NEWS IN BRIEF: Fire ants, funding and new appointments
4 July 2025
Fire ants have been found near Tweed Heads. Pic: Supplied
An article by Natasha Lobban
The NSW Government has on Wednesday confirmed that an immature fire ants nest had been detected and treated on a property site in Tweed Heads. A genetic analysis has commenced of the specimen fire ants to determine the likely source. This is supported with the tracing any movements of materials and engaging with the landholder. NSW Chief Invasive Species Officer Scott Charlton said: "Investigations and surveillance are underway following this detection; however, the fact that the nest was immature, or non-productive, is reassuring. A vigilant pest control contractor at the site quickly identified suspected fire ants. This is yet another reminder that vigilance, awareness and early detection are critical to keep these things out of NSW."
Dr Suzanne Mortimer, a research scientist with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD), has been awarded a Fellowship with the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics (AAABG). With a career spanning over four decades, Dr Mortimer has been a driving force in applying quantitative genetics to sheep breeding, helping shape the future of livestock systems in Australia. Her work has had a lasting impact through initiatives such as the QPLU$ selection lines and the Merino Lifetime Productivity project.
Former Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association Chief Executive Will Evans has been appointed as the next CEO of Cattle Australia. He will work alongside outgoing CEO, Dr Chris Parker, during a one-month transition period.
Fourth generation family member of the Ray White Group Matt White is the new Chief Executive of Ray White Rural and Livestock. He replaces Stephen Nell has served as CEO of Ray White Rural and Livestock for the past eight years and is now transitioning to his new role of Executive Director. Mr White started his career with the company in the mail room at the age of 14 .
AWN has announced the appointment of Rick Maybury to the position of MD and CEO. Founding MD John Colley has taken over as Chair of AWN with non-executive directors’ Brendon Lunney and Ben Barlow. Outgoing MD, John Colley said: “Rick Maybury has been with the business for over eight years and following on from his senior roles at Ruralco, he is best positioned to take the company through its next phase of evolution."
ABARES Executive Director Dr Jared Greenville said while the headline productivity index for broadacre farming had decreased from 2022-23 to 2023 24, there was a ‘multi-speed’ effect. “The drop in growth we’ve seen is mostly due to hot and dry conditions in 2023-24 impacting cropping output in Western Australia,” Dr Greenville said. “While broadacre productivity growth declined in the latest period for some states, it increased in Victoria as different areas and farm types experienced different seasonal conditions." The latest figures come on the back of a longer term slowing of productivity growth rates in recent decades, with the average annual growth of broadacre productivity increasing at 0.6% since 1999-2000, down from more than 2% per year before 2000.
Australia has assumed the Chair of the International Grains Council (IGC), leading discussions on global grain trade. Deputy Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Policy Matt Lowe said Australia’s position as Chair was a both a privilege and an opportunity. “The IGC is an important institution. Made up of 29 countries, it encourages transparency and international cooperation in grains’ trading,” Mr Lowe said. “We will hold the position as Chair for the 2025-26 financial year, and Australia will be represented by DAFF’s Agriculture Counsellor in London, Dr Amy Little. Our priorities as Chair include promoting rules-based trade, removing barriers to trade, food security and sustainable agriculture."
Highlights of the additional Victorian Government drought support include:
$35.8m for 12 South West Victoria councils to administer targeted drought relief;
$15m investment for the East Grampians Rural Pipeline;
$2m for the Country Women’s Association to roll out of food and grocery support of up to $1000 per household;
$6.3m to cover the cost of farmer exemptions on government fees and charges, such as livestock transaction fees;
$5.5m for standpipes, emergency and private bores;
$3.5m towards a SouthWest water strategy;
$1m for Catchment Management Authority employment programs;
$5.9m to continue the Look over the Farm Gate program and continue funding of Agriculture Victoria’s farm technical decision making program.
On Friday the Minns and Albanese Governments released Category D natural disaster assistance to primary producers severely affected by recent floods in the Mid North Coast and Hunter regions of NSW, providing eligible farmers with grants of up to $75,000 to support their recovery.
