THE MALLEE’S FARMING NEWSPAPER
PROMISING OUTLOOK
Mallee hay growers are preparing for a strong season, with cutting underway and baling imminent. Steady early rainfall has boosted crop quality and yields. Despite high input costs, growers remain optimistic about market demand and pricing, especially from southern buyers and local dairy farms, as hay remains a valuable management tool.
Hay season is in full swing at Kerry McFarlane’s property in Lalbert. Picture: Kerry McFarlane
Promising outlook for Mallee hay season
By Peter Bannan
MALLEE hay growers are gearing up for a promising season, with cutting already underway and baling expected to start within days.
Local grower Kerry McFarlane said this year’s conditions have been generally favourable, with steady rainfall earlier in the season setting crops up well.
“We started cutting in mid-September, and we’ll start baling next week once things dry down a bit more,” Ms McFarlane said.
“Yields are looking about the same as last year, maybe a little better, and the quality’s improved
thanks to the rain we had earlier on.”
While some growers further west have already begun baling, Ms McFarlane said patience was key to maintaining quality.
“We’re just waiting for the crop to dry down properly — there’s no point rushing it,” she said.
“Timing the cut makes all the difference.”
This season, Ms McFarlane and her partner have sown the vetch variety of hay, and like many in the region, they’ll be producing large square bales for easier transport and storage.
Input costs remain a challenge, with fuel, fertiliser and chemicals continuing to bite into margins.
“Input costs are still high — fuel in particular is a big expense,” Ms McFarlane said.
Despite the rising costs, optimism remains about the market outlook.
“It’s a bit early yet — everyone’s sitting on the fence at the moment — but we think prices will be above last year,” Ms McFarlane said.
“There should be reasonable demand, especially down south, and even locally there may not be as much hay around this time.”
Ms McFarlane expected some early interest from regular local buyers, including dairy farmers, before looking to wider markets such as feedlots if supply allows.
Although hay isn’t a major part of their overall cropping program, it still plays a valuable role.
“It’s more of a management tool for us — something we use in frost-prone areas where other crops might struggle,” Ms McFarlane said.
And while the long hours and unpredictable weather can test even seasoned farmers, there’s one part of the process that Ms McFarlane still enjoys.
“Probably the best part is when it’s all done and dusted — when the hay’s in the shed and you’ve been paid,” she said with a laugh.
The pair have been growing hay for more than 30 years across 270 hectares of paddocks in Lalbert and Tittybong.
Farmers breathe a sigh of relief
By Peter Bannan
FARMING bodies and politicians have welcomed the Federal Government’s amendments to its proposed superannuation tax, describing the changes as a substantial improvement that will protect thousands of farming families from the worst impacts of the original policy.
Labor’s proposed tax would have introduced a new way of treating assets held in superannuation funds.
Under current rules, the earnings tax applies only to realised gains — for example, when interest is earned, a dividend is paid, or a property is sold.
However, the original proposal would have also taxed unrealised gains, meaning increases in the value of assets such as homes, farms, or artworks held within a self-managed super fund — even if they hadn’t been sold.
Supporters argued the approach would simplify administration, allowing funds to calculate tax annually based on a member’s total balance instead of tracking every individual transaction.
Critics, however, said it was unfair to tax members on paper gains from assets that aren’t liquid or income-producing, calling it an unconventional method more suited to council rate calculations than superannuation.
That idea has now been abandoned.
The revised plan will apply only to realised gains, and its introduction has been delayed until 2026 to give super funds more time to prepare.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the government had “worked through the issues and found another way,” acknowledging the backlash from industry groups, self-managed fund trustees, and advisers who warned that taxing unrealised gains could create liquidity crises for asset-rich, cash-poor investors - particularly farmers and property owners.
“[We will] adjust the earnings calculation so the
The government’s decision to tax only realised earnings, rather than unrealised capital gains, addresses the fundamental flaw in the original proposal that would have created impossible liquidity pressures for farming families.
concessional tax rates on large balances only apply to future realised earnings,” Mr Chalmers said.
“Treasury will consult on implementation details including the best approach to the calculation of future realised gains and attribution to individual fund members.”
Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said the announcement represented a “common-sense” response to concerns raised for
more than two years.
“It’s a common-sense outcome for a tax that never should have existed in its original form in the first place,” he said.
“So much unnecessary concern and worry could have been avoided if they consulted with the industry before wheeling this out.
“Victorian farmers are breathing a sigh of relief.
“They faced the very real prospect of being forced
to sell their land to pay tax bills on paper gains they had never actually realised.
“The government’s decision to tax only realised earnings, rather than unrealised capital gains, addresses the fundamental flaw in the original proposal that would have created impossible liquidity pressures for farming families.
Mr Hosking added the decision to index the $3 million threshold was equally important, preventing bracket creep from progressively capturing more family farms over time as land values naturally increased.
The original proposal threatened more than 3500 self-managed superannuation funds holding farmland across Australia from day one, with thousands more at risk as property values rose.
GrainGrowers chair Rhys Turton said many farms were held in superannuation structures, and the original proposal risked penalising intergenerational farming families for holding land.
“This was not just a technical tax issue - it was a threat to farming continuity and regional stability,” he said.
“Today’s decision is a win for common-sense, and GrainGrowers will continue to advocate for tax policy that reflects the realities of agricultural businesses and supports long-term investment in farming communities.”
Member for Mallee Anne Webster said it was a “poorly conceived, reckless and cruel plan to tax unrealised gains”.
“I’ve been saying for many months this tax grab on unrealised capital gains was the most brazen and unprecedented in the world, and at long last common-sense has prevailed,” Dr Webster said.
“Labor’s plan to punish Australia’s hardest workers and attack their unrealised superannuation gains was shocking from the start and never should have happened.”
VFF president Brett Hosking welcomed the Federal Government’s amendments to its proposed superannuation tax. Picture: File
Vision to rebuild and reconnect
By Peter Bannan
THE Victorian Farmers Federation’s new chief executive, Charlie Thomas, has wasted no time outlining an ambitious five-year plan to restore the organisation’s strength, rebuild trust, and re-engage with farmers across the state.
Announced by VFF president Brett Hosking following an extensive recruitment process, Mr Thomas has hit the ground running since officially stepping into his new role.
Raised on a farm near Condobolin in New South Wales, Mr Thomas brings a lifetime of connection to the land and deep experience in agricultural advocacy.
Before joining the VFF, he served as deputy chief executive of the National Farmers’ Federation, leading major campaigns on land use, taxation and water rights.
His background also includes senior roles at the NSW Farmers’ Association and the Property Council of Australia, as well as legal qualifications from the University of Sydney and MBA from Melbourne Business School.
Sitting down with North West Farmer, Mr Thomas’ priorities were clear: put the VFF on a stable financial footing, grow membership, and strengthen the organisation’s advocacy for farmers.
“First and foremost, we need to get the VFF back on a stable financial footing,” he said.
“Membership has taken a hit in recent years, and we need to re-engage farmers across the state and show them the real value of being part of the federation.”
That value, Mr Thomas said, must be demonstrated through results.
He pointed to recent advocacy wins such as delaying the emergency services levy, improvements to drought support, and the Federal Government’s backdown on the proposed superannuation tax — outcomes he said make “a tangible, bottom-line difference to every farmer in Victoria”.
“We have to get out and show people that these kinds of wins don’t just happen. They happen because of the VFF,” he said.
Mr Thomas is also focused on increasing member benefits and services, improving the VFF’s commercial partnerships, and ensuring assets such as Farrer House, the organisation’s Melbourne headquarters, deliver strong returns that can be reinvested back into
member services.
While some might question why the VFF remains based in the Melbourne CBD rather than the regions, Mr Thomas is firm on the importance of maintaining proximity to Parliament.
“We’re really the agricultural embassy in Melbourne,” he said.
“This is where the bulk of the politicians and bureaucrats are, and it’s where decisions get made. We have to be in the room to influence them.”
Mr Thomas said the VFF continued to maintain a strong relationship with Victorian Agriculture Minister Ros Spence, describing her as “a good supporter who’s always available and responsive”.
But he’s also frank about frustrations with broader government policy.
“Our job is to have the difficult conversations when we need to — to disagree strongly, but keep the door open. Because when there’s a flood or bushfire, we need to be able to pick up the phone and get farmers’ concerns heard,” Mr Thomas said.
When asked about the biggest challenges facing Victorian farmers, Mr Thomas didn’t hesitate: drought, red tape, and taxation.
“The level of regulation goes up every year,” he said.
“Policymakers often don’t realise the cumulative
effect their decisions have on small farm businesses.”
A recent VFF survey found that red tape and regulation ranked among the top concerns keeping farmers awake at night.
“The amount of paperwork and compliance farmers face now is enormous — and it’s getting worse every year,” Mr Thomas said.
With governments at all levels “strapped for cash,” Mr Thomas warned that farmers were increasingly being targeted through asset-based taxes.
“We represent people with significant assets but often limited cash flow,” he said.
“If governments keep taxing land and assets rather than income, they’ll drive younger generations away and weaken family farming across Victoria.”
Mental health was another key concern for the new chief executive, particularly as farmers face not just climate pressures but growing conflict over land access for renewable energy projects and transmission lines.
“You can see the toll these projects are taking on communities,” Mr Thomas said.
“Companies have tied up districts with nondisclosure agreements, leaving neighbours blindsided. That’s not how rural communities should operate.”
Mr Thomas said the VFF was pushing for better engagement from developers and governments, while also advocating for stronger mental health support for affected farmers.
He believed Victorian farmers were already world leaders in innovation but said more independent advice was needed to help them navigate emerging opportunities such as carbon and biodiversity markets.
“There’s a lot of commercial noise out there, but very little independent information,” Mr Thomas said.
“These are long-term decisions, and farmers deserve clear, trustworthy advice before they commit.”
Since taking the helm, Mr Thomas and Mr Hosking have been travelling across Victoria, attending branch meetings, field days and local events to rebuild trust and reconnect with members.
“The feedback has been really positive … people just want to see their organisation out there, listening,” he said.
The VFF is also modernising how it communicates with members, adopting email, text, WhatsApp and social media to reach farmers in more ways than ever before.
“Older and younger farmers engage differently,” Mr Thomas said.
“So, our approach is simple: reach them every way we can, as often as we can — until they tell us they’ve heard too much.”
Asked what Victoria would look like without the VFF, Mr Thomas was unequivocal.
“If the VFF didn’t exist, farmers would be forgotten,” he said.
“There are just things that governments wouldn’t think about or act on without a farmer-led voice at the table.”
As Victoria heads toward a state election in 2026, Mr Thomas said the VFF would be working closely with all political parties to ensure agriculture remains a central issue.
He’s determined that when his time as chief executive ends, he’ll be remembered for one thing: leaving the federation — and Victoria’s farmers — in a stronger position.
“Victoria needs a strong VFF,” Mr Thomas said.
“We’ve had our challenges, but it’s time to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, rebuild trust, and show every farmer why this organisation matters.”
DEGELMAN BIO SPREADERS
Record entries
By Peter Bannan
THE Central Murray BestWool/BestLamb carcase competition attracted a record number of entries, and recognised excellence from across the region’s sheep industry.
This year’s competition drew 177 carcases from 27 producers - the largest in the event’s 10-year history - with entries stretching from Blighty in the east, to Balranald and Wanganella in the north, Quambatook in the south-west, and Kerang and Murrabit in the south-east.
Delivered by Rick Ellis with administrative support from Natalie Schlitz on behalf of Central Murray BestWool/BestLamb and the Western Murray Land Improvement Group, the event was praised for its smooth delivery and outstanding carcase quality.
“We were really pleased with the increased entries and the quality this year,” Mr Ellis said.
“Processing at the abattoirs went very smoothly, animal welfare standards were excellent, and the competition keeps growing year after year.”
After a post-Covid lull, numbers and enthusiasm have surged back - driven in part by a growing involvement of younger producers and new entrants, including Barham High School, which competed for the first time and took second place in the prime medium class under the guidance of agriculture teacher Jamie Loy.
“It’s fantastic to see youth getting involved,” Mr Ellis said.
“There’s definitely a new energy coming through.
“The competition is stronger and broader than ever.”
The top honours went to David McDonald of Gonn Pastoral, whose Merino entry scored 281.42 points to secure the champion carcase title.
North Bundy Pastoral followed closely as reserve champion with 279.12 points.
Mr McDonald, who has supported the competition
for many years, said the win came as an unexpected but welcome surprise.
“It’s a little bit of a surprise, actually,” he said.
“There are some very serious lamb producers out there.
“For me, it’s not really about winning - it’s about benchmarking.
“You get a great snapshot of how your breeding and genetics are performing, and that’s invaluable.”
A fourth-generation farmer now winding back toward retirement, Mr McDonald said the past season had been one of the best in recent years.
“We had a really good run - about 250 millimetres of rain from late March through to August, on top of our irrigation,” he said.
“That gave us an incredible boost.
“It’s been unseasonal for here, but we were in the right spot at the right time.”
He credited the strong season and traditional pastures for helping produce high-quality lambs.
“We’re mainly running subclover-based pastures with a bit of Balansa clover mixed in,” he said.
“Those old pastures still do the job - they’ve been working for decades.
“When you get that seasonal kicker, everything just comes together beautifully.”
Despite calling his 2000-head operation “not much more than a hobby these days,” Mr McDonald said the competition remained one of the highlights of his year.
“It’s a great opportunity to network, catch up with other producers and share ideas,” he said.
“The spread of people involved is amazing - from as far north as Balranald down to Victoria.
He also praised the inclusion of Barham High School.
“Everyone was thrilled to see the school do so well,” Mr McDonald said.
“That sort of involvement is what keeps the industry alive.
“We’re already working out how we can help cover their subscription to BestWool/BestLamb so they can keep taking part.”
While Mr McDonald said he’s easing into retirement, he has no plans to leave the land just yet.
“Our country’s more suited to grazing than cropping,” he said.
“It’s heavy clay, good rice and pasture country.
“I’m pretty happy here.
“It’s been in the family for generations - my nephews are the fifth generation working around the place, so we’ve been here a while.”
Winners were announced in an online webinar hosted by Jeffers on 25 September, with follow-up workshops now planned for Wakool, Moulamein and Deniliquin in early 2026.
“After 10 years, this competition is still growing, still learning, and still helping producers lift their game,” Mr Ellis said.
“It’s a real testament to the commitment and quality of producers right across our district.”
Barham High School agriculture students won second place in the Prime Medium Hook category at this year’s Central Murray BestWool/BestLamb Competition.
LIVESTOCK REPORT
with Matt Rowlands
Dry conditions drive surge in sheep and cattle numbers
DRY seasonal conditions are prompting a surge in sheep and cattle numbers across Victorian and New South Wales markets, according to Elders livestock agent Matt Rowlands, who says the increased supply is beginning to put downward pressure on prices.
“There’s been a large increase in numbers week-on-week right across all selling centres,” Mr Rowlands said.
“The season’s starting to pinch a bit, not just locally but also up into central and eastern New South Wales.
“Limited feed on the ground and the current market prices have brought a fair few numbers out of the woodwork.”
Mr Rowlands said the rise in lamb yardings had caused prices to fluctuate, with values easing by $10 to $15 a head, depending on quality and condition.
“Well-finished lambs with good weight and fat cover are still holding firm, trading above $11 a kilo, but once you get into the secondary or sucker lambs — particularly the new-season lambs that are starting to dry in the skin and yield less — that’s where we’re seeing the reduction in price across most categories,” he said.
The mutton market, which had been extremely strong in recent weeks, has also softened slightly under the weight of increased numbers.
“Up until late last week, the mutton market was incredibly strong,” Mr Rowlands said.
“We were seeing very heavy sheep selling between $240 and $300 a head, and light to medium sheep making $160 to $210.
“But with more numbers coming through at Bendigo and other centres this week, we’ve seen mutton pull back $20 to $40 a head, now trading around $6.80 to $7.20 a kilo.”
Store lamb prices have followed suit.
“Feedlotters have got a good amount of lambs on hand at the moment — they were competing heavily earlier in the year, but that urgency’s come out of the market,” Mr Rowlands said.
“We’ve probably seen store lamb prices come back $15 to $20 on where they were a couple of months ago.”
Mr Rowlands said the focus now turned to
the southern lambs that would start to appear in the next month.
“The next four to six weeks will be key,” he said.
“It’ll depend on what those lambs coming out of the south look like, and how many there actually are — that will set the market pace heading into Christmas and early January.”
Mr Rowlands said there was already forward contracts available for December and January, which were “relatively competitive” and giving producers options.
“That’s allowed some people to shear lambs now and carry them through to target weights before selling,” he said.
On the cattle front, Mr Rowlands said yardings had also lifted significantly.
“At Swan Hill this week we’ve got about 1400 to 1500 head yarded, which is up around four to five hundred on previous weeks,” he said.
“There’s a good mix of well-finished trade cattle and cows, along with some younger store types.”
Despite the solid quality, prices have eased slightly.
“Since the start of the week, the cattle
market has reduced by 20 to 30 cents a kilo across most weights and grades,” Mr Rowlands said.
“That’s simply a result of more cattle coming through the system.
“But there’s still some good opportunities in lighter store cattle for restockers to take through into summer.”
Mr Rowlands said feedlotters and processors remained the main drivers of the market.
“It’s largely being driven by feedlotters and processors at the moment,” he said.
“They’re still chasing well-bred cattle with weight, and in the cow market, processors are particularly active on the well-covered cows going into the US grinding beef trade — that market’s still been really well supported.”
Mr Rowlands said the next few weeks would be critical as producers balance feed availability against market opportunity.
“As the season tightens, people are weighing up their options,” he said.
“If we don’t see a break soon, we’ll likely keep seeing those increased numbers and a bit of price movement week-to-week.”
Lead draft of sucker lambs sold at last week’s lambs sale making $322.
Stud auction success
By Lochlainn Heley
RAM stud sellers Deepdale Dorpers reached a top price of $47,000 at last week’s Ram Auction.
The auction last Monday was the WA organisation’s fourth sale and third at Merrinee stud farm Willah, about 40 minutes south-west of Mildura, since recently expanding into the new property.
Despite a year of low rain which has put a stain on regional farmers, stud farm manager Brady Bowen said he was glad to see many familiar faces at the auction.
“We had a lot of returning buyers and new buyers,” he said.
“It was a very positive day for what’s been a pretty tough year for a lot of farmers with not much rain at all.
“We had buyers from South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria, and some new buyers from Horsham.
“You don’t really know who’s going to come until the day, but it’s always good to see new people turn up.”
Last year’s Deepdale Droopers auction made a national record selling an average of $6200, following the organisation’s outstanding wins at the 2024 Dorper Sheep Society of Australia
National Show a month earlier.
This year, the auction average reached $5239 and Mr Bowen said buyers were clearly still impressed with the quality.
“Those awards give a good benchmark of where you are against the other studs,” he said.
“At the National Show, we were the most successful in Dorper and White Dorper, and then we won “Supreme Exhibit” and a few others.
“You never really know how the auction will perform, but I think the quality we’re breeding is what people want.
“We were really happy with our average.”
New solution to help spot leaf disease
By Lochlainn Heley
PLANT pathologist groups with the New South Wales Government have funded a project to establish solutions for a fungal disease damaging the state’s barley crops.
Ramularia leaf spot was first detected in 2021 in a NSW field, but was first genetically recorded in 2019.
The new project, funded by The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development,
aims to better understand the epidemiology of the disease and its effect on infected crops.
NSW DPIRD plant pathologist Ben Ovenden said there were still several unknowns to the disease.
“Ramularia poses a significant threat to barley production, but it is not well understood in Australia,” Dr Ovenden said.
“It’s hard to detect, it’s transmitted via seed and windborne spores, and it can produce billions of spores per hectare to infect crops over large areas.
“From a control point of view this disease is
challenging because there are so many aspects that we need to solve.”
The RLS infection presents no symptoms in barley until it is too late in the season, which causes the whole plant to rapidly decay.
Early research has identified the disease can result in yield loss of more than 10 per cent and is now endemic in barley crops throughout the state.
The funded study would investigate the responsible pathogen and GRDC manager diseases
Alan Little said better understanding would support
growers.
“Having robust identification tools will allow growers to take timely action, reduce misdiagnosis, and minimise yield losses,” Dr Little said.
“Understanding the disease’s epidemiology and economic impact will guide future investment in targeted management strategies to support growers.”
NSW growers have been encouraged to call NSW DPIRD if they suspect their crop is carrying the disease.
Trapped by tradition
By PATRICK TUCKER
THE Trap Collectors Association of Australia gathered last weekend in Nyah for their much-anticipated annual auction.
More than 500 traps, ranging from Australian-made artifacts to beginner pieces were on offer, with top items fetching over $3000.
The event ran for two days, drawing around 50 members from three states.
TCAA president Austin Carlon said the event was a major highlight for collectors across the region.
“It was great to see the high quality of traps and that members from different states made the long drive for this social weekend,” he said.
“We had new faces among the regulars, and there was something for everyone, whether you’re a beginner or a long-term collector.”
While the auction is a chance for members to expand their collections, it’s also a significant event for the local community.
“This meet is not only a great social event for our members and a chance to add to their collections, but it also helps out local businesses, as many stay for a few nights and put back into the towns,” Mr Carlon said.
TCAA was formed in early 2000 and now boasts around 100 members from across Australia, passionate about preserving rural history and the craft of trapping.
For longtime Nyah West resident and this year’s auctioneer, Gordon Borchard, the club is about something deeper.
“It’s for people that are interested in collecting traps and preserving the history of trapping,” he said.
“Which was obviously very important for rabbit control, and through the Depression.
“It’s what fed a lot of families and kept them going through that time.”
For both Mr Carlon and Mr Borchard, collecting isn’t just a pastime -- it’s personal.
“I started collecting many years ago after seeing some old traps on a property I visited,” Mr Carlon said. “It brought back memories of when I used to use them as a kid.
“I bought a couple for memory’s sake, and that kickstarted my addiction.”
“I also grew up with it,” Mr Borchard said.
“My family had traps during the early years, and trapped through the hard times.
“I took up more of an interest as I got a bit older.”
There’s a unique culture within the TCAA, from “bragging rights” after a successful auction to friendly debates over the best finds.
“Most traps originally used in Australia are preferred over foreign ones by a lot of people, he said.
“Some prefer rabbit traps, others favour the rarer dingo traps.
“The history and the thrill of the chase are all part of it.”
Mr Borchard emphasised the club’s focus is on preserving artifacts, not perpetuating animal trapping.
“They’re not being traded to be used,” he said.
“They’re going to collectors, and that’s a point of difference.”
Mr Carlon echoed the sentiment.
“Our club is about preserving the history of traps in
our country, just like any other collectable,“ he said.
Each year, TCAA holds a mid-year “buy, swap, and sell” meet, hosted in a different location to allow members to experience different places, with the main auction held annually in October.
The last two auctions have been in Nyah, chosen for its central location for members from several states.
Mr Carlon and Mr Borchard both agreed collecting wasn’t limited to just one group, and welcomed all backgrounds and ages.
“All sorts of people are interested,” Mr Borchard said.
“There are people that live in town, and all sorts of interstate members, quite a few have grown up with a country lifestyle and have a rural farming background.
“And there are others that just have an interest in the history.”
Mr Carlon encouraged the younger generation to get involved.
“There are some newer generations of collectors, but not as many as we’d like, we always encourage younger members to keep the hobby alive,” he said.
Mr Borchard said that for many, the event felt more like a reunion than a marketplace.
“The social side is just as important as the rest of it,” he said.
“You’re meeting with like-minded people you’ve known for a long time, and you get to keep catching up with them annually from all over the country.”
To learn more about the TCAA or to join, visit their Facebook page.
This special trophy is re-auctioned each year, with all proceeds donated to a charity of the winner’s choice. Pictures Supplied
Handcrafted wooden rabbit trap models were sold at this year’s trap auction.
Large, wide jawed traps were on sale at this year’s auction.
Industry unites for forum
By Almonds Australia chief executive
Tim Jackson
THE countdown is on to the biennial Corteva Australian Almonds Research and Development Forum at the Robinvale Community Arts Centre on October 21 and 22.
More than 200 people have already registered for the two-day event.
The forum has morphed into a “must-attend” event for those involved in growing almonds.
The program features two on-farm demonstration options on day one, one looking at Carpophilus Beetle trapping and monitoring, while the other centres around maximising efficiencies with spray set-ups.
Coaches have been organised to transport attendees to the field days.
For safety and biosecurity reasons, no private vehicles will be given access to these farms.
Day one will also feature two key morning sessions and an industry overview.
The ABA’s annual general meeting will be held at 11am, while there has also been strong interest in a sustainability workshop facilitated by internationally recognised service provider Leading Harvest.
This will be held at the nearby Robinvale Football Club from 10.30am to noon.
A new innovation this year will come at the end of
the farm tours.
We will host an evening meal and refreshments at the community centre with a trade show to provide exhibitors and attendees with plenty of time to catch up. We will also take the opportunity to acknowledge the eight graduates who have completed the first ABA leadership course.
On Wednesday, delegates will gather in the theatre at the Robinvale Community Arts Centre for a series of presentations covering issues including almond quality, breeding, non-infectious bud failure, pollination and agrichemicals.
Here are some of the other highlights:
Managing pests
Pest management is a big focus for the 2025 forum. Delegates will get the opportunity to hear from Australian and Californian researchers working in this field, while growers will share their experiences managing orchard hygiene and participating in the Carpophilus Beetle Monitoring Network.
New technology
There’s a variety of tools available that can help growers make better farm management decisions.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are being used to improve weather forecasting, while vision and lidar sensors can help with yield estimation, mummy nut mapping and hull rot detection.
Growing Almond Leaders graduation
The eight participants in the almond industry’s leadership program will graduate on the Tuesday night of the forum. Their course started in late January and has included several online and in person catch ups throughout the year.
These sessions have focused on developing the participants’ leadership skills, while also building knowledge on the Australian almond industry.
As part of their leadership course, graduates were required to identify an industry issue and posters on
OWN THE LAND, RUN THE BUSINESS... ...SEPARATELY
Holding a farming business and farm land in distinctly separate entities can provide several advantages:
• Asset Protection: Separating the ownership of farmland from the farming business can protect the land from liabilities incurred by the business. For example, if the farming business by a separate entity, may not be at risk.
• Succession Planning: Separating ownership can facilitate better estate planning by allowing the testator to manage the distribution of assets more effectively. By holding the farmland in a trust or company, it is easier to transfer ownership or control to the next generation without disrupting the farming operations. This structure can help manage intergenerational transfers and avoid disputes
•Tax treatment: Structuring the farming business and land ownership separately can provide tax planning opportunities. For instance, rental income from leasing the land to the
these topics will be displayed at the R&D Forum.
Networking opportunities
Three networking functions have been organised during the forum.
Following the field trips on Tuesday afternoon, delegates are invited to stay at the Robinvale Community Arts Centre for the welcome function sponsored by Haifa.
Catering will be provided by food trucks, with a variety of cuisine on offer.
On Wednesday morning a networking breakfast will get underway at 7am, thanks to the support of Adama.
The Robinvale Euston Rotary Club will be serving up a selection of hot and cold breakfast options, before presentations begin in the theatre.
The R&D Forum will wrap up on Wednesday afternoon with happy hour, giving growers and other industry representatives one final chance to mingle before they head home.
For further information about the R&D Forum, including how to register visit the Almond Board of Australia website.
farming business may be treated differently for tax purposes. to CGT concessions, GST exemptions, and enhanced tax planning opportunities.
•Operational Flexibility: Separating the entities allows for For example, the farming business can lease the land from responsibilities and enabling the land-owning entity to secure
If you need assistance with identifying ownership of assets or restructuring the ownership of farm assets or land please contact our Commercial and Succession Planning team.
Gemma Jealous, Sheri Robinson and Eryn Wrigley at Select Harvests composting site during the 2023 Research and Development Forum tour.
Farmer wants a shed
WHENit comes to protecting property and assets from the harsh Australian environment, there is no one more experienced than an Aussie farmer. From dawn to dusk, all year round, you work hard to ensure your livestock, crops, produce, equipment, machinery and vehicles are sheltered, safe and secure.
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A 100% owned and operated family company, A-Line Building Systems brings together Australian-made high-quality steel manufacturing and construction, longevity, industry know-how, and a sense of practicality and versatility to deliver a range
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With confidence, A-Line Building Systems can stand behind every shed we produce – rest assured a great solution can be delivered for whatever type of building you are looking for. Offering a wide choice of options to fully customise your shed, A-Line can deliver the perfect combination of sizes, specifications, features, and colours.
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Local family owned and operated
A-Line Building Systems was founded by Craig Barker in 1992. Craig operated a modest steel fabrication factory in Ferntree Gully, in the outer suburbs of Melbourne. From there, Craig started building sheds for locals and quickly built a reputation for reliability, integrity, trust,
customer partnership and contributing to the community.
As the business and family grew, the business moved to a larger facility in Dandenong South, forming a base to extend their support Australia-wide with partners who know and understand their local industries and communities.
Today, Craig and his two sons, Guy and Tom, lead a team of dedicated specialists, proudly committed to the delivery of world-class service to our customers and partners.
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Udder chaos and dairy dramas
YOU know how men are not very good at reading subliminal messages.
I fell off the motorbike again and I’ve hurt myself again - that’s the third time in 12 months - all at low speed (actually it’s the fourth time if you count the one that didn’t hurt).
Chubby, bald 52-year-old men don’t bounce and
recover like teenagers and I don’t think that’s fair.
I must be missing the memo that says stop riding two wheel motorbikes you idiot.
Even stupider is when I ride one handed and talk on the phone, this bear has no brains.
What’s even more embarrassing, and I haven’t told anyone this, but the latest mishap was on my front lawn.
I was riding back to the house and one of the sprinklers was throwing a wobbly and... I think we will let it go there, but the end result was a set of handlebars imprinted on my chest/shoulder.
I think the stupidity must be genetic, my dad used to ride the two wheeler side saddle, did it for years.
The big guns are working on the factory expansion this week.
The gas boiler ring main is 80 per cent complete,
the chiller lines are 90 per cent complete and I have a crew coming from Kyabram to make all the machines talk to each other and to make sure they do what they are supposed to do, and ensure they are all running at the same speed.
Due to the expansion, the factory is a bit higgledypiggledy and we are out of room at the moment, so we are going to stop making yoghurt.
I don’t think many people will notice.
I’m not sure if it’s short-term or long-term yet.
I have consistently said from the start I think the yoghurt is our best product but we have been unable to back that up with sales, not that we tried very hard, there just wasn’t time.
Our price point was uncompetitive as our production process was mostly manual and the labour cost was too high.
My new labeller came and it didn’t quite fit which
was a bit upsetting seeing we had waited four months for it.
We can still use it independently in the shortterm but that was not the design.
The plan was to take a new empty chocolate milk bottle off the pallet, send it through the labeller, then the date coder. It then gets filled and goes straight in the box, and we only touch it twice.
I now have to build an adapter to make the two conveyers best friends.
In fact, throughout this whole process very few steps have been seamless.
I’d like to blame a lot of people but it’s probably quicker and less painless if I just look in the mirror.
It’s a bit like riding a motorbike, I have the capacity to make it stop but I just bought a new two-wheeler so it looks like I’m in for more pain.
Northern Victoria’s water outlook improves
IN A welcome development for water users across northern Victoria, the Resource Manager announced on Wednesday an update to the 2025/26 seasonal determinations, revealing modest improvements in water availability across several key systems.
The Murray system saw a notable increase, with seasonal determinations rising from 80 per cent to 90 per cent of high-reliability water shares (HRWS).
The Goulburn and Loddon systems also experienced a slight boost, moving from 51 per cent HRWS to 54 per cent.
Meanwhile, the Broken system improved from 22 per cent HRWS to 27 per cent.
The Campaspe system remains steady at 100 per cent HRWS, maintaining its full allocation.
However, the Bullarook system continues to struggle, with seasonal determinations unchanged at zero per cent HRWS.
Resource manager Mark Bailey attributed the improvements to better-than-expected inflows into major storages.
“Generally, the flows into the storages were a little higher than our conservative forecasts,” Dr Bailey said.
He explained that these stronger inflows had a direct impact on allocations.
“These better than expected flows added more water into the allocation pools. However, there was very little improvement in the Bullarook system. More rainfall and flows are needed to close the gap to a seasonal determination in the system.”
Looking ahead, Dr Bailey cautioned that the coming months could bring challenges, particularly if dry conditions persist.
“As we are approaching the time of year when flows into the storages tend to reduce, the extent of water availability for 2025/26 is starting to take shape. Without rain and improved storage volumes, we face the potential of limited reserves for system operating requirements and seasonal determinations in 2026/27 in some systems.”
He urged entitlement holders to begin preparing for the possibility of reduced allocations in the next water year.
“Entitlement holders are encouraged to begin planning for 2026/27, particularly if lower inflows continue into the next water year.”
Season kicks off as weather heats up
WINE GRAPES
HERE we go for another season.
The grape vines have kicked off a couple of weeks later than recent years and are now growing quickly as the weather warms up.
It’s been a dry start as well, so regular irrigations are required, and the frosts have stayed away.
That’s about where the good news concludes.
Most wineries are reducing their planned intakes for this coming season and prices for red varieties will reflect their lack of confidence.
As passionate growers of permanent crops we generally don’t like being told that our produce is not required, but we need to put our big pants on and choose to chemically remove the fruit at flowering and use less valuable water or remove the plantings altogether.
Wineries could do better by not offering ridiculously low prices that are equivalent to only half the grower’s cost of production.
Increased water, diesel and electricity prices, along with increased costs from negligent governments have reduced our ability to compete in the depressed bulk wine market.
The creatures normally know what the weather forecast has for us and as we look for the tell-tale levy banks around the ant’s residences, but instead they have been observed, digging and constructing dams to store water instead.
The Orb Spiders that normally depend on wet springs that bring plenty of bugs and moths are now all working together to build strong webs for bigger
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Action needed to protect farming future
FARMERS across our region are feeling the pinch like never before.
Lack of September rain, ever increasing overheads, endless audits and administration, and what seems like a new tax every other month; meanwhile, their produce continues to fetch less and less on the market.
For many, it is becoming harder to see a future
for their family in farming on the same land that has supported them and our communities for generations.
These are the very farms that our region was built on, and even now, everything in our region is connected to the agriculture industry.
We wouldn’t exist without it.
Our small family farmers are the same families that feed families across the state, country and across the world, yet our farmers are being pushed to the edge and instead of lending a hand, the Labor Government
prey and remnants of kangaroos, Ibises and the odd motorbike helmet can be seen surrounding the big webs.
The snails conducted their Bathurst Burr 1000 on the weekend and unlike the other race this one was dry, so the race was shortened from 1000mm to 100mm, and due to a few crashes and rollovers the safety snail was required a few times.
The winner by half a length was Steve the Snail from Olive Oil Racing and a protest by the secondplace recipient from Bernie’s Brake Pads is pending following an extra slippery substance being detected. Talk to your mates.
Most wineries are reducing their planned intakes for this coming season and prices for red varieties will reflect a lack of confidence within the market.
keeps piling on more pressure.
Higher taxes, more red tape and a lack of real, tangible support are pushing many to the brink.
Our farmers are not just statistics, they are hardworking people who put food on our tables and drive our local economy.
Given the relentless pressures on farmers, it is no wonder nine in 10 say they feel ignored and disrespected by the Allan Labor Government.
Instead of treating primary producers as a cash cow, the Allan Labor Government should be backing them
and delivering the support needed to strengthen
Victoria’s world-class food and fibre industry.
Most are too proud to ever take a cent from the government, but the Labor Government, both state and federal need to start listening and take immediate action to support regional Victorians and protect our farming future.
We need practical support, not more talk, task forces, taxes and barriers in the way.
Jade Benham Member for Mildura
A growers’ tool has been updated to include European honeybee toxicity rates. PICTURE: File
By Lochlainn Heley
A TOOL used by grain growers and advisers has been updated to better guide the use of insecticides which inadvertently harm pollinators.
The Beneficials Chemical Toxicity Table, now in its fourth version, is a resource detailing the toxicity ratings which pests and pollinators can withstand, according to laboratory testing.
The project was led by the University of Melbourne and is the result of the $24.79 million Australian Grains and Horticulture Pest Innovation program from the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
Hort Innovation and Cesar Australia were also development contributors and GRDC manager Leigh Nelson said the table would help growers better decide what pesticides to use.
“Growers and advisers are already using the table to sharpen spray decisions, and that uptake is setting a new benchmark for best practice across
the grains industry,” Dr Nelson said.
“They should continue to use the updated table to compare chemical options, selecting products that effectively target pests while minimising harm to beneficials, supporting natural pest control and protecting pollinator health.”
Part of the update was the addition of toxicity data of European honeybees, which now sits alongside existing data of beneficial insects.
Cesar Australia director Associate Professor Paul Umina said the tool should only be used to compare products.
“Honeybee ratings are based on Economic Cooperation and Development testing data. These use LD 50 values—a measure of how toxic a product is to bees,” he said.
“This information should be treated as a guide. It’s useful for comparing products but needs to be considered alongside local bee activity and how and when chemicals are applied.”
The tool is now available through the Cesar Australia website.
Building on Strength
O’Connors welcomes Belle-Vue Machinery to the Network
INa move that marks both growth and continuity for Victorian farmers, O’Connors has officially welcomed Belle-Vue Machinery into its dealership network. Finalised on 1 October 2025, the acquisition brings together two respected names in agricultural machinery.
For O’Connors, the addition of Belle-Vue Machinery is more than an expansion - it’s an evolution of a shared commitment to regional farming communities. With BelleVue’s established presence in Swan Hill and Warracknabeal, and its strong relationship with New Holland Agriculture, the partnership strengthens O’Connors’ ability to deliver trusted service, reliable machinery, and local expertise to customers.
“This transaction means our customers gain access to an even broader selection of machinery, including New Holland’s well-established product range,” said Aaron Cordy, Managing Director of O’Connors. “Our focus remains firmly on providing timely service and technical support, reliable parts, and expert advice to keep farms running efficiently.”
The acquisition ensures farmers continue to be supported by familiar faces, while gaining the benefits of O’Connors’ broader network and resources. Customers will see immediate advantages, including:
• Expanded parts and stock availability across multiple locations
• Access to O’Connors’ deep technical knowledge base, backed by the global expertise of parent company Titan Machinery
• Greater choice in machinery, including a diversified combine harvester offering
• A solution-focused team committed to year-round support
CNH Business Director, Aaron Bett,
described the move as a strong outcome for regional customers. “O’Connors’ longstanding commitment to supporting farmers, now combined with New Holland offerings in Swan Hill, Warracknabeal and surrounding areas, provides customers with more options and stronger service across the region.”
Both CNH and O’Connors acknowledged the contribution of Chris Taylor and the Belle-
Vue Machinery team, whose two decades of dedication to the New Holland brand and local farming community have built a solid foundation for the transition.
Beyond Swan Hill and Warracknabeal, the acquisition also opens the door for expanded New Holland support through O’Connors’ existing branches in Birchip, Ouyen, Horsham, and St Arnaud - ensuring farmers across the region continue to have access to
quality equipment and dependable service close to home.
As O’Connors continues to grow, its focus remains where it has always been, standing alongside farmers, helping them keep their businesses moving, and ensuring every season runs smoothly.
For more information about the transition, customers are encouraged to contact their local O’Connors branch.
Warnings Information at www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings or Ph: 1300 659 210 (local call cost)
Mallee Forecast
Mallee Slight chance of a shower in the morning. The chance of a storm in the morning. Mostly sunny afternoon. Winds southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h turning southerly 15 to 20 km/h during the evening. Saturday. Mostly sunny. Winds southerly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light during the morning. Victoria Partly cloudy with possible showers on and south of the Divide, clearing by the evening. Possible early morning storms across the north. A mild day across the state with temperatures generally near average. Moderate west to south westerly winds extending throughout, freshening near the coasts. Saturday. Partly cloud with light isolated showers possible for southern Gippsland, otherwise mostly dry. Isolated fog and frost in the west and about the ranges. A mild day with temperatures near average, grading to warm and slightly above average temperatures in the north west. Light and variable winds turning to moderate north to northeasterlies through the afternoon.
Chances
Water Storages
Capacity% FullCurrentChangeLast Year Dartmouth3,856,23272.22,784,63814,3323,631,636 Hume3,005,15753.41,605,545-57,1851,851,820 Eildon3,334,15856.01,866,078-10,6352,847,379 Others1,421,54562.8892,744-13,8561,076,058 Total11,617,09261.57,149,005-67,3449,406,893
Southern Basin Water Market Update
Southern Basin storages are currently sitting at 66%, slightly below the 78% held at the same time last year. While this doesn’t indicate immediate risk, it does suggest that allocation growth may be more gradual this season compared to what irrigators have become accustomed to in recent wetter years.
Winter crop irrigation is slowly winding up, and with harvest just around the corner conversations are quickly shifting to summer water requirements. That shift is already being reflected in the temporary allocation market. Prices have been steadily rising, driven mainly by drier conditions, and uncertainty surrounding water availability.
Temporary allocation prices across the Goulburn and Victorian Murray Zone 7 are currently sitting near parity a sign of increased demand, less availability and that many buyers are adopting a cautious, waitand-see approach rather than aggressively pursuing early-season water. Price spreads are narrower than usual, suggesting that most trading zones are operating under similar assumptions about resource availability.
On Wednesday 15 October, allocations for Victoria Murray High Reliability Water Shares (HRWS) saw a notable jump from 80% to 90%, progressing in line with early expectations and bringing some muchneeded confidence of achieving 100% by December 2025.
However, the Goulburn system is likely to see slower allocation growth than in previous seasons with only a moderate 3% increase to HRWS allocations (now 54%) and without significant inflows into Eildon, the Goulburn system is unlikely to receive full allocations before February or at all. Which may influence how quickly the system advances towards higher allocation prices.
Allocations for NSW Murray General Security (GS) entitlements remained unchanged at 18%, likewise NSW Murrumbidgee GS remains at 32%.
On Wednesday 15 October the Goulburn IVT opened for approximately 31GL. What made this moment particularly interesting is that we are almost at price parity between the Goulburn and Victorian Murray Zone 7, something we haven’t seen since the 2019–20 season, when allocation prices rallied sharply on the back of similar dry conditions. Without full allocations in the Goulburn demand is likely to remain at these levels, which could force more IVT openings.
The Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) have started calling on water from the Murrumbidgee IVT account to the Murray. Meaning the IVT should opening briefly in the coming week(s), adding further availability to the Murray.
Meanwhile, in Victoria, the Murray system has been declared a low risk of spill, returning an estimated
59GL back into the allocation pool. While this has provided a short-term confidence bump, we are not seeing it soften allocation demand.
Looking ahead, mixed climate model reports are being circulated and there remains an essence of hope for a significant rainfall event. However, short term is still leaning toward a drier-than-average outlook for late spring and early summer. Until we see meaningful rainfall, we expect allocation prices to remain firm.
Overall, the temporary allocation market remains in a state of flux, with some additional supply being brought to the market thanks to low risk of spill announcement’s and IVT openings; however, irrigators cautiously monitoring weather conditions and future allocation updates ahead of the summer months.
Planning For The
As
While
products generally come at a higher price compared to the traditional spot market, they offer greater certainty and enable you to better plan your water requirements based on projected availability.
If you're looking to manage risk and secure your water needs more strategically, now is the ideal time to explore these options.
For those seeking the latest pricing information and expert guidance, our local broker network st
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