THE SOUTHERN
Part of the Farmer Group Rural Newspapers Covering Victoria Published since 1986
DECEMBER, 2014
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BUILT TO LAST: Ballarat’s Stephen Scobie and daughter Jaci exhibited their centuryold thresher and slightly younger Cliff and Bunting baler at the Lake Goldsmith steam rally near Ballarat last month. Out of the picture driving the thresher is a 1910 Clayton and Shuttleworth Fowler steam traction engine. Stephen’s grandfather, then based at Dean, near Creswick, bought the engine and thresher nearly 100 years ago. Stephen operates Scobie’s Service Centre and services all New Holland tractors in the region. More pictures pages 4-5
New conservation plan AUSTRALIAN Farm Institute executive director Mick Keogh has asked for an environmental management rethink that would give farmers the freedom to determine the conservation of native vegetation and threatened species on their farms. S REDUCE SE OU GREENH SION IS GAS EM
Writing in the Australian Farm Institute’s November newsletter, Mr Keogh said that despite 100 million hectares – or 20 per cent of Australian agricultural land – converted from agricultural to conservation use in the past 30 years, environmental “experts and conservation groups still claim that species are becoming
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extinct and the environment is suffering”. “If this is correct then to argue for continuation of these existing regulations in the expectation of a different outcome surely meets the definition of insanity,” he said. Current legislation to protect and foster biodiversity was also “heavy handed” and regulatory
arrangements were “cumbersome”. Mr Keogh has advocated a pragmatic approach to develop “bio-regional targets” for land that needs to be reserved to maintain farm land sustainability. “This would…determine the minimum proportion of land that each farmer owns which he
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would be required to prudently retain in a largely natural state,” he said. Farmers’ responsibilities under state soil conservation and pest and weed control legislation would be maintained but such a change would free them of restrictions imposed by native vegetation and threatened species legislation.
If this could be achieved then farmers would be able to determine which areas of their land could be set aside for conservation. Mr Keogh said that such a fresh approach would also deliver the flexibility to change these areas to optimise land management over time. Continued page 11
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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
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Sheep ‘webinar’ December 3 PRECISION technologies for the sheep industry with a focus on walk-over weighing will feature in a webinar on December 3 at 1pm. It will release the most recent outputs of the Accelerating Pastoral Zone Innovation project by Bestprac and Australian Wool Innovation, including a business case on walk-over weighing. The webinar will not only focus on the advances in walk-over weighing, but also other precision technologies suitable for sheep properties. AgriPartner’s Hamish Dickson will present the session. Mr Dickson has had experience testing
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and implementing forms of precision technologies that help improve sheep management. To register go to attendee.gotowebinar/register. If you cannot attend but would like to participate, please register, as a recording will be made available for those who register. Fire Ready January 3, 8, 2015 KNOWING what to do and where to go on a hot, dry, windy day is your best protection against a bushďŹ re. Free CFA Fire Ready Victoria meetings will be held at Cape Paterson outside the Cape Tavern on January 3 at 9am and at the Grantville Community Hall on January 8 at 7.30pm. Information: Bass Coast Shire Council 1300 226 278, www.cfa.vic. gov.au/plan-prepare/ďŹ reready-kit. Bass Coast show January 10-11 BASS Coast Summer
Agricultural Show will be held on January 10 at Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve. It will feature traditional agricultural show activities and stunt motorbikes, African drumming,Wonthaggi Citizens’ Band and roving entertainment. Entry: $35 families, $15 adults, $5 children and $10 pensioners and students. Sunday, January 11 is an equestrian-only day with entry at $15/vehicle. Information: telephone (03) 5672 3259, email basscoastagshow@hotmail.com or see www. basscoastagshow.org.au. Scholarships January 16 APPLE and Pear Australia Limited (APAL) is offering a $10,000 scholarship for fees for a Diploma of Agribusiness at Marcus Oldham College, Geelong. Anyone working in the apple and pear industry in a nursery, orchard, pack
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house or cool store can apply. Applications close Friday, January 16. Information: www. apal.org.au/importanced ucated/#sthash.9lGgTN 12.dpuf. Lobster festival January 25 KILCUNDA Lobster Festival will be held from 9am on January 25 at the foreshore car park, Bass Highway, Kilcunda. Information: Andrea Bolch 0400 065 253, secretary@kcda.org.au, www.kcda.org.au. Vintage vehicle show February 15 BA L L A N D i s t r i c t Vintage Machinery and Vehicle Club will feature CT Deutscher and Sons Ballarat made engines and British sporting cars in Ballan’s Great Vintage Rally at the Old Ballan Racecourse. The usual vintage tractors, stationary engines, trucks and workshop equipment will be on display as well as old time wares, classic cars and motorcycles and model trains. There will be vintage tractors engaged in a pulling contest, model aircraft
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own and sheep shorn. Open from 9.30am to 4pm, entry will cost $10 for adults and nothing for under 14 year olds. Murnong open day February 18 MURNONG Farming will hold its next open day on its 1215ha farm midway between Inverleigh and Winchelsea. It is participating in DEPI hogget joining trials and is looking forward to the results. A nucleus flock of Highlander elite ewes joined as hoggets have performed beyond expectations with 129 per cent lambs being scanned when the ewes were pregnant and 117 per cent survived to lamb marking. Mature ewe size has dropped from ďŹ rst cross ewes at 90-95kgs to Australian composites at 7580kgs and is now down to Highlanders at 65-68kgs. This results in a drop in feed requirements of 24 per cent or increased stocking rates, which equate to 36 additional lambs per hundred ewes in Murnong’s ock. Information: www. murnongfarming.com.
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“This new service helps us to deliver our farming publications to digital audiences while at the same time offering crossplatform opportunities for our advertisers.â€? To read your farming news via the digital edition register as a ďŹ rst step at www.nemedia.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/ viewer.aspx. The go to Apple, Google or Microsoft app stores to dowload the North East Media app. You can then use your login details to access Farmer digital editions using your computer or mobile device.
Sheep ‘webinar’ leads summer diary
Published by Hartley Higgins for North East Media Pty Ltd, 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta 3677. Responsibility for election comment is accepted by Editor Jeff Zeuschner. Copyright: All advertising and editorial content of this issue is the copyright of North East Media Pty Ltd and cannot be used without the company’s permission.
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even if the reader is ofine. North East Media chief executive ofďŹ cer Edward Higgins said his company had responded to the demands of its readers. “We set out to create a product that allows readers to engage with our publications on a device of choice,â€? he said. “Launching the digital editions is an important step in our commitment to offering a convenient, easyto-use digital news service to our readers who prefer digital content to the printed form, as well as those readers who don’t have access to a printed edition.
SOUTHERN Farmer is now available as a complete digital edition accessible via the North East Media website or app. This follows a partnership between PressReader, the world’s leading digital newspaper and magazine content distributor and the publisher of the Southern Farmer, North East Media. This free service enables readers to access full-content editions in a format they are familiar with via either smart phone, tablet or desktop device. Once downloaded, the publications can then THE digital edition showing on a desktop screen. be read anywhere, anytime
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NEWS
December, 2014
Southern Farmer, Page 3
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6WDWH VXPPHU EXVK¿ UH RXWORRN XSJUDGHG IURP µDYHUDJH¶ WR µPDMRU season,” Mr Lapsley said. “We also have a record fleet of 46 aircraft providing fire water bombing and air intelligence capabilities, and DEPI and Parks Victoria have taken every opportunity throughout spring to do planned burning. We have also seen CFA, local government and VicRoads undertake extensive vegetation management, including roadside burning.” Mr Lapsley said this year fire and emergency services have built on and improved warning systems based on feedback from the public. “This includes the addition of 85 new stateof-the-art automated fire danger rating signs and emergency radio broadcasting for a further 35 Victorian towns,” he said. “We have a new warnings app for smartphones to assist those who are deaf and hard of hearing and for the first time this year, emergency services will issue a ‘warning area’, which highlights on a map the specific area affected. “In addition to this we also have formalised ar-
rangements for emergency accommodation and have seen many upgrades across our firefighting fleet. “Victoria’s emergency services, including CFA, Department of Environment and Primary Industries, MFB, Parks Victoria and Melbourne Water are prepared and ready for the season ahead and are urging Victorians to do the same.” Mr Lapsley said while the season has started slightly earlier than in 2013, it is not unusual to see grass and bushfires at this time of year. “The message to all Victorians is not to wait and see – don’t hold off until the weather warms up or for a fire to start,” he said. The Southern Australia Seasonal Bushfire Outlook 2014-15 includes advice about an increased fire risk for Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. The full seasonal outlook report is at www. bnhcrc.com.au.
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Dairy man’s Gippsland move ference,” Mr Romano said. “I really enjoy working with farmers to help them achieve their goals and improve their bottom line in this way where you can see the results of changes fairly quickly.” Increasing farm profitability through greater home grown feed consumption is the focus of his new job. Most recently Mr Romano oversaw Elanco’s sales and marketing strategy as ruminant business unit manager servicing the dairy, beef and sheep industries throughout Australia and New Zealand. “My dairy journey began as a dairy extension officer in northern Victoria,” he said.
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DAIRY Australia’s newly appointed feed base and nutrition program manager Richard Romano – after 16 years working for Elanco animal health and 11 based in Sydney – is looking forward to moving to rural Gippsland. His appointment is part of the organisation’s strategy to increase its focus on farm business performance across dairy regions by providing higher levels of quality feed base and nutrition information and extension support. “By helping farmers make better decisions through a focus on good feeding and nutrition practices we can make a real dif-
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FIRE and emergency services forecasting a long, hot and dry summer are urging the community to also make sure they are prepared. An updated Southern Australia Seasonal Bushfire Outlook 2014-15, released by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC towards the end of last month, said Victoria’s summer forecast had moved from an above average season to a major fire season. Emergency management commissioner Craig Lapsley said the outlook was based on forecasts that the weather would be drier and hotter than usual, coupled with below average rainfall. He said fire and emergency services are well prepared for the threat of grass and bushfires this year but warned it could be a long, tough summer. “During September and October we held 17 multi-agency exercises and regional briefings across the state to prepare fire and emergency services and agencies in the lead up to the fire
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NEWS
Page 4, Southern Farmer
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ROAD WORK: Les Bloom, Dereel near Rokewood, loads his Foden steam engine on a semi trailer so it can be transported to Yarra Glen. The following weekend Les drove it to Healesville.
MORE than 1000 people ocked to Lake Goldsmith west of Ballarat in early November for the two-day 104th Lake Goldsmith Steam Preservation Association’s biennial rally. As usual there was a theme and this time it was Caterpillar equipment. A couple of dozen working Cats were on show with the dozers moving dirt in the middle of the arena. About half were Cat farm tractors though and they grand paraded each day to enthusiastic crowds. The next rally will be on May 2 and 3, 2015. For more information about the association go to www.lakegoldsmithsteamrally.org.au.
FLAT OUT: Greg Hillier, Corryong, driving, showed this 1929 Caterpillar 10. It develops 15 drawbar and 19 PTO horse power.
WOOL WAGON: Gary Williamson, Yarragon, showed this 1914 Holt Caterpillar used to haul wool nearly 200km near Bouurke, NSW.
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December, 2014
Southern Farmer, Page 5
À RFN WR /DNH *ROGVPLWK PUMP POWER: Phillip Hayes from Altona Meadows displayed this Marshall stationary engine (right) providing power to a 25cm Leighton and Shuttleworth centrifugal pump at the Lake Goldsmith Steam Preservation Association biennial rally last month. It was the association’s 104th show. Members convene at a ground west of Ballarat for the events.
FARM WORKER: An Allis Chalmers farm tractor parades among the Cats.
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POWERFUL REPLACEMENT: An entire 1942 Cat D8 originally the Hutchings family, Beaufort, made some chassis adjustments to instal a 200hp Cat D17000 V8 replacement engine over the last 18 months. The Lake Goldsmith event was its first public showing.
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NEWS
Page 6, Southern Farmer
Herefords top index tests
Footrot samples OVINE (sheep) footrot is a serious disease which has long been dreaded by sheep owners. It causes severe economic loss, suffering due to lameness and disruption to normal farm operations. Economic losses result from reduced body weight and growth, decreased wool production and restrictions on marketing opportunities. DEPI animal health staff are involved with a
research project to improve the diagnosis and control of this disease. The project is aimed at creating a better test to quickly single out benign from virulent footrot infections. DEPI is looking for field samples to assist develop the new test, so if you have animals that have some type of footrot, please contact your local DEPI animal health staff to come and swab some sheep for the program.
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PUREBRED Hereford steers rigorously evaluated for carcase data have consistently graded in the top 10 per cent for eating quality under the new Meat Standards Australia (MSA) Index. Seven consignments totalling 438 steers from the large-scale progeny test program conducted by Herefords Australia were slaughtered fromJuly 2012 to August 2014 to record an average MSA Index of 62.41. The average MSA Index for all cattle MSA graded for the 2013-14 financial year, which reached a record of over three million head Australia wide, was 56.77, as reported in the MSA Annual Outcomes report 2013-14. Herefords Australia commercial development officer Liz Pearson said this result put the progeny test steers in the top 10 per cent of all cattle MSA graded Australia wide for MSA Index. “This is an outstanding result for Hereford cattle,’’ Ms Pearson said. T h e p r o g e ny t e s t program is conducted with funding from Meat and Livestock Australia member donor company
CARCASE: Data show Hereford steers beef is consistently achieving high marks.
(MDC) under the Beef Information Nucleus program. Up to 50 young Hereford bulls of high genetic merit are being progeny tested across four different cohorts using 12 co-operator herds from Queensland to South Australia. Herefords Australia chief executive officer John McKew said the first three cohorts represented a $1.76m investment by Herefords Australia and Meat and Livestock Australia. The project has been ex-
tion of genomic-based technologies and sire conformation. Meat samples are collected and analysed by the University of New England meat science lab for tenderness, marbling, cooking loss and meat color. In the latest consignment, 120 2013-drop steers from cohort three were fed for 71 days at the University of New England’s Tullimba Feedlot near Armidale, NSW, and processed in August at John Dee’s plant, War-
tended to a fourth cohort, which is projected to cost $500,000, with the final drop of calves due to be born next autumn. “This project will help us accelerate our rate of genetic improvement of the breed, identify sires’ progeny expressing performance and carcass quality, and improve the robustness and accuracy of Breedplan data,’’ Mr McKew said. Blood samples are collected from all progeny as a source of DNA information for the valida-
wick, Queensland. Liz Pearson said 12 per cent of these steers graded in the top one per cent for MSA Index. “Eighty per cent of these steers were in the top 10 per cent of all cattle MSA graded Australia wide for MSA Index,’’ Ms Pearson said. The final steer portion from cohort three is due to be slaughtered late December. Meat and Livestock Australia program manager for eating quality Alex Ball said the Hereford BIN program clearly shows the breed’s genetic potential to deliver cattle into the highest percentile across Australia. “The MSA Index has been designed to provide a measure of eating quality potential of cattle – it is a tool enabling beef producers to target management and genetic interventions that can really drive MSA compliance, and ultimately help beef brands deliver eating quality to Australian consumers,’’ Dr Ball said. “The MSA Index works across all breeds allowing commercial breeders to independently evaluate cattle performance.”
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NEWS
December, 2014
Southern Farmer, Page 7
Victorian farmers facing a patchy harvest season
middle of the state that have done well, with 50 – 90 per cent yield on last year expected, but overall yields across the state are expected to be well below average.� Commenting on his local area, Mr Martin said “the start to the season in the Wimmera this year was ideal, however in some areas due to patchy
rainfall, growers might only get their seed back�. “Crops between Horsham and Warracknabeal have been particularly affected, but those south of Horsham might be okay. We expect wheat crops to yield below average but early barley yield might be alright,� Mr Martin added. Rural Finance regional general manager north
west and north central Victoria, Greg Kuchel, echoed Mr Martin’s comments, stating performance in the Mallee has been mixed this year. “A distance of 50km might mean the difference between a reasonable crop and no crop. Despite a strong start to the season, crops around Ultima, Manangatang and Ouyen
look reasonable to slightly below average. However, further south between Birchip, Quambatook and Charlton many growers will be fortunate if they get back what they started with,â€? Mr Kuchel said. The 2014-15 period is predicted to be a challenging season for some producers, although on a positive note, the average Victorian grain farm has enjoyed an upward trend in crop receipts and earnings before interest and tax since 2009-10. China has emerged as a large importer of Victorian grain in recent years; nationally there has been a signiďŹ cant increase in crops being exported to China, with total export value increasing from around $1.1 billion in 2012-13 to $1.8 billion in 2013-14. In addition to Victorian and national data, the report includes statebased statistics on grain production and forecasts, predicted wheat yields by local shire, growing season rainfall, and wheat and canola prices.
Aviation Fund (RAF). The upgrade provides a 24-hour self-service aviation fuel facility and a Civil Aviation Safety Authority-approved pilot activated lighting (PAL).
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KYNETON AirďŹ eld’s new lighting and fuel facilities were opened late in October. They were supported by a $170,320 grant from the Victorian government’s Regional
SF DEC. 2014
A NEW report has found that the patchy ďŹ nish to Australia’s 2014 grains season means production nationally, particularly across much of Victoria, will fall short of 2013/14 levels. The National Crop Update, launched by Rural Bank and Rural Finance’s market insights resource, Ag Answers, has forecast wheat yields to fall by 14 per cent, barley by 24 per cent and canola by nine per cent compared to last year’s national grain harvest. The report provides predictions for the 201415 Victorian cropping season based on climatic conditions, price, ďŹ nancial movements and export performance for wheat, barley, canola and other crops. Rural Finance regional general manager South West Wimmera Andrew Martin said the report allows farmers to benchmark their farm performance against predictions for their local shire. “Results for Victoria show a few areas in the
Kyneton airďŹ eld boost
ON-FARM
Page 8, Southern Farmer
December, 2014
Robotic milker caps By DAVID PALMER
EAGERLY PATIENT: With cows milking themselves up to four times a day, there is little evidence now of a pecking order.
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WHEN Southern Farmer telephoned Drouin South dairy farmer Trevor Mills to ask if it was alright to visit him quite late one spring afternoon he said that was fine but did not explain why with milking in the offing. On arrival cows were clearly waiting to be milked but Mr Mills and his two children were busy cladding the sides of a hayshed to provide better protection for calves using it. It was soon apparent that the cows did not need Mr Mills’s immediate attention because a new robotic milker was doing the work. Mr Mills and his wife, Anne Marie, installed a $750,000 GEA MIone robotic system in May, the first of its type in the world to service a pasture fed herd. It is also the first of its type in Australia. The GEA MIone system milks three cows at a time and uses a travelling robotic arm to move between each bail to apply cups. The current herd numbers about 160 but Mr
LABOR SAVER: Trevor Mills surveys the progress of the MIone’s robotic arm. It travels to each of the three bays to place in situ cups on waiting cows.
Mills reckons they will work towards upping that to ultimate capacity for the unit of about 180 cows. They have in the past milked 200 cows but reduced that to expand an export dairy heifer enterprise to 150 head a year. He has been impressed with the way the cows have accepted the GEA MIone unit and has noted that they are much quieter than when they were milked by human hand. “Previously when I went into the yard they all moved away from me. Now they tend to crowd forward waiting to be
milked,” he said. As well they quickly learn to adjust the position of their rear legs to accommodate the robot’s systematic movements. One of the parameters that can be set using the MIone’s computer is the number of times a day a cow can be milked. The Mills have that set currently on four with the top cows producing about 40 litres a day tending to take most advantage of that frequency. Cows at the other end of the scale might only present to be milked once a day, Mr Mills said.
Average per cow production is about 6500 litres per year or 25 litres a day. The MIone system is more than just robotic milking and automated washing of milk lines between cows and tanks after pick up. During milking if the machines detect high conductivity milk that indicates possible mastitis and the computer automatically drafts those cows off for possible treatment. The whole milk collection plumbing is comprehensively flushed twice a day. Continued page 9
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ON-FARM
December, 2014
Southern Farmer, Page 9
environmental gains From page 8
INFORMATION OVERLOAD: Trevor Mills with one of the robotic milkers’ digital read out screens.
shrubs from tubes and seed which have thrived in the mostly brown dermosol soils. Following a herbicide application and deep ripping they now achieve a 95 per cent survival rate. Most are behind fences excluding livestock from the two kilometre-long Minnieburn Creek which gives the farm its name and other fenced drainage lines across the farm.
They have as well fenced all creeks and drainage lines and relocated water troughs as far as possible from those areas to minimise erosion. Water and nutrient runoff has been reduced with the construction of a 25 megalitre dam which prevents nutrients and sediment entering the Minnieburn Creek and ultimately Westernport Bay via the Lang Lang River.
ARBOR BAY: Milk production is maximised when cows run on such well sheltered paddocks.
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BELLE VUE: Little remnant vegetation has been augmented with massive plantings of indigenous species.
With a kinder environment evolving, the family has recorded 14 orchid and wildflower species and more than 80 different bird species many of which have not been in the area in recent times. As well wallabies, koalas, echidnas, wombats and antechinus have returned in significant numbers and nearly always trip automatic cameras Mr Mills sets up at various times. A keen photographer – he once contemplated becoming a professional – Mr Mills has carefully documented the dramatic landscape transitions on the farm. In 2012 the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority made the Mills and their farm its sustainable farming regional Landcare award winner. Then last year the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) again recognised the Mills farm with second place in its regional innovation in sustainable farm practice contest. About 150 people came to the farm one day in April to see how the Mills had achieved that. “Don’t put me on a pedestal,” Mr Mills said. “I just do what I think is right for a nice working environment.” The Mills say they view their farm more as a garden and want it to look like parkland – an aim they believe they have nearly achieved. From an agricultural perspective, their cows have more shade, better quality water, more diverse pasture species, are less stressed and calve better. Milk quality has improved, production figures are climbing despite fewer cows and the grass is healthier despite limited fertiliser use.
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Milk produced and feed disbursed is recorded too. Mr Mills said the only major problem with the MIone system occurred when a tanker driver turned off a manual valve he should not have touched which meant milk could not flow into the vat and was diverted by the computer into the drains. A sign now warns drivers not to interfere. By any measure the Mills are progressive and sensitive farmers. The farm had been managed using traditional farming techniques which led to a loss of vegetation and native wildlife, and degraded soil and waterways. His parents had run the Winarna Jersey stud on the farm until the late 1980s after which the property carried beef cattle for the next 10 years. “But we were just going backwards with that decision; it was crunch time because it was a choice of becoming dairy farmers again or selling up,” Mr Mills said. “I made decision to start milking again and never looked back.” When he bought the farm from his parents in 1997 he used computer software and aerial photographs to redesign the 122 hectares. Now there are about 50 well sheltered and watered paddocks of two to 2.5ha each instead of 25 paddocks hosting minimal shelter. He had started mostly indigenous plantings in the late 1980s – some nonindigenous blue gums and ironbarks went in too – because clumps of remnant trees had died out and most solitary trees had blown over. So in nearly 25 years Mr Mills and later the rest of the family have planted close to 30,000 trees and
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NEWS
Page 10, Southern Farmer
December, 2014
Weed studies yield hope
MARTIN Vila-Aiub studies the ‘fitness penalty’ associated with herbicide resistance in some weeds to find ways to exploit it using environmental factors. For example, glyphosate resistant ryegrass and wild sorghum are susceptible to glyphosate applied at low temperatures. In another experiment researchers showed that some herbicide resistant plants produce seed that does not germinate without light. Burying these seeds just a few millimetres was enough to prevent germination. Responses have been shown experimentally but need to be better understood.
FOR some weeds, the ability to survive herbicide treatment comes with a fitness penalty that makes them less able to thrive when faced with strong competition. AHRI research fellow Martin Vila-Aiub studies the ability of herbicide resistant weeds to survive when faced with other environmental pressures in the absence of herbicide application. “What we have found is that some weeds that are selected for their ability to survive herbicide treatment are less able to grow well and reproduce—this is called a fitness penalty,” Dr Vila-Aiub said. “However, some herbicide resistant weeds do not suffer any fitness penalty and these super weeds can adapt well to every control tactic applied to them.” For the weeds that do suffer a fitness penalty he says there are opportunities for growers to exploit this new weakness and to greatly reduce their seed production without using herbicides. There are many variables involved in this field of study that make it difficult for researchers to issue general recom-
GLASSHOUSE experiments show that some herbicide-resistant weeds suffer a fitness penalty that reduces plants’ ability to compete with other plants when no herbicide is applied. Unfortunately not all herbicide resistance causes a fitness penalty.
mendations, he said. Importantly it is not possible to observe resistant weeds in the field and make assumptions about what might be causing their apparent lack of fitness or otherwise. What does it mean if weeds survive a herbicide treatment but look sick? Short answer: There may be an opportunity to exploit this weakness.
Longer answer: Sometimes herbicide resistant weeds can survive a treatment but are very damaged by the herbicide. These plants are less likely to compete well against a vigorous crop or pasture. In a competitive environment these plants are less likely to set seed and so the population size can be significantly reduced.
If I think my weeds might be herbicide resistant, what should I do? Short answer: Get samples tested to determine if they are resistant and to identify any herbicides that are still effective. Longer answer: Providing a competitive environment is usually a beneficial tactic in a weed management plan. Weed populations that
suffer a fitness penalty associated with their herbicide resistance trait can be significantly reduced in size. Resistant weeds with no fitness penalty are likely to still grow well but may be inhibited by the rapid early growth of a suitable crop cultivar. What other fitness penalties can be inferred with herbicide resistance? Short answer: Increased susceptibility to insect and disease attack. Longer answer: The herbicide resistant biotypes of some weed species become more attractive to pests and diseases compared to plants that are susceptible to herbicides. Some species use lowered photosynthesis activity as a mechanism to survive herbicide treatment. This has a side effect of reduced seed production, which reduces the resistant population’s ability to thrive and spread. Do herbicide resistant weeds have other weaknesses that growers can exploit? Some herbicide resistant weeds may have a new ‘weak link’ in their ecology.
t/05d07538/49-14
NEWS
December, 2014
Manuka honey study offers some tidy hives AUSTRALIAN beekeepers could be set for a boom, earning up to $30/kg for honey if new research confirms production from various species of Australian manuka trees have antibacterial properties. Honey is increasingly being used for the treatment of wounds and skin infections due to its potent antibacterial and healing properties, including major infections like Golden Staph, E-coli and superbugs which are now becoming untreatable with modern antibiotics. Currently, the majority of medical grade honey is sourced from New Zealand, where two species of Leptospermum (the manuka tree) are earning the industry an estimated $75 million a year. This is likely to increase to $1 billion over the next 10 years. Australia has 83 different species of manuka trees, leaving the door ajar for our beekeepers to seriously grow their profit margins if this project can systematically identify
which species make the most therapeutically active honey and where they are located in Australia. The research is being led by the ithree institute at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). It is funded by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), Capilano Honey Ltd and Comvita Ltd under the Honey Bee and Pollination R&D program, which is jointly funded by RIRDC and Horticultural Australia Limited (HAL). Honey Bee and Pollination R&D Program spokesperson Ben Hooper said each Australian species of manuka needs to be investigated thoroughly to measure antibacterial properties before its honey can be incorporated into commonly used wound gels and dressings. “We know the science is accurate, but we have only just scratched the surface when it comes to honey research in Australia. “When it is determined which manuka species provide the necessary
qualities, research tells us the Australian honey sector has the potential to increase its profits by as much as 50 per cent a year,” he said. “Antibiotic resistance is a global health problem and the industry pipeline for new antibiotics is running dry. Honey is steadily emerging in clinics as an alternative treatment for various infections. “Critically, unlike antibiotics, bacteria cannot develop resistance to
manuka honey and Australian beekeepers stand to capitalise on this growing international market. UTS researchers, and their co-investigators at the University of Sydney and the University of the Sunshine Coast, believe Australian honey is as potent as, if not more potent than, the New Zealand variety and Australian beekeepers will inevitably be the beneficiaries from this ground-breaking research.”
Southern Farmer, Page 11
New conservation plan From page 1
Landholders with insufficient areas set aside for conservation could be encouraged “or eventually be required to purchase or lease extra areas owned by others in the region to meet their minimum sustainability requirements”. Mr Keogh said conserved and unfarmed areas would gain value, restoring equity between farmers “who have conservatively managed their land, and those who have cleared fence to fence”. Already Victoria deserved credit for its existing ‘Habitat Hectares’ system which recognises areas of high conservation value and credits them with more habitat hectares than the same area of land that does not have high conservation value. Meanwhile, as Victoria headed towards its November 29 state election,
various groups and individuals were calling for more national parks and particularly the Great Forest National Park to conserve the Leadbeater possum – the state fauna emblem. Great Forest is a huge swathe of mostly state forest largely comprising Melbourne’s main water catchment to the city’s north and west. The park would add 355,000ha to existing national parks and reserves and would stretch from Kinglake across the Yarra Ranges to Mt Baw Baw and north to Lake Eildon. But, as Mr Keogh said, expansion means that “every new addition to the conservation estate inevitably results in governments spreading available management resources more thinly, reducing the standard of management on existing conservation areas and creating more problems for neighboring landholders”.
Collectively dairying
BEE THERE: Honey Bee and Pollination R&D program spokesperson Ben Hooper.
DAIRY Australia has published an easy to read document for dairy farmers interested in forming collective bargaining groups to negotiate with milk buyers. “The Collective Bargaining Guide provides practical advice and insights for farmers, and may help those who feel they are not on a level playing field with large milk buyers,” said Ian Halliday MD of Dairy Australia. “Dairy farmers also need to be better informed about the opportunities, realities and potential pitfalls in entering into collective bargaining
arrangements. “Successful collective bargaining relies, among other things, on strong leadership, members who share the same priorities and risk appetite, good governance and persistence.” ACCC deputy chair Michael Schaper said the guide provides farmers with key information they need when considering collective bargaining. “The ACCC is keen to encourage collective bargaining arrangements as they can be a great way for small producers to work with suppliers for mutual benefit.”
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FIRE AWARNESS AND PREVENTION
Page 12, Southern Farmer
Millbrook refuge works under way THE first sod at the site of a new $1.6 million co-located community fire refuge and Country Fire Authority station in Millgrove was turned in late October. The dual-purpose facility will provide a modern base for 35 Wesburn-Millgrove CFA volunteer brigade members and a last resort bushfire survival option for the local community. It will feature a three-bay motor room, modern amenities and a carefully planned vegetation management system which provides good positioning to reduce radiant heat impact. It is expected to open before the start of the 2015-16 summer fire season. The CFA is in the planning stages of the project and will continue to work closely with the Yarra Ranges Council and the Millgrove community to address community needs.
A government spokesman said that the investment built on a commitment to make bushfire-prone communities fire-ready, with Blackwood, Ferny Creek and East Warburton community fire refuges already available. “The Millgrove facility will be based on the pilot Blackwood co-located community fire refuge and CFA (shed) opened earlier this year, with feedback from the Blackwood local community and brigade overwhelmingly positive,” the spokesman said. Millgrove is located in a high bushfire-risk area characterised by limited access and limited shelter options for the community. Victoria’s community fire refuges are the first of their kind in Australia and were aiding the creation of national performance standards, and a handbook for building refuges across the country.
December, 2014
Beware summer storm risk WITH summer approaching, electricity distributor AusNet Services is urging property owners to clear vegetation from private power lines to reduce the likelihood of summer storms causing power outages. AusNet Services’ regional customer and community manager Leesa Penaluna, said the company has a large vegetation management program but it’s a shared responsibility,with residents responsible for keeping vegetation on their property clear of their service cable or private electric lines. “Each year, we spend about $40 million on vegetation management by inspecting and then clearing (parts of) about 135,000 trees from 49,000 kilometres of power lines throughout our network to ensure a safe and reliable supply of electricity to customers,” Mrs Penaluna said. “Importantly property owners also have a responsibility to keep vegetation clear from their service cables or private electric lines supplying their properties. “Summer storms bring
POWER UP: Clearing vegetation from near powerlines reduces the downage threat to service cables or private lines.
strong wind and heavy rain, so now is a good time to clear vegetation and reduce the potential for property damage and power outages. “Importantly, under no circumstances should property owners attempt to climb a power pole or prune vegetation near a power line. Please contact a suitably trained and experienced contractor to carry out the clearing work,” she said.
To help property owners manage summer storms and possible power outages AusNet Services suggests having: s EMERGENCY CONTACT details easily available; s A FULLY CHARGED TORCH with fresh batteries and a battery-operated radio; s MOBILE PHONES FULLY charged; s KNOWLEDGE OF OPENING an electric garage door manually; s A BACK UP PUMP IF YOU
rely on mains electricity for your water supply; and s THE REFRIGERATOR AND freezer on cooler settings to better maintain food freshness if power does fail. During or after a storm, property owners are encouraged to report threatening trees or damaged power lines to AusNet Services’ 24-hour faults hotline 131 799. “When property owners provide accurate and
timely information, we are able to pinpoint threatening tree locations and damaged power lines and send crews directly to those locations,” Mrs Penaluna said. AusNet Services advises people to keep well away from fallen power lines at all times and immediately report them to the 24-hour faults hotline. Further information is also available at www.ausnetservices.com.au.
Is this a good look for your industry?
emical waste! ch ur yo t no .. g. in cl cy re on s de Burn or bury those old attitu
You can’t ignore it any more, most QA programs require responsible waste management. On our websites you can locate your nearest drumMUSTER collection site with an interactive map. You can also find out the status of the next ChemClear collection in each state. It’s quick and simple. t/05d07508/49-14
1800 008 707 1800 008 182
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FIRE AWARNESS AND PREVENTION
December, 2014
Empty chemical drums a hazard
Local burn-off law ‡ 5HJLVWHU WKH EXUQ ZLWK &)$ RQ ‡ &KHFN ZHDWKHU FRQGLWLRQV ‡ 7HOO QHLJKERUV WR DYRLG XQQHFHVVDU\ FDOOV WR HPHUJHQF\ VHUYLFHV ‡ 1HYHU OHDYH D EXUQ RII XQDWWHQGHG ‡ &DOO LI D ILUH JHWV RXW RI KDQG
Collection program chief seeks FOHDQ XS EHIRUH VXPPHU Âż UH VHDVRQ sultant John Knight said for each container that a farmer delivers, the CFA are one step closer to buying lifesaving equipment. “The Maindample CFA collection has become a vital source of funding for its volunteer ďŹ reďŹ ghters. For example 3000 drums convert to $750 for the CFA,â€? he said. Mr McGann said community groups, ďŹ re volunteers and sporting groups all beneďŹ t from promoting the program in their region. “These groups are rewarded for their efforts and are able to make their communities a better place,â€? he said. Whether you have one drum or 100 drums, take them to a collection site and join the growing band of farmers who are being proactive with farm waste recycling and supporting local community groups. “For small communities, the dollars raised
are vital. I encourage all farmers to contact their local community group or council to dispose of their empty containers.â€? Since 1999, DrumMUSTER has collected more than 24 million drums across Australia. That represents more than 29,000 tonnes of waste avoiding landďŹ ll and being recycled into new and useful things, like plastic cable covers, wheelie bins, road signs and bollards. For further information on the DrumMUSTER program, call 1800 008 707 or log on to www. drummuster.com.au. Agvet chemical users can also register their unwanted and out-of-date chemicals with ChemClear for collection. Once they register, chemicals should continue to be stored safely until the program collects in their region. To register, call 1800 088 182.
Farmers, burn-off carefully Manager community safety for the South East Region Jude Kennedy said although the ďŹ re danger period was still to be introduced in the region, residents should be aware of weather conditions along with council local laws. “We’re also reminding people to always register their burn-offs so we know what is happening in the area, especially if brigades are being called to ďŹ res,â€? Mr Kennedy said. “It reduces the chances of CFA brigades being called out unnecessarily if a member of the public calls about smoke or a ďŹ re in the area.â€? He added that people should never leave a burn-off unattended as it is a resident’s responsibility to control it.
Clean up
FOR THE SUMMER FIRE SEASON
DRUM FUND: DrumMUSTER’s John Knight says mustering 3000 old chemical drums can make $750 for a CFA brigade.
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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 ¾+RXVHKROG %XVK¿UH Self-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.
Further information about CFA community education programs can be found on the CFA website www.cfa.vic.gov.au
t/05d07481/49-14
AS temperatures begin to increase substantially the CFA has urged residents in the state’s south east to take extreme care when burning off. CFA assistant chief ofďŹ cer Trevor Owen reminded residents to register their burn off with CFA and check local conditions on the day. “Even if you have registered your burn, conditions can change quickly and ďŹ res can get out of control within minutes in hot and windy conditions,â€? Mr Owen said. “The effects of an out-of-control ďŹ re can be devastating and we want everyone to exercise extreme caution, especially with summer only just beginning.â€?
Leaf, Twig & Stick Rake. For Ride on Mowers T/05D07240-V5/49-14
AUSTRALIA’S agricultural and veterinary chemical container recycling program, DrumMUSTER, is calling on farmers in southern Victoria to clear their properties of empty drums in the leadup to the bushďŹ re season. DrumMUSTER national program manager Allan McGann said stockpiles of empty containers caught in a blaze could cause hazards for ďŹ reďŹ ghters. “Not only will you be clearing your properties of unsightly containers, you can also avoid having to deal with them during a potential crisis,â€? he said. DrumMUSTER also helps support local ďŹ re service volunteer groups who collect and inspect drums for their region. Groups like Maindample CFA near Yea can afford new gear and equipment for the team thanks to collecting drums through DrumMUSTER. DrumMUSTER con-
Southern Farmer, Page 13
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FIRE AWARNESS AND PREVENTION
Page 14, Southern Farmer
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?
December, 2014
Ride-on cutter keeps breaks
❑ ❑ 20. Are gas cylinders vented away from buildings?
4WD mower-mulcher chomps through paddock fuel build-up WITH wildfires being a constant summer threat, firefighting resources alone are often not enough to protect properties. The easiest way to fight a fire is to stop it in the first place and this often involves the removal of fuel and the establishment of firebreaks. The most common type is a reduced fuel zone fire break which has vegetation present, but it is required to be no higher than 50 millimetres. These provide access for people and vehicles by clearing the underbrush
❑ ❑ 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? ❑ ❑ 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?
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and saplings. They do not stop a fire, but slow it down and allow more time to combat it and reduce the intensity of the blaze. They also make an area look more aesthetically appealing and help keep erosion under control. Methods of constructing fire breaks vary, but often the ‘reduced fuel zone’ fire breaks are established with the use of a tractorslasher combination or a grader/bulldozer. However, the Razorback ride-on brush cutter is a compact, handy, and much more cost
Click on ‘Services for You’ then ‘Fire and Emergency Management’
Prepare for bushfire season AusNet Services has been busy clearing vegetation and maintaining its electricity network to bring you the benefits of a safe, reliable and efficient energy supply this summer.
Customers with private electric lines must ensure they are maintained and clear of vegetation. Contact a registered electrician or certified tree clearer if required.
Here are some of the $200 million of safety-related works our crews are on track to complete this year...
For more information visit our website ausnetservices.com.au > Electricity > Safety & Preparedness
AusNet Services contacts: General enquiries: 1300 360 795 Report a Fault or Emergency: 13 17 99
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FIRE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION
Page 16, Southern Farmer
December, 2014
7XVVRFN VXUYLYHV JUDVVÂż UHV
Bunker demand grows ALL private bushfire shelters require a building permit and to attain that they need to be accredited by the Victorian Building Commission. Some of those accredited include six and 12-person units built to order by Wildfire Safety Bunkers in Mornington. Managing director and company owner Anthony Tratt said that the government was promoting greater bushfire resilience and in areas where a single road might be the only escape route, a Wildfire bunker would provide considerable peace of mind. “Our bunkers are constructed from a custom made, solidly reinforced concrete blend which is water resistant,� he said.
RIDDELLS Creek serrated tussock has survived hot grass fires.
THE Victorian serrated tussock working party (VSTWP) implementing stage two of the Riddells Creek serrated tussock extension project south and west of the town has made an unhappy discovery. About 60 per cent of the target area was affected by grassfires earlier in the year, with many paddocks scorched back to bare earth. Six months on and working party extension ofďŹ cer Ivan Carter is discovering that nearly all of the serrated tussocks have partially or fully recovered after the ďŹ re, despite many
landowners believing the plants would have been killed by the extreme heat. “We are noticing, during property assessments, that many of the burnt serrated tussock plants are re-growing from their base and new seedlings are emerging on the scorched ground between the regrowing plants,â€? Mr Carter said. “This proves serrated tussock can survive very hot ďŹ res to re-grow from the existing root mass, and that ďŹ re promotes the germination of soil stored seed.â€? Following a ďŹ re, weeds
often re-establish more quickly than desirable pasture and native species, and can rapidly dominate the landscape. The working party asks landowners to be prepared for signiďŹ cant re-growth of serrated tussock in the coming months and to take measures to control the pest plants before they reach maturity and produce seed in spring and summer. Landowners should also note that fire can interfere with previous treatment programs by reducing the effectiveness of any residual herbicide.
Red Balloon Day marks gratitude to ďŹ reďŹ ghters
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AS the weather becomes warmer, Australian ďŹ reďŹ ghters will become busier than usual. What better way to say thank you to these women and men than to celebrate the end of summer next year by letting them know how much their efforts in saving lives and properties, not just throughout summer, but all year round, are appreciated. National Red Balloon Day on February 28, 2015, aims to do just that by encouraging Australians to show
their support for the nation’s courageous ďŹ reďŹ ghters by ying a red balloon from their mailbox, fence and workplace. The concept developed in January 2014 with a ďŹ rst major ‘Thank You’ day. In just ďŹ ve weeks, a dedicated team of volunteers came together to make it all happen and managed to raise more than $20,000 in proďŹ ts which all went directly back to ďŹ re services right across Australia. For its 2015 campaign, it aims to improve the event.
Together with the sale of ‘Thank you, ďŹ reys’ red balloons and other merchandise available through www.nationalredballoonday.org, a national volunteer committee hopes not only to thank ďŹ reďŹ ghters but to assist in raising funds for state ďŹ re services or services which support ďŹ reďŹ ghters in times of hardship. All proďŹ ts from this fundraising event will go directly back to the state from which a fundraising item is purchased. Donations can also be made directly
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through a website. Fire services from each state and territory of Australia have been contacted in order to establish a fundraising partnership, with either their service or a nominated charity of their choice. National Red Balloon Day’s volunteer committee is also seeking corporate sponsorship to help with the administration of its charity organisation. A donation to help with these expenses would lead to advertising on its websites.
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Page 18, Southern Farmer
December, 2014
Water pure and simple, or is it really? By JOHN LYNE WATER is the most abundant nutrient on the face of the earth but its delivery to living things and its cleanness are often inadequate. Water is critical because it is needed in the greatest quantity, far more than energy and protein. A calf is born with 70 per cent of its body as water – the highest it will ever be. Fat at birth is the lowest at around 3 per cent to 5 per cent. There is an inverse relationship between body water and body fat: as fat increases, water decreases. Lactating cows There is a very well researched ratio of feed intake to water intake of 1:4. That’s 1kg DM feed intake to 4L of water. When we’re striving for 20+ dry matter intakes, in thermal neutrality, the cow requires 80+ litres of water/day. Once temperatures and humidity increase, water then plays a significant role in controlling body temperature. Water intake increases very rapidly to accommodate this issue on top
of the normal 1:4 feed to water ratio. Numerous research projects have concluded that when ambient temperature rose to 18 and 29 degrees, water intake increased by 13 and 26 per cent respectively. Why the 1:4 ratio? The cow’s rumen has a higher dry matter to water ratio, in the vicinity of 1: 6 or 7. Cows cycle a lot of water, but average 19L of urine/day with a range from 7.5 to 34L. This 1:4 ratio begins for a calf at weaning and continues for life. A cow can survive for up to 60 days without food, but barely a week without water. Obviously supply is number one. And this is regularly a limitation to production and cow health over summer months. To see 50 or more cows standing around a water trough waiting for water is not uncommon. Many farms have grown cow numbers, increased milk harvesting facilities, but not increased water supply. The quickest and cheapest partial remedy to this is a well pressurised water trough on the out race
WATER WORKS: Farm water supplies have often not kept pace with expanding dairy herds.
from the dairy. Research has shown cows will drink 60 per cent of their water intake at this trough. That takes a massive load off paddock troughs. Flow rate runs second to inadequate systems in general. Under the same herd increase above, many farms have installed larger troughs, but not increased the poly pipe size or pressure required to meet flow rate requirements once the larger trough has been emptied. Likewise, troughs placed under fence wires only restrict access in high demand periods. A ‘hot wire’ over the trough can
induce a small charge in the water reducing cows’ water intake. Reduced water intake plays out most dramatically in the vat; the first economic impact. More water, more milk. However, reduction in cow health even though not visibly obvious, runs a close second. Supply is obvious, however, cleanness of water, which every veteran farmer knows, can have equally damaging economic impacts from less obvious causes that may surprise veteran farmers. Bacteria and contaminants in cows’ water supply,
even in surprisingly small amounts can reduce milk production without visible signs of illness. There are five groups of contaminants that can cause illness in very low percentages; total dissolved solids, sulphates, chloride, iron, nitrate-nitrogen and micro-organisms. Total dissolved solids essentially affects water’s salinity. Salinity can cause imbalance to digestive and cellular functions at levels as low as 1000ppm. Sulphates can cause diarrhoea and reduced water intake due to taste. When sulphates are combined with other contami-
nants chronic diarrhoea, dehydration, retained membrane and displaced abomasum can result. Iron at as low as 0.3ppm can cause cell membranes to break down resulting in a serious condition known as oxidative stress. This then can lead to retained placenta, mastitis, metritis, decreased absorption of vital minerals and overall depression of the cow’s immune system. Nitrate-nitrogen contamination heads the risk factor. At low levels of 20ppm it can cause longterm infertility, abortions, vitamin deficiency, poor growth (young stock) and overall poor health. More serious poisoning reduces blood oxygen-carrying capacity causing seizures and in extreme cases, asphyxiation. Micro-organisms can have the broadest range from toxic algae to pathogenic bacteria and parasites. A single cell can infect a cow, but she can then shed millions of cells in as little as 30g of manure. Apart from water’s role in milk production and cow health, clean water is essential to basic bodily functions. It is necessary
for elimination of waste products, the regulation of osmotic blood pressure, transportation of nutrients, hormones and other chemical messages within the body, not to mention body temperature and respiration. In conclusion, without a plentiful intake of clean water, a cow’s body ceases functioning correctly metabolically and at the cellular level regardless of any outward signs of distress. Needless to add also, the pressure on us to produce clean healthy milk is greatly affected by water quality. Water can be very difficult to clean at the source, but changing bores for stock drinking water has produced positive results. Perhaps the area of most positive influence we can impact is regular cleaning of water troughs. Algal and bacteria growth is in warm water that has been many days in the summer sun must present a serious risk in our dairy system. John Lyne is a dairy production specialist with Dairytech Nutrition. Go to www.dairytechnutrition. com.au.
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Decades of septic system misery, banished in days. Queensland couple Mike and Rose Maynard talk about their decadeslong battle with septic tank odours and fouling, and the environmentally friendly solution that restored their pride in their home within two weeks.
“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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NEWS
Page 20, Southern Farmer
Vale, Alan McKirdy, machinery’s giant couldn’t resist. He joined Silvan Australia in 1977 in the role of national sales manager and moved to the position of general manager before his retirement in 1997. He set about ensuring that Silvan developed a national network of dealers and distributors at the front end and introduced new manufacturing standards at the back end of the company to ensure product quality. While Mr McKirdy was Silvan’s GM he became interested in the Tractor & Machinery Association (TMA) with Silvan joining as an importer/ manufacturer being one of the first ‘non tractor company members’. Mr McKirdy joined the TMA in 1977 and rose to chairman in 1997, a position he held for two years. He was the first spraying firm chairman and worked with Australian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Association.
ALAN McKirdy, one of the giants of the Australian farm machinery in both an active and figural sense, passed away recently. Mr McKirdy, whose family hailed from Silvan, worked first as a mechanic at Silvan Motors and later joined Rural Tractors in the Yarra Valley and Alexandra. He also worked for a time in Papua New Guinea and visited Asia, Europe and the US to study emerging developments in farm machinery. He then joined Fiat Tractors in a senior sales capacity and it was during this time that he stopped by the Silvan display at the Wandin Field Days; never short of an opinion he remarked to Silvan’s founder Michael Tricarico ‘nice sprayer’ before offering a less than complimentary aside on the welding. Mr Tricarico challenged him to show how to do it better a challenge Mr McKirdy
December, 2014
Farmers, police frustrated ALARMING levels of theft from farm and rural properties with the main targets being rolling equipment, tools, machinery – especially chain saws and welders – stored fuel and livestock continue to frustrate property owners and police. Key targets seem to be virtually anything of value that is unsecured or can be easily removed. Recent thefts at Strath Creek in central Victoria confirm that three properties had been raided with losses calculated as four chainsaws, two welders, assorted power and other tools, kitchen appliances, a quad bike, step ladders and scaffolding, and personal items. At one property alone where entry to a house and shed had been forced while the owners were absent their loss was calculated as $6000. Leading Senior Constable Simon Eaton in a Neighbourhood Watch crime report said, “Thieves broke into a house on the Broadford to Flowerdale Road, Strath Creek in the week of September 17 to 22. “They stole property including two chainsaws,
a welder, an angle grinder, a trolley jack, a set of Bailey step ladders, other assorted tools and personal items worth about $6000”. Then between September 22 and 23 thieves smashed a window to gain entry to a house being renovated in Falls Road, Strath Creek. They stole kitchen appliances, an arc welder, a set of ladders, scaffolding and power tools. Between September 12 and 16 thieves again struck a Strath Creek property in McNallys Road, making off with another two chainsaws and a children’s black quad bike. Surveillance camera distributors make the point that their products are particularly useful in expanding the concept of Neighbourhood Watch on often vacant rural lifestyle blocks. Greg Everett of Selecta Cameras said, “It’s easy to use features with the capacity to record a lot of evidence that can provide the sort of information to lead to a police conviction or recovery of stolen goods. “A camera is equally valuable for livestock surveillance or to keep a
SPIED ON: A $350 Selecta camera can be used to record activity around a house or building in daylight hours when the owner may be away or at work. Another key feature is a timer which turns the camera off during daylight hours.
watch on wildlife, fox, pig or wild dog activity,” Mr Everett said. For example small, waterproof Selecta day and night security cameras are motion activated and include no-glow infrared for night vision with
a range from 15 to 20m. The camera also has a multi photo capacity: it takes from one to three photos every time it is triggered. They are camouflaged and bundled with 8GB Wi-Fi SD cards enabling
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NEWS
December, 2014
Southern Farmer, Page 21
Water quality rewarded By DAVID PALMER ENVIRONMENT Victoria’s 2014 Community Environmental Recognition Awards focused on protecting water quality around the state. There was a strong emphasis too on organisations in the Southern Farmer area. The first award went to the Westernport and Peninsula Protection Council for its work over many decades to protect the world class marine and coastal ecosystems of Westernport from further port expansion, a reference to government moves to expand the port of Hastings. Environment Victoria cited the Strath Creek Landcare Group “for their stunning restoration of King Parrot Creek, with breeding areas for the threatened Macquarie Perch being fenced off from cattle grazing and on their way to being restored”. For their tireless advocacy for clean air on the Surf Coast, Surf Coast Air Action gained an award for its campaigning for the closure of “the highly polluting and environ-
WATER WELL: Protecting water quality in the area covered by the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority was well represented in Environment Victoria’s environmental recognition awards.
mentally damaging Alcoa Anglesea brown coal mine and power plant”. The Werribee River Association gained an award for three decades of work and community engagement to protect and restore the Werribee River. After the Hazelwood mine fire, Voices of the Valley was a key advocate calling attention to the health impacts of the fire.
It achieved an award “for standing up for the rights of coal-affected communities in the Latrobe Valley”. Within Melbourne, Climate Action Moreland and 350.org gained an award for its successful campaign to have Moreland City Council divest fossil fuels and becoming the first council in Victoria to do so.
Yes2Renewables, a dynamic grassroots campaign hosted by Friends of the Earth that operates on a shoestring budget, gained an award for its work with local communities to protect the future of Victoria’s renewable energy industry. An individual, Lizette Salmon, was cited “for being a powerhouse of local environmental action
and coordinating WATCH (Wodonga Albury Towards Climate Health) to engage the local community in climate change issues and advocate for climate action”. The Lighter Footprints Writing Group was recognised for its well-coordinated and prolific letter writing campaign run over three years. Despite sudden removal of its funding by the federal government Environmental Justice Australia was recognised “for continuing to provide vital legal support to community groups across the country”. The extraordinary efforts of these groups and individuals are truly inspiring. Speaking up for our environment can be a tough and often thankless task. Yet strong community voices have been fundamental to every major environmental outcome ever achieved in Victoria. Thanks to these outstanding individuals and organisations and the many other people across Victoria working hard to protect our magnificent environment.
Animal control firm appoints new salesman ANIMAL Control Technologies has appointed Steve Jordan as its new sales representative covering Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. Mr Jordan has more than 20 years experience in the agricultural sector working initially with the South Australian Animal and Plant Control Board. He then moved to merchant stores as a state and territory manager supplying agricultural chemicals and more recently in a pest and weed control company. He is also a licensed pest controller. Mr Jordan has lived on the Fleurieu Peninsula south of Adelaide for more than 25 years
and spends his spare time helping to clear invasive plants such as blackberry and African daisy from his local area and replacing them with native plants he grows from seeds collected locally. If you want to contact Mr Jordan or any of Animal Control Technologies’ sales team, use the contact details below: Steve Jordan: mobile 0458 266 823 or email sjordan@animalcontrol. com.au. Jamie Dennison: mobile 0408 952 731 or email jdennison@ animalcontrol.com.au. Chris Roach: mobile 0404 366 117 or email croach@animalcontrol. com.au.
CFA fair favor THE Fair Work Commission in mid November handed down its decision regarding the Country Fire Authority’s application seeking good faith bargaining orders against the United Firefighters Union. The decision ruled that certain clauses relating to staffing ratios
and numbers were in breach of a recent Federal Court decision by Justice Murphy involving the CFA and UFU, and if not removed would constitute a failure by the UFU to bargain in good faith. The offending claims impact upon the CFA’s ability to allocate resources.
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WATER AND IRRIGATION
Page 22, Southern Farmer
December, 2014
Hydrosmart de-scales water system build-up IRON and calcium scale with its orange or white crusty build up happens in pipes, sprays and drip lines around Australia. Until now it has continuously bothered Australian farmers for a great many years. But the team at Hydrosmart has talked to Australians daily for the past 17 years from its base in Adelaide where it makes a simple device that uses just 5W of power to electronically ďŹ x water problems. The team has noticed in its ‘water ďŹ xing’ business that issues consistently faced by Australians using bores and dams are those caused by iron or calcium scale build up in irrigation and or stock systems or just plain salty water. Many homestead owners with lawns, gardens,
WATER SAVER: One of the smaller models in the Vaughan range.
Vaughan dominates efuent irrigation VAUGHAN Irrigators has been making low-pressure travelling irrigators since 1992. In that time it has established itself as a leader in that market, particularly where farmers wish to irrigate dairy or pig efuent. It has several models, but the company claims by far the best irrigator in its class is the 14m boom VCI-Mk2 capable of applying water over a 50m width. Capable of 400m runs too it is said to out perform any other low pressure irrigator in performance and price. A new irrigator, the variable travel speed Quad x 4 has four arms and is capable of delivering 24L/sec or 85,000l/hr. With four speeds, it can deliver twice as much water in the same time as other irrigators or deliver the same amount in half the time. Initially Vaughan’s irrigators were designed for efuent distribution and 70 per cent of the 6000 irrigators it has sold have been for that purpose. In the past the EPA have approved Vaughan Irrigators for their safe and environmentally sound method of farm efuent distribution. With easily changed nozzles, users can adjust droplet size, allowing complete control of drift and application rates. In recent years the irrigators have been bought by farmers who not
only want to spread efuent and take advantage of their natural fertilisers from their dairies and piggeries, but also to water an array of crops and pastures up to 20ha. By using small travelling irrigators, many are realising the beneďŹ ts of using what little water they have to maximise pasture and crop growth. Flood irrigators are turning to Vaughan Irrigators because they have realised that spray irrigation is better for their crops although with irrigators operating at low pressure they are not liable to produce likely to drift mist sized droplets. What the irrigator dispenses goes where it is wanted which can result in water savings of up to 60 per cent. The Vaughan Irrigator has proven itself over time to be reliable and easy to use. However, because of the ďŹ rm’s desire to remain a market leader it has developed design innovations such as its smooth operating and low pressure Sumpmaster cam. It allows the irrigator to operate at pressures as low as 8psi where other irrigators will stop operating at around 18psi. Another advantage of the irrigators is that users do not need expensive high pressure pumps and pipes; you can operate the irrigator with a ďŹ re ďŹ ghting pump or even from gravity feed. Information: 1800 241534.
crops and stock that have run out of ‘sweet’ rainwater sources are suddenly forced to use salty, mineralised bore or dam water instead. Often they use it for a while and then begin to notice that it damages plants by strangling growth at the root zone. In severe cases it kills the garden or crop and leaves soil damaged by blocking its pores causing tightening, so that water can no longer penetrate to the plants’ roots. Salty water also causes corrosion, chewing out galvanised metal pipes and ďŹ ttings and making them leak like sieves. The team at Hydrosmart are experienced at discussing individual water related problems by phone or email to supply information about how Hydrosmart’s approach can be used to maximise
THE fact that one third more water was used on Australian farms in 2012-13 than the previous year is an increase unsustainable for the farming industry, said Gold Coast soil and water expert Peter Gamble. He is director of the Biological Environmental Sustainable Technologies Group (BEST). The total crept up 2.9 million megalitres on the previous year to a total of nearly 12m ML – enough to ďŹ ll Sydney Harbour 24 times, he said. Nearly a quarter of that water was reused or recycled, but Mr Gamble said that process could be a double-edged sword.
“Unless the water is treated properly, it has the ability to contaminate surfaces with pathogens and unwanted micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses and yeast,â€? he said. “So there is a rapidly increasing need to utilise higher quality clean, reusable water and thanks to new technological advances, we are now able to provide a more cost effective and efďŹ cient solution to handling a wide range of water treatment requirements.â€? To that end, he has developed what he calls a cell destruction unit (CDU). “This unique and patented technology
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provides a sustainable solution to disinfecting water, without relying on dosing with heavy and somewhat dangerous chemicals such as chlorine or quaternary ammonia, which are troublesome to transport, store and handle.â€? The CDU device, which has had extensive ďŹ eld testing, mechanically disinfects water in a single phase process, effectively destroying the cell membrane of pathogens including parasites, bacteria and viruses by a combination of extreme pressure uctuations, high sheer mixing and sonics. A critical safety component is achieving a
‘triple barrier disinfection’ that can be incorporated into the system through the use of a small dosing of oxidant which has been designed with high considerations for environmental outcomes and the quality of water treated and conditioned. The CDU has the capacity to treat 3 litres per second or 250,000L/ day and is independent of temperature and salinity, which Mr Gamble says is a standout feature of the device. “It has a fantastic energy efďŹ ciency which leaves a small environmental footprint.â€? See www.bestsol. com.au.
Rooftop food boost
Salinity, Scale, Iron Problems
odels 5 other m e bl a il ava '-,$ *) $01 16 1# -,
tion, Adelaide Oval for salt remediation, Katherine Country Club in the NT for scale removal and prevention and the Spirit of Tasmania for the same reasons. During the past three years Dr Bob Moore has led a rigorous research and development program that has assisted the company to evolve scientiďŹ c understandings and to improve on outcomes for Hydrosmart equipment. A US patent is pending, scientiďŹ c papers are under way and exciting recent trial data showing dramatic crop yield improvements in both bad and good water sources means Hydrosmart is well on its way to becoming a global leader in frequency-based water treatment. Information: telephone 1300 138 223 or see www. hydrosmart.com.au.
Re-treat used water cleanly
Low Pressure Travelling Irrigator
8 +1 --+ 8 9 (0$/ ,# /+0 8 -*(# $(,%-/"$# / +$ *3 ,(0$# 7 ,1(/$*6 -1 (..$#9 8 /-,1 1$$/ 601$+ 8 4$.1 ! ") 5*$ %-/ +-/$ 01 !(*(16 CHEAP 8 +1 !*$ 2, EFFICIENT 8 . 1-
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the quality of customers’ water supplies. Providing free consultations, they diagnose the best location and the correct way to apply their unique electronic low frequency approach, which needs no ďŹ lters, chemicals or consumables. Hydrosmart is hydrosmart, the technology ďŹ ts in minutes and lasts for decades using only the tiniest amount of power to run and can be solar powered if needed. It is in use dealing with a wide range of water problems around Australia and overseas. BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto have units for water softening, and Adelaide Zoo and Ocean Park, Shark Bay, WA, for water clarity / algae improvements, Manly, Bunbury and Cromer golf courses use them for iron removal and scale preven-
A NEW technology and environmentally focused food production system enables rooftop kitchen gardeners more easily to grow their own food. According to Rob Gell, environmental spokesperson for new agribusiness company E Agri, its objective is to enable people to grow fresh, organic food in city environments. “We are encouraging better utilisation of unconventional but potentially valuable production areas such as factory roof tops for farming,� he said. Mr Gell’s company is achieving this through commercially proven, hydroponic systems utilising new technology includ-
ing cloud computing to maximise resources and conserve water and energy through smart phone and tablet devices. “The software assists with everything from where we plant and monitor water levels through to documenting the quality of produce from the moment it leaves the “farm gate� to the time it lands on retailers’ shelves,� Mr Gell said. He said the company was now in a position to deliver turn-key solutions. These can generate lower cost, higher-yielding crops than can be achieved with traditional hydroponics. Go to Information: www. eagrico.com.
Delicia®
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GENERAL SNAIL CONTROL APPLICATION RATE(kg/ha)
Popular pack size price/kg
PRICE PER HA
Metaldehyde active kg/ha
Delicia® SLUGGOFF® Lentils
30*
3**
$11.00
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Comparison ‘rain fast’ pellet
50
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MACHINERY DEALS
Page 24, Southern Farmer
December, 2014
Massey epic echoes a great mountaineer St Leger Machinery Specialists in Second Hand Farm Machinery PRESTON RD, RIPPLEBROOK (via Drouin) Ph 5627 6317 Fax 5627 6385
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TRACTORS CASE TRENCHER, articulated, 4wd, 40hp diesel. FERGUSON TEA, petrol, rops. FORD 4000, rops, pwr steer, front forklift, 3pl, remotes. FORD 6700, dual power, a/c cab, 3pl, 77hp, 2wd. FORD 7810, fwa, a/c cab, 3pl, remotes, tidy tractor, 3000 hours,105 hp 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. INTERNATIONAL 454, FEL, 4 post rops,3pl, power steering, new clutch. JOHN DEERE 1130, pwr steer, rops, good tyres, 50hp. ISEKI 6000, fwa,4 post rops, 3pl, pwr steering. LEYLAND 253, pwr steer, rops, 50hp. MASSEY FERGUSON 135, rops, as traded. MASSEY FERGUSON 148, rops, tidy. MASSEY FERGUSON 240, pwr steer, cab, remotes. MASSEY FERGUSON 250, pwr steer, rops canopy, tidy unit. MASSEY FERGUSON 2745, V8, 2wd, a/c cab, 180hp. Suit collector. 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 Fendt single cylinder, restored. Lanz Bulldog, 28hp, vineyard model. Peterbro tractor, c.1920. Suitable for restoration. Very rare. V8 DIESEL DEUTZ IRRIGATION motor with 15 KVA generator, and pto.150hp‌.$8,800 inc gst. Perkins 236 engine, suit Massey Ferguson.
IMPLEMENTS Massey post rammer,3pl post hole auger, mobile fuel tanker, Howard Paraplow, Inter 3 furrow disc plow, Berends 3pl 14 disc plow as new, 14 plate wheeled hydraulic discs, Grizzly 24 plate hydraulic wheeled offset discs Harrows, 8ft topper, Massey scarifier, Connor Shea 14 row 3pl seeder, as new 5ft Caroni rotary hoe, Krone 3 mtr rotary harrows, carryalls, 3pl 10ft pasture roller aerator, trailing 2 ton super spreader, 3pl rotary drainer, trailing wick wiper, Hardi 1200 ltr trailing spray unit with 10 mtr boom and hand reel, grader blades, 4 in 1 fel bucket suit 60hp, quick detach front end loader suit Massey, assorted tractor weights and weight frames WANTED Good quality late model tractors
Trade-ins accepted. Delivery and finance easily arranged.
A MASSEY Ferguson mission to take a tractor to the South Pole aims to emulate the achievement of explorer Sir Edmund Hillary (pictured left) who led the ďŹ rst mechanised expedition to the frozen continent in 1958 using a eet of Ferguson TE20 tractors. In 2014, 56 years since Hillary’s journey and 56 years since the birth of the Massey Ferguson brand, an MF 5600 tractor will make a similar trek on the ice. This is the ďŹ rst chapter in an unfolding modernday adventure story which will see the realisation of a dream for the lead driver and an extreme test of endurance for the tractor and the entire crew. In a 5000 km return journey across the unforgiving icescape, the expedition was scheduled to depart Novo Base in the latter part of November and reach the Geographical South Pole sometime around mid-December. This second Antarctic expedition, Antarctica2, is being organised to
highlight the need for the provision of accessible technologies and innovative services to allow future farmers to meet the world’s growing requirement for food. In this hostile polar environment, the expedition will demonstrate some of the very latest tractor technology. During its few weeks on the ice, the MF 5610 will clock up as many hours’ operation as an average year’s work on many farms. “Antarctica2 is a bold and exciting mission full of exceptional challenges and we are extremely proud to be part of it,â€? says Warwick McCormick, VP and MD for AGCO/Massey Ferguson. “It fully reflects the spirit of our brand and our desire to achieve, no matter how difďŹ cult or demanding the path may be.â€? The 82kW (110hp) tractor has been specially prepared by Massey Ferguson’s engineering team at AGCO’s Beauvais tractor plant in France. It has been subjected
to extensive cold weather testing under the supervision of engineering project manager, Olivier Hembert. “The polar environment demands the kind of straightforward, dependable engineering for which MF machines are famous,â€? he said. “Indeed, our tractors are already regularly at work in very low temperatures on farms inside the Arctic Circle for example.â€? Temperatures down to minus 40 degrees, altitudes to 3400m and deep soft snow will be among the raft of technical challenges for the tractor. The machine’s threecylinder engine remains unaltered but specific adaptations have been made to the cab, electrics, air intake and ďŹ ltration to withstand the freezing conditions. Key partner Trelleborg worked closely with the Massey Ferguson engineering team to develop a multi-purpose set of tyres for maximum traction and safety in the severe environment.
Tyres are more efďŹ cient than tracks for this kind of expedition because they are capable of higher speeds, use less fuel and also provide better comfort via the suspension. The tractor will run on Jet A1 fuel. Live streaming and regular updates via a dedicated website will keep the rest of the world in touch with the adventure’s progress. Members of the Antarctica2 team will be able to communicate their own personal stories of life on the mission and have their messages delivered via social media including Facebook and Twitter. When the MF 5610, with its Tractor Girl and her cargo of dreams onboard arrives at the South Pole it will be testament to the work of all the partners in the Antarctica2 project and their deep commitment to its message. Leading industry supporters include Massey Ferguson, Trelleborg, Castrol, AGCO Finance, AGCO Parts, Fuse Technologies and MechaTrac. „ More page 25
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MACHINERY DEALS
December, 2014
Southern Farmer, Page 25
Antarctica2 trek departs for pole ON November 24 the Antarctica2 tractor expedition departed on its 5000km journey to the South Pole and back. Following a period of storms and a wind chill factor down to minus 50 degrees C, the weather conditions for departure were good, and clear skies
made for a perfect start to the expedition. For tractor girl Manon Ossevoort, it was the beginning of a dream come true as she realises her long-held ambition to take a tractor to the end of the world. “It seemed like such an impossibly big dream but
it’s all falling into place – now it’s mission possible,” Ms Ossevoort said. Along the way, the expedition can expect to face strong winds, raging blizzards and whiteouts but is scheduled to reach the geographical South Pole sometime in early December.
MANON Ossevoort, expedition ambassador and lead driver for Antarctic2, in front of the MF5610 tractor during trials in Iceland.
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Shredder for grass and small pruning’s for tractors up to 50 HP. STANDARD EQUIPMENT Square tube 3-point linkage Cat.1 - Driveline - Gearbox including over-run clutch - Additional reinforcing front frame - Counter-knives - Rear roller - Front protection flaps - Rear rubber protection flaps - Hammer Blades - Rotors can take different tools - Built according to the CE rules.
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These products are available through supporting Dakenag Dealers. For your closest supporting Dealer call 1800 636 451, or visit www.dakenag.com.au These products are available from supporting Dakenag dealers for a limited time. All prices include GST. Freight charges may be applicable. Please check with your supporting Dealer. Sale ends December 31, 2014 or while stocks last. Dakenag reserves the right to correct any printed errors. Pricing subject to change without notice.
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SUMMER FODDER AND HAY
Page 26, Southern Farmer
December, 2014
Summer crop early By FRANK MICKAN DEPI, Ellinbank
FEISTY FODDER: Upper Murray Seeds’ agronomist Ashley Batten, from Albury, with one of his firm’s brassica plots at the recent Elmore field days.
THE odds favor a good spring this year rain-wise. Summer is still an unknown but on most southern Australian dairy farms, the spring soil moisture is likely to be adequate for growing crops into early summer.
FEEDING OUT with Big Foot and Feeder Leader
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Many farmers have found that when their pest-prone brassica crops are higher yielding and/or growing fast and healthy, insect pests generally are not such a problem and if so, more easily controlled. Some crops such as chicory are less prone to most pests once established. Another advantage is that these crops will be grazed and not conserved as excess pasture may have been, doubling their cost as a feed. If sorghum or millet grew so fast that their quality was about to severely drop they could be conserved, at a cost. Grazing summer crops reduces the cost of production signiďŹ cantly; the higher the yield the lower the cost per tonne of feed. This strategy was adopted in the latter two years of the 3030 project at DemoDairy, near Terang, and resulted in higher proďŹ ts due to reduced conservation costs and feed out costs together with less wastage during harvest, storage and feed out. Efuent can be applied earlier, if necessary and will provide an extra boost from the nutrients but also the application rate in terms of water may be enough on top of moist soil to produce higher responses than is applied later onto drier soils. Cons: Early sown brassicas may become waterlogged if we get heavy rains before or at germination. For more information see www.depi.vic.gov.au and Gippsland newsletter.
When you advertise in the Southern Farmer, your message is delivered FREE via Australia Post to farmer and horticulturalist throughout South Central Victoria and West Gippsland
BENDIGO
E MAIN TLE CAS
and cons of actually forgoing a reasonable amount of spring pasture to get in a late-September or early October-sown summer crop? Suitable forage crops for early sowing are chicory or plantain (and their mixes), brassicas (turnips, rapes, kales), hybrid forage or regrowth brassicas and commercial mixes (not containing millet). I realise this ies in the face of utilising as much spring pasture growth as we can, either grazed or as silage and/or hay and some crops cannot be sown this early. Pros: A major riskreducing pro is that the crop will have established itself well by summer and be much deeper rooted than a later sown crop. Choosing a range of maturity dates from the varieties available could result in some crops being available for grazing in six to eight weeks earlier and others being ready at 9-16 weeks after sowing. The deeper root system of early sown crops will allow the plants to grow or survive longer into a dry period compared to later sown shallow rooted crops. Hopefully, the good spring rains, crops will produce a much higher yield at this stage also and this alone could result in less grain being fed, as the crop quality will be very high. Brassicas, plantain and chicory should test at 1112 ME and over 14 to 16 per cent crude protein, although protein of turnips may be slightly lower.
MM UNI TY
BIG FOOT BALE FEEDER ( $ ! " & & ( $ " ( &# # # #! ' # # ! " ( !" # " ! ' #' ( $"# # ! #! # !
However, pasture and crop growth could range from low to good, depending on the rains and when they occur. How can farmers try to plan around this and minimise risk of supplying feed to their herd? Generally many farmers just plant the crop as normal, usually towards the end of spring or after silage comes off. That’s okay if we get good early and mid-summer rains, but a disaster if not. This will lead to low crop yields but also, importantly, weakened brassica crops will be very vulnerable to pests such as diamond back moth grubs. Many farmers have become disillusioned with repeated spraying and often poor results from this. Lower crop yields result in lower milk production, over grazed pastures and/ or higher cost due to increased concentrate feeding. If the late-sown crops do receive good early and mid-summer rains they will perform reasonably well up to about Christmas and continue to grow reasonable feed if post-Christmas rain events supply at least 10-15 mm or more a few times in mid to late summer. However, if the preChristmas rain events are only light showers then forage production will be low and plants vulnerable to insect pests. Even though post-Christmas rain will help, most crops will be a disappointment. Outside the square now. What would be the pros
December, 2014
LIVESTOCK AND BEEF WEEK
All shine at Ballarat show By DAVID RIZZOLI
BEST BEEF: Vaughan Campagnolo from Savannah Simmental Stud with his supreme interbreed champion bull, Simmental Savannah Jon Bon Jovi, at the 2014 Ballarat show.
Mandayen big offer MANDAYEN stud will offer 70 high performance bulls at its tenth anniversary bull and female sale on Wednesday, February 25 at 12:30pm. It will be at Mandayen’s Eight Mile sale complex, Keith, South Australia. Principal Damian Gommers said the sale would give clients “a great opportunity to secure quality bulls at value for money prices, with the genetic potential to improve docility, muscling and softness in their herds”. Sires represented will include Wulfs Xtractor, Wulfs Waldo, RUNL Stetson, RUNL Xtra Loyal and the homebred sires Energizer E1338, Fortune F1606 and Freightliner F1616. Sale bulls will be
DNA tested for homozygous polled and homozygous black coat color and will be vaccinated and ear notch tested for pestivirus. Once again, Mandayen will deliver bulls free in SA and Victoria. The female offering will consist of three in one cow/calf units, joined heifers, unjoined ET show prospect heifers, pregnant recipients and embryos. This will be the first opportunity to obtain progeny and pregnancies by the stud’s Wulfs Zander (HP) (B) and Summit Payday (P). The bull sale draft will be on display at the stud on February 9. For more information telephone Damian Gommers on 0418 824 799.
10TH ANNIVERSARY BULL & FEMALE SALE
WEDNESDAY 25TH OF FEBRUARY 2015 ON PROPERTY AT THE “EIGHT MILE” SALE COMPLEX, KEITH S.A. 12:30 pm SA DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME.
70 LIMOUSIN & LIMFLEX SIRES & 40 FEMALES WILL SELL! Sons of industry leading sires’ including Xtractor, Waldo, Stetson, Xtra Loyal, Energizer E1338 & Freightliner F1616
DAMIAN GOMMERS 0418 824 799
t/05d07545/49-14
THE 2014 Ballarat Agricultural & Pastoral Society’s show in November was unusually blessed with three days of balmy, sunny weather. The people of Ballarat and the surrounding district turned out in substantial numbers in response to the Ballarat City Council declaring the first day, Friday, a public holiday. Society director Gerard Ballinger declared the show an outstanding success, despite numbers being slightly down on last year’s record crowd. Competitions ranged from show jumping through novelty horse events to wood chopping, art and craft and cattle, sheep, goats and rabbits. Cattle There were excellent entries in the beef cattle section; Charolais was the feature breed. The bull and heifer calf classic was a feature of the first day with 11 breeds exhibiting. Grand champion bull was Savannah Jon Bon Jovi a Simmental shown by Vaughan Campagnolo, Kyneton. Grand champion heifer was Moongold Dianna 2, a Charolais exhibited by S and D Halliday, Waterford, Mount Macedon. Interbreed results Supreme interbreed champion bull: Savannah Jon Bon Jovi. Supreme interbreed champion female and supreme group of three: Colin Pickering, Chenu. Charolais: junior and reserve junior champion heifer and bull S and D Halliday; champion female and reserve champion female and junior champion bull Colin Pickering. Shorthorn: Champion and reserve champion Australian Shorthorn bull and female, champion Shorthorn female and bull, Scott Bruton, Roly Park, Lake Boga; reserve champion female W and M Harwood, Hillview, Streatham. B e l t e d G a l l ow a y : Champion bull, female Anne Wilson, Myrniong; reserve champion female, Susanne van Eyle, Malmsbury; reserve champion
bull, Stan Robinson, Buangor. Limousin: Champion female, Helen and Colin Masters, Tanybryn Park ; reserve champion female, James O’Brien, Bonian, Bungaree; champion bull, Richard Martin, Manoora Park, Ayrford; reserve champion bull, Western Gold Limousin, Daylesford. Lowline: Champion female, reserve champion female, champion bull, reserve champion bull, Ballarat Grammar School. Miniature Belted Galloway: Champion bull, Hellen Day, Tarxien Hill. Poll Hereford: Champion female and reserve champion female; champion bull, BG, GP and J Hand, Red Rocket, Larpent. Santa Gertrudis: Champion female, reserve champion female, champion bull, reserve champion bull, Peter Conroy, The Gambler, Sebastopol. Shorthorn: Champion female, McKay Bros., Dean; reserve champion female, Jess. Parker, Lochclyde; champion bull and reserve champion bull, McKay Bros. Simmental: Champion and reserve champion female, Ruby and Jacob Canning, Mavstar, Inverleigh; champion bull, Vaughan Campagnolo, Kilmore. Sheep Eight breeds paraded in the sheep showing. Aussie Down: Champion ewe, reserve champion ewe, Graeme Denhert, Fernhill, Ballan. Southdown: Champion ewe, Lynette Denhert, Lyntree, Invermay; reserve champion ewe, Graeme Denhert. Poll Dorset: Champion ewe, champion ram, A Smith, Cypress Park Poll Dorsets. Dorset Down: Champion ewe, champion ram, Elspeth Murray, Clunes. Border Leicester: Champion ram, champion ewe, Noel Lubke, Leonella, Winchelsea. South Suffolk: Champion ram, ewe Barry Shalders, Willow Drive, Derrinallum. There were also interbreed champions from the sheep showing at Ballarat this year.
Southern Farmer, Page 27
www.mandayen.com.au t/12d12866/48-14
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