Your Rural Success Magazine Edition Two

EDITION TWO 2021 Growing Together for Success

our Y RURAL

SUCCESS MAGAZINE

RDS Farming Innovative farming putting a family favourite on the dinner table

Women Winning in Agriculture Pursehouse Rural take the lead with FMC

Latest Reproduction News Sydney University professors launch reproduction podcast

Sustainability and Business With Malcolm Pursehouse

The Fourth Agricultural Revolution With Ian Scutt, AgLink Australia

WIN

The Ultimate Yard Care Pack Valued at over $20,000

For more information turn to pg. 24

Available at your local Pursehouse Rural branch

Edition Two

Contents Cover Stories

Animal Health

3

MALCOLM PURSEHOUSE: SUSTAINABILITY AND BUSINESS

15

5

IAN SCUTT: THE FOURTH AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION

17 DUAL-ACTIVE CATTLE DRENCH

A game-changer for cattle producers

THE NEW GOLD STANDARD SHEEP VACCINE

22 LATEST REPRODUCTION NEWS

19 EARLY SEASON FLY TREATMENT

25

21

Sydney University professors launch reproduction podcast

RDS FARMING

Innovative farming putting a family favourite on the dinner table

30 WOMEN WINNING IN AGRICULTURE

Pursehouse Rural take the lead with FMC

From Pursehouse Rural 37

AGRONOMY REPORTS

From some of Pursehouse Rural’s leading Agronomists

43

BRANCH PROFILE: COONABARABRAN NSW

Stock Feed & General Merchandise 7

Q&A WITH COBBER

11

SHORT ROI AS GALLAGHER WESTONFENCE SAVES GRAIN CROP

13

USING FLOAT VALVES IN STOCK WATERING SOLUTIONS

SPRING SHEARING

It is time to talk lousicide rotation

Agricultural Inputs 33

PACIFIC SEEDS LAUNCHES FOUNDATION FARM

35

NUFARM SUPPORT A FUTURE FOR AUS AG

Editor: Andrew Maughan Cnr Lennox and Loder Streets Artwork/Design: Jessica Rea Quirindi. NSW. 2343 Photography: Andrew Pearson, P: 02 6741 2500 Jessica Rea E: marketing@pursehouserural.com.au Cover Photo: Jessica Rea w: pursehouserural.com.au Articles: Jessica Rea Publisher: Pursehouse Rural All rights reserved. No part of this publication [Your Rural Success Magazine] may be reproduced in whole or part without prior written permission of Pursehouse Rural.

All material appearing in the publication is subject to copyright unless otherwise stated. Pursehouse Rural have taken reasonable steps to secure the copyright of each article and photograph reproduced in this publication and every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of information in this publication. Pursehouse Rural accept no responsibility for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences including any loss or damage arising from reliance on information in the publication. Pursehouse Rural Pty Ltd takes no responsibility for advertising content. Products featured within this publication are subject to availability at Pursehouse Rural branches.

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Cover Story

MALCOLM PURSEHOUSE:

Sustainability and Business Pursehouse Rural is a people’s business, with core values driving us to be Respectful, Reliable, Resilient and Responsible at all times.

As we move through 2021 and into 2022, Pursehouse Rural will continue to grow, adding new products, services and advanced technologies to our existing branch locations. As the Company has done in the past, Pursehouse Rural will also continue to expand by evaluating additional business locations across Northern New South Wales and Queensland, reaching more new customers than ever before.

As a Company close to agricultural practices, Pursehouse Rural believes we have a responsibility to our customers to promote environmental awareness practices which work alongside enterprise profitability. We are aware that cropping and livestock input management needs to be approached in a more sustainable way. We can make steps to achieve this by considering biological products and systems that will safeguard the land for long term profitability.

Pursehouse Rural is focused on innovative projects that will allow agricultural system inputs to achieve carbon management goals in the future.

Agricultural supply chain instability has become the new normal for employees at Pursehouse Rural to manage on a daily basis. We make every effort to satisfy customer wants and needs and maintain channels of communication to ensure requirements are met on farm. The Company is fortunate to have many experienced employees familiar with key suppliers and their product supply obstacles, who are available to assist our customers through what will potentially become an increasingly difficult period.

Over the years, Pursehouse Rural have built a strong management team who continue to drive the Company into areas of growth and diversification. We have good people in the business and we will continue to train our employees in areas of career development important to them. We prioritise promotion from within at Pursehouse Rural, keeping employees who know our business the best available to our customers in one capacity or another.

As Pursehouse Rural looks beyond 2021, we look to grow in priority areas of business such as employee training and development, diversification of products and services, operational excellence and research and development. We are especially interested in those projects focused on rural land sustainability.

To your success, Malcolm Pursehouse Managing Director

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COPRICE WORKING DOG ADULT is a complete and balanced ration that’s specifically formulated for hard working adult dogs. Made with real beef, vegetables and brown rice, COPRICE WORKING DOG ADULT provides a rich source of protein, highly digestible carbohydrates, electrolytes and antioxidants needed for peak strength, stamina and alertness throughout the long day. Available from your rural reseller.

4

NUTRITION THAT STACKS UP

Freecall 1800 267 742 www.coprice.com.au

®Registered trademark of CopRice, a division of Ricegrowers Limited. CPA21347

Cover Story

THE FOURTH AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION Ian Scutt: AgLink Australia

“

In the next decade we will witness the benefit of artificial intelligence, automation and robotics which will drive further efficiencies and provide opportunities for those businesses prepared to adapt.

Agriculture globally has entered into the 4th Agricultural Revolution – the ‘Digital Revolution’.

Driven by consumer desire and rapid, more cost-effective technology development, our industry is witnessing increased digitisation of farming practices, increased food traceability and transparency.

In the next decade we will witness the benefits of artificial intelligence, automation and robotics which will drive further efficiencies and provide opportunity for those businesses prepared to adapt to a new operating environment.

Research suggests that over 50% of farmers are either early adopters or innovators and it is these businesses

4

“

that will drive breakthroughs using digital technology in areas such as precision-controlled agriculture. Retailers will need to pivot with this change and agronomists will become more digitally enabled.

Decision support tools will allow for faster more accurate recommendations ultimately resulting in increased productivity in a sustainable manner.

The purpose of AgLink Australia (of which Pursehouse Rural is a member) is to connect and scale independent agricultural businesses serving farmers. A key priority of the organisation is to identify technology that is ‘fit for purpose’ in agriculture allowing our members and their clients to adopt and prosper from agtech innovations.

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Satisfy their

APPETITE FOR ADVENTURE

% FA

T

10

All new Cobber Active Dog has everything your dog needs to fuel their active Aussie lifestyle.

Packed with just the right amount of fat and protein for sustained energy and complemented with prebiotics, functional fibres and balanced vitamins and minerals, Cobber Active Dog suits all adult dogs to satisfy their appetite for adventure.

All new Cobber Senior Dog contains everything a 7+ or overweight dog needs to fuel their adventurous spirits. A complete and balanced formulation with the right amount of protein, fat and carbs and supplemented with prebiotics, vitamins, minerals plus the added benefits of glucosamine for joint mobility and DHA to keep their minds active – because no one wants to admit, dogs included, that they’re getting older!

PROTEI

30

N

%

Senior Dog

Now with more fat and protein to keep their spirits high. PLUS still contains Cobber’s unique Diamond V Original XPC® prebiotic to fuel their hard-working routines.

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% FA

T

15

% FA

T

COBBER COMPLETE PUPPY With more fat and the addition of Cobber’s unique Diamond V Original XPC® prebiotic to give your future working dogs the best start in life.

EAT. SLEEP. RUN. REPEAT.

cobberdogfood.com.au

RID23102

PROTEI N

26%

% FA

Active Dog

COBBER WORKING DOG

6

T

13

PROTEI N

24 %

PROTEI N

24 %

With new and improved

Stock Feed & General Merchandise

Why have you changed Cobber?

At Cobber, we always put dog’s nutrition first. We’re fuelling their spirit of adventure by ensuring that they’re getting the best diet possible. So, we decided that it was time to make a few changes and tweaks to our existing formulations.

What are the changes to the Cobber range?

The whole new and improved Cobber range has meat as the number one ingredient, which means more protein and more fat for sustained energy, and lower carbohydrates overall.

Why is fat important in a dog’s diet?

Fat is the main source of energy that dogs use because it’s more energy dense than carbohydrates and protein, so therefore if you want sustained energy, you need a higher fat diet.

Why have meat as the number one ingredient?

With meat being the number one ingredient in the Cobber range, we’ve ensured that we have a highquality protein for the optimal nutritional outcomes for your dog.

What’s changed in Cobber Puppy?

What is the new Cobber Active Dog? Cobber Active Dog is going to be replacing Cobber Country Dog. There’s only been slight formulation changes, and that’s to increase the protein and fat content of the diet and this is to always ensure that the optimal nutritional needs of your dog are being met. We’ve also added in prebiotics to help support the immune system and a healthy gut.

What is the new Cobber Senior Dog? The new Cobber Senior Dog has been specifically formulated for dogs that are 7 years and older, or for those dogs carrying a few extra kilos and need to trim down a little.

What makes Cobber Senior Dog so good?

Cobber Senior Dog has been developed with functional ingredients to support your dog as it gets older, including glucosamine, DHA, prebiotics and functional fibres.

Why is DHA essential for Senior Dogs?

The only thing we’ve changed in Cobber Complete Puppy is the addition of Diamond V Original XPC® which has a prebiotic effect to help support the growing immune system of your pup.

DHA is an omega 3 fatty acid that is essential for cognitive function. As dogs get older, their cognitive function can decline and supplementing their diet with DHA can help this. DHA also helps your dog to have a healthy, shiny skin and coat.

What’s changed in Cobber Working Dog?

What makes Cobber dog feeds so good?

The Cobber Working Dog formulation that you know and love has only slightly changed, and that’s to increase the protein and fat content of the diet and this is to ensure that your working dogs are able to perform day in and day out with quicker recovery times.

At Cobber we always focus on dogs’ nutrition and making sure that their needs are met first. And we do this by only using high quality, nutrient dense ingredients. And what this means for you, is that you end up feeding them less but your four-legged best 727 mate will still feel happy and satisfied.

100% Australian made A cost-effective complete pellet feed formulated for laying hens Contains nutrients essential for bird health, egg production, yolk colour and shell quality Available at your local Pursehouse Rural branch

THE COMPLETE

FULL RANGE AVAILABLE IN STORE

SPRAYING SOLUTION!

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VIEW IN STORE OR ONLINE AT: rapidspray.net

*Not all stores stocking. Items available for order in.

THE PROOF IS IN THE PERFORMANCE

COMPLETE BALING SOLUTIONS FOR THE 2021 SEASON TWINES TO SUIT ANY BIG SQUARE BALER IN AUSTRALIA FOR ANY CROP TYPE •

High knot strength (upto 350kg) for UHD bales

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UV stabilized against Australian conditions for 12 months

LEADERS IN CROP PACKAGING SUPPLIES FOR OVER 30 YEARS 9 www.venuspack.com.au | Available at your local Pursehouse Rural branch.

It’s 2021. Satellites guide tractors, remote sensors monitor our soils and robots are milking cows. Every aspect of farm operations has evolved to a higher level of excellence - except fencing.

But now there’s Gallagher Westonfence – a proven, permanent electric fencing solution that stands the test of time and outperforms legacy fencing on every measure.

A fence that is more economical to monitor and maintain, that tells you how your fence is performing and takes seconds to check, rather than hours.

Head into your local Pursehouse Rural store to push your boundaries and take your farm productivity to a whole new level of excellence, effectiveness and efficiency with Gallagher Westonfence.

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Exclusion

Internal

Retrofit/Offset

Retrofitting

Stock Feed & General Merchandise

Short ROI as Gallagher Westonfence saves grain crop from kangaroos A Gallagher Westonfence has paid for itself in the first year, by protecting crops from being eaten by kangaroos.

own grass country going into cropping where there’s lots of kangaroo pressure, to upset the kangaroos’ movement pattern and keep them in the grass country and off the cropping side.

“The first bit we did, we literally saw a result straightaway.”

Mr Meppem said they’ve used D8 Gallagher Westonfence Insulated Suspension Posts, with the 1,365mm height providing a visual and physical barrier. They’ve also used 660mm Gallagher Westonfence Insulated Suspension Post Leaning Offsets on existing fencing that was in good shape. So far the fences are solar powered, using M5800i Mains Fence Energizers.

“This winter, we’ll be hooking one into the mains too, putting in M12,000i Mains Fence Energizers.

Damien Meppem is the livestock overseer on “Tyrone”, which sits at Gurley, between Narrabri and Moree in the Western Slopes district of Northern NSW. Owned by the Carrigan family, the property operates sheep, sheep-feedlot and beef enterprises, with summer crops of wheat, barley and chickpeas.

Mr Meppem said, “In a good year, cropping losses to kangaroos aren’t so extreme, but in a tight year you really notice how much you actually lose, because the rest of the paddock’s pretty thin too. We’re also in an area where it’s probably becoming a bit more marginal than it used to be with our rainfall pattern.”

In an effort to stem losses, they investigated different fencing options.

“We did a fair bit of research, plus went to a few field days – I went to AgQuip a couple of years ago and there was a local mini field day at Bellata, which is not far.”

Both times they saw Gallagher Westonfence – and were impressed.

“We’d heard a bit about it, too, with different people using it. It’s easy to put up, easy to maintain and as far as a comparison goes, pricing was pretty much the same as netting fence.

“So far we’ve put in about 12 kilometres, scattered all over the farm. It’s not necessarily boundary fencing, we’re replacing fences that border our

“We also saw a result pretty quickly with the leaning offsets. We put in the first lot midplanting, but you could still see the result come harvest time – with crop on the headland, whereas previously there wouldn’t be.

“We’re pretty excited to see what happens this year when we plant, with the fencing having been in from the start. Before was pretty good, but this will show us the real results.”

Mr Meppem said using power in the fence has removed pressure from livestock leaning on it.

“There’s just no pressure within a couple of metres either side; we’ve only had them in for 18 months or so, but they’re standing perfectly upright. We run a lot more sheep here than cattle, but none of them go anywhere near it.

“We haven’t done a whole lot of electric fencing – just single-wire to fence a bit of creek country off. So we’ve been learning about the electric side. As far as putting the Gallagher Westonfence up, it’s probably the quickest fencing we’ve probably done here, to be honest.

“It’s worked so well, we’ve got more in the pipeline for this winter. In comparison to the netting, for us this is the way we’ll go. It’s a lot cheaper, and I reckon a lot easier to maintain.”

Take your farm productivity to a whole new level of excellence, effectiveness and efficiency with a Gallagher Permanent Electric Fencing solution.

For more information, head into your local Pursehouse Rural store or speak to the Gallagher team on 1800 425 524.

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Strength, Reliability & High Performance

The Philmac High Flow Float Valve range are built tough to handle Australia’s harsh conditions. Available with either 400mm or 275mm lever and come with a high pressure adaptor to make sure you can deal with any application.

www.philmac.com.au 12

PHI0889-01/21

Stock Feed & General Merchandise

USING FLOAT VALVES IN STOCK WATERING SOLUTIONS With Philmac Australia

Ideally, float valves should be matched to meet the water demand of the stock. Rather than considering the maximum flow of the valve, selection should be based on the pressure the float valve operates at the trough. Quite often this may only be around 100 kPa (15 psi).

Dealing with a variety of water pressure on the one property is a common problem. Farmers are faced with having a range of different float valves on hand to enable them to deal with the high and low water pressures they encounter. The Philmac 200 Series High Flow Float Valve solves this problem as it comes with a high pressure adaptor. This float valve delivers very high flow at both high and low pressure, meaning you only need to carry the one float valve with you no matter what the pressure at the trough you’ll have it covered.

To assist with float valve selection, Philmac publish the flow at different pressures. This is normally measured as the number of litres a valve discharges in a minute (L/min). As the inlet size of the valve increases we can generally expect a higher flow rate. But some valves, such as the 200 Series High Flow Float Valves, have been designed for high flow rates. For example, a 200 Series with a 2” inlet operating at 100 kPa has over double the flow compared to a 150 Series Brass Horizontal valve with the same inlet size.

It is also important to choose a float valve that will shut off and not leak. Float valves at the bottom of hills or on mains water supply will probably

need to shut off against higher pressure. Shut off pressure is measured in kilo-Pascals (kPa) and is the maximum inlet pressure at which the valve will remain closed. Above this pressure, the water at the inlet will overcome the force being applied by the lever and float, and begin to open.

Many farmers are now installing additional troughs to ensure stock do not have to walk as far for water, but also to optimise feed utilisation within a paddock.

Your trough valve maintenance program should start with checking that the lever arm moves freely up and down. If there’s any “stickiness” it could be due to debris, a bent pivot pin or, in the case of a sleeve valve, a dry O-ring.

If the valve weeps, it is likely the seal is worn or clogged with debris.

Once the valve is disassembled, it’s easy to check for wear in the seal, and that the valve is clean.

Fitting a new seal to a Philmac 200 Series float valve is as easy. Simply prise it from the flapper, in most cases, you can turn the seal over and reuse it. When replacing a Philmac 120 Series float valve seal, it is recommended that the O-ring on the plunger be re-greased with rubber grease. Philmac float valves have proven designs and are made from high quality materials that provide strength, reliability and high performance.

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The

NEWGOLD STANDARD of Sheep Vaccines

Stops Lame Lambs* Protects your Wool Cut

ERYSIPELAS ARTHRITIS CHEESY GLAND (CLA)

Protects Meat Quality More Lambs to Sell Easy to use & Convenient *caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae

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BOOSTED WITH VITAMIN B12

ALL IN A 1ML DOSE

Zoetis Australia Pty Ltd. ABN 94 156 476 425. Level 6, 5 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes NSW 2138. © 2021 Zoetis Inc. All rights reserved. March 2021 ZL1340.

Information in your hands 14

ZOETIS.COM.AU/LS

Animal Health

The New Gold Standard Sheep Vaccine GlanEry® 7 in 1 B12 will protect your valuable asset and maximise on farm profits Zoetis Australia is proud to announce that the new innovative sheep vaccine, GlanEry® 7 in 1 B12, will soon be available in stores near you. This product is a new formulation that combines the market leading proven protection of Glanvac® 6 B12 and Eryvac® into one convenient vaccine.

GlanEry 7 in 1 B12 will be the new gold standard of sheep vaccines as it will protect sheep and lambs against 7 endemic sheep diseases in Australia; Erysipelas arthritis, Cheesy Gland (CLA) and the 5 main clostridial diseases (pulpy kidney, tetanus, malignant oedema, black disease and black leg), all in a convenient 1mL dose. According to the MLA, these diseases collectively cost the Australia Sheep Industry approximately $90M annually2.

Dr Kelly Graham, Associate Director of the Zoetis Livestock Veterinary Team is really excited about the addition of Erysipelas protection into the Zoetis Glanvac 6 in 1 range. Kelly indicated that, ‘Erysipelas arthritis, caused by the bacteria Erysipelas rhusiopathiae, is the most common cause of lame lambs on farm and results in significant losses both on farm and at the abattoir. Losses on farm are due to culling, poor growth rates and reduced trading options if animals are unfit to load, and abattoir losses are associated with trim, reduced carcase weights and potential carcase condemnations.’

There are 3 common bacteria associated with arthritis; Erysipelas, Chlamydia and pus-forming bacteria, all of which are commonly found on the sheep’s skin, and in the soil and the environment.

Although it is difficult to isolate the causative bacteria when investigating arthritis, recent survey work in southern Australia by Joan Lloyd3 (2016) found that 57.6% of culture positive samples included Erysipelas. In a Western Australia study, Paton et al4(2003), showed that 100% of culture positive cases

included Erysipelas. In a southern NSW survey, Ferguson and Munro5 (2014) showed that 86.3% of culture positive samples included Erysipelas.

This research confirms that Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is the most common cause of bacterial joint infections in Australian lambs.

Arthritis causes significant loss of production as a result of poor weight gain and reduced wool production in lame lambs, and failure to thrive in lambs with chronic arthritis. An abattoir study1 showed that lambs with arthritis had a reduction in total carcase weight of (HSCW) 1.2 kg compared to healthy lambs without arthritis.

This does not include the losses due to trim which have been estimated at approximately 3kg per carcase6. In Western Australia, Paton et al4 (2003) also estimated that 1.4% of lambs born, died before weaning or are culled due to arthritis.

When asked where these bacteria come from, Kelly said ‘Erysipelas is found all over Australia and it can persist for a long time in the environment, including in water. It is carried on to a farm by many ways; from introduced sheep i.e. sheep that are chronically infected, by feral pigs, and a variety of other native animals, in fact over 30 species of wild birds and at least 50 species of wild mammals are known to harbour Erysipelas, as well as cattle, dogs, kangaroos and mice. All these animals and birds provide an extensive reservoir, as a source of environmental contamination. So, given this bacterium can survive in the environment and is carried by a range of animals, contamination on any farm can change from year to year, therefore if a farm doesn’t experience infection one year it does not mean it won’t experience problems in subsequent years.’

The most recently published annual report (2018 – 2019) from the National Sheep Health Monitoring Project7, representing the abattoir findings of approximately 8.7 million sheep inspected across Australia, showed a high percentage of sheep lines had evidence of arthritis. Erysipelas arthritis is a significant issue in Australia.

GlanEry 7 in 1 B12 has been developed in Australia and is manufactured in Melbourne, Victoria.

GlanEry 7 in 1 B12 provides the convenience of 2 vaccines in 1 with premium disease protection, so will save time, labour and cost whilst making sheep vaccination simple and easy.

1. Lloyd et al (2018) Trimming and production losses associated with bacterial arthritis in lambs presented to an abattoir in southern Australia, Animal Production Science 2. MLA 2015 Priority list of endemic diseases for the red meat industries, Project B.AHE.0010 3. MLA 2016 An investigation of the potential link between arthritis and tail length in sheep, Project B.AHE.0238 4. Paton et al, Effect of mulesing and shearing on the prevalence of Erysipelthrix rhusiopathiae arthritis in lambs, Aust Vet J, Vol 81, No 11, November 2003 5. Ferguson E, Munro J (2014) Incidence over a 3 month period of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae as a cause of polyarthritis in sheep carcasses in abattoirs in Southern NSW, The official Newsletter of the Australian Sheep Veterinarians 6. Farquharson B (2007) Arthritis in Prime Lamb Sheep, A Review. MLA Project B.AHW.123 7. NSHMP Annual Report 2018-19

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Animal Health

Dual-active cattle drench; a game-changer for cattle producers Research has found a dual-active moxidectin and levamisole cattle drench resulted in steers that were 11 kilograms heavier than untreated animals and 8kg heavier over 63 days than those who had been treated with doramectin pour on.

Virbac Australia has partnered with independent research groups in southern Australian to uncover the most effective cattle drench in different conditions.

Research conducted by the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and North Coast Local Land Service found that untreated yearling steers or those treated with an ineffective product were 15 kilograms lighter after 90 days.

The recent study looked at the response to a range of pour-on drenches in 245 mixed-breed steers, 9-11 months old sourced from over 50 NSW farms, with a mean starting weight of 300 kilograms and naturally infected with Ostertagia, Haemonchus and Cooperia.

The research found that Cydectin Platinum - as a dual-active moxidectin and levamisole cattle drench -resulted in steers that were 11kg heavier than untreated animals and 8kg heavier than those who had been treated with doramectin pour-on.

Virbac senior livestock technical services manager Dr. Matt Ball encourages farmers to ensure they choose the most effective cattle drench to fight parasites.

“We now recognise that single active pouron drenches are no longer effective enough to control all key worms or protect productivity,” Dr Ball said.

“Farmers need effective products that don’t

just remove some of the worms but also add excellent growth rates in their cattle. Over time, the products that we use become less and less effective and that is fundamentally the problem. If we use an ineffective drench, we lose productivity – our cattle don’t grow as well.

“With Cydectin Platinum, we’ve created a drench that not only improves worm control and holds off resistance, but it also keeps benefits like potency, persistency and ease of use. When it comes to animal health, don’t settle for the second best. Make sure you’re using the right products and that your drench protects your productivity.”

Cydectin Platinum is the world’s first dual active cattle drench containing moxidectin and levamisole. This gives producers a new, rigorously tested product that is the culmination of almost a decade of local Australian development to deliver the productivity and outcomes producers want.

Despite this, there has not been a new cattle drench product on the market for close to ten years. Cattle producers have often been forced to rely on old products claiming efficacies based on trial results that were conducted years ago.

Older drenches simply don’t work as well as they once did.

To protect productivity, always choose a drench with the highest efficacy. Cydectin Platinum offers producers highly effective worm control, delay resistance and increase productivity.

While single action drenches were once the best available, the results speak for themselves.

Cydectin Platinum sets the new standard for pour-on cattle drenches in Australia.

For more information: search: au.virbac.com/ platinum

17

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NOW INDICATED FOR USE ON SHEEP OFF-SHEARS OR WITH ANY LENGTH WOOL!

CLiK Extra protects against blowfly strike for up to 29 weeks, as well as protecting mulesing and marking wounds.

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protection against flystrike (up to five weeks)

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protection against breech strike

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protection against development of resistance

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CLiK Extra Spray-On Meat WHP now 21 days. Wool WHP remains 3 months. Always read and follow the label directions. Good agricultural practice is essential for optimal blowfly strike prevention. *Conditions apply, see www.clikextrarewards.com.au. Offer not valid in conjunction with any other offer. Only available while 20 L drums are in-stock. Open to AU residents. Purchase between 01/06/21 and 11:59 pm AEST 31/8/21. Claims commence 01/06/21 and close at 11:59 pm AEST 30/09/21 or once allocated gift card stock runs out, whichever is first – see terms for conditions. Purchase must be in a single transaction.

Retain receipt. Only one claim permitted per claimant. Promoter: Elanco Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN 64 076 745 198) of Level 3, 7 Eden Park Drive, Macquarie Park, NSW, 2113. 1CLiK Extra Spray-On contains 65 g/L dicyclanil and provides up to 29 weeks protection from blowfly strike. CLiK Spray-On contains 50 g/L dicyclanil and provides 18–24 weeks protection from blowfly strike. 2When used for protection against breech strike, or body and breech strike. Insecticide resistance in sheep blowfly larvae: http://www.flyboss.com.au/sheep-goats/files/pages/treatment/insecticide-resistance/Resistance_download_130410.pdf CLiK™, Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. © 2021 Elanco or its affiliates. PM-AU-21-0277. EAH21201B.

Animal Health

EARLY SEASON FLY TREATMENT Act now to reap benefits throughout the fly season!

It seems odd to be discussing blowfly prevention while the days are short and temperatures cold.

However, the seasonal nature of fly activity provides a unique opportunity to plan ahead.

Strategically treating sheep early in the season with an effective and long-lasting chemical prevents fly numbers from building up by removing the host environment required for flies to reproduce. This can significantly reduce subsequent fly pressure and the risk of flystrike in the season ahead.

The Australian sheep blowfly Lucilia cuprina is the primary fly species responsible for flystrike. This species of blowfly is largely dependent on sheep as a breeding resource.1

CLiK™ Extra contains dicyclanil, a potent insect growth regulator (IGR). These products provide long lasting protection from flystrike and break the lifecycle – ideal for strategic control.

Fly numbers can build up very rapidly under suitable environmental conditions, assuming susceptible sheep are available.

On-farm research into early season treatment identified that chemicals used for this purpose have to be relatively long acting to suitably cover the full period of spring emergence.2 The availability and ease of application of insect growth regulators to protect sheep for extended periods makes them ideal for this purpose.4

In cooler conditions at the end of the fly season, development is inhibited or “arrested” at the prepupae stage and development is not resumed until conditions are again suitable. The increase in soil temperature in spring in south-eastern Australia has been shown to trigger synchronous emergence of the first generation of flies for the new season,2 regardless of exactly when the larvae were deposited.

If chemical treatment is applied to sheep before flies emerge at the start of the fly season, sheep are essentially removed as a resource for the propagation of the fly population when the first generation appear. As emergence is relatively synchronous and the first generation is typically small, this can have a significant effect in reducing fly numbers and the risk of flystrike for the rest of the fly season.

Optimum fly control will also depend on farm management practices. Integrating early season treatment with strategically-timed shearing or crutching will further reduce susceptibility to flystrike and contribute to reducing fly numbers3 – remembering to be conscious of wool withholding periods.

CLiK™ Extra contains 30% more dicyclanil than CLiK™ and sets the benchmark in flystrike prevention. CLiK™ Extra has a registered protection period of up to 29 weeks, ideal for early season treatment – even in years with a late or delayed start to the fly season.

CLiK Extra is indicated for use on sheep either off-shears or with any length wool, with a meat withholding period of 21 days, wool withholding period of 3 months and ESI of 63 days. CLiK Extra is supported by the Elanco technical and sales teams, who are available to provide advice on fly prevention for the upcoming 2021 season.

Please contact Elanco on 1800 226 324. Or speak to your local Pursehouse Rural customer service representative.

Always read and follow the label directions. Good agricultural practice is essential for optimal blowfly strike prevention.

1 McKenzie, J.A. & Anderson, N. (1990). Insecticidal control of Lucilia cuprina: strategic timing of treatment. Aus Vet J 67(10):385–386.

2 DeCat, S. et al. (2012). Survival over winter and spring emergence of Lucilia cuprina (Diptera Calliphoridae) in south-eastern Australia. Aus J of Entomology 51:1–11.

3 Larsen, J.W.A. et al. (2012). Prevalence of breech-strike in mulesed, clipped and unmulesed Merino hoggets in south-eastern Australia. Aus Vet J 90(5):158–166.

4 Bowen, F.L. et al. (1999). H.R.: Long-lasting prevention against blowfly strike using the insect growth regulator dicyclanil. Aus Vet J 77:454– 460. PM-AU-21-0245

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Animal Health

SPRING SHEARING; IT IS TIME TO TALK LOUSICIDE ROTATION The actives currently available in pour-on lousicide products belong to four chemical classes with different modes of action: neonicotinoids (e.g., imidacloprid, thiacloprid), spinosyns (e.g., spinosad), macrocyclic lactones (MLs) (e.g., abamectin) and organophosphates (e.g., diazinon).

Elanco Australasia Senior Brand Manager, Dr. Kathryn Humphries, says resistance can develop to any chemical if it is used continuously.

“Australian sheep and wool producers have relied upon neonicotinoids and spinosyns for the last decade as their ‘go-to’ pour-on lousicides,” Dr. Humphries says.

Another question is to ask in spring is about the choice of chemicals to be used for blowfly strike prevention. It is important not to apply products with the same mode of action to control lice and blowflies in the same season as there is a risk lice will receive sublethal doses of chemical when it is applied for fly control.

“An important consideration if selecting pouron lousicides containing abamectin is that these products have activity against both lice and worms.

Even though the product is applied as a pour on to kill lice, it is also absorbed into the bloodstream and kills susceptible roundworms. Be mindful of any potential impact on the development of drench resistance.”

“While there is no known resistance in lice to either of these modes of action, it’s important that we keep it that way.

As with all products, correct application is important to ensure optimal outcomes. “Remind producers to always read and follow the label directions.

Encourage your producers to visit Liceboss.com. au for industry recommendations on effective lice management” suggests Dr. Humphries.

“Now is the time to establish a rotation regime with products from different classes to protect these molecules from the development of resistance.

“Product stewardship is everyone’s responsibility and with upcoming spring shearing, now is the perfect time to be initiating these conversations.”

“The lousicide rotation wheel provided is an easy visual representation to help guide conversations on product selection,” advises Dr. Humphries.

For more information or to talk to one of the Elanco technical or sales teams for advice on lice solutions for the 2021 spring shearing season, please contact Elanco on 1800 226 324 or ANZCustomerAdviceLine@ elancoah.com TINOID NtEhiaOcloNpriIdCanO d imidaclopr id) (

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ELANCO is encouraging animal health advisors to have the conversation about the need to adopt effective rotation programs to maintain the efficacy of all available sheep lousicides.

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®Registered trademarks. Elanco, Extinosad™ and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. ©2021 Elanco or its affiliates. PM-AU-21-0551

21

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS LAUNCH REPRO RADIO PODCAST

“

What we really wanted was just to talk to people and really have that connection aspect. And we wanted to talk to people who weren’t just other scientists that we have worked with within our university.

-Dr. Taylor Pini Professors at Sydney University have embarked on an audio medium adventure to bring us a podcast that discusses the latest updates and information in the reproductive field.

Simon de Graaf, Associate Professor at the University of Sydney, and Dr. Taylor Pini, Post Doctoral Researcher at the University of Sydney, identified a disparity between researchers working with reproductive technologies and

22

“

information being communicated back to the end user; a farmer in the paddock, vets, animal health companies, and so forth.

In Simon’s opinion, “the days of academics sitting in their ivory towers and talking to each other about the sorts of research that they do and not really having any connection to the rest of the world, are over.”

Cover Story The popularity of podcasts has boomed in recent years, with easy listening episodes passing the time in the car or in the tractor. They also offer a source of information, guidance or entertainment to listeners. Simon and Taylor identified an opportunity to bring research and technology to the forefront of discussion through their new podcast; Repro Radio Podcast.

guests with experience in different sectors of the reproductive and agricultural industries; Dr. Bo Harstine, Director of Research at Select Sires USA, Dr. Michylla Seal, Director and Centre Veterinarian at Genstock WA, and Mark Mortimer, Owner of Centre Plus Merino Stud NSW.

“We feel as though it’s worth a crack and we’re filling a space that is currently empty.”

“We’re planning on doing an episode looking at environmental effects on reproduction. Which is obviously going to be really important for production species.” Taylor comments.

The podcast invites a whole host of guests from a range of industries to discuss their experiences with technologies in the reproductive field. They talk to Sydney University’s experts and consider ideas on where the industry may be headed next.

This is something we have all seen in action in the paddock, in recent years; the impact of drought on the reproductive herd was on a scale many had never seen before.

“We’re looking to try and increase the understanding that farmers have of what some of the products that they’re using actually do. And we will be discussing where that technology might go in the future.”

Episode one focuses on reproductive technologies in agriculture and invites discussion from three

“

“We really look at trying to connect people with resources as well. Highlighting things that people may not have come across before and trying to be a resource hub for that information.”

If you would like to follow Repro Radio Podcast, find them on Instagram @reproradiopodcast or give them a listen online at www.reproradio. com, via Spotify, Apple Podcast or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

There are all sorts of end users, and there’s also not a huge amount of interactions, or there hasn’t been in the past, between people that work in the human space and people that work in the animal space.

This could be an opportunity to bring those disparate stake holders together and do it in a way that doesn’t force people to all be there at one time.

“

- Simon de Graaf Associate Professor Sydney University

Dr. Taylor Pini

Associate Professor Simon de Graaf

23

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Cover Story

RDS FARMING Innovative farming putting a family favourite on the dinner table;

how one Queensland family are providing the goods for one of Australia’s favourite condiments.

Photography and article by Jessica Rea

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Situated in the small town of Nobby, on the Darling Downs of Queensland, is a 1500 acre property run by Father and Son, Alan and Matt Richards. The Richards family are paving the way in onion production, but these are no ordinary onions, RDS Farming produce pickling sized onions as a specific crop.

wheat and sorghum and even honey for Three Threes BBQ sauce.

“The production of pickling onions was only ever an off grade product out of a table onion packing shed. Three Threes were probably the first company in Australia to try and find a grower who would grow them as a specific crop.”

“It’s been a great industry to be involved in, it’s certainly posed its challenges.” Alan comments.

A favourite around the dinner table, pickled onions are produced as a specific crop by only two farms in Australia. RDS currently supply 100% of the pickling onions for Australian company Three Threes, as well as producing onion bulbs for seeds, standard grain crops like

Traditionally planted in May and harvested in October, RDS have trialled and procured new ways to include a second crop planted in midJanuary and harvested in May. With forward thinking and no signs of slowing down, RDS are trying initiatives for a third crop.

To maintain supply to Three Threes, the Richards family produce 800-1000 tonnes of pickling onions each year, with each onion hitting the criteria of 25 - 40mm in size.

RDS have developed new and innovative practices to not only maintain but grow production capacity to keep up with the popularity of the end product.

“

We’re in such a fortunate area here, climate wise, and on good country that we can grow just about anything.

Although summer planting poses some challenges, most notably ensuring strike rate is high enough to make the crop profitable, Alan Richards states; “with good irrigation and crop cover management we’ve been able to, most years, successfully do that.”

The Richards family praise the preferable conditions offered by the fertile soils of the

“

Darling Downs for their farming successes.

The profitable country has enabled RDS Farming to trial different crops as well as innovative practices. But it hasn’t always been that way. The recent drought posed significant challenges, as with many farms in the area, forcing the family to ensure water infrastructure and production was as profitable as possible.

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“It’s a major challenge, the drought has certainly put a stop to growing a lot of irrigated crops, so we’ve refined operations and continue to refine that market with the onions. Water goes a lot further in the winter time; hence the onions.”

Water infrastructure and return on investment are pinpointed as key areas of consideration at RDS farms; “It’s probably more about dollars per megalitre of water than what it used to be. So we’re pushing in the direction of high value crops, ” says Matt Richards.

It’s not just cropping on the cards for RDS Farming. What started out as a hobby for dad, Alan, has now become a small portion of the RDS enterprise; honey.

Every second month Alan supplies the 1 – 1.5 tonnes of honey used in the Three Threes BBQ rib sauce recipe, made up of 6.2% pure Australian honey.

“I have to do a bit of trading to keep their supply.

I have made a few friends in the bee keeping industry, and we talk fairly regularly. If I’m not getting enough from my hives, I source from elsewhere.”

Alan had some handy tips for any budding beekeepers;

“When you go to a bee hive and everything’s going well, they’re just like any other livestock. They have to be managed.”

Here are Alan’s words of warning for new beekeepers;

“Never deal with a beehive on a windy or overcast day, they will be cranky.”

And some final words of wisdom;

“It’s the greatest stress relief you can ever get, because you go out, you get a few stings under you and you don’t even think about farming!”

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WHEN YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW FMC’S NEW VANTACOR ® IS THE EVOLUTION OF ALTACOR ® FOR CHICKPEA CROPS AND PULSES

Vantacor® is a highly concentrated insect control formulation of Rynaxypyr active for Chickpea crops and pulses. It is fast acting, long lasting and highly effective at delivering targeted control while being convenient, sustainable, and safe.

Speak to your local agronomist for more information.

FMC, Altacor and Vantacor are trademarks of FMC corporation or an affiliate. © 2021 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved

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WOMEN WINNING IN AGRICULTURE Pursehouse rural take the lead with fmc Women are taking the lead in our industry more than ever before. Currently women equate to one third of the agricultural workforce in Australia. Agricultural sciences company FMC are looking to promote female leadership roles in agriculture, through an innovative scholarship program offered to women in the agricultural industry.

LEAD is a platform for female leaders to share ideas and be heard across a broader distance. Early in careers, it can be challenging to know when to speak up and in what forum. Speaking up with confidence is a key element of career development and FMC aims to support this characteristic with LEAD. Despite a growing female workforce, there is always more to be done to support and encourage women entering the Ag industry. Pursehouse Rural’s Kareena Pritchard submitted her thoughts on encouraging and supporting women considering agriculture as a career, to FMC’s LEAD scholarship program.

“I wrote an essay on rural communities, talking about how, if we get younger women in the industry and provide them with pathways to leadership positions then rural communities will benefit.”

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Cover Story

Her ideas are echoed by FMC’s Managing Director, Kristina Hermanson, who reiterates that this type of program is intended to benefit the industry and support women working towards leadership positions.

“The industry can only benefit from more diversity of thought. Seeing more young female graduates entering Ag is promising, but the key is bringing that diversity through the ranks to senior management to continue building diversity in decisions and strategic direction.”

In her proposal to the LEAD program, Kareena discussed training and support systems to elevate women into leadership positions in the Ag industry.

Her thoughts build on her own experiences with Pursehouse Rural.

“Agriculture, for me, has been better than any

industry I have been in. Pursehouse Rural have given me opportunities that I didn’t get in other industries.

“Seeing things like this scholarship program come out, kindly facilitated by FMC, which proactively provides a platform for women is so encouraging.”

Kareena, Pursehouse Rural’s Group Financial Controller and member of the executive committee, emerged as one of two winners of the FMC scholarship. The objective was set into four categories; be creative, be authentic, be practical and demonstrate leadership attributes. Kareena’s comments on career pathways for young women in rural communities ticked all the boxes.

Now Kareena is set to select from a range of courses focused on leadership, sustainability and innovation as well as having the opportunity to present her ideas at the NFF national conference and dinner in Canberra and at FMC’s national Ag Day lunch in Sydney this November.

Kristina Hermanson, Managing Director FMC

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Determined. Resourceful. Resolute.

It takes drive and determination to succeed in farming. And these are the exact traits of Resolute, the Pacific Seeds grain sorghum variety developed to deliver high yields, even in the toughest of conditions. Boasting high midge resistance, Resolute can assist you in standing firm in your ongoing pursuit of farming success.

Visit pacificseeds.com.au to find out more.

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Pacific Seeds launches Foundation Farm to drive Ag innovation Australian growers are set to reap the benefits from a new farming innovation hub launched in Allora, Southern Queensland.

Foundation Farm was established by Pacific Seeds to test and prove new farming technologies, methods and systems at a practical level offering confidence to growers before implementation on their own properties.

Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management and Federal Member for Maranoa, David Littleproud, officially launched Foundation Farm saying cross-industry collaboration was key to driving innovation and benefits for farmers in the field.

“As our population grows and farmers face new climate challenges, it has never been more important for like-minded organisations, researchers and growers to work together to not only overcome these challenges but identify and implement opportunities for Australian agriculture to continue to prosper as a result,” Mr Littleproud said.

As part of the official launch, Foundation Farm hosted a week-long series of field demonstrations, guest speakers, trial updates and presentations.

Pacific Seeds Managing Director Barry Croker believes Foundation Farm will assist in driving improvements to efficiency, sustainability and ultimately profit for Australia’s agricultural industry.

“Foundation Farm is a long-term vision for Pacific Seeds and part of our unwavering commitment

Agricultural Inputs

(L-R) Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management and Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud joins Pacific Seeds Managing Director Barry Croker to officially open Foundation Farm.

to innovation and seeing grower’s full farming potential realised,” said Mr Croker.

“The new initiative provides an opportunity to look at the very foundations of a farm’s operation, and ask what can be done differently to not only improve production today, but to also anticipate the challenges growers may face in 10-15-20 years’ time as our climate changes and technology evolves.”

“Foundation Farm is about working collaboratively as an industry to utilise the best people or agronomists and researchers research, technology and products in order to continually evolve how a farm operates for the better.”

Research, practical applications, and the sharing of knowledge are the cornerstones of Foundation Farm. Activities will be based around five key pillars: new technology, sustainable farming practices, crop protection, crop agronomy and training.

Located across 80 acres outside of Allora in Southern Queensland, Foundation Farm provides opportunities for dryland and irrigated cropping systems, with a focus on grain sorghum, field corn and forage sorghum farming applications.

Foundation Farm is a practical and highly valuable resource for educating growers, agronomists and agricultural technology providers.

To learn more or to register your interest in upcoming field days, visit www.pacificseeds.com or contact Trevor Philp, Pacific Seeds Summer Grains Agronomist on 0427 568 517.

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THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP COMES OUR PROSPERITY Nufarm and Pursehouse Rural proudly supporting a future for Australian agriculture.

Learn more and see how you can support Australian Through & Through nufarm.com.au

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Agricultural Inputs

NUFARM AND PURSEHOUSE RURAL PROUDLY SUPPORTING A FUTURE FOR AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURE Nufarm and Pursehouse Rural have a long, proud history servicing the needs of Australian growers. By supporting Nufarm and Pursehouse Rural, you are directly supporting Australian agricultural jobs and the ongoing commitment for rural communities.

Last year, Nufarm surveyed Australian farmers revealing that they strongly back Australian products, with more than 85 percent of farmers more likely to change their purchases to help guarantee the supply of domestic crop protection inputs.

The in-depth survey of more than 100 mixed enterprise and grain farmers across Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia was commissioned by Nufarm to understand the importance our farmers place on domestic solutions.

The survey found: • • •

98% are likely, quite likely or highly likely to purchase Australian crop protection solutions; More than 90% said reliable supply of crop protection inputs was highly important; The vast majority said they were likely to change their crop protection purchase once they learned products are made by an Australian company supporting Australian jobs.

The volatile year that was 2020 has given cause for some farmers to pause and consider the impact of their purchases. “I am more inclined to look for something that is Australian owned at the very least”, responded one participant.

Grain Producers Australia Chair, Andrew Weidemann AM, resonates with this research, stating, “It’s now more evident the heightened risk we take if we have no formulation company in Australia, putting our farmers first. In this perilous time in Australia’s history, farmers should stand beside our own and support

companies who have been here in the past through thick and thin supporting growers”.

“This awareness and intent from Australian farmers and retailers is important, as increasing challenges to the local crop protection production industry further impact the security of domestic manufacturing in Australia,” said Peter O’Keeffe, Commercial General Manager – Nufarm Australia.

“Australian manufacturing, Australian-made and Australian jobs are vital to our Nation’s post-COVID recovery. Farmers, retailers and the agricultural industry are being asked to choose local where they can to guarantee the viability of an Australian agricultural supply chain, which we know from the survey is important to their operations.”

“Nufarm is the only global crop protection brand with significant manufacturing assets in Australia, and our commitment to being a true partner for growth includes focusing on our Australian heritage. We simply can’t guarantee the supply of domestic crop protection inputs alone. Farmers, partners and the agricultural industry need to partner together to choose local more often.”

The Australian Through & Through brand campaign celebrates regional positivity and focus and seeks to remind farmers and regional Australians about Nufarm’s Australian credentials and manufacturing footprint in Australia. Because they’ve never been more important.

In the spirit of through and through, Nufarm and Pursehouse Rural will continue to work together in local markets to provide value, share knowledge and develop local solutions that matter for our local growers.

For more information please contact your local Nufarm Business Development Manager or visit nufarm.com/au/australian-through-through

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AGRONOMY REPORTS Advice from some of Pursehouse Rural’s leading Agronomists to help maximise your paddock productivity.

Darling Downs Nick Park Agronomist Pursehouse Rural Melrose Liverpool Plains Lochlan Lancaster Agronomist Pursehouse Rural Gunnedah Hunter Valley Andrew Thomson Agronomist Pursehouse Rural Muswellbrook New England Lachlan Jeffers Agronomist / Branch Manager Pursehouse Rural Uralla Central West John Redden Agronomist Pursehouse Rural Coonabarabran

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QLD Darling Downs The winter cropping season on the Darling Downs for 2021 is looking very promising due to recent and regular rainfall in June. The last good winter crop season was 2016.

Winter crop planting started as early as mid-May. Chickpeas have been double cropped back into sorghum stubble and also short fallow back into last year’s cereal stubble.

Barley and wheat have been planted into good moisture with regular small rainfall events. This rain has postponed some plantings.

The mice appear to be still active despite wet cold weather. They are more prevalent in native pastures and persisting in no till farming systems where the stubble load is high. Strategic and timely baiting has been carried out with variable results. A shortage of bait has been a problem at opportune times. Most winter crops will be baited after planting and also prior to the grain crops developing grain.

Fungicide programs will need to be implemented this year if regular

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rain is going to occur. In chickpeas Ascochyta blight (AB) and Botrytis Grey Mould (BGM) will be the main diseases. There are various foliar fungicides registered and permitted for chickpeas in 2021. Discuss your options with your local Pursehouse Rural Agronomist.

Wheat, barley and oats will need to be monitored for disease also.

A fungicide program is also a good idea. The main diseases in wheat on the Darling Downs are Stripe Rust and Yellow Leaf Spot. The main barley diseases are Powdery Mildew, Net Blotch, Net Form and Net Blotch Spot Form. Plant varieties with good resistance to these diseases and avoid planting back into cereal stubble where possible.

Fallow paddocks have been sprayed recently to control weeds. Flaxleaf Fleabane has been present in most fallows. Residual products such as Atrazine can be considered to prevent further germinations. Some other pre-emergent herbicides like Metalachlor, may also be considered to control summer grasses such as Feather Top Rhodes Grass and

Liverseed Grass. Be aware of plantbacks with some products to certain summer crops.

Soil tests have been conducted recently to determine the fertility of the soil. General trends seem to be high residual levels of Nitrogen after drought conditions and poor crops.

Phosphorous and Zinc levels appear to be low on the more Alkaline soils. A maintenance rate of starter fertilizer is a good start and there has been some deep P placement on some farms with good success for summer crops.

Topdressing Nitrogen in cereal crops could be an option this year if good rain is expected. Discuss your options with your local Pursehouse Rural Agronomist. Some options are broadcasting granular Urea and spraying UAN on with Streamjet nozzles and incorporated by either rainfall or irrigation.

By Nick Park Agronomist Pursehouse Melrose - 0428 618 570

Rural

NSW Liverpool Plains Stripe Rust in Durum Last year the new Yr198 stripe rust pathotype caused a lot of our main durum wheat varieties stripe rust ratings to fall from MR (moderately resistant) in 2019, to MS (moderately susceptible) in 2020. The exception being Westcourt and Jandaroi which remained MR. Stripe rust is a biotrophic pathogen which needs a living plant host to survive.

The disease can develop over the summer and autumn months on volunteer barley, wheat, barley grass, triticale and phalaris. This creates a green bridge for spores to be blown into cereal crops in winter and early spring. Ideal conditions for the development of stripe rust in wheat are leaf wetness or high humidity for 5-6 hours at temperatures between 9-18°C, with its optimal cycling temp being 12-20°C. Stripe rust has a latent period of approximately 10-14 days, which means that the plant is infected with the disease, however, symptoms i.e. rust pustules will not become visible until this latent period has finished.

As the pointy end of the winter crop

season begins to loom it is critical that you protect the flag leaf, as it is the highest contributing leaf to yield for wheat. Before applying a fungicide, take into account the weather conditions and if they look to be conducive for disease development prior to spraying. Look at your varieties resistance rating for stripe rust. Consider maximum residue limits as this can have an influence on what product and rate you use if you need to spray.

Hopefully your durum crops have stayed nice and clean in the lower canopy and are set up to finish the season strongly, providing the flag leaf is kept free of stripe rust. Please consult your local Pursehouse Rural Agronomist to discuss and tailor a fungicide strategy plan that suits your farm.

Summer Crop Planting As soil temperatures begin to rise, growers are busy gearing up for a big summer crop plant. Maize is the first of our main summer crops to be planted in September when the soil temperature is 12 degrees and rising at 8am. Cotton comes in next when the soil temperatures are 14 degrees and rising and sorghum closely

follows when we hit 16 degrees and rising at 8am.

Before planting it is important to consider what soil pests and diseases could impact the establishment of your summer crop on a field by field basis, as a reduction in total plant population can potentially cause a yield reduction.

A few of the main diseases that can impact establishment are, Rhizoctonia, Pythium and Black Root Rot. Wireworm and cutworm are the two main soil pests affecting establishment of our main season summer crops. The risk of these diseases and soil pests can be exacerbated by extended cool conditions at planting, crop rotation and stubble load at the time of planting.

To assist with appropriate field selection and discuss the right seed treatment/s to get your summer crop off to the best start possible, please get in touch with your local Pursehouse Rural Agronomist.

By Lochlan Lancaster Agronomist Pursehouse Gunnedah - 0437 210 204

Rural

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NSW Hunter Valley When growers want rain, growers get rain! The challenge from May to July has been accessing paddocks to prepare them for sowing then getting crop or pasture into the ground before the next rain event.

Blocks sprayed out and sown early have shown impressive forage yields.

Later prepared blocks have suffered holdups with spraying, sowing and respraying with some still too wet to get over. In other cases, continued showers and ponded water has killed patches in some paddocks, especially in young lucerne. The rain has been great for reducing mice numbers, with a big reduction in activity and damage. Many growers are now easing up on baiting programmes.

Once paddocks dry out enough to drive over, there will be plenty of activity, with late in-crop weed and fungicide sprays to protect feed quality and yield. Urea can be spread to optimise crop and pasture biomass. Mixed pastures can still be

40

fertilised with superphosphate or biological nutrient blends to boost yields. On larger areas that remain wet, there may be an increased interest in aerial applications.

Looking forward, those with stock to feed will need to start thinking about summer forage crops. There may be increased plantings to cover those with unsown winter blocks. With high demand, some seed lines will be short, so get in early. Good fertiliser planning based on target yields will also ensure best results.

Fallows with unsprayed weeds during the wet need checking and spraying to simplify sowing once the weather warms up. If the cold disappears early, we may see an increased sowing of millet in Oct/ Nov as ground temps hit 14C and rising, followed by forage sorghum hybrids in Nov/ Dec. With no in-crop grass sprays available, a weed-free seedbed is critical for millet to get a good start and achieve a vigorous

canopy.

Forage sorghum has more options, with pre-emergent and post emergent grass and broadleaf chemicals available. In early Dec, other growers may opt for cowpeas, providing summer groundcover, grazing and an alternate hay option.

Avoid any blocks with residual chemical history to ensure good results. Sub-tropical grass pastures will be another choice for those looking for a longer term option, from late November onwards. These can produce an enormous body of feed throughout the summer if sown into grass-free blocks with sufficient spring rain to establish well.

For any summer crop management, seed or fertiliser enquiries, please contact your local Pursehouse Agronomist.

By Andrew Thomson Agronomist Pursehouse Rural Muswellbrook - 0428 400 202

NSW New England With the current good rain, pasture is plentiful. Managing pasture quality to maintain ewe and cow condition as well as maximising weight gain for the lambs and calves whilst still on mum should be obtainable by managing seed head on your pastures. By having enough pasture length to maximise intake per mouthful but moving the stock at a reasonable pasture residual to leave some solar panels will give you high pasture grow rates and maintain pasture quality. With the current stock prices, adding additional nutrients to drive pasture growth easily pays and will help with pasture quality and quantity.

If you are chasing feed for lambs in spring and early summer, one option is a brassica, herb and clover mix.

This will give you very high quality

feed available to feed off in weeks.

This mix has been used extensively throughout the New England to produce heavy lambs over the summer months. Once the soil temperature reach 17 degrees, millet, Sudan grass and forage sorghum become an option for summer feed for your sheep and cattle.

Soil sampling is a great way to see what is happening with your nutrient levels and soil balance so they can be worked on during the spring and summer, for production and sowing in 2022. By knowing your pH, aluminium levels and nutrient availability you can manage stock numbers considering potential pasture growth over the spring and summer with newly sown pastures in 2022. By doing a feed budget and matching potential production with

carrying capacity should limit over grazing and feed deficit.

The last of the winter weeds such as nodding and Saffron thistles will be elongating and becoming harder to kill, Lontrel Advanced in with MCPA will help manage these harder to kill weeds. Summer weeds like Bathurst Burr are starting to germinate with early management being the most cost effective.

For more information on pasture production to meet your grazing requirements or spray recommendations please call Pursehouse Rural Uralla.

By Lachlan Jeffers Branch Manager and Agronomist Pursehouse Rural Uralla - 0428 659 740

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NSW Central West Going into Autumn was a dream run; full profile of moisture, good germination of weeds, timely spraying and ideal sowing conditions.

Apart from the odd breakdown, every available machine was flat-strap.

Increasing rainfall events and damp conditions from late Autumn slowed sowing although increased daily workload intensity, by restricting to late morning starts and early afternoon finishes. Sowing pushed into boggy conditions with many achieving three quarters to full winter crop plant.

Mild conditions and minimal frosts experienced during autumn and winter accelerated early sown crops, along with grass and broadleaf weeds.

Spraying these crops are a high priority due to immanent canopy closure.

Herbicide applications commenced with ground rigs, many now switching to aircraft, if available.

Winter crop areas unable to be planted due wet conditions will

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be considered for summer crop or long fallow options. One bonus, a great opportunity now to develop and implement an integrated weed management plan for problematic weeds including; ryegrass, black oats, sowthistle, fleabane, windmill, barnyard and other summer grasses on those unsown areas.

Pre-emergent herbicides are increasingly becoming important, with this season highlighting how important they are in reducing overall frequency, distribution and vigour of targeted weeds. Since a reduction in early weed competition resulted, the urgency for a very early post emergent spray diminished, especially since most paddocks are very wet for ground applications.

Since experiencing above average rainfalls, addressing crop nutrition and nitrogen requirements will be an important factor to maximise yield, especially this season when moisture is plentiful. Managing crop foliar diseases will be increasingly

important under conditions.

prolonged

wet

Mice, wow, what a challenge.

Numbers increased from late winter 2020, damaging a range of winter crops, then destroying selected summer crops. In the baiting process they also destroyed and contaminated hay, stored grain and damaged machinery electrical systems. Mice numbers were required to be continually managed through baiting in some areas through current winter crop establishment. Current reduction in mice pressure has been welcomed, although preparation will be required to manage them if numbers increase from late winter/spring.

Mice numbers over the coming spring and summer will influence areas to be sown to summer crop or managed as long fallows.

By John Redden Agronomist Pursehouse Rural Coonabarabran - 0429 042 942

From Pursehouse Rural

BRANCH PROFILE: COONABARABRAN NSW Photography by Andrew Pearson

“Pursehouse Rural Coonabarabran are working to maintain strong and healthy relationships with our customers. We are building on our small motor department and trying to bring more services relevant to our customers to assist in their operations on farm.”

- Branch Manager Tim Evans Pursehouse Rural Coonabarabran is located in a small central west community. The half way point between Brisbane and Melbourne, the town is home to approximately 2500 residents, 11 motels, 3 pubs and 2 caravan parks.

The local community of Coonabarabran is mainly agricultural residents, with the town having a strong reliance on visitors to keep the local shops and motel full and thriving.

A boost to the local economy comes each year, when the town hosts the North West Equestrian Expo. As one of the largest school sports events in the southern hemisphere, the town springs into action as school groups flood the community. It is a centrepiece of the town’s social calendar and welcomes school children from across Australia competing in a wide variety of equestrian pursuits.

The team at Coonabarabran is made up of nine long term employees in roles ranging from customer service, delivery and agronomy to small engine sales and management. Products and services at Pursehouse Rural include agricultural supplies and agronomy services as well as Honda and Husqvarna sales and a small motor parts service.

The farming inputs of the Coonabarabran agricultural community are focused around dryland cropping and livestock. In recent years Pursehouse Rural Coonabarabran also supplied fencing materials to a Bilby protection program run by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy in the Pilliga Forest, helping to reintroduce an endangered native species to the area after an absence of 100 years.

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“I am proud of the team we have built at Pursehouse Rural Coonabarabran. With long term employees in place, we are able to maintain strong relationships with our customers and show years of experience in our respective roles. We are not afraid to help each other out to get the job done for our customers.”

Pursehouse Rural Coonabarabran 24 Gardener Street 02 6849 2330 Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 8am to 5pm Saturday 8am to 12noon

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100% Australian Made

Low starch levels to provide a calm, responsive ride

Highly palatable balanced nutrition in every mouthful

An affordable part of a sustainable diet for all equine disciplines

Available at your local Pursehouse Rural branch

FIND YOUR LOCAL PURSEHOUSE RURAL BRANCH

Proserpine Sarina Cecil Plains Melrose Pittsworth Clifton Allora Warwick Narrabri Boggabri Uralla Moonbi Tamworth Gunnedah Quirindi Mullaley Muswellbrook Coonabarabran Coolah

QLD Allora Lot 1 Forest Plains Road 07 4666 2800

Melrose (Brookstead) 136 Melrose Road 07 4693 0188

Cecil Plains 4 Warfield Avenue 07 4567 7900

Warwick Pittsworth Cnr Mallard & Box Streets 137 McEvoy Street 07 4667 8800 07 4693 6800

Clifton 58 King Street 07 4612 4800

Proserpine 6 Pepper Street 07 4945 2733

Sarina 34 Homebush Road 07 4956 2139

NSW Boggabri 7 Caloola Road 02 6743 4303

Gunnedah 54 Mullaley Road 02 6748 4500

Coolah 4 Martin Street 02 6378 5800

Moonbi

Coonabarabran 24 Gardener Street 02 6849 2330

Mullaley Oxley Highway 02 6743 7810

Muswellbrook 127 Sydney Street 02 6542 8900

Narrabri 1977 New England Highway 2 Caroline Way 02 6792 9500 02 5776 6000

Tamworth 48 Dampier Street 02 6764 1100 Uralla 176 Bridge Street 02 6778 6500

Quirindi Cnr Lennox and Loder Streets 02 6741 2500