Fodder relief trucked in

MORE than 60 tonnes of fodder was delivered to Loddon farms at the weekend to boost feed supplies reduced by last October’s flood emergency.

It was the second delivery into the area this year by Need for Feed, a national farmer assistance charity established during the Millennium drought in the mid-2000s.

Co-ordinator Graham Cockerell said hay and silage in the weekend’s delivery had been mostly donated by farmers in Gippsland.

Supplies were also dropped at farms around Kerang and Rochester over the long weekend.

“We run pretty much on public and service club donations, reimbursing drivers for their fuel ... drivers who put in some pretty long hours at times,” Mr Cockerell said.

Need For Feed has been a Lions Club national project for two years after starting in 2006 when Mr Cockerell made a small delivery of hay to Gippsland during the drought.

“I came back, rounded up a few mates and the local Lions club and we have kept going,” he said.

“We were just coming to an end with the Lismore floods last year when our work returned to Victoria and now we are also doing deliveries into NSW around Burke, Condobolin and Forbes.

“We have done two runs into the Loddon and the fodder comes from where ever it is offered. We have donations from areas of northern Victoria not impacted by floods.”

Mr Cockerell said farmers in the region had either lost feed or had crops that could have been cut for feed destroyed by floods.

“Our deliveries also include personal care packs and a supply of dog food ... every farm has a dog either working or as a pet,” he said.

One of the next stops on Need for Feed’s delivery run will be in areas near Bathurst after recent bushfires destroyed some prop- erties. “We go where there is a need,” he said.

“We are now recognised as the leading provider of emergency fodder at a state and national level by governments and other agencies.

“That is in no small part due to the hard work and dedication of our band of Lions members and other volunteers. The total value of aid delivered over the life of the project to date would be in excess of $30 million.”

“Now in our 16th year, we at Need for Feed take great pride not only in being managed 100 per cent by volunteers but also

Extra care will re-establish good pastures

PASTURES affected by flooding and severe waterlogging will need some extra care this season to re-establish healthy productive pastures.

Agriculture Victoria’s regional dairy manager (northern) Brett Davidson said focusing on soil testing, soil temperatures, seed depth, irrigation, weed control and grazing management would help with pasture re-establishment.

“Soil testing is highly recommended. After flooding sandy soils can have issues with leaching of various nutrients, such as sulphur, potassium and nitrogen. Heavy soils that have been inundated for prolonged periods; denitrification can occur.

two years ago being adopted as a national project of Lions Australia.”

Mr Cockerell said farmers needing feed could register at www.needforfeed.org.

“From quite humble beginnings, as an organisation our Lions club project Need for Feed has grown and grown to the point where we could now be considered the leading volunteer organisation providing hope and help for farmers and rural communities across most of the country,” Mr Cockerell said after completing the weekend’s Loddon run.

“Previously planned fertiliser applications may need to be adjusted to suit. The soil test may also indicate the need for gypsum application to help build and protect soil structure,” he said.

Grain

Boort Grain Co-op prices Tuesday. Wheat - H1 $380 FIS. H2 $373 FIS. APW1 $363 FIS. ASW $353 FIS. AGP1 $348 FIS. SFW 1 $348 FIS. fED1 $315 FIS. Barley - PL1 $348 FIS. SP1 $348 FIS. PLX $300FIS. SPX $300.FIS. Bar1 $298 FIS. Bar 2 $276 FIS. Bar3 $255 FIS. Bar4 $235 FIS.

For Lease By Tender

FENTONS CREEK – WEHLA DISTRICT

323.75 Hectares – 800 Acres

To be offered in 2 Lots

Commencing: 30th March 2023. Finishing: 29th March 2026

Lot 1: ”Home Block”, “Old place”, “Woodies”

226.63 Hectares equalling 560 Acres. Approx 12 paddocks, water to Dams. Grazing and cropping allotment, sandy loam soil 60% - 70% arable with undulating land parcels and shelter belts

Lot 2: ”Wehla”

93.07 Hectares equalling 230 Acres. Undulating land parcel in 5 paddocks. Water from 4 Dams and waterways. Some timber shelter belts – 85% arable Mixture Mallee Ironstone & loam top soil to a Clay base. Currently mix of natural grass and dry wild oat.

Terms: 3-year period with a 2 year option payable quarterly in advance. Further option available.

Lease document and inspection by appointment

HIGHEST OR ANY

TENDER NOT NECESSARILY ACCEPTED

Tenders Close: Thursday, 23rd March 2023 at the offices of leasing agent

Further Particulars: www.fpnevins.com.au