Get a First Start in farming
QRIDA helps Queensland farmers start and expand their operations
PRIMARY producers in the Ipswich, Scenic Rim, Lockyer and Somerset regions have invested a share of more than $1 billion into developing their businesses with State Government productivity loans.
Across the state, thousands of primary producers have been able to buy their first block, expand and invest in new technology and infrastructure, prepare for drought and natural disaster and reduce electricity bills under the Queensland Government’s Primary Industry Productivity Enhancement Scheme.
It’s been 30 years since the first Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority PIPES loan was approved in Queensland and more than $1 billion has been loaned to primary producers.
Fifty farmers in the Scenic Rim have invested
$18 million, while $27 million has been invested in another 92 primary production enterprises in Somerset, Lockyer Valley and Ipswich local government areas.
Beef cattle enterprises were among the most popular across the four regions, as were dairy cattle and vegetable crops.
QRIDA southeast regional area manager Brian Coe said producers used the lowinterest loans to invest in a range of on-farm improvements such as more efficient water and energy-saving equipment to reduce electricity bills.
“Rising energy prices and the dependence on electric farm infrastructure to run their business are putting significant pressure on primary producers,” Mr Coe said.
“Many clients are using Sustainability Loans of up to $1.3 million to invest in energy-saving techniques like solar-generation equipment and they have been able to save significant amounts in the day-to-day running of their businesses.”
Mr Coe said aspiring producers in the southeast were increasingly looking to First Start Loans to secure their initial block of land.
“People young and not so young are having a crack and buying their first property and moving into agriculture business,” he said.
Producers can apply for finance up to $2 million to assist in the early years of establishing a primary production enterprise with a First Start Loan or finance up to $1.3 million to assist in achieving a more productive enterprise with a Sustainability Loan.
The State Government has endorsed QRIDA to provide a further $100 million in loans under PIPES in 2018-19.
QRIDA CEO Cameron MacMillan said the first Sustainability Loan was approved 30 years ago, in 1988, and the first First Start Loan was approved 20 years ago, in 1998.
He said more than 40 per cent of the funds had been lent to producers in the beef industry, with sugar, grain, other livestock, horticulture, aquaculture and fishing among the most significant Queensland primary industries supported.
Kalbar farmers Ed and Gen Windley use a First Start Loan to establish their vegetable operation.
More than 121ha of farmland nestled in the Scenic Rim is speckled with carrots and onions in the winter and green beans and sweet corn in the spring and autumn, produce headed for dinner plates across the nation.
Ed and Gen have extensive experience in agriculture and rural industries, as well as off-farm commercial experience, but they were put to the test when their property was damaged in the 2011 floods and again in 2013.
“We have fought our way back to a sound position and the new acres are predominantly flood-free, reducing our exposure to flood risk,” Gen said.
The Windleys used a QRIDA First Start Loan in 2005 to establish 55ha of leasehold land and when they were ready to further develop their business in 2016 they looked to QRIDA again for a Sustainability Loan.
“With the help of a Sustainability Loan we were able to purchase 36ha of land in our own names. Prior to that, our farming was carried out on leasehold ground,” Gen said.
“If you’ve got an idea, we suggest you start talking with QRIDA as early in the process as possible as their loans provide a wonderful opportunity for young, enthusiastic start-up farmers to enter the industry.”
For more information, visit www.qrida.qld.gov.au.