Prime Focus newsletter
QRIDA helps family operate an egg-ceptional business
On the quiet back roads of Tiaro, 30 minutes south of Maryborough, flocks of free-range chickens contently pick and scratch at insects hiding in the lush grass. Each week they’re provided a new paddock with fresh grass and roam freely, ruffling their feathers in the dirt as they please.
Nick and Amanda Kuhn with their three children are the proud owners of these happy hens, operating Brother Brother Organics, a pasture-raised, free-range egg business.
The Kuhns originally operated from Nick’s parent’s property near Maryborough but with the help of a Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) Sustainability Loan were able to purchase their own land to operate their business from.
“QRIDA, I’d heard through the grapevine were fantastic to deal with and if you are looking to get into your own primary production business these were the guys to talk to,” Nick said.
“We already had an established business, but it was on my parent’s property. The Sustainability Loan enabled us to purchase land and we’ve been able to move our entire business operation from my parent’s place to our place.”
Nick and Amanda supply eggs to local businesses and restaurants across the Fraser Coast region and sell their eggs at the weekly markets in Maryborough where it’s first in best dressed to get your hands on a carton of these tasty goodies.
Amanda said it’s a team effort with the children getting involved in the family business but, in the beginning, they weren’t egg-sperts and have learnt a lot since establishing their operations.
“I think a lot of our customers love the story as well. We’re not just a husband and wife team, it’s a family effort.”
Throughout the application process, the couple were able to lean on their local QRIDA Regional Area Manager for Wide Bay and Fraser Coast, Mark Barrett.
“In the application process, there’s a lot of unknowns and if you’re not financially minded you might think it’s a bit difficult.
“Having Mark there, the Regional Area Manager, he was able to answer all our questions, offer a lot of assistance and help us submit the application,” Nick said.
Sustainability Loans offer up to $1.3 million to existing Queensland primary producers to create a viable future for their business.
Read or watch the Kuhn's client story here.
Continuing our support for Queensland in 2025
Queensland's disaster season has lived up to its expectations, leading to a busy start for QRIDA this year.
Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants, Disaster Assistance Loans and Disaster Assistance (Essential Working Capital) Loans have been activated to help primary producers, small businesses and non-profit organisations directly impacted by the recent North and Far North Queensland Tropical Low. Disaster loans have also been activated for small businesses and non-profits affected by the Southern Summer Rainfall and Flooding in the South Burnett region.
We keep those affected communities in our thoughts as they navigate this time.
Recovery assistance is still available for last year’s Tropical Cyclone Jasper disaster event and, as of 14 February 2025, we have approved more than $33 million for 1,184 applications.
From 1 January to 31 December 2024, QRIDA delivered 20 programs approving over $154 million in important financial assistance for Queenslanders, including the Fisheries Structural Adjustment Scheme, E-Mobility Rebate Scheme and the Queensland Sheep and Goat Electronic Identification.
Fee for services programs will continue to complement QRIDA’s portfolio and we look forward to further developing our relationships with government departments to deliver these programs and supporting Queenslanders in 2025.
Following the 2024 State Election, QRIDA now reports to the Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing, and Minister for Regional and Rural Development, The Honourable Dale Last MP.
In 2025, our core focus remains on fostering productive and sustainable regions and rural communities. Our First Start Loans support aspiring producers through the initial establishment of their businesses and our Sustainability Loans enhance existing farm businesses.
In February, we were excited to attend evokeAG, which for the first time, was held in Brisbane. This premier ag-tech event allowed QRIDA to discuss how we can support primary production businesses to adopt new and emerging technology to boost their business’ efficiency.
As 2025 rolls out, I encourage you to keep an eye on QRIDA’s website and socials to ensure you stay up to date on our latest news and programs.
Brooke Irwin,
Acting QRIDA Chief Executive Officer
Pictured above: Acting CEO, Brooke Irwin with Regional Area Manager for the Central Coast and Whitsundays, Tegan McBride at the Queensland Government AgTech Summit.
Farm Management Grants help producers plan for risk
If you are looking to build the resilience of your farm business, you may be able to access a Farm Management Grant to offset the professional advice costs associated with activities such as:
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preparation of a Farm Business Resilience Plan (required for QRIDA drought loan and grant applications)
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succession planning
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preparing for biosecurity, climate, weather (including drought) and risks
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assessing workplace health and safety.
Assistance available
A 50% rebate, up to $2,500, on cost of professional advice to help eligible primary producers prepare for risks identified and the preparation of a Farm Business Resilience Plan.
Eligible primary producers may be able to use a Sustainability Loan or Drought Preparedness Grant or from QRIDA to implement activities identified in their Farm Business Resilience Plan.
More information
For more information about Farm Management Grants, including eligibility criteria and the application process, visit the Farm Management Grants webpage or contact your local Regional Area Manager on 1800 623 946.
QRIDA helps Eumundi plant nursery flourish after South East Qld floods
The 2022 floods in South East Queensland posed the biggest challenge Phil and Belinda Redhead had faced as owners of their wholesale plant nursery, Eumundi Palms, but hard work, patience, and QRIDA’s financial assistance helped them resow a bright future for their enterprise.
In the outskirts of the hinterland town of Eumundi, the Redhead’s Eumundi Palms nursery is a haven of flora and fauna, with a vast range of palms and other tropical plants.
But when floodwaters swept across South East Queensland in 2022, Phil and Belinda could never have imagined the impact it would have on their business.
“We had a 1-in-200-year flood which affected our business in a terrible way. 100 per cent of the property was under water,” Phil said.
The couple were able to get their dream nursery back on track and replace damaged stock and equipment with the help of a QRIDA Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant and Disaster Assistance Loan.
“QRIDA offered us an immediate $15,000 of what was a $75,000 grant package. The damage was so substantial that we met the criteria for the grant very quickly,” Phil said.
Phil (pictured) encouraged other primary producers impacted by disasters to prioritise their mental wellbeing and contact their QRIDA Regional Area Manager to find out if financial assistance is available.
“We shouldn’t hold onto these feelings and allow them to build into a state of depression, which I saw happen with many other businesses and nurseries during the floods and other terrible events,” Phil said.
“QRIDA allowed us, very quickly, to get back on our feet and we feel really proud of what we’ve built and what the future holds.”
During the QRIDA application process, Phil and Belinda accessed support from their local QRIDA Regional Area Manager for the Burnett, Cynthia Godden.
“Cynthia helped us realise that for us to get back on our feet, we would need more than just the grant, and that’s how we also received the $180,000 loan. This is what helped us rebuild, not just get over the disaster, but to move forward,” Phil said.
QRIDA’s network of Regional Area Managers across Queensland play an important role helping local small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations access QRIDA’s disaster financial assistance.
“We come out onto premises to have a chat with the business owners and explain the application process,” Cynthia said.
“The most important things you’ll need for disaster assistance are your identification, financial accounts, and evidence of damage to your business.”
QRIDA assistance available for recent disaster events
Grants and concessional loans are now available from QRIDA for primary producers, small businesses and non profit organisations impacted by recent disaster events, including the North and Far North Tropical Low.
For full details of the assistance available for recent events, eligibility requirements and how to apply, contact us on
1800 623 946 or select from the relevant links under the 'Disaster recovery' tabs on QRIDA's website.
Remember to include supporting items
When applying, remember you need to submit the following items with your application:
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Photographs of damage
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Personal identification
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Rates notice or lease agreement
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Financial statements, tax returns, bank statements
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Details of your insurance
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Evidence of payment
QRIDA administers financial assistance to disaster affected primary producers, businesses, and non-profit organisations under the jointly funded Commonwealth- State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Our team in regional Queensland, helping yours
QRIDA has a network of Regional Area Managers (RAMs) based throughout Queensland who can provide you with the latest local knowledge and expertise on our programs and services.
We've got Queensland covered with offices based in Brisbane, Bundaberg, Emerald (with regular visits to Longreach), Hughenden (with an office in Cloncurry), Innisfail, Kingaroy, Mackay, Rockhampton, Roma, Toowoomba and Townsville.
In each newsletter we feature an update from three of our RAMs. To find details of your local RAM, contact us on 1800 623 946 or visit the Your Region webpage where you can search by region or postcode.
Angelo Rigano, North Queensland
My thoughts are with all of those impacted by the devastating floods in the North of our state. While there is still a long road to recovery ahead, it is heartening to see the initial clean-up and recovery efforts well underway as QRIDA continues to play an important role in getting the impacted regions back on their feet.
Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants of up to $25,000 are available through QRIDA for eligible primary producers, small businesses and non-profit organisations impacted by the North and Far North Tropical Low disaster event. The grants can help with a range of recovery costs including purchasing equipment and materials to undertake clean-up, disposing damaged goods, and repairing buildings.
The QRIDA team including myself and Regional Area Manager for the Far North, Sam Spina, can help you by providing information about the assistance or helping you complete your QRIDA disaster financial assistance application. For more information please get in touch.
John Metelli, Capricornia
Cattle producers can be optimistic about the year ahead as the 2025 beef outlook is forecast to remain buoyant and it is anticipated buyer confidence will remain strong.
With firm cattle prices that may increase, there is a good opportunity to reinvest in your operation through a range of on-farm improvements, including exclusion fencing, water infrastructure, and equipment upgrades. While the cattle industry continues to attract support on the back of a successful Beef 2024, there are a range of other powerhouse agricultural sectors in the Capricornia region that I am passionate about, from cropping to horticulture and commercial fishing.
Whichever agriculture industry you operate in, I’d love to chat with you about how QRIDA’s concessional First Start and Sustainability Loans could help you improve your operation. Please get in touch with me and we can arrange a time for me to meet you on-farm to discuss how QRIDA could help your operation succeed.
Sam Fryer, North West & Gulf
While it's been a summer of extremes including heatwaves and helpful rainfall for some parts, drought remains a concern for graziers, especially as weather patterns keep changing. This is a timely reminder for graziers to prepare for future droughts through water infrastructure improvements on their property while support is available.
QRIDA can assist with these drought preparedness projects through a range of financial support and it's a good time for graziers in the North West to reassess their business models and identify areas for improvement.
First Start Loans for succession have been a popular enquiry for me over the past few months. It’s great to see continued interest from the next generation in taking the reins on the family farming business.
We’ve opened an office in Hughenden, allowing for in-person meetings and I'm also available for on-farm appointments across the North West and Gulf. Contact me if you’re interested in QRIDA's financial assistance or need help with applications.
Missed out on a previous copy of Prime Focus? Read past editions here:
2024
Spring 2024 (PDF, 1,849KB) | Winter 2024 (PDF, 1,681KB) | Autumn 2024 (PDF, 1650 KB)| Summer 2024 (PDF, 1582KB)
2023
Spring 2023 (PDF, 1906KB) | Winter 2023 (PDF, 1,386KB) | Autumn 2023 (PDF, 1,406KB) | Summer 2023 (PDF, 654KB)
2022
Spring 2022 (PDF, 618KB) | Winter 2022 (PDF, 708 KB) | Autumn 2022 (PDF, 577 KB) | Summer 2022 (PDF, 537 KB)
2021
Spring 2021 (PDF. 655 KB) | Winter 2021 (PDF, 626KB) | Autumn 2021 (PDF, 602KB) |
2020
November 2020 (PDF, 665KB) | May 2020 (PDF, 561KB)
2019
December 2019 (PDF, 602KB) | July 2019 (PDF, 623KB) | March 2019 (PDF, 619KB)
