NSW Farmers has welcomed calls from the Assistant Minister for Productivity, Compe­tition, Charities and Treasury Andrew Leigh to introduce a legislated right to repair for agricultural machinery.

NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said commitment to legislate this was long overdue. “Right now, much of our modern farm machinery can only be fixed by an ‘authorised repairer’, but this often costs a fortune and there’s the likelihood of costly delays,” Mr Martin said.

“We can choose who fixes our cars and trucks, but can’t choose who fixes the ag machines that help us feed and clothe the nation – and that’s costing our industry time, money and productivity.

“Farmers should be able to choose to use and support a qualified local repairer or do repairs and maintenance work them­selves if they’re qualified, so they can get their machinery fixed without huge costs or wait times.”

According to the Productivity Commis­sion, legislating a right to repair agricultural machinery would boost agricultural produc­tivity by $97 million annually.

“We need our tractors, headers and other machines to be fixed efficiently if we’re to keep putting clothes on backs and food on tables,” Mr Martin said.

The Albanese and Minns Labor Governments are continuing to ensure regional communities are able to thrive with a new powerful online tool to help NSW farmers better prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters including fire, flood, and drought.

The agriculture industry is the engine room of the New South Wales economy, contributing around $20 billion each year. This tool will help farmers safeguard their livelihoods during the climatic variations impacting their farming operations.

The platform, called myStockPlanner, enables farmers to pro­vide details of their farm, risks and resources so they then in return can access tailored actionable response options to consider and implement with their feed and livestock.

myStockPlanner enhances and brings together the functions that previously existed in a suite of existing tools so they are up­graded into a smarter and single platform. The old tools such as the Drought and Supplementary Calculator, DroughtPack, Feed Cost Calculator and Drought Feed Calculator have been collated into a one stop shop myStockPlanner.

This platform is designed to empower farmers with real-time in­sights, scenario planning, and recovery tracking so they can make better and quicker decisions. Importantly, myStockPlanner allows users to save their business information to a farm profile, which they can access and update anywhere, anytime even if their busi­ness records are destroyed in floods or fires.

Farmers use the free platform to calculate livestock require­ments, develop feed plans and evaluate projected annual costs of livestock sale and retention options to improve the farm’s per­formance. To learn more or sign up – myStockPlanner – https://mystockplanner.dpi.nsw.gov.au

The Minns Labor Government is plant­ing the seeds for a new wave of primary production manufacturing across regional NSW, unveiling a prospectus designed to harvest the economic benefits of the grow­ing plant-based protein sector.

This prospectus is part of the Govern­ment’s plans to strengthen regional econo­mies, build new industries and drive jobs and investment.

The prospectus is aimed at metropolitan and international food manufacturers and is designed to encourage them to consider re­gional NSW as a base for their operations.

The prospectus highlights the competitive advantages regional NSW has including:

• Access to premium raw commodities suitable for plant-based protein food and beverage manufacturing with the ability to scale and meet growing demand.

• Consumer market access with regional NSW ideally positioned and able to de­liver goods to 81 percent of Australia’s domestic market overnight.

• Skilled workforce with relevant education­al backgrounds, export-ready ports, and affordable industrial land.

• Research and development ecosystem that actively encourages collaboration between researchers across universities, DPIRD, CSIRO, Government and agri­business.

The Prospectus also identifies five key re­gions particularly suited to plant-based pro­tein manufacturing: Riverina Murray, New England North West, Central West Orana, North Coast and Hunter Central Coast.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said: “Regional NSW offers the ideal combination of resources and advantages, from efficient transport networks and export-ready ports to skilled workforces and affordable industrial land, creating a compelling case for investors and manufacturers.

Grain growers are invited to share their thoughts at the upcoming Grains R&D: Your levies, your views consultation, organised by GrainGrowers. Image: Farmpix Photography.(www.farmpix.com.au/)

Grain growers in the Parkes region are be­ing urged to attend an upcoming grower meeting to discuss issues around grains research and development, levy rates and reviews and the impact on growers.

The Grains R&D: Your levies, your views consultation, organised by GrainGrowers as part of its representative organisation (RO) role with the GRDC, will take place in Parkes on Thursday 11 September at the Parkes Services Club, 10:30am – 12pm.

In total, meetings will be held in 18 re­gional centres across five states from 2 September through until 16 October. The Parkes meeting is one of four being held across NSW.

GrainGrowers CEO Shona Gawel said the meetings are an ideal opportunity for growers to consider the current situation, to put forward their thoughts on the issues and raise questions that they would like considered and answered.

Ms Gawel said in recent months there had been many discussions about grains research and development, and it was im­portant to engage as widely as possible with growers.

“As a grower member organisation, di­rect engagement is in our DNA, and these meetings are designed to allow us to listen and to reflect carefully on the next steps.”

“While our members are free to contact us at any time, growers across Australia now have multiple opportunities to come together to discuss.

“The full schedule of consultations is available via our website. For anyone un­able to attend, we will be holding a virtual session at a later date to encourage the widest possible consultation,” Ms Gawel said.

Further information and to register, at: www.graingrowers.com.au/events/grains-r-and-d-your-levies-your-views-parkes-nsw

The call out is for entrants between 18 and 29 years of age with a passion for rural and regional Australia.

The Rural Ambassador Award is a National Competition that highlights and celebrates young people who have a genuine interest in rural and regional Australia.

The Parkes Rural Ambassador compe­tition has been running since 2022. The three previous winners of the competition were Jess Kinsela in 2024, Joel Maguire in 2023 and Sally Wright in 2022.

The competition aims to build and de­velop the skills of our future leaders, volun­teers and community members through a professional development series.

Ali Hall from The Parkes Show Commit­tee said “Anyone that is interested in what the competition is and is considering doing something to develop their professional skills and get involved in the Parkes com­munity or the local show. Bring a friend and enjoy a chat, over a beer and pizza, with some of the committee members and other potential entrants.”

Participation in the Parkes Show Rural Ambassador competition offers more than just a chance to win a title. It provides an opportunity to connect with like minded in­dividuals who share a passion for agricul­ture and community involvement.

“The information afternoon will be an in­formal gathering. There will be information and entry forms available and the oppor­tunity for those considering the opportunity to ask questions or get a better feel for the event. Organised as a light hearted, drop in and bump out as works for each person from 6pm until 8pm,” said Ali.

Event organisers are hugely thankful for the sponsors of the competition, Sunrise Energy, Worklocker, Tanswell Transport, The Corner Office Co, Parkes Decor Shop­pe, Double J Angus and Somewhere…in Parkes.

The Rural Ambassador Information After­noon is being held Friday 8th August from 6pm at ‘Somewhere In Parkes’ 310-314 Clarinda St. You can call the Show Office on 0467 622 580 or just pop into the Show office at 61 Welcome St.

NSW landholders are being asked to report their livestock numbers and land use infor­mation as part of Local Land Services’ an­nual farm census.

The Annual Land and Stock Return col­lects information that helps shape the delivery of essential animal health and biosecurity services and prepare for emer­gencies such as bushfires and biosecurity outbreaks.

Landholders must lodge their return by 31 August 2025 via the online portal or by com­pleting the paper form received via mail.

LLS’ Executive Director Delivery, Rob Kel­ly, said the Annual Land and Stock Return helped paint a picture of agricultural land use and livestock across NSW. “If you need advice or support, please reach out to Local Land Services on 1300 795 299 or visit your nearest office.”

There are more than 170,000 landholders across NSW. Those without stock still need to complete their returns to avoid unnec­essary fees. The Animal Health and Meat Industry Levy is automatically applied to a landholder’s next Local Land Services rates notice if they fail to complete their return.

Landholders can visit nsw.gov.au/alsr or scan the QR code on their Annual Land and Stock Return notice.