ALARM has been raised that regional Victoriansand farmers in particular - will be disproportionately impacted by rate increases to the state government’s emergency services fund.
ALEXANDRA-locals Campbell Smedley (le ) and Aoidh Doyle congratulate Louis Simpson on an outstanding performance at the COBBER Supreme Stock Dog Challenge (SSD). Taking place over the Labour Day long weekend in Mansfield, the standalone trial is designed to showcase the skills of dogs and handlers over three di erent courses with both sheep and cattle. Organised by Smedley and Doyle, both reputed working dog trainers and handlers in their own right, this is the fourth year the pair have hosted the challenge. Turn to page 3 to read more. PHOTO: Danny Rueben
The conversion of the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) to the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) is set to come into e ect on July 1, with rural ratepayers to shoulder the lion’s share of the increased tax.
The new levy will fund the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), and for the rst time will now also fund VICSES, Triple Zero Victoria,
•
BY EMMA OLIVER eoliver@ nemedia.com.au
the State Control Centre, Emergency Management Victoria, Emergency Recovery Victoria and Forest Fire Management Victoria, with revenue collected through local councils.
However the VFF, Interface Councils and Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria are just some industry and community bodies that are calling for an urgent review of the framework deeming it inequitable and lacking in transparency.
The Fire Services Property
Levy (FSPL) is already at an onerous rate for many regional landowners, and with the re-badged Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) set to triple this annual contribution, food production in these areas is facing additional pressure. Stephen Todd, president of the VFF Peninsula Branch said pastoralists and horticulture growers are already dealing with signi cantly increased costs of running operations and uctuating market conditions, and the new levy will hit the surrounding food bowl particularly hard.
■ Continued page 2
PAGE 4
Red Hill on show
Planning well underway for 2025 Royal Show
PLANNING for the Melbourne Royal Show is well advanced according to the CEO Brad Jenkins with some entries already open.
“There is nothing like the thrill and excitement of winning a coveted Melbourne Royal blue ribbon and this year we are planning for the return of the Melbourne Royal Poultry Competition,” Mr Jenkins said.
Always a crowd pleaser are the Woodchop Championships to be held over the first four days of the Melbourne Royal Show from Thursday September 25 to Sunday September 28 September, he said.
Woodchop entries opened on March 25.
Entries for beef cattle, sheep, alpacas, art, craft and cookery, dogs, and poultry will open progressively over the coming months.
In the meantime, further information is available on the competitions and awards page via the Melbourne Royal website https://www.melbourneroyal.com.au/ competitions-awards/
Advertising: Michael Kidman Phone (03) 5731 3306 mkidman@nemedia.com.au
SENIOR Emma Oliver JOURNALIST Phone 0433 267 203 eoliver@nemedia.com.au
Pre-Press Kelly Lovell Coordinator Phone (03) 5723 0145 production@nemedia.com.au
New levy ‘inequitable’ and ‘lacking in transparency’
■ From page 1
Due to the pressure from rural residential, valuable agricultural land both in the Green Wedge Zone and Farming Zone within 150 kilometres of Melbourne has a high site value simply by virtue of location.
However it is housing and infrastructure - the capital improvements - that re services mostly seek to protect, and that the re levy seeks to fund.
“The paddocks and other agricultural land that make up the site value are not the assets being protected,” said Mr Todd.
“This expanded re levy is effectively a de facto land tax on agricultural land.
“The existing inequity arises from the use of higher levy rates in Country Fire Authority areas compared to those applied in metropolitan areas overseen by Fire Rescue Victoria.”
To address this inequity, the Peninsula branch has proposed alternative solutions, with the preferred option to deduct the site value from the overall capital improved value before applying the levy.
Another option would be to apply the ESVF to the house and curtilage only on farming properties.
Whilst a universal levy applied at a common rate throughout the state would also pass the fairness test, according to Mr Todd.
Cr Ricky Kirkham, Mayor of the City of Whittlesea and Chair of Interface Councils, reiterated that a solution was necessary and backed suggested alternatives.
Cr Kirkham said the consequences of the soon to be relabeled FSPL are unacceptable to the communities the Interface Councils represent.
The Interface Councils is a group of ten municipalities which form a ring around metropolitan Melbourne.
Members include the City of Casey, Cardinia Shire, Hume City, City of Melton, Mornington Peninsula Shire, Mitchell Shire, Nillumbik Shire, Wyndam City, Yarra Ranges Shire and the City of Whittlesea.
Consisting of over 70 per cent rural land it is some of the most productive farming land in the state.
Cr Kirkham raised concerns about the inequity of the levy,
with those in Country Fire Authority (CFA) areas – under which many Interface communities fall – facing higher levy rates than their metropolitan neighbours.
Another source of consternation is the levy’s relationship with site value, which the councils perceive as lacking in transparency and patently unfair.
Interface Councils also see a substantial inequity in the relativity of levy rates between different property types.
“Compared to the residential levy rate within the CFA area, the levy rate for primary production is more than double,” said Cr Kirkham
This blows out even further for commercial properties and industrial properties sitting respectively at eight times and 12 times the residential rate.
“This disparity creates signicant barriers to economic development and sustainability,” Cr Kirkham said.
“Interface properties in CFA areas already pay a higher FSPL than properties of a similar capital improved value within metropolitan re brigade areas,” he said.
“Levy rates are generally 60 per cent higher.”
With these rates set to increase further come July 1, regional and Interface councils are worried, and with population dri from
rural to metropolitan of further concern, it is envisaged the levy per property will only increase to meet budget shortfalls.
However, while over three million Melbournians contribute to funding a total of 47 metropolitan re stations within the Metropolitan Fire District, the balance of the population in Interface and rural Victoria are nancially responsible for around 1200 CFA stations with operational costs higher.
Adam Barnett, CEO of Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria, has seen the CFA’s base funding substantially decline since 2020 denouncing the “prolonged attack on the authority’s resourcing and support”.
“Despite increased costs and high in ation, government has invested less and less,” he said.
“Which leads us to the Fire Services Property Levy - section 76 of the CFA Act stipulates that government contributions to the CFA are to be sourced 22.5 per cent from consolidated revenue and 77.5 per cent from the FSPL.”
However this 77.5 per cent of funding only equates to 25 per cent of the total revenue generated through the FSPL, with the remainder of the funds directed to the FRV.
“The reason this is such a big deal is due to how the levies are aggregated across the di erent
property types,” said Mr Barnett.
“Prior to the state government’s re services reforms in 2020, an area covered by the CFA would pay the levy required to fund the CFA, and the areas covered by the FRV paid the contribution to the FRV.
“Thus, a er reform, when the CFA’s budget was slashed – these savings (should) have been directly passed onto all residents residing in a CFA area through reduced levy.
“Under the new system however, FRV’s huge cash injections rely on people in CFA areas sending 75 per cent of their levy funds to fund FRV.”
Primary producers are paying an average of $2,500 a year in levies for a service many of them volunteer to provide in the rst place, Mr Barnett said.
“This is set to increase to almost $7,000 under the new hikes just announced.
“These are the people growing our food.
“For farmers to be paying thousands in levies, with only 25 per cent of those funds actually going to the service that protects them is the modern equivalent of highway robbery,” he said.
“For regional and rural communities to be cross subsidising city services is just grossly inequitable and is a slap in the face for these communities.”
VOICE OF FARMING: Stephen Todd, president of the VFF Peninsula Branch said pastoralists and horticulture growers are already doing it tough without the added pressure of an increased fire services levy.
Supreme Stock Dog Challenge
By LYNN ELDER
TWO lovers of the working dog, Campbell Smedley and Aiodh Doyle took on the mighty task of organising this year’s Cobber Supreme Stock Dog Challenge held during the Labour Day weekend at the Mans eld Showgrounds which attracted competitors from across Victoria and interstate.
The two men from Alexandra, who admitted it was a lot of work were pleased with the success of the weekend despite the hot and dusty conditions.
“The Supreme Stock Dog Challenge now in its fourth year is a standalone event which attracts entries from Victoria and interstate,” said Mr Smedley.
“This year’s event we had around 150 to 160 runs over the weekend,” he said.
The holy grail is winning the $5000 prize for taking out the top prize of the challenge which is based on the best combined scores across the three separate events being the two sheep trials on the Saturday and cattle on the Sunday.
Louis Simpson and Wandabar Gem from Mullengandra, NSW took over the mantle from last year’s winner Aiodh Doyle who cleaned up with Whisper Snip.
“Louis the young fella was hard to beat,” said Mr Smedley.
He added that the winning dog was also bred by judge Ben Coster from NSW.
The event is generously
supported by sponsors who provided a total of $15,000 in prize money, he said “We cannot run this outstanding event without the support of our local shire, sponsors, judges, the generosity of local farmers for stock, and competitors for travelling near and far,” said Mr Smedley
Sheep were provided by Delatite Station and cattle by Emma Tadday and Xavior Fox during the weekend.
The dinner on Saturday night was an opportunity to catch up with mates and other competitors.
The Mans eld Showgrounds are a great venue for the Stock Dog Challenge said Mr Smedley.
AMONG the contenders from southern Victoria was Ryan Ackers, a livestock manager from Winchelsea, who took out first and fourth places in the arena trial at Mansfield with his dogs Nash and Meg respectively.
While always inspired about farm life and working with animals, it wasn’t until he ditched city life and the world of business, that he was able to pursue the rural lifestyle he craved.
While moving around to manage various properties Mr Ackers discovered he needed more help especially in hilly country which could not be accessed by motorbike and stock was moved on foot with the dogs.
This led to him building a team of border collies and later getting involved with working dog competitions.
Following the Mansfield Cobber dog event he made his debut with Meg at the 2025 National Sheep Dog Trial Championships in Canberra on March 16 and 17 against some tough competition but gaining valuable experience.
Their place in the nationals was confirmed after winning the Victorian Baden Powell Field Championship last year.
FOR Bree Cudmore and her kelpie Moana from Colac the pair achieved a respectable third place in the overall Stock Dog Challenge rankings.
The livestock overseer is passionate about the importance of owning a good working dog and getting a job on the land.
Dogs have played a vital role in her previous roles as station hand at Chrome Sheep Studs and a rouseabout/shed hand at Cutting Edge Shearing.
Benalla, Mitch Jubb - Hexham, Ben Bowman - Dumbalk, Aoidh Doyle and Louis Simpson with Wandabar Gem.
LOCAL: Mansfield’s Emma Tadday and Jill on the job.
APPETITE FOR SUCCESS
Pioneer® Seeds is pleased to bring you our Appetite for Success events this May.
Whether you’re a dairy farmer thinking about introducing maize silage, you’re already using it – or even if you’re yet to be convinced – this is a must-attend event.
Hear from internationally-renowned Dr Bill Mahanna on everything from achieving higher per cow production to actionable advice on increasing maize silage yield and quality. And gain valuable insights from other Australian-based experts on improving dairy farm productivity, sustainability and profitability.
Farmers, dairy consultants, agronomists, animal nutritionists, resellers and contractors are all welcome.
That’s a wrap on the 97th Red Hill Show!
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr Bill Mahanna
Global Nutritional Sciences Manager, Pioneer. Adjunct Professor, Iowa University USA.
GUEST SPEAKERS Shepparton Scott McDonald, Program Manager & Dairy Development Specialist, Agriculture Victoria Sale, Inverloch & Warrnambool Ian Lean, Founder & Managing Director, Scibus. Adjunct Professor, University of Sydney.
We look forward to seeing you at one of these locations
The Woolshed at Emerald Bank 7719 Goulburn Valley Highway, Shepparton VIC.
Thursday 15 May, 10am-2pm
Laurels Function Centre Sale Turf Club, 1227 Ma ra-Sale Rd, Sale VIC.
Monday 19 May, 10am-2pm
RACV Inverloch Resort
70 Cape Paterson-Inverloch Rd, Inverloch VIC.
Tuesday 20 May, 10am-2pm
City Memorial Bowls Club
50-58 Cramer St, Warrnambool VIC.
Thursday 22 May, 10am-2pm
RSVP by 30 April 2025
Seats are limited. Please RSVP by clicking here or emailing us at: gentechseeds@gentechseeds.com
WHAT a spectacular day was had on Saturday March 8 for the 97th Red Hill Show.
With perfect weather, an incredible turnout, and a vibrant atmosphere, it was fantastic to see so many smiling faces enjoying the wide array of activities, exhibits, and entertainment on o er.
As always, animals were at the heart of the event.
In the cattle section, judges Cameron Cutler and Robert Onley awarded the Supreme Beef Exhibit to Moorunga Mocky with Moorunga Edwina awarded Reserve Junior Female and Moorunga Paci c awarded Reserve Junior Bull.
Moorunga Angus also took out rst in the Pair of Females, Pair of Bulls and the Exhibitors Group, an impressive achievement for the Dromana-based stud.
It was a tough competition, with Angus, Speckle Park, Charolais, and more on show.
Meanwhile, in the sheep arena, Flinders College claimed the Supreme Exhibit with a Corriedale ram, judged by Peter Baker and stewarded by Tess Runting.
The Luxton Blacks and Valais Blacknose breeds also made an impressive showing.
From alpacas to poultry, budgerigars to pygmy goats, there were animals galore to meet at this year’s show.
The pavilions were bursting with homegrown vegetables, fruit, and owers, while the apiary section saw a record-breaking 60+ exhibits in erce competition.
The cra section was at full capacity, boasting over 600 exhibits in knitting, sewing, embroidery, spun wool, and much more.
In the cooking section, this year’s feature events included cherry relish, celebrating the delicious Red Hill cherries, and carrot cake, with over 25 entries making for a tough judging session for Pam Mawson of the CWA.
“A huge thank you to our sponsors, dedicated volunteers, stallholders, exhibitors, and the wider community for your unwavering support,” said Bree Lovell, secretary of the Red Hill Agricultural & Horticultural Society.
“Your contributions are what make this event such a cherished tradition.”
New emergency levy taxing farmers
THE state government’s proposed changes to the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL), which will increase property and farming costs to fund the states emergency services, have been described by the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) as ‘the nail in the co n’ for some farm businesses.
The government will introduce the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) from 1 July, replacing the FSPL to support a broader range of emergency services, including VICSES, the State Control Centre, Triple Zero Victoria and Emergency Recovery Victoria, aligning Victoria with other states emergency services regimes.
The ESVF will also nance re service operations of Fire Rescue Victoria, Forest Fire Management, Country Fire Authority and Fire Rescue Victoria.
The fund will contribute up to 87.5 per cent of Fire Rescue Victoria’s budget, of which the CFA was receiving 77.5 per cent, and up to 95 per cent of several other emergency response budgets.
VFF president Brent Hoskins said a ‘one size ts all’ approach would not work with some farmers facing a levy hike of up to 400 per cent, instead of placing a blanket levy on all property owners.
The new levy has been described as a tax, to be collected by councils
who argue they should not be ‘revenue collectors’ for the state government.
The ‘volunteer’ part in the Act will mean CFA and VICSES active volunteers and life members will be exempt from paying the levy on their primary place of residence, but will have to pay the tax up front and then claim the exemption back.
Some councils say they will face signi cant challenges administering this exemption as they lack access to data on eligible volunteers.
Primary producers would recall most of the re services funding in Victoria was raised by a re levy on insurance.
The former Victorian Coalition government decided to remove the levy which had grown to an intolerable 70 per cent plus component of premiums for regional ratepayers including farmers.
This was replaced with a nominal re services levy and collected by councils with municipal rates; councils have stated the new FSPL levy estimates will in some cases be greater than their annual rates.
Volunteer re brigades have
argued the government should be considering a more targeted approach that ensures funds are distributed where they are most needed, citing the FRV brigade eet is beyond its 15-year service life; they have also asked for a report card on where the new funds are spent.
Regional re ghters have warned for years that Fire Rescue Victoria is under-resourced, with trucks breaking down during the summer res including those in the Grampians and Little Desert, leading to vehicles o ine and without replacement at the end of February.
According to the state government every levy dollar raised through the ESVF will go towards vital lifesaving equipment vehicles, sta training for volunteers, community education and recovery support for Victorians needing emergency services.
However, the consensus in regional Victoria is the ESVF represents an expanded property tax, coming on the back of land tax hikes, imposed to fund non- re related services.
The result will unreasonably impact farmers, small business, and rural land holders without consideration for capacity to pay and other increased operating costs, for what should be majority government funded services.
TABLE OF PLENTY: The pavilions were bursting with home grown produce.
Livestock is the second highest killer on farms – we all know cattle can be unpredictable.
So while it may seem like a job that’ll take longer to get the tools out than do, one small repair could save a life.
Understand your responsibilities with safety around cattle at worksafe.vic.gov.au/livestock It’s never you, until it is.
Top ryegrass varieties for 2025 identified in Dairy Australia’s Forage Value Index
AUSTRALIA’S top performing ryegrass varieties of 2025 have been identi ed with the newly updated release of Dairy Australia’s Forage Value Index (FVI), just in time to help Australian dairy farmers make more informed decisions when choosing ryegrass varieties for sowing this autumn.
Since its introduction in 2017, the FVI has become an invaluable resource for farmers and producers.
The FVI independently ranks perennial, Italian and annual varieties of ryegrass according to their potential contribution to overall farm pro t.
Given seasonal yield di erence between varieties can be signi cant, this can contribute to substantial variation in pro t per hectare each year.
The 2025 FVI has seen the introduction of an expanded number of testing sites to make the information even more accurate for farmers.
Seven new testing sites were added to the FVI in 2025, from trials that were conducted by the Pasture Trial Network (PTN) – a collaboration between seed companies, Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), and Dairy Australia.
The PTN conducts inde-
pendent trials across the country every year to evaluate new and existing pasture varieties across several species.
The total number of trial sites across Australia that are included in the 2025 FVI update increased to 37, with new locations added in Wingham (NSW), Tallygaroopna (VIC), Penshurst (VIC), Smeaton (VIC), Bool Lagoon (SA), Natone (TAS) and Frankland River (WA).
Dairy Australia’s National Feedbase & Nutrition Lead, Rodrigo Albornoz, said that the increased number of testing sites means the trial data that underpins the FVI is now more reliable than ever.
“The Pasture Trial Network now uses 37 individual trial sites spread widely across dairying regions in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia,” Albornoz explains.
“The introduction of seven new testing sites this year means that farmers can be more con dent than ever that the FVI rankings will provide accurate information on the likely performance of di erent varieties.”
Albornoz said that the FVI gave farmers the tools to choose the right ryegrass variety for their region.
“By having testing sites spread widely across four
states and in six of the eight dairying regions of Australia, it provides local data to the vast majority of farmers,” said Albornoz.
“Importantly, farmers can look at the data behind the FVI that is collected from the sites near them.
“This allows them to see which ryegrass varietals perform best in similar climatic and geographic regions to where they farm.”
The data used to create the FVI is sourced from the Pasture Trial Network based on the independent trials across the country.
The lists for each species are then generated using robust statistical methodology by DataGene, an independent and industry-owned organisation responsible for driving genetic gain and herd improvement in the Australian dairy industry.
The FVI ratings system is based on global best practice and was developed in close consultation with farmers, the seed industry and qualied internationally recognised experts.
Dairy Australia invests in this innovative resource to provide dairy farmers with access to business planning and risk management tools and insights to support farm decision making and improve pro tability.
Farmers can download the 2025 FVI tables now to plan their autumn pasture sowing at dairyaustralia.com.au/fvi.
The detailed Pasture Trial Network individual trial results from across a broad range of Australian dairy regions are also available on the MLA website for farmers to consider those results in any seed purchasing decisions.
Nuts about pistachios
By KEITH SMILEY
WAHRINA Pistachios hit the sweet spot, with a thriving business whose owners are held in high esteem, for producing the most soughta er fresh pistachio nuts.
Dave and Jenny Rowe and family, have dedicated their lives to producing natural farming and sustainable practices, using diligent cultivating methods. Their well-drained orchards ensure a balance of rich avour, texture, and for turning high yields each year.
Bernie O’Dea, the father of Jenny Rowe and Shane O’Dea, was born on the farm which has been in the O’Dea family for at least 150 years, so garnering a very strong spiritual and emotional attachment to the land.
Although Bernie o cially retired at the age of ninety – now in his 94th year – he is still keen to work, and remains passionate and closely involved as their ‘elder statesman of the farm, who allowed us to ful l our crazy, unproven dream’.
The Rowes manage the farm, assisted in marketing and production by Jenny’s brother Shane O’Dea and his wife Anna.
Thanks to CSIRO research back in the seventies, citing the area’s potential for pistachios, the Rowes and O’Deas patiently waited for ve to
ten years for their seeds to become trees.
The naysayers got it wrong: Wahrina Pistachios are living proof that, with 16 acres growing 2,000 trees not far from Seymour in central Victoria, you can produce the nest pistachios.
Just ask their loyal and supportive customers, including Persian devotees
who swear by their pistachios – Persian festivals are replete with Wahrina pistachios.
“We dry our nuts naturally in the sun but if the weather won’t allow us to dry, we bring in the mechanical dryers,” said Dave.
“A er starting the business back in 2010, we realised we couldn’t make an income on
vertically integrated.
“We had considered sending our fresh nuts to CMV in Robinvale, one of Australia’s largest growers and processors, but it wasn’t economical so we decided to process them ourselves.
FAMILY PIONEERS: The Seymour farm has been in the O’Dea family for at least 150 years.
•
•
“We picked the pistachios by hand for many years before we got the olive shaker.
“It does most of the picking work now, but not most of the work.
“There is still a huge amount of manual labour.
“We prune every year but these plants are tough.
“We do the usual things like fertilise and adapt if it’s
humid and wet.
“No real pests unless it’s the birds during harvest time.
“We chose sirora pistachios seeds, which originate from Syria and kerman, which comes from Iran,” Dave said.
“You can’t import fresh pistachios – only the dried ones - so we’re one of the few available.
RIPE FOR THE PICKING: Fresh pistachios straight from the tree.
sheep that were on my wife’s family property, so we chose pistachios because they appeared to be
IN THE BUSINESS: ANNA O’DEA WORKS IN THE FAMILY BUSINESS ASSISTING IN MARKETING AND PRODUCTION.
ALWAYS A FARMER: Patriarch Bernie O’Dea with Bizzy is still keen to help out on-farm.
“We bought a ‘cracker’ o the Italians, using them to crack the shells of the dried kernel, and from the Greeks, a nut peeling machine.
“CMV showed us the ins and outs, and were extremely helpful.”
The pistachios are ready for harvest when the outer hull, – the so , eshy covering – turns from green to a
reddish or yellowish colour and begins to split. This causes the nuts to fall onto large nets or catch frames placed beneath the tree, while mechanical tree shakers clamp onto the trunks or branches.
Thought to have originated in ancient Persia, the not-so-humble nut is a powerhouse of nutrition,
containing protein, healthy fats, and bre – great for a balanced diet.
The wonder nut is rich in minerals like phosphorous, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium and curative zinc.
The collective is good for bone health, muscle strength and immune system control.
Together with a range of
vitamins which include thiamine, ribo avin, niacin and B6, to demonstrate the nut’s role in the body’s metabolism and brain power.
“In 2023, we didn’t get a crop at all due to the oods,” said Dave.
“The thing with pistachios is that they are pollinated by the wind and it rained during the pollinating season, though
the trees remained intact.
“My wife Jenny, has done as much as I have in the eld, while my brother-in lawShane, handles the sales side of things with his wife, Anna.
“Since Covid, we have been supplying our fresh pistachios nuts into the Melbourne market and supplying kernels to restaurants and bakers – but it’s normal
for people to come to us.
“We sell to a French man who makes pistachio oils, pastes and spreads.
“I love what I do, but I can’t control the weather –we did not inherit this business; we started it because we wanted to,” Dave said.
“I was a builder before that, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
“I love it – being out in the fresh air, producing food for people.
“It’s very rewarding.
“I’m enthusiastic about lots of thing, and I don’t give up – anything worth doing takes e ort.
“In farming, if you can’t take the knocks, you should get into another profession.
“I’ve found my niche –maybe someone will nd my bleached bones out in the paddock one day.
“I’m quite content and it’s not about the money,” said Dave.
The pistachio holds pride of place in the Middle East for its delicious contribution to cooking and table-top aperitifs.
Chefs can create and incorporate their own spices into the freshly picked nut.
Pistachios can be added to rice or salads and baked in the Middle Eastern style. They can be crushed for meat, sprinkled as a seasoning blend, or made into a perfect sauce.
“You can walk through life and pass all these open doors without going through them,” Dave said of his farming journey.
“I guess I’m pretty lucky, really.” we wanted to,” Dave said. up – anything worth doing
SKIES: David Rowe in the paddock at Wahrinia Pistachios.
ACROSS
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD
1 When one believes in, one does what (6)
8 What is a mathematical formula (8)
9 To impart knowledge, is to do what (6)
10 Name a poisonous evergreen shrub with handsome flowers (8)
11 Name an alternative term for conventional (6)
13 What is something that deceives by producing a false impression (8)
16 To explode, is to do what (8)
19 What are light plain cakes (6)
22 Which level area is used for the operation and maintenance of aircraft (8)
24 Name a bird of the Old World passerine family (6)
25 What is a dressed salad of finely sliced white cabbage (8)
26 XC is the symbol for which number (6)
DOWN
2 Name the drummer for The Beatles, ... Star (5)
3 A Victorian NRL club is known as the Melbourne ... (5)
4 Name the large, hard parts of wheat grains (8)
5 Who accompanied the Australian explorer, William Hovell (4)
6 What are swindles often called (coll) (6)
7 Name a lively Spanish dance in three-four time (6)
12 What, loosely, is ferric oxide (4)
14 When one is tired, one does what (4,4)
15 Which metallic element has the symbol Fe (4)
E-QUATIONS 7
Letters have a number value
17 Who checks material for publication (6)
Some values are in the right hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.
E-QUATIONS
Letters A to Z have a number value. Some are shown in the right-hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.
18 To compensate for, is to do what (6)
20 Name a plant having an edible succulent bulb of pungent taste and smell (5)
21 What is ostentatious or elaborate display (5)
23 Name a fashion magazine (4)
Find the following words in the grid. They may be read in any direction, even diagonally. Some letters are used more than once.
Solve the crossword. Each answer has four letters.
(a) A church reading desk
(b) A priest or minister in one of the minor orders
(c) An endowed lectureship
2 NEBULA
(a) The sharp point of anything
(b) A fawn skin worn by Bacchus
(c) A cloud of gas and dust in outer space
BIYWORD
Build it yourself using the clues and each of the twenty-four letters once only to form ten words: five across and five down. A key word (bold clue) builds on the letter set in the grid.
CLUES:
Because (coll) (3)
Collision of pool balls (5)
CTRL key (7)
Elaborate (5)
Fibre optic cable (3)
Ionian island (5)
French: me (3)
Part (7)
Pronoun: second person (3)
Science fiction (abb) (5)
Settlement reached in ADF-VFF court case
THE Presidents of Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF), United Dairy Farmers of Victoria (UDV) and Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) have announced a settlement in the legal dispute over VFF UDV’s membership of ADF.
The settlement will see VFF UDV remaining a member of ADF working collaboratively for the bene t of Victoria’s dairy farmers.
“The resolution of this dispute between the VFF UDV and ADF is both welcome and longawaited,” said VFF UDV president Bernie Free.
“During this period VFF UDV and ADF have continued to collaborate in good faith, serving farmers on ADF’s National Council and Policy Advisory Groups.
“However, it will be reassuring for all in industry to have this settled in recognition of what dairy farmers really want, which is for us to get on with the business of dealing with the issues a ecting dairy farmers.
“VFF UDV and ADF are looking forward to collaborating on ways to grow and improve both organisations’ connection to dairy farmers, with the goal of a more e ective and sustainable future.”
VFF president Brett Hosking celebrated the partnership as the beginning of a new era
for VFF “where in- ghting has ended and the focus has shi ed to outcomes for members”.
“I want to thank the team at ADF for meeting collaboratively with VFF to reach this exciting opportunity.
“Peak bodies play an enormous role in protecting and growing opportunities for our farmers.
“Whether it be trade, biosecurity or protecting our research and development levies, it is vital that Victorian farmers are represented on issues that impact their businesses.
“VFF will continue to engage and look for opportunities to ensure the representation our members enjoy nationally is as e ective as possible.”
ADF president Ben Bennett admitted it had been a challenging time for all.
“II am relieved we havenally reached both an amicable resolution and agreement to work together in good faith,” he said.
“The critical issue now is to focus on our core business and the path forward.
“That includes ensuring grass roots dairy farmers have certainty regarding the nancial sustainability and autonomy of their representative bodies to champion dairy farmer issues.
“Victoria represents 64 per cent of Australian milk produc-
tion, so it is critical we are united and working together.
“That is especially true given the shrinking milk pool, where Australia is now a net importer of dairy.
A NEW pilot project in the Corangamite catchment will help farmers and landowners to make their farms and dams more productive, sustainable, and minimise water loss.
Minister for Water Gayle Tierney launched Corangamite Catchment Management Authority’s Testing the Waters pilot project, which will enable landholders to improve their farms through workshops, field days, and one-on-one site visits.
“This program will give farmers all the support and information they need to make informed decisions about how they manage their dams in the changing climate,” Ms Tierney said.
Farmers and landowners will have access to experts that will help them create individual water stewardship plans that focus on sustainable practises to enhance water quality.
They will also receive $2,000 to carry out works such as fencing to limit stock access and planting native vegetation in and around the dam.
The project aims to boost farm productivity by making dams more resilient to climate change and improve water management and quality.
Ecologists from the Australian National University’s Sustainable Farms initiative trained Landcare facilitators and Corangamite CMA staff to support landholders through the project.
Corangamite CMA project officers and Landcare facilitators will support 15 landholders through the program this year, with another 15 taking part in 2026.
They will also operate a second round of the Small Blocks Big Dreams project this year, working with Landcare networks to help small landowners.
The Small Blocks Big Dreams has previously strengthened over 150 small landholders in the Corangamite catchment to become land and water stewards.
“ADF and VFF UDV have agreed to work cooperatively and cohesively on dairy policy, representation, and membership activities.
“This will bene t both organisations and help us deliver for the dairy farmers of Victoria and, by extension, Australia as a whole.”
The program was designed to assist the increasing number of small landholders moving to the region.
The project has been funded by the state government through the Our Catchments, Our Communities stewardship program.
To find out more, visit ccma.vic.gov.au/projects.
UNITED: VFF president Brett Hosking celebrated the resolution as the beginning of a new era for VFF and dairy farmers.
Unworkable Goldfields land now cropable
FARMING couple Stephen Rodger and Tracy Hunt have adopted a regenerative farming approach on family land in Victoria’s Gold elds region, and the use of a machine to transform some of the landscape is helping to achieve it.
The couple are managing about 1400 hectares near Burkes Flat, east of St Arnaud, and their main focus is running about 2500 Merino ewes, including for crossbred lamb production.
They are planning to improve land that previously couldn’t be utilised through activities such as multispecies cropping.
Their farming land predominantly comprises grey box and ironbark country, as well as some tough ironstone ridges, while the land being improved is typical of the Gold elds region, featuring a mix of quartz and shale country.
The area comprises about 330ha and Stephen said they purchased a Rocks Gone H4 Ree nator rock crushing machine to help transform it.
The three-metre wide machine features a levelling blade, four front row and ve rear row hydraulic tines, and a following ribbed drum, all weighing 28-tonne when lled with water and digging up to 600 millimetres deep.
“You certainly couldn’t get over the area with an airseeder.
“You couldn’t even drive over sections before,” Stephen said.
“We are working on three passes with the machine – going to a depth of 10 to 20 centimetres, then to 25cm, and we do a nal roll and use a grader blade to level it.”
He said they already had worked a reasonable amount of the area, including a paddock that had been unusable as a cropping paddock, and are now working towards putting a crop in.
It also has been able to work in steep country, and, as a result, has assisted the construction of some contour banks following a pass with the machine, plus potential for future cropping where it was otherwise not possible.
“We can now get the airseeder across the ground and we can just drop the seed on top and then go over it with a roller,” Stephen said.
“Where we sowed some summer crops (in 2023), it was phenomenal.
“We planted in October and, with the help of a bit of rain, we had some sorghum and summer crops that were eight-foot high.
“A carbon capture company was surprised with the results on the country as well.”
The H4 Ree nator has been pulled by a 410-kilowatt (550-horsepower) Steiger tractor, travelling mainly at around ve to six kilometres per hour, and Stephen said the toughest part of the operation had been the strain on the tractor’s tyres.
Fortunately, new automation technology now available with the Rocks Gone Ree nator machines helps to reduce tyre wear considerably, in addition to providing other signi cant operational bene ts.
Operators have previously had to perform on-the-go depth adjustments according to changes in land
Solar Powered Automatic Gate Openers
and rock conditions, however the Rocks Gone ‘Depth Master’ auto depth and slip control system has largely removed this pressure.
They now set the depth and only make a manual adjustment if desired, thereby better optimising machine and tractor performance and resulting in improved crushing results and operational e ciency.
Suitable for ISOBUS and GPS-integrated tractors, the system calculates speed over ground and tractor load or wheel slip to adjust machine depth up to 50 times per second, as well as the level of its blade.
It also can produce depth maps of worked areas, helping to limit any extra passes to speci c areas.
Stephen and Tracy grew some oats and wheat over the area last season and this year they are planning to produce pastures and grain crops.
“We have millet, corn, sun ower,
This scarer will save you money because it only costs $39 and it is guaranteed to work.
“You saved my Roses from parrot and Cockatoo damage”” Wendy Burgin, Riverside Drive, Warburton, Vic..
radish and lablab over summer and during winter we plan to grow vetch, oats, radish and quinoa, and we will graze them,” Stephen said.
“Hopefully the di erent crop species can play their part to improve the soil and then, in a few years, we should be right to return to a cropping phase.
“We are looking at nding ways to incorporate regenerative agriculture into our farming.”
In-line with their regenerative farming approach, Stephen and Tracy are following the Natural Sequence Farming land management practice developed by Peter Andrews, which aims to restore natural water cycles in agriculture landscapes.
“It is about rehydrating landscapes and maximising water eciency to help grow more plants,” Stephen said.
“I have solved my bird problem” said N. Bond, Braybrook, Vic..
You can protect your stone & pome fruits, nut, berry or broad acre crops on calm or windy days because you suspend your hawk over or near your crop. No power, wind or poison needed which protects the environment.
Your Hawk Bird Scarer
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Goldfields producers Stephen Rodger and Tracy Hunt, Burkes Flat, together with daughter, Emmerson, with their Rocks Gone H4 Reefinator. The rock crushing machine is helping to improve a mix of quartz and shale country.
Melbourne Water offers new funding to local Landcare volunteers
MELBOURNE Water has announced the 2025 Landcare grants program is open to new applicants, with more than half a million dollars available to support local volunteers.
More than 500 volunteer conservation groups across the Port Phillip and Westernport region are eligible to apply for financial support.
Project grants of up to $20,000 are available to groups and networks for on-ground works, capacity-building activities, and community education about native vegetation, waterways, and wetlands.
Support grants of up to $500 are also available to help with administration and running costs like taking out insurance or holding events.
“Melbourne Water welcomes applications from new groups, young conservationists, and community groups who want to change our world for the better, one project at a time,” said Melbourne Water Regional Landcare Coordinator, Barry Kennedy.
“By protecting wildlife corridors and eradicating invasive weeds, our local Landcare groups leave an amazing legacy by improving the condition of entire landscapes.”
Applications for the Victorian Landcare Grants will close on April 16.
LAST YEAR’S FUNDED GROUPS INCLUDED:
The Cairnlea Conservation Reserve Committee of Management, which received support from Melbourne Water to manage three grassland reserves in and around St Albans and rejuvenate wildflowers, and other native species, on public land.
This group includes the Friends of Iramoo Grasslands, who transformed a landscape scarred by invasive weeds by creating havens for indigenous species.
Because of the volunteers’ work, the grasslands’ health improved enormously, making it possible to find rare orchids, lilies, and insects such as the Golden Sun Moth.
The Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network received support from Melbourne Water to continue working on a long-term strategy to restore habitat connections across the Mornington Peninsula.
This work included classifying vegetation in the peninsula, identifying environmental challenges, and engaging landholders with their native bushland.
The group won the 2024 Victorian Landcare Network of the Year for their outstanding efforts.
“Being recognised with an award is great but leaving a legacy that will last for generations is even better,” said Mornington Peninsula Landcare Facilitator, Chantal Morton.
Pilot program helps farmers beef up carbon capture
AGRICULTURE Victoria has partnered with South Gippsland farmers Jenny and Paul O’Sullivan of Malabar Farm near Walkerville to nd pro table and sustainable ways to reduce emissions on their sheep and beef properties.
The O’Sullivans participated in Agriculture Victoria’s OnFarm Emissions Action Plan Pilot, a program that helped nearly 250 farmers across the state understand and act on their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The pilot was launched in 2022 under the Victorian Government’s $20 million Agriculture Sector Emissions Reduction Pledge that invested in agship trials of leading research, and
development of tools and services helping farmers to reduce emissions while maintaining productivity and pro tability.
Agriculture Victoria Emissions Specialist Alison Kelly worked with the O’Sullivans to develop a customised on-farm emissions action plan to reduce their GHG and sequester and store carbon.
“Reducing emissions through e cient production and carbon storage is top of mind for farmers in this pilot like the O’Sullivans who are passionate about sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation,” Mrs Kelly said.
“Determining the environmental impact of your farm’s production through a process called
“Know Your Number” is now something that governments and the whole supply chain is increasingly demanding.”
As part of the program, Mrs Kelly worked with the O’Sullivans to determine their ‘number’, a net farm annual emissions footprint estimate, via an existing Greenhouse Gas Accounting Frameworkcalculator for beef and sheep enterprises.
She said the O’Sullivans tailormade action plan helped them apply for a government grant to implement some of the opportunities from the plan such as:
• the establishment of a 1.7 km long and 10-metre-wide plantation, which will provide carbon sequestration, biodiversity and
livestock shelter bene ts.
• support to follow up on benchmark soil sampling to monitor changes in soil organic carbon levels across several paddocks and organic treatments using a blend of animal manure and chicken bedding litter. As well as revegetation and land use improvements, the O’Sullivans continue to reduce their farm GHG emissions with a 7kW solar power system for their workshop, fences and pumps. They are also screening their bulls for feed conversion eciency and hope to learn from feed additive greenresearch to see how they can apply bene ts to their grazing operation to possibly further reduce emissions.
ON COMPACTS BIG
Flood, fire and drought
CROPPING farmers are busy getting ready for sowing winter crops.
Fertiliser sales are up and Gippsland and Goulburn Valley are still the biggest dairy areas in the country.
What a wonderful country this is!
“Many of our team come from families that have been on the land and have a very strong sense of the importance of Australia’s agricultural industries,” said Aussie Pumps Chief Engineer, John Hales.
“That’s one of the reasons why our philosophy is different to that of other people in our business,” he said.
By that he means that the company’s success is based on the design and building of products that are related to intensive feedback from the users of the equipment.
DAIRY FARMERS
Dairy farmers are a classic example.
Early mornings, dealing with large animals, and all the work that goes with the joy and challenge of being leaders in the milk processing chain.
“It’s not just early mornings, it’s to do with everything from worming livestock to cleaning the bales,” Hales said.
“Even in a modern stainlesssteel dairy, cleanliness is the number one priority.”
Australian Pump have come up with tremendous Australian designed products that all started with ideas from users.
“Our slogan is ‘We design and build machines as if we’re going to use them ourselves’,” said Hales.
AUSSIES HOT WASH
SPECIALS
Australian Pump work with the best most advanced steam cleaners and hot wash designers in the world.
Their machines range from single phase hot wash that do 80°C and can provide real cleaning capability.
They protect livestock from infection.
At the other end of the scale, their big 4000 PSI steam cleaner, the Aussie Admiral 400, can run at up to 130°C steam, and is capable of providing enough flow and pressure to clean any dairy easily and safely.
“We design the machines to be efficient because we know every minute of a farmer’s time is valuable.
“It’s like fertiliser,” said Hales.
“You don’t want to waste a drop.
“Well, you don’t want to waste a minute either.” he said.
The company even developed a Honda engine drive steam cleaner that does 4,000 PSI pressure and delivers up to 130°C steam.
The machine can be ute or truck mounted, with a water tank, making it a self-controllable and portable cleaning machine.
The company calls it the Aussie Heatwave and it’s been a huge success, not only with dairies but also earthmoving contractors, mines and quarries and even municipal councils.
“It’s a slick piece of engineering and comes with a diesel fired boiler with high pressure pump and Honda electric start engine as part of the package,” Hales said.
“The machine comes in a heavy-duty stainless-steel frame and offers infinitely variable temperature control, as well as both high- and low-pressure capabilities.”
DAIRY WASH�DOWN
MADE EASY
Dairy farm effluent is a resource.
Again, Aussie has risen to the occasion producing portable Honda-powered fire pumps that are second to none in the world. They do a great job of cleaning effluent from the yard.
“The Aussie Fire Chief is regarded as being the best lightweight portable fire pump there is,” said Hales.
“It delivers 25 per cent more flow and pressure than competitors, has features that really benefit the user, i.e. steel skids, a flanged suction port that enables you to service the check valve without dismantling the pump and lots more.”
No wonder Aussie exports them all over South-east Asia, to Africa and even Europe.
THE STAINLESS�STEEL REVOLUTION
Aussie Pumps and their great dealer network offer what is surely the country’s largest range of selfpriming, centrifugal pumps.
“We use the same principles here that we use in the design and production of what we believe are the world’s best high-pressure water blasters,” said Hales.
“Our machines are built and designed for professionals, not for amateurs or retirees.
“Being senior citizens ourselves we know from the huge amount of info we get from users what works and what doesn’t.”
Most popular is the two-inch and three-inch range.
The company is very big on tanker pumps as well.
Recently they started supplying big four-inch, 316 stainless-steel pumps for use with retired milk
tankers for pumping whey. They are even used with aggressive chemicals, and other corrosive liquids.
CLEANING SCUD STYLE
Aussie’s constant policy of product development has led to a lot of embarrassment from multinational competitors.
Smart Pumps are also capable of handling Adblue and are a natural for handling aggressive liquids.
from 2000 PSI all the way through to the big 5000 PSI, and more recently, 7000 PSI machines.
“The 7,000 PSI Raptors are not for use in dairies or washing your tractor with,” said Hales.
“That would really be overkill!” Those bigger machines, now a part of the standard mass production carried out by Aussie’s production team in Sydney’s Norwest boutique business district, are designed for construction, heavy industry, mines and quarries, and of course shipyards and dry docks.
“It’s about saving time,” said Hales.
“Our machines are designed with the concept of safety, efficiency (speed) and of course helping the user to do the job in a ‘smart’ way.”
“When we came up with the Scud cold-water stainless-steel design concept, we had no understanding of just how well accepted this would be, not just in Australia but around the world,” said Hales.
“The machine, with its ‘no sharps’ design, its four big steel wheels with flat free tyres and extra features built in, make the slow-speed gearbox drive pump an absolute winner.”
Aussie uses the ‘Big Berty’ Bertolini pumps with slow-speed gearbox drive machines in a range
More recently the company has developed stainless-steel, high-pressure hose reels up to 5000 PSI capability that provide the cleaning process with a substantially wider range of operation without having to move the machine.
“What we mean by that is that a 30-meter hose on a stainless-steel reel designed into the machine provides 60 meters of range.
“Using that same theory, we can put a bigger reel on with 50 meters of hose, giving the operator a 100-meter range, 50 meters each way,” he said.
PEACE OF MIND: Aussie Pumps build the world’s best portable fire pumps.
SMART PUMPS: Aussie Pumps and their great dealer network offer what is surely the country’s largest range of self-priming, centrifugal pumps.
AUSSIE DOES THE JOB: As a dairy farmer, cleanliness is the number one priority.
Latest LiuGong loaders now a step ahead
IT’S been a rapid rise to the top for LiuGong wheel loaders in Australia and the arrival of a new series that o ers a peek into the future of the machines suggests they are not about to step down from the dais anytime soon.
Across the agriculture and construction industries, the LiuGong loaders have claimed pole position in the 10 to 20-tonne market segment.
Johnny Inferrera, with the distributor of LiuGong Machinery Australia, said as a premium brand, the loaders o ered similar or greater performance and features to western brands and, hence, had proved popular, but he tipped the new T series hitting the shores now would be a further game-changer.
“The LiuGong wheel loaders always have had all the features, however, with the new T loaders, they have also now reached a new level with the design, putting them above any brand in the market,” Johnny said.
The new T series LiuGong wheel loader represents a signi cant advancement in engineering, state-of-the-art technologies and performance compared with existing loaders, ticking the boxes of e ciency, durability, intelligence, safety and comfort.
Greater operating weight, power and optimised load capacities, signi cantly increased fuel e ciency, cab space and visibility, and an improved maintenance layout for total access have all been a focus with the new T series.
“The exterior and cab design, as well as the ergonomics of the cab, including for safety in getting into and out of the loaders, have all had a major upgrade – it’s next level of re nement,” Johnny said.
The 848T and 838T LiuGong wheel loaders are the rst models in the series to land in Australia a er completing thousands of hours in testing prior to their introduction and they are a signi cant advancement on the previous H models.
An 890T model in the series also is due to arrive soon.
The 848T and 838T models are powered by upgraded 133-kilowatt (180-horsepower) and 113kW (152hp) Cummins engines with built-in power curves, allowing them to handle a variety of conditions with increased e ciency.
A liquid-driven, air-in type cooling system with the engines, featuring intelligent fan speed adjustment, has been rearranged to optimise
the wind eld and enhance heat dissipation, furthering their ability in extreme working conditions.
Fuel tank capacities have increased to 240 litres (848T) and 190L (838T) to expand their range, and maintenance has been made easier for operators.
They can add fuel and oil, as well as service the diesel lters, all from ground level. Oil changes are only required every 2000 hours, helping further reduce maintenance costs.
The hydraulic systems have had an update, incorporating the conversion of a two-pump combined ow system to a single-pump unit, which has increased the working pressure of the hydraulic systems.
A ZF electric proportional, fully automatic, xed-axis gearbox with the T series wheel loaders has enabled smoother gear shi ing and power transfer, and it has improved acceleration and operator comfort.
The new LiuGong 848T and 838T loaders also feature a 2.3m3 bucket for increased operating e ciency.
The bucket is the same shape as the H series, but is 45 millimetres higher.
It comes with movable bucket teeth/blades that are now more convenient to as-
can now add fuel and oil, as well as service the diesel filters, all from ground level. Oil changes are only required every 2000 hours, helping further reduce maintenance costs.
BIT OF GRUNT: THE NEW LIUGONG T SERIES WHEEL LOADERS, INCLUDING THE 848T MODEL, IS SET TO REINFORCE THE BRAND’S STRONG MARKET POSITION IN AUSTRALIA. THE NEW SERIES HAS REACHED NEW HEIGHTS IN DESIGN, EFFICIENCY, DURABILITY, INTELLIGENCE, SAFETY AND COMFORT.
semble and disassemble, while the main knife plate and side cutting plate have been treated with special processes to ensure longer wear resistance.
The new LiuGong T series wheel loaders joins the re-
cent launch of the manufacturer’s electrically-powered equipment range, which has further reinforced its strong market position in Australia.
LiuGong was one of the rst equipment manufacturers to identify the potential
of battery electric vehicle technology and now o ers 11 product areas that are quickly attracting interest around the country for their reduced energy and maintenance costs, as well as reduced carbon emissions.
Local wineries showcased at French wine trade museum
By ANITA MCPHERSON
THREE local wineries are among a selection of Victorian wineries to be featured at the world’s largest wine museum in France, with the aim of highlighting the state’s reputation as a premium wine producer in an initiative supported by the state government.
Victorian Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, Danny Pearson, has announced a partnership with the iconic La Cité du Vin trade museum in Bordeaux, France, where Mornington Peninsula’s Ten Minutes by Tractor and William Downie along with Yarra Yering will be joined by Brown Brothers of Milawa, Chambers Rosewood Vineyards of Rutherglen and Bests Great Western at the major tourist attraction, which welcomes
more than 400,000 wine lovers every year.
The wineries on show from Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Gippsland, Grampians, Rutherglen and King Valley, were chosen to show the diversity and vibrancy of the wines produced in Victoria’s $9 billion wine industry.
The wines will be displayed for up to a year, accompanied by brand and product information, and will be periodically used for tastings and events for visitors.
The initiative was launched on February 13 and 14 when global wine industry professionals including buyers, importers, wine merchants and hotel and catering representatives gathered to learn about the regions and taste the Victorian wines.
The launch followed Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2025 held on February 10 to 12,
WORLD OF WINE: Global wine industry professionals gathered at La Cité du Vin trade museum in Bordeaux, to learn about and sample Victorian wines on February 13 and 14.
where Victorian wines were also celebrated on a global stage.
The event brings together about 4500 exhibitors from 50 countries and this year drew record attendance, with over 52,000 people coming through the
doors over three days.
Brown Family Wine Group general manager winemaking and supply chain Joel Tilbrook, who attended Wine Paris Vinexpo 2025, said the La Cité du Vin exhibition complemented the group’s growing reach
into the European market.
He said while the Brown Brothers brand, its history and reputation enjoyed great recognition in the domestic market, it was something they wanted to extend into the broader global market.
“We’ve been quite a domestically focussed business over the last 10 years or so, and as we continue to grow over the next ve years within our strategic plan, export plays a fairly signi cant role,” he said.
“We are being quite selective and targeted as to which export markets we are focussing on and what opportunities we want to take, so we can support them well and drive some signi cant growth.
“Wine Paris was an opportunity for us to both showcase our wines to the general trade who visit the show, and meet with key distribution
partners and contacts to build export growth going forward.
“We had several meetings across three days with key customers and distribution partners in the UK, Canada, broader Europe and Asia, including South Korea.
“Because it’s a global event, it’s also a really good opportunity to see the world of wine all in one place and to get an idea of what other people are doing from a varietals and an innovation perspective.”
Mr Tilbrook said masterclasses were also run through Wine Australia which included Brown Brothers wines, providing broader education to people at the event.
As part of the two-year partnership between Victorian State Government and La Cité du Vin, other Victorian wineries will have the chance to be displayed in the future.
National flock and herd decline means records fall: MLA
AUSTRALIA’S national cattle herd and sheep ock are both expected to decline slightly as record production, slaughter, and exports meet demand, according to Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) 2025 report Cattle and Sheep Industry Projections.
The cattle herd is projected to fall by 1.4 per cent to 30.1 million head in 2025 due to increased turn-o of older breeding cows and dry conditions in Southern Australia.
The nation’s sheep ock will fall 7.4 per cent to 73.2 million head due to the increased turn-o of older breeding ewes and tough seasonal conditions across key sheep producing areas.
MLA managing director Michael Crowley said the report showed that the red meat industry is ready to respond to global demand this year and that the projections were an important tool for the industry to understand forecast conditions.
“Record production and elevated slaughter rates are being met with strong de-
HERD GETTING SMALLER: The number of live beef cattle and sheep in Australia is expected to decline as exports climb to new records in 2025.
mand from well-established relationships with customers throughout the global supply chain,” Mr Crowley said.
“By consulting with producers, processors, agents, and government, MLA creates a clear forecast of the national herd and ock and slaughter, production, and carcass weights for the cattle and sheep industries.”
Australia produced more beef in 2024 than in any other year, despite slaughter volumes being seven per cent below the previous record set in 2014.
This was due to higher carcass weights which were primarily in response to increased grain feeding production.
“Producers are growing
more e cient and productive cattle compared to 10 years ago,” Mr Crowley said.
“This is important considering the signi cant global demand for beef will continue this year, leading to another record production year.
“Australia is currently in an opposite supply cycle to major beef-producing competitors such as the United States
Eagle
and Brazil, and as the US begins its long-overdue herd rebuild and drought conditions in Brazil ease, global beef supply is expected to tighten.
“Australia is well-positioned to achieve record production and export volumes once again.”
The decline in the national sheep ock will result from older breeding ewes retained
from the 2020–22 rebuild nally exiting the system this year. Sheep slaughter is forecast to decline 17 per cent to 9.8 million head, following the record rates of sheep turn-o at the conclusion of 2024.
Lamb slaughter is forecast to reach 26.2 million head, which is a slight half per cent decline from the record year of 2024, making 2025 the second-largest slaughter year on record.
Despite the decline in the national ock, lamb production continues to operate at historically high levels reaching 628,648 tonnes in 2025, driven in part by genetic changes in the ock with a focus on improving weight gain and yield in lamb carcasses.
Australia and New Zealand account for more than 80 per cent of global sheepmeat exports.
However, the long-standing decline of the New Zealand sheep ock is forecast to provide an opportunity for Australian sheepmeat exporters to continue global dominance this year.
Point spill costs water corporation nearly $10,000
EPA Victoria has ned East Gippsland Water $9,880 over a leak of more than three megalitres of treated wastewater at Eagle Point.
The water was Class B wastewater from a sewage treatment plant, which is considered suitable for irrigation or watering stock but contains high levels of nutrients and should be kept out of waterways to avoid causing algal blooms and low dissolved oxygen levels.
The spill came in December 2024 when East Gippsland Water self-reported to
EPA that an underground broken main on its irrigation network had leaked treated wastewater beyond its property.
The wastewater had owed into a private dam on a farm on Lake Victoria Road.
EPA says the broken main caused a drop in water pressure, but the poor design of the system meant that the irrigation pump sped up instead of shutting o .
The problem was not detected for approximately 36 hours and an estimated
three to four megalitres of wastewater escaped.
As a body licensed by EPA, East Gippsland Water is required to self-report any unauthorised discharges. EPA ned the company for the unlawful deposit of more than 1,000 litres of waste under the Environment Protection Act 2017. Under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the Infringements Act 2006, the operator has the right to have the infringement notice reviewed or be considered by a court.
Locally grown the way to go
New study shows buying local fruit and veg in regional Victoria isn’t more expensive
A NEW study analysing fruit and vegetable prices in regional Victoria shows that locally grown produce doesn’t necessarily cost more than fruit and veg grown outside of the region.
Health experts say the ndings are good news for household budgets, local communities, local farmers and retailers, as well as the environment.
The study, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, investigated the prices of 36 commonly consumed fruits and vegetables in the Loddon Campaspe area of regional Victoria to determine whether their price varied depending on where they were grown and sold.
Local food systems are receiving increasing political attention to support better health and environmental outcomes, as reducing the distance that produce travels before it is consumed lowers emissions from things like transport and storage.
It also supports employment for farmers, retailers and workers in local economies.
Researchers collected pric-
es from 65 vendors between February and May 2023, nding that fruits and vegetables grown locally in the Loddon Campaspe region are similar in price to those grown outside the region.
Lead researcher, Dr Christina Zorbas, from Deakin University’s Institute for Health Transformation (IHT) says unhealthy diets are a key concern in the Loddon Campaspe region, but this new research o ers insights into how we can address economic access to fresh, healthy food.
“Fruit and vegetable intake is vital to good health, but currently only one in eight residents in the Loddon Campaspe region meet the daily recommendation of ve serves a day of vegetables, and only around half are getting enough fruit each day,” Dr Zorbas said.
“We also know that around two in three adults in the local region are overweight or obese.
“Similar trends can be seen around the country.
“Particularly during a costof-living crisis, having access to a ordable locally grown
*Examples of average prices collected from 65 retailers between February and May 2023
foods can play a signi cant role in determining what we eat and how healthy we are.
“We conducted this study to nd out if eating local, fresh produce was more expensive and are pleased to report that it doesn’t cost more to eat local Loddon Campaspe fruit and vegetables.”
Dr Zorbas said the results of the study also provide in-
sights into where residents can source local fruit and vegetables.
“Locally grown fruits and vegetables were primarily available through the local farmers’ markets, followed by greengrocers and small supermarkets.
“Unfortunately, large supermarkets rarely stock locally grown produce,” she said.
“The study shows that more needs to be done in Australia to invest in our local fruit and vegetable supply chains to help growers sell to their communities at a ordable prices and convenient locations.
“This will likely produce bene ts for the health of communities and the planet and help re-balance power across the food supply chain.”
Co-author and IHT Professor Kathryn Backholer, Vice President, Public Health Association of Australia says that the cost of fresh produce is viewed as just one barrier to healthy eating, and the study also points to the need for comprehensive action to address Australia’s obesity crisis.
“In the lead up to the 2025 Federal Election, the Public Health Association of Australia is calling for the next Australian Government to act on seven key areas, including obesity and the growing impact of climate change on our health,” she said.
“We need comprehensive strategies to tackle both of these challenges. Local, state
level and national actions all play an important part.
“This should include strategies that ensure healthy foods are a ordable and campaigns that raise awareness amongst residents that locally grown produce is not more expensive than produce from outside the region, and in fact o ers additional bene ts, including supporting local businesses, reducing environmental impact, and providing coste ective, fresher options for consumers.
“It’s a win, win, win scenario and it is likely to apply in most parts of Australia where local produce is grown.”
The research project was conducted in partnership between Deakin University and Healthy Loddon Campaspe – a Victorian State Government-funded initiative aimed at improving health outcomes for communities in six municipalities (Campaspe Shire, Central Goldfields Shire, Loddon Shire, Macedon Rangers Shire, City of Greater Bendigo, and Mount Alexander Shire).
