The Farmer July-August 2021

The weeds explosion

Vickery Extension Project

A guide for cattle breeders

Trading with Indonesia

Fires, floods and mice Then comes weeds

Farmers on the frontline of mining

What's the go in the current bullish market

Is it time to embrace our neighbour?

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J U LY – A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 / $ 9 . 9 5

Shell shocked The challenges and future of Australia’s oyster industry

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ROLL BARS ON QUAD BIKES SAVING LIVES With 283 fatalities Australia wide over the last 20 years and five deaths in NSW from rollovers over the last 18 months, quad bikes are continuing to be the biggest killer on Australian farms. Quad bike rollover is the leading cause of death.

In October, new legislation will come into effect by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), which calls to mandate all new and second hand imported quad bikes sold in Australia be pre-fitted with roll bars at point of sale.

Roll bars, or operator protective devices, are designed to protect riders from being crushed or pinned underneath the weight of the quad bike in the event of a roll over.

SafeWork NSW has been long term advocates to improve quad bike safety, introducing the Quad Bike Safety Improvement Program in 2016.

Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson, said the NSW Government supports the new Quad Bike Safety Standard to fit all new and second hand imported quad bikes with roll bars.

“We have been looking at quad bike safety for some time now and not one of the quad bike rollover fatalities reported in Australia had a roll bar fitted,” Mr Anderson said.

“We have carried out extensive testing with University of New South Wales’ Transport and Road Safety (TARS) Research Centre on roll bars.

The testing showed that roll bars can reduce serious asphyxiation and crush injuries by creating a void between the quad bike and the operator in the event of a roll over.”

“A roll bar and wearing a helmet can make all the difference between a minor incident and a lifelong injury – or even death,” Mr Anderson said.

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Ben Watts, a farmer from Orange NSW got roll bars fitted to his quad bikes after experiencing rollovers.

NSW Farmers’ Association agrees. James Jackson, NSW Farmers’ President says “Unfortunately, in response to the new standard, several quad bike manufacturers are taking a militant approach by announcing their withdrawal from the Australian market. So, there are divided opinions within the farming community on whether mandating roll bars is necessary. The counter argument that roll bars are more dangerous is false and not backed up by data,” he says.

Ben Watts, a sheep farmer from Orange in Central West NSW, with 32 years’ experience riding quad bikes believes putting a roll bar on a quad bike is a no-brainer.

“When I didn’t have a roll bar and I rolled, I remember lying there with the pain of fractured ribs and the taste of blood in my mouth. All I could think about was making it home to my family.

It was one of the scariest days at work. I was in the middle of nowhere and my girls (wife and 3 daughters) didn’t know where I was.

My whole family and my workers all use quad bikes, that’s why I installed roll bars - safety is our golden rule.” Mr Watts said.

“Anyone who rides a quad bike on our farm must have a helmet done up and every team member must have proper training. We have areas of country which are no-go zones because it’s too steep.”

SafeWork NSW Inspector Mark Mclean supports the Watts' family approach.

“Operators need to be aware that even with a roll bar, you should be trained to operate a quad bike safely and always wear a helmet,” Mr Mclean said.

“There are so many contributing factors to rollover — even careful, experienced operators can roll their quad bikes. Quad bikes are known for being notoriously unstable.

“Simple things, like a small hole, a loose rock, a sudden turn, a lapse of concentration, tyre pressure going down, or a log that you didn’t see in the grass, can be the catalyst to a fatal or serious roll over incident. Flat ground and driving at a low speed are not fail-safe.

“We get comfortable in our routines, but there’s always a choice on what is safest.”

Mr Anderson said that the NSW Quad Bike Safety Rebate and Free Training Program is still on offer to improve quad bike safety.

“Up to $2000 can be claimed in safety rebates to assist quad bike users. $600 is available for each roll bar (an ATV lifeguard or quad bar flexi).

Helmets are required for all quad bike users — the rebate is available for these too - in addition to drones and SSVs.”

For more information on quad bike safety, the TARS research, rebates and free quad bike training, visit safework.nsw.gov.au

Contents TRADE

THE MUSTER

SPECIAL REPORT EDUCATION

WE’RE NUTS FOR ALMONDS

NEWS AND VIEWS

Kids to Farm program launches; NSW Farmers’ annual conference is back; The growth of telehealth; The weed explosion; The Great Western Highway; Remembering Sir Thomas Mort; Vickery Mine and a class action � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 8

THE BIG PICTURE

More young people living in the country means increased enrolments in Australia’s regional universities � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 74

THE OYSTER PADDOCK

Bushfires, a pandemic and floods. A look into the ongoing challenges of working in the oyster industry � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 50

ENVIRONMENT Education and experience have seen a new harmony blossom between wind turbine holders and their neighbours � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 82

SPECIAL REPORT CATTLE 26 A BULL MARKET

Diving deep into NSW’s cattle industry.

What does the future hold? � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

THE BIG ISSUE

COMMUNITY 54 NEW GENERATION: THE DOWNES

MAKING THE BUSH GREAT AGAIN

For Australia to reach its full potential as a strong nation, our regions must be an ongoing focus .................................... 32

BUSINESS

A sixth-generation farming family uses both innovation and a heritage listing to keep their property from becoming just another suburb in the Sydney basin � � � � � �

CURRENT AFFAIR

86

INDONESIA – THE STRANGER NEXT DOOR

Trading with Indonesia: Australia must diversify our export portfolio in order to mitigate political risk � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

SALEYARDS

Father's Day products to spoil dad � � � � � � � �

92

66 FARM DOGS

Meet Floss the Boss from Brownlow Hill 95

A YARN ABOUT WOOL

Nundle Woollen Mill continues to spin reams of success � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

UNIVERSITY OF THE BUSH

WINDING BACK THE WAR ON WIND

GRAINS OF TRUTH

A deep dive into the state of the grains industry after bushfires, floods and a horrific mouse plague � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

Australia has grown almost $1 billion worth of almonds this year, and we’re on track for half as much again in the next five years � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 46

INNOVATION

MEET A MEMBER

NSW Farmers’ Member Philip Melbourne 96

38 BIOFUELS: DRIVING NET NEUTRAL BY

BLOOD ORANGES, SWEAT & TOIL

Australia’s largest blood orange producer uses heritage and health to market its product at a premium price � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 42

Tracy Blackburn – a sheep and crop farmer near Dubbo – on her farm.

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THE FARMER

JUL - AUG 2021

2050 GOAL

THE TAIL END

Adoption of biofuels could see farmers in the forefront of the drive towards net zero carbon emissions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 70

After drought and COVID-19, country shows are back but another risk is looming � � � � � � � � 98

Internet Solutions for Farms of all Sizes Activ8me and parent company Australian Private Networks are leaders in remote and regional Australian connectivity.

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Switching to Activ8me and Sky Muster™ Plus can be arranged over the phone.

Call us on 13 22 88 or visit activ8me.net.au for full details.

Solutions for Large Agriculture Australian Private Networks (APN) offers custom WiFi hardware for the agriculture industry, powered by nbn™ Business BSS and Unleashed™ business satellite services.

APN’s Solutions Include: Unlimited Data Available Choice of unlimited data on Unleashed™ or nbn™ BSS data blocks without peak and off peak times.

Vehicle, Trailer & Bespoke Hardware Portable equipment for connecting a temporary service anywhere.

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Speak to us on (03) 8566 8312 or visit apn.net.au for more information.

Major Partner

Business Services

From the editor

THE MAGAZINE

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PUBLISHER James Wells EDITOR Michelle Hespe ART DIREC TOR Ryan Vizcarra

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EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES

Michelle Hespe Email: mhespe@intermedia.com.au

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Ben Payne Email: bpayne@intermedia.com.au Phone : 0403 893 668

–CONTRIBUTORS

Darcy Watt Darren Baguley Eden Connell Ian Lloyd Neubauer Jeanette Severs Lisa Smyth Michael Burt Paul Henderson-Kelly Phil Somerville Rachel Lenehan Sandra Godwin Sheree Young Susan Gough Henly Sue Wallace Tony Blackie NSW FARMERS

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MANAGING DIREC TOR Simon Grover CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Chris Baker FINANCE MANAGER Mina Vranistas PRODUC TION MANAGER Jacqui Cooper HEAD OF DIGITAL Pauline Grech HEAD OF EVENTS Beth Tobin The Farmer magazine magazine is published for the NSW Farmers Association (ABN: 31 000 004 651) by The Intermedia Group (ABN: 94 002 583 682) 41 Bridge Rd, Glebe NSW 2037.

All rights reserved. Printed by IVE Group. Getty Images were used throughout the magazine.

The weeds explosion

Vickery Extension Project

A guide for cattle breeders

Trading with Indonesia

Fires, floods and mice Then comes weeds

Farmers on the frontline of mining

What's the go in the current bullish market

Is it time to embrace our neighbour?

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h, how the world has changed for all of us over the past 18 months.

Things we took for granted such as walking into a pub or restaurant and socialising are now continually thrown into question, and using QR codes and hand sanitiser is as normal as opening a door.

And how about Zooms? A couple of years back, zoom still meant moving quickly, or something you did with a camera.

Now it’s the new word for a meeting.

I did a few things recently that I’ve not done since this pandemic kicked off. Two of those were things I've long taken for granted – travelling on a plane, and jumping in a taxi to the airport. A few things have changed – wearing masks for one – but largely, sitting on that plane and having a cup of tea and a muffin felt strangely, wonderfully normal.

The other thing I did was visit Primex Field Days. The excitement at the show was the first thing I noticed upon walking through the gates. Everyone was so happy to be out and about, sharing stories. Sure, there were many stories that came from the last year being tough and challenging, but there were also a lot of stories of hope.

There’s plenty of those in this issue, with many features focused on the future of agriculture. Such as our story on biofuels and how they’ll be a driving force in the agriculture industry achieving its goal of being net neutral by 2050.

I was also astounded by the jump in people using teleheath services in Australia, and that this trend might be one that is here to stay. The numbers speak for themselves – there were no GP phone consultations during 2019, and in 2020, there were 42,850! I get it, lockdowns and restrictions meant that we couldn’t move about as

much as we previously did, but that's such an incredible jump, and it means that the ease of seeing doctors for those in more remote areas is increased exponentially.

No excuses basically, when you can jump on a Zoom with your doctor before or after work. Great news for everyone.

In this issue I also enjoyed reading about the changing face of wind farms and how with more education and understanding of what goes on behind the scenes – and indeed in your neighbour’s paddocks – that we can find a positive way to move forward and take care of the environment while generating power.

So, although it’s sure been a crazy year like no other before it, as they say, necessity is the mother of invention. We’ve come up with a load of new things in this brave new world, and ultimately, I hope this leads to a better future for our children.

MICHELLE HESPE

Editor

The Intermedia Group takes its corporate and social responsibilities seriously and is committed to reducing its impact on the environment. We continuously strive to improve our environmental performance and to initiate additional CSR based projects and activities.

As part of our company policy we ensure that the products and services used in the manufacture of this magazine are sourced from environmentally responsible suppliers.

This magazine has been printed on paper produced from sustainably sourced wood and pulp fibre and is accredited under PEFC chain of custody.

PEFC certified wood and paper products come from environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of forests.

The wrapping used in the delivery process of this magazine is 100 per cent biodegradable.

Photo by Eden Connell

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6

Shell shocked The challenges and future of Australia’s oyster industry

THE FARMER

JUL - AUG 2021

DISCLAIMER: This publication is published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd (the “Publisher”). Materials in this publication have been created by a variety of different entities and, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher accepts no liability for materials created by others. All materials should be considered protected by New Zealand and international intellectual property laws. Unless you are authorised by law or the copyright owner to do so, you may not copy any of the materials. The mention of a product or service, person or company in this publication does not indicate the Publisher’s endorsement. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Publisher, its agents, company officers or employees. Any use of the information contained in this publication is at the sole risk of the person using that information. The user should make independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information before relying on that information.

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Copyright © 2021 – The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd

www.safework.nsw.gov.au

The Muster l NEWS

Kids to Farms NSW Farmers is now delivering the Kids to Farms project right across NSW. The new project teaches young children all about food and fibre. The program is hands-on and interactive and is funded by the federal government.

Ten farms have already signed up for the project and Mrs Mall’s farm is one of them.

With so many teachable opportunities on a farm, Mrs Mall says students absolutely love it.

Depending on the farmer and farm, students can learn a variety of information.

They can interact with animals, collect produce, taste products, watch demonstrations and ask questions along the way.

Farmers wanting to get involved need to be willing to offer site visits to their property.

Part of the program is to develop a group of agriculture ambassadors. NSW Farmers President, James Jackson, is encouraging more farmers to get on board with the initiative.

The NSW Curriculum has a strong agricultural focus and the Kids to Farms project is based on a “2 by 12” strategy. Every child will have an educational interaction in agriculture before they turn 12.

The project is funded by the Federal Government until December 2022.

LIFE LES SONS LEARNT

Local pre-schoolers from Goodstart Tuggerah enjoy a visit to Grace Springs Farm at Kulnara. Photo Credit: Grace Springs Farm, Virginia Mall, @ginseeaphoto on Instagram

l NEWS

National Farmers’ Federation releases the findings of Future-Proofing Farming Report The National Farmers Federation (NFF) has released the findings of the Future-Proofing Farming Report that examined options to better manage and mitigate the risks faced by farm businesses.

Funded by the NSW Government, the NFF was asked to identify potential models that could be used to protect farmers against income loss in future droughts or even natural disasters.

These included insurance and hedging products, incentivising off-farm income, leveraging mutual and cooperatives; education and training; and public policy setting.

“The collective work highlights the significant diversity of agriculture and the potential challenges and opportunities in establishing strategies to improve farm business resilience,” said NSW Farmers’ CEO Pete Arkle.

“The investigation into the role of government in backing the establishment of an industry-wide system for multi-peril or income protection insurance coverage has again suggested that

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THE FARMER

JUL - AUG 2021

not all farmers would benefit from the approach and it would come at a significant cost to governments.”

“Every farm is different, so the conclusion that many farmers may have other, more economically compelling, options to manage risks on their farmers isn’t surprising.”

“However, we must continue to explore what a viable farm income protection insurance product might look like in Australia.

The project found that there are farmers who would benefit, and that’s where we should focus to start to build a market for these potentially valuable risk management tools.”

Mr Arkle said insurance subsidies that encourage young farmers into the industry could also be explored.

The report found that Australian agricultural output is the most volatile of any major exporting nation, and thus business management skills are critical in the climatic variability of each year.

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The Muster l MOBILE COVERAGE

Connectivity in the bush A staggering 80 per cent of farmers are dissatisfied with mobile coverage in their region according to a recent NSW Farmers’ survey. The survey aimed to advocate issues regional, rural and remote NSW were experiencing surrounding telecommunications.

“Poor quality, higher costs, and intermittent access for mobile coverage has a major impact on farm business productivity,” NSW Farmers’ Rural Affairs Committee member Sarah Thompson said.

The ability to connect in a digital world is crucial as farms advance with productivity technologies. Many farms are limited in their ability to adopt these new technologies due to lack of coverage.

The Federal Government appointed an independent committee in June to review regional telecommunications, and a report with findings on internet and mobile coverage recommendations will be issued by 31 December 2021.

NSW Farmers will use the survey results to inform this review.

“As more services and transactions move from face to face to digital, connectivity is increasingly important. It also enables productivity improvements through agricultural technology, and is necessary for farm business, safety and family needs.”

“All residents of NSW deserve access to quality, reliable and affordable telecommunications services no matter where they live.”

The survey discovered more than 60 per cent of farmers are experiencing a decline in mobile and internet coverage.

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l AGRICULTURAL REPORT

Farmer rebates bite into the ongoing mouse plague Persistent advocacy from NSW Farmers about the need for practical assistance measures to combat the state’s mouse invasion has secured a further $100 million in State Government support.

The further funding will offer farmers 50 per cent off (up to $10k) to help with the costs of zinc phosphide baits.

The rebates will be delivered through the Rural Assistance Authority and will be backdated to 1 February 2021.

NSW Farmers’ Vice President Xavier Martin said this is an important first step in helping farmers manage the costs associated with the plague.

“The practical support measure of rebates for zinc phosphide was an initiative from NSW Farmers and we thank our many Members for sharing the widespread impact of this plague,” Mr Martin said.

“The Agriculture Minister, Deputy Premier and the Premier have listened and acted. It’s common sense to support the use of an immediately available chemical which carries fewer secondary poisoning and environmental risks than alternatives.

“The mouse plague has already caused heartache in farming and regional communities, damaging crops, fodder and machinery, and presenting human health risks.”

“Warnings from CSIRO and responses to a NSW Farmers’ survey on the plague indicate how dire this situation is. It’s the worst mouse plague for some time, and it could easily get worse without adequate intervention. There’s a need to make the rebates available immediately so farmers can control mouse numbers before spring.”

Mr Martin said the situation is ongoing and will require constant monitoring and flexibility in support measures for what could become the worst mouse plague NSW has seen.

Dead mice from the plague in a Coonamble shed.

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The Muster l HEALTH AND WELLBEING

The telehealth revolution In response to the pandemic, the federal government declared it delivered ‘10 years of reform in 10 weeks’ in its support of telehealth services. But for regional and rural communities the question remains: is telehealth here to stay?

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Words LISA SMYTH

T

he new RPA Virtual Hospital, managed by the Sydney Local Health District, was well into development when news reports of a strange new virus started circulating in early 2020. While not yet delivering virtual robotic surgery, as is happening in other parts of the world, every clinical department in the district was ready to provide care virtually. And when it launched in February 2020, the virtual hospital treated more than 3,500 patients in its first seven months.

The RPA venture is one of dozens of examples of the Australian healthcare system attempting to push forward telehealth services and virtual care – something regional and rural communities had been crying out for long before the global pandemic changed everything.

“The pandemic was the catalyst for fast and widespread adoption of telehealth to help protect frontline healthcare workers and help stop the spread of COVID-19, but to be honest it was about 10 years too late,” says Travis Brown, director of Instant Consult, an online platform where patients can connect with qualified doctors, which launched in 2018.

“Seven million Australians live in rural and remote areas and have limited options in finding quality and affordable healthcare.

Given our vast land, Australia should be leading the telehealth space.”

FORCED TO ACT

Australia’s federal government funds 42 per cent of all health services, and state and territory governments fund 27 per cent. As the federal government holds the Medicare purse strings, wide-scale adoption of

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THE FARMER

JUL - AUG 2021

telehealth services was always in its hands.

With lockdowns and social distancing measures required to battle the pandemic, the federal government introduced 283 new (and temporary) Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) telehealth and telephone service numbers in March last year.

Between then and 21 April 2021, more than 56 million MBS telehealth services were delivered to 13.6 million patients, and more than 83,540 providers have used telehealth services.

“The pandemic accelerated the uptake of telehealth, making it a necessity,” says Anita Mustac, co-founder of online

A Macquarie University study of 346 GP practices in NSW released in January showed that: GP phone consultations increased from

0

per week in 2019 to a median of

42, 850 per week in 2020

GP video consultations increased from

4

per week in 2019 to a median of

805

per week in 2020

psychiatric service Dokotela, which offers a collaborative care model with regional and rural GPs. “When we started, in 2017, there was a lot of resistance to telehealth, and people felt that face-to-face was the gold standard.

But only 3 per cent of psychiatrists live outside major metro areas. There is a huge imbalance in terms of demand for psychiatric services in regional areas and the supply available. With the arrival of COVID-19, everyone has become more used to doing things over video conference, and I think they’ve realised just how effective telehealth is,” explains Anita.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in November 2020 nearly one in six Australians (18 per cent) reported using a telehealth service in the previous four weeks, and almost half (49 per cent) reported they were likely to use telehealth services in the future.

A VIRTUAL OPPORTUNITY

With the largest population of any state, NSW has the biggest healthcare scope – there are 150,000 healthcare staff looking after 8 million people dispersed over 800,000 square kilometres. For NSW regional and rural communities, the time and transport costs involved in accessing face-to-face health services can be incredibly prohibitive, and telehealth services are a welcome alternative option.

Anita also sees one other major benefit to telehealth: “The key advantage for rural and regional communities is the confidentiality. If you’re the local policeman or the local teacher, you don’t want to be seen sitting in a psychiatrist’s

office waiting for an appointment because there is a stigma attached to mental health, which is unfortunate.

“But with our collaborative care model, patients have the video conference with the psychiatrist in their GP office, and then the GP sits in for the last 10 to 15 minutes.

Everyone attends their local GP with no stigma attached. I think removing that stigma really encourages people to actually access the service.”

A Macquarie University study found that with the introduction of the MBS telehealth numbers, between June and September 2020 telehealth made up nearly 30 per cent of all NSW weekly GP consultations, compared to telehealth consultations making up less than 1 per cent in previous years.

A PERMANENT SOLUTION

In addition to GP and psychiatric services, e-prescriptions, and more online radiology and pathology services, there is a raft of other telehealth services that are being scaled up across the state. The NSW Telestroke Service is being rolled

out across 23 rural and regional NSW hospitals, linking patients with virtual specialist stroke doctors. And a team of physiotherapists based in Tuggerah on the Central Coast, is now helping with early diagnosis of cerebral palsy in babies by conducting a virtual Baby Movers program for families across regional NSW. However, there are still gaps in offering telehealth services in regional and rural communities, including the lack of reliable internet connection in regional areas, and the lower level of digital literacy in older Australians.

Plus, in October last year, the Western NSW Local Health District came under fire when a woman bled out at a regional hospital as no doctors were physically present outside of business hours. In the new health district plan, only nurses will be on site outside of business hours, with doctors available via video conferencing – a step that has been deemed “dangerous and inappropriate” by GPs in the area.

While regional and rural health districts need to find considered and appropriate models of healthcare that mix face-to-face

Results from an Australian Bureau of Statistics survey from 2020, showing the main reasons for people using telehealth services.

78% CONVENIENCE

52% SAVING TIME

50% NOT NEEDING TO TRAVEL

and telehealth services, it’s clear that trying to wind back support on telehealth services now would be trying to put the genie back in the bottle.

The current telehealth MBS numbers have been extended to the end of 2021, but the Australian Medical Association and the Royal Australian College of General Practice have put their support behind making telehealth a lasting feature of our health system. Will the government listen? l

NSW’S NEW METERING RULES DO NOT APPLY TO BORES USED EXCLUSIVELY TO TAKE WATER UNDER A BASIC LANDHOLDER RIGHT. In September 2020, the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment sent letters to licence and approval holders about changes to requirements for metering for commercial bores.

This letter was also sent in error to basic landholder rights bore approval holders.

NSW’s new metering rules do not apply to any water supply works, including bores, used exclusively to take water under a basic landholder right.

The letter did describe matters that do relate to basic landholder rights bore approval holders – in relation to future activities.

The department is required to keep holders informed of any changes to their licence and approval conditions. To help make sure future communications go to the right people, please update your contact details online at www.waternsw.com.au/updatedetails.

If you are not sure whether you have a basic landholder rights bore, or if you have any other questions, please call 1300 662 077.

The Muster l INDUSTRY UPDATE

Drought, fire, floods.

Then came the weeds.

Prolonged and extreme drought conditions, followed by bushfires, floods and a year of good rainfall for most parts of NSW, have seen an explosion of weeds.

Words DARREN BAGULEY

A

nyone travelling in NSW over the past year would have been struck by the explosion of colour in the landscape. Depending on the region, farms have been carpeted with the vibrant purple of Paterson’s curse, the striking yellow of cineraria or the white dots of parthenium weed.

Philip Blackmore, Invasive Species Officer at NSW DPI, says “drought can devastate existing vegetation, removing competition for light, nutrients, moisture and space, which allows quick establishment of weeds when conditions become favourable.

“Weeds can germinate from the seed bank straight after rain occurs, and their invasive ability allows them to grow and spread more quickly than other plants. Weeds can also thrive after fires and floods; dormant weed seeds can be triggered into germination by smoke and water. Together with the lack of ground cover that fire and floods cause and combined with follow-up rainfall, there can be dramatic increases in weeds after fires and floods,” Philip says.

PROBLEM WEEDS

There are more than 300 species classified as weeds in NSW. However, farmers are also now seeing the high risk of serious new weeds being introduced to properties; as well as the increased growth of existing established weeds.

14

THE FARMER

For example, parthenium weed and tropical soda apple are two highly invasive weeds that have seen a resurgence in the past year.

“Parthenium weed has been detected in several parts of NSW in connection to hay, grain, vehicles and machinery brought into NSW from Queensland. It invades pastures and crops, is unpalatable to stock, contaminates grain and fodder and causes severe human health issues, including respiratory problems and dermatitis,” says Philip.

“Tropical soda apple can be introduced through livestock movements and germinate after fire.

“New weeds can also be introduced as part of a restocking program or when stock return from agistment.

Studies have shown that up to 12 per cent of weed seeds can pass through the digestive system of livestock and remain viable.”

Landholders also have to deal with an increased weed burden of long-established weeds such as serrated tussock, flat weeds, wild radish, wild oats and other widespread established weeds that have always been challenging, but have become harder to manage while recovering from droughts, fires and floods.

According to an LLS spokesperson, “Blue heliotrope is becoming a greater issue as it has capitalised on drought conditions and is competing

JUL - AUG 2021

with native and desirable introduced species both in farmland and in areas of environmental importance.

“African lovegrass takes over pastures and can be a fire risk. It has not had the grazing pressure from livestock and wildlife that desirable species have had in the drought and it has been able to set seed, which is blown by wind and soon establishes in bare patches.

“Silverleaf nightshade has seen a strong resurgence in NSW due to the favourable climatic conditions between the summer of 2020 and 2021, particularly in Riverina and Central West NSW. Silverleaf nightshade severely affects arable lands, causing 70 per cent loss in grain yields and up to 100 per cent loss in pasture production.”

EVERY DISTRICT AFFECTED

Due to the drought, fires and floods being so widespread, not a single local government area in NSW has remained unaffected. On the North Coast and Northern Tablelands, tropical soda apple is problematic in Kempsey Shire Council, Clarence Valley Council, Coffs Harbour, Armidale and Rous County Council, particularly in areas where existing infestations were fire affected.

Nambucca Valley Council, Bellingen Shire Council and Rous County Council have seen outbreaks of parthenium weed and, according to the DPI, co-ordinated responses

to eradicate those infestations and trace their sources are underway. Similarly North West NSW and the Northern Tablelands have had numerous new incursions at Tamworth, Gunnedah, Warrah, Croppa Creek, near Boggabri and Narrabri, and along the Newell and Kamilaroi Highways. New sites also occurred in the Upper Hunter around Blandford and Muswellbrook; and in the South East regions near Kiama and Berry; and in the Central West region near Parkes.

Aquatic weeds such as water lettuce, water hyacinth and salvinia have caused damage to infrastructure such as fences and smothered pastures in floods. This has been a problem in all Local Government areas on the North Coast affected by floods.

PLANTS OUT OF PLACE

A weed is a plant out of place. For example, bahia grass is sown as pasture in many parts of the North Coast and provides a valuable component of the feed base for many producers in areas of lower fertility. In areas of higher fertility, however, bahia

grass can be invasive, and North Coast producers are seeing it become dominant in some areas, says an LLS spokesperson.

In South Eastern NSW and the Monaro, heavy rains in February 2020 and March 2021 provided opportunity for grassy weeds, such as African lovegrass, serrated tussock, and Chilean needle grass, to establish. For Paterson’s curse, the rain came at just the right time for it to thrive while biological control agents had been weakened by the recent drought.

Sticky nightshade is spreading in the Central Tablelands, with heavy infestations in the upper reaches of the Belubula River and other catchments frequently occurring across the region. The increasing spread and the associated cost of control once this weed becomes established are key factors in its recent listing as a priority species in the Central Tablelands region through inclusion in the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan.

In the Central West and Lachlan regions, African lovegrass, Blue heliotrope and Silverleaf nightshade have been an issue following improved conditions. >

WEED S EVERYWHERE

Top: Paddocks of African lovegrass.

Above then clockwise: Blue heliotrope, Silverleaf nightshade, and Parthenium weed.

All photos courtesy of NSW Department of Primary Industries.

JUL - AUG 2021

THE FARMER

15

The Muster

A NOXIOUS IS SUE

Tropical soda apple is an aggressive, perennial shrub.

Parthenium weed is an ongoing threat and weeds such as Paterson’s Curse, St Barnaby’s thistle and Saffron thistle have also taken advantage of the bare ground in pastures.

According to the NSW Government, the DPI, LLS and local government are supporting a range of programs and providing resources to assist with weeds management across NSW. For example, government

agencies and farmers are working together to tackle African lovegrass through demonstration trials of crop/pasture competition.

Additionally, broad range herbicidal options (including residual and knockdown herbicides) are being established to diversify control options. The LLS and DPI are also developing a best practice guide for blue Heliotrope control, hoped to be available in June 2022.

GETTING ON TOP OF THE

PASTURE MANAGEMENT IS

PROBLEM INDENTIFICATION

KEY TO WEED CONTROL

According to the DPI and LLS, maintaining ground cover through feed budgeting, pasture management and awareness are vital steps for landholders combating weeds. “Ground cover allows better competition and suppression of emerging weeds. They often take advantage of bare ground or lack of competition from native plant species. Additionally, landholders should be aware that weeds, including herbicide resistant weeds, can be introduced in feed and fodder and that drought can prolong weed seed viability,” says a DPI spokesperson.

“Identifying new weeds early is critical for stopping weeds from spreading, and farmers can do this by having designated feed out areas that can be checked regularly for unfamiliar plants.

Similarly, check the roads and tracks that fodder has been transported along. When an unfamiliar plant is found, seek identification assistance from Local Land Services. Even if they do not recognise the plant, they will have contacts who can help to identify the unknown plant.”

The exact combination of management methods will depend on the availability of land, the density of the infestation, the availability and cost of selective herbicides and the ability to manage grazing intensity and duration. The NSW DPI “encourages landholders to find ways of improving the existing pasture; fertiliser application, spot spraying of weeds, managed grazing and resowing can all be helpful in reducing weed pressure”.

The DPI provides information through DroughtHub (droughthub. nsw.gov.au) and its Weeds web page: dpi.nsw.gov.au/ biosecurity/weeds. l

Est. 1990

by Expertise Events

Get in contact Call the DPI Biosecurity Helpline on 1800 680 244 if you find a suspect plant.

The WeedWise app provides control advice and registered herbicides for 300+ priority weeds. Visit weeds.dpi.nsw. gov.au or app stores.

When planning for the next generation, I don’t compromise.

Call 33 77 Visit www.sheds.com.au sheds.com.au 13001300 725 94 977 www.sheds.com.au

The Muster

l INFRASTRUC TURE

Highway upgrade promises to speed up travel out west For nearly 200 years the Great Western Highway has carried people and produce from the arable land west of the Great Divide to the port of Sydney. Now new works to widen the road and bypass bottlenecks with tunnels aim to take the highway into its next century.

Words DARREN BAGULEY

S

ydney is perilously close to no longer being a working port, but the Great Western Highway remains the major artery of NSW, albeit one bedevilled by narrowing at key points along its length. While the NSW Government has progressively upgraded sections of the road to make it safer and more reliable over past decades, the latest section of the Great Western Highway Upgrade Program will complete the final 34km connection of a modern dual-carriageway link across the Blue Mountains.

UPGRADE DIVIDED INTO FOUR SECTIONS

The recently announced upgrade consists of four sections. The Medlow Bath Upgrade will improve and duplicate the existing highway with intersection improvements and a new pedestrian bridge. Transport for NSW anticipates the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) will open for consultation in June 2021, with construction set to begin in late 2022.

The East Upgrade from Katoomba to Medlow Bath and Medlow Bath to Blackheath incorporates an upgrade,

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JUL - AUG 2021

duplication and widening of the existing highway, with connections to a tunnel portal at Blackheath. The REF will be open for consultation in October 2021.

The West Upgrade from Little Hartley to Lithgow includes an upgrade, duplication and widening of the existing highway, with connections to a tunnel portal at Little Hartley. The REF will be exhibited for consultation in October 2021.

The Central Upgrade from Blackheath to Little Hartley consists of the construction of a tunnel bypass of Blackheath and Mount Victoria. The REF is slated to be open for consultation by mid-2022.

TUNNEL WILL ‘TRANSFORM THE STATE’

In early May, the NSW Government announced it was investigating the possibility of connecting the two proposed tunnels currently under further investigation. Deputy Premier John Barilaro says the proposed tunnel would transform the state by better connecting the Central West to the East Coast.

“We have already committed to tunnels at Blackheath and Mount Victoria – this proposal would see those tunnels joined together, creating the longest road tunnel in the country,” Mr Barilaro says.

“This is an immensely complex and ambitious plan, but we’re working hard to make it happen because we know what a difference it will make to the lives of commuters, to regional businesses who need access to Sydney and vice versa, to freight companies, to families visiting relatives and to holidaymakers.

“Completing the Katoomba to Lithgow section would deliver the final stage of a 130km upgrade, delivering dual carriageway on the Great Western Highway, a multi-decade program of works, making a safer, more resilient corridor.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole adds, “The NSW Government knows how important this upgrade is to the people who use the Great Western Highway every day, and in improving connections between Sydney and the Central West, which is why we

STATE OF AFFAIRS

In May the NSW Government announced it was researching the possibility of connecting the two proposed tunnels currently under further investigation.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro says the proposed tunnel would transform the state by better connecting the Central West to the East Coast.

committed $2.5 billion to deliver a once-ina-generation upgrade to this key corridor.

“As part of this upgrade, we’ve already committed to a 4.5km tunnel to bypass Blackheath and a 4km tunnel underneath Victoria Pass, one of the steepest roads in NSW. “We’re now investigating connecting those two proposed tunnels into one longer tunnel. This would be a history-making project, delivering Australia’s longest road tunnel and allowing motorists to avoid all the current pinch points from Blackheath in the east to Little Hartley on the western side of Victoria Pass.

“It will also mean less disruption for local residents and businesses during construction and a smoother, safer journey for those travelling underneath Blackheath and Mount Victoria, as well as those travelling above.”

Mr Toole says the eastern entry for the proposed tunnel will be on the outskirts of Blackheath to minimise impact on local homes, and be built in a section of national park land to the south of Evans Lookout Road.

Transport for NSW is engaging with National Parks about the upgrade’s impact on land adjacent to the proposed portals.

Neither portal would impact the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

Mr Toole says that heavy traffic over the Easter weekend had reiterated the importance of the Great Western Highway Upgrade and safe, reliable connections

over the mountains for locals and travellers alike.

THE NEED FOR SPEED

NSW Young Farmers Chair Rachel Nicoll echoed John Barilaro and Paul Toole’s comments. “People living in rural and regional NSW always welcome investment in long awaited infrastructure. Our road network has stress tested with fire and flood, and with more and more people moving to or visiting NSW west of the Great Divide, it struggles to keep up with current let alone future needs. Businesses need to feel a sense of confidence that their investment in their business is being taken seriously by Government.

“With Badgerys Creek airport due to commence operations in 2026, having dual carriageway across the Blue Mountains presents a great opportunity for food and fibre producers in Western NSW. For any producer, transport is a big cost and spoilage is a big risk. Farmers are now using global platforms where they can export produce to the world. As producers of food and fibre, and business owners, we want to be sure we are getting the best out of our business and that we are being adequately supported by our transport networks, whether they are road, rail, sea or air.”

Construction on the Great Western Highway Upgrade is expected to start at Medlow Bath in 2022, with the full upgrade expected to be completed within eight to 10 years. l

BY PHIL SOMERVILLE

JUL - AUG 2021

THE FARMER

19

Local problems need local insurance.

Hard days are different out here. So, when the worst happens, it’s good to know you have a local to help you out.

Give us a call to chat about your current cover and we can provide options to ensure you’re properly protected

Speak with your local WFI Area Manager by calling 1300 934 934 or visit wfi.com.au Alternatively, call NSW Farmers on (02) 9478 1042 or visit www.nswfarmers.org.au/wfi to be referred to your local WFI Area Manager.

Insurance issued by Insurance Australia Limited ABN 11 000 016 722 AFSL 227681 trading as WFI. You should consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and your personal circumstances in deciding whether to buy or hold our products. You can get a copy of our PDSs from our website or by calling 1300 934 934. NSW Farmers Association (NSWFA) is an Alliance Partner of WFI and does not make any recommendation or provide an opinion about WFI’s products. If you take out a policy with WFI, NSWFA receives a commission from WFI between 5% and 10% of the value of the premium payment (excluding taxes and charges).

The Muster AN ENTREPRENEURIAL GENIUS AND PIONEER

SET IN STONE

Statue of Sir Thomas Mort in Macquarie Park, Sydney..

Photo courtesy of City of Sydney

l HISTORICAL PROFILE

Thomas Sutcliffe Mort: The greatest benefactor the working classes of Australia ever had There are few tangible reminders of Thomas Sutcliffe Mort, perhaps Australia’s most ingenious early entrepreneur and social benefactor, besides the embossed words Goldsbrough Mort on buildings in Sydney’s Pyrmont, the statue of the man himself at Macquarie Place, and his Gothic revival mansion in Darling Point. But his legacy is everywhere in Australia if you know what to look for.

–

Words SUSAN GOUGH HENLY

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It is almost inconceivable that one man could have pioneered so many agricultural, mining and engineering developments.

He created a prototype of the first wool brokerage firm and established international wool markets for Australia.

He laid the foundations of the Australian meat export industry by facilitating transport of perishable food through refrigeration. He promoted the sugar industry around Moreton Bay, established dairy farming in Bodalla, floated the Great Nugget Vein Mining Company, was a founding director of the Peak Downs Copper Mining Company in Queensland and the Waratah Coal Mining Company in Newcastle, developed a large dry dock in Balmain and was a director of the Sydney Railway Company.

Thomas Sutcliffe Mort was born in 1816 and grew up in a middle-class family in Manchester, England. When his father died his estate was not sufficient to support the family, so when Thomas was offered a position in Sydney he saw it as a way to restore the family fortunes.

Arriving in 1838, he gained experience as a clerk in local and international commerce, and soon after married Theresa Laidley, the daughter of a prominent colonial administrator.

WOOL-BROKERAGE TRAILBLAZER

Mort’s wool brokerage business was developed at the right time in the right place. While the sheep that came to Sydney with the First Fleet were mainly a food source, this changed when John Macarthur imported the first fine merino sheep from Spain in the late 1700s. By the 1840s, wool had become

Australia’s main export, with the annual wool clip over two million kilos.

In 1843, Mort established Mort & Co as an auctioneering and brokering business and, while he was not the first to auction wool in Sydney, he pioneered regular wool-only sales, which drew specialised sellers and buyers. By the 1850s he was the colony’s premier auctioneer, and he organised systems for growers to consign wool through him for sale in London.

These integrated pastoral services became the model for later wool-broking firms.

The company eventually merged with a Melbourne firm to become Goldsbrough Mort & Co, whose wool stores were prominent in Sydney’s Pyrmont and Ultimo neighbourhoods through the mid-20th Century. After several more mergers the company now trades as Elders, one of Australia’s major agribusinesses.

Mort opened Australia’s first dry dock, which repaired the new commercial steamers, in 1855. He later added iron and brass foundries, boilermaking, blacksmithing, and general engineering facilities, which were used to assemble, among other things, imported railway locomotives. In 1870, in a radical move for the time, he offered his employees a share in the business.

SOCIAL CONSCIENCE

With convict transportation to NSW ending in 1840, Mort, as a prominent Anglican layman, believed in the social role of the Church to help the colony establish a new moral foundation. He contributed generously to the building of St Mark’s in Darling Point, St Andrew’s Anglican Cathedral in Sydney’s CBD, and St Paul’s College at the University of Sydney. He also created the Australian Mutual Provident Society (AMP) as

a non-profit life insurance company “to nourish collective prudence among the poor”.

According to Australian colonial historian Alan Atkinson, “Mort believed he should play a major role in rescuing the poor and converting the rich so they had a conscience”.

DAIRY INDUSTRY INNOVATOR

In 1860, Mort acquired a property in Bodalla which he saw as perfect dairy country.

He was quoted as saying, “Every morning you wake up with dew on your shoes, which could only mean one thing: fresh grass all year.”

He established a township, had the land cleared, swamps drained, imported grasses sown, farms laid out, as well as the milking sheds, cheese and butter making equipment set up. He ran the entire estate

as three farms with specialised hired labour, efficient stock breeding and management, and controlled blending of milk from different breeds that paid off in higherquality products.

REFRIGERATION PIONEER

In the mid 1860s, he financed experiments by French engineer Eugene Nicolle to develop refrigeration machinery to address several of his business needs.

Specifically, he wanted to utilise his Balmain engineering plant to manufacture refrigeration equipment that would directly improve his milk and butter delivery into the Sydney market, as well as potentially be used for the shipment of frozen meat to England.

Their NSW Fresh Food & Ice Company eventually created

commercially viable systems for domestic refrigeration, including slaughtering and chilling facilities in the Blue Mountains, a cold store in Darling Harbour, milk depots in the Southern Tablelands and refrigerated railway vans for meat and milk.

PERSONAL PASSIONS

While Mort’s investments into refrigeration were made more for community service than financial gain, his many entrepreneurial endeavours brought him great wealth.

His house Greenoaks (later known as Bishopscourt when it became the residence of the Anglican archbishop), in Sydney’s Darling Point, was transformed into a Neo-Gothic gentleman’s estate by the architect Edmund Blacket.

Mort embellished the home with antique oak furniture,

Elizabethan armour, coats of mail, and a cabinet once owned by Marie Antoinette.

A keen gardener, he was at various times president of the Horticultural Society of NSW and vice-president of the Agricultural Society, and he opened his impressive gardens and private art gallery to the public.

Mort died from pleuropneumonia in 1878 at Bodalla, where he is buried.

He was survived by nine children and his second wife, Marianne Elizabeth Macauley, who built the Bodalla All Saints Church in his honour.

A meeting of working men in Sydney described him as “the greatest benefactor the working classes in this country ever had,” and resolved to show their esteem by commissioning his sculpture in Macquarie Place. l

NON-URBAN METERING ROLLOUT The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment is continuing its rollout of new rules to improve non-urban metering across NSW. The metering rules became law in 2018 and are rolling out in stages across NSW until 2023 to give water users time to get ready.

Surface water pumps 500 mm or greater are already required to have compliant water meters installed.

The next deadlines for complying with the new rules are: ➤ 1 December 2021 – other works in the Northern Inland ➤ 1 December 2022 – other works in the Southern Inland ➤ 1 December 2023 – other works in Coastal NSW You should act now and contact a certified meter installer if you have a work approval that is captured by the new metering rules and: ➤ you are installing a new or replacement meter or ➤ you are in the Northern Inland region.

A certified meter installer can advise you about what equipment you need, and order and install it. To find a certified meter installer in your area visit www.irrigationaustralia.com.au.

The department will contact affected water users before their rollout date to ensure they are aware of the rules and understand what they need to do.

For more information about the non-urban metering framework visit www.industry.nsw.gov.au/water/metering.

The Muster

F l CURRENT AFFAIR

Suing for paradise The hot debate around Vickery Mine continues to gather momentum in the wake of Chinese mining operation Shenhua being paid to exit from the Liverpool Plains.

Words BY IAN LLOYD NEUBAUER

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ive hours north of Sydney, the Liverpool Plains is home to the best dry farmland in Australia, with yields per hectare 40 per cent above the national average. Think soft golden wheat, giant sunflowers, marble-scored beef and soft, golden durum wheat that’s so good it’s imported to Italy where it’s used to make hand-rolled pasta.

“These are the plains of the richest descriptions, a beautiful and fertile country,” wrote surveyor-general John Oxley, the first European to sight the plains.

But what Oxley couldn’t see at the time was that the plain’s riches also run deep beneath its famous black selfmulching soils, where multinational gas and coal giants have identified vast coal deposits and enormous fields of natural gas.

In 2009, Chinese mining company Shenhua won approval by the Foreign Investment Review Board to buy farmland

on the plain – the first step in a lengthy process to open its proposed 100-milliontonne Watermark Mine. But the local community did not approve.

“We are not against mining,” a farmer on the plains told the ABC at the time. “We are a primary industry. We produce export dollars, which is no different from mining but this is the wrong place for a mine. You don’t put a mine in a food bowl.”

Twelve years later Shenhua is making a graceful exit from the plains after the NSW Government gave them $100 million in taxpayer money to withdraw its lease application.

Deputy Premier and state Nationals leader John Barilaro acknowledged that the mine application had “divided” the community and caused “a lot of anguish”, describing the payout as a “victory” for the people. But at the same time, Barilaro said the government does “not demonise the coal industry” and there are parts of the state where it is appropriate.

MINING JOB S

Whitehaven Coal, the Australian firm that owns the site, says the Vickery mine expansion will create more than 1,000 jobs and add $1.2 billion to the state’s economy – around four times the value of the total annual agricultural output of the plains.

A NEW FRONTLINE

One of the places where it is appropriate, is apparently the Namoi Region on the edge of the Liverpool Plains where a new battle is brewing over Whitehaven Coal’s proposed $700 million Vickery coal mine. An expansion of an existing mine approved by the Independent Planning Commission of NSW, it will pull 3.7 million per tonnes of coal out of the ground every year.

Whitehaven Coal, the Australian firm that owns the site, says the Vickery mine expansion will create more than 1,000 jobs and add $1.2 billion to the state’s economy – around four times the value of the total annual agricultural output of the plains.

But Lock the Gate Alliance, a national group fighting what it calls “risky” coal and gas mining projects, says Vickery will also dump an extra 100 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, adding 20 per

cent to Australia’s annual climate footprint, and consume bore water at the expense of local farmers. “Coal mining is already competing with agriculture for water in this district and building another huge coal mine there will be a big mistake,” says Alliance spokesperson Georgina Woods.

The NSW Farmers Association agrees.

“In our opinion, there is not enough water for this mine and the Department of Planning admits this is their assessment,” says Malcolm Donaldson, secretary of the Boggabri Branch. He also says the proximity of the mine to the Namoi River and its associated tributaries, aquifers and floodplains “presents a range of worrying impacts”.

The Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development – a group of researchers who advise governments on the impacts of coal mining proposals on water – say not enough research has been done on water interconnectivity in the area to know for certain if proposed, which is a problem itself. But they do concede bore water use at the proposed mine expansion “may affect groundwater availability and the dynamics of surface water-groundwater interactions”.

There are also concerns the Vickey mine expansion will impact Kurrumbede, a historic homestead that was the inspiration behind ‘My Country’ (I love a sunburnt country), probably the most famous and loved poem in Australia.

“Mining has already reached saturation point as mining companies have already bought out nearly 80 farms in the district,” Donaldson says.

“This contributes to a diminished lifestyle for rural residents, changing the fabric and structure of our proud agricultural community.”

SEE YOU IN COURT

Legal action has been launched to stop Vickery in its tracks, though it’s not about water use. And the protagonists are neither farmers nor miners; they’re school children and politicians who’ve found themselves in the middle of a multibillion dollar gunfight.

The defendant is Australia’s Environment Minister Susan Ley, who is being sued for the projected climate change impacts of the Vickery Extension Project. The minister has a duty of care to protect children’s future, says 16-year-old

Anjali Sharma, the lead plaintiff in the case who has expressed severe “climate anxiety and fear” over the projected impacts of climate change.

Anjali has a history of online environmental activism but she is just a media-friendly figurehead in the trial.

Melbourne-based Equity Generation Lawyers, a firm specialising in climate change law, are the brains behind it all and Vickery was just at the wrong time and place – one of scores of proposed coal mines the plaintiffs could have trained their sights upon.

Stopping the mine expansion from going ahead is certainly something they want, but the case represents much more than that. If successful, it could set a legal precedent that makes it difficult for new fossil-fuel mines to be approved anywhere in Australia.

The minister’s staff told The Farmer she can’t comment while the trial is underway. Whitehaven said the same.

But in a previously issued statement, Whitehaven CEO Paul Flynn rejected the claims while coyly pointing to the elephant in the room: coal is Australia’s second most valuable export commodity.

It brought $55 billion into the country last year. Liquified natural gas earned even more, at a time in history when the government needed it the most.

“As the Australian economy starts to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, it is vital that major employmentgenerating investments in the economy are not delayed by legal claims that have no substance,” he says.

Early this year, George Newhouse – director of the National Justice Project, a non-profit legal service that fights for social justice – said the plaintiffs should not hold their breaths because similar legal cases have been heard and rejected by courts, overseas. “It didn’t work in the USA and looks tenuous in New Zealand,” he said. His advice turned out to be right on the money, as in May, the Federal Court dismissed the case.

But the court concurrently ruled that the Environment Minister does indeed have a legal duty not to cause harm to young people of Australia by exacerbating climate change when approving new coal mining projects.

It's an important legal precedent that has set the stage for an appeal and new cases claiming damage against mines for the impact of climate change. l JUL - AUG 2021

THE FARMER

25

H S T N U I R A T R G OF Record crops after years of drought and uncertainty are a welcome boost for the grain farmers of NSW. But the bumper harvest is tempered with new challenges.

–

Words JEANETTE SEVERS Photography RACHAEL LENEHAN

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THE BIG ISSUE GRAINS

I

t wouldn’t be an exaggeration to state many NSW farmers would feel like they have been facing the ‘perfect storm’ – drought, flood, disease and pestilence. NSW grain growers have experienced three years of significantly below-middling yield.

They have adapted their business plans, sowing late, with varieties that don’t need soil moisture at planting, or shorter growing windows. Scanning the forecast for rain but sticking with the (albeit reduced and modified) plan.

The reward for many NSW grain growers was an autumn break, bumper 2020 winter harvest and 2021 summer harvest, followed this year by a full soil moisture profile to kick off planting.

These harvest results are necessary to meet the needs of domestic customers – a feedlot industry that has grown from using 200,000 to 1.2 million tonnes of grain annually, dairy and fibre industries, intensive animal agriculture, and a burgeoning demand for vegan food – as well as export markets.

“NSW was certainly the standout state in the 2020-21 season, with growers delivering more than 8 million tonnes,” GrainCorp Managing Director Robert Spurway says.

Because of last year’s harvest results and 2021 forecasts, GrainCorp expects to export 8.5 million tonnes and has booked out port receivals until September 2021. >

JUL - AUG 2021

FULL STEAM AHEAD

Aerial shot of Andy Stewart’s farm at Harden.

THE FARMER

27

THE BIG ISSUE GRAINS

PLANTING FOR ANOTHER BUMPER HARVEST

GOLDEN GRAINS

Matthew Madden is the NSW Farmers’ Grains Committee Chair. With wife Catherine and son Alexander (married to Annie) they farm 1,600 hectares, 25km east of Moree.

“Last year was a good start,” Matthew says.

“We had enough moisture and rain to create a very good season.

“Overall, last year was a record grain crop in NSW, approximately 25 per cent above the previous record, because farmers gave themselves the chance to grow the best crop after rain in early autumn.”

Early frost did affect some wheat crops, with up to 50 per cent yield loss.

In 2021, the above-average to extremely high, lower-level soil moisture profile across most of the grain growing regions of NSW is the result of floods. At the time of writing, ongoing rain is keeping the brakes on getting machinery onto some of the country, but there is still a window for sowing, depending on the variety of cereal, legumes or oilseed planted.

According to ABARES, this year’s harvest – forecast to September 2021 – is on par to achieve record levels, based on 10-year averages; simply, more sowing will occur because of favourable conditions. NSW grain growers will contribute the largest portion of crop yield across Australia.

However, there are grain growers in the lower south west of NSW who are facing minimal sowing and yield opportunities. In districts such as Wentworth, where drought is still a reality, Jim Maynard said rain

Aerial view of the farm belonging to the Whylandra Partnership – managed by Tracey Blackburn, and her partner Terry Cornish, who grows crops with his brother Joe, and sister-in-law Pam, west of Dubbo.

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in May would ensure he and his grandsons, Ryan and Aiden, could get crop sowing underway, given the varieties they grow.

Further north, west of Dubbo, planting may be held up on some country, but able to go ahead on other paddocks following flooding rain. Fortunately, higher than average night-time temperatures saw germination kick off rapidly for those who did plant crops in May. “The advantage of a full soil moisture profile is that we’re not chasing moisture. We’re still well within the planting season of May to mid-June,” says Tracey Blackburn, whose partner Terry Cornish grows crops with his brother, Joe, and sister-in-law, Pam, trading as Whylandra Partnership.

OF MICE AND FARMERS

The record 2020 winter harvest and 2021 summer harvest were followed by, for a few grain growers, a short forage by locusts; but for many more NSW farmers it was mice that created a problem, particularly for those with a summer crop.

With fresh, green sorghum standing in the paddock and drought destocking of livestock reducing grazing pressure on the other side of the fence, it was a delicious banquet waiting for a pest. Because of their sheer quantity, mice invaded crops, irrespective of the baits laid alongside fence lines. Summer harvest was balanced against the 14-day window required after aerial or ground baiting in-crop.

Farmers laid baits around sheds, silos and silo bags, to protect grain and fodder. NSW DPI successfully

applied to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to allow the use of zinc phosphide bait on bare fallows prior to the 2021 sowing period.

The permit is in effect until August 2022.

NSW DPI advised farmers to bait with zinc phosphide just before or at sowing, laying it in late afternoon as per the APVMA permit.

“For some people, dealing with mice eating their crops is a new experience, and they want to bait at planting to protect their newly emerging winter crops.

It’s making decision making difficult,” Matthew says.

Additional costs of baiting work out at around $17/ha, plus the operation of driving the tractor or aerial spreading.

“The other issue is the supply and demand of the actual bait product. Because of the number of mice, it feels like there’s no result,” Michael says. “If we continue no-till, and there is moisture and food for the mice, the problem has potential to continue. We don’t know if this problem with mice is a single-issue, or likely to continue through seasons. People need to be looking in their crop during the season, keeping the number of mice under control before it becomes a problem at heading and harvest time.”

The Local Land Services network, GRDC and NSWFA are providing extension services to help landowners manage the mouse plague.

FLOODS BROKE THE DROUGHT WIDE OPEN

The irony of a drought is it tends to be busted by a significant amount of rain. In this case, it was extensive flooding. While that meant dams and soil moisture profiles were full, creating greater confidence for planting, the floods also did great damage, with fences and levee banks destroyed and land degradation. Some farmers are facing up to 12 months of work to re-contour landscapes that support no-till cropping.

Matthew says 600mm of rain since spring has set up a good season for the Moree district, with 375mm falling in March, including 235mm in 36 hours.

“The outlook is very good from a moisture perspective,” he says. “We did an early planting of wheat and faba beans, followed by normal wheat varieties.

“We’re at 200 per cent field capacity for water.

Fortunately, nearly all farmers are in a zero till, so we’re able to capture that rainfall and slow the runoff down.

“Nearly all the cropping belt in NSW is indicating better seasonal conditions this year. Even up north is looking like it’ll get good crops. Speaking with our members, they’re quite confident things are positive for the upcoming cropping season.”

On the other side of Moree, Oscar and Susannah Pearse, working with his parents, Rowan and Kate, harvested a late crop of mung beans in April. The floods filled the soil profile, but their country needed to dry out before they could sow wheat in June.

Oscar successfully applied for funding support to

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READY FOR SOWING

The land belonging to Whylandra Partnership, with newly sown fields.

re-erect fences, and needs to clean out and repair his flooded home – but without a workforce. The lack of housing in the district means agricultural workers are attracted to farms where a home is supplied. The farm worker’s home is now where Oscar and Susannah and their children are living.

“We are competing for workers against the inland rail construction and local community resilience building projects, which were funded as part of drought mitigation and economic stimulus measures,” Oscar says.

“We have full-time staff and use spray, planting and harvesting contractors. There is a job list, but there is no way we can complete those tasks with the current staff level. And we’re going to fill those bulk silos again this year, based on sowing expectations.”

It’s a circular effect. While they rely on three seasonal workers during harvest time, they were able to get two for December’s harvest. The pandemic is affecting workforce and equipment supply on a global level.

“We’re now trying to get hold of people from universities and Marcus Oldham College for our workforce; we’re even looking at something a bit more enduring, employing ag apprentices,” Oscar says.

But without a house available for at least the next 12 months, he doubts he can attract additional

THE BIG ISSUE GRAINS

workers. His main focus will be production, and using contractors to repair fences ruined by the floods.

He is also monitoring locust and mice numbers.

“Mice we simply couldn’t control; they were in massive numbers and did a huge amount of damage, particularly to our sorghum crops. Before we get flowering and grain formation in the crop, we’ll be counting mice population per square metre, and hopefully we can get more cost-effective solutions,” Oscar says.

Every day, because of baits laid around and in machinery, he has also been clearing and disposing of dead mice. If he doesn’t bait, those machines will be unusable until electrical wiring can be repaired. Then there is the stench of the mouse plague to deal with.

TRIUMPH AND DISASTER

If there hadn’t been a bumper harvest last year, there wouldn’t have been excessive grain stored on farms.

If the coronavirus pandemic wasn’t affecting shipping, grain would’ve been exported rather than stored. If the floods hadn’t happened, roads would have been open and farmers could have moved their harvest off-farm.

It all could have meant less grain stored on farm and subsequently less food for mice. Social and mainstream media went into a frenzy over the mice numbers, but the above scenario is reality for NSW farmers.

LO OKING AHEAD

Left then clockwise: Tracey Blackburn standing in a hill of grains decimated by mice; One of the Whylandra Partnership’s crops that is coming along nicely; Grain damaged by the mouse plague.

This was the perfect storm managed by Whylandra Partnership, with 10,000 hectares of cropping country west of Dubbo and south of Narromine. They grow grain for export and domestic markets. They had already dealt with the loss of their regular northern hemisphere workforce at harvest by employing students out of Marcus Oldham College.

Excess harvest was in silo bags. The principals laid mouse baits around silos, sheds and silo bags; and then had to deal with the effect of foxes predating on mice.

“The silo bags are a good short-term solution to a boom harvest, without over-capitalising,” Tracey Blackburn says. “If the pandemic wasn’t holding up shipping, receivals would have been empty and we would have been able to move our grain into bulk storage. Mice wouldn’t have been such a problem.

“Unfortunately, foxes were after the mice and tearing into the silo bags. A hole in the silo bag lets in moisture and swells the grain. It then downgrades the grain quality and increases the waste – grain that cannot be used has to be disposed of. We’ve spent hundreds of dollars taping up and patching silo bags, keeping the moisture out,” says Tracey.

Tracey says multi-peril insurance is a good option for grain growers, but the last few years of drought have already put pressure on premiums, before quantifying the effect of floods and mouse plagues. l JUL - AUG 2021

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The big picture

MAKING THE BUSH GREAT AGAIN The potential for regional areas to once again be the backbone of the economy has shone brightly during the pandemic. It's prime time for regionalisation to thrive in Australia.

–

Words IAN NEUBAUER & MICHAEL BURT

W

ho would have imagined a year that started with the worst bushfires and public health crisis in living history would end with gushing rains, a bumper harvest and surging property prices across regional NSW amid the uptake of remote working conditions. Data by the Regional Australia Institute shows one in five city residents are now looking to build a new life in the bush.

Analysts are predicting more of the same for 2021, but this inverted perfect storm won’t last too long. Political tensions with China, our biggest trading partner, remain high, rural infrastructure is spread way too thin and a highly variable climate is predicted to bring at least one dry year over the next five years, according to the CSIRO. And for many parts of regional NSW, a devastating mouse plague is chewing away at economic recovery.

NSW Farmers President’ James Jackson said as the generator of one third of the state’s gross production, regional NSW will play a key role in the state’s fiscal recovery from COVID-19, as well as NSW agriculture’s pursuit of $30 billion by 2030.

“One of the silver linings of the pandemic has been that more people are experiencing what regional NSW has to offer,” Mr Jackson said.

“But regional NSW should not just be sold as a lifestyle option. We need to build vibrant regions through investment in job prospects and infrastructure.”

“The NSW Farmers’ Covid Reform Plan outlines what we think is needed to attract

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and retain young people and families in regional areas. We need investment in telecommunications, education and skills training and health services to have some sort of parity with metropolitan areas.”

From a population of just over 2.7 million people in 2018, regional NSW is already predicted to grow by 270,000 people by 2038. The recent refresh of the NSW Government’s 20-Year Economic Vision for Regional NSW provides the framework for policy and investment decisions that could see an additional 180,000 people living, working and studying in regional NSW. “We do welcome the NSW Government’s strategy for regional activation zones.

Recognising the importance not only of improved planning for economic development, but also the establishment of connected infrastructure, is long overdue.”

On a national level, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) in urging federal, state and territory governments to make good on this once-in-a-century opportunity by creating a national agenda dubbed ‘regionalisation’: essentially, a blueprint to plan and deliver the infrastructure and services needed to create stronger, more vibrant and hardier regional communities.

“The moment we find ourselves in is too precious to waste,” NFF Chief Executive Tony Mahar says. “We urge government and industry to work together to capitalise on the disruption and ensure the bush can deliver for all Australians: economically, socially and culturally.”

NSW Farmers could not agree more and

has commissioned a special report from the Australian Farm Institute that examines exactly what needs to be done to achieve a sustainable future for regional NSW. The report will investigate how the agriculture sector can leverage stimulatory regional investment to ensure long-lasting economic stability and social benefits by establishing a virtuous cycle of beneficial impacts. The report will be launched in coming months and will feature in an upcoming edition of The Farmer.

WHAT IS REGIONALISATION?

One way to understand regionalisation is by understanding what it is not.

It’s not about “simply rehashing the failed thinking of relocating city jobs to regional areas,” says NFF President Fiona Simson. “It’s about growing new regional jobs designed to thrive in the unique economic conditions of regional Australia.”

Regionalisation is not about developing the bush at our cities’ expense. It’s about solving the problem of having 45% of the country’s economy concentrated in two cities, Sydney and Melbourne, and the inherent weaknesses laid bare and amplified by the pandemic.

Regionalisation is “a solution to many of the challenges facing urban areas, including chronic congestion and overpopulation,” says Tony Mahar. “Australia stands alone in having almost 65 per cent of its population in big cities. Compare that to New Zealand or Canada where it is only 30 per cent. This concentration causes major problems.”

BY PHIL SOMERVILLE

SUPPLY CHAIN EFFICIENCY

NSW Farmers President James Jackson says investments in rail and road are the key to unlocking the great agricultural wealth in regional NSW. (Photo of Bathurst)

Regionalisation is not about voting in new politicians with new promises. It’s about “challenging bureaucrats whose decision-making processes always relegate transformational regional infrastructure behind infrastructure for our cities,” says Liz Ritchie, CEO of the Regional Australia Institute, and changing a “city-centric regulatory mindset to ensure the whole nation’s success and prosperity.”

Regionalisation is about throwing the same resources behind the development of infrastructure in emerging regional areas as governments do in places like Western Sydney, which has been identified for more than $7 billion worth of the Federal Government’s six new ‘High Priority Projects’. The other five are in Brisbane and Melbourne. Regional Australia has none.

“We are calling for a review of the disproportionately high discount rates used to assess infrastructure proposals that disadvantage investment in regional infrastructure, and we need a shovel-ready priority list for regional development investments to be drawn up,” Liz Ritchie says.

At the end of the day, regionalisation is not about

meeting specific development targets. It’s a big bold vision to reimagine the future of our nation by harnessing national, coordination, bipartisan support and forging closer working relationships between government and rural industries.

“If we are to realise our full potential as a nation, we must realise the full potential of our regions,” says Jennifer Westacott, CEO of the Business Council of Australia. “By investing in our regions and creating more accessible, attractive and productive places to live, work and visit, we can ensure regional Australia becomes a magnet for business and jobs.”

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

The NFF identifies the lack of transformative infrastructure in the bush as the key barrier to regionalisation. Take the grain industry for example, which harvested a record 33.34 million tonnes of wheat last year. But inefficient supply chains means 30-35 per cent of grain growers’ cost of production are eaten by transport, according to Grain Trade Australia.

“Improving supply chain efficiency improves the value of every tonne of grain sold and Australia’s global > JUL - AUG 2021

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THE BIG PICTURE

competitiveness,” says Grain Trade Australia CEO Pat O’Shannassy.

NSW Farmers President James Jackson says investments in rail and road are the key to unlocking the great agricultural wealth in regional NSW. “One of the most important is the duplication of the Great Western Highway, which will slash travel time between the Central West and Sydney and improve access to airports and seaports,” he says, while also calling for a train line between Orange and Parkes to connect the Central West to the upcoming Inland Rail project. These developments, Mr Jackson says, “will enable the efficient processing and packaging of produce destined for lucrative markets in Asia and the Middle East.”

“The opening of the Western Sydney Airport and accompanying agri-precinct in 2026 will also benefit regional communities, enabling them to expand their export horizons to new and diverse global markets. But again, we will need efficient road and rail networks produce to Western Sydney.”

Another key barrier is the relatively small number of fibre manufacturing and processing plants in the bush. Currently, only 110,000 people in regional or rural areas work in food manufacturing – two and a half times less than the number of city-based jobs in the sector. “Regional Australia should be the host of a world-leading export industry in food and fibre manufacturing,” says Ritchie. “The fact we are not is a missed opportunity.”

Take the wool industry as an example. Australia is the world’s largest producer of high-quality wool but we export nearly all of it as unprocessed greasy wool that is value-added overseas. “There’s a massive opportunity for Australia to leverage its competitive strengths and re-enter the wool manufacturing business,” says Jonathan Pavetto, senior economist at AEC Group, an economic consultancy. “This could mean higher value Australian exports and the return of hundreds of jobs in regional communities.”

The same applies to cotton – not a single processing facility in the whole country despite Aussie cotton

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being some of the best cotton in the world. Meanwhile, our once robust timber processing facilities have been hollowed out to almost zilch.

Tanya Barden, CEO of the Australian Food and Grocery Council, says in addition to improved transport facilities to move goods around, the key to encourage the food manufacturing businesses to move and prosper in the regions are tax incentives, access to skills and training as well as addressing rising energy costs.

There’s also huge scope for non-traditional industries to flourish in the bush. Newly emerging energy industries like hydrogen can gain competitive advantage from being in rural areas, as can digital infrastructure like data centres.

ACTIONS VERSES WORDS

NO QUICK FIX IN SIGHT

As Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese pointed out while unveiling federal Labor’s ‘Smart Regionalisation’ policy vision statement at Coffs Harbour (below) last year, regionalisation “won’t just happen by moving a couple of government agencies into regional communities”.

While no High Priority Projects have been identified for the bush, the upcoming $14.5 billion Inland Rail project is currently the largest infrastructure project in Australia. Once complete, the 1,727km railway connecting the ports of Melbourne and Brisbane along a new route west of the Great Dividing Range that bypasses Sydney has the potential to unlock significant economic potential in regional NSW via the use of double-stacked freight trains. NSW Farmers supports this massive undertaking, but has joined with the CWA of NSW to voice concerns about this project and stress the need for it to be properly designed to deliver benefits for agriculture and regional NSW. The Western Sydney airport is under construction and the NSW Government has gone out to tender for design work for one stage of the $2.5 billion duplication of the Great Western Highway from Lithgow to Katoomba.

Instead of tax breaks, the Australian Food and Grocery Council are calling to incentivise food and fibre manufacturing in regional areas. On this front, the NSW Government is only offering advice.

“Companies wanting to tap into a wider pool of skilled workers and lower their operating costs will be able to benefit from expert NSW Government advice about setting up shop in regional NSW,” Deputy Premier John Barilaro tells The Farmer. He also spruiks an initiative in which “public sector roles advertised from any location” will now be supplanted with the statement “regional location encouraged”.

However as Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese pointed out while unveiling federal Labor’s ‘Smart Regionalisation’ policy vision statement at Coffs Harbour last September, regionalisation “won’t just happen by moving a couple of government agencies into regional communities”.

But Mr Barilaro insists it’s about “much more than just moving city jobs to the bush. It’s about providing high-paying jobs for locals and people looking to relocate, which means more money being spent on the local economy. It’ll pave the way for large corporations to follow suit”.

The Deputy Premier also lists a slew of new projects that he says proves the government’s commitment to regionalisation, starting with the

Special Activation Precinct program that promises to create 18,000 jobs in regional NSW by building business hubs in Parkes, Wagga Wagga, Moree, Narrabri, Williamtown and the Snowy Mountains. Another four Regional Job Precincts are planned for the Richmond Valley, Albury, South Jerrabomberra and Namoi.

“And under my leadership,” Mr Barilaro says, “the revolutionary Regional Growth Fund has been increased to $2 billion with 2,100 projects funded that will deliver new and upgraded amenity in every corner of the state.”

These initiatives and projects are certainly steps in the right direction. But according to The Global Infrastructure Hub, a joint CanadianAustralian institute helping governments deliver inclusive infrastructure solutions, from now until 2040 an additional $76 billion above the current trajectory for regional infrastructure spending must be allocated to freight, transport, telecommunications and water capacity across the country.

Given that NSW accounts for one-third of Australia’s GDP, $25 billion needs to be invested in the state over the next 19 years to realise the NFF’s Regionalisation agenda. l

UP, UP & AWAY

The opening of the Western Sydney Airport and agri-precinct in 2026 will benefit regional communities, as will investments into rail.

BUSINESS NUNDLE WOOLLEN MILL

A yarn about wool It was love at first sight when the Bradfords arrived in Nundle – and now their heritage mill is a spinning success

–

Words SUE WALLACE

N

ick and Kylie Bradford knew from the moment they stepped inside the woollen mill in the historic gold mining village of Nundle in north-west NSW that it was their destiny.

“There was just something about it; we knew it was the right decision. We had both worked in the textile industry in highpowered jobs and travelled extensively, but taking on the mill just seemed a great fit – and it has been the best thing we’ve ever done,” says Nick.

The couple took over the Nundle Woollen Mill in 2007, running it remotely from Sydney until they left city life behind in 2013.“We loved it from the moment we arrived in Nundle and we are very fortunate it has all gone so well,” says Nick.

One of four woollen mills in Australia, Nundle Mill – which opened in 2001 – is the only one with vintage machinery dating back to the 1900s, and also featuring historic production techniques.

“Nundle is the only mill that has remained true to Australian heritage, working from greasy wool straight from the shearing sheds. The other mills import

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cleaned, semi-processed wool from China,” Nick says.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

In the next 12 months the Bradfords are predicting more than 45,000 people will visit the mill to learn about Australia’s wool heritage, listen to the hum of the eight antique machines, take a tour and purchase fabulous yarn and knitwear.

“People are eager to learn about the history of our wool industry and are fascinated by the old machinery,” says Nick.

“There’s something about watching the old traditional spinning machinery transforming raw wool into our knitting yarn that is quite mesmerising. People love it.

“Some of the machinery is more than a century old and we continuously maintain it to ensure it’s working at its best.”

The oldest machinery was rescued from Geelong’s McGregor Mill, including the magnificent carding machine manufactured

by Platt Bros & Co in 1914 in Oldham, England, which was relocated to Tamworth, then Nundle.

“We often have people calling us about their old treasures and we are keen to conserve the industrial heritage as well as

traditional skills and production processes that prepares, cards, spins, dyes and winds the yarn into balls. It is amazing to watch.”

The Bradfords are passionate about their venture and preserving part of Australia’s history.

“We also want to add an element of entertainment to craft supplies, ensure our customers feel comfortable and fashionable in the garments we sell, and we want to create a reconnection with Australia’s wool heritage,” says Nick.

OVER THE RAINBOW

Known for its bright yarns, the mill has its own dye-house that takes yarn at the end of the production chain and transforms it into one of 40 colours.

“We offer one of the best colour selections of dyed yarns in the country, in 4, 8, 12, 20 and 72 plies, plus the thick Wool Vine which is about 200-ply,” Nick explains.

“We cater for modern ‘yarnistas’ who love chunky rainbow coloured wool as well as traditional knitters.”

So, what’s so good about the yarn?

According to Nick, it’s made with premium unpolluted wool from Tasmania, along with lots of love and care. >

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT IN NUNDLE

Nick and Kylie Bradford (above) knew from the moment they stepped inside the woollen mill in the historic gold mining village of Nundle in north-west NSW that it was their destiny. The original machinery is a part of the mill's attraction.

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BUSINESS NUNDLE WOOLLEN MILL

MILL TOURS

Nundle Woollen Mill is open daily from 10am to 4pm, and for groups by appointment only.

The 30-minute tours run Monday to Friday at 11am and 2pm and cost $5 – which includes a $5 gift voucher to spend in the store.

Bookings are recommended. Viewing is from a mezzanine floor that overlooks the production area. The retail shop sells yarn and Australianmade woollen clothing, footwear, toys, blankets and gifts, and the famous Nundle socks. The mill’s landscaped gardens have picnic facilities, a historic wool press, drays and a 1947 Chevrolet truck.

For more information, visit nundle.com

“Our producers include father and son Alex and Crosby Youl, who are fifth and sixth generation wool producers. Their property at Elsdon in the Northern Midlands has been in the family for more than 200 years,” he says.

“We love how they are committed to the health and welfare of their animals, and that they breed a highquality product very specific to our needs to produce the yarn our customers keep coming back for.”

MADE IN AUSTRALIA

Nick says he’s also noticed customers are really embracing Australian made products.

“We’re producing more yarn now than ever, and that’s because something has happened over the past few years: our customers are feeling warm and fuzzy about supporting Australian made; they want to leave their hard-earned dollars in the country.”

The staff of 10 help process up to 8,000 kilos of clean wool, which is sold worldwide and in demand from knitters, textile artists and softfurnishing designers.

Their hard work has been well recognised with a string of national, state and regional tourism awards.

Both Nick and Kylie grew up on the land. Nick studied wool and marketing at the Melbourne College of Textiles in the ’80s, and worked in the textile industry in Italy, Germany and Asia.

Kylie completed a Bachelor of Business at Charles

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COLOUR & CHARM

Top, then clockwise: The grounds of Nundle Woollen Mill, which includes picnic tables for guests; pieces of old machinery that guests can see in action on tours; the mill is known for its brightly dyed yarns that are made in 4, 8, 12, 20 and 72 plies, plus the thick wool vine which is about 200-ply.

Sturt University in Bathurst in the early ’90s, and together they established a successful wool fashion company in 2001 called Inter Wool, which included in-house labels Sheer Bliss and Infinite Wool.

The mill venture followed, and their turnover has tripled since 2007.

Nick says the mill is financially sound, the business profitable, and they are now ready for the next step.

THE HISTORY OF NUNDLE

Set on the banks of the Peel River, Nundle is located 60 kilometres south of Tamworth.

It was one of Australia’s first wool producing areas, and by the 1860s had a reputation in the UK and Europe for producing the finest merino wool in the world.

The first land grants were to the Australian Agricultural Company at Goonoo Goonoo Station in 1837, and Wombramurra Station in 1847, where Nundle was established in 1853. It was also a gold mining centre.

“It was a busy village back in the gold rush days, with 30 pubs,” says Nick.

These days there’s a primary school, post office, quirky shops and just one hotel.

“It is a wonderful place to live, and brilliant for kids. I can honestly say we have lots of genuine friends in Nundle. People are so caring – we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” he says. l

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BUSINESS BLOOD ORANGES

BLOOD ORANGES, SWEAT AND TOIL Australia’s largest blood orange producer uses heritage and health to market its product at a premium price.

–

Words SUSAN GOUGH HENLY

W

hen Vito Mancini was growing up in Griffith his Italian grandparents had a citrus orchard filled with Valencia oranges, just like everyone else in the region. “But in the backyard there was this rare blood orange tree, which I found very peculiar as a child,” he recalls. Little did he realise how much this tree would influence his future.

Blood oranges are one of the cherished fruits of Sicily, from where Vito’s maternal grandparents had emigrated in the late 1950s. The arancia rossa di Sicilia even has Protected Geographical Status there.

In 2005, Vito and his cousins Anthony and Leonard Mancini decided to get into the citrus farming business – but they needed a strategy to operate on a larger scale to support three families.

“It was about this time that large superannuation companies were jumping into the game, and we wanted to find something more niche and novel as a family business,” explains Vito. “We researched everything from pomegranates and figs to almonds, but none of them suited us because of the steep learning curve involved.”

They revisited citrus farming options, and blood oranges came to the top of the list. “We learned that while the Northern Hemisphere produced about a million tonnes of blood oranges, the Southern Hemisphere produced less than 2000 tonnes – so there would be a great opportunity to offer a counter seasonal supply,” explains Vito. “We also knew they grew well in Griffith. We had a great story to tell about them based on our family heritage, and we thought we could market them effectively.”

Packed with vitamin C, blood oranges also have a distinctive dark red, almost blood-like flesh because of the presence of anthocyanins, which are polyphenol pigments common in fruits such as raspberries and blueberries but rare in citrus fruits. These micronutrients are rich with antioxidants, which can help lower the risk of chronic health problems such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. >

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ORANGES IN THEIR BLO OD

Vito Mancini and his cousin Anthony at their orange orchard.

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TOP SHELF ORANGES

Blood oranges are a special occasion purchase that go towards the creation of a cocktail, unusual salad or dessert. “As such we can sell at a 30 to 40 per cent price premium,” says Vito, who is also Chairman of the Griffith and District Citrus Growers Association.

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BUSINESS BLOOD ORANGES

Blood oranges, however, cannot produce fruit yearround, and need specific environmental conditions to build the right level of anthocyanins in the fruit.

Not only do they need hot, dry summers and cool, nippy winters, but also during autumn they require high daytime temperatures and almost freezing night temperatures to stress the tree sufficiently for the fruit to develop those much-needed anthocyanins.

“It’s like they have to shiver with cold during the night and be sweating hot during the day. This 20-degree temperature difference must happen when the fruit is maturing to get that blood red colour,” explains Vito. It just so happens that the Riverina region around Griffith delivers those conditions perfectly.

In 2007, the cousins started planting two 20-hectare blocks exclusively with blood orange trees.

At the time, this represented 50 per cent of Australia’s total plantings. Today they have 36,000 trees of the Arnold and Tarocco varieties of blood orange, and their state-of-the-art, high-density Redbelly Citrus orchard is the largest single blood orange farm in the Southern Hemisphere. As Australia’s only dedicated blood orange grower, they have the latest orchard temperature regulation technologies to develop the ‘bloodiest’ blood oranges in the country.

“We decided to do high-density planting and to keep the trees short both to maximise early yields and enable easier picking with no ladder work,” says Vito.

As far as orchard management goes, he explains that finely tuned pruning is essential for the quantity and quality of fruit. “You can get more colour when the crop size is large, but the size of each orange will be too small. It’s always a balancing act to get a good crop with sufficient stress to produce the blood red colour.

“We made a decision when we planted the orchard that marketing was essential to the success of our business,” says Vito. Redbelly Citrus allocates 5 per cent of its turnover to the marketing budget.

ORANGES, FIVE WAYS

Clockwise from far left: Peri Peri chicken with blood oranges; Oysters with a blood orange vinaigrette; some natural goodness packed and ready to deliver; Blood orange biscotti; A fresh blood orange straight from the orchard.

All images courtesy of TNM Creative Media

“Marketing is challenging for farmers because you’re selling wholesale, but marketing direct to consumers stimulates demand so suppliers stock your product.

“We’re not a fruit bowl item but rather a special occasion purchase that goes towards the creation of a cocktail, unusual salad or dessert. As such we can sell at a 30 to 40 per cent price premium, but we must engage and excite the consumer because building loyalty is so important,” says Vito, who is also chair of the Griffith and District Citrus Growers Association.

“A lot of Australia’s horticulture is very fragmented with little unified marketing, with the exception, perhaps, of bananas and avocados,” he explains. “It’s very rare to see citrus marketing.”

It certainly helps that blood oranges are very versatile fruits with both sweet and sour notes and even raspberry-like flavours that can be teased out for savoury and sweet recipes. They also have a strong visual impact on social media. Redbelly Citrus has used this to great effect, running Twitter and Instagram competitions for household chefs and posting the results on their website and social media channels.

They’ve also done professional chef collaborations and worked with boutique breweries and distilleries.

It’s an intense time during the blood orange harvest season, which extends from mid-July to the end of October. While there can be a 30 per cent seasonal variation, Redbelly Citrus produces, on average, 1000 tonnes of blood oranges a year.

Their sales strategy is also well defined. “We’ve always worked on the principle of a third goes to export, a third goes to the Australian fresh fruit market and a third goes to juice production,” says Vito.

They engaged an export broker to get into the US, which is still their largest market. They also export to South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Canada. “There is still a lot of growth potential as international markets become more aware of the quality of Australian fruit,” says Vito.

Redbelly Citrus also has a loyal following in the Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide wholesale markets, whose buyers engage with top-end providores and fruit buyers. And juice production is always a useful way to utilise blemished fruit and extra volume.

“We’re already at 100 per cent capacity with our current sales strategy, but we’re beginning to explore the potential of nutraceuticals, which are products derived from food sources that offer extra health benefits. It’s a multibillion dollar industry that growers are not really tapping into yet,” Vito says.

“In hindsight, we took a big risk concentrating solely on blood oranges,” he admits. “Other growers just added a few rows of them as a marginal extra product to hedge their bets, but they don’t focus on the specific needs of blood oranges like we do. We’ve always believed in their unique potential. We treat blood oranges as a specialty and, as a result, we get a significant price premium because our customers, both in Australia and overseas, trust our quality and our brand.” l JUL - AUG 2021

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We’re nuts for ALMONDS Australia has grown almost $1 billion worth of almonds this year, and we’re on track for a 50 per cent increase in the next five years as trees reach maturity. So why the push to plant, and what hurdles will the industry need to tackle to realise its potential?

–

Words SANDRA GODWIN

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TRADE ALMONDS

D

riven by rising global demand for plant-based healthy foods such as nuts and nut products, Australia has become a world leader in almond production. There are now more than 15.4 million almond trees planted across four states, and the industry’s relentless growth shows no sign of slowing down.

While managed investment schemes kicked off the almond boom in north-west Victoria from 2003 to 2008, expansion in the NSW Riverina during the past decade means growers in that region now account for 35 per cent of trees.

NUTTING IT OUT

Fourth-generation farmer James Callipari was among the early wave of almond producers in the Griffith area.

As fruit and vegetable growers, his family began looking for less perishable alternative crops, and James joined a group of farmers on a visit to look at almonds in South Australia in the mid-2000s.

“The vegetable market was at the stage where either you had to get a lot bigger to become profitable, or you had to get out,” James says. “The almond industry attracted us because the product itself was more shelf stable – it wasn’t necessary to pick it today and sell it tomorrow. There’s a bit more flexibility.”

At the time the Riverina was firmly in the grip of the Millennium drought, and water was both scarce and expensive.

The Calliparis moved to another property equipped with subsurface drip irrigation, which they were able to use for almonds. They planted the first trees in 2006, and by 2017 had filled 220ha of the 275ha property with five varieties of almond trees.

Half are Nonpareil – the most popular snacking variety – and the rest are pollinating varieties: Carmel, Price, Monterey and Wood Colony.

It takes three years for almond trees to bear their first crop and another four years to reach full production of about 9.2 tonnes per hectare of nuts in shell; about 3.2 tonnes of that is almond kernels, while the rest is hulls and shells that are used for cattle feed, compost, mulch and biochar.

LEFT TO RIGHT

Almonds ready for harvest; An almond grove in full bloom; Bees are essential for almond production.

Photos courtesy of the Almond Board of Austalia

Almond properties by state

14,381

New South Wales

25,138 South Australia

64,416 Victoria

502

Western Australia

104,437 TOTAL

Source: 2019-2020 Almond Insights, Almond Board of Australia

> JUL - AUG 2021

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Water woes Mention the words almond farms, corporate farms and managed investment schemes in some circles, and you’ll cop an earful.

Dairy farmers in particular blame the development of corporate almond farms for pushing the price of both permanent and temporary irrigation water beyond their reach and forcing them out of business.

Environmentalists criticise almond farms for increasing the volume of water extracted from already stressed river systems in the Murray-Darling Basin.

And many mum and dad investors and suppliers are still nursing financial wounds from the collapse of managed investment schemes, such as Timbercorp. One of the biggest schemes – it developed the world’s second largest almond grove – Timbercorp was the first to go belly up, owing $980 million when administrators were appointed in 2009.

Yet it was the almond industry’s peak body, the Almond Board of Australia (ABA), that called for an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission inquiry into water markets in the Murray-Darling Basin as water prices surged during severe drought in 2019.

The ABA also appealed for a freeze on new water use licences by NSW, Victoria and South Australian governments, pending a review of the system’s capacity to deliver water to support more development, “without adverse third-party or environmental impact”.

NSW Farmers has called for a halt in new irrigation development approvals downstream of the Barmah Choke until an audit is carried out to show that the water can be delivered without third party impacts.

Australian Nut Industry Council chair Brendan Sidhu, a former ABA chair, says the only impediments to the future expansion of the almond industry are climate – almonds prefer a Mediterranean climate that provides chill hours during winter to stimulate bud break and flowering – and access to suitable land and water.

“We all understand (water) is a finite resource, so we have to use it wisely,” he says. “What’s really worrying me is the annual crops are now outnumbered by permanent plantings. New South Wales is still going hell for leather, which is a bit of a worry, because come the next Millennium drought or a big drought like that, it’s going to be horrendous.”

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DAVID VS GOLIATH

Dairy farmers in particular blame the development of corporate almond farms for pushing the price of both permanent and temporary irrigation water beyond their reach and forcing them out of business.

The industry average for water consumption by mature almond trees is 11-14 megalitres per hectare, similar to other high-value crops such as citrus. James says he’s been able to keep it to less than 10ML/ha most years thanks to the higher water holding capacity of his soils, and aided by tree sensors and irrigation line sensors. The industry funds ongoing research into methods of further improving water use efficiency.

As well as almonds, the Calliparis grow Valencia and Navel oranges, wheat, and recently finished harvesting their first rice crop in three years. Like many farmers, they have a combination of high security and general security water entitlements.

SUPPLY AND DEMAND

James says a combination of factors has encouraged more Riverina farmers to plant almonds. They include consistent high prices, increasing domestic and global demand, the high level of mechanisation, access to multiple sources of water for irrigation and the opening of the $25 million Almondco processing plant at Hanwood in 2017.

Until then, Almondco growers had to truck their nuts 580km to be dehulled and deshelled at Lyrup, near Renmark, in the Riverland region of South Australia.

“There’s a significant saving to have it 20 minutes’ drive instead of six hours,” James says. “Having it on our doorstep is really good for the industry.”

With 33 per cent of Riverina plantings yet to bear fruit and more trees going into the ground each year, Almondco has already doubled its shifts and plans to expand the Hanwood plant in the next two years.

Almondco managing director Brenton Woolston says the facility’s first stage was based on forecast

TRADE ALMONDS

SCALING UP PRODUCTION

production from existing plantings of the cooperative’s more than 20 members in the region.

“Since we made the investment in primary processing infrastructure in the region, there’s been a lot more plantings in the area,” he says.

“Having a processing site in the Riverina certainly stimulated our existing growers to plant more, and some new growers to get into almonds. We haven’t encouraged or advertised that almonds should be planted – this has been a natural economic progression.”

Almondco is supplied by more than 150 Australian growers and has members in NSW, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

While corporate farms have been responsible in the past for processing and marketing large volumes from their own groves – Brenton Woolston, Managing Director of Almondco (above) says that’s not the case in new Riverina developments.

Almond production by size

More than 200ha 150-199ha 100-149ha 50-99ha 0-49ha

21% 5% 5% 14% 55%

Most almond producers have traditionally been family-owned smaller farms in areas that began as soldier settlements. Indeed, a recent report from the Almond Board of Australia (ABA) estimates that 55 per cent of all almond properties are less than 49ha in size.

According to the ABA, the total area planted to almonds grew from 3,546ha in 2000 to 26,589ha in 2010 and 53,014ha in 2019. More than half the new plantings between 2015 and 2020 were in NSW. Production is set to increase from this year’s record 123,000 tonnes – with a farm gate value of almost $1 billion – to 180,000 tonnes in 2025-26.

Depending on future plantings, it may even reach 200,000 tonnes by 2030. The volume of exports increased 25.7 per cent to 76,556 tonnes in 201920; China and Hong Kong took more than half after imposing tariffs on almonds from the US. And while corporate farms have been responsible in the past for much of the heavy lifting – many of them processing and marketing large volumes from their own groves – Brenton says that’s not the case in new Riverina developments.

“What we’ve seen is private family-owned orchards at scale,” he says. “Riverina growers don’t seem to mess around with 20 acres or 30 acres. If they’re going to make that investment, they generally get into it in a lot bigger way than we’re used to in other growing regions.”

California continues to produce 80 per cent of the world’s almonds, but in his annual report ABA chair Peter Hayes says the growing demand for Australian almonds has been a success story for many years. “And 2019-20 is no different, with consumers recognising their health benefits, enjoying almonds in many new manufactured products, and moving to plant-based diets as concerns over animal welfare gain traction,” he says. l

Australian tree nut production 2019 (in-shell)

Almonds Macadamias Pecans Pistachios Walnuts

71% 21% 1% 1% 6%

Source: 2019-2020 Almond Insights, Almond Board of Australia

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THE WORLD WITH HIS OYSTERS

Caju Barbosa (above) discovered oyster farming during a visit to Port Stephens when he was working for a boat builder.

Today he owns Stella Maris Oyster Co. at Tilligerry Creek. During the floods he sustained massive stock loss due to low salinity levels.

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r p e t a s d y

do

ck

The o

TRADE OYSTERS

Polishing off a dozen oysters takes minutes, which is startling considering it takes around three years for one plump Sydney Rock Oyster to fully mature and in that time these delicate morsels fend off multiple threats for survival.

–

Words SHEREE YOUNG Photography EDEN CONNELL

I

t is often said that oyster farmers are a diverse bunch. Some are multigenerational, some are weekend hobby farmers and others, like new Port Stephens oyster grower and Brazil native, Caju Barbosa, are marine biologist cattle farmers that decided to give it a go.

But despite their differences, they all face common farming challenges.

An oyster farmer’s paddock is an estuary – a complex ecosystem that no fence or gate can protect. For the most part, water quality is of the highest standard but unwanted inputs can easily find their way into an estuary from ash and rainfall to sewage and other runoff to deoxygenated water from floodplains.

Any significant change to water quality prompts an immediate estuary closure with some shutdowns, in the event of a sewage spill, lasting for 30 days.

Estuary closures, while essential for food safety and consumer confidence, prevent oyster farmers from harvesting which means no income while the bills roll in.

Natural disasters are also huge challenges. This was laid bare in March when a severe flood caused over $16 million worth of aquaculture infrastructure damage and stock loss.

The North Coast was the hardest hit with farmers losing millions of oysters and millions of dollars in infrastructure including sheds, forklifts, grading gear and oyster cultivation equipment.

Step back a year and the 2019/20 ‘Black Summer’ bushfires coated estuaries in a lethal ash.

Lace a global pandemic over the top which stopped demand dead in its tracks, add that it is impossible to insure anything on-water and the difficulties faced by oyster farmers become crystal clear.

Prior to the big flood, NSW’s oyster industry was worth $58 million with around six million dozen oysters produced annually.

It is the state’s most valuable seafood sector with 33 estuaries from the far South Coast to Tweed Heads farmed by around 260 oyster farmers.

It takes two to three years to grow more oysters and to do that you need spat – microscopic baby oysters. Spat like the winter months so it could be Spring before re-stocking can start – which is yet another challenge.

STAYING POSITIVE AND LOOKING AHEAD

However, even with all of these hurdles, many farmers like Caju Barbosa are staying positive.

Caju discovered oyster farming on a visit to Port Stephens when he was working for French boat-builder, Beneteau. > Captivated, he later returned with his JUL - AUG 2021

THE FARMER

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TRADE OYSTERS

family and set up Stella Maris Oyster Co. at Tilligerry Creek with the farm named after a legendary 44-foot vessel, Stella Maris, which served the Port Stephens oyster industry from 1934 to 1980.

Caju is quick to point out that other farmers were hit harder than him with infrastructure loss, but he sustained massive stock loss due to low salinity levels.

“When I say I lost 20 to 30 per cent of my stock, it doesn’t look too bad, but when we started to count the numbers, the losses were quite significant,” he says.

Water quality is also a big issue, made worse by a nearby sewage treatment plant overflowing twice this year.

“Our bay is very fragile, and we are talking to the NSW Government to see how we can improve the sewage plant that was designed 20 years ago when the population was not what it is now,” Caju says, adding that another 1000 homes are due to be built next year.

“Whenever we have a flood, the system either breaks because the pipes crack or the tanks are too full, and it overflows. This makes the damage for us worse because we then are closed for harvest for 21 or 30 days which means we cannot sell. It is a huge problem.”

‘REAL TIME’ WATER MONITORING INNOVATION

Low salinity levels and water temperature changes can also prompt estuary closures. To help reduce estuary closure time, an innovation has been developed which relays real-time data to farmers and authorities in 13 oyster producing estuaries in NSW. Funded through the Federal Government’s Bushfire Industry Recovery Package Sector Development Grants, the project aims to increase oyster farm productivity by 6.1 per cent by adding 21 harvest days per harvest area per year.

NSW Farmers is working with oyster farmers, Food Agility Cooperative Research Centre, NSW Food Authority, NSW Department of Primary Industries, University of Technology Sydney and the Western Australian Agriculture Authority on the project.

Caju says that a sensor in his estuary is already helping. “It speeds up the process and helps us with farming. The data comes almost automatically – exactly from where the oysters are to be collected.”

It includes water quality and covers all parameters like temperature and salinity, so it is really important to his operation.

Further north at Camden Haven, secondgeneration oyster farmer Brandon Armstrong suffered

How ‘real time’ water data helps oyster farmers: The Environmental Risk Management System: Innovation for Resilience in the NSW Oyster Industry program has resulted in the installation of electronic water sensors in 13 oyster producing estuaries in NSW as part of a Food Agility Cooperative Research Centre project.

The sensors measure salinity and water temperature, and this data is transmitted in real time to oyster farmers’ phones to help them with farm business planning.

The data is also used by NSW authorities when deciding on estuary closures.

The project includes studying weekly oyster, bacteria and algae samples, oyster growth data and nutrient levels in certain estuaries.

The system is expected to increase oyster farm productivity by 6.1 per cent with 21 days of extra harvesting time per harvest area added each year.

This alone could grow the sector by $3.48 million each year.

They also look at bacteria and algae samples and provide monthly oyster growth data in selected estuaries.

The project will link with land managers to ensure that project outcomes result in long term risk reduction and risk management for the oyster industry.

NSW Farmers is partnering with oyster farmers, Food Agility Cooperative Research Centre, University of Technology Sydney and the Western Australian Agriculture Authority on this innovation.

Two other projects will launch later this year to help the industry recover. These include education for oyster farmers and a retail marketing campaign.

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A FRAGILE ENVIRONMENT

“Our bay is very fragile, and we are talking to the NSW Government to see how we can improve the sewage plant that was designed 20 years ago when the population was not what it is now,” says Caju, adding that another 1,000 homes will be built next year.

IN THE PADD O CK

Caju Barbosa lowering his oyster punt into the water; Checking and collecting oysters; Caju Barbosa.

horrific flood losses on the estuaries he farms at Nambucca, Port Stephens and Pambula Lake on the NSW South Coast.

He uses three different types of oyster infrastructure but found the FlipFarm basket system – a relatively new invention from New Zealand – held up the best in the flood.

“Nambucca was a real war zone. We had 100 per cent losses of all infrastructure, they all went either to sea or on the sandbanks near the beaches,” Brandon says, adding his Nambucca losses were 50,000 dozen but this could have been doubled if he had finished moving his stock north for winter when the flood hit.

NSW Department of Primary Industries Aquaculture Manager, Ian Lyall, said spat loss is a significant issue for the rebuild.

“We are undertaking an industry survey to see how much wild spat is available and what the demand for hatchery spat is,” Ian says. “DPI are looking at ways to support increased spat production and seeking government support for additional funding for spat.

The inroads made by DPI for disease resistant, faster growing Sydney Rock Oysters are important to fasttrack industry recovery.”

But he said what is also helping the industry recover is the real-time water quality data project which he described as “ground-breaking” as it will help farmers manage their leases better and increase harvest opening times.

Sue McIntyre, a former NSW Farmers Oyster Committee Member who also farms at Pambula Lake, has suffered through bushfires, COVID and the floods, which claimed 40 per cent of stock and large parts of infrastructure in Pambula Lake.

“We have been here for 24 years and we’ve never had the flood come up into our oyster sheds, but we had about 25 centimetres of water flow through, so it was a huge flood,” Sue says.

The issues of farming in one of the most complex ecosystems in the world is not lost on Sue. “Water quality is a really big factor for the oyster industry and that is why we spend a lot of time working with council and Local Land Services to make sure activities in the catchment including housing developments and agriculture have controlled offsite run-off,” she says.

“It is about educating catchment landholders about the downstream impact.”

Sue is also a supporter of the data project to reduce estuary closure time. “A lot of the information that they are gathering is around algae loads that are coming into the lake,” she says.

“We are particularly interested in whether there is contamination from humans or birdlife coming into the estuaries as this is going to have different impacts on human health depending on where the contamination is coming from.”

NSW Farmers is also working with OceanWatch to deliver an education project to help oyster farmers strengthen for the future. An oyster marketing program is also set to run later this year. l JUL - AUG 2021

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SPECIAL REPORT CATTLE

Cattle:

A BULL MARKET A massive herd rebuild is underway in Australia, and particularly NSW, after long-term drought. Commercial breeders held onto young breeding stock and seedstock producers held onto genetics.

Last year’s bull sales were very competitive and an example of confidence in the beef industry. That competition is expected to continue this year. But there is also competition in producing reputable beef. The Farmer looked at the state of the industry.

–

Words JEANETTE SEVERS

TOP STO CK

Turanville Autumn calving cows

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bulls.com

SPECIAL REPORT CATTLE

TURANVILLE SHORTHORNS

The science of breeding genetics is proven in the paddock where the animal converts quality pastures into carcase yield and consistency for the commercial breeder.

Shorthorns come into their own connecting calving ease and fertility with carcase and production traits in a breeding and grazing program focused on feeder markets.

Turanville Shorthorns principals, Doug and Nic Robertson, and their children, are part of a long line of Shorthorn breeders. Shorthorns have been on their land in the Hunter Valley since 1826, with the polled stud established in 1934, when Douglas (DH) Robertson transitioned away from horned cattle.

In the 1980s, Jock (JD) Robertson began using Breedplan as a genetic selection tool; and that long history of recording and measuring traits pays off in identifying matrilineal connections to breeding data.

Doug and other breeders have since founded Performance Herds Australia, which further utilises genotype and phenotype data to help identify bulls against commercial breeders’ agribusiness needs.

“We focus on a balance – using calving ease and fertility to drive commercial profits, adding value through eating quality and carcase traits – to increase marketability of the finished product in our breeding program,” Doug says.

Clients of Turanville Shorthorns buy their bulls to join to Angus, Charolais and other European breeds, as well as Shorthorn cows. Most clients are NSW-based, and dispersed into Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania, and on King Island (Tas).

“The maternal value and milking ability of Shorthorns is genetically locked into our herd, which makes our bulls very popular with commercial and stud breeders,” Doug says.

IN THE FIELD

Stirling and Belinda Fergusson, working with their son, Jake, buy Turanville Shorthorns bulls to join to their 500-cow commercial Shorthorn herd, at Moreton Bay, Dunedoo. Their farm is a mix of creek flats, sandstone scrub ridges, and rocky and sandy landscapes.

“We buy two to three bulls each year from the Turanville Shorthorns stud,” Stirling says.

The Fergusson family’s focus is on pasture management to support a winter calving pattern, and turn off 14-15 month-old grassfed steers at 480kg in early spring. The steers are sold into JBS Australia’s Caroona feedlot and finished for the Thousand Guineas branded beef program.

The carcase feedback on the feeder steers has helped Stirling mould his genetics to focus on 400-day weight and increase yield and marbling.

With these traits selected in his Turanville purchases, he has been able to benefit from the strong feeder prices on offer post-drought.

The Fergusson family turns off surplus females at the annual local Dunedoo Breeders Sale. Moreton

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FROM LITTLE THINGS, BIG THINGS GROW

Top to bottom: Circle8 Angus ET calves at five weeks old; Circle8 bulls with owners Carmen and Jeremy Cooper.

Bay females consistently top the offering for yearling heifers and cows as well as calves.

“I believe that a large percentage of what we breed is what the cattle eat,” Stirling says. “Shorthorn cows have good maternal traits and put milk into the calf. We also rely on our pastures to grow the cattle and get them to express their genetic potential.”

In a 10-year cycle, they spread lime across the creek flats, raising the pH level to grow lucerne,

phalaris and clover; and spread phosphorous and sulphur in a mix on the bulk of the grazing country, where an annual subclover mix, that was aerial spread with fertiliser in the 1950s and ’60s, still produces. Subtropical grasses dominate the hill country.

Oats and wheat are sown in autumn. Last year, Stirling and Jake harvested 700 bales of oaten silage and 120 tonnes of oat and wheat grain which was buried. They harvest silage for drought fodder, and to feed heifers.

“I buy Turanville bulls because we get good value for what we pay for,” Stirling says.

AT THE HELM

The Turanville Shorthorns annual bull sale is run as a helmsman sale in August. The stud has an autumn and spring calf-drop, which means two-year-old and 16-17 month-old bulls are offered every year.

“We offer under a helmsman sale system, so breeders can purchase the bull most suitable for their requirements,” Doug says. >

SPECIAL REPORT CATTLE

CIRCLE8BULLS

The best outcome of your bull breeding program is the quality of the meat in the paddock, the boning room and on the plate. To get those outcomes takes commitment to genetics and an active awareness of what the consumer expects around marbling, meat quality and taste.

Circle8bulls principal Jeremy Cooper helps his clients achieve those goals.

The Circle8 team custom-breeds Wagyu and Angus bulls for NSW and southern Queensland customers whose focus is terminal markets via the feedlot sector.

“I’m passionate about the food industry and feeding people,” Jeremy says. “I’m passionate about producing a healthy food product in a rainfallchallenged environment and modern consumers’ expectations of production.”

The stud’s annual Angus bull sale is held in September, but the service to customers is year-round.

“We provide a lot of customer and client support, assisting them with genetic analysis and marketing their livestock,” Jeremy says. “We have a 29-year history of breeding bulls that excel in key economic traits.”

He wants Circle8 to be recognised for a social and ethical licence to breed livestock.

“We want our bulls to look good, breed well and be efficient, keeping in mind the breeder’s expectations of how their livestock needs to be used,” Jeremy says. “We also want ourselves and our customers to be recognised as good custodians of the world, in line with consumers’ expectations of animal welfare.”

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PREMIUM HANDCRAFTED LIVESTOCK

UNDER THE HAMMER

There is a considerable team around the genetic selection and production of Circle8 bulls. Working alongside Jeremy is his wife Carmen, mother Pamela, and consulting vet Dr Liz Bramley of Cooinda Vet Hospital, who oversees the complete development of the bulls. Bill Cornell, of ABS Global Australia, is Jeremy’s personal mentor, while David Christie manages the domestic embryo production.

“Our business wouldn’t be what it is without Dave,” Jeremy says.

Dr Steve Williams and Total Livestock Genetics help administer Circle8’s Wagyu genetic export program. Dr Reon Holm and Holbrook Veterinary Clinic raise all the embryo transfer calves for the >

Top to bottom: First Angus verified auction – with plenty of buyers and those there to watch all the action; Knowla livestock auction with a great audience of potential buyers.

The Angus Breed is Australia’s go-to...

Superior Fertility Maternal Ability Hardiness & Efficiency Taste & Carcase Quality Versatility Market Demand

cow steer bull beef To utilise the unlimited potential of Angus genetics view catalogues online www.angusaustralia.com.au

SPECIAL REPORT CATTLE

ANGUS VERIFIED STEERS

How do you really know it’s Angus?

Angus cattle have become very commercialised through retail branding, and the valuable role the breed plays in lending hybrid vigour has become more recognised in the past decade.

In public saleyards, Angus cattle regularly top markets. In late December, Springing F1 heifers sold to $3800. In January this year, Angus weaner steers sold above $1800, and PTIC commercial Angus heifers broke through $4000.

Angus cattle are also the largest breed sold through online auction sales.

PTIC heifers and weaner cattle averaging 280kg produced for the feeder market are most sought after.

In the online auction system, large sale numbers were registered for Angus weaner steers, 120 per cent up from 2019 (a drought year across most of Australia).

In the saleyards’ public auction system, black cattle breeds are the largest portion yarded, and can be bought and sold as Angus without clear definition.

In the March quarter this year, and December 2020 quarter, just over one million cattle were in feedlots, significant investment in meeting Australia’s export trade agreements. The pressure on grainfinishing cattle in feedlots as efficiently as possible, to meet consumer demand and reduce costs on feed, means this commercial arm of the industry is reliant on reputable breeding.

Angus Australia is working with farmers and scientists to add a genomic overlay that enables buyers to clearly identify and value Angus cattle. The

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Angus HeiferSELECT program is a genomic selection tool to help inform the selection of replacement females, guaranteed 87.5 per cent or greater Angus content in a commercial beef breeding agribusiness. Angus Verified guarantees the purebred status of an Angus herd.

INFORMING CHOICE

In January to May this year, AuctionsPlus sold 25,562 PTIC Angus heifers, the largest category among breeds.

This demand for Angus heifers is part of the national post-drought restocking push driving cattle production, demand and pricing.

The Angus HeiferSELECT program uses genomic selection to provide genetic predictions for maternal, growth and carcase traits, and are optional for sire assignment. Cattle receive an overall star rating for total breeding value.

“Angus HeiferSELECT complements other data and breeding values that may be used in commercial replacement heifer selection, including phenotypic evaluation, age, weight and pedigree information, and provides valuable insight into the genetic potential of heifers – particularly for traits that aren’t measured using traditional methods,” Angus Australia’s Breed Development Manager Andrew Byrne says.

“This information can help farmers identify their elite breeding females and cull those females less aligned with their breeding objectives.”

Using HeiferSELECT is also helping farmers draft their females into selected production systems.

“The farmer can be breeding a

straight Angus herd alongside an F1-Wagyu production system. This system will enable them to make more informed selection decisions; for example, identifying traits such as marbling that will benefit their production outcomes using Wagyu sires,” Andrew says.

The higher the genetic score for a trait in the cow or heifer, the more accurate the prediction of that trait being passed on to progeny. For example, a higher weight at maturity, or a quicker growth to maturity, or more milk.

“Then we can go through those scores and identify those cows more aligned with the farmer’s breeding objective,” Andrew says.

THE REAL DEAL

Identifying female traits and the status of heifers and cows also helps to identify sire reproductive capacity. Angus Verified status authenticates a purebred Angus breeding program, by recording the use of registered Angus sires, declaring breeding animals are purebred Angus, and validates the RFIDs of sires are correct on the farmer’s PIC at the time of joining.

Angus Verified, launched in March this year, aims to verify a commercial producer’s claim of purebred status for their herd, or cattle.

“Angus Verified ensures that blackhided cattle are not sold as Angus when they are imposters, leading to greater integrity, confidence and trust throughout the supply chain,” says Liz Pearson, Angus Australia’s Commercial Supply Chain Manager.

Angus Australia has collaborated with Aglive Pty Ltd to create a paddockto-plate blockchain logistics platform, tracking cattle from birth through life, then tracking products from processing to the consumer’s plate. The blockchain system ensures meat products are shipped under the right conditions throughout the journey, providing confidence about on-the-hoof animal welfare standards and cold-chain storage and handling processes on-the-hook.

“The Aglive app also records weight gains, treatments, and other important livestock management information,” Liz says. “We are helping commercial producers guarantee the quality and integrity of their herd and their breeding and animal management practices.”

Circle8 breeding program. Carter Livestock Genetics assist with Circle8’s embryo selling program.

The Wagyu breeding program is 100 per cent ET. “We raise the Wagyu calves at Holbrook and Crookwell. We select the top one per cent of heifers to create the next generation,” Jeremy says.

The remaining heifers are sold to a regular client who runs a commercial agribusiness.

“It’s a massive investment in breeding, but it means our clients buy bulls bred from cows that have real carcase data,” Jeremy says. “That flows back into the discipline around our AI program.”

All Wagyu bulls are sold pre-ordered, with a two-year waiting list.

IN THE GENES

The Angus seedstock agribusiness has been established since 1991. Genetic analysis is crucial, as is a sound understanding of clients’ businesses.

This knowledge enables Jeremy to advise Circle8 customers on the best sires to use in their systems.

FRIEND S & CLIENTS

The family behind Knowla Livestock make their auctions and inspections a good day out, and a lot of their clients are friends, so there's always some steak cooking and socialising to be done.

SPECIAL REPORT CATTLE

In some circumstances, that means advising Circle8’s clients to use Wagyu bulls over their heifers, before moving on to using Angus bulls.

“The whole thing about Circle8 is customer service. I view it like a marriage and I’ll help our clients as much as I can,” Jeremy says.

Circle8’s Angus herd, like their Wagyu cattle, is produced by ET (embryo transfer) and AI (artificial insemination). It enables the stud to accelerate the breeding program, and provides clients with assurance around the type of Angus bulls they are buying.

“We’ll have 24 full sisters in our Angus herd, and those sisters will be bred to the same Angus bull,” Jeremy says. “That brings genetic consistency to the commercial herds.

“The commercial breeding sector is shifting to use fixed timed AI, and those people are looking to use sons of the AI sires they are using in FTAI. Ultimately, our clients’ herds become a genetic mirror of our herds. That’s our point of difference.”

It’s a system that also provides accuracy in the performance data.

“We make joining decisions based on incremental science and old-school things like soft silky skin and short fine hair, to gauge and predict eating quality.

But, ultimately, the bulls have to look like bulls,” Jeremy says.

All the Angus bulls are sold at auction – this year the on-property sale is on September 13, and is a forerunner to next year’s 30th anniversary of Circle8’s business of breeding Angus bulls.

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FROM PADD O CK TO PLATE

KNOWLA LIVESTOCK

Top left then clockwise: Angus Verified trade steers; Turanville Autumn calving cows; Taking a well-earned break with Knowla Livestock.

The family behind Knowla Livestock count their clients as friends, because most of them have been buying bulls from the Lauries for a long time.

Knowla Livestock is a family-owned and operated company, established by Marie and the late Cliff Laurie, and continued by sons James and Ted, and their spouses Annie and Alison. The next generation – Sandy, Doug, Rob, Jack and Georgia – continue to play a role in the livestock business, outside their own careers.

ON-PROPERTY

BULL SALE PERFORMANCE BRED CARCASS DRIVEN GRASS FED

The family operates stud and commercial Angus herds.

James and Ted are the fifth generation to run beef cattle on land at Moppy, near the headwaters of the Barrington River, west of Gloucester.

While the breeding, weaning and growing activities occur at Moppy, on a 2300-hectare farm plus 400-hectares of leased land, the bulls and heifers also graze on a 150-hectare ha property at Kanangara, Gloucester. It is this property that hosts the annual on-property bull and heifer sale, on July 30 this year.

“We join 250-300 registered Angus cows, plus 500 commercial cows,” Ted says.

“Most of the bulls we use in our stud herd get used in our commercial herd. It means we can benchmark our stud bulls against commercial breeding expectations and outcomes.”

There will be 80 stud bulls – 50 rising-two-year-olds and 30 bulls between 15-16-months-old – offered at this year’s sale, along with 100 commercial heifers, 12-15-months-old, and six stud heifers at point-of-calving.

“A number of the bulls available are suitable for heifers and cows,” Ted says.

All the cattle are EU-accredited, and the 100 heifers normally available at the annual auction are sought by farmers selling their progeny into the feedlot trade.

6%

REBATE ALL AGENTS

19TH AUGUST 2021 Contact Doug Robertson 0418 619 909 Turanville Scone View Catalogue at www.turanville.com.au

SPECIAL REPORT CATTLE

Texas Angus equals top genetics This year is a rare opportunity to buy into Texas Angus genetics, with the stud’s bull sale on July 29 followed by their female sale on July 30.

Along with a sale line-up of 190 bulls (150 two-year-olds and 40 bulls aged 15 to 18-months-old) Ben and Wendy Mayne are offering 110 females – comprising 40 joined autumn cows and calves, 40 spring pregnancytested-in-calf stud cows, 10 PTIC rising-2 year old heifers, six joined autumn-calving heifers, and six yearling heifers; along with seven embryo packages out of their most proven donor cows.

“We’re offering the heart of the herd in a one-off sale. If people want to get into Texas genetics, this is the time to do it,” Wendy says.

As well as Texas genetics, Ben and Wendy are offering stand-out bulls and heifers bred from Poss Maverick, whose progeny have sold for up to USD $900,000.

“Poss Maverick is close to the number one marbling sire in the US and we’re the only Australasian user of his semen,” Ben says.

“This year we’re offering all the bull drops by Maverick, and two heifers.

This is the opportunity for our clients to buy the top-of-the-herd-picks in a one-off sale.

“He’s a bull we’ve been looking for to go over our Power cows. It’s a genetic line that we’re going to go really hard throughout our herd for the next 5–10 years.

“The Mavericks were a standout for eye muscle and intra-muscular fat right across the board.”

Ben and Wendy have had two of the young Maverick bulls milked and are using them in their own artificial insemination program this spring. There are nine Maverick bulls offered for the sale on July 29.

“Once people see the two Maverick heifers, they’ll know they’re out of our elite cows,” Ben says.

“All the females in the sale are totally off-pasture. The drought has demonstrated to us what genetics held up in tough times, continue to perform well and are profitable. It showed us the fertility of the herd and which females bounced back fastest to be in good condition.”

This year’s sale line-up includes 21 sons by the highly rated calvingease sire, Chiltern Park Moe, 18 sons of the well-known American sire, Baldridge Beast Mode, 15 bulls by the high marbling USA sire, Gar Ashland and 10 sons by Coonamble Handyman H268. The bulls will include many homebred sons by Texas Mount K2, M100 and Texas Korporal K508.

The Laurie family uses dogs and horses in their livestock handling, given the steep terrain of the farm.

Family members are even known to picnic among their bulls.

JOINING UP THE DOTS

All joining decisions are based on proven commercial attributes, and sound knowledge of the cow families in the herd. The principals of Knowla Angus Stud research globally to buy semen and embryos.

“All our bulls have extensive performance data recorded, genomic testing, and are independently structurally evaluated,” Ted says. “We aim to provide phenotype and genotype in a functional package.”

The principals focus on matrilineage performance to identify fertility, functionality, carcase yield and marbling. The farm’s steep terrain requires them to select functional and robust cattle.

“We’re using the best genetics we can find, through AI and ET, from around the world,” Ted says. “We spend a lot of time looking for the genetics we want, bred by people whose integrity we trust and with a similar breeding philosophy to us. It’s worth it – 80 per cent of our customers are return clients.”

THE LAY OF THE LAND

While breeding and handling are important factors in preparing bulls for sale, improving pastures is a key part of farm management.

“Our annual pasture improvement program, over approximately 250-hectare, produces winter feed and establishes high performance pastures to increase overall production,” he says. “We’ve been able to double cow numbers in the past 20 years.”

They were able to maintain a high percentage of grass cover during the last four years of drought.

Opportunistic hay is harvested from a river flat at Kanangara, and is mostly used during yard-weaning.

“We use the helicopter to broadcast cocksfoot, ryegrass and clovers, with oats and turnips for winter grazing,” Ted says. “We get it established with summer and autumn rain.”

It suits their split-calving system and enables them to use the winter crop to finish feeder steers and the bulls and heifers offered at the Knowla Livestock annual sale.

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TOP SHELF CATTLE

Left to right: Knowla livestock at auction; Circle8 young Angus bulls

“It’s to our advantage to get the bulk of livestock raised and off the property in spring. The remaining cows and heifers can graze comfortably and we normally get a rain break in December,” Ted says.

A FAMILY AFFAIR

This year, Knowla Livestock is valuing NSW Farmers Association members in their annual sale. Financial members of NSWFA, who register as bidders at the Knowla Livestock production sale on July 30, will receive a one-off $500 rebate on their purchase at the sale.

“We feel NSWFA has done a very good job over the past few years to represent NSW farmers, and we also want to say thank you to existing clients for their support of the organisation and our sale,” Ted says.

The sale, conducted by Elders Walcha, is interfaced with Auctions-Plus. There are two open inspection days, where sale catalogues are available and bulls will be penned – on Friday, June 25, at Moppy, and Friday, July 16, at Kanangara.

“We’ll also have some steaks cooking. A lot of people we sell our bulls to are friends, so we try to make it a day out for people,” Ted says. “We also like to see past clients, even if they don’t need a bull.” l

Indonesia THE STRANGER NEXT DOOR

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CURRENT AFFAIR INDONESIA

Despite all the brouhaha, China remains Australia’s most important trading partner. But if last year’s bans on Australian barley, beef from some of NSW’s biggest abattoirs, wood and even wine have taught us anything, it’s that we must diversify our export portfolio to mitigate political risk.

–

Words IAN LLOYD NEUBAUER

O IT'S A TWO -WAY STREET

President of the Indonesia Institute Australia, Ross Taylor, says that Indonesia is predicted to become the world's fourth-largest economy by 2050.

Australia – as an advanced, sophisticated nation – could significantly contribute to Indonesia's advancement, while reaping the benefits of the relationship ourselves.

ne in every three export dollars this country earns comes from China. Last year China bought $2.1 billion – or 40 per cent – of the $5.1 billion worth of food and fibre NSW sold abroad. That’s more than the next three biggest countries, the US, Japan and South Korea, combined.

India, with its massive population, has long been eyed as an alternative. But with low average household wealth and a farm lobby that is fiercely protective, Australian dairy, wine and beef have proved a hard sell.

Then there’s Indonesia, the fourth most populous country in the world, right on our northern doorstep. Its economy is the largest in Southeast Asia and growing fast. In the past 20 years, the Indonesian government has cut the country’s poverty rate in half, according to the World Bank.

And Indonesia’s middle class now numbers 52 million people.

“In the last 20 years Indonesia’s economy grew an average of 5 per cent each year,” says Yahya Datuk Alexander, head of international relations at the influential Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“For the last year there has been quite a serious slowdown in the Indonesian economy because of COVID-19, but the latest data suggest we’ve reached the bottom of the downturn and GDP will pick up again soon. The size of our middle class will increase rapidly and create new consumption habits for goods and luxuries they were not previously consuming.” > JUL - AUG 2021

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CURRENT AFFAIR INDONESIA

Ross Taylor, President of the Indonesia Institute of Australia, a think-tank in Perth, voices similar sentiments. “Indonesia is predicted to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2050,” he says.

“And while Australia is relatively small, we are an advanced, sophisticated nation that could contribute significantly to Indonesia’s advancement while reaping the benefits of such a relationship ourselves.”

INSTANT NOODLES

In Australia they’re known as instant, two-minute or Maggi noodles. In Indonesia, people call them by only one name: Indomie – a humble but titanic-sized brand that stakes a claim as the second most popular food in the country after rice. A staggering 13 billion packets of Indomie were sold in Indonesia last year – 15 per cent of global consumption.

However Indonesia’s steamy tropical weather is unsuitable for growing wheat, the key ingredient of Indomie. For the past 10 years the brand has bought 50 to 60 per cent of its wheat from Australia. But Indonesian noodle makers are now learning how to use lower-cost wheat from Asia and the Americas.

Last year Ukraine exported 2,419,768 million tonnes of wheat to Indonesia, 50 million tonnes more than

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O ODLES OF NO ODLES, AND OTHER MARKETS

Top to bottom: Aussies call them two-minute noodles. In Indonesia, they're called Indomie, and they are the most popular food in the country, after rice. A staggering 13 billion packets of Indomie were sold in Indonesia last year; An Indonesian woman shops at a local market cafe for produce.

Australia. Canada and the US also took bigger chunks of the market.

But as one market shrinks, another one grows.

Professor Ross Kingwell, chief economist at the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre in Sydney, says the stellar growth of the middle class in Indonesia suggests a consumer shift to premium fresh noodles – and export opportunities for Australian wheat.

“Fresh noodles, which make up about 20 per cent of noodle consumption in Indonesia, are more popular among wealthy, urbanised consumers,” he says. “These noodles have more sophisticated quality requirements than instant noodles.”

Kyle Springer, a senior analyst at the Perth US-Asia Center, says Indomie could potentially become a ‘powerhouse model’ product that combines high-quality Australian produce and Indonesia’s manufacturing might to make better products for

Did you know?

The indigenous tribes of the Northern Territory were trading with the seafaring Bugis people of Sulawesi Island in Indonesia 300 years before the arrival of Europeans.

Last year Australia exported $12.44 billion of food and fibre to China. Farm exports to Indonesia were only $573 million, according to Trading Economics.

export to third countries. “Once there, Indonesia mills the wheat and makes it into the Indomie noodles that people know and love. They are then exported to China and Japan,” he says.

Indomie is just the tip of the iceberg. As Indonesians become wealthier, they will also demand more breads, cakes, biscuits and confectionery. Demand for Australian meat, wine and dairy at restaurants and hotels in Bali was soaring before the pandemic, and will soar once again when tourism bounces back.

The Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre has been engaging with feeding lots in Indonesia for years to help them understand the benefits of using Australian grains for animal feed. And while demand growth for dairy products in China is slowing, there is “significant headroom for growth in per capita consumption” in Southeast Asia, says Rabobank senior dairy analyst Michael Harvey.

TRADE AND TOURISM

From top, clockwise: Australian and Inonesian flags; an Australian tourist in Bali, Indonesia; A cafe for tourists in a rice field in Malang, Indonesia. We could make it easier for Indonesians to travel in Australia, and vice versa.

“Indonesia and Vietnam remain standout markets for growth in the region, with their economies having the strongest mix of positive macro-economic and demographic factors,” he says.

GREENER FIELDS

Nevertheless, the trade relationship between Indonesia and Australia remains in the incubation stage.

“Despite being important economies for the region and despite being neighbours, trade and investment relations are very surprisingly low,” says Kyle at the Perth US-Asia Center. “They are not top-10 trading partners, and I think this is surprising given the fact that they have complementary economies.”

Farmers in NSW sold only $88 million worth of farm produce to Indonesia last year, compared to $89 million to New Zealand. Yet there are only 5 million people in New Zealand. In Indonesia, there are 270 million.

Ross Taylor at the Indonesia Institute thinks he knows why. “The respected Lowy Institute’s annual Indonesia Poll tells us that 65 per cent of Australians – including business people – have some degree of distrust of Indonesians. How do we build a partnership model with that level of distrust?” he asks.

“Our government needs to immediately build people-to-people relations to allow us to get to know each other better. This should include easier tourist visas for Indonesians to come here and get to know us; broaden the Seasonal Worker Program to allow Indonesian agriculture workers to work here; allow an easier process for young Indonesian backpackers to holiday and work here, and Indonesia should do the same. We must build this relationship right now, or Indonesians will remain the strangers next door.”

Australia also needs to diversify its exports to Indonesia away from live cattle and towards valueadded products, Ross says. “There are outstanding opportunities, but we need to look beyond our mindset of wanting to simply sell them stuff, because it creates no loyalty. Why can’t our beef industry have a true partnership with Indonesian consumers? Why don’t they add value with packaged meat products instead of just selling live cattle?”

Greenfields, a company formed by a group of Australian and Indonesian entrepreneurs with strong agribusiness experience, is doing just that. In 1997, it started a dairy farm in the lush green foothills of Batu, an extinct volcano in Java, the main island of Indonesia, using Holstein and Jersey cows exported from Australia.

Greenfields now produces 43.5 million litres of fresh milk a year. It sells for $3 per litre in Indonesian supermarkets, compared to $1.20 per litre in Australia.

Greenfields also makes cheese, yoghurt, cream and long-life milk, and exports a significant portion of it to Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and the Philippines.

“By combining knowledge and expertise from Australia with Indonesian feed, pasture and access to markets,” says Ross, “they expanded the basic ‘we sell-they buy’ model to produce dairy products and big profits for the partners in both countries.” l JUL - AUG 2021

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INNOVATION BIOFUELS

P OWER TO THE PEOPLE

Aerial view of Manildra Group's state-of-the-art Shoalhaven Starches manufacturing facility in Nowra, NSW. Photo by Dean Holland

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Biofuels

COULD DRIVE NET NEUTRAL BY 2050 The widespread adoption of biofuels for a multiplicity of uses could see farmers at the forefront of the drive towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050 or sooner.

–

Words DARREN BAGULEY

M

ost of the debate around Australia meeting the target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 has centred around energy: transitioning the nation’s power stations from coal and gas to renewables such as green hydrogen, wind and solar. However, despite barely rating a mention, biofuels will be an important part of the puzzle, whether through providing an on-farm source of power or carbon neutral transport fuels.

When people think of biofuels they tend to think of ethanol, which is most commonly found in the E10 fuel at many service stations. Although E10 and blends with high levels of ethanol such as E15 or E30 offer opportunities for farmers, it is really just the tip of the iceberg. Ethanol can be turned into aviation fuel and hydrogen, and biodiesel has been around for decades.

Widespread adoption of these fuels as part of Australia’s energy mix potentially offers exciting opportunities for farmers.

LOW TAKE-UP OF BIOFUELS

Australia is, however, a long way from widespread adoption of biofuels. According to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network report on biofuels, “Ethanol consumption in > JUL - AUG 2021

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Australia is only 1.4 per cent of the gasoline pool, and biodiesel use similarly is forecast to remain steady at only 0.2 per cent of the total diesel pool.

“Australia is almost entirely reliant on imported fuels, but despite this and ample feedstock supply, bioethanol and biodiesel consumption and production remain very low. Of the countries worldwide with active biofuel programs, Australia’s national average blend rate for ethanol is among the very lowest and, after some initial progress, biodiesel use is near zero.

“Australia has very large feedstock (grains and molasses) supplies for bioethanol as well as robust supplies of feedstock – canola, tallow and used cooked oil (UCO) – for biodiesel production.

However, only a very small amount of these are used for domestic biofuel production. Canola is not even used domestically for biodiesel, but there are exports to the EU for biodiesel production there.”

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

One of the biggest opportunities for farmers is being driven by research and investment around so-called Generation 2 feedstocks: ethanol produced from non-food feedstocks. According to International Energy Agency (IEA) Task 42 Lead Geoff Bell, there are two generations of ethanol. “First generation is foodbased such as corn, molasses or sugar cane; it’s easy to do and cheap. The industry has done a lot of work over the last few years on second generation feedstocks, the non-food part of the plant. For example, Australia produces a lot of sugar so there is also a lot of cane trash – bagasse – which processing plants burn to run the plant.

“With second generation technology, if you have a lot of biomass, instead of being burned it can be processed into a high value biofuel, or a precursor product to produce plastic, whether that is wheat, sugar cane or corn for example. Trees are 75 per cent sugar so there is potential to turn sawmill waste into ethanol. Nevertheless achieving widespread adoption is not going to be easy. There are four ethanol plants in Australia, one of which is in care and maintenance, and a lot of companies would like to build more plants, but until there is a market domestically [companies will not invest].”

This reluctance to invest is largely due to a lack of government policy when it comes to biofuels. The USDA report notes “Australian feedstocks are shipped overseas rather than produce and use more biodiesel at home. This is partially as a result of no nationallevel Australian biofuels program with nationwide goals, and little program support in the two states, New South Wales and Queensland, that have a biofuels mandate.”

GOVERNMENT KEY TO DRIVING CHANGE

According to CEO of Bioenergy Australia Shahana McKenzie, “historically government mandates have driven the uptake of biofuels, and there is no question there is plenty of scope for expanding production. A major issue is that fuel distribution in Australia is an

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PEOPLE ON THE BIOFUEL FRONTLINE

From left to right: International Energy Agency (IEA) Task 42 Lead Geoff Bell, and the CEO of Bioenergy Australia – Shahana McKenzie.

Fast fact • Despite the widespread availability of feedstock Australia has one of the lowest rates of biofuel usage in the world.

• Australia’s total ethanol output is around 135 million litres, of which around 50 million litres are used for fuel blending.

oligopoly that is almost a duopoly, and those interests have in the past mounted concerted campaigns against ethanol and other biofuels that have positioned ethanol as an inferior product.”

By contrast, Geoff says that if you look around the world the use of ethanol in transport fuel is far more accepted. “In the US there is a nationwide mandate to use 10 per cent ethanol at the petrol pump. In Brazil cars can run on pure ethanol and Brazil is doubling ethanol production.”

Shahana adds that in the US all new cars can run on E15, and the USDA has done trials on E30.

“Any new car imported into Australia can run on E15. It is time that governments recognised the environmental and health benefits of biofuels – 40 per cent more people die each year from pollution related diseases than the road toll. The fossil fuel industry has no incentive to change so it will come down to government measures such as a mandate for pump parity, E10 being available at every petrol station, and an excise reduction on domestically produced biofuels.”

Both Geoff and Shahana argue “ethanol can be converted into jet fuel, transport fuel and hydrogen, it is the new crude oil that is sustainable, renewable and clean”.

THE HYDROGEN ECONOMY

While people like Fortescue Metals Group’s Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest have been talking up the possibilities of hydrogen, the focus has been on hydrogen produced from water by electrolysis – ‘green hydrogen’ if produced with renewable energy.

In 2018, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) invested $1.18 million in research into Biological Hydrogen Production. Led by Macquarie University, the project aims to “produce a bacterial strain that is optimised for converting glucose and other carbohydrates to hydrogen gas. The bacterial strains will also be optimised to produce the gas rapidly such that both rates and yields of hydrogen production

INNOVATION BIOFUELS

are commercially viable. To move towards commercial scale the project will also develop a two-litre scale culture system that can produce and collect hydrogen gas in a safe and effective way.”

Geoff is cautiously optimistic about the opportunities for biological hydrogen. “There has been a lot of enthusiasm about new technologies over the years, for example a lot of research was put into making biodiesel from algae. Nevertheless, there is now a lot more impetus towards using renewables.

There is a lot of opportunity to produce hydrogen; however, hydrogen is difficult to handle and transport so there are a number of technical issues to be solved before its use is widespread. It is going to be hard enough to get ethanol into the Australian fuel system, so hydrogen may work better at large scale, such as steel making, if processors can scale and get the economics to stack up.”

While governments overseas have been willing to get behind biofuel production, Australia has lagged behind. Change does seem to be in the air as, in April 2020, ARENA commissioned a consortium of ENEA Consulting and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu to assist

CENTRE OF ENERGY

Top and bottom: Manildra Group's ethanol distillery is the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia. Photos by Dean Holland

in delivering the Bioenergy Roadmap, to identify the role the bioenergy sector can play in Australia’s energy transition and in helping the country meet its emission reduction commitments. Consultation closed in June 2020 and the roadmap has yet to be released. The hope is that it will see potential for biofuels to decarbonise the industrial and transport sectors and contribute more broadly to Australia’s liquid fuel security. l JUL - AUG 2021

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MORE STUDENTS IN THE COUNTRY

Enrolments in universities, TAFE and other tertiary institutions in rural and regional areas have been steadily increasing.

Photo of Albury campus courtesy of Charles Sturt University

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SPECIAL REPORT EDUCATION

Young people want to stay in the country – and, increasingly, city slickers want to join them. The result is increased enrolments in Australia’s regional universities.

–

Words TONY BLACKIE

O

ver the past few years the drift away from rural and regional areas by our young people, in search of education and a job, has slowed to almost a trickle.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures show that the trend is now towards increasing numbers of city dwellers moving to the bush. Cheaper housing, a freer lifestyle and increasing numbers of local jobs combined with the shift to work from home via the internet have been catalysts for this move.

At the same time enrolments in universities, TAFE colleges and other tertiary institutions in rural and regional areas have been steadily increasing.

The trend to educate and stay at home has been amplified by the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Preferring to stay close to home where the chances of catching the virus are lower, country student enrolments have risen dramatically in the past year.

According to Dr Caroline Perkins, executive director of the Regional Universities Network (RUN), seven out of 10 regional university graduates stay and work in their region once they complete their degree or diploma, which is adding a vital resource to the regional economy.

RUN represents seven regional universities in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria: Charles Sturt University, Southern Cross University, the University of New England, Central Queensland University, University of Southern Queensland, University of the Sunshine Coast and Federation University.

Caroline comments that enrolments in regional universities have been increasing over the past few years as people living in regional Australia opt for local vocational development rather than travelling to the major cities.

She says that the development of courses designed to meet regional needs, such as agricultural science, nursing, healthcare – including aged care and childcare – and teaching, have become a strong offering for all regional universities.

But she says the recent federal budget failed to recognise the increasing demand for regional education, and despite the undeniable statistics, regional universities were largely ignored in the budget’s allocations. > JUL - AUG 2021

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SPECIAL REPORT EDUCATION

This is particularly the case where infrastructure is concerned. Infrastructure benefits the whole community as assets such as sporting facilities, concert halls and other services can be accessed by locals.

The chair of RUN, Professor Nick Klomp, who is also vice-chancellor and president of Central Queensland University, says the lack of funding for infrastructure at regional universities is a major gap in the federal budget.

“RUN has long argued that regional universities should be eligible for relevant infrastructure programs in the regional development portfolio, such as the Building Better Regions Fund,” he says.

“Regional universities are anchor institutions for their regions, and make a fundamental contribution to regional economies. Infrastructure at our universities improves research capacity, supports the engagement and partnership with regional industry, and provides broader social benefit to towns. Government should support the establishment of innovation precincts at regional university campuses.”

The impact of federal government cuts has been even greater on the TAFE college system, with funding slashed by 24 per cent over the next three years. It is TAFE colleges that provide vital hands-on training and certification for the trades and agriculture, disciplines vital to our farming communities.

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Colleges such as TAFE’s National Environment Centre (NEC) in Albury, NSW, which provides a wide range of agriculture, business and community-based courses, will be forced to reduce or combine courses as the financial cuts take hold.

The NEC operates a large organic farm where the disciplines of organic farming, regenerative agriculture and advanced farming techniques are taught to a growing cohort of farmers and would-be farmers.

Gerard Lawry and Rob Fenton are the key teachers of the range of highly respected, internationally recognised agricultural courses available through TAFE Albury. They support distance students, mature age students and young school leavers who want to develop skills they can take back to their farms, or indeed to help them find meaningful work in rural areas.

Gerard is one of the very few organic farming teachers in Australia, and has honed his skills by drawing from academics, farmers and researchers around the world. He has inspired many farmers to embrace agroecological practices to manage scarce water resources and to better understand soil chemistry and plant biology as an integral part of the growing global demand for better and more sustainable food production.

REGIONAL ANCHORS

Regional universities and TAFEs truly are anchor institutions for their regions, and they make a fundamental contribution to regional economies.

Photo of Port Macquarie campus, courtesy of CSU

>

He says there is a growing number of mature age students: people who have lived and worked in urban centres and who are now gravitating to rural areas and want to gain a better understanding of farming techniques.

“Many of these people are making life-changing decisions to give up city living and to move to a farm environment,” Gerard says. “What we are really teaching is a way of thinking differently about diplomas. Any student can do it and go away questioning the processes and the prevailing methods with the aim of doing it better.”

TAFE currently has more than 130 locations around New South Wales providing a wide and diverse range of courses, most of which are practical and lead to jobs for the participants. TAFE offers a range of degree, diploma and certificate qualifications in disciplines such as agriculture, accounting, legal studies, human resource management, bookkeeping, IT software and hardware, business management, healthcare and many more.

Professor Paul Prenzler is the acting head of the School of Agricultural & Wine Sciences at Charles Sturt University, based in Wagga Wagga. He says the number of students doing the range of agricultural science courses has increased dramatically in the past year.

UP SKILLING IN THE COUNTRY

TAFE has more than 130 locations around NSW, providing a wide and diverse range of courses, most of which are practical and lead to jobs for the participant.

OPEN DAYS Friday 2 and 9 July Friday 24 Sep and 1 Oct

Tocal runs 1400 beef cattle, a 300 cow dairy herd, 120 stockhorses, Dohne sheep and a free range egg enterprise. Residential facilities available.

Scholarship applications open now!

Want to learn while you work?

Do a traineeship and take advantage of current government subsidies! Traineeships are fee-free! Phone Jill Clayton on: 02 4939 8878 www.tocal.nsw.edu.au/courses/traineeships

Developing young farmers through our Youth Education program for over 50 years • AHC30116 Certificate III in Agriculture – Agricultural Production • ACM30817 Certificate III in Performance Horse • AHC40116 Certificate IV in Agriculture – Farm supervisor and agribusiness

1800 025 520

www.tocal.nsw.edu.au

J21-061

Students at Tocal College get practical training on our large commercial farms.

SPECIAL REPORT EDUCATION

“We have a mix of country and city students and we provide an online learning facility for all courses to distance students,” he says.

“The Bachelor of Agricultural Science has proven to be our most popular course, and we have developed a new stream of business-related courses as well.

Wine science, viticulture and agriculture business management are all increasing.”

Within the courses, the university is providing students with information to help them better manage the land. Regenerative agriculture, environmental awareness, water management as well as crop and livestock management are all becoming mainstream subjects.

The university also offers the full range of undergraduate opportunities, which aim to feed into the commercial and social needs of rural towns and cities.

Several regional universities are looking at innovative methods to deliver targeted and relevant education to students. A new concept of micro credentialling is being trialled by a number of institutions.

For many people, having a degree or diploma is not relevant to their needs – but elements of the courses are important for their job or potential job.

Therefore universities are looking to break up degree

BIG IS SUES GOING MAINSTREAM

Regenerative ag, environmental awareness, water management as well as crop and livestock management are all becoming mainstream subjects in higher education.

Fundamentals of business and grazing success One way to combat uncertainty caused by uncontrollable markets and weather is education. Through upskilling and improving our working knowledge, it’s possible to grow more grass and crops using the free inputs available – namely sun, rain and ecology.

“The interest in learning how to use more of what we have for free and less of what we need to pay for is gaining momentum,” says RCS trainer Nic Kentish. “We don’t want to lose gross margins per hectare. Rather, we want to gain overall production as well as focusing on soil health to hold as much moisture as we can.”

Through courses like the Farming & Grazing for Profit School and the RCS Business Fundamentals Workshop, participants gain intensive training in ecology, grazing systems, drought management, decision-making based on meaningful data, and the essential components of profitable agribusiness management.

Grazier and participant, Guy Watson, says, “It was a hugely valuable program, as it provided a large amount of detail on the science behind the regenerative grazing approach. It has given me the tools to start applying the techniques, with a greater understanding of the processes involved.”

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and diploma courses into modules and provide more targeted accreditation.

These courses can be as short as eight weeks, allowing students flexibility to work and study.

Sydney’s Macquarie University has also been developing links to regional NSW, with the creation of courses and services for rural and regional students.

Macquarie established the Widening Participation Unit, which regularly visits regional, rural, and remote areas of NSW to engage with primary and high school students to outline the benefits and accessibility of tertiary education.

The aim is to give young students in regional areas a taste of university and to provide information, awareness and confidence in accessing higher education pathways.

Students from regional backgrounds are also provided the opportunity to participate in multi-day on-campus experiences, giving them exposure to university life and study.

In catering to the trend of country kids wanting to stay home rather than move to a city campus, Macquarie has become a key player in the online learning space, including having a major role in Open Universities Australia.

Since COVID-19, the investment in online delivery and comprehensive learning support has increased.

Some regional universities and colleges have spread their courses across multiple country towns.

For example, Charles Sturt has campuses in Wagga Wagga, Albury, Bathurst, Port Macquarie, Orange and Dubbo, and each campus offers a range of courses relevant to local needs. The Wagga campus is the centre of agricultural, veterinary, medical and business studies, for instance, while Albury focuses on healthcare, environmental sciences and teaching. The full range of the courses is listed on the university’s website.

In addition, online courses include law, accounting and business, IT and education studies.

Tocal College is located in the Lower Hunter region, and has a second campus in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area at Yanco, near Leeton and Narrandera.

The Tocal campus shares its site and resources with the famous Yanco Agricultural Institute (YAI),

SPECIAL REPORT EDUCATION

which has provided generations of NSW farmers with specialised agricultural training.

James Hook, deputy principal of Tocal, says the institution is offering a wide range of courses, including many short training courses for primary producers, owners of small farms, new entrants to agriculture and horticulture, and to those thinking of investing in a rural enterprise.

Recently the college ran a specialised 4WD course primarily for forestry officers and regional council rangers. The intensive driving and knowledge course was run in the Cooma area and featured hands-on experience for participants.

James says that, aside from its agricultural and business courses, the Yanco campus also runs the highly regarded Aboriginal Rural Training Program, and co-ordinates skills training programs across NSW and interstate.

He says Tocal works closely with TAFE NSW on courses that will meet the needs of industry.

He adds that the college has been providing educational support to farmers and regional residents for generations: “This year we have a few students whose parents were students, and one whose grandfather was a student.”

The introduction of studies examining the impacts of climate and environment has increased the focus of agricultural studies courses.

“All units look at environmental impacts and the triple bottom line. We have introduced a unit of livestock organics and looking at soil health.

Regenerative agriculture is an area where we want to work,” James says.

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COMMUNITIES FIRST

UOW Wollongong Campus. With the downturn in foreign students and reduction in government funding, all universities have been looking at better ways to service the local community.

Tocal also offers a range of online courses for people wanting to upgrade their knowledge in a specific area. James says recently many former students have been looking to upgrade their qualifications to make themselves more employable.

“We have lots of farmers looking for graduates for work placement – they are sought after as they have technology, business and agricultural skills to offer.”

The University of New England’s 14th vicechancellor is Professor Brigid Heywood. UNE is based in Armidale and services a wide area of regional NSW. Brigid takes the view that regional centres can have a major impact on innovation and new business development, which helps drive regional jobs and career opportunities.

The UNE provides the full spread of undergraduate and many postgraduate courses, similar to those offered in Sydney’s universities. In addition, Brigid points out that UNE operates a number of Smart Region Incubators (SRIs), where innovative development of new technologies and services is the order of the day.

The SRIs are in Armidale, Moree and Taree. These centres, Brigid says, provide capacity for economic diversity in line with the university’s prime objective to skill and upskill the workforce.

Macquarie University has a large online cohort, which it believes is being increasingly accessed by students, young and old, in rural and regional NSW. Recently the university began sending teams out to regional centres to promote its undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

With the downturn in foreign students and reduction in government funding, all universities have been looking at better ways to service the local community. Macquarie says that regional enrolments have been rising slowly over the past few years, but the impact of COVID-19 has meant that more regional and rural students than ever are looking for online courses, which allow them to get high-level education without having to relocate to the city. l

Universities and colleges to contact NSW University of Wollongong University of Newcastle Charles Sturt University (campuses in Albury, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange, Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga) Southern Cross University (campuses in Coffs Harbour, Lismore and the Gold Coast in Queensland) The University of New England (based in Armidale) Hawksbury Agricultural College (based in Richmond) ACT Australian National University University of Canberra TAFE NSW has 130 centres across the state

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Winding back the war on wind Proposed wind developments often meet a barrage of opposition, from concerns about disruption, noise and health to poor compensation for landholders. But education and experience have seen a new harmony blossom between the turbines and their neighbours.

–

Words SANDRA GODWIN Photography ANTHONY ONG

GIVING BACK

About $180,000 is donated by Sapphire Wind Farm (pictured here) each year to community and sporting organisations.

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ENVIRONMENT WIND PROJECTS

T

he first grid-connected wind development in Australia was built near Crookwell, in the central west of New South Wales, in 1998.

The first wind project of its kind had eight 45m turbines each producing 600 kilowatts of power.

It faced strong early opposition from local residents and the Upper Lachlan Shire Council, with concerns expressed about landscape, traffic and land value impacts, bird flight paths, radiation, television reception, loss of privacy and security, and poor consultation.

But after a decade of operation attitudes towards the Crookwell Wind Farm had changed markedly – and 23 years later it is now promoted as a popular tourist attraction.

It’s a pattern that’s been repeated across NSW, and interstate, according to Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Andrew Dyer.

WIND DEVELOPMENT COMPLAINTS

Several reports on community attitudes to wind projects and renewable energy between 2010 and 2014 highlighted a gap between well-documented high levels of support (80 per cent or more) and the clouding of public discussion by vocal opponents.

Andrew says there was a long queue of people with concerns and complaints about wind developments waiting when he opened the office of the National Wind Farm Commissioner in November 2015.

Most of those complaints were about operating wind projects, particularly noise, vibration and health issues.

As part of his remit, Andrew worked with programs commissioned by the Federal Government to independently review the science of wind developments, including two longitudinal research studies into wind projects and human health, looking at the effects of both audible and inaudible sound.

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In its first four years of operation, his office received more than 360 complaints: 70 were related to 14 operating wind projects and 234 about 58 proposed wind projects. By December 2019, 97 per cent of all complaints received had been settled.

“Most wind farm complaints are resolved by providing factual, correct information to the complainant, either directly by our office, the project proponent or the state government. Accurate information usually clears things up,” Andrew says.

“Most complaints we receive these days are about proposed projects, so it’s often driven by a fear of the unknown. And many relate to being fair to all parties.”

Among the aggrieved are farmers who had agreed to host turbines and expected to receive regular payments from the project, but missed out when projects were reconfigured to have fewer, higher capacity turbines.

“They got nothing at all,” Andrew says. “And they went from being ‘best friends’ of the project to very unhappy neighbours. One of the things we champion with industry is to treat neighbours with respect and make them part of the ‘winning team’.

Many neighbours these days are party to what’s called a neighbour agreement, where they receive some level of compensation or payments for the fact that their view’s going to change, they’re going through two years of noise, dust and disruption during construction, and recognition they’re not going to get the host income stream they had once expected.”

P OWERING HOMES A LONG-TERM GAME

ACRO S S THE STATE

Another positive change has been the shift away from cavalier front-end developers pressuring farmers to sign up as hosts, then selling the project to another company to build it.

“Developers are now taking a much longer-term view of the need for effective community engagement, and more appropriately investing time, effort and focus on proactively explaining things properly,” Andrew says. “You can imagine a lot of misinformation flies around the community if you don’t have someone on the ground to convey the facts and resolve concerns; unchecked, it can get quite out of hand.”

Genuine community engagement has been a hallmark of CWP Renewables projects across NSW since 2007.

Head of Development Ed Mounsey says the company’s approach has been to seek public feedback on its proposals at an early stage. This allows them to use it to reshape projects where possible.

Ed says attitudes towards wind farms have changed significantly since the early “wind rush” days of 10 years ago, when they were still something of a novelty.

“As we’ve continued to develop more projects, sometimes in areas where there are existing projects, we’ve certainly seen the benefit of context,” he says.

“The context of ‘okay, I now know what it is, I can touch it, I can see it, I can hear it. I know what the construction and operational impacts are like. As a potential host, I can see what the roads, revegetation

The $588 million Sapphire Wind Farm (pictured above) is the largest in the state, producing 270 megawatts (MW) of energy – enough to power 115,000 homes – from 75 turbines since 2018. Approval has been granted to develop a 200MW solar farm and 32MW battery facility nearby.

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and weed management look like’. They’re all really good examples to present and allay any fears that a host or a neighbour or a general community may have had.”

SAPPHIRE WIND FARM

CWP Renewables owns Sapphire Wind Farm, between Glen Innes and Inverell, and manages Boco Rock Wind Farm, near Cooma. It has two more wind projects under construction – Crudine Ridge near Mudgee, and Bango near Yass – and a further 3.5 gigawatts of wind developments, solar farms, and battery and hybrid projects in the planning stages across NSW. The $588 million Sapphire Wind Farm is the largest in the state, producing 270 megawatts (MW) of energy – enough to power 115,000 homes – from 75 turbines since 2018. Approval has been granted to develop a 200MW solar farm and 32MW battery facility nearby.

Ben Swan describes his operation as a typical New England mixed farm. Ben produces fine wool sheep, crossbred lambs, Hereford and Angus cattle, as well as both summer and winter crops. One of his properties also hosts five 3.6MW turbines that are part of the Sapphire Wind Farm.

As is often the case, the finished project looks a lot different to the initial proposal announced in 2009.

Approved in 2013, finance was secured in 2016, and construction completed in 2017.

“Initially we were going to be in the middle of the project, and it was a lot bigger,” Ben says. “The project had a much bigger footprint right back at the start. At its peak I think there were 23 or 24 affected landholders

ENVIRONMENT WIND PROJECTS

worried about wind farm proposals in other areas.

“There’s a whole heap of negativity and most of it’s just from lack of education,” he says. “We’re proud of the fact we’re part of renewable energy, and we’re contributing to that. We’re also proud that we were one of the first wind farms to have a Community Fund.”

Ben is on the committee that distributes about $180,000 donated by Sapphire Wind Farm each year to community and sporting organisations. Grants have funded a range of activities, from resurfacing tennis courts and building upgrades to the purchase of sports equipment and marquees.

Sapphire Wind Farm notched up another Australian first in 2018 with its community investment initiative, allowing Inverell and Glen Innes Severn shire residents to directly invest in the project.

Glen Innes Severn Mayor Carol Sparks says it took about four years for the locals to “get on board” with wind farms. Visits from Andrew helped.

“Once people understood they could actually graze their sheep and cattle around the area with no problems, they were reassured,” she says. “The proponents are definitely getting better at addressing some of people’s concerns.”

SEEING IS BELIEVING

and 159 towers from 0.5 to 1.5MW. Years later it ended up as 75 larger 3.6MW towers and nine landholders, so the same amount of power out the end of the plug, but with a far smaller footprint.”

The 200-metre towers on Ben’s land were constructed during the first stage, giving him a front row seat, and he says he “couldn’t be happier with how it happened,” even with the disruption.

“On some days there could be 200 or 300 vehicle movements and men everywhere and trucks,” he recalls. “It’s a big process. But they were true to their word. They made roads on the farm that are better than most shire roads and good gates and good causeways.

There were mess ups, but nothing massive, nothing we couldn’t overcome.”

Ben considers the quarterly payments for hosting the turbines a bonus, saying they were a big help when he was hand-feeding stock during the drought.

The cattle remain unperturbed, snoozing in the shade cast by the towers, and the tenants living in Ben’s houses have reported no adverse effects. He often takes visitors to the towers and gets a kick out of their reaction.

“No one can understand the scale until they actually get to them,” he says. “And then when they stand under it they’re surprised by how quiet they are. On a windy day when the thing’s going full speed, there’s an occasional whoosh, and a clang and a clunk as the blades change direction. But you don’t have to go far and you can’t hear them at all.”

Ben frequently receives phone calls from people

PAYMENTS HELP OUT DURING THE DROUGHT

Ben Swan (above, at Sapphire Wind Farm) considers the quarterly payments for hosting the turbines a bonus, saying they were a big help when he was hand-feeding stock during the crippling three-year drought.

There is another wind project near Glen Innes, White Rock, which has 70 turbines. A further two 25-turbine wind developments are proposed for sites 10km west of Glen Innes and 40km to the south.

They’re all in the New England Renewable Energy Zone, the biggest of five zones identified in the NSW Government’s Electricity Strategy and Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap released last year.

The roadmap is intended to unlock $32 billion of private sector investment in large-scale electricity generation, storage and transmission by 2030, to replace the four coal-fired power stations scheduled to close within the next 15 years.

A Department of Planning, Industry and Environment spokesperson says there were 14 wind projects with 614 turbines operating across NSW in January, five (168 turbines) under construction, and 10 (848 turbines) in the planning stages.

As Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner, Andrew is now responsible for receiving complaints about large-scale solar farms, battery storage and major transmission projects as well as wind projects.

Andrew advises landowners thinking about hosting a large-scale project to visit other sites under construction to experience first-hand the extent of the works and impacts on the land. He also recommends they read his annual report, which contains sections dedicated to project hosts and neighbours, and the comprehensive Renewable Energy Landholder Guide, produced by NSW Farmers.

Enquiries and complaints about energy projects can be made to the Commissioner’s office by calling 1800 656 395, or by visiting: nwfc.gov.au l JUL - AUG 2021

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COMMUNITY NEW GENERATIONS

The Downes of Brownlow Hill A sixth-generation farming family uses both innovation and a heritage listing to keep their property from becoming just another suburb in the Sydney basin.

Words SUSAN GOUGH HENLY Photography PAUL HENDERSON-KELLY

B

rownlow Hill is one of the most prominent colonial estates in Australia.

Its story begins in 1812 when Governor Macquarie granted farmers large tracts of land to farm cattle in an area called the Cow Pastures, where some of the colony’s lost cattle had been found thriving along the Nepean River. As one of these properties, Brownlow Hill was initially owned by Alexander Macleay, the first colonial secretary of NSW. He built the elegant homestead and established one of the finest gardens in the colony, much of which remains to this day. It was then leased and finally bought by Jeremiah Downes in 1875. Today, fifth generation Edgar and Lynne Downes live in the restored heritage-listed homestead and sixth generation Henry, Clare and Max Downes live in other buildings on the property.

While the Downes family focussed on dairying for generations, they have evolved their farming practices

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to deal with drought, dairy industry deregulation, pressure from coal seam gas mining and urban sprawl.

And they have diversified beyond agriculture into music festivals and offering location shoots for films, television, and advertising.

Today, the property’s 1,300 hectares spans pastures on the Nepean River’s rich alluvial plains interspersed with less fertile shale hillsides. An organic dairy leases 200 hectares; 100 hectares of river flats and another 100 hectares of irrigated land is planted with Lucerne, which is rotated with oats, sorghum and millet; and 450 hectares are in various stages of restoration to native Cumberland Plain Woodland. In addition, a small beef cattle herd is being established and a sandstone quarry is winding down its operations and will also be restored.

To learn more about how the Downes family has not only survived but thrived, four family members – fifth generation Edgar Downes and all three of his children tell their story.

MEET THE D OWNES

Left to right: Edgar Downes with his three children, Max, Henry and Clare.

“Our holistic approach has made the whole farm far more viable and helped us be able to stay here. There were 150 farms in our region when I was at school. Now there are only five or six.”

Fifth generation farmer, Edgar Downes.

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“I’m proud that we’ve saved Brownlow Hill from being another suburb. As current custodians, the Downes’ family contribution is that the farm and bushland will be here in perpetuity.”

Edgar Downes KEEPING THE FARM

“My forebears started off supplying vegetables, wheat and grapes to the early Sydney settlement,” says Edgar, who was born on the Sydney Royal Easter Show's cattle judging day in 1955. “My great grandfather Fred was one of the first to bring Holstein-Friesians into Australia when he created a Holstein-Friesian dairy stud. When I was a kid we were exporting heifers to places like Saudi Arabia and China.

“After leaving school, I hitchhiked across North America working on dairy farms in Ontario, Wisconsin, Kansas, Arizona and California. I learned a lot about stud farming, especially in Canada, which is the world leader in stud farm management,” says Edgar. “When I came back in 1977 at the age of 22, I applied what I’d learned overseas.”

Edgar married Lynne, who was from Cootamundra, in 1982, and not long afterwards he and his father John started a sandstone quarry on the property to diversify their income beyond dairying.

Around the same time, Edgar converted more land to growing lucerne, for the dairy herd and for sale as hay.

He also started to use poultry manure instead of synthetic fertilisers and installed sub-surface drip irrigation.

“There was an enormous supply of organic matter close to the city and I realised that the best place for it was on a farm fertilising a crop rather than being in landfill,” he says. “Since then, we’ve gone on to stable waste (retrieved from the many horse farms in the area) which has completely rejuvenated our soils, adding nitrogen and phosphorous, and increasing their ability to retain water by 100 per cent. A soil expert told us we used to have soil like terracotta and now it’s like chocolate cake.”

“Our holistic approach has made the whole farm far more viable and helped us be able to stay here,” says Edgar. “There were 150 farms in our region when I was at school. Now there are only five or six.”

But the pressures continued to mount.

“In 1991, we got attacked by a coal seam gas company wanting to mine on the property,” he explains. “We fought it in the courts for three years and when it looked like we were going to lose we put a heritage order on the property.”

With the deregulation of the dairy industry in 2000 and the Millennium Drought, the family then faced a choice between going broke or realising the capital value of their land.

Eventually, Edgar and Lynne consulted with the kids and they decided that a government-stewarded land conservation initiative could secure the property’s financial viability.

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In 2010, an initial 23-hectare site at Brownlow Hill became a pilot project of the Biodiversity Banking and Offsets Scheme (now replaced by the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme). The family removed invasive African olive trees and planted native trees to restore critically endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland thereby generating biodiversity credits, which they traded on the open market. They’re now working on the sixth site, which is larger than the initial five sites combined.

“I’m proud that we’ve saved Brownlow Hill from being another suburb. As current custodians, the Downes’ family contribution is that the farm and bushland will be here in perpetuity. We’ve not only improved the property environmentally but we’ve generated income doing it.”

THE NEW GENERATION

Henry, 37, runs the farming operation and lives in the 19th Century Glendon House with his fiancé Sophie.

Clare, 35, who lives with her partner Donnie in the 1815 octagonal brick Roundhouse (the oldest building on the property), manages the film and television location shoots and is currently exploring events and hospitality options.

Max, 31, who lives in another cottage with his partner Amelia, focusses on the business operations including the biodiversity banking initiatives.

THE FARMER

“None of us realised how lucky we all were as kids growing up with so much freedom,” says Henry.

After boarding at The Kings School and a gap year overseas working in the UK and Chile with the youthled Raleigh International Action Organisation, he did a business, marketing and advertising degree at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst.

“Given the state of the dairy industry, Dad instilled in us the importance of having a back-up plan. I worked as a copywriter at McCann Erickson advertising agency in Sydney but was made redundant during the global financial crisis,” he explains.

“Around the same time, a bloke who knew our property through his work at the Sydney Water Board became a location scout for film and television and he recommended us for the Channel 7 television series Always Greener and we’ve had crews filming here ever since. By far, the biggest show was Wolverine, which filmed here for months. I helped out and then worked as a freelancer in the film industry for the next five years and made hay at home during the summer,” he laughs. “I came back full-time on the farm 10 years ago.”

Brownlow Hill has expanded its hay making >

COMMUNITY NEW GENERATIONS

SAVING THE FARM TO GETHER

Max and Henry (in the background) with Clare and Edgar. They all decided (with mother and wife Lynne) that a government-stewarded land conservation initiative could secure the property’s financial viability.

“It’s rare to have so much precious land in the Sydney basin. We’re all at home working together preserving this place that we’ve been so privileged to have been born on.”

Henry Downes

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COMMUNITY NEW GENERATIONS

“Mum and Dad instilled in us the importance of lateral thinking as part of their diversification strategy so there’d be a place for all of us on the farm.”

Max Downes

operations during Henry’s time. “On a day-to-day level, I’m proud of the selfservice system I’ve established for hay sales, whereby we identify our various grades of lucerne and pasture via different coloured string. It’s really streamlined our business and made it much less time-consuming.”

“We decided to close our dairy in August 2019 at the end of the drought as there were no positive signs of milk prices increasing,” Henry adds. “Now we’ve started buying Angus Cross beef cattle and the plan is to increase the herd in winter when we can strip graze them on our lucerne pastures to increase their weight and sell them in early spring when the prices are high.”

In the end, says Henry, “It’s rare to have so much precious land in the Sydney basin. We’re all at home working together preserving this place that we’ve been so privileged to have been born on. And we each still get to do our own thing. Our generation looks at the farm as more than an agricultural enterprise. We’re so fortunate to have so many different opportunities yet we share the common goal for Brownlow Hill to be a successful continuing operation.”

charity. We didn’t want to put on a passive traditional event so we encouraged everyone to dress up and interact with each other and we created small immersive worlds in the forest for people to discover,” she says, adding “The family was very supportive so the festival ended up being an amazing all-in family operation, which was a lovely period in time.”

Today, Clare is exploring a range of hospitality and eco-tourism options to take advantage of the regenerated bush and natural beauty of the undulating property alongside the Nepean River. “My ideal would be to run an accommodation lodge that could host workshops and events. There’s a balance I need to strike in creating a profitable business and keeping it within zoning laws. Zoning and permissibility are my biggest challenges in getting this up and running,” she says.

“I’m most proud of Mum and Dad, given what they inherited and what we have today.

Their legacy is their incredible ability to think laterally as well as the guts to follow through. We hope to uphold this philosophy and pass it down to future generations.”

THE CREATIVE DIRECTOR

THE BUSINESSMAN

As the middle child, Clare remembers all the fun, “body-on-the-line” adventures they had as kids. She went to the Frencham School, studied communications and journalism at Charles Sturt University where she started working on various festivals, volunteered teaching English in Vietnam and managed a literary festival and elephant polo festival in Sri Lanka.

She created the quirky Secret Garden Festival in 2009 and it ran as an annual event on the property for 11 years.

“The idea was to create a festival that I myself wanted to attend,” she says. “Our philosophy was: In everything we do, we do good, which meant that we supported artists, provided work for the local community, raised more than $500,000 for

As the youngest child, Max also boarded at The Kings School and did a bachelor of agricultural economics as well as a master’s degree in business at Sydney University before working as a coffee commodities trader and visiting coffee farms in places like East Africa.

“I wanted to build up a skill set that would complement what my siblings bring to the farm so we can all work on different parts of the business,” he explains. “Mum and Dad instilled in us the importance of lateral thinking as part of their diversification strategy so there’d be a place for all of us on the farm.”

Max is managing the farm’s biodiversity banking initiatives, which are focused on turning land with little agricultural value

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into something that is worth preserving.

“Destocking these sites and regenerating them with native bushland has been critical to our business. I couldn’t have more positive things to say about this government initiative. We’ve planted more than 5,000 trees and there’s lot more on the horizon,” he says.

“We’ve also been working with the wildlife rescue organisation Wires and have built wallaby and wombat release pens so that rehabilitated animals can be gradually released into our protected native bushland.”

Max adds that the family has been in discussions with the local community and council to examine ways to fill in their almost-depleted sandstone quarry with recycled construction and demolition waste so that they can eventually return the landscape to more Cumberland Plains woodland. And he is also considering putting solar panels in a paddock on the northern boundary to feed electricity into the grid.

“I think a lot of credit goes to mum and dad’s great partnership. Dad is eternally optimistic and Mum is a good encourager.

She’s challenged Dad to think outside the box so we wouldn’t end up as another housing development,” says Max. “Dad taught us that our green space so close to the city is the real value of our farm.

He’s shown great leadership.

“It’s rare to see someone who grew up as a dairy farmer with such open mindedness.

And now he’s entrusting his kids to carry on his creativity.” l

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DAMN GOOD MEAT

Griffin Jerky is made from 100% grass-fed Australian cattle. The healthy treats are gluten-free and have no preservatives, nitrites or nasty MSG. It’s simply real jerky that’s naturally delicious.

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COOL & COMFY

Black Duck seatcovers were born in outback Australia. The family run business creates high quality, durable seat covers for any agricultural setting. They’re superior in quality and comfortably tailored to any vehicle.

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Using biodegradable and recycled fibres, Will & Bear creates high quality head gear designed to last. The brand’s ongoing partnership with Trees.org means that for every hat sold, 10 trees are planted. $99 willandbear.com

SOMETHING FOR THE LATHERS OF PERSONALITY

NEXT GENERATION

Bloke Soaps are handmade on the south coast of NSW. Each soap variety was inspired by good blokes, and their personalities are captured in the products; laid back, trendsetter and hands on are three examples. $29.50 blokesoaps.com.au

Tharwa Valley Forge is an Australian Bladesmithing School. Take part in knife making, blacksmithing and even leatherworking.

Courses vary in price. A one-day knife-making course is $500 tharwavalleyforge.com

MIXING IT UP

StrangeLove Drinks Co. has struck the perfect balance between cheeky and upscale. Beverage offerings range from lo-cal sodas and sparkling mineral waters to punchy spirits, and premium mixers packed with botanicals. $60 for a case of 24 x 180ml tonic waters strangelove.com.au

SOME LIKE IT SMOKEY

Australian owned, operated and proud! Their mission is to inspire the chef in everyone. The Smokey Q Rubs and Sauces impressive range are all gluten free and contain no MSG, artificial ingredients, fillers or preservatives. $34.99 smokeyq.com.au

Do you have a great product you’d like us to consider for the page? Email an image and details to: mhespe@intermedia.com.au

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MARKETPLACE

BEERS FOR EVERYONE

Philter brewing company creates ‘sessionable, easy drinking favourites’.

A wide range of craft beers are available – there's a type of beer for everyone.

A case of 25 cans is $115. philterbrewing.com

ELEVATE YOUR BBQ GAME

The Timberline Series of grills from Traeger maintain a precise temperature for consistent results every time. Super Smoke Mode cranks up the flavour at the touch of a button and WiFire technology means the grill can be controlled anytime, anywhere via the Traeger app to adjust the temperature, monitor food, browse recipes and more.

From $899.95 traegergrills.com

HOT STUFF

With the ability to add custom features such as your name, thefirepitco is the perfect gift to keep warm outdoors this winter.

Thefirepitco is Australian owned, operated and manufactured.

Offering a flat pack selection you can mobilise your fire pit. $229 for the Inferno 400 thefirepitco.com.au

MADE FOR MEN

We all know farmers tend to put themselves last at times. Made for the tough conditions, this Aussie made hand cream will help the hands of any jack and trade!

Non-greasy and quickly absorbed, perfect for any busy farmer. $19.95 aussiemanhands. com (use the discount code FARMERS for 10 per cent off purchases)

PEACE OF MIND

A HEALTHY TREAT FOR DADS

Roll'd Vietnamese is a true Australian business success story.

Now, the Roll’d family has released a range of pantry items and condiments for you to create your very own Vietnamese masterpieces at home. Available for purchase at Coles supermarkets. From $3.50 rolld.com.au

Designed for rural homes and farms, one of the latest additions to Uniden’s security camera range uses cellular 4G connectivity instead of the home Wi-Fi. Built-in rechargeable batteries and an optional solar power panel connection provide uninterrupted power supply.

Live and recorded footage can be viewed via the Uniden Solo app. $749.95 uniden.com.au

JUL - AUG 2021

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JOIN US

The weeds explosion

Vickery Extension Project

A guide for cattle breeders

Trading with Indonesia

Fires, floods and mice Then comes weeds

Farmers on the frontline of mining

What's the go in the current bullish market

Is it time to embrace our neighbour?

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J U LY - A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 / $ 9 . 9 5

Help protect your livelihood. NSW Farmers is your voice – we are only as strong as you make us. The greater our numbers; the greater our voice.

–

Memberships include The Farmer magazine delivered to you.

Shell shocked The challenges and future of Australia’s oyster industry

Annual membership options

FULL PRODUCER MEMBER $438.90 1 VOTE PER MEMBERSHIP

For those who own or manage a farm. Includes our basic workplace relations package which provides: ·C ollective representation on awards, minimum wage review, workers compensation. · Wage information, including wage guides issued annually. · Phone advice, four calls a year.

ADDITIONAL MEMBER $100 1 VOTE PER MEMBERSHIP

SECOND VOTE MEMBER 1 VOTE PER MEMBERSHIP

$100

Linked to a full producer, with a proprietorial or income interest.

Linked to a full producer, most often a family member.

Have a small holding and do not

receive majority of income from it.

ASSOCIATE MEMBER $100 Do not own a farm, e.g. teachers,

agronomists, business people.

COUNTRY CONNECTION $100 Supporters of farms from the city.

SMALL FARMS MEMBER

$150

Members can upgrade to this package to receive: · Unlimited advice on employment matters. · Assistance in negotiating with the Fair Work Ombudsman’s office. · Representation in employment matters handled by tribunals, such as Fair Work Australia. · Assistance with drafting and reviewing employment-related correspondence, policies and procedures, and employment agreements.

The Essentials Workplace Relations package fees start from $165 for up to two employees.

Extra charges may apply for assistance required within your first four months of membership.

All prices include GST.

Use your voice, become a member at nswfarmers.org.au or call 1300 794 000.

Contact the Member Service Centre on 1300 794 000 or your local regional services manager:

FOR ALL GENERAL ENQUIRIES

NORTHERN Michael Collins, 0439 958 163, collinsm@nswfarmers.org.au NORTH COAST & TABLELANDS Mark Bulley, 0429 330 348, bulleym@nswfarmers.org.au CENTRAL TABLELANDS & ORANA Andrew Coughlan, 0447 393 092, coughlana@nswfarmers.org.au SOUTHERN David Banham, 0428 411 221, banhamd@nswfarmers.org.au SOUTH WEST Daniel Brear, 0427 773 495, breard@nswfarmers.org.au LACHLAN & NORTH RIVERINA Catriona McAuliffe, 0488 100 005, mcauliffec@nswfarmers.org.au WESTERN DIVISION Caron Chester, 0400 116 207, chesterc@nswfarmers.org.au

YES, I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN NSW FARMERS. I HAVE TICKED MY MEMBERSHIP CHOICE ABOVE . PLEASE CONTAC T ME .

ESSENTIALS WORKPLACE RELATIONS PACKAGE

REGIONAL SERVICE & SALES MANAGER Jonathan Tuckfield, 0409 493 695 tuckfieldj@nswfarmers.org.au MEMBERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER Alicia Harrison, 0429 817 611 harrisona@nswfarmers.org.au

NAME: _ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRES S:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ EMAIL:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PHONE:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ COMMODITY (IF APPROPRIATE):_____________________________________________________________________________________

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COMMUNITY FARM DOGS

Floss the Boss from Brownlow Hill

Floss the Boss is owned by the Downes family of Brownlow Hill, in the Sydney Basin. Her goal in life is to move on from Chum and dine daily on roast beef.

Edited by MICHELLE HESPE

REAL NAME AND NICKNAMES

Florence. Aka Flossy or Floss.

But really, I am Floss the Boss.

FAVOURITE THING TO DO ON THE FARM?

Sprinting, half marathons, marathons, ultra-long marathons. If it’s about running, I’ll do it. And if you add a kangaroo into the mix, oh baby do I go!

HAVE YOU EVER DONE SOMETHING REALLY NAUGHTY?

I often jump into bed with guests, which I think is frowned upon.

WHAT IS YOUR WORST HABIT?

I can’t resist confronting anything motorised.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD?

I’ve heard roast beef is like tasting heaven, but the only food I know is Chum.

IF YOU BECAME FAMOUS FOR ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

The first dog to star in equestrian. I’m told that I’m an uncut diamond who never quite got her break.

IS THERE SOMETHING THAT DRIVES YOUR PARENTS MAD?

Probably chasing the peacocks, but honestly if you heard the noise they make when they fly away, you would too.

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANOTHER ANIMAL AS A FRIEND, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

Any animal willing and able to help me steal roast beef from humans.

FAVOURITE TOY OR THING TO PLAY WITH?

The John Deere Gator.

WHAT DOES EVERYONE LOVE ABOUT YOU?

I’m a dog. What is not to love?

ANY LAST WORDS?

Raise prices for our farm produce!

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COMMUNITY MEET A MEMBER

A cut above

Philip Melbourne has been wood chopping for almost 80 years, and is one of NSW Farmers’ longest standing members.

Words MICHAEL BURT

Name: Philip Melbourne Branch: Narrabri Farm’s name: Merrigum Years as a Member: Forever

N

arrabri's local newpaper – The Courier – described Philip Melbourne as a ‘wood chopping icon’ after he received a Life Membership for the Wee Waa Show Society and was asked to open the show in 2019.

The 90-year-old farmer is too modest to accept such a title, preferring to have it pinned to Australian Axemen’s Association Hall of Fame legends like Tasmanian David Foster OAM. However, many in the north west region of NSW would regard it as an apt title due to Philip’s feats in winning numerous local wood chop competitions and a 77-year dedication to the sport.

Philip first swung the axe in a competition at the Narrabri show in 1938 and chopped away at as many local events as he could until 2015, when a farm injury forced him into retirement.

The Narrabri show society also bestowed a life membership on Philip in 2019 as

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Philip said he started share-farming at the age of 20 to achieve a dream of owning his own patch of land.

That dream was realised with the purchase of the 310-hectare property called ‘Merrigum’ near Narrabri in 1965. Along with wife Anne they raised four children – daughters Robyn, Margaret and Judith and son James – on the family farm.

Fat lambs and wheat dominated the farm’s output in the early years, but alongside a passion for wood chopping was a keen interest in beef production and to this day, Philip is a proud owner of Poll Hereford herd.

“I am down to about 70 head now, mainly due to having to cut back during the drought,” he says. “I’ve never seen a drought that was anywhere near it. Every other time there was always a bit of relief in summer or winter, but this time we went six seasons without a break.

We sowed oats and we sowed summer crops, and it all died.”

Philip says that last year was a huge improvement. “The cattle look beautiful and the oat crop will produce plenty of feed for the steers,” he says. “But we do have mice.

They have destroyed 120 round bales that I had. The hay has been just walking out of the shed!” l

JUL - AUG 2021

recognition of his wood chopping efforts, volunteering and enthusiasm to help with stud cattle stewarding and building a new cattle pavilion and yards.

Philip also ventured to the Hunter region to compete and witnessed champions like David Foster at the Royal Easter Show.

“I got to meet David at AgQuip Field Days. I used to go down and see him at every AgQuip for a cup of coffee. One year he gave me a couple of poplar blocks to take home and cut, as we don’t have that wood out here.

We mainly use stringy bark and cabbage gum.

I went back the next year and he asked if I had cut those blocks and I said – “Yeah, but my good axes did get stuck in them. One of my old axes just loved it!”

An offer to join his granddaughter Julia on a trip to Tasmania three years ago granted Philip the opportunity to catch up with David Foster in his home territory.

“He was a fantastic host. I will never forget it. He even rang us a few times while we were travelling to check if there was anything else he could do for us.”

TOP CUT

Narrabri wood chopping icon Philip Melbourne with friend – Australian wood chopping legend David Foster OAM.

Why I am a member of NSW Farmers “I’ve been a Member ever since I can remember, and I have been to a few of the Annual Conferences.

It’s great to be involved with the local Narrabri branch for all those years to contribute to local issues and events.”

COMMUNITY NSW FARMERS ANNUAL CONFERENCE NSW FARMERS COMMITTEES – CONTACTS & CHAIRS AG SCIENCE

Alan Brown agvetcommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au ANIMAL WELFARE

Robert McIntosh animalwelfarecommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au BIOSECURITY

Ian McColl biosecuritycommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au BUSINESS, ECONOMICS & TRADE

Annual Conference is back at Luna Park Everyone from NSW Farmers and many key stakeholders are looking forward to the return of the NSW Farmers Annual Conference, to be held at one of Sydney's most iconic venues – the legendary Luna Park.

Bill McDonell beatcommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au CATTLE

Deborah Willis cattlecommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au CONSERVATION & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Bronwyn Petrie crmcommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au

CONTRACT POULTRY MEAT

Peter Wojcicki poultrymeatcommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au DAIRY

Colin Thompson dairycommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au EGG

Brett Langfield eggcommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au GOATS

Felicity McLeod goatcommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au GRAINS

Matthew Madden grainscommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au HORTICULTURE

Guy Gaeta horticulturecommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au OYSTER

Todd Graham oystercommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au PORK

Ean Pollard porkcommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au RURAL AFFAIRS

Garry Grant ruralaffairscommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au

T

here will be an impressive line-up of speakers for the return of the NSW Farmers’ Annual Conference at Luna Park on 13 – 15 July.

After going virtual last year, more than 300 member delegates from across the state will head to the city to take part in the Association’s three-day event.

NSW Farmers CEO, Pete Arkle, said the return of a face-to-face annual conference has inspired strong engagement from members, industry partners and sponsors.

“Like many associations, 2020 was the year of the virtual conference and it was a success for NSW Farmers, but there is nothing like getting together for three days of discussions, networking, presentations and exhibitions,” Mr Arkle said.

Minister for Better Regulation, The Hon Kevin Anderson MP, will officially open the

conference on 13 July as part of Safework NSW engagement as the event’s principal partner.

“NSW Farmers thanks Safework NSW for their strong support of Annual Conference and their ongoing engagement with us on improving safety on farms.”

Guest speakers include Deputy Premier, The Hon John Barilaro MP, Agriculture Minister, The Hon Adam Marshall MP, Resilience NSW Commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons and National Farmers’ Federation Vice President, David Jochinke.

“The NSW Farmers’ Annual Conference is the key platform for debate on issues affecting agriculture and regional communities in NSW, but it is also a great occasion for farmers, agribusiness experts and the media to share the opportunities and challenges of local food and fibre production.

Mr Arkle said attendees can be assured that Luna Park and NSW Farmers will ensure a COVID safe environment to deliver this event.

Other key partners of the Association taking part in the event include WFI, Clipex, NAB, Bunnings, ISUZU Trucks, AWI, TransGrid, Bayer, Transport for NSW, HE Silos and Corteva, just to name a few of the agribusinesses that will join government agencies as exhibitors.

The 2021 NSW Farmers Annual Conference will be livestreamed through a webcast thanks to the partnership of WaterNSW. A link to view the webcast will be shared closer to conference.

SHEEPMEATS

Jenny Bradley sheepmeatscommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au WESTERN DIVISION COUNCIL

Greg Rogers wdc@nswfarmers.org.au WOOL

Helen Carrigan woolcommittee@ nswfarmers.org.au YOUNG FARMERS

Rachel Nicoll yfc@nswfarmers.org.au

JUL - AUG 2021

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THE TAIL END

The show must go on Ag shows have made a big comeback this year bringing much needed doses of joy to country towns. But imagine if they were no rides?

Words SHEREE YOUNG

WINNERS ARE GRINNERS

Dubbo Show’s Supreme Exhibit – Tattykeel Poll Dorsets. Pictured (L-R): Tattykeel Stud Master James Gilmore; All Breeds Judge Graeme Hopf; Dubbo Show Society Vice President Lucas Pascoe and Dubbo Show Society President Wesley Temessl standing in front of some of the show’s attractions.

Photo courtesy of the Dubbo Show Society.

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F

rom Bourke to Dubbo, Deniliquin to Goulburn, Cobar to Hay and Bellingen to the Hawkesbury, agricultural shows are well and truly back after drought and COVID dealt brutal blows to what is the event of the year for many country towns.

Record numbers of visitors have been flooding through showground gates across the state. Competitor and exhibitor entries have also sky-rocketed resulting in packed showring schedules and pavilions brimming with locally crafted goodies of all sorts.

This has provided a muchneeded boost for country folk rocked by fire, drought, a pandemic and, in some parts, a mouse plague. The local economic benefits of country shows also cannot be underestimated.

This year towns like Bourke and Cobar – that had not had a show for two years due to drought and COVID – were able to finally have their show with record crowds attending.

JUL - AUG 2021

The Dubbo Show had a similar story with around 32,500 visitors heading through the gates, up from the usual 20,000 that attend.

“Most of the people that came along were locals from this district, but we did have some people come from Sydney because they didn’t get to the Sydney show,” Dubbo Show Society Secretary, Sue Hood says.

But behind all the fairy floss, dagwood dogs, sheep shearing, show jumping, wood chopping and patchwork – an issue is brewing that risks this success.

Think dodgem cars, ferris wheels, the whizzer, mega slides and even the innocent boat rides that toddlers can’t get enough of.

A show without rides is a bit like a pub with no beer.

Unthinkable, right?

But this is a reality that is creeping closer each day as ride operators’ public liability cover lapses as increasingly risk-averse insurers pull down the shutters.

Over the last year, the entertainment and leisure industry has been struggling to find an insurer to underwrite the $20 million in public liability cover that they need to operate.

And without this, their rides must stay safely in their sheds.

The Showmens Guild of Australasia represents carnival ride operators and Aaron Pink is its NSW President.

“It has been a really tough year, not just for us, but for all the leisure and entertainment industry,” Aaron says. “We come out of COVID but now we are facing a crisis of not having public liability insurance. This is a worse issue than COVID as it is going to put people out of business.”

And it is not just the thrillseeker rides – the ones that send

you up high and upside down that are losing cover.

“It has snowballed down to food canteens and games, right across the whole lot. Not even a kiddy ride is covered,” Aaron says.

The risk this has for the livelihoods of carnival ride operators and country show turnout is not lost on Tim Capp, President of the Agricultural Societies Council of NSW. “It is going to be a serious concern for ride operators but also our country shows which rely on entertainment and part of that entertainment is the hurly burly rides,” Tim says. “We’ve written to the NSW Government in support of the Showmens Guild, and we are hopeful they can work something out to get some insurance.”

Aaron says it is hoped the government will reduce the public liability cover to $10 million, which is more palatable for insurance backers.

The other avenue is having the Federal Government partially fund a Discretionary Mutual Fund which ride operators would then contribute to and in doing so fund their own cover.

For Sue Hood, the issue is certainly very serious. “It will devastate every show, not just the Dubbo Show, but every show,” she says.

“As much as you want to say it is an agricultural show, it is not the same unless you’ve got the hurdy-gurdy attractions there for the younger generation to come along and have a look at all the show as well as enjoy the rides.

“They need a lot of support to get the help from the government to get insurance companies to work with them and not against them.” l

Connecting farmers with new technology Soil Carbon Co., Orange NSW

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