4000 COPIES DISTRIBUTED WEEKLY IN THE SOUTHERN DOWNS REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA + DAILY JOURNAL & STANTHORPE RECORD
CountryJournal Week commencing 18th April 2022
Not a bad first ute...
A medallion of ham...
Haddington open garden
BIG FOOTPRINT OF THE BEE BEN BOLAND Country Journal
Cattle are astronomically larger, dogs and cats more loved. But the extinction of these species would not lead to ecological collapse of planet earth. By contrast the impact of extinction of bees is hard to overstate. Specifically, 90% of all plants worldwide are pollenated by animals with the most common pollinator being the bees. So, bee extinction would result in the loss of almost all plants on earth. Not only do plants provide the basis of most ecosystems in terms of providing food and habitat plants are the lungs of the earth converting carbon dioxide into oxygen. Farming, of course, is reliant on bees. For example, pollination via the honeybee
alone in Australia has a com- impact of native bees on native bees’ habitat on their mercial value of $4-6 billion commercial crops is still farm. in Australia, $240 billion under researched, buzz polli- Bee Threats worldwide. Seventy-five per- nators are particularly intercent of food crops rely on esting commercially. Buzz The significance of bee for animal pollination. Australian pollinators vibrate their pollination and thus life on honey and bees wax are whole body while clinging to earth cannot be exaggerated, worth $90 million per year. flowers. As such they are yet worldwide bees are under So, combined with the sale much more effective pollina- threat. Specifically, the probof bee keeping products tors and give crops such as lems include insecticides, clihoneybees are worth up to tomatoes, capsicum, egg- mate change, disease, habitat just under $7 billion to the plant, chilli and blueberries change and introduced speAustralian economy each significantly higher yields. cies. year. Thus, some farmers are The introduction of cheap Australia also exports keeping hives of native bees and available broad-specabout 40% of honey and our as well as actively promoting trum pesticides has benefitannual honey and beeswax which commands a premium price due to its ‘clean Servicing Warwick, Stanthorpe and Beyond green’ credentials. Made from Bluescope Australian Steel In Australia while honFULL SERVICE - SLAB, ERECTION & COUNCIL eybees are the primary •Acreage Sheds pollinator of commercial plants, native bees are also •Farm Sheds significant. Partially this (07) is 46 619 835 •Garages because having multiple E warwick@rfsteelbuildings.com.au QBCC: 1197750 l NSW: 237076C pollinators increases polliE warwick@rfsteelbuildings.com.au nation rates. While the
(07) 46 619 835
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COUNTRYJOURNAL
Country briefs
Wandering water buffalo Allora campdraft is on
located after her escape a few weeks earlier.
Travellers near Karara were startled recently when they spotted a water buffalo wandering along Toowoomba Karara Road near Washpool Creek. Drivers and community alike were warned via the local notice board and the owner was happy to have the big girl
SPECIALS
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BOTTLEMART.COM.AU
Ag sector one quarter bigger With the election under way, the importance of rural Australia for politicians surivival will be in sharp focus, but new figures out from the Queensland government are of the nature that will call attention in Canberra after the polls close. For 2021–22, the total value of Queensland’s primary industry commodities is forecast to be $23.54 billion, which is around 24% up on the average of the past five years. This includes $18.41 billion gross value of production (GVP) and $5.13 billion value-added production. From a local perspective, it’s interesting to see cattle and horticulture are the top two drivers of the trend: The largest contributors, by estimated GVP, are: Livestock disposals (44%) – driven by elevated livestock prices elevated horticulture (16%) – favourable seasonal conditions and strong demand cotton (10%) – record high GVP, increased plantings and high prices.
Back to discs?
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erously donated their cattle for us to use,” the Allora & District Campdraft Association said. “If you haven’t ever seen a Campdraft before, please don’t be afraid to ask questions! We’re a friendly bunch and will love to tell you about our sport!”
All specials available from Wednesday 13th April until Tuesday 26th April 2022. Bottlemart supports the responsible service of alcohol.
QLD_P08_M9x4_WDN
“Three or four years ago, you couldn’t sell a set of offset discs but now, with the prices of Roundup and chemicals going through the roof, farmers have been going back to old-school farming and they’re going back to offsets for weed control and breaking up virgin country,” Andrew Nolan, MD Big Dog Disc’s
COUNTRYJOURNAL ted agriculture. cont’d p. 3 Continued from front page...Many insecticides kill both pest and beneficial species and many of the products, common in Australia, are now illegal in Europe and other parts of the world. This includes organophosphates. Even small changes in the use of these products can minimise the damage to beneficial species including humans. Specifically, minimising use of these products, managing spray drift and spraying when beneficial insects are least active are critical practises. In the Southern Downs it is not just pesticides which negatively impact bees since sprays used in orchards to thin fruit crops kills bee populations. Many farmers are moving towards organic methods like garlic sprays and tobacco tea. There has been an increased use of companion planting such garlic or marigolds for pest management which can encourage beneficial species. DAF is actively looking for targeted insect management options but unfortunately new species such as the Fall Army Worm require the use of particularly strong pesticides. European research has found that honeybees can act as biological control for pests. Specifically, Noctuid moth caterpillars are a major pest in Germany. These caterpillars are preyed on by wasps. Interestingly the caterpillars cannot differentiate between bees and wasps and hide from both, limiting crop damage when bees are present. Climate change is expected to disproportionality impact bee species as it impacts flowering plants. For example, increased temperature, bushfires and changed rainfall patterns negatively impact both bee-pollinated species and thus the insect itself. Regular checking of hives is critical to the health of the species. For instance, the Varroa mite, which is endemic outside of Australia, is now found in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. The Federal government is actively monitoring for this pest with detection hives. The New Zealand experience found that Varroa killed both honey and native species so keeping Australia free is critical for both agriculture and conservation. Australian beekeepers are already facing American Fowl Brood Paenibacillus larvae. Any cases found must be immediately reported to DAF for the incineration of the entire hive. Globally the greatest cause of bee declines in loss of habitat due to human
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BIG FOOTPRINT OF THE BEE activity such as logging, urban expan- for hollow logs and take nectar without sion, agriculture and particularly pollinating. Beekeepers try to stop increase monoculture. Loss of habitat swarming in their hives and catch feral is compounded by fragmentation of hive honeybees. habitat. Most plants and animals require Photos show a native stingless bee courtesy of large areas of undisturbed habitat to the Queensland Museum. survive. Introduced species are also an ongoing WARWICK CREDIT UNION challenge for native species. Cane toads will use hives as a buffet which can drive bees to vacate a hive. Thankfully, the Refer a new home loan customer for Cane toad is not a major purchases, investments, building or problem on refinancing Southern Downs, but 0.25% discount & $0 application fee Small Hive applies to the Essential Plus Home Loan! Beetle Aethina tumida, a native of Africa, has been in Australia since 2002 and is prevalent in the Southern D o w n s . However, the major introduced species i m p a c t i n g Lending criteria, fees and charges and terms and conditions apply. Full terms and conditions at wcu.com.au. Minimum loan amount of $150,000. The referrer must be an existing native bees is, available customer of the Warwick Credit Union (WCU). The ‘friend’ must be a new home loan customer. You cannot yourself’ to WCU. $500 payments only made in relation to approved and funded surprisingly, the home loans ‘refer and are made at the settlement of the loan. Maximum of $1,000 paid per eligible loan. Eligible new home loan applications must be submitted by 30/04/2022 and must be h o n e y b e e . approved by 31/05/2022 and drawndown by 31/07/2022. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer. Warwick Credit Union Ltd ABN 98 087 651 116. AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 240556. They compete
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COUNTRYJOURNAL
n life and in farming, people do have regrets. Some of mine relate to farming and one was my failures to not buy a high quality ute much earlier. I had almost turned 50 before I had bought a fair dinkum ute, a second-hand 2006 Holden Rodeo, that has been causing a few headaches in recent times. My first “ute” was in fact a Ferguson TEA20 Grey tractor and carryall. That did for a couple of years but wasn’t that suitable for fencing or carrying hay. At least at the time, we didn’t have to worry about big round and big square bales. I was also studying some Commerce at university so doing less farm work. While I might have gone down the journalism road later on, there is no doubt if we didn’t have the farm, I would have studied to be an accountant. In fact, I did 70 points of a Commerce degree but farming took over in the beef slump of the 1970s. The beef price went so low I ended up with a job for six months as a fettler with the railways at Karara and failed my two Commerce subjects that year. But back to the trucks, my first truck was an $80 KB2 International from Jack Lane who at the time had a machinery yard just near the Stockyard Hotel.
saw advertised which was at Greenmount. The woman from Greenmount wanted cash so I wrote out a cash cheque and it bounced. That was the era that if your bank knew you and you didn’t make a practice of it, the bank would put the cheques through even if it put your account in the red. The reason this one was bounced was $1000 seemed a lot of cash. I sorted the cheque the next day. Then I bought a one tonne white Nissan truck before the final purchase, at least until this stage, the Holden Rodeo Ute. Looking back, I should have borrowed some money and bought a good ute or small truck sometime in the 1970s. I may not have lasted 40 years but at least 20. The other reason to buy a better ute if for safety and simply to get around the farm better and therefore be more efficient with the farm work.
The Long Paddock with Gerard Walsh
Jack had $100 on the truck and I offered him $80 and he said yes. To this day, I wonder what would have happened if I said $60 but that might have
been a bit tough on my behalf. I then bought a Holden Ute, might have been a HR, at a sale at Goomburra and had to get my mechanic Bill Mooney to drive it back to his garage in Warwick which wasn’t a good start. Reality was the motor only had about 10 per cent of life left in it. Soon after, I bought another Holden Ute as a spare and then a yellow truck I
(That’s not Gerard’s ‘first ute’ by the way, but a fully restored Fergie TEA20
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COUNTRYJOURNAL
Massive ag fraud insurance test A massive ag fraud test case is underway in the US, with the case against Kent Pfaff and his farm in North Dakota having serious implications for Pfaff--up to 30 years in prison and $US1 million in fines. The case alleges that Pfaff shifted (at least on paper) production from some parts of his farm to another, so that he could claim ‘losses’ on some paddocks. While the case began after the US Department of Agriculture claimed the farm issued false docu-
mens and information to the Department’s Risk Management Agency, which handles crop insurance through the Federal Crop Insurance Corp, the insurance claims that are the core of the fraud were issued with three American crop insurance firms. Pfaff has been released, without his passport, until the case resumes in October. The Pfaff farm is one of North Dakota’s largest, with tens of thousands of acres under cultivaiton. Pfaff is in the wars, also fighting a
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court case relating to access to his land for a gas pipeline. North Dakota is a hive of gas plants and pipelines, with gas-powered electricity generators visible from the Pfaff farmhouses. Crop insurance fraud has been in the headlines in the United States lately, with another interesting case settling in Indiania
involving a farmer who organised for farm hands to act as ‘straw men’ owning part of his land, collaborating with an insurance company who sold the straw men insurance. The target of the collaborative fraud between farmer and insurer was the federal government and it’s aid schemes.
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COUNTRYJOURNAL
Killarney ham takes first
Autumn Raceday in Ballanden Ballandean Estate and Rotary Stanthorpe are once again organising their Autumn Raceday event on the 1st of May, with tickets on sale now. The event is a highlight of Rotary’s annual fundraising locally, as well as a highlight on the calendar of one of the most substantial vineyards on the Granite Belt. Tickets are on sale for $130 a person, and include a three course lunch, a complimentary glass of sparkling, $4000 in funny money and entertainment. A return bus ticket from Stanthorpe is
The Killarney Butchery won big at the recent regional Sausage King & Smallgoods (Outback) Competition, taking home three awards for their delicious products. They won third for their woodsmoked bacon and peppered cabanossi and took first place with their wood-smoked leg ham on the bone. “We now get to compete in the State Finals later in the year with our Wood-smoked Leg Ham on the Bone,” they reported. “To say we are a little excited is an understatement. There is a craft in our carefully prepared Leg Ham which is masterfully smoked in store to bring you the best quality leg ham in the district.”
available for $20/person for those who don’t worry about avoiding drinking so they can drive. There will of course be Fashions in the Field, lucky door prizes and just general all-round fun.
24 hour tractor John Deere, the world’s largest farming implements producer, just unveiled a self-driving tractor at the Consumer Technology Convention in Las Vegas recent-
ly, that will, they claim “plow America’s acreage by day or night without a driver.” The driverless tractors are equipped with six pairs of cameras that work like human eyes and can provide a 360-degree image...and supposedly will stop if surprised by an unexpected object. The 22-ton monster can be controlled with a smartphone. Price tag is believed to be in the vicinity of $500,000... US dollars
CONDAMINE SPORTS CLUB Daily Lunch Specials Open 7 Days Members’ Price - $11.50 Permanent Membership Available - $5 Nightly Specials Sunday to Thursday
133 Palmerin St, Warwick - 4661 1911 www.condaminesportsclub.com.au SUPPORTING SPORTS IN OUR COMMUNITY
Mountain View’ Greymare Family Getaway • 40.5 Ha (100 acres) ½ hr west of Warwick. • Sit around the campfire and admire the majestic rural views to the Great Divide • Natural stands of ironbark timber - build your own shed/weekender. New boundary fencing and dam. • Take the family panning for gold in the natural running creek beds, or go searching for some nature’s wildlife. • Expecting offers upwards of $250,000.
Expressions of Interest Closing 11 May 2022, 5pm Matt Cleary 0428 987 340
Ray White Rural Pittsworth ®
www.raywhitepittsworth.com.au
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Helen Harm
COUNTRYJOURNAL
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Real Estate
AS NEW DUPLEX
$ 750,000 ATTENTION INVESTORS Each Unit has:• 3 Large built in bedrooms • 2 bath, master has en suite • Living dining off the kitchen • Lounge with aircon • Bathroom has shower, vanity & toilet • 2 Enclosed courtyards • Laundry • Storage cupboards • Solar power • Rain Water tank • 2 bay garage • 997 m² yard INVESTORS: Each unit rents for $400 p.w. Suggestion for downsizing – live in one and use the other for income.
HIGHWAY FRONTAGE
$ 270,000
D
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Neatly renovated, close to amenities and CBD • Air-conditioned • 2 bed, 2 living areas • 1 Shower, vanity and linen storage • French doors out to undercover entertaining • Polished floors in kitchen
• Separate laundry, toilet next door • Space for 5 cars, double garage, carports x 3 • Fully fenced yard • Water tank • Landscaped gardens
INVESTORS: Rent is $265 per week
$ 250,000 TRANQUIL RURAL HIDEAWAY CoUnd • Clad 2 bed cottage nt er ra • North sunroom at entry ct • Separate lounge SUIT HOME BUSINESS
• Kitchen has electric appliances, bench space & pantry. • Bath has shower over bath, vanity, toilet • Laundry nook & second toilet • U/cover entertaining & fernery • 506 m² fenced yard, Single carport
ELBOW VALLEY
$ 750,000
Crave Privacy? Find your inner self. This property will appeal to both painters and poets with panoramic views reflecting the ever changing mood of the land to inspire your creative purpose.• Totally self-sufficient – stand alone solar power, solar hot water, water tanks • Elevated position with a North-East aspect • Large timber deck • 2 bed, 1 bath – main has built-ins • Country kitchen has slow combustion stove, period cabinetry • Lounge media • Shutters throughout • Solar panels • 2 bay garage, single garage, various storage sheds • 11.04 Ha (27.4 Acres) on 2 separate titles
WORKIN WEAR - WARWICK $ 170,000 + STOCK
HENDON MULTI-TITLE INVESTORS OPPORTUNITY!!
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$ 435,000 OFFERS OVER • 3 Bed, main ensuite/walk-in robe • 2 Bath • Open-plan lounge flows to entertaining deck • Kitchen has electric appliances, Butler’s pantry • Bath has shower over bath, vanity, separate toilet • Laundry utility • Undercover entertaining • 2 Car garage • 2292m² with room for sheds, vegie patch ….
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CBD UNIT
$ 230,000 • Brick 2 bed, built-ins • Aircon in lounge living • Good kitchen/ dining • Shower, vanity, toilet & laundry • Storage • Fenced court yard • Garden shed • On city bus route, close to schools & shops
INVESTORS:- Renting at $270 per week.
LAND
• WARWICK - 1170m², new estate, bitumen frontage, power, views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $145,000 • WARWICK - 25930m², High profile, 2 street frontage, Zoned specialised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,210,000 • LEYBURN - 2023m², level block, town water available, power, bitumen frontage . . . . . . . . . . . . $75,000 • PRATTEN - 4047m² (2 available), bitumen road, water & power available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $90,000
See www.helenharm.com for more listings
0408 457 496
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COUNTRYJOURNAL
Open garden at Haddington Krista Bjorn krista@smallnewspaper.com.au
A
2 ¼ acre garden filled with vine-covered arches, flowering native plants, and quirky vignettes is opening to the public for two days this month to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association Of Queensland. Haddington, located at 118 Ogilvie Road, Warwick, is a sprawling garden built over the past twenty years by Sean and Janine Hegarty. “It’s my little piece of
honour of her because she just loved gardening and she had a quirky garden too.” When the H e g a r t y ’s began their garden in January 1995, it was a far cry from the lush plantings and towering trees to be found today. “It was pretty gradually grew. We lost a lot during the drought. We’ve had to reestablish a lot of things.” Thankfully, the rains returned and the gardens are flourishing once again. “The rain has been great this year,” Mr Hegarty said. “It’s made such a difference.” The Haddington Open Garden will be held Saturday and Sunday, 23-24 April 2022, from 10 a.m. to 4
heaven,” Mrs Hegarty said. “I’ve always loved gardening. Even when I was a kid I used to garden. It’s very relaxing and rewarding. You can spend a day in the garden and see something for it. And the wildlife love it. We’ve got frilly lizards, all the birds, possums, and we’ve even found the odd echidna. At the end of the day we like to wander around and take it all in.” The Open Garden at Haddington is in honour of Mrs Hegarty’s dear friend, Beryl Tranter. “She passed away on ANZAC Day three years ago,” she said. “And it’s in
bare, there wasn’t much here at all, just grass and a few conifers,” Mr Hegarty said, adding with a grin, “It just evolved over time, partly to give me less mowing to do.” They went into the project ready to plant, experiment, and see what happened. “We didn’t have a grand plan,” Mrs Hegarty said. “We just started doing things and it just
p.m. No bookings are necessary. “Just wander in and have a look around,” Mr Hegarty said. Tickets are $6 with all proceeds going to the Motor Neurone Disease Association Of Queensland. “There will be light refreshments available,” Mrs Hegarty added. “Tea, coffee, cold drinks, and sandwiches.” Photos show Sean and Janine Hagerty in their garden, Haddington. Photos by Krista Bjorn.
COUNTRYJOURNAL
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COUNTRYJOURNAL GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CROSSWORD
ACROSS 4 Name the capital of Algeria (7) 8 The Britannic was the sister
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population, falls under the pastoral care of a bishop (7) What is an agent of retribution (7) Lodestone is a natural what (6) What are newly married women called (6) What, in electricity, is the transfer of one ampere in one second (7) Name the conventional Italian title of respect for a married woman (7) Which term describes one of the twelve disciples (7) What is a cause of affliction or calamity (7) What are afternoon naps, especially taken in Spain and other hot countries (7)
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down, is to be what (7) 4 What is a characteristic style of pronunciation (6) 5 Who were widely noted for DOWN their collection of fairytales, 1 What is a sporting the Brothers ... (5) facility, often enclosed, 6 To have passed away, as in comprising an arena and time, is to have done what (7) seats for spectators (7) 7 What are natives of 2 What is a seat without Edinburgh called (5) arms orhave a back, usually Name a sugar that occurs Letters a number 13 value one person in many fruits (7) Someforvalues are (5) in the right hand cells.
E-QUATIONS 7 Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.
E-QUATIONS
15 Myanmar is the current name
H÷A E÷V DxV N-V A+D L+L D+D
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for which Burmese capital (7)
16 The presiding officer of the 17 18 19 20
House of Representatives is referred to as the ... (7) To dominate the thoughts, is to do what (6) What are some of the large various bivalve molluscs (5) What is a company of eight singers, etc (5) The fox is well known by which Spanish name (5)
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The fastest speed on a bicycle was set by Dutchman Fred Rompelberg on Oct 3, 1995, when he attached a custom bike behind a dragster and clocked 268.8 km per hour – a world record that remains unbroken. Rompelberg (1945-) is still the oldest professional cyclist in the world.
BIYWORD
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Letters A to Z have a number value. Some are shown in the right-hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.
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Find the following words in the grid. They may be read in any direction, even diagonally. Some letters are used more than once.
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3 To be turned upside
MINI WORD FIND
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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.
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CLUES: Allow entry (5) Deserve (5) Dizzy (5) Gone up in price (5) In addition: ... again (3) Jewel (3) Lasted (7) Meshed fabric (3) Ribonucleic acid (3) Starts again (7)
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© Auspac Media - meq0053
No. 742
R S C G O T I S
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Solution CROSSWORD
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A L G I E C R L C H I C A E M P N E M E S T E B R I D O A B N Z S I G N O E O R S C O U R S N O
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S S I T I T A N I A O V D I O C E S I L R U S M A G N E T L C O U L O M L C C A P O S T L M S E S I E S T A
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BIYWORD
5 10 6
SUDOKU
3 18 4
3
QUICK THINK ACROSS: 1 Also, 5 Rips,
2
2
GS
1
M E N R E D I T T
L N V
c08-043
A D E H
DOWN 1 Liberal pursuits 2 In place of 3 Junk email 4 Norse capital
R E S U M E S
A:2, D:3, E:18, H:4, L:5, N:10, V:6
ACROSS 1 Plus 5 Tears 6 Freshwater duck 7 Kind of wrestling
6 Teal, 7 Sumo. G DOWN: 1 Arts, 2 Lieu, R I © 3 Spam, 4 Oslo. E N D A D Y
Solve the crossword. Each answer has four letters.
SOLUTIONS
043
E-QUATIONS A:2, D:3, E:18, H:4, L:5, N:10, V:6
QUICK THINK
T B U R S T
043
MINI WORD FIND S P S L E I E P P U O R E A G B D N O T E U D I G Y E S G E
SUDOKU
COUNTRYJOURNAL
11
Chocolate orange tart for Easter Krista Bjorn krista@smallnewspaper.com.au
I
f the thought of eating one more sickly-sweet Easter egg makes you cringe, you might want to celebrate the big day with this Dark Chocolate Orange Tart instead. Deceptively simple to make, its layers of flavours and textures make it an elegant companion to an Easter lunch. At its heart, this dessert is simply a dark chocolate custard in a shortbread crust, but, thanks to a few special ingredients, it is anything but humdrum. Sometimes pastry can be daunting with the thought of cutting in the butter just right and making sure it’s chilled properly so it bakes well. Thankfully, this recipe takes all the fuss out of pastry-making for it is made with melted butter and requires no cutting in or chilling. It’s also extra special because it’s flavoured with ground cinnamon and fresh orange zest so it doesn’t take a back seat to the luscious filling but stands there proudly next to it, bringing its own unique texture, flavour, and fragrance to the party.
The filling of this chocolate orange tart is silky smooth and not too sweet with the heady scent of fresh orange zest permeating throughout. I use a dark cocoa for this one, for the bitterness of the chocolate is a far better match for the sprightly orange zest than mild cocoa. I mix it with pure cream, whisking them together over the stove until smooth and hot before adding orange zest and pure vanilla to infuse while the crust prebakes. If you like chocolate but
not citrus, you could also try something spicy like cinnamon or ginger, fold in some finely chopped cherries soaked in rum, or sprinkle fresh raspberries over the top after it has been baked and cooled. Chocolate Orange Tart with Shortbread Crust Crust Ingredients: 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1 cup white flour 1/2 cup melted butter Zest of one orange 1 tsp orange extract
Filling Ingredients: 1/4 cup cocoa powder 1 cup pure cream 6 Tbsp caster sugar Zest of one orange 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 large egg, lightly beaten Directions: Preheat oven to 180C. Mix together melted butter, orange zest, and orange extract. Set aside. Stir together flour and cinnamon. Add melted butter mixture. Press evenly in bottom and sides of 23 cm tart pan with removable bottom. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. While crust is baking, place cocoa powder, heavy cream, and sugar together in saucepan. Place over medium high heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Remove from heat and stir in orange zest and vanilla extract. Just before crust is done, whisk egg into hot chocolate mixture. Remove crust from oven, but leave oven on. Carefully pour chocolate mixture into tart shell and return to oven. Turn oven off, and leave tart to set until oven is cool, about 10 minutes. Let sit for 15-20 minutes and serve warm or cold.
12
COUNTRYJOURNAL
Currency, COVID, and Easter closures
BRUCE MCLEISH, ELDERS
The currency movement saved the day for the Australian wool market this week, as the Australian Dollar fell by more than a cent against the US Dollar, keeping local prices within a couple of cents of the previous week’s prices. After two days of selling the Eastern Market indicator closed down only 2 cents in local currency terms, but the market was 17 US cents lower as the Shanghai lockdown dampened Chinese enthusiasm. European prices also closed 11 cents lower, based on the EMI. As has been the norm all year, superfine and fine merino types, particularly those with sustainable accreditation, or Nonmulesed certification were stronger, whilst those merino fleece lines without these registrations struggled a little more, and a lot more if their VM content was high. Skirting types, carrying reasonable fault but still good processing characteristics were keenly sought after to fulfil the large numbers of knitwear contracts in the market. Carding wools, many of which are also destined for the knitwear trade, were slightly stronger during the week, although again, buyers were particular about those lots which met their specifications. Crossbred wools were basically treading water, with just enough enquiry to keep them moving through the system. Across the ditch, in New Zealand the market saw a slight increase, but just as a result of a few new orders impacting a very small selection of wool, and prices have
been so low that they cannot really go down any more. Everybody around the world acknowledges that woollen carpet is now cheaper than synthetic, so surely anybody with any sense is going to use a natural fibre to cover their floors now and generate further demand. The big news coming out of China later in the week was that the Zhangjiagang Free Trade Zone was locked down for COVID control measures from 13th April until 20th April. This area is where many early stage processing mills are located, and most mills there have been forced to close. A few are able to continue operating by having staff living on site, but authorities in nearly all cases are barricading the front gates of these operations, to ensure nobody enters or leaves the premises. A great show of dedication to the job, by living and working in your place of employment, but while there is work to do, money to be earnt, and perhaps it is a better alternative than being locked in a small dormitory or apartment with meagre access to food and certainly no socialisation possible. Residents of Shanghai are just now beginning to be allowed out in some cases, and there has been quite a bit of disquiet voiced on WeChat about the conditions they have been forced to endure. The Chinese government has reiterated their policy of “zero covid” rather than ‘living with it’
which most Western societies have now adopted. The low, ineffective, vaccination rates, particularly among the elderly presumably give them no other choice, but to pursue this zero COVID policy, but they are also being incredibly effective when it comes to testing the population, and isolating the positive cases. There is no doubt that these lockdowns are having a detrimental effect on the economy however as the logistic supply chains grind to a halt, but also the damaging effect on both consumer consumption and confidence. It would be fair to assume that once, the virus is contained the government will pull some serious levers to encourage an economic rebound. This could be very beneficial for the wool industry, as there is still plenty of time for Chinese processors to purchase more greasy wool, make the garments and have them ready for the Autumn/Winter selling season, or to churn out a few hundred thousand new uniforms. So, whilst Europe is winding down in their consumption of new wool purchasing, China has the potential to ramp up again – providing they are successful with their current lockdown/containment measures. At a point where many growers in Australia are looking towards the new financial year, or simply burning diesel when the Autumn break arrives, supply in Australia should begin to contract. Adding to the potential for a supply squeeze is the
ongoing ban on exports from South Africa, which to date have not progressed at all. Some hardy souls from the South African department of Ag are currently waiting in a Chinese quarantine hotel for their 21-day isolation period to expire so that they can physically meet with their Chinese counterparts and hammer out the necessary protocols to resume exports. This will obviously take some time, and until agreement is reached the doors for South African wools remain firmly shut. Logistical constraints continue to hamper the Australian exporters ability to send fresh wool to overseas customers, although hopefully the one-week recess will allow dumps and shipping companies a bit of space to catch up. Despite the delays, the pipeline is not particularly full, nor empty – probably because the shipping problems have been going on for so long, but certainly exporters finances continue to be stretched to the max. Again, a break over Easter will be beneficial to allow payments to flow in, without any further outgoings – at least for a week anyway. The market will enjoy a week off, to purge the system slightly, but also to hopefully allow other external factors to settle, and then possibly return to a short period of excitement before settling down again towards the end of the season.
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