AgLife – March 25, 2020 edition

March 25, 2020

Living their dream

Young Coromby farmers, from left, Kurtis Schodde, 21, Campbell Spittle, 20, and Bailey Petering, 22, love the diversity of farm work.

Story, page 21.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Proudly brought to you by:

95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

For all your chaff needs

This Weeks Special DogPro Working Dog

$25.00 20kg Bag

95 Nelson Street, NhillStreet, Nhill 95 Nelson

03 5391 2106 CALL 03 5391CALL 2106 Wednesday, March 25, 2020

“Your Business Is As Important To Us, As It Is To You” www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

Float-Friendly Drive Thru

“Like” Us On Face

River Road, Horsha 105 River105 Road, Horsham CALL 03 5381 2828 Page

19

NEW and USED

FARM MACHINERY DEALS Hardi 8500lt 36mt Terraforce Boom ISO Controller.

$94,000

Croplands 6000lt 36mt Boom

Hardi 7000lt 36mt Force Boom

BA 7000 Controller Dual Line.

463 Pump, Triplets, HC5500 Controller, Jobcom Box.

$57,200

incl. GST

TTI Fire Defence 800L Portable Fire Fighter

Grainline GMP526 26’ X 5” Mini Mobile

Honda GX160 with Davey Pump, Dim: 1700 x 1000 x 1155 (mm).

5.5 hp GX200 Honda Engine.

$4304

$6380

Grainline GFT25 2.5 Tonne Feed Out Trailer 3m x 5” Auger, 5.5hp Honda Engine, Elect.

Brakes, Poly downspout with flexi hose, Electric trail feeder door (remote control).

$17,325 incl. GST

Walker MB23i

Bobcat XRZ Pro 52

23 hp Kohler EFI Command Engine, 48”Side Discharge, & Mulching, HD Drive, C/W Deck Height Adjuster kit, Hours 34.

21 hp Kohler 7000 series engine.

incl. GST

incl. GST

incl. GST

Walker R21 42” Deck

$8990

$66,000

incl. GST

incl. GST

$16,500

DEMO

All prices are on stocked items only!!

incl. GST

23hp Kawasaki FX691v, 52”Side Discharge, s/ no 01070, Hours 17.5.

$11,490

DEMO

LET’S GET TO THE POINT!

incl. GST

with

YOUR LOCAL STOCKISTS WITH THE FULL RANGE OF TILLAGE TOOLS

Agmaster Presswheels offer flexibility to suit all seeding conditions. The presswheels mount to a false bar behind the last rank of seeding tynes.

TOOLS TILLAGE LIA AUSTRA

We also offer Tungsten Grit Hardfacing of most ground engaging tools!

8 HAMILTON ROAD, HORSHAM www.wimmeramalleeag.com.au

Page

20

• Individually mounted for independent pressure • Self tracking • Semi pneumatic tyres for soil shedding • Down pressure adjustable • Can be lifted and locked when not required • Light weight but robust – module weight 10kg

Slot Mate V

Slot Mate D

Slot Mate V 5”

Slot Mate F

Slot Mate S

Slot Mate Adaptor

WITH GREASABLE HUBS!

(03) 5382 6103 www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

Make your farm run at its best... by choosing the best!

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Proudly brought to you by:

Th

D

Young farmers loving life on the land 95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

Kurtis’s story is a common one among farming families – he grew up itching for weekends and school holidays when he could spend time on the tractor or header, doing crop inspections and enjoying the freedom of the great outdoors.

“I couldn’t wait to get out here as a kid,” he said.

“I love it here. I did a little bit of work elsewhere, but mostly on the farm. I’ve been on the farm full-time since 2017.”

Kurtis, 21, is a grain farmer, growing cereals and legumes with his father, Craig, on the family property north of Murtoa.

“I’m the fourth generation at the same farm,” he said.

“It’s good being on the family farm because you get to see the improvements you make.

“I like seeing how everything changes. Sometimes Dad looks at something I do and questions it, but then he can see that it works.”

Kurtis said he enjoyed keeping busy and loved the diversity of farm work.

“I like the versatility of the work,” he said.

“There are so many different things you can do – you never get bored.

“I always go back and forth as to whether I like seeding or harvest better – I think it’s harvest, because you get to see the result of what you’ve grown all year.

“I’m the header driver, so I get to see the end of it.

“I also get air-conditioning and food deliveries, so it’s a good place to be.”

Kurtis said he was lucky to have grown up in a rural environment and to pursue a lifestyle he was passionate about.

“I think we could use a few more young farmers – there’s not enough of us,” he said.

Kurtis has several mates in a similar situation, including housemate Bailey Petering.

Bailey, 22, worked on a cattle station near the South Australian outback town of Oodnadatta for 12 months before moving home to work on his family’s farm.

“I wanted to do something different and it was a completely different type of work,” Bailey said.

“It was very interesting to see how they operate up that way. The station was in the middle of the country, at the top of South Australia. The conditions are a lot different up there, it’s a lot hotter and very remote.”

The Peterings have a mixed enterprise involving sheep, crops and hay.

nEW 6m

nEW 7r

BY SARAH MATTHEWS

C

oromby farmer Kurtis Schodde believes he was destined for a life on the land, from the moment his parents gave him his first toy tractor in the delivery room.

“Anyone who hasn’t started to get organised for cropping is going to get a bit of a shock, I think.”

Kurtis said he and his father had ordered ‘what we think we need’ and were hoping the supply chain did not dry up.

“It’s not going to get any better,” he said.

“Even if we get the crops in, we might not be able to get the supporting chemicals we need when we need them.

“The flow-on effects are going to be huge.

“We don’t have any employees, so we haven’t had to worry about having to put anyone off or anything.

“We are self-sufficient, but we will just have to wait and see what happens. Hopefully it’s all okay and we don’t have to go seek employment elsewhere – I don’t know what we’d do.”

Kurtis turned 21 last week. His birthday party was also a casualty of the coronavirus lockdown measures.

“We decided to cancel it because of the crowd size,” he said.

“Hopefully I can have a belated celebration at some stage.

“Weekends are going to be pretty quiet now – there’s not a lot of places you can go.

“I was speaking to a mate the other day and we both like woodcutting, so we might go do that.”

PERFECT JOB: From left, Kurtis Schodde, 21, Campbell Spittle, 20, and Bailey Petering, 22, love life on the land.

Bailey, who works alongside his father, Tim, and uncle, Paul, said he loved the different seasons on the farm.

“Each time of year, there is different work to be done,” he said.

“Each day is different – I like the variety of work and I like working outside.”

Bailey said although farming was a reasonably isolating job, there were plenty of ways to stay socially connected, including sport or catching up with friends.

Social connection is a major issue across the country at the moment, with parliamentary leaders and health offi-

cials urging Australians to stay home and ‘socially isolate’ to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Bailey said in many instances it was easy for farmers to follow the directive.

“I guess we’re pretty used to it,” he said.

“I can go to work and only see two or three people for the whole day.

“The coronavirus hasn’t affected me working, but it has the potential to cause a lot of trouble for farmers if we can’t get the supplies we need coming into cropping.

“We are already finding it hard to get all the chemical we need.

BIG TRACTOR LINE-UP nEW 8rx

New MY20 Tractors Hitting Australian Shores Now!

DUR QUALITY

GUARANTEED

STEEL

STRONGEST & BE ST Est Since 1974

l e e t s a Dur

s

d r a o b r e h Weat

Never paint again with Durasteel Weatherboards.

Durasteel adds value to your home and never needs paint.

You’ll be most impressed

Durasteel is the deal.

OUR M O R F T C DIRE TO YOU Y R O T C FA

Durasteel looks like a real weatherboard.

Durasteel insulates your home, making it cooler in Summer and warmer in Winter.

Durasteel has all the fire-ratings.

Durasteel has a 50 year warranty, made from high tensile Colorbond steel with a choice of 18 colours.

Durasteel adds extra value to your home and keeps adding value as it increases in value.

*Conditions apply

You are not wasting money on painting time after time, you are investing your money in your most valued asset.

Ring now for an obligation free quotation, Wednesday, March 25, 2020

FREE CALL 1800 032 668 or email brj@netconnect.com.au www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

Page

21

Formerly

Trav Hair

Dean Toet

My background has been with the legacy Landmark business, looking after the day-to-day operations of the branch as well as working with Crop Opti Services consultancy business in the field. Working with growers in all agronomic areas including precision ag has allowed me to help growers improve their operations and work with them around things such as product supply, finance options and using other facilities that Nutrien has to offer its customers. The move into precision ag using the latest technology has also seen growers implement changes in the way they farm, increasing profits and using inputs to better suit their production.

I have been in the industry for 17 years and my current role is overseeing the day-to-day operations of our Horsham, Dimboola and Nhill stores.

Branch: Legacy Landmark Role: Branch and Agronomy

Branch: Legacy Agritech Role: Branch manager

With the integration of the two businesses I am looking forward to working with existing clients and working with the legacy Agritech business’ clients to allow them to engage in what Nutrien has to offer. I aim to see all our clients and customers prosper and grow with them to achieve the best outcomes for their families.

The Ag Retailer of the Future.

UNPARALLELED ACCESS TO SOLUTIONS

18-22 Hamilton Road, Horsham 3400

|

This involves managing staff and making sure our procurement strategy is under control so we can provide our customers with products that suit their production and increase their profitability.

What I look forward to in the integration of the two businesses is working with the legacy Landmark customers and being able to provide access to the new options that Nutrien can offer existing clients, such as finance, insurance and precision ag.

I am excited to have an extended team to work with and I am looking forward to bringing our strengths together – it will make us a powerful business.

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

VALUE-DRIVEN OFFERINGS

LOCAL, TRUSTED EXPERTS WITH GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

(03) 5382 0088

TURNS INTO PROFITS H SCAN TO WATCH

SCAN TO WATCH

ARDI H-SELECT nozzle control technology offers precise speed, rate and droplet control for large spray booms.

per nozzle body, to maintain a constant fluid pressure, droplet size and application rate.

Droplet size can even be adjusted on the move.

Now available for HARDI RUBICON, SARITOR 62 Active and COMMANDER sprayers, H-SELECT automatically controls up to four nozzles

Scan the QR codes to see H-SELECT in action.

T. 03 5382 6103 8 HAMILTON ROAD HORSHAM • 3402 Page

22

Finance

Available

Wimmera Mallee Ag PTY LTD

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Proudly brought to you by:

Th

D

Leader: Projects a must for economy 95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

A

report into a floundering Murray Basin Rail Project combined with the global COVID-19 pandemic has prompted Victoria’s peak farmer group leader to stress the importance of transport links.

Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said an Auditor General assessment of the rail project, MBRP, had revealed it was three years behind schedule and had exhausted 87 percent of its allocated $381.5-million without a completion date in sight.

He said he was concerned the project had been on hold since mid-2018.

“The MBRP is a once-in-a-generation project to create a fit-for-purpose regional rail network in Victoria and the current COVID-19 pandemic has exposed just how vital transport links are to our food supply,” he said.

“This is a nation-building project. At a time when our economy is in crisis, it is projects like this that are essential for our future prosperity.

“The Victorian Government should be thinking about the projects that it will bring on line to support our economy through bushfires and now COVID-19.

“We will come out of Novelcorona and when we do, it’s projects like this that we need to have ready to go.”

Mr Jochinke said the Murray Basin Rail Project would reduce transport-logistics costs for industries and

VITAL LINK: A floundering Murray Basin Rail Project combined with the global COVID-19 pandemic has prompted Victoria’s peak farmer group leader to stress the importance of transport links. primary producers and ensure the rail network could meet future freight demands of the state.

“The government estimated the MBRP would lift efficiency by 15 percent and allow for an additional 500,000 tonnes of grain to be transported by rail each year,” he said.

“Not only does this project have significance for rural communities with an estimated 280 construction jobs, but it is also important for Melburni-

ans who will benefit from fewer trucks on the road, especially to Geelong.

“We want it finished. It will get freight off road, reduce road damage and improve road safety as well as getting agricultural exports to port quicker and cheaper.

“Melbourne is getting tens-of-billions of dollars in transport infrastructure upgrades.

“Regional Victoria just wants its fair share. This project is a no brainer.”

Premier Daniel Andrews made a commitment to the project on Monday August 17, 2015, promising to ‘… fix the missing links in our freight network and connect regional Victoria to the ports of Portland, Geelong and Melbourne’.

On February 24 this year at a VFF Grains Conference, members unanimously resolved to demand the government adhere to its commitment to standardise the remaining broad-

NOW OPEN

gauge lines and complete the link through Ballarat to Geelong.

Victorian Opposition leader Peter Walsh launched a scathing attack on the Labor government’s handling of the project.

Mr Walsh said the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office, VAGO, finding confirmed the worst for producers and stakeholders in north-west Victoria.

“Labor has no plan and no money to get the basin rail project back on track,” he said.

Mr Walsh said the report had revealed the project had ‘not met scope, time, cost or quality expectations’.

He said it also showed ‘completion of the MBRP is a year overdue, with over twice the original budget now estimated as necessary to complete the project to its original approved scope’.

He said VAGO also found delays and coster-runs had worsened due to ‘ineffective contract management, project management and project execution by V-Line’ and responses to Federal Government requests for information from the State Government ‘were not always forthright or timely’.

Mr Walsh and Opposition transport infrastructure spokesman David Davis took aim at Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allen, accusing her of attempting in parliament to smear the credibility of the Auditor-General and demanding she take responsibility for the project’s position.

Deliveries direct to your door

99-101 DIMBOOLA ROAD,

HORSHAM

NEW

Mobile: 0421 526 355 | Phone: (03) 4344 1155

admin@radiussteelsupplies.com | www.radiussteelsupplies.com

in

Smaller • lighter • faSter • Smarter

The only spot sprayer with: ISOBUS compatibility Weed mapping Section control

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

De yo mos ur are a

Plus Intelligent, auto-calibrating sensors 50% lighter, 30% fewer sensors Double the resolution for targeting weeds

Suits most sprayers and wider platforms (not just ground following booms)

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

To contact your local dealer, visit

mcintoshdistribution.com.au Page

23

FIND A FINANCE PARTNER WHO UNDERSTANDS YOU with

CROPOPTI SERVICES

Registered builders No: CB-U-4846 EST. 1980

CROPOPTI

LEADERS IN AGRONOMY

A fully-independent farm consultancy service that provides you with customised solutions to your farms’ specific challenges.

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED FAMILY BUSINESS

Landmark Crop Finance can help you prepare with confidence and take the pressure off your cash-flow this season.

Over 150 years experience Call your local team...

Travis Hair 0437 778 202 Matt Beddison 0429 007 810

Stefan Phillips 0400 792 482 Josh Mahoney 0427 748 943

7 Golf Course Road, Horsham 3400 (03) 5382 0088

• Shed Builders and Erectors • Rural, Industrial & Commercial Buildings • Standard designs or fully customized • Hay Sheds • Machinery Sheds • Grain Sheds • Sheep yard covers • All Shed Frames Universal Beam Construction • Using Australian made building products

Lot 5 King Drive • P.O Box 701 Horsham, 3402 Phone: 03 5382 0257 • Fax: 03 5381 1488 Brad Smith: 0417 166 309 • Greg Smith: 0419 896 621 Email: horshamsteel@bigpond.com Website: horshamsteel.com.au

SECONDHAND MACHINERY SALES

$242,000 inc. GST 2012 S690 Class 9 STK Header

$121,000 inc. GST Fendt 924

$198,000 inc. GST Fendt 930

$198,000 inc. GST 2015 Krone 1290

240hp, 50K, Vario transmission, full suspension. Stock #10.

220hp, 65K, Vario, only 200 hours, suit new buyer. Stock #121.

3x4, 8 string, 45,000 bales approx.

$88,000 inc. GST Rogator 1286C

$27,000 inc. GST 2012 Gold Acres 3018

$16,500 inc. GST Case CX70 Tractor

$110,000 inc. GST 2009 Massey Ferguson 9895

36m boom, 6000L tank, X25 spray controller, auto steer. Stock #C20

3000L, 18m. Stock #67

70hp, FWA, air conditioned cab.

Class 8, with 40’ or 45’ front, approx 1700 rotor hours. Stock #C10

Approx 2200 rotor hours. Stock #63.

Prices inc. GST Case 1640 Header, all parts including front.

Case 7120 Class 7 Header

Krone 826 Rotary Rake

MF2190, Baler parts, complete pick up (suit 2170), various parts.

With 40’ front. Approx 1900 rotor hours.

Stock #109.

JD7810 Tractor, various parts.

JD7930 Tractor, various parts.

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

St

RO AD

m Pa l 1 Lo t

Edith

Pryors Rd

N

Located at Lot 1 Palm Avenue, off Dooen Road, HORSHAM

Av e

MF7475, DynaVT Vario transmission, most parts.

0428 338 998 24

inc. GST

inc. GST

Manitou MLT745, 2015 model, booms, transmission, drives, various parts.

KYM GROSSER Page

$176,000

$25,300

AGCO 9250, flex front, most parts.

OE

JD946/956 MOCO, Wrecking for parts, good tri lobe roller etc.

Krone 320 Disc Mower, Wrecking for parts.

MF9152 Sickle MOCO, Wrecking for parts, good herringbone rollers, suit MF1375.

Macdon D60, Various parts.

Manitou MLT735, Manitou MLT telehandler, varieous parts, boom transmission final drives Gleaner N6, all parts new overhauled Alison engine, front.

DO

Wrecking Parts

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Proudly brought to you by:

Th

D

Farmers asked to speak out V

BY DYLAN DEJONG

ictoria’s peak farming body is reminding the agricultural community to report farm crime to authorities in a bid to reduce incidents across the state.

Off the back of a ‘Locals Get Vocal’ campaign, Victoria Police and Victorian Farmers Federation aim to change the culture of how farmers protect their assets, while also making it easier to report on-farm crime.

VFF president and Murra Warra farmer David Jochinke said co-ordinating the campaign with Victoria Police was a crucial step forward in preventing crime.

“This is about getting farmers to talk to and co-ordinate with police officers, not only to report and identify, but also solve farm crime,” he said.

“We’re trying to encourage people to speak up and get their voice heard.

“We’ve got to take that ownership.

We have take the approach of not allowing it to happen to begin with. That occurs around our attitudes and how we look at problems and solve them as a group.”

Mr Jochinke said it was difficult for authorities to allocate resources to prevent crime if farmers failed to report incidents.

He said latest figures showed a misrepresentation of crime in regional localities due to under-reporting.

“We don’t have good enough stats,” he said.

“We’re seeing under-reporting of farm crime, which makes it harder for us to ask for additional resources.”

Mr Jochinke said he anecdotally heard of incidents occurring across the Wimmera-Mallee.

“In our area there’s been a lot more people coming on to farms,” he said.

“I hear of people losing sheep in our area, losing equipment from their sheds, chemicals, trailers, even tractors in some cases.”

In September last year Victoria Police added a team of 70 Farm Crime Liaison Officers, FLCOs, to a specialised farm crime unit to improve reporting opportunities for famers.

Mr Jochinke said VFF hoped additional FCLOs would create a way for farmers to speak out.

“Having these dedicated people to contact will hopefully give the farmers the confidence to report crime,” he said.

He said reporting was crucial for police to be able to follow up leads.

“One of our greatest concerns is, even while someone might report the crime, few follow it up,” he said.

“That just boils down to resourcing.

The more we report it, the more people get active, the more it’s followed up.”

Mr Jochinke said while reporting was important, preventative measures could ensure farmers could protect themselves.

David Jochinke “Farmers need to be responsible for their own equipment. No longer can we just expect people will abide by the law. We’ve got to be proactive in how we protect ourselves,” he said.

“Things like firearm storage – no longer is a fridge with a padlock acceptable. We want people to be using certified gun cabinets – putting surveillance in where there’s valuable assets such as wool, sheep yards and diesel tanks.

“We want people to not leave their vehicles unlocked near roads overnight.

“There’s many things we can do. It starts with conversations in the district; if you see a suspicious vehicle in the neighbourhood give your neighbour a call. If you’re going away, help your neighbours help you as well. We’re trying to get vocal.”

Mr Jochinke said he wanted farmers

to be confident it was worth reporting a crime.

“We’re better working together than trying to be vigilantes,” he said.

“We don’t want people to take the law into their own hands. We want people to have faith in a system that works.

“To make that system work we need to be a part of it.”

Farm Crime co-ordinator, Inspector Karl Curran, said the rising number of incidents had equated to millions of dollars of stolen agricultural resources.

“In the past 12 months, livestock worth more than $1.9-million was stolen across Victoria,” he said.

“There were 3588 crimes reported in the previous 12 months where tools, equipment, pumps, trailers and fuel were stolen equating to about $1.4million. These crimes are facilitated by an abundance of property, isolation and remoteness.”

Mr Curran said rural properties were often targeted by offenders searching for firearms.

“There were 134 firearms, as well as ammunition, stolen during burglaries across the state over the past year,” he said.

“Most rural property owners use firearms as part of their jobs and offenders are well aware of this.

“While most firearms are safely stored, they are often kept on remote properties and the theft is often not discovered for days or even weeks.”

Livestock warning 95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

Agriculture Victoria is advising sheep and cattle producers to keep an eye out for signs of phalaris toxicity, which can lead to illness and sudden death in livestock.

With the flush of new growth across the region following rain after a prolonged dry period, there is an increased risk of livestock suffering from phalaris toxicity as a result of consuming young phalaris grass.

In its early stages of growth, usually the first six weeks, phalaris grass contains toxic alkaloids, which if grazed, can lead to animals developing phalaris staggers.

In contrast, phalaris suddendeath syndrome is caused by high levels of ammonia in the animal’s system.

Agriculture Victoria district veterinary officer Rachel Gibney said phalaris staggers could develop between 10 days and four months after grazing pasture and animals could even show signs months after being removed from phalaris.

People can gain further advice by contacting veterinarians or Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officers.

Accredited to 50m with Urea

Increased Capacity and Dual Dynamic Section Control

Trailed spreaders

Where the professional farmer shops Contact: Heath Miller Regional Sales Manager 0429 773 887 Grader Blades

Deep Rippers

Horsham 150 Golf Course Road Horsham Victoria Wednesday, March 25, 2020

W techgrow.com.au

Head Office T 08 8842 1384

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

Page

25

Proudly brought to you by: This Weeks Special DogPro Working Dog

$25.00 20kg Bag

Western lesson “Like” Us On Facebook

95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

SPIRAFLEX

A

s I sit to write my monthly column I can’t help but reflect on the enormity of what is happening in the world at the moment, and on how anxious it’s making all of us with our futures so uncertain.

AIR SEEDER HOSE

Goodyear’s Spiraflex Air Seeder hose is designed for use in Air Seeding applications where there is a requirement to view the product being conveyed.

This hose is specially formulated with a Clear Thermosplastic Urethane Liner offering superior wear resistance in not only seeding applications, but many other dry bulk material delivery applications.

Goodyear Engineered Products Australia is very pleased to introduced our USA made Spiraflex Air Seeder Hose. It was developed exclusively for use on OEM air seeder applications in the North American market and is now available in Australia.

14B Sloss St, Horsham | (03) 5381 0800 | Fax (03) 5381 0801 | sales@wimmerabearings.com.au

Kaniva

In light of that, this is a ‘virus free’ column.

I’ve decided instead to share with you one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences of a very different variety.

Last week while I was on holidays, I attended a two-day Western – as in cowboy – horsemanship clinic with American legend Pat Puckett.

I was apprehensive because I was the only non-Western rider and very obviously so.

No cowboy hat, no cowboy saddle, no cowboy spurs and no cowboy ropes. I’ll admit, sitting on my 16.2-hand warmblood mare among 15-hand quarter horses, I was thinking this was going to be a one-day clinic for me.

For half of the first day, my horse and I were totally confused. I reminded myself how there was something to learn from everyone, even if it’s that they’re a fool, so I soldiered on.

As the fog lifted, I slowly concluded that I was privileged to be learning from the finest natural horseman I’d ever met. But better yet, a great storyteller. Let me share a few with you.

Puckett has been a rancher all his life and has always worked cattle on horseback. He now only has Huntaway working dogs.

When he rides into the mountains to muster cows and calves, he first finds a comfortable rock with a fine view, gets off his horse and commands his dog to bark for several minutes, with not a cow in sight.

He claims he waits for an hour, enjoying the

HORSHAM WOOL

WOOL BUYERS

Ph. 0417 119 216

12 KING DRIVE, HORSHAM – 5382 1628 Page

26

with Libby Price

solitude of just horse and dog while the cows seek out their calves in response to the barking.

He then commands the dog to start barking again, and slowly the cattle make their way out of the high country. ‘No galloping, no cracking of whips, no mis-mothering, just happy cattle quietly walking home with horse, rider and dog taking up the rear’.

Everything Puckett does is done slowly, calmly and with purpose. Even fooling others.

He had a nurse as a client who kept insisting he wear gloves when roping cattle. So he wised up the other cowboys to his plan. After roping a calf, he screamed and threw a rubber thumb he kept for such occasions and yelled, ‘Quick tie up the dogs, the calf has pulled off my thumb!’

The nurse raced to the rescue, scooping up the spare appendage. Puckett then held up both hands and everyone laughed. Except the nurse.

So, did an eventer-dressage rider learn anything from an old cowboy? Hell, yeah. Puckett chose to ride my horse for several hours and she’s a changed horse for the better. Couldn’t rope a calf off her, but our trust is at a new level.

But the most important lesson: to be a good horseman-cattleman, above all you need humility and respect for the animal.

” “A family business of true locals

Nhill

Travelling from Horsham to Kaniva and covering the whole Wimmera Mallee

Country Today

Dimboola

Horsham

Call the team at Hor sham Wool for the best advice on selling your wool www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

WOOL BUYING

HORSHAM ... NOW OPEN KANIVA ... Thursday fortnightly NHILL ... Every Friday Jamie............................ 0417 119 216 Brett.............................. 0417 344 182 Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Proudly brought to you by:

Th

D

Make opportunities F

ederal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has spoken of how Australian primary producers are in a position to stake their claim as providers of the best food in the world.

He said through adversity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia might also emerge as a world leader in supplying critical produce in difficult circumstances.

Mr Littleproud said government and industry leaders were working quickly to find ways of continuing supply into key markets – ‘to be able to provide secure food supply of the best food in the world to other nations. We produce enough food for 75 million. We oversupply, we’re only a nation of 25 million’.

“So here’s an opportunity, out of all this disaster, for Australian primary producers to actually stake their claim on the world stage of being able to provide the best produce in the world – but also – to be able to do it in tough times,” he said.

“So, we’re working through that as quickly as we can to make sure we can also maintain our international markets and expand them where the opportunities arise.”

Mr Littleproud was responding to questions by radio station 5AA’s Leon Brymer, who also asked about domes-

tic supply chains and getting produce from warehouses and onto shelves in shops.

“Well, it’s just plain stupidity what is happening out there in supermarkets,” Mr Littleproud said.

“There are old ladies getting pushed over to get the last piece of meat, or the next toilet roll; it’s absolute stupidity.

“The reality is there is no strain about us being able to supply supermarkets and the Australian people with groceries.

“The only strain that is coming is from the stupidity of a few that are bulk buying – and meaning that we are now having to change local laws to allow trucks to be able to get in to these supermarkets at all hours of the day, taking away curfews, where they were quietly doing it in hours that weren’t impinging on our ability to sleep at night and do the right thing.

“We are now having to change local laws to be able to get trucks in to stop this stupidity.

“Australians can do this by themselves, calmly get on with it – like Australian farmers are.

“Australian producers are just calmly going about their business, producing the best food and fibre in the world and we are looking at this in making sure that we secure Australia’s security, food security. But also an

opportunity to grow our sector further, globally.

“We are well positioned, not only as a sector, but as a nation because of the work that our men and women do on those paddocks out there, producing the best food and fibre in the world.”

Mr Littleproud also responded to questions about fuel supply and prices.

“Our fuel supplies are better than what they have been because there’s an abundance,” he said.

“Obviously, there’s less use of it at the moment, we are obviously monitoring it, but this is one of the things in contingency planning.

“Government, state and federal level, are working together to make sure all levels of continuity for our economy and for our nation continues.

“Our society continues on, we’ve looked at all the essentials, whether they be groceries, whether they be fuel, all the way through electricity, water, making sure the essentials of life are there and we are best placed than any other nation in the world and we should be damn proud of that rather than allowing panic and social media overtake common sense.

“That’s all we’re asking the Australian people now, is to show some common sense.”

95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

PRECAUTIONS: Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange manager Paul Christopher. Attendance at weekly sales has been limited.

Exchange access changes Access to Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange’s weekly sales is limited to buyers and stock agents as measures are taken to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Horsham Rural City Council infrastructure director John Martin said to ensure sales could continue, the council needed to limit attendance by non-essential people at the site.

“Council sees the Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange as a critical service to continue during the COVID-19 emergency, to help ensure food security,” he said.

“Access during the sale will be

restricted to agents, buyers, transport operators and council staff.

“The general public will not be able to attend, even if they are sellers at the sale.

“We are conscious that many regular attendees are in an age bracket that is potentially more vulnerable to the virus, and are taking this measure as a means of ensuring continuity of the sales.”

Horsham Rural City Council is preparing for future changes to the pandemic and will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as changes occur.

With free on farm delivery within 300km’s of Horsham, be sure to get along, say hello and discover the strength, value and versatility of Titan.

Titan TL30 Wheel Loader

Titan TL20 Wheel Loader

Features:

Features:

9 Rated 3000kg operating 9 125Hp Turbo Diesel

9 Rated 2000kg operating 9 105Hp Turbo Diesel

9 4400mm lift height 9 4 Speed Powershift

9 4000mm lift height 9 4 Speed Powershift

9 36km/h Road Speed

9 36km/h Road Speed

Motor

Motor

Transmission

2019 Henty ys Field Da Machinery

MACHINE R OF THEYEA Nominee

Priced at $41,900 including GST

Titan TL30 Standard Inclusions: 9 Passive Boom Suspension 9 Electronic Float Function 9 Hydraulic Quick Hitch 9 4 in 1 Bucket 9 Pallet forks 9 Spare Wheel 9 Reverse Camera 9 Air Conditioned / Heated ROPS Cabin

Transmission

All Titan Wheel Loaders come as standard with Heavy Duty 4 in 1 buckets, pallet forks and spare wheels

Priced at $29,900 including GST

Titan TL20 Standard Inclusions: 9 Passive Boom Suspension 9 Electronic Float Function 9 Hydraulic Quick Hitch 9 4 in 1 Bucket 9 Pallet forks 9 Spare Wheel 9 Reverse Camera 9 Air Conditioned / Heated ROPS Cabin

The Titan product range is supported by the Titan Tough, 2 Year / 2400 factory warranty.

Discover the strength of Titan today at www.titanloaders.com.au or call 03 9786 6363.

“Don’t get caught paying more for less” Wednesday, March 25, 2020

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

Page

27