Queensland Country Hour

Explore what it takes to put food on plates around the world with our team of specialist reporters.

20 years ago Smut disease threatened to destroy sugarcane farming, instead it reshaped the industry. A saddle maker explores the leatherwork resurgence, and go behind the scenes with #farmlife creator Mitchell Coombs.  

Australia's cotton industry is preparing for an invasion... of sorts. Beef producer Bryce Camm recognised in the King's Birthday Honours and the technology predicting bruises in strawberries before they head to market. 

Grazier Matthew Peart shares the changes he made to build his composite herd and restore his country. Plus, is Australia nearing its quota for beef exports to China, and a governess reflects on life as an educator. 

In the late 1990s Matthew Peart's Carnarvon Range property, about 600 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, was gripped by pasture rundown.

Farms in Focus report shows despite the difficulty, farmers are increasingly embracing change. Grazier Matthew Peart shares how regenerative grazing gives him hope, and the reality of varroa mite hits beekeepers. 

Minimum wage rise adds to pressure as Farmers try to strike a balance between high costs and keeping workers on. Taking steers for a test run at Farmfest, and funding for biosecurity incursion exercises. 

Queensland winter crop could be down 35 per cent, as farmers navigate the prolonged dry in volatile times. Plus, a flapping drone disguised as a peregrine falcon taking on strawberry thieves, and the crush is on!

Talented stockman and a good bloke, Wilson Sprague's family share the story of the chopper pilot who died in a crash in 2025. Plus, building back after bushfire and cattle on show in Hughenden. 

"An episode of Utopia" the weather bureau's website under scrutiny at Senate Estimates, class is in session for woolclassers, and celebrating international potato day.

Rural fire brigades fear insurance changes leave them exposed, but chief fire officer disputes that. And trialling robo dogs in  the livestock industry. 

From the Gracemere Saleyards, processor JBS weighs in on when China's beef quota will be filled, beef prices are rallying but will it hit consumers? And switching oil and gas for essential oils. 

Fund managers representing $10 trillion of capital headed to Brisbane, what it takes to win a chilli eating competition, and making the manure switch. 

Why building sovereign manufacturing capacity is about much more than the sum of the parts. 

Demand for cottonseed spiking but supply is constrained, the right to repair farm machinery in the spotlight, and the first results from the State Sheep Show in Longreach. 

Karumba considers a future without fishing, AACo's herd and profits are up, and biofuels mandate to become a reality. 

This World Bee Day, share some bee facts and learn how the pollinators are faring after the big wet season. 

Australia's largest organic meat producer Hewitt to acquire Nolan Meats

In sheds and on dashboards across the country, old hats sit quietly, holding decades of memories.

Amid disruption from Iran war, China quietly turns off sulphuric acid supply 

Northern cattle producers "deeply disappointed" by federal court live export ban compensation ruling. 

How every shopper experiences a supermarket could change after court rules Coles' "Down Down" promotion mislead consumers. 

Farmers breathe a sigh of relief over tax changes, but fear deep cuts will make fighting feral pests harder. 

Calls for family farms to be left out of tax changes in tonight's federal budget. 

Sunwater CEO Glenn Stockton quit just days before reports of a leaked letter recommending the Paradise Dam rebuild be scrapped.