasFarmers

Hello Friends, Ian delivers us the end-of-year wrap, reflecting on a busy and successful year for the organisation. Highlights: 🎉 New Leadership and Growth 🤝 Strategic Collaborations 🐄 Advocacy and Policy Work 🌱 Ongoing Issues and Advocacy 📅 Looking Ahead to 2025 🎄 Merry Christmas and a Successful New Year Ian extends heartfelt Christmas wishes to all members, thanking them for their support, and looking forward to another year of growth and success next year. 

🚜 TasFarmers Magazine – Latest Edition Out Now! Catch up on key updates and insights for Tasmania’s farming community: - Updates from CEO Nathan Calman & President Ian Sauer - TasNetworks: On-farm generation trials & storm recovery - Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture: Developing drought-resilient pastures - BlazeAid: Rebuilding hope in Hamilton, Tasmania Read it here>>> https://lnkd.in/g7PXJbQz

With just 12 days until Christmas, the team is still working hard! Here's Ian with this week's wrap-up, covering discussions in Canberra, advocacy for King Island farmers, and heartfelt acknowledgments of individuals who have made significant contributions to agriculture.   Highlights 🇦🇺 Canberra Visit Meeting with Minister Collins: Discussed agriculture, forestry, EPBC Act, superannuation and election package NFF Meeting: Progress on advocacy reform in collaboration with state councils, with updates expected by April or May next year. 🌊 King Island Advocacy Ports and Shipping Issues: Discussions about King Island’s port and Bass Island Line. Ongoing push for access to Cape Otway in Victoria, facing resistance from harbour authorities and the state government. ⚡ TasNetworks Collaboration Meeting with Sean McGoldrick: Updates on storm damage recovery and discussions about TasNetworks' strategic benefit payments. 🎙️ Media Engagement Continued advocacy for King Island’s freight access and community shipping options. 🙌 Acknowledging Contributions Tony Mayer: CEO of the National Farmers Federation, leaving after significant contributions. Emma Germano: President of the Victorian Farmers Federation, recognized for collaboration on projects like the Farm Access Code. Fiona’s Retirement: After 19 years as a cornerstone of TasFarmers, Fiona’s service is celebrated with deep gratitude from the board and the farming community. Victorian Farmers Federation Elders Tasmania - Rural Sales

President Ian Sauer celebrates personal milestones in this week's warp and addresses significant agricultural and policy developments. Highlights: Discussions ranged from biosecurity and irrigation delays to freight reform and upcoming budget preparations. 👶 Family Joy: Two grandchildren welcomed into the world. Congratulations to the family! 🌧️ Weather Impacts: Recent rainfall has stimulated activity but damaged hay, silage, and some crops in some places. 💼 GBE Budget Scrutiny: Highlighted the pressing need for reform in government business enterprises (GBEs), which are seen as stifling economic growth and increasing community costs. 🐄 Key Meetings: - Biosecurity: Continued discussions to ensure farm safety. - Dairy Australia: Meetings addressed ongoing issues with bobby calves. Rebecca White Visit: Productive office discussion with Nathan. 🚜 Irrigation Concerns: Tamar Irrigation Scheme Delays: Farmers in the Tamar Valley are frustrated by delays, despite a government business case being underway. 🗳️ Budget and Election Preparations: Work is ongoing on the 2025-26 State Budget and a Federal Election Submission for an anticipated March election, with a call for member input on both initiatives. 🩸 Red Meat Strategy: Finalising the strategy as part of long-term planning for industry development. 🚢 Freight Equalization Scheme Review: Awaiting results from the senate committee review. TasFarmers continues to push for reforms, including better access to King Island and Cape Portland. Call for Member Input: Encouragement for members to contribute ideas and feedback for state and federal policy development.

Hello Friends, Ian Sauer, Chairman of TasFarmers, delivering this week’s wrap, talking all things board, key policy discussions, approvals, and ongoing advocacy efforts. Highlights 🌟 Acknowledgment of Service - Andrew Bevan: Stepped down as Deputy Chair after significant contributions to TasFarmers and rural advocacy. - Nathan Cox: Appointed as the new Deputy Chair. 📝 Key Board Meeting Approvals - Federal Election Policy development initiated, with opportunities for member input. - Approval of the 2024 conference. - New membership database and platform approved. - No changes to membership fees. 🚜 Program and Policy Updates - Rising Champions Program progress was reviewed. - Discussion on peak body reforms to take place soon - Submission made regarding anti-firearms policies. 💡 Innovation Hub Engagement - Continued collaboration with the Innovation Hub, with TasFarmers maintaining a position on its steering committee. 🌦️ Drought Coordinator Role - TasFarmers is seeking a drought coordinator in Lockwood to assist farmers in preparing for drought and climate change impacts. ⚖️ Council Reform - TasFarmers calling for local councils to take a responsible approach to reform, opposing costly amalgamations that burden farmers with higher rates and charges. 💬 AGMs and Representation - Dairy Australia’s AGM saw efforts to secure a board position for Tasmanian representation, with ongoing collaboration planned. 🌧️ Rain Brings Relief - Positive news with rainfall across regions was noted, benefiting farmers significantly.

In this week's update, Ian Sauer, Chairman of TasFarmers, highlights the important events, including new team members joining, TasFarmers’ TFES submission , and updates on animal welfare reforms. He also touches on the impact of international politics on Australian agriculture. Highlights: 🌬️ Weather Update and New Team Members: Despite recent rainfall, 30 km/h winds on the north coast quickly dried things up. TasFarmers welcomed Simone and Rebecca, the new Business Manager and EO, to the team. 🌊 Australian of the Year Nominee: Sam Elsom founder of Sea Forest, was nominated for Australian of the Year. Sea Forest’s work in producing asparagopsis to reduce methane emissions by 90% is integral to TasFarmers' commercialisation efforts. 💼 Tasmanian Freight Equalization Scheme Committee: TasFarmers submitted another proposal for the Tasmanian Freight Equalization Scheme and is actively gathering supporters for upcoming committee hearings. 📊 Meeting on the State of Environment Report: Ian and the Minister, discussed areas of improvement for the State of Environment report, aiming to address gaps in emissions reporting. 🤝 Collaboration with Elders Management: Nathan and Grayson held a productive discussion with Elders’ management, exploring collaborative initiatives to support Tasmania's farming sector. 📈 GBE Reform Proposals: TasFarmers supports GBE reform to foster competition and set effective charters for GBEs, encouraging input from members on ideas for reform proposals. 🇺🇸 Potential US Tariffs on Agriculture: With the US elections, the prospect of tariffs under a Trump administration could impact Australian agriculture. TasFarmers will monitor developments closely. 🐄 Animal Welfare Reform TasFarmers applauds recent animal welfare reforms led by Felicity Richards' committee, emphasising our stance that non-compliance with the Animal Welfare Act should prompt individuals to reconsider their roles in agriculture. As always have a great weekend. Elders Elders Tasmania - Rural Sales

In this week’s update, Ian Sauer, Chairman of TasFarmers, shares insights from a busy week. Key discussions included government reforms, addressing ongoing challenges for Tasmanian farmers such as water, rural theft, and the need to buy local produce. Highlights 🌊 Ministerial Roundtable Ian attended a two-hour ministerial roundtable in Longford discussing water, irrigation, local government rates, strategic benefit payments, transportation, and welfare. 🚛 Meeting on Transport Reforms with State Growth Productive discussions with State Growth focused on potential reforms for truck widths in Tasmania, with positive feedback from industry representatives. 🌱 New Low Emissions Project Welcome Ellen Freeman, who will manage the Low Emissions Project with Sea Forest, keeping TasFarmers updated on developments. 💧 Submission on Paraquat and Diquat Use TasFarmers submitted recommendations regarding the regulation of paraquat and diquat herbicides. 🔫 Consultation on Firearms Act Amendments Ian encourages members with feedback on upcoming amendments to the Firearms Act to participate in the consultations. 🚨 Increase in Rural Theft Reports Rural theft continues to be a major issue. Ian advises farmers to use CCTV and report suspicious activity to the police promptly. 🥕 Support for Local Vegetables Encouraging all of us to buy local produce, especially vegetables, rather than imported frozen options, supports Tasmanian agriculture. 🚢 GBE Reform and Additional Sailings for TT Line TasFarmers is advocating for three additional sailings per week on the TT Line to relieve freight congestion, with one Sunday sailing dedicated to the tourism industry, helping expand local business capacity. As always have a great weekend!

🌾 Reminder for Tasmanian Agriculture Enthusiasts! 🌾 The $5,000 Agri-Development Scholarship is open for applications! Use it to attend conferences, participate in training, bring guest speakers, or organize agricultural events in Tasmania. 🗓️ Apply by 5 pm on November 14, 2024. Visit https://lnkd.in/gPW2HJ7p for application details. Don’t miss out! #Tasmania #Agriculture #Scholarship #PrimaryIndustries #AgriDevelopment #FarmingInnovation

🌾 Attention Tasmanian Agriculture Enthusiasts! 🌾 Are you passionate about advancing agriculture in Tasmania? Don't miss out on the opportunity to apply for the $5,000 Agri-Development Scholarship! 🌱 This scholarship can be used to: • Attend a conference or event • Participate in specialised training • Bring a guest speaker to a primary industries event • Organise an agricultural event right here in Tasmania Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge, bring new ideas to the community, or create a platform for agricultural discussions, this scholarship is for you! 🗓️ Applications are open until 5pm on the 14th of November 2024 – so don't wait! Get your application forms from the Primary Employers website at https://lnkd.in/gPW2HJ7p and take the next step in your agri-development journey. #Tasmania #Agriculture #Scholarship #PrimaryIndustries #AgriDevelopment #FarmingInnovation

This week, Ian Sauer reports from Canberra, where he and Nathan are attending meetings and addressing various issues affecting Tasmanian farmers. Key topics discussed include farm access code, strategic benefits payments, armed trespass legislation, and logistical challenges with the TT Line. Highlights 🚜 National Farmers Federation Meetings Ian Sauer and Nathan are in Canberra for the National Farmers Federation and AUSVEG AGM, alongside meetings with the NFF Members Council, involving several State Farming Organisations (SFOs) and peak bodies. 🛡️ Submission on Armed Trespass Legislation TasFarmers submitted input regarding amendments to the armed trespass bill, emphasizing the importance of addressing penalties to protect farmers' interests. 🏛️ Meeting with Minister Bowen's Office Nathan visited Minister Bowen's office to discuss rolling out the farm access code nationally and strategic benefits payments, marking a promising connection with the minister.