Published since 1986
MAY, 2019
www.farmernews.com.au
Mental health project finishes PAGE 8
Scholarship announced
MIXING IT WITH THE BEST:
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COURTNEY Hazeldene was not planning on a life on the land. But, now in her mid 30s, she is one of the biggest beef producers in Bendigo. Read how she grew to be the best in Bendigo on page four and five of this month’s Farmer. PHOTO: RASV
Pasture and fertiliser PAGES 12-14
Season over
BRIAN Mobbs owns and operates High Spa Angus, a breeding operation focused on diverse genetics and quality progeny. Last month, Brian sent 80 weaners to the market - where they were sold for slaughter. Just 12 months earlier, the same quality of animal was held over, to be offered at the annual High Spa Stud Sale. But the season – the lack of rain, of surface water and of grass – has driven Brian to do what every farmer
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Farmers from across the sector looking to survive
rails against; he has been forced to sell his animals for half their value, so that the core herd may continue. “It’s been like this since Christmas,� Brian said. “We’ve got no water, no grass – we are hand feeding just to survive.� Normally, High Spa would have received more than half an inch by now – enough to promote autumn growth and carry stock through the winter.
This year, just 2ml has fallen. “It’s too late now for an autumn break,� Brian said. “We’ve got 12 months of hand feeding in front of us.� Brian, who is desperately holding onto his 300 breeders, has already earmarked the next 80 that will go to market. Although it breaks his heart, he said it was a matter of necessity.
“We will have to sell again at next month’s sale, and then again at the next if it doesn’t rain.� With producers from much of Victoria eligible for some government assistance, Brian is one of the unlucky few who does not farm in a shire considered drought affected. Although he has not contacted Ag Vic about what was on offer, Brian said he felt there was just
not enough support. “We are supposedly in a safe area, from drought,� he said. “All the farmers should get help – it should be on a case by case basis.� Down at Werribee South, Anthony Agosta is a second-generation vegetable farmer. Together with his son and brother, Anthony runs AAA Farm – an operation spanning 240 acres, farming LFHEHUJ OHWWXFH FDXOLp RZHU EURF coli and celery.
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