THE SOUTHERN
Part of the Farmer Group Rural Newspapers Covering Victoria Published since 1986
NOVEMBER, 2014
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TOP SCOTS: Highland cattle were the feature breed at this year’s Royal Melbourne Show. Pictured are Christine Wallridge (left) and Bronwyn Stewart washing two of the Stewarts’ Sea Crest cattle the day before judging. Sea Crest later won the reserve senior champion bull award. There was a record entry of more than 30 Highland cattle paraded by more than six studs before judge Cameron Ormiston, who is the Queen’s Highland cattle herdsman at the Balmoral estate in Scotland. More regional Melbourne show results and photographs: pages 8, 9 and 12
KAITEKI Fresh Australia is to build a first-of-its-kind-outside-Asia hydroponic salad greens’ production facility at Bunyip, about 80 kilometres south east of Melbourne. It will employ about 40 people to crop and process leafy greens such as spinach and rocket. Mitsubishi Plastic Inc (MPI) had established Kaiteki Fresh Australia in collaboration with the Kaiteki Institute, a global research organisation that aims to meet twenty-first century challenges in energy, the environment and healthcare. MPI and the Kaiteki Institute have collaborated for a number of years on the development of next-generation hydroponic technologies that enable the rapid cultivation of green leafy salad plants and vegetables. The company has been trialling production under Australian conditions at the Department of Environment and Primary Industries’ Knoxfield facility in Melbourne’s east. Locally, MPI and the Kaiteki Institute, in collaboration with DEPI, managed to produce the same quality as the product grown in Japan, the company said. Kaiteki Fresh Australia chief executive Katsutoshi Ogihara said that his company was proud of its multi-million dollar investment.
“We will endeavor to start the delivery of safe and trusted ‘grown in Victoria’ leafy vegetables as soon as possible,” he said. “They will be grown without pesticides using our advanced production system.” Deputy Premier and Regional Development Minister Peter Ryan said that the new greenhouse facility would produce food crops with a fraction of the water and fertiliser used in traditional horticulture in a much shorter rotation. He said that there would be 20 harvests of green leafy vegetables per year compared with four using traditional soil-based production methods. Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group president Yoshimitsu Koboyashi last year officially set the Kaiteki company as the corporate brand for the Mitsubishi Group. “The Kaiteki Institute Inc looks 30 to 50 years into the future, but specific results are already coming to light in the agribusiness and healthcare sectors,” he said earlier this year. According to a mid-September blog by MCHG employeeYukaYoshizumi, Kaiteki is a Japanese word that conventionally means ‘comfortable’ or ‘pleasant’ for which there is no exact English equivalent. “It’s a word that is closely associated with state of well-being, symbiosis and harmony,” he said “We express a sustainable condition which is comfortable not only for people, but also for society and the Earth.”
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NEWS
Page 2, Southern Farmer
Website name changed but business as usual
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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: nefarmer@nemedia.com.au Website: www.nemedia.com.au
Advertising:
Rod Berryman Phone (03) 9888 4822 Fax (03) 9888 4840 rberryman@nemedia.com.au
Editorial:
David Palmer Phone (03) 9888 4822 Fax (03) 9888 4840 sfarmer@nemedia.com.au
Livestock Coordinator:
David Rizzoli Phone (03) 9888 4822 Fax (03) 9888 4840
Pre-Press Coordinator
Noelene Allan Phone (03) 5723 0110 Fax (03) 5722 9778 nallan@nemedia.com.au
Published by Hartley Higgins for North East Media Pty Ltd, 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta 3677. Responsibility for election comment is accepted by Editor Jeff Zeuschner. Copyright: All advertising and editorial content of this issue is the copyright of North East Media Pty Ltd and cannot be used without the company’s permission.
November, 2014
THE publisher of Southern Farmer, North East Newspapers Pty Ltd, trading as Reliance Press, has changed its name to North East Media Pty Ltd as the company continues to pursue established and new media services. The change took effect on October 1 this year. North East Newspapers has traditionally been a newspaper publisher. However, in recent years the
business has diversified, initially with magazines and special publications, to more recently launching websites, apps and digital editions. Speaking about the change, North East Media chief executive officer Edward Higgins said that while newspapers remain its core business, the new name better reflected the company’s current and future direction as a news and information provider across a number of media platforms.
our clients.” Businesses looking to take advantage of the company’s growing digital audiences can do so through advertising opportunities on the group publications, as well as the region’s online business directory, northeastdirectory.com.au. Southern Farmer and publisher’s website nenews.com.au has been replaced by a new website which can be found by searching www.nemedia.com.au.
“Over the past 90 years as a family owned independent media group, we have built a reputation for editorial excellence and commitment to our readers and clients, and that’s not about to change,” he said. “In terms of Southern Farmer and our other regional newspapers, it will be business as usual as we continue to produce informative, high quality local newspapers, while providing an effective advertising medium for
Roundtable digital agriculture session leads November diary November 12 - 13: Melbourne PREVIOUS editions have noted that the Australian Farm Institute will hold its annual Australian Agriculture Roundtable Conference on November 12 and 13 at the Park Hyatt Melbourne. Now added to the program is a session on digital agriculture and its implications for farmers. The rapid emergence of GPSenabled farm machinery and the emergence of low-cost digital monitoring and imagery technology has the potential to dramatically change broadacre agriculture, and bring about a step-change in productivity as management changes from the paddock or herd level to the square metre and individual animal level. Confirmed speakers include Dr David Henry, principal research scientist, CSIRO; Doug Fitch, CEO Agworld Pty Ltd and Daniel Kruithoff, Monsanto’s MD. More information: www. farminstitute.org.au. November 22 – 23: Phillip Island THE inaugural Small Farm + Lifestyle Expo, to be held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit
on November 22-23 will be for all landowners of all types. There will be a strong focus on organic and sustainable living products, with everything from worm farms to solar lights being featured. A dedicated rough terrain area will allow for quad bikes, gators, Ag bikes and 4WDrive vehicles to be put through their paces and a working farm area will showcase the latest farm machinery, tractors, slashers and ride-on mowers. On the lifestyle side, there will be exhibitors covering a range of leisure pursuits from water sports, and camping, to four wheel driving, health and tourism. Local produce will also be celebrated. The expo will be open from 9am to 5pm each day and will cost $10 for adults; and will be free for children 17 and under accompanied by an adult. More information: www. phillipislandcircuit.com.au, info@ phillipislandcircuit.com.au. November 24 – 27: MCG THE National Soil Science conference will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from November 23 to 27.
On Tuesday, November 25 optional field trips focusing on crops and livestock will go to south west Victoria, to Gippsland to look at dairy farms, to the Mornington Peninsula for viticulturists and to Cranbourne for horticulturists. On November 24, 26 and 27 oral presentations will mostly be made simultaneously in three rooms. For all enquiries regarding the conference contact mail@ conferencedesign.com.au, www. conferencedesign.com.au, (03) 6231 2999. December 1 APPLICATIONS are open until 5pm on Monday, December 1 for Dairy Australia’s popular Dairy Manufacturing Scholarship Program. It offers passionate new graduates and diploma holders an opportunity to be trained in all the relevant aspects of dairy manufacturing. The program, to take place over eight to 10 weeks between February and April 2015, provides graduates with a $500 weekly living allowance and includes all costs of training, travel and accommodation covered by Dairy Australia. To be eligible for the program,
applicants must have a sciencebased qualification at a degree or diploma level, preferably some work experience in a food or related industry and most importantly, a passion for the dairy industry. Apply for the scholarship through an online application form on the Dairy Australia website: http:// www.dairyaustralia.com.au/dairymanufacturing-scholarship. November shows November 1 Whittlesea Agricultural Society Inc. Tracey Goss, Box 83, Whittlesea, T 9716 2835 F 9716 2540, E info@ whittleseashow.org.au, www. whittleseashow.org.au. November 4 Heathcote A, P&H Society Inc. Garry Nettle, T 5433 5134, E tagarki@yahoo.com.au. November 7-9 Ballarat A&P Society Inc. Gerard Ballinger, T 5338 1877, F 5338 1608, E info@ballaratshow.org.au, www. ballaratshow.org.au. November 8-9 Alexandra P&A Association Inc. Ms Denia Ford, M 0477 002 051, E pna. alexandra@gmail.com.
Solo poppy plot remembered
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THE current copy of Southern Farmer turned up today at our post box down the track from the farm where Sue and I have lived for many years since my retirement of practice
Letter to the editor as a physician – like my father, also Dr Ken(neth) McLean. Going back many years, the outbreak of war in
1939 found me a raw lad of 12. My father was a medico with a Military Cross and bar for his efforts in France
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in the previous world war and had established a practice in Collins Street. Both of us were enthralled with the rural life – he was brought up in Dandenong which then was a little rural town way out of Melbourne. The 1940 plot of opium poppy mentioned was on the farm the family had in those days. Today this plot can be located by driving up Rosedale Grove on the Hastings Flinders Road out of Frankston; I could identify the paddock all now built over. My guess is that there was at that time a real worry about supply of morphine since almost all of it would have been derived from the far-east. I would imagine that the network that decided to run the trial was happy to have a grower that was understanding of the need for secrecy. At the end of the growing season the poppies were harvested and rushed off. I have no further information. With curious interest, Ken McLean, khmclean@tpg.com.au.
NEWS
November, 2014
Southern Farmer, Page 3
Drought, heat a global trend they are here, now. “The most striking aspect of the extreme heat of 2013 and its impacts is that this is only at the very beginning of the time when we are expected to experience the ďŹ rst impacts of climate change,â€? said Dr Sarah Perkins from the University of New South Wales. “If we continue to put carbon into our atmosphere at the currently accelerating rate, years like 2013 will quickly be considered normal and the impacts of future extremes will be well beyond anything modern society has experienced.â€?
BLOOMING MARVELLOUS: About 150
hectares of blooming canola on the west side of the Hume Highway near Beveridge attracted motorists’ attention in September and October. Richard Schecker, a Seymour-based agricultural contractor, grew the crop on leased land and expects it to yield about 2.6t/ ha. Last year he grew canola on Goulburn River flats just north of Seymour. Former Benalla farmer Michael Ross (above) inspects the crop.
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Australia ďŹ ve times more likely. It also increased the chance of hot dry droughtlike conditions by seven times and made hot spring temperatures across Australia 30 times more likely. “When it comes to what helped cause our hottest year on record, climate change is no longer a prime suspect, it is the guilty party,â€? said researcher Dr Sophie Lewis, from the Australian National University. “Too often we talk about climate change impacts as if they are far in the future. “This research shows
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FOUR new research studies suggest that Australia’s recent droughts and heat waves of recordbreaking seasons of 2013 were virtually impossible without the inuence of global warming. And at its most conservative, the evidence showed that the record hot year of 2013 was made 2000 times more likely by global warming. The four new papers from researchers who are part of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science (ARCCSS) was published on October 1 in a special edition of the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (BAMS). In 2013, Australia’s extreme heat broke all records. Australia had its hottest day and hottest month on record, hottest summer and its hottest spring on record rounded it off with the hottest year on record. “We often talk about the ďŹ ngerprint of human inuences on climate change when we look at extreme weather patterns,â€? said Professor David Karoly, an ARCCSS researcher with the University of Melbourne. “This research across four different papers goes well beyond that. “If we were climate detectives then Australia’s hottest year on record in 2013 wasn’t just a smudged ďŹ ngerprint at the scene of the crime, it was a clear and unequivocal handprint showing the impact of global warming.â€? The researchers found global warming doubled the chance of the most intense heatwaves, tripled the likelihood of a heatwave event occurring and also made extreme summer temperature across
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ON-FARM
Page 4, Southern Farmer
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Published by: Reliance Press Suite 103, 486 Whitehorse Road, Surrey Hill 3127 PO Box 1523, Surrey Hills North 3127 Ph: (03) 9888 4822 Fax: (03) 9888 4840 ABN 65 006 238 277
November, 2014
Carbon-neutral island By DAVID PALMER AT least where his farm is concerned, worrying unnecessarily about what other people think has never unduly concerned Phillip Island farmer Bob Davie. After an accident as a 14-year-old and without any farming knowledge, Mr Davie became a farmer on 16 hectares that his father bought on the island. More than half a century later, with his wife Anne and son Richard, the family is farming Bimbadeen at Ventnor nearly 10 times the original area. While enterprises are less diverse today – Mr Davie used to supply lamb, chicken, beef and milk to the family’s island guesthouse – he rated a July announcement that the farm was carbon neutral as the most significant achievement of his career. They made the announcement at a function at Rod Laver function
ANGUS STUD: The Davies annually sell a couple of dozen stud Angus bulls mostly around Gippsland. They moved from Brangus into Angus about seven years ago because of greater availability of genetic information for Angus.
centre in Melbourne when Gippsland Natural Meats which they supply with Enviromeat, staged a showing and tasting of their products. Under a plan submitted to Carbon Futures Initiative positive list (CFI), the Davies conďŹ rmed they had sequestered more than 200 tonnes of total carbon on each hectare of four medium to heavy clay trial paddocks after just two green crops. “Once we get to capacity on those four we’ll go to another four paddocks
which already have sequestered an average of 129t/ha,� Mr Davie said. However, they have been recognised for some time as leaders in developing sustainable and profitable on farm solutions to meet climate change challenges. They have planted about 26,000 indigenous grasses, shrubs and trees as well as protecting remnant vegetation to have the farm accredited as a Land for Wildlife property. In 2005, the state of Victoria recognised their
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commitment with the Landcare Primary Producers’ award for that year. In September delegates to an international Landcare conference in Melbourne, visited the farm too. Mr Davie said “we’ve been carbon monitored since 2009 on everything we do on the farm so all our diesel, power, water and fertiliser inputs are scrutinised�. Carbon emissions from the cattle are individually assessed according to their weight and tenure on the farm and their impact on the balance. “Everything has to be regulated down to the nearest inch,� he said. In terms of energy the Davies have a dozen 250W photovoltaic panels on the roof of their house, a bore pump supplied by 12 150W panels as well as other windmill powered water pumps. Using a power harrow, they plant legumes to start the sequestration process then other deep-rooted crops. One year they had crops over their heads with the idea of mulching them back into the soil as green crops. “But we had a leanish year for feed and fed it off. “It regrew amazingly
and we had a three inch mat of organic matter which went back into the soil with great impact on soil carbon.â€? Another is composted bio solids – the Davies have a cooperative agreement with Westernport Water - derived from human waste virtually at the end of their property. “We have just put on 800t which gives us about 80t of carbon in the soil and that is very beneďŹ cial too,â€? Mr Davie said. Although cattle are not allowed to graze treated paddocks until three months after the applications, the product has previously been composted and strenuously tested for impurities by the water authority. Mr Davie said “there were concerns about dust and smell but they haven’t been a problemâ€?. Previously as partly treated sewege, the bio solids were pumped into Bass Strait. The Davies too are considering buying considerable quantities of treated class A grey water from Westernport Water to irrigate some of the farm. “There is a bit of an issue because of the price of it but if we could get it economically we would be assured of growing considerable crop tonnages and then increase our soil carbon even further.â€? Mr Davie said a 150mm diameter pipe is already there because a group of local farmers trenched it in during the last drought and supplied water to Bimbadeen and other farms as far away as the Penguins at the western end of the island. Mr Davie was one of the early Brahman and Brangus breeders in Gippsland when he started with those breeds in 1967 and “some people thought we should have ended up in an asylum for daring to do such a crazy thingâ€?, he said.
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„ Continued page 5
ON-FARM
November, 2014
Southern Farmer, Page 5
beef business From page 4
eighth Angus combination which as it turned out later was the ideal international mix for Brangus breeders,” Mr Davie said. Admittedly, they run only a handful of Brangus but they have thousands of Brahman and Brangus semen straws and embryos stored. “If there was ever a
However, for about 40 years his passion for the breeds became widely known throughout south eastern Australia through their Bimbadeen Brangus cattle stud. “We were going to breed Brahmans but along the way we hit on a three eighth Brahman to five
devastating disease in Australia we could start a new herd,” Mr Davie said. The passion he devoted to the Bos indicus breeds – the Davies went almost totally into Angus about seven years ago because of greater genetic information for that breed – is now directed at making more farmland carbon neutral.
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THIS writer remembers that the second article he wrote when he became an agricultural journalist 40 years ago was about tender-stretching sheep and lamb carcases in meatworks to increase tenderness and carveability. At the time, meatworks were reluctant to adopt the practice because the hanging carcases took up much more room than if they were hung the traditional way. Even today, the practice is not widespread for the same reason. However, it does provide a competitive advantage for practitioners of which Gippsland Natural Meats (GNM)is one. Phillip Island member of the group Bob Davie said that all their cattle were tender-stretched, with carcases hung from the pelvis so that the legs fall at right angles to the body. “When we started in 1979 meat processors wouldn’t have a bar of tender-stretching,” Mr Davie said. “However, butchers got the message when Meat Standards Australia (MSA) started showing how they could make more money and improve the tenderness of the meat by doing it.” Mr Davie said Gippsland Natural Meat was the first producer group to tender-stretch all its meat as a matter of course. It was also the first group to utilise MSA branding with an ISO 14001 accreditation. Southern Farmer wondered if the tie up with Gippsland Natural Meat had changed the way the Davies managed cattle on their Bimbadeen farm. Mr Davie said the main thing was that they nearly always had to have cattle ready to send to
Radfords in Warragul, the abattoir used by the group to cater for sudden demand. Entirely grass-fed the Davie cattle have usually recorded growth rates of at least 1.25kg a day. Their aim is to turn them off at 15 to 16 months of age at up to 550kg live weight and dressing out ideally at 230 to 240kg but going up to 280 to 290kg. Bimbadeen has entered cattle with great success in the Lardner Park beef grazing trials for many years with some achieving consistent gains of 1.5kg/day. Mr Davie highlighted the fact that because the Chinese were buying significant numbers of farms and abattoirs in Gippsland, supplies of GNM could be under threat. “Fortunately we have dedicated farmers who want to support us and that is sufficient to supply our customers,” he said. One prestigious outlet for the group’s meat will be again supplying beef butts to caterers at the Rod Laver arena during the Australian Open tennis championships in January. However, at the top end of the beef market, GNM has had a bit or trouble with people trying to substitute their brand. “To counter that we roller-brand and DNA test all carcases and plan to have Q codes printed on cards attached to carcases,” Mr Davie said. “That will allow buyers to use their iPhones or iPads to scan a code to see a video showing the type of farm that animal came from.” GNM sells less desirable cuts of beef for satisfactory prices to several piemakers. The Davie family runs a 60-head Angus stud.
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Page 6, Southern Farmer
ELMORE ROUND-UP
November, 2014 MIN TILL: Great Western Tillage is based in Bendigo and local sales representative Daryl Baird showed its Australian made Excel Stubble Warrior cultivator seeder. Custom made in Toowoomba it disturbs soil minimally while negotiating retained stubble and if configured that way, setting seed and fertiliser at a constant depth. more photos page 7
HOME TERRITORY: Based at Kubota’s Australian HQ at Truganina in Melbourne, its ag products manager Michael Hilleard and its power equipment northern regional manager James Tibos were pictured on the John Berends stand.
HAYED UP: Dairy farmer Steve Curtis, Tynong North, showed his Maxifeeder, now available with a weatherproof cover. It feeds silage and hay and can be transported onto fresh ground with front tractor mounted forks. Measuring about three by two metres its internal cradle dispenses feed away from the sides of the unit thus minimising waste. Information: gregegan@live.com.au, 0428 585 573.
Elmore Field Days pulls strong crowd THE Elmore Field Days are done and dusted for another year and a crowd of around 35,000 people passed through the gates over three days in early October, a figure that was on par with other years according to organisers. However, a record number of 95 aeroplanes flew into the on site airfield over the three days according to flight coordinator Wayne Cowan. Almost perfect weather complemented the displays that featured practically everything from the latest in agricultural machinery to gourmet produce. The Victorian Government exhibit by the Department of Environment and Primary Indus-
tries (DEPI) was again a popular destination for people wanting to talk to staff face to face about DEPI matters, or just learn about the department’s work. The Elmore Field Days committee made the following annual awards to outstanding exhibitors. Telstra Country Wide award (technology and innovation): Aglive Mobile Solutions, exhibited byA us tracker and Aglive; The Tractor and Machinery Asoociation’s Elmore machine of the year award: Attrition Disc Mill demonstrated by Northern Feed Systems; The Weekly Times best static
award: Kuhn Australia; The Bendigo Advertiser best paddock demonstration award: Lely Australia; The Weekly Times imported machine of the year: AS 5000 exhibited by Duncan Ag; Australian machine of the year: Ezy Rollover Crush; Best agribusiness pavilion exhibit award: Philmac Australia; Best taste more pavilion exhibit Award: Gourmet Morsels; Betty Childs’ memorial award (best display in general interest area): Mandi’s Kitchen Gourmet Puddings; Life governor’s award (best overall exhibit): Tenpack.
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November, 2014
ELMORE ROUND-UP
Southern Farmer, Page 7
STRENGTH: This imported Easy Rollover cattle crush is the model to be used by Kyabram-based Peter Mulcahy (pictured) to make $12,800 local units. Self-contained, electric-powered hydraulics operate the head gate and tip the unit just short of 90 degrees either to the left or right. Twin rubber belts hold cattle nearly horizontal to make hoof trimming, udder treatment or some surgery easier. Information: email sales@ easyrollovercrush.com. au or go to the firm’s website. CANOLA CARE:Robert Christie was representing Laverton based Nuseed Australia in its new canola variety plots. The variety he is with here is Diamond, a new early to mid season F1 hybrid which has averaged 2.47t/ha and 44.4 per cent oil content in trials.
PLANE FARE: Anderson Aviation and the Bendigo Aero Club displayed this 100hp Bristell LSA light aeroplane to strong interest at Elmore. It comes with options of 80, 100 or 115hp Rotax and 80 and 120hp Jabiru engines and cruises at 213km/h while burning about 15L/h. It is available in kit form as well as fully built. In the background is a top of the line Versatile four wheel drive tractor.
BAGGED UP: Jirrima, Gerogery farmer Wendy Phillips occupied a corner of John Deere’s extensive stand to extol the virtues of she and her husband Neil’s Argentinian made silo bag. This unit, the new Marcher Bagger is propelled by a 10hp diesel motor as it receives grain to fill a five layer sausage skin it dispenses. Storage cost is about $3 a tonne. Information: np@silobags. com, needy.com.au.
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NEWS
Page 8, Southern Farmer
November, 2014
Highland stud beef features By DAVID RIZZOLI
what was the feature beef cattle breed and Southern Farmer region studs were prominent among the broad ribbon winners. The Bairnsley Highland cattle fold* of Glen Hastie, Gisborne South performed
ELEVEN Highland stud beef cattle breeders from across Victoria and south east South Australia exhibited in the recent Royal Melbourne Show in
outstandingly by winning junior champion heifer, senior and grand champion female, junior and reserve junior champion bull and supreme Highland exhibit awards. The Mayfield Highland
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cattle fold of Kerry and Julia Webster, Bungaree stood the senior champion bull and reserve senior champion female. Erica Smith’s Glenstrae Highland cattle fold at Nar Nar Goon stood reserve junior champion heifer with Bronwyn Stewart’s Sea Crest Highland cattle of Flinders taking reserve senior champion bull award. However, the main interest in the beef cattle
sections was kept until the last day of the show when the supreme beef interbreed titles were judged. They were dominated by New South Wales studs, however, two Southern Farmer region breeders flew the flag for Victoria. Bruce and Sue Griffiths’ Beckenham Limousins at Kyneton won supreme junior beef breed heifer with Patrick Halloran’s Bush Park Limousins successfuly taking reserve
supreme senior interbreed female. The supreme senior beef breed bull Pine Creek Kodiak from the Pine Creek Angus Stud, Woodstock, NSW won the major title of supreme beef breed exhibit. Reserve supreme junior beef breed heifer was won by the Myers Limousin stud of Scott Myers and Samantha Beresford, Moss Vale, NSW. Supreme senior beef bred female went to
Bolton Girls WhisperGucci, a three and a half years old Red Angus cow from Aimee and Olivia Bolton’s Congupna herd. The 17 months old Hereford bull Tondara Clines Vendetta from Tondara Herefords, Urana, NSW was the supreme junior beef breed bull with the Charolais, Airlie Jimmy from the McLaughlan Group of Sydney standing reserve. Continued page 9
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NEWS
November, 2014
Southern Farmer, Page 9
at Royal Melbourne Show OTHER CHAMPIONS Many other outstanding results were achieved by Southern Farmer region stud breeders. AUSTRALIAN SHORTHORN – Junior champion heifer, senior champion female, grand champion female, D and M Spencer, Spencer Family, Yuroke. BEEF SHORTHORN – Junior champion heifer, supreme beef Shorthorn exhibit, Ashley and grandchildren, Camberwell; senior champion female, reserve senior champion bull, William Harwood, Hillview, Streatham. CHAROLAIS – Reserve senior champion female, reserve senior champion bull, D and S Halliday, Mt Macedon. HEREFORD – Junior and grand champion female A Trovatello, Glendan Park Herefords, Barfold. LIMOUSIN – Senior champion female, supreme exhibit, Patrick Halloran, Kyneton. MURRAY GREY – Junior champion heifer, reserve junior champion heifer, senior champion female, junior and grand champion bull, Crystal Bell, Flinders reserve senior champion female, Mike Keane, Athlone. POLL HEREFORD – Reserve junior champion and senior champion bulls C, B and B Bowles, Axe Creek. SANTA GERTRUDIS – Senior champion and grand champion bull and supreme exhibit, Elma Cole, Balnarring. SHORTHORN – Reserve junior champion bull, McKay Bros, Dean. SIMMENTAL – Senior champion female, Ruby and Jacob Canning, Inverleigh; reserve junior champion bull, John Leek, Nar Nar Goon. *Fold is the Scottish term for a Highland stud herd.
TOP HEREFORD: The junior and grand champion Hereford female at the 2014 Royal Melbourne, Glendan Park Lioness J112 is held by exhibitor Alicia Trovatello, Barfold. She was sashed by associate judge Aimee Bolton, Congupna and judge Richard Miller, Naracoorte, SA.
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Page 10, Southern Farmer
November, 2014
Heifer growth is vital to a farm’s future PERHAPS two issues that have major impacts on dairy farm production and profit are heifer growth and water. Both these matters are critical over the next six months through summer and autumn but neither attracts sufficient attention over this high-risk period. In an article earlier this
By JOHN LYNE Dairytech dairy production specialist year, I mentioned recent genomic research uncovering further mysteries of the impact of colostrum.
We have all known about immune transfer for many years. However, research revealing other substances (about 180 are known) in colostrum that “activate” genetic potential (actual genes) of the calf determining the animal’s lifetime productivity potential for milk, health
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and fertility, has chilling effects as we think about colostrum quality we feed our calves. Although there is no conclusive evidence yet on the content of these “gene activators” in colostrum, it is probably logical that colostrum tested for adequate immunoglobulin, will also contain adequate “gene activators”. We make or break our future herd in the first three months of our replacement heifer’s life – nutritionally, genetic potential and to a significant degree, behaviorally especially in the animal’s future relationship with and responses to humans. Stressed animals do not make for profitable dairy farming. Although this period is the most intense as far as determining her future (and ours), and the most expensive period in her pre-lactation life, we can still limit her lifetime productivity, and perhaps more so, through our nutritional management. Bear in mind, probably 30 per cent or more of the calvings in our herds will be first calf heifers. The forgotten age – weaning to springing. Heifer nutrition rests solely on us. The key to extending the benefits achieved in superior calf feeding is a consistent and balanced ration. This is relatively simple to achieve in a northern hemisphere housed system. But growing heifers on pasture with wide variations throughout seasonal changes presents a unique challenge to us. I am working with my clients to produce this same ration consistency in our milking herds too. It produces high feed conversion efficiency, flat lactation curves that consistently produce the most profitable conver-
RELAXED GROWTH: John Lyne says there is no evidence to support the belief that there is a catch up phase in a heifer’s life and stressed animals do not make for profitable farming.
sion of feed dollars to milk dollars and impacts positively, on health and fertility, the other two drivers of profit. There are massive variations in nutrient intake by heifers on pasture alone (plus probably some hay in summer) through the four seasons. By nutrients, I include not just energy, fibre and protein; but essential vitamin and mineral nutrition. Energy and protein intakes can ‘see-saw’ from spring to summer from detrimental excesses to growth stunting deficiencies and send a heifer from acidosis to cannibalising her body tissue. These energy/protein extremes become lifetime legacies. There is no evidence to support the commonly held notion of a “catch up phase” in the heifer’s life. Back to the consistent and balanced ration. As with my dairy rations, we aim for a minimum floor in our ration of 2kg DM silage year round, a base that helps ‘buffer’ other feed changes. Likewise, we are working to limit pasture intake to no more than 14kg DM to avoid its toxic effects on cow health, which always translates to production/ fertility compromise. Beyond this pasture intake, dietary fat becomes
excessive and affects BF percentage. Fermentation rates on spring pasture, especially when cows can selectively graze ryegrass tops rather than whole plants, acidosis is prevalent. Thirdly, intake of nonprotein nitrogen, inherent in winter and spring pastures, has numerous anti-productive impacts including scouring and fertility. These same issues affect heifer growth and health, and often, in spring particularly, are even more extreme than for lactating cows due to unsupervised/ adlib pasture intake with no supplementary fibre. Pasture nutrient profile changes significantly through seasonal changes. Limit pasture in spring and supplement with adlib silage in feed rings. As pasture declines adlib silage intake will increase. This is a low labor input system and facilitates a gradual ration change. As silage becomes the main forage over summer, energy and protein need further supplementation. 2kg of a good dairy grain mix will meet our target of 10.5 MJME/kg DM and 16 per cent crude protein. This will maintain 0.8 to 0.9kg live weight gain over summer and not compromise the heifer’s
lifetime potential. Finally, but perhaps an area where we have witnessed major improvement in heifers’ productive lives, is in mineral nutrition. Feeding of minerals to growing heifers has abundant verifying research to support the investment. However, the ‘realtime’ experiences we see from this are very convincing even to the point of overtaking genetic advantages of herd mates. Mineral nutrition has documentation supporting reduced effects of stress from various husbandry practices (shifting stock, social changes, vaccinations, joining etc). Obviously skeletal growth require calcium and phosphorous, but trace minerals improve growth rates through feed conversion efficiency, and improve first lactation milk yield and reproduction. Mineral deficiency health related issues often do not surface until early into first lactations. Developing heifers supplemented with trace minerals have a reduced lameness incidence of 35 per cent in the first 60 days after calving. We make an ad-lib weatherproof loose-lick mineral preparation to make mineral nutrition easy and low labor input.
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“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 area around the trench would get so wet and boggy that we could not even walk near it, let alone use the mower.” But that wasn’t the worst bit of their dysfunctional septic system. “The smell would become almost overpowering at times,” says Mike, “especially when it rained or when we had visitors to stay, which was quite embarrassing.”
The stink that stuck The problem wouldn’t go away, which is common with septic tanks and wastewater treatment systems. “As time went on, the smell was becoming a constant thing,” explains Rose. Septic systems are much like a digestive system for your house. Just as you need healthy bacteria in your body, your septic system needs a healthy balance of good bacteria to process the waste from your home. Otherwise, problems occur and recur. “We were at a loss as to what to do to fix it, apart from getting the septic pumped out again, digging up and replacing the trench, or even replacing the whole system – all expensive options,” says Rose. “But then we read in a magazine about Ecocare Activator.”
Cleaners don’t cut it Often confused with traditional septic system cleaning products, Ecocare Activator is much more than a cleaner.
Sound advice about odours “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. “We thought, ‘Really, what do we have to lose,’ as it is only a fraction of the cost of the other options we had.” What happened next surprised Mike and Rose, but not George.
Fast forward for the Maynards “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.” That was in the winter of 2013. Today, Mike and Rose still have a healthy, odour-free septic system. “We now have a dry paddock,” Mike explains. “We can mow and walk all around the area. “We could not be happier with the results and will continue to use this fabulous product.”
It’s an easy-to-use, environmentally friendly, septicsafe solution that activates and conditions your septic system. It gets the ‘digestive system’ healthy again, which, in turn, clears the blockages that cause bad odours and keeps the entire septic system clean.
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Because Ecocare Activator is safe for you and your garden or paddock, Mike and Rose have no qualms in sharing their story with their friends and neighbours. “We highly recommend anyone with a septic system – with or without issues – to use this great product to fix and prevent septic system problems,” says Mike. And who can blame him when Ecocare Activator’s triple action is not only more effective than the single-action septic system cleaners out there, it’s more costeffective too. If you’re having problems with your septic system, or would simply like to find out more about triple-action Ecocare Activator, call Insight Environmental.
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ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW
Page 12, Southern Farmer
November, 2014
FLORAL COLOR: Hancock’s Daffodils mounted this display of some of the firm’s more than 200 varieties of spring blooms. Pictured with them is Christine Ashburner who with her husband Will runs the Menzies Creek bulb farm in the Dandenong Ranges.
FROTH AND BUBBLES: Ashlyn Hastie, Bairnsley Highland stud, Gisborne South, readies the family’s two year old female Poppy of Bairnsley for the show ring. Poppy was later judged supreme Highland in the featured showing.
WOOL FLING: Ringwood East based Tintern School’s farm manager and RASV sheep and wool committee chairman Gavin Wall picks up a fleece shorn by Inverleigh shearer Robbie Crouch to then throw and skirt to demonstrate aspects of wool harvesting to show visitors.
GROOMED: Rita Canning, Mavstar Simmental, Hesse and Mortlake, grooming one of her Mavstar show entries before judging. Her 34 month old female Mavstar Ginny G845 was judged senior champion and later won the supreme senior interbreed beef champion female award.
SPECKLE TIPPLE: John Ellis, Newham won junior and reserve junior and grand champion ribbons for his Hanging Rock Speckle cattle at the show. Principally a winemaker – he has a Leo Buring heritage - Mr Ellis also runs the Hanging Rock winery in sight of the local landmark.
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NEWS
Page 14, Southern Farmer
November, 2014
Weather smiles on Wandin Silvan
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SUNNY weather was instrumental in pushing the two Wandin Silvan field days’ attendance up by about 15 per cent to close to 5000 visitors on October 17 and 18. Event secretary Nan Cleven said she had no knock backs for forward space booking for 2015. “Nearly every exhibitor asked to be booked in again for next year indicating they were happy with sales enquiries,” she said. Rural Fence and Trade which more than doubled the size of its stand to include actual fences and cattle yards, sold two sets of the latter during the event. Sales were brisk too for raffle tickets in draws on both days for two John Deere mowers donated by Glenmac Sales and Service Pty Ltd. Proceeds amounted to more than $4000 being split between the Seville, Gruyere, Silvan and Wandin Country Fire Authority brigades. Glenmac said the raffles would be repeated next year.
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NEWS
November, 2014
Southern Farmer, Page 15
W BARGAIN CORNER: Hayes Products’ stand because of its competitive prices for equipment it has made to its designs in China was again popular at the field day. Three point linkage graders were on sale for about $800. X CORRAL CORNER: Rural Fence and Trade this year occupied more than twice the area it encompassed last year. It sold two sets of cattle yards at the event.
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S TRAILERED IN: Barry Found, Montmorency, owner of this 1907 6.5hp Blackstone oil engine was on hand at the field days to explain its provenance. It was restored over 12 years by Gilbert Wicks, Bendigo who mounted it on a solid jarrah base once used as a keel support at the Williamstown dockyard.
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S BARED STEEL: Graeme Baker, Narre Warren North and Les Peel, Beaconsfield check out a stripped down a new 60 engine kW Massey Ferguson 4708 tractor on Darmac Ag’s stand. Mr Baker, a naturopath had just bought a farm at Narre Warren. W GRANDMA’S PRIDE: Eleanor Benson, New Gisborne, took to the driver’s seat of this East Wind DFS 304 tractor so her partner with her here Peter Jeffrey, Gruyere, could take a photo to demonstrate to her grandchildren, her serious interest in tractors. Midway Sales showed East Wind at Wandin.
John Berends Implements (03) 9791 2494 Fax (03) 9794 5568
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*Prices are Ex Brisbane/Ex Perth and excludes spark arrestor (where applicable), excludes freight & pre-delivery charges. Photographs may show overseas models or illustrate non-standard equipment. Please read your Mahindra Tractor manual carefully prior to operation. ^3 Year Engine & Powertrain warranty. Promotional pricing ends 31 December 2014 or while stocks last. DMM2604.
NEWS
Page 16, Southern Farmer
November, 2014
Second grade produce develops AUSTRALIAN vegetable growers are taking advantage of the huge potential of Asian export markets by developing products desired by international consum-
ers from second grade produce. The Lamattina family, which grows about 65,000t of fresh carrots each year in Gippsland, is now juicing the veg-
etable for the Japanese drinks market. A new juicing plant near Mildura can turn second grade carrots into concentrate for export intended for Japanese
vending machines. AUSVEG is currently working to explore exporting opportunities for local vegetable growers to expand these and other markets.
LITTER STIRRER: Kanga’s new litter conditioner in action in Gippsland.
Kanga conditioner stirs litter for better turnover KANGA Farm Equipment has developed a low power requirement, manoeuvrable poultry litter conditioner to better cater for the needs of poultry running on deep litter. Kanga’s Tim Alcott said most of the available units used to keep litter fresh used reverse till rotary hoes, which required considerable power and therefore big tractors to operate. As well they mixed the litter vertically which tended to bring up old hard material to pollute the fresher litter on top. Used a second or third time they
tended to deposit manure on manure, he said. Mr Alcott said Kanga’s new 1.8m wide machine operated more like a mower by stirring litter laterally to a preset depth, usually between 50 and 200mm to just freshen it. The tractor needed could be as small as about 20kW (26hp) and could manoeuvre much better than a big machine, Mr Alcott said Information: Kanga Farm Equipment, 16 Cahill Street, Dandenong South 3175, (03) 9706 5166, tim@ farmimplements.com.au.
Nemtek tool analyses electric fence health
THE SOUTHERN
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FAULT FINDER: Nemtek’s Fence Scope Multi tool ready to be shipped.
AS its name suggests the Nemtek Fence Scope Multi Tool 4 in 1 does more than one fence related task. Designed for routine maintenance of electric fences in fence probe mode it indicates the direction of a fence fault showing the current and voltage. In fence energy mode, it measures output energy along the fence. This can be used to test the size of the shock an animal will receive at any point along the fence. Fence scope mode records and displays wave forms of the fence pulse because wave form distortions
generally indicates there are fence faults The unit can also in low light conditions give an audible indication of fence performance with the emitted pitch being proportional to the fence’s voltage. For advanced analysis, to help in finding cracked or broken insulators, sparks and shorts, it shows the amount of electromagnetic interference generated by the fence or energiser. A pouch is available to protect and carry the $209 hand held unit. Information: 0448 117 233, sales3nemtek@ bigpond.com.au.
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Powerful high-pressure cleaners for all farming needs! Kärcher’s high-pressure cleaners offer everything you need to effectively clean; dairies, machinery, stables, equipment, trucks, process rooms and buildings. They leave nothing to be desired in terms of innovative technology and versatility. Kärcher has an extensive range to suit any cleaning need including: mobile, stationary, petrol powered and electric, cold and hot water high-pressure cleaners. This enables you to clean more thoroughly, quickly and economically even the most stubborn waste, dirt and grime. Simple to operate and powerful in performance, with Kärcher technology, your cleaning will run smoothly, safely and efficiently.
Darmac Ag Sales & Service 249 - 251 Monbulk Road, Silvan, VIC 3795 Ph: (03) 9737 9255 www.darmacag.com.au
NEWS
November, 2014
Southern Farmer, Page 17
Heavy hay bales bring big savings HAY growers could be missing out on revenue and efficiencies by not maximising bale weight, according to one of Australia’s leading hay marketers. Feed Central, which has marketed and sold more than 100,000t of quality-assured hay across Australia in the past year, says many producers could safely and efficiently pack an extra 150kg in each bale. “In 8x4x3 bales some operators will get 500kg of oaten hay; a good operator will get 650kg,” Feed Central managing director Tim Ford said. He said transport operators charge the same freight rate based on bale numbers, not weight. “Our average transport distance is 450km so when you get 41 bales on a standard drop deck the transport saving between a 650kg bale and 500kg is $20 per tonne, a significant saving,” he said. “By achieving maximum bale weight everyone’s a winner. The truckie is happy because he has a nice full, safe load, the buyer is happy because he gets it at a cheaper price and the seller gets to maximise his price. “The more tonnes on the trucks, effectively the cheaper
SENSIBLE SAVINGS: An average transport distance is 450km so when you get 41 bales on a standard drop deck the transport saving between a 650kg bale and 500kg one is $20/t.
the freight rate; that is the key to opening up domestic markets.” Mr Ford said the extra weight also has very significant on-farm benefits, yet many producers don’t recognise the importance of maximising bale weight and continue to pay contractors per bale, not for volume. “Most producers pay hay contractors per bale, regard-
and you’ve got hay baled in the paddock, then you need to be moving as few bales as possible as fast as possible,” Mr Ford said. He also urged South Australian hay growers to change their bale size to meet growing domestic demand. Currently South Australian hay is mostly made in 8x4x4 bales while most of the country has converted to 8x4x3 bales
less of bale weights. Harvesting costs will be significantly cheaper for a farmer if they have a 650kg bale as opposed to a 500kg bale,” he said. “There are also storage efficiencies. The more weight in the bale, the more hay you can store in the same shed.” Farmers also benefit from easier and faster on-farm handling. “If you’ve got rain coming
to suit domestic transport logistics. “South Australia usually makes hay for the export market, often in light bales that are sent to an export facility to be re-processed. To tap into the domestic market they need to maximise weights to get the maximum returns and be more viable for transport,” Mr Ford said. He added that both export and
domestic markets are looking healthy forAustralian producers. There is strong demand from traditional export markets of Japan, Korea and Taiwan and emerging markets such as China are also taking reasonable tonnage. The domestic market is also healthy on the back of dairy industry growth, particularly in Victoria and areas supplying the export market. “When the dairy industry is growing, the hay industry grows with it,” Mr Ford said. Mr Ford added that the season promised good crops. “We’re very much looking forward to some fresh new season hay; the key areas are going to do quite well.” Last year in mid-September a massive frost from Dubbo through to northern Victoria resulted in substantial areas of wheat and barley being cut for hay. The vast majority of that product is sold. “That just goes to show that if the hay is made it will get sold,” Mr Ford said. “With hay you have to plan to store it and sell it over a 12-month period but the vast majority of it will get sold.” People can contact Feed Central on 1300 669 429 for more information.
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SPRAYS AND SPRAYING
Page 18, Southern Farmer FENCELINES have become a hot bed for generating resistance to the world’s most useful herbicide — glyphosate. About one quarter of glyphosate resistant populations within broadacre cropping situations across Australia come from fencelines and other non-cropping areas of the farm. Along paddock borders, where there is no crop competition, weeds can ourish and, if not controlled, set lots of seed. The traditional approach has been to treat these weeds with glyphosate to keep borders clean but after 20-odd years this option is now failing and paddock borders are becoming a signiďŹ cant source of glyphosateresistant weed seed. Dr Chris Preston, chair of the Australian Glyphosate Sustainability Working Group, said this is now a national problem and requires a fresh look at control options. “The control options used will generally be determined by whether the border in question needs to be kept bare or if vegetation is beneďŹ cial,â€? he said. In some situations, cultivation can be used to kill the weeds and provide a ďŹ rebreak, but on light soils this may pose an erosion risk and mowing or slashing
November, 2014
A clandestine invader grass becomes pest By JOHN BOWMAN Leongatha DEPI office livestock extension officer
I HAVE been travelling around southern Victoria in recent weeks and have been astounded with the extent of the spread of kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) into productive farmland. Once Kikuyu has invaded a pasture it is very hard to eradicate. Now there are some farmers who speak highly of Kikuyu, particularly those along coastal sand dunes with erodible low nutrient sandy soils, plus some of the mild winter areas to the far east of Victoria. But for the rest of southern Victoria I ask you to make your own assessment now so that if you need to you can prepare to control this grass this summer. If you drive the local roads at this time of year the Kikuyu is the pale yellow grass on roadsides where it has been spread by the road grader and can be seen creeping under the fence into productive paddocks then into distinctive yellow patches in paddocks which join up after four or ďŹ ve years to cover the whole paddock. The cattle and farm
FENCE WATCH: Farmers inspecting the efficacy of different fenceline treatments.
Fencelines now target for resistance search may be safer options. Another tactic is to continue using herbicides but to ensure that a clean-up operation is carried out before any survivors can set seed. Some growers are choosing to increase the heat on weeds along the borders by planting the crop right to the fence and then baling the outside lap and spraying with a knockdown herbicide to kill any weeds and provide a ďŹ rebreak. “One thing that is very clear is the need to move away from
using herbicides to control weeds along the borders in spring,â€? said Dr Preston. “The weeds present in spring are too large to be effectively treated with contact herbicides. Using a slasher with a spray nozzle is a better option for these survivors.â€? Dr Preston said there are more options available to growers to use herbicides in autumn but the practicalities are difďŹ cult, given the lack of time available in the lead-up to planting winter crops.
“There are a range of residual herbicide products suitable for application at sowing,â€? he said. Another option is to use the double knock tactic such as applying a high rate of Spray Seed to small weeds, followed with paraquat 14 days later. Dr Preston’s research demonstrated that an early treatment with a residual herbicide such as bromacil mixed with a knockdown such as paraquat has a beneďŹ cial effect on seed set. See weedsmart.org. au for information.
vehicles do contribute to the spread of the stolons around the paddock or from paddock to paddock but the slow creeping habit of the Kikuyu rhizomes is the primary method of spread. This is the time of year to assess the pasture, walk into these patches and look at the residual pasture, which is longer than the other species in the rest of the paddock as the cattle have chosen not to eat the Kikuyu and have preferentially eaten the preferred, ryegrass, phalaris and cocksfoot grasses to a lower level. Remember the kikuyu normally stops growing with the onset of cold weather in autumn or the ďŹ rst frost so this pasture has been sitting there dormant and uneaten for the winter months mainly due to the low palatability and low nutritive value. The thick Kikuyu thatch prevents other grasses and clovers coming through that would normally provide valuable winter feed in a time of the year that kikuyu is dormant. So spend some time now mapping and marking out the areas where the problem kikuyu is present as the problem areas are hard to spot in mid-summer when the
ideal time for kikuyu control occurs. Do not cultivate the paddock as this will spread the rhizomes (root and shoot fragments) all over the paddock. The best control is to identify the problem kikuyu areas / sites and control with a recommended herbicide in early to midsummer when the kikuyu is actively growing. A follow up herbicide control will be needed in late summer or the following summer to get complete control. The area can then be oversewn with a productive pasture seed mix either by hand for small areas or by direct drill or broadcast spreader for larger areas, but avoid cultivation as this encourages and spreads kikuyu. If kikuyu has not reached your neighborhood and you see it approaching you can spray a strip at a strategic place to cut off the approach. If kikuyu is encroaching along your roadside or stream bank you can spray a strip along under the fence line to prevent the entry to the farm or paddocks. Be vigilant and proactive before this low productive and low nutrient value grass takes hold on more farms.
Change sparks up Yarra Valley Ag $(5267$5 7LQHG :HHGHUa6SULQJWLQH &XOWLYDWRU For a number of years Einboeck’s Aerostar has been a tried and tested alternative to chemical weed elimination worldwide. It’s successful use with grain, maize, beetroot, rape, potatoes, peas, soybean, field bean, tomatoes, strawberries and on grassland make it an indispenable tool in soil cultivation. The AEROSTAR keeps weeds in check, aerates the soil, regulates the water content by interrupting the capillary effect and enhances soil coherence. These desirable side effects contribute essentially towards a successful development of your crop.
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PART owner of Yarra Valley Ag, Roger Anderson, recently bought out his business partner to become sole proprietor. Mr Anderson has worked for the 66-year-old company for half its life and has been instrumental in its offerings becoming more diverse. Originally Rural Tractors in 1948 the company became Rural Farm Equipment and then Yarra Valley Ag and tractors of various brands have always been part of the business. However, the company now specialises in the 30 model strong Kubota range up to about 100kW (135hp) a brand YVA has marketed successfully for more than 35 years. In the past 20 years, generators of all sizes have steadily become
a more important part of the business. Mr Anderson said YVA now employs three electricians and a big job they are currently involved with is installing a 500kVa generator to power a hospital on a major construction site. Mr Anderson originally came from Swan Hill where he started work as a diesel fitter apprentice and on site mechanic for John Deere. Then he moved to Melbourne to play in Richmond’s under-19 team but remained involved there in the tractor business. For more Information about Yarra Valley Ag go to 439 Maroondah Highway, Lilydale 3140, email roger@yarravalleyag.com.au or telephone 9735 5233.
November, 2014
SHOW ROUND-UP
DEPI women steal the show at Rural Ambassador Awards MELISSA Neal, Bendigo, is the 2014 Rural Ambassador Award state winner, selected from 10 Victorian ďŹ nalists, all active members of their local agricultural communities. The Victorian Agricultural Shows Ltd program, sponsored by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV), recognises young people who contribute to rural and regional areas with a particular emphasis on their involvement in their local show societies. Ms Neal, the ďŹ nalist for the Central and Upper Goulburn Group, is a member of the Lilydale Show Society. Working as a red meat industry development ofďŹ cer at the Department of Primary Industries and Environment (DEPI) in Bendigo, she is passionate about incorporating research into industry practice and delivers educational activities to beef and sheep producers and supply chains. Ms Neal has managed a national development and extension project to improve lamb eating quality and lean meat yield. Beyond her career, she continues to communicate research through agricultural shows, coordinating commercial and educational focused events such as the Royal Melbourne Show beef carcase competition and is actively involved in agricul-
COUNTRY SHOWGIRLS: Victorian Agricultural Shows awarded its 2014 rural ambassador award to Melissa Neal (right) and runner up award to Stephanie Muir (left).
tural and youth organisations including the RASV’s Agrifood Advisory Group, Bendigo Show Council and Angus Youth RoundUp. The state ďŹ nal selection process asked ďŹ nalists to complete a three-minute public speaking presentation, a written submission and a 20-minute panel interview. Finalists were assessed on their communication and leadership qualities, and level of involvement, or readiness to become actively involved in their local agricultural show. Chair of the rural Ambassador Committee and VAS board director, Gerard Ballinger, said this year’s ďŹ nalists were of a high
standard and he congratulated all of them for their contribution to their local shows and communities. The Rural Ambassador Awards provide the winner with a $3000 ďŹ nancial contribution to their career development with the opportunity to represent Victoria in the national ďŹ nals next year. The runner up was Stephanie Muir, of Warrnambool Show Society, from Hawkesdale. Representing the South Western Group, Ms Muir grew up in the Yarra Valley with an interest in animal agriculture sparked by a school agriculture program. She completed a bachelor of agricultural science honors de-
gree and a PhD at the University of Melbourne. Currently she works as a research scientist with DEPI at both Warrnambool and Hamilton, primarily on effects of alternative forages on animal production. Her involvement with agricultural shows started as a teenager, breeding and exhibiting Belted Galloway cattle at local and royal shows. She has been involved with the Warrnambool Agricultural Society since moving to the south west in 2012, and this year is vice-president and chief dairy steward. Ms Muir is keen to work with schools to encourage students to undertake higher education in agriculture and promote the diversity of career options available in agricultural industries. “The RASV was delighted to have the state ďŹ nalists as our guests at the Royal Melbourne Show and congratulates Melissa Neal on her selection this year, and we know they will be an incredible ambassador for our industry,â€? Mark O’Sullivan CEO of the RASV said. Rural Victorians aged 20 to 30 are eligible to enter the Rural Ambassador Awards, with candidates progressing from a local show level, to regional ďŹ nal, then state ďŹ nals before the national awards.
Southern Farmer, Page 19
Gippsland’s food, wine on show in Melbourne GIPPSLAND was front and centre at the Royal Melbourne Show with some of the region’s best producers inviting Melburnians to try their excellent food and wine. Food and wine producers from east, south and west Gippsland starred at the Taste of Victoria pavilion, an initiative between Agribusiness Gippsland and Destination Gippsland at this year’s show. Among the exhibitors were Wild Dog Winery, Jindi Farm Bush Foods, Riviera Ice Cream, Prom Country Cheese, Summer Snow Juice, Darnum Park Estate, East Gippsland Food Cluster and Chocodence. More than 300,000 visitors visited the pavilion during the 12day event. “Gippsland has an extremely healthy food and wine industry and this was a fantastic
opportunity to partner with Agribusiness Gippsland to share this with our key visitor market of Melbourne,â€? said Terry Robinson, CEO Destination Gippsland. “We are excited to promote the food and wine experiences that visitors can visit within Gippsland, including more than 40 wineries, breweries, farm gates and numerous restaurants and cafes and to try the fresh produce ďŹ rst-hand,â€? Mr Robinson said. “We were proud to be able to showcase such a breadth of producers at this year’s Royal Melbourne Show,â€? said Paul Ford, chair of Agribusiness Gippsland. “Agribusiness is the backbone of the Gippsland economy and is valued at more than $6bn to the economy. “Tourism and agribusiness are key economic drivers to our region.â€?
YEA AGRICULTURAL, PASTORAL & HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION INC
YEA SHOWGROUNDS
Friday 21st & Saturday 22nd November 2014
Friday Night 6.30pm CARNIVAL SHOWTIME
Hereford youth takes out Waterford challenge Alexander Chester, Koonoomoo, Brayden and Bronte Bowles, Axe Creek, Thomas Holt, Coonong, Urana, NSW and Jordan Alexander, Bowral, NSW. It was a ďŹ rst-time win for the breed and capped off a successful Melbourne Show for Hereford youth members. The team used a heifer donated by Kanimbla stud, Holbrook, NSW. Each team comprising youth
aged eight to 21 years, is appointed a mentor and under their guidance has to fully wash, groom and prepare an animal for the ring within two hours. Finally, the team leads and handles their animal while the judging takes place. A holistic competition, teams are split by the breeds they represent and judged on how well they work together, delegate tasks and their skills in managing their time.
Victorian Hereford youth group chairman Brandon Sykes said the Hereford team worked like clockwork with each member having a job to do and performing it expertly. “It was a great way of encouraging youth to be involved in all aspects of showing,’’ Mr Sykes said. “The younger ones were able to learn as they went, and had to prepare the animal using just six items of equipment.’’
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A TEAM of young Hereford enthusiasts took out the prestigious Waterford Charolais Youth Challenge at the 2014 Royal Melbourne Show. The challenge is all about teamwork in preparing animals for judging, leading and handling and was judged at the show on Monday, September 29. The Hereford team was captained by Kiralee Gahan, Fairy Hill, NSW, with team members
t )FJGFS $IBMMFOHF XJUI ‡ +HLIHU &KDOOHQJH ZLWK HSFBU QSJ[FT JUHDW SUL]HV t 4IPXNFO T (VJME ‡ 6KRZPHQ¡V *XLOG 4JEFTIPX "MMFZ 3JEFT 6LGHVKRZ $OOH\ 5LGHV
Other features: :FB 4LJQQJOH 5FBN 8PSLJOH 4IFFQ %PHT :FB )JHIMBOE 1JQF #BOE -JHIUT 0O $POWPZ 6UF $PNQFUJUJPO BOE NPSF Secretary Roma Guerin, roma.25@bigpond.net.au or 0499 043 617
www.yeashow.org.au
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FIRE SEASON PREPARATION
Page 20, Southern Farmer
November, 2014
Be prepared this summer with Honda Planning a Burn Off? Make sure you put in a notification and let your neighbours know. Call 1800 668 511 before you light up!
Community Information Sessions and Workshops CFA has a number of community education programs, including Fire Education Table demonstrations, Bushfire Planning Workshops and Community Fireguard Groups. If you would like to have one of these held in your area please contact the Gippsland Region Community Education Coordinator on (03) 5149 1000 or by emailing gippscommed@ cfa.vic.gov.au and someone will get back to you ASAP.
Prepare. Act. Survive.
Want to assess your home’s defendable space? A new online +RXVHKROG %XVK¿UH Self-Assessment Tool has also been launched on the CFA website that helps residents decide whether or not they have enough defendable space around their home. You can access the online assessment tool by going to www.cfa.vic.gov.au and clicking on the µ+RXVHKROG %XVK¿UH 6HOI Assessment Tool’ icon. If you don’t have access to the internet you can also access this information by calling VBIL on 1800 240 667 or visiting www.cfa.vic.gov.au. c/04d04492/4513
Further information about CFA community education programs can be found on the CFA website www.cfa.vic.gov.au
LIVING in Australia, it’s no secret that every summer brings with it the threat of heat and fire. As temperatures rise, so does the risk of water sources drying up. Contingency planning undoubtedly helps farmers and their families and livestock survive, so it pays to be prepared. Honda is the world’s largest small engine manufacturer, and as such has partnered with nearly a dozen Australian firefighting pump manufacturers which build reliable and resilient pumps for farmers and rural property owners around the country. Each pump has to pass through a rigorous testing procedure before it can be powered by Honda and labelled Green & Gold Approved. Farmer Owen Clapham owns a Honda-powered pump, and after 21 years “it’s still going as good as new”. Mr Clapham entered his pump into a 2013 Honda competition, and won the major prize of a Honda prize pack despite dozens of quality entries. “We couldn’t have done without it,” he said. “We don’t have access to the town’s water sup-
PUMPED UP: Farmer Owen Clapham and his Honda powered pump.
ply, so our pump has been faithfully pumping our dam water for the veggie garden, kids’ pool and all the cleaning jobs around the farm for decades. “And we know that in the event of a fire, this little beauty will be ready to perform.” Whether transferring water across paddocks or protecting property from the threat of fire, Hondapowered pumps are built to perform. According to Honda’s national engine manager Chris New, if you already own a pump, then the leadup to summer is the perfect time to have it inspected and serviced.
“No matter what brand of pump you use,” Mr New said, “you want to make sure it is ready to work when needed.” Of course, if you don’t yet own a pump and are interested in finding out more about the range of Honda-powered pumps that are available, visit http://poweredby. honda.com.au/FireFighting_Pumps. All Honda engines that power firefighting pumps – among many other products – come with a standard threeyear domestic warranty and are backed by a network of authorised Honda dealers.
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FIRE SEASON PREPARATION
November, 2014
Southern Farmer, Page 21
Concrete safety bunkers protect lives By DAVID PALMER IN the four years since Wildfire Safety Bunkers was accredited by the Victorian Building Commission as the only legal supplier of bushfire bunkers, the company has installed hundreds of units around the country. However, managing director and owner of Wildfire Safety Bunkers Pty Ltd Anthony Tratt, said lifestyle residents of Melbourne’s urban fringe were particularly aware of the bunkers’ usefulness as vital bushfire survival tools. He said owners of lifestyle blocks in areas like Kangaroo Ground, St Andrews and Warrandyte recognised that their families were vulnerable if the breadwinner was at work in the
:LOG¿ UH EXQNHUV FDSWXUH FLW\ XUEDQ IULQJH PDUNHW Melbourne CBD or surrounds and a fire broke out near their homes. Mr Tratt said Wildfire always promotes evacuation as the most important action to take to protect human lives on a high fire risk day. But, the government is promoting greater resilience and in areas where a single road might be the only escape route, a Wildfire bunker would provide considerable peace of mind to residents, he said. Another concern for residents living in densely populated areas around the urban fringes are the road systems; in some suburbs a mass evacuation in a short amount of time
maybe unlikely. As far as this writer could determine no other bunker maker in Australia is accredited or has been officially tested and accredited in the four years since Wildfire gained its certificate from the Victorian Building Authority. Mr Tratt said the exhaustive accreditation process took two years and involved subjecting the bunkers made from six tonnes of water and impact resistant 65mPa concrete forming 75mm thick walls and 100mm thick floor and ceiling, to temperatures of more than 1000 degrees. “Our bunkers are constructed from a custom made solidly re-
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can always release the door even if it has been padlocked from the outside. Also all bunkers are fitted with a high temperature viewing port to safely observe a bushfire’s progress. Mr Tratt said the bunkers are fitted with ventilation shafts that have shut off doors fitted inside. “These doors are left open when not in use to stop the build up of condensation and to allow fresh air in should someone find themselves unable to easily exit a bunker,” he said. The time and funding required to achieve this world first accreditation had been extensive “but something we
How Fire Ready is your farm? Check all of these important questions EARLY not late. YES /NO
YES /NO
❑ ❑ 1. ❑ ❑ 2.
Do you have well maintained slashed or ploughed fire breaks? Are your farm buildings protected by firebreaks?
❑ ❑ 3.
Do you have a grazing plan to reduce fire risk?
❑ ❑ 21. Are fire fighting hoses long enough, kept in safe locations where they will not melt, and with heavy duty wide spray nozzles?
❑ ❑ 4.
Are your chemicals stored safely according to instructions
❑ ❑ 22. Do you talk about and have a fire prevention plan with neighbors?
on the product?
❑ ❑ 23. Do you have adequate water supplies for firefighting should mains water pressures drop? ❑ ❑ 24. Have you installed sprinkler systems in your garden and on your roofing?
❑ ❑ 5.
Are your fuel tanks bonded and isolated from buildings?
❑ ❑ 6.
Are welding and grinding operations done in isolation from flammable liquids and fuels?
❑ ❑ 7.
Do residential buildings on your farm have smoke alarms?
❑ ❑ 8.
Do your have properly maintained firefighting equipment in the workshop, on tractors and other machinery?
❑ ❑ 9.
Can firefighting vehicles safely access all parts of your property?
❑ ❑ 20. Are gas cylinders vented away from buildings?
❑ ❑ 25. Have you gathered metal buckets, mops, spray backpack units, ladders, rakes, shovels in a strategic location for ready access? ❑ ❑ 26. Do you have battery powered torches, radios, medical kits and drinking water available? ❑ ❑ 27. Do you know the radio station to check for the fire’s progress rather than calling emergency services?
❑ ❑ 10. Do you ensure hay is not stacked when it is green?
and how difficult it would be to put out. Needless to say the higher the rating, the more dangerous the conditions or anticipated conditions. Anything more than a low to moderate rating is a trigger to act or think about acting. During the fire season on the Mornington Peninsula, the fire danger rating will feature in weather forecasts and be broadcast on radio and TV and appear in some newspapers. It will also be found on websites of the CFA, Department of
Environment and Primary Industries and Bureau of Meteorology or by calling the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667. To learn more about FDRs and other bushfire information, you may wish to attend a Fire Ready Victoria (FRV) session in your local township. Upcoming FRV sessions are to be held on the Mornington Peninsula. You can also stay up to date by going to the Victorian emergency website www.emergency. vic.gov.au.
❑ ❑ 11. Are machinery exhaust systems fitted with spark arresters?
❑ ❑ 28. Does each person have suitable clothing, including sturdy leather footwear, fire resistant long pants and long sleeves (wool offers the best protection from sparks and cinders) a broad brimmed hat, goggles for eye protection, handkerchiefs to toe over the nose and mouth, wet towels to drape over the neck, and bottles of water? ❑ ❑ 29. Can you access roof and other building cavities to check frequently for embers or other spot fires?
❑ ❑ 12. Do you have a list of emergency numbers beside all phones? ❑ ❑ 13. Is your property’s CFA map reference beside the phone? ❑ ❑ 14. Do you have battery-powered radios handy to aid communications? ❑ ❑ 15. Are your buildings clean of flammable debris and protected from the entry of burning embers? ❑ ❑ 16. Do your buildings provide adequate personal protection against bushfire? ❑ ❑ 17. Is fire prevention part of your whole farm business plan? ❑ ❑ 18. Are you up-to-date with the latest Local and State Government fire restrictions and requirements? ❑ ❑ 19. Do you carefully plan all burning off to minimise the risks?
❑ ❑ 30. Is there a plan for all people on your property to either fight the fire or move to safe locations well before a fire front approaches?
Further information is available from: Mornington Peninsula Shire Phone: 1300 850 600 Mail: Private Bag 1000, Rosebud, 3939 Email: custserv@mornpen.vic.gov.au Web: www.mornpen.vic.gov.au
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ELECTRONIC fire danger rating signs (EFDRSs) now incorporate super bright LED modules which correspond to the relevant fire rating. A separate LED message panel at the bottom of the 1.84 by 1.42m boards can be used to add information such as total fire ban. Designed, made and implemented by Melbourne company Bartco Pty Ltd, the signs replace old manually adjusted arrow type fire danger rating signs. The LED segmented signs are remotely controlled from the SES’s central control centre in Melbourne by a Web based Cloud system also developed in Melbourne. There are about 70 signs all over Victoria and there have been trials of them in other states and interest from all over the world. Other key features are that the boards are remotely controlled and solar powered. Firedanger ratings predict how a fire would behave if one started
inforced concrete blend which is water resistant and will stand up to a reasonable impact. “As well all components used on doors and surrounds are made from high grade stainless steel; the whole building has been accredited to protect against a bushfire for a maximum period of one hour as a class 10c building.” The units are rated to BAL – FZ (Bushfire Attack Level – Flame Zone). This is the highest rating in Australia. Every bunker door is fitted with an outside temperature gauge and the handle mechanism is designed in such a way that occupants inside the bunker
are extremely proud of”. “We now have an Australian made product that is affordable to all Australians who live in high fire risk areas.” Where soil is relatively rock free, a 3 by 2.5 by 1.4m deep hole can be excavated and a bunker easily installed in about four hours; if necessary they can be removed and relocated at a later date if required. Excavated soil is re-installed around the walls of the bunker. All bunkers come with a comprehensive operations manual and CFA Fire Ready Booklet. A six-person fire bunker sells for $11,500 while a 12-person unit is $20,700 plus delivery, installation and GST. Information: wildfiresafetybunkers.com.au.
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Page 22, Southern Farmer
FIRE SEASON PREPARATION
Thick, fluffy windrows defeat tough herbicide-resistant weeds By DAVID PALMER
Stay aware of key ¿ UH GDQJHU UDWLQJV FIRE danger ratings predict how a fire would behave if one started and how difficult it would be to put out. Needless to say the higher the rating the more dangerous the conditions or anticipated conditions. Anything more than a low to moderate rating is a trigger to act or think about acting. During the fire season in the Mornington Peninsula Shire, the fire danger rating will feature in weather forecasts and be broadcast on radio and TV and appear in some newspapers. It will also be found on websites of the CFA, Department of Environment and Primary Industries and Bureau of Meteorology, or by calling the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667. To learn more about FDRs and other bushfire information you may wish to attend a fire ready Victoria (FRV) session in your local township. Upcoming FRV sessions are being held on the Mornington Peninsula. Stay up to date at: www.emergency.vic.gov.au.
WEED COLLECTOR: A tow behind chaff cart is a much more expensive way of capturing and destroying weed seeds.
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PRECISE BURN: Burned stubble from a wheat crop of Doug Smith’s which yielded 5t/ha of wheat. Very narrow sprays of herbicide within the burned area mostly killed the few surviving weed seeds.
conditions. “On the wheel you set air temperature, humidity, wind speed and degree of curing – which of course in the case of stubble is 100 per cent - and it gives you a fire danger index. “There is no magic number because I can’t say go out there and light up at seven or eight and the fire will not stay in the windrows. “It gives you a guide for where you should be aiming because if the number is five tonight and the fire stays in the rows, the likelihood is it will do the same with the same figure the following evening,” Mr Smith said. He said burning conditions were king if weed seeds were to be destroyed. “Light across your rows instead of along them whether you go round and round the paddock or up and back; this is particularly important in big crops to avoid lighting a wide front and burning all the stubble.” Stubble guard mats one inch thick conveyor belting hanging in front of the front header tyres to stop the stubble tearing away the tyres also help stop frontal burns because they flatten the stubble and form windrow firebreaks by stopping radiant heat spontaneously combusting thick stubbles, Mr Smith said. “We burn from late afternoon until how long it takes us at night – we try and start by six and finish by
10pm - and do 300 to 400ha a night with one lighter.” He said some farmers run two teams and they might get 500 to 600ha a night done because they are burning into conditions that are becoming more docile and safer the later they go. “At the end of the day don’t start too much if you have never done it before until you get a bit of an idea,” he said. Mr Smith said the results this year had been the best he had seen in the 12 to 15 years he had been burning windrows. “But we had the toughest conditions because we have usually finished burning by April 1 and it took till April 15 this year because we had to pick the right weather conditions to get the job done.” Barley straw was more difficult to burn that wheat. “Scope and Buloke crops yielding four to five tonnes/ha of grain can be burnt successfully but everything needs to be right,” Mr Smith said. Humidity needed to be at 75 percent, wind at less than 12km/hr and temperature around 12 degrees. “In our area these conditions generally occur between 9pm and 5am,” he said. Windrow burning could become permanently more difficult, too, because of bureaucratic interference.
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BY concentrating on forming thick fluffy narrow windrows behind his 13.7m wide header, WA farmer Doug Smith makes sure he keeps on top of herbicide resistant weeds like annual ryegrass. The other half of the effectiveness equation is setting fire to it so it burns as completely as possible all weed seeds in the windrow. Mr Smith who farms 2500ha in a 250 to 375mm growing season rainfall district near Pingrup, 380km south east of Perth, was speaking about his experiences in dealing with herbicide resistant weeds at a GRDC herbicide resistance workshop at Bendigo Racecourse recently. “Vital to the formation of the 500mm wide windrow is to spend $400 to $500 on sheet steel and building a chute/windrower for the back of the header that is enclosed on four sides which means it has three sides and a floor on it.” Mr Smith said his earlier windrowers were just two sheets down each side with an open front and back. “But the difference the floor makes is absolutely phenomenal because it forces weed seeds to mix with the straw so they burn when the straw does,” he said. “However, if you don’t get your sheets right you’re wasting your time burning your windrows because too many weed seeds will survive.” Benefits of burning the stubble far outweigh the benefits of retaining it for its value as organic matter, he said. “If we had another 100mm and two months longer growing season it might be different.” He said that a farmer to the north of his farm had retained his stubble to the extent that the weeds now were uncontrollable and the farm is on the market as a result. Mr Smith said that by cutting last year’s 5t/ha wheat crops to beer can height over the 13.7m (45ft) span of his header, the mass of straw in windrows was too high to step over. “As well, the windrows looked nice and prickly and that meant the fire generated enough airflow for a good burn,” he said. While cutting so low slowed the harvest by 15 to 20 per cent, it did not affect the harvest speed as much as a chaff cart does. “Chaff carts slow harvest down much more than harvesting enough straw (and weed seeds) to produce decent windrows and a Harrington chaff cart will cost you $200,000 plus. “Then you’re faced with the problem of what to do with a chaff dump because there is greater resistance to burning chaff dumps than there is to burning narrow windrows because they keep burning for two or three days. “In the short term I think it’s worth putting the effort into this because it’s cheap; for $500 you can set a header up to form fluffy narrow windrows.” Burning narrow windrows to ensure they burn completely and safely requires some care though, Mr Smith said. He said he was a senior fire control officer for his area and used a circular CSIRO developed grassland fire danger calculator to establish likely fire behavior in different weather
November, 2014
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