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March 24, 2009 at 9:03 am
Great thoughts, Natalie. At least the truckies’ action did focus
public and media attention on their plight. And the French farmers
have got style.
Sacre bleu, a herd of santa gertrudis or brahmans outside Parliament
House would show the pollies where their subsidised medium rare at
lunch time comes from
March 23, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Rashida et al,
My thoughts on media saturation is of putting strategic articles in the weekend national papers pull out sections. I buy the Weekend Australian and other similar papers, and there are always subtle and “feel good” stories about environmental issues, indigenous issues etc, but I have never seen a good news story in any weekend pull out edition about agriculture. Feature articles about innovative ag practises and positive environmental outcomes in pasture and crop managment in amongst the urban coffee and toast in bed on a Sunday morning would have untold upside for our industry.
It is senseless getting on mid-morning AM radio in Brisbane, when everyone is at work or got kids to deal with. If radio is considered a strategic media tool to use, then it should be used on the FM channels between 6 and 8 in the morning while everyone is sitting in their cars at traffic lights listening to the radio.
I have subsribed to “VIVE”, a business womens magazine since its inception, about 5 years ago, and to date, there has never been an article featuring rural or agricultural women ever, this magazine features professional types like university deans who have hired help to aid them, and they prattle on about how they couldn’t achieve what they have without nannys, chefs, and life coaches…..i have a chuckle and think about all the rural women I know that manage far greater businesses with no hired help and also cook for the school fete and are presidents of the local CWA branches into the bargain. Its these types of magazines that should be targeted to raise the awareness of agriculture and the current issues facing farmers that need highlighting
A few weeks ago, the western QLD business awards where held in Longreach. The work that these rural businesses are doing is truly inspriational. The only airplay they got was in the QCL (and like Sue said, is preaching to the converted), these types of events need to be showcased in city papers….the weekend Courier Mail would be a good start. How many more of these industry award events occur all over Australia and go unnoticed by the majority?
Even the “Outback” magazine needs to be jerked back into line with real agricultural issues as well. It seems to have lost its way a bit, and now features stories that are questionable to the ethos that it portrays. (too many travel based articles etc).
One thing I have noticed of late, and that is the main stream magazines focusing on Aussie beef, even the latest Womens Weekly mag has a section on “recipes for beef mince”, which is great….hopefully the illustrious MLA is behind that one.
Why not get “Macca on a Sunday morning” to have a focused agricultural feature 3 or 4 times a year? Whilst he travels extensively to the “bush”, there seems to be a lot more townies and grey nomads that get airtime than actual “outbacktarians”.
I agree with John Mikko about some proper show stopping events as well. I wish the truckies had carried through with their threats, it would have been fantastic to watch it all unfold. Look at what happens in France when farmers don’t get what they want…..tractors down the Champs Elysee in peak traffic hours is a senstational way to get what they want. Obviously prompt open dialougue with real outcomes for farmers quickly follow when their governments don’t want to deal with the headaches created by livestock in the middle of Paris. (Open dialougue is different to arse kissing Agforce).
As I have said on numerous occasions, if any of our argropolitcal groups decide to lead where their members want to go, then I’ll pull on their jersey, no worries at all.
Natalie Williams
March 23, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Absolutely.
March 23, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Hi John,
My suggestions as I said were a start and hopefully will encourage everyday people to look around and see what they can do. Indeed sometimes you do need to be agressive to protect your future and I think strong tactics to stop silly policies like environmental destruction via woody weeds is needed.
There is no need though to stop being polite and well mannered. Id like to think farmers are above the childish gutter tactics of the greenies and PETA etc. We can be strong in places and we can also be soft in places, the more integrated the response to this the better.
Lets also not forget that first impression are lasting and since we are essentially introducing farmers to the public we need to put our best and firmest foot forward.
By all means be noticed and vocal and get into it but remember we want to be seen as people with solutions and values. There are those who are aware of the problems farmers have (pollies etc) and you can afford to be strong with them but on mum and dad voter in the city its worth remembering that they probably have no idea about the country or the people and issues in it.
Barnaby Joyce would be a good voice to have and as well as high profile people I would like to see ordinary people in the agricultural industries have a say! Lets be accountable for our future. I encourage everyone to get on board because this affects us all.
March 23, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Good suggestions for helping raise the farmers’ profile Rashida but sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. If the proposed ban on clearing re-growth is really as bad and will have the dire consequences John Purcell and Steve told us about, a polite awareness program is not going to get the message across that it is a bad measure which should be stopped or repealed. Even if farmers end up making some money out of it which seems dubious, it is still taking away much needed food producing land,isn’t it?
The only way the truckies got the federal transport minister to sit up and listen was to stage a strike (even if it was fragmented). It got plenty of exposure in the national media and suddenly the pollies found time to listen. The public also were made aware there was a serious problem or problems.
I’m not a farmer but I know something of how the media works and what grabs their attention. A parade of livestock / trucks / harvesters or something like that down Roma Street during the Ekka or the Sydney Royal Easter ? Show would certainly do that. And I think you could get Barnaby Joyce to help push your cause.
Ok, I’ll give it a rest now – over to Ray, Sue and co who agree on the need for some action.
March 23, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Hi JeffT,
There are plenty of things people can do at all levels. For a start parents are usually members of a school committee. They can ask that as well as the kids doing a project on the rainforest why dont they do one on an agricultural industry as well?
Ive already mentioned talking to family and friends or workmates. You dont have to whinge about the government or anything, but you could just talk about the industry in general. Theres nothing like the good old bush telegraph!
On a larger scale get behind local/ state industry groups and put forward ideas to raise awareness. Push for a result and this doesnt have to be boring. Our local shows/rodeos brings all sorts of people together to enjoy watching/ competing in the action and sampling local produce etc.
Larger again is TV adverts and magazine glossies. Things people cant help but notice. Perhaps an advert along the lines of showing people just how fortunate they are to have food might be a start. It all helps.
Our members of parliment can take up the fight and look to adding money into public education. Theres been plenty spent on demonising agriculture. Now its time to turn it around.
The things I have mentioned are a start and Im sure there are creative graziers and farmers who can think of more ways to improve our image.
March 23, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Don’t forget the TV and drama images that portray farmers in a way that opens the door to “the politics of envy”.
McLeod’s daughters comes to mind.
Baz’s “Australia” is another.
March 23, 2009 at 12:22 pm
G’day Rashida Khan,
Reading your post does bring up a point (or two)
“Farmers usually think that people know where their food comes from and would also have the time to go looking for alternate info to the green propaganda they read, but they dont. They dont have time nor incentive so we must take the message to them! ”
Is there any way to put the producer right in the face of the consumer? Help the consumer realise that the farm is not an “Old McDonald’s Farm” with it’s two cows, a yard full of chooks and a pig in a pen outback. Because this is a possible reason kids grow up with the idea that milk only comes from a plastic container, eggs from a cardboard carton, and their barbeque chop and sausage only comes from a plastic wrap packet in Cole-Worths.
The Greens ‘educate’ at all levels, and it is from subtle up to right in your face. PETA shows up on a regular basis and uses shock to try and change public perception of eating meat and consuming cows milk ( they were advocating farming human breast milk as an alternative).
Maybe the farm needs a bit more exposure to Joe and Jane Public and kids, through some PR mechanism. Some concept of where food comes from may help the situation of food security, reduce the idea that food is just another commodity that if you can’t buy local at a cheap price then it’s OK to buy overseas produce.
March 23, 2009 at 11:54 am
G’day Rashida,
Wow – what a comment. That is os good I’m going to run it as an article. Farmers and farm organizations should print this comment and post it all over their offices and read it at the start of every work day.
Brilliant.
If every farmer in Australia understood what you have just wrtitten it would indeed be ten times the industry that it is.
How’d you get that smart?
March 23, 2009 at 11:33 am
Hello Guest,
You raise a good point but dont forget that most of the money already allocated to these groups and also fees collected and such are spent promoting Aussie produce off shore. We have a great name off shore but here at home no-one seems to have heard of us!
The CWA had a great campaign with the fridays for farmers woolworths donation. People suddenly realised that the drought was very important to them and us.
MLA and the “lamb chops for Australia Day” campaign reminded people of aussie farmers and the need to support locals.
Farm Day is another great initiative by industry groups as well as “Every family needs a farmer”.
We also have ministers at various levels that can fight for a better cut of the federal budget! The point is that the average person only reads the info thats right in their face. Thats how elections are won (or lost) and products sell. You have to remind people that we are here and also what it is we do.
Farmers usually think that people know where their food comes from and would also have the time to go looking for alternate info to the green propaganda they read, but they dont. They dont have time nor incentive so we must take the message to them!
I live on the outskirts of a small town and I still find people who think graziers and farmers are either environmental vandals or they are lovely old people with a milking cow, a couple of pigs, half a dozen chooks and some sheep (yes even in the NT) oh and dont forget old Dobbin the Clydsdale. Now that image is straight out of a kiddies picture book which sadly was probly the last time that person saw an image of a farm (that wasnt screaming land clearing, river silting..look what their doing now!)
Its not hard to also campaign at a local level. Just by talking to your relations and urban friends you can raise awareness of agricultural procedures, restrictions and standards. Every little helps and its time for agriculture to put its self back on the map. Everyone needs to get involved! Dont sit there thinking “you know someone should do something” that someone is you! (I mean that in a very broad sense)
We are all busy people and we all have alot on our mind but the saying goes, if you want something done then ask a busy person!
March 23, 2009 at 11:17 am
Ok, but writing letters costs nothing and a big well timed rally or
protest to make a stand against any particularly ill- thought
legislation would focus the media spotlight on your plight. Sitting
back doing nothing won’t.
March 23, 2009 at 10:23 am
where are the ag organisations ment to get money from to combat the bullshit,they have none. we cant ask for donations like green groups because while food is on the table not to many city folk care.As for the truck industry rally do you really think any one city gives a.I cant see people being able to drive between 300 &2000 km very often to keep ralling to make the image last long
March 23, 2009 at 7:35 am
Fair enough, I thought so, Sue (re your reaction) but as well as the
farming organisations, the farmers themselves need to make their own
individual voices heard if they really want to make a difference.
Protest rallies in the heart of Brisbane, like the truckies did (with
tractors and cattle trucks) and like the union members who kept
dogging Springborg, more letters to the editor …. that sort of
stuff. Keep it before the public, particularly the city cousins.
March 22, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Yes John you are right. My response was a knee jerk reaction to Neils abusive remarks ( which thankfully he has had the sense to remove ), and an attempt to show that threatening to “to shoot all the * * * * city dwellers” was not particular helpful in engendering support for farmers.
Why blame the city voters for your problems. People vote on the issues that affect them and if The LNP and Farming organisations failed to address the issues with the major parties and get any committment on farming policies where should the blame lie.
Most city people are unaware of the issues and in retrospect Agforce might have a good hard look at their tactic of being all warm and fuzzy “every family needs a farmer” .Perhaps shouting from the highest rafters the great injustices that are affecting farmers ability to produce food and the direct impact that will have would have been more affective.
I agree with Rashida, you need to stand up and be counted on the issues, no point “whinging after the event”. The reason the Greens are so powerful is because they’re ruthless in their tactics and promotion of eco issues. “It’s a time to market farming to the masses”. Not through the country life (that’s preaching to the converted) but by demanding representation from your peak bodies and answers from your government representatives.
March 22, 2009 at 1:21 pm
My sentiments too John! It would have been a very big ask for Springborg to make up the huge shortfall of seats in one election since the formation of the LNP and unity of the shattered remnants of an opposition party, even if he had a personality! However, it’s a start. Now, we need someone with just a little charisma AND some ability to step in and carry the ball.
Unfortunately, as I have been saying for a while, those people aren’t around at the moment, it seems they are sitting waiting for opportunities or whatever, so that mediocrity can flourish where excellence is the minimum requirement for success!
Ray Jamieson
March 22, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Ok so the tribe spoke and Anna Bligh is still in office in QLD.
Now what? Are we going to see people stand up and be heard and try to influence desicions being made? Are people going to explain their situation to their urban relations and build that bridge?
Just because the LNP lost the election doesnt mean they died standing up! This is the “battle” not the “war”. There is still a major issue with food security in Australia.
This is not just “another whinging farmer” issue this is a concern to anyone who eats and also enjoys abit of variety in their diet. Its about time that urban and rural people faced the problem head on and together.
We have millions of ads and promotions to encourage an environmental aspect on life and while the average primary school kid can tell you all about the rainforests ecology they dont know where a litre of milk comes from! Lets see this as a time to market farming to the masses! It seems if we dont than nobody else will!
March 22, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Sue, I don’t think you should make such a rash judgment based on the comments of one farmer. I guess I’m a city dweller too, but thankfully, not a big city. Also thankfully our independent here got up with a much bigger majority despite the buckets of money the ALP spent on their candidate here, backed up by multiple visits by Anna Bligh and one from the PM, all for nought.
Also, I dont think you can lay the blame solely on the LNP pollies, Steve.
Where were all the rural voices on this site coming out in support for John Purcell when an ALP supporter called him an idiot for his article blaming Anna Bligh and her team for the mess Queensland is in? (Not their fault, blame John Howard for the problems facing the states, according to him). It’s all there, go back and check it out even if it’s too late now.
Where were all the messages of support to the Agmates editorial urging a vote against Labor and my suggestion we should keep the ball rolling? Bugger all, really.
Did anybody write letters to their newspapers expressing concerns about government policies or Bligh’s policies since the election was called?
You all knew the LNP needed to win more than 20 seats, but complacency won’t win that sort of election so before all the fingers are pointed at the LNP (of which I am not a member) I think a bit of soul searching could be in order.
Next time don’t leave it all up to the pollies. You have a powerful voice here. You should use it.
March 22, 2009 at 11:42 am
I always thought it was a big ask for The Borg and felt a bit dubious about the opinion polls which built such high expectations. Take that out of the equation and gaining about 49 percent of the vote on last night’s count predictions would not seem such a bad effort, given the low base he had to start from. He was very gracious in defeat and did the honourable thing in falling on his sword. I don’t think he should be vilified as a three-time loser but as the one who united the two warring parties and set them on the path to victory hopefully next time around.
Seeing the ALP isn’t about to change its policies or its spots, things will only get worse in the meantime.
Maybe we haven’t seen the last of The Borg as a possible future contender either – remember the “Lazarus with a Triple Bypass” who became PM for so long?
March 22, 2009 at 11:41 am
Thanks Neil,
I class myself as a city dweller, but voted LNP for the first time this election in sympathy for the plight of farmers. I WON’T MAKE THAT MISTAKE AGAIN. Any sympathy I have has been destroyed by your disgusting spray.
March 22, 2009 at 11:32 am
G’day Neil,
Mate I can understand that your upset about the election result BUT – we live in a democracy and the people have spoken. Don’t blame the people that live along the coastal fringes of QLD including the cities.
Blame the conservative politicans of the LNP. They had the perfect environment to bring about an upset and failed miserably.
I had actually predicted this in this article -way back on the 9th of January
They Don’t have The cattle
From that article.
‘I have been saying for a couple of months now that the LNP ‘don’t have the cattle’ to win this years state election.’
I also said that the LNP would pick up just 4-5 seats. That has proven to be just about spot on the money .(its 5 now and may go to 7 when the 4 seats that are to close to call come in).
Neil I have to say I’m offended for every fellow QLD’er that you have been so abusive towards. Its an incredible insult to call peopel what you have.
If thats the best you can do – don’t bother doing it here. (I know you can do better than that and the only reason I have left it there is because I think it demonstrates the genuine anger in the bush).
Your suggestion that you’d like to shot them all would make you a good dictator – right up there with Robert Mugabe, and every other despot dictator in the world.
You might want to live in a country ruled by bloodshed and terror, but I don’t.
The ballot box is what governs this country and state and I’d personally put my life on the line to make sure that it stays that way.
Let me also say is it is exactly that sort of attitude expressed by you that gives the farming community a terribly bad name. In fact if there are a lot of farmers who feel the same way you do – I’m withdrawing all support of Farmers and will back the city folks all day. That attitude is incredibly dangerous.
I’d imagine that you have probably calmed down this morning and regret your outburst. If that is the case I’ll leave it to you to decide if you want to remove your comment yourself. You can do that by hitting the delete button on your comment.
Cheers – Agmate Founder Steve
March 21, 2009 at 11:33 pm
The Nimbin Idiots and myself did the sums tonight.
Current International Investment Position -$700 billion
State Debts (estimated) -$350 billion
Rudd’s Stimulus Packages etc -$300 billion
___________
Total -$1.35 trillion dollars
What ia everybody worried about, thats only $65,000 for every man women and child.
Or if your one of the 8 miilion worklers thats $170,000 each.
Its only paper and worthless anyway!!! She’ll be right mate!!
March 21, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Yes my husband and friend are very disappointed BUT we just have to get on with it and see how it all plays out. When I go to Brisbane and see my corporate brainwashed family members I am amazed but I’m afraid I don’t say too much because I will get myself into a serious argument because they do not like the view from the bush. It is a very odd thing alright – they really believe they are correct in their views.
March 21, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Well Natalie – no apparently the photo uploader is not accepting photos on comments at the minute.
March 21, 2009 at 3:22 pm
G’dayt Natalie,
Thanks for sharing that. Your cattle look great.
2 Mobs -
Mob 1 -83 Top Quality Brahman heifers mated to Euro Bulls
Just a question on the second mob
Mob 2 – Santa / Charolais Cows and Calves
The ad does not say how many there is. Also in your title can I suggest that you put a space between the Sant and the / and a space again between the / and the Charolais otherwise all the serach engines see is the word santa/charolais which no one will type into a google search.
Your ads look great. Here is a couple of photos of Natalies cattle. Nat – you could have inserted these with your comment.
Click on photo to see larger – click on links above to see the ads with full details and 6 colour photos.
March 21, 2009 at 11:43 am
Gday Steve,
Just wanted to let you know that I am mightily impressed with your upgraded classified section, and how easy it is now to upload an add. It only took me about 5 minutes to get through the whole process. That about 4 times quicker than when I last used it. Fantastic. Uploading photos was always a bit slow, but it only took about a minute to get all of them uploaded.
The last couple of years when we have put an add in the classified section of Agmates, we have sold our cattle within the week, which is quite extrodinary really……and to buyers whom we would never had exposure to normally through our existing networks.
Cheers for now,
Natalie Williams