THE SOUTHERN
Part of the Farmer Group Rural Newspapers Covering Victoria Published since 1986
DECEMBER, 2016
GROWING SUBSTRATE STAWBERRIES
STRONG SHOWING AT BALLARAT
486 Whitehorse Road, Surrey Hills, 3127
FIRE AWARENESS, PREVENTION
Christmas tree farm with a family focus PAGES 8-9
PAGE 10
PAGES 18 - 20
By ALLISON COX
CHRISTMAS MEANS BUSINESS: Christmas is an exciting time for many, and for the Bowman family it is also a busy time. They operate the Sunbury Christmas Tree Farm, and Nathan Bowman has no trouble getting a hand from his children, Maya, Nadav and Leon, to prepare and decorate a tree.
CLOSE to Melbourne, Sunbury Christmas Tree Farm, run by Judith and Nathan Bowman, has been produced and sold Christmas trees for around 30 years. “My father started the business,” said Judith. “He came over here after the war. “He decided to put in some pine trees because we’re on the freeway. “(They were) going to be a bit of a visual barrier and stop the wind a little.” Pine trees were soon planted around the edges of the 30 acre farm, but the trees proved too attractive. When they started to grow, people stole them. “My father, ever the entrepreneur, decided there must be a market there,” said Judith. “He decided to start selling them.” From those unusual beginnings, a business was
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formed to sell trees to the public, and it is still going strong today. Judith and Nathan have run the farm for about 10 years. It is mostly a retail business, which sells Christmas trees directly to families. There are a few wholesale clients, but primarily the focus has been on retail sales. When Judith and Nathan took over the farm, there were challenges. “My husband was a city boy,” she said. “But since then he has learned to do all sorts of things; all the farm things that you need to do like set up irrigation, put in fences, fix pumps, a tractor, all of that and look after the trees.” This process involved a bit of trial and error, talking to experts and research on the internet.
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NEWS
Page 2, Southern Farmer
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*THE 7th International Nitrogen Initiative Conference (INI) 2016 will be held on Sunday, December 4 to Thursday, December 8 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Richmond. The theme is ‘Solutions to improve nitrogen use efficiency for the world’ with research in Australia and New Zealand supported by universities, government and industry engaged with the global science community. The conference registration includes all sessions, a welcome barbecue, a conference dinner at Melbourne Aquarium and an off-site field trip on the Tuesday. The cost is $990 ($850 early bird) or $660 for students. For more information visit www. ini2016.com. *COTTON Australia is calling for interested students and school-leavers to submit and expression of interest to its Cotton Gap Program. The program gives students first-hand working experience in the cotton industry, giving growers an opportunity to introduce new people to the industry and access keen young people to meet labour requirements.
Covering Central South Victoria and West Gippsland Level 1, Suite 103, 486 Whitehorse Road, Surry Hill, North VIC 3127
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ANIMAL DISPLAY: Alpacas will be on display at the annual Seymour Alternative Farming Expo and the Berwick Show, both to be held in February next year.
COUNTRY SHOWS AND REGIONAL FIELD DAYS DECEMBER 2016 3: Kilmore Agricultural Show 3: Penshurst Show
JANUARY 2017 14-15: Wonthaggi Show 15-19: International Dairy Week, Tatura 16: Lang Lang Show 28-29: Neerim District Country Show
For more information on country shows visit www.vicagshows.com.au or www.countryshows.com.au. *THE Post Office Gallery at the Bendigo Art Gallery is currently hosting a photograph and oral history display about the role of animals in and around Bendigo
For more information and to submit an expression of interest visit www. cottonaustralia.com.au/workin-cotton/cotton-gap.
DO you have a farm rubbish tip or a shed with forgotten unlabelled products? Land managers need to be aware this forgotten rubbish could be toxic to their livestock. Something as simple as a discarded lead battery could lead to the death of livestock and the contamination of others. Cattle in particular are skilful
at discovering rubbish that can result in lead poisoning, so always check before releasing stock into new areas. Prevent situations that permit cattle to lick or digest material such as old batteries, flaking lead paint or sump oil. Often the first sign of lead poisoning is finding dead livestock. When lead-affected animals are observed they show signs of central nervous system damage such as blindness and unresponsiveness.
Prevention is always better than cure, therefore the removal of all possible sources of lead is essential. However, this doesn’t help livestock that are clinically affected, for whom the prognosis is dire. Livestock that have been exposed to lead must not be slaughtered for human consumption until it is confirmed they comply with meat food standards. This can involve costly testing and a considerable period of slaugh-
Email: sfarmer@nemedia.com.au Website: www.nemedia.com.au Calvin Purss Phone (03) 5723 0125 Fax (03) 5721 9447 cpurss@nemedia.com.au
Editorial:
Jodie Fleming Phone (03) 5723 0129 Fax (03) 5721 9447 jfleming@nemedia.com.au
Livestock Coordinator:
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Automatic
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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ter restrictions as unacceptable lead levels can persist for many months. While checking for lead poisoning hazards, consider other potential livestock poisoning risks. Ensuring that stock remain isolated from these hazards will reduce the risk of loss from accidental poisonings as well as keeping them contaminant free. For further advice contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria Veterinary or animal health officer.
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Beware causes of lead poisoning in livestock By DR JEFF CAVE, District Veterinary Officer
THE SOUTHERN
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NEWS
December 2016
Southern Farmer, Page 3
Dairy roundtables scheduled for Victoria, to assess farm assistance measures DAIRY roundtable meetings will be held across regional Victoria in December. The meetings, organised by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, will hear the views of dairy farmers regarding the delivery of
assistance measures, including the Federal Government’s $579 million dairy assistance package to support farmers affected by reduced farmgate milk prices. Meetings will be held at: 1RUWK (DVW 9LFWRULD
Tangambalanga on Monday, December 12; *RXOEXUQ 9DOOH\ Congupna on Tuesday, December 13; *LSSVODQG 0RUZHOO RQ Thursday, December 15; and 6RXWK ZHVW 9LFWRULD
Camperdown on Friday, December 16. 9LFWRULDQ 1DWLRQDOV 6HQDWRU Bridget McKenzie will represent the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, at the meetings.
6HQDWRU 0F.HQ]LH VDLG $45.5 million in Dairy Recovery Concessional Loans have been approved for Victorian dairy farmers and there are currently 378 Victorian dairy farmers receiving the Farm Household Allowance, an increase of 263
since May this year. 6KH VDLG FRQFHVVLRQDO ORDQV have been approved to 1072 IDUP EXVLQHVVHV $XVWUDOLD wide and more than 6750 farmers have been granted Farm Household Allowance, including 1907 in Victoria.
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PHONE (03) 9307 1441 WEED WORRY: Serrated tussock is flourishing after heavy winter rainfall across the state.
Heavy rainfall helps serrated tussock thrive
THE Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party (VSTWP) is urging landowners to take action now with the noxious weed serrated tussock set for a prolific seeding season thanks to recent heavy rainfall across the state. VSTWP community engagement officer Ivan Carter said some areas of Victoria have had record winter rainfalls following a very dry summer, which is the “perfect storm” for the establishment and spread of serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma). “Our extension officers have already observed serrated tussock plants with substantial numbers of seeds developing in the Gisborne,
Melton, Sunbury and Ballan regions,” Mr Carter said. “A mature serrated tussock plant can produce thousands of seeds per season, which can be blown by the wind across the region up to 20 kilometres from the parent plant.” Mr Carter said the VSTWP advises best-practice serrated tussock management involves controlling and treating mature plants with a registered herbicide or manual removal/ cultivation each season prior to the plants flowering and seeding. “With the season looking ideal for further growth and spread of serrated tussock, the VSTWP is asking land owners and managers to act now in
order to prevent further seeding and subsequent negative impacts from this declared noxious weed,” he said. Native to SouthAmerica, serrated tussock is highly invasive and quickly becomes established, dominating landscapes, reducing agricultural productivity and decreasing biodiversity in native grasslands. It is estimated that serrated tussock has infested more than 130,000 hectares of land in Victoria alone and once it takes hold, large infestations require ongoing management and can be expensive to treat. For more information, visit www.serratedtussock.com or contact the VSTWP directly via info@serratedtussock.com.
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NEWS
Page 4, Southern Farmer
December 2016
Electronic ID for goat, sheep industries
VICTORIAN livestock producers are looking to improved traceability and biosecurity outcomes following the announcement of a $17 million State Government funding package. The package will help transition the sheep and goat industries into electronic identification (eID) technology. It will include $7.7 million in 2017 to subsidise the cost of producers implementing electronic tags, with the remaining funds being used for infrastructure grants, co-funded equipment grants and an education program across the supply chain.
“This is a large investment in our sheep and goat industries, and we thank Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford for committing to a five year rollout of the transition package,” Victorian Farmers Federation livestock group president, Leonard Vallance, said. “The clear message to producers must be that the only change to onfarm practice is the change of the ear tag to eID. “All other practices relating to on farm management and production are at the discretion of the producer if they see benefit to their own business.”
Mr Vallance said that central to the Livestock Group’s support was a pledge from the government that the rollout would be cost-neutral for farmers. “We made it clear to the government that they needed to ensure there was zero financial impact on-farm during implementation and that safeguards needed to be put in place to guarantee supply chain costs don’t burden livestock producers as the system matures.” The VFF livestock group has vowed to keep working with government to ensure it upholds its commitment to the five year
implementation package. “We’re confident that a long-term strategy for eID implementation will result in improved supply chain traceability and biosecurity outcomes that protect Victoria’s sheep and goat industries,” Mr Vallance said. All newborn sheep and goats in Victoria will require electronic tags from January 1, 2017. For more information on the transition package, timeline for implementation, standards and training opportunities go to www. EAR TAGS: All newborn sheep and goats agriculture.vic.gov.au/SheepEID in Victoria will require electronic tags from January 1, 2017. or call 1800 678 779.
Christmas tree farm with a family focus From page 1 Judith’s father worked hard to set the farm up over 35 years ago and put in a large dam which has proved invaluable today to irrigate the trees. “We’ve basically had at least 12 years of drought here. We never really had to irrigate all those years ago, but now we find we have to.” The trees take a number of years to grow before they are suitable for sale. They are generally in the ground at least three to four to five years. “We are in a low rainfall area here; we need at least four or five years to get a tree that is sellable,” said Judith. One task on the farm that is quite time consuming is shaping the trees. A lot of work goes into giving them the perfect shape which is very
important when selling to customers. Pruning also means that it takes longer for the trees to grow into a shape that is suitable for sale. “The trees are all shaped,” said Judith. “If you just leave a tree grow, it will just make huge gaps and be all lopsided.” Judith has noticed that over the years, customer expectations continue to rise. “In my experience, people are wanting the perfect tree… we have to keep getting better and better at whatever we do,” she said. This means more work on the farm to shape the trees properly and present them well. Judith enjoys being part of people’s Christmas celebrations year after year as they return to the farm to
buy their Christmas trees. “For me Christmas is all about tradition,” she said. Judith is also delighted to see how young children behave on the farm when they come from urban areas. “When children come here, it’s such a rich experience for them,” she said. “All the little things, the space, interacting with some animals, running through the grass, finding a feather, finding a pine cone - it’s a richer experience for them than going to a department store and picking out a bit of plastic. “We really enjoy sharing that experience with families and then watching all the family negotiation as they try and choose a tree.” The farm sells trees from late November until 24 December.
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS: There are plenty of Christmas trees to choose from at Sunbury Christmas Tree Farm.
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NEWS
December 2016
Southern Farmer, Page 5
Supercharged Manuka plants A WEST Gippsland nursery, Grand Ridge Propagation, will be propagating Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) plants with tested high levels of antibacterial efficacy. These plants have the potential to greatly improve the profitability for honey producers, as well as offer an income stream from windbreaks and lower productivity areas. Manuka honey has long been associated with New Zealand, with it selling for significant premiums compared to other honey. Manuka also occurs naturally in pockets of southern Australia and will grow well across the cooler parts of Victoria. It is an extremely robust plant that has been grown in gardens for decades and has huge potential for growing in plantations in order to supply larger quantities of premium product. Not all Manuka have high bioactivity, with considerable variation between plants and their providence. The Manuka seed Grand Ridge Propagation will be growing has come from a long
One species, Leptospermum polygalifolium, or Jelly Bush, is showing considerable potential due to it’s high bioactivity and prolific flower production. Grand Ridge Propagation will be growing some Jelly Bush for the coming season as well as Manuka. “In my opinion, the greatest potential for high value honey production is in a mixed species, mixed providence plantation,” Rob said. “If the flowering time of the plantation can be extended, it will allow the bees to collect for a longer period and decrease climatic risks”. Manuka and Jelly Bush have a peak flowering time of between six and eight weeks, so extending this to 12 or more weeks will be of great benefit for producers. Grand Ridge Propagation has over a decade of experience in growing and planting quality seedlings for revegetation and windbreak establishment, so is well placed to provide a high quality service for the honey industry. Orders are currently being taken for seedlings and planting for the 2017 season.
established honey area which has produced honey testing between MGO 300+ and MGO 500+ in the wild. In a plantation, these figures could even be higher as there would be less nectar “contamination” from other species. A plantation would start to flower after three years, with high yields from four years onwards, depending on the site. Once the plants are well established, it would also be possible to graze sheep under them. It would not be recommended to graze cattle due to the high chance of significant plant damage. Grand Ridge Propagation owners, Rob and Kristy Waddell, are also involved in nectar testing other species of Leptospermum (tea tree). It has been identified that many of the species of Australian Leptospermum also show degrees of bioactivity, with some testing even higher than Manuka. The challenge is to find if some of these species could also have potential for honey production.
PROPOGATING MANUKA: Grand Ridge Propogation owner Rob Waddell.
In my opinion, the greatest potential for high value honey production is in a mixed species, mixed providence plantation. - Rob Waddell V/05D08827-V2/2416
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NEWS
Page 6, Southern Farmer
December 2016
)RRG Âż EUH H[SRUWV JRRG IRU VWDWH VICTORIA is exporting more food and ďŹ bre than any other state in Australia, representing a total value of $11.9 billion in 2015-16. According to the 2015-16 Food and Fibre Export Performance Report released in November, Victoria takes up only three per cent of the country’s land mass, but accounts for 26 per cent of Australia’s food and ďŹ bre exports.
The government has identiďŹ ed food and ďŹ bre as one of six key industry sectors set to underpin Victoria’s future economic growth and jobs. Victorian produce continues to be in high demand across the globe, with increasing demand from Asia, built on the state’s reputation for producing high-quality, clean and healthy food. More than 80 per cent of
Australia’s dairy exports, 48 per cent of horticultural exports and 39 per cent of prepared food exports come from Victoria. Horticulture, prepared foods and wine production were the big winners, signiďŹ cantly increasing their exports. Highlights of the report include: s #HINA WAS 6ICTORIA S TOP food and ďŹ bre export valued
at $3.1 billion, up 10 per cent; s HORTICULTURE EXPORTS IN creased 31 per cent to $1.1 billion; s WINE PRODUCTION INCREASED by 26 per cent to $251 million; and s PREPARED FOODS SURGED BY 38 per cent to $1.3 billion, with red meat at $2.7b, dairy $1.9b, animal ďŹ bre $1.6b and grains $967m. Despite drought affecting
producers in the state’s north west, and dairy farmers across Victoria being dealt a cruel blow with milk price cuts, red meat, dairy, sheep and grain growers have performed exceptionally well. The Victorian Government is delivering a $27 million Drought Support Program and a $13.5 million Dairy Response Package to build a food and ďŹ bre sector resilient
and responsive to an unpredictable climate and variable global market. The government is also supporting primary producers by investing in the transformational $416 million Murray Basin Freight Rail, $200 million Agriculture Infrastructure and Jobs Fund, the $200 million Future Industries Fund and the $20 million Food Source Victoria initiative.
'RQœW JHW VWUXFN E\ À \VWULNH SHEEP producers are being advised to carefully watch weather conditions and for the presence of flies, following incidents of flystrike reported last month. Robert Suter, senior veterinary officer with Agriculture Victoria, said wet, warm and humid weather had provided ideal conditions for flystrike in parts of the state in November. Mr Suter said while temperatures were now rising and there was an expectation of a dry, normal summer, thunderstorms and other rain events could still provide an opportunity for flystrike to occur. He said flystrike is a significant cause of lost production and welfare concerns in sheep. The major fly responsible for flystrike in sheep is the green blowfly, Lucilia cuprina, thought to be responsible for 90 per cent of flystrike cases.
The green blowfly has a welldeveloped sense of smell and is attracted to odour, moisture, blood, rain-affected wool, fleece rot and daggy wool. The other primary cause of flystrike in Australia is the common brown blowfly; other species of flies can also be present in a fly struck sheep. The common brown blowfly is bigger and slower and not as active, but can cause just as much damage as the green blowfly. Mr Suter said the timely use of appropriate preventive treatments is essential to reduce the severity of flystrike. There are a number of treatments, applications and remedies available, and he said the proper application and choice of treatment will depend on the length of wool and the future of the sheep. The appropriate use of
treatment is essential for maximum efficacy. Producers should take into consideration the relevant Withholding Periods (WHP) that may apply. WHPs will vary for different chemicals. WHP’s can also differ from the Export Slaughter Interval (ESI). For further advice contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer, or visit the website www. flyboss.org.au.
W LUCILIA CUPRINA: Australian sheep blowfly. PHOTO: fir0002 | flagstaffotos.com.au
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4</ =.,<0 2?8= #% 8,@42,>498 92 =:64>>0<= ?: >9 >9880 6?7484?7 <,7:= ?: >9 >9880 9,/ <,>0/ .3,48= =6482= %46@,8 >,85= 9,7 ,<50<= #?7:= 4<0 E 23>482 0;?4:708> 40=06 >,85= =:<,C 0;?4:708> #948>= /4=.= -6,/0= -C 2:948> <0,> )0=>0<8 &466,20 :<47,<C =,60= ,B4 #948> :<47,<C =,60= 422, ?20<= 2<4 3,48
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NEWS
Page 8, Southern Farmer
December 2016
THE SOUTHERN
Part of the Farmer Group Rural Newspapers Covering Victoria
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FRUITS OF THEIR LABOUR: Daniel Rolek (left) and Mick Gallace with some of their substrate strawberries growing in the large hothouse at Sunny Ridge Farms. PHOTO: Allison Cox
Substrate strawberries deliver high quality
Over the last six years we have tried to set up year round berry production… that’s the reason we developed a Queensland production and Yarra Valley production. - MICK GALLACE, DIRECTOR OF SUNNY RIDGE FARMS
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SUBSTRATE strawberries are being grown by Sunny Ridge Farms at its farm in Boneo, on the Mornington Peninsula, in a new initiative to enhance the quality of its strawberry production. The project is in its early stages, but the signs are promising. “Definitely quality is far greater,” said director of Sunny Ridge Farms, Mick Gallace. The substrate strawberry production has plants grown in bags on a table top about one metre above the ground rather than in the soil. Rows of strawberries are covered by a roof of plastic sheeting which protects them from direct sunlight and other aspects of the weather. The substrate strawberries
grow in this environment that is much easier to control and has a number of advantages. These include increased return and reduced waste. “We get a lot more plants per square metre,” said Mick. “It’s much easier to control soil diseases. “It’s important to be able to keep the plants happy. “They don’t like a lot of hot weather and they don’t like it cold.” Field operations manager Daniel Rolek is in charge of the substrate system. He develops the feed for the plants and keeps a close eye on their development. Daniel specialises in strawberries and raspberries and has studied and worked in the industry in Europe. Another major advantage to growing substrate strawberries
is that the fruit is much easier to pick. While still in the early months of production, Mick hopes that workers will be able to pick between 15 and 20 kilograms per hour. “And that’s pick and pack,” adds Daniel. “So we have the ready product.” The substrate strawberries were planted in early August and were first picked in October. The current variety grown is a Californian one, but there are plans to trial others in the future. The new process is a big investment, but Sunny Ridge is hoping for a two to three year return on investment. It’s an exciting time for Mick, who has run the Sunny Ridge family business for 42 years. X
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500 Duncans Road, Werribee Sth, Vic. 3030
Phone: 9742 1360 Fax: 9742 1859 j/05d07605-v2/06-15
NEWS
December 2016
Southern Farmer, Page 9
Australian Country & Garden Wear GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS
Since 1993 we have been manufacturing & ĚĞĆ?Ĺ?Ĺ?ĹśĹ?ĹśĹ? Ä‚ ĆŒÄ‚ĹśĹ?Äž ŽĨ Ć‰ĆŒĹ˝ĆšÄžÄ?Ć&#x;ǀĞ Θ Ç Ĺ˝ĆŒĹŹ Ç ÄžÄ‚ĆŒ Ć?ƉĞÄ?Ĺ?ÄŽÄ?ĂůůLJ Ä¨Ĺ˝ĆŒ ƚŚĞ Ĺ?ĆŒÄžÄ‚Ćš ĆľĆ?ĆšĆŒÄ‚ĹŻĹ?Ä‚Ĺś Ĺ˝ĆľĆšÄšĹ˝Ĺ˝ĆŒĆ?͘ ^ŽžĞ ŽĨ Ĺ˝ĆľĆŒ Ć‰ĆŒĹ˝ÄšĆľÄ?ĆšĆ? Ĺ?ĹśÄ?ĹŻĆľÄšÄžÍ˜Í˜Í˜
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GROWING STRONG: Delicious substrate strawberries growing at Sunny Ridge Farms.
YUMMY TREAT: Raspberries have been a great addition at the farm.
Morris Outside tŽžÄ?Ä‚Ćš ĆŒĹ˝Ć?Ć?Ĺ?ĹśĹ?Í• ^ĹľĹ?ƚŚĆ? 'ƾůůLJ sĹ?Ä? ϯϳϲϏ WŚŽŜĞ͗ ͞ϏϯͿ ϾϳĎĎŹ ĎϲĎϲ | DĹ˝Ä?Ĺ?ůĞ͗ ĎŹĎ°ĎĎľ ĎŻĎŽĎ´ Ď°Ď°Ď´ ÍŹ ĎŹĎ°ĎŹĎ´ ĎώϯϲϹϰ Ç Ç Ç Í˜ĹľĹ˝ĆŒĆŒĹ?Ć?ŽƾƚĆ?Ĺ?ĚĞ͘Ä?Ĺ˝ĹľÍ˜Ä‚Ćľ | Ć?Ä‚ĹŻÄžĆ?Î›ĹľĹ˝ĆŒĆŒĹ?Ć?ŽƾƚĆ?Ĺ?ĚĞ͘Ä?Ĺ˝ĹľÍ˜Ä‚Ćľ
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READY FOR MARKET: Delicious berries grown at the farm.
The operation now includes four berry farms. Two are on the Mornington Peninsula: Boneo which has been in operation since 1964 and Main Ridge which started in 1980. Sunny Ridge also have a farm in the Yarra Valley and one in Queensland. They all grow berries. “Over the last six years we have tried to set up year round berry production‌ that’s the reason we developed a Queensland production and Yarra Valley production,â€? Mick said. The farm in Boneo has operates exclusively for commercial production and is the only site that grows substrate strawberries. There are 400 hectares of production Boneo Road, and that includes around 800,000
substrate strawberry plants over about 10 hectares. There are also ďŹ ve hectares of raspberries. Mick says he “got into raspberries by defaultâ€?. He had difďŹ culty growing strawberries in one area of the farm, so he decided to try something different. He chose raspberries. The farm has grown raspberries for about 10 years. Daniel also manages the raspberry production which is currently grown under plastic sheeting that protects the berries from the harsh sun and also allows rainwater to be harvested. “Rainwater is the best you can use for irrigation,â€? said Daniel. The Main Ridge farm on the Mornington Peninsula offers a ‘u pick’ option to the public where people can pick their own strawberries.
Mick explains that back in 1980 his dad used to sell things on the side of the road but people wanted to pick their own. Mick is passionate about berry farms and is keen to get more young people involved in the industry. He would like to see the industry develop a strawberry academy that trains people in the production of high quality strawberries, in particular, substrate strawberries. “There is a real need for training in substrate systems,� he said. In June this year, Sunny Ridge was acquired by a Melbourne agribusiness consortium, but Mick remains a director. The farm is in a transition phase as it moves toward new management.
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NEWS
Page 10, Southern Farmer
December 2016
Region’s beef breeders dominate Ballarat Show
By DAVID RIZZOLI
SOUTHERN Farmer stud beef cattle breeders featured strongly at the 150th Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society Spring Show held in mid-November. What started out to be a day of threatening weather cleared to be fine for the latter part of the judging Judges were Graeme Collins of the Merribrook Angus Stud, Mirloo and Kerrie Sutherland of Wodonga. Associate judge was Sarah Sutton of Ballarat, who won the Junior Judging Competition of the previous day. The Australian Shorthorn and Beef Shorthorns combined to be the Feature Beef Breed for 2016 with the Shorthorns judged separately. The Bull Calf Classic and the Heifer Classic were judged on the Friday evening. There were 18 entries in the Bull Classic across 11 breeds and 36 entries across 10 breeds in the Heifer Classic. The Grand Champion of the Bull Classic went to D.J Ashley and Grandchildren, Morningtime, Tylden, Morningtime Nara, (Beef Shorthorn.) This Junior Bull went on to be Supreme Beef Exhibit of the Show. The Grand Champion of the Heifer Classic went to the Spencer family, Spencer Family Shorthorn Studs, Yuroke, Spencer Family Diva (Shorthorn). Reserve Grand Champion Heifer, Spencer Girls, Spencer Family Shorthorn Studs, Spencer Family Coco Starlight, (Shorthorn). GENERAL BEEF CATTLE JUDGING AUSTRALIAN SHORTHORN (FEATURE BREED)
REIGNING SUPREME: The Supreme Beef Exhibit at the 2016 Ballarat A & P Society Spring Show was Morningtime Nara, pictured with Morningtime Beef Shorthorns co-principal David Ashley (left) and studmaster Paul Horne.
Champion Female, Spencer Family, Spencer Family Shorthorns, Yuroke, Sprys Exclusive Enia. Reserve Champion Female, Scott Bruton, Roly Park, Lake Boga, Roly Park Miss Australia. Junior Champion Bull, Spencer Family, Spencer Family Lenny. Reserve Junior Champion Bull, Scott Bruton, Roly Park Livewire. BEEF SHORTHORN (FEATURE BREED) Junior Champion Heifer, D.J.Ashley and Grandchildren, Morningtime, Tylden, M o r n i n g t i m e K i r a b a t i ’s Bloom 2. Reserve Junior
Champion Heifer, Margaret Halliburton, Boirdo, Rhyola Melody Gemma. Champion Female, L & C.Shannon, Glenmount Chantilly Lace. Junior Champion Bull, D.J.Ashley and Grandchildren, Morningtime Nara. Reserve Junior Champion Bull, Scott Bruton, Roly Park Limbo Champion Bull, D.J.Ashley and Grandchildren, Morningtime Nara. AUSTRALIAN LOWLINE Champion Female, Ballarat Grammar School, We n d o u r e e , B a l l a r a t
Grammar Kate. Champion Bull, Steve O’Brien, Ardeen Lowline Stud, Barregowa Jetstream. BELTED GALLOWAY Champion Female, Hetttie Biersteker, Silvan Park, Cumbria Braithwaite Lady 26th. Champion Bull, Hettie Biersteker, Silvan Park Tucker. CHAROLAIS Champion Female, James Waddell, Lawaluk, Lawaluk Matilda. POLL HIGHLAND Champion Female, Julia Webster, Mayfield, Bungaree, Egerton Brie.
LIMOUSIN Champion Female, Western Gold Limousin, M o a m a , N S W, We s t e r n Gold Kansas. Reserve Champion Female, Western Gold Limousin, Western Gold Maddison. Champion Bull, Richard Martin, Manoora Park Limousins, Manoora Park Kent. Reserve Champion Bull, Western Gold Limousins, Western Gold Mustang. POLL HEREFORD Champion Female, Bowles Family, Grangeview Park Poll Herefords, Strathfieldsaye, Cannawigra F81 Priscilla K55.
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Champion Bull, Bowles Family, Grangeview Park Lethal Weapon. SANTA GERTRUDIS Champion Female, Peter Conroy, The Gambler, Scarsdale, The Gambler Misty Rose. Champion Bull, Peter Conroy, The Gambler Lincoln Star. SHORTHORN Champion Heifer, Spencer Family, Spencer Family Shorthorn Studs, Yuroke, Spencer Family Diva . Champion Female, Spencer Family, Spencer Family Diva. SIMMENTAL Champion Female, Ruby and Jacob Canning, Mavstar & Maverick Simmentals, Inverleigh, Mavstar Lady Lakota. Champion Bull, Ruby and Jacob Canning, Mavstar Laredo. MINIATURE BELTED GALLOWAY Champion Female, Helen Daly, Tarxien Hill, Tarxien Hill Hunini. SUPREME BEEF EXHIBIT OF SHOW D.J.Ashley and Grandchildren, Morningtime, Tylden, Morningtime Nara. SUPREME INTERBREED BULL D.J.Ashley and Grandchildren, Morningtime, Tylden, Morningtime Nara SUPREME INTERBREED FEMALE Western Gold Limousins, Moama, Western Gold Kansas. OPENGROUPOFTHREE (Both sexes represented) Spencer Family MOST SUCCESSFUL BEEF EXHIBITOR Scott Bruton, Roly Park, Lake Boga. NB: Ballarat Show Sheep results will be in the next edition of Southern Farmer.
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NEWS
December 2016
Southern Farmer, Page 11
Alexandra sees a bright future in dairy farming IN a difficult time for the dairy industry, people like Alexandra Mulcahy show just how bright the future looks. The Legendairy 20-yearold from the Goulburn Valley has been selected as one of nine Rural Finance scholarship winners for 2016. Alexandra impressed the selection panel with a positive attitude that is combined with a sophisticated view of the industry and how it sits in the world market. As an Undergraduate scholarship recipient, Alexandra will receive $6000 per year over three years to help fund her studies at Marcus Oldham College in Geelong, where she is studying a Bachelor of Business Agriculture. She is a fourth generation dairy farmer and member of one of Victoria’s innovative dairy families, and certainly has the background to make a strong impression on the industry. Her parents Peter and Mandy, along with two of Peter’s brothers, started
their own milk processing factory at Kyabram, near their sprawling KyValley farm operation in 2000. “It started with the aim to minimise fluctuations in milk price, which has been in the spotlight lately,” Alexandra said. “In a good year your milk price might not be as high as it should be and in a bad year it’s lower than it should be, so Dad and his brother thought it would be better to build our own milk factory so we could control the milk price ourselves.” Wi t h 2 5 0 0 h e c t a r e s spread over three KyValley farms (as well as another 2500 hectares for cropping in the Riverina), the Mulcahys can milk 2800 Friesian cows that produce high quality milk. Taking milk from seven other local suppliers as well as their own, the family’s Southern Processing milk plant is a success story on the international market as well as with Goulburn Valley dairy farmers. “Sixty five per cent is exported to Malaysia,
China and Singapore and the rest of the market is domestic,” Alexandra said. “It gives suppliers a fair bit of flexibility and it offers a flat milk price all year. “It does that because it was designed by farmers who understand how it should work to benefit farmers.” The youngest of five daughters aged between 20 and 28, Alexandra will be happy to either join her sister Victoria, who currently manages the family operation, or find her own path in the world. W h i c h eve r wa y s h e chooses, she will be happy as long as her career keeps her in the dairy industry. “I think the dairy industry has a long and bright future,” she said. “It’s a fulfilling career that always has new challenges, with new technology and different ways of doing things. “There’s so many ways to expand and improve. “I’d encourage young people - or anyone else - to get into the dairy industry.”
POSITIVE FUTURE: Young dairy farmer Alexandra Mulcahy is one of nine Rural Finance scholarship winners for 2016.
LAMB MARKING PERCENTAGES LOWER THAN YOU’D LIKE? Campylobacter can be a significant cause of poor ewe reproductive performance and lamb losses. You should consider Campylobacter as a potential reason for low lamb marking results.
COOPERS® have tested a number of farms in Central Victoria and Gippsland and Campylobacter has been present. Contact your local Coopers Animal Health Representative, Ian Trewavis – Central Victoria – 0427 855 622 or Alice Peillon – Gippsland – 0408 467 705 for further information on diagnosing and vaccinating against Campylobacter.
CAMPYVAX® is the only pre-joining vaccine that helps control reproductive losses due to Campylobacter species in sheep. www.coopersanimalhealth.com.au Intervet Australia Pty Ltd. ABN: 79 008 467 034. ® Coopers is a registered trademark of Intervet Inc. Campyvax and Ovilis are registered trademarks of Intervet International B.V. AU/OVIC/1016/000È>
NEWS
Page 12, Southern Farmer
December 2016
Romale supreme at Southdown National Show
By DAVID RIZZOLI
Southdown Stud at Nagambie stood the Reserve Champion Southdown Ewe. The Irelands completed a successful day by winning the Group of Three category – one ram and two ewes - and the group of two rams and two ewes. A delighted stud principal, Ian Ireland, said most of the credit for the success must go to his daughter Rosalyn who has now taken over most of the stud work. “It was our most successful show since the stud was established in 1977,” he said.
THE Romale Southdown Sheep Stud of the Ireland family at Bunding, just north of Ballan, carried all before it at the 2016 Southdown National Show, held in conjunction with the 2016 Royal Geelong Show. Southdown was also the feature breed of the sheep sections at the show. A Romale ram stood Champion Southdown Ram, Champion All-Breeds Ram of the Show and Champion Sheep of the Show. Romale had success as well with a ewe taking out the Champion Southdown Ewe category and SHEEP RESULTS was only beaten on a count back for Champion AUSSIE DOWN All-Breeds Ewe by a Suffolk ewe. Ram Any Age, Graeme Denhert, Fernhill, Rounding out the success story for the Southern Farmer region, Andrew Sellars – Jones Ballan; Ewe Any Age, Graeme Denhert. BORDER LEICESTER Champion Ram, Heather Stoney, Ellingerrin, SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND HAVE Inverleigh; Reserve Champion Ram, Will Schilling, Glenlee Park; Champion Ewe, Heather THE SOUTHERN Stoney. CORRIEDALE Champion Ram, Reserve Champion Ram, Champion Ewe, Reserve Champion Ewe, Mailed to you in 2016 Champion Lamb, Reserve Champion Lamb, Ellis The Southern Farmer dominates Central South Victoria and West Gippsland. Family, Sweetfield, Mount Moriac. 12 issues per year $45.00 (GST included) DORSET DOWN Champion Ram, Reserve Champion Ram, Name, Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms.............................................................. Champion Ewe, Reserve Champion Ewe, MarAddress........................................................................................... garet Chapman, Woodhall, New Gisborne. ................................ Postcode .................Phone ............................ EAST FRIESIAN Payment by Cheque I enclose my cheque for $ .......................................payable to: Champion Ram, Champion Ewe, Reserve NORTH EAST MEDIA Champion Ewe, Tintern Grammar School, TinPayment by CREDIT CARD ternwood, Ringwood East. Please charge my Mastercard Visa HAMPSHIRE DOWN Cardholders Name ...................................................................... Champion Ram, Champion Lamb, Supreme Card No ......................................................................................... Hampshire Down Exhibit, John Cordukes, Signed ............................................ Expiry Date ........................... Towrang, NSW; Reserve Champion Ram, Helen Published by: North East Media Raven, Yaralla, Henty, NSW; Reserve Champion Suite 103, 486 Whitehorse Road, Surrey Hill 3127 Ewe, Neil & Jeff Johnson, Johnos & Jeffries Stud, Ph: (03) 9888 4822 Fax: (03) 9888 4840 Keith, SA; Reserve Champion Lamb, Auroa Park. ABN 65 006 238 277 Part of the Farmer Group Rural Newspapers Covering Victoria
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GRANDEUR: Leonie Ireland from Romale Southdown Stud with the Grand Champion Sheep at the 2016 Royal Geelong Show.
POLL DORSET Reserve Champion Ram, Champion Lamb, Supreme Poll Dorset Exhibit, Newlands Pastoral Co., Winchelsea; Champion Ewe, Ashley Smith, Cypress Park, Cardigan Village. ROMNEY Champion Ram, Reserve Champion Ram, Champion Ewe, Reserve Champion Ewe, Tintern Grammar School, Tinternwood, Ringwood East. RYELAND Champion Ram, Reserve Champion Ram, Robert Mitchell, Ronobri, Lockington; SOUTH SUFFOLK Champion Ram, Reserve Champion Ram, Champion Ewe, Reserve Champion Ewe, Champion Lamb, Barry Shalders, Willow Drive, Derrinallum. SUFFOLK Champion Ram, Champion Ewe, Champion Lamb, Deva Weltman, Blue Rock Suffolks, Romsey; Reserve Champion, Deppler Suffolks, Derrinallum TEXEL Champion Ram, Reserve Champion Ram, Champion Ewe, Reserve Champion Ewe, Champion Lamb, Supreme Texel Exhibit, Jorgensen Family, Mertex, Anterrp. BEEF CATTLE AUSTRALIAN LOWLINE Champion Cow or Heifer, Grand Champion Lowline Exhibit, Ballarat Grammar School, Ballarat Grammar, Wendouree; Reserve Champion Cow or Heifer, Lucas Kallady, Bayles. LIMOUSIN Junior Champion Heifer, Western Gold Limousins, Moama, NSW; Reserve champion Heifer, Richard Martin, Manoora Park, Lara; Senior Champion Cow or Heifer, Grand Champion Limousin Exhibit, Patrick Hal-
loran, Bush Park, Kyneton. SIMMENTAL Junior Champion Bull, Junior Champion Heifer, Ruby & Jacob Canning, Mavstar Simmentals, Inverleigh; Reserve Junior Champion Bull, Peter & Vanessa Wenn, Warragul; Reserve Junior Champion Heifer, Reserve Senior Champion Cow or Heifer, Salesian College, Sunbury; Senior Champion Cow or Heifer, Grand Champion Simmental Exhibit, Vaughan Campagnolo. SHORTHORN Junior Champion Bull, Tippetts Glengyron, Newlyn; Reserve Junior Champion Bull, Reserve Junior Champion Heifer, Grand Champion Shorthorn Exhibit, Spencer Family, Spencer Family Shorthorns, Yuroke; Senior Champion Bull, Reserve Senior Champion Cow or Heifer, Vuller Shorthorns. Senior Champion Cow or Heifer, Parker Pty Ltd.; Reserve Senior Champion Bull, J.P & S.L.Keays, Fish Creek Farms, Fish Creek. Junior Champion Heifer, Bill & Mary Harwood, Hillview, Streatham.. Champion Bull Any Other Beef Breed, Grand Champion Exhibit Any Other Beef Breed, J.P & S.L Keays, Fish Creek Farms, Fish Creek. JUNIOR HANDLERS COMPETITION VAS Ltd Young Paraders Competition, 1st Tiffany McLauchlan Handler Under 12 Years on 15.10.2016 – 1st Rhiannon Hohnberg Handler 12 years and Not Over 15 years on 15.10.2016 – Trinity McInnes VAS Ltd BEEF JUNIOR JUDGING COMPETITION 1st Harry Turnham.
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NEWS
December 2016
Southern Farmer, Page 13
Compiled by DAVID
What did John Ridley invent in 1843? (a) Spike Harrows (b) the Mouldboard Plough (c) the first Wheat Stripper.
1
5 in 1 drench was developed to counter what group of diseases in sheep?
2
What is the breeding of the Droughtmaster beef cattle?
3
In regard to the National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS), what commences on January 1, 2017?
4
Where in Victoria did the International Harvester Company have a major production enterprise in the first half of the 20th century?
5 GOOD BUY: Top priced ram at the 2016 Wattlebank Merino Ram Sale at $1750 was purchased by Bruce Zeuschner of Lillicur Pastoral Co (left), pictured with sheep classer Allan Sievers of Ballarat (centre) and Wattlebank co-principal Ian Glen.
Which major sheep show is held each year in conjunction with Sheepvention at Hamilton?
6
Wattlebank Merino ram sale tops out at $1750 THE Glen Brothers’ Wattlebank Merino Stud annual on-property sale was held in fine conditions in late October. There was a good attendance of local buyers and buyers from the Western District, Central and North Central Victoria.
However, buyer activity under the Helmsman System was restricted resulting in the low clearance of 14 of the 50 rams on offer, with an average of $950. Top price of the sale was an excellent $1750 paid by Bruce Zeuschner of the Lillicur Pastoral Co for a ram sired by a Merryville EM Supreme son.
Mr Zeuschner also paid second top price of $1450. Mr Zeuchner is a loyal return buyer who has purchased rams at the annual Wattlebank sale since its inception over 14 years ago. Third top price was $1350 paid by agentsArcadian on behalf of C Beggs. Volume buyers noted at the sale were Daryl Troutbeck who
purchased three rams at $800, and David Gething of Stawell, who also bought three at $800. Graeme O’Byrne purchased two rams for $700 and $800 respectively. The Glen Brothers’ Wattlebank is a mixed livestock operation carrying fine wool Merinos, first cross ewes for prime lamb production and a commercial Hereford cattle herd.
In relation to soils what was first identified and recorded in 1928?
7
In 1949, a team working at the State Research Farm at Werribee under Dr David Wishart developed what technique in relation to dairy cows?
8
What are the common names of (a) Calliphora stygia and (b) Calliphora augur as they affect sheep?
9
What, apart from having a wheel and two handles, is a barrow?
10
What event in May 1813 led to the opening up of the pastoral lands in central and western New South Wales?
11
What are the gestation periods of (a) sows (b) ewes (c) cows?
12
ANSWERS: 1. The first Wheat Stripper. 2. The Clostridial Diseases Pulpy Kidney, Black Disease, Black Leg, Tetanus and Malignant Oedema. 3. Brahman x Shorthorn (later infusion of Hereford but maintaining 50% Brahman and 50% British blood). 4. Electronic Identification (IED) of all sheep and goats born after this date. 5. Corio (Geelong) Victoria. 6. The Hamilton and Western District Sheep Show. 7. Trace element deficiency. 8. Artificial Insemination. 9. (a) Large Brown Blowfly (b) Lesser Brown Blowfly 10. A castrated pig. 11. The crossing of the Blue Mountains by Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth. 12. (a) 114–118 days, (b) 147–150 days (c) 280–283 days.
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HAY AND SILAGE
Page 14, Southern Farmer
December 2016
Ensiling wet hay carries risk
By FRANK MICKAN, Senior Dairy Extension Officer, Ellinbank
PLASTIC wrap is not a silver bullet for hay that was rain affected before baling or for hay that is too wet or for silage that is too dry at baling. Some hay seasons have resulted in the above scenario and a response by many these days seems to be: “Wrap it in stretch wrap plastic and turn it into silage”. However, there is no cut and dried right answer here. Sometimes you may get away with avoiding mouldy hay by wrapping it but more often than not, you won’t. Since it’s probably mid to late November/early Decem-
ber when making hay, most pastures will have a lot of stem with seed heads prominent. This means the quality of the forage on the ground will be well down, probably under 9.5 megajoules of metabolisable energy per kilogram of dry matter (MJ ME/kg DM or ME), approximately 9 to 11 per cent crude protein (% CP) and over 50 per cent neutral detergent fibre (% NDF). Conversely, the leafier the crop and higher the clover content, the higher the quality (over 10 ME, over 14 % CP and under 45 % NDF). The dry matter (DM) content may be about 70–80 per cent, i.e. moisture content 20–30 per cent so the forage will be too wet for hay but
generally too dry for silage. I call this the ‘danger zone’ and the result is often mouldy and/or foul smelling fodder. This is because there is not enough moisture to allow a satisfactory lactic acid type fermentation which converts plant sugars to acids which preserves the crop as silage. Conversely, there is enough moisture to allow some plant respiration and microbial activity resulting in heating and mould growth. If bales of late maturity forage have been wrapped in stretch wrap plastic to “become silage” their high proportion of stems to leaves allows a lot of air to be trapped between and even within the hollow stems. Same result as above, very
often mouldy and less-thanpleasant to bloody horrible smelling silage with reduced palatability. Another issue caused by rain is that soil is often splashed onto the forage or inadvertently picked up by further tedding or raking. This soil contains undesirable soil organisms which can contribute substantially toward a poor fermentation and plastic won’t prevent this. Sometimes, you will get a win. To increase your chances you will need to individually or continuously in-line wrap the rounds or squares. Don’t even think about saving money by stacking ‘Danger Zone’ large squares under sheets of plastic as I have heard
of too many farmers who were disappointed with the outcome. If the moisture content is only three to six per cent above the ideal baling moisture content, the best outcome might be to stick to baling it as hay, but apply a reliable hay preservative. Always use hay preservatives at the correct rate, remembering wet hay is much heavier than cured hay, and ensure the preservative covers as much of the forage as possible. If the crop is pasture or lucerne and is medium to high quality, this means more leaf and less stem, or thinner stems for the lucerne, the same story still applies as in the first scenario.
However, there will be less air trapped in these more tightly packed bales and this time you are starting with a higher quality base with plants containing more sugars for the bacteria to work on. The closer this forage is to silage dry matter and although there will still be a drop off in quality, the chances of a positive outcome are somewhat higher, but no promises. There is no magic answer to ‘is it worth wrapping material too dry for silage or too wet for hay?’ and unfortunately Mother Nature has not been on the hay/silage maker’s side over some recent years. But, if the raw product was bad to start with, then the end product will be too.
Is this a year to use hay preservatives? By FRANK MICKAN, Senior Dairy Extension Officer, Ellinbank HAYSTACK fires are a constant worry for farmers and hay contractors harvesting hay and unpredictable rain events during this period makes harvesting well cured hay very difficult. Sometimes the pressure is on to get the material baled slightly before the ideal moisture content due to forecast rain arriving earlier than predicted. There are many other reasons but the end result is the same. Moulding and heating hay bales in the stack and will it keep heating, or not? Most fires are due to excess moisture at baling. This excess moisture could have been due to such factors as canola crops with “difficult to dry” thick stems, cereal crops at the boot stage with moist heads in the boot and nodes, baling before the crop was cured enough, baling with dews on high sugar plants, etc. Also this summer, many fires started due to unseasonably heavy rainfall events which soaked deeply into uncovered stacks. Could hay preservatives have prevented some of these haystack fires? It is highly likely that
reputable hay preservatives applied at the correct rate and ensuring sufficient coverage of the material on the pick up will have prevented many, but not all the fires. There were anecdotal reports of some stacks “going up” which had been treated with preservatives. Were they applied at the correct rates, given the crop was actually quite a bit heavier due to its higher moisture content? How well was the hay preservative integrated into the material? Spraying the preservative on top of the windrow just before baling, especially thick windrows, probably won’t ensure adequate coverage. Was the particular product suitable for the hay being baled in these specific circumstances? Table 1 (right) shows the recommended moisture contents for safe baling. Hay stored slightly above the maximum moisture content in each range will lose DM and nutritive value due to plant respiration and possibly mould growth and is recognised by heating of the bale/stack. Hay preservatives (inhibitors) are added at baling, preferably as material passes over the pick up or near the throat of the baler, to allow safe baling at slightly higher moisture contents.
TABLE 1: RECOMMENDED MOISTURE CONTENTS (%) FOR SAFE STORAGE OF HAY Recommended moisture content Type of Bale ranges for baling hay (%) Small square bales Large round bales Large square bales Export hay
18 - 20 14 - 18 12 - 14 <12
Their mode of action is to reduce plant respiration microbial activity (mould and yeast growth) and heat during storage. Their application rate is on a fresh weight basis so
when moisture content of the hay is higher, so must be the application rate. There are a range of preservatives the two main groups being aerobic bacterial inoculants and organic acids.
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There are a few other hay preservatives which use different modes of action to these two main groups. The inoculant types (eg. Bacillus species) promote faster curing, stop plant respiration and prevent growth of mould, so reducing heating and losses. They are suitable for hay baled up to 20 – 25% moisture. They are safe for animals, non-corrosive and easily handled. The organic acid types (eg. propionic acid) are now
mainly available as buffered acid salts to minimise corrosion and for safer handling. These inhibit mould growth which subsequently minimises heating. These are applied via an applicator, the rate being dependent on the active ingredient and moisture content of the hay. Machines should be washed after use. Most of these products are designed to be effective in hay moisture contents up to 25% but I would suggest this applies to small squares and so moisture limits should be dropped accordingly for rounds and large rectangular bales. The use of these products allowing baling at slightly higher moisture contents will result in shorter curing time, reduce leaf shatter and leaf loss (resulting in higher quality hay), helps retain greener colour and maintains good palatability, ie. tastes great. Don’t forget, the preservative must cover all the cured forage and the application rates adjusted for moisture content. Don’t be complacent once baling is finished and the hay is stacked. Keep an eye on the stack temperature for some time afterwards, just in case.
MOWERS, BRUSHCUTTERS, CHAINSAWS
December 2016
Southern Farmer, Page 15
Handy hints for ride-on maintenance
RIDE-ON Australian-made mowers from Cox are designed to withstand everything that the sometimes difficult Australian conditions can throw at them. Even so, it’s important that you give your machine a little care and attention every now and then. Though your ride-on mower is well-equipped for a long life of cutting grass in the years ahead, it’s still imperative that you carry out a few basic maintenance tasks to prolong its life and efficiency even further. Read on to find out just how to keep your Australian mower in great condition, but remember, take it to a professional, accredited Cox dealer if you aren’t too confident in such matters. You wouldn't want to do more harm than good. Get to know your mower Though they are hardly the most fascinating document in the world, the owner’s manual can tell you a great deal about your ride-on mower that you
Ride in style on Stockman 3500 THE Stockman 3500 began rolling off Cox’s assembly line in Brisbane mid July. The company says the ride-on mower offers the comfort and styling people are used to in the Stockman 4000 with the advantage of Electric PTO Cutter Engage. The Stockman 3500 will is available in both 15.5HP (11.6kW, 500cc) and 17.5HP (13kW, 500cc) Briggs and Stratton engines, with your choice of 32”(805mm) or 38” (960mm) mowing attachment. The company says the five litre fuel tank is more easily accessible, the lower bonnet gives the operator clearer sight of the terrain ahead, and re-designed foot rest and drive pedal means greater operator comfort.
never would have expected. Reading the manual will help you understand what each and every feature of your mower actually does, so when you’re out there doing a great job cutting grass, you’ll know precisely what’s happening. Don’t forget the basics It can be easy to forget to check the basics of mower maintenance, but these can be the most important parts of a good health check.
With your mower parked up and turned off, have a walk around your machine. Inspect each of the guards and deflectors, and if any of them are damaged or worn, have them replaced. The tyres can often get overlooked, uneven tyre pressures can create an uneven cut when mowing if left unattended. Therefore, be sure to check that the tyres are properly inflated to the correct pressure,
and replace them if they are showing signs of wear and tear. Performing a little maintenance on your ride-on mower will keep it running as smoothly as the day you bought it. Finally, after each mow, clean off any dirt and debris that may have accumulated. If you are hosing down your machine, be sure to allow your ride-on mower to cool down before hosing. Don’t let the oil spoil
Check the oil level before every use in your ride-on mower. Be sure to take a look at the engine manual to find out how to replace your oil, oil replacement intervals and what type of oil is used, as it can differ from model to model. It’s also important that you don’t overfill with fresh oil – this can be just as harmful as under-filling. Focus on fuel If ethanol-based petrol sits
idle for over a month, it can turn into a varnish-like substance that will clog fuel-lines when started, causing the mower to hunt and surge, or not start at all. You can also purchase fuel saver products, which can be added to your mower’s fuel. Using fresh petrol in the spring will keep your ride-on mower signing beautifully. At the end of each mowing season, run what’s left of the fuel tank and let it sit empty until the months pass and it is time to mow again. Using fresh petrol in the spring will keep your ride-on mower running beautifully. Examine spark plugs and air filter You should look to change the spark plug at least once every year to ensure the smooth running of your mower – again, check the manual to find out how to do this. Change the air filter and pre filter annually – air filters, too, are fairly inexpensive.
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NEWS
Page 16, Southern Farmer
December 2016
Solution for waterlogged crops
IMPRESSED: Grain growers Neil and Matt Rohde, of Horsham, inspect a biologically treated barley trial at St Arnaud. “The treated crop has handled the wet weather better, is noticeably more vigorous and healthier,’’ Mr Ball said. “Despite barley scald being prevalent throughout the district, the treated crop contracted the disease a month later than where it was untreated. “This is presumably owing to the improved health and vigour. “The treated crop has handled the waterlogging quite well – it may well have died.’’ Wimmera grain growers Neil and Matt Rohde have been using TM Ag for five years, resulting in reduced disease pressure and higher
grain quality. They have been impressed with the treated crops during a particularly wet year. Their treated barley has required no additional fertiliser in-crop and suffered from lower aphid pressure than untreated crops. The family has trialled the biological system on wheat, barley, vetch and peas on their Horsham property. Neil said the treated cereal crops were higher in protein and grain weight, with reduced screenings. He said the TM Ag boosted the crop’s immune system, with no fungicides needed. Farming systems agronomist
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“It is the activation of the biology which does the trick,’’ he said. “It is a step by step approach, don’t go overboard – in the first year put 20 per cent of a paddock’s budget into biological stimulation. “Then gradually reduce inputs and effectively transfer across to a biological system.’’ Dr Stapper said biological farmers were able to use 50 per cent less fertiliser and 80 per cent less chemicals than under conventional systems. “Insecticides are no longer used as the plants are resistant to the white fly, aphids, yellow rust, scald and chocolate spot,’’ he said.
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Maarten Stapper, of BioLogic AgFood, said increased soil biological activity was a way of controlling waterlogging in paddocks. Dust, compaction, water logging and lack of earthworm activity are all signs of poor soil structure. “Soil microbes make the crumb structure of the soil, creating stability so when it rains, the water infiltrates through the crumbs into the subsoil,’’ Dr Stapper said. “Earthworm activity also improves drainage and root penetration.’’ Dr Stapper said biological farming promoted the quickest new growth after rain, recovery after flood and resilience to drought.
MM UNI TY
IN a year when waterlogging has taken a toll on winter crops in part of Victoria, a biological soil stimulant has helped cereal and pulse crops avoid falling victim. Senior agronomist Jamie Ball, of Elders St Arnaud, has worked with regional growers to biologically treat chickpeas, lentils, wheat, barley and oats with TM Agricultural. Organically certified, TM Ag uses plant extracts to stimulate indigenous soil microbes and is produced by Best Environmental Technology. Mr Ball said the St Arnaud district had recorded 340mm to late September, with local crops affected by flooding and water logging. He said the local crops treated with TM Ag had come through the wet season well, were more robust and handled the conditions better. “They are certainly retaining their colour, vigour and growth rate versus untreated crops which, if they recover, take some time to improve,’’ Mr Ball said. “This differential in growth usually translates directly into yield. “We haven’t lost any treated crop to waterlogging but untreated crops have been lost. “It’s early days but we are pretty impressed.’’ Mr Ball has collected paddock data on TM Ag in both dry and wet seasons across a range of soil types including alluvial, heavy clays and loams. A trial was undertaken this year in an eight hectare paddock in the township of St Arnaud. “The trial site had been previously managed as a volunteer pasture for some years and the soil had become compacted, with the paddock being infested with grass and broadleaf weeds,” Mr Ball said. He said the site was sown to a crop that would easily demonstrate any benefits of a biological treatment on emergence, nutrition, vigour, soil borne and/or foliar disease infection levels. Gairdner barley was sown into the chemically fallowed paddock at a rate of 70kg/ha in May on a 17.5cm row spacing using a Napier combine. A pre-sowing spray of Boxer Gold was applied at 2.5 litres/ha. The treated half of the paddock had two applications of TM Ag at 250mls/ha each.
ER CO NV ICTO ING RIA’S FARM
Editorial Jodie Fleming sfarmer@nemedia.com.au
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I had been told by the plumber that it would cost me a fortune to replace my entire system. However, that is no longer necessary as the trench is now dry and running well – and the odours are gone. I could not speak more highly
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Healthy, happy and odour free in 3 easy steps Ecocare Activator is the one product you can rely on to cut your cleaning time down to the bare minimum and keep your house, septic system and Aerated Wastewater Treatment System (AWTS) clean and healthy. “I have recommended Ecocare Activator regularly and have seen even the most neglected system turned around‌ within as little as one month,â€? said Senior Service Technician Michael Goddard from Wastewater Consultants Pty Ltd. Use to clean all hard surfaces and kill odours on contact, then simply rinse your surfaces and pour any remaining mixture straight down the drain. As it moves into your septic system it continues working, clearing blockages and conditioning your system. You do the ďŹ rst part, leave it to do the rest.
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FIRE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION
Page 18, Southern Farmer
Online tool to aid in clearing up around property
SUMMER SAFETY IN YOUR COMMUNITY We deliver electricity in your community To prepare for summer and its associated risks, AusNet Services invests more than $220 million annually into a range of initiatives designed to reduce risks from bushfires and severe weather events. This year we’ve implemented a range of innovative Governmentmandated enhanced electrical protection programs to help prevent bushfires. Some of the yearly maintenance and vegetation works we undertake are:
NETWORK MAINTENANCE
VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
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powerline spans assessed for vegetation clearance
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Do your part It’s your responsibility to ensure that your overhead service line is clear of vegetation on your property. Contact a registered electrician or certified tree clearer if required. For more information visit our website: ausnetservices.com.au > electricity > safety preparedness
Contact us General enquiries: 1300 360 795 Faults & emergencies (24 hours): 13 17 99 @AusNetServices
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December 2016
THE CFA has a trusted online tool to make it easier for people to clear up around their property by offering advice on clearing vegetation including trees and branches without a permit. Planning exemptions were introduced in 2011 to reduce red tape for residents wanting to clear up ahead of the bushfire season. A two minute video ‘Clear up or clear out’ continues to help raise awareness of the rules around vegetation clearing and can be accessed via the CFA’s Facebook and You Tube pages. The CFA wants everyone to be aware that in most areas outside of Melbourne a permit is not needed to remove trees within 10 metres of their home and understorey vegetation for up to 30 metres from their home. A CFA spokesperson said in many communities these rules were not widely known or understood. “We are concerned that some residents may be putting off essential property preparation work because they think
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FIRE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION
Southern Farmer, Page 19
Reducing risk of hay baler fires
By FRANK MICKAN, Senior Dairy Extension Officer, Ellinbank EACH year we hear about hay stack fires in sheds and in paddocks and the financial loss of outside haystacks, sheds and unfortunately, equipment. However, not so commonly known is that there are also many hay baler fires which start while baling. During every hay harvest, the Victorian Country Fire Authority (CFA) attends several baler fires, many of which could have been avoided or at least, with much reduced damage. Not only are balers often burnt in these fires but sometimes the tractor is also partly or completely destroyed, neither cheap pieces of machinery. No doubt there are other unreported costs such as paddock fires caused by the baler fire spreading into nearby windrows and surrounding dry paddocks, especially if there is wind. And there is always the dangerous prospect of serious burns to the operator. Then there is the potential loss of animal production due to the delay in baling, until another baler is put into action and worse if it rains beforehand causing substantial loss in nutritive value of the hay. Whilst having a chat with a local passionate CFA mem-
ber who is also a farmer and with input from some other farmers at the same time, they mentioned many insights that I felt should be put out to the farming community. Most baler (and tractor) fires are caused by over-heating of, usually, damaged bearings and often not noticed until the hay bale and baler are well alight, unless the operator just happened to turn around when fire first started. What should be well known by farmers and contractors is that it is compulsory by law in Victoria for all tractors to have a water extinguisher with a minimum nine litre capacity attached to the tractor during the fire restriction period. This can be either a pressurised water extinguisher or a knapsack, although the latter are difficult to attach on many late model tractors. Unfortunately, this law is poorly enforced but this simple tool is a no brainer when operating equipment with hot bearings in hot dry, windy conditions in very dry flammable grass. It can potentially save very expensive machinery from burning. Cheap insurance, eh? An extinguisher could be critical to nipping a baler fire in the bud or at least delaying it spreading too much before the CFA arrives notwithstanding
POSING A DANGER: Cleaning the tractor and baler each day is important to help get rid of any build-up of flammable material.
sparks caused by mowers etc. hitting stones or metal. The CFA also recommended carrying a minimum two kg dry powder extinguisher for several reasons. These are useful for electrical and hydraulic oil fires, often starting as a result of the baler fire melting wires or hydraulic hoses. Embers often are blown into nooks and crannies around and under the tractor cabin and other hard-to-get-at places. Spraying water into these spots sometimes does not reach all crevices or deep enough where dust and loose dry material has built up.
The water can sometimes evaporate before extinguishing the fire in some locations. However, a powder extinguisher will spread further and is more effective in these scenarios than water. Electrical shorts can also start fires and even though the electrics are usually automatically shut down on many of the latest model tractors, fires can sometimes short circuit this safety process. Water won’t extinguish this fire. Some other handy tips that the guys passed on were: Clean the tractor each day to minimise build-up of
flammable material. Get a handle on the normal operating temperatures of the bearings once the baler reaches operating temperatures by using a thermal gun ranging in price from $30 to $100s. Seriously consider changing sets of bearings when one is showing signs of wearing out. If you notice a fire in the bale chamber, or a smoking bearing, the CFA, based on many years of experience, strongly suggests not ejecting the bale from the chamber. While being ejected the bale becomes suddenly exposed to
much more air and the loose material inside and around the baler can seemingly “explode” into flames once the baler is freed from its tight air-restricted confines. Also, depending on strength and direction of the wind, this newly inflamed material may be blown into the tractor and cabin crevices as explained above. Do not speed up the tractor in the hope of extinguishing the flame as the flush of air actually fuels the flame and often just spreads the fire into the paddock itself. The CFA strongly recommend separating the tractor from the baler as quickly as possible because baler fires more often than not get out of control quickly. The CFA site also recommends avoiding the overloading of electrical circuits by using the battery isolation switch, if fitted, whenever the harvester is parked. They also recommend the use of vermin deterrents during the down period as these blighters can chew through electrical insulation resulting in short outs. Of course, I should not have to even mention care needed when driving vehicles with hot exhausts or even hotter catalytic converters over long dry grass or windrows, nor welding and/ or grinding metal in the paddock on hot windy days.
Plan and prepare. THE REASONS ARE BLACK AND WHITE.
It’s your responsibility to be fire ready this summer. Prepare your property, fire plan and emergency kit now. When hot, dry, windy days are forecast, check Fire Danger Ratings daily and monitor warnings via local radio, the VicEmergency website and app. Leaving early, before a fire starts, is always the safest option.
emergency.vic.gov.au Download the VicEmergency app
Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne
FIRE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION
Page 20, Southern Farmer
December 2016
Reducing the risk from raging grassfires
GRASSFIRES can be just as dangerous as bushďŹ res. They can start and spread rapidly, travelling up to 25km/h, quickly threatening lives and property. We’re expecting a higher than average risk of grassďŹ res this season. 5NDERSTAND RURAL GRASSlRE RISK s 'RASS IS A lNE FUEL AND BURNS faster than bush or forests. s 'RASSlRES TEND TO BE LESS INtense and produce fewer embers than bushďŹ res, but still generate enormous amounts of radiant heat. s 4HE TALLER AND DRIER THE GRASS THE more intensely it will burn. s 4HE SHORTER THE GRASS THE LOWER the ame height and the easier the
ďŹ re will be to control. s 3HORT GRASS UNDER CM IS A much lower risk. s 'RASSlRES CAN START EARLIER IN the day than bushďŹ res, because grass dries out more quickly when temperatures are high. s ,IVING IN A GRASSLAND AREA WITH dried-out brown or golden-coloured GRASS THAT IS OVER CM HIGH IS A lRE risk. There are some exceptions, such as Phalaris grass, which will burn even when green. 2EDUCING THE RISK TO YOURSELF YOUR HOME AND YOUR PROPERTY s $ECIDE WHAT BUILDINGS OR ASSETS you need to protect from grassďŹ re. s 2EDUCE THE HEIGHT AND PROXIMITY
of grass to these buildings and other assets by slashing, mowing, grazing, spraying and using herbicide s #REATE FUEL BREAKS BY REMOVING ALL FUEL VEGETATION DOWN TO THE SOIL s .ARROW FUEL BREAKS LESS THAN THREE METRES WIDE ARE UNLIKELY TO STOP a ďŹ re, however they may slow it down. By reducing the grass and other ďŹ ne fuels around your buildings and other assets you can create a defendable space - a space which limits the ability of a moving grassďŹ re to ignite a building through direct ame contact or radiant heat. It’s important that you create and maintain a defendable space around all the assets you want to protect.
It’s too late to begin spraying and slashing as the ďŹ re approaches - you must prepare before the ďŹ re season. -ACHINERY CAN START GRASSlRES $URING THE &IRE $ANGER 0ERIOD if you’re using machinery with an internal combustion or heat engine, such as tractors or slashers, within nine metres of grass, crops, stubble, weeds or other vegetation, it’s important that you ensure the machinery is: s FREE FROM ANY FAULTS AND MECHANical defects that could start a ďŹ re. s lTTED WITH AN APPROVED SPARK arrestor; and. s CARRYING A WORKING WATER lRE extinguisher or knapsack of at least REAL RISK: With all the new growth, grassnine litres capacity. fires will pose a signficant risk.
Planning and preparation
How fire ready is your farm?
s 4AKING STEPS TO GET PREPARED BEFORE THE lRE SEASON MEANS YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU RE AT RISK OF lRE )T S IMPORTANT TO PREPARE YOUR PROPERTY FOR lRE BUT YOU ALSO NEED TO PLAN AND PREPARE FOR YOUR SAFETY 0ACK IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS PHOTOS MEDICATIONS MONEY AND CLOTHES SO YOU CAN LEAVE EASILY BEFORE A lRE STARTS s 4ALK TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS ABOUT HOW YOU LL KNOW WHEN TO LEAVE AND WHERE TO GO TO STAY SAFE s ,EAVING EARLY IS THE SAFEST OPTION TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY s ,EAVING EARLY MEANS LEAVING THE AREA BEFORE A lRE STARTS n NOT WHEN YOU CAN SEE mAMES OR SMELL SMOKE ,EAVING EARLY MEANS AVOIDING PANIC BEING TRAPPED MAKING THE WRONG CHOICES AND RISKING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH s $O YOU HAVE FAMILY FRIENDS OR NEIGHBOURS WHO MIGHT NEED HELP PREPARING TO LEAVE EARLY 4ALK TO THEM ABOUT WHEN THEY RE GOING TO LEAVE WHERE THEY RE GOING TO GO AND HOW YOU CAN HELP s &IRE $ANGER 2ATINGS ARE A GOOD WAY TO DECIDE WHEN TO LEAVE 4HEY ARE NOT A WEATHER FORECAST n THEY TELL YOU HOW DANGEROUS A lRE WOULD BE IF ONE STARTED !S THE RATINGS INCREASE SO DOES THE RISK OF A FAST MOVING AND UN-
Check all of these important questions early YES /NO 1. Do you have well maintained slashed or ploughed fire breaks? 2. Are your farm buildings protected by firebreaks? 3. Do you have a grazing plan to reduce fire risk? 4. Are your chemicals stored safely according to instructions on the product? 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? 10. Do you ensure hay is not stacked when it is green? 11. Are machinery exhaust systems fitted with spark arresters? 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? 20. Are gas cylinders vented away from buildings? 21. Are fire fighting hoses long enough, kept in safe locations where they will not melt, and with heavy duty wide spray nozzles? 22. Do you talk about and have a fire prevention plan with neighbors? 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? 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? 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, over the nose and mouth, wet towels to drape over the neck, handkerchiefs to toe and bottles of water? 29. Can you access roof and other building cavities to check frequently for embers or other spot fires? 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?
For more information 5950 1000 mornpen.vic.gov.au/are-you-fire-ready customerservice@mornpen.vic.gov.au
Be Prepared
CONTROLLABLE lRE s .EVER DRIVE IF YOU CAN SEE SMOKE OR lRE 4HICK SMOKE WILL MAKE IT HARD TO SEE AND TRAFlC JAMS AND ACCIDENTS ARE LIKELY 9OU ALSO NEED TO KEEP THE ROADS CLEAR FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES s 9OU COULD BE AT SERIOUS RISK OF UNCONTROLLABLE lRES ON 3EVERE %XTREME AND #ODE 2ED DAYS )T S UP TO YOU TO STAY INFORMED #HECK THE &IRE $ANGER 2ATINGS DAILY AND ACT TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY s 0REVENTION IS EVERYONE S RESPONSIBILITY %ARLY ACTION CAN PREVENT lRES THREATENING LIVES AND PROPERTY )F YOU SEE SMOKE OR lRE CALL 4RIPLE :ERO @ IMMEDIATELY )F YOU SEE SOMETHING SUSPICIOUS CALL #RIME 3TOPPERS ON s 0REPARING YOUR PROPERTY GIVES IT THE BEST CHANCE OF SURVIVAL DURING A lRE EVEN IF YOU PLAN TO LEAVE EARLY s +EEP TREES OVERHANGING BRANCHES AND SHRUBS TO A MINIMUM NEAR YOUR HOME PARTICULARLY AROUND AND UNDER WINDOWS ! BIG CLEAN UP BEFORE THE lRE SEASON CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE TO THE SURVIVAL OF YOUR HOME IN A BUSHlRE s %MBERS ARE ONE OF THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF HOMES BURNING DOWN
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DURING A BUSHlRE EVEN IF THE lRE FRONT DOESN T REACH THE PROPERTY #HECK WHERE LEAVES AND TWIGS GATHER AROUND YOUR HOME AS THIS IS WHERE EMBERS ARE LIKELY TO FALL +EEP THESE AREAS CLEAR ALL SUMMER s "EFORE YOU LEAVE MAKE SURE YOU REMOVE ALL mAMMABLE ITEMS FROM AROUND YOUR HOME (OUSES HAVE BEEN LOST FROM THINGS AS SIMPLE AS EMBERS LANDING ON A DOORMAT s +EEP LEAF LITTER SHRUBS AND ANY OTHER FUELS TO A MINIMUM UNDER TREES ON YOUR PROPERTY 4HIS WILL HELP TO STOP A lRE FROM REACHING THE TREE TOPS WHICH WILL REDUCE EMBERS AND THE lRE INTENSITY NEAR YOUR HOME s &OR INFORMATION ON HOW TO STAY SAFE THIS SUMMER VISIT EMERGENCY VIC GOV AU OR RING THE 6ICTORIAN "USHlRE )NFORMATION ,INE ON s #HECK THAT YOUR HOME AND CONTENTS INSURANCE IS CURRENT AND INCLUDES A LEVEL OF COVER THAT WILL BE IN LINE WITH CURRENT BUILDING STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS #HANGES IN THOSE BUILDING STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS MEAN THAT REPLACEMENT HOMES MUST BE BUILT TO BETTER WITHSTAND NATURAL DISASTERS WHICH CAN ADD TO THE COST OF REBUILDING
Offer ends 28th February 2017. *Prices are RRP inc gst, excluding freight. *Always check with your state roads authority for specific registration requirements.
NEWS
December 2016
Southern Farmer, Page 21
Years of testing comes to fruition
SUMMER means the arrival of delicious stone fruit like peaches and nectarines to our tables. But with a short picking season and the delicate nature of the fruit, ensuring quality on the shop shelf is the everpresent challenge. After years of testing, Agriculture Victoria’s Dr Dario Stefanelli and his team have developed a way to test for and predict fruit quality. “As fruit ripens it produces a gas called ethylene,” he said. “With our research we found that if the fruit is picked too early and hasn’t started to produce ethylene, then it won’t develop proper taste and ripeness. “The fruit can look the right colour, feel ripe when you hold it and even smell good when you buy it. “But when you bite into it, the taste just isn’t there.” Dr Stefanelli has been working with a research group in Italy to develop a simple handheld tool to measure fruit maturity before it is picked. The tool is known as the DA meter. The researchers are now actively working with SummerfruitAustralia to get growers to use the testing method to improve the timing of fruit harvest. The key is to calibrate the DA meter against ethylene for each cultivar.
The fruit can look the right colour, feel ripe when you hold it and even smell good when you buy it. But when you bite into it, the taste just isn’t there. To do this, a measurement with the DA meter is taken in the field. At the same time, on the same piece of fruit, an ethylene gas sample is collected and then sent to the laboratory for analysis. “In Victoria alone we grow more than 300 cultivars of stone fruit,” Dr Stefanelli said. “To really define what quality means for each, we need to collect data for each cultivar. “To get the data we will continue to work closely with industry. “It is also very important to growers that fruit can be tested
quickly and without destroying the fruit. “The DA meter is a real step forward because we can measure the fruit when it is intact on the tree. So there is no loss.” With the Australian industry worth well over $300 million, there are significant gains to be made in better planning for and managing fruit quality. One industry player who has taken note is Jason Size from Quality Fruit Marketing Pty Ltd in South Australia. “Understanding how to measure fruit quality really is the Holy Grail for our industry,” Mr Size said. “Currently most testing uses a general visual approach looking at colour, feel and shape, so there’s a lot of guesswork. “But this method gives a reading of actual maturity and therefore the ability to predict harvest more accurately.” The researchers want to see their work contribute to the best quality fruit reaching customers. “Having spent the past five years on this, I really want to see the science translate into tastier fruit on the table,” Dr Stefanelli said. The research was funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the summer fruit levy and funds from the Australian Government with co-investment from the Victorian Government.
IS IT QUALITY FRUIT?: Assessing stone fruit is very much a visual process, but Agriculture Victoria have developed a simple, hand held tool to measure fruit maturity before it’s picked.
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END OF YEAR MACHINERY BUYING GUIDE
Page 22, Southern Farmer
December 2016
Landini tractors have landed
LANDINI has returned home to Australia in what promises to be an exciting time for the tractor brand, and it has appointed Inlon Pty Ltd as its sole distributor for eastern Australia. “Landini has been manufacturing tractors for 132 years, so they have a solid reputation,” said Gary Surman, Inlon’s sales and marketing manager. “They are particularly renowned for their specialist orchard and vineyard tractors, high clearance tractors, utility ROPS and general farm tractors with cabins and front end loaders. “We launched the new Landini range at Inlon’s recent dealer meeting, and the overwhelming feedback was that farmers and contractors will welcome the specialism that Landini brings, especially to Australian orchards, vineyards and fruit or vegetable farms.” Inlon first introduced the Italianmade Landini tractors to Australia 25 years ago. Mr Surman said back then, Landini was part-owned by Massey Ferguson, and also manufactured some MF tractors, which led to a change in Landini’s distribution channels. “We are really excited to welcome Landini back home to the Inlon tractor family once more,” he said. “Landini has earned a reputation for strength, reliability, comfort and performance, which has seen owners come back time and again to buy more tractors. “Whether it is PTO performance, 4WD balance and traction, features
READY TO PERFORM: Paul Pintaudi of Small Horse Tractors in Dandenong (left) and Matthew Giordano of Seville Tractors, with one of the new Landini tractors.
for specialist applications, or just its strength and reliability,
Landini is a solid performer and specialist tractor supplier.
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Please call Inlon on 1800 772 407 for further infor-
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REVERSIBLE
FOLDING ROPS
4.4 LITRE PERKINS
HIGH-HP
WITH SHUTTLE
HEAVY DUTY
1800 772 407 For your nearest dealer landini-tractors.com.au
package deal - t313 free slasher
3 year warranty
TRACTORS Offer ends 23rd Dec 2016.
FOLDING ROPS
DUAL HST PEDALS FREE SLASHER MITSUBISHI ENGINE
HYDRAULIC REMOTES
4in 1
LOADER JOYSTICK
19 KM/H TOP SPEED
1800 772 407 QualiTYMatters is not just a play on words but reflects the quality and generous features of TYM Tractors, built in Korea for over 40 years.
For your nearest dealer www.tym-tractors.com.au
Real Deal
FINANCE
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MF4700 SERIES | 74 – 82 HP & NEW MF5700 SERIES | 92 – 102 HP RELIABLE AND DEPENDABLE WORKHORSES MF4700 SERIES 3 and 4 cylinder AGCO POWER engine Optional mechanical/hydrostatic fully synchronised shuttle for easy operation Large 3,300 kg rear 3 point lift capacity 2 auxiliary spool valves with a high hydraulic flow of 65 litres per minute
MF5700 SERIES 4 cylinder AGCO POWER engine Large 4,000 kg rear 3 point lift capacity 2 auxiliary spool valves with a high hydraulic flow of 98 litres per minute New 12 x 12 fully synchronised transmission for smoother operation and a good selection of gears Hydrostatic shuttle for easy operation
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MF DEALER FOR A REAL DEAL Dandenong Geelong Kyneton Nagambie Silvan Warragul
Small Horse Tractors South West Tractor & Turf L & G Sheppard & Sons John Sanderson Machinery Darmac Ag Sales & Service REN Machinery
18 Lonsdale Street Industrial Place 88 Piper Street 36-38 Industrial Crescent 249-251 Monbulk Road Normanby Street
(03) 9791 6414 0450 627 739 (03) 5422 1821 (03) 5794 2272 (03) 9737 9255 (03) 5623 1255
* Offer ends 31st December 2016, while stocks last. Finance available to approved AGCO Finance customers only who hold a current ABN. 1.99% finance available with 30% minimum deposit. GST paid in the fourth month and payment terms over 36 months. Contact your nearest Massey Ferguson dealer for terms and conditions.
MASSEY FERGUSON®, MF®, the triple-triangle logo® is a worldwide brand of AGCO. © 2016
MASSEYFERGUSON.COM.AU