THE SOUTHERN
Part of the Farmer Group Rural Newspapers Covering Victoria Published since 1986
JULY, 2015
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138th Australian Sheep & Wool Show
FINES FOR NOT USING NLIS TAGS PAGE 3
NUTRITION AND IMMUNITY KEY TO GOOD TRANSITION
LIFT-OUT
PAGE 18
Origin of food is more important than politics Industry body says Aussies have the right to know where their food comes from
CUTE AS A LAMB:
The Australian Sheep Breeders’ Association will be highlighting the youth sections of this year’s Australian Sheep & Wool Show to be held in Bendigo from Friday, July 17 to Sunday, July 19. The junior judging and schools competition provides a showcase for the best and brightest young farmers who are working toward a future in farming. See inside for liftout.
PEAK Australian vegetable industry body AUSVEG has one message for Opposition leader Bill Shorten and the Labor Party – “step up to the plate and take a stand” and publicly put Labor’s position on reforms to Australia’s country-of-origin labelling system. AUSVEG is calling on the ALP to step away from partisan politics and put its view on the reforms after Mr Shorten recently suggested that the Federal Government had failed to do something about country-of-origin labelling reform. The government has committed to reforming labelling laws and has released a community survey as part of its national consultation process working to identify key areas to be addressed. The government has commissioned six new countryof-origin labels which could be used on food packaging in Australia in a step towards a clearer and easily understood labelling system. The concepts laid out by the government include having a bar, pie chart or a map of Australia coloured to identify the proportion of ingredients that
BY JODIE FLEMING
jfleming@ nemedia.com.au
are Australian, as well as text indicating both whether the product was made in Australia and whether the ingredients are ‘more than’ or ‘less than 50 per cent local ingredients’. AUSVEG deputy chief executive officer Andrew White said the issue should be bigger than partisan politics and its time the ALP “stepped up to the plate” and put a strong position of its own. “AUSVEG is yet see a formal public policy commitment from the ALP on food labelling, despite the process of reforming the current system receiving broad support from a number of other political parties and independent politicians,” he said. “We are now closer than ever to seeing something done and we’d like to see the ALP show its hand on this issue.” Mr White said that there was widespread public support for doing something meaningful to change country-of-origin labelling laws. Continued page 4
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Page 2, Southern Farmer
What’s on in our southern region
THE SOUTHERN
Covering Central South Victoria and West Gippsland Level 1, Suite 103, Whitehorse Road, Surry Hill, North VIC 3127 Phone (03) 9888 4822 Fax (03) 9888 4840 Email: sfarmer@nemedia.com.au Website: www.nemedia.com.au
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Jodie Fleming Phone (03) 5723 0129 Fax (03) 5721 9447 jfleming@nemedia.com.au David Rizzoli Phone (03) 9888 4822 Fax (03) 9888 4840
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Noelene Allan Phone (03) 5723 0110 Fax (03) 5722 9778 nallan@nemedia.com.au
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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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July, 2015
Jodie FLEMING Editorial
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*WINETECH 2015 will take place on Tuesday, July 14 to Thursday, July 16 at the Adelaide Showgrounds in South Australia. Hosted by Wine Industry Suppliers Australia Inc, WineTech 2015 will be a dedicated trade exhibition targeting people in the industry with a direct operational focus. A seminar program and a range of supplier presentations will also take place at the show. For more information visit www.winetechaustralia. com.au. *THE Grassland Society of Southern Australia’s annual conference will be held on July 22-23 in Naracoorte, South Australia. The focus of the conference is on red meat and wool, aiming at showing that Australia’s future lies in farming. The conference will feature visits to progressive farmers in the area and follow the theme of soils, pastures, livestock, farm business and people, and marketing. Conference delegates will visit farms to see first-hand how they make the most of their relatively short growing season without irrigation. The complete program is available at www. grasslands.org.au. *GRAIN growers from
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EXPLOSIVE EVENT: The fireworks at the Royal Melbourne Show are always a huge highlight for the agricultural event that runs over Victoria’s school holidays each year.
COUNTRY SHOWS AND REGIONAL FIELD DAYS JULY: 17-19: The Australian Sheep and Wool Show, Bendigo AUGUST: 3-4: Sheepvention, Hamilton SEPTEMBER: 13: Ringwood Horse and Pony Club Show, Ringwood; 19-29: Royal Melbourne Show, Melbourne; 22-24: Henty Machinery Field Days, Henty; 23-24: South Gippsland Dairy Expo, Korumburra For more information on country shows visit www.vicagshows.com.au or www. countryshows.com.au. across Australia are invited to the inaugural Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) ‘Growers Day’ to be held in conjunction with this year’s Australian Grains Industry Conference (AGIC). The Growers Day will be held on Monday, July 27 and will provide growers with the opportunity to access leading global and local experts on issues that impact on their productivity, profitability, risk management and business performance. The event to be held at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne will also offer a unique chance to network with members of the grain trade who will be in Melbourne attending the AGIC from
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July 27 to July 29. For more information and to register go to www.ausgrainsconf.com/ australia. *BEEF producers are invited to ‘power up’ their beef business by attending the 2015 Border Beef Conference at The Cube in Wodonga on Thursday, July 30. The conference will bring leading industry experts and producers together to hear and discuss ideas, and to be challenged to increase efficiency and profitability in beef enterprises. Some of this year’s presenters include Tom Hicks from Hicks Beef in Holbrook, BetterBeef project member Julian Carroll from Mudgegonga and Bairnsdale beef producer, Trevor Caithness. The conference cost of $60 includes proceedings, morning tea and lunch. For more information contact Greg Ferrier at DEDJTR Rutherglen on (02) 6030 4609. *REGISTRATIONS are now open for the 2015 Youth Ag Council to be held at the Realm Hotel in
*IRRIGATION Australia is running a two day training course on irrigation pumps on Tuesday, August 25 and Wednesday, August 26 at the Italian Club on Werribee, Werribee. The workshop covers irrigation and pumping system requirements, hydraulics of irrigation systems including friction calculations, understanding pump curves, pump selection, control and protection systems, installation and commissioning
*GOTAFE and new Growool are running a greenhouse technical management course in Victoria in September 2015. From the Certificate IV in Production Horticulture, the course is specifically designed to develop a high level of technical and management skills of growers in protected cropping, suppliers of hydroponic equipment, agronomists and horticultural researchers and educators. This is the first time the course has been run in Victoria and it will include practical training, discussions, demonstrations and lectures supported by written and other practical tools. For more information contact Leigh Taig on (03) 5833 2851. *THIS year’s Deniliquin Ute Muster will be held on Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3, 2015 with an all-Australian lineup of artists to take place on centre stage. Birds of Tokyo, Lee Kernaghan, Adam Brand, The McClymonts, Morgan Evans, Sunny Cowgirls, The Wolfe Brothers, Adam Eckersley Band and The Pigs are now confirmed as some of the entertainment for the iconic event. For more information visit www.deniutemuster. com.au.
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Canberra on Thursday, July 30 to Friday, July 31. The Future Farmers Network (FFN) is inviting young people passionate about agriculture to attend the two-day policy think tank to discuss the issues facing young people in the ag sector for government and industry. The 2015 Youth Ag Council will include workshops on advocacy, media and communications, a range of speakers and plenty of networking. FFN members will only pay $100, including all meals and accommodation. For more information visit www.futurefarmers.com.au.
of irrigation pumps, maintenance and troubleshooting of irrigation pumps, testing pump performance, determining system requirement and types of irrigation systems. The cost is $795 for members or $1150 for nonmembers and includes the course, resources, lunch and morning and afternoon teas. For more information contact Jodie Porter on (02) 8335 4000.
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July, 2015
Southern Farmer, Page 3 journalist yes we want Contact Jodie Fleming your news__ on (03) 5723 0129
Eezee Shelters & Stables Ph: 9449 5777. Fax: 9449 5788 Mob: 0407 545 927
TAGGED ANGUS: Cattle leaving its property of birth must be identified with an NLIS ear tag or producers will face hefty fines.
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Stiff fines for those not using NLIS tags VENDORS sending livestock to saleyards without National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) tags will face stiff fines of up to $8000 if animals leave their properties unidentified. Bairnsdale animal health officer Megan Filtness said East Gippsland has had issues with livestock arriving untagged at the saleyard resulting in an unacceptably high number of saleyard post breeder tags being required. “Cattle being dispatched to a saleyard, scale, abattoir, knackery, show or any other property must be identified with an NLIS electronic ear tag or a combination of ear tag and NLIS rumen bolus before leaving the property of birth,” she said. “It is an offence to dispatch and transport untagged cattle from a property or apply breeder tags once stock has left the property at the saleyards or anywhere else. “Producers and transporters caught committing these offences may be prosecuted and under current penalties could
be fined up to $8000.” The NLIS enables livestock to be identified and tracked which helps protect the reputation of Victoria’s livestock industry as a supplier of top-quality meat and dairy products providing a competitive advantage in domestic and export markets. Ms Filtness said any cattle found arriving at the saleyards untagged must also be tagged with a saleyard orange post breeder tag. “A fee is generally payable for saleyard post-breeder tags and is the only option available for identifying cattle arriving at a saleyard untagged. “In addition to being NLIS tagged, all livestock must be accompanied in transit by a completed and signed Vendor Declaration, or in the case of pigs, a valid Pigpass. “A permit to dispatch untagged cattle can be granted by animal health staff in certain circumstances and you can contact your local DEDJTR staff for further information,” Ms Filtness said.
Extra funding for wild dog plan AN additional $1.35 million to roll out the National Wild Dog Action Plan has been provided by the Federal Government. Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce announced the funding and said it will provide continuity and certainty for the roll-out of the plan over the longer term.
The additional funding is to ensure national coordination and on-theground methodologies for wild dog management are accessible, reliable, available and used to the greatest effect possible. “It will also deliver support projects and strengthen the on-ground work that is already being pursued,” he said.
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Page 4, Southern Farmer journalist yes we want Contact Jodie Fleming your news__ on (03) 5723 0129
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Published by: North East Media Suite 103, 486 Whitehorse Road, Surrey Hill 3127 Ph: (03) 9888 4822 Fax: (03) 9888 4840 ABN 65 006 238 277
AN updated free manual providing advice on how grains farmers can boost farm biosecurity measures to protect their enterprise against weeds, pests and diseases has been launched by the Grains Farm Biosecurity Program. The Biosecurity Manual for Grain Producers has new sections on pests of stored grain, how to fumigate silos effectively and how to manage risks posed by livestock and feed. Manager of the Grains Farm Biosecurity Program Alison Saunders is encouraging grain farmers to pick up or download
a copy of the substantially upgraded manual. “Recognising the increasing trend to mixed farming, the manual explains the need to consider risks when you bring stock feed onto the farms, particularly the risk of introducing new weeds,� she said. “We’ve added information on how to store grains effectively, how to identify particular types of stored grain pests, and how to use phosphine in sealed silos safely and effectively. “And we’ve provided information on 15 additional high-priority pests that producers need to familiarise
themselves with so they can keep an eye out for them.� Ms Saunders said that highpriority exotic pests of canola, winter cereals, summer grains, pulses and sunflowers are featured in the new booklet. “As before, the manual contains useful templates for recording activities including visits, fumigation, surveillance and machinery clean down.� Copies of the new manual are available from Grains Biosecurity Officers in grain growing states or can be downloaded at www. planthealthaustralia.com.au/ industries/grains.com.au.
FREE MANUAL: The Biosecurity Manual for Grain Producers has new sections on pests of stored grain.
Origin of food more important than politics „ From page 1
“We have a once in a lifetime opportunity as part of the current consultation process to do something lasting and worthwhile,� he said. “The right of Australian consumers to know where their food comes from should be more important than political posturing. “It is time the ALP declared that they too will support Aussie consumers and farmers wishes by declaring their support for meaningful country of origin labelling reform.� Many industry groups believe that the term ‘made in’ is too ambiguous, with a 2014 Choice survey indicating that only 12 per cent of consumers were able to identify its current meaning. “‘Made in’ needs to be replaced with more accurate terminology such as ‘Manufactured in’ or ‘Processed in’ so that consumers are not led to believe that the country where a product has been manufactured is the same as where the products’ ingredients were grown,� Mr White said.
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berry farmer and cofounder of Matilda’s Frozen Fruits and Rebello Wines, Ruth Gallace, said that anything that helped the consumer to make a more informed choice was positive. “I get to wear two hats here as I see it from a growers’ perspective and as a mother,â€? she said. “As a mother, I ďŹ nd it quite alarming that I can’t discern what is what - and through our business we are quite well informed about how to read the labels and understand where products are from - but I am ďŹ nding myself not buying anything as I am not certain or conďŹ dent where the ingredients are from. “So country-of-origin does matter to me and it isn’t about there not being good products grown overseas as there are things we just don’t grow here in Australia, but I would like to see more honest labelling and honest health claims.â€? Ms Gallace said that as a marketer she understood the complexities of the issue. It was a shame that the industry had to become heavily regulated. “More regulation often means more expense, and as a grower it means more
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food comes from so they can make informed decisions,â€? he said. “From a farm business perspective labelling laws must be practical to implement, not impose unreasonable costs, and must not lead to adverse trade implications.â€? Mr Finlay said that any improved labelling arrangements must remember that Australia is a net food exporter and must have a system that is equitable and does not compromise our signiďŹ cant export markets. “We must also remember that the vast majority of Australian Agricultural produce is exported and while this announcement is welcomed for the domestic market we also need to develop a national brand for Australia’s agricultural exports. “Australian farmers want consumers to have clarity and make informed choices on the products on the shelves and the NFF will continue working with the government on the arrangements to ensure they are equitable, clear and continue to provide Australian farmers with improved market access.â€? To complete the survey visit www.industry.gov. au/cool.
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time away from what you are meant to be doing,â€? Ms Gallace said. “I have had many discussions with people in the industry on this subject and I completely understand the complexity of it. “I just really hope it doesn’t become too cumbersome for producers who are sourcing the majority of their product from Australia and they may only have one small ingredient like a spice that we don’t grow, but all their meat and veggies are locally sourced and it becomes difďŹ cult for them. “As long as this type of producer is able to have full transparency and honesty and it can be clearly conveyed that all their product is Australian and it doesn’t become a one-sizes-ďŹ ts-all thing and the change in the laws are sensible.â€?. National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) president Brent Finlay welcomed the government’s commitment to improve the labelling laws and said that â€œďŹ nally the government has listened to farmers and consumersâ€?. “We know it’s not as easy as it sounds but we must have a system that improves consumers understanding where their
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“In our view, the percentage indicator would ideally also include greater segmentation than the proposed ‘more than’ or ‘less than 50 per cent local ingredients’, so that consumers can make more informed choices about their purchases.� AUSVEG recently released a video that exposes the failure of Australia’s current food labelling laws to provide consumers with meaningful information about the food they are buying. The Cool Change video is part of a new campaign to highlight the confusion of everyday Australian shoppers when trying to decipher the current ambiguous country-of-origin labels. AUSVEG is the leading horticultural body representing Australia’s 9000 vegetable and potato growers and the group has been an outspoken advocate for country-of-origin labelling for decades. In the wake of the frozen berries health scare earlier this year, it has been a major voice calling on the Federal Government to reform Australia’s country-of-origin labelling system in a meaningful way. Mornington Peninsula
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July, 2015
Southern Farmer, Page 5
Ballarat school finds udder ways to recreate Picasso cow
DAIRY CHALLENGE: Year 5 student, Ella Cameron sits on top of the Picasso cow her and fellow students will makeover over the next few weeks.
STUDENTS at Tarrington Lutheran School in Ballarat will be whipping out their art smocks and mixing their colour palettes as they embark upon the national Picasso Cows Makeover program. The makeover program is an extension of Dairy Australia’s popular Picasso Cows initiative which challenges primary school students to paint a lifesize, fibreglass cow while discovering the health and nutritional benefits of dairy foods like milk, cheese and yoghurt and learn more about Australia’s $13 billion dairy industry and its contribution to the economy. The 12-week program will be undertaken along with 58 other schools across Australia with the students’ task being to transform the blank cow canvas into an impressive dairy-related art work, tracking their experiences along the way in a learning journal. The schools involved across Victoria will adopt one of three themes – Unbeatable bones, Fuel for
ways, with the year 5 and 6 students doing all the research on dairy products and then using that information to put an image on the cow with some text. “We then give all students the opportunity to give the cow a name and then the School Representative Council will determine what the name is,” Mr Peters said. He added that by undertaking the program it provides the students with an awareness of not only dairy products, but the entire area of farm management and how farms need to be sustainable. “A lot of people don’t know the extent to which farms go to today to make sure they are sustainable and the process of farm to factory and the health regulations to provide their product at the supermarket, so this program is a very good learning experience in that regard as well as the students are learning all about the different types of dairy cows we have in Australia,” he said.
Life or Farm to Plate – for inspiration. Once their masterpieces are complete, they will compete against one another to be awarded the coveted title of National Makeover Champion alongside six additional finalists from across the country for their creativity, teamwork and learning journals. Ballarat’s Tarrington Lutheran School principal Tony Peters said that after being involved in the project in 2010 the experience was so beneficial to the students that the school was very keen to run the program again. “Five years ago we did the theme of ‘Unbeatable Bones’, and this time we are doing ‘Farm to Plate’,” he said. “As part of the program we are going on an excursion to a dairy farm to look at how they manage the farm, because the key to the project is learning about dairy products and its health benefits. “We have the whole school involved in various
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Page 6, Southern Farmer
Next generation farmers encouraged to take up the challenge THE next generation of farmers are invited to show off their agricultural skills for the chance to represent Victoria in the Young Farmer Challenge to be held at this year’s Royal Melbourne Show. Conducted annually by The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) in partnership with Victorian Young Farmers, the Young Farmer Challenge is an entertaining, fastpaced event that promotes and celebrates excellence in farming and recognises the next generation of farmers. The event sees teams of four people race to compete a series of challenges that demonstrate the breadth of technical skills used every day by farmers, such as stacking hay, leading an alpaca and erecting a portable
electric fence. Open to young people aged 16 years to 30 years, the Victorian final of the Young Farmer Challenge will take place in front of the 2015 Royal Melbourne Show crowd in the CocaCola Arena on Saturday, September 19, with the winning team selected to represent Victoria at the national finals. Along with the title of Victoria’s Champion Young Farmer Team, the winning team will take home more than $4000 in prizes. The Australian Young Farmer Challenge is a national initiative developed by the Australian Council of Agricultural Societies and run by agricultural societies and organisations across Australia. For more information visit www.rasv. com.au.
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July, 2015
Global research deal helps Australian commodities to grow IN an effort to fight weeds and herbicide resistance, Bayer CropScience and the Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC) have formed a research partnership that is certain to be a welcome boost for Australia’s grain farmers. Under the deal, $45 million will be invested over five years, resulting in an extra 40 chemistry and biology researchers engaged at the Bayer CropScience labs in Frankfurt, Germany. A number of Australian postdoctoral researchers are expected to be recruited from Australian universities to travel to Frankfurt. Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce welcomed the announcement and said it is exactly the kind of strong partnership in innovative research between government and industry that will keep Australia at the forefront of world grain production, ultimately growing our soft commodities sector. “If we stand still, we’re going backwards,” he said. “Our wheat, other grains, pulses and oilseeds industries are a massive contributor to our economythe gross value of production and exports in 2014-2015 are estimated to be at $13.4 billion and $10.5 billion, respectively. “This agreement will seek to
develop new herbicide chemistry that is vital to sustainable modern crop production systems. “In particular, this partnership aims to overcome the growing incidence of chemical resistance by identifying new active ingredients.” Mr Joyce said that weeds impose significant costs to farmers, representing a huge burden on farmgate returns. It is estimated that weeds cost Australian growers more than $3 billion per year. “At a global level, Australia is not considered a major market for the development of herbicides, so it’s really pleasing to see the GRDC investing $45 million and working with a globally respected research company to ensure our farmers are in the box seat to take advantage of the newest developments in this key area,” Mr Joyce said. “Our nation’s grain industry will also benefit by having this innovative molecular research applied to Australian weeds in Australian conditions via two selected field trial sites. “Additionally, 11 post-doc scientists’ positions will be offered to Australian researchers giving them the opportunity to be a part of this world-leading program. “We are some of the most
resourceful, resilient and productive primary producers on the planet, but we need to keep encouraging innovation and research to make sure we stay that way,” he said. AUSVEG national manager scientific affairs Jessica Lye said the partnership will ensure that Australia is on the front foot in terms of global herbicide and pesticide research. “Weeds have the potential to fly under the radar from a biosecurity perspective,” she said. “They tend to gain resistance quickly and adapt to a variety of growing conditions. “Importantly, even though weed outbreaks can have a drastic effect on crop productivity through competition for resources and space, they are often not attributed the status of other biosecurity threats, such as plant viruses and insect pests. “The production costs carried by growers in the fight to control weeds on growing areas cannot be understated. “Research results arising out of this partnership will not only benefit broad acre growers, there will also be flow on benefits into other industries, such as the vegetable and potato industries.”
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138th Australian Sheep & Wool Show 17th-19th July, 2015, Bendigo, Victoria 3 days of events ï Women of Wool ï Festival of Lamb ï Woolcraft & Fashion ï Sheepdog Trials ï Shearing Events ï Dorper Ram & Ewe Sale ï Australian Fleece Competition ï Young Stud Master Muster ï Gala Interbreed Dinner ï Merino Ram Sale THE SOUTHERN
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THE AUSTRALIAN SHEEP & WOOL SHOW 2015
Feature breed ideal for Australian conditions and elite palettes By DAVID RIZZOLI THE White Suffolk sheep breed is one of the latest of a long line of prime lamb producing sheep bred for Australian conditions and the needs of the country’s prime lamb industry. It is an animal that produces growthy and lean lambs, with high yielding carcases even at heavier carcase weights of 20 kilograms and higher. Lambs sired by White Suffolk rams are regarded as ideal for elite lamb requirements. The history of the White Suffolk begins in 1977 at the University of New South Wales Hay Research Station where Ewan Roberts established a breeding program to breed a sheep with all the Suffolk characteristics but without the black head and black points. For several years Dr Roberts bred selectively against black points using predominantly Poll Dorset x Suffolk and Border Leicester x Suffolk. The result was an animal with similar conformation and structure to the Suffolk producing excellent growth rates and carcases. During the 1980s a number of individual Suffolk and Poll Dorset breeders were independently experimenting by crossing different breeds with Suffolks and these breeders formed a breed
association. The White Suffolk Association was formed in 1986 with the aim of encouraging members to breed (genetically) AAA.1.1 White Suffolks. AAA represented 87.5 per cent Suffolk blood and 1.1 meaning no black or brown on the points and no wool on the head. The White Suffolk is a hornless sheep bred essentially as a prime meat breed with a Downstype wool producing a dense and firm handling fleece preferably free of kemp and black fibres. Lambs from properly selected White Suffolks should not attract dockage in the market and the wool should not pose a risk of fibre contamination in the woolshed. White Suffolk breeders claim that lambs sired by their rams are ideal for the domestic trade, with feedback from both the wholesale and retail meat trades confirming the breed’s suitability for Australian conditions. They say the lambs “are fast growing, well-muscled with a fat score three, suited to quality and health conscious consumers”. It is claimed that White Suffolk rams are renowned for their natural fertility and libido, and can mate at any time of the year. Ewes mated to these rams have minimal lambing problems and produce a high percentage of robust lambs.
July, 2015
The sheep and wool industry’s grand fortnight features the White Suffolk By DAVID RIZZOLI FOR the two weeks of the second half of July into the first Monday and Tuesday of August, sheep and wool reign supreme in the farming areas of South Eastern Australia. Three major shows attract thousands of entries for the various sheep, wool and wool craft competitions – the Australian Sheep Breeders Association Sheep & Wool Show at Bendigo, the Ballarat A&P Society’s Sheep and Alpaca Show and the Hamilton & Western District Sheep Show, which is held in conjunction with the annual Sheepvention. The feature breed for all three 2015 sheep shows is the White Suffolk. Australian Sheep & Wool Show – Friday, July 17 to Monday, July 20 This, the major sheep show of the year, has its roots back in the 1850s when it was held at Darlington, in the Western District. On August 28, 1877 a meeting of wool producers at Scotts Hotel in Melbourne formed the Australian Sheep Breeders’ Association with the objective of holding an “Exhibition of sheep” in August each year. Early venues were the wool stores of Goldsborough Mort and Co (1878 – 1938) and Dalgety and Co. (1939 – 1956). In 1957 the show moved to the Melbourne Showgrounds and became known as the Melbourne Sheep Show.
CHAMPION MERINO: Glenpaen Merino Stud’s Harry Miller with the Supreme Merino Exhibit at the 2014 Ballarat Sheep & Alpaca Show. In 1999 the show moved to its current venue at the Prince of Wales Showgrounds at Bendigo, this location being regarded as the epicentre of the wool producing areas of South Eastern Australia, to be known as the Australian Sheep Breeders’ Association Sheep & Woolcraft Show, now the Australian Sheep Breeders’ Association Sheep & Wool Show. In addition to being the major sheep show in Australia, the show incorporates the 15th annual Australian fleece competition, highlighting the supreme fleece wool in the world. The ‘Future of Farming’
series incorporates junior judging and the schools’ sheep showing competitions. The show also features the sheep dog competition, the Bendigo Festival of Lamb, The Women of Wool featuring, among others, Catherine Marriott, the founder of ‘Influential Women’ and fine wool producer, Nan Bray, the Victorian state shearing championships and the annual woolcraft show. The show finishes with the Merino ram sale on Monday, July 20 which follows the Dorper and White Dorper sale on Sunday, July 19. Ballarat A&P Society Sheep & Alpaca Show – Saturday, July 26 to Sunday, July 27 One of the smaller sheep
shows on the calendar, but no less important, the Ballarat Sheep & Alpaca Show celebrates its 134th annual show this year. As well as sheep and alpacas from the Ballarat region, the show draws animals from all the sheep and alpaca growing areas of Victoria - Merinos mostly from Central Victoria and the Wimmera and Mallee, Short Wools from the Western District, Wimmera, Central Victoria and Gippsland and Long Wools from the Western District, Wimmera and Central Victoria. The annual Ballarat Merino ram sale which is held on Monday, July 27 draws rams from the Riverina, Western, North Eastern and Central Victoria, the Wimmera,
and from the prestigious Merryville, Wurrook, Eilan Donan, Beverley, Glenpaen and Glendonald studs. At the 2014 ram sale, 42 rams were offered of which 38 were sold to a top price of $4400 at an average of $1900. Hamilton & Western District Sheep Show - Monday, August 3 to Tuesday, August 4 Conducted in association with the annual Sheepvention, as is befitting this major sheep growing area of Victoria, the show expects to attract about 1000 entries from all over South Eastern Australia. This show reflects the history and diversity of sheep breeding throughout Australia attracting a number of the heritage breeds that laid the foundations for the Australian sheep industry. Breeds such as Lincoln, English Leicester, Southdown, Suffolk, Hampshire Down, Dorset Down, Dorset Horn and Ryeland are regularly exhibited at the show alongside the better known breeds. Australia’s own breeds, the Merino, Corriedale, Polwarth, Poll Dorset, White Suffolk and more recently the Australian White feature strongly at the show. The Merino is strongly represented throughout the show with the ram sale on Tuesday, August 4 offering about 400 rams. The Ewe Weaner competition and a number of individual studs will also have their own displays from the Riverina, South East South Australia and the Western District and Wimmera.
Southern Region 7th ANNUAL BENDIGO SUPREME DORPER & WHITE DORPER SALE
1pm 19th July 2014 ASWS Prince of Wales Showgrounds, Holmes Rd, Bendigo, Victoria
Photos will be on www.landmark.com.au AND on www.dorper.com.au - Online Sale Catalogues
NATIONAL DORPER & WHITE DORPER SHOW held at the ASWS 17th - 19th July 2015
Give one of our NAB Agribusiness Managers a call to see what we can do to help you. Daniel Sexton - 0427 581 005 Chelsea Emmerson - 0477 744 410 Sara Gale - 0427 367 380 k/05d08141/28-15
Lloyd Neilson - 0412 747 361 Ben Fletcher - 0427 006 044 Peter Kirkwood - 0417 122 885
Thank you to our major cash sponsors: WELLARDS, FRONTIER INTERNATIONAL, FRANKLING CUSTOM FEEDS, ELDERS INTERNATIONAL, LANDMARK, RODWELLS
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July, 2015
President highlights importance of industry IT will be exciting to welcome about 30,000 visitors to the Australian Sheep & Wool Show again this July. These three days in Bendigo are the best opportunity to show that the heart of our industry’s growth and strength lies with our stud masters and our constant striving for sheep breeding excellence. My first experience of our industry benchmarking event – which has grown to become the largest of its kind in the world – was as a young boy in a pram. To now attend as the Australian Sheep Breeders’ Association president is an honour and testimony to the longterm involvement of the many people dedicated to striving for industry innovation and excellence. In celebrating our strong approach to that excellence, one of the most important industrywide challenges we are committed to address is the legacy we are leaving for future farming generations. It is only through the provision of a sustainable industry sector and by providing the opportunities for our successors to flourish, that we can look forward with a great deal of confidence. In its 138th year, the Australian Sheep & Wool Show provides the showcase that not only keeps raising that industry bar, but increasingly educates the growing number of visitors – from rural, regional and urban locations – about the importance to our economy and the world class quality of the food and fibre grown here. From relatively humble beginnings all those years ago, to stage a successful rural showcase event in today’s world requires a strong team of executive committee members, staff, contractors and an army of volunteers, sponsors, judges, stewards, breed captains, retailers and exhibitors. For several years now, we have developed events that coincide with that core aim of breeding excellence. All events saw record-
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THE AUSTRALIAN SHEEP & WOOL SHOW 2015
Robyn Moore to engage all at Breeders’ Dinner can ensure there is an effective bridge between them for the ongoing pursuit of excellence. With 40 years in education, advertising and the communication and entertainment industries, Robyn helps organisations and businesses (as well as individuals) to find workable and often life-changing solutions. And she clears the path to new ways of thinking with great Aussie humour. Book your tickets now and join us to be inspired as Robyn helps to reengage, realign, reinvent, regenerate and restore some clear thinking as we face the challenges of a bright future. To book tickets visit www.sheepshow. com.
MOST industries face crucial transitions, with succession and sustainability a key part of the planning process. For the Australian sheep industry, a major challenge is to ensure that generations of invaluable, traditional knowledge and breeding excellence is placed in the right future hands. For this year’s Breeders’ Dinner on Saturday, July 18, The Australian Sheep Breeders’ Association has invited the woman many regard as the number one speaker and inspirational motivator in Australia, Robyn Moore, to spearhead a great discussion with an industry expert - a current generation breeder and a next generation farmer – on how breeders
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-69 790*,: +,;(03: .6 ;6 ^^^ OHY]LZ[HPYL JVT H\ AN HONOUR: Malcolm Starritt, president, Australian Sheep Breeders’ Association. The growing involvement of young people – through the schools and junior judging programs – is immensely important to us. Adding to this is the Young Stud Masters’ Muster which provides a networking opportunity for the sheep breeders and skilled industry participants who represent breaking entries and our future. attendances last year This year, we are placing and this popularity has particular emphasis on added to educational the Breeders’ Dinner by opportunities, the providing a platform for all promotion of networks and our members to link three ongoing inspiration for our generations of industry members. excellence that marries In developing our traditional knowledge special events – the with tomorrow’s vital Festival of Lamb, Women innovation. of Wool, the Young Stud We look forward to Masters’ Muster, Woolcraft seeing you during these and leading designer important three days in fashion parades and July when the industry’s the Breeders’ Dinner – best come from across we strive to inspire an Australia to show their achievable vision for finest fleeces, fibre and another 100-plus years of food. sheep breeding.
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134th BALLARAT SHEEP & ALPACA SHOW Merino Sunday, 26th July, 2015 Feature BALLARAT SHOWGROUNDS Show Midland Highway, Ballarat available at
www.ballaratshow .org.au
Monday 27th July 2015 BALLARAT SHOWGROUNDS AT 11AM For sale details contact conjunctional selling agents: Office (03) 5334 1030 John McGrath - 0417 047 648 Ted Wilson - 0409 368 376 Bus (03) 5337 9999 Ross Milne 0408 057 558
Sale rams available for inspection at the Ballarat Sheep Show, Sunday 26th July and on the morning of Sale.
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For details contact the BALLARAT AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL SOCIETY PO Box 401, Ballarat. 3353 Telephone (03) 5338 1877 Email: admin@ballaratshow.org.au
Catalogues and entry form s
2015 BALLARAT MERINO RAM SALE
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THE AUSTRALIAN SHEEP & WOOL SHOW 2015
Education the key to the 2015 Festival of Lamb
Tickets to the Young Stud Masters’ Muster RECOGNISING the best and brightest young people working in the agricultural industry will again be a highlight of the Young Stud Masters’ Muster to be held from 7pm on Friday, July 17 at the Prince of Wales Showgrounds, Bendigo. Tickets are $25, with the price including canapÊs and entertainment.
EDUCATING both farmers and the general public about lamb cuts and preparation will be the central theme of the Festival of Lamb as part of the Australian Sheep & Wool Show. Some Bendigo schools will also be taking part in a healthy eating program and how to make the best use of lamb. The ‘Bob the Butcher’ feature of the festival involves carving and cuts demonstrations, as well as a sausage-making master class. He also works closely with the chefs who will provide a diverse range of cooking demonstrations throughout the show to further
ITS ALL HAPPENING AT
Sheepvention 2015!
3rd - 4th August 2015 Hamilton Showgrounds Hamilton VICTORIA 03 5572 2563 Buy tickets online www.sheepvention.com ‡ /DUJHVW 5DP 6DOH ,Q 7KH 6RXWKHUQ +HPLVSKHUH ‡ :HVWHUQ 'LVWULFW 6KHHS 6KRZ ‡ $XVWUDODVLDQ <RXQJ 'HVLJQHUV $ZDUGV ‡ 'LVFRYHU :RRO )DVKLRQ (YHQW ‡ 7DVWH 2I 7KH *UHDW 6RXWK :HVW 0DUTXHH ‡ $QLPDO 1XUVHU\ ‡ :RRO 7H[WLOHV $UWV &UDIWV ‡ ,QYHQWLRQV &RPSHWLRQ ‡ )RRG :LQH ‡ :RRO +DQGOLQJ &RPSHWLWLRQV ‡ 9LFWRULDQ )DUP 'RJ &KDPSLRQVKLSV
JUICY LAMB: ‘Bob the Butcher’ will be conducting cooking demonstrations throughout the festival to educate chefs about lamb cuts. educate them about lamb cuts. This year the show has joined with local food promotion group, Food Fossickers, to highlight the best regional produce and educate the public about the journey from paddock to plate. Food Fossickers is a membershipbased network that works to educate people about where their food
Sheep & Wool Show Site Plan 2015
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comes from and share stories about who helped to put it on the table. The network involves all food and beverage growers, producers and distributors, as well as the retailers and food outlets in order to build an independent supply chain for regional producers. For more information visit www. sheepshow/events.com.
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Hand made with love at our family farm
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Ian & Marilyn Lanyon 479 Parkers Road, Yando, Boort 3537 Call us 7 days a week (03) 5455 4237
Bringing Aussie wool from the ewe to you!
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See us in the Noble Pavillion near the fashion parade
5 Benson Pavilion
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6 Dining Hall
15 Merino Breed Marquee
21 Parents Room
7 Shearing & Wool Handling
16 Cattle Pavilion
22 Woolcraft
8 Outdoor Site Area
17 Sheepshow Office
23 Woolcraft
9 Grounds Management
18 Exhibition Centre Foyer
24 Black & Coloured Sheep
10 Bendigo Festival of Lamb
19 Bendigo Exhibition Centre Merino, Corriedale, Polwarth & Fleece Competition
25 Woolcraft
11 Education Hub 12 Parents Room/First Aid 13 Outdoor Site Area 14 Dohne Breed
20 Regional Exhibition Centre British Breeds, Poll Dorset, Dorpers, Other Breeds
26 Woolcraft 27 Woolcraft 28 Woolcraft 29 Animal Nursery
4 days of events: Women of Wool • Festival of Lamb Shearing Events • Breeders Dinner • Merino Ram Sale • Dorper Ram & Ewe Sale • Sheepdog Trials Australian Fleece Competition Woolcraft & Fashion Young Stud Master Muster • Over 2500 sheep on display featuring 25+ breeds
17th-19th July 2015 Bendigo, Victoria
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Tickets & Entries www.sheepshow.com Book your ticket today! Enquiries Phone 03 5443 9902 ceosheephouse@gmail.com
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Key partners
July, 2015
Breeders preparing for 138th Australian Sheep & Wool Show
SHEEP breeders across the country are getting their stock into final show-ready condition as they prepare to join the best wool, prime lamb, fashion and woolcraft sectors at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show from Friday, July 17 to Sunday July 19 at the Prince of Wales Showgrounds in Bendigo, Victoria. As demand surges for Australian wool, with fouryear highs being recorded in the past month, the nation’s top fleeces and stud stock will again be benchmarked at the event – the largest of its kind in the world. For three days, an intense round of major national competitions will sit alongside a strongly resurgent woolcraft sector. As Chinese and American buyers demonstrate a renewed, strong demand for wool, Australia’s best wool fashions will be on display, as well as about 300 retail outlets that produce woollen goods. Now in its 138th year, this major showcase event has continued to grow, with record entries across the board as well as visitor numbers. The central Victorian location of Bendigo – at the mid-point of our sheep breeding regions – experiences strong attendance from about 5,500 farmers, including some of the top 500 sheep producers, who will showcase the industry’s excellence and latest innovations, as well as competing for national and state competition honours. About 30,000 visitors attend from rural, regional and capital city areas across the country, as well as from overseas. The integrated nature of the show provides an important linking of rural and regional industries and city visitors and consumers, who can follow our finest wool from the sheep’s back to the fashion catwalk and from paddock to plate. An upsurge in the uptake of handcrafts and growth in farm, city fringe and city-based, value-adding
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THE AUSTRALIAN SHEEP & WOOL SHOW 2015
Show highlights its youth sections as the future of farming
JUNIOR JUDGING: Schools are able to enter students in the Australian Sheep & Wool Show’s junior judging competition.
WITH demand for skilled employees growing and the need for ongoing, on-farm succession and sustainability, the Australian Sheep Breeders’ Association will again highlight the youth sections of the Australian Sheep & Wool Show. There is a full junior judging and schools program at the show and this year it will be run alongside a careers and technology area. The Future of Farming series continues to attract a high number of competition entries. The series incorporates the junior judging and schools competition and provides a showcase for the best and brightest young farmers. About 45 schools take part in the junior competitions which are held on Friday, July 17.
OL TRADIN O W E T I G WA
COMPETITION PAVILION: The champions of each sheep breed will be judged to determine the Supreme Prime Lamb, Supreme Long Wool and Supreme British Breed Group, with stud stock sales held on the Sunday. businesses has seen this sector boom and increasing recognition of the role women play in the wool industry. Under the auspices of the Australian Sheep Breeders’ Association, the Prince of Wales Showgrounds accommodates combined holdings of stock and production worth more than $895 million over the three days. The champions of each breed will be judged to determine the Supreme Prime Lamb, Supreme Long Wool and Supreme British Breed Group, with stud stock sales held on the Sunday. The Women of Wool and Woolcraft segments display a diverse range of fashion and craft. Competitions ranging from hand knitting, weaving, spinning, felting, and wearable art using hand spun and commercial yarns keep standards high. Twice daily fashion parades are held to highlight the cutting edge fashion being produced nationwide and displayed in overseas fashion
markets, as well as amateur winners displaying their designs. The growing contribution made by the women of the wool industry is celebrated at the show’s Women of Wool series lunch. Inspirational industry women share their innovations and provide a networking opportunity. Consumers can also learn about 28 different sheep breeds and this year’s feature breed is the purpose-bred for Australian conditions White Suffolk. The world’s best Merino breeders will also be on display, with the Supreme and Grand Championship rams and ewes awarded, as well as the National Pairs and Victorian Sheep of the Year. The Stock & Land National Pairs will be judged on Friday, July 17 in the Exhibition Centre. The prime lamb industry is celebrated with the Festival of Lamb, which runs within the show, with chefs and food demonstrators displaying the diversity and versatility of lamb.
A dynamic youth, schools program and careers program attracts the farmers and agricultural innovators of the future. The Future of Farming sector of the show includes junior judging, the schools competitions and provides a valuable platform for our brightest and best young farmers. Commercial, stud and agricultural colleges and schools compete for prizes for all major wool types.
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The Young Stud Masters’ Muster provides a valuable social and networking opportunity for young people working in the industry, whether on-farm, in agribusiness or other associated sectors. Shearers will demonstrate their skill, while also competing for state honours and national competition qualifications. Yard dog demonstrations will also be held. For more information visit www.sheepshow.com.
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THE AUSTRALIAN SHEEP & WOOL SHOW 2015
July, 2015
Passion for wool drives stud’s principal
STEPHEN Reddie’s Aero Dohne Stud began with the purchase of 18 Macquarie Dohne Stud ewes only five years ago and has now grown to a total sheep operation of 225 head. Describing himself as “not your typical stud master�, Mr Reddie was born and raised in the western suburbs of Melbourne and is the first generation in his family not raised on the farm. However, his school holidays were spent out and about with the livestock in the paddocks and sheds and developing a passion for livestock and the country. Working as a full time aircraft maintenance engineer at Tullamarine Airport, Mr Reddie still managed to find the time to study wool classing to learn more about sheep and wool – in particular the Merino. His genuine passion for quality Merino wool on a productive frame led him to
the Dohne breed. “The main reason I picked the Dohne is that they are a dualpurpose merino – they have a lean, solid carcase and they grow good quality Merino wool,� Mr Reddie said. “They are an easy care, tough breed of sheep suited to a variety of climatic conditions. “Aero Dohne Stud stock is soft skinned, producing wellnourished, soft handling bright wool. “They are highly fertile with great mothering ability and the Dohne ewe is a great prime lamb dam,� he said. The Dohne is a dual purpose Merino developed by the South African Department of Agriculture using Peppin-based Merino ewes and German Mutton sires. The breeding program started more than 60 years ago and the progeny were interbred and selected for high fertility, rapid lamb growth and fine Merino wool production under
PRODUCTIVE FRAME: Aero Dohne Stud stock is well-balanced, dual-purpose, naturally polled, plain bodied and easy care. Breeders’ Association. at post weaning, fibre diameter, rangeland conditions. The breed today boasts 220 eye muscle depth and fat depth The breed was first introduced registered breeders in all sheep at post weaning all recorded. to Australia in 1998 with the importation of frozen embryos breeding states of Australia. Today, the Dohne is a wellinto Western Australia. The ADBA adopted balanced, dual-purpose breed, Further importations into the compulsory performance testing naturally polled, plain bodied eastern states in 1999 and 2000 and pedigree recording from and easy care, with the ability to gave the breed critical mass its inception with the economic do well on low-quality pasture. to establish a formal Breed traits of body weight at weaning Mr Reddie will have his Society, the Australian Dohne and post weaning, wool weight rams on display at this year’s
Australian Sheep & Wool Show at Bendigo and can be found under the ADBA’s tent. He is hoping to improve on his success from last year’s show where he received a highly commended for fleece from an 11-month old hogget ewe in the stud ewe class he entered for the first time. “It has been really interesting to go through the process of building up the stud and I really have to thank my stud classer Michael Elmes who is very well respected. “With wool prices at their highest in four years and lamb prices also very good, the versatility of a self-replacing, dual-purpose Dohne flock has plenty to offer producers,� Mr Reddie said. Aero Dohne Stud rams are for sale privately and they will also be on display at this year’s Hamilton Sheepvention. For more information contact Stephen Reddie on 0409 420 452.
Sound feet a priority at Baaramu White Dorper stud
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THE Banks family started up its Baaramu White Dorper stud in 2010 after deciding to purchase three top-priced SIL ewes from the annual production sale of the prestigious Red Rock stud in Keith, South Australia. Stud principal Paul Banks said the original purchase was followed by a carefully selected larger purchase from Saltbush Stud near Quorn and another considerable purchase of young ewes from Red Rock. “Coming from a dairy farming background, we had much to learn, but found our many years’ knowledge of breeding dairy cows held us in good stead,� Mr Banks said. “We became keen members of the Dorper Society and I attended a livein Dorper course in Moama to learn the finer points of stud selection. “I have since served several seasons on the Southern Region Committee which encompasses the Riverina, Victoria and Tasmania.� Mr Banks has also introduced rams from African, Trinity and Kyolna Park studs and an artificial intelligence program has been used at the stud since its inception. “We have inseminated our best ewes with elite genetics, including from the famous Terraweena Loftus which is an Australian champion and
CHAMPION: John and Lorraine Banks with the judge at the 2015 Bunyip Show with their Champion Shortwool Ram (Interbreed) Baaramu Gippsland Boy.
was sold to Brazil for over $45,000. “We have also purchased genetics from the Australian champion, African D555 Super Sire and Supreme Dorper ASWS 2013, Dumisa Mr Perfect,� he said. Being situated in a high rainfall area on soft red soils, Mr Banks said that he has made a point of breeding sheep with sound feet, using a strict select and cull criteria. “We now have a flock of truly low maintenance, resilient sheep; wellmuscled, long bodied with good feet.
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“Our rams are well bred to produce excellent progeny suitable for the commercial fat lamb producer of cross bred wethers, or the grower requiring quality rams for their Dorper flock,� he said. Semen is available from the stud’s current top ram, Baaramu Gippsland Boy, and all animals have been continuously vaccinated for OJD since 2011 and are an accredited brucellosis free flock. For more information visit www. baaramu.com.au.
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THE AUSTRALIAN SHEEP & WOOL SHOW 2015
7
Inspirational line up of women of wool ambassadors in Tasmania. An American-born marine scientist, Nan had a family farming background, but was instead encouraged to pursue a different path. While working for the CSIRO, she fell in love with Tasmania and it was in the process of shopping for hard-wearing, corporate clothes she discovered the joys of fine wool and a determination to farm sheep and produce such fine wool. But, as she battled her way through early financial glitches and a crippling introduction to drought, it was either change the way she’d been advised to do things or let the dream die. Change she did and her scientific approach to animal husbandry and shepherding has caused more than a few raised eyebrows. It was through watching a sick ewe that Nan observed what she chose to eat and how well she recovered. Nan set about ensuring her property had the right mix of pasture and a diverse range of plants that ewes could teach lambs how to forage for. Her wool production increased, even though she had reduced the flock number, no pesticides or fungicides were needed and lambing success was greatly increased. Some may label her as radical. Nan prefers to call it natural. Now, her 3000 kilogram clip is manufactured into luxurious yarn in New Zealand before being sent back to her in Tasmania. Nan also breeds champion Border Collies and trialled these working dogs while still living in the US. She brought them with her to Australia and now
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sent Australian fashion off in a different direction when the international industry sat up and took notice. It ensured that Jenny became an important influence on the industry for 40 years. When her wool designs first hit the retail scene, they were hand knitted by
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ENQUIRIES WELCOME Melton & Woodend, Victoria Stud Principal: Stephen Reddie 0409 420 452 www.aerodohne.com.au Email- stephen@aerodohne.com.au Stud Classer: Michael Elmes 0429 847 552
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a small army of knitters. Today, the finest Italian textile manufacturers – using Australian wool – produce the yarn, which is then manufactured using the most contemporary techniques in Hong Kong. Now, Jenny is back and again, with a colourful new impact.
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runs the property solo with her eight dogs. The other Women of Wool Ambassador, Sandy McDonald, knows the power of wool to change lives. When her South Africanbased aunt came to visit in 2008, she outlined some staggering statistics on the number of babies and children living on the side of roads. Orphaned and abandoned, a priority was to keep them warm. Sandy asked knitters to produce squares that could be sewn together as blankets – an age-old tradition for using leftover yarn. But it has become a global phenomenon known as Knit A Square (KAS) linking knitters in 55 countries and it now requires a massive logistics exercise and the appointment of a management board. Knitters began to incorporate letters and numbers into the squares, as well as flags and pictures, to give the children a chance to learn where they had the help of carers. The challenge now is to look at expanding the program to children in other countries and raising further funds to enable the knitted goods to be transported to their destinations. Each knitted square, garment, hat and toy is to Sandy a ‘currency of hope’ and their production involves school children being introduced to craft and philanthropy; projects for the elderly, and the linking of urban and rural crafters worldwide. Capping off the event will be Australian designer, Jenny Kee. Jenny’s use of bright patterns, often featuring Australian flora and fauna,
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THE inspirational and innovative work being carried out by the women of the wool industry will be celebrated at this year’s Women of Wool lunch on Friday, July 17. Led by one of our most passionate advocates for agriculture and rural Australia, Catherine Marriott, the two Women of Wool ambassadors - Nan Bray and Sandy McDonald – will share their contributions to the industry and be joined by Australian fashion icon, Jenny Kee, who will show her new capsule collection in collaboration with The Woolmark Company. Catherine represents the next generation of Australian farming. From the family sheep farm at Yarallah, near Benalla in Victoria, she went on to hands-on farm work and global agribusiness experience and a senior role in the Australian and the developing Asian beef industry. This led to her becoming a vocal advocate for Australian farming as well as an expert commentator on the future of food and water management and the role of agriculture in Australia’s economy. Catherine founded the Influential Women network – linking women to create strong, resilient and sustainable rural communities and to provide an advocacy voice for those women. She works with all levels of government, across all political parties and related organisations, to ensure the voices of rural Australians are heard. Women of Wool Ambassador Nan Bray has created quite a stir with her White Gum Wool operation
PASSIONATE ADVOCATE: Women of Wool Ambassador Catherine Marriott works with all levels of government to ensure the voices of rural Australia are heard.
8
THE AUSTRALIAN SHEEP & WOOL SHOW 2015
The Australian Sheep & Wool Show 2015
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Adults $22.00 Adults three-day pass $55.00 Pensioners $16.50 Pensioner three-day pass $27.50 Students aged 14 and over $16.50 Student aged 14 and over three-day pass $27.50 Children under 14 years Free Family (two and two) $44.00 Family three-day pass (two and two) $88.00 Car parking on ground per day $5.50 Car parking on ground three-day pass $11.00 Tour Groups of 20 or more $10.00 per person
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July, 2015
Ridgway Advance principles getting the balance right
THE philosophy of Ridgway Advance’s stud principals has always been to combine frame, constitution and elite wool fibre, not compromising carcass attributes or wool cut. It’s what stud principal David Ridgway calls ‘balance’ which he said is present within the production and performance of all he and his wife Karen’s Merino sheep on their 2500 hectare property in Bordertown, South Australia. “When it comes to Merinos, it’s a matter of striking the correct balance for sustainable profitability,� Mr Ridgway said. “That is, producing Merinos that are predictable, uniform and most importantly profitable. “Long-term strategies are to breed towards the mean and not to use extreme types. “This breeding philosophy produces sheep that have a genuine balance in their production and performance, are even and have good depth of quality throughout with no wastage.� The Ridgway Advance sheep are plain, long and heavy bodied, producing soft, free growing wool with exceptional staple length, capable of thriving in a broad range of climatic conditions. Mr and Mrs Ridgway and son Devon are passionate about breeding and raising Merino and Poll Merinos in a farming regime and care deeply both about the land and the sheep that graze upon it. “One of the things we like about the Merino is that they are good on the country – they aren’t harsh on the land or damage it as they are roamers,� Mr Ridgway said. “It all depends on what suits your type of country and ours is not densely populated. “Over the last decade we believe we have struck the right balance and developed a dual-purpose Merino that has benefited the commercial grower. “Conformation of performance in the commercial scene has seen long-term clients achieving great
PROFITABLE MERINO: Ridgway Advance principal David Ridgway breeds sheep that are predictable, uniform and profitable. results in lambs over hooks, wool auctions and selling surplus stock in off shear sales,� he said. Ridgway Advance will once again be attending the Australian Sheep & Wool Show at Bendigo and invite people to come and see its show rams.
“We’ve been going to Bendigo for about 10 or 12 years. “It’s more of a stud show and we really enjoy that as you get to see all of the studs at the one place,� he said. Ridgway Advance’s annual, on-farm property sale will be held
on Wednesday, August 12, with inspections starting at 9.30am for a 1pm sale start. All 180 to 200 rams will be displayed with current wool tests, EMD and weights. For more information visit www. ridgwayadvancemerino.com.au.
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IF you have ever wanted to read about adapting agriculture to climate change or controlling invertebrate pests in agriculture, or know more about the economics of managing crop diversity on-farm or feed pads for grazing dairy cows then a visit to the CSIRO Publishing website is worth a visit. CSIRO Publishing operates as an independent science and technology publisher with a global reputation for quality products and services. The company’s internationally recognised publishing program covers a wide range of scientific disciplines, including agriculture, the plant and animal sciences and environmental management. CSIRO Publishing’s product range includes journals, books and
magazines with the company publishing content both in print and online. Those interested are able to receive updates on books containing practical information on agriculture and the environment or journals such as ‘Animal Production Science’ and ‘Crop & Pasture Science’ by signing up to the company’s free email alerts. CSIRO Publishing welcomes the submission of papers presenting original and significant research for inclusion in its journals. You are able to visit the company’s science image library to view spectacular pictures and view a broad range of digital videos on a varied number of topics. For more information visit www.publish.csiro. au.
NEWS
July, 2015
Southern Farmer, Page 15
New Vicon baler a hit with dealers THE new release Vicon RV 5000 series balers has received the thumbs up from dealers at PFG Australia’s recent product launch in Echuca. Head of Alto Motors in Trafalgar, Anthony Mascato, said the new generation Vicon round balers will make Vicon customers happy and make rival manufacturers take note. “The new features are very impressive,” he said. “It’s good to see some common sense applied to baler design and technology.”
Improvements, including the new patented net and twine wrapping system and a new software package for easy selection of bale density, were described as “ground-breaking”. PFG Australia national sales manager for Vicon, Phil Hickey, said the new patented PowerBind net wrap system has one of the fastest, easiest and most reliable netwrap actions ever developed, and has eliminated the need for feed rollers. “PowerBind’s injection arm feeds net directly into
the bale chamber and keeps the net tight,” he said. “The net is constantly retained by the injection arm, which moves forward ready for net injection when the bale is 90 per cent complete. “PowerBind also has a conveniently low loading height. “To reload, the operator simply swings out the shaft and replaces the roll. “Setting and selection of correct bale density is vital to the quality of the end product. “When working with
different crops, it’s important to be able to easily adjust the bale density to suit,” Mr Hickey said. Minimising any chance of error in changeover from one crop to another, the optional Intelligent Density 3D allows the operator to select from three preconfigured bale densities at the menu control, each of them tailored for straw, hay or silage. If necessary, the operator can still customise the bale density in three separate zones, each with a choice of diameter and pressure
to match specific requirements. The Vicon brand has earned a loyal following worldwide for its strong, durable machines and practical application of technology. Today it stands as a key global player in a highly competitive market.
Mr Hickey said he was very pleased by the dealer response. “We know we’ve got a well-priced, new product with great features that customers have been waiting for, and it’s fantastic to get this kind of confirmation from dealers. “The launch also gave
us all the chance for some great networking and the atmosphere at Echuca’s Great Aussie Beer Shed and Heritage Farm Museum was a lot of fun,” he said. For more information visit www.vicon.com.au or call PFG Australia on (03) 8353 3600.
NEW FEATURES: The Vicon RV 5000 series balers have been improved to include a new net and twine wrapping system and software package to select bale density.
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NEWS
Page 16, Southern Farmer
July, 2015
Australian dairy farmers weather global market storm DESPITE a volatile international dairy market, dairy farmers across Australia have experienced a year of consolidation and growth according to analysis undertaken by Dairy Australia. The 2015 Situation and Outlook Report reflected a solid season, with Dairy Australia forecasting national milk production to be in the range of 9.45 to 9.50 billion litres for
2014/2015, which is about 2.5 per cent full season growth compared to 0.4 per cent the previous year. While international prices remain depressed due to abundant supply and lacklustre demand, Australian dairy farmer confidence in the future of the industry remains high. Results from Dairy Australia’s 2015 National Dairy Farmer Survey indicate 74 per cent of dairy
farmers are feeling positive about the industry’s future – in line with 2014 sentiment. The survey, which is conducted with 1000 dairy farmers across Australia, also revealed 79 per cent of farmers anticipate a profit for the 2014/2015 season. Dairy Australia managing director Ian Halliday said there were a number of reasons why farmer confidence had weathered
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the global market storm. “Farmers across many of our dairying regions have been able to take advantage of the stable production margins and favourable weather conditions over the past year,” he said. “Milk processors are publicly forecasting similar farmgate prices for the upcoming 2015/2016 season, and continued domestic and global demand for our products have also been encouraging for farmers. “The more stable returns generated by the Australian domestic
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A NEW blog to assist dairy farmers to keep on top of dairy fertility and herd management has been introduced by the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) and Dairy Australia. The Dairy Fertility Investigator features the latest research on dairy fertility issues, stories about farmers correctly undertaking reproduction and industry news on breeding and fertility. DEDJTR dairy development specialist in animal performance Sarah Chaplin said the blog is the creation of the department’s dairy extension officer, Ee Cheng Ooi who is writing the blog to help farmers keep on top of new developments in the world of dairy reproduction and to find out what other farmers are doing to improve their herd reproductive performance. “This blog is a means of communicating new and relevant
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try analyst John Droppert said recent figures revealed strong growth spending through both the food service and supermarket channels, although the pace of growth has slowed in recent months. “Australian supermarket sales of major dairy categories continue to tell an essentially positive story. “Dairy spreads remain the top performer, outpacing all other major dairy categories for both volume and value growth. “Milk sales are increasing slowly and steadily and despite shrinking sales
volumes, higher average per kilo prices for cheese and yoghurt/dairy snacks are delivering growth in value,” Mr Droppert said. He also suggested that the improvement in farmer confidence could be based on an improved farmgate pricing and procurement environment, and greater external investment interest in the region. Sixty-four per cent of those surveyed across Australia identified benefits to the industry as a whole from the recently concluded Free Trade Agreements with Korea, Japan and China.
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market, which consumes around 60 per cent of milk production, have helped cushion the industry through an internationally volatile 2014/2015. “But also having a diverse range of markets and products has paid dividends for Australian exporters this season. “It spreads our exposure to the volatility the global market can present at times, hence we haven’t felt the pinch of China’s decreased bulk powder imports off the back of their domestic surplus,” Mr Halliday said. Dairy Australia indus-
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information directly to Victorian dairy farmers in a way that’s responsive, and can adapt to meet farmer requirements,” Dr Chaplin said. “With so much information available it can be difficult for farmers to keep on top of new or alternate ways of doing things, exciting technological developments and the outcomes of recent research. “We encourage Victorian dairy farmers to take the opportunity to have a look at the new website and tell us what they would like to see in dairy digital communication in the future,” she said. Example articles and information available at the site include: * How the latest research on subclinical ketosis is revealing its effects on fertility; * One farmer’s experiences with a five week weaning period – how to reduce your workload in the calving
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season without sacrificing heifer growth and healthy calves; * Take home messages from the most recent conferences; and * The latest news about Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme new breeding objectives and links to their YouTube clip. Dr Chaplin said the Dairy Fertility Investigator has also been designed for farmers to provide feedback. “We want to tap into the collective wisdom of dairy farmers everywhere. “We’d like to hear about farmers’ questions and issues and get their views on tackling real life situations. “We aren’t seeking to replace traditional extension groups and networks, but want to push these further using the power of digital technology to connect farmers from around Australia,” she said. Dairy Fertility Investigator can be accessed at www.dairyfertility.com.au.
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NEWS
July, 2015
Southern Farmer, Page 17
Reverse Trade Mission puts Aussie vegies in the spotlight leading producers and government officials in South Australia and Queensland, as well as visiting wholesale markets, growing operations and retailer outlets. “AUSVEG has provided opportunities for growers who are exporting, or looking at exporting, to increase their international business network and explore new business opportunities, through organised networking events and a fresh produce display,” Mr Coote said. “Australian vegetable producers are perfectly positioned to capitalise on demand in large Asian and Middle Eastern markets. “Meeting with these buyers gives them the chance to seize an exciting and potentially lucrative opportunity to export their produce to these markets,” he said. The RTM was funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government. Meanwhile, four leading food and agribusiness sector experts will join the board of Food Innovation Australia Limited (FIAL) to assist in developing the Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre. The Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre is being established
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elimination of tariffs on Australian lamb, beef, horticulture and dairy products to China. “It’s an enormous achievement that will deliver increased options and improved returns for Australian farmers,” he said. “Beyond border issues, such as protocols, that allow trade in products need to be advanced and we see the agreement as a critical step to help improve the current situation.”
St Leger Machinery Specialists in Second Hand Farm Machinery PRESTON RD, RIPPLEBROOK (via Drouin) Ph 5627 6317 Fax 5627 6385
LOADERS CLAAS ARES 556 RZ 4wd, Stoll loader, a/c cab, 3pl, rem, tidy unit. INTER 414, pearson loader, rops canopy, new clutch, 3pl, good tyres. JOHN DEERE 2250,fwa, fel, a/c cab, 3pl. BACKHOES FORD 80HP backhoe/fel. TRAILING CRANVEL backhoe with 3 buckets. FORKLIFTS FORD 4000, Dalmore fork, rops, pwr steer, 3pl, remotes. TRACTORS ALLIS CHALMERS 190xt, 2wd,cab,103hp CASE TRENCHER, articulated, 4wd, 40hp diesel . DAVID BROWN 880, good tyres, runs well, 40hp. FERGUSON TED, diesel, rops. FENDT 280P, front linkage, 80hp, a/c cab. FORD 6700, dual power, a/c cab, 3pl, 77hp, 2wd. 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. ISEKI 6000, fwa,4 post rops, 3pl, pwr steering. JOHN DEERE 1130, pwr steer, rops, good tyres, 50hp. LEYLAND 253, pwr steer, rops, 50hp. MASSEY FERGUSON 135, rops , reconditioned. MASSEY FERGUSON 135, rops , as traded. MASSEY FERGUSON 148, rops . Choice of 2. MASSEY FERGUSON 355, a/c cab, pwr steer, 3pl. MASSEY FERGUSON 2745, V8, 2wd, a/c cab,
180hp. Suit collector. NUFFIELD 10/60, rops canopy, 3pl, d/bar. Runs well. 60hp. $3850. 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; Case SC, 3 wheel tractor. Runs well. Electric start. Hyd lift. Fendt F20,1 cylinder, water cooled, c.1954, older restoration..Rare! Lanz Bulldog, 28hp, vineyard model, with linkage. John Deere 40, 3pl, runs well. C1953. V8 diesel Deutz irrigation motor with 15 KVA generator, and pto.150hp….$8,800 inc gst. Perkins 236 engine, suit Massey Ferguson. IMPLEMENTS…3pl cable post rammer, Lyco hyd post rammer with auger,6ft Berends grader with rippers, 5ft Kanga slasher, 7ft smudger, 2 furrow reversible disc plow, 3.5 mtr Lely Power Harrows, 3.0 mtr Lely Power harrows,14 row Connor Shea linkage seeder, 4ft 6” - 6ft slashers, fel soft hands, 3pl bale forks,12ft galvanised tandem trailer, grader blades, Howard Paraplow, Krone 2.5 mtr rotary harrows, wick wipers, Hardi 1200 ltr trailing spray unit with 10 mtr boom & hand reel, quick detach front end loader suit Massey , assorted tractor weights and weight frames WANTED; Good quality late model tractors.
Trade-ins accepted. Delivery and finance easily arranged.
PRODUCT
Metaldehyde CONCENTRATION (g/kg)
GENERAL SNAIL CONTROL APPLICATION RATE(kg/ha)
Popular pack size price/kg
PRICE PER HA
Metaldehyde active kg/ha
Delicia® SLUGGOFF® Lentils
30*
3**
$11.00
$33***
0.09****
Comparison ‘rain fast’ pellet
50
5-8
$11.00
$55.00$88.00
0.25-0.5
*
Twice the strength of cheap non-rainfast pellets.
**
Lower application creating significant savings in time and application costs
***
40% cheaper/ha than the nearest comparable product.
****
64% less chemical used - so less metaldehyde applied to the environment
Correct as at July 2014 based on internal market research of product price points
Treats more than 5 times the area of cheaper brands! # Rain fast & longer lasting for all conditions # Controls all species of slugs and snails # Effective on adults & juveniles # 20kg bags with pourer spout and carry handle # 500kg bulk bags for cost-effective aerial application Animal Control Technologies (AUST) Pty. Ltd. 46-50 Freight Drive, Somerton, Victoria 3062 P: 03 9308 9688 F: 03 9308 9622 E: enquiries@animalcontrol.com.au W: www.animalcontrol.com.au
Excellence in Pest Animal Management
t/05d07459-v3/49-14
Protecting Australia’s Crops from slugs and snails
THE National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and other industry groups have welcomed the signing of the ChinaAustralia Free Trade Agreement (FTA). It is beleived the agreement will further cement Australian agriculture’s place in the fastest growing and largest market in the world and will provide billions of dollars in export value to Australian farmers. NFF president Brent Finlay said the milestone agreement will see the
t/05d07733-v7/26-15
AUSTRALIAN vegetables were in the spot light when 40 leading international produce buyers took part in a Reverse Trade Mission (RTM) that was held in conjunction with the 2015 National Horticulture Convention last month. Importers, retailers and wholesalers from Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates took part in the RTM, which aims to increase the profile of the Australian vegetable industry in an effort to capitalise on expanding international markets. AUSVEG national manager – export development Michael Coote said the demand for premium, quality Australian vegetable produce is rising, particularly with growing middle-class populations in Asia and the Middle East. “These regions are a large and continually growing market for Australian vegetable producers and have huge potential for developments,” he said. “The sheer number of buyers attending this year’s RTM gives an indication of the high level of interest there is in Asia and the Middle East for clean, green and safe Australian vegetable produce.” Participating delegates met with
Farmers welcome FTA deal
NEWS
Page 18, Southern Farmer
Massey Ferguson releases new MF5600 Series Tractors MASSEY Ferguson has released five new MF 5600 Series tractors to ensure it is meeting all its customers’ needs in the important power sector market. According to Massey Ferguson product manager Tim Andrew, the new MF 5600 Series is built to provide uncompromising performance in the field, combined with the manoeuvrability, visibility and exclusive features that make them unrivalled loader tractors. “The new MF 5600 Series are purpose built for this power section and application, offering uncompromising quality, specification and performance,” he said. “The 80hp to 120hp bracket is expanding rapidly and is very important – customers need and expect a tractor with the specifications the series offers. “They should not have to be forced to compromise power for function, or vice versa, when selecting what is often the most used piece of machinery in their operation. “The MF 5600 Series sets a new standard, offering specifications seldom found elsewhere in this sector matched to the correct horsepower for the job,” Mr Andrew said. Available in three horsepower sizes from 85 to 100, the three
UNCOMPROMISING PERFORMANCE: Loader-ready models come supplied with a factory-fitted sub-frame, as well as a wide range of novel features and controls to ease and enhance operation. cylinder MF5600 models are powered by the latest AGCO power engines and are based on the current 2.4 metre wheelbase chassis. Available with essential specification cabs, these three cylinder models all feature the Dyna-4 16x16 transmission. The larger 110 and 120 horsepower models also use new AGCO power engines, but in a four cylinder configuration with a new larger 2.55 metre chassis. These two models are available in essential cab specification with a Dyna-4 transmission, while the efficient specification upgrade comes with the Dyna-6 24x24 transmission.
Featured on both essential and efficient models is the new exclusive front axle suspension option, designed and manufactured by Massey Ferguson. Loader ready models come supplied with a factory-fitted sub-frame, as well as a wide range of novel features and controls to ease and enhance operation. “Efficient loader operation is a high design priority and the new MF 5600 Series tractors come with a unique choice of three systems that offer high flow rates and comprehensive control,” Mr Andrew said. “As standard, all
models are equipped with an efficient twinpump system that delivers 58 litres per minute for the spool valves and linkage, with a separate pump for all internal services. “For those requiring extra flow to boost loader performance there is also a new 100 litre per minute combined flow system. “This automatically combines the flow from the 58 litre per minute linkage pump along with 42 litres per minute from an additional high pressure pump, which provides greater flow for the loader,” he said. For more information visit www. masseyferguson.com.au.
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v/05d08035/19-15
July, 2015
Nutrition and immunity key to good transition APART from drought, flood or fire, how well we transition cows through calving (21 days prior to 21 day post-calving) has no rival in regard to influencing lactation performance and fertility – our two profit drivers. For many years it was believed disease could be attributed to causative bacteria, and nutrition was only related to production. In recent years, research has uncovered the links between nutrition and immunity, elevating nutrition, at least, as a defence against infectious bacteria via immune function, but not ignoring its milk production impacts. The transition cow is an incredibly complex animal with many changes occurring simultaneously; even some at odds with others. The period immediately post-calving accounts for 25 per cent to 50 per cent of all health problems and costs. Identifying risk factors can help us do a better job of meeting the cow’s biological needs. We all understand the need for gut health. Every farmer knows the signs of gut health problems from manure observation. However, it is now believed gut microbes influence an amazing array of processes in animals, from immunity strength to feed intake preferences. Maintaining nutrient balance, including mineral, affects many functions, but none so much as around calving when nutrient movement between organs can leave our cow unable to adapt. Calcium is just one we all know the consequences of. Immune function is paramount in sustaining a healthy and productive cow, but especially around calving, when it is challenged more than any other stage of lactation. The cow’s immune system is constantly responding to various stimuli for better or worse. What recent science has identified is immunity can be influenced by nutrients absorbed, metabolites and signals sent out by gut cells, themselves affected by nutrition. There are no bodily functions within the cow that in sub-optimal operation, does not affect other functions. For example, we’ve
By JOHN LYNE Dairytech dairy production specialist
known for many years acidosis will reduce immunity; but it also causes inflammation in the liver which alters the liver’s function. This disrupts feed intake and then leads to subclinical at least, ketosis. Ketone bodies in blood reduce the capacity of immune cells to kill off the constant flow of invading pathogens – mastitis being the first ‘port-of-call’. Unfortunately, mastitis also causes inflammation from immune response which is systemic – through the whole body. Data relating mastitis to infertility and loss of early embryos is staggering in its impact on one of the most crucial drives of dairy farm profit. Using high fertility bulls is little more than ‘ s h u ff l i n g - t h e - d e c k chairs-on-the-Titanic ’, while we have nutrientinduced immunity problems. Nutrition as an immune function support There are two arms to the immune system – adaptive and innate. The adaptive system produces antibodies and ‘remembers’ pathogens to enable aggressive response in future exposure. The innate system is far less specific, but very ‘rapid-response’ in its activity – shotgun response. We are all aware of supporting the adaptive system through vaccination for various diseases – preparation for ‘known’ bacterial, fungal and viral attacks. The innate system has only recently been understood sufficiently to know how to fortify its capacity through nutrients. Dietary antioxidants are important for preventing accumulation of reactive oxygen species that are very harmful to immune cells. Oxidative status is under threat in times of stress: the six week transition period, heat and humidity environments. Supplementation with selenium and vitamin E are effective in reducing oxidative stress. It is very important to remember that some
supplementation is good, but more is not always better. Selenium particularly has a very low toxic threshold. Adequate dietary fibre is crucial for gut health (acidosis will demolish immune capacity). I stress here ‘adequate’. Excessive fibre will reduce energy intake and set off ketosis issues, especially in hormonedriven fresh cow milk production. Negative energy balance inducing at least sub-clinical ketosis is associated with poor immune function. Sub-clinical milk fever (low blood calcium) occurs to some degree in most fresh cows. As reported in an earlier article, blood tests done in a client’s herd from fresh cows with exceptional Lead Feeding practices showed 100 per cent had some degree of low blood calcium. Clinical data connecting mastitis, metritis (and ultimately poor fertility) with sub-clinical milk fever is due to the connection between low blood calcium and very weak responses to bacterial challenges. There is a two-way link in all this. Metabolic disorders, as with ketosis and milk fever even in sub-clinical status, impair immune function. Likewise, inflammation caused by immune response can suppress feed intake and promote metabolic disorders (Keto/MF). Farm studies have demonstrated the links between infectious and metabolic disorders. Cows with inflammation signs (immune response to infection) had eightfold higher risk of further transition disorders, had lower blood calcium, took longer to conception and had lower milk production. The links between nutrition and immunity highlight the importance of viewing health issues in transition from a holistic perspective. It really is a ‘winnertake-all’ scenario, either positive or negative. It may seem I’ve been stuck on this subject for months’ of articles, but there is no other activity in terms of time, effort and expense that will return profit like good transition.
July, 2015
AUSTRALIAN MADE/OWNED
Southern Farmer, Page 19
Transform your rocky land into productive paddocks EX-FARMER Tim Pannell had a vision that he could renovate rocky paddocks making them suitable for cropping and then turned the idea into a business. Rocks Gone transform land productivity by removing gravel reef and other rock from paddocks, straightening out run lines, reducing turning, overlaps and gear damage, removing weed infestations and increasing overall productivity. Mr Pannell has developed his rotary crusher over time to make it work as efficiently and effectively as possible. Originally starting with a three point linkage mounted PTO driven rotary crusher, Mr Pannell said it did “a good job, but had multiple problems”. “Primarily, it was very slow, leaving an uneven paddock that required levelling, and then there was the complexity of the machine with many moving parts and wear parts,” he said. “So I built a five tyne, three point linkage mount rock ripper to prepare the ground and supped up the slow rotary crusher. “With more experimenting I found that the ripper did a fairly good job on its own and the resultant broken rocks were cheaper, easier and faster to crush with a ribbed rock roller, not the rotary crusher.” But Mr Pannell found that driving over the broken rock
ROCKS BE GONE: Unproductive land is now producing well as the crushed rock soils have proven to be very productive after Tim Pannell has worked over land with his rotary crusher.
again towing a roller proved to be problematic and a hitch was soon built on the back of the ripper to tow the roller within one single pass unit at much greater speeds. “Doing multiple passes in different directions and drop-
ping the ripper in further each time achieved good results,” Mr Pannell said. “But after hundreds of hours contracting with it there were problems, mainly the ripper would pull up large slabs of rock that were too massive for
the roller to crush. “I wanted to be able to hold these rocks down and break them into smaller chunks, so the idea of the grate was born.” The grate is a critical piece of the design as it consisted of runners joined by pieces of
grader blade to which a point adaptor was welded on and an excavator tooth was put on the adaptor. By holding the rock down while forcing it to break at the same time, restricting the cut depth much like a cheese grater,
the football-sized chunks it produced were much easier for the roller to crush into gravel. “This grate had the added benefit of carrying a bit of soil and crushed rock, blending and levelling as it went. “Through lots of contracting and field testing, while this grate first started as three point linkage mounted, it was eventually moved back to the centre of the unit and became a towed unit. “The roller also went through a similar evolution, in particular the standard rib cleaners were replaced with an excavator tooth system. “This unit did thousands of hours of work and is still going to this day,” Mr Pannell said. Many more improvements have occurred over time with Mr Pannell having now returned to the same farms year after year witnessing the benefits of his rock crushing machine. “Unproductive land is now producing well as the crushed rock soils have proven to be very productive. “The reduction of run-off has removed the need for contour banks and drains and the simplicity and strength of the machine has proved itself to be very simple to maintain, extremely reliable and effective on a large range of rock types,” Mr Pannell said. For more information visit www.rockcrushing.com.au.
t/05d08137/28-15
THE ALL NEW
REAL DEAL
ALL-N EWSE
RIES
MF5600 SERIES | 85 – 120 HP THE ULTIMATE LOADER TRACTOR Fully integrated loader system from factory Unrivalled visibility due to the steep nose bonnet design and Visio roof option Proven Dyna-4 transmission with Autodrive allows automatic shifting from 1st to 16th gear
Unique Power Control Lever for full transmission control on the shuttle Brake to neutral and shuttle sensitivity adjustment for customised operation Fuel efficient and powerful AGCO POWER engines
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MF DEALER FOR A REAL DEAL MASSEYFERGUSON.COM.AU
Small Horse Tractors
18 Lonsdale Street
Geelong
South West Tractor & Turf
Industrial Place
0450 627 739
Kyneton
L & G Sheppard & Sons
88 Piper Street
(03) 5422 1821
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
MASSEY FERGUSON®, MF®, the triple-triangle logo® is a worldwide brand of AGCO. © 2015
(03) 9791 6414
t/05d07514-v7/28-15
Dandenong