SOUTHERN RIVERINA & MID MURRAY MONTHLY RURAL MAGAZINE
AUGUST 2019
AUSTRALIAN SHEEP AND WOOL SHOW 2019 PAGES 12 & 13
Agtrade Machinery Finley MACHINERY FLEET AVAILABLE FOR HIRE ACROSS AUSTRALIA
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All set for bumper field days
PUBLISHED BY DENILIQUIN PASTORAL TIMES 230 Cressy Street, Deniliquin NSW 2710 Phone (03) 5881 2322
Advertising Amy Gretgrix Sarah Bain
Production Ged Munro
Editorial Zoe McMaugh Jamie Lowe
Front Cover Pictured at the Australia Sheep and Wool Show are (back, from left) James, Brian and Lorraine Frost from Hillden Poll Dorset Stud; and (front) Finley High students Sophie Griffiths, Riley Kleinschmidt, Archie Mason and Ben Bauer.
September issue To be published September 2, 2019. Advertising booking deadline August 21, 2019. Contact your local advertising representative: Deniliquin Amy Gretgrix (03) 5881 2322 amy.gretgrix@denipt.com.au Finley Sarah Bain (03) 5883 1033 sarah.bain@ southernriverinanews.com.au
Information contained in this magazine is presented only after being carefully researched. However, there are differences in state and regional regulations and conditions. Farmers are asked to check their own advisors. FARMtalk can assume no responsibility for the contents.
Timely autumn rains across southern NSW have kick started the 2019 winter crop and a buoyant outlook for the 56th annual Henty Machinery Field Days. The 105ha grounds will be at capacity, with the September 17 to 19 event expected to draw a crowd from almost every Australian state keen to inspect almost $120 million worth of machinery and goods on site. Exhibitors representing more than 3500 companies will display their products on 1200 sites in what is now the single largest agricultural and open-air event in southern Australia. Chief executive officer Belinda Anderson said the HMFD team would present an event maintaining a focus on agriculture and machinery. Mrs Anderson said this year’s field days were expected to equal the largest on record in terms of exhibitor area with 14km of shopfront. ‘‘The interest in the field days from exhibitors and visitors alike continues to grow year-on-year with the site being the biggest it’s ever been in terms of physical area,’’ Mrs Anderson said. ‘‘The HMFD team works hard to ensure Henty maintains its mantle of the friendliest field days, and our exhibitor and visitor experience continues to be enhanced.’’ Drawcards at the 2019 event will be the daily sheep and yard dog trials, Baker Seed Co agronomy demonstration site, 2019 Natural Fibre Fashion Awards, vintage farm machinery, reptile awareness display, and the Farm Gate Produce Market Area with cooking demonstrations and entertainment. The field days will be officially opened on Tuesday, September 17 at 11am by AgriFutures Australia chair Kay Hull AM, with a welcome address by new HMFD chairman Nigel Scheetz. The opening will include the presentation of the prestigious Henty Machine of the Year Award, this year celebrating its 45th anniversary, and an address by 2019 The Land Royal Easter Showgirl and HMFD volunteer, Stephanie Clancy. Greater Hume Council will sponsor the Best Australian Designed and Manufactured
Page 2 — ’Farm Talk’, August 2019
■ The 2018 Henty Machinery Field Days drew 870 exhibitors across more than 1200 sites. Machine to be presented on Thursday, September 19. Farm inventors, backyard tinkerers and students will display their innovative ideas at the Agri-Innovator of the Year Award site at the 2019 Henty Machinery Field Days, with the winner being announced on the Wednesday. More than 800 national and international agricultural and commercial businesses will be eligible for the HMFD Exhibitor Awards at the 2019 field days. Awards will be presented on Wednesday, September 18 to the winners of the Best Outdoor Large Commercial, Best Outdoor General and Best Indoor Exhibitor sites (Country Lifestyle and Farm Gate Produce Market). Mrs Anderson said the exhibitor awards encouraged site holders to strive for similar ideals during the field days. ‘‘Many of our exhibitors put a lot of time, resources and effort into having their sites looking first class, to engage with field day patrons and potential customers,’’ she said. ‘‘Cutting edge technology combined with innovative ideas and marketing techniques are continually being used at the event by businesses to capture new market share. ‘‘We want to recognise and reward these businesses who take a great deal of pride in their sites.’’ At Country Lifestyle, the stage will be the focus of fashion parades featuring garments from exhibitors daily at 11am and 2.30pm. Designers with a flair for
converting natural fibres into wearable art will compete for almost $5000 worth of prizes. The Henty Natural Fibre Fashion Awards showcase designs using at least 70 per cent natural fibres with the winners announced about 1pm Thursday. The Farm Gate Produce Market will be a hive of activity with cooking demonstrations by chef Michelle Matusch, and featuring gourmet products direct from regional producers. Outside on the sound stage is the talented regional duo Happy Hour. New to the field days this year will be the NextGen seminar facilitated by NSWACT AgriFutures Rural Woman of the Year Jo Palmer, of The Rock. Guest speakers will cover the topics of women in agriculture, future proofing towns and businesses, agricultural innovation, machinery of the future and solving critical industry challenges. Each visitor through the gate will be eligible for the gate prize of $1000 of fuel courtesy TASCO Petroleum plus a five-day holiday to Surfers Paradise for two people courtesy of Swagman Tours. Gates are open from 8am to 5pm, with adult tickets $22, children 12 to 16 years $5, and children under 12 free when accompanied by an adult. Visitors will be able to prepurchase their tickets on-line for $20. Simply go to the visitor’s page on www.hmfd.com.au.
Upgrades for healthy cows Healthy cows mean healthy business, and the importance of that is certainly not lost on Blighty dairy farmer Lachlan Marshall. The Speak Up Campaign deputy chair operates out of Gunyah Park, where he uses some of the newest technology to track the health of his cattle. While much of the equipment was already on the property when Mr Marshall purchased it in 2006, it was the technology upgrades that have helped the farm grow. ‘‘The rotary is 27 years old, the previous owners built it all,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s an old dairy and we’ve modernised it with little bits of technology here and there to upgrade it. ‘‘We now run the SCR herd identification system. All of our cows have collars around their neck and are monitored 24/7 which reports live to the computer system back in the dairy. ‘‘All their health issues are all monitored and includes their rumination. ‘‘If there’s any stress on the animal we know about it before we visually see it. ‘‘Then we autodraft and if any cow has any issues she’s held there in the yard for us to either breed or do a health check on.’’ Gunyah Park is home to about 1800 animals, with the dairy milking 900 cows three times a day. The farm produces anywhere between 30,000 to 32,000 litres of milk a day, with Mr Marshall stating it was the diet of the cows that allows this.
■ Lachlan Marshall has embraced technology on his Blighty farm, to assist in keeping his cows healthy and productive. ‘‘It’s not the equipment, but the feeding system that produces that amount of milk,’’ he said. ‘‘We built a dry lot off the back of changes in the water market and have been trying to get more efficient about how we feed cows, what we feed cows, the consistency (of the feeds) and management of cows. ‘‘We have a nutritionist who comes in from overseas to balance the diet for our cows in this system to make sure we get the most back out of them.’’ Mr Marshall’s cattle are mainly fed corn silage with some cereal silage in the diet as well. This diet does however come at a big cost, with zero allocation of irrigation water forcing the Blighty farmer to
spend more than $1 million on water. While it’s costly, Mr Marshall said changing the diet of the cattle is not an option as it’s ‘‘far too dangerous’’. ‘‘I have no choice, I have to grow my corn crop to be the base of the diet,’’ he said. ‘‘Corn silage is such a huge part of our diet, so what are we going to replace it with? Where are we going to source that large volume? It can’t be done. ‘‘When water is where it is, it’s incredibly costly. This year was very hard to manage; we spent an exceptionally large amount on water over the summer.’’ The costs of water have had a big impact on Mr Marshall, but he refuses to let that get in the way of his business.
Gunyah Park can still support between 16 to 19 staff members at the dairy at any one time. ‘‘My people and cows come first around here, I’m responsible for making sure their jobs are safe and secure,’’ Mr Marshall said. ‘‘The main point of my job is having a business that’s sustainable so we’re working really hard towards that, but water availability will make those decisions for me next year. ‘‘Water is the major input to our business and without that major input I don’t have a business. ‘‘It’s had a huge impact on cash flow, it’s one of the most difficult years that I’ve ever faced in business and I don’t see the this season being any better.’’
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’Farm Talk’, August 2019 — Page 3
Was it profitable buying water for irrigating wheat last season? By JOHN LACY With the current market water asking price at $600 to $700 a megalitre, the only spring watering will be from carryover as this price is too high for annual crops and pastures unless big spring rains suddenly eventuate. Looking back at the 2018 drought season, what was the profitability of market water with pre-irrigation priced at $140/ML and spring water at $370/ML? These results are based on the Finley Discussion Group recorded 16 dryland and 18 irrigated wheat layout crops, which was a very low number compared to other seasons. The irrigated wheat crop gross margin for the 14 watered crops was $651/ha compared to the four unwatered crops gross margin/ha (GM/ha) of $217/ha. Of the for unwatered crops,
two were rice fallows and one crop was direct drilled into burnt rice stubble. The watered results show it was profitable to buy water at the prices above. The dryland gross margin/ ha of $78/ha was subtracted from the irrigated gross margins, so that irrigated gross margins were based on the irrigated response. The average yield of the dryland crops was 0.8t/ha and the six crops yielding less than 0.6t/ha had a negative GM/ha of $48. The average yield of the 10 higher yielding dryland crops was 1.1t/ha with a $154GM/ ha. The irrigated benchmark we have used for many years to compare crops’ gross margin/ML was $293/ML for the 14 watered crops, which was profitable. The GM/ML of the 10 spring watered only crops was $347/ML. Their average yield was
4.4t/ha with a range from 2.4 to 6t/ha. The average water use was 1.7ML/ha ranging from 1.2ML for lower yield to 2.4ML for the highest yield. There were four prewatered and spring watered crops. Water use of two crops was high at 3.6ML and 4.2ML for yields of 6.4t/ha and 6.1t/ha respectively, and the GM/ML was low at $219/ML and $211/ML respectively. Two crops were grazing
wheats. Grazing income was included in the gross income. The water use was 3.5ML for grain yields of 4.3t/ha and 2.3t/ha. One crop had a higher GM/ ML of $303 and the lower grain yield $101GM/ML had only 1ML/ha spring water use. We found crops using group management only watered once in spring at a $370/ML market water price were able to produce positive GMs/ML. This is a new finding compared to our previous results that only moderate/ high yields could give good GMs/ML. These GM results will assist group members to determine the profitability of the future use of market water. ■ John Lacy (pictured) is an independent agriculture consultant based in Finley.
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Rams available for viewing from 9am BBQ Lunch provided Page 4 — ’Farm Talk’, August 2019
Simple Soil Health Solutions Glenlea Lodge 239 Moonee Swamp Road Deniliquin NSW 2710 26th September 2019 9:30am Registration Key Note Speaker: Dr Christine Jones Over the past decade Christine has gained international recognition as a speaker, presenting on ‘The Fundamentals of Soil’ at work-shops, field days, seminars and conferences throughout Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Western Europe, Central America, USA and Canada. For more information visit www.amazingcarbon.com
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Drawing closer in the field Collaboration between a group of local landholders passionate about the environment and ecologists and social scientists from the Charles Sturt University Institute for Land, Water and Society (ILWS) has moved closer. They have met in a series of meeting over two years to develop a joint paper that explains the place of reconciliation ecology in intensive irrigation agriculture in South Eastern Australia. Some members of the Deniliquin-based National Agricultural Production and Reconciliation Ecology Centre (NAPREC) met again with the ILWS group — led by Professor Max Finlayson — to complete the final groundwork for a joint paper in Deniliquin in May. The paper explores the place of reconciliation ecology in agricultural landscapes in South Eastern Australia.
NAPREC chair Louise Burge believes the discussions build on close relations already forged between farmers and researchers, and the important issues for natural resource management (NRM) in the region. ‘‘In the paper, we analyse the key elements that can deliver long-term success,’’ Mrs Burge said. ‘‘We hope through a close partnership between landholders and researchers that we can build shared understanding on the parts of NRM that will build opportunities and enhance both the environment and regional communities.’’ Professor Finlayson said the meetings and subsequent work have highlighted the advantages of working with passionate members of the community in applied ecological research. ‘‘The best approach is to talk together before we ask the questions — get to know
■ Louise Burge. each other, where we agree and where we don’t, and why, and do that in a respectful way,’’ Prof Finlayson said. ‘‘By working with farmers and other land users from the very beginning, we can establish the relationships that are needed to get better understanding and buy-in to what we do in regional areas. ‘‘Landowners have incredible local knowledge, they have the local networks, and
an understanding of their communities. We must tap into this incredible resource with empathy and a clear understanding of where they and we want to go.’’ A final draft is now being completed by ILWS and NAPREC members before being presented back to a broader NAPREC community group in Deniliquin this October. It is hoped this meeting will endorse the concepts expressed in the paper and develop the next steps for NAPREC in its growing collaboration with ILWS. ‘‘The work to date is a great example of where people from universities and communities can come together to explore ideas,’’ Mrs Burge said. She thanked the joint working group drawn from different fields of interest for their continued commitment to explore ideas as part of the concept of reconciliation ecology.
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CONSULTING
ELDERS RIVERINA SHEEP EXPO 2019
Garden setting for expo The region’s sheep and wool industry will be celebrated at the 11th annual Elders Riverina Sheep Expo in Deniliquin on Friday, August 16. This year’s expo will be held in the Deniliquin Waring Gardens — right in the heart of Deniliquin’s CBD. Normally held at Deniliquin’s Peppin Heritage Centre — which has a museum in tribute to the local Merino industry and the Peppin family who launched it — the move was required because of pending renovations at the centre. As is tradition, the 2019 event will feature sheep and wool judging, shearing competitions, a homage to the wool fashion industry and more. The coveted Elders Riverina Merino Ram of the year title is worth $1500 to the
■ Australian Food & Agriculture staff (from left) Forbes Murdoch, Justin Campbell, Shannon Mitchell, Tom Lilburne, Alex Doidge, Angus Munro and Chris Bowman with judge Alan Dawson and the 2018 Ram of the Year. winner, including $500 in genetic services. For the last six years the title has been won by Australian Food & Agriculture Company, more commonly referred to by its original name FS Falkiner & Sons.
The last five titles have been won by rams from Poll Boonoke. They started the run of success in 2013 with Wanganella 19. Other judging categories include Elders Riverina Ewe of the Year, Performance
Ram of the Year and Performance Ewe of the Year. The event will also include the presentation of the Northern Clip of the Year. The expo will kick-off at 10am and throughout the day there will also be a fashion parade with local exhibits, static wool and merchandise displays, animal health displays and more. The expo usually runs through to about 4pm. The Deniliquin-based Riverina Sheep Expo was established when drought conditions forced the cancellation of the Riverina Field Days. The event gives sheep studs the opportunity to show off what they have to offer to prospective ram buyers. For more information contact Elders Deniliquin on 5890 5100.
’Farm Talk’, August 2019 — Page 7
Five key breeding objectives By ADRIAN SMITH What are your breeding objectives? Not of yourself . . . but of your livestock! Often when we think about buying a new bull or ram, we are purely focussed on animals (or their traits) which will make us (more) money or improve production. However, it is equally important to consider things that might save money or time, and ever more importantly, things consumers want to buy. A very interesting presentation I attended from a world renowned geneticist, Dr Mark Ferguson from neXtgen agri, outlined four key things to consider about your livestock breeding plan: ● The traits that make you money; ● The traits that save you money; ● The traits that save you time; and ● The traits that delight your customer. I think there may be a fifth, which is the traits that motivate you as a producer. It’s not much point producing something that you’re not passionate about. You should also remember the way your animals express themselves is not just a reflection of their genetics, but also the environment in which they live. The best bred animal raised in the upper Murray may not perform as well if it were raised on the rangelands west of Moulamein. As Dr Ferguson explained, it is important to remember it
is not about breeding THE perfect animal, it is about breeding YOUR perfect animal! Making you money We often think from a genetic perspective of traits that make us money — producing more product, producing it faster or producing it more efficiently. All of these are noble (and very practical) objectives, but if these objectives come at the cost of something else, then you need to be a little cautious. Whilst topping the market with the biggest animal can make us feel really good (and gives us something to boast about when talking with our neighbours!), what often drives the profitability of our animal enterprise is the number of animals sold, or the reproductive rate or efficiency of the enterprise. So if the higher growth rate comes at the cost of less animals sold, from a business perspective, are you really in front? Do you have enough time? Those of us who farm aren’t usually found sitting on the front verandah looking for something to do! Where livestock are concerned, there are some jobs that we have to do no matter what. But there are some animals which have the genetic makeup to look after themselves a little better than others. Animals which require less inputs (such as labour, animal health treatments etc) have significant benefits — both to themselves, and the farm business. Remember, most things that cost you time are also costing you money! The point is, don’t just
consider higher production when choosing your genetics – things that make your life easier might just be saving you lots of time (and money). Do you know what your customer wants? Whatever we are producing, we need someone to actually want to purchase and consume it! Ensuring the end user enjoys the experience of consuming or wearing what you produce is really important — and as consumers become increasingly discerning, this will likely become more vital. The other aspect to this is that consumers are becoming increasingly aware of how we produce what we do, and want to know more about how our animals were produced. If our animals require fewer chemicals to grow and thrive, it may help in future marketing of what you produce. These are important characteristics to consider when developing your breeding objectives. Do what you like Having said all this, there is no point doing something which you don’t like! If you have a passion for what you are doing, you are more likely to do it well, and be successful at it. Remember, your animals will be a reflection of their genetics, and the environmental conditions their subject to — which includes how you manage them. How can I improve my breeding? Think about the five key aspects outlined. Prioritise those traits which are important and valuable to you and your business.
Focussing on one particular trait or aspect may lead to compromises in other areas — on the other hand, breeding for too many traits can also be problematic and difficult to achieve improvements in all. A balanced breeding plan and objective(s) is the key. Making genetic gain is the important outcome of any breeding plan. And genetic gain is about making good decisions on a consistent basis — chopping and changing from year to year on your objectives will not result in the best outcomes. Have a long-term objective(s), and select animals which will help you get there. Using Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) or Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) are a good place to start. These allow producers to evaluate an animal's genetic potential for a range of traits. EBVs are calculated based on the pedigree and performance data of a sire’s progeny and family in relation to a range of traits. Having identified the traits which are important, producers can then select breeding stock with high EBVs for their desired traits. Used in conjunction with the visual qualities you find important or desirable, this additional genetic information can assist producers choose the best animals for their particular enterprise and circumstance. ■ Adrian Smith is senior lands services officer – mixed farming with Murray Local Land Services.
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‘Serious’ ram sale Wunnamurra Poll Dorset Stud at Jerilderie will offer 170 Lambplan tested rams for sale on-property this September. The 17th annual ram sale ‘‘for the serious lamb producer’’ will be held at 11am on Thursday, September 12, with inspections open from 9.30am. Wunnamurra’s Andrew Gillett said the Poll Dorset Stud was started in 1987 with the initial purpose of breeding rams for their own operations, which has now grown to providing high quality genetics to a wide variety of clients. The stud runs 450 ewes and uses artificial insemination and genomic DNA testing each year to access the best genetics possible. ‘‘Like everything else we produce on Wunnamurra, we wanted to be able to measure our production,’’ Mr Gillett said. ‘‘So, we joined Lambplan, which has given us the tools to record and measure growth, eye muscle and fat on our stud lambs at 100 days and at 200 days of age, as well
as important pedigree information. ‘‘We’ve been using Lambplan for more than 20 years — it is the best way for clients to assess the potential performance of the progeny from the rams they purchase from Wunnamurra. This enables them to make the best decisions for the production and profitability of their enterprise.’’ Mr Gillett said more than half of Wunnamurra’s rams on offer at this year’s sale are in the top 20 per cent of Lambplan data. ‘‘We’re consistently achieving high growth, well above the industry average, whilst also maintaining low birth weight,’’ he said. ‘‘This is key to driving profits for our client’s production systems as well as our own.’’ Mr Gillett said faster growth rates means lambs can be turned off quicker, which is critical in dry seasons such as the one currently being experienced across most of New South Wales and Victoria. ‘‘Our ram clients are spread across a very wide
■ Wunnamurra’s sires are for the ‘serious lamb producer’. area from Leongatha to Winchelsea, Euroa to Moama, Junee to Holbrook, Kyalite to Colleambally as well as Deniliquin, Conargo and Jerilderie. ‘‘They are used for breeding terminal lambs for slaughter and consistently perform well when joined to both Crossbred and Merino ewes.’’ Mr Gillett has recently weaned his commercial Poll Dorset/Merino cross lambs on Wunnamurra. The lambs’ weaning percentage was 132 per cent and averaged 34kg, which worked out at a growth rate just over 380g/day. With the current prices for quality lamb and high slaughter numbers for the year Mr Gillett said it is a fantastic time to be in the sheep and lamb industry.
‘‘The sale yard values in recent times have been $200 to $300 for lamb, equating to $9 to $10 per kilogram,’’ he said. The Wunnamurra 2019 sale rams will present in excellent condition despite the tough season. The sale is being held in conjunction with Elders Jerilderie and Landmark Mills, with lunch provided after the conclusion of the auction. Wunnamurra is located 10km south of Jerilderie, in the Riverina Biosecurity Area. For more information, contact Mr Gillett on 0429 660 584 or go to www.wunnamurra.com.au. Alternatively, you can contact Peter Mills at Landmark on 0429 420 040 or Nick Gray at Elders Jerilderie on 0438 833 090.
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Ph: (03) 5881 6688 Fax: (03) 5881 3838 Augustus Street, Deniliquin Page 10 — ’Farm Talk’, August 2019
Focus on flock and herd infertility By SCOTT ISON We’ve seen and heard of a few nasty surprises this year when it comes to breeder performance. Some people had scanning percentages well below par and others drove into their paddocks to find huge shortages of lambs or calves. We are learning new things about livestock reproduction all the time and we may never know what has gone wrong in some of these mobs. Having said that, here are a few proven methods to reduce reproductive wastage and get more weaners. Body Condition This is at the top of the list because it should be. Reproductive performance is closely correlated to body condition. Peak reproductive efficiency starts at condition score three and up (cows and ewes). Nutrition needs to be plan-
ned, monitored and managed, especially in the tough years, which is why regular condition scoring needs to part of everyone’s routine. In maidens, the focus should be on growth rate without too much fat. Targets are available for different breeds, indicating the ideal weight for maximum pregnancy rates. Biosecurity and Animal Health There are a number of diseases that can have devastating effects on reproduction. Thankfully most of them are prevented with good biosecurity and vaccinations. For cattle, these include vibriosis, pestivirus, trichomoniasis and leptospirosis. In sheep, brucellosis and campylobacter occur commonly while other infectious causes include listeria, toxoplasma and Q fever. There are many other diseases that can also cause infertility. When a pregnant female
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has a high temperature she is at risk of losing the foetus, especially in the first trimester. When a male has a temperature it can kill of all sperm and take two months for viable sperm to be produced again. A number of conditions can lead to a raised temperature including feed contaminants. Examine and Cull If your focus is to maximise breeding efficiency, and it should be, then you really need to check each animal and make sure it is producing for you. There are some key times to do this. Bulls and rams should be checked before joining, leaving yourself enough time to find replacements. Rams can usually be checked by an experienced sheep person but you probably need a vet to fully examine a bull including reproductive health and semen quality. Scanning ewes for twins and singles and separating
them for tailored management has been an important industry recommendation for many years. Empties should be culled. Cows should also be pregnancy tested so that empties can be culled. Dry cows and ewes should be identified at marking or weaning and culled. These can be the most expensive animals if not culled. Cows can be very expensive to carry through to the next calving season and ewes have been shown to be repeat offenders, the ewe that doesn’t wean a lamb this year is likely to be dry again next year. Get Professional Advice If you have poor pregnancy, marking or weaning rates, talk to your local private vet or call Local Land Services on 1300 795 299 to speak to a district vet. ■ Scott Ison is district veterinarian with Murray Local Land Services.
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126 End Street, Deniliquin Phone 5881 7999 Barham 03 5453 2237 Hay 02 6993 1304 Echuca 03 5482 4410 ’Farm Talk’, August 2019 — Page 11
AUSTRALIAN SHEEP AND WOOL SHOW 2019
School’s best The Finley High School show team was again blessed with outstanding success at the annual Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo in July. Four Year 9 students — Archie Mason, Ben Bauer, Sophie Griffiths and Riley Klienschmidt — along with their agriculture teacher Gary Webb attended the event from July 18 to 21. Mr Webb said not only was he ecstatic about their results, he was proud of the students who represented the school with 10 sheep. ‘‘Finley High had our best ever results for the show. It was an amazing set of results that we are extremely proud of,’’ he said. ‘‘Each of our entries won a ribbon and I am stoked with the quality of our ewes which were outstanding. A lot of
people took notice of how good they were. ‘‘The students were outstanding ambassadors for Finley High and earned a lot for respect from other breeders in the shed because of their demeanour and handling ability of the sheep. Well done to those four students.’’ On the Saturday, Finley High showed in the Poll Dorset section in the first three novice classes and had some great results. ‘‘We won two of those three and were then awarded the CEVA Novice Aggregate Trophy for a third year in a row.’’ They continued their success in the open classes with a first, a second and two thirds, with Mr Webb saying he was again ‘‘ecstatic with our results.’’ ~ continued next page
■ LEFT: Finley High School students Archie Mason, Riley Bauer, Sophie Griffiths and Ben Klienschmidt pictured with their interbreed class winning pair and single ewe. TARAKAN POLL DORSET STUD “Tarakan” PO Box 397 Deniliquin NSW 2710 Ph/Fax 03 5881 4015 Founded 1988 Flock No 3775 AC/BR Y288
19th On Property Flock Ram Sale September 18, 2019 at 12.30pm 65 Poll Dorset Rams on offer. Rams will be penned for inspection from 10am on DAY OF SALE. 31 years of Poll Dorset breeding from top blood line studs. Current sires being used are Tarakan, Derdyown and Faraday Park Studs. HEALTH Brucellosis accredited Free Flock Y288 OJD ABC 6 Points OJD Flock Test 2001-2017 Footrot protected area Dip, Drench & Glanvac6 Booster for 2019 Lambplan tested, figures on Sale Day MSA 122Z
Agent for the sale: Deniliquin, Ph 03 5890 5100 John Fitzpatrick: 0408 500 182 Vendor: Louise (Lou) Whyborn Mob 0428 652 646 Please join us for a BBQ lunch from 11am. Morning and afternoon tea provided.
Page 12 — ’Farm Talk’, August 2019
359 TRANSPORT 45 FT Drop Deck with B/Tail and Bi-Fold ramps/ container pins 45 FT Tautliner, Bissaloy Chassis Tipper CARTAGE OF: • Machinery • General freight • Hay • Poly/ PVC pipe • Wool • Bulk bag fertiliser • Concrete pipes & • Bulk firewood products • Sand & Gravel For all freight requirements contact Steve “Budgie” Malcom 0427 315 249 budgieboy1968@hotmail.com Berrigan
AUSTRALIAN SHEEP AND WOOL SHOW 2019
ever results ~ from page 12 ‘‘In the Ewe under 1 shorn class in the Poll Dorsets, there were 14 sheep and we won third and fourth. Those two came out of the novice class and did exceptionally well. ‘‘We also did really well in the Pair of Ewes under 1. We were second place in that class. ‘‘We also did quite well in the Ewe Lamb Class which we weren’t really expecting. Again it was a large class but we received first place and third. ‘‘It is the second year in a row that we have won that class.’’ They finished the show with success on Sunday with the school’s interbred classes. Every school competing had the opportunity to compete against other schools.
‘‘In the ewe class, our ewe won first place,’’ Mr Webb said. ‘‘The judge commented that he felt this ewe was of such quality that a few years ago, she could have won any open class in the country, she is that good and a clear winner. ‘‘We also entered in the Pair of Sheep. We entered a pair of ewes and won first prize. ‘‘The judge later said it was an easy decision for both our pair and ewe and that these sheep are an outstanding representative of the breed. ‘‘I am very proud of the quality of our sheep and proud of how our students conducted themselves representing the school,’’ he said.
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Supreme champ. Blighty sheep breeder Jason O’Loghlin smashed the competition at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo in July. He returned home with six of a possible seven ribbons in the Wiltshire Horn section of the show. His Ologhlin Stud also claimed its sixth Supreme Wiltshire Horn Exhibit trophy. ‘‘Given the season and how the sheep were looking I was not sure I would get anything at Bendigo,’’ Mr O’Loghlin said. ‘‘I have been feeding them a bit, which is my third year of feeding; things are green but there’s not really much feed around. ‘‘Once I got there and the classes started, my confidence started to build. The only Wiltshire Horn class I did not win this the pair of ewes. ‘‘Bendigo is the premier
sheep show in the country. If you can take a ribbon home from Bendigo it’s a good indication of where your stud is at. ‘‘I have been successful there in the past. I have claimed the supreme exhibit for my class in six of the last seven years — from 2013 to 2017 and now in 2019. ‘‘Last year was a bit different, because the conditions were not really favourable then either.’’ At this year’s show, in addition to supreme exhibit, Ologhlin Stud got the following results in the Wiltshire Horn sections: Ram over 11⁄2, 1 and 2; Ram under 11⁄2, 1; Champion reserve ram; Ewe over 11⁄2, 1 and 2; Ewe under 11⁄2, 1, 2 and 3; Champion and reserve ewe; Breeding group any age, 1; Breeding group under 11⁄2, 1; Leo Harwood Memorial for two rams and two ewes.
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’Farm Talk’, August 2019 — Page 13
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Re-Gen host a free soil info day in Deni health day, and I intend to make it an annual event. ‘‘We’ve made the day free because we know it has been a tough couple of years for our farmers because of the drought. ‘‘That’s why it’s important for farmers to attend, because we know that soil health can positively impact on water holding capacity.’’ The information day will be held at the property ‘Glenlea Lodge’, at 239 Moonee Swamp Road, Deniliquin, on September 26. Registration will be from 9.30am. ‘‘Glenlea Lodge is one the first properties I started working with, so on the property we can show people the Re-Gen practices and what has worked and what has not. ‘‘The morning will be an opportunity to hear from the speakers, and in the afternoon we intend to host a crop walk. Dr Jones will be able to explain what’s happening in the soil, so farmers can go home and check their own paddocks later.’’ A free barbecue lunch will be provided to participants. For catering and other requirements, anyone wishing to attend is asked to register with Mr Harrington by calling 0427 138 100 or sending an email to luke@regenfarming.com.au.
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• Hydraulic Cage Sheep Dipping • Lamb Marking & Mulesing Amelia 0428 582 268, Ben 0400 052 680, Office 03 5881 3990 370-374 Augustus St, Deniliquin NSW 2710 admin@seigsheepandwool.com.au Find us on facebook at Seig Sheep and Wool
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A free ‘Simple soil health solutions’ information day will be held in Deniliquin this September. The second annual soil health day hosted by Re-Gen Farming, the day will feature three guest speakers including prominent groundcover and soils ecologist Dr Christine Jones. Over the past decade Dr Jones has gained international recognition as a speaker, presenting on ‘The Fundamentals of Soil’ at workshops, field days, seminars and conferences throughout Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Western Europe, Central America, USA and Canada. Also secured to provide advice to farmers are agronomist and fifth generation farmer Keiran Knight and NutriSoil owner/director Rachelle Armstrong. Luke Harrington, who is based in Deniliquin for ReGen Farming, said the day is a great chance to learn new ways to improve farming practices and to build on networks. ‘‘The guest speakers will each talk about the importance of soil health, and how it can help reduce inputs and limit pest pressure on crops,’’ Mr Harrington said. ‘‘This is our second soil
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SUNRICE GROWER DIRECTOR ELECTIONS
Seven vie for four spots Seven candidates have nominated to fill four grower director positions on the SunRice board, effective after this year’s annual general meeting. The candidates were announced on July 12, with growers given until August 19 to cast their votes. The field of candidates includes two directors seeking re-election after their terms come to an end — existing
chairman Laurie Arthur and Leigh Vial. Choosing not to renominate at this election are Mark Robertson and Glen Andreazza. Other candidates are: ● Warren Lang ● Rob Massina ● Jeremy Morton ● Angela Urquhart ● Julian Zanatta. Mr Andreazza, from
Laurie Arthur I joined the board of SunRice in 2007, and I have served as chairman for the last four and a half years. Coming off a small crop last year, combined with BOM predictions of dry conditions for the remainder of the year, our rice farming businesses are facing severe stress. The extreme fluctuations in the Riverina crop size have accelerated SunRice’s multiple supply source strategy to ensure that we don’t lose valuable markets for Riverina rice. The recent opening of our Vietnamese mill is a good example of this. The company is in a strong position and this has been enhanced by the recent listing of the B shares on the ASX and the good progress of the five-year strategic plan. A strong company is essential to enable SunRice to pay us the paddy prices we need to continue to grow rice into the future. Programs like
GrowRice will also become increasingly important to help facilitate rice growing. I started growing rice in 1980 as a share farmer and the rice industry has been very kind to me. I continue to farm in the Moulamein district, and I am fortunate to have my two boys and daughter growing rice along with my wife Debby. Enduring control of the rice industry by growers is something I deeply believe in.
Willbriggie, has been a director with SunRice since 2011. In that time he has served on the Member, Finance and Audit and Grower Services, Safety Health and Environment director committees. Mr Andreazza was also an alternate delegate to the Ricegrowers Association of Australia Mirrool branch and a representative of the Irrigation Research Extension Committee.
Mr Robertson is based in the Berriquin district and has been a SunRice director since 1996. He served on the Member, Remuneration and Nomination director committee, and is also chair of Trukai Industries Limited (PNG). Profiles for each of the 2019 director election candidates will be found over the next few pages, in alphabetical order.
Warren Lang Together with my wife Alison and three daughters I have grown rice for 30 years in the Berriquin District. Principally using a rice based system leasing and share farming opportunities together with cartage and small steel construction business we were able to purchase our own land and contribute to our local community. Experience includes: I became involved with the Berriquin Branch of the RGA in the early 90s; 24 years as a delegate RGA; two years Rice Research Committee; 12 years Berriquin Branch president; eight years senior vice president of RGA; 2017 Honorary Councillor of RGA; 2006 RGA Course 1 Leadership Program; 2018/19 Established leadership Program and AICD Directors Course; Berriquin Irrigators Council; Director of Lupins For Life. Being both an A & B Class shareholder I am acutely aware of the significance of
the role in serving both shareholdings equitably and I firmly believe this will benefit to the continued financial strength of SunRice. Clearly there is always challenges for SunRice, obviously irrigation water supply is critical for Riverina ricegrowers at the moment, and I have no doubt SunRice will aid its growers with what tools they can to make rice the crop of choice once again.
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Contact: Mark Brear mark@riverinacropcare.com P. 03 5453 8257 | F. 03 5453 8271 www.riverinacropcare.com ’Farm Talk’, August 2019 — Page 17
SUNRICE GROWER DIRECTOR ELECTIONS
Rob Massina I am a previous agribusiness senior executive that now jointly operates numerous irrigation properties between Finley and Jerilderie with a focus on rice, lamb, wool and grain production. With broad experience in the Australian and New Zealand Agribusiness sector, I have a deep understanding of growers/customers needs; the staff and teams that deliver; and understand the balance that a board and management have to make. Having lead teams of people and supported growers in the Riverina during the millennium drought and farming in today’s environment, I feel I have the practical experience to work on your behalf to see a strong SunRice into the future with a solid Riverina base. Having recently completed the Established Leader Course and participated on the Grower Reference Group, I have a relevant understand-
ing of the SunRice 2022 strategy both from a Riverina and international perspective. My involvement with the RGA over the past four years has also allowed me to stay abreast of all issues affecting us as growers. Utilising my experience, I feel I am well placed to explore ways in which SunRice can provide solutions to maximise profitability for our growers and our company.
Page 18 — ’Farm Talk’, August 2019
Jeremy Morton I have been a rice grower since 1987 and currently own and manage properties at Moulamein with my wife Renee and three children. I am RGA president and chair of the RGA Board. I have strong skills in strategic thinking, governance, collaborative decision making and interpreting financial statements. I have the ability to work effectively in complex, challenging and dynamic team environments. Vision: Provide the best grower returns possible which will be underwritten by a strong, profitable and dynamic SunRice; Support Growers to produce rice in an increasingly competitive world; Continue to support the marketing, advocacy, research, development and extension pillars that have built our industry and SunRice; Support the SunRice 2022 Growth Strategy for improved Grower returns and a profitable SunRice.
Experience: RGA Central Executive Delegate 1992-2002 & 2013-2019; RGA President 2015-current; Chair RGA Board 2018-current; Board Member National Irrigators Council 2018-2019. Professional development: Rice Industry Emerging Leaders Program 2014; Australian Rural Leadership Program 2015-2016; AICD Company Directors Course 2018; Rice Industry Established Leaders Program 2019.
SUNRICE GROWER DIRECTOR ELECTIONS
Angela Urquhart I am a graduate of the RGA Established Leaders and Foundations of Leadership Program, and I will add diversity and contribute strong financial qualifications and skills to the SunRice Board. In partnership with my husband Murray, I run a mixed cropping farm south east of Finley. We grow rice, winter cereals, oilseeds, maize and sheep. I am responsible for the strategic management of our business, including planning and financial management, and I am active in the day to day operations. I have a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Computer Science. I am a qualified accountant and member of CPA Australia. My business experience, qualifications and background in finance and audit as well as off-farm experience in large business (financial accountant for the Melbourne Football Club and the AFL), local government (fi-
nance manager at the Berrigan Shire Council) and the not-for-profit sector (treasurer Biralee Preschool) has given me a solid foundation to make a valuable contribution to the SunRice board. I am passionate about the Agriculture Industry and I have a willingness to challenge the status quo in order to enhance outcomes for others and the greater good of the industry and the community.
SunRice Election, 2019
Angela Urquhart BCom. BCompSc. CPA
• Graduate of the RGA Established Leaders and Foundations of Leadership Program • I will add diversity of thought and experience to the SunRice Board • 15+ years Financial Management experience • I will contribute strong financial qualifications and skills to the SunRice Board • As a current member of the RGA Board I am passionate about Agriculture and Rice. • I am dedicated to ensuring there is a strong future for my family and generations to come in irrigated agriculture, SunRice and the rice industry. Mobile 0447 384 692. Email angeurquhart@gmail.com
Leigh Vial I began rice-growing in 1993, and now run a 2400ha mixed farm at Moulamein with my wife, Sue and two sons. I have served on the SunRice board for one term, since 2015. I served 12 years on the Rice Research Committee, chairing the extension committee that produced the ricegrowing guide ‘Production of Quality Rice in South-East Australia’, and as chairman of RGA’s Environment Working Group. I was a founding director of Moulamein Grain Cooperative, and currently a director of Agripak Pty Ltd, a grain containerization company. I am a graduate of the AICD. Our family spent 2008 to 2011 in Lao PDR, where my wife Sue protected tigers in northern Lao and I undertook a PhD on water productivity and led sections of an ACIAR project on intensifying and diversifying Lao lowland rice systems. I cur-
rently lead a small ACIAR project in Lao PDR on directseeded rice. I was head of the experiment station at the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines from 2011 to 2015. I used the opportunity to develop a network across much of the ricegrowing world, developing my knowledge of rice grain quality and understanding of global rice production and consumption.
SunRice Election, 2019
Leigh Vial B Agric. Sci., M.Ec., PhD, GAICD “I am grateful to you, the shareholder, to have served you in a first term as a SunRice director. I wish to capitalize on that experience, pursuing the SunRice 2022 Strategy to benefit A and B class shareholders in a second term.”
Complementing the Board’s skills • Continuity; 4 years served as SunRice director managing strategy and risk • Knowledge of Asian rice, international rice production and consumption • Diverse, international and executive career experience • Research qualifications and experience in an Australian and Asian context Leigh Vial 0403 489 848 ’Farm Talk’, August 2019 — Page 19
SUNRICE ELECTIONS
Julian Zanatta I’m a proud ricegrower from Benerembah, in the northern part of the Murrumbidgee Valley. I have nominated for the SunRice board because I believe I can make a valuable and positive contribution on behalf of growers. My family has a long history growing rice. My father and grandfather started in the early 1960s on a farm on the Edward River near Deniliquin. When my father passed away, I took over the business at the age of 15. In 2001, I purchased ‘Crystal Brook’, my current farm located adjacent to the Barren Box Storage at Benerembah. Together with my brother, we have built a productive business growing rice and other cereal grains. It hasn’t always been easy, but our success has come from effective planning, sensible risk taking and hard work. Over the years, I have developed extensive know-
ledge about water matters in our region. If elected to the board, I plan to highlight the need for our industry to take a more proactive approach with water because it’s the most important issue of our time. It’s an exciting yet challenging time for our industry. Now is the time to give something back to the industry that has provided so much for us.
A tool kit to tackle weeds A portable tool kit with the power to identify the DNA of invasive weeds when they first appear in the landscape could soon transform weed management. NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) scientists David Gopurenko, Aisuo Wang and Hanwen Wu have developed a field kit which uses LAMP technology to identify serrated tussock and Chilean needle grass in the field. ‘‘The advantage of LAMP, the name given to loop-mediated isothermal amplification of DNA, is that we can quickly and easily identify trace amounts of leaf tissue within an hour at a cost less than $10 per test,’’ Dr Gopurenko said. ‘‘Early detection is the key to managing serrated
tussock and Chilean needle grass. ‘‘Weed seedlings and young plants are difficult to distinguish from similar looking native grasses and the development of this DNA-based tool will help accelerate their detection. ‘‘When these weeds first emerge in new locations they often remain undetected until wellestablished and become difficult to control. ‘‘These invasive tussock grasses can quickly take over vast areas, competing with valuable pasture species. ‘‘If land managers can detect these weeds when they first appear, control measures can be effectively initiated to get rid of the weeds before they become a huge problem.’’
VOTE Julian ZANATTA An experienced business owner and rice grower, with an extensive understanding of water.
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SunRice Grower Director Elections Page 20 — ’Farm Talk’, August 2019
Phone - Jason Neutze: 0429 337 341 Operations: 02- 6954 6777 0499 220 981 Phone the Office (03) 5886 1228 Email: operations@masagwork.net.au www.masagwork.net.au
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Friday 16 August 2019 | 10.00am
THE DAY WILL CONSIST OF:
• $1000 Elders Riverina Merino Ram of the Year, sponsored by Elanco + $500 in Genetic Services,Donated by Apiam • $500 Elders Riverina Merino Ewe of the Year, sponsored by Elders • $1000 Elders Riverina Performance Ram of the Year, sponsored by Rivalea + $500 in Genetic Services, Donated by Apiam • $500 Elders Riverina Performance Ewe of the Year, sponsored by Elanco • Fashion Parade with local fashion exhibits • Static Wool & Merchandise Displays • Animal Health Displays • Northern Clip of the Year
Change of venue Waring Gardens. In the heart of town.
’Farm Talk’, August 2019 — Page 21
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’Farm Talk’, August 2019 — Page 23
Completing modernisation COMPLETING THE MAIN CANALS
the ability to store water to start each season with greater efficiency and response.
Murray Irriga on is finishing off its main canals as part of this year’s Winter Works program, heralding the final push to complete the system’s modernisa on.
WHERE ARE WE UPGRADING?
$17 million has been invested in this year’s PIIOP3 program to improve the water delivery system in support of future environmental and irriga on demand. These works will complement the earlier investment and enable greater control of water delivery, including
There are 16 sites on the Wakool Main Canal, Southern Branch Canal and Northern Branch Canal near Wakool and a further eight sites between Mulwala and Deniliquin on the Mulwala Canal. “We are collabora ng with our trusted delivery partners ERTECH, AWMA Water Control and Metroid to deliver this year’s works.
Murray Irriga on’s PIIOP3 project is being funded under the Australian Government’s Private Irriga on Infrastructure Operators Program (PIIOP) in NSW.
Page 24 — ’Farm Talk’, August 2019