New kikuyu shows potential
THREE new strains of kikuyu grass have been identified as having commercial potential for dairy pastures – a potential game-changer for farmers battling tougher climatic conditions.
Initial findings by Dairy UP researchers indicate that all three lines have promising dry matter production, genetic diversity, disease resistance and nutritional value.
For farmers whose pasture lands are increasingly subject to moisture stress and warmer temperatures, new climate-ready kikuyu grasses could provide greater flexibility.
Dairy UP researchers in collaboration with Hatton’s Turf Research are now conducting further trials on the candidate varieties.
Project lead Professor Richard Trethowan from the University of Sydney said that only two new kikuyu cultivars had been released for grazing since the launch of the initial grasses more than 50 years ago.
Professor Trethowan said that compared to the varieties currently used on NSW dairy farms, the new lines potentially have better disease resistance, good biomass production,
tolerance to salinity and drought, and represent significant new diversity for nutritional factors. “Current kikuyu pasture cultivars are limited in adaptation, nutritional quality and scope,” he added.
The University of Sydney in collaboration with Hatton’s Turf Research has been breeding improved kikuyu grasses for more than 15
years. Thirteen kikuyu genotypes developed by the University and owned by Hatton’s were evaluated in small, replicated plots at the Plant Breeding Institute at Cobbitty during 2021/22, leading to the three lines being identified as candidates with potential commercial value for dairy pastures.
These three lines were further assessed in
Stud Park South holds big sale day
STUD Park South Merino and Poll Merino Stud (SPS) will offer quality Poll and Horn rams at their annual SPS on-property Ram Sale.
Stud principal Pat Millear said the sale will be held on Tuesday, 21 October at Edgarley woolshed, 724 Delacombe Way, Willaura, Vic.
“Balance is what we are very focussed on at SPS.,” Mr Millear said.
“We strive to breed sheep that are first and foremost constitutionally correct. Masculinity, bone and squareness are also important traits we continue to select for. We aim to breed wools that are waterproof. Skin quality is becoming a feature of these sheep pushing out white crimpy wools with density and lock. Well aligned nourished fibres are a key in delivery soft handling wool that tests well”.
Highlights from 2024/25 reflect the Stud’s reputation for producing quality fibre:
• Elders Southern Supreme Clip of the Year 2024
• Impact Sire SPS 9333 tested the finest sire in the Balmoral Sire Evaluation
• Son of SPS 9333 sold to Nareen Station for $10,000
• Champion March Shorn ram at Balmoral sale
• Highest priced sale ram at Balmoral – $8,000 sold to Glenpaen Merino Stud SPS is committed to staying at the forefront
2024/25 through replicated strip trials on three dairy farms in southern NSW at Bega, Berry and Camden. The trials ran from November to May with the strips managed as closely as possible to the farm’s practices.
Dry matter produced at on-farm trials varied between 8t/ha and 14t/ha, but the unusually wet season meant there wasn’t an opportunity to observe differences in ability to tolerate dry conditions and subsequent impact on yield, Professor Trethowan said.
The lines were assessed for disease resistance, with all three appearing more resistant than current varieties.
Further field trials will be conducted over the 2025/26 summer to better understand the performance of the lines under different seasonal conditions. This will also include a field inoculation trial of black spot and kikuyu yellows.
The project is a collaboration between researchers from Dairy UP, University of Sydney and Hatton’s Turf research.
of leading genetics and recently purchased a $10,000 semen share in Terrick West 240342. This sire, which has an elite skin, is the highest priced ram sold this year at $80,000 (Adelaide). His genotype was as impressive as his physical appearance (phenotype) with ASBV
figures in the top 5 percent for 5 merino breed indexes – being WP, SM, YCFW, ACFW, and WWT. Sired by Wiringa Park 450 the leading sire nationally (stud ram sales) out of an elite Wallaloo Park family ewe that is related to SPS 9333.
of
The SPS
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highlight the
breeding direction will be on display during the Southern Victorian Merino Field Days to be held on Friday, 17 October from 9am to 5pm.
*PICKUP
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Stud Park South Principal Pat Millear, with Kevin Beaton, Elders Stud Stock Specialist, holding the 2024 SPS on-property sale top priced ram of $10,000. sold to Nareen Station.
New strains of kikuyu grass may have commercial potential for dairy pastures.
The sustainability to-do
PATRICK MACKARNESS
SUSTAINABILITY is a term that has become so overused that it risks losing meaning.
In agriculture, it broadly refers to farming systems that meet today’s needs for food and fibre while safeguarding the capacity of future generationstodothesame[1].Sustainableagriculture focuses on maintaining soil fertility, using water responsibly, supporting biodiversity, and ensuring long-term farm profitability.
Regenerative agriculture goes further. Rather than simply maintaining resources, it seeks to restore and enhance them. Regenerative practices aim to rebuild soil organic matter, stimulate microbial health, increase biodiversity both above and below ground, and restore water and carbon cycles [2]. Advocates see it as a more ambitious vision, actively reversing past degradation rather than just halting it.
The distinction between sustainable and regenerative is subtle but important. Sustainable agriculture might involve optimising fertiliser use to prevent losses, while regenerative systems seek to replace or radically reduce synthetic inputs by enhancing natural nutrient cycles. A sustainable farm might seek to maintain existing biodiversity; a regenerative one aims to expand and enrich it. Both concepts share common ground in soil, water, biodiversity, and community, but the regenerative ethos pushes towards measurable ecological improvement.
Against this background, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) launched the Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework (AASF). First released in 2023, the AASF sets out to be the first country-specific tool for articulating sustainability across the entire farm sector [3]. It is presented as a unified framework covering every commodity and production system. (View it here: https://aasf.org.au)
The AASF has not been a low-cost exercise. It has received over nine million dollars in-government grants across two phases: $4 million from 2020 to 2023 for design, followed by a further $5 million to 2026 for pilot programs and implementation [4][5]. Consultants including CSIRO, ERM, KPMG, and Schuster Consulting were engaged to design principles, align metrics, and test pilot programs.
The framework is structured around three overarching themes: environmental stewardship, the wellbeing of people, animals and community, and economic resilience.
Within these are 19 principles, ranging from soil health to biosecurity, and 52 criteria that define specific expectations for practice [3]. Examples include protecting waterways, supporting biodiversity, ensuring fair livelihoods, and optimising fertiliser use.
The NFF, as Australia’s national farm lobby, is the custodian of this framework. Founded in 1979, the NFF’s mission has traditionally been to represent farmers to government, advocate for fair trading conditions, and secure profitable, sustainable farm businesses [6]. It operates as a peak body, representing
A comparison of Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture
AspectSustainable AgricultureRegenerative AgricultureAASF Reference
Definitions
Soil Health
Biodiversity
Water Use
Inputs (Fertilisers & Chemicals)
Community & Social Aspects
Farming that meets current needs without compromising future generations; focuses on efficiency, soil, water, biodiversity, and economic viability.
Maintain fertility and prevent erosion using conservation practices and careful input use.
Protect existing ecosystems; minimise harm to non-target species.
Promote efficient use and avoid pollution.
Optimise fertiliser and pesticide use to balance productivity and environmental impacts.
Support safe work, fair livelihoods, and community stability.
Economic Focus Ensure farms are profitable and viable long-term.
Farming that actively restores ecosystems; builds soil health, biodiversity, water and carbon cycles.
Rebuild organic matter and microbes via cover crops, reduced tillage, compost, holistic grazing.
Restore and increase biodiversity above and below ground; encourage diverse flora/fauna.
Enhance infiltration, retention, and restore water cycles.
Reduce synthetic inputs by enhancing natural nutrient and pest cycles.
Emphasise local food systems, wellbeing, and equitable stewardship.
Build resilience via diversity, lower input reliance, and ecosystem services markets.
member organisations across commodities and regions, and is funded through a mix of membership fees, sponsorships, and government contracts.
The question, then, is whether the AASF fits comfortably within the NFF’s mission. Farmers often expect their peak body to fight against over-regulation, not to introduce what some see asanotherlayerofit.Thelanguageoftheframework is one of alignment with global ESG (environmental, social and governance) standards. It is explicitly designed to reassure offshore investors, supply chains, and trading partners. But is this necessary adaptation to market realities, or creeping compliance blackmail from overseas buyers and financiers?
One way to examine this is through soil health, one of the AASF’s flagship principles. The framework requires that “soil health and functionality are protected and enhanced.” That sounds reasonable enough, but farmers know soil is a complex living system. Challenges include soil acidity, compaction, erosion, nutrient depletion, and the gradual loss of soil organic matter (SOM). SOM is critical for water holding, fertility, and microbial function. Its decline is one of the great agronomic issues in Australia’s dryland cropping systems [7]. Yet SOM is affected not just by farm practice but by rainfall, temperature, and soil type—factors outside any farmer’s control.
The framework does not explicitly differentiate between soil organic matter as a productivity issue and carbon sequestration as a climate mitigation measure. This is important, because
AASF: 19 Principles and 52 Criteria spanning soil health, biodiversity, water, social wellbeing, and economic resilience.
Principle 3: Soils protected and enhanced (C6).
Principle 5: Biodiverse ecosystems supported (C9–C10)
Principle 6: Water used responsibly and equitably (C12–C13).
Principles 5 & 7: Optimised input use and circular economy (C11, C14–C17).
Principles 8–13: Cover health, livelihoods, diversity, animal welfare, and community trust (C18–C33).
Principles 14–19: Address resilience, fair trade, profitability, energy, and risk (C34–C52).
discussions of soil often collapse into arguments about carbon accounting. Farmers are rightly sceptical about being conscripted into carbon markets when their priority is crop yield and animal health. SOM should be addressed as a core agronomic concern in its own right.
Looking more broadly, regenerative agriculture has clear prescriptions for soil health: cover cropping, minimal tillage, compost applications, rotational grazing, and crop diversity.
These practices demonstrably build organic matter, though often at cost or yield penalty in the short term [2]. Sustainable agriculture, by contrast, might simply mean avoiding erosion or optimising fertiliser. Both approaches aim to steward soil, but the regenerative pathway is more demanding.
This contrast is neatly captured in the comparative table of sustainable versus regenerative agriculture that accompanies this article [2]. The table also shows how the AASF attempts to align with both, mapping each aspect to its 19 principles and 52 criteria [3].
This raises the practical question: how can farmers realistically meet all 52 criteria in the AASF? Some, such as compliance with workplace safety or minimising waste, are within their control. Others, like supporting diverse ecosystems or ensuring community trust, are only partly influenced by farm practice. Still others, like global greenhouse gas accounting, are driven by external forces such as market rules, credit systems, and government regulation.
If criteria are aspirational, then they risk being little more than rhetoric. If they become mandatory, they risk being the straw that did youknowwhattothecamel’slumbarwellbeing.
The NFF argues that by taking control of the sustainability agenda, farmers will avoid worse outcomes imposed from outside. There is merit in this argument, but only if the framework remains practical and genuinely farmer-led. A danger lies in consulting firms and international ESG templates driving the process, rather than Australian farmers shaping it.
It is worth remembering that agriculture is a business of risk. Weather, markets, pests, and policy all shift in ways that cannot be predicted or controlled. The AASF, for all its good intentions,cannotlegislateawaydrought,flood, commodity price collapse, or trade bans.
Nor can it expect individual farmers to single-handedly deliver outcomes such as biodiversity conservation across vast landscapes or community economic growth.
The comparative table of sustainable and regenerative agriculture highlights these tensions [2].Regenerativeagricultureaimstorestoresoil, water, and biodiversity; sustainable agriculture aims to maintain them. The AASF attempts to straddle both, by setting aspirational principles and criteria. But without clear priorities, the risk is dilution: everything is important, therefore nothing is.
Intheend,thecredibilityoftheAASFwillnot be judged by glossy reports or consultation documents. It will be judged in farm paddocks, in export markets, and in the ability of farmers to continuemakingaliving.Ifitaddscostswithout rewards, or imposes obligations without assistance, it will be resented. If it helps secure markets, reduce duplication, and provide evidence of good practice, it may be accepted.
The question remains: is it appropriate that a farmer body like the NFF should display apparentacquiescencetosuchaplethoraofdemands when farmers already have so much to contend with?
References
1.FAO. (1989). Sustainable agriculture and rural development. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization. 2. Sustainable vs Regenerative Agriculture comparative table author’s analysis. 3. Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework (AASF). View it here: https://aasf.org.au. 4. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (2021). Agricultural Sustainability Framework update — $4m grant to NFF (2020–23). https://www.agriculture. gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/agriculturalsustainability-framework-update.pdf. 5. Farmers for Climate Action (2025). Submission on the Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework — $5m funding to 2026. https://farmersforclimateaction.org.au/blog/2025/03/04/submission-tothe-consultation-on-the-australian-agriculturalsustainability-framework/. 6. National Farmers’ Federation (2023). About us. https://nff.org.au. 7. Chan,K.Y.(2001).Soilorganicmatterasasoilquality indicator. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 39(3),435–464.
Quad bike deaths reduced
NEW research published recently shows there has been a small reduction in quad bike deaths at work in Australia since new safety standards were introduced five years ago, but public health experts say more needs to be done to keep Australians safe at work and on farms.
The research, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, was led by academics at the University of Sydney.
The authors analysed quad bike related deaths between 2001 and 2024 to provide a preliminary assessment of the impact of new safety standards introduced in 2020 and 2021. The Australian Consumer Goods (Quad Bike) Standard 2019, required all vehicles to meet a stability standard to reduce roll-overs, the fitting of an Operation Protector Device to reduce crush and asphyxiation injuries, and tags and labels featuring safety warnings.
The authors analysed 161 work-related quad bike deaths over 24 years (an average of 7 per year), 95% of which occurred on farms and 65% involved roll-overs. Crush and asphyxiation injuries accounted for over 50% of cases, with 25% being head injuries. Overall, 74% of workplace quad bike deaths were in Australians over 50.
The preliminary data shows that across the
country the rolling four-year totals of workrelated quad bike deaths peaked in 2016-17, but dropped in 2024 after new safety measures were introduced.
The authors also found that death toll trends varied by state and territory. While work-related quad bike deaths dropped after 2020 in Victoria and Queensland, NSW experienced a small rise.
Nationally, after the Standard was introduced there also a small reduction in roll-over deaths, with Victoria experiencing a significant drop in this type of fatality.
Lead author Honorary Associate Professor Tony Lower, from AgHealth Australia at the University of Sydney, says while the national drop in work-related quad bike deaths isn’t
statistically significant, the initial findings are encouraging.
“While only preliminary, this research is positive news. It supports the early impacts of the Standard in improving stability and the benefits associated with fitting Operator Protector Devices. We will continue to monitor the data to provide robust assessment of the Standard.“
Honorary Associate Professor Lower says the study also provides insights into what can be done to save more lives.
“One of the most notable findings in this study was that there was a significant reduction in quad-bike deaths related to roll-overs in Victoria – beyond any reduction we saw in other states or territories.
“When the safety standard was introduced, the Victorian Government also put a focus on retrofitting existing vehicles with Operator Protector Devices. Victoria was also more proactive in requiring several other safety approaches such as helmet use and equipment maintenance – issuing a lot more improvement or prohibition notices. This is a model that other states should follow.
“To continue to keep Australians safe at work we need to ensure compliance with the
Standard and extend these safety features to older quad bikes.”
Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin, CEO, Public Health Association of Australia says, “Quad bikes are a useful tool on rural properties around Australia. They are also used for recreation but can be dangerous.
“In addition to a number of deaths, around a thousand serious injuries a year result from quad bike use. Measures to reduce this toll are welcome and appear to be helping. But more should be done. Enforcement and compliance are essential for the new standards to have a genuine effect.
“Kids under 16 should not be riding them, and older blokes in particular need to take close care when riding them.
“All states should look at their efforts to apply and enforce the Standards and ensure all quad bike users are aware of the dangers, and the rules. Engineering controls like Operator Protector Devices, essentially bars behind the seat to protect riders if they roll, must be mandatory.
“The best farm injury is the one that never happens. Most of these deaths and injuries are preventable and that can be achieved at very little cost.”
Blowfly prevention planning to begin
WITH rain and warmer temperatures heading into spring, sheep producers will need to keep flystrike prevention front of mind.
Agriculture Victoria Livestock Extension Officer Brittany Price said producers should plan ahead to implement flystrike prevention and control programs to assist in managing the disease.
FlyBoss is a free website resource that provides producers with specific tools for flystrike control.
Ms Price said these controls include shearing or crutching, breech modification, selective breeding, dag management, and preventative chemical treatment.
“The FlyBoss website allows producers to compare their current management system with an alternative system taking into account their location,” she said.
“This can help inform decision making in relation to the dates of shearing and crutching, and preventative treatment application.
“During high-risk periods producers must inspect their stock regularly to identify and treat any fly struck sheep.”
Flystrike in sheep can show up as restlessness, loss of appetite, a strong smell, and vis-
ible maggots in the wool.
There can also be a clear visual sign of darkened wool patches on the sheep.
The following treatment method is recommended for fly struck sheep:
1. Shear struck wool and add a 5cm barrier of clean wool around the strike close to the skin to remove maggots.
2. Collect the maggot-infested wool into a maggot-proof (plastic) bag and leave the bag in the sun for a couple of days to kill all maggots.
3. Apply a registered flystrike dressing to the shorn area to prevent re-strike.
4. Remove struck sheep from the mob and place in an isolation paddock and monitor (stuck sheep attract more blowflies).
5. Cull struck sheep from breeding programs.
Ms Price said if treatment is not a viable option, humane euthanasia must be carried out.
“As with all veterinary treatments, it is essential to observe the withholding period and keep accurate records of any treatments
administered.”
Warm and moist conditions favour both activity of blowflies and the development of predisposing conditions in sheep. These conditions occur most often in spring and autumn and during prolonged wet conditions during summer.
If the weather is cool (less than 17ºC) or too windy (> 30 km/hour) sheep blowflies are usually not active.
Very hot dry conditions in mid-summer also suppress fly activity and reduce sheep susceptibility.
The geography and layout of a paddock can also influence the prevalence of blowflies and the risk of flystrike in that environment.
In general, paddocks that are more exposed to wind, with less ground cover, timber and wet spots, will have less flystrike risk, making them more suitable for high risk mobs of sheep, such as marked lambs, daggy sheep and lambing ewes.
For further information on the management and treatment of flystrike please visit: www.flyboss.com.au.
To find information about available drought support visit www.agriculture.vic. gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
With rain and warmer temperatures heading into spring, sheep producers will need to keep flystrike prevention front of mind. (File)
A rising star in the wool world
KATE Methven was not exposed to farming and agricultureuntilshewas15yearsofagebutafter a taste of the agricultural industry at her school, she went down the university path and is now Elders district wool manager in Hamilton.
It has been a sharp rise built on hard work and plenty of learnings, with the spark for farming igniting when Ms Methven was a teenager.
“When I was at high school, we had a sheep showing team and that was a pretty rare thing I got involved in,” she said.
“We used to go to a couple of shows, the main one was the Australian Sheep and Wool Show at Bendigo, and that was probably where I realised that you can do more in the ag industry than I realised.”
Ms Methven’s mother worked at a community health centre, while her father worked for a concreting company after dabbling in dairy farming at a younger age.
Growing up in Balnarring along the coast of theMorningtonPeninsula,MsMethvenwanted to get out of her comfort zone and explore different scenery.
Not knowing specifically what she wanted to do in agriculture and still having plenty to learn, Ms Methven did a diploma at Melbourne University to get “a gentle step” into farming in 2016, before going on to do her Bachelor in Agriculture and a Certificate Four in Wool Classing.
“Melbourne University have a Diploma in General Studies, it was a one-year diploma that is entry-level and a pathway diploma into other courses,” she said.
“It was a broader type of diploma to start with, so I suppose it wasn’t fully fledged into agriculture straight off the bat, it was a bit more of
a gentle step in for me.”
She transferred to Melbourne University’s Dookie campus where Ms Methven refined her
knowledge and skills, getting plenty of industry experience through scholarships and work experience opportunities on farms.
“There wasn’t really a plan going into it [university], it was more just working out different parts and I was pretty lucky to be able to work on the university farm when I was at university,” Ms Methven said.
“I got the opportunity to work with the sheep and a little bit of broadacre as well, so I worked out what I did and didn’t like through doing that.
“It gave me the opportunity to do a bit more than just a university degree.
A few months ago Ms Methven was awarded the inaugural Women in Wool Emerging Excellence Award, attributing her success and progression in the agriculture industry to many different people.
“I have had a lot of different people along the way that helped me, they are people that have come and gone in a way,” Ms Methven said.
“The Women in Wool Award I was quite surprised by, I didn’t actually know I had been nominatedforthatone,soitwasanicesurprise.
“I feel very honoured to win that award, to be recognised for the role you play in the industry is a great thing.”
She can’t believe how far she has come, goingfromtakingonapersonallyuntappedcareer and being completely in the dark, to being one of the best in her field across the country.
“When I look back over the last 10 years, it feels a bit surprising that I got to where I am now,” Ms Methven said.
Wimmera Pulse Field Day showcase underway
FARMERS, agronomists and industry are warmly invited to the annual Wimmera Pulse Field Day on Wednesday 22 October at Kewell hosted by Agriculture Victoria in partnership with the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).
Horsham SmartFarm research agronomist Ash Wallace said the annual field day is an industry networking opportunity not to be missed.
‘Come and see our trials in lentil, field pea, chickpea and faba bean, and hear the latest in pulse research and emerging pulse protein market opportunities,’ Ash said.
‘Growers will be excited to see new largeseeded lentil variety releases from the National Lentil Breeding Program and Grains Innovation Australia and learn how to manage problem weeds in pulse crops.’
‘You’ll also get fresh updates on sowing times, faba bean and lentil nutrition and agronomy know-how to support pulse perfor-
mance and profitability.
The program features updates from industry experts including the Agriculture Victoria crop pathology team and Jason Brand, a pulse agronomist from Frontier Farming Systems.
Birchip Cropping Group’s trial manager Kelly Angel and Faba Bean Australia’s breeder, Sam Catt will also be present to share National Variety Trials results.
Seed distributors, marketing and export experts will be on hand for current market information.
The free event starts at 9 am and will conclude at 1 pm with complimentary pulsebased morning tea and barbecue lunch available.
• Location: 500m north of the intersection at Dimboola-Minyip Road and Keenan’s Road, Kewell. Google Maps: https://maps.app. goo.gl/kbFsH4o8kKVaPbVx6
• Learn more at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/ events A crop of faba beans.
Kate Methven is taking the farming industry by storm. (Supplied)
CONNOR BURNS
Grain awards
GRAIN Producers SA (GPSA) recently announced the return of the South Australian Grain Industry Awards for 2026 after a resoundingsuccessofitsinauguraleventearlier this year.
The awards, celebrating achievements during 2025, will again bring together grain producers, researchers, agribusinesses, government and supply chain leaders to celebrate leadership, innovation and excellence across the state’s $4 billion grain industry.
More than 300 people attended the inaugural awards this year, with next year’s outing expected to attract even more attention.
GPSA chief executive officer Brad Perry said the awards have quickly become a highlight of the industry calendar.
“Last year’s awards showcased the very best of South Australia’s grain industry, from the innovation happening on-farm to the leadership being shown right across the sector,” Mr Perry said. “Recognising the achievements of our sector matters, in both the hardest years and the most rewarding seasons.
“It is how we continue to show decisionmakers and the community that South Austra-
lia’s grain industry leads by example.
“The 2026 Awards will build on that success, with the second intake into the SA Grain Industry Hall of Fame and undoubtably another outstanding line-up of nominations, finalists and winners.” Elders will once again headline the event as Platinum Sponsor of the awards with chief executive officer and managing director MarkAllisonstatingElderswasproudtocontinueitssupportofagrowingandimportantevent.
“Elders is passionate about supporting the South Australian grain industry and the producerswhoarethebackboneofouragricultural economy,” Mr Allison said.
“The South Australian Grain Industry Awardsnotonlycelebrateachievementbutalso inspire the next generation of leaders.
“We are delighted to once again partner with GPSA to recognise the innovation, sustainability and resilience that characterise this sector.”
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) also returns as a Gold Sponsor of the Awards. Nominations are expected to open soon, with ticket sales to follow shortly after.
Beyond Blue supports farmer mental health
BEYOND Blue has announced the appointment of farmer, filmmaker and mental health advocate Leila McDougall as a campaign ambassador for farming and rural communities in Australia as part of the Just a Farmer Regional Screening Project.
This comes as a part of Beyond Blue’s commitment to supporting mental health in farming and regional communities, as well as supporting small businesses in rural and regional Australia.
Ms McDougall said she understood the hardships of locals living in rural areas, including financial uncertainty, isolation and other mental health challenges.
She said with the Beyond Blue partnership, it would allow farmers and rural communities to utilise the New Access for Small Business Owners (NASBO) program, a free and confidential service tailored to the realities of farming and small business life.
“Living and working in a rural community, I’ve seen how mental health struggles can go unnoticed or unspoken,” Ms McDougall said.
“Through Just a Farmer, I wanted to start conversations that matter and genuinely reflect what life is like on the farm and for rural communities.
“As a Beyond Blue ambassador for farming and rural communities, I’m proud to help to continue to break down stigma and encourage people to seek support.”
The NASBO program has offered free, confidential mental health coaching designed specifically for small business owners, including farmers and agricultural operators, without the need for a general practitioner referral.
It aims to support early intervention for work and life pressures, helping individuals feel better, get well and stay well.
Beyond Blue chief executive officer Georgie Harman welcomed Ms McDougall’s appointment in the campaign.
“Leila’s deep connection to rural life and firsthand understanding of the challenges faced by farmers and communities in rural and regional Australia make her an invaluable voice in this campaign,” Ms Harman said.
“Leila’s compassion and commitment to mental health align perfectly with Beyond Blue’s mission to support Australians wherever they live and work.
“Together, we can help encourage open conversations around mental health to reduce stigma and ensure more people can access the support they need, when they need it.”
Ms McDougall is currently in the process of touring her film Just a Farmer, which has provided a unique opportunity to engage local audiences, spark meaningful conversations and promote the free support that is available in communities where support is often limited but urgently needed.
The 2025 SA Grain Industry Awards were a resounding success this year, with the 2026 outing expected to attract more of a following.
AGRICULTURE TODAY
Fire danger on the agenda
THE bushfire season is expected to be dry and unpredictable, according to forestry representatives.
More than 27 stakeholders from different organisations and government authorities gathered at the Mount Gambier Regional Airport this week to discuss the future of bushfire management.
Representatives included newly sworn in South Australian Minister for Emergency Service Rhiannon Pearce as well as Minister for Forestry Clare Scriven.
Stakeholders from South Australia and Victoria joined together to discuss the upcoming season including Country Fire Service (CFS), Country Fire Authority (CFA), South Australian Police and forestry industry representatives from both states.
South Australia Forest Products Association chairperson Tammy Auld said the fire danger season would officially start in 31 days or possibly earlier.
She said this was particularly for the more eastern parts of the South East where there had been dry conditions.
“The season’s forecast is to be hot and dry, potentially unpredictable again and we hope we keep getting a bit more of this rain so at least we get some spring and then hopefully not too much warm weather to grow more grass,” Ms Auld said.
“Every sector is now prepping for the season and the truth is we can never be too prepared which is why we have had this session.”
She said the collaboration between stakeholders and those in Victoria was integral to
putting fires out.
“We know as a forest industry once it gets into our plantation it is going to be much more difficult to get out,” Ms Auld said.
“That takes the whole community to come together and different agencies to work together to do that.”
She said the association and its members worked closely in partnership with the broader Green Triangle region, government and emergency services.
“We appreciate there is no point working against each other, that we all need to align and fire is something which knows no boundaries so we have to work together,” she said.
“We know that uncontrolled fires can devastate our industry and the broader community…it disrupts supply chains and impacts regional jobs and livelihoods because forestry is not just about trees, it is the people, the jobs and about regional economies for us.
“We want to check our preparedness, we
want to identify any risks and gaps we might have and we want to strengthen the crossborder collaboration and build on that trust we have been building over a number of years between government, emergency services, industry and for the community as well.”
During the meeting, other collaboration efforts were highlighted from previous seasons including the CFA supporting fires through providing heavy machinery and strike teams.
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E: josh.phelan@tbwtoday.com.au
Published by SA Today Pty Ltd. ACN 644 311 937
Everything farm and garden
Heywood ATV & Mower Solutions is a one stop shop for all quad bike, side x side, mower, chainsaw and outdoor power equipment needs.
The busy Heywood business services and repairs all makes and models of equipment as well as being a Husqvarna Dealership.
The extensive range of Husqvarna products in store includes ride-on mowers, push mowers, chainsaws, brush cutters, blowers, pole saws, pressure washers, sprayers and more.
The Princes Highway, Heywood business is busy with the Husqvarna spring sale that runs until the end of November. Customers have been paritcularly interested particularly keen on ride on mowers, chainsaws, blowers, edge trimmers and hedge trimmers.
Customers will also find a large range of Delkor Batteries, suitable for cars, 4WD, lawn mowers, bikes and tractors. If the right
servicing or repairs give the shop a call on 03 5527 1032
call in and check out the great range.
Find the business at 1817 Princes Hwy, Heywood.
The showroom in Heywood.
Heywood ATV & Mowers supply equipment to a wide area.
The Border Watch
CHARLOTTE VARCOE
Stakeholders from South Australia and Victoria came together at the Mount Gambier Regional Airport for a Bushfire Summit. (Charlotte Varcoe: 508156)
Ag exports surge $5 billion
VICTORIA has cemented its title as the dominant state for agriculture exports.
Bendigo Bank’s Australian Agricultural Exports Report Financial Year 24/25 finds that the value of Australian agricultural exports surged $5 billion to $77.2 billion with growth driven by a boom in the value of red meat exports to all-time highs. The strong result for the agricultural sector comes amidst the backdrop of a rapidly shifting global environment driven by ongoing efforts by the US to reshape trade.
The result represents the second highest export year on record, following the record $79.2 billion in exports set in FY22/23. The agriculture sector now accounts for 15.1 per cent of Australia’s total exported goods, however the year ahead should see the value of agricultural exports record a modest decline in FY25/26 with the majority of sectors set to see a slight reduction in export value.
China remained Australia’s largest agricultural export market in FY24/25, despite a marginal decline, accounting for 22.1 per cent of Australia’s total agricultural export value, while the US again recorded the largest yearon-year growth in exports during FY24/25, climbing a further 32.2 per cent to become our second largest export market by a significant margin. Export value to India also continues to surge, doubling to become our 6th largest export market.
All states, except South Australia and Western Australia, recorded an increase in export value through FY24/25. Victoria recorded a fourth consecutive year of growth to cement its title as the number one export state by a large margin. Queensland maintained its position as the second largest exporter for a second consecutive season, New South Wales recorded the largest year on year increase in export value, with Tasmania rebounding with the value of exports lifting 9.3 per cent to a hefty $979.3 million.
Neil Burgess, Bendigo Bank Agribusiness Senior Manager Industry Affairs said: “Growth in export value was led by a lift in the value of livestock exports with cattle exports smashing records, lifting almost 27 per cent to $18.6 billion. The value of sheep exports also increased $968 million to more than $6 billion, while horticultural exports hit a record $3.5 billion on the back of surging almond exports.
“Cropping exports recorded comparatively modest growth, with a rise of $300 million amidst mixed production, with moderate growth in export value also recorded across the seafood, dairy, wine and fruit sectors. The cotton, sugar, wool, and vegetable sectors were the only major agricultural sectors to record declines in export value during FY24/25, each falling by between 3 and 17 per cent.
“In FY25/26, we expect the largest decline
in export value to be across the red meat sector, driven by lower volumes as favourable seasonal conditions see increased restocking and reduced slaughter rates. Winter crop production should be broadly in line with last season, although the value of cropping exports is forecast to see a slight decline due to reduced carryover stocks of barley and canola.
“Despite the forecast decline in value, the outlook for Australian exports remains positive with the total value expected to remain well above the five-year average, enabling robust value creation across the agricultural supply chain. Australia has managed to capture a large portion of the additional US import demand for red meat, and this is expected to carry over in FY25/26,” Mr Burgess concluded.
State by State Snapshot
All states except South Australia and Western Australia, recorded an increase in export value during FY24/25. Victoria recorded a fourth consecutive year of growth to retain its title of number one exporter by a large margin. Strong growth in livestock, dairy, wine and horticultural exports were the key drivers.
Victoria remained Australia’s largest exporting state, recording an 11.1 per cent rise to a record $21.1 billion of agricultural exports as substantial cattle (+$1.3 billion), dairy (+$242 million) and horticultural (+$471 million) exports more than offset a $369 million decline in the value of cropping exports.
Cattle Overview
• The value of Australian cattle industry exports increased $3.9 billion (+27 per cent) in FY24/25 to a record high of $18.6 billion.
• The primary driver of the growth in Australian beef export value was the increase of $2 billion (+58 per cent) to the US as the continued reduced US production led to stronger demand for Australian beef. Indonesia lifted to the highest level on record at $1.4 billion and Canada doubled its imports to become Australia’s sixth largest export market by value.
• Australia’s cattle sector export value and volume is forecast to see a marginal decline throughout FY25/26 despite global demand for Australian beef remaining at elevated levels. Improved seasonal conditions are expected to drive a rise in restocker demand and retention of cattle, limiting slaughter rates and supply.
Cropping Overview
• The value of Australian cropping exports was relatively stable in FY24/25 at $22.7 billion, a modest rise of 1.3 per cent from the previous year. Pulses achieved the strongest growth, with exports climbing 46.6 per cent to $3.9 billion underpinned by Indian demand.
Wheat and barley exports declined in FY24/25, but rising canola and chickpea shipments helped maintain overall cropping export values.
The outlook for Australian cropping exports in FY25/26 remains positive. Both volumes and values are expected to hold above fiveyear averages, underpinned by favourable production outlooks and firm demand across our key markets.
Dairy Overview
• The value of Australian dairy exports
reached a record high $3.44 billion in FY24/25. This is up ten per cent year-onyear and 18.8 per cent above average.
• While volumes were also up year-on-year for most products, elevated global pricing meant record or near record average export prices which drove gains in total value.
• Dairy export value is forecast to decline to around $3 billion in FY25/26, still above average of $2.9 billion. Global dairy prices are forecast to remain rangebound, while reduced Australian supply will limit export volumes in the coming season.
Horticulture Overview
• The value of Australian horticultural exports surged $759.7 million (+27.8 per cent) to a record $3.5 billion in FY24/25. This is 31.5 per cent above the five-year average. Growth was driven by the fruit and nut sectors amidst favourable supply and demand factors. A favourable trade environment provided a further boost to the demand side of the equation amidst an increasingly positive trade relationship with China and an Australian dollar that remains well below the five-year average. Potatoes were another bright spot, up 13 per cent for the fourth consecutive year of export growth.
• The outlook for Australian horticultural exports remains broadly positive in FY25/26 despite an expected reduction in overall value on the back of reduced almond and macadamia stocks.
Sheep Overview
The value of Australian sheepmeat exports lifted $925.5 million (+19.3 per cent) in FY24/25 to a record total of $5.7 billion with a record $1.4 billion of lamb landed in the US.
Export value was driven higher by a sharp increase in mutton volume, particularly to China, while the average export unit prices of both lamb and mutton were significantly firmer this financial year.
Australian sheepmeat exports are expected to be relatively steady in FY25/26, with the forecast decline in volume being mostly offset by an increase in prices.
Wool Overview
• The value of Australian wool exports fell $298.7 million (-10.6 per cent) in FY24/25 to a total of $2.5 billion.
• Despite prices generally increasing across the year, sluggish demand and reduced wool production saw export value decline for a third consecutive year.
• With wool production volumes predicted to drop to their lowest levels in over a century, wool exports are set to see another decline in value in FY25/26. Although prices have risen to start the season, it is not enough to offset the lower volumes and pressure from currency exchange fluctuations.
The value of Australian dairy exports reached a record high $3.44 billion in financial year 24/25 up 10 per cent.
Biological fertilisers build big
LIKE many farmers, Victorian Wimmera grower Geoff Vivian had plenty of scepticism about using biological fertilisers, but after firsthand experience with a soil carbon project that is set to provide valuable income following a tough year, he is now on-board and excited in the benefits for future generations.
Mr Vivian and his family built an extra 3870 tonnes of soil carbon in the project, which was managed by AgriProve and used LawrieCo’s soil carbon building fertilisers, and they are expected to be the first to receive payment for their efforts.
The project generated 10,548 Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUS) and Mr Vivian is hoping it can achieve a good return.
The current ACCU market is $37-$38 per credit unit.
“They are in the hands of brokers and available for sale,” Mr Vivian said.
“It’s been very surprising and I still feel a little sceptical about everything being finalised, but it is good money and it will prove to be very handy after the year we had.
“If you can pull this lever and have it in your pocket after tough years, it will be valuable and we will look to increase projects over coming years.”
Mr Vivian and his wife, Donna, together with their eldest son, Liam, operate a 2430-hectare cropping program over their own property near Kaniva, plus leased and sharefarmed land.
They also run a small flock of Merino breeders crossed to White Suffolk terminal sires for prime lamb production, as well as trade sheep on summer stubbles.
Mr Vivian and Donna also have a younger son who is working on a nearby farm and another son and daughter who are working and studying in Adelaide.
The family farms a mix of soils ranging from loamy Mallee country and red rising loam areas, through to blue clays and including some light black soils.
They rotate a range of crops on continuously cropped land, including wheat, barley, canola, oats and faba beans, which have been sown via their Horwood Bagshaw seeder with conventional fertilisers including Mono-Ammonium Phosphate (MAP) with zinc and manganese and with applications of Urea.
Stubbles also have been burned previously, but that has largely been to combat snails.
Mr Vivian said after years of using synthetic fertilisers, their soils were becoming “a little stale” and were not producing strong crops.
“It got to a stage where we could have crops fall over, so we were looking at options.” he said.
“If we had yield mapping and were set up for variable rate applications, we could look at that and with the costs of fertiliser and chemicals as well, we thought it was a better option for us to look at a good little project and op-
portunity with LawrieCo to see what happens.”
Together with AgriProve, four areas were set up for the project, including a control area where the LawrieCo soil carbon building fertilisers were not applied and they have since grown faba bean and canola crops.
Crop residue in the areas was retained and the LawrieCo fertilisers used included a foliar application of HumiPLEX ZMC at 3 litres/ha, while BioMAX F75 also was applied as a buffer with foliar chemical sprays at 125 millilitres/ ha.
Sourced from Nutrien Ag Solutions just over the border at Bordertown in South Australia, HumiPLEX ZMC contains 6 per cent zinc, 8pc manganese, 2pc copper, 9pc sulphur, 1.6pc fulvic acid, microbial metabolites and necromass (as biostimulants), while BioMAX F75 contains 75pc fulvic acid.
The average soil carbon increase in the treated areas was 7.1 tonnes/ha, compared with no increase in the untreated area.
Mr Vivian said the faba beans also produced a lot more biomass and above average yields, while the canola, which was impacted by late spring rains causing disease, yielded similar to other crops.
Applications of additional LawrieCo fertilisers have continued in the project areas and also have now been adopted over the family’s broader cropping program.
These include the mycorrhizal and nutrient seed treatment, SureCROP VAM, the water-holding, concentrated humic product, BioMAX Soluble Humate Prill, which also con-
tains natural chelated nutrients and is applied with their MAP fertiliser at seeding and foliarapplied nutrients, NutriMAX PhosCal and BioMax BOOST.
“Being moisture-retaining, I had my doubts about the prills going out with the MAP, but it went well and it’s very impressive in what it can do for fertility and moisture,” Mr Vivian said.
“We mixed the seed dressing in a spot sprayer and had good agitation for the application and that also went well.
“The (SureCROP) VAM on the seed gets the crops up and going with more vigour, and the roots have gone down deeper and are showing more microbodies.”
He said their had used the seed dressing everywhere and observed great establishment and vigour.
“We have used the foliar products on other paddocks and it’s really shone-out this year, with the late start, just how healthy and dark green the crops are,” he said.
“I would normally have to be throwing out a lot more Urea to see that.
“We have put 80 kilos (per ha) out in some areas, but you can’t tell the difference with where we haven’t, particularly in the oats.
“I would have to be putting 180 kilos (of Urea) out to get them to look like that.”
Bordertown’s Nutrien senior agronomist Jamie Weatherald said the Vivians had achieved great results with the LawrieCo fertilisers and they were gaining traction through the region to help build soil carbon and fertility.
“We didn’t expect the uptake would esca-
late as quick as it has, and some of the results have been surprising and encouraging,” Mr Weatherald said.
“There are a number of farmers in the area who have started (soil carbon) projects and the LawrieCO products definitely have a good fit.
“One of our main objectives is to build carbon and fertility in soils.
“We are doing this as part of our farming practices, so why not get paid for it now.”
Mr Weatherald said the reliable farming region provided the opportunity for conventional and biological fertilisers to play a strong role in improving soil fertility and crop health.
Mr Vivian said years ago, he never thought he would be applying biological products, but he now had good confidence to use them.
“We certainly never thought about it. We would just get on the tractor, sow it, go with your traditional applications and harvest it,” he said.
“Now we are improving soil fertility and nutrient efficiency and also increasing the land value, and that’s what we want to do for the generations to come.
“So far, our investment has been similar to our previous program, but once we get the soil fertility up, we will also trial backing-off our synthetic fertiliser rates.”
He said the management of the soil carbon project by AgriProve, including soil testing and audits, went smoothly and they would look at further projects into the future.
“We have a new block that’s about 800 acres (320ha) that we might have a crack at,” he said.
Maximising nitrogen for the best returns
SMART nitrogen (N) management is key to unlocking yield, especially when growing for silage in the summer cropping season.
With the right corn or forage sorghum hybrid and fertiliser strategy, every kilogram of N can deliver impressive returns.
Start with a soil test to understand what’s already available in your paddock. This helps guide conversations with your agronomist and tailor a fertiliser plan that suits your goals. Under ideal conditions, nitrogen response can reach up to 10 kg of dry matter for every 1 kg of N applied.
There are many crops available on the market to fill the spring /summer cropping period. When yield and nitrogen efficiency matter, Pioneer® brand corn and forage sorghum hybrids are a standout choice backed
by extensive research and development. Bred for silage performance, these hybrids offer high feed value, strong digestibility, and excellent responsiveness to nitrogen.
Pioneer corn hybrid P92575 offers late season stay green and plant health and delivers a wide harvest window for silage with exceptional digestibility and energy.
A flexible, ultra-late all-rounder, Pioneer forage sorghum Mega Feed delivers high sugar content with high leaf to stem ratio, converting dry matter into milk and liveweight gain.
There are several protected urea’s on the market, so consider working with your local fertiliser representative about the different forms of urea that can assist you in gaining maximum effectiveness from a
urea application.
When planning your summer silage program, choose Pioneer® corn and forage sorghum hybrids to make every kilogram of nitrogen count.
About Pioneer Seeds
In Australia, the production, sales, marketing and distribution of Pioneer® brand hybrid corn, grain sorghum, summer forage and canola seeds, and silage inoculant products are exclusively undertaken by GenTech Seeds – a Yates family company with a proud history in the seed business and a strong commitment to the future of farming. 2025 marks fifty years of Pioneer Seeds driving innovation and performance gains in the Australian broadacre cropping industry.
The right strategy can deliver impressive returns.
Victorian Wimmera grower Geoff Vivian looks over land on the family’s Kaniva property that has been improved with the use of biological fertilisers, and which has generated Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUS) under a soil carbon project.
Hamilton farm solar success
THE Hamilton family of Hamilton’s Run is reinforcing its commitment to sustainable farming with the latest use of solar technology.
A long-time customer of water management and irrigation specialists Water Dynamics, Graeme Hamilton and his family have bred the high-quality Australian Red cattle since 1964 with outstanding results.
Their investment in the genetics of the breed led to their role benefitting the dairy industry by incorporating Scandinavian genetics into their herd breeding plan.
A recently purchased property of the Hamilton family required a number of infrastructure upgrades including a project to completely renew the stock water system.
Water Dynamics Mount Gambier sales manager Matt Eland - who developed the system - said to understand the intent, the sales team went to the site and gathered the facts to provide the best solution.
The service team completed a bore test to determine the capacity of the existing 60mdeep bore.
The agreed scope included a requirement to be able to extract a minimum of 40,000 litres a day, using solar energy to fill a stock water tank which sits on the highest point of the property.
“The sales team, having a known duty requirement, engaged trusted solar pump supplier Solar Pumptec, to provide options to meet the minimum daily water requirement and the environmental demands of the site,”
Mr Eland said.
“Marc from Solar Pumptec was prompt in coming back with a 12 x 440W panel, single phase four stainless pump system, complete post mounting kit, AC/DC changeover switch, and shut off switching for when the tank is full.”
He said given the site’s locality, they considered high wind loads and heavy vehicle access for construction and maintenance.
“Thisledtogoingbeyondthemanufacturer’s post footing requirement with a full concrete slab poured under the panel set,” Mr Eland said.
“This brought additional benefits to the customer, including under-panel weed control, stabilising the soil structure around the site and reducing the impact of any site erosion, given its sandy hilltop location.”
Forestry support
THE Parliamentary Friends of Forestry, Timber and Paper Products has been officially re-established as a non-partisan friendship group to support the full supply chain of Australia’s forestry and forest products sector.
Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) chief executive officer Diana Hallam said they were thrilled on the re-establishment with the group being made up of parliamentarians from different sides of politics.
She said it represented an “important and stable” cross-party support for the sector.
“I especially congratulate Victorian Labor Senator Raff Ciccone and NSW Nationals Senator Ross Cadell on their appointments as co-chairs for the group,” Ms Hallam said.
“Over successive federal parliaments the Parliamentary Friends of Forestry, Timber and Paper Products has proudly represent-
ed industry through dialogue with stakeholders like AFPA.
“Many members of parliament and senators count forestry and the supply chain as major industries in the electorates and regions they represent, while many more recognise the importance of the sector for the nation in terms of sovereign capability, creation of essential products and the growing environmental and climate contribution the sector provides.”
She said in many ways the group would facilitate a “collective voice” in parliament for the “tens of thousands” of Australians who rely on forest industries for their livelihoods.
“AFPA will seek to collaborate with the re-established Parliamentary Friends of Forestry, Timber and Paper Products over the life of the 48th Parliament to strengthen the voice of one of Australia’s most important primary industries and manufacturing sectors,” Ms Hallam said.
The federal government will further support the timber industry. (File)
Australian Red dairy cattle survey the solar pump installation reliably supplying their water needs. (Supplied)
South East free from pests
CHARLOTTE VARCOE
PINE forests within the South East and broader Green Triangle are so far safe from pest infestations following further outbreaks in metropolitan areas.
Adelaide reserves and forestry areas are continuing to participate in an eradication programme of the pest, giant pine scale, which feeds on the sap of pine, fir and spruce trees.
If left unmanaged, the insect builds up large numbers leading to the death of the infested trees.
Earlier this year, a large number of trees in Adelaide’s north-eastern suburbs have been infested with the pests being discovered in Hope Valley Reservoir, Elliston Reserve and Silverlake Reserve.
South Australia Forest Products Association chief executive officer Nathan Paine said the giant pine scale was first detected in the state in 2014 with management being conducted ever since.
“The industry is currently working with the South Australian Government to respond with an eradication plan to the current outbreak which commenced in 2023 and with the financial support of both industry and government we feel this eradication response is being well managed,” Mr Paine said.
“The fact the industry nationally is focused on the response in both Adelaide and Melbourne provides a very good insight into the importance the industry places on its eradication of the pests.”
He said once a plantation was infested it was difficult to manage.
“Once a tree is infected it is just a matter of time before that tree will die,” Mr Paine said.
“The movement of giant pine scale into our plantation estate is something the industry is focused on ensuring does not happen.”
Mr Paine said the industry was focused on ensuring the pest did not enter the broader for-
est plantations.
“The industry has been working closely with the government…but there has been an absolute focus from this government and understanding that we need to ensure we stop giant pine scale where it is to protect our plantation estate which in turn protects the jobs in the mills and the products we process,” he said.
“We have been developing an eradication program which will be rolled out in the near future which will say the next phase of getting in and removing infected trees.”
Mr Paine said the future for the giant pine scale was “very bleak” with the response being removal of all infected trees.
“It is a three-year program now to eradicate it but this is a major step forward,” he said.
“In the past it has been a management exercise where it has been deemed we will manage the giant pine scale but this government has really stepped up and we are thankful for that support.”
Mr Paine said there remained a range of experts in the South East and within forestry companies with the industry comfortable the pests would not enter the region.
“There are no indications it has been transmitted, we have been managing this since 2014 both in Melbourne and in Adelaide,” he said.
“The key is if we can make sure it is eradicated in Adelaide once and for all then we can work to ensure it is not reintroduced.
“The same token that we keep our biosecurity pest surveillance on foot…there is a wide range of biosecurity risks that this government is having to deal with.”
He said biosecurity concerns included the algal bloom, foot rot and much more.
South Australia leads renewable boom
SOUTH Australia is leading the nation in renewable energy generation and rural landowners are finding themselves at the centre of the opportunity.
Operators are increasingly knocking on farm gates with offers to host solar panels, wind turbines and battery storage facilities.
For many farmers, these proposals can mean decades of diversified, reliable income, often independent of the ups and downs of commodity prices and seasonal conditions. Some projects also deliver upgrades to
farm infrastructure – from new roads to improved water systems – and can make productive use of land that would otherwise sit idle.
The potential benefits extend beyond the farmgate too.
Recent projects have shown that solar panels not only generate clean power but also provide shade and water runoff that improves pastures for grazing sheep.
This strengthens both animal welfare and farm sustainability – while boosting the bottom line.
But for all the commercial upside, landowners must tread carefully.
These are complex, long-term legal arrangements that can affect farming operations for generations.
Questions around land use, access rights, compensation and rehabilitation obligations at the project’s end are critical.
Without careful negotiation, landowners could face restrictions on cropping or grazing or even the cost of clearing abandoned infrastructure.
South Australian farmers have always been innovators – and renewable energy presents another chance to lead. But as with any major decision, the fine print matters. At Mellor Olsson, the agribusiness and property lawyers work alongside landowners to protect their interests and ensure renewable energy projects complement farming operations.
If property owners been approached by an operator or are considering their options, get in touch on (08) 8414 3400 or lawyers@molawyers.com.au for tailored advice.
South East Forest Products Association chief executive officer Nathan Paine is confident the South East will remain free from the giant pine scale. (File)
Show draws regional crowd
SOUTH East locals travelled to the Royal AdelaideShowrecently. Schools were well represented and many camehomewithwins.
Lucindale Area School was the overall winner of the School Wether Competition.
Cory O’Connor, Penola.
Bordertown High School students Lucy Bennett, Chloe Nicholls, Chichi Okoye, Sienna Lusher, Stephanie Sutton and Mayah Colwill in the Goat Shed.
Lucindale Area School students in the Grand Parade at the Royal Adelaide Show.
Penola High School Students Jack Hutchesson, Cameron Brandell, Tilly Gibbs and Ebony Reeves with teacher Cory O’Conner and cows Omega Gen Ringer Avie and Cher Bar Laine Blinky.
Luke and Rebecca Trotter, Penola, from The Blok Coonawarra.
Jason Dodson and Nic Zeederberg, Mount Benson, from Norfolk Rise.
Ben and Sam Hentschke, Glencoe, with Balwonnah Wadleys Specky.
Phoebe Eckermann, Naracoorte.
SOPHIE CONLON
Red meat knowledge shared
SHEEP and cattle producers from across South East South Australia gathered in Mount Gambier/Berrin for a knowledge sharing and networking evening hosted by the local Rabobank team.
Rabobank’s senior animal proteins analyst Angus Gidley-Baird gave a presentation highlighting the local and global trends in the red meat markets.
Joining guests and local staff was Rabobank group executive for Country Banking Australia Marcel van Doremaele and state manager for South Australia Roger Matthews.
Trish and Matt Wooding, Maaoupe, with Rabobank’s senior animal proteins analyst Angus Gidley-Baird, Sydney.
Christie Gapp and Craig Wooding, Maaoupe.
Rabobank’s Amy Hawke with Rabo Client Council member Nikki Kirkland, Furner, and Shannon Ballantyne, Wattle Range.
Rabobank’s Kate Facy (centre) with Nancy and Geoff Ballantyne, Wattle Range.
Lyn and Trevor Telford, Mount Schank with Marcel van Doremaele, Rabobank.
Terry Buckley (centre), Mingbool, with Ben and Luci Kentish, Dismal Swamp.
Rabobank’s Joe Clements, with Tom Hage, Naracoorte, and Travis Telford, Mount Schank.
Mark and Elizabeth Herrman with Kate Facy, Rabobank.
