FARMGATE NEWS
Red Centre Beauty
We’ve been on the road again, taking some time out while our capable team kept things running smoothly. Like our farming communities, we’ve learnt the value of planning for quieter times and using them to rest and recharge. This trip took us to Alice Springs, where we caught up with Yorke Peninsula friend, Rob Higgins, who’s been working as a tour bus driver. Together, we explored Palm Valley
in a 4WD bus - a spectacular experience. What surprised us most was how many stunning locations are only short drives from Alice Springs. Highlights in the West MacDonnell Ranges included Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Big Hole, Ochre Pits and Ormiston Gorge. In the East MacDonnell Ranges, Emily and Jessie Gaps were close by, but Trephina Gorge was the standout, with breathtaking views, rock formations and a dry river bed walk.
Rich colours of the Outback, near Palm Valley, close to Alice Springs, NT. What a wonderful country we live in.
What Makes Country Life So Good? COMMUNITY
Check In With Your Mates
We’re grateful to the many people who reached out to say how much they enjoyed the last Farm Gate News. Your feedback is truly appreciated.
We’re passionate about supporting and celebrating the lives of country folk. Sharing stories builds connection and appreciation - something we all need, especially when farmers face challenges related to drought and also the frustrations of politics.
We value farming families and community members who give their time to local sporting and service clubs. Your dedication and contribution are noticed and deeply appreciated.
In our last edition, the strongest reminder was simple: check in on family, mates and neighbours. Offer an ear, a handshake or a
hug- small gestures that provide comfort and strength.
Special thanks to Sandy Kernich, Todd Niejalke, Greg Klopp and Sam Mumford, and their partners, for sharing their stories. They remind us no one is alone.
We love our country farming communities. You are IMPORTANT, and we admire you.
Ali & Danny Halupka
Owners - Grant Sheds
“Salt of the Earth Farmers”
“Hi Ali & Danny and your Team,
We have just received your latest Farmgate News and want to pass on our congratulations for an excellent publication. We always enjoy reading it when it comes out but this one we felt was outstanding. Your double page where you ‘checked in with respected farmers’ was very well done as well as the other articles.
As we are from KI we know the Mumford family and know what they have been through along with many others who were affected by the fires. The fact you are making the effort to highlight farmers in various ways in your publication is highly commendable.
You are showing great respect for those in the country who put food on our plates which is most admirable. Thank you for seeing these dedicated and hard working people as valuable and what they really are : ‘the salt of the earth’. “ From Judie & Charlie Bell, Kangaroo Island
Ellery Big Hole: Very deep, very cold. Monash bloke, Ross Henwood spent many years in the NT and says he’d go swimming here and would fill a bag with beer bottles on a rope and drop it into the water to keep the frothies cold!
Trephina Gorge: We never tired of the spectacular views. Here, Danny is standing on the cliff overlooking the dry river bed (you can see some sand in the bottom, centre of the photo) and he’s way above the tops of the River Red Gums growing in the river bed.
Dry Fink River on the way to Palm Valley near Alice Springs
Rob Higgins was our tour guide to Palm Valley.
You Little Ripper... Grant Sheds
LOCAL AUSSIE LEGENDS
“Old” is just a pathway to Now!
An Old Work-Horse To Be Proud Of
During a short road trip earlier this year, we discovered this old beauty (at right) on the street of a country town. Obviously still in working order, we love that it hasn’t been done up to perfection nor chopped for a hot rod. It’s old patina gives it wonderful character. With milk cans in the back and rabbit traps hanging over the side, Mr A Talbot (owner) must be mighty proud.
Now, I’m no old car expert, but my investigations tell me that this is likely a 1929 Oakland Buckboard. The badge on the front is “Oakland.” And while a “buckboard” originally referred to a horse-drawn vehicle, it later also referred to motor cars that had their rear passenger bodies removed to create a load-carrying bed.
A buckboard in the traditional sense however, is a type of fourwheeled horse-drawn wagon, of simple construction with a ‘buckboard’ which is a board in front of the wagon driver’s seat for a footrest and protection. Springs, if present, were between the board and the seat, not attached to the axles, like this old wagon (at left).
SA’s First Semi Trailer
“The photo here shows one of the very first semi trailers in South Australia and was owned by my grandfather, W.S. March,” says 80+ year old Peter March from Mallala. “Unfortunately I don’t have a photo of it with the trailer attached.”
It consists of a 1929 REO Speed Wagon with a 6 cylinder motor rated at 27.6 horsepower and a load capacity of 4000lbs (about 2 ton). It was converted by Ellis Bros at Port Adelaide to the semi trailer in the photo.
There appears to be 81 bags of wheat on this load. Probably not quite legal in today’s terms.
The vehicle mainly operated as a livestock carrier during the 1930’s and had a crate which extended over the back, front and sides. It was then complemented by a trailer behind it which was the first semi trailer to deliver to Gepps Cross and did so for many years. It was known as the Grace Plains Road Train, distinguishable by its strong odour of pigs and calves!
Was this the first road train?
WHEAT BAG
FILLER
Note: Wheat Bag Filler (or rammer) in Walter’s hand (upside down). A ‘rammer’ was used to get the maximum amount of grain into each bag. The bag was filled and then sewn up but leaving about 3” yet to sew. The empty rammer tube was pushed down into that gap in the bag of grain, The top (funnel area) was filled with grain via a scoop, then capped. As the rammer was ‘pumped’ into the bag, grain was forced down into the bag. The rammer would need topping up as the bag was rammed tight. Phew …. MORE hard work!
2025 Likely 1929 Oakland Buckboard, seen on the road at Candelo NSW and has a Historic Vehicle registration.
1929 Reo Speed Wagon semi trailer with owner by W.S. ‘Walter’ March standing in front & Syd March is between the cab and the load.
Photo source: Peter March
Smart Sheds & DRIVE FARM
grain and cotton trader/broker.
“With the broad skillset the boys have, this will help value add to our family farm and allow us to continue to seek expansion opportunities,” Scott says.
South of the Queensland border, Scott & Ainslee Donaldson are continuing a farming tradition that dates back five generations. There, in the New South Wales ‘Golden Triangle’, Scott and his family operate Donaldson Agriculture that encompasses cropping, cotton, and a small herd of Angus cattle on 14,000 acres located between Warialda and North Star.
It’s an area known for its broadacre farming, offering reliable rainfall, high yields and the ability to grow both winter and summer crops. “The area’s average rainfall is around 700mm and generally quite reliable,” Scott explains.
“In the dry years, we need to have faith in the long-term predictions, improvise and spread risks.
“But that’s the beauty of being able to grow both summer and winter crops here. We can change what we grow depending on soil profiles and diversification.”
Scott notes in an average year, his crop rotation sees two thirds of the area devoted to winter crops that include cereals, legumes, and canola, while the remaining third comprises summer crops of cotton, sorghum,
corn, and mung beans.
The family also runs a backgrounding herd of Angus cattle in the grass country and waterways that aren’t subject to cropping, with the animals later supplied to local feedlots.
And in recent years, the Donaldsons have diversified their operation further, operating a contracting business and a commercial quarry that supplies gravel to the local shire council.
The additional businesses have provided an avenue for Scott’s three sons, Sam, Jake, and Will, to return to the farm. “With our boys coming home to the farm, they are keen to take on these new enterprises within the family farming business,” Scott says.
“The contracting also takes advantage of the machinery we already have, so it’s utilising that to its fullest capacity.”
Prior to returning to the farm, each of the boys has studied and worked elsewhere. The eldest, Sam, completed engineering and finance at university then pivoted to work for corporate agriculture and investment companies before heading back home.
Will studied an Agricultural Business degree and is currently working overseas for large broad acre businesses but plans to work in the family business in the near future.
Meanwhile, Jake completed an International Business degree at uni and now works as a
New Fertiliser Sheds Allow Buying Fertiliser When It’s Cheaper
As part of an investment in the farm’s future, Scott and his family recently purchased two sliding roof fertiliser sheds from Grant Sheds with the purpose being able to buy fertiliser when it’s available at cheaper prices and then storing until it’s needed.
Completed last year, the sheds have been built side by side for efficiencies and ease of use. The sheds feature roofs on rollers that can be easily pushed all the way back to allow unimpeded access when it comes to loading or unloading fertiliser, grain, or even seed.
Scott notes it’s …
An investment with a series of advantages.
“Unloading trucks by opening the shed roof and dumping direct from truck to shed saves a large amount of time for the truckies so they love it because it’s highly efficient for them,” Scott says.
“And having the sliding roof fertiliser sheds means we don’t have to unload trucks and road trains through augers, which damages the augers.”
Scott also says recent years have seen the agricultural sector move away from anhydrous gas fertilisers back to spreadable granular varieties. “Spreading granular fertiliser is a more efficient method of spreading fertiliser and has been adopted with the increased accuracy of fertilising technologies,” he reflects.
Having dedicated fertiliser sheds allows him to purchase these fertilisers, including urea, MAP, DAP or Starter Zinc and store in separate sheds.
The sliding roof shed is also ideal for feed such as cotton seed, which can be purchased early in the season at a cheaper rate and then stored as livestock fodder.
The Donaldsons have diversified their farming operations to create space for the next generation to return to the farm. Above: Three of the past 5 generations of Donaldson Agriculture on ‘Bendee,’ Scott (third from left) with son Jake, father Mike and son Will. Top: Eldest son Sam in 2025 Pioneer Canola.
Smart Thinking FARM SUCCESS
But in Scott’s case, fertiliser was the main reason for the purchase. And with that dedicated use in mind he opted to go a step further, adding a concrete floor and additional height to the struc ture courtesy of low concrete walls that the shed is mounted on. Scott also built a loading ramp nearby. The additions of the extra height and the loading ramp gives Scott flexibility. He has the option of opening the roof and using large machinery to access the fertiliser when outloading, or he can utilise a telehandler with the roof closed and fill trucks or trailers at the end of the ramp, which is handy if working alone.
Scott concedes the concrete walls and floors added extra expense, but feels it was worth it. With footings about a metre deep, the concrete walls are 750mm high and bring the total height of the shed to 3.1m at the eaves.
“Whether you need to go to that expense or not is debatable,” he says. “Or stick with the standard Grant Shed height and open the roof for outloading.”
Regardless,
Scott’s thrilled with his result.
Not only does it allow the shed to store a greater volume of fertiliser, the extra height and layout improve access, which is particularly critical when it comes to urea.
Scott notes urea has a tendency to clump and become lumpy when exposed to
Scott & Ainslee Donaldson (at top) are thrilled with the ability to buy fertiliser when it’s cheaper, separate the types they use and the time-saving efficiencies of inloading and outloading using these two Sliding Roof Fertiliser Sheds purchased from Grant Sheds in 2024.
moisture, which not only damages augers, but makes it tricky to spread.
To combat this, the Donaldsons now use a Victorian-made ‘Hansa’ steel-belted style spreader.
“It has slats of steel rather than rubber belts and is designed to knock out/toss out the lumps,” Scott notes. “You can also use it for spreading gypsum, chicken manure, etc. ‘It just handles lumps better than the European spreaders and the design of them affects how the fertiliser drops onto the spinners.”
But for now, Scott’s looking to the future
after two seasons using his sliding roof fertiliser sheds. He’s considering additional sheds for shorter term purposes and says a number of other farmers in the region are also expressing their interest.
*Note: While Scott chose to build his sliding roof fertiliser sheds on low concrete walls, Grant Sheds can also offer 2.4m or 3m height walls for these sheds with our standard fertiliser and grain lining and this removes the higher cost of the concrete walls. Another alternative is a fixed roof shed with higher walls and a 3m grain & fertiliser lining.
Benefits of Sliding Roof Fertiliser Sheds
• Easy to open and close the roof in minutes
• Truck drivers love the fast unloading
• Safer than storing in silos
• Shed height stays low, saving you serious build costs.
• Plus, you can build several of these smaller sheds to use for different purposes or in multiple paddocks or farms, without it costing you an arm and a leg. Call Grant Sheds on Freecall 1800 088 528
Our experienced team is here to discuss your fertiliser &/or grain storage volumes and your building options. We’ll help guide you in the right direction for your own needs.
GRANT SHEDS
Years Grain Shed Storage ... Then & Now
Still ... The Best Grain Protection
Thanks to Condor Laucke, Managing Director of Laucke Mills, for sharing this 1964 ad for Grant Mouseproof Barns.
These sheds were popular in the 1960s when grain was bagged, but became obsolete once bulk handling arrived. The new handling methods saved huge amounts of time and reduced strain compared to lugging and sewing bags in the paddocks, then carting them to railheads or sheds.
Condor, now 70, recalls: “I remember handling 180-pound (82kg) wheat bags at the Laucke Flour Mill. Every bag was lumped off trucks, stacked by hand, then shifted again for processing. Feeds and flour were all manually handled - a very different world from today.”
Many farms still have one of these barns, now often filled with “too good to throw out” treasures.
Bulk Grain Sheds Now
For Grain, Fertiliser & Machinery Protection
Phil Combe from Crystal Brook in the mid north of SA, invested in this versatile shed that will pay for itself in no time. Phil here with sons Will and Cam.
20m x 60m x 5.1m Grain & Machinery Shed
Andrew & Annette Cass, formerly of Loxton, invested in a massive Grain Shed rated at 3,000 tonnes, though Andrew says it held closer to 4,000. During harvest, he cycled grain through this shed and two smaller ones, using them as fast overflow storage before trucking to public facilities as time permitted. So it was much more than 4,000 tonnes that passed through this shed each season.
The Cass’s also stored grain longer term for their own needs and private sales, and the sheds paid for themselves quickly.
“The strength of your sheds has great appeal. They’re professionally designed to proper standards, so we know the quality is there. We don’t want the risk of a shed blowing down. As long as we’re gettng value for money and quality, that’s what counts.” Andrew Cass, formerly of Loxton
1. Fertiliser Storage
Save by buying fertiliser when price opportunities arise
Confidence having fert on-farm, ready for spreading
Safety easy & safe to fill & unload.
2. Grain Storage
Quick & Easy storage during harvest prevents har vesting delays caused by weather or off-farm silo issues.
3. Machinery Protection
More space for wide equipment. Shed available in a number of spans … 12m, 15m, 18m and more.
Safe & secure Doors create a lockable space to protect against theft. Shown here with outriggers so doors open beyond shed, giving maximum width clearance. Also available without doors.
C1915 Wheat stack at railway yard, Loxton SA Photo courtesy State Library SA PRG-1258-2-738
12m x 24m x 5.1m Combination Shed
To Help You With Your
FARM SHED SOLUTIONS Ideas
Why Justin Duffy of Orroroo Chose A Grant Shed
Solid reputation of Grant Sheds: “I just had a look around and they seemed to have the best name,” he says.
Great communication: He notes, “The process of ordering and constructing the shed surpassed my expectations. There was great communication. I knew what was going on the whole time.” Plus the shed was erected in only a few days. An operation Justin describes as, “Like clockwork!”
Value for money: This played a major role in Justin’s decisionmaking. “I thought the price I got was really good as well.”
Justin stores hay in this shed to feed sheep over the summer. The extra height of the shed allows him to stack square bales six high with room to spare.
VERSATILE COMBO SHEDS
Adaptable to Many Purposes
12m x 24m x 5.1m Combination Shed
This shed includes a 6m wide secure lock-up area (left) with sliding doors and a low wall lining inside it to store fertiliser or grain. The rest of the shed is open on one side with 6m wide beams providing access to store vehicles, implements or farm machinery OR for storing hay for stock fodder. It’s a truly versatile shed.
“I Always Buy Grant Sheds”
Neil Byerlee owns 17 Grant Sheds. He, and father Malcolm, built all of them themselves and Neil says, “We have absolutely no trouble … everything just goes together easily.”
Neil has helped others build sheds too and always asks first, “What brand is it?” This is because he’s been caught out with terrible sheds to build for others. “One other shed looked like it was just ‘chucked together.’ Nothing matched, none of the holes lined up and it was missing things. When I rang them it was like I was a bad smell. They didn’t want to talk to me or answer my questions” Neil said.
“So I always buy Grant Sheds. I never go anywhere else. They are the best for quality. They’re certainly not flimsy.”
Neil Byerlee, Orroroo
100% TAX DEDUCTION
Still applies on sheds for storage.fodder*Conditions Apply. Seek your own independent advice.
MOST POPULAR HAY SHED
12m x 24.3m x 6m Hay Shed
Open one side with 3 x 8.1m widespan beams, UB front columns & hay bumper rails.
CURVE-THROUGH SHEDS For Long Vehicles in Awkward Terrain
12m x 27m x 5.1m Machinery Shed
2 x 4m wide sliding doors on one end open up to give a 8m opening. 2 x 9m wide bay beams give easy access on one long side. This combination of side and end openings allows Robert to drive long combination machinery in at the end of one side, curve around inside the shed and drive out through the 12m end wall. It’s the same convenience as a drive straight through shed but suits Robert better where his hilly terrain means he had to build into the side of a hill and he didn’t have the easy terrain for a drive straight through shed. The time efficiency and safe working system of not having to unhitch things are a game-changer for Robert. Built for Robert & Judy Honan at Whyte Yarcowie
“Honestly Interested In Your Clients”
“We hope your business continues to florish. You are very genuine people who are honestly interested in what the client has to offer, and what you can do for your client. This really comes out in your newsletters.”
Judy & Robert Honan
