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For 20 years, Wayne ‘Eddie’ Edwards and has been providing top-quality service to community members and farmers in the district through JD Upholstery in Deniliquin.
The business - located at 442 Sloane St, Deniliquin - is a furniture repair and tailored upholstery service.
Locally owned and operated, service is provided with friendly customer interaction and local know-how to get your upholstery and furniture repair needs sorted.
For farmers, Mr Edwards said the business specialises particularly in tractor and ute seats, as well as chaser bin tarps and covers.
Outside these particular items, Mr Edwards said JD Upholstery does “a bit of everything”.
It could be pool tables, custom canvas canopies and vinyl repairs for vehicle and machinery interiors.
The business can make to order, and help you with any repairs.
Ute covers are a common order in the cooler months, while blinds are very common in the summer.
JD Upholstery is all about providing quality comfort, sun-protection and style all-year around.
In his milestone year, Mr Edwards paid tribute to the former owners of the business - Neville and Joan Munro.
He purchased the business in 2005 after working alongside the Munros and learning the trade for 12 months.
“They (the Munros) were always really good to me, especially when I was first starting out,” he said.
“There is plenty of good connection with the community; that’s why I kept the name.
“JD Upholstery has probably been going for 60 years or longer.
“I want to say thanks to all the customers we’ve had, and who have supported us over 20 years.”
For any of your upholstery or repair needs, drop into JD Upholstery in Deniliquin or call 0408 617 696.
The 2025 Hay Inc cohort celebrated their graduation from the rural education program at Saturday’s Hay Merino Sheep Show.
This was the 11th cohort of graduates to complete the unique program, founded and based in the Hay region. The aim of Hay Inc is to offer an opportunity for young people to gain agricultural skills, education and experience. The training program consists of a range of short courses which involve practical training, delivered on rural properties throughout the Hay district. The training and assessment is delivered by qualified trainers and subject matter experts who have extensive practical experience in primary production.
“It was a great day for Hay Inc.,” facilitator Sandra Ireson said.
Sheridan Evans was awarded the Mathew Vick Scholarship, presented by Mathew’s parents John and Lisa Vick, while the Hay Inc encouragement award was won by Quinlan Madigan. Ashlee Treblico placed third in the junior sheep judging, and Hay Inc alumni Emilia Browne was front and centre during the day, as one of the show’s associate judges.
• Welcome at all Purtill Group locations in Deniliquin, Mathoura, Moama, Finley, Jerilderie, Tocumwal, Hay and Griffith.
• Can also be used at over 1900 locations Australia-wide.
• Receive a monthly detailed statement with itemised vehicle expenses - great for tracking fleet expenses.
Locally grown rice is now being milled through a new $10 million mill near Jerilderie.
TheNice Rice Honestly Ltd facility, which opened in June, was mostly funded through private investments from about 20 local growers.
The project has been developed over some time.
Project manager Russell Ford said it was born out of the desire to create a more premium rice product.
“It’s a current initiative that’s been developed by a few farmers trying to really improve rice that’s being grown,” he said.
“We are all looking at an opportunity to provide topnotch, premium products.
“Going back to the growers, they were all really focused that if we could do it, we want to do it properly, looking at the world’s best quality.”
A recent change in legislation meant the farmers could grow, process and sell their own rice.
Traditionally SunRice had exclusive rights to market and sell NSW rice domestically and overseas.
Despite the stand alone facility, Mr Ford said the aim was not to compete with the major rice company.
“The aim in starting this wasn’t to compete with SunRice - it was to premiumise the rice we were producing.
“Also it was a few points on the growing side, using a bit of science, re-introducing regenerative practices as well as the sustainability pieces.”
Ford said those involved weighed up several options in the Southern Riverina for the project.
“We looked at Tocumwal, Finley, Deniliquin - a range of places.
“The big factor in favour of this block at Jerilderie was that it had power, was next to a solar farm and was based on the Newell Highway.
“It means it can act as a conduit between the major capital cities.
“Murrumbidgee Council has been really supportive. While they haven’t put in any funds, and we haven’t needed to receive any money from the government, the council has been really helpful along the journey.”
The new rice mill held a grand opening in late May to recognise the many stakeholders involved in the milestone, at a special time for the rice growers.
“It was an official mark in the ground to note we’ve come this far and to say thank you,” Mr Ford said.
“In particular, a thanks to our growers and it was end of harvest, so it was good timing to celebrate that.”
The previous season’s rice crop was quite successful, but Mr Ford said the next season would be a bit more challenging.
“The one we’ve just completed has been fantastic. We had a particularly warm season which is great, particularly for crops like rice and cotton.
“Next season will likely be a fair bit tougher as water prices are higher, and availability of water is tougher.
“We’ve told our farmers to plant early if they can and it may trickle down, but obviously, with the higher costs, some farmers won’t be able to plant as much.”
Overall, Ford said he was so far very pleased with the project.
“We’ve been really lucky with the build of the sheds, which have been right on time with all our building target times and starting to mill.
“The future might be full on, but it’s good.”
Nice Rice director and chief marketing officer Tom Paton said varieties of rice processed at the mill in Jerilderie are not far away from supermarket shelves for consumers right around Australia, packaged under the brand name ‘Nice Rice’.
“We’re a small agitator business, really trying to look after the Australian rice industry,” he said.
“People might not know we’re sold through Woolworths right throughout Australia.
“And from July we will have products sold through Coles, and nationally through a number of independent retailers.
“People can purchase our product on the supermarket shelves, and it’s a lovely local story that’s just beginning.”
As farmers face growing challenges from climate variability, rising costs and market pressures, the concept of ‘natural capital’ is emerging as a valuable tool to help build more resilient and productive farming systems.
‘Natural capital’ involves valuing our natural assets and the services they provide, much like we value other forms of capital, such as financial or built infrastructure. The term natural capital has emerged recently in agriculture, and understanding its contribution to your farm could help you increase resilience, bolster productivity and farm more efficiently.
To understand natural capital, we need to consider the natural assets present in our landscape. On your farm these include soil, vegetation, water, air, and all living things; from live-stock, to native animals, to the microbes and fungi living in our soils.
These natural assets provide free services, known as ecosystem services, which underpin our food and fibre production. Ecosystem services we rely on to farm include:
• water filtration and storage in the landscape
• trees providing shade, shelter and habitat for fauna
• soil health, fertility and function
• animals and insects controlling pest levels
• pollination of crops and pastures
• dust and noise minimisation.
Our farming systems rely on and utilise these natural processes to drive food and fibre production. Therefore, investing in and enhancing the natural capital on your farm can create value for your business.
However, if we don’t manage our natural capital in a sustainable way that protects the integrity of our natural assets we can degrade them over time. This lowers the inherent productivity and resilience in our system, requiring more inputs (i.e. costs) and increasing the level of risk in our business.
With the creation of environmental markets, land managers now can now be financially rewarded for improving their natural capital or demonstrating sustainable management practices. Environmental market opportunities include green loans and finance, price premiums through certification schemes, market access or new supply chains, and carbon or biodiversity markets. These opportunities are relatively new but quickly maturing. It’s not one size fits all and the risks and benefits need to be considered when deciding whether to participate.
Murray Local Land Services is currently running a pilot program offering natural capital profiles. The profile is a personalised report that outlines your farm’s natural
assets, natural capital and different environmental market options that might be available to you. Spots are limited. If you’re interested, or have any questions about natural capital or carbon, reach out to Emily Wilson, your natural capital advisor for Murray.
Get in touch via email at emily.b.wilson@lls.nsw.gov. au or phone 0484 117 155.
Landholders now have increased access to the tools they need for onfarm jobs, with the establishment of Central Hire in Deniliquin.
It’s a second location for the business, which already has a base in Echuca.
For the farmers specifically, Central Hire Echuca Deniliquin operations manager Mark Clyne said equipment can help with trenching for electrical work, earthmoving, post hole diggers, transfer pumps, shed building, irrigation infrastructure, factory and grain storage maintenance and DIY.
Large infrastructure projects will also benefit from the new service, he said.
“There is an availability of larger excavation equipment, a range of Toro products, up to five tonne excavators, scissor lifts, trailers and boom lifts.
“It is all pretty well new equipment, with some purchased specifically for here.
“We also have portable toilets for hire and can do delivery on site.
“There is still a lot of infrastructure and a lot of building and construction being done in Deniliquin and district. We felt a need to serve the area.
“There are a few big builds coming up like the solar infrastructure, the new Deniliquin post office and possible future hospital development. All those things will need equipment, which we’re able to provide.”
Mr Clyne said establishing a base in Deniliquin will expand the reach of the company into the Southern Riverina district.
“We can service from Deniliquin to anything north of here to Hay, as well as Jerilderie, Finley, Berrigan, Tocumwal, also to Moulamein, Wakool and Balranald.
“Within that area, between Deni and Echuca, hopefully it is more convenient for people.”
Central Hire’s expansion into Denilqiuin - to 158-160 Napier St, Deniliquin - comes through owner Hugh Sizer, who has plenty of connections to the community.
“I’m born and bred in Deniliquin, and was here until I went away in Year 9.
“My parents stayed in Deniliquin until I was about 23, which is when they moved, but it was definitely home until then.
“I still know a fair few people in Deniliquin. Kate Freshwater is my wife and my mother-in-law and fatherin-law live in Deniliquin, and brother-in-law Jake.
“I’ve also got some farming experience, as I worked in farming for a couple of years after schooling.
“I’ve been living in Echuca so haven’t been too far away, and I’ve been in and around Deni for a while.”
Mr Sizer said the Deniliquin location has also been the result of significant customer interest.
“People have been asking us to open in Deniliquin.
“We have a large number of people and businesses travelling from Deni to hire equipment in Echuca.
“People drive almost one hour to Echuca just to pick up one piece of equipment, drive home, drive back to Echuca
to drop it off, then drive home again. Altogether, that’s about a four-hour round trip.
“We do general hire, and we’re starting to figure out what the demand is, and we’re trying to cover as many bases as possible.
“In Echuca, plumbers and concreters are our main customers, but in Deni I expect a lot more farming.”
Central Hire Deniliquin is currently open six days8am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 12pm Saturday - with delivery available on a wide range of items.
“We provide up to date, reliable equipment that is constantly being updated and renewed through the purchasing of new equipment,” Mr Sizer said.
“Winter is our quieter period, so there will be limited stock until spring, That will be based on the demand and what is required by the Deniliquin customers.
“As we’re just opening as a new location, we invite people to drop in and have a chat.
“We can discuss if there is equipment that we don’t currently have that people would like us to stock, to also help us know what is needed.”
As stock will be limited at first, bookings are highly recommended. Call the team on 03 5482 2032 or drop into the Napier St yard.
This year marks 30 years since Murray Irrigation was privatised from a governmentowned entity, signalling the birth of the company as we know it today. This article looks at the significant moments leading up to this historic occasion.
Alittleover 30 years ago, the NSW Government legislated a new model for water distribution.
In May 1994, the NSW Parliament passed the Irrigation Corporations Act, providing a legal vehicle to transfer operations from its Department of Water Resources (DWR) to irrigator-owned corporations.
Across the southern Riverina region, this would result in the DWR withdrawing from its previous role of water distribution and retailing, with those responsibilities transferred to a new entity.
While it marked a defining moment for irrigation in the local region, the journey towards the establishment of this new entity had begun much earlier.
George Warne, the first General Manager at Murray Irrigation Limited, recalls how the transition away from NSW Government ownership and operation had begun as far back as 1987 with the formation of the Advisory Board to the DWR. Chaired by Barrie Arnold, Members of this Board were drawn from the Southern Riverina irrigation Districts Council (SRIDC), the lead irrigator representative body across the area.
In mid-1992, Mr Warne started with the ‘commercial arm’ of the NSW Government’s Murray Irrigation, which was part of DWR, firstly in an advisory/consulting role, looking at how the water supply operations and capital expenditure programs were conducted under this commercial arm.
Over the next 12 months, this role changed, and a business case was developed for irrigators to take control of the business. Mr Warne was appointed General Manager in mid-1994.
“The Government and the NSW Treasury at the time strongly supported the development of this business case, as water delivery through state-owned infrastructure, including 3,300 kilometres of channels, was not seen as a core activity of government,” Mr Warne said.
He explained it was not all plain sailing, saying that “with the exception of one or two leaders at DWR, most within the organisation did not support MIL’s creation and were often very frustrating to deal with”.
Amid some of this reluctance, local irrigator Kel Baxter was appointed Chairman of the Murray Irrigation Management Board, which was tasked with overseeing the privatisation process.
Mr Baxter explained that, at the time, many irrigators were frustrated with DWR, in particular the prices they were paying and the lack of system maintenance.
“We thought there had to be a better way,” he said.
“Some irrigators just wanted the Government to ‘step up’, while others realised we could probably run (the system) better ourselves. It went to a vote and in the end it was carried.”
Mr Baxter acknowledged that not everyone was in favour of privatisation, partly due to a “fear of the unknown”.
However, “we got there … and I think we’ve delivered okay,” he said.
“The scheme today delivers water with minimum losses through a highly mechanised infrastructure.”
Mr Baxter said the process to achieve privatisation took about seven years, and involved a lot of lobbying at local, state and Federal Government level, before the Irrigation Corporations Act was eventually passed in the NSW Parliament in 1994.
After this, it was then up to the irrigators to decide whether they wanted to see the scheme passed from government into private hands.
As Mr Baxter had articulated, at the time many irrigators believed not enough of the money being raised locally through their water charges was being re-invested in the maintenance and upgrade of their irrigation supply system while, simultaneously, the Government was proposing a significant increase in water fees.
The Murray Irrigation Management Board presented the case for privatisation as an opportunity for irrigation autonomy, under the banner ‘Your future, your choices’.
Public meetings were held to provide local irrigators detail on how the existing Class 1 state-owned corporation would become a Class 2 company or cooperative.
In the lead-up to these meetings, Mr Warne recalls key challenges were maintaining community and farmer support, convincing the Government to provide financial assistance, recognising the system was run-down, and keeping the workforce engaged and on-side.
“MIL’s creation was driven by the (Murray Irrigation Management) Board’s belief that they could run a much better, more efficient business if it was owned by irrigators,” Mr Warne said.
An important meeting of irrigators was held in Deniliquin on December 12, 1994, at which a recommendation to become a Class 2 Irrigation Corporation was overwhelmingly supported, subject to successful negotiations with Government, and the Murray Irrigation Management Board was directed to undertake these negotiations to achieve this goal.
The official decision finally took place at a meeting in Deniliquin on February 14, 1995, when irrigators were asked to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to: ‘I support the Board’s recommendation to move to a Class 2 Irrigation Corporation’.
But this was not before Mr Baxter, in an ‘Autonomy Update’ to irrigators, advised that “the Board and the Government have reached agreement on most issues regarding the future of Murray Irrigation Area and Districts and the proposed move to a Class 2 Irrigation Corporation” and that “we expect the few outstanding issues to be resolved before the Murray Irrigators meeting on 14 February”.
The update further advised: “After a lot of hard work, the Board is looking forward to finalising the negotiations in the best interests of all irrigators.”
“The creation of MIL was a hard-fought victory, mainly for the very committed Board members.”
GEORGE WARNE
“The creation of MIL was a hard-fought victory, mainly for the very committed Board members,” Mr Warne said.
“These ‘interim’ Directors worked long and hard, often late into the night at landholder meetings, convincing fellow irrigators to support the creation of the new business.
“Murray Irrigation Limited emerged as a service business committed to advocating for the region and providing affordable irrigation water supply to its customer-owners,” he added.
In essence, privatisation was seen as giving the local community greater control and flexibility in the operation of the irrigation system. The region’s irrigators had control of their destiny.
“We thought there had to be a better way.”
GEORGE WARNE
The well-attended meeting on 14 February 1995 voted in favour of the resolution, with Mr Warne saying this demonstrated to the NSW Government that there was overwhelming support for the creation of a new company.
The local irrigation community was now taking control of its own destiny, with Murray Irrigation Ltd officially launched on 3 March 1995 as an unlisted public company, with 10 elected Board directors.
An invitation to vote for or against the Board’s recommendation to move to a Class 2 Irrigation Corporation as found on page 2 of the Autonomy Update released to irrigators in February 1995.
The terms ‘debt refinancing’ and ‘debt restructuring’ are often used interchangeably, but they are quite different in purpose, advantages and risks.
Sowhich one is right for you?
While refinancing and restructuring involve reorganising debt, refinancing usually occurs when a business has their finances under control and wishes to improve their situation with a new loan contract with more favourable terms.
Debt restructuring, on the other hand, happens when a business or borrower is in financial distress and is unable to meet the repayment conditions of their existing loan contract.
They must negotiate with the lender to secure more lenient terms on an existing contract.
If your business has a large loan, such as a mortgage on a property or working capital finance, you might consider working with your broker to see if you can obtain a lower interest rate.
This may be more likely if market interest rates are falling, or you have improved your credit rating.
The refinancing process entails a new loan, with a new contract, being used to pay off the remainder of the existing loan.
If you have built up substantial equity in a mortgaged property, you might choose to refinance for a higher amount than the remaining loan balance.
This turns equity into cash, which could be used to expand or grow your business.
Alternatively, you could refinance to consolidate several debts into one more manageable loan or switch a fixed interest rate for a variable rate.
Benefits vs. risks:
The main benefits of refinancing are paying a lower interest during the remaining life of the loan and creating access to cash.
However, a fixed-term loan may have an early repayment penalty fee. There may also be an establishment fee on the new loan. Your broker can help you calculate the likely costs.
If you are unable to meet your loan repayments on time, you may need to consider debt restructuring, especially if you are otherwise risking bankruptcy or business liquidation.
Contact your broker to discuss possibilities such as extending the loan term or making repayments at longer intervals.
Lenders may be prepared to consider these options rather than risk debtor bankruptcy or liquidation, which might see them unable to recover the loan principal.
The most obvious benefit of a successful loan restructure is avoiding bankruptcy or liquidation.
Even in less extreme cases, a loan restructure could improve your cash flow and give you some breathing space to get back on your feet financially.
However, loan restructuring should only be considered if it is really needed, as it is likely to have a downward impact on your credit score, making it more challenging to get a loan in the future.
Your broker’s expert knowledge can help your business benefit from a customised business finance solution. Contact Grass Roots Finance for guidance if you are considering debt refinancing, restructuring or are looking for ways to fund business growth. Contact Chantelle Shevels on chantelle@grassrootsfinance.com.au or 0427 629 522.
The highly anticipated 73rd annual Hay Merino Sheep Show once again drew breeders, enthusiasts, and community members from across the region, transforming the Hay Showgrounds.
The highly anticipated 73rd annual Hay Merino Sheep Show once again drew breeders, enthusiasts, and community members from across the region, transforming the Hay Showgrounds.
South Australian stud Collinsville took home all the major awards, after judges crowned their stock as Supreme Ewe and Supreme Ram, with the ram also taking out the Grand Champion title.
Judges Steve Phillips (Cunningar), David Zouch (Crookwell), and Philip Russell (Katanning, Western Australia) awarded Collinsville Imperial 69 the Bob and Anne Rollinson Perpetual Trophy for Grand Champion Ram, and the Bill Lamb Perpetual Trophy for Supreme Champion.
The stud was also named winner of the Andrew Lockhart Memorial Award for Most Successful Exhibitor.
General manager Tim Dalla announced that the Grand Champion Ewe, Collinsville 554, will be offered for sale at the Bendigo Ram Sale.
In the Unhoused Category, Hay’s Woodpark Poll continued its winning streak, taking out Champion Ewe and Most Successful Exhibitor, following previous wins in 2023 and 2024.
Results of the 2025 Hay Merino Sheep Show:
FLOCK CATEGORY
Class 1: 1st: Burrabogie, 2nd: Burrabogie, 3rd: Yeadon.
Class 2: 1st: Piney Range, 2nd: Burrabogie, 3rd: Yeadon.
Class 3: 1st: Piney Range, 2nd: Burrabogie, 3rd: Yeadon.
Class 4: 1st: Piney Range, 2nd: Piney Range, 3rd: Des and Irene Ryan.
Class 6: 1st: Piney Range, 2nd: Des and Irene Ryan, 3rd: Burrabogie.
Class 7: Champion: Piney Range, Reserve: Piney Range.
Supreme Champ Pen Flock Ewes: Champion: Piney Range. Reserve: Piney Range
Class 8: Champion: Piney Range, Reserve: Piney Range
Class 9: Champion: Piney Range, Reserve: Piney Range
Class 10: 1st: Burrabogie, 2nd: Yeadon
UNHOUSED
Class 11: 1st: Woodpark, 2nd: Woodpark
Class 12: 1st: Woodpark, 2nd: Woodpark
Class 13: 1st: Woodpark, 2nd: Woodpark
Champ U/Housed Ewe: Champion: Woodpark, Reserve: Woodpark
Class 14: 1st: Poll Boonoke, 2nd: Walgrove, 3rd: Gundarimbah
Most Successful Exhibitor U/Housed: Champion: Woodpark
OPEN STUD CATEGORY
Class 15 RIV Wool Champ Hogget Ram: 1st: Boonoke, 2nd: Vic - Terrick West, 3rd: SA Collandra North
Class 16 Nutrien Ag Champ Ewe: Champion: Collinsville
Class 17: 1st: Terrick West, 2nd: Willandra Poll, 3rd: Belbourie
Class 18: 1st: Terrick West, 2nd: Sandalwood Poll, 3rd: Wanganella
Class 19: 1st: Collandra North, 2nd: Orrie Cowie, 3rd: Collinsville
Class 20: 1st: Terrick West, 2nd: Towonga, 3rd: Glendonald
Class 21: 1st: Orrie Cowie, 2nd: Radnor
Champ Med Wool March Ram: Champion: Collandra North, Reserve: Terrick West
Class 22: 1st: Greenfield’s Karalee, 2nd: Darriwell, 3rd: Terrick West
Class 23: 1st: Terrick West, 2nd: Belbourie, 3rd: Greenfield Karalee
Class 24: 1st: Collinsville, 2nd: Poll Boonoke
Champ Strong Wool March Ram: Champion: Collinsville, Reserve: Poll Boonoke
Elders Champ March Shorn Ram: Champion: Collandra North, Reserve: Terrick West
Class 25: 1st: Willandra Poll, 2nd: Willandra Poll, 3rd: Terrick West
Class 26: 1st: Orrie Cowie, 2nd: Willandra Poll, 3rd: Terrick West
Champ Med Wool March Ewe: Champion: Collinsville (crowned supreme champion), Willandra; Reserve: Orrie Cowie
Class 27: 1st: Mulloorie, 2nd: Collinsville, 3rd: Belbourie
Champ Strong Wool March Ewe: Champion: Mulloorie, Reserve: Collinsville
Champ March Shorn Ewe: Champion: Mulloorie, Reserve: Willandra
HOUSED STUD CATEGORY
Class 29: 1st: Collinsville, 2nd: Mulloorie, 3rd: Kerrilyn
Class 30: 1st: Oakbank, 2nd: Kerrilyn
Champ Strong Wool Ram: Champion: Collinsville, Reserve: Oakbank
Class 31: 1st: Collinsville, 2nd: Oakbank, 3rd: Radnor
Class 32: 1st: Collinsville, 2nd: Kerrilyn
Champ Strong Wool Ewe: Champion: Collinsville, Reserve: Collinsville
Class 33: 1st: Collinsville, 2nd: Oakbank, 3rd: Oakbank
Class 34: 1st: Collinsville, 2nd: Mulloorie, 3rd: Kerrilyn
Champ Med Wool Ram: Champion: Collinsville, Reserve: Collinsville
Class 35: 1st: Collinsville, 2nd: Oakbank, 3rd: Mulloorie
Class 36: 1st: Collinsville, 2nd: Kerrilyn
Champ Med Wool Ewe: Champion: Collinsville, Reserve: Oakbank
Class 37 Pen of Three Stud Rams: 1st: Oakbank, 2nd: Collinsville, 3rd: Kerrilyn
Class 38 Neilson Mills Trophy: 1st: Oakbank, 2nd: Collinsville, 3rd: Mulloorie
GRAND PRIZES
Grand Champ Ram: Collinsville
Grand Champ Ewe: Collinsville
Supreme Champ Ram or Ewe: Collinsville
Andrew Lockhart Most Successful Exhibitor Stud: Collinsville
Junior Judging 15–25: 1st: Rosie Mahony, 2nd: Angus Knox, 3rd: Ashlee Trebilco
Under 15s Junior Judging: 1st: Sam Frost, 2nd: Tash Lucas, 3rd: Harvey Schilg
Blades Shearing: 1st: Angus Munro, 2nd: Tim Dalla, 3rd: Allister Keller
Encouragement: Tom Charlton
2025 Ambassador: Ross Wells
Available Vehicles
Scrapers: Caterpillar 623G, 623B, and 2 x 623F
Excavator: 1 x Komatsu PC200-8, 1 x Hidromek 310LC, 1 x Hidromek 230LC
Longreaches: Komatsu 300-8, 18m Boom & Komatsu 220-5, 14m Boom
Graders: Caterpillar 160M AWD, 2 x Caterpillar 140H
Bulldozers: Caterpillar D7H & Caterpillar D6T with Rake
Tractors: Steiger 450 With Laser Buckets - 14 & 16. Case IH Steiger 535 & 600
Loaders: Cat IT 28B Cat 960F
Low Loaders: 2015 Quad Axel (with Tandem Dolly), SES Tri-Axel
Water Tanker: 45,000
Most people tend to first look at the dollars per tonne when purchasing stock feed. However, by considering multiple factors, such as nutritional value, potential residues and biosecurity, you can get the best ‘bang for your buck’. Seemingly cheap feed can turn out to be very costly if you pay to cart a large amount of water or weeds to your farm!
Feed test results tell you the nutritional value of the feed you are buying. The most important values are metabolizable energy (ME), protein (% CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and dry matter (% DM). This information can be used to determine if purchasing this feed will meet the needs of the stock that you are feeding.
You can also use this information to work out the cost per unit of nutritional values, such as energy or protein, to determine the most cost-effective feed.
The feed cost calculator is a useful tool you can use to compare the values of feeds on an energy and protein basis. You can access the feed cost calculator by heading to www.dpi.nsw.gov.au and searching for feed cost calculator.
You should also factor in transport costs and costs associated with infrastructure needs for handling and storage of the feed when thinking about the total cost.
Some vendors will already have feed test results available when offering feed for sale. If this is not the case, then it may be possible to arrange for a feed test to occur prior to purchase.
Even if you purchase feed without a feed test, it is still worthwhile doing the test after purchase to help you work out your feed ration.
Commodity vendor declaration forms are helpful to check that the feed is safe to feed to livestock. They provide some background information about the feed source, such as whether it has any chemical residues, current withholding periods, or contains restricted animal material.
Biosecurity is another thing to consider when buying in feed. For example, feeds containing weed seeds may pose a risk to your on-farm biosecurity.
You can manage the biosecurity risk of introduced feeds first by visually inspecting feeds upon delivery to ensure it is not contaminated.
Containing the area of feeding by sticking to one or two feed locations within a paddock also allows you to monitor the area for signs of new weeds.
It is also important to be aware of any biosecurity restrictions in place with the movement of feed and fodder before making purchases, especially when purchasing feed or fodder from interstate. For example, restrictions may be in place regarding the movement of fodder or feed
in relation to red imported fire ants, green snail, lupins, and parthenium weed.
You can access further information on what to consider when buying in feed by heading to www.dpi.nsw.gov.au and searching for feed and fodder, or by contacting your nearest Local Land Services.
With the current situations around fertiliser pricing and availability, it is timely to start making nitrogen budgets to ensure we are making profitable decisions, rather than working off “gut” feel.
Abasic nitrogen budget works out the amount of plant available nitrogen in the soil via a soil test, which then adds an estimate of roughly 50kg N/ha for mineralisation to give you a total amount of available nitrogen for your crop.
This is then used to work out if there is enough nitrogen in the soil to meet the crop demand or meet your desired yield. As a rough rule of thumb, we work on roughly 40kg N/ha for 1t wheat, 35kg N/ha for 1t barley and 80kg N/ha for 1t canola.
If you haven’t already got a deep N test for nitrogen before planting, we can organise tests now to get a snapshot of how much is in the soil and where it is sitting to make a calculated budget for fine tuning your nitrogen requirements.
Using sensing technology and satellite imagery, Echelon can help you gather geographically specific information about your farm. Combining this data with soil quality, plant tissue, farm inputs and growth information, our Echelon team can provide accurate,
predictive and specific advice on how you can keep your farm as productive and efficient as it can possibly be. With the power of cloud-based data management, a simple and intuitive iOS app, plus significant offline capabilities, Echelon gives you everything you need to get the most out of every paddock of your business.
For more information or to book in your soil testing with Echelon, contact Nutrien today 03 5881 1777.
FARMtalk welcomes community contributions from farmers, experts and professionals who make their living and life on the land. If you would like to contribute, there are several ways to do so.
• Get in touch and give us a tip of a great story idea.
• Contribute an article: If you are an expert in your field then contributing once off, or regularly, is a great way to get started in our FARMtalk magazine. Contact Zoe McMaugh at farmtalk@ denipt.com.au or 03 5881 2322.
• Become an author: FARMtalk is open to occasional contributors who are experts in their field or authorities on a subject or area. Once you have contributed an article, and the editorial team have approved you, we can set you up with a regular column to contribute. We would love to hear from you. Contact Zoe McMaugh at farmtalk@ denipt.com.au or 03 5881 2322.
• Have a fascinating farm in mind for us to showcase? Tell us! We would love to hear from you.
Contact Zoe McMaugh at farmtalk@ denipt.com.au or 03 5881 2322.
Australia’s farmers are facing more than the challenges of floods, fires and droughts.
Quietly and persistently, they are dealing with rising financial pressure, emotional exhaustion and growing uncertainty, which are having a serious impact on wellbeing across rural communities.
Rural Aid, Australia’s leading rural support charity, is seeing a sharp increase in demand for its services, as farming families struggle with rising costs, labour shortages, unpredictable markets and the changing climate.
Research shows that farmers are 59 per cent more likely to take their own lives than the general population.
Nearly half have experienced thoughts of self-harm or suicide, and many say they find it difficult to reach out for help.
In response, Rural Aid is expanding its support services to meet growing demand.
These include:
• Free, professional counselling through Rural Aid’s mental health and wellbeing team;
• Financial assistance to help cover essential living and business expenses;
• Delivery of hay, drinking water and household goods; and,
• Community-building programs to reduce isolation and support resilience.
Rural Aid is encouraging Australians to get behind their farming communities by donating, raising awareness and advocating for long-term mental health support in the regions.
“To every farmer: you are not alone. And to every Australian: your support makes a difference,” Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said.
“Together, we can help ensure that no farmer is left to face these challenges without support.”
To donate or access support, visit www.ruralaid.org.au/donate or call 1300 327 624.
• Anyone requiring crisis support can contact Accessline on 1800 800 944, Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14, BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
Correction: In last month’s edition, in the article titled ‘Threatened species finding’, two photos were incorrectly captioned to suggest Deanes wattle was endangered, when it was meant to list winged peppercress as endangered. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
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