Latest news with #Eungella
ABC News
4 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Last Eungella dairy farm closing as milk becomes 'cheaper than water'
As the morning sun pierces a patchy fog, Dale and Paula Fortescue herd their dairy cows into their mountaintop milking shed for perhaps the last time. The couple are the last dairy farmers at Eungella, west of Mackay, an area that was once home to about 60 dairies. They have operated the Eungelladale dairy for 17 years and, despite "unbelievable" community support, they have decided to close once they have filled the last of the bottles in stock. Mr Fortescue said rising production costs, low consumer prices, and two years of wet weather had made it impossible for the farm to turn a profit. "It was a big decision, but we think it's the right one," he said. The Fortescues are not the only Queensland dairy farmers leaving the industry, according to advocacy group eastAUSmilk. Chief executive Joe Bradley said the number of Queensland dairy farmers had fallen from 1,500 to 220 in the past 25 years. "The costs have gone through the roof, and what we receive for our product hasn't kept pace, and people are leaving the industry." "That really destroyed the price of milk, and they keep that at a ridiculously low level, which then devalues the whole of dairy," he said. Mr Bradley said the whole supply chain had been under stress since milk became "cheaper than water". "The problem is that because the returns on dairy have been so low for so long now, no farmers have money put away for a disaster or a downturn, and now every time you get some sort of an incident, people have no option but to shut up shop," he said. Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the government's mandatory Food and Grocery Code of Conduct came into effect from April this year to help support the industry. She said the new code would address the imbalance between supermarkets and suppliers, particularly the smaller ones. Ms Collins said the government was also reviewing the Dairy Code of Conduct to ensure it worked "as intended and remains fit for purpose". In an attempt to be profitable, Eungelladale dairy switched from supplying larger brands to producing its own milk on-site to escape some of the pressure from low industry prices. But Mr Fortescue said the savings were not enough to see them through when consecutive wet years disrupted milk production. Eungella Chalet manager Tess Ford said it had been a privilege to use "beautiful" local milk on her menu. She said it would be sorely missed. "I'm devastated," she said. "It's been a pleasure dealing with Dale and Paula, and it's very sad to see them go. Ms Ford said it also raised questions about who would supply milk to her business. "It's going to be a bit of a challenge to find a supplier; only certain people will come to Eungella to deliver," she said. Mr Bradley said Australia was at risk of becoming a net importer of dairy from as early as this year. "A third of production has dropped in Australia, and it's only going to get worse," he said. "Farmers just want a fair return for their product." Although Mr Fortescue hopes he can pivot his farm into beef production, the last days of dairy farming will be bittersweet. "People let big business roll over the top of everything you do," he said. "So, the last dairy in Eungella says goodbye. "And unfortunately, that's how it goes."
Miami Herald
19-02-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Bright'-eyed creature with a ‘whirring' call found in Australia. It's a new species
In a small patch of rainforest in northern Australia, a 'bright'-eyed creature perched on a bush and called out. Its 'whirring' sounds were meant to attract potential mates — but hooked nearby scientists instead. Although it wasn't clear right away, the calling animal turned out to be a new species. A team of researchers set out to study a supposedly widespread species of tree frog known as Litoria revelata. For years, these frogs had been a puzzle for scientists because they lived in three isolated areas of Queensland yet looked relatively similar. Some scientists thought the frogs were all the same species, while others thought there were important differences between the populations. Hoping to settle the debate, a team of researchers analyzed over 180 specimens of Litoria revelata from all three population areas, tested their DNA and compared recordings of their calls, according to a study published Feb. 10 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. Patterns began to emerge. In each location, the tree frogs were subtly yet consistently distinct, the study said. Researchers concluded they were looking at three distinct species: the true Litoria revelata, or southern whirring tree frog; the previously contested Litoria corbeni, or Atherton Tablelands whirring tree frog; and a new species Litoria eungellensis, or the Eungella whirring tree frog. Eungella whirring tree frogs can reach about 1.5 inches in length, the study said. They have 'relatively large' eyes with 'bright copper-gold' color on top and a 'brown copper-gold' color on the bottom. Their fingers are 'long,' and their snouts are 'rounded.' Photos show the new species, which varies from tan to creamy brown to 'bronze' but always has dark blotches on the undersides of its legs and a colorful groin. Eungella whirring tree frogs live in upland rainforest at elevations of at least 2,800 feet, the study said. They are often found sitting on the ground near 'slow-flowing' creeks and streams or perched on 'farm dams.' FrogID, a project led by the Australian Museum, includes a recording of the Eungella whirring tree frog's call. It sounds like a high-pitched warbling and can be heard here. Researchers said they named the new species after the Eungella region of Queensland where it was discovered and the only place where it lives. Because of its 'extremely small' distribution, it is already 'in urgent need of conservation attention.' The new species and other whirring tree frog species were identified by their DNA, subtle physical features and call sounds, the study said. The research team included Luke Price, Conrad Hoskin, Michael Mahony and Stephen Donnellan.
