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
CHILL OUT
IF YOUR SHED OR COOLROOM GETS TOO HOT IN SUMMER
THE ORIGINAL LIQUID THERMAL INSULATION
Continued page 10
Reduce inside temperature dramatically, cut air conditioning and refrigeration costs. Ideal for trucks; sheds; warehouses; offices; silos; dairies. Increase productivity. Increases metal life, which will SAVE YOU MONEY! Thermoshield’s high thermal properties are due to millions of hollow ceramic beads that cluster together and provide dead air space
For more information
Ph: 1300 551 099 Mob. 0417 563 955 PO Box 16, Silvan, VIC 3795 gavin@thermoshield.com.au www.thermoshield.com.au
Name:................................................................ .......................................................................... Address:............................................................ .......................................................................... P/Code:.........................Ph:...............................
t/04d04479/36-13
S REDUCE SE OU GREENH SION IS GAS EM
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.
Call the professionals today for on the spot service, genuine parts and advice
a division of Norwood Agriculture
“The complete agricultural driveline solution”
FACTORY 3, 16-20 DINGLEY AVE., DANDENONG 3175
PH. (03) 9794 5889 FAX (03) 9794 0272
Email: bypy@bypy.com.au Web: www.bypy.com.au For emergency A/H service call (03) 9794 5889
t/05d05777-v11/45-13
Trust only Bondioli & Pavesi and Bima for
g ting the farmin Proudly suppor nce 1950 community si