Your Farm Autumn Edition 2020

FARM YOUR

AUTUMN 2020 EDITION

G Cottrell & Sons Monaro wool still strong INTERSTATE TRANSPORT MACHINERY & GENERAL TRANSPORT

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Local livestock markets have not been adversely aected at this stage by COVID-19, with restockers state-wide reaping improved conditions and driving the markets forward. Monaro Livestock and Property’s Will Dixon said on March 8 that the good conditions in the north of the state have seen buyer interest increase, lifting the “underpressureâ€? market for lambs to a stronger position in the lead-up to Easter.

He also says that panic buying across the state will lead to rises and falls in supply and in the market, but overall should remain firm over time. The oshore market is at this stage very diďŹƒcult to measure. Such uncertain conditions will cause issues, however at this stage it is important to remember that local markets are yet to be aected, with stakeholders advised to continue to keep an eye on local and external markets in the coming weeks and months.

The wool market has endured some hard weeks in recent times, however a positive change has been noted in the market across all microns this week according to Monaro Wool Services manager Ben Litchfield. He says a change in buyer sentiment and support has positively aected prices across all microns as of March 8.

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“This is only a small step in the recovery to where we were – but it’s a good sign,� said Ben following last week’s sale results, after the falling of prices and buyer support, as well as the increase of the passed in rate to around 50 per cent.

This will be welcome news to producers across the Monaro, with Ben emphasising the importance of the industry in our local area. “Wool is an important commodity to Monaro producers – most farms are deeply involved in wool operations�.

He says that growers around the region have been concerned but realistic about the current market conditions, and he hopes that they will be encouraged by these latest results. “We are fortunate that local yields have been pretty good, getting the better end of the market�.

This is good news for a staple of the region, following on from the recent information classifying wool auctions as an essential service and shearing operations allowed to continue.

Future market conditions are diďŹƒcult to forecast in both of these operations, particularly overseas, however local livestock markets are firm and wool seeing some positive increase across all microns means positive news for producers across the Monaro for the time being.

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EDITORIAL Gail Eastaway Elle Thompson Sam Tonks Russ Haylock Trista Parker Richard Wilkins ADVERTISING Tracy Frazer Naomi Bruce Leanne Christie

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Your Farm

PRODUCTION & DESIGN James Hanna Breanna Arnold Jen Stockl ACCOUNTS Louise Platts @themonaropost @themonaropost @themonaropost

• High performance herd • Completely free of north American blood • Known for their quiet temperament, doing ability & Fast Finishing • Bulls now available for Autumn & Spring joinings, Graded and priced to suit all budgets. • Sourcing genetics from New Zealand and our own breeding program. • Raised under commercial Conditions with no supplementary feeding Stephen Platts: 026458 6632 M:0447 583 951 Lionel Platts: 026458 4623 M:0429 077 379 Keith Murdoch: 02649 51661 One of our Email: sparta.angusstud@gmail.com Top Performing sires: “Sparta www.spartaangusstud.com Tantangaraâ€? H15, Like us on Facebook: @SpartaAngus Son of Hingaia “Jincumbillyâ€? Snowy River Way 469 (NZ) Ando NSW 2631

PUBLISHER Monaro Media Group Pty Ltd ACN 121 288 060 59 Vale St, Cooma NSW 2630 PO Box 1227, Cooma NSW 2630 PRINTING Capital Fine Print 9 Pirie St, Fyshwick ACT 2609 CONTACT US Phone: (02) 6452 0313 Website: www.monaropost.com.au

Editoral: editor@monaropost.com.au Advertsing: sales@monaropost.com.au Accounts: accounts@monaropost.com.au

The publisher accepts no responsibility for any advertisement, notice or letter published. Any advertisement, notice or letter is published at the risk of the

contributor who accepts liability for any intended publication. All such contributors, by forwarding advertisements, notices or letters, agree to indemnify the publisher and warrant that the material is accurate and neither deceptive, misleading, in breach of copyright, defamatory or in breach of any laws and regulations. Please be aware that all material published in Your Farm is subject to copyright.

Farm budgeting with Boyce Agricultural businesses are used to operating in unpredictable conditions however the events of the last six months in particular feel like this has gone to a whole new level. Over summer the ongoing drought was punctuated by devastating bushfires, instances of damaging floods and we are now experiencing a global health crisis that has triggered a worldwide economic crisis.

A budget is an important management tool for steering a business through this uncertainty.

The inherent unpredictability of a wide range of variables is an obstacle to the accuracy of a farm budget, however the goal of budgeting is to inform decision making and the response to changing circumstances, rather than to try and predict the future.

Cashflow Management One of the key objectives of a budget is to manage cashflow throughout the year. To get a full picture, the budget should project the monthly cash surplus or deficit to the monthly working capital position of the business. A cash deficit could be funded through an overdraft or by drawing down on an existing loan facility.

Using the budget to forecast the expected working capital position highlights when these facilities may peak and potentially reach their limit and having this information at hand in advance is valuable when working with banks in these circumstances.

Farm Strategy Setting the budget puts the farm strategy

and system into numbers and dollars. Putting planned production numbers to paper and working through the impact these have on direct income and expenses provides a clearer understanding of the expected financial result of these plans. The expected profitability of multiple enterprises can be assessed and decisions made on the most eďŹƒcient allocation of farm assets. At Boyce we are reestablishing our Grazing Comparative Analysis in partnership with Holmes Sackett to provide sheep and cattle producers the opportunity to benchmark their budgeted figures. This will provide insight into the plans and expectations of other producers, as well as setting the standard of the top performers in the industry for others to aim for when setting their own farm budgets.

Monitoring Performance While we can’t predict the future we do know that uncertainty exists and there will be variances between actual results and the budget. Monitoring performance and understanding the drivers of these variances is the key to eective decision making that responds to this uncertainty. Seasonal conditions will aect income and expenses and understanding the impact this has on working capital is critical to maintaining cashflow.

Changes in commodity prices will aect the relative profitability of various enterprises which can present opportunities to those that are able to adjust their strategy to take advantage of these changes.

Rural Financial Counselling In 20 years RFCS has helped 8,000 farmers Let’s make that 8,001.

Whether it is drought, fire or flood Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) is there for the primary producers of Southern NSW. Whilst a lot of attention has diverted to COVID-19, RFCS’s attention remains firmly focussed on the rural people they service. During this time RFCS has employed four new sta in this area alone in addition to the RFCs who have been there for you for over 20 years.

During the recovery process for bushfire and drought-aected farm businesses, owners will experience a range of emotions ranging from disappointment and anger through to frustration, exhaustion and disillusionment. It’s important to understand that this is normal and ok, and it is equally important to stay focused on looking after the physical and emotional health of yourself and others around you. Tease out the positives, celebrate victories however small they may be and focus on building a

better future.

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Head over to the RFCS website and look at the resources available. Make an appointment to get one of their experts to go through it with you and give you options for building your agribusiness.

You can get a hand from the RFCS to fill in your applications and to make sure you have all the i’s dotted and t’s crossed. They are there to advocate for you and support your financial goals.

RFCS has handy checklists to make sure you gather the right information the first time and with their help, you’ll cut the time it takes to fill in the paperwork.

Louise Fletcher is the contact for Cooma.

Get in touch with the Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW Southern Region on 1800 319 458 or visit the website www.rfcsnsw.com.au.

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Autumn 2020

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According to Snowy Monaro Regional Council, the risk of weed invasion, and their impact on farms and the environment dramatically increases during and after an emergency such as drought, fire or flood.

The Snowy Monaro has experienced both fires and flooding during January and February, so weed invasion will now be a significant issue for local producers.

For all your livestock transport Telephone: (02) 6458 8085 Mobile: 0418 516 076 E: talbotransport@bigpond.com

When dealing with other pressing emergency response and recovery issues, the spread of weeds can often be overlooked. It is not until some months after the emergency that it becomes obvious that the weed impact may be a very costly legacy to the farmer.

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Care should be taken to avoid the spread of weeds onto road reserves and adjacent land.

Measures to minimise the risk of weed spread include: vehicles cleaned down between deliveries; vehicle cleaning in a designated area to prevent weed dispersal and contain new infestations for easier monitoring and management.

During drought, also keep an eye on farm tracks and local roadsides and for 12 months afterwards, to detect new weed infestations.

Other Farming Activities:

To minimise this risk, farmers and land managers can implement some simple actions to save money, environmental values and avoid future stress whilst recovering from an emergency.

Ensure that the vehicles and equipment of contractors/advisors are clean and free of weeds before entering and leaving your property to clean dams, cart water or carry out other works.

One activity that poses a great risk of weed invasion during and after an emergency is the movement and importation of hay and grain as stockfeed onto farmland. Be especially careful of feed imported from interstate, which could potentially introduce new weed species to the Monaro. You can access a Council booklet to help identify some of these risky weeds and where they originate. High Risk Weeds – Bringing Feed and Fodder into NSW -https://www.snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au/ documentcenter/view/8538

Use contractors that are committed to vehicle/ machinery hygiene. Don’t be shy to ask about their vehicle hygiene procedures.

What can you do?

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Call Council’s biosecurity oďŹƒcers to help with weed identification.

Consider stockfeed on farm Check the origin of your hay or grain stockfeed.

Has it come from a known weed-infested area?

Ask the supplier for written certification on any potential weed content.

Keep records of purchased hay or grain stockfeed, record the details of: content; location sourced and producer; date purchased; transporter; and your feed-out location.

Feed-out in a confined area away from drainage lines (stock containment areas) to reduce the likelihood of weeds being spread throughout your property.

Monitor feed-out areas regularly and be suspicious of unfamiliar plants that germinate.

Fire and recovery Firefighting activities may spread weeds – monitor areas burnt by bushfires for weed germination.

Ensure that vehicles and equipment of contractors/advisors are clean and free of weeds before entering and leaving your property to replenish water supplies, rehabilitate fire breaks, clear fence lines and re-establish vegetation.

Flood and recovery Weed seeds and plant matter can easily be spread by water flow across bare ground during rain events. Monitor areas previously flooded for 12 months afterwards to detect new weed infestations. Weed seeds can easily attach to vehicles and equipment in muddy conditions and when being moved between properties to repair flood damage and assist with recovery. This can pose a high risk of weed spread. Ensure the vehicles and equipment of contractors/advisors are clean and free of weeds before entering and leaving your property. If necessary, you can provide cleaning equipment and a designated wash down area for this purpose.

Livestock Marketing Specialists AuctionsPlus Accredited Rural Property Sales Clearing Sales Will Dixon: M 0427 025 809 E will@monarolivestock.com.au Gary Evans: M 0427 994 429 E gary@monarolivestock.com.au 5/133 Sharp Street, Cooma NSW 2630 P: 02 6452 7747 E: info@monarolivestock.com.au

4

Your Farm

Online support for graziers and managers Despite recent restrictions preventing the running of field days and agricultural workshops there are still plenty of options for land managers and especially graziers to remain up to date and in touch with their industries.

Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and Sheep Connect recently launched their two part “Back to Business” program. Part one of this program offers a free webinar series for graziers looking to rebuild after recent fires, floods and drought. Topics such as accessing support, personal and business resilience, farm infrastructure, livestock health welfare and biosecurity during the rebuild, managing cashflow and maximising genetics along with many more will be discussed in weekly webinars that run until 9 June 2020.

The second part of the Back to Business program is more direct and provides sheep, goat and cattle producers in fire-affected regions access to up to three free, one-onone-sessions with a farm business consultant to help get their business back on track.

MLA also hosts other webinar series’ including the “More Beef from Pastures” and “Productivity and Profitability” for livestock producers. These webinars and their supporting online resources are based on many years of Australian, on-ground research and development by numerous red meat industry partners and researchers.

Dairy Australia hosts a swathe of information for the dairy industry including not only production-based information but industry focussed monthly market outlooks for the dairy sector. The regular hay and grain reports also provide insight into the availability and costs of externally sourced fodder.

AWI and Sheep Connect NSW are also hosting webinars including an online version of their popular workshop “Ramping up Repro” which focusses on ram performance and enterprise productivity. You can access previous events and register for upcoming webinars here.

If you’re interested in learning more about biodiversity in your local community while you’re out getting some exercise, now might be the time to explore the Atlas of Living Australia. The online “atlas” is a huge biodiversity database and if you use the “explore your area” search, you can access to find out what plant and animal species can be found in your local neighbourhood, even down to what species of slug has been recorded.

For those keen on keeping up to date with the latest in soil science, the NSW Department of Primary Industries Soil and Water Unit hold monthly soil webinars and also have a great archive of soil webinar sessions covering topics from soil testing, soil carbon, reading landscapes, drought and soils and many more.

Many of our more locally based farming systems, producer and industry support groups can also be a great source of local agricultural information. Many of these groups have successfully collaborated in on-farm research with their findings, recommendations and current projects available for viewing online. If you’re having trouble finding your local group, contact your nearest Local Land Services Agricultural Advisor who can help you connect with your local industry group.

And finally, if you want to stay up to date with the latest information regarding COVID-19 and its implications for the agricultural industry, the NSW Department of Primary Industries COVID-19 advice page is the place to go www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/home/covid-19.

Websites: MLA – www.mla.com.au Dairy Australia – www.dairyaustralia.com.au Sheep Connect NSW – www. sheepconnectnsw.com.au Atlas of Living Australia - www.ala.org.au DPI - www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/soils South East LLS - www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/ south-east/contact-us

NSW Farmers calls for stimulus package NSW Farmers is calling for stimulus measures to support agriculture and regional communities through and beyond the COVID-19 restrictions.

The proposed package includes funding for weed and pests control, fencing improvements, enhancement of on-farm energy infrastructure, improved accommodation options for casual labour and a job-rich investment in conservation and land management.

NSW Farmers President James Jackson said the NSW Government has committed to working with business in charting a path through these uncertain times.

“Government has stepped up with support packages provided to date, but we think there are some real opportunities right now to provide specific stimulus measures to support agriculture, local food and fibre production and regional economic activity,” Mr Jackson said.

“We have identified a range of options that reduce or remove supply chain issues in fresh

food and fibre production, provide a boost to regional economies and provide opportunities for short term and longer term employment opportunities.”

The stimulus proposal has been provided to Premier Berejiklian and NSW Farmers is committed to working with the recently established Department of Regional NSW and Resilience NSW to drive the delivery of stimulus programs for agriculture and regional NSW. “Opportunities exist for the establishment of small scale processing plants close to growers to extend product freshness and shelf-life and support market expansion,” Mr Jackson said.

“For example, oyster farmers have seen a large drop in sales with COVID-19 restrictions impacting heavily on tourism and hospitality.

That industry is now looking at freezing and bottling options to extend shelf life. There is also value adding opportunities for the horticulture and dairy sectors.”

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Quad bikes discontinued due to new law Quad bikes will be in short supply across Australia as early as late this year. New laws introduced, following a recommendation from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), will mean all new all terrain vehicles (ATVs) sold after October 2021 will be subject to certain safety standards.

From October this year, all new general use quad bikes will need to conform to minimum standards for stability on slopes.

From October 2021, all new quad bikes will need to have information aďŹƒxed to them about the degree of slope at which they will start to overturn. The standard will also require that all new general use quad bikes sold in Australia will have to have an operator protection device or rollover bar, to reduce the risk of serious crush injuries and deaths in the event of a rollover.

with their use, the ACCC was asked in 2017 by state and federal ministers to conduct an inquiry into quad bike safety.

The ACCC Quad Bike Taskforce conducted a comprehensive, two-year safety investigation and in April 2019, it released a draft mandatory standard for consultation with industry. After considering responses, the ACCC provided a report recommending the adoption of a mandatory safety standard for all new quad bikes sold in Australia.

This was adopted by the federal government in October 2019, introducing a new safety standard. “We don’t agree that ATVs are unsafe,� says Kai. “We believe it is the fault of the operator nine times out of 10.�

Local supplier, Kai Harris of Monaro Motorcycles, says these regulations will result in the big brands significantly decreasing their manufacturing and stock numbers in Australia.

Yamaha Australia has already announced to its consumers that the company will not sell utility ATVS after the government compliance deadline of 11 October 2021.

“For farmers who are thinking about getting an ATV, you need to act fast,� says Kai.

“The decision to make the fitment of Operator Protective Devices (OPDs) compulsory is disappointing. The ruling has forced us to withdraw utility ATVs from the Australian market because as a manufacturer we are not willing to gamble with our customers lives by bolting untested devices onto our specifically engineered and designed ATVs,� explains YMA Director Brad Ryan.

“Big brands such as Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Can-Am and Polaris will be pulling out of the Australian market because of these new measures. “It will have a huge impact on the area and in particular the farming community. “Our recommendation is for people to get in while you can if you are after a new ATV. We are taking bulk orders, and I already have a few orders for multiple ATVs. I think these big brands will be winding up their stock levels by the beginning of next year, so people have to get in fast, before February 2021. “With less new ATVs available, this will also mean second hand ATVs will increase dramatically in price.�

According to the ACCC, these laws were introduced to improve the safety of ATVs. In response to continuing deaths and injuries associated

Kai Harris with some of the Yamaha ATVs that will not be available after October 2021.

As the market leader in this segment, Yamaha recognises that utility ATVs are an important part of farm operations and will comply with stage one of the new consumer legislation. This includes testing and the fitment of warning labels by October 2020. This will ensure that Yamaha ATVs remain available until October 2021.

After this date customers will not be able to purchase a new Yamaha utility ATV in Australia – but sport and youth models will continue to be available. This is because new sport and fun ATVs do not need to be fitted with OPDs. In addition, side-by-side vehicles (SSVs) are not aected by this ruling, so YMA will support their utility ATV dealers and ease the transition from ATV to AG bike and SSV business.

“Fortunately, our utility ATV customers can transition to our equally capable lineup of AG bikes and expanding SSV range,� adds Mr Ryan.

YMA says customer safety has always been their priority.

YMA has provided market leading rider training and promoted proven safety methods. YMA also helped develop the Shark ATV helmet which is the only fully certified farm safe ATV helmet available. YMA feels so strongly about customer safety that purchasers of new Yamaha utility vehicles will receive a free Shark farm safe helmet valued at $250 while stocks last.

YMA is also fully committed to customer care via a national dealer network that will continue to service ATVs and with the supply of parts and accessories into the future.

Kai says despite the changes these safety standards will have on business, Monaro Motorcycles will continue to oer servicing for older ATVs, motorcycles and other power equipment. They will also continue to provide products such as chainsaws, mowers as well as other motorcycles, and will look at broadening their ranges following the withdrawal of new ATVs.

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Autumn 2020

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Bombala livestock and breeding opportunity

Nimmitabel award

The work of the Nimmitabel Show Committee has been acknowledged by the NSW Agricultural Societies Council, with an announcement on April 6 congratulating them on being a finalist for the 2020 Fire Award. The award recognises a show that has shown exceptional dedication to their community during times of extreme fire conditions.

An outstanding landholding offering excellent livestock fattening and breeding opportunities is on the market through Colliers International.

The 2,737-hectare mixed livestock property in Bibbenluke, Bombala is a highly sought after asset within the region, due to limited recent sales within the area.

Owned by the Chirnisde family since settlement, the property has only changed hands once to the current vendor. It is being marketed by Henry Mackinnon and Angus Macleod of Colliers International.

It has highly fertile soils, resulting in excellent pasture growth, enabling strong carrying capacity with a reliable rainfall of 660mm per year and three permanent spring fed creeks with 5.5km of Bombala river frontage including extensive troughs and dams.

8

Your Farm

“It is exciting to be involved in such a unique, benchmark sale for a region that has not been tested on the back of low interest rates, increase in land values and appetite for livestock enterprises due to the strong commodity prices,” said Henry Mackinnon, Executive, Agribusiness at Colliers International.

“We are expecting significant enquiry from local farming families looking to acquire additional grazing country as well as other regions looking to diversify.”

The property has been run predominantly as a fattening and breeding enterprise, with the current vendors have continued to breed their family’s Poll Hereford and Hereford bloodline, which has been continued for over 50 years.

The Bombala property will be auctioned online on May 7, 2020 (unless sold prior).

The Show was cancelled on its traditional first Saturday of February date due to the high fire danger threatening the town and its surrounds but was able to host a Mini-Show last month. As well as this, Brenton and Lynette Potter have been recognised as finalists for the 2020 Excellence Awards for their revamping of the Show’s Chainsaw Racing events. This has led to more competitors, sponsors and overall interest in the Show, becoming a driving force for the future of the event.

This event allowed the Young Judges Zone Final to be held for the Sydney Royal Easter

Show, as well as holding a dinner for all of those involved in Nimmitabel RFS throughout the summer. The Mini-Show also had a range of creative new events for young and old and free entry, as well as holding a gymkhana at the Showground on the day.

Nimmitabel Show President John Alcock was proud the day was able to go ahead and honoured to hear that the Nimmitabel Show was a finalist for the 2020 Fire Award.

“We felt that we had an obligation to run the young judging competition, and just wanted a everyone to come and have a fun, easy day,” said John.

“It’s a great honour to have the award and recognise what our volunteers put into the show.”

He also gave special mention to Taya Evans, a young Nimmitabel local who he says did a brilliant job in ensuring there was still a wide range of events held on the day and prizes to be won.

Hazeldean bull sale will go ahead usual Hazeldean don’t charge for lunch, so no money is required.

Unfortunately, Hazeldean won’t be oering post sale drinks, this is to limit time on site, and to adhere to the latest social gathering guidelines.

Classed as an essential service, the Litchfield family are allowed to operate through COVID-19 restrictions.

The sale will be on-property on Thursday May 7, starting at 1.30pm. There will be 70 performance bulls on oer at the autumn sale.

To help clients make bull decisions, Hazeldean are oering a private pre-sale inspection day on April 30, 2020. Please call Ed 0412 298 546 to arrange a time slot. Only one or two clients will be in the pens at once. If this date does not suit you, another day can be arranged by appointment. There will also be comprehensive videos on AuctionsPlus, and during the sale, people will be sat well apart to adhere with social distancing rules. Potential buyers and agents only will be allowed to attend the sale.

Normally visitors are encouraged, but not this sale please.

Hazeldean will keep a registration of every person attending sale. Each person in attendance will be required to complete a COVID-19 declaration form. There will be copies on arrival, or preferably, you can complete them in advance.

Hazeldean would also like to request you arrive at the sale no earlier than 11am if possible, to limit time on site.

Most bid cards will be ready for clients before they arrive and all those attending are asked to follow social distancing guidelines of keeping 1.5 metres apart.

Hand wash stations will also be spread out at the sale, they ask that you wash your hands frequently. Hazeldean is also asking that there be no handshaking.

Food and drinks will be available, and will be packaged for hygiene reasons. As

AuctionsPlus with live video connection will be operating, so Hazeldean encourages the use of this, if it suits you. Please register 24 hours before sale if not already registered.

Agents or other independent people will be available for over-the-phone bidding.

Refer to the catalogue for agents details.

Sharp Fullgrabe

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ˆĎ?‹…‡ 03 5152 6411

All bulls are individually structurally assessed and ready to work in your herd, with nearly all bulls scoring 5s and 6s for structure. There are some tremendous sons in the sale by Hazeldean F1023, the highest proven IMF bull in Australia at +5.9. This autumn sale team has an IMF EBV average of 2.3 (breed avg of 1.9) Calving ease is one of the most important production traits Hazeldean focusses on and this is reflected in the catalogue; with sale team avg calving ease direct of 4.2 (breed avg of 1.9), along with days to calving sale team avg of -6 (breed avg of -4.7). These bulls will inject calving ease, excellent growth and superior carcase into your herd.

Balanced production traits with industry leading structure with the independent structural assessment scores displayed alongside each bull’s EBV’s, sets this Hazeldean catalogue apart from many others. The team is proud to oer a lineup of easy doing functional bulls, from bloodlines that have been performing for clients for over 60 years.

Hazeldean wishes to thank all the winning bidders and under bidders during the recent commercial female sale. The team was thrilled with the result - all 353 cows sold for an average of $2227. The average for AuctionsPlus that day was $1,864 for PTIC cows and the sale yard’s averages were further below that.

+D]HOGHDQ $XWXPQ %XOO 6DOH 0 Bulls HBR & APR TKXUVGay 0D\ th +D]HOGHDQ, &RRPD 1pm

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A highlight of the sale was a run of 80 M cows from Myalla, which all sold for $2500 to a new client from Yea, Victoria.

BROWNLIE BORDER LEICESTER STUD

Featuring sons of: Hazeldean F1023 - Australia’s most proven high marbling ĹśĹ?ĆľĆ? sire at +5.Ďľ for IMF

Hazeldean J140 - structural king; top 1% for front claw S RAMSALE! FORNTACT COMICK

EBV, calving ease and docility Ed Bradley - 0412 298 546 Bea Litchfield – 0427 933 103

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Jim Litchfield – 0417 676 561 admin@hazeldean.com.au

www.hazeldean.com.au Autumn 2020

9

Police target rural crime after recent stock thefts Police in the Monaro district continue to have a strong focus on patrolling and targeting rural crime related issues particularly related to stock theft, property theft, illegal hunting and trespassing.

This follows the theft of Merino ewes in Berridale and Anembo last month.

Rural Crime Investigators from Cooma are investigating the theft of 43 Merino ewes from a rural property on the Kosciuszko Road, Berridale. The stock was placed into a paddock in January this year and discovered stolen during a muster in early March.

They are described as being from Cottage Park bloodline (20 years), with a ‘J’ out of the front of the right ear. They were shorn on March 19; 19 micron, crutched and they were mulesed.

Police from Captains Flat are investigating the theft of five ewes from a property Tinderry Road, Anembo. The theft occurred between March 18 and 24. The stock is described as five Australian White ewes, six months old. Tags were green in the right ear and blue in the left ear. PIC: NB150301 If you have any information about this theft or know where these sheep are located, please contact Cooma Police Station on 02 6452 0099, Captains Flat Police Station on 02 6236

Bombala forestry

6274 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife have now closed all camping grounds, visitor centres, visitation areas and historic sites in response to Covid-19.

On Wednesday 1 April, 2020 police from Captains Flat conducted patrols in Tallaganda National Park, state forests and several private properties.

Queanbeyan Police are also investigating the theft of 150 Litres of Glyphosate (Round-up weed killer) from a property the Googong Road at Googong between March 25 and 26. The chemical was stored in 20 litre cartons and was taken from a shed on the property.

A break and enter also occurred at a property on the Pollack Road, Hoskintown between March 26 and 28. OďŹƒcers were called to the property on March 28 and found a shed had been forced open and the following property stolen: one Strikeforce brand petrol generator, two Stihl brand 20â€? petrol chainsaws and one Ryobi angle grinder.

Patrols will continue in various areas of the Monaro district and surrounds. Should you see or know of any oences being committed or suspicious activity please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The Bombala forestry industry has begun salvaging timber from softwood plantations impacted by recent fires, with local production to increase over the next year.

Forestry Corporation of NSW’s Regional Manager Dean Anderson said the fire-aected timber has the same structural properties as unburnt timber, so it can be harvested and processed into house frames, furniture and other essential renewable wood products. “This season’s fires have impacted around 30 per cent of the pine plantations in the Bombala Management Area but although these plantations have been aected by fire, they are certainly not lost,â€? Mr Anderson said. “The softwood plantations around Bombala are Radiata pine, which is a north American species. Unlike many of our native species that are often firetolerant and can resprout after fires, the Radiata pine trees are likely to die. “However, after a fire, we have up to 12 months to salvage the timber while it is still in good

condition before it starts to deteriorate. “In a lot of the impacted plantations, the wood underneath the burnt bark is still in good condition and has the same structural properties as unburnt timber, so it can be harvested and processed into house frames, furniture and other essential renewable wood products. “We have already started the enormous task of harvesting timber from the fire-aected plantations around Bombala and we will be working at well over double the normal rate over the next year to harvest these plantations. “Forestry Corporation has plans well in hand to replant these plantations as soon as possible, with the first replantings occurring either late May or early June this year. “There is a significant task ahead of us, creating a lot of local work to process this timber and re-establish Bombala’s timber plantations for generations to come.â€?

Find out more at www. forestrycorporation.com.au

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Managing dogs

Keeping a Hawkeye on Hawkweed Project While the bushfires slowed down the search effort for Orange Hawkweed across the Snowy Mountains, five separate clusters were found by Snowy Monaro Regional Council in December 2019.

South East LLS Wild Dog Coordinator, Thomas Ross attended a meeting in Delegate recently to discuss current wild dog activity and control plans.

Recently appointed South East Local Land Services Wild Dog Coordinator, Thomas Ross, was in Delegate recently to meet with land managers from the Corrowong, Tombong, Merriangah and Byadbo Wild Dog management plan.

“I am pleased to take this role on, I’ve been involved in wild dog management in the South East for a number of years and am looking forward to working with the producers, government agencies and the Aboriginal community,” Mr Ross said.

“My first priority has been to get out into the community, meet with the wild dog management groups and work with the pest animal controllers across the agencies to see how I can best support them.”

The group discussed current wild dog activity and control activity undertaken by pest animal controllers, contractors and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The upcoming autumn baiting program was also on the agenda.

The Southern Fires have devastated large areas of public

and private land across the South East and may have disturbed regular patterns or wild dog behaviour, potentially pushing them into new areas.

“We would encourage the community to keep an eye out for wild dog activity, whether that be sightings, howls or tracks in newly created containment lines or fire trails,” Mr Ross said.

“Community reports are a vital source of intelligence for our teams and are a key part of our planning for both strategic and reactive control.

“Post fire we will continue to work closely National Parks and Wildlife Service, Forestry NSW and other public and private land managers and the Aboriginal community to maintain a nil tenure approach to wild dog management across the South East.”

Land managers on the Monaro are encouraged to contact Rueben Picker, Senior Biosecurity Officer at the South East Local Land Services office in Bombala to discuss joining these programs or the management plan group.

HANS OVERSNOW ARE THE SOUTH EAST REGION'S GO-TO DEALERS FOR SALES AND SERVICE OF QUALITY AND VALUE-FOR-MONEY ATVS, SIDE-BY-SIDES, SNOWMOBILES, GROOMERS AND OTHER SPECIALTY VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT.

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The flowering season of the Orange Hawkweed is from December to March and is a good time to conduct surveillance because of the high visibility of the bright orange flower.

On ground Hawkweed surveillance inspections were conducted by Council’s Biosecurity officers across 7317 Ha on foot and by vehicle in 2019.

No sites were surveyed with the Council drone during the season due to the bushfire threat and windy conditions throughout the summer. National Parks and Wildlife Service, under their cross tenure, Accelerating Hawkweed Eradication project, facilitated about 150 Ha of contracted drone survey for private landholders in high risk areas the during 2019/2020 season.

Five separate clusters of plants in the rosette stage were found at the Snowy Monaro Region’s Snowy Plain site in December 2019. These plants were immediately treated with herbicide by Council officers. This site was not affected by fire, and two subsequent surveys resulted in zero detections.

Weed detector dog surveys were undertaken at Snowy Plain in February 2020, however no new plants were detected.

Biosecurity officers, project volunteers and weed detector dogs carried out grid surveys at the Braemar Bay site. There were no plants found at this site in 2020. No Orange Hawkweed has been detected at or near this site since its initial discovery and treatment in December 2017.

Council invites everyone to familiarise themselves with Orange Hawkweed and be reminded to make an immediate report to Council officers, noting the location and taking a photograph of any Orange Hawkweed plants they might see anywhere in our region.

ELDER’S HERE TO HELP

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OPEN NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS COOMA OFFICE 0264555500

Autumn 2020

11

Minor chemical shortage on the Monaro The climate of the Monaro has meant the area has avoided a significant shortage of chemicals and fertilisers.

Elders Farm Zone Supplier Manager John Young describes the supply issues at the moment as a ‘perfect storm’.

With the large rainfall Australia experience in February, after an extended period of drought, and trade restrictions now in place because of the COVID-19 crisis, the result has been a high demand for chemicals.

“With our sewing season a bit earlier than many other regions, due to our climate, most people had got in and purchased what they needed before COVID-19 really became a problem,”

says CRT Cooma Rural Supplies Agronomist Madi Guan.

the bigger issue when it came to some supply shortages.

“With drought over the last few years, we weren’t keeping a large amount in storage. However between the four rural supply stores in Cooma, and one in Bombala, the needs of the local farming community were pretty well covered, and we all have orders in place to get more in.

“It was kind of a double-edged sword, and while we will see delays in supply as a result of COVID-19, we were seeing people cropping paddocks which hadn’t been cropped in three years, and that was the bigger issue in terms of demand.”

“I guess it played out in a similar way to the toilet paper debacle in supermarkets.

People may have heard there was less supply due to demand, and rushed out to buy as much as they could.”

Mr Young says while many weed control substances and various fertilisers are manufactured overseas, the rainfall was

For your rural supplies contact any of our local stores: • CRT Cooma Rural Supplies – 6452 5566 • South East Rural Supplies – 6452 3511 • Elders Cooma – 6455 5500 • Landmark Cooma – 6452 6565 • Landmark Harcourts Bombala – 6458 3558

Covid-19 impact on Australian ag Rural Bank has released a report on the estimated impact of COVID-19 on Australian agriculture.

COVID-19 is profoundly changing the domestic and international landscape.

While there is an initial short-term boost in domestic demand for agricultural produce, Rural Bank has found the broader landscape remains uncertain.

Agriculture’s “essential service” status safeguards a majority of the sector from the most extreme impacts, but the situation is changing rapidly, and most impacts are not yet fully understood.

COVID-19 is a global issue, and just as Australia is reliant upon agricultural exports to support the economy, so are other nations reliant upon Australia to provide produce.

Rural Bank says in this environment it is important farmers make methodical and logical decisions framed around their business parameters and risk appetite. It’s not a time for hurried or panicked decision making.

With Australia the only country in the world currently exporting wool, things are not looking as bad as they could. However Rural Bank says weak global economic sentiment combined with phased shutdowns of processing facilities, have collectively weighed on sentiment in the Australian wool market.

Three quarters of Australian wool was exported to China in 2019. COVID-19 has significantly affected wool exports to China this year as processing plants either closed completely or ran at limited capacity. While processing plants are up and running again, demand remains subdued reflecting lower discretionary spending. Italy is important for the high quality, fine micron end of the Australian wool market. Its current shutdown has affected the fine end of the Australian wool market also.

Reduced food service demand will weigh on the medium-term outlook for red meat, both in Australia and globally. Uncertainty about domestic market operations, and ongoing export demand are weighing on local sheep and cattle values.

12

Your Farm

Need to create ag jobs Over 70 farming, conservation and land management organisations across the country, including the National Farmers Federation, the Australian Land Conservation Alliance, Landcare and the Invasive Species Council have written to the Prime Minister and all state Premiers proposing a $4 billion combined federal and state economic stimulus package in the conservation and land management sector.

The proposal would provide jobs to 24,000 workers at its peak to undertake practical conservation activities across Australia such as weed and pest control, river restoration and bushfire recovery and resilience.

The organisations say that investment in a jobs-rich conservation and land management program could be part of the bridge to recovery for Australia as Covid-19 restrictions are eased. With over 1 million people predicted to be out of work in the coming months, the sector has the capacity to provide recently unemployed people with safe, meaningful and socially beneficial work, while leaving enduring benefits for the environment, tourism and farm businesses.

The organisations have been engaging closely with federal

and state policy makers and say that developing this package early will allow for good program design and the opportunity to learn the lessons of past programs. If funding is committed, then projects can be developed, partnerships formed and positions advertised, so that the program can hit the ground running as social distancing measures are eased.

The jobs would be appropriate for temporarily repurposing existing workforces which are under pressure, including tradespeople and workers in the tourism and small business sectors. It would also have significant economic multipliers, especially in regional communities, with work generated for local suppliers and hospitality businesses.

“Over the years, conservation and land management organisations have mobilised hundreds of thousands of volunteers and workers,” says Landcare Australia Chair Doug Humann.

“In these challenging times, we want to play our part in providing meaningful work for those that need it.

“The conservation and land management sector stand ready to support the delivery of economic stimulus measures once social distancing

measures are eased.

Community organisations and the farm sector will be critical in ensuring this rolls out across the landscape.”

Practical conservation activities that could be undertaken across public and private land include: a surge in weed control efforts, focussed on containment and preventing cross-tenure spread; river and wetland restoration, including fencing, revegetation and erosion control; national park infrastructure, track maintenance and park management (fire, weeds, feral animals); bushfire recovery and resilience activities, including infrastructure repairs and habitat restoration; invasive animal control, including deer and pigs which impact on farming and threatened species; tree planting and habitat restoration in metropolitan, suburban, periurban and rural areas; funding for private land conservation, putting money in the hands of farmers and other land managers; coastal habitat restoration and monitoring, in partnership with the fishing industry and local communities; plastics and marine debris clean up, including research to inform future policy decisions; and funding for Indigenous rangers to deliver jobs directly to vulnerable communities using a proven model.

LambEx postponed until next year Australia’s premier sheep and lamb conference, LambEx, will be postponed for 12 months, with a new date to be set for 30 June – 2 July 2021.

Conference Chair Georgina Gubbins says while it is disappointing for all involved, the decision has been made in the best interests of protecting delegates’ health and our whole industry.

“Due to the current circumstances, LambEx organisers have made the decision because we have a responsibility to ensure the wellbeing of all involved,” she said.

“We want to ensure that when sponsors, exhibitors and delegates come to LambEx, they can book with confidence knowing that everything will proceed as scheduled and the current environment is too uncertain.”

LambEx organisers are currently working with the Melbourne Showgrounds to lock-in arrangements for 2021 to secure spaces to host 1100 delegates and 10,000 square metres for exhibition and networking.

“Since 2010, LambEx has grown

to become a much-anticipated event and a highlight in the industry calendar. Now that industry will wait another year to attend, we’re anticipating delegates will flock from all over Australia, New Zealand and internationally to make LambEx 2021 the biggest event in LambEx history,” she said.

“We are viewing this as an opportunity to build on the 15 months of planning the Committee has invested to date to provide the industry with an even bigger and better event than we had originally planned.

“The Committee will take the additional year to plan and ensure LambEx 2021 is not only the event you know and love, but will deliver to delegates an engaging program that focuses on developing our greatest asset – the people in our industry.

“I encourage all of industry to save 30 June to 2 July 2021 in your diaries, LambEx 2021 will be a conference not to be missed!

LambEx will keep industry updated through newsletters and the event website www.lambex.com.au

COOMA LIVESTOCK

SELLING CENTRE

SHEEP SALES: Fortnightly every 2nd Tuesday in season CATTLE SALES: 3rd Friday of every month. All sales start at 10am AUTUMN CALF & BREEDER SALES: Contact Council or Agents for dates FACILITIES AVAILABLE: Catering on-site & Truck wash For enquiries contact the Selling Agents • Boller & Co (02) 6452 4155 • Elders (02) 6455 5500 • Landmark (02) 6452 6565 • Monaro Livestock & Property PL (02) 6452 7747 Snowy Monaro Regional Council 1300 345 345

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2020 PWMMC Wagga (40 teams) 2nd - McGufficke Partners 5th - Woodstock P/S 9th - B & E Dwyer

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Autumn 2020

13

Slow season for local honey

you

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The drought and fires have not only aďŹ&#x20AC;ected cattle and sheep farming across the Monaro, but also beekeeping.

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Keith Goodwin of Cottage Hill Pure Honey lives about 14km from Cooma at Rose Valley. Here he keeps about 20 beehives. Collecting honey for 17 years, Keith says this has been one of the lowest yielding seasons he has seen so far. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This year I expect weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get about 250kg of honey. Normally we would get about one tonne, although it does vary each year,â&#x20AC;? says Keith.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The drought over the last few years has meant there hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been many flowers around for the bees to collect pollen from. When the fires came through from around New Years, the smoke really changed the beesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; behaviour too.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;When bees smell smoke, they think the fire is coming, so they stay at home and gorge on their honey supply in case they have to leave. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the fires also burning so much country, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll probably see even less flowers out there for them to collect pollen from. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So far this year I have only done one

extraction, when I would normally do four.â&#x20AC;?

box eucalyptus. It ticked every box, except for fire danger.â&#x20AC;?

Beekeeping is just a hobby for Keith, who runs a sheep and cattle property.

Liz had 12 hives, which she bought two years ago. She created a business called Bumbalong Bees in October 2019. With the drought not an ideal condition for producing honey, Liz mainly used the bee wax for products such as balms and food wraps.

However his honey is of high quality and has consistently, over the last 10 years, won awards at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The lack of humidity in our climate I think makes a big diďŹ&#x20AC;erence to the honey we produce here,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; says Keith. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It seems to make it more dense. We always do well with our honey because of the lucerne in the area. This makes it light, rather than other more common honeys, which have a lot of native plants such a eucalypts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I find bees fascinating. It always amazes me to see what they are up to when I open their hives.â&#x20AC;?

Liz Cotton of Bumbalong is another beekeeper in the area, who was more significantly impacted by the fires. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I lost all my hives in the Clear Range bush fire,â&#x20AC;? says Liz. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I chose to move to Bumbalong from Burra two years ago. It was an ideal location in terms of species like yellow

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had some stock in the Michelago General Store and had also arranged deals to get my products into some stores in Canberra, which of course have closed due to the COVID-19 crisis.â&#x20AC;?

Having lost two thirds of her property in the fire, this was soon followed by flooding from significant rainfall in the following weeks. Situated in the Bumbalong Valley, alongside the Murrumbidgee River, Liz lost her workshop in the flood.

Liz hopes to buy more hives in the future, and has managed to secure a small business recovery grant to do so, however she will have to start smaller.

You can find out more about Bumbalong Bees at bumbalongbees.com, and you can see Keith will his Cottage Hill Pure Honey at most Cooma Rotary Markets, held on the third Sunday of each month.

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The damage at Liz Cottonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s property at Bumbalong after heavy rainfall caused flooding.

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BlazeAid continues operating BlazeAid is continuing its work in Bombala and surrounding areas, assisting the fire recovery on these local properties. Focusing on areas around Rockton and Tantawangalo, the 30 strong crew has now cleared over 30 kilometres of damaged fencing, with 10 kilometres of new fences now erected. With over 60 properties on the books, they are beginning to develop a strong network around the community and assist not only physically but mentally for aďŹ&#x20AC;ected property owners.

as the social interaction with those aďŹ&#x20AC;ected has shown the benefit of this program.

The group are planning on over 100km of â&#x20AC;&#x153;fence upâ&#x20AC;? during their time in the area, and are still pushing towards that target and more. They are no longer accepting new members to the site due to COVID-19, as they deal with this issue proactively for the safety of all members.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are giving them a little break and some hope, something positive,â&#x20AC;? said a Bombala BlazeAid member on the impact of their work.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;BlazeAid has always held the safety of our volunteers as paramount, and we will do all we can to avoid risks that could negatively impact the people in our communities,â&#x20AC;? a spokesperson said.

The help of the organisation as well

â&#x20AC;&#x153;BlazeAid has been expressly briefing

You can see from the picture below that we were working in completely wiped out vegetation from the recent tree dieback episode that has spread to about the size of the ACT. We trust the new local provenance trees and shrubs will grow well and make up for some of the loss.

As for the standing dead trees, we have just released a

â&#x20AC;˘ SPORT â&#x20AC;˘ REAL ESTATE â&#x20AC;˘ RURAL

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are currently implementing a measured approach to support as many of our volunteers and camps to stay in operation as we can.â&#x20AC;?

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Working together, we can clear your fence lines and re-stand, rebuild or replace your fences in a fraction of the time that it would take you to do on your own.â&#x20AC;?

Should you wish to register for assistance from BlazeAid Bombala with fencing on your local property, please call 0472 728 633.

brochure called Life After Death to explain the many often unseen species that require hollows. Only old trees have hollows and they take around 100 years to form. Cutting them down for firewood or tidinessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sake will destroy vital habitat for many birds and animals, both endangered and common. You will be familiar with the many parrots in the area that use holes to nest in, but below is a list from this area of more vulnerable species that also rely on the holes for survival.

Vulnerable Vulnerable Vulnerable Vulnerable

Bats Eastern Bentwing-bat Southern Myotis Eastern False Pipistrelle

Vulnerable Vulnerable Vulnerable

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Furthermore, as the old tree decays and drops branches, it creates a nursery for the next generation of young trees to germinate and establish. These standing dead have yet to complete their final service to the land.

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Common Name NSW Status Birds Eastern False Pipistrelle Vulnerable Gang-gang Cockatoo Vulnerable Glossy Black-Cockatoo Vulnerable Brown Treecreeper (eastern subspecies) Vulnerable Turquoise Parrot Vulnerable Barking Owl Vulnerable Powerful Owl Vulnerable Masked Owl Vulnerable White-bellied sea eagle Vulnerable Swift Parrot Endangered Marsupials Eastern Pygmy-possum Spotted-tailed Quoll Yellow-bellied Glider Squirrel Glider

â&#x20AC;˘NEWS

all camps over past weeks as to best practices as directed by Australian Government Department of Health advice and continues to keep camps informed to minimise risk.

More trees to replace the dead Last month, under sunny blue skies, the Upper Snowy Landcare crew carefully spent Environmental Trust funds to purchase and plant thousands of seedlings to restore degraded ridges on the Monaro. A number of fabulous volunteers joined in and the autumn weather was well behaved. There was even some remaining moisture in the ground from the beautiful rain.

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See www.raa.nsw.gov.au/grants for rebate terms.

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Mal Stone from Stone Bros Contracting working on USLN tree plot.

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Autumn 2020

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POST FIRE LAND MANAGEMENT After the devastating fires and some soaking rain, many farmers are now planning ahead, booking in WEED SPRAYING, AERIAL SEEDING and FERTILISER SPREADING. Get on top of the weeds now, giving the good stuff the best chance to grow.

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