Australasian Farmers & Dealers Journal

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AU ST RALASIA N FA R M E R S’ & D E A LE R S ’

RURAL machinery, implements, parts, vehicles and technology

Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

WATER FOR LIFE, A FUTURE FOR ALL. Conference 3 – 5 June Exhibition 4 – 5 June Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre Meet, network and do business face to face at the event that brings together all the critical players in the irrigation industry.

Presented by:

• EXHIBITION • CONFERENCE • WORKSHOPS • NETWORKING

Organised by:

PLUS Crop & Tillage • Ag Contracting • Future Farmer • Field Days

All-round performance for all around your operation From material handling to cutting and baling hay plus high-speed transport, the John Deere 6M and 6R Series Tractors are big machines built to take on big challenges. With a John Deere PowerTech™ engine, a variety of transmission options, and an available John Deere loader, you can choose the performance you want for the work you need to get done. And you’ll do it all comfortably in the ComfortView™ Cab with air-ride seat. Go with the Triple Link Suspension (TLS™) and hydraulic disk brakes for even more comfort and control. Best of all, these tractors are available at your local John Deere dealer. Stop in and get a great all-round deal today and see why Nothing Runs Like a Deere.™

JohnDeere.com.au/ Allrounder

JOU RNAL

Australasian Farmers’ & Dealers’ Journal

A US T R A L A S I A N FA R MER S ’ & D E A L E R S ’

Established 1984 Publisher & Manager Editor Hartley Higgins General Manager Elizabeth Bouzoudis Editorial Mandy Parry-Jones Email: edit.afdj@ryanmediapl.com.au Advertising Manager Sheryl Braden Ph: (07) 5523 9771 Mb: 0438 877 072 Email: s.braden@ryanmediapl.com.au Production Chris Nicholls Email: prod.afdj@ryanmediapl.com.au Nathan Grant Email: prod.afdj@ryanmediapl.com.au Circulation Email: admin.afdj@ryanmediapl.com.au Subscription One year subscription within Australia: $33 (inc GST) for four issues, Overseas: $66 (inc GST) for four issues.

Phone Cathy Johnson (03) 9888 4822 or email to subscribe: admin.afdj@ryanmediapl.com.au Printing Lane Print & Post Adelaide, South Australia

A recent discussion with Richard Lewis, executive director of the Tractor and Machinery Association of Australia, brought up a number of interesting scenarios that are playing out in Australia.

One is about dealerships – what is the right size? How do you model distribution channels? How do you market to a country with such disparate states?

Distribution in Tasmania has to be easier than Western Australia or even Queensland.

It's not just the size of the state, although that's a major factor, but the weather, the land use and then there is state government regulations.

If there's a large dealership group with branches, then what is the best way to structure it? Is it to have individual businesses that form the group or one business?

Clearly there is no one answer, but some companies are doing better than others so it's not just rhetoric.

Another subject that came up in the discussion, related to parts and servicing and there is an article in our news section about this.

Suffice to say car dealerships are doing it well and machinery suppliers could

do worse than take a close look at how they work, and systems involved.

Yes, it's a bigger issue to service major agricultural machinery but mobile service is one way. Better customer service is another.

There's good money in service and parts so it's not good business to let it slip away. This is especially true when times are tough and older equipment is being retained longer. In order to keep that equipment going the farmer needs parts and servicing.

It's also true that older machinery is more simple for a farmer to fix but like the car industry, the increasing use of sophisticated technology means that a farmer will need local servicing more in the coming years.

What dealers need to do is consider how they will offer service in the next decade and prepare for it now.

Already there are dealerships working on this and playing catch up is not the best option if dealerships want to maintain or increase profits.

We welcome feedback and comment on this subject, and any article in the issue.

Mandy Parry-Jones, Editor. edit.afdj@ryanmediapl.com.au

Ryan Media Pty Ltd ABN 85 085 551 980 Suite 103, 486 Whitehorse Road, Surrey Hills, Victoria 3127 Phone: (03) 9888 4822

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mAy 2014 JOURNAL

Fax: (03) 9888 4840

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AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’

RURAL mAchineRy, impLements, pARts, vehicLes And technoLogy

Email: admin.afdj@ryanmediapl.com.au

Ag Contracting................................21

WATER FOR LIFE, A FUTURE FOR ALL. Conference 3 – 5 June Exhibition 4 – 5 June Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre Meet, network and do business face to face at the event that brings together all the critical players in the irrigation industry.

Presented by:

Conditions Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the editor/ publishers; information is published in good faith and we do not accept

• EXHIBITION • CONFERENCE • WORKSHOPS • NETWORKING

Organised by:

plus Crop & Tillage • ag ConTraCTing • FuTure Farmer • Field days

This issue’s cover: Irrigation Australia

All rights reserved, none of the contents may be used in any other media without prior consent of the publishers.

Published by Ryan Media Pty Ltd.

Dealer Profile...................................26 What’s New Crop & Tillage..............29

Regulars Field Days Calendar........................32

responsibility for damage which may arise from any possible inaccuracies.

Future Farming................................16

Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

Website: www.afdj.com.au

ISSN 1442-4983

Features

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News......................................4 TMA News............................27

Irrigation Australia Conference

Law Review..........................28 Field Day Reports.................34

& Exhibition 2014............................44

Products...............................56 Rural Finance.......................55

What's New in Ag Bikes..................61

News

Dealers should look to servicing for profits

 Servicing is a high yield option.

Australia’s farm machinery dealer network continues shrinking, as it has been shrinking for the past 15 to 20 years, and dealers should look to other options for financial traction.

“The service side is a big issue,” Richard Lewis, executive director of the Tractor and Machinery Association, said.

“It’s the parts and service business that takes you through the tough times; if you’re not selling gear then you’re fixing it and you’re probably making as much money fixing.”

As is the case with the car industry, the farm machinery industry has more margins in parts and servicing than selling equipment. Around 30% is a normal margin for parts in agricultural

machinery whereas the margin for the sale of equipment like tractors is only around 10%.

With much of today’s farm machinery complex and unable to be fixed or serviced by the farmer due to the use of sophisticated electronics this is an area that needs to be reviewed by dealerships.

Mr Lewis also said that onsite or field servicing is very important for the dealer to consider and one that brings into focus the question of whether you need a branch or not.

“Do you need a branch or do you just need a couple of good mechanics and some utes to get to the machinery onsite?” he asked.

“That’s the way the world is heading.”

Farmers' expectations are turning positive Victorian dairy farmers are the most upbeat farmers in Australia, buoyed by record farmgate prices, according to the Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey.

Farmers in the major grain-growing states were also positive, with Western Australia and South Australia binning a bumper crop, and an above-average harvest also recorded in Victoria and parts of southern New South Wales.

By contrast, farmers in Queensland and northern New South Wales continued to tackle drought conditions.

Australian farmer confidence has eased for

the second consecutive quarter on the back of mixed seasonal conditions, although bright spots exist, according to the survey.

The survey found net overall rural confidence eased to near neutral levels this quarter with close to one third of farmers (29%) reporting optimism about the state of the rural economy and close to one third reporting pessimism (27%).

Australian farmers were generally more bullish about the expectations of their own farm businesses. More than onethird (34%) still held positive views on the performance of their business over

the next 12 months, while 18% expected deterioration in business performance.

Farmers reported robust income expectations with 73% expecting the same or better incomes compared with last year.

On the back of record dairy prices recently, dairy farmers held the strongest income outlook with 70% anticipating incomes to be higher than in 2013.

Australian farmers’ investment intentions remained strong with 80% expecting to maintain or increase their level of investment in their business over the next 12 months.

beyondblue and Case IH help farmers feeling the stress Case IH and mental health organisation beyondblue have teamed up to raise awareness of depression and anxiety in farming communities. Case IH has pledged to donate at least $100,000 a year to the charity and is calling on staff, dealers and customers to help raise money.

According to beyondblue, farmers in particular experience high rates of stress and depression compared with the 4

general population. Case IH will donate $50 from the sale of each new tractor, combine harvester, self-propelled sprayer, cane harvester and baler to beyondblue.

The company will encourage staff and dealers to take part in fundraising activities. beyondblue CEO Kate Carnell said research showed that people in regional and rural areas are more at risk of suicide than those in metropolitan areas.

“Tragically, people in regional and rural areas must deal with factors such as social isolation, a lack of adequate mental health services and heightened stigma, which people in metropolitan areas usually do not face,” she said.

If you or someone you know needs support call the beyondblue support line on 1300 224 636 or visit beyondblue.org.au.

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

www.kuhn.com.au KUHN provides benefits for maximum gain and profitability of your machine. Our support makes the difference. Receive advice and technical support from our trained partners and in field technical support team throughout the season. Helping you when it matters.

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Cervus buys Windmill Ag & Western Farm Services Cervus has been busy lately completing the takeover of Windmill Ag and Western Farm Service.

The purchase of Western Farm Service will add increased expertise in government, residential and commercial sales to the Cervus Group.

Windmill Ag sold its remaining 46.7% interest to Canadian Cervus Equipment Corporation on March 25, 2014.

Over the years Cervus had been acquiring more and more interest in Windmill Ag, with the company taking an additional 18.6% in May last year.

"Cervus established operations in Australia in July of 2012 to pursue

opportunities in new markets and we have gradually increased our ownership interest to support successful integration," Graham Drake, president and CEO of Cervus said.

"With six wholly-owned stores in Australia, Cervus is establishing itself as a highly-regarded agricultural dealership operator and positioning the company for further growth in the region."

Windmill AG and Western Farm Services are John Deere agricultural dealers operating out of five and one location, respectively, in Victoria.

The name change of all six dealership locations in Australia to Cervus

Equipment took effect in April.

The average revenue for the six locations over the last three years was approximately $75 million.

Each dealership offers new and used whole goods, parts and services.

Cervus has used the same approach to acquisitions in New Zealand: after buying one dealer on the North Island it expanded and now has 10 John Deere dealerships on the North Island.

Cervus acquires and manages industrial agricultural, commercial, and transport equipment dealerships with interests in 49 dealership locations in Western Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

Gippsland investment plan for industry The Gippsland Food Plan aims to put Gippsland’s food industry on the world food map and encourage further investment in the region.

Regional Development Australia (RDA) developed the plan mcdougall weldments remade:Layout 1 18/05/2010 in response to the Australian National Food Plan and it was

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launched at the opening of Farm World at Lardner Park.

Local industry and business groups will have the chance to secure a share of $250,000 worth of funding being provided by the Victorian Government specifically to support implementation.

The plan identifies four main priorities: • promoting growth and attracting investment; • enabling infrastructure and logistics; • innovation and adapting to change; and • advocacy and policy development.

Each priority is underpinned by a set of recommendations and a projected outcome.

Expressions of interest are sought from business and industry groups for projects that clearly demonstrate an economic or community benefit that align to one or more of the Gippsland Food Plan’s priorities. Expressions of interest guidelines are on the website at rdagippsland.com.au.

Businesses and industry groups have until 2 May 2014 to submit their expressions of interest.

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

Lowara has an extensive range of pumps and pressure systems suitable for the man on the land.

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Reliable, high performance, quality materials, and the widespread Lowara support network make these pumps an ideal selection for rural water supply systems.

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eliability, flexibility and savings were paramount in our brief to find the correct pump set. Brown Brothers Engineers have a proven track record in all these areas, our decision was quite an easy one.

The system has proven to be all it promised and more with all areas now irrigated with consistent pressures and uniformity; our irrigation window has decreased also even with the Greens now on the same cycle as the tees, fairways and approaches.

I have no hesitation in recommending Lowara or Hydrovar as your next pump set.

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DELIVERING PUMPING SOLUTIONS

Flexi-Coil offers online discounts Flexi-Coil Australia is offering substantial discounts and lowrate finance on selected clearance units, with discounts of up to 20% across a range of products.

“That equates to a discount of more than $50,000 on some models,” Steve Mulder of Flexi-Coil said.

“When you add in the potential impact of the no-till tax incentive, the savings could be very significant.”

That is if the carbon tax is withdrawn as expected by the Federal Government on June 30, 2014.

“Finance from our equipment specialist finance partner CNH Capital is available from just 3.2%, so now is really an ideal time to select high quality, brand new equipment and get this season off to a fantastic start,” he said.

“Discounted models include cultivators and seeding equipment, including variable and mechanical drive air carts, drills and precision hoe drills.

“We’ve put a list of remaining stock on the Flexi-Coil website, www.flexicoil.com.au where people can also register their interest in particular models.

“We expect there to be strong demand so I encourage growers to get onto the website quickly and secure the unit they’re interested in.”

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Bendigo's Keech turns 80 In 1934 Keech Castings was a three-person foundry but fast-forward 80 years and Keech Australia has customers across the globe.

Keech Australia designs and manufactures high integrity steel castings, and exports around  Keech began with three people.

20% of its products to international markets.

In addition to representatives in every Australian state, Keech has a sales office in Santiago de Chile.

This is a family company with David Keech, the current director of sales and marketing, the grandson of founder of Gordon Keech Snr. In the early days, the company focused on tooling and Keech parts, marketed under the Keesteel and Keech brand. Today, the company has a strong association with the industrial, mining, rail, defence and agricultural industries.

The company invests more than 7.5% of annual revenue in research and development and works to continuously build on this investment with new and innovative products.

In 2013, Keech was ranked seventh in the Business Review Weekly 50 Most Innovative Companies list.

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

Celebrating 80 years of Australian innovation Keech has been designing and manufacturing quality components for the agriculture sector for 80 years.

Drawing on that experience, our tillage products are created specifically to meet the unique demands of Australia’s harsh conditions.

Stay productive and profitable with Keech’s agricultural range.

Contact Keech for more information: 1300 4 KEECH www.keech.com.au

Keech Australia

Skills training for machine operators Formal accreditation for machinery operators will help them enhance their skills and maximise employment prospects, according to Phil Withell from JCB Construction Equipment Australia (CEA).

JCB CEA has worked with TAFE Western on a new program to be launched this month.

The program will train and assess operators in the construction, earthmoving and agricultural sectors for national accreditation.

 Training will take into account prior experience.

It will be offered to businesses across NSW, and TAFE Western will work with business owners to conduct the training at their own premises or at various TAFE training locations.

TAFE Western will also work with companies to customise the program and introduce schedules to suit individual requirements.

Mr Withell said the program offered a formal qualification for operators while recognising their existing skills.

“Prior to September 2011, operators could not work without a WorkCover ticket. Since then, the requirements have allowed for either formal or informal training,” he said.

“It will ensure they are up-to-date on current machinery technology and industry practices, which is important for operators who are either new to the industry, have been working for some time, or are looking to update their skills after being out of the industry or working with older equipment.

“For employers, an accreditation program offers peace of mind that operators understand best practice, have achieved benchmarked competencies and have learned from skilled trainers,” he said.

The first training program was held in late March 2014.

JCB CEA customers interested in arranging accreditation assessment should contact their JCB CEA dealer or email jcbcustomer@tafensw.edu.au.

Agricultural Clutch Systems and Components

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AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

Making News NZ Machinery investment in New Zealand reaches record levels Plant, machinery and equipment investment grew 7.5% in the last quarter in New Zealand and is now at its highest-ever level.

The investment was sourced from domestic production, imports of goods, and inventories.

Domestic production increased, with activity in transport equipment, machinery, and equipment manufacturing up 6.2% in the December 2013 quarter, with activity in this industry at its highest level since March 2011.

Imports of plant and machinery were up slightly, while inventories of these types of goods were down.

 Graph and information courtesy Statistics NZ.

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Exports of dairy products increased 20.6% in the December 2013 quarter, following a 1.8% increase last quarter.

In contrast, both dairy farming and dairy product manufacturing fell.

The increase in exports this quarter was sourced from a run down in inventories.

These were built up last quarter, as production bounced back from the drought that affected much of the country in the first half of 2013.

While dairy product manufacturing fell this quarter, the Economic Survey of Manufacturing December 2013 quarter (ESM) reported a 15% increase in the volume of meat and dairy sales.

Despite the decline in dairy and meat manufacturing, activity in food, beverage, and tobacco manufacturing increased 2.5% overall.

Combined with a 6.2% increase in transport equipment, machinery, and equipment manufacturing, this drove a 2.1% increase in total manufacturing.

Total manufacturing activity is now at its highest level since March 2006.

Key facts for New Zealand Gross domestic product (GDP): • economic activity increased 0.9% in the December 2013 quarter.

• manufacturing (up 2.1%) and wholesale trade (up 3.2%) were the main drivers this quarter.

• business services (down 2.1%) and agriculture, forestry, and fishing (down 2.0%) partly offset the growth.

• economic activity for the year ended December 2013 was up 2.7%.

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

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• Post production quality inspection • Repairs (paint and mechanical) • Distribution services • Production visibility • Container un-pack services

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Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) spcialise in rolling and static equipment including Agricultural product such as combine harvesters, tractors and farming equipment.

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NEWS BRIEFS Toro turns 100

Toro Australia has a series of special events to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its USA-based parent, The Toro Company founded in the USA on July 10, 1914.

Toro Australia’s director Tim Emery said a series of events to celebrate the centenary was being planned for customers and staff in Australia with details to be released throughout the year.

Ag Contractor leadership

The Australian Agricultural Contractors Association (AACA) has not appointed a successor to Duncan McNeil who resigned as president in February 2014.

The AACA will appoint a successor at its annual general meeting in July 2014.

Bill Saunders, vice president of the AACA, will assume the responsibilities until then.

TMA Farm Machine of the Year

Deutz-Fahr Agrotron TTV 7250 has been awarded the TMA Machine of the Year Award 2014 in the category of Best Powered Machine at Farm World Lardner Park.

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Other awards for the TTV 7250 include the 2012 USA Good Design Award, the 2013 Italy - Tractor of the Year and Golden Tractor for Design at EIMA International in Bologna and the 2013 Germany - Red Dot Design Award for Product Design.

Lely turns 40

Lely Australia recently celebrated 40 years in Australia with a dealer conference and awards presentation in Melbourne.

Lely Australia started in Melbourne before moving to the Goulburn Valley at Rochester. The company has 95 dealers and eight Lely centres nationwide.

'How to' guide for hiring workers

Fairwork Australia has a produced a guide for hiring new employees which is a simple step-by-step brochure.

It will help you find the right employee and get them There is also a ‘hiring employees’ online learning course with interactive activities, templates and checklists to help you through the process.

Visit www.fairwork.gov.au/learning.

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

Spreading Evolution For over 30 years the design of the Marshall Multispread has been constantly evolving to the meet the demands of modern Australian farmers. Continual improvements in design have led to greater spreading efficiency, build quality and longer service life. Over 8000 units are now in use across all forms of Australian Agriculture.

The state-of-the-art 900 series Marshall Multispread has a proven record for superior service life due to its low torque drive. It features a heavy duty fabric woven PVC belt driven by an industrial grade rubber-lagged pulley and supported by low maintenance stainless steel rollers. To aid belt tracking, troughing rollers are fitted inside the chassis and a crowned front roller is used for quick and easy adjustment.

The latest ‘Type D’ spinner design, available on 4.5 to 16 tonne models, improves farm productivity by increasing spread width and accuracy, saving fuel and time in the paddock. Granulated Fertilisers can be spread up to 36m and Non-Granulated material like Lime and Gypsum up to 16m.

Marshall Multispreads come in 2.5 to 16 tonne capacities, trailed or truck mounted.

With a wide selection of optional equipment including Roll Tarps, 3m tracks, Loadcells, VRT compatible Hydraulic Drives, Hopper Screens, and Flotation Tyres, your Marshall Multispread can be tailored to suit your farming needs.

Marshall Multispread app available now from the iTunes and GooglePlay store Manufactured by Roesner Pty Ltd Established 1900, Harvey WA www.marshallmultispread.com.au info@roesner.com.au Freecall : 1800 651 288

Future Farming Excavators gain farm traction As we said in our February 2014 issue, diverse machinery is finding favour with farmers in Australia.

Excavators are now being used by many: while most are small machines irrigation farmers are buying big.

David Palmer explores popular sizes and the applications found in agriculture.

 New 20 to 30 tonne excavators have sold well in recent wetter years to cotton farmers.

Excavators are starting to make their presence felt on farms around the country, but are generally towards the small end of what is available and are mostly bought secondhand.

The exceptions are in irrigation areas where substantial earthmoving is involved on private turkey nest dams and supply channels. Moree and Narrabri area cotton farms in northern New South Wales are typically major users of bigger 20t to 30t excavators rather than those around 5t in size that most farmers buy.

There are 160 models and 21 brands of excavators weighing from less than one tonne to 7.5t; hundreds of other models range up to 700t and are capable of excavating 40t of earth or soil in one bite.

Brands represented in the excavator industry and the traditional agricultural market are Caterpillar, Case, New Holland and JCB. 16

Matthew Peeler, co-principal of KV Equipment at Epsom, near Bendigo, Victoria, who used to work on major road construction projects and uses excavators, said 90% of excavators bought by farmers are secondhand units, usually weighing about 5t.

He said the advantage of these was they could be bought for $18,000 to $20,000 with 6000 to 7000 hours on their clocks.

“By that stage they have pretty well depreciated to the maximum and the price will just hover at that level for years,” he said.

They were also virtually foolproof if serviced properly and could be easily moved on a farm truck.

Mr Peeler said quite a few farmers bought excavators to do a particular job with the aim of selling them on once the job was finished.

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

“But in many cases they hold onto them because they are so useful; the benefits outweigh the expense of hanging onto them,” he said.

He said every second US farmer owned an excavator, largely because generous government subsidies gave them the luxury of over-capitalising on their farms.

It might take two or three decades for that penetration to happen, given similar farm subsidies are not likely in Australia.

He said telehandlers took 10 or more years to catch on in Australia, but when he worked for Melbourne Tractors a year or two ago, nine out of 10 were being sold to farmers and, in particular, chicken, pig and hay producers.

KV Equipment does not carry excavators in stock but has an arrangement with Mr Peeler’s former employer ? as a subdealer for Kobelco machines.

Executive officer of the Tractor and Machinery Association Richard Lewis came to his present position via a Caterpillar dealership so has followed excavators and other specialised earthmoving equipment sales into agriculture.

He said that apart from use as silage rollers on some dairy farms and for water works in cotton growing areas, he felt few excavators were making their way onto farms.

A significant part of the reason for this was due to daily hire rates for quite big machines being around $600.

In contrast to Mr Peeler’s view, he thought they could get expensive to maintain as well.

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 Drought conditions have led to strong sales in the 20t to 30t excavator range.

Paul Haynes, representing NSW and Western Australia Caterpillar dealer Westrac at Moree, said over the last couple of years the branch had sold probably a dozen excavators to farmers in the Moree/Narrabri area each year.

“Since the last drought we’ve had strong sales of new 20t to 30t machines to irrigation farmers in those areas so sales are definitely water driven,” he said.

Other factors were the world price of cotton and the Australian/US dollar exchange rate.

Owners of large grazing properties in northern NSW, with many earth dams or tanks to maintain, were also strong 

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AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

 Second hand machinery, as picture at Wangaratta Machinery, is popular with farmers who manage smaller properties buyers for secondhand 20t to 24t excavators, he said.

Towards the lower end of the size scale is Melbourne based lifestyler John Austin, a farmer who bought a 4.5t Kubota excavator a couple of years ago.

He bought the machine secondhand from a Queensland contractor who had several the same size and was upgrading to bigger machines.

Mr Austin is developing an apple orchard and cider brewery near Goorambat in north eastern Victoria.

So far he has used it to clean out one dam, with another in his sights, as well as to dig foundations for his house and a hole for a septic tank.

With a digging depth of 4.2m, he had to excavate the dam from two levels to get to the required depth.

After digging from ground level to maximum depth, he moved the excavator to the bottom of the dam before excavating a further 4m in depth.

He also bought an auger attachment which has proved particularly adept at sinking postholes. He added that a gravelly clay layer on his land was particularly difficult to penetrate with a crow bar.

He bought the machine with four buckets, 300, 400, 600 and 1200mm wide respectively.

The last and largest of these is a mud bucket which had been useful for cleaning out the dam although once full with half a tonne of mud, it could easily tip the excavator over and therefore demanded careful use.

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AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

Ag contractor Spreading the good stuff Logan Contracting now offers an effluent management contracting service alongside its hay and silage, sowing and cultivation, hay sales and cartage services.

Logan Contracting is an agricultural contracting business owned by Glenn Logan, based at Ecklin in Victoria’s Western District between Terang and Timboon.

It has recently expanded its range of services to its dairy customers to include effluent management, pumping out effluent ponds and spreading the manure over the farm paddocks.

Logan said that he could see that there was a growing market in this area.

“I felt that I could do a service pumping out ponds, and there needed to be an efficient way to do that.

"Plus we needed something for our own farms,” he said.

As well as the contracting business, the family runs two dairy farms of their own on about 730 hectares, with a 50-unit rotary and a 26-herringbone swingover,

milking 1150 cows at the moment.

When he was researching the opportunities to offer services in effluent management, Logan said he spoke to local farmers and found that the emphasis was on getting the job done quickly and efficiently.

“I was originally looking at a vacuum tanker but spoke to John Moloney from GEA Farm Technologies at the Sungold Field Days in 2013.

"I found him very good at putting together a system that would work,” Logan said.

A consideration was that vacuum tankers are slow to load and unload when the effluent gets too thick.

If the effluent was too thick, sometimes they cannot load at all and so Logan was concerned that they may be just too slow.

In the end he purchased a Houle EL 44 6D tanker and manure spreader with a capacity of 23,300 litres, along with a Houle Super Pump.

The Houle effluent management products are part of a range offered in Australia by GEA Farm Technologies.

The Houle EL 44 6D has a triple axle with steering on the front and rear wheels and air brakes.

“Both machines have performed very well,” Logan said.

“We have worked on about 15 farms with most effluent ponds being between one and two megalitres, up to four meglitres.

“It takes 43 loads per megalitre.

"A two megalitre pond takes about 18 hours to empty, depending on the distance that we have to take it to the paddock.”

The stand-alone Houle Super Pump is

 Glenn Logan is based in Victoria's Western District and has a flourishing contracting business.

MAY 2014 - AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL

21

powered by a 180hp John Deere 7530 tractor to agitate the material in the effluent pond, then break down the solids and pump it into the manure spreader which spreads the manure onto the paddocks in a 12 metre swath.

Logan uses a 7-series John Deere 7280R to operate the tanker.

The Super Pump is designed to pump thicker manure as it has shredder blades to break up large chunks.

The manure is transferred to the tanker through an aluminium loading pipe.

“We wanted to have a system that is easy to set up,” Logan said.

The Super Pump takes about five minutes to set up at the pond and has easy to use levelling legs.

The tanker can then arrive and start straight away.

“The thicker the effluent gets, the harder it is to pump.

“The Super Pump is down in the pond sel Engine Oilthe effluent up into the and pushing

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 Many ponds have been left stagnant for years and it takes strong machinery to pump out the water and effluent. tanker. The 23,300 litre tanker fills in about two and a half minutes.

“The best way to break up the lumps is to direct the outlet onto the surface of the pond and it really churns it up, creating big whirlpools.

“Many of the ponds that we have worked on since we started haven’t been emptied for years, and a lot have been grassed over,” he said.

According to Logan the cycle time is a lot quicker with this system and the time depends on how far it is to the paddock to spread it.

In some places it can be up to three or four kilometres but once it is there it takes about two minutes to spread the manure.

With the recent difficult times in the industry, effluent management tends to

become less important, but Logan said that the reception from dairy farmers to the effluent removal and spreading service has been very positive.

Farmers can see both the nutrient value of getting the manure onto paddocks, plus the benefit of cleaning out the ponds.

The throw width and volume of the manure dispersal from the tanker is constant and the degree of coverage is governed by the forward speed.

They run at between four and eight kilometres an hour.

“We’ve had no problems with the tanker in the paddocks in the work that we have done so far.

"It is very manoeuvrable with front and rear wheel steer and it leaves a light footprint,” said Logan.

The whole operation of the Super Pump

and the tanker/spreader is handled from the cab of the JD7280R by a remote hand-controller supplied with the Houle set-up.

“That appealed to me – once you have the tractor there, it’s a one-man job,” he said.

Logan intends to expand the business further to add more services to his customers.

Logan Contracting employs around 20 people, with 70% of the customers being dairy farmers, and the business looks after everything from hay and silage, sowing and cultivation to effluent spreading and hay sales and cartage.

“We’ll go anywhere within reason for farming contracting, including hay in the Mallee,” Logan said.

MAY 2014 - AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL

23

Ag contractor Naracoorte hay contractor baled-up Like many farmers, Naracoorte property owner and hay contractor Graeme Zilm understands the importance of diversification.

With 1200 hectares of hay, 2500 cross breed ewes producing fat lambs and a sizable parcel of grape vines Graeme Zilm is a busy operator.

Efficiency across all of Zilm’s operations is an important factor in generating profit and delivering results for his customers.

For his contract baling business this means finding ways to improve material handling and freight costs.

Together with his family, he operates three Massey Ferguson balers on his own property and also undertakes contract work around his local district.

“We probably do about 20,000 bales in an average season with about 4000 bales on our own property - the rest is all contract work,” Zilm said.

 Graeme Zilm operates three Massey Ferguson balers, the latest an MF2270XD. “We started off with a 4’x3’ MF187 which we still have. We also run a

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4’X3’MF2170 which is a really good baler and are now one of the first to purchase a new 4’X3’ MF2270 XD, which is even better.”

According to Zilm the new MF2200 Series balers are capable of producing high-density bales in a range of crops and because they are designed specifically to optimise storage and transport space it lowers freight costs.

As the bales Zilm produces are mainly for export markets and local dairy producers, he needs consistent, dense bales that make for easier handling, increased transport efficiencies and to maximise profit for his business.

“We get into different crops – a fair bit of cereal and pasture which are rye grass clover mixtures.

“A third of our hay baling would be Lucerne,” he said.

“Our new MF2270XD is very efficient.

We gain a lot more weight in the bales across all crops. We need to constantly get 600–650 kilograms in a bale to make transport efficient, not only for us, but our customers and processors prefer these bales as well.

“For us, our new MF2270 XD means fewer bales to move around, bales that

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

are nice, solid and square and easy to stack.

“Bales that are a little bit softer and lighter don’t stack so well and they don’t transport well either,” Zilm said.

Improvements made in the MF2200 series that include a high capacity pick-up and a lengthened bale chamber incorporated

 Better bale compression is possible with the new baler.

on the MF2290 and MF2270 XD models have been a welcome addition.

The New Optiform bale chamber increases the compression on the bale material and achieves it at lower hydraulic pressure.

Together with the pre-compression chamber and a heavy plunger, the MF2200 Series balers produce well-formed, dense bales.

“The MF2270 with the extra roller on top of the pick-up feeds more material in and having the extra half a metre length in the chamber gives us a lot more weight with a higher load, but working under lower pressure, that’s what seems to be the go,” Zilm said.

The Zilm’s MF2270 XD is one part of their range of Massey Ferguson equipment that he has used in the family business for well over a decade.

“Most of our gear is Massey,” he said.

“We happened to trade-in three tractors that were another brand 14 years ago and our local Massey dealer Top Mark Machinery was very good in getting back to us with our enquiries.

“We have stuck with Massey ever since. I think we have had about 12 tractors in that time and still own eight, as well as three balers including our new MF2270 XD,” he said.

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25

DEALER PROFILE If you want longevity in the agricultural machinery business you only have to look at Swayn & McCabe, a company that’s been around since 1946. That’s 68 years in farm machinery.

The company operates out of two locations in Victoria, one in Colac just outside of Geelong, and then in Warnambool, which is halfway between Melbourne and the South Australian border.

The company is proud to be a family business and ensures its staff is well acquainted with farm life, like sales manager Justin Parrott.

“I’ve always been in the farming industry.

I was born and bred on a big onion and dairy farm – my grandfather was one of the biggest onion growers in Australia many years ago,” Parrott said.

“I was born and bred in Cororooke just north of Colac. I’ve got that farming and machinery background.

“My uncle Ray Langdon took on a grain distributor business in Cororooke, which was called Langdon Grains. I worked there part-time and worked at Bonlac Foods for about six years.”

In 2000, after around 13 years with Langdon Grains, Parrott moved on to work at Swayn & McCabe as a salesman.

“I do like it here. I’m now the sales manager for Swayn & McCabe and I’m one of the directors and co-owners of Rellim Group Pty Ltd, which is the company that owns Swayn & McCabe and Landpower as well,” Parrott said.

“It’s been a fantastic company to deal with and to work with. We have a fantastic staff base which makes the business what it is today. The Millers, who are the backbone of the company, are great people to work with.

“Keith Miller, who pretty much set up Swayn & McCabe, has now retired but his brother Paul is still in the business and there are two other directors.

26

 Justin Parrott, Darren Wright and Jake Dumsney of Swayn & McCabe.

The Rellim Group co-owns Swayn & McCabe, and two Landpower stores, one in Colac and one in Warnambool.

They sell different machinery; Swayn & McCabe’s major brands are New Holland and Kuhn, while Landpower’s majors are Claas and Amazone.

Strong sales over the past few years in tractors, hay equipment and seeding equipment have led to Parrott feeling very optimistic about the future and about the industry in general.

“In our area it’s great, Australia wide it can be tough, but to be honest personally we’re in a great area to be selling farm machinery,” he said.

“We’ve got very good, very experienced farmers and contractors, they’re good business people nowadays. And with the good rainfall and the weather, we’re in a very fortunate area.

“I also think that farmers have become a lot more professional, they manage their farms a lot better and farms have become bigger. Smaller farmers have been taken over by the bigger but that’s not a bad thing.”

If there’s any doubt about the future of agriculture in Australia, it’s not in doubt in the west of Victoria.

“The industry in grain, dairy and sheep at the moment is the most positive I’ve seen it for a long time and I think there’s

a great future in agriculture for Australia.

I really do believe that,” Parrott said.

There’s always room for improvement, but Parrott is pretty content with the lay of the land at the moment, though he says that government needs to recognise the importance of agriculture in Australia a lot more.

“I think it’s good at the moment. I think they’re seeing that agriculture is going to be the backbone of Australia going forward,” he said of the current Federal government.

Another positive sign is the number of younger people Parrott said are coming back to the land. He has seen quite a lot of that in and around Colac, which bodes well for the future.

And how is the future looking for Swayn & McCabe?

“I wouldn’t have invested in it if it wasn’t good. We’re in a pretty lucky place here, south west it is a pretty secure area.

We have very professional and resilient farmers in our area and if it wasn't for them we wouldn't have the bsuiness we have today,” he said.

“There’s a lot more cropping happening in our area because of the climate we have here. And it is a great secure area for dairying.

“There’s a lot of confidence out there.”

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

TMA News The changing face of Australia’s dealer network

By Richard Lewis, executive director TMA

In recent weeks receivers were appointed to a longstanding farm machinery dealership with three branches across Victoria and South Australia after they were unable to sell the business as a going concern.

In a stark contrast, a North American dealer group took full ownership of a Victorian dealer group and promptly made another dealer acquisition, giving them six branches.

I guess this leads to the question that many of the dealers and manufacturers are asking – is it better to have a larger dealership with multiple outlets or is there still an argument for smaller, oneoutlet stand-alone dealerships?

Personally, I believe that there is a place for both.

Is there room for small and large dealerships?

Many areas cannot justify more than one dealership as the rents and real estate prices are high – for example dealerships within metro areas, where the businesses will more likely invest in field service capability to reach the machines in their area.

As you move to the more remote parts of the country, the larger dealerships and multiple branch dealerships tend to appear, as the distances to cover become too great for field service and parts supply for their customers without a depot or branch filling in the gaps.

There are many examples of excellent dealerships that are a one-outlet business and perhaps the reason they are not a part of a larger group is that they are

too good and therefore too expensive to acquire.

The numbers of dealerships in Australia has dropped

No matter what your thoughts are on whether large or smaller dealerships are the correct method of distributing farm machinery to end users, one thing for sure is that the dealer network in Australia is getting smaller – there are only a little over 600 machinery dealers left in the country.

This compares with more than 1000 dealers just 15 years ago.

Will there be more foreign publiclylisted businesses from overseas buying into Australian dealers to expand their global footprint and diversify their geographical presence? The answer is probably yes.

Today we have foreign interests in Australian dealerships from North America, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand and their presence continues to expand.

The future of the Australian dealer network is bright on the back of an expanding agribusiness industry and a need to feed the world, particularly Asia.

The business of running a profitable dealership, whether it is one or a multiple branch group, will remain tricky in the face of seasonal conditions, increasing competition among the manufacturers and the difficulties of

attracting talented people.

Sadly, there will be the inevitable business failures as we have seen already this year, and conversely there will be success stories where a dealership is able to open a new facility or branch as they are well supported in a particular area or territory.

The landscape is changing with the global pull of the internet for information and the technical advancements of machinery – we will always need dealers to sell, service and support farm machinery, that is for certain.

 TMA's Richard Lewis.

How they will look and be structured is the unknown over the next few years.

Either way, it should pose opportunities for many dealers to expand, sell or merge and hopefully reward the owners for their hard work and sound business practices.

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27

LAW REVIEW Seeds blowing in the wind: the GM canola case explored Jacqui Walker, Turnbull Hill Lawyers www.turnbullhill.com.au

A man’s home is his castle and a farmer’s property is his heartland.

So what happens when your heartland and livelihood is placed at risk by another farmer’s production?

A landmark case in the West Australian Supreme Court is pitching farmer against farmer in the hotly contested genetically modified food and crops debate.

The GM debate

From farmers and consumers to scientists, biotech companies and governments, many community sectors have weighed in on the fierce debate about the use of foods and other goods derived from genetically modified crops instead of conventional crops.

Balancing the burdens and economic benefits of both broadacre or mainstream agriculture and organic farming with its strict certification processes has been the central focus of the discussion to date.

The recent court case is now set to establish a legal precedent which will help navigate the path for the future of farming and GM crops in Australia and the co-existence of the different production systems.

Two litigants, two neighbours, two farmers

Setting a new record by becoming the first person in the world to take legal action against a neighbouring farmer for alleged crop contamination, local WA farmer Stephen Marsh, from Kojonup, has filed claims in negligence and nuisance against his neighbour and former childhood friend Michael Baxter in the Supreme Court of Western Australia.

The case revolves around the claim that Marsh lost his organic certification on 70% of the ‘Eagle Rest’ farm in 2010 as 28

a result of contamination of his organic canola crop when GM canola (patented

by Monsanto) from Baxter’s ‘Sevenoaks’ farm blew 1.5km inside his boundary fence and sprouted on his land.

Having failed in a 2013 application to the Court for an urgent interlocutory injunction to halt his neighbour’s GM crop production (Marsh v Baxter [2013] WASC 2009), Marsh is now claiming damages for economic loss in a case that has been considered by Chief Justice Kenneth Martin, whose decision has been reserved.

Since 10 February 2014, the Court has heard Baxter’s defence that when he planted the GM canola, he observed all of the relevant regulations regarding buffer zones and notifying neighbours and that the responsibility should lie solely with the certification body, the National Association of Sustainable Agriculture.

In an ABC interview with Damien Carrick, Mark Walter (Slater and Gordon) representing Marsh, said: “The situation is novel in that GM is new, but the underlying principles are very clear in that even though GM may be authorised for use, it must be used within the confines of the law. This case will test out what those confines are.”

Unlike other tort cases where courts consider awarding damages for physical damage caused by water, disease or fire, the question of pure economic loss arising from one party’s decertification by a third party is an interesting proposition and one which does not fit neatly into standard tort law categories, especially given the fact that growing GM canola is permitted by law in the state of Western Australia.

So what is the current legal framework which governs GM foods and crops?

Legal framework

The use of GM organisms is governed by the Australian Gene Technology Act

2000 (Cth) and the Gene Technology Regulations 2001 (Cth) and is aimed at protecting the health and safety of Australians and the environment.

The legislation identifies risks resulting from gene technology and regulates certain dealings with genetically modified organisms to help manage those risks.

In Australia, this means that you can’t grow GM crops unless OGTR has carried out a science-based assessment of the GM crop and concluded it will not harm human health or safety or harm the environment.

But not all states are on the same page.

In relation to GM canola, for example, WA allows commercial production of herbicide-tolerant GM canola crops, however Tasmania is the only Australian state to have a blanket ban on GMOs. It is clear that farmers have a duty of care to manage their crops to minimise impacts on others but this case shows that the boundaries between the rights and obligations of GM crops and organic farmers are unclear.

The question of how this case impacts on the general legislative position and community attitudes is yet to be determined – watch this space.

Further Information

Further information about GM crops and the court case can be found on the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator’s website at www.ogtr.gov.au and at www.supremecourt.wa.gov.au.

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

What’s New - Crop & Tillage Stubble retention receives GRDC funding attention Farming systems groups across the southern cropping region are laying the foundations for a suite of local development and extension projects under the Grains Research and Development Corporation’s major new initiative to address challenges associated with stubble retention.

The Maintaining Profitable Farming Systems with Retained Stubble initiative involves farming systems groups in Victoria, South Australia and southern and central New South Wales collaborating with research organisations and agribusiness over the next five years.

They will be closely looking at stubble retention issues encountered by southern region growers, including pests, diseases, weeds, nutrition and the physical aspects of sowing and establishing crops in heavy residues.

GRDC Southern Regional Grower Services Manager, Andrew Rice, says retained stubble farming systems underpin cropping profitability and sustainability, but not all growers in the southern region maintain crop residues from one season to the next.

Mr Rice said that in wetter years, especially, maintaining stubbles posed immediate challenges for growers who often elected to remove stubbles to avoid issues with the next season’s cropping program, compromising the long-term resilience and profitability of their farming system.

“It is important for growers to have the confidence to hold on to their stubbles year after year, so at the end of this initiative we want to be able to provide them with a package of information and resources based on local trials that will enable them to establish a permanent retained stubble system that is consistent in its performance,” Mr Rice said.

The GRDC, on behalf of growers and the Australian Government, is investing $17.5 million in the initiative that has been instigated by the GRDC Southern

 Attending a stubble initiative workshop in Adelaide are CSIRO scientist Clive

Kirkby (left), Canberra (ACT); GRDC Southern Regional Grower Services Manager Andrew Rice, Parkes (NSW); SA Research and Development Institute entomologist Michael Nash, Adelaide (SA); and former Southern Farming Systems agronomist Ed Hilsdon, Inverleigh (Victoria).

Regional Panel and the four Regional Cropping Solutions Networks that support the panel.

The initiative aims to identify the impediments to stubble retention, quantify the effects that these issues are having on yield and profitability, develop practical solutions and then extend the results to grain growers and advisers.

The groups and organisations involved are Birchip Cropping Group Inc (BCG), on behalf of BCG, Southern Farming Systems, Victorian No Till Farming Association and Irrigated Cropping Council; Mallee Sustainable Farming Systems Inc; Riverine Plains Inc; Central West Farming Systems; Farmlink Research Limited (as sub contractor to CSIRO); Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation; Lower Eyre Agricultural Development Association; MacKillop Farm Management Group; Upper North Farming Systems; and Yeruga Crop Research, on behalf of the Mid North High Rainfall Farming Systems Group

and the Yorke Peninsula Alkaline Soils Group.

Research support is being provided

by CSIRO, and SA Research and Development Institute’s Naomi Scholz has been appointed to assist with coordination and communication.

Earlier this year, a project team comprising NSW Department of Primary Industries and Graham Centre (Wagga Wagga) personnel began a review and evaluation of the current knowledge and extension materials for stubble retention in cropping systems in south eastern Australia.

This work has helped to guide the development of the broader stubble retention investments by identifying gaps in research, development and extension.

Farming systems groups involved in the initiative have been briefed by some of the nation’s leading authorities on pests, weeds, diseases and crop nutrition to help them design and manage their trials, which will be set up in preparation for season 2014.

MAY 2014 - AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL

29

Steering growers in the right direction

Southern cropping region grain growers keen to make the most of the precision agriculture (PA) tools available to them can make sure they’re on the right track, thanks to a new resource from the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). The GRDC has published a comprehensive guide to PA, which is the precise application of agronomic and management practices that impact positively in overall farm productivity and profitability. Applying PA - A reference guide for the modern practitioner identifies and describes a commonsense approach to utilise available spatially-based

technology as part of an effort to maximise whole-farm profit.

Publication of the guide complements GRDC’s investment portfolio which is helping to increase the adoption of PA through training and projects developing resources that fill the knowledge gap between research and commercial application of PA on-farm. The reference guide is now available for viewing and downloading via the GRDC website, www.grdc. com.au/ApplyingPA, and hard copies are also available through GRDC’s Ground Cover Direct service by phoning 1800 110044 or by emailing ground-cover-direct@canprint.com.au.

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2014 FIELD DAYS CALENDAR Up-to-date comprehensive Field Days Events Calendar also available at www.afdj.com.au. To lodge your event contact Sheryl Brayden P: (07) 5523 9771 – s.brayden@ryanmediapl.com.au MAY

JUNE

1-3 Agfest Field Days Contact: Carlee Lee Quercus Rural Youth Park, on Oaks Road between Carrick and Bracknell, TAS Ph: 03 6331 6154 E: admin@agfest.com.au W: www.agfest.com.au

3-5 Farmfest Field Days Kingsthorpe Park, on the Warrego Highway, 20 kms west of Toowoomba QLD Ph: 02 6768 5800 E: farmfest@ruralpress.com.au W: www.farmfest.com.au 11-14 New Zealand National Agric Field Days Mystery Creek Events Centre, 125 Mystery Creek Road, Hamilton, North Island, New Zealand Ph: +64 7 843 4499 W: www.fieldays.co.nz

2-4 Tocal Field Days Contact: Carol Cairney Tocal Agricultural College Tocal NSW Ph: 02 4939 8827 E: fielddays@tocal.com W: www.tocalfielddays.com 9-10 East Gippsland Field Days Contact: Peter Treasure Bairnsdale Aerodrome, Bairnsdale, Vic Ph: 03 5153 1398 Mob: 0427 878 645 E: info@egfielddays.com W: www.egfielddays.com 9-10 Riverina Field Days Contact: Ffiona Beverley Griffith Showgrounds, Griffith NSW Ph : (02) 6964 8811 E: riverinafielddays@bigpond.com W: www.riverinafielddays.com 23-24 Deni Innovations Expo Contact: Andrew Richardson Murray Valley Industry Park. Off Todd Road, Deniliquin NSW Ph: 0407 503 978 W: www.deniinnovationsexpo.org.au 23-24 Mildura Field Days Contact: Diianne Johnstone Benetook Avenue Mildura VIC Ph: 0487 021 122 E: dianne@mildurafielddays.com.au W: www.mildurafielddays.com.au

32

19-21 Primax Primary Industry Exhibition Contact: John Wright Bruxner Highway, Casino, NSW Ph: 07 5531 4600 E: info@primex.net.au W: www.primex.net.au

18-20 Australian Wool and Sheep Show Contact: Andrew Ternouth Prince of Wales Showgrounds, Holmes Road, Bendigo, VIC Ph: 03 5439 5094 E: secretary@sheepshow.com W: www.sheepshow.com

August 4-5 Sheepvention Hamilton Showgrounds, Hamilton, VIC Ph: 03 5572 2563 E: info@hamiltonshowgrounds.com.au W: www.sheepvention.com

JULY

6-7 Mallee Machinery Field Days Contact: Andrew McLean 2 km south of Speed Sunraysia Hwy, VIC Ph: 03 5084 1320 E: mmfd@bigpond.com W: www.mmfd.com.au

3 BCG Grains Research Expo Birchip P12 School, Campbell St. Birchip VIC Ph: 03 5492 2787 E: info@bcq.org.au W: bcq.org.au

12-14 Eyre Peninsula Field Days Contact: Kathy Wedding Eyre Peninsula SA Ph: 08 8628 2219 E: secretary@eyrepeninsulafielddays.com.au W: www.eyrepeninsulafielddays.com.au

8-10 Ag-Grow Emerald Field Days Capricorn Highway Emerald, QLD Ph: 07 4982 4244 E: admin@aggrow.com.au W: www.aggrow.com.au

19-21 Commonwealth Bank AGQUIP Field Days 8 kilometres west of Gunnedah on Blackjack Road, Gunnedah NSW Ph: 02 6768 5800 E: agquip@ruralpress.com.au W: www.agquip.com.au

11-12 Mudgee Small Farm Field Days Henry Lawson Drive Mudgee, NSW Ph: 02 6372 3899 W: www.arec.com.au

27-28 Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days Metcalf Road Dowerin, WA Ph: 08 9631 1021 E: info@dowerinfielddays.com.au W: www.dowerinfielddays.com.au

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

2014 FIELD DAYS CALENDAR

– F I E L D D AY S S E C T I O N

september

27 Sept - 4 Oct Perth Royal Show Contact: Robin Bartlett Perth Showgrounds, Garlands Road, Claremont, WA Ph: 08 6263 3100 E: info@raswa.org.au W: www.perthroyalshow.com.au

2-4 Heritage Bank Ag Show Contact: Peter Erwin Toowoomba Showgrounds, Toowoomba, QLD Ph: 07 4634 1155 E: perwin@agshow.com W: www.agshow.com.au 3-4 Newdegate Machinery Field Days Contact: Anne Bishop Newdegate, WA Ph: 08 9871 1655 E: nfday@westnest.com.au W: www.nfday.com.au 19 Mingenew Expo Contact: Kym McGlinn Midlands Rd, Mingenew, WA Ph: 08 9928 1138 E: secretary@mingenewexpo.com.au W: www.mingenewexpo.com.au 20 Sept - 1 Oct Royal Melbourne Show Melbourne Showgrounds Epsom Road Melbourne. VIC Ph: 03 9281 7444 E: customerservice@rasv.com.au W: www.royalshow.com.au

19-20 Riverland Field Days Contact: Tim Grieger Sturt Highway (Short St) Barmera, SA Ph: 0409 099 122 E: fieldays@riverland.net.au W: www.riverlandfielddays.com.au

OCTOBER

23-25 Henty Field Days Cookardinia Road Henty, NSW Ph: 02 6929 3305 E: hmfd@telstra.com W: www.hmfd.com.au

17-18 Wandin/Silvan Field Days Wandin East Recreation Reserve Wandin VIC Contact: Nan Cleven M: 0429 428 537

07-09 Elmore Field days 48 Rosaia Road Elmore VIC 3558 Ph: 03 5432 6176

24-25 South Gippsland Dairy Expo Contact: Deane Kennedy Korumburra Showgrounds, cnr South Gippsland Hway & Charles St, Korumburra VIC Ph: 0419 878 055 W: www.dairyexpo.org.au 23-25 Australian National Field Days 563 Borenore Road Borenore NSW T: 02 6362 1588

SHARE YOUR INDUSTRY AND PRODUCT NEWS AFDJ is your industry voice and welcomes product, services, company & personnel news and appointments.

Email: edit.afdj@ryanmediapl.com.au

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL

MAY 2014 - AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL

33

F I E L D D AY S S E C T I O N

Wimmera Machinery Field Days This year was the 52nd annual Wimmera Machinery Field Days event and after a slow start due to extreme heat it finished on a high. The event was at the purpose built Longrenong grounds just outside Horsham, Victoria.

“Not a lot of people,” said Brenton Elsom, sales and product development Southern Precision, on the first day of the event. He was sure though it would improve, and it did.

Southern Precision was established in Naracoorte, South Australia in 2006 and sells products in the precision agriculture and spraying fields.

“It’s hard work because there’s only three people at Southern and two are here.

The boss at the end of the day still has to write up quotes,” he said.

Field days manager Murray Wilson was sure the event would improve as conditions for subsequent days were forecast to be milder. He was on hand to present the annual show awards on Wednesday afternoon in the shade behind the administration building.

Agricultural exhibition award winners: • Machine of the Year: Harrington Seed Destructor (De Bruin Engineering, Mount Gambier, South Australia) • Ag Innovation of the Year: Scout UAV (GPS Ag, Kangaroo Flat, Victoria) • Best Outdoor Machinery Site: O’Connors Farm Machinery (Horsham-Birchip-BordertownCorowa-Shepparton-Warracknabeal) • Best Indoor Agribusiness Site: Philmac (Plympton, South Australia) • Best New Exhibitor Site: Boss Engineering (Inverell, NSW) • Best Livestock Site: Koonik Dohne Stud (Koonik, Victoria).

Boss Agriculture’s Dave Herbert accepted the award for Best New Exhibitor Site on behalf of his company and said he was very pleased with the event.

His stand had seen a steady flow of people and he said the TX 65 unit that

34

 Dave Herbert of Boss Engineering, which won the Best New Exhibitor award. is towed behind a seed cart had attracted a lot of attention as it suited northern crops with wide rows.

Boss’ TX 65 series of parallelogram tyne planting units offer a 650lb breakout on the tyne trip and a 1”x2” planting tyne to open the widest planting window while maintaining accuracy and low disturbance.

All pressure and depth adjustments can be done with pins. A coulter disc set-up allows growers to get through trash and the frame, called SupaFlex, has been designed for work in contoured or undulating country.

De Bruin Engineering featured at Wimmera, winning the Machine of the

Year award.

AFDJ first caught up with De Bruin general manager John Millhouse at Elmore in 2013 where the company was showing its Harrington Seed Destructor.

We ran a feature on the machine in the November 2013 edition.

At Wimmera, Millhouse was very enthusiastic about winning the top award and the event overall. He has been doing the rounds with the machine and it is paying dividends.

“It [Harrington Seed Destructor] was invented by a farmer in Western Australia called Ray Harrington,” said Millhouse.

Harrington began developing the

 The award presentations were held during the afternoon of the second day.

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

F I E L D D AY S S E C T I O N

 De Bruin's John Millhouse and the Harrington Seed Destructor. Far right: Phil Lyons of UAV who won the Ag Innovation of the Year.

machine because of rye grass seed problems but ran out of money. After the GRDC developed the machine further they called for tenders and De Bruin applied and won. Now the company is busy showing it at all the major events.

Inside the header of the destructor the chaff and straw separate and the chaff comes out on the bottom and straw comes out on the top.

The chaff is then captured in a cross auger that is mounted on the back of the header near a blower fan. The chaff comes through the cross auger and the blower fan sends it up a spout and into an inverter duct.

That duct steers only the chaff, which contains the bulk of the weeds, into a cage where it is tossed around, impacting against rods 20, 40 or 50 times which fractures the seed so it won’t germinate.

Finally, it comes out of that cage like talcum powder and gets blown from the machine. The straw comes out of the header and falls onto a belt that runs underneath the machine, which then carries it to the rear and onto spinners that spread the straw.

Millhouse said the company was an engineering firm but was learning very quickly about farming.

Another company that didn’t feature in the awards but was having a good show was Swayn & McCabe with its Seed Hawk 30 Series, which had been launched by its Canada manufacturer about a year before.

Swayn & McCabe is a locally owned

business that has been operating since 1946 from locations in Colac and Warrnambool, servicing the Western district and surrounding areas.

“We’ve sold about 20 so far in less than 12 months,” said Justin Parrott, Swayn McCabe sales manager.

“We’re here at Wimmera and we will do some other shows too. It’s been good so far: the interest in the machine is good.”

The new 30 Series offers the same seed and fertilizer placement as the largescale Seed Hawk drills but in a compact combination tank and toolbar.

It comes in 10” or 12” row spacing with a 111-bushel onboard tank split into 55 and 56 bushel tanks.

The tank delivers seed and fertilizer to the opener and the floating drawbar and

provides accurate depth control.

The 30 Series has low horsepower requirements and the 20’ model can be pulled with a tractor as small as 120 HP. The metering system features the Fenix II from Väderstad and uses a fluted roller inside an adjustable barrel for precise, reliable distribution of seed and fertilizer.

Its durable plastic and stainless steel construction prevents corrosion, and the roller can be changed easily to accommodate seeds of different sizes.

Some of the new machinery releases at the show were: • Boss Agriculture – 18 metre Tramline Supaflex planter • Eagle Machinery – Super Grouper multi purpose grouper to carry seeds, fertilizer and liquids • Falcon UAV – unmanned aerial system for the ag market • Graintec Scientific – on-farm portable sample harvester, the Minibatt • Southern Precision – CropStalker ultra narrow row shielded sprayer • Swayn & McCable – the Seed Hawk 30.

Wimmera is an important event for the district and its success hinges on exhibitors and those who attend the event: by all counts this was a successful show.

 Brenton Elsom of Southern Precision, authorised dealers for Timble.

MAY 2014 - AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL

35

F I E L D D AY S S E C T I O N

Gippsland celebrates a better year with Farm World Farm World continues to be the highlight for the Gippsland agricultural industry, especially now that farmers, dealers and suppliers are feeling more assured about their future after the launch of the Gippsland Food Plan.

There was a better feeling around the four-day event that was also in part due to a better season for local farmers and better returns on milk prices.

“It was a full house of exhibitors this year,” said Mark Cockerell, chief executive officer of Lardner Park Events, the organizers of Farm World and the host of other events held at the purpose built site near Warragul, Victoria.

In total there were around 700 exhibitors this year and they reported steady inquiries and good sales.

“The level of sales and leads was up significantly on the last few years. We

 This year's Farm World had many more smiles than last year. had a 10% increase in attendance over last year with around 53,000 people coming and a more positive outlook from everyone,” said Cockerell.

He also said that it was the most positive

he had seen the event since 2009, with dairy farmers particularly optimistic, and this reflects quickly on related industries such as the machinery sector.

Deputy Premier Peter Ryan, who is the

57 th RIVERLAND FIELD DAYS 19th & 20th September 2014 Sturt Highway – Barmera

Your friendly Agricultural & Horticultural field days An excellent business promotion and marketing opportunity We care about your business!

Contact: Secretary: Tim Grieger

PO Box 203, Berri SA 5341

Prospectus out now!

36

Phone: 0409 099 122 Email: admin@riverlandfielddays.com.au

www.riverlandfielddays.com.au

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

F I E L D D AY S S E C T I O N regional rural development minister, was to launch Farm World in 2013 but was unable to attend at the final hour.

He was there to launch it this year, and simultaneously launched the Gippsland Food Plan.

The aim of the plan is to put Gippsland’s food industry on the world food map

and encourage further investment in the region. Agribusiness already adds $6 billion to Gippsland’s total worth of $13 billion.

Regional Development Australia (RDA) Gippsland developed the food plan in response to the Australian National Food Plan. Through it local industry

 Sales and leads were up this year on the back of good milk prices.

and business groups can secure a share of $250,000 worth of funding being provided by the Victorian Government.

Every year the awards are a big feature of Farm World, as they are of every field day event.

This year the prize for the Commonwealth Bank Agribusiness Best Agricultural Stand award went to Basix Trace Elements, with finalists GEA Farm Technologies and MG Trading.

The Tractor and Machinery Association Farm World Machine of the Year Award Best Powered Machine went to the Deutz-Fahr 7250 TTV, a tractor costing $224,000. This tractor has won a host of awards overseas as well as winning the 2013 Tractor of the Year.

Large tractor sales were strong this year and it was seen as proof of the improving conditions in the region that a shift occurred from last year when smaller tractors were gaining the attention of farmers.

The Tractor and Machinery Association

MAY 2014 - AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL

37

F I E L D D AY S S E C T I O N Farm World Machine of the Year Award for the Best Un-Powered Machine was won by the McIntosh Double Round Bale Feeder, with Massey Ferguson’s 400 series highly commended.

The Evans Petroleum BP Award for Best Farm Machinery/Automotive Stand was won by Honda Australia Motorcycles ahead of Traf Tractor & Machinery and Vin Row Farm Machinery.

A local won the Commonwealth Bank Best Innovation in Agriculture Award with the Rat Barrow, the world’s first ride-on wheelbarrow, which has won similar awards at other regional events.

RAT stands for ride on, articulated, tipping barrow and it is powered by an 8.75hp Professional Series Briggs and Stratton engine coupled with a Peerless Hydrostatic transmission.

It can deal with heavy loads such as wood, soil, sand or feed bags and a tow hitch at the rear enables a it to tow a trailer thereby doubling its carrying capacity.

New Zealand National Fieldays The New Zealand National Fieldays will be held June 11-14 at the Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton. Each year a theme provides a showcase for what’s happening in the agricultural industry.

Fieldays 2014's theme is ‘managing resources for a competitive advantage’ and it will highlight areas in which New Zealand’s agricultural sector can optimise systems and processes to help manage resources effectively.

“New Zealand’s competitive advantage, as a leading agricultural and primary producer, is our ability to efficiently and effectively manage and convert our available resources into protein,” said Jon Calder, NZ National Fieldays CEO. “As a nation, maximising productivity in the way we manage and deploy our resources is something we have done incredibly well to date, and will continue to do so, if we work collaboratively

across industry sectors."

Ben Richmond, rural strategy lead at Xero NZ, said the company was excited to be a part of Fieldays 2014 following the unveiling of Xero’s Farming in the Cloud solution in February.

“Managing resources for farms encompasses optimising milk production and stock levels, but also extends to the very heart of farm management – running a farm as an efficient business,” said Richmond.

“The ability to pinpoint a farm operations financial position at any moment in time, coupled with the ability to share information with key advisors in a seamless and collaborative way, is central to achieving a sustainable business.

In 2013 Fieldays provided a platform for almost 900 exhibitors to present themselves to 125,000 visitors.

2014

INERY FIELD DAYS MACH

38

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

F I E L D D AY S S E C T I O N

Riverland has new days and dates for 2014

 This year Riverland Field Days will be on a Friday and Saturday in September.

The Riverland Field Days is an excellent promotion and marketing opportunity for broadacre farming, horticulture businesses and other businesses.

The market reach includes the

Riverland and beyond, including the Barossa, Clare Valley and the midnorth of South Australia, the Murray Mallee and Murray Bridge areas, the Mildura–Sunraysia region of Victoria

and the south east of South Australia.

These involve a population in excess of 100,000.

This year the field days move to Friday and Saturday 19-20 September, 2014.

This will provide greater opportunity for the public to attend and increase the potential for customer contact.

Participation in the event is made easy by lodging the site application on line.

Go to www.riverlandfielddays.com.au and open the site application from the home page.

The prospectus is on the website and can be downloaded.

It provides an range of information for the exhibitor. The organisers are happy to answer questions, either through email or by phone.

The official field days program is another medium for promoting products and services.

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MAY 2014 - AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL

39

F I E L D D AY S S E C T I O N

Mingenew builds on its success The 31st Mingenew Expo in Western Australia was blessed with mostly clear skies for the two days that it was open to the public in late 2013. Now the organisers are working towards the next event in September.

With a team of three part-time staff there is plenty to do, but the community volunteers and sponsors all chip in to get the event off the ground.

On the subject of ground, the last event was held on slightly soggy earth due to

recent rain after a challenging start to the growing season in the midwest and the wheat belt.

The event saw a small drop in exhibitor numbers, however the rains provided a much-needed boost for the farming communities, resulting in an influx of visitors to the small town for the annual expo.

The 31st Mingenew Expo awarded its agricultural site award to Purcher International, while Suncorp Bank took

 Purcher International won the Best Agricultural Display in 2013.

 Fashion on the field at Mingenew. out the commercial site award.

The merchandise award went to Rota Moulding, the sheep award to Hill Padua Multipurpose Merinos, the education and careers award to The Regional Men’s Health Initiative, and the Dog Line took out the family interest display award.

“We’ve had really positive feedback from visitors and exhibitors,” said Mingenew Expo coordinator Robert McTaggart.

“The general consensus is that people came to Expo … to do business, a lot of deals have been done over the two days,” he said.

The organisers would like to thank the individuals and companies who contributed to the success of the event and look forward to an even better event in September this year.

Heritage Bank Ag Show Toowoomba For more than 20 years the Heritage Bank Ag Show has been recognised as one of Queensland’s largest agricultural field days.

In late 2012 the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland (RASQ), one of the partners in Ag Show Pty Ltd, took over the management of this important annual rural industry event.

Damon Phillips, who has been the RASQ CEO for over 12 years, has also become the CEO of Ag Show.

“We are committed to taking the event to a new level by ensuring both the exhibitors and visitors find Ag Show 40

interesting and informative," he said.

"Our recent market research has highlighted some excellent opportunities, and we have already commenced to implement some of these findings."

The event venue is the Toowoomba Royal Showgrounds, known as the Clive Berghofer Events Centre.

The site sits on 99.14 hectares, that's 245 acres of exhibition facilities, indoor and outdoor event sites and permanent refreshment sites.

Ample visitor amenities and seating are well placed throughout the grounds.

Around 20 permanent buildings are located in landscaped areas.

“In speaking with many long term exhibitors they speak highly of the genuine quality of the Ag Show visitors," said Phillips "They are, in the main, seriously seeking farming solutions,” he said.

A 2014 Heritage Bank Ag Show prospectus is available by calling 07 4634 7400 or email admin@agshow.com.au.

The event dates for 2014 are 2–4 September.

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

32nd

MINGENEW EXPO LIONS MIDWEST

2014 SEPTEMBER 18-19 Where Industry and Farmers meet & mingle

Prospectus available April 2014 Early Bookings close 20 July www.mingenewexpo.com.au

bookings@mingenewexpo.com.au

08 9928 1138

F I E L D D AY S S E C T I O N

New format in 2013 to continue at ANFD Australian National Field Days (ANFD) began in 1952 and so it is Australia’s oldest annual agricultural exhibition.

The event is conducted by the Orange Field Days Co-op Ltd, a not-forprofit co-operative whose charter is to advance Australian agriculture through exhibition, research, demonstration, competition and education.

In 2013 the committee changed the event by opening on Thursday, Friday and Saturday instead of the traditional mid-week format.

This presented new challenges but also new opportunities for organisers, exhibitors and visitors.

With 600 exhibitors in attendance, the organisers were pleased to find that the initial feedback was overwhelmingly positive. This led to the ANFD confirming that the 2014 event will be on from October 23-25 and in the same

format as last year.

The changing face of Australian agriculture and the need to ensure exhibitors have the best possible opportunity to connect with the regional marketplace led to the change being considered and this has been reinforced by the response.

Moving to the new format is a way to open up the ANFD to people who combine on and off-farm work while retaining its strong focus on commercial agriculture.

ANFD is much more than just an outdoor sales event and includes recognition of farm innovators and inventors, demonstrations of the latest agricultural techniques and technology and opportunities for those in agricultural industries to learn about workplace safety, government assistance and their own health and welfare.

 ANFD is the oldest annual field day.

Demonstrations of agricultural equipment will continue to play a vital role at the 2014 event, as they provide an excellent means of raising awareness of new products and ideas to a targeted audience.

THURSDAY 23 TO SATURDAY 25 OCTOBER 2014

563 Borenore Road Orange NSW 2800 Phone 02 6362 1588 www.anfd.com.au

42

   AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

F I E L D D AY S S E C T I O N

Future Farmers join Primex at Casino Primex (Primary Industry Exhibition), is held over three days in June at Casino in Northern New South Wales, and has partnered with the Future Farmers Network (FFN) for 2014.

“This year is especially significant for us,” said Primex director Bruce Wright.

“Being our 30th year we really wanted to present an event that not only celebrated a special historic milestone for us, but also looked ahead at the exciting challenges ...

“The central feature of Primex 2014 will be ‘The Future of Farming’ and we have been able to attract a wide variety of exhibitors who will showcase what is on and beyond the horizon for farmers and associated industries.

“The Future of Farming will target issues linked to the next generation of farming and farm succession.

“The presentation will engage leading

 Primex attracts 40,000 people. secondary and tertiary institutions, in addition to youth and industry organizations with seminars and workshops, networking and functions.

“Running parallel with the premier feature will be an Education and Careers in Agriculture Expo.

“Our partnership with the FFN dovetails perfectly with our premier feature,” he said.

“This exciting partnership, the first of its

kind in Australia, will provide a broad range of educational and networking opportunities with the aim of delivering current industry information.”

Primex began at its current site in 1985.

At the helm then was Bruce’s father John Wright, who remains a director and a driving force of the event.

“Of course I am extremely proud of what Primex has achieved and what it now stands for,” John Wright said.

“Back in 1985 we had 40 exhibitors and about 3000 locals came through for a look at this ‘new’ event. This year there will be more than 400 exhibitors, over 1000 brands and about 40,000 people from all over Australia will come through the gates.

“The 32 hectare site that houses Primex has changed dramatically since 1985. This year we have made major improvements especially to parking."

PREMIER FEATURE 2014

THE FUTURE OF FARMING Testimonials The feedback has been very encouraging with many leads having translated into new business already. We are looking forward to next year’s Primex to network again with other participants - Shamette Josephs

ANNIVERSARY 1985-2014

RICHMOND VALLEY EVENTS CENTRE BRUXNER HIGHWAY, CASINO NSW Gates open to visitors 9.00am to 4.00pm

WE’RE HERE TO STAY, HOW ABOUT YOU?

THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY 19, 20 & 21 June 2014

The exhibition is a great way to engage with the rural community as they provide a valuable portal for rural people to obtain information - Justin Melton We will continue to participate in attending Primex as we have been successful in not only Parts sales but the sale of Heavy Equipment from the inquiries generated from the show - Ron Moodie

AG Machinery | Tractors | Heavy Equipment | Road Transport | Automotive | Education Livestock | Horticulture | Cropping | Banking and Finance | Home and Lifestyle | Real Estate 2013 PRIMEX Statistics • Exhibitor sales over $30 million • Approximately 70% of consumers are either likely or highly likely to purchase from exhibitors in the future based on what they had seen at Primex.

• 55% of consumers attended to see Agricultural Machinery • 42% of consumers attended to see Home, Lifestyle & Travel • 41% of consumers attended to see Livestock

Exhibition Marketing Pty Ltd | info@primex.net.au | (07) 5531 4600

ADULTS $10 FAMILY $25 CHILDREN [U15] & CONCESSIONS $5

For event information and programming please go to | www.primex.net.au MAY 2014 - AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL

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CONFERENCE EXHIBITION

Irrigation Australia Conference and Exhibition 2014 The Irrigation Australia Conference and Exhibition at the Gold Coast Convention Centre will be held 2-6 June 2014.

The Irrigation Australia Conference and Exhibition at the Gold Coast Convention Centre will be held from June 2 to 6, 2014.

The Irrigation Australia Exhibition will attract more than 90 exhibitors showcasing the latest products, services, applications and technology that the industry has to offer.

Exhibitors will include a diverse range of companies representing various sectors in the irrigation industry including irrigation equipment manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, irrigation stores, pump manufacturers, and manufacturers of associated technology such as telemetry and monitoring equipment.

Akif Jeka of Xylem Water Systems Australia, an exhibitor at the exhibition, discussed his vision and his objectives

for participation in the exhibition.

“As a global company Xylem Applied Water Systems, of course, is a large player in the agricultural and irrigation market and the Irrigation Australian Exhibition is our chance to showcase our products for this specific market segment,” he said.

“We are looking forward to being part of the show and networking to increase brand awareness of our main brand “Lowara”.

“We will be displaying a range of products including borehole pump and motors, end suction ISO pumps and booster set packages.

“The benefit for us is to let our competitors know that we are a big player and that we are here to stay and increase our market share.”

Who needs to attend?

The conference and exhibition will attract professionals from the entire irrigation value chain across both rural and urban irrigation industries.

These will be: • irrigators • suppliers • equipment manufacturers • researchers • water supply organisations • advisors • government officials • policy makers

As a trade visitor there are many benefits in attending the Irrigation Australia Exhibition. In addition to the diverse range of exhibitors and products on display, attending the exhibition will also present these other opportunities: • Conduct your business in one 

 The Irrigation Australia Conference and Exhibition will be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

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AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

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CONFERENCE EXHIBITION convenient location • the chance to see, compare and buy all the latest working machinery, products and technology on display from more than 100 exhibitors • an ideal place to streamline the buying process, with all the experts on hand to discuss your individual requirements Get an edge over your competitors

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AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

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CONFERENCE EXHIBITION Establish new contacts face-to-face

• offers networking opportunities and chances for information exchange for you and your employees • the ideal platform to reach a wide range of contacts face-to-face in just two days.

The conference and workshop program

In addition to the exhibition, the Irrigation Australia Conference will host the theme of ‘Water for Life, a future for all’.

The conference program looks to the future of irrigation covering such issues as: • sustainable water resources for agriculture • climate and cloud based irrigation scheduling and control • micro irrigation • water regulation • water management and efficiency analysing the impact of issues on both rural and urban communities.

• Industry Standards and Codes of Practice,

48

 A range of work and social events are on the agenda.

• Training and Certification – analysing the impact of issues on both rural and urban communities.

The conference will consist of paper presentations, poster presentations, workshops, public debates, Q & A sessions and several keynote speakers.

The event will also see a series of concurrent activities implemented throughout the course of the week, including an exhibition opening day networking breakfast on Thursday, June 4, a gala dinner, a golf day and a series of workshops conducted on the exhibition floor. 

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

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✔ Simple & Reliable ˙Flo & Max˙Flo Valves HAND Super are rigorously hand tested TESTED using both Air and Water Distributed by:

HR Products www.hrproducts.com.au Phone: 1 800 486 837

CONFERENCE EXHIBITION Keynote Speaker – Matt Linnegar, CEO National Farmers Federation.

Matt Linnegar joined the National Farmers Federation (NFF) as chief executive officer in March 2011.

He joined the NFF after 17 years in agricultural representation including diverse leadership, management and marketing roles in the irrigation, rice, and meat and livestock industries.

In his previous position as general manager, corporate and customer operations at Murrumbidgee Irrigation Limited he was responsible for leading the corporate and customer parts of the business including policy, public relations, communications, customer service, operations and environmental management.

Linnegar was responsible for leading all external relations including government, the media and other stakeholders; he also provided key advice and input into the management of the business and development of strategy.

Q & Q Facilitator – Ticky Fullerton.

 Matt Linnegar.

Ticky Fullerton presents ABC’s The Business program. In 17 years with the broadcaster, she spent five as an investigative reporter with Four Corners where she won the Eureka Prize for Environmental Journalism. 

 Ticky Fullerton.

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AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

N1355

For more information contact Power Equipment Pty Ltd: e: info@powerequipment.com.au w: www.powerequipment.com.au p: 1800 069 469

CONFERENCE EXHIBITION Ms Fullerton was also the presenter for Landline and reported for Lateline in Canberra and Sydney.

Prior to journalism, she was an associate director with investment bank Credit Suisse First Boston for 10 years in London and then Sydney.

She is the author of ‘Watershed’, the first comprehensive book on the challenges facing Australia in water and has been a director of the Co-operative Research Centre for Irrigation Futures.

Ms Fullerton has a law degree from Oxford University and was treasurer of the Oxford Union.

Keynote speaker - Professor Max Finlayson.

Keynote speaker and wetland ecologist Professor Max Finlayson is an internationally renowned wetland ecologist with extensive experience in

• • •

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Australia and overseas in water pollution, mining and agricultural impacts, invasive species, climate change, and human wellbeing and wetlands.

He has participated in global assessments such as those conducted by the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, the Comprehensive

Scale Salinity Iron

20 mm to 300 mm

Before

 Professor Max Finlayson.

Assessment of Water in Agriculture, and the Global Environment Outlook.

Since the early 1990s he has been a technical advisor to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, addressing issues such as wetland assessment and monitoring, agriculture and wetlands, and climate change.

He has written extensively on the ecology and wise use of wetlands, as well as wetland management.

Current research interests include wetland and river management, planning and policies; community involvement in wetland and river management; integration of social, economic and ecologic research; tradeoffs among wetland users and uses; water availability and climate change, and impacts on environmental flows; and wetland ecosystem services.

His ambition is to contribute to ending

Growth enhancement

1300 138 223 www.hydrosmart.com.au AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

After

the arguments and establishing a real dialogue between multiple wetland and water users.

The location is central to Gold Coast attractions and accommodation.

With such a diverse range of equipment and qualified professionals on site the 2014 Irrigation Australia Conference and Exhibition is the key show for the irrigation industry.

The event will deliver great insights and opportunities into rural and urban irrigation and water management.

A full list of sponsors and exhibitors is on page 54.

Registration and contact details.

Registrations for the conference and exhibition are open online at www.irrigationaustralia.com.au.

 The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition centre is centrally located. It is

surrrounded by many hotels, major shopping areas and also Broadbeach with its entertainment precinct.

For more information contact Luke Kasprzak event manager on 02 9556 7972 or email lkasprzak@etf.com.au.

MAY 2014 - AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL

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CONFERENCE EXHIBITION

Sponsors

Featured exhibitors

Alligare

Amiad Water Systems

Caprari

Cummins South Pacific

Comdain

Franklin Electric Australia Pty Ltd

Department Of The Environment, Water, Heritage And The Arts

IB International Pty Ltd/Agro

Hunter Industries

Irrigear Stores

Santos

Pentair

Sunwater

Philmac ProWater Nationwide (Rural Co Holdings) Siemens Think Water

Exhibitors

Zig-Sense

2iE INTERNATIONAL Advanced Industrial Products Antelco Pty Ltd Aqualab Scientific Pty Ltd Arangul Plastic Mould Co. Axter International Aytok Filtration Baoding Fengba Modern Agricultural Facility Batescrew Pumps & Valves Australia Bauer GmbH (Australia) Pty Ltd Bermad Biocentral Laboratories C.R.I Pumps Caprari Crusader Hose Pty Ltd DAB Pumps Dama Manufacturing Ltd Davey Water Products Dorot Australia Dura Plastic Products, Inc. Dynapumps EnviroPro Dielectrics FHS - Fusion Hire Services Geofabrics Australia Goldtec Control Systems Groundwater Imaging Pty Ltd Grundfos Pumps Pty Ltd Guyco Pty Ltd HATZ Diesel Australia Pty Ltd Holman Industries HR Products Hydrawise ICI Industries IPLEX PIPELINES AUSTRALIA Irrigation Components Irrigation Systems Australia Irriland Srl KIFCO Land F/X Lindsay International

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Mait Industries Maric Flow Control MBR Technologies MEA Metzerplas Australia Microjet Australia Pty Ltd Nelson Irrigation Observant Orange Pumps Outpost Central Pacific Controls PALAPLAST S.A. Parkland Irrigation PM GROUP Power Equipment Pty Ltd Puretec Queensland Irrigation Services RAESA Rain Bird Reinke Manufacturing Company, Inc. Rhino Water Tanks Rodney Industries Sentek Shakti Pumps Signal Data Systems Signature Control Systems Sterling Pumps Pty Ltd Sub Motors Australia TIPSA Australia T-L Irrigation Company Toro Triangle Filtration & Irrigation Valmont Vinidex Pty Ltd Wade Rain Wanfair International Exhibition Co.Ltd Welling & Crossley WiSA Irrigation Solutions Xylem Water Systems Yuzuak Sprinklers

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

What's New - Finance Invest in production and get the gear you need to grow To grow a farm business, you need to invest in the right equipment.

It can make all the difference to profitability, but before you outlay large sums of money make sure you’ve considered your options.

Australian-owned and operated agribusiness bank Rural Bank understands that when farmers need to buy, upgrade or replace farm equipment there is a range of factors to consider.

For example, the decision may be influenced by cash flow considerations, timing and urgency and the need for flexibility and peace of mind at the time of purchase.

There are also potential tax implications and benefits that need to be taken into account.

Specialised finance products for the agricultural industry

Rural Bank’s general manager marketing, John Marshall said that Rural Bank’s Equipment Finance product supports farmers looking to achieve an efficient and fast equipment purchase process.

“If you need your finance to work as hard as your equipment does, our Equipment Finance provides a reliable and costeffective option for funding the purchase of farm machinery,” Marshall said.

“While people say ‘cash is king’, using cash to purchase farm equipment ties up money in assets that are continually depreciating.

“By using Equipment Finance you can preserve your working capital, as well as realise potential taxation benefits.

“With the opportunity for pre-approval of an Equipment Finance facility, customers can act with confidence and peace of mind when negotiating a sale with the machinery vendor.

“This presents a significant advantage for the farmer because it means they can act with confidence and grab the opportunity to purchase the equipment they need.”

Rural Bank customers also enjoy the flexibility to manage their cash flow with fixed rental/instalment payments and have the option of starting a new contract with the latest equipment when their current contract ends.

To invest in farm equipment without draining working capital, Equipment Finance is a smart way to keep on top of production demands and save money at the same time.

“Buying farm equipment is no different to any other farm investment decision – the approach needs to fulfil the production requirement while having a positive impact on cash flow,” Marsh said.

“Whether looking to upgrade your farm equipment through a lease arrangement or equipment loan, we recommend you seek the advice of your accountant in conjunction with your Rural Bank farm finance specialist to ensure you get the most effective financial solution for your farm business.”

About Rural Bank

A wholly-owned member of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Group, Rural Bank is the only Australian-owned and operated dedicated agribusiness bank in the country.

Rural Bank is backing farmers by providing them with financial tools that help smooth out seasonal fluctuations in income and expenditure.

Farm finance tools are available through a number of banks

Our specialist farm finance tools are available nationally via a network of banking partners, including Bendigo Bank and Community Bank branches and Elders Rural Services.

Through these experts in the field, we deliver customers with choice and access within regional and rural communities and on the farm.

For more information visit www.ruralbank.com.au.

 John Marsh, general manager marketing for the Rural Bank.

Rural Bank is an Australian-owned and operated bank founded with the specific purpose of providing banking services to rural and regional Australia at a time when these services were being withdrawn by major banks.

The business model has not changed since inception and money deposited with Rural Bank is reinvested into Australia in the form of loans to Australian primary producers.

Rural Bank is predominantly funded by retail deposits, maintains a strong asset base, and continues to adopt strict investment guidelines for its liquid investments.

As a result, Rural Bank’s balance sheet has proven resilient during times of drought and economic volatility.

Rural Bank is not just for primary producers. We have a range of personal and general business transaction, savings and investment accounts to suit people in regional or country areas as well as in metropolitan centres.

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What’s New - General Products A pump for serious fires, or serious clean ups Furphy Engineering has teamed with Aussie Pumps to construct a heavy-duty galvanized fire fighting trailer fitted with a Fire Chief fire pump.

Although the primary application for the kit is fire fighting, the machine makes a very effective earthmoving

 Furphy by name only.

machinery wash down unit.

When it comes to farm work it can blast dirt off the tracks of a dozer, clean motor scrapers or even disinfect combines and bean pickers in the field.

Furphy’s water cart design has incorporated modern fabrication techniques with superior corrosion prevention systems.

The unit comes with a 950-litre fully galvanised tank, which is hot dipped for maximum corrosion resistance.

It is mounted on a robust galvanised trailer with 16” wheels and supplied with heavy-duty rubber torsion suspension.

Hydraulic override brakes are standard and the trailer is rated for a towing speed of up to 110km/h.

A galvanised steel platform is built into the back of the trailer to enable

personnel to operate the fire fighting nozzle while the unit is towed, making it ideal for putting out spot fires.

The Aussie Fire Chief delivers more water at pressure: for example, it can deliver a 200 litres per minute at 50m head.

Aussie Pumps use genuine Honda engines with a diesel option of either Kubota or Yanmar drive.

“We like the way Aussie will only use top quality engines,” Furphy marketing manager Darren Leader said.

“The Honda engine starts first time every time and comes with Honda’s exclusive three year warranty.”

The Aussie Fire Chief delivers 75m maximum head (that’s 100 psi) and will move up to 500 litre per minute at maximum flow.

For more information visit www.aussiepumps.com.au.

Narva’s LED hybrid flood beam lamp Narva’s Senator II LED work lamp is now available in a hybrid flood beam variant, ensuring the Senator range is suited to a much wider array of applications.

Ideal for utility, agricultural, transport and emergency service vehicles, the lamp’s hybrid optic combines the performance of a flood and spot beam, providing a universal beam pattern.

This distributes light to the sides of the lamp while also illuminating a long distance ahead.

The 9-33V multi-voltage lamp has a low current draw to preserve a vehicle’s battery while the vehicle is turned off, and features a virtually unbreakable polycarbonate lens.

All Senator II work lamps have a distinctive heart shape with an ergonomic integrated handle on top, an independent switch and a choice of seven 3-watt or seven 5-watt highpowered LEDs, to provide clean white 56

light and exceptional performance.

To cool the lamp’s internal LED module, the Senator II’s housing is ventilated.

Inside the lamp, the internal LED module is also fully sealed, to make it IP68-rated and useful for a wide variety of applications and unaffected by rain or water spray.

The housing is manufactured from tough glass reinforced nylon and the rocker switch is protected with a waterproof boot, allowing the Senator II to last the distance in tougher applications.

For sturdy mounting, a stainless steel pedestal bracket is included with the lamp and a pressurised spring provides easy swivel movement, allowing the direction of the lamp to quickly and easily be adjusted without the need for tools.

The Senator II hybrid flood beam work lamp is available in two options and is

covered by a five year LED warranty.

For more information visit www.narva.com.au.

 This tough operator has flood and spot beam capabilties.

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

New Holland new Discbine models Combining both speed and performance, New Holland’s new centre-pivot Discbine 313 (4.0m cutting width) and Discbine 316 (4.95m cutting width) disc mowerconditioners are designed for cleaner cutting, more efficient crop flow and smoother, more effective conditioning.

“The larger discs and a wider conditioning system on these new Discbine models combine to provide cleaner cutting, better crop flow and more consistent drying in all types of crops,” Tony Peters, product manager for hay products at New Holland, said.

WideDry conditioning

New Holland’s new Discbine models feature a WideDry conditioning system.

The chevron-design intermeshing rubber rolls, steel intermeshing rolls or LeaningEdge flails are 22.5% wider than previous models.

The 3.18m Wide Dry system allows the crop mat to flow more smoothly and evenly through these wider rolls for more consistent conditioning and faster dry down.

MowMax II disc cutterbar

The MowMax II modular cutterbar features larger discs with larger, heavier gears, bearings and interconnecting shafts for better durability and the protection of ShockPRO disc drive belts.

Like the Durabine disc heads used on New Holland self-propelled windrowers, the larger disc diameter allows a closer cut with less cutterbar tilt for consistent cutting height without crop scalping.

The increased surface area of the larger discs and the new “tapered skirt” disc profile allows the crop to smoothly transition to the conditioner for more uniform conditioning action and reduced power consumption.

Lightweight poly bifold shields provide easy access to the cutterbar and resist denting.

To reduce operating costs and downtime, the MowMax II cutterbar is designed with individually sealed disc drive modules so if the mower hits an obstruction in the field, the damage is isolated and fully

contained within the module.

New Holland’s ShockPRO disc drive hubs absorb the impact before damage to drive components can occur and are quick to replace in the field.

Two-speed conditioning

For better cut quality in lighter crops, an operator can switch the sheaves on the roll drive provided with the rubber chevron rolls or steel intermeshing rolls, and slow roll speed from 750 rpm to 640 rpm.

While roll speed is decreased, the cutterbar speed and tractor rpm remain the same. This feature allows the roll speed to be decreased to minimise air bursts and the cutterbar to run at rated speed to maintain excellent cut quality in light crop conditions.

A slow-speed kit is also available for the flail conditioning system. A new springassist swath gate adjustment lever makes it easy to customize windrow and swath formation.

LeaningEdge flail WideDry conditioning

For faster drying of grass hay, the 20-degree tangent of LeaningEdge flails pushes the crop against the adjustable hood for more aggressive conditioning.

The flails release at the ideal moment to

prevent carry-around for the uniform and fast drying of swaths or windrows.

The WideDry conditioning system also provides 3.17m of flail conditioning.

Improved floatation

The header lift geometry on the new Discbine models has been improved for better floatation.

When the cutterbar goes over an obstacle, the lift arm raises to move up and away from the obstacle. A lower pivot point allows the lift arm to begin motion at a lower angle for a faster response.

In addition, tyres located to the inside of the frame allow for better flotation on uneven terrain.

New biomass kit for higher cutting heights

A new biomass kit is available for working in higher crops. It includes extra-high skid shoes for the increased cut height and longer stubble desired in these crops.

Lift lock out channels stop the cylinders mid-stroke to maintain flotation at the required spring length. A separate push-bar kit is available to push crop forward and allow for a wider range of cut heights.

For more information visit www.newholland.com.

 Larger discs and a wider conditioning system are part of the new Discbines.

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Intruders won’t smile for this hidden camera If someone wants to steal your possessions, siphon your fuel, break into your premises, remove your livestock, even vandalise your vehicles, there is little you can do unless you have evidence.

The latest addition to Silvan Australia’s Selecta product range is the Wide Angle Motion Activated Security Camera – the Selecta Secure 120 Camera.

The small IP54 rated, water resistant, plastic cased camera is designed to be positioned near important access points like a door or gate for buildings, workshops or fuel storages.

The Selecta 120 camera works around the clock using an invisible infrared flash for night vision.

The motion-activated camera is around the size of two cigarette packs and as movement is detected the camera begins recording pictures or capturing video.

The information recorded is stored on a 16 GB SD card and can be viewed on the colour screen of the camera, downloaded to a personal computer, or saved for viewing on a television screen.

The sensor detection view is up to 20m from the point of concealment and has an invisible flash.

Other convenient features include password protection, the ability to

choose a photograph size from one to 12 megapixels, while a multi-picture function enables from one to three photos to be taken each time the camera is triggered.

The video recording time can be set from one to 60 seconds with a delay function for high activity sites.

There is also a timer function so that recordings can be made only at certain

times of the day, for instance when an owner is away or to monitor high risk times.

The recommended retail price is $330.00.

For more information contact Selecta resellers nationally contact Silvan Australia on 1300SILVAN (1300 745 826) or email info@silvanaust.com for technical information.

 The information recorded on the camera provides evidence for interception or prosecution for theft or an unlawful presence on a property, and often aids in the recovery of valuable stolen property or livestock.

Yanmar drives Whitlands Rex 600 wood splitters Operating from the remote hamlet of Whitlands in north-east Victoria, David Burder of Whitlands Engineering specifies Yanmar diesel engines for his range of Rex wood splitters.

These are robust, heavy-duty machines designed to split between 10m and 18m of timber per hour.

“We are in the business of manufacturing high quality, reliable wood splitters for commercial firewood contractors,” David Burder said.

With the Rex 600, cut logs pass along a series of feed rollers to a point where the operator positions the log under the 58

guillotine.

With the operator required to activate the guillotine with a left and right hand control, a hydraulic press drives through the log, splitting it into segments.

These roll off the table onto an out-feed belt, which dumps the cut timber into a truck or hopper.

The entire Rex trailer is self-contained and portable.

Mounted under a canopy at the front of the trailer is a Yanmar 3TNV88 diesel engine. The Yanmar drives a direct-coupled hydraulic pump which delivers 90l of hydraulic fluid per minute at 3300 psi.

The Yanmar 3TNV88 model diesel engine develops 36.3mhp at 3000rpm with quiet operation and low fuel consumption.

A water cooled engine greatly assists in keeping the noise levels low and well within the required OH&S standards, especially important in applications where sustained operation is the norm.

The larger Rex 600X processor has an identical Yanmar 3TNV88 engine and hydraulic system; the difference is that the Rex 600X has an inbuilt feed hopper.

For more information visit www.powerequipment.com.au.

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

Axial harvesters work out in Howlong

 Peter Baker chose two new Case IH combine harvesters for Belgium.

Broadacre farmer Peter Baker, with dad Barry and brothers Richard and Paul, recently acquired two new Case IH Axial-Flow 9230 combine harvesters.

Belgium, the family’s 2000-hectare property just outside of Howlong in New South Wales, produces around 700 hectares of maize (corn) and lupin seed. In winter, wheat, canola and barley flourish.

“Last harvest, we had a demonstration of the Case IH harvesters and were pretty impressed,” Peter Baker said.

“So when our local dealer got us a great deal on the two Axial-Flow combines, it was an easy decision.”

The family attended the combine school at the Case IH headquarters at St Mary’s, western Sydney, where owners learn how to get the most out of their larger combines.

“That was great. We learned how to set-up and familiarise ourselves with the

machines,” Peter Baker said.

“The cab is really comfortable and it’s so simple to operate – you can just jump in and start harvesting.

“My teenage son drives it for most of the harvest. I can walk away and leave him to it, which I couldn’t do with other machines.”

Case IH dealer O’Connors in Corowa supplied the harvesters, which have done around 250 hours in the field. Both were fitted with 45’ 2152 draper fronts, 16’ 3016 Pick Up Fronts and Case IH AccuGuide.

“The Axial-Flow is ideal for producers like Peter, because it adapts to many different crops so easily,” Phil Penny, O’Connors sales manager, said.

“It’s really easy to set-up and maintain the settings, so you can go harvesting without changing much. Plus, it produces an excellent quality sample with minimal grain loss.”

The cab includes a multifunction propulsion handle, putting the most commonly used controls in fingers’ reach and providing more flexibility during the challenging chaser bin fill process.

An upgraded right hand console incorporates simple ergonomic controls and adjustable display iPod connectivity.

To save time operators get in-cab control of the grain tank extensions and inclined delivery auger – standard in all models.

Harvest and transport speeds are also increased, thanks to the new heavy duty drive system.

Advanced ‘Increased Flex’ tyre technology provides a 15% larger tread footprint. This means less soil compaction, a higher load carrying capacity, longer tyre life and better traction year-round.

For more information visit www.caseih.com.

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Articulated forklift for narrow spaces The Manitou Group has a new EMA II range of articulated site forklifts with a complete range of seven models, which combine ease of use with efficiency in order to optimise storage capacity.

“With the extension of its articulated electric site forklift series, the Manitou Group continues to enhance its expertise in industrial markets,” Louise Laumet, Manitou marketing manager, said.

“It’s a direct response to users’ needs for storage capacity optimisation.

“The EMA II can comfortably work in very narrow lanes with a working height of over 12 metres.”

Versatile and compact, the articulated electric site forklifts in the EMA II range can be used both indoors for storage and outdoors to unload trucks.

The buyer can avoid two separate load manipulations and reduce handling costs.

“The articulated design of the EMA II range and its ability to work in narrow lanes enables us to help our clients optimise their storage area.

“By reducing the width of their lanes, they can increase their vertical storage capacity by 45%.

“The EMA II is therefore the perfect

 Seven new models of articulated forklifts have been launched by Manitou. solution thanks to its compact size and its lifting height,” Ms Laumet said.

The EMA II: • has the ability to work in very narrow lanes less than 2.30m wide thanks to the pallet lift with mast articulation • has a working height of up to 12.7m • can be used indoor or outdoor thanks to its high ground clearance, unattached front axle and four soft tyres • has an ergonomic driver’s

compartment: the cab can be adapted for different operators with an adjustable seat and steering column • incorporates a speed limitation function at great heights, automatic cut-off when the operator exits the cab, and a slope-start switch • has an easy rear battery change.

For more information visit www.manitou-group.com.

Two new tractors from John Deere New 6MC Series Tractors

The new John Deere 6090MC, 6100MC and 6110MC models are equipped with a smooth, highly efficient PowrQuad Plus transmission and 4.5-litre four-cylinder John Deere PowerTech PWX engine.

Using field-proven technologies, these fuel-efficient, diesel-only engines feature cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and an exhaust filter for improved performance and reduced emissions.

The 6MC tractors feature a 2.4m wheelbase for stability and versatility, while an optional low-profile cab allows easy access to small buildings.

A durable full frame is specifically designed to accept front loaders such as the John Deere H310 or H340.

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These are available in non self-leveling, mechanical self-leveling, and hydraulic self-leveling versions, with a wide variety of loader attachments.

These tractors also feature a fuel efficient 540/540E/1000rpm PTO plus a comfortable cab with 320 degree visibility and low noise levels.

New 6RC Series Tractors

The new 6090RC, 6100RC and 6110RC tractors are the premium version of a new line of more compact tractors.

Supplied by a 205-litre fuel tank, the John Deere PowerTech PWX 4.5-litre is also equipped with Intelligent Power Management (IPM), offering improved performance and fuel efficiency during specific applications.

A 2.4m wheelbase and the triple link suspension enhance operator comfort while tyre sizes of up to 600/65 R38 help apply the available power to the ground.

Three transmission options, PowrQuad Plus, AutoQuad Plus and AutoQuad Plus EcoShift, provide smooth gear changes on the move, assisted by a standard declutch button.

Thanks to the newly available EcoShift mode, engine rpm is automatically reduced when reaching high speeds.

Other features include a pressure and flow compensated hydraulic system providing up to 114 litres/min, with 37 litres/min available for implement operation, plus an optional ex-factory front PTO and front hitch with a lift capacity of 3000kg.

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

What’s New - ATVs, SSVs, RTVs, Ag Bikes There's no room for bling on these hard workers

By Mark Halse

Talk about American-made motorcycles and the word ‘bling’ comes to mind, as well as Harley Davidson, Victory and Indian – but Polaris, not so much.

However, Polaris is the same company that makes Victory and Indian motorcycles so there’s bling in the background, but not on Polaris’ new bike for the agricultural sector.

While Polaris' major market is North America, where it is a leading brand, it regards Australia as a serious market too.

That attitude was demonstrated by two simple facts. First, it designed a product specifically for Australian conditions and needs – a Polaris ATV named the UTE 570 HD. Secondly, it took the trouble to fly a number of senior staff to Australia for the launch.

I was lucky enough to be one of around 20 journalists to be invited to the launch at the Werribee 4 x 4 training and proving ground.

The highlight of the day, apart from testing the various Polaris bikes, was a few “hot laps” with ARC rally driver Cody Crocker at the wheel of the top of the range 4-seater ATV. Now that was an education, of both the skills Crocker has and the punishment a Polaris can take. He was full throttle almost everywhere and the ATV was airborne every lap.

Australasia's new UTE

As history tells it, in the 1930s the first ute was designed and made by Ford Australia after a request from the wife of a Gippsland farmer who asked for a vehicle that could cart hay during the week but still be good enough to drive to church on Sundays.

Like the first ute, the Polaris UTE has been specifically designed for the needs of Australian and New Zealand farmers.

I had never ridden an ATV before. As a novice, I had it all sorted and under control in about two minutes – so it is certainly user friendly. Regular ATV users will take to it like a duck to water.

There were plenty of hills and creek crossings to navigate at Werribee and the UTE did it all with ease.

Polaris did its homework, carrying out market research here and in New Zealand. It identified that we give our ATVs a much harder workout in much harsher conditions than those in North America. Australia is its largest market outside the US. After talking to the Polaris executives, I was surprised to learn that average annual ATV use in North America is about 50 hours per year, as they are mainly for recreational use, compared with 300 hours here and a whopping 500 hours in New Zealand. I guess New Zealanders have more sheep to chase.

No wonder Polaris thought we needed a very special ATV. So the UTE has been seriously beefed-up to meet our needs.

On the technical side, improvements include sealed driveshafts, hardened and sealed suspension bushings, greaseable front ball joints, on demand all-wheel drive, electronic fuel injection, power steering, plus mirrors, horn and indicators, allowing for on-road use if needed.

The super trick aspects are the 180kg capacity tilting carry box at the rear that leaves room for the kelpie to lick the back of your ear.

The other special feature is descent control, which allows you to descend steep hills at walking pace without the need to touch the brakes – very tricky and very useful. It also has a 556kg towing capacity.

It also has single lever braking, sealed storage bins and racks.

All in all the UTE should be a huge hit with our farming community.

 Polaris' new Aussie UTE.

 A range of new ATVs was launched.

MAY 2014 - AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL

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Advertiser Index 2014 Irrigation Australia Trade Exhibition & Conference......... 1 www.irrigationaustralia.com.au

Keech Castings...................................................................... 9 www.keech.com.au

Ag Appointments Employment.............................................. 8 www.agri.com.au

Kuhn Farm Machinery Pty Ltd............................................... 5 www.kuhn.com.au

Ag Show P/L........................................................................ 37 www.agshow.com.au

Ky General Engineering....................................................... 24

Australian Clutch Services................................................... 10 www.australianclutch.com.au Australian National Field Days............................................. 42 www.anfd.com.au Australian Pump Industries.................................................. 20 www.aussiepumps.com.au Bare-Co............................................................................... 63 www.bareco.com.au Brown Brothers Engineers Aust. Pty Ltd................................ 7 www.brownbros.com.au Case IH................................................................................ 64 www.caseih.com CNH Australia P/L................................................................ 45 www.newhollandparts.com.au Davey Water Products P/L................................................... 47 www.davey.com.au Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days................................. 39 www.dowerinfielddays.com.au Fairbrother Industries Ltd..................................................... 18 www.kinghitter.com Great Western Tillage........................................................... 31 www.gwtillage.com.au GUD Automotive P/L........................................................... 25 www.rycofilters.com.au HR Products........................................................................ 49 www.hrproducts.com.au IB International..................................................................... 53 www.ibinternational.com.au Ionized P/L (Hydrosmart)..................................................... 52 www.hydrosmart.com.au John Deere Ltd..............................................................2 & 46 www.johndeere.com.au

LK Diesel Service Pty Ltd..................................................... 12 www.lkdiesel.com.au Mingenew Lions Midwest Expo........................................... 41 www.mingenewexpo.com.au McDougall Weldments........................................................... 6 www.mcdougallweldments.com.au Murray Valley Lasers P/L...................................................... 22 www.murrayvalleylasers.com.au Neil’s Parts........................................................................... 19 www.neils.com.au Newdegate Field Days......................................................... 38 www.nfday.com.au Power Equipment Pty Ltd.................................................... 51 www.powerequipment.com.au Prime Engineering & Pumping Solutions.............................. 50 www.primeeng.net.au Primex Primary Industry Exhibition...................................... 43 www.primex.net.au Riverland Field Days............................................................ 36 www.riverlandfielddays.com.au Roesner P/L......................................................................... 15 www.marshallmultispread.com.au Serafin Machinery P/L.......................................................... 30 www.serafinmachinery.com.au Southcott Hydraulics........................................................... 11 www.southcott.com.au Starmaxx............................................................................. 17 Trailco Irrigation................................................................... 14 www.trailco.com.au Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics........................................... 13 www.2wglobal.com

AVAILABLE

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL

ONLINE

FOR MORE READERS AND INCREASED BUSINESS Visit www.afdj.com.au today to view your copy online 62

AUSTRALASIAN FARMERS’ & DEALERS’ JOURNAL - MAY 2014

DOWN TIME

Is not an option with these major investments!

One reason why Australia’s major manufacturers specify full Bare-Co PTO transmissions.

Replacement parts available from 2,000 Australian farm machinery dealers with full Australian backup from eight regional distribution centres holding around 8,000 gearboxes with full spares backup

www.bareco.com.au

Serving Australian agriculture since 1944

GET RED & READY FOR THE

END OF FINANCIAL YEAR It’s time to prepare for the end of financial year. Invest in a new Farmall B tractor by 30th June 2014 to take advantage of these special deals.

FARMALL 35B WITH LOADER FROM

$22,500*

INC. GST

WITH LOADER B 0 5 L L A M R FA

FROM

$27,700*

INC. GST

FARMALL 60B ROPS WITH LOADER FROM

$31,700*

INC. GST

s u % l P 2.99 * Finance from

FOR THE WARRANTY AND SUPPORT YOU DESERVE, ALWAYS PURCHASE NEW CASE IH MACHINERY FROM AN AUTHORISED DEALER. DON’T BE TEMPTED BY GREY IMPORTS! CMYK

CNH Industrial

New Corporate logo

0. 90. 100. 23

AW_CNHI_ Capital_CMYK.ai

AC

11 11 2013

CMYK

0. 0. 0. 100

*Terms and conditions apply. Only at participating Case IH dealers until 30/06/14, unless extended or while stocks last. Advertised prices based on ROPS models, mechanical transmission, ag tyres, recommended Prime Lift Compact loader and standard bucket. Prices may not include additional features or dealer delivery. Finance provided by CNH Industrial Capital Australia Pty Limited (AFSL 286664) only to approved business applicants.

2.99% p.a. rate subject to deposit amount and repayment schedule, available on new Case IH Farmall B tractors ordered by 30th June 2014. Some exclusions may apply. Talk to your Case IH dealer for more information.

on all Farmall B tractors ordered before 30th June 2014!