Gippsland Farmer August 2023

Philip HOPKINS

THE state government must take "significant action" to cut livestock emissions by preparing thestate's beef and dairy farmers to immediately put in place technologies to reduce methane emissions from cattle. That is akey recommendation of the report,'Victoria's 2035 Climate Action Target: Driving Growth and Prosperity', which was written by an independent expert panel for the state government. "Morethan 80 per cent of feedlot and dairy cattle, and around athirdofpasture-fed beef, will need to be treated with these technologies by 2035," it says.

The report,releasedin March, was commissioned in January last year by the Minister for Energy,Environment and ClimateChange, LilyD'Ambrosio,to provide advice to the government under its Climate Change Act. The government aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percentby2035 andnet zeroby2045. The report said agricultureaccounted for

19 per cent of Victoria's total emissions, with beef and dairy cattle making up almost half of this. "Addressing emissions from these animals is the most immediatelarge opportunity in this sector to reduce emissions," the report said.

"Action for feedlot cattle can be complementedwhere possible with other actions, including for example on-farmenergy efficiency or transition from diesel to electric technologies."

Other key recommendations were:

-Helpagriculturetorapidly adopt technology toreduce livestockemissionsby introducingpoliciesthat take into account the value chain, including incentives for farmers and buyers of goods and services.

-Accelerate the use of methane-inhibiting technology for livestock by backingcommercialisationofpromising options that can be demonstrated on Victorian farms.

The report acknowledged agriculture's economic importance, with gross value of production $17.9 billion in 2020-21.

However,"emissionsreductionsolutions for agricultureare not as advanced as solutions for other parts of the economy".

The panelnotedthe importance of the state's SmartFarms in research, innovation and development,and alsoways to cut emissions through changes in farmingpractices, such as increasing carbon sequestration in paddocks.

Most important werethe technological solutions to cut methane emissions, such as commerciallyavailable methane-inhibiting feed supplements and amethane vaccine still being developed.

Industry groups backed the push -Meat and Livestock Australia had committed to net zeroemissions by 2030, while Dairy Australia aimed for acut in emissions intensity of 30 per cent by 2030, the panel said.

The report saidmoreefficient use of fertiliserscouldhelpcut emissionsfrom soils. Reducingnitrous oxide emissions "candecreaseacidification of soils and

improve water and air quality,” it said.

In the longer term, the report said domestic and global markets for agriculturewere signalling the need for the sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Victorian FarmersFederation has not commented on the expert panel's report. However,the VFF said in its submissionto the panel that emissions from agriculture had remained fairly constant.

"Wewant to assurethe panel that a relatively flat line on emissionsshould not be seen as the sector not acting," said Gerald Leach, the VFF's chair of the environment, planning and climate change committee.

"The VFF believes this reflects the relative difficultiestoreduce emissions further without alevel of transformative change; the failuretoreport on emissions intensity of the production system; and the challenge of improvementsinsequestration through on-farmaction being attributed elsewhere."

Continued Page 5

The Kilmany Rail Bridge has been moved into position, as part of the Princes Highway East upgrade between Traralgon and Sale.

Canned Commonwealth Games

Liam DURKIN DISAPPOINTMENT

Thatwas the overriding emotionfelt by many across the region last month, after the state government's bombshell announcement that the 2026 Commonwealth Games would be cancelled.

The Latrobe Valley, along with ahost of other regional areas across Victoria, were to host Games events in three years' time. Not anymore.

Therewas to be cricket in Moe, rugby in Morwell, badminton in Traralgon and road cycling coming through the area.

Local businesses, hospitality and accommodation providers wereset to benefit from the sudden influx of visitors and athletes when the Games rolled into town in March 2026.

This was to be the Valley's marquee event, showcasing the region's sporting facilities on aglobal scale, in the first Commonwealth

Games under King Charles' reign.

Thousands of local kids would have surely been inspiredtoachieve great things, seeing international athletes competing in their own backyard.

Trytellingthosekidsthey'll be no Christmas.

That's how some in the Valley felt when the announcement came through last Tuesday.

The news hit hard, and unexpectedly, whenVictorian Premier DanielAndrews made the startling revelation the Games' budget had blown out by an astonishing $4 billion -morethan twice as much than had been originally budgeted for

As far as the state government was concerned, it couldn't justify spending more than $6 billion on atwo-week event.

"Wewerepleased to be asked to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games -but not at any price," Mr Andrews said.

"I think all Victorians would agree that

morethan $6 billion for a12-day sporting event just doesn't make sense."

The statenot onlybroke thenews to a disbelieving public, but then had to advise the Commonwealth Games Federation and CommonwealthGames Australia it was terminating the Host Agreement.

The announcement set offachain of logisticalfirestorms,asthe race tofind anew host for 2026 went into overdrive.

Although the Games themselves won't go ahead, the state has committed to a$2 billion package that includes delivering regional housing, tourism and events.

As well as this, every one of the permanent new and upgraded sportinginfrastructure projects planned as part of the Games will still proceed. Thisincludesupgrades to TedSummertonReserve, Moe, and the Gippsland Sports and Entertainment Park, Morwell (Falcons Park).

While this presented a'better than nothing' outcome, many localsstillcouldn't help

but feel let down by the state government, with the decision afurther hammer-blow to the region following the scheduled end of native timberharvesting by the end of the year

Local opposition MPs reacted swiftlyto the decision, while further abroad,former Liberal MPNicolle Flint labelled ita "national embarrassment".

Compounding the issue was the fact no other Australian state was prepared to host the Games themselves, calling into question Victoria's financial capacity to do so from the outset.

Closer to home, thosemostaffected -the local sporting clubswho would have needed to vacate,wereunderstandably devastated Clubs spent most of the week from Tuesday, July 18 gathering their thoughts, contemplating an opportunity snatched from their grasp, awhole three years out.

Eagerly awaiting to bitterly disappointed

Zaida GLIBANOVIC

BUDDINGLatrobe Valley Badminton player AliciaCook, 16, travelled to Ballarat forthe Commonwealth Games media campaign, counting down 1000 games to go to the 2026 event.

In light of the state government's decision to cancel the event, Alicia and her father John expressed their disappointment.

"I'm really upset about it because Iwas so excited to see all the people play, especially because it's only five minutes away," Alicia, aTraralgon local, said.

"I would have got to come down and watch them, and Iwas excited just basically to see them."

An avid player herself,withher father Johnpreviously the president of Latrobe Valley Badminton Association, Alicia has a keen interest in growing the game she loves.

"(TheCommonwealth Games) would have brought alot morepeople to do sport here …because badminton was meant to be held here, alot morepeople could understand what badminton is and maybe even join up," she said.

Mr Cook said, "I'm very disappointed for not only her (Alicia) but the region as well. The Badminton association has put alot of work into preparing what we need to in the future, and it's disheartening,"

"Wereally needed (TheCommonwealth Games) outherewith what's going on," he added.

Since the 2026 CommonwealthGames badminton competition was announced in Traralgon, Mr Cook said it had increased interest in junior sport participation at the Latrobe Valley Badminton Association.

The father and daughter have concerns that Badminton Victoria will no longer hold tournaments at the GippslandRegional Indoor Sports Stadium, given that they weredoing so in the lead-up to preparing Australian teams for the Games.

International Commonwealth teams were set to play Badminton at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium in 2026.

Alicia's major concern with the cancellation of the Games is that she will no longer be able to see her idol, Gronya Somerville, play.

"GronyaSomerville,she'splayed in the Olympics here; she's doing different competitions and tournaments left, right and centre…Iwouldbeexcited tosee her," Alicia said.

Somerville is an Australianbadminton playerspecialising in doubles. The 28-yearold has won nine Oceania Championships titles, six in the women's doubles and three in the mixed.

Alicia and her father feel personally blindsided by the announcement given to the young girl featured in the 2026 Commonwealth Games promotions published amonth ago.

"I got the call from the Commonwealth Games persontogodothe interview, andtheywantedsomeone to represent Gippsland and like Latrobe Valley, and Isaid'Could myfriend Stewart(Ottery) come' and they said 'yes', so we went up together," she said.

StewartOttery was another young badmintonplayerfromthe Valley who was featuredinthe 1000 countdown advertisement.

"It was so exciting, and Iwent and bragged to all my friends and my teachers like 'Oh my god, Idid this', and it just got cancelled," she said.

Having played badminton for seven years, Alicia has risen the ranks and now plays against some of the state's best.

Aliciahas big aspirations and dreams to one day represent the country in a Commonwealth Games one day.

"I've alwaysseenmyself pursuinginto (badminton)and keepingongoing," she said.

Like so many other young athletes in the Valley, Alicia will have to wait for another opportunitytosee some of the world's best sportspeople perform.

John and his daughter Alicia Cook aredisappointed at thenews thatthe 2026 Commonwealth Games will no longer occur Photograph Zaida Glibanovic

Dairy industry reducing food waste

THE Australian dairy industry is pushing agricultural sustainability bydeveloping asector-wide action plan to reduce food waste. Dairy is the first agricultural sector in Australia to take this critical step.

Dairy Australiamanaging director,Dr David Nation, said that foodwastefrom the dairy supplychain had previously been identified as one of the six highest Australian food waste sources.

"Thedairy industry has been working to reduce food waste and extend shelf life of products for decades," Dr Nation said.

"This new commitment takesusmuch further,leading the agriculturesector on sustainabilityand setting agoal to halve food waste by 2030.

"This planseekstoensurethat we maximise the number of people we can feed with, and the value derived from the dairy products our industry has worked hardto produce, while also reducing environmental

impacts."

The Dairy Sector Food Waste Action Plan was developed by Dairy Australia in collaboration with the AustralianDairy Products Federation and Stop Food Waste Australia, and with input from dairy businesses across the country.

The executive director of the Australian Dairy Products Federation, Janine Waller, said that sustainabilityand good practices wereimportant for dairy farms and dairy manufacturers.

"Developing the Dairy Sector Food Waste Action Plan has given us unique insights into where, what, and how much food waste is occurring across the dairy supply chain, which is particularly important when we're managing the challenges of food inflation and adeclining raw milk pool," Ms Waller said.

"Together, we haveidentified 10 key actions to reduce waste-frominvesting

in R&D and technical solutions, to effective inventorymanagement systems to monitor and report on waste, partnering with food rescue organisations, promoting sustainable packaging solutions, and educating consumers through product labelling and storage advice."

The Chief Operating Officer at Stop Food Waste Australia, Mark Barthel, said that food waste was a$36 billion challenge in Australia,and if successfully implemented, the initiativesinthis planwould deliver big economic, social,and environmental benefits.

"Reducingdairyfood wasteacross the supply chain can save millions of dollars annually," Mr Barthel said.

"Studiesshow thatjust aone per cent reduction in food waste could result in savings of up to $10 millionfor dairy manufacturers, which would increase their ability to remain competitive in local and

international markets.

"The benefits of reducing food waste go beyond financial gains. Effectivelypreventing and managingdairyfood waste can reduce associated greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20 per cent, while also conserving water and energy and significantly reducing ecological footprint."

The Dairy Sector Food Waste Action Plan alignswith the goal of the federal government and Australian Dairy Industry Council to halve food waste by 2030. The Australian dairyindustry's commitment to sustainable practices, including reducing waste, is highlighted in the 2021 Australian Dairy Sustainability Framework report.

The Dairy SectorFoodWaste Action Plan is available on the Dairy Australia website at: https://www dairyaustralia.com.au/manufacturingsupport/manufacturing-sustainability/ dairy-sector-food-waste-action-plan.

EncouragingFarmers to thinkabout their safety

Stefan BRADLEY

LASTmonthsFarmSafetyWeek(July

16-23)serves as areminder thatagriculture continues to be one of the most dangerous industries to work in.

Last year,55farmers lost theirlives on farms.

In 2022, tractors,quad bikes and side-bysides continued to dominate as agents of fatality on farms. The central focus of Farm Safety Week 2023 is tractor and machinery safety.

Sale dairy farmer Andrew Kirkham says that complacency is dangerous.

"Allmachines aredangerous because we

get complacent.Wedothe same thing dayin and day-out and they'reall dangerous if we'renot awareof what could happen,"

Mr Kirkham said.

"Everythingisdangerous. We've got animals, tools, machinery, and irrigation channels.

"I've had numerous cuts from the machinery. One timeyou'renot concentrating and it bites."

Mr Kirkham has three teenagers who work with him on the farm. He's trained them well to be safe and vigilant, but he is wary of the animals in particular

"Animals areunpredictable. My daughter is out with them all the time. Acow can be

about 500-600 kilograms," he said. "It doesn't take much for acow to hurt a teenage girl. They could kick or headbutt you."

Working on afarmisagreat way to switch offfromtechnology, but Mr Kirkham now hashis mobile phone with him at all times when he's alone. After his relationship breakdown and the death of his father, he's morelikely to be on the farmon his own. His children arenot always working with him.

"At the farmyou'reawayfromsociety, you're away from the world. When you're by yourself, there's no-one coming to look for you," he said.

"If I get hurt by the paddock, I'll need my phone to alert aneighbour or call someone to rescue me."

Nationals Member forEasternVictoria, Melina Bath is encouraging producers to be vigilant whenitcomes to farm safety and their health and wellbeing.

"Farmsafety is complex with many farms being both aworkplaceand the family home -understanding and mitigating the many risks is paramount," Ms Bath said.

"During National FarmSafety Week, I am encouraging farmers totakestockof safety and their health and wellbeing as safe farms and well farmers aresomething we can all embrace."

Panel calls to cut methane emissions

From Page 1

MR Leach said agriculture continued to invest in R& D on how to mitigate and adapt to climatechange."What agriculture is doing is not always well understood by decision makers," he said "Practices thathavebeendevelopedto also have wider biodiversity and welfare outcomes areperceived as 'industrial farming'."

The VFF emphasised that the failureof AEMO (Australian Energy Market Operator) or the state government to understand the impacts of transmission on agricultural productivity had created asocial licence issue for adaptation. "Agriculture already believes theyhaveunfairlybornthe costs of meeting previous targets. Seeing

transmission projects that does not seek to understand the cost of that infrastructure to landholders is not fair," Mr Leach said.

"Webelieve that like the footprint of renewable energy generation, land use for transmission or other public use should be at commercial consent."

The VFF'skey requeststothe panel included:

-The panel should hold regular industrymeetingstoidentifyissues that need modification of statutes in order to be able to adopt new technology or practice for climate outcomes;

-Acknowledge the key role that the Rural Research & Development Corporation can play in helping to reduce emissions without

impacts on food security;

-Ensurethat theplanning systemenables abalanced decision-making process;

-The panelshould urge government to undertake community education on what climate adapting and mitigation looks like in different production systems. This is to avoid challenges from poorly informed community expectationsand poorly targeted regulatory requirements, and;

-The panel shouldrecognise that thereis no single path forwardtoreduce agricultural emissionsand that active engagement with industry is vital to ensurethat farmers can act.

"Setting atarget is meaningless if it can't be achieved. For our members it is

frustrating where theyare seen as not acting when they know what they need to do but they arenot able to implement changes," Mr Leach said.

The VFF urgeda regulatoryframework that facilitates climate change adaptation and mitigation, unlike two planning system controls. For example, planning required the use of thermally inefficient construction material for sheddingsothey lookbetter in the landscape;and controls that did not allow atotal environmental consideration in regardtousingminimum or no till practices required to reduce emissions from soil.

Mr Leach said the VFF was seeking assurances that the Victorian government will see agricultureasatrusted partner

Yarram trees stolen for firewood sales

MORE than 200 Yarram trees have been stolen to be sold as firewood, with the public urged to report informationabout firewood theft in state forests in the area.

Gippsland firewood thieves arebeing put on notice as the Conservation Regulator and Victoria Policerampup patrols in forests near Yarram after arecent spike in offending.

Morethan 200 trees wereillegally cut down and their timber removed from Won Wron, Alberton West and Mullungdung State Forestsduring June,withthe illegal timber likely used and sold on as firewood.

Thieves havebeenillegallytargeting living and dead yellow stringybark trees in forests and along forest roadsides,

creatingsafety risks for other forest users and destroying habitat for native wildlife species.

The areas impactedinthe AlbertonWest State Forest are alsowithina special protection zone which has been set aside to protect lowland forest, warmtemperate rainforest and powerful owl habitat.

ConservationRegulator authorised officers and Victoria Police officers from Yarram aretargeting firewood thieves through dedicated patrols in the area over the next few months, and arecalling on the public to report any information they know about the offending to 136 186.

Penaltiesapply for anyonecaught illegally removingtimber from public land, including an on-the-spot fine of

$769 or $9615 per charge if the matter is prosecuted in court.

It is also atimely remindertopeople buyingfirewood to consider wherefirewood for sale has come from.

Firewoodsellerscan only selltimber

We urge the public to buy firewood responsibly and report dodgy dealers or those taking timber illegally from our forests to use for firewood.

Bradley Woods Regulatory Program Manager, Gippsland Region

sourced legally from awholesale supplier, commercial woodlot or from private land with the permission of the landowner

Victorians areencouragedtoask where the firewood is from beforethey buy, make surethey getareceipt and question if the wood seems cheaper than similar sales nearby to avoid inadvertently supporting illegal firewood operators and to reduce the impact of illegal firewood activities on the environment.

The autumn firewood collectionseason finished on June 30 and the spring season will open on September 1.

For moreinformation, go to vic.gov.au/ buying-firewood

More fun for fishermen

THE Gippsland Lakes and its recreational fishers will benefitfrom12new projects fundedthrough the reinvestmentoffishing licence fees.

Moresnags will be added to the Gippsland Lakes to increase fish habitat for flagship species such as bream, estuaryperch and Australian bass.

The Victorian FisheriesAuthoritywill also monitor recreational catches in Port Phillip,WesternPort, Corner Inlet and the GippslandLakes and produce the RecreationalFishingGuide, fish rulers and measures for abalone, Murray crays and rock lobster

The Minister for Outdoor Recreation, Sonya Kilkenny, said the state government had reinvestedmorethan $1.6 million

to create morefish habitat, education, research, access and facilities.

"Investingfishing licencefees into worthwhile projects will ensureVictoria's fantastic fisheries continue to go from strength to strength," Ms Kilkenny said.

"Werecognise the benefits of recreational fishing for tourism, wellbeing and relationships –which is why we'reinvesting more than ever into better facilities, piers, boat ramps, fishing clubs and hatcheries."

Over the next four years, the state government aims to invest morethan $96 million to improve fishing, boating, piers and aquaculture

For moreinformation, visit vfa.vic.gov. au/fishinggrants.

Managingclimate change

AGRICULTURE Victoria is offering farmers an opportunity to participate in afree online business program designedtohelp farmbusinesses better manage risk in the face of avariable climate, particularly drought.

The online program, which began in late July, is suitable for livestock, grains, mixed farmers, horticulturalists and apiarists.

The project leader,Kit Duncan-Jones, said participantswouldimprove their skills and knowledge to better preparefor and manage risk, adapt tochangeand strengthen their farmbusinesses.

‘The course is designed to help farmers set and achieve their individual business goals and is relevant to those who arenew to farming and young farmers, as well as moreexperienced farmers.’

The introductory session run last month will be followed by five sessions on key farm management topics, including:

•Identifying and managing risks, strategic planning and setting business goals;

•Financialmanagement, budgeting and profitable decision making;

•Managing people on farm, succession planning and farmsafety;

•Climate risk and natural resource management, and;

•Business planning.

As part ofcompletingthe course

participantswill beoffered aone-on-one session with an experienced farmmanagement consultant to review their business plan.

Mr Duncan-Jones said participants will be supported by AgricultureVictoria staff and Jane Foster,afarmbusinessconsultant with ORM Pty Ltd.

‘Online deliveryofthe course allows farmers from anywhere in thestate to participate, from the comfort of their own homes and without the added time commitment of travel.

‘If you’re afarmer who wants to better manage your business, strengthen yourfarmresilience to withstandfuture droughts and shocks, and set up your farm for success now and into the future–this is the program for you.’

To registeryour interest, please complete thisshortsurvey:https://forms.office. com/r/6nkRcyRDFT

For moreinformation, contact Elizabeth Alsop on 0457 838 537 or email elizabeth.alsop@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Further information about the program andthe FutureDrought Fund can alsobe found on the AgricultureVictoria website at: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/FBRP

EPAVictoria charge South

Gippsland Water waste

EPAVictoria has laid charges against South GippslandRegion Water Corporation over the alleged discharge of partially treated and untreated wastewater into Foster Creek in early 2021.

EPA(EnvironmentProtection Authority) has laid atotal of seven charges related to alleged breaches of an EPAlicenceand failureto comply withanEPA CleanUpNoticewhich occurred January and February 2021.

The caseinvolves incidents at the

wastewater treatment plant on Bena Road, Korumburra, which received trade wastes with high chemical oxygen demand (COD), resulting in the alleged failureofequipment and an inability to treat wastewater

The case was investigated by EPA's Environmental Crime Branch, and the chargesare due to come up for first mention at the Korumburra Magistrates Court on September 14, 2023.

Moresnags will be added to the Gippsland Lakes to increase fish habitat for flagship species such as bream, estuary perch and Australian bass as apartof12new projects funded through the reinvestment of fishing licence fees. Photograph supplied

Strengtheningbiosecurity

NEW biosecurityregulatory fees and charges took effect on July 1, last month.

The federal government says it is strengthening Australia’s biosecurity system through long-term, predictable,and sustainable funding.

These changes arepartof a $1.03 billion sustainablefunding package that was announced in the federal Budget to maintain biosecurity policy, operational and technical functions on a sustainable basis.

The Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity and Compliance, Dr ChrisLocke,said newfeesand charges forimporters would better reflect the cost of delivering

Australian biosecurity services.

“While some importers will experience slightly larger increasesin the prices, the average increase across all importers is around 28%,” said Dr Locke.

“Thisisexpected to raise an additional$35 million in revenue in 2023-24to recover the department’s costs of managing the risks of pests and diseases associated with overseas imports. These changesfollowthe first end-to-end review of fees and charges in eight years."

New feesand charges for biosecurityregulation, including forecast costs and expected volumes,are detailedonthe department’s website.

Activism exposing slaughterhouses

ANIMALactivist organisation, Farm Transparency Project, has issued achallenge to the meatindustry,announcing that it will investigate and expose 30 Australianslaughterhouses over 2023 and 2024.

The organisation and its founding director,Chris Delforce, hit the headlines this yearafter hidden camerasinstalled by investigators revealed pigs dying in agony inside gas chambers, which the activists said the Australian pork industrydescribed as ‘best practice’.

In astatement made on social media, Mr Delforce shared that his team had entered and installed hidden cameras atthree

additional Australian slaughterhouses in June, and that they had now reported all three to stateauthorities for multiple breaches of animal welfareregulations and illegal activity. Mr Delforce pledged that they would sharefootage publicly.

“Every animal whose life ends inside an Australian slaughterhouse experiences terror,pain and suffering. Yet, we are repeatedly told otherwisebyindustries who rely on consumerloyalty and taxpayers' moneyin order to remain financially viable. Farmed animals areexempt from legal protection, not because they feel less, but because in this system they are worth more dead thanalive,” he said.

Managing ragwort: New grant

THE South Gippsland Landcare Network has received $17,500 to support capacity building activities that focus on ragwort management, under astate government funding program to help protect the state from pests and weeds.

AgricultureVictoria is supporting six community groups in the fight against pests and weeds of greatest concern to their localised areas, including ragwort and wheel cactus.

Biosecurity Victoria Executive Director, KatherineClift, has announced $190,000 in grants for the Partnership Against Pests pilot program to help protect Victoria’s $17.5 billion agricultureindustry from biosecurity threats.

In avideo releasedonsocial media by FarmTransparency Project, Mr Delforce saidthatincreased penalties faced by animal protection investigators and whistle blowers prompted the group to escalate theirefforts to reveal what theycallthe 'reality of Australian animal slaughter'.

The organisation is calling for an end to the exemptions in state animalwelfarelegislation that permit routine cruelty towards animals in farms and slaughterhouses.

FarmTransparency Projectisanonprofit animal protection charity dedicated to endingcommercialisedanimal abuse and 'exploitation' in Australian animal agriculturefacilities.

The targeted pilot program will deliver $40,000 each to Victoria’s four establishedstatewideCommunity Pest Management Groups (CPMGs) –Victorian Rabbit Action Network, Victorian Gorse Taskforce, Victorian Blackberry Taskforceand Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party

The funding willenable these community groups to expand their reach and upskill land managers to improve the way they manage pest animals and weedsintheir local areas as part of alargercoordinated approach.

Photo: File

Next farming generation

ROZZIE O’Reilly is part of the new breed of young farmers.Well-educatedand articulate, her skills could have taken her to the top of any industry.

So whyagriculture? It was her experiencesinYear10, when she completed a workexperienceplacement for TomBull at LAMBPRO in Holbrook that convinced her this was the career for her

She found that Tomwas areal innovator, in her own words“about 5to 10 years ahead of the industry” and the passion he showedfor animalbreeding was apassion she shared.

This led her to studying Animal Science at the University of NewEnglandand completing an Honours degree in research into sheep genetics.

Her current role is as OperationsManager at LAMBPRO, which involves managing the database for 10,750performance recorded ewes this year,co-ordinating staff and providing numerous clientservices.

LAMBPRO provides genetics to morethan 385 lamb producingbusinesses around the country, anditisexpected in 2023 that these clients will produce morethan 1.2 million lambs.

LAMBPRO is the largest supplier of prime lambgeneticsto theAustralianlamb industry.

Never shy of achallenge,she and her husband just recently started afamily and aim to purchase their own land in the future.

Rozzie will be one of the keynote speakers at this year’s GippslandRed Meat Conference, to be held on Tuesday August 29 at the Baptist Church in Sale and she has some key messages to share.

Herfirst messageisaimed squarely at young people contemplating acareer in agriculture.

“Get your hands dirty!” she says.

“Have ago. The industry these days is so diversethat you can pick and choose theareayou want to pursue. Follow your passion and it will lead you to success."

Rozzie leadsateamofpresenterswho will run aspecific programme for young farmers at the conference.

She invitesagricultural employers to send their traineesoryoung familymembers to theconference to beempoweredand motivated by speakers who have forged theirown pathway to asuccessful agricultural career

She will sharewith other young farmers the role that mentors have played in her career,and how shenow findsherself fulfilling the role of mentor to newcomers to the industry at the tender age of 30.

Her other message to general attendees is that genetic selection, genomic testing and rigorous record-keeping can lead to: more lambs on the ground; quickerturnoffof stock; increased marketingopportunities; and improved labourefficiency, vialess drenching and animal maintenance

The special Young Farmers’ program is featured forthe firsttime at this year’s conference, with special prices and activities designed exclusively for those under 35 year-olds who attend.

Other presenters who will feature in the main programme at the GippslandRed Meat Conference include perennial favourites market analystsRobert Herrmann from Mecardo andSimon Quiltyfrom MLX, who will search for positives in the market, and identify whereopportunities lie; and Mark Ferguson from neXtgenAgri, whose regular podcast The Head Shepherd features the latest in livestock, genetics, innovation and technology.

The Gippsland Red Meat Conference is

New podcast with focus on mental health

EAST Gippsland Marketing Inc (EGMI) is launching anew wellbeing podcast, 'The Rural VentureCollective', which aims to connectand inspirewomen throughoutthe region. The podcast will focus on mental wellbeing in therural business community of East Gippsland.

EGMI recently received agrant as part of the 'Mental Wellbeing of Business Communities Grant Program’ which is run by the 'DepartmentofJobs,Skills,Industry and Regions.' This grant will help to create and launch the new podcast.

The Rural VentureCollectivePodcast will address prevalent mental wellbeing challenges within East Gippsland’s rural business communities, especially for women.

Living and working in rural East Gippslandprovide aunique work/life balancebut people can also experience feelings of isolation, stress, burnout and limited access to support systems.

The podcast aims to provide asupportive community where women feel connected, empowered, and inspired on their entrepreneurial journeys.

organised by the Gippsland Agricultural Group, with help from Agriculture Victoria. Tickets for the conference areavailable at https://www.trybooking.com/CIZVC or follow the link on the GippslandRed Meat Conference Facebook page and Gippsland Agricultural Group’s website.Alternatively, contact the event manager at redmeat@ gippslandag.com.au

Through engaging interviews, insightful discussions, and expert perspectives, the podcast will delve into crucial topics such as overcoming isolation, managing stress and burnout, and establishing robust supportsystems in rural areas. EGMI aims to create an ongoing platform for open conversations and shared personal experiences,so women feelunderstood and validated.

The Rural VentureCollective Podcast will be launched before theend ofthe year For further information contact EGMI on info@egmi.com.au

Rozzie O’Reilly will be presenting at the Gippsland Red MeatConference next month. Photograph supplied

Kilmany rail bridge slid into place

MOVED into place across 25-metres in 32 hours, the new Kilmany rail bridge has successfully slid into place as part of the Princes Highway Upgrade.

The move was completed onSaturday, July 8at10pm, with Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV) and Laing O'Rourke crews working around the clock to ensurethe safe relocation of the bridge.

The new Kilmany rail bridge slide capped offarareand unique feat within Australian engineering, with the 3200-tonne networkarch bridgemoved into its new home on the Gippsland train line.

The bridge was slid into place using aslide channel and hydraulic jacks on asledge as the 3200-tonne structuremade the journey at amaximum speed of 2.2 metres per hour

The bridgewas built offlineadjacentto the rail line to allow train services to run as normal while construction crews built the bridge structure,minimisingdisruptions and allowing for the bridge to be moved, installed and the line reopened all within one short rail occupation.

Work will now starttodig underneaththe bridge, wherethe Princes Highway will run under the rail line, making for easier road and rail journeys throughout Gippsland for residents, commuters and visitors.

The rail-over-road bridge is part of the PrincesHighway East Upgrade and will replace the existing rail underpass that was built around 1965.

"After a32-hour journey, the Kilmany rail bridge has been successfully slid into place on the Gippsland line," Major Road Projects Victoria ProgramDirector, Brendan Pauwels said.

"Wehave started works to lay tracks and preparethe bridgebeforereopening the train line to regional rail passengers later

this month," said Mr Pauwels.

The Princes Highway East Upgrade will add 43 kilometres of new lanestothe Princes Highway between Traralgon and Sale.

This is the thirdand final stage of the project, which will add an extra 12km of consistent two-lane highway.

MRPVsaidthe new lanes will bring immediate safety improvements for up to 15,000 motorists who use this stretch of road every day and improve journey times between Traralgon and Sale.

Arange of safety improvements will be deliveredincluding wider shoulders and centremedian with flexible safety barriers to improve safetybyreducing the risk of run-offroad and head-on crashes.

This stretch of road is also agateway to arange of Gippsland tourist destinations including the snowfields and Gippsland Lakes.The project will make travel safer for day-trippers and holidaymakers, helping the region recover from the devastating bushfire season through increased tourism.

As part of the project MRPV will:

-Add two additional lanes to provide a consistent dual lane highway with acentral median atFlynn, Kilmany and Kilmany East;

-Strengthenthe existinghighway,install safety barriers and tactile edge lines;

-Provide regular U-turnfacilities;

-Upgrade an additional six intersections, including dedicated turning lanes;

-Improve localroadand private access to thehighway, including aservice road in the Kilmany township, and;

-Constructanew rail-over-road solution at Kilmany, completing the finalstage of the Princes Highway East Duplication Project between Traralgon and Sale.

The 25-metremove wascompleted this week as the new Kilmany rail bridge wassuccessfully slid into place. Photographs supplied

Crews worked around the clock to ensurethe saferelocation of the bridge.

Before &After

Benefits of Annual Foot Trimming -reshapes the cow’s hoof, providing an even surface to walk on, and reduces the likelihood of lameness in your herd

Advertising in theGippsland Farmer g

gets you gets you results!

But don’t just take our word for it...

Our company has advertised with the Gippsland Farmer for several years, and it has been an excellent decision with proven, successful results.

Theteam at the Gippsland Farmer areexcellent to work with and always offera friendly and professional attitude when it comes to all dealings.

We will continuetoadvertise with the Gippsland Farmer formany yearstocome

New Gippsland East Study Hub

ANEW satellite hub for higher education students is soon to open in Mallacoota.

The facility -known formally as the Gippsland East Higher Education (GEHE) Study Hub -isbeing made available to studentsenrolled atany Australian university or TAFEprovider, and beingrun by the Gippsland East Local Learning and Employment Network, or GELLEN.

GELLENexecutive officer,Pam Waters, saidthe new hub would allow local students to reduce traveltime and costs while enjoying excellent educational facilities.

"Many modernstudents balance work and family commitmentswithhigher education, so having awell-resourced local learning space to prioritise their study is crucial for success," Ms Waters said.

"Students beingabletoaccessfacilities and technology close to homewill

contribute greatly to high course completion outcomes."

Also known as Study Hub -Mallacoota, the facility is being hostedbythe Wilderness Collective at its flexiblemicro-business space and co-working facility, behind the Bendigo Bank on Maurice Avenue.

Wilderness Collectiveexecutiveofficer, Paris Brooke, said the hub would enable local students to access the latest learning opportunities while staying in the community.

"As we collectively build new career pathways and ayear-round economy, we envisionthe Study Hub willbeakey to retaining our young people and helping find meaningful careers for them in the region," Ms Brooke said.

Study Hub is ajoint initiative of GELLEN, Federation University, East Gippsland Shireand TAFEGippsland, financed through the federalgovernment'sRegional Universities Centres Program.

The Mallacoota facility is the thirdsuch hub in Gippsland, with others already operating in Sale and Bairnsdale.

Studentswho utilise thefacilities are granted access to resources such as high-speed internet, personalised study support,courseand careerguidance, coworking desks, lockers, aZoom pod, printer,laminator and binding machines. Additionally, the hubs allow students to sit external exams, and book site-specific appointments with Learning Skills Advisors to improve research skills and essay writing.

Taylah

Poole Clark Equipment

Study Hub -Mallacootaiscurrently open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 5pm.

For moreinformation about the Study Hub initiative, visit www.gestudyhub.org

The Study Hub is open to students enrolled at any Australian university or TAFE provider Photographs supplied

Wellbeing Collective’s Paris Brooke at the doorstoStudy Hub -Mallacoota.

pp

Strathfieldsaye Estate revegetation project

TomPARRY

AN historic farmeast of Stratfordisset be part of amass revegetation project.

Strathfieldsaye Estate, located in Perry Bridge, is one of 14 rural properties involved in the nationwide program.

Estatetrustee, Pamela Parker,istouting thebenefits of the initiative.

Ms Parker says thereare two “ecological communities of conservation importance on the Gippsland property.

“One is the forest redgum grassy woodland community, and there’s avery, very fine remnant of it left at Strathfieldsaye-an area that was never cleared," Ms Parker said.

“Andthenwealsohavethe south-east Australian native grassland communities in the east part of the property, and that grassland is also important -it’s been rated as one of the largest most-intact remnants.

“It never was subjected to superphosphate fertiliserorother agricultural chemical inputs, and thereforethe native grass and the associatedplantshave survived.”

Her hope is that the project can return the estate to supporting wood vegetation. As part of the project, acombined total of 2.26 million native plants will be established on the 14 participating properties, which arespread across WesternAustralia, South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria.

Additionally, the project has been registered with the Clean Energy Regulator as acarbon farming initiative.

Under the initiative,corporations pay the federal government for “carbon credit units” to help offset their greenhouse gas emissions.

“So they’rebuying these credits, and that is fundingthese landscaperestoration

projects,” Ms Parker said.

The moretrees that areplanted, the more carbon is removed from the atmosphere and drawn into the soil.

Ms Parker noted that adding carbon to the soil would confer greater water holding capacity, extend growing conditions for plants and,ultimately, increase the drought resilience of the landscape.

“With improved landscape function, stockand wildlifealikewillbenefit from the restoration,” Ms Parker said.

She also expressed her gratitude toward Greening Australia’s Gippsland project manager,Martin Potts, for assisting with the project.

“It’s something (the Trust) couldn’t have afforded, and we’revery happy to have the professional expertise to help us succeed in recovering some of the landscape functions of this part of the state,” Ms Parker said. Strathfieldsaye Estate was established as asheep farmbygrazier William O’Dell Raymond in 1842.

In 1869, thepropertywas boughtby William Henderson Disher,and remained within his family for three generations. Uponthe death of Harold Clive Disher in 1976, and as per his wishes, the property was bequeathed to the University of Melbourne as “a place to develop knowledge and benefittothe farming community”, according to Ms Parker

In 2003, responsibility of the estate was transferredto the AustralianLandscape Trust, of which Ms Parker is amember Today, the property is maintained by ateam of volunteers from four Stratford families.

Atotal of 700 hectares of land on the 2100-hectareproperty has been set aside for “conservation covenants”.

Amajor revegetation project is currently underwayatStrathfieldsaye Estate. Photograph supplied

The main buildings of the Strathfieldsaye Estate.

YesOptus, Bairnsdale, Sale, Traralgon and Warragul

Honouring local community hero

Zoe ASKEW

Ason, abrother,anElvis lover

Aman of goodwill and of even biggerheart

Fifty-one-year-old Army veteran Kyle Jensen tragically died while on holiday in Bali last month, reverberatingshock waves throughout various Sale communities.

Kyle's untimely death has left ahole in the hearts of many, mostheavily his father and best friend, Jim Jensen.

Kyle and Jim shared an extremely special connection, the sort that not everyone is lucky enough to experience in their lifetime, the kind that one cherishes for eternity.

Just as Kyle adored his father,Jim treasured his son.

Kyle and his father relocated to Sale from Melbourneinlate 2021, findingthe perfect housewherethe former soldier could flourish in one of his most loved passions, gardening.

Agentle, humble man with abig heart who found joy in helping others, it is no surprise that Kyle wasted little time establishing a significant presence within local community organisations, MarleyStreet Community Hub and Gippsland Veterans Centre.

In early 2022, Kyleand Jim Jensen arrived on the front doorstep of Marley Street Community Hub (MSCH), bearing gifts, an array of fresh, home-grown fruit and vegetables.

"Kyle had arealpassion for vegetable gardening," the MSCH community said.

"He could see we had aneed hereatthe Hub to provide fresh fruit and vegetables to Food Bank recipients, and he was really keen to help us fill that need, and he could seehecould do that through his passion for gardening."

Kyle and Jimbecame volunteers at MSCH, withKyletaking charge of thecharity's various community gardens, clearing out the overgrown weeds beforeplanting a fresh, new assortment of vegetables.

"Ever since then, we've had aconstant supply of vegetables because of Kyle and Jim presenting to the Hub," the MSCH community said.

"It was definitely something Kylewas passionate about, and he could see there was areal need, and he filled the need; he had the real heart to do that."

Kyleand his fatherwould pickupand drop offgoods for the localcharity every week without fail. They also made sureto

tend to the MSCH's community gardens.

"Everyweek, no matter ifit was rain, hail or shine, they would go and pick up these supplies forusand bring them around," the MSCH community said.

"So Kyle was very much part of our,not just doing the veggie garden, but very much part of our weekly routine hereatthe hub.

"He is very sadly missed by all."

MSCH described the respected and valued memberoftheirvolunteer team asa big man with abig heart and abig voice.

"He had areal presence in the room when he was there," the MSCH community said.

"He really enjoyed conversation; Kyle really enjoyed agood conversation. He wasn't one to sit in the corner and say nothing; he was the kind of person to really get involved.

"He had abig heart and abig presence.

"While he's only been hereashort time in Sale, Kyle has engaged with thecommunity and has made asignificant impact in that short time."

Kyle,aformer infantrysoldierwiththe Australian Army who served his country on deployment in Butterworth, Penang, Malaysia, also profoundly impacted those at the Gippsland Veterans Centreduring his fleeting time in Sale.

"Kyle was agentleman, ahappy-go-lucky typeof fella," treasurer secretary of the

Gippsland Veteran's CentreRoss Jackson, said.

"He was agenerous man, larger than life and funny in his own way."

As aformer Australian Defence Force serving member,Kyle was attracted to the Gippsland Veteran's Centrewhen he and his father relocated to Sale -a way to meet like-mindedpeople within the local community.Itwas hereKylemet Ross Jackson.

The pair instantly sparked a friendship, quickly discovering ashared passion for music.

"Kyle played the guitar," Ross said.

"Music and gardening, they were his two big passions.

"And Elvis. Kyle'sfavourite person was Elvis."

Shortly after discovering their mutual love for music, Kyle and Ross formed a music group at the Gippsland Veterans Centre, with the number of members fast amassing to six.

"The music group is still going," Ross said.

"Wetalk about Kyle alot still.

"The music group isn't just amusic group, yes we play music, but it also acts as asupport and welfaregroup,wherewecan share things, get things offour chests, debrief.

"The music group helps the guys in the group, and it wouldn't have started without

Kyle.

"A big hole has been left," he said.

"Kyle's death was ashock, still is.

"He has left ahole in the heartsofmany."

Kyle shared the bountyofhis garden with the Gippsland Veterans Centre, routinely bringing inboxes of freshlyharvested vegetables and volunteering his time at the front desk.

"I really admired him," Ross said.

"I only knew him for 18 months, but Kyle has left abig impression on me.

"I didn't know himlong, but Iwill miss him; we all will."

During this year's National Volunteer Week, Volunteering Australia CEO Mark Pearce awarded Kyle Jensen acertificate of appreciation for being achange-maker in the community through his volunteer work.

The loss of Army veteran and avidvolunteer Kyle Jensen will continue to be mourned by many as alife lost tragically too soon.

The King of rock'n'roll, Elvis Presley, once said, "Values arelike fingerprints. Nobody's arethe same, but you leave 'emall over everything you do".

How lucky we are to have had Kyle leave his values all over the things he did.

Father and son volunteers Jim and Kyle Jensenwith MarleyStreet Community Hub volunteers.

Photograph: File Army veteran Kyle Jensen with his father,Jim Jensen. Photograph supplied

BULL SALES

SpringPreview

Spring Bull Sales

Ifthe autumn bull sales areany indication of what’stocome the spring bull sales should be extremely successful with some exceptional offerings making surethe buyers arespoilt for choice.

In 2023 the agricultural industry as a whole has had some very positive results with studs now starting to restock and offer new bloodlines.

Genetics have been the key word with many breeders travelling to the far reaches of the world to source the best of the best.

New technologies and scientific research arenow an everyday part of life on the farm and have highly featured in breeding objectives.

Studs arenot just looking for bulls with good genetics but also with quiet temperaments to use over heifers for calving ease.

The results desired areprogeny with structural soundness and above average genetics that will give buyers exactly what they need to increase their herd.

67th Annual Breeds Bull Sale

Fernleigh Angus expects to build upon arecent run of success at the 67th Annual All Breeds Bull Sale, hosted by Alex Scott and Staff.

The sale marks an opportunity to access highly proven genetics in the form of 15 well grown two-year-old bulls from the Fernleigh program.

Fernleigh Angus stud manager James Blyth said that the line-up was incredibly even top to bottom.

“The bulls areaproduct of years of continued selection pressureon the absolutely fundamental traits like structure, temperament, and fertility

We aren’tgoing to sacrifice on quality, and our long-term clients know that we stand behind our product.

Whether you’reanestablished commercial operation, or you’rejust starting your own herd, thereissomething here in this sale for you.

The bulls on offer represent tremendous value, having proven their worth in the Gippsland market for over 30 years.”

Dominating the sale will be progeny of Banquet Placid P009 and Ben Nevis Metamorphic M51.

Banquet Placid is asirewho exhibits explosive growth with excellent structure and disposition.

Backed in by the maternal power of the Banquet program, Placid’spedigree is made up of at least five generations of donor cows.

Placid has injected length and frame into his progeny,all in apackage that includes astrong Angus head and excellent feet.

Ben Nevis Metamorphic offers atruly exceptional genetic package.

Combining the strong carcass attributes of his sireAyrvale Bartel E7, with the tremendous thickness and power of his $82,000 grand dam Ben Nevis Jean H215, thereiscertainly alot to like with this powerful sire.

Metamorphic has seen extensive use across the Fernleigh program, effortlessly becoming one of the stalwarts of the breeding program.

Mr Blyth said these sires had been carefully selected by Fernleigh for their maternal strength, powerful growth pattern, and incredible muscling.

“Each of these sires can be traced back through multiple generations of donor dams, and it shows in their progeny

These bulls have been super consistent performers, and areal asset to our program.

Ihave no doubt that they can be a profitable contributor to awide variety of operations.”

Other sires with progeny on offer in the sale include Landfall Reality L154 and Banquet Pomeroy P430.

On sale day the bulls will be available for inspection at the Victorian Livestock Exchange Leongatha from approximately 10:30am, with the auction commencing at 12:00pm.

For moreinformation on the sale, or to arrange an inspection on the bulls available, contact James Blyth on 0400 447 443 or Rob Ould of Alex Scott and Staffon0408 595 183.

Ben Nevis Metamorphic

Premium prices for Banquet genetics

Producers using Banquet bulls areconsistently rewarded with premium prices.

Grass finishers, feed lotters and restockers alike target progeny of Banquet bulls for their improved performance, temperament and structure.

However,the most important premium is the continual improvement of their breeding herdbyretaining heifers sired by Banquet bulls.

The 40 bulls being offered on Friday 1st September will featureseven sons of super sire, Banquet Nuttella N462.

Three sons of N462 dominated Banquets 2022 Sales, selling to $65,000, $62,000 and $60,000 Banquet’safter sale service is well known in the industry

In the unlikely and unfortunate event that abull fails to adequately perform the Branson family stand ready to assist in getting your cows in calf.

The level of quality assurance that a Banquet bull carries make any failure unlikely

These bulls arebredfromaherd that has been meticulously screened

THESE BULLS ARE BRED FROM AHERD THAT HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY SCREENED WITH STRUCTURAL SOUNDNESS BEING ATOP PRIORITY FOR OVER 30 YEARS.

with structural soundness being atop priority for over 30 years.

Prior to Sale these bulls aresubjected to extensive vet checking.

This includes examination of sexual organs and testing of both semen motility and semen morphology

The vaccination program includes 7 in 1, for leptospirosis, pestiguardand vibriovax.

Banquet offers generous delivery options.

Moorunga Angus

Moorunga Angus will be holding their second On Property Bull Sale on Friday 25th August, offering twenty-seven young bulls by predominantly Australian and New Zealand sires.

These include the renowned Millah Murrah Paratrooper and Matauri Reality,which have proven themselves as calving ease sires as well as siring some of the Angus breeds’ best cows. John and Sue Matthies arenot new to the Stud world, John established Looragoo Murray Grey Stud in 1974 and bred cattle winning major Championships at Royal Shows as well as achieving the top average price for bulls, for four consecutive years at the Murray Grey National Show and Sale. Looragoo was dispersed in the mid 1980’sbut John and Sue have continued farming since then with commercial cattle, cropping and sheep.

The Moorunga property,near Dromana on the Mornington Peninsula was purchased in 2013.

John and Sue established the stud in

2018, with purchases from the Anvil, Ireland and Stoney Point Angus Stud dispersals.

In early 2021 they recruited Glenn and Susie Trout as Stud Managers and have since made judicious purchases of females from Texas, Little Meadows and Banquet Studs.

They areusing embryo transfer to maximise the potential of the outstanding cows they have obtained.

The first of these embryo transfer calves areinthis years’ sale.

“Weare proud of the bulls we are offering at our second Annual Bull Sale and believe the genetics on offer are the equal of any available in Australia at the current time,” said John.

“We’d like to welcome interested visitors to our Open Day on Friday 4th August to preview the bulls and have achat.”

Private inspections arewelcome by appointment.

The sale will be linked to Auctions Plus for anyone that would like to bid but can’tmake it on the sale day

Leawood Angus

Leawood Angus, established in 1944 now spanning four g generations, is proudly,afamily operation whose sole income is from agriculture.

Aiming for constant improvement without chasing fads and trends has led Leawood Angus to the moderate framed high growth cattle it produces today,concentrating on New Zealand genetics, producing well-structured cattle that flourish offagrass grazing environment.

“Welook forwardtoinviting fellow cattle enthusiasts on Monday 18th September at 1.00pm for our Spring Sale” said stud manager Luke Stuckey

This year’sSpring Sale line up is as good as any you will find with exceptional temperaments and very well-structured HBR and Commercial Bulls available.

Guaranteed to outlast many other competitors’ bulls with longevity and high-quality carcass traits that are backed by muscular scanning data they will add extra value to any herd.

The featuresires for this Spring Sale will include Brookwood Titan J32, an outstanding sireused in many leading studs in New Zealand.

Titan has ticked all the boxes for Leawood.

Stud Manager Luke Stuckey is very impressed with Titans ease of calving and believes his early growth is exceptional, which is exactly what Leawood and their clients require when aiming to have progeny finished earlier,resulting in ahigher

economical returnper hectare.

Leawood’sJoy and Graeme got to see the 10-year-old Titan himself just beforeChristmas working in some of New Zealand’smost remote cattle country

They said it was good to see him displaying the longevity we all must strive for in our cattle herds.

First sons will sell of Leawood Qantas Q382, acracking high volume bull that goes back to the ever so robust and consistent Express Line.

Q382 was sold to aclient in South Gippsland in the 2021 Autumn Sale while they have collected semen for in herduse.

Also on offer will be Leawood Qube Q272 and Leawood Perennial P294 both sons of the highly sort after Merchiston Steakhouse.

These two Sires arestamping their progeny with loads of volume and sheer capacity

Other sires to keep your eye out for areLeawood Rambo N324, Taimate Lazarus L12.

All these above sires have been used in their heifer program and leave easy calving and short gestation progeny

Sale day Monday 18th September 1.00pm, on property at Flynn Vic. 3844.

For moreinformation or updates on the sale, keep an eye on Facebook or get in contact with Luke Stuckey on 0474 992 683.

Raedean is continually striving to improve their genetics and desirable traits to keep improving the herd.

The last year has seen embryo calves arrive and arenow weaned, with several different new female lines plus two young futuresires for the herd. They areexcited about the progeny of Red U2 Reckoning 149A out of an outstanding female in GK Platinum Ruba P26 and the arrival of 4females from the renowned W.A. stud of Bandeeka Red Angus.

Annette said they have been extremely lucky to be allowed to

Raedean Red Angus

purchase these outstanding young females from Lorene and Tony Kitchen from Bankeeka, having visited their stud some years ago they just fell in love with their herd.

Young bulls have been highly sought after and weresnapped up very quickly at Beef Week in January 2023, alimited number of young bulls by Tronar Kemble and Raedean Limited Edition L24 will once again be on offer at Beef Week 2024 and you will be able to inspect their Spring drop of females and select your next sirefromtheir high performing functional cattle.

The focus for Raedean is on

FOCUSED ON ECONOMIC TRAITS

Founded in 2010 Chester

Shorthorns is asmall cattle stud investing in premium genetics, breeding quality Shorthorns. Shorthorns areanoutstanding breed, known for thriving in all conditions, their attractive colour,temperament, calving ease and the maternal natureof the females.

Combined with premium meat quality they areideal as apurebred or for cross breeding, with beef or dairy herds.

economical traits, adocile temperament is extremely important as they have their granddaughter Georgia with them most weekends.

Georgia, aged eight, is keen on showing, so Annette and Noel have been taking her to some local shows where she has thrived and excelled showing her heifer Scarlett to bring home many championship ribbons for both Scarlett and Georgia in her handler’sclasses.

Georgia has even placed in the junior judging.

Georgia now has her own small stud called GR Red Angus.

Chester Shorthorns

The selection criteria for this stud is focussed on economic traits and they areconfident their genetics will add value to any operation.

The focus is on sourcing genetics from leading Shorthornstuds worldwide, producing elite, yet affordable cattle.

Throughout the year they offer for sale stud and commercial heifers, PTIC heifers and bulls.

Available now they have an exciting selection of young bulls featuring

some of Australia’sbest and outcross genetics from Canadian and US sires. They have bulls available that will suit both heifers and cows.

All bulls are100 percent grass fed, DNA, semen and poll tested with performance data recorded.

Temperament is akey selection criteria, so the bulls arequiet and easy to handle.

See the website www.chestershorthorns.com.au for further information or contact Chester Shorthorns on

0458 049 256 or one of the stock agents at Elders Korumburra. Rob, Karen and Brooke Rogers

BULL SALES

Doben Park Shorthorns

Doben Park Shorthorns are located in Buln Buln East, West Gippsland on 195 acres across three properties.

They’ve been breeding Shorthorn cattle for over 40 years and in the last six years they have increased their herd to approximately 120 females.

The majority of these arepurebred. Thereare still afew of the original cross bred cows and these cows produce excellent vealer calves.

The stud is afirm believer in first cross calves to produce excellent vealer calves.

This is wherethe Shorthornbull excels in cross breeding programs.

The Shorthornbull is ideal to cross over British or Eurofemales where

the steer and cull heifers can be sold as milk vealers with the better heifers retained to be joined back to the terminal sireoraShorthornbull.

Doben Park has three Shorthornbulls aged 22-23 months old, 2Roan and 1 Red and White in colour

These bulls have been scanned, semen tested and tested negative to Pestivirus.

The bulls arebyYamburgan Monkira and Glengyron Master

They also have aF1Shorthorn Speckle Park cross bull.

This bull is by aFish Creek Farm Speckle Park bull out of apurebred Shorthorncow

See details in advert on Front Page.

Doben Park Shorthorns is run by The Benson Family at Buln Buln in West Gippsland. We’ve been breeding Shorthorn cattle for over 40 years.

We have 6bulls 323months old &316months old, Roans &White, For Sale.

The quiet nature of Shorthorns, the ease of calving & the resistance to bloat &eye cancer combine to make Shorthorns an easy care breed.

SUMMER CROP PLANNING

Planning summer feed crops

FOR many farmers it is vitally important to grow as much dry matter as possible to fill ayield andprotein gap over summer

Planning is important to get the best production from investments.

Tips on making the right choice

•Ensurethatyou have soil moistureorare able to securewater to support crop growth. If buying water,estimatehow much it will cost per tonne grown and factor this into your budget.

•Work with anutritionist to develop afeed plan to ensurethat the diet requirements of your herdisbalanced and milk production is maintained.

•Prepareyour paddock well. This should include soil testing to ensurethat nutrient and pH levels areatthe required level for the crop you choose to grow

•Weeds compete with crops for moisture, sunlight and nutrients so manage weeds early

•Sow seed when the soil temperatureand moisture levels areideal.

•For better emergence rate aim for correct seed placement, and seed-soil contact.

•Reduce risk andoptimiseproduction by using your agronomist to help planand manage your crop throughout the season.

44b value of production in 2023-24

THE valueofAustralian crop production is forecast to fall to $44.1billion in 2023–24, driven by lower production and easing prices. While lower than the expected 2022–23 record of $56.2 billion, this is still well above average and would be the thirdhighest value on record.

Despite theoverall expectedfall in crop production, prices areexpected to remain relatively high in 2023–24.

Wheat export volumes areforecast to fall by 29 percent to 21 million tonnes in 2023–24, still 15 percent above the 10-year average to 2022–23.

Above-averageexportvolumes aresupported by steady South-East Asian and East Asian demand for Australian wheat, including for feed grade wheat.

Canola exportvolumes areexpected to fallby

36 percent to 4.5 million tonnes in 2023–24 reflecting lower production.

However, exports will be supported by high stock levels from the 2022–23 harvest.

Barley exports are forecast to fall 30 percent year-on-yearto5.9 milliontonnes in 2023–24, 6percent below the 10-year historical average. Thisreflectsthe expectedfallinproduction to belowaverage levels.

Since the effective loss of the higher-value Chinese market in 2020 and following consecutivehigh production years, high exportable Australian supplyhas lifted Australian price competitiveness in world markets. The volume of sorghum exports is expected to fall by 30 percentbut remain abovethe historicallong-term averagein2023–24, supported by high production from the 2022–23 crop and Chinese demand.

Simplify Summer Crop Weed Control with Outright 770 ‘3 in 1’ Spray Adjuvant

IF you’re preparing for a summer forage crop in order to manage the summer feed gap now is the time to startconsidering the optionsand undertaking preparations.

Boost your summer foragecrop weed control with Outright 770

Outright 770 is aunique3in1spray adjuvant developed by Australian owned manufacture Vicchem.

With aunique“3in1”formulation containing Hasten Technology,worldclass non-ionic surfactants and ammonium sulphate (AMS), Outright 770 has everything you need to get the best result simply,quickly and effectively in arange of water qualities, situations and tank mixes.

Outright 770 has a unique 3 in 1 formulation and used withother recommended herbicides boosts performance for effectiveweedcontrol during summer crop paddockpreparationfor summerforage options such as Brassicas, Maize,Sorghum or Chicorytofillyour summer feed gap or even silage.

Steps to consider with weed control and summer crop preparation

Integrated weed management

Weed management options in summer forage crops areoften limited and reducing competition, particularly during the early establishment phase willmaximise yield and qualityofthe crop

Reducing weed carry over into subsequent cropping periods or pastureestablishment is also advantageous and finallythe likelihood of resistance to the limited in crop herbicides available will also be of benefit to individual growers and the industry in the long term.

Knockdownherbicides

Forage crops

and Summer

Akey tool in the management of pest, disease and weed carryover in preparing for summer forage crops is anon-selective knockdown herbicideapplicationatone or moreofthe following timings:

•4-6 weeks prior to initial cultivation

•Post cultivation/weed emergence

•Immediately prior to sowing and •Immediately prior to summer forage crop emergence.

Glyphosate and othernon-selective knockdowns such as paraquat areoften akey component in this weed control process.

Outright 770 has shown in trials and with on farmresultstoboost theperformanceofthese herbicides.

Featuresand Benefits of Adding Outright 770

With its unique three in one formulation of Hasten Technology,worldclass non-ionic surfactants and ammonium sulphate (AMS), Outright 770 has everything you need to get the best result simply,quickly and effectively in arange of water qualities, situations and tank mixes

Fasteractivitymay be achieved when ammonium ions combinewithweak acid herbicides such as glyphosate to formavery soluble and mobile form of glyphosate that facilitatesrapid movement between cells.

Manyusers havenoted afaster and more complete kill on awide variety of hardtokill weeds.

Hasten Technology built into Outright 770 means tank mix partners and accompanying spikes that have an affinitywithoils (lipophilic) willquickly penetrate the cuticle and go to work.

Evaporation during droplet flight and on deposition to the leaf surface is reduced due to the incorporation of Hasten Technology allowing moretime for penetration during the liquid phase.

Adhesion and Humectancy provided by the surfactant package in Outright 770 ensures that herbicides will not only “stick” better but will remain as liquid for longer,therefore increasing penetration time.

Penetration of herbicides that have an affinity withwater suchasglyphosateis improved due to decreased surface tension. This allows utilisation of tiny pre-existing pores in the leaf’s cuticle such as those at the base of leaf hairs, and adjacent to cell walls.

Water quality, characterised by the presence of cations such as calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and manganese can greatly influence the performance of herbicides such as glyphosate by binding with and deactivating the molecule.

The additionofAMS in Outright 770 will occupy these cations allowing glyphosate molecules to do their work without inhibition.

Vicchem Free Water Testing Service

Free water testing is available from the Vicchem Laboratory via your local reseller or by calling our customer service centreon 03 9301 7000 for afreetestkit.

The basic test can assist growers to understandtheir water quality parameters such as hardness, pH and conductivity

The free basic test willalso provide acustomised rate recommendation for Outright 770.

Manufactured and Owned in Australia by Victorian Chemical Company (Vicchem), Outright 770 is the resultofour continuous improvement, Chemists and Research and Development program that aims to addvalue to Australian growers through innovation. “This one drum formulation is not easy to achieve as oils and saltysolutionsare typically incompatible.

Our team has created a stable product with a high level of efficacy that has been adopted by growers and agronomistsfor fallow programsacrossAustralia,” said Steven Lorimer, Vicchem Territory Manager and Agronomist. For moreinformation visit vicchem.com

Steven Lorimer,Vicchem TerritoryManager andAgronomist

Sample Water Test Report

AUSTRALIA …PRIMED TO BURN GET READY

OUT of controlbushfires burning in Canada,record heatwaves in USA and Europe serve to remindusofthe perilsoflivinginAustralia’s beautiful bushland. Climateextremes arecoming our way and authorities arewarning of apotential catastrophic bushfireseason

Australian Pump Industries, and their Gippsland based Gold Distributors,are primed to assist with arangeof firepumps that deliver on performance and quality

PREPARING THE URBAN INTERFACE

Firefighting authorities,particularly volunteer brigades can’t possibly be everywhere at once.

That shifts some responsibility to homeowners who mustdecide whether to stay andfight afire.

Those intending to stay needtotake precautionary action to protect theirassets, whether its property, buildings, pets and livestock or humanlives!

Aussie Pumps hasahuge respect for the firefighting authorities butis promotingthe idea of self-reliance

AUSSIE’S BUSHFIRE SURVIVAL GUIDE

Aussie Pumps hasprinted huge quantitiesoftheir 2023

Aussie BushfireSurvival Guide.

It is aterrificdocument that shows awiderangeofactions that can be taken to minimise therisktoproperty and livestock.

“We’ve armedour dealerships with copies of the 2023

Aussie BushfireSurvival Guide for distribution to anyone who is consideringhow besttoprepare forbushfires,” saidAussie Pumps’MichelleAnderson.

The guide tellsyou notjusthow to fill your gutterswith water and move debrisfromaround thehouse. The guide covers more professional protectionthat includes setting up ahouse or outbuildings with sprinklers!

That ‘halo’protection around thehouse canbea lifesaver!

The purpose of theguide ultimatelyistoinformthose livinginthe million or so properties in what firefighting authoritiescall the“UrbanInterface”

Thatispeople wholiketoliveonthe edgesofcitiesor towns or in remote hamlets

SETTING UP YOUR PROTECTION

The firstessential is to havea water resource in the form of either aswimmingpool, water tank, damorwell

If you have water,you need apump!

AussiePumps believe if youintend to fightthe fire and protect your propertyitisworth doing the researchto makesureyou get the rightgear.

AussiePumps produce competitive information (comparisons betweenour product andcompetitors) just to make surethat customers areproperlyinformed

They even have avideo that shows why the Aussie Fire Chief,claimed to be theworld’smosteffective portable lightweightfirepump, is the best!

Thecompanybelieves that more performance, better components andfeatures,and theability to do the job is essential.

Athird world ‘knock off’ or acounterfeitproduct of any kind is asking fortrouble

Thosepumps aredesigned forsale, notfor performance in afirestorm

IF IT LOOKS TOOGOOD TO BE TRUE FROMAPRICE POINT OF VIEW…ITPROBABLYIS!

TWIN IMPELLER PUMPS …EXTRA PERFORMANCE

The Aussie Pump Engineers, working on thedesignof atwinimpeller pump, soon realised that apumpwith an expectation of serious firefightingcapabilitiescan’tbe run offa 6.5hpengine.

Realperformance means youmustgive it thehorsepower to get the job done.

So, thesmallest twin impeller Aussie Pumps produce is poweredbyeither a9 hp Honda or a10hpYanmar dieselengine.

“Wewon’t under power aproductbecause we know what happensduring theintensity of afire.

We call it the“MagnumForce”effect.

If you aregoing to bearmed, you need to be armed with aproductthatwill work!” said Michelle. Hondahave beenaterrific support in theevolution of theAussiefirepumprange.

Their worldwide service supportteamisveryproactive and honour theuniversal warranty that comeswith every Hondaengine.

Hondaalways meets theirdeliverycommitmentsand have never let us down Their enginescomewith athree year warranty and Aussie Pumpsprovides afiveyearwarrantyonthe Quik Prime pump end.

CHOOSING APUMP

It is important to buythe right product thefirst timeand make sureitisset up inaneffective way Check thepumpperformance, take the troubletoread the performance curves.

You’ll find that our Aussie FireChief has 20 percent moreperformanceinterms of pressurethankey

competitors

Not only that, but our pump is built better with aheavier duty impeller

There’ssimply moremetal in the product andasuperbly balanced load to thepower of the Honda engine!

VALUE FOR MONEY

Aussie Pumps offer theirfirepumps at realistic, value packedprices.

For example,the Aussie FireChief is on themarket for lessthan$1,000.

Advertised this season, youcan pick up an Aussie Fire Chieffor $880 including GST.

Competitors, with products that areproventobeinferior offerthem with retail pricesashigh as $1,600. They’reeither paying toomuchfor their components, or they’re loading their prices

Aussie Pumps don’t do either!

WORDS OF ADVICE

Firstand foremost, do yourresearch. Buy the right pump and make sureyou’vegot adequate water. Set up the pump and practicewithit. Make sureyour family or teamisexperienced in how to operate the equipment.

Further informationincluding loads of free info,movies anddocumentation is readilyavailable from Aussie Pumps or authorisedVIC distributors

Aussie Pumps GippslandGold Dealersare Brownwigg, PK Equipment,Electel,and ValleyPumps& Irrigation Find your local distributor at aussiepumps.com.au

Aussie Pumps staffhardatwork building the world’smost effective portable lightweight firepump.

Be prepared with Aussie’sBushfireSurvival Guide

Volunteers can’tbeeverywhere! Protect your property with Aussie’sFireChief.

Korumburra Showgrounds

Cnr South Gippsland Highway &Charles Streets, Korumburra

South Gippsland Dairy Farming Expo

The Strzelecki LionsClub is pleasedto announce that they willbehosting the South Gippsland Dairy Farming Expo in Korumburra on Wednesday 6toThursday 7 September 2023.

This year,theywill celebrate over 22 years of providing the local dairying community with an event showcasing the latest innovations, products, and services available to the dairy industry

Be surenot to miss your chance to win up to $5,000 in theUdder Truth Show bag competition, which is proudly bought to you by South East Organic Fertiliser

The lucky winner’s announcement will occur at 2.30 pm Thursday 7September 2023.

Participating companies include Easy Dairy Automation Systems, Rural Financial Counselling Service Gippsland, Pioneer Seeds, Reid Stockfeeds, MaxCare, Redei, Lely Center Gippsland, Ridley,Notman Pasture Seeds, ProviCoRural, Browns Fertiliser,CLAAS HarvestCentreWarragul and Leongatha, Greenmate Agriculture, Hickseeds, Allflex Livestock, Intelligence, East Coast Generators, Achmea Farm Insurance, Entegra Signature Structures, Reeve Pumps and Irrigators and Travel Managers.

The funds raised from the Dairy Expo have helped the Strzelecki Lions Club distribute over

$640,000 back into the community and Lions projects.

The planning for the Dairy Expostartsin January each year,and thecommittee meets monthly until the last week beforethe event to ensureall the plans areinplace

Matt Harms from OnFarm Consulting is hosting asession on Wednesday 6th September at 11am.

Is dairying like agood bottle of re Does it get better with age, or is

Is the grassgreener on the other does dairy offer along-term financial rewardthatcompensatesfor the har work and volatility?

Join Facilitator Matt Harms wi panel members Markand Tris Hammond(Labertouche dairy farmers), David and Linda Brumby (recent entrants to dairy farming at Leongatha), Luke Wallace (Poowong North dairy farmer with recently installed robots) Nick Leppin (Wattlebank) and Mat Colwill (Nerrena)(both formerd farmers), to discuss whether dairy farming is improving withage or on the nose?

Comealong andlisten to apas ate range of views and experiences, really determine whether dairy farming improving with age.

BrandtValueKnows No Boundaries

WHEREVER the job takes you…Brandt will be there, too.

Brandt has brought togetherall 15 of its dealerships in southernVictoria and South Australia.

Now sittingunder onebrand,the dealerships ensuretheir customers can always access the equipment they need to get ajob done.

Added to this,the dealershipsare backed by the hardest-working, best-equipped support team in the business.

Every single day

As aprivate, family-runbusiness, Brandt has the freedom and expertise to make the investmentsthatare necessary to deliver powerful value to each customer

“We’ve built our reputation on deliveringvalue and reliability to customers for morethan90

years!” says Shaun Semple, Brandt CEO.

“But we don’trest on our laurels and history.”

Brandtis an evolving company and the people who arepart of the Brandt business continue to grow their knowledge so that knowledgecan be shared withour customers.

Serving our customers and providing them with the best possible service lies at the heart of everything Brandt does.

We makeitour business to understand each customer’sneeds better than anyone else in the industry

“Whilewehavemorethan 200 qualified and professional service technicians in the field, we continue to hirestaff in the places whereour customers most need their support.

This includes specialised technicians, such as small and large-enginetechnicians, and

pre-delivery and precision technology technicians, too.”

Brandt provides top of the line equipment and training to their technicians, and they provide around the clock support to customers.

Withparts warehouses in Australia and Canada,Brandt supportteams can order in almost any part within aday or two, reducing the amount of time amachine spends out of the field.

So, if atechnician doesn’thave the part on hand, it can quickly be ordered in.

“The integration of our operations is well underway,” says Shaun Semple, Brandt CEO.

“Farmers can anticipate seeingincreased inventory levels for all product lines as well as improved parts availability in the coming months.”

All Brandt field technicians aretrained and equipped to deal with avariety of issues, and they areready to go when the customers are. Thisensures efficiency of service, reduces the amount of down time in the field and gets customers back up andrunning as quickly as possible so they can keep doing what they do best.

Brandt technicians arebusy all year round and as one season ends, another begins.

Withsuchheavydemands placedonequipment, it’simportant to make suremachines are kept in top condition and are ready to handle whatever job is thrown at them.

Consider booking a pre-season service, as pre-season specials become available. Contact your local Brandtteam on 1800 237 887 or visit www.brandt.ca/au to learnmore.

Book your tractor inspection nowwith Brandt

Gippsland Dairy Farmers local dealer

ReevePumps and irrigators

Reeve Engineering has been manufacturing their solid handling pumps since 1959.

The Reevevertical column cantilever and MK IV horizontal pump areused Australia wide by the commercial and industrial sector along with agriculturecommunity because of their reliability,easeofmaintenance, back up service,availability of sparepartsand longevity.

Reeve pumps,irrigators, and pondpontoons areproudly Australian made and they serve a broad range of industries.

These include dairies, piggeries, abattoirs, meat and food processors, rendering plants, and they will be happy to assist anyone with any effluent system enquiries.

The Reeve low pressuretravellingirrigatoris

built tougherfor Australia,suitablefor water and effluent spraying.

The ruggedengineering design, withhot dip galvanising for corrosion prevention means you can spraydairy and piggery effluent as free fertiliser

Also in the Reeve product range is the Manurain sprinkler,proudly Australian made, including anon-tip hot dip galvanised frame.

The Reeve multi-purpose heavy duty pond pontoon is ideal for floating pumps on effluent ponds, rated at 350kg gross weight and complete with ahot dip galvanised frame.

Come and visit Reeve Engineering to discuss your effluent pump and irrigation needs, the friendly team will help you size and select the ideal pump for your application and answer any questions about the Reeve product range.

Clark Equipment have beenappointed the Australian distributer for Orsi Group of Italy

TheOrsi range covers inline mulchers, bank mulchers, forestry mulchers, agricultural and professional boommowers,and excavator mulchers.

Clark Equipment is also theAustralian distributer for McCormick tractors.

Clark found that their McCormick customers had a demand for higher horsepower equipment to suit their tractors.

Orsi being a highly regarded manufacturer withyearsofexperience andwith avastarray of equipment was alogical partner General Manager,ColeJones, said, “We would like to bring in the full range from day one, however we need to start wherewehave the most demand, which is probably models 100hp to 200hp.”

This is an exciting partnership as it takes us into new agricultural and maintenance

Clark Equipment

activities and complements not only the demand from our McCormick customers, but also our expanding dealer network.

Orsi products have been made for professional end users and areappreciated around theworld for the material usedinits construction, as well as its design.

The agricultural world greatlyappreciates good style and performance.

The Orsi headquarter is located 25km from Bologna Airport and is their main factory

With over 40 years of experience in manufacturing and selling agricultural machinery, Orsi Group offersa full range of products, with 124 people working at the factory in Italy over threedifferent locations.

Orsi uses Hardox® 450, which is the most popular abrasion-resistantsteel withexcellent structural properties.

Hardox® 450 is an abrasion-resistant steel with anominal hardness of 450 HBW

Hardox® 450 combinesgoodbendability

and weldability with an option for guaranteed impact toughness (Hardox® 450 Tuf) Theproductscan be used in many different components and structures that aresubject to wear Hardox® 450, with an extra 50 Brinell hardness over our 400 grade,provides better dent and abrasion resistance as well as longer wear life.

Orsi plans to openits branch in the USA

and Mexico to cover all of Spanish-speaking markets as well as Central and SouthAmerica, to strengthen its direct presence.

Clark Equipment and Orsi have developed anew website www.orsigroup.com.au, which will directly reflect the Australian product offering as it grows.

It can also be foundthrough the www.clarkfarmequipment.com.au website.

Featuring the Orsi Eagle Plus

Featuring the Orsi River Compact

Happy Healthy Calves

Rearingheiferssothattheygrowout to be efficient cowscapableofproducingtotheir genetic potentialis an integral partofsuccessful dairyfarms. Thereisnoone systemfor rearingcalves, but the followingpoints arecommon to most successfulsystems

Lead Feeding

Providingthe cowwitha goodtransitiondiet priorto calving reduces theriskofproblemsatcalving, thereby avoidingstressonthe calf at birth.

Minerals and vitamins in the transition diet also ensure that the cowis able to passonsufficientreserves to the calf, so the calfisabletodevelop astrong immune system.

Barastoc Lead-up Pellets canbeused to produce a good transition diet.

Colostrum

To achieve immune protection, calves must receive sufficientcolostrumassoonaspossibleafter birth.

Calvesshould ideally get at least two litres within two hours of birthand equivalent to 10 percentoftheir birth weightwithintwelve hours.

Milk

Calvesshould befed milkequivalentto12percentof their birthweight(approximately 5litresfor Holsteins and3.5 litresfor Jerseys) or equivalent milkreplacer per day.Inaddition, calves shouldalways have readily availablefresh water

Thelengthofmilkfeeding canvaryfromsix to twelve weeks,but to achieve optimumgrowth ratescalves shouldweigh at least 110kg forHolsteins and85kg for Jerseys and be eatingatleast 1.5kgs of pelletsbefore they areweanedoff milk

Concentrates

Pellets shouldbeintroduced withinthe firstweekoflife, althoughintakes arelow,the fermentation of carbohydrate is important in starting rumendevelopment.

Barastoc CalfMeal canbeused to encourage early intake

Highquality protein is required forgood frame development, and calves should receive ahigh protein feed like Barastoc Calf Rearer Pellets until theyreach at least 140kg.

After which Barastoc Heifer DeveloperPellets should be fed untilthe calf canmaintain an average growth rateof0.6kg/dayfromforages alone.

Pellets should be reintroduced if adropinforage quantity or qualitylimitsgrowth to below 0.6kg/day betweenthree and ninemonths of age, or below 1kg betweennine months andcalving

Thesegrowth rates arerequired if aheifer is to grow to heroptimum size by two yearsold.Exceeding these growthrates is notdesirable, as excessive fatteningcan leadtoearly puberty, preventing heifersgrowingout to their fullpotential.

Contact your local Ridley TerritoryManager forfurther advice on setting up agoodcalfrearingprogram specifically foryourfarm

Advertising in the Gippsland Farmer

gets results!

Butdon’t just take ourwordfor it...

Here are just afew testimonialsfromsomehighlysatisfied clients, whoseGippsland Farmer advertisinghas worked forthem.

hank-you Gippsland Farmer foryour many years of support. Youhavealways provided service well abovethe norm, incorporating the personal touch andthinking outside the square with excellent distribution of your publication.

Th Gipps

A are “

ACV/GARDS

“

Well done to the team –pastand

eam past an present.

enny cDavitt erungle lpacas p

eclients of the Giippsland Farmer and d we have always enjoyyed a good working relaationship with Paula annd the team in the adveert r ising department They are always proffessional and friendly They go out of their waay to make sure you get t the right ad for the right message – we higghly recommend them whhen you are looking to seend a message to the coommunity t Top quality, Professional and work with you all the way to achieve the outcome with groups you are targeting

targeting.

ki ton V/ DS

In my role rural property s salesman invariablyI end up at the farm’s ‘kitchen table’

The national weekly rural publications we grew up with in past decades and piled up issue by issue, appear to havebeen replaced by Gippsland’s own rural paper…..The Gippsland Farmer Given the average age of farmers, I can only surmise they aremore comfortable sourcing the services and products they require fromlocal suppliers.

A Shorth “ g on l pal en k orns

Doug Benson Princip Dobe Park Shortho

Newspaper advertising

“

As the leading gltural publication for the region, Gippsland Farmer is atireless advocate for local businesses, connecting with clients and readersalike.

A

“If you’reserious about results-based advertising and promotion, Paula Hansen from Gippsland Farmer will help youachieve your business goals”, said Mr Bowman.

“I found Paula’s local knowledge, attention to detail and brand awareness, agreat asset when it comes to reaching my rural target audience. As aNeerim South-based business, with a large operation in Rosedale, Iknowthat the newspaper coversall cornersofthe region which my family has been invested in forover a

Glenn Bowman wm Principal Bowman Genetics s

GP1658627 To advertise or formoreinformation,contact Paula on 0490 364565 or Janeen on 0419 542792 Theregion’shighest circulatingrural publication WORKS!

Traralgon export in final collegeyear

TomHAYES

TRARALGON'SBen Grumley has made waves in the US while playing college tennis for the William Woods University Owls.

Headinginto his senior year, Grumley reflects on his college journey so far,and delves into what he might get up to in his senior year and beyond.

"My tennis experience(so far) has been great,I couldn't have asked for abetter coach and teammates to play with and for every week," Grumley said.

"The family that we, as ateam, have created has been somethingthat you don't see at many other colleges."

Grumleyjust completed his junior year and is now preparingto enterhis senior year

Lastseasonhefinished with an 18-6 record in singles play, and a 15-9 record in doublesplay, giving him amention in the first team singles and doubles through the Unaffiliated Conference Grouping.

Grumley is in the process of completing aBachelor's Degree, which would suit him to atee given his sporting history.

"The degree that I'm completing is a Bachelor'sinExerciseScience, with a concentration in Human Performance, as well as aminorinSportsManagement," he said.

"As for my studies, they have also been great.

"Wehavethe luxuryofhaving small classes which means that you really get to know your professors and they areable to help you one-on-one.

"I'm reallyenjoying thestudies, butI would be lying if Isaid Iwasn't excited to finish my degree and get into the field."

Followingthe completion of the2022/23 season,Grumley was awarded with a College Sports Communicators (CSC) AcademicAll-America honour -which recognises college athletes for their sporting

contribution, as well as their academic studies.

He became one of the first William Woods University men's tennis players to earn aCSC honour, coming afterhis thirdstraight Honourable Mention to the NAIA All-America list.

"It felt reallycool, to be honest Ididn't really know what it was, but Iwas glad to be recognisedfor my tennis and my studies as awhole," Grumley said.

"I'm hoping it will motivate someofthe boys nextyear to also work hardsothat we can have morenominations."

Grumley's focus has not waivered, always ready to be the best he can, and preparations have already begun for the 2023/24 season.

"The thing that I'm most looking forward to about my senior year is just getting on the court and competing to win with my teammates beside me," he said.

"Wehave alot of expectations for next season,soI'm just eager to get that started."

He is spending extratime in his offseason to prepare, all while keeping his foot on the academic accelerator by taking part in an internship.

"So, this offseason Ichose to stay in the US, I'm completing an internship ata HumanPerformance centre that houses and trains several NFL and MLB athletes," Grumley said.

"I'm also training and playing as much as Ican to get ready for next semester

"I played atournamenta couple weeks back with some teammates and my coach which was abit of fun, but also achance to get some strong match play against other college players.

"I'll be back on campus in about four weeks, so right now Iamjust fine-tuning some conditioning beforeweget back to preseason."

Grumley has had his shareofmemorable moments throughouthis college experience, but naileditdown to one that stands out above the rest.

"I wouldsay that my most memorable moment so far wouldbe finishingthe National Rankings as the Number 4program in the country," he said.

"This was equalto the highest-everfor our program, but we also beat several top 10 to 15 schools throughout the season.

"That finalranking was something we aimed for all year,sofinishingwiththat was memorable for everyone involved."

Now that Grumley is only 12-or-so months away from completing his senior year,he begins to cast his eyes out to what could be on the horizon in the coming years.

"I don't have anything set in stone at the moment, Ithink Iwould like to complete amaster's degree just to open some more doors for myself into the future," he said.

"College tennis has also become such a bigpart of my life over the last three years, soI wouldn't be opposed to continuing to

be involved after Iamdone playing."

"I can't say that Ireally know wheremy tennis can take me, Ilove being involved in tennis and being involved in aprogram that drives me to be the best player Ican," Grumley said.

"I know there's alot of opportunities all around the world, either trying to get ATP points or playing professional club tennis in Europe.

"Tennis is an ever-expanding sport, so it will be interesting to see what opportunities areavailable this time next year."

Aside from college sports and his future, Grumley also noted that he wants to spend moretimewithhis family afterthe long hiatus over the last few years.

"I'd like to spend some time at home after I'm done, to spendsometime with my family," he added.

At the moment, time with family and close friends is limited, yet he remains lucky to have agood group with him abroad.

"I'm able to get home once or twice ayear, which is great," Grumley said.

"I'm also lucky to have atight-knit group of friends and girlfriend over herethat make it easier

"However,Imiss home every day, my whole family is back home as well as some ofmyclosest mates.

"I'm super close with my family as they've allsupported me for so long, so it is hardto see them only through ascreen, however Iknow that they support what I'm doing 100per cent and I'll continue to do what I can as I'm just tryingtomake them proud."

Grumley givesa special thanks tohis mum, Susie -who is the manager and secretary of the Traralgon Tennis Association, who helped him get to the positionheis in today.

"I wouldn'thavebeenabletodoany of this without my mum and her continued support," Grumley added.

Moe’s MicahsignsLiverpoolcontract

Zoe ASKEW

MATILDASgoalkeeper Teagan Micah is the latest Australian to join theEnglish Women's Super League after penninga contract with Liverpool Football Club.

The 25-year-old former Moe United Soccer Club player formerlyannounced her switch to Liverpool after three seasonswith FC RosengardinSweden, just days beforethe Matildas' opening 2023 Women's World Cup match against the Republic of Ireland.

Micah is the second-ever Australian female footballertosignfor Liverpool, and joins thelikes of Matildastars Sam Kerr,Steph Catley, Courtney Nevin, Mary Fowler,Caitlin Foord, Alanna Kennedy, ClareWheeler, Kyah Simon,Emily Gielnik, Lydia Williams andMackenzie Arnold in the English Women's Super League.

Micah's continuingly successful football career all began at Moe United, whereshe played juniors until moving to Brisbane to help facilitate her development.

Speakingtothe Express in 2021, her mother Yvonne recalled her daughters upbringing.

"Both my husband and Iwereborndown in the Latrobe Valley region, so we have long had roots here, with the three girls being bornatthe old Moe Hospital -welived on Albert Street, and the girls went to Albert Street Primary School," she said.

"Teaganalwayswanted to go and do AusKick everyyearand had some really good little male friends at school, and they usedtorough and tumble with herand play all types of sport; it wasn't until they decidedtheywanted to playsoccer that Teagan changed tune from Aussie Rules and went down to Moe United.

"She then went on to do two years at Moe Unitedwithmy seconddaughterKaitlin beforewemoved to Queensland, and she justfell inlovewith thegame, and her

passion only grew as she continuedtoclimb the ranks moving into her teenage years."

Micah forged asuccessful college career with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLABruins) after short stints withBrisbaneat WesternSydney asa teenager. Sheset anAmerican college recordof86appearances over four years, keeping 36 clean sheets and earningthe second-all-time recordfor saves made and third-all-time recordfor clean sheets.

Following atriumphant college career, Micah returned to Australia for the 2019/20 season,servingasabackup keeperto fellow Matildas keeper Casey Dumont at Melbourne Victory.

Micah secured aposition in the Norwegian Toppserien (the top level of women's association football in Norway), signingfor Arna-Bjørnar ahead of the 2020 season.

She returned in late 2020, signing with

Melbourne City for the 2020/21 season, whereshe collected the W-League Goalkeeper of the Year awardand the club's Player of the Year prize.

Micah returned to Norway for abrief stint at Idrettslaget Sandviken, beforesigning atwo-year contract with Rosengardin August 2021, securing back-to-back Damallsvenskan titles in 2021 and 2022 while also winning the 2021/22 Svenska Cupen.

Micah's move to Scandinavia proved to be the right choice, as the young goalkeeper piqued the eye of newly recruited Matildas headcoach Tony Gustavsson, who gave the keeper her debut ahead of the 2021 Olympic Games.

Having been first called up to the senior nationalteam in 2017, Micahhad spent four years preparingfor her nationaldebut, with the debutant going on to recordaclean sheet in awarm-up fixtureagainst Sweden ahead of the Olympics.

Micah started in five of the Matildas' six games in Tokyo,burstingintothe spotlight followingaplayer-of-the-match performance in goal against Great Britain.

Followingimpressive performances against some of the world's most formidable opponents, the most recent goalkeeping inclusiontoGustavsson's national team squad quickly ascended thepecking order, staking her claim for selection to the 2023 FIFAWomen's World Cup.

The goalkeeper now joins Matt Beard's LFC WomenfromFCRosengard, where she has played since 2021 and says she is excited for the next chapter of her career

"I'm excited to be here; it's Liverpool Football Club, so it's massive, and I'm just really excited for this next chapter inmy career,"Micah said.

"Having good chats with Matt [Beard] and Pottsy[Joe Potts], the keeper coach, Igot a really good vibe from them, and it's such a

good club with alot of history to it.

"Forme, it wasalso about getting into the WSL -I know it's turning into the best league in the world. To be able to compete against the best players in the world is really important for myself, for my career

"I can just see this club is going places, it's investing, so thereare alot of good factors coming together."

The 25-year-old hopes her presence with LFC Women will attract even more Australianfans to the club, and is eager to get started following the Women's World Cup.

"Liverpool is amassive club around the world, so hopefully, with another Aussie at the club, they can getarounditeven more," Micah said.

"I hopeIcan help takeus to thenext level and hopefully cement us as aChampions League team in the years to come.

"I'm just proper excited, really stoked to be hereand can't wait to get to work after the World Cup."

Beardisdelighted with his latest acquisition, and feelsMicahwill be an assettohis goalkeeping group.

"Wefeel we'regetting Teagan at avery good time -atthe peak of her career -and we'relooking forwardtoworking with her," he said.

"The fact that she's won titles, played for big clubs, playedinChampionsLeague games, she's experienced different things even at ayoung age for agoalkeeper -that experience will be invaluable, and hopefully, we'll be able to draw on that.

"Preseason is aclean slate; last season hasgonenow, so you rip thatup and start again. We want to have two or three players for each position. It's important we have that competition.

"She's completelydifferenttothe goalkeepers we've got, and she's going to be a great addition to the squad."

Traralgon’s Ben Grumleyisset to begin his senior year at William WoodsUniversity. Photograph supplied

Moe-export Teagan Micah hasjoined soccer giant Liverpool. Photograph supplied

Allieslastflag fondly remembered

Liam DURKIN

THE memories areall that’s left. Membersofthe Devon-Welshpool-Won Wron-Woodside Football-Netball Club’s 2003 senior premiership gathered recently to celebrate their 20-year reunion.

Just as DWWWW had welcomed players from across Gippsland when it was formed in the mid-1990s, those who were there in 2003 came from across the state,and even the country, for the reunion at Woodside Recreation ReserveonSaturday, June17. While holding areunion inWoodside might have technically been out of place given DWWWW’shomegroundisin Alberton West, it was perhaps fitting for a team known as the Allies.

The Allies brought together the four clubs mentioned in its acronym in 1996, which in turnwas afollow-up to the merger between Devon and Welshpool (who had merged in 1994) and WonWronand Woodside, who did likewise some years earlier

By 2002, the Allies had already won two Alberton Football-NetballLeague flags, and addedathird when theydefeatedFish Creek by eightpoints to take the 2003 title.

Current Woodside District Football-Netball Club president Ash Walpole was listed in the best for the Allies on Grand Final day, andhas vivid memories of apackedcrowd in attendance at the Foster Showgrounds.

“It was 10-deep the whole ground, there was anincrediblecrowd there.Not sure if it wasa recordcrowd but therewas a massive crowd,” he recalled.

“Fish Creekhad wonthe last three premierships, and they hadn’t lost agame for the year,sotheywereprobably justripe to be beaten on that day.

“It was just aperfect day for us, being a blustery sort of day, the ball was on the ground alot, it didn’t suit their blokes.

“It’s only amemory now, 20 years on, we areall retired now, it’s nice to have something like apremiership to have a reason to come back together.”

Walpole had played in the Allies flags of 1998 and 1999, but with arunner-up finish in 2000, and consecutive early-finalsexits over the next two seasons, it appeared time was running out to add athirdflag to the collection.

The Allies secured favourite son Anthony ‘Macca’ Banik to come back and coach in 2002, asthe clubset about having one last tilt in any such premiership window.

Banik had coached Saleinthe major Gippsland Leaguefor two seasonsfrom 2000 to 2001, following his AFL days with Richmondafter he wastaken at number oneinthe 1989 AFL draft.

The Allies appointment completed afull circle for Banik, as it had been for Won Wron-Woodside wherehemade his senior debut as amere14-year-old.

As 2003 unfolded, an Allies flag looked a genuine possibility after the team strung nineconsecutive wins togetherduring thehome-and-away season,prompting headlinessuch as ‘DWWWW Do What Winners Want Whenever’.

However,asgood as the Allies might have been, the Kangaroos appeared just that little bit better

Fish Creek defeatedDWWWWby59 pointsduringthe season, and again by 20 points in the second semi-final.

Victory to the Kangaroos in the secondsemi meant they went straight to the big dance.

Yet, as is often the case at country level, Banik believed his side benefitted from playing uninterrupted football during the finals series.

“We’d been one of the stronger teams of the compthatyear, butwewenttoFish Creek and got beatenby10goals,” he said.

“Wecame away thinking ‘okay, how are we going to turnthis around?’ Ithink we proved it in the second semi-final when we played them at Yarram, we were20 points up at three quarter time and ended up going down by 20 points in the end, but we knew we werethereabouts.

“I think the extrafooty that we played actually helped us. Ithink Fish Creek would be testament to the same thing, they only played one game in 21 days, and we were actually footy-hardened.”

The Allies easily accounted for Dalyston in the preliminary final to set up adecider between the two best teams of the 2003 season.

DWWWWran out on Grand Final day through abanner reading ‘DWWWW for Kiwi 2003’, in tribute to club stalwart Jeff Kee who was battling illness.

With no AFL finals in Melbourne on the day, people turned outindroves to witness the fight for Alberton football supremacy.

Those in attendance saw two great sides do battle, at atime when the AFNL was generally regarded as the bestleague in Gippsland outside the major league.

By 2003, the AFNL had established itself as astrong 12-team competition, following amajor expansion in 1996 after the Bass Valley-Wonthaggi league wound up.

Given the reputation of the old Bass Valley league, known colloquially as ‘Bash Valley’, one could draw accurate parallels as to the type of football being played.

Banik ran with the underdog theme during Grand Final week, and while his side might have lost to Fish Creek in all matches leading up tothe big day,the Allieswon when it mattered most.

“The day itself with the weather,the wind, was conducive to contested football,and we were readytogo. They wereprobably alittle bit flat, and we had afew guys that were pretty hungry for apremiership,” he said.

“It was tight all the way through. Neither side could really take advantage of the wind, we kicked with the wind in the first quarter and Ithink we kicked 3.6 (24), they were more-or-less the same, it was pretty tight at halftime. We didn’t have an ascendency at three quarter time, and we just defended and hung on in the end, it was just areal slog.”

In agame wherenoless than 10 points separated the sides at any of the breaks, DWWWW werethe ones that had their noses in front at the final siren, 13.14 (92) to 12.12 (84).

Premiership celebrations wentfrom Saturday night in the Alberton West Recreation Reserve social rooms, and carried through to the following Wednesday.

In keeping withtradition, thoseatthe Allies reunion headed to their old stomping ground, The Victoria Hotel in Alberton (The ‘Albo’), following formalities in Woodside.

The 2003 flag was Banik’slast senior game of football. He had battled with chronic fatigue during his five years at Richmond from 1990 to 1994, but did win abest-and-fairestfor Tigers’ reservesin his final year

From there, he moved to South Australia, playingfor West Adelaideinthe SANFL, wherehewon two best-and-fairests before returning to Gippsland to coach Sale.

Amazingly, the Allies premiership meant his senior footballcareer was bookended with the same club 16 years apart -retiring at age 30 after debutingat14. It also added to the four junior flags he’d won at the ‘three W’s’ -Won Wron-Woodside.

As the Allies wereenjoying asea of euphoria in 2003,it is unlikelyanyone

could have foreseen what was to unravel just four years later

What followed was acomplex storyof ownership and changing demographics.

While those gathered at the reunion had apremiership to remember -therewas no premiership cup to be seen.

That’s because the 2003 premiership cup, along with all those won by the Allies, are still stored at Alberton West.

DWWWW backed up their premiership by playing finals again in 2004, and made it to consecutive preliminary finals over the next two years.

However, in adramatic situation, the mostly WonWron-Woodside section of DWWWW,tired of travellingtoplacessuch as Philip Island in what had become an even bigger AFNL by 2007, advocated for amove out of Alberton and into the North Gippsland Football-Netball League.

Another section of the club relented, and in an extraordinary move, part of the Allies broke away to form the Woodside that currently competes in the NGFNL (as Woodside and District Wildcats).

In essence, the club that had originally been formed by merging two clubs -demerged.

When askedabout thesplit,Banik, who was presidentof DWWWW in 2007 and became the inaugural president of Woodside District the following year,said it was an unfortunate episode.

“I took overa senior role at the club (DWWWW),wentfromcoachingtobeing vice president and president, (and) saw a vision for the club to look at opportunities in other leagues and move north(to the NGFNL),” he said.

“Unfortunately as awhole we didn’t move as agroup,and the Allies stayed as an entity in the Alberton footy league, and Woodside was more-or-less reborn, and we went to North Gippy, and hereweare some 15 years later going along quite nicely.”

Given the population of the Yarram region, to have the Allies and Wildcats both trying to field senior,reserve and junior football and netball teams, as well as Yarram FNC themselves, meant between threeclubs in such asmall area, therewas always a high possibility one was eventuallygoing to fall over

Unfortunately for theAllies, theywere the club to do so.

DWWWW went into recess in 2014, before making abrief comeback, only to go back into recess again in 2018.

While they haven’t officially folded, the Allies haven’t put ateam on the park since, and in all likelihood, probably never will again.

As an organisation taking in four clubs andacatchment of around 50 kilometres across two municipalities, DWWWW faced some uniquechallenges, including the use of multiple facilities.

The club, which became known as the ‘four wheel drives’, had two presidents from its first season in 1997 until the premiership year of2003, one representing the Devon-Welshpool component,and the

other,Won Wron-Woodside.

Banik,often in the hot seat, saidthere was ahost of challenges to work through.

“Itwas always hard. Iwas coach of the cluband we hadapresident fromone side and apresident from the other side. I always felt torninbetween,” he said.

“Tolook back, I’ll be very honest, it probably wasn’t aharmonious amalgamation initially, because both entities werelooking after themselves and both entities were going backwards as far as facilities.

“Alberton West was going backwards, therewas no money, you couldn’t sustain two football grounds, Woodside was going backwards, we needed improvements here, we as an Alberton West entity needed improvements out thereaswell.

“Financially, people, resources …itwas going to come to ahead at some stage, it was just at my time, and I, along with alot of others, thought it was best to go north, and it didn’t happen as awhole, which is unfortunate.

“But, is therevindication in the idea that we go to North Gippsland? Maybe, maybe not.

“Woodside is going along nicelyfor the moment, but football in general is achanging environment.

“I’ve been out of the system for five years. I’m in Queensland now, thisisnot my environment, who knows what the future is going forward, but the main thing is the kids of the area have got things to do, they have places to play football and netball.

“I know people arevery passionate about their regions and their history, sometimes you have to put that aside for the betterment of the actual game.”

Like the Judgement of KingSolomon, thereisstill some conjectureover whether or not premierships won by DWWWW can be counted as ‘Woodside’ flags.

Regardless of viewpoint, ifthe reunion was anything to go by, 2003 was every bit aWoodside premiership-only three players from the team werenot in attendance.

Photos of all DWWWW premierships take pride of place onthe wall atWoodside Recreation Reserve, asdoesthe honour boarddetailing the club’s history.

Walpolewas hopefulthe Woodside of today gave the Allies the chance to live on in some form.

“Thereisalways abit of Allies in Woodside because of the connection there, the 10 years that Woodside was part of that club,” he said.

“(I’ve) still got areason to celebrate the three premierships that Iplayed at the Allies, so it’s good times. The boys arestill hereand we areall goodmates together that’s what it’s all about.”

With 2003 the last time any team carrying the name Woodside won asenior premiership, and with the Wildcats currently second on the NGFNL ladder,both Walpole and Banik said they would love nothing morethan to see aWoodside flag this season.

“Hopefully in 10 year’s time we can have a30year Allies and a10-year Woodside (premiership reunion),” Walpole said.

“They can forget about us and move on,” Banik said laughing.

“Would love it, would be agreat thing.”

Devon-Welshpool Won-Wron Woodside celebrate after winning the 2003 Alberton Football-Netball League premiership. Photograph supplied

The Allies gathered in Woodside for their 20-year flagreunion. Photograph Liam Durkin