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PRECISION, HORSEMANSHIP ON SHOW
ALEKS Berzins from Exeter has demonstrated skill and artistry from agricultural days gone by to secure the coveted Golden Plough for an incredible second year running.
The Australian Draught Horse Stud Book Association - who run the eventsaid his consistent excellence sets a high standard for the competition and truly embodies the spirit of The Golden Plough. Peak Hill in the Parkes Shire hosted the prestigious single furrow competition on 31 May and 1 June, which drew entrants from as far away as Toowoomba in Queensland, as well as nearby in Peak Hill, Cowra and Dubbo.
Rains - and a site prepared by Peak Hill Show Society - made for outstanding conditions for this year’s competition, part of a big two days of smaller competitions, talks and demonstrations before and after the main event on Sunday morning.
Rain relief for thirsty region
Rain over the last 10 days in May couldn’t have come at a more critical time for the region.
‘The rain is here’ chimed for many after the Hilltops region and further south were officially drought-declared or in drought, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development reported as of 27 April.
For five shires it was the only rain they had all month, or extremely close to it, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Those who missed out on a soaking at the end of April, like Young, Cowra and Grenfell, were the biggest receivers this time around.
Young topped the group at 68.2mm falling in this period (22-31 May), almost doubling the amount it received in all of May last year (36.6). Its total for the month this year was 70mm.
Cowra had 50.4mm (month total 51mm) and Grenfell 44.9 (month total 47.5).
■ Continued page 3
Water price reprieve
IPART’s announcement a substantial win for rural water customers, says NSW Irrigators Council
A proposed price hike that would have seen Lachlan Valley irrigators paying 150 to 270 per cent more for water over the next ve years has been pushed back, with IPART releasing new dra pricing restricting increases to 1.9 per cent in the rst year, and CPI a er that.
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal is reviewing maximum water prices for WaterNSW’s bulk water services.
WaterNSW has sought to increase its revenue by 43 per cent over the next ve years, including a 53 per cent increase for regional and rural NSW, a statement from
IPART to media said.
The message from customers has been loud and clear that they cannot a ord those increases.
Tribunal Chair Carmel Donnelly said the Tribunal proposed to set shorter-term prices that could be in place for up to three years.
IPART will use that time to further review of WaterNSW’s proposed prices.
Shorter-term dra prices for WaterNSW’s regional and rural customers would increase by 1.9 per cent plus in ation from 1 July 2025 and then by in ation only on 1 July 2026 and 1 July 2027.
“IPART’s current review to set the maximum prices for WaterNSW has been complex,” Ms Donnelly said.
“WaterNSW has proposed a signi cant increase in revenue, which implies large price increases for customers.
“Some broader issues have also emerged during the review.
“WaterNSW indicates the main drivers of the proposed increases are macroeconomic factors and increased requirements which have imposed additional costs. At the same time demand for WaterNSW services is forecast to decrease.”
NSW Irrigators CEO Claire Miller
described the change as a win.
“NSWIC and its members told IPART loud and clear the current water pricing model is broken and must be xed if our farmers are not to be priced out of business and local NSW produce priced o supermarket shelves,” Ms Miller said.
The dra determination translates to farmers paying thousands of dollars less than was proposed in many valleys.
The shorter-term dra prices could be in place until June 2028 but may be replaced earlier.
Any new determinations would
be made only a er IPART issues a dra report, seeks and considers submissions and holds a public hearing.
Ms Miller said NSW Irrigators would be requesting more information from IPART to more accurately break down the impact in bills for the next three years, to help inform submissions.
“This IPART dra determination is welcome prospective reprieve not just for farmers, but all WaterNSW customers with water licences including local government, sport, processing and food manufacturing,” she said.
Michael Martin from Toowoomba in Queensland was the final entrant to plough on Sunday, he came third in the Golden Plough competition that was held over the weekend in Peak Hill.
PHOTO: Christine Little
Police warn of thefts
Police are investigating a number of break and enter o ences occurring on rural properties in the Hume Police District, including an incident in Bribbaree recently.
Police received reports of attempts to steal tools, equipment and machinery with an arrest made as a result of investigations.
However, they fear there may be more incidents.
As police investigate these matters, they are urging the community to be vigilant and ensure farming equipment is secured when not in use.
“Unfortunately, we know property the isn’t just isolated to the 50km zones in town,” Inspector Nick Wiles of the Hume Police District said.
“Our police are working hard to locate the stolen property and identify the o enders, but we need to make farmers aware this is happening so they can take precautions.
“If you have identi ed any property stolen from your property, report it to the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 and local police will investigate the matter.”
A man and woman will face court charged a er alleged illegal hunting and robbery in the central west in May.
It’s alleged a 20-year-old woman and 22-year-old man were hunting illegally on a property near Kiacatoo Road, Condobolin on Tuesday 20 May.
It’s alleged a woman found them and - upon seeing her - the man and woman attempted to drive away in their vehicle before it rolled, injuring the man.
When the woman approached the crash and called Triple Zero, it’s alleged the people in the vehicle threatened her with a knife and assaulted her, then took her vehicle and le the location.
They were arrested at Gri th hospital when the man presented for treatment.
They were both charged with robbery armed with o ensive weapon, enter private land to hunt animal without owner consent and in relation to the vehicle the .
WEST AND HILLTOPS
farmernews.com.au
New super tax a threat to farming
With the federal election behind us the re-elected Labor government seems determined to progress its plan of a proposed tax increase on super balances over $3 million, the so-called Better Targeted Superannuation Bill.
The treasurer has reaffirmed he intends to double the tax on earnings from super balances above $3 million to 30 per cent.
If the Greens in the senate have their way when the new super tax is legislated, it would apply to funds above $2 million.
However of greater community concern is the government’s plan to target unrealised capital gains, or what might be referred to as ‘paper profits’ - taxing profits not made and may never be made.
While the government maintains the changed super tax will be modest, it estimates the new tax will develop $40 billion collected over the next decade.
With no indexing of the super balance limit, it will affect millions of Australians.
Self-managed super funds, who will have
to find extra funds to pay unexpected and potentially significant tax bills, will not see the change as modest, let alone costs of valuations and potential legal disputes.
Super industry advisers point to the potential for funds to sell assets to pay tax liabilities for unrealised gains, which might have vanished at the time the asset is eventually sold.
They also say the proposed super tax changes sets a precedent for potential extension of other taxes by the government on unrealised gains.
It’s believed Treasury has been working on the new tax for some time, yet the question of it applying to defined benefits pension schemes remains uncertain.
Of concern to trades people, small business and farming families will be the pros-
pect of illiquid assets in super funds such as farms or buildings, and the potential cash flow problems that occur.
Australian family enterprises have for decades planned their business structures, investments, and retirement benefits around super and self-managed superannuation funds.
These arrangements have been based on long term plans and predictable guidelines.
The proposed tax changes represent a serious threat to personal and business financial stability and to a reliable income stream.
The government now needs to listen, rescind its planned changes as unfair and destabilising, and consider other revenue raising options.
And with Labor’s strong election result, the National and Liberal parties should put their differences aside, combine their expertise and experience as an effective opposition, to prosecute a more active response on this and other contentious legalisation.
Five stations to expand region’s farm weather data
Central West Local Land Services has installed ve new soil probe and weather stations as part of the Farming Forecaster Project.
The sites at Mendooran, Geurie, Parkes, Jemalong (Forbes) and Grenfell, aim to equip graziers with predictive forecasts on weather, soil moisture, and pasture production.
These sites will be incorporated into a wider network of soil probe and weather stations across Australia.
Rohan Leach, Mixed Farming Advisor at Central West Local Land Services, said the Farming Forecaster program operates by collecting data from the soil moisture probes and weather stations.
the pasture growth predictions respond.”
Rohan said those further north who have seen good rainfall in March and April are able to use the pasture forecast component to predict how their pastures are responding.
“This tool uses validated modelling, ingesting site-speci c data and sources from CSIRO and BOM, to provide producers with forecast growth rate (kgDM/ ha/ day) and production data (tDM/ha),” he said.
“The forecast provides information around current pasture position and the likely range in pasture availability over the next 3-4 months.
Sales Courtney Gambrill Manager Mobile 0448 248 080 cgambrill@midwestmedia.com.au
“The data is transformed into user-friendly weather and soil moisture data, which is readily available online,” Rohan said.
“Farming Forecaster will also provide estimates of future pasture growth over the next three to four months, compared with historic seasons and climate forecasts.”
The website’s output will be a valuable resource for landholders in the Central West, helping
COWRA REGIONAL LIVESTOCK SELLING CENTRE
them make informed decisions about grazing management and understand the role of stored soil moisture in future pasture growth.
Paul Tognetti, the host of the Grenfell site, has found the probe and weather station extremely useful.
“I’ve just started having a look at the data online and am really pleased with the info it is showing me,” Paul said.
“The weather information is great with things like wind speed and direction, great for spraying and the easy-to-read daily rainfall chart great for my record keeping.
“We are using probes and moisture metres in our cropping country, so it is great to see the di erences between soil moisture across these enterprises.
“Now we just need a bit more rain in the gauge to start to see
“This type of information will be invaluable for pasture management and livestock planning in the Central West region, as well as managing risks associated with predicted declines in feed availability, such as conserving fodder, purchasing fodder and/ or destocking.”
To learn more about the Farming Forecaster Project or to enquire about hosting a future site, please contact Rohan Leach on 0417 021 795 or via rohan.leach@ lls.nsw.gov.au
CENTRAL WEST AND HILLTOPS
Central West Local Land Services has installed five new Farming Forecaster probes across the region. PHOTO: Supplied
Markets respond to rain
Smaller yardings and higher prices at the nal livestock sales of May told the story a er welcome rain across much of the region.
Forbes’ monthly store cattle sale on the last Friday of the month saw prices 50 to 60 cents a kilo up on this time last month, with Forbes Livestock’s Jake Grace describing the results as outstanding.
“The market probably matched the weather pattern: there’s been bit of rain and a spike in the job,” he said on Friday a ernoon.
“Not one week to the next, but from the last two or three weeks there could be 50 to 60 cents di erence in some of those cattle which is good.
“It was really good, great result for our vendors today that were selling - but there were some really good cattle on o er too, some really good quality cattle there made plenty of money.”
Pricing did re ect the quality with some secondary types also on o er.
It was the case right across the week’s regular sheep and cattle sales at the Central West Livestock Exchange, as the rain gave buyers con dence and vendors increased option to hold on to their stock.
“It can be a tough time of year, what we’ve just come through, it’s nice when you do get a bit of a break,” Grace said. “You need that for these winter crops, and forage crops for livestock.
“Now people have had a bit of rain so they’re more con dent and they’re willing to try and buy a few, but also the guys that have a bit of feed coming up are not forced to sell, they can choose to sell, and that’s a positive thing.”
Forbes’ regular sheep sale on Tuesday 27 May yarded 13,500 fewer head than a week earlier.
Prices for trade weight lambs increased from $25 and extra heavy weights were up to $40 dearer, selling up to $363.
Mutton numbers were down but prices remained strong with Merinos ewes up to $234 a head; crossbreds topping $260 and Dorpers reaching $240.
Cowra’s sheep sale on Wednesday 28 May told a similar story, with NLRS reporting competition was very strong across all grades with some signi cant gains in a much dearer market.
Light lambs to the processors were up $40, selling $178 to $212, although stores eased $15 mainly due
to quality, NLRS reported.
Heavy trade 23 to 24kg sold from $214 to $225/head.
Heavy weight lambs li ed from $17 to $40/head and averaged 985c to 990c/kg cwt.
Heavy weight lambs sold from $230 to $260 while extra heavy weights $248 to $360/head.
“We’ve been lucky, we’ve had enough rain at the right time that we’ve got an opportunity at this season now,” Grace said.
“Hopefully it keeps on coming.”
Some relief for thirsty region
■ From page 1
Forbes and Parkes collected their whole month’s total in these 10 days, the Bureau says, with 34.2mm and 33.6mm respectively.
All except Forbes had their biggest downpour over the 24 hours to 9am on 23 May, with Young recording 40.4mm, Cowra 24.6 and Grenfell 20.2.
Forbes and Parkes recorded 13.8mm (on 27 May) and 12mm respectively.
Young and Cowra were well above their long term monthly averages - by 26.5mm for Young - but Parkes was 11mm under its average for May.
However a month earlier 47.6mm was dumped on Parkes in just two days at the end of April and Forbes received 9.4mm on those same two days.
In Grenfell it was 2.8mm - it only collected 7mm for all of April - and Cowra had a drizzle of 4.6mm and only 5.4mm for all of April.
The rain in April barely touched Young, that shire recording just 1.4mm for the month.
It’s Young’s fourth driest April on its 30-year record - the driest being 0mm in 1997, followed by 0.8mm in 2019 and 1mm in 2021.
Feed your crops and pastures with foliar fertiliser
Foliar fertiliser: The what, why and how
If you’ve walked through your paddocks and noticed yellowing or mottled leaves, your crops may be signalling a nutrient deficiency.
According to Rhonda Daly, cofounder of YLAD Living Soils, tissue testing is a powerful in-season tool to uncover what’s missing and take timely action.
“Plants can often look unhealthy when they are deficient in nutrients,” Daly explains. “A tissue test can quickly identify these gaps. From there, foliar fertilisers provide an almost immediate response.”
This method allows plants to absorb essential minerals faster than through root uptake - particularly useful during dry periods or in soils
with poor nutrient availability.
Plants need at least 17 minerals to grow successfully.
Visual signs of deficiency may point to missing macronutrients like nitrogen or micronutrients such as boron, zinc, or molybdenum.
With tissue testing - collecting around 25 leaves from both healthy and unhealthy plants - farmers can get accurate data to guide their next move.
According to the GRDC, “An investment of a couple of dollars in trace element application can result in hundreds of dollars per hectare in extra grain.”
Daly adds that correcting deficiencies not only supports growth but also “increases the photosynthetic engine of the plant,” leading to deeper roots, more carbon transfer to the soil, and better pest and disease resistance.
One YLAD Living Soils farmer who
has seen results is Andrew Muller of Wagga Wagga.
“On YLAD Living Soil’s recommendation we applied two applications of a NTS foliar blend onto an old and new stand of lucerne in December 2024 and again in February 2025.
“We were impressed with the improvement in both the lead and plant growth of both stands. Two cuts of hay were taken from the new lucerne paddock, with all buyers of the hay impressed with the quality. With this success, we will be keen to use the product again.”
Australian growers are now turning to advanced foliar options to maximise crop health and production.
All formulations include foliar enhancers, including chelating agents, uptake enhancers, natural hormone stimulants and full-spectrum feeders, ensuring optimal nutrient delivery and plant response. The ultimate goal is to ensure optimal nutrient
delivery and plant response.
Highlighted products include:
• Farm Saver Multiplex: A complete blend of macro and micronutrients to support early crop development and correct deficiencies.
• NTS Brixfixâ: A concentrated liquid with seven plant growth promotants, trace minerals, and biostimulants. It boosts yield, brix levels, and fruit quality - effective even at just 2 L/ha.
• Nutri-Life BAM: A microbial foliar and soil amendment containing beneficial anaerobic microbes to enhance immunity, nutrient uptake, and soil biology.
Advanced formulations are enhancing nutrient efficiency and supporting better crop performance for Australian growers.
To learn more about tissue testing and foliar fertilisers, contact YLAD Living Soils on 1300 811 681 or email info@yladlivingsoils.com.au
ideal stage for foliar fertiliser application.
PHOTO: Supplied
Forbes Livestock and Agency Co’s Jake Grace selling at Forbes’ Central West Livestock Exchange.
Summer broadacre
The amount of summer broadacre crops sold in 2023-24 rose by 9.3 per cent, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
“The rise in summer broadacre crops produced and sold totaled 3.5m tonnes,” Rob Walter, ABS head of agricultural statistics, said.
“This was despite the total area for summer broadacre crop production falling by 3.3 per cent.
“Sorghum led the rise in the amount of summer crops sold in 2023-24, up by 5 per cent, or 114,825 tonnes, to 2.4m tonnes.
“This made up 70 per cent of total summer crop sales.”
Despite the rise in the amount of sorghum sold, local value fell 11 per cent (-$90.2m) mainly due to lower prices.
The two largest producing sorghum states both saw falls in local value, with Queensland dropping by $79.2m (-14 per cent) and New South Wales by $11.8m (-4 per cent).
The amount of maize sold grew by 60,525 tonnes (+16 per cent), to a total of 447,027 tonnes.
The local value of maize rose by $7.8m (+5 per cent) to $168.7m.
Favourable growing conditions in the southern part of New South Wales meant 60 per cent of Australia’s maize was grown in the state in 2023-24, a rise of 57,323 tonnes (+27 per cent) to 266,982 tonnes.
This production growth drove a rise in local value of $12.7m (+15 per cent) to $97.4m in New South Wales.
In contrast, the amount of maize produced and sold in Queensland dropped by 29,566 tonnes (-30 per cent), the value fell by $14.0m (-32 per cent), and the area of maize production shrunk by 11,413 hectares (-52 per cent).
“Queensland was the only state to have falls in maize across production, area and local value,” Mr Walter said.
“This was largely due to the autumn armyworm infestation, which destroyed crops across Queensland and northern New South Wales.”
The amount of rice sold was up by 122,547 tonnes (+25 per cent) in 2023-24, reaching 619,180 tonnes despite little change in the size of rice crop areas.
New South Wales continued to account for almost all of this production with 615,748 tonnes.
New estimates in this release from a modernised approach to producing agriculture statistics, which mean farmers no longer have to fill in survey forms, include:
The local value of rice, which was $241.9m in 2023-24.
The area of cotton production, which was 121,152 hectares less in 2023-24, totalling 644,536 hectares. The ABS is continuing work to develop more complete statistics on cotton as part of the modernisation.
MP calls for drought plan
By REBECCA HEWSON
Member for Cootamundra
Steph Cooke has addressed the NSW Parliament calling for action on a drought preparedness strategy with drought conditions worsening across the Hilltops and Cootamundra electorate.
Though there was some much needed rainfall across the Hilltops, the region is still either in or creeping into the grips of a drought and Ms Cooke has called on the Government to take action to empower communities.
“As drought conditions expand across southern NSW, with the Cootamundra electorate experiencing the worst of this event, I’m calling on the Government to implement a coordinated, well-funded and long-term drought preparedness strategy that builds infrastructure, empowers communities and strengthens resilience,” Ms Cooke said.
ing in Sydney, it is not in the local region and communities are suffering.
“A record few would wish to see repeated.
We cannot keep responding to disasters by waiting for them to break us.
- STEPH COOKE, MP FOR COOTAMUNDRA
“It is time we think about drought the same way as other natural disasters by making a shift from response and recovery to mitigation and preparedness.”
Ms Cooke believes that a NSW Fodder Reserve is an initiative that is worth considering.
“I’ve also called for immediate relief in the form of transport subsidies for stock, water and fodder,” she said.
During her address to parliament Ms Cooke told those in the chamber that though it is rain-
“While rain might be falling here in Sydney conditions are very different across the south of the state,” Ms Cooke said.
“Across the Cootamundra electorate drought has taken hold.
“At the end of April the NSW DPI formally declared drought across much of our region.”
Ms Cooke expressed how local farmers were not surprised with the declaration as they’d already begun to ship in water and feed for livestock.
“With feed costs high, markets are being flooded with livestock,” she said. “On May 5 and again on May 13, a staggering 8,700 head of cattle went under the hammer at the Wagga Livestock Marketing Centre, described as unprecedented.
“This is what drought looks like, it creeps in, stripping paddocks bare, draining dams and bank accounts and exhausting people to the core.”
Ms Cooke went on to say that unlike floods or bushfires there is no warning on an app and no one on the ground to fight the battle.
“Still, our farmers are expected to bear the burden until it becomes politically convenient to act,” she said.
Ms Cooke told the parliament that they had an opportunity to change the status quo.
“We cannot keep responding to disasters by waiting for them to break us,” she said.
“We must continue to shift from response and recovery to mitigation and preparedness.
“As a state, we’ve already be-
gun that shift in other disaster contexts in a multi-partisan, non-political way.”
Ms Cooke was referring to the NSW Reconstruction Authority in November 2022, the group was something that Ms Cooke had instituted during her time as the then Minister for Emergency Services, Resilience and Flood Recovery.
“It’s time for drought to be treated in the same way,” Ms Cooke said.
“Not as an exception, but a recurring risk requiring the same level of coordination, investment and forward thinking.”
Ms Cooke has posted the full video of her address on her Facebook page for anyone to view and has called for any residents or landholders who are needing advice or support to please contact her office at cootamundra@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Region’s AgShows state finalists revealed
AgShows NSW has announced the nalists ahead of its annual Excellence Awards this month.
And there are several from our region.
The awards aim to recognise ag show champions, from inspiring living legends and bright rising stars to the trailblazers driving innovation in events and technology, and those demonstrating remarkable resilience.
A massive 19 nominees are in line for the prestigious Living Legend Award, which includes Grenfell’s Grace Eppelstun-Magner and Jill Dunn from Temora.
in this category.
Emma Godsell from Young has been named in the Rising Star category alongside 14 others, which includes one each from Blayney and Orange, and two from Bathurst.
And Tullamore Show Society in the Parkes Shire is one of four nominees for a Resilience Award, along with Orange Show Society.
The Resilience Award honours show societies that have demonstrated exceptional perseverance and adaptability in overcoming challenges during the past 12 months.
BOOROWA TRACTORS
Sales & Service
NSW
There are also nominees from Orange and three from Bathurst
“Your dedication and passion are what make the show move-
ment so strong,” AgShows NSW wrote to its nominees in its May newsletter.
“These nominations re ect the heart of our show communitycelebrating tradition, embracing change, and leading with purpose.”
The 2025 AgShows NSW Excellence Awards and Gala Dinner will take place on Saturday, 21 June at the Armidale Ex-Services Club.
Here the NSW show community will celebrate the winners of the Rising Star, Living Legend, Innovation – Event/Project, Innovation - Technology and Resilience Awards.
Society, past winners of the AgShows NSW Resilience Award.
PHOTO: AgShows
‘Modest growth’ in farm land value predicted
With RABOBANK
Australian farmland prices are expected to return to modest growth in the year ahead, Rabobank says in its newly-released 2025 Australian Farmland Price Outlook.
The annual report, by the agribusiness banking specialist’s RaboResearch division, says a positive outlook for key agricultural drivers is expected to see agricultural land prices rebound in the year ahead, albeit at a modest “base case” forecast of three per cent growth.
The bank’s analysis – of a highquality data set sampling Australian commercial sales across the country analysed by a team of professional appraisers – found overall farmland prices had contracted in 2024, with the median price per hectare across all agricultural land types nationally decreasing by six per cent on the previous year.
This had come, however, a er a period of extraordinary growth for agricultural land prices, the bank said, with the median price per hectare for farmland in Australia growing an “astonishing” 79 per cent between 2020 and 2023.
Price moves also varied between land types and across the country, the data set showed, with Western Australia and South Australia recording increases in the median price of agricultural land.
Report lead author, RaboResearch analyst Paul Joules, said agricultural land prices would likely rebound in 2025, “but we expect growth to be modest compared with recent years”.
“Buyers will be searching for value and, given the recent price drop, investment opportunities may present themselves in 2025 as buyers capitalise on weaker land values,” he said.
The report said the decline observed in the 2024 land sales data was “unsurprising” considering the factors that had weighed on the agricultural sector in the past year.
“Over the past 12 months, falling commodity prices certainly had an in uence, especially given that higher interest rates and fertiliser prices have made recent declines in agricultural commodity prices more unpalatable, and land purchasing power in 2024 su ered because of this,” Mr Joules said.
However, some of these headwinds were expected to ease through 2025, the RaboResearch report said.
“The 2025/26 outlook for key drivers is supportive of land values,” Mr Joules said, “with early production prospects looking promising, some key commodity prices forecast to increase and the o cial cash rate (OCR) expected to ease further. RaboResearch is forecasting two further 0.25 per cent cuts to the OCR this year.”
“The outlook for farm income is positive overall, with RaboResearch forecasting our Australian commodity price index to increase in 2025,” he said. “And this should help partially o set in ated input costs.”
RaboResearch expects the Australian farm sector will “enter a new period of steady growth”, re ecting the “more normalised on-farm margins” that are anticipated.
Crops up and away
Winter crops are starting to form a carpet of green across central west cropping country on the back of long-awaited Autumn rains.
It’s increased con dence in the region no end, says agronomist Phil Gray from Walker’s AGnVET at Forbes, with crops that were dry sown and those sown into the moisture all now germinating.
Crops are a little late, but not disastrously so, and given the frost damage that hit some areas so hard late last year there might not be much disappointment about the later start.
Normal winter conditions
from here on in would be very nice, Gray said, certainly enough around the Forbes district.
“Just a normal winter with showers every couple of weeks will put us in a pretty good position,” he said.
“There’s moisture at depth, we just needed that top bit lled up and that’s what that rain’s done.
“Putting any additional urea out now once the crops are coming out of the ground will be the next job.”
Grazing varieties are showing the di erence at this time.
“Because the grazing crops haven’t got the bulk they normal-
ly have this time of year we’ve been a bit pushed to graze our pastures a bit harder, so we’re stuck in a little bit of no man’s land,” Gray said.
“Pastures don’t quite have enough feed and grazing crops aren’t quite ready yet … so livestock feed is there but not in abundance.”
The rain resulted in an immediate drop in numbers through the region’s saleyards, with the rain giving more people the condence to invest in feed to carry stock through whether they’re already in con nement lots or being fed in the paddock.
Croppers near Parkes seized the opportunity o ered by late April rains.
Barwang Cellar Door swings open
By ANNABEL CUSACK
If there is one wine label synonymous with the Hilltops it is Barwang – a name long associated with premium winemaking in the region surrounding Harden and Young.
The legacy has now entered an exciting new chapter, with the ofcial opening of the Barwang Cellar Door under the ownership of Wendy and James Bowman.
The Bowmans, who acquired the 400-hectare vineyard in late 2021, are sixth-generation farmers in the district and have long admired Barwang’s signi cance – not just as neighbours, but as custodians of local heritage.
Their vision has seen the rejuvenation of both the Barwang vineyard and brand, with the Cellar Door as the latest milestone.
“These foothills of the Great Dividing Range o er some of the very best quality farmland in Australia,” James Bowman said.
“Certainly our pastures fatten top quality lambs and cattle, and produce high-yield grain. So it’s no wonder grapes thrive on our rolling hills.”
The Cellar Door, thoughtfully transformed from an original shearer’s cottage, re ects the Bowmans’ commitment to sustainability and preservation.
“Wherever possible we have used recycled materials,” Wendy Bowman said.
“It is very satisfying to help preserve Barwang’s vineyard history, which dates back to the late 1960s.”
The o cial opening was conducted Member for Cootamundra and local Steph Cooke who congratulated the Bowmans for their investment in a challenging time for the industry.
“Australia’s wine sector has been experiencing turbulent times, which have also had some impact on vignerons in both the NSW Hilltops and Riverina,” Ms Cooke said.
“It is so encouraging to see families like the Bowmans act countercyclically, investing with foresight in our region that boasts a long wine heritage and a growing reputation for its world-class wines.”
Since launching the new Barwang wine portfolio in 2023, the Bowmans have released six single varietal estate-grown wines,
including Sparkling Chardonnay, Rosé, Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon – all bearing the distinctive royal blue and white Barwang label.
The 2024 Pinot Noir is the latest addition to the range.
Originally established in 1969 by the Robertson family, Barwang became a landmark of the Hilltops GI (Geographical Indication) and later passed into the hands of the McWilliam family.
The Bowmans, having looked across the fence line at the celebrated vines for decades, are now proudly leading its future.
The rustic new Cellar Door is open by appointment for wine tastings, o ering visitors a chance to relax on the veranda with a glass in hand, accompanied by vineyard platters, birdsong, and sweeping views of rolling countryside – a tting revival for one of the Hilltops’ most storied wine labels.
Save date for Tivoli Angus bull sale, presale open day
Tivoli Angus is a family a air, managed by Hugh and Annie Krae t, with the support of their three children, Ingrid, Oscar and Tahlia, and daily input of their experienced principal employees, Rick, Rob, Shane and Tony.
A er breeding commercial Angus cattle for nearly two decades, Hugh believed in the breed so rmly that he decided to establish the Tivoli Angus stud in 2013, starting with easy calving, low maintenance cows purchased at the dispersal of the Sandy Yates owned Patawalla stud.
From inception, they have been netuning the herd with a focus on Millah Murrah (Bathurst) and Wattletop (Guyra) genetics, to breed bulls that do well in the local heavy black Merriwa plateau soils.
In 2021 they purchased cows at Millah Murrah to a top of $90,000 and now the top ve per cent of cows in the Tivoli Angus herd go into an embryo transfer program
with fresh and frozen embryos.
“Our aim is to produce bulls that will produce both meaty fast-growing steers and fertile females that thrive on native grasses and hills,” says Hugh.
Temperament is another area of focus in recognition of the aging of the farming population.
Tivoli Angus recognise the importance of assessing their bulls in a commercial environment and
in addition to the 300 to 400 stud cows, they have a commercial herd of around 500 Angus breeders.
Many Tivoli Angus bulls are used with their commercial cows where the bulls’ serving ability and recov-
erability is evaluated.
Tivoli Angus achieved great success last Thursday at the 35th Annual Hunter Valley Angus Breeders Association Female sale where its pen of 13 commercial heifers, by sons of Knolwa So Right and Millah Murrah Rocketman, joined to low birth weight Tivoli Angus bulls, were judged best pen of preg tested heifers.
Tivoli Angus will hold its annual bull sale on Thursday 7 August 2025 with sale commencing at 1pm.
There will also be a presale open day on Thursday 24 July 2025 with inspections from 9.30am.
The sire lines for the sale bulls include Knowla So Right S48, Texas Iceman R725, Millwillah Powerpoint, Millah Murrah Nectar, Millah Murrah Rocketman, Rennylea Shogun S34 and Stoney Point Quantum.
The o ering will include 50 plus bulls and 50 commercial females.
Tivoli Angus will hold a presale open day on Thursday 24 July, ahead of its annual bull sale.
James and Wendy Bowman have o icially opened the Barwang Cellar Door.
PHOTOS: Supplied
Hugh Krae with his veterinarian daughter Ingrid. PHOTOS: Supplied
What’s on in and around our region
CAMP OVEN COOK OFF
Sunday, 8 June
Now in its 14th year, the annual Caragabal Camp Oven Cook o on Sunday is expected to draw people from around the state and Canberral. While the cook o is on Sunday, people begin to arrive at the Caragabal Showgrounds from today.
There will also be some events hosted in Caragabal, with live music by Platinum Duo at the Caragabal Hotel on Friday, 6 June, with DJ Moore providing music at the cook o on Sunday. Plus there will be kids games, billy boiling competitions, tug-of-war games, wood auctions, ra es and bon re to nish o the night.
PARKES YARD DOG TRIALS
14 and 15 June
From 7.30am dogs from around NSW will be rounding up sheep at the Parkes Showground. Free entry for spectators to watch six categories including maiden, novice, junior, improver, local and open. There will be a co ee van on sight each morning as well as a barbeque run by Parkes Headquarters RFS available on both days.
MOVIE SCREENING
20 and 21 June
Parkes Show Society will be holding a community screening of Just a Farmer at the Parkes Little Theatre.
Parkes Showground will be hosting its annual Yard Dog Trials on 14 and 15 June. PHOTO: Jenny Kingham
This special screening of a powerful Australian lm will be screening for two nights with both starting at 7pm. Tickets are available now for $15 at 123tix.
NSW DORSET CHAMPIONSHIPS COWRA
Friday and Saturday 20 and 21 June
Cowra hosts the 2025 NSW Dorset Championships at Cowra Showground and organisers look forward to bringing you another successful show.
The 2024 show was hailed a great success, with numbers increasing on the past few years and excellent competition throughout the weekend.
Find out more through their website www.cowrashow.com/dorset-show
VERTEBRATE PESTICIDE INDUCTION TRAINING | BOOROWA
24 June
South East Local Land Services will be o ering Vertebrate Pesticide Induction Training at Boorowa.
Upon completion, participants will be accredited to use 1080, Pindone, PAPP and RHDV baits for ve years.
The free training is in person at Boorowa Recreation Golf and Bowling Club, Market Street, Boorowa NSW 2586 on Tuesday 24 June, 9:30am – 12:30pm.
You can also do this course online.
More information and registration is available in the events section of the Local Land Services website: https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/ news-and-events/events
FODDER SHRUB WORKSHOP | CONDOBOLIN
26 June
Do you have native shrubs on your property? Do your livestock eat these native shrubs?
Join Central West Local Land Services to discuss the value of fodder shrubs onfarm and within your grazing system.
Topics include: land management; seasonal livestock nutrition; shrub nutrition and quality; local sample results.
There will be the opportunity for you to bring along a sample of a shrub to be tested and the results be discussed in a second session. It’s on 26 June, 9am to midday at Condobolin RSL.
registration is available in the events section of the Lo-
SCRAP METAL
We are the farm & industrial business clean-up experts with over 50 years combined scrap metal collection experience. Modern equipment used and excavator is fitted with magnet. NO JOB TO BIG. MINIMUM QUANTITIES APPLY.
cal Land Services website: https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/ news-and-events/events
FORBES WORKING DOG AUCTION
18 and 19 July
Save the date for the 2025 Forbes Working Dog Auction that takes place on 18 and 19 July. Entries are now open for the auction and will close Saturday, 21 June at 5pm. Entry forms can be found here: forbesdogauction.net/ auction-entry-forms.
Any questions email forbesworkingdogclub@ gmail.com or contact one of the committee members.
The two-day event will see cattle, goat and paddock sheep demos on the Friday and yard sheep demos, fol-
COWRA WINE SHOW PUBLIC TASTING
Saturday, 19 July
Test your wine tasting skills against expert judges and sample some of the best wines from Australia’s top wine-growing regions. Takes place at the Cowra Showground Pavillion, 6pm9pm. Tickets $60.
CANOWINDRA ESKY BALL
Friday, 25 July, 5:30pm11:30pm
Grab your group, pack the esky and help us raise some money for the show society to improve the annual show and maintain/ improve the facilities for years to come. Grazing boxes to start followed by delicious hot food from the Fat Parcel Food Van. K’nOath will having you rocking the night away. Tickets are $80.
BEER BREWING MASTER CLASS
Saturday, 26 July
Pursue your passion for brewing in a one day master class with Bulla Creek Brewing Co through Grenfell TAFE.
Learn brewing techniques, the fermentation process, how to bottle and keg your beer.
Cost is $240 per person and includes cooking dry-aged Call Grenfell TAFE on 0438
Noms open for Cobber Challenge
Cobber is calling on Australia’s toughest, stock-chasing, hard-running working dogs to battle it out for the title of the hardest working dog, with nominations now open for the 2025 Cobber Challenge, back for its milestone tenth edition.
The Cobber Challenge is an annual showdown where the country’s best working dogs go paw-to-paw in a tribute to the unsung heroes of our farms, the four-legged legends behind Australia’s billiondollar agriculture industry.
Over the last decade, Cobber Challenge competitors have clocked up enough distance to lap Australia two and a half times, moving at a pace that would take a human nearly half a year to keep up with.
To celebrate its 10-year anniversary, the Cobber Challenge is turning up the heat, introducing video submissions for four-legged legends for the rst time ever.
Kellie Savage, Cobber’s Marketing Manager, is excited for the tenth anniversary of the Cobber Challenge to be the best yet.
“Each year we’ve had a highly competitive eld and we’re anticipating the same for our tenth year,” Ms Savage said.
Every year, Australia’s working dogs put in a massive 232 million hours on the job. Now it’s time to see which one really puts in the hard yards.
If lucky enough to be selected as a competitor in the Cobber Challenge, each dog will be tted with a GPS tracker to log how far, how fast, and how long they work each day over a three-week period.
Points are scored based on distance, speed, and duration.
At the end of the competition, one top dog will rise above the rest to claim bragging rights, $3,000 cash, the legendary Cobber Challenge
trophy, and a year’s supply of Cobber Working Dog feed.
It’s not just the winner walking away wagging, second and third place also score cash prizes and feed.
Australian farmer Daniel Pumpa and his four-legged teammate, Ripper, are veterans of the Cobber Challenge, and know what it takes.
“We’re proud to have competed over the years in The Cobber Challenge, not only with Ripper but his dad Turbo,” Daniel said.
“For any farmer who is considering entering their working dog in this year’s competition, I can’t speak highly enough about the fantastic experience we’ve had, and the great recognition that Ripper and Turbo have received for all of the thankless work they do, day a er day.”
Nominations are open via until 22 June.
For more information visit cobberdogfood.com.au/cobberchallenge/
Cowra Wine Show is taking place at the Cowra Showground Pavillion on 19 July.
