SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2022 / $ 9.95 A tale of commoditiestwo The cost of living continues to rise A doggone wild dog debate Two sides to the story, with one big goal Innovation in oyster farming A daughter and father reimagine business Meet the swimmerdesert Broken Hill farmer swims the UK Channel On the Ground in Bali The Farmer goes to Indonesia to investigate its biosecurity response to foot and mouth disease
THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 20222
Unfortunately, over the past 12 months this has happened far too often, leaving families, friends and colleagues devastated, and having a lasting impact on emergency services and our teams when they attend to assist.
The greatest electrical safety risk within agribusiness is machinery, such as harvesters, contacting powerlines and power poles. Public safety is a shared responsibility and for this reason, I am asking business owners and workers to take steps towards protecting their safety and the safety of others when working near powerlines and other electrical infrastructure.
Essential Energy has an absolute commitment to keeping the public safe around our electricity network. Every farm accident where people are hurt, or lose their lives, due to equipment or machinery coming into contact with powerlines is a tragedy.
Essential Energy installs up to 10 markers free of charge to increase powerline visibility and help reduce contact with overhead powerlines.
AN OPEN LETTER FROM ESSENTIAL ENERGY CEO, JOHN CLELAND…
SafeWork NSW offer rebates to small businesses and sole traders in NSW who buy and install equipment that makes their workplace safer, meaning many agribusinesses may be able to claim back up to $1000 of the purchase cost of the powerline markers. Essential Energy also offers site visits on request to discuss ways to stay safe around Essentialpowerlines.Energy has also launched the Look Up and Live app across our network area. The app is a simple tool that anyone can access from their laptop or smartphone. It contains information
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There are many ways this can be achieved, from actively considering and identifying electrical safety risks around machinery prior to starting work, to the use of the Look Up and Live app and the installation of aerial powerline markers. Aerial powerline markers are an easy and effective tool that help save lives.
Essential Energy looks after the poles and wires that deliver electricity to 95 per cent of New South Wales and parts of southern Queensland. Electricity that powers the homes, hospitals, schools, businesses, and services that form local community. The business is on call 24/7 to fix power outages, maintain the pole and wires to meet customers’ needs and explore innovative and cost-effective ways to provide services.
Look up and live. Agricultural workers are encouraged to identify potential electrical hazards on a property before starting work and be mindful that changes in weather conditions can affect the electricity network. This includes reduced visibility of powerlines at dawn or dusk and strong winds and extreme heat causing lines to sway and sag. including the location of overhead powerlines and imagery via an interactive geospatial map. This is an important first step that anyone working around the electricity network should take before starting work. The app is free and can be accessed
To report a network incident, contact Essential Energy immediately on 13 20 80 or call Triple Zero (000) if the situation is life-threatening.
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SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 THE FARMER 3
To find out more about initiatives specific to agribusiness and safety around electricity on farms, essentialenergy.com.au/agribusiness.visit
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John EssentialClelandEnergy CEO
THE MUSTER NEWS AND VIEWS Meet new president for NSW Farmers, Xavier Martin; Five young women in farming chosen for the NSW Farmers Tertiary Scholarship Program; A salami making challenge turns into a popular festival; The fight against Varroa mite; Spotlight on the town of Dorrigo 8 THE BIG ISSUE NSW FARMERS' ANNUAL CONFERENCE: FUTURE OF FARMING The NSW Farmers Annual Conference addressed many big issues 22 THE BIG PICTURE A TALE OF TWO COMMODITIES As the cost of living in Australia soars, we take a look at both the meat and horticulture sectors to see how both sectors are faring 26 INFLUENCEINTERNATIONAL BALI'S FOOT AND MOUTH BIOSECURITY RESPONSE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE Is enough being done to stop FMD from decimating our meat industry? 30 INNOVATION A PEARLER OF A BUSINESS A daughter and her father turn their oyster farming business into a successful eatery by the river in Narooma 36 TRADE NO WOOL OVER THEIR EYES The outcome of a feasibility study investigating the future of domestic and diversified early-stage wool processing could be a game-changer ���������������������� 42 INDUSTRY WHEN THE APPLE IS RIPE The apple industry is facing more uncertainty and challenges than most in agriculture ���������������������������������������� 46 BUSINESS A DIAMOND IN THE DUST A family have made their roadhouse with good ol’ country hospitality a must-stop destination on an Outback trip ������������� 52 ENVIRONMENT A DOGGONE DYNAMIC DEBATE The wild dog story is surrounded in controversy, but most people interested in wild dogs are working towards the same outcome .................................... 56 SPECIAL BOARDINGREPORT:SCHOOLS TEACHING THEM A THING OR TWO We take a look at some of the best schools in the country and what they are doing to keep learning interesting 62 SPECIAL REPORT: FENCING STOCKYARDSAND ROUNDING UP SOME OF THE BEST They are essentials for some farms, so what’s new on the scene? ���������������������� 70 SPECIAL REPORT: FIELD DAYS GETTING SHOWS ON THE ROAD Murrumbateman Field Days and Primex are two of the big trade shows on many farmers’ calendars ��������������������������������� 74 COMMUNITY NEW GENERATION: THE NIVISONS Grant and Jock Nivison from Yalgoo Genetics in Walcha base their sheep and cattle breeding methods and innovations on groundbreaking research that they love to share with others 80 FARM DOGS Meet Jock’s dog ‘Selfie’ from Walcha 86 JOIN US – SUBSCRIBE Sign up and become a NSW Farmers’ member, and also receive The Farmer ��� 87 MEET A MEMBER A pig named George set NSW Farmers member Keith Dunlop on a diverse path, and he’s never looked back 88 TAIL END Meet Brendan Cullen – a sheep farmer from Broken Hill who conquered his mission to swim the English Channel 90 Contents THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 20224
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Two sides to the story, with one big goal Innovation in oyster farming A daughter and father reimagine business the Broken Hill farmer the UK
swimmerdesert
Channel On the Ground in Bali The Farmer goes to Indonesia to investigate its biosecurity response THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 20226
These and many other issues were raised at this year’s NSW Farmers Annual Conference held at Luna Park, which was focussed on the future of farming, not just here in Australia, but on a global level There were many discussions, and of course hot debates, and one motion that was passed received more attention than many –sheep traceabilty.
The wrapping used in the delivery process of this magazine is 100% recyclable.
swims
publication. Copyright © 2022 – The Intermedia Group
We’ve also tackled the soaring cost of living, which continues to rise as I write, and I am sure there will be some comments coming our way on the wild dog debate But as author Jeanette Severs says, people on both sides of the fence have the same goal, of saving lifestock from death by dogs in the wild�
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.
There are other biosecurity issues that farmers are dealing with, such as Varroa mite and the impact it will have on all of agriculture should it get out of hand�
I t’s a big issue that is on many a farmer’s lips right now – will foot and mouth disease arrive in Australia? With reports of the disease in Indonesia, Aussie farmers are on the alert One of our journalists headed to Bali to gain a better persective on something that will affect every single one of us should the disease spread through our meat industry
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THE MAGAZINE PUBLISHER James Wells EDITOR Michelle Hespe ART DIRECTOR Ryan Vizcarra EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES Michelle Hespe Email: mhespe@intermedia.com.au ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Ben PhoneEmail:Paynebpayne@intermedia.com.au:0403893668 CONTRIBUTORS Anthony Ong Bev SueRachaelPeterMichaelMattJeanetteIanEmilyDaveDarrenHadgraftBaguleySmithSimpsonLloydNeubauerSeversBeaverBurtIzzardLenehanWallace NSW FARMERS CEO Pete Arkle SOCIAL & CONTENT MANAGER Michael Burt MAGAZINE CONTENT TEAM Alicia Harrison - Membership Service Manager Annabel Johnson - Head of Policy & Advocacy CONTACT US Level 4, 154 Pacific Highway, St Leonards, NSW 2065 PO Box 459, St Leonards, NSW 1590 Head Office: 02 9478 1000 MEMBER SERVICE CENTRE For membership, magazine subscriptions and mailing list enquiries: 1300 794 000 @NSWFarmers THE INTERMEDIA GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR Simon Grover GM OF OPERATIONS Chris Baker FINANCE MANAGER Mina Vranistas PRODUCTION MANAGER Jacqui Cooper HEAD OF DIGITAL Jordan Guiao The Farmer 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.
Meet
As with every issue that we put together for you, we aim to push some inspiring stories out there about people doing great things with their businesses So, we’ve covered an outback inn where the country hospitality has people coming from far and wide to enjoy a slice of country Australia, a daughter and father team who have turned their oyster farming business into a thriving eatery by the river in Narooma, and we look into some small businesses that are tackling urban farming, and providing food and jobs for their local communities We also love a deep dive into particular industries, and so our writers have looked into the challenges and opportunities that are rising in our apple and wool sectors� As always, the innovation that comes out of our farming enterprises is truly exceptional�
From the editor
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel to be a success – sometimes all it takes is some well considered value-adding to what you are already producing, and you might find a thriving side hustle gradually becomes your main source of income� Enjoy the read and if you have any comments on these stories, or ideas for features that you think are a good fit, drop us a line We love hearing from you and knowing what is going on in your special part of the country
Diamond in An outback roadhouse with character A doggone wild dog debate
MICHELLE HESPE Editor
PEFC certified wood and paper products come from environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of forests.
Host or join an upcoming MSD Farm Morning Tea in your area Scan the QR Code for more information or visit: callsafework.nsw.gov.au131050
0622SW09449
Making life easier and more productive involves thinking about the many farming tasks that involve lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, holding or restraining things or animals.
Health and quality of life improves immensely when MSD hazards are effectively controlled on the farm.
Farming can be hard but it doesn’t have to break you
Most farmers know that these tasks can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as back, joint and bone injuries and degeneration, sprains and strains, nerve injuries, hernias and chronic pain.
SafeWork is now working with farm owners and workers throughout NSW to discuss ways you can control MSDs on your farm. Over morning tea, we will talk you through the best way to identify and fix MSD issues and share simple solutions from like-minded farmers.
THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 20228
“Variations in structure between the ecdysone receptors of different arthropods (invertebrates including insects) means that it is possible to design specific molecules that target pests while leaving beneficial insects unharmed ”
Dr Emily Remnant of the BEE Lab is co-leading the project that builds on over a decade of work by Honorary Professor Ron Hill, one of her research partners
The team, which also includes Professor Joel Mackay from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, is currently working to identify active molecules in the ecdysone receptors to use in the insecticides�
The project is supported by Hort Innovation Australia, La Trobe University and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
The Martin surname is a common one around Mullaley after Xavier’s mum and dad – Adrian and Noreen – and his brothers decided to move to the region due to its cropping potential and water resources�
“The insecticides will contain molecules that exploit differences in a protein found in honey bees, Varroa mites and small hive beetles,” Emily said “In the pests, they will inhibit the operation of the protein –which is a receptor for the essential insect hormone ecdysone – while leaving the corresponding protein in honeybees unaffected�”
The protein isn’t found in vertebrates, so the insecticides won’t pose a threat to animals such as birds, cats and dogs
As part a $1 2 million project, University of Sydney scientists will attempt to create molecules that selectively bind to the hormone receptors of Varroa mite – and fellow honeybee pest, the small hive beetle – to interfere with reproduction, development and behaviour�
Mullaley farmer Xavier Martin is well prepared for the busy schedule that comes with representing farmers at the highest level
“There would have to have been about 40 Martins that have attended Mullaley Primary School,” Xavier says The fifth-generation farmer also managed to squeeze in an automotive engineering course, a diploma with the Institute of Company Directors, and managing the role as NSW Farmers Vice President in more recent years “It is humbling to be elected President of NSW Farmers and I look forward to maintaining the momentum on key issues such as biosecurity and productivity,” Xavier said “We are looking at ways to secure the future of farming, and a big part of that is giving members a voice at our conference and through their local branches�”
The newly elected President of NSW Farmers has had plenty on the to-do list raising six children and running a cropping program alongside wife Heather on the family’s 1000-hectare farm Bourbah�
l RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
New weapon to attack Varroa mite
Xavier Martin elected as new President of NSW Farmers
Reaching the goal of owning this family farm also required much planning and hard work
“It’s been a team effort with Heather since then� Our eldest son Angus is back on the farm, which allows me to dedicate time to the advocacy efforts of NSW Farmers ” Heather and Xavier’s other five children – Sarah, Kate, Claire, Stuart and Alice – are all currently working and studying in Queensland
“I started share farming with my brothers on the Liverpool Plains in my early twenties after my dad moved up there from a mixed farming operation in northern Victoria,” Xavier says “I was doing some overseas agricultural project work at the same time and also got into contract harvesting, all with the aim of being able to purchase my own farm�
Moree farmer Rebecca Reardon was elected as Vice President and Trangie farmer Peter Wilson was elected as Treasurer.
The Muster
l NSW FARMERS’ ANNOUNCEMENT
Australian researchers are hoping to develop a world-first hormone-based pesticide, safe for honeybees but fatal to Varroa mite, and another destructive pest, the small hive beetle
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THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202210
NSW Farmers’ CEO Pete Arkle commended the five recipients for dedication to their studies and their goals to advance agriculture and regional byachievementtoscholarshipsthroughindustryglobal“Agriculturecommunitiesisavibrant,andhighlycompetitiveandNSWFarmers,theawardingoffiveannually,aimssupportandencouragetheofexcellencethefutureworkforce,” Pete says.
The NSW Farmers Tertiary Scholarship Program was established in 1993 to reward, promote and encourage excellence in tertiary studies from member families.
For as long as I can remember, farming has been in my blood� Since I could talk, I have been begging my dad to let me in the ute or join him in the tractor and steer it as best l
I could I have always known that agriculture is a part of me, and I have always dreamed of going home to the family farm� Since starting my studies at Charles Sturt University, I have been blessed with so many opportunities to help other farmers and become a voice for farmers and all issues facing rural people, in particular young women�
RYAN Home town: Beggan Beggan University: Charles Sturt University Degree: Agriculture Business Management
THE JOHN WHITE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: EMME WILLIAMS Home town: Bendick Murrell University: Charles Sturt University Degree: Bachelor of Veterinary Science/Bachelor of Veterinary Biology I am in my fifth year of Veterinary Medicine at CSU after coming from a sheep and cropping property in Bendick Murrell� I grew up immersed in agricultural and rural communities, and my passion for the agricultural industry has continued to flourish – hence my passion for becoming a rural veterinarian to work alongside farmers I am also in the process of completing my Cert IV in Wool Classing� I have always valued the immense efforts made by families and farmers to produce ethical, profitable and quality products Upon graduating as a veterinarian, my goals are to work alongside farmers and other rural associates to improve animal health, living conditions and share crucial knowledge between the public and agriculturalothersectorsIwanttogiveback to the industry that grew such a large personal passion for livestock, through educating others and showcasing the power of animal welfare in nutrition, environmentgenetics,andhusbandry
THE E.L. SCHOLARSHIP:O’BRIENJESSICA
Jessica Ryan
Once I finish my degree this year I hope to continue working in agriculture for a couple of years before heading home to begin taking over the family farm where I will continue to build on all the trials we are currently doing and planning to do� Farming is an ever-growing industry, where staying innovative is getting harder yet becoming the simplest way to be profitable I hope to be a part of the positive change in farming, even if it is in the smallest way possible�
Each year NSW Farmers awards five scholarships of $4,000 each, and this year five outstanding young women were chosen.
“Agriculture is well-placed to become the next $100 billion industry and it will need the innovative thinking and skills of the next crop of young farmers and service providers� That’s why we are proud to have provided these NSW Farmers Tertiary Scholarships since 1993 and recognise the value of education to the future of agriculture ” Here are the recipients’ goals, in their own words…
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NSW recipientsTertiaryFarmersScholarshipshine
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PAUL LOCKYER MEMORIAL SOPHIESCHOLARSHIP:CARGILL Home town: Braidwood University: Charles Sturt University Degree: Bachelor of Physiotherapy I grew up on a sheep meat and beef cattle farm just outside of Braidwood, in south-eastern NSW� I’ve always enjoyed helping others and playing an active role in my community� I also love the rural lifestyle, helping on the farm, and participating in a range of sportsI’vewitnessed the inequities in health services available to communities in rural areas, compared to metropolitan areas, and I’m passionate about bridging this gap� I hope to use my physiotherapy degree, and my ever-present community mindedness to help improve the accessibility and quality of health services in regional and remote areas� I hope to improve the quality of life experienced by Australians living in regional and remote communities by encouraging them to live active, safe and healthy lifestyles l
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THE ALAN CHAPMAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: IMOGEN WILKES-BOWES
Home town: Coonabarabran University: The University of Sydney Degree: Bachelor of Nursing (Advanced Studies)
My family and I live and work on our property near Naradhan in Central Western NSW, where we breed Dorper and Aussie White sheep as well as cattle� I regularly return home to help my parents and have long been heavily involved in the farm business I went to boarding school at St Francis College in Leeton and enjoy taking part in sports including hockey and running� I also have a love of travelling, which was fuelled by my experience on a six-month student exchange in IDenmarkamnow in my second year at the University of Sydney completing a Bachelor of Science, with a major in anatomy and histology and a minor in neuroscience� I am very passionate about my field of study and intend to use my undergraduate degree to complete a postgraduate Doctor of Medicine and eventually become a GP with a Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice� I have chosen to pursue medicine because I believe that the gap in healthcare outcomes between rural and metropolitan areas can be bridged by healthcare which focuses on prevention, education and support which I hope to provide�
silentlybelongingbutandimproveaimmentaltownsthatbreakingofaccessibilityincreaseandknowledgeservices,aswellasdownthestigmasfarmersandcountryhavesurroundingillness�TheworkItodowillnotonlythementalhealthwellbeingofcountryfolk,alsorestorethesenseofforthosewhoarestruggling
THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202212
Home town: Naradhan University: The University of Sydney Degree: Bachelor of Science
I am a second-year nursing student at the University of Sydney which I thoroughly enjoy, and I cannot wait to be on the frontline, using the skills I have learnt Growing up on my family’s farm in Coonabarabran, I have a longstanding passion for the community as I have always had a sense of belonging Growing up, myself and my siblings were encouraged to help on the farm, and we learnt the importance of a team only being as strong as its weakest link� This can be translated into rural communities, and the issue of weakening mental health in rural NSW that we are currently facing The current epidemic of suicide in young people across NSW is a concern that needs to be tackled within every community, and I aim to bring about change in this sector of rural healthcare� The lack of regional mental health facilities and the increase in youth suicide in rural communities is a special interest of mine I look forward to moving back to the country and promoting mental health awareness,
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“Salami making is a great activity for family and friends to do over a weekend and it brings people together,” says Roy
Celebrating salami making
“It started with a simple bet between two friends about who makes the better salami� My family is from Calabria and the Fattores are from Abruzzi� I won the bet that first year because the winner –Giuseppe Trimboli – was from the south,” says Roy, who has organised every festival held since
The winning salami is auctioned on the Sunday with the money raised going to
Words SUE WALLACE
l LOCAL TRADITION
“We had about 13 salamis the first year and now we have up to 150 entries and a wait list of 250 people to attend the festival which was capped at 1,000 this year,” Roy says Each salami is awarded a score out of 30 with points for texture, aroma and taste The scores are then entered into a computer The top 20 salamis are taste tested again and the scores re-entered with the top three taking out the prize and prestige� The best salami receives $2,000, second place gets $1,000 and third place receives $500
“It’s all in the amount of seasonings added,” says Roy, who has been making salami at home for the past 40 years and organised the first Griffith salami festival in the year 2000 with the late Tony Fattore.
“I am always asked about the best recipe, but everyone who makes salami has their own version and uses different amounts of seasoning and ingredients,” heSomesays� add more salt, others add a touch of fennel, an extra dash of pepper and now a little chilli is a popular additive, along with pork mince and fat Many salami recipes have been handed down from generation to generation – often originating in Italy – and are a closely guarded secret� Then there are the new world recipes from younger salami makers who want to preserve the tradition�
What’s the secret to making the best salami? Roy Catanzariti from Griffith, known as the ‘Salami King’, has a pretty good idea.
FROM A MEATY WAGER
A HOTLY CONTESTED EVENT
Roy says the festival is about all things Italian with the judging taking place on the Saturday morning at the Yoogali Club and the winners announced at the Sunday long
“Thislunchyear we had 24 judges and to be fair to all, we gathered them from different backgrounds – some with heritage from southern Italy, central Italy, northern Italy, Calabria, Sicily, Australia and some celebrity judges and foodies,” says Roy “It’s a hotly contested competition, believe me ”
Six judges of mixed heritage are seated at each table and nibble at the finely sliced salami, recording their scores
THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202214
The inaugural festival stemmed from a friendly rivalry between Roy and Tony about who could make the best salami –northern or southern Italians
The Festa Delle Salsicce – the Festival of the Sausage – is held in Griffith on the last Sunday of August� This year’s events saw a record number of salami entries from around the country, all vying for the honour of best salami
“We had entries from Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria,” says Roy� “Some arrived in the post while others were couriered or hand delivered for judging.”
SALAMI-INSPIRED FESTIVITIES
Opposite page: Locals enjoy wine with their salami tasting. This page, clockwise from top left: Kids get in on the salami action; A local band keeping everyone entertained; What pandemic? We’re here to celebrate salami; The ‘Salami King’ Roy Catanzariti speaks to the happy crowds.
“We often get it up to $9,000 so it’s a great way to raise money, and everyone has a fun time at the long lunch,” Roy says� Not giving away too many secrets about his prized family recipe, Roy believes the salt content makes a difference when it comes to a good salami, and it can vary from between 1 5 per cent to 3 per cent of the contents Then there is also the fat
a local charity and a perpetual trophy awarded to the salami maker
The Sunday festival held in Griffith’s Pioneer Park also includes traditional folk music, tasty Italian treats, entertainment and a long lunch to celebrate the end of the salami making season
Roy, who retired from his role as manager of the Griffith Medicare office in 2007, is also co-founder of the Griffith Italian Museum and the Griffith Calabrian Community Committee which, over the years, has raised more than $100,000 for those in need According to Tourism NSW, his salami festival has also generated more than $2 million for the Griffith economy over the years, and he was presented the Local Hero award at the 2019 Australia Day ceremony in Griffith Roy says he has always enjoyed his involvement in the festival, and it was great to see people enjoying themselves again, especially after a tough few years� Italian heritage is strong in Griffith, with more than 60 per cent of the population claiming Italian ancestry, so there are lots of salami lovers
“Northern Italians often fancy more fat in the salami, while southern Italians go for less,” he Accordingsays�tosome salami makers, it’s important that no air gets in the sausage skin when it is being filled and that it is hung from between six to eight weeks in a cool, well-ventilated space “We have entries that probably haven’t been hung for as long, but they’re still tasty,” Roy says�
BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER
Although the festival was put on hold over the past couple of years, Roy says up until then there was renewed interest by a younger generation in salami making “We noticed there was a resurgence in salami making, and many people we spoke to said they were keen to start a tradition with family and friends coming together,” he says�
The festival is all about meat selection, mincing, mixing, filling, curing and savouring the final result, having fun and enjoying being with family and friends�
Roy’s advice for next year’s Festa Delle Salsicce is to book well ahead and brush up on your salami making and hanging methods l
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 THE FARMER 15
“There are requirementsexplicittobemet by beekeepers before moving hives, but we have been able to get bees down to pollinate the almond plantations and some have headed west for canola crops
The tracing program is working and everything is turning out so far as planned,” Steve says “Everything is traceable back to Newcastle at this stage, which is a relief� It would be a different story if it was a natural spread�”
The tiny parasite is a formidable biosecurity threat that has caused the collapse of honeybee colonies around the globe No country has been successful in containing anItoutbreak�hassince been detected at around 100 premises in the Hunter and north coast regions and one site at Trangie, but there is talk about full eradication still being possible
“Eradication remains our primary goal and I am confident this can still be achieved,” NSW Agriculture Minister Dugald Saunders told The Farmer Mr Saunders says the Commonwealth and the honeybee and pollinationreliant industries have both agreed that it is technically feasible to eradicate Varroa mite from NSW�
“The CommitteeConsultativeonEmergency Plant Pests (CCEPP) has reaffirmed this position, during a meeting on August 2, saying response activities are firmly on track “We have the best of the best working on this, and DPI staff are conducting strong surveillance work to ensure we are on top of every single case,” Dugald says “I am also extremely thankful for the l BIOSECURITY Can we beat Varroa mite?the The buzz is that the Varroa mite emergency response is working thanks to a collaborative effort between beekeepers and government agencies.
Steve says this has allowed business continuity for some apiarists and to provide vital pollination services
Words MICHAEL BURT support and assistance shown by NSW Police, NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW National Parks and Wildlife�” Dugald says apiarists have also played a vital role in helping guide the pathway forward in close collaboration with the Department of Primary Industries and Local Land“BeekeepersServices of all kinds have been key to our response, as they continue to assist our tracing efforts and provide crucial information to help stop the spread,” he says President of the NSW Apiarists Association Steve Fuller said a concerted approach between beekeepers and government agencies is working�“Weareon the right track�
Beekeepers and farmers in NSW rightly feared the worst when news emerged that the Varroa mite had been discovered in hives at the Newcastle Port in late June�
The initial emergency response included a full lockdown of all honeybee movement across NSW, establishing eradication zones around detection sites and euthanising all bees in infestedMovementpremises�ofhives, brood boxes, nucleus hives, packaged bees and queen bees are still not permitted anywhere in NSW, but registered commercial beekeepers within low-risk areas of NSW can complete a Hive Movement Declaration.
” THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202216
The Muster
Professor Sasha Mikheyev is an expert in evolutionary biology from The Australian National University, and says the risk of an Australian spread remains“Whilehighthe NSW government is working hard to contain and eliminate the infestation, no other country has succeeded,” Sasha“Whatsays�makes eradication so difficult is that we have a very large population of feral western honeybees that live in the bush and are very hard to locate, so even if the mite-infected hives can be detected and destroyed, it is much harder to do the same with feral colonies�”
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J22-098
OPENDAYS Friday30Sepand7Oct
Developing young farmers through our Youth Education program for over 50 years Thirty per cent of global agricultural systems are reliant on pollination, and honeybees are our most valuable commercial pollinators. In Australia in 2017, honeybees contributed an estimated $14.2 billion to our agricultural economy. (Top left to right: honeybees; a honeybee infected with Varroa mite. Left: Varroa mite infestation.)
The emergency response has now moved into a euthanasia and disposal phase� All beehives within the identified eradication zone – which takes in parts of Newcastle, the Central Coast and Port Stephens regions – will be destroyed, including those free of Varroa mite� Registered commercial and recreational beekeepers in the eradication zone can access reimbursement payments under the agreed National Response Plan As of August 22, 5,742 hives had been euthanised and surveillance and testing has been carried out on 26,849 hives across NSW� l
The Muster
Third generation Dorrigo dairy farmer Wayne Burley says agriculture remains vital to the town’s economy and social fabric despite a significant fall in the dairy farmer population “At our peak we had almost 500 dairy farms on the plateau, and now there’s less than 20,” Wayne says� “However we are producing the same amount of milk now as we did back in the 1930s and 1940s Back then, the trend was to milk around 30 cows to supply cream, grow some potatoes and have some pigs.
Opposite: A local street; the Dorrigo Skywalk; locals enjoy a coffee in town feathered friends).(with The 1917 Guide to the Dorrigo Shire extolled the plateau as “an enormous area of splendid, delightfully, watered agricultural and dairying lands, upon which are many smiling homesteads and herds of well-bred cattle”� The reputation of the Dorrigo Plateau as a place of great richness and fertility spread quickly in the early part of the 20th Century, with hundreds of people moving to the district to take up dairy farming� By 1906 the town of Dorrigo had its own butter factory, by 1922 it had a bacon factory, and by the 1930s the rich local soils produced bountiful yields of the famous Dorrigo spud
CHASING WATERFALLS
Words MICHAEL BURT Photography ANTHONY ONG THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202218
l SPOTLIGHT ON A NSW
“We’ve been showing our Jerseys at the Dorrigo Show since 1946 and we’ve never missed a show,” Wayne proudly says� Wayne is retiring from dairy farming later this year but will still ‘play around’ with some TOWN
Like many north coast towns, Dorrigo’s agricultural boom was preceded by timber cutters establishing a settlement as part of a rush for valuable native red cedar known at the time as ‘red gold’.
Above: Dangar Falls on the Bielsdown River is a popular swimming spot.
The small town of Dorrigo sits more than 700 metres above sea level on a plateau that boasts a rare combination of rich farming land, waterfalls and ancient rainforests.
inDiscoveryDorrigo
“Farmers would make a bit of money out of potatoes, a bit of money out of pigs and a little bit more from Wayne’sdairying�”grandfather Gus was one of those farmers He established the family dairy farm and the Moonpah Jersey Stud in 1945.
“I love the land around here – it’s beautiful country with plenty of amazing views, which has helped develop a growing tourism market ”
BEN THE NEW BUTCHER
“I have always wanted to do something with food,” Ben says� “Initially I worked on the farm and helped with marketing the lamb The butcher shop came up for sale and it was too good of an opportunity to miss We can market our produce directly to locals and tourists ”
Former civil engineer Ben Garnock is enjoying a local food journey as a newly trained butcher and supplier of produce grown on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Ben kept a butcher employed while he trained, and he became a qualified butcher in 2021�
“I am very proud to say we recently won first place in our region’s AMIC Sausage & Smallgoods Competition for our Ham on the Bone
“I love everything about Dorrigo and our community The area is entrenched in me and I will never leave, although we might do some travelling this year,” he says�
Ben and wife Meghan purchased The Dorrigo Butcher in 2019 after fulfilling a goal to move to a regional town for a better and more relaxed familyDorrigolifestyle�was top of the list with Megan’s parents, Michael and Cynthia, running a Dorrigo Plateau farm called Demlane Farm that produces prime lamb, citrus and asparagus.
> SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 THE FARMER 19
Speckled Park cattle on a smaller farm and continue to dedicate time to community groups like the Dorrigo Show Society
The Muster and our Steak and Guinness Sausages,” he says�Ben said the shop’s beef and pork is also sourced locally from the Plateau and north coast region, including beef from Marengo Pastoral Co and free-range pork from Mirrabrook Pork at Lawrence
Sonic Natural Farming produce bulk bio-fertilisers using beneficial microbes and all natural ingredients, but its main focus is on enabling Australian farmers to access locally produced supplies or to have their own fully managed production system
The state government hopes the project will attract an extra 200,000 domestic and international visitors to the DorrigoNSWregionEnvironment Minister James Griffin said the project was part of the largest ever capital investment program in the state’s national parks “The rainforest at Dorrigo National Park is even more spectacular than the Daintree,” he says� “I’m proud to say that with this magnificent new 46-kilometre walk, we’ll be happily tempting domestic and international tourists away from Queensland.”
Mother and son team Sonja Kallio and Jake Britten have brewed up a Dorrigo-based biological fertiliser company with a difference.
“With regional production and supply made available, everyone saves, and the environment is less impacted as a result,” Sonja says. Sonic Natural Farming is really kicking some goals taking their biological fertiliser production systems nationwide. If you have any enquiries, Sonja can be contacted on 0423 139 578.
“Biologicalon-farm.fertilisers are a living product, so local production allows farmers adopting regenerative agriculture to have the freshest biological soil care solution. It also reduces product transportation costs and the use and costs of plastic containers,” Sonja says.
The Rangpur Lime marmalade recently won a Reserve Champion Award at the recent Tasmanian Fine Food Wines And we’ve just a released a Waterfall Soda lemon squash soft drink using lemons grown on the farm�”
The Dorrigo Butcher now also includes a delicatessen showcasing a range of value-added artisan products�
Dorrigo is set to rival the Daintree as an ecotourism capital, with a $56 million investment in Dorrigo National Park from the State Government
The Dorrigo Rainforest Centre is already a popular stop on the Waterfall Way for tourists, and it will soon be enhanced with a 46-kilometre walking track, new camping areas, three suspension bridges and a new Arc Rainforest Centre It will also incorporate connection and education about the culture of the traditional custodians of the rainforests, the Gumbaynggirr people�
DORRIGO’S OWN FERTILISER BREW
THE SIMPLE LIFE Clockwise from left: The ‘Water Cloud’ sculpture; Ben Garnock at The Dorrigo Butcher; Hotel Dorrigo in the main square; local artisan products; the ancient Dorrigo rainforest.
“As farmers, we realised some time ago that we needed to focus on improving the biology in our soil in order to produce nutrient dense food.”Theyinitially made and used the fertiliser on their newly planted avocado orchard and found that over five years the trees had no disease and continued to produce outstanding fruit from as early as their second growing season. The fertiliser was then used on a pecan farm with similar results (see photo here of a pecan leaf), and on growing nutrient dense pastures for sheep and cattle.
Sonja and Jake developed the fertiliser to assist with their own farming requirements.
“Demlane Farm also do a range of value-added citrus products that we sell
THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202220
A BOOST FOR ECOTOURISM
A group known as the Dorrigo Plateau Walking Together Group did some research and found the NSW Geographical Names Register records that the name’s origin is from the Gumbaynggirr language and it means ‘Stringy Bark’
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The naming of Dorrigo is marred with some controversy� For decades the official origin was said to have come from Major Edward Parke, who explored the area in the mid-1800s with plans to settleMajorthereParke had fought in the Peninsula Wars under a Spanish general named Don Dorrigo� It is said he decided to honour this Spanish general by naming the eastern section of the plateau Dorrigo after him Some locals disagree with this explanation, suggesting Dorrigo is an abbreviation of ‘Dondorrigo’ – a local Aboriginal word for the stringy bark gum tree�
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
T
NSW Farmers Head of Policy and Advocacy Annabel Johnson said it was critical to look for innovative ways to grow the sector into the future, as farmers grow the food and fibre that feeds and clothes us “Australiaall is clearly a leader in adopting new technology and finding ways to do more with less, and I think we need to push the envelope in really boosting our productivity,” Annabel said� “Not only will that help us combat inflationary pressure in the economy, it will also help us grow a stronger, more sustainable farming sector into the future ”
he inaugural NSW Farmers’ Securing the Future of Farming Forum set the stage for an engaging and upbeat NSW Farmers Annual Conference at Luna Park in late July� Held on the first evening of the conference, the forum featured a panel of experts who all spoke about the importance of adaptability in unlocking the growth of local food and fibre production
Panellists also provided some insights into the challenges while heading towards a rosy future for farming in NSW, including natural disasters and biosecurity incursions
When asked about the impact of foot and mouth disease in the UK, panellist and former Scottish farmer Andrew Whitelaw from Thomas Elder Markets simply replied “huge” before recounting a powerful firsthand account of living through the UK’s horrific outbreak in 2001
IN GOOD HANDS Above: NSW Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson, NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin, NSW Agriculture Minister Dugald Saunders and NSW Farmers CEO Pete Arkle; Detective Sergeants Graeme Campbell and Damien Nott from the Rural Crime Prevention team were kept busy.
THE BIG ISSUE ANNUAL CONFERENCE THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202222
ANNUAL FUTURECONFERENCE:OFFARMING
Words MICHAEL BURT Photography KATJE FORD
Around 200 farmers from across the state enjoyed a break from the paddock for a catch up on advancing the future of farming at the 2022 NSW Farmers Annual Conference.
Biosecurity threats loomed large during policy debate at the ensuing three-day Annual Conference, alongside other key future of farming topics such as renewable energy, sheep traceability and water management Despite the challenges facing the farming sector, outgoing NSW Farmers President James Jackson said he was heartened by positive policy developments over the past few years� “We’ve worked hard to get some key wins in securing farmers against trespassing activists, natural disaster support, coastal harvestable rights, and recently with the state’s boost to biosecurity funding,” James“Quitesaidoften the wins are small and incremental, but we’re moving the needle on important policies and making things better for farmers bit by bit�”
FARMERS DEMAND FAIRNESS IN ENERGY TRANSITION
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 THE FARMER 23
Serious debate aside, it was clear that members genuinely enjoyed a break from the paddock for a catch up after a two-year hiatus at Sydney’s iconic amusement park
>
THE SHOW GOES ON
Above and below: Moree farmer Rob Anderson has attended every NSW Farmers Conference since 1978. Rob, who is retiring to the coast this year, has been pivotal in providing input into native vegetation policy since 1995; "The resilience of farmers has been nothing short of remarkable," said NSW Labor leader Chris Minns during his presentation.
RESILIENCE IS KEY
Several motions were brought forward by NSW Farmers members discussing energy transition, with many voicing concerns about building transmission lines across farmland� NSW Farmers Energy Transition Working Group Chair Reg Kidd said there needed to be a rethink on the rollout of transmission lines, a vastly improved understanding of the effects on regional rural values
THE BIG ISSUE ANNUAL CONFERENCE and economies, and a recognition of the need to protect the land that grows the food and fibre for the “Youstate cannot build infrastructure to benefit substantially city users without addressing the impact on regions and rural landowners who have invested in their biodiversity and production capacity,” Reg said� “The costs to regions in loss of land values and rural amenity are large, ongoing and divisive, and there is little consideration of the long-term impacts in the haste to build while government fiddles with the phase-out of coal power “We need to better define what is acceptable in building solar and wind installations on rural land, and how they impact on neighbours and towns,” he said� “If it wouldn’t be considered appropriate in Woollahra, it shouldn’t be considered appropriate for Walgett�”
The change in NSW Farmers policy follows an agreement by federal, state and territory governments to roll out a national sheep and goat electronic identification system Australian cattle are already individually tagged but sheep are only identified by a mob-based system, except in Victoria�
“This policy ensures that NSW Farmers will have the ability to negotiate the details of national traceability rollout
FRIENDLY FACES Above: Alicia Harrison and Emily Simpson from NSW Farmers; Keith Perret, Sally White, Gavin Tom and Deputy Premier Paul Below:Toole.Robert Hardie, Adrian Lyons and Jennifer Shillabeer; Helen Strang and Heather Martin with Jenni Jackson; Steven, Stevie and Ella Morrison from HE Silos.
THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202224
SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUAL SHEEP TRACEABILITY
“The policy passed at the Annual Conference does have caveats when it comes to implementation of a national scheme,” explained NSW Farmers Sheep Meat committee chair Jenny Bradley. “These important caveats include that it be a national sheep traceability system, there is cost minimisation and financial assistance to undertake the transition, and that costs are shared along the supply chain�”
NSW Farmers’ Annual Conference delegates voted to support the use of a national individual traceability system for sheep
The new policy also includes the proviso that it be a staged rollout over five years
“Our members voted to provide in principle support for the development of a national individual traceability system for sheep,” Ian said “However, this national system must have jurisdictional harmonisation, be affordable and be developed in consultation with producers “Traceability reforms must ensure that the costs are effectively shared throughout the supply chain and with the government�” l
The WFI Team. WFI have supported the NSW Farmers Annual Conference for more than 20 years. “A national eID system will not stop exotic diseases coming into the country, but it will assist in shortening the time our industry is at a standstill or lockdown if an incursion was to occur ” NSW Farmers Biosecurity Chair Ian McColl agreed, saying that while electronic tagging could be helpful, it would not be a silver bullet for the threat posed by diseases like foot and mouth disease�
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The 2022 NSW Farmers Annual Conference was supported by Safework NSW (Principal Partner), WFI (Major Sponsor), Bunnings, CLIPEX, Telstra, GRDC, NSW DPI, NSW Rural Fire Service, Local Land Services, Transport for NSW, MLA, NAB, RAMPH, Regional Investment Corporation, Water NSW, Blundstone Australia, Port of Newcastle, Australian Wool Innovation, BCT, Manildra, TransGrid, BAYER Crop Science, GrainCorp, HE Silos, Corteva, NSW Rural Crime Prevention Unit, Kids to Farm, Mobil, AgSafe, EG, Essential Energy, ARTC, DELL, CropLife, Isuzu Trucks and the Biodiversity Conservation Trust.
The classic meat and three veg is an iconic meal option in Australia, but for the average consumer it is an increasingly expensive one. Coupled with surging fuel and energy prices, high food prices are adding to the cost-of-living crisis being touted across Australian newsrooms.
Words EMILY SIMPSON A tale of commoditiestwo THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202226
The Big Picture
Retail price hikes on common vegetables have been immortalised online with many shoppers documenting the sharp increases In one example, red capsicum has been shown to retail at $18 99 per kilogram at a major supermarket, vastly different from the usual price point at less than $4 per kilogram Flooding and high input costs are considered key factors behind the soaring prices� The Lockyer Valley, Sydney Basin and North Coast are all key growing regions for winter vegetables, and ongoing wet conditions in these areas have drastically impacted production andFarmsupplybusinesses are also under pressure from cost hikes on key inputs Supply chains have been under siege from repeated disruptions such as the war in Ukraine, COVID-19 and trade tensions Moratoriums on Russian oil exports have contributed to high global oil, gas and coal prices, making energy production more expensive
Over the last few months, shoppers have been feeling the pinch at the checkout� While meat prices have increased significantly, skyrocketing vegetable prices have caused the biggest disruption to household budgets Iceberg lettuce – the ordinarily low-cost salad option – has become symbolic of this change, with retail prices climbing from around $2 80 to as high as $12 per lettuce Meanwhile, there has been a steady increase in the retail price of red meat, including a 10 per cent increase in beef prices over the last 12 months�Meatand vegetables are selling for more, but the story behind the supermarket shelves is vastly different for the two commodities Simply put, livestock producers are seeing alignment between retail and farmgate prices, while vegetable farmers are not seeing heavily inflated supermarket prices flow on to their hip pocket Why is this the case? According to farmers and industry experts, there are numerous explanations�
HEFTY PRICES ON LEAFY GREENS
> SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 THE FARMER 27
THE BIG PICTURE COST OF LIVING THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202228
Australia�
“If you increase the cost of employment one dollar for every employee, that equates to $16,000 for us over a single cherry season,” he said�
SUPPLY AND DEMAND
Scott Cameron says the high export rate of red meat is one of the factors behind high farmgate prices for theAboutcommodity�70per cent of Australia’s red meat is exported overseas, predominantly as chilled and frozenAccordingproductsto Scott, international demand for Australian red meat is at an all-time high, particularly in high-value markets such as the US, Japan and Korea, where a premium is paid for Australian produce.
Accordinginstances�to National Communications Manager for AUSVEG, Shaun Lindhe, the average cost of production has increased by 50 per cent to 200 per cent for horticulture enterprises
Scott says a turnaround in seasonal conditions following the last drought, which was one of the worst in Australia’s recorded history, has created ideal growing conditions for those who held on to their“Farmersstock� are now able to hold on to their stock to ensure optimal weights before going to market,” he saysSo, why is the supply and demand equation working favourably for red meat producers and not for vegetable producers?
Horticulture production typically depends on high volumes of seasonal workers for crops to be harvested, and COVID-19 travel restrictions have limited the pool of short-term or transient workers available to work on Recentfarmschanges to the Australian minimum wage and the Horticulture Award, including new base rates of pay and amendments to historic piecework arrangements, have created new requirements for horticulture operations to adhere to� “We want our workers to be paid a fair wage, but Australia already has some of the highest pay in the world – and the standards are getting higher,” Guy says “We’ve had a lot of changes in quick succession It’s a lot for business to grapple with and learning and adapting to new systems is not as straightforward as people might think�”
He admits to holding the pessimistic view that there will be no family businesses left in the horticulture sector if current trends continue�
“It is not possible or realistic for farmers to pass the higher cost on to wholesalers, so farmers are wearing the costs,” he says� Chair of the NSW Farmers Horticulture Committee and Orange fruit grower Guy Gaeta takes a more pointed view, saying the greed of major retailers is primarily to blame
“Farmers in this game just can’t make money� It’s just not the same as it used to be,” he says� Guy also lamented that the labour uncertainty many horticultural businesses are facing, with worker shortages and changing employment laws, is causing havoc.
“There are a lot of cost pressures, but what the big supermarkets are doing is a rort A lot of smaller grocers are not charging these inflated prices,” he says� “The bigger supermarkets have annihilated their competition in the grocery space, and they are not sharing profits with wholesalers and farmers� It’s as simple as that� The pendulum just isn’t right�”
THE LOOMING FMD THREAT Foot and mouth disease is the most serious disease concern for livestock producers Its detection in Bali in July put Australian producers on high alert If FMD was detected in livestock in Australia, it would trigger an immediate pause on meat exports to keyScottmarkets�Cameron is cautious, saying the closure of overseas markets would initially cause downward pressure at the farmgate “Take what happened in the UK in 2002, for example Prices declined steeply initially then recovered over time,” he said “There are a lot of cost pressures, but what the big supermarkets are doing is a rort. A lot of smaller grocers are not charging these inflated prices.”
and causing diesel prices to lift as high as $3 a litre in China’s pause on its chemical exports has also impacted fertiliser prices, which have trebled in some
GUY GAETA Chair of the NSW Farmers Horticulture Committee
The consumer demand for beef increased 5 5 per cent year on year, while for lamb it was 1 per cent
“Having high exposure to overseas markets places further upward pressure on farmgate prices,” he says�
Many factors have affected rising costs for vegetables in major supermarkets, as well as petrol, including the 2022 floods, the war in Ukraine, COVID-19 and trade tensions. The red meat industry, however, is faring well internationalwithdemand at an all-time high.
THE ROSY RED MEAT SITUATION So, how is the red meat sector faring? Quite well, according to Scott Cameron, Group Insights, Information and Strategy Manager at Meat and Livestock Australia Red meat producers are receiving favourable farmgate prices, and Scott puts this down to the simple laws of supply and demand “Supply is low given the cattle herd and sheep flock are rebuilding from the 2017-2019 drought,” he says� “At the same time, consumer demand continues to grow, even as inflationary pressures expand and the cost of meat rises ”
Guy says that around his hometown of Orange – a key stone fruit growing region – the horticulture sector has dwindled over the last 30 years, going from 222 horticultural businesses to just 12
“We’ve seen some shocking examples of the big supermarkets entering price wars to diminish the value of items such as milk and chicken meat,” he says�
Field
“Now, we’re seeing the supermarkets jack prices up But a lot of fresh food farmers – particularly our vegetable growers – are not seeing these profits at the farmgate.”
Significantly, the ACCC found that power imbalances are likely to arise in these supply chains – with the likelihood increasing the more perishable the product is
NSW Farmers has a key policy platform for competition reform in fresh food supply chains� The organisation argues farmers in industries including horticulture, poultry meat and dairy are adversely affected by an erosion of competition in the supermarket and processing sectors.
The next stop for our friendly NRAR officers is Henty Machinery Field Days, site #795. You can also catch us at Murrumbateman, ANFD and Primex later this year. Scan the QR code for a full list of events.
Natural Resources Access Regulator www.nrar.nsw.gov.au | 1800 633 362 | nrar.enquiries@nrar.nsw.gov.au
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE AT PLAY?
In 2020, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) inquired into bargaining power in fresh food supply chains, putting industries such as poultry meat, horticulture and dairy in the spotlight�
According to NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin, the few dominant retailers are in a position to shape the value of popular fresh food items�
NRAR is coming to a field day near you days are a fantastic opportunity to ask questions about metering, rights, water access licences, or work approvals. With a range of fact sheets and handy e-tools, we’ll help you know the rules.
basic landholder
According to president Xavier Martin, the ACCC’s findings vindicated many of the advocacy group’s concerns “Ultimately, a lot of fresh food farmers are price takers� They are not in a position to haggle for better prices as there are so few intermediaries or retailers to haggle with.”
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According to Guy Gaeta, the difference in farmgate prices between red meat and horticulture can be partly explained by the bargaining power each sector has “Livestock producers have had it tough in the past, so it’s good to see them doing well now But they’re in a great position now where they can say no if the price isn’t high enough,” he says� “We can’t do that� There are just not enough buyers, and it’s really hurt farmgate prices�”
Made’s problems began soon after he brought a new heifer he had purchased at
THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202230
INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE BIOSECURITY IN BALI
F or a farmer who has had his business wiped out overnight, Made Swarsa is bafflingly cheerful � In July, his entire herd of 13 cows – some of which were worth $800 (AUD), more than three times the minimum monthly wage – were culled by officials after they tested positive for foot
As foot and mouth disease sweeps through Indonesia, Australia’s $35 billion livestock industry is in the spotlight. The Farmer travels to Bali to investigate the island’s bio-response. and mouth (FMD), the highly contagious and sometimes fatal viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals�
Beringkit Market to his multi-generational home and micro-dairy in Baha Village about half an hour’s drive north of the capital Denpasar. “There was no sign of sickness when I bought the cow� It was eating normally� But five days later it started foaming in the mouth and stopped eating I panicked because I had just heard there was a Bali’s foot and mouth biosecurity response under the microscope
“I do not have any other job for now – zero income� I will probably go broke,” Made says, forcing himself to chuckle as is the custom among Balinese sharing tales of misfortune
itconcernedwith,outbreakandthetheactedgovernmentfasttotackleissue,givingoutvaccinesforfree,itwasasmalltobeginsoIamnotaboutspreading.”
There was no evidence of any cows grazing free-range in Baha Village But in Canggu, a west-coast surfing hub popular among Australian tourists, we saw tethered cows grazing in unfenced paddocks�
I WAYAN RUSIH Section chief at Baha Village, Indonesia
> SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 THE FARMER 31
“I have three cows,” says Bapak Putu, a construction worker who, like many working-class Balinese raises a small number of cattle as a side-gig “Every morning before work, I walk them to a paddock near my house where they can graze but I tie them up� When I finish work at 5pm, I walk them
In line with biosecurity measures to stymie the spread of the disease that has already been identified in 23 of Indonesia’s 37 provinces, Made’s herd was culled � The animals were then butchered and the meat, which is rated safe for human consumption in Indonesia once it subject to heat treatment, was taken to a government storehouse and he was promised payment of $8 (AUD) per kilo “They are selling the meat but I have not received the money yet,” he says, chuckling again� “I don’t know why it takes such a long time for the officials to distribute the money I am not chasing it I just hope it will come,” he says, pointing out the logo on his T-shirt which reads Orang Sabar Diluaskan Rezeknya This translates to: A Patient Man Will be Blessed with Fortune�” Head of the Department of Agriculture and Food Security chief in Bali Wayan Sunada said Made’s money should be arriving“Farmerssoon�will receive $1,000 (AUS) for each cow that was culled no matter what their size,” he said “We have funds ready to be distributed to the owners of 240 cows, which will make Bali the first province in Indonesia to pay FMD compensation to farmers�”
Cows grazing in rural Indonesia near Canggu; Close-up of a foot and mouth vaccine.
Nyomanhome�”Riswanto, who has a small restaurant in Canggu, was doing the same with his herd of three cows until he received a visit from officials asking him to stop doing so
lockdown on cattle because of a sickness,” he says� “I called the local vet and he confirmed it was foot and mouth disease Right away they injected the other 12 cows with a vaccine, but not long after they also showed symptoms ”
boss Eka Suwastama, chief of the Baha Village, says locals are taking the threat of FMD very seriously “One man was so concerned he asked the veterinarian to show him that he was using a different needle to vaccinate every cow,” he said, adding that all 246 registered cattle in the village are locked down and being kept in “proper barns”
FMD IN INDONESIA
“The government acted fast to tackle the issue, giving out the vaccines for free, and it was a small outbreak to begin with, so I am not concerned about it spreading,” Rusih says� “And there have been no other cases reported sinceRusih’sthen�”
“The
SOFT LOCKDOWN ONLY After the outbreak at Made’s farm was logged, officials from Bali’s animal husbandry department visited Baha Village to vaccinate livestock A spreadsheet shared with The Farmer shows 246 of 248 cows were vaccinated in the village� The two outlying animals include Made’s Case Zero and a calf that was too young to be vaccinated� As a result, the area is now free from FMD, according to I Wayan Rusih, section chief at Baha Village
THE CHIEF SPEAKS
“We are committed to working together to respond to this common threat,” Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong said in a statement� Sunada told The Farmer the government is working around the clock to contain the outbreak and has already achieved significant results
“If anyone says cows are walking around freely in Bali, please report it to us and we will take it very seriously� We don’t let cows walk around by themselves and if you see them in the fields it’s because they are allowed to be taken out to get fresh grass twice a week for a few hours But they must be strongly tied to the ground ” This soft lockdown probably won’t sit well with livestock producers in Australia and voices calling for an outright travel ban to Bali� But it is a response adapted to the realities of a developing country where many people, particularly farmers, still exist hand to mouth
“In July there were 556 active cases in Bali and the hardest hit area was in the north� But we culled all the infected cows and since the first of August we have had no new cases reported because we acted so fast,” he says� He added that the first phase of the FMD vaccine drive – 116,257 doses – has already been rolled out and the second phase is now in motion
THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202232
INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE BIOSECURITY IN BALI
“I am aware of FMD because government people gave me free vaccines and said my cattle had to be locked up � But I don’t really understand how FMD could affect my cattle ”
The fact that cows are still roaming around Canggu would alarm Australian farmers, but there is a concerted effort to contain the Theoutbreak�Australian Government is helping, including a new $10 million biosecurity cooperation package for personal protective equipment, disinfectants and training
“There is a risk that trade or travellers to any of these countries could bring FMD into Australia,” Mr McColl“Lastsaidmonth we saw FMD fragments detected that didn’t come from Bali on a tourist’s thongs, they came in meat products from Asia ”
TRAVEL BANS NOT THE ANSWER
“Those people that suggested we need to slam shut travel to Indonesia don’t understand that would only give a false sense of security, which could actually increase the risk of FMD coming from elsewhere�”
FARMERS ON HIGH ALERT Opposite page, from top grazingclockwise:thenCowspeacefully in New South Wales; A controlled biosecurity zone; IndonesiancowThisMadegroundIndonesianzerofarmer,Swarsa.page:Ahealthygrazesinangarden.
“We’re continuing to call for a long-term, sustainable funding model for our biosecurity system It’s an issue identified but not solved by the Strategy ” l
The NFF did welcome the recent release of a National Biosecurity Strategy by new Agriculture Minister Murray Watt, but like NSW Farmers, Ms Simson warned a sustainable funding model must be the backbone of any strategy
President Fiona Simson said the immense pressure on Australia’s biosecurity system warranted a clear strategy for the future
“Industry and farmers also have an important role to play with implementing or updating farm biosecurity plans, as many of the intensive industries already“Protectinghave� our borders is important, but so is washing or changing footwear before stepping onto a farmNFF”
“We’re continuing to call for a long-term, sustainable funding model for our biosecurity system It’s an issue identified but not solved by today’s Strategy,” Ms Simson said “We need a funding model that keeps pace with that risk, rather than scraping for ad hoc handouts from the Federal Budget�
“What Australia needs is all levels of government and all members of the community to come together and keep this disease and others like lumpy skin disease“Weouthave strongly advocated for the federal government to boost screening and put foot baths at our airports, the state government has boosted biosecurity funding, now it’s up to all of us to do the right thing and stop spreading fear and rumour
The threat of FMD will be ongoing, and NSW Farmers supports the NFF’s calls for 100 per cent screening of travellers returning from Indonesia
According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, FMD is endemic throughout much of Asia and in most parts of Africa and the Middle East NSW Farmers Biosecurity Chair and Cowra farmer Ian McColl said that is one of the reasons why NSW Farmers and the National Farmers Federation (NFF) does not support travel bans involving Bali, Indonesia or other countries where FMD may be present�
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 THE FARMER 33
When it comes to biosecurity, Mr McColl said there needs to be a culture of shared responsibility�
Mr McColl said the focus must be on biosecurity on our“Yes,bordersweshould be helping our neighbours out with containing the disease and the federal government is doing that, but protecting our borders is so important ”
Local problems need local knowledge WFI & NSW Farmers Association working together for over 20 years. Hard days are different out here. So, when the worst happens, it’s good to know you have a local to help you out. If you have been impacted by the recent weather events in NSW, please call 1300 934 934 where our helpful staff will be there to assist you.
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INNOVATION THE OYSTER FARMER'S DAUGHTER THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202236
A pearler of a business
Timing wasn’t great as the region was still recovering from bushfires and navigating the Covid pandemic, but she and husband Laurie decided to start modestly, not taking on any loans and only investing what they could afford to walk away from.
Many farmers aspire to cut out the middleman when selling their produce. It not only ensures maximum profit and control but allows them to better sell a provenance and a brand.
In the late eighties, former Navy chef, Brian thought about opening an oyster bar here but a huge algae bloom hit, almost destroying the oyster industry and his business. In December 2020, however, his daughter Natasha Clutterbuck decided to give the project a go herself.
“When we opened, I had one umbrella, two tables and six chairs,” says Natasha. “Within days, I told Mum: ‘I think we need to hire some stuff’.” Her client base has been growing ever since with up to 500 visitors a day streaming through the gate in summer to dine and drink at her Oyster Farmer’s Daughter bar. She’s never advertised and it’s not a place for a bargain feed, but customers know it’s the place to come for the freshest oysters possible – whether served natural with a squeeze of lemon or a selection of dressings.“Youcan watch the boys come in from the river, unload the trays of oysters and clean and open them. You know those oysters have been bred, cared for and brought in from that river only that day,” Natasha says.
Many farmers dream of cutting out the middleman and supplying direct to the public. Natasha Clutterbuck and her dad Brian Coxon have done just that in a way that benefits not only themselves but a myriad of other small producers.
T hree kilometres from Narooma Bridge is an oyster farm owned by Brian and Heather Coxon. It’s an idyllic setting –a beautiful little cove with the famous, pristine sapphire river on one side and bush on the other. Pelicans, seals and eagles are regular visitors.
There was a time when third-generation oyster farmer, Brian, employed 15 staff and trucked semi-trailer loads of oysters off to Melbourne and SydneyNow,restaurants.90percent of his oysters go to Natasha, a timely arrangement that has worked well as Brian has scaled back in retirement and Covid lockdowns closed manyAlthoughrestaurants.Natasha’s brother, Steven, is also an oyster farmer, Natasha and her sister Melissa were
Words BEV HADGRAFT Photography PETER IZZARD
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THE TIDES HAVE CHANGED
There was a time when third generation oyster farmer, Brian, employed 15 staff and trucked semi-trailer loads of oysters off to Melbourne and Sydney restaurants. Now, 90 per cent of his oysters go to Natasha.
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 THE FARMER 37
INNOVATION THE OYSTER FARMER'S DAUGHTER
never encouraged to get involved. “Dad was pretty protective of his girls,” she says. Instead, they focussed on horse-racing, and Natasha based herself in Sydney to become a professional showjumper with a talent for transforming ex racehorses and naughty Warmbloods.
Both she and husband Laurie were raised in Narooma and decided to return when they started their family – Beau, now seven, and Ivy, three. Even so, opening an oyster bar wasn’t the obvious career choice as Natasha has no culinary background and laughs that her husband reckons she’s the worst cook ever. However, after a stint working in a dental surgery she decided she needed a long-term plan and since opening her oyster bar has been receiving rave reviews for her “Dad is all about the ocean’s longevity, the cleanliness of rivers and how we treat everything we eat. We can’t just think about our lifetime. We have to think long-term so everything is as local as it can possibly be.”
NATASHA CLUTTERBUCK Owner of The Oyster Farmer’s Daughter
THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202238
However, after a stint working in a dental surgery she decided she needed a long-term plan. Since opening, the oyster bar has been receiving rave reviews for her food which, besides oysters, includes flathead, prawns, Moreton Bay Bugs, scallops, salads and cheese platters.
“Dad is all about the ocean’s longevity, the cleanliness of rivers, and how we treat everything we eat,” says Natasha. “We can’t just think about our lifetime. We have to think long-term so everything we use is as local as it can possibly be.
“He taught me how to source great quality seafood and how to prepare it. I take the attitude that, with seafood, the less you do to it the better. It’s all about
The secret to her success, says Natasha, is her dad. He doesn’t interfere but, being “super fussy” about what he eats, tells her if something’s not right.
food which, besides oysters, includes flathead, prawns, Moreton Bay Bugs, scallops, salads and cheese platters.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Opposite page, top left then clockwise: A leather-bound menu; Natasha and Brian; Natasha serving a customer; pallets of fresh oysters. This page: Happy customers relaxing on the lawn by the river. enhancing the flavour. It doesn’t need to be covered in sauce.”Athird-generation oyster farmer, with a farm in the Eurobadalla for nearly 40 years, Brian has always been passionate about sustainable fishing in every form.
Visitors come for a cocktail and a few oysters and once the local band strikes up, they just keep ordering more.
“Everything I serve is fresh and of the highest quality. Some people do balk at our prices but our mark-up is not >
A PLACE TO RELAX AND ENJOY LOCAL PRODUCE
INNOVATION THE OYSTER FARMER'S DAUGHTER THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202240
In a foodie culture where customers like to know the provenance of what’s on their plate, Natasha loves showcasing these small operators and their stories. They in turn show their appreciation at being showcased through gestures such as free freight.
“We’ve got a lot more growing to do but we don’t want to change too much,” says Natasha. “People like the fact it’s a humble, realistic, working farm and I want to keep that while making the experience as nice as Doespossible.”shefeel her dad missed an opportunity not opening the oyster bar himself? “It was a shame. Dad was before his time with his vision,” she says. “But I guess we didn’t have the foodie culture then that we have now.” l
Natasha is delighted by the success of her business although everything she makes is ploughed back into improvements with the next arrival a bigger trailer with larger fridges.
One example of the unique local produce Natasha uses is a Mystery Bay Kelp seasoning, made by a local from seaweed, dried garlic and different seasonings from around the area.
huge when you look at how much I pay for produce. We want to serve nice, unique things whether it’s seafood, alcohol, coffee, fresh juices or seasoning. Just because we’re working out of a three-metre trailer doesn’t mean the food can’t be the highest standard possible.”
“That’s an expensive product. I put it on our fish and chips and I could choose not to serve it, but I like supporting and promoting local producers and it’s beautiful and provides a point of difference.”
Other locals who win a place on Natasha’s menu include Guerilla coffee roasters from Moruya, Rusty Fig wines from Bermagui and Tilba cheeses and jams. The beer, gin, fruit and salads all come from nearby distilleries or suppliers.
The Cliffs WhiteAustralianStud,Molong PHONE: 0419 879 273 Flock, stud rams and ewes available. Enquiries welcome. Find us on Facebook BadgeRGB.eps FROM LITTLE THINGS, BIG THINGS GROW Top then fromTheandAprawnstakeCustomersclockwise:waitingtoaseat;Batteredandchips;waitresswithsaladfreshprawns;delightfulcafeabove.
The outcome of an important feasibility study investigating the future of domestic and diversified early-stage wool processing is expected to be released by the end of the year and could be a game changer for wool growers looking to diversify.
MARKET EXPANSION AND THE PROS WoolProducers CEO Jo Hall says there are many reasons as to why increasing domestic wool processing looks attractive, including market expansion, value adding to the raw product, logistical efficiencies and also emergency animal disease risk mitigation.
“This part of the study will look to identify opportunities to diversify early-stage processing supply chains through the development or enhancement of early-stage wool processing. This will include assessment of tariff and regulatory barriers and integration with other textile supply chain operations. It will also explore opportunities to split early stage ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ processing between domestic and offshore locations,” Jo says.
“There is strong appeal to reinvigorate early-stage wool processing on home soil as it appears to tick so many boxes, including regional jobs, Emergency Animal Disease risk mitigation, market diversification and adding pre-export value to our agricultural products to name a few, however, as an industry we need to ensure that it is feasible to do so.
“Through this work, WoolProducers is hoping to definitively rule in or out the feasibility of increasing domestic wool processing in Australia, while also investigating market expansion into other countries for first stage wool processing,” she says.
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W oolProducers Australia received the Agricultural Trade and Market Access grant in November 2021 and engaged Deloitte to consider all aspects of future opportunities for early-stage wool processing in Australia.
Words SUE WALLACE
“The study will not only be looking at the potential economic benefits of domestic processing, but also what barriers exist in re-establishing this sector, including things like energy and labour costs, water availability and innovation opportunities to address theseThebarriers.”second part of the study will assess opportunities to develop or enhance processing capacity in diversified onshore and offshore locations.
“WoolProducers has put an enormous effort into securing this grant. We identified early on in the process that the critical choke point in wool’s long
TRADE WOOL THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202242
NO WOOL OVER THEIR EYES
The study titled ‘Ensuring a Sustainable Australian Wool Industry Through Market Diversification and Risk Mitigation’ is also looking at expanded offshore markets that may be able to process wool at an early stage. Less than 2 per cent of wool grown in Australia is now processed here. WoolProducers President Ed Storey says all aspects of boosting wool processing in Australia and the outcomes and liabilities were being“Weconsidered.areallkeeping an open mind on the subject until the research has been fully completed,” he says. “We get a lot of calls about why we aren’t processing more wool here rather than overseas –including China – which is understandable, but we need to look at the results and see what is viable,” he says.Deloitte has been working with an expert steering committee including representatives from WoolProducers, Australian Wool Innovation, National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia, Australian Council of Wool Exporters and Processors Inc, Australian Wool Testing Authority, Australian Wool Exchange and Austrade.
“We acknowledge if it is feasible, it would be a positive outcome for the industry, but there’s no pre-determined agenda and to be a successful operation it would have to have a sustainable path which would involve new technology,” he says. “We don’t want to recommence work in the industry and invest in processing if it is not sustainable.”
TIME WOOL TELL WoolProducers Australia secured a grant to explore the possibility of on-shore wool processing, while farmers like Floyd Legge (below) and Planet Protector Packaging want to see a return to manufacturing in Australia. SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 THE FARMER 43
KEEPING IT AUSSIE MADE Floyd Legge is an example of a farmer who has gone ahead and invested in value-adding himself. He runs Ridgehaven Poll Dorsets at Cudal – 40km from Orange – with several family members, and he recently invested in Geelong Textiles Australia, Australia’s last remaining commercial wool weaving and dyeing business in Geelong, Victoria.
Joanna says to date they have only been able to process their raw wool offshore because there are no facilities here in Australia that are able to process it.
supply chain is early stage scouring, carbonising and top-making, so we focused our energies on seeking funding to thoroughly assess this proposition.”
Joanna Howarth, founder and CEO of Planet Protector Packaging has done just that by producing a Woolpack range that’s eco-friendly and sustainable. The packaging is made from 100 per cent sheep waste wool and manufactured in Australia and New Zealand and is used as an alternative to polystyrene for shipping temperature-sensitive food, seafood andPlanetpharmaceuticals.ProtectorPackaging last November won a $4.8 million federal government grant, which will be used to establish a $9.6 million manufacturing facility to support the production of its innovative Woolpack packaging solution to be established in Geelong which she describes as the “fibre capital of Australia”.
“It is important we tread carefully and look at the big picture,” he says.
TRADE WOOL THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202244
JOANNA HOWARTH CEO of Planet Protector Packaging
Asked why he invested in the venture, Floyd says he is passionate about the wool industry and didn’t want to see the end of manufacturing in Australia.
Processing then went offshore to Malaysia for three years and now China, which he describes as working very well and is cost effective.
FEASIBILITY, AND THE CONS Successful wool entrepreneur Warwick Rolfe, who established the Woolerina brand that’s been producing high quality merino clothing since 2005, says there are things that concerned him about processing wool in Australia.“Ifweare going to do local processing the costs have to be kept down and processing plants need to be as close as possible to the point of production and whatever we do – it has to be market driven,” he comments.“Demand for wool has waned so it’s very important to look at how feasible it is to process wool here – the last thing you want is for it to go ahead and then run out of capital.”
EWE KNOW IT Above: Floyd Legge runs Ridgehaven Poll Dorsets at Cudal, and recently invested in Geelong Textiles Australia. “I have the desire to continue processing wool to make 100 per cent Australian made products with provenance,” he says.
“I have the desire to continue processing wool to make 100 per cent Australian made products with provenance,” he says. Floyd believes success relies on wool producers and companies using Australian manufacturing for their products. “I would however encourage wool producers to have their own wool processed for their own niche project,” he says. His advice is to do your homework, research your niche and do market research to see if it’s a viable project. “Pick something that is new and fits what people in Australia and overseas are looking for or that they don’t know they need yet,” he says.
Warwick says in the past there have been processing plants near big wool growing areas including Orange, Parkes, Wagga Wagga and Geelong.
INNOVATING AND VALUE-ADDING
“The grant will allow our sustainable and thermally stable Woolpack packaging solution to be manufactured in Australia and create regional jobs, while reducing our carbon footprint, and creating Australian sovereign capacity to create wool and other circular economy-based textile solutions.”
“The most important thing is that the move to local wool processing has to be market driven – we can’t start something and then see it fall apart,” he says.Warwick says 18 years ago, he would select the wool, which would be washed and combed in Wagga Wagga, spun in Albury and sent to Melbourne for knitting and dyeing which these days would involve great transport costs.
He organised a group of silent investors and purchased the business from the Dimmick family.
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 THE FARMER 45
If Australia has these facilities, it gives us capability as a nation to recycle natural fibres, to work within the circular economy and to minimise the volume of these materials that end up in landfill.”
LOCAL LOGISTICS AND VIABILITY Managing Director of Macdonald & Co Woolbrokers, Don Macdonald, who has worked in the wool industry since 1975, says he sees a strong opportunity for domestic processing in Australia, particularly in scouring.“Iwould like to think that with some innovation there is the capacity to re-introduce top making (after scouring, the next stage on combing wool over 50mm is called top making) on a smaller scale, especially for spinning and weaving destinations in the South East Asian region, and wool can improve its carbon footprint with more early-stage domestic processing.
“The support we can provide will be largely through local logistics of wool supply and any advice and information that may be useful. Wool growers see this as a positive move for industry and being a conduit of information along the pipeline will be useful.”According to Don, farmers need confidence that their commodity will have a market with unfettered access or barriers. “The future of wool production and Australia being the supplier of the best wool into luxury markets rests on our ability to be adaptive and change in line with customer expectations,” he says. “A viable domestic wool processing industry will be an integral part of the future of our wonderful natural fibre.”
“The innovative Woolpack is made from 100 per cent coarse waste wool as we don’t want wool going to landfill. We want to support Aussie sheep farmers and it’s really exciting to see this revitalisation of wool products.”
“The grant will allow our sustainable and thermally stable Woolpack packaging solution to be manufactured in Australia and create regional jobs, while reducing our carbon footprint, and creating Australian sovereign capacity to create wool and other circular economy-based textile solutions,” she says.
“We are taking up this cause and leading the push to re-establish wool processing back in this country.
“At Planet Protector we want to see the return of the once-thriving wool processing industry on Australian turf which will bring about the return of manufacturing into Australia, more investment in rural communities, new jobs, increased yield to sheep farmers, fibre innovation and greater demand for Aussie wool,” she says.
“I think it is vitally important to provide a platform for more competition and as a safeguard against threats whether they be from a biosecurity issue or geopolitical,” he says.
The company supports the Ewe Beauty –Campaign for Wool which has been endorsed by 26,000 signatures accelerating the return of wool processing in Australia and reducing international reliance.
l
THREE BAGS FULL Packaging made from 100 per cent sheep waste wool is an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to polysterene.
“The future of the wool industry is in innovation and to support this, we need to bring wool processing back on Australian turf – no longer can we rely on offshore scouring and processing of wool,” Joanna says.
The Farmer meets four growers who are meeting challenges in the apple industry through valueadding, new varieties and agritourism.
LABOUR OF LOVE
“We have had to watch our friends sell their farms during Covid, and we are now the only commercial orchard left in our area. It’s been pretty tough,” says Jo-Anne Fahey, a fourthgeneration farmer at Darkes Glenbernie Orchard – an apple orchard with a cidery, 30km north of Wollongong.
The 2022 apple harvest saw average yields of high quality fruit, which some growers are finding hard to sell according to NSW Farmers Horticulture Chair and apple grower Guy Gaeta. Guy blames high retail pricing of apples in the major supermarket chains for taking a bite out of consumer demand.
A
So where is the industry going?
To get a better understanding of what it takes to earn coin growing what the United Nations’ Food Agriculture Organisation rates as the fourth most consumed fruit in the world, meet four growers that are doing pretty well out of it. Here are their stories, told in their own words, warts and all.
APPLES IN THEIR DNA
“The biggest challenge during the pandemic has been labour because of the lack of backpackers and very few skilled locals to draw on,” he says. “It’s very hard to get staff. I heard from our contractor that workers from Malaysia and Thailand are wanting to come out and work, but the government is really slow to sign off on visas. A shortage of contract labour and changes to the award is going to make it difficult, unless the labour supply from overseas is replenished before next“Anseason.abundance of apples on the domestic market is putting pressure on pricing. Older varieties which are low density plantings are no longer viable, and this is placing pressure on growers and the industry. We have been undertaking a significant amount of orchard redevelopment over the last 10 years and this is placing us well for these difficult times. Patented varieties which are high density plantings have a great return, but even those are coming under pressure with the supply of apples on the market.”
Words IAN LLOYD NEUBAUER Photography MATT BEAVER
When the apple is ripe
“Last year there was an oversupply of apples in Australia and this year it tinkered towards > an oversupply again,” says Andrew Desprez, regional orchard manager for Batlow, a fruit company based in Batlow in the Snowy Mountains region of NSW celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. “We’re a premium apple growing district and tailor our produce to the higher end of the market and boutique grocers.
“There will be a lot more rationalisation within the industry. Growers will remove unproductive blocks and if they are to stay in the industry, they will need to replace them with better varieties and improved growing methods or leave the industry.
ustralia’s apple industry contributed more than half a billion dollars to the economy in the 2020-21 financial year. Home to ‘The Big Apple’ fibreglass sculpture, NSW accounted for 9 per cent of national produce, growing 23,000 tonnes of fruit across the season, according to a new report by Rural Bank.
Replacing trees and developing a new block is very expensive and there’s no return on investment for six or seven years, so that’s a big investment unless growers have been progressively replanting over time as part of their long term strategy.”
“You have to like a challenge to be in this industry and the pandemic has shown its future needs will be rationalisation, mechanisation and efficiencies for growers to reduce their costs and increase production per hectare,” says Andrew.
INDUSTRY APPLES THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202246
Greg Mouat (pictured) runs Mouat’s Farm, a 44-hectare property that has been in his family since 1926. It is known by locals and visitors as the place to stop when heading through the apple paradise of the Batlow district.
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 THE FARMER 47
APPLE OF THEIR EYE
“We are also looking to diversify and value add. We have the roadside shop that we are looking to expand by adding in a cider to add to our fresh orchard crush apple juice. The roadside sales are important, we are selling a greater percentage of our crop through the shop until the new varieties come into production.“Wearestill quite viable as a small family apple orchard despite the impact of the bushfires. Batlow is in a unique position for growing apples. It has long term high average rainfall, cold winters, very good soils and it’s got altitude. All those things marry up to make for a premier apple growing region. Plus it’s backed up by strong brand name, everyone knows Batlow apples.”
“We then started doing deliveries in our area and that really helped us move the fruit off our trees,” Jo-Anne says. “We also started making more cider but that meant putting first-grade fruit into cider – never a good
“We survived the pandemic because our family has always been inventive. We’ve always been at the forefront of new things and looking at new ways of making our business work and the pandemic was no different. Adapt or die. That’s the farmers’ life,” she says. “A few months after the pandemic started we had to close our on-farm retail shop with a cellar door, that had become a primary source of income over many years. Not only was it impossible with all the restrictions but keeping it open meant putting our staff at risk. Then we sat down as a family and revised all our brands. We regrouped.” The family developed a new website and created a system for online orders with click and pay facilities, integrated with delivery modes such as Australia Post.
The Fahey family have turned to growing their cider business in order to sustain their apple orchard, which their kids will eventually take over to applefifth-generationbecomefarmers.
Mouat’s Farm roadside stall is known by locals and visitors from afar as the place to stop when heading through the apple paradise that is the Batlow district. The stall fronts a productive 44-hectare property that has been in Greg’s family since 1926 and is in renewal mode following the 2019 bushfires.
INDUSTRY APPLES
“We survived the pandemic because our family has always been inventive. We’ve always been at the forefront of new things and looking at new ways of making our business work and the pandemic was no different. Adapt or die. That’s the farmers’ life.”
REFRESH AT MOUAT’S FARM
“The bushfires did a lot of damage to our farm and we are currently in a program of replanting. We put in about 5000 trees last year and another 4000 trees this winter,” Greg said.
NOT FAR FROM THE TREE
“I possibly won’t see the full benefit of these plantings of new varieties like Cosmic Crisp and a new red strain of Pink Lady, but the next generation is coming back into the business and that’s inspiring me to move ahead and modernise and make the orchard as viable as we can.
JO-ANNE FAHEY Fourth-generation apple farmer at Darkes Glenbernie Orchard
THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202248
“We did not lose that many trees, but it’s best to replant a whole block because we are using new varieties, new planting densities and having to replace all the netting.“Thewhole idea is to build it back better that we had before. It will be more productive with more modern varieties and more modern growing systems. We are planting trees at 3000 per hectare compared to the existing 1000 trees per hectare.“Thereare some orchards I’ve been to that are planted at 10,000 trees per hectare. That requires significant capital input and management, we think what we are doing strikes a happy balance for a small family farm.
APPLE PARADISE Mouat’s Farm in the Batlow region is currently in renewal mode following the 2019 bushfires.
“We put in about 5000 trees last year and another 4000 trees this winter,” Greg Mouat said.
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“We want to grow our cider footprint beyond our farm and local delivery area so that’s keeping us busy right now, along with attending all the food and wine festivals that are starting to pop up again. We have been trying to promote that we are still here!”
idea – but we really didn’t have much choice. We just couldn’t sell at the volumes we used to and the prices are pretty low right now.” Marketing their cider and finding new distribution methods in areas further from their farm is an ongoing challenge for the business, but Jo-Anne says it’s necessary now that they have extra cider capacity.
“Every farmer needs to look at their unique opportunities based on their location and strengths,” Jo-Anne says. “For some, the only way forward will be to subdivide and sell. That’d be much easier than what we’ve done but we have a very strong reason to stay. First, we like the area. We want to stay here. Secondly, our kids are interested in continuing on the farm. They will be fifth-generation apple farmers and they want to pass on the opportunity to their kids. It’s in our DNA.”
So what is the way forward for these farmers?
“We used to export granny smith apples to the UK back in the day, and we still have 1,000 trees,” says Steven Tilse of The Orchard Lodge at Roma Orchard. It’s a 35-acre mixed-enterprise at Moonan Flat in the Upper Hunter Region founded by Steven's great-grandfather in 1916. “But realistically, the accommodation side of the business has taken over the orchard. I don’t call myself a farmer anymore. “I think it’s too hard to make money from apples nowadays,” Steven says. “I don’t see how small apple farmers can make money with the cost of labour, packaging and fuel. They’ve all gone up, but apples are still selling for about $3.50kg at supermarkets –the same price they cost 20 years ago.
Apples aside, Steven says the main money-spinner for them is the tourism side of the business. “We have 10 rooms and a beautiful location on the Hunter River. We don’t rent them out individually – it’s too much work – so we rent them out for weddings and groups only. All we have to do is keep it clean, mow the grass and market the place.
INDUSTRY APPLES
FROM FARM TO HOTEL
APPLES AND WEDDINGS
l
“The image of staying in the middle of an apple orchard is gorgeous, and there is no question that the concept works,” Steven says. “But the cost of maintaining the trees is becoming prohibitively expensive. We get most of our apples for our cider from larger farms – they can grow them cheaper than we can.“My dad keeps on saying the apple industry is coming back but there are so many more fruits and vegetables available that people are just not interested in boring old apples now. We debate it all the time: how long do we keep on subsidising the orchard with the rest of the business?”
THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202250
“We found a way to sell them that is 100 per cent better: an apple cider brand called Apple Truck Cider. We started it about 10 years ago and do quite well out of it because our nephew is closely involved in the bars around Newcastle. We produce 150,000 litres a year.”
Steven Tilse of The Orchard Lodge at Roma Orchard in the Upper Hunter says the main money-spinner is now the tourism side of the business.
heaItakenofaccommodation“Thesidethebusinesshasovertheorchard.don’tcallmyselffarmeranymore,”says.
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However, new changes to Sky Muster Plus plans now mean video streaming will not count towards the limited monthly data allowance for much of the day.
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Australia’s Regional Internet Experts
At the intersection of these two disparate trends is the availability of fast, reliable internet with lots of data, video streaming data in particular. The small data limits traditionally available on nbn’s Satellite service, Sky Muster, have in the past restricted rural customers from fully taking advantage of video streaming services.
The world has changed. In just a few short years, the trend towards working from home kicked off by COVID has seen more and more people fleeing the crowding and traffic congestion of Australia’s capital cities to settle in the regions. At the same time, the way we consume our entertainment has changed with streaming services proliferating.
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Produced by The Farmer is one the reasons that what was once a healthy data allowance for a family is now inadequate in many cases. In response to this trend, Sky Muster PLUS customers now only have limited data for video streaming and VPN traffic between 4pm and Midnight, with everything else not counting towards the monthly data limit. These changes, implemented from the 1st of July 2022, have made an enormous difference to how much data customers they can use each month and the overall usability of the service for households.
Streaming services didn’t exist when the Sky Muster satellite was designed, which
SKY MUSTER PLUS RESPONDS TO INCREASED DATA NEEDS OF REGIONAL USERS
Major
By changing the design to effectively offer Unlimited data between midnight and 4 pm local time, the service is responding to surging internet usage trends affecting rural customers.
Even this base plan includes a further 25GB solely for video streaming/VPN-traffic from 4pm until Midnight. With larger ‘4pm until Midnight video streaming/VPN’ data allowances available going all the way up to 150GB per month, rural customers can now access a semi-comparable plan to the unlimited services offered on metro, fibre based nbn Consequently,connections.households and businesses using the service can now engage in working from home, studying from home, streaming video, and doing everything else online during the day without ever needing to worry about running out of data and being shaped for the remainder of the month. Put another way, Sky Muster Plus users will have internet access to do whatever they want online, including video streaming, without using up any of their data allowance for 16 hours a day. In addition, after 4 pm, all other internet traffic other than video streaming and VPN traffic (such as surfing the web and downloading or uploading files, video conferencing and social media) all remain unmetered, not counting towards the ‘metered’ allowance during the evening hours.
Streaming uses a lot of bandwidth and will only use more as time goes on, standard resolution video has given way to high resolution and high resolution is in turn giving way to 4K UHD. Each jump in quality leads to a corresponding boost in the amount of data used to stream the picture.
Specialist regional broadband provider, Activ8me, for instance, offer Sky Muster PLUS plans starting from $49.95, all of which include this new ‘uncapped’ video streaming feature.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS Packsaddle is located where the Silver City Highway crosses the gum-lined Packsaddle Creek – some say it got its name when explorers Burke and Wills lost a packsaddle from a camel on a nearby hill. A DIAMOND THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202252
BUSINESS PACKSADDLE ROADHOUSE > IN THE DUST The Degoumois family have made their Packsaddle Roadhouse a must-stop destination for those on an outback trip, with some travellers diverting especially to experience the good old-fashioned hospitality and home-cooked treats. Words SUE WALLACE Photography RACHAEL LENEHAN SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 THE FARMER 53
M ia Degoumois, owner of the Packsaddle Roadhouse loves what she does. No two days are ever the same as she greets locals and travellers from near and far.
“We have been so busy since Covid – it seems people just want to get out in the open and discover Australia.”
The couple have two children – Jessi, 26, works in real estate in Mount Isa and Clinton, 23, is a head stockman at Nappa Merrie Station, and they both started their education with the School of the Air.
A FUN PLACE TO RELAX Packsaddle Roadhouse has become a well known place to stay as it not only offers great accommodation, but good food and wine for those after a hearty meal and some time to relax and socialise.
Located on the Silver City Highway, 175km north of Broken Hill and 200km south of the Queensland border, the Roadhouse is a popular watering hole for many venturing on outback travels throughout Australia.
Mia, who grew up in Papua New Guinea, met Arnie from Tibooburra in Alice Springs. Arnie took on the job as head stockman at Innamincka Station in South Australia’s northeast and Mia had a job at the Innamincka Hotel in 1996. They then moved to Whyjonta Station, 60 kilometres east of Tibooburra in early 1999, where Arnie managed the station till 2003. Due to the drought, they then purchased the Roadhouse in August 2003.
Over the past 19 years, Mia and her husband Arnie –who works off-site as a fencing contractor – have transformed the popular Roadhouse in the middle of what may seem like nowhere, continuing the improvements started by the previous owners.
FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS Packsaddle is located where the Silver City Highway crosses the gum-lined Packsaddle Creek – some say it got its name when explorers Burke and Wills lost a packsaddle from a camel on a nearby hill. There was an old shanty pub that burned down in the early 1900s and the Roadhouse was built in 1956 across the road from the site of the pub when the road route was changed. It is now surrounded by large sheep and cattle stations.
It’s a place to refuel and refresh, enjoy a cold beer, a yarn and some of Mia’s home-cooked meals, including the best burgers and fabulous scones.
“We love it here and you get to meet such a wide variety of people all looking to enjoy the outback and being in the open away from cities,” she says.
“We saw the Roadhouse was on the market and we thought it would be a good thing to do. We have really loved it and there’s a great community surrounding us,” Mia says.
BUSINESS PACKSADDLE ROADHOUSE THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202254
Mia and Arnie have made the Roadhouse a destination in itself with many travellers staying a night or two to enjoy the experience.
“It’s not your ordinary Roadhouse like Shell or BP – it’s quite unique in that we have a liquor licence and word of mouth has a lot to do with people coming our way,” Mia says.
The Roadhouse also has 16 motel style rooms with shared bathrooms, on-site cabins surrounded by sandy gardens as well as caravan and camping sites. They offer spotless accommodation, where people can relax and take a break from camping and use the on-site facilities. Mia believes travellers are looking for somewhere that offers friendly efficient service and good facilities – as well as those home-cooked meals and Helpedtreats.byateam of four, she says travellers often comment that they didn’t expect this experience in the Theoutback.annual Easter Gymkhana-Bikekhana run by the Packsaddle Progress Association and supported by the Roadhouse showcases the riding talents of kids and adults on horseback and motorbikes. It recently attracted more than 1,000 people.
PLENTY OF ROOM
The inn has 16 clean and comfy motel-style rooms and plenty of space for cars and those with campers.
“There’s such a great community around here and everyone is ready to help when needed – it highlights the community spirit that exists in many towns across the outback,” she says. “We have been run off our feet lately with the local event and the Mundi Mundi Bash near Broken Hill and we had some rain, so a few people got stuck here until it subsided.”
“People ask if I would ever live in the city and the answer is no – this is close enough to where I want to be and far enough from where I don’t,” she says.
“I think it’s the fun atmosphere people like about the Roadhouse, and everyone is friendly and happy to give tips about where they have been and where they are going.”
You can order a hamburger, sandwiches, steaks, barramundi and schnitzels as well as lighter snacks from the all-day menu.
As for the city versus the bush, it’s the outback that wins hands down, according to Mia.
“I think it’s the fun atmosphere people like about the Roadhouse, and everyone is friendly and happy to give tips about where they have been and where they are going,” Mia says.
The Roadhouse has a bar and restaurant, on-site accommodation and camping facilities, plus fuel supplies.
“The two-day event includes plenty of horse races of both the novelty and more competitive kind and a Bikekhana for those that prefer an engine on day two,” she says. The charity auction raises money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and several other Broken Hill charities.
Despite the long hours – Mia opens at 8am and often doesn’t close till late seven days a week – she wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. l
HEART OF THE COMMUNITY
THE WELCOMING INN
MIA DEGOUMOIS Owner, Packsaddle Roadhouse
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 THE FARMER 55
Step inside the rustic bar and you won’t know where to look first – there’s a great collection of wellworn ringers’ hats, old saddles, boots that have seen better days and droving memorabilia. Mia, Arnie and staff love a chat, and it is a favourite haunt of locals, who are happy to share their knowledge about where to venture.
“We have a well-equipped trained unit, and we are called out to accidents and misadventures at times and always prepared,” she says. “I didn’t really know if it was for me but once I started training, I have learnt so much and enjoy being part of it.”
Mia is also the unit controller of the local SES which has a base at the Roadhouse as well as a volunteer ambulance officer and RFS volunteer.
The wild dog story in Australia is surrounded in controversy and competing priorities. But most people interested in wild dogs are working towards the same outcome – to protect livestock.
A doggone dynamic debate
Words JEANETTE SEVERS THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202256
“The conflict in wild dog management is the perception by some people that dingoes are not wild dogs.
Endemic status of a pest animal, plant or disease means it is consistently present and has become a pest needing localised engagement and management. Endemic status is applied when the pest or disease affects a particular group of people. In the case of wild dogs, that group is largely rural landowners and land managers.
“In southeast Australia, most wild-living dogs have some dingo ancestry and some modern dog ancestry.”
WILD DOG OR DINGO?
Epidemic, in contrast, is a pest that impacts a broad national population. It could be argued that wild dogs have a broader epidemic impact – particularly from a predation and disease perspective. Wild dogs kill and maim animals and negatively affect a farm’s production system, therefore potentially impacting on food security. The wool and sheep industry across most Australian states and territories is negatively affected by wild dog However,predation.wilddogs aren’t discriminative. Wild dogs predate native animals. Guy’s team regularly investigate the stomach contents of wild dogs, finding the remains of bandicoots, kangaroo, deer, wallabies, koalas as well as sheep, goats and cattle.
Dogs have been tracked ranging over a distance of 26,000 hectares and crossing state lines. One of the other major issues facing wild dog management plans has been when states implement actions that are in conflict with other states, in a similar way to public land managers’ actions, or lack of action, can be in conflict with private landowners. Given the large range of some wild dogs, control efforts need to ignore land tenure boundaries if agriculture production is going to be protected.
Dr Guy Ballard is a scientist with the University of New England, with significant experience in pest predators, including wild dogs. As a field ecologist he is also Research Leader, Predator Management in the Invertebrate Pest Research Unit within NSW’s Department of Primary Industries.
DOCUMENTING WILD DOG ACTIVITY
This is the most discussed topic in this space. According to Dr Guy Ballard, a scientist at the University of New England, while all dingoes are wild dogs, not all wild dogs are dingoes.
According to Australian Wool Innovation, NSW farmers produce about 39 per cent of Australia’s sheep flock, and the Merino is 60 per cent of the national breed total. This means NSW farmers have a significant vested interest in controlling any predators that affect theirTheflocks.predators with the most effect on sheep numbers in NSW are wild dogs and pigs.
“In NSW, all dingoes are wild dogs, and not all wild dogs are dingoes,” Guy says.
“People set different levels of priority for what constitutes a dingo. Some people set the bar low, at 50 per cent or below. Some people set the bar high, at 90 per cent or above.
ENDEMIC STATUS OF WILD DOGS
“People are quite sympathetic towards sheep losses but ignore cattle losses and there’s not a clear linkage in the public mind about wild dogs predating on native wildlife, including threatened species,” Guy says.
ENVIRONMENT WILD DOGS
W hether it’s wild dog exclusion fencing, baiting, trapping, or the definition of what a wild dog is, discussion about each of these topics is dynamic.
While farmers, industry groups and government employees believe localised engagement in decisions and actions is the best solution for predator management, there are other interested people – sometimes in urban centres – who also want to be part of the decision-making process.
Since 2016, hundreds of people have used FeralScan WildDogScan to document wild dog activity across NSW. It is now a mobile phone app, in a program managed by the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, funded by the Federal government and AWI grower levies. The online application enables farmers and land managers to upload GPS coordinates where they have seen signs or identified wild dogs.
WILD DOG VERSUS THE DINGO
Let’s address early what some people feel is the most controversial topic in this space. What is a wild dog and what is a dingo?
Wild-living dogs are those who aren’t living in a domesticated arrangement, either as pet, companion or working dogs. For the sake of this article, we’ll refer consistently to wild-living dogs as wild dogs.
In Guy’s view, most wild dogs in NSW have a significant degree of dingo DNA – or put another way, many of the dingoes in NSW have some degree of dog DNA.
“There’s no agreed level at the moment. Dogs that are mostly or all dingo keep turning up and that keeps feeding disagreement between people with firm views who don’t agree with each other.
Fortunately for rural people using Australia’s unreliable mobile phone service, WildDogScan does not rely on mobile connection to upload information. The localised information – photos from fixed cameras, dead or mauled livestock, and sightings of live dogs, scats and disturbed baits or traps – is shared with neighbouring farmers, local dog controllers and the LLS. Across Australia, there are 215 landholder groups using WildDogScan, and 149,740 reports of wild dogs, including 24,015 recent reports.
> MeekPaulDrbyPhoto SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 THE FARMER 57
As many wool growers are aware, Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) has been involved for many years with financially supporting wild dog trapping and baiting programs, involving more than 170 regional groups.
ENVIRONMENT WILD DOGS
“There needs to be a continuing high priority and funding allocation to pest management,” Guy says. “If I had another 20 staff on my team, they’d all be busy.”
AWI still oversees daily operations of the National Wild Dog Action Plan, and relies on other industry partners and local farmer groups for implementation of actions. Local Land Services employs a network of biosecurity officers across NSW to help coordinate group control programs.
Mauling activity on farmed and native animals requires antibiotic and crush injury treatment, or euthanasia.
Antibiotic use restricts market access for farmed animals. Crush injuries also affects the production value of farmed animals.
TECHNOLOGY SUPPORTS CONTROL AND RESPONSE INITIATIVES
FLOCK TOGETHER Above and below: Wild dogs have the most effect on sheep numbers in NSW, along with wild pigs; every state in Australia has a plan for fencing against wild dogs, with type dictated by regional preferences.
Technology is making a difference in understanding wild dog behaviour and how predators should be managed. Integrated control programs of baiting, trapping and shooting are making a difference, according to some of the farmers involved.
> THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202258
There’s also disease risk brought by wild dog predation. The species carries and spreads hydatid and neospora caninum which affects other mammals.
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Mr Evans said installing motion controlled cameras identified proof of the effectiveness of electric fences against wild dogs. In the rangeland Paroo district, professional trapping programs had a big impact on reducing wild dog populations. Farmers participated in training to set traps, to support the professional controller, and coordinated baiting programs. Then local farmers decided to participate and invest in a cluster fence initiative, to exclude wild dogs that were travelling from other regions. It has now given local farmers a more assured future in agriculture.
THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202260
FENCING AGAINST WILD DOGS
“The type of fencing built is dictated by regional preferences,” AWI’s Ian Evans says. “You’re better off to teach pest animals not to approach fences, by using electrified fencing, including stand-off wires. Cluster fencing has changed the situation where it’s installed, providing a barrier for anything from three to 33 properties.“Ithinkfencing is very important and long term that’s how we can make a difference, alongside baiting and shooting. The fencing creates dogfree areas. Building, repairing and monitoring fences in Australia will be an endless process.”
ENVIRONMENT WILD DOGS
In all the regional strategic pest animal management plans in each of the 11 LLS regions, wild dogs are listed as a priority species. In the Western LLS, the Professional Wild Dog Controller program engages 85 properties and the cost of employing controllers is shared between LLS and private landowners.
Every state on Australia’s mainland has a plan for fencing against wild dogs. Cluster and exclusion fencing is chosen depending on private landowner and government preference and travels across steep country, waterways, sand and some isolated terrain. Some of the fences are electrified, using solar power, and standoffs can be incorporated into fences.
Since February 2020, six controllers in the Western LLS have eliminated 125 wild dogs. In the Upper Hunter region, more than 70 dogs were removed last year, utilising 1,040 traps across the landscape and nightvision cameras to track dogs. LLS and many farmers are using cameras on public and private land respectively, to identify and track movements and activities of wild dogs. Farmers have also been involved in the Western Tracks project, catching wild dogs and fitting them with GPS collars before releasing them. The Western Tracks project is part of a coordinated localised response that includes aerial and ground baiting that began in 2014 and a trapping program which began with local farmers and was taken up by LLS. The movements of the collared animals are revealing important information, according to NSW Farmers’ member Leon Zanker, who is chair of the Western Tracks Advisory Board, a group of landholders researchers and government agencies overseeing the project.
Neil Baker, a farmer in the Tweed region, said all private and public landowners needed to be a part of coordinated pest control
“Theprograms.rulesaround controlling pest animals are clear, and everyone needs to be held to the same standard,” he says.
Above: Philip Neven, of Deddick, with one of his Maremma guardian dogs. He has three Maremmas that guard his sheep flock at night. them up at night, I relaxed, and a wild dog predated the flock. You can’t leave your livestock alone,” he says.
“Wild dogs have been a problem for 35 years and their predating takes a physical, mental and emotional toll, as well as severe impacts on production and livestock health.” He has laid out baits, employed controllers and erected his own safety fencing, along with lights, to protect his sheep overnight from wild dogs. “In that paddock the dogs wouldn’t touch the sheep. After three months of locking
“Cats and foxes typically prey on small native animals, which is a big concern. Wild dogs and pigs are attacking livestock. You need good, coordinated controls that everyone sticks to, otherwise you get these population explosions,” Gerard says.
COMPETING PRIORITIES
“Most landowners weren’t overly keen to trap, collar and let go a wild dog. Knowing the research project would would assist in answering that question.
“Trapping was the circuit breaker. But our constant question was, where are the dogs coming from and what are they doing?
Within Australia’s region, an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Indonesia has caused alarm, while FMD is endemic in India, and Lumpy Skin Disease is spreading on the Asian continent – all disease management issues of concern to Australia’s biosecurity.
TOLL ON FARMERS
John is a strong advocate for coordinated control programs, particularly ground and aerial baiting in large tracts of inaccessible country by public land managers that supports what farmers are doing on their ownHeproperties.drivesalong a 29 kilometre trap line every morning and lets his local wild dog controller know where traps have been sprung.
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“We have to remain vigilant to where dogs are and what they’re doing and react straight away to a sighting or predating,” he says. “If we become blasé, the dog numbers will build up quickly.”
Leon said although sometimes it didn’t feel like it, coordinated baiting and trapping and engaging all landowners and land managers in a region had made a difference.
The National Wild Dog Action Plan Coordination Committee met in Canberra in June this year to review progress and set the next strategic direction for raising awareness of the impact of wild dogs and coordinating the tools available to manage and control their predation. The plan’s focus going forward included multi-species predator management and impacts on agriculture more broadly.
His view is supported by John Rolfe, a NSW Farmers member on the BraidwoodSouth Coast Wild Dog Management Plan group. The group enables farmers and public land managers to “thrash out what’s needed,” John says.
In August, NSW Department of Primary Industries detected Varroa mite on nine properties across the Hunter region. These are just a few of the hundreds of pests and diseases competing with wild dog predation for funding allocation in the private and public space.
“One dog’s home range was 60km long by 20km wide. We identified with the GPS collar and cameras that it crossed our bait lines many times before it took a bait one day. If there’s enough baits out there, dogs will succumb eventually and take one,” he says.
NSW Farmers has estimated the management of wild dogs by individual farmers and public land managers costs $50 million annually, while feral pig incursions costs the Australian agricultural industry more than $100 million a year.Across NSW, the organisation’s members are reporting increasing numbers of wild dogs, pigs and feral deer. CSIRO recently reported feral cats were responsible for 1.8 billion native animal deaths each year.
NSW Farmers Western Division Council chair, Gerard Glover, said people in general needed to be concerned about the vast numbers of feral cats in the landscape, but pigs and wild dogs remained the main concern for farmers.
In Australia there is a growing trend of primary and secondary aged children attending private or independent schools, for many reasons other than just boarding. Words JEANETTE SEVERS Many schools of thought SPECIAL REPORT EDUCATION THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202262
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While there may be a broad perception that boarding schools exist in cities, there are many boarding schools in regional centres as well.
Having multiple campuses to spread increased enrolment numbers each year, has enabled the approximately 1,000 NSW non-government schools to work with this imposition, especially in regional centres. Of the total enrolment of NSW students in 2021, 17.8 per cent were in independant schools and 17.7 per cent were in Catholic system schools. It’s a growing trend.
For parents, the boarding facility is often an add-on to their child’s education and a significant financial and family commitment.
MAKING NEW FRIENDS IN THE BIG SMOKE Left to right: Students outside the Abbotsleigh Private Girls School's boarding house, on 12 hectares in Sydney's leafy North Shore; Students Loreto Normanhusrt.from SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 THE FARMER 63
Anglican and Islamic independent schools are picking up the additional students, according to the ABS annual schools report, recognising Australia’s changing demographic and parents’ need for their children to receive values-based education. All of this has put the pressure on, and investment is rising. In fact, since 2014, 40 new independent schools and 35 new Catholic schools have been built in NSW.The history of non-government funded education is strong in Australia. Many schools were set up by parents well before government-funded education became the norm. That history continues today across the Onnation.topof the demand for non-government funded education providers is access to boarding facilities.
Staying at boarding school – whether it’s for the entire term, weekly, or on an adhoc basis, one or two nights a week, or to participate in school activities outside of the normal day – provides students with opportunities to participate more in peer-to-peer activities, including tutorial programs, sport and culturalStudentsactivities.also learn to live with other people –people who aren’t their families and siblings – and they learn life skills because they are expected to keep their own room and common rooms clean and tidy, and they’re often expected to participate in a roster to help in the kitchen and dining rooms.
There has been steady growth in the sector yearon-year according to data released by Australian Independent Schools NSW. Since 2018, independent schools have enrolled three out of four of NSW’s additional students. In 2018, about 34.3 per cent of students were enrolled in non-government schools.
A ccording to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2021, around 30 per cent of primary-aged and 40 per cent of secondaryaged students in Australia attend a private or independent (non-government) school.
Of the total enrolment of NSW students in 2021, 17.8 per cent were in independent schools and 17.7 per cent were in Catholic system schools. It’s a growing trend. This was 23,743 more students than in 2020, or a growth of 3.5 per cent.
One of the issues that non-government schools face is enrolment caps – limiting the number of students and staff – imposed by local council planning authorities. It’s a long-standing imposition that doesn’t apply to government schools.
“The residential facilities will also be able to be used for school holiday and sports camps.”
Each of those schools became a hub or spoke to support three more schools to participate. This meant 16 schools participated in the most recent evaluation, which was facilitated by the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research at the University of Sydney. The evaluation reported improved literacy, positive and successful transitions in the school and boarding environment, with increased engagement and motivation to learn, increased aspirations for further education and employment opportunities, strengthened connection to and pride in Indigenous culture and heritage, and improved social, emotional and physical wellbeing for students.
SPECIAL REPORT EDUCATION
Roz Thomas, AISNSW Aboriginal Education Consultant, says the conference enabled teachers to explore their role in creating a culturally responsive integrated education system for all students. She says implementing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island perspectives was good for the entire school body.
A 2020 independent evaluation funded by the AISNSW identified that due to this shift in teaching, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students improved their academic results, and the students’ literacy overall was lifted, as was their confidence, self-management and aspiration for learning.
LORETO EXPANDS BOARDING TO ACCOMMODATE DEMAND
There were initially 649 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students participating in this culturally responsive integrated education system in 2016, from four NSW urban and regional independent schools.
“We recognise contemporary life has unique demands. Our boarding facility is the heart of our school and is a home away from home for our students. It’s important our new and modern boarding facilities help us build a sense of community among our boarders, their families and within our entire“Weschool.willcontinue to break down the barriers to provide access to a Loreto Normanhurst education for
The new boarding facility will see the school grow its community of boarders to 216 students, and as the ‘heart’ of Loreto Normanhurst, its design features multiple gathering spaces for the school community.
The evaluation project has now been expanded to 25 schools.
BIG PLANS FOR THE FUTURE Top to inregionalCollegeScotsNormanhurst;schooltheConceptbottom:plansfornewboardingatLoretoAllSaintshastwocampusesBathurst.
THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202264
Australian Independent Schools NSW (AINSW) hosts an annual conference for educators to facilitate conversations about how to bring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture into subjects from english and legal studies, to science and mathematics, to support the development of a culturally safe environment for students.
“The new building will include spaces where we can extend the hospitality of our facility and the surrounding grounds to all families of students at Loreto Normanhurst, and to alumnae, past parents and friends,” Ms Ugonotti says.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students thrive in education when they can see themselves acknowledged, whether that’s visually through symbols and images across the school environment or by seeing their cultural knowledge respected and taught through the curriculum in their classrooms,” Roz says.
Loreto Normanhurst principal, Marina Ugonotti, said she will welcome day students, their families and friends to designated areas of the boarding school to strengthen communal connections and extend the hospitality intrinsic to the Loreto community.
Loreto Normanhurst is building on its 125-year history and rich legacy of boarding education for girls by constructing a new, modern facility to meet the needs of students and the expectations of families, for the next 125Theyears.independent Catholic day and boarding school in Sydney, provides education from years five to 12 for girls from across Australia and overseas, with an emphasis on graduating independent, articulate and compassionate women.
LEARNING FROM THE PAST While Australia is seeking a guided way forward towards reconciliation of past colonial deeds and misgoverning, implementing cultural responsiveness into learning has gained impetus, including in the boarding nongovernment schools sector.
The Loreto Normanhurst Boarding School redevelopment will also support the enrichment of diversity within the Loreto community and broaden access to the wholistic education first envisaged by Loreto foundress, Mary Ward.
“We understand the impact an education in STEM can have on students entering the workforce,” says Scots All Saints head of college, John Weeks. A large number of sports fields, outdoor all-weather and inside courts and a pool ensure a range of competitive and recreational sports are available for students.
The school was created with the merger of The Scots School and All Saints’ College in 2018.Living and learning in a rural environment can only be seen as a positive experience, with a range of agriculture, equestrian, debating, music and sport pursuits integrated within the curriculum. Quality education in a regional school of choice with specialist facilities, caring, experienced teachers, and diverse opportunities for children to flourish, led to the Class of 2021 achieving an outstanding 15.5 per cent Band 6 result in the Higher School Certificate. The College also celebrated 37 per cent of students achieving ATARs in the top 20 per cent of the State. Student achievements have been helped with investment into a state-of-the-art Innovation Centre that was recently built on the junior campus providing integrated and virtual learning activities. There are plans for a STEM centre to be built on the senior campus next year.
Visit us for a tour of our state-ofthe-art facilities or visit our website to register for a virtual tour.
It’s all on your doorstep with boarding for Years 9 to 12 at Wesley College Wesley is renowned for its strong academic outcomes and exceptional learning Learningexperiences.inResidence, a contemporary, innovative and student-centred program for students in Years 9 to 12, provides a safe, nurturing ‘home away from home’ for full-time or weekly boarders at our Glen Waverley Campus. Scholarships are available for rural and regional students (applications close 14 October).
REGIONAL BASE IS AN ADVANTAGE
The regional city of Bathurst hosts two expansive campuses of Scots All Saints College, across 150 acres, enabling students from preparatory school to year 12 to experience learning in a rural environment.
The majority of students at Scots All Saints College are from regional NSW, as rural parents recognise the value of the school – including students from areas such as Nyngan, Dubbo, Moree, Mudgee, Tullamore, Condobolin and Crookwell. A few students are from interstate or Sydney, with less from overseas.
Come see us! We will be at Henty Field Days 20 to 22 CountrySeptember,LifestylePavilion
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all girls, including rural and Indigenous girls, through our boarding program,” Ms Ugonotti says. The new ecologically sustainable boarding facility (to be completed for 2025) meets two of the strategic commitments of the school. It is part of new building works across the Normanhurst site that have already included new collaborative student learning spaces, multi-use meeting spaces, and an open-plan staff area. The 1897 heritage buildings that house our current boarding school will remain and be repurposed as teaching, learning and recreation spaces.
There is a comprehensive library as well as a range of recreational reading spaces on the juniorScotscampus.AllSaints is the only co-educational boarding school in the regional city of Bathurst, and with more than 150 acres of land makes it one of the largest campuses in Australia. The 150 acres includes a working farm for cattle and sheep as well as an equestrian centre. Three well-appointed residential accommodation houses means fulltime, weekly and short-term boarding accommodation is available to students from years 7 to 12. Located on campus, the accommodation enables students to walk to class and participate in after-school tutorial and homework programs, the math and chess clubs, as well as sport and community activities.
BOARDING SCHOLARSHIPS APPLY NOW FOR 2023
Accommodation is also available for parents who want to travel to Bathurst to attend a sporting fixture, a drama performance or other events at the College. At the heart of the College is a sense of belonging. The mission of Scots All Saints College is to develop students into men and women with a firm foundation for life built on the Gospel of Christ. Helping children to develop skills of empathy and compassion, and to be informed about the world, includes participation in the community. The College’s Chaplain works with Hope Church, building and distributing hampers and food to local services that help homeless people. Scots All Saints students are also involved in this ministry work. A unique feature of the College is its Pipes and Drums band, which is
BRINGING FARM LIFE TO SCHOOL
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The last 15 years has seen considerable growth in the agriculture and equestrian programs at Scots All Saints College. The College Farm is set on about 40 ha of the campus and has a Limousin Stud, an Australian White Stud, and livestock cross-breeding and finishingStudentsprograms.begin their agricultural journey in year seven, studying food and fibre with hands-on involvement in poultry farming and growing vegetables. They also participate in the dairy industry’s ‘cows create careers’ program.Inyears9and 10, students can take this learning further with involvement in intensive and extensive plant and animal production systems. Students are involved with breeding first-cross ewes to join to Poll Dorset rams to produce and raise prime lambs. There is a cropping program that involves the students, where they learn tractor driving skills and how crops are used to fill the winter feed gap and to finish lambs and weaned calves. There is also a feedlot on the farm, and each year up to 30 steers are prepared for the ‘hoof and hook’ competition at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza, held in Scone. The quality of the livestock program has earned accolades for students and the College – winning many Grand Champion ribbons at the Sydney Royal Show. The College steers have been awarded Interbreed Champion ribbons and the school has received the most successful school exhibitor award many times at the annualFurtherShow.agriculture and primary industries study enables students to undertake Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, leading to a nationally recognised Certificate II in Agriculture.LibbyDawes, Director of Agricultural Students and Equestrian, said gaining the Certificate II has enabled students to work as a stockperson, farm or station hand, or as an assistant animal attendant. They can participate in more training to receive a Certificate III in Agriculture, and go on to agriculture studies at tertiary level. regularly asked to perform at local events, including ANZAC Day services and to residents of local retirement villages. Students learning theatre studies through the Performing Arts Academy represent the school at the Bathurst Eisteddfod. Boarding students are able to bring their horses to school and participate in weekly lessons with qualified instructors, training in show jumping and flat work. Students also have the opportunity to participate in cross country clinics as well as polocrosse training. Cattle team training involves preparing and exhibiting the College’s own cattle and involves students from year nine. Cattle are shown by students at the local Bathurst and Blayney shows and the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
PRIDE IN LEARNING ACROSS THE BOARD
Above, left to right: Learning about fencing at Scots All Saints; There is a vigorous and dynamic STEM program at Scots All Saints College. Left, then below: At this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show, a steer prepared by Scots All Saints students was awarded the Open Lightweight Purebred Steer ribbon; The team of Scots All Saints students who attended Sydney Royal Easter Show this year.
SPECIAL REPORT EDUCATION
WESLEY SETS THE STANDARD FOR BOARDING
There are eight two-storey residences, each housing up to 16 students and one staff member. Students in years 9 to 11 share twin bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. Students in year 12 each have their own private ensuiteTheroom.communal dining room comfortably seats up to 240 people and is open to all of the day and boarding students.
In 2021, 99 per cent of students who studied VCE and IB at Wesley College received a first-round tertiary offer. The IB median ATAR for the class of 2021 was 96.25, and nine students attained the highest possible ATAR of Experiential99.95.
The boarding facilities are supported by a Learning in Residence program with a focus on student development with academic, employment, extension and health and well-being programs. Small group tutorials and individual learning assistance provided by expert mentors and experienced College teaching staff also supports students completing homework and assignments.
In 2021, 99 per cent of students who studied VCE and IB at Wesley College received a first-round tertiary offer. The IB median ATAR was 96.25, and nine students attained the highest possible ATAR of 99.95.
SETTING THE STANDARD Top: Outdoor facilities at Wesley College’ s Glen Waverley campus. Second row: A typical Year 12 student’ s room; Tom Wilson with Head of Campus, Sheridan Vella; Tom wearing the Indigenous strip, playing for the Wesley Firsts in the APS WesleyTwest).(Photocompetition.byBrucevanBottomrow:College ’s Glen Waverley campus.
Boarding scholarship applications for 2023 at Wesley College are now open.
learning activities include a year 9 residential program at Clunes, three outdoor education camps in Victoria, a year 10 induction program at the Yiramalay Studio School in The Kimberley, WA and specialist international and local tours to support students’ learning. At the heart of Wesley’s approach to education is a commitment to developing well-rounded individuals who aspire to achieve their personal best in all areas of learning.Thebreadth and depth of a Wesley education provides extension, enrichment and co-curricular programs that include visual and performing arts, sport, music, outdoor education, community service, debating, drama, and literary festivals.
Boarding students bring a diversity of life experience to the school, being from metropolitan Melbourne, rural Australia and international locations across Asia and Europe.
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With the International Baccalaureate (IB) sitting alongside the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), students attending Wesley College have a choice of world-class education that opens up their opportunities beyondWesleyschool.College is a leading co-educational, open-entry IB World School with three metropolitan campuses in Elsternwick, St Kilda Road and Glen Waverley, enrolling more than 3400 students. Wesley’s Glen Waverley campus offers a combined day and boarding school.
With the demand for boarding facilities for students, Wesley College purpose-built a contemporary residential facility at the Glen Waverley campus, available for students in years 9 to 12, called Learning in Residence.
Tom uses the gym on-campus, and was rapidly promoted to the Wesley Firsts football team. He also credits the personal growth opportunity to live with peers.
Tom Wilson moved from Wagga Wagga to Melbourne to board at Wesley College, commencing in year 10. He was so popular among his peers that they voted him the Learning In Residence Captain.
“Living with people who aren’t your family isn’t always easy, but it’s helped me to develop my people skills and I’ve definitely grown in confidence,” he says.
Tom has chosen to study the VCE and admits he was attracted to the extensive ovals and grounds of the Glen Waverley campus.“Rightfromthe beginning it felt like home because of all the open space. It doesn’t feel like I’m in Melbourne, but I can go to the AFL, movies and go-karting in the city,” he says.
“There are so many layers of support and it’s not only academic; it’s health and wellbeing, medical, mentors, the dining staff and the ladies in the laundry – Tom is being looked after at every level.”
The large city school recently welcomed a new Head of Boarding, Mrs Chemane Fairleigh, who is passionate about boarding and brings with her a wealth of new and exciting initiatives.
Tom’s mother Karen Wilson said when they started looking at boarding schools, moving as far as Glen Waverley in Victoria was not originally what they expected. However, Tom knew two boys from the local football club who had already settled into the boarding residences at Wesley“BoardingCollege.in another State wasn’t something Craig and I had planned for our son. We agreed to drive to Melbourne to look at several schools, but we thought Tom would be staying in Wagga Wagga,” Karen“Oursays.first visit to Wesley left us in awe. The facilities, the environment, the staff, everything was amazing. We spent the 4.5 hour drive home asking ourselves, ‘how are we going to make this work?’ “Tom took some time to think about it, but he wanted to start at Wesley College the following year.” Karen was impressed with how inclusive the pastoral program was.
“The support from all the staff and mentors has been fantastic. They feel like family“Asnow.part of the support program for boarders, I’m offered access to tutoring sessions – it’s nice to know the academic support is there if and when I need it.”
“Young girls benefit from the unique charm created from specially converted homesteads. Senior girls live in a purpose-built boarding house where they enjoy single rooms with an ensuite bathroom shared between two rooms.
“Sean invited us to drop in anytime we were in Melbourne and Tom participated in a sleepover in December prior to him commencing the following year. This opportunity helped to make the transition really“Overall,smooth.it has been a very positive experience. We’ve felt like a part of the Wesley family right from the beginning.
“I love the noise, laughter and drama of living in the boarding house. It comes to life during term time. It is exciting and vibrant, challenging and busy, emotional, and it’s fun.”
FROM WAGGA WAGGA TO WESLEY
SPECIAL REPORT EDUCATION
“I’ve also met a whole bunch of people who I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet at home. My advice to anyone thinking about boarding is just do it.“And commit to it. Open yourself up to the experience, grab as many opportunities as you can and see where it takesTomyou.”was recently the recipient of one of the inaugural ROAR awards, a prize voted by staff and students and given to a peer-nominated student who displays the characteristics of Respect, Opportunity, Achievement and Resilience.
Below and right: Many past boarders from Abbotsleigh Girls in Sydney’s North Shore say that they made friends for life while living on campus.
“I came from a mostly grazing property at Gurley, near Moree,” Ms Kaan says.
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Abbotsleigh provides a leafy haven for education in the city, situated on 12 hectares of land in Sydney’s North Shore, which welcomes rural girls to a space they can relate to, grow as people and happily learn within. Boarders enjoy the benefits of Abbotsleigh’s wholistic education, underpinned by the Christian faith, and utilising world-class facilities which are all located right on their doorstep.
Rhonda Kaan (nee Turner) is a former boarding student at Abbotsleigh. For her, the boarding experience developed self-reliance and a high level of motivation for life. She now helps with the current cohort of Abbotsleigh’s boarders and maintains the links between past students as the school’s Old Girls Relations Assistant.
“From the very start, the engagement with Wesley was great. We had regular phone calls from Sean Cox, Head of Learning in Residence, from Jill Caple, Head of Senior School and from the AFL and cricket coaches – both of these sports are great passions for Tom,” she says.
ABBOTSLEIGH GIRLS BUILD STRONG CONNECTIONS
“Our goal for boarding is to have happy, confident, healthy girls of great character who leave at the end of year 12 and make a positive impact on the world outside of the Abbotsleigh gates,” Mrs Fairleigh says. “Abbotsleigh boarders enjoy some of the best accommodation available in Australia.
GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN AND BE FRIENDS
According to Ms Kaan, the biggest benefit to being a boarder is the tightknit circle of friends she made.
“We call ourselves ‘Soul Sisters’ and we are godmothers to each others’ children. We’d drop anything for anyone at any time if needed,” she says. “I can’t think of a better place for girls to mature, learn real resilience and form valuable lifelong connections as they commence their life journey.” l
“If you haven’t been a boarder, you simply can’t understand it,” she says. “I was surrounded by girls who were all equally appreciative of the sacrifices being made by their families. They were from Moree to Cootamundra and everywhere else in between including Walcha, Coonamble, Forbes, Molong, Lithgow, through to the Central Coast.”
A future worth supporting Our boarders find lifelong friendships and forge a stronger future together. We’d love to talk to you and make you feel right at home. Contact us on 02 9473 7744 www.abbotsleigh.nsw.edu.auregistrar@abbotsleigh.nsw.edu.auor
“My first day at boarding school was also my first time in Sydney. “Dad always said he regretted sending my brother and I to boarding school. He said not only did he lose his two best gate openers but we instantly became independent. He said we missed out on valuable family time but, in some ways, I think going away probably brought us all closer together.
“Experiencing life without them made me appreciate my parents and brother more and any time spent at home during school holidays was always“Notprecious.thatthey ever discussed it with us, but it was obviously an enormous financial sacrifice for my parents – especially given the timing of the collapse of the Australian Wool Reserve Price Scheme in the 1990s.”
Local conditions at Gurley meant rain would make the road impassable and there were few opportunities for after-school activities, living three hours from their local school. Boarding school was an option that delivered on education, extra-curricular activities, and a peer-to-peer community.
Nearly 30 years later and Ms Kaan said her Abbotsleigh boarding mates are still some of her closest friends. Some of them are extra family.
SPECIAL REPORT FENCING AND STOCKYARDS Regenerative agriculture, changes in land use, sea and tree changers and biosecurity concerns are just some of the factors driving investment in fencing and the uptake of stockyard automation technology. Words DARREN BAGULEY Order on the farm THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202270
The latest generation of Clipex stockyards, such as these pictured, are designed to flow, reducing stress for animals and operators alike while incorporating the latest in autodrafting and tag technology.reading
“As people move to rural areas wanting their own little slice of the country lifestyle, there are lots of smaller blocks that their new owners want fenced and there is a wider variety of things being kept in and kept out.”
W hile the repair of flood and bushfire damage can lead to spikes in demand for fencing and stockyard equipment, Australian manufacturers are seeing market drivers shift as agriculture, alongside rural and regional Australia, changes.
“There are a lot of new farmers coming onto, or back to the land. They’ve grown up on the farm, moved away and come back or made the decision they want to be on the land,” says Whites Rural national sales manager, Matt Stinson. “These people want the lifestyle farming offers but they also very much realise that farming is a business.“Withcommodity prices high, they see livestock as a valuable asset that needs to be protected from predators and there is also increased emphasis on biosecurity,” he adds. “Biosecurity means good fences. For example, feral pigs carry woody weed seeds across the countryside, and we are hearing a lot more from farmers about the need to keep feral animals out as much as keeping their own animalsBrianin.”adds that land use changes can also drive changes in fencing. “On a recent episode of Landline, there was a story about two major pastoral companies adding goats to their enterprise mix. The sort of fences that will hold cattle, won’t hold goats, so changes like that will also continue to drive investment in new and upgradedMurrayfencing.”Products is investing to keep up with demand and has one of only three machines in the world that can do a wide range of manufactured fencing that is a generation beyond established technology such as hinge joint and ring lock.
According to Whites Rural national innovation manager, Brian Gray, “more and more people are starting to realise the need to work with the land – to be kinder to the land by having lots of smaller paddocks and moving the animals to maintain ground cover at all times. This is a growing trend as during the last drought some farmers did a lot better than others and people are taking notice and changing the way they do things.”
GOING WITH THE FLOW
Brian noted that the trend for people to flee the crowding and traffic congestion of our cities to move to rural areas is also driving uptake of fencing.
GOOD FENCING KEY FOR BIOSECURITY
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PADDOCK SUBDIVISION
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MAINTAINING GROUND COVER DRIVES
SPECIAL REPORT FENCING AND STOCKYARDS
“Talk about inflation and interest rates is having an impact on people’s outlook,” says Matt. “Confidence was sky high 12 months ago and it has now dropped as people are stepping back a bit and weighing up their options, as the cost of fertiliser and fuel means there is not quite as much money around as there was last year.”
All of the manufacturers The Farmer spoke to were seeing high demand for their products and supply chain issues for the most part have been managed. However storm clouds may be gathering on the horizon.
“Our post driver products are at a good price point, especially when you take into account the great build quality. We’re seeing a lot of families and neighbours working together to buy one of our post drivers and just get in and get the job done across a number of properties.”
FROM FACTORY TO FARM Above then clockwise:
“With these machines we can now design fences around what farmers are trying to keep in or out, whether it is feral animals or some of the old heritage breeds that are becoming popular again. One size does not fit all,” Brian says.
Aussie famers, however, are an innovative lot, and they’re getting on with the job and doing it themselves, a trend which is leading to new opportunities for Australian equipment manufacturers.
Thor Rock Breakers have taken a tried and tested hydraulic power cell and produced a range of post drivers that can be run from a tractor loader, excavator or telehandler. At a fraction of the price of traditional post drivers, One Stop Machinery Shop managing director, Simon Taylor, says farmers – sick of waiting for fencing contractors to get to their project – are buying one of their Thor post drivers and getting on with doing the job themselves.“Fencingis never finished but farmers can’t get fencing contractors, unless they are prepared to wait six months, or even a year.
“We are still selling the smaller semipermanent sort of yards, but we’re definitely seeing an uptick in people investing in permanent yards with some of the newest technology such as auto drafters and tag readers,” he says. “People have had good seasons for the last couple of years, which is encouraging them to spend money on infrastructure. But it’s also that we now have some runs on the board and people can see a set of the latest yards in action, touch them and see how they work. “There is also some government regulation impetus now that NSW and Queensland are phasing in mandated EID tags for sheep, so we’re already seeing increased interest in tag readers from sheep producers.“Similarly,we’re seeing a lot more of our automated crushes purchased to do auto drafting and the like,” he says. “It’s a similar situation when it comes to permanent yard investments. People are starting to see that other people have got them or now that field days have started up again, they can see them physically. It’s really hard to invest in that level of technology if you’ve only seen a brochure or a video and never been able to actually touch and feel the product so you can fully understand it.”
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The large Whites Rural manufacturing facility in Albury; A Thor Post Driver; Fencing being made on the Stiff Stay Machine; The Stockboss bundle from Whites Rural. that they can do the job in their own time and at their own speed, both in terms of labour and in spending on materials.
Labour shortages continue to affect farmers whether they are trying to complete a fencing project, install new stockyards or just get their fruit picked or crop sorted.
LABOUR SHORTAGES FORCE FARMERS TO DO IT FOR THEMSELVES
Clipex national sales director Stafford Olsson is seeing an upsurge in farmers upgrading their permanent stock yards.
AUTOMATION PROOF OF CONCEPT DRIVES SALES OF STOCKYARDS
As a result, many of them are looking to do the job themselves which has the advantage
Acids, salt & alkaline soils Zone of aerationdifferential In the ground THE POST THAT STANDS UP TO CORROSIVE SOILS Stockboss fence posts feature a unique, corrosion-resistant wrap, independently tested to perform up to 3x longer than traditional coatings NEW Zone of differential aeration Protection from a combination of oxygen concentration and corrosive elements in the zone above and just below the soil line In the ground The protective polymer wrap works harder than traditional coatings to keep out corrosive elements underground Acids, salt & alkaline soils severely reduce the life of regular steel posts that can look good above the ground but tell a different story below the ground Whites Group Pty Ltd ABN 25 001 845 478 Enquiries 1300 559 732 | Fax 1300 559 762 or email sales@whitesgroup.com.au
MurrumbatemanFieldDaysisback
E very year, Murrumbateman Field Days attracts 15,000 people through the gates and injects millions of dollars into the local economy. The event has been hosted, organised and managed by the Murrumbateman Progress Association (MPA) since 1979, and it continues to support local community groups, schools and sportingBeingassociations.only25minutes from Canberra, and the premiere flagship event for the Yass Valley, it draws strong crowds from as far afield as the South Coast, Cooma, Young, Cowra and Goulburn. Held every year on the third weekend in October, it is a popular day out for rural, regional and suburban residents.
runs smoothly. This even means cleaning the tables and toilets, and picking up rubbish and recycling from around the site.
Words JEANETTE SEVERS
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Murrumbateman Field Days is opening the gates to support hundreds of exhibitors and welcome back thousands of visitors over the weekend of October 15 and 16.
Lockdowns caused by the pandemic meant that the Field Days in 2020 and 2021 were cancelled. For many local groups within Yass Valley, the Field Days is their biggest fundraising opportunity of the year, so they are looking forward to catering for attendees this year and making it bigger and better thanTheever.Yass Valley Council estimated that the 2019 Field Days resulted in at least $1.5 million in visitor spending across the region. Exhibitors are spread across 40 hectares and a brigade of volunteers support the event. These volunteers work on the entry and exit gates, provide a site-minding service so exhibitors can take a break, operate a parcel pickup service, direct traffic, and help ensure the site is safe and that the event
Some of the volunteers are from surrounding Rural Fire Brigades, St John Ambulance, Murrumbateman Scouts, Yass Lions, Sutton Public School, Murrumbateman Men’s Shed, Yass Adult Riders, Yass Antique Machinery Club and Murrumbateman Public School and Murrumbateman Preschool. This year, rural internet provider Yless4u has set up a free community WiFi connection in the Murrumbateman recreation grounds, so visitors can post photos of themselves as well as interesting activities and exhibits. Yes, it really does take a village to run Murrumbateman Field Days.
The farm machinery and equipment exhibitors now include water tanks, shed suppliers and builders, mowers, tractors, fencing, solar panels and batteries, ploughs, harrows, slip-on spray and firefighting units, irrigators, pipes, generators and more. Products available to purchase will include safety equipment, including hats, boots, clothing, as well as ear and eye protection. Gardeners big and small are also catered for with garden supplies, innovative equipment and garden art on display.
SPECIAL REPORT FIELD DAYS
The Rural Talks Tent is a marquee that will be located on the oval, ensuring visitors can access all kinds of information. The Tent will host guest speakers discussing farming, animals, and topics that affect everyone living in rural areas, including pest plants and animals. Other talks will cover weeds, bees, vine growing and LandCarewinemaking.volunteerswill also be present to speak about the endangered Scarlet Robin and what is being done to protect its habitat – and how locals can make a difference.TheRural Fire Service and Rural Crimes Prevention staff will be sharing advice on fire safety, farm security and internet safety.
Murrumbateman has a proud heritage connection to agriculture in Australia, with a fine wool and wine industry dating back to the 1800s. The first Murrumbateman Field Days event in 1979 hosted 23 exhibitors, and by 1981 it had grown to more than 60 exhibitors. In 2019 there was a whopping 400 exhibitors.Withthepopularity of smallholding and hobby farms in surrounding cities and towns in and around the Yass Valley region, there’s a demand for the latest in small farm machinery and supplies to this growing audience of visitors.
NATHANWHIPPYGRIGGS ONLINE TICKETS ONLY ON SALE AUGUST Tractor Pull, Whipcracking Show, Trick Riding, Beer & Wine Garden, Farm Demonstrations, Snake Education, Childrens Farmyard Nursery, Pony Rides, Amusement Rides and so much more! WWW.MFDAYS.COM Exhibitors, contact us for site availability WE’RE BACK IN 2022! Sat 15 Oct, 8am - 5pm Sun 16 Oct, 8am - 4pm Visit Murrumbateman Field Days this year and experience an agriculture themed family event with a huge range of exhibitors from farm, livestock and machinery, building and home improvement, lifestyle and fashion, local food, wine and craft beer, and everything in between! TRACTOR PULL & YASS ANTIQUE FARM MACHINERY ON DISPLAY > KEEPING UP WITH DEMAND ACROSS ALL SECTORS
Note that tickets need to be purchased online this year, at mfdays.com/tickets. There’s also an online exhibitor directory so attendees can plan their day around exhibits and entertainment. People and organisations wanting to showcase their product, service or business should contact the friendly Murrumbateman Field Days team at mfdays.com
ENTERTAINMENT AND GEAR FOR EVERYONE
ENTERTAINMENT AND ACTIVITIES WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
There’ll be reptiles to see, with live shows demonstrating how to handle snakes, and a FarmYard Trail has been set up for children to follow.TheScouts climbing wall is available to scale, and visitors can even enjoy a spot of tennis.Getexcited to see horses galore, with trick riders demonstrating the skills of their horses in the sand arena, wild horses rehomed from Kosciuszko National Park, and ponies for children to ride. The Recreation Grounds Hall will feature the Pastel Painters’ art exhibition, while musicians, dancers and singers will be performing all weekend on stage on the VillageDirkinsGreen.Amusements will provide a range of fairground rides for kids (and those who are kids at heart) to enjoy.
In The Garden at Murrumbateman Field Days is a collection of local wineries and bespoke breweries that will be providing tastings and the chance to purchase their products during the weekend. Among the exhibitors will be Makers of Murrumbateman wineries, Bentspoke Brewing Co. and Tumut River Brewing Co. Attendees will also be able to buy cheese platters from Win’s Creek Meadery.
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The Yass Valley Council estimated that the 2019 Field Days resulted in at least $1.5 million in visitor spending across the region. This year it should be bigger and better than ever.
There’ll be draught horses doing their thing, sheep being shorn, damper being cooked, and billy tea for refreshment. Among the restored machinery on display will be a stump jump plough, a Wolesley hand shearing piece and a Coolgardie safe –a range of Australian inventions that changed agriculture and the home. Whip cracking world record holder, Nathan ‘Whippy’ Griggs will have two shows every day and he is holding whip making workshops in the afternoon of both days. ‘Whippy’ will demonstrate speed cracking and the lightning whips that have earned him his five world records, including 359 cracks with one whip in one minute, and 697 cracks with two whips in one Childrenminute. will love the many animals in the all-new Children’s Farmyard Petting Zoo, and there will be alpacas, cattle and sheep in the animal exhibitor areas.
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Local Land Services will have staff on hand to advise farmers on how to reduce their on-farm energy costs.
The Murrumbateman Field Days is an agriculture-themed family event but there is also a focus on food. The Rural Fire Service along with seven local brigades and their volunteers will be cooking up a feast that can feed an army, and local schools and church groups will provide lunch and Devonshire Tea. There’ll be ice-cream, pizza, hot potatoes, Mexican dishes and rumour has it that gluten-free donuts are debuting this year. Murrumbateman Lions Club always supplies a variety of cold drinks and ice creams.Therewill also be commercial caterers on site, offering a variety of food and drinks.
SPECIAL REPORT FIELD DAYS
There will be a plethora of entertainment at the Field Days. The tractor pull and display is organised by members of the Yass Antique Farm Machinery Club, and there will also be some of their restored tractors on site to enjoy.
EAT YOUR WAY AROUND THE FIELD DAYS
Local butchers will host masterclasses in deboning and cutting down carcases, showing visitors how to use different cuts of meat in a range of simple and delicious recipes suitable for the average MasterCheffamily.contestant and Native Food Queen, Mindy Woods, will be cooking in the marquee on Friday, and holding masterclass workshops for visitors to the Field Days to learn how to use native ingredients in your own meal preparation.
PRIMEX IS BACK ON TRACK
This year, Primex Field Days will be bursting at the seams with information and activities, and of course, be packed with the plethora of machinery and products that keep farmers and visitors from all walks of life coming back.
Visitors to the Norco Primex Field Days can learn about botanical water, an electric Kombi, regenerative agricultural, the Environmental Analysis Lab, the soil data capture payments program, take a virtual tour of a cane field on fire, and discuss initiatives that are broadening the
FOOD FOR THOUGHT Nourish Food Fest will be hosting cooking demonstrations, food, wine and craft beer tastings, alongside cookery and butchery workshops and live entertainment throughout the three days.
More than 1,000 exhibitors are ready to roll out the carpet and open the gates to visitors over three days from November 10 to 12 at Primex Field Days.
ADVERTORIAL
FOOD, WINE AND A GOOD TIME Left to right: Two Mates Brewing will be providing refreshments; Nourish Food Fest will host cooking demonstrations and tastings across the three days.
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Winding Road Gin and Two Mates Brewing, and some of the regional wineries, will be providing refreshments and talking about how to pair their beverages with food.
For the next generation (Next-Gen) program, the Norco Primex committee provides free entry to registered schools and their students, when they attend on the Thursday and Friday of the Field “TheseDays.students have such an important part to play as the next generation of people working in agriculture. The exhibitors see an advantage in talking directly to these students and letting them know what type of trade, education, and other opportunities there are in agriculture,” says Bruce.
“Across the Australian Beef Showcase site, we’re supporting stud and commercial cattle breeders to showcase their genetics and breeding,” says Bruce Wright, Primex Director.
STUDENTS CONVERGE FOR LEARNING
Meat and Livestock Australia and Southern Cross University are key partners in providing presentations, panel discussions and networking events for farmers to Discussionattend.
topics can range from identifying opportunities for the next generation in agriculture, highlighting the diversity of jobs and careers along the supply chain, to debating what carbon neutral farming means and how broadacre croppers could diversify their agribusinesses.
Established in 1985, the event draws more than 25,000 visitors, showcasing agriculture and its importance to the region.
Words Jeanette Severs
BEEFING IT UP
Local musicians will be in the marquee providing relaxing entertainment to match the daytime vibe inside and in the outdoor space around the marquee.
The Department of Education (NSW), Southern Cross University and Local Land Services are three exhibitors who will have interactive displays for visitors and are keen to talk to students and parents.
Thursday 10 November is People's Day and entry is free (*T&Cs apply). Children under 12 are free on all days. People from further afield are encouraged to Plan, Play & Stay in the Richmond Valley for a long weekend to support local communities.
The NSW government is investing in public education in rural and regional areas. This includes establishing a new team of 20 staff embedded in remote, rural and regional NSW, under the management of educator and Biripi and Bundjalung man, Ben Ballard, who grew up in and has worked all his life in regional NSW.
Top to bottom: The Department of Education (NSW) will host interactive displays; At the Farmacist exhibit, learn about innovations in soil mapping.
All information is available at the Norco Primex Field Days website: https://www.primex.net.au/stay-and-play Tickets for the Norco Primex Field Days should be purchased online at https://tickets.lup.com.au/norco-primex-2022
“Our team brings a wide variety of backgrounds and communities to their roles addressing issues and developing programs and projects,” Ben says.
While floods have rendered three sites inoperable, Norco is continuing business as usual as much as possible, outsourcing their product through other suppliers and partnered with Local Land Services to assist dairy farmers. Norco provides farming requirements across many commodities in the Northern Rivers area, including macadamia growers, dairy farmers, cereal growers, livestock breeders and cane growers.
VIRTUAL FARMING EXHIBITS
Two of the longest involved and foundation exhibitors at Primex Field Days are Norco and Days Machinery –CASE IH.
ADVERTORIAL
ON THE GROUND WITH FARMING FRIENDS
LONG-TIME SUPPORTERS
scope and delivery of subjects in primary and secondary schools across NSW.
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Dan Hoppe, from Days Machinery said there will be plenty of opportunities for farmers of all commodities to find a bargain, whether they are looking at machinery, equipment, safety boots, tools, or other farming requirements.
The Local Land Services will also be on hand at Primex Field Days, along with a range of other organisations, talking about their programs and providing information about post-flood, postbushfire and post-drought support.
Terms & Conditions: Tickets are only available online and must be purchased prior to entry. Eligible postcodes from the Northern Rivers include 2469–2490 and 2450–2464.
Other education programs include virtual farming and the Paddock to Packet interactive display hosted by the NSW Canegrowers and Sunshine Sugar. NSW Canegrowers has a long history with Norco Primex Field Days, with an industry that has supported the local economy for 150 Evenyears.though many cane growers were affected by the recent floods, they and their industry have committed to continuing to support Norco Primex Field Days this year, with a site and a roster of farmers happy to talk with visitors about their lifestyle and what they do in the field.
FIELD DAYS NOVEMBER 10 – 12, 2022 CASINO, NORTHERN RIVERS, NSW CHECK OUT OUR PLAN, PLAY, STAY EXPERIENCE AT PRIMEX.NET.AU Come along and experience this iconic field day showcasing primary industries in the heart of the Northern Rivers, where you can plan, play, and stay and experience the best of the region. BOOK TICKETSYOURHERE
In the 1840s, Abraham Nivison from Scotland arrived in the Walcha district of New England, NSW and established a sheep farm. Seven generations on, his descendants are still there, although their pioneering today takes the form of groundbreaking research and innovation, as NSW Farmers members Grant and Jock from Yalgoo Genetics explain.
Words BEVERLEY HADGRAFT Photography STEVE GONSALVES
“You look around and there aren’t many places that are still under the one ownership after all this time. Hopefully we will continue to be the exception.”
Grant Nivison
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SUCCESSSCIENCETHEOF
COMMUNITY NEW GENERATIONS
KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY
Grant Nivison and his wife Joanna, with son Jock, his wife Olivia and their three daughters, Frankie (10), Eliza (7) and Edie (3). The Nivisons have been farming in the Walcha district for seven generations.
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Yet Grant says his greatest pride is his four children with wife, Joanna. Katrina works as a lawyer for UNE, Rebecca works in sheep genetics there, Lisa is a vet, and his son Jock runs the farm.
THE NEXT GENERATION
His research led to Grant becoming involved with the Department of Agriculture, University of New England and later with the CSIRO in the evolving progress of MerinoAlthoughgenetics.Grant is modest about his achievements, it must’ve been a huge workload, especially in the 1970s when there was no technology or software to assist him and endless opportunities for data or animals to get confused. These were the days before radio tags – another innovation Grant adopted early in the late 1980s because he was weary of human error messing up data. A farmhand with dyslexia or someone reading a tag or making a recording incorrectly could all prove to be frustrating. However, it all helped to lead to the best advance he’s seen in his lifetime. “Every animal is more productive now,” he says.
Yalgoo sheep cut more wool and that wool is exceptionally fine, snapped up by the picky Italian markets. Steers, meanwhile, yield more meat or get to market weight faster – or both.
“You look around and there aren’t many places that are still under the one ownership after all this time,” Grant observes “Hopefully we will continue to be the exception.”
At first, Jock Nivison wasn not sure he really wanted to return to the family farm. “It was an organic pull in the end,” he says. “We’re not the same as a First Nations family but seven generations have created a close connection with this community and this Allland.”the same, when he did decide his future lay in farming, Jock and dad Grant decided he should start by spending the first 10 years developing a sheep stud partnership in Tasmania.
He’s also proud that his family still farms the area which has had Nivison owners since 1840 and seen the family survive bank crashes, two World Wars, the Spanish Flu, the Great Depression and numerous droughts.
COMMUNITY NEW GENERATIONS
Yalgoo Genetics focuses on groundbreaking research, including an innovative breeding index for Merinos developed in 2012.
Grant would watch farmers buying rams at shows, convinced that a champion rosette with no figures or measurements was a poor measure of the animal. “You were just going on phenotype,” he says. “Some years you might pick one that improved your flock but other years they might take it backwards.”
> THE FARMER SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 202282
GENERATIONS OF INNOVATORS
In the late 1970s, Grant started testing and recording wool microns, fleece weight, body weight, resistance to parasites and one progeny against another – a painstaking system which heralded the Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) of today. “If you’re measuring through genetic improvement, you can measure what is happening to your flock or herd. We soon found which animals were superior, whereas before we’d been in the dark.
“Also, we benchmarked with other farms and it gave you confidence in what you were doing and helped you work out where you could improve your business.”
A century ago, very few farmers were interested in research. The Nivisons, however, were different. A.S. ‘Poss’ Nivison knew that research was essential to help farmers handle problems that may arise in the future.Tothatend, the innovative wool grower supported the establishment of a university college in Armidale, offered his property to study groups and created good links with the CSIRO. Poss was also the first in Australia to use a plane to drop superphosphate on his land and his experiments with fertilisers, drenches and parasite control, combined with his interest in improving sheep and pastures saw him respected as an innovator. Clearly that trait was passed down to the next Poss’sgenerations.nephewJock was part of a small group who brought the first Scanogram machine to properly measure carcass traits to Australia.Longexperience with Carcass
Competitions – where an animal was observed on the hoof and then the hook –had taught him you couldn’t just rely on the human eye to judge the merits of a beast, as his son Grant observes today. “If you could line up the champion live animal with the champion carcass, you were a very astute judge. Or just lucky!” GrantNotsays.surprisingly, Grant (aged 73) has also focussed on research to improve his business. “Performance recording was my big thing when I took over,” he says.
“I joined NSW Farmers because I believe that farmers need a voice that is heard when issues in government or in the community affect our livelihood and our operations. We cannot expect to be heard on our own – there is more power in numbers.”www.nswfarmers.org.auJoanne0294781000@nswfarmers
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Jock Nivison
Fortunately, Jock has never been cannon fodder, so what drives him? “No doubt the best thing is seeing our clients’ businesses grow and having someone you really respect say: ‘You helped us get where we are’. “Providing people with good breeding stock and better systems affects their income and it’s the pinnacle for me, seeing clients do well.”
Back in Walcha, Jock’s parents eased him and wife Olivia into the financial and managerial side of Yalgoo before Jock felt he was ready to follow not only his dad’s, but also his entrepreneurial grandfather’s impressive footsteps.
“The industry has become very competitive and whether you’re producing beef, lamb or wool, there are key profit drivers you have to nail. We keep the message clear, simple and concise: these are the things that make you money.”
Also running on Yalgoo’s 4,050 acres is a stud of around 300 Hereford and 100 Angus cattle with plans to breed up to around 300 of each.
This investment in client relations even sees Jock being generous with his intellectual property. “We’re happy to do our own research to validate data – that’s the stuff that excites me and we’re free with any information we get. We try to get it to industry as soon as possible.”
Hopefully, it will add to even more industry recognition which so far includes 2016 Finalist for NSW Farmer of the Year, 2017 Australian Sheep Farmer of the Year, 2018 nominee for Agricultural Innovation Award and 2019 Hargraves Institute Innovation Award.
More information can be found in An Australian Clan, The Nivisons of New England by Jullian Oppenheimer and Bruce Mitchell. l
“Our product is built around empirical evidence, proof and data, but if there wasn’t a good understanding of what we did, we couldn’t persuade people to invest in what we were doing.”
Jock has been cross breeding the Hereford and Angus to produce Black Baldys – another decision backed by science with Black Baldys providing good growth, immune response, longevity, fertility and milking“We’reability.currently working on a custom Black Baldy index with commercial clients, our consultant and geneticists,” he adds. As the seedstock side of the business has grown Jock has handed over a lot of the day-to-day management to his manager Brett Morris who’s been with the business for 35 years.Meanwhile, he’ll continue exploring new agricultural frontiers as his predecessors did before him. His current focus is a heavy investment in genomics which will add even greater accuracy to Yalgoo’s decision-making.
“We bought another farm at the end of the drought which has become a lamb block,” he says. “We were a bit nervous about the Chinese relationship and heavy dependence wool sales, so we wanted to diversify.”
Jock has three daughters – Frankie, 10, Eliza, 7 and Edie, 3. With a mum who is a naturopath who shares her husband’s curiosity in health, fertility and growth, will they too inherit the family’s inquiring mindset?
It was a great learning experience and confidence builder, he says – not least because it also taught him the art of communication.“Weemployedagricultural consultant Dr Phil Holmes and he’s that rare bird – very evidence-based but also good at delivering a message. Our product is built around empirical evidence, proof and data, but if there wasn’t a good understanding of what we did, we couldn’t persuade people to invest in what we were doing.
As well as the genetics side of the business, Jock runs between 17,000 and 20,000 sheep, predominately Merinos with some fat lambs as well.
Jock senior died 10 years ago. “In many ways, I think he had a higher threshold for risk than Dad and I,” says Jock. “He served in the war (Borneo and New Guinea from 19421945) and I reckon that makes you inclined to have a crack at anything because nothing’s as bad as getting shot at! “My grandfather exported cattle to South Korea, was feedlotting cattle before that became a thing and had butcher’s shops and flew beef up and down the coast.”
“I’m proud we put our clients’ margins before ours,” Jock says. “We have a unique bull depreciation model that is incorporated into our contract bull sales. We have a good data set on how long bulls are lasting and then an algorithm to work out how much it costs per calf per kilo of beef produced. That’s enabled us to work out how to price our bulls more fairly to produce a healthy margin for our clients.”
“Our fleece value index, for instance, is primarily the two things that control price on wool – micron and amount of wool cut. We’ve had it validated against hard economic data then freely distributed it to industry to help others push their flocks along as well.”
A typical example is the breeding index for Merinos which the Nivisons developed in 2012. “Back then there were 80 measurements or traits you could put in an index and none were contributing to income,” Jock explains. “We brought it back to four or five traits that were highly heritable and had a big sell on profitability.
That genuine concern for customers extends to keeping their costs as low as possible.
It prevented them butting heads, explains Jock. “We had a good client down there who was buying rams and a good semen clientele as well. There wasn’t a lot of objective measurement in Tassie when we started so we held field days, brought over geneticists, and tried to establish a good understanding of EBVs.”
“I ask them every other day if they’re going to take over,” Jock laughs. “They want to keep living here but they’re not sure if they want to be farmers.”
COMMUNITY NEW GENERATIONS MEN OF THE LAND Clockwise from top: Yalgoo's 10,000 acres; Alongside the genetics side of the business, Jock runs up to 20,000 Merinos on the property; Grant also runs 300 Hereford and 100 Angus cross-breedingcattle,themtoproduceBlackBaldys. SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 THE FARMER 85
EDITED BY MICHELLE HESPE
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD? See above. I love bite-size leather snacks.
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WHAT IS YOUR WORST HABIT? Biting buggy seats.
FAVOURITE TOY OR THING TO PLAY WITH? Definitely sticks. My boss always throws them at me and there’s plenty around.
IF YOU BECAME FAMOUS FOR ONE THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I’m pretty into social media. I could be an influencer, for sure. IS THERE SOMETHING THAT DRIVES YOUR PARENTS MAD? My love of leather snacks.
Meet Tiger from Walcha
WHAT DOES EVERYONE LOVE ABOUT YOU? My individual working style. It’s called reverse psychology. I try to push the sheep the wrong way, so they want to go the opposite way, which is actually the right way. Pretty smart, hey?
HAVE YOU EVER DONE SOMETHING REALLY NAUGHTY? It’s a matter of perspective really. From an outsider’s point of view, chewing the seat on the buggy might seem naughty, but it’s so loud, I think if I give it a good bite it might shut up.
COMMUNITY FARM DOGS
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANOTHER ANIMAL AS A FRIEND, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY? It would have to be Steven Hawking, I think we have the same IQ. It would be nice to be able to communicate with an animal on the same intellectual level.
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ANY LAST WORDS? Nope, I think that went pretty well. Tiger is a dog of few words with a big IQ who has applied reverse psychology to rounding up sheep. And it works.
REAL NAME AND NICK NAME: Tiger. Aka Selfie and Sensor Light (only works if someone walks past me).
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO DO ON THE FARM?
Chase rabbits through a mob of sheep. I’ve never caught one but I like watching the boss go red and froth at the mouth.
On
the Ground in Bali The Farmer goes to Indonesia to to foot and mouth disease YES, I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN NSW FARMERS. I HAVE TICKED MY MEMBERSHIP CHOICE ABOVE. CONTACTPLEASEME. COMMODITYPHONE:EMAIL:ADDRESS:NAME: (IF APPROPRIATE): FOR ALL GENERAL ENQUIRIES Contact the Member Service Centre on 1300 794 000 or your local regional services manager: 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 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 FULL PRODUCER MEMBER $438.90 For those who own or manage 1 VOTE PER MEMBERSHIP a farm. Includes our basic workplace relations package which provides: · Collective representation on awards, minimum wage review, workers compensation. Wage information, including wage guides issued annually. · Phone advice, four calls a year. ADDITIONAL MEMBER $100 Linked to a full producer, with a 1 VOTE PER MEMBERSHIP proprietorial or income interest. SECOND VOTE MEMBER $100 Linked to a full producer, most 1 VOTE PER MEMBERSHIP often a family member. SMALL FARMS MEMBER $150 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. SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 THE FARMER 87
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. JOIN US Annual membership options ESSENTIALS WORKPLACE RELATIONS PACKAGE 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 Theagreements.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 ornswfarmers.org.auatcall1300794000. includeMemberships The Farmer todeliveremagazinedyou. the dust with character A doggone wild dog debate Two sides to the story, with one big goal oyster farming daughter and father reimagine business swimmer swims the UK Channel
MICHAEL BURT the wheat and get into pigs,” Keith says. Keith started out selling breeders, invested in a hammer mill to make his own wheat-based feed mix and sold ‘heavy porkers’ for an average of 13 to 15 pounds.
The third-generation farmer left school at 16 to join his dad on the farm near Tamworth to grow wheat and look after a small piggery of 20 sows. Sharing the spoils of the annual wheat crop with Dad was not enough for an ambitious young farmer who had visions of diversifying and making more coin from cropping.“IthoughtI could not make a full-time living out of that, so I decided to value-add
Here’s to George the pig
Keith Dunlop’s farming career started with a third share in a wheat crop grown with his dad Harold, but it was a pig named George that would lead to a diverse and interesting life on the land.
A Landrace pig named George set retired NSW Farmer member Keith Dunlop on a diverse agricultural path that spanned running farms in Tamworth, Barraba, Bingara and Edgeroi.
“I read somewhere that three Landrace sows and two boars were going to be imported into Australia from England,” he says.“Idid some research and found that Landrace pigs were brought into England from Sweden and within 10 years, 80 per cent of the pigs in England were Landrace.
Keith packed his bags and headed to Melbourne to purchase a male piglet from one of the two imported boars. Little did he know that the risky purchase of a piglet, later to be named George, would herald a successful farm business plan.
“At the time, just about every farm I knew had a few pigs and I thought everyone would want to try the new breed out.”
TURNING PIGS INTO REALITY
“George cost me 1,000 pounds at auction, which was lot of money in those days,” Keith says. “A new Holden car back then for instance, cost around 1,200 pounds.”HoweverGeorge turned out to be a life changer. “I joined him up with my original sows and their progeny and I sold the female piglets for 50 pounds each, which was more
George the pig – the animal that brought good fortune to Keith and his family.
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Words
“I joined when I was 18 and got roped into being secretary of the then Timbumburi branch near Tamworth. I am glad I did because I wanted to be a part of this great industry and being a member enables you to do that in so many ways. Now I am a retired member and I stay informed through The Farmer magazine.” than three times their value as fats. The first cross boars were also in demand because the Landrace gene is so dominant.” After three years Keith had saved up enough cash to buy his Dad’s neighbour’s farm. “Then several years later Dad wanted to retire, so I bought that farm as well,” Keith says.“Iwas able to do that, get my own machinery and establish a cattle feedlot thanks to George, who was with me for five years. I ended up giving him to a neighbour so that he could start a piggery. So George continued his good work.”
“I kept the all the stock on agistment there for 12 months with the boys while things settled down. We then bought a 4,000-acre farm at Edgeroi and a grazing property at Bingara.”
Keith’s son Martin and his wife Tracey now run the farm at Edgeroi – growing cotton, canola, wheat and chickpeas and managing a beef cattle herd. Keith retired to the coast at Port Macquarie and keeps busy with a diverse half-acre garden and beekeeping.
Retired member Keith Dunlop checking a cotton crop on his son Martin’s farm at Edgeroi.
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Name: Keith Dunlop Farm name: Glencairn, Edgeroi Branch: Wauchope Years as a Member: 67 Why am I a NSW Farmers Member?
COMMUNITY MEET A MEMBER
“I was able to do that, get my own machinery and establish a cattle feedlot thanks to George, who was with me for five years. I ended up giving him to a neighbour so that he could start a piggery. So George continued his good work.”
“Interest rates of up to 20 per cent started to appear and I could see trouble ahead as I had borrowed a lot of money, and so I ended up selling Bareela for a good price.
Keith had two sons and two daughters while farming in Tamworth and like his dad had done for him, Keith wanted to give the opportunity of a farming life to the Thenext generation.familysold the Tamworth farm business and bought Bareela Station at Barraba, but high interest rates set back Keith’s succession plan.
FURTHER DIVERSIFICATION
“It has been an interesting life,” he says. “And much of it would not have happened if it weren’t for a pig name George.” l
With George settled in as the kingpin in a small piggery, Keith focused on improving pastures for fat lamb production and developing irrigation for lucerne and grain cropping.“Iboughtanother neighbour’s farm three years later and that included two large poultry sheds,” he says “I thought George and the pigs had been so good to me, I converted the sheds into a piggery capable of growing out 2,000 pigs.” Keith was a keen early adopter and introduced one of Australia’s first automatic feeding systems from the US to the new large-scale piggery.
Back at the harbour, wife Jacinta and daughter Emma were waiting and the pair stood on the jetty, crying and hugging for ages. “I’ve been through a fair few boxes of tissues,” he admits.
So how does Brendan feel now?
Meet the desert swimmer
Training to swim the English Channel is tough for anyone, but when you live on a sheep station 600km from your nearest beach it’s really, really tough. in Menindee Lake; Pausing for a drink after swimming 15.5 hours across the Channel; Tired, sore and rugged up after accomplishing his incredible mission.
It took Brendan a gruelling 17.5 hours to swin the Channel. After starting at 10am, he did much of the swim in the dark. Conditions were unexpectedly rough the whole way and just as the sun went down and he spied the lights of France in the distance the notorious 4.5 knot tides of the ‘English Channel Graveyard’ swept him off course so that instead of 33 km he ended up swimming 40km.
“That was the toughest bit,” he admits. What was going through his mind?
“Mike’s really encouraging but he must’ve been thinking: ‘Who’s this guy from the bush who thinks he’s going to swim the English Channel?’,” remembers Jacinta.Notliving near the beach meant Brendan’s training was often unorthodox. He had to empty the dingo baits out of his big freezer, fill it with water, cooled to a chilly four degrees then sit in it for up to 10 minutes at a time to prepare himself for theWithcold.4,500 sheep to manage, some days Brendan, 49, was so short of time he had to tie an elastic band around his waist, attach the other end to the pool fence in the backyard and basically swim on the spot for an hour. His ideal swim was up to 15km around Menindee Lake, often rising at 3.45am to prepare himself for swimming in the dark but even that was fraught.
“He had to pull up on one session after a fish swam in his mouth, probably a baby carp,” says Jacinta.
THE TAIL END
“Mentally you think you’re prepared, and I was, but so much stuff goes through your mind. I sang, counted, got support from the crew, remembered advice from other swimmers, thought about my family and just concentrated on putting one arm in front of the other.”
Words BEV HADGRAFT MISSION ACCOMPLISHED Left to right: Brendan training
When Brendan finally hit the sands of France, hands swollen and fighting pain in his shoulder and groin, the pair hugged and cried for two minutes. As the horn sounded to signal the swim was complete, Brendan’s next priority was scrambling about to find pebbles to take back for his three children.“ButImust’ve hit the sandiest beach in France. There wasn’t a pebble in sight,” he laughs. “I can’t even remember the trip back to Dover. I just passed out on the beanbags. I was proper sore. As sore as I’ve ever been.”
THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE DREAM
Brendan’s extraordinary journey began three years ago. He took up swimming as part of his battle against depression and became so addicted that when he saw posters offering English Channel try-outs during a visit to Melbourne, he put his hand up. It was there he met Mike, who has swum the Channel four times.
A nyone who swims the English Channel is a hero – only 20 per cent of those who attempt it even make the distance. In July this year, Broken Hill grazier Brendan Cullen joined their ranks, which is an amazing feat – not least because he lives 60kms from the nearest swimming pool and 600kms from the nearest beach.
“It’s mind-blowing that I’m now a Channel swimmer. I can’t believe it,” he says. l
Coach Mike Gregory (aka the Tractor because he can plough through anything) jumped into the water to swim the final two kilometres with his protege.
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Training, however, wasn’t Brendan’s only headache. With no wetsuits allowed he had to get up to 100kg to build up a layer of insulation against the cold so was consuming lots of pasta, potatoes, ice cream and beer.
Jacinta and eldest daughter, Emma both work for Broken Hill Lifeline and Brendan is a dedicated volunteer so he used his swim to raise funds for them. At the start of the swim, around $9,000 had been pledged but as supporters watched his effort, donations tripled with Broken Hill cheering him on, making Brendan Cullen Swimming The Channel cupcakes and even turning out in force to welcome him home at the airport.
“I started getting involved with NSW Farmers as a young farmer. You got to have a united voice representing our diverse sector and NSW Farmers does a good job at that. As a farmer, you have to support that unified voice by being a member and because you can’t fight some of the battles on your own.” - Terry
www.nswfarmers.org.au0294781000@nswfarmers
