At 33, Sam Fryer has landed his “dream role” that combines his intense passion for agriculture with his innate ability to help others.
QRIDA’s new regional area manager for the North West and Gulf is keen to aid farmers to seek financial assistance to achieve their primary production business goals.
Sam, a grass-fed beef producer based near Hughenden, North Queensland, said the rich region he covered – from Hughenden to Mt Isa (east-west), Winton to Burketown (north-south) – was home to endless agricultural development opportunities.
“While it is predominantly beef, producers are starting to become more adventurous with their business models and are trying new concepts and technology,” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to helping producers bring these ideas to life with the grants and loans available through QRIDA.
“Yes, I have found a role that suits me well. I get a kick out of helping people and that’s what we do. We’re here to help primary producers.
“And, I love agriculture, I love the beef industry.”
Sam was born and raised on Railview Station in Prairie where his family ran a Charbray/Brahman herd.
From a young age, he was keen to learn about Australia’s various beef industries.
Indeed, after finishing school at “Churchie“ in Brisbane and attending Longreach Agricultural College, Sam worked on stations in the Gulf, the Northern Territory and southern Queensland.
He then ran a remote contracting business while building a small mixed-breed herd with wife Emily and their three children, before working as the northern accounts manager for beef data analysis business, Black Box Co.
Last year, he graduated with a Bachelor in Agribusiness, majoring in marketing and management.
“Growing up on a family cattle property in North Queensland, I’ve established a strong connection to the beef industry and life on the land,” Sam said.
“I’ve worked in the beef industry since leaving school and have been lucky enough to gain experience right across the country.”
Sam is an active advocate for creating supported pathways into the industry for young people and, as such, said he was particularly excited about helping future farmers to establish their agricultural businesses.
QRIDA’s First Start loan offers up to $2 million to help producers in the early years of establishing their primary production enterprise.
“There’s a lot of young producers looking for ways to make their break in the ag industry,” Sam said.
“The First Start loan is designed to help them do this through property purchase, carrying out the family succession plan, achieving stand-alone viability or entering into share or lease farming arrangements.”
Sustainability loans of up to $ 1.3 million are available to assist producers with improving the profitability and productivity of their primary production business.
“As I mentioned before, producers are starting to trial new things,” Sam said.
“And, as they do, the Sustainability Loan is there to help fund their new initiatives, whether it’s diversifying into a new agriculture industry like goats, adopting new and emerging technology, building on-farm rural workers’ accommodation or exclusion fencing projects, there’s a lot QRIDA can help with.”
QRIDA also offers a suite of drought support to help producers plan, prepare, recover or mitigate the impacts of drought on their farm business.
“Like most of Queensland, the North West and Gulf is prone to dry conditions and so it’s important for producers to take advantage of the funding available to help them sustain their business through drought,” he said.
Primary producers can call Sam on 1800 623 946 and arrange a time to meet on-farm to find out how QRIDA’s financial assistance can help their primary production business.
QRIDA is a specialist provider of government financial assistance programs dedicated to supporting Queensland primary producers, small businesses and non-profit organisations.
