AgLife – June 26, 2019 edition

June 26, 2019

Warning signs Agriculture Victoria senior veterinary officer Dr Paul Beltz shows new signs to be installed at Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange.

Story, page 27.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Proudly brought to you by:

95 Nelson Street, Nhill

!

K E E W S I H T ENDS CALL 03 5391 2106

This Weeks Special

BUY ANY VACCINE &Dog enter the draw

WIN AN ENGEL DogPro Working FRIDGE / FREEZE R

$25.00 LAST CHANCE TO ENTER!!

20kg Bag

95 Nelson Street, Nhill

105 River Road, Horsham

CALL 03 5391 2106 Wednesday, June 26, 2019

“Like” Us On F

TO BE DRAWN JUNE 28, 2019

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

Page

25

STRENGTH AND AGILITY

THE SMARTER, MORE POWERFUL WAY TO BETTER HAY.

WHEN YOU NEED IT COMING SOON

In stock and ready to go!

WR9980 – 265hp Last unit for 2019

Be quick!

0%

FINANCE*

NEW WR9900 SERIES 197 – 265 HP SELF PROPELLED WINDROWER MF TH 7038 TELEHANDLER 130HP More power to handle all crop conditions, a brand-new cab for more comfort and greater hydraulic capacity for increased productivity.

• RearSteerTM option with speeds up to 40km/h

• Quick hydraulic couplers • Powerful hydraulics • Unbeatable lift capacity with 7m high and 3800kg

• Efficient boom suspension and cushion retract • Unbeatable comfort and visibility • New powerful and fuel efficient engines

GET IN QUICK FOR SHAPE UP GREAT FINANCE!

MF 2200 LARGE SQUARE BALER

WITH THE BEST

The MF is built upon a simple, reliable design providing stress-free operation and consistent high bale density, row after row.

• Consistent high bale density

MF MOWERS

• Tandem axle and single axle • Highly efficient drive system

2270 XD

• Reduced power requirement Single axle & low running costs. cuttingmeans widths • Quickchange blade system

• Available in 2.42m to 9.3m • Front mount, rear mount and butterfly options • Professional series mowers

tandem coming

• DriveGuard cutter bar protection into stock for thisrequired season • Low horsepower

SEASON FAVOURITE

MF RAKES • Working widths from 3.6m to 12.5m • 1, 2 and 4 rotor options • Unique tyne arm mounting for perfect fit and reduced wear

IN STOCK

• ‘Jet effect’ protects tynes when lowering rotors to the ground • Patented fully cardanic rotor suspension for optimum ground contouring

IN STOCK NOW: RK 802 TRC Pro – Twin Rotor Centre Delivery

MF$60,500 1300 MOWER CONDITIONERS $25,000 $22,000

$85,800 incl. GST

incl. GST

incl. GST

• Cutting widths of 2.97 to 4.9 m • Robust RazorBar cutterbar • Adjustable automatic hydraulic roller tension

$19,800 incl. GST

incl. GST

• Adjustable low ground clearance • Low maintenance • Unique design steel conditioning rolls

ENGINEERED TO LAST

2010 New Holland BB9080S Large Square Baler

2008 Massey Ferguson 2170S Large Square Baler

2003 Massey Ferguson 187SB Large Square Baler

1995 Case 8580 Heston 4x4 Large Square Baler

2011 Massey Ferguson RK3877 TRC Hay Rake

22,116 Bales, Gazeeka Moisture Meter, 6 String.

60,478 Bales, 1 Local Owner from new, Fully Serviced Ex Cond.

65,150 Bales, 3’ X 4’ Bale size.

Low Bale count 31,500 Bales, Exc Cond used for Lucerne.

2 x 12 arm rotors, 7.6m max raking width, 1 local owner

FER AVAILABLE FROM YOUR LOCAL SSEY FERGUSON DEALER TODAY

Big baler accessories available for all brands of balers: • Gazeeka moisture meters and in-paddock weather stations • Hay Boss innoculant applicators and moisture meters • Grevillia Ag low volume, innoculant applicators

• Agco hand-held moisture probes • Palmer Ag innoculant applicators

Have our 2018, trained service fiton these accessories for you. Locally owned rate business a fresh focus and commitment. ends 30 September while stockstechnicians last. Available chattel mortgage agreement with an interest of 0% with over 12 months based on either posit with 2 half-yearly payments in arrears OR 30% deposit with 12 equal monthly repayments. Fees and lending conditions apply to approved olders. Finance is provided by AGCO Finance Pty Ltd ABN 42 107 653 878.

SSEYFERGUSON.COM.AU

EY

FERGUSON®,

Page

26

MF®,

the triple-triangle

A world of experience. Working with you for 60 years. logo®

is a worldwide brand of AGCO. © 2018.

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Proudly brought to you by:

Th

D

New lamb definition 95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

IF IN DOUBT: Agriculture Victoria senior veterinary officer Dr Paul Beltz, of Horsham, said new animal welfare signs would be installed at Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange.

Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Livestock transport safety N

ew animal welfare signage reminding producers, agents and transporters that livestock must be ‘fit for transport’ will soon be in place at all Victorian saleyards and livestock scales.

Agriculture Victoria has developed the signs to remind all parties across the livestock supply chain about their obligations when transporting livestock.

Agriculture Victoria Livestock Wel-

fare Compliance program manager Dr Rachael Holmes said the signs served as an important reminder to livestock producers, agents and transporters.

“Livestock must be inspected prior to being loaded and they must not be suffering from conditions that could cause, or would be likely to cause, increased pain or distress during transport,” she said.

“Any person in charge of an animal, which might include producers, farm

workers, transporters and livestock agents, must not allow any animal to be loaded that is not fit for the journey ahead.

“It is the responsibility of each person in charge of the animal at each step of the supply chain to make that assessment, and to make appropriate arrangements for the care, treatment or humane destruction of any animals deemed to be unfit for transportation.”

The new animal welfare signs, which will be displayed in public locations at sheep and cattle saleyards and at livestock scales across the state, aim to further promote best practice in animal welfare across the livestock industry.

For further information on animal welfare people can contact animal health staff at Agriculture Victoria or call the customer centre on 136 186.

THE

The Australian sheep industry is on track to adopt a new definition for ‘lamb’ on July 1 this year.

The new definition is ‘an ovine animal that is under 12 months of age or does not have any permanent incisor teeth in wear’.

A new series of resources launched last week provides guidance to the industry on what the change means in practice and how to apply the new definition.

Sheep Producers Australia, SPA, in partnership with Meat and Livestock Australia and the Australian Meat Industry Council helped develop the resources, which are available online at www.sheepproducers.com.au/ lamb-definition.

The website includes a fact sheet and video featuring infographics and live lamb examples to make interpretation of the new definition easier.

SPA president Chris Mirams said the resources would help give producers confidence in applying the definition.

“These new resources clearly explain the change and ensure sheep producers have the tools to know what permanent incisor teeth in wear look like, compared with incisor teeth which are erupted but not yet in wear,” he said.

“For producers, the change means having increased confidence to finish their lambs in the best condition possible.”

PRECISION AIR CART

ULTIMATE

SEEDING

BIG SAVInG S WITH SEC TIo ConTR n ol

MOR – 9 Series Logo_A

SOLUTION ENGINEERED BY

ER DEEP G n I l TIl F 3M C T

innovationunearthed.com ContaCt your loCal dealer

AIr DrILL

Swan Hill Belle-Vue Trading (03) 5032 3277 Ballarat Cervus Equipment (03) 5334 7555

Rokewood Western Plains Motors (03) 5346 1223 Hamilton Cervus Equipment (03) 5572 3522

formerly Wilkie Couriers This is Bruce.

Bruce is waiting for his delivery...

Don’t be like Bruce, don’t wait!

Call the team at Caledonian Transport.

Warracknabeal Belle-Vue Trading (03) 5394 1070 innovationunearthed.com Bordertown SA Wise Farm Equipment (08) 8752 0633

Sub agents for over a dozen national freight companies with Depots in Horsham & Ballarat.

Also with a huge local clientele base.

Delivering anything - from a small parcel to full truck loads - to all the outer Wimmera areas daily including: • Horsham • St Arnaud • Warracknabeal • Birchip • Hopetoun • Nhill • Kaniva • Edenhope • Apsley and everywhere in between.

With a fleet of modern, GPS tracked vehicles so you can obtain a realistic ETA on your delivery.

Vine Street South (off Peach Ave.), Horsham | Ph: 5382 6628 | caledoniantransport.com.au Putting trust in transport.

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

Page

27

NEW and USED

FARM MACHINERY DEALS Bobcat Fastcat Pro SE 48

TTA DS180NW/W 6’ Slasher c/w Rear Wheel

Hardi Pick-Up Unit, 600Lt, 6 metre SB Boom

18hp Kawasaki FX600v, 48” side discharge.

SN 17000382. 600 pump, 4HP Honda engine, SC-3 controller, 20m hose reel, 60S gun, 15lt hand wash tank.

$10,000 incl. GST

654kg, 75hp gearbox, gal. body.

$8800

$3850

Grainline - 4”x 6m Pencil Auger

Bobcat Quickcat Stand-on

incl. GST

WALKER 21D - HIGH DUMP MOWER

$3069 incl. GST

48”cut, ROPS, flashing light, Grammer suspension seat, height adjuster.

All prices are on stocked items only!!

incl. GST

1hp electric motor, single phase.

FX600V Kawasaki 36SD.

Grainline - 4”x 6m Pencil Auger

$19,800

$3520

incl. GST

1.5hp electric motor, single phase.

$12,990 incl. GST

incl. GST

BUILT FOR SERIOUS BUSINESS. Nothing gets the job done like a BOB-CAT®. For a professional cut, durability and ease of ownership, look no further than the BOB-CAT range, where there’s a mower for your toughest turf challenges.

Backed by the best warranty in the business, BOB-CAT® gives you reliability you can depend on— all day, every day.

0

Steel fabricated deck Kawasaki Engines Zero-turn maneuverability

INTEREST DEAL*

INDUSTRY LEADING WARRANTY

no

deposit

*T&C apply.

Deck sizes from 36” - 72” 12 months interest free finance

bobcataustralia

03 5382 6103 book a demo today INSTANT ASSET TAX WRITE-OFF ... now BIGGER & BETTER

Buy now to reduce your tax burden this Financial Year

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

Page

28

Increased to

$30,000

* Inc GST if not registered for tax, Ex GST if registered.

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

*

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

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Proudly brought to you by:

Th

D

No more white noise W

hat do you think when you hear the phrase, ‘The Murray Darling Basin Plan’.

Country Today with Libby Price

example of what an innovative approach can do.

The Marshalls use the latest in dairy genetics and his workers love their jobs and are as committed to the business as the owners.

But water reliability is now just 50 percent and the farm has been dealt one disaster after another, with devastating floods in 2016 that irrigators blame on environmental flows being pushed through the system to South Australia, and now two years in succession of zero water allocation.

Lachlan openly talks about the shame he feels at contemplating selling up.

“We’re looking down the barrel of having to make some very tough decisions at the opening of the irrigation season if we have no allocation,” he said.

“I can’t continue to lose money the way we are and we’re going to have to shut our dairy down.”

Asked what he will do for a living, Lachlan can only say, ‘the unthinkable’.

“Four generations of my family have

– Lachlan Marshall

bred these cows up… that’s a bit of a rabbit hole that none of us want to look down right now.”

As for the debt accrued in building up such a big operation he said ‘that’s a millstone that will probably hang around my neck for the rest of my life.’

He’s close to tears as he talks of his trip to Canberra to meet the Prime Minster, Scott Morrison, to argue for something to be done.

On the way, he read a letter his 11-yearold daughter had given him to pass on to the PM. “I was naive thinking my kids didn’t understand the situation and the pressures,” he said.

“She called for leadership. She begged the Prime Minister for help to save her home.”

As they say, out of the mouth of babes.

CALL 03 5391 2106

Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre analysis has found Vietnamese demand for premium Australian wheat could spike by as much as 44 percent in the next decade.

Vietnam is Australia’s second-largest wheat market after Indonesia, worth $460-million each year on average.

A report titled ‘Wheat and barley markets in Vietnam: their strategic importance to Australia’ analysed Vietnam’s grain market and economy to understand trends and suggest future actions for the Australian grain industry.

Lead author Dr Peter White said Australia has historically been Vietnam’s largest wheat supplier, providing about 1.5-million metric tons, mmt, each year on average.

But Dr White warned the Black Sea wheat had been encroaching in the feed sector in recent years.

“About 0.9mmt of Australian wheat was used in Vietnam’s higher priced food market and we expect increased demand to expand this market segment to 1.3mmt by 2030 – a 44 percent increase,” he said.

“Similar to other south east Asian countries, Australian wheat has an excellent reputation for noodles in Vietnam. Australian wheat is also Vietnam’s first choice for bread.

“To maintain and grow this market, the Australian grains industry has to make sure our wheat continues to meet the quality expectations of Vietnamese end-users as the economy grows and incomes increase.”

Dr White said malt and feed barley were also potential areas of growth for Australian exports.

“Vietnam is one of the top 10 beer markets in the world, and Australia is already their largest supplier of malt and malt barley,” he said.

“In the two years since the Intermalt malting plant – partly owned by Australian grain growers cooperative CBH – opened in Vietnam, barley imports into Vietnam increased from about 50,000mt to more than 150,000mt in 2018. Australia supplied about 80 percent of this barley. This malting plant has the ability to double its capacity by 2030.”

Dr White said feed barley was another untapped market for Australia.

im R me e dia ady te f de or liv er y

I’ve been reporting on it since its inception by the Howard Government and confess to often hearing a lot of white noise when it’s mentioned.

So many Sydney Harbours or olympic swimming pools of water to be preserved for the environment.

It’s a difficult concept to get your head around.

How is that water saved? When does it go to the environment? How is the water measured? You see what I mean: white noise of water numbers that very few completely understand.

It’s remarkable how the fog suddenly lifts when you’re face-to-face with an irrigator facing ruin.

Lachlan Marshall was in his mid-twenties and farming in south east Queensland when he was enticed to move the fourth generation dairy farming operation to the southern Riverina with the promise of plenty of water.

“We moved here for water, for the ability to grow our own home grown forage,” he said.

“When we moved here there was an 87 percent reliability of receiving high allocation levels.”

A decade on and the 1800 dairy cow operation with milking three times a day and employing 17 people should be a fine

“I was naive thinking my kids didn’t understand the situation and the pressures.

She called for leadership.

She begged the Prime Minister for help to save her home”

Wheat demand on rise 95 Nelson Street, Nhill

This month only

BIG BOOMS, BIG SAVINGS SAVE $200 PER METRE! * Offer Terms and Conditions 1. To qualify for the offer, the retail customer must purchase a HARDI sprayer during the Promotion period ending 30 June 2019 2. Offer applies to new retail sales only 3. Saving applies to advertised boom width 4. Offer applies to HARDI Self-Propelled and Trailed Sprayers 5.

All prices are GST inclusive 6. HARDI reserves the right to update or change the terms at any time. Please see HARDI.com.au/terms for more.

June is a great time to save money on a new HARDI sprayer from Wimmera Mallee Ag. That’s because you’ll get a $200 discount for every metre of boom – on top of WMA’s best offer. You could save up to $9,700 extra with a 48.5m HARDI PARAGON Aluminium boom.

T. 03 5382 6103 8 HAMILTON ROAD HORSHAM • 3402 Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Choose from a versatile range of trailed and selfpropelled HARDI sprayers, all with outstanding boom ride for more effective spray application.

Plus there are sprayers ready for immediate delivery from the factory. So call or visit now, and get the deal done in this financial year.

Wimmera Mallee Ag PTY LTD

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

Page

29

Which pile would you prefer ?

In the last 12 months we obtained ed over $180,000 more fered in claim settlements than the insurance companies offered for our clients. Get the most out of your insurance with Grampians Insurance Brokers.

99 Barkly Street, Ararat • 3 Patrick Street, Stawell 5352 2661 or 5358 4030 • www.grampiansinsurance.com.au

FINANCE AVAILABLE

FROM 1.99%*

JOHN DEERE 9870 STS & 635D PACKAGE, 2011

CASE IH 8230 2012

2746 Engine Hours, 1919 Rotor Hours, 420 HP, 900/60R32 Front Tyres, 600/6528 Rear Tyres

1955 Engine Hours, 1438 Rotor Hours 12.9L IVECO Engine 450 HP, 1,000 Litre Fuel Tank Capacity

Coolamon 3 Axle Comb Trailer

$324,500

QUALITY USED

GO COMBINES READY TO

JOHN DEERE S680, 640D & TRAILER, 2012 PACKAGE

2046 Engine Hours, 1769 Rotor Hours, 420 HP, 20.8R42 Dual Front Tyres, 600/65R28 Rear Tyres

1796 Engine Hours, 1499 Rotor Hours, 470 HP, Excellent Condition

$264,000

NSW

VIC SA

30

BIRCHIP 03 5492 2311 HORSHAM 03 5382 1727 SHEPPARTON 03 5821 4555 WARRACKNABEAL 03 5398 1877 BORDERTOWN 08 8752 1311

$330,000 INC GST

JOHN DEERE 9870, 640D & TRAILER PACKAGE, 2011

INC GST

Coolamon 3 Axle Comb Trailer

$324,500 INC GST

CASE IH 8230 2012

NEW HOLLAND CR9080, HONEYBEE TRAILER PACKAGE

1749 Engine Hours, 1524 Rotor Hours 6 Cyclinder Iveco Engine 1,00 Litre Fuel Tank Capacity 450 HP

2009 Model, 42 Ft, 3775 Engine Hours, 2797 Rotor Hours, 6 Cylinder Cursor Engine

$324,500

Page

INC GST

Finley Farm & Steel Supplies 40FT Tralier, 2011

* T’S&C’S APPLY

We’re with you all the way

INC GST

Stump Jump Comb, Trailer, 2009

$230,000 INC GST

CONDOBOLIN 02 6895 2622 COROWA 02 6033 1666 FORBES 02 6852 1200 GRENFELL 02 6343 1422 WEST WYALONG 02 6972 2288

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Proudly brought to you by:

Th

D

‘Undercover Downunder’

F

armers looking to reduce inputs, grow more with less moisture and increase profitability will get access to world-best knowledge at one of Australia’s premier farming conferences next month.

Leading soil researcher and regenerative agriculture advocate Joel Williams will headline the 17th annual Vic No-Till conference in Shepparton on July 18 and 19.

‘Undercover Downunder’ is the focus of the conference, which will also feature leading farmers including Marrar’s Dan Fox, who won an innovation award at last year’s Kondinin Farmer of the Year awards.

Other speakers are 2018 Nuffield Scholar Grant Pontifex, whose family farms on the Yorke Peninsula and Kangaroo Island in South Australia; Vic No-Till president and 2015 Coles Weekly Times Farmer of the Year Grant Sims from Pine Grove, Victoria; and Wimmera farmer Tim Rethus, whose family enterprise is well known for its early adoption of farming technology including no-till and controlled traffic farming.

Dr Ash Martin from Microbiology Laboratories AUS will also speak about applying science to address challenges in farming systems.

The event will also include a pop-

ular rainfall simulator demonstration, which Vic No-Till brought to Australia for the first time in 2017 as a way of showing rain impact and soil infiltration under five different farming systems.

Soil biology, multi-species covers, integrating livestock into cropping systems, strip ‘n’ disc farming, plant nutrition and compost will be among the topics up for discussion.

Mr Williams, known for his practical approach and engaging presentations, will present the latest research on a link between plant root exudates and soil biology and what it means for farming production.

“Research highlights that exudate-microbial interactions can be pre-predicted and pre-programmed by the genetics and hence manipulated for our benefit via plant breeding,” he said.

“We are all aware of the benefits of plant breeding generally, but now being able to link plant breeding to soil microbiomes opens up a whole host of new possibilities in redesigning our production systems.”

Vic No-Till farming group, formed in 2002, is dedicated to helping farmers achieve better results at harvest time while encouraging greater adoption of sustainable and profitable food production systems through reduced tillage and regenerative farming.

SHARING KNOWLEDGE: Wimmera farmer Tim Rethus will be a speaker at a Vic No-Till conference in Shepparton next month.

With a focus on ‘farmers helping farmers’, Vic No-Till is a point of call for farmers around the world looking to know more about building soil biology and how no-till regenerative farm-

ing systems work. For more information and bookings people can call conference organiser Penny Stemp on 0402 216 267 or email penny@ vicnotill.com.au.

Bike safety a priority 95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

Victorian Farmers Federation has thrown its support behind a Victorian Government and WorkSafe Victoria safety campaign to promote safer quad bike use.

VFF president David Jochinke said many farmers had been affected by quad-bike accidents.

“The real-life stories shared in the new safety campaign are deeply uncomfortable and painful to hear,” he said.

“Yet these farmers could be considered the lucky ones because they are still here to tell their stories.

“There are too many adults and children who never walked away from their quad bike accident.

“Everyone who owns a quad bike must implement practical rules about how, when, where and by whom the quad bike is used.

“These rules need to be clearly explained to all family members, staff, and visitors who visit your property.”

Mr Jochinke said quad-bike accidents could happen at any time and safety precautions should always be taken.

Mr Jochinke said a rebate was available for operator protection devices.

Farmers wishing to apply for the rebate can call the VFF on 1300 882 833 or visit www.vff.org.au/ quadbike to apply for the rebate immediately.

Lucerne seed available Because good seed doesn’t cost, it pays...

Craig Altmann 0448 863 169

Sales Agronomist - Seed Sales and Marketing

3487 Creswick-Newstead Rd, Smeaton, Vic Phone: 03 5345 6262 Fax: 03 53456442 www.agfseeds.com.au Wednesday, June 26, 2019

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

Page

31

FIND A FINANCE PARTNER WHO UNDERSTANDS YOU with

FARMERS:

CROPOPTI SERVICES

HAY SEASON IS APPROACHING!

CROPOPTI

LEADERS IN AGRONOMY

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

Don’t let your valuable hay go to s#*% this season

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

Over 150 years experience

✘ TIME

Call your local team...

✓

Travis Hair 0437 778 202 Matt Beddison 0429 007 810

ld y a McDona Protected b hed Steel hay s

Stefan Phillips 0400 792 482 Josh Mahoney 0427 748 943

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

EFFORT ASSETS RETURN

Be organised... get in early, and beat  5381 0992 the rush! www.mcdonaldsteelhorsham.com.au

Vecteezy.com

Cnr Golf Course Road & Kendal Drive, Horsham

For a smashing deal on a shed, with no thin s#*%!

SEE THE IRON MAN!

Timing belts

Bushings and hubs

Chains

Sprockets

Couplings and universal joints Special belts

V and wedge belts

Pulleys

Smart tools

15 Carine Street,Road Horsham in theDrive, BIG RED SHED Cnr Golf Course & Kendal Horsham

 5381 0992

www.mcdonaldsteelhorsham.com.au Page

32

14B Sloss St, Horsham | (03) 5381 0800 | Fax (03) 5381 0801

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Proudly brought to you by:

Th

D

‘Thriving pastures’ sets the scene 95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

A

ustralian farmers might be enduring one of the worst droughts in the country’s history, but a Grassland Society of Southern Australia annual conference in Creswick will hear forecasts of a silver lining on the horizon.

Independent meat and livestock analyst Simon Quilty will tell the conference next month that beef prices are likely to hit record levels about two years after the drought breaks.

He predicts southern Australia will emerge from drought this winter and northern Australia will have an extraordinary wet season starting later this year.

“This spells good news for Australian producers on the top of the global ramifications of African swine fever driving up demand for Australian beef,” he said.

The Grassland Society of Southern Australia 60th anniversary conference will be on July 17 and 18 with the theme ‘thriving pastures’.

Mr Quilty’s predictions at the 2017 Grassland Society conference of a super demand cycle proved accurate and he now says the next cattle price cycle ‘will start when it rains’.

“There are various views on the drought outlook and I’ve come up with my own analysis predicting southern Australia’s break will be

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

SPECIAL GUEST: Independent meat and livestock analyst Simon Quilty will address a Grassland Society of Southern Australia annual conference in Creswick next month. this winter and northern Australia this coming wet season,” he said.

“This will be good news for farmers, not only for pasture growth, but for stock prices.

“Once that break occurs, within 24 to 28 months cattle prices will peak again and the next peak will be much higher.

“The last peak was $7.25 per kilogram in October 2016, this peak will be well above $8.

“Once we get back to a rebuilding phase, the prices here will come in line with global meat prices and then surpass them.”

“At the same time stockers and breeders will become enthused about

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

owning females, reversing a trend that has seen record numbers of females killed in recent months, which is an indicator that this might be our worst drought in history.”

Mr Quilty said the consequences of this would be felt for years as the impact of liquidation on herd rebuilding would be significant.

He said a lack of rain in New South Wales and parts of Queensland and Victoria had resulted in poor pasture growth, but good rain in Victoria in May indicated long-term drought rainfall patterns had returned.

Mr Quilty said African swine fever was causing an enormous liquidation of hogs in China, driving protein prices globally.

“We’ve had demand for beef skyrocket this year,” he said.

“That void is being filled by beef out of Australia, New Zealand and South America.

“Global beef prices had been going higher under the super-demand cycle and that has been given an extra shot in the arm.”

During the conference speakers and researchers will provide an in-depth look at grassland soils and subsoils; constraints that are often overlooked; and how to plan pastures that are a resilient match for ever-increasing climate variability.

There will also be a panel discussion on managing risk in a changing climate and the program includes trade displays and a bus tour to visit a local property.

Bookings can be made with GSSA by calling 1300 137 550 or emailing office@grasslands.org.au.

Page

33

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

$25.00 20kg Bag

“Like” Us On Facebook

Prevent milk fever in sheep 95 Nelson Street, Nhill CALL 03 5391 2106

Farmers have been urged to act now to prevent hypocalcaemia, more commonly known as milk fever, in sheep.

Hypocalcaemia is a deficiency of calcium in the blood, with cases in pregnant ewes expected at this time of year.

It can be prevented by adding a calcium supplement, or by giving dry roughage to sheep on lush feed.

Milk fever usually occurs in mature, fat ewes during the last six weeks of pregnancy or the first 10 days after lambing, although other classes of sheep might also be affected.

It often follows time off feed or stressful events such as shearing, crutching, transport, mustering and yarding.

Cases of hypocalcaemia can also occur during exposure to

inclement weather. Hypocalcaemia usually occurs on either rapidly growing pasture, green cereal crops, when feeding grain, or on pasture that has oxalate containing plants such as sorrel and soursob.

Farmers can call a local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria animal health staff on 136 186 for more information.

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

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED FAMILY BUSINESS • 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

Understanding herbicide extent A

uthorities have encouraged grain growers in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania who detect weeds that have survived herbicide applications to have those weeds tested in-season for herbicide resistance.

University of Adelaide and Plant Science Consulting research scientist Peter Boutsalis said screening weeds during the winter crop growing season to determine their resistance status provided growers with valuable information on the effectiveness of herbicides on target weeds, potentially preventing the costly use of ineffective herbicides and reducing the spread of herbicide resistance.

A ‘Quick Test’ – the only in-season test of its kind in which plants, grasses and some broadleaf weeds are tested for herbicide resistance or susceptibility – can assist growers in understanding the extent of resistance on their properties.

“The Quick Test works on plants from seedlings to advanced tillering, as long as the plants are green and healthy,” Dr Boutsalis said.

“The test usually takes about four weeks to complete, provided the weeds received are in good condition.”

Dr Boutsalis, who conducts research into herbicide resistance as part of a Grains Research and Development Corporation, GRDC, investment, said it was important to provide accurate details about the location from which weeds were collected for sampling during registration for the test.

“Growers should collect 50 to 100 plants per paddock, aiming to collect 20 plants per herbicide test – fewer plants are needed if they are tillering,” he said.

“After carefully pulling out plants, soil should be shaken from the roots and it is also critical that growers do not wash or wet plants.

“They should be placed in a small plastic sandwich bag or wrapped in cling wrap.”

Information about the Quick Test service, including a video on how to prepare and send samples for testing, is available on the Plant Science Consulting website at bit.ly/2Wh2X5v.

GRDC Southern Region Panel and GRDC Southern Regional Cropping Solutions Network have identified herbicide resistance as a priority issue for southern region grain growers.

Annual resistance surveys conducted by Dr Boutsalis and his colleagues have shown concerning levels of herbicide resistance in some weed species in many parts of the southern cropping region.

WEED WISDOM: Research scientist Peter Boutsalis says screening weeds to determine their resistance status provides growers with valuable information on the effectiveness of herbicides on target weeds, potentially preventing the costly use of ineffective herbicides and reducing the spread of herbicide resistance.

“The surveys provide resistance status information on a regional basis, informing growers’ integrated weed management strategies,” Dr Boutsalis said.

“In-season testing of weeds that growers suspect are resistant adds another layer of knowledge to support growers in combating the spread of resistance and extending the longevity of existing chemistries, and the employment of effective chemical and non-chemical weed control tactics.”

Information on herbicide resistance and weed management is available via the GRDC’s Integrated Weed Management hub at www.grdc. com.au/IWMhub and the GRDC-supported WeedSmart resource centre at www.weedsmart. org.au.

Robyn visits the following places: H Warracknabeal/Hopetoun H Edenhope H Nhill/Kaniva H Stawell/Halls Gap H Rainbow H Minyip/Murtoa/Rupanyup

We’ll try and go almost anywhere! (LOL) Page

34

www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au

62a McPherson St, Horsham Phone 5382 4219 | Mobile 0429 824 219 www.curtainsbyrobyncreek.com.au Wednesday, June 26, 2019