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CountryJournal Week commencing July 12th 2021

Winter warmer and cure

“With winter in full swing, our kettle is bubbling away often as I brew all sorts of herbal tisanes to alleviate cold and flu symptoms, ease sinus pressure and headaches, and keep our lungs clear so we can breathe easy and sleep well,” writes Krista Bjorn. She shows readers how to prepare a tisane or herbal tea with ingredients likely to be at hand--including nettles.

Hail the 100year hall

This year, the Freestone Memorial Hall celebrates its first 100 years--a hall that cost ‘just’ $300 (150 pounds) when it was built, and was then called Freestone School of Arts. The Hall has gone onto host everything from dances, raucous public meetings, and decorated tractors. It features as this week’s ‘around the halls’ feature by Gerard Walsh.

Wild dogs and fences

Town-dwellers may be surprised to know that sheep – and young cattle – losses to wild dogs are happening as close to built up areas such as Warwick as the Mount Tabor and Morgan Park areas--and this ‘out of sight out of mind’ problem is now being addressed by a a program designed to help landowners protect with federal and state funding. Jeremy Sollars takes on this important issue, in an extended report in this copy of the Country Journal

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Country briefs

Center, Thailand’s total export value in May reached a record high of US$934.9 million, an annual increase of 95.3%. Export value to China, the country’s On Asia-North Europe, 461 vessel arrivals main durian export market, increased a stagwere more than 7 days late in January-May gering 130.9%. It is estimated that the total 2021, of which 134 were more than 14 days late, and 30 were more than 21 days late. This value of Thailand’s durian export value this The debate over Chinese-owned agricultural is compared to 792 vessel arrivals being more year will increase by 35-40% to approximately US$2.8-29 billion. land in Australia is a familiar one in the United than 7 days late in the 9-year period from States as well. In fact, China would be barred January 2012 to December 2020. In the same This will also break the export record created from buying more U.S. farmland and the land period, 35 vessel arrivals were more than 14 last year and make durian an important agrialready in its possession would become ineli- days late, and just two vessel arrivals were cultural and economic crop in Thailand after gible for farm subsidies rubber and cassava. more than 21 days late. under language approved by There are around 9 edible versions of around the House Appropriations 30 recognised Durio species. Committee on last week. On a voice vote, the provision was added to a $197 billion A new Australian outfit, USDA-FDA funding bill BuggyBix, wants Australians to A surprisingly rare vintage headed for a vote on the think about (well, just 1983, but that shows House floor. In the American their dog’s our age...) tractor has sold for system, bills can contain a environmental the second highest price ever range of extraneous ‘laws’ footprint and fetched at auction. The that are passed under the start feeding County 1474 ‘short nose’ was one heading. Currently, them, well, bought by a UK-based collec192,000 acres of farmland is bugs. tor. This rare tractor only had owned by Chinese investors Apparently 49 two owners from new with just out of 896.6 acres, or 1.4 milmillion hect100 hours on the clock. It lion square miles of farmares of agriculsmashed its pre-sale estimate of between land in the United States. tural land is used every year to produce dog and cat biscuits. Nearly half of all Australians £60,000 - £70,000. It eventually sold for £210,112...which puts it close to $500,000 in own a dog, and the 5 million canines are costing the planet. BuggyBix partnered with Aussie terms. AgriFutures Australia and Western Syndey IENDLY BAN FR University to Farm groups have condemned the govern- develop a “nutriWARWICK ment’s changes to the structure of the work- tionally optimised CREDIT UNION ing holiday maker (WHM) visa, claiming it pet food product endangers Australia’s food production and using edible adds to labor shortage problems. Visa holdinsects as the priers working in the tourism and hospitality mary protein sectors in northern, remote and very remote source”, basically areas of Australia will be able to count this mealworms and towards eligibility for a second or third year black soldier fly extension, without completing farm work. larvae. Yum. The government said the option would be available to those applying from March 2022, but it would take into account work already being done in those areas from June 22. It’s a pity can only be cultivated In Queensland, where the in small areas of majority of the nation’s the Northern winter fruit and vegetaTerritory because bles are grown, the there’s money to state government be made with estimates a 4,000 to the stinky 9,000 shortfall in fruit. harvest workers. Thailand’s Fewer than durian 40,000 working exports holiday makers remain top remain in in the Australia, world, down from a with new usual 150,000. export records constantly being created. Globally, schedule According to the reliability has been latest report pretty poor in all of 2021 released by the as several ports and regions have Warwick Credit Union Ltd ABN 98 087 651 116. Trading as Warwick Credit Union, Gympie Credit Union and Dalby Credit Kasikorn Research Union, AFSL and Australian credit licence 240556. been severely impacted by port congestion.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

Gun amnesty made permanent Iwan Jones, Journalist

The Federal Government has launched a permanent gun amnesty to improve community safety and get unregistered rifles or guns off the street. “I think that it benefits the safety of Queenslanders,” Warwick Police Acting Inspector Jamie Deacon said. From July 1, anyone with an unregistered firearm or firearm-related item can now surrender it to a police station or licenced firearm dealer anonymously and without any repercussions, for registration, sale, or destruction. Warwick Police Acting Inspector Jamie Deacon praised the initiative. “I think it’s a very good idea, that people

have the ability to get rid of firearms that are unregistered and maybe in their possession for whatever reason,” Act. Insp. Deacon said. “People are being afforded the opportunity to hand them into police stations or licenced firearm dealers, without fear of prosecution. “This can help people who have found themselves in the possession of firearms incidentally and they didn’t know what to do with them. “Maybe they have guns that have been handed down from licenced family members, now is the time to get rid of those guns.” Act. Insp. Deacon said those that intend

to turn in a firearm are required to contact the police station or licenced firearm dealer before doing so. “The reality is we don’t want people to pull up in front of any police station with a firearm and just start walking in, they must ring the police station first, that is a vital message. “They must ring the police station and make an appointment to bring amnesty firearms into the police station, so that we are expecting them. “I would say the same for a licenced firearm dealer. “Just make contact in advance and we can further discuss the arrangements around the amnesty.”

Do fence me in... There’s an old accepted control methods. Jeremy Sollars saying in the bush Baiting is generally only Senior Journalist that “good fences effective it it’s coordinated make good neighamong multiple adjoining bours”. producers, and the trend But good fences can also mean the towards ‘rural lifestyle’ blocks means difference between a family staying in some landowners are reluctant to bait. the sheep industry and planning an exit Despite the skill of shooters in particstrategy. ular – some of whom have mastered the eerie art of ‘howling’ to attract dogs – At least when it comes to wild dogs. Nationally, wild dogs cost Australian fencing is these days seen as the most agriculture around $50 million a year, effective ongoing way to protect livebut the impact on the mental health of stock, particularly sheep and lambs, but our farmers is impossible to measure in also cattle and goats and ‘camelids’ like Alpacas. dollar terms. continued next page.... Joe Browne with his ‘wire roller’ – specially Having to shoot ewes left barely alive devised for the job. after a dog attack – and counting dead lambs in the paddock or in the yards – is more heartbreaking than simply counting the financial cost, which hurts like hell as well. Sheep producers in the Warwick region have taken up the offer of State and Federal funding in recent times to construct dog fencing on their properties – both on the ‘traprock’ country west of Warwick, but also closer to town where the dogs are just as entrenched. Town-dwellers may be surprised to know that sheep – and young cattle – losses to wild dogs are happening as close to Warwick as the Mount Tabor and Morgan Park areas. Before the advent of fencing, dog control measures such as F: 07 4661 1500 • E: admin@barlows.net.au 1080 poison baiting, trapping 84 Grafton St, Warwick • PO Box 1068, Warwick and shooting have been the

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Do fence me in...

continued from previous page... Perhaps of greatest concern is that wild dogs – which are a mix of breeding lines, from dogs of almost ‘pure dingo’ appearance, to ferals interbreeding in some cases with farm and rogue domestic dogs – are steadily losing their natural fear of humans, a particular concern for sheep producers closer to settled areas. They are also adept at Taylor and Leesa Zagata with SDRC Environmental staying concealed, and are Compliance Officer Mat Warren. Leesa and Joe say the opportunistic. As well as increased security from wild dog attacks will enable their using livestock as a primary food source, older sheep operation to grow – as opposed to exiting the industry, dogs will teach their off- which was starting to look like an option… spring how to attack, stop dogs from digging under the main referred to by producers as “thrill kills”. fence. One thing they still don’t like is a storm Among Warwick sheep producers who – like any dog they retain a fear of storm successfully applied for state subsidy fundactivity, and experienced shooters know ing to construct an exclusion fence is Leesa their targets will be jittery and moving Zagata, who runs a family sheep operation about in the open more than usual when a with her dad Joe Browne, living next door storm rolls in. to each other at Sladevale just outside Warwick. Joe has been working on their fence to enclose Leesa’s 150-acre block since before Dog fencing is in two forms – ‘cluster’ Christmas last year – the rain in March fencing, where two or more adjoining slowed things down a little bit – and the property owners join forces, and ‘exclu- job is almost complete. sion’ fencing involving a single property. In The undulating hill country interspersed some cases the fencing is new, while in with gullies around Allens Road provides others existing or old fences are retro-fit- good havens for dogs to breed and hide ted. they like to follow timbered ridges, and In simple terms, the fencing consists of uneven country means they can keep out of tall mesh with some barbed wire – such as sight with ease. along the ground and the top – and a ‘skirt’ And hollow logs are a good spot to hide of mesh laying flat against the ground to litters of pups.

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It also presents its own fencing challenges, as opposed to flat country, and Joe says there’s been a fair bit of innovation along the way including figuring out how best to ‘tension’ the ‘skirt’ mesh. There are also different theories about how tight the main mesh of the fencing should be. Some people argue leaving it a little on the loose side means if a dog tries to climb up it they’ll over-balance and topple off backwards. Others think the tighter the better, and the string of barb along the top is the best extra insurance. Tight also means less potential damage or weakening from fence interactions with larger cattle – such as in a neighbour’s paddock – or feral pigs. It’s a matter of opinion. In the case of exclusion fencing around a single property, non-sheep neighbours need to be consulted – they may have concerns about horses interacting with the fencing, for example. Communication, as in most things in life, is the key. For Leesa and Joe, the fence is the saving grace of both their business and their sanity. They told The Country Journal they’d been considering getting out of sheep altogether – even though sheep have been the biggest part of Joe’s farming life – fed up with the constant predation of wild dogs and stock losses. Sleep is a good thing, and it’s hard to get enough of it when you’re worried about what’s happening down the paddock through the night. They’ve tried everything in the past, including yarding their sheep every night - which sheep don’t like - to playing loud music and ABC radio through the yards to ward off dogs - even fluoro marking their flock to make them easier to spot and yard if it’s dark.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL continued from previous page.... The bigger picture of the fencing project is that it will enable the family to expand their operation – including both the breeding component and the ability to feed bought-in stock, including on their cultivation. Not to mention sleep a little more soundly…

grant funding from the Australian Government and the Queensland Government as part of the Queensland Feral Pest Initiative At this stage no further funding round has been announced. About the 39 landholders in the SDRC area received fundfencing project... ing The funding supported The wild dog fencing project has received six clusters as well as 11 individual landholders Total funding received from both the state and federal government was $1,925,000The funding was offered to landholders as a Undulating country presents particular challenges for subsidy to construct any fencing job – note the ‘skirt’ wire flat on the ground the fences. The land- to prevent dogs from digging under the fence. holder contribution totals over $3,000,000 42,000 hectares of agricultural land. The Over 300 kms of exclusion fencing funding is directed at supporting the sheep, Experienced dog shooters get plenty of work in will be constructed wool and small livestock industries. the region.... The funding will enclose around

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Working holiday visa changes unwelcome Elizabeth Voneiff Editor Local growers are concerned about changes to the working holiday visas made by the Federal Government last week. Peak bodies Growcom and AgForce reported that "with little fanfare and no consultation with agriculture industry bodies" the government changed to rules allowing backpacker to extend their visa if they work "not just on farm but now in the tourism and hospitality sectors". Angus Ferrier, president of the Granite Belt Growers Association told The Country Journal that the decision will further affect "an already depleted workforce by giving them an option of doing their work in another industry." He expressed disappointment that the changes were "just announced, let alone rolled out" without sufficient consultation with growers. Growcom Chief Executive Stephen Barnard said the change defied logic and ran counter to all available evidence, including analysis from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries which found the Queensland horticulture sector is currently short up to 9,000 workers. "The requirement to work on farm was there for a reason. We won't dispute the average backpacker would prefer to pour beers in Port Douglas than pick mangos in Mareeba," said Mr Barnard. "So now we're going to see an exodus of workers from agriculture into pubs, clubs and restaurants right when we need them the most. Which is obviously back to front and suggests the Federal Government doesn't take our food security seriously at

We published a photo of Leslie Dam in the Daily Journal recently of the reservoir at over a third capacity taken by Garry Wilkinson of Garry Wilkinson Photography but here is another photo taken during the same trip. 37.2% capacity, in case you were wondering all, or the welfare of farmers and the viability of their businesses." Mr Ferrier is more sanguine about the unintended consequences of the change in policy, and said that it is too early to "quantify the effect this will have on our industry" but pointed out that growers in the Southern Downs and Granite Belt are "all struggling for a lack of workers." He was keen to note that the tourism and hospitality sector are also "deserving", but that it was the lack of consultation with growers that is "most disappointing." "It's hard to think this will make things better."

“Right to repair” tractors

You’d think it was logical, but it is not: as technology becomes increasingly complex, companies/suppliers seek to sequester their rights to fiddle with the intricacies: they may not even issue repair manuals because they hold the rights to repair, and if a farmer attempts to violate that ‘exclusive right’, they may violate (on paper) their warranty. Now US President Joe Biden has entered the issue in the ag sector, issuing an executive order to expand competition in the agricultural sector and assure farmers of the right to repair increasingly complex tractors and other equipment. The US Department of Agriculture “will engage in a series of rulemakings to increase competition in [and] fight back against abuses of power by giant agribusiness corporations,” the President’s spokesperson, Jen Psaki said. Equipment manufacturers argue that they block access to electronic systems to prevent accidental damage; farmer say they are forced to hack their own tractors when attempting repairs on farm.

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Two weeks ago, we had 29.2mm at Greymare and a fresh in all the creeks, last week we had 29.8mm and another fresh in the creeks Last week, I wrote about pulling a truck out of a bog in granite country, this week I have to admit it was me in the boghole. Our youngest son Ariel steered the ute as we used our Chamberlain 4090 tractor for the heave. After driving around for two hours and feeding cattle with grain and supplement, I stopped before a wet spot and then reversed. For all the time driving on the Saturday, I stuck to the tried and proven tracks which had been hardened by lots of traffic over the years. I made the mistake of backing off the track to do a u turn. I had the ute in high four-wheel drive when I got bogged and then changed it low four-wheel drive. I doubt if it would have made a difference but it is too late to decide to use low fourwheel drive when the ute was already sinking. One reason I got bogged was I had 400kg of grain for cattle on the back of the ute as well as 40kg of dog food.So getting bogged goes down in my little black book with other mistakes like not tying a tank properly on the back of the ute and losing it on the way from Warwick to Greymare. I never did find the tank and the odds are someone with a ute driving past decided the tank was a good investment The supplier even put my name on top of the tank. The reality is if you are cart-

ing something on the back of a ute, trailer or truck, it is important to pull up regularly to check the ropes and straps have not loosened.

The Long Paddock with Gerard Walsh

Cattle purchase

We bought 18 cattle a week ago, 16 heifers and two steers at an average price of around $1142.As readers may recall, I did sell an Angus heifer for a record 600 cents a kilogram and a total price of $1350 late in the last financial year.High cattle prices doesn’t mean it is all profit. If you buy cattle as breeders or to improve in condition of the cattle and sell again, you have to take off the cost of the cattle. We now have 10 cows and heifers we would like to get in

calf in the spring. The bull who decided the grass was better on the other side of the fence was sold at the Warwick Saleyards for $1900 a couple of months ago so we will need a replacement in a few months. Hopefully some of the six cows we didn’t sell as cows and calves are already in calf. Often it would be the family member with the most on-farm experience advocating the pur-

chase of a high-quality bull. In our situation, my wife Margaret is the partner wanting to spend more money on a bull. She wants to buy quality. Our past four bulls have been Angus and that would likely be the breed of our next bull. With our last cattle purchase, we ended up with one Speckle Park heifer. Margaret is a real fan on the white speckled cattle which will be hers when her Speckle Park heifer calves. Perhaps the

calf can pay for a trip with the girls. Better make sure I keep a few cattle for myself after two of the last five were sold for our boys Arnel and Ariel.

Weight loss

It is now almost a month since I launched the Father’s Day Weight Loss program through the Country Journal, Daily Journal and Stanthorpe

Record. I started with the four Ps, Mayor Vic Pennisi is the politician, Deb Wheeler from the Daily Journal is the printer, Coby Walker from the Warwick Gymnastics Club is the president and I am the primary producer. We have since been joined by Councillors Andrew Gale and Stephen Tancred and more are welcome, just email editor@thedailyjournal.ink. The aim is for each of the six to lose at least five kilograms by Father’s Day in September, women as well as men welcome to jump on board for the weight loss program. There are no fund-raising activities, we just donate $50 each towards Warwick and Stanthorpe domestic violence charities like Safe Haven. If we give away lollies, soft drinks, biscuits and cake for two months, we will easily save $50. With the 25m pool at WIRAC closed for five weeks, I have had two swims at Willows in Toowoomba, spent a couple of hours in the hydrotherapy pool at WIRAC and even had to go on a long walk when I bogged the ute. I did a lot of walking and swimming in late 2019 and early 2020 when I lost more than 10kgs. In the past year, I have put 5kg back on.

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

FACE TO FACE

Dalveen grazier, Brent Finlay

with gerard walsh BRENT Finlay has been around the world pushing the lot of Australian farmers but he is just as happy on the family property ‘Cooinda’ at Dalveen. He started his education by correspondence before attending Amiens State School in 19731974 and then he boarded at Scots PGC College in Warwick in 1975-1979. After year 12, he returned home to ‘Cooinda’ and helped run the family properties. He played a lot of tennis, cricket and was part of the Stanthorpe rugby union team which played in the Darling Downs B-grade competition. Some of the Stanthorpe players of the time were current Southern Downs Regional Councillor Stephen Tancred, former Mayor Peter Blundell and the Goodrich brothers, Bim and Rick. “We had a great rivalry with a Warwick team on the field but were great friends off the field,” he said. In 1998, he and wife Margie started an import/export business which included trade in sheep rugs, jewellery and handbags. They travelled to China to promote the business, the first of 14 trips by Brent to China. “We sent sheep rugs to 15 countries, including the Falkland Islands,” he said. His life changed when first cousin Michael Welsh approached Brent to stand for the AgForce Sheep and Wool board. “At the time, Michael had a young family and asked me to take over the role for the Southern region,” he said. He was then elected to Wool Producers Australia and later elected vice president before he was approached to run for AgForce president in 2010. He was also elected to the board of the National Farmers Federation. Brent served two years as AgForce president but made the decision in 2012 not to stand again as Margie was ill.

resigned from the presidency, he was approached to stand in 2013. “Our daughters Sophie, Georgia and Alice said why don’t I stand for president,” he said. Gerard Walsh: Were you in a ballot for NFF president? Brent Finlay: Yes, it was great to see democracy at work. I contested a ballot with Duncan Fraser, a close friend from Hay in New South Wales. I won the ballot and was then elected unopposed for president in 2014 and 2015. I now head the Future Drought Consultative Committee looking at the three pillars, agricultural production systems, the landscapes in which we live and local communities. (Brent is now in year two of a four-year appointment. It is about preparing and building resilience for future droughts.) GW: How was your time in the chair? BF: It was great to be part of the NFF. We dealt with every agricultural industry at the NFF but at AgForce in Queensland, we only dealt with cattle, grain, sheep and goats. GW: Why did you call it a day at the end of 2016? BF: The constitution allowed me to stand for one more year as NFF president but I decided I had made enough commitment to the role. It was a busy role with 150 plus domestic and internationals flights a year. It was an amazing privilege and honour to be involved in the NFF.

is based in Rome for almost two years. It was the peak body in the world for agriculture and we worked with the World Food Program, World Health Organisation and United Nations. GW: Who are some of the world leaders you met? BF: I had lunch with Queen Eliz-

"I am disappointed where relations with China are now. I have a number of Chinese friends in Australia and China. It’s an incredible country....back in 2004, someone I met in China said Australians never ever thought where their food was coming from, they knew it was safe. He said in China people wonder......."

Margie died in December, 2012, after a long illness.

GW: What happened next for you in agro politics?

abeth and met United Kingdom prime minister David Cameron. I also met the president of China, Xi Jinping, and his wife. In fact, I met four of the seven leaders of the Central Government in China.

He had remained a director of the NFF and when Jock Laurie

BF: I was on the board of the World Farm Organisation which

GW: What happened home on the farm?

BF: I had the best jackeroo in Australia, my father Scott. Dad and Mum (Margaret) are 89 and 88 and still live on the farm. GW: Have you been approached to stand for politics? BF: I was approached to stand for LNP pre-selection for the seat of Maranoa when Bruce Scott retired and it was a relief when David Littleproud announced he was standing as I knew he would be a good local representative in Canberra. I had already spent so much time in Canberra in helping many farmers across the nation and didn’t want to spend more time in Canberra. GW: What do you remember from meeting Prime Ministers? BF: I had a fair bit to do with Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull. I worked closer with Turnbull. The government was a bit more established when Turnbull came into the role. GW: What about Barnaby Joyce? BF: He is highly intelligent, very passionate about rural and regional Australia and incredibly hard working. Some of my best work in the NFF was walking the halls of Federal Parliament and knocking on the doors of minis-

COUNTRYJOURNAL ters, members of parliament and senators.

GW: Where is your favourite holiday destination?

GW: What about the ALP side of politics?

BF: I love Stradbroke Island, Margie and I went there for the first time in 1987 and I still go back to Straddie.

GW: What was your greatest achievement in Agri Politics? BF: I was proud to have been involved in opening Australia to the world through trade agreements. GW: What do you think of our current relationship with China? BF: I am disappointed where relations are with China now. I have a number of Chinese friends in Australia and China, it is an incredible country. I spoke at an International Trade Fair at which there were 10,000 delegates at Xiamen, China. Back in 2004, someone I met in China said Australians never ever thought where their food was coming from, they knew it was safe. He said in China people wonder where the food has come from. GW: Have you enjoyed the travel? BF: Yes, when I was president of AgForce in Queensland, I found out how large the state is. I did a branch tour in the south west which took seven days and we drove thousands of kilometres. It was important to see members in their own communities. GW: What is it like back on the farm? BF: We normally run more than 6000 sheep but we made a conscious decision to let the country recover for a couple of years from the drought. GW: Do you still run some sheep? BF: Yes, I drenched 850 sheep on Tuesday last week and really felt it on Tuesday night and Wednesday. I enjoy being back on the farm.

GW: Where do you like around the world? BF: Singapore is amazing, I enjoy going to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Beijing, Tokyo, Rome and Dublin. In Australia, I like Tasmania. A couple of weeks ago, I drove with daughter Georgia across the Nullarbor Plain. I had never been to Esperance in Western Australia and was really impressed. Some people say the Nullarbor Plain is boring but I found it very interesting. The Barkly Tableland in the Northern Territory is amazing, it is flat and the soil is so good. Both the Darling Downs and Liverpool Plains in New South Wales have great soil.

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GW: What about water and the Southern Downs? BF: I was the independent chairman of the group which arranged the business study for the Emu Swamp Dam at Stanthorpe. I am now a strategic adviser for Granite Belt Water Limited. I am passionate about helping Australian agriculture progress with more water. There are a number of key infrastructure proposals in Australia around water. Tasmania has 16 of the 19 dams built in Australia in the past 20 years. GW: What about the future for the Southern Downs? BF: I saw a Commonwealth Bank report which put Noosa down as number one and Southern Downs down as number two for city people heading to the country. That is incredible. Governments must make sure we have sufficient resources to support these communities. We need more reliable sources of water. The loss of the print editions of the Stanthorpe Border Post and Warwick Daily News was disappointing but it is good to see the return of community newspapers, many people don’t sit online, they want to hold something in their hand.

03MH024Tue_CJ_Fon

BF: I am good mates with the Member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon. He is a quality human being and hard working. When he was Shadow Minister for Agriculture, he was well respected by industry. There are good people on all sides of politics who are there for the right reasons, I respect anyone who is involved in industry and community groups, local government, State or Federal Parliament.

COUNTRYJOURNAL

Krista’s Country With winter in full swing, our kettle is bubbling away often as I brew all sorts of herbal tisanes to alleviate cold and flu symptoms, ease sinus pressure and headaches, and keep our lungs clear so we can breathe easy and sleep well. Tisane is just a fancy term for herbal tea and simply describes a herbal beverage with no tea leaves in it. A tisane can be made from a single herb such as peppermint or rosemary, or a blend of herbs that combine to form a nourishing brew. Nettle tisane is always an excellent idea in winter since it is growing wild all over the place and is easily gathered.

with Krista Bjorn

Just be sure to use gloves when you pick it so you don’t get stung. The sting disappears as soon as you pour hot water over the plant, so it is safe to drink. Nettle is an incredible herb that eases fatigue, boosts iron levels, and restores mineral reserves. You can drink it daily as a tonic or add things like mullein, mint, and spruce tips to help you breathe easily. Nettle Tisane ¼ cup dried nettles or 1 handful fresh nettles 1 Tbsp dried mullein 1 Tbsp dried mint 1 Tbsp dried spruce tips honey or maple syrup to taste

Directions: Place all ingredients in a small saucepan and pour over 1 cup just-boiled water. Leave to steep 5 minutes then strain, sweeten, and drink. My go-to tisane for winter is Elderflower Yarrow. It is a wonderful brew to combat flu and cold symptoms, and also provides sinus relief from allergy symptoms. I drink it all year round and it is my most-requested tea from friends. In summer I make it with fresh herbs and it is beautiful. Both elderflowers and yarrow are anti-inflammatory so they ease swelling in the sinuses and make colds much

easier to weather. I also add hibiscus and rosehips which are high in Vitamin C, calendula which helps the body manage stress, and peppermint to add even more anti-inflammatory goodness. This tea is delicious and beautiful and a delightful way to help yourself feel better if you’ve been hit with a flu or cold. Elderflower Yarrow Tisane 1 cup dried elderflowers ½ cup dried hibiscus flowers ½ cup dried yarrow 1 cup dried spearmint leaves ¼ cup dried rosehips 1/4 cup dried rose petals 1/4 dried calendula flowers 8-10 cups just boiled water raw honey to taste sliced lemons (optional) Place herbs in large saucepan and add just boiled water, stirring to combine. Steep for 10 minutes, stir in honey to taste, then leave to steep until cool. Strain, bottle, and store in fridge. Serve cold with a slice of fresh lemon and sip throughout the day to alleviate cold/ flu symptoms. continued page 14....

COUNTRYJOURNAL

the Y

Jazz n’ Champions in the Park Spectacular 17th July at 9am

Leslie Park Warwick (across from WIRAC)

SCHEDULE 9.30am

World’s Record Attempt Jazzercise Class (Free Entry, but Registration Essential to participate in the challenge)

Go to https://app.nabooki.com/booking/popup/ widget?token=5ed9e355ad2227.09396152&booking_ client=ymca-warwick

What’s happening during the day? Jazzercise Class Ninja Warrior Course 25 Piece Uq Band Gym Play Face Painting Jumping Castle Sporting Activities Emergency Services Food Vendors, and so much more!

10am to 2pm

Ninja Warrior Course Challenge

10.30am

Tai Chi (Participate in the class)

11.00am

Emergency Service’s Ninja Challenge

11.30am

Pilates (Participate in the class)

12.30am

Yoga (Participate in the class)

2.00pm

Ninja Warrior Semi Finals

3.00pm

Ninja Warroir Finals

3.15pm

Raffles Drawn

COUNTRYJOURNAL

TISANE continued from page 12... Opening a jar of Lemon Cheer Tisane is pure happiness to me. Made of lemongrass, lemon verbena, lemon balm, lemon thyme, and lemon bergamot, it is a blend designed to calm the nervous system and cheer the soul. I also add a bit of peppermint to brighten things even more. Lemongrass and peppermint can ease headaches, lemon balm, lemon verbena are soothing and aid digestion, lemon bergamot and lemon thyme are excellent for flu and cold symptoms, and lemon myrtle is an indigenous bush medicine long used to ease sinus problems and sore throats. Not only is this tea soothing, cheering, and invigorating, it also smells divine and tastes great either hot or iced. Lemon Cheer Tisane 1/4 cup dried lemongrass 1/4 dried lemon verbena 1/4 dried lemon balm 1 tsp dried lemon thyme 1/4 cup dried lemon bergamot 1/4 cup dried peppermint Pour all ingredients in a medium bowl and stir well until blended. Store in an air-tight container.

Livestock market overview Agents saw a reduction in numbers for all livestock sales this week, cattle, sheep and pig numbers fell for the weekly offerings. All markets were still very well supported with both processors and restockers looking for purchases. Vealer steers averaged 572.1c/kg to a top of 746.2c or $1351.56 to a top of $1797.33 Vealer heifers averaged 480.3c/kg to a top of 546.2c/kg or $1243.00 to a top of $1598.62 Feeder steers averaged 464.3c/kg to a top of 530.2c/kg or $1756.26 to a top of $2055.26 Feeder heifers averaged 491.6c/kg to a top of 510.2c/kg or $1485.18 to a top of $1845.35 Yearling steers averaged 494.7c/kg to a top of 546.2c/kg or $1582.88 to a top of $1683.92 Yearling heifers averaged 458.1c/kg to a top of 574.2c/kg or $1377.34 to a top of $2060.24 Steers averaged 424.7c/kg to a top of 464.2c/kg or $1960.67 to a top of $2283.84 Heifers averaged 335.7c/kg to a top of 380c/kg or $1899.60 to a top of $2185 Manufacturing steers averaged 350.5c/kg to a top of 396.2c or $1662.08 to a top of $1850 Cows averaged 284c/kg to a top of 324.2c/kg or $1596.45 to a top of $2378.88 Bulls averaged 310.4c/kg to a top of 483.2c/kg or $1991 to a top of $2660.64 Lambs topped at $226 to average $185.45 a rise of $5 av per head Hoggets topped at $190 to average $154.30 a drop of $27 av per head Ewes topped at $200 to average $138.45 a drop of $40 av per head Wethers topped at $192 to average $165.67 a rise of $27 av per head Lamb rams topped at $184 to average $177.47 a drop of $9 av per head Sale average per head was $170.37 an increase of $2 week on week. Ross Ellis, McDougall and Son

Around the halls FREESTONE This year, the Freestone Memorial Hall is celebrating its first 100 years on the current site. The hall was build in 1900 at the cost of $300 (150 pounds) and was then called Freestone School of Arts. The school of arts was near the corner of Freestone Creek and Jack Smith Gully roads and was relocated to the present site to be near the railway line. The name was changed to Freestone Memorial Hall in 1953. The Freestone Memorial Hall Committee hosts monthly ‘Friendly Fridays’ with the bar open and a meal provided. Some months there is a special theme when a musician is booked or a movie screened. Committee secretary Cathy Goddard said the main purpose of the Friday get togethers was to provide the opportunity for social contact. “We also hold a monthly morning tea, a morning activity group and fortnightly craft sessions,” Cathy said. “Craft sessions are weekly at present for the yarnbombing creation which will go to the front of the hall during the Jumpers and Jazz in July Festival.” Organisers believe this year’s creation will be more spectacular than the 2019 one which created a lot of interest. The J and J event at Freestone will be from 8am to approximately 11am on July 17 and will include a hearty country breakfast, stalls and yarnbombing. Car clubs often support the event and provide another attraction for visitors. Tickets by calling up Freestone Yarnbombing and Country Breeky Tickets, Sat 17/07/2021 at 8am/Eventbrite. While organisers want patrons to register online, they will accept drop ins if they have space. Weddings, engagements, wakes and birthday parties are booked by community members. Kitchen and toilet facilities have been upgraded and more recently, the hall committee has added an audio visual system and improved heating, cooling and lighting.

Gerard Walsh Columnist

Freestone Memorial Hall Committee treasurer Kerry Fearby and president Sharon Ryan at the front of the hall. Photo: Gerard Walsh

COUNTRYJOURNAL The outdoor facilities have been upgraded with the addition of a shed and awning along with improved carparking and disability access. Freestone Hall has solar panels to reduce electricity costs and keep hire fees affordable. The greatest current expense is insurance. Cathy said the hall had bookings as diverse as Tai Kwon Do grading sessions and organisations running workshops. “Our current president Sharon Ryan is a professional caterer who is happy to offer food services or groups and families booking the hall can self cater or use other alternatives,” Cathy said. The hall was included in the Woodford Festival of Small Halls in 2019 and Freestone will host a return visit on September 10 this year when there will be fantastic music from artists which the committee would not normally be able to afford. Honour boards in the hall list 35 servicemen and women from the Second World War and 28 from the First World War. A district history book was written for Freestone districts 150th anniversary which stated six from the district died in the First World War and three in the Second World War. The Oddfellows Society and QCWA met in the hall down the years and carpet bowls was a regular activity. Freestone was one of the area halls where many country dances were held. There was a fortnightly Sunday School at the hall before events ceased when COVID-19 kicked in last year. The Freestone State School, which is in sight of the hall, hosted an annual fund-raising dinner until the 1990s before changing their function to trivia nights. The 2020 school trivia night was held the Saturday before coronavirus restrictions started and another successful trivia night was held this year. The hall is often used for public meetings, including some with a mental health focus, water use and weed management or organised by Southern Downs Regional Council or James Lister MLA. Bookings of the hall by calling 0429 648095, 0448 211193 or emailing freestonehallwarwick@gmail.com

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COUNTRYJOURNAL

How do we treat laminitis? Ask the vet Most horse owners will have some appreciation of laminitis or founder as it is also known in horses as it is quite common. It can range from mild to very severe disease, in extreme cases necessitating euthanasia. This is because horses must stand on their feet for the majority of the day and if the structural integrity of the hoof is badly damaged as it is with laminitis, and the horse cannot weight bear anymore, lying down until new hoof grows is not usually an option. What causes laminitis? There are many causes, ranging from excessive feed or a sudden change of feed, overloading of a hoof or hooves, concussive trauma, severe illness with toxaemia are just some examples of what can be the cause. Further some diseases like Equine Cushing’s Disease and Equine Syndrome can make horses much more susceptible to laminitis. How do we diagnose laminitis? Laminitis is almost always associated with severe lameness. Because horses carry 2/3 of their weight on their forelimbs, it usually is more severe in the forelimbs. Lameness from most cases effects both hooves of a “pair”, that is both forelimbs or both hindlimbs or all 4 limbs. A careful lameness examination by an experienced equine veterinarian, and sometimes x-rays are often needed to diagnose the condition. Is laminitis always severe? Laminitis can be very mild and transient to devastatingly

severe. In the first photo, this is a foot with heavy “growth rings” about half way down the hoof. In this case there was a short bout of laminitis which resulted in severe disruption of hoof growth but the horse recovered well and the new hoof wall above it is healthy and growing in correct alignment with the pedal bone. The first x-ray is of a severe case of laminitis where the laminae (the tissue between the pedal bone and the hoof wall) has become so badly disrupted and weakened the bone has rotated within the hoof and is coming through the sole. Cases like this are severely lame are often not saveable. The next x-ray is of a relatively normal hoof and you can appreciate the pedal bone is in the right position within the hoof capsule and when comparing the normal with the laminitic horse it is apparent how far the pedal bone has moved in the laminitic case. How do we treat laminitis? Mild cases may only need rest, pain relief, anti inflammatory medications, and addressing the underlying cause. Severe cases are more challenging often needing complex interventions including intensive medical care, foot care and farriery, and sometimes surgery. How do we prevent laminitis? The most important thing is to avoid the causes of laminitis where possible. This can mean ensuring the diet is appropriate, avoiding excessive weight gain and obesity, care with excessive work and loading, and treating severe medical conditions early to avoid excessive toxaemia if possible. Treating conditions like EMS and ECD can also help make laminitis less likely. If something has happened, like your horse as gained access to the feed shed and eaten excessive carbohydrates like grain, icing the feet can be very useful too. Laminitis is a very complex disease, with a wide variety of causes, wide range of severity

and can be very difficult to treat. Even mild cases can have big impacts on performance and welfare and if you suspect this condition it would be wise to consult an experienced equine veterinarian early to try and limit the adverse effects on the horse. Dr Tias Muurlink, Registered specialist in equine surgery, Warwick

Notice of farm auction 1805 To Be Sold by Auction By Mr Lord At his warehouse in Sydney, on Monday the 21st of January instant, at 12 o’clock, A valuable and desirable farm, containing 25 acres, lying and situate in the District of Liberty Plains, and bounded on the east by Shortland’s Farm, the property of Captain Waterhouse. In point of situation it cannot be excelled; and the purchase is peculiarly worthy the attention of persons who may be in the habit of providing spars of all dimensions, with which the standing timber abounds. NB All persons are prohibiting cutting, spars on timber of any kind on the above grounds, as such as offend therein will be prosecuted. -The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, Sunday 6 January, 1805, page 1

Helen Harm

COUNTRYJOURNAL

Real Estate

HOLIDAY AT HOME

LOW MAINTENANCE

$500,000 STANDALONE VILLA Spacious family home is formal + family areas • Air-con 5 bed + office, built-ins • 2 bath, 5 car + sheds • Entertainment area beside in-ground pool • Kitchen has good storage, electric appliances • Dining & family living exit to pool • Formal lounge dining has fireplace • Mature trees in parkland setting

$235,000 VILLA UNIT in Kanimbla Place • Aircon double brick, 2 bed, 1 bath, 1 carport • Open-plan living area • Good sized yard for those with pets • Practical kitchen, electric appliances & pantry • Big built-in bedrooms have natural light • Shower & vanity, separate toilet • Tiled living, carpeted bedrooms • Combined laundry & utility office EXTRAS: Tinted windows, security screens, etc

L SO

$245,000 VEHICLE ACCESS

$330,000

Well-maintained home in an estate where comfort is king . • 3 bedrooms, all built-in • Main bedroom has ensuite • Open-plan living with slider to undercover entertaining • Atrium windows above modern electric kitchen • Laundry in garage • Rain water tank in enclosed courtyard INVESTORS: Renting at $280 per week

LOVELY NATURAL SETTING

INVESTORS: Renting at $345 per week

$287,000 WALK TO CBD • 5 bed unit, all built-in, main kingsized/ensuite • Formal lounge • Air-con open-plan family/dining • Outdoor entertaining & landscaped courtyard • Modern kitchen - gas hob, electric oven, dishwasher & pantry • 2nd fenced courtyard - garden shed • Shared communal BBQ, playground, sporting facilities INVESTORS: Renting at $300 per week

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• Brick 4 built-in bed home • Ceiling fans in all bedrooms • Lounge media off entry hall • Open-plan tiled living has aircon • Kitchen has electric appliances, bench space & pantry • Bath has separate shower, bath, separate toilet • Laundry nook in single lock-up garage • North facing u/cover entertaining • 719m² fenced yard

$360,000 • 4 bed brick & tile, all built-in • Main bed has ensuite/walk-in robe • Media off entry • Open plan living with slider to undercover entertaining • Mod con kitchen has electric appliances • Dedicated laundry • Remote double garage • Rain water tank in fully fenced backyard on 820m² in cul-de-sac EXTRA:- Single detached colorbond shed with vehicle access gate

INVESTORS: Renting at $500 per week

53 FITZROY STREET, WARWICK www.helenharm.com

$170,000

Investment opportunity! • CBD Unit with an elevated aspect to capture breeze • Air con 2 built-in large bedrooms • Open-plan living with good sized kitchen,

combined bathroom laundry • Views over Warwick and beyond from deck & living areas • Separate lock up storage, 1 car garage INVESTORS: Rent is $235 per week

DOUBLE BLOCK

$320,000 ONO Potential to re-subdivide (Council costs available) • Brick 3 bed, 2 built-in • Lounge is good sized • Kitchen has electric appliances, bench space & pantry . • Bath, separate shower, separate toilet • Laundry utility • Enclosed verandah is full length • North entertaining area • 1611m² fenced yard • 1 bay shed 1 car + Carport

LAND • WARWICK - 2851m², high profile Commercial, flat block, power, town water, curb & channel . . . . . . . . .$427,000 • WARWICK - 1330m², near facilities, power, town water, curb & channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$185,000 • WARWICK - 1 .16 Ha on spring fed creek, bitumen frontage, power, fenced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$189,000 • MARYVALE - 2024m², power nearby, school, VIEWS (2 adjoining blocks) - Under Contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$45,000 • MARYVALE - 3642m², power available, character with gully, VIEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$50,000 • LEYBURN - 2965m², power available, close to school, VIEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$50,000 • HENDON - 3819m², adjoining blocks, 2 deeds, power at road, new home area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$80,000 • PRATTEN - 4052m² x 2, all weather road, water & power available - Under Contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$70,000

See www.helenharm.com for more listings

0408 457 496

COUNTRYJOURNAL

weather snapshot This week we will focus on a couple of interesting charts, both with some good news in it, depending on which way you look at it. The first chart shows the rain expected this week (starting as we go to press), showing that the rain it knows how to raineth just about every day these days. Longer term, the rainfall outlook for August to October is likely to be above median for most of Australia (chance of exceeding median is greater than 60%), with most of the eastern two-thirds of the mainland showing a greater than 80% chance. Parts of western WA, far southern Victoria, and southern Tasmania have roughly equal chances of above or below median rainfall (chance of exceeding the median is close to 50%)....not that we need it. The pattern for the months of August and September is similar to the August to October outlook, though the likelihood of exceeding the median rainfall is not as high. Historical accuracy for August to October rainfall is high to very high for most of Australia, with moderate accuracy for parts of western WA, and north-east and south-east Australia. It should be noted that the northern Australian dry season commenced in May. This means tropical northern Australia (with the exception of the Queensland tropical east coast) typically has very low rainfall totals, and only a small amount of rainfall is needed to exceed the median. Now to the second chart. The heat...not entirely unrelated to the rain. This chart shows the probability of exceeding median termperatures in the next few months is...almost so high that the bookies would stop taking bets. Warmer days for northern tropics and parts of southern Australia, but cooler days for parts of the east; warmer nights nationwide Maximum temperatures for August to October are likely to be above median for tropical northern Australia, southern parts of west coastal WA, most of Victoria, south-east NSW, and Tasmania (greater than 60% chance), with most of these areas very likely to have warmer August to October days (greater than 80% chance). Below median daytime temperatures are more likely for southern Queensland extending into northeast NSW (chance of exceeding the median is 30 to 40% chance). Elsewhere, there are roughly equal chances of above or below median maximum temperatures (chance of exceeding the median D is close to 50%). S August and September show a similar pattern, although westI ern WA shows a more neutral pattern in August.

Minimum temperatures for August to October are very likely to be warmer than median for most of Australia (chances are greater than 80%); southern and central WA, and western SA have slightly lower chances (60 to 80% chance). Likewise, minimum temperatures for August and September are likely to be above median for most areas, although in August, western and central parts of WA have roughly equal chances of warmer or cooler than median overnight temperatures. Historical accuracy for August to October maximum temperatures is, like with the rainfall issue, high to very high for most parts of Australia, with low to moderate accuracy in parts of south-east and north-east Australia. For minimum temperatures, accuracy is high across the northern tropics, much of western and central WA, and Tasmania, and mostly moderate elsewhere. SOURCE: BOM.

Pencilhead solutions N G L E C T O L T

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Hidden Phrase: “A dank meme is one that has lost its popularity.” Spot The 10 Differences: 1. Extra quaff of hair

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2. Missing worry line 3. Eyebrow changed 4. Tie has extra fold 5. Missing cufflink 6. Missing dimple

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7. Bottom lip moved 8. Earlobe changed 9. Little finger smaller 10. Button lower Copyright:Auspac Media.

COUNTRYJOURNAL

Wool report: The Grand Correction...not Contributed by Bruce McLeish, Elders The correction ‘we had to have’ came to pass last week for the Australian wool market. It was all but locked in after the publication of the AWEX Four-Week- Forecast which was issued on Monday confirming that Week 1 of the new season commencing on 6th July would host an offering of 56,000 bales. The market has previously been getting “toppy” and the FWF provided the necessary trigger for buyers to ease back and see where prices would settle. They quickly dropped once auctions commenced on Tuesday last week, and most merino fleece types recorded a 40-cent drop. Even though pass-in rates climbed to a massive 40% of fleece types in one broker’s catalogue in the west, buyers remained resolute in the belief that wool prices needed to correct. By the end of the selling week on Wednesday it was clear that there were still some orders in the market, and superfine merino lots with good specifications were still highly prized by the trade. Overall the market eased by 45 cents in local currency terms, 37 US cents and for those Europeans already out of the football cup and back at work their greasy wool inputs were 30 Euro cents cheaper. So, the bubble hasn’t burst, it is just that the market has let off a little of the price pressure which had built up over the past 6 weeks with back to back to back rises. A lot of the participants at the far end of the pipeline, at fabric or

final garment stage, had been asking questions about why the greasy market was going up so much. To them it didn’t make a lot of sense, when they themselves were just manufacturing the product for the coming season, not increasing consumption yet, and still nervous about whether consumers would come out in force in September. The exporters, traders and early stage processors had all got a little over-exhuberant and kept pushing prices for greasy wool higher and higher, without regard for what their clients further downstream were telling them. Thus, a little slap-down, reality check driven by a sudden increase in supply brought about by the new financial year rolling over. Some growers, and in particular their brokers have been very mindful of the delicate supply-demand balance and urged growers to spread their sales over a number of weeks. Other brokers have only their own cash flow considerations in mind and happily dumped as much wool as possible into weeks one and two. The international trade has been imploring Australian growers to collectively manage the supply flow of wool onto the market via their brokers. The Schneider Group mentioned the unofficial stockpile in their weekly report, and described this as an asset to the industry, but also implored growers to have a discussion with their broker about the best time to sell their wool.