{"id":373293,"date":"2026-06-16T15:27:44","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T05:27:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=373293"},"modified":"2026-06-16T15:34:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T05:34:15","slug":"ag-forum-to-highlight-farm-fears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2026\/06\/16\/ag-forum-to-highlight-farm-fears\/","title":{"rendered":"Ag Forum To Highlight Farm Fears"},"content":{"rendered":"
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FLASHBACK: Kumbia peanut grower Peter Howlett in 2016 with a bunch of Hi Oleic Australian peanuts (Photo: PCA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

June 16, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

South Burnett farmers and community leaders worried about the future of Queensland agriculture will be airing their concerns this week at a special Ag Horizons Forum in Kingaroy.<\/p>\n

The forum, facilitated by the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Development Association, will be held at the Kingaroy Town Hall from 9:00am to 3:00pm on Friday.<\/p>\n

The idea to hold a forum originally came from fears about the future of the local peanut industry following Bega’s sale of its PCA assets in Kingaroy and Tolga.<\/p>\n

However, the organisers\u00a0 are also concerned about the lack of profitability in many other agricultural industries and the future of food manufacturers and processors who value add produce.<\/p>\n

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Former South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell (Photo: SBRC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>Former South Burnett mayor Keith Campbell OAM, a former CEO and general manager of Kingaroy-based Bean Growers Australia, said he wanted younger farmers to have a confident future throughout Australia.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“The reality is that many agricultural industries are under enormous pressure,” Mr Campbell said.<\/p>\n

“Cheap imported products are contributing to the decline of industries that have been part of our region’s identity for generations. We’ve seen the demise of navy beans, and the peanut industry is facing significant challenges.<\/p>\n

“Peanuts are synonymous with Kingaroy and the South Burnett. It’s a badge we wear proudly, and I believe it’s worth making the future of the peanut industry a key discussion point at this forum.”<\/p>\n

One of the many problems which growers have identified locally is the apparent orphaning of the Australian Peanut Breeding Program, which was led by PCA and supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr Campbell said the future of the peanut breeding program appeared uncertain but he did not want decades breeding expertise to be lost.<\/p>\n

“The program should be protected as a strategic agricultural asset,” he said.<\/p>\n

During the recent Country Cabinet meeting in Kingaroy, a small delegation from the Ag Horizons group met with Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett.<\/strong><\/p>\n

They thanked him for the State Government’s “Primary Industries Prosper 2050<\/a><\/strong>” document which outlines a 25-year blueprint for Queensland agriculture.<\/p>\n

But they stressed that farm profitability must be the measure of success, not just production targets.<\/p>\n

Mr Campbell said farmers were telling him they were not being paid enough for the crops they grow to cover costs, let alone generate a sustainable profit.<\/p>\n

“One of the biggest challenges today is that farmers have lost much of their collective voice,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Years ago, organisations such as the Queensland Grain Growers Association and the Peanut Marketing Board, and many other agricultural boards, provided strong representation and advocacy.<\/p>\n

“Growers elected representatives who spoke on their behalf and helped shape the industry’s future. Since those structures disappeared, many farmers feel there is no longer a strong voice representing their interests.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“At the same time, the number of farmers has declined. Properties have become larger, businesses more independent, and many growers have understandably focused on managing their own operations.<\/p>\n

“But the issues they face are common across the industry. Whether it’s market pressures, rising costs, imports, or profitability, the concerns are remarkably similar.<\/p>\n

“The Ag Horizons Forum is about bringing people together to have that collective conversation again. It’s about identifying the challenges, exploring solutions, and determining whether there is enough energy, commitment and unity within the industry to drive positive change.”<\/p>\n

The forum aims to provide farmers, agribusiness operators and community leaders with a place to share ideas and focus on practical ways to strengthen agricultural businesses and support the regions that depend on them.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It will be opened by Member for Maranoa David Littleproud and compered by Wooroolin’s Carl Rackemann.<\/p>\n

The retired cricketer and his family have been farming for 128 years, and his agricultural business, OzValue AG Queensland, is based in the South Burnett.<\/p>\n

Carl will open the forum with a brief session: “Why This Forum? Why Now?”<\/p>\n

Registrations for the Ag Horizons Forum can be made online<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n