Gippsland Farmer November 2021

Phone: (03) 5135 4444

November, 2021

ZEROING IN ON FARMS

By MICHELLE SLA LATER A

FARMERS are forging their own path to achievi ving i net zero according to a Berr rry rys y Creek beef producer who is accusing the federal government of “spin” as Austral alia l headed into climate tal alks l in Glasgow.

Far armers r for Climate Action member Fergus O’Conn nnor n runs ru u a regenerative graz azin zing n operation producin ing n premium exp xport p rtt beef for Greenh nham ham’s m Never Ever Grass Fed program.

Mr O’Connor has almost doubled his soil car arbon r through methods such as rotational all graz azing z g, plan anting n g deep p-rooted mix ixed x pasture species, and an n sectioning off par art rts t of his propert rty ty for trees.

He said this had reduced inputs such as fertilisers and helped cut methane, while upping livestock welfar are r enabling him to sell a top product.

“I think Morrison has been dragged kicking and screaming into it, they’ve come up wii nothing new. To think Barnaby Joyce with represents far armers r is a total all joke,” Mr O’Conn nnor n sai aid. i “Gippsland is some of the best country ry y in Austral alia, l we have fantastic an n ground dwater and an nd we need to look after aff what we have.”

Continued on page 10

Berrys Creek farmer Fergus O’Connor shows off his lush pasture helping to draw down carbon. photograph michelle slater

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RURAL NEWS

Flavorite’s visionary partnership

TOMATOES and capsicums are making a big difference to the lives of people living with Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes.

Warragul hydroponics producer Flavorite has kicked-off a partnership with Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision and Coles, which has already raised $500,000 into Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes.

November is Maddie’s Month raising awareness for the group of devastating conditions that mainly affect children and young adults.

Maddie Riewoldt died at 26 after a fiveyear battle with a Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome called Aplastic Anaemia.

Before she died, she wished that no-one would go through what she had.

Consumers can help by purchasing Flavorite tomatoes or capsicums from Coles.

For every pack sold this month, 10 cents will go towards helping to find better treatments and cures for young Australians diagnosed with bone marrow failure.

People who purchase a pack will also be able to enter a competition by QR code to win a kick of the footy with Maddie’s big brother Nick Riewoldt, as well as many other prizes.

Maddie’s Month was the brainchild of Flavorite co-founder Mark Millis who personally battled blood cancer and understood the urgent need for medical research to find more effective treatments.

Neither Maddie nor Mark are with us, but their families continue their legacy.

Flavorite’s Chris Millis said he was really excited about this year’s campaign and thanked those who had purchased tomatoes and capsicums towards the fundraiser.

“My dad Mark Millis started the Maddie’s Month campaign with Coles and Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision in 2016 to raise

Flavorite chief operating officer Chris Millis and chief executive officer Mike Nichol are encouraging people to purchase their products to raise funds for Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes. photograph supplied

much-needed funds to find a cure for Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes,” Mr Millis said.

“These small actions are supporting Australian farmers like us and making a huge difference in patient’s lives.”

Funds from previous Maddie’s Month campaigns have supported the first Australian Marrow Failure Biobank to

collect and store tissue samples that are critical for research into new treatments.

It has also funded a three-year research Fellowship at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute.

Nick Riewoldt said they were hoping to raise $100,000 this month.

“Sadly our two families know what it is

like to lose someone you love, so together we are fighting towards finding a cure for Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes,” Mr Riewoldt said.

“Please jump on board, buy some delicious tomatoes and capsicums and make a big difference!”

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

November, 2021

RURAL NEWS

Canadian dairy giant purchases Gippsland farm for a reported $20m pricetag CANADIAN dairy giant Aurora Dairies has bought Gray Wigg Gault’s Gippsland farm.

The Foreign Investment Review Board recently approved the sale of the 2375-hectare Clydebank aggregation, which supports a milking cow herd of 2800 head.

Common Ground Venus Bay project leader Sarah Gilligan is trying to protect local wetlands from being developed.

LAWD Melbourne director Colin Medway could not disclose the sale amount, but said it was not far away from the $20 million price guide when the property first hit the market.

photograph supplied

Governments called on

Aurora Dairies, which is backed by one of Canada’s largest superannuation funds, has previously purchased Gray Wigg Gault properties at Nambrok and Winnindoo.

By MICHELLE SLATER

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The 880 acres of grazing land and sensitive salt marsh that backs onto Anderson Inlet.

certain areas to retain grazing for carbon sequestration projects.

“We’ve never really valued swampland before, but now we find salt marshes provide more flood and storm resilience than a sea wall. It’s a natural barrier that could be a part of the carbon economy,” she said.

“There is all sorts of potential that is exciting. No one is interested in developing degraded land under a flood plain.”

Ms Gilligan said the community had been talking with various government agencies to float ideas such as planning overlays, re-zoning, or acquiring the land for longterm environmental projects.

“It’s heartening that the Venus Bay community has come together over this.

Land in Venus Bay is booming, but it means we are losing so much habitat as people are clearing and building,” she said.

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A GROUP of Venus Bay community members are imploring the state or federal government to step in and preserve 880 acres of grazing land and sensitive salt marsh destined for the developers.

Community group Common Ground Venus Bay is hoping the parcel of land that backs onto Anderson Inlet and flanked by mangroves can be instead regenerated for its fragile coastal values.

The group had initially hoped to raise about $3.5 million to purchase and restore a 100 acre block when a lot went on the market in May, but are now aiming to preserve the entire package.

The 100 acre lot is being advertised as a “beachside holiday mansion/eco-tourism retreat opportunity” with the potential for a holiday home, golf course, ranch, or beach side mansion.

Project leader Sarah Gilligan said encroaching salt marshes and a crumbling levee bank made the land unsuitable to develop.

“There had been previous plans to develop it in past decades, with talks about housing lots, caravan parks, a marina or a resort, but there is a reason it can’t be developed,” Ms Gilligan said.

“It’s grazing land and it’s on a flood plain getting swampier every year. It’s not appropriate to develop it and it never has been.”

Ms Gilligan – who was also a 2021 South Gippsland Shire candidate - said the land was being leased by a grazier, but was also a haven for migratory birds, and for a host of frogs and reptiles.

She said instead, it could be reclaimed and turned into a field naturalist mecca with walking tracks, or fenced off in

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64 Main St Yinnar Venus Bay community members are imploring the state or federal government to step in to stop development of the site.

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

November, 2021

RURAL NEWS

Turbine generates attention FIELD testing of a locally invented water turbine electricity generator will be trialled in the next few weeks near Maffra.

First conceived almost a decade ago, with many variations experimented in open waters, the latest fully encased model designed to be inserted in pipelines has been built by Firmins Lane Engineering, Morwell, a company involved in producing components for the Snowy Mountains hydro-electricity scheme.

The model to be field tested on a Maffra district farm within the next few weeks is being fitted on site by Maffra Poly and Pumps, Maffra, a company specialising in farm irrigation systems.

Maffra Poly and Pumps company director Damian Hall said the turbine would be inserted in an irrigation pipeline fed from a bore pump, with power generated returned to the bore pump.

“It is anticipated all will be ready for the first trial probable in November,” Mr Hall said.

The inventor said that the turbine’s key was its gearbox and blade system, optimal efficiency achieved by tilting of blades during the rotating cycle, make it also especially adaptable for low velocity water such as tidal flows, rivers and streams.

“Simply put, the turbines maximise optimal efficiency with no environmental impact, early tests showing they outperformed both solar and wind powered generators,” Firmins Lane engineering general manager Rick Garrett said.

“We are pleased that manufacturing of the latest enclosed unit with its complex gearing has been entrusted to us largely through our depth of expertise, knowledge and understanding of hydro power.

“This sealed unit can be inserted in any pressured pipeline as a single unit or in multiples.”

A picture of the unit built by Firmins Lane Engineering in Morwell.

photograph supplied.

Village Dairy gets a boost A TRARALGON family owned dairy processor has been given a $62,500 state government grant to expand its facilities and employ more staff.

Village Dairy was awarded the Regional Recovery Fund to upgrade its cool room and deliver on a lucrative yoghurt packaging deal.

The Princes Highway cheese and yoghurt manufacturer has hired four new staff to run the equipment taking its workforce to 18 and is looking to take on more workers.

“The Victorian government’s investment meant we had the resources we needed to fill our biggest ever contract,” Village Dairy business manager Gavin Hunter said.

“And with our plans to export to Asia and production at capacity already, we plan to have even more jobs at Village Dairy to support the Latrobe Valley.”

Village Dairy had expanded its operations from Dandenong to Traralgon in 2019, moving into the former Brancourts site keeping on 13 workers.

It produces a range of products including pot set, Indian Dahi, Ayran and Greek yoghurts, as well as Mango lassi, paneer, feta and haloumi.

Regional Development Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the financial support meant the business had the equipment to supply increasing demand from Asian markets in the coming year.

“Village Dairy is a great regional success story and we are proud to support the company so it can diversify, grow and create more jobs for people in the Latrobe Valley,” Ms Thomas said.

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RURAL NEWS

Back, don’t sack the timber industry FEDERAL Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is challenging Victorian Labor politicians to reject the state government’s plan to shutdown the native hardwood timber industry by 2030.

Speaking in Federal Parliament, Mr Chester said he supported a sustainable timber industry that protected local jobs and the environment.

“Victoria is home to a world-class, environmentally-sustainable, and highly regulated native hardwood timber industry,” Mr Chester told Parliament.

“It’s an industry that is innovative and it has invested in technology to maximise yield and reduce environmental impacts.

“So it defies logic that the Victorian Labor Government wants to ban the harvesting of all native hardwood timber by 2030.

“The Victorian timber industry uses just four trees out of every 10,000 trees each year and we have an advanced network of reserves and national parks to protect areas of high conservation value.

“A properly regulated timber industry in Victoria is a far better option than importing timber from countries with poorer environmental protocols.

“I urge the Premier to reconsider this bloody-minded decision, listen to the union leaders in the CFMEU, listen to the small business owners, and listen to the families - there’s 2500 jobs at stake.”

Mr Chester said CFMEU secretary Michael O’Connor had been highly critical of Labor’s treatment of timber workers.

“It’s good to see Mr O’Connor has the guts and integrity to stand up for blue collar workers and I urge Federal Labor MPs from Victoria to help us fight for the jobs of Victorian timber workers,” Mr Chester said.

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has told Federal Parliament that Gippsland’s timber industry has invested in new technology and is more environmentally sustainable than importing timber from foreign countries. photograph supplied

Commercial plantations can help net zero bid

By PHILIP HOPKINS

AUSTRALIA’S top 50 listed companies aiming to reach net zero could dramatically cut their carbon dioxide emissions and help overcome the country’s housing crisis by establishing commercial plantations, according to a forestry research leader.

Ric Sinclair, the managing director of Forest & Wood Products Australia, said Rio Tinto was the biggest emitter in the ASX Top50.

“If Rio Tinto offset 10 per cent of its emissions over 25 years, it would have a forest area that put it in the top four or five forestry companies in Australia,” he said, speaking to a national forest industries symposium organised by the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA).

The harvest volume from these plantings, which would not all come at once, would be one-and-a-half times the annual wood

production in Australia at the moment.

“That is the scale of the operations that can be achieved if commercial companies see wood products as part of their climate solution.”

Mr Sinclair was reporting on the findings of a report prepared by consultants Natural Capital Economics for FWPA, the main research and marketing body for the forest industry. Among the key findings of the report were:  The ASX50 produces 66 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent each year, about 13 per cent of Australia’s 494Mt CO2-e.  Commercial abate plantations more CO2 per ha than environmental plantings – 1.3 and 3.5 times more CO2 pe ha - due to higher growth rates in plantation species and thus higher CO2 sequestration rates. This figure also includes the repeated cycles of

harvesting that create harvested wood products (HWP) that store carbon over long periods. Higher growth rates relate to species, genetics, silviculture and location.  Radiata pine plantations can provide 14-17 Mt CO2-e per ha over 25 years compared with environmental plantings’ 5-11 Mt per ha of net abatement each year. These estimates are based on a permanence period of 100 years.  To offset 10 per cent of ASX50 emissions for the next 25 years would require 377-463 thousand hectares of commercial plantations or 1313 thousand ha of environmental plantings. These plantations would constitute one fifth the size of the current commercial plantation area.  Along with stored carbon, HWP that replace steel and concrete in building

and construction provide further carbon abatement. One ha of plantation timber reduces embodies emissions by between 55 and 547 t CO2-e. A 1 per cent increase in structural timber market share ca reduce total emissions by 0.8 and 2.6Mt CO2-e by 2050.

Mr Sinclair said the ASX Top50 included companies with well-known brand names that had their own greenhouse gas commitments and zero emission targets.

The biggest emitters were led by Rio Tinto with 15Mt CO2-e and included Woodside Petroleum, BHP, Santos, Bluescope Steel, South32, Woolworths Group, Fortescue Metals, Coles Group, Wesfarmers, Newcrest Mining and Telstra Corp.

He said the mid-level scenario of sequestering 10 per cent of the ASX50’s emissions over 25 years would require 410,000 ha of commercial plantations, which aligns with the AFPA and government forestry plan.

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November, 2021

RURAL NEWS

Path cleared for Gippsland growth

By PHILIP HOPKINS

THE way has been paved for more plantations in Gippsland with the federal government’s decision to make it easier or forestry projects to generate carbon credits under the Emissions Reduction Fund.

The government’s action will also make it easier for companies and Gippsland tree farmers to gain access to the $2 billion Climate Solutions Fund.

Gippsland, along with Tasmania, the Green Triangle and Kangaroo Island, have been added to the five original interstate plantation growth regions that in July gained simplified access to carbon funding.

The Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the move would reduce red tape for projects in Gippsland.

Sustainable forestry would be an important source of offsets in the decades ahead, helping Australia meet and beat its emissions targets while fuelling economic growth.

“Our goal is net zero, not absolute zero emissions. While technology will bring down emissions across many sectors, there will still be greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 and beyond,” he said.

“That is why the government is expanding the supply of low cost, high integrity offsets available under the Emissions Reduction Fund, through soil carbon, forestry and other initiatives.”

Since 2014, the ERF has committed $2.2 billion to projects in regional and rural areas. More money is available through the $2 billion Climate Solutions Fund, where projects are funded on dollar-for-dollar basis to drive investment of $4 billion in emission reduction projects.

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the region had a proud

Forestry projects would be able to generate carbon credits under the Emissions Reduction Fund.

heritage in timber production and had a great future in sustainable environmental projects of this nature.

“I look forward to working with Gippslanders and the federal government to deliver local benefits under this program,” he said.

Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries Jonno Duniam said timber was the ultimate renewable.

“Forestry presents a huge opportunity for low-cost carbon abatement that is productive and delivers an economic return to the investor,” he said.

“Unlocking key forestry regions for ERF participation is a key component of our National Forest Industries Plan.” Under the plan, the Government has committed to plant one billion trees by 2030.

The Victorian Forest Products Association said the announcement effectively reversed the highly contested rainfall regulation,

Angus Taylor

known as the ‘water rule’, under the Carbon Farming Initiative.

file photograph

VFPA chief executive officer Deb Kerr said this ruling was a barrier to participation in the ERF as projects that received more than 600 mm of annual rainfall were ineligible.

“It meant growers could only earn carbon credits if they planted trees in unsuitable areas, where there is so little rainfall that they basically can’t grow – or the plantings were for biodiversity or carbon plantings and thus not commercial,” she said.

The Clean Energy Regulator, which manages the ERF, expects a record 17 million tonnes of abatement to be credited this year. It has issued a total of 100 million carbon credits.

The CER will shortly start consultation on a new plantation forestry method, which is due to be finalised before the end of the year.

The new method aims to further simplify access to carbon funding for forestry projects.

Brand: Working with local communities the key

By PHILIP HOPKINS

GIVING forests a carbon value can drastically change the outlook for plantations and regional economies, but companies must work with local communities to avoid a backlash against large-scale planting, according to an Australian forestry leader.

David Brand, the chief executive officer of New Forests, said land-use changes that brought more trees into the landscape were “climate friendly”.

“We must do that with communities, not in opposition with communities, so that we have a shared value in the outcome,” he said, emphasising that his remarks were relevant to Gippsland.

Mr Brand was speaking on plantations’ role in the transition to net zero emissions at

a forest symposium held by the Australian Forest Products Association. New Forests, based in Sydney and established in 2005, manages $6 billion in assets, including major sawmills at Tarpeena in South Australia and Bell Bay in Tasmania.

Mr Brand said a carbon price fundamentally changed the economics of tree growing, which had huge up-front costs, a long wait time for financial rewards and less liquidity than agriculture.

Now, as trees grew and removed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, this started to create a cash yield.

“As the carbon price rises, the economic value of the land starts to rise with forestry,” he said.

However, the trend could create controversy, as in New Zealand, where the carbon price had gone from $NZ20 to

$NZ50 in 18 months when land was bought for pine plantations.

This had created negative attitudes from farmers, who complained that companies were taking up productive farmland and planting for trees – a bit like the MIS (managed investment schemes) in Australia.

“We try and talk to farmers, try to understand their motivations and their views on forestry. They have a negative view in general against forestry, a hangover from MIS era,” he said.

“How we go ahead will vary depending on which group of farmers we deal with, and what their motivations are.”

One may want to retire; others may work part-time in town and may lease some of their farm for stable income; while others may be innovative and take more additional exposure to forestry and carbon market.

“They may look at the whole farm and how they can optimise by integrating agroforestry, carbon markets and become a carbon-neutral farm,” he said.

Mr Brand said plantation forestry was on the cusp of expanding but would not occur through conventional broadacre buying. “It will be more nuanced - parts of the farm, some agroforestry, a lesser productive part of farms may be forested, revegetation of riparian zones, back areas – that’s the kind of model,” he said.

“My mentality is to end up with landscapes that will encompass conservation, forestry and agriculture integrated together.

“We hopefully will organise landscapes in an economically efficient way – forestry hubs with processing infrastructure and other more remote areas, for more conservation value.”

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

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RURAL NEWS

Cows For Careers program a big hit TRAFALGAR primary school kids learnt all about animal husbandry in a hands-on education department program Cows For Careers.

St Joseph’s School adopted two calves from local dairy farmers Graeme and Louise Paul for the aspiring young farmers to look after.

Firstly, the students had to build a safe enclosure for the calves and make a care plan, before the calves were delivered by local share farmer Melissa Payne.

The students named their new charges Johnny and Jimmy and had lots of fun trying to get them from the trailer into the pen.

The students bottle feed Johnny and Jimmy every morning and afternoon while learning about respecting and caring for animals.

The school reported that the students have thoroughly enjoyed being involved in the lives of the two calves.

The pupils are now looking ahead to the different careers involving working with calves, as caring for and monitoring the calves is central to learning about the dairy industry.

Students Ben Plozza and Kai Paul and farmer Melissa Payne with one of the calves.

photographs supplied

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Student Lucas Farbus feeding one of the calves.

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

9

RURAL NEWS

Net zero the way forward says farmer Continued from front page

It comes as the federal government committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 ahead of this month’s COP 26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.

The federal government was yet to release the fine print, but soil carbon sequestration had been promoted as a target technology with Commonwealth incentives for farmers to help get there.

Agriculture bodies such the National Farmers Federation had gone into heavily bat for net zero, and Meat and Livestock Australia has already committed to hitting carbon neutrality by 2030.

“The red meat industry is so far ahead with the work we are already doing to produce less methane, we’ve made enormous ground and we are way ahead of the government,” Mr O’Connor said.

“There are lots of farmers doing fantastic things off their own back.”

But Mr O’Connor said applying for any federal financial carbon incentives still remained a headache for many farmers, with onerous costs involved to sign up to emissions reductions schemes.

He said it was essential for Australia to support targets or get left behind global markets looking to impose carbon tariffs.

“If we don’t get on board we won’t be

Berrys Creek farmers Deb and Fergus O’Connor show off parts of the farm preserved for wetlands and native vegetation. photograph michelle slater.

able to sell our products overseas,” he told Gippsland Farmer.

A Grattan Institute report stated that agriculture was responsible for 15 per cent of Australia’s total emissions, with 50 million tonnes of methane being belched out of cattle and sheep.

It also stated that seasonal conditions from between 2001 to 2020 reduced average

farm profits by 23 per cent compared with pre-2000 conditions.

Energy and climate program directors Tony Wood said agriculture was one sector of the economy most affected by climate change.

“This why farmers know more than anybody about these challenges, and this is why farmers want to be a part of the

solution and not the problem,” Mr Wood said.

Mr Wood pointed to a range of carbon measures being carried out by individual farmers, and to emerging technologies such as vaccines and feed supplements to reduce methane.

But he said governments needed to provide the frameworks in order to drive further eductions, such as increasing the kitty in the federal Emissions Reduction Fund.

“Based on what we know today, reducing agricultural emissions to anywhere near zero looks very challenging,” he said.

“Yet, maximising what we can do will give us the best opportunity to create momentum, and to minimise cost and future uncertainty.”

National Farmers Federation president Fiona Simson said the federal government had recognised that farmers held the key to delivering Australia’s 2050 goal.

But Ms Simson said she was yet to understand the critical details negotiated within the Coalition.

“It’s time for government to sit down with our industry and get stuck into the detail of how we deliver on this together, and make sure it stacks up for farmers,” Ms Simson said.

Gippsland charity as busy as ever

By MICHELLE SLATER

A GIPPSLAND rural charity estimates farming families hit by the 2019-2020 summer bushfires will continue to need help with food relief into the next three or four years.

Gippsland Farmer Relief is still helping out about 100 farming families around east Gippsland who are battling to get back on their feet after bushfires tore apart the region nearly two years ago.

GFR chairperson Bill Maddocks said some farmers in the region were still recovering from a “double whammy” of fires and severe drought.

“And this will last quite some time.

Demand for our services had begun to diminish west of Sale, but we are still assisting families in East Gippsland as the drought has not quite eased,” Mr Maddocks said.

“We will continue to deliver monthly food hampers into East Gippsland until they no longer need our support. Our job is to do ourselves out of a job.”

GFR was formed in 2016 out of concerns for farmer wellbeing in the milk price crash, in which a band of volunteers started delivering food hampers to needy families.

Gippsland Farmer Relief warehouse manager Jan Head with chairperson Bill Maddocks at the Traralgon depot. photograph michelle slater

However, ongoing droughts and natural disasters had increased demand with hampers continuing being sent across the breadth of Gippsland.

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

There are now 60 active members who pack and deliver hampers, with a central depot in Traralgon.

Mr Maddocks joined the group at its

inception with his wife Val after watching the conduct of the big dairy processors.

“I thought what Murray-Goulburn did was criminal to claw back money,” he said.

“I saw a farmer’s milk cheque for once cent for all the milk he had delivered, and these buggers walk away with millions. It was just disgraceful.”

Mr Maddocks took the reins of the volunteer-run not-for-profit last year in the midst of COVID lockdowns.

He said early panic buying made it hard to source regular food staples or toilet paper, but they entered into an agreement with Woolies to surpass purchasing limits to get through the pandemic.

But he said it also meant volunteers had to abide by COVIDSafe contactless delivery and were unable to stop and have a yarn with families.

“People need the face-to-face meeting with our volunteers and other agencies helping out. The fact they know people still care, farmers are a resilient lot but they still need that help,” he said.

“But we maintain strict confidentiality with our farmers.”

RUSSELL NORTHE MLA

Member for Morwell

As your representative in the Victoria an Parliament, please know my staff and I are here to assist you u, your family or your business whether it be in response to the COVID-19 pandemic or an issue or idea relating to public transsport, roads, schools, employment and/or any other State Governm ment related matter.

My staff and I are happy to provide you with information relating to available Government programs and grants, or assist in the recognition of individual, family and d business milestone events. So feel free to drop into our office e at 12 George Street, Morwell or give us a calll on (03) 5133 9088.

RUSSELL NORTHE MLA

Member for Morwell

12-14 George Street, Morwell VIC 3840 / PO Box 214, Morwell VIC 3840 p. 03 5133 9088 | f. 03 5133 9388 | e. russell.northe@parliament.vic.gov.au w. www.russellnorthe.com.au Authorised by Russell Northe, 12-14 George Street, Morwell VIC 3840. Funded from Parliamentary Budget.

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November, 2021

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

11

RURAL NEWS

there, Take care, travellers urged Hay safety at

TRAVELLERS are reminded to keep biosecurity front of mind and not bring food, meat, fruit, or other risk items back to Australia, as international flights recommence.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said despite the impact of COVID-19 on passenger arrivals, between January 2020 and October 2021, more than 75,000 international travellers were intercepted with over 100,000 biosecurity risk items, with pork, fruit, spices and dirty footwear the most common items.

“Pork items can carry African swine

fever, which is a huge threat for our pork industry and farmers. If we had an incursion, it has been estimated that it could cost us $2 billion,” he said.

“Fruit can carry diseases such as citrus canker, a serious disease that could ruin our fruit industry and impact on the safe, fresh Aussie fruit on our supermarket shelves.

“Plant cuttings can carry risks including Xylella fastidiosa, which could devastate our horticultural industries and cost our grape and wine industry $7.9 billion over 50 years.

“For those who do the wrong thing

and do not declare risk items, the infringement notice is up from $420 to $2,664 and international visitors can have their visas cancelled for more serious offences.

“It is great that we can travel again, but we need everyone to buy-into biosecurity, make your trip one to remember for the right reasons and help us protect Australia from pests and diseases.”

To learn more about items that are a biosecurity risk and may not be permitted into Australia, visit awe.gov. au/travelling

12

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

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forefront!

THE Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA) has launched a series of new safety resources to mark is National Hay Safe Day, which was held last month.

National Hay Safe Day is an initiative which arose from a tragic farm accident more than a decade ago, when AFIA director and a Western Australian hay grower Suzanne Woods after lost her father.

It comes as a 2018 Safe Work Australia report showed that agriculture had the second highest industry fatality rates, but accounted for the highest number deaths in the past five years.

Agriculture also ranked third in terms of the frequency rate of serious claims.

The fodder safety briefs are looking at telehandler safety, traffic management plans and worker training to guide safe work practices.

AFIA chief executive officer Paula Fitzgerald said complacency and fatigue can result in accidents and deaths on farms.

“So this busy period is the perfect time to stop and think about safety,” she said.

“During these busy months we also need to be mindful that sufficient time has been spent inducting new staff, particularly those unfamiliar with the farm’s operations.”

Fodder feed company Feed Central is also playing its part in improving hay safety with a new video and poster that walks people through the safe delivery, unloading and storing hay.

Feed Central general manager Cieran Maxwell said hay safety sometimes was an overlooked risk.

“There are a number of people injured or killed every year from incidents with hay bales. Forgetting or even letting some of the basic safety essentials slip can cause devastating results,” he said.

“Young families with children need to treat a haystack like a swimming pool, you have to be safe around it.”

Mr Maxwell said the era of high-density balers and heavier bales increased the importance of safety.

“With high-density bales now consistently ranging between 550-750 kilos, if a bale falls on you from any height, you’re unlikely going to survive.”

Mr Maxwell said the video highlighted the need for checking truck loads before removing straps and good practice in moving bales, building stacks and storing bales.

“It’s an area of concern. Any movement of hay bales is risky but when dealing with multiple bales coming off trucks, everyone in the vicinity is further exposed to a higher risk,” he said.

He said farmers, contractors, employees, family and children needed to be aware of safety around hay bales.

“If stacks aren’t made right, falling bales can be extremely dangerous, in this video we talk about getting it right from the start and from the ground up.”

He added that the “look up and live” message about power lines could equally apply to a shed with hay bale stacks.

Mr Maxwell said the more solid bales were made, the safer they were to work with, but that of course relied on the consistency of quality, well-shaped, tight bales.

Ag Systems chief executive officer Katy Landt said the statistics involving hayrelated accidents and fatalities represented real people.

“Although every day should be hay safe, if we can impact safety culture through educational resources, we can contribute to a positive movement in agriculture,” Ms Landt said.

“Clearly we must focus on reducing fatalities and serious accidents in our sector.

“National Hay Safe Day is a valuable reminder that safety is non-negotiable in the fodder and broader agriculture sector.”

November, 2021

RURAL NEWS

Fears over school building’s future THE Budgeree community fears Latrobe City Council will demolish a 148-yearold school building awaiting a heritage assessment after suddenly putting up an eight-foot fence without consultation.

Budgeree Hall secretary Leanne Potter said she was shocked to find Latrobe City put up the cyclone fence with a sign deeming the building unsafe.

“Not only has Latrobe City locked us out of the building, but they have locked us out of the consultation process,” Ms Potter said.

“A fence around a building usually means demolition, we can only guess this is their intent, they haven’t told us anything else about it.”

The Budgeree School is owned by Latrobe City and sits adjacent to the community hall. The school was moved to Roys Road from Yinnar in 1908 when the building was already 30 years old.

But Ms Potter said no maintenance had been done since the school closed and was handed to the local council in 1993, and was in need of urgent repairs including new foundations and gutters.

“This is a particularly rare example of a pre-1873 Victorian school and it hasn’t been altered in any way,” Ms Potter said.

“The Budgeree community is 100 per cent united in wanting to keep and be able to use the building not only now but for generations to come.”

Latrobe City had proposed to sell off the school three years ago, but the community is awaiting a Heritage Victoria assessment

Budgeree community members fear a 148-year-old school building is facing the wreckers.

GP1633572

to save it from either rotting away or being bulldozed.

Heritage Victoria received recent reports that the building was deteriorating but a site assessment scheduled in August was delayed due to COVID-19 after an application was lodged in 2017.

“We are happy to fundraise for it, but we need a guarantee the school will not be demolished. And it’s still hanging over our heads that Latrobe City could sell it,” Ms Potter said.

Member for Morwell Russell Northe raised the issue in state parliament last month, asking the Planning Minister Richard Wynne to expedite the heritage assessment.

“The Budgeree community wants to see this iconic building listed with Heritage Victoria, and subsequently be adequately funded to repair and restore the school so current and future generations are able to learn, view and enjoy,” Mr Northe said.

Latrobe City chief executive officer Steven Piasente said an independent structural assessment identified structural defects within the building, placing it at risk of a partial or full collapse.

“In the interest of community safety and given the identified risk of the building collapsing, it was determined that a temporary fence should be set up around the building as an immediate priority,” Mr Piasente said.

“Council understands and respects the importance of the Budgeree School to the community and will continue to keep key groups informed of the situation.”

By MICHELLE SLATER

Farm visits and medication pickups still available Call us or visit the website www.maffravet.com.au for more details

We’ve got you covered

Maffra Vet 03 5147 1177

Budgeree residents examine a cyclone fence suddenly put up around the former school building. photographs michelle slater

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

13

RURAL NEWS

Latrobe’s sustainability accolade

Latrobe City is up for a sustainability award for a biogas generator at the Hyland Highway landfill. photograph supplied

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14

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

the forefront of Victorian municipalities adopting innovative waste management and renewable energy technologies.

“It has the capacity to net off 70 per cent of council’s electricity demand, saving millions of dollars to council over the life of the landfill, and reduce the environmental impact and carbon footprint for Latrobe City Council,” Cr Gibson said.

“Although this technology is widely used in private waste management, only a few councils have cogeneration infrastructure.”

Latrobe City funded the $1.6 million project from its landfill reserve and will return the funds within the two-year turnaround on the investment.

Ewe beauty at auction

LATROBE City Council is being recognised for using landfill to cut greenhouse gases as a finalist in this month’s Premier’s Sustainability Awards.

The awards are shining a spotlight on Victorians demonstrating sustainable leadership and innovation.

Latrobe City is being recognised for installing a biogas generator at the Hyland Highway Landfill which was commissioned in August, to treat a greenhouse gas that may save up to $900,000 per year.

The biogas generator harvests methane to power a 901 kilowatt Jenbacher gas engine, instead of burning off the gas.

Latrobe City Mayor Sharon Gibson said the project placed the council at

A SOUTH Gippsland sheep stud purchased a top priced ewe with lambs at foot at a first ever online Wiltshire Horn online auction last month.

Hallston Valley Farm bought the ewe for $1700 in conjunction with Ballimore Auction Company.

Bidding was strong from NSW and Victoria with overtime being needed for several lots. Ewes sold at almost double the price as the 2018 and 2017 face-to-face auction.

Ewes sold to an average of $827, with the majority of maiden ewes selling at about $650.

The top priced ewe was a 2019 ewe with twin lambs at foot sired by Ironman, bred and owned by Jason O’Loghlin from O’Loghlin Witshire Horn stud in Deniliquin.

She sold to Jill Noble and Gary Tie from Hallston Valley Farm, the biggest Wiltshire Horn stud in Victoria.

“The breed is far reaching and those bidders who bid have bought strong,” Mr O’Loghlin said.

“That shows their confidence in the breed and that leads the way for others to have confidence in Wiltshire Horns.”

Ms Noble said the lamb package was the main reason she was so keen on the ewe.

“I liked the look of the ewe,” Ms Noble said.

“She has produced two amazing lambs and I have their sire’s brother who has performed very well for me this year, I had to have some of his offspring for my future breeding program.”

It comes as Hallston Valley Farm held an on-farm sheep sale on November 1, selling rams, breeding ewes, maiden ewes and ewe lambs.

Hallston Valley Farm was established in 2015 based on the principles of community, sustainability and animal welfare.

Ms Noble and Mr Tie run a low input farming system via regenerative practices. They don’t use any chemicals

A Hallston Valley Farm Wilshire Horn. photograph supplied

and minimum chemicals, with lambs destined for the table.

Ms Noble said the focus of the farm was on education, helping newbies to farm with confidence and provide ongoing support.

Wiltshire Horns were the last British breed to come to Australia 70 years ago, with reliable carcass traits consistently sought after by butchers, restaurants and consumers.

They are also the only pure breed easy care wool sheep in Australia, which ensures consistent genetics, growth rates and reliable shedding ability.

Ms Noble said they maintain full dentition into old age, enabling ewes to breed successfully and raise lambs for many years after other breeds have been culled.

She said they have excellent foot health, high fertility rates and outstanding mothering abilities, delivering a high percentages of weaned lambs at the business end of the season.

Balnarring Butchers’ Mark Pittock from has been sourcing local Wiltshire Horn meat for the past 40 years.

“The Wiltshire Horn meat has a group following, with my customers asking when it will be back in store” Mr Pittock said.

“My customers want good eye muscle with a reasonable fat covering, the Wiltshire Horn is consistent in delivering quality.”

November, 2021

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

17

+

STOP LOOK UP LIVE NO GO ZONE for power poles

3m

NO GO ZONE FOR POWER POLES

Anywhere above power line and within 3m each side or below. See special provisions.

3m 3m

Spotter required between 3 - 6.4m of power lines.

Open area outside 6.4m of power lines.

DON T RISK IT BE SAFE, NOT SORRY!

5134 5 134 8692 8692

ACE Earthmoving Pty Ltd has placed this advertisement fo ollowing a near miss incident. Thankfully no-one was injured.

18

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

November, 2021

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Think twice about asbestos – it’s in one in three homes THIS year’s National Asbestos Awareness Week (November 22-28) campaign asks Australians to Think Twice About Asbestos.

The campaign challenges complacency by reminding home renovators and tradespeople that the danger of asbestos is far from over.

Asbestos is still present in millions of homes, as well as public and commercial buildings, across Australia.

In homes built before 1990, asbestos can still be found anywhere.

This affects one in three homes nationwide.

Asbestos Council of Victoria/GARDS is one of hundreds of organisations working towards an Australia free of asbestosrelated diseases.

“For anyone who thinks asbestos-related diseases are a thing of the past, think again. Asbestos is still causing cancer in Australians. Every year in Australia, there are an estimated 4000 deaths from past exposure to asbestos,” ACV/GARDS chief executive officer Vicki Hamilton OAM said.

“That’s one of the highest death rates of asbestos-related diseases in the world. ”Whether it’s DIYers doing small or large jobs around the house, or tradies on a residential worksite, the Think Twice About Asbestos campaign reminds them of the dangers of damaged, disturbed or deteriorated asbestos.”

November, 2021

it, and if they seek professional help to locate, manage or remove it,” Ms Hamilton said.

The National Asbestos Awareness Week campaign promotes the role of licensed asbestos professionals for both home renovators and tradespeople.

“Even tradies need to call a licensed asbestos professional if they don’t have the equipment, skills, training or licence to handle asbestos,” Ms Hamilton said.

Further information is available at – www. gards.org - www.asbestos.vic.gov.au - www. asbestossafety.gov.au

Asbestos Council of Victoria/ GARDS Inc. calls on the community to think twice about asbestos

By preventing exposure to asbestos fibres, asbestos-related diseases can be eliminated.

around asbestos. If you’re considering DIY renovations and maintenance, ‘get in the know, take it slow and get a pro’.

With more Australians having more time for DIY during the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to tell them how to be safe

“People working on homes built before 1990 can stay safe if they know where asbestos is. If they don’t disturb or damage

On Friday, November 26 at 11am, Asbestos Council of Victoria/GARDS Inc. is conducting an Asbestos Awareness webinar online.

If you would like to join the webinar Ms Hamilton for details.

The event is part of National Asbestos Awareness Week (November 22-28, 2021) with the theme “Think Twice About Asbestos”.

For further information visit www.gards. org or www.facebook.com/gardsinc/

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

19

Money Matters GP1633865

MAKE MONEY BETWEEN YOUR STOCK SALES There is always an opportunity to make money.

agreements with more cost-efficient models.

Finding cost savings is one of those opportunities to increase profit potential.

 Sell equipment that is no longer used or used sparingly and can be hired or contracted as needed.

Farming involves big money and therefore big cost saving potential, making all the difference in surviving the off-season, a crisis, or enhancing your financial future.

Imagine if you found 10 items saving $500 each = a whopping $60,000 off your mortgage over 10 years!

Now imagine doing this each year.

Administration will finally become an exciting job if you tackle it with the mindset of ‘where can I find money today?’

Make it a fun weekly challenge to find the extra cash.

One idea is Money Making Mondays.

Engage your team Farm labourers; Bookkeepers; Accountants; Financial Advisors; Agronomists; Industry support agencies; Processors, Farmers and many others can all offer efficiency options.

As a start, here are some tips that could free up profits:  Negotiate with current lenders to reduce interest rates.  Consolidate debts where interest rates

can’t be reduced, are too high, or multiple debts into one low interest rate.  Government Concessional Loans may be a good option – or use this option as

 Review consumption of everything

 Arrange a ‘strict’ asset maintenance

(home and farm).

schedule to increase lifespan and resell value. An ‘Equipment Maintenance Plan’ will prioritise repairs to immediate farm needs, avoiding unnecessary spend.

$50 here and $5000 there can add up to significant money-making that can be reapplied to other farm productivity improvements to further increase profits, as well as alternative investments; paying debts faster (resulting in more savings), or to improve your lifestyle.

Saving $500 per year equates to nearly $6000 over 10 years at 3 per cent average interest.

opportunities to produce your own utilities?

Government programs can help with cost of analysing options or purchasing/ installing equipment.

If you can’t reduce price, reduce use and therefore annual cost(s).  Negotiate or reconsider farm lease

 Make informed purchases by

rates. Review if they are worth the cost or can you get more value for money elsewhere – either another property or alternative investment(s). Negotiate flexible rent structure based on seasonal income, or consider bartering opportunities.

developing a plan each season for what you actually need. Consider all costs including labour, fuel, fertiliser, chemicals, seed or semen etc.  Prioritise and budget each project and

leverage with current lenders to reduce their interest rates.  Establish a cost share network of local farmers – bulk buy supplies at cheaper rates or share in equipment purchases.

Additional benefit of enabling supplier representatives to regularly engage with the group for best prices and products – lots of suppliers will be vying to get your business!  Research other processors/contract and market opportunities.  Follow up your accounts owing. Sell off debts that are hard to recover.  Check current direct debits and subscriptions and cancel any that are not essential.  Review all insurance policies (if transferring - avoid waiting periods).  Review all utility plans and/or request better deals with electricity, telephone, internet providers.  Negotiate with suppliers for cheaper rates if you commit to automatic direct debits for regular costs, or offer prepayment for bigger purchases.  Before purchasing replacement equipment, analyse cost benefit of repairing, or upgrade on lease/loan

only undertake one project at a time – otherwise risk multiple unfinished projects and/or cost blow outs.

 Work out your hourly rate (worth) and

seasonal price changes. Buy when on sale or pre-purchase at their cheapest and store for next season.

ensure you spend valuable time focusing your specialist skills on farm productivity improvements and outsource general farm labour at cheaper rates.

 Evaluate your seed traits and if you

 Utilise software for finance and

 Review and time stock purchases with

really need high-cost hybrids. Simple trait varieties that still produce profitable yields may have multiple competing suppliers and better deals.  Research alternative farm management options – talk to feed, fertiliser, seed or herd improvement companies, as well as industry groups or specialists in water, animal, crop, pest and land management (to name a few).

farm data management to enable time efficiencies as well as creating a tool to see trends and continue finding efficiencies easier.

There are many options; factors and circumstances to analyse, taking considerable time and some alternative thinking.

If you or your team just don’t have the time to review opportunities - engage professionals.

 Research alternative fertilizer options

or grazing management to improve efficiencies or production.

Optimise nutrient application by analysing yield from a crop’s maximum nitrogen or nutrient uptake.

RFCS Gippsland have a specialist team experienced at analysing farm financial efficiencies.

 Examine pest and weed management

by each product’s coverage, application rates and warranties for effectiveness.

Generic brands may be just as good as costly ‘name brands’. Natural based options may offer additional benefits.

They are a free service dedicated to supporting farmers improve their financial viability.

 Power and water generation – are there

Make the call and start making more money today.

20

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

GP1632082

November, 2021

Ag icultural Day Agricultural Day F Friday riday 119 9N November ovember

GP1633819 GP1633 P 38 819 9

Celebrating our farmers THERE are approximately 85,681 farm businesses in Australia, 99 per cent of which are family owned and operated.

Each Australian farmer produces enough food each year to feed 600 people, 150 at home and 450 overseas.

Australian farms produce around 93 per cent of the total volume of food consumed in Australia.

National Agriculture Day is an annual celebration of Australia’s farmers, who do so much to keep the country ticking with the supply of food and fibre.

It raises awareness of the crucial contribution the Australian agricultural industry makes to our nation.

LEARN AND EXPERIENCE TRUFFLES AT GEMBROOK they are excited to share their passion with the wider community.

TRUFFICULTURE has a proven reputation for producing quality inoculated plants for supply to truffle farmers across Australia.

Nathan with wife Chloe will be running these truffle hunts on most weekends during winter when the truffle harvest is in full swing under the banner of Gembrook Truffles.

Their service also extends beyond tree production.

They are committed to providing the most up to date advice, soil testing and support to enhance the likelihood of success on your journey to producing truffles.

These events run for two hours on weekends from mid-June to the end-of August.

They include a short truffle information session, a guided truffle hunt with

INTERESTED IN GROWING TRUFFLES? In fact, there is a plethora of information on the internet, however most of it is old and now largely outdated due to ongoing scientific findings and research.

“At Trufficulture, we provide a solid up-to-date educational platform including online and onsite grower seminars as well as two in-depth ebooks.

Unfortunately, due the ongoing Covid lockdowns we have cancelled all the remaining onsite seminars for 2021.

“The plan is to launch these again starting in March 2022.”

However the on-line seminars are still operating.

The added benefit is all participants of the online seminars can attend a free Zoom follow up workshop and later be invited to a farm walk through the Gembrook truffière and nursery.

“It represents an excellent opportunity to meet industry experts and learn the basics of truffle growing prior to setting up your own truffière,” Mr Carter said.

The online seminar is presented as a four episode program for viewing in your

November, 2021

Fresh truffles and truffle inoculated trees will also be available for purchase on the day for those wanting to continue their experience at home.

Bookings for these events are available through the Gembrook Truffles website at gembrooktruffles.com.au.

Learn about Growing Truffles

GROWING truffles successfully requires a level of understanding that is difficult to achieve with just a google search.

“We get lots of calls from people wanting to learn more about truffles and how to get started.” TruffiCulture director Colin Carter said.

Nathan and Willow (the Australian Shepherd) and morning/afternoon tea including a taste of freshly harvested truffle.

own time and place. It contains heaps of video and interviews and comments from nine industry people and is up-todate and current information.

Topics covered include the history of truffle cultivation, understanding the truffle life cycle (both crops), climate and soil, plantation establishment and soil preparation, quality assurance and tree certification, ongoing maintenance, harvesting and grading, marketing and industry overviews.

For more information on truffles or to register for the online seminar please visit https://trufficulture.com.au/

WANT TO EXPERIENCE A TRUFFLE HUNT? TRUFFICULTURE are also now offering truffle hunt experiences to the general public over the winter harvest season.

This is a new venture for them and

INTERESTED IN GROWING TRUFFLES AND NEED TO FIND OUT MORE? ON-LINE GROWER SEMINAR

Visit our website for more informa on and to register h ps://trufficulture.com.au

Truffles are a highly priced fungal fruit body that grow on the roots of oaks or hazelnuts.

In winter they are found using a trained dog.

Many regions in Gippsland have a suitable climate and soil to grow truffles.

Trufficulture grows and supplies truffle inoculated trees.

For more information and to discuss the steps to develop a successful truffière please give us a call Colin: 0409 717 401 Email: sales@trufficulture.com.au THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

21

A D V E R T I S I N G

F E A T U R E

Funding announced for Victorian Drought Hub

AGRICULTURAL innovation in Victoria has received a significant boost with the Commonwealth Government announcing $2.5 million of additional funding for the Victorian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, led by the University of Melbourne.

The Victoria Hub is based at the University of Melbourne’s Dookie campus in Northern Victoria and has five nodes throughout regional Victoria.

Each node – including one in Gippsland – provides a local ‘shopfront’ for locals to access knowledge and support from the Hub. The Victoria Hub is one of eight drought resilience hubs across Australia.

It was launched in April with a grant of $8 million over four years by the Commonwealth Government under the Future Drought Fund.

The new funding, provided under the National Agricultural Innovation Agenda, is for the Hub to expand into other areas of innovation.

Professor John Fazakerley, Dean of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Melbourne, welcomed the additional investment in agriculture and regional Victoria.

“Innovation is vital to the future of agriculture, and the Victoria Drought Hub is perfectly positioned across farming and industry groups, communities, industry and academic training, research and innovation to develop and deliver solutions to our farmers and supply chains,” he said.

Hub Co-Director Professor Ruth Nettle, from the Rural Innovation Research Group at the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, says that this investment will enhance the work already being undertaken across Victoria.

“The Victoria Drought Hub has been making strong progress in developing ways to support farmers and communities to be better prepared for drought when it inevitably hits,” she said.

“This new funding will allow us to focus even more on innovative solutions to allow our local agricultural industry to thrive in a changing climate, and in an increasingly competitive global agricultural marketplace.”

Co-Director Professor Timothy Reeves, who is based at the University’s Dookie campus, is excited that much of this work will support innovation in the regions where agricultural and food production is the mainstay of many industries and communities.

“Our partners around Victoria have first-hand knowledge of innovation needs and have connections in the community to facilitate lasting progress towards a sustainable, resilient and

22

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

Above: The University of Melbourne’s Dookie agricultural campus leads the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, with nodes in Gippsland and other key farming regions.

Left: Victoria Green founded and grew her business, Bacchus Beef, while studying her Master of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Melbourne.

profitable future for our agriculture sector,” he said.

With nodes covering Gippsland, the South-West, the North-West, the North-East and the North-West Irrigated Horticulture regions, the Hub is embedded in every part of Victoria.”

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud and Member for Nicholls Damian Drum announced the extra funding on October 6, 2021, indicating the hubs were the key to unlocking the potential of the agricultural innovation system.

The Victorian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub is a partnership between the University of Melbourne, Deakin University, Federation University, La Trobe University, Agriculture Victoria and five industry and farming groups – Food & Fibre Gippsland, Birchip Cropping Group, Southern Farming Systems, Riverine Plains and the Mallee Regional Innovation Centre.

The Hub’s base, the University of Melbourne’s Dookie campus, is the

leading agricultural education facility in Victoria, and has played a key role in the development of agriculture in Australia since 1886.

Situated on 2440 hectares, the campus includes a small community which houses students and teaching staff, a broadacre farm for canola, wheat and merino sheep, an orchard, robotic dairy, winery and a natural bush reserve.

The Dookie farm is a living laboratory for students in the Bachelor of Agriculture, the Diploma in General Studies and Diploma in General Studies (Extended), graduate research degrees at the University of Melbourne, and a variety of subjects taught in degrees or as single subjects through the University’s Community Access Program.

The technical and industry expertise of the University’s food and agriculture researchers translates to real benefits for students.

Victoria Green, who in 2015 founded Bacchus Beef – a family-owned West

Gippsland premium grass-fed beef company – strengthened her meat production and business skills as part of her agricultural sciences degree.

She said her classes gave her the opportunity to discuss real challenges she was facing and get useful feedback from the class, especially in her Business Strategy and Meat and Meat Products classes.

“The Business Strategy class helped me to form a firm understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the business and the areas I needed to focus on in order to develop, while Meat and Meat Products helped me to understand the factors that influence meat quality,” she said.

“This led to some discussions with my butcher to understand what we were learning in class and how he was implementing it with my beef.”

In a fast-changing world, innovative thinking is more important than ever to ensure that Victoria’s and Australia’s agricultural sectors maintain and enhance their competitive edge while being adaptable, resilient and sustainable.

With initiatives like the Victorian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and its world class teaching and research programs, the University of Melbourne is focused on developing and supporting innovative regional agriculture throughout Victoria and training the agricultural innovators of the future.

November, 2021

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November, 2021

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23

A D V E R T I S I N G

F E A T U R E

Understanding the value of sample-based pregnancy testing in dairy cattle REPRODUCTIVE performance is the economic driver of all dairy and beef farms.

For generations, dairy farmers have incorporated more frequent pregnancy testing to manage the reproductive performance of their cows more efficiently.

The benefits of pregnancy testing include better control of calving patterns, improved nutritional management, greater insight into reproductive diseases and improved management of herd genetics.

Knowledge has power.

It controls access to opportunity and advancement, which will ultimately lead to improved herd fertility and profitability for a dairy farmer.

your herd recording lab do the rest.

The test is proven to detect pregnancy as early as 28 days with 98.7 per cent accuracy.

This easy method of pregnancy testing improves animal welfare, reduces workload and is less stressful on the farmer and cow.

In 2020, IDEXX and HICO ran “pre-dry off” trials with six farmers.

The trial’s purpose was to demonstrate the significant benefits dairy farmers can gain by confirming whether or not their cows are pregnant before drying them off.

IDEXX Alertys Pregnancy Tests – what are they, and how do they work?

Stuart and Jacqui Tracy from Waratah Bay, Victoria.

“We run a split calving 700hd dairy operation with a crossbreed herd.

“We signed up to the Alertys Milk Pregnancy Dry-Off trial to see if cows were holding their pregnancies and so as not to dry off empty cows.

“A total of 178 cows were checked, and four that were previously diagnosed as pregnant were found to be empty.

“We always expect to get a few that will be empty, but now that we can use the Alertys Milk Pregnancy test prior to dry off, it will ensure we never dry off empty cows again.

“Knowing those four cows were empty and not drying them off definitely allowed us to save money

Alertys Pregnancy Tests are defined as sample-based pregnancy tests because they detect pregnancy using a sample of blood and/or milk.

The Alertys tests detect PregnancyAssociated Glycoproteins (PAGs) produced by the cow’s placenta.

Only in the presence of a live embryo of a foetus will PAGs be produced.

Milk Pregnancy Testing – Run alongside routine herd testing The Alertys Milk Pregnancy Test offers dairy farmers who herd record the ability to pregnancy test cows alongside their routine herd testing.

All you need to do is tick a box and let

Alertys Milk Pregnancy Pre Dry Off Trial – Farmer Testimonial

and make the right management decision.

“Without the test, that wouldn’t have been possible.

“We will be using this test again, and we would like to recommend it to other farmers.”

Alertys OnFarm Pregnancy Test – A NEW cowside pregnancy test farmers can run Are you interested in pregnancy testing cows and heifers yourself, cow side?

IDEXX has recently launched a new pregnancy test that empowers farmers to pregnancy test animals as early as 28 days post-breeding using a sample of blood.

The Alertys OnFarm test provides farmers accurate (99.7 per cent) pregnancy detection with results in 20 mins.

The test is not reliant on skill or prior training; anyone can run the test.

The Alertys OnFarm Pregnancy Test offers dairy farmers the opportunity to take control of their reproduction program.

Improved calving intervals through earlier testing and more regular checking when cows or heifers are suspected of having lost their calf will increase herd profitability and productivity.

It’s time to pregnancy test on your schedule.

IDEXX ran some trials with genetic companies, farmers and veterinarians throughout Australia.

Read what they had to say:

Testimonial: Neil Farmer Farmers Veterinary Service Rockhampton “The main curiosity was doing the really early ones (28-day testing) because then we can cycle those cows over sooner and throw them in the next program a week earlier rather than wait until 35 days.

“We ran 90 tests, and I was able to check them alongside my wife running the Alertys tests to make sure that there were positives, positives, and no false negatives.

“So that was good, and it worked quite well.The results agreed with the vet 100 per cent. It was great.”

Testimonial: Luiz Porto - Inventia Genetic Technologies (IGT) “Everything is easy as soon as you get the blood sample.

“The accuracy was great, and it’s easy to do, in my opinion, and easy to teach as well, which is great.

“It’s one more tool for them to decrease the losses of carrying empty cows at their properties.

“If they can reduce that loss of carrying empty cows, it’s probably going to be a good investment purchasing this test.

“Most farmers will use it because it’s too handy.”

Speak to your veterinarian, genetic company and/or herd recording lab today about using the Alertys tests next time you have to pregnancy test.

To speak to an IDEXX representative, email anz-lpd-marketing@idexx.com.

All you need ne is a blood b orr m milk sample

24

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

November, 2021

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

25

A D V E R T I S I N G

Got news to share?

Do you have an agricultural story to share with the Gippsland Farmer?

Send your news tip to farmer@gippsnews.com.au or share your story with journalist Michelle Slater by phoning 5135 4444.

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F E A T U R E

Get equipped at Eastern Spreaders

EASTERN Spreaders Pty Ltd of Kerang are the official Victorian and Riverina distributors for the New Zealand manufactured Rotowiper.

Rotowiper is designed to apply herbicide without affecting underlying clovers and grasses, as the rotating drum only applies herbicide to plants in direct contact with the applicator.

The height of the roller can be adjusted to suit the type of weeds being targeted.

Rotowiper has been designed to tow behind an ATV farm bike or a small tractor so that wet paddocks can be treated without creating damaging wheel tracks and pasture damage.

Rotowiper comes in three main configurations.

The TR Series tow behind units from 1.8 metres to 4.5 metres wide.

The LMU Series 3 Point Linkage units from 2.9 metres to 4.26 metres wide.

The FU Series Tractor mounted fold-up machines from 6 to 12 metres wide.

Eastern Spreaders Pty Ltd handle a wide range of equipment for the pastoral and agricultural industry, including NDE vertical mixers, Marshall spreaders, Renn roller mills, grain baggers and unloaders and Boomerang bale feeders and Sitrex hay rakes.

The Marshall Multispread has been developed to be a multi-purpose machine to suit all types of granular product and seeds as well as lime, manure, compost.

The range now includes models from 2.5 tonne to 16 tonne capacities and is available with many options including the i4M Variable

Rate Controller and weighing systems which can also be retrofitted to older machines.

The current good season has produced good supplies of fodder but with expected shortages and increased prices of fertilizers in the coming season it will be important to maximise the value of feed.

Older or lower quality hay stocks can be utilised in mixes.

Being able to cut and mix a variety of products including straw, seeds, grains and factory fruit and vegetable waste to extend the value of hay and silage has enabled many farms to keep operating where previously they would have downsized or stopped altogether through drought seasons.

Eastern Spreaders have been the Australian distributor for NDECo vertical feed-mixers since 2000.

The machines have been well proven both in dairy and feedlot situations.

Manufactured in Canada the NDECo single and dual-auger feed-mixers have long lasting, large curved carbide-insert knives, allowing very fast cutting and mixing.

They range from 11 to 32 cubic metres models and can be supplied with side elevators for feeding into troughs or feeders.

John Duff & Co Distributor of Shell Products

BIG OR SMALL WE DO IT ALL

John Duff & Co is an independent, local family owned business, proudly distributing fuel and lubricants to Gippsland businesses and surrounding communities for more than 55 years.

AVAILABLE FOR ALL YOUR FUEL & LUBRICANT NEEDS!

26

Fuel and Lubricant equipment

Enquire Now how we can make a real difference to your business and equipment Depots at Koo Wee Rup and Traralgon admin@jduff.com.au

1300 JOHNDUFF

Diesel grades Unleaded grades • Shell Oils and Greases • AdBlue

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

November, 2021

A D V E R T I S I N G

F E A T U R E

TT TTMI T has come to Leong gattha

TTMI’s brand-new showroom and dealership has opened at Hughes Street in Leongatha, adding to TTMI’s other Gippsland branches in Trafalgar and Maffra.

TTMI sell, service and support Case IH tractors and machinery along with many other quality products, from Vicon, Samasz, Hansa and Hustler Mowers, to name a few.

Leongatha’s branch manager Will Ellis said they are expecting big things for the new site, which features a display yard, parts and showroom area and workshop.

“We’ve got Case IH tractors and a range of implements and equipment over here, as well as exclusive access for Hansa spreaders across Gippsland,” he said.

“Customers have been asking for a branch to serve South Gippsland for a long time, and we’re excited to be open in time for spring.”

The new Leongatha dealership will offer the same workshop and onsite servicing as the other TTMI branches, as well as sales showroom and a full spare parts facility backed by TTMI’s other branches.

“It’ll be great to have a Case IH footprint here in Leongatha, being a farming town and community,” Mr Ellis said.

“We expect the team to grow, helping create more jobs and opportunities for locals.”

The new Leongatha dealership is located at 15 Hughes Street and can be contacted by phoning 5637 3300

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RURAL NEWS

Agricultural sector resilient during COVID-19

COVID-19 was a major event for Australia’s agricultural, forestry and fisheries sector in 2019–20, but the sector demonstrated an ability to adapt and transition to new opportunities.

Because food is an essential good, demand does not fall significantly in times of crisis, although the types of goods being

demanded through the pandemic shifted away from high-value products consumed typically in the hospitality sector (e.g. wine and seafood) to foods consumed at home.

Disruptions to domestic and international food supply chains early in 2020 were largely resolved, allowing agricultural trade to remain resilient through the pandemic.

A D V E R T I S I N G

F E A T U R E

As the saying goes...

“You can’t improve what you don’t measure”

Herd testing is the ruler to which you measure individual cow performance within a herd.

It’s all good to say “She takes so long to milk because she’s producing 40 litres”….but really is she or is she just a slow milker only giving you 15 litres?

And to further this, what’s her components measuring at?

Is she producing rich creamy protein filled milk, or is it really litres of nearly water?

Make your cows work for you, book a herd test today to get a better understanding of how your cows are producing and performing.

Yarram Herd Services tests all our milk on site, with a guaranteed same-day turn around for all samples tested, allowing farmers to make faster choices when it comes to culling decisions the day before a sale.

Their machine is calibrated weekly, ensuring the results are accurate for our farmers.

They offer herd testing 48 weeks of the year, being closed for two weeks over the Christmas break, with a further two separate weeks for the machine to be serviced.

Benefits of Herd Testing  Somatic Cell Count – Keep your milk in premium payment  Breeding planning - Join high value cows to sexed high merit bulls, the middle cows to

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conventional semen and the lower end to beef bulls  Increase herd value - Cows with production records sell for higher prices  Identify problematic cows within your herd  Mastitis Management  Production Index (PI) ranks cows with the herd for productivity  Identifies potential health issues through change in milk volume from last test  More informed culling decisions and drying-off decisions  Better herd records Yarram Her d Services of fer traditional meters, and have ample staff for your labour requirements, as they understand how time consuming and headache-making a herd test can sometimes be. They are available to assist you in every possible way to make this experience as enjoyable as possible.

To find out more, call Yarram Herd Services on 5182 6319 or mobile 0427 826 319.

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November, 2021

A D V E R T I S I N G

F E A T U R E

“Signing off” does not equal compliant GETTING employees to sign documents they have been told what to do to ensure safety, or to confirm that they have read a safety document, does not mean that an employer is covered in the event of a workplace accident.

This is a cultural issue in the industry that can adversely affect safety outcomes.

Getting employees to sign off on documents does not shift responsibility away from the employer and it also does not make the workers legally liable or responsible if something goes wrong.

Some farmers mistakenly believe that they are covering themselves by getting employees to sign documents.

This mindset can also apply to the use of some software applications which facilitate dissemination

of safety documents (e.g. policies, safe operating procedures).

Under OHS laws, employers have a duty to consult with employees about matters that affect their safety.

Telling workers, for example, to ride a quad bike safely or to wear a helmet, will not satisfy legal expectations if the bike does not have an Operator Protective Device (OPD) or if the wearing of helmets

Consultation requires employers to give employees the opportunity to:

is not actually enforced.

• Express their views and taking those views into consideration.

conversations in the form of a toolbox meeting

• Create the opportunities for employees to be involved in determining how work is performed in a safe manner and to exchange ideas.

Getting employees involved in those conversations will create a good safety culture.

Telling employees what to do, or sending them a document, and then getting them to sign off is not consultation.

Farmers are recommended to record these template - listing the items discussed and the names of the workers present (signatures optional), provide evidence that demonstrates that the employer has met their OHS duty to consult.

Those records will demonstrate compliance.

Our farm safety advisors are available to guide employers through how they can meet their duties to consult and how to maintain appropriate records.

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A D V E R T I S I N G

F E A T U R E

FIRE PUMPS

What you need to know OUR thanks to Aussie Pumps chief engineer John Hales for this story.

John’s careful analysis of performance, longevity and value for money is aimed at making sure that buyers are aware of the need to make the right decision, bearing in mind this can turn out to be not just about property loss, but life and death.

The lightweight portable high pressure fire pump is a particularly Australian innovation.

One of the reasons we sell these pumps all over the world, is because of our unique circumstances with massive bushfires, grass fires and general demographics that drove this development.

Early high pressure fire pumps, fitted with an innovative closed impeller style design, were aimed at the requirements of volunteer fire brigades across the country. The idea of using a lightweight portable petrol engine drive pump was very attractive and also became an essential component of every farmer’s toolbox.

A change in demographics within Australia, bigger cities and larger agricultural holdings, coinciding with the impact of what we are all beginning to call “The Climate Crisis” makes the high pressure fire pump more relevant than ever.

In the big cities, even in inner suburbs, there are national parks that represent the potential for real fire danger.

This story is designed to provide some advice and education for farmers and those Urban Interface and education specifically on fire pumps!

FIGHT OR FLIGHT The first decision to be made in a bushfire emergency is whether to stay and protect the property or, knowing that the volunteer brigades can’t be everywhere at once, deciding to leave.

If choosing the first option, the right pump can be critical.

HONDA ENGINES WORK At Aussie Pumps, we decided to standardise on Honda engines on our

a model GX160 5.5hp, we were able to introduce a pump in the Aussie Fire Chief that produced 100 lpm at over 60 m head.

We value added features including, caps and chains on the three way outlet made of metal, not plastic, and a big 2” flanged suction port that lends itself to being expanded to a 3” version where more flow is required.

That means you can service the check valve, without having to take the whole body apart.

Best of all, the 2” suction port, compared to a pump with 1 ½ “ inlet, like the equivalent Davey and Onga units, means you can get 25 per cent more water into the pump!

THE INSIDE STORY Jim Reeves and the team from Brownwigg stores ready to help you with quality Aussie products.

pump range a number of years ago.

We tried other brands but found that the Honda quality, performance and aftermarket support around the country, and for that matter throughout the world, was the very best option.

The major reason is really simple.

They start first time, every time!

In a fire situation, time is everything!

Farmers know they can rely on Honda and are confident in the event of any issue, they have a Honda dealer close by who will perform both in and out of warranty service.

Warning, it may look like a Honda with a white fuel tank but, you really need to check the brand to make sure it’s not a counterfeit.

CHOOSING THE PUMP Aussie Pumps came late to this market with the opportunity to learn from existing suppliers what worked and what didn’t.

We analysed their performance figures, the quality of their components and felt that we could produce a product that was better.

The result is the Honda powered Aussie Fire Chief, now regarded as being the best lightweight portable fire pump in the world.

Apart from checking performance and the outside exterior of the pump, it’s nice to get a look inside.

When we open up an Aussie Fire Chief, you find a big 7” impeller, beautifully engineered and balanced to operate within a volute to provide the best possible performance.

Most importantly, it doesn’t overload the engine at any point on the curve!

The engine must be matched to the impeller diameter and approved by the engine manufacturer for the application.

BEWARE OF GIMMICKS Adding additional outlets to the standard three way outlet implies that the manufacturer thinks you can operate with all four outlets at once.

We question that engineering when we see that one of the leading brands offers two 1½“outlets and two 1” outlets.

That’s a total of 5” of outlets pump and the same p ction has an inlet (suc ½“.. port) of only 1½ ay At Aussie, we sa wo operate either tw big 1” outlets, or a b e 1½“on our three way tree. nse That makes sen

and will provide real performance!

FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY When we introduced a five-year warranty on our Aussie Fire Chief 20 years ago, everybody said it would send us bankrupt.

Here we are 20 years later and we have constant contact from users telling us that they think our product is the best they have ever had.

The Aussie Fire Chief is the only fire pump with a five-year warranty.

A WORD OF ADVICE Make sure you get the best advice as to what is required and most of all, don’t put your property, livestock or lives at risk over a couple of hundred dollars that might get you a much better or bigger pump than you thought.

Here is what Chris Hoare said when he bought an Aussie Fire Chief recently.

“Primarily we needed to pump from a creek up to our house tank for garden water and fire safety,” Chris said.

“Originally thought of a Davey firefighter but the Aussie’s functionality, higher head and less outlet options won! The five year extended pump warranty is a bonus!”

First of all, get the right performance, secondly get the right product that will give you years of service backed by the company’s confidence and lastly, don’t pay more than you have to.

Talk to your local Aussie Pump or call the Aussie Pump team.

We work for the customer, that’s you, not a bunch of dividend hungry shareholders!

For more information visit www. aussiepumps.com.au

The Aussie Fire Chief pump p “The best po portable fire fifir re pump in the worlld” d”.

PERFORMANCE COUNTS

The danger of the Urban Interface, outer suburbs of metro cities nestled in the middle of bushland.

30

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

Comparing single impeller products against key competitors, we found that their performance curves indicate maximum heads around 60 metres.

We decided we would shoot for 75 metres!

Looking at performance where it counts in a fire pump, say at 60m head, our single impeller Aussie Fire Chief produces 100 litres per minute flow at 63m head.

The existing market leaders, performance curve show, in the case of Davey pumps, 100 lpm gives around 55 metres and for Onga, much the same performance.

So with the same engine from Honda,

Wonderful wheat crop, fire could cause a tragic loss.

November, 2021

RURAL NEWS

Hemp touted as a ‘‘miracle crop” HEMP has been labelled a “miracle crop” according to a PhD student’s latest research, which has further cemented the extraordinary physiology of the plant.

University of Adelaide PhD student Alison Gill found that industrial hemp can survive and thrive when grown under low moisture conditions.

Fresh discoveries from the greenhouse at the University of Adelaide have shown that industrial hemp can survive at low soil moisture content.

Alison Gill is halfway through her PhD which is determining the drought tolerance and water use efficiency of industrial hemp.

She was surprised at the findings and said hemp could be the next industry to address future agricultural industry challenges.

“Drought in Australia is projected to get a lot worse, putting pressure on commonly grown crops to produce food and fibre,” Ms Gill said.

“Hemp is a relatively new crop to Australia and could provide a solution to these water issues.

“It’s been labelled as a miracle crop due to its low water use, low fertiliser and pesticide inputs and its ability to produce many different products from the one plant.”

Ms Gill said her research has been on a slow road as there is a small bank of knowledge about hemp compared, to other crops such as rice, wheat and cotton.

“However, the fact that we know so little makes the research very exploratory and exciting,” she said.

“The next steps are to look at what yield we can generate at different moisture levels because it’s one thing that the plant survives at low soil moisture levels but it also has to have a strong yield.”

Ms Gill said her research showed great promise for hemp to eventually replace higher water use crops like cotton.

PhD student Alison Gill examines a hemp plant as part of her research into water efficiencies of the species.

She said as more and more consumers turned towards green textiles, this research could impact through the supply chain.

But she warned there were still some major blockages to the uptake of industrial hemp across Australia for producers.

“One of them is the lack of published research into breeding, improving genetics and other key areas,” Ms Gill told Gippsland Farmer.

“Hemp has been grown for thousands of years but not here in Australia and not commonly at a commercial level.”

photograph supplied

She said regulatory hurdles were other key challenges.

“In South Australia, for example, crops must be tested and if they breach the 1 per cent tetrahydrocannabinol threshold they need to be destroyed. This is a huge risk for producers.”

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

November, 2021

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

33

WEATHER ROUND-UP October’s Rainfall Observations for Eastern Victoria (source: BOM)

The national rainfall outlook for November 2021 through to January 2022. image bureau of meteorology

The state’s rainfall total for the month of October 2021. bureau of meteorology

image

East Sale Airport.........73.8mm Hogan Island...............41.8mm Latrobe Valley...........103.0mm Mount Baw Baw.......275.2mm Mount Moornapa.....135.8mm Wilsons Promontory 118.8mm Yanakie ........................ 91.0mm Yarram Airport............60.4mm Bairnsdale....................99.0mm Combienbar..............112.8mm

Gabo Island.................55.4mm Gelantipy .....................80.0mm Lakes Entrance...........77.9mm Mallacoota...................64.2mm Mount Nowa Nowa....96.4mm Omeo...........................87.4mm Orbost........................100.0mm Mount Hotham...........47.0mm Pound Creek...............84.8mm Wonthaggi.................100.4mm

GIPPSLAND’S

Cattle Market REPORT LEONGATHA LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE

Wednesday, November ??

There were approximately 840 export and 150 young cattle penned representing a decrease of 430 head week-on-week. Most of the usual buying group was present and operating in a mixed market. Stronger competition and good quality saw trade cattle improve 15c to 20c/ kg with some excellent grain assisted lots amongst the yearlings. There were almost no grown steers while a heavier selection of bullocks eased 15c/kg. Manufacturing steers sold firm. Dairy cows improved 10c/kg while heavy beef cows held firm. Heavy bulls lifted slightly.

A handful of vealers sold from 422c to 590c/kg. Yearling trade steers made between 576c and 614c/kg. Yearling heifers to the trade sold between 455c and 614c/kg. A pen of grown steers in store condition made 528c/kg. Bullocks sold from 455c to 486c/kg.

Heavy Friesian manufacturing steers made between 407c and 415c with the crossbred portion making between 402c and 495c/kg. Most light and medium weight cows sold between 295c and 380c/kg. Heavy weight cows made mostly from 335c to 416c/kg. Heavy bulls sold from 355c to 419c/kg.

Yarding 988 Weight

Grade Score

Live Weight c/kg

Carcass

Weight

Low

High

Avg

Change

Avg

Low

High

548.0

614.0

11

1,025

2576

2763

2707

Avg

Yearling Steer 400+

B,C,D,2,3

Grade Score

Carcass

Live Weight c/kg

Estimated Estimated Carcass c/kg $/Head

Low

High

Avg

Change

Avg

Low

High

Avg

B,C,D,2,3

430.0

-430.0

430.0

-44

811

2154

-2154

2154

B,C,D,2,3

429.0

-453.0

432.6

-6

797

2716

-2948

2878

B,C,D,2,3

362.0

-402.0

390.3

3

794

2050

-3432

2382

Yearling Heifer 400+ Grown Steer

Yearling Heifer 330-400

B,C,D,2,3

420.0

522.0

496.5

44

927

1680

2088

1986

400+

B,C,D,2,3

432.0

614.0

528.4

20

961

1836

2763

2519

B,C,D,2,3

362.0

415.0

390.3

3

801

1901

2870

2243

Cows 520+

Change 40 Comparison date 21/10/2021

Category

Estimated Estimated Carcass c/kg $/Head

Thursday, October 28

There were approximately 200 export and 25 young cattle penned representing an increase of 40 head week-on-week. There was a smaller field of buyers present and operating in a cheaper market. Quality declined with few prime cattle penned while cows represented half of the sale. A handful of yearling heifers slipped 40c/kg with quality and competition an issue. Bullocks eased 10c/kg. Cows eased 3c to 6c on most sales while heavy bulls lost 20c/kg.

A pen of vealer steers made 528c/kg to feed on. A sprinkling of yearling heifers reached 430c/kg. A few bullocks made 430c/kg. Heavy grown heifers sold from 384c to 430c/kg.

A few medium weight cows to restockers made between 366c and 383c/kg. Heavy weight cows sold mostly between 333c and 408c/kg.

Heavy bulls made from 290c to 358c/kg.

Yarding 225

Change -432 Comparison date 20/10/2021

Category

BAIRNSDALE LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE

600-750 Cows 520+

PAKENHAM LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE GIPPSLAND REGIONAL LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE SALE Livestock

Steers

Heifers

Vealer

Beef Cows

Dairy Cows

Bulls

Tuesday, October 26 Avg $ / Head

There were approximately 625 export and 125 young cattle penned representing a decrease of 120 head week-on-week. Most of the usual buying group was present and operating in a mixed market. Quality was limited with prime lots in short supply as cows and secondary cattle were well supplied. Trade cattle eased 5c to 10c/kg on most sales. Grown steers and bullocks eased slightly. Grown heifers lifted 5c/kg.

Manufacturing steers eased slightly. Dairy cows gained 5c to 10c while heavy beef cows eased 5c to 10c/kg. Heavy bulls improved 15c/kg.

Vealers sold from 480c to 602c/kg. Yearling trade steers made between 484c and 582c/kg. Yearling heifers to the trade sold between 486c and 578c/kg. A handful of grown steers made from 485c to 502c/kg. Bullocks sold from 464c to 498c/kg. Heavy grown heifers showing good finish made between 440c and 502c/kg.

Heavy Friesian manufacturing steers sold between 395c and 428c with the crossbred portion between 422c and 468c/kg. Most light and medium weight cows made from 296c to 380c/kg. Heavy weight cows sold mostly from 332c to 428c/kg. Heavy bulls made between 356c and 412c/kg.

Vendor

District

Avg Kg

C / Kg

Wallace TG

Kilmany

690.0

414.6

2,860.74

Dunbar SK Investments

Kilmany

680.0

392.6

2,669.68

Wallace TG

Kilmany

575.0

456.6

2,625.45

Wallace TG

Kilmany

615.0

392.6

2,414.49

Oakbank Pastoral Co

Stradbroke

625.0

414.6

2,591.25

Yarding 747

Ryslea Lodge

Traralgon

480.0

490.6

2,354.88

Category

Oakbank Pastoral Co

Stradbroke

605.0

388.6

2,351.03

Weight

Mowbray Graeme

Sale

395.0

584.6

2,309.17

Bavadra Hope

Newry

365.0

538.6

1,965.89

Carcass

Eaglehawk Pastoral Co.

Glengarry North

365.0

510.0

1,861.50

Bates GG & EJ & MG & R

Munro

680.0

414.6

2,819.28

Bates GG & EJ & MG & R

Munro

667.5

404.6

2,700.71

Marshall Ken

Boisdale

675.0

400.0

2,700.00

ADR Investments Coleman Matthew & Rosalie Coleman BF & JE

Glengarry

630.0

395.0

2,488.50

Heyfield

695.0

378.6

2,631.27

Maffra

686.3

382.6

2,625.59

Berryman DJ & MJ

Newry

637.5

374.6

2,388.08

Monday, October 25

Change -123 Comparison date 18/10/2021 Grade Score

Live Weight c/kg Low

Estimated Estimated Carcass c/kg $/Head High

Avg

Change

Avg

Low

High

Avg

Yearling Steer 330-400

B,C,D,2,3

484.0

540.0

511.3

-37

930

1913

2052

1967

400+

B,C,D,2,3

510.0

582.0

552.8

7

970

2372

3143

2697

Yearling Heifer 330-400

B,C,D,2,3

530.0

530.0

530.0

29

982

2120

2120

2120

400+

B,C,D,2,3

462.0

578.0

512.8

22

940

1964

2798

2449

B,C,D,2,3

524.0

544.0

531.3

-12

979

1703

1768

1733

500-600

B,C,D,2,3

490.0

502.0

496.8

-17

898

2695

3012

2799

600-750

B,C,D,2,3

488.0

488.0

488.0

-3

872

3294

3294

3294

B,C,D,2,3

370.0

426.0

399.3

-2

815

1995

2926

2353

Vealer Heifer 280-330 Grown Steer

Noble RM & Sons

Boisdale

655.0

363.6

2,381.58

McGowan Nathan

Stratford

1,090.0

386.6

4,213.94

Porter Trevor & Valerie

Yarram

870.0

374.6

3,259.02

Oakbank Pastoral Co

Stradbroke

870.0

366.6

3,189.42

Cows

Thomson A & R

Clydebank

820.0

368.6

3,022.52

520+

Market fig gures supplied by Meat and Livestock Australia’s National Live estock Reporting Service and Gippsland Regional Livestock Exchange Sale.

34

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

November, 2021

November, 2021

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

35

PADDOCK New Case IH Optum latest model to feature enhanced connectivity implement to be adapted to the operator and the task.

“After introducing Case IH’s nextgeneration technology on the biggest tractors in our range, it’s exciting to now be able to offer AFS Connect on our high-performing, highly-versatile Optum,” product manager Jason Wood said.

The Optum AFS Connect range, like the line-up it succeeds, contains two models, with rated power outputs of 270hp and 300hp, each featuring the Case IH continuously-variable transmission (CVT).

Beyond that though, many of the tractor’s other key design points are new, particularly the cab, which has been completely redesigned in line with that of its larger cousin, the AFS Connect Magnum, allowing for more intuitive and customisable operation. Features include the Multicontroller armrest and its Multi-Function lever, larger AFS

Pro 1200 touchscreen monitor with greater functionality, and A-pillar tablet instrumentation for engine/transmission information read-outs.

Via the new, larger AFS Pro 1200 monitor at the armrest’s front, key controls on the Multicontroller and armrest can be customised to suit operator preference and the job in hand, including the remote valve paddle switches.

The new ISOBUS-compatible AFS Pro 1200 touchscreen monitor has a highresolution screen that not only allows the operator to monitor all primary tractor functions, but can also show front and rear camera feeds and is the key control gateway to operating and optimising the engine, the continuously-variable transmission and the tractor’s hydraulics and PTO. The new AFS Connect Optum series – for the first time in this Case IH tractor class – are now equipped as standard with the Case IH AFS Connect telematics package, for instant two-way data transfer between the tractor and the AFS Connect online management portal. This gives tractor owners and farm managers complete control over farm, fleet and data management.

Tractor performance and implement operating data are immediately, securely and continuously sent to the online portal for access by the tractor owner/ manager.

Owners can choose to allow their Case IH dealer to remotely monitor their tractor’s AFS Pro 1200 terminal screen via AFS Connect, providing the opportunity for dealer notification of early warning signs of a tractor fault or issue, remote service access, and operating advice based on machine data.

From the operator’s seat, new external styling front and rear – such as lowered rear fenders – brings visibility benefits, while the four-pillar design of the cab, with full-length doors, also aids sight lines. The upper curved edge to the windscreen helps maximise natural light into the cab, and night visibility is enhanced by a comprehensive 360-degree LED lighting package.

Still in the cab, a premium leather seat with active suspension features full cooling and heating capabilities, and has an upper swivelling backrest for easy and comfortable turning in the seat to monitor implements behind and when reversing.

The operating experience is further upgraded by a new drive pedal, which provides enhanced precision and control for slow-speed inching, field work with headland turns, and high-speed travel on the road. Increased storage, large coolbox and multiple USB sockets will also be welcomed by operators.

Mr Wood said forward orders on the AFS Connect Optum were now open.

GP1633860

THE Australian ag machinery market will soon welcome a new addition, a tractor featuring technology and connectivity previously only available on larger and higher horsepower machines.

In the past 12 months Case IH Australia/New Zealand launched its next-generation AFS Connect Magnum and Steiger into the local market, and now it’s announced the AFS Connect Optum (pictured) will be available for order by Australian and New Zealand customers from this month.

“The expansion of AFS Connect across our tractor range is an exciting prospect for our brand and illustrates our ongoing commitment to connectivity and data management innovations, and putting those capabilities where they will have the greatest impact: in the hands of our customers,” Case IH Australia/New Zealand general manager Pete McCann said.

The Case IH Optum CVT tractor range has been re-engineered to create the new Optum AFS Connect range, with a new cab, interior and connectivity package designed to enhance its operation, comfort and efficiency.

Key among the changes, the new cab offers more space, lower noise levels, improved vision and upgraded premium interior materials. There is also a new Multicontroller armrest, and configurable controls to allow the tractor and its

36

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

November, 2021

RURAL NEWS

Thorpy Pub’s back to basics approach

By LIAM DURKIN

THE iconic Travellers Rest Hotel, Thorpdale has returned with a bang after a brief hiatus.

The pub underwent a staged reopening earlier this year, which initially only consisted of the bar operating while the restaurant section was being finalised.

However, the pub closed the bar in June in order to recalibrate its business plan following a few teething problems turning the old-school knockabout pub into something more up-market.

Since then, owners of the Travellers Rest Hotel have gone back to basics, with a more traditional menu and some tried and true pub philosophies reaping the rewards.

Locals have flooded back in a COVIDSafe manner, once again putting their lips around an ice cold beer or grabbing a takeaway feed to enjoy at home.

Amazingly, despite COVID, the pub reported more than 100 meals had been sold across a recent Friday and Saturday peak period.

While there are still grand plans to install a distillery downstairs and accommodation upstairs, co-owner Sean McCarthy said it was pleasing to know locals saw a place for the pub in such a small town.

Travellers Rest Hotel co-owner Sean McCarthy has reported solid business since the pub’s reopening in August. photograph liam durkin

“We’re really pleased to be back, the response has been fantastic … we never thought we’d be doing 75 to 80 meals on Friday night and then 20 to 30 takeaway as well,” he said.

With an eye to the immediate future, Mr McCarthy said the pub’s team was waiting in anticipation for restrictions to ease further.

“We’re looking forward to not having so many restrictions in place because at the moment we can really only have 10 people in the dining room,” he said.

“We’re going to be asking for vaccination certificates down the track according to local government requirements, but at the moment we seem to be able to churn people through fairly well.

“People’s compliance has been really good.

People understand that we are subject to limitations.”

Moving forward, Mr McCarthy said the pub would play a vital role in the potato farming community, especially as more people come to the area for the harvest, which usually begins in January.

“All in all the business is in a great space and it’s all looking really optimistic,” he said.

“We’re really looking forward to daylight saving, the picking season and summer when we’ll be able to offer extended hours, think about having music offerings and maybe some functions as well.

“It (the pub) really is an institution. I think one of the lessons that we’ve learnt is not only do we want this venue to be able to attract people from out of town, but it is really a local meeting point, socially it is important as a local stopping point so it is really important we cater for the local people as well as out-of-towners.”

The Travellers Rest Hotel is currently serving patrons on Friday and Saturday, but all going well, will open its doors for more days in coming weeks.

State government eyes plan for organic waste THE state government is helping to turn kerbside food and garden waste into high quality organic material in a two-year program to support the recycled organics sector to reduce landfill.

Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio announced $10.2 million towards the Recycling Victoria Organics Sector Transformation Fund.

The fund will also support the improving recycled organic products such as compost, soil blends and mulches, by removing contamination.

These products are used for intensive agriculture and also in local parks and gardens.

Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said she was looking forward to seeing how the fund would improve the sustainable agriculture sector.

“This is good news for our farmers as we know that contamination is the main barrier to growing the use of recycled organics,” Ms Thomas said.

Reforms into kerbside recycling and improvements into the recovery of

commercial and industrial organic waste have resulted in a growing supply of organic waste.

The first round of grants are open to organic processors to support new or enhance organics processing capacities, or remove contamination and produce a higher quality product.

Successful projects will be eligible for further funding under the federal government’s national Food Waste for Healthy Soils Fund.

Victoria aims to cut waste generation by 15 per cent in the next decade and halve food and organic waste going to landfill under a $380 million action plan.

Ms D’Ambrosio the funding will help overcome contamination in organics reprocessing and increase the quality of recycled organics products to help drive market demand.

“Projects like this will help us reach the goal of halving the amount of organic waste going to landfill by 2030, while supporting jobs in the waste and recycling sector and tackling climate change,” she said.

VFF launches new Stock Sense project

THE Victorian Farmers Federation has launched its new Stock Sense project to help improve animal health, welfare and farm biosecurity in Victoria’s livestock industry.

VFF Stock Sense is open to all Victorian livestock farmers and peri-urban landholders.

It provides access to a dedicated support team, with information and events to further establish the state’s livestock industry as a leader in animal health, welfare and on-farm biosecurity.

VFF livestock president Steve Harrison encouraged livestock farmers to participate in the initiative.

Mr Harrison said it included preparing for and managing endemic and exotic

November, 2021

diseases, biosecurity practices, the livestock supply chain and obligations and requirements for livestock ownership.

“The Stock Sense project will work with Victorian livestock producers to adopt animal health and production practices that improve animal welfare and Victoria’s biosecurity status,” Mr Harrison said.

“This is a valuable resource for all Victorian cattle, sheep and goat producers and will help progress our industry as a leader in the areas of animal health, welfare and biosecurity.”

Stock Sense held a webinar last month focussing on developing a biosecurity plan and the threat of an emergency animal disease outbreak to livestock producers.

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

37

GIPPSLAND SPORT

Power award winners 2021 GIPPSLAND Power announced its award winners for season 2021 recently.

Phillip Island’s Mitch Moschetti won the best and fairest, with Traralgon’s Luis D’Angelo the runner-up.

D’Angelo benefited from time with Box Hill in the VFL during the season.

Jess McGrath, who was named Power’s most professional player, played a game for the Moe reserves this season.

Nathan Noblett, from Morwell, won the goal kicking award.

Taking into account the shortened season, Noblett’s return was modest compared to previous winners, although he did manage a four-goal haul against Western Jets.

Traralgon’s Chance Doultree was named most determined.

Gippsland Power only got on the park 10 times in 2021, winning three games.

Things were not looking good early doors, as the side lost its first six games.

However, a late season rally saw them string some good performances together, and they were able to win three of their last four games.

Ultimately, the stop-start nature of the COVID season derailed any chance of continuity, but a win over secondplaced Greater Western Victoria proved Gippsland Power’s worth and standing against some of the country’s best young players.

Most Gippsland Power players also returned home to their local club at some stage in the season, slotting into various senior teams.

Other award winners were Yarram’s David Brinker-Ritchie who was judged most improved, Warragul’s Rhys Gavin (best first year player), Drouin’s Tom Evans (support staff award) and Phillip Island’s Max Walton (coaches award).

The Gippsland Power women’s team best and fairest was won by Traralgon’s Matilda Van Berkel.

Joint runner-up was Yasmin Duursma (Foster) and Grace McRae (Wonthaggi).

The Power women’s team didn’t have much to crow about this season, winning just one game.

Gippsland Cricket League Draws 2021/2022 Subject to change due to COVID. Pool A: Sale-Maffra, Latrobe Valley, Bairnsdale.

Pool B: Traralgon District, Warragul District, Leongatha District.

GCL Premier Division Round 1, Sunday, November 28, 2021.

Sale-Maffra v Latrobe Valley Traralgon District v Warragul District Round 2, Sunday, December 12, 2021.

Bairnsdale v Sale-Maffra Leongatha District v Traralgon District Round 3, Sunday, January 23, 2022.

Latrobe Valley v Bairnsdale Warragul District v Leongatha District Final, Sunday, February 6, 2022.

Top of Pool A v Top of Pool B GCL Women (all played as 40 over matches) Round 1, Sunday November 28, 2021 Leongatha District v Sale-Maffra Traralgon District v Latrobe Valley Round 2, Sunday, December 12, 2021.

Latrobe Valley v Leongatha District Sale-Maffra v Traralgon District Round 3, Sunday January 23, 2022.

Leongatha District v Traralgon District Latrobe Valley v Sale-Maffra Final, Sunday February 6, 2022.

First v second.

GCL Under 18s Round 1, Sunday, November 28, 2021.

Sale-Maffra v Latrobe Valley Traralgon District v Warragul District Round 2, Sunday December 12, 2021.

Bairnsdale v Sale-Maffra Leongatha District v Traralgon District Round 3, Sunday, January 23, 2022.

Latrobe Valley v Bairnsdale Warragul District v Leongatha Distric Final, Sunday, February 6, 2022.

Top of Pool A v Top of Pool B

38

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

Ghodeleine rises to the occasion in Cup victory

By LIAM DURKIN

BALLARAT mare Ghodeleine produced a lionhearted performance to secure the $130,000 Ladbrokes Moe Cup (2050m).

The Andrew Noblet-trained seven-yearold called on every last sinew of strength following a wide run throughout to defeat Dark Dream by a neck.

Winning jockey Patrick Moloney paid tribute to the daughter of Monaco Consul, who secured the biggest win of her 27-start career.

“I didn’t give her the best ride, but she was the best horse in the race and won well,” Moloney said post-race.

“We were exposed for the majority of the race, but I got on the back of Good Idea and he took us into the race.

“She is a tough, fit, honest mare in form.

All credit to her.”

Having drawn barrier eight in the ninehorse field, Ghodeleine was trapped three deep after being unable to find cover heading out of the straight for the first time.

Despite covering extra ground in the run, the $2.25 favourite travelled sweetly into the race at the home turn.

Dark Dream, the former Hong Kong galloper, belied its $26 starting price to issue the major challenge, storming home to go down by a head.

The seven-year-old gelding bumped fourth placed finisher Aussie Nugget during the race, and jockey Jamie Mott was reprimanded for using his whip in consecutive strides prior to 100m.

Coming in third was Good Idea for Pakenham trainer Phillip Stokes.

The seven-year-old gelding, who won the Adelaide Cup in March, gave punters good odds at $11, in what ended up being its second minor placing in as many starts.

But you could take nothing away from the victor, who has now banked connections $309,200 in prizemoney earnings.

Ghodeleine has been in sublime form of late, with its last seven starts returning three wins, two placings and two top-five finishes.

Ghodeleine ridden by Patrick Moloney (seven) holds off Dark Dream (three) to win the 2021 Ladbrokes Moe Cup. photographs scott barbour/racing photos

Andrew Noblet and Patrick Moloney pose with the Moe Cup trophy after Ghodeleine won the Ladbrokes Moe Cup in October.

Winning trainer Noblet said he felt this strong form and suitability to conditions at Moe helped the mare achieve victory.

“I thought she performed well, didn’t have much luck in the run but was very brave,”

he said. “Halfway round I was worried, but she’s a few runs in now and very fit, which held her in good stead at the finish.

“We pulled the right rein to find the right race, congratulations to all the owners, I’m very happy for all of them.”

Noblet said the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes at Flemington or Ballarat Cup would be the next likely target for Ghodeleine.

Moe trainers Allison Bennett and Charlie Gafa carried local hopes with Monmouth and Heartland Raider taking part.

The pair finished fifth and seventh respectively, unable to keep touch with the leaders as the field widened heading for home.

It was a case of deja vu for Heartland Raider, who finished seventh in the Moe Cup last year.

Memories of malthoid wickets

Unlike today, there was only one turf wicket for a time in the area, at the famous Yallourn No.1 Oval.

By LIAM DURKIN

BEFORE most local cricketers had the luxury of playing on turf, or even astro for that matter, players had to make do with what they had.

While it would be an absolute fantasy for players of the current generation, it was commonplace for country cricketers to play the game on a surface known as malthoid not all that long ago.

Those from a previous generation may well remember the malthoid wickets, which were rolled out over a slab of concrete in order to get a game going.

By now a lot of younger readers might be wondering ‘what the hell is malthoid?’

The official description sums up malthoid as ‘a two-ply felt material impregnated with bitumen covered in sand to prevent sticking when rolled’.

It can be used for waterproofing flat roofs, under corrugated iron water tanks to prevent condensation, and as a dampcourse on brick and block walls.

And in the good old days, it was also used as a cricket pitch.

Current Trafalgar cricketer Billy Pace recalls the days of playing on malthoid in his time with Moe Cricket Club.

“It was a black tar, like a sticky rubber, but when it got hot it got sticky and then it was like playing on a hot-mix,” he said.

As a wicketkeeper, Pace had plenty to contend with playing on the malthoid.

Coming complete with curators, it was said the oval at Yallourn was comparable to the MCG for the 1956 Olympics.

Although that oval is long gone, Yallourn still offers some physical reminder of what a malthoid wicket looks like.

The TAFE Gippsland Yallourn campus in Newborough has remnants of a malthoid wicket on its oval.

Some maintenance could surely see the oval become a venue option for lower grade matches in seasons to come.

Don Bradman famously scored a century on a malthoid wicket in 1931.

Parts of the malthoid wicket are still visible at the TAFE Gippsland Yallourn Campus oval in Newborough. photograph liam durkin

“It would spin because it could grip,” he said.

“Brian Mathison use to bowl flippers and it would be off a good length and it would be whizzing around your ear.

“I can remember one day we played on the malthoid, it was sticky, playing Latrobe and Matt Clarke terrorised Latrobe … it was the quickest bowling I’d ever seen.”

The Don went completely berserk, reaching his ton in three eight-ball overs playing an invitational game in the New South Wales town of Blackheath.

His scoring chart read: 6, 6, 4, 2, 4, 4, 6, 1, 6, 4, 4, 6, 6, 4, 6, 4, 6, 6, 1, 1, 4, 4, 6.

Bradman was eventually dismissed for 256, which included 14 sixes and 29 fours.

Those wanting to get their hands on some malthoid can purchase it at most hardware stores.

November, 2021

GIPPSLAND SPORT

Fry and Moloney secure Sale Cup

By LIAM DURKIN

Jarrod Fry and John Moloney pose after Milton Park won the Ladbrokes Sale Cup last month. photograph scott barbour/racing photos

MILTON Park put in a dominate performance to win the 2021 Ladbrokes Sale Cup last month.

The four -year -old gelding left all competitors in the 1600 metre race behind, leading from start to finish to take home the $200,000 prize purse in comprehensive fashion.

Jumping from barrier four, Milton Park got rolling right from the word go to eventually win by two lengths from Barbie’s Fox and Good And Proper.

In a performance that was impossible to fault, the ride was described post-race as one of the best in jockey Jarrod Fry’s career.

Fry said ultimately there was no denying Milton Park’s form, which had seen him come third in the Seymour Cup a fortnight earlier, to go with a win at Cranbourne in September.

“We were pretty confident today with that form that he would be very hard to beat,” Fry said post-race.

“He’s the sort of horse that needs to get into his rhythm, you have to sneak him up a little bit earlier than you normally would just so he is going by the point the others come to him.

“The whole race he never really felt in too much doubt.”

The win completed a nice moment for Fry and winning trainer John Moloney, as it was Moloney whom Fry completed his apprenticeship under.

It was the second Sale Cup win for the Caulfield trainer after Top Walk won all the way back in 1995.

Moloney said it was a tremendous showing by Milton Park in what also served as a true test of the horses capability over the mile.

“He’s got that good high cruising speed and Jarrod knows him so well,” he said.

“He jumped a length clear on the gate start and then he had him rolling at his right tempo, he had him underneath him in good control so it was about running him to the line.”

With the nature of its win taken into account, Milton Park somewhat belied its starting price of $9.50, while $2.45 favourite Embolism finished some distance back in seventh.

Local trainers did not fare so well, with the Sale-trained Plymouth Road from Mario Farrugia’s stable and Bundalaguah trained Ripplebrook for Sharyn Trolove making up the last two finishers.

Super idea a big hit with cricketers

By LIAM DURKIN

November, 2021

Preston Rd, Ripplebrook Phone (03) 5627 6317 Fax (03) 5627 6385 www.stlegermachinery.com C.L, A.H., & A.E. FORREST

Specialists in Second Hand Farm Machinery.

WORKSHOP OPEN - Workshop available to repair your tractors and implements..... .HARVEST EQUIPMENT Kuhn tedder.

New Holland Super 56 rake.

Niemeyer RO187 mower.

LOADERS

Ford 3000 ,FEL, bucket & forks, industrial, 3pl, pwr steer, rops canopy, tyres vgc.

Massey Ferguson 135, FEL, rops, as traded.

Massey Ferguson 11, FEL, 1 mtr bucket, rops.

DAIRY

Frigrite Auto Wash vat, 3000 ltrs, excellent condition.

TILLAGE

Chisel plough, Jarrett 3 tyne.

Chisel plough, 7 tyne, heavy duty.

Discs, Connor Shea 16 pl trailing.

Discs, Fiat, 14 plate, 3pl.

Discs, Massey Ferguson, 10 plate, 3pl.

Power Harrows, TerraNova, 5ft, with crumble roller.

Scarifier, 18 tyne.

FARM IMPLEMENTS

3pl aerorator.

8ft Port Multi grader blade.

9ft – 12ft smudgers.

12ft stick rake, heavy duty, suit 3pl or fel.

Assorted hay forks & spikes.

Cranvel trailing backhoe, pto driven.

Hardi 600lt 3pl boom spray with 6 mtr boom and hose reel.

Hardi 600 ltr 3pl boom spray, 7.7 mtr boom & hose reel.

Hyd 3pl silage bale feeder.

Mulcher, 6ft offset Berends mulcher.

Mulcher, 7ft offset.

Mulcher, 8ft Silvan with hyd. sideshift.

New Holland Roll-Belt 150 Superfeed baler, as new, 2020.

Post hole diggers 6” to 18”, Post rammers .... Lyco with auger, Massey, Aussie Driver with hyd side shift.

Silvan 600 ltr 3pl boom spray, 6mtr boom, & hose reel.

Wick wipers, 3pl, 2mtr & 4 mtr.

Easy peasy: The new Morwell Cricket Club synthetic wicket features the ‘Super Stump Holder’.

Pictured are Morwell Cricket Club junior vice president Mark Smith and Super Stump Holder inventor Paul McGrath. photograph liam durkin

“They let me use that as an experimental base which I needed which was great,” he said.

“They have stood the test of time. The substance is made from something that is totally UV safe.”

Other local clubs have since come on board, as well as those in the city where dozens of Super Stump Holders have been sold.

The Super Stump Holder is sure to hold a place close to the heart of clubs that have previously felt left out for only having an artificial wicket, especially considering the

number of times they have been labelled ‘hard deck hacks’ and ‘concrete kings’ by opponents.

With Gippsland producing test and first-class cricketers over the years, it is heartening to know the region has also produced something that will be appreciated by players far and wide for generations to come.

Those wishing to find out more or to have a pair of Super Stump Holders installed at their club can visit www.superstumpholder. com.au or phone Paul McGrath on 0432 307 240.

TRACTORS

Case 990, pwr steer, rops canopy, vgc.

Cat Challenger MT445B 4wd, a/c cab.

Cat Challenger MT465B 4wd, a/c cab, ex. cond.

Deutz 3006, 2wd, rops, 3pl.

Deutz 5206, 2wd, rops, 1800 gen hrs, one owner.

Deutz 140 hp, 2wd, a/c cab, 3pl, rem. Tidy unit.

Ford 4000, pwr steer, rops, 3pl remotes, as traded.

Ford TW15, fwa, a/c cab, 3pl, rem, new clutch, 143hp.

Iseki 5000, 2wd, cab.

John Deere 1120, rops, 2wd.

Massey Ferguson 165, pwr steer, MP, 3pl.

Massey Ferguson 355 turbo, a/c cab, p/steer, d/bar, remotes.. .

TYRES

Assorted new and second hand from 16” to 46”.

Delivery and finance easily arranged.

Trade-ins accepted.

WANTED

Good quality late model tractors.

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

GP1633249

AS any club umpire or cricketer would know, one of the many problems when playing on astro wickets is the need to become something of an unlicensed landscaper when putting the stumps in.

Strolling to the middle with a set of stumps and bails, people are often greeted with a rock hard surface in the middle of the bowling crease, making the task of setting up for the game at hand all the more difficult.

These difficulties won’t be seen at Keegan Street, Morwell this season, thanks to an ingenious device designed and recently installed by local jack-of-all-trades Paul McGrath.

A player for Jeeralang-Boolarra Cricket Club himself, McGrath has patented the ‘Super Stump Holder’, a simple yet brilliant invention that takes away the need for mallets, stump gauges or the dreaded question from wicket keeper to batsman of “mind knocking these in for us mate?” following a wicket, run out or stumping opportunity.

The Super Stump Holder is essentially a rubber block fixed into the bowling crease, with holes inside enabling the stumps to be easily fitted into place.

The material used allows the stumps to slide into perfect position with minimal force, and also keeps the excitement alive for bowlers as the pegs still go flying after being struck by the ball.

In coming up with the idea, McGrath said the concept was born simply out of curiosity.

“From playing the game over the years and having to set the stumps up with dry, sandy, dirty conditions and the stumps just not wanting to go into the ground straight and true, it was just so frustrating,” he said.

“I thought ‘there has to be another way to do this’.

“I found this rubber mix that was available commercially and made some moulds, developed it and it’s come to this.”

While a lot of products in the cricket world can fall under the category of ‘gimmicky’, the Super Stump Holder appears a very worthy investment for all clubs.

The stumps will always stay square and true when placed in the holders, and maintain legal spacing between each peg.

McGrath installed the first lot of Super Stump Holders at his home club two years ago, and the two cricket ovals in Boolarra still have them to this day.

39

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

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November, 2021