North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer

NORTH EAST AND GOULBURN MURRAY

Part of the Farmer Group Rural Newspapers Covering Victoria Published since 1984

Bruce Diffey talks water PAGE 8

JUNE, 2016

FARMER TO FARMER PAGE 14

37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta 3677 PAGES 16-21

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Whorouly farmer tells dairy board to resign Producer counts the cost of milk price debacle

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jfleming@ nemedia.com.au

so I bought enough shares and I am now locked in for the next three years,” Mr Newton said.

“The funny thing is my Dad always vowed he would never go to MG and I wish I had of listened to him.”

Because one of Australia’s largest dairy processors guaranteed that a price of $6 per kilogram of milk solids would remain, Mr Newton borrowed to buy feed to get him through the drought to ensure his cows could continue to produce the greatest possible milk volume.

He also borrowed money so he could plant pasture to feed his cows over the winter months and to buy shares in MG when it floated on the stock exchange last year.

Continued page 7

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DOING IT TOUGH: Whorouly dairy farmer Rod Newton has a message for the Murray Goulburn board which wants him to pay back $400,000 over the next three years with interest as a part of the company’s funds clawback. Farmer-shareholders of the co-operative are deeply concerned about the way in which the business has been managed. Story: page 7. PHOTO: Marc Bongers

WHOROULY fourth-generation dairy farmer Rod Newton owes his milk supplier $400,000.

Murray Goulburn – the company which over-inflated the price it would pay for milk in the face of a contracting global dairy market – insists on clawing back from Mr Newton money it advanced to him in a market that everyone knew was falling.

Everyone – that is – except the co-operative’s board members.

Mr Newton milks about 600 cows at peak on his owned and leased 650-hectare dairy farm south east of Wangaratta.

He has supplied MG with 5.5 million litres of milk since last August after he decided, with his family, to change processors after supplying to Dairy Farmers since 1970.

“I changed to MG because I thought the industry needed a strong milk supplier like MG,

NEWS

Page 2, North East Farmer

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Email: nefarmer@nemedia.com.au Website: www.nemedia.com.au

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Published by Hartley Higgins for North East Media Pty Ltd, 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta 3677.

Responsibility for election comment is accepted by Editor Jeff Zeuschner.

Copyright: All advertising and editorial content of this issue is the copyright of North East Media edia Ptyy Ltd and an cannot be used without the company’s y’s permission.

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NEWS

June 2016

North East Farmer, Page 3

Stop delaying and axe the tax

BY JODIE FLEMING

jfleming@ nemedia.com.au

THE delayed introduction of the controversial backpacker tax has attracted widespread opposition from the agriculture industry as it provides no certainty to farmers’ that they will have a workforce to help them during the next harvest.

The Federal Government announced that any decision on its plan to tax working holiday visa holders as non-residents at 32.5 per cent would be reviewed after the election, with a final decision on whether to enforce it to be delayed until January 1, 2017.

During his recent tour around Victoria, Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister for Agriculture and Water Barnaby Joyce said that he “quite clearly” stated that the government would have the backpacker tax issue resolved before it came in and he has done “precisely that”.

“We have said the conditions that are in place now will continue until the first of January, so if you are intending on coming to Australia and it is in the middle of July then there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t come,” Mr Joyce said.

He added that the tax could not be “got rid of” because there are a whole range of issues that may require legislation which cannot be addressed until after the election as the government

Farming groups not happy with six-month delay on the implementation of backpacker tax is currently in a caretaker role.

“We aren’t going to get legislation through both houses of Parliament in a caretaker mode.

“We have made sure after hearing the concerns of so many people that we have, as we said we would, landed a position before the implementation of a new tax rate which would have happened on the first of July, now we have got that extension to the first of January.

“This will allow us time so we can work through an outcome that deals with this over the long term,” Mr Joyce said.

He added that he understood the concerns of those affected by the tax and that he will do something about it to reach an outcome.

“Now I am not going to start declaring what the end of the review is before I have even started it.

“If I take charge of this, and I will, we will land at an outcome that deals with concerns that are held by so many people, but I am not going to declare what those concerns are as that would be completely inappropriate because I haven’t talked to them all yet,” he said.

However, farming groups do not believe the issue has been resolved at all, just delayed until after the election, with both

sides of politics not making any clear commitment to abolishing the controversial tax.

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and its member organisations have been fighting hard on the issue with an online petition opposing the measure attracting almost 48,000 signatures.

While NFF president Brent Finlay said he welcomed the government’s acknowledgement that a better long-term agricultural workforce solution is needed, this would not address the short-term workforce crisis facing the farm sector now because of the backpacker tax.

“We have heard stories from farmers across the nation who have found themselves unable to move forward with basic farm management, facing much lower production levels than usual because of the impact this tax will have,” he said.

“A six month delay does not alleviate that concern, and for many means that the tax will now take effect half way through their busiest time of the year.

“Farmers across the country will be wondering how much area to put under crop, if already dwindling backpacker numbers drop off even further at that time,” Mr Finlay said.

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NEWS

Page 4, North East Farmer

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NORTH East and Goulburn dairy farmers have welcomed state and federal government assistance packages in the wake of the recent cuts to the farmgate milk price made by two of Australia’s largest dairy processors, Murray Goulburn (MG) and Fonterra.

But farm groups believe that allowing farmers to take on more debt is no answer to the industry’s problems.

On the back of the Victorian Government’s $11.4 million support package, the Federal Government announced it too would support the industry with a $555m package.

Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) welcomed the assistance.

ADF chief executive officer Ben Stapley said the package met many of the urgent needs of dairy farmers.

“We appreciate recognition that this shock is a combination of factors leading to what we call a market super down cycle, and that the fundamentals of our industry and the entire sector are strong,” he said.

Dairy farmers were not asking for a bail-out as the industry had backed itself and believed the long-term resolution rested with it.

But governments could help to bridge the resolution.

“Exceptional circumstance recovery grants would be a useful addition and we will continue to press for these,” Mr Stapley said.

THE KEY ELEMENTS OF THE DAIRY SUPPORT PACKAGE INCLUDE: $555 million in Dairy Recovery Concessional Loans. $2 million to establish a commodity milk price index. $900,000 for an additional nine Rural Financial Counsellors in Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales. $900,000 for Dairy Australia’s ‘Tactics for Tight Times’ program.

Fast tracking Farm Household Allowance applications with 18 more Department of Human Services employees processing claims.

Appointment of a Department of Human Services dairy industry liaison officer.

Redirection of two Department of Human Services mobile service centres to dairy regions.

“In the dry conditions affecting much of Australia’s dairy production zone, we will continue to press for the release of Commonwealth-owned environmental water, and to advocate for stronger competition policy with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to smooth out volatility and safeguard the future of our industry.

“Dairy farmers are not asking for a return to past days of a highly regulated market, and they are not asking for consumers to be punished with a tax as proposed by some on the fringe of our industry.

“With the right support and collaboration in our industry, with consumers and with governments, we can work through this and build a stronger future for the entire dairy sector,” he said.

Nationals’Victorian leader Peter Walsh said that while dairy farmers would appreciate the extra support for their industry, the next step

must include measures that bring immediate relief to hip pockets and “the cash flow crunch that’s hurting farm books”.

“We strongly encourage the Andrews Government to now work on direct relief measures, like rates rebates and waiver of charges like fixed water costs, which farmers have been raising with us,” Mr Walsh said.

“Dairy processors must also step up. Murray Goulburn and Fonterra have been missing in action.

“The processors still have a lot to answer for and they must also do their bit to make sure our dairy farmers get through the crisis.”

Australian processor National Dairy Products threw its hat into the ring offering its own opinion on how to fix the industry’s problems.

It released a statement that a milk levy should be reinstated immediately.

It said the levy should be col-

lected on every litre of milk sold until the Federal Government puts in place a national agricultural policy and a national water policy.

“Both sides of government have been lacking any introduction of national policies on two of our most important resources,” NDP said.

“We should not wait for a time of crisis to ask our government to act.

“The legislation is there. We’ve had a milk levy before.

“It will not affect any free trade agreements.

“It’s a simple re-enactment of existing legislation.”

The company said that all of Australia was affected by the dairy crisis and that only MG and Fonterra suppliers benefit from the government’s “band aid approach”.

NDP said the industry needed a national approach to a national crisis.

“Let’s expand this program to incorporate all of Australian dairy farmers, not just a select few,” it said.

“We don’t want a United Statesled solution where some $US20 billion in agricultural aid is provided annually. “(We need) a national, selffunding scheme that supports the farmer.

“The country doesn’t need more debt.”

During his visit to North East Victoria last month, Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Agriculture and Water Resources Minister Barnaby Joyce told North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer that the Continued page 5

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NEWS

June 2016

North East Farmer, Page 5

answer for dairy farmers „ From page 4

Federal Government was providing concessional loans and ensuring farmers had access to rural ďŹ nancial counsellors. “We have been in contact with both the retailers and with the dairy producers and with the NFF (National Farmers’ Federation) on this issue,â€?

Minister Joyce said. “We have already made sure that the farm household allowance, which for a mum and dad on the farm will get them about $1000 a fortnight, is in place. “We have made the regulatory changes so they get access as this keeps the wolves from the door and the groceries paid for. “The matter has been referred to the ACCC so that if there has been any maleďŹ cence in this it is properly investigated through that purpose and as part of the agricultural white paper.â€?

Mr Joyce said he would be meeting with dairy farmers across the state while he was on the election campaign trail to hear from them directly as a stronger examination of the wider industry was needed. “In my discussions with the dairy industry it is quite clear that one of the mitigating factors in this has been the growth in dairy exports into eastAsia, so in very recent times there has been a cooling in that trajectory which is something we have to manage like everything else, but the real problems in this is really sourced around Europe and especially Russia and the issue pertaining to that,� he said. “My strong belief is that the long-

DAIRY DILEMMA: The real issue dairy farmers’ face is the high price of temporary water and the trading rules.

term trajectory of dairy consumption globally is up and these things will come into play, they will pass through and we will be back with a strong footing. “Dairy does have a strong future. “We have a problem at the moment and in all agricultural sectors you have things that are going very well, record price in cattle, record price in meat sheep, record price in chickpeas, turn around in the bulk wine sales and then you have other problems you have to manage.�

Fourth generation dairy farmer Nathan Shannon – who runs 1000 acres at Naring and milks 650 cows daily – has been supplying milk to Murray Goulburn for 15 years.

He said he was “frustrated and disappointed� with the current price crisis. Mr Shannon said that every farmer would have known that the milk price was never going to be

able to hold at what MG was paying based on the world price “unless they weren’t paying attention�.

He was disappointed with the MG board – most of whom were dairy farmers themselves.

He said the directors did not tell anyone of the full risks they were taking to build the company’s business. “I fully bought into the whole value-add that (MG former chief executive) Gary Helou talked about and wanting to improve the efďŹ ciencies in the factory and to make better products for the world market,â€? Mr Shannon said. “MG is internationally known and other countries want to buy off a big company like MG, so (Helou) wanted to take a risk with a particular product and if it had of paid off it would have been great because we may have received 60 to 80 cents more per kilo. “If you want to grow your business then you can’t keep doing the same thing over and over and expect a different result, so I was happy for MG to change things up and take a bit of a risk to get better returns for all of us in the long run. “But we weren’t told of the full risk of what really needed to happen to grow the business exponentially . “It really isn’t good enough to claim ignorance when you signed the bit of paper to undertake the job. “That is just negligent.â€?

Mr Shannon also said that the directors clearly had not asked the questions they should have been putting, or checking on what Mr Helou was telling them. “No CEO leaves like that and is

out of the building the same day, so something is not quite right,� the farmer said. “The board is saying that they were asking questions but they were not given the full picture by Mr Helou. “But who do you trust? Who do you believe?�

Mr Shannon said that despite the price cut there isn’t much he would have done differently in terms of investment on his farm even if he knew that he wouldn’t be receiving the full $6 per kilogram of milk solids he was promised by MG. “I really wouldn’t have done much different on the farm,� he said. “I still would have irrigated, still would have used the same water, sown the same pasture and I actually didn’t need to buy carryover water. “I sold off 35 cows the day after they announced the price cut as that is really the only change to what I am doing that I can control. “I wanted to keep my young stock and the cows I did sell would have been sold in spring anyway, so I just sold them three or four months earlier. “Of course this has an impact, but I could see it was going to happen and so you run your business knowing that and try and limit your exposure as much as you can because being a fourth generation farmer I am inherently conservative anyway, so we minimise our exposure to big risks.�

The real issue that dairy farmers faced, according to Mr Shannon, is the uctuating price of temporary water and water trading rules. “If I have no water and have to buy it, I can’t afford it,â€? he said.

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NEWS

Page 6, North East Farmer

June 2016

Water, innovation and trade get the cash in federal budget THE 2016-2017 federal budget has included a number of measures for the agriculture industry, particularly relating to water and drought, infrastructure, innovation and trade, however the backpacker tax is still causing headaches for those in the horticulture sector.

The $2 billion toward concessional loans to establish the National Water Infrastructure Loan Facility was welcomed by the agricultural industry.

Loan recipients will make interest only payments for the ďŹ rst ďŹ ve years and have a further 10 years to repay the principal and additional interest.

Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) president Peter Tuohey praised the government’s commitment to encouraging water infrastructure projects which will improve the water security and boost agricultural opportunities in Victoria as well as giving “full credit� to delivering the much-needed infrastructure projects. “The VFF has campaigned for decades for freight rail upgrades as we are pleased to see this commitment locked into budget papers,� he said. “We welcome the government’s commitment to as-

sisting state governments in commencing investment in these projects.�

Free ďŹ nancial advice will be available to farmers in drought affected areas thanks to the $7.1 million to fund additional Rural Financial Counsellors.

Up to $593.7 million in additional equity to the Australian Rail Track Corporation for land acquisition and pre-construction works has been provided to the inland rail project.

The Australian Grape and Wine Authority has been given $50 million to promote wine tourism and Australian wine overseas and a reduction in the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) rebate cap from $500,000 to $350,000 has also been a win for those in the wine industry.

A two-year pilot program to improve access for farmers to training and information about co-operatives collective bargaining and innovate business models has also been provided.

An extra $2 million annually from changes to agricultural levies has been given including a mandatory levy of 50 cents per tonne on all hay and straw prepared for export (replacing a voluntary levy), an increase in the Emergency Plant Test

INCREASED LEVIES: An extra $2 million from changes to agricultural levies has been allocated in the budget including a mandatory levy of 50 cents per tonne on all hay and straw prepared for export.

Response Levy for growth of private plantation logs and in increase in the citrus levy by $1.50 per tonne.

However, there is widespread disappointment over the government’s failure to address the destructive backpacker tax and no additional funding to rid rural areas of telecommunications issues. “We have campaigned for more funding to go towards the Federal Government’s Mobile

Black Spot Program, but we have been left frustrated by their failure to acknowledge the needs of rural constituents,�

Mr Tuohey said. “The feedback we received clearly showed people in rural areas face grossly inadequate mobile and broadband access compared to their metropolitan counterparts.�

The government’s plan to tax working holiday makers as non-residents at 32.5 per cent

also drew criticism because of the importance to the Australian economy. “Each year we see around 40,000 backpackers come to Australia, many of whom work on our farms, and while they’re here they contribute about $3.5 billion to the Australian economy,� Mr Tuohey said. “We can’t afford to lose that labour or that revenue and we need a realistic solution to tackle the problem.�

He added that both issues will be hot topics for the upcoming Federal election.

According to the Cattle Council of Australia (CCA), the value that beef producers bring to the economy has not been recognised with the beef industry missing out in terms of infrastructure, however beef businesses will beneďŹ t from the 2.5 per cent reduction in the tax rate for small businesses.

CCA chief executive ofďŹ cer Jed Matz said that jobs and growth “did not appear to be as relevantâ€? in the rural industries. “The budget seems to have little in it for agriculture but even less focus directly on the beef industry,â€? he said. “This is disappointing as investing in the beef industry

is vital to building the agricultural boom to keep Australia’s economy moving forward as the mining industry falls away.�

While Mr Matz said the additional funding of $15.9 million to develop an advanced analytics capability aimed at better targeting the government’s biosecurity efforts has been welcomed, he said there was further clariďŹ cation needed on what the investment really means due to the lack of detail provided.

He added that beef had missed out on the infrastructure front with producers crying out for greater connectivity. “We are disappointed to see no additional allocations to mobile black spot programmes. “Further, while improved market access has been delivered in recent years, there is still much work to be done, especially on technical trade barriers. “Australian beef producers are turning more and more to export markets to remain viable and access is vital. “It is unfortunate the government has failed to recognise the value behind these initiatives in this year’s budget,� Mr Matz said.

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June 2016

Whorouly farmer questions dairy processor’s decisions

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to be able to articulate where we all stand and put steps in place to move forward,â€? he said. “If the board is found to be negligent – and included in that would be the information they provided in their Public Disclosure Statement – I would think every contract would now be null and void as people signed up on the basis of the information in that document. “If that is awed, then how can it be enforced? “The board now has no respect in this industry and you cannot trust what they are saying or telling us,â€?

Mr Newton said.

Whether Mr Newton will continue to supply to MG after his contract is ďŹ nished is a question he cannot answer but he certainly has a message he wants to send to the board. “I have a question for any direc-

tors that may read this,� he said. “How can you look at yourself in the mirror and be part of the board and not step back and get some new blood in there that can move forward and who will be more open and honest for the future? “These people have been in charge of a corrupt mess and allowed themselves to be bullied into decisions and not done anything about it or stood up for the farmers. “At least resign and let a fresh lot of eyes come in and look at it. “There have been no checks and balances and they gambled with our money. “The industry needs a strong MG as they are the price setters, but we need the board to be strong and not run by yes men but by people who are realists.�

According to Mr Newton the recently announced federal dairy

assistance package needs a lot more explanation and he encourages everyone who has been affected by the price cuts to “keep talking to friends and have them help you take your mind off it for a little while�. “You know, what I really don’t understand is that if MG were going through a rough patch they could have told us instead of pretending everything was okay,� he said. “But instead, they put money into this infrastructure program where there is no guarantee, particularly in this environment where they should have pulled their heads in like farmers now have to.�

Mr Newton said “those people in charge just kept steering their course without questioning it.�

He now wears the cost.

What Murray Goulburn told farmers ‘The Board and management acknowledges the immense impact of (the April 2016) announcements.

We are all disappointed by what has recently transpired and we know that it is unacceptable to our suppliers.

We understand how this effects your farm businesses particularly the lateness of the

changes when many of you have already been dealing with poor seasonal conditions.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to extend my thanks to suppliers for the way you have engaged with us in a constructive manner despite your understandable disappointment.’ Philip Tracy Chairman

Wangaratta

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It was, according to Mr Newton’s ďŹ nancial advisers, “a good investmentâ€?.

From July last year, it is alleged that company reports given to MG senior managers demonstrated that milk was suffering big losses every week, but farmers were still being paid the $6 per kg that MG promised they could easily pay for 12 months.

The company is now demanding the money back over three years – with interest.

Mr Newton describes the news of the milk price cut as “massive and gut wrenching�. “We are a fairly established and reasonable-sized farm,� he said. “Some land for sale recently came up so we bought a couple of properties which put our business at risk, but we needed to expand. “So the decision to not only cut the milk price but that fact they want the money back cost us $330,000 overnight. “The worst will be next year, trying to survive and then still having two more years of lower milk prices and still having two years and three months of a contract I have to honour with (MG). “We have no choice but to pay the money back because we are under contract with them.�

Mr Newton is adamant that those farmers supplying milk to MG have to question the board about what went wrong and in turn, those board members need to provide an answer as to what they are going to do to change the way they will conduct themselves in the future. “Simply saying they didn’t know and that they are very sorry just doesn’t cut it,â€? Mr Newton said. “If they didn’t know what was going on they are incompetent. “Every other dairy company in the world predicted lower prices, so what are they hiding and what are they going to do to ďŹ x it to streamline the business just like every farmer has had to do while they push all the debt back onto us.â€?

While Mr Newton does not think that a class action is the answer to making the board members accountable for their decisions, he is interested in what the outcome of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) inquiry might be. “What we need now is someone

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Page 8, North East Farmer

June 2016

Farmers need to make a decision on the best way to secure water to remain viable AS we close on a year of below-average rainfall and temporary water in excess of $240 per megalitre (ML) plus on farm delivery charges, every farmer should spend time to analyse the return on money invested in water.

With dairy prices reduced, farmers need to try and have more control on the inputs, for example weighing up Goulburn Murray Irrigation

By BRUCE DIFFEY Waterwheel Traders District (GMID) water versus bore water if available versus direct diverter from rivers, or dam construction and winterďŹ ll.

In May this year I was involved with the transfer of 110ML for a winterďŹ ll dam.

The site was moved down stream but the delay on construction approval jeopardised the completion.

The North East Catchment Management Authority was slow to approve the amended site move and did not prioritise the new amended site.

It is a concern that there are

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The over-generous carryover is leading to more and more forward water being delivered up to August 2016.

Because this water is signed at more than $250 for NSW and Victoria, it creates a oor price for the August 2016 temporary market.

Even with average rainfall for winter, very low allocation for general security in the NSW Murray and GMID for July/ August will be issued, bringing me back to the issue of inputs and choices.

Bore construction for deep lead water is expensive, but more and more I am seeing people make the commitment as the capital costs spread over five years

and are offset by no delivery charges and control of when you irrigate, often with no reduction or allocation restrictions to you.

The key is the quality and risk of ďŹ nding quantity.

Better information is becoming available from GMW hydrology and the OfďŹ ce of Water NSW. Farmers need to do research on the return on capital invested and make a decision on how to secure water for their business.

Syndicated river diversions are another option that may be available.

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limited times for construction of dams and if delays occur with the likes of Goulburn Murray Water (GMW), the local shire, or catchment management authority, a full year may be lost.

The process is lengthy and needs to be streamlined, for the works are dictated by seasonal conditions, not by legislation for response times.

Slowly, conďŹ dence is returning to the North East of Victoria with approximately six irrigation dams set to be constructed in summer 2016-17.

The use for irrigation is for fat lamb, hazelnuts, walnuts, and lucerne.

I have written about carryover and spill rules for Victoria.

GOULBURN Valley farmers have an opportunity to get involved in a waste and recycling infrastructure planning process now underway.

The draft Goulburn Valley Waste and Resource Recovery Implementation Plan has identified the region as having the largest number of organics reprocessors in the state, with the opportunity

to also recycle farm wastes such as film plastics.

The draft plan will guide waste and resource recovery infrastructure planning over the next 10 years. Goulburn Valley Waste and Resource Recovery Group executive officer Nick Nagle said the region produces about 25 per cent of the value of Victoria’s agricultural production from large areas of irrigated dairy

farming, vegetable production and broadacre cropping. “These levels of food production obviously produce organics which present opportunities for innovative technologies such as energy from waste. “We’d really like to hear from farmers on these topics,� he said.

For more information visit www.gvwrrg.vic.gov.au.

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June 2016

North East Farmer, Page 9

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CHARMING CHAROLAIS: The feature breed at this year’s Royal Melbourne Show Beef Cattle Competition is the Charolais.

“The Royal Melbourne Show Dairy Youth Handlers Classic provides an unmatched opportunity for diary participants to develop their knowledge and skills, showcase their talents to a large number of show attendees and receive advice and guidance from some the industry’s best leaders,” he said.

Entries close on Friday, July 29 and can be completed online at www.rasv.com.au.

The Royal Melbourne Show Beef Cattle Competition offers the participants the opportunity to benchmark their livestock, receive invaluable feedback from some of the industry’s most well-respected judges and be exposed to hundreds of

thousands of show attendees.

Judging will take place over the five days of the show – Thursday, September 22 to Monday, September 26 with some of the country’s most prestigious prizes and trophies to be won, culminating in the presentation of the RASV Interbreed Supreme Beef Breed Exhibit.

“The beef cattle industry is a significant contributor to the state’s economy and RASV is focused on showcasing producers and their animals and highlighting the high-quality production of beef in this country,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

Entries for the Beef Carcase and Beef Cattle competitions close on Friday, July 22 and Friday, July 29, respectively.

VFF calls for executive nominations THE Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is calling for nominations for people interested in representing the lobby group.

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Nominations close on June 10, with elections taking place

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VFF chief executive officer Graeme Ford said the opportunity is available for agriculture professionals to come forward and keep the focus on the needs of rural and regional communities. For more information visit www.vff.org.au.

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ENTRIES are now open for the 2016 Royal Melbourne Show Dairy Competition to be held on Thursday, September 22 with more than $20,000 in prizes up for grabs.

Entries are also open for the Royal Melbourne Show Beef Cattle Competition, with Charolais to be this year’s feature breed.

The dairy competition, which is conducted by The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) consists of the All Breeds Elite Dairy Heifer Show and the Dairy Youth Handlers Classic.

The All Breeds Elite Dairy Heifer Show is open to exhibitors aged eight years old and over and will showcase heifers to the age of 24 months as the centrepiece of the event, awarding eight classes and prizes for Junior Champion Heifer, Senior Champion Heifer, culminating in the awarding of Supreme Champion Heifer.

Following on from the All Breeds is the Dairy Youth Handlers Classic where handlers aged between eight to 21 years of age will compete for the elite title of Supreme Parader.

The Dairy Youth Handlers Classic recognises the best industry participants across six classes culminating in awards for Junior Champion Parader, Senior Champion Parader and Supreme Parader.

With $5000 prize money on offer, along with the opportunity to receive invaluable feedback from expert judges and directly connect with industry peers, RASV chief executive officer Mark O’Sullivan said the Dairy Youth Handlers Classic is a must for young industry participants.

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Page 10, North East Farmer

NEWS

June 2016

Stop delaying and axe the tax From page 3

He added that an immediate, permanent solution which encourages working holiday makers to travel to Australia and find employment in rural areas must be delivered as a matter of priority.

“The last thing we want is to be in the same situation in six months’time, with no workable solution.

“If the government is serious about jobs and growth and is really listening to the farm sector, they will deliver a fairer tax rate for backpackers so that farmers have a fighting chance of finding the workers they need, not just next year, but this year as well,” Mr Finlay said.

The Australian Labor Party said it would abolish the backpacker tax if it wins the upcoming Federal election with Shadow Minister for Agriculture Joel Fitzgibbon stating that

it would “kill this tax and kill it quickly”.

However, farmers are confused over Labor’s plans should it win the federal election as the opposition continues to criticise the Coalition’s 32.5 per cent tax without offering a solution of its own.

Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) horticulture vice president Emma Germano said it was unacceptable that both parties did not year have a clear position.

“This is a critical issue for people living in rural areas, and it doesn’t inspire confidence that so close to the election neither side has made a clear commitment to scrap the tax,” she said.

“We can’t sit around until after the election before we get a clear signal from either side that there won’t be a backpacker tax, because one of them will be in government.

“All sides need to step up and

commit to scrapping the tax as an election priority.

“The Coalition wants to review the tax and Labor doesn’t know what to do, so what are we supposed to do while they struggle to get their act together?

“Delaying a decision on the tax will be devastating for farmers who will be harvesting their crops in the New Year, which is when we’ll most need the support of backpacker labour,” Ms Germano said.

She added that the tax was a threat to both the agriculture and tourism industries, with more than 40,000 visa holders working in the agriculture industry each year and contributing around $3.5 billion to the Australian economy.

“Working holiday makers are a valuable source of short-term labour for producers and they bring billions in revenue to our national economy.

“The lack of certainty around

the tax means that we don’t know how to prepare for this year’s season and backpackers won’t visit here, which will be devastating for two vital industries,” Ms Germano said.

Beechworth Vignerons president Simon Grant, who represents all of the vineyards in Beechworth said the simple answer to the backpacker tax is to “axe it”.

“Virtually all vineyards in Beechworth are handpicked and securing labour at the appropriate time is very difficult and ultimately groups of backpackers end up being employed,” he said.

“If you remove backpacker labour in the marketplace by taxing them out of existence, the shortages could reach crisis point.

“The reality of the situation is that it is difficult to get labour hire at short notice and grape picking is often at short notice.

“There isn’t enough people looking for work and if we have these tourists coming through keen to work and doing it at the right price and providing the right quality of labour, why make it impossible for them?”

Mr Grant said.

AUSVEG deputy chief executive officer Andrew White also expressed his disappointment at the Federal Government’s “lack of action” to eliminate the tax.

“Australian vegetable growers rely on backpackers to offset domestic labour shortages and perform the high amounts of manual labour needed in vegetable production,” he said.

“Whether the tax is introduced at the currently proposed level now or in six months, the effect will be the same – it will threaten the availability of this vital labour source and leave growers unable to get crops off the field.

“We hope the Federal Government’s review delivers a sensible solution to this issue which acknowledges the unique needs of the Australian vegetable industry and will continue to enable Australian growers to access this important source of labour,” Mr White said.

Statistics from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection show that the number of backpackers coming to Australia has dropped repeatedly over the past two years, with more than 34,000 fewer visas granted in 2014/2015 than in 2012/2013.

“The ongoing decline in backpackers visiting Australia must be arrested if the Australian vegetable industry is to remain viable, and any further decrease in the number of backpackers visiting Australia could have a crippling impact on the Australian vegetable industry,” Mr White said.

Handy $50 million injected into wine industry growth and recovery plan THE wine industry has received a major injection of funds as part of the Federal Government’s budget to grow demand and accelerate recovery of the nation’s grape and wine industry.

The investment of $50 million over forward estimates was welcomed by the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia and

Wine Grape Growers Australia with the federation’s president Tony D’Aloisio “pleased” that the government listened and responded to the industry’s recovery strategy by making changes to the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) rebate.

However, he also highlighted that just as important for the industry as the injection of funds

was the need to tighten the WET rebate eligibility criteria.

“The industry sees removing the claims for bulk and unbranded wine as important drivers to industry’s restructure and we believe these changes need to happen now rather than later to assist in returning the industry to profitability,” Mr D’Aloisio said.

The Federal Government has not accepted that the rebate cap remain unchanged, proposing a progressive reduction of $350,000 and then $290,000 from July 1, 2019.

The Federation believes this reduction will have an economic impact of removing some $300 million over the forward estimates for businesses

with significant investment in regional Australia and it does not believe it is clear how the proposed reduction in the cap will aid the industry in its recovery after years of declining profits.

“With a more favourable exchange-rate environment and the benefit of Free Trade Agreements with our major

trading partners in Asia, the investment of $50 million over the forward estimates to grow markets could have a significant impact on demand,” Mr D’Aloisio said.

“However, significant questions remain over reducing the rebate cap and the delay in removing eligibility for bulk and unbranded wine.”

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1 2 3

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A D V E R T I S E M E N T

NEWS

Page 12, North East Farmer

June 2016

Applications for 1XI¿ HOG 6FKRODUVKLSV QRZ RSHQ APPLICATIONS are now open for the Nuffield Australia Farming Scholarships for 2017, with a record number of 30 scholarships on offer.

Nuffield Australia chief executive officer Jim Geltch said the large number of scholarships is a clear sign of the importance of the program in Australian agriculture.

“Nuffield is the leading program for primary producers in Australia, identifying new leaders in industry and the community, and continuing to drive excellence in our agricultural industry,” he said.

“In these times of global communities it provides a global network of over 1600 scholars from many other countries, as well as the support of industry groups and contemporaries across all sectors of agriculture.

“Even more than that is the lifelong friendships which are made between scholars all over the world, an aspect which is consistently voted as a massive highlight of a scholarship,” Mr Geltch said.

Nuffield Australia provides opportunities to Australian primary producers and managers to travel the globe investigating a research topic important to them and Australian agriculture.

Scholars are provided with a $30,000 bursary to embark on a 16-week program consisting of

both group and individual travel over a two-year period.

Successful scholars take part in the annual Nuffield Contemporary Scholars Conference as well as one of six Global Focus Programs featuring a six-week intensive itinerary of international travel with fellow scholars to look at international trade, marketing and environmental issues.

“The Nuffield Australia National Conference features a unique mix of returning scholar presentations featuring cutting edge research outcomes, highly regarded national and international speakers covering hot industry topics and a wide range of networking functions,” Mr Geltch said.

“Most significantly though is perhaps the opportunity to select an individual study program through countries of the scholars’ own choice, tracking down innovation and ideas to inform their own business, industry and communities.

“I strongly urge anyone who may have ever considered the need for better understanding of global agriculture, or a desire to gain more research into an industry issue to consider applying,” he said.

Applications close Thursday, June 30, 2016.

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

ACCELERATE AGRICULTURE: The NFF has highlighted a number of policy reforms needed to assist the ag sector.

NFF outlines measures needed to stimulate ag industry ACCORDING to the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) the backpacker tax is only one of the important issues requiring commitment from policy makers as the group launches its ‘Accelerate Agriculture’ federal election 2016 campaign.

Highlighting Australia’s agricultural workforce needs as part of the campaign, the NFF has identified a number of key policy reform opportunities to boost the agricultural industry’s competitiveness.

NFF president Brent Finlay said some other important

issues included adopting the recent recommendations of the Productivity Commission’s Review of the Workplace Relations Framework, including putting an end to the fouryearly modern award review, a revised modern awards objective that accommodates individual sector needs, new incentives to encourage enterprise bargaining in agriculture and changes to protected industrial action rules.

Other key measures include ensuring no new penalty rates are introduced into agricultural sector awards, introducing a

new dedicated visa stream for regional agricultural work and promoting awareness of the seasonal worker program and establishing an administration fund for the program to help encourage greater uptake.

“Each of these are common sense measures that can be easily implemented to truly help stimulate jobs and growth across what is Australia’s second largest export sector and a key contributor to the national economy,” Mr Finlay said.

“Agriculture is already contributing significantly to the nation but has enormous

potential to substantially increase this input and be our next $100 billion industry…we cannot emphasise this enough.

“We call on our political candidates to commit to playing their role in allowing the industry to thrive by supporting policy that will lead to exceptional results.

“But we are also more broadly looking to the next government to put in place sensible and sustainable workforce policies that support industry consolidation and growth over the next decade,” he said.

HOW CLEAN IS YOUR DAIRY / MACHINERY SHED? Here at ‘Benlowan’ we like to run as clean and efficient dairy as possible. We decided to have HiLowash Pty Ltd come in and do a clean as the yards were slippery, the rails had muck build up and the feed bins had also become pretty grotty. Even with our daily wash downs.

Rod Halsted & his team from HiLowash came in with his state-of-the-art hot water pressure washer.

We were (& still are) amazed at the meticulous and efficient job they did. They left the concrete floors spotless and safe from slippage and the feed bins were not just pressure washed but vacuumed out of all moisture & residue.

We are happy to endorse Rod & HiLowash to anyone in the dairy industry who is looking for a cost effective way of keeping your workplace clean & safe.

Jon & Kate McAlister - Benlowan

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Page 14, North East Farmer

NEWS

June 2016

Young farmer wants to be the boss one day

VFF launches water survey to ascertain the cost of shortages THE Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has launched a major survey to determine the impact and cost of stock water shortages across the state.

According to VFF stock and domestic water taskforce chair Peter Delahunty stock water shortages are costing Victoria’s farmers and rural communities “dearly”.

“Whether it is caused by long-term climate change or not, rainfall runoff has been in decline since the early 1990s,” he said.

“Water shortages are becoming more frequent, putting the productivity of many farms and regions at risk.

“Less water means less sheep and cattle, means less revenue flowing into towns, fewer processing jobs and less regional growth,” Mr Delahunty said.

The farmer lobby group is calling on all farmers to fill in its Stock and Domestic Water Survey to help measure their water access, security and impact of supply.

The VFF will use the combined results to add further weight to its argument that governments, state and federal, must make further investments in securing stock and domestic water supplies.

The survey, which takes 15 to 20 minutes to complete online, requires respondents to fill in their name, locality and postcode, so the VFF can identify regions of need against areas with greater water security.

“The survey feedback will help us understand the value that pipelines, waterway diversions, bores or other relatively secure supplies have delivered.

“These investments are crucial to protecting and growing Victoria’s agricultural productivity,” Mr Delahunty said.

To access the survey visit www. surveymonkey.com/r/vffstockwater.

Give our readers a quick snapshot of your farm in Kyabram.

Our farm is situated in the Kyabram and surrounding areas and consists of 950 acres we own and 1110 acres we lease.

We milk 850 cows and produce wheat and vetch silage and lucerne, barley and corn for feeding the herd in a freestall barn.

FARMER TO FARMER Jessica Newnham

Best advice or farming tip you have received?

Do one task at a time and “Dad’s always right.”

Describe your perfect day?

It is 20 to 22 degrees, no flies; cows walk onto a lush annual ryegrass paddock and overflow the vat that night.

How long have you been a farmer?

I’ve farmed since I was two years old and helped run our farming enterprise with my Dad and Mum. We are fifth generation farmers.

What is the best thing about being a farmer?

The freedom of different opportunities to experience every day.

What is the worst thing about being a farmer?

Drought.

Tell us about your family.

My family is made up of my Dad, Andrew, my Mum, Julie and my 14 year-old sister, Chloe.

I have my Nan and Pop, Julie and Stan, and Aunt Kerrie and Uncle Rohan all close by who help out in some way on the farm.

If you could be someone else for the day, who would it be and why?

My Dad, so I can boss everyone else around.

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NEWS

June 2016

North East Farmer, Page 15

Farmers able to access solar power without outlaying for a system looks after it.

According to Origin solar and emerging business general manager Phil Mackey the option is ideal for companies with unshaded roof space and who plan to be in their premises for the long term and operate during the day. “We know from customers that being more environmentally friendly is of concern, especially those who use a lot of energy or operate on a 24/7 basis,� he said. “So offering Solar as a Service is enabling companies to cross two things off their list: saving

energy bill costs and doing their bit for the environment.�

Businesses can also ensure that they keep the same rate for up to 15 years, protecting them against any future electricity price hikes, or they can choose a CPI indexed rate.

The amount each business can save will depend on their daytime energy needs, roof space, the size of the system installed and the length of their Solar as a Service agreement.

For more information visit www.youtube.com/watch?v =W41knxcMXkA&featureyoutube.

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ENERGY provider Origin has launched a new service allowing farmers and business owners to access solar power at a low rate during the day without capital expenditure in a solar system. ‘Solar as a Service’ allows businesses to save money on their energy bills by providing them access to low-cost solar energy at a lower price than they would be paying for their grid energy.

The business also does not have to pay for the system or pay for ongoing maintenance as Origin owns the system and

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Beware of livestock on roads have stock on roads or road reserves. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Designate stock routes, municipal roads or declared arterial roads and freeways have differing requirements for managing safe stock access,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is a guide available on the VicRoads website called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Manual for traffic control at stock crossingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; which contains a short checklist that can be used to determine if a permit is required, and includes graphics that show

approved layouts for high-use and low-use stock crossings. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It also details the appropriate type and/or size for flashing lights and signage to be used at the stock crossing sites,â&#x20AC;? Mr Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Keefe said.

All motorists travelling on country roads needs to be on the lookout for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Stopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Give Way to Stockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; signs that are displayed by farmers when they have stock on roads.

For more information visit www.vic.roads.vic.gov.au.

JORDAN LEWIS

T/12D12481-V2/15-15

AGRICULTURE Victoria is urging road users to be vigilant when travelling on roads that are regularly used for grazing or moving stock to ensure the safety of the public, stock and stock handlers.

Agriculture Victoria dairy extension officer Mick Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Keefe said municipal councils and state road authorities administer guidelines for farmers, drovers and other people who may require a permit, or who are exempt by a local law to need a permit to

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END OF FINANCIAL YEAR SPECIALS

Page 16, North East Farmer

AUTO RELEASE LAMB MARKING CRADLE

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Now with optional wide cradles FEATURES: Â&#x2021; $XWRPDWLF UHOHDVH RI ODPEV Â&#x2021; (DV\ ORDGLQJ Â&#x2021; :LGH FUDGOH RSWLRQ BENEFITS: Â&#x2021; /DERXU VDYLQJ Â&#x2021; )DU OHVV GDPDJH WR MRLQWV Â&#x2021; /DPEV KHOG FDOPO\

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easy pedal-shifting operation for smoother performance and improved control, regardless of load size. * The cruise control lever is conveniently located on the left side of the operatorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seat for easier access. * To reduce fatigue the L4600 features smooth, easy turn, hydrostatic power steering.

Add Kubotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s powerful front end loader and backhoe, and you have one of the best-rounded mid-sized tractors available.

Kubota LA714 front loader with the 4in1 bucket, improves lifting power and height as well as offering exceptional durability.

* Kubotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s E-TVCS diesel engine generates 46 horsepower to tackle the toughest jobs. Built to last, this powerful workhorse delivers dynamic output and high WRUTXH ZKLOH VLJQLĂ&#x20AC;FDQWO\ reducing vibration and noise with a built-in balancer.

Single-lever joystick provides easier operation.

A regenerative dump circuit allows for fast bucket dumping, and the series circuit provides simultaneous operation of the boom and bucket.

* Kubotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Feather-Step HST features a hydraulic servo system that increases pedal responsiveness, providing

The valve stays with the tractor when the loader is detached, so that the valve can be used for other implement operations.

Page 18, North East Farmer NORTH EAST AND GOULBURN MURRAY

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END OF FINANCIAL YEAR SPECIALS

Quality Log Splitters Tas providing the highest standards in wood chopping CANADIAN wood chopping masters, Split-Fire is well known for offering the safest and most productive wood splitters on the market, with Hobart-based Quality Log Splitters Tas being the sole agents in Australia that are proud to sell what they describe as the highest standards in wood chopping equipment.

Quality Log Splitters Tas manager Philip de la Motte said the company has ďŹ ve different tractor models and ďŹ ve portable models on offer, demonstrating itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diverse and versatile range that covers â&#x20AC;&#x153;every possible need and land useâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the Split-Fireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique dual action, splitting on the forward and reverse strokes, effectively doubling splitter efďŹ ciency, waiting for that return stroke is a thing of the past,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Triangular-shaped end stops are another unique feature, allowing logs to hinge around the stop during splitting, using less force. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tractor models attach easily to three-point linkages, and standard quick connect hose ďŹ ttings allow for rapid connection tractor hydraulics requiring as little as 15 litres per minute oil ďŹ&#x201A;ow to operate,â&#x20AC;? Mr de la Motte said.

He added that there are models that will suit garden tractors right through to the largest farm tractors.

The portable models use Honda, Subaru or Kohler motors and have matched two-stage hydraulic

EASY SPLITTING: All splitters, whether tractor or portable, are backed with a 12-month warranty and have the option of being fitted with a hydraulic log lifter.

pumps with inline ďŹ lters.

Large, solid tables are ďŹ tted to both sides of the splitters, giving room for pieces to be stacked ready to be split again. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All splitters, whether tractor or portable, are backed with a 12-month warranty and have the option of being ďŹ tted with a hydraulic log lifter, enabling up to 250kg of logs to be lifted to the level of the splitter bed, so there is no manual lifting or grubbing around bent over at ground level as one needs to with

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chine hours,â&#x20AC;? Mr de la Motte added.

Quality Log Splitters Tas will be at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sheepvention in Hamilton on August 1 and 2 and at the Elmore Field Days, site 734 on October 4, 5 and 6.

Yo u c a n l i ke t h e c o m pany at www.facebook.com/ pages/Quality-Log-SplittersTas/697470190285817?ref=hl and see the Split-fire splitters working at www.youtube.com/ channel/UCysq7tO8dAHPkCQwN7uDTBQ.

Modern farming needs new tax system GRAINGROWERS is calling for a modernisation of the tax system that can keep pace with the operating environment of the contemporary Australian farm business.

GrainGrowers chief executive officer Alicia Garden

said that to remain viable many farmers require greater scale in their operations which then makes them no longer defined as small businesses.

Ms Garden said she was calling on the government to expand Farm Management Deposit eligibility to

companies and trusts, to exempt farmers from the luxury car tax which includes vehicles required to undertake farm work and to exclude captial gains tax liability for farmers wanting to pass the family farm on to the next generation.

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a vertical/horizontal splitter,â&#x20AC;? Mr de la Motte said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This allows the operator to stand upright in a fatigue-free position and eliminates back and arm strain.â&#x20AC;?

The log lifter can also be used as a handy, feed-in table, with smaller logs stacked on in advance, allowing the splitter to run continuously. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One Split-Fire renter group recently split 50 tonnes of ďŹ rewood in a weekend with our portable model 4490, putting in just over 16 ma-

Page 20, North East Farmer

END OF FINANCIAL YEAR SPECIALS

June 2016

HiLowash keeping your farm business squeaky clean AFTER working as a horticulturalist and landscaper in Melbourne for many years, Rod Halsted decided he wanted to get out of the office and find himself a one-man business that was both unique and lucrative.

“I left Melbourne and moved to Albury and I noticed that there were a lot of tiled roofs covered in moss, so then I looked around a bit more and noticed that there were a lot of dirty building around,” Mr Halsted said.

“One day I was out and about and saw this bloke pressure cleaning his drive way and the type of pressure washer he was using…well it was going to take him hours to do the job.

“So this got me thinking about if you can use a machine to do a job instead of physical labour then you should, so I went to checkout Spitwater pressure cleaners and decided I could do this type of work with good machinery.”

Three years later, Mr Halsted is now a very busy man running his HiLowash pressure cleaning business where he cleans everything from moss off roofs to silos, farming

HARD WORKER: HiLowash owner Rod Halsted will travel all over North East Victoria to keep businesses clean.

machinery, dairies, concrete, bitumen, factories and virtually anything else that needs a good industrial clean.

“I had a dairy farmer call me in to clean their dairy and they were so happy they got me in a second time, which is great.

“But it’s not just dairy farms I clean, I can clean silos, ma-

chinery, I do work for the Wodonga Council and regularly clean the pavement outside The Cube, I clean inside the tanks and clarifiers for North East Water and I’m even travelling to Sydney to clean the Darrel Lea chocolate factory for a second time.

“Even if there is no access

to water, I have 40 minutes of water I can use and we can get in a water tanker and hook it up to the machinery and do a full day’s work,” he said.

HiLowash has grown and grown since its humble beginnings when Mr Halsted outlay $1700 for a ute and $600 for his first pressure washer.

Today the company has $130,000 worth of equipment, “money in the bank” and has expanded into all areas of pressure washing.

“I am a big believer in that if you get up early and work a long day you will have a successful business,” Mr Halsted said.

“Also advertising your busi-

ness ends up paying for itself.

“If I didn’t advertise like I do people just wouldn’t know I was here.

“Quality machine and advertising everything I made.

“So I run this advertisement on the radio and part of it has line where I ask you to get a pen and I say I will be right back.

“Then some other ads play and then it comes back to me and I say ‘Got a pen?, Right o, here’s the number’.

“So now, every person I bump into says to me, ‘Have you got a pen?’

“It has kind of become our catchphrase, so I am having some pens printed with ‘Got a pen?’ printed on them so when they say it to me I can hand it to them.

“But the bottom line is you can advertise all you like, but if you don’t deliver a quality product people won’t come back,” Mr Halsted added.

HiLowash is now based in Rutherglen, giving Mr Halsted easy access to all in North East Victoria as he cleans the world, one business at a time.

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

k/12d13335/2416

END OF FINANCIAL YEAR SPECIALS

June 2016

North East Farmer, Page 21

Digga is the whole box and dice when it comes to machinery manufacturing THE team at Digga are passionate about people, process, product and service excellence and for more than 35 years the company has led the field in machinery attachment, design, manufacture and distribution.

As the pioneers of pendulum drilling in Australia, Digga is Australia’s leading manufacturer of planetary drive boring and trenching attachments.

According to Digga marketing manager Lionel Smitka the company has provided customers with versatile, performance enhancing attachments that provide customers with the right solutions for their business.

“We are determined to serve our customers through innovation, continuous improvement, an intense focus on customer needs and a dedication to meet those needs with a sense of urgency,” he said.

“Our hands-on management approach and absolute commitment to customer satisfaction is reflective in the attitudes of our dedicated team.

“Our friendly, experienced staff is there to meet your needs at every level from sales, manufacturing, distribution and service.

“Our extensive warranties reflect our belief in the quality

PERFORMANCE ENHANCING: Digga is Australia’s leading manufacturer of planetary drive boring and trenching attachments.

of the product we distribute globally,” Mr Smitka said.

Digga’s products provide customers with an ever expanding range of attachments to enhance their machine’s performance and versatility including augers and wear parts, bucket brooms, angle

brooms, 4-in-1-buckets, aluminium ramps, pallet forks, grass slashers, cement mixa bowls, kwik rips, spreader bars and much more.

The company also specialises in custom designed and manufactured drive systems for an array of markets including

mining, energy, equipment and construction.

Founded in 1981 by Stewart Wright, Digga initially supplied earthmoving wearparts to local machine operators and over the years has grown to now offer more than 79 different attachments to suit most

machine types.

Incorporating its Australian made planetary gearboxes; the company’s extensive product range is designed and manufactured for Australian conditions.

“We are not just assemblers, we are the whole box and dice,” Mr Smitka said.

“From raw material to the finished product, we are uncompromising in our dedication to provide high-quality, competitively priced attachments to the Australian market.

“While we offer trenches and auger drivers for the front of tractors which are traditional, we also offer linkage on the back.

“This offers great visibility and it is a lot safer for the user as they don’t have to continually turn around to look at it.

“We really are trying to move away from the three point linkage system mainly for efficiency, safety and ergonomic reasons,” he said.

He added that the company’s strength and longevity are the result of Digga’s ability to sustain long-lasting, mutually rewarding relationships with its customers, dealers, suppliers and others they conduct business with.

Digga has branches in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, UK, New Zealand and the US and has more than 400 dealers Australia wide.

Digga currently exports to more than 60 countries around the world.

For more information visit www.digga.com.

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NEWS

Page 22, North East Farmer

June 2016

NEW HOLLAND T5 SERIES TRACTORS FROM 99-114HP CATEGORY New Holland T5 Electro Command™ brings semi-powershift technology to the T5 Range

Farm insurance and you SINCE November last year, four natural disasters in Australia, including three major bushfire events and one tornado, have amassed insurance claims of more than half a billion dollars.

Updated figures from the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) reveal that the Pinery bushfires in South Australia have racked up a bill of more than $170 million, while fires in Victoria and Western Australia have drawn claims totalling $86 million and $57 million, respectively.

Biggest of all, however, is the disastrous Sydney tornado on December 17, which has resulted in more than 4000 claims, adding up to more than $202 million.

Speaking about the season, ICA chief executive officer Rob Whelan said the huge impact of these four events should serve as a reminder to families and businesses about the importance of being properly insured.

“With building costs rising all the time, it’s vital to make sure property owners review and update their cover regularly to avoid being left underinsured and facing hefty bills,” Mr Whelan said.

According to the ICA figures, 72 per cent of the claims following the Sydney tornado came from commercial clients, which highlights the massive amounts of damage that

businesses of all sizes can incur in the event of a disaster.

A study by the Institute of Actuaries of Australia found that policyholders often neglected to adjust the sum insured on their policy as time passed, leaving them open to the risk of underinsurance.

Campbell Fuller, ICA general manager of insurance and media relations said that small business owners need to find policies that meet their needs, weighing up their features rather than focusing on cost.

For more information contact John Houghton, Elders Insurance Wangaratta on 0407 303 691.

t/12d13339/2416

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North East Farmer, Page 23

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T & D Currie M Enders M & T Airey Nola York Udal P/L

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380 581 424 610 825

346.2 300.6 302.0 230.0 230.0

$1,315.56 $1,746.49 $1,280.48 $1,403.00 $1,897.50

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Glenrowan Warrenabyne Everton Chesneyvale Edi

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TUESDAY "KING VALLEY RUN"

The dark side of cow feed additives and calf milk replacers- Ionophore toxity in monogastric animals. - Dr Kirri Solly- Slade

THURSDAY "BEECHWORTH, MYRTLEFORD RUN" Many great farmers will often have various PRE-BOOKED VETERINARY WORK feed and milk additives that they use to promote

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optimum growth and production within the herd. However what you may not be aware of is the possible toxic effects of these additives in animals other than cattle. Cattle are ruminants (with four stomachs) and therefore the way they digest many things is completely different to monogastric (or single stomached) animals such as horses and dogs.

An example of two feed ingredients that are digested differently in mongastric animals are MONENSIN (trade name rumensinÂŽ) and LASALOCID (a common additive and calf milk replacers such as profeLACÂŽ). Whilst these products are incredibly useful additives for cattle they can cause is devastating and life threatening toxicity in dogs and horses.

Both monensin and lasalocid are part of a group of substances called Ionophores which affect and damage the muscles in dogs and horses. This muscle damage can lead to problems with skeletal muscle such as paresis and paralysis. Heart and respiratory muscles are also affected and therefore ingestion of toxic levels of these substances can lead to respiratory issues and cardiac arrest.

There is no specific cure for Ionophore toxicity, instead rapid intervention is needed to provide supportive care such as IV fluid therapy. Even with medical treatment these toxicities are often fatal.

Prevention is the easiest and most effective way of managing toxin ingestion so these products should be secured in places where horses and dogs will be unable to ingest them.

Above: An example of products containing ingredients that can be toxic too dogs and horses.

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v/12d12209-v29/24-16