He said he decided to have a crack at the medium after watching other chainsaw artists at country
The formermechanicbegan working professionally as a chainsaw artist eight years ago, melding his love of small engines with creativity.
Drouin chainsawartist Brandon Kroon with the piece of American white pine beforeitwas turned into a an awardwinning sculpture.
[INTRO]
ADROUINwoodworkerhas just been named thetop chainsaw artist in the world against nine other competitorsfromacross the globe in an international competition in the US last month..
He has astash of awards and plaquesfor his work, but this was thefirst time he had won internationally.
“In Victoria we have such agood range of hardwood and softwood. In America it’s morelimited over there, but I’m blessed to work with arange of timber here.”
Mr Kroon said therewereunique challengesinevery piece of timber, withsome hiding nails or decay or some natural featuresthat he had to work around.
Chainsaw artist Brandon Kroon was giventhe top honouratthe invite-only US Open Chainsaw Carving Championships in Wisconsin,with his intricate work of two unique Aussie animals.
“I came up with aplan for a sculpturethat had to be spectacular,ithad to have that ‘wow factor’. For competitions, you have to get 100 per cent to get agood result,” Mr Kroon said.
“Thecompetition had awildlife themesoI came up with asaltwater crocodile in the unique shapeofanalmost perfect circle splashing the water and hitting a barramundi.”
ag shows as akid and “fell in love with it straight away”.
He now has work stationed all over Melbourne parksand playgrounds, as well as alizardand a wombat at Baromi Park in Mirboo North, and nine works along the Tooradin foreshore.
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[HEADLINE]
Artists weregiven three-and-ahalf days tocompletetheir work made out of alog randomly drawn from araffle, in which Mr Kroon scored apiece of American white pine.
Mr Kroon had come fourth in the competition in 2017 and tried to take part in it in 2019 but was taken to hospital with asudden bout of appendicitis.
Brandon Kroon’s award winning sculpture at the US Open Chainsaw Carving Championships
The professional sculptor was alsogivenanaddedaccoladeof taking out the Carvers’ Choice awardbestowed upon him by his fellow competitors.
By MICHELLE SLATER
Phone: (03) 5135 4444 September,2022
Chainsaw artist’s world prize
“I’ve always beenpassionate about working withmyhands, fixing andcreating things. It comes down to good equipment, always running it sharp and well maintained,” he said.
These authorised officers will be given additionalpowers to search containers, bags and vehicles for prohibited items.
“All workers have the right to go to work each day and do their job without having their health and safetycompromised by dangerous activity,” he said.
VicForests chief executive, Monique Dawson, told aSenate hearing last year that in one incident, achild was wandering near whereprotesters wereattached to a
“We’redoing all we can to support Victoria’s almond producers and to keep Victoria free of Varroa mite,” Dr Crnov said.
However,MrO’Connor said timber workers had been shocked by various incidents.
The law changesdonot limit normal recreation in forests, or peaceful demonstrations in areas whereitissafe andlegal to do so.
File photograph
CFAplays down spring fire risk
Bee permits for almonds
By PHILIP HOPKINS
Victoria’s chief plant health officer Dr Rosa Crnov, said the Sunraysia permit system had been extended to include South Australia and Queensland to ensurebees can be sourced for Victoria’s valuable almond pollination to go ahead.
RURAL NEWS 2 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER September,2022
Varroa mite is aserious threat to Australia’s bee population, and Victoria’s $524-million almond industry, which relies on pollination.
Victoria was one of the most bushfire-prone areas in the world and even anormal fire season could present the risk of dangerous fires.
To stop repeated safety risks across multipletimber harvesting safety zones, authorisedofficers will be able toissue banning notices if they believeaperson has committed or will commit aspecified offence.
AgricultureVictoria will continue to review the situation and consider making amendments to the permit system as conditions change.
CFAchief officer Jason Heffernan said
“Prepareyour property ahead of this year’s fireseason to minimise the chance of damage during afire, even if you plan to leave early,” he said.
GIPPSLAND logging contractors and their workers will be moreprotected from illegal protests in the forest by environmentalists under strengthenedlaws passed by the Andrews Government.
StateAgricultureMinister Gayle Tierney(centre) haswelcomed strengthened laws to protect forestry workers.
The new legislation, which had been demanded by unions and the state opposition,introduces offences andupdates existing penalties to deter dangerous protest action in timber harvesting safety zones. These zones aresmall and restricted worksiteswhereforestryharvestingand activities areundertaken.
Rainfall in June has offset drier-thanaverage conditions in west Gippsland.
CFMEU national secretary, manufactur ing, Michael O’Connor,said people had a right to protest peacefully but they should not target timber workers.
The state’s almond producers, located in the Sunraysia region, requirebetween 150,000 and 200,000 hives to pollinate crops every August.
“Make sureyou and everyone in your household knows what to do on hot, dry and windy days when fires can start and spread quickly.”
The Gippsland Farmer apologises for any incovenience.
Victoria’s east and north-east ranges experienced above-average rainfall in the past 12 months, and coupled with aboveaverage rainfall outlook, below-average fire danger is expected in these areas.
harvester that could have crushed them.
Beekeepers who aregranted a permit will be required to inspect their hives beforearriving at Victorian almond orchards to protect the state’s bees from varroa mite, which has been detected in New South Wales.
The government said the legislation would bring the SustainableForests (Timber) Act 2004inline withothersimilar piecesof legislation in other jurisdictions and in Victoria such as the Wildlife Act 1975.
Although recent drying is evident across some parts of the easternranges, it is expected to be offset by the forecast of a wetter-than-averagespring, with further rainfall expected.
For the correct July rainfall observation totalsgothe BOM website http://www.bom. gov.au/
Apology
It is illegalfor anyone who is not authorised to be in those areas. The new legislation comes into effect from next May.
Environmentalists maintain the legislation takes away their democratic right to protest againstactivities they regardas environmentally destructive.
“It was,frankly, aterrifying situation,” she said.
THE East Gippsland rainfall observation totals for July in the August edition of The Gippsland Farmer wereincorrectly reported.
The Sustainable Forests Timber Amendment(TimberHarvesting Safety Zones)Bill 2022 brings stronger penalties to deter dangerousprotest activities that put the safety of both forestry workers and people whoillegally enter dangerous work sites at risk.
Forestworkers protected
“Our bee biosecurity team will be on the ground during the pollination season, inspecting hives and working with beekeepers to ensurehives arrive and leave in ahealthy state.”
Bees, hives, equipment and bee products from NSW areprohibited from entering Victoria.
The detection of Varroa mite so close to pollination season has made sourcing hives for this year’s almond crop morechallenging.
Permit applications can be made at agriculture.vic.gov.au/varroa
Workplace invaders had hidden in under growth and leapt out in front of operating machinery, children had been brought into logging areas and steel spikes hammered into forestry roads.
The Ministerfor Agriculture,Gayle Tierney, saidthe government would not toleratepeople putting workers at risk while they wereonthe job.
Burnt areas from the 2018-19 and 2019-20fireseasonswill experience below normal firerisk in easternVictoria.
AGRICULTURE Victoria has taken steps to ensurethis year’s almond pollination season goes ahead, with permits to be issued to Victorian, Queensland and South Australian beekeepers, allowing them to enter the Sunraysia region.
Workers had experienced verbal and emotional abuse, he said.
THE Country FireAuthority is predicting that easternVictoria will have abelownormal bushfirepotential this spring, according to the Australian Seasonal BushfireOutlook for spring.
The Bureau of Meteorologyhas also forecast abovemedian rainfallthrough spring.
GoatIndustry CouncilofAustralia president, John Falkenhagen, said Australian goat rangelandproducers, dairy producers and small breeders provide high-quality exports that require the highest standard of assurance.
Theleg bands have been granted full accreditation by Integrity Systems Company as recommended by the National LivestockIdentification System standards committee.
The goat-legband identification devices areelectronically readable to giveproducers analternativeto conventional ear tags and to help themmeet livestock traceability requirements.
PORTAlbert is currently without aFish &Chip shop following the closureofits sole vendor
It also includes improving the minimum light intensity and requiredperiods of darkness,ventilation, and temperature parameters for all poultry species.
Plan to phase out caged eggs
“It’s arecipe for disaster,weneedall the farmingsystems for food security.”
“Caged eggs aredesigned for food volume production; free-range is fine if you have a few thousand birds but not for large scale farming.”
“With biosecurity threats on our doorstep itis criticaltofast-track alternative traceabilityoptions for dairy,earless and miniature goat producers,” Mr Henderson said.
SAFEMEAT advisory group chair person Andrew Henderson said they werelistening and delivering for the industry in consultation with state authorities.
Former lessee of the business, Michael Hobson, told ABC Gippsland that council offered him aseven-year extension in January, but there was notenough cer tainty in the industry for him to engage in along-termagreement owing to the COVID pandemic.
Mr Ahmed said Victorian farmers would be lobbying the state government to keep
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“Atthe timethe option for aseven-year extensionfor the lease for Port Albert Wharf Fish and Chip Shop came, council provided thecurrent tenant additionaltime to decide whether or not to continuewith the lease,” the spokesperson said.
By MICHELLE SLATER
caged egg production in place beyond 2032.
“Wehave asubmission into thisthat showed all the science behind caged eggs, but they totallyignored the science,” Mr Ahmed said.
Graham Chalmer Real Estate, which is based in Sale, has confirmed to Gippsland Farmer that it will be handling the sale of the lease.
RURAL NEWS September,2022 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER 3
“In the past two years therehas been no free range eggs in the UK because of avian flu. Thegovernment lockedupall the chickens as it was the only way to control the disease,” he said.
barn-laid and free-range systems.
ID leg band for all goats
New lesseewanted for PortAlbertWharf
It covers arange of welfarerequirements for poultry includingchickens, ducks, pigeons and emus.
New guidelines for poultry weredeveloped under an independent poultry panel in a move to improve animalwelfare standards.
Other proposed changes include providing water to all ducks and environmental stimulation for breeding chickens.
The Werribee-basedproducer hasbeen farming eggs for the past 55 years in caged,
TomPARRY
The leg bands can be bought through registered rural suppliers.
“Council has engaged Graham Chalmer RealEstateto advertisethe property for lease, with the view to find anew tenant for this iconic business.
Mr Watt said therewas strong interest in the standardsafter 167,000 public submissions in the consultation period.
“Theythen imported eggsfromcountries withcaged eggs. Ifthishappened here Australia would have to import cagedeggs from Asia.
Beforeitclosed, WharfFish &Chips had been apopular business among tourists and locals.
It became the only shop of its kind after afireatthe Port Albert Hotel, which also sold takeaway seafood, in 2014.
Ministerfor AgricultureMurray Watt said the proposed standards balanced contemporary animal welfarescience with feedback from extensive community engagement.
The standards will be put beforestate and territory agricultureministers to consider next steps by early next year
“Thenew standards willalso assure Australia’s trading partners that we have strong standards of animal welfare.”
He said caged egg production protected birds from the spread of diseases, and led to fewerlossesand less reliance on anti-biotics.
VFF Egg Group president Brian Ahmed will be opposing plans to phase out cage eggs in the next 10 to 15 years. Photo: Supplied
WharfFish &Chips has been forced to shut after its lease was not renewed by Wellington ShireCouncil.
The news was confirmed by acouncil spokesperson to Gippsland Farmer
“Council acknowledges the important role that hospitality businesses contributeto the community and is seeking an operator that will continuetobuildonwhatisan iconic part of Port Albert and surrounds.”
The heritage-listed building was damaged beyond repair by the fireand has since been demolished.
“During this extra period, the tenant did not propose any alternative arrangements to continue.
“The poultry standardsare part of asuite of animal welfarestandards and guidelines that aim to harmonise animal welfarelegislation and provide clarity and consistency for industry and consumers,” Mr Watt said.
But themovetophaseout caged eggs has sparked concern from Victorian Farmers Federation egggroup president Brian Ahmed, who said it could threaten Australia’s food and bio security.
Mr Ahmedsaid removing caged eggs wouldnot necessarily guarantee animal welfare, pointing to examples of avian flu in the UK, which spreadthrough free range poultry.
CAGED eggscouldbephasedout in the next 10 to 15 yearsunder anew setof animal welfareguidelines released by the Commonwealth government last month.
GOAT farmers -now including dairy, earless and miniaturegoat producers -will be required to fit an National LivestockIdentification System device to their animals when moving them as from March next year
RURAL NEWS 4 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER September,2022
FOE land use researcher Anthony Amis estimates thereare “hundreds of kilometres”ofunregulated trackswhich he suspects werecreated by dirt bike riders.
Mr Amis said he was filing areport with authorities and called for compliance officers to step in and monitor the illegal activities and issue fines.
FRIENDS of the Earth is raising concerns over illegal off-road tracks being harrowed into the Mullungdung Flora and Fauna Reserve causing erosion and threatening wildlife.
“I’m not heretoshut down the sport but they need to stick to existing tracks. This is giving the sport abad name.”
He said the tracks had been created without any regardtoenvironmental planning, but he was unawareifthe riderswerelocals or from elsewhere.
ParksVictoriacentral Gippsland district manager Helen Dixon said authorities were awareofthe damage being caused by illegal off-road motorbikes in theMullungdung Flora and Fauna Reserve.
Mr Amis regularly conducts Strzelecki koala surveys in the bush reserve and said he was particularly concerned about a series of jumps tracks forged in a gully offMorris Creek.
He said there were several tracks crisscrossing over afew hectarescausing erosion and exposing the roots of Mountain Grey eucalyptus in prime koala habitat.
of their actions,” Mr Amis said.
“Thesereserves arefor the entirestate and these guys don’t have aclue what they arepotentially damaging, they are not taking into account the consequences
By MICHELLE SLATER
Motorbike and trail bikeridingispermitted on formed roads in parks and reserves, but is not permitted anywhereonland managed by Parks Victoria.
“It’s pretty full on, thereare tracks puncturing all through Mullungdung. This is substantial as it’s alot of land being dug up by motorbike riders,” Mr Amis said.
“Park rangers areworking hardtohelp identify and stop this activity,” Ms Dixon said.
“It has to stop in these important areas, as once these tracks areopened up other riders will come in and it’saconstant degradation of the environment.”
Illegal tracks appear
“Wewant everyone to enjoy the bush. Driving or riding, by keeping to designated tracks and roads you are helping to protect our natural environment, and in this case the rare and threatened flora of the Mullungdung Flora and Fauna Reserve.”
Mr Amis said he was also concerned over damage caused to delicate orchids species growing in the area, some of which are endangered.
Illegal tracks have propped up near WonWron.
Photos: Supplied
Traces of illegal off-roadactivity in the Mullungdung Floar and Fauna Reserve.
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“Themostexciting part of that policy I think is that it is about creating new jobs in regional Australia, what that policy shows is that by accelerating the move toward renewable energy,that we willcreate, as acountry,morethan600,000jobsand
“Gippsland is known right around our country as one ofthe great agricultural regions, along with abig forestry producer and fisheries as well. Each of those
Mr Watt used part of his Gippsland tour to meetwith Cr O’Callaghan and otherstakeholders to discuss anumberofemergency management issues.
Mr Watt alsomet with VictorianFarmers Federation president Emma Germano at a roundtable in Melbourne,convened by the VFF last month.
“Even from the time Ihave been hereIcan see that when it comes to agriculture, there is issues around input-costs that peopleare dealing with, labour shortages, biosecurity issues -people arevery interested in what we have been doing around foot and mouth disease in particular
Speaking from the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, which offered atouch of irony as pillars inside the building weremade at ASH, MrWatt was joined byVictorian Senator RaffCiccone, National Recovery and Resilience Agency RecoverySupport Officer Joe Rettino and Labor candidate for Morwell Kate Maxfield, as well as Latrobe City mayor Kelly O’Callaghanand Member for Gippsland Darren Chester
GREG TRACEY DON JANE KASONYA TRINA Locals You Can Trust Sale -51444444 Leongatha -56623523 Yarram -51826600 DEAN
City deputy mayor Darren Clancy,mayor Kelly O’Callaghan, Federal Minister MurrayWatt, Victorian Senator Raff Ciccone and National Recover and Resilience Agency Recovery Support Officer Joe Rettino.
Photo: Liam Durkin
“My messagetoGippslandisthatthe new federal Labor governmentunder Anthony Albanese is really serious about working with this region to maximise the value of these industries, to keep them as really important backbones in the regional economy, really big employers, and to assist
RURAL NEWS September,2022 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER 5
FEDERAL Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestryand Emergency Management, Murray Watt, stopped by the region last month.
industries is performing pretty well at the moment but they each have challenges.
“The discussions that I’ve had already with employer groups and unions involved in the agriculture sector tell me that there’s alot morethat people have in common herethen what’s beenunderstoodbefore.”
those industries with futuregrowth.”
“The policy that we took to the election,the Powering Australia Policy, is all about how wecan get to that 43 per cent emissions target that we set for 2030,” he said
Watt avisit by AgricultureMinister
The timingofMrWatt’s visit to Traralgon was rather pertinent given thedamage and loss of life caused by the flood.
In keepingwith the straight-shooting natureoffarmers, Mr Watt was confident Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had not secretly appointed himself as Agricultural Minister
“Really the point of this visit is so Ican see first-hand what challenges Gippsland is facing in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries part of my portfolio and also emergency management.
“Labour shortages is undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges that agriculture faces in our country right now,” he said.
Mr Watt was in Gippsland, meeting constituentsand gettingafeelfor issues on the ground as part of his recently appointed portfolio.
“That is why Ifeel so optimisticabout the futureofregionalAustralia, whether we aretalking about some of the traditional industries that have powered the economies in regional Australia, or some of thenewer industries,I think regional Australiais going to be areally big winner from that.”
The government willlooktostrengthen the PALM (PacificAustralia Labour Mobility) Scheme,which has an estimated 40,000 Pacific Islander workersonits books ready to come in and assist with the upcoming harvest season.
Mr Watt said the government was working on ways to address the issue.
“Weneed to acknowledge this is not anew problem,thisissomething theindustry has been struggling with for along time.
WithAustraliaregisteringsome ofits highest exports in agricultureonrecord in recent times, the need to fill labour shortages remains ever-present.
Mr Watt said agriculturewould play a key role in the transition to renewable energy,whichwas put in the spotlight further by the recent Gippsland New Energy Conference held in Sale.
The Minister visited Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH) Heyfield, beforechecking-in on flood damage in Traralgon,and then making his way to arobotic dairy farmjust out of Warragul.
“WhenIwas first swornin as the Minister Iidentified labour shortages as one of my top three priority areas.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester,Latrobe
fiveout ofsix of them willbeinregional Australia.
By LIAM DURKIN
“Wehave people from every level of government, all parties, working together for the benefit of this region,” Mr Watt said.
AC Sheet was also commonly used to seal offachimney
Flues
Floor
Behind sink splashbacks, feature panels in bathrooms, bath hobs, bath aprons, bath surrounds, etc.
Did youknowthat approximately 1/3 of all homes in Australia contain asbestos products?
Be awarethat thereare stillafew asbestos ‘flues’ in use also.
Over 3000 products wereused in residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial settings and areknown to have contained asbestos.
Once painted, it’seasy to be tricked into thinking that everything is the same product.
Wetareas
Wetareas area prime location for asbestos products.
Consider getting professional advice.
Theremay be acementsheet used to cap offthe hole only,ortheremay be a full surround installed.
AC Sheet was agreat material to be utilised around heat because of its fire resistant properties
Take alook at the floor coverings in each room
Do youknowwhereasbestos is hiding on your property?
Wasyour
Asbestos cement pipes werealso commonly used as field drains on farmlands.
Older farmbuildings, built before 1990, including farmhouses, barns, silos, pens and sheds arehighly likely to contain asbestos construction materials.
farm house builtbefore1990? 37 THINK YOU COULD HAVE ASBESTOS ON YOUR FARM? NEWTAX DEDUCTIONS FORASBESTOSREMOVAL SEEK ADVICE FROMYOURTAX PROFESSIONAL www.gards.org 211Lloyd Street Moe Mobile:0407274 173 GP4616468 g
Whereitcould be hiding
Ovens and Chimneys
The cover straps if present may be asbestos cement and the patches, light bases and vent covers may all be formed from moulded asbestos cement.
Asbestos containing floor coverings or underlay’sweremorecommonly (but not exclusively) located in wet areas of the household (Bathrooms, Kitchens the Laundryetc).
Go to www.asbestos.vic.gov.au to find out more.
Ceiling
The ceiling itself may be asbestos cement sheet.
ACV/GARDS recommends an audit of whereasbestos may be in your property and to consider removal by a qualified registered removalist.
Agoodexample of this is when the chimney has been sealed offtohouse an oven.
Heaters
Walls
Asbestos lurks in moreplaces than you’d think.
6 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER September,2022
Youmustremember that asbestos cement products weremoulded into all sorts of shapes.
Howtoget an asbestos test and find your local licensed asbestos removalist
ADVER TISING FEA TURE
The grants areopen to all eligible Victorian Agriculturaland Pastoral Societies that arehostingup-and-coming agriculture, horticultural or pastoral events.
“Couple that with issues like the workforce crisis, and the result has been gaps on supermarket shelves, families struggling with the price of food and weakening food security.
AgricultureVictoria policy and programs executive director Sarah-Jane McCormack said the program would ensureregional and rural shows could come back stronger than ever
The peak farminglobbyidentified four corebarriers to securingskilledand unskilled labour, and offered practical and achievable solutions.
National Farmers’ Federation president Fiona Simson. Photo: Supplied
“Free entry for kids makes it easier for families to come along and see first-hand
“Thereis no silver bullet to this crisis, we need to pull every lever available. After all, this isn’t just afarmer issue, it’s hurting our economy and ultimately, every Australian,” Ms Simson said.
VICTORIAN Agricultural and Pastoral Societies arenow able to access funding to letkidsinfor freeatlocal showsand field days, in an aid to help show societies recover from COVID impacts. The fundinghas been made available through the state government’s one-off investment in the Children Entry COVID Recovery Grants program.
NFF president Fiona Simson said farmers had struggled to fill skilled and unskilled jobs for years- an issue intensified by COVID-19.
“This goes to the heart of the cost of living in Australia. Governments can’t control the weather,but they can ease the workforce crisis.”
RURAL NEWS September,2022 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER 7
“Wehave real challenges and we’vewaiting along timefor solutions,”MsSimson said
“For the past twoyears,most of the state’s agricultural shows have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 and these grants help organisers returntopre-pandemic attendance and revenue,” Ms McCormack said.
best on-farm practices and to immerse themselves in learning experiences to better understand agriculture.”
The NFF describedthe issue as one of the root issues “stunting Australia’s farm sector”.
“Recent weather has thrown curveballs at food production,” Ms Simson said.
However,MsSimson warned thesum mit needed short, medium and long-term approaches, with targets to match.
It also cited alack of support for agricultural skillsdevelopment and community perceptions about the natureoffarmwork.
Applications areopen until September26. For moreinformation, visit the Agriculture Victoria website.
Victorian AgricultureShows executive officer Rod Bowles said he was delighted to see the program open for applications.
Ms Simson said evenbeforethe pandemic, farmers werereducing plantings or shifting to less labour-intensive produce.
“We’regoinginto the Summit being hon est about those problemsand offeringup carefully consideredsolutions that we think anyone can get behind.”
THE National Farmers’ Federation was addressing chroniclabourshortages in the farming sector at the Jobs and Skills Summit in Canberra recently.
The NFF has pointed out challenges that include the complexity of the industrial relations framework as well as failings in the migration system.
Kids roam free at shows
Jobs, skills summit
The NFF put forward40recommenda tions including plans to boost training opportunities, stamp out exploitation, speed up visa processing,and simplify the industrial relations system.
“The past two years have been challenging for the societies and we’re looking forward to welcoming more families to the upcoming spring show season, ” Mr Bowles said.
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Grantswill be capped and based on previous ticket revenue from recent shows, events or field days held by the Agricultural and Pastoral Society.
“Welook forwardtoparticipating fully at next week’ssummit and in following policy processes to build consensus for immediate actions that will ease the pressureon farmers and consumers.”
“The government must identify measur able targets to hold this event to account andmake sureit’s not just atalkfest,” she said
“No course offered the scope of skills allin-one like the new course does.
with FMD; they spoke to the studentsabout the huge economic impact it wouldhave on our local area,” Ms Tricker explained.
“They have learnt that it can be difficult to preventiftherewas to be an incident, but developing agoodbiosecurityplan and changing practice can help to limit the impact if it was to happen.”
First introduced to the schoolin2017, BroadeningHorizons runsthroughthe Latrobe Valley Authority, and aims to link school students with industry and community groups.
As part of the program,students developed arange of designs for itemsfor the prevention of FMD, including footbaths and
One suchstakeholder wasLely Center Gippsland employee Danielle Auldist.
“Automation of milking means they need to know about machines and computers, as well as how to install them on-site.
Study takes place as part of athree-year apprenticeship andisbeing offered across all of Gippsland, with campus-based delivery at theYallournand recently-opened Port of Sale campuses.
As part of Collabor8, these partners pose questions and challenges that they face to students, who then work in groups to find solutions.
Studentsshare ideasonhow to prevent FMD
“They also learna range of transferrable skills.”
The course combines the Certificate III in Engineering -MechanicalTrade and Certificate III in Agriculturequalifications, with the aim of equipping students for work on amoderndairy farm.
from Warragul’s Gippy Dairy Centre, who initially approached Mr Quigley about the development of the new course.
With Maffra’s economy being heavily reliant on the dairy industry, the school felt it was important to warnabout the dangers of an outbreak wereone to occur
The Broadening Horizons program will be continuingatMaffra Secondary College for the foreseeable future.
Additionally, students have learnt further about FMD through Ms Tricker’s Year 10 agricultural science class, wherethey will continue to discuss farmbiosecurity in greater detail.
“The existingCert III in Mechanical Engineeringwas adapted and units importedtosuitthe needs of the(dairy) industry.”
“The students werereally engaged, (and) they enjoyedcompleting somethingthat had links to the real world,” Ms Tricker said.
now,” Ms Auldist said.
“It is important that TAFE Gippsland offer the new course as it develops skills needed across many industry sectorsbesides dairy such as large scale glasshouses, food processing plants, machinery centres and mining.
Photo: Supplied
RURAL NEWS 8 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER September,2022
According to Mr Quigley, the course offers the same mechanical engineering units in the existing Certificate III, but students can elect to do dairy-specific units such as mechanically testingmilking machines installing milking machines, and TIG welding of stainless tubes.
TIG welding is one of the components of TAFE Gippsland’s new dairy-centric course.
TAFE Gippsland is offering anew course to tertiarystudents, madewith thenext generation of dairy workers and farmhands in mind.
Getting readyfor modernday farms
WITH concernabout foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) ever present, Maffra Secondary College has been teaching students how to safeguardthe community from infection.
“After extensivediscussions with industry, it was identified that therewas agap in the market and that technology was advancing fast, particularly in the area of robotic milking machines,” Mr Quigley said.
Maffra Secondary College students Emily Svenson and Rose Jones showtheir foot bath prototype to Landcare’s Bonnie Reeves.
By TOMPARRY
By TOMPARRY
Brysen Higgins and Lachie Wain with their tyre cover prototype to avoid transporting FMDon farms Photos: Supplied
ItwasMsAuldist,alongsiderepresentatives
“A numberofthe partners posed the challenge of preventing, managing and dealing
According to head of Industry Engagement Stuart Quigley,the course is adirect response to meeting an industry need.
Moreinformation can be found by visiting www.tafegippsland.edu.au
“The problem solving and design process is great for the students to work through; it encourages them to build empathy (for) other people and see things from adifferent perspective.
“Dairy technicians need so many skills
The initiative is being led by the school’s agriculture teacher,Lashay Tricker,and applied to the Collabor8 program -which itselfispartofthe BroadeningHorizons program.
vehicle wash bays.
“In away, the TAFE has updated agreat traditionaltrade so it keeps pace withwhat is needed in workplaces.”
According to Ms Tricker,Maffra Secondary’s industry partners include Wellington Shire, Elders, Landcare, Gipps Dairy and AgricultureVictoria.
September,2022 9 ADVER TISING FEA TURE
constructing horse arena’s, dam building, dam cleanouts, site cuts/ drainage and track work/ driveways.
Improve your farm
He started working 20 years ago in the excavation/ earthworks industry, as ayoung teenager at just 16 years of age.
Horse arena: Horse arena foraclient up at Moe south.
67 64 062 3 Dam clean outs 3 Newdams 3 Track work 3 Driveways 3 Site cuts 3 Drainage 3 Tree removal 3 Horsearenas “Evans &sons have you covered for allyour earthwork needs” Call Ben for a FREE quote 0419 343 085 EVANS &SON’S EXCAVATIONS “E NO JOB TOO SMALL
Ben specialises in farm works.
Dam beforeand after: Completed jobs in the Gippsland area.
He can help you clear your tracks and make them safe again.
He prides himself on quality long lasting earthworks.
Ben Evans has lived in Gippsland his entirelife and is the owner of Evans and Son’sExcavations.
In 2018 he started his own locally based company Evans and Son’s Excavations.
Since then he has done numerous works in railway and freeway construction in Melbourne and the surrounding areas.
If you have aproperty that needs atidy up or some major excavation work let him come and advise you on how he can improve it for you.
His experience includes
He also knows that during our long hot summers it is essential to keep cattle hydrated.
Ben will use his vast knowledge of this type of work to build you adam that will service your farm for many years to come.
His first job was working for the John Holland Group doing bridge constructions and earthworks all around Victoria.
For afreequote call Ben on 0419 343 085.
Ben understands the danger afarmtrack that is not maintained can cause.
Being alocal Gippslander
“It’s happened beforeatthe school, and it’s always been something that I’ve wanted to do,” Emily said.
By TOMPARRY
Ebonie told Gippsland Farmer whatshe and her fellow studentsweredoingto preparefor the event.
“It’s allabout community.It’sasmall town with agood school, so our local businesses always chip-in and help out wherewecan.”
Briagolong Primary has had an even longerwait -the school typically travels to Maryborough every two years, and was last scheduled to attend the 2020 event.
“All the sponsorship money just helps us get the vehicles up to scratch-because of the scrutineering… making sureour vehicles aremeeting all those standards supports kids’ uniforms, accommodation and just lots of other things that help us be able to run the program.
With the frames for the two HPVs now complete -and athirdhaving been donated by alocal secondary school -Mr Taylor’s attention will now turntobuilding and installing the corflute that protects them.
Their principal, Mark Donald,said the community response had been overwhelming.
RURAL NEWS
One local business supporting the school in its program is Briag FarmServices.
Additionally, the students will commence their physical training, involving beep tests, bicycle rides and other fitness challenges.
This year’s event will be the first to run since 2019, with the past two events both cancelled due to the pandemic.
As such, some students have missed the opportunity to go altogether
Jake Taylor,Briagolong Primary School principal Mark Donald and students with the HPV
“Because without the sponsorship, and our community support,wewouldn’t be able to run it.”
Students at Briagolong Primary School examine one of their three human-powered-vehicles.
“When the opportunity came to be apart of it, tosavethe school abit of money because obviously, things areabit hard at the moment -weput our handup to help with the maintenance of the bikes and getting them ready,” Mr Taylor said.
Held annually in Maryborough, Energy Breakthrough sees primary and secondary schoolsfromacross Australia gather to compete in thecountry’slargestpedal powered endurance event.
10 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER September,2022 YesOptus, Bairnsdale, Sale, Traralgon, Mid Valley and Warragul
“We’ve got nearly 30 financial sponsors, plus alot of raffle donations,” Mr Donald said.
BRIAGOLONG Primary School is gearingup for this year’s Energy Breakthrough event in central Victoria.
Pupils from the school’s senior unit are assisting with the construction of two human-powered vehicles, or HPVs, which they will use to compete in aseries of races and trials.
Business owner JakeTaylor, whose son Jackattends the school, has volun teered his time to assist with the Energy Breakthrough program.
Photos: TomParry
Emily and Ebonie estimated the school had raised over $10,000 through sponsorships.
Both said they wereexcited to be part of the program.
Emily Wagstaffand Ebonie Dias arejust two of the students who will be attending the event.
“Some of us have been going out of school and going to businesses and getting sponsorships, whilst others havejust been staying at school and… designing t-shirts and shorts,” Ebonie said.
Briag Primary shows power of the people
“When we build sheds, we aredesigning, engineering and building the shed to the absolute highest standard, so that the shed will be therewellintothe future, for generations to come.”
PJN is asecond generation, owner operated steel fabrication business based in Walla Walla, NSW
September,2022 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER 11
They have built their brand on their unwavering commitment to being the best in their field, with astrong historyof commitment to quality being handed down through this family business, to the second generation, with Daniel Nadebaum and David Graham taking the reins in 2019.
Dave explained “Daniel handles the sales, quoting and project management, and I handle the stock ordering, drawing and production side of things.
Their state-of-the-artPeddinghaus beamline ensures the accurate, timely and efficient manufacturing of structural components.
“Weworkclosely with clients to streamline
This gives us the highest quality control and ensures efficient installation once on site.”
“Both Daniel and Dave sharethe commitment to quality that the company was built on, with both having a‘Do it once, do it properly’ attitude” acompany spokesperson said.
Building for the future
PJN Steel Fabrication roll all their own purlins, cladding, gutters and downpipes.
Hot dip galvanising is also available if requested.
Clients arealso dealing directly with the manufacturer from beginning to end, ensuring ahigh level of customer service and expertadvice which provides customers with the knowledge that the building is exactly suited to their requirements.
their building project from conception to completion to ensuretheir project is delivered on time and to all required specifications,” said Daniel Nadebaum.
PJN stand by their motto, they areSimply Better Sheds!
All their structural steel is grit blasted, zinc primed and finished with aheavy-duty colour coat.
From their expertadvice on their engineered designs, to the in-house roll forming of the purlins and cladding, through to deliveryand installation, each stage is overseen by the owner operators to ensurethat everyaspect meets the high standards of aPJN shed.
MAKE HAY
So, everyshedthatweproduce both Daniel and Ihave worked on.
(AND SILAGE)while the sun whileshines shines
For over 35 years they have been manufacturing superior quality,structural steel framed rural, industrial, commercial, and public use sheds for clients Australia wide.
The comprehensive in-house processing and roll forming operation at PJN enables them to produce superior quality sheds while maintaining competitive pricing.
If you have any further questions please call Pete Singleton on 0417 581 424 or email 1fensingking@gmail.com he will happily answer any questions regarding Tyresing.
Tyresing Recycling business
12 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER September,2022
The labour and health and safety risks associated with using whole tyres on silage stacks is something that needs to be addressed.
Up until now dairysilage farmers have been utilising the use of whole tyres to act as weights to hold the plastic silage tarp down covering theresilagestacks with whole tyres.
MAKE HAY(AND SILAGE) while The Sun Shines
Tyresing is always thinking of new ideas to use otherwise wasted products to work towards cleaning this planet up.
Using Sidewalls Rollout Matts decreases the farmer’slaborious efforts by over half with no moremovingwhole tyres around a silage stack to feed out.
Research shows that whole tyres areof excess weight and having too much weight holding down silage plastic, can create higher risk of raceways in your silage, increasing the risk of spoilage.
Tyresing is taking pride in working towards creating abetter,brighter,cleaner futureso the younger generations will get to enjoy this beautiful world.
Reducing health and safety risks and creating abetter brighter cleaner futurefor many generations to enjoy
Their main idea and business ventureisto create and invent unique new ideas that can help make silage dairyfarmers lives just that much easier
Tyresing is pushing the use of sidewalls or their newest Sidewall Rollout Matts to silage dairyfarmers,not whole tyres.
Whole tyres have the capacity to collect and hold water creating the perfect breeding environment for mosquitos and possible other health risks associated with stored unhygienic water collection.
This is why Tyresing is seeking support from the government and the dairyindustry.
Please jump on boardand support Tyresing’srecycling business.
Together we can work towards abigger better,brighter and cleaner futuresomany moregenerations mayget to enjoy this beautiful planet and continue easy farming.
TYRESING is anewly established tyre recycling business, with their main aim and idea to be focusing on eco/ environmental ways to recycle and reuseanotherwise wasted product.
Using sidewalls, not whole tyres, also addresses mosquito breeding ground problems.
They areseeking supportfor their business ventures to work with farmers to make their farming lives easier and less laborious.
Tyresing’snewest invention the Sidewall Roll OUT or UP Matt has been designed so one person could cover asilage stack in approximately two hours.
ProcessToRepurpose
Processs s T To o R Reeppuurrppoosse e OurEfficient,Repurposed Ouur r E Efffiicciieenntt, , R Reeppuurrp p poos s seed d SIDEWALLS Tyresing Recycling has created the worlds, fastest Silage covering system. Save Time, Money and Labour Increasing Productivity and Quality of Produce Returns. Sidewalls Reduce OHS Risks e.g., Stagnant Waterborn viruses. SIDEWALLSWill make silage farming awalk in the park this season. MECHANICAL CONCRETE Geo Cylinder Confinement Technology Tyresing Recycling is pushing the ideaofMechanical concrete for more use in future. The Geo Technology hasbeen tested and is aprovenproduct for construction and maintenance of Roads, Highway bases and shoulders, retaining wall facing, Bridge abutments. Slope and channel erosion protection. Many other engineered construction applications. BLACKGOLD TYRE CARPET Tyresing Recycling hascreated NO.#1 Worlds ScrapTyreRubber Carpet The List of Benefits To using Tyresing Recycling BLACKGOLD TYRE CARPET Improveanimal welfareby reducing slips, trips and falls. Easier livestock handing in high traffic areas Betterlivestock efficiencywith less fatigue and weight.loss on slipperysurfaces. Extreme durabilityand lifespan. Call Pete for inovation Callinformation: forinovation information: 0417 0581424 4 4117 7 5 58 8 81 1 4 4224 4 tyresingrecycling2021 mail.c tym resingrecycling2021@gmail.com AUSTRALIA’S#1 AUSTTRRAALLIIAA’’S S # 1
DAVE’S Mechanical Services began three years ago operating from just the ute and home workshop.
They can supply you with just parts as well, stocking pto universals, yokes, covers and new shafts.
They also stock alarge range of SUPER CHARGE Batteries to suit many things
MAKE HAY(AND SILAGE) while The Sun Shines September,2022 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER 13
They also have both the latest scan tools Jaltest and SnapOn, to check and help rectify those electrical gremlins that can
Also they put on another two staffmembers to help with the work load, Talia Newman as an apprentice and Mitchell Gibson as a school based apprentice.
Their aim is to help out their customers by working on their repairs as soon as possible so parts can be ordered asap thus reducing the wait times on repairs.
Dave’s Mechanical Services
It started offwith Dave with 30 years’ experience in the agricultural parts and service industryand an apprentice, Reece Gibson.
Also pto clutch linings, hay spikes, seats, linkage pins and accessories from wellknown suppliers like BareCo and Sparex.
This means that if the parts have to come from overseas your machine is already pulled down and assessed and can sit in the clean workshop while other jobs are flowing through.
Not only do they do repairs, they source many genuine and aftermarket parts as well as second hand parts.
In this ever changing world environment we now live in having alarge workshop means they can have your machines inside, under cover,whilst doing the repairs and waiting for parts to arrive.
happen with tractors and the automotive range.
Within three years they out grew the workshop they werein, so they built alarge new workshop, showroom and office area of which they have not long moved into.
If it is something weirdyou require, they will give it their best to find new or second hand or even get something made to get you going.
Their main work is on tractors and machinerybut they also do some construction equipment, ride on mowers and the odd automotive repairs, like services, brakes and clutches.
including ride on mowers to large Ag batteries and if they run out they get two deliveries aweek.
This also includes insurance repairs, pto shaft repairs and hydraulic hose repairs.
They stock Ryco hoses, hose ends and nipples with their own crimping tool.
It grew quickly and within nine months they wererenting aworkshop in Sale.
They work on almost any make and model of tractors and machineryproviding servicing, major repairs, engine and transmission rebuilds, clutches, electrical issues to hydraulic repairs.
NEW WORKSHOP 51 WELLINGTON PARK WAY, SALE OVER30YEARS EXPERIENCE SERVICINGTRACTORS ANDMACHINERY • Engines • Transmissions • Hydraulics • Electrical • Insurance repairs SUPPLYING: • After-market products and parts • Second hand tractor parts DAVE REECE MITCH TALIA Call us today Dave 0428 517084 or Reece0439634 237 HOURS Mondayto Friday 8am-5pm GP1646528
·Onround balers, inspect belts, chains, and slats or rollers frequently for wear
Areyou stocked up on net wrap, silage film, shear pins, and sparetines for tedders, rakes and balers?
·Pick-up teeth on balers and on rakes are frequently broken or bent.
TTMI offers servicing for all hay and silage equipment.
·Set tension on belts and chains.
14 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER September,2022
·Check that all the PTO covers areinplace and covers for any moving parts arein place and fitted correctly
Below is his check list:
Compiling apre-season checklist is a great way to ensureyou won’tbecaught unprepared.
Replace defective teeth and adjust height if necessary.
MAKE HAY(AND SILAGE) while The Sun Shines
·Ondisc mowers, replace knives and rotate or replace wornturtles over the knives.
·While your equipment has been parked up over winter,thereisrisk of it becoming a nesting place for rats and mice.
Trim frayed edges and repair belts as needed to maintain uniformtension.
TTMI Parts departments can help get you sorted for spring.
Andrew firmly believes that safety is always first.
And most important of all, review your owner’smanual to brush up on operation beforethe season begins and identify recommended maintenance procedures and proper settings.
When not in use, keep belts clean and release belt tension.
Check over electrical connections and hoses for chew marks and remove any nesting material.
The company would like to wish everyone a safe and successful harvest season.
·Check over the lights, reflectors, and decals beforetaking machineryout on the road.
·Inspect, lubricate, and service all power driven areas such as belts, bearings, chains, and gears.
Also, be sureyou have replacement parts on hand for frequently broken or replaced items.
·Conditioning rollers areoften overlooked. Look for uneven wear and adjust the roll gap, roll timing, and roll pressurefor your crop.
Even if you typically take adoit-yourself approach to equipment maintenance, TTMI areavailable to provide expertworkshop and field service and supportwhenyou need it.
HAYand Silage season is nearly here again and now is the time to take advantage of the rainy days to maintain your haying equipment and prevent costly downtime in the harvest.
Hay and Silage: Pre season checks
Andrew Snape aDirector of TTMI, with atechnician background and many years’ experience in balers of all types recommends completing these checks to make sureyou minimise issues during harvest.
Call them today to find out how they can help you have asuccessful harvest. www.ttmi.com.au
·Being made from 220 gsm Virgin PE Fabric
Features on their haytarps include:
Looking after the land is the key to producing quality hay
ABC Tarps offer agood solution to ensure hay is covered.
ABC Tarps have been supplying the agricultural sector for afew decades with heavy duty polyethylene tarps that aredesigned specifically for the tough Australian climate.
THE Australian agricultural sector faces ahuge amount of risk when preparing, planting, growing, and harvesting their crops.
GP1644600 Call :1300 656 211(AllHours) Email :info@abctarps.com.au Website: www.abctarps.com.a Instagram: @abctarps Any tarp relatedquestions? Feel free to contact us on: 3.6 x16.4 3.6 x27.0 6.0 x16.4 6.0 x22.5 7.5 x22.5 8.3 x9.0 12 x54 12 x90 20 x54 20 x74 25 x74 27 x30 Superior Quality Polyethylene Strong &Durable Very Economical UV Stabilized Waterproof LargeSize Range Hay Covers SAVE Hay, SAVE Money with Hay Covers Suitable for Round& Square Bales Rope Reinforced edges Brass Eyelets &Webbing Loops for easy tie-down Available Immediately 10.0x 12.8 10.0x 16.4 10.0 22.5 12.0x 21.0 15.0x 21.0 33 x42 33 x54 33 x74 40 x70 50 x70 http://abctarps com.au/ mu/abca.ap//bc : tttp: h p // b p /Website:www.abctarps.com.au Website www abcta ps com a g tarps/n@abctarps s agram: arpsttps: p GP1646247
Tips forhay coverinstallation:
·Brass reinforced eyelets spaced every meter apart, 25mm looped drag handles on the meter interval on all sides to assist in tie-offand securing the tarp once it’sin place
·Beprepared –beconscious of the weather,inparticular,the wind, work out the orientation of the hay cover
MAKE HAY(AND SILAGE) while The Sun Shines September,2022 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER 15
Contracting can also include spraying and cartage.
·Asthe cover is positioned, tie the tarp off to ensureitstays in place.
ABC Tarpshave Hay covered
The risks can include drought, plagues, frost, hail, floods and fire, which can leave farmers exposed.
Harvesting can include bulk and baled silage, hay in rolls and large or small squarebales.
·Added protection from an upper and lower scrim
The last thing the agricultural sector needs is the value of harvested crops decreasing or worse, being destroyed, as aresult of it not being protected.
·Heavy duty rope lined edges
It is important to Ask Agricultural Services that you get the best quality hay or silage.
·Silver reflective coating
ABC Tarps recommendusing rope from the eyelet and then tie the lower end of the rope to aspring or hay bolt.
They know that anybody can bale grass but only afew can make hay; and secondly that the quality of the hay is only as good as the material that goes into it.
Covers, tarps or tarpaulins have been widely used to provide asecureand cost effective cover for produce and crops in the event of ‘hardstand covers’ not being available.
·Whenunfurling the cover ensureyou are
heading “downwind” –donot attempt to unfurl into aprevailing wind as the tarp will formasailand your crew will end up in a neighbouring suburb.
·Work out the orientation/position of the hay cover to ensureits position is as per the required dimensions when unfurled. The cover will roll out the shortside first and then the long side.
They also produce afullrange of hay products.
Ask Agricultural Services have been agricultural contractors since 2000 and they provide all of the above services.
Regular feeding, watering and refreshing the seed mix should be viewed as an investment not acost.
AGRICULTURAL Contractors prepare soil, plant seeds and harvest awide variety of crops, including pasture, cereals, lucerne etc.
AskAgricultural Services
They arebased in Cowwarr and primarily service the Macalister Irrigation District.
·Providing ultraviolet light and waterproof protection
·Check the weight of the hay cover before
lifting and placing on the haystack for health and safety reasons.
“MAX CUT has set the standardfor chop quality,ultra-smooth running and fuel efficiency since its introduction in 2014,” Dallan says.
CLAAS Greenline equipment is manufactured at astate-of-the-artfacility in BadSaulgau in southernGermany
All models incorporate the MAX SPREAD crop flow concept and ground contour tracking
“The suspension pressure can be adjusted during operation using a single acting hydraulic service,” Dallan says
“There is minimal ground pressure when the floatation pressure is correctly set, which reduces skid wear, dirt contamination of the forage as well as reducing fuel consumption
CLAAS offers arange of mounted and trailed VOLTO tedders in working widths of 5 2 to 13m
“The crop flows between the rotors in almost straight lines, which means leafy crops like lucerne can be tedded without any problems.
This innovative design allows the
The final stage of the Greenline harvesting system is processing and baling using ahigh performance CLAAS VARIANT 400 variable-chamber round balers or CLAASQUADRANT 5300 big squarebalers.
“Each rotor is free to move independently of the chassis and is mounted on four or six wheels, allowing three dimensional tracking over uneven ground,” Dallan says
“Its innovative design enables the large drive sprockets of the mowing discs to be placed well forward, ensuring maximum possible overlap and surface area with multiple teeth engaging at two points.
Tedding has an important role to play in optimising forage quality by quickening drying time and reducing contamination.
“This provides up to one metre of give vertically and up to 30 degrees laterally allowing the mower to work with
“CLAAS is recognised as aworld leader in forage harvesting technology manufacturing an integrated range of mowers, tedders and swathers.
The site hosts one of the world’smost modernresearch and development facilities for forage harvesting and tractor-implement automation technology
The site is currently undergoing an AUD $58 million refurbishment to meet increasing global demand for high performance harvesting technology
Tine arms and tines can be easily removed or replaced.
Contact CLAAS Harvest Centretoday and find out how CLAAS Greenline technology can increase the productivity and efficiency of your forage harvesting program this spring
It represents some of the world’s leading farm machinery brands, including CLAAS, AMAZONE, JCB (NZ) and Väderstad (AU), via its network of 33 owned and franchised CLAAS Harvest Centres and 20 independent dealerships throughout New Zealand and Australia
“The uniformspacing between the discs ensures aconsistent cut.
CLAAS Harvest CentreRegional Branch Manager,DallanClark, says one of the foundations of producing quality fodder is reducing contamination during harvesting operations.
About CLAAS Harvest Centre: CLAAS Harvest Centre is one of the largest privately owned farm machinery distributors in Australasia
For more information contact CLAAS Harvest Centre Regional Branch Manager Dallan Clark on 0447 234 477
The two fully-equipped service workshops arestaffed by two service managers, six service technicians, three apprentices and three parts interpreters.
WHILE performance, reliability,ease of maintenance and cost areall top of mind when making purchasing decisions about forage harvesting machinery, the production of high-quality fodder should always be the focus.
Quality milk starts with clean forage
Other features include arapid bladechange system for easy maintenance; SAFETY LINK overload system; and a 850 rpm Economy PTO to minimise fuel consumption.
“Everymodel is designed to keep fodder clean at each step of the harvesting process, which in turn, lays the foundation for the next harvest by protecting pastures and ground cover.”
MAKE HAY(AND SILAGE) while The Sun Shines 16 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER September,2022
All areequipped with the award-winning MAX CUT mower bed.
The new MOVE configuration has a highly manoeuvrable headstock that allows the mower to move independently from the tractor’s front linkage
“This allows higher travel speeds and higher performance, and thanks to the lower engine speed, reduced fuel consumption
Other features include amaintenancefree transmission, patented PERMALINK finger clutch system and power drawbar CLAAS LINER rakes areavailable in 20 single twin or quad rotor models with operating widths spanning from 3 5 to 15 metres
rotors to adapt to any ground contour, ensuring aclean raking performance and high feed quality.”
“Each pair of tines is offset by 10 degrees to create atrailing end that helps lift the crop from the ground,” Dallan says.
“This design ensures gentle and effective raking performance and optimal swath formation.”
“The equal length fingers ensurethe crop is picked up, spread and layered evenly to ensureconsistent drying.”
Bales can then be easily collected and stored using aCLAAS SCORPION telehandler
CLAAS Harvest Centreemploys more than 20 people across its two branches at Warragul and Leongatha.
“This design provides ashear barfor an effective cut and maximum overlap for optimum crop flow without clumping.”
“Compared to conventional tedding systems MAX SPREAD causes the spreading arms to work considerably longer in the direction of travel, thereby increasing crop pick up,” Dallan says “The tines distribute the crop evenly right across the maximum operating width, regardless of the working speed
“This is whereCLAAS ‘Greenline’ forage harvesting technology comes into its own,” he says.
CLAAS DISCO mowers areavailable in morethan 30 front-mounted, rear mounted, combination and trailed models with operating widths from 2.2 metres through to 10.7 m.
Most models fold to atransportheight of less than four metres without the need to remove individual tine arms.
“The wave-shaped mower bed is forged from asingle piece of 5mm thick steel profile, which in conjunction with the skids, creates adirt-repellent tunnel effect.
“The especially hardened inserts are shaped differently to accommodate the mowing discs as they run together and apart.
optimal efficiency and safety in even the roughest of paddocks,” Dallan says.
“The larger models also feature a floating rotor suspension, which means the tines always stay parallel to the ground, ensuring raking remains clean at any speed
ACTIVE FLOATintegrated hydraulic suspension ensures mowers adapt perfectly to groundcontours for clean mowing
September,2022 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER 17
With the end of World WarII, the growing demand for agricultural tractors contributed to the strong production impulse of the European plants in St. Dizier in France, Neuss in Germany and Doncaster in Great Britain.
The range was subsequently renewed and updated with the most advanced technologies and in 2013 the new “X” ranges werelaunched: initially the X4 and X7 and then the X2, X3, X5, X6 and X6 LWB.
McCormick today
Alookbackatthe main events behind the current success of McCormick tractors.
“What has guided me in this sector”, continues Leonardi, “is my great passion for engines, for vehicles and especially tractors.
Design and branding areclosely linked, as he goes on to underline:
McCormick Farmisthe name of the farm in Raphine, Virginia, whereCyrus Hall McCormick founded the McCormick Deering Company back in 1831, revolutionising the world of agriculture with the first mechanical reaper
Now owned by Virginia Tech University, the historic farmsite is used as afarm, as well as amuseum, educational facility,picnic area and landmark open to visitors.
180yearsofhistory and technology
Despite the serious financial loss following the firethat destroyed Chicago and the company’sfactory, in 1873
Historical milestones: From its creation to 1970
It all started with the restyling of the X8 VT-Drive and that is wherethisgreat adventurebegan”.
At McCormick, functionality and technology must be combined with an attention to quality solutions in terms of forms, colours, details and high comfort: all to create aclassy environment to meet the verydemanding customer’s expectations”.
Experience and awareness of technical aspects makes it possible to find the best solutions that guarantee both practicality and style”.
The origins
In the early decades of the 1900s, the International Harvester Company inaugurated several production sites for agricultural machineryand implements in Canada and Europe, but it was not until 1906 that its first tractor with powers between 10 and 20 HP saw the light of day
Aresult that is achieved to perfection in McCormick tractors in each new product family
The design is often the first thing that people see and it is judged and appreciated”, he says, telling us about his experience at Argo Tractors.
The group’sstrategy was to develop aproduct of the highest quality and performance that is why production
Great attention must thereforebepaid to ergonomics.
Historical milestones: the 2000s
“Working for aleading and internationally renowned brandlike McCormick is certainly verysatisfying, but also agreat responsibility,because
In the year 2000, the McCormick brand and the Doncaster plant weretaken over by the Argo Group, along with the tractors’ production and technical know-how
In 2004, McCormick had 37 tractor models ranging from 37 to 280 HP
you cannot disappoint or get it wrong.
Xtractor: an adventureaboard McCormick
Everything must revolve smoothly around the user
Morgan facilitated the merger between
Unlike acar,there areseveral functional islands in atractor: the dashboard, the left panel, the right panel, underthe roof, the multifunctional armrest.
Founded on the legacy of Cyrus McCormick, McCormick continued its journey with arange of products designed for the most demanding farmers.
McCormick:
Since then, the evolution and growth of the brand has never stopped, reaching several milestones over the years, expanding the product range and building tractors of ever-increasing power,uptothe X8 VT-Drive series that takes the McCormick range beyond 300 HP
With aproduct line-up ranging from 49 to 310 HP,McCormick has invested more and moreintechnological development over the years, producing arange of top-level, state-of-the-arttractors that have made the brand one of the world leaders in the agricultural machinery sector
After obtaining apatent for aspecial plough and afamous reaper in 1834, the young entrepreneur started to focus on providing his implements to the ever expanding American market.
In 2001 anew era began: the new McCormick announces its presence on the market once again.
“For the McCormick brand, the design must convey the brand’svalues and mission: the high power,the technological aspect, aquality product, comfortand safety
McCormick Harvesting Machine Company (founded in Chicago in 1847) and Deering Harvester Company,the first major world group in the agricultural machinerysector was born: it was the International Harvester Company (IH), Cyrus H.McCormick Junior was its founder and became its president.
McCormick’sinterior layout is always built around aperson and the technology that governs the tractor’s power
Everything has to work well and harmoniously
It is adelicate balance, between functionality and style, but “the latter”, Leonardi clearly reiterates, “Must never become an unnecessarycomplication.
The Morra family made an offer for two European plants and the McCormick name.
The brand created by Cyrus became famous in ashort time all over the world, so much so that he himself is mentioned in some historybooks as “the father of modernagriculture”.
In 1970, it was McCormick that launched the first European tractors with synchronised transmissions and offered the option of hydrostatic transmissions.
MAKE HAY(AND SILAGE) while The Sun Shines 18 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER September,2022
Along with his brothers William and Leander,in1847Cyrus from rural Virginia moved to Chicago wherehe created the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company
When in 1902, financier J.P
The following year it was already able to fulfil over 10 thousand orders.
Cyrus inaugurated anew factory, which was immediately brought into full production.
In 2015, the brand set anew important milestone by raising the bar even higher with the launch of the X8 VT-Drive, which took the McCormick range beyond 300 HP,once again underscoring the vocation for continuous innovation, power and performance of this prestigious brand.
The evolution
activities areconcentrated in Italy,where Argo Tractors S.p.A. has created a centreofexcellence.
This docu-reality involved McCormick tractors on ajourney across two continents in the 2015 edition in Australia and 2018 edition in South Africa: the X7 and X8 VT-Drive covered 8,000 km in both trips through wild and rugged territories, studded with incredible challenges, anever-beforeseen adventure.
Style enhances McCormick’s power and technology
McCormick, one of the Argo Tractors brands based in the province of Reggio Emilia, Italy,has recently completed a stylistic renewalofits entirerange, which has involved anew expressive and recognisable family feeling. This is the culmination of ajourney that began afew years ago, starting with the X8 VT-Drive, and which, step by step, has extended to the entirerange. One of the architects of this process is Fabio Leonardi, designer at the industrial group.
September,2022 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER 19
20 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER September,2022 GP1646652
MAKE HAY(AND SILAGE) while The Sun Shines September,2022 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER 21
Their aim is to supply quality products at competitive prices to farmers and contractors across Gippsland.
faster,which will increase the DM content of the ensiled silage.
ever made seven layered silage film which is made from 100 percent quality raw materials.
MEKTRAC Ag Services area family run agricultural contractor based in East Gippsland.
They have anew 800HP Claas 970 Self Propelled Forager and will now be able to offer maize shreddage for this season.
Established in 2016 they originally began stocking RichRap silage wrap which is manufactured in Mentone, Victoria, Australia by Richdale Plastics. Richdale has produced Australia’sfirst
Since then they have expanded their range and now also supply Barbier Heritage wrap and Pope’sBulldog wrap
GIPPSLAND Wraps is asmall company based in Leongatha South Gippsland.
Established by Jason and Katy Mekken they service all of Gippsland.
They offer acompleteprecision chop pit silage service for grass, whole-crop, lucerne and maize.
They can mow and condition, rake, harvest and consolidate your silage for you. Their mower conditioners help wilt the crop
They aim to harvest the crop in the optimum time frame, and they make sure that it is rolled and ensiled correctly to provide their customers with the best possible product from their crop.
Gippsland Wraps
GP1647135 Ph:Jason0402851544 FINDUSON: Mektrac.com.au CompletePitSilageService Grass-Maize-WholeCrop GP1647815
Mektrac Ag Services
More recently they have introduced arange of Netwrap with two options available.
sheep stud Frog HollowFarm.
Head to www.hallstonvalleyfarm.com or followHallston ValleyonInstagram, YouTube and Facebook fordetails
This makes the breed ideal formicrofarms, lifestyle farmsorthose wantingtocapitalise on the paddocktoplatemarketand sell meat direct to consumers.
heep
The WiltshireHornbreed is ahardy British, self-shedding wool breed so theyneed minimal intervention and no shearing
From theveryfirst phonecall to the ewes giving birth theyhaveonlybeen aphone call away to assist us with all our questions
Jill even talked me intoshowing my sheep at the Victorian Sheep ShowinBallarat we came home with the champion WiltshireHornRam
Forlivestockbuyersthismeans youcan be confident that WiltshireHorns will work well locallyfor youand be confident that youare buying qualitysheep
Theysecured worm resistant blood lines, muscle scan all of their sheep annuallyto improvecarcass qualities and use ramgenetic testing to improvelambsurvivabilityand foot health issues
Hallston ValleyFarmdemonstrates how sheep can work very effectivelyand be commercial on small holdings in areas of Gippsland.
Jill and Garystarted small and purchased qualitybreedinggeneticsfromall across Australia.Todaythe diverseagribusiness and regenerative-based farm is home to the biggest flockofregistered and commercial
Their advice is to startwith good quality, fertile and functional sheep that arewell suited to Gippsland conditions
Theybreed sheep that thriveinthe climatein Gippsland which is different to other drier areas of Australia.
Jody and Shannon from Naraccan
WANT to get sheep on your farm or small holding butdon’t knowwhat sheep to get or wheretostart?
Jill and Garyhavebeen nothing short of amazing forusbeginning our sheep journey.
PREVI EW SheepSale
We sawthesebeautiful WiltshireHornsheep that shed their wool and do well in the wetand livinginPoowong,wethought these arethe sheep we need!
Since then we have established acommercial sheep enterprise and nowrun our own
Got sheep already and want to take the next step and makeita commercial enterprise or set up astud and become aregistered breeder?
WiltshireHornsheep in Victoria.
Stockwill be available forviewing and inspection from 11am
22 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER September,2022
Jane andPat Reeves, Poowong
Get hooked on Wiltshire Horns
Hallston ValleyFarmwill hold their annual WiltshireHornram and ewesale on Monday October 31 at 1pm.
Theyoffer hands-on practice,education and an aftersales service wheretheywill help youwith regularanimal husbandrylike vaccinations
The farm is open to the public and Jill and Garyhavea strong education focus helping
So what do their customerssay?
Jill also runs the internationallyacclaimed Sheep ShowPodcast which is available to download forfreefromthe HallstonValley Farm website, at www.hallstonvalleyfarm.com.
As abonus you’ll also get lots of support once youget your newsheep home!
WheneverIhavequestions Iring Jill, no question is toostupid.
Jill and Garyshowedusthe ropeswith vaccines and drenches and showedus their farm which gaveuslots of ideas
Ihighlyrecommend Hallston Valley Farm to anyone wanting to begin their shepherding journey.
“Wemet Jill and GaryfromHallston Valley Farm in 2017
Youwill be fullysupportedand your confidence will be beaming beforeyou knowit!
eeding gt sheep enterprise to the next level.
ForJill Noble and GaryTie WiltshireHorns tickedall the boxes.
Jill produces asheep magazine called ‘The Muster’which is published through The Australian Stud Sheep BreedersAssociation and is on the sheep committeefor the Melbourne RoyalShow.
Without Jill’shelp that would neverhave happened, Iamhooked!
AHallstoncouple have developed amodel which will help youachieve your goal every step of the way.
“This year has been averygoodone with ahigh lambing percentage and timelyrainfall to assist lambs in achieving good weaning weights” Mr.Trewicksaid.
This year’s offering consists of awellbalanced group of rams with manyshowing extreme muscling coming from sirePepperton 180339 which is the leading ramfor muscle on Lambplan figures
Mr.Trewickisafifth-generation farmer since his familysettled the Elmorepropertyin1864.
Peppertonruns 1200 sheep with 500 breeding ewes,splitting lambing between autumn and spring
The Online and On Property Sale will be held on Wednesday12th October at 1pm.
“Manyyearsofbreedinghavegone into producing these rams which areshowing consistentlygood birthweights,growth, muscle,positiveintramuscular fat, and shear force(tenderness) which combine to give consumersthe good eating experience they desiretoimproveoverall productivity.
Manyofthe rams areperforming well above the terminal expectations with the majority being in the top10percent across manyofthe indices
He has been used over both Poll Dorset and WhiteSuffolk ewes to inject this trait intothe flock.
The stud will also have adisplayatthe ElmoreField Days
His father created Wharoonah Dorset Horn Stud in 1943
Please remember to register with Elite Livestockbeforethe sale commences
“Weweigh, tagand recordparentage of everylamb at birth and at 250 days a post-weaning ultrasound scan is conducted by an accredited Lambplan scanner,torecordfat depth, muscle and weight,”she said.
Pepperton Stud, Elmore
Right down the line up excellent Lambplan
Mr.Trewickand hiswifeDianne established PeppertonPoll Dorset Stud in 1994 andthen began breeding WhiteSuffolk’sin2004.
indices areevident as aresult of manyyears of A.I breeding using leading Lambplan sires
PEPPERTONPoll Dorset and WhiteSuffolk stud principals Rogerand Dianne Trewick areoffering 50 Poll Dorset and 50 White Suffolk rams at their upcoming Online and On-Property Auction.
September,2022 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER 23
SHEEP SALEPREVIEW PINORA POLL DORSETS 16TH ANNUAL FLOCK RAM SALE WEDNESDAY 19TH OCTOBER AT 1.30PM SELLING 70 RAMS 11/2 YO SIRES FROM: KONONGWOOTONG & PINORA OJD VACCINATED BRUCELLOSIS ACREDITED PRIME SCAN FIGURES AVAILABLE CONTACT KELVIN 0408482 759 IAN BAKER 0408509 319 NUTRIENGREENWOOD LIVESTOCK 453 HEYFIELD DAWSON RD HEYFIELD GP1 646668 Pepperton Pepperton Poll Dorsets &White Suffolks ONLINE AND ON PROPERTY SALE 2022 Wednesday 12th Octoberat1pm Auctioneers: RayWhite Livestockinterfacing with EliteLivestock Auctions Rams availablefor inspection Saturday1st Octoberand Saturday8th October. Roger&DianneTrewick,Pepperton Farm 327Elmore-MintoRoad, Elmore.Vic Mob: 0428 326190 Email: peperton@bigpond.net.au www.pepperton.com.au EliteWool • Fer lity • Carcase • MulesFree 9th Annual On Property Ram Sale Thursday Sept 15th Inspection from 10.30am -Sale starts 1pm -Refreshments provided Selling 5Rams at Classings Classic Ram Sale, Murray Bridge -September 5th On-PropertyInspection Day -Thursday September 8th -10am to 4pm BJ &TEDean 96 Frampton Road, Joel Joel, VIC 3384 Flock No.1465 -Poll Merino Stud Phone: (03) 5356 9147 Mobile: 0407 054 342 Email: brucedean@bigpond.com Brucellosis Accredited &Approved OJD Vaccinates www.forestspringsmerinos.com Live Stream Glendon Hancock 0429 829 613 FS29082022186x129mm
Our rams nowfeatureinmanystuds across Australia” MrsTrewicksaid.
Auctioneersare RayWhiteLivestockand interfacing with EliteLivestockAuctions
Rams availablefor inspection on Saturday the 1st and Saturdaythe 8thofOctober
BeeMax allows beekeepers to register their bee movements.
Victorian chief plant health officer Rosa Crnov said the widening brings the state’s permit system in line with other statesand territories, including South Australia and Queensland.
The eggs arepassed in an animal’s faeces, they hatch, develop to an infectious stage, areeatenbya susceptible animal and develop into an adultworminthe animal’s fourth stomach.
Ever-widening net cast in hunt for Varroa mite
Dr Crnov said the new permit system, combinedwithbeekeeper registration requirements and the BeeMax system
Worm burdens canbuild up relatively quickly in affected sheep as the worm has arelatively shortlifecycle and pro duces many eggs compared withother roundworms.
Gippsland Veterinary Hospital
“Weare confident given the smaller number of hives required for pollination from now on that the existing BeeMax systemwill give usthe informationwe need for tracking and tracing in the event of aVarroa detection in Victoria.
AGRICULTURE Victoria has widened its permit system for moving bees to include anyonebringing bees or bee productsinto any part of the state to further safeguard the industry against Varroa mite.
RURAL NEWS 24 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER September,2022
Permits will not be grantedfor movement from New South Wales.
All body condition types can be affected.
Call us or visit the website www.maffravet.com.au formoredetails We’vegotyoucovered MaffraVet 03 5147 1177
Barber’s pole on march
AGRICULTURE Victoria is urging livestock producers to be on the lookout for ablood suckingroundwormofsheep and goats, with minor crossover into cattle.
Almond pollination is expectedtostart windingdownin Sunraysiabyearly September and bees will be needed to pollinate other crops.
AgricultureVictoria haswidened its permit system to try and safeguardagainst Varroa mite.
worms can be easily seen in afresh, postmortem of the stomach contentsofan affected sheep.
Typically, barber’s pole worms favour warm, humid conditions.Its lifecycle is like other roundworms.
Photo: File
It includes anyone bringing bees, hives, queen bees, used beekeeping equipment and bee products, including pollen and honeycomb into any part of Victoria from any state or territory.
Asheep affectedwith roundworm will have an egg count in the thousands, compared with one affected by scour worms with an egg count in the hundreds.
This includes crops growun in Swan Hill and the GoulburnValley and seed canola, mustardand clovercrops in the Wimmera.
Barber’s pole wormcan be managed and treated with muchthe same approach used for other roundworms.
“A permit system was requiredfor the Sunraysia given the huge volume of hives coming from across the country just as Varroa mitewas detected inNew South Wales,” Dr Crnov said.
Victorian-registeredbeekeepers will be able to move their hives out of Sunraysia to other parts of the state without apermit, providing they areregistered on BeeMax.
would provide confidence in delivering safe pollination across the state.
Signs of barber’s pole worminclude anaemia because of blood loss and lethargy.
“CurrentlyVictoriaremains freeof Varroa mite and in the event of adetection, Agriculture Victoriawill undertake appropriate risk-management actions to respond.”
Two-to-three centimetrelong adultfemale
Furthermore, the genomic testing ensures bulls arefreeofgenetic defects and Pestivirus (BVDV), contributing to amoreprofitable bottom line for beef producers.
Stud Principal Glenn Bowman is focusing on producing extra-thick, deep-sided and deep-flanked bulls, with broad heads, terrific butt shapes, muscle content, colour,cosmetics and superior feet.
sons of Injemira Gallipoli N217 available in 2023.
Looking to the future, the Herefordherd will featureexciting new genetics with
BULL AND HEIFERSALESSpring Preview Preview
accuracy breed plan data, matching the bull to the specific needs of the farmer
They arealso eagerly awaiting the first progeny of Kanimbla Wallace Q065, acalving ease specialist with IMF three-times the breed average.
For all bull sales, contact Glenn Bowman 0437 172 748.
Expansion of Bowman Performance Genetics continues into the New Year with Gippsland’slargestever onproperty HBR Angus Bull sale in autumn 2023.
This spring the Neerim South-based Angus stud will be offering aselection of rising two-year-old HBR HerefordBulls forprivate sale.
scrotal, IMF and all carcase characteristics will be available for sale from the 1st of September
Bowman Performance Genetics
September,2022 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER 25
Outstanding sons of proven sire, Hunter Lakes Lion HeartL110 who is in the top ten percent of the breed for growth,
Strong demand continues for Bowman Performance Genetics’ exclusively grass-fed, high-calibrebulls, as progressive producers capitalise on the merits of phenotypical, high-muscle progeny, backed up with premium data.
Calving ease, gestation length, carcase weight, Intra Muscular Fat (IMF), Eye Muscle Area (EMA) and fertility can all be selected.
His investment in genomic mapping (DNA testing) of the entireherd, verifies parentage and provides higher
With one eye on the future, Mr Pisa is continuing to cement Absolute Angus in Australia’sstud landscape, with the Gippsland-based enterprise recently expanding to include a450+acre grazing and breeding property at Echuca in northernVictoria.
“We’refocused on having these cattle in peak condition for the sale,” Mr Pisa said.
GP1646793
“By combining the best of old and new genetics on offer,our bulls have all the coreelements of top genetic performance, durability,longevity and adaptability,” Mr Pisa said.
Mr Pisa puts the impressive results down to his laser-like focus on top-of-the range genetics, backed up by strong data.
The results speak for themselves: the stud had anear total-clearance at its autumn sale earlier this year,when50ofthe 52 bulls presented weresold, with an average of just under $10,000 per head.
“Investing in bringing in specially selected pedigree sires and females with the
this sale is also one of our biggest to date.
Record-breakers’ progeny to be showcased at spring sale
ers and cross-breeders,” Mr Pisa said.
Absolute Angus
As far as TeMania Emperor is concerned, it’salmosta full circle for Mr Pisa.
“The Echuca property gives us the chance to extend the breeds-leading genetics Absolute Angus is known for,while continuing to invest in the depth and performance of the herd.”
and in 2019, the purchase of one of Australia’smost sought-after sires, Landfall New Ground N90.
He might have missed out then, but Mr Pisa has since morethan made up for it by investing in elite genetics.
“These arecattle that complement any herd, with good phenotype and strong structure.”
26 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER September,2022
“People areunderstanding moreand moreabout the value of good genetics, and they know they can rely on Absolute Angus to deliver.”
Currently boasting around 500 breeders across both properties, Absolute Angus is expecting to run in the order of 700 cattle in 2023.
Stud principal Anthony Pisa this week revealed the sale will offer three bulls from the full-sister of TeMania Emperor,along with progeny from other top-performing bloodlines that include stand-out names such as Landfall New Ground N90, TeMania Berkley VTMB1 and TeMania Lowan VTMZ45.
For more information visit the website at www absoluteangus.com.au or contact Anthony Pisa on 0447 000 758
“Our bulls arenaturally good, tough bulls that are true to the Angus breed. They suit everycommercial breeder,and you can take them anywhere.”
The spring sale will also include featuresires such as Sitz Stellar,GBFireball 672, Sydgen Enhance, yearlings by Beast Mode and Landfall Leonardo P145.
Toppurchases include the 2013 acquisition of the full sister to TeMania Emperor
“I will cull that number when the time is right, but extending the herdisanimportant step in ensuring we are able to continue to meet the needs of commercial buy-
The Absolute Angus 2022 spring bull sale will be held on-property and online from 1pm on October 12 at 292 Trafalgar South Road, Trafalgar South.
It’sherethat yearlings will be prepared for the October sale, while Mr Pisa will keep the 24-month-old bulls under his watch at the stud’sTrafalgar South base.
Powerhouse progeny from the same bloodline as Australia’srecord-breaking bull TeMania Emperor E343 will headline the upcoming Absolute Angus spring sale on Wednesday 12 October at the West Gippsland stud.
“The spring sale is the first time we’ll be selling bulls off the Echuca property,and
He was the losing bidder when TeMania Emperor sold in 2011 for $91,000, achieving an Australian recordprice for an Angus bull sold at auction.
genetic depth and right performance data is now paying dividends,” Mr Pisa said.
Taking in Murray River floodplains, the new property offers sandy loam soils and morehours of sunshine in each day,which brings with it arange of breeding and grazing benefits.
Spring Bull and Heifer Sales Preview
Thereare 10 studs from all around Victoria participating, showcasing what they have to offer with 32 Heifers entered in the sale which will be run by Auctions Plus on October 7from 11.00am.
After having experience around bulls of different breeds, Iammost comfortable working with Limousins.”
cattle held the number one position as most popular beef breed wherethe focus is moreonred meat production and carcass weight rather than fat production.” Jenny said.
The Gippsland Limousin Breeders Promotion Group have arranged aHeifer Sale for all Victorian Limousin Breeders.
If you arelooking at starting out, upgrading your female line to improve your vealers for the market or even finding new genetics for your herdthis sale would provide aperfect opportunity
Spring Bull and Heifer Sales Preview Limousin BILLYCREEKs WESTERN GOLD COLT SENIOR CHAMPION BULL 2018 ON FARM CHALLENGE SIRE OF LOTS 21, 23 AND 26 IN ONLINE HEIFER SALE. dereynolds14@gmail.com Mobile 0427 401 142 440 Hazelwood Estate Road Hazelwood 3840 Mark and Deb Reynolds Gavan&JudyBudge,Yallourn North 0428 671 312 Quality French CattleSince1978 This bull is the sireofour heifersinthe Limousin vendor ownedheifer sale on 7October 2022. Thefour heifers arewell grownand have good length and muscle.Pre-inspection most welcome.
Thereisanexcellent range of heifers entered in the sale, including young unjoined to PTIC heifers,
Many commercial breeders areusing Limousin bulls over their females for the hybrid vigour and to gain the extra kilos at the vealer market which means extra dollars in your pocket.
“Welovethe limousin breed, especially their temperament and ability to turngrass into redmeat. In the UK, the limousin
Heifer Sale 2022
‘’Limousins yield over 60 percent live weight to carcass, as opposed to other popular breeds with only 50-55 percent live weight to carcass, with less fat to cut offand therefore less wastage.
This sale is designed to give Victorian Limousin breeders an opportunity that they have lacked especially since the Limousin National Show and Sale recently moved from Wodonga to Holbrook.
The Limousin cattle are excellent mothers and have fantastic temperaments which makes them easier to manage around calving time.
The animals can be inspected by contacting the individual studs prior to Auction.
President of the Gippsland promotion group, Jenny Lamb of Birchwood Limousins said she was excited at the prospect of having asale for Victorian Vendors and giving them an opportunity to promote their stud and the breed in general.
September,2022 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER 27
The judging was done in late August and the results werepublished on the Australian Limousin Breeders Society website, the Gippsland Limousin Breeders website and Facebook page as well as published in the sale catalogue.
Limousin is aleanermeat and thereforea healthier option also.
Rylie is an experienced cattle judge with over 10 years’ experience working with cattle and aBachelor
black, French pure, as well as traditional apricots.
Breeding with Limousin females will give you the extra everytime.
The temperaments arealso reflected in the stock at the
Rylie Cherrey,anagronomist with Elders in central NSW and Limousin breeder has been appointed to judge the entries that are separated into five categories based on age.
of Agriculture.
markets, with their easy going natureyou areless likely to have dark kills.
The introduction of P26, B181 and K465 offer differ ent and exciting blood lines for Raedean plus they have exciting bull calves on the ground by Tronar Kemble, Raedean Limited Edition L24, Goondoola Maverick M20 and Red Northline Revival 122C, another bull they saw while in Canada and werelucky enough to purchase semen from him when they returned to Australia.
They loved this female and her progeny at U2 so to purchase the semen of Reckoning was exciting and they hope all of these traits will flow through into their herd.
They purchased the Red U2 Reckoning 149A semen at the U2 dispersal sale while they wereinCanada.
Progeny that have improved and changed the foot and udder quality in the breed forever!
Spring Bull and Heifer Sales Preview
their herd. Adociletemperament is extremely important to them especially as they have their granddaughter
Anexa 271Y was described in the sale catalogue as: “Anexa 271Y is aspecimen of biological perfection from her flawless phenotype and angularity,all theway to her continuous “proven to succeed” bloodlines.
Georgia with them most weekends and she helps with the cattle and even has her own heifer as pictured.
Annette and Noel are excited for the arrival of embryo calves by Red U2 Reckoning 149A xGK Red Platinum Ruba P26 and OLC Chateau K465 x Trevone Park Little Princess B181.
28 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER September,2022
Raedean Red Angus welcome you to inspect their Red Angus herd and select your new sire from their high performing functional cattle. They think the Kemble bull calves arejustoutstanding. Raedean’sfocus is on economic traits and they cull heavily for undesirable traits to keep improving
His dam Red U2 Anexa 271Y sold for $45,000 and her progeny also sold to $49,000.
271Y is afemale that continuously throws a perfect foot, leg and udder structure, has agreat disposition, is easy fleshing and has the breathtaking ability to catch all eyes!
GP1644196 GP1647692
Raedean Red Angus
ends up and what it gets converted into,”
Mr Olmstead saidbetweeneight-and a-halfand nine tonnes of silage plastic was being used in Australia every year, including wraps and pit covers.
The wrap is being sent toarecyclerin Melbourne’s south, whereitcould be turned into new plastic films or sent offto be mixed with other plastics to be turned into harder products.
“We’vehad alot of interested parties putting their hands up to take the plastic in earnestonce westart,there’s an end market now that wasn’t therefive or 10 years ago, this is promising.
“I think now consumers areseeing we need to do things better,asanindustry we want to be leaders in this space.”
By MICHELLE SLATER
DAIRYAustralia is developinganational schemetodivert thousands of tonnes of plastic silage wrap out of landfill through anew recycling program being trialled in westernVictoria.
The trial isbeing funded by a Commonwealth NationalProduct Stewardship Investment Fund, involving morethan 80 farms in thelarge dairy district in westernVictoria.
“Weare trying to develop anationallyconsistent approach to collecting plastic and provide sometransparency whereit
Mr Olmstead said.
“Weknowalarge amount of this ends up in landfill and asmall amount ends up in existing recycling. Some is being managed on-farm, either buried or burned, this is the reality,” Mr Olmstead said.
“Werealised the scale of the problem and we know farmers werelooking for asolution to the problem.”
Mr Olmstead said farmers werebeing given free190 kilogram-capacity bins to collectthe waste they could either drop-off at centralcollection points, or pay a$25 feetohave it picked up.
Mr Olmstead said there had been a lot of investment in recycling domestically since Asia imposed export bans on Australian waste afew years ago.
“Farmers have goneto the effort of separating it, they want to know its not just going into landfill. If people see their neighbours doing it, other farms will get on boardtoo.”
He said therehad been some interest in developing eitherbio-degradable or compostable silage wraps, but the plasticwould perish if left outdoors and expose the feed.
But he said therewerea lot of logistics to overcome establishing the scheme nationally, such as making it economically viable and finding arecycler in each region that could take the wraps.
RURAL NEWS September,2022 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER 29
“The uptake of the trial in westernVictoria has been excellent, the funding means we
He said most farmers werewilling to pay the pick-up fee, which was less than rates at local tips.
have to manage the costs of moving the plastic to the recycler and managing the tests,” Mr Olmstead said.
New programfor plastic silage wraps
Dairy Australia is developing anational plastic silage wrap recyclingscheme.
Photo: Supplied
Dairy Australia sustainability and innovation programs managerIan Olmstead said they werehoping to roll the program out nationally once the trial was complete.
These components are complex and cannot be used directly,
Animals derive their nutrition either by eating plants directly (herbivores), or indirectly by eating animals which have consumed plants (carnivores).
For example-Bees and hummingbirds suck nectar from plants, apython swallows its prey and cattle feed on grass.
Nutrition in animals depends upon the feeding habits of the animals.
Herbivores are animals that depend upon plants and fruits for their nutrition.
GP1646557
U ANION MAL NUTRITION
Some animals feed on both plants and animals; these animals are termed omnivores.
30 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER September,2022
All organisms require food for their survival and growth.
so they are broken down into simpler components by the process of digestion.
The method of ingestion is different in different animals.
The process of taking in food is called ingestion.
Cows, goats, sheep, buffaloes, etc. are herbivores.
Food has different components, called nutrients, like carbohydrates, fats, minerals, proteins, and vitamins, which are required for the maintenance of the body.
Making sure your animals have the right nutrition is most important because it helps in the proper growth and maintenance of their cells and provides energy to carry out different life processes.
Farm animals and livestock are known as herbivores.
Earlier calvers and young animals also need higher BCS levels during fall lactation periods due when weaning date, supplementation programs can impact barn flooring conditions.
Colostrum Management
Cow’s Health and Nutrition
Colostrum is the first food that newborn calves consume.
September,2022 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER 31
bloodstream if it has received an initial dose of one quart within six hours.
However, if their birth was difficult or prolonged they may not get this important first sip of nutrients which results in weakened immune systems and ahigherriskfor illness later on down the line!
This puts added nutrient demands on cows, who also experience cold weather with increased needs for nutrients because their bodies are now providing milk production rather
Col Hive contains immunoglobulin AorBwhich helps build a protective layer for your calf’s body in order to fight off illness if ever exposed to it!
For more information visit www. provicorural.com.au
You should also provide them with plenty of fresh water, and be suretokeep their living area clean and dry.
How to prepare for calving season
Cows that are confined during the winter months are more likely to experience weight gain, so it’s important to give them ample opportunity tomove around.
If possible, provide them with a large pasture or paddock where they can roam freely.
At birth, their immune systems are not fully developed and they rely on this special liquid to provide protection against disease until it becomes effective (about 1-2 months).
How Can You Maintain Cow’s Body Condition?
Colostrum contains ahighconcentration of immunoglobulin, which is essential for building immunity in newborns.
ProviCo Rural
The last trimester of pregnancy is atime when foetal growth becomes increasingly rapid.
Why is Cow’s Body Condition Important?
Which means they have less fat cover available to burn through fallen leaves during autumn months without getting too hidden under layers upon layer of soil until spring comes along again!
than just abreeder function like insulation or protein storage.
reproductive performance the following breeding season.
Experts recommend that spring-calving cows have abody condition score (BCS) at five or higher in order to optimise
ProviCo is known for its range of innovative products that deliver health and performance benefits for growing animals.
ProviCo Rural was founded in 2003, and is proudly 100 percent Australian owned by people with generations of direct farm experience.
It also provides them with other important nutrients likeprotein and sugar found naturally within the dairy product as well as vitamins Aand Etohelp strengthen their bodies from all angles!
When acalfisborn, it has immunity-boosting milk that can protect them from disease.
ANIMAL NUTRITION
ProviCo is Australia’s largest manufacturer and supplier of premium quality animal nutrition milk replacers made with Australian dairy ingredients.
GP1647455
This helps them fight off infections and makes sure that everything runs smoothly for this little one’s future vaccinations!
The calf receiving the first meal after being born is much more likely to develop antibodies in its
Its flagship ProfeLAC brand and vitamin fortified products are sold nationwide.
Prior to Calving
To help maintain your cows’ body condition during the winter months make sure they have access to good-quality feed.
Combine this with acomplete NPKS fertiliser and high quality
manuretoenhance germination and early growth.
Pugged pasturere-sowing options
“Phosphorus also known as Pplays an important role as symptoms of Pdeficiency include poor germination and establishment of newly sown seedlings.”
The options farmers have at their disposal include: Rolling
This option is generally only available during asmall window of time and on flatter land when soil conditions aredried sufficiently to get machineryon. Topping up forsilageorhay harvest
Forage crops include chicory, plantain, millet and rape, maize, millets and sorghums.
Forage Oats, Bullet Annual
If areas aretoo large to reno vate to grass this spring, these areas could be identified for spring forage crop or alternatively be levelled in preparation for autumn renovation.
The spring pasturere-sowing window is short, so as soon as soils aredry enough to get machineryonthe fieldresowing should be implemented as fast as practical.
“Wehave observed alarge amount of successful spring grass sowing during our 30 years in the field when thereis good planning, timing, seed soil contact and fertility
Completegrass renovation forseveredamage
For early spring permanent grasses, we have seen opportunistic sowings of Vatbuster perennial ryegrass blend @30-35 kg/ha pay offfor farmers.
32 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER September,2022 GP1636538
ADVER TISING FEA TURE
Using apower harrow farmers can boost silage and hay by topping up pasturewith specialist silage/hay species.
Re-sowing to summer forage crop
Gippsland farmer and owner of Notman PastureSeeds Peter Notman has provided some tips for repairing pugged pastures.
Ryegrass, and some annual legumes arequick to establish and increase yield until soil moisturerunsout in early summer
Afterwhatmost Gippsland farmerswould consider a normal rain sodden winter, paddocks across the region have become saturated to a point that it has led to severe pasturedamage, andrecoverywill depend on anumber of factorswhen planning what strategies youmay wish to take.
“Phosphorus availability to the plant is extremely important as the plant uses it for root growth and photosynthesis.” Mr Notman said.
Renewing pugged pastures
Amix of these could be sown at 50-80kg/ha.
Levelling in preparation for autumn
Spring re-sowing can be successful when action is taken quickly
For alonger grazing season you could use adiploid Italian ryegrass in this mix.
September,2022 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER 33 BAIRNSDALE BrownWigg 03 5152 1313 MAFFRA BrownWigg 03 5141 1544 MEENIYAN BrownWigg 03 5664 0265 SALE BrownWigg (Pumps only) 03 5144 4441 SALE PK Equipment (Pressure cleaners only) 03 5144 2200 STRATFORD BrownWigg 03 5145 6844 TRARALGON Electel 03 5174 5909 YARRAM BrownWigg 03 5182 5148 GP1646250
“So when we would hear the line ‘go into
“Wewantedtogoback nearthe water again. We found the right house, the right time and the right price,hereinLoch Sport at the end of 2018.
Mr Rose was part of aWriters Club, which was run by Loch Sport Community House, but stopped when COVID hit.
“Wehad moved back tothe Snowy Mountainswhere we used to live. But eventually, weknewthatbecauseof encroaching age, the property we wereliving in was too much -itwas way too large.
“They said they liked his style,” she said.
GP1633419
my memory, and it was chronological.
Mr Rose hopes that readers sit down and take the book in.
By STREFANBRADLEY
“Wenever used the word‘step’. Never.Us fourboysweren’t his step-sons, we were his sons,” Mr Rose said.
Mr Rose didn’t use acomputer to write thebook, he wrote it by hand. Ms Sipirok, acommunity development worker,assisted with administrative tasks like emailsto get the book published.
The sea would not escapeMrRose’sheart, and he’s now enjoying semi-retirement with his wife Rosalin Sipirok in Loch Sport, sur rounded by water once again. Despite living in Australia for 59 years, he finally became anaturalised citizen in January this year
Asked if he had any advice for those who want to write abook, Mr Rose said “don’t bugger around”.
Mr Rose said he doesn’t liketorefer to Mr Wynne as his ‘stepfather’. Theword‘step’is not used at all in the book in this context. Mr Wynne is Mr Rose’s pop.
“Especially for the older generation. But we still got the book published by Austin Macauley Publishers, aBritish publisher
He worked in acopper mine, did various labouring jobs, and went back to sea again on aTasmanian lobster boat. In later years he worked in Aboriginal communities in the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Red Centre.
town Tonto and see what you find out’, 200 boys would stand up and yell ‘don’t go into town Tonto!’ at the same time.
The couple hope that the publication of the book proves that anyone can get their first book out there, no matter what age.
“He had been in the navy as well and he was on the same ship Iwas on, donkey years ago of course,” Mr Rose said.
Mr Roseislooking at doing morewriting, but this time, abook full of short fictional stories.
“My mothermet him after the war.My biological father had disappearedinthe war,so (my stepfather Robert Wynne) was the heroI needed as aseven-year-old kid.
“It’s not easy to do the website stuffand emails. It’s ajungle out there,” Ms Sipirok said.
“When writingitIdidn’t have adeadline or an advance for the book, so Icould take my time writingit. The actual writing was easy.”
“It was the editing that took along time,” he said.
“It’s definitely areader’s book.
Hugh Rose was borninDecember 1937 in the UK. He left school at age 15 to join the Royal Navy. He then joined the Merchant Navy and emigrated to Australia wherehe travelled extensively.
“At the writers club, they talked about using mind mapping to write fiction or if youdon’t knowwhattowrite about,” Mr Rose said.
Ms Sipirok said the club was very encour aging towards her husband.
Debut book for Loch Sport auth
“You don’t just skim through it.
“I had the ideas in my head about 30 years ago, but started writing the book in 2015,” Mr Rose said.
“The publishers loved his honesty.”
“But Ididn’t need amind map with this book. Istarted with when Iwas born, Iwent to school, later on the bombs (that) fell on us and that sort of stuff. It was just using
“I’m telling you, you don’t. And if you got asense of humour,it’s got alot of laughs.”
“And it made me think aboutwhen Iwent to sea. Every time Iwent ashore, Igot into s**t,” Mr Rose laughed.
His many unexpected encounterswith colourful characters and events taught him life lessons in an entertaining, humorous and honest manner over the years, and it was astory he wanted to tell.
The ‘hero’ spokenaboutinthe book is Mr Rose’s stepfather,Robert Wynne.
HUGH Rose has proven it’s never too late to publish your first book, with the 84-year-old ex-sailor,fisherman, farmer and Loch Sport resident recently releasing hismemoir Don’t go into town, Tonto!
Don’t go into town, Tonto! by Hugh Rose is out now.
NEWS
Loch Sport resident Hugh Rose has written a memoir
RURAL 34 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER September,2022
“Just sit downand write alot of bull, and stacks of it. And then take out all the dross, condense it, and then keep on writing whatever comesintoyour head.And you can write from memoryifit’s amemoir.”
“I think those over the age of 40 in par ticular will understand all the references and get what I’m talking aboutinthe book,” he said,
Mr Rose said it was an easy book to write.
“Tonto would ride into town and you knew he would wind up into the slammer.Always.
Hugh Rose’s manuscripts.
“It was at that point, we suddenly decided, let’s see if we can get the book published.”
“Andit’s very educational too,” added Ms Sipirok.
“I was 15 years old during my navy traineeship and therewere200 of us boys. Therewas acinema in the gymnasium we watched once aweek. What was very popular at the time was The Lone Ranger,” Mr Rose explained.
Photos: Stefan Bradley
The titlerefers to theTontocharacter from The Lone Ranger
RURAL NEWS September,2022 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER 35
“Often when people first come to Australia, they want to belongsomewhereand it takes alot for someone to settle in, Iwanted to contribute back to society and Ithought how best Ican help,” Mr Ajak said.
United African Farm volunteers at theCardinia launch earlier this year
United African Farmwas established three years ago on aplot of land near Longwarry, butitrecently secured a1.2 hectareparcel of land inCardinia to establisha crosscultural hub.
Photos: Julian Meehan
By MICHELLE SLATER
He said the project was engaging people from diverse cultural backgrounds, including people from the Indian and Italian communities.
“Wecan grow culturally appropriate crops to put in cuisines, food needs to be appreciated and served with respect.”
WEST Gippsland and outer-east African communities have come together to create afarmingcollectivewherelocals can learn moreabout traditional culture, food and home-grown produce.
UnitedAfrican Farmwas founded by Thuch Ajakand Queyea Tuazama, who coined the idea to help bridge cultural gaps and bring communities together
Vistors and volunteers check out the crops at theUnited African Farm.
Mr Ajak said.
“This is all about cultural infusion. We come from acommunal culturewhere anything we harvest belongs to everyone,”
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Farm projectuniting communities
The farminvolves communities represent ing 12 African nations and morethan 80 volunteers from west Gippsland, Latrobe Valleyand Melbourne’ssouth eastern fringes.
The project recently gained aVicHealth grant to establish afood hubtoincrease access to locally grown and healthy produce in regional and urban fringe communities.
“Wewant to grow ahealthy community and learn more about agriculture, this is the long-termvision.”
It now producesarange ofmixed vegetables including the African staples okra, maize, sorghum and chilli, which is being used to teach people how to make traditional tucker
The harvest is being distributed between volunteers and boardmembers, with the aim to sell it commercially.
Mr Ajak had studied aBachelorof Agriculturebeforehecame to Australia 10 years ago from South Sudan, and was able to apply his expertise to help set up the farm.
“Back home, at harvest time people dance and sharejoy, we value this as food unites us. With this farm, we can sit at the table and learnfromeachotherby sharing food together
The farmhas beenholdingcultural events, markets and working bees, and volunteersare in the midst of buildinga series of traditional huts to host schools, community groups and youth programs.
NGO’S GET ACTIVE
ADVER TISING FEA TURE
Hales says that means Councils or Emergency Services Departments could and should be investing in this type of product because of its mobility, its extreme performance and reliability and the clear warnings that weather patterns arechanging and investments like this areand should be required.
Since governments don’thavemuch appetite for that type of investment, a fleet of Aussie’s6”trash pumps would seem to be potentially averygood idea”, saidHales.
One such pump, operated by Miller Contracting from Horsham, saved the town flooding in 2011! The Millers big 6” pump simply sucked the liquid out of the flood’spathand pumped it into anearby channel, creating amajor diversion.
The high SG cast iron impeller is designed not only to handle solids but can produce vertical lifts in delivery head of up to 46m!
The trailer is complemented by an integrated lift bar that enables the machine tobecraned, whether it’sthe skid or trailer mounted version!
Thereisahigh demand for dewatering pumps like the one pictured that saved the town of Horsham.
To protect the seal, Aussie include an oil lubricated tungsten titanium carbide seal as standardequipment.
Ding Ding is largely abandoned with the traditional straw roofsofmany homes peeking above the waterline, their walls submerged.
TIME TO GET FLOOD READY
The Aussie MQ600TD pump is built with an integrated clean out portthat enables it to be cleared of blockages without any tools.
The company has invested heavily in providing protection for the system knowing that the operators need engine information to maintain proper maintenance procedures.
SAVING LIVES, SAVING PROPERTY
One Australian company has not only taken initiatives in Australia, but extended them to global catastrophic floods.
36 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER September,2022
When we look at Emergency Services, we see that none of them have pumps like this available and they arereally reliant on hirecompanies or mining companies to provide that kind of capability
Could abatteryof productslike this have saved Lismore?
The water is retained in thepumpbowl by acheck valve mounted behind the suction port.
“They know the pump can be run dry by accident on occasions and that seems to be the best solution to avoid acatastrophe”, said Hales.
Asuction hose is connected using a camlock or Bayer coupling and the engine starter
The answer is probably and consider ingthe costs of Royal Commissions and investigations and papers report ingonthe floods, it would seem to be abetter investment for governments to startspending money on metal that is capable of doing something about the problem.
OPERATES ALL DAY
The shoulders represent the priming tank! Inside that bowl is ahugeopen bladed impeller,capable of pumping 3” spherical solids if required.
The big pumps consist of one big cast pump bowl, with integrated ‘big shoulders’.
ABULLET PROOF PUMP?
lost everything.
NGO’shave been active along with the United Nations in helping to save Sudanese people who have literally
Acontrol panel that is shock mounted in water resistant housing includes hour meter,ammeter,tachometer and an alternator failurelight.
Performance is one.
It soundslikemagic says Hales but, it’sjust good pump design and built for reliability and performance.” he said.
That diesel tank allows the pump to run for up to11hours continuously without refuelling.
The diesel engine is protected by aLOFAengine control system that provides low oil pressure, oil temperatureand V-Belt failureshutdown.
Australian Pump Industries, famous for their range of Aussie firefighting pumps and pressurecleaner equipment, also builds big heavy duty 6” gusher style trash pumps that can move up to 6,000 lpm.
SAVING THE SUDAN
Worst of all, the monsoonal wet season will effectively startagain in five months, without allowing this young nation to dryout and recover
Although the machine is built into a super heavy duty skid, the base also contains a152 litrefueltank.
Could it have helped avoid the possibility of raw sewage flowing through the streets of Windsor on the HawkesburyinNSW or,havemade a major difference in protecting homes in Gippsland in the last floods?
Like Miller Contractors big Aussie gusher,the company produces what they regardas‘bullet proof’pumps that areincredibly simple in design but rugged and can be considered virtually fool proof.
Although the big 6” pump was originally designed for mine and quarrywork, it lends itself to flood mitigation!
When Aussie Pumps built these pumps, they looked to eliminate potential problems beforethey could start.
“Self-priming is just so easy”, said Aussie’sChief Engineer,JohnHales. “All you do is open the priming port on the top of the pump and fill it with water
Abatteryof three of these pumps will move almost 26 million litres of water in asingle day
The Nile River,which runs through the Sudan, beforeitreaches Egypt, is currently suffering from massive floods in between Bentiu and Ding Ding since June.
Within amatter of minutes, the pump will prime, expelling the water from the pump body,creatingavacuum that automatically turns it into apumpthat will suck water from depths from as low as 7.6 metres vertical lift.
Their prediction is thereisa 70 percent likelihood of this occurring, having already declared anegative Indian Ocean Dipole.
Aussie Pumps claim the self-priming function is infinitely superior to dry prime pumps that have compressor or vacuum pumps required to make them prime.
As if Gippsland hasn’thad enough pain with floods, warnings about a thirdLaNina arecoming from the Bureau of Meteorology
It’sestimated that 850,000 people have been impacted by the floods and aminimum 35,000 of them arealready displaced.
Further information on the products and special finance arrangements for Local Government is readily available fromAustralian Pump Industries. Australian Pump is represented in Gippsland by highly competent distributors who areexpertsintheir self-priming pump range. aussiepumps.com.au
The trailer kit includes two jack stands and either a2”ball towing hitch or a3 pintle eye militarystyle connection.
Best of all, the pump will push up to 6,000 lpm aminute, 360,000 litres an hour,that’salmost9 million litres in a full working day
“If this is the new world order,then the only option is level banks and huge electric drive pumps to mitigate the effects of flood damage.
The impeller runs in ahighly efficient volute that enables the pump to not only handle solids but to produce very efficient flows and pressures.
Australian Pump, produce skid or trailer mounted 6” pumps, capable of dealing with these catastrophes.
Torrential rain in South Sudan, one of the world’syoungest nations, is drying up in some areas but absolutely drowning in torrential rain in others.
That translates to 65 psi in terms of pressuregenerated.
Aussie Pumps has just sent another three of these big 6” pumps to help with the floods beforethe Monsoon season hits.
Aheavy duty trailer is also available that makes the machine highly mobile on sites.
Anotherteam is converting waste productsinto fertiliser,while othersare employingdrones to manage weedand pest infestations.
The support will be tailored to industry and community with the development of acampaign to help stop foot and mouth disease already underway.
“That is why we areinvesting in arange of capabilities should Victoria ever need to deal with these challenging diseases,” Dr Cooke said.
“Wejoined the program to help us hone our vision, our mission andpurpose, and to minimise the distraction and crystalise what we aredoing,” James said.
“Theseare individualsand teamsthat are at the early stages of development. Some have ideas they want to test and refine, while others aremoreadvanced.
The government will deliver a$10 million packagetobuild on Victoria’s preparations to respond swiftly to any local detection of animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth or lumpy skin disease.
Seeder’s experienced network of mentors, advisors and alumni who will present to the group over the next few months.
If an outbreak occurs, aportable testing lab will be deployedtooutbreak locations to allow real-time on-site sample testing.
Teams taking part in the inaugural AgTech Seeds program aredevelopingdigital farm management platforms, urban cropping systems, smart gardens and passive solar protective cropping houses.
An additional49 dedicated emergency animaldiseasestaff arealso being recruited to advance response measures already underway.
“These teams willdevelop agtechsolu tions that respond to the needs of Victorian farmers to boost their sustainability, productivity and profitability,”MsCoath said.
The program was launched recently by Victoria’s lead scientist Amanda Caples.
It is being delivered in partnership with CruxesInnovation, whichworks with Australianresearchers to buildsus tained partnerships with industry and governments.
THE state government is establishingportable sample testing and mobile incident centres to bolster the state’s response to any emergency animal disease outbreak.
“Wewill continue engagingwith industry, farmers and communities, to ensurethey areprepared if an outbreak weretooccur.”
Thegovernmentisset to establish Mobile Incident Command Centres, and roll-out IT system upgrades to easily track outbreaks and coordinate online permits for livestock movements.
RURAL NEWS September,2022 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER 37
They will gain critical skills in business planning and development, finance, mar keting and communications.
The group will have access to Rocket
Technologyand agriculture going hand in hand
“AgTech Seeds will help us establish astable pathway into the industry and connect with abroader network that we just don’t have.”
The AgTech Seeds pre-accelerator
program is supported by LaunchVic and AgricultureVictoria.
Applications close on November 28. For moreinformation, visit www.rocketseeder.com/agtechseeds.
The funding will also equip farmers with resources and enable them to liaise with AgricultureVictoria as quicklyaspossible in case of alivestock standstill.
said livestock industries were extremely valuable, and theremust be the infrastructure and people in place in case of an emergency animal diseaseoutbreak.
Eleven teams of budding entrepreneurs have joined the three-month AgTech Seeds program that aims to help solve some of global agriculture’s biggest challenges.
The teams areusing intelligent growth algorithms, IoT sensors and AI mapping, connecting growers directly to customers and consumers across the value chain.
“At the end of the program these teams will also have the opportunity to apply for agrant that will assist them to take their business astep further,” Ms Coath said.
AgricultureVictoria Chief Veterinary Officer Graeme Cooke said foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease were major threats to Victoria’s agriculture.
Among the firstAgTechSeeds cohort werethird-generation cattle and sheep producers Mansfield brothers James and Paul Diamond.
“Investingnow means wewill bepre pared to respond swiftly and protect our livestock, farmers and biosecurity system,” Ms Tierney said.
Ms Coath said the teams will spend the next few months fast-tracking their ideas, working withuniversityresearchers and AgricultureVictoria.
AGROUP of fledgling Victorian tech entrepreneurs have taken astep closer to delivering ag-sectortechnology,withthe launch of Rocket Seeder’s AgTech Seeds program.
They have spent two yearsdeveloping
adigital platformtohelpfarmers access technology to improve workplace safety and livestock management.
Applications arenow open for AgTech Seeds Round Two which starts in February 2023, with 12 positions available for the free program.
Photo: Supplied
Minister for Agriculture GayleTierney
Specialtraining in emergency animal diseases, outbreak management and recovery arrangements will also be rolled out to identified government agency staff and industry.
Rocket Seeder managing director Emma Coath said it was extremely exciting to see the first cohort begin their AgTech Seeds journey.
One team is investigating niche field pea and lentil varieties to meet the demand for alternative proteins.
“Wereally want to accelerate the progress we have made over the past two years.
Geoff 0412 958 168 AH 5148 6371 E geoff@innesdale.com FORDETAILSCONTACT Innesdale Angus, 718Rosedale Road, Heyfield 3858 Next availablebulls March 2023 40 Tops of theirDrop Featuring1st sons of MillahMurrahQuartzQ29 GP1 646254Quartz S102 423kgs @8months by MMQuartz Q29
“Weare really looking forwardtoseeing their growth over the next few months.”
Resources to deal withdiseases
The first group of startups to take part in AgTech Seeds.
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8. Prevent nose to nose contact between your livestock and other animals. This can be achieved by not grazing boundary paddocks while neighboring livestock aregrazing the adjacent paddock, or by planting shelterbelts along boundaries.
Biosecurity plans will prove critical
Abiosecuritymanagement planisadocument that outlinesthe processes youhave in place to reduce the risk of disease, pests, or weeds impacting your property.
While developing your plan, the following practices can be quickly enacted now on your property:
Biosecurityrisks increase when livestock, people, vehicles, equipment and supplies arebrought onto aproperty, moved around the property, or leave the property.
2. Ensureyour Property Identification Code (PIC) details areup-to-date, and livestock movements areuploaded on the National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) database. PICs arefree to get or update your PIC on the Agriculture Victoria website: agriculture.vic.gov.au/ PIC.
For moreinformation visit agriculture. vic.gov.au/biosecurity and for information about foot-and-mouth disease, visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/fmd.
FOLLOWING recent detections of foot-and mouthdiseaseand lumpyskin disease overseas, biosecurity has hit the headlines with national and state biosecurity measures front and centre.
3. Isolate livestock moving onto your property from others, using ayardor holding paddock. This allows time to empty the gut and enables you to monitor for signs of disease or sickness.
RURAL NEWS 40 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER September,2022
10. Match frequency of inspections to periods of higher risk, such as calving
9. Allow only essential people into areas with young stock. Have aseparate set of farmclothing/boots to wear around young stock and clean them regularly.
6. Provide an area for washing with awash tub, scrubbing brush and disinfectant to clean boots or equipment. Any household or general detergent is also fine.
Biosecurity hasbeen heightened in the wake of the growing threatofFMD.
Whether it be adairy farm, ahobbycattle herd, apet alpaca, or even just an irrigation paddock,biosecuritymanagementand farmbiosecurity planning can help protect your property from biosecurity threats.
4. Supply footwear or personal protective equipment (PPE) for farmworkers and ensurefootwear is left on farm
reducing risk of contamination.
Photo: Supplied
5. Have spareboots and overalls for visitors and contractors and keep arecord of people entering the property including their contact details, areas visited and previous contact of farmanimals.
RichardSmith is dairy industry development officer at Agriculture Victoria
7. Manage feral, pest animals and weeds by storing feed securely, cleaning spilled feed and keeping areas around buildings
AgricultureVictoria is hosting anumber of biosecurityplanning workshops and webinars in the next few months. Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/events for details.
By RICHARD SMITH
1. Request National Vendor Declarations (NVD) and animal health statements. Ask questions about animal health, vaccinations, disease and treatment history.
G P 1 6 6 7 8 6
and production areas clear of long grass and clutter
or lambing, increased insect and feral animal activity, and after rain events or natural disasters.
Thursday,September1 Cattle supplydecreased to 808 yarded,a similarfield of buyerswere presentand operating in asofter market. Quality was limitedagain with the majority of the yarding being cows.Young cattle werein short supplysoldeithersidefirm dependingonquality,growncattle soldtoa softer trend and cows were5cto15c/kg backonlast week’s levels. Vealers soldfrom 520cto590c, yearling steers made from450c to 590c andthe heifers portion sold from 440c to 558c/kg. Manufacturing beef steerssoldfrom 342c to 365c anddairy steers made from320c to 400c/kg. Grown steersmadefrom 380c to 490c and theheifersfrom272c to 480c witha feeder paying to 500c/kg lwt. Dairyheiferssold from260cto426c/kg. Heavy beef cows sold from 296cto 430c,medium weightfrom300c to 388c/kg. Heavy Dairycows from 258c to 350cand light andmediumweightsfrom 110c to 310c/kg.Bulls made from 270cto 390c/kg. LEONGATHA LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE Wednesday,August LEONG31 HA Wednesday, August31 TotalYarding:808 (-314) Comparison date24/08/2022 Category Grade Score Live Weight c/kg Estimated Carcass c/kg Estimated $/Head Weight CarcassLow High AvgChange AvgLow High Avg Bulls 0-450 C,2 300300 300 -180.0 576.9 960 960 960 600+ B,3355 367 359.8 NQ 666.2 3053 3498.6 3246.3 Cows 400-520 D,2300 388 355.6 9.1 682.4147019401765.9 520+D,2 296350 318.3 -36.4 610.3 1716.8 2170 1889.6 YearlingHeifer 280-330 C,3 536536 536 NQ 1011.3 1715.2 1715.2 1715.2 400+ C,3440 536 474.3 -75.7 878.318042331.61992.4 GrownHeifer 0 540C,2 355410 387.7 NQ 735.7172217751743 540+C,3 418476 450.3 NQ 833.92340.82839.62695.9 VealerHeifer 200-280 D,3 302302 302 NQ 580.8845.6845.6 845.6 YearlingSteer 330-400 C,3 525550 535 NQ 990.7210022002140 400+C,3 500590 530.3 -9.7 975.4 2287.6 2714 2437.6 GrownSteer 500-600 D,2 382382 382 NQ 734.62139.22139.22139.2 600-750 C,4 450475 468.4 -13.3869.9 2887.532303061.1 September,2022 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER 41 Victoria’s monthly rainfall totals for August,2022. Image Bureau of Meteorology The national rainfall outlook forSeptember 2022. Image Bureau of Meteorology August rainfall observation totals for EasternVictoria(Source: BOM) TotalYarding193 (+108) Comparison Date:18/08/2022 Category Grade Score LiveWeight c/kg Estimated Carcass c/kg Estimated $/Head Weight Carcass Low HighAvg ChangeAvg LowHigh Avg Bulls 450-600B,2
GrownHeifer
Gabo Island 74.8 mm
BAIRNSDA1
GIPPSLAND’S
Wilsons Promontory 194.8 mm
Orbost 98.6 mm
Omeo 99.8 mm
Latrobe Valley 112.4 mm
Mallacoota 62.8 mm
Mount Hotham 127.8 mm
Lakes Entrance 87.6 mm
Combienbar 57.2 mm
There were approximately300 export and 70 young cattle pennedrepresenting adecrease of 200 head week-on-week. Allofthe regular buyers were present and operating in adearermarket. Qualitywas limited with fewerprime cattlepenned. The limited selection oftrade cattlesold up to 30c/kgdearer.A sprinklingofgrownsteersand bullocksgained 10c to 15c/kg on most sales. Heavy grownheifers showing good finish kicked 35c/kg. Cowssold20c to 45c/kg dearer whileheavy bullsheld firm Vealers sold from 440c to 550c/kg. Yearlingheifers to thetrademadebetween510cand 572c/kg. Grownsteersand bullockssoldbetween 490c and516cwithapen of grain finished Euro steers making 552c/kg. Heavy grownheifers showing good finish made from470c to 504c/ kg.A penofFriesian manufacturing steersmade 400c with afew crossbredsfrom 444c to 496c/kg.Most light and mediumweight cows made between260cand 386c/kg. Heavy weight cowssold mostlybetween322cand 458c/kg. Heavy bulls made from334c to 378c/kg PAKENHAM LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE Monday,September PA5 KENHAM Monday, September 5 GIPPSLAND REGIONAL LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE Tuesday,August RE30 GION esday,August 30 LivestockVendorDistrict AvgKgC /KgAvg $/ Head Steer Hornby Rj &MaMaffra510 351.61,793.16 Heifer AtmAg550 456.6 2,511.30 La Ferme Pty Ltd Riverslea 440 376.6 1,657.04 Greening SL &Warren DR Calrossie 370 348.6 1,289.82 Greening SL &Warren DR Calrossie 403.3 348.6 1,406.02 Greening SL &Warren DR Calrossie 370 348.6 1,289.82 Vealer KellyPeterA &J CAirly 285 538.6 1,535.01 Hornby Rj &MaMaffra365 278.61,016.89 Hornby Rj &MaMaffra200 108.6217.2 BeefCows _Cobains675 404.62,731.05 KellyPeterA &J CAirly 675 394.6 2,663.55 KellyPeterA &J CAirly 592.5 388.6 2,302.46 _Cobains 650 386.6 2,512.90 Greening SL &Warren DR Calrossie 580 384.6 2,230.68 DairyCows _Maffra 595 404.6 2,407.37 Judith Collins Kilmany 715 392.6 2,807.09 Hornby RJ &MAMaffra 630 392.6 2,473.38 Dwyer TM &C Newry670 392.6 2,630.42 _Maffra 620 376.6 2,334.92 Bulls Traill JA &VM_ 870 366.6 3,189.42 Traill JA &VM_ 825 364.6 3,007.95 Traill JA &VM_ 710 356.6 2,531.86 Traill JA &VM_ 805 352.6 2,838.43 Walkley J&Peterson TNewry 745 348.6 2,597.07 There were approximately160 export and30young cattlepenned representing an increaseof110 headfrom the sale of afortnightago. The usualbuying group was present and operating in adearer marketinplaces. Qualityimprovedinthe small trade runwith some excellent calvespenned whilegrowncattle werein short supply and cows represented more than half of the sale. Trade prices improved in linewith quality. Grown cattlesoldfirm. Cowssold5c/kg deareronmost sales whileheavy bulls improved 15c/kg. Vealers sold from 470c to 580c/kg. Apen of yearling trade steersmade 513c/kg. Ahandful of grownsteersand bullocks sold between 449c and470c/kg. Heavy grown heifers reached 465c/kg. Manufacturingsteers made from 372cto460c/kg.Mostlight and medium weightcowssold from 190c to 340c/kg.Heavy weightcows made mostly between 310c and 414c/kg.Heavy bullssoldbetween 344c and 375c/kg.
Yanakie 123.2 mm
WEATHER OUTLOOK Selected marketfigures. Forfullmarketinformation go to https://www.mla.com.au/ and/or https://www.grle.com.au/
Mount Baw Baw 295 mm
Bairnsdale 70.8 mm
East Sale Airport 95.6 mm
Cattle Market REPORT
Gelantipy 66.6 mm
Hogan Island 91.2 mm
BAIRNSDALE LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE
449 449 449 NQ 831.52878.1 2878.1 2878.1 Yarding 366 (-202) Comparison date29/08/2022 Category GradeScore Live Weight c/kg Estimated Carcassc/kg Estimated $/Head Weight Carcass Low HighAvg ChangeAvg Low High Avg Bulls 450-600 C,1 316 316 316 NQ 596.2 1659 1659 1659 600+C,2 334378 361.82.2 647.9 2254.52929.52626.1 Cows 400-520D,1 350 376 358.731.2 7911750 1880 1793.3 520+ D,1369 369 369 49.7 802.21992.6 1992.61992.6 520+ C,2 396410 398.8 NQ 791.3 2534.42665 2560.5 GrownHeifer 0-540 D,2 420 420 420 18.8 807.719951995 1995 540+ D,2388 388 388 NQ 776 2134 2134 2134 540+C,3 504 504 504 34.0 916.4 2822.4 2822 42822.4 Vealer Heifer 280-330C,2 450 450 450 NQ 818.2 13501350 1350 330+ D,2466 466 466 NQ 896.2 1584.41584.41584.4 330+ C,3 548548 548 1.3 996.4 1918 1918 1918 Yearling Heifer 330-400D,2 400 490 430 NQ 826.9 15201764 1601.3 400+ D,2490 490 490 56.7 942.3 22052205 2205 400+B,3 572572 572 -4.8953.3 3003 30033003 GrownSteer 500-600 B,3 540 552 549.3 NQ 947.1 3024 3201.6 3162.1 750+C,4 490 490 490 NQ 875 3920 3920 3920 Vealer Steer 280-330C,2 526 526 526 NQ 939 315781578 1578 330+ B,2 548 548 548 NQ 961 42411.2 2411.22411.2
Thursday, SeptemberLE 362 362362 NQ 624.1 2099.6 2099.6 2099.6 600+B,2 368 375 371.5NQ629.7 3018.8 3477.6 3248.2 Cows 400-520D,1 298 298298 NQ 677.3 1221.81221.8 1221.8 520+ C,2 376.6 376.6376.6 724.2 2184.3 2184.3 2184.3 Heifer 470470 NQ 854.5 1339.5 1339.5 1339.5 330+B,3 560 575 563.3NQ971.3 23802443.82394.2 0-540 D,3 468 468 468 NQ 866.7 22232223 2223 540+D,3 465 465 465 NQ 861.1 2664.4 2664.4 2664.5 Yearling Steer 400+ B,3 513 513513 NQ 8552529.12529.12529.1 Vealer Steer 280-330C,2 550 550 550 NQ 1000 1787.5 1787.5 1787.5 330+ B,3 552 580 563.8 NQ 956 2280 2378 2300.7 GrownSteer 500-600 D,3 455 455 455 NQ 842.6 2661.8 2661.8 2661.8 600-750D,3
NQ
Yarram Airport 86 mm
Wonthaggi 166.6 mm
Mount Moornapa 54.2 mm
Pound Creek 156.4 mm
Vealer
280-330C,2 470
Mount Nowa Nowa 88.2 mm
That meant fielding aVFL team with the best players from across the region, and also keeping its senior,reserve and thirds team to play in the Gippsland League.
Cameron understood the animosityside of the argument.
Possibly the most overlooked fact is this: Traralgon’s local senior team still made finals in both years it was in the VFL. Talk about having depth.
The concept received support from the then Latrobe Shireand local MP Peter Hall, while Traralgon president John Cameron believed the club needed anew challenge.
Talk of Traralgon entering the VFL gained momentum in 1995. In July of that year,the Maroons faithful were addressed by VSFL chief Ken Gannon, and asked if they wanted to vote on a potential move.
PROS AND CONS
Mark Seymour was appointed general manager of the Maroons, and the VFL provided the club some financial assistance to make the transition.
“Just the finances virtually… that was it. League affiliations wereridiculously high, it was just untenable for the club to keep going forwardand it would have led to the demise of the actual footy club, so something had to give.”
Speaking on apodcast with the author in 2020, McKenzie laid out his rationale.
“If you change the name from Traralgon to Gippsland would that have meant people go there? They arestill going to be actually playing under the administration of the Traralgon Football Club,” he said.
Today, thereare remnants from the Maroons’ days in the VFL. Acouple of jumpers behind glass adornanarea above the social room bar,while the VFL logo is still fixed to asign in the gym section of the Traralgon rooms.
Traralgon, having dominated the then Latrobe Valley Football League, (now Gippsland League), at the time considered one of the strongest competitions in the state, wereprovided the opportunity to take part in the VFL.
The Maroons selected aVFL list, which would sharefacilities with the local team. Those not selected for the VFL side would play for their nominated home club.
While their time as aVFL club was short-lived, Cameron said it was still a wonderful experience.
In what ended up being aperfect storm, the struggling Victorian Football Association was disbanded at the end of 1994 and turned over to the Victorian State Football League (VSFL), which had been established two years earlier by the AFL.
The Maroons had 10 Traralgon players for its first game as aVFL club, against Frankston on Sunday, April 71996.
“It was good, every second week we would have aquality VFL side coming to Traralgon.”
Like most things, context is needed, and as anyone who played football in Gippsland during the 1990s will be able to tell you –club rivalries ran very deep. So deep, the task of convincing aMoe or Morwell player to even consider wear ing aTraralgon jumper in the VFL would have bordered on sacrilegious.
“If it was called ‘Gippsland’ Ithink we would have got alot moreplayers wanting to try out, giving that wholeleague feeling. Ithink having the name Traralgon… guys werealittle reluctant to come over,especially the first year,” he said.
The Maroons won four premierships, including three-in-a-row between 1990 and 1992, and made the grand final every season from the start of the decade up until 1995.
The VSFL sought to align each statewide Under 18 team with aVSFL club. Traralgon, being the powerhouse of the Gippsland competition, seemed the logical choice to partner with Gippsland Power (the VSFL was renamed VFL in 1996).
Given the Maroons’ dominance of the local league beforeentering the VFL, players from other clubs morethan likely saw the realistic chance of handing back some defeats once it became apparent Traralgon’s playing stocks weredepleted.
42 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER September,2022
Of most pressing concernwas the need for Traralgon to maintain its local identity.
As one can imagine, the home clubs and the players themselves weren’t entirely pleased about missing aweekend of football.
AFTER much deliberation, Traralgon members voted overwhelmingly to join the VFL.
Those accustomed to playing local footy knew therewould be ajump in standard –they perhaps just didn’t know how big ajump it would be.
“It made us better footballers and people in general from having to work harder and play harder and train harder
While they werehappily enjoying tasting flag success most seasons, things werehappening in Melbourne that would lead the powers-at-be sounding out Traralgon to embark on anew challenge.
TRARALGON appointed St Kilda 200gamer Geoff‘Joffa’ Cunningham coach and Greg Morley captain for its first season in the VFL.
“If the clubs at either end of the league find their best players gone, they have to start weighing up their options.”
Aphoto of the winning side still takes pride of place in the foyer of the Traralgon Football-Netball Club social rooms, and shows the Maroons victorious 14.15 (99) to 8.8 (56).
AFTERMATH
That meant the Maroons had won six of the 10 flags on offer during the 90s.
To add another component, the statewide Under 18 competition now known as NAB League was founded in that same year,with Gippsland Power inaugurating in 1993.
ARUDE AWAKENING
The move coincided with atime of mass evolution that took the AFL from its suburban roots into atruly national competition, introducing teams such as Fremantle and Port Adelaide. With the major league expanding, the VFL looked to do likewise, approaching clubs from country areas to supplement the existing metropolitan base.
The news was made official in early August 1995, and from there, it was all systems go.
Others however,like late legendary Morwell administrator Stan Morgan, weren’t so sure.
However,former Gippsland League secretary Brian McKenzie wasn’t entirely convinced the name argument had many legs to stand on.
With a‘Gippsland’ team now playing in the VFL, the opportunity was there for local players to test themselves at a higher level. For youngsters who had been overlooked in the draft, like Moe’s Matt Forys, the chance was also thereto be put back into the spotlight.
UNDERSTANDABLY, debate raged on the issue of whether or not acountry football team competing in astate league would be aviable prospect.
The Maroons had afew external factors to deal with, such as the makeup of its VFL list, which prevented emergencies playing with their nominated home club.
Ever the diplomat, McKenzie did not rule out the likelihood of people not choosing to play VFL because it carried the Traralgon name; only saying: “I suspect that would be the case”.
COMING back from the VFL, Traralgon picked up wherethey left off, winning the first of three consecutiveGippsland League premierships in 1998.
“It was atotally Traralgon decision, it wasn’t aleague decision.”
GO AHEAD
“Wewent out with the intention of trying to win every week, just being able to see other sides, we might have had 10 to 12 players that could play at the level well, wherethey (other teams) had 20. It was just overwhelming, but it was good,
“The club went into it for all the right reasons, to give people abetter standard of football to play, but unfortunately it didn’t work.
WHAT’S IN ANAME?
“The people think, ‘What’s the point in turning up if they’regoing to win every week’.
To mark 25 years since the Maroons time in the VFL came to an end, here is alook back to what is arguably the greatest footballing achievement from any team in Gippsland.
TRARALGON was certainly the team to beat in Gippsland League football during the 1990s.
“You always want to play to win,” he said.
“Thereisjust ageneral apathy in the town when it comes to football,” he said.
“Tosome extent Traralgon’s business is their business, but now it affects us all,” he said.
Traralgon made the 1995 grand final, but lost to Leongatha. The distraction caused by the incoming VFL team may well have played some part in the result, however,with that behind them, the Maroons set out on ajourney no other team in Gippsland had ever undertaken.
Members wereasked to decide by postal vote, with 70 per cent voting in favour of entering two teams in the VFL and three in the Gippsland League.
SETTING THE SCENE
“Traralgon is that strong that even without half the current senior team, they would be very competitive in our competition next season,” league president Brian Quigley said at the time.
However,the financial pressureto remain in the VFL took its toll, and meant the Maroons time in the big league was over just as quickly as it started.
The only known footage of Traralgon playing in the VFL comes from Round 9, 1997 against Box Hill.
The Latrobe Valley Express dedicated two pages to the topic in its Friday, July 21 1995 issue.
“It was an eye-opener,just amassive jump in standardfor everybody and playing Sunday football because we were always Saturdays, most of the VFL was on Sunday.
Unfortunately, it was to be the only highpoint for the season. The Maroons did not win another match, and ended the year in last place.
Although most people don’t associate Traralgon FNC with the VFL, the Maroons can proudly hold onto this piece of history for the rest of time.
Such was their dominance, interleague sides weregenerally made up of adozen or so Traralgon players.
Having come from awinning cultureat local level, Cameron said the Maroons looked to bring that across, but were found out of their depth.
In the eyes of some, calling the team Traralgon automatically meant players who perhaps should have tried out refused to do so.
GIPPSLAND SPORT
it was really good fun, agreat grounding.
The Maroons made the unprecedented step in the mid-90s of going from a country football club, to playing in a league only one level below the AFL.
DID you know Traralgon once had aVFL team?
“I think this will be done to the detriment of football in the area.
Bairnsdale’s Peter Hopkins and Traralgon’s Martin Cameron werenamed vice-captains.
Despite the baptism of fire, the Maroons did not have to wait long to toast their first victory, which came in Round 4against fellow country club North Ballarat, who had also joined the VFL for the 1996 season.
AN UNTIMELYDEMISE
While all this was going on, therewas still aGippsland League flag to be won.
TRARALGON fared slightly better in 1997, winning three games and drawing one under the coaching of GeoffHocking.
Adding to the troubles was asomewhat bizarredirective from the VFL that prevented cars being parked around the ground, on the basis it “detracted” from the image the league was looking to portray.
“For my football growth it was awesome, I’m just so pleased Ihad the opportunity to do it, playing VFL while still living in your home town was great,” he said.
ONE of the morepopular theories surrounding why Traralgon’s stay in the VFL didn’t last long is simply to do with the naming of the team.
“What the VSFL is saying is we want you (Traralgon) to round up your best colts and put them in the one paddock so it’s easier for us to have agood look at them.
“It was alot easier the second year but unfortunately financially just too hard for the club. If it had been aGippsland team Ithink being able to get money from right across Gippsland would have made it alot easier.”
When Traralgon played in the VFL
“Playing in the backline the ball was always down there, and you would always play on the best forwards.
The only years they missed the grand final were1996 and 1997 when the bulk of their side was offplaying VFL.
“What’s that going to do for the league? We need another challenge to get the interest back into football in Traralgon.”
The firstwinning Traralgon VFL team in 1996.Photo: Supplied
By LIAM DURKIN
The Dolphins, coached by NormSmith Medalist David Rhys-Jones, showed the new kids on the block no mercy, winning by 112 points 22.18 (150) to 5.8 (38).
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United players and officials took part in the traditional cutting of the net to officially mark their championship. Ever the professionals, some United officials already had one eye turned to the following season while all this was going on.
Post rammer,Aussie Driver withhyd.side shift.
At that stage, some may have been fearing athirdgame would be needed to decide the championship, but United was able to work its way back into the contest.
The celebrations continued on-court, delaying the presentation somewhat as the crowd needed to retreat back into the grandstand.
With aparochial home crowd behind them, Gippsland United went into Game 2following an 84 to 73 win over Pakenham seven days prior
“I said at the start of the season Pakenham was going to be the team to beat, they proved that tonight, they are an awesome team, well coached.”
Jordan Gooiker andAlexBazzucchini embrace after Gippsland United wonthe Big Vtitle.
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“I wasn’t concerned, we have been in that position before,” he said.
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Speaking of the slow start, McKenzie said therewas no need to hit the panic button.
LOADERS
They found one, albeit from a somewhat unlikely source in the burly Stephen O’Brien.
“I knew that the boys would come back and fight out of that. Youhave trust in these guys.”
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THEY’VE got abig stadium, and now they’ve got abig championship flag to hang up.
C.L, A.H., &A.E.FORREST
Post hole diggers 6” to 18”
Pakenham called atime out with 32 seconds left, but on the return, Armstrong was able to draw afoul, and give United afive point lead.
Case 1394, FWA, 4post rops canopy, tidy,77hp.
The team completed an 87 to 80 victory over Pakenham to claim the title on Saturday, September 3.
Passionate United fans stormed the court post-game to congratulate their heroes.
The Warriors called another last-ditch time out with 14 seconds left, but from there, their task became too great, and United saw out the game.
It was moreofthe same in the third quarter,although this time, United outscored Pakenham 18 to 17.
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“I suppose with about three minutes to go Ithought we wereright, but then they came back again,” he said.
United captain Simon Vannapraseuth was gracious in victory, and sought out his opposite number in Pakenham’s Jake Spruhan to congratulate him on the season.
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TYRES
Armstrong, named player of the match for his 23-point, seven rebound effort, was well and truly king of the kids, and was swamped by youngsters wanting to
Assortednew andsecond hand from 16”to46”.
Untied scrambled to their end of the court, trying in vain to find amiracle three-point response.
“I really don’t know (how it feels), I’ve gone braindead at the moment because thereisalot of mental strain that goes into this, and alot of hardwork over 11 months,” he said.
Bring on Division 1.
By LIAM DURKIN
GippslandUnited wins Big Vcrown
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GIPPSLAND SPORT
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The home side was outscored in the second term, but again, was able to keep pace with their opponents.
“Therewas no moment until probably the last 15 seconds that Ifelt we had it under control.
With the scoreboardatthe last change reading 58 to 60, United’s fate was staring them straight in the face.
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With precious seconds ticking away, United needed ahero.
While the huge army of Gippsland United fans may not have seen any court time, they certainly played ahand in the result -literally.
All squareat79apiece with 1:44 left on the clock.
Thereisnodoubt the volume of noise generated in the stands led to the number of free-throws missed by Pakenham -they shot at less than 50 per cent; only six went in from 13 attempts.
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September,2022 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER 43
Gippsland United captain Simon Vannapraseuth cuttingpartofthe net.
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Youcould not have scripted it any better Afirst year club in anew competition, coming from behind to win the flag in front of apacked home crowd at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium, Traralgon.
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Ben Barlowplayed acritical hand in the result.
Gippsland United Men did not need to go to adecider,after winning Game 2of the Big VGrand Final series.
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Good quality
Gippsland missed consecutive threepoint jump shots, but tied things up thanks to the cool head of Ben Barlow, who nailed both free-throws.
TRACTORS
9ft– 12ft smudgers.
Cometh the hour,cometh the man. O’Brien backed up asteal by drawing a foul, and then put United ahead by three after calmly and cooly netting his two free-throws.
Given the natureofthe match, McKenzie never felt as though he thought United had it won.
However,inastunning turnofevents, Pakenham squared the ledger with a three-point jump shot, followed by a two-point lay up to hit the lead.
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FARM IMPLEMENTS
“When it happens you have to pinch yourself that it has happened. It feels great, relief is one emotion, but so pleased for these guys, they have worked so hardfor so long.”
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Having set the goal of having 20 points on the boardevery quarter this season, United was able to reach this KPI at the end of the first, and went in trailing by just one, 23 to 22.
As the pressurelifted, heartrates pumped and nerves jangled, and both sides shared periods of dominance.
The Warriors wereclearly in the mood to redeem that performance, and skipped to a10-point lead beforethe game had achance to settle.
Pakenham was the first team to edge ahead, but star United import Brandon Armstrong put the home side back in front, sinking both his free-throws.
An emotional Gippsland United coach Scott McKenzie was lost for words after the game.
United looked to have the game under control when it led by four with just over three minutes left.
44 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER September,2022
