Gippsland Farmer January 2026 by lvexpress.com

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January, 2026

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Virtual farming gets tick of approval IN a major boost to the Gippsland agriculture industry, the safe use of virtual fencing has finally been approved by the state government, which now allows livestock farmers to guide and contain livestock without physical fences. Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) President, Brett Hosking, said the long-awaited decision was set to transform farm management, animal welfare, and industry sustainability in one of Australia’s largest livestock sectors. “This is a huge step forward that will deliver real, on-farm productivity and welfare benefits for dairy and livestock farmers across Victoria,” he said. “We’ve been working hard to get to this decision from the very beginning. Victoria’s livestock and dairy sector is poised to see productivity gains in excess of tens of millions of dollars and is now ready to step into the future.” The new policy was made possible when the Minister for Agriculture, Ros Spence, announced new regulations under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986. The Act includes safeguards and specific requirements, providing farmers with more innovative tools to manage livestock with precision, boost productivity, and prioritise animal welfare. Victorian manufacturers can now apply to Agriculture Victoria for approval of their virtual fencing technology, with the first products expected to be approved in early February 2026. The approval conditions will include requirements for record-keeping and reporting.

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Farmers adopting this technology, which uses collars with GPS and wireless connectivity to control livestock without physical fences, must comply with specific requirements: use approved technologies, complete manufacturer training, maintain a physical boundary fence or barrier, and ensure collars are checked regularly. The new regulations were developed following engagement with industry, manufacturers, researchers, and animal welfare groups better to understand the technology's impacts on animal welfare. A demonstration of virtual fencing technology took place at Agriculture Victoria’s Ellinbank SmartFarm in Gippsland between July 2024 and May 2025, giving farmers a better understanding of the technology in their local area. (Page 24) In addition to the news, Agriculture Victoria (Ag Vic) has “laid down the law”. “In Victoria, a person must not use an electronic collar on livestock unless the electronic collar is used on cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, camels, alpacas or llamas and only as part of a scientific procedure, or program of scientific methods, approved under a licence granted under Part 3 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986,” the Ag Vic website states.

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VICTORIA'S fire season has begun amid total fire bans across large parts of the state, as forest management veteran, John Mulligan, launched his new book ‘Our Mismanaged Forests’. The book launch came as the state government unveiled its aerial firefighting fleet, which includes two new fixed wing aircraft with infrared capabilities amongst 54 aircraft. The latest Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Summer indicates south-west Gippsland is at an increased fire risk due to underlying dryness. Mr Mulligan’s book brings together the insights of leading forest and fire experts, reinforcing the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission’s finding that without largescale fuel reduction burning, megafires will continue to devastate communities and the environment. The Shadow Minister for Public Land Management, Melina Bath, said the warning comes in stark contrast to Victoria’s current position. "Under the Allan Labor Government, fuel reduction burning has averaged just one per cent over the past five years - well-short of the Royal Commission’s recommended five per cent target," she said. "This failure has left many regional communities dangerously exposed. Indigenous cultural burning and broad-scale coolseason fuel reduction must be central to any serious bushfire prevention strategy." Ms Bath, the Nationals Upper House Member for Eastern Victoria, said bushfires don’t wait for committees or centralised decisions. "They demand constant, proactive management,” she said. Ms Bath said the state government has repeatedly ignored expert advice, delivering some of the lowest levels of mitigation in Victoria’s highest-risk regions.“ Grounded G-Wagons and UNIMOGs, weakened CFA support, and soaring emergency services levies have all contributed to regional Victorians paying the price for Labor’s mismanagement," she said. "Research shows that every dollar invested in fire mitigation returns up to $5 in avoided suppression costs. Without an effective mitigation strategy, history will condemn this failure - and our forests and communities will bear the consequences. A Liberal and Nationals Government will restore proper fuel reduction targets, support volunteer and career firefighters and keep Victorians safe." Meanwhile, the Minister for Emergency Services, Vicki Ward unveiled the fleet at Avalon Airport, alongside Emergency Management Commissioner, T im Wiebusch, and emergency services personnel. This year’s fleet features 54 aircraft

and includes two new fixed wing aircraft with infrared capabilities that can capture higher quality images than ever before, enabling better decision making and more accurate mapping. Two large air tankers will be based at Avalon Airport, and two high-volume aircranes with the capacity to carry 10,000 litres of water will be positioned at Essendon and Moorabbin. A dedicated Super Puma helicopter has returned to the skies to fight fires at night through firebombing, supported by an Air Attack Supervision aircraft that provides critical fire detection and observation at night. This fleet unveiling follows the launch of 15 regional aircraft which started their service period early last month. A 'call when needed fleet' of more than 100 aircraft is also available including Black Hawk helicopters, and Victoria can request additional aircraft from the National Fleet. The latest Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Summer indicates south-west and western Victoria, including north central, east central and south-west Gippsland are at an increased fire risk due to underlying dryness. This includes the northern slopes of the Otways, Mt Buangor State Park, Wombat State Forest and Central Highlands, parts of Mornington Peninsula, the Kinglake and Yarra Ranges and parts of Eildon. The remaining parts of the state are forecast to have normal fire risk this summer. Aircraft can be moved across the state according to risk and have already responded to several fires since starting their service period in October - a month earlier than usual due to increased fire risk. Aircraft support emergency services workers on the ground, which includes thousands of dedicated emergency services workers from across the country Fire Authority (CFA), Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic), Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) and other agencies. Victorians are urged to make sure they have a fire plan for their home and anywhere they’re travelling this summer. For more information on how you can prepare for fires and other emergencies, download the VicEmergency app or visit emergency.vic.gov.au People can also create a fire plan online customised to their needs and sharable with family and friends via fireplanner. vic.gov.au

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Cattle found shot on Tyers property Katrina BRANDON

Bull has been shot and killed in Tyers, with local farmer John Williamson alarming others that someone is going around committing this Photos: Contributed act.

Farmer pleads guilty over animal cuelty YULECART farmer Andrew Ford has pleaded guilty to multiple animal welfare offences under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986, at the Hamilton Magistrates’ Court recently, receiving a fine of $28,000 and a control order to run for four years. Agriculture Victoria Program Manager Animal Health and Welfare Compliance, Daniel Bode, confirmed that Mr Ford was the person in charge of cattle and sheep at various properties in the south-west area. Mr Bode said Agriculture Victoria officers attended the properties between March and May 2024 and identified serious animal welfare issues, including animals that had been recumbent for more than 48 hours and been predated while alive, animals with parasite burdens and animals with insufficient feed. One cow had a large abdominal tumour. Anyone wishing to make a specific complaint in regard to livestock welfare can contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or aw.complaint@agriculture. vic.gov.au

FEELING like the “wild west”, Tyers farmer John Williamson has been left disgusted after finding some of his cattle had been shot. Living beside a pine plantation in Tyers, during winter, Mr Williamson walked down to one of his paddocks amongst the side of the plantation, where his cows had been, only to find some of his cows had died. Unfortunately, due to the weather, Mr Williamson was unable to reach the cows in time to determine the cause of their death. “I had three cows go down,” he told the Gippsland Farmer. “I was racking my brain … It absolutely threw me why I had these healthy cows that were dying, and the places that you would find them, it wasn't steep, and it wasn't in the gullies.” Happening over a few months, he still couldn’t figure out the leading cause of their deaths, until recently. On Thursday, November 27, Mr Williamson found his bull dead in the paddock less than 200 meters from his house. After a thorough investigation, he began searching for reasons. “We opened him up naturally, because we were looking for a hole, looking for a bullet hole, for anything,” he said.

While tracking through HVP Plantations land, 4WD owners have been wrecking some of Tyer farmer John Williamson’s fences and shooting his cattle.

Tyers farmer John Williamson is alarming the farming community in the area after finding his fences slashed and cows shot.

“There was no reason for this bull to go down. He was healthy and had been checked the day before.” When searching the ribs, Mr Williamson’s son had found they had been broken, which led to finding a bullet hole. Naturally, Mr Williamson called Triple Zero and the plantation owners, HVP Plantations. Before the incident, Mr Williamson had also found that some of his fences had been ruined alongside the plantation side. “I had one of their (HVP) fellows up here yesterday, and we went for a drive showing they have a lot of trouble with people coming in their pines, trespassing, because the pines are private property,” he said. “The people come through the pines, and they rip up the tracks in their 4WD and shoot and do whatever else. I also had my fence cut - eight different spots there a couple of years ago as well. There's a whole lot of things that have happened in the last four or five years.” Recently, HVP Plantations shared the deep concern of neighbouring landholders regarding any reports of illegal shooting. A HVP Plantations spokesperson told the Gippsland Farmer, "Any alleged illegal shooting, or property damage in and around plantations is unacceptable. "Illegal activities are a serious threat to safety and environmental values, and pose

risks to neighbouring landholders, staff, contractors and the community. "Hunting and the discharge of firearms is not permitted on HVP’s private property without explicit authorisation. The only circumstances where shooting may occur on HVP land are authorised pest management and plantation protection activities, conducted by appropriately qualified and approved personnel under strict controls and safety requirements. "HVP has been working with local Victoria Police and GMA surrounding illegal shooting in the region and will continue to support enforcement and education efforts." HVP is continuing to collaborate with neighbours and the relevant authorities to address this behaviour. HVP encourages anyone who witnesses suspected illegal shooting, trespass or related unsafe behaviour to report it: · If there is an immediate threat to safety or a crime in progress: call Triple Zero (000). To report illegal hunting, contact the Game Management Authority (GMA) on 136 186 (or via GMA’s online reporting form): https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/enforcement/report-illegal-hunting-online . To provide information anonymously: contact Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000 https://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au/ about-us/contact/

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MANKS M A N K S RURAL R U R A L Starving cattle all CONTRACTORS CONTRAC RACTORS Mr Ross confirmed that he had no firm plans for when he would next feed them due to a lack of sufficient feed being available. He further stated that he was not feeding the cattle because he had given up and had ‘lost interest in them’.

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Southey, in sentencing, said the property was a wasteland and the animals must have been very distressed, noting that there was prolonged suffering of a significant number of animals, who were completely helpless and dependent on Mr Ross. Magistrate Southey also highlighted that Mr Ross neglected them grossly, and to suggest that he just lost interest in them was a callous way to treat the animals.

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DESMOND Ross, a farmer from Murrayville, has been fined $10,000 with conviction at the Ouyen Magistrates’ Court on 5 December 2025 after pleading guilty to seven counts of failing to feed his cattle, six counts of aggravated cruelty and one count of failing to comply with a Notice to Comply under the Prevention to Cruelty of Animals Act 1986 (POCTAA). Agriculture Victoria Program Manager Animal Health and Welfare Compliance, Daniel Bode, said following an animal welfare report about dead and dying cattle, Agriculture Victoria officers attended a Murrayville property in January 2025. At the property, officers located 52 cattle, all in poor body condition. This included obvious spine, hip and rib bones which were visible through their dull coats. The officers also counted 43 carcasses of cattle. Officers issued the accused with a Notice to Comply to feed the remaining animals on the property and provided a copy of Agriculture Victoria's Drought Feeding and Management of Beef Cattle Guidebook. Mr Bode confirmed that Mr Ross, who did not reside on the property, failed to comply with the notice and had conceded that the animals had been dying for some time. Mr Ross confirmed that he had no firm plans for when he would next feed them due to a lack of sufficient feed being available. He further stated that he was not feeding the cattle because he had given up and had ‘lost interest in them’. Officers conducted a seizure and euthanised all remaining cattle. Magistrate

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Money on the table for farm forestry FORESTRY Australia is calling for proposals for projects that will support farm forestry and agroforestry in Australia. The funding is made available through the Forestry Australia’s Grower Reserve Fund, with up to $10,000 available per project. The purpose of the Grower Fund is to support projects that meet one or more of the following criteria:  Benefit Forestry Australia’s forest grower members, particularly those engaged in small to medium scale enterprises including farm forestry and agroforestry;  To provide resources, produce educational information or undertake projects to support forest growing;  To support Forestry Australia members and branches to conduct field days, mini-conferences, seminars on forest growing;  To increase the number of grower members of Forestry Australia, and;  To support and encourage Australians to grow more trees. The Grower Reserve Fund will generally not be used to cover expenses that could reasonably be expected to be met from other sources - e.g. catering or food costs for meetings and events that can be recouped via an event cover charge. Proposals will be evaluated by the Forestry Australia Grower Committee and Board on

the basis of the following selection criteria: demonstrated experience and expertise in farm forestry outcomes and value of the project to forest growers and capacity to deliver demonstrated understanding of the reserve fund criteria. Those applying should provide a proposal of no more than four pages that includes the following elements:  A project plan that includes details of the project, its expected outcomes and deliverables, key dates, and how it links to the reserve fund purpose.  A detailed budget including a proposed schedule for the release of the funds.  Key personnel involved in the project. Will the project be undertaken by a company, organisation or individual?  Declarations of interest. A statement that endorses your commitment to Forestry Australia’s Code of Conduct.  Will public liability insurance be covered by the applicant? Noting that Forestry Australia Branch activities are covered by Forestry Australia’s public liability insurance. Submissions close: COB Monday, February 2, 2026. Submit to: growers@ forestry.org.au Page 23: Dollars for timber

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Hemp hits the agenda for local farmers Katrina BRANDON

OPENING the door to a new industry, iHemp Victoria held the annual Global Hemp Summit (GHS) last month at Lardner Park. Over three days, hundreds of people travelled to Lardner Park to learn about the multiple opportunities hemp could bring, including agriculture, construction, and skincare/textiles to Gippsland. Day one of the GHS was a practical session with iHemp Victoria president Darren Christie, who brought along soil microbiologist Norman Olsen and farmer Andrew Cavill, who started the trials at Lardner Park and opened the discussion for the next few days. Attendees had ample opportunity to walk through the rows of hemp, which sparked questions and conversations about how it could become a leading industry. After walking through the field, they stopped for a discussion and introduction to the topic and trials. They covered the failed trials, the successful trials, their product roadmap, and their plans. A constructive discussion was held with providers and industry representatives, during which Mr Christie and Mr Olsen addressed concerns about hemp and provided background information on all aspects of the product. During the session, the discussion highlighted agronomy, soil intelligence, genetics, uniformity, harvesting innovations, fibre processing capacity, construction applications (hempcrete, block systems, cavity

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walls), fire and building standards, and skincare/textiles. On the second day, the Summit moved indoors, where speakers were ready to share their perspectives on the industry. Speakers on the second and third days of the summit ranged from experts at the forefront of their fields to those just beginning their journeys, all discussing industries that could be impacted by hemp. Leading the day, Mr Christie was joined by Kellie O’Callaghan, the chair of Regional Development Victoria, and James Vosper, the president of the NSW Industrial Hemp Association Inc., who MC'd the event. Ms O’Callaghan, former Latrobe City Council mayor, expressed her excitement about the potential industrial impacts on Gippsland, such as bringing another industry to Gippsland, which has seen the loss of two industries and trying to transition both, improving the agricultural sector, shaping the future of construction and encouraging more to explore industry literacy. After Ms O’Callaghan, most speakers on day two of the Summit focused on key topics, including the construction industry, hemp research, and the benefits of hempbased materials. Key construction benefits highlighted during the day included hemp providing insulation in homes, as well as fire-, moisture-, and pest-resistance. While those present discussed whether or not it was “pest-resistant” or not, with some saying

that while some termites won’t go for hemp blocks, there have been some cases where they have. Other key aspects of the day included Dr Hemp and Anthony Karalaris stepping in to discuss the historical elements of hemp across countries, helping the idea resonate with conference attendees, and highlighting Dr Hemp's history with hemp. From the other side of the world, additional speakers presented examples from France and India, discussing potential international connections and partnerships to ensure hemp is used as productively and beneficially as possible, and how it could be done locally. On the final day of the summit, the final notes on hemp covered the current state and future potential of the hemp industry in Gippsland and across Australia, highlighting collaborative efforts, industry challenges, and opportunities in both agriculture and sustainable construction. Education on hemp was also highlighted, talking about getting local farmers involved from Orbost all the way to the South Gippsland areas, whether they are dairy, meat or crop farmers, to take the opportunity to hear how it could benefit their farms, and take part in transforming the timber industry. The Summit wasn’t just about hemp; it was about collaboration among people and clusters. Gippsland professor Mirijana Prica and Dr Nicola Watts highlighted the

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importance of connections, creating a shared space to spread knowledge and invest in people, which, in the broader context, drives societal growth. Others, such as Western Sydney University’s Maggie Davidson, broke down the science behind the products, with Dr Davidson highlighting potential risks and examining the ramifications of hemp in construction, using silica as an example. Each speaker brought their all on the importance of hemp to not just the region, but the world, with industry breakdowns, transitioning into sustainable and energy efficiency, and why the choice is ultimately hemp. For more on the Global Hemp Summit, keep an eye out in the later months of Gippsland Farmer.

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LARDNER Nature on display CATTLE SCALES Katrina BRANDON

Volunteer Jack Weerts was excited to see the exhibition come to life for another year. Photo: Katrina Brandon

introduced to the passion as an exchange student about 25 years ago. In 2001, he returned permanently and has shown great interest in plants and nature. Like the judges, Mr Weertz said that it was an incredible collection on show this year. “It’s (nature) so diverse and that’s what the exhibition shows,” he told the Gippsland Farmer. Mr Waltz said that a lot of the work is quite diverse. Since he has joined the Naturalists, he assisted an ecologist in New South Wales in measuring the area of the ecosystem. During that time, he said that they had found over 26 different species. Within the club’s experience, people can participate in seasonal camps, where they can look closely together at different areas and learn more about the ecosystem in which they live. In December, naturalists will be heading over to Mount Buller, and last year’s was at Wilsons Promontory. For more information on the Latrobe Valley Field Naturalists Club, go to https:// www.lvfieldnats.org/

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PASSIONATE explorers and handy photographers took to exhibiting some of the fungi-est works. Celebrating their 65th year exhibiting and 66th year as an association, the Latrobe Valley Field Naturalists shared their works and adventures with locals The exhibition, Nature of Gippsland, was judged very successful at the Greek Orthodox Church Hall in Morwell, featuring photographs of flora, fauna and landscapes taken in the Gippsland region by club members. Independent judges assessed the photographers, who were quite impressed with the quality of the photographs this year, and were put to the challenge of picking “the best”. The club’s leadership were also quite pleased with the collection and thanked the Latrobe City Council for their ongoing support. The ‘Best In Show’ was awarded to Mitch Smith, who shared his work, Lowlands Copperhead Austrelaps Superbus. Mr Smith was quite pleased with the win. He said, “We often get snakes visiting our property at Woolennook - one warm day, whilst I was out photographing insects, one of our resident snakes, was making her way across the driveway when I approached a bit too closely. She got startled and reacted with this defensive posturing. She was alert but calm, and, after a few quick photos, she was back on her way.” The ‘Best In Show’ award is the Ken Smith Award in memory of a long-time member and outstanding contributor to the LV Field Naturalists. Many naturalists come from far and wide for a chance to speak with like-minded people, with adventures stretching just as far, some even further. Volunteer naturalist Jack Weerts was

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Letters to the editor

Letters welcome to Farmer inbox

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SPRAYING

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SPREADING

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TAKING pen to paper, Gippsland Farmer letters are resuming in 2026. I'm looking forward to seeing the knowledge, thoughts and questions shared throughout the year in the 'Letters to the Editor' section of the Gippsland Farmer. The agriculture industry is one of the leading sectors that needs more recognition for the work done to keep the world turning. As someone who grew up on a farm, I know the importance of sharing knowledge to ensure that not just one person benefits but options are out there for many others. Just have in mind that some methods that work for you may not work for others. Those who try to mock others WILL NOT be printed, but those with helpful insight and suggestions are more than welcome to share space in the paper. Alongside the letters, I also welcome story pitches or stories from around Gippsland to be submitted to my email: kbrandon@ lvexpress.com.au Please keep in mind that some stories may not be able to make it into the paper and that we have to ensure things are accurate, Gippsland specific, not pointed for personal gain (advertising business or political), not defaming or outdated.

Those who also have free farming events are also welcome to send in content. For more keep in mind; the Gippsland Farmer is a monthly publication and only has so much space, is organised to be sent out during the third and forth week of the month and the Gippsland Farmer is a sister paper to the Latrobe Valley Express, which I write for as well. For letters include your;  Full name;  Address (not for publishing apart from town);  Phone number (not for publication), and;  Email (not for publication). Ensuring that both email and phone number is attached ensures that I can contact you if I need any clarification, corrections or even for possible stories. Who knows, everyone has a story, it might just suit the publication if you are willing to share. Please send all letters to kbrandon@lvexpress.com.au Furthermore, I wish the best to all readers and I look forward to learning more from what you (the readers) can share. Katrina BRANDON GIPPSLAND FARMER JOURNALIST

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

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YFF ‘thumbs up’ for freeze on farm levy

VFF President Brett Hosking.

Photo file

THE Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has welcomed the Victorian Government’s decision to freeze the Emergency Services Volunteer Levy for a further two years and increase the property value threshold for volunteer exemptions from $5 million to $10 million. VFF President Brett Hosking said the move is a huge relief for farmers and comes after a huge backlash against the regarded by the VFF as a fundamentally wrong cashgrab. “Farmers will be breathing a huge sigh of relief,” he said. “This tax was set to rip hundreds of millions out of the pockets of cash-strapped farmers in the middle of a record-breaking drought.

“Freezing the levy and increasing the exemption threshold acknowledges the massive pressure farmers have been under, particularly following years of drought and escalating operating costs.” Mr Hosking said he would like to thank Premier Jacinta Allan, Treasurer Jacyln Symes and Minister for Agriculture, Ros Spence, for listening to farmers across Victoria. “Victorian farmers told us the Emergency Services Volunteer Levy was their number one issue and we’ve been moving heaven and earth to get to today’s decision,” he said. “It’s a step in the right direction, now we need real reform so we aren’t staring down the barrel of the same tax in two years’ time.” The VFF will now press the Victorian Government over the next two years to engage in a serious and transparent

discussion about how emergency services are funded in the long term.

“This cannot be the end of the conversation. A pause is great, but we need a permanent and fair and equitable funding model that reflects modern realities and doesn’t continue to load disproportionate costs onto property owners,” he said. “It must be a sustainable system that moving emergency services funding back into consolidated revenue and doesn’t push that burden onto farmers and landholders.” Mr Hosking said before this year’s election, the VFF needed a firm commitment on what the process will look like to work in partnership with farmers to deliver a long-term funding solution - "one that supports farmers, volunteers, strengthens emergency service capability, and treats all Victorians fairly”.

Leongatha saleyards sold

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SALEYARDS operator Regional Livestock Exchanges has completed a deal to purchase the Victorian Livestock Exchange’s Leongatha yards in south-east Victoria. The Leongatha yards are a privately owned, industry-leading livestock selling centre located on the South Gippsland Highway. Since taking over the site in 2006, VLE has completely redeveloped the facility, adding roofing over the selling pens, installing soft flooring, and laying heavy-duty asphalt in the surrounding area. The acquisition of the Leongatha site is consistent with RLX’s strategy to acquire and operate saleyards in strategic locations, with good stock numbers, transport efficiency, and long-term sustainability, the company said in a statement. The sale will expand RLX’s portfolio of saleyards to 11 sites across Victoria, NSW and Queensland. For VLE, completion of the sale will mark the end of an era, having been invested in the Australian livestock industry for more than 27 years. RLX said it had enormous confidence in

the Australian agricultural industry and plans to continue developing and investing in regionally significant and modern livestock facilities. “RLX continues to be open to both further acquisitions and investing in sites that it operates on behalf of other owners,” the company’s statement said. VLE chairman Chris Sleigh said VLE played a key role in the modernisation of the livestock selling sector for many years. “RLX is well funded, well managed and clearly the industry leader of saleyard operations in Australia,” he said. “RLX is the best and natural successor to take over at Leongatha. I know RLX will continue the delivery of efficient services to all yard users.” RLX chief executive Brett Freer said the saleyard at Leongatha was a strategically located site with good volumes and the potential for further development. “RLX is working to close the sale quickly and ensure continuity of sales and services at Leongatha for the benefit of local producers, buyers, agents and the wider community,” he said. Beef Central

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January, 2026

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

www.gippslandfarmer.com.au

Meatstock to fire up Gippsland

VICTORIA, get ready to fire it up! Meatstock, Australia’s one-of-a-kind music and barbecue festival, is coming to the rolling hills of Gippsland, Victoria, in 2026. The ultimate weekend of “BBQ, Bands, and Bedlam” will take place on Friday, April 17th, and Saturday April 18th, 2026, promising an epic sensory overload of world-class barbecue and a star-studded country music line-up. The Jack Daniel’s live stage will feature an unmissable lineup of international country superstars alongside some of Australia’s finest music talent. Friday kicks off with performances by Bryan Martin (USA) together with The Wolfe Brothers, Max Jackson, Rachael Fahim and Briana Dinsdale. Saturday features Morgan Evans, Chase Matthew (USA), Austin Williams (USA), Lane Pittman, Hayley Jensen, Denvah and Abbie Ferris.

BBQ, Battles, and Bedlam

BEYOND iconic country music, Meatstock remains a true carnivore’s dream, featuring everything fans love about the festival:  Heat Beads BBQ Wars: National and international teams will battle it out in the BBQ pit yard, vying for the title of best in their specific protein category.  Australian Butcher Wars: The razor-sharp skills of the nation’s top butchers will be on display in a fastpaced, meat-filled showdown.

 PBR Bull Riding: Get ready for the

toughest 8 seconds in sport! The high-adrenaline, nail-biting, edgeof-your-seat, action of the Professional Bull Riders adds a dynamic element to the festival.  Action-Packed Entertainment: You don’t want to miss the infamous Better Beer Dad Bod Contest, the Beard and Mo Wars, Arm Battles, and of course, the crowd-favourite Sausage Sizzle Throwdown. Guests can also check out the extensive BBQ Expo to find everything they need for their at-home set-up, or for the most daring, get inked at the on-site tattoo station.

The Perfect Weekend Getaway ACCOMMODATION is a breeze at Meatstock, with nearby hotels, local B&BS, or the option to camp on-site. Caravans, RVs, and traditional camping are all available at the venue, making it easy to stay close to the action. Meatstock Gippsland 2026 is the ultimate celebration of barbecue culture and a must-attend event for music lovers and food enthusiasts across Victoria. It’s an event you and your stomach won’t want to miss! All ticket pricing and event information are available at www.meatstock.com.au. You can also follow it on Instagram and Facebook.

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

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It’s raining Gippy beers at Tinamba fest Stefan BRADLEY

BEERS brewed in Gippsland can be found all over the region and beyond, but there's one event in Tinamba that gets them all in the one spot on the same day. Hosting community events like the Gippsland Beer Fest, held on November 30, 2025 at the Tinamba Hotel, have become part of the township's identity, bringing in locals and visitors from across the state to enjoy music, time with friends and family, and of course, a nice cold regionally-brewed beer. Perhaps you drink the same beer you've had for years, or want to try the new variants the brewers have created - some with stories and artwork to enhance the experience. Or you might not be a beer drinker or hell raiser at all, and just wanted to enjoy a day out in the community. Light rain came and went, but it didn't hail like in other parts of Wellington. The venue also hosts the long-running Tinamba Food & Wine Festival in collaboration with Wine Gippsland. Tinamba Hotel owner Simon Johnson said the two events had a different feel. "It's a very different crowd and the vibes are a bit different - the beer fest is a bit more upbeat. This event is obviously about celebrating breweries and cideries, and allowing them to show off their latest releases," Mr Johnson said. "These events are part of the Tinamba township's brand, and it's part of the DNA. We raise some good money for the local community hall, the CFA and the Heyfield Lions Club, and it's those three groups that work together with us as the organisers. Great volunteers make this happen." The food and wine festival was held this year in April, and Mr Johnson told the Gippsland Farmer at the time he was unsure if the beer festival would go ahead

due to rising costs. Thankfully, while the Gippsland beers did brew this year, the rising price of insurance, blocking the roads and security may be obstacles to future events. The breweries and cideries were Maffco Brewery and Taphouse (Maffra), Sailors Grave Brewing (Cape Conran), Good Land Brewing Co (Traralgon East), Bandolier Brewing (Warragul), Ocean Reach Brewing (Cowes), Burra Brewing Co (Korumburra), Five Aces Brewing Co (Neerim South), Gurneys' Cidery (Foster and Fish Creek), and Green Gully Brewing (Cowes). Wheelie Good Pizza (Traralgon South) and the Tinamba Fire Brigade had fantastic food options. Maffco also had a food van, and their display had heaps of colourful craft beer cans to try. Lashay Tricker from Maffco said they wanted each beer to have a story to make them feel "authentic and to represent us". For example, they made a special Irish beer with a Gaelic name in tribute to the backpackers in Ireland who worked for them. And for other beers they came up with a story and a name and threw their ideas into a generative AI program to continue brainstorming and tinkering with it. The colder months are quieter for Maffco, so events like the Gippsland Beer Fest is a great way to earn extra income and allow Gippslanders to try their creations. "And it's about getting your name out there and meeting other people," Ms Tricker said. Leigh Davis from Burra Brewing Co agreed. "And we collaborate with other brewers. We share beers - getting each other's product on tap," Mr Davis said. Each year the festival supports a charity, with more than $2500 raised last year for

the Cancer Council. This year was all about the Little Jem Foundation, which supports families in Gippsland who've suffered the sudden loss of a baby or child during pregnancy, as a newborn or as a young child.

Vicki Ogden of Five Aces Brewing Co, Neerim South. Photos: Stefan Bradley Dylan Berends (left) and Jimmy Krekelberg from Good Land Brewing in East Traralgon.

Lashay Tricker from Maffco with colourful craft beers for drinkers.

Attendees from Maffra.

Wellington Shire locals enjoying time together.

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A revolution in broadband at Hazelwood Katrina BRANDON and Stefan BRADLEY

LET’S get connected! On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, Rural Fibre Co (RFC) brought faster speeds and celebrations to the Hazelwood North Community Hall. Launching their first network location, with one of the most hyper-connected services, RFC were ecstatic to share their milestone. Welcomed with sausages cooked by the local scout group and a display of the tools used to install the network, about 30 people attended the event, able to ask questions and to celebrate the occasion. RFC was established in March 2025 to deliver a vision to bring broadband fibre to underserved rural and regional areas of Gippsland. Opening the event, owner Phillip Britt, one of the founders and former Managing Director of Aussie Broadband, welcomed attendees and shared his vision for RFC. “I had planned to retire from Aussie Broadband, and I thought, I’m too young to retire,” he told the crowd. "We think that Hazelwood North will have close to the fastest internet connectivity of any rural community in Australia, and will also be faster than many urban areas as well. "It will make a significant difference to the people living and working in Hazelwood North - in fact, we've already seen that with our test customers. "As an example, there are people who can work from home for the first time - ever thanks to their RFC connection." Mr Britt said that while he was at Aussie Broadband, he urged NBN to deliver fibre broadband into more areas, but NBN chose to develop Fixed Wireless into areas like Hazelwood North, Glengarry and Rosedale. Fixed Wireless uses 4G/5G technology to transmit data over radio signals from a transmission tower to an outdoor antenna installed at the customer’s premises.

About 30 people attended the launch held at the Hazelwood North Community Hall on December 9.

This technology will slow down during the peak periods in the evenings, whereas fibre won’t have that problem. Customers connected to the new network are seeing speeds of up to 2,500 Mbps, about 25 times faster than their previous average speed available through the NBN Fixed Wireless network, and about five times faster than the theoretical top speed for both fixed wireless and Space X’s Starlink. Customers who sign up within the first six months receive a free fibre connection to their home. Connections are through retail partners, with Splice Internet - also owned by Mr Britt - the only partner currently signed on to the network. RFC already has 55 customers connected to the network, with another 45 orders in the system. Mr Britt thanked the attendees, with some being customers of the service, for “their patience” as they worked on the streets to install the fibre. Over the next four to five years, Mr Britt said that he also aims to install further fibre throughout the region.

To prepare for action, employees have received training through simulations to install fibre in the ground.

With a small team of 31 that’s mostly doing all the work rather than subcontracting, RFC is constrained by their limited resources. While Mr Britt has already invested millions of dollars into the business, government funding would go a long way into potentially speeding up the rollout. A RFC spokesperson told the Gippsland Farmer that Latrobe and Wellington areas will be the first on the rollout map. “Ideally, Phil would like to do all of Gippsland,” they said. “In fact, we've got people from South Australia putting in expressions of interest. So there's an appetite for this right across the country, but we can only go so far at the moment. “Our main focus areas at the moment are Latrobe Valley and Wellington. From here (Hazelwood North), next on the list is Glengarry.” Other towns on the ‘rollout’ map include Churchill, Cowwar, Glengarry, Hazelwood South, Longford, Morwell North, Rosedale, Toongabbie, Traralgon East, Traralgon North, Traralgon West, Tyers and Yinnar. Work is expected to begin on the Traralgon West network early in 2026. Alongside the privilege of faster internet access, RFC aims to employ locally and keep most work in-house to ensure Gippslanders have ample opportunities in the industry. Mr Britt said it is making a significant difference to costs and helping to develop new skill sets for the region. "This is really a business by Gippslanders, for Gippslanders," he said. "We want Gippsland to be at the forefront of connectivity rather than on the back burner. This is an investment in our region and our community." Some aspects of the job include laying ducts, laying fibre, reinstating worksites, software development, home installations, customer service, and more. Due to the nature of the work, the company provides training, allowing those learning to drill to practice on a simulator and become familiar with the work. “It's been a learning experience for us,” the spokesperson said.

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“We had picked up a couple of experienced staff - none of them really had experience with drills or other machinery, so they did a month and a half of training to get them up to speed. From there, the machinery suppliers were very helpful with the training.” Asked about connecting fibre to farming properties, the spokesperson said if their fibre network goes past the road outside they’ll be able to connect them. But as they are focusing on denser populations, it’s unlikely that remote properties in Gippsland can be connected. Farmers who are able to connect to fibre can of course benefit from faster speeds and a more reliable connection to run their operations more efficiently or stream Stranger Things at home in 4K. Further information can be found at www. ruralfibre.co NBN users on Fixed Wireless saw speed upgrades earlier this year and increased the range of that network as part of a $750 million upgrade. It also moved a number of satellite customers onto Fixed Wireless. Despite the service boost, it’s not as reliable as full fibre connections. There certainly is demand for faster broadband in Gippsland. According to NBN, Gippsland has seen a 9.5 per cent increase in average household downloads in the last year. Gippslanders should enter their address at the NBN website to see if which technology is available and if they're eligible for free upgrades to a full fibre connection. Satellite users who haven't been moved to Fixed Wireless will soon be moved to Amazon LEO (previously named Project Kuiper) sometime in the middle of next year, which uses similar technology to Starlink.

One of the founders and former Managing Director of Aussie Broadband, Phillip Britt, is stepping into putting better internet speeds in Gippsland. Photos: Katrina Brandon

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Getting the young on board dairy train

Giving an opportunity for farmers from all sides of the agriculture sector to socialise, the Young Dairy Network, who are a part of GippsDairy, welcomed people to Mirboo North’s Walter J Tuck Reserve last month. Katrina BRANDON

WORKING to get young people into dairy, the GippsDairy Young Dairy Network (YDN) held a family fun day at Mirboo North’s Walter J Tuck Reserve in November 2025. “The aim of the committee is about including our younger generation and getting every member of the family involved, and networking and being social, meeting each other, making connections and building community,” YDN committee member Alex Boileau told the Gippsland Farmer. “That's what this day is really aimed at providing and bringing people together from across Gippsland to meet people that they may not have met before, and for the younger kids too, to have that opportunity as well, which they don't often get.” More than 100 people registered for the event, with the majority turning up despite the wet weather that soaked the grounds, which, for some attendees, added to the excitement. Committee member Luke

Johnson said that, despite the group's name, the events are not exclusive to dairy farmers. “Even if you just come in two weeks into the industry, come along,” he said. “That is one of our main goals: to create a place where everyone in the industry is equal. There's no divide between dairy farmers and service providers. We just want everyone to be able to get involved.” Ms Boileau and Mr Johnson said that one of the biggest challenges these days for farmers or those in the industry is finding a community that suits them, and that it can be quite isolating, as some don’t feel they can leave the farm. “Making it really known to be inclusive is that it can be a really challenging thing for young people who are new to the industry, new to the area, and really trying to get on their feet,” Ms Boileau said. “I've noticed in my line of work that at a lot of the other GippsDairy events, a lot of the younger people are busy working on the

The Young Dairy Network welcomed many attendees at their event last month, with Santa giving out lollies and a warm welcome to the children, including young Gippsland farmer Bella (4).

Santa became the main event at the Young Dairy Network last month, even entertaining the kids with the bouncy castle. Photos: Katrina Brandon

farm and don't get the opportunity to come out. So we've really tried to make a lot more events at night, or like social events on the weekends, just to work around younger people's schedules and busy days on the farm, and obviously, children as well. “We've got equal representatives from across Gippsland, but also an excellent equal split of service providers and farmers. But the one thing that we are all really focused on is creating that sense of community. And just even though we do provide a mixture of technical events and social events, that the focus is always around, getting people off farms, getting people opportunity to, like, whether it's at the pub and have a beer together, or have a meal or or here today with the kids, like just creating those social situations and working opportunities.” In 2026, Ms Boileau and Mr Johnson hope to increase engagement at industry events among people in the industry, as well as find events that suit all generations. During the event, warm drinks were

available for attendees with a side of popular snacks and event food, popcorn and fairy floss. Young children enjoyed face painting, a bouncy castle, bubbles, and more. While the event was geared toward younger generations, the day became “a chance to be a kid again” for parents who wanted to enjoy popcorn and snacks, with cheese optional from Tarago Cheese. While parents chilled undercover and in the cricket room, local musician Tegan Blackstock entertained the crew with music she had played at Tamworth and other country hits. Lunch was provided for attendees, helping the younger ones regain energy and giving others a chance to warm up with the roast provided by Gippsland business owner Craig Young. Youth present were also seen running through the event in a race from one side of the oval to the other, through giant bubbles, and to great Santa, who arrived with many gifts for the young ones and later joined the bouncy castle fun.

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Researchers help farmers gauge rainfall

FEDERATION University researchers have developed a tool that reveals spatial variations in rainfall over short distances, providing farmers with an unprecedented level of detail about rainfall on their properties. Rainfall Mapper enables users to select tiles that are 500 by 500 metres for specific locations and time periods - allowing the tool to be used by farmers to gain greater insight into rainfall information specific to their property. With increased access to information about past rainfall, the tool enables farmers to make more informed decisions, including crop planning and irrigation strategies. Available to the public on a trial basis, Rainfall Mapper is a standalone, online application developed by the technical team from the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation (CeRDI) based on the initial work done by Dr Peter Weir during his Soil CRC PhD project. The trial results will help improve the design of the tool to enhance the user experience, enabling the research team to gain a deeper understanding of the varied, practical applications of the tool. This will guide the research direction of optimising the practical value of Rainfall Mapper for different users. The project was developed from Dr Weir's PhD research, which involved determining soil moisture content at the paddock level and investigating the spatial variation in rainfall within an area. "It is an area measurement - not a point measurement from a single location and that means the app has the capability of picking up rainfall details of localised thunderstorms that often occur unmeasured between official Bureau of Meteorology gauges," Dr Weir said. Regional rain gauges are sparsely located

New rainfall tool developed by Federation University to assist farmers.

with an average distance of around 30-50 kilometres between these single-point measurements. "We're very careful with our disclaimer because the rainfall amounts are dependent on the modelling of the weather radar signal to estimate the amount of rain that has fallen in that specific area, but the results are extremely interesting." Rainfall Mapper uses data sourced from the official Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) rain gauge network from across Australia, merged with the BoM's weather radars to generate the Rainfields3 dataset, which is available online from the National Computing Infrastructure - Australia's premier provider of high-performance

computing resources that supports research and collaboration across science, government, and industry. It is currently available as a component within the Visualising Australasia's Soils (VAS) portal - a long-running Soil CRC initiative that brings together soils research, information and activities from across Australia and New Zealand. CeRDI Principal Research Fellow Associate Professor Peter Dahlhaus, who supervised the project, says there are many potential applications for the Rainfall Mapper, including for anyone who wants information specific to their property. "If you're a farmer and you want to seed your paddock, you would like to know how

much rain you've had since the last harvest, and when and where the rain has fallen", Assoc Prof Dahlhaus said. "It's farmers and farming groups that are currently showing interest in the app. Apart from the agricultural sector, I anticipate strong interest from people involved in catchment management and those living in high-rainfall areas. Biodiversity groups are also likely to find this tool valuable." "The resolution is so much finer than any other tool that is available and rainfall patterns have shifted due to climate change. Instead of getting normal reliable winter rain, we're now getting more scattered intense rain events and scattered showers." The tool relies on modelled data that converts reflectivity picked up by weather radar - often detected up to a kilometre off the ground - and converting that to rainfall. Assoc Prof Dahlhaus said the research is "shining a light in a dark corner" to show already available information in a userfriendly way. Rainfall Mapper includes two years of data and allows users to select specific date parameters. The researchers demonstrated the concept at the Soil CRC conference in 2024 and say the interest that was generated was far beyond their expectations. "Now we are going on to the next step, which is to convert this rainfall data into soil moisture at a finer resolution than we have been able to do so far," Assoc Prof Dahlhaus said. "The important point is not just the rain that has fallen on a specified area - this is valuable information - but a lot more interest will come when people are able to say how much water is in the bucket." Dr Weir's PhD research was supported by the Soil CRC with funding from the Australian Government.

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Helping hand for health of Blue Rock Lake VISITORS to Blue Rock Lake will benefit from new erosion control works that will protect the foreshore track - ensuring continued access and supporting the lake’s health. The Blue Rock Lake Foreshore Stabilisation and Community Path Renewal Project will start in February 2026, when water levels at the lake are typically lower, to rehabilitate around 130 metres of eroded shoreline. Funding of $43,000 from Regional Development Victoria’s Tiny Towns Fund will see large rocks placed adjacent to the track, creating a ‘beach’ that will protect the foreshore and track from further damage caused by wave action and weather. Latrobe Catchment Landcare Network Project Officer Caroline Hammond said

Erosion control to protect shoreline

Photo: file

the track must be temporarily closed to complete the works. “We will need to close the track for between seven to ten days, depending on the weather and appreciate the community’s patience

as we work to complete the job quickly,” she said. “We will notify the community and install signage and project information on notice boards at the lake and in the local area to keep residents and lake users updated,” she said. This project is being delivered in partnership by Latrobe Catchment Landcare Network (LCLN), Southern Rural Water, West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (the CMA), and the Tanjil Valley Landcare Group. Caroline said this project will help protect the environmental and recreational values of Blue Rock Lake well into the future. Once erosion control works are complete, Tanjil Valley Landcare Group will host a

community planting day to revegetate the site with native riparian, ephemeral, and aquatic species. The West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority Rivers and Wetlands Officer, Matt Koury said these plantings will strengthen the foreshore, slow water impact, and create valuable fish habitat. “This project will protect and improve access to this much-loved community space, while later next year native aquatic plants will be restored to the foreshore as new habitat for fish and wildlife,” said Matt. Regional Development Victoria’s Tiny Towns Fund helps small towns enhance local infrastructure, strengthen communities, and create healthier, more vibrant places to live.

Capturing carbon on farms ‘key weapon’ against climate change THE world’s farms could become one of the most powerful tools in the fight against climate change, according to a new international study led by QUT. Published in Plant Physiology, the paper lays out a framework to assess how plant agriculture and synthetic biology innovations can help mitigate climate change by cutting greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon storage. The Lead author, Professor Claudia Vickers, said that while farming contributes substantially to global emissions, its vast footprint means even modest improvements in carbon capture or emissions reduction can deliver global-scale impact. Professor Vickers is from the QUT School of Biology and Environmental Science, Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy, QUT Centre for Environment and Society, and the ARC Centre

of Excellence in Synthetic Biology. “Global croplands are estimated to capture more than 115 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide annually through photosynthesis,” she said. “Even modest improvements in how crops capture, use, and store that carbon, if applied across existing farmland, could deliver huge climate benefits.” The study introduces a quantitative framework to compare the potential of different strategies - from bioengineering crop traits to non-genetic approaches like biochar and reforestation. Professor Vickers said the framework helps compare “apples with apples” by considering not just the carbon captured per hectare, but also scalability, durability, technical feasibility and socioeconomic fit. The researchers found that reducing reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilisers

could have the most immediate, largescale effects, each offering gigatonne-level potential for carbon mitigation. In the longer term, synthetic biology approaches could collectively contribute up to 260 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent drawdown over the next century. The analysis shows that while the amount of carbon captured per hectare varies greatly across strategies, the ultimate impact depends most on the scale of deployment, and according to the authors, no single intervention will be sufficient. Instead, a portfolio of strategies is needed, combining mature solutions that can be deployed immediately with innovations still in development. Professor Vickers said that successful interventions must be technically feasible, economically viable, durable, and scalable, while

ensuring minimal harm to ecosystems. “Improving agricultural carbon sequestration also helps deliver to food, feed and fibre priorities, along with farmer income and security. This makes these solutions triple bottom line solutions - addressing social, environmental, and economic outcomes,” she said. “Agriculture is uniquely positioned to both feed the world and fight climate change. “But we need to focus on the interventions that can deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes. Our work provides a roadmap to do just that.” Read the full paper, Harnessing Plant Agriculture to Mitigate Climate Change: A Framework to Evaluate Synthetic Biology (and other) Interventions, published in Plant Physiology, online.

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RESHEET FARM TRACKS FARM TRACK MAINTENANCE DAM CLEANING DRAINAGE

PH: 03 5134 8692

EMAIL: ADMIN@ACEEARTHMOVING.COM.AU 20

January, 2026

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January, 2026

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

www.gippslandfarmer.com.au

Step taken towards energy zones David BRAITHWAITE

THE state government has released draft orders for renewable energy zones (REZs), two of which take in parts of Wellington Shire. Energy and Resources Minister Lily D'Ambrosio issued draft renewable energy zone orders for five onshore REZs - Gippsland, Western, Central Highlands, North West and South West. These areas have been identified as most suitable to host new solar, wind and battery developments, while minimising the impact on communities and the environment. The Gippsland REZ is proposed take up an area between Sale and Moe. The minister also issued a draft order for the Gippsland Shoreline REZ, which is designed to coordinate the private underground cables that connect offshore wind generation to the shared network. The Gippsland Shoreline REZ, proposed for an area stretching from Reeves Beach along the coast to Seaspray and up to the South Gippsland Highway, is not designed to host onshore wind and solar project, but be a limited area specifically for infrastructure, such as underground cables, to connect offshore wind farms to the power grid. The map of this zone has "offshore wind shoreline crossing areas" at McLoughlins Beach, Giffard and Seaspray. The orders are seen as a step towards the formal declaration of the zones, which the government says will help coordinate

The draft Gippsland Renewable Energy Zone is in the grey area, and the Gippsland Shoreline Renewable Energy Zone is the blue. Image: VicGrid

renewable energy developments, minimise impacts and deliver benefits for communities. Consultation is now open on the draft orders until February 22, offering the public another chance to provide feedback to help shape development of renewable energy zones. Consultation and technical work has gone into developing the zones, with VicGrid listening

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projects to enable the zone, and the intended hosting capacity that the planned transmission network could support in the zone. The orders make it a requirement that solar, wind and battery developers meet government expectations for community engagement and deliver social value and economic benefits. VicGrid chief executive Alistair Parker said coor dinating

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and responding to the input from communities, landholders and industry. VicGrid is now seeking any significant new information about sensitive areas, potential impacts or areas that are suitable for development that wasn't identified in previous rounds of consultation. Each draft order sets out a map of the zone, transmission

development in renewable energy zones would give communities and industry greater certainty, minimise impacts and keep down costs. "Coal-fired power stations are becoming unreliable and closing down and the cheapest option to replace them is solar and wind generation backed by storage and transmission infrastructure," he said. "This is a big change that has the potential to leave a lasting legacy for regional and rural Victoria if it's well-managed and planned. "Renewable energy zones will play a key role in helping us coordinate the energy transition and ensure that local communities see real benefits and are treated with respect." All of the feedback received on the draft orders will be reviewed and relevant new information will be incorporated to help define zone boundaries or other aspects of the draft orders. The minister will then make a decision about the formal declaration of renewable energy zones. These areas were identified in the 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan. Information on consultation on the proposed Central North REZ will be announced early next year. For more information about the draft renewable energy zone orders and how to provide feedback, visit engage.vic.gov.au/ renewable-energy-zone-orders

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January, 2026

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

www.gippslandfarmer.com.au

Major dollars boost for timber industry  Bio-based

Philip HOPKINS

MILLIONS of dollars in new federal research investments are expected to help accelerate innovation across Victoria's plantation, woodfibre and engineered wood manufacturing sectors. Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) has confirmed a new round of research investments designed to strengthen bio-based materials, renewable energy, and climate-resilient forestry. The announcement was made by Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins, at the 2025 Forestry Australia Conference in Adelaide. Together, these investments represent more than $30 million in co-investment from industry and research partners, reflecting AFWI's national mission to connect science, industry and communities. The Victorian Forest Products Association (VFPA) welcomed the announcement, which it said would support jobs, housing supply and greater sovereign manufacturing capability. VFPA Chief Executive Officer, Andrew White, said the policy recognises Victoria's leadership in plantation forestry and its pivotal role in delivering more homes built with sustainable, locally made timber. "Victoria is the home of plantation forestry - and this new wave of AFWI investment will help unlock the next generation of engineered wood products, advanced manufacturing and potential for biofuels development," Mr White said. "These projects will deliver longterm benefits for housing, jobs and regional innovation right across the state." Some of the newly announced AFWI-funded projects that will benefit Victoria include:  Advanced Manufacturing Precinct Strategy, which will bring together industry, research and government partners to develop new engineered

A new round of investments into forestry has been confirmed by AFWI.

wood products, prefabricated dwellings and bio-based co-products at scale. The project aims to grow domestic manufacturing capacity and displace imported engineered wood products, ensuring Victoria is less dependent on imports and retains more value-adding locally.  Giant Pine Scale (GPS) research. Biosecurity research that aims to provide sustainable management options for exotic pest giant pine scale (GPS), including new biocontrol options being developed in Victoria (a Greek fly). Currently confined to urban Melbourne and Adelaide, GPS threatens the productivity of Australia's vital softwood industry, including plantations in Gippsland, that goes into housing supply, as other than tree removal, there are currently no effective control options.

 Fibre to Fuels project, which is

designed to link Australia's sustainable forestry sector with the fast-growing renewable energy market. It focuses on how industry can most effectively turn forestry residues into low-carbon liquid fuels and other high-value products. This approach could help make better use of underused wood fibre residues, creating new income opportunities for forestry businesses, and supports the shift toward cleaner energy sources. Mr White said these projects show how Victoria's forestry and wood manufacturing sectors are driving solutions that directly address Australia's housing and supply chain challenges, whilst protecting vital timber plantations from biosecurity threats. Other projects in the funding include:  Activated carbon, biochar and beyond: enhancing pathways for hardwood forest waste;

Photo iStock

construction systems for small-footprint dwellings and multifunctional outbuildings; bio-processing for  Innovative treated timber waste: advancing the timber industry circular bioeconomyAutomated design for prefabrication in timber construction;  Developing genomic infrastructure for Australian forest tree breeding and research applications, and;  Advanced manufacturing innovation strategy and feasibility to catalyse largescale prefabricated dwelling adoption. Mr White said the funding highlights the power of collaboration between industry, researchers and government. "AFWI's investment will help transform research into real-world solutions - strengthening regional communities, supporting local manufacturing and ensuring more Australians can build homes with Victorian timber," he said. According to the recent BDO economic impact study commissioned by Forest & Wood Products Australia, every direct job in Victoria's wood-fibre and timber manufacturing sector supports around 1.7 additional jobs across the wider economy - a total employment multiplier of nearly three. "This means investments like these AFWI projects not only have the potential to create direct employment in research, forestry and manufacturing, but will also drive future job creation through transport, trades, and regional service industries across Victoria," he said. The AFWI investment program is funded through the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), with co-investment from industry, universities, stakeholders and state agencies. The suite of high-impact projects has been endorsed, subject to final contracting with host institutions.

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

www.gippslandfarmer.com.au

Virtual fencing tipped to boost productivity From Page 1

A PERSON must not sell, hire or supply an electronic collar unless they maintain a record of the following details about the purchaser, hirer or recipient of the collar for a period of seven years:  The full name of the purchaser, hirer or recipient;  The street address of the property where the electronic collar is to be used;  Contact telephone number or email address for the purchaser, hirer or recipient;

 The date of sale, hire or supply of

the electronic collar, and;  If the street address is in Victoria, the seller, hirer, or supplier must obtain written evidence from the recipient that the electronic collars will be used only as part of a licensed scientific procedure. In a VFF statement, Mr Hosking thanked Ms Spence for “behind-the-scenes work” and years of work. In addition, United Dairy Farmers of Victoria President, Bernie Free, said the green-lighting of the technology would help

ensure Victoria’s dairy industry has the certainty they need to innovate and remain globally competitive. “Virtual fencing technology is an absolute game-changer for Victorian dairy farmers. It allows farmers to rotate pastures more efficiently, protect environmentally sensitive areas, improve animal health outcomes and provide a safer work environment,” he said “Victoria is already Australia’s dairy industry powerhouse. This move is set to reinforce that mantle and set the platform for the potential of huge growth in our local sector.

“We have continually advocated for a regulatory framework that keeps pace with innovation, while maintaining strong animal welfare standards. The outcome announced today achieves exactly that, and it sets an exciting precedent for the years ahead.” For more information, go to https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/ livestock-and-animals/animal-welfare-victoria/livestock-management-and-welfare/ livestock-confinement

Farming innovation on show at on-farm events Stefan BRADLEY

INNOVATIONS in tech to boost livestock and pasture management was the topic of a series of recent on-farm events in Gippsland, including at the Gumgrove Park dairy farm. Hosted by GippsDairy, the event, titled ‘Data to Dollars: Does New Tech Really Pay?’, saw about 25 farmers see how tools like virtual fencing, monitoring collars, auto gate openers, pasture meters, and smart fence lifters could boost productivity and profitability in their farming system. Perry Bridge beef farmers David and Ruth Read, of Woodcote, demonstrated the Pensagro Automatic Poly Wire Lifter, which is solar powered. “So it just allows us to get the animals to move to their next break in the paddock and they can do that without us needing to be there,” Mr Read said. “So we set up three breaks in the morning. We give them one manually and then we have the two (poly wire) lifters. It'll lift the poly wire up, then the cows can move themselves at

Farmers informed GippsDairy and Dairy Australia what they wanted to learn more about, and the events were centred around that. Photo: Halter

two other times in the day. We usually set up for 1 pm and 4pm. And that's their allotment for the rest of the day and we’ll come back the next morning and reset it all and start again.” Mr Read said he’d been using the lifters for 18 months and it meant they haven’t had to drive up to their livestock every three hours. “It frees us up for the rest of the day,” he said. “It just means we get better pasture utilisation by having them into a small area for a short time and then they go onto a fresh patch.” Halter is a New Zealand company that’s set

up operations in Australia, who provide beef and dairy farmers virtual fencing and pasture management services through a collar, network tower and smartphone app. Caitlin Adlam, a business development executive from the company, gave a presentation about how Halter’s product could be used to provide more data to farmers and improve operations. It allows farmers to guide stock around remotely and receive alerts for their health. It already sounds futuristic, but Ms Adlam’s

presentation also mentioned artificial intelligence, a multi-tiered subscription model, wi-fi, solar power and software updates, which may be concerning for some people. She told the Gippsland Farmer the software would still work without the internet, with the transmission tower doing much of the work. And the functions on the app are through cloud computing, so can be done on a browser. The Halter technology in 2024 and 2025 was used at the Agriculture Victoria Ellinbank Smartfarm, and research scientist Meaghan Dougles spoke about their experience using it. Last week, similar events were held in Orbost, Omeo, Bairnsdale and Ellinbark. Jackie Aveling from GippsDairy said farmers wanted to know more about collar technology and other innovations, and this drove these experiences. “This is peer-to-peer learning for farmers, around who is trialing what and what they can share. That’s what these discussion groups are about,” Veronica McLeod from GippsDairy said.

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January, 2026

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

www.gippslandfarmer.com.au

Genomic help to boost sheep breeding

WEATHERBYS Scientific, a world leader in genomics, has announced the launch of a powerful new genomic tool developed exclusively with neXtgen Agri for commercial sheep breeders in Australia and New Zealand to accelerate their flock’s genetic gains. The release of neXtPredict signals a new partnership for the industry and follows years of research and development, led by Meat & Livestock Australia, to connect genomic breeding values (GBVs) to on-farm breeding programs in commercial flocks. Breeders are now able to obtain detailed and accurate genomic information on individual commercial animals, as well as obtain the advice they need to interpret the results and to select the right animals to achieve their breeding and business objectives. The neXtPredict test provides genomic predictions for traits including fibre diameter, fleece weight, and body weight, along with traits important for dual-purpose flocks like weaning rate and condition score. The test is based on research from Meat & Livestock Australia and validation work conducted in 2024 by the Animal Genetics & Breeding Unit (AGBU) at the University of New England, which involved the analysis of more than 10,000 DNA samples from 19 commercial Merino flocks. After participants provided phenotypic information on their genotyped animals, the validation study confirmed correlations between individual animal performance and the new genomic prediction. “Overall, participants were excited about the availability of a tool to genomically rank animals,” the report stated. Weatherbys Scientific Territory Manager, Tamarah Luxton, said the research showed the

New tool released for sheep breaders.

significant potential that could be unlocked for sheep breeders. “The findings established two critically important things: that this tool accurately predicts the performance of a commercial animal in key traits based on a simple genetic test, and that it can be done costeffectively,” Ms Luxton said. “Weatherbys Scientific is bringing that tool to market as neXtPredict, backed by a new partnership that will offer guidance to breeders no matter where they are on their genetic improvement journey. This represents an opportunity to make breeding decisions earlier and accelerate genetic gains through subsequent generations to

Photo: iStock

unlock greater profitability.” A new level of support for breeders In a unique partnership for Australia and New Zealand, Weatherbys Scientific has joined with neXtgen Agri to provide breeders not only with genomic insights into their flock but also the expertise of geneticists and expert breeding consultants. CEO of neXtgen Agri, Mark Ferguson, said the integrated approach would ensure breeders get the most accurate information, and the level of support to ensure the best outcomes. “Often breeders are handed a CSV file or Excel spreadsheet of data and are expected to interpret that information,” Mr Ferguson said. “You can

end up having really accurate information but can still feel confused about how to put that information to its best use. That is what is unique about this partnership. We have consultants to help interpret and analyse the information to make it a smooth and confident decision-making process.” Users of neXtPredict will have three selection tool options to choose from:  neXtPredict Core. Breeders receive Genomic Breeding Values (GBVs) for 13 traits and in five indexes in a user-friendly platform. Producers can have confidence in the data driving the evaluation, powered by the Sheep Genetics MERINOSELECT database. The GBVs and indexes are presented visually, with filtering tools for easy ranking by single or multiple traits.  neXtPredict Plus. In addition to Core features, breeders can create their own indexes by weighting traits according to their breeding objectives. Animals are ranked according to these customised settings, helping breeders target specific goals. They will also have correlation matrices that can be used to see how the traits are interacting  neXtPredict Pro. Advanced features include the ability to incorporate on-farm measurements (e.g. structural traits and dag scores) into animal rankings, store and track flock data across years, and, receive tailored support and strategic advice from neXtgen Agri consultants. “This is a first for our Australian and New Zealand woolgrowers - a partnership which delivers simple, actionable decisions backed by the accuracy of genomics from Weatherbys and the expert knowledge of the neXtgen Agri team,” Ms Luxton said. Page 35: Sheep report

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January, 2026

BEEF

WEEK w e i v e pr

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eef Week 2026 runs from Wednesday the 28th of January to Wednesday the 4th of February. Starting in southern New South Wales and finalising in Eastern South Australia the Regions have been downsized this year to allow more attendees to visit more studs. This week is a fantastic opportunity to network with other breeders and inspect bulls prior to the Autumn Bull Sales. So if you are looking to increase your herd, there are some exeptional offerings available for inspection, with the studs ready to answer all your questions and help you find the perfect sire.

Annual Bull Sale On-Property - Opposite Ensay Saleyards Wednesday the 11th of March 2026 - 1.30pm

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Open Beef Week Day 3 Friday 30th January 2026 40 HEREFORD & POLL HEREFORD BULLS FOR SALE

Nunniong Hereford Stud Phillip (Bluey) Philli (Bl )C Commins. i E Ensay - Vi Victoria t i - 3895 Ph: Ph (03) (03) 5157 3331 Mob: M b 0427 573 331 January, 2026

BEEF WEEK PREVIEW 2026

Banquet Angus

veryone is welcome to the Banquet Angus Field Day at Mortlake on Tuesday the 3rd of February. This is a great opportunity to meet the Branson Family and casually inspect the 100 bulls catalogued for their Autumn Bull Sale, on Thursday 26th February. The first sons of Banquet Sensation S005 will feature in Banquet’s Autumn Bull Sale. S005 was selected by Mountain Valley Stud in Banquet’s 2022 Spring Sale for the top sale price of $65,000. He was used in AI and Embryo Transfer at Banquet and his sons and daughters are

standouts for muscularity, hair type, structure and docility. Sensation S005 is a son of the legendary Banquet Quiet Y091. Several sons of Y091 have been used at Banquet. The progeny of the super star sire Banquet Nuttella N462 will again feature. Progeny of Nuttella excel for temperament, structure, fertility, do ability, survivability and real performance in the paddock. His sons have met with strong buying support and progeny reports are excellent. Any producer searching for these

GIPPSLAND FARMER SPECIAL FEATURE

sustainability traits would be wise to inspect sons of Nuttella N462. Other new sires include Banquet Statesman S154, Banquet Sunrise S236 and Banquet Specialty S323. Banquet will have a selection of the 100 PTIC Banquet blood commercial heifers on display. These will be offered as part of the Banquet Autumn Sale on February 26th. The heifers were purchased from long term Banquet clients at last year’s Weaner Sales. They have been joined to Banquet sires selected for their calving ease.

Banquet Sensation S005 Sons feature for sale February 2026

This elite offering is a great opportunity to fast track the improvement of your commercial herd. They also showcase what you can produce with generations of Banquet genetics.

Raedean Red Angus

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nnette, Noel and Georgia, welcome you to visit them on their open day. Their focus is on economic traits and they cull heavily for undesirable traits to keep improving their herd. A docile temperament is extremely important to them along with structural correctness, good feet and udders. They will have their spring herd on display along with an excellent selection of young bulls for sale. On the day you will be able to walk though all the cattle on display and Georgia will be excited to show you her stud cattle. Calves at foot are sired by RA Thor, Raedean Rainman, Tronar Zoro, Willandra Eric and Raedean Uranium. They have some exciting young bulls for purchase by Hillandale Red Jude J18 x

Red MRLA Respect 42G, others sired by Raedean Rainman R13, Tronar Jeb, Tronar Kemble and Raedean Statement S15. The Respect progeny are the only progeny in Southern Australia, a small quantity of semen was brought in conjunction with GK Red Angus in Dalby, Queensland. They are continually striving to improve and introduce new bloodlines into their herd such as from Bandeeka, MRLA, U2, Tronar and GK and their most recent purchase was a new herd sire Goondoola Utah. Utah is a complete outcross for their herd, they saw his grandsire Red Northline Revival in Canada and were very impressed with him. Raedean welcome you to inspect their Red Angus herd and select your new sire from their high performing functional female herd.

FOCUSED ON 025 OPEN DAY SATURDAY 31 JANUARY 2026 ECONOMIC TRAITS 28

January, 2026

BEEF WEEK PREVIEW 2026

GIPPSLAND FARMER SPECIAL FEATURE

Doben Park Shorthorns

ince 1977 the Benson families have been breeding Shorthorn cattle on their properties at Buln Buln, West Gippsland. Through their stud, Doben Park Shorthorns they currently run, 130 registered and commercial cows, 25 registered and commercial unjoined yearling heifers and 28 registered and commercial weaner heifers. The cows are joined to a roan and red Yamburgan Bred Shorthorn bulls and were selected for their excellent fertility, calving ease, mothering, milking ability and docility. These inherent qualities combine to produce more live and healthy calves which have the ability to grow quickly. These calves finish on pasture and/or grain which then produces high yielding premium quality meat with marbling and even fat distribution. They are well placed to satisfy demand for superior eating qualities, tenderness and flavour with their marbling ability and are suitable for both the domestic and export markets. The Shorthorn bull has the ability be crossed with Angus or Angus infused females to increase growth through hybrid vigour, maintaining the marbling both breeds are renowned for. When using a red Shorthorn bull over an Angus cow the outcome is an ideal F1 throughout Gippsland and this cross will produce a predominantly black calf. Using a white or roan bull over the Angus or Angus infused cow will predominantly produce the Steely Blue calf. Then the white or roan bull over the Hereford or Hereford infused cow will predominantly produce the strawberry roan or a broken faced calf with the hybrid vigour. The Shorthorn bull is a great alternative in the dairy Industry he will produce the type of

dairy Beef calf the processes are looking for. The advantage of the Shorthorn breed is that whilst the steers are turning out quality carcases their sisters are back at home forming the basis of a functional, efficient cow herd. Through their ability to provide greater weight gain, lay down a fat cover and provide a quality carcase from a cross bred female the Shorthorns continue to provide a profitable opportunity for commercial cattlemen. This is seeing Shorthorns to be highly profitable in the grass fed and feeder markets.

The Australian beef industry is moving away from commodity beef production to a value based brand system which now means that the beef that is produced has to deliver the right quality to fit the brand specifications to underpin your premiums. The beef that is produced also has to resonate with consumers beyond the new industry standards with Shorthorn Beef becoming one of the most sought after beef products on the market today with high end dining establishments. The addition of Shorthorn genetics into your herd will increase the ability to deliver a

premium beef product and will ensure your program will deliver both value and maximise returns for the future. Shorthorns are the easy care breed with ease of calving and resistance to both bloat and eye cancer. The stud will have a selection of Doben Park bulls for sale from 20 - 22 months Red, White, Red and White Roan. There will also be a selection of cows and calves and heifers. For more information contact Doug 0407 343 966 or Sandy 0409 074 291.

SHORTHORNS The EASY CARE breed 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’ll have a selection of Doben Park bulls for sale from 20 - 22 months Red, White, Red and White Roan. There will also be a selection of cows, calves and heifers. The quiet nature of Shorthorns, the ease of calving and the resistance to bloat and eye cancer combine to make Shorthorns an easy care breed.

PROFIT NOW COMES IN COLOUR

Doben Park SHORTHORNS  EST. 1977 

January, 2026

shorthornbeef.com.au

1387 OLD SALE RD. BULN BULN

DOUG 0407 343 966 & SANDY 0409 074 291 29

Mundook Herefords OPEN

FOR INSPECTION

Friday 30th of January 8am – 4pm

Bulls and Females

available for sale on the day

440 Nicholson Sarsfield Road, Sarsfield For more information call Gary on

0418 514 440

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BEEF WEEK PREVIEW 2026

GIPPSLAND FARMER SPECIAL FEATURE

Bowman sets a new benchmark in 2026 genetics

ew Season Draft Showcases Powerful Maternal Strength, Structural Excellence and Elite EBVs. Some of the most exciting genetics yet will emerge for Bowman Performance Genetics in 2026. Stud Principal Glenn Bowman says this latest crop includes record-breaking sires and progeny that have recently set benchmarks across Australia. “We believe the stud has gone to a whole new level, with some of the sires in the upcoming March sale reaching the top one

23RD ANNUAL ON PROPERTY SALE

MARCH 11

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of +17.7 (top 1 percent) and an Angus Breeding Index in the top 2 percent. n Chiltern Park Picasso P9 - A true “curvebender” with an outstanding data set. Picasso combines low birth weight, excellent calving ease, and strong docility, resulting in an Angus Breeding Value inside the top 4 percent. n Millah Murrah Trigger T308 - Some of the first progeny to be sold in Australia, with sons topping the Millah Murrah sale at $200,000. Trigger is the complete package combining low birth weight, extra fleshing, terrific joint angle, fluid gait and a pedigree littered with the greats of the breed. n Millah Murrah Sunstruck S207 - Backed by two of the most elite females in the Angus breed, including the Australian record-priced cow Millah Murrah Flower N30. Sunstruck delivers unmatched maternal strength and a pedigree renowned for calving ease, growth, and flawless foot structure (top 1 percent). n Millah Murrah Santiago S304 - The $200,000 sale topper at the 2023 Millah Murrah sale! Progeny are exceptionally consistent exhibiting deep bodies, extra muscle content and fill through the flank from an early age. Expect unmatched doing ability and carcase performance with this sire line. Be sure to inspect these industry-leading sons, along with 23 additional highperformance sire lines, during Beef Week on Saturday, 31st January, or on Sale Day: Friday, 20th March.

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40 DEHORNED AND POLLED BULLS FOR SALE

percent for the Angus Breeding Dollar Index Value,” he said. With input costs and land values continuing to rise, the Bowman’s believe that now—more than ever—producers should closely scrutinise breeding value data to maximise returns. Key processors are increasingly prioritising genetics that deliver proven performance and are actively shortlisting breeders who have adapted and maintained strong, reliable data across their programs. Mr Bowman added, “The sires in our upcoming March sale are industry-leading — not only for performance, but also for natural doing ability, structure, and maternal strength. The backbone of our entire operation is the breeding herd and the depth of pedigree behind every female. This foundation delivers powerful consistency within our program and to every breeding herd we supply.” LEADING THE 2026 DRAFT ARE SONS OF: n Dunoon Recharge R102 - A docile, calving-ease sire whose progeny arrive early and grow rapidly. His sons are highly sought after across both stud and commercial operations, selling to a record $275,000. TOP 9 PERCENT ANGUS BREEDING INDEX. n Woodhill Comstock - Breeding tremendously thick, moderate-framed progeny, jam-packed with breed-leading EBV’S. Comstock is unmatched for combining calving ease with elite carcase traits, boasting an exceptional Eye Muscle Area

Barry and Topsy Newcomen P: 5157 3209 M: 0427 242 238 Mat Marshall M: 0400 606 269 Raelee Jager M: 0408 855 073

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BEEF WEEK PREVIEW 2026

GIPPSLAND FARMER SPECIAL FEATURE

Fernleigh Angus

n Saturday January 31st, Fernleigh Angus will open its doors as part of their annual involvement in Beef

Week. The day offers a great opportunity to learn more about the Fernleigh program, and to inspect their line-up of yearling bulls available for sale by private treaty in 2026. These yearling bulls have been bred from an exciting group of sires including Ben Nevis Rambo, Banquet Statesman S154, Banquet Nutella N462, KO T55, and

Landfall New Ground. Fernleigh Stud Manager James Blyth said that “These sires have produced one of the more even drafts of bulls that we have seen here to date. There are some new genetics on offer which have us really excited, and we certainly think that there is a product here which will suit a range of buyers. ‘We aim to breed an animal which excels on the fundamentals of fertility, structural integrity and durability; without sacrificing on performance.

I think the bulls on offer represent real value. We want our clients to be in a position to succeed, and to do that we need to offer a product which ticks all the boxes, but also one which won’t break the bank.” Also on display during the open day will be a significant selection of the Fernleigh female herd. Mr Blyth commented that “The importance of the females in our program cannot be understated. Quite often the bulls are the focus

of the attention, so we really relish the opportunity to open up our herd and highlight the maternal quality from which our bulls have been bred. I would invite anyone who is interested to come and see the bulls and the wider herd, because I think the cattle really do speak for themselves”. For further information on the Beef Week open day or the Fernleigh Angus program, contact James Blyth on 0400 447 443, or follow Fernleigh Angus on Facebook and Instagram.

It’s all happening at Wattlewood

Wattlewood Venture V24

couple are so proud of the females that ultimately contribute 50 percent to the sale bull’s genetics. “Getting the female breeding herd right is a key component to having bulls that just work and are able to get the job done”, says Fiona. Providing a platform for all producers to improve their operation is important to the Glovers and the Wattlewood team, hosting an MLA Bredwell Fedwell workshop, where attendees will learn about genetic selection and how to get the highest rewards from their property and beef herd. Wattlewood looks forward to greeting you with a cuppa at Beef Week and welcomes any questions you may have. If you can’t make it on the day, please feel free to contact Fiona on 0416 216 951 to make a time that suits.

January, 2026

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he Wattlewood Angus team have been feverishly working on their latest project in bringing their dream to life- a purpose built 80 acre bull sale complex. The site is now ready for Beef Week on Saturday 31st of January, the upcoming MLA Bredwell Fedwell Workshop on the 10th of February and of course the annual sale on Thursday 5th of March. Fiona is excited to display this year’s exceptional bulls. “There will be 35 ‘cream of the crop’ bulls that as always, had all their vaccinations and health checks that clients have come to expect from this thorough operation. They have all passed their semen tests and are parent verified, so clients can make an informed selection of their next top sire to improve their existing herd”. Coming off a credible 3rd place in last year’s Beef Week Heifer Challenge, the

BEEF WEEK PREVIEW 2026

GIPPSLAND FARMER SPECIAL FEATURE

Glenellerslie Herefords

lenellerslie Herefords have bred horned cattle since 1948 and polled cattle were introduced in 1998.

The name came about because Gordon Smith drew Block 8 in the Ellerslie Estate War Service Settlement at Adelong, and his wife June wanted a name with “Glen” in it to reflect their Scots heritage, hence the legacy of ‘Glenellerslie’ began and continues now as a family operation with Ross and Mandy, and Blake and Carly Smith.

Glenellerslie Xquisite (H)

The Smiths have endeavoured to breed cattle with size and muscle while also retaining doing ability. In 2026, lock in February 10th for their 33rd Bull Sale where they are offering 18 Horned Herefords and 12 Polled Bulls. The Polled team are sired by Kaludah Cooper, Yarrawa South Samson, Grathlyn Signature and Oak Downs Surgeon. The dehorned Hereford team are led by first sons of Lotus Reflect, Franco Safari,

Dunoon Gisborne, and Highlands Hi Class, plus more outstanding sons of Glenellerslie Tambo, Glenellerslie Unorthodox and Warwick Court Quinns. All the bulls carry the Glenellerslie guarantee and are semen tested, inoculated with Vibrovax, Multimin, 7 in 1 and drenched

against fluke and worms. Glenellerslie’s 2025 sale saw Glenellerslie Xtravaganza (H) sell to Gordon Moon, Wulgulmerang and Glenellerslie Xquisite (H) to Tim Woodgate, Buchan, both bulls topping the sale at $15,000.

Leawood Angus

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eawood Angus look forward to welcoming cattle-breeding enthusiasts to Beef Week, Day 5 on Saturday 31st January. Held on-farm at Leawood, 1545 Princes Hwy in Flynn, attendees can inspect their autumn bull sale line-up and enjoy a discussion on all thing’s agriculture. At Leawood, their breeding program is built around three core objectives: consistency, longevity and profitability. Consistency is achieved through more than 82 years of breeding registered Angus cattle and a long history of selectively using New Zealand genetics that thrive in their southern Victorian, grass-fed system. Across four generations of family management, their breeding philosophy has remained steady. This commitment is reflected not only in the uniformity of their sale bulls but also in the performance and consistency seen across their clients’ herds throughout Gippsland.

Longevity is the foundation of profitability

In agriculture—whether it’s Utes, stockyards, pastures, or livestock—the assets that last are the ones that deliver the most value. Genetics are no different. The most profitable animal in any herd is often the older, structurally sound, lowmaintenance cow—11 or 12 years old—who calved as a two-year-old and has never missed a calf. That is the definition of longevity, and it is built into every Leawood Angus bull. Leawood’s clients can expect structurally reliable sires with extended working lives, contributing directly to long-term profitability.

2025 Autumn Sale

Leawood’s Autumn Sale will be held on Monday 30th March at 1:00pm, offering 50 rising 18-month-old bulls, and 40 commercial breeding females. This year’s sale team is headlined by leading New Zealand sires alongside the ever-reliable homebred Leawood sires.

A standout new AI sire at Leawood this year is Rangatira Charlie 20-1034—a high-capacity, highly consistent bull with exceptional carcass traits. After inspecting Charlie at Kenhardt Angus in 2022 the Leawood team knew he was the right fit for their program. It’s no surprise how many Australian breeders who have toured New Zealand come home saying Charlie was the best bull they had seen.

Other feature sires include: Cricklewood Pandemic P056 A powerhouse sire known for adding carcass strength and consistency. Pandemic led the autumn 2025 sale, averaging $14,000 across eight sons. Sudeley Viking 18101 A standout of NZ’s 2020 sale season, widely regarded as one of the most impressive sons of the legendary Matauri Reality 839. Viking offers outstanding depth, width and softness—traits well suited to Gippsland conditions.

Leawood Sires

Leawood stands firmly behind their own genetics. Leawood Pirate P391 remains their most heavily used sire—adding extra length, frame, and outstanding structural correctness to his progeny. Q272 and N279, both sons of Merchiston Steakhouse 489, contribute exceptional depth and high-quality carcase traits to any herd. Three additional standout sire lines to inspect are Leawood Razor R347, Leawood Razor R453 and Leawood Saturn S394. Three highly respected, moderate, thick types with impressive muscle shape. Leawood encourages you to get in touch so they can assist in selecting the bull that best matches the needs of your breeding program. They look forward to hosting you during Beef Week and showcasing the depth of their 2025 sale team.

Stud sire Rangatira Charlie 20-1034.

January, 2026

BEEF WEEK PREVIEW 2026

GIPPSLAND FARMER SPECIAL FEATURE

Brewer Beef Black Simmentals and SimAngus and Koetong Angus

rewer Beef and Koetong Angus have confirmed a major shift in their Beef Week plans for 2026, announcing they will relocate their annual display to Gippsland for the upcoming 2026 Beef Week. The move is designed to strengthen their connection with southern commercial breeders and showcase their expanding breeding program to a broader audience. A selection of bulls and heifers will be on display on Saturday 31st January at the corner of Bengworden Road and Cobains Estate Road, Sale Victoria. The Brewer family have a proven commitment to balanced, commercially relevant genetics. Their decision to move into Gippsland— one of Victoria’s most dynamic beef regions—marks a strategic step in aligning with client demand and increasing accessibility for producers seeking easy calving, high-performance, structurally sound, fertility-driven sires. Due to the immense support from the team at Wellington Livestock during 2025, Brewer Beef have decided to bring them on board as agents in their 2026 on property sale.

“We’re excited to bring our program closer to the heart of a region that really values functional, efficient and maternally strong cattle. It also gives us the opportunity to bring our Angus bulls back to the region where their mothers were born, having purchased the Cheltenham Park herd from Carrajung a few years ago.” said stud co principal Mrs Tara Brewer. “Beef Week is always a chance to talk face-to-face with breeders, and this move helps us do exactly that.” Brewer Beef and Koetong Angus are widely regarded for their heifer-bull specialist programs, shaped by decades of selection for fertility, functionality and long-term paddock performance, will be offering sires selected for calving ease, maternal predictability and structural correctness. Their 2026 Bull sale draft of Black Simmental, SimAngus and Angus bulls are bred for softness, constitution and temperament suited to southern production systems. Brewer Beef has also confirmed details for its flagship event, the Brewer Beef Black Bull Sale, held on-property at Tallangatta Valley

on 13th February 2026. • 40 Black Simmental, SimAngus & Angus Bulls • Heifer-safe options across the sale draft • Inspections welcome prior to sale by appointment Mrs Brewer said the family is proud of the 2026 offering. “This draft represents years of focus on calving ease without compromising growth or structure. Commercial producers want bulls that work—our aim is to deliver exactly that.”

Henry, David, Austin and Tara Brewer.

Chateau Limousins T

he McIntyre family of Chateau Limousins have seen some changes and the evolving market in the stud stock industry and therefore the relevance in the commercial market also. But, the one thing that has stayed with them is the need for easy doing stock that are free in their movement, easy to handle and have added body length to add that extra weight. This year’s sale line up comprising of rising two year old and 18 month old sires will showcase these unwavering traits. With bulls covering all bases from heifer friendly sires through to bulls that maintain strong growth traits ensuring the right bull for every need. With an even mix of traditional Apricot and Black bulls on offer with the majority being polled there has been no sacrifice of that “Limo shape”. It takes a lot of experience to achieve the “Chateau” style of Limousin, being long bodied cattle with a soft smooth skin and hair type. Genetics are utilised from all over the world through both AI and E.T., coupled with their own leading sires, combined with the use of Breedplan and backed with 40 years of breeding experience over two generations of continuous management. The McIntyre family, now entering its third generation of cattle breeding are open and

Chateau Thor JWMFT26 - Sold at Chateau Annual Sale.

welcome your inspection during the Stock and Land Beef Week field days. They will be displaying the upcoming draft of sale bulls, a selection of the herd ranging from yearling heifers through to cows with calves at foot and for the first time a small group of pure-bred potential show steers. The 12th Annual Chateau Limousin Sale will be held via Open Cry Video Auction on property, Thursday 5th of March with online bidding available via Auctions Plus with video available prior to the sale. As always John and Bev, Andrew and Jenna welcome inspections by a prearranged time by calling Andrew on 0428 191 282 or Jenna on 0437 629 853.

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BEEF WEEK PREVIEW 2026

GIPPSLAND FARMER SPECIAL FEATURE

Tarwin Poll Herefords T aking its name from the river running across the front of the property Tarwin Poll Herefords Meeniyan property is celebrating, one hundred years in 2026. This herd has been developed by the Meikles since 1950. Now run by David Meikle and his wife Ann who are looking forward to welcoming visitors to inspect their Tarwin Poll Hereford herd. Initiated by David’s grandfather Jack and further developed by his father Neville. This herd has been producing cattle for their clients for over 70 years. In that time they have endeavoured to make the best use of the genetics and technologies available to them coupled with their own experience. This is a performance recorded herd, run along commercial lines. “Our cattle, including the sale bulls, are expected to perform off grass” comments David. “The sale bulls are scanned to gain an insight to the eye muscle and fat cover.

All females introduced to the herd and sale bulls are DNA tested.” To further test the performance of their cattle Tarwin regularly enter steers in the Lardner Park, grass fed steer trial. Their leading steer this year gained weight at a startling 1.94 kilograms per day for the entire period of the trial from June to November compared to the trial average of 1.26kg per day. The four Tarwin steers entered averaged 1.57 kg per day. On display at the open day will be the Tarwin female herd. They make a point of having cows on hand for visitors to walk through. “We aim to have a well grown female, that’s easy care, structurally sound and able to calve without problems.” said David Meikle. Also on display will be their sale bulls and heifers plus stud sires on the property. Sires currently in use include Hereford Super Sire, Wirruna Toorak as well as Yavenvale Spotlight, Tarwin Ulli U060 and Tarwin Ural U088.

Alpine 38 Special S021

Behind every great bull is a great cow

ESTABLISHED 1950

The Meikle Family extend a warm invitation to visitors to inspect their Tarw rwin w Poll Hereford Stud.

Beef Week Day 4, Saturday 31st January, 2026 Bulls available for sale on the day Location: Parrys Road, 3km from Meeniyan on Meeniyan-Dumbalk Road (Signs will be posted) ENQUIRIES:

David Meikle 5664 7556 Mob: 0429 800 756

Email: meikledd@dcsi.net.au Web: www.tarwinpollherefords.com.au

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Tarwin

POLL HEREFORDS

he 2026 Alpine Angus Autumn Bull Sale offering 100 HBR and APR Registered Bulls will be held on Wednesday 11th March at 1pm at the Alpine Angus Sales Complex, Rosewhite. Alpine Principal Jim Delany said, “It has been validating to hear the results of recent weaner sales with real premiums paid for Alpine blood cattle. Everyone involved in the Alpine program knows the passion and hard work Chris pours into ensuring we have really high quality females that breed truly and pass on the best of their genetic traits down the line. Chris and I are extremely grateful for our clients long term support and thrilled to see them land a win!” The Alpine Angus Program has always focused on targeting sirelines out of leading cow families, with an emphasis on the basic traits that impact the quality of the Alpine cow herd – soundness, structure, docility, strong maternal traits and growth. This ensures the cow base improves across a range of traits over time consistently. As a consequence Alpine believe the result breeds true to type balanced Angus bulls structurally sound, strong bodied with length and able to produce easy born calves that grow. Alpine Manager Chris Oswin said, “The influence of our leading cows in particular is highlighted in this sale. Following on from the success of Alpine Rip Wheeler sons in our spring bull sale we have a quality offering of sons from previous sale toppers in Alpine Real Deal, Alpine Rock Solid and Alpine 38 Special S021. These three sires are out of outstanding cows and have already had significant

impacts on many other herds, with Alpine Real Deal R163 producing sons to $100,000.” “There are also leading USA sires represented including the record selling Connealy Craftsman, Tehama Patriarch and Tehama Testament as well as Baldridge SR Goalkeeper. Craftsman and Patriarch are both high use sires in the US while Goalkeeper descends from one of the Angus breeds true matrons in Baldridge Isabel Y69. Alpine ET bred bulls out of Alpine Longshot P354 and Alpine Lowan M003 are also strongly represented in the sale along with the dams of AI sires Alpine Real Deal R163 and Alpine 38 Special S021. Also sons of Alpine M242, the Grandam of Real Deal and a donor descended from one of Coonambles Angus’s finest cows in Coonamble Lowan A61. A strong line of long bodied sons out of another leading cow in Alpine Wilcoola P221, dam of our high selling autumn bull a few years ago. Also imported embryo sons out of Sitz Manor 3195, a cow fast building an enviable record in the USA, having produced two AI sires over there, as well as sons topping Kovarik Angus bull sale in Nebraska. Furthermore a granddaughter of 3195 recently produced the $115,000 high seller at the Sitz bull sale.” A Sale Preview will be held with all sale bulls yarded on Sunday 1st March, 2026 from 11am until 3 pm with refreshments on offer.

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January, 2026

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

www.gippslandfarmer.com.au

‘Mixed bag’ as sheep industry assesses Philip HOPKINS

IMPROVED animal welfare and environmental standards in the sheep industry were countered by a decline in sheep meat production and investment, according to the Sheep Sustainability Framework (SSF) 2025 annual report. The SSF's fifth annual report provides a detailed account of the Australian sheep industry's progress and challenges across key sustainability priorities. Now in its fifth year, the Framework continues to evolve as a practical tool for tracking whole of industry performance, supporting transparency, and informing investment and improvement across the value chain. The 2025 report outlines key achievements and challenges across animal welfare, environmental stewardship, workforce wellbeing, and financial resilience. It also introduces new metrics to better reflect industry performance, including lamb survival, conservation practices, and community connectedness. Dr Scott Williams, chair of the SSF Steering Group, said the report reflects a year of transition, resilience and evolution for the Framework. “It has been a difficult year for many in the industry, especially those producers affected by drought,” Dr Williams said. “Subdued prices for wool have contributed to a reduction in the national sheep flock, and many in the postfarmgate sector are increasingly concerned about future supply.” The report shows encouraging trends in animal welfare, with increased use of pain management during husbandry procedures and a rise in the proportion of sheep processed through accredited welfare systems. This includes good progress on environmental metrics. Emission intensity in sheep meat processing declined by 15 per cent, and water use per tonne dropped by 7 per cent, reflecting improved resource efficiency. However, the industry faced headwinds, including a 6.6 per cent decline in the gross value of sheep meat production and a 10.3 per cent drop for wool. Investment in wool research and development also fell by 13 per cent. Dr Williams emphasised that sustainability must be grounded in economic viability. “Sustainability starts with an industry being profitable and secure for all participants,” he said. “The SSF continues to evolve to ensure it remains relevant and responsive to the needs of producers, processors, and stakeholders across the value chain.”

Sheep Sustainability Framework 2025 report has been released.

Key highlights of the report were:

 Increased use of pain management

for husbandry procedures, improving animal welfare.  62 per cent of consumers consider wool for apparel, indicating market potential.

 Greenhouse gas emissions in sheep

meat processing decreased by 15 per cent.  Investment in sheep meat research rose by 6 per cent, showing innovation engagement.

Challenges Faced by the Industry:  Gross value of sheep meat

production declined by 6.6 per cent, and wool by 10.3 per cent.  Wool research investment fell by 13 per cent due to lower production and prices.  Increased greenhouse gas emissions due to dry conditions in south-east Australia.  Rising lost time injury rates in farming and processing sectors. The report noted mandatory climaterelated financial disclosures. Effective from January 1, 2025, Australian livestock industries must increase transparency regarding climate risks and sustainability practices. Large agribusinesses, including major sheep producers, are required to report on climate-related risks, emissions, and transition strategies. With this development comes greenwashing risks in agriculture. The scrutiny of sustainability claims is rising, leading to reputational and legal risks for producers and retailers. "Companies are investing in traceability systems and verified sustainability frameworks to maintain market access and consumer trust," the report said. A wave of sustainability regulations is replacing voluntary standards, demanding transparency in product origin and environmental impact. Australian wool growers are adopting advanced traceability systems and

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certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) to comply with these regulations. The report noted that the sheep industry requires access to a skilled workforce, with 45 per cent of on-farm participants having completed further education. Only 19.9 per cent of producers have a formal succession plan, highlighting a gap in future workforce preparedness. a total of 42 per cent of producers report major issues with general labor availability, indicating a pressing need for workforce development. The age distribution of workers shows 40 per cent are aged 55-74, while only 20 per cent are aged 15-34, indicating an ageing workforce. Gender representation is skewed, with men making up 72 per cent of the workforce, and only 1.5 per cent of workers identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders. Only two per cent of the workforce speaks a language other than English, suggesting limited diversity. Community trust in farmers is vital, the report noted, with 55 per cent of Australians believing lambs are raised humanely. The industry aims to enhance its reputation through the Sheep Sustainability Framework, which promotes sustainable practices. Consumer perceptions show that 27 per cent of Australians believe Australian lamb is worth a higher price, indicating market potential. The report said the Australian sheep industry is a leading exporter, contributing significantly to national income with a gross value of $4.25 billion for sheep meat. The industry faces challenges, including the phase-out of live sheep exports by 2028, but new markets like Saudi Arabia show promise. Compliance with food safety and quality standards is maintained through programs

like the LPA, ensuring product integrity. Investment in research and development for sheep meat is $23.7 million, while wool investment is $28.8 million. Dr Williams said the industry focuses on innovation to enhance productivity and respond to market challenges. "Continuous improvement in practices is essential for maintaining competitive advantage and profitability," he said. The SSF itself has undergone important changes, including a revision of its materiality assessment and the strengthening of its governance and technical expertise. “A major piece of work this year was the revision of the materiality assessment on which the Framework is based,” Dr Williams said. “We’ve made progress in expanding our metrics and refining our focus areas to better reflect industry needs and stakeholder expectations.” The Steering Group also welcomed new members, bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to the Framework. “During the year, we farewelled Ed Dunn and Belinda Dexter, both of whom were highly valued contributors,” Dr Williams said. “We also welcomed Emma Foster-Geering of RM Williams and Molly Greentree of Gundagai Meat Processors. Their insights and energy have already made a positive impact.” The SSF is supported by Sheep Producers Australia, Wool Producers Australia, Meat & Livestock Australia, and Australian Wool Innovation. It aligns with global reporting initiatives and standards, and contributes to Australia’s commitments under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. To view the full report, visit: https://www. sheepsustainabilityframework.com.au/ globalassets/sheep-sustainability/media/ ssf-annual-report-2025.pdf?

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January, 2026

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

www.gippslandfarmer.com.au

A D V E R T I S I N G

F E A T U R E

FIRE ALERT - BE READY

AUSSIE DEALERS ARE READY

Check out your local pump dealer and you’ll find that they’ve not only got a great range of Aussie Pumps from our Fireman budget self-priming fire pump, all the way through to the big Fire Chief, Fire Captain and our super heavy duty twin impeller, Mr T. One thing is for sure, the Bureau of Meteorology is also suggesting we’re in for a brutal summer where they can see super high temperatures conspire with gale force winds that can blow embers up to 15 or even 20 kilometres.

“There’s more horses per hectare in the Hills District of Sydney than anywhere else in the country”, said Dan. “We know how precious these animals are to their owners and the tragedy of seeing a horse that has been scorched from running through a bushfire is heartbreaking”, he said. Aussie’s Fire Survival Guide is available FREE from dealers all across Australia. “We print tens of thousands of these guides to help people stay safe. It tells you everything from how to get ready and how to make a decision to either fight or flight, depending on the circumstances. It provides information about how to select the right pump for your requirement. Making the right choice is really important. We see third world products being sold with no name engines and have to ask, would you really trust your property, your animals or your life to a product that the people who built it didn’t even know what it was for!”, said Dan.

BEWARE … PREPARE

CONSIDER DIESEL DRIVE

Aussie Pump dealers across the country are all gearing up to supply the world’s best lightweight, portable fire pump this season. Firefighting authorities and the volunteers are getting ready for what could be a very brutal season. We’ve already seen it happening at Woy Woy on the Central Coast in NSW and fires in Queensland. There have even been the tragedy of firefighting professionals dying as they put their efforts into protecting residents.

Most people living in Regional Australia understand the need for fire awareness. For example, Gippsland and even the Dandenongs have been burnt before and will no doubt burn again, at some point in the future. Unfortunately, in spite of the CFA’s wonderful volunteers, and the billions of dollars’ worth of equipment that the CFA operate, firefighters cannot be everywhere at once. Aussie Pumps recommends selecting the best pump you can afford, getting your closest Aussie dealer to help make a recommendation for your particular set up. “Not everybody’s situation is the same. We find the location of fire pump depends on where the water source is going to come from and making sure that friction loss is adequate. In Gippsland, Brown Wigg branches are all equipped with Fire Chief and Fire Captain products. The Fire Captain is an upgrade from the Fire Chief, in that it comes in a heavy duty steel frame, painted ‘fire engine’ red with a 6.5 hp Honda engine. That little bit of extra horsepower may be what you need in the heat of a fire as it gives that little bit extra of flow and pressure”, said Aussie’s Product Manager, Dan Behjat. Aussie’s product range also includes twin impeller pumps, Honda powered 3” ports that will deliver an incredible 200 litres per minute at 80 metres head! “Nobody else has got a pump like that”, says Dan. Dan’s background is a design engineer but he finds himself working with Aussie as a Product Manager for their fire pump range. “I’ve never seen a product that is so well designed, well supported and that performs far better than all of its competitors!

Aussie’s FREE Bushfire Survival Guide gives you tips on keeping animals safe.

While we’ve been designing advantages into our product, it looks like the others are all asleep”, he said.

BASIC PREPARATION

Everybody tells you that you need to clear leaves and debris away from your house. You should block the gutters up and fill them with water when you start to smell smoke. Take care of your animals and in the case of big beasts like cattle and horses, make sure they’re not penned in when the fire is coming.

AUSSIE’S FIRE SURVIVAL GUIDE

Australian Pump is located in Norwest, Sydney. A lot of staff live on small acreages in what used to be an agricultural belt called, ‘The Hills’.

“Although Aussie’s product range is traditionally powered by Honda petrol engines that start first time, every time in our experience, the company has recently introduced a range of diesel fire pumps. These range from single impeller to the big twin impeller models using Yanmar air cooled diesel engines”, said Dan. Yanmar engines are reasonably lightweight for diesels and have a lower ignition point. Yanmars are compact, reliable and designed to perform under pressure. The engines are first world and offer long service life, low fuel consumption and minimal vibration. “Our twin impeller diesel drive Mr T pump, equipped with 3” inlet and outlet will pump 150 litres per minute at 80 metres head. That’s a remarkable performance!” said Dan. Aussie works with Aussie Gold Distributors because they are the best in the business. You’ll find them courteous, knowledgeable and fully equipped with information about pump performance and selection. Getting the right product the first time is so important and is worth putting some serious time into evaluating product and buying the best! The Fire Chief comes on the market at a lower price than competitors and yet, it’s the only pump of its kind with a five year warranty. It out performs all other and its quality is what justifies the five-year warranty that it comes with. “That five year warranty is for the pump end only, not the engine. The warranty on Honda’s engine is three years, Yanmar’s is two years. They both have great service stations all across Australia and the South Pacific, providing excellent support to the high performing pumps that Aussie produces”, said Dan.

AUSSIE’S EXPORT ACTION

The dedicated volunteer firefighters cannot be everywhere, get your property prepared now.

Aussie’s fire pumps are designed for serious firefighting. The company exports to Indonesia, Bangladesh, USA, Canada, New Zealand and throughout the South Pacific. “It’s great to see container loads of product going out the door, knowing they are helping somebody who is in real trouble with a great Aussie product”, said Dan. Dan’s advice? Go get a FREE Bushfire Survival Guide from your local Aussie Pump dealer today. They will even show you how to select the right pump for the job. Visit aussieexport.com.au

January, 2026

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

www.gippslandfarmer.com.au

Farm expo sparks expert ‘Incredibles’ Katrina BRANDON

THE incredible secrets of the agricultural industry were spilt at the South Gippsland Farming Expo, where farming consultant Matt Harms led a panel of speakers. For 13 years and no more, Matt Harms has continued to lead a panel of experts or farmers known for their success and individuality, helping other farmers find their way with different tricks and tips that they could take back home. This time round, Mr Harms welcomed six speakers to the stage: large-scale dairy and beef farmers Russel Follett, David and Penny Conn; seed merchant and dairy farmer, Peter Notman; respected rural accountant, Colin Wright; and dairy farmer and industry stalwart John Versteden.

Peter Notman

PETER Notman is a rural accountant who runs his business out of Poowong and in western Victoria, as well as a dairy farm in New South Wales. He also has some land in Gippsland, although it is not dairy-based. Back in the day, Peter wasn't one for school. At 15, he was more than ready to hit the fields running, with a growing interest in dairy farming, seed and pasture. After leaving school, Peter worked on a share farm with his father, where he later secured a job at a dairy factory. Working at the factory, Peter made cheese. In 1980, Peter purchased his farm in Poowong. Working multiple jobs, Peter looked at the feed as an outlet to cut down on jobs. He was looking at the feed on his property, compared his farm and realised that he wanted to grow more. At the time, he was selling seed as well as dog food. Looking at options, he looked towards the New Zealand grasses, which he was told were no good. Despite the advice, he brought seed and was looking to sell. While the seed business was sprouting, Peter brought in his son and other workers to help alleviate some of the workload.

David and Penny Conn

RUNNING a cattle farm in Gippsland, a couple of beef properties on Flinders Island and a few dairies "out in the west", David and Penny Conn said the key is to keep things simple. During the panel, David and Penny talked about operating their multiple properties, running beef and dairy, their farming philosophy (keeping it simple), aiming for 90 per cent or 80 per cent capacity instead of 110 per cent, investing in land, building a strong succession model and shared their perspective on the industry. A problem that David highlighted during the discussion was that banks do not finance their share farmers.

Large-scale dairy and beef farmers Russel Follett, David and Penny Conn; seed merchant and dairy farmer, Peter Notman; respected rural accountant, Colin Wright; and dairy farmer and industry stalwart John Versteden spoke on Matt Harms’ panel at the South Gippsland Farming Expo. Photo: Katrina Brandon

"We love the share farming bond," he said. "It allows them to build up wealth and takes a lot of the risk out of it." Bringing in opportunities, the discussion on the panel shifted to a succession, with Penny sharing that financial education is likely one of the biggest challenges for the younger generation in terms of investing and budgeting.

Russel Follet

BASED in Poowong, Russel Follet runs a family business with his two sons following him. Having had his father pass away 10 years ago and his mother when he was 22, succession has always been a thing that Russel's family has looked at. Ensuring the farm runs smoothly without his management, he tries to ensure that his sons can handle the property as well as their own. This helps reduce stress by sharing the responsibility and knowing that the situation can be handled if something goes wrong.

Colin Wright

COLIN Wright specialises in rural accounting and management with Phillipsons. Jumping off Matt Harms' question to Peter Notman about his business success, whether due to character, enthusiasm, or the people within the business, Colin was asked if that was the same for him. "It's that enthusiasm, that passion factor," Colin replied. Colin was raised on a dairy farm for a short while, until his mother started having allergic reactions, which they thought had been caused by the cows. Later, realising what the actual cause of her reactions was, the family came back to dairy farming and then beef. As an ambitious cricket player, Colin looked towards cricket rather than the livestock industry, and soon discovered his true playing ability, which steered him to accounting.

"I was given the opportunity to join Phillipsons after a couple of years doing auditing," Colin told the group. "Because I was somebody who had an agricultural background and was really enthusiastic about farming, and particularly from growing up on a farm as a kid, I just absolutely loved it. I didn't mind milking cows at that stage of life. "To help in the ag space was a real buzz for me, and the passion behind that to help people and grow from there was just enormous." Along the way, Colin was advised that you are born with two ears and one mouth; you listen twice as much as you talk. As he visited clients, he would sit and listen to their concerns and ideas, then share his thoughts in response. During the panel, Colin highlighted farmer podcasts featuring third- or fourthgeneration farmers from America. Colin also highlighted that he would like to see the promotion of the agriculture industry, not just dairy, in terms of creating wealth within the industry, rather than just focusing on the challenges. "The way we see it going in the ag sector, the ability to fix things going forward and having enough security around investment in tech to be able to make sure it works," he said. "But, then when it does break down, we'll get somebody to fix it fairly quickly and not be in trouble in that space."

John Versteden

ACCORDING to John Versteden, the future of the agricultural industry could look very different, with family farms being a thing of the past. While he doesn't come from an agricultural background, Mr Versteden started in the building industry and then later moved into the dairy industry. Finding passion in the agriculture industry, John said that the change was much warmer in the sector than what he had found in the building industry.

From educational resources to support, John informed the group that the dairy industry has established connections over generations. "I was 22 or 23 at the time," John said. "I really liked what I saw in dairy. We share a wide range of content, and most of it is available for free. "The information that older generation farmers can share with younger generation farmers, the consultants and the accountants - there is so much information available that doesn't really cost a hell of a lot to get a hold of and you can learn on the job so quickly - you learn by your mistakes, but there is so much advice out there from discussion groups, focus farms and more." From the early years of the industry, John has taken on numerous roles, contributing to key decisions in the sector. He told the group that he would rather be part of a decision rather than the recipient of one and that being involved with the industry gave him more insight into how he could have an influence and learn how he could make a difference. "There has been a lot that has been achieved for a lot of organisations over the last 20 to 30 years," John said. During the panel session, the group emphasised the importance of keeping things simple on the farm, as this approach can make it easier and less stressful in the long run. John highlighted in the conversation that it is essential to look into the future and consider what the next generation of farmers will face in terms of challenges and everyday farming, as well as what the industry will look like in 20 years. "One of my things has been about how we nurture these next generations," he said. "We're not all going to be family farms in 20 to 30 years. There are other factors we need to consider, such as the future of the dairy industry. Farm size is one issue, and then there's replicating farm size, and I think there's going to be some significant structural changes. "There's so much opportunity in the industry." In the future, John suggested that the future of dairy in Australia might come from international farmers buying property over here, due to struggles within their own country in the industry. According to John, countries such as the Netherlands and Ireland are struggling in the industry, as they are running out of young people who have been brought up in the industry, learning the basics from previous generations. "They've got cow knowledge skills that have been taken over by technology," John said. "Farmers used to do everything from fencing, welding, building and had that cow knowledge. Now, everybody has got a single task, or the computer tells you when you need to join a cow”.

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