Southern Farmer

THE SOUTHERN

Part of the Farmer Group Rural Newspapers Covering Victoria Published since 1986

PASTURE IMPROVEMENT

APRIL, 2017

486 Whitehorse Road, Surrey Hills, 3127

QUAD BIKE SAFETY PAGES 10-15

HYDROPONICS AND GREENHOUSES

PAGE 20

PAGES 21-23

Doing time behind bars and farm fences At Langi Kal Kal Stud they are not only raising notable Angus bulls, but rehabilitating a generation of men

DOING HARD TIME: Corrections Victoria’s agricultural manager Matthew Menhennet has bolstered not only the bulls, but also the men, at Langi Kal Kal Prison’s Angus stud over the last 12 years.

HER Majesty’s Prison Langi Kal Kal in the rolling hills of Trawalla, 40km west of Ballarat, is one of several low-security penitentiaries in country Victoria.

And though its attached farming program is not completely unique, the quality and reputation of their cattle stud has grown to surpass all expectations.

The days at Langi Kal Kal aren’t the same as most prisons.

The main building is a historical Victorian-style double storey building erected in 1938.

Originally a farmhouse, it fronts a large man-made pond and is surrounded by the expansive grange.

Here, inmates live in what has been described as closer to a retirement village than a hard lock-and-key gaol.

The prisoners share a breakfast in a kitchen of one of several communal houses, then after the 7am headcount it is off to their full time jobs.

Unless they are too old, everyone at Langi Kal Kal has a job.

Many work on the farm, which includes a 2000 composite ewe flock and the increasingly notable 250 Angus cow stud herd.

“We have anywhere between 25 and 30 prisoners working on the land,” said Colin Kendall, who manages the 2700 acre farm.

Continued page 4

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Page 2, Southern Farmer

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FAREWELL: The $22,000 sale-topping female, Coolana Tearful G216 with (from left) stud manager Martin Beltrame, Ben and Mark Gubbins, purchaser Damien Gommers from Mandayen, and his buying agent Rodney Dix and Max Gubbins.

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It is a very encouraging result and obviously we thank everyone who has supported us over the last four days and the last 40-plus years,” – Mark Gubbins after Australia’s largest ever Angus dispersal sale at Coolana, Chatsworth. k/37d06031-v2/1017

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Covering Central South Victoria and West Gippsland 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta Victoria, 3677

Phone (03) 5723 0125 Email: sfarmer@nemedia.com.au Website: www.nemedia.com.au Calvin Purss Phone (03) 5723 0125 Fax (03) 5721 9447 cpurss@nemedia.com.au

Editorial:

Jarrah Loh Phone (03) 5723 0129 Fax (03) 5721 9447 jloh@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

This is a historic day for our state. We promised we would ban fracking – and that is exactly what we have done.”

– Minister for Resources Wade Noonan on the government’s Fracking Ban Bill that passed Victorian Parliament in March.

Quad bikes and kids do not mix. We need effective controls to prevent these tragedies.”

– RACS Trauma Committee chair Dr John Crozier on The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons urging the government to ban the use of quad bikes by children, following the latest death of a sixyear-old girl in country NSW.

– Hort Innovation chief executive John Lloyd following the release of the Vegetable Industry Export Strategy 2020.

ON THE SPOT

Jarrah LOH Editorial

TEAM

Noelene ALLAN

ICONIC farming cartoonist Murray Ball has died aged 78.

Mr Ball was the creator of the famous Footrot Flats cartoon strip that was made into a movie in 1986.

He reportedly died after a long battle with Alzheimer’s at his home at Gisborne on the North Island of New Zealand.

In an interview with Radio New Zealand in January 2016, Ball’s wife Pam said her

husband hadn’t been well for about six years.

“He’s slowly declining you know, it’s one of these dementia things, we just have to make the most of Murray,” she said.

“It’s very sad.”

The protagonist of the cartoon strip was a border collie sheepdog owned by Wal Footrot called The Dog that lived on a farm called Footrot Flat.

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His many books celebrated farming life and sold millions of copies in Australia and New Zealand.

The comic strip Footrot Flats ran in newspapers across the world from 1976 until 1994, and even spawned a musical, an animated film, a bronze statue and a theme park.

Mr Ball became an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002.

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

Responsibility for election comment is accepted by Editor Jeff Zeuschner.

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

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With all the necessary mechanisms in place, the Australian vegetable industry could increase its exports by 40 per cent within four years, and close to double exports within the next decade.”

– AUSVEG spokesperson Jarrod Strauch on the latest report from the Project Harvest tracking study commissioned by Horticulture Innovation Australia on behalf of the vegetable industry.

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When shoppers think about the quality of vegetables on offer and the value for money they’re getting from their purchases, they’re placing Aldi right in the mix with Woolworths and Coles.”

Farming comic strip creator Murray Ball dies aged 78

THE SOUTHERN

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NEWS

April 2017

Southern Farmer, Page 3

COUNTRY SHOWS AND REGIONAL FIELD DAYS

CRACKING DAY: With more than 350 exhibitor spaces and numerous quality promotions at the East Gippsland Field Days, about 8000 to 10,000 visitors are attracted to the event each year, most of them on the lookout for new products, services and information.

April 1: Bunyip 28-29: East Gippsland Field Days, Bairnsdale 30: Castlemaine Feature Show May 20-21: Mildura Horticulture Field Days For more information on country shows visit www. vicagshows.com.au or www.countryshows. com.au.

When looking to the skies, look to the leaders in weather.

GOLDEN MILK: Owner Declan Patten and family with his prized calf Gigi after the record sale.

Gigi HOLSTEIN heifer, Lighting Ridge-CMD Jedi Gigi-Imp-Et – known as Gigi for short – was sold for $251,000 in January at the World Wide Sires Evolution sale at Tatura Park, near Shepparton. “I’ve been pinching myself

ever since,� said owner Declan Patten, of Sale-based company Lightning Ridge Holsteins.

Mr Patten, who shares his time living between Sale in Gippsland and Illinois in the US, said he hoped the

Australian sale would help promote more investment in the country’s cattle genetic industry.

The calf, which is a full sister to two-year-old Blondin Illalogen Golden VG, has now headed over to the US.

1

3 4 5

6

In 1973 what caused a serious decrease in the export of canned and dried fruit from Australia to Great Britain?

Australian Lowline cattle are derived from which beef cattle breed?

Which major Victorian research facility was recently sold to housing developers?

In water for irrigation and stock drinking, what are TSS?

7 8 9

RIZZOLI

10

When was the first motorized harvester (autoheader) introduced to Australia (a) 1924 (b) 1934 (1944)?

What is a Hogget ?

11 12

The Victorian town of Elmore is noted for which annual event ?

ANSWERS 1. (b) 1930’s 2. The machine shearers 3. Department of Primary Industries 4. Breeds of pigs. 5. The Buffalo Fly 6. Britain entered the European Economic Community, (later EU), ending the Perpetual Tariff Agreement with Australia. 7. Angus 8. The State Research Farm at Werribee. 9. Total Soluble Salts (alternatively called Total Dissolved Salts (TDS). 10. (a) 1924. 11. A shorn or unshorn sheep about 12 to 15 months old. 12. The Elmore Machinery Field Days..

2

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Page 4, Southern Farmer

April 2017

Behind bars and farm fences From page 1

Along with their daily work schedule, the inmates are collecting agriculture certificates, front-end loader and chemicaluse licences, shearing hand experience and general horticulture knowledge.

“The farming is quite vital to integrating these people back into the working sector,” said Mr Kendall.

“It’s a professional environment to help them readjust to a community setting – which helps prevent them re-offending.”

And by all accounts, the program has indeed helped.

“We hear of blokes going straight out and into the ag workplace,” he said.

“We even have guys come back to buy bulls off us.”

Mr Kendall grew up on a dairy farm in the Ballarat area, and went on to specialise in artificial breeding for 15 years before gaining a role at Langi Kal Kal. “I was travelling a million miles a year and wanted to spend more time at home with my little fellow, so I stayed here.”

The stud has come a long way since it was established 35 years ago by one of the original farm managers Rick Smith, with this year marking the first time they’ve held a full open-auction to the public.

Corrections Victoria’s ag-

FREE: The Angus roam on the extensive 2700 acre farm at Langi Kal Kal prison.

ricultural manager Matthew Menhennet has seen the project grow to fruition first-hand over the last 12 years.

“Holding an event where the public can just walk into an open air prison farm certainly has its complexities,” he said.

“There is a bit of a stigma, where people are not sure if they want to be involved with prisoners, and I can understand that.

“But what I have found is that when seen in the working environment, people realise they are just normal folk trying to make a change for the good.”

Though they couldn’t take

part in the sale itself, the prisoners were working hard right up to the final hour, getting everything ready.

“It was all put together by them,” said Mr Menhennet.

“They covered all the sale preparation from washing and tagging all the bulls, welding up the fences, and setting up all the computers and projectors for the sale day.”

The aim is to give the inmates achievements and boxes to tick.

“The sale is held at a very high standard, and it is good to expose them to that,” said Mr Menhennet.

“And we go back and share the information with them and they feel a real sense of achievement in the whole thing.”

The sale went so well that the stud sold all of its 37 bulls on offer.

“Our highest price bull last year was $5750,” he said.

“And our average this year was $6257.”

He attributes their improving prices to their concentrated AI breeding over the last four years, providing a better article for the commercial customer.

The purchase of Millah Murrah Hallmark for $20,000 last year, and higher heifer

retention, aims to bring up the quality over their lower end of the herd – raising the stud’s all-round value.

“We focus on the cow herd and the good bulls are just a result of that,” said Mr Menhennet.

He said it is run like any private business and their major goal is to reduce the cost of the prison system on the tax payer.

“We benchmark to outside operations, so we don’t fall into the trap of being a spoilt government department,” said Mr Menhennet, who also grew up on a dairy farm in the Ballarat area before moving into AI. The benefits that influ-

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ence the prisoners is hard to measure, but all on hand are sure it works toward positive behaviour change.

“There was one bloke that got out onto a cattle farm and has now approached us to buy bulls as he is managing the farm himself,” said Mr Menhennet.

“Also, I remember we had a young bloke that had never been on a tractor in his life.

“But we got him out there working on an 11-wheel inline hay rake.”

“One day, his dad came and visited and could not believe he was even able to drive a tractor – let alone rake the entire paddock himself.

“And that created a huge sense of achievement for that young man.”

Most inmates haven’t come from a warm and encouraging environment, and as such, usually haven’t achieved much themselves – which the farming system hopes to change.

“Farming is about looking forward,” said Mr Menhennet.

“Even just the seasonal achievements provide good lessons.

“You join the cows and nine months later you are putting a tag in a calf’s ear.

“It puts some future results in their work.

“It teaches them that if they work hard on something now, it will pay off in the future.”

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April 2017

Southern Farmer, Page 5

Farm expo a big hit

Langi Kal Kal pays

BY DAVID RIZZOLI EXTENSIVE use of artificial insemination and embryo transfer has paid dividends for the Langi Kal Kal Angus Stud, which held its on-property bull sale in early March.

A small, but quality offering of 37 APR bulls were presented at auction with 100 per cent clearance to a top price of $10,500 – with a sale gross of $231,500, at an average price of $6257.

There was an excellent attendance of buyers who came from around Victoria as far away as Leongatha in the east, Apsley in the west, Grassmere in the south west, as well as buyers from areas scattered around Central Victoria including Elmhurst, Burrumbeet, Talbot, Kyneton, Ballan and Ballarat.

Two of the most successful Angus sires of recent times, Te Mania Berkley B1 and his son, Te Mania Emperor E343, were each represented by five bulls in the sale, with Berkley averaging $9050, to a top of $10,500.

Emperor’s sons sold to a

top of $7250, at an average of $6200.

Te Mania Berkley and another reference sire, Ardrossan Equator, shared top price honours at $10,500, with Langi Kal Kal L271 – an 18-month-old bull by Equator – weighing in at 691kg, who was purchased by Laurie and Dalene O’Hanlon.

Langi Kal Kal L238 – also an 18-month-old bull by Berkley – weighing in at 658kg, was purchased by G.J & L.G. Sawyer.

The second top price of $9750 was fetched by two bulls – Langi Kal Kal L254 and Langi Kal Kal L305, both 18 months old, both by Berkley and both purchased by Rowallen Lodge at Burrumbeet.

Rowallen Lodge purchased a further bull, Langi Kal Kal L266 for $4750.

Third top price of $9500 went to Langi Kal Kal L255, sired by Berkley, also 18 months and 658kg, purchased

by M & C Mullane.

The Mullanes purchased two other bulls: Langi Kal Kal L275 by Irelands Galaxy G43 for $6000 and Langi Kal Kal L332 by Emperor for $6500.

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Seymour Agricultural Society provided informative lectures in agriculture and alternative livestock, ensuring those interested in farming were provided with key information.

To complement the lectures, visitors could wander the cattle yards and engage directly with livestock breeders.

In the Alternative Learning Hub, the GOTAFE Short Talks provided advice on how to run a sustainable farming enterprise, with information on solar power, backyard beekeeping, innovative building techniques and other relevant sustainability skills.

“The events team love staging the expo within Seymour and thank the community for their continued support,” said event manager Susie Filleti.

“We recognise the tremendous contribution our event offers to the local economy and community groups and are delighted to be a part of that”.

Among other buyers noted was John Molesworth, Morrisons via Meredith who purchased two bulls: Langi Kal Kal L253, sired by Berkley, for $8000 and Langi Kal Kal L304, by Emperor, for $6000.

Also noted was Gellies Earth Moving, Ararat who purchased Langi Kal Kal L272 by Merridale Gem G272 for $6000 and Langi Kal Kal L288 by Ardrossan Equator A241 for $5250.

A number of other buyers also picked up two bulls each at prices just under the sale average.

Speaking after the sale, Langi Kal Kal Angus principal, Matthew Menhennet paid tribute to the vast amount of work applied by the farm manager Colin Kendall, in not only the preparation of the animals for sale, but also in the collection and compilation of the data for the EBVs. Mr Menhennet expressed his satisfaction with such a successful sale and thanked all the bidders and wished the successful buyers every triumph with their purchases.

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TOP DOLLAR: High-priced bull Langi Kal Kal L271 with (from left), buyer Laurie O’Hanlon and Stud Principal Matt Menhennet.

THE 2017 Seymour Alternative Farming Expo experienced a record attendance across the three-day event, with more than 20,000 visitors and 500 exhibits on display.

This year there was a wide range of displays showing the latest and innovative farming technologies combined with many exciting attractions for the whole family and educational experiences for small to medium acreage farmers.

The expo included threetime whip-cracking world record holder Nathan Griggs; artisan DIY workshops providing interactive sessions in sourdough bread-making, yoghurtmaking and cheesemaking; permaculture and raising chooks.

Further entertainment included chainsaw carvers, demonstrations in the Country Kitchen and Butcher Shop, Farmer Darryl and his farmyard, the ‘snake man’, tiny house displays and more.

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Page 6, Southern Farmer

NEWS

April 2017

Beef market needs change TIME FOR CHANGE: ACCC study makes recommendations to lift transparency and competitiveness.

CHANGES are needed to improve transparency and competitiveness in Australia’s cattle and beef markets according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

An ACCC detailed market study conducted into beef and cattle markets in Australia, which was released last week, highlighted shortcomings in price reporting, a lack of trust in the carcase grading system, and concerns about anti-competitive conduct affecting competition in cattle and beef sales.

The study involved consultations with all parts of the supply chain, and analysis of available market information and industry data.

ACCC chairman Rod Sims said while many Australian cattle and beef businesses successfully operate in competitive export markets, “there are issues that need to be addressed to improve competition along the domestic supply chain”.

“The final report makes 15 recommendations, which we believe will improve transparency, competition and efficien-

cy in the industry,” Mr Sims said, adding that the ACCC was also concerned about suggestions of anti-competitive conduct that emerged during the market study.

“The ACCC takes allegations of this nature very seriously and we are currently assessing if there are any breaches of the law....and if we find substance to these allegations, we won’t hesitate to take action,” he said.

Victorian Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie - who was a key proponent for the study after the so-called ‘Barnawartha boycott’ in 2015 - said it (study) goes to the heart of problems in the industry raised with her over many years.

“For decades, I have been hearing about a culture of fear and intimidation throughout the beef industry and the ACCC study addresses many of those concerns,” she said.

Some of the 15 final recommendations within the ACCC study are: s !LL PROCESSORS AND OTHER major purchasers of prime cattle should make their price grids publicly available in a timely manner.

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s 4HE INTRODUCTION OF OBJEC tive carcase measurement technology should be prioritised by the industry and adopted by all processors in a consistent manner as soon as possible. s 4HE 2ED -EAT !DVISORY Council should develop a uniform and independent complaints and dispute resolution process. s #ARCASE GRADING AUDITS should be strengthened s ! MANDATORY "UYERS Register should be publicly available prior to the commencement of all physical livestock auctions. s 3ALEYARDS COMMISSION buyers, auctioneers and agents should provide MLA with information that enables regular standardised market reports for each reported saleyard. s )NTRODUCE LEGISLATION RE quiring standardised national licensing of livestock agents, professional buyers (applying to commission and salaried buyers) and livestock auctioneers. s 4HE 2ED -EAT !DVISORY Council should have prime responsibility for overseeing the recommendations and for monitoring their compliance.”

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NEWS

April 2017

Southern Farmer, Page 7

Horse owners be warned A NEW study by Melbourne University has revealed that horses have killed more Australians in recent years than snakes, spiders, wasps and everything in between.

Examining both hospital and coronial records from 2000 – 2013, researchers found that more than 70 people had been killed in incidents with horses, while snakebites were responsible for less than 30 deaths in the same period.

The University of Melbourne study was published in the Internal Medicine Journal last month, and surprisingly found that overall bees, insects and venomous bites were responsible for the highest number of animal related hospitalisations – with 42,000 recorded cases.

Many of the bee cases were the result of anaphylactic reactions, and the same went for spider bites.

With anaphylactic shock a relatively treatable occurrence, there was some suggestion that the reason so many deaths had occurred was because people did not take insect bites as seriously as snake bites.

Either way, horse related injuries sit alarmingly high on the list – with most

injuries to horse riders resulting from the horse and/ or rider falling or the rider being thrown, as opposed to injuries occurring on the ground.

One individual who has taken his love of movement and combined it with a desire to make horse riding safer is Lindsay Nylund, who competed and coached in gymnastics over a period of 20 years.

Having represented Australia at world championships and Commonwealth and Olympic Games, Lindsay now offers pony club, riding groups and individuals a course on “falling safely”, designed to use a gymnastics approach to coming off in the best possible way.

Starting the program last year, there is still no data to show if the techni que s m a ke a ge nuine difference.

Statistics also show that horse related deaths are most often the result of sustained head injuries.

For more information on the safe falling program, go to the website at www. horseriderfallsafety.com. au/course.

To read the dangerous animal study, go to www. racp.edu.au.

NEW KID IN TOWN: The Tullamarine HQ of Ferraro Dairy Foods.

New player in dairy market

By SHANE DOUTHIE

CAREFUL: A new study by Melbourne University has revealed that horses kill more people than all of Australia’s most deadly animals put together.

A MELBOURNE dairy manufacturing company has moved into the traditional Murray Goulburn market seeking producers in the Whitfield, Myrtleford and Milawa areas.

Ferraro Dairy Foods is a privately owned company that manufactures high quality cheeses for some of Australia’s most famous dairy brands including Goodman Fielder, Unilever, Patties Foods, Latina Fresh, Arnotts and Hudson Pacific.

They began advertising in the Wangaratta Chronicle last week wanting to hear from dairy farmers milking from 50 to 600 cows who might be interested in supplying their Tullamarine processing plant.

Brad Ferraro, general manager and son of the company’s founder John Ferraro, said Ferraro Dairy Foods was seeking additional suppliers due to their continued growth both in the local market and overseas.

“We have around 40 farmers who supply us from the Drouin and Warragul area but we’re looking for more milk as our business grows,” he said.

“We thought let’s try up

north, we know there has been a bit of turmoil due to the price cuts.

“We didn’t drop our prices when so many others did.

“We don’t offer contracts, we stick with our suppliers; a lot of our farmers have been with us between five and 20 years.

“And it doesn’t matter whether you have 60 cows or 700, everyone gets the same price, everyone’s equal.”

To keep up with demand the company put in a new 150,000 litre milk silo last year in addition to their 60,000 litre silo and have plans to build another 250,000 litre silo in the near future.

Mr Ferraro said the company specialises in the manufacture of Italian cheese products including ricotta, grated parmesan and mozzarella which they supply to major companies and industries.

“We did a major upgrade to the plant four years ago, investing back into the company and now we can produce around 10 tonnes of mozzarella a day,” he said.

“We’re a family run business that’s been around for 30 years and we’re here to stay.”

For more information on Ferraro Dairy Foods contact 9338 6644.

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NEWS

Page 8, Southern Farmer

April 2017

None jump the gun ahead of season A MAJOR compliance operation targeting illegal quail and duck hunting in Victoria’s North was conducted recently to ensure people were not hunting outside the prescribed open seasons.

The Game Management Authority (GMA) and Victoria Police conducted the operation, focusing on key hunting locations.

GMA chief executive officer Greg Hyams said Victoria Police and GMA officers worked together to patrol the area and set up road blocks in strategic locations to catch any suspected illegal hunters.

“Twenty-six vehicles were stopped, the occupants of a further six vehicles were spoken to and a number vehicles were searched”, Mr Hyams said.

“In total, over 80 people were spoken to over the two days, including several groups of hunters who were scouting for good hunting locations for when the quail and duck seasons open.”

It was pleasing that no hunting offences were detected.

The 2017 duck season commenced on March 18 and closes on June 12.

The Stubble Quail season opened on April 1 and closes on June 30.

Fox and wild dog bounty resumes COLLECTION teams are back on the road this month when the Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty resumes.

Agriculture Victoria’s John Matthews said the collection period will run from March until the end of October.

“Eligible participants can submit entire fox scalps for a $10 reward and entire wild dog skin pieces for a $120 reward during scheduled collection times,” Mr Matthews said.

For full details visit www.agriculture.vic. gov.au/bounty.

UNDER THE GUN: Even more restrictions to law-abiding firearms owners could be on the way.

Looking down the law barrel THE Council of Australian Governments (COAG) recently revealed their resolutions of the National Firearms Agreement (NFA) review after months of cloak and dagger discussions and no industry or community consultation recently.

The document was quietly

uploaded on the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s website and applies even more restrictions to law abiding firearms owners yet provides no recommendations to combat the illegal use and possession of firearms according to Shooters, Fishers and

Farmers Party MP, Jeff Bourman.

“It’s no secret that I believe that the majority of our ‘gun control’ is about making us feel safe as opposed to making us safe,” Mr Bourman said.

“Criminals are the ones that the government should be attacking,

not the law abiding firearms owners that are subject to ongoing criminal history checks.

“If COAG could focus on criminal importation and manufacturing of guns, only then will they have a chance to improve safety in our communities.”

Rabbit virus has been unleashed on Australian farms THE RHDV-OK5 (K5) strain of calicivirus was released across the nation last month in a bid to combat farming’s number one pest.

Federal, state and territory governments will oversee the distribution of the virus at more than

600 sites.

National Farmers’ Federation chief executive Tony Mahar said it was estimated up to $200 million was lost in productivity each year due to the habits and appetite of rabbits.

“Rabbits cause significant damage to agricultural land – rabbit warrens are a major contributor to soil erosion.

“The pests also compete with stock for feed – this is particularly hard to bear in times of drought,”

Mr Mahar said.

A build-up of resistance to the first calicivirus strain released 20 years ago has prompted the development of K5, which scientists say is safer and more humane than its predecessor.

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PASTURE IMPROVEMENT

Page 10, Southern Farmer

April 2017

Filling the winter feed gap OPTIONS to fill the winter feed gap in the short-term are limited.

In the longer-term producers can look to limit the gap by building a feed wedge or surplus feed leading into winter, or introducing other pasture species into the farming system.

In the short-term, the options are limited to supplementary feeding or improving winter growth rates of existing pastures by applying nitrogen fertiliser or gibberellic acid.

Urea is the most favoured nitrogen fertiliser option during winter, as it

is less prone to losses (leaching and de-nitrification) during cold wet weather.

Soil temperature, moisture, fertility and pasture species composition all impact on the pasture response to applied nitrogen.

For example, a north-facing slope may be as much as 2°C warmer than a south-facing slope in winter.

Applying nitrogen to the northfacing slopes during July and south-facing slopes during August as temperatures start to increase can give a greater growth response than

applying nitrogen to both areas at the same time.

Apply urea immediately after removing stock from a paddock.

Delaying the application of nitrogen fertiliser reduces the potential pasture.

Annual grasses respond most efficiently to nitrogen fertiliser, followed by short-rotation grasses, than perennial grasses.

Gibberellic acid is a naturallyoccurring plant hormone that stimulates growth through cell expansion.

In grasses, this results in stem and leaf elongation.

Gibberellic acid is produced in higher quantities during warmer months, and at low levels during colder months.

Applying gibberellic acid during colder winter months stimulates the plant and can improve the quantity of feed on offer.

The rapid growth may cause the plants to ‘yellow off’ in colour for the first couple of weeks after application, however, the quality of the feed on offer is not affected.

Multiple applications can be used on a paddock in conjunction with a rotational grazing program.

Growth stimulation is usually seen within seven days of application and ceases around 3–4 weeks after application.

Soil nutrient levels need to be adequate to support the additional growth applications of gibberellic acid may induce.

The key to maximising returns from applying either nitrogen fertiliser or gibberellic acid is to match pasture availability with livestock needs.

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April 2017

PASTURE IMPROVEMENT

Southern Farmer, Page 11

RIRDC research project targets pasture seed quality QUALITY of seed is critical for farmers, breeders and seed companies alike.

A new research project being funded by the RIRDC (Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation) Pasture Seed Program aims to produce a simple, reliable and economic method for assuring seed quality and purity, and to potentially assist with seed certification of a number of important pasture and forage legume species in

Australia and overseas.

The Molecular Markers for Cultivar ID and Seed Certification in Pasture Legumes partnership includes RIRDC, AgResearch and Gin Silico.

The lead researcher, Kioumars Ghamkhar, has recently completed a threeyear study, which yielded a fast, reliable and feasible cultivar identification technique in sub-clover at Gin Silico.

That project discerned between 41 cultivars of sub-clover and was able to not only account for

the cultivars but also the estimated purity in the seed mix.

Now, as the Director of the Margot Forde Germplasm Centre at AgResearch in New Zealand, Kioumars aims to extend this work to other important pasture species with the current project, allowing industry to be able to discern if â&#x20AC;&#x153;whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on the tag is in the bagâ&#x20AC;?, if they use the method being developed.

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The Forage Value Index has found Base AR37 perennial ryegrass to be the highest performing cultivar throughout South West Victoria, Gippsland, Northern Victoria and Tasmania across most seasons.

PGG Wrightson Seeds, national sales and marketing Manager, Cameron Henley says the index results support the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long-term, on-

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Page 12, Southern Farmer

April 2017

Record production forecast AFTER an extraordinary year for Australian grains and oilseed production, ABARES has forecast yields to return to average levels in 2017â&#x20AC;&#x201C;18.

ABARES acting assistant secretary, Alistair Davidson, said the forecast decline in production came on the back of record crops of wheat, barley and canola following outstanding seasonal conditions in 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201C;17. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Total winter crop production is estimated to reach a record 58.9Mt â&#x20AC;&#x201D; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s around 30 per cent above the previous record set in 2011â&#x20AC;&#x201C;12,â&#x20AC;? Mr Davidson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our estimates put national wheat production at 35.1Mt, which is 17 per cent above its 2011â&#x20AC;&#x201C;12 record, canola equalling the 2012-13 record from a smaller area planted and barley and pulses both

reaching record numbers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While these bumper crops are good news for farmers, record breaking cereal production globally has increased competition and pushed prices down to lows, in real terms, that we havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seen since the mid-2000s. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the farm gate, however, exceptional yields this year offset low prices, especially for wheat and barley. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Following a decade of strong growth, grain farm incomes are forecast to rise in 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201C;17 to average around $398,000 a farm. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If realised, average cash income for grain farms will be the highest in the past 20 years.â&#x20AC;?

Mr Davidson said this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s irrigated summer crops had beneďŹ ted from a good start, with plentiful supplies of water for Queensland and New South

Wales growers leading to well above average areas planted to irrigated cotton and rice. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dryland crops, however, had a mixed start due to low soil moisture in parts of Queensland, with Australian sorghum planting at a 24 year low,â&#x20AC;? Mr Davidson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We expect the hot, dry conditions so far to adversely affect yields for dryland cotton and sorghum. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Summer crop production in 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201C;17 is forecast to be just above the 10 year average at 4.2Mt, up more than 400,000 tonnes on last year.â&#x20AC;?

Growth in global demand for grains and oilseed is expected to continue over the next ďŹ ve years, driven by population and income growth â&#x20AC;&#x201D; particularly in developing countries across Asia, the Middle East and northern Africa.

Fast machinery wash down

Î&#x17D; ,ĆľĹ?Ä&#x17E; Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;ĹśĹ?Ä&#x17E; ŽĨ ^Ć&#x2030;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ç&#x2021; Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x2039;ĆľĹ?Ć&#x2030;ĹľÄ&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161; Î&#x17D;>Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E; Ć?Ä&#x17E;ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ä?Ć&#x;ŽŜ ŽĨ ,Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ä?Ĺ?Ä?Ĺ?Ä&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć? Î&#x17D;^ĹľÄ&#x201A;ĹŻĹŻ Ĺ˝Ć&#x152; >Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E; Ć&#x2030;Ć&#x152;Ĺ˝Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ć&#x;Ä&#x17E;Ć?

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20 YEAR HIGH: Grain incomes are forecast to rise in 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201C;17 to average around $398,000 a farm.

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BUSY farmers and contractors want effective, quality blasters to wash down their equipment fast.

The Aussie Pumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Scud 400 industrial engine drive pressure cleaner has proven itself within the farming community and is a choice of cleaning professionals.

It offers a cost effective, efficient cleaning solution that enables operators to cut cleaning times, save water and fuel.

Aussie Gold Distributor Baybury Power Equipment, in Bayswater, knows the value of stocking these professional machines. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s essential to clean down harvesters or farm plant thoroughly before you move it off site or service it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We believe the Aussie Scud is by far the best machine on the market for this application,â&#x20AC;? said Baybury Power Equipment Derek Morton. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Aussie Scud 400 is gearbox driven and delivers 4000 psi pressure that blasts off crop debris, mud, dirt and even caked on dust in seconds,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nobody wants to spend five hours cleaning when the job can be done in two,â&#x20AC;? said

CUT CLEANING TIME: Derek Morton from Baybury Power Equipment shows off the Aussie Scud 400.

Mr Morton. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We stock this machine because farmers understand that for a big job a big professional machine is worth the investment.â&#x20AC;?

All Aussie machines are supplied with professional accessories including a 4000 psi gun, 10 metres of double wire braid hose, stainless steel double lance and integrated

detergent injection.

For cleaning farm machinery and earthmoving plant Baybury Power recommend using an Aussie Turbomaster turbo lance with the Scud 400.

The turbo boasts the blaster performance to an effective working pressure of 6485 psi, for even faster removal of caked on mud.

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PASTURE IMPROVEMENT

April 2017

Southern Farmer, Page 13

CMP

Do you have...

Acid soils?

Soils of high leaching potential?

Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphate

Nutrient “Lock-up” issues?

0-8-0

Un-productive pastures and/or crops?

It’s time for a change!

... then CMP 0-8-0 or CMP Granular 0-8-0-2 is the answer for long-lasting, reliable plant and soli productivity.

CMP (Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphate) provides an easy-flowing, plant-available fertiliser and soil mineraliser with useful micronutrients.

It is not water soluable, and has reduced leaching and run-off. It is available as a “sand” (CMP 0-8-0), or in granular form (CMP 0-8-0-2).

Bring back your soil quality and unlock your soil’s potential with a fertiliser that remains in the soil while providing sustained plant-available nutrition at an affordable price.

Typical spread 200kg per hectare.

A NEW PLAN: Flupropanate can assist with applications on invasive grass weeds.

Serrated tussock SERRATED tussock causes significant losses to graziers due to the prolific seeding nature of this invasive weed.

The competition to pasture by serrated tussock causes loss of productivity and palatability.

NSW DPI has stated that a 50 per cent infestation of serrated tussock causes a 50 per cent reduction in pasture production.

The direct correlation of infestation versus pasture productivity, demonstrates the importance of targeting these weeds this season.

To assist control of serrated tussock and other invasive weeds a long-term strategy needs to be considered.

A strategic plan with a combination of approaches that allows flexibility with seasonal fluctuations is proving to assist control.

An Integrated Weed Management (IWM) approach provides several key activities during the year, which are known to reduce serrated tussock’s recruitment, establishment and seed set.

“Consulting an agronomist to assist with this plan is a key step in gaining the upper hand,” said Hamish Graham, sales consultant for Granular Products.

The combination of competition, soil nutrition and precision herbicide application is proving to be a successful start in the long-term control of serrated tussock.

Granular Products based in Orange NSW have developed innovative granular Flupropanate technology to assist with increased efficiency of aerial and spot applications on invasive grass weeds.

Only 1.5gm per m2 of dry granules evenly spread is enough to sufficiently control serrated tussock.

Farmers can easily carry the 750gm shaker of flupropanate for spot applications or can calibrate a hand spreader to carry out larger areas.

This can be used in conjunction with aerial application for control of larger infested areas.

The selective root absorbed formulation of granular products flupropanate provides long term residual protection to continually target serrated tussock and allow productive pastures to rebuild.

Flupropanate is a selective and systemic granular herbicide that is applied dry (in the granular form) by either hand or by air, to specifically target problem weeds.

ALTERNATIVE GROWING SOLUTIONS PH: 0419 960 485 Available in 25kg & 1 Tonne Bags k/37d06165/1017

BERENDS The Largest Range of Australian Made Farm Machinery

Australian made aerators using the Shattertine technology.

Great for cracking open hard ground and rejuvenating pastures.

Australia’s No1 locally built mulcher for the last 25 years.

Available in Low Body or High Body models in various sizes.

Great for clearing up paddocks and bush blocks.

GRANULAR PRODUCTS

GP Flupropanate

Australian Made slashers with 5 year gearbox warranty.

Various sizes and models in single and twin rotor set-up.

Great value and strength.

Also available in galvanised.

Large range of linkage and trailing disc ploughs to suit all tractors and applications.

10 ‘ & 12’ Trailing Grader Blades.

2000kg in weight Best value for money blade of its type

Huge range of linkage models available also.

Is Serrated Tussock still a problem?

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Contact your local Berends dealer for more information or call direct on (03) 9791 2494 www.johnberendsimplements.com.au sales@johnberends.com.au

John Berends Implements (03) 9791 2494 Fax (03) 9794 5568

sales@johnberends.com.au

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PASTURE IMPROVEMENT

Page 14, Southern Farmer

April 2017

A farm re-fuelling solution

SHARE THE LOVE: AGT actively encourage farmers to access new crop varieties.

Seed sharing WITH ever increasing input costs pressuring farmers across the country, Australian Grain Technologies (AGT) are encouraging and promoting Seed Sharing as a low cost way to diversify, update or simply try some different in their cropping programs in 2017.

An initiative first developed by AGT, Seed Sharing is a licensed farmer-tofarmer seed trading scheme, making it easy for every grain grower to enjoy access to AGT varieties.

With only one simple form to fill in and return to AGT, a farmer can sell seed they have grown to another

farmer for use the following growing season, at a price or arrangement negotiated between them.

“AGT want to see farmers growing the best possible varieties for their cropping program and this is a way to make the latest genetics available at an affordable price,” said Dan Vater, general manager marketing and seed production.

“We believe that the eastern states have a great opportunity now to review their cropping programs and trial newer genetics in 2017.”

Ian Shields, from Dookie

in Victoria, is Seed Sharing Scepter this year, following its release to market in 2016.

Scepter is a Mace replacement type wheat, with an improved yield and disease resistance package and is expected to become the leading wheat variety over the next few years.

“I like Seed Sharing as it gets varieties into farming programs quickly.

“Instead of a farmer having to buy a tonne of seed and spend a year bulking up, they can buy bigger quantities from a neighbour who has done this for them and sow larger areas to begin with,” said Mr Shields.

FILL ‘ER UP: With the Emil Caddy, you can refill on the go.

IF you need to carry fuel for a tractor, mower, trail bike or a jet ski there is a convenient solution to your needs.

With the Emiliana Serbatoi Caddy you can now take the fuel to where it’s needed and into those areas where there may be limited access.

So, you don’t have to carry a jerry can half way across your property because someone did not check the fuel in the tractor before heading out.

Emiliana Serbatoi is a leading Italian producer of equipment, devices, and systems for storage, transport, and delivery of petroleum products and liquids in general.

Over the last 30 years Emiliana Serbatoi has gained a reputation as the leader in the design, production, supply of fuelling systems to clients and customers in both the European and global markets.

As well as the traditional style of utility type transport tanks, Emiliana Serbatoi has a unique range of smaller wheeled tanks called the Emil Caddy.

These are suited for many applications: on farm, lifestyle block, home, and recreation.

These polyethylene mobile tanks can be used to carry diesel, petrol, and AdBlue.

Featuring a unique design with ergonomic grip for excellent handling and lifting, they are equipped with puncture-proof wheels suitable for transport on any surface.

Available with capacities of 55 and 110 litres, they are equipped with filling plug with integrated air vent device and lower safety ball valve.

Clark Farm Equipment said they are proud to introduce Emiliana Serbatoi to the Australian market.

Better Penetration!

Taege Direct Drills.

The Taege flexible tynes and tungsten faced tips provide superior tilth and much higher strike rates even in extremely hard conditions.

These heavy duty seed drills have the ability to drill around corners and the live tynes give better trash clearance.

Available in 3 & 6 meter models, these simply constructed units have less moving parts, minimising service downtime and maintenance costs.

Talk to us about a demonstration!

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NEWS

Page 16, Southern Farmer

April 2017

THE EFFECTIVE & PROVEN ANIMAL & BIRD REPELLENT YOU CAN RELY ON

REGISTERED FOR USE AGAINST ALL ANIMALS & BIRDS Protects herbs, vegetables, trees and shrubs from possums, kangaroos, wallabies, rabbits, hares, bandicoots, deer, foxes and other wildlife.

Protects vegetables, fruit trees, ornamentals, seedlings and buildings from cockatoos, crows, ducks, pigeons, rosellas, starlings, swallows, other birds, fruit bats and microbats in building cavities.

Protects homes, gardens and patios from dogs and cats or rats and mice.

Protects one plant or a whole area — perimeter &/or band sprays

Repels — without harming animals or humans.

Not considered a poison — no withholding period.

Easy to use - spray on. Effective when dry.

Safe, Proven and Effective.

Available in 100g, 1kg & 4kg Sizes.

PUMPED: David and Lisa Tatman from Spring Creek Organics.

An organic family

is unique. Reject products said to be "just as good", nothing is at all "like it".

For more specific information send 2x$1 stamps, please mention your problem, post to: D-TER, Dept. SF, PO Box 3, Oyster Bay, NSW 2225.

Enquiries: Phone (02) 9589 0703. Fax (02) 9589 0147. ®

Please our readers a quick snapshot of your farm.

Spring Creek Organics is an organic certified farm on 119 acres.

With 50 acres of vegetables and we have about 20 Angus steers we use on the grazing side.

How long have you been a farmer?

I have been a farmer since I was born.

My father was a farmer before me.

And his father before him.

My grandfather migrated across from England.

Tell us about your family.

I have a wife, Lisa.

And we have three children.

Amber is 15, Justin is 13 and Charlie is 11.

Best advice or farming tip you have received?

I have probably gained more from observation than from

Solar Powered

Automatic

Gate Openers

FARMER TO FARMER David Tatman

literal instruction from another farmer.

I observe other farmers and see what they have done and try what others have had success with.

I got a really good tip on a different variety of carrots from a vegetable farmer mate I know, though.

We got some good carrots out of that.

Describe your perfect day.

A day where I can go out without being interfered with or rang by someone or having trouble from employees or some other problem.

Understanding anthrax threat

“Have G at We’ll op e? en”

t/37d06017/0117

www.solartronics.com.au

I get a lot done that way.

What is the best thing about being a farmer?

I sell organic veggies, so I get a good feeling from all the good feedback we get at the farmer’s market.

That’s a real highlight of my farming life.

What is the worst thing about being a farmer?

A bad day is just when things don’t go right.

Maybe something breaks down or employees don’t turn up to work.

And you never catch up properly.

If you could be someone else for a day, who would that be and why?

It would be interesting to be a dole bludger for a day and sit on the couch and do nothing.

Unless I’m sick, I cannot sit still, so that would be interesting.

ANTHRAX is a deadly disease of many mammal species.

It is caused by an unusual bacterium that forms spores that survive in the environment for many years, and can also infect humans.

It results in sudden death, without any indication of illness beforehand. Some, but not all cases may have blood oozing from the nose, eyes, anus or vulva of the dead animal.

Isolated cases occur every now and then, such as in 2015 and 2009.

The last large outbreak was in 2007.

Whether an isolated case turns into an outbreak depends on how that case is managed.

When a farmer finds an animal that has died suddenly of unknown cause, containment is the key to preventing an outbreak.

This has been made easier lately, now that there is a blood test that can be carried out on farm, under licence by veterinarians, where results are obtained in only 15 minutes.

Within the last month there has been an isolated case in sheep at Swan Hill, and another in cattle at St George, South Central Queensland.

Government subsidies are provided for testing if there is a suspicion of anthrax and the farmer follows these recommendations.

Further information relating to public health can be sourced by visiting the Victorian Department of Human Services website or phone 1300 253 942.

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NEWS

April 2017

Southern Farmer, Page 17

Dairy prices set to rise AFTER a challenging 2015-16 for Australian dairy, the Australian farmgate price of milk is forecast to rise by 2 per cent in 2016-17 to average 43.8 cents a litre.

The price is forecast to rise by a further 7 per cent to 47.0 cents a litre in 2017–18 and is projected to hit 50.1 cents a litre (in 2016-17 dollars) in 2019–20.

Senior ABARES economist, Peter Collins, said the forecast improvement follows a turnaround on world dairy markets.

“World dairy prices are expected to grow each year to 2019–20, as consumption grows faster than supply,” Mr Collins said.

TOP PRICE: Te Mania Lackey L27 sold for $30,000 to Shane and Jodie Foster, Boonaroo Angus (centre), with Tom Gubbins and Hamish McFarlane of Te Mania Angus.

Record sale for Te Mania TE MANIA Angus put up its largest draft of sale bulls ever in early March, offering 156 bulls.

They achieved their highest sale average, of $9282.

Jodie and Shane Foster of Boonaroo Angus, Casterton, purchased the top price bull, Te Mania Lackey L27, for $30,000.

This impressive son of Te Mania Garth G67 was in the top one per cent of the Angus breed for all four profitability indexes.

Weighing 788kg, he had ex-

cellent EBVs across the board.

The second highest price was for Te Mania Lakewood L119, also by Te Mania Garth G67, who sold to a partnership between Curracabark Angus at Gloucester, NSW and Pathfinder Angus at Gazette, Victoria.

Other stud breeders to purchase in the sale were Corey Ireland of Irelands Angus, Wagga Wagga; David Murray of Kilburnie Angus; and Chris Oswin of Alpine Angus.

Minnamurra Pastoral pur-

chased seven bulls for an average of $13,720 and were selected by manager Dennis Power.

“Minnamurra have been purchasing all their sires from Te Mania for nearly 20 years,” Mr Power said.

“We keep coming back for the quality and performance of the genetics, and it stands out in our breeding herd.”

The new Te Mania bulls will go to their property Cortina in Mudgee, NSW, where they join about 2500 Te Mania blood

females for a spring calving.

Te Mania co-principal, Hamish McFarlane also noted strong uptake of buyers using AuctionsPlus, which he said showed a confidence in the information made available online.

The overwhelming feeling was that there was excellent value for everyone, with 94 bulls selling for $8,000 or less – well short of the old rule of thumb that a bull should cost about the same as you get for 10 steers.

Mr Collins said that improving global prices are also forecast to contribute to a 5 per cent rise in the total value of Australian dairy exports in 2016–17, predicted to reach $3.2 billion.

“The expected rise in export returns this year is also driven by an increase in export volumes of high-value dairy products such as infant milk formula,” Mr Collins said.

“Cheese, skim milk powder and infant milk formula are expected to remain Australia’s largest export products, reflecting growing demand for these commodities in those regions.”

Shearers plead guilty FOUR shearers have pleaded guilty to animal cruelty offences committed in Victorian sheep sheds in 2013 and 2014.

The four men faced a combined total of 60 charges in Horsham Magistrates Court on February 27.

A Horsham man aged 24, a Naracoorte man aged 49, a Natimuk man aged 40, and a 61-year-old man from Hamilton all faced Magistrate Stratmann in relation to beating and abusing sheep while shearing.

In spring 2013, two individuals obtained work with shearing contractors across Australia, fitted with video

cameras, and documented what they described as cruel shearing practices.

Agriculture Victoria then launched a full-scale investigation into the Victorian incidents.

Agriculture Victoria’s senior veterinary officer Dr Robert Suter said the community, the government and the courts take animal welfare very seriously.

“This is a reminder to everyone that allegations into cruelty will be investigated and offences contrary to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 will result in a regulatory outcome, including prosecution.”

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NEWS

Page 18, Southern Farmer SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND HAVE

Pregnancy: The Final Goal

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DRY cow, springer cow and fresh cow nutrition will have inďŹ&#x201A;uence on our next 12-monthsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; viability, outside milk price; but pregnancy will be the real determining factor.

Timely return to pregnancy will be inďŹ&#x201A;uenced most by all the proceeding management activities associated with transition.

Of the ďŹ nancial indicators for proďŹ table dairy farming, fertility ranks equal ďŹ rst with feed intake.

Immunity and reproduction work in tandem for achieving our goal.

David Hurley, a researcher at the University of Georgia USA sights data showing the average dairy cow in the USA does not last more than two lactations.

Although we in Australia might scoff at this, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;carry-over cowsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; are generally not tolerated, as

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By JOHN LYNE Dairytech dairy production specialist close scrutiny of economic factors in proďŹ table dairy businesses highlight their drain on farm proďŹ ts. Hurley states; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Problems with mastitis or pregnancy are leading reasons for culling cows. â&#x20AC;&#x153;InďŹ&#x201A;ammation associated with mastitis has been associated with failure to establish pregnancy.â&#x20AC;?

Establishing a strong immune system is essential, but management factors we have control over are also equally essential to prevent infections of any kind that draw an immune response, causing systemic inďŹ&#x201A;ammation that is so damaging to fertility.

Immunity and reproduction are intimately connected in both positive and negative ways.

Bacterial colonisation in the lower reproductive tract is normal and the immune response to clean up this also helps to regenerate new cells of the uterine lining.

This creates a conducive environment for conception and foetus attachment to the uterine wall.

However, immune response to ďŹ ght other infections can cause inďŹ&#x201A;ammation in the reproductive tract and alter interaction between sperm and egg.

Some immune responses interfere with corpus luteum development disrupting normal cycle.

Uterine mucus can be changed in viscosity, physical and chemical composition reducing sperm penetration and damaging membranes reducing sperm fertilisation capacity.

Immune response-inďŹ&#x201A;ammation from sites not actually connected to the uterine environment, for example, mastitis, respirator or hoof infection.

These same altered uterine conditions can also impede fertilised ovum from implanting in the uterine wall resulting in early embryonic death.

A strong immune system is obviously essential.

Feeding adequate energy and protein are critical to immune efďŹ ciency.

Immune function is a very energy-hungry system and most at risk immediately postcalving when competing with rapidly rising milk production and mammary system demand for energy.

Unfortunately, immediately post-calving is also the highest risk time for our cow in regard to infection and immune defences.

Apart from nutrition, developing a sound vaccination program in conjunction with your veterinarian can assist in building the adaptive immune system, enabling our cow to deal with invasion without clinical disease consequences and minimise inďŹ&#x201A;ammatory effects on fertility.

Preventing infection Mastitis is now well known to interfere with fertility due to systemic inďŹ&#x201A;ammation created by defence mediators sent out to address the infection.

A high portion of mastitis cases occurs in fresh cows from both sub-clinical infections prior to dry-off, and environmental exposure around calving as pressure in the udder forces leakage of milk opening teat ends and allowing pathogen entry.

Many farms report improvement in reduced mastitis around calving through administering Dry Cow therapy and Teat Seal.

Uterine infection comes under the nutrition heading.

Initially, from lack of mineral nutrition (trace minerals especially) during the previous lactation, but not eliminating minerals during both the dry and springer periods.

Trace minerals, particularly selenium, play a major role in release of placental membrane, but calcium is also a signiďŹ cant player.

Calcium is a critical element in sound immunity, too.

Energy and protein have major roles in the symphony of the physical, metabolic and hormonal crescendo of giving birth.

When one of these elements is deďŹ cient during late gestation, birth and immediate post-calving, the process from there on is often described as a cascade of metabolic disease â&#x20AC;&#x201C; milk fever, ketosis, metritis, mastitis.

The traditional transition phase of 21 days prior to calving to 21 days post-calving has held centre-stage for research funds and effort for many years, with major improvement in cow health, production and lifespan.

The shift in recent years, due to some niggling problems in fresh cows that were not responding to transition par excellence, has sent researchers scurrying to study dry cows.

This opened a Pandoraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Box of causes to not just those niggling problems, but to other seemingly unrelated post-calving issues, none more important than fertility.

Managing energy, protein and mineral nutrition right through my extended transition deďŹ nition (dry-off to conďŹ rmed pregnancy) is paramount to good fertility which translates to farm business proďŹ t.

Any changes in live-weight during precalving will precipitate ketosis either clinical or sub-clinical.

This then manifests into reduced feed intake post-calving and weight loss which in turn virtually negates conception, if not cycling.

The unborn calf is fed protein via the umbilical cord.

A protein deďŹ cient diet pre-calving will encourage energy consumed by the dry cow to be converted to protein by the cow reducing both energy and protein for her own maintenance.

The result is ketosis post-calving, and possible before calving as our own blood test research on dry cows, springers and fresh cows has shown.

Calcium deďŹ ciency has major negative effects on fertility.

This is especially true in our pasture based systems that are inherently low in calcium by comparison to Northern Hemisphere diets containing lucerne: a powerful argument for the return of clover to our pastures.

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NEWS

April 2017

Southern Farmer, Page 19

The fruit and veg you pay for A NEW campaign launched by the National Measurement Institute (NMI) will help buyers and sellers get value for money as Australian fruit and vegetables make their way from the farm gate to the table.

The NMIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Harvest to Homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; trade measurement inspection program will run until June and involve oversight by NMI inspectors of the weighing, packaging and selling of fruit and vegetables throughout their journey from paddock to plate.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to make sure that everyone involved in the fruit and vegetable industry, from importers and farmers to retailers, is aware of their rights and obligations under trade measurement laws,â&#x20AC;? general manager for Legal Metrology at NMI, Bill Loizides said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Each year in Australia, fruit and vegetables are moved from importers and farms to our homes in millions of measurementbased transactions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In fact, around five

million tonnes of produce are bought and sold each year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a farmer, a wholesaler or a consumer, accurate measurement is vital to support trade, ensure fair competition among businesses, and give consumers confidence in what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re buying. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where breaches of the law are detected, NMI inspectors will usually advise businesses on how to improve their trading practices to meet their legal obligations.â&#x20AC;?

CASEY.VIC.GOV.AU GOOD NUMBERS: Long-time Murdeduke clients, Victoria and Michael Hastings from Winchelsea.

Biggest ever sale Casey Rides 2017

THIS yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Murdeduke bull sale saw a large crowd attend, with record registrations being received for their biggest ever offering of 74 18-month-old bulls. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We attracted new interest from as far west as Meningie, SA to Sale in Gippsland, to Molong in Central NSW,â&#x20AC;? said stud manager Simon Falkiner.

In a successful innovation, several clients took advantage of using the online selling platform, Elite Livestock.

The highlight of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sale was without doubt the strength of support for Australian genetics.

The Emperor, Elevator

and Doc J162 sons were all quickly snapped up with an Elevator son, Lot 9 CSWL227 being knocked down to local cattle producer Andrew Stoney for a top price of $10,500.

He had an impressive EBV spread, running from just above breed average for birth to top ďŹ ve per cent for his growth traits.

When combined with a near prefect foot structure and docility it was easy to see why he attracted attention.

Connerville Station at Cressy in Tasmania returned to secure two bulls â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an Elevator son CSWL402, boasting an EBV spread of 4.8BW to 129kg 600 day with positive fats and

2.1 for IMF for $8500, and an A241 son with similar EBVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for $9000.

Mr Falkiner said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The pleasing aspect of the sale was the interest generated with ďŹ rst time visitors to Murdeduke. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our policy of only cataloguing bulls with structural assessments better than six, good temperaments and phenotype allows people to turn up and buy with conďŹ dence.â&#x20AC;?

He said that 30 per cent of the catalogue was knocked down to new clients, and the value of being judged Reserve Champion in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RAS Beef Week Heifer challenge also generated a strong response.

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&ROODERUDWLRQ WR EHQHÂż W IDUPLQJ V\VWHPV A NEW agreement between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and seven farming systems groups will foster research, development and extension opportunities to benefit farmers, businesses and agricultural students.

The partnership, delivered through the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, is a strategic alliance to support the future of farming across the Victoria.

It brings together CSU,

Central West Farming Systems, Holbrook Landcare Network, FarmLink Research, the Irrigated Cropping Council, Southern Growers, Riverine Plains and the Irrigation Research and Extension Committee.

CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research Development and Industry) Professor Mary Kelly said this new agreement expands the number of farming system group partners from four to seven. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Charles Sturt University

values collaborations such as this to deliver research and extension that has real impact to better our communities,â&#x20AC;?

Professor Kelly said.

Graham Centre director, Professor Michael Friend said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The partnership shows we are committed to working with agricultural industry, from grassroots along the value chain, to improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of our red meat and grain industries.â&#x20AC;?

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Page 20, Southern Farmer

NEWS

April 2017

French agribiz to set up shop in VIC

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VICTORIA is set to become home to yet another headquarters, with French agricultural company Timac Agro announcing it will establish its Australian base in Caulfield – creating 30 new jobs.

With a presence in every continent, Timac Agro is now established in 42 countries worldwide and provides agricultural solutions to 17,250

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farmers and breeders every day.

Timac Agro Australia specialises in plant and animal nutrition, and will bring its world-class expertise in crop nutrition, soil conditioning and fertiliser efficiency to farmers across Victoria and Australia.

The state government helped secure the Timac Agro Australia headquarters by facilitating industry introductions and site

location opportunities.

“Agribusiness is at the heart of Victoria’s farming communities and is crucial to growing our exports for future economic growth and jobs,” said Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford.

“This investment from Timac Agro will be a welcome addition, bringing more innovation and jobs to this booming sector.”

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Planning for the future If you haven’t started planning for the year ahead, now is a great time to start.

- what are the things you want to improve or accomplish this year?

- what bills need to be paid and when?

- where do I start?

We can help...If you are a farmer or own a small rural business in south eastern Victoria, the Rural Financial Counselling Service can provide you with free, independent and confidential assistance that will help plan for your future. Call to arrange an appointment to discuss your options. Eligibility criteria does apply.

GEAR UP: Quad bikes have had a terrible track history with safety.

Calls for quad ratings THE National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is renewing calls for a five-star rating system for quad bikes after a horrifying month for Australian farmers with the loss of two lives and two other people being critically injured as a result of quad bike incidents.

In 2015, quad bikes were the leading cause of death on Australian farms.

Since then, 25 people, including children, have died

while riding quad bikes with a further 140 people seriously injured in quad bike incidents.

“The case for safer quad bike design has never been clearer,” NFF president Fiona Simson said.

“Successive coronial inquests have confirmed the need for action.

“Millions of dollars have been spent on research and clear recommendations have been made - but still we see no action.”

“The time for talking is past – Australian farmers need action now.”

Ms Simson said all farm equipment sold in Australia must be safe – with accurate, balanced information provided at point of sale.

Ms Simson said a welldesigned star rating system would help consumers make safer, more informed choices when purchasing farm vehicles.

Get free help planning for the future Bairnsdale Maffra Ellinbank LEONGATHA

Contact:

Rural Financial Counselling Service Leongatha (HEAD OFFICE) (03) 5662 2566 PO Box 362 LEONGATHA 3953

IT’S the perfect time to plan for the year ahead; the kids have gone back to school and Christmas is now a distant memory.

But planning can be difficult.

The Rural Financial Counselling Service Gippsland (RFCSVic Gippsland) provides free, confidential assistance for farms and businesses at risk of financial hardship.

Previously, the RFCS–Gippsland was limited to providing assistance only to the agricultural industry,

but they have expanded to include other small rural businesses.

RFCS executive fficer Kylie Holmes hopes that small business owners will contact the RFCS if they’re overwhelmed by their financial situation.

“Sometimes it can help to have someone look at a situation objectively and to propose a course of action.

“Early planning and negotiation may assist in the management of bills and loan repayments, but it

can be difficult to do this alone.

“That’s where we can help.”

“We can help you to understand and manage your financial position, or work with you to develop financial plans.

“We want to let our farming communities and small business owners know that there is support available for them.”

Interested farmers and small rural business owners are encouraged to phone 5662 2566 for more information.

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HYDROPONICS AND GREENHOUSES

April 2017

Southern Farmer, Page 21 BEYOND: This year’s theme at the Apex–Brinkman PCA Conference is ‘Future Growing’.

The big greenhouse and hydroponic conference THE 14th Protected Cropping Australia (PCA) conference, to be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre, South Australia, from July 9 -12, 2017, will be called the Apex–Brinkman PCA Conference 2017.

The partnership between APEX Greenhouses, Brinkman Australia and PCA reflects a long history of involvement and service to the Australian greenhouse and hydroponic industry.

The biennial national industry conference, which includes a two-day technical program, a trade expo and farm tours, will provide a fantastic opportunity for education, networking and business for busy growers, allied trades and interested parties.

The conference theme is

‘Future Growing’.

“Winter opens up a window when growers may be able to briefly depart their properties, to be inspired, meet their fellow growers, suppliers, researchers and technical presenters, who are normally scattered over this large nation and from every corner of the globe,” said general manager Brinkman Australia, Job Roskam.

Following the success of the 2015 national conference, this conference is expected to be another benchmark event.

There will be a trade show, guest speakers, farm tours and networking for greenhouse, hydroponic and aquaponic commercial growers.

To foster business and networking, the trade floor plan is going to have an all-day central lounge hub

which becomes a Happy Hour Bar from 4.30-7.30 pm each afternoon.

Senator Anne Ruston, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, will officially open the event followed by a host of keynote speakers and high level technical presentations during the Monday plenary sessions.

On behalf of Yara Australia International, guest speaker Marcel Bugter, AkzoNobel Micronutrients NL, will be a keynote speaker.

He will discuss ‘How chelates can further boost your yield’.

Adelaide was selected because of its brand new first class venue – the Adelaide Convention Centre – and the number and accessibility of quality farm tour sites.

For more info: www.protectedcroppingaustralia.com.

SEA OF GREEN: There will be plenty to learn for greenhouse growers at this year’s PCA conference.

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Page 22, Southern Farmer

HYDROPONICS AND GREENHOUSES

Victorian herb king wins another ENTREPRENEUR and co-founder of one of Australia’s leading herb businesses, Jan Vydra received the 2016 Rabobank Emerging Leader Award, recognising exceptional up-and-coming leadership in Australia and New Zealand’s food and agribusiness industries.

Mr Vydra is the executive director of Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs, which he started nine years ago (along with business partner William Pham), which has now become one of Australia’s leading producers of fresh leaf greens, culinary herbs, microgreens and edible flowers.

Under Mr Vydra’s leadership, Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs had grown from a hydroponic operation producing 2000 bunches of herbs per week to now supplying up to 180,000 bunches each week to consumers across much of Australia.

Mr Vydra is known for his integrated approach to the supply chain and adopting cloud technology in his new state-of-the-art greenhouse.

He was also named as the Young Farmer of the Year in 2011, and has used that award to showcase the opportunities for young people in agriculture.

Mr Vydra said his leadership style had been developed at a very young age, when

FUTURE GREENHOUSE: Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs founder Jan Vydra.

at just 23 he was appointed general manager of an organisation with 90 employees.

Now 34 and running his own company with 85 employees, working across two sites in Victoria, Mr Vydra said he learned a lot from that early experience.

“The most important thing I learned is that, as a leader, you need to paint a picture of where you want your business to go,” Mr Vydra said, “and then communicate it to all your stakeholders so they

are on board with your vision.

“For us at Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs, our vision has always been to produce consistent fresh produce for our consumers in a sustainable way.”

Much of this vision stemmed from the shift in Australia’s cooking culture aided by the advent of reality cooking shows, he said.

“In 2008 we saw MasterChef and My Kitchen Rules burst onto our TV screens, and that has really changed our

cooking culture and sparked demand for fresh produce,” he said.

“And seeing that gap widen between the demand and supply of fresh leaf greens, we saw an opportunity to develop and implement a sustainable and efficient production process using closed hydroponic systems.

“When we started out we used to grow around 150 bunches per square metre out in the paddock, and now with a hydroponic system we can

produce 600 bunches in the same area – with the operation spanning 30,000 square metres.”

With the recent development of a 4000 square metre state-of-the-art greenhouse, funded by the Coles Nurture Fund, Mr Vydra said the business had seen further significant water savings through the combination of Dutch-designed rolling benches and proprietary cloud technology developed by the business.

April 2017

Multimillion-dollar glasshouse CONSTRUCTION on a groundbreaking hydroponics project in Stawell that will create 70 new jobs is due to start now.

Agriculture and Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford visited the Nectar Farms site to announce a grant as part of the State Government’s Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund.

“This is fantastic news for Stawell.

“By bringing a new, hi-tech food industry to the region, it marks an exciting and important step in supporting the local community.”

Nectar Farms’ multi-million-dollar project is expected to create 300 jobs in four years.

The company will build 40 hectares of glasshouses, with sorting and packing facilities, to grow highmargin fruit and vegetables for Australian and overseas’ markets.

Nectar Farms chief executive Stephen Sasse said the company valued the support of the State Government and Northern Grampians Shire Council.

“We are extremely appreciative of the support we have received from Regional Development Victoria, not just in terms of this financial contribution, but also the great work they have done to facilitate the establishment of new industry,” he said.

“We also could not have asked for a greater level of welcome, nor a greater level of tangible support from Northern Grampians Shire Council.

“It speaks volumes for the local community that people are so committed to getting something like this off the ground.”

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April 2017

HYDROPONICS AND GREENHOUSES

Southern Farmer, Page 23

Field to greenhouse a big success

INDOORS: Baldivis Market Gardens made the successful switch from potatoes to leafy greens.

%HWWHU JUHHQKRXVH ÀRRUV A LOT of growers are now using a black/white film for the floors of their greenhouses (white side faces up).

The benefits of this film are reflection of light from the white film which creates a brighter, better growing light for plants, even on dull cloudy days and the black side facing down will prevent weed growth, eliminating the need for poisons and other chemicals.

The plastic barrier also prevents problems such as earth borne pests and contamination which can affect the whole crop.

There are two types of film used: a light gauge film that can be removed at the end of each growing season

to avoid disease and contamination passed from one crop to the next; or, a heavy gauge film that can be walked on and is designed to last several growing seasons.

Having the plastic sheeting on the floor will also help with water conservation.

The film allows water to run off and can then be reused rather than seeping into the ground and lost.

The white side of the film creates scattered light inside the house and prevents shading of plants, thus enhancing photosynthesis.

In this age of water conservation and a trend towards more organically produced crops, black/white floor film is a must.

BALDIVIS Market Gardens (BMG), the Perth-based nursery, owned and operated by Sam Calameri, had a milestone moment and turned the key on their newly equipped greenhouse in a change from potatoes to leafy greens.

The Cravo A-frame, Priva Connext, Priva Vialux, 2 TD-30 dosing systems and circulation fans were all supplied and installed by Australian dealer Powerplants, partnered by Priva and Cravo and project managed by Powerplants.

BMG has been part of the Australian horticulture industry for over 30 years.

This successful family-run business focus lies in lettuce and herbs after many years growing potatoes.

The company operates from a 7000m2 greenhouse, giving them plenty space to grow in.

BMG have partnered closely with Powerplants since 2012, working on various projects over the last few years.

The new recently completed project has been operating since February 2016, and has experienced some amazing results.

Originally, Mr Calameri was a potato field grower.

When the Western Australian Government deregulated the potato industry, there was a need to diversify and a decision was made to commence producing a guaranteed product in a protected environment with minimal labour.

Powerplants were contacted based on their experience transforming other field-based growers to protected environments.

The challenge was to produce the best product in the quickest timeframe, with the best quality and minimal labour.

The solution was to use a modern technology climate control system, in conjunction with a retractable roof greenhouse, to provide a flexible growing environment.

The installation took two weeks to commission.

Mr Calameri can now grow lettuce from seedling to finished product in three weeks, and less staff is needed, reducing costs.

According to Mr Calameri, “Powerplants stayed in regular contact and supported us throughout the whole project.

“They actually managed not only their own part, but also all other suppliers”.

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