NORTH EAST AND GOULBURN MURRAY
Part of the Farmer Group Rural Newspapers Covering Victoria Published since 1986
DECEMBER, 2017
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New Zealand’s Luptons are race-industry legends The Channel Seven cameras were there, flashing in the dark, capturing what they thought was a leg problem.” - LEON LUPTON LEON Lupton is the kind of man you want around the campfire. He has more stories than he has time to tell – tales of horses, of underdogs, of family connections and of days gone by. Now based on a sheep farm out of Mansfield, the Luptons are still legendary in the New Zealand racing industry – salt of the earth farmers that happen to know a thing or two about bloodlines, and how to make a horse run. Last month was the 156th running of the Melbourne Cup. In 1983, Ewen “Snowy” Lupton shipped his gelding, Kiwi, across the Tasman in time to take out the race that stops a nation. Snowy, Leon’s uncle, was just one of many Luptons cheering the chestnut on as he rounded the home stretch almost 40 metres behind the leader – with 150 metres to go, he charged from 10th position and took home the cup with a length to spare. “That was a big weekend,” Leon recalled.
LEGENDS GONE BY: Last month, the race that stopped a nation played out in Melbourne. In 1983, a little known horse from New Zealand, Kiwi, stunned Australia when he came from tenth place to take home the cup. Kiwi was trained by the Lupton family, some of who now farm out of Mansfield. Pictured is Kiwi with owner/trainer, Snowy Lupton. PHOTO: Chris Miller
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“It was the first ownertrained New Zealand horse to win the cup – I think he might still hold that record.” In 1984, Kiwi returned to contest his title – but was forced to scratch just days leading up to the race. “I tell you what, that’s a bloody story,” Leon said. “Snowy only had Kiwi over a few weeks before the race, and he kept him boxed at night. “One night, he knocked his leg – took off a bit of hair, so Snowy rubbed a bit of Vaseline on it to keep the skin soft.” In a move that would ultimately seal Kiwi’s fate, the horse’s leg was wrapped in a red crepe bandage and then taken out for a public working at the Waverly track. “Everybody wanted to see him, wanted to know what kind of form he was in,” Leon said. “But when Snowy pulled off the bandage, the dye had soaked into the Vaseline – it looked horrible, like there was blood everywhere.
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NEWS
Page 2, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer
December 2017
Over-herd: NEWS IN BRIEF
ELDRIGAN AG SERVICES Over 35 years Farming/Contracting
In particular I raised the issue of beef and sheep exports from Australia which have been restricted by low volume import quotas and high import tariffs,” Nationals Senator, Bridget McKenzie, talking on the importance of trade between Australia and the European Union.
HAY & SILAGE CUT, RAKE, BALE & WRAP Rounds and Small Square Bales
This agreement between Murray Goulburn and Saputo provides the industry with some clarity and a path forward to repair trust and transparency in our sector,” United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (UDV) president, Adam Jenkins, on new the dairy co-op had accepted a $1.31 billion buyout from Canadian company, Saputo.
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MERRY CHRISTMAS: The North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer team would like to thank all its readers and advertisers for a great 2017, and we look forward to an even bigger and better 2018. The first edition of the Farmer for next year will be delivered by January 12. Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
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I think the introduction of any new technology always brings about unforseen issues and you’ve just got to suck it up and see,” VFF livestock president, Leonard Vallance, defending the introduction of the electronic identification technology for sheep and goats, which will become compulsory at all saleyards by March 2018. It took up 600 – 700 ml of the road, and it was quite high, about the size of a Labrador or a Kelpie ... it was a decent size,” Yinnar resident, Nick Bickerton, on what he claims was a big cat sighting off the Strzelecki highway, near Driffield in North East Victoria. If current animal welfare compliance efforts are inadequate, then we should look at removing the current structures – not adding another level of insufficient enforcement,” Member for Northern Victoria, Daniel Young, slamming a recent announcement that the Victorian Government will fund a new group to ensure compliance of animal welfare. A retrospective price cut by processors to the milk price paid to suppliers in April-May 2016, coupled with continuing dry conditions at the time, was a shock to customers,” GMW managing director, Pat Lennon, on news that some 300 irrigators are late in paying their water debts. We spend endless hours filling in vendor declaration forms when we sell sheep and I doubt very much whether that information is ever typed into a computer,” Chris Harrison from west of Echuca, talking about the need for stock information to be collected and fed into a police database at saleyards after 96 Merino wethers were stolen from his property.
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NEWS
December 2017
North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 3
NEW MARKET PLAYER: The four farming families and their advisor (from left) Sarah and Stuart Crosthwaite, Kerrie and Patrick Glass, Belinda and Scott McKillop, Alice and Ian Holloway, and Farming Together consultant Patten Bridge.
Dairy farmers set up new Co-Op to sell the co-op’s assets to Canadian-based Saputo Dairy Australia for $1.3 billion - sending further shock waves through the dairy industry after 24 months of uncertainty. “The last two years have been incredibly stressful and that’s been largely because of Murray Goulburn’s self-destruction - but this isn’t a Murray Goulburn thing, none of the other companies are better. “We are the children and grandchildren of the people who began Kiewa Milk, and who established a proud tradition of co-operative-based dairy farming in the Alpine Valleys region,” Mr Crosthwaite said. “As farmers we want to have more control of our future, and not be directed by outside interests.” The founding group comprises Stuart and Sarah Crosthwaite, Patrick and Kerrie Glass, Scott and Belinda McKillop, and Ian and Alice Holloway. The Farming Together program has appointed dairy consultant Patten Bridge to assist the group. “Our vision is to create a new generation dairy cooperative which will provide ongoing benefit and jobs to the communities of North East Victoria,” Mr Crosthwaite said.
“We are currently looking to establish partnerships with milk processors who understand our vision and who are prepared to work alongside us in making this happen. “Once this is consolidated, we will be exploring options for growth and expanding our footprint in the region.” Farming Together program director, Lorraine Gordon, said the new co-op builds on the strength of Victorian dairying and carries that legacy forward into the future. “These are committed farmers dedicated to their industry and their community and it has been a privilege to help them prepare for sector change,” she said. “The Farming Together program aims to help farmers claim better margins and more say in their supply chain as well as building a stronger stake in the longterm sustainability of their enterprises.” The Farm Co-operative and Collaboration Program have launched a free online co-op builder for other groups considering forming themselves into these taxeffective structures. Potential processing partners should contact Patten Bridge, BridgeLogic Consulting on 0418 308 414.
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FOUR Kiewa Valley famers hope to have their own brand of milk on supermarket shelves by next year. To be known as the Mountain Milk Cooperative, together the families account for some 18 million litres of milk each year. Although it is still early days, the group have been in casual discussions for the past two years - disenchanted with their relationship with processor, Murray Goulburn. “We aren’t going to be dictated to, like we have in the past,” the new co-op’s chairperson, Stuart Crosthwaite, said. “We know we do a good job - we care about our product and our animals - we are good farmers, and we have something of value we want to share.” Mr Crosthwaite is a fifthgeneration farmer, milking 400 cows at Kergunyah South. He said his family, along with the three others involved in Mountain Milk, successfully sought assistance from the Federal Government’s Farming Together program because they wanted to create a more positive outlook for the local industry. “We felt it was time to act,” Stuart said. Late last month Murray Goulburn announced plans
NEWS
Page 4, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer
December 2017
Luptons are race-industry legends From page 1
Within hours, the racing world was on-fire with news of Kiwi’s injury. Just days before the cup, vets assessed the horse and deemed him unfit to race. “It was a joke – the vet was there tapping on his hoof for 15 minutes, and wondered why the horse was getting cranky.â€? To this day, the Luptons think their horse was robbed of victory. So, too, does jockey Jim Cassidy, who was interviewed years later, saying “he would’ve p‌ed in - he would’ve won by further that yearâ€?. But Snowy Lupton had no sour grapes – the farmers from New Zealand are not the kind to get caught up in racing jealousies. “He paid $1000 for that horse – one Melbourne Cup was better than none,â€? Leon said. Kiwi was not the only successful Lupton horse. “All my family were horsemen,â€? Leon said. “Dad was the best of them, though – there was nothing he couldn’t ride. “He believed in making a horse earn its keep – they had to work on the farm as well as on the track. “And we had to be back, ready to work by 8am on the farm – three horses was one too many, he always said; two you can use, three is a waste – you can’t work three horses by 8am.â€? Leon himself was a renowned steeplechase trainer
FARM HELP: The Luptons were farmers before they were trainers, and every horse had to earn its keep. Pictured is Snowy Lupton riding the 1983 Melbourne Cup winner, Kiwi. PHOTO: teara.govt.nz STORY-TELLER: Leon Lupton has more stories than most after a long and colourful history in the racing industry.
– his horses, Region and Contract, both winning numerous titles. “Contract still holds the track record for jumps at Flemington – he won by 13 lengths in the Glamis Steeplechase,� he said. Moving to Australia permanently in the late 1980s, Leon took a job training for Mitre 10 founder, Tom Danaher.
“I won 35 races for him in two years,� Leon said. Eventually, Leon managed a farm at Coldstream with an off-branch at Swanpool – but never completely gave away his love of horses. He recalls a horse that he had trained, but that couldn’t run. “He finished 100 yards behind the second last horse at the bloody Merton Picnic
races – so I thought, that’s it, he’s out,� Leon said. “A woman from Mansfield asked to take him on trial – two years later he was in Atlanta, jumping for the Australian Olympic team.� Now settled with his partner, Roseanna, on a farm out of Bonnie Doon, Leon should be thinking about retirement.
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the best horse my father ever owned,� he said. A home-grown champion, the gelding won just about every race in New Zealand – some of them many times over. “He loved that horse, he loved all of them – and that’s something he taught all of us right from the beginning. “No matter what, the animals come first.�
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Instead, he is building shearing sheds, breeding sheep, finishing his home, and – he hopes in the not too distant future – putting in a track for race horses. “Of course I’ll get another horse, but I want to have everything right first,� he said. To the shock of locals, Leon named his property Isis Ford. “People have the wrong impression – Isis Ford was
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NEWS
December 2017
North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 5
Livestock Productivity Partnership to be expanded
MORE LAMBS: One of the 12 farming projects to be endorsed by the MLA’s RD&A program is one that will consider ways to increase the weaning rate of the national sheep flock.
Millions to be spent across 12 farming projects ALMOST $10 million will be spent on 12 new farming projects – including ways to increase sheep weaning rates, further investigate the development of an immunocontraceptive and the potential benefits to be gained by scanning for embryo numbers in sheep. Livestock producers, through consultation with Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), have directly influenced the investment of $9.5 million of levy funds into 12 new research, development and adoption (RD&A) projects, all aimed at building the prosperity of the sheep meat and grass-fed beef sectors. The projects address key industry priorities that fit within three themes: whole farm breeder productivity systems; future feed base scenarios; and profitable and efficient ruminant nutrition. The priority areas were determined by producers through MLA’s regional consultation process, which involved 18 regional committees and the
North Australia Beef Research Council (NABRC), the Southern Australia Meat Research Council (SAMRC), and the Western Australia Livestock Research Council (WALRC). MLA’s general manager – producer consultation and adoption, Michael Crowley, said the 12 successful RD&A projects were the result of an extensive consultation and selection process. “MLA doesn’t make decisions about levy investment in isolation. “Once the priority areas for 2017/18 were determined via regional consultation, MLA’s annual call sought preliminary RD&A proposals and this attracted 149 preliminary proposals,� Mr Crowley said. “After review by Northern, Southern and Western Producer Panels and MLA, 24 preliminary proposals were found to best address the 2017/18 RD&A priorities, describe producer benefits at a regional and national level, and cost-effectively outline
ways to deliver on industry RD&A plans. “The full proposals were subsequently assessed - after expert review, the full proposals were reassessed by the Red Meat Panel who recommended the highest quality, highest impact projects for MLA to fund, this year recommending 12 projects.� The 12 RD&A projects endorsed for 2017/18 include: new approaches to increase the weaning rate of the national sheep-flock; improving beef production through management of plant toxins; feeding Leucaena to manage the rumen for maximum beef profit; grazing strategies and tools to improve profitability and land condition; development of a single shot immunocontraceptive vaccine for cattle; maximising the value of existing
technology for sheep producers; reducing foetal and lamb losses in young ewes; managing fecund flocks to improve survival of triplet dams and their lambs; boosting lamb survival by supplementing ewes with vitamins and minerals; the gateway to selecting for nutrient efficient livestock – “Better Doers�; “The Sweet Spot�: improving breeder herd performance through optimal pasture utilisation; and grazing with Self Herding to improve breeder nutrition and reproduction. The Red Meat Panel consists of the chair and a producer member from NABRC and SAMRC, two producer members of WALRC, a representative from Cattle Council of Australia (CCA) and Sheepmeat Council of Australia (SCA), and two MLA general managers.
A MAJOR collaborative research partnership aimed at lifting the productivity of Australia’s livestock industry has been expanded – with the potential for up to $50 million worth of projects over the next five years. The Livestock Productivity Partnership (LPP) was initially announced in February between MLA Donor Company (MDC) and NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI), and featured a $17.5 million commitment from NSW DPI over five years, to be matched through MDC, for research projects that address key red meat and livestock priorities. The LPP has now been expanded with the addition of research partners the University of New England (UNE) and CSIRO, with the potential for more partners to join. The MDC board recently approved the LPP Strategic Plan as well as co-investment for the partnership of up to $50 million over five years, with 50 per cent of funds coming via MDC. The LPP aims to develop and demonstrate, by 2022, region- and systemspecific feed-base options, new animal phenotyping and farm management tools with quantified potential to reduce the cost of production ($/kg liveweight) in commercial grazing enterprises in the improved pasture regions of NSW and southern/ central Queensland by at least five per cent in real terms.
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NEWS
Page 6, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer
December 2017
No kidding around for Myrrhee Boer goats IN 2007, Connie and David Northey’s lives changed forever. Their farm at Myrrhee, hidden in the folds of the King Valley mountains, was ravaged by bushfire. Although the family home survived, everything else was destroyed. Rising out of the ashes, the Northey family were determined to start again. “We had some beautiful Angus cows, pregnant, at the time the fires went through – but when the smoke settled, there was nothing left,” Ms Northey said. “There were no fences, no fodder - including all hay and silage burnt, no shedding – we couldn’t comprehend how to re-start the farm and manage the cows, so we made the decision to sell them.” With the surrounding vegetation razed, the Northeys needed an animal that was going to cope with the conditions at hand. They settled on Boer goats. “We had always run a few pet goats, and after the fires we wanted a fresh start,” Ms Northey said. “Because we had to refence our entire property, we thought we might as well make it goat-proof fencing.” Fast forward 10 years, and Myrrhee Premium Boer Goats were named a 2016 Delicious Produce Award State Winner, and achieved a bronze in the Australian Food Awards. “We started off with 35 Boer breeders and a billy, and it went from there,” Ms Northey said. Today, Myrrhee Premium Boer Goats run a breeding herd of around 200 nannies, breeding three times every two years. The Boer goat originated in South Africa in the early 1900s, when farmers began selecting the goats for meat quality. Boers are the only goat specifically bred for meat, and were imported into Australia in the late 1980s.
KIDDING AROUND: The Northey family’s, from Myrrhee, farm award winning capretto, goat meat that is processed between three and five months.
The primary market for slaughter Boer goats is between 22–36kg, with more mature animals often producing a gamey flavoured meat. Initially selling their produce at farmers markets, the Northeys quickly realised their product was at its best when slaughtered at a young age. “I’m funny about it, they
I have no doubt we could make it viable as a full time operation, but it’s a nice balance at the moment having off farm work as well.” - CONNIE NORTHEY are so cute when they are kids,” Ms Northey said. “But at the end of the day it’s a business, and we need
to sell our produce at its best.” Myrrhee Premium Boer Goats are now known for
producing quality capretto – an Italian word used to describe meat from an animal that is still on its mother’s milk. Capretto goat kids are grown out to just over 22 kilos – around three to five months – and are then sent to slaughter. “Baby goats are not really that different to lambs, but I do get attached to them so it
makes the process a bit harder,” Ms Northey said. Myrrhee Premium Boer Goats is run on a rotational grazing system, utilising a natural pasture rejuvenation process. Apple cider vinegar is added into all water troughs to aid general health and help fight worms. “We try to keep the goats as organic as possible,” Ms Northey said. “They have access to roughage at all times, but are otherwise pretty much left to themselves out in the paddocks.” Last month, the Red Meat Advisory Council (RMAC) released their State of Industry 2017 report. The report showed that goat meat, a once niche industry, has experienced a significant boom within Australia – with some 27,000 tonnes of goat exported in 2016. On top of exports, goat meat has also enjoyed a price increase of 177 per cent, according to the RMAC report. “We could see goat meat was picking up, and have been lucky enough to get in on the ground,” Ms Northey said. Despite running a successful breeding operation, the Northeys both still work full time. “We are busy people,” Ms Northey said. “I have no doubt we could make it viable as a full time operation, but it’s a nice balance at the moment having off farm work as well.” With children, jobs, farm life and around 150 goat kids at any given time, there is more than enough work to do around the Northey family home. “It’s hard yakka – we have all worked really hard to get the business to where it is now – but I love doing this, love the goats and their kids,” Ms Northey said. If you would like more information, go to the website at http://www.myrrheeboergoats.com.au.
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NEWS
December 2017
North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 7
Goat prices relax after record levels
PRICES EASE: The goat meat market has been at record high levels for almost four years, with the market just beginning to ease slightly. Despite the drop in over-the-hook prices, the market is expected to remain steady over the next few months.
DRIVEN by international demand, the Australian goat overthe-hook indicators peaked in July this year, before dropping during the last three months averaging out at 470c/kg cwt during October. According to Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), yearto-October exports were 20 per cent higher from 2016 levels, underpinned by increases across the US, Taiwan, Canada and South Korea. The goat market has eased in recent months, following a consistent rise to record highs for the most part of the last four years. Over-the-hook indicators dropped from a peak of 647c/ kg cwt at the end of July to 457c/kg in late August. Since then, prices have remained close to, but below, 500c/kg cwt – averaging 470c/ kg cwt for the month of October, back 20 per cent on the same period in 2016. The historic rise in price can be attributed to overseas demand outstripping supply – as almost all of Australia’s goat meat is destined for export. However, the subsequent price correction arose partly as a result of the rising Australian dollar - which reached US80c earlier in the year. Meanwhile, supply has remained reasonably steady. Eastern states goat slaughter
totalled almost 127,000 head for the month of October, back three per cent from 2016. Consequently, exports for the month of October also decreased, dropping five per cent year-on-year to 1891 tonnes shipped weight (swt). For the year-to-date (JanOct), Australian goat meat exports totalled just over 25,051 tonnes swt, an increase of 20 per cent on the same period in 2016. Exports to the US, Australia’s largest market for goat meat, increased by 20 per cent for the year-to-date, equating to 16,840 tonnes swt. Other large markets, Taiwan, Canada and South Korea also saw marked increases from last year, of 24 per cent, 97 per cent and 40 per cent respectively. Going forward, goat supply is expected to remain relatively stable, with populations increasing slightly. The number of goats onproperty is the primary driver of a producer’s decision to harvest rangeland goats, and in a survey conducted by NSW DPI, a majority of producers identified that they anticipated turning off a similar number of goats year-on-year. International demand is expected to remain strong, given strong economic growth in many markets and the easing Australian dollar.
Victorian abattoirs responsible for 60 per cent of Australian goats processed supplied the largest number of goats during the last five years, supplying over 65 per cent of the goats processed each year since 2012-13. Over the same period, the proportion of goats supplied from Queensland and South Australia has been reasonably stable and similar to the proportions supplied in 2016-17. Western Australia is a relatively small goat supplier and processor compared to the other states - in 2016-17, less than five per cent of the national kill was sourced from Western Australian properties. Victoria is the leading goat processing state, although it is heavily reliant on supply from NSW and Queensland. Over the past three years, Victorian producers have supplied less than one per cent of the goats processed annually in Australia. During 2016-17, NSW
abattoirs processed less than 15 per cent of the goats supplied from NSW. The majority of goats produced in NSW, about 58 per cent, were processed in Victoria. South Australian abattoirs processed 99 per cent of the goats supplied from South Australian properties during 2016-17, while NSW was also a major source of goats for the South Australian abattoirs. In Queensland, more than 85 per cent of the goats supplied from Queensland properties during 201617 were processed within the state - Queensland processors only sourced goats from Queensland and NSW. This information allows the industry to quantify and track over time the supply of goats from different states the next step in the project will be to quantify and report the number of goats supplied from each region.
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DESPITE producing less than one per cent of Australia’s goats, Victorian abattoirs process almost 60 per cent of the country’s goat population. Almost 70 per cent of goats come from producers in New South Wales, a figure which has been identified by a joint project between Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and NSW DPI. Known as the ‘Goat Industry Data Collation and Tracking’ project, it is designed to quantify and monitor the number of goats each state supplies into the goat-meat supply chain. In the 2016-17 financial year, NSW producers supplied 68 per cent of the goats processed nationally. In the same period, Queensland producers supplied 15 per cent of the goats processed, and South Australia supplied 13 per cent of the national kill. NSW has consistently
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NEWS
Page 8, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer
December 2017
Call to arrange an on-farm trial this ! harvest
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MARK IT DOWN: Zack Currie (right) marks lambs with (from left) Richard Forrest of Barjarg and Denis Sicily of Kanumbra at Stump Hill, Barjarg.
DYED IN THE WOOL: The Mansfield Secondary College takes pride in its apprenticeship program. One graduate is Zack Currie, who has become a glowing example of the program after winning the senior wool-handling competition at the 140th annual Australian Sheep and Wool Show.
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School agribusiness program creates 2017 wool champion By STEVE VIVIAN SPEAKING over the phone from the National Wool-Handling Competition, it doesn’t take long to figure Zack Currie’s passion for wool. Last year, Zack, a 20-yearold wool classer from Bonnie Doon, won the senior woolhandling competition at the 140th annual Australian Sheep and Wool Show. Now, as he represents Victoria in the national competition at the Bendigo Show, Zack speaks eagerly about how it all began. “It all started at Mansfield Secondary College (MSC) in year 9,� said Zack, harking back to 2012, already sounding like a seasoned veteran. “We had the agribusiness class that they ran, and through that we gained our Certificate II in Agriculture. “For the first semester, we used to go out to different farms and explore different forms of agriculture, and in second semester we all got a farm placement,� said Zack. Zack was placed on a farm at Barjarg with Fred and John Forrest. “They introduced me to a working shearing shed – I was able to take a few days off school when they were shearing, and I really took a liking to it,� Zack said. At the end of 2012 - dur-
and VALUE ˆ
From the agribusiness course ran at Mansfield, and putting me out at the farm at Barjarg, it really planted the seed for what now is very much a great love for the wool industry - it really opened my eyes and made it apparent to me that this is what I wanted to do. - ZACK CURRIE ing a thankyou dinner for all the participating farmers that helped with the agribusiness placements - an opportunity with the Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE in wool classing caught Zack’s attention. So in year 10, Zack then began his Certificate III in Wool Clip Presentation, alongside a Certificate III in Agriculture all the while building a strong relationship with the Forrests and their farm out at Barjarg. Through doing his wool classing certification, Zack was soon in the sights of wool-broking company Australian Wool Network, who offered Zack a job in Horsham as a private wool buyer. “One day I got a phone call out of the blue, I was working out in the shearing sheds at the time,� said Zack. “I didn’t know the full role of a wool buyer, but I knew it was a damn good opportunity. “We buy wool off anybody with sheep, and we deal with,
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for example, hobby farmers that only have a handful of sheep. “They maybe only have a plastic bag full of wool, but we’ll buy it. “We’ll buy any type of wool, at any size, be it a bag or a bale.� At only 20 years of age, and with industry experience that few kids could dream of, Zack is ecstatic to be out of the sheds and working. “Working as a wool buyer, I get to see such a huge variety of wools; it’s different to actually working in a shearing shed where all the sheep are the same mob and the wool is very uniform,� he said. “It has really helped me with my wool classing ability. “You’ve really got to blend the wools and the different lines as best you can. “If I was to get back into a shearing shed as a wool classer, I’d have 10 times as much confidence as I would’ve otherwise.�
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North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 9 DECEMBER 2017
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NEWS
Page 10, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer
December 2017
NEWS IN BRIEF
Measures to reduce risk of mice WITH mouse populations at high to moderate levels for this time of the year in some cropping regions of Victoria, grain growers are being urged to remain vigilant and take measures during and after harvest to eliminate food sources over summer to reduce the risk of an outbreak in autumn next year. Recent strong winds and hail have knocked grain to the ground – combined with any grain spilt at harvest this will provide a ready food source to maintain mouse populations through summer. The latest reports from the Grains Research and Development Corporation’s (GRDC) regular mouse monitoring program indicate that mouse populations in Victoria’s Wimmera and Mallee regions are high, and damage to crops continues, although baiting appears to be effective. Given current population levels, a moderate likelihood of an outbreak in North-West Victoria next autumn is forecast, but the extent of this outbreak will be dependent on rainfall for the remainder of 2017. Higher than average rainfall over the next two months is likely to promote increased mouse abundance. Growers are reminded that baiting must not occur within two weeks of harvest, due to the withholding period.
AN application to build an ammunition factory out of Euroa has been rejected by Strathbogie Shire councillors. The developers of the proposed factory planned to utilise used lead collected from other shotgun shell sites around the country, to create new shells on-site. More than 60 objections were received to the initial proposal, with the nearest household just 180 metres away from the site. The applicant now has 60 days to appeal council’s decision to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
LET THE BODY DECIDE: Letting the animal decide just what supplements they need is a vital part of the Hin-Gee system. Pictured is a selection of Supermaxx supplements, which, through the animals’ selection, tells farmers just what is needed.
Hin-Gee – supplements for animals and people HIN-GEE’S Annutriculture (animal-nutrient-culture) offers animal supplements and advice, both of which are designed to enhance the goodness available naturally for both the animal and the consumer. Delivered in natural water for humans, or water and powder form for animals, the product is distributed through Supermaxx online. Hin-Gee’s supplements are
ideal for those farmers who are looking to produce superior quality products; namely meat, milk and eggs consistently, by way of a customer service that is second to none. More and more people are concerned about just what they are consuming – and therefore, have an increased interest in the quality of the food farm animals consume and how they are managed. Hin-Gee’s solution is com-
pletely natural, and takes a fresh approach to traditional farming methods in that the needs of farm animals are of the highest priority at all times. Encouraging farm animals to freely choose from three powder lick booths, the supplements consistently maximise health, performance, and the quality of the products they produce through remineralisation.
Hin-Gee supplements are more than an additive – they are a management aide, with a fresh take on maximising profit by way of meeting an animal’s DNA need, daily. For more information or for a detailed explanation on how Hin-Gee Annutriculture works – and exactly what they do – visit the website at www. supermaxxonline.com and download Hin-Gee’s handbook.
NORTHERN Australian producers will benefit from a $3 million grant that aims to develop a biological product to help deal with cattle tick and buffalo fly. The grant comes from the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Developing Northern Australia, with the research being undertaken by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), in partnership with Microbial Screening Technologies Pty Ltd (MST) and Macquarie University. The three-year ProbioTICK project is aimed at developing a low-cost, chemical residue-free, microbial treatment applied to the hide of cattle to provide life-long protection against cattle tick and buffalo fly.
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NEWS
December 2017
North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 11
Cattle prices remain dependent on seasonal weather conditions THE impact of seasonal conditions on re-stocker interest has been the major driver of Australian cattle prices over the past 12 months, and is continuing to make forecasts difficult. The latest In Focus: Beef report from NAB Agribusiness says re-stocker interest is likely to keep prices up, at least short term. However, the Bureau of Meteorology outlook, for below average rain in key cattle regions with summer-dominant rainfall, has the bank predicting the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) could fall below 500c/kg in 2018. NAB Agribusiness economist, Phin Ziebell, says the timing of any downturn is difficult to predict, amid erratic weather patterns. “Australian producers have enjoyed a great run, with the EYCI hitting record levels in September last year,” he said. “Prices have trended downwards this year, but jumped again with recent rain in Queensland and New South Wales. “The bureau’s latest outlook for a drier than average summer in Queensland, the Northern Territory and northern New South Wales is likely to reflect negatively on cattle markets, if it comes to pass. “An eye to risk management for producers will be critical during the next few months so they are not overexposed to big price fluctuations, not just on the down-
UNCERTAIN: Phin Ziebell, NAB Agribusiness, said it was critical for producers to be prepared for both a good season, and a bad one, ahead of uncertain seasonal conditions and markets.
side but also the upside if we do see some summer rain.” Slaughter data in September showed bulls and steers up 6.7 per cent, and cows and heifers up 8.5 per cent year on year on a per head basis. It is likely that data from the last two months will show lower slaughter, reflecting recent
dynamics due to the weather. Mr Ziebell said global trends are also likely to put downward pressure on Australian prices. “The real question is to what extent saleyard prices simply reflect grass fever rather than global fundamentals,” Mr Ziebell said.
“After a massive drought in the United States in 2011, the herd rebuilt rapidly; from 2013 to 2017, there was 4.8 per cent growth in total herd and a 6.5 per cent rise in cow numbers. “Since this peak, US indicators have been significantly lower, largely due to cheap feed grain.
“This has been compounded in emerging markets such as China, where the low cost of South American beef has been a major challenge for Australian exporters. “Our view is that Australian prices cannot remain detached from global fundamentals forever.”
Young slams animal group DANIEL Young (MLC, Northern Victoria) has slammed a recent announcement that the Victorian Government will fund a new group to ensure compliance of animal welfare. Mr Young has called on the government to abolish the RSPCA after the new Animal Welfare Victoria group, which is due to start in February, begins. “In an attempt to clarify why the government needs multiple bodies to enforce animal welfare compliance, I asked the Minister of Agriculture if there would be a removal of enforcement powers held by the RSPCA,” Mr Young said. “I was bemused by the minister’s reply that welfare officers will continue not only through the RSPCA, but also through three state organisations and local governments, with no explanation as to why. “If current animal welfare compliance efforts are inadequate, then we should look at removing the current structures – not adding another level of insufficient enforcement.” A member of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, Mr Young took aim at RSPCA Victoria, which has come under increasing criticism for failing to protect animals across the state.
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Page 12, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer
AG BIKES, ATVs, RTVs AND UTVs
Be safer this Christmas with CFMoto’s range of vehicles THERE has never been a better time to upgrade to a new Utility Task Vehicle (UTV), with a range of Christmas deals on offer to keep you safer on the farm or out and about. Increasingly, producers are turning away from the standard four wheeler and looking for a more versatile work vehicle that provides better driver comfort and added safety on the farm. One supplier, with years of experience in the industry and a reputation that is second to none, is CFMoto. Just in time for Christmas, CFMoto have released two special offers – designed to keep you safer on the farm. Two UTV models are on offer, the U550 EPS – powered by a single 500cc liquid cooled EFI engine, and the larger U800 EPS that has the powerful 800cc V-Twin with plenty of get up and go. Both feature the same chassis, cockpit and UTV platform. The power from each engine is transferred to a Canadian CVTech transmission with high and low range. Each model has electronic power steering - a must-have when driving all day long. Selectable 2WD/4WD, plus front diff lock are standard on both models, and if the going gets tough, a 3500 lb winch is standard equipment - a handy feature when on the farm. Each vehicle is fitted with roof kit, tow pack, gas assisted tip tray, indicators, horn and a full set of lights key features that are often an extra cost, but not with CFMoto. Both CFMoto models come with seat belts and ROPS certified roll over protection.
SAFE DEALS: CFMoto are offering a range of deals on their UTV range, keeping you safer this Christmas season.
“There is no better time to get yourself a CFMoto,” CFMoto Australia director, Michael Poynton, said. “CFMoto’s Fair Dinkum Deals provide a fantastic opportunity for customers to get rid of their old ATV and move into a more versatile, safer UTV at the same price of our competitors’ ATVs.”
During CFMoto’s Fair Dinkum Deals, the U550 EPS is discounted to just $11,490, offering a saving of $1500. The U800 EPS will be offered for just $13,490, saving $1000 to get the bigger V-Twin. All CFMoto off road vehicles are backed by a two-year factory warranty and supported by an 80
plus dealer network nationwide. Further savings can be made, as all CFMoto UTVs are an approved ‘alternate vehicle’ under the Victorian Worksafe Quad Bike Rebate Scheme. Eligible customers can save a further $1200 off CFMoto UTV models, for full details head to www.worksafe.vic.gov.au.
December 2017
Bikesales Bike of the Year IN 2016, Bikesales launched its first Bike of the Year Award - won by Honda’s Africa Twin adventure bike. In 2017, Bikesales decided to go one better and make the awards a bigger, better and bolder affair. While there were no limits on price, performance or capacity to be included in the 2017 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards, to be eligible each bike had to be a volume production machine, and had to have been on sale in Australia as of September 1, 2017. After selecting 11 category winners across all the key twowheel segments in the Aussie market, eight of them were road tested – the Motocross (Yamaha YZ450F), Enduro (KTM 350 EXC-F) and Scooter (Vespa Primavera iGET 150) winners were left at home – in a four-day mega test across the Snowy Mountains. After 1500km of riding across the roof of Australia, Bikesales issued report cards for the eight bikes, these being: $SULOLD 7XRQR 9 55 %0: 5 *6 5DOO\H ; %0: 6 ;5 'XFDWL 6XSHU6SRUW 6 +DUOH\ 'DYLGVRQ 6WUHHW *OLGH 6SHFLDO .70 6XSHU 'XNH *7 7ULXPSK %RQQHYLOOH %REEHU and <DPDKD ;65 After returning from the ride, the really vexing part for the Bikesales team began: picking three Bike of the Year finalists to battle it out for the overall award. Using a broad range of criteria, including all-round excellence, innovation, safety, performance and value for money – three finalists were selected, with the Aprilia Tuono 9 55 FODLPLQJ WKH WLWOH RI %LNH of the Year. To read a detailed review on each bike, head to bikesales.com.au.
December 2017
North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 13
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AG BIKES, ATVs, RTVs AND UTVs
Page 14, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer
December 2017
Have your say about quad bike safety SHOULD all quad bikes come standard with roll-over protection? That is one question the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) wants answered, after last month launching a taskforce that will consider ways to make quad bikes safer. There are almost 400,000 quad bikes in operation in Australia used in workplaces, recreation, adventure tours and competitive racing. Each year, around 20,000 quad bikes are sold. Despite the launch of the rollover protection rebate, quad bikes continue to be a leading cause of death and injury on Australian farms. In the period of January 1, 2011 to October 16, 2017: 114 people have died in quad bike-related accidents; and children under the age of 16 accounted for 15 per cent of these deaths, children 11 and under accounted for nine per cent. Now, the ACCC Quad Bike Safety Taskforce is seeking feedback from stakeholders to respond to proposed reforms, outlined in an Issues Paper released mid November. “The ACCC is investigating a range of possible options to improve quad bike safety and prevent further deaths and injuries in the community,” ACCC Commissioner, Mick Keogh, said. “A key question is whether a safety standard should be introduced for quad bikes under the Australian Consumer Law.” The Issues Paper considers a range of topics and options that may well affect the future of quad bike usage, such as: mandating specific design
requirements and construction of quad bikes, including features that reduce the risk for children riding quad bikes designed for adults; introducing a safety rating system and the testing of quad bike models before they are sold in Australia; and mandating safety warning information consumers would receive when buying a new quad bike. “The ACCC recognises that quad bikes are important vehicles for many Australians who rely on them for work on farms, or use them recreationally, which is why it is important for stakeholders to have their say,” Mr Keogh said. Among other things, the taskforce is looking for ways to decrease the fatality and serious injury rates of quad bike users, with more than half the deaths recorded between 2011 and October 2017 being those using a quad bike for work, or recreational purpose. Other startling facts about the injuries incurred include: almost half (55 fatalities) of all deaths were the result of a rollover; ages of the deceased ranged from four to 94 years; 83 per cent of deaths were males; and in 2017 so far, there have been 10 deaths, including a six year old girl and a seven year old boy. The ACCC will be making a draft recommendation to government early next year, with a final recommendation to be made mid-2018. The Issues Paper and information on the consultation process is available on the ACCC website.
SAFETY UNDER REVIEW: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) wants to know how to make quad bikes safer for users.
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NEWS
December 2017
North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 15
Sheep continue to hold firm despite dry start SPRING is normally associated with an influx of lambs and a subsequent decline in price – this, however, hasn’t been the case for 2017. The Victorian trade lamb indicator has ranged between 595¢ and 626¢/kg cwt since the beginning of September, up two per cent on year-ago levels. Contributing to this is a greater presence of buyers from NSW, with the dry and patchy seasonal conditions across the state limiting supply and drawing buyers south. The market conditions have seen new and old season lamb saleyard indicators consistently track above the spring seasonal lows in price for the last five consecutive years. Spring lamb slaughter in Victoria was approximately 1.4 million head, 22 per cent higher than the same period last year. Mutton slaughter also increased to almost 336,000 head, up 60 per cent year-onyear. The June MLA and AWI wool and sheepmeat survey
indicated that a larger proportion of producers intended to increase their ewe flock, but fewer aimed to achieve this by retaining older ewes. This, combined with producers opting instead to retain a greater number of replacement ewes, is likely to see more cull ewes coming through the system. The spring lamb flush in Victoria has been particularly evident at CVLX Ballarat. Young lamb numbers have increased by 49 per cent on 2016 levels, totalling 87,000 head for spring thus-far. Over a third of the state’s sheep throughput was consigned to Bendigo, with almost 130,500 new season lambs sold as of October 24, increasing by 27 per cent year-on-year. Good rainfall across parts of the state over winter drove this increase, in contrast to the rest of the country which recorded one of the driest winters on record. Please note, all figures quoted are up to date as at late October.
GOOD YEAR: The sheep meat market continues to hold strong, despite a dry start and a vulnerable looking market at beef sales.
New business Agridome is growing farm efficiency AGRIDOME is a new business that is determined to become a household name in agriculture. Started by Dr Matt Mahoney, the new business offers agricultural advice services locally - here in northern and eastern Victoria - and southern NSW. A fourth generation farm boy from Merrijig, Matt studied science at Melbourne University, Parkville.
He then completed Honours in Plant Biotechnology with the Plant Biotechnology Centre of Victoria at Latrobe University, Bundoora prior to completing a PhD in plant nutrition with the LaTrobe University Agriculture Department. For the last 11 years or so, Matt has worked for large corporate organisations within Australia and New Zealand agriculture.
With his work, Matt has travelled extensively throughout south-eastern Australia and New Zealand - much of this time spent on farm, running trials, conducting training and developing a sound knowledge of many different farming enterprises. Now Matt is starting his own exciting business venture, Agridome. The aim is to bring a more
personalised and practical advisory service to farmers in the region. The goal is to grow your farm efficiency, and therefore profitability, taking into consideration what your aspirations are – knowing that every farmer has different aspirations. Agridome is here to help you achieve your goals and aspirations by providing a range of independent services.
These include soil testing through to Fertsmart pasture agronomy packages, paddock planning and farmer training. A key aspect of Agridome will be running courses and group seminars. One of the courses on offer is the renowned nationally recognised Lifetime Ewe Management course – this course has helped thousands of farmers improve their bottom
line through on-farm practice changes. Now is the time to get a plan together for your farm for the next year and beyond. No matter what your farm enterprise is about, for more information contact Matt and start doing something different - grow your farm efficiency. Matt can be contacted on 0438 209 707 or email him at matt.agridome@gmail.com
Page 16, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer
NEWS
December 2017
Get smart with a MagniSun solar tracker WITH energy costs on the rise, it makes more and more sense to use solar power whenever – and wherever – possible. One of the most effective ways to harness the power of the sun is to install a solar tacker – a device designed to follow the sun, without the need of constant attention – literally, you set it up, and forget about it. The MagniSun Tracker is an award winning design, Australian made and engineered and is a reliable, durable and cost effective way to get the most solar energy from your panels. MagniSun Trackers are the only design of their type available on the market, and are designed to make your farming life easier, cheaper and more time-efficient. Offering easy assembly and installation, the MagniSun Tracker is wind rated to 150 kilometres an hour and offers easy assembly and installation. Best of all, the tracker offers an alternative to static fixed roof panels - fixed panel installations normally need to connect to the grid, and then the energy is bought back; but with a solar tracker, the choice is yours, grid or no grid – all the energy stored is to use as you see fit. To compare, static panels provide just four hours of usable energy when you want to run an electric motor direct – in optimum conditions, MagniSun Trackers provide enough constant energy to run a motor all day. MagniSun Trackers can also
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run all mainstream bore pumps and surface pumps as well as recharge batteries, and more importantly, can be configured to find a solar solution that suits your requirements, whatever they may be. “A trailer mounted version, designed for export, can run any pump size up to 2kW,” business owner, Robert Straube, explained.
“This addition has further potential as the tracker on a trailer can be towed anywhere for people to use, without any grid power, and will immediately start pumping, desalinating or purifying water. “The reason the MagniSun Tracker design is so brilliant, other than radically decreasing electricity charges, is it allows you to use your solar panels far more efficiently.
“The tracking solution results in easy cleaning of panels at ground level; easy installation and works flawlessly for years. “Keep your lithium batteries recharged - so electricity from the batteries can be used at night.” For more info, visit website www.magnisun.com.au or call Rob on 0410 412 657.
VICTORIA’S largest solar farm, located just outside of Kerang, will be completed in just four months. The project is being built by Solar Choice and Edify Energy. On site works began mid this year, and it is hoped to have the farm live by March 2018. The 130-hectare site will feature 170,000 solar panels, each based on a single axis that will tilt throughout the day, with a generating capacity of 50 megawatts per panel. The site will connect to the Powercor electricity network, generating enough electricity to cater for 25,000 homes each year. The Gannawarra Solar Farm is 94.9 per cent owned by Wirsol and 5.1 per cent by Edify Energy. The first stage of the energy project has a build cost of more than $80 million.
NEWS
December 2017
North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 17
Wangaratta to become solar hub WANGARATTA may soon be home to not one, but three large solar energy farms, capable of generating a combined total of more than 200 megawatts. A solar farm that would power 40,000 homes has been proposed to be built on 245 hectares near Glenrowan. With a total build cost of more than $170 million, the farm would generate 120 megawatts of electricity, fed by 360,000 solar panels. The panels would be set up on an east-west tracking system, and the energy produced would be fed into the AusNet distribution network. ESCO Pacific, with Palasade Investment Partners, are proposing to build the solar site – the same company who financially backed the construction of the Barnawartha Saleyards. The Rural City of Wangaratta Council is yet to receive a submission for the site, with ESCO Pacific saying they want to sort out objections from nearby land owners before proceeding. Another proposed solar farm, at North Wangaratta, is currently waiting for a hearing with the Victorian Administration and Civil Tribunal after adjacent land owners objected to the farm’s construction.
THREE FARMS: Three separate solar farms have been proposed for the Wangaratta region.
Wangaratta Solar Farm is a proposed 20 megawatt (MW) project located alongside the North Wangaratta Industrial Estate. Discussions commenced with the Rural City of Wangaratta council on energy needs in the area in May 2015, which resulted in an original recommendation by Countrywide Energy for the development of a 10MW solar farm at North Wangaratta. Because the grid connection through AusNet Services could cope with an energy injection of 20MW, the project was doubled in scale to 20MW. To generate 20MW of electricity, the project will require upwards of 70,000 solar panels, which will be mounted on a single-axis tracking system that follows the sun as it crosses the sky to optimise power generation. FRV Services Australia (FRV) is also looking to develop an 85 megawatt solar farm outside Winton. The project is currently in the initial planning stage. Consultation with residents and stakeholders is also under way – but if approved, Winton Solar Farm will produce enough clean energy for around 50,000 homes.
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Page 18, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer
December 2017 A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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NEWS
December 2017
North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 19
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GV farmer wins A NEW ERA OF Outstanding CRUMP SPREADERS Service award THERE would be few in the Australian dairy industry who have not been impacted by the work of Allan Burgess. A dairy farmer from Victoria’s Goulburn Valley - and former Australian Dairy Farmers president – Mr Burgess has long been known as a fierce advocate for farmers. Late last month, he was honoured with the Australian Dairy Industry Council (ADIC) Pat Rowley Award for Outstanding Service 2017. ADIC chair, Terry Richardson, said the award was a fitting tribute to a man who has had a stellar career in dairy. “This is a real celebration of Allan’s contribution,� Mr Richardson said. “There would be few others who have worked so tirelessly, and had such a significant impact, on the long-term success of their industry. “For 30 years, Allan led the dairy industry to understand that we can largely create our own future - he was an archi-
tect driven by strong ideas and a collaborative spirit. “Whether it’s been leading the way at a local level or tackling the complex task of building some of the industry’s foundation organisations, Allan has consistently led from the front.� Mr Burgess first became involved in his local United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (UDV) District Council in the early 1980s. Over the following three decades, he held numerous positions of leadership - including deputy president of the UDV, board member of Australian Dairy Farmers Federation, and president of Australian Dairy Farmers. “Through his relationships, he was able to leverage millions of dollars from state and federal governments to support the industry and many of the major initiatives of the industry over the last 30 years have been underpinned by the work of Allan,� Mr Richardson said.
His commitment to establishing strong research and development structures to support industry growth meant Mr Burgess was involved in the formation of Dairy Australia and the Dairy Cooperative Research Centre. He was also a key player in the establishment of the Regional Development Program network. His strong lobbying of the Commonwealth Government also secured assistance for dairy farmers in a number of challenging times throughout the 2000s. In his time as president of ADF, Mr Burgess played an instrumental part in trade negotiations, particularly the three-fold increase in the amount of Australian dairy able to be sold to the United States achieved in the US Free Trade Agreement. The Australian Dairy Industry Council (ADIC) is the dairy industry’s peak policy body.
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NEWS
Page 20, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer
December 2017
Beef industry rising champion 2017 named QUEENSLAND’S Kylie Stretton has been named 2017 NAB Agribusiness Beef Industry Rising Champion. Mrs Stretton is the owner and manager of Charters Towers livestock agency Northern Livestock Services, as well as ‘Clancella Downs’, where she produces beef and free range eggs, and operates tourism and education programs. She is also the co-founder of the Ask an Aussie Farmer Facebook community. The judging panel described Mrs Stretton as the kind of ambassador who could represent the Australian beef industry at an international level. Now in its seventh year, the NAB Agribusiness Rising Champion initiative is run by Cattle Council of Australia (CCA) and aims to inspire, empower and support 18-35 year olds passionate about the Australian beef industry.
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NEWS
December 2017
North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 21
Only one chance - growing out heifers By JOHN LYNE, Dairy Production Specialist with DairyTech Nutrition ADEQUATE nutrition of growing heifers can be a challenge over summer months when ample quality pasture is not available. Frequently low protein diets through this period can limit frame and muscle growth rates. Well grown heifers that conceive on time can go on to be highly productive dairy cows; but if they do not meet these criteria it is a lost lifetime opportunity - there is no such thing as a ‘catch-up phase’. Around puberty, between eight to 10 months of age, heifers should reach hip height of 1.2 metres. For joining at 13 months, they should weigh 360+ kgs and achieve a hip height of 1.30 to 1.35 metres. A target of 85 per cent of heifers pregnant within three cycles requires an average of 1.7 services per conception. So where do we lose it, especially over summer? As above, inadequate protein certainly is a handicap to growth. For the goal of lifetime production, it is critical that heifers achieve the above growth goals. Achieving timely pregnancy, especially in seasonal or group calving patterns, is very dependent on vitamin and mineral nutrition. It’s a real gamble relying on forages to supply necessary vitamins and minerals due to both content and bioavailability of both in forages. Supplementation is essential to meet growing heifers’ needs. Where a grain supplement containing a sound vitamin/ mineral mix is not fed through
the two years from birth to calving, supplementing with a ‘self-feed’ vitamin/mineral mix is essential. DairyTech Nutrition manufactures an all-weather loose lick product for this purpose and has excellent feedback on heifer development and fertility. Supplementation of Vitamins A, D3 and E , trace minerals of zinc, manganese, cobalt, iodine and selenium are well documented (NRC 2001) to improve ovarian function and embryo quality. Research shows eight fewer days open and 0.5 fewer services per conception with higher pregnancy rates. Macro elements of magnesium, phosphorous, sulphur, calcium and salt tend to be more involved with growth and skeletal development, but not limited to this. Our ryegrass pastures are very low in calcium especially, a strong argument - apart from soil health - to reinstate clovers in our pastures. Any production animal’s value will rest on a balanced diet. However, it needs to be noted, that a pregnant animal with an unbalanced or deficient diet will provide the same to the developing foetus. Too often, heifers are left to their own resources on outblocks or agistment, not just compromising their growth and development, but also, another generation in the unborn calf. Nutrition during pregnancy becomes even more important to meet both heifer and developing calf’s needs for macro and micronutrients. As a generalisation, pasture is a reasonably well balanced diet for energy, fibre and protein. However, the variations
in pasture can be wide - as we see in lactating cow diets throughout the year, and even between farms at any given time; no more so than through spring when diets frequently become grass and grain. Summer pastures generally require supplementation, not just for quality, but more so quantity. Silage certainly can meet this void, but as above, supplementation with self-feed vitamin/mineral loose licks is essential to meet their deficiencies/availabilities in forages. Our heifers, to enjoy longevity as lactating cows, require these nutrients, but so too does the developing calf. With sound nutrition, calves are more likely to have healthy birth weights and a strong start to life. Managing body condition through the heifer’s first two years has lifelong production and fertility consequences. Adequate energy and protein are essential for a balanced diet. Over conditioned heifers are generally deficient in protein and lack growth of muscle tissue and frame, assuming mineral nutrition is not inadequate. During the months prior to first calving it is essential body condition be well managed. Like dry cows, any overconditioning or under-conditioning will precipitate energy related disorders of ketosis and displaced abomasum. Both over-conditioned and under-conditioned heifers will not perform well due to prolonged negative energy balance. Calves from under-conditioned heifers are typically less vigorous. Well-grown heifers become high performing cows with high dry matter intakes post-
calving that persist well into lactation. Fertility and health are serendipitous outcomes of high performance induced in the previous two years of growth and development.
We have the genetics in our herds for far superior performance than Dairy Australia data reveals. Studies at Purina Animal Nutrition Centre (USA) highlighted that high performance
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Page 22, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer
NEWS
December 2017
Local businesses join in food and fibre export boom By SAMANTHA DICK
LOCALLY SOLD: Chinese buyers are proving to be major customers at the Wangaratta
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NORTH East businesses are proving to be valuable contributors to Victoria’s booming food and fibre exports, which recently reached a record high of $12.8 billion. Wangaratta Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) branch president, Natasha Lobban, said she was delighted that China was continuing to be a major buyer of Wangaratta cattle. “We’ve sold heifers to China for the past few years,” Ms Lobban told the North East Farmer. “Selling to China is fantastic for us because it opens up another market. “The opportunity to export gives local producers more places to sell and more people to appreciate their products.” Landmark Wangaratta livestock agent, Murray Bennett, said Angus heifers in particular were becoming increasingly popular - not only in China, but all over the world. “Farmers are more open to the idea of selling internationally, and the Angus variety has been marketed in such a way that it has really been put on the map worldwide,” he said. “It can seem daunting at the beginning, but once
people export they’re generally happy to do it again. “We have a lot of repeat buyers.” Meanwhile, a number of wineries in the North East have also enjoyed increasing interest from international buyers. According to the 2016-17 Food and Fibre Export Performance Report, Victoria’s wine exports rose to $290 million, with an increase in exports to China of 40 per cent. Sam Miranda King Valley winery owner, Sam Miranda, confirmed that China was becoming a major market for the region’s wines. “Pinot Grigio is very popular, and mainstream varieties such as Chardonnays, Cabernets and Merlots are a hit with other Asian markets, such as Hong Kong and Singapore,” Mr Miranda told the North East Farmer. “Other buyers include the United Kingdom, the United States and more recently, Scandinavian countries such as Finland. “Australia has traditionally been about Chardonnay and Shiraz, but now people are looking for different varieties so there’s more scope to sell more interesting wines. “International markets are looking to delve deeper into the King Valley region; there’s
a real interest in understanding the Australian market.” King Valley’s Pizzini Wines chief executive officer, Carlo Pizzini, agreed that the region’s wines were garnering more interest from international markets. “We’re still quite niche but the King Valley is moving in a positive direction,” he said. “There’s no doubt that China will develop into a major buyer of King Valley wines.” Aside from wine, another locally made beverage increasing in popularity is green tea. Wangaratta ITO En manufacturing manager, Peter Anderson, said the health benefits associated with the Chinese tea was rendering it more popular both overseas and nationally. “Our parent company in Japan wanted to grow tea in an offshore location,” Mr Anderson said. “Wangaratta has been a great location because it’s got a good population base and supporting businesses; everything we need is here. “In Japan, ITO En is a very well-known brand, but in Australia not so much. “Melbourne and Sydney are buying a lot, likely due to the big population and more affluent areas.”
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CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MASSEY FERGUSON DEALER TODAY COBRAM Cobram Farm Equipment, Lot 3 Murray Valley Highway .....................(03) 5872 1722 CORRYONG Roger C. Brown P/L, Hanson Street ................................................(02) 6076 1788 ECHUCA Agpower Echuca P/L, 39 McKenzie Road ...........................................(03) 5482 2264 KYABRAM Albion (Kyabram) Motors P/L, 33-39 Albion Street ...........................(03) 5852 1977
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Offer ends 31st December 2017, while stocks last. * Loader offer refers to MF 5610 tractors and 900X series loaders only. ^ 1.99% finance with 30% Deposit over 24 months, GST paid in month 4. Contact your local Massey Ferguson dealership for full terms and conditions.
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NEWS
December 2017
North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 23
Cattle prices off the record mark compared to NSW and Qld ON the back of widespread rainfall, particularly in Queensland, Australian saleyard cattle prices lifted throughout September and into October. However, Victorian cattle prices, lacking the support of re-stockers and feeder buyers, have been selling at a discount compared to that of NSW and Queensland for much of the spring. The market also remains below the record highs of 2016, with yearling steers in Victoria averaging 22 per cent lower year-on-year, on 267¢/kg for spring-to-date, while cows averaged 202¢/kg, back 14 per cent year-on-year. The lack of re-stocker demand in the market is mainly due to the near full recovery of Victorian herd numbers from the liquidation that peaked in 2015 - consequently, the availability of light weight store cattle being yarded across the state has been limited. Further illustrating the recovery in the Victorian cattle herd is the 13 per cent year-on-year increase in the total number of cattle processed for spring-to-date, totalling 146,681 head. The increase mostly consisted of males, with a more consistent proportion of females being killed as the dairy herd liquidation slows. During spring, weekly slaughter in Victoria has remained consistently above 20,000 head. More than 57,000 head have been yarded across Victorian selling centres during September and October, back 14 per cent from year-ago levels. Saleyard consignments were considerably reduced during Sep-
Red Meat 2017 success THE Red Meat Advisory Council held its flagship event, Red Meat 2017, in Alice Springs late last month. The two day event featured a producer tour, a look at the latest innovations and marketing insights, a trade show and technology demonstrations, a business breakfast, unrivalled networking opportunities and the 2017 MLA annual general meeting. A number of industry leaders were invited to make presentations during the conference, including: Lisa Sharp, who spoke on the global demand for red meat; Dr Jane Weatherley, whose topic was harnessing the power of data to stand by sales; Michael Crowley, who discussed driving profitability on-farm by meeting consumer needs; and Sean Starling, who spoke on innovation being the key to keeping the value chain competitive.
Codference kicks off in Shepparton
SLOWING DOWN: The Victorian cattle market hasn’t been as strong as in other states over the spring months.
tember, with 23,679 head yarded, back 22 per cent from 2016. Wet weather impacted supply, particularly in southern Victoria, where improved pasture availabil-
ity resulted in producers retaining stock. Spring to-date throughput at NVLX Barnawartha totalled 15,546 head, while 9047 head were yard-
ed at Shepparton and Leongatha offered a total of 7214 head – similar to year-ago levels. All herd numbers were current as at mid October 2017.
HELD in Shepparton on December 10, the annual Codference will include presentations on: flagship native fisheries and how we got there; record native fish stocking; how fishing licence fees contribute; native fish habitat; native fish population surveys across 10 rivers; and an update on the National Carp Control Plan. The free Codference will be held at the Eastbank Conference Centre, 70 Welsford Street, Shepparton, from 9am until 4pm. Tea, coffee and lunch will be provided. To reserve your seat, visit www.vfa.vic. gov.au/codference2017.
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NEWS
Page 24, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer
Australian blueberries on sale in India THE first Australian blueberries have gone on sale in India. Imported by Kovai Pazhamudir Nilayam (KPN) Group, the company is the first in the world to import locally grown blueberries. Demand for agricultural produce in India is forecast to increase by 136 per cent between 2009 and 2050, according to ABARES research. In 2016, Australia exported $8.9 million worth of blueberries to almost 20 countries, including $4.4 million to Hong Kong. At the berry industry’s request, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources successfully negotiated market access for blueberries to India in September 2015. Fast facts: India was Australia’s fifth-largest agricultural export market in 2016-17, with exports valued at $3.1 billion, up 475.5 per cent since 2011-12; India is a significant market for Australian chickpeas ($1.1b), wheat ($743.3m), raw cotton ($389.0m), wool ($224.3m), and lentils ($200.0m); India has an estimated GDP growth rate of 7.7 per cent for 2018, compared to the average of 1.7 per cent for G7 economies and boasts one of the world’s fastest growing economies, forecast to become the third-largest by 2030; Australia and China recently agreed to new horticulture market access priorities that will allow work to progress on potential exports of Australian blueberries to China. The inclusion of blueberries on the priority list will progress after the existing access priority of mainland apples.
December 2017
Taming emissions, cutting feed costs By Dr Martin Auldist, Senior Research Scientist, Agriculture Victoria, Ellinbank
RESEARCH UP-DATE: Dr Martin Auldist talks about what he and his team have been up to in a new column set to feature each month in the Southern Farmer.
OCTOBER and November were busy months for Agriculture Victoria researchers at Ellinbank. The initial phase of a large experiment, led by Dr Bill Wales, investigating supplementary grain mixes for use in early lactation has nearly concluded. In this experiment, four groups of 20 cows were offered one of four different supplement mixes in the dairy at milking times for the first 100 days of lactation, in addition to a generous pasture allowance. The experimental design compares wheat and barley mixes with and without maize grain, and with and without canola meal. It is a labour intensive experiment with supplements being hand fed to each of the 80 cows to ensure the correct amount was offered. Pasture allowance and intake has been extensively monitored, with the intake of individual cows measured using the n-alkane technique. One of the team members, Dr Marlie Wright, is a global expert in this technique which compares the faecal concentrations of naturally occurring pasture alkanes
(plant waxes) with those of a dosed synthetic alkane to calculate intake. Initial results indicate that the milk yield of cows fed one of the two diets containing canola meal was around 2kg per cow per day higher for most of the first 100 days of lactation. Conversely, it appears that maize could be removed from the ration with little effect on milk yield, hence making the ration more cost effective. Statistical analyses will be required to confirm these preliminary observations. The next step is to put all the cows back on to a common ration and see how long the cows previously fed on the diets containing canola maintain their advantage. The earliest calving cows reached 100 days in milk and were moved to this common diet in mid-November. The rest of the cows will progressively finish their treatments according to calving date, with the latest calvers moving to the common diet by mid-December. The “carry over” milk yield effect will then be measured by measuring the milk yield of all 80 cows daily for the remainder of lactation. Carry over milk yield gains from feeding cows to a higher peak milk yield have been observed overseas, and if it happens in Victorian systems it will add to the economic benefits of these rations.
Other experimental work is currently under way and is led by Agriculture Victoria researchers, Dr Leah Marett and Dr Peter Moate. This experiment also uses 80 cows, and has the aim of looking for genetic markers for methane emissions. These cows are being fed a common diet of lucerne and barley cubes through on-site automatic feeders, which enable a precise measurement of dry matter intake. Over the course of the 35 day experiment, the methane emissions of each cow will be measured using the “SF6 technique”. The technique involves placing a bolus into the rumen of the cows, which emits a marker gas (sulphur hexafluoride; SF6) at a known rate. Samples of the cows’ breath are then captured and concentrations of methane and SF6 in the samples are used to calculate total methane emissions from each cow. This technique has been extensively refined at Ellinbank over many years by Dr Moate and his team. Dr Marett and Dr Moate’s collaborators at Agriculture Victoria in Bundoora will then examine the genotypes of low and high emitters with a view to identifying gene markers for methane emissions. Ultimately, the aim is to develop a breeding value for methane that will fit into the current breeding indices.
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NEWS
December 2017
DAYS GONE BY: The Mouldboard plough is often seen in traditional farming pictures, and is a method where the lower layer of soil is inverted.
North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 25
TRADITIONAL: Shane Callahan uses a Mouldboard plough as part of his rotational cropping program.
Traditional farming making a comeback OVER the last few decades, more and more producers have turned to no-till farming. Designed for minimum disturbance and lower operating costs, no-till is designed to directly plant seeds without agitating the surrounding soil. Although modern producers have certainly embraced the method, some believe traditional cultivation prac-
tices still have a place in a rotational system. One such farmer is Shane Callahan, who last month used a Mouldboard plough to turn over a 35 acre paddock out of Mansfield. Mr Callahan runs a mixed enterprise farm, producing ryegrass seed and beef cattle. “I grew up at Barwon Downs, in south western Victoria, where Mouldboards are
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used much more commonly,” Shane said. “I watched my relatives and neighbours ploughing many paddocks in preparation for potatoes, peas and various other crops.” Mouldboard ploughs are those often pictured in traditional farming images, with a ploughman walking behind a horse-drawn implement. The objective of a Mould-
board is to completely invert the soil, up-rooting all weeds, trash and crop residue and burying them underneath. “When used properly, it can be a really effective part of a rotational cropping program,” Mr Callahan said. “The plough inverts the weeds and incorporates all the organic material back into the soil.” Using a Mouldboard is not
for everyone, and is not for every soil type – with the plough struggling in stony paddocks. Despite this, Mr Callahan said it was a cost effective way to deal with compacted soils, weed problems and an easy way to improve soil structure. After being worked over by the Mouldboard, paddocks are levelled and worked down, and - in Mr Callahan’s case - prepared
for a summer forage crop. One thing the Mouldboard does not have in its favour is speed - at a rough guess, the old tractor and plough Mr Callahan uses turns over about an acre an hour. “It’s a bit slow, but I don’t mind, I quite enjoy the challenge and it usually delivers good results,” he said. “I only do it once every five or so years.”
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It’s your responsibility to be fire ready this summer, so prepare your property, fire plan and emergency kit now. When hot, dry, windy days are forecast, check Fire Danger Ratings in your district daily, and monitor conditions via local radio, the VicEmergency website and app. On high-risk fire days, leaving early, before a fire starts, is always the safest option.
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FIRE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION
December 2017
North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 27
Twin impeller pump goes Kubota while the high pressure performance of the pump provides up to 200 lpm flow at 80m head - over 100 psi; a phenomenal amount of water for a small pump. When Aussie Pumps released the original Honda pump, their 9 and 13HP petrol drive version became the benchmark for all pumps. The Mr T pump provides consumers with a record suction lift of 7.6m – with a maximum flow of up to 500 lpm and a shut off head in petrol drive at 135 psi or 95m vertical lift. The direct suction means buyers can get water from creeks, eroded streams or from wells while maintaining a high pressure water transfer – so it
Aussie’s free fire smart plan A FREE plan on how to best prepare for this year’s bushfire season has been released by Aussie Pumps. The new booklet takes farmers and home owners logically through the prep needed to defend properties – from cleaning gutters to how to prepare your property boundaries. “Anyone who lives near bushland, coastal scrub, on grasslands or between paddocks is potentially at risk,” Australian Pump Industries (Aussie Pumps) spokesman, Brad Farrugia, said. “The Aussie Fire Smart Survival Guide is our way of giving support to everyone who is potentially at risk. The guide deals with the options of stay or go during a fire situation – based on assessing the risks for each situation and
putting in the preparation work in advance. “Without wishing to sound dramatic, it can save lives,” Mr Farrugia said. The guide covers how to set up sprinkler systems to provide household protection, and details all of the basics of family fire drills, pump maintenance and selection. The guide also highlights the key questions to ask when
selecting a fire pump. “Homeowners should take the trouble to check out the pump specifications, looking in particular at the amount of water delivered at the required pressure,” Mr Farrugia said. “You may need one outlet on the pump for a sprinkler system and another for a hose to douse spot fires - will there be enough water to supply both? “Reading our guide will arm customers with a realistic expectation of what can be achieved, what equipment will be needed, and how to avoid some of the pitfalls.” Aussie Pumps’ Fire Smart Guide is available free from Aussie Pump distributors throughout Australia or by downloading from the website, www.aussiepumps.com.au.
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doesn’t matter if you need water for firefighting, irrigation or even to run the garden sprinkler, you can easily access the water you need, at a pressure you want, using the Mr T pump. The new Kubota version, with lower performances proportional to the lower rpm of diesel compared to petrol engines, comes in a heavy duty galvanised frame with gal sub based and anti-vibration mounts, and weighs in at a relatively light weight 105kg. The OC95 engine is a prime power unit and comes with electric start as standard equipment. Kubota’s unique engine features are significantly different to all other strictly air-cooled
engines, claiming the engines run cooler, quieter and use less fuel - all major features the buyers of diesel drive pumps are looking at for long term reliability and efficiency. As a Christmas special, the Aussie Pumps’ Mr T Kubota is being offered at a great discounted rate, and comes with a free battery as part of the package – so get your Christmas sorted early this year, and surprise the farm with the only present that could potentially save the property. Further information on Aussie Pumps’ Mr T Twin Kubota is available from the website at www.aussiepumps.com.au, or by contacting your local authorised distributors.
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FIRED UP: Be prepared for all your water needs with the latest version of Aussie Pumps’ Mr T twin impeller Kubota pump.
AUSSIE Pumps’ mighty ‘Mr T’ twin impeller high pressure firefighting pump made a real impact on the market when it was launched five years ago, and each new version features bigger and better design changes. The newly released model is no exception, featuring Kubota’s OC series oil-air cooled diesel engine – designed to meet the needs of every farmer for years to come. The twin impeller pump appeals to all those who need reliable performance coupled with high output, such as farmers, firefighters and contractors. The Aussie Pumps’ Mr T twin impellers and guide vanes are perfectly matched and balanced to provide long, trouble-free life,
Page 28, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer
END OF YEAR MACHINERY GUIDE
December 2017 WRITE IT OFF:
If you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to upgrade that piece of farming equipment that has been rotting away in the shed. A farm is able to write off any asset bought before July 1, provided it cost less than $20,000. This is providing the business has a turnover of less than $10 million, and that the asset was first ready for use in the 2016/2017 financial year. The write-off threshold has been extended to June 30, 2018. For more information, contact your local tax agent.
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END OF YEAR MACHINERY GUIDE
December 2017
North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 29
Beef Week Special Presentation
MAXIMISE GERMINATION: The John Shearer disc maximises germination through its use of precision sowing.
Wednesday Jan 31st from 9AM We are showcasing 130 commercial Australis cows and calves. They demonstrate how easy and effective 2 breed combination cattle breeding is.
THE John Shearer Pasture Drill offers more precision sowing – and therefore maximum germination – thanks to its unique double disc design. The drill has many advantages to offer farmers, including a uniform seeding depth, a reduction of draft forces, trash handling ability, reduced soil disturbance and faster sowing speeds. Using discs, rather than tynes, is particularly advantageous when producers are sowing into rocky conditions, while sowing with a double disc opener leaves smother soil profile and will assist in reducing water runoff. The John Shearer Pasture Drill uses a spring pin to lock the press arm into place, which is used to control the depth and provides 6mm increments over 50mm travel.
The spring loaded opener has a mechanical screw assembly to easily adjust the mainspring to decrease or increase pressure for both opening coulters and the press wheel. Downward force can be increased to help cut tough stubble residue, and in drier conditions penetrate the soil for good seed placement. The spring breakout pressure can be adjusted up to 182kg (400 lb), and the unit has 254mm (10”) of vertical ground following capability. For the hydraulic version, pressure is adjusted on the go from the tractor seat to suit soil types and conditions - a pressure gauge fitted into the system allows the operator to monitor the down pressure. The John Shearer opener is designed to perform in many different soil types and condi-
tions, with its compact design meaning that the press wheel is much closer to the sowing boot than most others on the market with remarkable benefits in terms of uniform seeding depth. The opener is a true parallelogram based around two carriers - the mounting carrier which attaches the unit to either a square or diamond mounting frame, and the main carrier on which the ground engaging coulters (or optional tyne) and press wheel are attached. The hydraulic version of the double disc opener features a spring return mechanism for transport. The John Shearer Pasture Drill offers an investment, not just on time spent in the field but also in increasing yield benefits and soil improvement.
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NEWS
Page 30, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer
December 2017
DrumMUSTER collection is coming to Mansfield Shire FARMERS and growers in the Mansfield district have a chance to clear farms of empty agvet drums before fire season gets under way, with a one-off local drumMUSTER collection. Mansfield Shire Council is hosting the collection day on December 6, and landholders are encouraged to prepare by ensuring eligible containers are triplerinsed before delivery. DrumMUSTER program manager, Frank Wimmler, said the collection was an excellent opportunity for landholders to clear their farms of plastic and metal containers well in advance of the 2017-18 fire season. “Many QA programs these days require growers to meet waste management standards and that includes chemical and container disposal,” he said. “DrumMUSTER is the perfect solution, providing safe, effective and free disposal for containers bearing the program logo and disposal is also just good farm practice, ensuring your family and employees stay safe.” DrumMUSTER containers are collected and processed for the manufacture of recycled products such as fencing, ag pipe, construction materials, landscaping equipment and wheelie bins. Agvet chemical containers displaying the DrumMUSTER logo are eligible for free collection on December 6 at Mansfield Works Depot, Lakins Road, Mansfield from 9am-noon. Landholders often have unwanted chemicals in storage and the ChemClear program provides farmers with an opportunity to
DISPOSE THOSE DRUMS: DrumMUSTER is coming to Mansfield this December.
safely dispose of these unwanted chemicals to protect communities, livestock, land and waterways. While these will not be collected on the day, landholders can register their old chemicals for disposal online or by phoning the ChemClear hotline, for collection at a later date.
Chemical containers displaying the DrumMUSTER logo are eligible for free collection, while products registered without the logo or are unlabelled, expired, mixed or from non-participating manufacturers are designated fee-forservice products, which incur a fee for their disposal.
A quote will be provided when booking fee-for-service chemicals. Check the interactive map for other DrumMUSTER collection sites at www.drummuster.org. au or phone 1800 008 707. Register unwanted chemicals online at www.chemclear.org. au or phone 1800 008 182.
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Look for crop pests now GRAIN growers are being reminded to report any suspect plant pests and symptoms as early as possible to stop the spread of diseases next cropping season. Reporting of odd pest and plant symptoms can be done quickly and easily through Agriculture Victoria’s crop surveillance program CropSafe. CropSafe is a field crop pest and disease surveillance system linked to more than 200 major agribusiness companies and private agronomist networks. In 2016, 226 samples were submitted to CropSafe for identification of unknown pests and diseases, 141 more than the year before, due to seasonal conditions and the Russian wheat aphid (RWA) incursion. The first report of RWA came from a CropSafe agronomist – all of whom receive specialist surveillance training, as well as diagnostic support for unusual or difficult cases. Agriculture Victoria’s acting chief plant health officer (CPHO) Dr Rosa Crnov said CropSafe has become a critical tool in identifying potential exotic pests and disease threats to the state’s grains industry. The CPHO relies on CropSafe surveillance data for market access related area of-freedom (AoF) claims. A recent evaluation of the program revealed that it would require 81 full time staff equivalents to provide the same targeted surveillance coverage. “The more growers we have using our CropSafe tools, the better we can protect our grains industry,” Agriculture Victoria program manager, Kellyanne Harris, said. “The bigger the CropSafe network becomes, the better able it is to detect exotic pests and diseases in field crops and early detection is key.” The program earned a top biosecurity award in March 2017 for its role in the RWA response in Victoria. For more information about CropSafe visit http://go.vic.gov.au/PQRwiv.
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NEWS
December 2017
North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer, Page 31
Rural Trades
NORTH EAST AND GOULBURN MURRAY
NORTH EAST AND GOULBURN MURRAY
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PERMANENT WATER AVAILABLE High Security Water available Zone 6 & 7 - Goulburn Zone 6 & 7 - Murray System 9A & 9B Oven & Kiewa Temporary Water Available All Zones P. 03 5722 3117 F. 03 5722 1388 M. 0419 355 473 brucediffey@westnet.com.au
MOBILE REPAIRS
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PAUL WILLIAMS - CHESHIRE & WILLIAMS REPAIRS P/L Ph (03) 5721 4419 mobile 0428 574 195 1 WENHAMS LANE, WANGARATTA
k/12d12582-v15/1516
Member of the Australian Water Brokers Association #302
CONCRETE TANKS
Advert size = T12 (45mm H x 129mm W)
TERRY MILLER CONCRETE TANKS SPECIALISTS IN U NDERGROUND CONCRETE TANKS ғ All tanks are 2.26m (7’6”) in height ғ All tanks walls are 125mm (5”) thick ғ All foundations (tank floors) are 150mm (6”) thick
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M: 0419 462 814
ғ Tanks are algae free ғ Cool in summer ғ Won’t blow away
P: 02 6026 7021
E: cjf57@bigpond.com
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v/12D13605-v2/3617
Wangaratta Monthly Store Cattle Sale Friday, December 1, 2017 Wangaratta Associated Stock Agents
Be on the North East Farmer Rural Trades and Directory list and get the call, with the North East Farmer every month!
ABN: 14 060 919 502
TRADES AND SERVICES
For further information contact your local representative
WATER TRADING
Phone (03) 5723 0100
LIVESTOCK
(1st Friday of each month)
Directory
5723 0100
Part of the Farmer Group Rural Newspapers Covering Victoria
4900
$
NORTH EAST AND GOULBURN MURRAY
FOR SALE
per month
Part of the Farmer Group Rural Newspapers Covering Victoria
GH FARM MACHINERY
Based on a 6 edition deal
To build your business call Nathen today Phone (03) 5723 0134
7OV[V! 4PJOHLS (TLUKVSPH
4K] ;YKJ :XGIZUXY ,GXS 3GINOTKX_ Garry Hamlyn
✆ 0484 782 929
email ntroy@nemedia.com.au
Wangaratta
R E S TO R E
T S IGJH S U T
ghfarming@gmail@gmail.com
FO R
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Classifieds WORK Phone 5723 0100
Monthly Store Sale Friday, December 1 at 10.30am.
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Are you unhappy with your horse’s behavior? There may be a reason why your trusty steed is acting up and this article aims to outline some of the possibilities…. Poorly fitting tack If tack is not fitted properly than discomfort and bad behavior is likely to follow, not just in the saddle but on the ground as well. Sometimes evidence of poorly fitting tack may be physically visualised (for example sores beneath the saddle or in the corners of the mouth) but this is not always the case. Keep in mind that a saddle that is fitted well previously may not fit anymore as your horse’s shape and condition will change over time. Bridles and bits need to be checked separately to ensure that both items individually are fitted correctly. Experiment with different types of bits as well as trialing your horse both with and without a noseband. Teeth Dental problems can lead to sensitivity or pain in the mouth or can affect the ability of the bit to sit in a pain free position in the mouth. Because horse teeth grow continuously throughout their life they require regular dental care to ensure their mouths are pain free, not just when being ridden but also when eating. In most cases 12 monthly dental checks will be adequate to minimise discomfort due to dental disease. In season Changes in sexual hormones circulating through the blood when your horse is on heat can also contribute to behavioral changes or a ‘naughty horse.’ You may notice your mare is more distracted or flighty, she may be increasingly vocal and squeal and kick at you or other horses. Depending on the severity of these changes and how much they affect the performance of your horse you may need to speak
to your veterinarian about options to manage these hormonal changes. Nutrition This one is as simple as energy input versus energy output! If your horse is on an very high energy diet (for example a grain with high protein and sugar levels or fresh green clover) then they are going to be very hot headed with energy to burn which may lead to poor behavior. Stomach Ulcers Stomach ulcers can occur in horses for a variety of reasons ranging from nutrition to exercise levels or associated with certain drugs such as the common antiinflammatory ‘Bute’. Stomach ulcers have found to be associated with some cases of poor performance in horses due discomfort associated with the condition. Pain Many behavioral issues can be related back to an underlying cause of pain. A few of the causes have been outlined already in this article (for example pain due to poorly fitting tack, dental disease or stomach ulcers.) Other causes of pain could include muscle or joint pain, laminitis or other underlying disease. v/12d12235-v48/49-17
355 Benalla Road Shepparton Ph: (03) 5821 4411
December 2017
Graeme Duncan 0437 395 270 Bedri Ahmet 0407 217 589
For more information go to
www.konigs.com.au
LMCT 11745
Page 32, North East and Goulburn Murray Farmer