FULL SHOW 13th MARCH 2026

0:00Good morning and welcome to Rural Queen's Land today on the Resonate Broadcast Network bend of them with you this morning and it is Friday the 13th. A very good morning to everybody listening to us through forest being King Arroy, four Zedar and Roma, four Ville and Chalble, four Hion Emerald, four LM Mount Isre, four LG Longreach, four GC Charters Towers and the Hot Country Network. A very good morning to you. A big show with a lot to get through this morning. We will talk with Senator Susan McDonnell joining us very shortly. We'll also catch up along the way with Tony Rainer, Longreach in a little bit of trouble at the moment from a flooding perspective. We'll join with him very shortly. We'll catch up also and talk fuel, a lot going on and the Broncos last night. Well, they won't pretty by any standard. Maybe my area tips I need to look at a little bit more. This is Rural Queen's Land today across the Resonate Broadcast Network. Senator Susan McDonnell joining you first up on this Friday morning the 13th. Friday morning Rural Queen's Land today are the 13th and the Broncos might not have won,

1:01but the National Party certainly did with Matt Canavan the new leader. Senator Susan McDonnell joins me this morning off the back of a wild, wild start to the year for the Nationals. Good morning, Senator. Thank you so much for being with us. Good morning, Ben. That's a fair description. I think it's been a wild start for people from Thunderburg to Catherine across the North. It's been a wet and woolly beginning and certainly the National Party said it's fair share of uncertain weather. It is a crazy situation what is going on at the moment in the political landscape, but a lot of hope has now been given because of the fact that Matt Canavan is now leading the National Party. How happy is the wrong word, but how pleased are you for the Nationals that they have a person of this caliber, a proud Queen's Land, but somebody who wants to get

2:03the country back to the values that you believe, where agriculture and mining are the key pillars, where Australians can enjoy this country that we live in and are so lucky to live in, and that there is going to stand up and say, we are not tolerating this rubbish that is taking place from the Labor Party. Well, you've put it together really well, Ben, but I should say, you know, David Little Proud has taken on leadership in the most difficult of time. It is a thankless and tireless task, and he has delivered that and then stepped back at the time that, you know, he felt it was the right time to do, and I want to acknowledge that. He allowed the party to elect a new leader without a contentious sort of battle. It was, you know, up to the standard that you'd expect of David Little Proud. Were you shocked, were you shocked that he resigned?

3:03Because I spoke to him, he was on the show on Monday morning, come Wednesday, he's gone. Well, I was, too. I was, I was terrifically surprised, and I want to thank him for all of his work. It is, he's got one of the biggest electorates in Australia in Maranoa, 750,000 square kilometres. Yeah, it's huge, and then in addition to that, traveling around the entire country, supporting national party members wherever they might be, and it is a huge job. But, you know, I am, I am really pleased that Matt has taken on the job because the things that are his priority are all the reasons why I came to, came to politics, you know, national security, growing the nation, that northern Australia, agriculture and resources, growing our capacity and our ability, and mostly, of course, about families, real humans, in real places, who want to live the best life they can, and it certainly shouldn't be

4:04not as good as their parents. You know, this is the first generation that young people, under Labor, are expecting to have a less good quality of life than their parents did. That's shocking, and so getting back on top of that, the energy debate, cost of electricity, energy in this country, making food affordable and cheaper, but a better price for the farmers who grow it, and the truck drivers who drive it, and all the people along the supply chain, who at the moment are wondering if they can keep going. And a big shout out to every truck driver who's on the road right now, we know you're there, we know how much you're suffering with, with fuel prices increasing by 50% within a week. You know, there is fuel in this country, but it's just not getting to the people in the places that we need it right now. So, there's a lot of work to be done, Matt Stewart bought that energy and focus, and I'm delighted to have him taking on the role. The biggest talking point and is getting back to, we've got mining

5:11companies pulling out of this state, but we've also got a fuel shortage, and it's very real. Now Chris Bowen has got his head in the sand, and I understand that they're talking about finding fuel companies and everything like that, but the bottom line is, there's fuel stations running dry left, right, and center in regional Australia. I saw close on $3 at middle mount yesterday, I got a photo sent to me about diesel fuel in middle mount yesterday, close on $3. Senator, that's just unsustainable. It is just ridiculous, and the people that are suffering a regional Queenslanders. That's exactly right Ben, and you know, we all know what the problem is, we know that there are fishing boats that can't go out to catch fish, there are a lot of trawlers. Malulabar trawlers literally are parked at the moment. That literally parked. Malulabar angum right along the coast, we know there are harvesters that are running out of fuel, we know there are truck drivers who are saying, what am I going to do? I can't afford to fill up

6:13their mums and dads who are saying, you know, the binder is going to be $3.00 a litre fuel. You know, that is unsustainable for families and businesses and particularly food production, but we all know what the problem has been. I just want to walk through 12 days ago when this started, I started having calls from people. Do you think I should go and fill up today? Do you think there's going to be a problem? And at that point, every Labor politician would have had the same, and that was the moment when the Minister Chris Bowen or the Prime Minister should have said, we better pull everybody together. We better understand what the priorities are, where we need to get fuel. And so instead, we have the four big distributors, not distributing to the independent fuel distributors who go out into regional Queensland. We've allowed runs on fuel along the coast. We all know the stories of people filling up Jerry cans and 44 gallon drums and a thousand litre pods and drive it through service

7:16stations. And then the fuel, not getting out to regional Queensland. First thing is, they should have had a planning day then, not nearly two weeks later. They could have done what other countries have done, said to people, okay, public servants work from home, school shutdown. We are going to manage fuel because we know this is coming. Peru did that. I'm sure there are other countries around the world that had a plan, unlike Australia. The second thing is talking to people about what their needs would be. Saying, if this is what your normal purchasing is in March, then that's what we're going to be giving you, not allowing people to panic by, but managing the existing fuel to what we needed. And then the final thing is, is now that prices are spiking, they could be looking at the fuel exercise. And what that's costing Australians, rather than getting a windfall game, which they are right now. So there's three cheap easy ideas for the government. And then the final thing. Are they open listening to that day? Are they

8:18opening the listening to that? The minister has put out a press release saying, I'm going to fuel and go to allow for, you know, dirty fuel they call it to go out. But it turns out it's petrol. And I'm not sure how many people are running on petrol these days. I think diesel is where it's at. And he hasn't solved that problem at all. So I just think this is once again, Labor has just demonstrated themselves not to be able to fight their way out of a paper bag. They don't know what's going on. They're so impractical. And the people who will bear the cost every Australian who will pay more as a supermarket, who's paying more at the petrol station or the fuel station, I should say, or every small business is now under the pump wondering how they're going to get through this month. It's just one more cost from Labor. And this is intolerable. And

9:19it's not like we're not trying to give them practical suggestions. Instead, their gaslighting Australian saying, there's not a problem here. There's heat to fuel. There's never been so much fuel. Well, that's cold comfort if you can't get it, isn't it? It certainly is. What would you like to see from the National Party and the Liberal Party within Australia over the next? Because the elephant in the room is the one nation party. They are gaining momentum everywhere. But they and I'm being in no way rude to them. They're not offering a lot. They're just an alternative because everybody's so pissed off with the current political landscape. So to stop the tide, to turn it, to get some sort of structure back, what would you like to see from your party and the Libs over the next six to 12 months? That is such a great question, Ben. And that's the one that I'm really keen to answer. Because like I've just talked about fuel, everybody knows what the problem is. Just continuing to point out the problem is not helpful. You've got to have proper

10:21policies that are not isolated. They work in with the whole country. So developing northern Australia, more mining, more agricultural projects, improving roads and bridges so that attract drivers can get to the places that they need to pick up whether it be awe or agricultural cattle, as well as for families to be safe on the roads and able to live in the places that they want to live. I want to see small business be more successful. We've got to put downward pressure on prices for them so that they feel that they can have a go and all that entrepreneurship and the risk they take with, you know, taking out a loan on their house to get started, that's rewarded. There is so much that we need to get back to and Labor spends a lot of time talking about the failure of the coalition. Well, I don't accept that because we were doing things that really did help industry, small business, regional places, things that are being ripped away by this government. And so, you know,

11:25I want to get back to getting back to business, what changes people's lives, what makes Australia better and what makes us the best place in the world to live and work and run a business and open a mine and grow food, run a tourist project, whatever it is, we can be that but it doesn't, we can't just keep admiring the problems. We need practical, sensible solutions and that's what the national party will be doing. That's what the coalition will be doing, under Matt Canavan and Angus Taylor and I'm really excited to get back to work. Yeah, and I think everybody's excited to see what this new change brings. Look, take a breath, enjoy the weekend. It's long overdue or break. It's been just a rollercoaster this first three months and hopefully a little bit of stability now with the Rockampton Senator as the leader and getting back to the principles of the national party and it

12:27will also draw some funding from some big people as well. That's the big thing. Matt Canavan has very, very deep relationships with a lot of people and I think it's a really great step in the right direction. Thanks for being with us this morning and appreciate your time. Ben, that's a good point too because Labor in Queensland and federally have structured it that the unions can donate a lot of money without restriction, but business and individual don't have that same flexibility and so that's why fundraising to be able to be on a level playing field is important. People don't necessarily know about that, but you're right. Matt will bring success in a lot of field. So great to talk to you. See you soon. Senator Susan McDonnell, this is Rural Queen's Land Today. We'll take a break, come back with more. Welcome back to Rural Queen's Land Today. Well, 40 points to 32. Last night Brisbane got beaten by a paramedic and we don't do a lot of rugby league on this show, but a lot of people would be scratching their head this morning, waking up,

13:30going, what has happened to the Broncos? Got out to a 20 point lead and 20 points to six lead and then got mowed down 40 points, unbelievable. Paramedic have their first win of the season. Brisbane at the moment are zero from two, the running premieres. Now let's just get a little calm here before we start. It is only round two, but Brisbane didn't look the polish side that they have been. If I'm honest with you, seven tries to five and it was a comprehensive victory by paramedic in the end. Their attack looked more cleaner. They looked like they were in a much better situation once they got some possession. Brisbane looked a little disinterested. The problem is that when you're the premieres, every team wants to knock you off. Well, as Kev said to me, Kevin Walter said to me last night, when you're the Broncos, every team wants to beat you, it doesn't matter. Week on week, 50,000, turn up. Adam Reynolds looks like he's

14:34in doubt for the Melbourne Storm game. That's now very clear. Also, we now know that there's a lot of pressure going to be put on the coach Michael McGuire, and I don't necessarily think that's fair. McGuire is coaching the side. Yes, but the players, they need to have some ownership. That left hand side defense last night with Ezra Maim, Jack Adgeski, Ulrich Staffer, Dean Mariner, was really wrong. They got destroyed all night when they went on when paramedic went to their right hand side. It wasn't pretty, but it was absolutely effective. Brisbane need to start to crank things up sooner rather than later, because I can tell you, it's going to get more and more hostile. They take on Melbourne next Friday night, then the dolphins back at home, then the titans on Easter Saturday. You don't think all those teams want to have a crack at them? My God, it's coming like a freight train. Brisbane last night, in front of 39,100 people put on a performance that

15:39would disappoint their fans. I've had them texting me this morning frustrated, and obviously very angry about the situation, but the bottom line is that guess what? They are going to be okay. It's round two. It's round two. Now, if we're in round eight, different story. A lot has been said, there is a lot going on. Brisbane will bunker down, but they are the rating premieres last year. They got hot in the last five weeks, and they won the competition. Now, it's time to see what they're really made of. Mitch Barnett will be there next year. Jonah Peasant who had four tries this against the Broncos last night will be their half-back. There is a lot of work to be done for Brisbane, but the green shoots are there, and I'm looking forward to seeing how they perform. Grant Anderson still hasn't played yet. They are short of edge forwards. That's my biggest concern. They just lacking serious edge forwards, but it is only round two. So Broncos fans relax. It will be okay. Last night, it wasn't a performance that anybody wanted to see,

16:41but it is going to be okay. We'll take a break, come back. Plenty more to get through. This is Rural Queensland today. Welcome back to Rural Rural Queensland today. Well, while the Broncos were getting beaten at Suncorp Stadium, bigger issues are afar. Obviously, the flooding in the central west and the lack of fuel. Tony Rainer, the mayor of Long Beach Regional Council joined me this morning. Tony, a very good morning to you, mate, and thank you for giving me some time this morning. You're welcome, Ben, and good morning, listeners. Mate, give us an update. Pete, expected Pete. Today, am I right with the Thompson River? No, it won't be today now, Ben. The Thompson River is showing it's true, slow flowing nature, and it's always does this. It'll be a couple of days out. So probably Sunday will get the big peak, but we will see a significant rise today and tomorrow in the river, and a bit of minor flooding over the next day. So, and then on Sunday, we expect the peak and fairly significant flooding. Where does that sit when you talk about significant flooding and the town?

17:46Where is that at, and are you concerned? Well, in terms of when the water end is town, it's got about two and a half caves of floodplain that across us first from the main river channel, and then once it's crossed that and it's full, it then starts to end at town, and that's normally at about six metres or higher, but we start to get water creeping into their drip town. The Bureau of Math of forecasting 6.7, which we would see at Well and Fully Enter, the outskirts of Longreach and into some dwellings. So, we're doing off to about 80 houses. Yes, today we'll do a few more today. We've got sandbags ready. The Longreach locals are a really good Ben there. You know, they've lived to here. They've seen floods every 20 years, so most of them haven't had a handle it. Unfortunately, there will be some houses that will get water in them, but in general. You've got time at the moment though, haven't you, Tony? I don't want to be in any way silver lining it, but people can move gear out and, you know, and prepare, at least you've got a little bit of

18:52time to prepare for this one. Absolutely. We've always got a week's notice. We've got good context up in Mudabara, up in 100 days, up above us in the headwaters. There's a big river system up there. Ben, you've got the lands for a Cornish, Tau Hill, Arama Creek. They all had falls of anywhere up to 270 mils, which is a central rain, and over time, over a week or so, that winds its way down, and of course, Longreach is built on a floodplain. We will get water into their drip town, and that managed well in terms of, as you said, we're well prepared. We've got sandbags, we've got evacuation crews, we've water crews, so everyone's working really well together, as a community, and we'll get by this over the next week or so. And that's the good news out of it. How's the fuel situation, mate? At this stage, it's okay. We did score a couple of deliveries over the last 24 hours, which was good. Topped up a couple of servos that were running low. So in the short term, we're good, and beyond that, well, it's anyone's guess, Ben, as to what the future holds for

19:57fuel security just highlights that we do need, manufacturing and processing in Australia. I mean, are you concerned about it? I mean, you love your town. You've got some challenges right at the moment with the flooding, and obviously, and now the lands are as closed. I know, I think, went into Kainuna's closed as well at the moment. I know, black all the tanbo might be closed, I think, at the moment still. There is some water around, but fuel access and serviceability for people to continue to farm, and obviously, for the agricultural sector has to be a priority, and yet these blokes in Canberra don't seem to really understand the true enormity of this situation. Well, yeah, Long Beach is no different to any other town in regional Australia. Then we rely on fuel. It is the backbone of everything we do, whether it be the milk and bread, that we use every day to exporting cattle and wool around the country.

21:00Just everything relies on fuel. This week, we've had a mini-skill camp, a school of business education, 30 or 40 vehicles in the town. They all need fuel. There's no one that's not impacted. If we run out of fuel, that's something we desperately need to avoid for the nation. I'm really pleased that you had some fuel. Tell me this now, how long once the water does hit, and that Sunday expected to hit from the Thompson over the flood plan and inundation, how long till it recedes? Once the water comes in, which will be this weekend, it could sit there for three to four days been, because there is a large volume of water to slowly come down. Once it gets about 6.5 meters, it could sit at that level on and off for a few days. Obviously, you get a few peaks and rocks, and then in about a week's time it'll start to ease, which would be good. Yeah, everybody else, it will be sandflies will be your next thing, but you know what? That's

22:02the least of your worries. Thank you for being with us. I appreciate it. I just hope everybody's safe over the next couple of days. A lot of work. I know the council will be doing a lot of work over the next few days. We're doing, obviously, people moving gear and preparing for what will be another flood through long reach. I know it's not disaster zone, but you just certainly get preferred not to have to go through people's houses. A community like yours will come together, no doubt. The great thing coming out of this thing will be a gain like last year for the lake air basin and lake air. It'll be one of the most spectacular season that you can witness. Once the water gets out of the way and the next week or so, we look forward to welcoming all the visitors that are just about ready to come out and enjoy the Great Western Queensland Outback. Yeah, it's going to be a special, special winter this year for you. No question about it, just unbelievable. Tony Rainer, I really appreciate you giving me some time this morning. Thanks, mate. We'll talk to you again shortly and hope everybody's safe in long reach and surrounding areas as you brace for a flood on Sunday. So thank you for being with us.

23:05Thanks for the thoughts. Good on you. We'll take a break. Come back plenty more to get through. This is Rural Queensland today. Rural Queensland today, Ben Dobin. Across the Resident Broadcast Network, Shane McCarthy joined just the president of AgForce and we're going to continue on this fuel issue because it is massive now. It is very real and you heard from Matt Canavan a little earlier. Firstly, Shane, good morning. You must be terribly well done to David Little Proud, who steered the National Party. But the selection of Matt Canavan as the leader of the National Party is the biggest tick we've had in some time. Morning, Ben and listeners. And yeah, I think that's a pretty good move by the National Gods. Yeah, I mean, it's obviously there is some issues going on at the moment and wind and solar is one, but the fuel crisis at the moment, and I read your statement yesterday to your members, but this is as serious as it gets now. We have two petrol stations completely out of diesel and going to Windy. There is reports, different organisations, different towns are

24:10completely out. Chris Bowen says that there's enough fuel here. Well, why isn't it being distributed? Why is it not being pushed out to the regions where it is so urgently needed? The panic out there, well, I wouldn't say the panic. I'd say more of the anger out there that these guys are about to crop or about to put crops in and they can't get the fuel to do what they need to do. It's just not the crop, it's people trying to move stock, it's people just trying to get somewhere. We started to talk animal welfare issues as well, if I'm moving some cattle somewhere, and then all of a sudden I can't move anywhere because I can't get anywhere because I'm out of fuel. We don't care about the reason or how many stocks, the evidence is on the ground, that the fuel's not there. It is gravely concerning that in the

25:11short period of time where we can basically run out of fuel. So, what is, I know, as a peak body, what are you guys doing? I mean, how do we fix this? This just can't go on. We cannot be in a situation where farming families can't plant crops that feed the nation. Like this is unheard of and the flow on effect will be catastrophic. Look, we've been talking about this for years, 10 years or more that we've been going to governments and various governments saying, we're worried about the amount of fuel, the amount of fertiliser in the country. Well, we've been talking about it for a long time now. I think it's about time when we started, we stopped talking about it and actually started doing something about it and make sure that in these sorts of times we've got the ability to get fuel to the places

26:15that we need. I mean, the truck stops, the food stops coming to the cities and that's as simple as it is. So, how do we get, how do we get the fuel? I know that is simple, but how do we get, like, there is mayhem at the moment and, you know, they're reporting difficulty in farmers are reporting all across this state in Queensland and New South Wales that they cannot get access to fuel and it's being blamed on the Iran conflict. There are reports of panic buying, you know, in regional towns, make one bloke role lead to a service station with a fuel truck to try and fill out of the prices have gone up considerably. Now, we spoke with Brendan Taylor on Tuesday about this and he said it's a difficult situation. Well, it's more than a difficult situation. Now, we've now got the situation where literally people will not start tracking this year. There has to be a solution. There is the solutions around there. It's just that we just have sat on a hand for so long about it

27:19that, you know, every time something like this happens, we talk about, you know, oh, we've got to fix that and then the crisis finishes and it goes into the background. We've just got to get on with doing what we need to do to make sure that we have enough fuel, we have enough fertilizer to make sure that we can feed, let's forget about exporting everything at the moment. Let's just feed ourselves. That's that we need to stop talking about doing the solutions are there, whether it's bio fuel, whether it's having, you know, be able to produce with the refineries or what, but we need to be stopped talking about those solutions and start putting some of those solutions in place. And that's the thing that I think a lot of people need to understand. Who do you guys go to in these instances? Is it going, trying to get a meeting with Chris Bohn? I mean, I understand when you try to look at the vegetation laws, you're trying to talk with Murray,

28:25Murray Watts, you know, but who do you talk to in this moment? Look, I know it's a national crisis, but at the moment, I think we're going to get more out of the state government to actually do something. These guys want to actually seem to do something so I think we need to get the state government need to just take the matter into their own hands and not wait for the feds to do something. And let's just make sure that we've got enough food here. I mean, we've got most of the half the the cattle herd in Queensland anyway. So let's just, you know, maybe it's something that the state government can just say, look, you know, we're going to take into matter into our own hands and do something for the state. And, you know, I hate to say it, but let the other states worry about their own work. Yeah, it doesn't seem to be, it doesn't drastic everywhere else, but it needs to be fixed here.

29:26I can't get over what this one, how are you progressing obviously with the tick line and the veg laws? They're the other two big pressing things at the moment. We've got some floods in Chinchilla, obviously, and some flooding in North and Australia. But this tick line is starting to heat up again and obviously, and obviously the veg laws. Yeah, look, Tony Parrot, we've been talking to Tony, Tony directly and look, he wants to find a solution to it. Look, we're probably, we're over G for a review on what all the processes are to find out, you know, what is working, what is not working. And, you know, make sure that we sit down, work out what's working, what's not working and fix those problems as well. I mean, and Dobbo, I've got to say that best state government is open to solutions. And, you know, they are willing to look at anything and

30:27find the solution. And, you know, they just seem to want to get stuff done, which is, look, it's great to have a government state government like that at least. Yeah. I absolutely agree. And they are doing a great job. I don't necessarily like the redistribution of electorates, but that's a whole another story. And I know that they haven't been, they're going to look at it, but they're, you know, less, less electorates for the regions isn't a great thing in my opinion. And more in the cities is not a great thing. We will obviously look at that over time as well. This fuel crisis is pressing, but we appreciate you giving me some time this morning. Thanks so much for being with us, mate. A lot going on. And I know that you guys are frustrated with it as equally as well. We just hope that there can be a solution. Mate, well, thanks, Dobbo, anytime, mate, but, you know, we will find a solution and, and, you know, with these guys, we will get it done. We appreciate your time. This is Rural Queens Land today. Shane McCarthy, President of Agforce. We'll take a break, come back with more. Welcome back to Rural Queens Land today. Ben Dobbo, I'm with you this morning.

31:30Australian Law Feeders Association, President Christian Mulles joins us this morning. Christian, good morning. And thank you so much for being with us. I really appreciate you giving me some time across Rural Queens Land today. Off the back of a new $45 million program launched to fast track feedlot innovation and adoption by MLA. Now, the feedlotting industry is just the pillar of, and the backbone of the agricultural sector, for what it generates from an income perspective. This is good news that MLA have obviously identified that and are throwing some money towards it. Yeah, Ben, thanks for having me. It's a great initiative. What we're calling it the feedlot research for accelerated adoption program. And it's all about that it's core giving feedlot operators and mechanism to conduct funding under their own commercial feedlot conditions and to evaluate those results before making, you know, really big investment decisions or adoption decisions about new technologies. It's been something, it really has evolved the lot feeding industry with new technology. And I say that,

32:38you know, from from blogs building Sheds to automated feeding to different ways their pen structures are to what they're doing from a traceability sector. The last 10 years I would say it's been a seismic jump. Would you agree with that? I couldn't agree more. Ben, great thing about feedlot operators is they're very in tune with the science and the technology and often first mover, you know, take the first mover advantage with these technologies really wanting to understand, you know, what are the what these technologies can deliver in terms of productivity going. And it's a real focus of the feedlotting industry. Yeah, and that's the biggest thing. I think that they're probably at the forefront. So MLA identifying is where would you like to see and I know it's an individual case, but where's the real the real area of growth and your opinion got to come from in the industry? Look, the programs designed to encourage a

33:43broad range of adoption technologies, right? So whether it's shade, shelter, automation, animal health, anything related to getting increased performance, good animal welfare outcomes, these are the sorts of things that we're encouraging operators to get involved in. There's a real focus on shade and shelter and in Africa initiated a shade promotion back in 2020. And we've seen feedlot operators really jump on that and it started around 56% of capacity under shade in 2020 and we're now sitting at about 75%. And that's all been done through demonstrating, you know, the welfare and productivity going through research. But what we've learned is that each site's very unique, each solution, shade or shelter solutions, very unique to each site. And there's still feedlot operators out there thinking about what's the best structure for their business. And so this program is going to focus first on shade and shelter.

34:49And for those that are sitting on the fence still undecided, it gives them the opportunity to put in shade, conduct trials, understand the welfare and productivity gains. Before they make, what is a really big investment? There's no doubt about it, installing shade is a cost-effective side. But the pros, the pros out way, like I understand that the one thing about feedlot industry, the feedlotting industry is that yes, the expenses is real. There's no question. But the problem, what people need to understand, you spend it, you make it. And sometimes waste, you know, you can go to waste, things can go to waste. But in the feedlotting industry, if you put shade in, your benefits are a tenfold with, you know, the way cattle perform. You know, if you should, and this is the big thing. And I suppose that kind of research and that kind of information is the stuff and the technology is key. I feel like this industry is

35:51like so far advanced in what is, because I mean, and I say there's these are my words, we've got far left lunatics who are looking for any excuse to try and pin an industry and feedlotting sometimes comes to the forefront. And it's incorrect, because I mean, the environmental aside the feedlot operators. I mean, everybody's looking for the most sustainable animal health, you know, they're not cruel. They're looking for the best way to treat these products. These are, that's their gold. And they want to make sure and care for them. So they have the best possible experience there. And this is just another way forward that the feedlotting industry has been very, very strong on for some time. Great news, fair bit of money. I think MLA need to get on board and they have been supportive of it. The challenges, yeah, they really have come on board and they've said this, can I ask you just the challenges at the moment. Obviously, we're seeing, you know, across us at the present moment with between the US and Iran. We've seen tariffs

36:53in China, which, you know, is concerning. We're in a little bit of a predicament. We have a quality product that, you know, is very soluble around the world. But at the moment, there's a little bit of pushback. I mean, we have to have this. It underpins the whole beef industry now. 10, 15 years ago, I would have said, look, it's an integral part. Now the feedlotting industry, it underpins the whole market. So how important is it to have these markets and not have the unrest around the world that we're having at the present moment? Yeah, then look, market access is critical to feedlot news. But the whole entire supply chain, we obviously export the bulk of our product overseas, the high quality product that's demanded. Yeah, there's certainly some headwinds which have seen disruption in China. But there's great opportunities, right? There is enormous demand for high quality beef and protein. And that's

37:56being reflected in confidence back here domestically, you know, the feedlot industries under a growth pattern, with that 6% increase in capacity just over the last 12 months. And so there's a lot of investment going in because there's a lot of confidence. There's always going to be ups and downs and trusts and headwinds. Hey, we're in agriculture. That happens. But we're resilient and we just push forward with it. You talk about, you know, confidence, the sale of the feedlots and in recent, you know, if you look in the last six months, some of the biggest transactions, well, the biggest transactions that have happened have been feedlots being sold. Not only here in Queensland, but in New South Wales, it shows that there's an appetite. There's no question that this industry isn't going away. You know, people are clamoring to try and get, you know, really good feedlot licenses and obviously direction that they want to go in. Yeah, and look, you know, the big driver there is around brand development in the meat industry.

39:01You know, feedlots lend itself to infantry control and supply of high quality beef. So when you can control that supply chain through the feedlot system, you know, it's really attractive to supply chains and really attractive to brand owners. So, yeah, it's, we're in a bit of a gold age at the moment Ben. There's noted about there's a lot of interest in the feedlot industry, a lot of expansion and a lot of confidence, which is fantastic. Great news. I appreciate your time this morning and I understand, oh, I could talk to you for hours because it's such a wonderful industry, but great news with a new $45 million programme being launched to fast track feedlot innovation and adoption. The feedlotting sector is at the forefront of this. The owners, the people who work in it are doing everything they can, Christian, I really appreciate your time this morning. Thanks so much for being with us on Rural Queens at today and we'll definitely talk again. Absolutely. Thanks Ben. We'll take a break. Come back with more.

40:03Well, that's it from us here this morning at Rural Queens. Land Today, I hope you've enjoyed the show. I certainly have. We'll be back again tomorrow morning with the best of, but Monday morning from 9 a.m., I will be back. Stay safe on the roads and remember when the weed is ripe, keep the headers rolling in the paddock. We'll see you again for Rural Queens. It had been a huge week with so much going on. Obviously, the challenges with fuel, but the change of leadership in the National Party has been quite unbelievable. Have a great weekend everybody and we'll see you again on Monday morning from 9 a.m. Jason Matthews to join your next on Rural Queens and today.