Keep the Sheep campaigners and support­ers have sent a strong message to the Alba­nese Government, amassing thousands of supporters to the lawn at Parliament House in Canberra to protest the government’s ban on live sheep exports.

The campaign celebrated people join­ing the rally from across Australia, coming from as far afield as Darwin, Broome, North Queensland and Adelaide to show their frustration.

Armed with a 50 strong convoy of trucks and vehicles that converged from Yass and Goulburn, Keep the Sheep spokesman Ben Sutherland celebrated the excellent turn out. “People feel so strongly about the gov­ernment ruining our livelihoods, they came out in force today.”

Mr Sutherland said that neither the Prime Minister nor the Agriculture Minister, Julie Collins came out to address the crowd.

“People are hurting already as a result of this policy and no Government representa­tives turned up to listen to their concerns” he said.

With approximately 2,000 people in at­tendance, the rally demonstrated the frus­tration that farmers have felt about the gov­ernment’s anti-farming policies and added to the nearly 100,000 signature petition.

Time is running out for NSW farmers to re­port their livestock numbers and agricultural land use before the annual land and stock return portal closes on 31 August.

Local Land Services Executive Director Regional Delivery Rob Kelly said around 170,000 land managers were taking part in the 2024 farm census.

“This is the last chance farmers have to lodge returns before the reporting portal closes,” Mr Kelly said.

“Understanding what landholders use their land for also plays a role influencing the fit-for-purpose services we deliver to our NSW farming customers.”

Completing returns is an easy process, with two options available, you can submit returns online via www.lls.nsw.gov.au/aslr or return the paper form via mail or to a Lo­cal Land Services office.

Mr Kelly said it was important all landhold­ers completed their annual land and stock return even if they carried no livestock.

“The Animal Health and Meat Industry Levy is automatically applied to their next rates notice if they fail to complete their re­turn.”

For information visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au/aslr or phone a Local Land Services office on 1300 795 299.

Australia’s most trusted rural charity is encouraging farmers to reach out for as­sistance this Farm Safety Week. “This year’s Farm Safety Week theme is ‘in safe hands’,” Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said.

“Rural Aid’s mission is to stand with farm­ers when they need it most. We’re encour­aging farmers to register with Rural Aid, so that our organisation and its passionate donors, can support farmers’ wellbeing and safety with a hand-up.”

Rural Aid’s range of assistance meas­ures help farmers improve their lives and businesses before, during and after disas­ter events – be it drought, bushfire or flood.

“Rural Aid’s mental health and wellbeing team do a fantastic job of heading on-farm to chat with primary producers, at no cost to the farmer,” Mr Warlters said.

Rural Aid’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager, Myf Pitcher, said it takes strength to reach out for help.

“We want farmers to treat themselves as their most precious business asset and be open to receiving help with their busy work­load,” Ms Pitcher said.

“Registering with Rural Aid means we can support farmers when they need it, now or in the future, and it helps us support rural communities as well.”

To register, visit www.ruralaid.org.au or call 1300 327 624.

NSW Farmers is reminding employers that minimum award pay and superannuation rates changed from Monday, July 1.

Employers with award-reliant employees were encouraged to review their staff pay rates to ensure they met the applicable minimum rates and conditions and had the relevant documentation in place for pay arrangements that deviate from the award terms.

As part of its Workplace Relations service to members, NSW Farmers publishes Rural Wage Guides for agriculture-related awards every year, so farmers can stay up-to-date on pay rates and impending changes in employment matters.

“Running a farm is no different to running any other business, it’s important to stay up to date with these changes,” NSW Farmers Workplace Relations spokesman Chris Stillard said.

“No matter what industry you’re in, whether you’ve got one worker or 50, make sure you’re prepared.”

The 2024 NSW Farmers Rural Wage Guides are now available for members, outlining the superannuation increase to 11.5 per cent and increases to minimum wage standards, among other guidance.

For more information about the annual wage review, visit Fair Work website. To find out more about the NSW Farmers Workplace Relations service, visit nswfarmers.org.au

Keep the Sheep spokesman Ben Sutherland said the Albanese Government’s live sheep ban bill passing was a disgrace. He emphasised that while the government had ignored regional communities, Keep the Sheep wasn’t going anywhere.

“Albo said when he was elected that he would ‘leave no Australian behind’ – it’s clear that he and his government are happy to ignore farmers, truckies, and people in regional towns,” Sutherland stated.

“If we can’t change the policy, we will change the government,” he said.