THE SOUTHERN
Part of the Farmer Group Rural Newspapers Covering Victoria Published since 1986
JANUARY, 2015
RAISED BEDS WORK
8-9
486 Whitehorse Road, Surrey Hills, 3127
BEEF WEEK PREVIEW
12-17
FIRE AWARENESS
18-21
Johne’s policy upheaval By JODIE FLEMING and DAVID PALMER
BANKSIA BOUNTY
THE question of how to manage Johne’s disease will not go away until decisions are made on a national level, delivering a consistent approach across Australia, according to some hard-hitting Victorian cattle producers. Many producers across the country are driving to have a solution to an issue that they say is unnecessarily destroying cattle studs and lives – where 30 suicides have already occurred as a result of inadequate compensation and inaccurate testing. Brian Mobbs of High Spa Angus stud, Daylesford, said that he lost many more cattle to clostridial diseases like blackleg than he did to Johne’s. The stud only runs cattle – a vital strategy given the ability of Johne’s to cross from sheep to cattle. Mr Mobbs said it was a no-win situation being in a Johne’s eradication scheme. “Every time cattle are tested the owners are sweating their brains out because it is like playing Russian roulette,” he said. “There is no test available to give a definite
Lethbridge wildflower grower John Tantau has been busy picking Banksia speciosa flowers for the general flower trade and festive market from his 13-hectare farm between Geelong and Ballarat. Established 33 years ago, flower production yields a useful cashflow for John and Sherryn Tantau.
Story pages 4-5
PHOTO: David Palmer
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answer and if a breeder gets a reactor in his herd it is dynamite and may well ruin him. “Also, he gets to employ a group of bureaucrats for the next decade.” Mr Mobbs said various state authorities implemented the Johne’s eradication scheme because it was thought that would be a marketing advantage for Australian beef overseas. “But that’s nonsense because all our important markets have it already,” he said. Mr Mobbs believed that the Cattle Council of Australia would be holding a conference on Johne’s this year but thought it would be by invitation only to those who were in favor of the scheme. Mansfield cattle breeder Don Lawson – a principal of Lawson’s Angus at Glenburn – has been calling on the Victorian government to undertake a wide-ranging, independent enquiry into Johne’s disease for some time. Mr Lawson said that the entire current Johne’s policy is flawed. The science master’s degree holder and Order of Australia medallist said that there was no reliable test.
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NEWS
Page 2, Southern Farmer
Grantville CFA fire-ready day heads new year diary
THE SOUTHERN
Covering Central South Victoria and West Gippsland Level 1, Suite 103, Whitehorse Road, Surry Hill, North VIC 3127
GRANTVILLE January 3, 8 KNOWING what to do and where to go on a hot, dry, windy day is your best protection against a bushfire. Free CFA Fire Ready Victoria meetings will be held at Cape Paterson outside the Cape Tavern on Saturday, January 3 at 9am and at the Grantville Community Hall on Thursday, January 8 at 7.30pm. Information: Bass Coast Shire Council 1300 226 278, www.cfa. vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/fire-readykit. MELBOURNE January 5-9 THE National All Breeds Dairy Youth Camp 2015 will be held at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Road, Ascot Vale from January 5 to 9. The five-day program aims to encourage and support young people from all backgrounds as they develop their interest in the dairy industry. Camp details: Arrival: January 5 at midday; Departure: January 9 about 4.30pm; Exhibition Day: January 9, 9.30am start. For more information contact the Youth Camp Co-ordinator: 0409 931 159 or (03) 5624 1401. WONTHAGGI January 10, 11 BASS Coast Summer Agricultural Show will be held on
Phone (03) 9888 4822 Fax (03) 9888 4840 Email: nefarmer@nemedia.com.au Website: www.nemedia.com.au
Advertising:
Rod Berryman Phone (03) 9888 4822 Fax (03) 9888 4840 rberryman@nemedia.com.au
Editorial:
David Palmer Phone (03) 9888 4822 Fax (03) 9888 4840 sfarmer@nemedia.com.au
Livestock Coordinator:
David Rizzoli Phone (03) 9888 4822 Fax (03) 9888 4840
Pre-Press Coordinator
Noelene Allan Phone (03) 5723 0110 Fax (03) 5722 9778 nallan@nemedia.com.au
Published by Hartley Higgins for North East Media Pty Ltd, 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta 3677. Responsibility for election comment is accepted by Editor Jeff Zeuschner. Copyright: All advertising and editorial content of this issue is the copyright of North East Media Pty Ltd and cannot be used without the company’s permission.
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David PALMER
Rod BERRYMAN
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January, 2015
Noelene ALLAN
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Saturday, January 10 from 9am at the Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve. It will feature traditional agricultural show activities and stunt motorbikes, African drumming,theWonthaggi Citizens Band and roving entertainment. Entry: $35 families, $15 adults, $5 children and $10 pensioners and students. Sunday, January 11 is an equestrian-only day with entry at $15/vehicle. Information: Rosemary Loughnan, (03) 5672 3259, basscoastagshow@hotmail.com. or www.basscoastagshow.org.au GEELONG January 16 APPLE and Pear Australia Limited (APAL) is offering a $10,000 scholarship for fees for a Diploma of Agribusiness at Marcus Oldham College, Geelong. Anyone working in the apple and pear industry in a nursery, orchard, pack house or cool store can apply. Applications close Friday, January 16. Information:www. apal.org.au/importanceeducated/#sthash.9lGgTN12. dpuf. KILCUNDA January 25 KILCUNDA Lobster Festival will be held from 9am on January 25 at the foreshore car park, Bass Highway, Kilcunda. Information: Andrea Bolch 0400
065 253,secretary@kcda.org. au,www.kcda.org.au. BALLAN February 15 BALLAN District Vintage Machinery and Vehicle Club will feature CT Deutscher and Sons Ballarat made engines and British sporting cars in Ballan’s Great Vintage Rally at the Old Ballan Racecourse. The usual vintage tractors, stationary engines, trucks and workshop equipment will be on display as well as old time wares, classic cars and motorcycles and model trains. There will be vintage tractors engaged in a pulling contest, model aircraft flown and sheep shorn. Open from 9.30 to 4pm entry will cost $10 for adults and nothing for under 14 year olds. MURNONG February 18 MURNONG Farming will hold its next open day on its 1215ha farm midway between Inverleigh and Winchelsea. It is participating in DEPI hogget joining trials and is looking forward to the results. A nucleus flock of Highlander elite ewes joined as hoggets have performed beyond expectations with 129 per cent lambs being scanned when the ewes were pregnant and 117 percent survived to lamb marking. Mature ewe size has dropped from first cross ewes at 90-95kgs
to Australian composites at 75-80kgs and is now down to Highlanders at 65-68kgs. This results in a drop in feed requirements of 24 per cent or increased stocking rates which equate to 36 additional lambs per hundred ewes in Murnong’s flock. Information: Murnongfarming. com. BENDIGO March 11-12 SPEAKERS will come from Ireland, Germany, the US, Canada and Australia for Herd ’15 at Bendigo, the dairy industry’s biennial conference on herd improvement Speakers have been selected for their ability to provide practical takes on the latest developments and highlight the value of collaboration. Highlights include Patrick Baier from AgSource Cooperative Services in the United States talking about turning data into collaborative decision making and Maria Theilen from MilchQplus in Germany on using data to tackle on-farm challenges. Another will be Andrew Parkinson from Australian firm Wellbred Genetics discussing whether artificial insemination synchronisation really saves money. Information: Michelle Axford, ADHIS, 03 8621 4240, maxford@ adhis.com.au or go to www.adhis. com.au.
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AUSTRALIA’S existing biosecurity processes and practices may not be sufficient to protect the country in the near future according to a recently released report by the CSIRO. ‘Australia’s Biosecurity Future: Preparing for future biological challenges’ uses strategic foresight to
identify the major biosecurity trends and risks that Australia may need to respond to over the next 20 to 30 years, within a global context. CSIRO partnered with Animal Health Australia, the Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre and the Invasive Animals CRC and consulted with
various industry, government and scientific organisations to deliver the report. According to the report, a human disease pandemic, European honey bee colonies wiped out and an invasion of a devastating wheat disease are just three potential biosecurity threats facing Australia.
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NEWS
January, 2015
Gippsland shows a world of cheese Maffra red leicester, cheddar and Berrys Creek blues win in Britain MAFFRA Cheese Company’s red leicester cheese was awarded a gold medal at the World Cheese Awards in the United Kingdom recently. Its Maffra cloth-aged cheddar also won a silver and bronze. Berrys Creek maintained its blue cheese supremacy with a silver medal for its Rowefords Blue and a bronze for its Riverine Blue.
GLOBAL WIN: Maffra’s cheddar.
Also scoring from Gippsland milk was Bega Cheese. It secured a bronze medal for its Westacre vintage cheese. In the Australian Grand
Southern Farmer, Page 3
Peninsula wines show consistency THE two major awards from the Mornington Peninsula Vignerons’ Association’s recent first show were provenance awards for chardonnay won by Yabby Lake Vineyard (winemaker Tom Carson) and pinot noir won by Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove (winemaker Simon Black). Each award was determined from a pair of wines three and four vintages apart. This focused on a winery’s consistent wine quality over a number of vintages, and not just
one exceptional wine. The winning wines were 2012 and 2008 Yabby Lake Single Vineyard pinot noir and 2013 and 2010 Montalto Estate chardonnay. Judges also awarded the current vintage chardonnay gold medal to the 2013 Montalto Estate chardonnay and the current vintage pinot noir gold medal to the 2013 Foxeys Kentucky Road 777 pinot noir. The best of the rest award went to the 2012 Garagiste Merricks pinot noir.
The Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Association have established a Wine Wall of Fame for the region and the two 2014 Provenance Award winners will be the first to be highlighted. With 230 wines competing at the Willow Creek Vineyard and Salix Restaurant this regional wine show was small in comparison to others. But the strength of the show was the ability to focus solely on Mornington Peninsula wines. Wines were scored on a 100-point scale.
Dairy Awards the only Gippsland representative winner was Berrys Creek - again with its Roweford blue. This cheese won the awards’ goat and sheep milk category.
STANDING TALL: Gelbvieh heifers line-up for the camera. PHOTO: Australian Gelbvieh Association
Simmental and Gelbvieh cattle feature in Beef Week 1972 using AI and embryo transfer programs. The stud’s first purebreds were born in 1979. Nullawarre has entered carcase competitions, performance classes and steer trials with good results, especially in weight gain sections. Some cross breeding with Gelbvieh has been done with very pleasing results Mrs Trenery said. “In 1990 our first Gelbvieh calves were born by using embryo transfer. Imported Gelbvieh donors were flushed off farm and the embryos were implanted into Simmental recipients.”
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NULLAWARRE Simmentals and Balgowan Gold Gelbvieh cattle grazing the gently rolling hills of West Gippsland are among 250 studs showing in Beef Week field days across south eastern Australia next month. Events will take place across nine days in three states in the annual round featuring the country’s finest cattle. Nullawarre and Balgowan will have breeding herds on display on February 1. The Gelbvieh stud’s polled sire Balgowan Gold Master will be offered for sale and some of his progeny displayed. Stud principal Shirley Trenery has been breeding Simmental cattle since
See Southern Farmer’s Beef Week preview pages 12-17.
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NEWS
Page 4, Southern Farmer
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January, 2015
Banksias bring By DAVID PALMER IT was soon obvious to school teacher John Tantau and his wife Sherryn that running beef cattle or sheep on their 13-hectare farm near Lethbridge, between Geelong and Ballarat, was not going to cut the mustard in income terms. So they eventually decided to try growing wildowers and nearly 33 years later they have developed a viable business with a useful cash ow. But they have tried almonds, olives and raspberries along the way which largely failed because of drought, an expanding population of birds and at one time a few million-strong grasshopper plague. John initially grew a few fruit trees and discovered that almonds particularly liked the sandy well drained soil. “The almonds just took off so I thought they might be good and I put in ďŹ ve of them. “But I was green and naĂŻve and I didn’t realise the rosella population would relish them; they ate all the almonds,â€? he said. Then a few years later he thought the sandy soil might suit a raspberry farm because it had the right acidity. As well, seeing the farm is just off the Ballarat to Geelong road, it could be set up for pick your own harvesting. John planted 40 metres of raspberries in the vegetable garden and they grew beautifully. “So I was pretty conďŹ dent they were going to be a goer here,â€? he said. With only a dam for water, they were ďŹ ne until the drought, the dam dried up and the raspberries – and vegetable garden – died. Water now comes from a pipeline that went in towards the end of the drought connecting the Stony Creek reservoir to the back of Anakie then runs through the nearby Brisbane Ranges and through the front of the Tantaus’ farm to a treatment plant. “It gave us a bit more exibility although someone then suggested we try olives because they are drought tolerant and don’t need much water,â€? John said. So he planted about 50 olive
SPRING COLOR: John poses with two of his dogs and a range of wildflower species including Leucadendron corringle gold, Leucaspermum Lance and L. corterfolium.
trees which grew well. “But then one day at school my eldest son was on the phone to say grasshoppers were eating the olives. He said they had eaten all the leaves and were then getting stuck into the bark. “In fact they had eaten nearly all the bark and had even ring barked many of them which meant most of them died too,� he said. Strangely the millions of grasshoppers, not locusts John said, limited their depredations to just two of the Tantau paddocks and one of their neighbor’s. “It’s a battle against the elements here because there are always issues with birds and other creatures and what we grow,� he said. Soon after the demise of the olive trees, John and his wife went on a holiday to Goolwa, South Australia, where they saw Banksia coccinea and scarlet banksias growing and thought they looked alright. As well they were growing in similar well drained sandy ground to what they had at 250m above sea level near Lethbridge and the Brisbane Ranges.
SHOW CAR: John Tantau washes his veteran Summit car in preparation for a local road trip. It will play a vital transport role, along with copious vased wildflowers during his daughter’s wedding later this year.
“They are not supposed to grow well in the eastern states but they have done extremely well on our sandy soil,� John said. Soon after their holiday they collected Grevillea hookeriana, B. coccinia and B. speciosa seed pods and propagated them when they got home. John said the key to growing them well is to put “a fair whack of water on to start them off�.
They were quite heavily drip irrigated when he ďŹ rst planted them but he now limits extra water to extremely hot days. “Now though only if there is a hot spell do I give them a bit of a drink,â€? he said. In the early wildower days with three children at school and not much money, the Tantaus started small. „ Continued page 5
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NEWS
January, 2015
Southern Farmer, Page 5
home the bacon It’s a battle against the elements here because there are always issues with birds and other creatures and what we grow.
ROADSIDE DELIVERY: The Tantaus market a range of their wildflowers from the east end of South East Road, She Oaks. From page 4
South African leucospermum, flore isopogon from a grower near Geelong and dryandra horrida (now B. horrida) from Western Australia – “a fantastic flower”. “Later around the shelterbelts I put a lot of foliage plants like spinning gum or Hakea petiolaris; I use them in bunches and they’ve been a good thing to have,” John said. “The satisfaction of sourcing the seed, propagating it and see-
ing the plants grow is exciting but a lot of hard work too,” he said. The beauty of Australian and South African flowers, the Tantau specialty, is their long vase life; they will last two or three weeks without losing color and some customers say up to a month. “At monthly markets people return and say I’ve only just thrown your flowers out so I’m ready for some new ones.”
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But as their volume of flowers grew they started to attend farmers’ markets where people were appreciative and interested in their flowers. With John still teaching at Lethbridge Primary School – he was full time there for 25 years – they were able to put all the flower money back into more seeds. In particular they acquired
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NATIVE GARDEN: The Tantaus’ native garden is the result of more than three decades of plantings.
John said he often cut B. speciosa in clumps of four or five flowers and sold them as ‘Aussie Christmas trees’. “People love them because they can hang decorations in them,” he said. They also dry well. Nowadays he sells at farmers’ markets in Ballan, Bannockburn and Geelong. Just before Southern Farmer’s visit the Tantaus had sold 100 bunches of wildflowers at a busy annual lakeside market around Lake Wendouree in Ballarat. The plants flower all year round although spring is the peak growing time. Birds are still a bit of a problem and in particular, rosellas have decided that Grevillea hookeriana flowers “are a bit tasty”. So that has meant netting the shrubs for part of the spring. “Birds peck at the flowers for a while then lose interest and move away but every year they come back,” John said. For maximum flower production pruning is essential and while not difficult it is time consuming. “It’s not rocket science because you just prune back to where next year’s flowers will be.” After years of working under lights late at night putting bunches of flowers together and working as a full time teacher, John promised himself seven years ago he would not take on full time teaching again and have to juggle the flower business. But he now relieve teaches part time and taught eight out of a possible 10 weeks recently. Of the flower business overall John said: “It’s been a great journey and I’ve got a lot of pleasure.”
CHRISTMAS FLOWER: Leucaspermum cordifolium flowers are ready for sale about December.
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NEWS
January, 2015
Southern Farmer, Page 7
Summer’s overseas tourist spike highlights imported pest risk WITH more than 300 exotic grain pests and diseases existing on our “national doorstep�, growers need to be vigilant in ensuring none of these get a foothold on their farms, says Victoria’s grains biosecurity officer Jim Moran. “Upwards of 11 million passengers enter and leave Australia each year. “At the same time, 140m mail articles
and 20m tonnes of sea and air cargo – including more than $2bn worth of cereals, cereal preparations, vegetables and fruit preparations – arrive in Australia annually,� Mr Moran said. Speaking at recent Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) updates in the southern cropping region, Mr Moran told growers that Australia’s border
protection network was constantly tested because of the increasing and more rapid movement of people and produce. “There are 20,000 plus pest and disease detections by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) each year, of which more than 25 per cent are found to be exotic and would be a risk to Australian agriculture.
“Australia maintains the toughest quarantine standards in the world, and while border security at sea and airports is ever-present, they won’t detect every incoming pest. “Ongoing vigilance is needed by farmers to ensure nothing gets a foothold at their farm should a pest enter Australia,� he said. Grain growers who implement rigorous
Broccoli production costs pressure growers
Australia’s 9000 vegetable and potato growers. Mr White said the broccoli growers’ situation was similar to the challenges being faced by many Australian growers of other vegetable commodities. He added it was important for broccoli growers to ďŹ nd innova-
tive ways to increase productivity, while also investigating new income streams, such as developing export markets. “Most of Australia’s headed broccoli and cauliower exports make their way to Singapore and Brunei, with the UAE and Malaysia also emerging
as important destinations,â€? Mr White said. “With new free trade and economic partnership agreements coming into effect in the near future, and an ongoing focus on developing export markets for Australian vegetable growers, there may be opportunities for broccoli producers to expand their operations on a global scale.â€? AUSVEG has developed Veggie Stats to proďŹ le different crops in the industry magazine Vegetables Australia: broccoli features in the November/December edition with lettuce and carrots to follow. The underpinning data is largely sourced from ABARES and the Global Trade Atlas and is presented at the national level and therefore does not account for differences among jurisdictions.
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SFJAN15
AUSSIE broccoli growers are continuing to do it tough in the face of rising costs, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES). It illustrates that in 2011-12 broccoli growers’ returns were considerably lower than they were in 2007-08. “Rising costs have put pressure on growers, whose average returns have fallen since 2007-08 despite an increase in prices,� said AUSVEG spokesperson Andrew White. “While domestic broccoli prices have increased by 12 per cent since 2007-08, average costs have increased by 20 per cent which means that growers are not seeing great returns from higher prices.� AUSVEG is the leading horticultural body representing
on-farm biosecurity programs will not only safeguard their livelihoods but will help all grain growers in terms of market access, sustainability of production, food security and food integrity,� Mr Moran said. He also works for the Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Plant Health Australia and Grain Producers Australia.
t/05d07690/2-15
NEWS
Page 8, Southern Farmer
January, 2015
5DLVHG EHGV DQG FRQWUROOHG WUDI¿F By DAVID PALMER
FRIABLE: With raised beds and controlled traffic farming soil that was difficult to work becomes friable. Charlie Cameron shows some from what is self-mulching deep cracking black clay.
WEED FREE: Spraytopping the preceding two years of perennial ryegrass left a clean seedbed for this canola.
A KILOMETRE or two east of Shelford a carefully conserved John Shearer Majestic disc plough displayed on the road reserve commemorates how these unsubtle but hugely useful earthshatterers opened up rough soldier settler blocks into liveable farms in the 1950s and 1960s. But apart from the odd crop of oats this eastern edge of the western plains was for several decades almost entirely dedicated to grazing sheep and cattle. Suitable wheat varieties were not available and the black clay soil got too wet during most winters anyway. Now with the advent of raised beds and sophisticated and effective direct drills, a whole range of winter crops have become viable. One district farming family to embrace the best technology and varieties on those once difficult soils is the Camerons of Rocklea just off the Geelong to Ballarat road south of Lethbridge. They own 2400 hectares and lease another 400ha which they have acquired over nearly a century of farming in the district. Part of that landholding is about 10km west at Mount Gow west of Shelford where their careful handling of difficult soil has resulted in a deep cracking, friable black clay. Andrew Cameron has been full time on the farm since 1985 and much more recently has
been assisted by Marcus Oldham College-trained son Charlie. “Because it’s raised beds and controlled traffic, all of a sudden you’ve got this soil which in a normal situation is difficult to work has become friable,” Andrew said. “But it is challenging to grow successful crops there through a normal winter and to do that you have to have raised beds and lift the crops; even with raised beds a wet winter is an absolute killer.” The Camerons this year grew 1520ha of wheat, barley, oats, canola, linseed and for the first time faba beans. With faba beans at $450 a tonne and anticipated yields close to that of cereals, in the Camerons’ case five to six tonnes a hectare, returns as SF went to press looked promising. Andrew said it was important to be on top of faba bean agronomy particularly chocolate spot disease although that had not been a big problem this season. The Camerons do not burn stubble on the home farm because of light soil and a need to keep it protected from damaging winds. But they do burn on the heavier Shelford paddocks and particularly when that country is going into canola. “Burning is really about reducing habitat for slugs because it is slug heaven out there,” Charlie said. In contrast Rocklea soil is light, undulating loam over buckshot clay and “has not got terribly good moisture holding ability”,
NEW CROP: Charlie Cameron in the family’s first linseed crop on their Mt Gow property near Lethbridge between Geelong and Ballarat.
Andrew said. “It doesn’t matter how much rain we get we can never get this country wet so the wetter a year is the better the crops will be,” he added. That means lucerne is a fairly recent ideal crop for a rotation because, despite advice to the contrary, the Camerons take paddocks straight out of lucerne into canola, for example. “We have cropped a lot of this country for 30 odd years without a spell and we are changing our idea a bit and bringing a lot of lucerne in,” Andrew said. “We are finding we can get from a grazing phase to a cropping phase really quickly and vice versa. “So instead of having that one year where you might start
to knock lucerne out before you put a winter crop in, we are just swapping from one to the other.” Pointing to an undulating paddock of potentially 3t/ha canola near the house, he said it was thick with lucerne a year ago. “My agronomist said four years ago that my biggest problem would be getting rid of the lucerne as it would take 12 months to get it dead enough to get another crop in. “But we just direct drilled canola straight over the top of it in autumn. “Admittedly there was a bit of manoeuvring and a bit of manipulating with chemicals to try and get on top of it but we don’t have to be as locked in as we once thought we needed to be,” he said. Continued page 9
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NEWS
January, 2015
Southern Farmer, Page 9
transform high rainfall cropping
STRADDLER: The Camerons have set their John Deere sprayer’s wheels 4.25 metres apart to accommodate the wheels in furrows on either side of two raised beds each 2m wide. From page 8
degrees in October –Derrimut was doing it toughest of all crops in the area. “Revenue is pretty tough though and deals with whatever the season throws at it. “If it doesn’t yield well because of a drier season, at least we’ve had grazing value from it which we had this year,” he said. Andrew said they had grown PBA Rana faba beans at Mt Gow for the first time. “They look wonderful sitting up on beds.” With faba beans at $450 a tonne and anticipated yields close to that of cereals, in the Camerons’ case five to six tonnes a hectare, returns as SF went to press looked promising. Andrew said it was important to be on top of faba bean agronomy
STAPLE FOOD: Faba beans are a first time crop for the Camerons. Charlie Cameron is here with the variety PBA Rana.
“With linseed the advantage is there is such a huge array of herbicides which can be safely used on it,” Charlie said. Drill breaks controlled traffic mold On the face of it the Camerons’ new Seed Hawk direct drill breaks the controlled traffic rule of keeping all wheels in furrows to confine compaction between the 2m wide raised beds. The Camerons’ tractors, sprayer and header are set up to cover two beds at a time with wheels confined to furrows. But none of the wheels of the direct drill fit between the raised beds. Charlie said it was not a concern because the drill exerts such significant downward pressure on the independent sowing tines across its 8m width that the weight on the wheels is minimal. “It has probably done the best sowing job we’ve seen on raised beds because all tines are independent. “We had trash flow problems with an earlier Seed Hawk so now they’ve spaced out the tines a bit better and given them more height off the ground,” he said. From front to back the earlier machine measured about 3m; the new one is close to 5m. As well the old one had tines in three rows and the latest has them in five rows. Folded up it is 3m wide and they can tow it between the properties without an escort.
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So all of a sudden if wheat and canola prices drop and there is a better opportunity raising livestock they can get into more livestock fast. They generally run up to 8000 sheep which are often crossbred lambs; in early November they had 1600 lambs coming from Tasmania. “Transport for them works out more expensive than for the same kilometres on the mainland but with the freight subsidy it is not overly so,” Andrew said. The Camerons grow Revenue, a dual purpose red-grained winter feed wheat and Derrimut a bread wheat. Charlie said with a dry end to the season – they had practically no rain and eight days over 30
particularly chocolate spot disease although that had not been a big problem this season. As well they grew linseed “which we have not grown in a serious way before and it looks great too. “It went in early and we’ve really looked after it well to see how rewarding it can be,” he said. The Camerons have substantial on farm grain storage but own two semis themselves to deliver grain the relatively short distance of 30 to 40km to the seaboard at Geelong. Resistance As in most cropping areas herbicide resistant ryegrass is proving a challenge for the Camerons. But it is not a huge challenge. Charlie said, “We don’t have too many paddocks that have got to the point where we need to harvest crops almost to the ground and establish a tight windrow behind the header which can be burnt later to destroy ryegrass seed.” Their usual solution has been to sow Bolton perennial ryegrass a replacement for Victorian perennial ryegrass, for two years of a rotation. They graze and then spraytop it at the end of the second year in mid spring to stop it setting seed. “This year we direct drilled canola back into that paddock and it really cleaned up quite well,” Charlie said. They are trying oats and linseed in the rotation too, to help get on top of ryegrass.
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Page 10, Southern Farmer O E S N VIC CT R A SE NTR CO
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January, 2015
Johne’s policy upheaval „ From page 1
Both the blood and faecal culture tests produce both false positive and negative results. Mr Lawson said that Australia had launched into Johne’s policy without the fundamentals of good policy planning. This had led to enormous ďŹ nancial and social issues, including anxiety, depression and even suicide. “There is no cure vaccination, however sheep producers have a management tool vaccine and cattle producers have nothing,â€? Mr Lawson said. “The disease has no
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impact on overseas trade contrary to bureaucratic claims based on incompetent science. “This has become a great mess with no logic and no so-called national policy. “There is further mounting evidence of cross contamination between species and no one wants to acknowledge the fact that dairy farmers are advised to bird proof their calf feeding facilities as birds contaminate the feed with species avium mycobacteria,� he said. Calling the current policies “socially irresponsible�, Mr Lawson said the control and management of the disease has been led by those seeking to eradicate Johnes’. “Attempting to eradicate the disease from the bovine population is akin to attempting to eradicate the common cold from the human population.� There are three recognised strains of Johne’s disease in Australia : cattle strain (BJD), sheep strain (OJD) and bison strain. The strain most commonly found in sheep is now the most common strain in infected beef cattle herds in south eastern Australia.
The three strains are now crossing species, with the National BJD Control Program based on zones believed to have different levels of the bovine strain. Johne’s disease was deregulated in Victoria and Tasmania in 2012. According to most cattle producers, the problem is that inconsistent rules apply for the transfer of cattle between zones. In Victoria, stamp duty on all cattle transactions within the state is charged at a rate of ďŹ ve cents per $20 or $1.75 for a $700 sale. Stock agents and abattoirs collect the stamp duty and remit it to the State Revenue Office each month, and it is then declared on all vendor accounts. The significant economic losses that have occurred are not from the cattle actually contracting Johne’s, but from the quarantined properties which causes the cancellation of sales, preventing cattle breeders from trading. The Australian Registered Cattle Breeders Association (ARCBA) has recently adopted a total deregulation policy. ARCBA members are made up of cattle breeders who have been severely
damaged by the current control and eradication policies. And according to ARCBA, one of the major problems appears to be getting all the farmer organisations to agree on a solution that will beneďŹ t all sides of the agricultural equation. NSW Minister for Primary Industries and Goulburn farmer Katrina Hodgkinson is in full support of deregulating the management of BJD nationally, having stated that BJD should be a management issue for cattle breeders, supported by the availability of vaccination. Ms Hodgkinson said that to do this, however, a reliable test needs to be developed and made available to cattle breeders. She said that the complexity of the situation whereby a national-type scheme is being administered by the various agricultural state departments urgently needs to be “harmonisedâ€? to deregulate the system. Retired Hereford producer John Yelland, originally from Glentrevor Hereford stud, Newlyn near Creswick and more recently Berrigan, said he has been testing cattle for
more than 50 years and believes there is no hope of eradicating or controlling BJD and that “the most terrifying part of it allâ€? is the control measures rather than the disease. “It is a sword dangling over every seed stock producer in Australia because he doesn’t know when he is going to be out of business,â€? Mr Yelland said. “A Queensland outďŹ t has had its turnover dropped on bulls alone from $5 million to zero. “It has cost, in the vicinity of about $70 million in total – and for what? It’s just getting nowhere. “There was a study done in New Zealand recently and the outcome was that it is easily handled by farmers and they can’t see it as a terribly important issue anyway. “The worst that will happen to any farm is that one or two cows are infected with BJD and you have to get rid of them. “The ďŹ nancial impact is much better in terms of getting rid of two cows compared to slaughtering an entire herd or putting the stud in quarantine. “Just leave it to producers and run it the same as in NZ and decommission the whole thing.â€?
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“Our septic system was put in when we built in 1988,” says Mike Maynard from his rural property in sunny Queensland. “Over the years we have had continuing problems with the system not working properly. The area around the trench would get so wet and boggy that we could not even walk near it, let alone use the mower.” But that wasn’t the worst bit of their dysfunctional septic system. “The smell would become almost overpowering at times,” says Mike, “especially when it rained or when we had visitors to stay, which was quite embarrassing.”
The stink that stuck The problem wouldn’t go away, which is common with septic tanks and wastewater treatment systems. “As time went on, the smell was becoming a constant thing,” explains Rose. Septic systems are much like a digestive system for your house. Just as you need healthy bacteria in your body, your septic system needs a healthy balance of good bacteria to process the waste from your home. Otherwise, problems occur and recur. “We were at a loss as to what to do to fix it, apart from getting the septic pumped out again, digging up and replacing the trench, or even replacing the whole system – all expensive options,” says Rose. “But then we read in a magazine about Ecocare Activator.”
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BEEF WEEK
Page 12, Southern Farmer
January, 2015
Beef Week features 250 top cattle studs By DAVID RIZZOLI
the industry group Stud Beef Victoria made up of a number of stud cattle breeders representing a range of breeds across south eastern Australia. In 2014 Beef Week increased to nine days and this will again be the case in 2015. Day 1, January 27, opens the field days and incorporates studs in the Riverina around Yass, Cootamundra and Wagga Wagga. Day 2, January 28, moves south to the districts mainly around Holbrook and Albury with studs as far as Jingellic in the east and Henty in the north. Day 3, January 29, moves into the North East and covers studs around Rutherglen, Wangaratta, Corryong, south to Euroa. East Gippsland is host to Day 4, January 30, with studs stretching from Foster through Morwell and Traralgon as far east as Bairnsdale and Ensay. The busiest day, January 31, is Day 5 with around 35 studs from Geelong to Heathcote and Ballarat to Thornton opening their gates. Up to 13 studs will be on display at Lardner Park near
BEEF Week 2015 will highlight the best of the beef cattle world when it comes to south eastern Australia from Tuesday, January 27 to Wednesday February 4. Ranging from Mount Gambier in south east South Australia to Cootamundra in the Riverina of New South Wales and from Swan Hill in north west Victoria to Ensay in East Gippsland the 2015 field days will encompass around 250 beef cattle studs covering 31 different breeds. Also incorporated in the Field Days will be the popular RASV Heifer Challenge. The director of Beef Week since its inception, Geoff Phillips, says Beef Week’s twenty-third staging will see a number of studs opening gates for the first time. “The field days offer the opportunity for our major beef cattle studs to showcase their animals and includes many studs that parade their animals which are catalogued for their autumn on-property auctions,” he says. Beef Week is conducted by
Warragul on Day 6, February 1, with other studs in an area stretching from Cape Paterson to Neerim and Berwick to Trafalgar open to visitors. Day 7, February 2, covers studs in the Western District from Warrnambool to Stawell and Hamilton to Ballarat. Day 8, February 3, takes in the south west and includes Mount Gambier, where 12 to 14 studs will be on display at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds, to Hamilton and Portland north to Balmoral. The final day, Day 9, February 4, will cover studs in a broad area along the Murray River from Yarrawonga to Barham in south west Riverina and Bendigo to Shepparton. All of this provides beef producers with an extensive opportunity to buy quality seed stock for their studs or bulls for their commercial herds. The RASV Heifer Challenge again will be held with Beef Week. It gives producers an opportunity to put their future breeding stock on display.
GOOD BREEDERS: Boonderoo South Devon females are typically mated to calve in autumn or spring.
Boonderoo South Devons achieve conversion goals By DAVID RIZZOLI HILARY and Mark Jankelson purchased Boonderoo, Redesdale in 2000 to grow walnuts, having observed what they considered was a niche market due to the fact that Australia imported most of its walnuts. They planted their first walnut trees in 2001 and the orchard has now expanded to 10,000 trees at Redesdale and on another property, Bugilboorie, (acquired in 2006) in the Murray Valley. However, it was the establishment of the Boonderoo South Devon stud in 2007 that brought Hilary and Mark into a new venture of beef production. They purchased seed stock from John and Sue Harvey’s Torr Down South Devon stud at Trentham and this was followed by the introduction of other bloodlines using semen from Queensland and New Zealand and new females from South Australia. Says Hilary, “Boonderoo produces
docile animals of good structure. “All are intensively handled making them easy to work with.” On Boonderoo all are cell grazed during spring which means animals are used to people moving among them and particularly cows and their new-born progeny. Cows calve in both autumn and spring with the calves being weaned at nine to 10 months. Hilary said, “Over the years the South Devon breed has had great success in Royal Show carcase competitions and at Boonderoo we produce great mums that feed on grass to produce high milk yields and quality animals. “Our genetically diversified cattle have great feed conversion efficiency which makes them ideal for both small and large holdings,” she said. Hilary Jankelson’s message is “Eat more beef and 10 Australian walnuts a day.”
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New brands to add value to Herefords
Hay
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Narrandera Wagga Wagga
Ouyen
DAY DAY 9
Swan Hill
Warracknabeal
Charlton
9
Wangaratta
St Arnaud
Benalla Bendigo
DAY DAY 7
7
Mt Gambier
Warrnambool
MondayColac February 2
Saturday January 31
Melbourne
2
3
Eildon Mt Buller
Warragul
South-east Australia becomes SEEDSTOCK CENTRAL from Jan 27 to Feb 4 when the nation’s premier seedstock producers open their gates. Visit our website or call at any participating stud on their open day and pick up a Beef Week book.
DAY DAY 4
4 Friday
Orbost
January 30 Morwell
6
Sunday February 1 0
SCALE OF KILOMETRES 20 40 60 80
THOUSANDS of OPPORTUNITIES
Bega
Omeo
Bairnsdale
DAY DAY 6
Cooma
Wednesday January 28
Thursday January 29
5
Geelong
DAY DAY 2
Corryong
DAY DAY3
Mansfield
Ararat
Canberra
100
www.beefweek.com.au
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DAY 5 DAY
Ballarat
Hamilton
Portland
Seymour
Avoca
Goulburn
Yass
Albury Wodonga Shepparton
Stawell
1
Tuesday January 27 Tumut
Holbrook
Echuca
Horsham
DAY1 DAY
Finley
Wednesday February 4
Kerang
8
primal or sub-primal cuts. The brand is owned by Herefords Australia and processed under licence by Atron Enterprises. Both Hereford and Hereford cross cattle are eligible for Hereford Beef, the high quality volume mainstream brand. Mr McKew said cattle sourced for Hereford Beef required a minimum 50 per cent Hereford genetic content within a 100 per cent British breed cross. “With an emphasis on grassfed, allowances will be made to accept grainfed animals within this brand, but in a clearly differentiated manner,’’ he said. Herefords Australia and Atron Enterprises jointly own Hereford Beef. A separate skills-based advisory board, the Australian Hereford Beef Brands Advisory Board, was appointed to oversee the project. Herefords Australia chairman Steve Reid said cattle involved in an introductory trial phase this month would be evaluated under the Hereford True Beef product specifications.
NEW SOUTH WALES
Balranald
Tuesday February 3
GOOD STUFF: Hereford True Beef is a premium beef brand for grassfed Hereford steers and heifers.
At the cutting edge...
Mildura
DAY DAY 8
AUSTRALIAN Hereford producers are set to value add their cattle with the launch of two new beef brands early next year. Hereford True Beef and Hereford Beef will cater for grassfed and grain assisted purebred and British bred crosses with a minimum 50 per cent Hereford component. Eligible steers and heifers will be hormone growth promotant free, have a hot standard carcase weight above 150kg and be processed by Atron Enterprises, Casino, NSW. On current grid rates, Atron will pay up to 400c/kg for a Meat Standards Australia graded grassfed steer (280-300kg HSCW, 5-22mm fat and 0-2 teeth) and up to 380c/kg for equivalent heifers. Herefords Australia chief executive officer John McKew said the beef brands had been considered by the Herefords Australia board as a key strategic imperative for the breed’s long-term sustainable growth. Hereford branded beef will be launched in Sydney to wholesalers, retailers, chefs, restaurants and food media early next year; it will be progressively rolled out to Brisbane and Melbourne markets. The flagship brand, Hereford True Beef, is a grassfed premium purebred Hereford product destined for the high-end food service sector with a strong emphasis on
BEEF WEEK
Southern Farmer, Page 13 TEAM: Wayne, Brian and Kevin Mobbs , pictured here at an earlier High Spa open day, will be on hand on January 31 to answer cattle queries.
High Spa markets multi-function bulls
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ing Beef Week. As well, everyone who walks through the gate will be automatically in the draw for a lucky gate prize of Merial cattle drench or other product. Another draw card will be a prize donated by Landmark Ballarat in the guess the bull’s weight competition. Visitors will enjoy the challenge of guessing the weights of not one, but three bulls to be displayed on the day, not an easy challenge even for those with a good eye for cattle. Theresa said all at High Spa aim to ensure each open day is a relaxed and informative one for visitors. “As well we hope it continues to offer excellent, fertile, productive bulls and females at respectable prices,� Brian said. Information: (03) 5348 2357,www.highspa.com. au.
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Breeding Quality Simmentals For 25 Years
Bulls & Females For Sale
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Gina Ryan and Family, Glenburn, Vic 3717. Ph/Fax: (03) 5797 8334
BALEZE BAZADAISE STUD Bulls,s, HeiferSemen s, b Em ryoor sale f
EST. 1992
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corded females, comprising heifers and mixed age cows will also be a feature of High Spa’s 2015 Beef Week open day. A PTIC in calf High Spa heifer group will be available for sale along with a number of proven mixed age cows artiďŹ cially inseminated and paddock joined to calve between March and May 2015. “Heifers are carefully joined to ensure minimal calving problems and to maximise growth potential at the other end,â€? Brian Mobbs said. This year’s heifer sale group has been calved down to an outstanding Bennet Performer son, High Spa J153. J153 is 3.1 for birth (35kg actual birth weight) and still has plenty of end growth, excellent milk and carcase ďŹ gures, with a well above average EMA. All females would be a ďŹ ne addition to any herd or provide an excellent base for breeders just starting out. High Spa runs information sessions for breeders and visitors only at its spring open days. However, there will be plenty of take home information for new and established breeders dur-
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ELMORE TRIO: Brian Mobbs showcased the family’s Angus stud with High Spa J123 and J160 penned at the Elmore field days in October. The Mobbs have since sold both bulls.
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HIGH Spa will open its gates at its Daylesford ďŹ eld day venue on Saturday, January 31, 2015 for open day ďŹ ve of Beef Week. Sale groups of performance recorded working age and yearling bulls will be penned for ease of inspection. Principals Brian and Theresa Mobbs say this will be a great opportunity to select from elite High Spa joining sires which will be fresh out of their respective High Spa herds. “As well there will be an exciting selection of 2014 born yearling bulls,â€? Theresa said. All sale bulls are listed on the High Spa website, www.highspa.com.au so that intending buyers can study breeding, performance and pedigrees beforehand. One of High Spa’s points of difference is to breed bulls that can be selected for heifers, cows or for multi-purpose functionality within herds and end markets. “Our production and sales system has been ďŹ netuned to offer the best possible outcome for clients, no matter their seasonal breeding preferences or markets,â€? Brian said. Consultation with Brian, Wayne or Kevin Mobbs regarding potential uses and advantages of all sale bulls will be possible at the open day. As at all High Spa open days detailed pedigree and EBV information on pens and in complimentary booklets will also be a feature. “Take your time, no pressure inspections and if you wish selections on the day, are the way things are done at High Spa open days,â€? Theresa said. Sale performance re-
Faye Tuchtan invites visitors on No. 608: Sunday, February 1, 2015 from 9am to 5pm Phone (03) 5678 8366. Mobile 0411 732 987 Email: fmt@dcsi.net.au www.balezebazadaise.com.au
LOCATION: 1905 Bass Highway, 4kms South of Grantville.
WOONALLEE SIMMENTALS
For the very best in Simmental, whatever the requirement
Vic Beef Week Field Day: Monday 2nd February 2015, Mortlake SA Beef Field Day: Tuesday 10th February, on-property
Woonallee Elite Production Sale: Thursday 12th February Featuring: 40 Traditional Simmental Bulls, 20 Black Simmental Bulls, 20 SimAngus Bulls, 30 Stud Females, 200 Commercial Females Beef 2015: 4th - 9th May - Sites 218 & 235 Rockhampton
Woonallee Justified
SSWON0101114
January, 2015
Woonallee Jabiru (P)
35 Quality Herefords and Poll Herefords Bulls
Homozygous Polled and Homozygous Black
Sire: Woonallee Gangster
Alvio Trovatello Mob 0419 191 193, (03) 54234240 2090 Kyneton-Heathcote Rd, Barfold, via Kyneton, Vic 3444
Sire: 3D Blk Full Throttle (P)
Contact: Tom & Lizzy Baker PMB 52 Millicent, South Australia Mob: 0428 475 066
www.woonalleesimmentals. com “For the Commercial Edge� 05D07745/0215
BEEF WEEK
Page 14, Southern Farmer
January, 2015
Mandayen’s decade sale offers 70 anniversary bulls MANDAYEN stud will offer 70 high performance bulls at its 10th anniversary bull and female sale on Wednesday, February 25 at 12:30pm. It will be at Mandayen’s Eight Mile sale complex, Keith, South Australia. Principal Damian Gommers said the sale will give clients “a great opportunity to secure quality bulls at value for money prices, with the genetic potential to improve docility, muscling and softness in their herds”. Sires represented will include Wulfs Xtractor, Wulfs Waldo, RUNL Stetson, RUNL Xtra Loyal and the homebred sires Energizer E1338, Fortune F1606 and Freightliner F1616. Sale bulls will be DNA tested for homozygous polled and
homozygous black coat color and will be vaccinated and ear notch tested for pestivirus. Once again Mandayen will deliver bulls for free in SA and Victoria. The female offering will consist of three in one cow/calf units, joined heifers, unjoined ET show prospect heifers, pregnant recipients and embryos. This will be the first opportunity to obtain progeny and pregnancies by the stud’s exclusive imported sire Wulfs Zander (HP) (B) and the 2014 national champion Summit Payday (P). The bull sale draft will be on display at the stud’s 2015 on property field day on Monday, February 9. For any enquiries or to organise an inspection, contact Damian Gommers on 0418 824 799.
POSITIVE WEIGHTING: To produce top performing young cattle with rapid growth and market flexibility, breeders need the genetic power of Banquet Angus bulls say stud principals Stephen and Noeleen Branson. Banquet’s next annual sale in February gives 100 opportunities to secure the unique and herd-changing genetics.
Banquet proud of customer success
SALES PERFORMANCE RECORDED
BULLS & PTIC FEMALES SATURDAY, 31ST JANUARY
DAY 5 BEEF WEEK 2015
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Details & directions: www.highspa.com.au
Phone Brian or Wayne (03) 5348 2357
www.highspa.com.au
SUCCESS from their clients in young cattle sales around the country is a source of great pride for Banquet Angus principals, Stephen and Noeleen Branson, Mortlake. Numerous reports of sale topping weaners is evidence that progeny from their Banquet Angus consistently produce young cattle that grow quicker for longer. Their cattle have been bigger framed than most for a long time, but the two standout features are their power with softness and the extreme docility.
Mt Ararat Simmentals 126 Mt Ararat North Road, Nar Nar Goon, VIC 3812
“Being able to market young cattle at heavier weights at the same age, or reach a specified target weight earlier is money in the bank, the Bransons said. “Our cattle have the extra bone needed to carry the extra muscling, allowing producers the flexibility to meet more markets within their feed availability period in any given year; simply put, these types are more efficient feed converters,” Stephen Branson said. “We find they’re more profitable more often, and it is very pleasing when our clients continually verify this,” Stephen said. Sale topping client successes from around the country, but particularly at young cattle markets in central and westernVictoria are a constant endorsement of the capabilities of Banquet genetics over a wide range
of climatic conditions. The Driprose family and the two Robertson families at Hamilton; the Murphy family at Casterton, the Kuch family at Sale, and the Hurley family at Omeo are just some Banquet clients who have enjoyed sale topping success in the last couple of years; many others have sold near the top, or have received excellent results when selling over the hooks. The Banquet cattle also come with one other very pleasing attribute, extreme docility, with the herd being a dream to inspect and work with. “That has huge benefits in management and the eating quality of progeny,” Stephen Branson said. “With personal safety and meat quality issues at stake, producers cannot afford to breed cattle with poor temperaments.
‘The whole efficiency of operations from paddock and yard movement, to transportation through to processors is improved with quiet cattle. “Dark cutters are eliminated and this gives consumers a more enjoyable and consistent eating experience,” he said. At the Branson family’s 2015 annual bull sale on the Mortlake property on February 26, 100 Big, Bold Banquet Bulls will be offered, with a full inspection day scheduled for February 19. Banquet will also be participating in Beef Week with a display on Monday, February 2. All bulls come with Banquet’s after sales support and service guarantees. This makes a decision to invest in Banquet genetics both profitable and wise, the Bransons said.
TARRAWARRA LOWLINES
Photo courtesy of Stock and Land
Australia’s best breeding can be viewed and purchased
Bulls, cows and calves, embryo and semen available. Inspections Welcome Contact John- john@leeksplumbing.com.au or phone
BULLS
0409 537 445
BULLS
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Come see us for Beef Week 2015 Day 6 Sunday February 1st
Yarra Valley, Victoria Welcomes Visitors for Beef Week Day 5 - Saturday, January 31st, 2015 Jacqui and Richard Feagan 0409 384 077 www.tarrawarralowlines.com
BEEF WEEK
January, 2015
Southern Farmer, Page 15
Anlyn stud on show for Gippsland Beef Week day FOLLOWING successfully showing their Herefords during the last two Beef Weeks the Warner family’s Anlyn Hereford stud will participate again this year on day six, Sunday February 1. As well the Warners have shown their Herefords with success at the last three March Farm World field days at Lardner Park. The weather was somewhat kinder in March than in their two February showings when temperatures hit the old 100
degrees on both days. “We will be in Beef Week and Farm World again in 2015 and will again be offering bulls for sale,” Mr Warner said. The Warners started their stud with the purchase in 2007 of a single elite female from the East Gippsland based Mawarra stud. Using AI and embryo transfer techniques they have built female numbers to about 25 using Mawarra sires. Their aim is for easy care animals with longevity, muscle and cosmetic
appeal but also docility. “All our Herefords are de-horned as calves so we get the famous Hereford genetics in a poll-looking animal. “But we might have a dabble in Poll Herefords this year,” Mr Warner said as he explained his love for exploring genetics, a love he shares with 14 year old son Aaron. Mr Warner said his Hereford breeding passion stems from when he used to stay with his uncle and aunt who were school
teachers at Dargo in Gippsland’s high country. He said he always remembers being woken at 6am one autumn morning when he was seven or eight to see a huge mob of Hereford cattle coming down from the mountains at the end of high country grazing for that year. Currently the Warners run about 200 dairy cows plus replacements as well as the 25 female Anlyn Hereford stud and a few sheep on 120ha at Athlone, 12km south of Drouin.
Woonallee world look gives commercial edge
Woonallee Jetstream J71(P) is a feature lot this year, rated by the Bakers as one of the most exciting young sires yet raised at Woonallee. He is described as the complete package but is only one of a draft of 80 bulls with real depth of quality.
gus bulls on offer, the latter proving popular with breeders of established Angus herds in recent years; those looking for an advantage from heterosis without having to go for the 50 per cent infusion. On the traditional front the Bakers say there is none better than W Justified J112. By W Gangster, this soft, yet thick and powerful bull was junior and grand champion bull at Adelaide at 14 months of age. He has done nothing but impress with his progress since then and is typical of the Woonallee type of recent years being stylish and thick with strong carcase traits on a moderate frame. Everyone who has followed Woonallee’s fortunes over the last decade would be aware of the huge impact W BHR Tornado (P) has had within the herd.
Rediscover the Benefits Scottish Origin Pure Angus Genetics Easy Production and Profit per ha For Sale; Dunlouise semen Alto Bulls by Native Sires .
Joy Howley
0421 989 317
DUNLOUISE Scotland ALTO ANGUS Caramut, Vic.
www.dunlouiseangus.com www.altoangus.com.au
Sons of ALLENDALE ROBIN HOOD
D.194
H.Robin Hood J01
are for sale during Beef Week
H.Robin Hood J16
AVAILABLE FOR SALE BEEF WEEK - SATURDAY JANUARY 31 Robin hood D.194 was purchased at the Dubbo national 2010, in partnership with Ke-Warra stud. He has outstanding Breedplan EBV’s and a son sold for $10,000 at Dubbo 2012. D.194 is out of the great U.5 cow, dam of all Robin Hood bulls, including the 2013 Grand Champion bull at both Adelaide and Melbourne and his sire is by Allendale National W.168 (Sire of the Year $85,000) out of Allendale Musketeer’s (Sire of the year $58,000) full sister. His excellent rising two-year old grass-fed sons show all the qualities of their sire and are for sale on the day, along with selected females. All visitors most welcome.
FOR SALE
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power, strong carcase traits, yet with softness, balance and style. Jabiru certainly fits that description and is out of the prolific donor cow Pert Lucky One B13. Woonallee Jolly is another B13 son, but sired by LFE Black Lakota. He was part of Woonallee’s successful show team and displays thickness, depth, impeccable structure and great mobility. He is homozygous polled and heterozygous black and is described by principals Tom and Lizzy Baker as a complete package. Of the solid reds there are two feature bulls, one sired by Wheatland El Toro and the other from an imported embryo by LFE Biss Black Advance, the highest performing bull in his group. There are 20 Black and Bold Reds and 20 SimAn-
Another son, W Jetstream J71(P) is a feature lot this year, rated by the Bakers as one of the most exciting young sires yet raised by them. Offering power, performance and softness with style and mobility, there is excellence on both sides of his pedigree as he is a full brother to Kathie G73, the Adelaide champion female for the last two years. While these are highlight bulls, the Bakers say the depth of quality in their draft is exceptional.
NATIVE SCOTTISH ANGUS
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WOONALLEE’S long term and world-wide search for genetics gives Australia’s commercial beef producers a product advantage in our rangeland grazing conditions. That search now enables Woonallee to offer the very best in Simmental whatever your requirements, whether traditional Simmental, solid red, black or SimAngus, the composite offering the advantages of hybrid vigor. This year’s offering of 80 bulls comprises that full range of options and is chock full of quality. They have the genetic capacity for explosive growth, excellent carcase traits, increased fat cover, balance, mobility, calving ease and are easy doing, so important for clients who produce young cattle off grass. Before their February 12 on-property bull sale at Furner, the full offering will be on display at the February 10 field day, while a selection will also be on display at Mortlake during Beef Week on February 2. Some stars of the offering include Woonallee Jabiru, a homozygous black and homozygous polled bull and one of the first progeny from 3D Full Throttle, being reserve champion at the 2014 Adelaide Royal as a 13 month old calf. Throttle is renowned for producing progeny with
OFFER: Andrew Warner with Anlyn Hereford bulls to be offered for sale at Beef Week.
PHILIP R. GAY, Ph/Fax 03 5345 6167; Mobile 0412 565 292
www.heatheringtonpark.com.au 3832 Creswick-Newstead Road, Kingston 3364 (8.5 kms from Creswick)
H.Robin Hood J32
Want to know why they’re all smiling?
Vic Week Field Day - Monday 2nd Feb. Inspection Day - Thursday 19th Feb.
www.banquetangus.com.au Private Treaty bulls always available: Steve & Noeleen Branson, PO Box 166 Mortlake, Vic 3272 Ph: 0419 884 839 Email: banquetangus@westvic.com.au
05D07710/0215
Next Annual Sale 100 bulls Thursday February 26th 2015 Mortlake
SSBAN0121114
They've all sold sale topping progeny of Banquet bulls!
BEEF WEEK
Page 16, Southern Farmer
January, 2015
Excitement at Heatherington Park as new sire produces first calves HEATHERINGTON Park Poll Herefords stud principal Philip Gay is looking forward to the ďŹ rst autumn calves due next year from the stud’s new sire, Days Brigadier G.101. Purchased in partnership with Ke-Warra Stud at the Nolaroo Liquidation Sale, the bull was the 2013 Dubbo Reserve Senior Champion and semen is now available for this ďŹ ne beast. As a member of
Herefords Australia since 1991, Group Breedplan and classiďŹ ed with MN1, Heatherington Park participates in Beef Week each year where they display a selection of their livestock. “We feature our sale bulls along with a sample of our breeding females, yearling bulls and heifers and recently weaned calves,â€? Mr Gay said. “This provides the opportunity for clients to
purchase their new sire on the day, gain an insight into our breeding program and to discuss matters of mutual interest.� Heatherington Park Poll Herefords began operation in 1991, originally located in northern Victoria before setting up operation on 290 acres in Allendale. In 2002, Gay began concentrating on the stud operations selling bulls to local and regional breeders.
Currently the stud comprises 55 to 60 autumn calving cows, with calving beginning in March and running through to mid-May. At the 2010 Dubbo National, Heatherington Park purchased Allendale Robin Hood D.194 also in partnership with the KeWarra stud. He has outstanding Breedplan EBVs and a son sold for $10,000 at Dubbo 2012.
D.194 is out of the great Fancy U.5 cow, dam of all Robin Hood bulls, including the 2013 grand champion bull at both Adelaide and Melbourne and his sire is by Allendale National W.168 (sire of the year, $85,000) out of Allendale Musketeer’s (sire of the year, $58,000) full sister. His excellent rising two year old grass fed sons show all the qualities of their sire and are for sale on the day,
along with selected females. “His J drop of bull calves were weaned in early January 2014 and averaged 408kg to a top of 448kg, which is the heaviest calf ever weaned at Heatherington Park. “We have retained many of his daughters and semen is now available for sale,� Mr Gay said. For more information visit www.heatheringtonpark. com.au.
BUCHANAN PARK WELSH BLACK CATTLE STUD
Australia’s Leading Welsh Black Cattle Stud ‡ ,QWHUEUHHG &KDPSLRQ %XOO DW &OXQHV 6KRZ %8&+$1$1 3$5. 35,1&,3$/ ‡ ,QWHUEUHHG *URXS RI &KDPSLRQV &OXQHV ‡ ,QWHUEUHHG *URXS RI &KDPSLRQV &OXQHV
BULLS AND FEMALES FOR SALE
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Buchanan Park Principal
ENQUIRIES: Allan & Jill Furborough TYNONG, VICTORIA. (03) 9707 1459 0428 398248 buchpark@nex.net.au
We invite you to visit our Award Winning cattle at Farm World- Lardner Park Warragul, 26th - 29th March 2015
TOP PRIZE: National Beef Bendigo 2013 supreme interbreed exhibit, Buchanan Park Nicole, with her heifer calf and proud stud principals Alan and Jill Furborogh and Nicole’s prize – a ride-on mower.
Boonderoo South Unfashionable cattle make real headway with Buchanan Park Devon Stud at Boonderoo South Devon Stud, 67 McNiffs Rd, Redesdale 3444.
BULLS & HEIFERS FOR SALE Carrying proven bloodlines for taste, tenderness and temperament.
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Email: hilary@boonderoo.com.au. Tel: (03)5425 3200, Mob: 0418 361 630
Open for Beefweek Thursday, January 29, 2015 Peter Annick and Lily welcome new and repeat customers. View this year’s bull line up featuring exciting outcross sires. View ďŹ rst bulls out of Te Mania Emperor cows
Peter & Annick ButterďŹ eld
Mob: 0428 306 729
THE Buchanan Park Welsh Black Beef Cattle Stud was established by Alan and Jill Furborough at Tynong in West Gippsland in 2000. The stud had very humble beginnings, starting with four stud females and one bull representing an unfashionable (to Australia) breed of beef cattle, the Welsh Black. Today Buchanan Park boasts a herd of around 100 breeders and turns off around 20 bulls each year to both stud and commercial producers. The Welsh Black breed is an ancient breed, being one of the oldest breeds of cattle in Britain. and for centuries was conďŹ ned mostly to Wales or neighboring English counties. Roman literature refers to the breed as the “Celtic Oxâ€? found in the mountains and hills of Wales. Today Welsh Black cattle are to
be found in Britain, Canada, the United States, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. Introduced into Australia from New Zealand in 1984 the breed is now found in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania. Genetics in the form of semen and embryos have been imported from Wales, New Zealand and Canada. Welsh Black cattle in Australia are still not generally recognised as a ‘mainstream’ breed alongside the traditional British breeds, Shorthorn, Hereford and Angus and some of the more recently imported European breeds. But the Buchanan Park stud is working hard to alter these conceptions. “We selected the Welsh Black because we believe that it is a very underestimated breed,� Jill Furborough says.
Prime Angus The Yearling Advantage
ALL FREE X 4 GENETIC DEFECTS
9th Annual on Property
Bulls to top 1% Angus Breeding Index Huge growth with Calving ease
YEARLING BULL SALE 11.30am, Friday February 27th 1174 BENALLA/WARRENBAYNE ROAD, WARRENBAYNE
Ph (03) 5763 2341
“It is a very hardy animal with very good weight for age. It is a hardy breed with a thick winter coat which it sheds in summer.â€? Jill also says that the Welsh Black has a quiet temperament, is diseaseresistant and has an excellent beef conformation. Buchanan Park ďŹ rst started showing at the 1984 Royal Melbourne Show where it won three ribbons. The stud has since built a formidable reputation in the show ring with numerous champion and supreme sashes culminating in the supreme interbreed champion exhibit at 2013 National Beef at Bendigo. Other wins have included grand champion female at the 2008 Feature Show at Royal Melbourne and supreme interbreed champion at 2013 and 2014 Clunes Shows. Buchanan Park offers the highest quality breeding stock including halter-broken bulls.
Sires include: SAV Thunderbird Cherylton Stewie, Carabar Docklands and Tuharetoa Regent Value + Quality Opening Bids $1750
Web: www.primeangusstud.com.au
Email: annick@skymesh.com.au
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By DAVID RIZZOLI
ON SHOW BULLS, COWS AND HEIFERS
BEEF WEEK
January, 2015
Southern Farmer, Page 17
Young but well grown at Prime Angus stud PRIME Angus Stud at Warrenbayne is looking forward to its ninth annual, on-property yearling bull sale on Friday, February 27, 2015, following its Beef Week open day on Thursday, January 29. In what is still a unique sale by Helmsman auction, Peter, Annick and Lily Butterfield will be offering 35 true yearling bulls between 12 to 13 months of age. Prime Angus Stud principal Annick Butterfield said that while the bulls are young, they are exceptionally well grown. “The average weight in the 2014 sale was 600 kilograms on the back of a sensational year for grass,” she said. “While the bulls’ age must be respected with moderate workloads at first, it is hoped that the introduction to work at an early age results in a fitter animal with a longer working life.” Mrs Butterfield added that the upcoming bull sale aims to offer leading genetics at affordable prices. “While record prices were achieved for the last sale, it must be remembered eight bulls from a very even line up sold for the opening bid of $1750. “Considering all bulls are fully registered, with complete Breedplan data, are ultrasound scanned for carcase traits, independently and structurally
Scottish native Angus sings Alto in Australia THE Howley family’s Alto Angus stud at Caramut is working with Scotland’s Geordie Soutar from Dunlouise, Forfar, in Angus to return native Scottish Angus genetics to Australia. The Soutars hold the only pure Aberdeen Angus traceable to the original herd book of 1862. Geoff, Joy and Jayne Howley look forward to welcoming visitors on February 2 for their Beef Week open day to inspect the Alto cattle and consider buying from a limited number of bulls to be offered by native or Alto Angus sires.
“Native Angus have a real role to play in revitalising the Angus type, fertility, calving ease, grass doability and longevity,” Ms Howley said. “We did ourselves a favor bringing them into the herd, especially using them over heifers; with great conception rates and easier calving, life got a lot easier for all of us.” Aberdeen-Angus numbers greatly reduced in the UK during the 1970s and 1980s. In the 1990s Mr Soutar began to preserve the native Angus bloodline. See www.altoangus. com.au for information.
BALGOWAN GOLD GELBVIEH & NULLAWARRE SIMMENTAL STUDS ANGUS BULLS: Stud principal Peter Butterfield walks among his cattle which will be on display during Beef Week 2015.
assessed, vaccinated for Pestivirus (and DNA tested non shedders) Vibriosis, 7 in 1, and are all free of the four known genetic defects, this represents extraordinary value for money,” Mrs Butterfield said. Recently, Angus Australia introduced four new breeding indexes that aim to better reflect the markets where steers will be sold. Mrs Butterfield believes the Angus Breeding Index (ABI) is the most useful for many com-
mercial producers as it is a more general index for those who sell into different markets depending on prices and seasons. “Some of the bulls offered will once again be in the top one per cent of the breed for this index, as well as for growth and carcase traits. “All bulls will be above average,” she said. She added that Prime Angus selects for growth without sacrificing calving ease, so all
bulls are safe to use on maiden heifers initially and can then be used over mature cows. “Exciting new outcross sires include Australian bred Cherylton Stewie and SAV Thunderbird from the US. “Also much anticipated will be the first bulls sold out of heifers by record breaking sire Te Mania Emperor,” Mrs Butterfield said. For more information visit www.primeangusstud.com.au.
Invite you to our open day on Sunday February 1st 2015 Registered polled Gelbvieh Stud Sire for Sale
BALGOWAN GOLD MASTER JDMAP STATUS MN3
(03) 56281 491 balgowan@dcsi.net.au
2303 Main Neerim Road, Neerim South.
10TH ANNIVERSARY BULL & FEMALE SALE
MOUNT Ararat Simmentals continue to perform.
Ex-jockeys ride the beef game to a winning post By DAVID RIZZOLI
70 LIMOUSIN & LIMFLEX SIRES & 40 FEMALES WILL SELL! Sons of industry leading sires’ including Xtractor, Waldo, Stetson, Xtra Loyal, Energizer E1338 & Freightliner F1616
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A WEST Gippsland newspaper reported that when John and Andrea Leek went to Flemington they were always ready for high stakes competition. John, a horse trainer and jockey at Nar Nar Goon, had saddled up plenty of winners at racing headquarters, but it was a few hundred metres away down Epsom Road that he and Andrea, who was also a successful jockey, and their son Mitchell, were making a name for themselves in a very different career. The establishment of their Mount Ararat Simmental stud set them in a new highly competitive field of beef cattle breeding and showing, but one that is not as competitive and stressful as horse racing. At the 2011 Royal Melbourne Show, after only 12 months of showing, the
family took home the reserve champion Simmental female award as well as a blue ribbon in the 18 to 24 months old heifer class. At that show too, Mitchell then 11 years old, won the under 12 junior handler section. At the 2014 Royal Melbourne Show, MountArarat Simmentals stood the junior reserve champion bull with 17 months old Mount Ararat Junior. The family’s approach to stud cattle breeding was summed up by John in 2011 when he said “with cattle showing we’re not desperate to win, but it’s good to do so”. “With racing you have to win or you go home hungry.” “I think John finds stress in everything he does because he’s a bit of a perfectionist but (the cattle) are fairly low maintenance,” Andrea says.
WEDNESDAY 25TH OF FEBRUARY 2015 ON PROPERTY AT THE “EIGHT MILE” SALE COMPLEX, KEITH S.A. 12:30 pm SA DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME.
FIRE AWARENESS & PREVENTION
Page 18, Southern Farmer
January, 2015
CFA promises more aeroplanes will respond faster THE Country Fire Authority (CFA) response to bush and grass fires will be beefed up this summer, with an aircraft sent out to all fires. The “predetermined dispatch� system has been rolled out state wide for the fire season after being trialled in Bendigo over the past few years. In 2012-13 enhanced dispatch was trialled out of Bendigo over 106 days and 44 fires. CFA’s District 23 operations officer Terry Heafield said the new system means aircraft will be called to the scene at the same time as firefighters working as part of ground crews. “The pilot will also get a page for the same call,� he said. “Hitting it harder and faster will decrease the potential of the fire
becoming out of control.� In the past, ground crews have only called aircraft once firefighters have attended and assessed the scene, meaning it can take a while before they reach a fire. Mr Heafield said aircraft in Bendigo were in the air an average of 8.4 minutes after getting the call. Previously the average dispatch time was 34 minutes due to approval having to pass three layers of bureaucracy. He said people can expect to see 46 CFA controlled specialist fire fighting aeroplanes available this summer, four more than last season. The Southern Farmer area is particularly well catered for. Victoria has operated contracted
Erickson Aircranes, nicknamed Elvis in one instance, since 1997. This fire season one will be stationed at Ballarat and the other at Essendon each with a capacity for 7500L of water. Also at Ballarat and Mansfield are two S61 Sikorsky helicopters each capable of transporting 17 firefighters or 3500L of water. From December 10 a C-130Q Hercules and an Avro RJ-85 were due to be based at Avalon. Specially converted to be water tankers they have capacities of 18,000L and 13,000L; such large tankers have not been used in this state since a McDonnel Douglas DC-10 was trialled briefly a few years ago. Australia will be the first state to use the large air tankers which were recently blooded in Canada.
BIG BUCKETS: An Avro RJ-85 in firefighting mode. It will be based at Avalon and with a C-130Q Hercules also based there, will represent the first time the CFA has contracted large aerial tankers for the fire season.
8QGHUVWDQGLQJ KRZ RXU Âż UH ZDUQLQJV ZRUN UNDERSTANDING how ďŹ re warnings work and how to use them is an important part of your preparation for summer in Victoria. “Fire warnings are issued when a ďŹ re has started and you need to stay informed and take action,â€? Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley said. “There are three different levels of warnings – Advice, Watch and Act, and Emergency Warning.
“Warnings aren’t necessarily issued in any order – a ďŹ re might start and spread so quickly that the ďŹ rst warning issued could be an Emergency Warning. “Warnings contain speciďŹ c information which could save your life, so it’s important that you read or listen carefully to the warning. “For example, a warning might advise you that roads have been closed and that you need to seek
shelter locally. “Or it might tell you that you need to leave, but tell you which road is open,â€? Mr Lapsley said. There are different situations when you might need to monitor and check for ďŹ re warnings and updates: s ON HOT DRY WINDY days when ďŹ res can start suddenly at any time s ON A l RE RISK DAY WHEN you’ve left early or are preparing to do so;
s )F YOU CAN SEE OR SMELL smoke in the air and you want to check what’s going on. “It’s your responsibility to understand the different levels of warnings and how to access them,â€? Mr Lapsley said. “You should never wait to receive an ofďŹ cial warning before you leave. “BushďŹ res can start, spread and become uncontrollable quickly – threaten-
ing homes and lives within minutes. “Always be aware of conditions around you such as smoke, ames, embers and noise. “Look and listen for information for surrounding towns as your suburb or town may not be mentioned, and stay in touch with family, friends and neighbors for extra sources of information,â€? he said. To check ďŹ re warnings
s k a e r b e r i F n i Mainta K C A B R O Z a h A it R w �
this summer: s CHECK THE WEBSITE WWW emergency.vic.gov.au; s DOWNLOAD THE &IRE2EADY app; s CHECK #&! S SOCIAL MEDIA channels such as Facebook and Twitter; s LISTEN TO LOCAL RADIO s CALL THE 6ICTORIAN "USH ďŹ re Information Line on 1800 240 667. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, call the bushďŹ re line via 1800 555 677.
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January, 2015
FIRE AWARENESS & PREVENTION
Watch hazard risks
Study reveals Black 6DWXUGD\ EXVK¿ UHV¶ individual legacies the bushfires were more likely to move to a new community, with mixed experiences. For those who stayed in their community, there was generally a stronger sense of community connection. For those who moved to a different community, the impact of subsequent financial and relationship difficulties was often lessened. ‘Beyond Bushfires’ is a five-year study led by the university in partnership with a range of providers including community, government, emergency, and service agencies. The study explores the medium to long-term impacts on individuals and communities of Victoria’s 2009 bushfires. The communities selected for this study had a range of bushfire experiences from low impact to high impact. The study looks at impacts on residents such as mental health, wellbeing and social relationships within selected communities. There were more than1000 participants who completed surveys in 2012 and were revisited in 2014. It is anticipated that the findings of the ‘Beyond Bushfires: Community, Resilience and Recovery’ study will help shape future policy and service delivery.
PROPERTY owners should ensure that their property identification code (PIC) details are updated, including agistment blocks and current contact details. DEPI Animal Health staff
use the confidential PIC database to contact owners if their animals are injured after an emergency. Information: DEPI 136 186, www.depi.vic.gov. au/fire-and-emergencies/ animals-inemergencies.
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How Fire Ready is your farm? Check all of these important questions EARLY not late. YES /NO
YES /NO
❑ ❑ 1. ❑ ❑ 2.
Do you have well maintained slashed or ploughed fire breaks? Are your farm buildings protected by firebreaks?
❑ ❑ 3.
Do you have a grazing plan to reduce fire risk?
❑ ❑ 21. Are fire fighting hoses long enough, kept in safe locations where they will not melt, and with heavy duty wide spray nozzles?
❑ ❑ 4.
Are your chemicals stored safely according to instructions
❑ ❑ 22. Do you talk about and have a fire prevention plan with neighbors?
on the product?
❑ ❑ 23. Do you have adequate water supplies for firefighting should mains water pressures drop? ❑ ❑ 24. Have you installed sprinkler systems in your garden and on your roofing?
❑ ❑ 5.
Are your fuel tanks bonded and isolated from buildings?
❑ ❑ 6.
Are welding and grinding operations done in isolation from flammable liquids and fuels?
❑ ❑ 7.
Do residential buildings on your farm have smoke alarms?
❑ ❑ 8.
Do your have properly maintained firefighting equipment in the workshop, on tractors and other machinery?
❑ ❑ 9.
Can firefighting vehicles safely access all parts of your property?
❑ ❑ 10. Do you ensure hay is not stacked when it is green? ❑ ❑ 11. Are machinery exhaust systems fitted with spark arresters? ❑ ❑ 12. Do you have a list of emergency numbers beside all phones? ❑ ❑ 13. Is your property’s CFA map reference beside the phone? ❑ ❑ 14. Do you have battery-powered radios handy to aid communications? ❑ ❑ 15. Are your buildings clean of flammable debris and protected from the entry of burning embers? ❑ ❑ 16. Do your buildings provide adequate personal protection against bushfire? ❑ ❑ 17. Is fire prevention part of your whole farm business plan? ❑ ❑ 18. Are you up-to-date with the latest Local and State Government fire restrictions and requirements? ❑ ❑ 19. Do you carefully plan all burning off to minimise the risks?
❑ ❑ 20. Are gas cylinders vented away from buildings?
❑ ❑ 25. Have you gathered metal buckets, mops, spray backpack units, ladders, rakes, shovels in a strategic location for ready access? ❑ ❑ 26. Do you have battery powered torches, radios, medical kits and drinking water available? ❑ ❑ 27. Do you know the radio station to check for the fire’s progress rather than calling emergency services? ❑ ❑ 28. Does each person have suitable clothing, including sturdy leather footwear, fire resistant long pants and long sleeves (wool offers the best protection from sparks and cinders) a broad brimmed hat, goggles for eye protection, handkerchiefs to toe over the nose and mouth, wet towels to drape over the neck, and bottles of water? ❑ ❑ 29. Can you access roof and other building cavities to check frequently for embers or other spot fires? ❑ ❑ 30. Is there a plan for all people on your property to either fight the fire or move to safe locations well before a fire front approaches?
Further information is available from:
7KLV ÀUH VHDVRQ JHW READY ZLWK WKH BEST
Mornington Peninsula Shire Phone: 1300 850 600 Mail: Private Bag 1000, Rosebud, 3939 Email: custserv@mornpen.vic.gov.au Web: www.mornpen.vic.gov.au
t/05d07475/45-14
THE first major release of findings from the Beyond Bushfires study of the aftermath of the Black Saturday 2009 bushfires by the University of Melbourne has revealed the social effects of disasters. Speaking at a Beyond Bushfires research symposium, study lead researcher Lisa Gibbs reported that social ties matter. “Separation from close loved ones, during and immediately after the fires, was a risk factor for mental health problems for people who tend to feel anxious about their relationships,” Associate Professor Gibbs said. “Family members often had different responses to their bushfire experience and we also see gender differences in relation to risk and protective factors,” she said. “Having more close emotional ties is generally related to better mental health and personal wellbeing after a disaster. “Involvement in local community groups and organisations is also associated with more positive outcomes.” People with poorer mental health often have social ties with one another. Also, people with larger social networks were more likely to have a personal connection to someone who died in the bushfires. People who were the most affected by
er John Temperley said a major factor at this time of year was fatigue that led to errors normally avoided. “Some of the most common causes of serious injury include unguarded augers and PTO drive shafts, while the increase in on-farm traffic means collisions are more likely between grain trucks, headers, utes and chaser bins,” he said. Simple steps can be taken to avoid potential incidents, including fires. These include checking grain auger flights and ensuring that elevator drive shafts, pulleys and drive belts are guarded.
Is your property ID up to date?
T/05D07240-V5/49-14
IMPACT: Black Saturday bushfires’ study by the University of Melbourne has examined the long-term social effects on individuals involved in the disaster.
WITH headers fired up across much of Australia’s grain belt, growers are being urged to be safe during this year’s summer harvest. As the business end of the season, it’s the time when on-farm incidents are most likely to occur and too often the causes are known hazards that can be prevented. The Primary Industries’ Health and Safety Partnership manages research aimed at increasing awareness and improving safety on-farm, and supports the Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety at Sydney University. Centre program lead-
Southern Farmer, Page 19
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FIRE AWARENESS & PREVENTION
Page 20, Southern Farmer
Awards bring home CFA-community ties
YOUR CHECKLIST
THINGS YOU NEED TO DO BEFORE YOU GO
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Further information about CFA community education programs can be found on the CFA website www.cfa.vic.gov.au
January, 2015
COUNTRY Fire Authority members across the state were recognised for their innovation and initiative at last month’s annual Fire Awareness Awards held in Melbourne. CFA chief ofďŹ cer Euan Ferguson said he was proud that so many CFA projects were recognised. “Overall CFA groups received eight awards including some which were partnerships with other local organisations,â€? he said. The awards recognise a wide variety of projects that reduce the effect of ďŹ res in Victoria. Projects can focus on any ďŹ re type, including structure (housing, commercial, industrial) ďŹ res and bushďŹ res. Mr Ferguson said the big winner was the Emerald Community House and Emerald CFA Brigade, taking home the Community Preparedness Award and the $10,000 RACV Insurance Award for Excellence. “The group developed compulsory ďŹ re safety workshops for the parents of children attending a local childcare centre,â€? he said. “This project will help to educate locals on their ďŹ re risk, and give them essential tools to help protect themselves in the event of ďŹ re. “This is just one example of the great work CFA does to build community resilience, and help people protect themselves against the threat of ďŹ re.â€? The Fire Awareness Awards are a joint initiative of Victoria’s ďŹ re services (MFB, CFA and DEPI), which recognise and raise the proďŹ le of ordinary Victorians working to make their homes and communities safer from ďŹ re.
CFA winners Community preparedness (community) and $10,000 RACV Insurance award for excellence. BushďŹ re Planning Workshops for Childcare Parents - Emerald Community House, Emerald CFA Brigade Community preparedness (industry) Community Corrections CFA bushďŹ re prevention partnership, Gippsland - CFA and Department of Justice Community preparedness (industry) Surf Coast Shire Resilient Communities Project - Surf Coast Shire, Victoria Police, Surf Coast, Victorian Council of Churches Emergency Ministries, Department of Human Services, DEPI, CFA District 7 Industry and service (industry) Mornington Peninsula Tourism – Operators and Information, CFA, Tourism Mornington Peninsula, Tourism Victoria Multicultural Eastern Metro Burmese Communities Fire Engagement Project - Parks Victoria, Manningham Council, Maroondah City Council, DEPI, Migrant Information Centre – Eastern Melbourne, MFB, CFA, Victoria Police and Eastern Metro Burmese community New and emerging technology Grassland Curing and Fire Danger Rating Project - CFA Product ddesign Harcor Arm Core Cooler Harness Harcor and CFA Recovery (Community) Farm Fencing Recovery Program, East Gippsland - CFA
Prepare for bushfire season AusNet Services has been busy clearing vegetation and maintaining its electricity network to bring you the benefits of a safe, reliable and efficient energy supply this summer.
Customers with private electric lines must ensure they are maintained and clear of vegetation. Contact a registered electrician or certified tree clearer if required.
Here are some of the $200 million of safety-related works our crews are on track to complete this year...
For more information visit our website ausnetservices.com.au > Electricity > Safety & Preparedness
AusNet Services contacts: General enquiries: 1300 360 795Â Report a Fault or Emergency: 13 17 99
300,000
powerline spans assessed for vegetation
135,000
powerpoles & pole assets inspected
2,500
powerpoles replaced
Updates on electricity interruptions: Twitter: @AusNetServices Web: ausnetservices.com.au
200,000+
550km
trees cleared
of powerlines replaced
Valor medal display honors bravest country firefighters
5,000
hazardous trees removed
35,000
street lights repaired & maintained
23,000
pieces of poletop equipment replaced
BRAVERY DISPLAY: CFA chief officer Euan Ferguson and chair of CFA’s Honours and Awards Committee and CFA board member Ross Coyle unveil a new CFA Valor Medal display at the Fire Services Museum.
7,500
home service cables replaced
t/05d07535/49-14
EARLY last month the Country Fire Authority unveiled a new CFA Valor Medal display at the Fire Services Museum in East Melbourne. The Valor Medal is CFA’s highest individual honor and is awarded to recognise acts of bravery by CFA members. It is awarded in circumstances where a member has made a deliberate choice to go from a place of safety to a place of danger where there is a clear and significant risk to life or to remain in such a perilous position to save, or attempt to save, a human life. First awarded to members of the Country Fire Brigades Board in 1918, it has been bestowed on just 25 career firefighters and volunteers since. Long before the CFA mission of ‘protecting lives and property’
was officially declared, these 25 members went above and beyond the expectations of community service to do something extraordinary. Today, it continues to recognise and honor their exceptional courage. The Fire Services Museum of Victoria is an organisation dedicated to the preservation and showcasing of firefighting memorabilia from Victoria, Australia and overseas. It bolsters one of the largest collections of firefighting memorabilia in Australia and is located at the original headquarters of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) on the corner of Gisborne Street and Victoria Parade in East Melbourne in support of brigade members. The public is welcome to visit the display housed in the CFA Room at the museum. Information: www.fsmv.net.au.
FIRE AWARENESS & PREVENTION
January, 2015
Southern Farmer, Page 21
West Gippsland launches united approach to bushfire arson POLICE in Melbourne’s south east launched a Firesetter Agency Partnership in early December as part of a zero-tolerance approach to bushfire arson. Southern metro commander Doug Fryer said a multi-agency approach to fire prevention would help increase community safety across the Greater
Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia police service areas. “Our partner agencies, like us, are always out in the community engaging and talking to people. “This partnership initiative is promoting that everyone, including our community and our partner agencies can help
prevent arson by being aware of what to look for and being proactive in reporting suspicious activity.” Victoria Police has reactivated Operation Firesetter this season as a high visibility initiative designed to reduce the likelihood of bushfire arson during high risk periods.
“Last season, Victoria Police responded to 62 cases of intentionally lit bushfires across the state. “We’ll be conducting rigorous investigations into bushfires where arson is suspected but we also need the community to help in reporting suspicious behavior.
“That can be someone who parks their vehicle in an unusual location, someone who tries to go unnoticed or tries to avoid contact, or someone who leaves in a hurry after being noticed. “Prompt and detailed reporting of suspicious activities can help prevent bushfires that could lead
to loss of property or life,” Commander Fryer said. “People who commit bushfire arson are not always strangers, they often live and work in local communities. “If you see something, say something by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or triple zero (000).”
Contractor against the grain in timber land
Winchelsea fencing contractor Mark Jordan-Hill.
According to Mr Jordan-Hill, the MaxY posts also “thrive” in the rocky and undulating country of the Geelong region. “Last year I put up 40km of fence line in country not even a horse would go over,” he said. “But using a pneumatic post driver, we were able to drive the MaxYs into hard sedimentary rockbased soils with no real problems. “The job would probably take twice as long, if you tried to use timber posts in those sorts of conditions because pre drilling and driving treated pine posts is very time consuming.”
BELL FIRE
While the steel posts can come at a higher cost, they also let him put up fences in a fraction of a time, so for clients the outlay is no more than for timber. Mr Jordan-Hill said there are multiple benefits from the quality and durability of the Waratah fencing products he uses, which save his clients time and money in the long run. “Traditionally this area is known for using timber posts, partly because they’re cheaper to buy and transport from a local plant compared to many steel fencing products,” he said. However, Mr Jordan-
Hill now has four major ‘all-steel’ clients who own large properties in the region.
“Their properties range from about 2000 to 3500ha, which keeps me busy for most of the year,” he said. “I’ve been contracting in this region for the past nine years, and to date I’ve installed about 600km of fencing and over the past two years, about 120km have been all-steel fence lines. “They last longer, which means fewer repairs and less maintenance. “They’re also resistant to bushfires and can handle the rocky terrain,” he said.
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THE fact that all steel fences will still retain livestock after a bushfire has been a major factor in Winchelsea fencing contractor Mark Jordan-Hill leaving timber out of the fences he builds. And this is in an area which has until now built predominantly timber post fences. The Western District also happens to be one of the three most bushfire prone areas of the world. Mr Jordan-Hill is currently (November)working on a fire-proof Weston style fence design for one of his cattle producer clients, who like a lot of his close counterparts, is particularly prone to bushfires. “We’re using a combination of JIO® MaxY® posts at 10m spacings and eight plain wires with four plastic droppers per span. We then clip Weston droppers to the MaxYs,” he said. “The idea is that when a fire does come through, the inexpensive droppers will melt, but the structure and core of the fence will remain.”
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NEWS
Page 22, Southern Farmer
January, 2015
Environment wins from broadacre pest control PESTS that cause economic, environmental and social damage on a broadacre scale can be successfully managed thanks to the work done by Animal Control Technologies (ACT). ACT is a specialist manufacturer of broadacre vertebrate pest control solutions. According to ACT’s Jamie Dennison, the company’s products have saved the Australian economy hundreds of millions of dollars by preventing
production losses due to pests such as foxes, wild dogs, rabbits and mice. “Through environmentally focused research and development, we have developed a target specific range of products to assist land managers and the agricultural sector in tackling their large-scale vertebrate pest problems,” Mr Dennison said. “We do not provide direct contracting services for pest control; however, we do provide products to a large number of
contractors who can provide this service. “These products have been developed, in most cases, with years of dedicated research and are fully registered through the Australian Agricultural Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority,” he said. The company has just announced a new member to their staff, sales representative Steve Jordan who will be covering Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
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and warehousing facilities give it the flexibility to cater for any crisis that may arise at short notice, such as a mouse plague. “Our dispatch arrangements allow for prompt response to orders, from small packages to multiple pallet quantities. “We manufacture our products to a high standard of quality assurance and most of our products are available for export,” Mr Dennison said. For more information visit www. animalcontrol.com.au.
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Mr Jordan has more than 20 years of experience in the agricultural sector working with the Animal Plant & Health Board before moving on to merchant stores. He is also a licensed pest controller. “It’s great to have Steve on board and we know that our clients will benefit from his knowledge and experience in pest control,” Mr Dennison said. “The expertise represented within the staff is considerable.
AGRIBUSINESS Gippsland executive officer Sue Webster says the farming community needs ‘Beyond Blue for backs’. “We treated 19 Gippslanders to free back health check-ups and a tai chi lesson at the buoyant Bairnsdale cattle sale on November 28,” she said. “It attracted a variety of people from highcountry cattlemen to Pakenham store buyers. “Our survey at www. facebook.com/pages/ Betterspines4farmers/684170351656830 shows that 13 per cent of people said back
pain was the biggest problem in their farming day and 70 per cent of respondents had suffered pain for more than five years. “However, less than 20 per cent of respondents did any preventative exercise like pilates or yoga,” she said. Ms Webster said: “The link is obvious: pain puts you off farming … and everything.” In one example of the evidence garnered at Bairnsdale young people in agriculture are suffering. A young farm manager from Toongabbie came to find relief
for his leg pain and a young mother working for a stock agent came along for her constant back pain. Ms Webster said older attendees need serious help: one cattle buyer was recommended to a doctor for a possible shoulder reconstruction. “But the really buckled-up blokes wouldn’t come,” Ms Webster said. “The men with the ‘worst-as’ backs stayed away, but watched when we ran the tai-chi lessons.” The event was backed by the Foun-
dation for Rural and Regional Renewal and East Gippsland Shire Council with some corporate sponsorship. “We thank physiotherapist Kaye McNeill and Jill Thiogave for the tai chi lessons,” Ms Webster said. “By the way, only one of the 19 farmers had an up-to-date tetanus shot and none had ever had a Q fever injection.” For more information about the programs contact Susan Webster, Agribusiness Gippsland on 0402 267 802 or 03 9456 9791.
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January, 2015
Southern Farmer, Page 23
Test runs a ruler over grain nutrient removal A NEW grain test is available this harvest to put a figure on nutrient removal and help refine fertiliser rates for next season. The grain nutrient test quantifies the removal of nutrients in grain, allowing grain growers and their advisers to measure the nutrients exported at harvest. The test is a new service from the Nutrient Advantage® laboratory, a dedicated soil and plant tissue testing laboratory in Werribee, Victoria. Growers can submit samples of wheat, barley and other cereals, canola and pulse crops for testing. Lee Menhenett, technical agronomist with IPF, recommended the test to grain growers seeking to refine nutrition beyond soil testing and improve the nutrient efficiencies of their cropping programs. In the past, Mr Menhenett said agronomists had generally determined nutrient budgets based on estimated nutrient removal figures by crop type, but these were only ‘best guess’ figures and could vary significantly. “By simply sending in a sample of grain for testing, you can find out the actual nutrients removed from each paddock and plan next year’s fertiliser rates based on the
FRESH TEST: Incitec Pivot Fertilisers recommends a new grain nutrient test for graingrowers seeking to refine their soil nutrition programs beyond soil testing.
results,” he said. He said nutrient removal information was particularly useful when combined with recent soil testing results and when soil phosphorus was already at optimum levels. “If you are using a maintenance fertiliser strategy, the main objective is to replace phosphorus that has been removed in grain,” he said. “Coupled with zinc results and other nutrients as required, growers and their advisers are well under way with developing a starter fertiliser program that takes into account thephosphorus
removal from the previous crop.” The new grain test also provides a guide to the viability of seed saved for next season, by reporting the zinc and phosphorus content per seed for wheat. Mr Menhenett said high levels of phosphorus and zinc in the seed were indicators of good seedling vigor in wheat. “This can be very useful information, particularly where growers suspect the grain may have been affected by crop stress or rain at harvest,” he said. “Testing now allows time for growers to decide on saving the seed or making
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alternative arrangements.” The test also reports the ‘1000 grain’ weight, which allows growers to calculate seeding rates accurately. “Remember when harvesting your crops, you are also stripping your paddocks of essential nutrients,” Mr Menhenett said. “At harvest time, ask your agronomist to arrange a grain nutrient test through the Nutrient Advantage laboratory as a first step to reducing the risk of over or under-applying fertilisers next season.” Information: nutrientadvantage.com.au, 1800 803 453.
Dandenong weed control wins $3 million grant
NEWS
Page 24, Southern Farmer
Research strikes rusty grain beetle a blow A RESEARCH team from the Plant Biosecurity CRC has struck a major blow in the battle against phosphine-resistant rusty grain beetle, a major pest of stored grain. While other treatments are being phased out, phosphine is universally accepted around the world as a nearly residue-free treatment. However, insects have been developing resistance to phosphine and this is emerging as a major issue. “Current treatment strategies are not dealing with the resistant strains,” said Dr Manoj Nayak, PBCRC principal research scientist for the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. “Phosphine is a vital tool for protecting grain. To keep it as an option we had to find out how to control the resistant beetle populations.” Using all life stages (eggs, larvae, pupae and adults) of both resistant and susceptible populations, the study determined the regimes needed to kill 99.9 per cent of beetles at different concentrations and fumigation periods, confirmed after eight weeks of storage. “By examining all the variables in the lab, the study established robust fumigation protocols that
can be used in industry grain storages to control strongly resistant rusty grain beetles,” said Dr Nayak. “Increasing phosphine concentration was highly effective, and while this means higher fumigation costs it is a worthy investment, especially for crops where alternatives to phosphine are not available.” The role of temperature also had a major effect, with higher temperatures significantly reducing the time required for effective control. Fumigation protocols developed in the study will be used in recommending changes to currently registered rates of phosphine in Australia where managing strongly resistant rusty grain beetle is an issue. The paper Developing effective fumigation protocols to manage strongly phosphine-resistant Cryptolestesferrugineus (Stephens) (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae), by Ramandeep Kaur and Manoj Nayak was published in the November issue of Pest Management Science, DOI 10.1002/ps.3926. More information and interviews: Tony Steeper, PBCRC Communications Manager, (02) 6201 5938, t.steeper@pbcrc.com.au.
January, 2015
Calving cow mastitis costs farmers $20m CLINICAL mastitis in the first month of calving is costing Victorian dairy farmers about $20 million a year or more than $5200 per herd. It occurs when bacteria gain entry to the udder via the teat canal, leading to an udder infection. With each case comes the burden of production loss,discarded milk, antibiotic therapy and occasional veterinary intervention which costs about $277 per case. Treating outbreaks places an additional burden on producers in terms of time and labor. On average in Victoria, 18 hours is spent treating clinical mastitis in the first month of lactation, which can cause stress and frustration, not to mention significant disruption to the farm’s routine at an already busy time. “At calving there is no time to spare and the team is working long days; treating clinical mastitis can have a knock-on effect across the whole production system and impact the farm immensely,” Dederang dairy farmer Teresa Hicks said. The period of lost production due to discarded milk may be extended when antibiotic therapy is used.
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So experts recommend dairy farmers protect their herds in early lactation by administering a teat sealing compound in combination with antibiotic therapy at the time when cows are dried off. One product, Teatseal, with or without antibiotic therapy, was found to significantly reduce the risk of clinical mastitis after calving. In fact a published Australian study demonstrated Teatseal’s
ability to reduce clinical mastitis by up to 70 per cent in the first three weeks of the next lactation, compared with antibiotics alone. In cows with a low individual cow cell count (ICCC) and deemed to be at low risk of an existing infection, as well as in heifers, Teatseal may be used alone to reduce antibiotic use and help farmers address not only mastitis but also issues such as the expense of dry cow therapy and bacterial resistance
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to antibiotics through overuse. Dairy Focus’s principal veterinary consultant and mastitis expert Rod Dyson said,“Having a prevention plan is imperative when it comes to managing clinical mastitis. “Ultimately higher quality milk means greater profitability for farmers and the industry.” Farmers already Teatseal more than 20 per cent of Australian cows. Information:www. teatseal.com.au.
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January, 2015
Updated heat message can protect dairy cows TAKING the best care of dairy farmers’ second most important investment, their cows, becomes even more important in summer when heat stress can severely affect production yield and cow heath. Cool Cows provides information for dairy farmers and their advisers to keep cows cool and reduce the effects of heat stress. “Dairy Australia has listened to feedback and Cool Cows has been refreshed and the alert service updated to include more options to personalise where and how often you receive your weather alerts and can be customised to deliver forecasts for your exact farm location,” said Catherine Phelps, Dairy Australia’s natural resource management program manager. “The effects of heat stress include drops in milk production, reduced herd fertility and reduced milk protein and fat. “During the 2014 January heat wave the average drop in milk production across Victorian herds was 15 per cent (based on milk tanker volumes) and heat stress can trigger live
weight losses and create animal health problems,” she said. Dairy Australia’s free tailored weather forecast service sends an SMS directly to a farmer’s phone alerting upcoming hot spells that could impact on the health and well-being of their herd. “Any dairy farmer in Australia who registers with the service on the Cool Cows website receives site-specific weather forecasts and alerts of hot weather events specifically for their own farm, which they get by inputting longitude and latitude data describing their location,” said Dr Steve Little from Capacity+ Ag Consulting, a company working with Dairy Australia on the system. Tips to reduce the impact of heat stress on milk production: Anticipate high risk weather conditions. These are periods of sustained high daytime temperatures and high overnight temperatures. Make sure everyone on the farm can recognise the signs of heat stress:
cows panting more than 60 breaths per minute, drop in milk production and what action to take; Increase access to cool drinking water, particularly at the exit to the dairy - in hot weather cows will drink 200-250 litres per cow per day; Provide access to shade. The best way to help cows beat heat stress is to shade them from radiant heat; Adjust milking times to cooler parts of the day; If you have a sprinkler system – use it. For a sprinkler system to be effective and costefficient, without raising the risk of milk quality downgrades, aim to have the sprinklers on for three minutes then off for eight producing moderate to large water droplets rather than a fine mist and Provide cows with the highest quality pasture available to graze overnight when they are cooler. Cool Cows website The Cool Cows website has detailed, practical
information on cooling infrastructure. This information is also available in a booklet, “Shade, sprinklers and fans on dairy farms”. Free copies are available from Dairy Australia (1800 655 441, enquiries@ dairyaustralia.com.au) or download as a pdf from the Dairy Australia website. Recent research studies have also shown the negative impacts that hot conditions can also have on dry cows. “Up until now we haven’t focused on the effects that heat can have on dry cows, but recent studies indicate there is quite an impact on the dry cow’s placenta and her developing udder, leading to reduced calf birth weights and viability, and reduced milk production in the next lactation. Farmers with autumn calvers should consider how much paddock shade is available over summer when they are dry,” Dr Little said. Farmers should take advantage of the resources and tools on the Cool Cows’ website, which he described as “a fantastic resource”.
Southern Farmer, Page 25
Profit in heifer husbandry By DR IAN HOLMES Department of Environment and Primary Industries Benalla PROFITABILITY from a beef breeding operation comes from maximising the number of live calves and kilograms of beef produced per cow per year. Achieving this is a complex and multifaceted challenge and more detailed information can be sourced from MLA’s excellent More Beef from Pastures Online Manual at http://www.mla.com.au/mbfp/Home. Getting heifers to grow to target mating weights, getting them all in calf, getting live calves on the ground and then getting the first-calf heifers back in calf all requires good management. Nutrition is the key that really drives efficient reproduction. Adequate nutrition (principally energy) over and above maintenance and growth influences the time of onset of puberty in heifers, and the ability to exhibit oestrus and get in calf quickly. The key indicators of reproductive performance are liveweight for heifers and body condition score for cows. The target weight-for-age for all British-breed heifers at Mating Start Date (MSD) is 300kgs. Note that this is not the average, but the minimum weight for every heifer. The oldest heifers will be 15 months of age at MSD but some will be much younger especially if the
calving period was extended. Note also that to achieve these target weights the heifers will need to put on at least 600 grams per day from birth. Compensatory growth does not occur. Work in New Zealand with contract rearers of dairy calves and steers where calves weaned at eight to 12 weeks from many different farms were grouped and reared together showed that the ranking in size on arrival was identical to the ranking in size at two years of age. Calving difficulty (dystocia) most commonly occurs in heifers and has been an increasing problem due to too much emphasis on the selection for sires with high growth rates. According to Professor Rex Butterfield, “the growth rate of a dead calf is distressingly poor”. More emphasis needs to be put on selecting bulls for calving ease. To minimise dystocia the target is for heifers to achieve 85 per cent of mature bodyweight at calving. A complete and balanced diet including minerals, particularly calcium, is also important for initiating calving and good uterine contractions. If bulls are to be raised on farm, the age of puberty of the bulls needs to be watched. Some bulls can be capable of getting heifers (or their mothers) in calf by five months of age. So if they are precocious they should be weaned early or if they were intended to be steers they should be castrated by four months of age.
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NEWS
Page 26, Southern Farmer
January, 2015
Can the family farm survive? THE answer is a resounding yes. As opposed to the corporate model, the family farm has significant advantages in a number of areas. Areas such as labor costs and animal husbandry are major ones in the cost of production. The corporate model possibly has lower financing cost, but perhaps its greatest strength is adoption of technology, both intellectual and equipment. Generally speaking, the family farm has not taken advantage of performance monitoring systems, whereas it is a normal component of the business model of corporates (corporates here can include large herd operations that are still family owned). To know where we make profit, and how, but also where we don’t make profit or lose money, and why, are paramount to survival in an increasingly volatile dairy economy and regular adverse seasons. We must make moderate profits in years like 2013 to enable growth in better years. With 2015 already bearing hallmarks of 2013, now is the time to consider monitoring our business performance; both
By JOHN LYNE Dairy production specialist with Dairytech Nutrition physical and financial although neither are independent of each other. MOFC (Milk income Over feed Cost) determines how well we’ve managed feeding our cows. I was blessed in my first sharefarm to be mentored by a farm owner who knew very well, the more feed we could get cows to eat the more milk we produced. He would say to me: “if you can get them to eat it, then give it to them and I’ll buy some more”. Over the last 40 years I’ve learnt a lot more on energy density, fibre and protein balances to refine my old boss’s mantra. Nevertheless his principle stands. We just need to ensure energy, fibre and protein content of our rations is working positively to best feed conversion efficiency. In recent years we’ve focused, or refined our analysis of rations and production performance
to include Feed Cost/litre, as it largely determines MOFC outside of milk price/litre. The hundreds of Feed Cost/ litre calculations we’ve done in recent years has been an education in itself. What determines Feed Cost/ litre, and what areas can we manipulate to improve this critical profit driver. At a national average around 5000lts/cow we have room for improved profit. It is a matrix or combination of several factors, none of which are independent of any of the others. Obviously the first is feed intake. If cows do not have opportunity to eat to physical capacity (and other factors can influence this intake potential), then we’re losing milk production for a very basic reason; underfed cows. Apart from feed availability, how the cow is prepared for lactation will have massive impacts on her intake potential and every other parameter that influences her performance – health and reproduction. I’m referring here to transition management (dry cow to fresh cow), but I’ll leave this subject for the next few months’ articles.
Energy density is next in the critical analysis of reasons that determine Feed Cost/lt and then MOFC, again apart from actual litre price. Litre price obviously has a massive impact as the wild fluctuations we’ve endured in recent years have born witness to. However, the factors we’re looking at here have the same influence on Feed Cost/lt irrespective of milk price. These are the things we can influence; milk price is largely out of our control. Energy density is simply Mega Joules of Metabolisable Energy/ kg DM (dry matter). Everyone understands that wheat at 13 MJME/kg DM is far more capable of producing milk than hay at 7 MJME/kg DM. This is probably a good example to look at this summer/ autumn when hay could be the same cost as wheat/tonne. Yet to look at both in terms of cost/MJME, there is a major difference. This difference then has a multiplier effect when we look at wheat cost, or hay cost, converted to milk dollars in response to feeding each. Wheat at 33c/kg has an energy cost of 2.5c/MJME. Hay
at 30c/kg has an energy cost of 4.3c/MJME. When we need 5.6 MJME to make 1 lt of milk, that litre produced from wheat cost 14c to produce – Feed Cost/lt. Similarly, I litre produced from hay cost 24c. When you figure in other costs of getting each of these feeds into the cow’s mouth, the hay Feed Cost/lt can blow out to be more than the milk price/lt – we lose money in this scenario. The interesting thing is, as we use higher energy dense feeds, NDF (fibre – gut fill) tends to decrease and in most normal on-farm feeds, protein also improves. The old adage: quality feeds are always the most profitable. When I compared two farms’ ration analysis a few years ago in March there was a $4 MOFC (profit) difference per cow per day. The reason was energy density variations in the two rations which in turn effected feed intake too. Feed intake produced two very different milk responses and milk incomes, which then had major impacts on Feed Cost/lt. Feed Cost/lt is also strongly influenced by fixed costs. In our analysis we only take energy
required for maintenance which is a dead cost. Obviously, the higher the energy intake, the higher the proportion going to milk production producing higher milk income and lowering, proportionately, the dead cost of maintenance, = higher profit: in this case $4/ cow/day. Multiply $4/cow/day higher profit by 250 cows and $1000 day extra profit looks very attractive, simply from a better ration. Our industry has an obsession with cutting costs and no consideration to productivity gain; more milk income from better rations. It is my experience that production costs are not the issue; it is far more likely debt servicing that drives this cost cutting mentality to reduce grain and fertiliser bills sending farm businesses into downward production and financial spirals. Perhaps the family farm’s two goals for future prosperity are to increase productivity and reduce debt servicing cost. Farm finance is outside my area, but I’m very aware it is crippling the family farm and improved productivity is at least one avenue of escape.
Lifetime ewe management application freely available THE popular lifetime ewe management (LTEM) course now has an iPhone application, putting millions of dollars of research and extension into the palms of woolgrowers’ hands. The development gives producers a mobile decision making tool to optimise the energy requirements of their flock. While not a replacement for the on farm course, the app is a digital extension of it and requires the essential skills of the course such as condition scoring of animals and accurate feed on offer (FOO) assessments. LTEM assists sheep producers to proactively manage the nutrition of their ewe flock through the reproduction cycle.
So far it has directly involved more than 2000 woolgrowers, more than eight million ewes and has influenced more than 20 per cent of the national flock. A farm based course developed and delivered through Rural Industries Skill Training or RIST, LTEM involves woolgrowers learning to best match the energy requirements of animals with pasture production and supplementary feeding to maximise production and animal welfare. The course was developed by RIST from the Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) Lifetime Wool research project and as the major funder of the research and extension; AWI has contributed more than $10m to LTEM.
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www.johnberendsimplements.com.au
BACCHUS MARSH Bacchus Marsh Farm Supplies ..... (03) 5366 0600 BALLARAT Agrimac .............................................(03) 5339 3038 BENDIGO KV Equipment.......................................(03) 5448 4455 BERWICK Berwick Tractors ..................................(03) 5943 2460 CRAIGIEBURN Melbourne Farm Supplies .............(03) 8339 7011 HASTINGS Westernport Tractors & Implements....(03) 9730 1988 KNOXFIELD Glenmac Sales and Service ...............(03) 9763 8255 KYNETON L&G Sheppard & Sons .........................(03) 5422 1821
LILYDALE AgPower & Transport Pty Ltd ...............(03) 9739 5006 NAGAMBIE John Sandersons Machinery ..............(03) 5794 2272 PAKENHAM Glenmac Sales and Service ...............(03) 5941 5966 ROCKBANK Godings ............................................(03) 9747 1359 TOORADIN Gendore Tractors ...............................(03) 5998 3216 WERRIBEE RP Motors .........................................(03) 9742 1360 WHITTLESEA Godings .........................................(03) 9716 9000 YARRA GLEN Yarra Glen Mower & Tractor ............(03) 9730 1988
TRACTORS Case trencher, articulated, 4wd, 40hp diesel. Ferguson TEA, petrol, rops. Ford 4000, rops, pwr steer, front forklift, 3pl, remotes. Ford 6700, dual power, a/c cab, 3pl, 77hp, 2wd. Ford 7810, fwa, a/c cab, 3pl, remotes, tidy tractor, 3000 hours,105 hp Ford TW30, reco engine & clutch, fwa, a/c cab, 3pl . Fiat 580, 2wd, a/c cab, 3pl, pwr steer, 58hp. Fiat F-100, fwa, a/c cab, good tyres, tidy unit. International 454, FEL, 4 post rops,3pl, power steering, new clutch. John Deere 1130, pwr steer, rops, good tyres, 50hp. Iseki 6000, fwa,4 post rops, 3pl, pwr steering. Leyland 253, pwr steer, rops, 50hp. Massey Ferguson 135, rops, as traded. Massey Ferguson 148, rops, tidy. Massey Ferguson 250, pwr steer, rops canopy, tidy unit. Massey Ferguson 2745, V8, 2wd, a/c cab, 180hp. Suit collector. Same Silver 100.6, Agroshift, fitted with new front end loader, fwa, a/c cab, new rear tyres,103hp. Excellent unit.
RIMS & TYRES New Ferguson 16” and 19” front rims. VINTAGE Fendt single cylinder, restored. Lanz Bulldog, 28hp, vineyard model, with linkage. Porsche 108 Junior, very original & tidy. V8 diesel Deutz irrigation motor with 15 KVA generator, and pto.150hp….$8,800 inc gst. Perkins 236 engine, suit Massey Ferguson. IMPLEMENTS Soft hands for loader, 12ft galvanised tandem trailer, 6ft & 7ft grader blades, post rammer,3pl post hole auger, mobile fuel tanker, Howard Paraplow, Inter 4 furrow disc plow, Berends 3pl 14 disc plow as new, 14 plate wheeled hydraulic discs, 8ft topper, Massey scarifier, Connor Shea 14 row 3pl seeder, as new 5ft Caroni rotary hoe, Krone 2.5 mtr rotary harrows, carryall, 3pl 10ft pasture roller aerator, trailing 2 ton super spreader, 3pl rotary drainer, trailing wick wiper, Hardi 1200 ltr trailing spray unit with 10 mtr boom and hand reel, 4 in 1 fel bucket suit 60hp , quick detach front end loader suit Massey , assorted tractor weights and weight frames
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John Berends Implements
Specialists in Second Hand Farm Machinery PRESTON RD, RIPPLEBROOK (via Drouin) Ph 5627 6317 Fax 5627 6385
WANTED Good quality late model tractors.
Trade-ins accepted. Delivery and finance easily arranged.
Never climb a LADDER- we bring the leaves & debris down to YOU
OFF*
SUMMER SPECIAL
* Conditions apply: place order at time of quote and show this ad to qualify. Not valid with any other offer - Valid until February 6, 2015.
“The experts in Gutter protection have been doing it right for 22 years”
BEFORE
AFTER
Who you gonna CALL?
RS Call LEAFBUSTE NOW FOR A ASURE & FREE MELL AREAS QUOTE IN A
Call Leafbusters T V AS SE
EN ON
Your Unbeatable Guarantees:
✔ 12 months money back satisfaction guarantee ✔ 20 year unconditional manufacturer’s guarantee on product
Tailor made to suit ALL roof types
1300 488 837 Thea Groom CEO
1300 GUTTER
www.leafbusters.com.au *** Franchise Areas Selling Now - LIMITED AREAS *** Call Paul for your expression of interest
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you that e s i m o r k “I p will wor s r e t s u b Leaf too!” for you
WORKHORSES FOR
A NEW GENERATION
ALL NEW MF4700GLOBALSERIES | 74 – 82 HP 3 and 4 cylinder AGCO POWER engines 12x12 synchromesh transmission with synchronised mechanical or power shuttle
Footstep Operator Station or Semi Platform Electro-hydraulically engaged differential lock and 4WD available
Electronic Linkage Control (ELC) 2 Auxiliary spool valves
Dandenong
Small Horse Tractors
18 Lonsdale Street
Geelong
South West Tractor & Turf
Industrial Place
Nagambie
John Sanderson Machinery
36-38 Industrial Crescent
(03) 5794 2272
Silvan
Darmac Ag Sales & Service
249-251 Monbulk Road
(03) 9737 9255
Warragul
REN Machinery
Normanby Street
(03) 5623 1255
0450 627 739
MASSEY FERGUSON®, MF®, the triple-triangle logo® is a worldwide brand of AGCO. © 2014
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www.masseyferguson.com.au
(03) 9791 6414