Southern Farmer

Page 1

THE SOUTHERN

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

OCTOBER, 2015

REGIONAL SHOWS & FESTIVALS

486 Whitehorse Road, Surrey Hills, 3127

UT TO F I L

HAY & SILAGE

PAGES 14-15

WANDIN SILVAN FIELD DAYS

PAGES 18-31

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SUCCESSFUL TRIAL: Producing the perfect potato with increased production while saving money has been possible for the Labbett family near Creswick who have undertaken fertiliser trials utilising a new controlled release technology in their seed potato crops. Story page 6.

VICTORIAN livestock producers have given a mandate to a Senate standing committee to call for a level playing field and the introduction of market discipline in the red meat sector. The recent Senate inquiry into the effect of market consolidation in the red meat processing sector has many beef producers and industry groups insisting on a review of the industry that has processors making considerably higher profits than the producers. Victorian Farmers’ Federation (VFF) livestock president Ian Feldtmann said that farmers wanted a simple, clear adaptive and resilient market structure that can deal with the livestock market as it exists now. It also must be capable of keeping pace with the evolving consolidation and rationalisation in the processor and retailer market. Mr Feldtmann said the VFF has long lobbied for a wide-ranging review following a processor boycott of the Barnawartha sales and the takeover of Primo Smallgoods by Brazilian agri-giant JBS earlier this year. “It is clear that accountabil-

jfleming@ nemedia.com.au

ity, transparency and market access underpins the review,” he said. “Critically, the focus of the recommendations of this inquiry to the Senate must be about the basics of transparency, price discovery and enforceable market conduct as a minimum and necessary condition for a fair market. “There is a definite lack of transparency regarding feedback to the producer regarding the actual measured performance of the product trusted to the processor. “When processors recover at least 22 per cent of the price they pay for cattle just by selling waste by-products, you start wondering about their profit margins. “Suddenly the gap between beef retail prices and cattle sale yard prices has begun to take on a new meaning.” Mr Feldtmann said that with Australian agriculture on the Continued page 4

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