THE SOUTHERN
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AUGUST, 2015
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No rail funding leaves hole in Ag white paper WHILE most farming groups and stakeholders welcomed the release of the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, most were disappointed with the lack of any funding for key infrastructure issues relating to rail and freight. Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Grains Group president Brett Hosking said that fact there was nothing in the white paper for infrastructure in the southern area of the country was a “huge omission”. “We have aging infrastructure in this state in terms of both rail and road, particularly in the southern grain growing area which needs to be fixed,” he said. “As growers, the majority of our costs are close to farmgate in that the biggest, single cost is supply chain costs. “That is loading grain, storing it and then sending it off farm, which equates to about $70 per tonne. “We really need this issue addressed,” Mr Hosking said. He welcomed the Victorian Government’s promise to commit to the North Western Standardisation project, but if the government was going to spend money on southern infrastructure it would cost in excess of $500 million to “do it properly”. “We see the government’s job as not to store money but
PURELY AUSTRALIAN Matilda’s cofounders Matt and Ruth Gallace are using berries from their Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm to produce the first 100 per cent locally grown frozen berries in Australia. The berries will be processed on purpose-built Australian engineered machinery in the Yarra Valley and the origin of the product will be completely transparent – labelled on each and every bag, with no part of the product, or process, occurring offshore. Matilda’s co-founder Ruth Gallace said they have now secured distributors in every state and will start processing berries next month. “Now we’re at the end of the Victorian season, we’re going to use fruit from our Queensland farms when it’s at its absolute peak to ensure when it hits the shelves, we know unequivocally that we’re delivering the best product we possibly can,” Ms Gallace said.
BY JODIE FLEMING
jfleming@ nemedia.com.au
to spend it in ways that benefit people and allow businesses to move forward,” Mr Hosking said. “It’s great for metropolitan Melbourne to have money spent on rail crossings, but having some invested back into the supply chain would be fantastic. “There is a huge opportunity there with the sale of the Port of Melbourne to use some of that money, but our focus with that sale is to make sure the terms and conditions are right and there for the benefit of Victoria for a long time.” Most farmers and industry leaders welcomed the five pillars outlook of the white paper which highlighted that the Federal Government would focus on: s FOSTERING A MORE COM petitive agriculture business environment; s BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR the future; s INCREASING RESILIENCE TO drought and improve risk management; s IMPROVING RESEARCH AND development and natural resources; and s DRIVING ACCESS TO PREMIUM markets. Continued page 5
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Page 2, Southern Farmer
For more information on country shows visit www.vicagshows.com.au or www.countryshows.com.au 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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What’s on in our southern region * APPLICATIONS are now open for the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources’ 2015 Young Farmer Scholarship Program. Up to $10,000 is available per scholarship, $5000 towards study backed by further funds to invest on-farm or in professional development activities to help put new skills into practice. Each year, 10-15 scholarships will be available for young farmers aged 35 or under. The scholarship program is designed to be flexible, to fit with the demands and ambitions of young farmers and farm workers. Applications for the 2015 scholarships are open until August 21. For more information visit www.depi.vic.gov.au. *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 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
SHEEPVENTION 2015: In 1952 the Hamilton Pastoral & Agricultural Society introduced the Sheep Show which was then expanded in 1978 to what is now Sheepvention.
COUNTRY SHOWS AND REGIONAL FIELD DAYS 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
OCTOBER: 3: Seymour Show 6-8: Elmore and District Machinery Field Days 8-11: Melbourne Leisurefest 10: Sunbury Agricultural Show 15-18: Royal Geelong Show 16-17: Wandin Silvan Field Days 25: Croydon Agricultural Show
For more information on country shows visit www.vicagshows.com.au or www.countryshows.com.au. for non-members and includes the course, resources, lunch and morning and afternoon teas. For more information contact Jodie Porter on (02) 8335 4000. *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 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 allAustralian line-up of artists to take place 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.
*THE Victorian Farmers Federation is holding its second annual ‘Rural Women Uncovered’ event at the Beechworth Honey Discovery Centre on Thursday, October 8 to Friday, October 9, 2015. The two-day forum is all about exposing the potential of women in agriculture and is open to all rural women. Guest speakers include Beechworth Honey’s, Jodie Goldsworthy and Nuffield Scholar and Kalkallo sheep breeder, Hannah Marriott. The forum also includes a walking tour of the Beechworth Historical Precinct and a mock Ned Kelly trial in the original court room. For more information visit www.vff.org.au. *BIOENERGY Australia is holding its 16th annual conference on Monday, November 30 to Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston, Tasmania. The conference will consider the many facets of bioenergy including having more than 80 presentations on biomass resources and supply chain aspects, conventional and advanced liquid biofuels, algae and other future feedstocks, pyrolysis, hydrothermal and processing and biochar, biogas production and utilisation, heat and power and biorefining and biochemicals. Overarching aspects of bioenergy, such as policies, finance and investment markets, life cycle emissions and sustainability will also be covered. For more information contact Stephen Schuck on (02) 9416 9246.
Have your say on Australia’s agricultural export regulations
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A REVIEW of Australia’s agricultural export regulations is including the opinions of farmers and other stakeholders to identify more efficient processes and encourage innovation. The Federal Government is reviewing the regulations surrounding agricultural exports, with Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce calling on farmers to have their say. “We want to make sure our agricultural export regulation will continue to help our agricultural export sectors access overseas markets while satisfying importing countries that we have met their requirements,� Mr Joyce said.
“That is why we are conducting this review – we need your ideas.� He added that much had changed in the 33 years since the current regulations were first introduced, including information technology innovations, supply chain integration and changing patterns of trade. “It is time to make sure that we are poised to optimise the changing global environment and new market opportunities by making sure our systems are effective and efficient. “We need the views of exporters, primary producers, farmers and anyone else involved in the export supply chain to tell us how we can
improve the system,� Mr Joyce said. The export regulation review is looking at areas including; ‡ UHGXFLQJ UHG WDSH ‡ HQDEOLQJ LQQRYDWLRQ ‡ FR RSHUDWLRQ DQG FRQVXOWDWLRQ between government and industry, and ‡ &RPPXQLFDWLRQ WUDQVSDUHQF\ DQG information sharing. The export of agricultural goods is governed by acts, including the Export Control Act 1982 and the Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1997, and supporting legislative instruments. To have your say visit www. agriculture.gov.au/export-regulationreview.
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August, 2015
THE Victorian Farmers Federation has called on the State Government to reform the state’s planning laws to protect farmers’ rights. The call has been prompted by an outpouring of community support for Wagyu producer and VFF member David Blackmore, who has been refused a permit to run cattle on his Alexandra farm. The Murrindindi Shire council rejected the Blackmore family’s application for an intensive animal husbandry permit, following a series of objections, despite its own council planning department recommending the permit be approved. “Tree and sea-changers may love the rolling hills and open spaces, but they can’t then object to the dust, smell and noise that are part of everyday life in the farming zone,” said VFF president Peter Tuohey said. “Farmers aren’t there to provide a rural vista for tree changers – at
What the VFF is asking for: THE VFF has called on the State Government to protect farmers’ rights and ability to grow the state’s jobs and exports, by: VWUHQJWKHQ WKH 9LFWRULDQ 3ODQQLQJ 3URYLVLRQV WR enshrine ‘Right to Farm’; HQVXUH WKH GHFLVLRQ JXLGHOLQHV ZLWKLQ WKH SODQQLQJ scheme give strong direction to Councils that farming takes precedence over other land uses in a farming zone; GHYHORS D SUDFWLFH QRWH WKDW LPSURYHV /RFDO *RYernment and community understanding of Intensive Animal Husbandry; UHLQVWDWH WKH UHTXLUHPHQW WKDW GHYHORSPHQWV ZLWKLQ the farming zone are “in conjunction” with agriculture e.g winery restaurants; DPHQG WKH 3ODQQLQJ DQG (QYLURQPHQW $PHQGPHQW (Recognising Objectors) Bill currently before Parliament; and UHLQVWDWLQJ WKH 6HFWLRQ QRWLFH ZDUQLQJ SHRSOH that if they move into a farming area they may be exposed to noise, smell and dust normally produced by agricultural activities.
the end of the day, we’re operating a business that’s there to feed every Victorian and deliver $11.4 billion export revenue.” Mr Tuohey said the former Coalition Government opened up the farming zone to industry, motor racing tracks, primary and secondary schools, landscape and trade supplies, caravan and camping parks,
which has increased the risk of planning conflicts. “Our state’s population is growing and we need to grow the economic contribution from food and fibre production,” he said. “State and local governments need the tools to protect agricultural land from encroaching uses by protecting the farmers’ right to farm.”
Government postpones new market opening, to allow smooth transition THE new Melbourne Wholesale Market site at Epping will officially open on August 31. The State Government confirmed on July 29 that it had decided to postpone the opening from its proposed August 3 date. The government said it had not taken the decision lightly, and made it after consulting with a majority of the stallholders. The government said the extension should allow tenants to complete their fit-outs and facilitate at smooth
transitiion from the former market at West Melbourne, which has operated since 1969. The government’s decision came amid strong lobbying from AUSVEG, Fruit Growers Victoria and other vegetable growers, concerned that the new market simply wasn’t ready to open. The new $600m market is expected to have an annual turnover of more than $1 billion, with more than 3000 businesses employing 7500 staff at the market, which is spread over a 35 hectare site off Footscray Road.
THE Shooters and Fishers Party of Victoria is condemning the Federal Government’s decision to stop the Adler lever action shotgun entering into Australia. The Shooters and Fishers Party is calling on the Federal Government to “show some actual leadership” and allow law abiding citizens to own the shotguns and “expend their energies in ways that will have a real effect on crime fighting”. Jeff Bourman (MLC, Eastern Victoria) said it is a case of the law abiding being punished while the government “pretends to be doing something to fight crime”. Mr Bourman said the review of the National Firearms Agreement being undertaken by the government, which is addressing some technical aspects, is not clearly aimed at making the agreement fair, workable or effective.
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NEWS
Page 4, Southern Farmer
August, 2015
$30.8 million to tackle trade barriers
AUSTRALIAN producers will gain better access to premium overseas markets, with $30.8 million in new funding to help tackle technical barriers to trade as well as maintain markets through the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper. Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce said the funding would help producers realise the opportunities and benefits of free trade agreements recently finalised with three of Australia’s largest agricultural trading partners, China, Japan
and the Republic of Korea. “About two thirds of all Australia’s agricultural production, or more than $40 billion a year, is exported overseas each year,” he said. “This export focus underlines agriculture’s contribution to our economy – and it is something we want to maintain as well as build to provide greater profits back to the farmgate and to the nation. “The $30.8 million will go toward reducing technical barriers to trade in key markets, and
to provide five new agriculture counsellors in overseas markets, promoting our products and the robustness of our assurance systems, and helping us to understand what our international customers want. “Key to enhancing profitability of the sector is negotiating health protocols and treatment regimes to access and maintain markets that do not place unnecessary burden on our producers,” Mr Joyce said. Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said he is pleased
that accessing premium export markets is a priority in the white paper and that there is investment earmarked for breaking down technical barriers and improving biosecurity. National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) president Brent Finlay said the NFF has been a leading advocate for ongoing measures to boost Australian exports, particularly in regards to overseas counsellors. “An additional $30 million to fund overseas agricultural counsellors will help overcome
technical barriers to trade, currently inhibiting industries such as horticulture, rice and pork,” Mr Finlay said. The decision to increase agricultural counsellors in key overseas markets was also welcomed by the Australian Dairy Industry Council (ADIC) with the council’s president, Noel Campbell, saying it was a positive first step toward addressing the technical barriers. “The ADIC has been a strong advocate for increased resources toward overcoming
technical barriers to trade in overseas markets and we are pleased to see the government’s acknowledgement of this issue,” Mr Campbell said. “The extent to which our industry is able to seize opportunities delivered through recently completed trade agreements will depend upon addressing non-tariff barriers to trade. “These counsellors will improve our competitiveness in international markets greatly,” he said.
Clock ticking for Federal Govt water funding to be utilised by states AS part of the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper the Federal Government has set up a National Water Infrastructure Development Fund with $500 million for water infrastructure, including dams. Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce said that $50 million will be allocated to support the planning necessary to decide on viable projects for investment and $450 million will be available to construct water infrastructure in partnership with states and territories. “A lot of work has been done to identify dams and water infrastructure projects that will benefit rural and regional communities and agriculture – including through the efforts of the Water Infrastructure Ministerial Working Group that I chair,” he said. “There is a long and growing list of suggested sites and projects that
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE: $500 million has been allocated for viable water projects, including dams. could benefit from funding right across the country from managed aquifer recharge in the Northern Territory to Gippsland’s Macalister Irrigation District Southern Pipeline in Victoria. “There are many great opportunities in the Nathan and Emu Swamp dams, Rookwood and Eden Bann weirs in Queensland, Dungowan Dam in New South Wales and the Ord Stage 3 in Western
Australia and the Northern Territory. “The funding in the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper builds on existing commitments to water infrastructure in the Great Artesian Basin, Tasmania and the MurrayDarling Basin,” Mr Joyce said. Leader of the Nationals Peter Walsh said it was great to see the government recognise the importance of the Macalister Irrigation District upgrade and that the “clock is now ticking” for
the State Government to get on board and support it. United Dairyfarmers of Victoria president Adam Jenkins said they welcomed the funding as they have “shovel-ready projects” ready to go. “The Macalister Irrigation District modernisation project is a prime example, with irrigators already committed to delivering their share of the $60 million stage 1B of the project.
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“The Macalister Irrigation District and Southern Tinamba pipeline is a shovel-ready project, which is poised to each year generate an additional $45 million -$50 million in regional economic growth through the expansion of farm production, while delivering 9700 megalitres of water savings. “We’re seeking another $20 million each from the federal and state governments to replace 85 kilometres (km) of old leaky channels with 35km of a pressurised pipe and 26km of automated channels.” Mr Jenkins said it was pleasing to see the Federal Government recognising the importance of water security within an agricultural production system and placing such a great emphasis on developing improved water security for the benefit of agricultural production in Australia.
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NEWS
August, 2015
Southern Farmer, Page 5
No rail funding leaves hole in Ag white paper
and improve their net cash position. One of the big wins for the agriculture industry is the $11.4 million to establish an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) commissioner. “Many stakeholders were concerned with the lack of transparency in supply chains and the anti-competitive distortions that can result – all too often to the detriment of our farmers,� Mr Joyce said. He said the white paper will also deliver $13.8 million to arm farmers with knowledge and materials on alternative business models like cooperatives and collective bargaining. “Knowledge is power. A strong supply chain advocate, proactive ACCC investigations and information on alternative business structures will go a long way to reducing farmers’ vulnerability to the market power that can be wielded by large processor or retail chains,� Mr Joyce said.
Grantville cattle farmer and VFF Livestock Council member Faye Tuchtan was very pleased that funding was being made available for an ACCC commissioner and said it was “about time� that someone who understands the agriculture sector will be “looking after things that crop up�. “The drought concessional loans was also good as it certainly helps a lot of people, particularly this side of Gippsland as we are in drought and it is the worst season ever,� she said. “The accelerated depreciation for small business is good and will help everybody particularly farmers who can use it for fencing and buying hay. “The funding for biosecurity in terms of the pests and weeds is really good as there are a lot of problems in all parts of Gippsland. “The FMD increasing can be good, but it might help some go
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further into debt, which is bad.� Mrs Tuchtan and her husband Graham Wood have been farmers for 27 years and run close to 200 head of beef cattle on the Grantville and Bass properties. She said she didn’t expect much more out of the white paper, but it “would be nice if it went further�. “Along with the white paper, Barnaby Joyce has been a bit bland in his role as he has only just released the grass-fed levy and now this white paper, so I don’t think he has really helped much at all,� she said. “Pretty much the only thing not in the May budget was the FMD lifting from $400,000to $800,000 million. “There was no funding for rail which is frustrating seeing the sale of the Port of Melbourne money is supposed to go to the rural sector and it doesn’t look like it’s getting there. “And there was no funding for youth initiatives or succession planning, unless you count that since the white paper’s release, Victorian agriculture minister Jaala Pulford has promised $10,000 for training assistance for young people.� More than 1000 submissions were received for consideration in the white paper, and the government talked to more than 1100 people across the country in developing the document. The white paper is available at www.agwhitepaper.agriculture. gov.au.
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INCLUDED IN THE WHITE PAPER IS: $500 million for water infrastructure $1 million to map out agricultural infrastructure priorities Confirmation of $60 million for the Mobile Blackspot Programme $11.4 million for an ACCC Agriculture Commissioner Doubling of Farm Management Deposit (FMD) limits to $800,000 and for them to be used as farm business loan offsets $100 million to extend the Rural R&D for Profit Programme to 2021-2022 $100 million to support pest and weed management $200 million over four years will strengthen surveillance and deliver more advanced and effective biosecurity data systems The replacement of the Drought Concessional Loans Scheme with a permanent, low interest loan scheme for drought-affected farmers, capped at $250 million per year for 10 years An additional $30 million to fund overseas agricultural counsellors.
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„ From page 1
While many of these pillars – worth about $4 billion - were addressed in some way in the white paper, there were not any real surprises as most were already included in the May budget. A welcome new initiative was the doubling of Farm Management Deposit (FMD) limits to $800,000 which can be also used as farm business loan offsets. According to the Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, the new increased limit would play a critical role in developing a better business environment for agriculture by increasing farmgate returns, improving risk management and encouraging investment. “With this white paper we are improving the tax system so that it recognises the business environment within which farmers operate and allows them to smooth out some of the bumps in their income outlays,â€? he said. “The new initiatives include enhancing the successful Farm Management Deposits Scheme, tax averaging and accelerated depreciation arrangements. “These measures will work together to improve exibility, investment and returns at the farmgate.â€? Mr Joyce said that the government is lifting restrictions on FMD accounts so that banks can offer FMD accounts that provide an offset on farm business loans, allowing farmers to use FMDs to reduce the interest they pay on business debt
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NEWS
Page 6, Southern Farmer
ABC encourages rural youth to tell it like it is THE ABC is calling on young regional and rural Australians to “tell it like it is” by sharing their story and entering the annual Heywire competition. Now in its 18th year, ABC Regional’s Heywire competition provides a platform for young Australians aged 16 to 22 to submit stories about their life and the issues affecting their community. The winning stories will be featured on the ABC, with each winner receiving a trip to the Heywire Regional Youth Summit in Canberra in February 2016. Winners attending the week-long summit will share their stories, collaborate with peers, gain leadership skills and develop ideas in an attempt to make regional Australia an even better place for young people to live. The Heywire Summit culminates in a public forum held at Parliament House, with the winners pitching their ideas to politicians, policy makers and funding bodies. The ABC’s regional director, Fiona Reynolds said that Heywire puts young regional Australians at the centre of the national conversation. “Over the past 18 years we’ve seen that Heywire is
a springboard for young people to become leaders in their community and to kickstart youth-led initiatives that have a huge positive impact in their regional towns,” she said. Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce said that initiatives like Heywire give young country people a voice, so they can shine a light on issues affecting young people in regional Australia and see their own ideas become a reality, while highlighting what’s great about life outside the major cities. “Since it began in 1998, Heywire has helped over 9000 young Australians tell their story, build their communication and leadership skills and build important networks,” he said. “I encourage young people to enter – you can be either part of the solution, or risk not being part of anything – get into the habit of getting involved. “I look forward to seeing the next generation of Australia’s leaders contribute to the important discussion about the future of agriculture and related industries during this year’s competition,” Mr Joyce said. To enter visit www.abc.net. au/heywire by Wednesday, September 16, 2015.
August, 2015
Victorian sheep and wool industry buoyant thanks to strong prices VICTORIAN farmers are returning to the sheep industry in droves due to an increase in sheep meat production and a surge in wool and lamb prices according to the inaugural 2015 National Sheep and Wool Update. According to the report, launched by Rural Bank and Rural Finance’s specialist insights team, the recent trend of Victorian producers changing from wool breeds to dualpurpose sheep and prime lambs has continued contributing to the increase in sheep meat production across the state. The 2015 National Sheep and Wool update provides farmers with countrywide statistics and analysis of key trends in global and domestic markets. In addition to the national data, the report includes statebased statistics on recent and predicted rainfall, sheep meat production and flock size, wool production, domestic demand and export performance, as well as lamb, mutton and wool price analysis. Rural Bank and Rural Finance general manager of sale and business development, Andrew Smith, said that the increase in the number of sheep farmers throughout Victoria was a trend he hoped would continue well into the future. “After decades of declining
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flock numbers, an increase in wool and lamb prices had regenerated and reinvigorated the Victorian sheep industry,” he said. “This recent upswing in interest in the sector is very encouraging. “While challenges remain, sheep producers have cause to be optimistic about the future
of the industry,” Mr Smith said. The update points out that nationally, high commodity prices and a lower Australian dollar, combined with a buoyant wool market and renewed international demand for Australian lamb has produced an extremely positive outlook for the Australian sheep industry.
“Advantageous market conditions combined with a national flock of less than 70 million has reinvigorated the sheep and wool industry, leading to aboveaverage prices and increased international demand for its products,” Mr Smith said. For more information visit www.ruralbank.com.au/sheepwool-update.
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NEWS
August, 2015
Southern Farmer, Page 7
Win a first for Tasmanian stud By DAVID RIZZOLI
STATE WINNERS: (from left) Trevor Bennett, Steven Keys, Tim Steere, Phil Venning, Paul Seaman, Stuart Rintoul and Will Roberts.
clean at a yield of 79.3 per cent) making it valued at $74.54. Reserve Grand Champion Fleece, a 17.1 micron Extra Superfine Merino fleece with 93.65 points, came from the Merino stud of P.T.Venning from Clare, South Australia. This stud also exhibited the Champion Extra Ultrafine (14.6 – 15.5 mic), Champion Ultrafine (15.6 – 16.5 mic), Champion Extra Superfine (16.6 – 17.5 mic) and Champion Commercial Fleece, making the stud the 2015 Most Successful Exhibitor. Numerous studs from the Southern Farmer region exhibited fleeces - among the most successful was the Wattlebank Merino Stud of the Glen Brothers at Guildford (Reserve Champion Ultrafine Merino), Wier family, Kerrlyn, Dunluce (MostValuable Commercial
Fleece, Medium Merino), Jim and Brenda Venters, Stonehaven (Reserve Champion Corriedale) and J and L.Cartwright, Bungaree (Reserve Champion British and Other Breeds). In the agricultural colleges and school sections the Tintern Schools in Ringwood East exhibited the Champion Fleece (Romney) with the Catholic College in Bendigo taking out Reserve Champion (Polwarth). Australian Fleece Competition convener Athol Frederick said that nearly two thirds of the 500 fleeces were donated to this year’s nominated charity, the Life’s Little Treasures Foundation, which supports premature babies and their families. Mr Frederick said that across the first 14 years of the competition about $100,000 has been raised for a number of charities. Other region studs with
success were Geoff and Di Notman from Mount Widderin at Skipton taking out third, in the Extra Ultrafine Merino Stud Ewe or Wether (15.5 micron and finer) section, Glen Brothers from Wattlebank Merino Stud at Guildford winning first in the Extra Superfine Merino Stud Ram (16.6 – 17.5 mic) section, John Barty, Beverley, Redesdale taking out second in the Extra Superfine Merino Ram and a first and second in the Extra Superfine Merino Stud Ewe or Wether (16.6 – 17.5 mic) sections, Joyces Park, Newstead receiving a third in the Superfine Merino Commercial Ewe or Wether (17.6 – 18.5 mic) section, Paul Walton, Wurrook , Rokewood winning a first in the Fine Merino Stud Ram (18.6 – 19.5 mic) section. Other winners include Alan Harris, Koole Vale, Costerfield taking out a
a second for British Long Wool Ram, L.Edwards, Ebbenglade, Creswick a third for British Long Wool
Ram and Lindsay Filby, Goornong a second for Commercial Crossbred 29.5 mic and finer.
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WITH almost 500 entries from 200 exhibitors, the Australian Fleece Competition which is held annually in conjunction with the Australian Sheep and Wool Show at Bendigo is unchallenged as the world’s premier display of fleece wool. Held in mid-July and now in its 15th year, the competition is a joint effort by Landmark, Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWTA) and the Australian Sheep BreedersAssociation (ASBA) and is the largest fully measured fleece contest in the world. Entries were drawn from every state in Australia, including fleeces from King Island. The Grand Champion Fleece for 2015 went to a 17.8 micron Superfine Merino ewe fleece from the Trefusis Merino Stud owned by Georgina and Hamish Wallace from Ross, Tasmania. The fleece, cut from the ewe which stood Reserve Champion Merino Finewool Ewe at the 2014 ASBA Sheep and Wool Show, scored 94.55 points out of a possible 100. It was valued at 1075 cents per kilogram greasy (1355 cents per kilogram
first for Medium Merino Stud Ram (20.6 – 22 mic), Norm Weir, Kerrilyn, Dunluce a second and third for Strong Merino (22.1 mic and over), Sandy Jelbart, Strathcona, Carngham a second for Medium Merino Stud Ewe or Wether (20.6 – 22 mic), Rosedale, Tooleen a second for Strong Merino Commercial Ewe or Wether (22.1 mic and stronger), Homefield, Colbinabbin a first for SAMM Ram, Catholic College in Bendigo a third for Polwarth Stud Ewe or Wether, Grasmere, Newlyn a first for British Long Wool Ram, Tintern Schools at Ringwood East
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NEWS
Page 8, Southern Farmer
August, 2015
Horizon winners hail fromVictoria
TWO Victorian university students with a passion for agriculture have received the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation’s (RIRDC) 2015 Horizon Scholarships Camilla a’Beckett from Middle Park and Caitlyn Daffey from Ballarat are two of the 14 recipients from across Australia that have received the scholarships that were developed to help address the shortage of trained professionals entering primary industries and to promote the diverse career pathways that agriculture offers. Under the scholarship, industry sponsors support the students throughout the course of their undergraduate studies by providing them with financial assistance and professional support in the form of mentoring, professional development workshops and industry placement. Camilla a’Beckett’s scholarship is supported by the Cotton Research and Development Corporation as she studies for a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at the University of Melbourne. While she is from a viticultural background, Miss a’Beckett said she is naturally drawn to all kinds of agriculture, but in particular animal health and production. She said she is very passionate about a future in the sector,
and while she is keeping her career options open, areas that interest her include genetics, advocacy, agriculture and the environment, sustainability and nutrition. “I have not chosen a particular career aspiration yet, but I believe that by being part of the Horizon Scholarship program I will be able to find what I am best at and pursue it to my highest potential,” she said. “Having said that, over the past few years I have been exposed to a family company focusing on acquiring an optimal gene pool in Angus bulls, which has sparked my interest in genetics and breeding.” Miss a’Beckett was drawn to the Horizon Scholarship more than other agricultural scholarships because it provides “so much more than just financial support”. “Horizon isn’t just a fund to help you get through your studies – you have the opportunity to be involved in annual industry placements in various fields that open your eyes to new and emerging practices as well as more traditional methods. “In addition, you are able to attend many industry events that help you network and become part of the industry by meeting professionals. “I am really looking forward to using Horizon to meet other like-minded people at conferences and workshops with
SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Camilla a’Beckett is drawn to all kinds of agriculture, in particular animal health and production.
whom I can start initiatives and generate ideas that will enhance Australia’s future in agriculture,” she said. Caitlyn Daffey’s scholarship is supported by Meat and Livestock Australia as she studies for a Bachelor of Veterinary Science at James Cook University.
Miss Daffey said she was “surprised” when she heard she had received the scholarship and feels “very privileged” to have been awarded it. She comes from a rural family and for as long as she can remember has helped out on the family sheep farm, enjoying both farm work and horses in particular.
She has dreamt of being a rural vet her whole life and believes the Horizon Scholarship will help her give back to rural communities after graduation by providing support throughout her degree. “I believe the program will allow me to do this through financial support, but also with opportunities from mentoring and development workshops,” she said. “I intend to use the Horizon Scholarship to assist me in paying for university expenses such as accommodation, text books and study equipment for the duration of my course.” Working on a large and very remote beef cattle station in the Northern Territory for much of 2014 took Miss Daffey’s passion for agriculture to a new level. “I fell in love with the outback and rural Australia really has become a true ‘place of the heart’ for me, so on graduation I would like to find work in a remote community. “I would love to be able to assist farmers in improving their stock yield and also overcome welfare and disease issues present in agricultural industries,” she said. Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce said Horizon Scholars represent the impressive talent and enthusiasm that increasing numbers of young Australians have for the future
of farming in Australia, and the growing understanding that agriculture represents an increasingly valuable and diverse career pathway with a high take up of new technology and innovation. “Agriculture is a pillar of the national economy and the backbone of rural and regional Australia,” he said. “It’s essential that the next generation of leaders has the capacity and capability to maintain the contribution agriculture makes to the Australian community, and to realise the new opportunities and potential promised in the future. “With many of the recipients coming from strong farming backgrounds, they represent both the proud history and exciting future of farming in Australia. “Their youth and enthusiasm will continue to build our agricultural productivity and profitability in the years ahead. “Importantly, these young people are strong role models for their peers – their success will continue to pave the way for more students to undertake agricultural studies. “I congratulate this year’s scholars and commend RIRDC, and its scholarship sponsors, for their shared commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders in Australian agriculture,” Mr Joyce said.
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NEWS
August, 2015
Southern Farmer, Page 9
Farm machinery sales moving and trending up
AUSTRALIAN tractor sales continue to increase with a 10 per cent increase recorded for the ďŹ nancial year ending June 30, 2015. According to Agriview director Alan Kirsten, tractor sales are worth $516 million to the Australian industry. The ďŹ gures were released at the recent Tractor and Machinery Association’s (TMA) annual conference in Melbourne in front of more than 175 members and industry personnel, with Agriview’s report also providing trends of future sales of farm machinery. Mr Kirsten was upbeat about the industry’s sales and dealership prospects and said that the market was strong and “looks like being strong going forwardâ€?. Tractor sales came in at 5451 units for the ďŹ rst six months of 2015 compared with 4985 in 2014. The ďŹ ve year sales average was up ďŹ ve per cent. Around the country, South Australia achieved the maximum tractor sales with a 17 per cent increase, followed by Tasmania, New South Wales and Queensland at 16 per cent,
and Western Australia up one per cent. Victoria was down one per cent and the Northern Territory had fallen ďŹ ve per cent. “Regionally some areas have been affected by drought, for example the Wimmera,â€? Mr Kirsten said. “However, overall drought and commodity prices are not having a strong inuence on the market.â€? Tractor sales to hobby farmers and the horticultural sector remained strong; the ďŹ ve-year average sales of all units indicated most states were up ďŹ ve per cent to seven per cent. However, sales of com-
bine harvesters fell 12 per cent to $38.4 million and haymaking equipment was down eight per cent to $9 million. Mr Kirsten said that while combine harvester sales were down dealers are bringing back values of traded combines. “This is leading to not having a glut in the market of second hand combiners,� he said. Sales of balers were down on previous years but Mt Kirsten commented that the 2015 hay market looked positive. Sales of windrowers were stable; spraying equipment was very strong, but airseeders and
tillage equipping sales lagged. On Australian machinery outlets, numbers were static at 681 after consolidation of dealerships in recent years. Ninety-seven groups accounted for 359 of these dealerships, leaving only 322 stand-alone dealers – 20 years ago there were more than 2000 dealerships in Australia. Mr Kirsten said the industry could not afford
to see any less dealers and it needed more groups to invest. He said that while many dealers could not read what will happen, he expected the trend in sales to improve – a prediction confirmed by ABARE reports. “‘It is a strong viable industry, and with upside,� Mr Kirsten said. “For those dealers who want to sell, I would be working on it right now.�
UPBEAT DELIVERY: Alan Kirsten, Agriview director, presented his State of the Industry annual report on tractor and farm machinery sales.
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HAY AND SILAGE
Page 10, Southern Farmer
Agri Boss releases new, state-of-the-art tractor
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injection diesel engine of 5.13 litre capacity utilising Ricardo (UK) technology. The 24F/8R transmission has six ranges and provides for forward speeds from 0.2 km/hour (200 metres/hour) to 30.5 km/hour. The equal wheel technology and ultra-low range transmission are a result of a technology transfer from a leading Italian tractor manufacturer featuring design concepts well proven over many years. The overall dimensions are a compact 4250x1500x2680 millimetres (mm) and a certified heated and airconditioned cabin are standard. A ground clearance of a minimum 700mm is afforded by the selection of 12.4 x 48 equal size tyres. A number of options relating to the hydraulic lift assist cylinders and remote ports are available. Agri Boss chief engineer Graham Docker said the company is able to offer an Australian designed and manufactured 1.5 tonne capacity front fork lift attachment to suit the tractor, with optional rotary bin tipper. “The tractor is offered with a full five- year warranty and is priced at a very competitive $45,650
COMPETITIVE PRICE: Agri Boss is sure its new tractor will be extremely well received by farmers in the very competitive vegetable, strawberry and related industries.
including GST ($41,500 plus GST),” he said. “We believe this tractor will be extremely well received by farmers in the very competitive vegetable, strawberry and related industries as it allows them to purchase a new, state of the art, uniquely designed, high-clearance tractor, with abundant horsepower at $20,000 to $30,000 less than competitive brands.” Mr Docker added that
his company has worked very hard with its Chinese manufacturers over the past 11 years to provide a range of tractors that can be given an industry-leading full five-year warranty. “The recently signed Australian – Chinese Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has placed a beacon of hope on the horizon for Australian farmers and when they are considering the purchase of a tractor,
all of which are imported, they should not only consider the price advantage and industry-leading warranty provisions, but also the benefits of the FTA and support the duality of the FTA by purchasing Agri Boss qualitymanufactured tractors produced in China,” he said. For more information contact Graham Docker on 0412 539 263.
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HAY AND SILAGE
August, 2015
journalist yes we want Contact Jodie Fleming your news__ on (03) 5723 0129
Using pink wrapping to get the message across THIS spring will see the countryside dotted with pink bales of silage thanks to an initiative from Tapex, who have expanded their ‘Pink Campaign’ with The McGrath Foundation. In 2014, Tapex released a limited edition pink and black tama netwrap with a percentage of sales going directly to The McGrath Foundation to support their work to raise breast cancer awareness in young Australians and the placement of Breast Care Nurses within rural communities. This year, Tapex have added pink Trioplus Balewrap to the range. A limited quantity will be available, with a percentage of product sales going directly to The McGrath Foundation. Tapex sales representative Mal Rogers
is hoping to see the rural landscape dotted with pink bales as a visual reminder of the role women play within the farming community. “We are very mindful that rural women do not have access to health care and information that those in our towns and cities have. “We wanted to do something to help bring change to this and our pink balewrap and netwrap products are our way of supporting breast cancer awareness,” Mr Rogers said. Tapex provide products and solutions to the agricultural crop packaging and infrastructure, construction and safety industries. For more information visit www. tapex. com.au.
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Matt 0427 711 992 SEEING PINK: A limited quantity of pink netwrap will be available from Tapex, with a percentage of product sales going directly to The McGrath Foundation.
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Southern Farmer, Page 11
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Heightened frost risk to southern cropping region GRAIN growers throughout the southern cropping region are advised to expect a heightened risk of frost this season due to the developing El Niùo climate event. South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) principal scientist in climate applications Peter Hayman said reduced soil moisture and clear nights – conditions typically associated with El Niùo events – are conducive to frost.
Dr Hayman, who is involved in frost research projects being funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) through its National Frost Initiative, said while the risk of frost was expected to be increased this year, the exact timing and frequency of frost events could not be predicted. “Frosts are high-consequence, low-frequency events, which means they are difficult to predict
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and manage, and ďŹ nding information can be hard,â€? he said. With winter crops already in the ground, he said frost damage to crops could not be prevented but growers could reduce their losses through early identiďŹ cation of damage and implementation of strategies to salvage frosted crops. Although maximum temperatures are generally warmer than average during El NiĂąo years, decreased cloud cover often leads to cooler than average night-time temperatures during winter and spring, particularly across eastern Australia. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, regions of
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southern New South Wales and northern Victoria, for example, can experience 15 to 30 per cent more frost days during El NiĂąo than the historical average. Dr Hayman encourages growers and their advisers to seek information to support their management decisions from the GRDC which has produced numerous resources to assist growers in dealing with frost. The GRDC is continuing its long-term commitment to funding frost-related research, with its recently launched ďŹ ve-year National Frost Initiative focused on identifying and delivering practical genetic, management and environmental solutions to assist growers to manage the impact of frost. The three-pronged initiative will address: genetics – aiming to develop more frost-tolerant varieties; management – investigating if there are preventive products, stubble and nutrition management practices or other measures that growers could implement to reduce the impact of frost; and environmental
prediction – focusing on predicting the impact of frost events on crop yields and mapping frost events at the farm scale to enable better risk management. One of the GRDC-funded environmental prediction projects involving Dr Hayman and being led by James Risbey from CSIRO will investigate forecast and management options for mitigating extreme temperature impacts on grains. This project will assess the skill of the Predictive Ocean Atmosphere Model for Australia (POAMA) to forecast a shift in the likelihood of spring frost and heat events in the southern and western GRDC regions. This assessment will involve comparing past POAMA forecasts with the historical record and improving understanding of how the frequency of these events changes with large scale drivers of atmosphere and ocean circulation. “We will work with farmers, their advisers and extension providers to incorporate forecasts of the likelihood of frost and heat events into their risk management,� Dr Hayman said.
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Page 12, Southern Farmer
HAY AND SILAGE
August, 2015
Southern Farmer, Page 13
Invasive grass control has a new weapon
PERFECT ROUND BALE: Using SilotitePro ensures an increased oxygen barrier for better crop conservation.
Unravelling many advantages with SilotitePro ďŹ ve layer balewrap that operates equally well for both day and night wrapping in all climates. “The SilotitePro beneďŹ ts from a greater reel length of 1950 metres instead of the usual 1500 metres,â€? he said. “The additional length allows users to produce 30 per cent more bales per reel. “The resultant cost savings are further enhanced by a reduction in the number of reel changes necessary. “For example, given that unboxing and changing a reel takes approximately seven minutes on each occasion, it is possible for farmers and contractors wrapping about 350 bales a day to save up to 30 minutes of their valuable time daily.â€? Mr Dawson added that there are many other beneďŹ ts when using the SilotitePro including better crop conservation due to an increased
oxygen barrier and smoother, less wrinkled ďŹ lm layers meaning there are fewer opportunities for air to become trapped. “The advantages of SilotitePro don’t end when the bale is ďŹ nally unwrapped,â€? Mr Dawson said. “Being thinner, it takes 20 per cent less ďŹ lm by weight to wrap a bale which means there is correspondingly less ďŹ lm to recycle post use.â€? Additionally, SilotitePro is now available in a 100 per cent recyclable polythene sleeve removing the need for cardboard cartons and proving to be a better choice environmentally. “These multiple beneďŹ ts have led to the widespread use of ďŹ ve layer SilotitePro across Europe and beyond to Australia and New Zealand, on a variety of crops in a host of climatic conditions,â€? Mr Dawson said. For more information visit www. tapex.com.au.
environmental damage to agricultural and commercial lands. “We are constantly striving to create new economical products for controlling invasive weeds,� he said. “By using our products it is an economical choice for the control of invasive grasses on grazing lands. “We’re dedicated to the research and development of high-quality granule herbicides suitable for Australian conditions. “Our business has been built from personal relationships and a dedication to listening to our customers,� Mr Munro said. GP Flupropanate was originally designed for increased aerial application efficiency, but through specifications for aerial application, the light weight, dry applied granules stop drift, stop chemical mixing and minimise application times. Mr Munro added that the granule-based formulation offers large aerial application savings, 100 per cent recovery of active
constituent at ground level, no spray drift, and no off-target damage. “Our experience in aerial application and our extensive history in farming allow us to remain at the forefront of herbicide innovation,� he said. “With smaller scale hand application options available also, initial outbreaks are also conveniently controlled.� Granular Products offers a shaker for smaller applications that can be used in the back of a ute or quad bike where plants and surrounding areas can be immediately treated. The company also specialises in aerial campaign management and can include several interested graziers or land managers into a group control program, thus saving ferry costs. “Aerial application is very cheap when you consider the speed, accuracy, GPS mapping and data logging capacity, compared to some employees/ contractors, in undulating terrain,� Mr Munro said. For more information visit www. granularproducts.com.
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DESCRIBED as the next generation bale wrap, SilotitePro is proving to be a more productive wrapping experience with signiďŹ cant cost savings and reduced farm waste providing many advantages for both farmers and contractors. BPI Formipac have developed a technically advanced ďŹ ve layer silage stretch ďŹ lm offering farmers and contractors the triple beneďŹ ts of an enhanced bale wrapping process, cost savings and augmented crop quality. The company has developed the product for use with both round and square bales and has the added beneďŹ t of being easier to recycle due to its thinner, but stronger proďŹ le. BPI Formipac sales manager Llyod Dawson said that the wrapper’s excellent puncture resistance, robust characteristics and tack levels deliver a tough, high performance,
GRANULAR Products has managed to expand its fight against invasive grasses by adding needle grasses, African love grass and Coolati grass to the list it can now control on Australian farmland. By using its GP Flupropanate herbicide granule, the company is able to not only control giant rat’s tail grass, Parramatta grass, giant Parramatta grass and serrated tussock based on the proven active of Flupropanate, but it can also eradicate needle grasses (Chilean, Lobe, Cane and Texas), African Love grass and Coolatai grasses. Granular Products is an Australian owned and manufacturing business based in Orange, NSW dedicated to the research and development, production and supply of high-quality granular products. GP Flupropanate is manufactured in Australia to a formula specifically designed for Australian conditions. Granular Products sales manager Hamish Munro said all of these invasive grasses cause both economic and
HAY AND SILAGE
Page 14, Southern Farmer
August, 2015
New soil cropping study digs deep GETTING soil ready for the cropping season has taken on a whole new meaning for the soils research team at Horsham’s Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR). As well as routine soil sampling and testing and field trial establishment, the research team has used a truck-mounted crane, barrel auger and PVC pipes to collect large, intact soil cores for a very different cropping study. The study is part of a sixyear-old soil, free air carbon dioxide enrichment project called SoilFACE that is assessing how crops grown in soils collected from the Wimmera, Mallee and Western District will respond to future elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations (eCO2). Soils are collected as 105 centimetre (cm) deep, 30 cm diameter cores that weigh up to 150 kilograms each. These are placed into a series of specially designed bunkers sunk into the ground in a paddock at the SoilFACE project site near Horsham. SoilFACE is a series of 344 large intact soil cores exposed to both ambient (current) CO2 levels and 2050 levels. It aims to better understand how changes in plant growth resulting from elevated CO2
DIGGING DEEP: The research team has used a truck-mounted crane, barrel auger and PVC pipes to collect large, intact soil cores.
also affects soil properties, such as soil carbon, and phosphorus (P) , nitrogen (N) and carbon cycling and how the eCO2 response changes with different soil types. DEDJTR technical officer Mel Munn said the team had devised a system where intact soil profiles are collected from the ground in PVC sleeves us-
ing a crane and barrel augur. “Scientists have an idea and it is up to us technical staff to make it a reality. “Being the only experiment of its kind in Australia – and probably the world – when we first extracted the cores back in 2009 it was a case of refining the process through careful planning and a little trial and error.
“Back then we had trouble with the soil not completely filling the pipe and leaving air gaps in the middle that we could not see. “We’ve also learned that the soil has to be at the right soil moisture level. “It also took a while to work out how to extract a 1.05 metre deep core and we finally settled
on the barrel augur,” Ms Munn said. She added that the SoilFACE project had eight bunkers, each with 43 individual cores and this year about 128 cores had been replaced, with 48 from the Mallee soil, 32 from Hamilton and 48 from Horsham. “We have gained new in-
sights into how soil and the plants will interact under future climates with high atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and what we need to do now to adapt to these changes,” she said. Major findings over the past six years include: s )NCREASED ABOVE AND BELOW ground crop biomass requires more N and P inputs for crops to take advantage of the CO2 fertilisation effect; s THIS INCREASED REQUIREMENT for N must be met by increased rates of fertiliser as fertiliser N use efficiency is not changed under eCO2; s LEGUMES MAY ALSO BECOME important in future cropping system to supply extra N needed for succeeding cereal crops but will only be able to fulfil this role if sufficient P is available for N fixation; s FUTURE E#/ CAN REDUCE grain quality (especially protein) but the response depends on the crop type and agronomic management; and s FUTURE LEVELS OF E#/ MAY change soil carbon dynamic (and therefore carbon sequestration) as well as increasing the rate of soil emissions of nitrous oxide, a powerful greenhouse gas. SoilFACE is part of a joint research on the impact of future CO2 between Grains Research and Development Corporation and DEDJTR.
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HAY AND SILAGE
August, 2015
Southern Farmer, Page 15
Preserving protein FRQWHQW IRU SUR¿ WDEOH GDLU\ SURGXFWLRQ ACCORDING to Lallemand Animal Nutrition technical nutritionist Natalie Schwerin, every gram of nutrient counts when feed represents 40 per cent to 60 per cent of milk production costs. “The first key step towards developing a sound and practical nutritional program for a dairy business is forage nutrient content analysis,” Mrs Schwerin said. “Forage protein content varies greatly according to the crop species, maturity and the soil including the use of fertiliser. “It is, however, important to keep in mind crude protein (CP) is measured indirectly, based on the total amount of nitrogen in the forage. “The CP level represents protein content but also other sources of nitrogen with no feeding value, such as soluble nitrogen and ammonia, both
degradation products of proteins, hence the actual true protein level can vary for a given CP value,” she said. Mrs Schwerin said ensiling was a common method of forage preservation, and it was typically known the ensiling process did not alter the CP content of forage. “However, if we look in detail at the true protein content and not overall nitrogen content this is different,” she added. “Indeed, silage fermentation is often a source of protein degradation, known as proteolysis, and, even though it isn’t visible in the stack CP level, the nature of the nitrogenous compounds present after ensiling can be dramatically altered with important amounts of ammonia (NH3) and soluble nitrogen.” When produced in excess, Mrs Schwerin said these prod-
ucts were detrimental to the animal and lead to a decrease in performance. She said that certain good silage practices could help ensure an optimal fermentation pattern, therefore lowering protein losses. “Before harvest, ensure a lag time between the spreading of manure/slurry and harvesting as manure/slurry is high in nitrogen and thus increasing the buffering capacity of the forage. “At harvest, high dry matter (DM) inhibits proteolytic enzymatic activity, so ensiling at higher DM may minimise proteolysis.” Mrs Schwerin said proteolytic microorganisms were mainly located in the soil, so a cutting height above six to seven centimetres should limit contamination from the soil. “Ensuring a rapid and strong acidification at the front end
of ensiling, quickly inhibits the activity of proteases and proteolytic bacteria. “The use of adapted acidifying inoculants, designed for grass forages, accelerates the acidification process, thus limiting proteolysis,” she said. Producers need to ensure the optimal packing and the sealing of silage to favour anaerobiosis as the absence of oxygen within the stack inhibits proteases and contributes to a better acidification. “Certain forages, in particular when high in DM, are prone to heating and this can be prevented by the use at harvest of adapted silage inoculants containing L. buchneri NCIMB 40788, which are proven to prevent mould development after ensiling and silage heating,” Mrs Schwerin said. For more information visit www.lallemandanimalnutrition.com.au.
Be prepared for QA auditors and register with drumMUSTER FOR the past 16 years, thousands of chemical users have relied on drumMUSTER to dispose of their empty agvet chemical containers. During this time, the program which is run by Agsafe, has recycled more than 25.8 million drums and continues to be the most successful agvet container recycling program in Australia. In addition to drumMUSTER, the ChemClear program provides Australian agricultural and veterinary chemical users with a collection and disposal pathway for their unwanted chemicals. Since entering the agricultural waste sector in 2003, this program has collected more than 455,600 litres of hazardous chemicals. drumMUSTER national program manager Allan McGann believes chemical users should take advantage of both programs to satisfy their QA auditors. “drumMUSTER offers the tools to help growers fulfil the requirements of domestic and overseas markets,” he said. “By utilising the services
of each initiative, chemical users are provided with documentation that demonstrates they are meeting their responsibilities for on-farm waste management of chemicals and used containers.” ChemClear collections are scheduled on a state-wide basis when enough people register to make the service feasible. ChemClear sends information to waste holders after they have registered, enabling them to segregate and continue to store their surplus chemicals in a secure and safe location while awaiting collection from the retrieval team. “It’s important for clients to keep an eye on their chemical storages and be proactive in registering eligible chemicals for safe collection and disposal,” Mr McGann said. “All containers presented at the collection site must meet the program’s cleanliness standards and containers must be free of any chemical residue.” For more information visit www.drummuster.com.au and www.chemclear.com.au.
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HAY AND SILAGE
Page 16, Southern Farmer
August, 2015
Only a Massey will do for the Marshalls WAYNE Marshall has seen big changes to the Massey Ferguson fleet of tractors in the past seven years and can’t believe how far they have come in terms of what you can do with them and the time and fuel savings he has experienced. Mr Marshall is somewhat of an expert when it comes to Massey Ferguson tractors and won’t use any other brand in his contracting business. He has a fleet of nine Massey Fergusons, including three 15 year-old tractors that he said he cannot bear to part with. His most recent purchases include a MF 6614, MF 7622 and a MF8680 that he uses in his Maffra-based business Bundy Ag where he offers a range of services including bulk silage, hay cutting and baling, full cultivation and transport. Silage is the primary focus of the business he runs with his wife Judy, which he formed 15 years ago alongside his love of Massey Fergusons. “We’ve had Masseys for 15 years and what I like about them is their accessibility of service, their economy and I’m happy with the AGCOPower engine,” Mr Marshall said. “The MF 6614 pulls the baler beautifully and it also does drilling. “It’s fitted with a loader and does a variety of loader work and earthworks. “It’s the first time I’ve gone
SENTIMENTAL VALUE: Wayne and Judy Marshall pictured with their children own nine Massey Ferguson tractors and can’t bear to part with any of them.
back to a four-cylinder engine for a long time. “The economy was a big part of that decision and it’s very cheap to run. “It’s also very manoeuvrable and has a good turning circle – it’s just a good, basic tractor
that’s cheap to run,” he said. Eighteen months ago he also purchased the 215hp MF 7622 to pull his loader wagon during the silage season and said he particularly liked it for the Dyna-VT variable transmission. “The other thing is the whole
range of Massey Ferguson tractors has the same cabin layouts. “It is very easy with staff as they’re familiar with the controls and can go from one tractor to another,” he said. The third tractor in the Marshalls’ fleet is the six cylinder
320hp MF8680 which is mainly used for loader wagon silage and earthmoving. “It also runs on a laser bucket for irrigation layouts and is very good. I am very happy with it. “It has high horsepower and very quick road speed and we
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are running it with a Topcon GPS guidance system. The Marshalls’ full fleet of tractors include two MF7495s, which are used on the loader wagons, a MF6475, which is used on a round baler and for loader work, two old MF4270s, which are Mr Marshall’s original tractors and have 12,000 hours on the clock each, and a MF6255, which is also 15 years old and is used for ripping and discing. “I can’t get rid of them,” Mr Marshall said. “They have sentimental value. “I’ve also got a Valtra 202 with a butterfly mower conditioner, which is four years old. “It’s running the AGCOPower engine as well and is from the same stable as Massey Ferguson, but I chose that tractor for its long wheel base. “The tractors have come a long way and I’ve seen big changes in the last six or seven years with what we can do with them and the time and fuel savings. “They’re a pleasure to drive and the operators can hop out of them at the end of the day and still feel ok. “And AGCO is based in Melbourne and we’re happy with their technical support. “If we have any problems they never put a foot wrong. “That’s the reason I’ve stuck with them,” Mr Marshall added.
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Page 18, Southern Farmer
August, 2015
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UNITED VOICE: NFF chief executive officer Simon Talbot said the NFF are working to be a strong united voice.
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MONEY TALKS: Westpac economist Justin Smirk stressed China’s need for protein has seen their imports emphasis change resources to food.
NATIONAL Farmers Federation (NFF) chief executive officer Simon Talbot predicts that primary production in Australia will increase to $100 billion by 2030, with horticulture being the big winner. Speaking at the recent Tractor and Farm Machinery Association (TMA) annual conference in Melbourne, in his address on transforming Australian agriculture he said that agriculture was in a good place, and that current record primary production for 2014-2015 will continue in the next financial year estimated at $54 billion, but would increase to $100 billion. He also identified chal-
voice, and using the brand ‘TrueAussie’to sell product. “This is being used as a target trial for our beef in China,” he added. These sentiments were echoed by other speakers including Westpac economist Justin Smirk who stressed China’s need for protein, thus changing their imports emphasis from resources to food. Mr Smirk said that global and Australian farmer age levels are rising, the lower Australian dollar was delivering more competitive export prices, and the loss of more than 100,000 workers from the industry requires their replacement, with high-
lenges that need solutions including the industry having 34 different voices representing it, the need to double entrants of qualified workers, digital enablement and web access, professional branding and adequate capital. “In the next 50 years the industry will need an injection of $1.5 trillion in capital, which will be foreign investment, but this must be on our terms,” Mr Talbot said. “The industry must improve yields while reducing costs, and traceability of agricultural products will be the key to food security. “The NFF are working to get farmers connected to the web, to be a strong united
46
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value workers for increased technical farming applications. “Agriculture represents three per cent of the economy, but only 1.35 per cent of super funds’ investments are allocated to agriculture,” he said. AGCO director sales and TMA board member Paul Darcy stressed the need for greater investment in precision farming. “In 35 years we will need to produce more food than we have in the last 8000 years,” he said. “Arable land is disappearing and land values are increasing, so this will require expedential growth in mechanical innovation to respond.” He added that all tractor manufacturers are spending big on research and development, with many tractors engineered on similar platforms where they are getting better and cheaper on lower manufacturer margins. Mr Darcy also said that service and support will be the point of difference with implications for dealer strategies. “Auto guidance is now standard and will continue to improve. “With increased minable tillage, sprayers, air seeders and individual distributor heads these are the areas for increased innovation,” he said. Australian Fodder Industry Association representative Darren Keating discussed regional stocks of fodder and export market opportunities for hay, particularly into Asia. Other conference presenters included producers and investor farm managers discussing their property management strategies and practices.
Solve your septic or wastewater system issues fast, like Mike and Rose. “Our septic system was put in when we built in 1988,” says Mike Maynard from his rural property in sunny Queensland. “Over the years we have had continuing problems with the system not working properly. The smell would become almost overpowering at times.” “We were at a loss as to what to do to fix it,” says Rose, “apart from getting the septic pumped out again, digging up and replacing the trench, or even replacing the whole system – all expensive options. But then we read in a magazine about Ecocare Activator.”
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“My husband rang and spoke at length to George at Insight Environmental about our problem and, based on that conversation and George’s assurances, we decided to try Ecocare Activator,” says Rose.
Ecocare Activator’s triple action is not only more effective than the single-action septic system cleaners out there, it’s more cost-effective too. So, whether you need a fast solution for a septic odour or blockage issue, or you just want a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective method of treating your system, we’re here to help at Insight Environmental.
“We were astounded by the results and how quickly it happened,” says Rose with a smile. “Within a couple of weeks the smell was gone and you could see the area around the trench drying – something that had not happened for twenty years or more.”
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NEWS
Page 20, Southern Farmer
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Organic certified vegetable and herb seedlings grown to order in farm-trays. We help you with orders and delivery at competitive wholesale prices. Contact Shaun Bayly our Nursery Manager to discuss. We propagate certified heirloom seeds in our Community Enterprise Nursery and can source other varieties including hybrids at your request. Mobile: (04) 7717 8242 Office: (03) 5967 2416 email: nursery@ecoss.org.au Yarra Valley ECOSS, 711 Old Warburton Road, Wesburn, VIC 3799 j/05D07961-v5/32-15
LANDHOLDERS and bore drillers can now apply online for a water bore licence through a new service on the Victorian Water Register. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and rural water corporations have developed this initiative making it easier, faster and cheaper to apply for licences to build water bores for domestic and stock use, investigation and observation. Applications will be automatically processed and in most cases licences will be issued on the spot. Visit www.mywater. waterregister.vic.gov.au.
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FIREWOOD CLEANER: Whitlands Engineering CEO David Burder said the Rex Trommel is proving to be very popular with businesses that produce large quantities of firewood.
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Latest Whitlands creation forms powerful partnership AS the temperature drops and cosying up to log fires becomes the winter pastime, production is hotting up at Whitlands Engineering for the latest high-speed firewood cleaner. The Rex Trommel is able to process almost a cubic metre of wood per minute due to technology and power supplied by a Yanmar engine, making this machine a game changer for the firewood industry. Combining a traditional trommel drum with input and output conveyor belts, the Whitlands creation
is simple in design and purpose-built for separating dirt and kindling from wood to ensure the highest quality firewood is delivered to market. Whitlands Engineering chief executive officer David Burder said the Rex Trommel is proving to be popular with businesses that produce large quantities of firewood. “Cleaning wood is not new. But what we’ve done at Whitlands is develop a machine using highclass engineering, robust materials and a powerful and reliable engine to ensure the wood is cleaned
quicker and better, producing only the best quality firewood which retailers prefer,” he said. Mr Burder added that the machine is easy to use and easy to move. Newly cut firewood mixed with unwanted waste such as dirt, grass, stones and kindling is simply tipped into a hopper at the back of the Rex Trommel. Once the machine is switched on, the floor of the hopper comes to life – slowly feeding the load into a large metal trommel drum. The three metre long,
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1.2 metre wide trommel is the belly of the beast, made up of strong metal bars set wide enough apart to allow smaller waste products to fall freely from the load, while keeping hold of the market-grade firewood. The trommel rotates steadily, churning the wood and separating unwanted waste. The waste material is neatly discharged along the waste conveyor into a skip, leaving the clean, high-quality firewood to move along a nine and a half metre conveyor into a truck ready for market. At the heart of the machine is aYanmar 3TNV76 20 kilowatt, three cylinder diesel engine supplied by Power Equipment. “We expect our engineering to last for years and years, so we needed an engine to match our high quality,” Mr Burder said. “We believe theYanmar 3TNV76 does exactly that - it’s a top, top engine and perfect for the job. “It’s not good our engineering lasting 20 years if the engine keeps failing, so we’re happy to work with Power Equipment to produce long-lasting, quality products, “We’re the country’s leading specialist manufacturer of firewood processors and wood splitters, and Power Equipment is the country’s leading supplier of diesel engines, so it’s a powerful partnership,” he said. For more information visit www.superaxe.com. au.
NEWS
August, 2015
Southern Farmer, Page 21
Warragul local earns ag study tour to Philippines students are learning about the challenges local farmers face in the Philippines, while being exposed to rural development and smallholder farming. Students are also learning about the six commitments that form Syngenta’s Good Growth Plan – an initiative aimed at addressing the critical challenges the world faces in feeding a growing population. They are also meeting with local dignitaries including the mayor of Cauayan City in Isabela, the second-largest province in the Philippines, as well as visiting the Australian Embassy to learn more about the Australian government’s investment in agriculture and development in the Philippines. The study tour also includes a visit to the renowned International Rice Research Institute in the province of Laguna, south of Manila, to learn
about the latest technologies in rice research and field testing. Linda Ferguson, who lives in the dairying region of Gippsland in Warragul, is studying agriculture part time via distance education through Charles Sturt University and has joined this year’s participants in what is her first trip overseas. “To have been selected for Syngenta’s Connections program is a real honour,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed learning from the Australian participants and the Filipino smallholder farmers. “It will be great to come away with an understanding of the challenges and opportunities they face and know more about how their farming practices differ. “This is an opportunity to be exposed to elements of farming that I wouldn’t normally see and learn more about sustainable
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agriculture in such a different environment,” Miss Ferguson said. Miss Ferguson hopes to develop a career in agronomy, either in pasture or cropping. The students chosen underwent a rigorous selection process to be selected for the study tour and according to Syngenta Territory head, Australasia Paul Luxton the high calibre of students that came through the selection process was “very positive to see”. “We’ve selected students who we believe will maximise the opportunity offered by Connections and give back to smallholder farmers and communities,” he said. “Past student participants have found the Connections study tours to be a rich cultural and agricultural experience, beneficial to their studies and future career direction.”
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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. BACKHOES TRAILING CRANVEL backhoe with 3 buckets. FORKLIFTS FORD 4000, Dalmore fork, rops, pwr steer, 3pl, remotes. TRACTORS 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 , as traded. MASSEY FERGUSON 148, rops . MASSEY FERGUSON 355, a/c cab, pwr steer, 3pl. 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. 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 Front end loader for Massey 35-148, Connor Shea 14 row tyned 3pl seeder, 2.5 mtr Rau rotary harrows, 6ft Berends grader with rippers, 7ft smudger, 2 furrow reversible disc plow, 3.5 mtr Lely Power Harrows, 3.0 mtr Lely Power harrows, 4ft 6” - 6ft slashers, fel soft hands, 3pl bale forks, grader blades, Howard Paraplow, Krone 2.5 mtr rotary harrows, wick wiper, Hardi 1200 ltr trailing spray unit with 10 mtr boom & hand reel, quick detach front end loader, assorted tractor weights & frames. WANTED Good quality late model tractors.
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WARRAGUL-based agriculture student Linda Ferguson is currently on a two-week study tour of northern Philippines as part of a direct exchange program exposing participants to different crops, research and academic systems. As part of the Syngenta Connections program agriculture students from across Australia are participating in the tour, with five out of the 20 from Victoria. The students attending the tour are studying various agricultural-related degrees, including business management, economics, rural science and agricultural science. Syngenta Connections supports local upand-coming growers and agronomists while strengthening ties with farming communities throughout the Asia-Pacific. During the tour the
DIRTY WORK: Linda Ferguson lending a helping hand in a muddy agricultural field in the Philippines.
NEWS
Page 22, Southern Farmer
ANALYSING and understanding your overall farm business has just got easier thanks to Dairy Australia’s new online farm business management tool DairyBase. DairyBase helps farmers analyse the resources they have and the way they are using them. Through comparative analysis, the online tool allows farmers to track their own performance over time and compare with other similar farms according to factors such as farm size, region, production system and rainfall/ irrigation availability. After entering their farm data, users can then create confidential and comprehensive farm reports to help them understand the overall financial performance of their farm. The website also has supporting resources to help with using the online management tool by including a getting started guide for first time users, DairyBase user guide, case studies, input check list and preparation guide, frequently asked questions and key events. DairyBase is available to all dairy farmers through levy-funding and is the first of a new range of farm business management tools and training initiatives Dairy Australia is developing for dairy farmers. Dairy Australia program manager Helen Quinn said
the key benefit of DairyBase is that it gives farmers and their advisors the information and analysis they need to have well-informed discussions about farm performance. “This is about having a better understanding of the numbers in the farm business particularly how the physical aspect of the business relates to the financial,” she said. “They can then discuss topics such as achieving short and long-term goals, opportunities to improve operations, how they stack up against other farms, whether their farm expenses are in line with similar farms and what decisions need to be made to improve their position,” Ms Quinn said. All individual farm data remains confidential to the farm business owner. Australian Dairy Farmers president Noel Campbell welcomed the new web-based tool and said it is a highly valuable resource which will assist farmers who want to reduce on-farm costs, boost profitability and formulate annual business plans. “Stopping to take stock is essential for good business management and this tool provides a practical, innovative method to delivering more resilient and sustainably profitable farms,” Mr Campbell said. For more information visit www.dairybase. com.au.
Data confirms contentious issue of what drives dairy profit WHAT drives dairy profit? It’s a contentious question that never fails to draw some hotly contested opinions. I certainly have my detractors when I address this question, however, I venture to say, apart from years of dairy farming, I now have abundant data from 13 years of consulting on a monthly basis for a significant number of farms to support my argument. The use of Income Over Feed Cost (IOFC) calculations is globally accepted as the standard to gauge and answer this question. Perhaps qualification of profit is necessary here. We are discussing conversion of feed dollars to milk income dollars - this does not include debt servicing as that is related to business management, not dairy production. The variations in IOFC can be massive, and are no more glaring than late summer/early autumn when summer forage crops may still be part of some rations as opposed to rations of just silage and grain, and at the time of highest milk price. This is generally in dry land production, but certainly not excluding irrigation farms that grow summer crops apart from irrigated pasture. In the case of irrigated summer crops compared to irrigated pasture, especially in Northern Victoria, we have staggering data on profit variations. My first assertion on this profit question is ‘Litres Drives Profit’. This statement has brought intense criticism and charges bordering on blasphemy. However, as the mass of data we have collected over the years on IOFC verifies, this statement stands. Many arguments against this are grounded in emotions rather than substantiated data. We have clients who settle for
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less than optimum litre production for management reasons, but still would not deny the validity of litres as a determinant of profit in a grazing based production scenario. The simple rationale behind this statement as feed intake increases producing more litres, energy required for maintenance of the cow remains static. As a percentage of energy intakes, energy for maintenance decreases and energy for milk production increases as energy intake (feed intake) increases. Maintenance energy is a fixed cost irrespective of milk production and obviously, milk income. This same principle applies to land too. Land has a value and hence a return-on-investment requirement. This return-on-investment is also a fixed cost to feed grown on it. Again, a hectare that harvests (grazed and mechanical) 20 tonne of dry matter has a lower cost per tonne DM than one producing 10 TDM despite higher inputs. In this argument we really need to go one further by talking energy per hectare (/ha) rather than just bald tonnes DM/ha. Unit production/income, be it cows or land, is the focus for profit growth. The second issue is matching cows to feed. This too needs some qualification. Cows will only optimise (genetic potential) feed intake in a balanced ration – energy, fibre, protein (and type of protein – amino acids) and mineral nutrition. There are other influences we’ll get to shortly.
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Diseases, metabolic, as above in sub-clinical milk fever and ketosis, but also metritis, mastitis and lameness will have devastating impacts on fertility. Recent research data on mastitis’ impact on fertility is horrifying, and most herds have their highest mastitis incident rate in early lactation. We addressed this issue recently in discussion on low blood calcium (sub-clinical milk fever) and its connection to mastitis. Mineral supplementation (trace and macro) to sustain general health that has direct implications to production and fertility goes without saying. Mineral supplementation for dry cows is now well documented as having significant benefits to calving, milk production and fertility - equally applicable to growing heifers also. In summary, all these factors are irrevocably linked. We will not achieve optimum milk production without the feed to do it. Nor will we get the feed intake if we cannot offer it to our cows (feed budget – matching feed to cow number). Cows will not consume the feed they are physically capable of in a ration that is unbalanced (energy/fibre/protein and mineral nutrition). Nor will they consume to capacity post-calving while they are struggling with sub-clinical milk fever and ketosis destroying their health with mastitis, metritis and lameness. Finally, getting them back in calf in a timely manner will depend on all the above. As tall an order this may appear, it can be done and is being done on farms to varying degrees. Only a constant strive for improvement will sustain our viability under the pressures of global economics.
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In July and August we are very busy preparing feed budgets to this sole goal – having enough feed for the number of cows any farm may choose to milk. We begin this task by collating the past 12 months’ monthly ration analysis into a spreadsheet we call a feed budget post-mortem, which includes what feed we actually consumed in the past 12 months and the milk and IOFC outcomes. This is an excellent basis for preparing a feed budget/farm plan for the next 12 months, subject to the discussion of forage production options for any particular farm. As mentioned above, other issues determining feed intake are transition management and fertility and they are highly correlated, especially in higher producing herds. Transition management I have devoted a number of monthly articles on transition management over the past six months. The further we get into transition feeding/nutrition science the greater the benefits are to milk production and health, both coalescing in higher fertility. Fertility, or rather pregnancy rate per insemination/days open has dramatic implications to milk production and profit. Cows convert feed to milk far more efficiently in the first half of lactation. Obviously, the more fresh cows we have, or lower days-in-milk average for the herd, the better the feed conversion (cost/income ratio) we will have over the herd. The principle, or rather goal, here is that every cow calves every 365 days. Nobody achieves this, but that does not negate the goal. The cow that calves annually will have a far higher feed conversion rate (and profit) than the cow that calves every eighteen months over their respective lactations.
H UT SO SERVING
! e r e h w y r e v E
By JOHN LYNE Dairytech dairy production specialist
MM UNI TY
Online farm management tool helps dairy farmers
August, 2015
NEWS
August, 2015
Typhoon Firewood Technologies promises to deliver with new pegs ADDING to its range of big brother firewood processors, wombat logging winches and diesel powered power packs, Typhoon Firewood Technologies is excited about introducing its new TFT Spike Master 1000 that produces a variety of chisel or pyramid sharpened stakes. Typhoon Firewood Technologies owner Marjan Krajnc said the Spike Master 1000 is designed for high volume surveyor pegs production of Australian hardwood (2 inches x 1 inch, 2 inches x 2 inches and 2 inches x three inches) lengths from 350 millimetres to 950 millimetres. “Introducing new ideas and projects at Typhoon is a rewarding experience,” he said. “Our customers’ satisfaction and demand for safety, quality, performance and productivity has always been our main objective. “Receiving the best new machine award for 2011 in Western Australia has been only a stepping stone for Typhoon Firewood Technologies to recognise further potential and growth. “We are also adding new manufacturers and suppliers to our already impressive warehouse of firewood processors, forestry tools and ma-
SURVEYOR PEGS: Typhoon Firewood Technologies is releasing its new TFT Spike Master 1000 that produces a variety of chisel or pyramid sharpened stakes.
chinery,” Mr Krajnc said. The company was also presented with the 2014 Machines4U Buyers’ Choice award and this year has been presented with a Customers’ Recognition Award in Safety, Innovation, Productivity and After Sales Communication. August is a very busy month for Typhoon Firewood Technologies as it is also introducing other new technology including a new white pointer cone log and post splitter, a new circular saw – My Mate 700 with petrol power and offloading conveyor, the Dingo 32 tonne big log splitter with a five metre offloading conveyor (diesel or petrol powered),
a new big wombat cable drum skyline winch for professional and recovery applications and a new variety of cutting edge, radio remote control logging winches. To see the TFT Spike Master 1000 chisel point wood surveyor pegs sharpening machine in action, the company is holding a demonstration day on Friday, August 28 starting at 11am at its manufacturing warehouse at 95 McLeod’s Road, Diggers Rest. “This really is a step in the right direction for us…we promise, we deliver,” Mr Krajnc said. For more information visit www. typhoontech.com.au.
Southern Farmer, Page 23
Australian wine exports rise in value and volume FOR the first time since the 2006-2007 financial year the value of Australia’s wine exports has increased, with a five per cent rise to $1.89 billion recorded for the 12 months ending June 30, 2015. Wine Australia’s chief executive officer Andreas Clark said growth in value was driven by the strength of Australian exports in the Asian market. “The value of wine exports to Northeast Asia was up to 29 per cent and Southeast Asia was up 18 per cent,” he said. “We ship more than half of our exports above $7.50 per litre to Asia and the average value of those exports is $18.49 per litre compared to $12.29 per litre in Europe and $11.54 per litre in North America. “This is the third consecutive financial year we’ve seen value growth in the above $7.50 per litre price point, now worth $529 million. “It accounts for 28 per cent of total value share but only five per cent of volume,” Mr Clark said. In the past 12 months, the average value of export above $7.50 per litre went up eight per
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cent to a record $15.40 per litre. Exports of Australia’s highest price wines (above $50 per litre), which account for only 0.2 per cent of total exports, grew for the fifth consecutive year, up 62 per cent to a record $123 million. Mr Clark said that the figures reflect the ongoing opportunities for Australian wine in the premium price points and Wine Australia will assist winemakers, regions and exporters to capitalise on these opportunities through its recently released fiveyear strategic plan. “Our two strategic priorities are increasing the demand and price paid for Australian wine, and increasing our
competitiveness,” he said. “We’ll be expanding our program of activities in the critical US market including the introduction of a formal Market Entry Program and we’ll continue to develop the export markets in Europe, China and Asia Pacific through activities that focus on Australia’s finest wines.” Over the past 12 months, Australian wine was exported to 122 destinations by 1405 exporters, with the majority recording volume growth, a turnaround from the previous year when the majority of exporters recorded declines. The number of Australian wine products exported hit a record high of 17,731, up 8.4 per cent. Part of Wine Australia’s five-year strategic plan includes increasing the demand and premium paid for Australian wine and increasing its competitiveness in the global market. The strategic plan was developed after extensive consultation with grapegrowers, winemakers and the broader Australian grape and wine community.
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